Visit by Coesfeld Rotary club from Germany

13^th Twinning visit with Coesfeld Rotary club

On October 25^th, 2024, 18 Rotarians & partners from Coesfeld Rotary in Germany arrived at Birmingham airport for a weekend of fun and fellowship to celebrate the 40^th Anniversary of Melton Belvoir Charter in 1984.

The visitors were met at the airport by Melton Rotarians at 7.45am and taken to Gilks Garage Café in Kineton for a hearty full English breakfast.

Following this they were then transported to the British Motor Museum at Gaydon for a 45-minute private tour (see photos). Knowing that many of the Coesfeld members are ‘petrol heads’ and love our English motoring TV programmes (especially Top Gear) we hope that they enjoyed the experience.

This was then followed by driving them back to Melton to meet their hosts for the weekend and to settle in and to rest with their hosts.

Friday evening is traditionally a time to get together in groups with their hosts and other club members either at home or at local hostelries or restaurants for a typical English (or Indian) meal.

After a leisurely breakfast, Saturday daytime is set aside to spend time with their hosts or in small groups to visit local places of interest or specific requests that our visitors would like.

Saturday evening there was a celebratory meal at Sysonby Knoll Hotel for around 60 people including a speech from Past President Gordon Wells recounting the many years of co-operation between the 2 clubs and also from the President of Coesfeld Rotary Club, Joerg Wenningmann, who also paid tribute to the long friendship between the two clubs and the joint projects and presented a cheque for 500 euros towards the next joint project. As usual there was also an exchange of gifts between the two clubs. Finally, the District Governor, Chris Knight, gave a vote of thanks to the two clubs.

After breakfast or brunch on Sunday morning there was various activities in small groups, including a number of Rotarians who planted crocuses on the village green in Barsby to commemorate World Polio Day in aid of Rotary.

Finally, we all then met up at the Carrington Arms pub in Ashby Folville for a welcome drink before retiring to the village hall for a farewell buffet lunch before transporting our German guests back to Birmingham airport for their journey home.

A highly successful Twinning visit once again to renew old friendships and look forward to future trips and joint projects.