Jardine visits Gifhorn

Jun 10 2009 by Julie Watt, Dumfries Standard Wednesday

DURING the May meeting of the Gifhorn Friends’ Club the members heard from Ronald Jardine who recently visited Gifhorn.

He was accompanied by his artist daughter and her husband, in order to attend the official presentation of a painting to Gifhorn Council.

The painting of the Waterloo Monument, situated on a hill outside New Abbey, had been commissioned from Mr Jardine’s daughter to commemorate the famous Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

In the not-too-distant future it is hoped that the 200th anniversary will be celebrated locally and in Gifhorn as soldiers from this area and the Gifhorn area of Germany fought side by side. As always, Gifhorn received the visitors’ warmly and made their visit very enjoyable.

A very comprehensive display showing many aspects of Dumfries had been organised by friends in Gifhorn, Frau Mariann Wilke in particular, and was exhibited for all to see and appreciate.

The Gifhorn Friends’ mini-website is now in place, having been updated with text and pictures relating to recent exchanges. The primary school at Gatehouse of Fleet has just returned from a week’s exchange with a Gifhorn school. In August, approximately 20 members of Thornhill Pipe Band will travel to Gifhorn at the time of the annual Altstadtfest where they will play to the thousands of people who gather there to hear music of all kinds. The authorities in Gifhorn are delighted to have a pipe band with its inimitable style to enhance the atmosphere of its weekend festival.

The club is active in promoting the exchange of individuals and groups between Dumfries and Gifhorn. Many long-term friendships exist as a direct result of these exchanges. New members are always welcome to join us at the Birkhill Hotel in Dumfries on the second Wednesday of each month at 7pm.