Sleaford & District Twinning Association Visit to Fredersdorf - Vogelsdorf – July 2024
On Thursday 25 July 2024, a small group of 8 Association members flew to Berlin via Stansted airport for our annual trip to Fredersdorf – Vogelsdorf (F-V). It was notable that the group also contained 3 students studying German at Sleaford’s St George’s Academy. Whilst this in itself was not unique, it was however the first time in a number of years that so many students had joined us. At Berlin’s Brandenburg Airport, we met up with 2 more Association members ready for our onward trip to F-V. The big surprise was that our transport was a Feuerwehr minibus.
Despite the challenge of endless roadworks en-route, we finally arrived at Fredersdorf Rathaus where we were met by our hosts and welcomed with drinks and nibbles. A short time later the French group arrived by coach and after much chatting we eventually all departed with our respective hosts for a relaxed evening at home with a much appreciated meal and a few more drinks.
The following morning we all boarded coaches to travel to Potsdam to visit Schloss Cecilienhof which was built in the early 20th century in the style of an English Tudor manor house and gardens. Cecilienhof was made famous in 1945 as the venue for the post-war Potsdam Conference and the signing of the Potsdam Agreement by America, Britain and Russia. Following a very interesting tour of the Schloss, we all enjoyed a packed lunch in the splendid gardens and a stroll around the grounds. A short walk away, many of us found a small local brewery with an outdoor seating area overlooking the adjacent lake. After enjoying a much needed drink (or two), it was time to head back to F-V. Following a quick rest and a spruce up, we were then off to the very enjoyable Gala Evening, where we were all well fed and watered and entertained by a local line-dancing troupe and a disco.
Saturday was a ‘family day’ which was spent with our respective hosts enjoying a wide variety of activities and sightseeing. Our students travelled to Berlin as a group with the visit’s other young people and enjoyed the company of this multinational group and the sights of Berlin’s many famous landmarks. The evening ended with a ‘pot luck supper,’ an informal get together where all the hosts bring something to eat and drink and everyone shares.
On Sunday morning after breakfast, it was time for us all to meet at the Fredersdorf Rathaus for the group photo followed by prolonged farewells to our French and German friends. Having waved off the French coach it was now our turn to depart for the airport, once again courtesy of the Feuerwehr minibus. Following an uneventful flight and drive back to Sleaford, we all agreed that it had been a busy but fantastic fun-filled trip. Our students were an absolute delight to be with and thoroughly enjoyed their visit and the whole Twinning experience. One of them later wrote: ‘The trip was an absolute blast! I had a lot of fun thanks to everyone's kindness, hospitality and the extremely welcoming atmosphere. Each day I learned and tried something new, whether that be a trip to Berlin to go sightseeing, learning some German phrases or trying out the cuisine. Every activity and outing was planned extremely well, and kept me and everyone else on the trip engaged and entertained. The time I spent there flew by very fast and I hope I will get the chance to partake again in the future!’
Ray Howes
