Denzlingen

Just to the south west of Lincoln is the town of North Hykeham. In 2003 the Pipes and Drums of RAF Waddington were invited to participate in a prestigious International Cultural Celebration in North Hykehams twin town of Denzlingen located in the southern part of Germany’s Black Forest. Our participation involved the band flying to Germany and giving several performances over the weekend with an evening concert at the “Kultur & Bürgerhaus Denzlingen”. This concert was opened by the RAF Waddington Band and also included a memorable performance from North Hykehams Amateur Dramatic Society along with other participants from all of Denzlingen’s other twin towns (Saint-Cyr-sur Mer from France, and Città della Pieve from Italy).

The “Kultur & Bürgerhaus Denzlingen” was only opened to the public in 2003. The building was entirely funded by the town. This new centre for social and cultural events is notable for it’s architecture and it’s compliance with low energy standards, . It is used in various ways by the people of Denzlingen including meetings, concerts and other events. There is a restaurant with terraces around an artificial pond. It was certainly a fantastic venue for the concert and the dance which followed.

Whilst in Denzlingen, we were accommodated and looked after by local volunteer host families. These good folk were generous in their hospitality and fed and wined us as well as providing us all with a free taxi service to get us to our different meeting points and practices. Throughout the stay, when we travelled together, it was on Rainer Baden’s bus !! Rainer was ever helpful, witty and patient.
To all our new friends in Denzlingen, all the members of the band remain grateful to you for your kindness and hospitality.

Left : First stop after Strasbourg. Getting changed behind the trees in a car park next door to where a circus had set up camp. We then marched into the market square of Gagenbach and gave our first display. Then back to the car park to change and re-pack our suitcases before heading on to Denzlingen.