The reunion trip to Winterberg in July is now
a reality with sixteen people including, spouses and partners making the
journey. Those travelling by air from the UK meet up at Schipol airport
in Amsterdam where a coach will be waiting. Jim has sent full details to
everyone concerned with flight numbers etc.
Anyone wanting further details about the trip should contact
Jim direct either by E:Mail or telephone.
The weekend coincides with the local Schutzenfest and
that should bring back a lot of memories. A special celebration dinner
is included and we have the use of the coach over the weekend to tour some
of the local countryside.
A report on the trip with photographs will be published
in due course on this web site.
205 S.U. RAF WINTERBERG
Winterberg trip itinerary
16 to 21 July, 1999
Friday 16th 8.00 pm Dinner at the Hessenhof
Saturday 17th From 9.15 to 12.00 am In front of the hotel,
Brass Band Serenades for members of Schuetzengesellschaft* who are
celebrating 25 and 50 years since joining and a final serenade for the
reigning King outside his house, Hellenstrasse 52.
3.00 pm Outside the Schuetzenhalle, the contest to select
the new King.
8.30 pm Celebration in the Schuetzenhalle, we have a special
table reserved
Sunday 2.00 pm Procession will probably go past
the hotel. Further celebrations will start in the Schuetzenhalle
at 4.00 pm(childrens dance) and then at 8.30 pm. It is left to individual
choice as to how much they wish to participate.
Monday 12.30 pm Lunch in Astenturm restaurant. A
light meal since the main
restaurant is closed on Monday
2.00 pm Visit to tower organised by the weather men who
use it now.
Tuesday 11.30 am Visit to old camp which is now
controlled by the German IV/5 Tank Division. We are invited to a
military lunch at cost DM 4.15/head. After lunch, Rex Demster also
ex 205 S.U. (60 to 62) who lives in Winterberg will show us round the bob
run where he is the time keeper. Afterwards, the Bobhaus, be prepared,it
has lost its rustic character.
Wednesday Depart for Amsterdam after breakfast.
Optional lunch in Holland.
*A male dominated institution, translated as Rifle Club
which originated in the last
century and is closely linked to the Catholic church;
it is the core of an annual
celebration lasting 3 days. The traditions vary from
town to town, in the case of
Winterberg, the King is selected on Saturday afternoon,
the first day of the
celebration by being the person who shoots down the last
remnant of a wooden bird which is set up on a high pole.
The King then selects his Queen who would be his wife
if he is married and will be accompanied by 6 pairs of courtiers with whom
he would have made a prevous agreement should he win. The women rush
out and purchase full length ballroom dresses. Starting with the
Saturday evening, the new King and his entourage celebrate in the Schuetzenhalle
and participate in several processions. The celebrations finish Monday
evening. The King reigns for the year and picks up the tab for most
of the entertainment during his reign. Depending upon the size of
the community, the cost will be several 1,000DM but, nevertheless, it is
the objective of many men to be the King once in their lifetime.
John Welsh
More names have been added to the 'Looking for' section
of people who were at Iburg in the 19589-1960 period. With more and more
people signing up for Internet services every day and older people, or
rather people of our generation, forming a substantial percentage of those
doing so, we look forward to more contacts.
If you are still paying for an internet server, there
are now plenty of free services including Freeserve, FreeUK, CurrantBun,
LineOne, Tesco and there is even a free Virgin service.
Personally I keep two running, internet connections that
is, just in case one developes problems.
An extra E Mail address with Hotmail or Hotbot is also
useful as these can be accessed from anywhere in the world.
If you don't want your own connection at home try using
the new EasyEverything shops run by Easyjet. For £2 an hour you can
access the whole web and they have 2000 screen in London and plan others
across the UK soon.
REUNION
2002
I
know you are all keen to have another reunion, so I have provisionally
booked
the Golf Hotel, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire for the weekend 2nd/3rd
November.
It's
a little off the beaten I know, but they always give us a good deal.
The
cost for dinner, bed & breakfast is £43.00 each if sharing a
twin room,
with
a £10.00 supplement for a single.
There
are a couple of changes to the reunion this time.
Firstly,
the invitation is now extended to our wives/partners. Several of
them
have already met, on the Winterberg trip in '99 and at a couple of
smaller
get-togethers here in the U K. This change is not intended to deter
you
single fellows, remember without you there wouldn't be a reunion.
Secondly,
our predecessors at R A F Winterberg, namely 757 S U, have made
contact
with Keith Mason and myself. They were posted to Butzweilerhof in
February
'55, when 205 took over. Some of you earlier 205 members may
remember
them. They have located half a dozen or so of their former unit and asked
to join us at Woodhall Spa. We're only too happy to have them on
board.
To
enable me to confirm the hotel booking, could you please complete and
return
the slip below not later than 26th February.
I
look forward to seeing you all there for another memorable weekend.
Best
regards,
Jim
Hooper
