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50th Anniversary visit to Denmark twin club

A week ago a party of 4 couples crossed the North Sea avoiding all the clouds of ash to visit our twin club, Randers Vestre in Denmark.  We return bringing the greetings of their Club expressed by their President, Kim. 

 

It was a remarkable visit as we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of this arrangement which has brought so much pleasure to so many people through the years.  And the Danes certainly know how to celebrate!  We were welcomed to that green and rolling country in a very warm and hospitable way, and embarked on a visit packed with interest and time for relaxation.

 

Our first day was spent relaxing with our various host families who treated us to traditional fare and good company.  On the following day we paid an interesting visit to an imaginative project called “No Name” which was a residential facility for the rehabilitation of young people between the ages of 13-18. In the project they enjoyed many activities, mostly outdoors, but also taught life skills.  The main focus of the project was centred on a circus in which aided by experienced circus people the residents helped stage a daily performance for the delight of visitors.

 

The two principal activities of the second day was a visit to a local museum in Randers which featured most of the traditional crafts which were an integral part of the local history and culture in the past 3 centuries.  In the evening a celebration dinner was held to mark the 50th anniversary.  Whenever their Club meets a member is selected to speak for 3 minutes on any subject of their choosing.  On this occasion I was given the honour of this slot.

 

Our main activity on the Sunday was a visit to a new museum of Contemporary art which lies at the heart of Aarhus.  This was a fascinating and challenging exhibition where we given a guided tour.  We then returned to Randers for the farewell dinner.  Dinners in Demark feature much fish and much singing and much Skol, and I think our group acquitted themselves admirably in ensuring this visit was both successful and memorable.

 

We look forward to welcoming some their members to our Club in 2012.
 

 

For myself I enjoyed a good bird watching weekend in which I identified 63 species, some seen on a new Nature Reserve In Randers rather like our local Attenborough where Rotary played a hand in its development.  At least no translation is needed where bird song is concerned.

 

This will always remain one of the highlights of my Presidential year.
 
by President Geoffrey
 
Pictures: Touring NoName residential facility in the centre's bus train. Nottingham takes on the Danes at "Welly" throwing. Performing ponies at the NoName circus.   
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Pictures: Pictures: NoName circus clowns, brothers from Poland. Randers Rotarian children tackling the NoName obstacle course. Senior Vice President Tony on the lookout for new members.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pictures: The Salt Centre at Randers. The Randers Fjord. Rander Rotary traditional 3 minute talk given by President Geoffrey.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pictures: President Kim honours Villy Sorenson as the driving force behind the success of the Randers/Nottingham twinning. Fine Danish food and lots of it.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pictures: The 50th Anniversary celebration dinner. Visit to Aros Art Museum on Sunday. Refreshments during the visit to the museum across from the court buildings.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pictures: Farewell party at the home of Christian and Sys ending with the inevitable sing song.