We attended the Swaines Green May Fayre on May 1st. Many people took part in our treasure hunt. The treasure was in Forchheim and Chloe Barnard planted the nearest flag and won the treasure of £25.

The event also gave us an opportunity to advertise our association. We had a lot of interest and have signed up at least two new members

The AGM was held on Saturday 28th November 2009. 25 Members attended. The Chairman, Uschi Jesson, reported that it had been a successful year. We had a successful visit to the Alstadtfest even though a few more helpers would have been useful. Our friends from Eppingen visited in October and we enjoyed a good weekend. Nine of members visited Eppingen in October for the Language Course which was then followed by a stay in Dresden. We also held an ‘Open afternoon’ in April which attracted some new members, we took part in the Town Show in June and held a Magic Evening in September. David Goodwin, the treasurer reported that it had been a good year financially, showing a healthy surplus of income over expenditure. Membership currently stands at 50 family and 24 individual members.

We are always looking for ‘new blood’ on the committee – if anyone is interested in joining the committee please contact the secretary, Barbara Lane on 01992 574892. The business meeting was followed by a hot supper and sumptuous desserts prepared by the committee. We then had a very entertaining talk by Mrs O’Sullivan - ‘My Irish Victorian Grandparents’, in which she told us about her childhood in Ireland.

On Saturday afternoon the Town Twinning held a successful Publicity Event to attract new members at Epping Hall in St John’s Road.   After weeks of planning and publicising this event the Association were rewarded with a large number of visitors who were able to view a selection of photographs, leaflets, posters and videos relating to the Twinning whilst enjoying a glass of bucks fizz and some German nibbles.  Current members were on hand to discuss their memories and experiences of the Twinning as a result of which the number of members has increased.  The event also provided us with the opportunity to officially unveil the Twinning Artefacts Cabinet in Epping Hall.  The event was also attended by the Mayor, Ben Murphy, who recently visited Eppingen and is a keen supporter of the Association.