Our visit to Marburg

Several members of the Bognor Regis Lions Club and their partners have recently returned from visiting their twin Lions club in Marburg, Germany. The twinning started some 40 years ago and members from the two clubs visit every other year. This year, it was the turn of Bognor to visit the Marburg club. On arrival at Marburg Golf Club, we were welcomed and enjoyed the first of many excellent meals with our hosts. It was the occasion of the European Cup semi-final between Germany and France and being a warm Summer evening, we watched the game on an outside television. Although we cheered for our hosts, we then had to commiserate with them as France beat Germany. It was however a very good game and most of us though it was a much better match than the final on Sunday.

Over the years we have been twinning, some very good friendships have been made and most of us are hosted by our friends in their homes. Likewise, we will be hosting our Marburg friends when they visit us next year.

But back to our recent trip. On day 2, a coach load of members from the two clubs left Marburg at 8.00 am and we spent the day visiting some Roman fortifications near Frankfurt and also an exhibition of artifacts from ancient Greece. It was a most interesting day.

The following day was a free day with our hosts but in the evening, one of the Marburg Lions invited us to a barbeque at his house. Suffice to say, it was a late night.

On day 3, we met at a country Restaurant some miles from Marburg – another excellent lunch – and in the evening, it was time to say farewell to our friends. The gathering was at a local Restaurant and another first class barbeque was enjoyed.

Britain may have voted to leave the E.U but Bognor Lions’ link with Marburg Lions is stronger than ever.