1955: Die 16jährige Bryanne Richardson berichtet über ein Fest im Jugendheim:

Dieser Bericht lag dem Brief von Allen Wall, geb. Richardson, aus Neuseeland bei, ihr eigener Text. Sie fand die mit "Bleistift" geschriebenen Zeilen bei ihren Unterlagen aus ihrer Schulzeit. Das Foto zeigt die junge Anna Wall, geb. Richardson, während ihres ersten Aufenthaltes im Jugendheim Lorbach 1953.

AN ACCOUNT WRITTEN IN PENCIL BY ANNE RICHARDSON, AGED 16, ON HER SECOND TRIP TO LORBACH/KÖLN WITH DR.MARTIN DEUTSCHKRON AND THE PARTY FROM THE REDDITCH COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL. AUGUST 1955.

The Jugendheim Lorbach/Eifel was the scene of a gay party on Sunday 5th August when the visiting group of English students combined forces with their German friends to give a miniature concert to their visitors.

Although the weather was not very pleasant, all the visitors arrived and we were especially pleased to welcome our forester friend and his wife, the friends from Mechernich lead-mines, the Mayor of Lorbach and representatives of the triumphant Lorbach Fussball-Mannschaft.

The party began with a Speech of welcome by Dr.Deutschkron and the singing of a selection of songs, both English and German. Much practice during previous evenings had perfected our performance immensely and l think we could easily have competed with the Luton Girls Choir or Oben-Kirchen Choir.

Janet Hemming, an English Student, read a poetical description of Lorbach which had been written by our friend Mrs Beryl E. Rushton especially for our exchange parties. Janet read the German translation while Walter Aisbach, a German boy, read Mrs Rushton's original English version.

A very intricate but pretty German dance was then executed by German boys and their English partners, which gained much applause.

After another selection of songs which included "Kein schöner Land" and "The Happy Wanderer", we heard more readings. This time, a German boy, Karl Josef Schultes, read a very beautifui passage from a well-known magazine, entitled "Not by bread alone" which was followed by a "Gebet von Franciscus von Assisi" read by Anne Richardson, an English girl.

To the music of Bob Chambers on the piano-accordian, English boys danced the jolly Scottish dance "The Gay Gordons" with their German partners.

Herr Willi Alsbach spoke in German to both the students and the visitors, explaining the work of our exchange system and telling of the good times we spend together both in Germany and England.

Our thanks go to the Misses Stetler who worked so hard in order to perfect our singing and dancing - we think they were very courageous!

Our party ended with a rousing selection of English songs, "What shall we do with the drunken sailor?" "Hearts of Oak" and finally German and English, bound together by mutual friendship, sang "Auld Lang Syne" to end a memorable visit to Lorbach/Eifel for 1955.

We had, however, not only one party, but two, for the following Tuesday we met again, this time in the great Sparkasse der Stadt Koln, where we were entertained by our friends in Cologne. After being shown over the building, including offices on top floors and the more mechanical side of a bank in the basement, we saw several films telling the story of coinage through the ages.

A wonderful tea was provided for us, during which we sang several numbers from our ever-increasing repertoire and Karl Josef Schultes and Anne Hobday recited for our entertainment.

We heard about the running of a large Bank and ended our meeting with a rousing cheer, by way of saying "thank you" to such kind friends.

(This trip took place from the end of July to 12th August. Whilst in Cologne we were taken to Bonn to the (temporary) Bundeshaus.)

Typed up by Anne Wall (nee Richardson) in New Zealand, 22.11.2011

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