POLICE_WORLD_01_2016

Article

The Black Forest comes to Sussex

Waldshut-Tiengen is in the Black Forest on the Rhine at the bottom left hand corner of Germany. The town is twinned with Lewes, the county town of Sussex, and the respective IPA Branches have been enjoying alternate biannual visits since 1996. I n 2000 the Waldshut-Tiengen branch raised money to relieve the people of Lewes who suffered during the heavy flooding in the town and in 2013 Sussex branch members attended Waldshut to celebrate their branch’s 30th anniversary. This year between the 23rd and the 26th October eleven members from Waldshut visited Sussex arriving as a group flying in from Zurich. Upon arrival a lunch was held at the Black Lion in Patcham (Brighton) before the group dispersed with their respective hosts. Because of the distances involved, Friday afternoon and all day on Saturday was spent at the discretion of the hosts. Many enjoying the seaside at Brighton and the Royal Pavilion, Arundel Castle, a steam railway trip and the annual meeting of one of the various Bonfire Societies, which are very popular in Sussex. On Sunday 25/10 the group met at Birling Gap before walking on the Downs to the Belle Tout lighthouse overlooking the Beachy Head lighthouse. The weather was perfect. The afternoon concluded with a very nice Afternoon Tea in the sun lounge of the Cumberland Hotel on Eastbourne’s seafront as the sun set over the sea. Their Chairman Markus Schaaf presented a gift of Black Forest specialities to Sussex IPA while we were at the hotel. These items were subsequently shared amongst the hosts. On Monday 26/10 those from the west of the county met at the “River Breeze” restaurant in Littlehampton’s very nice refurbished riverfront for a fish & chip lunch before meeting up with the guests and hosts from the east at Pease Pottage prior to leaving for Zurich from Gatwick. A minibus hired from Adur Community Transport was used throughout the weekend. A good time was had by all and we anticipate a return visit to the Black Forest in 2017. Dave Stamp, Sussex Branch

Markus Schaaf Chairman of Waldshut-Tiengen, Donna Powell Chairman of 11 Region and David Stamp Sussex Chairman

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POLICE WORLD Vol 61 No. 1, 2016