Baldock Town Twinning
In 2013 Eisenberg celebrated 1,250 years of the town's charter.
This was a major occasion and Baldock was invited to participate.
Despite our initial worries, a splendid carnival float was prepared by our members, located on a vehicle loaned to us by one of the Eisenberg members.
The highlight of 2013 was the Eisenberg 1,250-year Jubilee.
Baldock, Sanvignes and other 6 Eisenberg towns of Germany and Austria were present to share in the celebrations.
On the first night there was an historic meeting of the Town council, where all the local dignitaries gave speeches, followed by the twin towns. Your Chairman was the last to speak and gave a (short!) speech in 3 languages, which was well received.
On the Sunday there was a Carnival procession through the town. There were 72 floats in the parade, including Baldock. We featured “Britishness”, with Margaret Pickering as Queen Victoria and Paul Luckett as Prince Albert (from Hannover). The Queen was (apparently) amused! The Prince greeted his "fellow countrymen".
Ray Gallagher and Chris Alpress played 1-a-side cricket on the float. No runs were scored and no-one was bowled out, but the crowd seemed quite interested (or perplexed?).
Malcolm Bage, Rob Hemmings, Paul Taylor and John Wright danced as Morris Men. They were quite worn out by the end of the parade and needed a long drink!
Grateful thanks to all who took part, especially those who decorated the float so beautifully, the Morris men and others who wore their period costumes with pride.
We certainly made a big impression on our German twin town.
Some of us want to go back again as soon as possible.
"We'll drink to that!"