Group represents town as musicians head to Germany

Ashford Folk enjoys Karneval celebrations

One of the town’s largest music groups has represented Ashford on a trip to its German twin town.

Members of Ashford Folk travelled to Bad Münstereifel armed with fiddles, harmonicas and recorders to join in the town’s Karneval celebrations.

The group of seven played at a range of venues across the German town, from pubs and bars to official events and parties.

Among the engagements was playing at the Rathaus - or town hall - for the mayoral staff’s Karneval party.

They appeared on stage alongside the mayor as she launched the festivities, playing the region’s official anthem.

It was here that the mayor, Sabine Preiser-Marian, awarded an Order to Ashford Folk for their effort in strengthening the twinning.

Jim Davies said: “We had a wonderful weekend and we all very much enjoyed it.

“We got to play in so many different places, and were made to feel very welcome.

“It’s a beautiful medieval town ringed by mountains - it’s definitely worth a visit.”

He thanked the mayor and her staff for the welcome, along with the town’s secretary of the Twinning Association, Karole Welcker, for “doing a lot of work, ferrying us around, and smoothing the way for us to play at venues in the town, but also acting as a tourist guide”.

She said: “Also thank you to Peter Cocks, the chair of the

Ashford Twinning Association, as it wouldn’t have happened without his support and that of the twinning association in Bad Münstereifel.”

The mayor suggested that Ashford Folk could play at an upcoming twinning meeting between the German town, Ashford and their joint French twin, Fougères.

Mayor Preiser-Marian said: “I was very happy to welcome the ‘Ashford Folk’ music group over the Carnival weekend in Bad Münstereifel.

“The official town twinning between Ashford and Bad Münstereifel has existed since 1964.

The town twinning is based on the exchanges of schools, clubs and people in general and is important for peace in Europe, that we have now had for more than 70 years.”

The Ashford Folk Group is always looking for new members, and accepts people of all abilities.

■ If you’d like to join, email Jim Davies at daviesafk@gmail. com for more information.

The group reconnected with their German friend Hubertus Jost, far left; pictured from left to right are Ali Kirkland, Jim Davies, Roland Potter, Claire McKean, June Crowe, Richard Wheeler and Jack Guntrip

Member Jim Davies gets a warm welcome from mayor Sabine Preiser-Marian