(Move your mouse pointer over the pictures to see the captions)
In July 2003 a party of 13 Young People from Barby visited Stourport.
Our visitors arrived at lunch time on Monday 21st July and were greeted with a welcome lunch in the Parish room.
After spending the rest of Monday with their host families our visitors, together with the young peole of our church, went off to Blackwell Court, Bromsgrove, to get to know each other better. They were accompanied by two leaders from Germany and two leaders from Stourport.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Blackwell Court is a Scout Association residential camp site offering a number of supervised activities for youth organisations.
Swimming Pool activities are good for breaking down barriers and generating friendships.
They had to do their own cooking, with the help of the leaders.
Evening time getting to know you games.
In the dining room, at last!
The canoeing session.
And now some rafting practice
More cooking, or is it washing up?
Then a little abseiling.
And some Go Karting and a trust/comunication exercise.
And so to the final night BBQ, which was also Eike's birthday.
Friday
It's the last day heads down,they all had to write their journals up as part of the visit requirements.
Then it's time for the final photo call before they set off.
From Blackwell Court the group went to Cadbury World for the afternoon before returning to Stourport and back to the host families for the weekend.
Saturday
On Saturday the host families entertained their guests individually.
Sunday
The whole Church family which includes our visitors came together on Sunday morning for our usual Family Eucharist. Our young visitors had prepared a mime presentation depicting "Jesus and the fishermen" which they performed for us.
During the afternoon our hosts again took care of our visitors. My two guest were Oliver and Maik and we took them up the Worcestershire beacon on the Malvern hills, the highest spot in Worcestershire.
In the evening on Sunday a Church Family meal was arranged in the Parish Room for the young people, host families and friends.
Monday
On Monday the group went to Worcester by train and after coffee in the Old Palace in Deansway they had a guided tour of the Cathedral. Oliver, with his back to us in the picture, is taking more video shots. He has a video record of the whole visit which we hope to see one day.
Our visitors then spent the rest of the afternoon shopping.
In the evening Lorraine and Luke Fedden invited the whole group, guests and hosts, round for a BBQ. Despite continuous rain a good time was had by all.
Tuesday, the last day
After packing for the return journey everyone met at the Church for a final Photo Shoot
Then it was into Stourport for the traditional "Fish and Chips" at the "Riverside Restaurant"
The Final act back at the Church.
We are all looking forward to the next visit when their older members come over to see us, so watch this space for the next episode.
-----------------------------------------------------------