This friendship link was formed in 1988 shortly after the Ulm/Neu Ulm was chartered. Since that time there have been visits in both directions with members exchanging views and forming friendships.

This year our President Ruth went  to Ulm to join them on the occasion of their 25th Charter anniversary.

"The journey went well, if you excluded check in at Manchester. Very helpful and kind train passengers made sure I was on the right platform, train heading for Ulm. Brigitte, the President of Ulm/Neu Ulm, met me and took me back to her apartment for a typical German meal and a bottle of wine and so to bed.

Saturday morning we walked into the centre of Ulm (10-15 mins.) by the side of the Danube. Brigitte is the retired Director of Ulm Museum and consequently had an interest in all the art being displayed in the Ulm Galleries. We visited two, both exhibiting work by local artists. She also arranged for me to have free admission to the museum, an interesting experience, modern and medieval objects on one theme were displayed in juxtaposition to one another.  Lunch followed in a square sitting on long benches listening to a concert given by a large group of able and disabled musicians. The temperature was only 25°- 30° C. and then a wander back home to prepare for the party.

Members from SI Ulm/neu Ulm, Ulm Donnau, and 4 members from SI Frick, Switzerland met at member Marei von Puttkamer house, making a total of 57 soroptimists , soroptimisters and 3 dogs. The party took place in the garden and a beautiful buffet had been produced by members of the club. One member of the club was translating down my ear as Brigitte was speaking. 

I had taken with me also the photo album which they had given our club after their visit to Garstang in 1989. It brought back many memories. The President from Frick followed congratulating them on 25 years. Another guest was a young man Johannis, who had just spent his internship in Kenya working with an orphanage/school called the Community of Hope and he gave a presentation on his work. Ulm/ neu Ulm seem to have adopted him and the work he is doing. I think Brigitte and I eventually got home at about midnight.

Although this was a very short visit, it was most enjoyable and renewed old friendships as well as catching up on club news and meeting new members."