2018 – Krefeld Fire service visit Leicester

This year’s visit should have started on the Friday but due to Leicester City’s match against Southampton being moved to the Thursday, and our visitors wish to attend that match, everything was brought forward by one day.
The Krefeld fire fighters were on this occasion accompanied by their retiring chief officer, Dietmar Meissner, who had long wished to attend a Premier League game and this was to be part of his retirement treat.
Our guests arrived both by ferry and minibus and by air via Birmingham airport and we all met at Central fire station, Lancaster Road to a traditional welcome by the on duty watch.
It was a quick walk down to the Keith Weller lounge where our Chief Officer was on hand to present them all a City shirt and then out to watch the match. The game was very poor and ended up 0-0 but we did get on the pitch at half time where Alan Birchenal interviewed the Krefeld and Leicester Chief Fire Officer’s
On Friday we took the whole party to Bradgate Park where we had arranged a guided walk up to Old John and a chance to go inside. The weather was glorious and several of our visitors commented how lucky we were to have such countryside on our doorstep.
We carried on our walk into Swithland woods to have lunch with the City Fire Brigades Museum Society who store some old appliances there and even managed an impromptu football game of our own.
The afternoon was spent at the King Power Stadium on an official tour and then after a short break we reconvened at the Old Horse on London road.
The pub once again put on a fabulous reception with food, Games and our own keg of beer. The Krefeld fire fighters had brought some gifts and one of their number, Frank Peters, made a very emotional speech about the special relationship between us that now stretched back forty five years.
On Saturday morning we attended a civic reception at the town hall where the Lord Mayor read a speech of welcome which the Krefeld and Leicester Chiefs responded to. Some exchanges of civic gifts followed and two fire engines from Lancaster Road Fire station provided a guard of honour in the Town Hall square.
During my time escorting our visitors several locals approached to ask what was going on and were most surprised to hear of our long-time friendship with Krefeld and couldn’t quite get over what good friends we had all become. To me this is what Twinning is all about  

After spending time around high street and the market area we returned to central fire station. After lunch we travelled to Hollywood bowl on the meridian for a bowling competition, of course the teams were mixed giving us more time to talk with our friends. Importantly it meant that Leicester and Krefeld would be on a winning team. The highlight of the games was when one of our Krefeld friends forgot to let go of the bowling ball and headed towards the skittles!

After the bowling matches we left for our customary visit to Wigston cemetery, this was to pay our respects to our fallen colleague Bob Miller. It was a very emotional visit with a toast being made remembering bob as a firefighter and Krefeld twining friend. L

We then went to the cuisine of Indian restaurant in Wigston, where our friends sampled a curry. It is fair to say that they enjoyed the meal but found it a little hot for them! To help them cool down they sampled a few beverages at the William Wyggeston pub.

At the end of the evening some went back to central fire station and a few younger members went into town to experience the Leicester nightlife.

Sunday morning was a relaxed breakfast at central, this enabled them to get their strength up for the activities at Rutland water. On arriving at Rutland water we set up camp and those participating in the water activities got dressed for the event. Everyone enjoyed making rafts and the team activities. After the water it was time to slow down and relax with our families for a BBQ. It was nice for our visitors to meet with our family members, who only usually hear about how great the twinning is. Of course the visit wouldn’t be the same without the customer tug of war competition and of course the Germans came ready with boots and gloves!! This didn’t help as most of us were in Flip Flops!! Yes our Krefeld friends won this then lead to us organising a game of rounder’s, something that all the family could join in and the Krefeld firefighters do not play!. A great time was had by everyone and our family’s got the chance to see how nice our Krefeld colleagues are.

After Rutland Water we travelled back to our adopted pub the old horse on London road for food. It was then to our surprise that Kev and Dee the landlord and landlady presented the Germans with Everards Glasses and a Victorian brass helmet, all the staff serving them had signed it! What a great gift for them. Also Frank Peters won a rugby shirt from the local team that play out of the old horse. After a long day everyone went back to central early.

We were on station at early o clock to ensure those travelling by mini bus could have break fats before they left at 0700hrs. We waved them off on their long journey home, they left with big smiles on their faces talking about when will we see you next year?

Those who were flying back were treated to a leisurely breakfast and then a trip to Humber stone heights for Football golf. This was something that most of us had not played and we had a great laugh kicking the balls in the long grass and behind trees.  We all ended up being the winners of a great few days spending time with friends we have now known for many years! Before they left for the Mr Meissner again thanked everyone for making his retirement visit to Leicester a very enjoyable one. It would not be his last time in Leicester or England. We were invited to Krefeld for next year 46^th year for us!! It was sad to see them leave Central station as they were taken to Birmingham airport for their flight home. Plans have already started for next year and for our 50^th year which they said they want to host. Our friendship now goes from strength to strength! Below is a link to the visit photos sent out by LFRS.