IPA LEICESTERSHIRE BRANCH VISIT KREFELD, GERMANY
IPA LEICESTERSHIRE BRANCH VISIT KREFELD, GERMANY
Friday 29th July – Monday 1st August 2022
IPA Krefeld is celebrating 65 years since becoming a member of the International Police Association and IPA Leicestershire was there to join in with the festivities. It was also the 50th anniversary of twinning between the two branches.
| Juliana (Local Police Officer) conducting her tour |
On a very hot day, we were met at Dusseldorf airport by several members of IPA Krefeld and taken to our hotel in Krefeld. After freshening up, we were delighted to have a look at a local place of interest which is in the process of restoration. It was the remains of an open air swimming pool and its surrounding buildings containing indoor pools and Turkish baths. Our guide, Juliana, gave us a very detailed tour following our first chance to sample the local bier!
Juliana is a volunteer at the museum which now boasts a small café which provides a friendly meeting place for the local people.
Following the tour, we were taken to a local hostelry where we were able to enjoy traditional German fayre. It was a lovely evening to be out and about in the fresh air and we thoroughly enjoyed meeting up with our old comrades again.
The next day was the ‘festival’ day with over 200 local IPA members and their families and friends met to celebrate their 65th Anniversary and our 50th Anniversary! It was a beautiful location within a forest and alongside a large lake. An excellent barbecue provided us with a large variety of traditional German cuisine and a well-stocked bar complemented the arrangements.
The Regional and Local Chief Police Officers were present to receive and make presentations and the strength and friendship of the IPA movement was plain to see.
| Group photo of IPA Leicestershire members – Simon, Alan, Fred and Tony – meeting up with Regional Chief of Police Michael Schenker and Krefeld Chief of Police Ursula Mecklebrauck. |
| IPA Leicester Chair, Tony Collins presenting IPA Krefeld Chair, Marcus Kothen with a keepsake gift |
| This is what I called a well-stocked bar! |
On Sunday we were taken out for the afternoon in nearby Venlo (Holland) and had a relaxing cruise along the River Maas. Again able to enjoy the local beer!
| All Aboard for trip on the River Maas! |
Following a relaxing afternoon in Holland, we arrived in a Krefeld pub for another big event – the final of the Women’s European Cu between Germany and England. We personally had a wonderful time as England beat Germany 2-1. Our colleagues accepted defeat in good grace and we continued to enjoy a brilliant last evening with them.
| The Leicester group were all smiles following the 2-1 win by the England Ladies v Germany Ladies |
Following on from the successful football match, we had a lovely meal at a local Indian restaurant.
| Our farewell meal! |
Sadly it was all over and the next day we returned home!
