A true taste of English life

Published on 29th March 2007 in News

German teenagers are to go to the coast, sample a traditional roast and play football as part of an educational church visit to the area.

The 33 visitors from Witten are confirmation candidates and are visiting England as part of their two-year course.

They will learn about the Church of England and English culture in general.

Due to arrive on Saturday, they will be based at Airmyn Memorial Hall during their five-day stay.

The Rev Geoff Hollingsworth, vicar of Airmyn, Hook and Rawcliffe, said: "They'll visit Scarborough and have fish and chips, go into an English pub for roast beef and Yorkshire puddings and visit York Minster."

An informal football match has also been planned for Monday afternoon.

"It's a chance for them to learn about English life, its church and the culture and to meet local young people," said Mr Hollingsworth, who is the link officer for links between the Diocese of Sheffield and Germany.

On Sunday, the visitors will take part in a psalm service at Hook Church, with a sermon by their leader, the Rev Claus Humbert.

Anybody hoping to brush up their language skills with the youngsters will be disappointed: "Their English is brilliant," said Mr Hollingsworth.

Teenagers have been visiting the area every year for eight years and it forms part of a wider link between the Diocese of Sheffield and the Witten church district.