UNERHÖRT
In
1983, Jacky and Jeanette McMurdo, went on holiday to Germany. They had an overnight
stay at a hotel in Braubach and became friendly with the owners, Gerhard and
Rita Maass, and other local people. Every year since, they have returned to
the same hotel in Braubach.
In September 2007, Jacky
and Jeanette were presented with a plaque bearing the Braubach coat of arms and
a certificate to mark the twenty-five years of visits.
Over the years, there have been reciprocal visits from their German hosts to
Scotland. Jacky's and Jeanette's visits have extended to family and friends
and on one occasion they filled two buses.
On 30 April 2008, Gerhard and Rita accompanied by Maennerensemble
Unerhoert, a choir
from Osterspai near Braubach started a four day visit to Scotland.
Among
other hymns, the choir sang the Gloria and
Sanctus at the Vigil Mass on 3 May. After
the service, Ian Clarkson, Depute Provost of North Ayrshire Council, made a presentation
to Gerhard and Rita to commemorate the twenty-five years of friendship as shown
in the photograph on the right. This was followed by a concert in the Parish Centre
featuring the Isle of Cumbrae Royal British Legion (Scotland) Pipe Band, George
McGrattan and Michael McCulloch, Ciorstan Templeton, Ciaran Sinclair, Monica
Taylor and Margaret Swiercz. The main entertainers were, of course, Unerhört
whose singing talent was warmly appreciated by the audience.
More
photographs of Unerhört
are on the Pictures page.