Rod Mcloughlin Spoke to the Former Mayor of Bad Wurzach, Helmuth
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MONDAY 6 APRIL 2020 JERSEY EVENING POST 3 NEWS Together in spirit Rod McLoughlin spoke to the former mayor of Bad Wurzach, Helmuth Morczinietz, after joint plans to mark the German town’s liberation were scrapped AMONG those disappointed by the can- cellation of the ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Bad Wurzach, the church organist has particu- lar cause for regret. When Helmuth Morczinietz was mayor of the town to which Islanders were de- ported during the Occupation, he worked ceaselessly to build relations between his community and the people of Jersey. Those efforts culminated in the signing of the twinning agreement with St Helier shortly after his retirement in 2002, an ac- cord with its roots in history more than 50 years earlier – history which could hardly have been more unpromising. Bad Wurzach, a small town in the state of Baden-Württemberg, has a population a sixth of that of St Helier and is dominated by its baroque castle, or schloss. Yet the nFormer Bad Wurzach mayor Helmuth hundreds of Islanders for whom it became Morczinietz (inset) said it was important an enforced home for more than two years for the present generations to ensure that could hardly have been less enthusiastic knowledge of past events was passed on visitors. to others Picture: TONY PIKE (27866528) Uprooted in September 1942 and sent across Europe by train for three days, they He adds that his successor as mayor lat- spent several weeks in the camp at Biber- er presented Mr Ginns with the citizens’ ach before making the short journey 18 medal of Bad Wurzach for his efforts. miles south to Bad Wurzach. Yet through He does not mention the fact that in 2005 those troubled years personal contacts the then Bailiff of Jersey, Sir Philip Bail- were already being developed which, had hache, presented Mr Morczinietz with the it not been for the current travel restric- Bailiff’s silver medal in recognition of his tions, would have been celebrated again on own work. 28 April, the anniversary of the liberation By the time that St Helier Constable Si- of the schloss. mon Crowcroft had succeeded in taking ‘It was already my predecessor as mayor a proposition to twin St Helier with Bad who had, from the 1970s, tried to deepen Wurzach through the parish assembly pro- the friendship between the people of Jer- cess, Mr Morczinietz had retired as mayor, sey and Bad Wurzach with a twinning,’ Mr but for him perhaps the seminal moment Morczinietz said. took place just before he left office. But in spite of the fact that a Jersey del- ‘My wife and I were invited by Sir Philip egation visited the town for its 700th an- Bailhache to attend the Liberation Day niversary celebrations in 1973, it was too celebrations. It was a great honour and we soon to contemplate an agreement. saw it as a sign that my past endeavours Nevertheless, members of the communi- had not been in vain. ty – like school teacher Hermann Bilgeri, ‘We were deeply moved when Sir Philip who arranged student exchanges – worked addressed us in German, because in doing Your local farm butchersare now to add an official dimension to the person- this he made it clear in public that rec- al relationships that existed. onciliation by twinning was to become a offering free home delivery ‘I myself interpreted these efforts as a reality in the near future,’ he said. on thefullrangeofquality meats. kind of mission, because I have always Mr Morczinietz pays tribute to the been convinced of the importance of a work of Constable Crowcroft and of Ro- twinning in the context of a Europe grow- land Buerkle, his successor as mayor, who ing closer together and of reconciliation signed the agreement, and those individu- Please visit between people. And I was convinced that als who have worked together on exchang- the attempt had to come from the town of es and projects since then to cement rela- www.woodlandsfarmjersey.com Bad Wurzach. tions between the communities. to place an order, ‘Time and time again there were visitors In spite of the difficulties encountered from Jersey who encouraged me to pursue on the road to concluding the agreement, or giveusacall on the attempt, so the wish to deepen our re- he sees it as the conclusion of a process lationship was bilateral,’ Mr Morczinietz which has its roots in the dark days of the 01534870305 said. war. With the support of the town council, ‘People in Bad Wurzach had developed former Constable of St Helier Bob Le Brocq a good and humane relationship with the Thank youand stay safe!!! led a further delegation in 1983, but in spite internees in the schloss and friendships of some optimism at the time, the initiative developed which continued in post-war was again frustrated. times. The twinning is something to be ‘It was rather disappointing, but the rea- grateful for, as it is a sign of growing to- sons were politely but decidedly spelt out gether in Europe.’ to me. Of course, I was able to understand Retired since 2002, the former mayor and accept it as we are all too aware of how lives in Bad Wurzach with his wife, Elis- the people of Jersey had been treated by abeth. He looks forward to the develop- Hitler’s Germany. It was quite clear to me ment of the relationship with Jersey under that sincere reconciliation had to precede the current mayor, Alexandra Scherer. any twinning.’ ‘Many of those who witnessed the events Working with the chairman of the of bygone years have passed away, so it is ex-Evacuees Association, the late Michael the duty of present generations to hand Ginns, and supported by Angela Francey, down the knowledge of what has happened Mr Morczinietz worked through the 1980s and to work for a prosperous future,’ Mr and 1990s to extend the hand of friendship. Morczinietz said..