Autumn festival for the active North

The autumn festival in the Rosengärtchen Carrée this year was something that Pastor Cornelia Synek from the Heilig-Geist Parish had been particularly looking forward to, as it was due to be opened by someone who she herself had confirmed a number of years ago: none other than Fountain Queen Carolyn II.

As a former student of Frankfurt International School Carolyn is no stranger to the northern end of Oberursel, something she touched on in her speech: “I know how hard it is for the foreigners to make new contacts here” she said, and pointed out the role of the Church Meeting Point “Aktive im Norden”, which aims to bring people in the northern end of the town together.

The businesses and organisations in the Rosengärtchen area had come together to hold the autumn festival for the second time.  In the meeting point itself there were potato and pumpkin soups on offer, along with coffee and cake.  On the creative side, the “Kreativgruppe” were selling home-made jams and table decorations, whilst out the front musician Joachim Adloff entertained the visitors with a mixture of German “Schlager” songs.

Those who preferred to eat Italian food found what they were looking for one door down at the Pizzeria Pomodori, where a table had been set up outside the restaurant to offer a selection of the dishes.

Meanwhile, the stand belong to the “Verband Wohneigentum Hessen e.V.” who have their offices in the Neuhausstraße was not only informative, it touched on local politics as well.  The representatives may have been there to try and win new members and tell them about the work the organisation does, but they also found themselves discussing the future of the Siedlungslehrhof – the riding stables behind the Camp King area, part of which may be built on if planning permission is granted.

Behind the meeting point a flea market had also been set up.

But the Kirchenladen is known for bringing generations together, and there was something on offer for the children as well.  The local Church Kindergarten (Evangelische Kinder- und Familienzentrum im Rosengärtchen) had set up a handicraft table for smaller children to make things at.  For the other children the Billard Club Oberursel 1982 e.V. had set up a pool table and dart board, and their members were on hand to explain the sports and let the children try them out after which they had the chance to visit the club’s rooms which since 2006 have been located beneath the shopping centre!

With all of the generations coming together there was something for everyone.  The weather stayed dry, even if it was cloudy.  Rita Eumes, who runs the Kirchenladen, was happy with the turnout.  She also explained why it was, that it was only the second time an autumn festival had been held.  “We have a different highlight each year”, she said.  Two years ago they celebrated the 5th anniversary, this year it is the turn of the autumn festival.  Things just don’t stay still in this part of the town, or as some might say, they remain active.

This article appeared in German on 2nd October, 2014 in the Oberurseler Woche.