SOUTHAMPTON ANGLO-GERMAN SOCIETY

                                           HISTORY

Southampton Anglo-German Society (SAGS) was established in 1967 with its origins in a German Circle, dating back to the late 1940s. This was created by German ladies who married English servicemen after World War 2 and by some German ex-POWs who married British ladies. This new Society was open to the public who shared an interest in Anglo-German relations. The Inaugural Meeting was held at the Albany Hotel in Southampton. The Principal Founder Members were Lieselotte & Norman Wood and Prof. Lucas from the University of Southampton, a period when the Society was closely linked with the university's German Department. Film and speaker events were the main activities, but these were later extended to social events.
In 1968 SAGS held its first "Oktoberfest" at the Marlands Hall and attracted considerable interest in the city, creating over 250 members. In the same period, the Society also became involved with the earlier European Movement. Later, SAGS became less reliant on the University and in 1967 became affiliated to the Anglo-German Association (now the British-German Association) in London. As a result their major events became incorporated in SAGS annual programme.
At the 1984 AGM Karl-Heinz Röse, BVK was elected as Chairman, bringing in significant changes to the Society including the revision of the Constitution and important increase of the Membership.
In 1991, The City of Southampton Council, in partnership with the Society, established a German Twinning Link with Rems-Murr-Kreis in the Stuttgart area, its name coming from the two rivers; Rems (81Km long) and Murr (54Km long). RMK had a population of about 470,000 and had a total area of 859 sq Km. The District Authority was based in the town of Waiblingen. SAGS were made responsible for the social side of the twinning and were given financial support from the City Council. Since the Partnership, SAGS participated in many of the twinning activities and arranged visits to RMK for clubs, schools, bands, and art exhibitions. Regrettably, Southampton City Council was unable to continue financing the twinning link since 2005 and the Partnership is no longer active.
In 1996 the Society was presented with the "Medal of Honour" from the British-German Association by The Duke of Kent BGA's Royal Patron. at a special reception held at St James's Palace London.
The German Embassy has helped the Society to foster close relationships with the Deutsche Marine (German Navy). The International Port of Southampton has also helped the Society within these relationships and was able to welcome many of the German Navy ships, including a 3-masted sail training ship "Gorch Fock" during April 2004. SAGS arranged for the City of Southampton Albion Brass Band to play on-board and at the quay. Courtesy visits to the New Forest were extended to many sailors with Reception and dinner held at the Hythe Sailing Club. SAGS Members enjoyed numerous Receptions on-board hosted by the Ship's Captain in the presence of his Excellency, the German Ambassador.
Over many years, SAGS has supported other Anglo-German societies and organisations in Andover, Fareham, Winchester, the British-German Association in London, the Bayreuth German-English Society, Southampton University Staff Club, as well as music groups from Schwaikheim, Fellbach, Plüderhausen, the Albion Brass Band and last but not least the James Last Appreciation Society. "Hansi", alias James Last accepted the Society's Honorary Membership in 1983 on the occasion of his 4th concert at the Gaumont Theatre (now the Mayflower) in Southampton. Many SAGS Members attended the popular musical evenings arranged by the 'James Last Appreciation Society'. This group was formed by late SAGS Member Bert Worthington and sadly does no longer exists!
In 2007, SAGS Chairman Karl-Heinz Röse became Honorary Life President. It is with great sadness that we lost Karl-Heinz in December 2015. His contribution and dedication to the Society and the tireless efforts to build friendships between Deutschland and England was immense. Albert-Lauritz Rasmussen who took over as a Chairman sadly died in July 2018. The society is still running due to a group of dedicated members!