Adrienne’s Birthday Poem 2026

A Poem written by Adrienne Harris to commemorate the British Women’s 80th Birthday

80 years ago, in 1946, the world was a very different mix.
The war had just ended, and somewhere in town, a group of British ladies was settling down.
They gathered together, and goodness knows how,
but look what they started, and look at us now.
Ladies from Germany joined the club too, and over the years the membership grew.
From India, Australia, New Zealand, and more, each bringing her stories and something in store.
Different backgrounds, different memories, different ways,
but somehow we shared so very many days:
a love of good company, laughter and tea,
and perhaps a shared fondness for British eccentricity.
For perhaps being British isn’t where you were born.
It’s saying, ‘I’m fine’ when you’re clearly forlorn.
It’s talking of weather, whatever it brings, and putting the kettle on, and biscuits, and things.
It’s queuing politely, though nobody knows why,
and saying, ‘How lovely’, when you’d really rather say, ‘Bye’.
And over 80 years we’ve witnessed a lot:
royal occasions and jubilees, quite a few,
and welcomed important visitors passing through.
We’ve kept our links with the British consulate, and Christ Church has long been a part of us too.
But perhaps most importantly, it’s what we do, not what we say,
raising money for charities, here and the UK.
Our tea parties are legendary, and rightly so: the cakes, the sandwiches, the scones in a row.
We gather for friendship, but there’s a purpose as well:
the money we raise helps people…and that’s what matters.
And then there’s our Christmas card, a tradition we treasure,
with Frau Hackspiel’s artwork providing the pleasure.
And Joyce, who’s organised, packed and sold them for years,
has helped turn those cards into charity cheques and cheers
80 YEARS AND STILL GOING STRONG
The British Women’s Club Düsseldorf – 80th Anniversary
By Adrienne Harris
And of course, our committee, working hard behind the scenes,
…day after day…they handle the admin, the printing, and more,
and organise outings and events galore.
Our newsletter too keeps us all up to date.
There’s always a mountain of work on their plate, and much of that work we really don’t see.
So without our committee, where would we be?
And then comes December, the highlight each year,
when Christmas in Düsseldorf finally draws near.
At the Industrie Club, we gather together with turkey and crackers, whatever the weather.
Someone brings pudding, we all bring good cheer, and sing our carols as we do every year.
The roast potatoes may not be quite as British as planned,
but we’re grateful they’re trying, and that’s where we stand.
There are speeches, and ditties, and stories to tell,
and someone will always perform something as well.
The programme is planned, it’s similar each year; we celebrate friendship and shed the odd tear.
Unfortunately, it rarely finishes on time…
There’s another glass of bubbly, another song, and the raffle that somehow takes rather too long.
But nobody minds; it’s all very clear:
we’ve always enjoyed Christmas like this every year.
Now, eighty years is a wonderful thing.
Just think of the changes that time had to bring.
In 1946, who’d have ever believed the gadgets and marvels we’d all have received:
computers and mobiles and passwords galore.
Just when you’ve learned one, they change it once more!
And getting older? …we’re taking it well, though glasses disappear in ways we can’t tell.
We go upstairs and forget why we’re there,and everyone’s mumbling; that’s really not fair.
But we’re still here laughing, and that’s what counts.
Friendships and memories are what this club’s about.
We’ve welcomed new ladies, we’ve watched others go,
we shared our celebrations, our laughter and woes.
Different countries, different histories, different ways,
yet friendships have lasted through all of these days.
So, here’s to our club, and the women who’ve made
80 remarkable years of memories laid, to Düsseldorf, to Britain, to wherever we’ve come from,
to our charities, our friendships and all that we’ve done:
to our teas, Christmas dinners, cards and good cheer,
and to everyone whose help, brought us to here… today.
And now, ladies and gents,
let’s raise our glasses to 80 wonderful years behind us, and to the next 80 ahead.
May they bring us friendship, laughter and good causes,
and naturally…plenty of tea!
Cheers!