Thirteen members attended the 35th Annual General Meeting of the Deutsch-Englische Gesellschaft Bayreuth on 2 October 2026. The meeting offered an opportunity to look back on a busy and successful year, discuss the association’s future programme and make several important decisions.

Chairwoman Sabine Greiner reviewed the DEG’s activities over the past year. Membership remained stable at 71, while the regular Social Evenings, English Conversation Evenings, Book Club meetings and Malts and Mates gatherings continued to provide members with opportunities to meet and exchange ideas.

The DEG also organised a varied programme of special events. Highlights included a Jane Austen afternoon, the traditional Christmas Dinner, St Patrick’s Day in cooperation with Liebesbier and “Sherlock Holmes, Scones and Typewriters”, organised together with the Typewriter Museum. A Jamaican barbecue and the September Rambling Day added further variety to the programme.

Following the chairwoman’s report, treasurer Andreas Haupenthal presented the association’s financial report. Auditor Bernd Birkholz confirmed that the accounts had been carefully examined and that there were no objections. The members subsequently discharged the board unanimously.

There was also a change within the board. Andreas Nimtsch stepped down from his position as secretary at his own request but will remain a member of the board. Katharina Baumhackel was elected as the DEG’s new secretary.

Looking ahead, members discussed an ambitious range of ideas for 2027. These include another Burns Night, combined with a commemoration of Jean Paul, St Patrick’s Day, “Bayreuth’s Best Biscuit”, an English-language book fair and an Agatha Christie event in cooperation with the Typewriter Museum. Further possibilities include English film evenings, a darts tournament and the opening of a Little Free Library for English books. Members also suggested bringing back the popular Cream Tea and organising another Rambling Day.

Due to low and irregular attendance, the meeting decided to pause the regular Social Evening for one year. The members also unanimously approved the introduction of a social membership option, allowing the board to waive the membership fee in individual cases.

As always, the DEG’s programme depends on the ideas and involvement of its members. Volunteers are welcome to help organise events, donate English-language books for the planned book fair, assist with finding a suitable book cabinet or contribute old photographs and memories to the association’s chronicle.

The meeting closed after a constructive evening that showed once again how active, varied and member-driven the DEG remains.