Ich bin ein Stokie, duck!

ANGLO-GERMAN relations are thriving in the Potteries – after the formation of a new bilingual club.

A total of 33 people turned up for the inaugural night of Stoke-on-Trent's new Anglo-German club, held at the Tollgate Hotel in Ripon Road, Blurton.

A mix of like-minded English, German and Austrians, who have all now made North Staffordshire their home, enjoyed an authentic German meal of beef roulade and sauteed potatoes and vegetables; then relaxed with a pint of imported German beer.

The club was formed by Petra Cox, who is originally from Berlin, but now lives in Weston Coyney, with help from Lynne Oldfield of the Tollgate.

Petra, a 44-year-old English and German teacher, said: "I've had this idea for a very long time about an Anglo-German club and this seems to be the right time for it.

"I went through all my contacts and then we had an article in The Sentinel. We had a really good response with 58 people wanting to join."

The idea is that the group will now meet once a month. It is a chance for Germans living in the area to meet and speak their native language, and for English people with an interest in all things Teutonic to practice their linguistic skills. But conversations can take place in either English or German as people choose.

Petra, who moved to Stoke-on-Trent in 2000, added: "There's a small number of native Germans, but most people have lived in Germany or are German teachers or people who need to speak German in their job."

German teacher Colin Lindley, runs Stafford's Anglo-German club. The 42-year-old, from Stafford, said: "This is more people who like German culture and the conversation is there if you want it.

"We are also trying to break down the barriers that some people feel with Germans – they knocked us out of the last world cup, but Germany is a good country and they are good people with good food."

Christine Taylor is originally from Austria, but now lives in Kidsgrove. She said: "I've enjoyed myself very much, it's a very pleasant atmosphere.

"I like living here, the people are very friendly and nice – but I didn't like being called duck!"

Lynn Oldfield, of the Tollgate, said: "We have a lot of Scandinavian fans coming to watch Stoke City and we want to encourage more international business."

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