Oldest club in Sigmertshausen in danger

It's the oldest club in town - and it's not looking good.

The board of directors of the veterans, warriors and soldiers' association in Sigmertshausen is concerned about the continued existence of this 148-year-old association.

There are several reasons for these concerns.

Sigmertshausen

- It doesn't look good.

Those responsible in the veterans, warriors and soldiers' association in Sigmertshausen are very worried about how the association should continue in the future.

There are several reasons for this.

With an average age of 75 years per member, the association is outdated and a rejuvenation is not in sight. The older members die away, and young men who choose to join are barely able to keep up. Six years ago there were 73 members, today the association has only 59 members. "The 150th anniversary of the association is coming up in 2023, so you have to think about how it should continue," said chairman Werner Langenecker, who has been at the helm for six years, at the annual meeting at the Gasthaus Göttler in Rumeltshausen. Three resignations also hurt the club.

The poor attendance at this event - only 25 people present - gave the board little courage. The fact that the corona pandemic still played its part cannot be overlooked. “After all, we haven't seen each other for two and a half years,” stated the deputy chairman Ernst Hübl, who is also the secretary of this traditional association.

Among the deaths in the last two years is the club's gunner, Rudi Knöferl, who had to be buried in 2020. So the board is now looking for a successor to the club's cannon. It should continue to operate on both happy and sad occasions. According to Langenecker, however, a small repair is necessary on the cannon. As for a new gunner, Langenecker wants to contact the young Hannes Fesenmair. "If he were to join the association and make himself available as a gunners, the board could breathe a sigh of relief." Those responsible for the association hope to be able to convince more young people to become members.

Werner Langenecker and Ernst Hübl appealed to the assembled members to attract both young and older citizens as new members.

The laying down of wreaths when members die are associated with ever increasing expenses.

That could be seen in the cash report presented by Hermann Winter.

The association fees of 810 euros are the largest income, but in view of the increased expenditure, there was only a cash surplus of 19 euros in 2020.

But that is not the problem of the club, which thanks to reserves is still on healthy feet financially.

The second mayor of the Röhrmoos community, Arthur Stein, made it clear in his welcoming address that the community also endeavors to ensure that the associations are doing well and that they do not suffer from a decline in membership. Vice-chairman Ernst Hübl emphasized that the Sigmertshauser veterans are also important for the village community. The club achieved a good third place at the village tournament of stick shooters, and the veterans take part in the waste paper collection twice a year. You couldn't even miss the maypole watch. Since it was erected, the maypole has also been adorned with the coat of arms of the veterans, warriors and soldiers' association. The club and its flag were also at the first party of Jasper Gülden.

The most gratifying official acts of the two chairmen at the meeting were honoring longstanding members.

They awarded Josef Seitz a certificate for 40 years of loyalty to the association, and Franz Schmid and Stefan Kottermair were honored for each 20-year membership.

There was a special honor for the long-time secretary Karl-Heinz Ludwig.

After all, the 85-year-old held the office of secretary for 24 years with great dedication.

His successor in office, Ernst Hübl, admires the entries made by Ludwig in black and blue ink in the log book.

"124 pages written with Ludwig's pelican pen, that gives this book a special note," said Hübl, before the assembly thanked Ludwig with thunderous applause.

Club boss Langenecker thanked Karl-Heinz Ludwig with a wine present.

Even if there are problems with the decline in membership in the association - sociability is still very important.

That was evident at the common white sausage meal.

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Special commitment: Karl-Heinz Ludwig (left) was honored by Chairman Werner Langenecker (right) for 24 years as a secretary. 

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