THE Huddersfield German Circle is still thriving after 86 years.

It began back in 1926 with a group of English people coming together to share their interest in the German language, but then grew rapidly after the Second World War.

The numbers were boosted by German prisoners-of-war who stayed in England after 1945 – with many of them marrying English women.

One, Gunther Reichel, who was held in barracks on Leeds Road in Huddersfield, remains a member of the circle, although he now lives near Bradford.

In the Cold War years of the 1960s there was an influx – especially of au pairs – but since the Berlin Wall came down the numbers arriving have dwindled to virtually nothing.

The organisation says there are “no restrictions on membership, but a reasonable understanding of the German language is essential.’’– as all the meetings are conducted in German.

The group’s co-ordinator is Mrs Marianne Takacs, a native Berliner, who moved to Huddersfield in 1963 and got married two years later.

Now 69, she lives at Salendine Nook, is married to George and they have two children, Marika and Andrea, and two grandchildren Isabel, 13, and Richard, 11.

Marika lives in Germany and is an air stewardess.

Marianne’s earliest memory is of United States planes flying desperately-needed food into West Berlin during the Soviet blockade of 1948-49.

When the Berlin Wall was built in 1961 Marianne was working for a plastics company which employed people from both sides of the city.

She said: “There were 50 people in the factory, half of them from the East.

“They couldn’t come across to work anymore.’’

She moved to Huddersfield as an au pair in 1961 to get away from it all.

After two years here she returned to Germany for a short time and then came back in 1963 to marry.

She has had various jobs in the town as bilingual secretary – with a specialism in German – and exams officer at Kirklees College.

And she is a very proud Berliner too.

“It is a wonderful, brilliant city,” she said.

“I go back there quite regularly – it’s a really lively place.

“There are plenty of interesting things to see and obviously you can now go into the eastern part of the city.

“The wall is no more – and it’s really opened up the place.”

Marianne added: “There were lots of au pairs in those days and I came in 1961, settled and have worked very hard to integrate. We have lost quite a lot. We don’t have people coming here any more. It seemed to end in the late 1990s.’’

The German Circle meets on alternate Mondays at 7.30pm in Huddersfield Town Hall which is home to many of the town’s civic groups.

The events are well supported with an average of 50 people attending each time.

A speaker addresses each gathering – and members of the group are generally fluent in both German and English.

In fact, most speakers address the group in German – and all members have to be fluent in German to gain maximum benefit from events.

The latest meeting held at Huddersfield Town Hall was on Monday, January 30, when the Honorary Consul for the Federal Republic of Germany in West Yorkshire, Mark Green, spoke about Goethe’s classic play Faust.

Mr Green helps German people who may have problems, want passports or advice on repatriation.

Mrs Takacs estimates that 50% of group members are native speakers – and the rest very fluent in German.

One recent speaker was Leeds lecturer Ricarda Zoellner.

He spoke on the subject of ‘Denglish’ – the use of English words in the modern German language.

It is widespread in sectors such as business and advertising where expressions such as ‘marketing’, ‘meeting’ and ‘slogan’ are frequently used.

Another recent speaker was Eddie Lawler, an Open University lecturer who spoke about Jena and other German towns.

The organisation has a very good relationship with other local German groups in the area.

“We work closely with the Leeds, Bradford and Calderdale circles,” said Marianne.

“We share speakers and host joint events, some in local restaurants.

“We also go to a German church in Bradford and once a month we meet at the Highfields church – a Lutheran chapel – in Huddersfield.

“This is a good tradition. There is plenty of socialising and we also hold a service.”

Marianne says the group has contacts elsewhere.

“The Goethe Institute in Manchester is a very good link for us,’’ she said.

“They supply us with anything we need and are always on hand.”

But as a German person living in Huddersfield, Marianne is quite realistic.

“My German-ness is not the main thing,’’ she said.

“I feel quite English – I’ve lived here long enough.”

In general terms, Huddersfield German Circle is a very sociable organisation and puts a major emphasis on food and hospitality.

At Christmas, for example, they served up generous helpings of stollen, a special German cake that’s fruity yeast bread filled with marzipan and topped with a light glacé icing.

But the fact remains that Huddersfield’s German community is not large.

Marianne estimates that it is “less than 100 strong.”

This year the group will be taking part in the Yorkshire German Circle’s 46th annual dinner.

The Leeds group is the lead organiser in 2012 – and group members from Bradford, Calderdale, Wharfedale and Huddersfield will be invited.

The event will take place at the Sandal Farm Restaurant, Thornton, Bradford.

Contact the German Circle on 01484 654918.