Trisha Cornforth,was German news reporter for "Der Kanadier" newspaper as well as for CFN/RFC radio and television, from the end of 1978 to the end of May 1994 The original "Der Kanadier " was the weekly newspaper for the Canadian Forces stationed in Europe. It was published in Lahr in the Black Forest, Germany, from 1 July 1970 until 25 May 1994, i.e. until just before Canadian Forces Base Lahr closed down in mid-August 1994. Trisha has stayed in Lahr as a self-employed English teacher (VHS adult education classes and local companies) and as a translator (e.g. for Burda sewing and needlework magazines). She is president of the Lahr German-Canadian Friendship Club, the Lahr Canada-Haus Association (founded in 1994) and the "Schwarzwald Tänzer" square dance club (founded in 1967).

Maybe new opportunity for Lahr airport

The Black Forest Airport Lahr (BFAL) is owned by a British company, formerly called Wiggins and now known as the Plane Station Group (PSG). Apart from the purchase price PSG has invested a great deal of money in the technical improvements needed in the conversion from military to civilan use.

However, it has been continually hindered, at first by local opposition and then
by bureaucratic obstacles from the Baden-Württemberg provincial government in Stuttgart. The problem is that the provincial government wants to prevent competition to Baden Airpark (former CFB Baden-Soellingen) which it part-owns due to a state rescue from bankruptcy some years ago. During the last couple of years Ryanair flights have turned Baden Airpark into the second busiest airport in the province.

The Baden-Württemberg provincial minister of transport refused to grant Lahr a regular passenger licence, saying there was no evidence of a need for commercial flights. The Black Forest Airport Lahr brought a suit against the provincial government before the German civil administration court in Mannheim. Its verdict on 28 February 2005 stated those grounds were not sufficient.

Unfortunately, the two most active people in promoting Lahr airfield business have lost their jobs in the meanwhile: BFAL manager Ann Reynolds (because the Plane Station Group needed to economize due to lack of progress) and Jürgen Gackstetter, manager of IGZ, which marketed the non-aviation airfield premises. Canadians who attended our 2004 Reunion will remember meeting them both at the 104 aircraft dedication ceremony on 1 July. Without their leadership it remains to be seen whether Lahr airport will ever manage to take off now it has the opportunity!

Finally, on a personal level, I'd like to thank everyone who recently sent me kind messages of support. It's nice to know my efforts are appreciated!

Trisha Cornforth
info@kanadahaus.org