Exploring the east of Luxembourg with British Ambassador John Marshall
As the days get marginally brighter, and the want to stretch our legs after the Festive Period increases, here’s some inspiration from HMA John Marshall on places to visit along the east of Luxembourg which share a link with the UK.
The river Sauer runs along the east of Luxembourg and along its length lie some scenic spots.
Echternach - Saint Willibrord
Echternach is dominated by the Abbey, built by St. Willibrord in AD698, where he is also buried. Willibrord was born in Northumbria, in the north-east of England, educated in Ireland as a Benedictine monk, then sent to convert the Frisian pagans (mostly parts of modern day Netherlands and northwest Germany) to Christianity. Echternach is also famous for its UNESCO listed Dancing Procession, celebrating the life of St Willibrord each May.
Rosport - Henri Tudor
Down the river Sauer is Rosport, which most of us know from the water. However, in 1850 a Welshman named John Thomas Tudor made it his home when he married a Luxembourg lady called Marie Loser. Their third son was Henri Tudor, possibly Luxembourg’s greatest inventor. Henri improved the lead-acid accumulator (battery), establishing factories in Luxembourg, the UK, France and Germany. In 1895, Antoine Pescatore became the agent for Tudor Accumulators in the UK, making him the first diplomatic representative in London when he was appointed Chargé d’Affaires in 1920. Henri Tudor was also the first to create electrical lighting in his home in Luxembourg, having it a full 29 years before the Grand Duke of Luxembourg. The Tudors imported some apple trees from the UK for their gardens which leads to another link…
Born - Ramborn Cider
Further down the river is Born, home of the cider-producers Ramborn. The Romans brought the art of cider-making to Luxembourg but during the 20th century, 90% of the apple trees here were lost. Ramborn went to the heart of great cider-making, Somerset in the southwest of the UK, to learn best practices for cider production and brought them back to Luxembourg, and the company is now thriving, along with the comeback of cider-drinking.
Origin of #LuxUKLinks
In his role as an Ambassador, John Marshall dives into the history of whatever country he resides. This, coupled with his love of running, resulted in #LuxUKLinks.
What started out as a patchwork of connections between Luxembourg and the UK, firstly tweeted by Ambassador Marshall, continues to grow, as more connections and stories amass. These findings have been captured in a mobile exhibition, a book, a written series on RTL Today, and now by video.
