By Meg Jorsh

Last updated at 14:22, Monday, 29 September 2008

A taste of Germany has come to a Cumbrian pub after it twinned up with one in Bergen.

Old Crown landlord Malcolm Hawksworth

Drinkers at the Old Crown in Hesket Newmarket can chat to regulars at the Gasthaus Schellenberg via webcams and sample some of their beers in a unique arts event that runs until October 12.

Cumbrian sausages and home-brewed beers have been sent out to Germany, and Bavarian cakes and ales sent here in exchange.

The scheme, called Regulars, has been designed as an interactive artwork as part of the FRED festival. The idea came from Kaspar Wimberley and Susanne Kudielka, both artists living in Germany.

Kaspar said: “I am very much looking forward to twinning the Cumbrian pubs with German – something which has never been done before.”

The Black Swan in Ravenstonedale is also taking part and has been linked to Gasthof Zur Post in Obing. All four pubs have been fitted with screens, microphone and web-cams, sponsored by Tandberg video conferencing.

Kaspar added: “We were looking around the Lake District for weeks, trying to find the right sort of pubs. They’re community pubs, with lots of regulars as well as people who pass through.”

Pub-goers will have the chance to directly interact with one another and even take part in trans-channel quizzes.

Kaspar is not concerned about the language barrier and said: “Sometimes it might just be hand signals, but I think there’ll be a lot more communication than people expect.”

Both Cumbria and Chiemgau share a reputation for their beers and boast similar natural resources.

First published at 11:46, Monday, 29 September 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk