Wispelten Niederbergheim Carnival Society

A Niederbergheim carnival society was first documented in documents and old records in 1887/88.
At this time, however, no carnival events of the current form were held.
Interrupted by the war years 1914-18, the association was allowed to be re-established in 1936 at the Gau-Kulturamt in Herne. At this time, the club's premises were at Kühlen Heinrich, which had a hall on the first floor where the carnival festivities were celebrated.
A parade with a program was registered under the name "Kern Europas" at this time. In the National Socialist era, this was associated with great difficulties and could only take place on the basis of proof of old tradition, which the old Mr. Kühle Pelsmann had obtained. He had been involved in the early days of the association in 1888.
In 1937, 1938 and 1939, the carnival in Niederbergheim was a great success. The parades in particular contributed to this. During these years, there were also princes and prince couples in the carnival society.
In 1938, the association joined the Bund Deutscher Karneval and paid contributions. The old name was not allowed to be retained and the society was then called "Niederbergheimer Wispelten".
During these years, carnival newspapers were painstakingly produced and printed in Arnsberg at the government printing works. They sold like hot cakes among the population.
The Second World War interrupted the flourishing association and tore large gaps in the ranks of the members. Contribution payments to the Bund Deutscher Karneval were suspended due to a letter that the then President Wilhelm Schröder received at the front in Russia.
When the old tradition was revived after the war, it was the Schützenbruderschaft St. Johannes that henceforth distinguished itself as the organizer and patron of the carnival events.
In the following years, many carnival events were held in the Wreden Saal before moving to the dining hall there in 1968 after the Schützenhalle was built to host the first official Kappensitzung.
In the following years, the current honorary president Lorenz Schröder led the carnivalists in steadily increasing numbers to their current size, whereby special emphasis was always placed on involving young people in these celebrations. Furthermore, the program of the Niederbergheim carnivalists is performed exclusively by local actors, free of charge.
After the retirement of Honorary President Lorenz Schröder, Paul Winnig took over the office of President from him.
The stage extension to the Schützenhalle has given the carnivalists the opportunity to perform their program on a proper stage for several years.
During these years, the wish was repeatedly expressed to stand on their own two feet again and thus continue the tradition of their fathers and grandfathers.
The old carnival society "Niederbergheimer Wispelten 1888 e. V." was brought back to life at a founding meeting on October 16, 1987.
1Paul Winnig was chairman and president from that day until the general meeting in 2006. Paul Winnig was elected honorary president at this general meeting. He was succeeded by Hans-Werner Schulte.
Since 2010, the office of 1st Chairman and President has been held by Burkhard Löckener.