With the UK set the leave the European Union in 2019, the geographical centre of the bloc will be moved accordingly. And it seems a small village in the German state of Bavaria will be its new centre-point. CGTN's Natalie Carney visited the village which could see a mass influx of tourists because of its new status.

 

It may not be much to look at – a typical Rapeseed field located in the north east corner of the German state of Bavaria. But this unassuming field is about to get global recognition.

 

JUERGEN GOETZ MAYOR OF VEITSHOECHHEIM We are here in the middle of the field, principally at the new central point of the EU, which will be the central point after Brexit. We see here this border stone, measured from this border stone, it will be 8 meters in this direction and then 13 meters into the field where the new central point will be.

 

Karin Kessler's family has owned the 55-hectare field for over 150 years and is thrilled that it will soon become the centre of the EU.

 

KARIN KESSLER GADHEIM RESIDENT FIELD OWNER 
I was in the bakery in the neighboring town. The radio said Gadheim will have a new monument. One day later my son sent me the coordinates. I looked at it and said 'oh that is on our neighbors field'. Then I came to the realization that 'no, that's on our field!' 
I had to laugh and just like that. We will become the navel of the EU.

 

Earlier this year, when Britain voted to leave the European Union - the IGN geographic institute in Paris calculated that the new geographical centre will move to Gadheim when the two year divorce process concludes in April 2019.

 

JUERGEN GOETZ MAYOR OF VEITSHOECHHEIM "The municipality has leased the plot from the farmer who owns it, and we will erect the appropriate monument together with the local high school and our Bavarian authorities."

 

Gadheim, with its handful of houses, depends on farming from rapeseeds to wine grapes.

 

NATALIE CARNEY GADHEIM, GERMANY Gadheim is a small, quiet Bavarian village with a population of only 89 people and consists of one main road no more than a quarter of a kilometer in length. Yet if the current geographical centre of the EU is anything to go by. This sleepy village is about to see a flow of tourists it never knew possible.

 

Westerngrund, some 60 kilometres northwest of Gadheim became the geographical centre when Croatia joined in 2013. Since, around 6,000 people from 93 countries -- some from as far away as China and Mongolia, have signed its guest book. There's no doubt that locals of Gadheim are proud to see their countryside in focus. Youngsters at the local bakery and training facility are hoping this focus will bring more support for youth programs in the area.

 

JULIA JEHRING GADHEIM RESIDENT Gadheim is quite a remote place and since it is the central point of the EU there are already significantly more tourists. It's also good for young people, as it puts us more in the spotlight. Most don't know that this is a vocational training center for young people with psychological or physical disabilities.

 

Yet the conditions under which Gadheim gains this new recognition is not lost on everyone.

 

JUERGEN GOETZ MAYOR OF VEITSHOECHHEIM For me personally it is a pity that Great Britain wants to leave the EU. I purposefully say 'want' because it is not yet clear that the negotiations will lead to a positive completion for Great Britain.

 

KARIN KESSLER GADHEIM RESIDENT FIELD OWNER I think it is a pity. I would prefer it when another country joins. Now one country is bidding farewell.

 

The geographical centre of the EU is a continually moving marker as countries come and go from the union. With Macedonia, Serbia, Albania and Turkey all vying for entry into the EU, this centre point may move even further east in the years to come. And the residents of Gadheim are ok with this – but they hope when they lose their title it will because of a new member joining -- not another one exiting. Natalie Carney CGTN Gadheim, Germany.