Previous years activities
Glasgow Branch – 2022-2023
COMMITTEE – Office Bearers
President: Gerry Toner
Vice-President: David Leitch
Treasurer: Carol Woodward
Secretary: Elizabeth Bryant
Subscription Secretary: Val Rees
Other Committee Members :
Tim Andrews, Archie Blair, Jane Daly, Rosalyn Faulds, Colin Sellar
Activities
1. Evening Meetings
From September 2022 to May 2023, we plan to hold our meetings on a Thursday evening of each month at 6 pm at the Alliance Française, 3 Park Circus, Glasgow G3 6AX.
We start the meeting with a presentation given in French. This is followed by convivial social chat in both French and English with wine and soft drinks. The meeting ends at approximately 8pm
Glasgow Branch – Programme 2022-2023
2022
Thursday 15 September: Charlemagne Prof Philip Bennett (Edinburgh)
Thursday 27 October: Preview of the French Film Festival. Richard Mowe.
Saturday 26 November: FSSS 2022 Lecture ‘The French Baroque of Jean-Philippe Rameau’. Jan Waterfield (Royal Conservatoire of Scotland). Unfortunately, this event had to be cancelled.
Thursday 1 December: Josephine Baker au Panthéon. Dr Geoff Hare (Edinburgh)
2023
Friday 13 January: Déjeuner des membres pour célébrer la **La Nouvelle Année 2023**. Unfortunately the venue had to cancel this lunch due to urgent repairs to the building.
Thursday 19 January: Ionesco et l’absurde. Gerry Toner (Glasgow).
Thursday 16 February: Les peintures françaises au Kelvingrove Art Gallery. Léa Masciocchi
Thursday 30 March: Guest speaker from France. Dominique Chancel will talk on his current research on James Wallace (known as Jacques de Valois in France), a native of Stirling who settled in France at the beginning of the 17th century and rose to become a Conseiller du Roi and Trésorier du Dauphiné. Dominique’s talk will also cover the magnificent hôtel that Wallace had built in Grenoble in 1645.
Thursday 20 April: Lafayette, marquis, général et auvergnat – surtout auvergnat. Cécile Docherty (Glasgow).
Saturday 13 May: Franco-Scottish Society 2023 national AGM to be hosted in Glasgow.
Thursday 18 May: Branch AGM. Followed by cheese & wine and entertainment.
Friday 2 June: Branch members’ annual lunch at Anniesland Campus catering department to support the students.
Saturday 17 June: Branch members’ spring outing to Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum. A guided tour in both French and English by our member Bill Daly.
Friday 14 July: Compétition de pétanque pour célébrer la Fête Nationale.
2. ‘Conversation française’ – Quoi de Neuf?
We meet on the first Monday of each month September to June at the Alliance Française from 2.00pm to 4.00pm.
This meeting runs in conjunction with the Alliance Française. Any member of the AF is welcome to join our conversation group.
The conversation in French ranges from personal to global news. We have a theme for discussion that is sent in advance to allow participants to prepare if they wish to do so.
The usual attendance is between 10 and 15 with a wide variety of fluency in French. This is a friendly francophile meeting where everyone is encouraged to talk but participants who prefer to just listen are also very welcome.
Becoming a Glasgow Branch member:
Our session runs from September to June. The annual membership fee is £20.00 per person.
Visitors are welcome to attend for £3.00 per meeting.
Members are entitled to borrow, free of charge, books, DVDs, CDs etc from the Médiathèque at the Alliance Française.
You can pay your membership by cheque in the mail or by bank transfer. For further information, email our secretary Elizabeth Bryant at ebryant96@gmail.com
Nous espérons vivement vous compter parmi nous en 2022/2023!
oOOo
Glasgow Branch – PROGRAMME 2021-2022
Covid crisis update October 2021
We continued to run activities from the start of the Covid lockdown. We transferred our ‘Quoi de
neuf?’ discussion on to Zoom. We also organised our Thursday talks on Zoom. From September 2021 we are trying to get back to some face-to-face activity. If our members feel safe and Government regulations allow it, we hope to provide a programme as follows.
Meetings
From September to May, meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 7.00pm.
Address: Kingsborough Gardens Sanctuary , 79 Hyndland Road, Glasgow G12 9JE.
NB: in November 2021 the meeting will be held on the second Thursday 11 November.
Activities
1. Evening Meetings
They are held in the sanctuary at the above mentioned address. We are not producing a programme as yet but our activities to the end of the year are starting to firm up.
We aim for a mixture of guest speakers who speak in French and social events. The evening concludes with a refreshment taken in convivial company. The meetings finish around 9.00pm.
Glasgow Branch – PROGRAMME 2021-2022
Thursday evening meetings: 7.00pm in the Sanctuary, 79 Hyndland Rd, G12 9JE
2021
Thursday 17 September : “Images de Chine” – Colin Sellar. We have already had one successful session. Colin spent considerable time in China and his photos were stunning.
Thursday 21 October: “COP 26 conferences” – The COP 26 conferences will be held in Glasgow in November. Patrick Boase will provide some background.
Thursday 11 November: “Les vins du Beaujolais”. Gerry Toner. Beaujolais Nouveau is released in November as a ‘vin primeur’.
Saturday 11 December at 1.30pm: Fête de Noël avec vin chaud, buffet, musique et des chansons. Unfortunately, our Fête de Noël had to be cancelled due to government covid restrictions.
2022
Thursday 20 January: Unfortunately, this meeting had to be cancelled due to government covid restrictions.
Thursday 17 February: “Les grandes femmes du Panthéon”, Léa Masciocchi se penchera sur les grandes femmes qui y reposent, ainsi que sur les raisons et les symboles de leur admission.
Thursday 24 February: “Mary Queen of Scots songs” – Louise McDonald. The songs, some in French others in English, are based on poems attributed to Mary herself with music by Robert Schumann and by contemporary composers, the latter having been commissioned by Louise. This will be a broadcast via YouTube available to all our branch members as well as our friends in France (at 20 heures) and to guests of the Franco-Scottish Society members. Click on the link below on Thursday a few minutes before 7.00pm to join in.
Thursday 17 March: This event will be held jointly with and at the Alliance Française, 3 Park Circus, Glasgow G3 6AX at 6.00pm: “An Evening with the French-Algerian novelist, playwright and actress, Samira Sedira, award winner of the Prix Eugène Dabit 2020-21 for her novel “Des Gens comme Eux” (Editions du Rouergue) translated into English as “ People Like Them” (Raven Books).” Details…
2. Après-midi ‘Conversation Française’ – Quoi de Neuf?
February 2022 update: we were delighted to meet up face-t0-face on Monday 14 February at the Alliance Française after Zooming for two years! We enjoyed a lively and convivial get together and trust we will be able to continue to meet in person at the Alliance Française in the months ahead…. Do come and join us!
The conversation ranges from personal news to current politics. We also frequently have a discussion theme that could be thought about in advance. Everyone is encouraged to speak but you can also just listen.
The usual attendance is between 18 and 30 with a wide variety of fluency in French. A few native speakers attend. It is a friendly meeting where conversations can flow from current events, which can be very lively, to holidays and films which can be instructive but less provocative.
This runs in conjunction with the Alliance Française. Any member of the Alliance is welcome to join our conversational group.
3. Visites guidées
Saturday 2 October: Visite guidée par Léa Masciocchi du Jardin Botanique de Glasgow.
Saturday 27 November: Visite guidée par Léa Masciocchi de l’Université de Glasgow.
April: Visite guidée par Léa Masciocchi de Merchant City, Glasgow.
The conversation ranges from personal news to current politics. We also frequently have a discussion theme that could be thought about in advance. Everyone is encouraged to speak but you can also just listen.
The usual attendance is between 18 and 30 with a wide variety of fluency in French. A few native speakers attend. It is a friendly meeting where conversations can flow from current events, which can be very lively, to holidays and films which can be instructive but less provocative.
This runs in conjunction with the Alliance Française. Any member of the Alliance is welcome to join our conversational group.
Friday 25 March: Members’ lunch at Anniesland College.
May: Chatelherault Country Park.
July: Pétanque competition to celebrate le 14 juillet.
Membership
The membership fee is £20.00.
You can attend as a guest (£3.00 per meeting plus refreshment).
As a member you will be entitled to borrow, free of charge, books, DVDs, CDs etc from the Médiathèque at the Alliance Française.
We organise occasional ‘visites guidées en français’. We hold an annual members’ lunch in the spring and a ‘pétanque’ competition in mid-July to celebrate le 14 juillet
You may pay your membership by cheque via the post or by bank transfer. For further information, email our secretary Elizabeth Bryant ebryant96@gmail.com
Glasgow Branch – PROGRAMME 2019-2020
Thursday evening meetings 7.30pm
Russell House, 81 Hyndland Road, Glasgow G12 9JE
2019
Thursday 19th September: Tom Wight – Caesar and Vercingetorix
Thursday 17th October: Claire Charlwood – Chansons Franglaises
Thursday 21th November: Jim Rafferty – La Chasse aux Papillons
Saturday 7th December à 13h30: Fête de Noël avec Cordes en Ciel, Kingsborough Gdns Sanctuary, Hyndland Church
2020
Thursday 16th January: James Steel – French Film
Thursday 20th February: Sylvie Decaux – Independent Publishing in France
Thursday 19th March: Greg Kerr – Poetry and Exile: Ghérasim Luca
Thursday 16th April: Janine Adamson – Carême, le Prince des cuisiniers, le cuisinier des Princes
Thursday 21st May: Annual General Meeting – suivie du verre de l’amitié et d’une dégustation de fromages.
The meetings will take place in Russell House, 81 Hyndland Road, G12 9JE at 7.30pm.
In conjunction with the Alliance Française we host a “Quoi de neuf?” discussion group from 2pm to 4pm on the first Monday of the month (except July and August) 2-3 Park Circus. In May we meet on the second Monday. In 2020 that will be Monday 11th May
For contact details see Franco-Scottish website or just come along to a meeting.
Get the latest news from the Glasgow Branch
News from September 2018 to July 2019
Our monthly Thursday evening events ran successfully from September to May. We welcomed Flossie Malavialle who performed a variety of songs in French and several speakers who delivered talks on a variety of topics: ‘Paris, Belle Epoque’, ‘Les Films de Bruno Dumont’, ‘Guillaume, duc de Normandie’, ‘Robert Louis Stevenson’, ‘Le Soleil’.
Saturday 10 November: Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland Conference held in Edinburgh. Several members of our branch attended the lecture ‘Laïcité, religion and identity in contemporary France’ given by Emile Chabal, University of Edinburgh.
Saturday 15 December: Christmas party. We were entertained with seasonal songs in French by a talented former student of the Conservatoire who was accompanied on the piano. We were equally charmed by the voice of a first year student of French and Music playing the guitar. We went on to enjoy the buffet of delicious dishes brought by members. A warm and jolly time was shared by all.
Friday 3 May: our annual lunch was attended by some 20 members who enjoyed a delicious 3 course meal prepared and served by students in the catering department of the Anniesland campus of Glasgow Clyde College.
Friday 12 July: the annual Bastille Day pétanque tournament at Hillhead Sports Club. As in previous years, this event was well attended by members and their friends. We gathered to sing the Marseillaise following the prize giving before going on to share a convivial lunch in the club restaurant.
From the archive
18th June 2018
We supported St Charles primary school who participate annually in a film competition. This year they were selected to represent Scotland at the final stage – a two day celebration of film in Paris. With our support more than 20 pupils were able to go on a three day visit. As well as participating in the event the group was able to have some tourist experience and use the French they had been learning in school. Their entry was commended and they were congratulated by French film directors. Committee members attended the school assembly on 18 June to learn more about the class’s experience of making the film and their visit to Paris.
Fête Nationale 2018 – Concours de pétanque
Thanks to Colin Browning for taking over organising and leading this annual popular event. Approximately 32 people came to the Hillhead Sports Club to take part in the competition. Most of them are faithful branch members but we also welcomed folk from other francophile groups in Glasgow. Most participants went on to enjoy a convivial lunch in the club restaurant.
Outing to Traquair House
11 MAI 2017.
Le soleil était de la partie pour notre excursion à Traquair. Notre chauffeur avait choisi des petites routes pittoresques bordées d’arbres aux feuillages lumineux. Sur les pentes des Southern Uplands de nombreux agneaux se prélassaient au soleil. Nous avons été chaleureusement accueillis par un guide qui nous a fait découvrir l’histoire de ce château admirablement situé dans un écrin de verdure. Chaque pièce relate des épisodes souvent dramatiques et des souvenirs d’une famille obstinément fidèle à la dynastie des Stuart. Après la visite de l’émouvante petite chapelle avec son autel de marbre et ses sobres panneaux relatant la vie du Christ, c’est l’heure de la dégustation des fameuses bières de Traquair. Après un réconfortant déjeuner nous musardons dans le parc et deux de nos amies s’aventurent courageusement dans le labyrinthe. Un dernier regard sur la large avenue et le grand portail de Traquair qui ne s’ouvrira que, si un jour, un descendant des Stuart accède au trône et nous reprenons la route de Glasgow enchantés d’une visite intéressante inondée de soleil.
Fête Nationale 14 juillet 2017 – Concours de pétanque
Our annual ‘pétanque’ competition was held this year on a bright and sunny 14th July. The event was once again well attended with approximately 30 participants, mostly members but we were delighted to welcome several visitors as well. The competition has been superbly organised for ten years now by our long-time member Joe Cent and his wife Zara. They enhance the French atmosphere of the gathering by arriving in their 2CV, flying a very large ‘tricolore’. We play at varying levels of ability but it is always a fun occasion for all. Winners are rewarded with bottles of wine. Following the prize-giving, most of the group stay to enjoy a convivial lunch at the sports club restaurant. Sadly, this year is the last time Joe and Zara have hosted the event. At the start of the lunch, our immense gratitude was expressed to them for faithfully hosting this gathering over the past decade. Plans are in the pipeline for our Glasgow branch to continue the tradition of this great event to enable us to come together and celebrate the ‘Fête Nationale’.
23rd November 2017 – Hunterian Art Gallery
Approximately 25 of our members attended a guided visit in French at the Hunterian Art Gallery of the exhibition The Truest Mirror of Life: 19th Century French Caricatures by Dr Greg Kerr of the University of Glasgow Languages Department. He was also the co-curator of the exhibition. Caricature features strongly in The Hunterian collections and The Truest Mirror of Life reflects the rising popularity of the genre in 19th century France. After the visit, several members gathered at a café nearby for a friendly time chatting to one another.
12th December 2017 – FSSS Prize Award
Our President Gerry, Treasurer and Secretary were pleased to attend a ceremony at the High School of Glasgow to award the Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland Prize 2017 to Joseph McGrath Williams who attained the highest mark in Advanced Higher French. He shares this achievement with two candidates from an Edinburgh college. Gerry made a short speech and gave Joseph his certificate and cheque for £200. Joseph informed us he is studying medicine at Oxford University and is a member of the French Club.
16th December 2017 – Annual Christmas Party
Once again, everyone was welcomed with a cup of traditional vin chaud made by Janine. We were pleased to host the Ullapool String Quartet, an amateur group featuring two of our members, Deborah Rutherford and Rona Gaffney. Rona’s husband David and their friend Christine Bucknall. They performed sophisticated arrangements of Christmas songs and carols and we were led in the singing by Ian and Catherine Robertson. Bill Daly sang Cholesterol by Adam McNaughton. Suggesting we should avoid rich food, this lively song has obvious seasonal connotations. Following the entertainment, we all gathered for a convivial and joyful time eating the delicious food of savoury and sweet dishes contributed by all our members.
Lansdowne Lecture 2016
The lecture was held on Saturday 12 November in Glasgow City Chambers. Over 70 people arrived to hear Dr Frances Fowle of the Scottish National Gallery and Edinburgh University talk about the art collectors in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in and around Glasgow and in particular their interest in French contemporary art. Dr Fowle is Senior Curator of the National Galeries and also lectures in Edinburgh University. She is also the author of the biography of Alexander Reid, the well-known Glasgow art dealer. He shared a flat in Paris with the van Gogh brothers. Vincent van Gogh’s portrait of Alex Reid is in the Glasgow Museums collection.
The talk was thoroughly entertaining and informative. More than 50 members of the Franco-Scottish Society branches across Scotland then enjoyed lunch in the Cote Brasserie in West Nile Street.
