Issue 30
Summer 2008
Group News cont’d
As we approach our A.G.M. the French Group 1 is thinking of ideas to make our Exhibition Table attractive, which this year we will share happily with the “French for Fun” Group.
We still prosper with great enjoyment, under the encouraging guidance of Tony Ninham. Having almost finished Maupassant’s enigmatic short stories, in September we will be immersed in translating “Bonjour Tristesse” by Francoise Sagan, for an hour each Thursday morning, followed by another hour discussing in French matters political and personal, all with a touch of humour.
A few weeks ago we enjoyed a meal together at “Chez la Vie” restaurant (or C’est la Vie). Our rendezvous was pre-booked so we were allotted a private room with a large dining table. To the haunting strains of “La Mer” we were obliged to order our meal individually to a charming French waiter. It was a great relief to see each one being served with the meal we thought we had ordered. The roast duck and wine were superb.
Our next French Connection will be on 9 September when the group will fly from Leeds to Nice thence to a lovely villa on Côte d’Azur near Miramar. We hope to sail to Île de St. Marguerite, shop at Agar market, swim in the Mediterranean Sea, visit Antibes, and dine à la haute cuisine at the excellent local restaurants.
Alice Hart
Monday: the 2nd Monday in the month (Sept 8th)
French for Fun started in September last year. Like most new groups it took a while to settle down. December, January, February, March & April we had full meetings with lively discussion - some of it in French! By May & June summer had caught up with us (holidays, gardening) and as so often happens, the numbers started to drop. It is probable that there will be vacancies in September so if you fancy trying out your French please phone - any time. Don't wait until September. All being well the first meeting in September will be at Kettlesing. Those without transport can have a lift. But most meetings are held in Harrogate. So far subjects used for discussion have included the French Impressionist painter Berthe Morisot and the French Existentialist Simone de Beauvoir; but not all our subjects are that serious. The subject for September is 'My Ambition in Life & have I achieved it.' You can write it out & read it to the group or you can just speak off the cuff. Those without fluent French can do it in English! No one is obliged to contribute if they don't wish to.
Thanks to those who have put time & effort into the group. Much appreciated.
Jocelynne
This was the first French group in U3A Harrogate to form twelve years ago at the invitation of Sylvia McGredie . At present we have ten members (four of whom are founder members} and as we meet in each others homes, we find that is enough for
most peoples’ sitting room, and for each member to be able to participate. Consequently we are unable to accept any more members at present.
During the first half we converse in French,-- about anything that comes to mind-- and there's never any shortage of topics, even though we meet every week. What do we talk about? Of course, being English, we talk about the weather, (even in French!) television, current affairs, museums, visits to the theatre, holidays, family and hobbies. One week we discussed the geography of Canada and another week about bats.
After a coffee break (with cakes and biscuits!), we read and translate a French language novel. Some of our favourite authors are:- Henri Troyat, Marcel Pagnol, Simenon and Francoise Sagan.
Although a few members speak very competently in French, essentially we are a mixed ability group.
Margaret Grint
The year has been a successful one for the group following the move to Starbeck Methodist Church. There is a very good bus services stopping outside the Church and the average attendance has been 35 members.
The season started with Christine Stewart telling us about Starbeck in Bloom followed by talks ranging from Christmas Myths and Festivals to Mediaeval Plagues and Potions, taking in the Yorkshire Linen Industry and the National Trust in Yorkshire along the way.
In May we went to Richmond where we visited the Georgian theatre. After being given a history of the theatre we were taken on a tour – seeing all the places the public never sees: dressing rooms, prop rooms, going onto the stage and finally the exhibition room.
The afternoon saw us at the newly refurbished and opened railway. After a lot of hard work by the Railway Restoration Trust the building now houses two cinemas, a restaurant and numerous shops and offices plus a very informative visitors centre. We were taken on a tour of the building and also around the outside to see the old engine sheds, water tower, turntables, and even the Station Master’s house. The weather was perfect so the day was enjoyed by all.
In June we had our usual guided tour around one of the villages. This time it was Starbeck, with Steven Abbott guiding. He pointed out the buildings of interest along the High Street and on the Railway Station described what it had been like in its prime. We then went to Spa Mews to see the newly discovered