Latest News 22nd July 2010

Boules Evening
Stroud French Connections cordially invite you to a Boules Evening
Pitchcombe Village Hall
Sunday August 15th at 6.30pm

It would be very good to see any of you who are not actually going to be in France at that time, for an evening with a French flavour, including a game of boules, and a light buffet supper.
All this for only £5 per head and you don't even need to speak French - although an occasional and nonchalant Gallic shrug will be much appreciated.

The evening will start at 6.30pm, outside the hall of course.
We'd love to see you and you're welcome to bring along a friend or two!

Please contact Hilary Penney by July 29th at the latest if you would like to join us or have questions about the intricacies of the game:

rspmail@tiscali.co.uk,
telephone 01453 750972.

what is boules we hear you ask?
Wilkipedia defines it as a game where the goal is, while standing inside a starting circle with both feet on the ground, to throw metal balls as close as possible to a small wooden ball called a cochonnet (literally "piglet") or jack. It is also called sometimes a bouchon (literally "cork") or le petit ("the small one"). The game is normally played on hard dirt or gravel, but can also be played on grass, sand or other surfaces.

Annual Dinner
The now 'Annual Dinner' of Stroud French Connections was held on Friday, 5th February, at the usual venue of Pitchcombe Village Hall. Thankfully, the snow & freezing temperatures eased, allowing about 40 members and friends to enjoy a very pleasant evening in the hall, which was decorated with bunting of French and Union Jack flags .
Muriel Brooks served us all an excellent 'Pot au Faisan', followed by some delicious puddings. Cheese and biscuits ended the meal, and people brought their own drinks to accompany the food.
Sheets of questions on the life, culture, geography and history of France were on each table, which gave everyone something to think about over the course of the evening. Our Secretary, Sarah White's table proved their superior knowledge, and won the prize of a bottle of wine.
The Chairman, Warren Knock, brought the successful evening to a close with a few words of thanks to Muriel, and to everyone for coming.

The Capriol Chamber Orchestra
conductor, Jonathan Trim
will perform at a concert on

Sunday 7th March 2010
7.30pm
The Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception,
Beeches Green,
Stroud, GL5 4AA

We are delighted to be performing once again with the superbly talented teenager Terese de Souza. She will be enchanting us with a performance of Vaughan Williams’ breathtakingly beautiful piece, The Lark Ascending. The programme also includes his English Folksong Suite, Delius 'On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring' and a beautiful piece written by our own conductor, Jonathan Trim; 'Elegie for Caroline'. In contrast to this all English programme, the concert will finish with Prokofiev’s exciting Classical Symphony.

Tickets: £7.00 (conc. £6.00 and children under 12 free)
available from Orchestra members, Stroud Tourist Information, Non Such Books in Nailsworth, or on the door


The Capriol Chamber Orchestra photo Kel Portman

CHRISTMAS 2009
As in previous years, members of the Committee decorated a tree, to take part in the annual Christmas Tree Festival at St.Laurence's Parish Church. There were more than 70 trees from local organizations, businesses & individuals, and this year there was a theme of Nursery Rhymes.

During the GoodWill Evening, children from Stroud Valleys School sang some carols in French, thanks to the efforts of Carole Oosthuysen, and there was a short story read, in French, about a pine tree at Christmas.

Afterwards, the children were given 'papillottes', a French Christmas sweet.
We would like to thank the children, the school, Carole and members of the Committee who decorated the tree.

Stroud French Connections present:
a Prize Quiz Night
Varied questions (i.e. you don't have be a French buff)
Cash prize
Every one is welcome

Date: Friday November 13th
Place: Bisley Village Hall
Time: 7 for 7.30 pm.
Cost: £10 per person
which includes a welcoming glass of wine and a 2-course meal
Bring your own drinks
Booking: to book your tickets please contact Hilary Penny on 07836 324840
or email: rspmail@waitrose.com

Stroud Ramblers scale the mountains around St.Ismier
• click here to see the egallery

Twenty six members of Stroud Rambling Club have recently returned from a week of glorious walking in the Chartreuse Mountains of S. E. France, which rise behind St Ismier, Stroud's twin town
On one of the days our friends there entertained us with a splendid walk in the Belledome Mountains which was then followed by a Town Council reception at which we presented St Ismier with a lovely painting of the Cotswolds gifted by Stroud French Connection.
The Rambling club then thanked their hosts with a song, sung in French

Our press cutting from St Ismier shows Steve Rawley (top left) who was there recently with his wife and taught a bit of English dancing to the French!
They met Christiane, developed contacts in St Ismier and Biviers for music and dance, and had a great evening at the fete de la musique, with fireworks and bands all around.

Latest News 7th February 2008
• Social evening and French meal

Social evening and French meal
Friday 1st Frebruary at 7.00pm for 7.30pm,
Pitchcombe Village Hall

We had a really great time on Friday, thank you very much for everyone who has helped to make the evening so great. Kevin sent these 2 pictures (below) to remind us of the evening and just how Muriel's delicious food was appreciated! The quiz (cunningly put together by Laurence) really helped to make things go with a swing.