History of the Chiswick Cercle

When we moved from South Kensington to Chiswick in 1990, I discovered that many people wanted to improve their French and needed to practise it.

Therefore I decided to start a French Circle with my friend and student Else Boetker as secretary. We registered with the Federation, and managed with gifts and donations.

We had monthly meetings in my drawing room 38 Flanders Road with canapes and a glass of wine. The attendance was 6 at first, then 10, 15, 20, and the first member Evelyne Dunball, a pianist and conductor, became self appointed PR. Soon my drawing room became too small, and the Chiswick Hotel hosted our meetings.

When the hall at St. Michael and All Angels was renovated we rented the Raphael room and our meetings have taken place there ever since.

An efficient and devoted committee was created to help, and the Chiswick French Circle, started with 6 members, now counts around 70.

The subjects of our lectures are varied: the Arts, Literature, Music, Politics, Current Affairs, Gastronomy, French provinces or famous people.

Everyone enjoys the wines carefully selected by the committee, and the atmosphere is pleasantly relaxed.

Line Playfair, Présidente d'honneur

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