A FRENCH conversation group meeting in homes across Cheshire for almost 75 years is sharing its history.
Knutsford-Hartford French Circle is donating a set of nine minute books to the Cheshire Archives collection.
These documents provide fascinating insights into the changing social and cultural events through the decades.
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Originally known as the Hartford French Circle, the society was founded in 1951 by Helen Cheetham and Bee Henry in Hartford.
The organisation aimed to help English and French members to expand their knowledge of each other’s country, language and customs.
A French conversation group has donated old minute books to the Cheshire Archive collection (Image: Supplied)
To begin with, the focus was on grammar exercises, written work and reading classics, but it has now become a social conversation group.
Treasure hunts ending in a local pub and anniversary dinners are among their many other social activities.
Members discuss a broad array of topics and organise a range of activities, including guest speakers, films, annual fêtes and celebrations.
Today, most members live in Knutsford, Alderley Edge, Northwich and Bowdon so they updated their name to the Knutsford-Hartford French Circle.
Discussions were recorded in fountain pen in the early days (Image: Supplied)
French Circle member Bobby Sanyal said: “France and Great Britain have been neighbours and friends with an interwoven history for many centuries.
“The French Circle minute books celebrate more than 70 years of that relationship and explore the richness of each country's culture both in their similarities and differences.
“They also provide a fascinating insight into the political and cultural changes in each country since the 1950s.”
Notable discussions included the Second World War, the student revolution in Paris, the arrival of Concorde and the new airport in Paris.
Debates were also held on whether or not the UK should enter the European Common Market.
In 1964, a new pop group called The Beatles sparked much interest and members spoke about their support for the proposed Channel Tunnel.
Club president Christine Bhatt said: “Coming to live in Knutsford with my family in the mid 1980s, a chance meeting with an established member of the French Circle introduced me to a warm, welcoming group of people with whom I have shared so many years of friendship.
“I have learned from members who had incredibly widespread knowledge and continued to improve my level of French.”
Cheshire Archives has welcomed the books as evidence of a long-standing community group.
Member Marie Masson said: “It is a privilege for us to make the records available to the public.
“Any Francophile will enjoy reading about the diversity and quality of the subjects.
“It is a joy to dip into the social history of France but also to have a record of these wonderful evenings.”
The collection will be available to the public when the Archives move to their newly built sites in Chester and Crewe in 2025-2026.
The club currently has 15 members and meet in each other’s homes fortnightly on Monday evenings.
Anyone who is passionate about the French language and culture is welcome to join.
Current members are former French teachers or have children living in France, whereas others are simply looking to maintain or improve their language skills.
Anyone interested in joining can email knutsfordfrench@hotmail.com.
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