Issue 149

Société Française

20th November 2006

The French society has been knocking around campus for the past eight years giving help and support to French students, providing social activities and also teaching anyone who wants to learn the language.

Yet as with any society, one of their most important aspects is providing a social atmosphere to encourage French and International students to integrate with each other. Also they aim to get the student populous as a whole involved with the society, enjoying the culture and company of our French neighbours.

With an estimated membership of 160, the French society literally crammed themselves into D2 last week, and created the sort of atmosphere only usually found on the streets of Paris. D2 was transformed into a cafe for the event, in you guessed it, red white and blue! The room was full of balloons, streamers, people and of course music, which all contributed to helping the evening run successfully.

With a grand total of 90 bottles of wine to get through (which unsurprisingly, didn't take that long), it was clear from the outset that the evening would be a roaring success. The society provided a selection of traditional cheeses from your average Cheddar and Brie to more unusual types. There really was something for everyone, especially for those wine lovers. On offer they had one of the most traditional French red wines, Bordeaux, a selection of white wines including Muscadet and of course a selection of Rose's both sweet and dry.

The event cost a tiny £1 for members and £2 for non-members, that's not half bad considering what you got for your money.

We spoke to French society member, Richard Paul who was busy sipping wine and chatting with his friends, he said that he "relished the French atmosphere and indulging in the French wine." By the looks for things I could easily say that that was the general feeling of all those who attended the evening.

The cheese and wine event was the first in a series of events that the French society currently have on their calendar; Later on this year they hope to be going up to London to see Les Miserable, the famous West End musical that deals with the topic of the French Revolution. They also have plans to go on a trip to Paris, hopefully sometime in the new year.

Whilst we were there, we bumped into Student Union President Owen Morgan, who was busy munching on bread and cheese. He said that he was more of a "Stella Artois man himself" and not really one for wine, though that didn't stop him from trying the vast selection of cheeses that were on offer. He also noted the vibrant, lively atmosphere and range of people that were at the event; "there's a good load of people here - not just French speakers."

The friendliness of the French society is to their credit and certainly gave me the opportunity to test my rusty year nine French! And if you're wondering, yes it is still as bad, if not worse than it was when I was fourteen. I was certainly shown up by my lack of bilingual skills and impressed by all those around me who were quite happily chatting away in fulent French, yet despite the differences in language, a good time was had by all those in attendance.

The French Society has something for everyone, of course it all runs on a French theme, but if you're looking to try someting new or are simply wanting to make some new friends then get in touch with them, and indulge in some light French culture.

If you would like some more information about the French society then please e-mail society President Mark Houghton at: lasocietefrancaise06@yahoogroups.com

Dawn Lewis