Oxford University SW France

A Day in the Mountains in June

webmaster — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:38:46 +0000

19th (& 20th) June 2012

This year we propose to combine a walk in the Réserve Naturelle de Neouvielle with some exploration in nearby Spain the following day.

The programme will be suitable for both walkers and the less energetic and you will be rewarded with superb views of these magnificent areas.

The rendez-vous is fixed at midday on the 19^th June, at the Chalet Hotel du Lac d’Oredon.

We encourage you to join us the following day in a short trip to nearby Spain (the night of the 19^th June can be spent in St. Lary, where there are several reasonably-priced hotels). We will drive to Bielsa, stopping on the way to look at the perfect little Templar chapel at Aragnouet. Beyond Bielsa, and after a drive through the spectacular Anisclo canyon, we shall arrive for lunch in the Romanesque town of Ailsa, with time afterwards for a stroll around the cobbled streets and the Plaza Mayor.

On the way back, Bielsa offers cheap petrol, spirits, wine and olive oil !

For more information, contact Marion Tempé at moustemp@aol.com who will forward your enquiries to the organizer, Roger Tarn.

Below: The Higher Lake (Lac d’Aubert) in Neouvielle.

Dylan Thomas, poetry and music

marion — Mon, 07 May 2012 16:23:29 +0000

See under “Other forthcoming events”

18th May Dylan Thomas evening – poetry and music

marion — Mon, 07 May 2012 16:22:14 +0000

A themed evening on Dylan Thomas, whose early poem “I see the Boys of Summer” is the text for a new commission for piano trio and soprano by the composer Vasco Mendonça. Friday 18th May , 20h00, Maison Gaugiran, Cordes-sur-Ciel. Entrance free.

Information provided by Peter Tinniswood. Enquiries to Hon. Sec. Marion Tempé

Concert in Toulouse, 12th May

marion — Fri, 04 May 2012 16:33:44 +0000

Mark Opstad and the choir of the Conservatoire de Toulouse are giving a concert on Saturday 12th May at 17h30 in the Basilique St. Sernin.German sacred music (von Hessler, Schütz, Bruckner, Brahms). Organist : Jean-Baptiste Dupont. Entrance free.

Save these dates !

marion — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 16:03:51 +0000

Wednesday, 23rd May, St. Emilion (10h00 – 17h00 approx.)Wine tasting (two châteaux in the morning, one in the afternoon, lunch, and a chance to look around this famous and fascinating village. Numbers limited to 25 maximum – book early ! (Organized by John Allsop)

Tuesday, 19th June. A walk in the Pyrenees. Details of itinerary will be communicated later. (Organized by Roger Tarn)

Tuesday, 3rd July. A tour of Bordeaux, including a river trip. (Organized by Marion Tempé)

August. A highly convivial airshow meeting, to which we are invited by Tony Tucker. Date not yet fixed.

Friday, 7th September. Visit to Figeac (east of Cahors). Lunch will be preceded by a brief AGM, and followed by a tour of the Musée Champollion (which describes the history of the written word over the last 5300 years. Figeac is the birthplace of Jean-François Champollion, decoder of Egyptian hieroglyphics. The Egyptian collection describes the history of the Pharaohs). The attractive old town can also be visited, and the sumptuous Saturday morning market may well tempt some to spend the night in the area. Organizer : Peter Bartlett-Ruiz.

If you are interested in any of these events, please contact the Hon. Sec. Marion Tempé (moustemp@aol.com) who will put you in touch with the organizers. The Bordeaux and Figeac visits in particular, need to be booked well ahead.

2012 Events

webmaster — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 14:15:36 +0000

The events for 2012 are now being readied and will be posted here.

Restaurant de la Gare, Agen

marion — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:38:19 +0000

Bad news for the Branch Committee and others fond of this friendly and convenient eating place in Agen ; apparently it has gone bust. If anyone has any news of a revival, please let the Hon. Sec. know about it !

Dialogue at the Sheldonian

marion — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:31:07 +0000

On 23rd February at 4 pm, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, and Professor Richard Dawkins will discuss “The nature of human beings and the question of their ultimate origin”. This event will be broadcast on live-stream video, accessible from the University of Oxford website.

Richard Dawkins, ethologist and evolutionary biologist , is a Fellow of New College , and from 1995 until 2008 was the first University of Oxford’s Professor for the Public Understanding of Science . He is particularly known for his books “The Selfish Gene” and “The God Delusion”, and actively promotes atheism.

The dialogue will be hosted by Sir Anthony Kenny, philosopher, former Master of Balliol, and also former President of the British Academy.

The dialogue is now available on this site: http://fsmevents.com/sophiaeuropa/.

Letter from Chairman

marion — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:55:29 +0000

A letter from the new Chairman, John Baylis, with an addition by Marion Tempé, Hon. Sec. will shortly be sent to all members by post. Your answers and comments will be welcome.

Annual General Meeting

piquet47 — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:38:52 +0000

Those of us who attended the recent AGM at the Hotel Pont Napoleon in Moissac were treated not only to my relaxed style of chairmanship at short notice, but also to an after dinner talk from our distinguished guest Dame Gillian Beer, a friend of Lindy Beveridge. A leading expert on Darwinism, Victorians and especially Lewis Carroll (Charles Dodgson) Dame Gillian explored the subject of Carroll’s paraxodes with time and space in a charming way. If you missed it see this link – she starts 5.30 minutes in.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9R_1DrKdnY&list=PL3DE21962E80B6A89
- pip