This brief overview of the history of our association could be enriched by including stories, documents and photographs which you might be able to supply, so please do not hestitate to let us know if you have something of interest.

HISTORY

In the autumn of 1932, Mr Charles Henri THOMAS, honorary vice-consul of Great Britain at Toulon, together with Maître GIRAUD (notary) founded an Association France-Grande-Bretagne.  Its aims were to develop intellectual, social and linguistic relationships between British and French cultures, by means of links of friendship between the association's members.

The first president was Colonel ASTRAUD and his deputy was Miss SIXT, an English teacher. They also founded a section « Friends of the English Language » with the aim of encouraging the learning of English.  The annual subscription was 25 French Francs  and students could pay a reduced rate of Ffr. 10.

 A wide range of activities took place from the start. For example, the author Aldous HUXLEY gave a talk to the members.  Other talks were given, on Shakespeare, Georges Bernard Shaw, Christmas in the U.K., life at Oxford University, Scotland, and English music. Two travelling theatrical companies presented    « Musical Chairs » and « The Bathroom Door ».

From 1933 the Association provided two bursaries for journeys to England. Travel from Toulon to London (3rd. Class return) was paid, as well as subsistence allowances for a 5 week stay with English families, selected by the London «  Lycée français ». The total cost of 2500 francs was paid, half by the Toulon town council, and half by private donations.

On May 25th., 1939 a Gala of the « Entente Cordiale «  was held at the Toulon casino, with music by the Fleet Musicians and a film:  « Entente Cordiale »  based on a work by  André Maurois, was shown.

Then, for the duration of the Second World War, the Association was closed down, for obvious reasons.  After the end of the war, it was revived by Admiral SENES as President.  The vice-president was Mr. De RICHTER and the secretary Mrs. LOBB.

The decade of the 50's saw a wide variety of activities.  Commandant GARNIER took over as President, and the newspaper « République » published articles about them, mostly contributed by Mr.  RICHTER.  They included a talk by Mr. GASKIN about Nigeria, a concert of English music, a visit by around 30 British university students for 10 days, and a superb presentation of Scotland, given by Sir Robert BRUCE-LOCKART.

Mrs. LOBB took up to 300 young people from Toulon to the U.K. each summer.

In October 1959, the Association was formally registered at the Préfecture du Var.  Admiral SENES resumed his function as president.

In 1970 Toulon and Portsmouth inaugurated a twinning agreement,  marked by enthusiastic celebrations. 
In the 70's, Mr. Brian BURNETT was nominated President et Mrs. LOBB remained as the Secretary.
In 1979, Mrs. Simone IEHLE took over as President and  Marion LE SAOS became vice-president.

During the 80's Captain Robert ELIES became the next President and Mme LE SAOS remained as vice-president.  Various activities were started at this time, such as the Book-Club, a Bridge section, and a hiking group, led by Gérard Garcia. A surprise car rally was organised each year, and group travel arranged, to several countries:  England, Egypt, Marocco, Sicily, Scotland and Turkey.  Visits of Royal Navy vessels to the Toulon port were frequent.  In 1988 the first «Engish Christmas Dinner» was held, at the Hotel des Bains in Sanary, with the traditional « Christmas Pudding ».  For many years, entertainment at these dinners was provided by pupils of Gay CLARKE's school of dance.

After the rather sudden death of Marion LA SAOS, Monique PICON-PRYOR took over as vice-president.  The early 90's saw the creation of British Club by Teddy PICON-PRYOR, the Ciné-club by Lucienne LICHTLE and the Atelier de Littérature by Bernard SASSO. And at this time the annual summer lunch at the Domaine des Chaberts at Garéoult became a very popular and well-appreciated event. In 2000, we were honoured by the presence of Her Majesty's Consul-General at Marseille, Ian DAVIS.

A number of outrings were arranged in the 2000 decade, for example to the Musée de l’Annonciade à Saint-Tropez, the  Chartreuse de la Verne, the Saint-Maximin Basilica, the new Pre-History Museum at   Quinson, and  the Villa Noailles atHyères.

In Otober 2008, Bernard SASSO replaced Robert ELIES as President.