THE CLUB
We are a multinational, non-profit-making group dedicated to sharing personal experiences and knowledge of the people, culture, traditions and language of Germany and German-speaking countries. We welcome anyone with an interest in Germany, Austria, Switzerland or the German language. We hold monthly meetings between September and June.
We feature high quality guest speakers covering a wide range of subjects with a German connection. Occasionally our own members are happy to speak. We also have a quiz night, meals out, a visit to the Leeds German Christmas Market, a Christmas Party, and a Summer Barbecue! Both German and English are spoken at all events, so no-one is left out.
We have good connections with other German groups in the Yorkshire region, including Wharfedale German Circle
We also have links with Neil McDonald, who organises Anglo-German walks: www.anglo-german-walks.com
Our meetings usually take place in Headingley, at St Columba's United Reformed Church Hall. Other venues are St Luke's Church House and, for the quiz, The Original Oak. Meetings start at 7:30 PM, with a standard admission charge of £2.50, which usually includes refreshments, and gives instant membership. The cost of meals out, the quiz, the Christmas Party, and the Barbecue will be announced nearer the times of these events.
The club is affiliated to The British German Association: www.britishgermanassociation.org
We are also affiliated to The Anglo-Austrian Society
ER & GE (UK) are the club's sponsors: www.erge.co.uk
HISTORY
The Club was formed in Autumn 1996. Trudi Kaiser had been running her own group at Swarthmore. When Trudi retired, Dorrit Pinder was invited to take over. She stepped in and organised meetings at Swarthmore on Saturday afternoons, where she was joined by about seven others. Some of them are still members! Games and conversation evenings (sometimes hard work!) were organised and various venues/pubs etc. were tried. Weekday evenings soon replaced Saturdays. When, some eighteen months later, it was felt that different activities were needed, Dorrit began to invite speakers, St. Luke's Church House in Headingley became the regular venue, and events like the Christmas party and the summer meal (then held at The Berghof in Todmorden) were established.
The club's membership (and also the committee!) grew as time went on and, by the 2001/2002 season, larger premises were needed, resulting in a gradual move to St. Columba's and the Leeds Anglo German Club as it is today.
OUR INVITATION
We cordially invite anyone with an interest in Germany, Austria, Switzerland or the German language to our events. We welcome students and ex-students of German who would like the opportunity to listen to and speak the language in a friendly and informal atmosphere. Members of other German groups are always welcome.
PROGRAMME 2010/2011 (Click to view)
PROGRAMME 2011/2012
Monday September 5th 2011
DER MITGIFTJÄGER: FÜRST PÜCKLER-MUSKAU AUF BRAUTSCHAU IN ENGLAND
Dr P J Bowman, Translator and Independent Scholar
James will tell us about the fortune-hunting German prince (who was also a known landscape gardener) in Regency England in the mid 1820s, based on his book capturing the nature of Anglo-German social and cultural relations of the time.
Illustrated talk (PP) in German and English.
St Columba's URC
7:30 - 9:30
Tuesday October 4th 2011
CHANGE TO ADVERTISED PROGRAMME
Roy Watson will show a DVD about Rügen. The film is in German, but Roy will give a commentary and explanations in English.
St Columba's URC
7:30 - 9:30
Monday November 14th 2011
QUIZABEND
The Original Oak is again the venue for our popular German and general knowledge quiz. All kinds of questions, in German and English, plus frankfurters, potato salad and prizes. Come in teams of 3 or 4 people, or just come on your own and join in. Enjoy a drink or two! Students most welcome!
Please contact the secretary by November 10th if you would like to come.
The Original Oak, Headingley
7:30 - 10:00
Wednesday November 30th 2011
DIE EVANGELISCHE KIRCHE IN DEUTSCHLAND
Pastor Dirk Strobel, Lutheran Pastor for Northern England
Pastor Strobel will talk about the Protestant Church in Germany and also his work in the Lutheran Church in West Yorkshire and beyond.
Talk in German and English.
St Columba's URC
7:30 - 9:30
Saturday December 3rd 2011
WEIHNACHTSFEIER
A German Christmas Party, with great food, Glühwein, music and good company. A lovely, festive occasion. You will receive a warm welcome!
Please contact the secretary by November 30th, if you would like to come.
The Old Stables, Back Church Lane, Adel, LS16 8DW
7:30 - late
Monday January 9th 2012
DRESDEN VOR UND NACH DER WENDE
Eddie Lawler, Open University Lecturer in German
Eddie returns to tell us about this special city, the capital of Saxony. He will give a short history from the 18th century to the present, but the emphasis will be on the modern city and what can be seen by visitors today.
Illustrated talk (PP) in German and English.
St Columba's URC
7:30 - 9:30
Tuesday February 7th 2012
KARNEVAL IN KÖLN
Kurt Berlet, Former Teacher of German and an “eingeborener Kölner”
Kurt will tell us about customs and practices around Carnival time in Cologne.
Illustrated talk (PP) in German and English.
St Columba's URC
7:30 - 9:30
Wednesday March 14th 2012
AGM AND REFRESHMENTS
Please bring your ideas and suggestions. We will keep the meeting short, and then enjoy pizza and wine. A chance to socialise!
St Luke's Church House
7:30 - 9:30
Wednesday March 28th 2012
46th GERMAN CIRCLES' ANNUAL DINNER
Leeds will be organising this event in 2012. We will be inviting our friends from Bradford, Calderdale, Huddersfield and Wharfedale German Circles to join us for this very enjoyable occasion: an excellent meal (good value). Not to be missed!
Please contact the secretary by March 21st, if you would like to come.
Sandal Farm Restaurant, Thornton, Bradford, BD13 3SS
7:30 for 8:00
Monday April 23rd 2012
DIE HEUTIGE AUSBILDUNG VON DEUTSCHLEHRERINNEN UND DEUTSCHLEHRERN
UND MORGEN?
Dr Gary Chambers, Senior Lecturer in Education, Leeds University
Gary will tell us about preparing teachers of German for life in the classroom. A Curate's egg?
Illustrated talk (PP) in German and English.
St Columba's URC
7:30 - 9:30
Tuesday May 1st 2012
GUSTAV KLIMT 1862 - 1918
Dr Antony Peck, Former Senior Lecturer, York University
The 150th anniversary of Klimt's birth falls in 2012. We welcome back Dr Peck, who will tell us about Klimt's life (not without scandal) and work.
Illustrated talk in German and English.
St Columba's URC
7:30 - 9:30
Wednesday June 27th 2012
KOMM MIT NACH TIROL!
Chris and Ishbel Willey
Railway Specialist; Former Teacher of German
From Innsbruck to the mountains to Südtirol to... Chris and Ishbel will look at many different aspects of the Austrian Tirol.
Illustrated talk in German and English.
St Columba's URC
7:30 - 9:30
Saturday July 7th 2012
SOMMERFEST
You are invited once again to join us and friends from other German Circles for our summer meal. Venue and further details later.
Please contact the secretary by June 30th, if you would like to come.
July/August 2012
GRILLFEST bei Max und Sheana
Date and details later.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Skipton Puppet Festival (an international, biennial event which includes the Goethe Institut among its sponsors) is being held from 23rd - 25th September 2011. On Sunday 25th there is a 50 minute performance at 2:30 PM of The Bremen Town Musicians by Theater Lakupaka, of Kaufungen, Germany, at the Judi Dench Studio, Gargrave Road. Cost £5. Would you please let the secretary know by 7th September if you would like to go. Further details at: www.skiptonpuppetfestival.co.uk
The Leeds Lieder Weekend is from 7th - 9th October, and features Heine, Goethe, Schumann, Schubert, Wolf - Great German Romantics on Saturday 8th October: www.leedslieder.org.uk.
We are hoping to arrange a visit to the Thackray Museum for a tour in German in the New Year and, of course, there is now a Leeds Bierkeller!
