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: anglo-german-walks@bh-cc.co.uk
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 2008/2009 (Click to view)
PROGRAMME 2009/2010
Monday September 7th 2009
THE STASI IN THE DDR AND BEYOND
Prof David Childs, Emeritus Professor of Politics, Nottingham University
David, a prominent specialist in the politics behind Germany and also in British political history, is the author of books on the Fall of the DDR. He predicted the demise of the East German regime and was himself spied on by the Stasi. It will be the 20th Anniversary of The Fall of The Berlin Wall in October.
Talk in English and German
St Columba's URC
7:30 - 9:30
Tuesday October 6th 2009
VON DEN ALPEN BIS ZUM ADRIATISCHEN MEER
Peter Gieler, General Secretary, Anglo-Austrian Society
Peter will take us on a 'Grand Tour' of Austria, covering the country's culture, history, buildings, scenery etc.
Illustrated (PP) talk in German and English
St Columba's URC
7:30 - 9:30
Monday November 9th 2009
QUIZABEND
We return to our new venue for our popular German- and general knowledge quiz. Questions for all ages, plus frankfurters, potato salad and prizes. Students most welcome: come in teams of 3 or 4 people or just come on your own and join in! Enjoy a drink or two!
Questions in German and English.
Please contact the secretary by November 6th if you would like to come.
The Original Oak, Headingley
7:30 - 10:00
Wednesday November 25th 2009
SKYLINE: EIN FREIZEITPARK IN BAYERN, DAS 10-JÄHRIGE JUBILÄUM
Joachim Löwenthal, Inhaber des Skyline Parks und Leiter des Christkindelmarkts in Leeds.
Herr Löwenthal will tell us about his Bavarian theme park and its 10th anniversary. He is also in charge of our Christkindelmarkt.
Talk in German and English
St Columba's URC
7:30 - 9:30
Saturday December 5th 2009
WEIHNACHTSFEIER
A German Christmas Party, with good company, music (including The Chevin Handbell Ringers), Glühwein and good food. A lovely festive occasion. You will receive a warm welcome!
Please contact the secretary by December 2nd if you would like to come.
The Old Stables, Back Church Lane, Adel
7:30 - late
Monday January 11th 2010
KINDHEIT IN BERLIN
Helga Hanks, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Psychotherapist and Family Therapist
Helga will share with us her childhood experiences in Berlin during the war- and post-war years.
Illustrated (PP) talk in German and English
St Columba's URC
7:30 - 9:30
Tuesday February 16th 2010
DER SCHNEE VON GESTERN IST DIE LAWINE VON MORGEN
utopian, dystopian and subversive strategies in recent German fiction
Dr Ingo Cornils, Senior Lecturer and Head of Department of German, Russian and Slavonic Studies, Leeds University
Science fiction in its traditional sense appears to have lost its competitive edge and potential for innovation. Ingo will look at recent works of Carl Amery, Rob Alef and Christian Kracht, in order to show how a standard device of fantastic literature is used in the mainstream to show utopian etc. elements and challenge traditional reading habits.
Illustrated (PP) talk in German and English
St Columba's URC
7:30 - 9:30
Wednesday March 3rd 2010
AGM & REFRESHMENTS
We know how to make AGMs enjoyable! Please bring your ideas and suggestions. A short meeting followed by pizza, wine and an opportunity to socialise!
St Luke's Church House
7:30 - 9:30
Wednesday March 24th 2010
GERMAN CIRCLES' ANNUAL DINNER
We are invited to join our friends from the Calderdale, Huddersfield and Bradford German Circles, for this very enjoyable, special occasion. Calderdale are this year's organisers. Don't miss a good meal (excellent value), and the opportunity to meet our friends in the region.
Please contact the secretary by March 17th if you would like to come.
Sandal Farm Restaurant, Thornton, Bradford
7:30 for 8:00
Monday April 12th 2010
SCHWEIZER BAHNVERGNÜGEN ZU JEDER JAHRESZEIT
Chris & Ishbel Willey. Chris is a Railway Specialist and Ishbel is a former Teacher of German.
Chris and Ishbel have travelled extensively in Switzerland by rail and they will share their journeys with us.
Talk in German and English, illustrated by slides
St Columba's URC
7:30 - 9:30
Tuesday May 18th 2010
OF SWABIAN INVENTORS: WAS DAS THACKRAY MUSEUM IN LEEDS MIT DEUTSCHLAND VERBINDET
Almut Grüner, CEO, Thackray Museum, Leeds
What connects a small town in rural Baden-Württemberg with the largest medical museum in the UK? Almut will tell stories of all things German in the museum's historic object collections, and promises an entertaining look behind the scenes at the Thackray, with more than just words...
Illustrated talk in German and English
St Columba's URC
7:30 - 9:30
Wednesday June 23rd 2010
FILM: HEIMATKLÄNGE
This Swiss film won the Best Music and Film Award at the Athens 2007 Film Festival and Best Documentary at the 2008 Swiss Film Prize. It looks at yodelling: how it is informed by the Alpine peaks and valleys and its resonance with modern urban soundscapes and cultures.
"A traditional slice of Swiss culture in an inventive, challenging and resonant new light!"
In Swiss German with German and English subtitles
St Columba's URC
7:30 - 9:30
Saturday June 26th 2010
SOMMERFEST
You are invitied to join us and friends from other German Circles for our summer meal. Venue and further details later.
Please contact the secretary by June 19th if you would like to come.
GRILLPARTY bei Max und Sheana. July 2010. Details later.
Roundhay
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Monday September 7th 2009
Before our speaker begins his talk Jodie Driver, of Leeds City Council, will join us briefly to explain special events planned for the weekend of October 9th-11th, in order to mark both 40 years of the Leeds-Dortmund Twinning and the 20th Anniversary of the Fall of The Berlin Wall.
Friday October 9th 2009
One of these events will be a Reception at the Round Foundry, organised by Mark Green, Honorary German Consul, to commemorate the Fall of The Berlin Wall, to which we- and members of other German Circles have been invited. Further details from the secretary. We are looking at additional ways in which The Club could take part in this weekend.
Klaus Kramer
We have lost Klaus, a committee member who has done a great deal for the Club, and who would have been especially interested in this October weekend. He will be missed.
Saturday September 19th
Open day at St Columba's, 10 AM to 4 PM. We are planning to have a stall/display. Offers of help or suggestions are always welcomed!
Some Dates
September/October: West Yorks Playhouse, a version of Brecht's Caucasian Chalk Circle.
October 2nd-4th: Leeds Lieder Weekend.
November: German films (linked to reunification) in Leeds.
