History

The Circle was founded in 1899, although the origins go back some years earlier when the Victorian businessmen of Bradford began to learn European languages to assist them in developing contacts with their counterparts in other European countries. Eventually, in 1899, the different groupings came together to form the Circle.

Today

The Circle meets in a fine early Victorian building in Eldon Place, off Manningham Lane, Bradford. The terrace was erected in 1849 and number 10 was occupied by Sir Titus Salt for some years.

The Circle continues to provide a meeting-place where members can get together and share their common enthusiasm for the language or languages of their choice. No formal qualifications or training are required, although basic knowlege of the language is preferable to ensure that members gain the greater benefit from their participation in the meetings.

Although in the past, the Circle has provided for a number of other languages, today there are four thriving Sections, French, German, Italian and Spanish. Full details of forthcoming meetings of all the Sections can be found in the individual pages.

In addition to the weekly activities of each Section, there are joint social events, including an Annual Dinner each Autumn.

The Circle's Centenary in 1999 was marked by a Dinner in the magnificent surroundings of the Bradford City Hall Banqueting Suite. Other Centenary events included a visit to Madrid organised by the Spanish Section and a visit to Berlin organised by the German Section.

In 2001, the French Section organised a visit to Paris. The Italian Section completed the tour of European capitals by visiting Rome in October 2002.

The Spanish Section organised a visit to Barcelona in 2004. In 2005 the German Section hosted a trip to Vienna. The French Section descended on Nice in September 2006.

The Autumn of 2007 saw the Italian Section doing Venice. Valencia in the Autumn organised by the Spanish Section was the 2008 trip.

The German Section are offering a trip to the Christmas Markets for 2009.

ANNUAL DINNER

Sandal Farm Restaurant

Wednesday 11 November 2009

7.30pm for 8pm

£17

Tickets are available from Section Officers or Maureen Dooley

Bookmark our Website address: - www.bradfordcirclefor-foreignlanguages.org.uk