NATIONAL DAY OF FRANCE

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25547, 15 July 1948, Page 2

NATIONAL DAY OF FRANCE

CERCLE FRANCAIS ENTERTAINS The National Day of France, which marks the fall of the Bastille, was celebrated last evening by Le Cercle Francais with a Soiree in the Mayfair Lcunge, the lounge being beautifully decorated for the occasion with peach blossom, camellias, and narcissi. Mr Gordon Troup, president of the cercle, with Mrs Troup, received the guests. Welcoming the guests in French, Mr Troup referred to July 14, 1789, when the Bastille was taken and the flag of liberty was raised in France. He made a plea for Anglo-French co-operation. Mr C. L. Low, French master at the West Christchurch High School, translated Mr Troup’s address and spoke of the world-wide repercussions of the original July 14, which caused democracies to rise all over the world. He invited those present to support Le Cercle Francais in its efforts to give a greater understanding of France and French culture. Films of Paris and of England were shown, by courtesy of the French Legation. in Wellington, by Mr J. Buchanan, and the guests were also entertained with a programme of French songs sung by Miss Vera Martin and Mr Thomas West, and French recitations by Mrs G. Lightband. Members of the reception committee in charge of arrangements were Mrs I. M. Lough, Misses Paula Gross and Stella McLean and Mr M. Norrish.