The Cambridge Society of Belgium

Recent events include:

  1. 14th June 2009 - Sunday lunch & Arboretum visit

  2. 18th June 2009 - lunch with Martin Westlake

  3. 19th June 2009 - Jesus Choir, Brussels & Bruges

  4. 5th July 2009 - Selwyn Singing for their Supper

  5. 19th November 20009 Visit to Guild of Crossbowmen

  6. 14th December 2009 Christmas Concert & Mince Pies

  7. 8th February 2010 - Cambridge Annual Dinner at the Regiment des Guides

  8. 28th April 2010 - “Gender & Sex - Destiny or Show?”, Jane Haile

  9. 13th June 2010 - Ox vs. Cam Croquet 2010

We are always keen to welcome new members, and additionally organise less formal events to give people the chance to meet up and discuss life in Brussels!

2010 Choral Singing in Verviers


I am a former choral scholar of King's College and work has brought me to

Belgium.  My wife is a professional musician who has started a church choir

in Verviers where we put on music which, by Belgian Standards, is very

ambitious.  Recent repertoire has included:


  1. Haydn - Missa Sancti Johannis de Deo

  2. Mozart - Mass K192

  3. Mozart - Ave Verum Corpus

  4. Byrd - Mass for four voices

  5. Allegri - Miserere

  6. Tallis - Lamentations

  7. Pergolesi - Stabat Mater

  8. Bach - Crucifixus from B minor Mass

  9. Stanford - Blessed be the God and Father

  10. Palestrina - Missa Aeterna Christi Munera

  11. Vittoria - Missa O quam gloriosum

  12. Stanford in G - Magnificat

  13. Rachmaninov - Ave Maria

Etc.


Any Cantabs who have sung in a collegiate choir would be most welcome to join us.  We put on a choral Mass about six times a year for the 11.00 am

Mass on Sunday morning (Anglicans welcome) preceded by an hour's rehearsal. We can promise you a good sing followed by lunch.


If you would like to be informed of future events please let me (

julian.todd@live.be ) or my wife ( margie.todd@gmail.com ) know.


Many thanks,


Julian Todd

B4800 Verviers

Plugs for Members’ Events

(submissions from members welcome...)

For those of you that are members of “facebook”, the online networking site, there is a “group” for the Cambridge Society of Belgium. Please follow the following link: http://cambridge.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5648438468

In addition there is a facebook Fanpage for Oxford & Cambridge Alumni in Belgium

Do sign up & let’s give this initiative some momentum!

2010 Oxford vs. Cambridge Croquet Match: Sun June 13th



Dear Members,


It is my great pleasure to announce that on Sunday June the 13th will be held the


 2010 Oxford vs. Cambridge Croquet Match.


For those of you that are not familiar with this event, it is held on the croquet lawn in front of the Chateau du Lac Hotel at Genval, on the banks of a fountained lake. The situation is idyllic and those people that do not have a car should mention in replying that they are in search of a lift.


This year we count amongst our objectives to ensure that we repeat our previous success in this fiendishly competitive event. Our time proven tactic is to confound our tricky opponent by fielding as many inexperienced players as possible and making frequent references to how good lunch is going to be afterwards. We count on your support!

The timing is as follows:


Sunday June 13th

10:00hrs Practice Session & Warm Up (essential if you have a tendency to take the stick by the wrong end)

10:30hrs -12:30hrs The Match (actually there are several parallel games and scores are computed using not unfavourable Newtonian (Trinity, 1661) Mathematical wizardry).

12.30:  The Presentation of the Cup


This event is FREE for all members.


AFTERWARDS we will adjourn to a member’s house in the Centre of Brussels next to the Bois de La Cambre for a picnic to which you will all have contributed. More details when you enroll!


Although teams are largely self-organising entities, it would nonetheless be helpful if those members intending to participate would send word to our Captain of croquet:

Tony Bernard:  tony.bernard@skynet.be


We look forward to seeing you for an excellent competitive match!


Kind Regards,


Caroline Laske


(Secretary)


P.S. Genval is 20km to the south of Brussels just to the other side of the Forêt de Soignes. The croquet lawn is in front of the Chateau du Lac Hotel, Avenue du Lac, 1332 Genval

Monday 17th May, Supper Debate to discuss UK election results: John Wyles


The President and Committee of the Oxford Society are organising a supper debate to discuss the results of the forthcoming elections in the United Kingdom, to be moderated by John Wyles, journalist on the Financial Times and commentator. We should like to find members with experience in politics and European affairs who would be willing to share their opinions on the implications of the results for both domestic and European policy.


Details are as follows:


· Date: Monday 17th May

· Venue: Conference room of the Dominican Priory,

Avenue de la Renaissance 40, 1000 Brussels

· 19.30 Sandwich buffet

· 20.15 Discussion


We are using this occasion to experiment with a more interactive type of meeting where those particularly interested or knowledgeable about a topic can share their opinions. However you are welcome whether you wish to take an active part or just listen. There will be a charge of €5 towards the cost of the sandwiches, payable at the door. Please reply by 10th May to me at belgium@ousoc.oxon.org . As usual, guests are invited too.


On behalf of the Committee


Carol de Lusignan

Hat Hire Service!


Jenny and Alex of ‘Alexandra Hat Hire ’ invite you to visit their showroom in Tervuren to see their lovely collection of hats and fascinators for special occasions.


These hats and fascinators are available for HIRE or for SALE according to preference. Prices are negotiable for our high end designer hats and we can assure you that these prices compare very favourably to those in the UK and are a positive bargain in Belgium.


We trust that you will get as much enjoyment from seeing our hats and trying them on as we do from working with them. Customers so far have been thrilled with the variety of colours and styles and we encourage you to bring your outfit as changing facilities are available.


Remember ladies  : ‘A beautiful outfit is only complete with a beautiful hat’


‘Alexandra Hats’

25 Plansoendal, B-3080 Duisburg/Tervuren

Tel : 02 731 07 30

Email :alex@alexandrahathire.com


http://www.alexandrahathire.com

Concert & Expo Sat 12th June 2010 Evening


Dear friends,

I would like to draw your attention to the current exhibition & forthcoming concert & introductory talk. 


Stevie Wishart : The Sound of Gesture

Exhibition and concert at Netwerk / Center for Contemporary Art, Aalst (before Gent), Belgium featuring music-video gallery installations by British artist/composer Stevie Wishart & Royal Academy artists Sean Dower & Richard Wilson


Exhibition currently showing until 12 June 2010, see website below for opening hours.


PLUS


One-time talk & concert: Sat 12 June 20:30hrs

The Sound of Gesture is a series of new compositions for  solo violin, sensors & computer, and will then be followed with performances by renowned London percussionist Steve Noble and other artists from the exhibition


If you arrive by 19:00hrs this will give you a chance to see this really special group exhibition by British & Belgian artists themed around image & music, before the concert performances by the artists from featured in the exhibition.

This is a  rare chance to see a collection of artist's works created for exhibition in the gallery and then see the aspects of the work as a live concert  performance.


There is easy parking and the bar is open from 20,00


MORE …  www.steviewishart.com/the-sound-of-gesture-live

 

ALSO …  Released 12 June : The Sound of Gesture Special Edition CD/DVD


Best regards,


Stevie Wishart