Guernsey Eisteddfod Guernsey French

 

Please hand in your entries for 2009 Eisteddfod on Saturday 8th November 2008, between 2.00pm - 4.30pm at The States Education Centre, The Grange, St Peter Port.

One of the main purposes of the Guernsey French section is to promote Guernsey French and to encourage more people to take an interest in their Island heritage. Despite the fact that the Eisteddfod is a competition and that competitors aim to give of their best, the atmosphere is very friendly.  Due to the dwindling number of Guernsey French speakers, competitors rally around and help each other and are willing to coach any newcomers should they request any assistance with pronunciation.

The Guernsey French section has been running since at least 1922 as the cup for the Classe Superieure (the oldest cup that we have) states that it was won in that year by O Breton. It continued after the second world war until 1974. There followed a gap of 11 years when this section was not held and then in 1986 was revived by Mrs Olive Robinson and has kept growing ever since.

In recent years, the introduction of classes for schools has proved to be very popular and it is hoped this will encourage entrants in the junior classes. Volunteers are available to help with coaching in the schools.

As the years march on, it is unavoidable that some of the stalwarts of the section have had to retire from the competitions. We particularly miss Mabel and Morrisson Torode both as competitors and for their help on the committee. Our thanks go to the adjudicators who have judged the section over the years and also to the people who have contributed written work for the use of the eisteddfod section.

We would like to encourage new entrants in all classes and reiterate that support is available.