A FANCY for French has led to two years of conversations in Peebles.

It was back in October 2017 that a few bilingual locals formed the Peebles French Conversation Group.

And ever since they have been meeting between 7pm and 9pm every Wednesday in the Bridge Inn.

To celebrate their deuxième anniversaire the 20 or so members are inviting others along for a bavarder and maybe even a glass of Bordeaux.

Group founder Simon Ritchie said: "I’m thrilled to say our humble meet-ups are going strong two years after a group of local people first met up.

“I studied French and German at university and lived in France for some time, but after graduating and returning to Peebles, I found I wasn’t getting much practice.

"I had a thought back in 2017 that, in a town the size of Peebles, there must be at least a handful of people who knew some French but, like me, weren’t using their French often as often as they'd like and were worried about it getting rusty.

“After a bit of asking around and an online survey, we had an inaugural meeting in the Bridge Inn after Nikki Cassidy, the manager, kindly offered us space to meet in the pub.

"We are really grateful to the staff at the Bridge Inn for supporting the group with a cosy meeting place and advertising our meet-ups."

Although the group has a mailing list of 20 most weekly meetings attract between five and ten people.

And they have plenty room around their table for a few more people who would enjoy some chatter in French.

Simon added: "We are a diverse bunch with a wide range of ages and backgrounds, united by a shared interest in French.

"Our meetings are relaxed and supportive – it’s not a lesson.

"There’s no commitment to come every week, and it’s totally free.

"You just turn up, buy yourself a drink, and join in. Occasionally we have events like a cheese and wine evening, or a film night.

“It’s best if you already have some basic French at the very least, but even if you don’t – if you’re getting lessons elsewhere – then you’re very welcome to just come along and listen in.

“We’d love to see some new faces and you can join us whenever it suits you. Look out for the flag.”

The Peebles French Conversation Group meets every Wednesday at the Bridge Inn.

To join the mailing list and receive updates, email Simon at peeblesfrenchconversation@gmail.com.