The Anglo-Swiss Club of Locarno (ASCL) was founded in 1934 to promote good relations between Swiss and English-speaking people.

The ASCL is mainly a social club, which helps people meet each other, enjoy each other’s company and, most importantly, speak English, the language of the Club.

The ASCL does this through a programme of several events from September to June each year. Rather than specialising in any particular type of activity, the ASCL tries to give it's members as wide a choice of activities as possible, In September the club year launches it's activities with a fabulous opening dinner. At Christmas we organize a traditional afternoon tea with all the trimmings and musical entertainment. In between we celebrate Halloween, enjoy Fish & Chips and morning coffees. We have outings and walks as well as a great lecture programme. We try to hold events within a reasonable radius of Locarno, rather than going farther afield.

The Club also has its own library of books in English. The library is run by volunteer members and is open on coffee mornings during the Club season. 

The Club is open to members from all backgrounds and ages, and the only two conditions of membership are to be socially congenial and have a reasonable command of English.

We try to combine the best of Swiss and Anglo cultures - the good organisation and frugality of the Swiss with the more relaxed, less formal Anglo approach.

The Club operates in conjunction with the English Film Club of Locarno, which has a programme of 10 films from October to March.

I am sure you will all remember or will have read the brilliant poem by Amanda Gorman (Poet Laureate, poem for the Inauguration of Joe Biden).

"The Hill we climb"

I have copied the first few sentences, which for me, personally, reflect the current situation worldwide. 

When day comes, we ask ourselves,
Where can we find light
In this never-ending shade?
The loss we carry, a sea we must wade. 

We`ve braved the belly of the beast.
We`ve learned that quiet isn't always peace,
Ant the norms and notions of what "just is"
Isn't always justice.

At the beginning of 2022 after two years of "angst" due to the pandemic, we were all so looking forward to a peaceful year. A year to recharge our batteries, a year in which we could maybe travel without restrictions, a year of good news and peace. As we all know we were in for a surprise.

It is precisely during these troubled times that our wonderful club fulfils an important task: Bringing our members together and spending a few hours relaxing and socializing. We will resume our club activities in September. Please take note that our traditional coffee morning will not be on the first Saturday in September but on the second Saturday due to some absences. We have a great outing planned and if you have not registered, I strongly suggest that you do so as we only have a few seats left. We will enjoy a traditional "Fish & Chips event at the Casino Locarno. And we have not yet given up on the 10'000 steps! For those of you who enjoy a brisk walk and a chat, followed by coffee or other refreshments, this is probably the simplest way to combine two activities and also meet new and long-serving members (I did not want to write "old"!). I look forward to meeting you all again. Please do join in! It gives great satisfaction to the people who organize the events, outings, walks, lectures and coffee mornings! Always at your service!

Stefanie

President
Anglo-Swiss Club Locarno