John Burley – GIN Club

Social Bridge Jan 7, 2025

The “social bridge” group launched a new season on 7 January 2025, when ten of us gathered at the Burley’s in Divonne: Brian, Dave, David, Jeff, John, Mark, Mark, Terry, Wolfgang and Wouter.

Unfortunately, Brian had to leave us early on. But fortunately, after a visit to the hospital in Nyon, he is now safely back home.

The rest of us had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon, characterised as usual by some remarkable hands, some awful hands, some pretty smart playing and not least a little forgetfulness here and there.

The tea-break was enlivened by Wolfgang and Wouter who having found the fèves inside the galettes offered by John in celebration (well only a day late) of Epiphany, insisted on wearing the quite colourful crowns.

GIN lunch, La Table du Lac, Divonne-les-Bains, 22 June 2022

Sixteen members* of the Club enjoyed an excellent lunch on 22 June at La Table du Lac in Divonne. It was a chance to discover the latest version of the restaurant – previously Le Rectiligne – and its well-known chef Bruno Pucheu. Some 20 or so years ago, Bruno was the patron/chef of the restaurant Le Chanteclair in Ferney Voltaire, before opening Le Rectiligne. He has now returned to Divonne, this time with a lunch menu that is likely to be extremely popular and an evening menu for those who like to enjoy a meal “gastronomique” (and therefore a bit more pricey).

La Table du Lac is located in the splendid surroundings of the lake in Divonne, opposite “le petit port”. We were all delighted with the lunch and many said they would return. The weather promised to be difficult but fortunately it behaved itself. We ate inside, however, just in case.

Judging by the noise, the conversation was lively and a good time was had by all, it seems. Many thanks to Peter T for the photos.

*Brian (A), Alan, Bryan C, Peter D, Norman, Dave G, Harry, Mike, Richard, David S, Peter T, Gary, Wouter, Mark Wrr, Mark Wtt and John.

24 June 2022

Exhibition in Divonne, 100+1 yrs of cross border relationship

From John Burley

The commune of Divonne-les-Bains asked me to organise an exhibition that illustrates the history of relations – economic, social, cultural over the last one hundred years between the Pays de Gex and Geneva.

Entitled 100ans +1 de vie internationale: une région transformée. The exhibition is intended to mark the anniversary of 100 years of multilateralism in Geneva with the establishment of the League of Nations in 1920. It had to be postponed last year because of the pandemic.

A number of GIN Club members contributed to the preparation of the exhibition: David Gwilliam helped on the history of golf in Divonne; David Steiber recalled memories of the Investors Overseas Services; Mike Price and others helped with contacts in CERN; and Philip Jenkins, Richard Saynor and Mark Warren have produced a map of 10 cross-border walks in the area.

The exhibition will be held from 29 September – 24 October in the Maison du Quartier de la Gare in the centre of Divonne.

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