Monsieur Francis Legee - French Exchange teacher 1968-69

I have some good news to report about a truly inspirational French teacher who was at Keil from 1968-69.

He is Monsieur Francis Legee, and he came to Keil from his home town of Epernay in the Champagne area of France to teach French for one year as part of an exchange with Mr Robinson.

My first recollection of M Legee was when he arrived at the School in a huge two tone electric blue Desoto. An American car which was first owned by Princess Grace of Monaco!

M Legee was a brilliant teacher as he not only taught French language but also gave us an insight into the French way of life. I can always remember his impromptu classes on the French Appelation system and another on how Champagne is made. He always smoked Gauloises which added to the atmosphere.

To cut a very long story short, I have kept in touch with M Legee and his family since 1969 and my own parents have had a holiday house next to his in the Department of the Creuse near Limoges for over 15 years.

I visited M Legee last week in the Creuse and he is very much alive and well at the modest age of 86. We had a long chat (in English) about life and the causes of the French Revolution. He has a theory that the French Revolution may have been encouraged by the Icelandic Volcano which erupted in 1789 and caused successive crop failures in Europe for the following three years.

Sadly, the Desoto has now been sold but was last seen in a barn in the Creuse only five years ago and still looking pristine.

M Legee would like to hear from any teachers or pupils who remember him. Please contact me at mrussell1@btinternet.com and I will forward his address. Sadly, he remains a technophobe so email contact is out. He still paints pictures and sells them and always has a bottle of champagne open for visitors.

Martin Russell