Mike,
Take it from me - the horses mouth !
Bruce and I decided to form this group because of a distinct lack of support from anyone else on this list in respect of questions or discussions in relation to British or French bikes, particularly those concening anything outwith the American bike boom years. Much of this is as a result of bulk of the membership of the lists familiarity with all things "Italian" during a very narrow time period, or limited to those common exports from, as you say, Raleigh, Peugeot and Jack Taylor - again from the bike boom years that you are happy with.
There are distinct "cycling" connections between the British and French that were established more than 70+ years before the American bike boom. Almost all of the smaller British concerns produced continental touring machines, along similar lines, typified by those of A.S.Gillot and many others.
Whilst I agree that Herse and Singer did produce beautiful machines however they were small volume manufacturers producing an expensive and exclusive product, at a time when the bulk of production in France was of plain ordinary "utility" machines or basic tourers from the likes of Peugeot, Hurtu and Cycles Radar. Where we had Coventry / Birmingham, the French had St.Etienne - all producing classic machines of all shapes and sizes, not a million miles apart - in fact merely 22 miles of water seperate us. Much plagerism from both sides ensued.
Aside from all this, there is no intention in this group to get into arguments over comparisons between Britain and France. Clearly we can leave that in your safe hands on this list, and get on with the business of raising each countries profile - seperately together !
If you are not happy with what we are doing, you don't have to join - we won't condem you for it.
Bob Reid
Stonehaven
Scotland (The Auld Alliance anyone ? )