Association W831001750

British Association of the Var Putting people and social needs together since 1998 Association loi 1901

www.baofthevar.com

July 2012 Newsletter No 122

Queen’s Jubilee Lunch and Royal Quiz It is nearly a month now since the ‘celebration of the year’ – the Jubilee Lunch, sponsored by Barclays Bank, and we are delighted with the number of people who attended (55).

Thankfully due to the organisation the event went off without interference from the weather which had been appalling throughout May and had been threatening during the morning. In the end it was a beautiful day and the Restaurant du Lac was in a perfect setting overlooking the lake and the Roquebrune hill itself.

The restaurant was festooned with garlands and flags to the amusement of the other 50 or so French who were eating in a neighbouring section. Party Poppers were also heard to be exploding in all directions. The excellent lunch was followed by a raffle with a superb choice of quality prizes generously provided by Barclays Bank and 3 prizes of cases of wine provided by Lindsay Phillips. The Barclays prize was surprisingly won by Lindsay Phillips himself who selected the coffee maker. Two of the cases of wine were won by Colin and Sandra Bingham-Wallis and a further case by David and Marie-France Parkes.

We then held an extremely entertaining and challenging Quiz managed by our ‘in-house’ quizmaster Mike Milner; this was won by Teresa Watson, Pat, Ian and Ann Powell with an incredible 46 out of 50 points. The team then kindly donated the prize money to the Welfare Fund.

I would add that it was the subject of considerable deliberation by the Committee as to whether or not to hold the event as a picnic as for the Jubilee in 2002 for the Golden Jubilee but due to the Aups picnic being cancelled or re-located at short notice on several occasions over the last few years, due to inclement weather, it was decided to opt for a restaurant with cover as protection in the event that it was excessively hot or in case it rained. In addition, the picnic entails considerable work from a diminishing band of volunteers in moving tables and chairs and cooking and the use of a restaurant enabled the ‘cookies’ to have a rest and participate.

We were particularly delighted with the extensive coverage by the Var Matin which followed a few days later and the fact that the event raised nearly 780€ for the Welfare Fund.

Page 2

Forthcoming Events for your diary

July

Lunch with a Financial Digestive Thursday 5 July – Les Arcs

Committee Meeting Monday 16 July

Painting Group Contact: ********@orange.fr

Neighbourhood Networks Please see page 3

Digital Photography Group Contact: *******@yahoo.co.uk

Happy Boules Contact: *********@hotmail.com

August

Coffee Morning & Finance Clinic and Book Sale

Thursday 9 August - Villacroze

Entrecasteaux Castle & Lakeside Gourmet Lunch

Thursday 16 August

September

Vendange Lunch Saturday 15 September - Lorgues

www.baofthevar.com

Also see Forthcoming Events and Latest News on our BAV website

“What’s On”

6 July, Entrecasteaux - Jazz concert at Chateau du Grand Jas, 20h00. Book at Tourist Office 7 July, Lorgues - Bal Populaire with Mephisto

21h30 in Place Trussy 10 July, Juan-les-Pins - Reggae Festival and 12-22 July, Juan-les-Pins - Jazz Festival, Le

Pinède www.antibesjuanlespins.com 13 July, Le Muy - Défilé: Parvis de l'Hôtel de Ville –

FêteNationale 22h00-02h00 Grand bal: Parking de la République 04 94 19 84 24

13 July, Lorgues - Fête Nationale 22h00 Fireworks 22h15 Ball

19 July, Draguignan – Abbastars 21h30 Espace Chabran

2 August, Le Muy - Les Estivales de Var Matin Spectacles, chants Centre ville 21h00 04 93 18 27 40

June to November, Le Thoronet Abbey – Gregorian Chant http://thoronet.monuments-nationaux.fr

CAD Vocal Concerts: 11 July, Tourtour - “Lumières”, Jaques Loussier 22 July, Bagnols-en-Foret - “Messiah”, Handel

http://www.ensemblecadvocal.fr/

Académie Musicale De Villecroze: FREE concerts are held in the former Chapelle Sainte Victor. www.academie-villecroze.com 6 July, Musique de Chambre pour Instruments à Vent, Philippe Bernold

Reminder! A Lunch with a Financial Digestive

hosted by The deVere Group

“Wealth Retention in Taxing Times”

Lunch on 5 July at midday Café De La Tour - Les Arcs sur Argens

Menu 10 €

Civet de Porc or

Salade Niçoise (dessert and wine extra)

Followed by an informal presentation and discussion by Paul Howard of the deVere Group

Les festes du Castrum d’Arcus aux Arcs sur Argens

On 6, 7, 8 and 9 July Les Arcs-sur-Argens will host the bi-annual medieval spectacular postponed from 2011 due to the disastrous floods which swept through the town in June 2010.

For 4 days the little town recreates its medieval past welcoming Knights, Ladies, Troubadours and Chevaliers, together with medieval market, camp and engines of war. Each day begins with a procession through the streets and ends at 21h00 with a show staged in the newly refurbished Theatre du Real.

The spectacular is well worth a visit and is popular with both children and adults; it will be well publicised nearer the time.

Page 3

New Members A big welcome to four new members - Trevor and Cecilia Turner from Puget-sur-Argens, and Dyfrig and Gleshi James from Montauroux. _______________________________________________________

NEIGHBOURHOOD NETWORKS

Cabasse, Carces, Correns, Cotignac, and Le Val There will be no network meetings in July or August. Michael Wharton

07 ******** ********@cam.ac.uk

Grimaud/Cogolin There will be no meetings in Grimaud in July and August, as parking gets more difficult, but we will still meet at Brasserie Leclerc in Cogolin on 24 July and 28 August at 10h30-11h50. Pat Heal

04 ******** ********@vol.lu

La Motte and Le Muy We meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month (10 July) at Bar des Cascades in La Motte at 10h00.

Alexandra Lewis-Smith 04 ******** ********@bbox.fr

Les Arcs, Le Luc, Taradeau and Vidauban We meet on the 2nd Friday of the month at the Café de la Tour, Les Arcs at 10h30 till noon.

Jim North 04 ******* *******@wanadoo.fr

Les Issambres We meet every other Tuesday at 11h00 at L'Arpillon café next to Casino. Richard Tolaini 04 ******* or 06 ******** *******@aol.com

Roquebrune-sur-Argens - Village & La Bouverie We meet at the L’Auberge d’Argens on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 10h30-12h00. Next meeting - Tuesday 3 July. Lesley Honeywell

04 ******* *******@wanadoo.fr

St Raphael & Frejus I am going to cancel our network coffee meetings until the last Friday of September, 28th. The meeting will be at my house. Please ring for directions: Diane Jenkins

04 ******* ******* @wanadoo.fr

Villecroze, Salernes, Tourtour and Entrecasteaux We meet on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 10h30 at the bar Cercle de l'Avenir in Villecroze. Please check the venue; we may rotate to another village.

Ann & Maurice Mitchem 04 ******** ********@hotmail.com

Coffee Morning Finance Clinic and Book Sale

10h00 – 12h00 Thursday 9 August

Cost €5

Members are invited to the home of Ann and Maurice Mitchem for a Coffee Morning with Simon Eveleigh of Siddalls in attendance to offer a private finance clinic to those who have financial issues that they wish to discuss in confidence. Please see below for details of Siddalls.

Please telephone Ann 04 ******** to confirm your attendance, before 6 August. Sorry, dogs cannot be accepted.

Directions: From Draguignan, take D557 to Flayosc and Salernes. ********. From Salernes take the D560 to Draguignan. *******:

********, 83690 Villecroze

Bring & Share Lunch - Tavernes

We are happy to report that 135.60€ was raised at this event for the Welfare Fund. Again, many thanks to hosts, Jane and Terry Joyce.

Page 4

Guided Tour Château d’Entrecasteaux and Lakeside

Gourmet Lunch 34€ (7€ chateau and 27€ lunch)

There’s nothing fishy about this gastronomic lunch with a difference!

On the Thursday 16 August we are arranging for a group to go around the fascinating Chateau at Entrecasteaux at 11h00 prompt followed by a lunch at 12h30 at the Trout Lake about 3km west of Entrecasteaux towards Carces.

The chateau not only occupies a commanding position overlooking the village but also over the valley including the grounds of Entrecasteaux cricket club. The private guided tour is usually carried out by the owner of the Chateau who shows several of the rooms and dungeons and illustrates the interesting and fascinating history of the chateau.

This will be followed by a gourmet lunch at the Trout Lake. Do not be put off by the sign which says “Buvette” or “Snack” because the chef is surprisingly good and you are able to enjoy your food in peaceful surroundings overlooking the trout lake. You can even pay to go fishing for the afternoon.

Please note that you may opt to go to either the chateau tour or the lunch but we highly recommend that you don’t miss the lunch! Places are limited so please book as early as possible and not later than 30 July. The booking form is with this newsletter.

Menu

Gambas à l’ail et aux persil flambées aux cognac

***

Entrecôte aux cêpes à la creme avec ses legumes

***

Assortiment de 3 fromages et son miel d’acacia

***

Profiteroles au chocolat et ses fruits frais ***

Vin et café compris

Directions

In the centre of Entrecasteaux, park in the car park just next to, and below, the main road beneath the chateau. The entrance to the chateau is on the southern side up a cobbled side street past Bistro Gourmand. To get to the trout lake take the road towards Carces to the south of the village. After 3 km there is a pronounced bend in the road to the left and a sign on the left saying ‘trout lake’. Take that road along a track for several hundred metres and just keep going straight until the road opens out into a car park with the trout lake on the right.

Chairman’s Notes

Firstly you hopefully noticed that last month’s Newsletter had an additional 2 pages due to the amount of information provided. If you did not see this please look back at your emailed copy and click on ‘Newsletter Supplement’. If however you receive your Newsletter by post, La Poste unfortunately lost them and we endeavoured to contact those affected and send emailed copies in place. However, the lost mail has been found and re-sent so you should have them by now.

We were pleased to see the extensive coverage of the Jubilee Lunch by the Var Matin which varied from area to area but was extremely good publicity for the BAV. Barclays Bank were also pleased with the event and the organisation and have offered to work with us again. I hope that those of you who attended enjoyed it and a big thank you from me to all who assisted in organising the event.

Many thanks also to Peter and Shirley Rowson and their Neighbourhood Network for the Summer Soirée held at their home on 13 June details of which are elsewhere in this Newsletter. The Boules Competition was entered by a record 46 attendees and I was embarrassed to find myself in the winning team.

To complete the changes to the Committee I am particularly sad to report that it is Shirley Wrigglesworth's intention to resign from the Committee although she is intending to continue her work with the book sales with Pauline North. Shirley has worked tirelessly for the Welfare Fund for many years and has often worked 'over and above the call of duty' covering the whole of the Var and a diverse range of welfare cases. I am sure that everyone in the Association wishes Shirley the very best for the future. Hopefully her golf handicap will now go down!

I am however pleased to say that Ian (Angus) Mackintosh of Entrecasteaux has offered to be co-opted on to the Committee and attended his first Committee meeting on 18 June. We look forward to his valued contribution.

I hope that after the variable weather and relatively low temperatures you have a wonderful summer season, and safe travelling to those venturing away from the area or indeed visiting here.

British Association of the Var Welfare Coordinator

Ann Mitchem 04 ******** or 06 43 86 49 01

welfare@baofthevar.com

Page 5

Blue Flag beaches in the Var

La Croix Valmer (Gigaro and La Douane) La Londe des Maures (L’Argentière, Miramar and Tamaris) Le Lavandou (Batailler – Poste de Secours, Batailler Centre, Lavandou ville, Saint Clair, La Fossette, Cavalière, Aiguebelle and Pramousquier) Le Pradet (Les Bonnettes, La Garonne, Le Monaco, Les Oursinières and Le Pin des Galles) Saint Mandrier sur Mer (La Coudoulière, Plage de la Vieille, Saint Asile, Touring Club and Le Canon) Sainte Maxime (Garonette, L’Eléphant, La Croisette, La Nartelle and Casino/Centre Ville) Six Fours les Plages (Bonnegrace La Manuella, Bonnegrace Poste de Secours, Plage du Cros, La Coudoulière, Les Roches Brunes, Le Rayolet and Les Charmettes) Toulon (Anse Mistral, Les Pins Centre, Lido and Source Ouest)

Apology

We must apologise to those of you who receive the Newsletter by post, for the late delivery of the June issue. This was due to an error by La Poste, and we hope all have now safely arrived. If you would like to change to receive your Newsletter by e-mail in future, please let us know. You need ADSL to be able to download it.

Summer Soiree & Finger Supper with Boules Tournament

The 13th June saw the Summer Soirée held at the home of Peter and Shirley Rowson in La Motte. There was a large attendance of 67 people around the pool and 46 boules players in a knock out competition organised by Rob Flanagan.

The garden was alive with chatter and the cheering of the boules’ players in surprisingly competitive games. They ranged from complete novices to regular players and the games extended well after dark under flood light. However, the final result was a win by the Chairman’s team with Trevor Zutshi and Gill Clark, all of whom received a medal.

The evening was put on by the La Motte/Le Muy Neighbourhood Network, together with friends from St John’s church and they provided a delicious array of food and drink, helped by BAV “Cookies”. Sincere thanks to all the helpers. The event raised the fantastic amount of 675€ for the Welfare Fund, including 75€ from the book sales. _______________________________________________________

Membership Secretary and Neighbourhood Networks

Behind any organisation there are un-sung heroes and it is no different with the BAV. In the best spirit of the OSCARs I would like to take this opportunity to thank Tricia Steel for her work and essential organisational abilities in acting as the little known Membership Secretary over recent years without whom you would not receive your Newsletter, Address Books etc.

Tricia has decided that, with family ‘down-under,’ she and Dave are going to spend far more time down there and she has therefore now resigned from the position of Membership Secretary.

I am delighted to report that this vacancy has been filled by Peter Rowson and we look forward to a smooth transition.

I would also like to thank the local organisers of the Neighbourhood Networks and hope that these will continue to grow as they are now an essential part of the BAV.

Page 6

What is the BSN?

Members of the BAV may find the relationship with the BSN (Bereavement Support Network of the Var) confusing. However, the BAV and BSN are completely separate entities that overlap to some degree in welfare support.

As the name suggests, BSN is a network of supporters of the bereaved. It was founded by Dr Trevor Zutshi and Rev Peter Massey in 2004, when they both became aware of help needed by people in the Var. Many couples retire to France and, when one partner dies, the other is bereft of family, in a country where they may not speak the language well and are unsure about what to do.

Trevor wrote some articles on the practical difficulties of dealing with a death in France, (which are available from the BSN website), and the BSN advertised for helpers to join them in supporting the bereaved.

The BSN has grown a lot from those early days. Trevor is still an active member. The current President is Mim Kay, a qualified counselor who acts as trainer, who was asked by Trevor to join them as a co-founder member. All supporters are volunteers, but have one thing in common – they have been bereaved themselves and know the emotions and problems faced in the early days. All are required to undergo an extensive training course with Mim and have a mentor to work with. The BSN is always looking for volunteers to help with this important work. If you feel this is something you could do, please make contact as shown below.

The BSN supports any English speakers in the Var, and has helped support people by telephone from farther afield. Services are free to clients but the BSN fund-raise for expenses for the supporters’ travel and phone calls, and for costs to outside speakers who are regularly invited to talk about a specialist subject. The BSN will support anyone, no matter for whom he or she is grieving – a spouse, a partner (of whichever sex), a child, a pet, a friend … and is secular and non-judgmental. The BSN has recently broadened its remit to support the terminally ill and their carers, as this pre-bereavement situation is every bit as painful as the actual loss. The BSN works one-to-one with its clients, and sessions are strictly confidential between supporter and client.

The BSN’s website is www.bsnvar.org – on which you can read the Mission Statement and make contact by email. Alternatively, you can telephone Sandra on 04 94 84 64 89 or 06 32 35 31 24. She will always call you back if you leave a message and a contact number.

You may think you don’t need to remember anything about the BSN, but please take a moment to jot the details down – it may not be you who need them in the future, but someone you know.

SOS - BAV needs you!

Many of you will be aware that the BAV has a store of outdoor tables and chairs for special events such as the Picnics at Aups and Lorgues. Sadly, due to the unpredictable June weather of previous years, the Aups Picnic is now having a rest but the Vendange Picnic at Lorgues will take place as usual in September.

You may also know that Michael Milner, along with his many other BAV responsibilities, used to drive the hire van and transport and unload this furniture, with help from a team, at each of these events. Mike has now taken his well-earned retirement from BAV affairs, so we need a replacement transport organiser please, plus offers to be part of the team, before the next event in September.

We also need a Publicity Officer willing to be on the committee – training will be given if needed. If you have enjoyed the BAV events, or benefited from their Welfare services, please think seriously about giving something back – your time.

Page 7

Breathalyser kit (Ethylotest)

A final reminder that from 1 July you need to carry a pack of two breathalyser test kits in your car. These are now widely available in supermarkets for a few euros.

Bastille Day

Many of us will be familiar with the Bastille Day celebrations on 14 July, as all towns and villages have their own celebrations, usually involving an outdoor meal and dancing, followed by fireworks. It is formally called “La Fête Nationale” and commonly called “le quatorze juillet”. But how did it originate?

Bastille Day, the French national holiday, commemorates the storming of the Bastille, which took place on 14 July 1789 and marked the beginning of the French Revolution. The Bastille was a prison and a symbol of the absolute and arbitrary power of Louis the 16th's Ancient Regime. By capturing this symbol, the people signalled that the king's power was no longer absolute: power should be based on the Nation and be limited by a separation of powers. Although the Bastille only held seven prisoners at the time of its capture, the storming of the prison was a symbol of liberty and the fight against oppression for all French citizens; like the Tricolore flag, it symbolised the Republic's three ideals: Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity for all French citizens. It marked the end of absolute monarchy, the birth of the sovereign Nation, and, eventually, the creation of the (First) Republic, in 1792.

Bastille Day was declared the French national holiday on 6 July 1880, on Benjamin Raspail's recommendation, when the new Republic was firmly entrenched. Bastille Day has such a strong signification for the French because the holiday symbolises the birth of the Republic.

Var wine harvest threatened

Unusually strong storms with hailstones hit the central Var region around Brignoles at the end of May, destroying this summer’s grape crop. After a dry winter and early spring, wine makers were already worried about the harvest, but their hopes were raised with the rain in April and May. However, this storm resulted in leaves being slashed, grapes blown off the vine and burst open.

Around 50 wine companies and cooperatives have been affected, losing between 70 and 100% of their grapes, and are awaiting the outcome of a commission to investigate the potential impact on wine sales in this area of the Var. It has been estimated that wine stocks up to 2014 will be affected by the disaster.

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS

Digital Photography Group

The Digital Photography Group ventured to Le Brusc in the far west of the Var to seek inspiration in June. This unspoilt resort near Toulon and the nearby L’Île des Embiez offered some very varied views from this part of the Mediterranean coast.

Also known as les Iles Paul Ricard, because of the association with the famous inventor of the aniseed flavoured drink, Embiez proved a very rewarding location for the photographer. Le petit train, complete with its colourful local guide/driver was the ideal way to explore the many facets of this charming island.

For details about the group please contact: Mike Harper

********@yahoo.co.uk _______________________________________________________

Mosaic Lessons - Salernes

A very enjoyable morning was spent at Danielle Jamme's studio in Salernes. Here we learnt the art of mosaics. There is something inherently satisfying in cutting up pieces of coloured tile and sticking them into pleasing shapes. Classes are run over two mornings and the next class is fully booked. However, Danielle is happy to run more courses so

if you are interested, please contact: Danielle

06 ******** ********@hotmail.fr _______________________________________________________

For next month’s Newsletter

Please let us have your Advertisements, Articles and Reports for the August issue by

Sunday 15 July All contributions to: newsletter@baofthevar.com

or to Shirley Rowson, **************** *******, 83920 La Motte. _______________________________________________________

Newsletter Supplement

We hope you have noticed and read the Supplement that came with last month’s Newsletter. As we have more Neighbourhood Networks and special interest groups, plus other new features, the Newsletter is very full each month so there is no room for information articles, therefore we have decided to produce a Supplement from time to time when there is enough material to warrant it. For those of you who receive your Newsletter electronically, the Supplement is attached to the end of the Newsletter.

Page 8

Musique Cordiale

The Var and the Seillans area in particular, are very fortunate in playing host to an amazing musical event every year in August called Musique Cordiale. Highly qualified and talented musicians from the UK – instrumentalists and choristers – come to Seillans for a “stage” (workshop) at their own expense, joining some from the local area, to prepare and present a series of orchestral, choral and jazz concerts in local villages between 8 and 18 August. See www.musique-cordiale.com for all details, and don’t forget to book in advance as the concerts are very popular.

The ARK, LORGUES L’Oasis Christian Fellowship

Every 2nd Sunday at 11h45 at Arc-en-Provence

1801 Chemin des Pailles and every 4th Sunday at 11h45 at

Notre Dames des Anges Maison de Retraite We have a Bring and Share lunch afterwards.

For details or directions please contact

Rev Peter or Shirley Massey at 04 94 73 93 37 or 06 87 94 04 83 www.arc-en-provence.com/oasis

~~~

St John’s for the Var St John the Evangelist - Ave Paul Doumer,

St Raphaël - Rev Keith Bretel

Holy Communion is held every Sunday at 10h30 followed by refreshments and a monthly lunch.

Port Grimaud Church Holy Communion at 17h00

1st Sunday July and August

Grimaud Village Church 1st Thursday of each month at 11h00 except

July and August Please ring 04 94 60 87 05 for details

www.sjevar.com ~~~

CALLIAN Le Pradon Anglican Church

Fellowship of the Ascension You are very welcome to join us in

our new church home at Le Pradon Maison de Retraite Callian. We meet on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of

the month at 11h00 for Family Communion or Morning Prayer (coffee at 10h30)

We also have a Bring and Share lunch afterwards. Please ring Hilary at 04 94 47 70 67 for details

or visit our website at www.lepradonanglican.org

Note We appreciate the support of our advertisers and encourage members to consider using their services; however, BAV cannot take responsibility for the quality of goods and services.

Siddalls France has been providing independent financial advice in France for fifteen years and has a network of regional advisers across the country that can provide support and expert advice on many issues that may affect your personal finances.

All Siddalls advisers are fully conversant with both the French and UK fiscal systems and will be able to identify any problem areas that need to be addressed and suggest solutions in accordance with your personal requirements.

Siddalls France is authorised and regulated by the French authorities. Their bilingual staff provides up-to-date information and deliver British standards of trust, loyalty and a supportive on-going service. All advisers are salaried members of staff and receive regular training to ensure they keep up-to-date with the ever changing rules and regulations.

All advice is in English, as technically difficult subject matter is usually best understood when it is presented in the language you are most comfortable with. Also, as Siddalls’ advisers are all British citizens resident in France, they understand the cultural issues you face, as well as the financial ones.

Siddalls’ representative in South East France is Simon Eveleigh, who lives in St Maximin-la-St- Baume and is a member of the BAV. Simon can provide you with assistance on:

• Taxation – helping to ensure that your affairs are structured to help minimise your taxes

• The French inheritance system – strict French inheritance laws can be a nasty shock if proper advice is not sought

• Pensions advice and managing money for your retirement

• Savings and investments

Simon understands that discussing your finances can sometimes be difficult and the range of services and products on offer can make the whole thing very daunting. He will be present at the Coffee Morning in Villecroze on Thursday 9 August and will be happy to talk with any members who wish to discuss their finances on an informal basis.