British Association of the Putting people and social needs together since 1998 Association Loi 1901 No: W831001750 www.baofthevar.com December 2013 Newsletter No 139

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Artillery Museum

We were extremely fortunate on 29 October to be guided by Adjudant-chef Thierry Simon around the Musée d'Artillerie, , this being probably Draguignan's best kept secret. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and clearly enthusiastic about his love of military history. As a result we benefited from a profound insight into the equipment of the wars since the early 1800's and the technological developments in weaponry, with many practical demonstrations of the operation of cannons.

This interresting hour and a half was followed by an exceptionally good value lunch at the restaurant Au Vieux Figuier close to the centre of Draguignan, where the particularly large turnout of 32 members was treated to a delightful meal around the pool (although indoors, sheltering from the rain). It was good to see such a large number of members attending this event after a couple of recent disappointments.

Montauroux Coffee Morning

Sandie and Geoff Docherty kindly hosted their pre-Christmas coffee morning on 5 November and appropriately the Christmas cards went like a bomb!

Whilst attendance was slightly down on previous occasions, we are pleased to report that a grand total of about 330€ was raised for the Welfare fund from cards, books and coffee. Our thanks go to Sandie and Geoff for their efforts. .

Forthcoming Events

Committee Meeting 13 December

Grand Christmas Ball 6 December - St Aygulf

Grand Christmas Lunch 14 December - St Aygulf

New Years Eve Dinner Dance 31 December – Sillans la Cascade

Lunch at Bastide des Moines 30 January - Montferrat

Lunch and Quiz 13 February - Roquebrune sur

Grand Christmas Lunch Saturday 14 December at 12 noon

At Hotel St Aygulf, 214 RD 559 (on the coast road from Fréjus at the entrance to St Aygulf - entrance on Rue d’Alsace)

€28 for 4 courses with wine and coffee Gambas Ravioli is offered as an alternative to Oysters if preferred. Firm bookings with cheque L’assiette de jambon de parme and choice of second entrée must be received by ou 7 December. Salade de foie de volaille au vinaigre de Directions: When coming from direction on framboises the D22, at the T junction just before Sillans la (salade, lardons, champignons, haricots, foies Cascade village turn left onto the D560 for Fox de volaille) Amphoux and continue along the road for approx 2 km ou and the Hotel/ Restaurant entrance is on your right. Salade Frédérique When coming from / pass by the Sillans (avocat, fonds d’artichauts, bacon, amandes, la Cascade village and go straight on past the Cotignac salade) turn off on your left, following the direction to Fox **** Amphoux on the D560 and again the Hotel/restaurant is approx 2km on your right. Gigot d’agneau au pistou ou Faux filet de boeuf au Roquefort Lunch at the ou Bastide des Moines, Montferrat Escalope de saumon au basilic 04 94 50 21 30. **** Assiette de fromage On Thursday 30 January 2014 at 12 noon **** we will be re-visiting this popular venue, with Patisserie maison au choix the most extensive starter and dessert buffets **** in the area – you will be spoilt for choice. Vins AOC rouge et rosé In between there is also a choice of main **** course. It is situated at the approach to the Café village of Montferrat, coming from Figanières Interesting menu, good value for money, direction – do not use the Chateaudouble attractive venue by the sea - start your road as this is still closed. Christmas celebrations with the BAV! We will be celebrating John Collingwood’s birthday. Page 2

“What’s On” Guide 7 Dec , Place de la Mairie. Marché de Noël. 10h00-16h00. 04 94 70 96 29 Zenith Oméga, : 0892 700 840 www.zenith- 7 Dec Ste Maxime, Le Carré theatre. Carla Bruni in omega-toulon.com concert. 20h30. €32. 04 94 56 77 77 Opera House, Toulon: 04 94 93 03 76 7 Dec Aups, church. Christmas concert by La Chorale www.operadetoulon.fr Classique – favourite British and French carols. 18h30. Draguignan Theatre: 04 94 50 59 59 Donations. www.theatresendracenie.com 7 Dec St Raphaël, Eglise Notre Dame de la Paix. Forum Theatre, Fréjus and Centre Culturel, St Russian Army choir – Christmas music. 14h30. €33. Raphaël: 04 94 95 55 55 www.aggloscenes.com 7-8 Dec Rayol Canadel, Domaine du Rayol. Fête de l’Hiver – Mediterranean garden. Free. December 2013 04 98 04 44 00 30 Nov-1 Dec Ste Maxime, Théâtre de la Mer. Salon 7-8 Dec Draguignan, Mairie. Foire aux Santons. 10h00- Plaisirs et Chocolat. 10h00-19h00. Free. 18h00. 04 94 60 31 31 08 26 20 83 83 8 Dec Draguignan, Place du Marché. Marché de Noël. 30 Nov-1 Dec , Château de Berne. Marché de All day. 04 94 60 31 31 Noël Provencal. 10h00-18h00. Free. 8 Dec Draguignan, Office de tourisme. Guided visit. 04 94 60 43 64 10h30. €5. 04 98 10 51 05 30 Nov-1 Dec Lorgues, Château des Crostes. Marché 8 Dec , Point Info Tourisme. Guided visit. Medieval. 10h00-18h00. 04 94 73 98 40 15.30. €5. 04 94 47 81 73 30 Nov-8 Dec Callian, Chapelle des Penitents. Foire 8 Dec , Eglise St Jean-Baptiste. Christmas aux Santons. Free. 04 94 47 75 90 concert – Camerata Vocale. 16h00. Free. 1 Dec Les Arcs, Ste Roseline. Noël au Château. 04 94 99 99 00 04 94 99 50 30 8 Dec Cotignac, church. Christmas concert by La 1 Dec , Centre Maurin des Maures. Concert des Chorale Classique – favourite British and French carols. Chorales. 04 94 55 01 10 18h30. Donations. 1 Dec Figanières, centre ville. Marché de Noël. 9h30- 9-31 Dec , centre ville. Promenade parmi 14h00. 04 94 67 81 93 les santons (life-size). 04 94 47 75 90 1 Dec Lorgues, Point Info Tourisme. Guided visit. 12 Dec Draguignan, cinema. Ballet film – Nutcracker, 10h30. €5. 04 94 73 92 37 Tchaikovsky. 20h15. 1 Dec Les Arcs, Ste Roseline. Guided visit. 14h00. €5. 04 94 73 37 30 1 Dec Trans-en-, Chapelle Notre Dame. Guided Visit. 15h30. €5. 04 94 73 37 30 1 Dec , Eglise St Laurent. Christmas Organ Recital. 16h00. €10. 4-31 Dec Fréjus, centre ville et Port Fréjus. Noël à Fréjus. 5 Dec St Raphaël, Espace Félix Martin. Jimi Brown Experience – music of Jimi Hendrix and James Brown. €13. 04 98 11 89 00 6 Dec , church. Christmas concert by La Chorale Classique – favourite British and French carols. 18h30. Donations. 5 Dec St Maximin la Ste Baume, La Croisée des Arts. Offenbach operettas. 20h30. €15. 04 94 59 84 59 6 Dec Grimaud, centre ville. Fête de la Lumière – Christmas lights. 04 94 55 43 83 6 Dec , Espace Culturel. Concert – the Piaf years. 20h30. €12. 04 94 85 00 35 6 Dec Grimaud, place Vieille. Fête d la Lumière. 04 94 55 43 83 6 Dec Les Arcs, Café de la Tour. English Pub Quiz and lunch. 12h00. €10. 04 94 85 22 06 [email protected] 6-8 Dec Ste Maxime, Théâtre de la Mer. Fête de l’Huile – olives, olive oil. 08 26 20 83 83 6 Dec-5 Jan Cavalaire, Maison de la Mer. Noël Blanc – ice rink and shows. 04 94 10 92 10 7 Dec Draguignan, Eglise St Michel. Russian Army Choir – Christmas music. 20h00. 04 94 60 31 31 Page 3 13 Dec La Motte, Château des Demoiselles. Noël en 20 Dec Ste Maxime, Théâtre Le Carré. Christmas Musique – music and local products. 18h00. 04 94 70 Oratorio – Bach. 20h30. €32. 04 94 56 77 77 28 78 20 Dec Cavalaire, Eglise St Laurent. Christmas classical 13-15 Dec Plan de la Tour, Fougan Marie Mauron. choral concert. 21h00. €10. 04 94 64 00 96 Marché de Noël – with English stall. Free. 20 Dec Plan de la Tour, place Foch. Christmas Evening 04 94 55 20 50 – music, 13 desserts. 17h00. 14 Dec Montferrat, centre ville. Marché de Noël. 04 94 55 20 50 10h00-20h00. 04 94 70 93 28 21 Dec Lorgues, Espace F.Mitterand. Christmas 14 Dec Grimaud, Eglise St Michel. Classical music concert – Ensemble Choral de Lorgues. 20.45. Free. 04 concert. 18h00. Free. 98 10 27 76 14 Dec St Maximin la Ste Baume, La Croisée des Arts. 21 Dec , centre ville. Marché de Noël. Ballet National de Marseille – contemporary dance. 04 94 55 22 00 20h30. €15. 04 94 59 84 59 22 Dec St Maximin la Ste Baume, centre ville. Marché 14-24 Dec , Place Carami. Marché de Noël. 04 de Noël. 9h00-18h00. Free. 04 94 59 84 59 98 05 18 90 22 Dec Ste Maxime, Théâtre le Carré. Orchestre 14 Dec-5 Jan Draguignan, centre ville. Fête de la Régional de Cannes – Beethoven. 20h30. €21. Glisse – ice rink. 10h00-19h00. 04 94 60 31 31 04 94 56 77 77 15 Dec Lorgues, centre ville. Marché de Noël. All day. 22 Dec Montauroux, cinema. Ballet film – Sleeping 04 94 70 93 28 Beauty (Bolshoi Ballet). 17h00. €20. 04 94 50 40 30 15 Dec Lorgues, Château de Berne. Truffle Day. 22 Dec St Raphaël, St John’s Anglican church, av Paul 10h00-18h00. Free. 04 94 60 43 64 Doumer. Nine Lessons and Carols (in English). 18h00. 15 Dec Fayence, centre ville. Marché de Noël. 9h00- 04 94 50 38 46 18h00. 22 Dec Ste Maxime, Eglise. Russian male voice choir 15 Dec Gassin, Eglise. Concert Provençal de Noël, plus concert. 16h00. €15. 04 94 56 77 53 13 desserts. 16h00. Free. 04 94 55 22 00 26 Dec , Eglise. Christmas concert – Celtic 18 Dec Draguignan, cinema. Opera film – Parsifal, music. 18h30. Free. 04 98 12 64 00 Wagner. 17h45. 27 Dec Les Arcs, Café de la Tour. Fish and chips lunch. 18-31 Dec La Garde Freinet, Salle des Sports. Foire 12h00. €11. Booking essential, by preceding Tuesday. aux Santons. Free. 04 94 56 04 93 04 94 73 30 56 20 Dec Grimaud, Eglise St Michel. Nine Lessons and 28 Dec-5 Jan Fayence, Le Grand Jardin. Antiques Fair. Carols (in English). 19h00. 04 94 50 38 46 ______20 Dec St Raphaël, Centre Culturel. St Raphaël GP payment changes Chamber Orchestra – tango music. 20h30. €20. 04 94 19 52 52 Patients will no longer have to pay their GP directly for consultations under changes to the tiers payant system. At present patients must pay the doctor in advance and reclaim the money from the Assurance Maladie and, if they have one, their health insurance scheme. The change will be brought in from the end of next year for low-income households and will be extended to all households by the end of 2017. It will be similar to the system already in use in pharmacies.

BAV Address Books

Members’ Address Books will be available in January 2014. If there are any alterations required please inform Peter Rowson, Membership Secretary. If you have not yet renewed your subscription your last chance is 14 December 2013. Michael Wharton Hon Secretary

www.baofthevar.com See the Latest News and Forthcoming Events on our BA website

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Chairman's report MEMBERS’ GROUPS

Firstly, on behalf of the Committee and myself, Painting Group may we wish our members a very happy Christmas and a peaceful and healthy New Year. Please contact Stella Reynolds for details of the We look forward to seeing you at the Christmas next meeting. 04 ********* Lunch or in the New Year. I should also like to take this opportunity to thank all of the The Azur Photography Group Committee for their assistance during the last twelve months and their regular attendance at The Azur Photography most BAV events. Group scaled the heights for its last meeting. Well It is a classic case that once you make a actually we chose Mons, comment, the opposite happens! In this case it is the highest village in the good news in that, having commented on Var for our destination, reduced attendances, the trip around the Musée with its breath-taking 360 degree views which D'Artillerie at Draguignan and the lunch that can include the distant Corsica, though not on our followed was exceptionally well-attended with 32 visit. members where we were expecting about 20. Photographically the challenge was to capture There were however the usual initial concerns both the vast Varois landscape and the more which were appeased by late bookings. intimate nooks and crannies of this hilltop village, as well as how best to resolve the contrast issues The Christmas cards are going quickly and you thrown up by the strong sunshine. We also were should still have a last opportunity of obtaining able to join the residents in their your cards at the Grand Christmas lunch on 14 Remembrance Day observance December, but unfortunately the 'Three Kings' taking place in the Square and card is virtually sold out. It should be said that capture some of the images from this year we had a large selection of submissions this simple but moving ceremony. for the cards from the painting group, the photographic group and Fred Carpenter's painting group. As a result, the Committee spent some considerable time and heated discussion in making the final selection which we hope you like. We did though have to dismiss submissions featuring beautiful English landscapes with English churches, villages and post boxes as it was felt that we should at least have a flavour of the south of or specifically Christmas. We therefore give our thanks to Christine Pheby and Paul Fisher for the two cards selected. Afterwards, on a lighter note, we adjourned to the welcoming embrace of ‘La Maquisarde’, one www.baofthevar.com of the most remote and highly individual See the Latest News and Forthcoming restaurants in the Var for lunch and bonhomie. Events on our BA website

Mike Harper mikeharper6@********** Changes to TVA rates

From 1 January 2014 the following TVA rates will Happy Boules apply: Standard – rises from 19.6% to 20% Please note that the Boules Group will be Intermediate (applies to transport tickets, non- continuing to play throughout the winter and that reimbursable medicines, hotel and campsite the play is now at 14.00 each Monday afternoon stays) – rises from 7% to 10% preceded by lunch at 12.00 and usually followed Low (applies to food, drink, gas, electricity, by a hot choc at 16.00. books) – drops from 5.5% to 5% Rob Flanagan Cinema tickets will drop from 7% to 5%. robertflanagan@********** Page 5 Benefits for BAV members (Please show your membership card) Cigalon, Grand Rue, Flayosc 04 94 70 45 85. Offer: complementary espresso coffee at this fine dining restaurant. Flayosc Co-operative - 5% discount available with the special BAV fidelity card. Full range of wines and sparkling wine available together with fresh cheeses, wine accessories etc. Le Petit Romain, opposite Casino, Salernes 04 94 67 54 11. Offer: complementary espresso coffee at this popular restaurant with a menu de jour at 14.50€. Lei Cigales, Route de Draguignan, Garden Rubbish 04 98 53 02 88. Offer: complementary espresso From 4 November 2013 the Communauté d’agglo coffee in this restaurant specialising in galettes dracenoise has introduced a new system of and crepes with a separate menu du jour at disposing of garden rubbish across its 16 13.50€. communes, but disposal at the official tip Nathalie and Fabrice Alric Antiquities, Place de (déchetterie) is still the preferred option, as it is l'église, Villecroze - Offer 10% discount on a no longer permitted to burn these items. range of antique style household furnishings There are strict exceptions for those in the and a larger discount on antiques. agricultural or forestry professions. A collection Ink Thistle on-line stationery products - Useful service has been provided for collection of this for gifts both in the UK and abroad. Every item waste, similar to that for large items. To access gift-wrapped. Special offer for BAV members: this you must ring 0800 18 34 13 the day 15% discount until 31 October 2013 – use code before, leave the waste in front of your house the VAR15 at checkout. www.inkthistle.co.uk More night before after 7pm, and it will be collected information from Moira Waterworth at the next day. There is a weekly collection for [email protected] each commune – you will need to check at your La Provençal, Place Martin Bidoure, Aups. 04 94 Mairie for the actual day. The 16 communes 70 00 24. Free espresso coffee with meal. affected are: Ampus, Bargemon, Callas, Les Trois Marches, 11 Cours Gambetta, Châteaudouble, , Draguignan, Figanières, Cotignac. 04 94 04 65 99. Pretty provençal Flayosc, La Motte, , Les Arcs, Lorgues, restaurant. Free espresso coffee with meal. Montferrat, , Trans, Vidauban. Tips are Hotel and restaurant L’Orée du Bois, Quartier still available to receive this waste at Ampus- Ste Roseline, Le Muy. 04 98 11 12 40. Free Châteaudouble, Callas, Draguignan, Le Muy, Les coffee or tea with meal. Arcs-Taradeau, Lorgues, Vidauban. Le Grand Hotel, Place du Général Duchatel, Aups. 04 94 70 10 82. Free coffee or digestif What is accepted: with meal.  Small branches less than 10cm diameter, either tied in bunches maximum size 1m long and 50cm wide, or put into compostable bags. Ann Sherry-Hopkin  Leaves, plants, grass clippings in compostable bags or cartons. We are sorry to report that Ann Sherry-Hopkin  Christmas trees without decorations or artificial passed away on 10 October at her home in snow, not bagged. London. She was a long term member of the BA, Maximum 1m³ per household per week. They must and only left when she went back to live in the be left where they do not cause danger to passers- UK. She leaves behind 3 sons. by. Compostable bags are available from garden centres.

What is not accepted: British Association of the Var  Remains of meals. Welfare Coordinator  Ashes Ann Mitchem  Wooden palettes 04 94 70 74 55 or 06 43 86 49 01  Flower pots [email protected]

 Stones, earth, tree stumps Page 6

Book extravaganza FRENCH IMMERSIONS On a sunny November Tuesday in Taradeau the DYNAMO FORMATION INTERNATIONAL, the French language specialist offers: entire stock of BAV books was on show for our delight, accompanied by almost all the committee 1. High-range, individual and tailor-made lessons from 1 to who had set themselves the task of sorting out 6 weeks or more with a fully proven method appreciated by hundreds of foreigners. A language immersion in convivial this great horde. After discarding the old and surroundings and premises located in Pau, South West of tatty ones, there still France, crossroads of the Pyrenees Mountains and the remains a remarkable Atlantic Ocean. Stay in a warm and welcoming host family total of 3000 books to to help improve your learning through the cultural and be brought to future gastronomic aspects. events, including all 2. Individual or collective classes(maximum 3). Sessions of the famous authors, 20 to 60 hours with a French teacher giving lessons at your so please do support place in the area of Lorgues. coffee mornings and other events where the - www.dynamo-formation-int.fr /00 33 (0)5 59 30 36 94 books are made available. 63€ was donated on / 00 33 (0)6 64 31 75 02 this occasion. Better still, why not host a coffee [email protected] morning or drinks evening and help to swell the Committee Members Welfare Fund. If you have not done this before, Chairman - Rob Flanagan ask the committee for their “how to do it” notes. [email protected] The Bereavement Support Network of Secretary - Michael Wharton the Var (BSN) [email protected] Treasurer - Lesley Honeywell This organisation exists to support not only the [email protected] bereaved but also those who are terminally ill, Welfare Coordinator - Ann Mitchem and their families and friends. If you, or someone [email protected] you know, could benefit from our confidential, Events Secretary - Kevin Bell free support, then please contact: [email protected] Sandra - 04 94 84 64 89 or 06 32 35 31 24 Publicity - [email protected] or www.bsnvar.org [email protected] for further information. [email protected] John Lloyd LUNCH and QUIZ at Restaurant [email protected] LA TOUR, Roquebrune sur Argens Thursday, 13 FEBRUARY 2014, 12 noon Important non-Committee Members 3 course lunch plus coffee or tea @ 15 euros Membership Secretary - Peter Rowson (Wine excluded) [email protected] 04 *********** Quiz 3 euros with Quiz-mistress Shirley Rowson Newsletter Editor - Shirley Rowson [email protected] 04 *********** Entrées : Pastillas avec Mièle roti (Goats Cheese roasted in honey) avec salade ou Terrine Caillette (Provençal terrine) Plats: Petit Farcis niçois (platter of various stuffed meats and fish) ou Suprême de Pintade (guinea fowl) rôti au jus de viande ou Dos de Cabillaud sauvage à la crème de romarin (Cod with rosemary sauce) Desserts: Crème Brulée à la fleur d’oranger ou Moelleux au Chocolat ou Salade de Fruits

Coffee or Tea Desperate to Stop? Carafe de Vin - to be ordered and paid for separately call Alcoholics Anonymous More details next month. 24 hour helpline – 08 20 20 02 57 aa-riviere.org

Page 7 NEIGHBOURHOOD NETWORKS The ARK, LORGUES L’Oasis Christian Fellowship Cabasse, Carces, , Every 2nd Sunday at 11h30 at Arc-en-Provence, 1801 Chemin des Pailles Cotignac, and Le Val and every 4th Sunday at 11h30 at As it is Boxing Day there will be no Neighbourhood Notre Dames des Anges Maison de Retraite Network meeting in December. We have a Bring and Share lunch afterwards. . Michael Wharton For details or directions please contact 07 *********** mjw57@********* Rev Peter or Shirley Massey 04 94 73 93 37 or 06 87 94 04 83 www.arc-en-provence.com/oasis

Draguignan, Le Cannet des Maures, Les ~~~ Arcs, , Taradeau and Vidauban We meet on the second Friday of the month at the CALLIAN Café de la Tour, Les Arcs at 10h30. You will find a Le Pradon Anglican Church warm welcome and interesting discussions if you care Fellowship of the Ascension to attend. We make available a limited selection of You are very welcome to join us in popular English paperback novels. our new church home at Pauline and Jim North Le Pradon Maison de Retraite Callian. 04 *********** jim.north@********* We meet on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month at 11h00 for Family Communion or Morning Prayer. Entrecasteaux, Salernes, We also have a Bring and Share lunch afterwards. and Villecroze Please ring Hilary 04 94 47 70 67 for details We normally meet on the 4th Tuesday of the month at or visit our website 10h30 at the Bar Cercle de l’Avenir in Villecroze, but www.lepradonanglican.org due to Christmas the date this month will be 17

December. Please check the venue as we may rotate ~~~ to another village. St John’s for the Var Ann & Maurice Mitchem St John the Evangelist 04 *********** mamitchem@********** Ave Paul Doumer, St Raphaël Rev Keith Bretel La Motte and Le Muy Holy Communion is held every Sunday at 10h30 Sitting in the sunshine today in La Motte, we enjoyed followed by refreshments and a monthly lunch. 22 December - Nine Lessons and Carols, 18h00 coffee and conversation. We meet the second Tuesday 25 December - Holy Communion, 10h30 of the month in the Bar des Cascades from 10 am. ~~~ Please join us if you are in the neighbourhood .... Grimaud Village Church Alexandra Lewis-Smith Ecumenical service at Grimaud village church 04 *********** andrew.lewis-smith@****** on first Thursday of the month at 11h00 20 December - Nine Lessons and Carols, 19h00 Please ring 04 94 60 87 05 for details We meet every other Tuesday at 11h00 at L'Arpillon www.sjevar.com café next to Casino. Richard Tolaini ~~~ 04 *********** or 06 ********** tolaini83@******

. St Maximin la Ste Baume, Brignoles, Brue Please Note: We appreciate the support of our advertisers Auriac, , Meounes, Neoules, and encourage members to consider using their services; Ollieres, , Pourrieres, Seillon however, BAV cannot take responsibility for the quality of Source d’Argens and goods and services.

We shall meet on Thursday, December 19 from 10.30 Before taking action in response to articles about law and onwards at the Cercle Philharmonique in the main finance in the Newsletter, please take advice from a suitable square of St. Maximin la Ste. Baume. There will be qualified person. some Christmas fare for our friendly group of regulars ______and for any new faces that would like to join us. Diana Andre de la Porte Please let us have your Advertisements, 04 *********** adlp.diana@******** Articles and Reports for the January issue by

www.baofthevar.com Wednesday 15 December

See the Latest News and Forthcoming All contributions to: Events on our BA website [email protected] or to Shirley Rowson, ***************La Motte

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