British Association of the Putting people and social needs together since 1998 Association Loi 1901 No: W831001750 www.baofthevar.com December 2012 Newsletter No 127

The Committee of the British Association of the Var, and the Newsletter Team, send their best wishes for a happy Christmas and a healthy New Year to all members.

Wine Tasting at Le Cellier des 3 Collines, and Lunch at Le Cigalon Restaurant

On 15 November a total of 30 members and guests had an excellent visit to the new wine co-operative at Flayosc: Le Cellier des 3 Collines. We were given a very good and enlightening tour in excellent English, followed by a tasting of their wines and also some of the tapenades they sell. At the end it was announced that the co-operative will give a 5% discount to all BAV members - you have to visit the co-op and fill in a form, then on your next visit they will give you a fidelity card. The co-op also sold local produce and gifts.

Following this we enjoyed a very good meal at Le Cigalon restaurant in Flayosc.

Forthcoming Events Tombola and Raffle 15 December

for your diary Many thanks to those of you that have donated Var International Aperitif Club prizes for our Christmas raffle, however we are Friday 7 December still in need of more prizes so if you have any new items that you may not have used, you may Committee Meeting wish to pass these to us for the raffle. In this Monday 10 December case, would you please pass any prizes to your

Grand Christmas Lunch Neighbourhood Network before 7 December.

and Tombola Saturday 15 December

Breton Lunch at Lei Cigales, Thursday 24 January

Guided tour of Fréjus followed by Provençal lunch at Les

Micocouliers restaurant To date, we have for the Raffle: Barclay's Box Wednesday 27 February selection of prize worth up to 200€, and for the

Tombola: Original painting (see above), Hippopotamus vase, Boxed selection of 9 books, Boxed selection of 8 books, RAC Club presentation of golf balls, tees etc, Bottle of wine, and a Bottle of port ______

Bréton Lunch - Villecroze “What’s On”

24 January 2013 at 12h00 You will notice that the What’s on Guide grows Why travel 1000km to experience the taste of every month to include events from all over the Brittany when you can do so in the Var? We have Var, as that is where our members live, and is arranged a special menu at Lei Cigales in limited only by access to sources of information. Villecroze as below:- The opera and ballet films shown in major

Apéritif 1 kir breton (cidre and cassis) cinemas are from the Royal Opera House in Une petite salade verte et tomate London and are in the original language with ‘’’’’’’’’’ French subtitles. Galette La bretonne: fromage râpé, œuf, jambon blanc Events at Zenith Arena and the Opera House in or are not included as the prices can be Galette La complète: fromage râpé, œuf, prohibitive, but contacts for their programmes are champignon avec ail et persil, jambon blanc listed for those interested. Similarly the full or listings for the theatres in and Fréjus Galette La fromagère: fromage râpé, roquefort, are not given, but selected events are included fromage de chèvre, crème fraîche that might be of interest to English speakers, not ‘’’’’’’’’’ Dessert soit une crêpe au miel et noix all of whom have fluent French. Again, the or contact details are given for those who wish to une part de tarte au citron maison check the complete programmes. ‘’’’’’’’’’ Inclus 1/4 de cidre ou de vin et un café Zenith Oméga, Toulon: www.zenith-omerga-

Prix par personne 19 € toulon.com 0892 700 840 Opera House, Toulon: www.operadetoulon.fr Location: Lei Cigale is located at the southern 04 94 93 03 76 end of the village on the Villecroze – Draguignan road facing the main car park. Draguignan Theatre: Booking: Please complete the booking form and www.theatresendracenie.com 04 94 50 59 59 return this by 7 January to Michael Wharton, Villa Forum Theatre, Fréjus and Centre Culturel, St Raphaël: www.aggloscenes.com 04 94 95 55 55 Helen, Route De Sillans, 83570, . Page 2 1 Dec Sanary-sur-Mer, Galli Theatre. Ballet – Le 15 Dec , Maison pour Tous. Opera film – Bolero de Ravel. €47 Aida. 18h55. €25. 04 94 50 40 30 1-2 Dec , Salle Polyvalente. Marché du Noël. 15 Dec Roquebrune-sur-Argens, Eglise. Telemann, 9h00-18h00 Rameau, Corelli – Esterelenco choir. 17h00 1-2 Dec Sainte Maxime, Théâtre de la Mer. Escale 15 Dec Hyères, Collégiate St Paul. Ceremony of Gourmande Provence et Chocolat. 10h00-19h00. Carols by Britten. 15h30. Free. 04 94 00 82 41 €4. 0826 20 83 83 15-16 Dec Le Cannet-des-Maures, village centre. 2 Dec Flassans-sur-Issole, Eglise. Concert de Noël. Marché de Noël. 9h00-18h00. 04 94 50 06 00 16h00 04 94 37 00 50 15 Dec-6 Jan Draguignan, Allées d’Azemar – Ice 2 Dec Les Arcs-sur-Argens, Château Sainte- rink. Mon-Sat 10h00-19h00, Sun 14h00-19h00. Roseline. Marché du Noël. Jardin d’Angles – Aerial games. Mon-Sat 10h00- 4 Dec , Espace des Arts. Musique 12h00 + 14h00-18h00, Sun 14h00-18h00, up to 12 Classique – Berlin-Paris-New York. 20h30 yrs. Jardin d’Angles – Bouncy castle 3-10 yrs. 8 Dec Fréjus, Forum Theatre. Soweto Spiritual 15 Dec-6 Jan Sainte Maxime, Promenade. Christmas Singers – African music and dance. 20h30. €26. 04 market and funfair. 94 95 55 55 16 Dec Les Arcs sur Argens, Place du Général de 8 Dec , place Bruny. Marché de Noël. Gaulle. Marché de Noël. 10h00-18h00. From 9h00. Vin chaud at 18h00. 04 94 47 56 10 8 Dec , town centre. 16 Dec Callas, Eglise. Concert – Camerata Vocale. Marche de Noël. 17h00. 04 94 39 06 77 8-9 Dec Flassans-sur-Issole, village centre. Marché 16 Dec St Raphaël, St John’s Anglican Church. Nine de Noël. 04 94 37 00 50 Lessons and Carols. 18h00. 04 94 60 87 05 8-9 Dec Draguignan, Mairie, 28 rue G Cisson. Foire 16 Dec , Espace Culturel. Marché du Noël. aux Santons. 10h00-18h00. 04 94 60 31 31 10h00-19h00. 04 94 76 20 08 8-16 Dec Callian, Chapelle des Penitents. Foire aux 16 Dec , town centre. Marché du Noël Santons. 04 94 47 75 77 Médiéval. 07h00-18h00 9 Dec St Maximin la Ste Baume, La Croisée des Arts 16 Dec Callian, Le Pradon Church, Maison de – Pôle Culturel Provence Verte. Concert de Retraite. The Gift of Christmas. 10h30. l’Orchestre de – Debussy. 15h00 €12 04 94 73 93 37 9 Dec Toulon, Notre Dame Cathedral. Concert de 16 Dec Le Pradet, Eglise St Raymond. Concert de Noël. 15h30 €15 Noël. 15h00 9 Dec , village centre. Marché de Noël. 06 16-22 Dec Carnoules, Gare des Platanes. Train du 13 76 02 15 Père Noël. 14h00 (3 hour journey) 9-12 Dec Draguignan, Place du Marché. Marché du 06 07 98 09 09 Noël. All day. 19 Dec Lorgues, The Ark Community, Notre Dame 12-13 Dec La Garde, Théâtre du Rocher. Gospel – des Anges. Fête de Noël. 16h00. Le Golden Gate Quartet. 20h30 04 94 73 93 37 13 Dec Draguignan, Cinema. Ballet film – The 21 Dec Grimaud, Eglise. Nine Lessons and Carols. Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky. 20h15 19h00. 04 94 43 28 86 13 Dec Sainte Maxime, Cinema. Opera film – Tales 21 Dec Régusse, Eglise St Laurent. Rutter’s of Beatrix Potter, Ashton. 14h30 and 19h30. €18. 04 Magnificat, CAD Vocale. 20h30 94 56 77 77 21 Dec Cavalaire-sur-Mer, Eglise St Laurent. 13 Dec Hyères, Cinema. Ballet film – The Nutcracker International and Provencal Christmas Music – by Tchaikovsky. 20h15 €20 concert. 21h00 €5 13 Dec Toulon, Eglise St Jean Bosco. Concert de 21 Dec Hyères, Théâtre Denis. Alice in Wonderland Noël with Rachmaninov Vespers. 20h30. €28 (in French). 21h00 €12.50 13-15 Dec Draguignan, Théâtre. Festival de Jazz. 04 94 00 82 41 21h00. 04 94 50 59 59 21 Dec Trans en Provence, centre village. Parade de 13-16 Dec , Musée Camos. Marché du Noël. 17h00. 04 94 60 62 49 Noël. 14h00-18h00. 04 94 47 81 73 22 Dec Sainte Maxime, Théâtre Le Carré – 14-16 Dec St Tropez, Salle Jean-Despas. Salon du Beethoven’s 7th Symphony and 5th Piano Concerto, Chocolat et des Douceurs. 10h00-20h00 Orchestre Régional de . 20h30. €21. 04 94 15 Dec St Raphaël, Palais de Congrès, Santa Lucia. 56 77 77 Schubert Evening – St Raphaël Chamber Orchestra. 22 Dec Lorgues, Espace F. Mitterand. Concert de 20h30. €26. 04 98 11 89 00 Noël by Ensemble Chorale de Lorgues. 20h45. 15 Dec Le Cannet des Maures, Eglise. Concert de 04 98 10 27 76 Noel. 18h30. 04 94 50 35 20 22 Dec Montferrat, centre village. Marché de Noël 15 Dec St Tropez, Place des Lices. Ice skating show. all day, plus fireworks at stadium 18h00. 16h30 04 94 50 21 91 Page 3

22-23 Dec St Aygulf, Place de la Poste. Noël à St Reminder! Aygulf. 23 Dec Trans en Provence, centre village. Marché BARCLAYS Grand Christmas de Noël. 10h00-18h00. Lunch and Tombola 23 Dec Lorgues, town centre. Journée de Noël. All 12h00 day. 04 98 10 27 76 23 Dec St Maximin la Sainte Baume, town centre. Saturday 15 December

Marché de Noël. All day. 04 94 59 84 59 full all-inclusive special festive menu at a 26-31 Dec St Tropez, Salle Jean-Despas. Christmas special price of 33€ per head Antiques Market. 28 Dec-6 Jan Fayence, Le Grand Jardin. Antiques Please see last month’s Newsletter for details Fair. 04 94 76 11 11 and contact Lesley Honeywell 30 Dec St Tropez, Eglise paroissale. Organ Concert. if you wish to go

17h00 Restaurant La Grotte Auberge du Vieux Moulin, Place Moulin

www.baofthevar.com Trans En Provence 83720 04 94 70 87 59

See Forthcoming Events and the Grid reference - 43”30’13.57N / 6”29’10.88E. Latest News on our BA website

Chairman’s Report

Firstly the Committee and I would like to give you our best wishes for the Festive Season. There are a number of carol services and Christmas concerts around the Var and these are noted in the ‘What’s On’ section of this newsletter. Please do not forget that this is the season of bringing people together and so if you are aware of members or others on their own over this festive period please do not forget them or bring them to the attention of the Neighbourhood Networks.

We have had a good year with plenty and varied social gatherings and trips and I hope to see many of you at the special Christmas Lunch on 15 December. Please use the attached reservation slip to order raffle tickets even if you are not coming to the Christmas lunch.

I have started embarking upon a pursuit of reduced prices for BAV members and would ask the Neighbourhood Network co-ordinators to see what special deals they can arrange for members in their areas. There is a note of a few offers available in this Newsletter. Please let me know what other deals are available to us. ______

Our Chairman had a successful kidney transplant New Members operation on Saturday 10 November so we wish him well as he recovers, and hope he will soon be We welcome new members Jacqueline Tod from home with his family again. However, he is still La Garde Freinet, Louis-André Matias from communicating with the BAV team from his Monaco, William & Jean Naisbitt from Cotignac, hospital bed and keeping his finger on the Susan Jones from La Motte and John & Gillian running of the BAV in his absence. We Watson from St Maximin la Ste Baume. congratulate him on his diligence! Editor

Page 4 Reduced Prices number for their meetings but it does not give you a realistic idea of the number of books We are pleased to report that we have negotiated available. Can you help us by: reduced prices at the following establishments for BAV members. We hope to offer more in the 1. Offering your home for a book sale - time to future: suit you? - and/or

Flayosc Co-operative: Substantial discounts are 2. Offering your services to set up/breakdown the available and when buying at the co-operative sale and help during the day? members should say that they are BAV members Pauline and Shirley need your help to keep this and give their name and address so that they can service to the BAV members going. receive the discount card. Please contact Please reply to: chairman@baofthevar for your card. Newsletter Editor 04 ********

Nathalie & Fabrice Alric Antiquités, 7 Place de [email protected] l’Eglise, Villecroze: This is a new shop opened up in the heart of Villecroze and they are offering a minimum discount of 10% on goods, with a larger discount on antiques. They offer an unusual selection of gifts ideal for Christmas together with high quality antiques. ______

BAV Giant Book Sale

9 November saw the day of the Giant Book Sale at our garage in . Possibly thousands of books were available to members and friends and these were displayed in the forecourt of the house.

There were a disappointing number of members present – is this due to the demise of the book or the glum weather? However, those that were there bought a good number of books and the event raised a significant 115€ for the Welfare Fund. Christmas cards and poppies were also available. Many thanks to those who helped at the event and especially Shirley Wrigglesworth, Pauline North and Jane Joyce.

Book Sales

In the past one of the biggest revenue makers for the BAV Welfare Fund was our book sales. This year our main book sale was at the Vendange Lunch in September. We have been/are holding the book sales at the BAV store between Taradeau and Lorgues. BUT we have had complaints from members that this is not an ideal location - too central!!! Why not nearer the coast/Fayence area?

To enable us to continue to raise funds to help those in trouble we need more venues at which to sell the books. Some of the coordinators for the Neighbourhood Networks take a small

Page 5 NEIGHBOURHOOD NETWORKS MEMBERS’ GROUPS

Cabasse, Carces, , Cotignac, and Happy Boules Le Val We will meet on Friday 28 December full of For details about our meeting times and venues Christmas cheer at 10h30 at the Cafe de Cour, please contact: Cotignac. Michael Wharton Rob Flanagan 07 ******** ********@cam.ac.uk 06 ******** ********@hotmail.com

______Draguignan, Les Arcs, , Taradeau and Painting Group nd We meet on the 2 Friday of the month at the Café de la Tour, Les Arcs at 10h30. As there is no Please contact me for details of our next venue Neighbourhood Network in Draguignan at present, and information about the group: some members from there have been attending the Pauline North one in Les Arcs and we extend a welcome to 04 ******** *********@orange.fr anyone else who would like to come. Jim North ______

04 ******** ******** @wanadoo.fr Digital Photography Group La Motte and Le Muy The photo club was lucky enough to have a Another beautiful day in the neighbourhood brought lighting workshop with retired BBC director of a congenial group to the Bar des Cascades in La Photography, John Wyatt. It was held at Noelle's Motte where several members managed to combine house and she did an excellent job of putting medical matters with their coffee thanks to the help together a still life for us to photograph. of our local visiting nurse. Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 11 December, same time, same place (10h). All are most welcome for conversation and coffee. Alexandra Lewis-Smith 04 ******** ********@bbox.fr

Les Issambres We meet every other Tuesday at 11h00 at L'Arpillon café next to Casino - 6 and 2 Nov. Richard Tolaini 04 ********or 06 ******** ********@aol.com

Roquebrune S/A Village and La Bouverie We are sorry to announce that, due to lack of Photo taken by David Rowe support, Roquebrune Village/La Bourverie NN has had to close but members will, I am sure, be We spent a very informative morning learning welcome at NN instead as this is about the importance and nuances of lighting and alive and kicking. Lesley Honeywell how "seeing the picture" was imperative to put 04 ******* ********[email protected] you in the right place to take the picture. As was moving the lights a few centimetres either way to Villecroze, , , and have the most complimentary lighting on the Entrecasteaux subject. th We meet on the 4 Tuesday of the month at 10h30 at the bar Cercle de l'Avenir in Villecroze. Please This proved equally important in the afternoon check the venue, we may rotate to another village. when we changed the subject to "portraiture". Ann & Maurice Mitchem We also learnt to pay a great deal of attention to 04 ******** *********@hotmail.com the background and seeing what could be intrusive at one angle was helpful at another. We are looking forward to John's next visit to . Desperate to Stop? call Alcoholics Anonymous Our next meeting will be on Monday 3 December. 24 hour helpline – For details about the group please contact: 08 20 20 02 57 aa-riviera.org Mike Harper ********@yahoo.co.uk Page 6

It is also recommended that, if you live some Flu Vaccine in France distance from the main road, you get somebody

If you are registered with the French medical to wait at the main road in order to give system CPAM, and over 65 or have a chronic directions to your home. illness, you will receive notification to visit your When you arrive at hospital the first thing that doctor to obtain a prescription to take to the you need to do is to prove that you have the pharmacy for your flu injection. This can then be means to pay for treatment and therefore you will taken back to your doctor or a nurse to need your Carte Vitale, Mutuelle certificate and/or administer the injection. The injection is free for any insurance documentation. Details of current these people and if the nurse makes a charge a medication could also be important. claim can be made to CPAM. If you do not qualify for the free injection you can visit your pharmacy and purchase it. The Bereavement Support Network of the Var (BSN) The injection is available from the end of September until 31 January. You need to be This organisation exists to support not only the aware that it takes 15 days for the vaccine to bereaved but also those who are terminally ill, become effective. and their families and friends. If you, or someone you know, could benefit from our confidential, Ann Mitchem, Welfare Coordinator free support, then please contact: Sandra - 04 94 84 64 89 or 06 32 35 31 24 British Association of the Var [email protected] or www.bsnvar.org Welfare Coordinator for further information.

Ann Mitchem 04 ********* or 06 43 86 49 01 Sudden bereavement [email protected]

In most marriages or partnerships looking after the finances is usually left to one person. If this person dies suddenly or is unable to cope because of illness it will be very difficult for the other person if they do not know how much money is coming in or how to access it and pay the bills. It can be very distressing when this worry is added to bereavement. Even if one person carries on doing this work the other should be involved and be shown where everything is and when and how bills are to be paid. The Connexion newspaper has produced a useful article on joint bank accounts which can be accessed from this link:

http://www.connexionfrance.com/The-rules-of- Medical Emergencies joint-bank-accounts-11755-news-article.html

If you are in the unfortunate position of having to A lot of people these days do most of their call an ambulance for a medical emergency, then financial work on the internet which involves it is recommended that you call your local passwords, and although these should not be Sapeurs-Pompiers in the first instance as if you made obvious, your next of kin need to know call the central ambulance service they then may them, also the contact details of your solicitor or have to travel a considerable distance and may notaire, especially if a will is held there. not be familiar with your area when they arrive. The local Sapeurs-Pompiers will generally know Apart from financial matters, we should all know the area better and will take less time to arrive. where water stopcocks and electricity trip The number is 15 from a French landline or switches are situated and who the service mobile number, and 112 from a British mobile providers are. phone. Ann Mitchem, Welfare Coordinator

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St John’s for the Var Chimney sweeping – follow-up St John the Evangelist Ave Paul Doumer, St Raphaël Further to our recent reminder about having your Rev Keith Bretel chimney swept, a local sweep has clarified the Holy Communion is held every Sunday at 10h30 situation. You have to have your chimney swept followed by refreshments and a monthly lunch. twice a year if it is the only form of heating, 16 December, 18h00 – Nine Lessons and Carols otherwise once a year will do. Christmas Day, 10h30 – Holy Communion

Grimaud Village Church 1st Thursday of each month at 11h00 21 December, 19h00 – Carol Service Please ring 04 94 60 87 05 for details www.sjevar.com ~~~ 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. 19 Dec 16h00 Fête de Noël at Notre Dame des Anges 23 Dec 11h30 Christmas service and lunch at Arc-en-Provence 24 Dec 17h00 – Christmas Eve Mass at Notre Dame des Anges Please Note For details or directions please contact Rev Peter or Shirley Massey 04 94 73 93 37 or We appreciate the support of our advertisers and 06 87 94 04 83 www.arc-en-provence.com/oasis encourage members to consider using their The Var Tuesday Club services; however, BAV cannot take responsibility rd meets every 3 Tuesday for the quality of goods and services. see www.vartuesdayclub.org for details ~~~ CALLIAN Before taking action in response to articles about Le Pradon Anglican Church law and finance in the Newsletter, please take Fellowship of the Ascension advice from a suitable qualified person. 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 Committee Members the month at 10h30 for Family Communion or Morning Prayer. Chairman - Rob Flanagan We also have a Bring and Share lunch afterwards. [email protected] 9 December, 10h30 – Christingle Service Secretary - Michael Wharton 16 December, 10h30 – The Gift of Christmas [email protected] 25 December, 10h30 – Christmas Communion Please ring Hilary at Treasurer - Lesley Honeywell 04 94 47 70 67 for details [email protected] or visit our website www.lepradonanglican.org Welfare Officer - Ann Mitchem [email protected]

For next month’s Newsletter Events Secretary – vacancy [email protected]

Please let us have your Advertisements, Publicity – vacancy Articles and Reports for the January issue [email protected] by [email protected] [email protected] Saturday 15 December

All contributions to: Members – John Collingwood [email protected] and [email protected] or to Shirley Rowson, ********* Ian (Angus) Mackintosh ********, 83920 La Motte. *********@wanadoo.fr

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British Association of the Var Putting people and social needs together since 1998 Association Loi 1901 No: W831001750 www.baofthevar.com December 2012 Newsletter Supplement

Body scanners at Nice airport

Full-body scanners have been launched on trial at Nice airport, despite initial public reservations about baring all before boarding a plane. A device capable of penetrating through layers of clothes was activated at customs on Monday 24th September. The machine can complete a full body scan in just 15 seconds, exposing dangerous objects hidden beneath an individual's clothing.

Passenger privacy will be respected as the 3D image will not reflect the individual but just a generic human form. Analysers of the scans will be in a separate room, unable to make direct comparisons between the electronic image and the actual passenger. The new technology will be placed on trial at Nice airport until the end of the year.

Draguignan prison

Most people know that the existing prison in Draguignan (opposite Intermarché) was damaged in the floods of June 2010 and has never reopened. A new prison with 546 places has now been approved for completion in 2015, in the Nourradons area of Draguignan/Les Arcs.

Lorgues Collégiale Church

The huge church that towers over Lorgues has been closed for a year, classed as unsafe after a 60kg stone fell at the end of Mass without causing any injuries, happily. This served to alert the authorities to the seriousness of the situation and led to the building being closed.

The cost of repairs is estimated in the region of €2.5 million, but the priority is to make the building safe for use as quickly as possible. In the meantime services are being held elsewhere and tourists arriving at the door are finding it firmly closed.

UK/French Driving licences

Further information about this current topic has been supplied by a BAV Newsletter reader:

You have the right, under reciprocal EU rules, to use a British licence in France, unless you commit a driving offence that would normally involve withdrawal of points from a French licence, at which point French law says you must exchange it for a French one (the licence itself is not invalidated, but you can be fined).

UK law states photos must be replaced every ten years. You also have to swap your licence if you change address. It is possible (though uncommon) to be fined up to £1,000 if the police see (for example following a road traffic offence) that you have not followed either one or both of these rules. The licence is not however invalidated for driving. However, the DVLA recognises you can do neither of these if you live in France as it cannot provide a licence with a foreign address, so the police would not fine someone who can provide proof they are resident abroad.

In France a UK licence with an old address or out-of-date photo remains valid. France does not even require that French licences be swapped on moving house (though car registration documents – the carte grise – must be) or that photos be updated, though it is possible (but not required) to ask for a free replacement if the photo “no longer looks like you”.

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UK Winter Fuel Payment

The details of payments available were not made absolutely clear in the September Newsletter, so please consult this website for full details: https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/what-youll-get

Help in neighbourly disputes

Sometimes, despite our best efforts to be good neighbours, situations occur where a dispute arises – height of hedges or trees, noise at unacceptable levels or times, flooding, thoughtless car or caravan parking, etc – and a solution is not to be found, due to the strength of feeling on both sides.

This is the time to seek the services of your local Conciliateur de Justice, a service provided free in thirty communes in the Var. Check with your Mairie to find out the day, place and time of their permanence (weekly visit) to your village. The Conciliateurs are volunteers who have previous experience in the justice system or in arbitration issues and their aim is to find an amicable solution to problems without expensive recourse to law. Their success rate is high, as often common sense prevails after tempers have subsided, and they are trained to be patient and inventive in the solutions suggested.

My Village - La Motte-en-Provence

La Motte-en- Provence is a village in the Var between Draguignan and Le Muy. It has a population of about 2500 and is situated at about 80 metres altitude. Located on the river Nartuby, it has a very impressive waterfall called the Saut du Capelan.

All necessary commerce is available in La Motte with a butcher, small grocery store, bakery, hairdresser, pharmacy, post office and a wonderful Bar des Cascades in the town centre where you can meet all sorts of friends, old and new. It is also the home of at least six very good restaurants, all of which will give you a very good meal for a reasonable price. There is a very good golf course at St. Endreol just to the east of the town. La Motte is surrounded by vineyards and they produce some really good wines of all colours.

The first recorded name was la Mota in 1039. Before that there was a Greco-Roman site and there are other signs of Roman occupation in the area. The town has a previously used fortification and was surrounded by a moat, hence the name. In August 1944, Allied troops landed by parachute and in gliders and La Motte was the first town to be liberated in the south of France. This is celebrated every year at the memorial across the road from the hamlet of Le Mitan (near the golf course).

La Motte is a lovely small, unspoiled village and we enjoy living here. Andrew Lewis-Smith

Gendarmes on Facebook

GENDARMES in the Var have decided to go for a friendlier image by warning of road checks via a Facebook page. The Gendarmerie du Var Facebook page, which has 2,140 “likes”, is intended to create a rapport with the public by warning them of upcoming speed checks – just general areas, not specific roads – and offering alternatives to fines by inviting people who committed minor driving offences to stop and do a quick road safety course instead of getting fines and licence points. This involves reminders about key road dangers and legal rules, a crash simulation and meeting disabled accident victims.

Tour de France 2013

The route has just been announced and, after a start in Corsica, the 5th stage on Wednesday 3rd July will be from Cagnes-sur-Mer in Alpes Maritimes, ending in in Bouches-du-Rhone. This will involve crossing the Var, so more details will be given when known.

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