British Association of the Putting people and social needs together since 1998 Association Loi 1901 No: W831001750 www.baofthevar.com May 2014 Newsletter No 144

Chairman's Report The AGM You should all have received the AGM papers and so should be aware of the topics for discussion. This year there were no elections for the Committee and no questions were received prior to the meeting. As a result, the meeting was brief in dealing with the formal orders of the day until a lengthy discussion ensued regarding the proposed donation to the Royal British Legion. This was to be on 'Poppy Day' and reflecting this special year, being the centenary of the start of the Great War. After considerable debate a vote was held and it was agreed to donate the monies, subject to it being confirmed that such a donation could be made lawfully.

There was a lively discussion on the committee's proposal which was later put to a ballot and the proposal that "The British Association of the Var donate 5000 euro to The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal in accordance with the laws governing Association loi 1901" was narrowly carried. The main objections seemed to be that donations should only be given to British people in the Var and the poppy appeal money would be sent to the poppy appeal fund HQ in the UK. The secretary considers that BAV will be in accord with the law as RBL is a registered association in the Var and has welfare officers here holding a fund provided by the RBL HQ for emergency use in the Var and can obtain money back from HQ when the local fund needs it. Over the years this one-off donation is likely to be spent in the Var. It was however encouraging, and healthy, to debate the issue and it was as a result of this that we received a number of very useful suggestions as to how welfare monies could be spent. The best received of these suggestions was from Shirley Rowson who proposed a similar publication to the Children's Activity Booklet but for adults. This is to be followed up by a number of members around the area.

Committee What does the Committee actually do? The Committee, at the present time, comprises 6 members and meets every month excluding August, usually on a Monday afternoon mid-month. At each month's meeting we discuss the matters arising from the previous meeting followed by reports from the Chairman, the Treasurer, Secretary and the Welfare Coordinator.

In respect of the Treasurer we cover the changes in income and expenditure over the last month relating to events held, general expenses and welfare expenditures.

The Welfare Coordinator then discusses the progress made with existing welfare cases and any new cases. Arrangements are made in the event that a second Committee member is required for a welfare visit. We also review the loans as to the prospect of repayment and whether or not they should be written off. Detailed discussion takes place if there is a need for assistance of more than 300€ and a very detailed financial assessment is carried out in each case. Each month there is a discussion as to how to use the monies held in order to give welfare assistance.

A considerable amount of time is spent reviewing events and organising new events, particularly in regard to the Vendange Lunch and the AGM. We strive to find new venues of interest and to repeat the most popular ones. Generally these meetings conclude after about 2.5 hours.

Forthcoming Events A new event for May

Committee Meeting On May 13 we propose a lunch with a 12 May speaker – a local historian. This will be something of an experiment to see if Talk & Lunch – Members would appreciate this type of 13 May event. The topic for the first event is the Summer Soiree – La Motte British in the Var. We plan something similar 11 June to remember the centenary of the First World War. On 13 May we will hold the Lunch at Trout Lake, event in Cotignac in the conference room of 26 June Notre Dame de Grâces where we shall also eat. There will be a 3 course buffet with a Lunch at glass of wine for €25 at 12 noon followed by July the talk. In the afternoon there will be a tour

of Cotignac. Vendange Lunch

13 September Directions: Entering Cotignac from Carcès or Commemoration lunch for WWI make a U-turn immediately after the petrol station and before the bridge. From October Sillans-la-Cascade or Entrecasteaux turn right 45 10 pin bowling and Asian buffet lunch, degrees after passing over the bridge. Keep Fréjus - November going to the top of the hill on Chemin des Verdares. GPS: 43510526N 6220761 E Christmas lunch at St Aygulf December Peter and Shirley Rowson invite you to join ______them for a

Committee Members Summer Soiree & “Finger”

Chairman - Rob Flanagan Buffet with Boules Tournament [email protected] (beginners welcome) Secretary - Michael Wharton [email protected] 18h00 - Wednesday 11 June Treasurer - Lesley Honeywell 10€ [email protected] Welfare Coordinator - Ann Mitchem If possible, bring along your own boules if [email protected] playing. Events Secretary - Kevin Bell [email protected] Books on sale weather permitting. Publicity - [email protected] Directions will be given on request. Please [email protected] bring a plate of “finger” food, savoury or John Lloyd sweet. [email protected] Numbers limited to 60 – no exceptions! Important non-Committee Members Membership Secretary - Peter Rowson ********************************* [email protected] 04 94 ******** 83920 La Motte. 04 94 Newsletter Editor - Shirley Rowson *********peterandshirley.rowson@**** [email protected] 04 94 ********

www.baofthevar.com More information and the menu for the See the Latest News and Lunch at Trout Lake, Entrecasteaux Forthcoming Events on our BA 26 June can be found on page 6 website

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“What’s On” Guide 18 May , Salle Polyculturelle. Misa Tango (Little Jazz Mass) – L’Ensemble CAD Vocal. 16h30. Zenith Oméga, : 0892 700 840 06 80 32 10 73 www.zenith-omega-toulon.com 22-25 May Monaco. Grand Prix. www.grand-prix- Opera House, Toulon: 04 94 93 03 76 monaco.com www.operadetoulon.fr 23 May , Salle de Cinéma. Theatre: 04 94 50 59 59 The Merry Widow. 20h30. €22. 04 94 50 40 30 www.theatresendracenie.com 23 May Draguignan (and many other areas). Forum Theatre, Fréjus and Centre Culturel, St Fête des Voisins. 18h00. 04 94 60 31 59 23-25 May Cavalaire, Maison de la Mer. Salon des Raphaël: 04 94 95 55 55 www.aggloscenes.com Vignerons et de la Gastronomie. Free. May 2014 04 94 00 11 45 1-12 May Fayence, Le Grand Jardin. Salon des 24 May Fayence, Espace Culturel. Concert et Bal Antiquaires. 8h00-17h00. €6. 04 94 76 11 11 Folk. 21h00. €12. 04 94 76 58 15 4 May Carcès, town centre. Fête de Printemps. 24-25 May Fréjus, Base Nature. Classic car rally. 9h00-18h00. €5. 9h00-18h00. 04 94 04 59 76 29 May-1 Jun Fayence, Eglise. Festival Choralliance 8-11 May Grimaud, village centre. Harley – choir festival. Davidson Festival. 04 94 55 43 83 30 May St Maximin la Ste Baume, Basilica Ste Marie 10 May La Motte. Spanish guitar concert. €15. Madeleine. Mozart Requiem. 21h00. €20. 06 81 17 06 44 35 55 40 73 33 10 May Fréjus, cinema. La Cerenterola, Rossini – 30 May Les Arcs, Café de la Tour. Fish and chips opera film. 18h55. €23.10. lunch. 12h00. €11. Booking essential, by preceding 10 May Draguignan, Eglise St Michel. Requiem Tuesday. 04 94 73 30 56 Allemand – Brahms. 20h30. €15. 06 09 14 18 53 31 May Pierrefeu, Chateau de la Gordonne. Balades 10-11 May Monaco. Historic Grand Prix. Gourmandes – 6km walk through vineyards with www.grand-prix-monaco.com wine-tasting and gourmet food. Various start times. 11 May Ste Maxime, cinema. Le Conte d’Hiver, €50. 06 64 71 25 26. Wheeldon – ballet film. 14h30. €19.80 www.terroir-pierrefeu.fr 14-15 May Cannes, Palais des Festivals. Film 31 May-1 Jun Fréjus, Base Nature. Donkey Fair. Sat: Festival. www.festival-cannes.com afternoon and evening, Sun: all day. Free. 16 May Grimaud, Eglise St Michel. Les Soirées Musicales de Grimaud – Bach. 12h00. €20. 04 94 55 43 83 16-18 May Fréjus, Villa Aurelienne. Salon Arts Décoration. Fri: 18h30-22h00. Sat/Sun: 10h00- 19h00. €2. 06 11 97 05 10 16-18 May St Tropez, town centre. Bravades. 08 92 68 48 28 17 May , Chapelle St Roch. Classical Guitar Festival. 20h00. Free. 04 94 55 01 10 17 May , Salle Robert Manuel. Adventi Voce – concert. 06 66 92 25 78 17 May St Maximin la Ste Baume, Le Croisée des Arts. Luz Casal – Spanish singer. 20h30. €25. 04 94 59 84 59 17 May Draguignan, Eglise St Michel. Concert Classique Lyrique – in aid of Army wounded. 20h00. Donations. 17 May St Raphaël, Espace Félix Martin. Big Daddy Wilson – blues. 20h30. €10. 17 May Fréjus (and other towns). Nuit Européenne des Musées – museums open at night. 18 May Plan de la Tour, village centre. Donkey Fair. All day. 04 94 55 20 57 18 May Fréjus, Cathedral. Organ recital. 16h00.

Page 3 AUTHORS IN PROVENCE Picturesque rail journey in St Raphaël area Marcel Pagnol Pagnol was born in 1895 We tend to take our beautiful surroundings for in Aubagne, near granted here in the Var, apart from the times we Marseille, the eldest son accompany our visitors to various tourist of school teacher Joseph attractions. However, a trip to be savoured any Pagnol and seamstress time of the year, but especially on a sunny day, is Augustine Lansot. He the fantastic coastline between St Raphaël and grew up in Marseille but Cannes and the best way to do this is by train. the family spent their There are five stations between the two towns, summer holidays in a so if you choose a stopping train you can house in La Treille in the hills near Aubagne, combine it with a visit to any of these areas with providing the basis for his later writing. He their creeks and beaches: Boulouris, Le Dramont, graduated in English from Aix University in 1916 Agay, Anthéor and Le Trayas, or the many walks and became an English teacher. In 1927, having to be found in the Esterel mountains. moved to Paris, he decided to become a playwright and his most famous play, “Marius”, This feat of was made into a film in 1931. He founded his engineering own film production studios in the countryside was built in near Marseille in 1932, making many films over 1863, with the next ten years, and was elected to the thousands of Académie française in 1947. workers coming to In the 1950s he returned to Paris and after the augment the population of 1500 in St Raphaël to failure of his later films, he decided to write carve out a track from the red rocks, blast tunnels autobiographical novels based on his childhood and build the amazing viaduct at Anthéor. The experiences. In 1957 “La Gloire de mon père” and railway soon opened up the way for the first villas Le château de ma mère” were to be built on the steep hillsides which plunge published to great acclaim, and towards the sea, and many of these were these were made into films in English-owned. In fact, the railway made it far 1990, showcasing the beauty easier for foreign visitors to reach the easterly of the area around La Treille. resorts such as Cannes, Nice and Menton and He then wrote two novels these were made fashionable by none other than based on Provençal peasant life Queen Victoria, closely followed by other at the turn of the twentieth European royalty. century, called “Jean de Florette” and “Manon des The railway Sources” and these were also made into was followed in successful films in 1986. There were two further 1903 by the autobiographical books: “Le temps des secrets” Corniche d’Or, (1959) and “Le Temps des amours” published in the road 1977 after his death. commissioned by the Touring Pagnol died in Paris in 1974. He is buried in the Club of , cemetery of La Treille, along with his mother and which also father, brothers, and wife. His boyhood friend, takes full David Magnan (Lili des Bellons in the advantage of the views, but it is far easier to “let autographies), died at the Second Battle of the the train take the strain”, especially in high Marne in July 1918, and is buried nearby. season. Several of the small stations are

unmanned but it is possible to buy a ticket on the Desperate to Stop? train, or book in advance on-line at call Alcoholics Anonymous www.voyages-sncf.com. Even without a Senior 24 hour helpline – Rail Card there are still reductions for those over 08 20 20 02 57 aa-riviere.org 60.

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MEMBERS’ GROUPS Happy Boules

The Azur Photography Group The boules group meets every week on Mondays at central Var At its last meeting, the group was locations and has lunch at 12.00 fortunate to have the welcome followed by boules. Whilst not presence of John Wyatt, who formally being a BAV event, the lunches are opened a new era for many extremely friendly and informal, typically with 10-16 members, by introducing them to people and at modest prices of 14-16€ plus wine. Aperture and Shutter controls. If you would like to join us or find out where we are John is a cinematographer of many meeting (announced at the beginning of the week) years’ experience and has the please contact [email protected] You will facility to make complex questions be assured of a friendly welcome and you may even appear simple. We started in a café in the square want to try playing boules, spare boules are always at Montauroux where John explained the different available. uses of the main controls of our cameras and then Rob Flanagan gave examples of how we could use these to best robertflanagan@********** advantage.

Duly fortified by coffee, we set out to photograph the fountain in the square in different lights and, by Benefits for BAV members using the shutter speed control, trying to achieve (Please show your membership card) photos which showed the water clear with each drop in sharp focus and again with the water Cigalon, Grand Rue, 04 94 70 45 flowing as a continuous stream. We then moved 85. Offer: complementary espresso into the old part of the town around the church, coffee at this fine dining restaurant. where we experimented with aperture control to try Flayosc Co-operative - 5% discount available with and isolate the subject from its background. Then, the special BAV fidelity card. Full range of wines into the church for further practice with the old and sparkling wine available together with fresh statues. Our various efforts gave all the members cheeses, wine accessories etc. food for thought on how the controls worked and Le Petit Romain, opposite Casino, we hope to make greater use of these for the 04 94 67 54 11. Offer: complementary espresso future. coffee at this popular restaurant with a menu de jour at 14.50€. We finished the morning in Callian with lunch at the Lei Cigales, Route de Draguignan, Belle Vue restaurant. We look forward to John’s 04 98 53 02 88. Offer: complementary espresso next visit, hopefully in the Autumn. coffee in this restaurant specialising in galettes Mike Harper and crepes with a separate menu du jour at mikeharper6@********** 13.50€. ______Nathalie and Fabrice Alric Antiquities, Place de l'eglise, Villecroze - Offer 10% discount on a Painting Group range of antique style household furnishings and a larger discount on antiques. This Tuesday the art group were La Provençal, Place Martin Bidoure, . 04 94 at the home of Pam and Ian 70 00 24. Free espresso coffee with meal. Mackintosh in Entrecasteaux. Le Grand Hotel, Place du Général Duchatel, Aups. Where we were met with a 04 94 70 10 82. Free coffee or digestif with meal. wonderful warm welcome and Les Trois Marches, 11 Cours Gambetta, Cotignac. coffee, tea and home-made 04 94 04 65 99. Pretty provençal restaurant. Free cake!!!! The artistic talents of Pam and Ian were espresso coffee with meal. plain to see in every corner of their beautiful home Hotel and restaurant L’Orée du Bois, Quartier Ste and it proved to be an inspiration to all of us Roseline, . 04 98 11 12 40. Free coffee or enthusiastic artists. We all thank them for their tea with meal. hospitality and I hope we can go again soon. New York Break, 19 rue Picot, close to Place de la Liberté, Toulon. 04 94 98 69 14 or 06 42 65 08 The next meeting will be on Tuesday 13th May in 21. Free drink with every meal. Montauroux at the home of Hilary Rost. Aviva Insurance, Vidauban. Luc de Bardonnèche Please call me for directions and details. offers various insurance discounts for BAV Stella members – see his advert in the Newsletter. 04 94 ******** Page 5 New members Lakeside Gourmet Lunch We welcome to membership of the British Association of the Var: John and Susan Robertson On Thursday 26 June at 12.00 from Vidauban and Antony, Dominic and Alasdair we will be returning to an Topham from Le Muy. unusual venue for lunch at the ______Trout Lake about 3km west of Entrecasteaux towards Carcès. Bargain Basement Members who have been before were impressed with the ‘Multidrawer’ by www.Bisley.co.uk. Ideal storage gourmet standard of the food served and the for office A4 documents. Grey metal with chrome peaceful surroundings overlooking the trout lake. handles and label holder on each of the 15 You can even pay to go fishing for the afternoon. drawers. Stands 94cm high. Nearly new. €80. Places are limited to 60 so please book as early Ron Alldridge, . 04 94 ********. as possible and not later than 12 June. The alldridge@********* booking form is in this newsletter. ______

Menu – 32€ members, 34€ non-members Information booklet for older people Gambas à l'ail et aux persil flambées aux cognac At the AGM it was agreed to produce a booklet listing services and activities in the Var for older Entrecôte aux cèpes à la crème avec ses people, similar to the Children’s Activities booklet. legumes We will be including detailed information about Assortiments de 3 fromages et son miel medical and social services, with contact numbers, but would also like details of local d'acacia clubs, etc. So if you are involved in something like Profiteroles au chocolat et ses fruits frais this, please send details to: [email protected] or to the Editor at Vin et café compris the address listed elsewhere in the Newsletter. Directions On 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 “Etang du Peche”, about 200m from Domaine Campagnaud. Follow this track for several hundred metres until the road opens out into a car park with the trout lake on the right.

British Association of the Var Welfare Coordinator Ann Mitchem 04 94 ******** or 06 43 86 49 01 [email protected]

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Roger Smith Gardening Tips

We are sorry to report the death of BAV member The month of May is here and this is the moment Roger Smith of Cotignac and send our to plant your vegetables – tomatoes, peppers, condolences to his family. aubergines, courgettes, basil etc - the tastes of ______Provence. We can stop worrying about frosts as Interesting people series the soil is warm and allows the sowing of French beans. I am planning a new series of articles for the It is also the period for planting in your flower Newsletter about people in the Var who are garden Potinas, Pelargonium, Gazania, Pourpriers “famous” or have done something unusual in etc. These can be placed in pots or in the soil and their life, either here or in the UK. If you know will provide you with flowers all summer. Don’t someone who fits this description please ask forget to select your Caryoptéris Inoveris Grand them if I can contact them, then send me their Bleu, a beautiful blue flowering bushy shrub, contact details via [email protected] or which will provide you with flowers during the to my address quoted elsewhere in the month of August. Newsletter. This is also the period for planting Laurier Rose Editor ‘Nérium Oléander’. The most interesting varieties ______are:-

Emergency contacts: Géant des Batailles – red and perfumed flowers Medical help/SAMU 15 Album Maximum – single white and perfumed Police/Police Nationale 17 flowers Fire and accident/Sapeurs Pompiers 18 Père Serafin – Single white flowers SOS – all services (calling from a mobile) 112 Maurin des Maures – Single pink flowers BAV Welfare phone 06 42 86 49 01 Professeur Granel – Double red and perfumed EDF English speaking number 05 62 16 49 08 flowers Orange English speaking No. 09 69 36 39 00 Madame Allen – Double red and perfumed

______flowers

Mobile speed cameras All of these varieties, and many others, are available (by appointment please) at Le Savoir Mobile speed cameras mounted on unmarked police Vert, Traverse Du Moulin, Villecroze cars picked up 300,000 speeding motorists on the 06 84 42 84 84. [email protected] streets of France in their first year of operation and ______180,000 violation notices were issued as a result of Please let us have your Advertisements, Articles evidence supplied from the new generation mobile and Reports for the June issue by Tuesday 15 May cameras. The others could not be prosecuted as photographic evidence was unclear. All contributions to: [email protected] In total, 99 unmarked police cars - Renault Meganes and Peugeot 208s - are currently equipped with the or to Shirley Rowson, two-way cameras, hidden behind the vehicles' ***************************, 83920 La Motte registration plates. By the end of the year, the fleet of equipped vehicles is set to increase to 200, with a further 100 added next year. Renault Berlingos will also be fitted with the mobile cameras.

Speeding drivers may not be aware that they have been caught out, as the “flash” from these new generation mobile cameras is infra-red. The permitted margin of error of these cameras is 10kph where speed limits are lower than 100kph and 10% for speed limits above 100kph. That means the cameras will operate when motorists are driving in excess of 146kph on autoroutes, 124kph on express ways, 102kph on national or provincial routes, and 61kph in built-up areas. Page 7 Research Centre for Provençal Rosé Corks versus Stoppers

To keep their leading position in a market where The cork industry has come up with a new-style competition is fierce, Provencal winemakers have stopper to halt the wine industry’s search for created a unique tool in Vidauban: the research alternatives. Called the Helix and made in Portugal, centre for rosé wine. Here technicians are working it ‘twists to open’ and uses a special glass bottle to improve the quality of the wines and to market with an internal threaded neck with a corresponding other products such as sparkling wines, which are cork – so no corkscrew needed. These should reach already available in most Caves Coopératives. There France by next year and are aimed at wines in the are over 800 members representing the vineyards €5-€10 range, to be drunk within three years of of Provence. production.

Rosé wine used to be associated only with holidays Plastic stoppers and screw tops were produced to in the sun, but now 200 million bottles are sold each stop ‘corked’ wine but some say they do not allow year worldwide. Once discounted by other wine enough oxygen into the bottle. Some older wine regions, it has now become a major economic force chateaux are interested in the new corks, such as : €1.14 billion revenue in 2013 for appellations Château Margaux in Bordeaux, but say it will take Côtes de Provence, Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence and several years to prove their success in avoiding Coteaux Varois. damaged wine.

Winemaking is a demanding science and at British wine expert Oz Clarke says: “Don’t be a cork Vidauban the researchers focus on soils and grape snob. The only requirements are that the seal on a varieties, and the scientific approach to winemaking bottle of wine be hygienic, airtight, long-lasting and and innovation. A good Provencal rosé keeps its removable.” He points to a big increase in the use pale and aromatic fruity dominant line with a of screw caps and says they are now appearing on balance between freshness and roundness. It is a some very classy Australian, New Zealand and versatile wine that enhances every part of life, South American wines. especially when entertaining. www.vinsdeprovence.com Nonetheless, cork-makers feel compelled to find ______new ideas. The standard cork seems certain to

remain in most prestigious European wines for Wine awards for La Motte some time to come, but in the lower price range, consumers will be able to choose for themselves. La Motte, a village of 3000 inhabitants, is fortunate in that its soil is ideal for growing vines so there are twelve domaines within the boundaries of the commune, some of which produce Cru Classé The Bereavement Support wines. The village is proud of this heritage, and also Network of the Var (BSN) of the successful results achieved at the recent International Exhibition of Agriculture in Paris. This This organisation exists to support not only the contest is organized under the control of the State, bereaved but also those who are terminally ill, guaranteeing its rigor and impartiality, and and their families and friends. If you, or rewarding the best of French terroir. someone you know, could benefit from our

confidential, free support, then please contact: Five domaines in the village received awards, with a grand total of fourteen medals won. The record is Sandra - 04 94 84 64 89 or 06 32 35 31 24 remarkable because all the twelve domaines did not [email protected] or www.bsnvar.org for further information. compete in Paris. The highest number of awards was won by Canta Rainette and Jas d’Esclans which totalled between them ten medals. The De Wulf “Quotes” family from Jas d’Esclans welcomes these results My grandchildren think I’m the oldest thing in the because of eight wines entered, all produced world. After two or three hours with them, I organically, six won awards. The domaines of Jas believe it too. d’Esclans, Canta Rainette, La Maurette, Château Gene Perret Rêva and Valbourgès all have a common point: advice from the same winemaker. Oenologist I was always taught to respect my elders and Emmanuel Baugnet from Les Arcs is never now I’ve reached the age when I don’t have mentioned in the contest, but he managed to anybody to respect. achieve 39 medals in Paris for wine from 20 George F Burns domaines. Page 8

Peter Rost was a Conservative Member of Parliament and won a Labour seat in Derbyshire in 1970. He is married to Hilary and has four grown-up children and five grandchildren. In Parliament where he served under Ted Heath, Harold Wilson and, of course, Margaret Thatcher, his main interest was in the Energy field. He was years ahead of his time in promoting energy conservation and alternative sources. He watches the Parliamentary program now to see his ideas at last being taken up, muttering “I suggested that twenty years ago”! His autobiography “Weimar to Westminster” was published by Dynasty Press in 2010.

Who’s Who in the Var – Peter Rost

Read on – unless you are an ‘ex V.I.P.’ now retired in the Var, forgotten, unknown and unrecognised.

For two decades I enjoyed and indulged in the shameful luxury of 1st class travel at the taxpayers’ expense of course. Now I queue at Nice Airport to get a place on the overcrowded Easyjet. Champagne on the flight? A distant memory. A plastic cup of coffee it is now and I even have to pay for it.

Yes, you say the trouble with our politicians is that they are spoilt, self-important and in retirement won’t accept that their glamorous life is over. For some loyal party members a peerage is the reward. But for those with a record of speaking out of line with party policy and voting according to their principles the reward is a modest pension. The nearest I came to inclusion in Her Majesty’s Honours’ list was an annual invite to the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace for myself and wife Hilary and our two “unmarried daughters”.

The life of a conscientious MP is demanding with long hours at Westminster and busy weekends and recesses doing your duties in the constituency. But there are pleasurable diversions. I played Chess and Bridge and there was an annual match against the French Parliament. The French not only played tennis but they played skilful “one-upmanship”. In Deauville we were accommodated in the top hotel and after a late dinner invited to the casino there. We were presented with chips and it seemed that we could not lose. I noticed that the croupiers were paying out on losing numbers and the alcohol was flowing. It seemed too good to be true and the hours slipped by until 2.00am when it was time to get some sleep. The next morning when we staggered on to the court expecting the French team to be equally below par, we were confronted by an unrecognisable second team, just arrived from Paris. We were humiliated.

One year we were invited to play in Reims, the home of the Taittinger brothers. One was a Member of the French Parliament the other ran the family Champagne production. In the match we did quite well and were ahead at the lunch break. Unfortunately our team could not resist the quantities of top quality bubbly. We failed to notice that our French opponents were barely sipping. The afternoon session was a British disaster.

We schemed to get our own back the following year. As our captain and my partner, John Hannan, was a member of the Wimbledon Club, they agreed to host the match against the French. We were allowed to practice a week beforehand to get used to the powerful atmosphere, with all the trimmings including ball boys. Only when the French mini-bus drove in did they realise where they were to play. It was just after the big tournament, the courts were “still warm” and the changing rooms echoed with the names of the world’s famous professionals. We were already familiar and out-played the overwhelmed French.

I have tried to show that there is a human side to political life. The social contacts with MPs abroad are informal but important, helping us to understand one another and establish good international relations. Voters need to know that there is more depth to the legislature than the noisy childish “yah boos” in the Chamber.

As an escape from the demanding life of an MP and to have time with our children, we bought our first house in France in the old town of Antibes in 1973. This was little short of a slum - we were one of the two houses in the road with proper “sit-down” loos. We had some very happy holidays there, but changes came as the old houses were “done up” and Antibes became crowded and “fashionable”. We looked for a quieter life where we could retire with some real countryside and miraculously found our haven in Montauroux: a converted Bergerie on the edge of a wooded valley where I tend my vegetables and flowers and we walk our Irish Terrier. Page 9 NEIGHBOURHOOD NETWORKS L'Oasis Christian fellowship part of the Anglican Church of Lorgues with Fayence in the Var Every 2nd Sunday at 11h30 at Cabasse, Carces, , Arc-en-Provence, 1801 Chemin des Pailles Cotignac, and Le Val and every 4th Sunday at 11h30 at We will be meeting again at the Cafe de Cour in Notre Dames des Anges Maison de Retraite We have a Bring and Share lunch afterwards. Cotignac at 10.30 on 30 May. For details or directions please contact Michael Wharton Rev Peter or Shirley Massey 04 94 73 93 37 or 07 *********** mjw57@********* 06 87 94 04 83

Draguignan, Le Cannet des Maures, Les ~~~

Arcs, , and Vidauban Le Pradon Congregation of the We meet on the second Friday of the month at Ascension CALLIAN the Café de la Tour, Les Arcs at 10h30. You will part of the Anglican Church of Lorgues with find a warm welcome and interesting discussions Fayence in the Var if you care to attend. We make available a limited You are very welcome to join us at selection of popular English paperback novels. Le Pradon Maison de Retraite Callian. Pauline and Jim North We meet on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of 04 94 ******** jim.north@********* the month at 11h00 for Family Communion We also have a Bring and Share lunch Entrecasteaux, Salernes, afterwards. and Villecroze Please ring Hilary Rost at 04 94 47 70 67 or The Villecroze,Tourtour etc coffee morning will be Rev Peter Massey at 04 94 73 93 37 for details on the 4th Tuesday of the month, place to be ~~~ announced later. Ann & Maurice Mitchem St John’s for the Var 04 94 ******** mamitchem@********** St John the Evangelist

Ave Paul Doumer, St Raphaël La Motte and Le Muy Rev Keith Bretel We met at the Bar des Cascades in La Motte on Holy Communion is held every Sunday at an almost summery morning and enjoyed coffee 10h30 and conversational topics ranging from satellite followed by refreshments and a monthly lunch. dishes to French classes. If you would like to ~~~ join us, our next meeting is Tuesday 6 May at 10 am at the same cafe/bar. Grimaud Village Church Alexandra Lewis-Smith Ecumenical service at Grimaud village church 04 94 ******** andrew.lewis-smith@****** on first Thursday of the month at 11h00

Les Issambres Please ring 04 94 60 87 05 for details We meet every other Tuesday at 11h00 at www.sjevar.com

L'Arpillon café next to Casino. Richard Tolaini 04 94 ********or 06 *********** tolaini83@****** . Please Note: We appreciate the support of our advertisers and encourage members to consider using their services; St Maximin la Ste Baume, Brignoles, Brue however, BAV cannot take responsibility for the quality of Auriac, , Meounes, Neoules, goods and services. Ollieres, , Pourrieres, Seillon Source d’Argens and Before taking action in response to articles about law and We shall meet on Thursday, 15 May from 10.30 finance in the Newsletter, please take advice from a suitable qualified person. onwards at the Cercle Philharmonique in the main ______square of St. Maximin la Ste. Baume. We have become a friendly group of regulars, but there is “Quotes” always room for more. You are never too old to set another goal or Diana Andre de la Porte dream a new dream. 04 94 ******** adlp.diana@********* C S Lewis

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When booking multiple Events at the same time, please attach separate cheques for each booking in order to facilitate the banking procedures.

British Association of the Var Reservation Slip LUNCH, TALK AND TOUR AT COTIGNAC €25.00. 13 May 2014 Venue: Sanctuaire Notre Dame de Grâces, Chemin des Verdares, 83570 Cotignac. 12h00 Names of those attending Member Value Y/N €

Donation to BAV Welfare Fund Total value of cheque enclosed Additional names overleaf Please add contact details below as an acknowledgement will be issued.

Email address: Phone No:

Please return this slip with your cheque made payable to BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF THE VAR To: Kevin Bell, *************************************, 83570 COTIGNAC by 7 May.

British Association of the Var Reservation Slip SUMMER SOIREE AND BOULES IN LA MOTTE €10.00. 11 June 2014 Venue: 262 Chemin des Bastides du Mitan, 83920 La Motte. 18h00. Limit: 60 people Names of those attending Boules Member Value Y/N Y/N €

Donation to BAV Welfare Fund Total value of cheque enclosed Additional names overleaf Please add contact details below as an acknowledgement will be issued.

Email address: Phone No:

Please return this slip with your cheque made payable to BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF THE VAR To: Kevin Bell, *************************************, 83570 COTIGNAC by 4 June.

British Association of the Var Reservation Slip LAKESIDE GOURMET LUNCH IN ENTRECASTEAUX €32.00 members, €34 non-members. 26 June 2014 Venue: Etang du Peche, 83570 Entrecasteaux. 12h00. Limit: 60 people Names of those attending Member Value Y/N €

Donation to BAV Welfare Fund Total value of cheque enclosed Additional names overleaf Please add contact details below as an acknowledgement will be issued.

Email address: Phone No:

Please return this slip with your cheque made payable to BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF THE VAR To: Kevin Bell, *************************************, 83570 COTIGNAC by 12 June. Page 11

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