February 2017 Newsletter No 176 Treasure Hunt and Lunch in Villecroze Wearing sunglasses against the bright sun and arctic weather-wear against the icy wind, an intrepid band of 27 BAV members set out to discover Villecroze, by way of a treasure hunt. We discovered various interesting features, including wild boar, Chanel No 5, a propeller, and the famous houses built into the cliff on our travels, so there was never a dull moment. The worst part was taking off the gloves to write the answers down, and trying not to give away the answers to the people following behind. We were then rewarded with lunch at Lei Cigales restaurant, which we took over. For a very reasonable price we enjoyed “Assiette anglaise”, which turned out to be charcuterie and crudités, followed by generous portions of roast lamb cooked English style, ie. well done, which was very tasty. The meal was rounded off by hot griottes (cherries) over pistachio ice-cream or galette de rois, and included plenty of house wine. The service was friendly and efficient, as is often the case in small family restaurants. The treasure hunt was devised, and the lunch organised, by our Chairman who sadly was not there to enjoy it, having injured his foot in a skiing accident. This required hospital treatment but he is now home and resting. Thanks to him for an enjoyable event, and to Michael and Kevin who stepped in to run things on the day. The treasure hunt was won by Committee member John Lloyd and his partner Antonia Watt, who took away the prize of 2 bottles of wine. “Do I need to review my financial planning for 2017?” 06 77 79 65 99 [email protected] Forthcoming Events Cotignac Luncheon and Talk Committee meeting 10 February 2017 at 12 noon TBA This the third time we will have the pleasure of a talk by Patrick Verlindon at Notre Dame de Talk on Provence Villages - Cotignac Graces. This time Patrick will present, “Provence 10 February villages worth visiting” so bring a notebook to jot AGM in Le Muy down the names. Cost: 25€ members, 27€ non- 16 March members. Lunch & Quiz in Tourtour The Menu comprises: 28 April Apéritif Entrée : Velouté de pommes de terre et poireaux Plat : Tagine avec Semoule de blé ou Pommes de terre Lunch and Quiz Dessert : Fromage ou Tarte aux Pommes at La Bastide de Tourtour, Montée St Denis, 83690 Tourtour Directions coming from Carcès, on entering the village make a left hand U turn after the garage 28 April 2017 and before a bridge. The Municipal Police office is Lunch at 12 noon. The menu will be 27€ for opposite the entrance to the turn. members and 29€ for guests. From Sillans-le-Cascade and Barjols pass through Velours de châtaigne the village, over the bridge and turn right after ***** the Municipal Police office. Filet de Daurade, Barigoule de fenouil **** Crumble au pomme **** Committee ¼ de vin de Provence soit rouge, rosé ou blanc Chairman - Rob Flanagan [email protected] (Alternative available for those allergic to fish – Secretary - Michael Wharton please indicate on booking form.) [email protected] Treasurer – Blake Long Prize Quiz after lunch, cost 3€ each. Quizmaster: [email protected] Shirley Rowson Welfare Coordinator –Pauline Holloway [email protected] Directions: Events Secretary - Kevin Bell From Tourtour descend through the village straight [email protected] over the roundabout. The Bastide de Tourtour is Peter Massey about 100m on the right, *signposted Parking [email protected] From Draguignan take the road to Tourtour for about Publicity – Sandie Docherty 4km then shortly after La Petite Auberge the Bastide [email protected] is on the left about 100m before a roundabout. [email protected] (See * above) John Lloyd [email protected] Ann Mitchem [email protected] Desperate to Stop? Important non-Committee Members call Alcoholics Anonymous Membership Secretary - Peter Rowson 24 hour helpline – [email protected] Newsletter Editor – Shirley Rowson 08 20 20 02 57 aa-riviere.org [email protected] 2 “What’s On” Guide Smile – you’re on CCTV! Zenith Oméga, Toulon: 0892 700 840 www.zenith- omega-toulon.com Drivers could be convicted of more offences as a Opera House, Toulon: 04 94 93 03 76 new law from the turn of the year means more of www.operadetoulon.fr them can be prosecuted on the basis of camera Draguignan Theatre: 04 94 50 59 59 images. The rise of street CCTV and speed www.theatresendracenie.com cameras means drivers can now face charges for Chabran Theatre, Draguignan: 04 83 08 30 30 using a mobile while driving, driving without a www.culture-dracenie.com seatbelt, crossing a white line, parking on a hard Forum Theatre, Fréjus and Centre Culturel, St shoulder, overtaking where it is not safe, stopping Raphaël: 04 94 95 55 55 www.aggloscenes.com in the restricted cycle area at the front of traffic lights or, for motorcyclists, riding without a helmet. February 2017 It is no longer necessary for police to catch 4 Feb Lorgues, Espace Mitterand. Ballroom someone ‘in the act’ of breaking these laws, it is dancing festival. 20h45. 15€. 04 98 10 27 76 enough to have photographic evidence and that 4 Feb Ste Maxime, Carré Gaumont. Rock around will be sufficient for a ‘PV’ ticket to be sent to the the clock – music, dance, food. 20h30. 29€. driver’s home. 04 94 56 77 77 4-5 Feb Ste Maxime, centre ville. Fête du Mimosa. 4 Feb: torch-lit parade 17h00. 5 Feb: Parade of Emergency contacts: floats 14h30. Free. 08 26 20 83 83 Medical help/SAMU 15 5 Feb Tanneron, centre ville. Fête du Mimosa. Police/Police Nationale 17 9h00-17h00. Free Fire and accident/Sapeurs Pompiers 18 5 Feb Cotignac, Salle de Grainage. Opera film – Tales of Hoffman (Offenbach). 18h30. 16€. SOS – all services (calling from a mobile) 112 04 94 04 61 87 BAV Welfare phone 06 42 86 49 01 11-25 Feb Nice, centre ville. Carnaval. EDF English speaking number 05 62 16 49 08 www.nicecarnaval.com for details Orange English speaking No 09 69 36 39 00 11 Feb – 1 Mar Menton, centre ville. Lemon Festival. www.fete-du-citron.com for details 15 Feb Fayence, parking La Brèche. Classic car rally. 9h00-12h30. Free. 15 Feb Ste Maxime, centre ville. Guided tour of Belle Epoque architecture. 9h30. 5€. Booking necessary. 08 26 20 83 83 19 Feb Grimaud, Eglise St Michel. Les Soirées Musicales – harp, violin, flute. 18h00. 25€. 19 Feb Vidauban, centre ville. Classic car rally. 8h30-12h30. Free. 04 94 73 10 28 25 Feb Grimaud, Salle Beausoleil. Soirée Cabaret. 21h00. 10€ 26 Feb Bagnols-en-Forêt, Boulevard de Rayol. MAKING YOUR Rallye des Roques Brunes – car rally. -*'& */ Paying your GP FRANCE The new health law passed last July means patients will no longer have to pay up front when LESS TAXING seeing a general doctor. From January it will come into force for pregnant women or people with long term illnesses and these two groups of patients www.kentingtons.com will no longer be required to pay upfront. If their TEL : 0498 10 12 55 - EMAIL: [email protected] doctor charges more than the agreed rate, they Z.A. Les Esparrus, 83690 VILLECROZE will pay the difference only. However everyone * The Kentingtons service is exclusive to individuals with a else will have to wait until November 2017 before minimum of €250,000 in financial assets. they too have the same system. Regulated in France by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers, reference F000116 CGPI Chairman’s Report AGM 16 March 2017 It is good to report that the membership numbers continue at about 400 but it has been interesting Formal Notice for the Election of Committee to note that several members have moved back to Members. the U.K. or elsewhere in Europe. Whether this is By Statut, three Committee Members must stand due to Brexit it is difficult to know, although down, but can be re-elected at the AGM. Following several have moved for family reasons, generally to be closer to grandchildren. The improvement in the resignation of Lorraine Strong, Pauline the property market in France may have Holloway was co-opted to undertake the Welfare contributed to this in that for the last 6 of 7 years role and that will need to be ratified, leaving two there have been few sales. This appears to have members to be elected or re-elected. changed demonstrably in that several people to Nominations for Committee must be sent by letter my knowledge have managed to sell. However, at to the Secretary by 15 February 2017. The the same time there are still many people trying to sell. signature of the nominee and two proposers, who have an up to date membership and be United Brexit Kingdom passport holders, must accompany the On the subject of Brexit, it is beholden upon us at proposal. the BAV to represent members’ interests in the wider world. Whilst the vast majority of members Michael Wharton who have been spoken to voted to remain in the EU, surprisingly I have only had 2 members Hon. Secretary contact me regarding the on-going terms of the UK's departure from the EU, if, indeed, this transpires. It may be appropriate therefore to raise this issue at the forthcoming AGM in order to obtain the more general view of the membership. The particular matters that should be of concern to members are the following:- Will current healthcare rights be maintained? Will the EHIC card no longer be valid for UK residents in Europe? Will UK members in Europe continue to benefit from not paying social charges of 8.3% on U.K.