January 2017 Newsletter No 175 Best wishes for the New Year from the Committee and Newsletter team Quiz Lunch A f t e r o n e o r t w o l a s t m i n u t e cancellations, 42 members turned out for lunch at the Lou Cigaloun restaurant in St Antonin. The meal on the day was their Plat du Jour, which comprised a goat's cheese and spinach tart, followed by tuna fish in sauce and then a cake for dessert. Members I spoke to told me they were satisfied with the quality and taste. Service was prompt and friendly, but we were a little cramped given the attendance. If we repeat this venue for a future quiz, then I think we will have to reduce the numbers. Stuart Reed had volunteered to host the quiz and he did an excellent job. Various topics were covered, including popular French phrases compared to English equivalents, a round on "who came second?" and another testing our geographical/historical knowledge of Morocco. Scores varied from the low twenties to the winning score of 44.5 by Barry and Debbie Fletcher, teamed with Chris Gaskell and Bodil Nordberg. Second place with 42.5 was taken by Hazel and Kelvin Crawford with team mates Ian and Pat Merriman. This is the third time in a row that Chris Gaskell has been a member of the winning team. Calls for simpler questions, ( from members of the low twenties teams), were of course dismissed immediately. The day generated an income of 152.40 Euros which goes to the BAV Welfare Fund. Once again, our thanks go to Stuart for his contribution to a delightful afternoon and to our participating members, who made it a very enjoyable occasion. “Do I need to review my investment portfolio after the Brexit result?” 0 805 112 163 (N0 Vert) [email protected] Forthcoming Events Cotignac Luncheon and Talk Committee meeting 10 February 2017 at 12 noon January This the third time we will have the pleasure of a talk by Patrick Verlindon at Notre Dame de Treasure Hunt and lunch in Villecroze 13 January Graces. This time Patrick will present, “Provence villages worth visiting” so bring a notebook to jot Talk on Provence Villages - Cotignac down the names. Cost: 25€ members, 27€ non- 10 February members. AGM in Le Muy The Menu comprises: 16 March Apéritif Entrée : Velouté de pommes de terre et poireaux Plat : Tagine avec Semoule de blé ou Pommes Villecroze Treasure Hunt de terre Friday 13 January 2017 - 11.00 treasure hunt. Dessert : Fromage ou Tarte aux Pommes Lunch at 12.00 After the excesses of the New Year it is Directions coming from Carcès, on entering the appropriate to take some air and so we propose a village make a left hand U turn after the garage gentle stroll around Villecroze for an easy walking and before a bridge. The Municipal Police office is Treasure Hunt followed by lunch at Lei Cigales, 12 Place de l’Eglise, 83960 Villecroze. The Treasure opposite the entrance to the turn. Hunt will require answers to around 15 questions, From Sillans-le-Cascade and Barjols pass through some easier than others and should be completed the village, over the bridge and turn right after in less than an hour. Please meet at the Bureau de the Municipal Police office. Tourism, Rue Ambroise Croizat. The treasure hunt is free of charge, with the lunch cost being 19€ for members and 21€ for non- members. Committee The menu comprises:- Chairman - Rob Flanagan Entrée : assiette anglaise [email protected] Plat : gigot d'agneau rôtie, flageolets, Secretary - Michael Wharton galette de pomme de terre [email protected] Treasurer – Blake Long Dessert : fromage ou griotte chaude [email protected] sur glace Welfare Coordinator –Pauline Holloway 1/4 litre wine [email protected] Events Secretary - Kevin Bell [email protected] Peter Massey [email protected] The Bereavement Support Publicity – Sandie Docherty Network of the Var (BSN) [email protected] [email protected] This organisation exists to support not only the John Lloyd bereaved but also those who are terminally ill, [email protected] and their families and friends. If you, or Ann Mitchem someone you know, could benefit from our [email protected] confidential, free support, then please contact: Important non-Committee Members Sandra - 04 94 84 64 89 or 06 32 35 31 24 Membership Secretary - Peter Rowson [email protected] or [email protected] www.bsnvar.org for further Newsletter Editor – Shirley Rowson information. [email protected] 2 “What’s On” Guide BAV AGM Zenith Oméga, Toulon: 0892 700 840 The AGM will be held on Thursday 16 March www.zenith-omega-toulon.com 2017 at 11.00h at Les Jonquirères restaurant, Le Opera House, Toulon: 04 94 93 03 76 Muy. It is important that Members attend to show www.operadetoulon.fr their support for the work undertaken on their Draguignan Theatre: 04 94 50 59 59 behalf and to approve the accounts and vote for www.theatresendracenie.com Committee Members. We have had 40 new Chabran Theatre, Draguignan: 04 83 08 30 30 Members this year and we hope to welcome them www.culture-dracenie.com at the AGM. January 2017 1-2 Jan Fayence, Le Grand Jardin. Salon des Hon Secretary Antiquaires. 10h00-18h00. 6€. 04 94 76 11 11 7-8 Jan Ste Maxime, Théâtre de la Mer. Salon Brocante et Collections. 8h00-18h00. Free. Another Scam 06 80 06 11 77 8 Jan Bagnols-en-Forêt, Eglise. Concert du Nouvel We all have to be vigilant against scams of all An – “Opera Trio”. €10. 15h00. 04 94 39 06 20 sorts. The latest one concerns a car hire pick up at 8 Jan Cotignac, Cinema film “La Vie Marseille airport. A member hired a car and was Parisienne” (Offenbach). 18h00. 16€. about to drive off when somebody purporting to 04 94 04 61 87 be from the car hire company approached him and 14 Jan Lorgues, Espace F. Mitterand. Ballet- asked him to go back to the office to 'complete Concert du Nouvel An. 20h45. 15€ 04 98 10 27 76 some documentation'. He went to the office where 13 Jan St Maximin-la-Ste-Baume, Pôle Culturel. they knew nothing about this. He then returned to “Space Captains” jazz and blues concert. 20h15. the car only to find that all of his documents and 20€. 04 94 86 18 90 valuables had been stolen. 14 Jan St Maximin-la-Ste-Baume, Pôle Culturel. “Malted Milk” jazz and blues concert. 20h15. 20€. 04 94 86 18 90 14-15 Jan Draguignan, Complexe St Exupéry. Salon des Minéraux, Fossils, et Pierres Taillées. 10h00-18h00. 2€ 15 Jan Vidauban, Salle Polyculturelle. Concert du Nouvel An. 15€. 17h00. 04 94 99 99 03 15 Jan Vidauban, Centre ville. Classic car rally. 8h30-12h30. Free 04 94 73 10 28 18 Jan Lorgues, Cinema. Ballet film “The Nutcracker” (Tchaikovsky). 19h00. 9€. 22 Jan Ste Maxime, Théâtre de la Mer. Country and western music and dancing. 14h00-19h00. 6€ for dancers, free for visitors. 06 09 71 05 26 MAKING YOUR 27-29 Jan Ste Maxime, Théâtre de la Mer. Salon du Bien-Etre. 11h00-19h00. Free. 06 08 42 69 02 -*'& */ 28 Jan Lorgues, Espace F Mitterand. “Black Pearl” jazz concert. 10€. 20h30. 06 60 66 56 42 28 Jan Ste Maxime, Le Carré Gaumont. The FRANCE Darkside – Pink Floyd Tribute band. 20h30. 18€. 04 94 56 77 77 LESS TAXING 29 Jan Cotignac, Cinema. Ballet film “Le Lac des Cygnes” (Tchaikovsky). 18h00. 16€ www.kentingtons.com Sales Dates TEL : 0498 10 12 55 - EMAIL: [email protected] Z.A. Les Esparrus, 83690 VILLECROZE The winter sales in both the Var and Alpes- * The Kentingtons service is exclusive to individuals with a Maritimes are from 11 January to 21 February. minimum of €250,000 in financial assets. 2017 Regulated in France by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers, reference F000116 CGPI Chairman’s Report New speed cameras on the A8 Having now passed the season of goodwill it does Two new speed cameras have been installed on not, of course, mean that the goodwill and care for the A8, one permanent and one temporary. The our friends, neighbours and colleagues should not permanent one is near Vidauban and covers the continue. We at the BAV are pleased to have a three lanes travelling east towards Nice, where the strengthened Welfare team and we are always on speed limit is 110kph for cars and 90kph for hand to try to offer assistance or support. I am lorries. convinced that there must be still members who The temporary one is near the rest area L’Esterel do not regard the BAV as a charity but this is at in the direction of Nice. Although the speed limit the heart of the organisation. there is normally 110kph, it is 90kph at present due to road works therefore the camera flashes at During the past year we have supported a young 90kph. It will note speeds on both directions of the couple, one of whom has a potentially fatal lung motorway and can distinguish between cars and disease, where they had been relying on food lorries. banks and living in a caravan. We have also assisted an impecunious elderly lady with the provision of food and lately have been Points on driving licence trying to find members who are prepared to take a lady to visit her seriously ill husband in hospital. From 1 January 2017 motorists using a foreign However, enquiries can also be as straightforward licence to drive in France, avoiding the withdrawal as giving the telephone number of the British of points, will be allocated 12 virtual points and Consul or arranging for a passport application to driving following their withdrawal would leave the be signed.