British Association of the Var Putting people and social needs together since 1998 Association Loi 1901 No: W831001750 www.baofthevar.com January 2014 Newsletter No 140 HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL NEW LOOK NEWSLETTER Welcome to the new style 12 page Newsletter, which includes all articles and booking forms so avoiding separate sheets. Please feel free to send any suggestions for topics to cover, or experiences of life in France which may benefit others. Christmas Lunch Several members have previously experienced the delights of the St Aygulf Hotel before, having attended the Christmas ball of VIAC, but it was the first occasion on which BAV had held a lunch there and we were not to be disappointed. The hotel has a commanding view over the sea, river and inland water which offered a wonderful back drop to the lunch on a gloriously sunny winter’s day. We were delighted at the response by members to attend this event and, unfortunately, we even had to decline some bookings due to the capacity of the room. Apologies to those who were unable to attend. The lunch provided was delicious and service equally good but it was the conviviality and friendliness of the occasion that really made the day. At times it was difficult to hear oneself think as a result of the buzz of conversation. A good start to the festive season! Coffee Morning - Cotignac The first collaborative coffee morning between the Cotignac and Villecroze network groups was held on Friday November 29th at the home of Billy and Jean Naisbitt, who have an ancient mill house just outside Cotignac which is over a century old and is being beautifully and lovingly restored to its former glory. Just over thirty members arrived to be met by a mouth-watering array of cakes and biscuits plus coffee, provided by Jean. There was also a huge selection of books available. The morning was an excellent opportunity for members old and new to meet and socialise in memorable surroundings so maybe other j joint events could be similarly arranged in future. Michael Wharton informed members that the Cap Cotignac association had been voted, by the chamber of Commerce of the Var, the most innovative and forward-looking association in the Var on its journey to being the first so called 'European Village '. Forthcoming Events LUNCH and QUIZ at Committee Meeting Restaurant LA TOUR, 13 January Roquebrune sur Argens Lunch at Bastide des Moines Thursday, 13 FEBRUARY 2014, 12 noon 30 January - Montferrat 3 course lunch plus coffee or tea - 15 € Lunch and Quiz at Resto LA TOUR (Wine excluded) 13 February – Roquebrune sur Argens Quiz - 3 € Lunch at the (Quiz in usual format with your Bastide des Moines, Montferrat Quizmistress Shirley Rowson) 04 94 50 21 30. Maximum 32 people – book early! On Thursday 30 January 2014 at 12 noon we will Entrées : be re-visiting this popular venue, with the most Pastillas avec Mièle roti (Goats Cheese extensive starter and dessert buffets in the area – you will be spoilt for choice. In between there is roasted in honey) avec salade also a choice of main course. It is situated at the ou approach to the village of Montferrat, coming from Terrine Caillette (Provençal terrine) Figanières direction – do not use the Chateaudouble road as this is still closed. Plats: Petit Farcis niçois (platter of various We will be celebrating John Collingwood’s birthday stuffed meats and fish) – our longest serving member. ou Suprême de Pintade (guinea fowl) rôti Committee Members au jus de viande Chairman - Rob Flanagan ou [email protected] Dos de Cabillaud sauvage à la crème Secretary - Michael Wharton de romarin (Cod with rosemary sauce) [email protected] Treasurer - Lesley Honeywell Dessert: [email protected] Crème Brulée à la fleur d’oranger Welfare Coordinator - Ann Mitchem ou [email protected] Moelleux au Chocolat Events Secretary - Kevin Bell [email protected] ou Publicity - Salade de Fruits [email protected] Coffee or Tea [email protected] John Lloyd Carafe de Vin - to be ordered and paid for [email protected] separately Important non-Committee Members Directions:- Membership Secretary - Peter Rowson [email protected] 04 *********** Take RN 7 towards Roquebrune-sur-Argens. At Newsletter Editor - Shirley Rowson large roundabout (adjacent to Formula 1 Hotel) st [email protected] 04 ********** take 1 exit towards Roquebrune Village if ______________________________________________________ approaching from west or 4th exit towards BAV Committee Roquebrune Village if approaching from east. Continue straight on, passing the Lac and then the Nominations for membership of the committee are chapel then turn right at the next junction and required 28 days before the AGM which is to be held about 200 m afterwards park up in the official Car on 26th March 2014 March. Nominations with a Park on your right hand side. Walk up the gentle proposer and seconded by another member must be slope from the Car Park to exit to the restaurant with the secretary by post or email by 23 February. across and opposite the small roundabout on the Michael Wharton, Hon Secretary road above. mjw57@******** ************** 83570 Cotignac Page 2 “What’s On” Guide 27 Jan Draguignan, cinema. Ballet film – Giselle, Adam. 20h15. January 2014 31 Jan Les Arcs, Café de la Tour. Fish and chips lunch. 12h00. €11. Booking essential, by 1-5 Jan Cavalaire, Maison de la Mer. Noël Blanc – preceding Tuesday. 04 94 73 30 56 ice rink and shows. 04 94 10 92 10 _______________________________________________________ 1-5 Jan Draguignan, centre ville. Fête de la Glisse – ice rink. 10h00-19h00. 04 94 60 31 31 Royal British Legion 1-5 Jan Fayence, Le Grand Jardin. Antiques Fair. Poppy Appeal 2013 1-5 Jan Montauroux, centre ville. Promenade Andrew Buchanan from the Cannes/Provence parmi les santons (life-size). 04 94 47 75 90 branch of the Royal British Legion writes: 1-5 Jan La Garde Freinet, Salle des Sports. Foire aux Santons. Free. 04 94 56 04 93 The Cannes-Provence branch collection tins have 3 Jan Les Arcs, Café de la Tour. English Pub Quiz now all been opened and the contents counted. and lunch. 12h00. €10. 04 94 85 22 06 The total amount collected this year was 6446.11 €, [email protected] the highest that the branch has ever recorded. The 5 Jan Draguignan, Complexe St Exupéry, Rue British Association of the Var Network Coordinators Auguste Renoir. La Pastorale des Santons (living did a magnificent job collecting donations from your santons play). 15h30. €5. 04 94 68 22 64 very generous members. They collected a fantastic 5 Jan Lorgues, Point Info Tourisme. Guided visit. 471.74 € - a magnificent result! I will write to the 10h30. €5. 04 94 73 92 37 Network Coordinators who participated, informing them of their individual contributions and to thank 5 Jan Les Arcs, Ste Roseline. Guided visit. 14h00. them for their work. I would be very grateful if you €5. 04 94 73 37 30 would publish the total contribution made by the 5 Jan Trans-en-Provence, Chapelle Notre Dame. British Association of the Var in the Newsletter, Guided Visit. 15h30. €5. 04 94 73 37 30 together with the very grateful thanks of The Royal 5 Jan Ste Maxime, Carré Léon Gaumont. Valsons British Legion. Toujours – New year concert. 17h30. €15. 04 94 56 77 53 So, well done BAV members! 5 Jan Montauroux, cinema. Opera film “Falstaff” – Verdi. 20h00. €25. 04 94 50 40 30 10 Jan Fayence, centre ville. Guided visit. 15h00. 04 94 76 03 17 11-12 Jan Ste Maxime, Chapiteau du Théâtre de la Mer. Brocante. 8h00-18h00. Free. 06 80 06 11 77 12 Jan Draguignan, Office de tourisme. Guided visit. 10h30. €5. 04 98 10 51 05 12 Jan Bargemon, Point Info Tourisme. Guided visit. 15.30. €5. 04 94 47 81 73 16 Jan St Raphaël, Palais de Congrès. Carla Brun – French songs. 20h30. €33. 04 94 19 52 52 18-19 Jan Grimaud, centre ville. Fête de la Truffe. Free. 04 94 55 43 83 24 Jan Ste Maxime, Carré Léon Gaumont. “The Unnamed Feelings” rock concert. 20h30. €6. 04 94 56 77 77 24 Jan La Garde Freinet, Salle des Fêtes. Concert jazz/blues. 20h30. 04 94 56 04 93 25 Jan Gassin, Salle de l’Espelidou. Electric guitar recital. 21h00. 04 94 55 22 00 25 Jan Lorgues, Espace F.Mitterand. Ballet concert du Nouvel An – orchestre de Narbonne. 20h45. €15. 04 98 10 27 76 26 Jan St Maximin la Ste Baume, Couvent Royal. Fête de la St Vincent – wine tasting, food, organ concert (15h00). From 10h00. 04 94 59 77 59 Page 3 Home insurance rental agreement as they are not obliged to do so. Remember, if your uninsured tenant causes In France, owners and tenants should subscribe damage to a neighbour's property, you could still to an insurance contract that will cover you and be liable. There are different ways to insure your belongings in the event of a natural disaster properties, but the simplest way is for the home- or even if you forget to turn the tap off. owner to take out a full non-occupant multi-risk policy as it will cover damage caused by the Homeowners and Tenants tenant. This is practical if you rent short term and If you own and live in your property, you are not have gaps between tenants. Also, you may required to be insured. However, it is advisable consider a Universal Rental Risk cover, which will that you are, especially if your property is in a co- cover you if your tenant does not pay his rent.