Hello,
November started as Summer and ended as winter. As I write snow is falling over much of France and the temperature on the Cote Vermeille is hovering above freezing. Our main event in November was the Winter Exhibition. There was strong interest among exhibitors, with 26 taking part, covering a wide variety of paintings, photographs, ceramics, and craftwork. While there was a good turnout for the opening on Saturday and the closing choral event on Sunday, attendance was patchy and we shall need to give some thought to whether to continue this event next year. Nevertheless, although the final account is not yet completed, we will have raised around 700€ for the various causes we support.
The Last Wednesday Apero was one of the best yet, I think. It was held at the newly opened “7 Grill” in Port Vendres, and the owners, Joy and Eric, really went out of their way to make us feel welcome. 37 members came along to sample a variety of homemade tapas, have a drink and a friendly chat.
As the year ends, the committee has met twice, turning its attention to distributing funds raised over the year and arranging the AGM for 2018. So far, we have made donations to MSF, the lifeboat, the reading project at the creche at PV, and the St Joseph refuge in Banyuls, with further plans to support refugees in the area, and organisations which give help to the homeless.
7 December, Meal at the Mauresque - IME La Mauresque, Port-Vendres
We sent out advance notification of this date in November. Places are limited to 30, and there are only a couple left, so email us today if you want to come. There is one set menu of three courses (with a meat main), coffee, wine and an apero for 15€ (plus acouple for the Association). Meet at 11.50 outside the Mauresque Centre, Impasse Félix Mercader (behind the cemetery). Thank you, Claude, for suggesting this!
Christmas Market, Collioure 1-17 Dec
The market is back in the Chateau this year. Many stands with Christmas fare, vin chaud in the courtyard. Camels and sheep. There is no charge to enter. The Son et Lumiere projected on the church starts on the 2nd at 20h00, and then at 18h30 and 20h00on the other Fridays and Saturdays of the month.
Vauban Cinema PV Thurs 7 December
The only film we know about is the satirical comedy “The Square” dir Ruben Ostlund. This satirical comedy won the Palme D’Or at Cannes this year. It is being shown in Swedish with French subtitles. The programme for the rest of the month should appear in the next day or two.
Traditional Carol Service
Sunday, December 10th at 19h30, in L’Eglise Saint Félix, Laroque-des-Alberes. Mince pies and hot wine afterwards at the Creperie St Felix. There is also a Pop-Up Church Christmas Service on Sunday, 17 December in Maureillas at the Foyer, Route de las Illas.
50/50 sale.
A reminder that there is a large mirror and a pine single bed on offer. Contact us if you are interested. We are looking to borrow a baby’s car seat (0-6 months). Can anyone help us out? Our new granddaughter is coming to visit for New Year.
Aperos
There will be no Last Wednesday event in December as we will all be busy with our own arrangements. The next one will be on 31 January 2018.
The VI Awards
The Cote Vermeille is changing. Half the houses in our road seem to be undergoing renovation (including ours) and I have lost count of the changes in restaurants and bars in PV, with many changing hands, and extending their facilities. Meanwhile there have been extensive changes to the seafront in Banyuls too, and new houses and apartments popping up all over the place. To help members keep up, send us an email with suggestions for your favourite restaurants and cafes in the area, with a line or so about places you like, where a warm welcome is guaranteed. There is no limit on the number you send in. I will publish the most popular in the newsletter in the new year, and give some extra publicity to those proprietors who really make an effort.
Advance Notice
AGM Tuesday 9th January 18h30 Centre Cuturel
Come numerous as they say. There will be drinks and cakes to follow. You will receive an agenda and a proxy voting form in the next week or two.
Wherever you are this Christmas and New Year – enjoy yourself David