ANTWERP BRITISH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION vzw Maandelijkse Newsletter – augustus 2015

Verschijnt niet in juli Verantwoordelijk uitgever:

Mary Ann Marinus, Oude Beurs 33, 2000 Antwerpen Afgiftekantoor 2000 Antwerpen 1

POO8284

CONTENTS

Dates for your diary ................................ 2

From our Chairman ................................ 3

Thought for the month ............................ 3

Membership matters ............................... 4

Change of address ................................... 4

Get well ..................................................... 4

R.I.P ........................................................... 4

ABCA Mussels Lunch ............................. 5

The Café of Dreams ................................ 6

All that Jazz .............................................. 7

Advance Notice ........................................ 8

Summer in the City .................................. 8

Medieval Festival - Bouillon ................. 9

Fireworks Festival in Duinbergen ..... 10

Life’s a Beach......................................... 11

Summer Sundowner .............................. 12

SuDokus .................................................. 13

August Quiz ............................................ 14

August Crossword ................................. 15

Useful Information ................................ 16

Belgie-Belgique

P.B.

2000 Antwerpen 1

8/4322

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Dates for your diary

ABCA events in BOLD type

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st August Barefoot 2015 – Nachtegaal park – 11am

13-16 August Jazz Middelheim

15th August Park Spoor Noord “Slide the City” (the big slide:1000 feet of fun)

29-30 August Lambertmontmartre

30th

August ABCA : annual mussels lunch at “de Bomma”

Advance Notice:

27th

September ABCA : lunch and coffee ceremony at the Gojo Ethiopian resto-bar

October ABCA :Annual Challenge quiz

November ABCA : visit with guide to the Opera backstage

December ABCA : Christmas lunch

ABCA Antwerp British Community Association: For payments, call Margaret du Maine on 03 651 32 24 (day and evening) For membership matters, call Nadine Hechtermans on 03 480 34 77 (evenings) Open Evenings: The Highlander, Stadswaag 21, 2000 Antwerpen (03 226 91 80)

ABIW Antwerp British & International Women: contact Valerie Carroll on 03 254 03 73 MtS Missions to Seafarers: contact Rev. Brian Millson on 03 605 41 88 RBL Royal British Legion, info Bob Chambers on 0474 282843 St.Boniface St Boniface Anglican Church: contact Fr Wagstaff SSC on 03 239 33 39 BATS British American Theatrical Society: contact Tom De Beckker:

email: debeckkertom@hotmail.com

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From our Chairman Dear Members, Our annual BBQ on 21st July was a great success not in the least thanks to all those volunteers who helped throughout the day and the weather was just perfect. At the end of August we have our traditional Mussels lunch, this year at “de Bomma” on the Suikerrui. Of course there’s an alternative – details on page 5. An occasion not to be missed for sure. With best wishes,

Mary Ann Marinus

Chairman

Thought for the month

A friend is one of the nicest things you can have and one of the best things you can be

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Membership matters

Change of address You should by now have received your Blue Book, and as usual this means we now have a rash of changes of address (and corrections for errors I made). Brigitte Van den Bogaert Ertbruggestraat 5 2110 Wijnegem Albert Van den Broeck Borsbeeksebinnenweg 6 2640 Mortsel (wrong house number in Blue Book)

Baroness Margaret Von Flotow-Cripps has moved to Jos Ratinckxstraat 4/20 2600 Berchem

Get well Gust Van der Steen is back in hospital and we wish him a speedy recovery.

R.I.P We were sorry to hear of the death of our long-time member Maryse Palemans. Our condolences go to her family and friends. We also offer our deepest sympathy to Don Margretts and family on the death of his wife Denise Margretts-Schmitz, also a member for many years.

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ABCA Mussels Lunch

We’re coming to the end of the summer so that means Mussels and ABCA is organising its

annual Mussels Lunch on Sunday 30th August. We rendez-vous at 12.30 for 1 pm. The

venue this year is the restaurant “de Bomma” on the Suikerrui which is next to town hall (all ground floor level!) and where we can sit in the square or inside depending on the weather. Now for the menu: Aperitif ****** Mussels and chips or Chicken alternative ******* Dame Blanche ******* Coffee Also included are two glasses of house wine (white or red) and water. Clearly state your choice of meal and numbers you are booking for when making your payment. Phone Margaret. Receipt of payment confirms your booking. Cost is € 34 per person, and cut-off date for payment is Saturday 25th August. Bank transfer as usual to bank account number: BE11 2200 3243 8048, stating “Mussels Lunch: x Mussels, x Alternative”. Book now to avoid disappointment!

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The Café of Dreams

Martha, the new play written and directed by Tom De Beckker, and staged in Het Klokhuis theatre in Antwerp, is set in a Café of Dreams (lost, found and pending). The café, somewhat shabby and provincial, is the meeting place for seven women who are introduced to the audience in a series of vignettes. Martha, a former editor, is writing a book in the face of incipient dementia. Often she is literally lost for words and relies on her friend, the bar maid Amélia, for help. In contrast to Martha’s limitations, Amélia represents the normality of life; she has a boyfriend, is happy and optimistic for the future. The women are joined by Elizabeth, a hard-drinking female who has spent time in jail and whose dreams are to be found in the next shot of vodka; Sharon, a narcissist/fantasist whose acting fame lies mainly in her imagination and pill-popper Kaithlyn whose seemingly affluent domestic life can’t protect her from the need for medication when stressed. As the women fantasise about the future, Martha takes her leave of life, the dementia taking hold completely and leaving her unable to recognise her friends or know where or who she is. The next scene opens with her friends mourning her death but life goes on with Sharon eventually becoming the partner of a famous film director, the nearest she will get to fulfilling her acting ambitions. Amélia, prompted by her boyfriend, decides to return to her homeland to study nursing and a new bar maid takes over the running of the café. At this point we meet Martha’s daughter, June who becomes pregnant and takes over her mother’s dream. The setting and piano music of the play nicely evoke the melancholy passage of time and the inevitability of Martha’s fate. Saskia Van Nuffelen gave a strong portrayal of Martha’s introversion as she teeters on the brink of psychological meltdown, while Barbara Duthie was superb as June, giving a subtle yet totally realistic reading of the traumatic effect her mother’s illness has had on her family life and how she has come to terms with the tragedy. A very good debut by Ludvig, Tom De Beccker and the team of actors. The next production takes place in the autumn and will be in Dutch. For those who missed the article, the Gazet van Antwerpen did a write-up on Ludvig. Below is the link. http://www.gva.be/cnt/bljva_01745435/de-sterke-vrouwen-van-ludvig

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All that Jazz

This year the Middelheim Jazz festival will salute that birthplace of jazz: New Orleans. In the late 19th century, while the rest of America was stomping to military marches, New Orleans was dancing to VooDoo rhythms. New Orleans was the only place in the New World where slaves were allowed to own drums. Voodoo rituals were openly tolerated, and well attended by the rich as well as the poor, by blacks and whites, by the influential and the anonymous. It was in New Orleans that the sound of European horns mixed with the dark rumble of African drums. The locals took that sound and put it together with the music they heard in churches and bars. New Orleans became a city where you could dance down the middle of the street, in the middle of the daytime, in the middle of the week, and instead of people wondering why you weren't at work, they'd be wondering how they could join you. The glory of New Orleans is that it's still that way today. Everyone loves a parade. Jazz Middelheim runs from August 13th through 16th. On the Saturday, the festival returns to the roots of jazz with an ode to New Orleans and the swing era with America’s musical cult figure, Dr. John performing. Since the 50s, he has been inspired by the birthplace of jazz and uses this inspiration to deliver a tribute to the wonderful music of Louis Armstrong. Just before that, Artist in Residence, Jason Moran will launch proceedings with a dance party in the inimitable style of the legendary swing pianist, Fats Waller, who played in Harlem clubs during the Roaring Twenties. Robin McKelle, perhaps the best swing & blues singer at the moment, will be opening the main stage. Several marching brass bands, a cornerstone of the New Orleans tradition, will surround the Club Stage and everything around it. The festival offers a magical tour round the birthplace of jazz PS: Jazz may have its roots in New Orleans, but the instrument most associated with this musical style - the saxophone - was invented by a Belgian, Antoine-Joseph Sax.

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Advance Notice

buffet lunch and coffee ceremony at the Gojo Ethiopian Resto Bar on Sunday 27th September 2015

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Summer in the City

Fancy a dip? For those of you who can’t get away in August or have decided to take a later holiday, there are a number of open-air pools where you can go for a refreshing swim if the city gets sticky. The most popular are: BadBoot - Entrance; €4 The Badboot is probably the most well-known pool in Antwerp. Located on 't Eilandje it’s basically a swimming pool on a boat in a dock. You will probably need to reserve a spot if you want to us the facility, because it is really popular. During July you can also watch movies late at night, an initiative of Zomer van Antwerpen called Cinema Urbana. This starts at 11pm from Wednesday till Saturday (it's also free if you don't go in the water). Kattendijkdok Oostkaai 20, 2000 Antwerp Boekenberg Zwemvijver - Entrance: free Boekenberg Zwemvijver is Europe's biggest ecological swimming pond and is also the biggest in Europe. There are two baths, the big pool and the smaller one for children. Special ground materials and a helofyten filter of more than 22,000 plants purify the water in a natural eco-friendly way. Boekenberg park is located a bit out of the city centre but it's well worth the trip. Although the entrance is free, you can only stay in the water for 15 minutes at a time (if it's busy)! But not to worry, the pond is enclosed by a beautiful park, so you can just hang out afterwards and relax after your dip. Van Baurscheitlaan, 2100 Deurne (Antwerp)

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Medieval Festival - Bouillon

If you like to go back in time and enjoy historical music you can immerse yourselves in the Middle Ages during Bouillon’s medieval festival. Discover medieval crafts, food, entertainment, hunting and weaponry, and of course music. There’ll be drums and lutes, minstrels and wandering entertainers to charm you and show you how to dance in medieval style. Various medieval groups will wander the streets and on the Saturday, August 8th in the afternoon from 2pm, will enliven various spots throughout Bouillon with their comedy sketches. Camps and a parade For the 4th consecutive year, visitors can discover, at the foot of the castle, around 20 camps of historical reconstructions from the 10th to the 13th century. The theme will focus on the Crusades. Apart from admiring the work of artisans you will also have the chance to have a go at using a crossbow and attending a combat comedy sketch. A colourful parade will begin at 3.30pm to the sound of minstrels, accompanied by knights, men-at-arms, Vikings..etc.. During this time, the fortified castle and its surroundings will become a theatre for the numerous shows and activities: 2 medieval camps, artisan work, medieval troops and a mix of fighters and falconers (shows at 11am, 2pm, 3.30pm and 7pm). Taste various dishes (no reservation necessary) in a festive atmosphere, just like they did in the Middle Ages. At 9pm, you can attend the fantastic Prima Nocta concert, followed by a firework display. Children will be dubbed knights on the Esplanade de l'Archéoscope, as well as getting the chance to visit a medieval farmyard. In addition they can take the mini tour along the Semois river on a pony. Practical information The entertainment taking place in the town is free all day long. "Medieval" admission ticket includes entry to the entertainment on Saturday and Sunday, and to all festivities taking place around the castle on the Saturday night. Open : from Saturday 8 August 2015 to Sunday 9 August 2015 Address: Château-Fort, Esplanade Godefroy 1, 6830 Bouillon Adults:€7.50; Seniors:€7; Children (under 12) and students:€5

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Fireworks Festival in Duinbergen

The discovery of fireworks, or rather the formulation of gunpowder is believed to have occurred by chance approximately 2,000 years ago in China. It is thought that a Chinese cook accidentally mixed three common kitchen ingredients, two of which were sulphur and charcoal. These were heated over a fire and dried to give a black flaky powder which burned with a loud bang when ignited. This crude, early mixture has come to be known in our modern world today as gunpowder. The Chinese named this fascinating black powder "huo yao" ("Fire Chemical") and developed it further. The mixture was inserted into the hollow of a bamboo stick and when thrown into a fire, the gases produced by the burning powder caused an immense build up of pressure and blasted the tube apart. The basic fire cracker was born. Thereafter, fire crackers played an essential part to Chinese festivities -weddings, religious rituals any cause for celebration heard their bang due to the belief that they were thought to be powerful enough to scare off evil spirits. Before long, the knowledge of fireworks began to spread to the west. It is believed that Marco Polo on one of his many trips to China transported this invention to the Middle East where European Crusaders brought it to England. 2000 years on, thanks to a careless Chinese cook, we are still enjoying fireworks displays. This summer you can enjoy a fabulous spectacle over the sea at Duinbergen. A prize will be awarded to the winning display. This international world-class fireworks festival will be synchronized to music. The dates for the various displays per country are: 19 August 2015 Højen & Magic Fyrværkeri ApS (Denmark) 21 August 2015 Sugyp - Feux d'artifice (Switzerland) 23 August 2015 Nanos Fireworks & Special Effects (Greece) 25 August 2015 Grupo Luso Pirotechnia (Portugal) 27 August 2015 Prize Ceremony + Closing show by HC pyrotechnics Location: Beach at Duinbergen Have a magical evening and don’t forget to raise a glass or two in memory of that Chinese cook.

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Life’s a Beach

I’m a happy dog at the beach If I had the power of speech

I would tell you all To throw my ball

I’m a happy dog at the beach

I’m a happy dog at the beach There are no new tricks you can teach

I’m bouncy and glad And my tail wags like mad

I’m a happy dog at the beach

I’m a happy dog at the beach As I hear the seagulls screech

I chase and I bark Long into the dark

I’m a happy dog at the beach

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Summer Sundowner

Finish off the perfect summer’s day with a perfect summer drink. And sundowners don’t come much more refreshing than sparkling peach sangria. Sparkling White Peach Sangria Ingredients: 2 to 3 white peaches, sliced 3/4 cup peach or apricot brandy 1 bottle sparkling wine, chilled 1 litre fizzy peach juice chilled. You can add peach juice to sparkling water if you can’t find fizzy peach juice. Preparation: In a pitcher place 3/4 of the sliced peaches (saving some for garnish) and brandy and lightly mix. Add the wine and fizzy water. Stir with wooden spoon to mix. Pour into ice-filled glasses and top with a couple of fresh peach slices. Add a sprig of mint to taste. Serves 4 to 6

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SuDokus

August puzzles

June answers

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August Quiz

1 Thomas Hardy's famous novel is 'Far from the Madding ?' (complete title) 2 Established in 1915 the military acronym ANZAC stands for what? 3 New York housewife Jean Nidetch (1923-2015) founded which global organization, sold to Heinz in 1978 for $71m? 4 Which famous employee-owned UK retailer's slogan is 'Never Knowingly Undersold'? 5. What were confirmed in 2015 to hinder certain functions of the Apple Watch? 6. What controversial politician sought to sell AC Milan in 2015 to finance his quest for rehabiliation and power? 7. Which vehicle tyre/tire corporation sold Citroen to Peugeot in 1976? 8. What's the capital and the second most populous city in the United Arab Emirates? 9. What is note is produced at the 10th fret for both the highest and lowest pitch strings on a conventionally-tuned standard guitar? 10. The American pika, closely related to rabbits and hares, is commonly called a what? 11. What's Peppa Pig's teddy bear called? 12 Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao famously oppose/opposed each other in what? 13. The Hyundai car company is (at 2015) founded and based in which country? 14. The Leffe beer company was founded and is headquartered where? 15. In January 2015 economist Yanis Varoufakis became a leading debt-restructuring negotiator for which country?

June Answers

1. July 4th; 2. Rene Descartes; 3. Italy; 4. PC Plod; 5. Shoulder blade; 6. Crash; 7. Blue Peter; 8. Franz Hals; 9. Noah; 10. Canada; 11. Kenya; 12. Mercury; 13. Onions; 14. Cob; 15. Artist; 16. Menorah

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August Crossword

Across 1.Mistake (4-2); 4.Female sovereign (5);8.Young bears (4);9.Everybody (8): 10.Satan (7); 12.Brilliant (5) 13.Crop planted for its oil (4); 14.Mends a shoe (5); 17.Hungarian composer (5); 20.Garden tools (4) ;22.Compel (5); 23.Stored away (7); 24.Large hill (8); 25.Repeat (4);26.Inheritors (5);27.Move with great speed (6) Down 1.Reaping-hooks (7); 2.Hobby (7),3.Like better (6);5.Disentangle (7); 6.Develops in stages (7); 7.Give food to (4);11.Taxes (5);15.Unhurried ease (7); 16.Refuge (7); 18.Underwriter (7); 19.Larva of frogs (7); 21.Stink (6); 22.Let fall in a mass (4) June solution

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Useful Information Patron: HM Ambassador to Belgium Committee for 2014/2015:

Chairman Mary Ann Marinus Oude Beurs 33 2000 Antwerpen tel: 0486 646 941 (pm only) maryann.marinus@hotmail.com

Vice Chairman Penny Law Geestenspoor 113 2180 Ekeren tel: 03 542 20 71 drpenelopejanelaw@hotmail.com

Hon. Treasurer Margaret du Maine Miksebeekstraat 104 2930 Brasschaat tel: 03 651 32 24 mdumaine@scarlet.be

Secretary Nadine Hechtermans Lispersteenweg 219 2500 Lier tel: 03 480 34 77 nadine.hechtermans@telenet.be

Committee Member Jill Barnard Baggenstraat 14 2140 Borgerhout tel: 0474 432191 jillbarnard2000@yahoo.com

Committee Member Stephanie Hughes Maarschalk Gerardstraat 21, bus 1 2000 Antwerpen tel: 0484661331 stephanie.hughes@ua.ac.be

Newsletter Editor Madeleine Richardson Prins Boudewijnlaan 84/3 2610 Wilrijk tel: 03 230 49 47 madeleine.richardson@telenet.be

Benevolent Matters Dora Jolly Hollandstraat 38 2060 Antwerpen tel: 03 232 71 15 aljolly@busmail.net

Anglican Church St Boniface Church Grétrystraat 39 2018 Antwerpen tel: 03 239 33 39 chaplain@boniface.be

Webmaster: brian.edwards@attglobal.net ABCA Website: www.abca-antwerp.be e-mail address: ABCA_Antwerp@yahoo.com

ABCA recognizes the diversity of belief in contemporary British society and accordingly directs members wanting to contact other faith groups to the “Gids Levensbeschouwingen Antwerpen”/Multifaith Antwerp guide, published by the Stad Antwerpen. Information on www.antwerpen.be - tel 03 338 3115.

ABCA Bank Account number is BE11 2200 3243 8048. Annual subscription: Single: € 20, Double: € 34. Donations towards our benevolent work are welcome. Please feel free to submit items for inclusion in the newsletter, such as poems you particularly like, anecdotes, stories about Antwerp, hints, suggestions. Items must be submitted to the editor by the 20th of the month for inclusion in the next edition.

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