ANTWERP BRITISH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION vzw Maandelijkse Newsletter – juni 2015

Verschijnt niet in juli Verantwoordelijk uitgever:

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

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CONTENTS

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

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

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

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

The Blue Book .......................................... 4

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

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

The Battle of Waterloo – Part 2............ 5

ABCA Summer Events ............................ 6

ABCA Barbecue ....................................... 6

Advance Notice ........................................ 7

Minutes of the AGM ................................ 8

Beer Passion Weekend ......................... 10

A Present ................................................. 11

Chagall Retrospective .......................... 12

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

June Quiz ................................................ 14

June Crossword ..................................... 15

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

Belgie-Belgique

P.B.

2000 Antwerpen 1

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Dates for your diary

ABCA events in BOLD type

1/6-8 June BATS : Variety show at the Belfry

12th

June ABCA : dinner at Tarbouch, Lebanese restaurant

13th June “Duchess of Richmond Ball” - info Brussels BCA

19-21 June Zomer van Antwerpen : “Royal de luxe Giants”

27/28 June Het Klokhuis : “Martha”, a story about life, evolution & dreams

Advance Notice:

21st July ABCA : summer party and BBQ

30th

August ABCA : annual mussels lunch at “de Bomma”

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, We are looking forward to seeing you and your family at our sizzling summer events. However, as there will be no newsletter in July note the date and place of this year’s Summer party and BBQ and let us know you’re coming. For those of you away on holiday over the next months - have a wonderful time. With best wishes,

Mary Ann Marinus

Chairman

Thought for the month We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. ~ Winston Churchill

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Membership matters

The Blue Book In July, as most of you know, there will be no Newsletter (your Editors will be enjoying a summer rest) BUT: the updated edition of the Blue Book is next on the agenda for completion. Please let Margaret know if any of your details in the present Blue Book are incorrect or need amending in some way; you should receive the new Blue Book towards the end of July, so we need to hear from you by the middle of July at the latest. See the last page of this Newsletter for contact details.

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

R.I.P We were sorry to hear of the death of three of our long-time members, Eric Wray, Min Anderson and Gilberte Van der Steen. Eric was here for many years and was a member for most of those, together with his wife Mimi, who died just 2 years ago. Eric became very deaf, but still liked to come to our lunches until quite recently. Min was also a regular attendee at the lunches, having moved back to her homeland, Belgium, when she and her husband retired from keeping a pub in England. Her quiet sense of humour was enjoyed by those who sat with her at our events. Gilberte was well-known to many of you, as the wife of Gust Van der Steen and the mother of Mary Ann. She will be much missed, not only by her family but by all those who knew her and enjoyed her wide knowledge and sense of fun. Our condolences go to the family and friends of all three.

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The Battle of Waterloo – Part 2

By John Dashwood

The Duke of Wellington (1769 – 1852) The names of Waterloo and Wellington are inseparable! In the first article, we described how the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte suffered a major defeat in Russia, how he was banished to Elba, escaped and restarted his aggression in the Hundred Days, culminating in his defeat at Waterloo by the Duke of Wellington. Arthur Wellesley, third son of the Earl of Mornington (Anglo-Irish peerage) had already distinguished himself in India but had also faced the Napoleonic armies in Portugal and Spain. In 1812, Wellesley was granted the titles of Marquis of Torres Vedras and Duke of Vitória, both in Portuguese nobility, by decree of Queen Maria I of Portugal, for his actions in the name of the Portuguese nation. In very quick tempo he was able to marshal the forces of Britain, Prussia and The Netherlands to face Napoleon at Waterloo. Having already been created Duke of Wellington in 1814 and collected the titles mentioned above, the king of The Netherlands (probably) not to be outdone created him Prince of Waterloo awarding him lands formerly belonging to the Abbey of Watermael-Bosvoorde in the Walloon region. Today these lands are still in the hands his descendants (8/9th Duke). Sequel to the Battle One of the most important sequels to the Battle of Waterloo was undoubtedly the foundation of the new Belgian monarchy. Our area, once called the Burgundian Circle, passed successively to the Hapsburgs, the Austrian branch, the Spanish branch and back to the Austrian again before falling into French revolutionary hands. Following his defeat in Russia, Napoleon was exiled to Elba in 1814. In April 1815 he escaped and gathered an army with the intention of reclaiming lost territories. Meantime, the Congress of Vienna, in a meeting of the victors, decided to redraw the map of Europe and create a new country called the Kingdom of the United Netherlands (Holland plus Belgium) a mixture of Dutch, Flemish and Walloons. After the Battle of Waterloo, Europe settled into what it thought would be enduring peace but not for long !! The south of the new country - dissatisfied by how it was treated – rebelled, expelled the Dutch and declared independence on 21st July 1831. A candidate king was nominated - Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha - an uncle of Queen Victoria. This family has reigned in Belgium ever since, providing the monarchs, Leopold I, Leopold II, Albert I, Leopold III, Boudewijn I, Albert II and Philip I.

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ABCA Summer Events

The ABCA summer events this year are a treat for foodies. The kick-off starts on Friday, June 12th at Tarbouch, the Lebanese restaurant in the Appelmanstraat. Come and enjoy the great variety of Levantine cuisine in an authentic setting. Venue : Lebanese restaurant Tarbouch, Appelmansstraat 18, 2018 Antwerpen – 7pm To reserve, make a bank transfer (€ 30 per person) to ABCA account number: BE 220-0324380-48, stating “BBQ” and the number of people you are reserving for, or contact our Treasurer, Margaret du Maine, on tel/fax: 03/651 32 24, by Wednesday 10th June (or send

an e-mail to mdumaine@scarlet.be).

ABCA Barbecue On July 21st ABCA will be holding its traditional annual BBQ in the open air setting of the Sea Scouts premises on the banks of the Scheldt. Fingers crossed for good weather. The FOS Sea-scouts have generously offered us their grounds at Beatrijslaan 41, 2050 Linkeroever again. It’s easy to get to by trams from the Groenplaats and buses (all stop at Frederik van Eedenplein) then a short walk (upriver – left with your back to the river) along the Beatrijslaan. The Sea-scouts are located just on from the VVW. There’s ample car parking space. The clubhouse is right on the waterfront with an amazing view of the right bank. It is generous enough to accommodate a large number of guests both outside and inside. The party starts at 4pm and ends at 9pm.

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There’s a well-stocked bar at very democratic prices. As usual, we will be having a tombola at the end of the afternoon, the proceeds of which go towards our benevolent work – so if you have anything suitable you could donate as a prize please let us know; and do come prepared to buy tickets! Those of you who have been members for a long time know that the barbecue is free for ABCA members, but we ask for a € 5 booking fee which will be refunded when you arrive. Non-ABCA members should pay € 12.50 (€ 5.00 for children aged 12 and under). To reserve, make a bank transfer (€ 5 or € 12.50 per person) to ABCA account number: 220-0324380-48, stating “BBQ” and the number of people you are reserving for by Friday 17th

July (or send an e-mail to maryann.marinus@hotmail.com).

Advance Notice

And to round off the season and say goodbye to summer, on August 30th the equally traditional mussels lunch will take place at the restaurant de Bomma on the Suikerrui. Some of you may remember the location from last September’s Tank Ceremony lunch.

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Minutes of the AGM held on Wednesday 29th April 2015 at the Highlander

Register of Members Attending: A register of members attending was taken and placed in the Association’s records. Apologies were received from several members including Margaret du Maine, our Treasurer who is on holiday at the moment. Minutes of the 2014 AGM A motion to accept was proposed by Steve Cook, seconded by Bill Burgum. Chairman's report : Venue : the Chairman started her report by thanking George and Elaine for their hospitality over the past year. They make us feel most welcome at every opportunity. Newsletter: The Chairman wished to place on record thanks to Madeleine and Margaret for their invaluable help and assistance with the joint editing of the newsletter and for kindly agreeing to continue with this task. Committee : the Chairman thanked the Committee members for their contributions and guidance throughout the past year. The Committee members up for re-election are Margaret du Maine, Penny Law and Jill Barnard. Events diary : The Chairman’s overview of the past year’s outings : “We started last May with a visit and tasting of the “chocolate route” at Quetzal. In June quite a few of us enjoyed a Spanish tapas evening at La Boqueria, then our Summer party & BBQ in July. The annual Mussels lunch at the end of August was well attended. In September we enjoyed a spectacular guided tour of Central Station skylight and the signal house in Berchem. And at the beginning of October we were all ready for the Antwerp Challenge Quiz. Then in December we had the traditional Christmas lunch followed by Christmas drinks and mince pies at the open evening. In January we went back to d’Aa Toert for a champagne brunch – a full house! This was followed by new year drinks at the end of the month. In February we enjoyed our friends from the Brussels British Comm. Ass. bringing an evening of World War 1 poetry reading followed by a cheese and wine party for Valentine and in March we went behind the scenes on a guided tour at the Zoo. This brings me round to the Easter lunch earlier this month attended by some 54 of our members and the present AGM. The 2015-16 season will start with a visit to the Clock doctor in May and a Lebanese evening in June. And that will bring us back to July with the summer party and BBQ which you will of course no doubt all attend!”

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Membership In the last 12 months ABCA acquired 11 new members. Sadly 5 of our members passed away. Equally, some members choose not to renew their membership due to moving away or time constraints. Benevolent report The following charities will receive a donation this year : Kamiano (Antwerp soup kitchen), Moeders voor Moeders and the BCF (British Charitable Fund). An equal sum of €500. Exceptionally for the 100th anniversary of WW1, ABCA is donating €250 to the RBL Poppy Appeal, some of the money was raised at the Poetry reading evening in February. The recipients of last year’s donations sent a thank you which is appreciated. From the Chairman : “I’d like to thank all our welfare visitors, and Dora in particular who has taken on much of the responsibility for keeping in touch with our older members. The Committee is indeed fortunate to be able to count on a number of home and hospital visitors who give so freely of their time. Visiting the sick, lonely and elderly is an essential task within our organisation. I’m sure it comes as no surprise that in the last 12 months some 125 such visits were undertaken by our band of volunteers. Once again I cannot stress enough that should you hear of anyone in hospital or in need of a visit to let us know. Committee members’ details are on the back page of the newsletter. “ I would also like to thank the chauffeurs who provide transport especially to and from the Christmas and Easter lunches. Christmas hampers were taken to members too ill to attend the Christmas lunch. We sent Christmas and Easter cards to all our 75+ members.” Financial report : Treasurer – read out by the Vice Chairman Dr Law. Scrutineers : Miss de Roover kindly agreed to take this on for the next financial year. With thanks. Any Other Business : none The AGM closed at 8.45 pm.

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Beer Passion Weekend

Ben Vinken, editor & publisher of Bierpassie magazine and Belgian Beer Sommelier, is inviting the citizens of Antwerp to the 16th edition of Beer Passion Weekend, Groenplaats Antwerp from Friday June 26 through Sunday June 28. 32 breweries will offer more than 200 speciality beers to taste at this event, both open for beer aficionados as well as beer professionals. The main purpose of this is to offer a cultural and educational approach to beer, a complex drink that is aromatic, sensual, natural and the timeless fruit of an art that dates back to antiquity. Beer in Belgium varies from the popular pale lager to lambic beer and Flemish red. Belgian beer-brewing's origins go back to the

Middle Ages. There are approximately 125 breweries in the country, ranging from international giants to microbreweries. Belgian breweries produce about 800 standard beers. When special one-off beers are included, the total number of Belgian beer brands is approximately 8,700. Belgians drink 93 litres of beer a year on average Beer has been made in Belgium since at least the Middle Ages. It is believed today that beer was brewed at some monasteries during this period; however, no written proof exists. The Trappist monasteries that now brew beer in Belgium were occupied in the late 18th century primarily by monks fleeing the French Revolution. However, the first Trappist brewery in Belgium (Westmalle) did not start operations until 10 December 1836, almost 50 years after the Revolution. That beer was exclusively for the monks and is described as "dark and sweet." The first recorded sale of beer (a brown beer) was on 1 June 1861. The phenomenal variety of Belgian beers will be showcased in the Groenplaats, in the heart of the city next to the cathedral, where the beers can be tasted and enjoyed in an exclusive, specially constructed village and accompanied by live Brass Band concerts and live Dixieland Jazz bands.

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A Present

By Raymond de Backer

To realise the value of one month…

Ask a mother who gave birth to a premature baby

To realise the value of one week… Ask an editor the value of a weekly newspaper

To realise the value of one hour…

Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet

To realise the value of one minute… Ask a person who missed the train

To realise the value of one second…

Ask a person who just avoided an accident

To realise the value of one millisecond… Ask the person who won a silver medal in the OLYMPICS

Treasure every moment that you have

Yesterday is history Tomorrow is a mystery

Today is a gift

That’s why it is called The Present.

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Chagall Retrospective

The Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Brussels is hosting a major retrospective on the artist Chagall. Marc Zakharovich Chagall (1887 – 1985) was a Jewish Russian-French artist. An early modernist, he created works in virtually every artistic medium, including painting, book illustrations, stained glass, stage sets, ceramic, tapestries and fine art prints.

Author Serena Davies writes that "By the time he died in France in 1985—the last surviving master of European modernism, outliving Joan Miró by two years—he had experienced at first hand the high hopes and crushing disappointments of the Russian revolution, and had witnessed the end of the Pale, the near annihilation of European Jewry, and the obliteration of Vitebsk, his home town, where only 118 of a population of 240,000 survived the Second World War." Chagall biographer Jackie Wullschlager called Chagall a "pioneer of modern art and one of its greatest figurative painters... [who] invented a visual language that recorded the thrill and terror of the twentieth century."

This major exhibition in Brussels presents the main themes of Chagall’s work, in particular his connection to Jewish culture, the iconography of the Jewish village, folk traditions, but also his discovery of 17th century literature such as La Fontaine, the revelation of light and the particular use of colour. Special attention is given to his Russian period at a time when his personal style stood out in an avant-garde art scene dominated by the cubist revolution.

Organized by the Royal Museums of Fine Arts, in partnership with the Palazzo reale in Milan, 24 ORE, Arthemisia Group, GAmm Giunti, this retrospective exhibition is curated by Claudia Zevi, with the collaboration of Meret Meyer and Michel Draguet. This show brings together artworks from over twenty international institutions: Tate, MoMA New York, Centre Pompidou, Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Beyeler Foundation, Maeght Foundation, Nagoya City Art Museum Japan, the State Russian Museum in St Petersburg, etc.

Until June 28th

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SuDokus

June puzzles

May solutions

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June Quiz

1. On what date is U.S Independence day? 2. Who said "I think therefore I am"? 3. In which country was cricketer Ted Dexter born? 4. What was the name of the policeman in Enid Blyton's 'Noddy'? 5. The clavicle is more commonly known as which bone? 6. What is the collective noun for a group of Rhino? 7. Which flag is raised when a ship is about to leave port? 8. Who painted the Laughing Cavalier? 9. Who was the father of Ham, Shem and Japheth in the bible? 10. Which country has the longest coastline? 11. Which African country has the shilling as it's currency? 12. Which planet is nearest the sun? 13. What is contained in a dish described as Lyonnaise? 14. What term describes a male swan? 15. Who might make use of a maulstick? 16. What name is given to the Jewish candlestick with special religious meaning? May answers:

1. Juke Box Jury 2. Tom, Dick, Harry 3. Benedictine 4. Ibiza 5. Martina Navratilova 6. Kenya 7. Coins 8. Anne Nightingale

9. Captain Nemo 10. Camels 11. Eric Clapton 12. Alien 13. Sweet chestnuts 14. Tigris and Euphrates 15. Cricket 16. Skegness (1936)

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June Crossword

Across 8. Tiny aperture (7) ; 9. Kid leather (5) ; 10. Insane (5) ; 11. Template (7) ;12. Upon (4) 13. Foot soldiers (8); 16. Illness (8); 19. Main island of Indonesia (4) ; 22. ------- Ffestiniog (7) ; 23. Person who dresses stones (5) ; 24. Lute of India (5) 25. Scottish town (7) Down 1. Roomy (8) 2. Whole (6) ; 3. Welsh county (5); 4. Form of bowling (3-3) 5. Smokers receptacle (7); 6. Vanquish (6); 7. Legume (4); 14. Longing (8); 15. Entrap (7) 17. Intones (6) ; 18. Resembling a stub (6) ; 20. Soak up (6) ; 21. Suggest (5); 22. Nonsense (4) May 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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