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ANTWERP BRITISH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION vzw
Maandelijkse Newsletter – juni 2014
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
Membership matters ............................... 4
The Blue Book .......................................... 4
New members ........................................... 4
ABCA Tapas Outing ............................... 5
Footie Fever ............................................. 6
ABCA Summer Party and BBQ............. 7
Minutes of the AGM ................................ 8
In the Garden of Eden .......................... 10
Al Fresco Dining ................................... 11
Advance notice : Mussels lunch.......... 12
SuDokus .................................................. 13
June Quiz ................................................ 14
June Crossword ..................................... 15
Useful Information ................................ 16
Dates for your diary
ABCA events in BOLD type
Academy Fashion Show
ABCA : tapas evening at the tapasbar “La Boqueria”
Nekkerhallen Mechelen : musical “1914-1918”
ABCA : open evening at Highlander
Lambermontmartre (12 -5pm)
June
21st June
- end June
th
25 June
29th June
Advance Notice:
13th July
21st July
Antwerp Triatlon
ABCA Summer party and BBQ
””””NO NEWSLETTER/OPEN EVENING IN JULY !”””
27th August
31st August
ABCA open evening at the Highlander
ABCA Mussels lunch
7th September
9-13 Sept.
RBL Liberation of Antwerp “Tank ceremony”
Special Olympics
ABCA
Open Evenings:
ABIW
MtS
RBL
St.Boniface
BATS
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)
The Highlander, Stadswaag 21, 2000 Antwerpen (03 226 91 80)
Antwerp British & International Women: contact Valerie Carroll on 03 254 03 73
Missions to Seafarers: contact Rev. Brian Millson on 03 605 41 88
Royal British Legion: contact Bob Chambers on 0474 282 843
St Boniface Anglican Church: contact Fr Wagstaff SSC on 03 239 33 39
British American Theatrical Society: contact Tom De Beckker:
email: [email protected]
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From our Chairman
Dear Members,
Our outing this month is a tapas evening, an occasion to enjoy a different atmosphere.
As there will be no newsletter in July note the date of the Summer party and BBQ, but
more importantly, let us know you’re coming.
For those of you away on holiday over the next few months - have a wonderful time.
Best wishes,
Mary Ann Marinus
Chairman
Thought for the month :
Everything is funny as long as it happens to somebody else.
Will Rogers
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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.
New members
We are pleased to welcome the following and look forward to seeing them at our events:
Ann & Paul Desseyn-Flynn
Druivenlaan 1
2390 Malle
0498 28 30 71
[email protected]
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ABCA Tapas Outing
ABCA’s June outing will be an evening at the tapasbar “La Boqueria” Scheldeken 7, 2000
Antwerp. An authentic little corner of Barcelona in Antwerp. We meet at 8.30pm on the
21st of June. Cost of the evening will be in the region of €25- €30 pp.
Tapas have evolved through Spanish history by incorporating ingredients and influences
from many different cultures and countries. Most of the Iberian Peninsula was invaded by
the Romans, who introduced the olive. The invasion of the North African Moors in the 8th
century brought almonds, citrus fruits and fragrant spices. The influence of their 700-year
presence remains today, especially in Andalusia.
********************
To reserve, make a bank transfer (€10 per person) to ABCA account number: BE112200-3243-8048, stating “tapas evening” and the number of people you are reserving
for, by 18th June. Note that this is only a deposit, so don't forget to bring enough
money with you!
As numbers are very limited last minute bookings will not be possible and anyone
who has not paid their deposit will not be counted as having booked.
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Footie Fever
Yes it’s that time again: World Cup Fever kicks off on June 12 and ends on July 13. Like
tennis, football has a very long history. The modern global game was first codified in 1863 in
London but there is evidence for refereed, team football games being played in English
schools since at least 1581. England can boast the earliest ever documented use of the
English word "football" (1409) and the earliest reference to the sport in French (1314).
England is home to the oldest football clubs in the world (dating from at least 1857), the
world's oldest competition (the FA Cup founded in 1871) and the first ever football league
(1888). For these reasons England is considered the home of the game of football.
Football's roots in England can be found in medieval football with the game being played
annually on Shrovetide. This game had been brought over with the Norman Conquest and
rules were non-existent. As a result, football was often banned. The first account of a
kicking ball game comes in 1280 at Ulgham in Northumberland, in which a player was killed
as a result of running against an opponent’s dagger. In 1314, comes the earliest reference to
football when Nicholas de Farndone, Lord Mayor of London, issued a decree on behalf of
King Edward II banning the game. It was written in the French used by the English upper
classes at the time. A translation reads: "[f]orasmuch as there is great noise in the city caused
by hustling over large foot balls in the fields of the public from which many evils might arise
which God forbid: we command and forbid on behalf of the king, on pain of imprisonment,
such game to be used in the city in the future."
In 1526 the first record of a pair of football boots occurs when Henry VIII of England
ordered a pair from the Great Wardrobe in 1526. Unfortunately the boots are no longer in
existence. In 1581 comes the earliest account of football as an organised team sport. Richard
Mulcaster, a student at Eton College in the early 16th century and later headmaster at other
English schools, provides the earliest references to teams ("sides" and "parties"), positions
("standings"), a referee ("judge over the parties") and a coach "(trayning maister)". Mulcaster
also confirms that in the 16th century England football was very popular and widespread: it
had attained "greatnes. .. [and was] much used... in all places.” Despite this, violence
continued to be a problem. The game continued to be played in the latter part of the 17th
century, even in cities such as London. The great diarist Samuel Pepys, states in 1665 that in
a London street "the streete being full of footballs".
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ABCA Summer Party and BBQ
The ABCA Summer party and BBQ will once again be on 21st July, the National Day.
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 Edenplein) 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.
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!
Practical:
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: BE
11-220-0324380-48, stating “BBQ” and the number of people you are reserving for, or
contact Mary Ann Marinus by Wednesday 17 th July (gsm 0486 646 941 after 7pm or e-mail
[email protected]).
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Minutes of the AGM
held on Wednesday 30th April 2014 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 Dr Law, our Vice Chairman
who was in hospital recently.
Minutes of the 2013 AGM
A motion to accept was proposed by Ton du Maine, seconded by Sid Wilkins.
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. This is the first
AGM on these premises since the move to the Stadswaag in February. Congratulations!
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 Dr
Law, Ms Hechtermans and myself.
Events diary :
The Chairman’s overview of the past year’s outings :
“We started last May with a guided tour of the Letterenhuis in the Keyserstraat, and at the
end of the month a late AGM. In June we visited the Bonaparte exhibition at the MAS,
then our Summer party & BBQ in July. A good time was had by all. The annual Mussels
lunch at the was on the 1st September as the closest Sunday to the end of August. And at
the beginning of October we were all ready for our Antwerp Challenge Quiz. In November
we went for ribs at the new Amadeus restaurant on the Suikerrui and December came in
with our traditional Christmas lunch followed by a visit with guide to the Red Star Line
museum and afterwards Christmas drinks and mince pies at the open evening.
Then in January this year we had our New Year brunch at d’Aa Toert – a full house! – some
of us went on a second visit to the Red Star Line and at the end of the month our traditional
new year drinks at the Highlander. In February we went on a wonderful tour of the Elixir
d’Anvers brewery (with tasting!) which was very enjoyable and last month some of us went
to Mechelen and attended the guided tour of the Kazerne Dossin. This brings us round to
the Easter lunch earlier this month and the present AGM.
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The 2014-15 season will start with a chocolate “tour d’horizon” at Quetzal in May and a
Spanish tapas evening in June. And that will bring us back to July and another summer
party and BBQ which you will of course no doubt all attend”
Membership
In the last 12 months ABCA acquired 10 new members. Sadly 2 of our members passed
away.
Benevolent report
The following charities are proposed : Kamiano (Antwerp soup kitchen), Moeders voor
Moeders and the BCF (British Charitable Fund).
An equal sum of €500 will go to all.
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 workers, and Dora in particular who
has taken on much of the responsibility for keeping in touch with our older members.
Visiting the sick and elderly as we all know is an essential task within our organisation and
I’m grateful to all of ABCA’s welfare visitors. I’m sure it comes as no surprise that in the
last 12 months some 55 such visits were undertaken by our volunteers. Once again I
cannot stress enough that should you hear of anyone in hospital or in need of a visit, let us
know. Committee members’ details are on the back page of the newsletter. I would also like
to thank those chauffeurs who provide transport for our older members, 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
Scrutineer : Miss de Roover kindly agreed to take this on for the next financial year.
With thanks.
Any Other Business : none
The AGM closed at 9.15pm.
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In the Garden of Eden
Lord, I have a problem.”
“What is it, Eve?”
“I know that you created me and provided this beautiful garden and all of these wonderful
animals, especially that hilarious snake, but I’m just not happy.”
“And why is that Eve?”
“Lord, I’m lonely, and I’m sick to death of apples.”
“Well, Eve, in that case I have a solution. I shall create a man for you.”
“Man? What is that Lord?”
“A flawed creature with many bad traits. He’ll lie, cheat and be vain. All in all he’ll give you a
hard time, but he’ll be bigger and faster and will love to hunt, fish and bring you good things
to eat. I’ll create him in such a way that he will satisfy your physical needs. He will be witless
and will revel in childish things like playing cards and knocking a ball around.
“He won’t be as smart as you, so he will also need your advice to think properly.”
“Sounds great,” says Eve, with ironically raised eyebrows,” but what’s the catch?”
“Well,..... you can have him on one condition.”
“And what’s that Lord? “
“Well, since he’ll be proud, arrogant and self-admiring, you’ll have to let him believe that I
made him first. And it will have to be our little secret ..... you know, woman to woman.”
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Al Fresco Dining
Papoutsakia
Kiz, our cook from Athens has sent us this delicious recipe for al fresco dining:
Papoutsakia (little shoes) are a summer dish made with aubergines. This recipe is for two. -.
just double up for more. Serve with a good Greek salad of tomatoes, onion, cucumber, feta,
black olives and oil.
Ingredients:
1 large aubergine; 1 onion finely chopped; 1 clove of garlic minced;
2 medium sized tomatoes, pulped
200g of beef mince
6 or 7 button mushrooms chopped
50g of goats cheese or cream cheese
100g of grated cheddar
a pinch of nutmeg; pinch of cinnamon; pinch of clove; salt; pepper; olive oil
Cut the aubergine in half lengthways and scoop out most of the flesh leaving just enough to
retain a shell shape and not collapse flat. Heat about a table spoon of olive oil in a frying pan
over a med heat and place the aubergine shells in skin side down and fry for about five to
ten minutes on one side and then the same again in the other. Meanwhile, chop the scooped
out aubergine flesh and put to one side with other ingredients. Pre-heat oven to medium
hot. Remove aubergine shells and place in a baking dish. In the same frying pan, add a bit
more oil if necessary and sauté your onions and garlic on not too high a heat for ten mins till
onions are transluscent but not browned. Add mince and brown off. Now add the tomatoes,
mushrooms and aubergine flesh, with the spices and cook through until you have a very
thick meat sauce with no watery liquid at all. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Fill the two shells with the meat sauce then dot bits of goat cheese or cream cheese over the
surface of the sauce. Then top with the grated cheddar and bake for between 25 -35 minutes
till the cheese is golden and bubbling. Vegetarians can substitute finely chopped
mushrooms for the mince.
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Advance notice : Mussels lunch
on 31st August
Now at the Highlander – change of venue !
At the end of the summer we’re back with our ever popular outing : the Mussels lunch (of
course there’s an alternative !).
This year ABCA is organising its annual Mussels Lunch at the Highlander for a change.
We rendez-vous at 12.30 for 1 pm.
More in the August newsletter.
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SuDokus
June puzzles
May solutions
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June Quiz
1. Ganymede is a moon of which planet?
2. Where in its body are a lobster’s teeth?
3. What is the primary function of red blood cells?
4. Which gas is predominant in the Earth’s atmosphere?
5. What is a group of alligators called?
6. How many chambers does the human heart contain?
7. What does DNA stand for?
8. What is the largest artery in the human body called?
9. What is the centre of an atom called?
10. What type of lens is a magnifying glass; concave or convex?
The next five questions feature the opening lines of some famous works. Can you
name the works?
11. “Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents,” grumbled Jo, lying on the rug.
12. Call me Ishmael.
13. Somewhere in la Mancha, in a place whose name I do not care to remember, a
gentleman lived not long ago, one of those who has a lance and ancient shield on a shelf
and keeps a skinny nag and a greyhound for racing.
14. Now is the Winter of our Discontent.
15. I was born in the Year 1632, in the City of York, of a good Family, tho’ not of that
Country, my Father being a Foreigner of Bremen, who settled first at Hull…
May Answers
1. Deserts; 2. Sand 3.Egypt; 4. South America; 5.Philosopher ; 6. Browning;
7.Hospital 8. Coins 9. Messenger 10. Microwave oven (or Microwave)
11. Clear the table 12. Ottoman (or Turkish)13. Clinging/support
14. Clothing 15. Water depth
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June Crossword
Across
2. Frenzied (7); 7. City in W Nevada (4); 8. State of USA (4);
9. Strictness (5); 10. Companionless (6); 11. Withdraw (6); 12. Wily (3);
14. Snip (5); 16. Elected (5); 18. Plant (3); 21. Reunite (6);
23. Aromatic ointment (6); 24. Squeeze (5); 25. Prefix for small (4);
26. Inspires dread (4); 27. Arid (7)
Down
1. Situated in the west (7); 2. Beat into shape (5); 3. Fishes (6);
4. Village near Tewkesbury (6); 5. Pertaining to Cornwall (7);
6. Young female horse (5); 13. The Lion (3); 15. Marsh marigold (7);
17. Having skill (7); 18. Self-conscious smile (6); ;19. Twist suddenly (6)
20. Violently intense (5); 22. Holy war (5)
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)
Vice Chairman
Penny Law
Geestenspoor 113
2180 Ekeren
tel: 03 542 20 71
Hon. Treasurer
Margaret du Maine
Miksebeekstraat 104
2930 Brasschaat
tel: 03 651 32 24
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Secretary
Nadine Hechtermans
Lispersteenweg 219
2500 Lier
tel: 03 480 34 77
Committee Member
Jill Barnard
Helmstraat 68/5
2140 Borgerhout
tel: 0474 432191
[email protected]
[email protected]
Committee Member
Stephanie Hughes
Maarschalk Gerardstraat
21, bus 1
2000 Antwerpen
tel: 0484661331
[email protected]
Newsletter Editor
Madeleine Richardson
Prins Boudewijnlaan 84/3
2610 Wilrijk
tel: 03 230 49 47
Benevolent Matters
Dora Jolly
Hollandstraat 38
2060 Antwerpen
tel: 03 232 71 15
Anglican Church
St Boniface Church
Grétrystraat 39
2018 Antwerpen
tel: 03 239 33 39
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
ABCA recognizes the diversity of belief in contemporary
British society and accordingly directs members wanting
to contact other faith groups to the “Gids voor
levensbeschouwelijk Antwerpen/Multifaith Antwerp
guide”, published by the Stad Antwerpen.
Information on www.antwerpen.be - tel 03 221 13 33.
Webmaster:
ABCA Website:
www.abca-antwerp.be
e-mail address:
[email protected]
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. Take 12 months advertising and pay for only 10!
1/8 page:
½ page:
€ 6.50 per issue
€ 16.50 per issue
¼ page:
1 page:
€ 11 per issue
€ 30 per issue
Contact the Newsletter Editor for more information or to place an ad, however :
ABCA takes no responsibility for the consequences of reacting to advertisements placed by
third parties.
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