Hello And Welcome To The British Association de Menton Website
Aim of British Association Menton
Our aim is to answer your queries, to make you welcome. To introduce you to like-minded people and help you to settle in France. We also organise lots of interesting social events, lunches, quiz afternoons, cocktail evenings, and much more.
Do take a look at our events page. We have many interesting events lined up for our members and their friends to enjoy.
If you will be on vacation in Menton and would like to join us at one of our events, do get in touch.
Birgitt McDonagh-Nordbrink
Chairperson British Association de Menton
CORONATION OF KING CHARLES III - "AFTERNOON TEA" - MAY 6TH 2023
Judging by the many thankyous received, members and guests thoroughly enjoyed our Coronation Afternoon Tea, at L’Orangeraie. On the big day, our event began at 4:30pm giving people a chance to watch the coronation and parades on TV.
Much of the content of our “Afternoon Tea” event, I had kept secret. The fantastic singer, Vasmo Tz, the spinach quiche, copied from the original Buckingham Palace recipe, Chris Parkman, St John’s new chaplain, singing “Jerusalem,” accompanied by Arabella’s Childrens choir, who did so well with only one or two rehearsals and our Menton Coronation placard, designed by our webmaster, John O’Hare.
Of course, I had mentioned the occasion would be reported on TV3 news “Journal Tele,” I had asked the ladies to wear hats and the ladies responded positively and looked lovely. How nice to see everyone looking so elegant. As I mentioned on the day, “Tres Anglaise.” It’s very British for a lady to wear a hat to a formal occasion. Thankyou ladies!
Representatives of the mayors of Menton and RCM, normally raise a glass with us and thereafter disappear. On this occasion, they stayed and enjoyed a happy afternoon with the journalist from Nice Matin, who gave us a lovely write up. The TV crew headed off, in order to get their clip ready for the 7pm news. Their report on Menton’s Afternoon Tea was very complimentary.
Thinking all eventualities had been covered, including instructions given on how to make dainty afternoon tea sandwiches. “Please remove the crusts, add the fillings and cut into triangles.” I didn’t see the size of those triangles, until they were being served……! The quiche was lovely, the desserts truly dainty and a good time was had by all.
British Association Menton Coronation Singing Jerusalem
VASMO Singing at the British Association Menton Coronation Event
Article Nice-Matin
"Merci à toutes de porter des chapeaux… très anglais", amorce la présidente de la "British Association" de Menton, Birgitt Nordbrink.
LINK TO TV BROADCAST ON FRANCE•TV
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A Brief Historyof BA Menton
Founded by Rev Hearsey, Holy Trinity Church, Nice, the association’s initial aim was to offer assistance to British people in need, to look after the interests of its members, their friends and families and to organise social events, with the aim of “bringing people together.” The annual social highlight was and still is a party to commemorate HM’s official birthday in June.
Branches of the original British Association, Nice, were formed in Cannes, the Var, Menton and Monaco. The British Association acts as a link to the Consulate in Marseille.
Today, each former branch is an independent association in its own right, under French law, the 1901 act. Although the initial objectives remain, Menton has opened its arms and moved forward to welcome the 21st century. As I mentioned earlier, we in Menton are proud of our international status with members from Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Holland, the US, South Africa, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, France and the UK. When first arriving to “live the dream” in this beautiful part of the world, you may encounter unforeseen problems. You can’t speak the language, don’t understand the bureaucracy. You might need an English-speaking GP or dentist. Maybe it would be help to know of an English-speaking plumber or painter?
Please feel free to contact us here.
Birgitt McDonagh-Nordbrink
Chairperson British Association de Menton
French Residency Portal
There’s been a positive response to the French government’s new online residency portal for British nationals living in the country full-time. The portal, which went live on the interior Ministry website on Monday is described as being easy to use, quick and efficient. All full-time British residents in France must apply for a new withdrawal agreement carte de sejour before the end of June next year and the government has tried to make the process as easy as possible and has even included an English section for those who may be struggling with the French language. Everyone will be required to make one trip to their local prefecture at some point during the process to submit biometric details and provide a recent passport photo for the new card. Upon completion of the online process, a receipt will be issued and applicants will be invited to attend the local prefecture by appointment at a later date. The website address for applications is http://invite.contacts-demarches.interieur.gouv.fr/BREXIT
AbouT BA MEnton
Find out about our organization, mission, our methods, and the results of our decades of advocacy.
