The spanking new Menton English Library or St John’s English library, is open.

It is independently run and to avoid misconception, is not part of St John’s church.

Membership is 25€
Life membership 100 €
Membership forms available

Open Saturday mornings and Wednesdays. Membership forms available. Information on Facebook  MentonEnglishLibrary

Princess Grace Irish Library
Under the aegis of Fondation Princesse Grace

Friends of the Library - dia dhuit

Enjoy the recording of our St Patrick's Day event at the Library with music and drama.

We were honoured with the presence of H.S.H. Prince Albert II and proud that the palace was lit up in green.

PGIL Event

Visit by ......H.S.H. Prince Albert II

Click HERE to watch our 30-minute event for Lá Fhéile Pádraig.

We were delighted to welcome H.S.H. Prince Albert II and His children Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Part of the event was televised on Monaco Info.

On the programme:

Traditional music by the pupils of the l’Académie de Musique Fondation Prince Rainier IIIA semi-dramatized reading of Frank O’Connor’s short story “The Majesty of the Law” by actors from the Monaco-Ireland Arts Society.A joint effort with Nick O'Conor singing the popular song 'Molly Malone', accompanied by the pupils on instruments.Presentation of two Irish cakes made by pupils from the Lycée Technique & Hotelier de Monaco

Pupils of the l’Académie de Musique Fondation Rainier III playing harps and the harpsichord.

Special thanks to:Pupils: Anaïd Conquet, Léo Curran, Elia Eastwood and Marcello FormentiDirector Jade Sapolin and teachers Noëlle Vera and Camille Mugot.

A reading of Frank O’Connor’s 'The Majesty of the Law'

Performed by actors from the Monaco-Ireland Arts Society.

Special thanks to:Founder and Vice-President: Virginia Disney ConnellActors: Birgitt McDonagh, Nick O’Conor (Co-founder) and Andrew Riley

Press coverage

The Library has been in the news and on TV

Monaco Info TV Watch >

Paris Match: La prinesse Gabriella et le prince Jacques ont fêté la Saint-Patrick, avec le prince Albert II de Monaco Read article >

Monaco Now: Princess Grace Irish Library: Ireland in Monaco Read article >

Monaco Life: Princess Grace Irish Library celebrates St. Pat’s Day Read article >

Gouv.mc: The Princess Grace Irish Library Celebrates St. Patrick's Day Read article >

Finally

Thanks to Habitat in Monaco who kindly lent us the frames to decorate the walls with the musical scores from Princess Grace's personal collection. Also, thanks to la Direction de l’Aménagement Urbain Section Jardin for the beautiful plants.


Reminder! To book your visit to the PGIL and check our opening hours click here.

Slán leat.

PS In case you missed our last newsletter, you can find it here HERE

A Note From Birgitt McDonagh-Nordbrink

Every year in March, I organise an evening’s performance at the St Exupery theatre here in Menton, to showcase Monaco Ireland Arts Society’s  latest dramatised play reading, following its premier in Monaco. (Yours truly and two other Menton members perform with MIAS)

In 2020, our performance, to be attended by HSH Prince Albert of Monaco, was cancelled, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

This year, on St Patrick’s Day,  we were honoured to perform for HSH Prince Albert, at the Princess Grace Irish library, organised by PGIL’s new director, Paula Farquharson. The event was televised and received excellent press coverage.

We look forward to the time Menton members can once again attend the excellent lectures at Princess Grace library and for MIAS to work with Paula, on possible future performances.

St Patrick,  patron saint of Ireland, was a much-travelled person of his day. Born, not in Ireland, but in Britannia, he died in Saul UK, on 17. March 460 AD. His name was Maewyn Succat.

At  the age of 16, he was taken prisoner by Irish marauders, allegedly to Killalla, County Mayo. He escaped after more than 6 years and travelled to Auxerre in Burgundy, where he studied religion.

The Ile Saint Honorat, island off Cannes, inhabited by monks since the fifth century, has a plaque to St Patrick, who allegedly studied at the island’s monastery in the fifth century.

BN

RIP LUC LANLO Adjoint à la Culture Mairie de Menton

Many of you have met the charming representative of the Mairie, Luc Lanlo, who represented the mayor at our last celebration to mark HM's official birthday, June 2019.
An extrovert, a lover of the arts, he followed in his father's footsteps, when he joined the French Air Force, attaining the rank of Commandant.
Later, Luc was awarded the distinction of, Chevalier de l'Ordre national du Merite. Upon his return to civilian life, Luc continued his life-long love of the arts. He was involved in negotiations on the Severine Wunderman collection of works by Jean Cocteau.

Luc's father hailed from Breton, his mother from India.

Luc had great passion for Indian art. After a British Association luncheon in Gorbio, Luc kindly arranged for us to visit the castle in Gorbio, where he explained the works of Indian artist RAZA to us.

Sadly, Luc Lanlo became a Covid-19 victim. His funeral took place in Gorbio, on Monday, 15. March. Due to restrictions, we were not able to attend the service and unable to pay our respects.
We send our heartfelt condolences to Luc's partner, Michel Imbert, Michel's mother and Luc's family. We shall miss you Luc.

RIP William Waterfield

Our member, William Waterfield, sadly passed away on 21. January 2021, at
the Palmosa hospital Menton, after a short illness.
We send our heartfelt condolences to William's family.

William Waterfield was a life member of the British Association and St
John's church. Those who knew William, admired his charm, wit, kindness and
fun loving personality. William loved people and company. We are greatly
saddened at his loss.

British Association Menton members enjoyed many a happy hour discovering
the delights of William's garden, guided by William, an avid gardener,
before sitting down to afternoon tea at "Clos du Peyronnet."

During lockdown back in May, we last spoke with William, as he and our
member Jessica, took part in our online quiz. I've attached a "selfie" photo
of that occasion.

We await information from St John's church, with regard to the funeral
service. Although most members are currently under curfew in different parts
of the world, it would be very much appreciated if those currently in our
area would be able to pay their respects.

Menton and the dancing troupe by John Sharp

My father had seven aunts and uncles, one of whom, Maude, was a spinster who had been crippled by arthritis and, sadly, was confined to a wheel chair in her final years during which she left England to live in Menton, on the Mediterranean coast, adjacent to the Italian border, of which town, known as La Perle de La France.

Aunt Maude, many were thus christened and it’s a name now back back in vogue, legged it back to Blighty, no, that’s an inappropriate verb, “returned” is more appropriate, every July and August because it was too hot for her and she allowed Father the use of her flat, which was in the middle of the town in one of the 22 Belle Époque former hotels, L’Orient Palace

We three children (I was the eldest, aged seven, when we were first taken there) were thrust into the shooting brake, driven to Dover and, when we were in France, Father deliberately took just under a week to drive us to La Côte d’Azur, so that we could see something not only of that country but also the other European countries through which we travelled. There wasn’t an Alpine Pass through which we did not drive.

As you might imagine, things could sometimes become a little fractious in the back seat of the vehicle. My brother, the middle in age between us, was always in the middle of the seat, as he was by far the mildest in temperament of the three of us, and my sister, the youngest, was kept as far away from me as possible. A feisty little girl, she rarely did what I told her to do.

I recall, vividly, an occasion when we were travelling through Switzerland and I took exception to something or other my sister did or did not do. And so I slapped her, which action required me to stretch in front of brother Peter, he didn’t mind of course, he knew his place, which was subservient to mine. I must have been “the most frightful child” as Vanessa, that’s my wife, guys, would say, indeed, she tells me that almost daily.

At this, Father immediately stopped the vehicle, told me to get out, to take my trousers down, to bend over the bonnet of the car and stand by for punishment. You might think that this was, by now, a Standing Operational Procedure and you’d be correct in that assumption. He kept a leather soled slipper, easily accessible in the boot, for this purpose. What has remained etched in my memory was the slowing down of the other road users as punishment was administered - we were on the way to one of the Alpine passes at the time and I saw some of these passers by pointing at this odd sight, probably having their views confirmed of the English as a nation of homosexuals.

There were numerous other recollections but one other leaps out at me as memorable. By this stage, I was about twelve, we now used to travel by the night train from Boulogne, the car accompanied us - it still happens, as you may know. On this occasion, our two female cousins also joined us, total 9. You may know that a couchette accommodates four persons and so my aunt, her two daughters and my sister were in one couchette, my father, my mother, my brother and I were in another couchette and my unfortunate uncle drew what we all thought was the short straw, a night in the third couchette, probably with three Gaulois smoking French men.

In those days, you could go no further than Lyon, at which station we alighted and expected to see my uncle not a happy man as he emerged from his couchette. Instead, much to the horror of my aunt, he stepped onto the platform preceded by three very pretty young coloured girls, whom we later found out were part of a dancing troupe.

Apparently, before getting into the bunk beds, these girls completely stripped off and covered themselves with oil to ensure a glistening body. We were not told whether my uncle helped them to do so.

I shall never forget the happy smile on my uncle’s face, the horror etched on that of my aunt’s and the laughter on the faces of the rest of us. As I‘ve mentioned before, I was about twelve at the time. Perhaps it was the beginning of the dawn of awakening.
John Sharp

Starting the weekend in style

Members enjoy drinks and dinner at the newly named Cabana Solenzara yesterday.

Celebrating Hans 96 birthday

On Sunday 19 July 2020, our Long time member, Hans Roempke celebrated his 96th birthday with friends of the British Association. We spent a lovely afternoon with Hans and were delighted to meet Helena, Hans‘s daughter-in-law and her two sons. They looked after us beautifully, with bubbles, a scrumptious cold buffet and a very yummy birthday cake. We sang Happy Birthday more than once in different languages and a great time was had by all. A birthday to remember.

Hans with daughter-in-law Helena
Hans with grandsons and daughter-in-law Helena
Friends on the terrace
Scrumptious cold buffet
A riotous Dutch rendering of Happy Birthday to Swedish Hans
Friends on the Terrace
Friends with Helena
Helena and Hans with the birthday cake 32 x 3 !!!

Bastille Day 2020

Some members enjoying a quiet drink on a Menton rooftop terrace. July 14th 2020.

An Impromptu Lunch, Saturday 08-02-20

Last Saturday, a few members gathered for lunch at the Vulcano after the Saturday morning Louvre meeting.

An Impromptu Evening Out 19-10-19

Last Saturday, an impromptu suggestion, resulted in of some of our members meeting up in the evening for a chat and to enjoy Bruno Vicari’s band at Le Nautilus.

A New Apero Venue

Arrive in time for the happy hour, which is actually 6pm to 8pm, at the recently opened “Monkeys After Work” situated across the road from Picard, at what was formerly the “Bounty Bar”.
Most drinks during happy hour are €5 they also do cocktails and serve meat or cheese platter at €5
Solely with the interests of our members in mind some of us checked out the premises the other evening and we recommend a visit!
BN

Belgian National Day 2019

Ten members joined the Belgian Association, who celebrated their National Day last Sunday. With Belgian beer on tap, moules frites, wine dessert and coffee at La Coupole, a good time was had by all.
Members sang a belated" HAPPY BIRTHDAY" to Hans Roempke, in celebration of his 95th birthday. Hans was presented Hans with a card and bottle of champagne on behalf of the British Association Menton.

Le Nautilus Night

16 members enjoyed an evening of music and dancing at the Nautilus,Promenade du Soleil, on 24.11.18. It was a fun  evening with our friend singer/musician Bruno Vicari , acompanied by his excellent drummer. During the interval, a belly dancer kept us animated. The restaurant was fully booked and subsequently a bit of a delay in service, but  when our food arrived, it was tasty and nobody minded, even our most elderly member, Hans, who was busy taking photos with his new i-phone.

Garavan Party

Members David & Maryon, George & Angela and Andrew & Jean, are all neighbours in Garavan. Two of the ladies, Maryon and Angela hit on  the great idea of hosting a communal party recently A great idea,  lots of fun and should be repeated sometime soon.

Liberation Of Menton

An annual event at which the BA Menton lays a wreath.

A meeting with Pierre Talbott on 13 June 2018

Pierre is a life member of the British Association Menton and lived here for many years. Pierre was an active member, taking part in all our social events, until ill health forced Pierre to return to the UK four years ago.

Pierre pops over here once in a while, to catch up with old friends and to visit his beloved Menton. He was very impressed with the work now nearly completed at the Sablette beach and in the port area, where Pierre used to keep his boat.
 
We were delighted to see Pierre looking and feeling so well.

Pierre missed our Queen's birthday celebration by one day, having arrived here on Sunday. He returns to the UK this Friday.

Unfortunately, there was no time to contact other friends, but Pierre sends his love to all who remember him and promises to give us due notice of his next visit.