I’ve been sent a video about a remarkable little girl called Evie.

Because it’s rare there is no focus or real funding yet for this illness and so as parents they are doing everything they can to raise awareness and funds, hoping to speed up the process of trying to find a cure.   

February 29^th is Rare Disease Day and to coincide with this they have been in touch asking anyone who reads this and who has ever wanted to set themselves a personal challenge ~ be that to run a marathon or cycle a race or even bungee jump (!) – to do so in support of this tiny charity.

If you can’t do that, but would love to help in another way, then you can sponsor Emily and her friends who are doing a 100km walk from London to Brighton in May for the A-T charity. (www.bmycharity.com/emilyread)

And please remember to visit their Facebook page, as just by clicking ‘like’ and ‘share’ you are helping them to raise awareness https://www.facebook.com/pages/Action-for-A-T/300005930046577

And finally click here to watch a lovely video they’ve made http://vimeo.com/35835631 despite finding themselves in a situation that thankfully most of us will never have to face...

Thank you 

This local company of professional actors, directors and musicians plan to work alongside famous guest artistes and stars from stage, screen and TV from the UK and around the world, to produce four or five quality shows each year.

For their first production, they’ve chosen Neil Simon’s romantic comedy Barefoot in the Park which explores the trials and tribulations of love and marriage ~ opening night is aptly February 14 Valentine’s night, at 7.30pm in Valbonne with an after show party to celebrate the launch. And they’ll be there on the 15^th too with curtain up at the later time of 8.30pm.

Guest-starring Jennifer Wilson and directed by her husband, Brian Peck – two nicer people you could not wish to meet. Brian jokes modestly: ‘And getting older, it doesn’t get any easier!’

Playing alongside Jennifer are actors John Fleming, Jennifer Oliver and Thomas Richardson.

She says despite all her years of experience it is still hard to remember lines, and that she is ‘very impressed with our young actors who are so good.’

I know from the cast members Brian is like a whirling dervish and full of energy. In fact the hard working duo has CVs as long as your arm (you name it they’ve been in it!) and once the show has been taken to Cannes and Frejus, they are rushing back to the UK for TV commitments.

And as far as getting those big names down here, well the South of France is a great lure explains Janine Fitzgerald who is playing Jennifer’s understudy this time around and the lead in the next production – Deathtrap.

‘There are companies in Vienna, Hamburg and Spain who have been doing this sort of thing for 25 years and that’s what we are aiming for. This is the beginning of a very exciting project for the whole team,’ she explained. ‘And SET will be playing in Nice and Monaco too, dates to be confirmed.’

 For more information about SET visit the website at http://www.southoffranceenglishtheatre.com/  where you will find details of how you can become a theatre club member which costs just €10, and allows you discounts and priority booking on all their productions throughout the year.

• SET will be performing Barefoot in the Park in Valbonne on February 14 & 15^th, with performances in Cannes on March 2nd, Fayence March 8th and Cannes again on March 9^th all starting at 8.30pm.

Call Maggie on 04 92 28 12 40 or 06 17 74 50 40 to reserve tickets, which are priced at €20 (buy 5 get the 6^th free) and €15 for students and theatre club members.

• Nearer the time I’ll bring you details of the rest of the season ~ Deathtrap & Noises Off showing in April and September 2012.

To the uninitiated, Alexandra has a loyal following in London, where her facials are popular with celebrities and beauty editors alike, and where, by the way, there is a six-month waiting list for her treatments!

I caught up with Sandra recently and asked her some questions. Here’s what she said:

Firstly, silly question, but why should we change to organic products?
Because it is obviously so much better to use natural products that contain no parabens, no animal products, no chemicals and no sodium lauryl sulphate. The additives that are used to conserve non-organic creams tend to dry the skin and alter the natural PH level. The products I use often contain essential oils which are easily absorbed into the skin and can be more effective for certain skin conditions. 

How long have you been in the beauty business?
Over 20 years! I studied in Newcastle upon Tyne for an I.T.E.C diploma, and then worked in London, before travelling around the world working in some very chic spas and hotels. Since 2002 I’ve lived here in France with my French husband and my two daughters.

What advice can you give readers who want to get their skin in good shape?
Eat a well-balanced diet, drink plenty of water, do regular exercise and of course have a monthly professional facial. If you stick to this regime you will improve the condition of your skin and have a great complexion.

What should we all being doing as part of a daily/weekly routine?
It is really important to cleanse the skin well and to hydrate daily, even if your skin is oily. Living down in this part of France we all need to use a sun block too.

Your weekly routine should include an exfoliator or skin brushing, and a mask (depending on skin type) and if you have time try to do a facial massage for ten minutes each week. Massage with aromatherapy oil improves circulation, oxygenates muscles, tones skin, hydrates and acts as a mini face lift so it’s worth doing!

Sandra offers the most luxurious anti-ageing facial with hot and cold stones, an aromatherapy facial for sensitive skin and a collagen mask for a very youthful glow – these range in price from €35 to €65, and would be a lot more in London.

She also offers a back scrub and massage, and does all types of waxing, plus very shiny and long-lasting manicures and pedicures.

She is currently updating her skills to include the Alexandra Soveral new décolleté (neck/chest) treatment, and is planning to add ‘threading’ (for eyebrows) to her list.

Sandra works in Beausoleil on Mondays and Tuesdays and in La Colle sur Loup on Thursday, Fridays and Saturday mornings.

To find out more or book a time call her directly on 06 25 33 02 62 or you can also email sandra.morvan@club-internet.fr

Happy new year to you all - I hope you have enjoyed a wonderful new year celebration and are rearing to go to make 2012 your best year yet!

We are very excited to announce we are focussing on relationships for our first six Valbonne S-Words of the year, showing a series of film interviews with Alison Armstrong, an expert on the subject of 'men' and how understanding the differences in the way men and women think, talk and act, can greatly improve our relationships with the opposite sex. 

Alison Armstrong is interviewed by Jennifer McLean and over the course of six one hour videos Alison reveals a whole range of incredible insights that will have you laughing and nodding in recognition and understanding. Although the series is called 'all about men', it's equally interesting for men to watch as of course understanding men involves understanding women and what makes us tick too! 

You can see more about Alison Armstrong on her website here: https://www.understandmen.com/articles/index.html

 So please feel free to invite anyone you think might enjoy this series

- it doesn't matter if you miss one or two, each one is interesting in its own right. We'll be showing them every Tuesday at 2pm at the Hotel Les Armoiries in Valbonne from January 10th for the next six weeks. http://www.hotellesarmoiries.com/

Hoping this will help everyone get their love life off to a great start in 2012 and look forward to seeing you there!

Alison 

p.s. We'll be starting the film at 2.10pm sharp so if you'd like to get a coffee and have a chat beforehand please arrive a little earlier 

They are in no particular order, and hopefully this might just give you some novel ideas before you trawl around hunting for presents for family and friends...

Donations: We all have a lot in the south of France, and Christmas is the time to give a little back. The Kenyan Kids charity allows you to choose your gift, personalise your message and then they make sure to give you feedback on what you have bought and what difference it’s made. For more information visit www.facebook.com/KenyanKids

And for animal lovers www.chiensiciailleurs.com/ and www.animalslebanon.org/how-you-can-help/donate. We donated for a 40^th birthday present and the birthday girl was thrilled with such a practical pressie.

Hand-made & unique: You have your choice of beautiful cards, prints and original works of art by talented local artist Jilly Ballantyne. To see what I mean, visit her website at www.paintingriviera.com/Site/Gallery_Shop.html 

Or if colourful jewellery is what you are looking for Sylvie creates funky necklaces, ear rings and bracelets from stones from around the world. Contact her by emailing smjvanderweide@wanadoo.fr

Luxury/indulgent: The festive season is stressful it’s official, and a little pampering goes a long way this time of year, so why not treat yourself or someone else. I bought my husband a sports massage for his birthday and he loved it, but anyone who does a lot of sitting at a computer, or has overdone it in the garden would benefit too. Visit the website http://www.fittphysique.com/ or call Richard on 06 10 28 80 99 to arrange a time.

Or why not surprise the one you love with a rather special cookery lesson. There are currently three themes to choose from - Family & kids, group of friends or French classics – whichever your prefer the chef comes to you in your home and shares his/her expertise in your kitchen as you all cook up a storm together! For details and prices visit http://www.amandinecuisine.com/ 

Stocking filler: And I should probably just mention that for fans of the Cote D’Azur whether that’s you (or maybe your visitors), Chris France’s paperback is worthy of its place in your downstairs loo. A humorous look at life in and around Valbonne compiled from his daily blog entries.  See http://valbonnenews.me/ to find out more.

The mission is to laugh and learn in a friendly environment and to find peace and joy in our busy world. Email Alison for more details on alisononline@me.com

The new venue is Hotel L'Armoirie in Valbonne - the hotel just off the main square.

Richard lives in Roquefort and has been a sports masseur for 18 years, he runs marathons for charity, and along with his wife has a personal fitness business FittPhysique - you’ve no doubt seen his red jeep around town...
 
What made you become a sports masseur?

It complemented my direction-change into the world of fitness and I’ve never looked back.

What other job might you have done?

Something to do with racing motorbikes or skiing.

Who (alive or dead) would you invite to an imaginary dinner party?

Because I was a big fan as a boy, Barry Sheene – the British motorcycle racer who become a household name. Also the British heavyweight boxing legend Henry Cooper – funnily enough my dad used to play golf with him a long time ago.

The American former World Champion motorcycle road racer Kevin Schwantz. I’ve skied with him in Verbier. And the actor Sidney Poitier who was in the classic film To Sir, With Love.

And what would you eat at this dinner party?

Hmmmm, probably something like filet mignon, with green beans and mash potatoes.

What’s your favourite comfort food?

Fried eggs with beans and chips – but I really only allow myself something like that if it’s Friday and I’ve managed quite a few hours training first!

What are you most proud of in your life so far?

My two wonderful kids and finding my wife!

What other places have you lived and worked in?

Both Cairns and Perth in Australia, obviously the UK and here in France, and I was a ski instructor in Canada for a while.

What’s the best thing about living in France/Roquefort?

I think of Nice as the centre point of Europe with the high Alps not that far away, good proximity to Italy and Spain, so it would have to be the excellent location with the Med nearby.

It also means that I can give a ski lesson in morning, say in Auron, and be back down here giving a massage in Opio by the late afternoon.

Does that happen often? No, of course not everyday - but it has happened and it’s fun when it does! It particularly annoys my 9-to-5pm friends in Oxford!

And the worst thing about living in France?

How us Brits are diluting the ‘Frenchness’ of the area. There are so many in Valbonne that you can’t help but wonder what the French make of it. We all moved her because we love the whole Frenchness, the whole package they make, and at the same time we have to be careful not to spoil that very thing.

Oh and great wines of course...

If you’ve been massaging others all day, how do you get to unwind?

When I can, a two-hour mountain cycle does the trick beautifully – especially if there’s a stop on the way back for a glass of rosé.  

Do you have a favourite gadget?

The TV remote control for Eurosport! No seriously, probably my motor-cross bike.

What are your top tips for readers to stay healthy this autumn?

Keep your training up despite the weather! It’s nicer when it gets a bit colder.

What would you tell a young you?

Everything in moderation.

And finally what’s coming up?

Personally I’d like to get signed-up for some more cycling events. And on the work front, we have a large wedding party that we’re providing massage-and-fitness for the whole entourage around the Big Day itself which will be great.

How can people contact you?

By calling me directly on 06 10 28 80 99 or by visiting http://www.fittphysique.com/

How did you get involved?

What I’m doing now started through Lebanon as my husband is Lebanese. The abuse and neglect I’ve witnessed on the streets appalled me. I'm talking about gratuitous abuse.

Physical abuse of living beings, as if they are ‘items’ like nothing is wrong with it. So there really was no other option than for me to help. I support two associations - BETA and Animals Lebanon and am delighted to be able to do this as they don’t get much support.

Animals are a huge important part of our planet. We teach our children with stories where animals are the main characters. I feel like we owe them, but they are all too often treated like soulless beings, like ‘items’ we use, get bored with and throw away. I hope to help the ones I can, giving them back some dignity.

Where did you grow up?

I was born and raised in Rome. My parents still live there, my father is English and my mother is French.

What are you most proud of in your life so far?

Not sure the term proud is appropriate. I think I’ve been blessed by life. I wish to share this with those I love, and use it as a tool to relieve some animals from the pain they are forced to endure due to human abuse because of greed or egos.

I am sure, that each one of us has something precious to offer to the world. And it takes all of it to make a good world. So as long as there is no violence and less egos, even better!

You’ve lived in Italy, Greece, England and Lebanon, what’s the best part about living here in France?

I think France is the place to offer the best balance between beauty, quality of life and intellect.

And the worst?

I think unfortunately we forget how lucky we all are and spend too much time complaining and being unhappy!  

What other job might you have done?

Definitely something involving animal welfare.

What advice would you give to a younger you?

To enjoy life, to make the most of it, to be passionate! There are so many things to do and places to explore and so little time!  

Tell us about the new website and most importantly how can people help?

We made the site to help with adoptions. It is a reflection of our work, just a tiny crumb of a sad reality. The best thing for me is when we see happy endings. We are delighted for the pets of course, but I’m also thrilled for the adopters who get so much from it too. There are some great stories. (see the New Life section on the website for more details)

I do my best to support and follow-up on the adoptions, and I try to know as much as possible about the personality of the rescues so that we can have a successful match.

Readers can help by:

adopting a cat or dog

not buying from pet shops or unethical breeders

by fostering  

and by spreading the word about the website

I need to say a huge thank you to all the people around me because I could not do this without them. Teamwork makes it so easy and efficient!

I need to thank my team mate Michèle Eymauzy, as well as Corinne Picot, the President of SOS Bulldog - these women gave me the confidence and showed me the way. I admire them both for their devotion and hard work. And finally Leslie Frasier from Les Chats du Mercantour who is doing an incredible job.

So please as your good deed for the day, spread the word so that more animals can find their forever home and visit http://www.chiensiciailleurs.com for more details.