Hello Everyone
The Bird of Paradise flowers outside my kitchen window will not be attracting sunbirds any time soon because they are refusing to open. Returning from ecology-conscious Holland, where we had the hottest Easter Monday on record, I heard that here our glorious displays of Easter flowers had had a serious dousing. Extreme weather? or should we just believe the old saying March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers. The Dutch were bemoaning the fact that the hot spell had shortened the tulip season. It could be worse!.  

April Open Meeting

At our informal gathering on the 10th April, we started off with an update from Penny, Maggie and Phil Mercer. Then we were treated to a very interesting talk given by Alain and Monique Perrault from La Ligue contre le Cancer. They are both retired teachers who for many years have been totally committed to the work they do at La Ligue. They gave us a brief history of La Ligue from 1918 to the present. We heard about research and patient contact. Also how they undertake the huge task of raising awareness – spreading information about the detection and prevention of cancer, physical activity and sophrology for patients in remission and of course their fundraising activities. They also spoke about going into colleges and lycées and talking about the dangers of tobacco, the sun and processed food. Following the meeting they both joined us for lunch – there was a lot to talk about!

This month’s Drop-Ins:

Wednesday 1 May – Céret – 10.30-12
Pablo’s Bar in the Place Pablo Picasso. Come and join us for coffee and conversation. There are books and DVDs.

Wednesday 15 May – Ille sur Têt – 10-12
Lizzie’s is open for business this month with coffee and cake as usual.

Monday 20 May – Laroque – 10.30-12
Come along and have a browse, buy a coffee and take two books. We have a large turnover of books and we encourage you to bring as many paperbacks as you can. Up-to-date hardback books in good condition are also accepted.

THIS MONTH’S EVENTS

Sunday 12 May Vide Grenier St Cyprien 8am – 5pm

CSF will be at this large Vide Grenier again this year. We’ll have books, DVDs and gifts and you can certainly add to these. If you have any items which are in good condition, bring those too. Just come along in the morning and drop them off at our stand.

Wednesday 15 May – Sunday 19 May CSF NATIONAL CYCLE FOR LIFE 2019

Last month I went into great detail about this important event in our calendar. If you need to refresh your memories, do let me know! In the meantime, have a look at these websites.

This is an excellent one which tells you everything you need to know: https://csfcycleforlife.org

If you are interested in cycling then please drop Sasha a line: admin@cancersupportfrance.org

Lastly, here is an important message about sponsorship from Hazel Turner and Geoff Hunt:

Each year Cancer Support France National organise a cycle ride to raise funds for National CS. These funds are used, in particular to ensure that the training volunteers receive is of the highest quality.

This year the event is over 5 days and starts in Mazamet, finishing in Perpignan. We will be cycling the whole route – quite a challenge but we’re looking forward to it.

We are looking for folk to sponsor us to raise funds for this very worthwhile cause. Both of us have lost partners to cancer and know how important the support offered by CSF is.

Our fundraising page can be found on: http://www.alvarum.com/hazelturnerandgeoffhunt

Any contributions welcome, however small.

Friday 24 May CSF Sponsored Skydive Ariège 11am

In 2017 a CSF member lost a dear friend to cancer. This year as she reaches her 70th birthday, she is performing a skydive in his memory to raise funds for Cancer Support France (Sud). This all happens at L’Aérodrome de Pamiers, Les Pujols, at 11am. Sponsorship is easy. All you have to do is contact Pam at pam.mercer@live.com

LOOKING AHEAD

Come and walk or just join in the fun. The one thing we know for sure is that the walks will be different from last year. Nothing more on that yet but as always there will be stalls with cakes, books, bric-a-brac and CSF products and a licensed bar plus tea & coffee. Stay for lunch and bring a picnic and something to cook on our barbecue (there will be a fridge to keep stuff cool). More details soon.

Sat 9 November Quiz Night Eus 7pm

A lot of you will know how these Quiz Nights work. Here in Eus, at the Maison de Temps Libre, there will be tables of four or six teams and each team competes to win a prize. For now, just put the date in your diary.

Sunday 17 November Rifle Pour La Vie Collioure 3pm

Every year La Ligue contre le Cancer organises a Rifle at the Centre Culturel in Collioure. For those who don’t know, a Rifle (it rhymes with skiffle) is lotto or bingo but with prizes that are original and varied such as works of art by local artists and sculptors, produce and services offered by artisans, local shops, restaurants and winemakers. The money raised will be used to fund the multifaceted work of La Ligue (see above). There’ll be more on this later.

Diana Eastaff