ZINE December 2012

ZINE

#600 Dec/Jan 2012/13

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BritSoc ball/ “The

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e Queen’s Jubilee”

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The 2012 Jubilee Ball...

Join us on December 8th for the most sparkling event of the year – the British Society Diamond Jubilee Ball. Celebrating the Diamond Jubilee year, the event will be one of elegance, tradition and friendship.

Elegant Venue….

The ball is hosted in the medieval St. Olof Chapel belonging to the five star Barbizon Palace Hotel located in the historic centre of Amsterdam.

Dancing till 03:00

Entertainment...

Katty Heath music talent of the popular Dutch TV programme “The Voice of Holland” will be performing

A dedicated charity...

This year’s charity is the Red Cross, The charity will be supported by the traditional Britsoc raffle and Silent auction at the ball

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Fond memories of Britsoc Balls past….

See you on the 8th of December at the “Diamond Jubilee Ball”!

Booking tickets...

The ticket sale has commenced. Make sure that you make reservations on time! Ticket prices: members € 105 and non members € 120. You can make your reservations below:

BOOK YYOUR BOOK OUR TICKETS TICKETS HHERE ERE NNOW OW!

If you have any special dietary requirements (such as religious, allergies, vegetarian etc.) please contact: bball@britsoc.nl all@britsoc.nl and we will make special arrangements.

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Contents

Click arrows to go to pa

britsoc/ “600th magazine” christmas/ “nowt so queer” education / “2=4-2” Page 24-35 much ado/ “in dec/jan” Page 3 burns night/ “haggis, tatties family/ “wow! science in ze social friday/ “dec/jan” Page 8 travel/ “whisky tour of Scot Page interview/ “ann-marie toole milestone / “girl guides cen food glorious/ “turkey trimm theatre / “darling, sweetie,

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age

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” Page 16-23

5

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s & neeps” Page 70-77 ernike!” Page 82-85

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tland” Page 94-97 e 50-59 Page 98-107 en” ntenary” Page 108-111 mings” Page 112-117 darling” Page 118-125 Page 7

ZIN 600th The British Society Magazine has been delivered in one form or another to Britsoc members and friends since 1920.

This month we have reached an epic milestone: Issue number 600. Now in digital format since July 2012, we hope you get many more years of enjoyment out of this ever popular expat magazine.

I’m sure you would now like to join us in a resounding Happy 600th Birthday greeting.

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serving the expat since 1920

NE e-magazine

BIRTHDAY

Anyone know a special name for a 600th anniversary? While putting this issue together we started playing with numbers. It being the Queen’s diamond jubilee 10 x 60 came up of course. Ten good reasons to go to the Britsoc Ball is an obvious outcome. Yet 5 x12 also makes 60. Saint Nicholas visits the Netherlands again on 5 December and coming back to 12 got us thinking about Christmas. Both celebrations are featured in this issue. And finally, as you will see on the next page, the Britsoc vaults contain exactly 600 photographs of events gone by. Enough number ranting - enjoy the read!

Special Edition Page 9

brits Page 10

Found a good one of you in here?

Let us know and we’ll send you a copy. Email editor@britsoc.nl

soc Photographic Memory Just some of the 600 reasons why Britsoc events and activities are such fun

But without volunteers to help organise and run events, there would be far less merrymaking, hilarity and joviality. So be a good sport and lend a hand.

5 good reasons to be a BritSoc volunteer

Good for making contact and meeting people As a BritSoc organiser you get invited to lots of social events You are always the first to know what’s going on You get to be creative and see your ideas come to life It gives you a feel-good factor to be pro-active and helpful

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Chairman’s Blog N

early 60 years ago the first issue of the British Society magazine was published. Quite a record for a voluntary organization and I am pleased to say still going strong. In its latest reincarnation as a digital publication our circulation has now exploded to about 4000 readers at the last count. When I first joined the Society some 12 years ago it was a 24 page A4 black and white photocopy. Today it consists of more than 70 pages in full colour and, although no longer distributed in a hard copy, it is recognized throughout the expat community as one of the best expat publications and I am very proud of it. For this we have to thank the editorial team especially Alison Smith who has been the editor now for 8 years. Jan van den Berg who has been our advertising manager for many years and John Richardson who joined the team this summer and has been the inspiration behind our switch to a digital format. Without these guys and their predecessors, like William Laird, who organised the bulletin for years, what you are reading now would not be possible, so on behalf of all of us I would like to say thanks for the last 600 editions.

In this, a year of celebrations, we have our own very special event to look forward to in the shape of our Diamond Jubilee Ball on 8th December. All is now in place for what promises to be a great night. For this I must say a huge thanks to Wouter van Alderwegen, without whom the ball would not have been possible. Not only has he had to cope with all the pressure of the ball organisation, his partner Mikaela has just given birth to their first son, Julian, quite a challenge.

If you have yet to buy your tickets, as I write this blog, there are still a few available so BOOK NOW. I look forward to welcoming you all to what will definitely be my last ball as Chairman. I know this is something I have announced before but this time I am serious. After many years of searching we have found someone to take on the challenge of being Chairman, his name is.........well by the time you read this his name will have been announced at our AGM, but if you did not attend you will have to wait until the next issue to find out more!

Meanwhile as this is the last edition of 2012, it’s an opportunity for a look back at the year. Twelve months ago at the AGM we made a promise to tackle a number of key issues, chief of which was to sort out the bulletin so that it ceased to be a drain on our finances. This, I am pleased to say, we have more than succeeded in doing.

Another issue was to introduce a new system of event alerts, again I think the new emails are a big improvement.

We also set ourselves the goal of revamping the web site to bring it up to date. This last goal has not quite been realized but I am confident that by the time of the first issues of Zine in 2013 we will have a web site to match the exciting image created by our magazine. Finally, we promised to put the Society finances on a firmer footing and eliminate the losses of the last few years. I am pleased to report that our accounts show the Society made a small surplus in 2011-12.

The biggest disappointment for me in 2012 was the decision to cancel our Bonfire Night celebrations. Since this announcement I have been inundated with offers of help from other expat community leaders so I am confident that next year Bonfire night will return in all its glory.

Before I sign off I would like to say a special thanks to Annette Garnett who has been our events coordinator for the last few years. Without her a lot of our activities would not have been possible. I would also like to say thanks to Abi Raja, who is returning to the USA after 3 years secondment in Amsterdam. Abi you will be a sad loss and not easy to replace. Good luck as you return to the USA. As of now we miss a finance officer so if you are looking for ways to contribute to the society how about this job?

Finally, I would like to thank Una Hennigan who has ben our webmaster for the last 3 years. Una has been an invaluable team member despite travelling extensively throughout most of her time. We wish her well in her new life in France.

It therefore leaves me only to wish you all a very prosperous 2013 and if I do not see you at the Ball perhaps we will meet at Burns Night in January.

Best wishes,

Stephen chair@britsoc.nl

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Colophon >

ZINE EDITORIAL

ISSUE # 600

EDITOR IN CHIEF Alison Smith | editor@britsoc.nl EDITORIAL BOARD Ian Cherington | ifcherington@hetnet.nl Dave Thomas | info@nstranslations.nl John Richardson | JohnTheCopywriter@me.com Stephen Huyton | shuyton@thermopatch.nl

CONCEPT, DESIGN & WORDS

CONCEPTUAL WRITER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR John Richardson | zine@britsoc.nl www.johnthecopywriter.com

ADVERTISING

ADVERTISING SALES Zetterij Jan van den Berg | ieee25qr@kpnmail.nl

PUBLISHING

PUBLISHED BY John Richardson | JohnTheCopywriter.com FLIP MAGAZINE PUBLISHING PLATFORM www.issuu.com PUBLISHED ON www.wordpress.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS AND FEEDBACK Alison Smith | editor@britsoc.nl

www.britcoczine.wordpress.com www.britsoc.nl

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Author Marieke van der Pol

We have a special Book group event. D be leading the book discussion on “Bride Flight” would like to then this is what we are r

Date: Thursday Time: 6 Place: The Engl RSVP: A must s

Copies are available on-line, e-book fo http://shop.englishbookshop.

Opening Hours Tuesday - Saturday, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm Phone: +31 (020) 626 42 30

“

Believe in yourself and all that you are.

Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.

INTERVIEW OF THE MONTH

l at The English Bookshop

Dutch Author Marieke van der Pol will �. So if you have never joined book group and reading and discussing in December.

6th December 6:30pm lish Bookshop. space is limited

ormat or paperback edition in the shop. .nl/store/show_product/13965

with Ann-Marie Toolen owner of myThai Massage, mother, and the face behind Britsoc on social media

Find myThai Massage on Facebook and Twitter

http://shop.englishbookshop.nl/

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christmas/ “nowt

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so queer”

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T

HERE’S NOWT SO QUEER AS CHRISTMAS

Until the age of seventeen Christmas for me had always been celebrated in the English tradition. Lots of paper-hatted relatives crammed around the extended dining table piling their plates high with three sorts of potatoes, sprouts, carrots and parsnips plus cranberry sauce and mum’s famous stuffing, commenting on the moistness of the turkey and bartering for the last chipolata. In 1969 there was a sixpence to be searched for in the rich brandy-soaked Christmas pud which by 1987 had become a pound coin, inflation I guess. Christmas day meant the Queen’s Speech, Top of the Pops and some old chestnut of a movie like the Wizard of Oz or the Sound of Music, followed by parlour games and a mega game of cards for pennies.

As far as I was concerned, this was how everyone spent Christmas and until I ventured abroad to live this was my only frame of reference. My first foreign Christmas experience was visiting my sister who was living in Tenerife. I was amused to be eating cold chicken drumsticks on the beach on Christmas Eve and bemused that on Christmas day there was not a turkey lunch to be had but a special dinner which didn’t start until about 10 pm.

French Christmas tradition is also very food based and I loved the richness of the reveillon meal and the delicious bûche de Noël. When I was teaching there I took a sample of Christmas Pud into school for my students to try and they HATED it! It looked like chocolate to them so when it tasted of rich dried fruit they were inconsolable.

I think for me Holland was the biggest surprise of all. Still relatively blinkered by the notion that English Christmas traditions were universal, I brought a Dutch friend home to the UK for Christmas. He was amazed that we ate a piping hot feast at 2 o’clock in the afternoon then snoozed in front of the telly. If the pub was only open at lunchtime and closed in the evening, why did we eat at lunchtime and then have nothing to do and nowhere to go in the evening?

Good point. He liked the Christmas crackers but was mortified about wearing a coloured paper hat during lunch and had a similar reaction to that of my French students when it came to the Christmas pudding.

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OK so let’s try it his way. The following year I tried a Dutchstyle Christmas starting with Sinterklaas on 5 December. Here are my observations as an outsider, looking in.

Santa vv Sinterklaas – The image of modern Santa Claus was invented by the Coca-Cola company and depicts a fat, jolly chap, with a red drinker’s face and a suit to match who shouts ho-ho-ho, keeps reindeer, and has a tendency to get stuck in your chimney. Unlike our round figured, jovial Santa Claus, Sinterklaas is a tall, thin, austere-looking figure dressed like an archbishop who will fill your shoes with chocolate if you’re good but if you are bad he will beat you with a stick, stuff you in a sack and kidnap you to Spain. Personally, I’d rather spend time with Santa.

Zwarte Piet – no-one knows officially how many Piets there are. American writer and comedian David Sedaris wrote an article called 6 to 8 Black Men which is a funny view of an outsider hearing about the Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet tradition for the first time. I recommend a listen. Go to You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCUHTDrca4s.

Pakjes avond. This is a great fun night for kids as it is the night when they receive their Christmas presents, left on the doorstep by Sinterklaas (assuming they’ve been good!). A firm knock on the door followed by a handful of pepernoten and sweets thrown into the entrance hall is the sign that he’s been.

If you have a naughty child I assume another sign that “he’s

been” would be that you were missing a member of your family, but I have never had that confirmed.

The tradition for 5 December for adults is to draw a name out of a hat and make a “surprise” for that person in the form of something they are known for. All I will say is that you have to be good at rhyming poetry and papier maché. In the past I have received a lot of gifts disguised in papier maché wine bottles. What can this mean?

Coming to the Christmas celebration, there is no real Dutch traditional Christmas dinner as far as I have been able to ascertain. Some see the traditional dinner to be game or ‘wild’, others have mentioned rabbit as being traditional. Many go out for dinner and some get out the frightful Gourmet set, which is inviting folk round for dinner then basically asking them to cook it themselves.

Bits of unseasoned meat to fry on a hotplate served with various mayonnaise dips to add flavour. Are we having fun yet?

It’s natural to prefer what you are used to so it comes as no surprise that even after 22 years of living in Holland, having learnt the language, and integrated myself in Dutch society in almost every other way, when it comes to Christmas, I import my turkey-lunching, Christmas crackered, paper hatted, jolly Santa’d version of the festive season and do it all right here in Amsterdam – without a drop of mayonnaise!

Alison Smith

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T

HERE’S NOWT SO QUEER AS CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

Christmas is celebrated (and not celebrated) in countless ways around the globe. Some decorate trees, hang mistletoe and drink egg nog while others go out to the movies and eat Chinese food. Then there are those that eat KFC, hide all the brooms in the house or roller skate to mass. Read on….

If you thought that being on Santa’s naughty list was the scariest thing to happen around Christmas, you’ve never heard of Krampus Night. Krampus is Santa’s evil twin whose job is to beat and punish all the children who have misbehaved. On December 6th men dress up in some of the scariest devil-like costumes you can imagine and drunkenly run around towns hitting people with sticks

and switches. The Krampus legend originates in the Germanic alpine regions and is widespread throughout Hungary, Bavaria, Slovenia and is especially popular in Austria.

On Christmas Eve, unmarried Czech women practice a traditional fortune telling method to predict their relationship status for the upcoming year. If you’d like to give this a try, here’s how to do it: Stand with your back to your door and toss one of your shoes over your shoulder. If it lands with the toe facing the door it means that you will get married within the year. If it lands with the heel facing the door, you’re in for another year of unmarried status.

Norwegian legend says that on Christmas Eve witches and evil spirits come out looking for brooms to ride on (a bad omen). To thwart the witches, all brooms in the house are hidden and men go outside and fire a shotgun to scare the bad spirits away.

For many Japanese, traditional Christmas dinner is Kentucky Fried Chicken. It is so popular and well marketed that reservations may have to be made to eat at a KFC on Christmas in Japan.

In Caracas, Venezuela, church-goers attend an early morning mass between December 16th and December 24th. Not so strange for a mostly Catholic population. What is unusual about this practice is how everyone gets to church: on roller skates. The streets are blocked off to vehicular traffic until 8 am and children, the night before, tie one end of a piece of string to their Page 20

big toes and hang the other end out the window. As roller skaters go by the next morning, they give a tug to all the strings hanging out the windows.

In Ukraine, Christmas trees are decorated with all the typical kinds of ornaments and one not so typical. An artificial spider and web are hidden in the tree and good luck is given to the one who finds it. A Ukrainian folk tale says that a poor widowed mother could not afford decorations for her family’s Christmas tree. One Christmas morning she awoke to find a spider had beautifully decorated the tree with its web, making for a very happy Christmas.

In Greece they decorate orange trees with coloured ribbons at Christmas time If you would like your Christmas wish to come true in Great Britain, all you have to do is take a turn stirring the Christmas pudding. Traditional Christmas pudding is made of dried fruit and nuts, similar to fruitcake. It is often doused in brandy and flambéed in a dimly lit room for a dramatic effect.

One final note. Don’t go to Skopje at Christmas. It’s just a normal working day as the Orthodox country celebrates Christmas on 6 January. Many years ago I had a grey and dreary Christmas day there while backpacking through Eastern Europe.

$4.2 million Japanese Christmas tree made of gold..

Dave Thomas

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Education section

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n/ “2=4-2”

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Willemijn L. van Oppen-Stuyt gives the essentials on education in the Netherlands, from primary, secondary schooling, through higher education to teaching in the Netherlands with foreign credentials.

A parents’ guide to education in the Netherlands

According to the Dutch Ministry of Education, students from the following backgrounds are eligible: Compulsory education under Dutch law applies to children of all nationalities from five to eighteen years who are resident in the Netherlands.

International schools can be a good choice for the children of foreign parents who are staying temporarily in the Netherlands.

In the Netherlands, the majority of international schools are partly subsdised by the Dutch Ministry of Education and are thus bound by ministry rules, while others are privately operated. The subsidy provided by the Dutch Ministry of Education makes it possible for these schools to offer English language education to the global standard of international schools for a reasonable fee.

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> A non-Dutch family staying in the Netherlands for a limited period of time with an expatriate status. > An internationally mobile Dutch family, whose children have been largely educated abroad, and for whom an international education will be more advisable to ensure continuity. > A Dutch family bound for an international assignment, whose children will be switching from education in Dutch to English. This transition is limited to a period of one year.

In general, private international schools only have English language education, but the French, German, Japanese and Korean schools teach their national curricula in their native tongue.

Willemijn L. van Oppen-Stuyt

Reproduced here with kind permission from Expatica.com

If you are feeling overwhelmed, or confused, you can contact NUFFIC (Netherlands Organisation for International Cooperation in Higher Education) in The Hague (www. studyin.nl), the Mastersportal (www. mastersportal.eu), the IB-Groep in Groningen (www.ib-groep.nl), or Educaide, the Professional Helpdesk for International and Bilingual Education in the Netherlands.

Educaide advises parents, students, teachers, schools, institutions, companies and authorities in a wide range of issues pertaining to International and Bilingual Education in The Netherlands.

Willemijn L. van Oppen-Stuyt runs Educaide, a help desk for international education in the Netherlands.

Educaide, PO Box 96911, NL-2509 JH The Hague Telephone: +31 (06)5 598 8998, Fax: +31 (0)70 326 2252, Email: info-educaide@xs4all.nl

Primary education

Primary education starts at the age of four and continues up until the age of 11 or 12. Dutch International Primary Schools and the private regular international schools follow the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) or the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IBPYP). Private schools, such as the American School and the British School, use their national curricula.

Secondary education

During the first four to five years of secondary education, the Dutch International Secondary Schools prepare their students for the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IBMYP) or the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE).

Secondary level vocational schools

If a student has successfully completed the IGCSE or IB-MYP, but is not admitted to the IBDiploma programme, then MBO (3-4 years) might be a good option. In The Netherlands, students can follow several programmes; for instance Business and Hospitality in the English language.

Higher education

Higher or tertiary education is offered at two different levels: vocational (HBO) and academic (WO).

Hogescholen or ‘professional universities’

After having obtained the IB Diploma (and in some cases the IGCSE Diploma or an MBO Diploma), students can enrol in the so-called ‘professional universities‘(HBO, or Hogeschool), which provide third level vocational education. Throughout the country many hogescholen or ’professional universities‘ offer programmes in English.

Visit www.hbo-raad.nl/?id=124 for more information.

Universities

Academic education or third level degree education (universiteit) is offered in Maastricht, Eindhoven, Tilburg, Nijmegen, Wageningen, Enschede, Groningen, Utrecht, Amsterdam (UvA, VU), Leiden, Delft, Rotterdam, and Middelburg. University programmes are organised around a bachelor’s or undergraduate phase of three years and a masters or graduate phase lasting one to two years.

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Santa Claus and Sinterklaas Santa Claus. Big jolly fellow with a flowing white beard, a recognisable red and white outfit, an army of elves and 12 reindeer to help him deliver gifts to children everywhere on Christmas Eve. So far, so familiar. But for Dutch kids, the Kerstman (‘Christmas man’), as he’s known locally, is but a pale imitation of their beloved Sinterklaas.

Lara Jordaan

Based on the legend of Saint Nicholas, patron saint of children, Sinterklaas spends two weeks in the Netherlands every year, from mid-November until 5 December, handing out gifts of chocolate, gingery cookies (pepernoten) and toys as he tours the country’s rooftops on a white horse. At night, his troupe of helpers, the Zwarte Pieten (Black Petes), slip into Dutch homes through the chimney to leave gifts in children’s shoes.

different cultures and integrate these with local traditions. That’s why both Sinterklaas and Santa Claus visit its annual winter fair on 2 December – an opportunity to buy seasonal gifts, sample food from the school’s many international communities and keep the children entertained on a chilly Sunday afternoon with activities ranging from a film show to a nail studio for little divas, who get a flute of children’s champagne.

Quintessential celebration Other European countries also commemorate St Nicholas on 5 or 6 December, but none embrace the white-bearded ‘Sint’ with as much gusto as the Dutch. For this is a tradition that is celebrated by young and old alike, in schools, in the workplace and at home. Anyone who is in the Netherlands during this period will find it almost impossible to avoid the festivities.

Integrating cultures But what do the pupils of the British School of Amsterdam make of Sinterklaas?

The Dutch are fiercely proud of this quintessential custom, which grabs more attention than Christmas. Most children in the Netherlands, Dutch or not, will be exposed to at least some of the Sinterklaas traditions. So how can expat parents retain their own seasonal traditions while at the same time letting their children participate in the Dutch revelry?

Winter fair The British School of Amsterdam has found its own response to this, introducing Sinterklaas to the under-12s during Dutch culture lessons. The children are taught traditional Sinterklaas songs, make related crafts, and their teachers write witty poems about the pupils - part of the custom when exchanging Sinterklaas gifts.

With pupils of more than 40 nationalities, the British School tries to recognise the many

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“We put our shoes out for Sinterklaas and do pakjesavond (present night on 5 December), and then we celebrate Christmas the German way with a big family dinner on Christmas Eve,” says 10-year-old Ruben Lankenau, whose family has lived in Amsterdam for six years.

“We learn about Sinterklaas at school,” says 11year old Brit Mia Holmes. “But I prefer Christmas because we celebrate that more. We put up a Christmas tree, eat turkey and open our presents in the morning.”

“When I was younger I was scared of the Zwarte Pieten. I don’t know why they put face paint on,” adds Italian classmate, Olivia de Rita, 10, referring to the custom of Sinterklaas’ blacked-up helpers. “ “Given the diversity of our pupils, respect for other people’s traditions and cultures is a very important principle we teach at the British School of Amsterdam,” says Principal John Light.

“And with so many cultures celebrating various festivals at this time of year, it’s an ideal moment to reinforce this message.”

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Small classes and personal attention. At the British School of Amsterdam we get to know each and every student. We provide an all-round education that develops the whole person and delivers academic success. From Early Years to Secondary School, we provide top-class British schooling for everyone from expats to locals seeking an international education.

With pupils of more than 40 nationalities, the British School of Amsterdam offers a stimulating and inclusive learning environment for students aged 3 to 18.

Non-native English speakers are welcome.

Our curriculum leads to the respected British A-Level qualification accepted by universities worldwide. In addition to the formal academic subjects, we teach European languages including Spanish, French, German and Dutch, as well as English as a foreign language.

“The classes are small and the teachers give us a lot of attention�

Every day is an open day at the British School of Amsterdam. Why not come along and visit us? For more information, see www.britams.nl, or contact us at +31 (0) 20 67 97 840 or info@ britams.nl.

TEACHING PEOPLE, NOT JUST TOPICS

Maiya Age 11 English

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Seasonal Celebrations at the British School in The Netherlands Christmas at the British School in The Netherlands (BSN) is very much a time for the whole school community to come together and celebrate the festive season before winding down for a well-earned rest. Each year children, students, staff and parents get together for an array of concerts and performances which take place across each of the BSN’s four schools.

Christmas at the British School in The Netherlands (BSN) is very much a time for the whole school community to come together and celebrate the festive season before winding down for a well-earned rest. Each year children, students, staff and parents get together for an array of concerts and performances which take place across each of the BSN’s four schools.

The annual Winter Fair traditionally marks the unofficial start to the festivities at the BSN . Organised by the Family Association and assisted by a team of enthusiastic volunteers, the fair is one of the key community events on the school calendar and offers a wide range of activities for all ages including a traditional Santa’s Grotto, Seasonal Gift Stalls, Arts and Crafts as well as Wine Tasting, reserved just for the adults of course!

The BSN very much views itself as a secular school and also sees the festive season as the perfect opportunity to celebrate internationalism and the 80 nationalities which make up the school’s student population. As Junior School Diamanthorst (JSD) Head of Music Clare Seymour explains “we try to keep our focus multicultural rather than just on Christmas”. As a reflection of this, children from JSD foundation level will this year be performing a sing along story to parents called ‘What a trick!’ which is based on a Bengali tale called ‘No Dinner’.

This time of year has also now become a period in which the BSN engages in a significant amount of work in the local Dutch community which more often than not involves the children and students performing in rest homes for the elderly, shopping centres and a variety of other community events.

The Senior School Swing Band has a long tradition of performing for the local community with their Christmas ‘tour’ which has included the bandstand in Leidsenhage near The Hague and the shopping area in Voorschoten; last year, a final, and much warmer performance for the old folk at the nearby Oostduin location of Florence Verpleeghuis, was very well received. The BSN Community Choir was recently formed and is run by Performance Director, Alex Jarrett, who tells us: “We have a group of 30 parents and staff who will perform alongside Senior School students in the school Christmas Concert and Carols around the Tree; next year we hope to perform in the wider Dutch community, too.”

So, for those who are out and about in The Hague area in the next few weeks buying last minute gifts for friends or family, listen out for the BSN Swing Band or Choir singing or performing at a venue near you.

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Their For studentso from 3 trs 18 yea

future is

our focus

Did you know that more parents choose the BSN than any other international school in Holland?

With four campuses in The Hague area, The British School offers a caring and stimulating learning environment, with an individual approach that ensures every child can achieve their full potential.

The BSN is a thriving and supportive expatriate community made up from over 80 nationalities. Contact us today to arrange a visit and see for yourself why the BSN is the international school of choice.

Admissions: +31 (0)70 315 4077 www.britishschool.nl Page 34

ISA Green Team trash audit

Hands On. At ISA, our students dare to get their hands dirty in order to help make the school – and the world – cleaner.

We’re proud to have won the prestigious, first place ‘Green Flag’ award this year for our efforts to reduce waste, save resources, and heighten awareness. And that’s just the beginning…

The students at ISA get hands-on experience thinking, exploring, discovering, working, volunteering, singing, playing, traveling, competing, presenting, dancing, acting, building, debating, creating, but also cleaning – together.

Exciting and developing young minds Sportlaan 45 - 1185 TB Amstelveen - The Netherlands - Tel. +31 20 347 1111 - www.isa.nl

Taste Life!

Kingsalmarkt, the world-famous foodstore!

We are known for our wide range of products from countries all over the world. ‘Taste life’ is what we call that. Visit us for your favourite American cornflakes, brownies and soups, British jams and honey, Mexican tortillas, Spanish tapas and ham, Italian coffee and pasta and French cheese.

Of course you can pick up the rest of your groceries too.

Rembrandtweg 621, 1181 GV Amstelveen-noord, tel. 020 643 37 51 www.kingsalmarkt.nl info@kingsalmarkt.nl Easily reached by car (free parking) and public transport (5 or 51 tram to Kronenburg) Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 9 am – 6 pm Saturday: 9 am – 5 pm

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much ado/ “in dec

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cember�

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Monthly event guide

Much ado

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Events in December

Amsterdam gears up for the season with Sinterklaas, Christmas and New Year’s Eve, the taste of chocolate letters, pepernoten and speculaas on the tongues of children, mulled wine on the tongues of the older kids, a rosy glow in the cheeks of everyone and plenty of Christmas markets, holiday concerts, plays and performances for all.

Source: www.iamsterdam.com

Sinterklaas 06 Dec

Although he looks a bit like Father Christmas or Santa Claus, ‘Sinterklaas’ (Saint Nicholas) is a very Dutch character loved by children and adults alike.

Turn on the Lights 29 Nov

With Turn on the Lights, Amsterdam’s luxury department store de Bijenkorf annually opens the festive season in brilliant spectacle and festive cheer at 19:00 on Thursday, 29 November 2012 - and you are invited!

Celebrate New Year’s in Amsterdam

31 Dec-1 Jan

Whether you’re a party animal or a romantic, young of years or young-at-heart, a big spender or on a budget, Amsterdam is a great city to ring in the New Year.

Amsterdam Electric Guitar Heaven 7-16 Dec

From 7 December to 16 December 2012, ten venues in Amsterdam will join forces to celebrate the electric guitar in all its incarnations and variations during Amsterdam Electric Guitar Heaven.

Moving Buildings

The theme of the sixth edition of this annual audiovisual extravaganza is Street Art, expressed through VJ performances, video art, projection mapping and 29 Nov-6 Dec interactive media.

100 Years of Hollywood 1 Dec -5 Jan

2012 marks the 100th jubilee of the celluloid dream factory. EYE Film Institute Netherlands screens 25 Hollywood classics between 1 December 2012 and 5 January 2013.

in December Amsterdam Light Festival The Amsterdam Light Festival makes its inaugural appearance in Amsterdam this festive season, (literally) putting the beautiful city centre and its canals in the limelight from

7 December 2012 to 20 January 2013.

Festival of light The festival features the Illuminade evening walking route, the Boulevard of Light along the Amstel River, the Socialight programme and of course, the Christmas Canal Parade. An extensive side-programme will also see a host of activities and events take place at museums, thatres, restaurants, shops and other locations in Amsterdam.

Illuminated works of art The Illuminade is a spectacular evening walk through Amsterdam taking in extraordinary illuminated artworks especially erected for the festival. The walking route puts the light artists themselves and light as an art form firmly in the limelight, introducing established names alongside up-and-coming talent in the field.

The Illuminade will be open from 15 to 30 December.

Boulevard of Light Another central part of the Amsterdam Light Festival, the Boulevard of Light is made up of a series of enchantingly-lit buildings along the Amstel River, between the Amstel Hotel and Muntplein. Throughout the festival, all buildings housing cultural institutions along the stretch of water will be artistically illuminated and in order to complete the magical picture, the bridges and the lock will also be decorated in lights.

Festive canal parade The ultimate free festive experience in Amsterdam, the Christmas Canal Parade on Saturday, 15 December enhances the city’s intimate, historical atmosphere as tens of beautifully illuminated boats float along the city centre canals. Visitors are invited to line the canals to witness the fairy-tale entourage and listen to the warming notes of choirs spread along the winter parade route.

http://www.amsterdamlightfestival.com/en/ Page 39

much ado/ “in jan

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n 2013”

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Monthly event guide

Much ado Amsterdam 2013

2013 will be a very special year for Amsterdam. Several of the city’s iconic institutions celebrate remarkable milestones and a range of events are in store throughout the year. Here are just 10 great reasons why Amsterdam is the place to be in 2013!

400 years of the Amsterdam canals

One of the city’s most iconic sights, 2013 marks the 400th year of the Canal Ring. The Amsterdam canals are unique: The Canal Ring was awarded UNESCO 400th B’day World Heritage status in 2010.

175 years of Artis Zoo 175 years

Reopening of the Rijksmuseum

Spring 2013

After extensive renovations, the Rijksmuseum will reopen its doors in spring 2013 to reveal an astounding 1.5 kilometres of art with exhibits dating from the present back to the Middle Ages.

125 years of the Concertgebouw 125 years

The Amsterdam concert hall welcomed its first visitors in April 1888. 125 years later, the Concertgebouw is a world leader in the field, famed for its unique acoustics. 700 + concerts every year.

Felix Meritis: 225 years of enlightenment 225 years

Founded in 1788, the ‘temple of enlightenment’ will celebrate its 225th anniversary with a series of special readings, exhibitions, educational programmes and guided tours.

40 years of the Van Gogh Museum 40 years

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The oldest and best-known zoo in the Netherlands, Amsterdam’s Artis Royal Zoo joins in the 2013 celebrations to mark 175 years of nature, culture and heritage.

The Van Gogh Museum will reopen following internal renovations in 2013, 160 years after the birth of Van Gogh and 40 years since the museum opened.

in A’dam 2013 The official opening of Amsterdam 2013 will take place in the second week of January.

Next to all of the opening activities of the jubilee year, there will be much to experience throughout Amsterdam.

For example, the first Amsterdam Hotel Night is scheduled, the kick-off of Amsterdam 24H, plus the opening of several special exhibitions in the Amsterdam Museum and Rembrandthuis. And if there is ice on the canals, the 2013 programming will be adjusted accordingly.

Cultural highlights in January 2013 > Canal tours by New Amsterdam Canal Cruises, with a performer as a guide.

08-01-13 > Launch of a special concert series at Concertgebouw.

12/13-01-13 > 24H Amsterdam (launched in the centre of Amsterdam). > 2013 cultural icons depicted in the windows of De Bijenkorf department store. > Amsterdam Hotel Night connects canal-side hotels with hop-on/hop-off canal boats, providing special historical narratives and activities. > Official opening of Amsterdam 2013 with the launch of ‘Icon 2013’.

14/01/13 > The Concertgebouw Dinner, including the presentation of the ‘Concertgebouw Prize’ and ‘Young Talent Award’ (private event).

17-01-13 > Premiere of a new composition by Magnus Lindberg, gifted from the Concertgebouw to mark the 125th anniversary of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.

18-01-13 > Amsterdam Fashion Week Downtown.

23-01-13 > Amsterdam Fashion Week.

25-01-13 > An exhibition celebrating 25 years of Toneelgroep Amsterdam, featuring the photography of Jan Versweyveld in FOAM (until 3 March).

26/01/13 > Opening of the exhibition Amsterdam on the Water in the Rembrandthuis (until 26-05-13).

And also > Opening of the exhibition Golden Age in the Amsterdam Museum. > Opening of the exhibition Living on the Canal! in the Amsterdam Heritage Museums.

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new expats/ “just m

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moved here?�

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new expats/

Welcome to The Netherlands Have you recently moved here and just don’t know where to get information from?

We can help you to settle in and answer all your questions regarding life in the Netherlands

We work as volunteers at ACCESS (Administrative Committee to Coordinate English Speaking Services); the grass roots initiative of the members of the international community in the Netherlands established in 1986.

ACCESS was founded to meet the pressing need for an organisation that would answer their needs, provide peer support and help cope with the challenges of expatriate living.

Today ACCESS has evolved to become a unique volunteer, not-for-profit organisation that serves the needs and interests of the international community, namely by • providing guidance, advice, information to help individuals with settling, and/or living and working in the Netherlands • promoting friendship, understanding and well-being of the members of the international community in the Netherlands • support and counselling services • contributing to community development through skill training schemes and courses • serving as a bridge between local and international communities Don’t be afraid to contact us, we are here to help you!

If you have skills and free time to offer, you could even apply to join us as Volunteer, make friends and learn new things and in turn help other new expats arriving in the Netherlands. If you’re a business entrepreneur, sponsor us and make new contacts to spread your business wings.

Either way, ACCESS can help you make the most of your time in The Netherlands.

Contact details:

Zeestraat 100, 2518 AD The Hague Email: helpdesk@access-nl.org Tel: 0900 2 222 377 (local rate 20c/min) Page 46

Or visit us at The Hague International Centre, City Hall, Spui 70, 2511 BT The Hague

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poetry/“I wandered

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d lonely as a brick�

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poets

corner Dreams of summer cricket Dreams of summer cricket fill my winter pillow.

But it’s time to dust off my leather and willow.

I’ve been practicing my pull shot with my winter umbrella.

Thank you Rain God for the appalling weather.

But now it’s the beginning of May. And I’m heading off to VRA*. © John C. Richardson May 2012 *VRA is a criclet club in Amstelveen

Dave Thomas & John C. Richardson Page 50

poetry/

Moments glass-strewn floor irrevocable evidence of tensions passed jagged memories; rupturing regrets irreconcilable shadows, impaled hope colourful plastic fragments enticingly tossed in synchronous arrays infinite possibilities cascade and inspire dreaming child in amorphous space

Š Dave Thomas 2012

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art/ “mike-ism”

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art/

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Artist Mike Hayes A peak into the old master’s creative kitchen

Fresh. Sizzling. Eggs-perimental

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art/

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Eye Pod

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art/

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Keith

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art/

Why do I paint?:

The challenge is to complete a work which first satisfies me and then satisfies others.

Art Unlimited I don’t want to limit my output by concentrating on one particular genre, e.g. not only portraits or landscapes.

Xperimental I prefer to experiment with many different subjects and styles with varying results.

Old Master—New challenges As far as my personal development is concerned I have been very lucky to receive private instruction from a retired Professor of Art, Klaus JorgenFischer, in the techniques of the old masters and this has opened up new possibilities for me and presented new challenges.

Artist, Music Hall Chairman, Singer Songwriter, Actor, Author, Publisher, Disk Jockey, Interim Manager, Director, Consultant, Computer Programmer, Instrument Fitter.

President of France I was fortunate that, when he was president of France, Nicholas Sarkozy graciously accepted my gift of a portrait of himself I had painted.

And next year?

Who knows which direction I’ll take?

From March 1st, 2013 for three months, I have an exhibition in the Visitor’s Centre, (Bezoekerscentrum), Amsterdamse Bos. The Forest shall be the main subject.

Visit my online Gallery Please visit my gallery to see more of my work and to subscribe to my list.

Mike Hayes

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www.mike-hayes.com www.mikesgallery.info +31 (0)20 644 54 86 +31 (0)653 20 60 50

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event/ “The finest interpre

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eter of Mozart in the world�

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Australia’s only resident full-time concert pianist, Gil Sullivan tours extensively both around Australia and overseas, performing each year throughout Asia, Europe, the U.K., and the United States.

He has given recitals in New York’s Carnegie Hall, Chicago’s Centre for International Performance and Exhibition, New Hampshire’s Claremont Opera House, the National Opera House of Vietnam, plus the National Concert Halls of Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Korea and has recorded concertos by Tchaikovsky and Schumann for CD with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.

“The fin

His most recent tour of Europe (Nov. 2009) saw performances in London, Madrid, Zurich, Spaichingen (Sauter factory in SW Germany), Berlin, Vienna, Budapest, Warsaw & Prague.

Sullivan’s performances are conspicuous for their freshness and spontaneity, challenging audiences, taking both them and the music to the edge with his rich palette of colours, immense tonal range, and innovative interpretations.

He has been recognised as “The finest interpreter of Mozart in the world” (Südhessen Woche - Germany) while the Weinheimer Nachrichten said “There were so many magical moments... even Brahms himself would have been impressed” [of the 2nd Brahms Sonata].

After studies and numerous prizes in Australia, Mr. Sullivan completed his studies with Murray Perahia in London, and Paul Badura-Skoda in Vienna.

Amsterdam Concertgebouw Saturday 1 December at 8:15pm

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nest interpreter of Mozart in the world�

Tickets are normally â‚Ź27.50 each.

However, Australian Business in Europe (http://www.abie.nl) have passed on the following opportunity to Australians and friends (and readers of the ZINE):

a special 45% discount including drinks To order:

Register on www.concertgebouw.nl Discount code: MK121201 Page 65

BritSoc activities/ “sof

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ft tennis to bridge�

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BritSoc Social Activities (Same activities and days for January 2012)

DECEMBER

SATURDAY

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SUNDAY

MONDAY

Golf a.m.

02

Soft Tennis 16.00 Golf a.m.

03

08

Golf a.m.

Britsoc Jubilee Ball

09

Soft Tennis 16.00 Golf a.m.

10

15

16

17

01

Golf a.m.

Soft Tennis 16.00 Golf a.m.

22

23

Golf a.m.

29 Golf a.m.

24

Soft Tennis 16.00 Golf a.m.

30

31

CALENDAR TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURDSAY

FRIDAY

04

05

06

07

11

12

13

14

Squash 19.30

Squash 19.30

18

Squash 19.30

25

Squash 19.30

Playgroup 11.00 Badminton 19.00 Bridge Night 19.30 (or Thursday)

19 Playgroup 11.00 Badminton 19.00 Bridge Night 19.30 (or Thursday)

26 Playgroup 11.00 Badminton 19.00 Bridge Night 19.30 (or Thursday)

Scottish dancing 19.30-21:00

Scottish dancing 19.30-21:00

20 Play Reading 19.30 (3rd Thursday) Scottish dancing 19.30-21:00

27 Scottish dancing 19.30-21:00

Activity Contact Details:

Social Fridays is Tracey Taylor. Email: socialfridays@hotmail.com Soft tennis is Sharron Reed. Email: s.j.reed@xs4all.nl Bridge is Ruth and Art Max. Email: ruthmax84@yahoo.com Squash is Paul Huxley. Email: prhuxley@gmail.com Golf is Liz Wen. Email: britsocgolf@gmail.com Scottish Country Dancing. Email: Margaret.Lambourne@ziggo.nl

Social Friday / Pub night 21.00 (2nd Friday)

21 28 Scottish Country Dancing Group

Under the expert guidance of Margaret Lambourne, a qualified SCD teacher, Thursday evenings are spent dancing to the strains of Celtic tunes. Swirling in circles or forming up squares, lines or long sets, we learn everything from the proper steps and figures in jig, reel and strathspey time. We change partners for each dance, so you can come on your own and find a partner there. The music and the dancing make you happy, and it’s great exercise, too! And what a bargain, just 3 euros per session! Sessions are held in the British School hall on Anthonie van Dijckstraat in Oud Zuid, from 7:30 to 9 pm.

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activity of the month/ “scott

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tish country dancing�

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activity/

Get into your stride before the Annual Burns Night Supper & Ceilidh

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BritSoc Scottish Country Dance Group Anthonie van Dijckstraat, Amsterdam

Thursdays in termtime 19:30 – 21:00

Cost 5 Euro per session

Would you like to meet people of all ages and backgrounds who enjoy music, dancing, and good company. No dance experience is necessary and partners are not required. It’s a great way to meet new people socially and keep physically active.

Interested in trying Scottish Country Dancing?

It’s sometimes elegant; it’s often very lively; and it’s always lots of fun. Danced to the distinctive Scottish jig, reel and strathspey music, it’s good exercise, whether for your legs or your smile.

Most of all, it’s social dancing, and it’s a great way to meet people. Because it’s done in a set with a partner, everyone dances with everyone else. So, if you are on your own - don’t worry, - there are always people waiting to dance with you.

Come by yourself or with a friend. You do not need to be Scottish to enjoy the fun. Wear flat, softsoled shoes without heels(ballet or jazz type) not trainers and come have a good time. A kilt is not required!

Cost is also a plus point. It’s a bargain at 5 Euros a session. What could be more of an incentive than that? Try Scottish Country Dancing. It’s aerobic, good for the body and mind.. and very social.

Email: Margaret.Lambourne@ziggo.nl Page 73

events/ “burn’s nigh

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ht supper & Ceilidh�

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Burns Night Supper & Ce

@British Sch

Saturday 19th January

Tickets (Incl. 3 course dinner) are pre-paid in advance:

€20 (€30 non-members). €10 Children NO TICKET SALES AT THE DOOR Tickets: Alison Fisher Email: afisher@xs4all.nl Note the date in your diary and keep it free.

Our night is a celebration of the birth of the most famous Scottish poet, Robert Burns. Known best for writing the words to Auld Lang Syne, sung at New Year around the world, he was a prodigious poet from the 18th century, writing in lowland Scots on everything from the devil to his love life.

Sean Jansen

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eilidh

|

From hool 18:45

|

events/ Venue: British School, Fred Roeskestraat 94A, 1076ED Amsterdam

Live musical entertainment will be provided by John Cameron-Webb, his wife and a fiddler

There will be a traditional 3 course dinner, including haggis, tatties & neeps (potatoes and turnip). In the tradition of Burns nights everywhere, the haggis will be piped in, and then greeted with the Burns poem “Address to a Haggis”.

Throughout the evening, there will be Scottish country dancing, led by Margaret Lambourne. Margaret is an expert teacher and all dances are taught up front, so absolutely no experience is necessary in advance. If you want to get a head start to be expert in time for the Ceilidh, then Margaret runs Scottish Dancing classes every Thursday during term time (contact margaret.lambourne@ziggo.nl) Last year was fast and furious, and for the first time, the Brits were outnumbered by other nationalities. Proving that you don’t need to be British to appreciate a Burns night. So why not give it a go?

Please advise when booking whether you require a vegetarian option.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Alison Fisher Page 77

ads/ “between a roc

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ck and a hard place�

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COMING UP AT THE HARD ROCK CAFE AMSTERDAM December Breakfast with Santa—December 15 & 16—10 a.m.

BOOK NOW FOR OUR MOST POPULAR EVENT OF THE YEAR! BRING THE KIDS ALONG TO MEET SANTA AND RECEIVE A GIFT WHILE THE WHOLE FAMILY ENJOYS A DELICIOUS BUFFET BREAKFAST. PLACES ARE FILLING UP FAST SO BE SURE TO MAKE A RESERVATION, CONTACT DIANE AT: AMSTERDAM_SALES1@HARDROCK.COM OR CALL +31 (0) 523 7611

New Year TAKING RESERVATIONS NOW AND FILLING UP FAST, TO SECURE YOUR PLACE IN HISTORY CONTACT US TODAY! AMSTERDAM_SALES1@HARDROCK.COM WELCOME DRINK SERVED UPON ARRIVAL AT YOUR TABLE DRINKS DRAFT BEER, HOUSE WINE AND SODA DURING DINNER SERVICE THREE COURSE DINNER SHARED APPETIZER PLATTER FOLLOWED BY CHOICE OF MAIN COURSE AND DESSERT CHAMPAGNE GLASS OF CHAMPAGNE AT MIDNIGHT! €80.00 PER PERSON 3 HOUR SEATING. MENU ONLY AVAILABLE IN HARD ROCK AMSTERDAM LOCATION. THIS MENU IS ONLY AVAILABLE UPON RESERVATION. AVAILABLE ONLY ON 31ST DECEMBER 2012

www.hardrock.com Page 81

family/ “WOW! Sci

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ience at Zernike�

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WOW!! Science at Zernike Zernike Science Campus (University of Groningen) opened its doors on 21 October: an afternoon packed full of hands-on activities, lectures and demonstrations for young and old. Yes, science still has the wow factor!

Do you remember learning topology at school? Folding bits of paper into pyramids, cubes and a myriad of other shapes? Simple old-fashioned paper folding but my son Luc and his friend Devon still really enjoyed it. Next, my idea of seventh heaven: a precision laser cutter used to cut out an intricate construction kit from cardboard. No more blunt scissors that refuse to negotiate those tricky corners. This was “Blue Peter� 21st century style!

For the boys the highlight of the day was the robot lab. Unfortunately not quite as exciting as Star Wars or those nifty spy flies the Pentagon are using. Instead a remote-controlled helicopter device and two droids dancing to Michael Jackson.

But the lads were excited and full of questions. And RTV Noord filmed them for the local news that evening. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbYoQBi2Tqk

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family/

Over at the space research lab things didn’t quite go as Houston had planned.

Devon launched a water rocket that abruptly took a nose dive and just missed Luc’s head! Inside you could see the test prototypes of various satellites such as the Herschel telescope http://www.esa.int/ SPECIALS/Herschel/index.html and how they test such equipment to make sure it survives the traumas of being launched.

And there were some smart demonstrations like a device that lets you hear how much electrical noise everyday devices like a smartphone make (bad news for sensitive satellites) and what happens to an LED lamp when you put it in liquid nitrogen.

Perhaps at this point little sisters should stop reading - the lads loved this.

A science day would not be complete without the wonders of the Van der Graaf generator - you know that metal dome full of charge that gives you an electric shock if you touch it or can be used to make impressive sparks. The best trick, of course, is when it makes your hair stick up on end. Yet unfortunately we live in the age of health & safety inspectors and so no kids allowed. Instead a cute little Barbie

doll was the victim. Stuck unceremoniously on top of the dome with a few thousand volts discharged across her body her hair assumed a style that would put your average punk to shame.

The open day in Groningen was part of oktober kennismaand (October Knowledge Month). when many Dutch universities and research institutes open their doors to the general public. In Amsterdam, Science Park Amsterdam and the AMC and VU medical centers hold open days in October.

Yet if next October sounds too far away then in the meantime you can try: Science museum Nemo www.e-nemo.nl next door to Central Station with loads to do and lots of regular special activities and talks.

Ontdekhoek Amsterdam www.ontdekhoek.nl/ a great day out for the family where you can do more than 30 different experiments. It is also a good alternative venue for a children’s party.

Dave Thomas

www.ontdekplek.nl: based in Haarlem but also a location in Amsterdam (Buurthuis de Waterval (020 6841262).

A weekly technology club for kids aged 4 to 12. (site in Dutch only)

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events dec/ “Sopra

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anos Friday Social�

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Social Fridays Fr

| @SOPRANOS 21

Friday 14th December

We are continuing our trial with the 2nd Friday in the month instead, hope you are still able to join us.

http://www.britsoc.nl Sean Jansen http://www.profesionalesholanda.org

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rom 1:00

|

events/ Venue: Paardenstraat 11HS, 1017 CXÂ Amsterdam (near Rembrandtplein) Trams: 4, 9 and 14.

Tramstop: Rembrandtplein Contact: Tracy Taylor Email: socialfridays@hotmail.com Rogelio Vargas (Spanish Society).

Email: Â asociacion@profesionalesholanda.org

This new venue has a great lounge vibe to it

It feels like a secret discovered when inside.

Later in the evening there is a pianist and the bar is known for its great cocktails.

Look out for us near the bar wearing bright pink scarves. We will also be joining our Social Friday event with the Spanish Society - Social event.

Social Fridays is a great opportunity to meet new people or catch up with friends - all welcome.

No attendance list, so just show up!

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events jan/ “social

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friday @the tara�

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Social Fridays Fr

| @The Tara 21 http://www.heffer.nl/contact.html

Friday 11th January

We are continuing our trial with the 2nd Friday in the month instead, hope you are still able to join us.

http://www.britsoc.nl Sean Jansen http://www.profesionalesholanda.org Page 92

rom 1:00

|

events/

Venue: Rokin 85-89, 1012KL Amsterdam Trams: 4,9,14,16,24 and 25 tramstop Rokin.

Contact: Tracey Taylor Email: socialfridays@hotmail.com Rogelio Vargas (Spanish Society).

Email: Â asociacion@profesionalesholanda.org

This venue is a well known bar amongst the expats.

This Irish bar has an interesting variation of rooms mixing from a trendy modern bar to the classic leather armchair corners and fireplaces. We will meet in the far end of the pub where the rear bar area is exiting to the Nes street entrance.

Look out for Tracey, near the bar wearing bright pink scarf’s.

Social Fridays is a great opportunity to meet new people or catch up with friends - all welcome.

No attendance list, so just show up!

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travel/ “whisky tou

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ur of Scotland�

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“

Although often complex in flavour when finished, whisky starts out from some very simple ingredients – malted barley and soft clear water

Andy Symmonds

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travels/ Whisky Tour of Scotland In pursuit of greater knowledge, one of our members recently took his wife to check out the whisky making process in Scotland. No challenge is too great!

They journeyed to Speyside, the home to many Highland whiskies including Glenfiddich, the worlds biggest selling single malt. The first stop was the restaurant for some local haggis, which was a delicious way to start the tour. After a small wait for the (free!) tour to begin, they were off. This is what they learned.

Although often complex in flavour when finished, whisky starts out from some very simple ingredients – malted barley and soft clear water.

The process starts when malted barley is ground into ‘grist’ that is then mixed with heated spring water and poured into giant ‘mash tuns’. The result is bubbles, clouds of steam and a pleasantly pungent aroma.

People lingered here as long as they could…

The result of the mashing is a sweet liquid called ‘wort’.

Yeast is added to the wort as it is pumped into the traditional handmade wooden fermentation vessels, the ‘washbacks’. As the wort ferments the resulting carbon dioxide gas creates a massive, hot frothing head that foams up to the top of the washback.

Once fermentation subsides, it leaves a brown liquid of 8-9% ABV, similar to a strong beer – the ‘wash’.

The heart of the distillation process lies in the still house.

Here the wash is distilled in copper pot stills that exactly match the shape and size of the original stills. The wash in the stills is gradually heated until the alcohol turns to vapour. The vapour rises through the narrowing neck of the still and is guided downwards and through a water-cooled condenser. This condenses the vapour into an intermediate liquid, known as ‘low wines’.

The low wines (about 21% alcohol) are heated in ‘spirit stills’, smaller versions of the wash still. The vaporised alcohol is drawn off and condensed as previously, and then trickles down into the ‘spirit safe’, where the flow of spirit can be controlled. This liquid is

now legally a bonded, taxable spirit, so it is kept under lock and key.

The stillman runs the delicate operation of monitoring this distillation – any mistake can ruin the whisky’s flavour.

Only the fine middle cut, or ‘heart’ of the distillation is retained for maturation. The stillman catches it at the flick of a tap and a new batch of Glenfiddich is born. The raw spirit is reduced to around 63% alcohol with natural spring water from local springs and then filled into hand-built oak casks.

Glenfiddich only use the very best casks made from the very best wood, such as once used sherry butts from Spain and bourbon barrels from America.

These ‘second-hand’ casks lead to the creation of a high quality spirit. Mellowed by previous use, the oak helps mature the Scotch whisky, allowing it to breathe, soften, assume subtle flavours and acquire a pale golden colour.

The full casks are stored on-site in the traditional warehouses and the spirit is left to mature.

The atmospherically dark, damp interior of the warehouse and the temperature, humidity and climate of this environment provide optimum conditions for the whisky to develop its character. When visitors walk in through the small door they are advised to take a deep breath and it’s a good one!

Hyperventilation could be a lot of fun in this place.

The intoxicating atmosphere was explained – as a cask ages, alcohol compounds evaporate off the whisky through the porous oak back into the air.

The tour ended with the joys and the hardship of whisky tasting. Guests were all offered the 12, 15 and 18 year old whisky to sample. All of the whiskies were very good and a joy to drink – the hardship was having the car keys and no other way to get to Grantown.

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interview of the month

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/ “Ann-Marie Toolen”

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interview of the month/

“

“ “Life is short and every day is an opportunity” Interview with Ann-Marie Toolen owner of

www.mythaimassage.nl

mother, and the face behind Britsoc social media Phone: 06 46612634. Email: mythaimassage@ziggo.nl Facebook and Twitter: myThai Massage in Amstelveen Page 100

“

What happens in a Thai massage session?

It’s a full body massage.

There are 134 different steps (in front, side, back or sitting positions) to choose from to make a 90 – 120 minute massage. We always begin at the feet and end at the head.

Dave Thomas

How did you first come to the Netherlands?

I think it’s the same as most people. I came to the Netherlands because of love and work. I was working as a food and beverage manager at a hotel in Cork, Ireland in 1996. I got on a plane to visit a friend in Germany. In those days you had to travel from Cork to London and then onto your European destination.

I asked for an aisle seat when I checked in.

I didn’t notice until I got on the plane that I’d

been given a middle seat. The person on the aisle wasn’t on the plane so I sat in that seat. When the guy got onto the plane I asked him if I could stay in the aisle. He didn’t seem to mind. He was flying to Amsterdam with some colleagues for work. Little did I know at the time that he would change my life forever. Four years later he became my husband; an Irishman living and working in the Netherlands. >> Page 101

T

interview of the month/

Do you miss the surf back home in Australia?

I’ve been travelling most of my adult life, with the lion’s share of the time in Europe. I love Europe, its diversity, culture and languages; being able to get in a car in the morning and realistically visit 4 to 5 countries by dinner.

However, in the last few years I’ve really started to miss Australia. It’s a great country, with really wonderful people, beautiful nature. And well, it’s just home. I suddenly feel like a fish out of water.

I would love to go back to live there. But I have 3 kids in a Dutch school and an Irish husband with a big family and so that’s easier said than done.

You have spent 17 years in the Netherlands. How has expat life here changed?

I don’t really class myself as an expat anymore. Once you settle in, buy a house and send your kids to Dutch school you lose a little of the ‘expat’ experience.

Expat life is always full of comings and goings. That’s hard on our kids, which is why we decided to take a step away from it and settle in Amstelveen.

I think there are less expats around than there used to be, but I think that is a sign of the times and harsh economic realities.

What are the plus points of living in Amstelveen as a family?

Now we have the best of both worlds. The Netherlands is small and everything is easily accessible. We have a tram directly into Amsterdam, which takes half an hour. Yet at the same time we live in a quiet, clean and safe place that is ideal for raising children. The people are friendly and the community is very inclusive.

What do you find hard as an expat mum?

I had lived and worked in various cities in the Netherlands for a few years and then moved to France before the birth of my first child in 2002. When I arrived back in the Netherlands as a mother of one child and pregnant with a second I simply didn’t know what to do or expect.

My lifeline when I first got here was the Robbeburg International Playgroup [www.robbeburg. com], a brilliant organisation for expat mums & tots. They really saved me in those first few years.

I made a lot of good friends who were in the same position. This gave me a supportive network and sounding board I could call upon. I needed that as I think the hardest thing about being an expat mum is not being near your own family. Parenting is hard enough without having to do it on your own.

Why did you choose Thai massage?

I have always enjoyed getting massages but had never thought of it as a possible career. In 2009 I started looking for a new challenge, something I could do whilst continuing my very important role as ‘Mum’.

I saw a free Thai massage workshop advertised and decided to go along and take a look. I had never experienced a Traditional Thai Massage and so I was curious. I was hooked immediately and started studying the next week. Now here we are 3 years later and I am a Level 4 qualified Thai therapist. I love it!

Traditional Thai massage, also called Nuad Bo Rahn is a unique form of therapy and nothing like most people’s idea of a massage. It takes place on a firm mat on the floor and the client remains fully clothed. Only the feet, hands and head are bare. The practitioner uses thumbs, palms, elbows, feet and knees to press and stretch the body. >> Page 102

“

I went to a free Thai massage workshop I saw advertised. I had never experienced a Traditional Thai Massage. I was hooked immediately.

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Th Mass This form of body therapy uses therapeutic stretching, joint mobilisation and rhythmic deep tissue compression. Thai massage has a flowing and harmonious movement, which creates a deeply calming, yet energising effect on both the receiver and giver.

What specific benefits does Thai massage offer compared to other massage techniques?

Traditional Thai massage follows the principle that there are 10 Sen (energy) lines in the body.

Blockages in the flow of energy are believed to cause pain and disease. We work pressure points along these lines to release the blockages, thereby helping to restore the vital balance needed for a healthy body.

Benefits include relief from muscular stress and tension, an improved circulation and immune system, and reduced stress and anxiety. It also stretches your muscles, releases tight joints and increases the range of motion in your body.

Do you ever feel the urge to get away from copywriting?

No not really because it gives me such a great deal of pleasure. But I do think it’s important to do other things as I think that stimulates your writing. I put together the ZINE magazine for the British Society, for example, which is a nice distraction for two days a month. It’s also very rewarding and I get a lot of direct feedback.

Some of it very constructive. You hardly get that from copywriting once it’s gone out the door.

reflexology as well. The great thing about massage is that there is always something new to learn and experience.

Does your work as a Thai masseuse bring together the different strands in your life?

Being a Thai Masseuse allows me to balance a career I love with my family life. I can help my clients and still be home to pick up my kids from school.

Do you listen to the client or the client’s body?

It’s definitely the client’s body that tells the story to a masseuse. I feel the tension in the muscles and sometimes the pain. But I can also sense the release of tension as I work and then I know I’m doing a good job.

Do you feel conventional medical practice is failing people?

I believe there is a place for both. I am a therapist but if I notice a problem that needs to be looked at I will send my clients to the doctor.

Regrettably, I don’t think many doctors would refer their clients for alternative therapies.

Many people in the West only go for a massage when they have pain. They don’t see it as part of a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately we give very little thought to our bodies unless they are letting us down or giving us pain.

What happens in a Thai massage session?

Every Thai massage follows a few basic principles, but mostly I rely on instincts and Where did you train? the individual client’s needs. Traditional Thai I did my training here in Amsterdam at ITM Yoga Massage is a full body massage. There Amsterdam – Thai Hand. I have two fantastic in- are more than 134 different steps (in front, side, structors: Nicole (Dutch) and Manuel (Spanish). back or sitting positions) to choose from to Our school is affiliated with the International make a 90 – 120 minute massage. We always Thai Massage School in Chiang Mai, Thailand. begin at the feet and end at the head.

From ITM I currently hold certification for Level 1 & 2 Nuad Bo Rahn massage and I am also qualified in the Wat Pho massage therapies (Level 1 & 2). I have also completed courses in Pitjit (Indonesian) massage and Cupping massage therapies.

Next year I plan to travel to Thailand to study further at the ITM School. I hope to gain a deeper understanding of the Traditional Thai techniques and to study the Thai art of

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I believe the reflexology points in the feet are very important and so I always spend 5-10 minutes working on the feet. I then work on the energy lines in the legs, stomach, chest, arms and hands, before turning my client onto his/her side or stomach and working on the rear of the legs and back. At the end of the massage my client sits up so I can work further on the back, scapula, neck & head. Every Thai Massage is slightly different, depending on what I find as I work.

hai sage Do clients have to be open to the philosophy and beliefs underlying Thai massage to benefit from the technique?

No they don’t. They just have to be willing to lie back and try to relax. Occasionally the pressure points can be a little painful, especially if there are tensions or blockages in the body. Then the client should try to breath into the discomfort and not tense up. It’s my job as a masseuse to find the positions, stretches and pressure points to help my client.

What gives you the greatest satisfaction in your work as a masseur?

When my client arrives for a massage with discomfort, stress or pain and leaves with reduced symptoms and an improved sense of wellbeing, I am happy. I try to contact my clients a few days after the massage to check how they are and I’ve never received any negative feedback. My clients always feel more in touch with their bodies, sleep better, feel more relaxed, experience less pain and generally feel better after a massage.

Why have you just done a course in Indonesian Pitjit massage?

I’m always looking to broaden my knowledge and experience. Indonesian Pitjit and Traditional Thai massage have similar philosophies but use very different techniques.

Thai massage is performed fully clothed on a mat on the floor, whilst Pitjit is a massage given on a massage table, using oils. However, the principles of thumb work and energy lines are similar in both massages.

I understand you are quite a creative person.

What sort of activities do you like?

I like making jewellery, soapstone sculpting and mixed media pictures. I love making beautiful things. It is a great way for me to de-stress.

You have been a member of Britsoc for quite a few years as well. How has the society changed over the years?

I joined the British Society many years ago but had young children and so it was difficult to participate in the various activities. I have become more active in the last 4 years as my children have grown. Many activities become more popular, especially the Bonfire Night, and other activities have waned.

My favourite night of the year is the Britsoc Ball.

The first Ball I went to was in 2008 at the Koppelkerk. In this country you never really get an opportunity to dress up and get glammed up. I love it! The cancellation of last year’s Ball was therefore a big personal disappointment for me.

As a direct result I decided to become more involved in the Britsoc. With that came the realisation of exactly what is involved in the event planning and how many brilliant people volunteer hours of their time to ensure these events go ahead. I got involved with the events committee and then offered my assistance with the Britsoc Facebook and Twitter pages.

Is Britsoc still relevant in the age of social media?

I think that the British Society is more relevant now than ever. There are travellers who arrive in different countries and find their way without assistance or need for a support network.

However, for each of those travellers you will have an expat individual or family who want support and a good network in their new country. Wanting to connect with what you know on many levels is human nature. And, of course, social media is a brilliant way of facilitating that.

What is your vision for Britsoc?

I believe the British Society is a valuable organisation. We need to do what we do best: offer assistance, information and a platform for expats to come together as a community. The British Society will remain relevant as long as we can reach our target audience, keep them interested and offer them something positive.

Where do you most like being in Amsterdam?

The canals between Prinsengracht and Herengracht near Leidsestraat. The canals are a very beautiful part of Amsterdam. The houses are really interesting, and sometimes a little bizarre. I love walking along the canals at night looking up into the different apartments with their curtains open. It adds a little bit of magic.

To my mind Amsterdam is the perfect capital city. It has the feel of a country town that offers everything that you could possibly want in a city. It always amazes me how many people can live in such a small area without it feeling overwhelming.

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myThai Massage Traditional Thai Yoga Massage

Thai massage is a unique treatment that brings together elements of acupressure & Hatha yoga to balance the 'sen' energy lines of the body. Benefits include improved health,

circulation and boosts the immune system. Reduces stress, improves concentration and alleviates pain.

MASSAGES Traditional Thai Massage ( 90 mins) €60.00 Traditional Thai Massage (120 mins) €80.00 Hot Herbal Thai Massage (90 mins) €70.00 Specialised Therapy Massages (3 x 60 mins) €150.00 Massages given in the comfort of the myThai Massage studio in Amstelveen or in your home (travel & parking charges apply).

All equipment brought to the location by the masseuse.

For more information contact: Ann-Marie Toolen Phone: 06 46612634 or Email: mythaimassage@ziggo.nl

We are also on Facebook & Twitter. Website: www.mythaimassage.nl Fully trained and accredited massage therapist through the ITM Massage School, Thailand

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www.mythaimassage.nl Phone: 06 46612634.

Email: mythaimassage@ziggo.nl Facebook and Twitter: myThai Massage in Amstelveen

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milestone/ “girl guides and girl s

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scouts centenary celebrations�

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Celebrating Courage, Confidence, Character As the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) draws three years of centenary celebrations to an end this year, Zine hears how traditions established one hundred years ago still thrive among the international community in the Netherlands.

Anyone who works with girls, or claims to know them, won’t be surprised to learn that a plucky posse of girls proactively claimed their place alongside their Boy Scout brothers. The earliest girl members of the Scouting movement, established by Robert Baden-Powell, were far from an after-thought by the founder of Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. Quite the contrary, they had to make a case to be heard.

Modelling themselves on the Boy Scouts, the would-be members petitioned Baden-Powell himself at the 1909 Boy Scout Rally at Crystal Palace, London, to establish a version of scouts for them.

Baden-Powell, who initially resisted the idea, eventually agreed to form a parallel movement under the leadership of Agnes Baden-Powell, his wife, in 1910.

UK, USA and Beyond That first troop of girls weren’t alone in seeking to propagate the virtues and ideals of scouting.

An early proponent was Juliette Gordon Low, who met Baden-Powell in 1911.

She was inspired to establish the first troop of American Girl Guides at her home in Savannah, Georgia, on March 12, 1912. Margaret “Daisy Doots” Gordon, her niece and namesake, was the first registered member (and the reason why the youngest members would eventually be named the ‘Daisies’). Though the name of the organisation was changed to Girl Scouts the following year, the US Girl Scouts followed the principles established by the founder of Boy Scouts and Girl Guides.

Juliette gave girls the opportunity to develop self-reliance and resourcefulness. She encouraged girls to prepare not only for traditional homemaking, but also for future roles as professional women—and welcomed girls with disabilities at a time when they were excluded from many other activities.

Openness and inclusion has been a solid feature of girl scouts ever since. Membership is open to all girls and young women, whatever their religion (or lack of), their ethnic group or background.

It was this desire to offer scouting to all girls that led to the creation of the USA Girl Scouts Overseas (USAGSO) in 1951 to serve US girls living overseas and girls of all nationalities attending American or international schools.

USAGSO-North Atlantic serves around 3,500 Girl Scouts and 2,000 adults in eight countries, including Italy, Germany, the UK, Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium and Turkey.

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Local Level Troops in The Hague, Amsterdam and a newlyfounded troop in Alkmaar offer the girl scout programme for girls of Kindergarden age to 18, enabling girls in this country to be part of the world’s most pre-eminent organisation dedicated solely to girls.

Says Angela Tweedie, Overseas Committee Chair USAGSO Amsterdam: “Girl Scouts is about empowering girls, developing their leadership abilities and helping them to make a positive difference.

“We aim to build girls of ‘courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.’ We do that by encouraging girls to challenge themselves, to mentor their girl scout ‘sisters’ and develop a strong sense of pride in achievement through the Girl Scout badges and awards.

Says Angela: “Even as an adult, you can spot a former girl scout a mile off. They’re the ones with a penknife, emergency phone number and sewing kit in their bags - the skills you learn in Girl Scouts stay with you for life.”

For more information about Girl Scouts Amsterdam contact: girl_scouts_amsterdam@yahoo.com Some Smart Cookies Perhaps the most well-known tradition in Girl Scouts is the annual cookie sale. Thin Mints, Samoas and Tagalongs, as well as eight other varieties, are a craved-after ‘taste of home’ for many Americans.

The cookies, however, serve to do more than raise funds for Girl Scout activities. Girls gain valuable skills in organising their troop cookie sales, skills such as goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics.

This year, as part of the centenary celebrations, Girl Scout Cookie boxes have had the first make-over in over ten years. The new boxes will feature girls kayaking, working in a park, speaking at scout events, volunteering at a soup kitchen, and traveling.

The new look fits with a new purpose: to elevate the significance of the Girl Scout’s girl-led Cookie Programme. Money raised from selling cookies is used by the Girl Scout troop where the cookies are sold to help girls develop skills and confidence, and to generate revenue to support Girl Scouting locally.

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food glorious/ “turke

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ey trimmings�

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Karen Vivers

How to cook turkey trimmings

The Trimmings!

This festive season, instead of the usual instruction on how to cook a turkey, or the latest new fangled way of doing the same old thing, I decided to concentrate on the trimmings! After all, let’s be honest, these are the bits we like the best, the turkey is really a side issue, or is that just me? I would be more than happy if you served me all these side dishes with no turkey in sight for my Christmas dinner. In fact, a bit of an admission, I haven’t eaten turkey for years.

Let me defend that statement just a little.

The last few years I’ve spent my Christmas in Amsterdam, as you will know, the Dutch don’t have a tradition of eating turkey at Christmas, or at any other time for that matter. So, it can be a bit difficult to get a decent bird. The choice is very limited, from small sad little birds in the supermarket of dubious origin to THE most expensive turkeys I have ever encountered from the very high end butchers. So, given that choice, I have been somewhat experimental in my Christmas poultry and meat over the years. Sometimes opting for a gamey bird like partridge or pheasant or going for some nice

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venison. Or, I have even been known to smuggle various game back from Scotland, because let’s face it, it’s just so much better in the UK (by that I of course mean in Scotland!). Don’t get me wrong though, I don’t intend to put down in any way Dutch food or culinary traditions, but there’s just some things that, on the food front, they are not so good at, and why should they be? This way of celebrating Christmas is not their tradition.

Although I am willing to compromise on the meat section of my Christmas dinner, the trimmings, well that, as it turns out, is a whole different matter. After many years of try-outs, successes and failures, these are my top 6 trimmings recipes. They are uncomplicated and designed for those of us who enjoy cooking, but also enjoy being able to sit at the table and enjoy eating and the company of our friends and family too. There is one more recipe that I love to make around this time of year and that is piccalilly. If you would like something fresh and tangy to serve with all those cold cuts on boxing day, drop me an email and I will forward you the recipe.

Cranberry Sauce

Roast potatoes

Parsnips

Sprouts

Stuffing

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food glorious/ Karen Vivers, originally from Scotland, has lived

here in Amsterdam since 1997, and has set up the Cooking Coach to help inspire people to get back into the kitchen. The basis of the cooking lessons are easy, tasty, healthy recipes. Each course starts with a free introduction session, to make sure that you only cook what you like to eat.

As well as cooking lessons, Karen offers Culinary Tours in Amsterdam, is a passionate Food Blogger and works freelance as a Culinary Consultant, specialising in small and medium businesses, helping them get started, grow and deal with commercial challenges.

Pork and Apple Stuffing

600gr sausage meat (I usually buy basic pork sausages and remove them from their skins) 3 x cloves of garlic, crushed 2 x tbsp finely chopped fresh sage 1 x medium white onion chopped finely 1 x medium apple, peeled and grated 75gr breadcrumbs (buy readymade, or chop finely, or put your bread in the processor and pulse until you get crumbs). Make sure you remove the crusts. You can also use porridge oats instead.

Salt and pepper Method 1. Heat your oven to 200 degrees.

2. Place all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix with your hands until everything is evenly incorporated.

3. Place the mix on top of a piece of silver foil, about 40cm by 25cm and form it into a sausage shape of about 5 to 7 cm in diameter.

4. Wrap the foil around the length and scrunch up the ends so that you get a sort of Christmas cracker shape, then fold the ends of the foil under your stuffing.

5. Place on a roasting tray in the oven for approx 30 minutes – you can check if its cooked through by using a cooking thermometer, or as I do, just open it and cut half way through and taste!

Tips and Variations • Be careful when adding salt, especially if you have bought sausages, they may already contain enough.

• This stuffing is ideal served with roast chicken or turkey.

• I much prefer to cook my stuffing outside the bird as I feel that the extra cooking time to make sure it is ready inside seems to dry the bird out more. I would rather put some herbs and maybe an onion or lemon into the cavity of the poultry I am cooking.

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Roast Potatoes

Ingredient for 4 to 6 Servings 600gr potatoes peeled and cut into rough cubes of about 3cm 2 x tbsp semolina 1 x tbsp olive oil Salt to taste Method 1. Place the potatoes in a large, heavy bottomed pan with a tight fitting lid.

2. Cover the potatoes with cold water, place the lid on the pan and bring the potatoes to the boil.

3. Remove the lid and allow them to cook until you can put a knife easily through them.

4. Heat your oven to 200 degrees.

5. Drain the potatoes and toss them around in your colander so that the edges become fluffy and crumbly.

All that extra surface area will give a great crispy result.

6. Toss your potatoes in the semolina and oil, place them on a roasting tray and put in the oven to roast for about 30 minutes or until they have become golden brown and crispy.

7. Remove from the oven, season and serve immediately.

Tips and Variations • Be careful not to boil the potatoes until they are too soft as they will disintegrate when you toss them in the semolina.

• Try placing some herbs like thyme, rosemary or sage on the bottom of your roasting try to mix with the potatoes, or you can chop them finely and mix through the flour before you toss the potatoes through the flour.

• Mix some paprika and/or chili powder through the semolina for a spicy version.

Brussel Sprouts with Pancetta and Chestnuts Serves 4 to 6 600gr Brussel sprouts 1 x tbsp olive oil 150gr pancetta or bacon chopped finely 200gr chestnuts, pre-cooked, chopped roughly Salt and pepper to taste

Method 1. Boil the sprouts until they are cooked through – they should be softened but retain a bite. Overcooking will make them mushy. Drain the sprouts and set aside.

2. Heat the olive oil in a non stick pan and then add the pancetta (or bacon) and fry until brown and crispy.

3. Add the chestnuts and mix them through the pancetta until they are coated.

4.Add the sprouts and mix through on a medium heat, just to make sure the sprouts are coated with the bacon, chestnut and oil mix.

5. Check for seasoning and serve immediately.

Tips and Variations • This is really good with just the bacon.

• Try swapping the bacon for chorizo (don’t use chestnuts in this version) • You can prepare your sprouts in >>

food glorious/ advance (even the day before) and then just heat them up with the other ingredients when you are ready.

• The best chestnuts to use are those that you will find in deli’s, vacuum packed or you can used tinned.

You probably have more chance of finding them in the shops around autumn/winter time.

Cranberry Sauce

Serves 4 to 6 500gr cranberry compote 1 x tsp cinnamon ½ x tsp ginger powder ¼ x tsp nutmeg 2 x star anise 2 x cloves Juice and peel of one orange 75ml red wine Method 1. Place all the ingredients in a heavy bottomed pan, cook on a medium high to high heat so that the sauce bubbles quite vigorously.

2. Stir everything through together and allow it to reduce until it reaches a syrup consistency. This should only take a few, maybe up to 5 minutes. Stir occasionally making sure it doesn’t stick.

3. Once thickened, remove the orange peel, cloves and star anise before serving.

Tips and Variations • The sauce can be served hot or cold and keeps in the fridge for up to a week.

• Goes really well with chicken, turkey, game birds, game meat such as venison, also nice with lamb and pork.

• Use on sandwiches, cold it works really well with a strong cheddar.

• For a more tangy version try swapping the orange for lemon, or add a lemon as well as the orange.

Bread Sauce

Ingredients for 1 litre 1 litre of milk (either whole or semi-skimmed is fine) 300 gr bread – chopped or torn roughly into little pieces of a couple of cm each. I like to use granary, but traditional is white sliced.

1 x white onion, quartered 2 bay leaves 15 cloves (approx) ¼ tsp nutmeg 50gr unsalted butter 10 or so black peppercorns Salt and pepper to taste Method 1. Stud the onion quarters with the cloves.

2. Place the milk, onion studded with cloves,

peppercorns, some salt, bay leaves and nutmeg into a pan, bring to the boil and then turn off the heat, cover the pan with a tight fitting lid and set aside for about 20 minutes. If you can, leave it for up to an hour to infuse.

3. Once infused, remove the onion, peppercorns, and bay leaves, place back on the heat and add the pieces of bread.

4. Cook on a low heat for about 15 minutes stirring now and then, the bread should break up and the texture changes to become a thick sauce.

5. Add the butter, stir to melt through and then check for seasoning before serving.

Tips • Add cream for a really luxurious version – just at the end before serving.

• Goes great with chicken or turkey.

Roast Parsnips

Serves 4 to 6 4 x Parsnips peeled and cut into batons of roughly 5cm by 3cm 3 x Medium carrots, peeled and cut into batons of roughly about 3cm by 2cm 3 x tbsp of honey 2 x tbsp of olive oil Salt and pepper to taste Method 1. Pre-heat the oven to 200 degrees.

2. Place your vegetables in a roasting tray, drizzle over the honey and the olive oil, mix through with your hands making sure that the parsnips and carrots are evenly coated with honey and oil.

3. Place the tray in the oven and roast for about 20 to 30 minutes or until they start to colour and are cooked through.

4. Remove from the oven and add some salt and pepper before serving.

Tips and Variations • Try using maple syrup instead of honey.

• These winter veggies go really well with game dishes. I like to serve it with venison.

• The carrots should always be cut slightly smaller than the parsnips, as the parsnips cook more quickly.

The Cooking Coach Love Food, Live Healthy www.thecookingcoach.eu Mobile : 06 1424 0009 Email: karen@thecookingcoach.eu Page 117

theatre/ “darling,

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sweetie, darling�

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Alan Benett

Mark Winstanley

Polly Perkins

FREE

The Queen’s English Theatre Company Three pairs of tickets for Alan Bennett’s “Talking Heads”

Don’t miss a new live theatre production of

some of the bittersweet monologues that catapulted Alan Bennet towards “England’s cutural teddy bear” status. The successful BBC series was nominated for no less than 13 BAFTA awards. Amsterdam’s preeminent English language theatre group, QETC, has selected his two short plays, ‘A Chip in the Sugar’ and ‘A Lady of Letters’ for your enjoyment.

How to Enter

For your chance to win a pair of free tickets to the opening night of Talking Heads (27th November at 20:30).

Please send your name and daytime contact number to:

marketing@qetc.nl

All bookings via www.qetc.nl (NOT the Betty Asfalt Complex) Page 120

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winter/ “yellow sub

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bmarine rainbow�

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In the town where I was born, Lived a man who sailed to sea, And he told us of his life, In the land of submarines, So we sailed on to the sun, Till we found the sea green, And we lived beneath the waves, In our yellow submarine, We all live in a yellow submarine, yellow submarine, yellow submarine, We all live in a yellow submarine, yellow submarine, yellow submarine, And our friends are all on board Many more of them live next door And the band begins to play We all live in a yellow submarine Yellow submarine, yellow submarine We all live in a yellow submarine Yellow submarine, yellow submarine [Full speed ahead, Mr. Parker, full speed ahead!

Full speed over here, sir!

Action station! Action station!

Aye, aye, sir, fire!

Heaven! Heaven!]

As we live a life of ease (A life of ease) Everyone of us (Everyone of us) has all we need (Has all we need) Sky of blue (Sky of blue) and sea of green (Sea of green) In our yellow (In our yellow) submarine (Submarine, ha, ha) We all live in a yellow submarine Yellow submarine, yellow submarine We all live in a yellow submarine Yellow submarine, yellow submarine We all live in a yellow submarine Yellow submarine, yellow submarine We all live in a yellow submarine Yellow submarine, yellow submarine Lennon–McCartney sung by Ringo Starr

John C. Richardson Page 128

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