BACO British Association
Côte d'Opale
Our Mission
Formed just after the Referendum in 2016 which led to the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union, BACO’s mission was and remains to inform and advise Britons living in the Côte d’Opale area of France and their French friends on the consequences of Brexit and how to survive in the new situation. We also hold events designed to socialise in an Anglo-French way, entertain each another and be entertained, and learn more about the region where we live. Our appeal is to anyone with a real interest in local and cross-channel life and culture.
BACO is registered in Calais as a socio-cultural association. At the request of our members we remain strictly non-political. Our membership is roughly 50:50 British-French, though friends from other European countries are welcome.
What we do
- Information and advice on cross-channel issues post-Brexit
- Regular newsletters and bulletins
- Concerts and other musical events
- Walks and guided tours of historical, cultural and other sites of interest
- Annual Aummer Barbecue or Picnic
- Monthly English Book Club in Calais
- Anglo-French Quizzes
British in France
BACO is a member of the British Community Committee (BCC)
(www.britishinfrance.com) which is the third leg of the tripod which forms the British presence in France along with the British Embassy and the Consular service. The BCC groups together about 120 leading clubs, associations, professional institutions, educational establishments and others with British interests in France. All member organisations are listed in the annual Directory, which is available on-line. We are represented at the Quarterly meetings of the BCC and at the Annual General Meeting which usually takes place in April at the Ambassador’s Residence. This link gives BACO privileged access to information and developments affecting British citizens living in France as a whole.
Recent and upcoming events
10th Birthday Party
On 4th July BACO celebrated its ten years of existence, under a clear blue sky, with a picnic and barbecue on the Chenelet site at Landrethun-le-Nord. Some 50 members,families and friends were there, plus guests from the Café Polyglotte groups of Calais, Boulogne and Saint-Omer. Thanks to all who came and contributed to the event - including "Nord Littoral" for a great article and group photo.
In August we visited the quarries at Marquise and Ferques, the biggest single quarrying site in France, where an incredible 36,000 tonnes of limestone are extracted every working day.
In response to member requests, in September we repeated our annual cruise on the estuary of othe river Canche, from Etaples, 45 minutes enjoying the views of Le Touquet, assorted seabirds and seals both basking and swimming alongside.
At present no major events are planned before 2027. In November we will hold our Annual General Assembly,for planning and the election of officers of the association.
BACO's English Book Club continues to meet monthly at the Médiathèque Louis Aragon, 16 rue du Pont Lottin, usually on the last Saturday in the month, from 14.00 - 16.00. Titles for the remainder of the year are:
31st October Rosie Simonneau, Chimananda Ngozi Adiche "Americanah ."
28th November Isabelle Roblin, Percival Everett "James".
26th December, Marie-Christine Cichy, Oswald Wynd "The Ginger Tree"
The recent conference given by BACO member Caroline-Christa Bernard on Louise de Bettignies, a member of Caroline's own family, who spied for Britain during the First World War, was a great success, and was repeated at the splendid Hotel Cléry, Hesdin l'Abbé, on Saturday July 18th, with an even greater attendance. Thank you Caroline. More conferences are planned.
As ever, BACO is proud to be associated with a continuation of the top-flight classical concerts organised and conducted by our musical director Ian Ward, often in the auditorium at his own home. If you'd like to receive details, please email to assobaco@gmail.com or to ward.ian@orange.fr
Some past events
Join Us
Membership information
Annual membership costs only 10 € (15€ for a couple or family) and runs for one year from the date of inscription. Just fill in the form opposite and email it back to us at assobaco@gmail.com and we'll get back to you.
