A giant mirror has recently been installed behind Nyon railway station. This is part of a Mirrors exhibition in conjunction with HES (the University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland (HES-SO). More details here Please note - Living in Nyon will now be taking a short break and the next post will be on Tuesday 2nd May.

Living in Nyon would like to wish all its readers a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We will be back in 2016, with more news, local information, interviews and articles. Below is a snapshot of Nyon and surrounding region in photos taken in 2015.  All photos C. Nelson-Pollard Photo below: A wintry morning commute from Nyon Photo below: A decorated Easter fountain below the Maitre Jacques statue in Nyon Photo below: The Gardens at the Chateau de Vullierens Photo below: Inside the brand new library at the Jan Michalski foundation in Montricher Photo below: Blue skies in Nyon Photo below: Lovely weather for ducks Photo below: The magnificent magnolia tree in full bloom by the lake Photo below: Interviewing at Visions du Réel 2015 Photo below: Caribana 2015 Photo below: Member of the public sketching the Joan Baez concert at Paléo 2 Photos below: Nature in Nyon Photo below: "Picnic on the grass" day at the Château de Prangins Photo below: Member of a Guggenmusiker band at the Fondue Festival in Tartegnin Photo below: A warm December day by the lake

Film review -The Dog Hill  This film will be repeated on Tuesday at 17:30 at the Capitole 2 Fellini This year as in every year, there are variety of films on offer at Visions du Réel. Some of them are big budget, some are shown with a lot of fanfare and publicity, some of the films are complex and deal with profound issues ie: elections in Iran, corruption in Africa, the use of pesticides on crops in South America. Others films are smaller ones and cover simple subjects and come to the festival with not as much pomp and ceremony, but are nevertheless are good films. The Dog Hill is one of them. It is a quiet and lovely film. Its main premise; a simple subject, the life and conversations of four shepherds working in the Polish countryside and filmed over a summer. They shear sheep, they smoke, they make cheese, the older ones give advice to the youngest shepherd amongst them, they argue amongst themselves, they make up. They hand out words of wisdom to each other, and what words of wisdom these are. When one of the shepherds tells another that his wife has been unfaithful but he is learning to forgive her, the other shepherd says “ You think you have forgotten but trust me you won’t, when another man has drunken another man’s soup you will never want to touch that soup again”. They continue on this vein with home spun homilies.There are some amusing moments and there is tenderness too, when one of them talks about the sadness he feels due to the recent death of his mother, the other shepherd is sympathetic. The cinematography in this film is simply beautiful, the soft colours of the surrounding nature, the earthy brown of the shepherds clothing, the white of the sheep’s coat, very few colours jar on the screen and we really feel and see the beauty of the Polish countryside. It’s a quiet film and a short one, just 39 minutes long, but every minute is sublime.

The America's Cup race has officially started and all interest is on Valencia in Spain right now. However there is a local interest too as Mr Ernesto Bertorelli the owner of Alinghi the Swiss catamaran in the race, used to live in Gland, the town just a few miles from Nyon. Mr Bertorelli is not the only celebrity resident from this area, as  Michael Schumacher the Formula One racing driver also lives in Gland and Alain Prost has a house in Nyon. Alinghi made its debut on the lake last summer on August 1st (Swiss National day) and it sailed into Nyon and up the lake with a flotilla of boats accompanying it, with Mont Blanc in full show. A truly magnificent sight. Living in Bassins What is it like to live in the village of Bassins ? Below is the first in a series of reports written by readers of this column, it's their personal view of where they live. This particular view comes from Linda Revkin and you will see it also comes from 750 metres high, the elevation of the village! Read on to find out about an unusual industry that operates out the village. If you live in a village or town near Nyon  and would like to write about it then email me cnp at bluewin.ch. I welcome suggestions. Now over to Linda. "It was probably summer when Jeff Lynns from E.L.O. wrote “Mr. Blue Sky” in Bassins (see previous post here about this). But, blue skies can be found year round in Bassins. Right now in the snowy months of winter, when fog and cloudy weather engulf the Nyon area, the sun shines brightly up here. The Alpine peaks are crystal clear above a rumpled bed of clouds covering the normal view of Lake Geneva. Yes, snow can stay on the ground from November until March up here at 750 metres. It is not a climate for the fainthearted. The temperatures can drop to minus seventeen. Icicles decorate the fountains. Bassins is basically a farming village where, in years gone by, the cows probably outnumbered the population. Today that population, which had risen to six hundred souls in 1987, the date of my arrival on the scene, has now swelled to over one thousand. What attracts people to this rural village? I can only say for myself that it was my first view of the village that captivated me. Driving up from La Cezille, I rounded the last bend in the road, a a series of many, and there was the village spread out like a snowy Christmas scene on a shallow oval dish. Above the village the vast Jura forest, a favorite place for hikers, campers, and cross-country skiers. At the highest point, far to the left, was the Church: from there clusters of houses stretched out in a straight line to the right where a huge barn anchored the far end. Bassins is situated on a plateau. If one turns around slowly in a 360 degree rotation, a spectacular panorama of lake, Alps and Jura unfolds. On a clear day, as the song says, one can see nearly forever; the Geneva Jet d’eau , the Mont Blanc, the Dents de Midi and the “Grand Lac” by Lausanne. So perhaps it is this spectacular view and bucolic surroundings that attracts a lot of people. The village does not have, access to a shopping centre, or international schools, it is low key. Its image is far from glossy but it does have a prerequisite Aubèrge for good dining, a fantastic bakery, a Pottery Shop, a Hair Dresser, a Bookshop, and a Well Being Saloon.. The village’s biggest new attraction is the beautiful indoor Pool situated near the Primary School on the road to Le Vaud. One interesting industry here is a distillery for natural oils. In the summer, the fields, not cultivated with corn and wheat, are covered with bright yellow, mauve, blue and white flowers. When the distilling starts in late summer the scent of chamomile, lavender, and celery can tickle your nose. I have loved living in Bassins these past twenty five years not only because of its setting but because of the wonderful Swiss people and the many musical opportunities that have come my way. I directed the local mixed Choir and children’s Choirs for over ten years; sang in vocal Quartet founded here, and enjoyed having access to a wonderful organ. Last fall I took part as the village celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Organ’s Installation. Back in 1984, only six hundred villagers managed to raise enough money to build this new organ. Being a bi-national I have, like others, a foot in both camps so to speak. I also play the organ at the Scots Church in Geneva located in the Auditoire de Calvin. I am a member of an Association trying to raise funds for a new organ for that church. Somehow it seems a more daunting task to focus a multi national congregation living in Geneva, France and Vaud on the task of raising funds. Will we meet with the same success as this small village? If anyone out there has ideas or is interested in our project, take a look at our website . Meanwhile, if you love swimming, walking, cross country skiing and beautiful views, don’t hesitate to visit Bassins." Photos of Bassins and text by Linda Kyle Revkin

Which path to take?  Should you go left, right, through the centre, on the green grass or take the independent route? With the local elections just under a week away, Living in Nyon asked all the political parties to send in their views and standpoint on local issues. So if you have received your voting papers and are still unsure of  who to vote for, then read on to hear the views from the following parties that sent their comments in. Please note however, this post is provided purely as public service information for the expat community and does not imply endorsement of the parties' views by Living in Nyon.  If you are unsure about the actual voting procedure then this previous post on how to fill ou t (the rather complicated forms!) should help you. Time to vote I n no particular order we begin with the Parti Indépendant Nyonnais (PIN) The Nyon Independent Party. This was submitted by its president Bob Jenefsky -   jenefsky@iprolink.ch Tel:079 2025014 The PIN is a Nyon-based party founded over 60 years ago.  We are currently represented by 13 city councillors (i.e. 13%) and 1 member of the city government (Claude Uldry, responsible for buildings, human resources and church affairs).  Non-ideological and solutions-oriented, we defend the quality of life in Nyon on the basis of specific projects, whether proposed by our own members, the city government or others.  Sitting astride the Left-Right divide in the city council, we often are the de-factor arbiters of the outcome of closely-contested votes.  Our councilors  -men and women from all walks of life -enjoy complete freedom to take the floor during council debates and to vote as they choose. Our priorities for the coming legislature (2011 – 2016) are 1)     Housing :  Find creative solutions to Nyon’s housing shortage.  The adult children of Nyon families who want to stay here should be able to find affordable housing.  The city may ultimately have to choose between “nice-to-haves” (such as a conference center-hotel complex near the train station) and “must-haves” (such as affordable housing).  Watch this space! 2)     Urban development :  Keep Nyon from becoming the victim of its own success.  Fight urban sprawl and the creation of ghettos of high-priced condos before it’s too late.  Clean up the mess around the train station. 3)     Mobility :  Solve Nyon’s traffic problem, which is becoming big city-like.  This will require some courageous decisions (including building new roads) and incentivizing commuters to using (to-be-improved) public transport. 4)     Safety and security :  People should be able to go anywhere in Nyon at any time of day or night without having to “watch their back”.  The solution, we believe, lies in both prevention and appropriate police action, but also in giving speedy “feedback” to juvenile offenders (not currently the case).  A recent visitor from New York, who was last here 4 years ago, told me “Nyon is looking a bit seedy these days”.  Coming from a New Yorker, that has to hurt! 5)     Integration of newcomers : Sometimes it seems like everybody wants to move here.  The diversity of our population is a plus for Nyon.  Everybody needs to feel welcome, and that starts with feeling at home with the language and Swiss culture, values and institutions.  Nyon’s many local sports and associations make a major contribution to this important effort, and deserve our support.  More can be done, however. 6)     Environment :  We believe that the city of Nyon should be exemplary in its respect for the environment and use of energy.  Claude Uldry has been working towards this goal in building and renovating municipal buildings. For more information, please refer to our website (in French ) , which also contains links to some recent TV debates in which we participated.  Thanks for your interest in the Parti Indépendant Nyonnais.  who can make the difference with new and fresh ideas ! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Next it's the turn of  The Social-Democratic party of Nyon (in French - the Parti Socialiste). This was submitted by Braulio Mora, a member of the party and of the conseil communal.  See an interview with Braulio in a previous Living in Nyon post from Feb 2010. "The Social Democratic Party has a trac k record of achieving its goals and aims on the issues it is concerned about.  With a left wing majorityrepresentation in the Municipality, it has transformed the town by improving the quality of life of its inhabitants. It has achieved solidarity and a level of security and has adapted to the needs of the population with an improved public service benefitting not only the local population but also the economy and tourist industry. With the upcoming renewal of the local authorities in next week's election, we are keen to continue with all the work we have initiated and to work on the  challenges that awaiting us in the future. The Social Democrat party of Nyon has a list of candidates all of them with varied professional and social backgrounds, experiences, and areas of competence. Thanks to their convictions they will endeavour to place the following main points at the centre of their actions: HOUSING FOR EVERYONE: By building new housing at an affordable prices, improve the encounter of people in their neighbourhoods and ensuring a quality environment for the housing. NYON A CITY THAT MOVES: Improve transport public service and frequency, encourage and develop un-motorized mobility and moderating traffic in the neighbourhoods . TOWN THAT THINKS GLOBALLY: We find it important to invest for a town that is growing constantly, keeping in mind that the search for exterior funds and integrating Nyon in a regional investment policy is the way for our town to anticipate its development and not suffer from it. TOWN FOR FAMILIES: In order to continue a strong and efficient family policy our party finds it important  that additional capacity be added in nurseries, that there is increased possibilities of temporary assistance for those who need it careless of the age, and by the development of places for intergenerational encounters . NATURE IN TOWN: Reconquer  the vacant parts town  in order to give them life and create green public  places of quality,  creation of small gardens in neighbourhoods, as well as guaranteeing the protection and accessibility of all the lake shores in the town’s territory. ANOTHER APPROACH TO SECURITY: We find it important to think and act globally on the issue of security. We believe we not only have to use repressive measures but also improve prevention by hiring additional social workers and police forces in order to apprehend criminality, violence and incivilities. A better lighting of streets and renovation of decrepit places also collaborated to diminish the feeling of insecurity!" Link to the party website See also a short presentation movie in French of our candidates, programme and motivations here on U tube List of candidates to the city council  and the list of candidates to the municipality: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thirdly, here are the issues as seen by the local and Liberal-Radical Party (PLR) of Nyon. This was submitted by party member and member of the conseil communal Brian Jackson . The town: We will continue to fight to build, as soon as possible, the two major roads that are planned - the inner ring road (la petite ceinture) and the urban service road (route de desserte urbaine (RDU)). We oppose the suppression of parking spaces in the town centre in order that people may continue to park close to businesses and shops. Family: We intend to provide more sheltered housing for old people, through new constructions, to improve integration across all ages and social strata, that are the richness of our town. Taxation: We are against  tax increases. We endorse change and propose to remove benefits that are not essential. Security: We will continue to support the police force and staff to improve efficiency. We will continue to fight insecurity and depredation using dissuasive measures such as surveillance cameras and increased police checks at key locations. Economy: We will fight to create opening hours of shops that reflect the needs of the working population. We will support any plans to make Nyon a real conference town with hotels and the necessary  infrastructure, because tourism creates jobs and wealth. The full programme is posted on our website: www. plr-nyon.ch and may also be requested either by e‑mail info@plr-nyon.ch or to PLR, PO Box 1207, 1260 Nyon. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Next, here is the view from the Green Party entitled " Oliver Mayor : Not just talking but delivering" this was submitted by party member and member of the conseil communal Bernadette Nelissen. "A town council can only achieve its aims through teamwork. But is it good to point out what each municipal has really achieved in their field during their period in office. After fewer than five years in service, Olivier  Mayor , in charge of Social Affairs, Education & Youth and Sport has fulfilled his promises to improve the quality of life in Nyon,  between 2007 -2011 realised the following projects. See website. Schools Project on Respect: “working better together at school” Harmonisation of school hours Creation of  90 places for pre-school children, as well as lunch-break care for primary schoolchildren Doubling of free sports activities for schoolchildren Creation and extension of school libraries for teenagers Youth Planning and realisation of the day-care centre “Le Cèdre Magique” (48 places) and extension of the “Classes Tartines” (24 places) Extension of network of “mamans de jours” (child minders) with an increase from  50’000 hours in 2006 to 180’000 hours in 2010 Creation of a network of crèches in Nyon and installation of one tariff structure Opening of facilities in the evenings for free sport activities Opening of an activity centre for young people during the holidays Senior citizens Further  development of activities for senior citizens with “Pro Senectute” Improvement in quality of “Christmas baskets”  with more local products Start-up of “Quartier solidaire” (Neighbourhood Solidarity) in the north-east of Nyon Integration Creation of  “integration platform” with Caritas and “Lire & Ecrire” for French lessons for foreigners and those with reading difficulties Creation of Commission for Integration of Foreigners of Nyon (CISEN) Opening of “Maison de quartier” (community place) in la Levratte Housing Creation of individual housing assistance policy (AIL) Planning of 52 apartments for the elderly Social housing (24 apartments at Chemin de Bourgogne and 10 at Promenade de Jura) Sports Creation of beach sports facilities at the lake-side Installation of ice-skating rink Creation of Nordic Walking course Regionalisation of “Festival of sport” Contract with UEFA for Colovray stadium which has resulted in yearly savings for Nyon of  CHF 800'000 Increased financial aid to sport clubs in Nyon with 50% Vote for Olivier Mayor and the Green Party so he and they can start and finish other projects to improve the quality of living in Nyon!" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Finally, last but not least, here we have the views of the Liberal Greens. This was submitted by Alex Braunwalder. We need your vote ! In just about 3 weeks on 13 March 2011, the population of Nyon will elect its new members of the communal council.  The 100 current members represent the entire political spectrum from left to right.  For the first time, the emerging party of the Liberal Greens (Vert’Libéraux) contests this local election ready to go beyond the usual political divide ! The Vert’Libéraux see themselves as bridge-builders who are not saddled with political dogma and preconceived ideas and care more for concrete outcomes in the interest of all rather than ideological rigidity.  The axes on which we build our pragmatic political platform are respect for the environment and respect for the human being .  Our tenet sees the economy not as a problem, but as part of the solution to the questions of tomorrow’s world, and we look for the complimentarity between economic aspects and the need to ensure sustainable solutions for the environment. Our social policies aim to assist the most vulnerable, without wanting to impose an absolute socio-economic parity. Each human being should find an active place in our society in respect and understanding of the individual responsibilities and accountabilities we all have.  People that have immigrated are appreciated for their diverse and valuable contribution and renewal to society.  We defend individual freedom but see the overall need to maintain social peace in the context of our occidental values.  On our website (nyon.vertliberaux.ch),  you can see how we break down this broader code of conduct into exciting new ideas and proposals for the town of Nyon. We are keen that the foreigners in Nyon - - who have the right to participate in local polls - - exercise their right to vote.  If you are a foreigner, 18 years of age, currently residing in Nyon, have been living in the canton of Vaud for the last 3 years and have been in Switzerland for the last 10 years at least, you have the right and opportunity to vote. Hopefully you cast your vote for the Vert’Libéraux who can make the difference with new and fresh ideas!

There will be free train travel on the NStCM train on Sunday 10th July as part of the railway's centenary celebrations. There will be entertainment provided on the train itself on the 09:52, the 11:22 and the 12:52 trains departing from Nyon and on the 16:02, 17:02 et 18:02 departing from St-Cergue. There is lots on the agenda to mark this special occasion and family entertainment provided. Check out the Facebook page for more info.

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There are lots of events happening in the first weeks of November in the Nyon region, here are a few listed below.  Plus, the Living in Nyon November newsletter is due to be sent out in the next couple of days, if you would like to receive it, just sign up in the subscription box in the box to the right of this post.  English play in Coppet - November 8 -13th. Friday 4th - "Living along Lac Léman"- book signing at Nyon Tourist Office,  Saturday 5th - Troc in Crans, plus Table Top sale in Dully.  Sunday 6th - Léman Events Expat Fair in Lausanne, Also on the 6th -Classical Music at the Conservatoire in Nyon.  Mountain First Aid Courses - 10th and 15th November Friday 11th November -   " A Flavour of India" evening in Nyon. Saturday 12th - "Souper de Soutien" Fund raising event for the Maisons des Enfants in Nyon From the 8th to the 12th November GEDS ( Geneva English Drama Society ) will present "A View from the Bridge" by Arthur Miller. A little bit about GEDS - The Geneva English Drama Society provides a diverse theatre programme with a wide variety of styles and periods. A typical season includes 3-4 full stage productions and 20 fortnightly staged playreadings, plus workshops and social events. The play readings normally attract 50-100 people, and provide onstage roles for both experienced and aspiring actors. Once a year they produce and perform a play in Coppet, just a few miles from Nyon at the Théâtre de Terre Sainte. This is a lovely theatre with lots of parking , it is also not too far from Coppet railway station. The theatre has a bar for a pre theatre drink . Note - if you book first night tickets you can enjoy a glass of bubbly and meet the cast !  The play - About "A View from the Bridge"  - This American classic is very well known and a standard text for schools and scholars: probably one of the four most frequently seen by one of the three or four leading American playwrights. Longshoreman Eddie Carbone lives in Brooklyn with his wife Beatrice and orphaned niece Catherine. Two Sicilian cousins arrive in the country illegally seeking work and are sheltered by Eddie. Catherine and Rodopho fall in love. Eddie is violently opposed without realizing his own motives.  Tragedy ensues, with an almost Greek-Chorus figure helping recount and comment on events in an imaginative script and production. It is an enthralling evening, funny by turns and always involving, as it moves to an inevitable end. The cast includes: Pilar Diaz Quesada, Fabrice Drouin, Bernard Giovannini, Undine Groeger, Howard Hornfeld, Neil-Jon Morphy, Cristen Schroer, Chuck Slovenski, David Stieber, Herman Westebeeke, and Jona Zeschke. First-night patrons are invited to join the cast for a glass of bubbly after the show. Tickets:   CHF 30 (seats numbered)  Students  CHF 19 on presentation of student  card  at the box office on the evening of performance, subject to availability of seats.  Book at Theatre in English on  choose your own seats, pay by credit card or bulletin de versement / e-banking and print your own tickets. Friday November 4th BOOK SIGNING AT NYON TOURIST OFFICE If you missed the launch of the book "Living along Lac Léman" in October there will be another opportunity to purchase a copy and have it signed by the author on Friday 4th November between 16:00 and 18:00. Come along and say "hello", you can also pick up a copy of the new (free) winter tourist brochure  to find out what  activities are going on in the Nyon and St Cergue region this winter. Saturday 5th November Troc de Crans  11:00 -15:00. There will be troc (second hand sale of goods) in Crans at the Salle Communale de Crans ( Rue Antoine-Saladin).   Sunday 6th November  The International Women’s Club of Nyon will be holding  a Vide Grenier (Table-top Sale) at the Salle Communale in Dully from  10:00 - 15:00.  Info: Anne-Marie Ramu  Tél. 021 824 13 03. Bénéfices pour la Fondation Vaudoise “Le Cube de Verre” Sunday 6th November 17:00 Classical music concert in the lovely lake side setting at the Conservatoire de L'Ouest Vaudois - Barocco Guitar duet - Michel Borne and Claudia Gave  See COV Also on Sunday 6th November, it's the big Léman Expat Fair in Lausanne , plus this year a recruitment/career fair will be held in the same building  on the same day. Check here for more details - more about this fair coming soon on this site. Mountain First Aid Courses in November - Learn how to deal with injuries whilst skiing or hiking in the mountains. Get advice about when and how to call mountain rescue Understand the principles of adult Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and practice delivering this on manikins Practice the safe positioning of an unconscious adult Understand the importance of head, neck and spinal injuries and what to do Practice how to deal with broken bones and sprains  Learn how to recognise and manage hypothermia, frostbite, altitude illness and much more Next dates: Module 1 - 10th November 2011, 18:00 - 21:30 Module 2 - 15th November 2011, 18:00 - 21:30 Both modules must be attended Cost: 180 CHF per person in total Registration: via Health First (please register for both modules) Venue for both seminars and Mountain First Aid course: Rue des Racettes 2, 1213 Onex. This is the Paroisse Saint-Marc building. 11th November  " A Flavour of India" - Evening in Nyon - A celebration of Indian culture, welcome drink, Indian feast, traditional Indian dance and fashion tips. Full details in poster below. See Friends of India  Saturday 12th November  -There will be a fund raising supper at the Salle Communale for the Maison des Enfants in Nyon from 18:00 - 24:00. Apero followed by hot and cold buffet, musicians and dancers, tombola. See site for more details   and registration.

News on Nyon's Ice Rink, Swimming Pool, Drawing Competition for young artists in La Côte newspaper,  Open Day at Geneva English School,  Monday Movie in English in Nyon, Wine and Welsh Cakes evening 1st December,  Living in Nyon is now on air! The outdoor ice rink in Nyon has now opened and will remain so until 1st March 2015 . Opening hours aren Tuesday - Sunday from 08:00 - 18:00  and 09:00 - 18:00 at the weekend.   Note: the rink is also utilised by local schools a nd the ice hockey club, s o some hours are reserved for their use,  so check the chart on the ice rink's own website under "horaires"-  You need to look for the section "Patinage et Hockey libre" which indicates when the rink is open to the public.  The ice rink is situated on the lakeside on Nyon's Rive (not far from the ferry embarkation point).  Skates are available for hire at 5 CHF for adults and 3 CHF for children. The Ice rink and buvette are available for private hire in the evenings. The Ice Rink has a sound system, choose your own music, have a fondue and invite your friends! A minimum of 20 people are required for a private party. More details here. Nyon's outdoor Swimming Pool  to remain a "summer" pool On Monday night, Nyon's council was asked to consider making the outdoor swimming pool a year round facility, by covering over the pool. However the municipality considered the cost to be too excessive considering that there is already a covered swimming pool at Le Rocher in the town, and another indoor swimming pool is planned for the future sports complex and school called le Reposoir    Thanks to La Côte newspaper for the above local news. Don't forget - there is a Living in Nyon English column in the newspaper every Wednesday. It's a light hearted look at living in this part of Switzerland from a British expatriate perspective. You will find it on the inside of the front page. Christmas Drawing competition for children. La Côte newspaper has launched its annual Christmas drawing/ design for children aged between 4 and 12 years old. The five best designs will be published in the newspaper itself from the 24th December onwards and the winners will receive a prize. The deadline is the 28th November  and the winners will be announced on the 11th December. Pick up a copy of La Côte f or more details. Open Day at the Geneva English School There will be an open day at the Geneva English School o n Thursday 2oth November from 09:30 to 12:00. Photo below the "Friendship Stop" bench at the Geneva English School - A place to make new friends! This Open Day is an ideal opportunity to take a look around at the school and see their fabulous new library learning centre. The school provides a British education for International Children.   More details here Monday Movie in English in Nyon The Monday Movie in English at the Capitole Cinema in Nyon on Monday 17th November will be "Serena" starring Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper and Rhys Ifans. Screening at 20:30 See cinema website here   Trailer below. Evening to meet other Anglophones A reminder that there will be a "Wine and Welsh Cakes" evening in the wine cellar of the chateau of Nyon on the 1st December. It's an opportunity to meet other Anglophones , whether you have been here for a few years or just a few weeks!  Registration required - Full details see previous post here Living in Nyon on the air and on FM! The editors and founders of both websites: Living in Nyon and "Know it All Passport" are delighted to announce they will be on the radio once a month on Radio Cité Genève. They will be talking about events, places to go and visit in the Geneva and Vaud region from 12:00 onwards on a show called "12/13" hosted by journalist Gilles Soulhac. The programme will be in French, however if your French is limited, still tune in, it's an ideal opportunity to learn  the language and find out what's going on in the area. Radio Cité Genève is on the internet and on FM and can be heard in la Côte area along the lake side and in your car on  92.2 FM Their next show will be on 8th December 2014

Jazz Concert at the Conservatoire - Friday 5th December The Conservatoire of Nyon will hold their last concert of the 2014 season on Friday 5th December at 20:30 with the Cajón Jazz Trio. The concert will be held at the Villa Thomas along Nyon's lake side.This is a small, intimate concert venue so it's recommended to reserve tickets in advance, either by telephoning 022 994 2360 between the hours of 14:00 and 17:00 emailing info.nyon@cov-vd.ch, or on the night itself from 19:30.  Pre-reserved tickets not collected 15 minutes  before the performance will be put back on sale. Video Below - Cajón Jazz Trio Also on Friday at the Usine a Gaz, local band The Kreeks (indie pop) will be playing at at 21:30. Free entry! Sunday 7th December It's the Christmas market in Nyon on Sunday 7th December from 08:30 to 18:30 Lots of stalls selling Christmas products, Father Christmas too for the children, food and drink!  See website here  - note the website for the Rive area, does not seem up to date as last year's poster is still being shown for this event!  There are clearer details on the Nyon tourist site Christmas Market Coppet Note - there will also be a Christmas market in the château of Coppet beginning Wednesday 3rd until the 7th December. For full details and opening hours see website here  Christmas cookie workshops for children on Wednesday 3rd from 14:00 -16:30, Saturday 6th from 15:00 - 17:00  and Sunday  7th from 13:00 - 15:15. Other workshops too!   See website here Did you know that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart passed though Swiss Romandie in 1766? On Sunday 7th at the Château of Nyon  from 16:00-17:15, there will be a Mozart recital given by Michel Kiener  in the castle followed by an apéritif. Tickets CHF 25  - free entry for under 18 email  info@chateaudenyon.ch  to reserve or call  022 363 8351. More details here

A reminder to all readers of the upcoming Living in Nyon evening with Diccon Bewes.  Diccon recently launched his latest book "Around Switzerland in 80 Maps" at the Houses of Parliament in London. He will then be in Nyon on Tuesday 10th November at 19:30 to present and talk about his book. This is the first that Diccon will be holding in Swiss Romandie. These talks are very popular so reserve your place soon! Full details below. About the book.  A map can be decorative or informative, or both, and can reveal geography or history, or both. In fact, it is the perfect pictorial way to explain and entertain. And this collection is no exception. From the circular Swiss island of 1480 to a vision of a Greater Switzerland with 40 cantons, via the oldest map of Lake Geneva. Image above - Hitz Typography Map of Switzerland  Diccon is also the author of "Swiss Watching" and "Slow Train to Switzerland” ) His talk will be in English and the book (in both English and French editions) will be for sale (cash only) on the evening. Talk from 19:30 to 20:30 Doors open 19:00 at the *Ferme du Manoir in Nyon at the Place du Château. Entry - 15 CHF includes a glass of wine after the event in the cave of the Château de Nyon Reservations required, cash payment to be made on the evening. Email -   info@livinginnyon.com  and write  "80 Maps" in subject headline. Please state the names of all those attending. Image above - Gotthard Bahn Poster *The Ferme du Manoir is very near to the château of Nyon and a short walk to the railway station. Nearby parking at La Duche car park or P lace Perdtemps

When it was announced at the Spring Paléo press conference that Sting would be playing at the festival this year, it was also revealed that the programmers had been waiting many, many years to get him on the line up. Last night, the third night of Paléo, on a hot evening and in front of a packed crowd, Sting gave a superb performance until the early hours of the morning. The wait was worth it. After the first intro song, he then announced (in perfect French) that he was very happy to be here in Nyon, delighting the crowd (and presumably the programmers) and then went on to sing for nearly two hours, a medley of familiar hits: "Message in a Bottle", "Englishman in New York", "De Do, Do Do, De Da, Da ,Da", "Roxanne", and most fittingly "Heavy Cloud, No Rain".  All songs were crowd pleasers and they reacted accordingly, singing and swaying along to the superstar. Caravan Palace Earlier on in the evening there was even more energetic crowd reaction to "Caravan Palace". This group who play a mixture of scat, swing, jazz, and ragga played here two years ago in the Chapiteau tent to great acclaim (reviewed with photos in this post  here! ) and this year they gave an equally fun and frantic performance wowing the crowd dancing under a hot sun and setting the pace for a fun evening.   Hollie Cook Even earlier on in Thursday's programme, Hollie Cook  also got a smaller but appreciative crowd dancing to her band's reggae, dub and ska beat in the Chapiteau tent. It can't be easy performing at 17:45 - a time when many festival goers are just beginning to drift in to the grounds, but she did well, seamlessly drifting from one song to another. Hollie comes with a strong musical pedigree; her father is Paul Cook the the drummer with the Sex Pistols and her mother Jeni used to sing with Culture Club. Evidently growing up with such a musical background has paid off. At times her voice sounded a little like that of Skye Edwards, the former lead singer of Morcheeba but Hollie is her own woman and is one to watch. Photos below: The Paléo atmosphere