Herault Times issue 16 October 2013

THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE MAGAZINE FOR THE HERAULT

The Herault Times Issue 16 - October 2013

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ISSN: 2261-561X

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THT October 2013

Contents THT

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Editorial

For your consideration

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his month, there are the mellow notes of an unintended theme throughout... that of what can be achieved when you set your mind to something, from film making to saving animals and from professional drive (see Theo King’s ‘My Way’) to political drive (see ‘business’).

However, leaving all of that aside - you can read it later - we think the following comments by French director/producer Gilles Legrand on what interests him in the world of wine summarises what’s most important for so many this month: “Everything, I love everything except bad wine!

Obviously I like wine, the diversity of the grape varities and flavours. I love the vine, gnarled and generous, the scheduling and constraint that is required to plant them, the geometry and architecture of the vineyards.

They offered magnificent opportunities. But I also love the cellars, aging cellars under the arches and especially Cistercian cellars, alignments of barrels and bottles, silent underground, the smells, materials, colours, light... It is simple, the vine and the wine awaken the senses! And the side effects are intoxicating.

The physical intoxication of course, but also the power, money, talent, passion. It is a very demanding environment. For the winegrower must excel at all stages, from the vineyard to the cellar. I am fascinating by these passionate people who have extreme rigor and are sometimes almost neurotic. It leads to the vine. If you want to make good wine you must excel everywhere. The transformation of grapes into wine is one of the most beautiful things to know.”

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06 My Place 07 And Another Thing 09 Restaurant Review 10 Wine Times 13 Business / Legal 10 / 11 Garden / Nature 12 GTBY 16 /17 Lifestyle 18 What’s On 19 History 21 E-Male 22 / 23 Art 26 / 27 Recipe Times 28-31 Classifieds 31 Sport

(Gilles Legrand in an extract for an interview about his latest film starring Niels Arestrup released in August this year Tu Sera Mon Fils, a film in which blood is only marginally thicker than wine!) **

The HT Online

An IFA Writes 3

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Letters The Herault Times 1 Grand Rue, St Thibery,34630 Publisher: Gatsby B Editor : Emma F Advertising Director: Tom Buchanon Art Editor: Daisy B Art: L.A. EDITORIAL editor@theheraulttimes.com PUBLISHER gatsby@theheraulttimes.com gatsby@lapublishinggroup.com SUBSCRIPTIONS www.theheraulttimes.com/subscribe or contact us on info@theheraulttimes.com ADVERTISING For display advertising, print classifieds please call 0624 80 24 32 or mail advertising@theheraulttimes.com For online advertising please visit http://classifieds.theheraulttimes.com www.theheraulttimes.com PYRIGHT AND DISCLAIMER

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Energy Dear Madam, Reference issue 15 - letters.

I would like to start an intelligent debate about energy. I agree that burning fossil fuels is bad for the environment (or is it? - the last time we had high CO2 we also had a cultural and environmental good time - the time of the great composers, great agriculture -e.g. sradivarius - that was due to close grained wood; but I digress). However, the so called “green” energy sources will never produce all the energy we need, without nuclear generated electricity. The contribution by wind (when it blows at an accetable speed), tide, wave and hydro are less than 10% and are unlikely to produce no more than 25% in the future. Therefore, efforts should be made,urgently to improve methods of coping with nuclear residues.

Bill Deas. Le Pouget

output required) we should all take a step back and look at the facts. Wind farms are inefficient unless we cover half the planet.

Tidal turbines are wonderful but transportation of the energy is not environmentally friendly and mining on the moon is not yet happening. Honesty is not something that springs to mind when the ‘green energy’ brigade appear in the media.

William James, Montpellier Energy 3 I really enjoyed the article on wind farms by Tim King. But please do not just talk about wildlife, we all need to save the planet and I am not a hippy but an ex- civil servant who has opened my eyes and I implore everyone to take a moment to consider what happens if we don’t.

Kristina And we had a lot more correspondence on this subject. I suggest Michael Crichtons ‘State of Fear’. A good story and a lot of facts that may surprise many.

Energy 2 Sirs, I respect the opinion of Mr Tim King to use wind turbines as a focal point for his article on the devastation taking place (allegedly) in the bat populations near to wind farms but I feel that the title (‘How Green is this energy’, issue 15) is misleading. We are continuously informed that green energy is required to ‘save the planet’, safeguard our childrens’ futures’ etc. but the facts do not stand up. What does stand up is that the green energy lobby is funded extremely well and that part of the campaign (as used by many others) is one of fear.

Fossil fuels have provided the enhancements to medicine, health, food supply and other progressions too many to mention that we, that includes you and I, take for granted. Fossil fuels are still with us and with nuclear energy (surely the only alternative that can provide the

Hakim Inspirational, magnificent and a piece that made me stop and be thankful for all that I have.

Edith Hakim A. What a wonderful example of how you can overcome huge obstacles and not only move forward yourself but also inspire others, able bodied or not. I hope and pray that many of us read this and took a long look at our own lives. My thanks to Hakim A, the writer and the Herault Times. Magnificent.

Withheld Bullfighting Sick, sick, sick. Why write about and publicise this barbaric act?

Bullfighting About 10 years ago, when Spain

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was contemplating a referendum on whether to ban bullfighting, I spoke to a national park ranger in the Sierra Nevada mountains of the south east. He loved the animals in his care, particularly wild boar, and was strongly opposed to bullfighting, believing it to be barbaric. But he was also opposed to the referendum proposal [though he considered it might well succeed] because he thought it would irrevocably and disastrously divide the country.

Notwithstanding the ban in Catalonia, the situation in the rest of Spain and particularly Andalucia is unlikely to have changed.

Patricia, Montpellier Bullfighting Sir, At the risk of a tart comment I would like to state that I am an afficianado of bullfighting as a spectacle. It is a performance steeped in tradition and although I accept the dice are heavily loaded in favour of the house there are instances where the magnificent creature turns the tables. The history and the economic value of these spectacles are legendary and should be considered before another bout of health and safety and love of animals fills your letters page as I am sure they will. These animals are respected and looked after much better than the majority of bovine food products that you happily devour.

Why is it that this society is so quick to glance at history, jump on a bandwagon (that does have some relevant points) but ignore food preparation management and just quote the needs of the masses to justify abject cruelty in other areas?

The wellbeing of a country’s psyche and the economic value of these events are not to be neglected in discussion.

Sadly withheld

Letters Bullfighting Nice pictures, a reference to a magnificent author but there is no place in this world for this terrible, terrible, terrible cruelty.

I of course am referring to your article on bullfighting. The only positive I can see is that the author appears to feel afraid to say what he thinks and I think that speaks a thousand words.

Mike, Beziers Hmm, I know, for all those in favour, we’ll put you in a ring.

For all those against, you can be picadors and stab those in favour.

But don’t forget, if you do it you become them then I put you in the ring! Brilliant eh? And I just created a new pastime and saved the bulls!

Fig Chutney Simple and yet inspired.

The recipe pages this month were magnificent. Not only easy to make and delicious but my husband and I visited the restaurant.

More please (but glad Bassie will be back).

SD, Caux CSF Please would you highlight Cancer Support France and their Walk for Life on Sunday 29th September in Montagnac. Take part or come along but a great day is promised and delivers.

Thank you. Helen Bloody Tourists Hi, With a note to Georgia J from Montpellier (Issue 3 September) from one of those pesky tourists that ‘make the roads a nightmare’, I’m sorry if our visiting makes life hell for you, we can take our tourist dollar to another European country where we can assist their economy if you like.

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One thing though, maybe take a closer look at the drivers of your own country first in regards to common sense. Maybe on small rural roads not sitting in the middle of the road on blind corners, or even not riding up the rear of the car in front, who by the way is doing the speed limit might be considered common sense. Or I know I am really crazy here for saying it but maybe in the tiniest little streets in some beautiful country road it might be considered common sense if you don’t double park and stop all cars trying to drive in both directions.

Or ...... No best have some common sense and stop now before one is considered a flaming whinger! Try finding parking or driving in our tourist spots in Australia any time of year!

Pat McL, Sydney, Aust

e are proud to have the talents of Mr Barry Beckett producing the wonderful original covers that you currently see.

And online now you can purchase these beautiful images and have a piece of the Languedoc in your own home.

Prints and selected Limited Editions available.

Barry Beckett 2013 All rights reserved

dharmacamera@googlemail.com

How exciting.....letter rage!

For the English amongst you let this be a lesson to you all.

Australians don’t like losing at cricket and may sometimes be seen weaving across the road as they remember happier times! ** Note Please e-mail us letters or use the website to send them in.

Or if you know what this is below, send us a text now.

WRITERS

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he writers and contributors are the stars of this magazine and without them I would have all of my hair and would not be drinking gin at 9am every day. Having said that, you should know more about them. All their bios can be found at www.theheraulttimes.com. Please read them, they deserve to be recognised for their fantastic contribution and for being patient and generous to me.

IMPORTANT:

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his magazine is intended for the use of the individual(s) who picked it up.

This magazine may contain information that is helpful, opinionated and can at times be unsuitable for overly sensitive Persons with no cultural credibility.

If you are not sure then may we politely suggest that you pass it onto someone else as to continue reading is not recommended and may constitute an irritating social faux pas. No animals were harmed in the making of this magazine, and believe it or not one single opinion is definitive- period.

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The Cover Story

Christine Viennet

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hristine Viennet is a ceramist and founder of the Musée de la Faïence (Ceramics museum). Originally from Norway, she studied at the Olso School of Art before pursuing her training in France with Father Paoli at the Abbey Saint Michel of Cuxa

I could dream and create my proper universe, was probably the start of my future passion for clay and sculpting. I started to model clay at the age of 16 in a Paris workshop during the holidays. Then, both Norwegian and French ceramic workshops became my favorite places!

and at Lurçat’s and Picart Le Doux’s workshop in Perpignan. As a young woman she would go to the flea-market every Saturday to look for vintage plates that she would later use as support for her ‘trompe-l’oeil’: fruit, vegetables, or other ‘food’ in glazed ceramics. When she realized that these European plates were slowly disappearing she decided to keep a selection of them as ‘a memoir’ which forms today the starting point of the visit. The museum is private and shows a surprising collection of 19th century European ceramics, including the work of Bernard Palissy’s devotees, dating from the 17th to 21st centuries.

You have travelled to a number of countries, are there any places that had a particular impact on you, both negative and positive?

I have traveled quite a lot around in Africa, and Burkina Faso as well as Libya, which have made the strongest impression on me: strong contrasts, the beauty of colours everywhere in landscapes,

My Place

that brings us further in life, strengthens our proper lives and the lives of others. Anything made with our hands fascinates me.

What are the most difficult aspects of your job and what are the aspects that excite you?

The techniques required for making ceramic, firing, preparing colours and glazes…, are the most difficult part of my work. I am not technically minded and love to innovate each time I realize a new piece, facing risks which can be rather ‘kamikase’. But by some miracle, there is an angel standing over me! And I like these risks, ready to lose weeks of work - tant pis!

What is your favorite dish and why?

The favorite work is always the one under procedure - all hopes of success are yet permitted!

What achievement are you most proud of?

I wouldn’t say I am proud, but rather ‘satisfied’.

A large blue sea creature, difficult not only by it’s size and shape, but by the innovation of a new technique for its coloured glazes, is may be the most complicated and best I have done so far!

Apart from the 16th century potter Bernard Palissy, which other artists do you admire?

I have no favorite artist in ceramics, but admire several of them. My taste goes rather to varnished clay, baroque and figurative.

I prefer pottery, a more spontaneous work, more than a polished, perfect porcelain.

Where did you grow up?

Can you tell us about your background?

I grew up in Norway, south of Oslo, in the country side. I spent most of my time outside and my love for nature has remained ever since even though I after spent some years in Paris and London.

Are there any artistic people in your family?

My 2 grandmothers were artists.

Are there any memories that stand out for you?

Many strong memories stand out for me. I grew up in a family of 7 children, with a severe education and many years in boarding school. We lost our father very young and life was dense, already then.

We lived on an island, fishing, boating… during summer and outside in the woods and the snow during winter which lasts for 7 to 8 months in Norway! A fantastic field to feed your imagination!

clothing, seeds…, fragrances, kindness, all the vital, small activities forgotten in our comfortable European countries…

What inspired your interest in ceramics?

Making houses, things, figures, animals… with snow, sculpting with snow, atmospheres in which

What other activities interest you?

I love art, history, people who do things of all kinds, artistic, scientific, humanitarian…, anything

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What aspects of living in Hérault do you like the most?

I love, as many of us, the easy sunny climate we have here and the easy style of living- in the unspoiled country side and yet near the city. I need the proximity of the sea, even though the back country of the Languedoc is so rich in contrasts and variation of landscapes. I have lived near Béziers for 40 years, my northern square character has not always been easy to slide in with the Mediterranean style, but, smiles and humor, make life easier and nicer everywhere!

It is one of the wonderful particularities of this part of the world…

Visits to the Musée de la Faïence are by appointment only. Tel: 04 67 49 17 60. Entry 8€ Christine.viennet@raissac.com Route de Murviel (D19), 34500 Béziers

And another thing.......says Abse October Is The Cruellest Month

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S Eliot didn’t say that... he had it in for April. He thought (I remember my O-Level English teacher telling me) that April was cruel for giving you hope.

I don’t know. It’s October I don’t like for taking all the hope away. No more hot days, no more shorts and T-shirts, no more roof open in my car. Life is hard here in the south of France. To make matters worse I always seem to start October in the UK, for some reason or other (low price flights mainly) visiting my family. This year it’s for my dad’s 90th birthday celebrations. Amazing isn’t it?

Especially as I’m only 26.

October in the UK is OK, actually. It’s dull, cloudy, sometimes wet… in fact a lot like any other month you care to mention, but there’s nothing worse than leaving France wearing shorts and returning in a woolly jumper. And this is exactly what I’ve done for the last few years. It’s also kind of a nothing month in other ways – what important dates happen in October? I can’t think of any –and don’t throw Halloween at me because that’s only the last couple of hours of 31 days, and was probably put there at all only to celebrate the end of the month. And then to prove the point there’s Toussaint on November 1st, and no official holiday at all during the month.

In the USA they have “Thanksgiving” of course. But please can somebody tell them that the rest of the world has no idea what this is and only knows about it at all from watching “Friends”? But to be fair to the USA some detailed research (I looked at Wikipedia) has revealed that in America October is designated as a special month for a number of groups and causes.

A lot of groups and a lot of causes: It’s LGBT History Month, it’s Pregnancy Loss and Infant Loss Awareness Month, National Arts and Humanities Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Fair Trade Month, Dwarfism Awareness Month, Rett

Syndrome Awareness Month, Clergy Appreciation Month, National Cyber Security Awareness Month, Tera Melos Awareness Month, Brain Tumour Awareness Month, Autism Awareness Month, Auto Battery Safety Month, National Stamp Collecting Month, Italian American Heritage Month, German American Heritage Month, Polish American Heritage Month, National Hispanic Heritage Heritage Month,

Infant Death Syndrome AwarenessMonth, National Pizza Month, Popcorn Poppin’ Month, National Pork Month, National Sausage Month and last (and quite possibly least) National Squirrel Awareness Month.

Filipino American History Month, Celiac Sprue Awareness Month, National Dental Hygiene Month, Healthy Lung Month, Health Literacy Month, National Lupus Erythematosus Month, National Physical Therapy Month, Spina Bifida Awareness Month, American Pharmacist Month, 3d Ultrasound Awareness Month, Sudden

stamps, worrying about my car battery and my teeth nor thinking about all the different heritages and their histories, and only eating pizzas topped with popcorn and sausages.

Here I can have a nice calm month and the only thing I need to worry about is which woolly jumper to wear.

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And so come to think of it I’m so glad I’m in France and not in America. I don’t have to spend my month being aware of some really nasty diseases (and squirrels), collecting

By Mehdi Roland, a member of the Béziers branch of the CCIF, a national organization founded to work towards a society where there is no place for islamophobia or racism.

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he CCIF (Collectif Contre l’Islamophobie en France / ’Collective against Islamophobia in France’) was established ten years ago to counter racism against Muslims in metropolitan France and more recently across Europe.

The work of the CCIF was recognised in 2010 by the U.N. who nominated it as a consultant member on these issues. The association’s annual report is also submitted to the President of the Republic and the Minister of the Interior.

There has been a significant increase in acts against Muslims over the last few years. But the numbers are still less than the reality as many victims fail to report incidents. Béziers set up its own local group in 2013, one of whose roles is to inform and help victims deal with discrimination or aggression. In 2012, the national CCIF reported 469 incidents towards institutions or individuals, in contrast to 269 in 2011 and 188 in 2010, which is an increase of 57.4%.

In 2012, 40 mosques were targeted, 95% more than in 2011. 418 incidents were reported targeting individuals, an increase of 156 acts more than the previous year and 60% more individual victims. 80% of those victims were women. Attacks on the Grande Mosque in Béziers has trebled in the last 10 years (insulting slogans or Nazi crosses, broken windows, throwing bottles of alcohol, etc…)

The increase in islamophobia is due to a number of factors: * Uncorroborated press coverage against Muslims which plays on fear even though the threat is non-existent. In 20 years, there has been one reported death in France linked to Islamic terrorism or an Islamic pretender. Comparatively, 800 people have died as a result of homicide, 60,000 by cigarettes, 40,000 by alcohol, or one woman dies every three days as a result of domestic violence. But we exacerbate the terrorist threat in the media and in opinion polls (ex: 75% of French people fear attacks source: M6). Europol affirms that 0.4% of terrorist acts are attributable to Muslims in Europe. Out of 249 terrorist acts affecting 9 European states, 163 were carried out by separatist groups, 45 by the extreme-left and 3 by Islamists. There appears to be a desire to sustain paranoia and disinformation based on a crude link between terrorism and Islam on the one hand and on the other between terrorism and reality. * Policies which perpetuate an Islamophobic atmosphere and draconian laws against Muslims are denounced in Europe and the United States. In essence, secularism means the neutrality of the state vis-à-vis religion; it allows for everyone to freely practice their beliefs in both the private and public zones to the extent that this freedom does not restrict one over others, as stated in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However, the fact is that France uses a ‘secularism of exclusion’ which rather than

emancipating women, protecting children, ‘integrating’ Muslims into society, marginalizes and stigmatizes them, not unlike the experience of the Jewish people at the dawn of the Second World War. In Béziers, both before and since the launch of our local CCIF branch, we can confirm the national trend. To mention but a few examples: refusal to treat a patient by a doctor; physical aggression towards a mother with her baby in arms; the refusal to respond to complaints by the commissariat; and discrimination and islamophobic comments in driving schools, school establishments, training institutes, shops, in the street, etc. This summer, the extreme right- wing municipal counselor Alain Ricard published in his space the ‘Tribune Libre’ in the ‘Journal de Béziers’, an anti-Muslim diatribe concerning the opening of the new mosque in rue Raspail with words to the effect: ‘It is up to us Biterrois and French, whether to adapt ourselves to new foreign cults and costumes” (although the Muslims are equally Bitterois and French, and Islam is the second religion of France) and “It is an invasion”. The article was not censored by the town. And Robert Ménard, the 2014 Béziers mairie candidate, stated in the right-wing weekly publication ‘Valeurs Actuelles’ that Islam in France is “always more obtrusive, aggressive and seeking to conquer”. In reality, these politics have nothing to do with Islam; on the contrary they ensure and provoke extremes.

From the point of the view of the victims, we observe a flagrant lack of information of their rights. Our job is to inform people of their rights and help them seek legal help if necessary. Complaints are not always admissible but reporting them is important for monitoring purposes.

The CCIF is a platform for the many failings of rights which violate the dignity of the individual.

Hence, national communication campaigns. At the end of August the CCIF scaled Mont-Blanc as an expression of condemnation of Islamaphobia and announced from the ‘rooftops of Europe’ its new project “IMAN”: Islamophobia Monitoring and Action Network, bringing together European associations under the slogan: “Europe United Against Islamophobia!”

“The CCIF Béziers was born in the offices of the association Esprit Libre Béziers, which promotes the development of interreligious understanding. Every two months Catholics, Protestants and Muslims gather in the association’s offices and learn more about each other, in order to act together for peace. Serenity, laughter and sharing punctuate these meetings. The CCIF Béziers encourages initiatives which challenge misperceptions and reinforce national sorority.”

For more information: Mehdi ROLAND, CCIF Béziers (page facebook) or www.islamophobie.net

Copyright BarryBeckett

Challenging Discrimination

The LUNCH Review

Good Food in the places that YOU find.

22 Place Jean Jaurés, Beziers 0467 36 83 10

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trolling through Beziers is always a joy to me and those that don’t visit this vibrant and growing city should take a look.

Everything is on the up; infrastructure, amenities and the culture is as strong as anywhere in the Hérault.

And if you have time for a spot of lunch there are a selection of restaurants and bistros for any palate and any price.

And there is La Charnière. A new bar restaurant in Place Jean Jaurès.

It aims to combine the serving of top class food with a special rugby ambience. Before many turn away, this is a restaurant first and foremost, serving fresh food, quality dishes and having taken over from a previous restaurant that I did unfortunately eat at, it has improved not only the culinary experience but also the environment.

Johnny Howard is the owner and front of house. A man for all seasons, good looking and easy going, he is there but not there marshalling his troops and also working.... a good ‘hinge’ as the name and his past allude to.

The dining experience is a pleasure. A good outside space when the weather permits but a light and pleasant indoor space for the cooler months. The menu is for people who want to eat. Not over extensive and salads and burgers are the temptation.

When we ate we just picked random items and shared.

A starter of fishcakes with a twist (marmalade) were mouth watering and the flavours were subtle yet balanced. The mains were picked quickly and easily, a burger named after the owner and calamar,

mainly because it is so often overcooked or served inappropriately.

The burger was ‘Le favori de Johnny’, a simple bacon and cheese burger which I so often ignore because (a) it is never cooked how I like it (rare) and (b) it is often stodgy with poor bread. Well, go and eat it, I’ll even recommend it. Good quality beef, cooked as asked and garnished lightly and accompanied by home made chips. Do you know how much stock I place on home made chips? Not a difficult meal in truth but how come so many restaurants fail to do it correctly?

The calamar was delicious. Cooked beautifully and the presentation invited you in. Obviously fresh ingredients gave an aroma and a taste that my mother would have said was ‘home cooking without the washing up’. And do note the bread basket...details!

Both plates (even the expected slate for the burger) were cleared.

And here lies the problem for La Charnière, we were both full. Good honest food does that to you but who would I be not to have a desert? And so a cheesecake was ordered. Artfully deconstructed in a pretty presentation bowl which I shared, although I only had one mouthful as it disappeared opposite me! Enough said.

La Charnière is a restaurant that keeps things simple without compromising quality, (and if you like rugby and sports then you know this makes sense). It offers good fresh food, excellent presentation and service and leaves you sated.

Highly recommended.

he other side of La Charnière is the rugby. He has memorabilia throughout and my highlight, Andrew Muhrten’s boots over the bar! All of this leads to Le Tunnel Bar downstairs, a haven for sports and gatherings (including the mural by his mother allowing you to imagine running on to the pitch). Johnny started playing rugby at Aylesbury Rugby Club at the age of seven. He joined Northampton Saints Rugby Academy in 1998 and played for the club for nearly ten years as a scrum-half and occasional appearances on the wing. On moving to France in 2008 he played for Bayonne and then Aix-en-Provence.

He arrived in the Languedoc with his French partner Claire in 2010, and joined ASBH and was a member of the squad that won promotion to Pro D2 that year.

He has a son, Charlie, (born in Béziers).

He retired from full-time professional rugby in 2013 to open La Charnière.

of fun with ‘bacon & eggs’ and ‘rosbif’.

What is the best part of owning a restaurant? And the worst?

The best part is seeing a full restaurant and lots of happy customers. The worst is spending too little quality time with my young son, Charlie.

If you could only eat 1 meal from your current menu for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Our freshly made burgers with bacon and cheese What is your typical working day?

Early to rise, late to bed and then dream about tomorrow’s menu – so pretty much 24/7.

What ingredient would you like introduce to the French palate?

I’ve yet to have a decent curry in France – as a result I always head to the nearest curry house when I go back home to England Are there dishes you’d love to make but suspect people wouldn’t order? Our Friday night fish & chip suppers are starting to prove very popular with our French clientele but weaning them onto mushy peas will be a challenge.

What do you do to relax? Get thumped by the opposition back row on a Saturday afternoon and occasionally return the compliment. I’m going to play for a local rugby side, Valras, in the coming season. so I’ll continue to enjoy this unique form of relaxation.

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You are known as a rugby player, where did you get your passion and desire to run a restaurant?

Originally from my Mum in the kitchen at home and latterly from my aunt and uncle, who owned and ran two bar restaurants in Hertfordshire.

You take French food and add a British twist. How is this going down with customers?

Our food is predominantly French, based as much as possible on freshly prepared, local ingredients. At the weekends, we do have a bit 9

Wine

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However, I have soft spot for the traditional Picpoul de Pinet, which was once the only white region of the extensive appellation of the Coteaux du Languedoc.

Several coops make Picpoul, but the best two are those of Pinet, and the neighbouring village of Pomerols. I am sorry but time constraints only allowed a visit to one, that of Pinet. And it did not disappoint.

Their entry level white wine, sold in vrac and BIB, is not Picpoul but Terret, another old traditional variety of the region, from the Côtes de Thau. The wine is crisp and fresh with a herbal note. En vrac it is 1.20 a litre.

Their entry level benchmark Picpoul is Carte Noire. The 2012 vintage costs 4.00€ a bottle or 17.40€ for a 5 litre BIB. It is light and fresh and stony, with no great depth, but a touch of the characteristic saltiness that makes Picpoul such a good accompaniment to seafood. Another characteristic grape of the south is Muscat. As less sweet Muscat is drunk these days, the producers have developed Muscat Sec, which makes a refreshingly pithy aperitif.

The coop in Frontignan, which is the main producer of Muscat de Frontignan, does a 2012 Terres Blanches, Pays d’Oc Muscat for

hite wine from the Languedoc gets better and better with every vintage.

Rosemary George Once upon a time a lot of the white wine from this region was used as a base wine for vermouth, for which wine flavour was not an important consideration, but when that market declined, wine growers starting improving their vinification techniques and flavour improved enormously. It is amazing just what can be achieved simply by cleaning up the juice and chilling it before you ferment it. And grape varieties with more flavour and aroma have been planted too, and that makes also for more exciting flavours.

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t the time of writing we are still enjoying warm and sunny weather and hoping for some rain. Many summer flowering perennials are still in flower but plants which come into flower in the autumn and provide new interest are particularly welcome. Some of the late flowering Salvias such as S darcyii, S regla and the slightly tender (so mulch the rootstock well in winter) S leucantha give a splendid show of colour late in the year. Autumn flowering bulbs such as the yellow crocus relative Sternbergia lutea and the charming Cyclamen with Gill Pound hederifolium are good at this time of year too. ** Tasks for October include: * if you have not already done so; planting bulbs - planting instructions will be on the packets but in general plant the bulb at about three times the depth of the bulb and a similar distance apart.

Remember to look at the flowering times on the packet when buying so that you maximise the season of interest.

Remember too that most spring flowering bulbs come from areas with summer dry climates and prefer sunny positions with good drainage. * dividing herbaceous perennials and ornamental grasses. * once we have had some rain - planting trees, shrubs, perennials and hedging plants. Do incorporate some organic material (terreau or compost etc) and some river sand or gravel to improve the clayey soils that most people in this area have and water the plants well after planting. Most plants, even if they are ultimately drought resistant will need supplementary watering during their first summer or two. When you are choosing new plants for the garden remember that this is a difficult climate; we have hot, dry summers, quite cold winters in much of the region and strong winds. Choose plants which come from Mediterranean climate zones

of the world, or from other areas with similar climates rather than tropical or temperate zone plants; they will perform better and require less watering. * sowing seeds of plants that will flower early next year such as larkspur (pied d’alouette), wallflowers (giroflé), sweet peas (pois de senteur) and hollyhocks (rose tremière) * pruning summer flowering shrubs such as Cestrum and oleanders. ** Timed to coincide with the beginning of the autumn planting season we shall be offering our popular two day course: An Introduction to Gardening in Summer Dry Climates at La Petite Pépinière on Tuesday 8th October (11am – 1, 2 – 5pm) and Wednesday 9th October (10am – 12.30, 1.30 – 4pm) 2013. Full details on the HT website **

In The Garden

For further information contact Gill Pound at La Petite Pépinière de Caunes (shrubs and perennials, ornamental grasses, unusual plants and plants for dry climates, garden advice and consultation), 21, Avenue de la Montagne Noire, 11160, Caunes-Minervois.

Tel: 04 68 78 43 81, email Gill@lapetitepepiniere.com Website: www.lapetitepepiniere.com

Top: Salvia darcyii Left: Sternbergia lutea Right: Salvia regla

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Wine

from Fontès is also a good example of the variety, with 2012 vintage at 3.25 a bottle.

The coop at Cabrières offers some easy drinking white wines, their vrac at 11.5˚ is 1.20€ a litre and is soft and easy with a touch of white blossom and some acidity. Their entry level bottle, Estabel Blanc, at 2.90€ is mainly Grenache Blanc, with a soft nose and some white blossom and a nice balance on the finish.

And if you want something a little more substantial la Muse from the Neffiès coop is a blend of Grenache Blanc, with 20% Roussanne and 10% Clairette. It has spent some time in oak, and is well made with well-integrated oak, so a touch of vanilla, but not enough to overwhelm the fruit.

Montpeyroux offers a 5 litre BIB of Grenache Blanc, or 4,00€ a bottle, with rounded notes of white blossom, with supple fresh fruit and balancing acidity. This is a much more southern flavour than you will ever get with Chardonnay or Sauvignon

4.40€ a bottle. It is rounded and grapey, with a touch of residual sugar to mask any bitterness. And you can buy it in a BIB for 19.90€ As my favourite Chardonnay is Chablis, I tend to have a bit of a problem with Chardonnay from the Languedoc. They can often be too heavy and lacking in flavour and acidity. However, I feel I should draw your attention to a Chardonnay from les Coteaux de Capimont, the Hérépian coop, with its evocative name, La Vallée des Arômes. It has some depth and flavour, for 4.30€ a bottle. Another exception to my prejudice was a Chardonnay boisé, an oaked Chardonnay, Lord Clive 2011 from the Pézenas coop. For 4.70€ you get a lightly nutty, buttery Chardonnay with some depth and balance.

The village of Adissan is part of one of the older appellations of the region, Clairette du Languedoc. Their 12˚ Clairette en vrac at 1.10€ a litre is perfectly pleasant, with a soft nose and light fruit and no great depth. And Adissan Sec 2012 at 3.70€ a bottle has a little more depth with some ripe fruit.

However for sweet Clairette, I much preferred the wine from the Fontès coop. Their Clairette Moelleux, with 36 gms/l residual sugar, is fresh and lightly honeyed, with balancing acidity. The Muscat Sec

Rosemary George www.tastelanguedoc.blogspot.com

Redstarts

Nature Notes The flora and fauna of the Languedoc

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By ornithologist Alan Kennedy

edstarts are small songbirds belonging to the genus Phoenicurus. They are all about the size of a robin but somewhat slimmer.

The genus comprises eleven species but only two are found in Hérault. These are the (Common) Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus and the Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros. They are named for their red tails, which quiver and bob about as the birds hop around or engage in courtship displays, and which distinguish them from all other European songbirds.

The (Common) Redstart is the more colourful of the two species, the male having a grey back, black face and throat, and a red breast, while the male of the Black Redstart is, as the name suggests, mostly black or dark grey. Females of both species are drab beige in colour on the whole, but both retain the distinctive red tail. Both the (Common) Redstart and the Black Redstart are insectivores, feeding mostly on winged insects, although they do eat some vegetable matter.

The (Common) Redstart is migratory, breeding in the Languedoc in summer, but by and large migrating to Africa for the winter, while the Black Redstart, while migratory over much of its range, is generally resident throughout the year in the south of France.

The females of the two species are very difficult to distinguish one from the other but a female encountered in winter in the Languedoc is most likely to be a Black Redstart. In their natural environment both species are found, among other places, on rocky sites, hill slopes and cliffs. They tend to avoid heavily forested areas, and it seems that the Black Redstarts, in particular, have adapted to living in villages and cities in the Languedoc. They can be found hopping along the tiles of the rooftops in villages and even going as high as five stories in apartment buildings in the cities. They regularly make their nests in the open ends of tiles on roofs.

Both species of Redstart are still common in the Languedoc, although there seem to be increasingly difficult problems at the margins of their range. **

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“English spoken, Free quotes.” Ask for Cedric 11

G T B Y

Good To Be Young

Introducing young journalist Theo King’s column, ‘My Way’ Interviews with professionals about how they got to where they are today, the rewards and the frustrations.

Written by Under 20’s for the Under 20’s.

Name:

Rudy Ropital

Occupation: Gendarmerie Grade: Chef d’escadron (Commander at Béziers) Salary: €4,500 per month plus free housing. No Overtime.

Holidays: 7 Weeks Week: Any hours, 2 days off in 7.

RUDY ROPITAL Born: Dunkirk, 1980 Diplomas: Bac S; 2 year classe préparatoire at the Prytanée National Militaire, La Flêche; master in engineering from the Ecole Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr

Up to 18 “As a child I wanted to be a vet, no one in my family was in the gendarmerie, the military or even the police. At 14 I knew I wanted to be a boss, to organize and command people.

I also wanted to live something different, an adventure. So I decided to be an officer in the Army.”

Studying 18-24 “After my bac I did two years’ classe préparatoire to get into the highly competitive officers’ military academy at St Cyr. The three year training there is both academic and military, but most of all it’s very tough. St Cyr changed me. I became a man. Responsible for my life and the lives of others. However, I didn’t want to spend my life preparing for a war which I thought would never occur.

It felt better to serve my country from the inside – as a gendarme. You’re waging a war everyday, always facing the unexpected. So I spent a year at the gendarme’s officer school at Melun and at 24 I graduated as lieutenant.”

The job “I’ve been working for 9 years, the last two as company commander in Beziers (we

change location every 4 years). I command 14 brigades, that’s 185 gendarmes in the western sector of the Hérault. It’s a management job more than working in the field. I give orders, direct operations. I am responsible for the security of 120,000 civilians, excluding the town of Béziers which is controlled by the police. My second duty is looking after the lives of my gendarmes, men and women. My direct superiors are the Colonel in Montpellier, and as civilian authorities the sous-Prefet and the Public Prosecutor.

“In the gendarmerie, we are not limited to one area of policing, we are attached to an area of the country, so the work is more general.

A gendarme has to adapt, be multi-skilled. As commander I have to be ready at any time, day or night, if the situation requires it.”

Rewards “When a job is accomplished successfully or when you change a situation for the better.

That’s really satisfying. But also when I can help one of my gendarmes, in a career issue, a family problem.

The Gendarmerie Nationale, like the other armed forces, offers tremendous opportunities. If you work hard you can climb the

School days to become shorter

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s part of the current political moves to reform education in France, led by the minister of national education, Vincent Peillon, trials are currently taking place in a number of schools to reduce the amount of time pupils spend there each day. French school children’s day is one of the longest in the world ( fitted into the shortest school year).

Currently, primary school children (ages 5-11) do

social ladder. You get responsibilities you wouldn’t otherwise, at 24 I was responsible for 30 men. I carried a gun, broke down doors, arrested criminals. I spent seven months training police officers in Afghanistan. I’ve been to Northern Ireland and England.”

What pisses me off?

“The paperwork. As a commander, I have to write an assessment of all my 185 gendarmes once a year. It’s very stressful not so much because of the task as the sheer number, my time for each one is too limited – and of course that’s on top of my usual duties.”

Future prospects “My ambition? The Ecole de guerre in Paris, which is not as warlike as it sounds. You learn political science, geopolitics, management, communication, defence economy. To get in there’s another concours, but once you graduate you move up to higher responsibilities.

Gendarmes can be sent to embassies all over the world. My dream? The French embassy in London.”

not attend school on Wednesdays, which means that teachers have to make time during the rest of the week to cover the required curriculum. This year, as part of a research programme to be analysed at the end of the academic year, primary schools in 10 communes (Castries, Clapiers, Cournonsec, Jacou, Le Crès, Lavérune, Saussan, Murviel-lès-Montpellier, Saint Drézéry, Sussargues) will open on Wednesday mornings, joining collèges and lycées with a Wednesday half day.

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Business / Money / News Business and Economy

Michael D’Artag

Who’s in Charge Here?

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ike a federal employee in Detroit, I’m not sure I believe my employer......

Spain didn’t win the Olympics with their ‘spend no money’ but please save us bid and Greece will be out of recession next year because they told us they would and the Olympics worked out well for them didn’t it?

Franny Hollande is turning into Bill Clinton. First it was Mali and now like a schoolboy who knows the answer Obama asks for help in Syria and Franny is there with his hand in the air and his, “me sir, me sir, I’ll come with you sir.” And isn’t it good because we can ignore any economic issues at home eh?

Cameron in London is a humanitarian now he can’t play with uncle Obama in Syria and what is Obama going to do anyway? This is a see-saw that is going to be difficult but don’t worry, we’ll all chant ‘Hope’ and well....just hope, voted him in last time didn’t it?

And if I don’t have enough fun with Berlusconi, Franny, Hope Obama and others, Tony Abbott is in charge of Australia. Well, in charge may be a little generous, he barely controls his own party and did he win or was he handed victory? We’ll ask those better qualified to comment than me, Australians A & P Kennedy who promise to keep the rating below PG. And next month we look at France Telecom....in detail.

All Change Australia?

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Checks and Balances

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t this time of the year, we carry out certain ‘checks and balances’ in our household. In other words, this is when we have own annual household financial review. In effect, it is both a short-term and a long-term review.

For the short-term, current income and expenditure is analysed and an estimate of what we might need for the year ahead is calculated. For the longer-term, we review our savings and investments, as well as pension plans, to make sure that our objectives are being met and our expectations are on target. It is also the time when we review whether or not we need to make any changes to our own investment strategies.

Throughout the year, I go through the same process with my clients. Sadly, when I meet clients for the first time, it is sometimes the case that they have never seen their financial adviser since their investments were originally set up. Years may have passed without a review taking place. If this is the case for you, please do not hesitate to call me if you wish me to carry out a review with you.

If you would like to find out more about the service that we provide, you can take the opportunity to meet us at one of our client seminars - “Le Tour de Finance - Bringing Experts to Expats”that are taking place during October. Full details can be found on our website at http://www.spectrum-ifa.com/seminars/ and the local events are:  Thursday, 10th October 2013 at The Grand Hotel Avignon; and  Friday, 11th October 2013 at the Domaine Gayda, Brugairolles (near to Carcassonne).

Places are limited and must be reserved, in advance. So if you would like to attend any of the seminars or would anyway like to have a confidential discussion about any aspect of financial planning, please contact me either by telephone on 04 68 20 30 17 or by e-mail at daphne.foulkes@spectrum-ifa.com.

e are Australians who have spent several months in the Languedoc most years for the past decade.

As it has turned out we have missed the last two Australian elections, neither of which seems to have been at all edifying.

What the result of the election for the lower house would be has been known for months; what is not yet clear is whether the conservative coalition government will be able to control the Senate (the Upper House) and thereby get whatever legislation it wants passed. If it does we shall be even more glad to be out of The Spectrum IFA Group advisers do not charge any fees directly Australia than to have been absent for the election campaign. to clients for their time or for advice given, as can be seen from our The Labor Party brought its loss on its own head in large part by Client Charter at deposing two Prime Ministers shortly before two successive elections www.spectrum-ifa.com/IndependentFinancialAdviceinEurope-Charter.html. and in doing so manifesting an egregious lack of concern for its members and the Australian population. The Rudd government steered Daphne Foulkes the economy through the financial crisis of 2008-9 but otherwise SIRET 522 658 194 00017Numéro d’immatriculation ORIAS 10 056 800 achieved little. The Gillard government was quite different. It maintained the economy on a sound footing and other achievements include the creation of the National Disability country, certainly of (but not in) his Liberal party.

Insurance Scheme, the adoption and institution of What the new government will actually do, apart from the Gonski education reforms, the beginning of the repealing the carbon tax (a task with many unwelcome National Broadband Network (likely to be altered by ramifications), and ensuring that asylum seekers will be the new government) and the carbon tax. And that treated even worse than presently, will be interesting. government achieved these things despite having a There are very few real policy differences between the minority of seats in both Houses, facing an Opposiparties. The Australian economy is slowing, though it tion leader whose sole policy was to oppose, and is still well ahead on most measures than those of the being obliged to weather appalling behaviour at UK, US and EU. Absurdly, Australians have been told Federal and State levels by Labor representatives. for years that they are doing it hard and deserve better.

However, for such a masterly negotiator and efOne of the most admirable and shrewd of Australian ficient administrator, and notwithstanding disgusting politicians, Tony Windsor, an independent who retired behaviour towards her by the media (particularly the at the 2013 election, said, after negotiating with both Murdoch press) and other partisans of the opposiLabor and the coalition about who would form tion, Ms Gillard was remarkably inept at managing government in 2010, that he did not think Tony Abbott perceptions of her and her government, and in her had the temperament to head a minority government.

“My Country choice of advisors. The new Prime Minister defeated Mr Abbott will have a substantial lower house his predecessor by one vote in a party room ballot in My budgie.....” majority; whether he can deal with a Senate which he December 2009, and that man, Malcolm Turnbull, is Tony Abbott does not control remains to be seen. said now to be perhaps the most popular politician in the Be careful what you wish for.

13

Another Hero Emilie Wood, photojournalist, talks to filmmaker Guillaume Beylard about the challenge of making films in the current economic climate.

“The best ambassador for our series is our passion.”

Guillaume Beylard.

What is the economic model today for young film makers starting off in the field?

especially strong, fast, or smart. He fights, however, with a sword or with bare hands, in the middle of the pedestrian streets of Montpellier in the evening, or at the Corum, before going for a bit of shopping at Monoprix in Place de la Comédie... His two roommates, who first believe he is simply a night watchman in a hotel, will end up discovering his true nature and follow him to fight against evil forces.

But how is it possible, today, to make a film, or a web series – especially a fantastic one with special effects - when you have almost no money? This was the question we decided to ask Guillaume.

A group of friends passionate about movies, who borrowed cameras, the workshop of a ‘props’ technician friend and added the thousands of ideas inside the head of Guillaume Beylard, a 29 year-old film maker......

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ll these ingredients were necessary to create and diffuse the first season of a web series: ‘Another Hero’, using the city of Montpellier as a backdrop. The first season of ‘Another Hero’ was broadcast on the cable channel ‘No Life’ shortly after its release on the web at the end of 2011.

After directing one short and two full-length horror movies, Guillaume set out on the adventure of a fantastic, yet comic web series; beginning with an idea he had had 10 years before. Today, ‘Another Hero’ has its place among recognized French series such as ‘Noob’ or ‘Le visiteur du Futur.’ It was awarded third place during the Montpellier convention MIG (Montpellier In Game) in 2012 (after Noobs and Flander’s Company).

Horror or fantastic movies, video games, graphic novels, mangas, movies from the 80s, cartoons... hundreds of references spice up the storyline, from one episode to the next. Here, the hero does not have a super-hero name, nor does he have his looks or muscles. He has but one super power – his wounds can heal by themselves – but he is not

How did you manage to make the first season of ‘Another Hero’, and how much did it end up costing?

I wrote the episodes of ‘Another Hero’ at the beginning of 2011 after having re-looked at a short film I’d made in high school 10 years before, with my two oldest friends: Romain David (who plays the hero) and Christophe Robin (who plays Fred, one of the characters in the series). I re-worked the old story to make it into something totally new. After reading the script, Romain decided to give all the money he had saved up to produce the series. That was 1,200 Euros. I said, let’s do it! At the beginning we had absolutely nothing. Everybody who got involved did it for free. Four technicians, up to twenty actors in some episodes. A friend, Stephane Bouyer, agreed to lend us his SLR camera (Canon 5D), 3 lenses and some lights. Another friend, Thomas Laporte, gave us access to the costumes in his workshop. We made some of them ourselves. When everybody is working for free, that means everyone has a job on the side, which means you always have 14

create. I am confident money can be found. Fans can donate money from the web site. I hope to find some generous donors who want to get involved! I am trying to make a system, like a permanent crowd-funding system for the series. I‘m waiting for the right moment too.

to juggle with each other’s schedule and it can get complicated.

Everything takes time. We had a sound technician who would disappear without warning, from one day to the next, with no explanation. That caused a lot of problems later and we had to dub all the episodes... But still we were lucky. So many people helped. Special effects, make up, combat choreography... we managed with almost no money to create something as close as possible to professional quality.

In the end, the money we had from Romain got used for renting a truck to carry all the equipment from one place to the next when we were going far, for gas, for food, for all the things that cannot be planned ahead for and which had to be dealt with urgently.

Of course I wish we’d had more money to be able to pay everyone, even if just a bit.

Noob, the oldest French web series, broke the European records of crowd-funding by raising 682 161€ in only 70 days through the website Ulule. What do you think about it?

That’s an amazing achievement and it’s going to help all of us, by making web-series more credible in France. Main-stream TV channels in this country don’t want to trust web-series. It’s only the beginning and mentalities need to evolve here. Producers should look at what we have been able to achieve with just 1,200 Euros and picture what we could make with a real budget. Unfortunately, so far, none of them have seen it.

Will there be a second season?

Of course there will be a second season. The first season took so much energy and time for me that I had a period of doubt – should I direct it, or let someone else do it?

Not anymore. At the moment, together with Christophe Robin, we are re-writing the script, because I want it to be perfect. The first season was a blast but it had a lot of small problems, defects... I learned from them. Hopefully we will make it happen at the beginning of 2014.

How can attitudes change?

I’m really hoping some American or English web-series gets extremely famous and successful. Maybe then it will also happen in France. This year, for the very first time, there’s going to be a festival for Francophone web-series, with a real price distribution. It will take place during the Toulouse Game Show (TGS, November 30th to December 1st) – hopefully that also will help.

Any English web-series you recommend?

‘The Guild’ is an American web-series we liked, ‘Inspector Spacetime’ an English one, a parody of ‘Doctor Who’. Of course we know the French one better because we go to all the conventions. Today there are new kids making amazing web-series, they are the new generation. They love cinema, they want to make web-series and assume its homemade status. It’s an amazing way to create with no boundaries. To be free from the politically correct. Sometimes this can be lost if the wrong people finance your project.

Are finances a problem?

Finances are a false problem. They should not be an excuse to not

To discover the first season of ‘Another Hero’, which has also been shown on the cable channel ‘No Life’ visit www.another-hero.com … and don’t hesitate to help them out.

Romain David 15

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apoléon Buonaparte is reputed to have observed, “The French complain of everything, and always.”

We must remember that Napoléon was Corsican. Also, he had suffered humiliations at military academy at Brienne-le-Château, being teased by peers there for his poor accent and his weak spelling. However, two centuries later, we still hear in various places and hear it said that the French gripe frequently.

In May 2010, the little short of reliable Mail Online, quoted a MAAF survey of over 1,000 French participants who, it claimed, mostly appeared to confirm with some pride that the French felt their reputation as moaners was merited. Banks and other financial institutions provoked enormous anger among the French; 31% of women said their husbands or boyfriends were the biggest cause of irritation. A noteworthy 25% of French people even said that they moaned as ‘a way of relaxing’, with retired people generally seen as the most argumentative. Only 3% of the sample found British people groaned regularly about issues.

Anyone who has studied French history over the last 200 or more years understands that at one end of the complaint-continuum, France has a marked revolutionary tendency.

One recalls the barricades, street-fires and guided-missile paving stones of 1968 serving as reminder of what is possible when the French are provoked beyond their limits.

Nonetheless, having participated in demonstrations in the UK, it is possible to find Britons who can turn nasty during a protest hurling objects towards the symbols of authority and shouting sentiments of frustration at them. Further, judging by the recent violent street protests in Greece & Spain about overwhelming economic distress in the EU and the reasons these give for complaining about the unfairness and difficulties of life, we can clearly illustrate

that the French are not the only people who enjoy a good moan.

Whatever the case may be, is it actually fair to write France off as a nation of whingers?

In the first place, we should be wary of surveys until we know the method of sampling or how and in what percentages different types of people are asked to participate. We have to assume MAAF’s poll

- Is it really just the French or do we all do it? was properly conducted.

To be more specific, we need to focus on particular areas of complaint, for example, which customers complain the most about customer service? From a survey of 30,000 respondents across 30 countries a few years ago, first came Sweden with 41% of customers saying they had made a complaint in the last 12 months. Next came the United Kingdom with 36% and France was lower down the list with 17%. In 2011, another poll of 11,000 people across Europe indicated the British (92% of the 3,000 British shoppers polled) were the most likely to complain, especially about service standards and product quality. The French came last at 42%.

Surprisingly, British shoppers hated queuing for more than 5 minutes becoming agitated after that time. Who was it said the British were patient in queues while the French could not keep still for two minutes?

On the encouraging side of this, complaining does have therapeutic benefits.

Additionally, it has provided retailers with important feedback as it enables them to understand consumers’ needs and make subsequent improvements. This is even more significant now since 2011, EU Consumer Rights Directives have encouraged consumers to expect the best customer service, delivery and returns policies from all retail outlets.

It is on the level of official expressions of dissatisfaction that we must turn our attention.

With product guarantees and warranties so readily available in Europe for durable goods, few people, French or otherwise, would ignore their rights. It is a simple case of having these stamped by the retail outlet concerned and filing the document at home for easy access in case a complaint and eventual replacement of the item is necessary.

Where services are in question we have a more sensitive abstract problem to deal with.

Some places, such as banks for example, have their own procedures. In the first instance, it is always better to see the bank in case. In case of failure the next stage is to send a letter to the Service Relations Clientèle of the bank. This particular example demonstrates that the French do have systems in place for taking complaints seriously and not just paying lip-service to consumer rights.

If this is unproductive main banks have their own independent ombudsman, called a Médiateur. This is granted two months to review the case and provide a report. The recommendations of the Médiateur are not binding on either parties in the case but their reports are generally respected by both 16

Hugh MacCamley

sides. Alternatively, the Fédération Bancaire Française also have a Médiateur contactable at Fédération Française des Bancaires, 18 rue La Fayette, BP 151, 75422 Paris, Cedex 09 ormediateur@fbf.fr Elsewhere, even French officials have a frequent gripe at bureaucracy and the apparently infinitesimal universe of regulations and protocols governing each facet of daily life in France.

At Albaret-Sainte-Marie in the Lozère, the officials intimate they are being “strangled” on a daily basis by new EU rules and regulations. There are so many, it is impossible to activate most of them for reasons of practicality and cost. The article in The Washington Post (17 April 2013) claimed that, among countless others, only government approved electricians could

change light bulbs on city property, while all pavements have to be the width of two wheelchairs. It also points out that while it costs France about 10 billion Euros annually, such directives constitute 3.7% of the total Gross Domestic Product of each EU country.

This is increasing each year.

A final word should be given to the French here because they also repine the encroaching use of English language across the nation.

The Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault recently warned his cabinet ministers and their departments to stop using English terms such as “Silver Economy” and “hashtag”.

Please lodge all protests with the Académie Française.

Consumer Rights in France Who should I contact?

DGCCRF The key organization for advice on consumer rights in France is the DGCCRF (Direction Générale de la Concurrence, de la Consommation et de la Répression des Fraudes) who provide information on how and who a consumer should contact in the event of their rights being abused. You can also download PDF information on your rights (sometimes available in English) on issues such as disputes, car repairs, bank card payments and restaurants/cafés.

Tel : 3939 Mon-Fri 8h-19h http://www.economie.gouv.fr/dgccrf

Talk to Maggie Are we speaking the same language? s we go about our daily lives, there are millions of bits of information each second of the day that we could focus on. If you close your eyes, what colour is the carpet, or the person’s eyes you are talking to? Are you noticing the sensation in your big toe? In reality, our brain is only able to focus on between 5 and 9 pieces of information at any one time. We therefore all use a filtering mechanism to determine what we need to be aware of. You may not be thinking about your right thumb whilst you hammer a nail into the wall, but if you miss and hit it, you soon become very aware of that bit of information! We all use these filters to make sense of our world, but most individuals have a preference for one over the others.

Visuals: see pictures, shapes & colours (40%) Kinaesthetics: experience the world through feelings (40%)

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Audio Tonals: make sense of the world through sounds (10) Audio Digitals: experience the world with data processed through thoughts (10%).

The quickest way to identify our own, or another person’s preferred filtering system, is to listen to the words used to describe things.

Imagine that someone is recouinting their holiday: Visuals: Great sights, golden sands, everything looked lovely Kinaesthetics: Holiday felt relaxing, the sea was warm Audio Tonals: Sound of the birds, the waves crashing on the sand Audio Digitals: Great experience, went swimming then went for dinner We prefer to be with people most like ourselves, so if you need to collaborate with others, communicating using language in line with their own preference will enable you to achieve far more successful outcomes. Try it with your friends, partner or even children and if you’re talking to an audience, by ensuring you include words and phrases for each type, you’ll keep everyone engaged, whatever their preference.

Consumer Associations

There are 17 consumer associations who represent the range of consumer products and services, including transport, accommodation, food and goods. They are listed on a website for the National Institute of Consummation (in French) with links to the relevant associations and information on consumer rights: www.conso.net

For the Consumer Safety Commission

(Commission de la Sécurité des Consommateurs): www.securiteconso.org/english/presentation

Internet Purchases

Service Public France, ‘Vente à distance’: www.vosdroits.service-public.fr

Returns policy

Under French law (article 121-20-1, la Code de la Consommation) a consumer has the right to return a product within seven days, without explaining why and without penalty (apart from the actual cost of returning the product). Reimbursement must be made as soon as possible, and within 30 days.

Situations when this law doesn’t apply: • If the consumer has waived their right to the seven day period • Purchase of food and other products which can go off • Audio, video or computer software that has been opened by the consumer • Purchase of magazines and newsletters • Services regarding transport, accommodation or leisure activities

Spam, Fraud and Advertising

An independent administrative body exists to provide information on consumer rights and obligations regards spam, fraud and advertising: CNIL (Commission Nationale de l’Informatique et des Libertés) 8, rue Vivienne, CS 30223, 75083 Paris CEDEX 02 Tel: 01 53 73 22 22 www.cnil.fr/english 17

Email Maggie at maggie@maggieminter. co.uk if you would like to complete a short questionnaire to identify your own filtering preference, or if you’d like to speak to her personally.

Yoga Posture of the month Utkatasana

(aka the ‘Chair Pose’) This posture tones muscles in the arms and shoulders as well as those of the legs. To the onlooker it looks like a yogi sitting in an imaginary chair.

However, when you do the pose it is definitely not a passive pose. A deep squat, Utkatasana engages the strength of your legs, back and ankles. The arms should be held tight with the muscles contracted throughout all three parts of the posture; elbows and wrists locked.

TIP: For the arms to be parallel to the floor, keep the fingertips in line with the tops of the shoulders.www.yogabikrammontpellier.fr

The Calendar in Association with: The Calendar Daily Calendar (in English) on www.theheraulttimes.com Goetz and Sélim Turan. He then in turn taught drawing, first at the Academy Goetz in Paris and then in Aniane where he has lived for the last 20 years.

He created the Association “Juin des Arts à Aniane” in order to exhibit the works of and to make known the professional artists and sculptors of the region (1994 to 2005).

A ‘Celebration of Colour’: It is in this way that one can understand Daniel Clesse’s painting. A style of its own, neither conceptual, abstract or figurative but “following nature”. Charles Gauthier wrote, “One can see in Daniel Clesse’s paintings images of things seen in nature”. But it isn’t about a subject but about a pretext. Painting doesn’t have to prove or relate a story. No message but a desire to share with the viewer.

Painting is only colours as music is only sounds. The “do, ray, mi, fah” in music is the “blue, green yellow, red” of painting.

For his pictorial references he cites Romanesque art: Dufy, Monet, Poliakoff, Rothko.

27th September

MIDI CC CRICKET FESTIVAL

The region’s only cricket club, Midi CC, will be hosting the Herault’s first-ever festival of cricket in late September with two teams from England joining them in a three-day limited-overs tournament at their St Pons de Mauchiens home ground. “This festival will be something special and will not only help promote the game of cricket in the region but will also highlight the fact that St Pons is home to the only cricket club in the Hérault,” said Midi CC President Marc Dalling. The club will be organising a barbeque and a bar on all three days of the tournament at the ground next to the salle de fêtes. Midi CC are leading the way in the south of France in developing junior cricket among the local community and in schools and now have three French youngsters practising and playing regularly with the senior side. One of Midi’s junior players was chosen for the French national U19 squad to tour Germany in early August. Info see the HT Sports From 19th October La Nature et Les Reves Page online or contact Reg Gratton Vice President Midi Cricket Club +33 (0) 607 421 434 aniel Clesse was born in Paris and studied Expo:13th October- 3rd November ** drawing and painting at the Academy Gare-Expo: Centre Ulysse, Lamelou-les-Bains

D

Ranson (1952-57) and was taught by Henri

COSMIX STUDIO is in the heart of Sète.

We offer a variety of workshops: Osteopathy; Naturopathy and Iridology; Gentle exercise, Stretching, Walking and Hiking for wellbeing; Qi Gong/Dance/ Poetry; Family Constellations; Seminars; Readings; Councils (talking stick, talking circle); Conferences; Performances and “New Clown” workshops for

adults; Life Coaching also available by appointment.

A wonderful program!

The space is available for rent and is perfect for experts who wish to offer workshops with a similar focus.

For a more detailed programme contact: Anna Balla 06.08.18.61.04 Or visit us at: 23 rue Henri Barbusse, Sète

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What’s in a name....

were held. Joan said she thought she was 19 years old. The English and their Burgundian allies needed Joan to be found be a heretic in order to destroy the legitimacy of Charles Sue Hicks continues her look into history through Street names to VII as his position would have been achieved through the intervention of the devil. Joan, little educated and illiterate as most women were at that time, put up a spirited defence and proceedings were moved to her prison cell. Joan was condemned as a heretic, handed over to the secular arm and was burnt at the stake by English soldiers on 30 May 1431. Her body was shown to the assembled rance was in turmoil. Since 1422, there had been two claimants crowd before being burnt again and the remains thrown into the river to to the throne – the infant English King Henry V1 and the 19 ensure that no relics remained. year old French Henry VI was crowned King of France in Paris dauphin Charles in December 1431, the only monarch ever to be who had been disinherited king of both England and France. English losses by his father. The Hundred continued, Burgundy changed sides and by 1453 Years War between France the English only retained Calais (until 1558). and England had been The Hundred Years War was over although waged intermittently since English monarchs carried the title of King of 1337 with marauding troops France until George III dropped his claim to the of soldiers wrecking life French throne and the fleur-de-lis was removed in the countryside between from British royal coat of arms. military engagements. The In 1456, a posthumous retrial of Joan resulted kingdom was cut in two in the annulment of the sentence and thus the with the English and their stain on Charles VII that he owed so much to allies including the someone that the Inquisition had declared a Burgundians controlling heretic was removed. The many witnesses North and East of the Loire. included Joan’s mother. The intensity of the There were rival factions prime sources – the record of the trial and the who sought to exercise rehabilitation trial - have inspired historians, power and influence. There novelists, artists, playwrights and film makwere two popes - one ers throughout the years. Joan was eventually supported by the French canonized in 1920. and the other by the Anglo / So many famous women have achieved Burgundian allies. immortality by being queen, consort, a beauty, In the spring of 1429, a nun or a mother. The virgin Joan, dressed in a teenage girl dressed in men’s clothes or as soldier, blazed for only two men’s clothing from a farm years on the French stage and became an in Domremy, Lorraine enduring symbol of national integrity. As an arrived at the court in icon, Joan has been brought out to fortify causes Chinon and demanded an throughout the generations including by General audience with Charles. de Gaulle, in exile in London in 1940, who chose Jeanne d’Arc claimed that, guided by the voices of three saints, she had the cross of Lorraine as a symbol of the Free French Forces. come to drive the English out of France and crown the dauphin King.

A mighty myth has been created around her but the true story has epic Charles is said to have hidden among his courtiers but been recognised qualities. Jeanne d’Arc – the Maid – captured the hopes of France in immediately by Joan who took him aside for an hour long private desperate times and just the mention of her name continues to inspire. conversation which convinced him of her authenticity. In May, Joan ** joined the troops at the siege of Orleans. Her arrival, perhaps heralded by talk of a prophecy coming true, inspired troops and citizens to fight and despite being injured in the neck Joan regained the standard which she carried aloft and the siege was lifted within days. A series of French military successes followed which broke the English hold on the Loire.

At the urgent instigation of Joan, Charles travelled through hostile territories to reach the cathedral at Reims, the traditional place for French coronations. On 16 July 1429, Joan looked on as he was anointed with holy oil and crowned Charles VII. The symbolic effect of this ceremony where Charles at last received God’s mandate was enormous and people who had previously wavered were drawn to his cause.

On 23 May 1430, only a year after the success at Orleans, Joan was “pulled from her horse by the long panel of her golden surcoat” outside the besieged town of Compiegne. A huge ransom was expected to be achieved and she was handed over to the Burgundian feudal overlord and imprisoned. There is no record of the king trying to ransom her and in December she was sold to the English for £10,000. One explanation of why the English were prepared to pay such an enormous sum and to try her judicially at great expense is that the English now believed in the power of Joan the Maid – after all, only supernatural forces could account for the recent English losses after the glories of Agincourt only 15 years before – more than the newly confident French.

Joan was moved to the English-held Rouen castle and from January 1431 investigations, interrogations and a trial involving the distinguished French theologians Bishop Couchon and members of the Inquisition

Joan of Arc

F

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The Wine Addition(s) As containers full of freshly harvested grapes teeter along roads across the region, we ask regular contributor, vigneron Simon Coulshaw, for his take on the ingredients not always listed on the label that go into making wine…

The scene: La “Cave Atemptor” somewhere in the World Two wine enthusiasts / geeks coming over all Jilly Gouldenesque whilst sampling the wines from the above mentioned Cave.

“I’m getting a hint of pub carpet and just a faint blush of Baboon armpit......no wait a minute, no it’s not Baboon, no, no it’s actually Gibbon armpit, probably the left.”

“Yes, I’m with you and I’m finding also a soupcon of fish bladder, a frisson of carbon followed by a satisfying burst of bovine liver on the finish.”

Followed by much stroking of beards etc............

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ll pretty absurd I hear you say and so it is yet the second comment is not quite as loony as it appears, indeed the Cave in question should be in fact a warning to all buyers as they would certainly not be alone in being guilty off adding all sorts to their wine whilst keeping the customer in blissful ignorance.

It’s a fact that under EU laws written by litigators in order to protect against litigation, nearly all wine additives have no requirement to be listed on labels. Strange but true!

The most common substances added to wine are probably sugar, tartaric acid, potassium carbonate, citric acid, ascorbic acid, cultivated yeasts, enzymes (of which there are hundreds) and of course sulphites, the only product the winery must put on the label. These products are added in an attempt to improve the wines desirability by changing its character, often quite radically and to protect the wine against spoilage.

Unfortunately buying Bio certified (organic) wines does not protect the consumer from these additives, as most of them are authorised for use.

Now I don’t have a problem with adding something like sulphur dioxide (the sulphites) to a wine to

help keep the wine clean and without fault as long as it’s added in minimal doses. I do not agree however that sulphur dioxide should be added liberally in order to correct poor wine making habits and a lack of hygiene.

As for adding acid (normally tartaric in powder form), or potassium carbonate to de-acidify, cultivated yeasts to give notes like “black current” or “pear drop” or whatever else to the wine, enzymes (yes, sometimes extracted from a cow’s liver) that perform all sorts of roles, some necessary but all too often to change the profile of the wine; well let’s just say I’m not a fan. If you pick high quality, healthy fruit from great vineyards at the right time and vinify and blend it it correctly, you will produce fruit forward, wellbalanced wines with no need for adulteration and all the more satisfying for it.

I know that “natural wines” (an uncertified wine making philosophy involving winemakers who believe in minimal intervention) get a lot of stick, probably most of it justified for being over priced and quite often a bit fizzy, a little animal or dirty tasting, but at least you know what you will be imbibing is good old fermented grape juice.

A lot of the wine additives used today as in the second critique above, the activated carbon, Isinglass (a collagen extracted from the dried swim bladders of fish) and the cow liver enzyme, Catalase are all used to help clarify and stabilise wines and are again, just not necessary. Of course these products will only exist in the wine in minute doses and are completely undetectable aromatically or taste wise, but the application of temperature control in most cases will achieve the same result. Maybe not as surefire but I’d rather take the risk and perhaps one day drink a wine with a slight haze and know it’s natural, 20

but on that point I suspect I’m in the minority.

A product known as Velcorin, chemically, dimethyl dicarbonate, used to sterilise wine, is so toxic it will burn your skin and is potentially fatal if inhaled. Yes again it’s added in small doses and completely breaks down in the wine, but even so I’d rather not take the risk. So if you can find naturally made wines that are clean, of high quality and affordable, even if there may be a small premium to pay, I think you’re on to a good thing. We’re very fortunate here in the Languedoc, as it’s an area that is truly at the heart of global natural wine production.

In conclusion, additives that are used to stabilise and protect the wines are often added unnecessarily and is the result of “safety first” winemaking. Not great, but perhaps understandable. The trick is, is to work hygienically and only add something to help the wine that is as natural as possible and at the lowest feasible dose when absolutely critical. Products that are added to essentially change the profile of the wine, hide its faults and hoodwink the customer, are in my opinion unacceptable. In both cases these products should certainly be listed on the label in order to help the wine drinking public make an informed purchasing decision.

As a self confirmed “natural winemaker” working as sensibly as possible in an attempt to bring “terroir” driven, fruit forward wines to the market, I can in no way claim to be impartial on this subject. There are of course, horses for courses and every opinion is valid but at least it would be nice to have some transparency in letting the public know what they have chosen to drink.

Caveat Emptor!

Intergenerational cohabitation:

An economic and convivial solution to accommodation.

A

forward thinking project to help reduce accommodation costs for young people in education or training whilst providing a solution for seniors living in isolation has received funding from the Conseil Générale de l’Hérault.

Concorda Logis, a 1901 association, is a pioneer of intergenerational lodgment.

Their aim is to pair young people in education or training with older people who share similar interests. The older person welcomes a young person into their home, providing a bedroom with access to a kitchen and bathroom in exchange for shared time together (a walk, meal or activity) and help with the occasional services (feed

Musician/music critic

the cat, pick up a delivery, etc).

The cost for young people to participate varies from between 150-250€. The association will support both parties throughout the duration of the stay and ensure that the engagement is respected. “The object,” says the association’s directress Oana Barré, “Is that neither the senior nor the young person find themselves in a situation of hardship. Caring and empathy are values which must be shared by both parties.” Gaelle, originally from the Gers and “nervous by the idea of living in a large town”, chose this solution in order to ‘find a familiar environment’ when she came to Montpellier to study.

Not convinced by sharing with young people her own age, the prospect of living with an older person appealed to her. The young language student shared her day to day life with Geneviève with whom she discussed, read magazines and went on walks. It was such a successful arrangement that Gaelle and Geneviève renewed the contract for her following academic year.

For more information see http://www.concordalogis.com/

Lilian Armand reviews: Orak

H

i folks! In a bad mood today? Then, let me please introduce some friends of mine! They may cheer you up or make you feel puzzled! Please, a big welcome to Orak, a talented progressive hard rock band from Clermont l’Hérault !

Formerly called The Skyscrapers, I think there’s no coincidence about this name as their music will lead you to a parallel universe which could sound like the seventh sky. Their pure melodies accompanied by good old and hard riffs should remind you some bands such as Led Zepplin, Pink Floyd, etc.

It’s been 4 years since Benjamin (Guitar/Vocals), Timothée (Drum/Vocals) and Victor (Guitar/Vocals) followed by Adrien (bass) (who both joined the band few years after) started playing together to give you e argasms, trying to reach the top as they wanna rock’n’roll as well! If you cross their path, you’ll be submerged by loads

Talk Tech and IT with the Geek we call ‘E-Male’

I

’m told that summer is ending. Oh you people don’t know when you’ve got it good do you? I haven’t seen sunshine in years and like Julian Assange in a Bolivian embassy I sit here seeking the truth for you. And here are the latest facts and figures for you this month.

• Each engine of a jet on a flight from London to New York generates 10TB of data every 30 minutes • In 2013 internet data, mostly user-contributed, will account for 1,000 exabytes. An exabyte is a unit of information equal to one quintillion bytes • Open weather data collected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association has an annual estimated value of $10bn • Every day we create 2.5 quintillion bytes of data • 90% of the data in the world today has been created in the past two years • Every minute 100,000 tweets are sent globally

• Google receives two million search requests every minute And so for the 91 people who have written asking why their computer has slowed down alarmingly I offer you the previous facts to highlight how hard they work!

But actually this months column is to warn you about ‘Registry Cleaners’. Many of you have asked about these pop-ups that offer to ‘scan your registry’, ‘speed up your computer’ or ‘scan your computer for problems free of charge’.... They don’t!!

They just appear to run and tell you all of the problems you have and tell you to pay for the full program to fix the issues now!

It is rubbish.

This week someone paid me to remove the 18 programs they had to fix the problems I was called to fix. And worse, many contain trojans and you know what I think of Helen of Troy don’t you?

21

of feelings and sensations you seldom felt before! Some of their songs like “Disclosure Of Dawn” or “Wanderer” will penetrate your brain and will make you perceive another vision on what music can sound like! Don’t miss it! By the way, they will be playing in

Gauting (Germany) at the Kulturschpektatel next summer.

As usual, don’t forget to check their facebook page (Orak Homepage) and their songs on myspace (https://myspace.com/ orak/music/songs) or on their bandcamp (http://orak.bandcamp.com/) !!!!

I hope I’ve succeeded convincing you, they diserve to become as famous as the rock stars we all know!

“Rock never dies!

Thank you!”

www.lheraultart.com

David et Ezra Nahmad Collection: Paul Valery museum in Sète.

Dominique Aclange

Henri Rousseau - Vue du Parc Montsouris- 1895 -Collection David er Ezra Nahmad

the experiences of the Pont-Aven School via the Symbolist or Nabi movements.

The Nahmad brothers took the view that ‘collectors must consider as a duty to participate in exhibitions for the general public’, saying: any work of art belongs to us; all belong to history. Out of the 20 artists represented we find Camille Corot, Eugène Boudin, Claude Monet, Renoir, Lautrec, Odilon Redon, and Degas.

The exhibition has two great assets. The first is the opportunity to see works from these renowned artists little known by the general public; and the second is that the show has been organized to allow for an overview of painters from the same generation, each in their own style.

The show illustrates the mainstream, highlighting the progression towards modernity. For example, Corot (1796-1875), Millet (1814-1875) and Gustave Courbet from the 1840’s rejected the neoclassical canons, landscape hitherto a minor genre becomes first in the scene. The horse chestnut tree in Saint-Mammès (1880), by Sisley (1839-1899), precedes two others of his paintings, The bank at Saint Mammès (1884) and The slopes of Saint Veneux seen from Saint Mammès (1884). It is rare to see paintings with such contrasts from the same artist. The first is an accomplished work, the next two are conversely, even under the name Sisley, less convincing.

For Renoir fans, a good selection of his paintings can be seen.

Personally, I found his work in spite of their radiance, rather soft in key; his women’s faces always too sweet to be true. One little master piece from Edgar Degas (1834-1917) After the bath, naked women lying (1885) is a magisterial drawing lesson; Degas certainly remains one of the greatest draftsmen of his generation.

The pure hues of Bonnard, the imagination of symbolist painter Gustave Moreau, Susanna and the Elders (1895) Signac and his ‘divisionist’ technique, and Loiseau as a post-impressionist, are all here to see.

I was moved before La toilette. Madame Fabre (1891) by Toulouse-Lautrec, and marveled to see how distemper on paper mounted on canvas can make a master piece: Portrait de Madame Bernard (1913) by Vuillard.

Eugène Boudin, (1824-1898) ‘the king of skies’ as Corot used to call him, was the great inspiration of Claude Monet, who once said: “If I have become a painter, I owe it to Boudin.” It is as well today - this opportunity to see all of these works, we owe to the Nahmad brothers.

Impressionnisme et audaces du XIXème siècle

T

he David and Ezra Nahmad collection is among one of the most important international art collections. ‘Impressionisme et audace du XIXème siècle’ (Impressionism and audacity in the 19th century) brings together for the first time in France nearly 70 artworks at the Paul Valéry museum in Sète.

The Collection Namhad is unique, highlighting the diversity of artistic trends represented through its different artists. The selection comprises many paintings rarely shown to the public. It aims to provide, through the eyes of a collector, an overview of the greatest audacities that marked the second half of the 19th century. The exhibition reunites a corpus of work which illustrates some of the key artistic movements which, from the 1850s to the turn of the 20th century, laid the foundations to modernity, paving the way to avant-garde; from Impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings to

Musée Paul Valery, Sète: Untril 27 Octobre 2013.

T: Renoir Portrait de Pierre Renoir -1890 - Collection David er Ezra Nahmad L to R: *Sisley - La Berge à Saint-Mammès, 1884 - Collection David er Ezra Nahmad *Bonnard Chez la brodeuse, c.1895 - Collection David er Ezra Nahmad * Signac - le Pont des Arts - 1929 - Collection David er Ezra Nahmad

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www.l-artiste.com

IS THE ART WORLD AGEIST? Age is not all decay; it is the ripening, the swelling, of the fresh life within, that withers and bursts the husk.

“Wanted - Young emerging artists only.

Fresh, interesting works and new ideas.

Artists between ages 24 to 34.”

George Macdonald

T

he Art world is at a crossroads. The art world, a place of tolerance and accep-

I hope so because I think your drawings are wonderful and emotive and show an artist who has grown....but I‘m afraid I can’t really be seen looking at them, because you are too old and not media cool. Sorry.

But is this really the issue?

Age is not relevant if you want to be an artist. In fact all age groups are required to make art.

So is it about experience or lives led?

No it isn’t, because if you have to have ‘lived your life’ or experienced different things then that in itself becomes elitist and precludes young, hungry, talented artists from

its head and are now beginning to look at the art first and the artist second. The big players are looking at quality and application rather than just buying to be seen. The economic tance. Read on. crisis has caused many people to look first at The fawning adoration of the young and the an investment of €80 or €8million and reflect trendy, the media experts and manipulators on whether it is actually something they want and the purveyors of ‘cool’ are running out of to look at, not based only on the signature in gas. And what is left behind? the corner.

Artworks that devalue (Hirst.), artists who And so the age of an artist, or gender, or are in court for plagiarism ( Fairey), art that sexual preference is no longer the sole doesn’t stand the test of time. (Don’t get me precursor to what people want to see. started) Artists of any age with genuine talent Is this fair or is it just another chance to should be welcomed at the table. write something negative’ as is so often Young artists desperate to succeed are oft the case?

The art world, a place of tolerance manipulated and molded and ruined before I believe that the media profiles they have had a chance to develop at their and acceptance? No. It is a place own pace and in their own way; whilst older created, nurtured and sold as an art form by these young and trendy artists of extreme manipulation where artists are ignored due to media requireis partially responsible for the ments. thousands and thousands of column ageism and sexism dominate Well here’s the wakeup call..... inches that we see daily in newspapers, Individuals and galleries are beginning to magazines and even this publication. And success. send shock waves through the status quo by because of these column inches the public is I know what you are thinking here. You ignoring what we are told to like, instead they more aware than ever of the art world and the think I am going to attack the galleries and are choosing for themselves . And it’s not the artists have more opportunity to make money curators and ‘closed circle’ of buyers and art history or the age of the artist, it is something and careers out of their art (even though aficionados but you’re wrong. far more tangible........... being an addict or promiscuous or ‘a little They too have existed for hundreds of years.

It is the art. weird’ helps).

In an ideal world, the public would I for one salute this, but be warned, female But these media friendly ‘artists’ grow recognize a few artists from a defined age artists still only account for 0.75c in every older, or wiser or even grow up and even they group, a defined style and a defined dollar of art sold and young artists represent must look sometimes and wonder just when it demographic. Here you automatically see about 0.95c on the dollar while those over 50 was that ‘personality’ overtook the art. different works by the same age group or average approximately 0.65c on the dollar.* Tracey Emin is 50 by the time you read this. different genres by demographic. The idea The art world, a place of tolerance and Remember her work? being that you can then expand your own acceptance? No. Tampons, unmade beds and tents with the mind and not be ‘press-ganged into deciding It is a place of extreme manipulation where names of the people she slept with. what is ‘good’ or ‘bad’. ageism and sexism dominate but in the Well, growing up is ok here: ‘I made two We have gone through a period where art words of Bob Dylan.... seminal pieces of art, I made My Tent and was not the precursor to what sold or ‘led’ “The times they are a changing....”

My Bed, they’re well known and whatever, I those column inches we mentioned earlier. wouldn’t make that work now, would I? Art was not looked at ‘for art’s sake’ but more *National Endowment for the Arts Issues Research Note on Women Artists: 1990 to 2005 Why not Tracey? If it is art it is art....... for ‘marketing’s sake’ and the backlash has or is it that you are older and a little more begun from some sides.

First printed in L’Artiste Magazine Sep 2013 interested in your drawings and your place at The public, having been beckoned down a www.l-artiste.com the Royal Academy? media-led road for so long have turned it on

Drawing and Painting workshops Saturday 28th & 29th September or Saturday 12th & 13th October For beginners and more advanced.

Price: 150€ (includes materials and lunch) For more information contact: Artist-Painter Els Knockaert elsknockaert500@gmail.com or Tel : 0467 97 78 63/0617 45 47 05 Rue du baladn 34390, Olargues www.elsknockaert.com 23

adoption. Kittens are micro chipped before adoption, and adoptive families are asked to sterilize them when they are six months old.

We do our upmost to respond to all situations requiring our help and to the best of our ability.

To achieve this we have to meet a number of costs: Vet bills (sterilization, tattooing, medicine, surgery, etc.)

Cat food for our ‘free cats’ Cat food, bedding, worming and flea treatments for our foster cats To help us continue with our work all help is welcome: - You can join the association for 10€ a year. You will receive a newsletter about our venture. You will also be able to come to our general meetings and will be regularly informed about what we are doing and the well being of all our cats.

- A simple gift of money or a cheque payable to: ‘Pattounes du Coeur’. You can claim tax on any donation (66% from the amount).

- Cat food (biscuits or tinned) - Materials (covers, bedding, bowls, etc.)

- For DIY lovers: we are always grateful for small, well insulated shelters for the cats To be able to save the cats and take them off the streets, we have an imperative need for foster homes ready to welcome our cats before their adoption (all veterinary costs are met by the association).

Equally we need families who can take care of our ‘free cats’ after their sterilization operations (maximum 5 days).

Without foster homes our work is impossible, so if you have a small place to keep one of our ‘loulous’ while he or she waits for a permanent home, please contact us now !

A bientot Dona, Laurie, Veronique Email : lespattounesducoeur@gmail.com or take a look at our Facebook page ‘Les Pattounes du Cœur’

We meet the volunteers, individuals and groups working to improve life in Hérault…

H

ello All !

Dona, Laurie and Véronique would like to tell you about the association we have founded called ‘Les Pattounes du

Cœur’.

Volunteers for the last few years, we decided to set up our own association in order to better help our feline companions who are in distress.

As you know, there are too many ‘wild and abandoned’ cats living in the surrounding areas. Through our actions, we are trying to better integrate them into the environment: - By regulating the population, we have them sterilized and identified with the name of the association, although they are ‘free cats’ they have an identity and cannot be captured and put to sleep by the Fourrière (the local pound).

- We feed them at a number of selected locations, where volunteers visit every day.

- We keep an eye on their health and if a cat is not doing well, we take them to a vet.

- We try to improve their living conditions (by constructing shelter to protect them during the colder months) When we find sociable cats or kittens we place them in foster homes (families who are willing to take care of a cat until a permanent home can be found). Then we have them adopted. We are very particular about the adoption process and have drawn up the following conditions: After a visit to the cat by the potential adoptive family, we then take the cat for a visit to its future home to ensure that everything is in place to welcome him/her. Finally, we ask for an adoption contract to be signed which requires the adoptive family to take good care of the animal. Adult cats are tattooed and sterilized before

24

English for Expat Children

An older primary child might like a round of whispers. Get together a reasonably large group of people (of any An indispensable guide age) for this classic listening game.

A phrase is thought up and passed Laura Smith has a BA (Hons) around the whole group one by one, in English and a background only to see if the original phrase is which includes nannying, intact by the last listener. There are no running ‘arts’ groups for repetitions and secrecy is critical! children, supporting early readers, teaching English An even older child who is looking as a foreign language in Spanish and Italian to push their vocabulary should try schools and examining children for the the dictionary game which is a bit like Cambridge Examining Board.

Call my Bluff. Using a dictionary and competing against the other group members, the aim of the game is to trick October other players into voting for your definition. hose of you with English speaking The players take turns to choose a word they children in the French school sysdon’t understand from the tem might be primarily interested in dictionary. When they find one, they read it bolstering your child’s English reading and out to the group. Should any of the players writing skills; skills that will develop, usually in the group know the definition of the word from reading to writing, over an extended then they must admit it and the player looking period of time. Regardless of their stage of for the word will re-choose. When they have progress in reading and writing, it is always a word that no one knows, everyone in the worth thinking of ways to extend your child’s game writes down an invented definition. vocabulary; something that develops The player with the dictionary writes down primarily through speech. English speaking the real definition. All the definitions are then is likely a real strength in your child, and collected (being sure to hide the definitions their vocabulary will develop perfectly well well to avoid any peeking!) and read out by without specific attention, but, if you can the player along with the real definition. They come up with an activity that introduces them should be read in a neutral way and the other to new words, or finds a way of honing their player’s should aim to make their definitions pronunciation, then why not? convincing. The last stage of the game is the Younger children will probably enjoy vote, where each player votes for the songs. Nursery rhymes are particularly good, definition they believe is correct. If the not only for pronunciation (music is also an definition you invented tricks anyone into excellent memory tool) but also for unusual/ voting for it then you get a point for each archaic language.

Fou D’Anglais Clermont L’Herault

T

Listen Carefully

‘this coming night’ or ‘last night’ *‘louer’ can mean ‘to BEWARE! Some French words have rent/hire’ or ‘to rent/hire out’ OPPOSITE meanings: *‘un hôte’ can mean ‘a *‘tout à l’heure’, or host’ or ‘a guest’ ‘tantôt’ can both mean ‘presently’ or ‘just a short We have to listen carefully... while ago’ Bobbie Trickett *‘cette nuit’ can mean

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8 Ave Maréchal Foch (opp Clermont Medical Centre)

Grocery Shop Tea Room www.foudanglais.fr 04 30 40 29 54

vote. And if you chose the word and no one votes for the real definition, then you get a point too!

I hope you get to spend some time on vocabulary building! Please let me know if you have any other suggestions for vocabulary games by getting in touch directly through englishforexpatchildren.webs.com or the email below. If you are interested in starting English support groups in your area you can contact me at englishforexpatchildren@ gmail.com

F

rench Police Chief Mireille Ballestrazzi, 58, is the first woman to head Interpol. She made her name fighting organised crime in Corsica. Her four year term as president of Interpol began in November 2012. Her past positions include: Vice-President for Europe at the Interpol Executive Committee, and Deputy Central Director of the Judicial Police in Paris. She is a recipient of the Légion d’honneur and a graduate of the French National Higher Police

Academy. On her appointment as the first woman to hold this position, “I am proud for women because this can have an impact and I am proud for France.”

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Recipe Times

S

he has cooked for the British and Spanish Royal families, run catering businesses and corporate hospitality, owned and run an award winning guest house and restaurant with her daughter, was runner up to Gordon Ramsey in the quarter finals of Chef of the Year and was awarded Chef of the Year North Wales, not to mention runner up in the Best Apple pie competition, Great Britain.

This month Posi Williams shares her philosophy on cooking and eating through these delicious, easy recipes...

M

y vast experience of food, people, cooking and places are like a reference library of characters, situations and settings. For me eating properly to a budget, large and small, is very important, as is passing on that knowledge to help people eat nutritionally within their own budgets. Because living is changing in today’s society so many people are now producing their own foods. We need to encourage production and eating seasonal food at its best. Buying and preparing food is all important and from a considerate range of sources. After choosing quality and price and quantity, taste may be enhanced by inclusion of other compatible elements, herbs, oils, spices. Storage/hygiene is very important.

Fresh tuna steak with mango salsa 1 small piece of tuna (cut at least 1/2in thick), 1 mango, 1 orange, a few capers, 1 small bunch of fresh mint, 1 clove garlic, splash soya sauce, 2 spring onions (1 for garnish 1 for salsa), salt and pepper (approx. cost 4.15€) 1) Prepare the mango salsa by dicing mango into a bowl with one of the chopped spring onions. Add crushed garlic clove and a little zest from the orange. Add the capers and chopped fresh mint. You can use orange juice to thin the sauce, but not too runny.

You will see once you have cut up the mango if very ripe that its juice will be sufficient. Season to taste – set aside.

2) Place the tuna into a hot frying pan and watch it cook. Turn over when heat takes hold - the colour changes at the edge of the meat as it cooks through. Turnover, the same for the other side. DO NOT OVERCOOK… otherwise it will go rubbery! Will look a little raw inside but don’t worry - that’s the correct way to eat this tuna meat!

3) Take tuna off the heat to rest it for a couple of minutes, which lets the juices relax. Then place on your dinner plate - drizzle soya sauce on top and garnish with the other chopped spring onion. Serve with the mango salsa.

4) Amazing flavours and colours you will love this one! (optional green salad on side)

26

Herby goats cheese spread 1 tub of low fat cream cheese, 1 round, soft goats cheese, 1 garlic clove, 2 stems of fresh thyme, 1 small bunch of flat parsley, salt and pepper, optional milk. (approx. cost 2.85€) Into mixer place crushed garlic, cream cheese, goats cheese, 2 sprigs of thyme (off stem), small bunch of flat parsley, salt and pepper (season to your taste).

Whizz together.

If the consistency looks too thick add a couple of drops of milk. Should be at spreading paste consistency. Put into bowl; cover and refrigerate. Will last 3 days cold temperature.

Great standby for your sandwiches, with brown seed bread, no butter… garnish with slices of tomato or cucumber or again use as an instant dip with crudities and pitta slices.

Enjoy enjoy….

“Food is life to be enjoyed rustic food makes you smile and feel good. My way of life is simply family harmony, the togetherness of providing food is not a task but a labour of love.”

Beetroot salad 1 x large cooked beetroot, 1 x orange, raspberry vinegar, olive oil, tbs honey, 1 small red onion (approx. cost 1.40€) 1) Grate or dice small beetroot into a bowl 2) For the dressing: In another bowl put 2 tbs spoons raspberry vinegar and two of oil together with a tbs of honey.

3) Now prep the orange, take off the pith and place segments on top of beetroot. Add the juice of the orange into dressing bowl.

4) Prep. the small red onion by chopping finely and place with beetroot and orange

Roast tomato and basil soup 8 x large fresh tomatoes, 1 small onion, 1 pint chicken stock, /s-p/tomato puree,1 tinned tomatoes,1 clove garlic,1 red pepper*, Fresh thyme and basil, oil, salt and pepper (approx. cost 3.25€) (*Red peppers in brine from Lidl are the best produce to use or roast pepper over a flame on the cooker and place in oiled bag for a minute or 2 to remove skin!

Choice and time is yours.)

1) Place halves of tomatoes on cooking tray, seasoned and oiled and cook until roasted browned and shrivelled up.

2) Into a large saucepan cook through a chopped onion until softened with a crushed garlic clove and thyme off the stem, basil

segments. (If it looks like too much onion don’t put it all in, you can always add afterwards.)

5) Now taste the dressing and adjust to your taste! Combine dressing with the beetroot orange segments and onion, stir altogether.

Cover and put in fridge.

(Optional spring onions delicious on top instead of red onion, and chopped parsley makes additional colour for garnish and again very good for you. Sprinkle seeds and nuts on top or in the salad for a some additional goodness)

leaves, a tin of tomatoes, a tbs of tomato puree and the red pepper. Then add the cooked, roasted tomatoes together with chicken stock.

3) Cook through to boiling point. Taste and check seasoning. When happy with the flavour, cool a little then place all mixture through the mouli or food mill/sieve. Put mix back into the pan, this should be a thickened consistency. Again check seasoning before serving.

There should be plenty of this soup to hold in the fridge for 3 days or bag and freeze for another day!

Delicious hot or even cold, you could dress it up with a spoon of yoghurt or cream and a drizzle of oil or basil leaves.

27

Classified Adverts ASSOCIATIONS

The Tuesday Club A lively group of English speaking people from all nationalities meet to hear talks, exchange ideas and socialise. www.tuesdayclub.eu tuesdayclub.fr@gmail.com **

Women’s International Club, Languedoc- Roussilon Meets in Saint Chinian, 1st Thursday of month , 2.30pm., at Salle de L’Abbatiale.

Our meetings are conducted in French and English. info@wic-lr.com www.wic-lr.com **

Anglophone Group Languedoc Roussillon (AGLR) Adults & childrens’ activities including bridge, golf, French conversation, cooking, excursions in convivial atmosphere www.anglophone-group-languedoc-roussillon.com/ AGLRSete@yahoo.co.uk **

Fabulous, affordable, beauty treatments

We meet at Maison pour Tous, Florensac, second Thursday of each month, at 1430h (except July & Aug).

Info: 0467771906 www.wicmediterranee.org. ** The Church of England at St. Pargoire, Holy Communion 2nd Sunday each month at 10 am.

Everyone welcome.

Details achstp@gmail.com ** International Chapel of Montpellier Worship Services in English Children’s Bible Class provided Services held every Sunday at 11:00am Website: www.internationalchapel.eu **

SERVICES

Commercial Cleaning Machine for hire.

Cleans soft furnishings, rugs, mattresses, sunbed cushions, car interiors, etc.Contact Trudi: 0499570589 trudi@ppm34.fr **

** Babysitting.

18 year old Female available for babysitting, dog sitting, house sitting.

References available Tel: 0778 17 81 26 **

** 28

Nathalie Esthetic 4, Place du Marché St Thibéry (Tue-Sat, Monday and evenings by special arrangement) Tel : Nathalie on 06 47 40 10 45 **

Want horses in your life but don’t know where to start?

Local, expert advice on all aspects of horseriding & keeping horses in the region for novices or experienced.

Contact Kitty 06 61 51 54 59 kitty@toosh.biz ** Enhanced Business English Training Realise Your Potential RYP Training Consultants prepare you for any aspect of anglophone business from CVs and job interviews to presentations and meetings. www.ryp-associates.eu.pn ** HANDYMAN/ SKILLED CARPENTER WITH VAN

All types of repairs. Tiling, plumbing, electrics, painting. Furniture/ stor-age solutions built. Flatpack assembly. Removals.

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ADVERTISE ON THESE PAGES FOR AS LITTLE AS €15.00 PER ISSUE DISTRIBUTED IN OVER 300 LOCATIONS AND OFFICIALLY THE FASTEST GROWING ENGLISH LANGUAGE MAGAZINE(S) IN FRANCE Join us today advertising@theheraulttimes.com

PROPERTY SERVICES/ GARDENING SERVICES Perfect Property Management Professional, reliable company for all of your property needs. Changeovers, pool maintenance and repairs, project management. Siret registered.

Contact Trudi: 0499570589 trudi@ppm34.fr www.perfectpropertymanagement.com **

Gray Solutions Bilingual building and renovation project management, with excellent tried and tested teams covering all trades.

Bernie Gray 06 49 21 55 71 www.gray-solutions.co.uk ** Roofing and Building Services Roofs replaced or repaired: Leaks, Insulation, Velux, Guttering, New beams, Structural, Terraces. Building maintenance and repairs. References.

Professional – Reliable longden888@lycos.com Karl : 06 04 45 63 57 Paul : 06 34 95 19 71 www.roofingbuildingservices.com ** Dyson Property Renovations English Qualified Builder Kitchens, Bathrooms, Decorating and Renovations - Professional and reliable Free Estimates – References Available No Job Too Small Tel: 0647 09 38 65 m: roydyson36@yahoo.co.uk www.dysonpropertyrenovations.com ** Door Restore Is your Front Door showing its age, Try Door Restore specialists in the restoration and repair Of all wooden exterior and interior doors and shutters.

Quick on site repairs or workshop restoration Call or email for a site visit and free quotation Door restore 0671526193 Door-restore@hotmail.fr **

Classified Adverts Holiday Home Owners Looking to increase your rental income?

We have clients looking to rent character properties for the 2014 season.

Houses & apartments with pool, garden & / or terrace Email: info@secret-south-france.com ** Roquebrun Property Management Personalised services for holiday homes and seasonal rentals. Full or ‘pay as you go’ service. Homes available to rent for 1- 15 people. Call Sue on 0652752445. wwwroquebrunproperty.com ** For All Your Property Care Needs Complete pool care inc. winter shutdown, gardening inc strimming, changeovers, general painting interior and exterior, varnishing, oiling shutters etc.

Siret registered est 10 years Tel: 04 67 24 83 72 06 87 64 97 29 www.property34fr.com **

LANGUEDOCPROPERTYSERVICE.com Help in Hérault with property repairs & garden maintenance, pools, decoration, keyholding & changeovers.

Established. Bilingual.

Reliable. 06 31 74 45 88 ** RT MULTISERVICES No job too small - property maintenance, keyhoding, painting & decorating, land clearance & gardening, vehicle registration & French administration.

Reliable, local, bi-lingual depts. 11 & 34. Chris 06 84 29 34 34 **

Plasterer, Painter Decorator Honest and reliable 20 years experience as ‘Homemaker’ in the UK. - References Available Tiling and General Building undertaken too.

Free quote and advice.

Gary Jackson 0044 793 40 68 833 ** Autumnal Nurture for your Garden.

Now is the time to think about garden improvement. Pruning, Planting, Earthmoving and Contruction.

Mathieu Goudou - Le Jardinier Tel 0623 463542 Creation and Maintenance.

Prompt, reliable, English Spoken

**

Garden maintenance available all year round - grass cutting on regular basis, - hedge trimming - weeding - planting www.facebook.com/pages/My-FourSeasons Maria: (06) 95859499

PERSONALS

**

STILL SEARCHING FOR THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE ?

Let ‘Connecting People’ search for you (France/UK). Professional/focused matching process. No initial fees - only payable on mutually agreed Introductions.

No loss/only gain.

Call Sylvia + 33 (0) 622769530 (Fr) or + 44 (0) 7501911409 (UK) or email : sylvia3fr@aol.com

** BEAUTY Fabulous, affordable, beauty treatments

Dick Fowler Construction Liner Pools, Solid Pools All house renovation and construction work Email; fowlerbatiment@gmail.com Port: 0670 91 12 17 Check out www.houzz. com/decklevel-pool-designs and then call me! **

** 29

Nathalie Esthetic 4, Place du Marché St Thibéry (Tue-Sat, Monday and evenings by special arrangement) Tel : Nathalie on 06 47 40 10 45

** WANTED Reliable Car Economical runaround wanted Reliable, good condition.

Will pay up to €1500 . posiwilliams@ymail.com **

Classified Adverts TAXI

Tel: 0033 (0) 467 21 72 38 e-mail: agenceviastaxi@free.fr Any Distance - Up to 8 Passengers E-mail Reservations welcome Estimates Given. All enquiries welcome

Alexander Technique Learn to free yourself from habits of posture and movement that are at the root of pain.

Wendy McKnight (STATcertified) For an appointment in Lodeve: 06 38 88 27 79 www.alexandertechniqueherault.weebly.com **

**

www.cornelia-rentaduck.com

WELL-BEING

**

** Practise Yoga in Pezenas with an English-speaking teacher Now it is possible!

Practise adapted to all conditions Every Monday 9 a.m / 10.15 Dance studio « Ballerine » Avenue Emile Combes Starting Monday September 9th Information 04 99 43 88 84 **

Bespoke massage, Mobile service Group bookings taken.

Thai massages, Reflexology, Neck and face massage, Reiki, Oil massage.

Susannah 0652752445 / 0467243142 Based in Ceps / Cazedarnes **

Nizas Langues French language lessons & Translation Service. (near Pézenas 34320) Qualified teacher & native speaker with over 25 yrs. experience of teaching French in the UK – GCSE & AS/A Level.

Hours to suit you - 8.00 am – 8.00 pm.

Price from 15€/hr 0ne to One. Tailor made programmes – 10 lessons 100€.

Small groups on request.

04 34 53 18 36 info@nizaslangues.com www.nizaslangues.com

** FOOD AND WINE

The Belvedere, Quarante hosts “Spa days”.

Bookings now being taken for October 10th and November 14th Also available for private parties Tel: Susannah on 0652 75 24 45 95€ including sauna, jaccuzzi, 1hr massage and Lunch ** Centre d’Ostéopathie et d’Intégration Structurelle (®Rolfing) Recently opened in Lodève Annette Beckett qualified osteopath since 1992 cranial osteopathy for adults, children, babies annette@beckettosteo.com Barry P. Beckett Certified Rolfer, Rolf Institute 1993 Structural Integration, Postural Improvement, Osteopathics. motionpresent@gmail.com 06 30 64 88 40 ** Abri Creative Writing Courses at Gardoussel Retreat, Gard (30) poetry, prose and memoir for 2013. Courses are full-board and residential in a magnificent mountain setting. Delicious vegetarian meals, swimming, massages available. 595 Euros/week all-inclusive. tel. 04 66 60 16 78 www.abricreativewriting.com **

Gourmet Walking Tours Sète and Montpellier Stroll the streets past historical buildings while sampling local specialties, meeting merchants, getting historical and cultural tips.

45 € pp Sète / 55€pp Montpellier; nancy@ southernfranceluxury.com tripadvisor reviews -Savouring_Southern_France-Sete

**

Shenanigan’s Irish owned and run, family pub and restaurant.

Come and join us for the best prices in the Languedoc. All rugby, Gaelic and Hurling shown live. Guinness & Bulmers Home cooked food, prepared daily.

Plate of the day 10e with a glass of wine.

Taxi available. Open all year.

Vias centre – 0430 17 83 87.

**

Restaurant L’Amindine

CLASSES

Watercolour classes in Pouzolles, near Roujan.

All levels welcome. Materials supplied.

Contact Monica or Simon Roberts.

0761 94 91 38. info@studio-roberts.com Further info at www.painting-in-france.com **

30

3 Place du 14 juillet, 34450, VIAS In the historic centre of Vias village, traditional, family restaurant, serving fresh local produce & quality wines Open daily for lunch & dinner English Spoken Tel: 04.67.30.29.78.

**

La Charnière Bar Restaurant A newly opened bar / Restaurant in Beziers Aiming to combine the serving of top class food with a special rugby ambiance.

Place Jean Jaurés, Beziers t: 0467 36 83 10

HT Sport

B&B

Maison De L’Orb, Béziers Beautiful five bedroom bed and breakfast overlooking Pont Vieux and river.

Private garden, bathing pool, fantastic breakfast. Book now: www.maisondelorb.com info@maisondelorb.com **

PROPERTY FOR SALE

PEZENAS Centre Historique​ Charming Appartment for sale in the centre of Pézenas (Historical area). http://maclangdoc13.wix.com/appartementavendre T: 06 88 88 77 19 ** Marseillan Ville Four bedroom three story vigneron Marseillan Ville Two large bedrooms ensuite, master bedroom with balcony, garage to fit four cars, large kitchen / dining and living area on the top floor, large terrace. OFCH and Air Con throughout. Contact 0035 38 72 41 4002 ado_carey@yahoo.com **

PETS

Canine Behaviourist and Dog Trainer Crate a harmonious relationship with your dog. Many references from satisfied customers Call Richard : 06.25.21.21.21 or see www.psychodog.net

** POSITION OFFERED

Advertising Manager Wanted for The Herault Times.

Generate advertising for the highest print run magazine in the Hérault.

Bi-lingual, the position is home based reporting directly to the publisher.

Self employed, car and phone necessary Highest commission rate in the Hérault.

Hours to suit. For further information please call 0644 80 24 32 or email your cv or covering letter to: gatsby@theheraulttimes.com **

FOR SALE Velux Window GGL3000 M08 78 x140 EDW M08 Best offer secures t: 0681 02 65 07

** English Books at the Bourse, Pézenas.

First Sunday of every month from 10 to 12. The Café de la Bourse is next to the Hotel Moliere in Pézenas. All books are 1 Euro or less. Excellent coffee and company. Want to book a table? Call Carole on 0467905910

In Partnership with

Comité Sport Tambourin Hérault Sports by Stuart Turpie

T

he question is often posed as to which is the more popular sport in Herault, football or rugby. The fifteen a side code of rugby certainly has a great tradition in the Department.

The Beziers club, ASBH have a legendary history and have been champions of France 11 times. The last time though was in 1984.

Racing Narbonne remain their great rivals and both clubs now play in the Pro D2.

ASBH draw decent crowds to the Stade de la Mediterranée which has a capacity of 18500.

The structure is a reflection of the 1970s and one could perhaps also say the same for the club itself. Rémy Martin in the second row is a talent to watch however and there is a feeling that the glory days could be back if the club could get the ball rolling. The aim after some uncertain seasons and some time in the Federal 1 is to make a solid start, build up the league points and take the pressure off about relegation.

The big club now in Herault is Montpellier.

The ultra modern Stade Yves du Manoir with about 14000 seats provides a fine setting for Top 14 matches. The squad includes two Scots, Johnnie Beattie and Jim Hamilton. Visitors on 5th Oct are Oyonnax and Grenoble on 2nd Nov. Beziers play Lyon on 28 Sept at 18-30. ** The west of Herault perhaps reflects this history with a good number of clubs playing at all levels.

Agde, Pezenas, Vendres / Lespignan and Servian / Boujan are well supported teams.

Once you cross the Hérault river going east there is perhaps a shift towards the round ball

game though football is popular right across the Department.

Montpellier play in Ligue 1 and Beziers, Agde and Sete in the CFA. The enthusiasm for football can be seen in almost all towns and villages. The recent first round of the Coupe de France which kicks off the season included no less than 80 different Hérault teams!

If you bear in mind that the stronger teams dont enter the competittion till later you can see how dominant football has become. ** Montpellier have only one or two players left from the league winning team of 2012 and can only really hope for a solid year. Beziers have built a good side in the CFA1 and both Agde and Sete are hoping to go up from the CFA 2.

The Division d’Honneur , the regional league will be a quality contest this season. Hérault is represented by Paulhan / Pezenas, Lattes, Fabregues, Frontignan and La Grande Motte.

The Paulhan / Pezenas fusion only just missed out last season being edged by Ales.

Narbonne may be their biggest rivals this year but the standard of the division is high across the board. ** The Rugby League World Cup is being played this autumn and there are two matches in the Midi.On the 1st November France take on New Zealand in Avignon The Kiwis are the cup holders and will provide a stern test.

On the 11th Nov France meet Samoa at the Stade Gilbert Brutus in Perpignan. France will probably need to win this game in order to get through to the quarter finals. < Allez Les Bleus>

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

Modern, contemporary nearly new furniture for sale.

Including two leather sofas, dining furniture and beds. Please call 0686311508 or email: kayandandrew@icloud.com for pictures and prices **

Upright Romhildt piano.

FOR SALE

English Books and Cards available at The English Bookstall: These markets; Monday - Bédarieux, Tuesday Marseillan Ville, Wednesday Clermont l’Hérault, Saturday - Lodève.

Kerith 0467 96 68 87 **

FOR SALE

Le Bookshop - Librairie Anglophone / café 8 rue du Bras de Fer - Montpellier T: 04 67 66 22 90 contact@lebookshop. com www.lebookshop.com ** 31

Light wood finish, good condition , played regularly . 500 euros ono.

Includes piano stool. Buyer collects.

Bernie Tournay 0467248421 Mike Laschet 0467248039 Neffies

32