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WelcoME to the July issue of the Deux-Sèvres Monthly.
It's amazing that we've now been producing the Deux-Sèvres Monthly for a whole year, how time flies One of the unique aspects of our new adventure with the Deux-Sèvres Monthly here is the opportunity to deliver our magazine to these regions This task is been more than just a distribution route, it's been a journey of discovery Each trip brings new encounters, friendships and the thrill of discovering hidden gems in this beautiful country
Our first adventures centred on the Deux-Sèvres department, with occasional trips into the Vienne A particularly poignant memory is always our trip to Civray, where Chris received one of the first COVID vaccinations available in France in January 2021 In a world still struggling with uncertainty, this moment in the tree-lined square of Civray was a beacon of hope It symbolised a turning point, a step towards reclaiming the life and freedom we cherish Every time we return to deliver magazines, we're reminded of this emotional milestone
Our time here had already taken us from the majestic Château in Oiron to the bustling centres of Thouars and Bressuire Last year, we were also amazed by the tranquil beauty of Chef-Boutonne and the welcoming atmosphere of Sainte-Soline, to name but a few Melle, with its stunning market hall and Art Nouveau tourist office, amazed us as did our first trip to beautiful Vouvant and many more places in the Vendée
We couldn't help to be shocked by the tragic news about Dr Michael Mosley in June, a face that was recognisable to many The temperature here is due to increase dramatically over the next couple of months so we have included the guidance that is issued by the French Department of Health on how to stay safe in the heat
With Elections in both the UK and France in early July we hope they will bring a new era of stability to both countries If not, we will weather the storm together
We have a massive What’s On section this month, with events all across the region and beyond and look forward to bringing you more news and events in August
event, it is highly recommended that you verify the event details with other sources. the deux-sèvres Monthly est édité par Kathleen Butler-donnelly, 27 rue de la Madoire, Bressuire 79300 tel: 07 86 99 16 17. directeur de la publication et rédacteur en chef: K Butler-donnelly siret: 90043034900028 Crédits photos :adobe stock, istock, Pixabay sauf mention contraire. impression: graficas Piquer sl, 29 al Mediterraneo, Pol ind san rafael, 04230, huércal de almeria, espagne issn: 2115-4848 dépôt légal: à purition
CHURCH NOTICES
The Filling Station - PoitouCharentes. Local Christians of all denominations who meet for spiritual renewal and evangelism
Carolyn on 05 45 84 19 03 or www thefillingstationfrance com
All Saints, Vendée - Puy de Serre
We hold two services each month (plus Sunday school), on the 2nd and 4th Sundays at the church of St Marthe, Puy de Serre, at 11h www allsaintsvendee fr
The English Speaking Church of the Valley of the Loire (ESCOVAL) meets at the R C Church in Arçay every 3rd Sunday of the month at 11am (just off the D759, Thouars to Loudun)
Eglise Vie Nouvelle English service (translated into French) every week in the Salle Annexe behind Civray Mairie at 10 30am Contact 06 25 04 36 51 www vie-nouvellecivray com
The Chaplaincy of Christ the Good Shepherd, PoitouCharentes. Normally holds Sunday services in English Please see our website for current information: www churchinfrance com
Local Markets in the Deux Sèvres
Monday am Cerizay 79140 place des Halles
Tuesday a m
Bressuire 79300 place Dupin
Coulonges-sur-l'Autize 79160 Centre Ville
La Creche 79260 rue du Marché
Lezay 79120 place du Marché
Niort 79000 place des Halles
Thouars 79100 place Lavault
Vasles 79340 la place du 25 Août
THE ENGLISH SPEAKING CHURCH OF THE VALLEY OF THE LOIRE “ESCOVAL”
We meet on the third Sunday of each month at the church in Arçay at 11h00. The services are multidenominational and vary between Matins and Holy Communion - both usually include hymns.
Afterwards there is usually a bring-and-share lunch. Arçay is situated between Loudun and Thouars just off the D759.
www.escoval.jimdofree.com
Contact Geoff Cornwall : gdfrance6052@gmail.com
Jim Burrows : 05 49 22 41 78
Carole Taylor : mumsikins@hotmail.com
Regular venues including:
• Argentonnay 79150
• Funny Farm Cat Rescue 79200
• Genneton 79150
• Louin 79600
• Noirlieu 79300
Remember to pick up your copy of The Deux-Sèvres Monthly!
Find us on Facebook: Oh my Lord Franck’s fish and chips or email: lordmaurin@yahoo.com
Wednesday a m
Celles-sur-Belle79370 Centre Ville
Niort 79000 place des Halles
Parthenay 79200 rue Jean-Jaurès
Thursday a m Argenton-les-Vallées 79150 place Philippe de Commynes
La Motte St Héray 79800 place Clémenceau
Niort 79000 place des Halles
Sauzé-Vaussais 79190 Centre Ville
Friday a m Coulon 79510 place de l'Eglise
Melle 79500 place Bujault
Niort 79000 place des Halles
Nueil les Aubiers 79250 place Pierre Garnier
Thouars 79100 place Lavault
Saturday a m Airvault 79600 place Saint-Pierre
Bressuire 79300 place Dupin
Cerizay 79140 place des Halles
Champdeniers 79220 Centre Ville
Chef-Boutonne 79110 Centre Ville
Coulonges-sur-l'Autize 79160 place des Halles
Le Tallud 79200 place de l'Église
Lezay 79120 place du Marché
Mauleon 79700 place du château
Mauze sur le Mignon 79210 place de l'Eglise
Moncoutant 79320 Centre Ville
Niort 79000 place des Halles
Parthenay 79200 rue Jean-Jaurès
Saint Maixent-l'Ecole 79400 place du Marché
Sunday a m Chatillon sur Thouet 79200 place du Parnasse
Coulon 79510 place de l'Eglise
La Creche 79260 rue du Marché
Niort 79000 place des Halles
Saint-Loup-Lamairé place du Marché
Thénezay 79390 place de L'Hôtel de Ville
Local Markets in neighbouring departments
Monday a m Benet 85490 place du Champ de Foire
Doue-la-Fontaine 49700 place du Champ de Foire
Tuesday a m Civray 86400 place Leclerc
Montrueil-Bellay 49260 place du Marché
Mortagne-sur-Sèvres 85290 place Hullin
Surgéres 17700 rue Audry de Puyravault
Wednesday a m Fontenay-le-Comte 85200 place du Commerce
Lusignan 86600 place Isabelle d’Angoulême
Ruffec 16700 Centre Ville
Vihiers 49310 place Charles-de-Gaulle
Thursday a m Aulnay 17470 Centre Ville
Pouzauges 85700 les Halles
Surgéres 17700 rue Audry de Puyravault
Friday a m Civray 86400 place Leclerc
Doue-la-Fontaine 49700 place René Nicolas
La Châtaigneraie 85120 place de la République
Saturday a m Cholet 49300 place du 8 Mai 1945
Fontenay-le-Comte 85200 place du Commerce
La Châtaigneraie 85120 place de la République
Pouzauges 85700 place de l’Hôtel de Ville
Ruffec 16700 Centre Ville
Surgéres 17700 rue Audry de Puyravault
Sunday a m Aulnay 17470 Centre Ville
Latillé 86190 place Robert Gerbier
Valence-en-Poitou 86700 place du Marché
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS, RELIGIOUS AND FEAST DAYS
Fête nationale "Bastille Day"
Sunday 14 July 2024
Assomption Assumption Day
Thursday 15 August 2024
Toussaint All Saints Day
Friday 1 November 2024
Armistice de 1918 Armistice Day
Monday 11 November 2024
Noël Christmas Day
Wednesday 25 December 2024 W
Jour de l'An New Year's Day
Wednesday 1 January 2025
Pâques Easter Sunday
Sunday 20 April 2025
Lundi de Pâques Easter Monday
Monday 21 April 2025
Fête du Travail Labour Day
Thursday 1 May 2025
Victoire de 1945 VE Day
Thursday 8 May 2025
Ascension Ascension Day
Friday 29 May 2025
Dimanche de Pentecôte
Whit Sunday
Sunday 8 June 2025
Lundi de Pentecôte
Whit Monday
Monday 9 June 2025
& Announcements
Tony Wigmore
It is with deep sadness that we share the news of Tony Wigmore's passing. Tony, the previous owner of the Deux-Sèvres Monthly, passed away peacefully in June.
Tony had been courageously battling cancer for nearly two years Sadly, his fight came to an end last month Tony was described as the kindest and most generous man, and his absence will be profoundly felt by those who knew him.
Our hearts go out to Lynne and all of Tony's loved ones during this difficult time.
À la Pause bistro 6th Anniversary Party!
À la Pause bistro 6th Anniversary Party!
Join us to celebrate our Sixth Anniversary on Saturday 10 August
Join us to celebrate our Sixth Anniversary on Saturday 10 August
Summer Fayre 10.30am to 4pm
Summer Fayre 10.30am to 4pm
Evening entertainment
Evening entertainment
7.30pm to 10.30pm
7.30pm to 10.30pm
Live music with Moonshine Club
Live music with Moonshine Club
25€ per person includes 3 course meal and music (drinks not included)
25€ per person includes 3 course meal and music (drinks not included)
Call for details! 07 84 70 88 74 facebook.com/1921Pause
Call for details! 07 84 70 88 74 facebook.com/1921Pause
À la Pause bistro, 21 Rue de la Poste, L’Absie
À la Pause bistro, 21 Rue de la Poste, L’Absie
FESTIVAL AU FIL DU THOUET
26 June - 29 August
Thouars
Experience diverse artistic events blending art, heritage, and nature Enjoy pop, classical, and blues music, theatre, street arts, unique tours, and workshops for all ages maisonduthouarsais com
FESTIVAL AU VILLAGE
28 June - 7 July
Brioux-sur-Boutonne
The 35th village festival – featuring a week of festivities with theatre, singing, circus, music and street arts taking over the village streets festivalauvillage fr
LES ESTIVALES D'ARTENETRA
29 June - 28 July
Celles-sur-Belle
A series of classical music concerts in the abbey church of Celles-sur-Belle and the surrounding villages artenetra com
FESTIVAL PHOTO
29 June – 29 September
Moncoutant sur Sèvre
This year, the photography festival is celebrating its 14th year and will welcome photojournalist Isabelle Serro (isabelleserro com) as guest of honour festivalphotomoncoutant fr
LES DEUX-SÈVRES SUR LE PODIUM
1 - 31 July
Niort
Explore the history of sports in DeuxSèvres from the 19th century to today This exhibition offers a fascinating journey through sports heritage and notable achievements in the region niortmaraispoitevin com
"AU TEMPS DE NOS GRANDS-MÈRES"
1 July - 30 September
Souvigné
Explore the daily life and significant events from the 1900s to the 1950s This exhibition provides a fascinating glimpse into the past, showcasing artefacts, photographs, and stories from an era that shaped our present musee-souvigne.com
MUSÉE DU CHARRONNAGE ET DE LA TONNELLERIE
1 July - 31 August
Coulonges-sur-l'Autize
Discover the crafts of wheelwrights and coopers through guided tours of the museum a few steps from the Château Renaissance Available Tuesday to Saturday, reservations recommended coulonges-sur-lautize fr
VISITES DU CHÂTEAU RENAISSANCE
1 July - 31 August
Coulonges-sur-l'Autize
Discover the innovative architecture, exceptional kitchens, and unique history of the Château Renaissance Guided tours available, reservations recommended coulonges-sur-lautize fr
REACTION BOOK CLUB
3 July
Fenioux
The Reaction Book Club meets on the 1st Wednesday of the month at 3pm in the Café des Belles Fleurs In July it will be “Me before you” by Jojo Moyes And in August we will be talking about Summer reading suggestions Everybody welcome reactiontheatre eu
CHASSE AU TRÉSOR
3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 July
Bressuire
Help Dame Jeanne rebuild her castle by finding the hidden treasure left by Lord Jacques de Beaumont Join teams, discover clues, and solve riddles at Bressuire's medieval chateau ville-bressuire fr
LES ESTIVALES DE POUZAUGES
4, 18 July & 1 August
Pouzauges (85700)
Join us for a unique celebration of food, drinks, and music with free entry Enjoy a variety of dishes from three food trucks, drinks from three local brewers and vineyards, and performances by three different bands facebook.com/assoartistes
EL TANGO Y TU
5 July
Vançais
A Night of Tango Perfection: Join us for an evening of traditional tango with the acclaimed trio "El Tango y Tu" Featuring dancers Milagros Herrera and Gustavo Gomez, alongside musicians Hubert Plessis (bandoneón), Sylvie Gomez (piano), and Etienne Sicard (violin) Enjoy live performances of tangos, waltzes, and milongas Doors open at 18h30 culture2chenes fr
FESTIVAL THE FESTOCH'
5 - 7 July
Vouillé
Experience music, friends, and fun Free concert with five bands, giant wooden games, rock, tattoo and retro stands, plus a vintage vehicle expo
Facebook: The Festoch'
FAR-FESTIVAL DES ARTS DE LA RUE
5 - 6 July
Bressuire
Street Arts Festival (FAR) featuring circus arts, dance, theatre, music, humour, and visual arts Explore various venues in the town and Château from 7-11pm Free entry
ville-bressuire fr
BOUILLEZ !
5 - 6 July
Bouillé St Paul
Street art, theatre and circus performances are on every corner as this village comes to life This year it celebrates its 26th anniversary bouillez net
VOUVANT CÉLÈBRE GABRIEL FAURÉ: 1845-1924
6 July
Vouvant (85120)
Enjoy a celebration of Gabriel Fauré's music featuring Didier Ledoux, Mathilde Milhères, Martin Barigault, and Fabrice Maurin at 8 30pm in the Église NotreDame Tickets are 15€, with discounts for younger attendees Purchase tickets at local tourist office or online vendeegrandsud.fr
CHAPELL'FEST
6 July
La Chapelle Largeau
Enjoy an evening of fun with a fanfare orchestra and concerts by Rock en Stock, StormRiff, and Bakery Club Food and bar available on site Free entry! mauleon.fr
FÊTE DU MIJET
6 - 7 July
Coulon
Join the Fête du Mijet for a weekend of fun, featuring a boat parade on the Sèvre, an exhibition of antique cars and tractors, local artisan village, tombola, and a traditional Maraichin meal with live music niortmaraispoitevin.com
FESTIVAL DE PEINTURE ET SCULPTURE
6 & 7 July
Saint-Loup-Lamairé
The association Les Rendez-Vous de Saint-Loup are hosting a painting and sculpture festival for amateur and professional artists Special guests include mosaic artist Claire Lamour and sculptor Laurent Page Activities feature children's workshops and a Saturday evening guinguette Explore the charming Petite Cité de Caractère and discover numerous artworks rendezvoussaintloup com
FÊTE DE L’ENTRECÔTE
7 July
Noirlieu
Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the annual steak festival with live music and a spectacular fireworks display, this year's event promises an unforgettable experience Enjoy a dinner of entrecôte and chips, cooked over a wood fire, along with a selection of sandwiches and pastries Doors open at 17h30 facebook com/fetedelentrecote
THE MIDDLE AGES CHALLENGES YOU
7 July – 30 August
Saint-André-sur-Sèvre
Celebrate the Summer Olympics with medieval challenges at Château de Saint Mesmin Enjoy physical, culinary, and mental contests Open daily with activities for all ages chateau-saintmesmin com
MELTING POTES
8 July
Bressuire
Festivities take place at the Chateau of Bressuire Acts include Coelho, Samifati, The Doug, Zélie and DJs DavyCroket Crew meltingpotesfestival fr
FESTIVAL MUSIQUES ET DANSES
DU MONDE
10 - 14 July
Airvault
The Music and Dance of the World festival runs for 5 days at Prairie de Soulièvres, Airvault, starting at 7 pm Acts include "Chanson d'occasion," "Colectivo
caliente," "Fuego de Rumba," "Treizeurs du Mat," "La Ganga Calé," "Les types à pied," and "Toxic Frogs " Enjoy food, drinks, and diverse music genres airvaudais-valduthouet csc79 org
ODYSSEY NATURE - VISIT THE COMPANY
10 – 31 July
Nueil-les-Aubiers
Take a look behind the scenes of the Science and Nature Laboratory You will discover the manufacturing stages of the brands produced at this site Reservation required odyssee-nature.fr
FLIP
10 - 21 July
Parthenay
The Festival Ludique International de Parthenay (FLIP) or Festival des Jeux de Parthenay is one of the most important events in the gaming scene Meet the game developers and publishers and try out their new products jeux-festival com
VISITE ESTIVALE
10 July
La Forêt-sur-Sèvre
The walk starts at the wooden bridge, passing through a newly developed floodplain meadow and an island with various features After crossing a chain ferry, the journey continues through secret village paths to the shaded avenues of the castle park The tour concludes with a history lecture at the
Château, a visit to an artisan distillery, and a tasting in the courtyard tourisme-bocage com
SENSORY TOUR OF THE ÉGLISE ABBATIALE NOTRE-DAME
10 & 31 July
L'Absie
Keep your eyes open, your ears tuned, sharpen your taste buds, and refine your sense of smell and touch as you set out to explore the abbey church of L'Absie Accompanied by a guide, discover this church and the history of its abbey through your five senses, and admire its superb 15th-century wall paintings tourisme-bocage com
FESTIVAL DES ENFANTS DU MONDE 11-16 July
Saint-Maixent-l’Ecole
Traditional music and dance ensembles from 5 continents The festival offers a variety of free events and shows that allow everyone to meet the children of the world rife.asso.fr
TOUR 79
11 - 14 July
From Bressuire to Beauvoir-sur-Niort over 5 stages
Every July, in the wake of the Tour de France, the Tour des Deux-Sèvres takes its place in the cycling spotlight But this time, the riders are close to you for real Free entry tour79 fr
LE JAZZ BAT LA CAMPAGNE
12 - 14 July
Parthenay
Experience 3 lively summer evenings with "Le Jazz bat la Campagne," featuring vibrant jazz performances in the charming setting of Parthenay Enjoy an unforgettable musical journey with local and international artists lejazzbatlacampagne com
LA GUINGUETTE DU CHÂTEAU
From 12 July – 25 August
Bressuire
The Guinguette du Château returns for its third year with 15 exciting events to brighten your summer evenings ville-bressuire fr
FIREWORK DISPLAY
13 July
Bessines
Join us to celebrate the Fête Nationale at Stade du Gros Buisson starting at 8pm! Enjoy a spectacular fireworks display, a lively public dance, and a delicious meal
Don't miss an evening of dance and celebration Save the date and celebrate with us
niortmaraispoitevin com
APÉRO-CONCERT
13 July
Saint Aubin du Plain
Enjoy Vaches Landaise with "Aventura Ganaderia" and bands "Morancha'Go" and "Les Fanfrales " Evening concert and dance with "Zicksonne and Co " Limited seating, reservations recommended saintaubinduplain fr
FÊTE POPULAIRE
13 July
Cerizay
Taste local products at an outdoor meal and enjoy traditional fireworks followed by a village dance hosted by Les Stormiens Bring your own utensils; tables and chairs provided cerizay.fr
FÊTE NATIONALE
14 July
Bressuire
A popular festival set in the grounds of Chateau de Bressuire Each year there is a Vide Grenier as well as walks through the chateau grounds and family entertainment Fireworks at 11pm followed by a DJ until 2am bba.asso.fr
FÊTE NATIONALE FIREWORK DISPLAY
14 July
Parthenay
Join us at the Base de Loisirs for fun activities, tasty food, and a unique pedalpowered musical carousel At 8pm, enjoy the Odyssée Live concert featuring French and international music, followed by the "Olympic Stars" fireworks display at 11pm The celebration continues until 12:30am with more music parthenay fr
FESTIVAL TRAVERSE!
15 - 21 July
Haut Val de Sèvre
A series of family-friendly spectacles and exhibitions over six days in 21 villages in the Haut Val de Sèvres festival-traverse.fr
FESTIVAL DU SOUFFLE
15 - 22 July
Celles-sur-Belle
A series of music concerts in the Royal Abbey with saxophonists playing jazz and big band, as well as an organ concert and a market on Sunday festivaldusouffle.com
IT'S MAGIC
From 15 July – 28 August
La Forêt sur Sèvre
This summer, bring your family to enjoy Phil Keller's new show "It's Magic!" You’ll be both spectators and participants in over an hour of magical and grand illusions "It's Magic!" is an interactive family show full of magic and illusion
Doors open 30 minutes before the show Reservations by phone or the door philkellerproduction fr
MYTHS AND LEGENDS
18 July
Parthenay
Parthenay Museum of Art and History invites you to explore its collections Join our guided tour to discover the fascinating creatures in our exhibits and their captivating stories Don't miss this chance to explore Parthenay's artistic and historical treasures Visit us and experience the stories of the past parthenay fr/musee
VOULTEGON ET SES HISTOIRES
18 July
Voulmentin
Fred Billy will recount the significant events that have marked the Voultegon area in a walking tour that combines historical facts with comedic storytelling The story will conclude with a tasting of local products Reservations can be made through the Tourist Office voulmentin.fr
VISITE DU MOULIN BARON
19 July
Saint Martin des Noyers (85140)
Join millers Martin and Cécile as they explain the workings of a windmill and detail the restoration efforts You can also explore the Colline des Moulins des Bois, home to four more mills Reservations are required due to limited availability Admission is free cc-paysdechantonnay fr
LE RÊVE DE L'ABORIGÈNE
19 – 22 July
Air vault
The Dream of the Aborigine is a nonalcoholic festival with traditional aboriginal music, seminars, films, cartoons, and social and human gatherings lerevedelaborigene.org
BEETLE DRIVE
20 July
Clussais-la-Pommeraie
Join us for an evening of fun with a Beetle Drive and supper Enjoy a lively game night with friends and family and raise money for animals in need Check out facebook for updates and how to book ark79 com
OIRON EN FÊTE
20 July
Oiron
Join us for a whole day of melon-themed activities at our revamped melon festival
Enjoy a full programme of events including a producers' market, musical performances, and a competition for the biggest melon eater Don't miss out on the fun tourisme-deux-sevres com
MARCHÉ GOURMAND
20 July
Chef Boutonne
Join us at Château Javarzay for a gourmet market at 5pm! Enjoy musical entertainment, and savour delicious food and drinks from local producers Free entry, don't forget to bring your own cutlery
chef-boutonne fr
LES NANAS DANS L'RÉTRO
20 July
Vançais
Join us for an unforgettable evening with a vocal trio performing classic French songs, capturing the festive and cheerful guinguette spirit The event includes a concert-dinner starting at 7 30pm, with reservations required by 10 July Doors open at 6pm Tickets 25€ children under 12 receive a 10€ discount www.culture2chenes.fr
LA ROCHE EN FEU
20 & 21 July
Cerizay
A weekend focused on fire-related trades at Domaine de la Roche The event features demonstrations in metallurgy, knife making, jewellery, pottery, stone carving, sculpture, woodturning, and more cerizay fr
LES ANIMATIONS DE QUINTILIS
21 & 22 July
Echiré
SUNDAY AT THE BRASSERIE
28 July
Salles
Experience daily life at the castle with the Tards Venus Watch craftsmen at work, see patrols by the men-at-arms, and enjoy the busy activity of a medieval stronghold Witness historical reenactments and immerse yourself in the rich life of the castle coudraysalbart fr FLANERIES MÉDIÉVALES:
À L'ASSAUT DES REMPARTS!
25 July
Thouars
Discover the medieval charm of Thouars
Explore the historic centre and remnants of its 4km-long ramparts with 44 towers and gates Walk the walls, visit the gates, pass under posterns, and climb the towers with this new guided tour Don't miss this unique journey into the past thouars.fr
GUIDED TOUR OF VILLA LIONNET
25 July
La Châtaigneraie (85120)
A free guided tour of the interior and exterior of this his designated Historic Monument will unveil its stunning architecture and the exquisite frescoes within Reservations necessary at the Tourist Office Limited to 25 participants vendee-tourisme com
FÊTE DE LA BOUSE ET DE LA VIE RURALE
28 July
Triaize (85580)
Cowpat and Rural Life Festival, with a vibrant flea market and craft activities
Featuring traditional butter and rope making, cowpat crafting, harvesting, bean threshing, sheep shearing, boot throwing, and a cowpat throwing competition Enjoy farmers' market, car boot sale, bar, and food stalls and fireworks display facebook com/FetedelaBouseTriaize
Tour of the brewery and tasting of the beers as well as a brewery demonstration with public participation facebook com/bierelabelette79
FÊTE DES BATEAUX FLEURIS
28 July
Saint-Maxire
The annual Fête des Bateaux Fleuris since 1942, featuring a parade of boats embellished with 10,000-15,000 paper flowers Enjoy carousels for children, inflatables, trampolines, skill games, angling, and archery bateauxfleuris fr
SENSORY TOUR
31 July
Air vault
Come and discover the Petite Cité de Caractère of Airvault in a different way, through your 5 senses This fun tour offers workshops to explore the town's history Booking is necessary (limited number of places) 5€ for ages 12 and up, 2€ for ages 6 to 11, and free for children under 6 cc-avt.fr
UN SOIR D'ÉTÉ À SAVEILLES
2 August
Paizay Naudouin (16240)
Enjoy “Tell me about the Traviata,” a unique adaptation by the Opéra Clandestin company that brings a fresh perspective to this classic opera Tickets are available on billetweb or at the door (limited availability) Don't miss out on this remarkable evening chateausaveilles@gmail com
LES NUITS D’ALDÉARDE
2, 3, 9 & 10 August
Air vault
This summer, enjoy an evening walk in Airvault where the town's monuments will be adorned with thousands of lights,
Ca ncer Suppo rt Fra nce provi des emo tion al or prac tical suppo rt to English-speaki ng people i n Fran ce who are touch ed by can cer. We c an:
• Provide you with suppor t which is confidential and free of charge;
• Of fer telephone suppor t to you and your carers;
• Of fer suppor t through visits at home or in hospital;
• Help you ask the right questions;
• Guide you to other sources of appropriate advice;
• Provide access to written information about cancer and its treatment
setting the stage for historical scenes performed by volunteer actors Les Nuits d’Aldéarde presents an original nocturnal show where the legend of Aldéarde and figures like Queen Radegonde and King Charles IX come to life Reservation only 7€ for adults, 3 50€ for children lesnuitsdaldearde com
QUIETAMO - CONCERT WITH DINNER
3 August
Vançais
Quietamo will take you on a lively journey through Latin and Hispanic music, gypsy jazz, and French chansons Enjoy bold rearrangements of rumba, flamenco, and bossa nova tunes After the concert, a paella dinner with dessert will be served
Tickets are 25€ children under 12 receive a 10€ discount Book before 23 July culture2chenes fr
WEEKEND MÉDIÉVAL
3 - 4 August
Bazoges-en-Pareds (85390)
Experience a medieval weekend with knight tournaments, a vibrant market, and engaging workshops Enjoy a banquet on Saturday evening for €15 per person Organized by "Au Cœur du Bocage" and Bazoges-en-Pareds municipality bazoges-en-pareds.fr
À LA PAUSE BISTRO 6TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY
10 August
L’Absie
Celebrate our Sixth Anniversary with a Summer Fayre from 10 30am to 4pm, and evening entertainment from 7 30pm featuring live music by Moonshine Club Evening 25€ per person includes a 3course meal and music (drinks not included)
facebook com/1921Pause
REACTION POEM & PINTS GROUP
Fenioux
An afternoon of poetry and drinks with Reaction Theatre members and friends at Café des Belles Fleurs, Fenioux Our Poetry group are off on their summer holidays and will resume in September Details of our next meetings will be published in August’s magazine reactiontheatre eu
enjoy the Sunshine and focus on the moment
As I write this, the sun is shining outside in fact, it’s about 23 degrees and it’s been clear blue skies all day
It’s the first proper summery day we’ve had in about a hundred years Or that’s how it feels, anyway
And it got me thinking about enjoying the moment - living in the now It’s so easy to cry ‘at last’ and then moan about the weather over the last eight months, or to tut and roll your eyes as you say ‘it’s great but it’ll probably be pouring down again tomorrow’
Because we human beings have a terrible habit putting our heads everywhere but in the present moment
If you have a tendency to forget where you’ve left your glasses, or walked into a room and you can’t remember why you went there in the first place, you may –from time to time – be accused of being ‘absent minded’ Which is a great expression that neatly sums up the human condition in two words We’re either thinking about the past or concerning ourselves with the future and rarely living in the moment
It's both perfectly normal and really quite bad for us, because it’s a habit that can lead us to focus on bad things, whichever way we think It can be a ‘heads I win, tails you lose’ situation
Let me explain
If you are focussed on something negative in your past, it can make you unhappy in the now But also we can sometimes look back on good times and consider how life now simply doesn’t match up to the good old days, and there you are, unhappy again
I’m not saying remembering is bad, or that looking to the future is inadvisable, just that we spend so little time on the ‘now’ that it a good habit to form
A very good habit
Life is lived in this very second always
The past is done – finished – out of your control out of EVERYONE’S control And the future? Yes, you can influence it, but only from your position in the present
Freeing yourself from being overburdened by the past and the future is fantastic for your state of mind And living in the moment is accepted by gurus doctors and scientists all over the globe as one of the best ways for an individual to achieve a more peaceful state –lowering anxiety and stress and helping combat all of the mental, emotional and physical side effects of over attachment to the past and future
The most popular way of achieving this is through the practice of mindfulness –this can take the form of meditation or
Lisa Jones
Cooking Up Creativity!
We are very excited to announce that as from 1 July 2024, the Repair Shed will be fully open twice a week for those who wish to be creative We will be open on Thursdays and Saturdays from 10AM to 4PM for those who wish to come along and learn a new skill or just come and start a new project
We’ve all heard the term “comfort food” and in the spirit of the Repair Shed’s motto “wellbeing through creativity” we are creating a feel-good recipe book, full of tried and tested recipes that make you reminisce about happy times or simply put a smile on your face Once we have compiled enough recipes, we will transfer these into a printed book, which will then be available to buy to raise funds for the Association We are particularly looking for recipes that have a story attached which we can include as part of the book
To submit your entry, please send an email to info@therepairshed fr with a full list of ingredients, cooking instructions, a photo if possible and most importantly, what this recipe means to you, your story
If you would like to know more information about what we do, and the exciting projects we have planned, please visit our website www therepairshed fr
Written by David Murphy - Clinical
and
Coach
See his advert on page 15
simply focussing on the now Try this little exercise – if nothing else, it will demonstrate how little you spend in the present moment which my spur you on to discover more
Have a snack – an apple, a bar of chocolate, anything you really enjoy but doesn’t take long to eat
Now, as you eat it, focus entirely on that experience – the texture, the flavour, the sensation Don’t eat it as you chat, watch tv or read the newspaper – wholly focus on the experience
Doing this can really give you a sense of what you’re missing in the here and now And it could set you down a road to a life of great pleasure, appreciation and gratitude Now please excuse me while I go and appreciate this sunny afternoon, because right now, that’s all there is
Everyday yoga for everyone
Rebecca Novick
No More Neck Hump when You Tr y With Love
I remember watching my grandmother beat eggs when I was eight Her hand whirled so fast it was blurry but what often caught my interest was a strange bump was on her upper back I never dared ask her about it but now I understand that her spine was curved forward into a ‘Dowager’s hump’ - so called because this condition commonly affects older women This condition, technically known as kyphosis is very common, affecting 2 out of 5 people over 55 My grandmother’s neck hump was connected to osteoarthritis, though it can develop through weakness in the spinal bones or simply poor postural habits such as constantly looking down at our mobile phones (It’s also possible that a hump can be fatty deposits which can be caused by obesity among other factors)
If you want to avoid getting a neck hump, here are some very easy but super-effective holding positions that you can do every day These exercises can also, over time, correct an existing neck hump, since they retrain the muscles of the neck and upper back and encourage renewed flexibility of the shoulder blades Don’t expect immediate results but many neck humps can indeed be entirely corrected with discipline and dedication
In these hold positions, you make the shape of the letters Y, T, W and L with your upper body These 4 exercises, all of which are done in a standing position, are performed in order of difficulty, with the easiest first One of my students came up with a phrase for YTWL - YOU TRY WITH LOVE - so that the order is easier to remember Now you’ll never forget it!
We start with Y (for YOU)
Stand tall with your feet hip distance apart Get a good contact between your feet, toes and the floor Lift up your arms to a 45 degree angle in the shape of the top part of the letter Y Once there, start to bring the hands back as
far as you can without forcing Now hold this pose for 20 seconds To add a little spice to the routine, find a song that lasts for 20 seconds I like to use the first verse of ‘You are my Sunshine’ played at 90 beats per minute (BPM) at 4/4 metronome (You can find all metronome beats on Youtube)
Next is T (for TRY)
Straighten up again but this time hold your arms out to the side so that they are parallel to the floor Now, once again, slowly bring your hands as far to the back as you can without forcing and hold the position for 20 seconds
Wriggle your shoulders around a little to loosen any tension
Now you’re ready for W (for WITH)
Stand with your arms down to the sides Now bring up your hands up so that your wrists are at the same level as the top of your shoulders Hold your elbows about 6 inches away your body Once again, slowly and gently pull your hands back as far as you can and then hold for 20 seconds
Wriggle your shoulders and upper arms to work out tension
Lastly, is L (for LOVE)
Straighten up one more time Bring your arms to the sides close to the body Keeping your upper arms in fully contact with the body, including the elbows Now, bend the elbows keeping them in contact with the body, and bring up the hands until your arms make the shape of two ‘L’s Your forearms will probably be angled in a bit from mid-line which is perfectly normal Once again, begin to push your hands back as far as you can and then hold for 20 seconds
Wriggle your arms and shoulders and try again with love tomorrow!
To learn about group and private classes for yoga and breath coaching please email me at: lavieenyoga@gmail com
Respect yourself, explore yourself Rebecca
Book Club Aged Writers?
Probably done through ignorance, carelessness or thoughtlessness, a graphic recently aroused some reaction in the writing digiverse The originators inv writers of over 50 to apply for a grant of $1,000 an featured a white-haired stereotypical cartoon coup the woman wore a shapeless dress, a cardigan and glasses and looked in her eighties and the man ha closed eyes and was using a stick to support himse
Some of my older writing friends thought it silly, ot were mortally offended Most were insulted
Doubtless, it sprang from a sincere wish to attract mature writers, those who haven’t been able to wr a creative work because of family or work commitments or a lack of confidence
The genre concerned was speculative literature, fo example, science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, horror, dystopian, magical realism and steampunk Basically, anything that bent reality, but of a literary standard Perhaps they were looking for a novel similar to Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go or P D
James’ Children of Men
As a writer of alternate history thrillers that (I hope some thoughtful moments, this is my field My first thriller came out in 2013 when I was 62 In no way consider myself an older writer I was just a superexcited writer holding her first book
g p p g
So what upset people about this cartoon graphic?
The Older Writers’ Grant has been awarded annually since 2004 The objective was to give a boost especially to those taking writing up as a later career
But was (and is) this image a true idea of how people, especially younger people, see women and men over 50?
I consulted some of my fellow writers who were robust in their rejection of this depiction Several posted photos of themselves at 67, 73, 70, nearly 60 on my Facebook author page Gosh, they were a fit and youthful lot Most are wearing jeans or sports kit
Ageism something that’s hard to avoid in any line of work, in the arts, and in every aspect of our culture, which is a great pity It can inspire, especially when you’re told to take it easy now you’ve retired (Falls over laughing ) Such a remark tends to spur me on I mean, who doesn’t like a challenge?
Perhaps agents and publishers would prefer to support a first novel by a 30-year-old writer with a potential career of several decades ahead of them to one by a 75year-old veteran writer, no matter how distinguished the latter’s previous career
But older writers have secret assets: they’ve lived a long time and gained many insights through experience, something many 30-year-olds haven’t had time to accumulate They’re also more crafty, patient and persistent They’ve had to be as they’ve survived life so far
you can laugh off the cartoon image as a silly joke The couple in the image could be seen as cute and endearing, but totally unreal It’s somebody’s limiting and rather patronising view of two older people
In Real Life, we wear jeans and trainers, go out dancing, drink, drive sporty cars and work ridiculous schedules We’re often looking after our children’s children or our own parents Either requires stamina, patience and an agile mind, Yes, we probably get a little more tired, but most of us are not at the slippers and knitted rug stage, if that was ever a thing
I applaud the initiative of the Older Writers’ Grant I applaud any grant that supports writers, but I believe those giving the grant should really rethink their PR This daft image does nobody any credit, least of all them And let’s just see writers as writers It’s what they produce that counts, not the count of their years
Alison has compiled a selection of articles from this column into ‘The 500 Word Writing Buddy ’ , available in print and ebook on Amazon and other retailers EXSILIUM, her new historical novel set in AD 395, is now out
Alison Morton
Book Club
This month’s book reviews
The French Cookery School
by Caroline James
review by Jacqueline Brown
A good chef will always say that recipes should start with quality ingredients and this book had those aplenty, from a fabulous mix of characters to superb descriptions of a location that came to life It is always a lovely surprise to find myself in a book that is set in a less well-known area of France but to find myself close enough to the DeuxSèvres that I recognised where I was put a huge grin on my face Chauvigny, in the Vienne, with its medieval castles, the famous macarons of Montmorillon and the abbey at St Savin, are just a stone’s throw from Poitiers, and this book made me want to plan return day trips
A wedding in the sun
by Leonie Mack review by Jacqueline Brown
Jo and Adrián are in the unenviable position of having been summoned to the wedding of their ex-spouses in Spain, and despite them rather being anywhere but there, they are both determined to grin and bear it for the sake of their respective children Fate on the other hand has other ideas and their travel plans unravel in the most hilarious ways imaginable
As the weather grounds their aircraft the wrong side of the Pyrenees, they have no choice but to embark on a road trip together, that begins in the pilgrimage town of Lourdes As our unlikely travelling companions get caught in all Lourdes has to offer Leonie s ability to add in Hells Angels motorcyclists was genius, and I was hooked
Ever yone present at La Maison du Paradis cooker y retreat is looking for something or escaping their demons and that included owner Waltho At the beginning they didn’t seem an obvious friendship group and I wondered how easily they would gel together, but gently simmered in the heat of the French countr yside, the chemistr y soon began to happen The author cleverly crafted the plot so that ever yone s strengths and weaknesses had their moment in the spotlight yet no one personality (or flavour) dominated In fact I d say they all complimented each other and were enhanced by a little bit of French magic I always looked for ward to finishing my day lost in the pages of this book and often fell asleep wondering where tomorrow ’ s chapter would take me
There is so much more to this book than the delicious food ser ved between its pages It s about emotions and recover y, and left me with a warm, satisfied feeling, much like a fine meal savoured in the company of great friends
If you enjoy books where the characters embark on uplifting personal journeys, and you want a location that sticks with you (hopefully making you open your map of France and plan a visit) then do add this to your summer reading list I might even see you wandering the steep cobbled streets of Chauvigny or Montmorillon one day and we could chat about books from the terrace of a café
What begins as awkward and embarrassing, soon becomes friendship and healing as they bond over reliving what went wrong in their failed marriages, and the disasters they find themselves in The closer they get to Spain the more emotions bubble to the surface but what warmed me the most was the focus on family at the heart of this book It was a highly entertaining read, at the expense of two stressed out parents, desperate to emotionally support their children who have been drawn into the fiasco of a nightmare wedding celebration I couldn’t put it down
This is now the third book from Leonie Mack that I have devoured from page one and I’m already looking for ward to her next one If you are a fan of romance with a good twist of humour, then add this book to your summer reading list
Learn to cook your favourite Indian dishes with Sujatha at Closerie Les Roches
1 day workshops from 9.30am-3pm Small groups of 4-6 only €80 per person - lunch included Tel: +33 784372991 or email: info@closerielesroches.com
Visit www.closerielesroches.com for more details.
La Vie en France La Dame de Chambrille
This summer we will celebrate our twentieth anniversary of moving to France I can’t believe how so many years have passed by so quickly, but also, how much there is still to discover about this magical part of France we call home With less holiday time available this year, we have been doing our best, when the weather has allowed, to plan days out So far this spring, we spent an enjoyable afternoon at the Musée Bernard d’Agesci in Niort, a combined art gallery and natural history museum, that is well worth a visit Housed in a grand nineteenth century former school, with high windows that overlook an enclosed courtyard, it is free on the first Sunday of the month, or you can buy a combined ticket giving you entry to the impressive medieval Donjon as well On a much smaller scale, but still interesting, is the Musée du Poitou Protestant in Beaussais-Vitré near Melle This museum explains how and why the Protestant religion became so prolific in this area from the sixteenth century, and how difficult life was during the wars of religion As an amateur history nerd who can’t get enough of all aspects of the French Renaissance period, I was in my element
Jacqueline Brown
In 2022, we cycled the length of the Sèvre Niortais river from its source in Sepvret to the Aiguillon bay on the Atlantic coast While the cycle-touring pace allows you to see more than travelling by car, we still didn’t have the time to explore every town we passed through Thanks to Terra Aventura, the Nouvelle-Aquitaine geo-caching app (download for free on your mobile phone), that has eleven routes along the banks of the river, we’ve revisited Exoudun, La Mothe-Saint-Héray and Niort, learning lots of fun, historical facts along the way One of my favourite discoveries was located along a footpath, in a wood, not far outside of La Mothe-Saint-Héray La Dame de Chambrille is a mysterious granite rock formation whose presence is enhanced by the legend surrounding it Once upon a time, many years ago, Berthe, the beautiful daughter of a local squire fell in love with her neighbour, Guy de Tremont Unfortunately, the elderly Baron de Chambrille asked for Berthe’s hand in marriage, to which her father agreed, despite her despair Some time passed after her wedding, when Berthe and Guy crossed paths once again, and soon began meeting in secret every night, parting at the first light of dawn The Baron became suspicious and followed his wife, watching the lovers before stabbing them one morning Berthe was petrified and became the rock with profile of a lady’s face that bears her name, the Dame de Chambrille Guy dragged himself, bleeding, towards his home, where he died, his blood becoming the little red pebbles still visible in the stream that runs through the valley, his tomb, a flat rock found at the water’s edge It might be farfetched and a little grisly, but I do love the magic of a good fairy tale
Musée Bernard d’Agesci in Niort
La Dame de Chambrille
Wellbeing S essions and mindfulness with animals
As I write this I am fresh out of a wellbeing session I held with our customers who travelled to be at our alpaca farm from just outside of Paris I always feel so refreshed and mellow after these sessions, even though I’ve been working, I get so much satisfaction from seeing the difference in people’s postures and presence after these moments too, so it’s quite contagious to feel this with them
This year, we ’ ve received more enquiries and bookings than ever for our wellbeing sessions with the alpacas It makes me wonder what it is about 2024, but whether it’s the frustrating world of politics, the ever increasing cost of living or something else, we all need a time out now and then We need to press the pause button and prevent the burn out, taking time to slow down from busy lives of finishing our annual tax returns accurately and on time, taxiing the kids
to their clubs and parties or the normal day to day routine
Whether you can do this simply with an hour to read a book listen to some music or going for a walk it s important to tr y to restore some calmness and balance in our lives For me that involves taking a step away from all electronic devices going outside and spending time with animals, whether it’s a walk with the dog or time in the field with the alpacas or our walnut garden with the goats I really get in touch with the moment, enter into a state of mindfulness, breath in the fresh air and concentrate on being with the animals
We have a variety of clients who come to do the same And it may be a surprise that no one size fits all From younger children who we ’ ve heard “nothing works” for or who usually can’t or won’t concentrate or engage in other activities, to teenagers who love animals, and adult men and women, whether they come together as a couple or separately They come and choose assisted animal activity with alpacas, which can be an exciting and different way of approaching our need to unwind and take a moment in nature with animals
Animals can help us with our relaxation and mindfulness, as they only live in the here and now, without the distractions of day to day life and stresses we may hold They have a social acceptance that is different from some human relationships which can be totally unconditional Their nonverbal approach to interaction can bring us right back into nature helping us reduce social anxieties and relieving our stress And I can’t continue without a nod to the well-known facts that just being around animals can wildly benefit our physical and mental health, reducing blood pressure, lowering pulse rates and lowering feelings of tension and anxiety
We work with each individual customer for their wellbeing sessions to under-
stand why they re wanting the time with us and how we can be of assistance This can, and often includes a mindfulness meditation with the alpacas, sometimes however, it can just be a private session to meet and spend time with the animals Even just by watching, stroking or listening and speaking to the animals can help people be in the moment and help their focus on something calming and positive Our alpacas find this mutually beneficial and bask in the calmness of our wellbeing sessions with clients I’ve even had Clove, our beautiful grey alpaca, fall asleep next to our customers during the meditation! I felt quite accomplished at that
Animal assisted activity is something I m so passionate about, I could talk about it ever yday and still find some more time for it The reason I believe it works so well with alpacas is because of the tranquillity they create; bringing their calming energy to our sessions they make us come to their level of slow-paced life in order to get a great interaction with them and I m always amazed that it works time after time
If you want to learn more about this take a look at our website or pop us a message if you want to speak about specific needs and requirements
For more information visit: www lapetitefermedalpagas com or email: hello@lapetitefermedalpagas com
La Deuxième Chance
7 rue de la Croix Cholette 79120 Bois de Messé
Opening Times Tuesday 10am - 5 30pm Weds - Fri by appointment only
telephone: 05 49 27 12 62 www.ladeuxiemechance com
SIRET: 752 225 953 00021
What do you want to change about your life right now?
I'm David Murphy - Clinical Hypnotherapist and Life Coach, and I can help.
Call or text me on 06 75 30 18 22 siret 89241290900020
email: DavidMurphyHypno@gmail com
Life Cycle LIFE IN 79
I was up a ladder doing a spot of painting in the picturesque town of Gourgé It was one of the many bank holidays in May and the one day of the month it didn t rain I was on a relatively busy road for France; a car would pass ever y ten minutes as well as a constant stream of cyclists who were following the river Thouet bike trail, which got me thinking
Back at the compound I announced to Anna, my wife, the plan for us to cycle from Parthenay to Thouars at which I saw her rolling her eyes To be fair to her I do have a tendency to come up with ludicrously ambitious (often expensive) plans which, when reality sinks in, become scaled down dramatically My ability to underachieve has always filled me with a sense of pride (for my O levels I got straight Cs across the board)
Our bikes had not been ridden for two years so I hauled them from the shed blasted all the bat poo off them with my trusty Karcher, pumped the tyres up and oiled the rusty chain with some chainsaw oil After an initial controle technique I discovered the brakes were jammed, the gears didn't work, two of the tyres were shredded and two of the inner tubes were punctured
Bicycles look relatively simple things compared to a car, for example I recently changed a headlight bulb on our Dacia and that was a complicated procedure a car has a lot of stuff under the bonnet and I had to virtually dislocate my wrist to complete the task
Back to the bike I had ever y Allen key and spanner from my shed my hands covered in chainsaw oil effs and jeffs were filling the air, but I couldn t stop the brakes from jamming, whilst at the same time emitting a hideous squealing noise (the bike, not me) Maybe Anna could use her brake once, when she really needed to, I thought After several YouTube clips and the purchasing of the most expensive tyres and inner tubes known to man (which cost more than the bike itself ) the things were road worthy
Often when enjoying liquid refreshment at the Café in Saint Loup a group of ageing cyclists in their vacuumpacked lycra outfits, padded botto funny shoes will stop for a respite completing 30k I consider myself fit person but after riding 50 yards to see if the chain would fall off m aching and buttocks quivering Wh I was never off my bike; I cycled to ever yday, cycled to rehearsals in W which was a two hour round trip, with no lights now, just getting on challenge
So it was decided we would do a outing, avoiding hills, or inclines of kind we were looking for somewh flat which was challenging If we c incorporate the eating of a meal in the plan so much the better
A picnic was prepared and stuffed into two rucksacks, the bikes thrown into the back of the van and my dream of cycling a section of the Thouet cycle
Stephen Shaw
route was about to be realised In Air vault there is a beautiful park which runs parallel to the river; the are picnic tables, swings, slides, exercise equipment, even a couple of sculptures (I have never seen anyone in the park walking a dog, or using the equipment ever y town in France has an obligator y sports field and recreation park I never see children playing football or climbing on the frames what do French children do with their time French TV must be ver y good)
We enjoyed a leisurely ride along the banks of the river, which after all the rain was at its pulsating best (great tree trunks wedged in the banks having been swept down stream from the winter battering) It was good to be back in the saddle albeit briefly I felt like a carefree child again the wind blowing in my now thinning hair and the reassuring sound of a rubbing gear shifter I nearly took my hands off the handle bar like old times but didn't After consuming a sizeable picnic the return journey seemed longer things were rubbing together and starting to chafe We estimate we did three kilometres in all the tour de France this was not but great oaks from little acorns grow The bikes performed well, although Anna s brake cable popped out at one point and she went careering towards the river screaming Having prior knowledge of the unreliable nature of her brakes she managed to stop in time by dragging her legs along the ground and making an ungraceful dismount into some woodland vegetation
For the following week, whenever Anna sat down she winced and said she had done something to her coccyx
Addendum: I would like to dedicate this article to Ari Louisa Jeans-Shaw (our first grandchild) who came into the world on the 23rd May and is an absolute poppet
Raise a glass before dinner!
The origins of apéritif drinks
The apéro, short for apéritif, is the pre-dinner ritual that involves good company, drink and food The term apéritif comes from the Latin verb aperire, meaning “to open”
Originally, it referred to a medicinal drink intended to help remove toxins from the body and promote well-being
Historically, many cultures enjoyed drinks before meals
The Assyrians sipped palm wine, the Romans practised libatio by spilling a few drops of wine as an offering to the gods, and Hippocrates prescribed sweet, flavoured white wine mixed with herbs for digestive problems in the 5th century BC The Romans later created apsinthiatum vinum, mixed with bitter wormwood, thus laying the foundations for the popularity of bitter apéritif drinks like the modern vermouth
In 1751, the French philosopher Diderot defined an aperitif in his Great Encyclopaedia as “a drug that opens the way to the elimination” of toxins By the 19th century, the apéro had developed into a social event with absinthe and other apéritif drinks becoming increasingly popular
Towards the end of the 18th century, the Italian Antonio Benedetto Carpano formalised and commercialised vermouth and spread the trend from Piedmont to Savoy
When Savoy became part of France in 1860, the popularity of vermouth grew across the Alps
Mountainous regions such as northern Italy and Savoy were ideal for the production of herb-based drinks Joseph Noilly steeped local herbs from the Pyrenees in wine and founded the Noilly Prat company in 1813 While in 1846, the Parisian wine merchant Joseph Dubonnet invented a wine with quinine bark, herbs and essences to combat malaria, which became popular as an apéritif
But did you know that the Deux-Sèvres is home to one of these characteristic drinks? The Duhomard apéritif, created in 1926 by Émile Diacre in Thouars at a time when quininebased apéritifs like Dubonnet were still fashionable, is characterised by its unique blend of wines and aromatic plants such as quinquina, orange peel, gentian root and fresh grape must
The origin of Duhomard is linked to an amusing incident During an annual meeting of travelling salesmen in Massais, near Thouars, Mr Diacre fell asleep after lunch and his friends humorously attached a boiled lobster (homard) to his fishing rod This prank inspired Mr Diacre to create a wine-based aperitif, which he aptly named Duhomard With its distinctive flavours and rich history, it’s a great choice for anyone who wants to enjoy a piece of local heritage with its catchphrase “À déguster sans mayonnaise!”
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By Steve Marshall
Taking Better Photographs... Composition
Photographic composition sounds like something my English teacher would have given me as homework a long time ago
There are a lot of rules for photographic composition and, as my English teacher would have said, I do not always have much respect for rules I prefer to think of them as guidelines that can be used as needed rather than laws that must be followed These are guidelines that apply to ever y camera In this article I am not going to talk about aperture or shutter speed but just what is in the picture
My first rule is “fill the frame” If your photographs mainly show the background you need this rule Photo one is a close-up of a dahlia It was taken as close as I could get and
still keep it in focus As an added bonus it had just stopped raining Nothing shows off flowers like a little rain And if necessar y, cheat by using a spray bottle of water
Then think about “the rule of thirds” There it is again, that dreadful word rule But if you can remember the grid for noughts and crosses then you are away Most people place the subject in the centre, but as a rule, photographs look best when the most important part of the subject is at one of the intersections of the vertical and horizontal lines This gives the subject space to look into, so that the viewer s eye follows their gaze and wonders what they are looking at Photo two is another dahlia this time with a butterfly I have cropped the original image, which contained two dahlias, so that the flower is on the first vertical and the butterfly is looking to the right at the intersection between this vertical and the upper horizontal You can easily do this in camera by focussing on the subject, pressing the shutter button halfway down recomposing and then taking the shot There are also ways to do this with a mobile phone, but that s a topic for another day
Photo three is a pretty extreme example of the rule of thirds The tops of the silhouetted trees are on the lower horizontal and the top of the unlit clouds is on the upper horizontal Also, this picture was taken with a mobile phone It is three overlapping shots that have been stitched together using editing software
Leading lines can be a ver y useful way of guiding the viewer through a photograph Buildings and bridges, roads and railways as well as paths and tracks can be ver y useful to guide the eye And they do not necessarily have to be straight lines Photo four was taken in the Basque Countr y Normally I would want cables to disappear or hide in a landscape, but here I like the way the cables mirror the mountain as they both descend into the morning mist in the valley
Most people in this society look and view images from left to right In photo two the butterfly is looking to the right so the eye is travelling from left to right In photo four, the lines fall from left to right as they move further away Both feel right to me I am right-handed and have learnt to read from left to right There is some evidence that cultures that read right to left see images in the same way And there is some evidence that people who are left-handed also see images from right to left
Another rule is “the rule of odd numbers”, grouping things into threes and fives and so on An odd number of objects or people or trees or whatever you like draws the viewer around your picture – from the first to the second to the third and then back to the first,
where different details can be perceived Photo 5 is a Ranunculus asiaticus or Persian buttercup The eye is drawn around the three main flowers and then the two flowers that have not yet opened Odd numbers usually create triangles and these ver y effective in pictures, and have the same effect of odd numbers by creating dynamic tension This creates stability and eventually allows the eye to rest On the other hand, if you only have two elements as in photo 6 then the eye tends to wander back and forth without finding a stable place to look at the image
However, that’s enough talk of rules for one month, because of course the most important rule of all is enjoy your photography ”
I am interested in exploring portrait photography for some future articles here in DSM I am looking for people who might be prepared to be my subjects No money would pass in either direction Copyright would be held jointly and any publication of individual images would require the agreement of both the subject and the photographer Every subject would get a complete set of photographs for their personal use It you are interested please contact me
If you would like to receive comments on your own photographs and contribute your thoughts on those of others please get in touch at stevemarshall128@gmail com
VIEW FROM THE VENDÊE
What’s in a name?
I’ve always loved the sound of the French language, so when we moved to France and I became known as Karine instead of boring old Karen, I was really quite pleased French names always sound so much more romantic than their English counterparts; a simple name like Jack looks and sounds infinitely more interesting when it becomes Jacques And of course the French are really fond of double barrelled first names; one of the ladies in my fitness class is called Marie-Joseph, and, somewhat confusingly, her husband has the prénom of Jean-Marie!
And then of course there’s the question of nom de famille When I got married in the ‘70s, I automatically adopted my husband’s surname, as you do in the
Karen Taylor
UK So for the past 45 years (heavens, how time flies!) I’ve been known as Mrs, or indeed Mme, Taylor So why oh why do my 3 identity cards in France all show 3 different names??
My carte vitale is quite clear: Karen Taylor
• My titre de séjour, interestingly, is in the name (or should I say names?) of Burden ep Taylor
• And my permis de conduire (wait for it) simply shows my nom as Burden Now where’s the sense in that??
French town names are always a fun topic as well Take my town of Longeville-sur-Mer for example Now any self-respecting person would assume that said town is on the coast Malheureusement, non!, though I’m pleased to say that we did check this out before moving there! In fact to compound the confusion even further, the sign as you enter the town proudly states that it’s a Ville de surf (see Note) Also, have you noticed how many French towns are made up of 3, 4 or more words? Apparently the commune with the longest name in France is SaintRemy-en-Bouzemont Saint-Genest-etIsson Don’t our French friends love their hyphens? Compare that to the
shortest town name of Y (pronounced ‘ee’) in the Somme department, where the locals call themselves Ypsiloniens from the Greek letter Upsilon (thank you google!)
As we’re talking about names, another fun fact is that, in France, all pedigree dogs are assigned a letter to each year of their birth So for 2023 for example, when our recently adopted puppy was born, the letter was U Suffice it to say, as she’s not a pedigree dog, we didn’t have to find a name beginning with U! But forget all this name dilemma; my newly renewed passport (black by the way, instead of the more aesthetically pleasing burgundy) is quite clear – I am a British citizen with the name of Karen Louise Taylor (with no hyphens and no mention anywhere of my maiden name!)
Note: For the curious amongst you, whilst the town of Longeville-sur-Mer itself is not actually sur mer (though in its defence the sea is only 4 kms away), “the surrounding commune contains a section of coast with beaches & ideal surfing conditions” And just to tempt you still further, on the edge of the town you can take a barque or canoe out on their very own stretch of Marais Poitevin (End of tourist promotion!!)
Donna Mitchell is ideally based on the border of the North Deux Dèvres and the Vienne Here, she gives us her top pick of properties in the area:
Airvault, Deux-Sèvres REF: BVI67332
A stunning, fully renovated medieval chateau-fort dating back to the 11th century, featuring three buildings from the 14th and 15th centuries within its walls The main building offers spacious accommodation over three floors including a grand salon with a large fireplace a fitted kitchen, and two master bedrooms with bathrooms The adjacent Guards' House provides guest accommodation with five bedrooms and a small museum The old stables now house a 30-seat restaurant with a terrace and a well-being studio above Nearby towns include St Loup Parthenay, Bressuire and Thouars
Fees: paid by the vendor
Energy class: E Climate class: E
Gourgé, Deux-Sèvres REF: BVI71167
Charming and popular village house on a quiet road in Gourgé, ready to move into The ground floor features a living room/diner and fitted kitchen while the upper floors offer spacious bedrooms and a handy cloak cupboard The property includes a pretty courtyard with a garage, workshop, and office space Additionally, there is a small piece of land with an open hangar located across the road Situated between the bustling towns of Parthenay and Airvault the village of Gourgé boasts a restaurant, shop, post office, and schools, and is conveniently close to Poitiers airport
Fees: 9% paid by the buyer
Net price: €111,927
Energy class: E Climate class: E
Le Beugnon, Deux-Sèvres REF: BVI73309
EXCLUSIVE TO BEAUX VILLAGES! This charming barn conversion in the Gatine Hills, between Coulonges-sur-L’Autize and Secondigny features 5 ensuite bedrooms, a cosy lounge diner with wood-burner, and a stunning first-floor sitting room with garden views The kitchen opens onto the lovely garden Ideal as a family home or as a holiday home the property boasts a saltwater pool sun deck and 3 6 hectares of land with paddocks, forest, pond, and river
Conveniently located near airports and attractions like Puy de Fou and Futuroscope
Fees: paid by the vendor
Energy class: C Climate class: C
Discover the luxury of British sofas in FrancE
If you crave the comfort of a beautiful British sofa, The British Sofa Outlet in Saint Pierre d’Exideuil is the place for you As the only furniture store in France to offer brand new British department store sofas at heavily discounted prices, this outlet is a real gem for locals and visitors from afar
Having run a similar business in the UK, Annie and Martin told us the story behind their shop “We wanted to bring the comfort and elegance of British sofas to France,” they explain, “Our sofas are brand new and sourced directly from some of the UK’s leading suppliers of high quality department stores’ upholstered furniture This allows us to ensure that our customers are buying the highest quality sofas at a fraction of the cost”
The British Sofa Outlet offers an impressive selection of beautiful sofas and sofa beds, including the best-selling Broadway Sofa Collection from Debenhams With high back cushions, moulded foam seat cushions and designs that fit seamlessly into both modern and traditional living
environments, the sofas are available for immediate delivery across France
Annie added: “Our stock changes regularly, so it’s worth following our Facebook page The British Sofa Outlet to keep up to date with exclusive bargains ”
The shop is open from Thursday to Saturday from 10am to 3pm and doesn’t close at lunchtime Other times are possible by arrangement
Helen, a satisfied customer, shared her experience: “Annie and Martin are the nicest people You can buy from stock or have something made in your own choice of fabric and colour Annie definitely has an eye for style in salon accessories such as coffee tables, clocks, mirrors, pictures and other items For the first time in my life, I bought something new and not second hand I couldn’t decide between my two armchairs, so I bought them both at very reasonable prices!”
Annie expressed her sincere thanks: “We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who visited us on the opening
day and to the amazing people who bought from us The response to our new shop has been phenomenal and we can’t thank you enough”
She also thanked Sandi and John Cowles, their very first customers, for their support and enthusiasm
Sandi also praised the shop: “We were looking for a bookcase but couldn’t find what we were looking for until we found The British Sofa Outlet We found two beautiful bookcases at a very reasonable price We’ll be back soon as we saw a few other pieces of furniture that we liked”
Offering top British brands at reduced prices, The British Sofa Outlet is the perfect place to go if you crave the comfort and elegance of British sofas Stock is limited, so it’s worth popping in soon to grab a great bargain and experience the exceptional offers first hand
You can find The British Sofa Outlet at Les Bourdeuils, St Pierre D’Exideuil 86400 telephone 0973 03 46 42 or WhatsApp 0757851456 www britishsofas fr or email hi@britishsofas.fr
The British Sofa Outlet in Saint Pierre d’Exideuil
From left to right: Martin, Sandi & John Cowles and Annie
Sophie Stokes
Many of us come to France and find ourselves owning more land and possibly owning a few hens as pets I got my first hens about 12 years ago, and they bring us lots of pleasure
We have had so many tasty eggs from them as well as funny anecdotes and memories
It’s important that your hens have a clean, dry space to roost in and lay their eggs We don’t have our own fields for straw or hay, but what we do have is an abundance of fresh herbs
Today’s craft is really simple: herb bedding for your chickens!
In order to keep our herbs bushy and productive, I prune them regularly We have plenty of herbs, and the fresh prunings are far more than I could use in cooking or crafting
So every couple of weeks, I prune back a selection and use this to line the nesting boxes and lay on the roosting shelf
The herbs release their wonderful scent so the hen house doesn’t smell bad, even in midsummer The aromatic oils released as the girls scratch about help deter flies, mites, and many other pests We have never found mites or anything else in our girls!
You can include whatever herbs you wish Lavender and lemon balm create a calming atmosphere, perfect for helping your girls get a good night's sleep! If flies are a big problem, herbs such as rosemary, mint, bay, and lavender may help It's not uncommon for chicken owners to have trouble with visiting rodents Lemon balm can help keep them away
Other herbs to consider include:
• Rosemary: as a general deodoriser
Oregano: to boost their immune systems
Thyme: for respiratory health
• Sage: to help protect against pests and parasites
Adding sprigs of mint to your hens' drinking water helps their digestion and helps them regulate their temperature, especially helpful during a canicule! Every week or so, the crushed dirty herbs can go straight to the compost with the added benefits of chicken poop! If you prune little and often, the prunings won’t be too twiggy, so they are more comfortable for your girls to nest in
If you don’t have lots of herbs, you could simply hang bunches of herbs around the hen house for a more subtle effect Or you can mix them in with your usual bedding mix You may like to plant some of these herbs around your hen enclosure for an extra supply and year-round benefits Your girls will love you for it!
Protect Yourself: Easy Ways to Avoid Scammers
In today's digital age, scammers are everywhere, waiting to prey on unsuspecting individuals Whether through emails, phone calls, or online messages, they use various tactics to trick people into giving away their personal information or money
However, by staying vigilant and following some simple steps, you can protect yourself from falling victim to their schemes
Verify Identity: Whenever you receive a message or call asking for personal information or money, always verify the identity of the sender or caller Ask for their name, company, and contact details Legitimate organisations won't hesitate to provide this information
Research: Before engaging with any unfamiliar company or individual, do your research Look for reviews, ratings, and complaints online If something seems too good to be true, it probably is
Secure Websites: When making online transactions or sharing sensitive information, ensure the website is secure Look for HTTPS in the URL (web address) and a padlock symbol in the address bar These indicate a secure connection
Be Wary of Unsolicited Communication: Be cautious of unsolicited emails, texts, or calls,
especially if they ask for personal information or request immediate action Legitimate organisations typically won't contact you out of the blue asking for sensitive details
Use Strong Passwords: Protect your online accounts with strong, unique passwords Avoid using easily guessable information such as your birthday or pet's name Consider using a password manager to securely store and generate passwords
Stay Updated: Keep your devices, software, and antivirus programs up to date Updates often contain security patches that protect against the latest threats
Think Before You Click: Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources These could contain malware or lead to phishing websites designed to steal your information
Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off or too good to be true, trust your instincts and proceed with caution Don't let urgency or fear pressure you into making hasty decisions
Don't Share Personal Information: Never share sensitive information such as your Social Security number, bank details, or passwords over the phone or via email unless you initiated the
contact and are certain of the recipient's identity
Report Suspicious Activity: If you encounter suspicious behaviour or believe you've been targeted by a scam, report it to the relevant authorities
This can help prevent others from falling victim and may aid in catching the perpetrators
By following these simple guidelines and staying vigilant, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to scammers Remember, it's better to be cautious than to suffer the consequences of fraud or identity theft
If you receive an unexpected text or multimedia message, forward it to 33700 from your mobile phone and send a screenshot of the suspicious message This will alert the phone operators, who can take action
When it comes to suspicious emails, don't reply or open any attachments - report them to the Signal Spam website www signal-spam fr For internet scams, report them on the website www internetsignalement.gouv.fr This site fights against illegal content and can even lead to criminal investigations
Jason Khan
What makes a wine great?
Ahhhh, here we have THE philosophical conundrum for wine amateurs and professionals alike Before you get excited, just like the meaning of life, I don’t have the answer I just have my own personal insight after 10 years in the industry I can assure you that the rule of thumb ‘the more you pay the better quality wine you’ll drink’ is misguided Like many rules, there are exceptions
The wine merchant where I currently work in Saint-Emilion sells bottles starting at 15€ all the way to 32,000€
Most people’s reaction to a bottle being tens of thousands is total awe and disbelief To appease your curiosity, the bottle costing this much is a RomanéeConti Grand Cru from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Grand Cru being the highest classification for Burgundian wines, just under which you have 1er Cru, villages, and finally regional)
Classification is a great way to better understand the quality of the wines we buy
However, I will focus on the classification system which exists in Bordeaux, which will contribute to
pricing, more specifically the classification on the right bank; otherwise, this all may get confusing Currently, a classification system doesn’t exist within Pomerol even though some of the greats in wine history are produced here such as Pétrus or Lafleur, both of which are highly regarded and expensive
I will focus on Saint-Emilion, as it is one of the most prestigious classification systems Many Châteaux are part of this classification structure; right at the top of the pyramid you have your 1er Grand Cru Classé A (the only 2 being Figeac and Pavie) Just underneath you have the 1er Grand Cru Classé B (12 Châteaux occupy 1er GCC B status) and finally beneath that, you have the rest of the other 71 Grand Cru Classé
Any wines that don’t fall in the above categories will have the term ‘Bordeaux Supérieur’ on the label, which is the regional classification If you sometimes find the phrase ‘Grand Vin’ on the bottle, this will mean for some producers that wine is their best wine, so it can be a good guide for lesserknown wineries Otherwise, you’ll just
find the term ‘Bordeaux’ which is the most basic classification for everyday drinking wines, which are affordable
The status of the wineries in the classification system will have an impact on the price and, of course, the quality
However, you’re probably wondering if you can buy wine that is high quality but affordable, and the answer is of course yes, you just need to be realistic in your expectations
The reason a bottle can cost as much as a few thousand euros a bottle is down to a few simple facts, the first being scarcity High-ranking Bordeaux wines are produced in minute quantities compared to regional-level wines You are paying for a product that is rare; supply vs demand, a simple finance fact
Prestige comes into the equation; it is very hard to enter the classification system and just as hard to stay in it
This title comes with many rules, regulations, as well as responsibilities, which result in hard work, dedication, and discipline Other factors come into play, such as terroir, where is the vineyard based? If you are fortunate to possess some of the best soils
(ironically, the ‘poorer’ the soil, the better the vine will thrive; however, that is a story for another day) Other components include the quality of the vines, the standard of the grapes, and finally, the winemaker’s touch
Do you need to pay 32,000€ to enjoy a bottle of wine? Of course not! My advice is to take some time to learn the classification of the different viticultural regions you're interested in buying, do your research, set your budget, and be realistic in your expectations If the wine costs 2€ in the supermarket, the likelihood is that it’s not going to blow your mind; I don’t care how pretty the label is If you’re unsure, Google it You can get some great quality Grand Cru Classé Bordeaux for 25-50€ a bottle, and the quality will be sublime And let’s not forget, taste is personal; there is no room for snobbery in wine Buy, taste, see what you think, and repeat
www.instagram.com/theloiregirl
by Peter Lowth
The joy of Feeder Fishing
Feeder fishing is the presentation of a small amount of free bait with the hook bait to attract a fish Usually delivered accurately into the same area you are fishing via a cast (there are no bait boats or catapults used in feeder fishing), the purpose is to attract the fish to your fishing position Feeders are often used to overcome challenges such as weather and deep or distant swims, where throwing in bait accurately or fishing a float is impossible
Feeders come in a multitude of styles, weights, shapes, and sizes to cater for different types of bait The original swim feeder was simply a plastic capsule filled with holes, designed to release free bait down near the fish as efficiently as possible, but now the options are endless and the key feeder types can be grouped into: maggot, method, pellet, cage, and hybrid feeders
The type of bait used per feeder varies For maggot and pellet feeders, the bait to use is self-explanatory For cage feeders, a combination of ground bait and natural baits (maggots or casters) mixed together is used For method and hybrid feeders, it is generally a mix of ground bait and softened pellets To
soften the pellets, soak in water for 60 seconds, then strain before adding to the feeder
To cast the feeder, rods and reels specifically for feeder fishing are available with interchangeable tips for smaller or larger fish These rods are also produced for shorter or longerrange fishing
The skill in feeder fishing is watercraft and identifying where the fish are feeding Whether it be an island feature, deeper water, or a near or far bank of a lake or river, you then need the ability to regularly cast to that area to build up a source of food for the fish Whichever feeder type you use or whichever feeder rod you buy, the principles are basically the same with the accuracy of casting being paramount
For a competition, I would set up a rod to deliver a bed of free bait to the chosen area I was fishing After that, I would use a smaller feeder with hook bait delivered to the same area and cast frequently Once you start catching fish in those areas, it is important to keep feeding However, if you prefer a relaxed fishing session, then little and often can also work well
The most important element of feeder fishing is the accuracy of your casting; this takes practice To aid with precision casting, use your line clip on the spool
Once you are happy with the cast distance, put your line behind the clip on your spool to set the distance at which you can cast This enables you to cast to the same spot every time
The joy of feeder fishing is that this method can provide the perfect combination of fishing and relaxation, while enjoying the natural environment around you!
Till next month, tight lines!
Peter Lowth is an experienced angler with over 40 years of fishing knowledge in match, predator, coarse and fly fishing Growing up near Bath, fishing local rivers and ponds, he then transitioned to competitive fly fishing and in recent years competed on the UK match fishing circuit He opened Les Forges Fishing venue, located near Pescalis, in early 2023 –www lesforgesfishing com
Feeder fishing in action
5 July 1889, Jean Cocteau the influential French poet, filmmaker, and painter, is born in Maisons-Laffitte Known for masterpieces like "Les Enfants Terribles," Cocteau became a leading figure in the avant-garde movement His varied body of work made a lasting impact on 20th-century art literature and film
8 July 1951, Paris celebrates its 2 000th anniversary Founded around 250 B C by the Celtic Parisii tribe along the Seine River, their settlement Lutetia became an important trading hub After the Roman conquest in 52 B C Lutetia evolved into Paris retaining the name from its original settlers
10 July 1509, John Calvin a prominent religious reformer and theologian is born in Picardy As the leading French Protestant reformer, Calvin became a central figure in the second generation of the Protestant Reformation, known for his influential work "Institutes of the Christian Religion" and his role in establishing Reformed theology in Geneva
14 July 1789, Parisian revolutionaries and mutinous troops storm the Bastille a royal fortress and prison symbolising Bourbon tyranny This pivotal event ignites the French Revolution, leading to a decade of political upheaval and terror marked by the Reign of Terror during which King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette are executed
16 July 1993, British forensic scientists announce they have positively identified the remains of Tsar Nicholas II his wife Tsarina Alexandra and three of their daughters Found in a mass grave near Yekaterinburg in 1979, these remains confirmed their execution by Bolsheviks on 17 July 1918, ending over 300 years of Romanov rule
22 July 2019, the French submarine Minerve is rediscovered off the coast of Toulon France The vessel had mysteriously disappeared on 27 January 1968 during a training mission in the Mediterranean Sea, resulting in the loss of all 52 crew members Its rediscovery ended a 51-year maritime mystery and provided closure to grieving families
24 July 1534, French navigator Jacques Cartier lands in what is now Canada for the first time Commissioned by King François I of France, Cartier explored the Gulf of Saint Lawrence in search of gold spices and a northern passage to Asia Cartier s voyages laid the foundation for France s future claims to Canadian territory
27 July 1924, the 1924 Summer Olympics officially the Games of the VIII Olympiad, conclude in Paris These games feature 4 4 nations, 3,089 athletes, and introduce the Olympic motto "Citius Altius Fortius " Highlights include Paavo Nurmi's five gold medals and the first official Olympic Village for athletes
Changing Seasons
We are all aware that our climate is changing, and you only have to think about weather patterns over the past few years to understand the uncertainty this causes Whatever you do, whether it’s working with crops or livestock, renovating a house, or planting your garden/veggie patch, you need to know what to expect from the weather Current scientific thinking states that more ‘extreme weather events’ are likely to occur in the near future, along with dramatic rises in air and sea temperatures All of this will have, and is already having, an effect on life on earth, and as everything is interconnected, the challenges are complex
What does all this mean for beekeepers? More and more we have to take notice of how things are changing and try to help our bees cope Heatwaves are no fun for us and even less so for our bees They work hard all year round to keep their environment inside the hive at a constant temperature, and while we worry about them keeping warm enough in winter, it’s easy to forget that they need to keep cool enough in summer Water is required not just for them to drink but to keep the brood, the baby bees, hydrated, so they don’t dry out and die in the cells The future of a colony lies in its queen continuing to lay healthy eggs that develop successfully into efficient workers – if there is a shortage of essential water or food then the colony may instruct the queen to stop laying
Parasol anyone? “Yes please” say the bees
The knock-on effect of this is to reduce the number of bees in the colony at a time when more are needed to collect stores for the winter months
Just as we stay indoors (or at least in the shade) at the hottest part of the day, bees reduce their foraging activity at higher temperatures This is typically linked to the fact that nectar is also not as readily available in these circumstances Bees will reduce their foraging distances during heatwaves to mitigate the risk of overheating; their jobs will change from foraging for pollen and nectar to collecting water Warmer winters cause problems too Instead of semi-hibernating, the bees will be active, consuming stores and even raising brood While foraging flights may be possible, food sources are likely to be few and far between Warmer weather may herald longer mating seasons with new queens and drones being produced earlier than usual, and perhaps for longer – but the accompanying wetter weather will have an adverse effect on mating opportunities Drone brood can be neglected if there is a perceived problem e g lack of nectar due to hot weather, and this in turn means that the resulting drones are not as strong or as virile The queens are then poorly mated and in turn this leads to weaker colonies
Heat exhaustion can be sneaky and creep up on anyone, so if you are a beekeeper remember to keep your hive
Taking it easy in the heat
inspection times to a minimum and do them on cooler days if possible Stay hydrated and don’t do any heavy lifting unless it’s absolutely necessary Be aware too of the risk of fires if you use a smoker – ensure it is put out properly and definitively when you have finished with it
All of this sounds a bit grim and doomsaying (who doesn’t like a sunny day?) but we do need to be aware of the possible ramifications of climate change on our bees Honey bees are resourceful and will face up to the challenges ahead, but if we can help them, let’s do it Put out some water for your bees and have a drink yourself!
Fancy keeping bees? Call is on 05 45 71 22 90, email us on info@13bees co uk or visit our website www 13bees co uk for more information
Hassle-free customs clearance. Careful removal service between UK-France-UK. Full house moves, part loads to single items and vehicles. Free pre-move storage for part loads.
Deliveries accepted on your behalf between 8am-4pm, Monday to Friday. French-speaking crew. Owner operated since 1995. International transport licence.
PLEASE CALL STEPHEN on +44 (0) 7966 287430 or email: smartmovers@hotmail.co.uk
Welcome back to my Garden Diary; here we are in July already Did you know July 3rd marks the beginning of the “Dog days of Summer”? Spanning from 3rd July to 11th August, this period marks when the Sun aligns with Sirius, the Dog Star In ancient times, people believed that this celestial event resulted in scorching hot weather when Sirius and the Sun worked together We will soon learn if our summer is to be a scorcher or carry on unsettled and showery
After such a wet winter, spring, and early summer, our garden is jungle-like in places I had two weeks in the UK from mid to late May, as my mum had a knee reconstruction operation; she's not quite back to her activities of dancing, bowling, walking, and gardening, but it won't be long I am sure! I did some gardening whilst I was there, of course, some weeding, setting geraniums, and feeding roses among other things Whilst I was away, Mr Hill tried each day to cut the grass here, and more or less guaranteed, rain
fell at 2 pm just as he finished his lunch! He did get most of it done a couple of days before my return, I am glad to report
On my return, I spent a long while deadheading, of course Certainly, before the cases were unpacked, I was out with secateurs in one hand and a glass of wine in the other I really miss my garden when I am away Of course, I miss my dogs and Martin, but the garden somehow has become a very special place over the last few years, and I miss the daily walk around to check on seedlings, new plants, and how the birds are getting on with nesting too
At my parents', there are jackdaws living in some very tall trees nearby Of course, I was feeding them over the wall One morning, I was walking down the road to Tesco when, behind me, I had three of them trotting along behind me! I must have forgotten to give them my toast crust that morning The final day of my stay, two adults arrived with a greyish black chick on the wall; I can
only assume its parents They gave me a long stare and then all gracefully flew back to the tall trees It's something I won't forget in a hurry
14th July celebrations will soon be here and then St Swithun's Day on the 15th You probably recall the folklore, “if on St Swithun's Day ye do rain, for forty days it will remain ” Let's all cross our fingers for a dry day!
I love this quote from Terri Guillemets: “I drifted into a summer nap under the hot shade of July, serenaded by a cicada lullaby, to drowsy warm dreams of distant thunder ”
Well, if we do get summer thunderstorms, will you be harvesting the rainwater? It's always kinder to use rainwater on plants than tap water and a valuable resource in any garden, large or small My good friend Claire had installed some new water storage in the springtime, and they were soon full; she was filling every watering can she possessed to make room for more water A true gardening friend after my own heart
Clare Hill
Jobs for July
• Harvest garlic and onions from late June onwards To enable them to dry out, you can lay them on top of the soil for a few days, watch out for any showers, then store in a cool, dry place
• Harvest new potatoes; I love them steamed with fresh mint
• July is the ideal time to plant biennials like foxgloves, honesty, sweet rocket, and stocks for flowering the next spring Think about sowing delphinium seeds for flowers the following summer too Some varieties can be excellent for bees and other pollinators too
• A few fast-growing crops include radish, French beans, and carrots Carrots can be sown directly into shallow drills or into pots; try to avoid thinning them out to prevent carrot fly
• Plant out winter cabbages so they are mature before Christmas Plant 45cm
apart, keep well-watered over the summer, and check for cabbage white caterpillars; place netting over the crop if needed
• You can sow lettuce seeds in shallow drills or pots, thin the seedlings, and then harvest young leaves, or try the cut and come again varieties
If you have wisteria, best practice is to cut back the new whippy growth to 7 buds from the plant in July I save the offcuts for using in wreaths and if strong enough, natural garden supports (when dried)
• Water camellias over the summer, especially if they are in pots This helps the plant set flowers for next spring
• To encourage dahlias to bloom, nip out the tops with your fingers to give a bushier plant, and then after blooms have faded, keep deadheading to encourage more blooms
• Olive trees will benefit from a summer feed right through to September I use
a granular feed especially for olives and citrus plants
• You can take cuttings from succulents easily over the summer; the small clusters can be broken off and replanted or given away to friends to start their collection
• If you are deadheading your roses, you can take some cuttings at the same time Choose a healthy stem around the thickness of a pencil Cut them around 10cm tall and remove the majority of the leaves Dip the end into rooting powder if you have some, then pop into a tall plant pot with a mix of soil and compost I do 4 to a pot Label them as you won't remember what they are! Keep watered You may propagate for your own use in the garden, never to sell, as roses are subject to Plant Breeders' Rights Laws
Helping Wildlife in July
Avoid trimming hedges and trees; blackbirds, thrushes, sparrows, greenfinches, and goldfinches often nest as late as August, often with a second brood Always check hedges and shrubs thoroughly before trimming
One year I was mowing under our hazel tree, I knocked my head on a branch, and down came a nest and three goldfinch chicks We successfully raised all three chicks until they fledged, as the parents stayed around and I fed them every 2 to 3 hours! I really did have empty nest syndrome after the third one flew!
Leave shallow bowls of water out for the hedgehogs; babies will be emerging in June to July The birds and insects, including dragonflies, will also appreciate a refreshing drink or bath too Make sure there are shallow areas with pebbles or stones at the edge
Help butterflies to breed in your garden by planting a few of the plants where they lay their eggs; hops or currant varieties are used by the Comma butterfly, for example Both the Small White and Large White love nasturtiums, and the Holly Blue favours both holly and ivy
Well, one of my favourite things to do in July is to admire the many fields of sunflowers growing in this wonderful region we call home
Enjoy your July, À bientôt,
About Clare
Clare along with her husband Martin and their furr y family moved to North Vienne in 2017 with a passion for plants inherited from her family, Clare is currently studying Horticulture with the Royal Horticultural Society Previously working in corporate and private banking Clare now enjoys the tranquility of her garden where she experiments and nurtures her favorite plants, especially roses An animal lover, Clare shares her home with 4 rescue dogs and a mischievous puppy She also loves brocantes and vide greniers and is
and a Tai Chi/Qi Gong
Reiki
Clubs & Associations
Alcoholics Anonymous - South West France
If you or someone you know has a drinking problem, there are now a number of English-speaking meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous in the South West of France
Alcoholics Anonymous is a Fellowship of men and women who share experiences, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism
The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking
There are no dues or fees for AA membership and AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organisation or institution Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety
For help or information, telephone: 05 31 60 90 95 or visit: www aafrance net
Crafts, Community and Friendship We run regular workshops and events as well as offer community workshop space for crafting and making Learn new skills and share your talents New members welcome Contact us for details: therepairshed@naturalcrafts.eu or telephone 05 49 80 39 57
French Lessons for English Speakers
Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall), 4 Place Leopold Bergeon, 79150 Argenton-les-Vallées
Classes: beginners or intermediate Private lessons on request Contact: rendez-vous79@orange.fr
CHORALE MELUSINE, PARTHENAY - French 4-part choir, established over 30 years (with 4 English members) and always looking for "new blood"! Excellent Musical Director Come to a rehearsal on Tuesday evenings and see if it's for you Contact Keith for info keithandcarol@orange fr 0671 14 16 72
Combined Services Support Group - CSSG is a community of ex services, police, and firefighters. We meet socially and raise funds for ex-service charities For information, email Andrea Cornwall: andreacornwall79@icloud com
For confidential welfare support contact Geoff Godfrey: geoffandhelen@hotmail co uk
Airvault Conversation - Come and practice your French with a friendly group of French and English speakers Every Wednesday at 7pm at the Salle CSC 16 rue Emmanuel Bonnet, 79600 AIRVAULT
Call Christian for more information: 05 49 63 04 78
AFVBC - The newly formed North Charente Maritime Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club meets the second Sunday of every month at 10:15 a m at the Relais d'Aulnay
Reservations with Ann and Allan at walpcs@yahoo co uk
PLAY and LEARN ACOL BRIDGE
If you are interested in learning or playing acol Bridge at Pause Cafe, L’Absie, every second and fourth Friday at 2pm please contact philjan9@hotmail com
Craft Café Creatif - We are a craft group who meet once a fortnight on a Wednesday afternoon at Pause Café, L'Absie Our members knit,crochet,sew, embroider etc We craft and socialize over a cup of tea New members welcome - contact barbarawhitehouse@yahoo co uk
CONVERSAtION WORKShOP FRENCh/ENGLISh IN thOUARS
An opportunity to have a friendly contact, to form friendships,and improve mutual understandings of different cultures Come along every wednesday, from 7 30pm to 9pm, at Centre Socio-Culturel 21 avenue Victor Hugo 79100 THOUARS Contact : v venotbonnet@gmail com or eugene mc cabe@hotmail com
melleran Chanteurs - Amateur singing group that meets every Monday at 6:45 pm at the Salle des Fêtes in Melleran French and English members singing in many languages New voices are always welcome, especially tenor and bass For more information, please contact Alison Hudson 05 49 29 65 31
Vasles Netball Club - Want to keep fit, have fun & make new friends? Join us every Monday from 5 30 - 7pm & Thursday 6 30 - 8pm at the Salle Omnisports in Vasles Open to men & women of all abilities and experience. Two free taster sessions. FB @VaslesNetballClub Email: vaslesnetballclub@gmail.com
Acceuil des Villes Françaises - A French association dedicated to welcoming newcomers from all over France and abroad to their new surroundings; helping them integrate, speak French, and feel 'at home' through social events. pjhenderson@orange.fr www.avf.asso.fr
Les Amis Solitaires is a group of people living alone in France We organise social events and meet for coffee at The Lemon Tree in Sauze Vaussais, 11am every 2nd and 4th Thursday Contact Pennie on pennietelford@hotmail.com
Royal British Legion - Bordeaux & South West France
Do you need help or advice?
Contact us at: rblbx assistance@gmail com www facebook com/groups/306085566632991
Are you single and living in the South Vendee? Would you like to meet others for social events with the emphasis on fun and not dating? We meet in Fontenay-le-Comte on the first Wednesday morning of each month Occasional weekend lunches Find us on Facebook SOLO EN FRANCE (Sud Vendée) or contact Rosalind at soloenfrance@outlook fr for further information
British and French cultural association consisting of theatre group, choir (Keynotes), book club and poetry appreciation Weekly choir rehearsals at Scillé Monthly book and poetry meetings at Fenioux New members warmly welcome For more information email reactiontheatrefrance@gmail com
WhY NOt jOIN thE RAF FAmILY?
RAFA Sud-Ouest France
Le Perail, 17250 BEURLAY, France Tel: 05 46 95 38 89 email: admin@rafasudouest fr
Netball: Clessé Allstars - The Clessé Allstars netball club meets every Monday at Salle Omnisports, Clessé 79350 from 7:00 to 8:30 p m We welcome players and supporters of all ages and abilities Join us for a free taster session before signing up. FB @clubdenetballclesse
Clubs & Associations Submission: Include title and 40-word max entry (with contact details) and optional logos if space allows. Free ads rotate monthly; for guaranteed monthly printing, pay a 4.50€ monthly fee (54€ annually). Email submissions to: info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
Clubs & Associations
Working together to capitalise on our collective strength
In an exciting step towards community collaboration, several associations in the Deux-Sèvres are planning to meet to support each other and share resources
The first meeting will take place on Friday 19 July at 2pm in the Café Des Belles Fleurs in Fenioux The aim of this meeting is to bring together representatives of the various associations to discuss common goals and challenges
This initiative began with informal discussions between members of different associations who recognised the benefits of working together
Although each group has its own identity, they face similar hurdles such as addressing overlapping groups, securing the best event dates and managing limited resources
"The beauty of this initiative is that we have recognised our collective strength," says Graham from Reaction Theatre "We all have unique perspectives and talents, but we also share many of the same challenges
When we come together, we can find ways to support each other"
The upcoming meeting will address these common challenges and explore opportunities for collaboration
Participants will first give a brief overview of their respective associations to develop a better understanding of each group's mission and focus They will then discuss their strengths and weaknesses and talk openly about where they are particularly good and where they could use support This honest exchange aims to identify potential areas for mutual support and partnership
Event coordination is another important topic on the agenda By discussing their event plans, the associations hope to avoid conflicts and find opportunities for joint events
This approach will ensure that events do not overlap and that attendance and visibility are maximised In terms of resources, a system for borrowing and sharing items will be introduced at the meeting This joint effort will help the associations save money that they
can use for their most important activities and initiatives
"One of our goals is to streamline the work of volunteers," explains one of the attendees "By setting up a centralised volunteer search system, we can make it easier to find and organise volunteers where they are needed most This will make a world of difference for many of us"
Finally, opportunities for collaboration with small businesses and artisans who may be interested in participating in events will also be discussed It is expected that this collaboration with local businesses will add value to the associations' activities and increase engagement
A major problem was that many associations were not aware of the existence of the others The aim of this meeting is to improve communication and collaboration and ensure that resources are used efficiently and events are well coordinated
"We realised that there is so much potential in working together," says Suzette from Association Violet "By sharing information, best practises and resources, we can strengthen our impact in the community Collaborating on event planning and volunteer needs helps us avoid issues and make our overall work more effective "
Future meetings could discuss topics such as administrative structures, volunteer exchanges and the collation of shared resources By building strong community links, the associations aim to create a network of solidarity and support
If you belong to an association and would like to get involved in this collaboration, please contact Graham at reactiontheatrefrance@gmail com Participation will be possible either in person or via video link
This meeting is a great opportunity for local associations to join forces, share resources and increase their collective impact in the Deux-Sèvres
Come and join us!
Graham – Reaction Theatre
Suzette – Association Violet Michele – Get Together
This month seems to have flown past for Reaction groups (or should that be sailed due to the amount of rain we have all had?)
Which leads me nicely on to mention our Plant sale held at Pause Café in L Absie at the end of April Many of us had been standing over our cuttings and seedlings tr ying to breathe life into ver y small plants to encourage them to grow in the cold and wet; luckily enough of them sur vived to make a ver y credible amount of 335€! Thanks to our hosts but with apologies for your floors as buyers and sellers tramped through the café to access the sale in the garden
If we repeat this event next year we will hope the weather is kinder to us!
We have arranged for six of our members to attend a First Aid course in September and are particularly grateful that some of our French members have volunteered to help with the inevitable translation of medical matters This means the majority of our groups will be covered by an up-to-date First Aider, in addition of course to retired medical professionals and those of us who have been first aid trained in the past but can no longer get down to the floor easily (and/or in my case get up again!)
Our Summer concerts are now booked for the end of June, which will have passed before the publication of this month s Deux-Sèvres Monthly If you venture across the border to neighbouring Vendée you will find us at the Mer vent Fête de la Musique on Friday 28th June at the Salle de Mariage in Mer vent 20 30 This and other acts are free to all
Talking of concerts, we are in the initial planning stages of a Christmas concert, venue and dates to be confirmed in the next edition of the Deux-Sèvres Monthly
Our aim will be to provide a similar variety performance with a Christmas theme, having considered the feedback our audience kindly provided last October (We do listen to what you tell us and tr y to be responsive to your wishes bearing in mind of course that no-one can please ever yone all the time )
On that note please let us know if you have any questions or comments for us we do like to please our audiences if possible!!
A simple side dish that will go perfectly with your summer barbecues, this salad makes use of stone fruit that's at its peak this time of the year Burrata is a lovely creamy cheese that adds more heft but without an overpowering flavour Mozzarella can be substituted in its place
INGREDIENTS
2 nectarines quartered
125g salad greens
125g burrata
A handful of walnuts roughly chopped
2 5 tbsp olive oil
Juice from a quarter of a lemon
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
1 5 tsp honey
1 tsp finely chopped fresh herbs such as rosemary or thyme
A good pinch of salt
METHOD
• Heat a grill pan on medium heat Brush its surface with a tablespoon of olive oil Once properly hot, place the nectarine slices cut side down and let it grill for a few minutes until slightly softened and you see nice dark grill marks on the fruit This can also be done on an outdoor grill Transfer the grilled nectarine slices to a plate and set aside
• Place the salad leaves in a large mixing bowl In a separate small bowl, make the salad dressing by whisking together the olive oil, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, honey, herbs and salt Taste and balance the tartness and sweetness of the dressing by adding more vinegar or honey if needed
• Set aside about half a teaspoon of the dressing and pour the rest onto the leaves in the larger bowl and mix thoroughly
• Transfer the salad leaves to a serving platter Arrange the nectarine slices on top and scatter the walnuts all over Place the burrata in the middle of the platter and drizzle the half teaspoon dressing on top of it Slice the burrata to reveal the creamy interior Serve immediately
Sujatha Otzen
One Pan Sautéed Courgettes & Orzo (Serves 3-4)
If you're looking for a quick one pan supper on a warm summer day, then this is it Any number of summer vegetables can be added in along with the courgettes, Aubergines, especially, would make a lovely addition If you have bacon lardons or chorizo on hand,it can be crisped up at the start and folded into the pan at the very end as well To convert cups to millilitres (ml), you can use the conversion factor that 1 cup is approximately 240 ml
INGREDIENTS
1 large or 2 small courgettes sliced into thin rounds
2 tbsp olive oil + a large knob of butter (about 25g)
1 shallot finely chopped
1 clove of garlic finely chopped
200g orzo
1 tsp paprika powder
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp dried chilli flakes
1 tbsp tomato puree
4-5 cups chicken or vegetable stock
Zest of one lemon
4-5 tbsp grated parmesan
Salt and pepper to taste
METHOD
• Toss the courgette slices with a tablespoon of olive oil and season with salt and pepper Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a heavy bottomed pan on medium heat Once hot, add the courgette slices and saute them until they begin to soften and turn golden brown and crispy along the edges Remove them from the pan and set aside
• Reduce the heat and add the butter to the pan Once the butter has melted, add the chopped shallots and garlic and fry for a minute Then add the paprika powder, oregano and chilli flakes followed by the orzo and tomato puree Mix everything together and cook for a minute or two
• Pour in about 4 cups of stock Season with salt Let the contents of the pan come up to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer Cover the pan and let it cook for about 10-12 minutes
• Check after this time to see if the orzo has cooked and add more stock if needed It needs to have a consistency similar to risotto and shouldn't be overcooked
• Once done, take the pan off the heat and stir through the lemon zest and parmesan Check for seasoning Mix in the courgette slices and serve immediately
Cherry & Almond Oat
Crumble Muffins (Makes 6)
The cherries in this recipe can be replaced with other summer berries such as blueberries or strawberries It can also be baked in a cake form using a small 18-20cm round cake tin The ingredients can easily be doubled to get more than 6 muffins if needed The muffins will keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for a couple of days
INGREDIENTS
For the crumble -
50g plain flour
50g light or dark brown sugar
20g rolled oats
A pinch of salt
½ tsp ground cinnamon
50g cold butter cut into cubes
For the muffins100g plain flour
50g ground almonds
½ tsp baking powder
A pinch of salt
50g butter melted
50g sugar
1 large egg
75ml milk (any kind)
Around 200g pitted cherries
METHOD
• Preheat the oven to 180c Line the bottom of a 6 hole muffin tin with muffin cases and set aside
• Make the crumble by putting all the ingredients for it in a large bowl Rub the butter between your fingers and keep mixing it in until you see coarse crumbs form Place the bowl in the fridge until needed
• Mix the flour, ground almonds, baking powder and salt in a small bowl and set aside Add the melted butter and sugar in a large bowl and whisk until combined Add the egg and whisk again Tip in the dry ingredients and the milk into the bowl and mix it in using the whisk until you see no traces of flour Fold in the cherries using a spatula
• Spoon the batter into the muffin tin until each hole is about two thirds full Take the crumble mixture out of the refrigerator Sprinkle this on top of the muffin batter generously
• Transfer the muffin tin to the oven and bake for about 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the middle of a muffin comes out clean
• Once done, take the tin out of the oven Let the muffins cool for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely
TAKE A BREAK
Easy Crossword
ACROSS
1 Ancient counting device with beads (6)
4. Exotic island in French Polynesia. (6)
8 Pungent vegetable often chopped for cooking (5)
9 A resident of Santiago, for example (7)
10. Squares that can be used in Scrabble. (5)
11 Having a spicy or tangy flavour (7)
12. A person with unconventional behaviour. (9)
15 Opposite of deposit (in French) (7)
16. Transmitter and receiver of sound waves. (5)
17 Major vein in the neck area (7)
18. Thin and light, like fine strands. (5)
19 Language group including Welsh and Breton (6)
20 Underground shelter or military fortification (6)
DOWN
2. Desperado of the Wild West (6)
3 Loop system for cameras and monitors (13)
5. Seeing things that aren't there (13)
6 Gets ready for a sporting event (6)
7. Alternative medicine using needles (12)
13 Renowned wine town in Burgundy (6)
14 Coastal town in Normandy (6)
Cr yptic Crossword
(with many thanks to Mike Morris)
ACROSS
1 It's quite wet, I can see nothing in the drizzle! (5)
4 Adores cooking with two woks! (7)
8 Rubbish thrown out on higher ground (3)
9 An idolizer may be not fit to tie them? (9)
10. One at the top of the tree stoned bird? (4-5)
12. Some in anarchic, non-conformist youth leadership? (3)
13. Two thirds of comedy sketch, (Two Ronnies in fact), speaking respectfully. (2, 4, 2, 2, 3)
15. Spoil turned over in former amethyst mine. (3)
16 Tex in deep trouble, needs an advisable outcome? (9)
17 Commemorate erectable building? (9)
20 Foregone conclusion over personality (3)
21. Turning of French wheel, getting flatter. (7)
22. Goes up having taken pressure off levers. (5)
DOWN
1 Evangelist cut down after time on the carpet (7)
2. Unusual Rugby Union organisation rig real tussle. (9)
3. Although over a barrel...?(3)
4. Lay off work once up in scramble to show respect. (4, 4, 5)
5. Dell water mixture very highly esteemed. (4-5)
6. Goblin appearing in major children's trilogy. (3)
7. Cocky commandos on borders of silly. (5)
11. Settle on river as an attractive feature in the garden? (9)
12. Share vice out among those we might look up to? (9)
40 years experience in construction, including 18 years in France
FOSSE AND GROUNDWORKS 79
Building & Renovation
Our Furry Friends
Ark79's first fashion, dinner and dance event a triumph
Ark79's first fashion, dinner and dance event on 8 June in Clussais-la-Pommeraie was a resounding success bringing together fashion enthusiasts and community members for an evening of glamour and generosity The event saw a remarkable turnout of around 85 guests and raised a profit of 1656€
The evening's fashion show saw 11 models present a variety of stunning outfits Hair styling was generously provided free of charge by Alison Barker of Renaissance Background music and a disco was provided by Tony Bradley, Brett Taylor and Mike Worth from Soul Music who also donated their ser vices free of charge
We have so many beautiful clothes and regularly hold online auctions on Facebook ever y month said Emma Parrack- Graves At this event, we were able to show off some of the garments on real people and have fun”
One of the highlights of the evening was when Emma s father modelled an outfit in exchange for a 100€ donation The fashion
show consisted of three catwalks for each model and culminated in a wedding party where a beautiful donated wedding dress was displayed
During the event, the Pommeraie Players, a local drama group, presented a generous cheque for 1000€ As well as putting on performances, the group donates all profits to charity and is always looking for new members to get involved in different areas
The raffle organised by Dean and Dawn raised a further 264€ The top prize, a 50€ voucher from the Auberge de Noyer, was kindly donated by Steve and Shaun Austin Culinar y delights were provided by Paul Barker and Bev Barker-Brown, who manned the bar and kitchen and ser ved delicious sweet and sour chicken Thanks also goes to all the bakers and ever yone who helped with ser ving and washing up
Volunteers contributed greatly to the success of the evening and ensured that the food was ser ved and cleaned up on time Special thanks went to Louise Ragan the evening s compere Mandy Gillings for planning the fashion show and Abigail Harradine for helping Emma with the organisation of the event
Emma expressed her deep gratitude to all participants, volunteers and supporters "Ark really does have the most fantastic volunteers," she said recognising the important contribution of ever yone involved Not only did attendees have a great evening but they also helped to raise funds for Ark79's charitable initiatives
More events are already planned for the future, including a Beetle Drive on 20 July To stay up to date, follow Ark79 on Facebook
Afternoon tea at the Funny Farm Is a sweet success
The Funny Farm Cat Rescue hosted its very first Afternoon Tea on Saturday 1 June, and it was a huge success!
The event drew cat lovers and charity supporters from all around, selling out all 30 tickets almost instantly at just 10€ each
Guests were treated to a wonderful selection of beautifully presented sandwiches, scones, cakes and a fine
selection of teas and coffees
Heather described the afternoon as a phenomenal success and praised the hard-working volunteers for their fabulous work
"Our huge thanks to everyone who came and to our wonderful volunteers who worked tirelessly to make everything run like clockwork," said Heather "We welcomed 30 guests and the shop was open for visitors to look around before enjoying their tea There was a variety of sandwiches, cakes, desserts, tea, coffee and even nonalcoholic wine on offer "
The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive A questionnaire distributed during the event showed that everyone had a fantastic time and showed great interest in future afternoon teas "The consensus
was clear another afternoon tea in the future would be wonderful," said Holly Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers and the enthusiastic support of attendees, the event raised vital funds for the care and health of the rescued cats at the Funny Farm
Stay tuned and follow the Funny Farm Facebook page for more dates And don’t forget, the shop is open every Wednesday, with fish and chips on 17 July All proceeds will go to help support our rescued cats
Volunteers (L to R): Jocelyn, Ellen, Jean, Lila, & Jan. Thanks also to Julie, Linda, Charlotte, & Sue.
Insurance and asset management advice in English
Hello, my name is Isabelle Want For the past 10 years, I have been working for Allianz as an asset manager
Being married to an Englishman and having lived in the UK for 8 years gives me a better insight into what British people are experiencing and what they need Being French and born in the
Charente has enabled me to offer some answers
I am, as always, available for any free advice on the subjects listed below:
I work in the Allianz offices in Ruffec, La Rochefoucauld, Roumaziere Loubert and Chasseneuil sur Bonnieure and my details are at the end of the article
- INHERITANCE LAW (who inherits, death duties, solutions)
-TAXES (everybody's fear! The month of May tax forms, etc)
-INVESTMENTS (what is available, what rate, etc.)
-LIFE INSURANCE (how to protect your loved ones)
-FUNERAL COVER (preparing for the inevitable, unfortunately!) -TOP UP HEALTH INSURANCE (why you need it and how much it is)
-INSURANCES (get a free quote to see if you could save money)
Please do not hesitate to contact me for free advice on any of the above or if you think you are paying too much on your insurances and want a free quote We have a dedicated bilingual team to deal with claims
Finally, we have an English website with all sorts of useful information and tips on all of the above subjects: www bh-assurances fr/en
Open every Tuesday 10am - 4pm and the last Saturday of the month 10am - 2pm
Shop and Café Open every Wednesday 11am - 4pm
Oh my lord Francks fish and chips second Wednesday of the month from 12h00
Magasin et Café Ouvert tous les mercredis de 11h à 16h
Oh my lord Francks fish and chips le 2ème mercredi du mois à partir de 12h00
Donations welcome
Monday 10am - 12pm Wednesday 11am-3pm
Les dons sont les bienvenus les lundis 10h - 12h et mercredis de 11h à 15h
Breed: Européen
Sex: Male
Age: Adult
Date of birth: 21-04-2020
Shop
Open 10am to 4pm, Thursdays & 1st Sunday of the Month
2 Rte de Vauthion 79190 Sauzé Vaussais Furniture Barn Open 11am to 3pm, Thursdays & 1st Sunday of the Month
1 Rte de la Mare aux Loups Louba 79190 Clussais-le-Pommeraie
Email shopseventynine4hope@gmail.com
Facebook Groups: Hope79 Sauze-Vaussais Furniture for Sale Hope Associaton Charity Shop 79
MOUSTACHE
For more information, visit www association-galia fr email assogalia85@gmail com or visit facebook com/AssociationGaliaEN Wednesday 17th
money matters
by Catrina Ogilvie,
Why tax planning is so rewarding
Tax planning plays an important role in protecting your wealth, and there are numerous benefits to strategic planning
Less tax for you
The key benefit is reducing your annual tax bills We all need to pay tax but you may be paying more than necessar y particularly on savings and investments Much depends on how you hold these assets For example if you buy and sell a range of shares, you may pay capital gains tax each time, whereas investments held within an approved assurancevie ‘ wrapper ’ can roll up tax free within the policy
Many expatriates are caught out by not reviewing their arrangements after moving here Certain arrangements that were tax-efficient back home become taxable in France, and you could be missing out on effective structures available here
Less tax for your heirs
The investment structures you use to lower your annual tax liability may also reduce French succession tax for your beneficiaries Assurance-vie for example can be highly taxefficient for inheritance planning purposes
Strategic planning like this will limit inheritance taxes while also providing tax-efficient income and growth throughout your lifetime
Estate planning benefits
A significant bonus of strategic tax planning can be that the arrangements you put in place also help make things easier for your heirs Many investment arrangements that provide tax efficiency, like assurance-vie, also offer more estate planning flexibility and control
Some UK pensions are only transferable to spouses on death but when transferred to a Qualifying Recognised
Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS) or reinvested in a taxefficient structure for France, you could pass funds on to other beneficiaries
Maximising returns
Effective tax planning plays a part in helping returns outpace the cost of living Ultimately, what counts when assessing the value of investments are real returns after tax, expenses and inflation are taken into account
With investments the starting point should always be making sure your portfolio is well diversified and designed to suit your situation, needs, goals, time horizon and risk tolerance But without suitable tax planning returns can be diminished by taxes that could have been avoided or reduced, so this is important too
Moving individual investments into a wrapper like an assurance-vie policy for tax benefits will also make your life easier since the investments would be consolidated into one policy
Get the best results
Tax planning should not be done in isolation or as an afterthought – make it a fundamental part of your investment pensions estate planning and overall wealth management
It s easy to get DIY tax planning wrong especially with a foreign tax regime, and expatriates have to deal with the tax rules of two countries, so take specialist, personalised advice
Summarised tax information is based upon our understanding of current laws and practices which may change Individuals should seek personalised advice
Keep up to date on the financial issues that may affect you on the Blevins Franks news page at www blevinsfranks com
Ask Amanda
Hi Amanda, I’ve noticed that there are so many ways to access financial advice here in France, including lots of Facebook groups offering financial and taxation advice which is free Are there any disadvantages over the traditional route?
In today's fast-paced and interconnected world social media has become an integral part of our daily lives From staying up-to-date with friends and family to following the latest news and trends, social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram have revolutionised the way we communicate and share information However, when it comes to matters as important as personal finances seeking professional advice from a qualified financial advisor is essential for making informed decisions and securing a stable financial future
While social media can be a valuable source of information and advice on a wide range of topics, including personal finance, it is important to exercise caution and discernment when seeking financial guidance online The internet is a vast and unregulated space where anyone can post information or advice,
regardless of their qualifications or expertise This can lead to misinformation confusion and potentially harmful financial decisions for those who rely solely on social media for financial knowledge
On the other hand, licensed financial advisers are trained professionals who have the knowledge experience and expertise to provide sound financial advice tailored to individual needs and goals They undergo rigorous training and certification processes, ensuring that they are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of personal finance and provide informed guidance to their clients Financial advisers can help individuals create a comprehensive financial plan set achievable goals and make informed decisions about investments, savings, and retirement planning
One of the key benefits of working with a financial adviser is their fiduciar y duty to act in the best interests of their clients Unlike many financial influencers or bloggers on social media financial advisers are held to strict ethical and professional standards that require them to provide objective
Expert advice
advice and recommendations that are in the client s best interest rather than for their own financial gain This level of accountability and transparency is crucial for building trust and ensuring that clients receive unbiased and reliable financial guidance
Furthermore, financial advisers have access to a wealth of resources and tools that can help clients make informed decisions about their finances They can provide personalised advice based on an individual's unique financial situation goals and risk tolerance, helping them navigate complex financial decisions with confidence Whether it s developing a comprehensive investment strategy, planning for retirement, or managing debt financial advisers can offer valuable insights and expertise to help clients achieve their financial goals
In addition to their expertise and professionalism, financial advisers can also provide valuable support during times of economic uncertainty or market volatility The financial landscape is constantly evolving, and it can be challenging for individuals to navigate complex financial decisions on their own By working with a financial adviser individuals can benefit from their experience and knowledge, gaining peace of mind knowing that their financial future is in good hands
Whether you want to register for our newsletter, attend one of our roadshow events or speak to me directly please call or email on the contacts below and I will be glad to help you
We do not charge for our financial planning reviews, reports or consultations
Amanda Johnson tel : 06 73 27 25 43 e-mail : amanda johnson@spectrum-ifa com www spectrum-ifa com/amanda-johnson
Amanda Johnson works as an Independent Financial Adviser with the Spectrum IFA Group tel: 06 73 27 25 43 or email: amanda johnson@spectrum-ifa com www spectrum-ifa com/amandajohnson Whether you want to register for a newsletter, attend a roadshow or speak Amanda directly, please call or email her The Spectrum IFA Group do not charge for reviews, reports, or recommendations
« The Spectrum IFA Group » is a registered trademark, exclusive rights to use in France granted to TSG Insurance Services S A R L Siège Social: 34 Bd des Italiens, 75009 « Société de Courtage d'assurances » R C S Paris B 447 609 108 (2003B04384) Numéro d'immatriculation 07 025 332 - www orias fr « Conseiller en investissements financiers, référence sous le numéro E002440 par ANACOFI-CIF, association agréée par l Autorité des Marchés Financiers »
This month’s advertisers
Assurances
Baudouin
Thank you to all our advertisers - your support enables
Puzzle answers
Easy Crossword
yptic Crossword
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE YOU CAN TRUST
Ménigoute
€283,550
Ref: A29628 - Exquisite 4-bedroom house with stunning river views.
7% agency fees included paid by the buyer.
Energy class: C Climate class: C
Sainte-Verge
€399,999
Ref: A23553 - Splendid 5-bedroom house with outbuildings and grounds.
5% agency fees included paid by the buyer. Energy class: E Climate class: E
Clussais-la-Pommeraie €267,500
Ref: A17176 - 4-bedroom house with outbuildings, garden and room for a pool.
7%
D Climate class: B
Lezay
€235,400
Ref: A26953 - Renovated 3-bedroom home with garden and stone sheds.
7% agency fees included paid by the buyer.
Energy class: D Climate class: D
Azay-sur-Thouet
€160,000
Ref: A14302 - Converted barn with 2-bedroom gîte and swimming pool.
7% agency fees included paid by the buyer. Energy class: F Climate class: F
Fomperron €324,900
Ref: A26693 - Superb 4-bedroom restored property with pool and garden.
6% agency fees included paid by the buyer. Energy class: D Climate class: D Jewel
Gourgé
€352,450 Ref: A28805 - Quality conversion!
class: D Climate class: D
Messé
€192,600
Ref: A28530 - Lovely 3-bedroom home with large barn and views.
7% agency fees included paid by the buyer. Energy class: E Climate class: B
Alloinay
Sauzé-Vaussais
€84,700
Ref: A21750 - Cute 3-bedroom home with workshop, land and views.
10% agency fees included paid by the buyer. DPE: Not required
8% agency fees included paid by the buyer. Energy class: E Climate class: B Sell!
€174,995
Ref: A28077 - 2/3-bedroom stone house with outbuildings and garden.
Mairé-Levescault
€178,200 Ref: A29189 - 2-bedroom house with 8%
Ref: BVI75073 Superb farmhouse with heated pool and independant guest suite Fees: 4% paid by the buyer Net price: €466,000 Energy class: C Climate class: A
CLUSSAIS-LA-POMMERAIE
€210,000
Ref: BVI0073945 Spacious 3-bed village house. Outbuildings and enclosed gardens Fees: paid by the vendor Energy class: D Climate class: D
LOUBILLÉ
€169,500
Ref: BVI75194 Lovely 2-bed property located on the edge of the village of Noirlieu Fees: 9% paid by the buyer Net price: €145,000 Energy class: E Climate class: B
MAIRÉ-LEVESCAULT
Ref: BVI0074618 Beautiful farmhouse with pool located in the heart of Marais Poitevin Fees: 6% paid by the buyer Net price: €370,000 Energy class: B Climate class: A SAINT-AUBIN-LE-CLOUD
€149,800 HAI
Ref: BVI75201 Charming fairytale 2-bed cottage with garden in a great location Fees: 9% paid by the buyer Net price: €137,431 Energy class: F Climate class: B
Ref: BVI74014 Attractive 3-bed village house with stunning gardens and a summer house Fees: paid by the vendor Energy class: D Climate class: C
FONTIVILLIÉ
€189,000
Ref: BVI72369 Lovely stone farmhouse with large garden, just 5 minutes from Melle Fees: paid by the vendor Energy class: C Climate class: A
SAINTE-SOLINE
€154,950
Ref: BVI62411 Charming stone 3-bed village house with large secluded garden and barn Fees: paid by the vendor Energy class: E Climate class: B
