The Deux-Sèvres Monthly - September 2023

With UK pension legislation frequently changing, and the importance of protecting your retirement savings, getting specialist advice is more essential than ever. But since Brexit, UK-based pension rms no longer have the automatic right to provide regulated services to EU residents.

If you are living in France long-term, should you leave your pension in the UK? How much exibility will you have if you do? And what about your capital and income keeping pace with in ation? Blevins Franks is authorised to provide regulated advice on UK pensions and the opportunities for expatriates, so get in touch with us today.

WELCOME to the September issue of the Deux-Sèvres

Monthly magazine! Despite the unpredictable weather, we are still hoping for the return of sunny days

In this issue we are delighted to be able to finally announce the long awaited results of the 800 words short story competition - see page 17 for more details, and congratulations to the winning entries

September marks a transition period in France Following the quiet August summer holidays, the country springs back to life as businesses reopen and holidaymakers return There's an unmistakable change in the atmosphere as everyone prepares to resume their daily routines

One of the key attractions of this season in France is the "Journées du Patrimoine" or Heritage Days During this weekend, historic buildings, museums and other cultural sites that are normally closed to the public invite visitors to discover their hidden treasures It's a unique opportunity to explore the abundant history and architecture that surrounds us

This period also sees the revival of associations and clubs

Ranging from sports clubs to hobby groups, they open their doors to new members in September, organising a variety of activities and events Whether you're interested in joining a local sports group, learning a new craft, or volunteering for a charity, many towns hold events where you can meet and join these organisations

This time of year is filled with festivals, events, and opportunities to explore the rich culture and heritage From exploring historical sites to joining local associations, there's no shortage of ways to make the most of this season

Our What's On guide for September is full of local events, most of which occur around the Journées du Patrimoine weekend of 16 – 17 September but we’re included others too If you have any events for our October issue, please email us at info@thedeuxsevresmonthly fr

So, we hope the sun finally begins to shine, and we can't wait to see you in October!

Kathleen

& Chris

tel: 07 86 99 16 17

email: info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr

emergency numbers

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 ei 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 siret: 90043034900028. issn: 2115-4848

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

MR T’S FISH & CHIPS

Regular venues at:

• Aulnay de Saintonge 17470 • Beauvais Sur Matha 17490

• St Jean D’Angély 17400 • Sauzé-Vaussais Hope 79 79190

• La Chaumière, La Chapelle 16140 • Charroux 86250

• Saintes 17100 • Savigné 86400

Remember to pick up your copy of The Deux-Sèvres Monthly!

Tel: 06 02 22 44 74

email: mrt fishandchips@gmail com www frying4u2nite com

CHURCH NOTICES

the Filling Station - Poitou-charentes. 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-nouvelle-civray com

the chaplaincy of christ the good Shepherd, Poitou-charentes Normally holds Sunday services in English Please see our website for current information: www churchinfrance com

christian mission Fellowship An evangelical mission at the heart of Poitou-Charentes, Western France

Please visit our website for more details www chef-boutonne net

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

Wednesday a m

Thursday a m

Celles-sur-Belle79370 Centre Ville

Niort 79000 place des Halles

Parthenay 79200 rue Jean-Jaurès

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

Cherveux 79410 Centre Ville

Coulonges-sur-l'Autize 79160 place des Halles

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

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

Thénezay 79390 place de L'Hôtel de Ville

local markets in neighbouring departments

Monday a m 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

Surgéres 17700 rue Audry de Puyravault

Friday a m Civray 86400 place Leclerc

Doue-la-Fontaine 49700 place René Nicolas

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

r ugby World Cup 2023: a Summer of Sport and excitement

Summer 2023 has been awash with sporting occasions including the FIFA Women’s World Cup and The Ashes on our televisions and radios Just when you think it's safe to breathe, the 2023 Rugby World Cup (RWC) is about to hit our screens

The tournament was first held in 1987, where it was co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, and perhaps not surprisingly New Zealand ultimately won beating France in the final Since 1987, two countries have won 3 times each (New Zealand and South Africa), Australia have won twice and England have won once Who can forget Jonny Wilkinson’s drop goal in the dying seconds of the final in 2003?

England will kick off their campaign against Argentina in Marseille on September 9th Scotland and Wales, known for the passion of their fans, are also raring to go Meanwhile, Ireland, with their never-say-die spirit, will start their journey against a determined Romania team in Bordeaux

Then there's France The hosts will open the tournament with a blockbuster match against New Zealand It's going to be a real

spectacle and a fitting start to what promises to be a great tournament

The 10th Rugby World Cup will be he in France and starts on the 8th September, and after the Pool match and the knockout stages, the final wi held on the 28th October in the Stad France with the winner lifting the We Cup – Named after William Webb Elli English Anglican Clergyman who is cr with inventing the game exactly 200 ago in 1823

There are four Pools (Pools A to D) with 5 teams per Pool, with a series of round-robin matches Once all matches are complete the top two teams progress to the Quarter-Final knockout stage England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, and with the hosts, France are all in the Top 10 International rankings so we should have plenty to cheer about Nine host cities have been chosen to host the competition this year (Bordeaux, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Nantes, Nice, Paris, SaintEtienne, and Toulouse), with the opening and closing matches being held at the Stade de France just North of Paris While it is always

back and watch all of the action in the comfort of your own home, or in your local bar with a chance to brush up on your French rugby terminology

la bagarre brawl

une transformation conversion

un drop drop goal/kick

une passe en avant forward pass

la mi-temps half-time

un en-avant knock-on

les arrêts du jeu injury time

une touche line-out

un arrêt de volée mark

un maul / une mêlée ouverte/spontanée maul

le hors-jeu offside

le pack pack

une passe pass

le coup de pied placé place kick

le coup de volée punt

EngLand v argEntina

Sat, 9 SEPt 21:00

EngLand v JaPan

SUn 17 SEPt 21:00

un regroupement ruck

une mêlée scrum

Sat, 16 SEPt 21:00

SoUth aFrica v irELand

Sat, 23 SEPt 21:00

ScotLand v tonga

SUn 24 SEPt 17:45

ScotLand v romania

Sat, 30 SEPt 21:00

irELand v ScotLand

Sat, 7 oct 21:00

toussaint All Saints Day

Wednesday 1 November 2023

armistice de 1918 Armistice Day

Saturday 11 November 2023

noël Christmas Day

Monday 25 December 2023

Jour de l'an New Year's Day

Monday 1 January 2024

Pâques Easter Sunday

Sunday 31 March 2024

Lundi de Pâques Easter Monday

Monday 1 April 2024

EngLand v chiLE

Sat, 23 SEPt 17:45

EngLand v Samoa

Sat 7 oct 17:45

Fête du travail Labour Day

Wednesday 1 May 2024

victoire de 1945 VE Day

Wednesday 8 May 2024

ascension Ascension Day

Thursday 9 May 2024

dimanche de Pentecôte Whit

Sunday

Sunday 19 May 2024

Lundi de Pentecôte Whit Monday Monday 20 May 2024

Fête nationale "Bastille Day" Sunday 14 July 2024

assomption Assumption Day

Thursday 15 August 2024

un plaquage tackle

la brutalité thuggery

un essai try

une chandell up and under

LE vitraiL, L’art dE La coULEUr

Throughout September

Parthenay

Explore the “Stained Glass, Art of Colour” exhibition, featuring replicas of exquisite stained glass windows from churches in Parthenay-Gâtine This exhibition spans from the Middle Ages to the present day, offering unique insights into the role of colour in stained glass parthenay fr

FEStivaL Photo

Throughout September

Moncoutant sur Sèvre

This year, the photography festival is celebrating its 13th year and will welcome documentary photographer Réhahn (@rehahn photography) as guest of honour festivalphotomoncoutant fr

atELiEr PromEnonS noUS

Throughout September

Oiron

An opportunity for children to investigate the chateau grounds and uncover history, fauna, flora, and produce art via a variety of interactive activities A booklet with all the information is provided to assist accompanying adults chateau-oiron.fr

toUr oF thE ExtErior oF chatEaU maiSontiErS

1 – 17 September

Maisontiers

An opportunity not to be missed With an impressive 80m northern facade and 40m moat, the château holds great historical significance Explore the beautiful park with centuries-old trees tourisme-deux-sevres.com

“From commUnES to amaLgamation: 50yrS oF hiStory”

1 – 17 September

Bressuire

An exhibition marking the 50th anniversary of ten Bocage Bressuirais communes uniting under the 1971 Marcellin law Showcasing their origins as Middle Ages parishes and postRevolution communes, it highlights their achievements and shared history ville-bressuire fr

arK 79 FEtE

2 September

Ste Soline

Join the ARK 79 Charity Fete at Ste Soline Lake/Park for a fun-filled day with a live auction, dog show, food, and music The event is held to raise funds for abused and abandoned animals

Ark79 com

PEScaLiS SUmmEr marKEt

3 & 10 September

Moncoutant-sur-Sevre

Enjoy the farmers’ and craft market at Pescalis, complete with entertainment and on-site catering options pescalis com

thE chaPEL and thE chatEaU

3 – 17 September

thouars

Join a guided tour of the Chapel of Notre Dame and the Castle of the Dukes of La Trémoïlle every Sunday at 3pm Learn more about the history of these two buildings in historic Thouars thouars fr

gUidEd toUr oF L’abbatiaLE dE

L’abSiE

6 September

L’absie

In 1932, this abbey church was officially recognised as a historic monument But there’s more - this hidden gem holds a real treasure : stunning medieval wall paintings tourisme-bocage com

dU StrEEt’ art à La maiSon diEU

8, 9, 10 & 15, 16, 17 September

Chatillon-sur-Thouet

From street art to la Maison Dieu - as part of Arts Week and in partnership with Jacqu’arts, come and discover the new exhibition at la Maison Dieu chatillonsurthouet fr

FêtE dES aSSociationS

9 September

Coulonges-sur-L’autize

Discover the numerous associations in the town, engage with volunteers, and take part in free activities and demonstrations A food truck will be available for lunch It’s the perfect time to join a sports, charitable, or cultural organisation through volunteering coulonges-sur-lautize.fr

marchE goUrmandE

9 September

aiffres

Join us for a “Basque Country” themed event Starting from Jacques Michelet Stadium, embark on a 10k circuit to discover Aiffres Enjoy a delicious Basquethemed meal along the way Dress up for a chance to win a prize Children can take part in a fun quiz niortmaraispoitevin com

JoUrnéE dES aSSociationS

9 September air vault

Discover the associations in the town, connect with dedicated volunteers, and take part in a wide range of free activities

At the Bordage-Laillé-Brenet sports complex and Pérochon school Refreshments will be available on-site airvault fr

aSSociationS & voLUntEErS

ForUm

9 – 10 September

Bressuire

Discover the Forum of Associations and Volunteering at Bocapole, where you’ll find over 100 associations covering sports, charities, culture, twinning, and heritage Free demonstrations and introductory sessions

ville-bressuire fr

ExPoSition dE ScULPtUrE Et

PEintUrE

9 – 10, 16 – 17, 23 - 24 September

Bressuire

Art exhibition featuring sculptor AlainMarie Parmentier and painter Armen Saakyan, presented by the Amis des Arts ville-bressuire.fr

gUidEd toUr oF thE abbEy

mUSEUm

9-10 & 24 September

Mauleon

Discover and delve into the fascinating collections of the museum with a knowledgeable guide, catering to both the young old agglo2b.fr

cLESSé aLLStarS oPEn day

9 September 2 – 7pm

Salle Ominsport, Clessé

Come along and meet the Clessé AllStars netball team, watch some short demonstrations, take part, try some passing and shooting, learn about the number one sport in the Commonwealth and now quickly growing in France! Refreshments available facebook com/netballclesse79

FoirE aUx mELonS

10 September

Beceleuf

Including an educational hike, a local farmers market, a lively concert, a flea market, various fun activities, and food available on-site tourisme-deux-sevres com

ExPoSition dE PaULovE

11 - 29 September

Celles-sur-Belle

Paulove, also known as Laura Paulet, studied in Paris, Bordeaux, and Buffalo She combines craftsmanship and artistry, drawing inspiration from her Oriental roots and memories of travels along the Mediterranean shores paulove fr

La FêtE dE La bièrE

9 September

Brion-près-thouet

The evening will begin with a tasting session: pale, blond, brown, amber, red, light everyone’s beer style On the agenda: a concert by Cin’s Faro and Deejay Sly You’ve guessed it, the evening promises to be festive! maisonduthouarsais.com

LES 12 hEUrES dE PamProUx

10 September 2023

Pamproux

The Pamproux Soapbox Race is a fun event that unites people of all ages for a playful and enjoyable time It’s a gravity racing activity where everyone, from kids to adults, can participate tourisme-hautvaldesevre.fr

“FEmmES danS La réSiStancE En dEUx-SèvrES”

15 September – 21 October

Melle Media Librar y

Uncover a hidden chapter of the French Resistance This exhibition showcases the diverse and courageous actions of women in Deux-Sèvres who risked everything to liberate the region and uphold democratic values virouneries-en-poitou com

toUr oF châtEaU dES oUchES

15 September

Marcillé

Celebrate European Heritage Days at Château des Ouches with guided tours, exhibits, and landscaped gardens monumentum fr

FEStivaL SoUd’art

15 – 17 September

Parthenay

Live sculpture festival with dozens of artists Highlights include live sculptors, a market for creators, concerts, and street performances to showcase the artistic metalworking craft to the public soudart net

FêtE dU chanvrE - hEmP FEStivaL

16 September

Cher veux

The 1st Hemp Festival showcases the many uses of hemp, from construction and textiles to well-being, food, and innovation An introduction to hemp in various forms, with discussions, talks from speakers, and more Enjoy castle tours, a farmers’ market, and on-site catering tourisme-hautvaldesevre.fr

ExPLorE vaL En vignES

16 September

Val-en-Vignes, comprising Bouillé-SaintPaul, Cersay, Massais, and Saint-Pierre-àChamp, has a rich and diverse heritage Explore this region, with pretty villages and a commercial history, on a bike ride led by an expert guide and the members of the collective l’Entremêle valenvignes com

viSit to thE toarciEn nationaL natUrE rESErvE

16 September

Sainte-Verge

Join geologist and chief curator, Didier Poncet, to explore the Toarcian National Nature Reserve This reserve includes two open-pit quarries of global historical importance, preserving the Toarcian stratotype lhommeetlapierre.com

“mémoirE dES inviSibLES” WomEn at WorK in thE thoUarS coUntrySidE

16 – 17 September

Louzy

Exhibitions showcasing rural life in Thouars from 1900 to 1960 “Memories of the Invisible: Women’s Work in Rural Thouars, 1900-1960” highlights women’s contributions Ten rooms filled with vintage objects: carriages, agricultural tools, cellars, kitchens, clothing, and household items mairiedelouzy free fr

toUr oF thE mUSéE hEnri barré

16 – 17 September

Thouars

Discover the remarkable collections of the Henri Barré Museum including Henri Barré’s 1699 town design and the château tiles commissioned by Marie de la Tour d’Auvergne Meet skilled local craftsmen demonstrating stone-cutting, stained glass, and other crafts thouarsetmoi.fr

LE mUSéE Sort dE Sa réSErvEthE mUSEUm UnvEiLS itS SEcrEtS

16 – 17 September tumulus de Bougon

A rare chance to explore museum reserves, a treasure trove usually hidden from public view Learn about object preservation from the collection manager tumulus-de-bougon.fr

JoUrnéES EUroPéEnnES aU

châtEaU dE rEgné

16 – 17 September

Souvigne

Experience a guided tour of the historic Château de Régné, with its 16th-century alterations, U-shaped outbuildings, well, and dovecote tourisme-deux-sevres com

Photo Exhibition oF ShoPS, PaSt and PrESEnt

16 – 17 September

Secondigny

An exhibition of photographs of Secondigny’s shops throughout the years will be held in the Multimedia Room (ground floor) of the Maison des associations Members of the association will be available to provide information about the photos and the association histoire-secondigny fr

marchE goUrmandE

23 September

thénezay

An opportunity to take part in the first Autumn Walk Participants will be covering approximately 10kms, with three breaks planned along the way The menu includes an aperitif, Pumpkin Soup, Ham with White Beans, a selection of Cheeses, a Tart, and a cup of Coffee to round it off Don’t forget to bring along a hi-vis jacket, torch, and cutlery cc-parthenay-gatine fr

FêtE dE La PotEriE

24 September

Bressuire

Visit to the workshops and a variety of practical demonstrations at the Poterie de Sainte-Porchaire, plus a sale of members’ work poterie-stporchaire fr

FêtE dES PLantES

1 October

Bressuire

13th Plant Festival at Bressuire Castle More than 60 professionals will showcase their produce and offer gardening advice Large flea market with antique tools and decorations, and a sale of pedigree chickens Sale of 2 tonnes of pumpkins, pony club and agility Children’s games, bar and catering Grain feeder competition by after-school children See back cover for more details tourisme-bocage com

the g rapes of Wrath

We sat on the terrace drinking wine stuffing crisps in our faces and mar veling at the thunder and lightening, and wondering if like Jean de Florette the storm would pass us by without a drop of rain falling How wrong we were the heavens opened and hailstones the size of marbles started pelting down

Anna my wife realised she had left the roof of her car down and disappeared into the night shrieking Her screams emanated from the darkness as her little head (she has to buy hats for children of 4-6 years of age), was peppered from above

The next day as we assessed the damage I felt a sense of loss seeing all the roses and potted geraniums, which had been looking glorious in a riot of colour, decimated to stalks and shredded leaves The vegetable patch, whose content I had nurtured from seed looked as if someone had strafed it with a machine gun And the water lily resembled a Swiss cheese

Still, it was a dramatic opening to my brother's visit He was with us for four days and we had planned an itinerar y of engaging activities including a picnic in Mer vent, punting in Coulon and a trip to Leroy Merlin But the highlight was to be a visit to a local vineyard, with tasting session followed by lunch

There were six of us on the tour including Mark, who we later discovered was a pilot for Ryanair and his partner (none of us could remember her name, but she looked a bit like Olivia Coleman) and Virginie (whose family had been running the vineyard for five generations), who was to be our guide As we set off on the tour I noticed my brother had a strange look in his eye, which I hadn't seen since a Christmas morning, when we were seven (we're twins)

After wandering around the vines learning about pruning har vesting, yield, variety and why they plant rose bushes in the vineyard we entered Willy Wonka s factor y where all the magic happens We were surrounded by great stainless steel vats ready for the har vest and other Heath

Stephen Shaw

Robinson contraptions for picking bottling and packing It did feel like w had just won a golden ticket; I was Charlie Bucket to my brother's Augustus Gloop who looked ready launch himself into anything containing wine Anna had a bit of t Violet Beauregards about her

We descended to a lower level where we were greeted by rows of oak barrels the good stuff! Each empty barrel is bought from a Bordeaux cooperer for between 800 to 1,500€ and replaced after four years I was a bit chilly inside the dark distiller y so was glad when it was tasting time Note to self: next time bring jumper

There were two empty spittoons in front of us at the start of the tasting and two empty at the end Because I was driving after an initial sip mine were passed on to Simon and Anna Phrases like:

' This one has quite a complex finish', 'Mmm, you can really taste the terroir' started being banded about My brother was at one point heard to say 'I'm experiencing a pepper y after taste', Anna 'Oh yes, the oak is really coming through' Being a philistine it all tasted the same to my uncultured palette, but then my favourite tipple is Les Ormes 3 19€ from SuperU

We staggered through to a converted barn for some ballast where an enormous platter covered with regional meats and cheeses was placed Yum! Then four more arrived and it was one each Hoorah! Along with the food one bottle of rosé and two reds were placed Now I wasn't drinking and neither was Mark, the pilot Olivia drank the rosé leaving one bottle of red each for Anna and Simon on top of what they had already quaffed

As the lunch progressed the conversation got louder and louder and their eyes took on that unfocused quality It was quite novel for me as I m historically the one to over imbibe Towards the latter stages of the meal Simon congratulated Mark on dealing with the levels of responsibility he must experience in his work as a pilot We are similar in a way Mark you and I I am a psychotherapist so am also responsible for a great many eoples' welfare ” I nd made a mental at had been said, to m of it when sober and with three bottles discarded we staggered asting room a leaning on each were about to do race), where de, some to be on our next visit e terrace, the sun ur glass of Domaine remember the

If you would like to read more ramblings from Mr Shaw, go to www lifein79 blogspot com

1 September 1954 "Rear Window " is released by Paramount Pictures Directed by the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, it stars James Stewart and Grace kelly The film uses the concept of voyeurism as its central theme with Stewart s character uncovering a murder through his window

3 September 1939 The British ocean liner Athenia, mistakenly identified as armed and hostile is torpedoed by German submarine U-30 and resulting in the loss of more than 1,100 lives

10 September 1991 Nirvana's single, "Smells Like Teen Spirit marks a pivotal moment in their career Despite initial hesitations kurt Cobain, encouraged by bandmates Dave Grohl and krist Novoselic, includes the track on Nevermind The song s instant resonance with the public propels Nirvana from an underground band to global rock icons, forever reshaping the musical landscape

21 September 1792 In Revolutionary France the monarchy is abolished and the First Republic is established by the Legislative Assembly The French Revolution was triggered by economic crises and food shortages in 1789 leading to the imprisonment and execution of the king and queen

5 September 1877 Crazy Horse, the respected Oglala Sioux leader, tragically dies while resisting confinement Following victory at Little Bighorn the US Army relentlessly pursued Crazy Horse and his followers The tribe faced harsh conditions, leading to Crazy Horse s surrender at the Red Cloud Indian Agency in Nebraska

6 September 1915 The first tank called Little Willie, is developed in England as a prototype Despite initial challenges, improvements are made to this design leading to a revolution in military battlefields Supported by Winston Churchill, a working prototype was developed under the Landships Committee

7 September 1911 Guillaume Apollinaire, the British poet is briefly imprisoned on suspicion of stealing the Mona Lisa from the Louvre museum The actual thief, Vincenzo Peruggia was apprehended two years later while trying to sell the painting

12 September 1940 In Montignac a group of teenagers discover the Lascaux cave paintings These artworks, dating back 15,000 - 17,000 years, offer a glimpse into the Upper Paleolithic era The Lascaux grotto features around 600 painstakingly crafted animal and symbol paintings, along with nearly 1,500 engravings

23 September 1846 German astronomer Johann Gottfried Galle discovers the planet Neptune at the Berlin Observatory Neptune named after the Roman god of the sea, is a blue gas giant with eight known moons and a ring system It remained unexplored by human spacecraft until 1989 when Voyager 2 made a flyby

26 September 1902 Poet T S Eliot is born in St Louis, Missouri Eliot studied at Harvard before moving to England He worked at Lloyd s Bank while writing and founded the quarterly, Criterion His influential works include " The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock" and " The Waste Land"

29 September 1941 The Babyn Yar massacre sees nearly 34 000 Jews executed in Nazi-occupied kiev Victims were marched to Babyn Yar ravine, stripped, shot, and buried This horrific event is portrayed in DM Thomas s novel The White Hotel

13 September 1916 Children's author Roald Dahl born in South Wales He is widely recognized for his literary works such as "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (1964) and "James and the Giant Peach" (1961)

15 September 1835 HMS Beagle, with Charles Darwin on-board reaches the Galapagos Islands four years after setting off from Plymouth The visit to the Galapagos will prove the starting point from which Darwin develops his theories on evolution published in On the Origin of Species

16 September 1997 Apple Computer Inc name co-founder Steve Jobs as interim CEO, two months after the resignation of Gil Amelio This move marks Jobs' return to the company he founded and sets the stage for Apple s future successes

30 September 1955 Actor James Dean aged 24 is killed in a car accident in Cholame, California when his Porsche collides with another car Despite having only one released movie "East of Eden " Dean is already becoming famous and the crash solidifies his status as a movie legend

Babyn Yar Memorial, Kiev

Serment du Jeu de paume, 1789

The ar improving you

As we begin to say goodbye to been an unpredictable and dis English summer, September g opportunity to practice the oft underused art of gratitude to sense of wellbeing

Acknowledging and appreciati positive aspects of life, no mat small, can have a powerful effe mental wellbeing In fact, it ha scientifically proven to enhanc happiness, reduce stress, and mental health

When we focus on the positive of our lives and express appre our brains release neurotrans like dopamine and serotonin, associated with feelings of ple contentment, promoting a sen overall wellbeing and happine

Gratitude can help reduce stre anxiety by redirecting attentio from worries and towards pos aspects of life It fosters optim resilience, empowering you to challenges more effectively

Here are a few ways to get sta

Start a gratitude Journal: Dedicate a few minutes each d write down three things you a g for This simple act of giving it some thought, settling on three and actually writing them down can shift your focus from negative to positive aspects of your life, cultivating a real sense of abundance

Express thankfulness:

Take the time to express gratitude to others Whether it's thanking a friend for their help or support or showing

Notice the changing colors of leaves, the gentle breeze, and the calming sounds of nature Express gratitude for the time and opportunity you have to enjoy the beauty of your surroundings create a gratitude collage: Collect photographs or create images that represent moments of gratitude in

wellbeing By acknowledging and appreciating the positive aspects of your life, you’ll begin to cultivate a sense of abundance, optimism, and you’ll find it easier to navigate challenges with resilience, resourcefulness and optimism

So, give it a go – after all, there’s a lot about gratitude to be grateful for

Written by David Murphy - Clinical Hypnotherapist and Life Coach DavidMurphyHypno@gmail com

Your Ground YogaYoga for where you are Yoga and pain management

Deux-Sèvres on paris 202 torch route

On June 2, 2024, the Olympic flame will travel through the Deux-Sèvres department, passing through Bressuire, Thouars, Parthenay, Saint-Maixent-l'Ecole, Celles-surBelle, Coulon, and Thouars

The torch will pass through every town in a convoy, with each town taking approximately 30 to 90 minutes and covering a distance of 1 to 5km, depending on the route

The occasion will be celebrated with various relays and events in these towns Deux-Sèvres is one of the 65 French departments that the Olympic flame will journey through from May 8th to July 26th, 2024, culminating in the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Games This historic event will be celebrated with festivities and activities In the Deux-Sèvres, nearly 100 torchbearers will participate in the event The lucky participants will be announced at the beginning of 2024

It is exciting to see that the effects of yoga are now being studied by academic researchers in controlled conditions that are providing replicable scientific results

In 2015, a team of Harvard researchers followed the results of an 8-week (once a week) mind-body relaxation program that included yoga and meditation They found that, even with such a relatively short program, the participants used 43% fewer medical services than they did the previous year, which led to substantial savings on their medical expenses

A University of Utah study looked specifically into how yoga effects responses to pain It has been known for some time that people who have poorly regulated stress responses are more sensitive to pain, and recent studies have shown a significant correlation between the practice of yoga and stress regulation The researchers then asked the question, ‘Could yoga have an impact on our experience of pain?’ The answer appears to be ‘yes’ Yoga practitioners were shown to have higher pain tolerance and lowest pain-related brain activity than nonpractitioner healthy individuals when exposed to varying levels of thumbnail pressure

Don’t worry, we don’t test this finding in class!

For information on yoga and breathe better courses contact:

lavieenyoga@gmail com

As always, respect yourself, explore yourself

A detailed programme, including the final route, will be made available closer to the date For more information visit www deux-sevres fr

Rebecca Novick

Book Club

We’re biological animals Light is daytime and activity; dark is nighttime and rest However, since the age of artificial light, be it from an open fire in a cave, a candle through the ages or electrical light, we’ve attempted to counter that Then there are the grey areas Lightning blasts light through the darkest night Moonlight and starlight soften the depth of darkness Eclipses, thick fog and storms obscure daylight For writers, light, its moods and its changes are gifts without end Like weather, light can reflect a character’s mood and sometimes their actions and reactions Nothing like a set-in rainstorm to depress even the most optimistic heroine Rain dripping off her hair and down inside her collar, she might just pull her raincoat tighter and think to herself: ‘You know what? I’ll just leave it and go home for a nice hot cup of tea ’ If it was a sunny day with a light breeze brushing her skin, she’d feel so much more enthusiastic about sorting out the world Conversely, if your heroine is unhappy and the sun in beaming down, it can sometimes have even greater effect because of the contrast

But light and dark aren’t only about the weather In the Stone Age, dark meant danger Wolves, big cats with even bigger teeth, bears, other humans, all stalked even the nicest cave people and in the dark they couldn’t be seen until they attacked you We still have that memory in our genes and instinctively feel uncomfortable in the dark Being shut in a dark cellar, trapped in a lightless tunnel, walking through an unknown area with no streetlights can be stuff of nightmares But a gift for a writer We can subject our hero or heroine to all kinds of unpleasant incidents this way and express his/her fears and anticipations A dark corner or unlit cul-de-sac is perfect Even worse are the dark corners of the mind – the area we fear most apart from final oblivion

But the dark can help our characters hide or conceal things or even people Shadows are extremely

useful What wartime story would be authentic without covert action in the dark after curfew?

In a lighter-hearted vein, blue sky, a brightly-lit room or the sun rising again at dawn are reassuring and lifeaffirming Light shows up hidden corners and a torch can illuminate clues or a path to a solution Another aspect is when light can create patterns that intrigue, even enchant especially when reflected Of course, it also shows up smears on windows and dust on surfaces But like darkness, light can have its (excuse the pun) darker side Remember the film ‘Ice Cold in Alex’ where the struggle was, amongst other things, the intense light of the desert? The same can be true for snow and ice wildernesses Often ‘bad guys’ use a light in the face of their captive to intimidate them

The sudden switch from light to dark or vice-versa can cause a visceral emotional reaction – fear, relief, disorientation – as a character is released from a dark cellar into blazing sunlight or is plunged into Stygian blackness by accident or design

When you have a scene where you need to express joy, bring relief to intensity, or need to bring in fear and menace, light and dark can considerably enhance the atmosphere as well as play a crucial part to the story itself

Happy Writing

alison has compiled a selection of articles from this column into ‘the 500 Word Writing buddy’, available in print and ebook. her latest roma nova novel, set in the 4th century, JULia Prima, is now out

Alison Morton

this month’s book reviews Book Club

A Month in Provence

by Gillian Harvey

review by Jacqueline Brown

This is now the third book from Gillian Har vey that I have fallen into the pages of and I can’t wait for the next one

In the ten years since her husband died Nicky has been attacking life head on shouldering all the responsibilities and protecting her daughters She was strong, yet vulnerable and easily won my heart Somewhere along the way she has lost sight of herself, her dreams and her appearance Unexpectedly finding herself way out of her comfort zone, thanks to best friend Jenny dropping her into the world of reality TV, a new Nicky slowly begins to appear Robert needs a new perspective on his B&B, as in recent years he’s lost a bit of the magic of living and working in France (I think a lot of us here can relate to this) He and the building need a new injection of energy, something that is certainly supplied by the arrival of Nicky and the madness of a film crew and their almost impossible demands and deadlines

French village life and the markets of Provence provide the backdrop to many hilarious moments, last-minute disasters, and the jeopardy of ever ything being caught on camera As longburied emotions come to the surface and relationships are evaluated it becomes a journey of change and recover y for more than one character Nicky emerges from the final cut with a stronger belief in herself, a new wardrobe and a better perspective of where to head next This book will certainly appeal to any of you who have experience of running a B&B in France, or if you ’ ve enjoyed watching A New Life in the Sun

The French Château Dream

by Julie Caplin review by Jacqueline Brown

I am always drawn to books set in châteaux in France and to get my hands on one with such a gorgeous cover, that includes a bicycle, really was a dream Inside, things got better with plenty of strong female characters, energy and emotions, alongside a plot that moved at a great pace

Finding herself a somewhat unwelcome intrusion at the château where her uncle is planning the perfect wedding for her cousin, Hattie must focus, roll her sleeves up and get on top of a list of chores that go above and beyond the normal role for a wedding planner The château has charm, but over recent years has been neglected and needs her energy and vision to bring it back to life, in much the same way as she needs this escape to France, even if only on a temporar y basis, to prove to herself she can follow her dreams

Luc is also on the cusp of changing his life and hasn t banked on sharing his family ’ s château with Hattie Luckily, it doesn’t take him long to realise the benefits her changes are making and Solange especially blossomed with this new injection of life to the building that has been her home and workplace for years I also loved Luc’s Great Aunt Marthe, a formidable force in his upbringing, who gave him the stability he was missing from his parents and never usually shied away from an honest answer

Hattie’s journey alongside those of the people she finds herself around, warmed my heart, although at times it seems as if ever yone, including the château, are concealing secrets This book is an emotional read that is as much about recover y as it is about new beginnings It is certainly a book that will put a smile on your face this summer

Summer Highlights

Jacqueline Brown

Summer is one of my favourite seasons in France Long evenings outdoor communal meals live music; you don t have to venture far from home for something to enjoy with friends ever y weekend We have indulged in coffee and croissants mornings at market, evenings of pizzas cooked in a wood-fired oven and ser ved in a lakeside setting with musical accompaniment, and we have become quite the experts at charcuterie apero planches These summer events that France does so well sadly lose some of their sparkle when the wind is whipping around the sun obscured by grey clouds and the rain dripping onto ever ything I am not a fan of wearing a jumper in July (or an anorak in August) and knowing how much organisation and planning goes into these events, when the weather doesn’t cooperate, it’s no fun for anyone As another summer draws to a close I am hoping September gives us what July failed to deliver - warm sunny days

What have your highlights been this summer? As well as welcoming relaxed, smiley tourists to the Château de Javarzay, I have been brushing up on the French Renaissance period, and in particular, the architectural features and the French kings of that era, knowledge that was lacking from my histor y lessons forty years ago in the Uk A training course in French might not be ever yone s idea of a fun way to spend a couple of days, but my inner histor y nerd, who has had her own renaissance since I started working in a 16th centur y chateau, was beyond excited I was also delighted that my French was just about good enough to follow the dialect of an outdoor theatre performance that was staged in the grounds of the Château de Javarzay and brought to life the fifteenth centur y French poet François Villon whose life after he was banished from Paris in 1463 remains a myster y

Our cycling adventures this summer seem to have had a Roman theme to them as we found ourselves admiring the impressive Vésone tower in Perigueux (24000), the roman villa in Embourie (16240) and the town of Saintes (17100)

that boasts the remains of an amphitheatre, thermal baths and the Germanicus arch that stands proud on the banks of the Charente River More local to home was the Rauranum museam at Rom (79120), and what a gem that turned out to be It might only be a small rural village today but when it was the halfway point on the Roman road from Poitiers to Saintes it was an important stopping point We have also stepped back even further in time, visiting the Tumulus de Bougon museum (79800), where 6000 years of histor y are explained and we learned all about dolmens, burial mounds and how man managed to move these enormous stones These locations also gave us Terra Aventura adventures to complete so our collection of Poi z badges is growing nicely If you are looking for ideas for days out in the DeuxSèvres, I can recommend a visit to both the Tumulus de Bougon and Rauranum museums

Not just alpacas!

Whilst everything does tend to centre around the alpacas at our farm, as they are at the heart of everything we do, we do try to focus on other elements to make sure we are consciously sustainable, and doing our part for ecological, human, and economic health and vitality Whilst this doesn't always mean an immediate lower cost, it usually does have a knock-on effect on helping save some pennies too; a win-win in our eyes when a lot of people may be feeling the rise in costs of living

The first thing that comes to mind is minimal waste; we use everything the alpacas gift to us Quite obviously this means alpaca wool, more about that soon, but perhaps a surprise to some is the amazing fertiliser they create Yes, the poop! Due to their special digestive system, they create amazing fertiliser that has great levels of nitrates, potassium, phosphorus and other nutrients for our and your plants And an added bonus, there's no odour and it can be used immediately unlike other animal fertilisers We use this in 3 ways; fresh, dry to be used as a compost tea (bag) and in the form of a concentrated liquid, we have lovingly called "Chateauneuf du Poop" And of course, we re-purpose used wine bottles as containers for this for an even more sustainable practice, and trust me when I say we have the best tomatoes and fruit trees in town because of the magic poop!

And now the wool, known as "the fibre of the gods" in Peru for its excellent qualities, we make sure we make great use of every last bit donated by the alpacas The alpacas must be sheared once a year for their health and wellbeing, or they can become fatally

overheated in the summer, or develop skin issues from the weight of the fibre pulling on their skin With the best quality wool from their body, known as the blanket, we invest in this and have it processed into yarn at a mill in France, followed by a huge amount of knitting at the farm to make beautiful warm clothing to sell With the wool from their neck and legs, which is a lesser quality wool, we create other pieces suitable to its properties, and also hold wool workshops at the farm where our customers, sometimes local schools, create an alpaca wool souvenir to treasure

Using the wool in these ways is not only waste-free, but also in creating clothing and other pieces, it has a much more sustainable and smaller carbon footprint on the planet, compared to clothing and items made of synthetic materials The pieces are valuable too and something to last and keep for a long time, much nicer than the evergrowing land-fill created by the fast fashion world Not only this, but it's great for your wellbeing, as a natural fibre will allow your own skin to breathe

There are other little daily actions that we do, and I'm sure many of you practise too, to make sure that as a household here we're doing our part, such as keeping a food compost Although for us, some vegetable peelings etc go to the goats and chickens, and what's great is the chickens turn some of this energy into eggs!

We do still have a way to go however, we use some of our grey water to feed young fruit trees and other plants, but I'm sure we can make more of an effort to collect shower water too, which would be incredibly helpful in the summer months

We make sure when we're looking at new products to buy that we need, we either use local artisans and producers to reduce our carbon footprint and more importantly, support other small local businesses We also are big fans of second-hand buying, especially with our first baby on the way, something we realise is how long (or short) items may last with a fast-growing little one, we're going with second-handactually, I prefer the term pre-loved as

that's pretty accurate - as our first choice for many new items

I mentioned before that sometimes sustainability also means helping with spending and the cost of living, but this doesn't always mean cheaper, as I am a firm believer in paying for the value of something's worth; an example being well-made higher priced clothing that will last years, compared to cheaper highstreet items that may only last a season or two

We're very conscious of making sure our experiences at the farm for our customers, new and returning, are worth every penny and know that what matters to us and many others is that when we do something special together In the same theme of the messages of consciously being sustainable and worth its value, we know the need to create and deliver something to remember and an experience that really makes a difference to our customers, and animals too, knowing how lucky we are to be sharing what we have with others

We have a long way to go, but I hope we can remain sustainable and only get better at these practices and more as time goes by If you are interested in our fertilisers or alpaca wool items, get in touch and we'd be happy to talk more to you

Sophie Hargreaves A farm with conscious sustainability

A to Z of the Communes of the Deux-Sèvres

Viennay

are statues, wooden panelling, and stained glass windows bearing the names of their donors

Viennay, situated south of Parthenay, is a small commune in Val de Gâtine It has a population of 1,107 residents (2020) and is surrounded by meadows, hedges, and a picturesque green landscape Despite urban development, agriculture remains an integral part of the commune's identity and economy

Over the centuries, the commune was known by various names, such as Vielnai (1090) and Vinay (1579) It was also called St Jouin de Vinay because of its dependence on the archpriesthood of Parthenay and the appointment of the parish priest by the abbot of St Jouin de Marnes

The town has a rich cultural heritage with several fascinating dwellings that catch the eye Puyrenard and La Berthonnière are worth mentioning, as well as the Grand Logis in the town centre

The remains of the mediaeval Vaugely Bridge, which originally consisted of three arches, can be seen along the old "Merchants' path" Only one pointed arch remains, serving as a marker on the boundary with the commune of Lageon

Besides the Calvary in the village, three granite crosses adorn the crossroads in the commune

The church, known as St Jouin church, was built in the 19th century and consecrated in 1895 It replaced an earlier building and is cruciform in shape Inside, there

The Fixer

The Puyrenard dwelling was probably built in the 15th century This wellpreserved building surrounds an enclosed courtyard in a U-shape It once had several towers, two of which are still preserved The entrance doors are decorated with pointed arches, while the dwelling itself has monumental fireplaces With its vaulted cellar, two storeys, and attic, it also includes an extension that was used as a chapel In 1470, it had the honour of hosting King Louis XI, who stayed here to hunt in the surrounding countryside

Originally it was owned by the De Liniers family until the 18th century,

The large 15th-century house, located near the church, is commonly known as the Grand Maison and is the oldest house in the village It was once owned by the Olivier family from Parthenay The façade of this house is architecturally very interesting as it has visible mullion openings and a bretèche protecting the entrance In medieval fortifications, a bretèche was a small balcony with openings It was usually built above a gate allowing defenders to shoot or throw objects at attackers who gathered under the wall

Val Assist Translation Services

800 Words Short Story Competition And the winner is…

Our criteria

A short stor y needs a beginning, middle and an end and a balance of each of these elements in making up the whole

Characters should be limited; one main character, perhaps one or two secondar y ones, but generally a maximum of four in all In eight hundred words three is probably enough

A twist, however gentle or strong, is an iron-clad requirement for a short stor y so we looked for this keenly

Properly constructed sentences! Styles in this competition ranged from simple to literar y serious to humorous and straightfor ward to symbolic, but we did need them to be clearly expressed

Entertainment value Readers need to be captivated or at least intrigued, from the beginning They expect to be entertained, possibly informed, and perhaps moved emotionally by the time they reach the end

Demonstrable emotion Not hysterical outpourings in ever y sentence but reactions and inner thoughts so that readers can feel the character s pain and joy

Setting in any writing should be woven into the stor y rather than run on for pages Time and place are important and should go at the beginning so that the reader feels grounded in the stor y from the first few sentences The crucial factor in deciding how much detail to include is how setting affects the character or how the character affects it In this short format, only a few touches here and there are needed

How we judged

First, we sifted the entries into four categories: probably not, good tr y, shows some potential and shows a lot of potential After a second sift which was hard given the number of

stories that could have made the grade, we came up with five finalists:

• Jennie s Stor y by Sally Lowden

• Running Scared by Jonathan Sweet

• You Move Me by Martin O’Neill

• Charlotte’s Homecoming by Frances Cleveland

• The Retirement of Monsieur and Madame Cargaux, by David Potter

Many congratulations to them! Being a finalist in any competition is something to put on a writing CV

One other piece of writing stood out: He is Old It was beautifully written, evocative with some lovely images and descriptive aspects and there is great economy – much is said in little Ver y Hemmingway However it is a memoir piece, not a short stor y, but we couldn’t leave it without saying how impressive we thought it was

Then came the truly hard part We discussed the five finalists at length again Each was written in a different style

humorous literar y ironic – and with such different voices narrating We eventually selected three but again went into deep discussion about first, second and third placings It was the proverbial close-run thing!

third place: the retirement of Monsieur & Madame Cargaux, by David Potter

Second place: You Move Me by Martin O’Neill

First place: running Scared by Jonathan Sweet

Special congratulations to them! read the winning entry on page 21 and find the runners up at: thedeuxsevresmonthly fr/00words

...adver tise here from just 76€ and script your success stor y!

Send us your snaps and ideas

While you ' re out exploring over the summer, why not take some photos of the beautiful scenery? Share your favourite snaps on our Facebook page and we ll showcase the most impressive shots If a particular monument or building has ever piqued your curiosity feel free to contact us, and we'll endeavour to uncover its secret

Send your suggestions and ideas to info@thedeuxsevresmonthly frand let s explore the Deux-Sèvres together

Alison Morton & Jacqueline Brown

angels and the origins of the Anges Musiciens

No doubt some of you will be wondering why I refer to the musical angels by their French name I have been photographing medieval and early Gothic church art in French churches for ten or more years now, and practically all the books that I have bought and articles I have found on the Internet have been in French, so the names for the various themes (and for church architecture) are more familiar and mean more to me in French than in English This was true for previous articles, as it is for this short series

The Anges Musiciens first appeared in church art in the XII cent and remained a theme up to the time of the Council of Trento (1545–1563), which, in its reaction to the expansion of Protestantism, issued edicts aimed at reducing the excesses of ‘cultism’ that had grown in the Catholic Church over the previous centuries This included the Anges Musiciens, which were part of the so-called Marial cult (the cult of the Virgin Mary as “Queen of the Heavens”) Angels appear in many forms and functions in both the Old and the New Testaments Their numbers in places of worship accumulated with the passage of time, until they started to go out of fashion in the XX cent It seems that a whole hierarchy of angels was first thought of by an anonymous person, Denys, who proposed nine choirs of angels, composed of Seraphims, cherubs, and other angels

Without going into the details of the many different classes of angels, some main classifications can be identified: Guardian Angels, Announcing Angels, and Glorifying Angels, with the Anges Musiciens spanning the latter two categories

The Announcing Angels, which are usually found in pairs, are shown blowing trumpets or horns and can be confused with the Anges Musiciens, thus apart from photos of a couple of typical

examples, they will not appear in this article, as it concerns only the Anges Musiciens and their instruments

Reasons for the appearance of the Anges Musiciens in the churches are a matter of theology, mysticism and straight-forward anthropology

You may be aware of the Choir of Angels; the Anges Musiciens and their occasional companions, the Anges Chanteurs (Singing Angels), are an extension of this Also the notion of “the music of the spheres” can be associated with the Anges Musiciens The images of the angels may be silent, but they are an expression of music and of the praise and glorification behind it The instruments symbolise the singing of praise, the eternal joy in paradise, and the notion of eternal harmony They are often, but not always, accompanied by Anges Chanteurs, usually holding banners adorned with musical symbols or phylacteries (small leather boxes containing passages from the scriptures) Music can reach the soul and inner life of a person, and perhaps the images of the musicians were intended to enhance the inner religious experience Or perhaps the position of these celestial musicians allowed them to be an intermediary between humans and God

Sometime during the XII and XIII cent , the cult of the Virgin Mary, heralded and glorified by the Anges Musiciens, appeared, and many of the representations of the angels are clearly connected with this idea of the Queen of the Heavens However, the Anges Musiciens can also be seen as a symbol of the joy of the chosen ones experiencing paradise – and paradise would not be the same without the music (and songs) of the angels This association with the heavens sometimes led to the inclusion of stars and a dark blue background in the paintings and is certainly the reason for the Anges Musiciens being painted on the vaults or high on the

Le Mans Cathedral - Ange Chanteur with open book of music

Le Mans Cathedral, An Ange Chanteur with banner with words

the

musician angels - part II the musician - part

walls of the nave, leading the congregation to look towards the heavens and all that implies in Christian belief

Sculptures on the arch above the west door of an abbey church, such as at Saintes, Charente-Maritime, where worshippers would have to look upwards, follow this association

The development of more complex musical instruments allowed the hearers to imagine, by extrapolation, celestial music As the

musical instruments in society developed and orchestras formed and vocal works were written and performed, music became more profane This perhaps was one of the reasons for the Council of Trento to discourage representations of the Anges Musiciens The XIII cent or later sculptures in the Église Saint-Nicolas at Civray, Cher, have the angels playing profane instruments

an anomaly

It is noticeable in the Romanesque and some Gothic churches and cathedrals that the harmonics of the singing congregation are emphasised by the acoustics of the building These acoustics, plus the everpresent echo, gives the impression of a faint, heavenly background choir accompanying the congregation Thus theology, mysticism, human psychology, and acoustics combine to justify such beautiful paintings in the old Romanesque and early Gothic churches

Forms of expression Statues

Statues of the Anges Musiciens are a late phenomenon Many were mutilated during the wars of religion, however many have been restored in our more enlightened era

Stained glass windows

As is the case with the calendars of the year and the zodiacs, with their twelve months presented, the Anges Musiciens, in their group of twelve or sixteen, sometimes with the Anges Chanteurs, are found as small panels in a

larger window In the cathedral at Angers, Maineet-Loire, the north rose window includes the working year calendar and the south rose window, presently being restored, shows us the Anges Musiciens The cathedral at Sens has a window with thirty-three Anges Musiciens, and that at Le Mans, Sarthe has a rosary window with them in addition to its marvellous paintings of the angels

Wall paintings, or fresques

Fresques are, and probably were, the most common form of expression used for the Anges Musiciens Most have been destroyed, along with many other wall paintings, at the hand of humans or have slowly deteriorated due to moisture and surface dilapidation

Many depicting the Anges Musiciens are painted on the vaults of chapels, churches, and cathedrals or high up on the nave walls, and the fact that they were painted in these relatively inaccessible locations has perhaps been their saving Once you cast your gaze up high, their colours and size are eyecatching, and you find yourself trying to identify the instruments, perhaps because they are more understandable in our modern materialistic world than is the mystique behind them The state of restoration may leave much to be desired, but the feeling of joyousness remains Wood panels and choir-stall carvings

The accuracy of the portrayals of instruments held and played by the angels in carvings, often cut

by great masters, is of great aid to present-day constructors of ancient instruments, such as the lute (luth in French) Some reconstructed instruments can be seen in the permanent exhibition in the abbey at Neuil-sur-l’Autize, Vendée

Tapestries

Tapestries, too, are a medium for depictions of the angels In Saumur, Maine-etLoire, there is a tapestry with five Anges Musiciens in the church of Notre-Dame de Nantilly, and in Angers, there is the famous tapestry of the Apocalypse in the château, well known for its portrayal of the seven plagues in advance of the last days, but also showing nearly sixty Anges Musiciens in the frieze at the top of the tapestry – again on high in the heavens

For the first article in this series, see the August issue

Nanclars, Charente - Playing a flute and a small drum

Kernascleden - Harpist next to Ange Chanteur with music

Roussines, Indre - Ange Musicien with a trumpet Note the shadow of an earlier painting behind her

T h eat r iVasl

It’s been nearly ten years since TheatriVasles was born Over that time we’ve brought you a huge variety of plays including Alan Bennett's Talking Heads, Richard Harris' Outside Edge, Two 10 Minute Play Festivals, Amanda Whittington's Ladies' Day and Alan Ayckbourn’s Relatively Speaking We hope that we’ve made you laugh and made you think; we’ve introduced you to ghosts, fast bowlers, serial killers and a pantomime horse and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for sharing in some funny, farcical, thought-provoking and sometimes poignant moments

Now after a short interval in proceedings, we’re delighted to bring you the news that TheatriVasles will be back on stage this autumn bringing you Willy

Russell’s highly acclaimed, award winning ‘Shirley Valentine’

As the leaves start to change colour and the evenings begin to draw in, it’ll be a perfect time to join us on an escape to the sunshine and sunbeds of a Greek island paradise!

As the story opens, we meet Shirley, a middle-aged Liverpool housewife, who’s feeling stagnant and stuck in a rut in her empty nest, preparing egg and chips for her emotionally distant husband When the opportunity arises to leave Merseyside behind for a holiday in Greece, Shirley leaves a note on the kitchen table ‘Gone to Greece back in two weeks ’ and heads for the sun, where she starts to see the world and herself in a very different light and leaves egg and chips far behind

A captivating, witty and uplifting comedy, ‘Shirley Valentine’ had a blockbusting run in the West End before being made into a highly successful film Join us at the theatre in Vasles, 79340 to continue the adventure

Performances will take place on Friday 20th and Saturday 21st October, both at 8pm Tickets are €10 and can be reserved by emailing theatrivasles@gmail com or by calling Gemma on 05 49 04 84 82

Why not make the most of the evening and join us in the theatre bar before the show to get into the mood? We can’t promise you egg and chips, but there’ll definitely be a glass of something refreshing and a very warm welcome

theatriVasles is a vibrant theatrical society who put on quality productions in Vasles, 79340 We are always looking for new members and for those who want to get involved there are many roles that you can fill, be it acting, technical, props sourcing and everything in between if you would like to get involved then please find us on Facebook or contact theatrivasles@gmail com

are back and are ready to transport you to g reece!

800 Words Short Story Competition Winner

RUNNING SCARED

by Jonathan Sweet

I’ve wondered sometimes how different things might have been if only I’d taken another decision that day Once made, though, it couldn’t be unmade and there’s really no use wondering what might have been It offers no comfor t; just tantalising glimpses of an alter native future that will never come to pass

It had all star ted out so innocently I’d set out early that mor ning for my usual r un Dawn was just breaking and the ice-g rey sky was tinged with the first f lickers of a g audy red that hinted at the stor m to come T he wind chilled me to the bone as I hit the g ravel track that meandered towards the wooded copse a mile or two ahead of me. My breath was shor t and shar p; my r unning jag g ed

I entered the relative calm of the trees and my breathing eased slightly I fell into a slow but steady rhythm, feeling the cr unch of dr y, brittle, leaves underfoot. T hat aside, there was silence Neither a whisper of bird song nor any other sign of life I was utterly alone. Yet my skin beg an to prickle and I felt an uncomfortable sensation that something – or someone – was tracking me No one knew my route or was waiting for me at home I hadn’t made many friends in the neighbourhood so would hardly be missed – at least not for some days I glanced behind me but saw nothing I picked up my pace and felt my chest tighten as I fought to take in more air. My muscles felt strained and slow to respond

T hen I heard the crack of wood breaking underfoot. Panic g ripped me. I lung ed off the track into the underg rowth, though the bare branches g ave me precious little cover Several times, my feet became entangled in roots and I found myself face down in the winter mulch I pushed myself up and onwards My face and hands were reddened by the cold and the whiplash of branches as I pressed blindly onwards I’d lost my woollen hat somewhere along the way but I didn’t care, just as long as I could make it back to the safety of my home I promised myself a hot shower, a strong coffee and time with my favourite book Ever ything would be ok

Fear told me otherwise As I burst into a small clearing, I saw them Two figures dressed in olive g reen oilskins, each holding some sor t of long-bar relled gun. T hey were about twenty yards away, staring directly at me I heard one of them whistle and then the sound of someone behind me. I felt cold metal jab me in the back and push me forward. I tried to speak but the words wouldn’t come T he three encircled me Unshaven, rough hands, clothes caked in dir t, they g ave the impression of living rough in the woods. T hey didn’t speak but seemed, nonetheless, to know what each was thinking I found myself g ag g ed and bound, staked upright to a rough wooden post. Kindling was piled around my feet and I realised that they planned to set it alight Whether it was some sor t of per verse sacrificial ritual that they intended to perfor m, I did not know. All I knew was that I had to break free I str ug gled, twisting to and fro I g r unted incoherently, panic obvious in my voice and in my eyes. My legs trembled. Despite the cold, I was drenched in sweat Yet I couldn’t loosen my bonds and the effor t was taking its toll

My eyes filled with tears, my breath came in spasms and I felt dizziness overwhelm me.

I came to and found myself slumped on the f loor of my sitting room, entangled in the larg e blanket I had wrapped myself in, and with my feet dang erously close to the woodbur ning fire that crackled in the hear th. My hear t was pounding in my ears and pins and needles cramped my ar ms and legs I had fallen aslee p in my chair and slipped onto the f loor, presumably knocking myself unconscious for a moment or two. T he relief was palpable I would lear n my lessons: don’t sit too close to a war m fire in future and don’t g et car ried away by dreams.

T he next mor ning, I set off for my usual r un Dawn was just breaking and the iceg rey sk y was ting ed with the first f lickers of a g audy red that hinted at the stor m to come T he wind chilled me to the bone as I hit the g ravel track that meandered towards the wooded copse a mile or two ahead of me My breath was shor t and shar p; my r unning jag g ed I entered the relative calm of the trees and my breathing eased slightly T hen I heard the crack of wood breaking underfoot

Foraging for

As a keen gatherer of hedgerow beauty for my crafts, my harvests include fruits nuts and seeds which are beneficial for our health and can help pad out our pantry in the winter months, keeping food bills down a little too We should aim to eat a more diverse diet a great way to do this is to include wild foods that can’t be bought Foraging is a skill in itself but there are some wild foods we probably all recognise such as blackberries (Be certain you know what you are gathering, collect away from roads or where animals may have ‘been’ and never gather too much leave some for nature) You probably already use blackberries in tarts, jams etc but here s a new idea

Foraged Fruit Kefir

FORAGED FRUIT KEFIR

You will need:

• Fresh water kefir grains

• Water (ideally filtered)

• Sugar

• Organic unwaxed lemon

• Fresh ginger

• Dried fruit such as a date

• Blackberries, (or fruit or herbs of choice) you can also use fruit juices herbal teas

• Wide-mouthed glass bottle (eg old passata bottles)

• Funnel

• Sieve

• Flip-top bottle how to make fruit kefir:

Sterilise your wide-mouth bottle Fill it ¾ full with water, add about 50g sugar and shake to dissolve (organic raw cane sugar is best, but white sugar works too)

What is Kefir?

Kefir comes in different forms milk kefir and water kefir Both consist of grains or a ‘SCOBY’ (Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeasts) that work together to ferment sugar in the base liquid A SCOBY is a great source of beneficial bacteria that help boost gut health A milk SCOBY uses milk sugar while a water (or fruit) kefir relies on fruit sugars to grow You can research the benefits of Kefir online and decide if it's right for you We love it, it's a great way to stay healthily hydrated and experiment with new flavours it is slightly alcoholic, so consume in moderation!

Add one date half a chopped washed lemon and a few slices of fresh peeled ginger

Add 4-5 desert spoons of kefir grains

Fasten loosely and leave on the counter-top or somewhere warm leave to complete its ‘first ferment’

Bubbles will form and the kefir grains may appear to dance in the solution They are fermenting the sugar and feeding on nutrients in the bottle

After a day or so your grains will have noticeably increased this happens faster in warmer weather When they have roughly doubled, decant the bottle contents through a clean sieve into a jug

Pour the liquid into a sterile fliptop wide-mouthed bottle using the funnel and save, remove

the used lemon ginger and dried fruit from the sieve (compost these) put half the grains back into a sterile wide mouthed bottle and start the process again

Save the other half in a jar with water and store it in the fridge as a ‘ backup’, or give it countertop to friends

Now add your blackberries to the flip-top bottle Allow to infuse for a couple of days on the counter top

You must release the top carefully at least once a day to ‘ burp’ it, as the liquid will produce carbon dioxide

Check for flavour and fizziness

Once happy, sieve out the fruit (or herbs etc), pop it in the fridge and enjoy You can drink it after the first ferment it s like ginger beer

kefir grains are available in many bio shops or if you live close to me I can give you some as they reproduce rapidly Message me via my Facebook page CueilletteetDecouvertebySophie I share flavour suggestions and videos there if you prefer a visual step-by-step process Be brave and experiment with different flavours pop to my Facebook page and let me know your favourite flavours Have fun!

Stay Connected

The latest trends in satellite TV and internet ser vices

Well hello there! I’m not sure where you stand on the Barbie vs Oppenheimer movie front (don’t pretend that passed you by!), but I can’t yet comment as I’ve only seen one of them so far And you know what, life in plastic looks, well, not bad, but maybe just meh? Mrs W dragged me there insisting it would be fun In fairness, she loved it but seeing as she’s married to me, she’s obviously easily pleased But fear not dear readers, I’ll give you the second part of my in-depth movie review as soon as I can A new career as a movie critic I hear you suggest? I’ll have to check my ‘Kenergy’ levels (that only works if you’ve seen Barbie) That said, at three hours long, Oppenheimer sounds like a bit of a slog and given that I know how it ends, makes me wonder whether to even bother? Anyway, like Nigel Farage at a Coutts Bank account review, let’s close this down By the way, Nigel was happy telling us all ‘leave means leave’ but when the jackboot is on the other foot ?

Right after I send this to the editor, I’m going to send Elon a facture Starlink is now even cheaper but just as good! The monthly subscription is now just 40 euros per month for the only satellite internet service worth having It really is very good and incredibly popular for those without a fiber/fibre internet connection However, it is important to remember that Starlink does not offer a landline type telephone service For some, this is an obvious drawback You can of course use it to make Whatsapp and Messenger calls etc, but it does not give you the ability to have a French landline number

Freesat is not the same as Freeview Please do not purchase a Freeview receiver for the reception of UK satellite TV It simply won’t work Freesat yes, Sky yes, generic satellite receiver yes Terrestrial Freeview receiver? Non, merci

Not sure if I’ve touched on this before (spoiler - I have), but I replaced another four sky mini-dishes last month Just no Yuk Errgghhh Signals were too weak and some of the LNBs were cracked I’ll grant you that they’d been working when the weather was good and had been in place for some time, but these days they simply won’t cut it Be like Zammo (remember Grange Hill anyone?) and just say no Someone asked me recently if their satellite dish would work better if they put it higher up on their wall Well, not necessarily Satellite dishes simply need a clear line of sight to the sky So, if you have no trees around you and nothing else obstructing the field of view of the dish, you can ground mount it if you wish On the other hand, if you are surrounded by trees or any other obstructions, then yes, higher is better If we assume that for the most part we’re talking about reception for UK TV & radio, then you need a clear line of sight to the south-east (roughly) In fact, for pretty much any satellite TV we’re likely to want (English language, French, German, Spanish, Dutch etc) the satellite dish needs to point south or south east That’s your rough direction

If you only have one cable from your satellite dish but you want to use something like Freesat+ which ideally requires two cables, but you don’t want to drill holes for a new cable, you can use a stacker/destacker to solve the problem The stacker can send two independent satellite signals down the one existing cable and split them out at the destacker before connecting to the Freesat+ box You’ll need a twin (or greater) output LNB on the dish but you’ll not need to run more cable into the house It’s a neat solution for when all the decorating has been done

As always, please feel free to get in touch if you would like any further information or would like to discuss your requirements Contact details can be found on the advert Have a great month

Lan g uedoc Lan g uedoc

On the way to our next stop at Sommiers in the Languedoc, we called in at Nimes, mainly because I wanted to see the Roman arena, one of the few that is still fully intact We started to get the feeling that something was amiss when every street we tried to get to the city centre was either blocked or diverted At one point I ended up driving down a one-way street where all 3 exits were blocked and I had to use a bus lane and a one-way street (the wrong way) to escape, but no one seemed bothered In the end, we decided the best option was to just find a car park and walk into the centre We emerged from an underground car park to find crowds, all wearing red scarves and metal fencing running down the street that only minutes before we had used We had arrived during the Feria de Pentecote, France’s major bullfighting festival It is estimated that over 2 million people (French, Spaniards and Portuguese) attend the festival and hotels are booked a year in advance

The fencing was in place for the Nimes equivalent of the running of the bulls Camargue cowboys on the obligatory white horses herd the bulls down the street at speed from one cattle wagon to another (not quite Pamplona), all accompanied by a sort of Mariachi band The uprights in the fencing are spaced to stop the bulls escaping but any man, woman or child who feels the urge can step through and run with the bulls and horses I had a sudden hip pain and decided to only watch

Bullfighting is usually associated with Spain but it is massive in South West France Driving around, we found that even relatively small towns have their own bullfighting arena There are 2 forms of bullfighting; the traditional Spanish form ending in the death of the bull and a form called Course Camarguaise, where the object is to remove a ribbon tied between the horns of an aggressive young bull and it is only the fighter that can be potentially hurt

Part 1

part 1

Almost every restaurant in the bullfighting towns advertises bull steaks, bull livers and every other variation of meat, (the meat is meant to taste better because the bulls are freerange and very fit) In the Camargue, we were told that Camargue bulls are never killed rather Spanish bulls are imported

Having seen the bulls run, we carried on into the town The streets were packed with people, drinking, dancing, eating and singing, this was around noon and the bullfighting didn’t start until 6pm Whatever you feel about bullfighting it is hard not to get caught up in the party and I suspect that’s what most do, the arena only holds 24,000 and there seemed more than that in each street I had seen a bullfight in Barcelona when I was 19 and had no wish to repeat the experience We left, deciding to see the arena properly another day

Cycling in the Sommiers region of the Languedoc is very pleasant, with converted railway lines and quiet tracks and lanes leading you through vineyards, olive groves, woods and the occasional field of Camargue white horses

Our cycle was made a little more difficult by my losing the recommended trail and ending up on non-cyclable footpaths through the hills The only other impediment was negotiating the goats and stray donkeys

The Camargue is actually part of Provence rather than the Languedoc, but with its association with bulls, horses and bullfighting it feels more part of the Languedoc It consists of delta land where the Rhône and the Petit Rhône enter the Mediterranean

As well as semi-wild bulls and Camargue white horses, it is also home to wild boar, beavers and many varieties of birds; including flamingos We drove to Sainte Marie de la Mare, a pleasant seaside town, similar to many others except for the

Russ Adams

bullfighting arena and bullfighting school on the quayside From here we took a boat trip back up the Petit Rhône to see some of the wildlife We saw a lot from the river, but no flamingos So, we drove around some of the area until we found some

The only real way to see the area is to hike or go on horseback I think we need to return and do some hiking in the future so we can see the horses properly

On our last day in the Sommiers area, I still wanted to see at least some of the Roman remains in the area, but we also realised that despite cycling around we hadn’t visited Sommiers itself This would have been a real miss, as it is a very pleasant medieval town on the River Vidourie with a completely intact Roman bridge

Wandering around we found an ancient convent that had been converted into social centre and named after Lawrence Durrell (the English writer of the Alexandrian

Quartet or the oldest son in the Durrells, if you prefer) It turned out he settled here in 1966 and stayed until he died in 1990 and is buried in the town And of course, it has a bullfighting arena

I was in my element as we spent the rest of the day visiting Roman roads, bridges, and remains of towns

The Roman aqueduct at Pont du Gard is extremely impressive, built to supply Nimes with water from a spring 50 km away The slope providing the flow of water only drops 56feet over this distance

We ended the day by returning to Nimes just in time to be told that the arena and museum were shutting to visitors They were now preparing for a series of rock concerts including Sting, Deep Purple and the Black-Eyed Peas In the words of Reg from The Life of Brian; “what have the Romans ever done for us”; roads, water, bridges and rock concerts apparently

Heading south to the Languedoc coast, we called in to see Montpellier This was a surprisingly grand city with a massive pedestrian square with a statue of the three graces, a fountain and an opera house at the far end On the other side of an interesting old town, an equally grand square starts with a replica Arc du Triumph, a statue of Louis XIV and gardens, all leading to an ornate water tower and adjoining aqueduct

Hitting the Languedoc coast, you soon realise this isn’t the Cote D’Azure anymore The seaside towns were more like Rhyl than Antibes or Nice, the

beaches devoid of beach bars or clubs and the sea, where we were, was ice cold

The following evening, we had the surreal experience of sitting in a campsite bar listening to a good Muse tribute band, while hordes of children raced around the dance floor on scooters, their bemused parents looking on

The Canal du Midi passes within a mile of where we were staying and this made for great cycling on the towpath, with the occasional bar or restaurant providing shade and liquid refreshment We used it to cycle to Beziers This is a nice city but its tourist parts are not immediately apparent - it took some wandering the narrow streets to find the centre

Next month - catch up with Russ and Sher when they visit the wine-growing area of the Northern Languedoc

problem: too much honey!

e been enjoying a relaxing o think about, where all the decisions have been easy ones to make It goes without saying that we have been as busy as our bees, checking that our colonies are healthy Even the very hands-off approach of just observing their comings and goings can tell us that they are doing what they are supposed to do: making more bees and making honey! We are pleased to report that our colonies are thriving and have been foraging on the abundance of nectar-rich plants in the area For the first time since we have been beekeeping in France, we moved one of our colonies to another location to help some farmer friends with pollination The fact that they have hundreds of hectares of sunflowers was also a deciding factor in our participation in ‘transhumance’ It’s an activity carried out by many commercial beekeepers, where hives are moved to different areas so that pollination is improved and different types of honey can be produced Our colonies usually provide us with ‘miel de fleurs’, mixed flower honey, as we grow lots of different plants, but the colony that we have moved will be making sunflower honey, a first for us

The honey that we harvest from our bees is always ‘surplus honey’ It’s important to remember that bees don’t make honey for us but to feed themselves over the winter

Throughout the active season (when temperatures are consistently above 14C) forager bees will be collecting water, pollen for their young, and nectar to feed the adult bees Not all nectar is turned into honey as a lot of it is eaten straight away, but any surplus will be treated with an enzyme to remove the majority of the moisture, and stored under a wax cap Bees are hard workers, and if the weather is good and there is plenty of forage available, they will collect it There doesn’t appear to be a point where they say “That should do, we can take it easy for a bit, we’ve got enough now”, they just keep collecting and storing Happy days for us as provided we leave them with enough honey for winter (around 20kg), we can harvest the surplus so, what is ‘too much honey’ and why can it be a problem?

When a hive is ‘honey bound’ it means that the bees have collected so much nectar that they have started to store it in the brood nest, taking up space that would normally be used by the queen to lay eggs Bees work hard and are constantly foraging, and if there is a lot of nectar available they will carry on hoarding as their instinct is to store as much as they can against leaner times in the future When there is a ‘honey flow’, which means that there are no shortages of forage options, usually in late spring and summer when everything is flowering, then the bees will need space in which to store surplus honey The beekeeper can help by placing another box, a ‘super’, on top of the main box which contains the

brood (the baby bees), the queen, and the majority of the bees Often a plastic or metal grill will be placed between the brood box and the super, and this has holes in it which are too small for the queen to pass through This then acts as a ‘queen excluder’ and prevents the queen from laying eggs in the super frames The bees will then store nectar here, which will become surplus honey that can be harvested when it is fully capped Any honey that is stored in the brood box will be for winter stores and should not be harvested

That’s what should happen in a traditionally managed hive However, if the beekeeper finds that most of the frames in the brood box have been given over to storing honey at a time when the bee population should be growing at a rate of knots, then action sometimes needs to be taken It is critical that the queen continues to lay in late summer and early autumn as the bees that develop at this time will be ‘winter bees’, slightly modified to survive for a longer period of time to get the colony through to the spring If the queen has no space in which to lay these winter bees, then there won’t be enough bees to survive the winter By replacing the frames of honey with frames containing just foundation wax, and by removing the queen excluder, the beekeeper can encourage the bees to use the space for brood The honey can be fed back to the bees over the winter so they won’t starve Proactively helping the bees to manage themselves is part of an ‘interventionist’ or hands-on approach to managing honeybee colonies, but it certainly isn’t the only approach, and we hope to share a bit more about natural beekeeping in the coming months

If you’re interested in finding out more, please visit our website www 13bees co uk, or get in touch by email info@13bees co uk, or call us on 05 45 71 22 90 Amanda and Kevin Baughen, 13 Bees, Confolens

Amanda Baughen

by Peter Lowth

fishing methods

You want to go fishing, so where to begin?

There are many different types of fishing from fly to coarse, sea to specimen as well as predator, but what does each involve?

To the purist angler, fly fishing is the sport of kings Fly fishing uses a rod with appropriate flies, which have been designed and refined over decades if not centuries The purpose is to beguile the fish into believing your fly is in fact a food source from the river, lake or sea, where you are fishing

Fly fishing can be for any type of fish from game fish; trout, salmon, and grayling to coarse fish; chub, carp, and roach as well as predator fish; black bass, pike, perch and zander

With fly fishing you need time and patience to learn the basic art of casting then, with its limited tackle requirements, it can be a relatively quick and inexpensive way to start your fishing adventures

Coarse fishing involves fishing predominantly with a rod that has a float, weight or feeder attached You can coarse fish in rivers, lakes, canals and for all species –carp, tench, roach, perch, chub, barbel, bream and rudd to name but a few There are no flies involved and instead natural baits are used such as maggots, worms, casters (pupated maggots), sweetcorn, and bread and there are many, many more options Artificial baits are also popular and come in many different formats such as boillies and pellets, all with various flavourings and that can be used to lure your favourite fish!

The tackle requirements for coarse fishing can be extremely complex and also expensive From carbon fibre poles varying in strength and lengths from 4m to 16m, to rod and reels across float feeders and lead fishing, as well as a whole host of accessory items that no coarse angler can be without! For the beginner, a simple approach is best and avoids the “all the gear and no idea” moniker

Specimen fishing, a sub-set of coarse fishing, is where the sole purpose is to catch the largest fish regardless of species The dedicated specimen angler will spend hours, days and sometimes weeks fishing multiple rods with bite alarms and enough bait to attract the biggest fish out there, all in the pursuit of a Personal Best

Predator fishing is a specialism within fishing and is exceptionally popular in France Like fly fishing it can be done with the minimal amount of equipment, but the maximum amount of enjoyment It involves a rod and reel with a selection of lures and spinners of various sizes and weights These are used to impersonate the prey fish on which the predators feed

Sea fishing is popular due to its combination of fly, predator and coarse fishing techniques The approach you need to use is dependent upon the species you are trying to catch; from bottom dwellers to surface feeders You can fish from the beach or a boat and the beauty of sea fishing is that you can usually eat what you catch!

In my 40+ years of fishing experience, I would recommend that the enthusiastic beginner starts with a simple approach There are a myriad of useful blogs, FB groups and magazines to help get you started and also lots of equipment can be bought second-hand Fortunately, experienced anglers are (despite appearances!) usually more than happy to give beginners advice and to share their top tips for the sport they love

So 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

Coarse Fishing set up

Fly Fishing for Bass

Predator Fishing

the g uys V ine y ard the g uys V ine y ard

D isaster strikes the vineyard!

by Rob Brimfield and Steve McMahon

As the summer draws to an end and September comes into view the thoughts turn to the har vest The changes in climate, that we have already spoken about last month, have made this time of year more difficult to predict and therefore var y greatly beyond the normal expectations that make French wine vintages what they have always been

The intense levels of humidity that we have faced this year not only in the Bordeaux region but across France caused high levels of mildew to be reported throughout the countr y Wet and warm is the perfect conditions for mildew not only to start but when it continues allowing it to spread uncontrollably if not stamped out The demands of not only general farming but winemakers to become organic or as the French call it BIO, the products available to treat the vines against mildew have little or no effect when the conditions for its growth and spread are ideal and constant

What has this meant for the wine industr y in France this year? The answer to that is disaster Organic vineyards like ours have been left with little or no fruit to har vest this year and for us personally, there will be no har vest For several years production has been hit by meteorological changes Last year the unrelenting temperatures and lack of rain reduced production by half, late frosts of the year before with hail in some regions too wet and not enough sun before that

The costs each year have obviously increased with many products from fertilizer to bottles increasing by 30% The hours of work that go into maintaining and tending to the vines throughout the season remain the same despite the reduction in production and wine prices not increasing It is a difficult time for vignerons and many are facing hardship and looking at possibly changing their production to other crops

The decision not to har vest the small amount of fruit that has sur vived the severity of mildew was a difficult one With the additional work involved in picking and sorting through

the fruit to ensure the har vest would only consist of quality fruit was not going to be worth it so we felt it was not going to be worth it

Hopefully, we will have a better season next year and be blessed with a bumper crop another Marché Gourmand

With the last few fêtes and night markets taking place in the early part of September along with a few wine events such as tasting days and “Portes Ouvertes” at vineyards ever y opportunity needs to be taken to enjoy them as winter will soon be upon us We realise we have made the most of all of them this season and visited several with friends and guests introducing them to this wonder of French life We are spoilt in our region with almost ever y evening you could visit a different event in one village or another

Social events in France, such as the “Marché Nocturne,” are quite unique experiences and just have to be enjoyed for what they are Some are more professional than others, but all possess the charm of village life and the surrounding community

So what’s this got to do with wine you may ask? Local events bring out the local producers who offer their wine for sale normally at cellar prices this gives you the chance to tr y something you may not have before for as little as seven or eight euros which when purchased in a restaurant will set you back twenty-five to thirty-five euros When you visit the larger events there are often several different producers to discover and enjoy, some will disappoint but others will surprise After a glass or two you may find your discerning palate is not on for so why not pop the cork in and buy a different one so that you can return home with a couple of half bottles to enjoy the following day when they have had the chance to breathe their flavour has opened and you could possibly find the little gem that becomes your next favourite while supporting one, or more, of your local vignerons

Despite the lack of a har vest this year September is set to be a busy month here at Clos Vieux Rochers as those travellers that prefer to avoid both the heat and the families take their holidays We have a large number of return visitors all year but September is especially popular and often the second getaway of the year for many of our guests A perfect time of year to wander the vineyard pathways that can lead you miles and take in the vistas that appear around the next bend The streets of Saint Emilion are less crowded and give you the opportunity to look up and take in the architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage Site or visit one of the many medieval villages and towns close by Finish the evening with a platter of charcuterie and cheese a bottle of wine while chatting overlooking the vines This is our piece of heaven which we hope you are able to visit sometime soon

Wishing you well The Vineyard Guys

Rob, Steve and Branston

September in the garden

As the final days of summer draw to a close gardens nationwide undergo a spectacular transformation The crisp autumn air and increased rainfall breathe new life into the foliage, resulting in a resurgence of vibrant greener y and, in some fortunate instances a captivating encore of floral blooms This transitor y period ser ves as an opportunity to reflect on the gardening triumphs and challenges of the past season while simultaneously preparing for the rich tapestr y of colours that autumn brings

better water accessibility or transforming gardens into tropical paradises brimming with hardy, drought-resistant perennials Autumn ushers in a late burst of colour in the garden, thanks to the vibrant hues of asters chr ysanthemums dahlias heleniums Japanese anemones and the ever-resilient rudbeckias Concurrently, the arrival of spring bulbs in garden centres offers a dazzling array of options that expand each year, promising a vibrant display in the coming months

The impact of climate change is becoming increasingly visible in our gardens With summers lengthening and temperatures rising gardening practices must adapt, particularly regarding water management Rainwater collection during the spring months has emerged as a crucial strategy to combat this issue It may also be necessar y to consider relocating certain plants to areas with

This year despite challenging conditions, there has been a renewed appreciation for exotic, drought-resistant plants that flourish in dr y, shingly, shrubby soil From the magnificent spectacle of hedychium to the robust growth of fatsia japonica (also known as false castor oil plant or Japanese aralia) these resilient species have left a lasting impression with their tenacity and beauty The superb canna lilies, the vibrant agapanthus, and the showstopping orange trumpet vine (campsis) have all added a splash of colour and life to the garden Let's not forget Verbena bonariensis a sturdy plant bearing its purple flowers on tall stems creating an illusion of floating blooms - a sight to behold indeed

Despite the shorter days and longer nights, there's always something of interest to do outside Each season brings its own charm and tasks in the garden Autumn, with its golden hues, sets off a flurr y of activity in the garden Cooler temperatures and shorter days signal plants to prepare for winter and gardeners to ready their gardens for the coming seasons

Hedges the backbone of our gardens provide both privacy and a habitat for wildlife Now is the time to trim deciduous hedges like beech, hornbeam, and hawthorn, encouraging thick, dense growth and maintaining their shape

Lawns also demand attention at this time of year Scarifying lawns to remove moss and thatch aerating using a garden fork to improve drainage seeding over bare patches and feeding the lawn ensures a lush carpet of green in spring Consider naturalising some bulbs into the grass for a pop of colour next year

Now is also the perfect time to sow hardy annuals and biennials such as nigella, centaurea, poppies, limanthes, and foxgloves These will provide delightful splashes of colour next season Also, consider planting cyclamen under trees or hedges Their beautiful flowers will brighten up even the shadiest corners of the garden With the soil still warm from summer, it's the ideal time to establish new perennials Plant heleniums, helianthes, and asters now, and you'll be rewarded with vibrant autumn colours next year

It’s still possible for a pool this Summer

Spring bulbs are now available in garden centres and online Choose your favourites and start planning for a colourful spring display Remember, tulips should be planted in November, while narcissus and daffodils can be layered deeply in pots for a succession of blooms

Autumn is also a critical time for disease prevention Remove dead foliage from around the base of plants to prevent fungal diseases and mould Roses, in particular need extra care Remove suckers from the base and spray for black spot to keep them healthy

Planting and Sowing:

Plant cyclamens in shady spots, new perennials for next year ' s autumn colour, and new trees and shrubs Sow hardy annuals and biennials for a vibrant garden all-year-round

Planning for Spring:

Buy and plan for spring bulbs Plant spring flowering bulbs and move or plant conifers before colder weather sets in for a beautiful spring bloom

Disease Prevention and Plant Care: Remove dead foliage from around plants to prevent disease, care for roses by removing suckers and spraying for black spot Check for vine weevil grubs in potted plants and control powder y mildew on plants

Garden Maintenance: Put netting over ponds to protect from leaves and debris Deadhead plants to encourage more blooms and divide established summer flowering perennials Clear away detritus from around plants and flower beds Improve lawn drainage by spiking and top dressing grass Mow long grass under fruit trees for easier windfall collection

once leaves yellow, and move evergreen shrubs while soil is warm Leave tall stemmed perennials uncut for wildlife Layer shrubs like rhododendrons and hang net bags of fresh empty egg shells in fruit trees to deter peach leaf curl fungus

Each task contributes to the overall health and beauty of your garden, preparing it for the seasons to come So, as we welcome the autumn season, let's embrace its unique tasks and look for ward to a vibrant and colourful garden in the coming spring

As we transition into this golden season, here's a handy to-do list to help you navigate through:

Lawn and Hedge Care: Trim deciduous hedges scarify and aerate lawns, seed over bare patches, and feed the lawn These steps will not only maintain the aesthetics but also ensure the health of your garden

Propagation and Har vest: Take cuttings from a variety of plants including roses pelargoniums fuchsias penstemons lavender rosemar y and salvias Propagate roses by taking hardwood cuttings Har vest apples and pears and store separately

Preparing for Winter: Plant clematis for good root development before winter lift gladioli corms

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

ALL ENQUIRIES ARE TREATED IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENCE

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

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

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

Combined Services Support Group - CSSG is a group of mainly ex services people living in the area who meet socially whilst raising funds to support ex-service charities Former UK servicemen and women, police and firefighters are invited to email Christine Hester at christine.hester10@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

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

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

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

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

Vasles Netball Club - Want to keep fit, have fun and make new friends? Join us at Vasles Netball Club every Monday from 5 307pm at the Salle Omnisports in Vasles. Open to men and women of all abilities and experience. Two free taster sessions. FB @VaslesNetballClub email: vaslesnetball@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

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

Ta i Chi classes - exercise for body and mind (and memory) for everyone Classes are held Mondays at 7:30 pm in Bressuire and Wednesdays at 3:00 pm in Le Breuil Barret. Call Terry at 05 49 65 60 34, email chentaiji.fr@gmail.com or visit www.chentaiji-fr.com

BRidGE pLAyERS WANtEd

A small, friendly bridge group is looking for new players in the Parthenay area We are friendly and informal and welcome players of all skill levels Contact Richard Knight by email richardknight@orange fr or 05 49 69 18 65

Franglais Anglo-French Group thouars - Centre Socio-Culturel

We meet every Wednesday 7 30pm-9pm, at 7 rue Anne Desrays, for conversation in English & French, and to understand each other’s language and culture. Contact 05 49 66 35 11 or email jpc allorent@orange fr or eugene mc cabe@hotmail com

Airvault Conversation - Come and practice your French with a friendly group of Fench 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

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

vienne and Deux-Sèvres update

Philip Buckle

There are no fundraising events to write about for this edition However, there is some good news to report I am pleased to let you know that we are sending three people to Cahors at the end of September for training sessions to become Active Listeners They will have the opportunity to be trained by the Cancer Support France National team and meet fellow trainees from across the country So, a huge thank you to those who have contributed over time as this is one way we use your money I believe that they have agreed to travel together not just for the company but to save money for our association

I am also delighted to tell you that, through advertisements in this magazine, we have been informed that a potential fundraiser during 'October Rose' will benefit us I'm looking forward to visiting the area on October 8th to be part of the event

Perhaps you have been wondering about the title' Active Listener' and how this is different from the role of volunteer or language support

An 'Active Listener' will give emotional support through regular telephone calls or by email The choice is open to the person who has asked to have contact

An 'Active Listener' can signpost to various organisations but will not have medical knowledge, legal expertise or the necessary answers to financial questions

As an association we have agreed to help people across the country rather than just the Vienne and Deux-Sèvres

Currently I am supporting a gentleman who lives in Normandy and have been phoning him since September 2021 We text using Whatsapp as a means of communication between calls Sadly his wife died at the beginning of May and I have been able to offer continuity as he deals with his profound grief This has been a huge learning curve for me but as long as he needs the support Cancer Support France will be there for him

As always if you need our help or support for one call or more please use the National Helplines

0800 240 200

helpline @cancersupportfrance org

Philip Buckle - President of The Vienne and Deux-Sèvres CSF association

John Blair

We hope you all had a great summer and hope it's not over yet but we are already all working hard on our latest project A Variety Show which will be held in L'Absie at the end of October An evening performance at 7 30pm on Friday 27th and an afternoon performance at 3pm on Saturday 28th to meet all your needs Over 20 different acts, singing, dancing, playing music, comedy sketches etc

Over 20 of our members will be appearing on stage in various acts and we are all very excited about our latest production We do hope you will come along and support us Tickets are 10 euros each and may be reserved by contacting johnblair696@gmail com or coming along to a performance

The Book Club has continued throughout the summer months and is going from strength to strength with more new members joining last month So please join us if you like a good book and a chat about it afterwards

We meet at the Café des Belles Fleurs in Fenioux on the first Wednesday of every month at 3pm We are currently creating a book list, each one chosen by a member, which will be read over the coming school year

The September book for review is 'Oh Dear Sylvia' by Dawn French The October book for you to read and review is 'The Miniaturist' by Jessie Burton Please email Michelle at mblair85@hotmail com if you would like to join us

The Poems & Pints group starts again on the 27th September also at 3pm at the café in Fenioux

The theme will be "Youth" If you have a favourite poem or perhaps you might like to write your own loosely based on this theme Or would just like to come along and listen to others reading please do Contact John Round at round john@free fr There is no charge for visitors to either event but regular participation will require Reaction Theatre membership

Keynotes Choir had a very successful time earlier in the years singing in a number of different churches, a remembrance service and even a wedding! Many of the choir members will be taking part in the Variety Show and not just singing After the Variety Show, we will be preparing for a number of Christmas concerts

Look out for details of the various events held within Reaction Theatre in the'"What's On" section of the Deux-Sèvres Monthly

For further information email johnblair696@ gmail com or visit our website www reactiontheatre eu

The bene fits o f Ta ijiqua n

Taijiquan: also known as Tai Chi quan, is an ancient movement system originally developed in China as a martial art

Today it is practised by many people for the health benefits it can provide

At first glance it appears to be simply a sequence of (mostly) slow movements that link one posture with another: You might think that it sounds so slow, relaxed and smooth that the health benefits are negligible but that s far from the case!

The ver y fact that the movements are slow forces you to pay more attention to your balance As you transition from one pose to the next, most of your body weight is supported by one leg so your leg muscles feel like they've

Terry Ryan

been exercised The deep abdominal breathing that accompanies the relaxed movements promotes the flow of well-oxygenated blood throughout your body- an essential requirement for good health

In Chinese terms, your qi flows through your entire body!

However, the benefits of Taijiquan are not only physical Your mind will become fully engaged in the movements as you become more relaxed and less stressed

You may agree that Taijiquan can improve your balance, joints, muscles and circulation and relieve tension in your body and mind

Although at first you will probably find that your movements are awkward

and uncoordinated, that your breathing is out of sync you will gradually find that this disappears and your movements become more controlled and elegant, while your mind becomes more relaxed

If you want to see for yourself, why not join us and tr y out some classes!

Taiji sessions start again in September:

Monday evenings:

18th September in Bressuire

Centre Socio- Culturel 7:30-9:00pm

Wednesday afternoons:

21st September in Le Breuil Barret 3:00 – 4:30pm

Visit www chen-taiji-fr jimdosite com

or phone me: 05 49 65 60 34 for more details

Coconut Cardamom Lemon Cake (makes one 20cm cake)

This simple cake is great as an afternoon treat It can also be dressed up as dessert if served alongside a fruit compote and whipped cream or ice cream It can also be soaked in syrup infused with whole spices such as star anise or a cinnamon stick

INGREDIENTS

• 225g butter

• 225g caster sugar

• 3 medium eggs

• A few drops of vanilla extract

• 125g self raising flour

• 100g desiccated coconut

• 8-10 cardamom pods –outer skins removed and discarded, seeds crushed

• zest of one lemon

• A pinch of salt

INSTRUCTIONS

1 Preheat the oven to 180C (conventional oven) Grease and line a 20cm cake tin In a large bowl using an electric whisk or using a stand mixer, beat together the sugar and butter with an electric whisk until quite pale and fluffy Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each

addition Add the vanilla extract

2 In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, coconut, cardamom seeds and zest of lemon Add this to the bowl with the sugar, butter and eggs Mix just until it all comes together

3 Transfer the cake batter to the prepared cake tin (it will be quite thick) Smooth the top and place in the oven Bake for about 4550 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean. If the top has browned and is turning too dark, cover it loosely with a piece of aluminium foil

4 Once done, remove tin from the oven and let it cool for ten minutes before taking the cake out and placing it on a wire rack to cool completely

Slow Cooked Beer Braised Pulled Pork

With autumn just around the corner, this comforting dish will keep you warm and full when the weather begins to get a bit chilly Any leftovers make for excellent sandwich fillings for easy lunches

INGREDIENTS

• 11/₂ tsp fennel seeds

• 1 heaped tsp smoked paprika

• 1 tsp spicy Mexican (or other) chilli powder

• 1/₂ tsp cajun spice mix

• Salt and pepper

• 1 5kg boneless pork shoulder (look for meat labelled as 'sauté de porc' or 'rouelle de porc') cut into big chunks

• 2 medium red onions cut into thick wedges

• 3-4 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed

• 2-3 tbsp olive oil

• 1 bottle of light beer of your choice

• 2-3 cups chicken or beef stock/broth

METHOD

1 Preheat the oven to 165C Cut away and discard any excess fat on the pork shoulder pieces Rub the spice mix all over Heat the oil in a heavy bottomed pan or casserole. Sear the pieces of meat to get a nice dark brown exterior Add the onions and garlic to the pan Pour in the beer and broth making sure there’s enough liquid to cover the meat

2 Bring it to a boil Turn off the heat Cover tightly with a lid. Place in the oven and cook for about 3 5-4 hours after which time, the meat should become meltingly tender and easily fall apart

3 Transfer the meat from the pot to a large mixing bowl and gently shred it using two forks Strain the cooking liquid left behind in the pot into a cup or bowl Discard any fat that rises to the top You may use the liquid to moisten the meat if it looks too dry

4 Use the succulent shreds of fork tender meat to make sandwiches, burgers, burritos or even pasta sauce

Tomato Galette (Serves 2)

A good way to use up the last of the summer tomatoes, this galette can be served for a light lunch or supper with a green salad on the side

INGREDIENTS

• 2-3 large heirloom tomatoes thinly sliced

• 1 readymade shortcrust pastry roll (pâte brisée)

• 1/₃ cup grated gruyere cheese

• 1-2 sprigs of thyme

• 1 large clove of garlic thinly sliced

• Salt and pepper

• 1 egg lightly beaten

• Sesame seeds (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1 Place the tomato slices in a colander and sprinkle a teaspoon of salt over them Leave it for about 10-15 minutes to draw out excess moisture

2 Preheat the oven to 180C

3 Line a large baking tray/sheet with parchment paper

4 Roll out the shortcrust pastry onto the lined tray

5 Place the tomato slices over the pastry leaving a border of about an inch all around

6 Insert the pieces of garlic in between the tomato slices Sprinkle the cheese and thyme over the top Season with salt and pepper

7 Fold the border of the pastry over the tomato slices and brush this with the beaten egg Sprinkle the sesame seeds (if using) on the egg washed border

8 Transfer the tray to the oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the pastry has turned golden brown The tomatoes will look shrunken as well

9 Leave to cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.

all recipes and food photographs have been provided this month by Sujatha otzen. born in india,

is

indian cookery workshops from her kitchen at closerie Les roches

(79290) For more details check out Sujatha’s advertisement on page 29

Sujatha

a trained chef who runs runs

in bouillé-Loretz

easy Crossword

(with thanks to rob Berr y)

ACROSS

1. A child who has lost both parents (6)

4. An outbuilding for housing vehicles (6)

8. Fruit of the oak tree (5)

9 Express approval of; clap one's hands (7)

10 Goods or money obtained illegally (5)

11 Try, make an effort to accomplish something (7)

12 Build; make by combining materials and parts (9)

15. The capital of Sicily (7)

16. Army rank higher than Captain (5)

17 An oratorio composed by Handel (7)

18 Collection of maps in a book (5)

19 Having an unpleasant smell (6)

20 Roman goddess of the dawn (6)

2. North American nocturnal mammal (6)

3. English admiral who defeated the French fleets of Napoleon (7-6)

5. Large amusement park ride (6-7)

6. Annoyed and irritable (6)

7. An event resulting in great loss and misfortune (11)

13 A father or mother (6)

14 Fabric made from Angora goat (6)

Cr yptic Crossword

(with thanks to Mike Morris)

ACROSS

1 Bizarre consequences of Scottish island exporting class A drug? (3)

3 Singer of calypso hoping for protection of once rough area (4)

5. Something to chew over after direction given to run straight and fast. (4)

9. Pursue relentlessly my French conviction? (5)

10. Songbirds can be identified; listen particularly if an unknown number captured. (7)

11. Strangely cast in new role taking part in unconventional race for agents to speed things up. (12)

14. Apparently call out in pain, initiating a response similar to others found here. (6)

15 Remain confused about something found in the sea (6)

18 For a second in a version of my true story, secret trips were made (7,5)

21 See 4

22 To employ about a thousand is customary practice everywhere (5)

23 We are told an alcoholic drink is used in shuffling-off ceremony? (4)

24. Founded, in short, in eastern telephone operation. (4)

25. Miserable arrangement of forms of publicity. (3)

DOWN

1 She's got a ticket to do this, making a connection here today (4)

2 Wise men over-heat unit, making a wonderful introduction to 18? (7)

3 Put the wind up when data the score presents is broken down (5, 2, 5)

4,21 Fairground ride, one of the kind found in these parts? (6, 7)

6 Belief in general limits a revolutionary (5)

7. Put down leaders of destructive, irrational sedition. (3)

8. Gold (AU) Canute assembled is not included in the official list. (12)

12. Time taken for gun to arrive from life-saving installation. (4)

13. Plague village completely turned upside-down in trauma yesterday (4)

16 To progress you have to make some converts on raids (7)

17. Standard temperature reading for syrup manufacture in the Mediterranean (6)

19. Made sense at first, but ET ending exchange gave public display of emotion. (5)

20. It is announced that to make bread is essential. (4)

21. Small cash advance, between fourteen and fifteen perhaps is appropriate today? (3)

Our Furry Friends Our Furry Friends

hELioS

ark7

THE ASSOCIATION EN ROUTE

tel: 07 69 18 56 81 or email: henri@assoenroute com

Helios is 11 years young and his raison d'etre is to fill his people's lives with joy ! He's a bit fussy about some dogs and will chase cats, so is probably best as an only dog but promises to brighten your life with his charm. Please contact us if you'd like more info

henri@assoenroute.com.

www.assoenroute.com

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

No RNA: W792009674

Facebook Groups: Hope79 Sauze-Vaussais Furniture for Sale Hope Associaton Charity Shop 79

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 & Wednesday 10am-2pm

Les dons sont les bienvenus les lundis et mercredis de 10h à 14h

Charity Spotlight

In the quiet village of Sainte-Soline, you'll find Ark 79, a remarkable charity run by a team of committed volunteers Their mission is simple: to raise funds for the aid of abused, neglected, and abandoned animals The revenue generated is donated each month to registered rescue associations and refuges providing much-needed support for these vulnerable animals in need

Ark 79 is a treasure trove divided into six enticing sections: Bric-a-Brac, Clothing, Cafe, Haberdasher y, Books/CDs/DVDs, and a Children s cabin From antique collectables to preloved fashion English food favourites haberdasher y items and a myriad of books and CDs there s something for ever yone

The highlight of the calendar is the annual summer fête on September 2nd Held at the Sainte-Soline Lake the event promises artisan stalls traditional fish & chips a tombola and a dog talent contest organised by Association EnRoute

As well as the shop in Sainte-Soline Ark 79 runs an online shop where customers can purchase various items including clothing shoes jeweller y bric-a-brac and furniture They also accept a range of donations and offer collection ser vices within a reasonable distance

Whether you re looking to shop donate or volunteer make sure you visit Ark 79 at 8 Rue d Aunis 79120 Sainte-Soline or call them on 05 49 29 68 221 Ark 79 is open ever y Tuesday between 10am - 4pm and ever y last Saturday of the month from 10am - 2pm

Do you know of a pet rescue charity that could use this page to advertise free of charge? Send us the details and we’ll try to include them next month Email: info@thedeuxsevresmonthly fr

the avantages of being “ancien”

“Votre prochain rendez-vous est dans cinq ans” we were told as we drove away Really? 5 years?? I thought that a CT test (contrôle technique) for vehicles was every 2 years in France And so it is I was assured, except (and there’s always an ‘except’) for voitures de collection, when the French equivalent of the UK MOT test is only due every 5 years Great news for us as we have two 2CVs, both over 30 years old, which means that they qualify for voiture ancienne status

“But why?” I hear you ask Apparently, vehicles of a certain age are not expected to drive as many kilometres per year as your average everyday car

In fact, we have a special insurance policy for our two little beauties, giving us a reduced premium for reduced kilometrage Every little helps, as they say

Another special option for a voiture de collection is a retro-style number plate

Once a vehicle reaches the magic age of 30, you have the option to apply for a

(very chic!) silver-on-black registration plate (see picture) – another quirk of France’s auto regulations

And finally, somewhat bizarrely, there’s no requirement for the CT certificate to be displayed on the windscreen of a voiture ancienne No one seems to know why, but “C’est comme ça en France”! Yes, the French really do love their old vehicles; not only cars, but motorbikes & tractors as well, not forgetting those hugely impressive big, red fire engines! Whether it be rassemblements, balades or expositions, there’s always an opportunity for proud owners to show off their beloved vehicles (and for enthusiasts to enjoy the spectacle) In fact we’re lucky enough here in the south west to have 2 annual events where you can either take part or go to watch old vehicles in action:

the Circuit des Ramparts in Angoulême, which takes place over the Patrimoine weekend in September (15th – 17th this year)

Insurance and asset management advice in english

Isabelle Want

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 following subjects:

- 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)

and closer to home, the Grand Prix Historique de Bressuire, usually towards the end of June, where vehicles race around the town centre streets!

Thinking about the CT test for elderly vehicles, why is it that, as vehicles age, their controls become less frequent, yet for us humans, we seem to need more and more check-ups as we advance in years? Or perhaps I already know the answer to that question when I see how much time, effort and energy is expended by voiture ancienne owners to keep their vehicles in tip-top condition In fact, David’s car group goes by the glorious name of Club Rétro-Passions –that sums it up really, doesn’t it??

I work in the Allianz offices in Ruffec, La Rochefoucauld Roumaziere Loubert and Chasseneuil sur Bonnieure and my contact details are below

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 bhassurances fr/en

Isabelle Want BH Assurances

Conseiller Financier/ Asset Manager

Mob:+33(0)6 17 30 39 11

Email: isabelle want@bh-assurances fr N° orias : 07020908/07021727/07004255

moving to and living in france tax efficiently

Are you planning your move to France? O r have you recently started your new life here? Either way, it is important to prepare for French taxation and adjust your wealth management accordingly

INCOME AND WEALTH TAXES

Income taxes – Income tax rates for 2022 income (declared in 2023) range from 11% for income over €10,777 to 45% for income over €168 994 The additional social charges are generally 9 7% for employment income 9 1% for pension income (reduced to 7 4% for low incomes) and 17 2% for investment income Retirees with For m S1 escape social charges on pensions and pay a lower 7 5% rate on investment income Investment income benefits from a 30% fixed rate (including both income tax and social charges)

Real estate wealth tax – This annual tax affects households with property assets exceeding €1 300 000 The first €800,000 is tax free, then rates range from 0 5% to 1 5%

Succession tax – French inheritance tax is charged on each beneficiar y, with rates and allowances var ying considerably according to who the beneficiar y is

ESTATE PLANNING

If you are resident in France when you die, your heirs will be impacted by French succession law and tax French succession law imposes forced heirship, where children are protected heirs The European ‘Br ussels IV ’ succession regulations allow you to opt for the law of your countr y of nationality to apply instead of French law but take advice to understand the pros and cons

If you haven’t bought property yet, be aware that there are various methods of ownership here which can have succession tax and law implications

PENSIONS

by Catrina Ogilvie, Blevins Franks

Review your pension funds and the options now available to you For example, would you benefit from moving your pension to a q ualifying Recognised O verseas Pension Scheme? Alternatively, you could potentially take your Uk pension fund as a lump sum – possibly paying just 7 5% tax in France under certain circumstances (plus social charges unless you have Form S1) – to re-invest the capital into taxefficient ar rangements Moving your pension out of Uk would also protect you should the Uk lifetime allowance tax changes (abolished in the 2023 budget) be reinstated by a future government

With something as important as your pension, it’s vital to take regulated personalised advice

OVERALL PLANNING

Uk tax-efficient vehicles may not be tax-efficient in France so review your tax planning and how you hold assets There are ar rangements available here that can prove ver y advantageous tax-wise and provide succession planning benefits

Planning a tax-efficient move to France involves both French and Uk taxation so talk to a specialist adviser who is familiar with the interaction between regimes and can advise on effective planning strategies

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

I moved to France last year and completed my first tax return in May When will I find out if I owe any tax? Friends have mentioned an Avis D’Impots but I’m not 100% sure what this or where to find it?

The Avis D'impôt, also known as the tax assessment notice, is a document issued by the French tax authorities to inform taxpayers about the amount of tax they owe or the refund they are entitled to It provides a detailed breakdown of the income, deductions, and credits considered in the calculation of the tax liability While the tax authorities strive to accurately assess each taxpayer's liability, errors can occur due to various reasons, such as incorrect data entry or missing information

This document can be downloaded from your online tax portal (if you have one) and is sent in the post by the tax office, usually at the end of August/September time

If you suspect that your tax return was not completed correctly, it is crucial to review your Avis D'impôt thoroughly Check if all your income sources, deductions, and credits have been accurately accounted for Look for any discrepancies or omissions that may have resulted in an incorrect tax assessment

To rectify any mistakes, you can contact the tax authorities directly They will guide you through the process of correcting your tax return Alternatively, you may choose to seek professional advice from a tax consultant or accountant who can assist you in navigating the complexities of the French tax system

They can review your Avis D'impôt, identify any errors, and help you prepare the necessary documentation to support your corrections

It is important to note that there are specific deadlines for correcting errors in your tax return The French tax authorities typically allow taxpayers to make corrections within a certain timeframe, usually within a few months of receiving the Avis D'impôt Failing to address any errors within the specified period may result in penalties or additional interest charges

In addition to correcting errors, the Avis D'impôt also provides an opportunity to dispute the amount of tax you are required to pay If you believe that you are paying too much tax, you can contest the assessment by following the appropriate procedures outlined by the tax authorities This may involve submitting supporting documentation or providing explanations for any discrepancies It is advisable to consult with a tax professional to ensure that you follow the correct steps and present your case effectively

While reviewing your Avis D'impôt, it may come to your attention that you have savings and investments held outside the French tax-efficient vehicles here in France This could mean that you are paying tax and social charges that are unnecessary

In France, there are tax-efficient vehicles such as the Livret A, Plan d'Epargne en Actions (PEA) and the Assurance Vie, which offer tax advantages for certain types of savings and investments These

vehicles provide opportunities to reduce your tax liability and potentially increase your after-tax returns If you have savings or investments that are not currently held within these taxefficient vehicles, you may be missing out on potential tax savings

Chatting with an experienced financial adviser in France will allow a reliable assessment your specific situation and provide guidance on the most suitable tax-efficient vehicles for your savings and investments They can help you understand the eligibility criteria, benefits, and potential tax implications associated with each option By investing in one of these tax-efficient vehicles, you may be able to reduce your tax burden and optimise your overall financial position

It is important to note that investing in such tax-efficient vehicles should involve careful consideration of several factors, including cost and flexibility For example, there may be charges associated with opening or transferring funds into these vehicles Additionally, there may be restrictions on the types of assets that can be held It is crucial to carefully evaluate the costs and benefits before making any decisions

Furthermore, it is essential to ensure compliance with all relevant tax regulations and reporting requirements When transferring funds into tax-efficient vehicles, it is important to accurately report these transactions to the tax authorities and include them in your annual tax return

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/amanda-johnson

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 »

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Our favourite selection of properties for sale in the Deux-Sèvres

Marnes €189,000

Ref: A22793 - 4-bedroom house with outbuildings and a gîte to renovate.

8% agency fees included paid by the buyer Energy class: E Climate class: B

Sainte-Soline €104,500

Ref: A11073 - Large 3-bedroom house with exposed stonework and land.

Brûlain €599,000

Ref: A22807 - Complex of 3 renovated and equipped gîtes, with outbuildings.

Agency fees to be paid by the seller DPE: Not required

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Fomperron €349,900

Ref: A21251 - 4-bedroom property featuring stunning garden and pool.

6% agency fees included paid by the buyer Energy class: D Climate class: D

Charming Retreat

Fontenille-St-Martin €104,500

Ref: A21139 - 2-bedroom house with large garden, in quiet location.

10% agency fees included paid by the buyer Energy class: F Climate class: C

Two for One

Clavé €51,600

Ref: A19801 - Renovated 1-bedroom house with another house to complete.

15% agency fees included paid by the buyer DPE: Not required

Fabulous Setting

La Mothe-Saint-Héray €249,500

Ref: A12137 - 6-bedroom farmhouse with gîte, garden and pool.

6% agency fees included paid by the buyer DPE: No data

1950’s Beauty

Melle €141,700

Ref: A23056 - Large semi-detached 4-bedroom house close to amenities.

9% agency fees included paid by the buyer Energy class: F Climate class: F

Renovation Project EXCLUSIVE EXCLUSIVE

Farmhouse

Bressuire €379,750

Ref: A22841 - Beautifully renovated 3-bedroom farmhouse.

Agency fees to be paid by the seller Energy class: F Climate class: C

Country Charm

Villemain €119,350

Ref: A22581 - 3-bedroom characterful home in a quiet hamlet.

9% agency fees included paid by the buyer Energy class: E Climate class: B

Three for One

Sauzé-Vaussais €165,850

Ref: A14261 - Former school comprising three apartments, outbuildings and garden.

7% agency fees included paid by the buyer Energy class: D Climate class: B

Blank Canvas

Argentonnay €36,600

Ref: A14836 - Quirky 2-bedroom village house to renovate.

22% agency fees included paid by the buyer DPE: No data

We have helped 1000s of clients buy and sell property in France and have 8000+ properties listed on our website. If you are looking to sell, contact us for a freemarket appraisal.

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