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THE DEUX-SÈVRES MONTHLY
Welcome! to Issue 34 of
‘The DeuxSèvres Monthly’ magazine.
Dashing through the snow, in a one horse open sleigh.....over the hills we go, laughing all the way! ha ha! Well, it’s mid November and I’m ready for Christmas, albeit a month too early! That’s what preparing a Christmas issue will do to you... I’m very organised (for once!) and eagerly await all the festive events happening in the department this month. Please take a look at both our “What’s On” section and our special Christmas Market list on page 11 to find out what’s happening near you. Have an enjoyable time this festive season, and take care on your journey to see loved ones. Rob and I (and all the cats!) would like to wish you a wonderful Christmas and all the very best for a healthy and happy 2014.
One final note -‐ apologies, but the cheeky Elves have got to this issue before us!
Joyeux Noël, Sarah.
Tel: 05 49 70 26 21 Email: info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr website: www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
Emergency Numbers: 15 SAMU, Medical 17 Gendarmes, Police 18 Pompiers, Fire
112 European emergency 113 Drugs and alcohol
CONTENTS
What’s On.....................................................................................4 Hobbies, Clubs & Associations.....................................................6 Take a Break.................................................................................7 Getting Out & About....................................................................8 Health, Beauty & Fitness............................................................16 Our Furry Friends.......................................................................18 The Great Outdoors...................................................................20 A-‐Z of the Communes in the Deux-‐Sèvres.................................22 French Life, Food & Drink...........................................................23 Motoring....................................................................................27 Communications........................................................................29 Building & Renovation...............................................................30 Business, Finance & Property....................................................35
THIS MONTH’S ADVERTISERS
79 Renovations.....................................................................................................34 A Cut Above with Jilly (Mobile Hairdressing)...................................................... 17 A La Bonne Vie (Restaurant)................................................................................24 All Things Equestrian........................................................................................... 18 Ace Pneus (Tyre Supplier & Fitter)...................................................................... 28 Affordable UK Designs (Kitchens & UPVC D/Glazing)......................................... 2 AKE Petits Travaux (Builder)................................................................................ 33 Alan Pearce (Plumbing & Heating)..................................................................... 32 Andrew Longman (Plumber)...............................................................................31
...continued. ARB French Property........................................................................................... 39 Arbrecadabra.com (Tree surgery)........................................................................ 21 Bar/Brasserie Vue du Chateau............................................................................ 25 BH Assurances / Allianz....................................................................................... 35 Bill McEvoy (Plumber / Heating Engineer).......................................................... 31 Bistrot des Amis................................................................................................... 8 Bois Nature Energie (Firewood & Fencing)......................................................... 20 British Mobile Mechanic (John Purchase)........................................................... 28 Café des Belles Fleurs.......................................................................................... 23 Caniclôture (Hidden Fencing for Dogs)............................................................... 18 Carolyn’s Cakes.................................................................................................... 23 Cheryl’s Helping Hand......................................................................................... 37 Chez Tante Mabel (Gift Shop)............................................................................. 9 Chris Bassett Construction.................................................................................. 33 Chris Parsons (Heating/Electrical/Plumbing)...................................................... 31 Christies (English Book Shop and Tea Room)...................................................... 8 Cleaning Services by Karen.................................................................................. 37 Clean Sweep Chimney Services........................................................................... 30 Come Dine with Dave (Dining experience)......................................................... 24 Currencies Direct (Money Transfers)................................................................... 36 Cut 46 (Hair Salon).............................................................................................. 17 DB Electricité....................................................................................................... 34 D.W Cooper (Carpenter, Roofer, Mason)............................................................. 32 David Cropper (Stump Grinding & Jungle Busting)............................................ 20 David Watkins (Chimney Sweep)........................................................................ 30 DJ Jeff (Professional DJ)....................................................................................... 10 D.J Maintenance (Handyman)............................................................................ 31 Down to Eart Pool Design (Swimming Pool Design & Construction).................. 33 EcoPower (Solar Thermal Trading Company)...................................................... 34 Electricien Anglais en France.............................................................................. 34 Emilie Baudrez -‐ Easy French Life........................................................................ 16 Etat d’Esprit (Ladies Fashion, Jewellery & Gift Shop)......................................... 10 Franglais Deliveries............................................................................................. 28 Fresco Interiors.................................................................................................... 8 George Rayner Computers.................................................................................. 30 Hallmark Electronique (Electricians & Sat. Engineers)........................................ 34 Holistic Therepay -‐ Soul to Sole........................................................................... 17 I C O Electricté..................................................................................................... 34 Insink Plumbing................................................................................................. .. 31 John Etherington Home & Garden...................................................................... 20 Julia Hunt -‐ Agent Commercial............................................................................ 38 Kelly & Sue’s Pampering Events........................................................................... 17 L’étable Gastronomique (Restaurant).................................................................. 23 La Deuxieme Chance (Annie Sloan chalk paint supplier).................................... 32 Laura Walker Jewellery........................................................................................ 8 Leggett Immobilier.............................................................................................. 38 Les Jardins St Laurent (Bistro)............................................................................. 25 Le Petit Cadeau (Gift Shop)................................................................................. 9 Mad Hatter’s Kitchen........................................................................................... 25 Man For Hire........................................................................................................ 21 MB Plumbing & Building Services....................................................................... 31 Michael Hobson (Painter & Decorator)............................................................... 32 ML Computers..................................................................................................... 30 Motor Parts Charente.......................................................................................... 28 Mutuelle de Poitiers Assurances......................................................................... 28 Nathan Foster Building Services.......................................................................... 33 Needa Hand Services........................................................................................... 34 Pamela Irving (Massage & Reflexology).............................................................. 16 Pause! café.......................................................................................................... 26 Philip Irving (Mini Digger hire)............................................................................. 33 Plan-‐170 (Professional Scale Drawings).............................................................. 32 Polar Express (Frozen Foods).............................................................................. 26 Premier Autos (Mechanic).................................................................................. 28 Restaurant du Lac................................................................................................ 24 Rob Berry (Plasterer)........................................................................................... 32 Robert Walker Plomberie.................................................................................... 31 Ross Hendry (Interface Consulting & Engineering)............................................. 29 Satellite TV (Nigel Gubb)...................................................................................... 30 sarl Down to Earth (Fosse Installations & Groundworks)................................... 33 SCP Notary........................................................................................................... 39 Sentinel Security (Alarm systems)....................................................................... 34 Siddalls (Financial Advisors)................................................................................. 37 Silverwood Books................................................................................................ 14 Simon The Tiler.................................................................................................... 31 Spectrum IFA Group (Amanda Johnson)............................................................. 36 Steve Enderby...................................................................................................... 32 Sue Burgess (French Courses & Translation)....................................................... 15 The English Mechanic & Son -‐ Tony Eyre............................................................ 28 The Market.......................................................................................................... 8 Vendée Carriers................................................................................................... 28
© Sarah Berry 2013. All rights reserved. Material may not be reproduced without permission. While care is taken to ensure that articles and features are accurate, Sarah Berry accepts no liability for reader dissatisfaction. The opinions expressed and experiences shared are given by individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the publisher. Please ensure you verify that the company you are dealing with is a registered trading company in France and/or elsewhere. <<The Deux-‐Sèvres Monthly>> est édité par Sarah Berry, La Bartière, 79130, Secondigny. Tél: 05 49 70 26 21. Directeur de la publication et rédacteur en chef: Sarah Berry. Crédits photos: Sarah Berry, Clkr et morgeufile.com. Impression: Raynaud Imprimeurs, zone industrielle, BP13, 79160, Coulonges-‐sur-‐l’Autize. Dépôt légal: decembre 2013 -‐ Tirage: 4500 exemplaires. Siret: 515 249 738 00011 ISSN: 2115-‐4848
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THE DEUX-SÈVRES MONTHLY
What’s On... December 2013
Plus many Christmas Markets...See information on P11
What’s Coming Up... 25th January 2014 -‐ Burns Night Supper At Café des Belles Fleurs, Fenioux. See advert on Px for info. The National Holidays, Religious and Feast Days 2013 Wednesday 25th December. Christmas Day (Noël)
Christmas Carol services with the English speaking Church in Poitou-‐Charentes. The Chaplaincy of Christ the Good Shepherd, Poitou-‐Charentes, invites you to join any of their Christmas Services below. All services are in English unless indicated otherwise. 12th December: Cognac (16) 6.30pm 16th December: Civray Carols, in French & English (86) 6.30pm 18th December: Parthenay Carols, in French & English (79) 6.30pm 18th December: St Dizant de Gua (17) 6.30pm 19th December: Courcelles Carols, in French & English (17) 6.30pm 22nd December: Jarnac Carols, in French & English (16) tba 24th December: Alloue Holy Communion and carols (16) 6.30pm 25th December: Genouillé Holy Communion and carols (86) 10.30am • 25th December: Jarnac/Courcelles Holy Communion and carols (16/17) 10.30am • • • • • • • •
For further informacon about locacon of churches and about what else is happening near you, please take a look at our website www.church-‐in-‐france.com or contact us by email: office.goodshepherd@orange.fr.
The Filling Station ~ Poitou-‐Charentes
The Filling Station is a network of local Christians of all denominations who meet together regularly for spiritual renewal and evangelism purposes. ALL WELCOME. Please see our website for details of meetings and spring programmes www.thefillingstation.org.uk or locally contact 05 49 87 18 58 or email:michael.willis@sfr.fr
ALL SAINTS, VENDEE - Puy de Serre We hold two services each month, on the 2nd and 4th Sundays at the church of St Marthe, Puy de Serre, at 11am. After each service, tea and coffee is served in the parish room and everyone is invited to a `bring and share` lunch. For details of all our activities, our Services in the west of the Vendée, copies of recent newsletters and more information, please check our website:www.allsaintsvendee.fr.
Local Markets Mondays:
• • Tuesdays: • • • Wednesdays: • Thursdays: • • Fridays: • • Saturdays: • • • • • • Sundays: •
Benet 85490 Lencloître (1st Monday in month) 86140 Lezay 79120 Coulonges-sur-l’Autize 79160 Thouars 79100 Parthenay 79200 Sauzé-Vaussais 79190 Niort 79000 Thouars 79100 Melle 79500 Chef-Boutonne 79110 Airvault 79600 Niort 79000 Coulon 79510 Saint-Maixent-l’École 79400 Neuville-de-Poitou 86170 Coulon 79510
Photo: Lisa Roberts
30th November & 1st December -‐ Salon de Mariage 2 day wedding event at Abbaye Royale, St Jean d’Angely. Including planning ideas, catwalk shows and Trade stands. Open from 9am to 6pm. Entry 5€ Adults, Children go free. 30th November & 1st December -‐ Marché de Noël At Salles des Fêtes, Fenioux. See advert on P.9 for details. 1st December -‐ Christmas Market At Pause! café, L’Absie from 11am -‐ 5pm. Lots to see and do including a visit from Santa! See advert on P.26 1st December -‐ Rendez-‐vous Christian Fellowship A warm welcome awaits you at La Brionnière, near St Pierre du Chemin on the 1st and 3rd Sunday in the month, at 11.00am. To find out more call Chris Taylor on 09 60 49 78 50 or see www.therendezvous.fr. 2nd December -‐ Top Hat Quiz & Curry at Limalonges See www.tophatquizzes.com for more information. 3rd December -‐ ORFEE’s Marché de Noel At Salle des Spectacles, Civray. See advert on P18. 5th December -‐ Live Music Night At Mad Hatter’s Kitchen, Chaunay. See advert on P.25 for details. 5th December -‐ Top Hat Quiz & Curry at Chef Boutonne See www.tophatquizzes.com for more information. 6th December -‐ ‘Keynotes’ Christmas Carols At A La Bonne Vie Restaurant, Le Beugnon. See advert on P.24 7th December -‐ NALA Christmas Fair -‐ “A Touch of Xmas” At Chateau de Puybelliard, nr Chantonnay. See advert on P.2 7th December -‐ Fish & Chip Nite At Bar/Brasserie Vu du Chateau, Bressuire. See advert on P.25 for details. 8th December -‐ Terves Xmas Market For details, please see P.9 8th December -‐ Melleran Foire de Noel For details, please see P.9 11th December -‐ Top Hat Quiz & Curry at Aigre See www.tophatquizzes.com for more information. 12th December -‐ Trader’s Afternoon At Pause! Café, L’Absie, 2pm-‐5pm. Please see advert on P. 26 for info. 12th December -‐ Top Hat Quiz & Curry at Champniers See www.tophatquizzes.com for more information. 13th-‐15th December -‐ Le Magie de Noël At La Mothe St Héray. Free Entry. www.la-‐mothe-‐st-‐heray.fr 19th December -‐ Phoenix Chorale Christmas Concert at Charroux church, 7.30pm 20th December -‐ Cheryl’s Christmas Dinner Party Quiz At Café des Belles Fleurs, Fenioux. See advert on P.23 for details. 24th December -‐ Christmas Eve Menu At Les Jardins St. Laurent, Parthenay. See advert on P.25 for menu. 31st December -‐ New Year’s Eve Soirée At Restaurant du lac, Secondigny. See advert on P.24 for menu. 31st December -‐ French Connection’s New Year’s Eve Party Live music at Salle des fetes, Chantemerle. Tickets 15€, please see advert on P.2 31st December -‐ New Year’s Eve Party With 5 course meal and live music. At Café des Belles Fleurs, Feniox. See advert on P.23 for details.
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THE DEUX-SÈVRES MONTHLY
Marché de Noêl
Paperback Jan Books in English
30th Nov: Café des Belles Fleurs, Fenioux 79160. 4pm -‐ 6pm 1st Dec: Pause! Cafe, L’Absie 79240. 11am -‐ 5pm 3rd Dec: Civray Christmas fête, Salle de Fete 86400. 11am -‐ 4pm 4th Dec: Café Cour de Miracle, Vouvant 85120. 2.30pm -‐ 4.30pm 5th Dec: Brasserie Vue du Chateau, Bressuire 79300. 11am -‐ 1pm 5th Dec: Bar le Palais, St Aubin le Cloud 79450. 2pm-‐5pm 6th Dec: Bar de la Paix, Thouars 79100. 12pm -‐ 2pm 6th Dec: Le Tipsy Bar, Coulonges sur l’Autize 79100. 12pm -‐ 2pm 7th Dec: Chateau Puybelliard, NALA Christmas Fair 8th Dec: TERVES Christmas Market 11th Dec: Les Jardins St Laurent, Parthenay 79200. 10.30am-‐12.30pm 11th Dec: Le Don Jon Bar, Moncontour 86330. 4pm -‐ 6pm 12th Dec: Pause! Cafe, L’Absie 79240. 2pm-‐ 5pm 13th Dec: Jan’s home, La Ferrière-‐en-‐Parthenay 79390. 11am -‐ 4pm 14th Dec: Cafe Le Chauray, St Maixent l’Ecole 79400. 10am -‐ 1pm
TUESDAY 3rd DECEMBER 2013 Salle des Spectacles (next door to the Mairie) CIVRAY 86400. 9.30am - 4pm Association Orfée will be running the bar throughout the day and we will be offering festive mulled wine and delicious home-‐made mince pies together with lots of other mouth-‐watering Christmas yummies!! Come along and meet us, have a chat, join in the festive spirit and start your Christmas shopping early at the indoor and outdoor markets. We look forward to seeing you there, please come and support us. Saving dog’s lives…
For more info contact Jan on: 06 08 30 73 29 or email: paperbackjan@gmail.com
Open Fish 4 Chip Fish, Chips & mushy peas!
6-8pm
Mondays: Bar Tilleuls, Champniers (near Civray) Tuesdays: Sauzé-Vaussais (Main square & can be eaten in local bar) Wednesdays: Chef Boutonne (near Chateau) Thursdays: Sauzé-Vaussais - Evening. (Main square & can be eaten in local bar) Fridays: Mansle (Car park of Simply Supermarket) Tel: 06 37 53 56 20 ~ www.mobilefishandchipsfrance.com
Mr T’s Friterie
Open 6.30
-9pm
With regular venues at:
F oire 16170 (27th month) • Aulnay 17470 (from 6pm) • Rouillac • St Hilaire de Villefranche 17770 • Gourville 16170 • Matha 17160 • St Jean d’Angély 17400 + See www.frying2nite.com for details or call 06 02 22 44 74
Reel Fish & Chips Traditional English style Fish & Chips Dates for December
4th 5th 6th 7th 8th
The Canteen, Etusson (+ Phoenix cards) Bar Tabac, St Martin du Sanzay Bar Tabac PMU, Bouille-Loretz Bar Vue du Chateau, Bressuire Terves Christmas Market
18H30 - 21H30 18H30 - 21H00 18H30 - 21H00 18H30 - 21H00 12H00 - 14H30
Tel: 06 04 14 23 94 or visit: www.reelfishandchips.net
Combined Services Support by Terri Laverick Group (CSSG) November has been and gone and many of us are looking forward to the Christmas revels. Before that, however, may we just take a few moments to thank all those of you who have supported and continue to support our efforts to raise monies for charity. At the Beer Fest in October we managed, with your help, to raise 647€. This amount, plus monies raised from other events, meant that we were able to send a cheque for 900€ to SSAFA France, and there is still more to come from our “Name the Teddy” at the AIDEZ Christmas Market in Terves on 8th December. Before leaving this subject may we take this opportunity to say a heartfelt “ Thank You” to all who helped us, both on the day and before the event. A special thanks to the entertainers who gave their services free on the day; the Keynotes Choir and Three + One, who gave all of us a great deal of pleasure. Our final meeting this year will be held, as usual, at the Café des Belles Fleurs in Fenioux. Christmas lunch is booked and we are looking forward to planning next year’s events and looking back at what we have achieved in our first full year of fund raising events. We are hoping that our members are coming along with lots of ideas which we can sift through and add to our ongoing commitments, i.e Paperback Jan's Open Days, the Christmas Market, and the Burn's Night Celebrations (provisional date 25th January 2014). I shall endeavor to keep you advised on all of our events, and please let all your friends know what we are up to. Also if you or your friends want to help just let us know at cssgroup@outlook.com. Once again, thank you for your help over the past year and we look forward to seeing you all again in 2014. From all at CSSG, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year. (Oh yes, we have been asked by quite a few people if we can do a re-‐run of the Beer Fest next year. Just watch this space for the answer!)
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THE DEUX-SÈVRES MONTHLY
Hobbies, Clubs & Associations... Cancer Support Deux-Sèvres
Cancer Support aims to improve the lives of people affected by Cancer. ---------------------------
Don’t worry alone - Pick up the Phone Contact June Searchfield on 05 49 64 59 96 Email: junesearchfield@gmail.com
We are here to support you and your family
All Girls Together A new group formed for company, fun and laughter for girls 18-‐80. Next meetings are 13th and 27th November at Fontenille-‐Saint-‐ Martin-‐d'Entraigues, 79110, 2 -‐ 5pm. Please ring Vivien for further information and directions on 05 49 27 51 98 I am a Jewish man with a non-‐Jewish wife from the UK looking for Jewish people of any nationality living in the area of La Chataignerie who would like to meet for tea and conversation. Please email: suelauris@hotmail.co.uk
Rubber Bridge:would any of you bridge players out there in the Deux-Sèvres, be interested in making up an occasional 4? Email David Rowe: djfrowe@hotmail.com or' phone 05 49 63 26 57.
Association Meridien Green We are an Anglo-‐French group which was founded in 2001 for mutual understanding of each other's language and culture. We meet twice weekly in the Salle des Associations in St Coutant, 79120. The best way to find out more is to visit our website -‐ www.meridiengreen.asso.fr or contact Maureen Dalby: 05 49 29 94 50. The name of our group comes from the fact that St Coutant is on the Greenwich Meridian!
Le Tallud Boules en bois are offering sessions every Wednesday from 16h to 18h from April through to September at the parc de Loisirs, Le Tallud. Everyone is welcome to come and play or learn the game of boules en bois. We have all the equipment, just turn up for half an hour or more for a bit of exercise and socialising. D e t a i l s f r o m R o s e m a r y W i l l i a m s o n rw.williamson@orange.fr
Alone in France? We are a group of people living alone in the L'Absie area who meet regularly for coffee and lunches. We meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 11am for coffee at the Pause cafe in L'Absie. Our lunches are at different venues each month. There's a warm welcome if you'd like to join us. More details from Frank 05 49 69 80 47. Open Door Lending Library Over 7000 fiction and non-fiction books and DVDs Open Friday mornings 10am to midday at 18 rue Pierre Pestureau, Civray (86400) Individual membership 6€, family membership 10€ www.opendoor-civray.com
Book Group....meeting 2nd Thursday of the
month from 3pm at Christies Tea Room & Bookshop, Gençay, 86160. Take a look at the Book Group page on the website: www.chezchristies.com for more information.
Craft Café Creatif
Do you enjoy knitting or sewing, crochet or papercraft, but prefer to do it in the company of others, over a cup of tea and a piece of cake? If so, why not come and join us in L'Absie for an enjoyable afternoon with like-‐minded people. For further details contact Margaret on 02 51 69 50 32 or email knight.margaret@orange.fr
2nd Sunday Motorcycle Club www.2ndsundayclub.fr If you would like to attend our coffee mornings please contact us via the website........New members always welcome!
Book Club Thouars. Do you enjoy reading a cracking good story? And talking to others about it? Do you live in north 79, south 49 or north 86? Come along to our book club..... Contact Alison Morton at info@bookclubthouars.fr for more details.
Les Amis Solitaires We are a group of people living alone in France. We meet up for coffee mornings from 11am, every 2nd & 4th Thursday at The Lemon Tree in Sauzé Vaussais. More details from Gwen on 05 49 87 91 79 or email gwanshep@gmail.com
The Harmonics Singing Group. Based in the Salle
d'Annexe behind the mairie in Civray. We meet each Wednesday from 2.00pm to 4.00pm. No experience necessary just a willingness and commitment to learn. We sing all sorts of music and in several languages, whatever the music dictates. We are a small and friendly group who would love to meet you. Contact: Dolly Ait Boualou: 05 45 22 89 32 or sylvia.murray@wanadoo.fr
Through the Lens Group Local photography group meets on the last Monday in each month to chat about all things photography! New members welcome. For further information contact: Ian Gawn: 02 51 00 84 52 or Brian Preece: 05 49 72 09 94
A R E Y O U A M O D E L R A I L W A Y ENTHUSIAST? If so, join a group of likeminded modellers who meet on a monthly basis to visit members' layouts and swap information. We are based on the DeuxSevres/Vendee border but also have members in the Vienne and Charente. If you are interested please contact Gerry Riley for more information on 05 49 63 34 01. Secondigny Running Club... Put the bounce back in your step. Join our friendly and supportive running group. All abilities welcome. Email Kelly for more details: kellyencezelle@hotmail.co.uk
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THE DEUX-SÈVRES MONTHLY
Take a Break... DSM Easy Crossword Across: 8. Provide with (5) 9. Weapon’s store (7) 10. A stipulated condition (7) 11. Capital of Japan (5) 12. A reply; reaction (8) 13. Organs of sight (4) 15. Gift from one of the three Wise Men (4) 17. Without mercy or pity (8) 21. What friends send each other at Christmas (5) 22. Show devotion to (7) 24 . see 14 down (7) 25. Distinguish oneself (5)
DSM Toughie Crossword Across: 7. Charity begins to suggest where to be at Christmas (2,4) 8. Ivy and Holly, for example, numbered among the girls on the songs? (6) 10. These days do this, or be in before ten after a quiet start (7) 11. Possible seasonal incomer found behind wood after harvest? (5) 12. We hear of a glaring error in festival (sic)? (4) 13. One of a number in two wins he arranged for panto (5) 17. Old fashioned yuppie phones noisy swingers in the tower (5) 18. Saintly symbol found amid brouhaha, lost again! (4) 22. Some palms can render exact times of events (5) 23. Thicken mixture in Christmas day control centre (7) 24. The arrival of bad ventilation (6) 25. Caught out about real mix-‐up in fine wine (6)
Down: 1. Cry (4) 2. Paste made from mashed chick peas (6) 3. Fruit tree (7) 4. Christmas songs (6) 5. Someone who works metal (5) 6. Large bird roasted at Christmas (6) 7. A sketchy summary of the main points (8) 12. The act of killing a king (8) 14. Author of ‘A Christmas Carol’ (7) 16. The words to 4 down (6) 18. Not appropriate to the cause (6) 19. The principals of right and wrong (6) 20. Useful or valuable quality (5) 23. Not full or rich, very light coloured (4)
Down: 1. Churchmen keeping their nose out of the Christmas dinner...? (7) 2. ....in preparation in warmed up, even hot, stew (3,4) 3. Friendly Christmas spirit exists; it is in the winehouse (5) 4. Winter comforters produced for series of battles over French seas (7) 5. Working in public transport brings seasonal reward (5) 6. Special English article on US ski resort (5) 9. Like the myth of fingerprints, or a unique deposited hexagon? (9) 14. Musical group of four whose producer is ass when broken nose! (7) 15. Swines’ blankets made by reckless queen using sulphur (7) 16. Hazel’s normal crop is silly on a big horse (7) 19. These are needed for presents; put aside for improvement (4) 20. New votes to collect if we are to get some kind of heating (5) 21. A place in the stable found after a short delay? (5)
With thanks to M.Morris
www.websudoku.com
Easy
Please see website: www.thevendeemonthly.fr for answers
Sudoku Corner...
Quiz-tastic! For this month’s printable 20 Question Quiz, please go to www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
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THE DEUX-SÈVRES MONTHLY
Getting Out & About... this
Christmas
We have a wonderful variety of Christmas gifts for all ages, beautifully gift wrapped while you enjoy a leisurely browse.
A New Chapter... Having been in catering for years, we jumped at the opportunity to become the owners of our own bistro in France. The previous owners had left the property in a state of disrepair! The kitchen needed a new floor, wall and equipment; the bar, restaurant and toilet were scrubbed and painted, and the tatty garden furniture previous customers had to perch on was replaced with smart, comfortable seating. After two months hard work, we opened Bistro des Amis on 5th October. As ambitious young people, we have a lot of ideas and want to offer our local community somewhere fresh and lively to spend their evenings. All our food is home-‐cooked and we offer an increasing range of world-‐food dishes, including Curry, Chinese, Mexican and Morrocan food on Thursdays. We thought we would see how our fish ‘n’ chips went down in the French community and ran a fish ‘n’ chip evening one Friday. With hand-‐cut chips, home made mushy peas and beautifully light beer batter melting in their mouths...the request for more was taken seriously and we now offer fish ‘n’ chips every Friday. However, reservations are a must for those who want to try them! Our Halloween party; which included a children’s activity afternoon and live music in the evening; was such a hit with people in the area we are now arranging many more events. These include our Christmas party on the 21st December. The day will comprise of children’s activities (with Santa of course!) in the afternoon, an under 17’s disco in the early evening, followed by karaoke later. We are also open Christmas day with a set menu available. Getting to know so many lovely people in our new place of residence and running this business is an absolute joy. We hope you will come along and experience it with us. ‘Bistrot des Amis’ can be found at 6 Place de Plantanes, 79340 Fomperron. Please contact Amy & Richard on 09 73 60 44 75.
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THE DEUX-SÈVRES MONTHLY
Foire de Noel Melleran (Le Foyer) Sunday 8th December 11am -‐ 5pm
In aid of La Ligue Contre le Cancer & Cancer Support Deux-‐Sevres Stalls include cards, table decorations, presents, crafts, handmade bags, books for Children and jewellery. Refreshments sold all day. Tea, coffee, home-‐made cakes, mince pies & mulled wine, plus a Tombola! 2pm-‐4pm: Face painting and activities for the children 4pm: Christmas music sung by Atelier Chant (Young choir) Donations of cakes, mince pies, savoury pies and prizes for the tombola would be appreciated. Please contact Mme Ann Ashwell on tel: 05 49 27 22 83 or email: theashwells@gmail.com or Mme Marie Rose Ferron on tel: 05 49 29 64 08 or email: mariejean.ferron@orange.fr Please come and support us. Entrance Free
Calling all Film Buffs! Films now being screened in English (with French sub-‐titles) at La Fauteuil Rouge, the new multi-‐screen cinema in Bressuire (located at the Bocapole Centre on Route de Thouars) When searching for screenings, look for the symbol VO (version originale). See their website for full programme details. www.lefauteuilrouge.fr
Other cinemas in the area also offer film screenings in English and you can ask to have your name added to the mailing lists, being kept up-‐to-‐date throughout the winter months. To request information, send your email to: Parthenay cinema: cinema.foyer@gmail.com Melle cinema: lemelies.melle@wanadoo.fr La Chataigneraie cinema: stella.freeman@wanadoo.fr
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THE DEUX-SÈVRES MONTHLY
The Christmas Star
In Christian tradition, the Star of Bethlehem, also called the Christmas Star, revealed the birth of Jesus to the Biblical Magi, and later led them to Bethlehem. The star appears only in the nativity story of the Gospel of Matthew, where magi "from the east" are inspired by the star to travel to Jerusalem. There they meet King Herod of Judea, and ask where the king of the Jews had been born. Herod, following a verse from the Book of Micah interpreted as a prophecy, directs them to Bethlehem, a nearby village. The star leads them to Jesus' house in Bethlehem, where they worship him, and give him gifts. The wise men are then given divine warning not to return to Herod so they return to their "own country" by a different route.
www.wikipeadia.org
Many Christians see the star as a miraculous sign to mark the birth of the Christ (or messiah). Some theologians claimed that the star fulfilled a prophecy, known as the Star Prophecy. Astronomers have made several attempts to link the star to unusual astronomical events, such as a conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, a comet or a supernova. The subject is a favourite at planetarium shows during the Christmas season, although the Biblical account suggests that the visit of the magi took place at least several months after Jesus was born. The visit is traditionally celebrated on Epiphany (January 6) in Western Christianity. The star often appears in representations of the manger scene found in Luke, although the star and the wise men do not appear in Luke's nativity story.
Burns Night Supper
Saturday, 25th January, 2014 @ 7pm. CSSG invite you to a Burns Night Supper at the Café des Belles Fleurs, Fenioux. Tickets only €30, available from Café des Belles Fleurs Tel: 05 49 28 12 39 email: cafedefenioux@gmail.com
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THE DEUX-SÈVRES MONTHLY
Christmas the Deux-Sèvres Tour de Markets VendéeinCycliste
by Julie Tee
As well as the listed events in our “What’s On” section, there are various Christmas markets Marché de Noël taking place this month across the department...
1st Sunday 1st December •Saint-‐Loup-‐sur-‐Thouet 79600
• • • •
Saturday 30th November (3pm -‐ midnight) and Sunday 1st December (10am -‐ 7pm) www.rvsaintloup.fr This is the 17th year of this event.... In 2012 the market brought together more than 100 exhibitors and over the two days, 4-‐5000 visitors. Fenioux 79160, Salles des Fêtes, (10am -‐ 6pm) Limalonges 79190, Salle des Fêtes “La Cendille”, (8am -‐ 5pm) Brioux-‐sur-‐Boutonne 79170, Salle du Temps Libre a Brioux, (9am -‐ 5pm) Saint Hilaire la Pallud 79210, Salle des fêtes, (9.30am -‐ 7pm)
7th Saturday 7th December
•Doué La Fontaine 49700 Les Arènes, Rue des Arènes
• Chef Boutonne 79110, Centre Culturel
The Christmas Market in this small market town, that sits at the source of the Boutonne river in Deux-‐Sèvres, is a tiny but wonderfully festive event. The square in the centre of town is decked out in fairy lights, there's a big tree in the middle and a small tent for musicians. There are stalls and games for children, and of course Santa will be there.
15th Sunday 15th December •La Mothe-‐St-‐Héray 79800, Les Halles
From 9am with 80 exhibitors, parking at Place Clemenceau and the Moulin l'Abbé. Marché aux truffes from 9.30am. • Vernoux-‐sur-‐Boutonne 79170, Salle des Fêtes Christmas and Farmer’s Market (9am -‐ 6pm), Snack bar & restaurant on site, free parking. • Thouars 79100 Place St Médard (10am -‐ 7pm) A symbol of Christmas and New Year in Thouars, this edition of the Christmas Market promises to be festive, lively and magical. Includes a visit by Santa Claus, live music, carriage rides and a children's entertainment area.
(2pm -‐ 8pm). Entry fee 3€, free for under 12s A two day program including over 70 exhibitors, regional and traditional products, food tastings, free children’s craft 20th Friday 20th December workshops. www.ot-‐douelafontaine.fr/sorties/marche-‐de-‐noel-‐1 •Brûlain. (4pm – 9pm), Photos with Father Christmas!
• Thénezay 79390
15th christmas market, (5pm -‐ midnight)
• Sauzé-‐Vaussais 79190, salle Socio-‐culturelle (5pm -‐ 10pm) • Saint Marc la Lande 79310 La Commanderie (2pm -‐ 7pm) Christmas market with producers, artisans and artists
8th Sunday 8th December
•Doué La Fontaine 49700 Les Arènes, Rue des Arènes (10am -‐ 6pm). Entry fee 3€, free for under 12s. A two day program including over 70 exhibitors, regional and traditional products, food tastings, free children’s craft workshops. • L'Absie 79240, Salle des Halles. (10am -‐ 6pm) • Thénezay 79390. 15th Christmas Market (9am -‐ 6pm) • Terves 79300, Salle des Fêtes. (11am -‐ 6pm) • Périgné 79170, Gymnase près du stade de Périgné. (10am -‐ 6pm) • Saint-‐Marc-‐la-‐Lande 79310 La Commanderie (2pm -‐ 7pm) Christmas market with producers, artisans and artists. Sunday lunch 'pot au feu' and an afternoon visit from Santa Claus also on the agenda!
22nd
Sunday 22nd December
Festival of Lights – St Maixent l'Ecole The 11th edition of the festival of light takes place throughout the week leading up to Christmas with all the shops in the town following the year’s theme and various events happening throughout the week. Habitants of St Maixent are invited to illuminate the town by placing candles in their windows (candles are available from the Mairie or at the Office de Tourisme). • Sunday 22nd December, (5.45pm -‐ 10pm) Route through the heart of the town with musical performances from a mix of artists. The night fanfare commences at 8.15pm at Place du Marché.
14th Saturday 14th December
•Saint-‐Maxire 79410, Salle des Fêtes. (3pm -‐ midnight)
•Thouars 79100 (2 Day Event) Place St Médard (10am -‐ 8pm) A symbol of Christmas and New Year in Thouars, this edition of the Christmas Market promises to be festive, lively and magical. Visit by Santa Claus, live music, carriage rides and a children's entertainment area.
• Melle 79500
Enjoy some relaxing pre-‐Christmas shopping and sample some winter delights with a visit to our Christmas market. Festively decorated stands selling everything from household goods to crafts and Christmas decorations. The smell of mulled wine, gingerbread and roasted almonds invites you to stay and experience the varied program of events.
All information correct at time of going to print. Page 11
THE DEUX-SÈVRES MONTHLY
News from the Pays de Gâtine! by Julia Salvat
PAUSE FOR PATCHWORK
by Denise Robertson
In the 90s I revived my dormant sewing bug and became absorbed in patchwork, quilting and textiles. On moving to France I missed my regular meetings with the Embroidery Guild, patchwork and textile groups. So, spurred on by my sister, another keen needlewoman, we decided to start a patchwork group over here. The first thing on the agenda was to find a suitable venue. By chance Pause! Café was advertising the use of a newly refurbished room. This gave us the opportunity to start our group, with the added bonus of delicious tea and coffee. On our first meeting we could not believe the response, we had a full house! The group has an abundance of mixed abilities, and experience. Expert sewers, proficient quilters and a very talented textile artist. We also had complete beginners who had never sewn before (not that you would know that now) and their work is amazing. Our group has a great rapport, with an unstoppable drive and a passion for their craft. The enthusiasm, knowledge and friendship is shared by all. As a group we wanted to contribute to the community so we decided to make a quilt between us for charity. We all made our individual squares and then joined them together to make a beautiful double country quilt. The quilt has been lovingly made and quilted by hand. It contains 94 different fabrics in total. A fantastic original quilt to lavishly adorn any bedroom. The proceeds from our charity quilt for 2013 will go to Muscular Dystrophy. This very special Charity was chosen by us because a member of our group has sadly lost two precious sons to this crippling disease. Collectively our aim is to raise as much as we possibly can to help others with Muscular Dystrophy. The quilt raffle will be drawn at Pause! Café on 17th December. Your support would be graciously accepted and welcome. The winner could be you! A fabulous way to help and donate, maybe win a great prize this Christmas! Our thanks go to the following venues for supporting our charity. Tickets may be purchased at these venues for just 1€ each. • Pause Cafe, L’Absie • Bar de la Poste, L’Absie • La Petite Epiciere, L’Absie • Deans B&B, L'Absie. • Cafe Cour du Miracle, Vouvant • Cafe des Belles Fleurs, Fenioux
The work of the French Social Welfare Offices
At a recent meeting we were delighted to welcome one of the managers, who kindly introduced us to the work that the Antenne Médico-‐Sociale de Gâtine (the health and social welfare centre) undertake. The AMS in Parthenay has a number of smaller offices dotted throughout the Gâtine and their overall task is to help those people who have made an appointment to sort out welfare issues. For example : • They advise people of their health and welfare rights and equally, of their obligations under French legislation. • They try to help people with the difficulties they may be encountering at home, in work or with their children’s schooling. • They are also responsible for trying to ensure the safety and protection of children and vulnerable adults who may be in need of support. • They work to prevent social exclusion by enabling people to get back on their feet and to begin doing things for themselves. In short, they provide direct help and/or information from birth up until old age, as and when people need it. It is important that when going for a first appointment you should take with you, if possible and if appropriate, your passport, birth certificate, household bills, income tax papers, work contracts and pay slips as well as your social security number. They also highlighted the role of the mairie who : • would be informed if water/electricity bills are unpaid • can take decisions about whether houses are unfit or unsafe • is responsible for the citizens in his/her commune and their overall protection To obtain further information please refer to the Pays de Gâtine’s website: www.gatine.org. Under ‘Guide for Newcomers’ click on ‘French Social Assistants’ where you will find the contact number and address.
Are you a bit of a Bookworm? If you are an avid reader and would like to share your books with us -‐ we would love to publish your book reviews here. Please send to us by email: info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr or alternatively complete the ‘Written Contributions’ form on our website. www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr. Reviews should ideally be 150-‐200 words long.
Page 12
THE DEUX-SÈVRES MONTHLY
ARTicles
by Josie Bounds
AD Reinhardt 1913-‐1947 & Yves Klein 1928-‐1962 ‘In Buddhism Reinhardt found a replacement for the Marxist aesthetic that the artists in the thirties had failed to define.’ The challenge of both Zen Buddhism and Marxism lie in the end as the beginning, a favourite model and method of Reinhardt. ‘This great religion (Buddhism) of not knowingness is not based upon our capacity to understand. It bears witness, rather, to our natural gifts, raising us to the point at which we discover truth in the guise of the mutual exclusiveness of being and knowing. And, by further audacity, it has achieved something that, elsewhere, only Marxism has bought off; it has reconciled the problem of metaphysics with the problem of human behaviour. Buddhism can remain perfectly coherent and, at the same time, respond to appeals from without. Perhaps even, in a vast section of the world, it has found the missing link in the chain. Kandinsky, Mondrian, Reinhardt and Klein challenged society and culture, going beyond the limits of ordinary experiences. It’s not just about a thing of beauty, it’s how you go beyond the reality of nature, your world as you know it, into a state of sublimity. For Suzuki when you strike this point you have reached a sartorial state (destination), giving you a new viewpoint from which to look at the true essence of nature. You could say the object of both Buddhism and Marxism consists in arguing a new viewpoint for looking at the essence of things. Marxist criticism sets man free from his chains and the Buddhist criticism completes that liberation, you could make a case that Marxism and Buddhism are doing the same thing but on different levels. “A new world calls for a new man” was the statement with which Yves Klein took the art world by storm. Yves Klein set himself a missionary task, similar to that of Kandinsky’s manifesto On The Spiritual in Art 1912. He would become Yves le Monochrome and share with the world his views and insights regarding ‘the way’ into infinite space, into freedom. Zen Buddhism influenced Klein’s work. He described it as “le Vide” or the Void. He was trying to create a nirvana-‐like void or state, where the viewers were encouraged to experience his or her own feelings, sensing another world far away from representation. Klein’s connection to Zen Buddhism came through the discipline of the Japanese martial art of judo. Through judo Klein found for himself a way to experience and express the relationship between the realm of the spirit and the physical realm of the body. ‘It was in 1947 that the “idea”, the conscious vision of the “monochrome” came to him, which was the result of all his passionate research at the time.’ According to Klein ‘judo is in effect the discovery by the human body of a spiritual space.’ Through the study of judo Klein began a lifelong practice of meditation. Klein also cast himself as a poet, ‘I am a poet, and I am sure of this and yet have nothing to say.’ This statement by Klein represents nothing; it not only represents nothing but also communicates a sense of nothing or the essence of nothingness, alluding to Zen Buddhism. Another source of inspiration: Jacques Bacot’s life of the Tibetan poet and adept Milarepa, who advocated the benefits of meditation. Milarepa compared the Buddhist experience of emptiness with the sky. Klein would have identified strongly with this statement, and, he would aim to stimulate this feeling in the viewers of his blue monochromes.
In 2013 ‘The Calendar Girls’ production and our Alternative Calendar were a great success. Thanks to many of you we are getting closer to our target of 10,000 Euros for Cancer Research in both the UK and France. I have this rather special item for you:-‐ We are indebted to Bob & Josie Wilkinson, who were at Reaction’s first and last nights performances of ‘Calendar Girls’. They went on a trip to the UK and sought out their friend ANGELA BAKER in Yorkshire to give her our signed calendar. Angela was portrayed in the film as ‘Annie’ played by Julie Walters and in our play by Maureen Murdoch, so it was a privilege for Maureen (and Tony Murdoch, our director) to be presented by Bob & Josie with the signed 2013 Calendar from the ‘Original Girls’ and to hear how Angela had thoroughly appreciated our gift to her. After studying every page she commented on its beauty and quality, and how it mirrored the style of that famous first Alternative W.I. Calendar of 1999, created after the loss to Leukaemia of Angela’s husband John. Angela’s 2013 calendar is to be their final calendar, so it is very special for Reaccon Theatre to have been given this from one of the ‘Original Calendar Girls’ whose phenomenon has raised several million pounds on behalf of Leukaemia Research. I love Christmas Carols so rehearsals have been focused on them for the last month and now we are into the busy Christmas period. You can next see us at: • Friday 6th December: Carols at restaurant A La Bonne Vie, Le Beugnon starting around 8pm. • Sunday 8th December: Carols at the Terves Christmas Market Singing around 2pm. Some of you might know that Santa has once again asked me to stand in for him at a few events, as he is so busy. On the 1st December I will be at the Pause! Café in L’Absie, on the 8th at Terves and to give Rudolf a run out, on the 7th I’m going to the Chateau de Puybelliard, Chantonnay. Lots of money will be raised for various charities.
The Art Scene
Having covered oils and pastels in November, we are back to water colours this month. At our last session of 2013, Friday the 13th(!) we are having a Christmas Art Quiz and a few mince pies, why not come and join us? All Members of Reaction Theatre wish you and yours a very Happy Christmas and a wonderful 2014. Don’t forget our Alternative Calendar Girls calendar is still for sale at the following four venues and would make a great Christmas present for everyone, and is so easy to pack and send to the UK or wherever your loved ones may be: Restaurant A La Bonne Vie at Le Beugnon, Café des Belles Fleurs at Fenioux, Pause! Cafe at L’Absie and Cafe Cour du Miracle at Vouvant. If you would like to join any or all of our groups (promise you don’t have to ride a bike or jump out of a plane) then send me an email johnblair@btopenworld.com or telephone 05.49.63.23.50.
Page 13
THE DEUX-SÈVRES MONTHLY More from local writer Alison Morton... Please see back issues of ‘The DSM’ if you would like to see previous articles.
Watching and Noting When a writer’s not at their desk, i.e. living their normal life, they spend a lot of time looking at other people and things. And jotting down details in the writer’s notebook they always carry with them. Not, you understand in a stalker-‐ish way, but to see how people do ordinary things. You’d be amazed how differently people unload their shopping trolley at the supermarket checkout, or how they get on a bus or act at a post office counter. And as for the queue itself, that’s a rich, rich area. In my recent book, my heroine observes: Most people were preoccupied with their daily lives -‐ children, job, taxes, sex, cat -‐ and didn’t notice anybody or anything else. Unlike television cop shows would have you believe, trying to find useful witnesses was a nightmare: nobody saw anything because nobody was looking. Busy with our mundane tasks, we don’t take much notice of other people. Think about when you go supermarket shopping; you scan the shelves for the items you’re looking for and can pass your next door neighbour or work colleague without registering their presence.
of work colleagues shredding another absent one, a pair of genteel ladies discussing their latest purchases at John Lewis, managerial types talking about strategy for their company development or where in France their gîte is. Hand on heart, I have heard all those conversations on the London to Hastings line. One was such a delicious conversation between two couples trying to outdo each other about the London shows they’d been to see that I wrote it down almost verbatim. You must be unobtrusive and not go anywhere near invading people’s privacy -‐ that’s obvious -‐ but don’t neglect the opportunities that are handed to you from everyday life for gathering great material for your book. Alison Morton writes alternate history thrillers, blogs about wriMng and Romans at hOp://alison-‐morton.com/blog/
Happy writing!
On the train, once they’ve found their seat, most people pull out their book or paper and settle down to ignore everybody else. But if you spot somebody looking, observing, actively watching the other passengers, there’s a strong likelihood they’re a writer. Or possibly a police officer. Writers need detail; voices, mannerisms, walks, tics and “tells” and the best source is other people. The obvious things that separate us from others are height, weight, hairstyle, glasses, types of clothes, the way we move. But it’s crossing legs and arms, fidgeting, jumping at a noise, fiddling with bag contents, popping a can of drink, jabbing the keys on our mobiles, sucking hair, flexing fingers to examine nails, pushing spectacles up to the bridge of the nose that characterise us. It’s all these tiny gestures that round characters out. Practise analysing exactly how features are put together in a face. You usually only need one good glance at somebody. Then write it down in your notebook. It’s surprisingly hard at first. Often it’s small things like the distance between upper lip and nose, the angle of eyebrows, height of forehead as well as the basic shapes of a face -‐ oval, square, circular. If you have a drawing friend, describe the person you’ve observed to them and see how the picture turns out! Next, there are the conversations that can be a gift for writing dialogue: the pretentious loudmouth on the phone, the quick-‐fire teenage minimal word conversations full of hidden meaning, a group Annual Subscription Costs: 28€ within France, 18€ UK addresses. (Unfortunately the cheaper ‘printed papers’ rate cannot be applied to addresses within France, only when sending abroad) Full Name: Postal Address: Postcode:
Country:
Tel: Email: Please make cheques payable to SARAH BERRY.
Page 14
THE DEUX-SÈVRES MONTHLY
Nativity Plays and Christmas Cribs by Sue Burgess
The majority of French families put out a crib scene at Christmas so it is interesting to look in some detail at the origin of this tradition. In France, the first known crib scene was created in Marseille in 1775 by someone called Laurent. The crib scene was made up of articulated puppets dressed in local costumes. To make it a bit more exotic, the creator included giraffes, reindeer and hippos.. After the revolution when the practice of setting up and displaying a crib was forbidden, the people of Provence started to set up cribs again from 1803 onwards. They invented the santons (figurines) which are still used today to populate the crib scenes which are displayed not only in churches but also in private houses. In certain communes, in St Loup Lamairé for example, there is a living crib scene (nativity play) crèche vivante in the church on Christmas night. The crib scene from Provence, la crèche provençale takes its inspiration from local life. The figurines are typical people from the region or the village. This type of figurine santon dates from the 18th century. In Marseille santoun (petits saints in Provençal dialect) have been added and these represent different trades : le meunier (the miller), le rémouleur (grinder), la lavandière (the washerwoman), etc. Santons (In Provençal: santoun or ‘little saint’) are small (2.5– 15cm) hand-‐painted terracotta nativity scene figurines which are produced in the Provence region. A maker of santons is a santonnier, and the creation of santons today is essentially a family craft, handed down from parents to children. Santons are moulded in two halves, pressed together and fused. Hats, baskets, and other accessories are applied with an adhesive. When the figure is completely dry, it is given a gelatin bath in order to harden the figure further and to provide a surface for the application of pigments. Faces are painted first, then hair, clothing and accessories. Until the end of the 19th century, santons were air-‐ dried rather than fired in a kiln. As a consequence, such figures were fragile and easily broken. Modern santons are generally fired in a kiln. There are two types of: santons d'argile (clay figures), and doll-‐like santons habillés (clothed figures).
reminds us of the Christmas message. The animated crib scene was created over 50 years ago and is the work of l'Abbé Rochard who at that time was the priest in Saint Martin de Fouilloux. When he moved to Bressuire he took his animated crib with him and since 2007 it has been owned and managed by the town council and a group of volunteers. It is open for visits which lasts about 50 minutes and includes a 30 minute sound and light show. Details are available from the Bressuire tourist office. The Crèche vivante (nativity play) is a public show where the crib scene includes real people. For the last thirty years the little village of Lamairé near Saint-‐Loup involves all the locals in the Christmas Eve service. There is a choir, lambs, donkeys and shepherds and each year a real baby is placed in the crib for this unique event. Vocabulary / Vocabulaire : une crèche .............................
crib scene/nativity
un mangeoire.........................
manger
un âne......................................
donkey
un boeuf..................................
ox
un dromadaire
dromedary
un chameau............................
camel
un ange....................................
angel
un berger...................................
shepherd
un agneau.................................
lamb
une étoile..................................
star
un roi mage...............................
a wise man, magi
un santon.................................
figurine in a crib scene
Amendment: Please note a small error in last month’s vocabulary. la bécasse is a woodcock, not la bécasset.
Since 1803, santonniers have gathered in Marseille each December to display and sell their wares at the Foire des Santonniers. In French houses and churches, Jesus is generally placed in the crib scene at midnight on the 24th December to symbolise his birth. He is surrounded by Mary and Joseph. There is also the donkey, ox and shepherds with their sheep. Since the creation of santons the French crib scene often also includes figurines representing local craftsmen and traders. The three wise men les rois mages are usually only placed in the crib from Epiphany. Some people put the figurines in another part of the house and gradually move them towards the crib. The three wise men can be accompanied by horses, elephants or dromadaries. Traditionally the crib scene is removed on the 2nd February, the day of the presentation of Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem. La Crèche animée de Bressuire is a master-‐piece of naif popular art. A sound and light show shows the life of the locals and
Page 15
THE DEUX-SÈVRES MONTHLY
A Letter to Santa.... In a recent French Conversation Class run by Emilie Baudrez, she asked her English students to write a letter in French to Père Noël. After marking the homework she chose Colin Williams’ entry as her favourite letter to Santa...... Any small errors are highlighted on the left-‐ hand side, while Emilie’s corrections are shown in the letter on the right. What would you say in a letter to Père Nöel?
ORIGINAL LETTER
Cher Père Noel, ue année Quand j’étais un petit garçon, chaq , tous les j’écrivai une lettre à vous et dire à vous cadeaux je désirai poir la Noël.
idées, bien Il était facile. J’eus beaucoup des . que mes parents ne furent pas riche
CORRECTED LETTER Cher Père Noël, Quand j’étais petit garçon, je vous écrivais une lettre pour vous dire tous les cadeaux que je désirais pour Noël.
C’était facile, j’avais beaucoup d’idées, bien que mes parents n’étaient pas riches.
vive émotion Et je le tout rappelle trés bien. La vous avez uvris quand je me reveillai et déco et laissames visiter ma chambre dans la nuit beaucoup des colis.
Et je me rappelle très bien de tout: la vive émotion quand je me réveillais et découvrai s que vous étiez venus dans ma chambre la nuit et aviez laissé beaucoup de paquets.
beaucoup Maintenant je suis un viellard. Il est Rien que plus difficile. Il ya rien que je voulais. du vin! j’ai besoin de. Peut être une bouteille
Maintenant je suis un vieil homme. C’est plus difficile. Il n’y a rien que je veuille, rien dont
e. Vous Merci beaucoup pour les année pass chez moi fûtes trés gentil, mais ne visitez pas Plutôt, visitez la chambre cette décembre. et creez les d’un autre petit, poivre garçon enirs qui souvenir superb, comme les souv toujours fait ma noël trés content.
j’ai besoin. Peut-être une bouteille de vin! Merci beaucoup pour ces années passé es. Vous avez été très gentil, mais ne me rend ez pas visite cette année. Allez plutôt dans la chambre d’un autre petit et pauvre garçon et créez lui des souvenirs superbes, comme ceux qui rendent encore mes Noëls si joyeux.
Health, Beauty & Fitness... New for 2014 !
Hypnotherapy for slimming and self confidence group starting in January 2014. For 4 weeks only. Limited places. For more information please call Pamela Irving on 05 49 65 55 25 or email irving.philip@wanadoo.fr.
Page 16
THE DEUX-SÈVRES MONTHLY
2013 Beauty Recommendations... Samantha’s Trends for this Season...
As soon as the temperature slightly changes so does your wardrobe. We love to get out our snugly jumpers and warm coats, this should be the same for our Make-‐Up bag.
•
• • • • •
•Swap your moisturiser for a slightly richer creme to help protect your skin from the cold winds. Have slightly more coverage in your foundation and make sure your colour is perfect if your tan has started to fade. There is nothing worse than wearing the wrong foundation colour. It is hard to blend and can leave your skin looking patchy! If you are wanting to keep an all-‐over tan I am now offering ‘Spray Tanning’. This is great to keep you looking glowing and an even all-‐over tan takes ten minutes and last up to 10 days! Chuck out your mascara if it is over three months old and treat yourself to a new one. I always use a hydrating lipstick or lip gloss at this time of year to stop my lips from cracking. You can also change eye and lip colours. I am loving this season’s trend of ‘Rich Berry’. And last but not least, keep your hands in great condition by regularly applying hand cream.
Emma says... With winter coming up, hair can become dry and frizzy. My top tip is to use a weekly intense treatment, not only will it make your colour last longer, it will moisturise and keep your hair looking its healthiest. After shampooing and towel drying your hair, apply a small amount of your mask (I recommend Label.M Age Defying-‐Recovery mask) to the mid-‐ lengths and ends of your hair. For the cooler months we see a lot of changes with the way clients not only wear their hair but also the colour. Richness and warmth is a must now coming into the Winter season and warm tones that are heavily influenced by nature such as coppers, gold’s and rich chocolates, will be everywhere. Blondes will forever be popular but now there has been an introduction of warm sandy gold tones. Emma’s Recommended Product is Label.M Age Defying-‐Recovery mask. We would just like to take this opportunity to wish you all a fabulous Christmas and New Year.
Small Colour Advert only 34€
on’s Seas ings! t Gree
Charente Hair & Make Up Tel: 05 45 31 56 93 / 06 50 04 37 30 www.charentehairandbridal.com
Page 17
lph’sFriends... udoFurry ROur THE DEUX-SÉVRES MONTHLY
Tina Hatcher
Phoenix Association rescue and re-‐home animals in need. Please visit our website: www.phoenixasso.com JACK -‐ Up to 11 year-‐old Miniature Pinscher Cross seeks a home! You should never judge a book by its cover, so they say, and it couldn't be more true when it comes to Jack! If you like your dogs small and sweet, to overlook this one would be to miss out. Jack is funny, affectionate and healthy and would make a loving companion. Jack is good with dogs, ok with cats (may chase them outdoors), chipped (250268731006247), vaccinated and neutered. Jack's foster mum is Jackie in Thiviers, Dordogne and you can contact her on 05 53 52 06 23 or email: Jackie.Axford@gmail.com Please someone give this quirky little fella, who can't help the way he looks, the chance he deserves.
Equine Rescue France
We are always looking for new members and we are in need of donations so we may continue to help equines in France. Please support the ERF.
Please contact Equine Rescue France via their website www.equinerescuefrance.org HOOF (Horse Orientated Open Forum)
HOOF is open to anyone with an equine interest. You do not need to own a horse! We meet about once a month for talks, visits etc. Interested? Contact Jo Rowe on: 05 49 64 30 59
APPEAL Fidji -‐ the little ball of cuteness that will fit on your lap! Meet Fidji, he’s about 7 years old. His vaccinations are up to date, he is neutered and tattooed and has a pet passport but not for the UK.
MAYDAY MES AMIS
He prefers to be an only dog, loves walks and playing, is very cuddly and good with cats -‐ he will chase them but gives up after a few seconds.
Mayday Mes Amis has been formed to help animals in need in l'Absie and the surrounding area. For more information please email: jill.zub@sky.com.
If you’re interested in adopting Fidji or would like further information, please contact us: linda.burns4hope@gmail.com. Fidji is currently living near Bressuire. For further information on other cats and dogs for adoption go to www.hopeassoc.org.
Refuge SPA de SAINTES route des GAUTHIERS, 17100 SAINTES Tel: 05 46 93 47 65 ~ www.spa.de.saintes.free.fr/
Helping Animals in Need THe Hope Association would like to thank everyone who came to Clussais La Pommeraie and supported us again at our October Book Sale. Through the support of the public and the many Hope Volunteers who worked so hard, we again have raised a record breaking amount. The money raised will enable us to continue helping abandoned and abused animals in need and supporting the many associations that work closely with us. Please note that our next Book Sale event will take place again at the Salle Des Fetes, at Clussais la Pommeraie on the 16th, 17th & 18th May 2014... don't forget to make a note in your diaries.
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THE DEUX-SÉVRES MONTHLY
A Christmas Present Christmas will soon be upon us and traditional activities are under way; the purchasing of presents, the dusting off of decorations and the annual admonition against acquiring animals... We recently attended a conference on the welfare of animals in Europe and there were a couple of presentations that dealt with the problems associated with the retail trade in pets. One issue is impulse buying where that cuddly “Doggy in the window” melts someone's heart and they arrive home with an unplanned addition to the household along with their bags of groceries. In Belgium they have tackled that problem by banning the sale of cats and dogs from pet shops, garden centres and the like. You can only buy pets from registered breeders or animal shelters and not only do the animals have to be identified and registered, they also come with a guarantee. In Switzerland before you can buy a dog you have to have four hours of theory training and four hours of practical training every time you acquire one. If that doesn't make you think twice, nothing will! A pan-‐European problem is the trade in dogs from puppy mills. It's a huge business that can be very rewarding for the unscrupulous breeder. The puppies are often bred in crowded, cramped and unsanitary conditions, then packed into cages and transported across Europe. As they are generally separated from their mothers when barely weaned, their immune system is not totally mature so they often pick up diseases. Those that survive may have their health compromised and risk needing a season ticket to the vet for the rest of their life. In addition, they may have behavioural problems as they have not been properly socialised by their mum and siblings. If you are certain that you want to buy a dog, there are some simple rules that reduce the risk of buying from a puppy mill. Never buy one over the internet and have it delivered. It is essential that you visit the premises and see it with its mother to ensure that it is being brought up in a family environment. If you decide to buy, arrange to pick it up there too, so you can be sure of getting the one that you have selected. However, before making the decision to buy, check references and try to contact the vet who deals with the breeder. And, of course, you could always consider adopting an older dog from an animal shelter, then you'll be able to find out more about its behaviour and health. Christmas would not be complete without Scrooge and we've found one in the Vendée... A lady has been feeding some straycats in her neighbourhood and wanted to have them sterilised. So she contacted the SPA who told her to contact her mayor... who told her to contact us, which she did. We contacted the manager of the SPA and arranged for her to receive some free sterilisation vouchers. The only condition was that the mayor had to write a declaration that he agreed with the SPA having them sterilised and that they would be looked after by this lady. So the lady dutifully contacted the mayor, explained the situation and asked for his cooperation. He refused, so the lady asked us to try to reason with him. His position was that either she looked after the cats at her own expense or he would arrange for them to be taken away at the council's expense! Sometimes words fail us. To restore your faith in the milk of human kindness, we would like to remind you that a whole bunch of Nalians have been beavering away preparing ‘A Taste of Christmas’ for you. It will take place at the Château de Puybelliard, 85110 Chantonnay on the 7th of December. For more details see the ‘What's on’ section in this issue or look at www.nosamislesanimaux.com/un-‐avant-‐go%C3%BBt-‐
These two gingers (a male and a female) are in need of a good home. If you could rescue one of these cats, please contact us on 07 70 31 54 59 or nala85480@hotmail.com. Nos Amis Les Animaux 85480 (NALA 85480). Tel: 07 70 31 54 59
Email: nala85480@hotmail.com www.nosamislesanimaux.com
GRANT... a dog in a million Grant is a lovely 3 year old English S e t t e r c r o s s w i t h a s u p e r b temperament. He is currently being looked after in one of our foster families, and is mixing well with his other doggy companions. Grant has shown that he can learn quickly and is very affectionate; but all dogs need stability and a permanent home and we hope that Grant will find one very soon. Grant is non-‐dominant and would suit an active family or individual who love the great outdoors and nothing better than taking their pet for long walks or playing endlessly with another family dog(s). No cats though. Grant is good with children, and will happily exhaust any active teenager! This is a dog with a kind and loyal nature that will run around all day and then collapse at your feet and lick you before falling asleep. He is house-‐trained and has had some basic training lessons when he was younger, but like most dogs will benefit from more. Microchipped (250268500512833), vaccinated and neutered, his adoption fee is 150€ and he is being fostered near Sauzé-‐ Vaussais 79190. Grant deserves the best home going and if you are looking for a dog in a million then please contact me, Nicolette, or any of the Orfee Association volunteers now. English enquiries: Nicolette on 05 49 27 26 20 / Email: orfeeinenglish@gmail.com Mary on 05 49 50 69 41 / Email: orfeeinenglish2@gmail.com French enquiries: Isabelle on 09 77 48 71 43 / Email: asso.orfee@laposte.net www.orfeeinenglish.canalblog.com
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orth Pole N The Great Outdoors...
THE DEUX-SÉVRES MONTHLY
THE AMATEUR GARDENER by Vanda Lawrence
Autumn/winter is the best time to plant roses, during their dormant season. But which ones to choose? Don't worry, there is something for every garden situation. Hybrid Tea Rose -‐ Bushy habit with flowers borne singly or in threes at the tips of stems and therefore the favourite choice for flower displays. Many are fragrant. Suitable for borders or containers. Floribunda -‐ As above but flowers are produced in clusters at the tips of stems. Each flower within the cluster opens at different times, so giving a long-‐lasting display through the summer. Many are fragrant. Suitable for borders or containers. Shrub Rose -‐ Bushy habit. Larger than Hybrid Tea or Floribunda. Single or double flowers borne in clusters. Modern varieties are repeat-‐flowering but older varieties only produce one heavy flush of flowers in early summer. Usually fragrant. Suitable for borders and hedging. Climbing Rose -‐ Stiff-‐stemmed upright with vigorous habit. Suitable for wall, fence or pergola. Wide range of flower type available and many are fragrant. Rambling Rose -‐ Vigorous climber with lax, flexible shoots. Flowers are single or double borne in clusters on short shoots from old wood. There are many fragrant varieties. Flowering normally occurs in one heavy flush during summer. In addition to being suitable for walls, fences or pergola they can also be grown into a tree to brighten a dull area. Miniature Rose -‐ Very compact with small leaves and flowers, suitable for containers, window boxes and border edges. They produce clusters of single or double flowers in flushes throughout the summer. Unfortunately, they are rarely fragrant. Where to grow them? In a sunny position, sheltered from strong winds. Roses don't like to be crowded by other plants so they are not really suitable for a shrubbery. They don't like wet, soggy soils either, much preferring a well-‐drained site. Before planting, dig over the plot to at least 18" deep and improve all soils with well-‐rotted manure. Mix in a slow-‐release fertilizer as roses are very heavy feeders. Do not mulch your rose in its first year. Climbing roses obviously need some support. This can be a rose arch of course, a lovely way to appreciate the beautiful flowers and these days it is possible to have thornless roses, which is even better. If you plan to grow your climber up a wall you will need horizontal wires spaced about 18" apart up the wall and about 3" from the wall to allow air circulation. A wall will cause the soil at the base to be dry, so plant your climbing rose 12-‐18" away from the wall at a 45 degree angle. Otherwise planting is the same as for other roses with a bud union at soil level. Use canes to guide shoots towards the supports. Prune newly planted floribunda, hybrid tea and shrub roses directly after planting to about 4" above ground level, but do not prune rambling or climbing roses directly after planting. Established hybrid tea and floribunda roses flower on new, current season's wood so can be cut back quite hard each year, but shrub roses flower on wood which is at least 2 years old so require little pruning. Just take out dead, diseased or damaged stems ... the three d's. Established climbing roses are pruned in late autumn or winter and rambling roses should be pruned in late summer.
14 ne & bes t wishes for 20 Merry Chris tmas everyo
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THE DEUX-SÉVRES MONTHLY fancied a change from her smallholding and came to work and stay for a few days. It’s possible that we could be lambing as early as the 9th December -‐ 153 days from when Beavis escaped, so we’ll keep you posted next month. So........ is this cutting down?
Life on the Farm...
When my son and daughter-‐in-‐law came to visit, the male turkeys were showing off and strutting their stuff or doing the mating dance. They were curious to know why the male turkeys had a nose warmer (known as a snood). Not knowing the answer we investigated, and apparently it helps attract female turkeys. by Peter & Jenny Sebborn.
It’s here -‐ winter weather, plummeting temperatures and lots of wind -‐ outside I mean -‐ not me! After saying we were cutting down last month, our numbers haven’t gone down that much. Some planned and some unexpected chicks have hatched. We noticed Mini (the Bantam) under a wheelbarrow and when we tried to move her, discovered that she was broody and was sitting on 12 eggs. Some of the eggs seemed big for her and we were a bit doubtful that they were all hers. We moved her to safety and marked on the calendar 21 days from that date so we knew when to expect some new arrivals. Well surprise surprise, just the next day we were amazed to see the eggs starting to hatch. She must have been there for almost three weeks and as she was regularly coming over when she saw us for food and water we hadn’t noticed anything amiss. A day earlier we had hatched a chick in the incubator and 2 more were cracked and starting to hatch, so once they were all safely hatched and the chicks were dry, we carefully placed the extra three under her and she was none the wiser. Mini’s not a great mum and struggles to keep control of her brood and as they are getting bigger she’s finding it hard to keep the babies warm! The latest update is that she continues to be a poor mum -‐ it would be a case for social services if she was human, and she has lost a few already. It’s not the best time of year for hatching as the combination of the colder weather and hungry predators makes survival more difficult. An extra two pairs of hands came in very handy when we had a young couple who were travelling Europe come to stay for a week. It’s a scheme where people offer a set amount of hours work in exchange for their stay and keep. We cut down a tree that had started to lean towards our outbuildings, pruned the garden, cleared the polytunnel, sorted the woodshed and put up some new fencing during their stay. Both were hard workers and lovely people and so when they asked to return for another week or so we were happy to say yes. They were followed by a friend who
Spare a thought this Christmas when you tuck into your turkey. The average bird has 5000 feathers -‐ that is an awful lot of plucking to get it on your plate! Talking of turkeys, we have been planning our home-‐grown natural and wholesome Christmas dinner for many months, growing a huge variety of vegetables. Of course, sprouts are a must and a home-‐grown bird. This year we are a bit spoilt for choice again, but as there will only be three of us for Christmas Day this year, we have decided to have a goose, accompanied by all the other Christmas goodies. We have been curing our ham and making our sausages and bacon in readiness for the feast. In the summer we made the chutneys for Boxing Day and grew the sage and onions for the stuffing. I can already feel an afternoon nap coming on after a huge dinner... Christmas traditions are great! (my apologies to the Queen if I miss her bit on the telly!). The cider turned out very dry but perfectly drinkable, not bad for a first attempt, but the beer was a bit of a disaster and was fed to the pigs. Nom Nom our oldest pig drunk the most. It should add a bit more flavour to the pork! During a dog walk we ventured into the woods to collect the mushrooms and sweet chestnuts. After collecting several different types of mushrooms we headed home to check what we had gathered. Some looked OK but when one book said that a mushroom was safe to eat and a second book said the exact same mushroom contained arsenic, we decided to give eating them a miss! Stay warm and dry. We would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and look forward to seeing you in 2014 for more Life on the Farm. Peter & Jenny Sebborn. Breeders of pigs, lambs and poultry. La Gauteliere, 79220, Pamplie. Tel: 05 49 28 38 57.
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A-Z of the Communes in the Deux-Sèvres A-Z of the Communes of the Deux-Sèvres. by Sue Burgess COURS Cours is a small village of 542 inhabitants. It is situated near Champdeniers-‐Saint-‐Denis, Les Groseillers and Xaintray, about 19km from Niort. The river Autise flows through the commune. and the inhabitants are called Coursois and Coursoises. A VOIR / MUST SEE • The covered well in the garden of the town hall COUTIÈRES Coutières is a commune which belongs to the canton of Ménigoute in the circumscription of Parthenay. The nearest villages are Chantecorps, Fomperron and Vautebis and there were 156 inhabitants at the time of the 2010 census. The commune is crossed by the river Vonne, popular with fishermen and with people who wish to wander along the river banks and discover the sentier du granit (the granite path). The association CPIE de Gâtine Poitevine (Centre permanent d'intiatives pour l'environnement) can be found in Coutières and it aims to educate people about sustainable development. A VOIR / MUST SEE • Le Jardin des Sens (the garden of the five senses) The idea for this garden came about over 20 years ago. The mayor and the volunteers from amongst the local inhabitants took over an area of 7000m2 which had been left empty. It is constantly evolving and changing. There are 5 zones which correspond to the five senses and different activities are organised in each area. The general theme is to do with gardens (landscapes, the insects, animals and birds that live in the garden, edible wild plants, ponds, the weather, gardening). COUTURE D’ARGENSON Situated in the extreme south of the Deux-‐Sèvres, on the border with Charente and Charente-‐Maritime, Couture d'Argenson is a village of about 430 inhabitants. The rural village is 15km from Chef Boutonne in Deux-‐Sèvres and 15km from Villefagnan in Charente. At the edge of the village there is a small stone with three holes which used to symbolise the boundaries of the three départements or of the three dioceses (Poitiers, Saintes and Angoulême). A VOIR / MUST SEE • On the village square is the church of St Nicolas with its hexagonal tower. The church was built with the stones of the order of Malta. The church dates from the 12th century.
• Le Château de la Foye, a home built in 1852 by the Count of Chabot. (private property which can be visited during the heritage days in September). • Le Logis du Guidier, a 15th and 17th century home. • La borne des trois départements ou des trois évêchés -‐ the stone with the three holes. LA CRÈCHE The town of La Crèche has been built on both sides of the Sèvre Niortaise river. In the beginning there were three villages: Saint Carlaix, Breloux-‐La Crèche and Chavagné. The three communes were united in the sixties. The communes have always been on a major axis of communication -‐ the railway, and earlier a royal road. Since the beginning of the 1980s the A10 motorway has crossed the commune and more recently the A83. This knot of motorways has meant that new businesses have settled here and the population has grown. Archaeology shows that man has been present in this area since Paleolithic times. Around the year 1000, the habitations were regrouped around Romanesque churches at Saint-‐Carlaix and at Breloux. Castles allowed for the territory to be watched over and protected. With 5448 inhabitants in 2009, the town has seen its population almost double in size since 1968. A VOIR / MUST SEE • Le château de Bougouin The main building is surrounded by a garden and by a moat. A road separates the pigeon cote from the rest of the chateau gardens, though the north and west wings remain. The chapel and the keep were demolished between 1780 and 1815. Underneath the west wing of the chateau is a huge vaulted cellar part of which used to be used as a prison. • Aumônerie Saint-‐Jacques de la Villedieu du Pont de Vau (15th century) In 1437, Aymeri de Magné gave a house that could be used by pilgrims on their way to St Jacques de Compostelle. T h e y c o u l d st o p t h e re between Champdeniers and Celles-‐sur-‐Belle after having crossed the Sèvre Niortaise river. The building now belongs to an architectural association but is open for visits during Heritage weekend • Le château de Miseré This pretty château in the village of Miseré has today been turned into lodgings.
More ‘A-‐Z of the Communes of the Deux-‐Sèvres.’ next month...
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e Mince Pies & Mulled win
THE DEUX-SÉVRES MONTHLY
French Life, Food &by JDrink... acqueline Brown. French Village Diaries
by Jacqueline Brown.
It has become a tradition in our village to organise a fundraising meal for the Telethon that takes place throughout France on the first weekend of December. For many years I have joined a team of about twenty volunteers producing and serving a four-‐ course meal for 100+ paying diners. Add in a great raffle and we normally raise a decent amount to donate to children with Muscular Dystrophy. Before our new all singing, all dancing kitchen, that went in with the newly refurbished Salle des Fêtes a few years ago, preparing the meal was a health and safety nightmare. A tiny lean-‐to kitchen with a small domestic oven necessitated the use of gas burners sat on the floor with huge pots of soup bubbling away, while volunteer’s bottoms bumped and squeezed their way around the kitchen. The atmosphere was always fantastic and the camaraderie of peeling a mountain of vegetables surrounded by French and English villagers was quite something. To make it even more of an event, the volunteers shared a meal after the main preparations were finished the day before. The menu changes every year and one year Les Anglais suggested a main course of meatballs, which seemed to cause a bit of confusion as our French neighbours had not heard of what they
thought were an English speciality dish. No amount of explaining that they were not English and that the Italians, Swedish and the Greeks eat them too could persuade them otherwise. After a discussion they bravely agreed to give them a go although it was thought best not to advertise them as ‘meatballs’ but ‘boulettes de viandes’ in case those with a bad image of le cuisine Anglais would be put off. The mountain of hand-‐rolled meatballs went down very well despite it seeming a little foolish to have so much food ‘touched’ by so many people in the middle of the gastro season, but thankfully there were no nasty side effects. We now have a retired chef living in the village who has become a central figure in the organisation of our annual meal. However despite now having a super kitchen and expert at our disposal we struck a bit of a problem last year. An army of apron wearing females armed with vegetable peelers was not something he was expecting in his kitchen, in fact I’d go so far as to say he was a little scared. This year we have promised the chef he can have the kitchen to himself and I’m looking forward to serving the soup, charcuterie, a chicken and rice dish, cheese and finally a pastry from the village boulangerie, as our little contribution to Téléthon. I would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and I hope that 2014 is a happy and healthy one for everyone. Thank you for reading and getting in touch, it is always nice to hear from you. Don’t forget all my favourite recipes are available on my website. www.frenchvillagediaries.com. For recipes please email me at frenchvillagediaries@gmail.com or visit www.frenchvillagediaries.com
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CONTRIBUTIONS.... We are always looking for new contributions for consideration in future issues. Do you have an experience to share? Are you a tradesman with a Top Tip? or perhaps an avid reader who would like to contribute a book review? Whatever it may be, either long or short, we would love to hear from you. You can call Sarah on 05 49 70 26 21 with any ideas, or send them on an email to: info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
Mulled wine is a beverage usually made with red
wine along with various spices and raisins. It is served hot or warm and may be alcoholic or non-‐alcoholic. It is a traditional drink during winter, especially around Christmas. Ingredients: • 2 unwaxed oranges • 1 lemon, peel only • 150g caster sugar • 5 cloves, plus extra for garnish • 5 cardamom pods, bruised
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www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
• 1 cinnamon stick
• A pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
• 2 bottles of fruity, red wine • 150ml ginger wine
Method: 1. Peel and juice one orange, then add to a large saucepan with the lemon peel, sugar and spices. Add enough wine to just cover the sugar, and heat gently until the sugar has dissolved, stirring occasionally. Bring to the boil and cook for 6 – 7 minutes until you have a thick syrup. 2. Turn the heat down, and pour the rest of the wine into the saucepan, along with the ginger wine. Gently heat through and serve with orange segments as a garnish. Alternatively, you can allow the syrup to cool, and pour it into sterilised bottles for use at a later date.
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The Mystery at Haut-Poitou by Capt Arthur Hastings, OBE
It had been some time since I had last seen my old friend, Hercule Poirot. As usual, I had been away in South America losing another packet on a sure-‐fire tuna packing scheme in the headwaters of the Orinoco, so it was with some bemusement that on my return to Blighty I read of Poirot’s demise. Crikey! That Christie woman will stop at nothing for a quick buck and a quiet life. He had of course been enjoying a tranquil retirement amidst the rolling meadows of the Deux-‐Sèvres. Clearly, it was time to catch up. With the clarion call of an on-‐time flight ringing in my ears, I stood on the tarmac of La Rochelle-‐Ile-‐de-‐Ré airport. Beyond the crowd of greeters, the familiar bowler-‐hatted figure of my friend was pacing in a concerned manner. “Welcome ‘Astings. All of ze upcatching must wait. There is a great mystery awaiting us. Something is amiss in Neuville de Poitou”. I could feel the old adrenalin surging! I had fagged for a Neville at Eton and he had been a bounder of the highest order. We sped through fields of rotting sunflowers and mangy green vegetables. Our conversation was equally dispiriting. As hard as I tried, I couldn’t interest Poirot in my stories of piranha attacks. His mind was elsewhere, as perturbed as the Amazon. The chauffeur pulled in to the courtyard of ‘La Cave du Haut-‐Poitou’. “Come ‘Astings, let us examine ze evidence toot sweet”. He had laid out a veritable Aladdin’s Cave of goodies. “Take your time, ‘Astings. Explore, employ your little grey cells”. Righto! I decided to leave the wines to last, so started with a selection of oils from the ‘Huilerie de Neuville’. The prettily bottled walnut and hazelnut oils would be a smash with my foodie chums in Fitzrovia, as would the fruit vinegars flavoured with lemon and grapefruit or tomato and basil. I passed quite quickly over the assorted rillettes, patés and honeys as my tummy was still grappling with my inflight ‘snack’. “I think you might find these of interest, sir”. An old familiar voice. I turned -‐ Good Lord, it was Chief Inspector Japp! Turns out he had been chauffeuring for Poirot since his retirement from the force. He gestured towards a row of beer bottles. “Oo’d ‘a’ thought the Frenchies could brew?” The Brasserie de Bellefois can indeed brew. Their beers are named after the dates of French victories in the Haut-‐ Poitou region so the range is necessarily limited. The ‘507’ (Clovis at that famous battle of Vouillé if you must know) is a pleasant blond at 5% while ‘Le Prince Noir’ is nicely malty at 6%. There was a slight tug at the old worsted, and a familiar scent coiled around my nostrils as if in a Bisto ad. “A little wine, Captain?” Miss Lemon! “I think you’ll find the Diane de Poitiers range to your taste, not to mention the various Vins de Pays of the Terra Ligeria range”. My mind was whirling, and not for the first time I sought explanation from my old friend. “You ask me where is the mystery, ‘Astings? Look around you. The mystery is that there are so few people here enjoying such bounty. Perhaps they do not know of this place. Write of it, I beg of you”. Poirot, Japp and Miss Lemon turned expectant eyes to your humble scribe. How could I refuse? Cave du Haut-‐Poitou, 32 rue Alphonse Plault, 86170 Neuville de Poitou. www.lesvinsdeneuville.fr John Sherwin, French Wine Tours. Tel: 02 51 66 13 05 ~ Email: john@french-wine-tours.com www.french-wine-tours.com
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Motoring... Nightmare before Christmas by Helen Tait-‐Wright
Forget the Tim Burton version where Jack Skellington hijacks the Festive season with his Halloween trickery, the real nightmare would be if the reindeer fell sick on Christmas Eve and could not pull the sleigh ........ So, hypothetically and just for fun, (assuming you believe in Father Christmas in the first place) what transport would Santa need to fulfill his duties for the world’s children? Well, he has a lot of ground to cover -‐ the whole world in fact, so he would need something super fast. At short notice there is no time for the elves to commission a jet propelled vehicle, and getting air traffic control clearance for a new flying machine is way too difficult so they must look to the automotive industry to provide the solution! The world’s fastest production car is the Bugatti Veyron SS. A quick look on the internet by the intrepid and excited elves reveals there are two such cars currently for sale, but Santa needs a stiff drink when he hears the cheapest price tag is still over 2 million Euros. Also the car is in the UAE, a Muslim state, which could present problems with the whole Christmas concept, and on reflection there isn’t much room in it for the all important presents. Back to the drawing board for the elves ...... after consulting the list of the world’s 10 fastest cars (www.thesupercars.org/fastest-‐cars/ fastest-‐cars-‐in-‐the-‐world-‐top-‐10-‐list) the problem of space seems pretty universal, although they got a bit distracted by the quite frankly gorgeous Aston Martin One-‐77 .....
So, they have to change the search criteria to look for a saloon car. Inevitably it will be slower, meaning Santa will have to leave on his rounds much earlier, but it has to have space for the presents .... This search produces some interesting candidates. BMW’s M5, the Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed, the Porsche Panamera Turbo S and Aston Martin’s Rapide S. Eagerly the elves present the choices to Santa, but he is troubled. He has been thinking about his journey and the terrain he covers ...... he realises he needs Four Wheel Drive. One elf, an avid watcher of Top Gear, proposes the Mitsubishi Evo X FQ-‐400, but Mother Christmas (being a closet petrol head) has read the reviews and knows that practical as it seems, her husband couldn’t cope with the hard ride and the noise on his long journey. She takes matters into her own hands and produces from the depths of her apron pocket a brochure for the Audi RS6 Avant. Silence falls as Santa peruses the details.....so quiet that you can hear the world’s children hanging their stockings ..... Permanent 4 Wheel Drive, adaptive air suspension, 8 speed automatic gearbox, twin turbo V8 engine, 0-‐62mph in 3.9 sec, 189mph with the Dynamic Package, plenty of space and good solid German engineering...... Santa smiles slowly, and everyone breathes. The elves dash off to find the nearest place they can get one .... and joy, only 230km away in Muonio is one of Audi’s Ice Experience training centers. Christmas will be saved! And to Santa, I’d just like to say, when you’ve finished with it, please drop it off at our place. I’ll give you a lift home! Merry Christmas everyone, see you in the New Year.
Contact Helen at: helen@stodel.org.
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Communications... Important Information about Microsoft Windows Operating Systems by Ross Hendry
However, the longest running and most popular of these has been Windows XP released in 2001. I am sorry to say that with effect from 9th April 2014, Microsoft will no longer be sending out those all important security updates for XP Professional. Microsoft stopped supporting the other versions of XP many years ago.
• Graphics card: Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver • OK, so your PC meets these criteria and you want to upgrade. Here's how to move to Windows 8.1 depending on the version of Windows you're currently running: • If you're already running Windows 8, you can update to Windows 8.1 in the Windows Store for free. • If you're running Windows 7, you can buy & download Windows 8.1 using Windows 8.1 Upgrade Assistant. In Upgrade Assistant, you'll have the option of installing Windows 8.1 now, later or using media with an ISO file or a USB flash drive. • If you're running Windows Vista or Windows XP, you'll need to perform a clean installation with a DVD. Make sure that you review system requirements before buying a DVD.
Interestingly the world has in excess of 1.5 billion personal computers and about one third, 500 million, are still running Windows XP. If you are one of these users, what does it mean that Microsoft is no longer supporting XP? After April 2014, you are going to be twice as likely to get an infection of some kind if you are running Windows XP.
Microsoft have had to provide a second version of Windows 8 as the usability was appalling on non-‐touch screen PCs, as ever the change from Windows 7 to 8 was quite a challenge for most users. However, Windows 8.1 is the future of the Windows operating system, so we are all going to need to learn how to use it sooner or later.
Microsoft will still be sending updates to their corporate users who are expected to pay $200 per year, per PC, to receive them. Tim Rains, director of Microsoft's Trustworthy Computing group, also thinks that "After April next year, when we release monthly security updates for supported versions of Windows, attackers will try and reverse engineer them to identify any vulnerabilities that also exist in Windows XP. If they succeed, attackers will have the capability to develop exploit code to take advantage of them" and "We have already had a glimpse into what happens when a Windows XP-‐based platform goes out of support" Rains added. "In the two years after Windows XP Service Pack 2 went out of support, its malware infection rate was 66% higher than Windows XP Service Pack 3 -‐ the last supported version of Windows XP.”
Here is a table showing the lifecycle for Microsoft Operating System Software :-‐
Microsoft have provided the world with many versions of the Windows operating system, the latest version being Windows 8 and the newly released major update 8.1.
If you are still running Windows XP on your PC and regularly connect to the internet, you are strongly advised to upgrade to Windows 7 or 8.1, at the very least you must ensure that your anti-‐virus/malware protection is up-‐to-‐date, remember, if you get infected you could just as easily infect others. If you decide to go to Windows 8.1 here is the minimum system hardware requirements :-‐ • Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with support for PAE, NX, and SSE2 • RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) (32-‐bit) or 2 GB (64-‐bit) • Hard disk space: 16 GB (32-‐bit) or 20 GB (64-‐bit)
Client operaJng systems
Date of Latest update general or service pack availability
Windows XP
31/12/2001
End of End of mainstream extended support support
Service Pack 3
14/4/2009
8/4/2014
Windows Vista 30/1/2007
Service Pack 2
10/4/2012
11/4/2017
Windows 7
22/10/2009
Service Pack 1
13/1/2015
14/1/2020
Windows 8
26/10/2012
Windows 8.1
9/1/2018
10/1/2023
Windows 8.1
18/10/2013
None yet
TBC
TBC
Microsoft do not create these operating systems just to make money. They are necessary because the available hardware keeps improving, for example, Windows XP was only designed to use a maximum of 3.5GB of RAM. Most new PCs come with a minimum of 4GB RAM, this is considered to be entry level and many PCs will accept a maximum of 32GB of RAM. It would be false economy to even consider putting Windows XP on a new PC. If you did you would probably find that half of the hardware would not work properly, if at all, due to the software drivers needed. Ross Hendry is the proprietor of Interface Consulting and Engineering, who has over 42 years experience in Communications, Computer Technology and Direct Marketing. (See advert below for more information).
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Contact ‘The Deux-‐Sèvres Monthly’ magazine Tel: 05 49 70 26 21 Email: info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
Building & Renovation... with
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Small B/W advert only 30€
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Business, Finance & Property...
TRAVEL INSURANCE As we are coming up to Christmas time, which means HOLIDAY, here is all you need to know about travel insurance. 1. You are re|red and covered via the S1
The UK government will not cover you outside Europe but you are covered inside Europe via the European Health Insurance card. It is a free card that gives you access to healthcare during a temporary stay in any of the 28 EU countries plus Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, under the same condicons and at the same cost (free in some countries and not in others) as people insured in that country. Cards are issued by your national health provider (Newcastle for UK) and you can apply for it online. It is NOT an alternative to travel insurance as it does not cover costs such as return flights, repatriation, stolen property and it does not guarantee free service as each countries’ healthcare system is different. What is free/covered in France might not be elsewhere. The bad news is you are NOT covered outside Europe (see point 3 for solution).
2. You are working in France and covered by the French system
Because lots more options are available with a travel insurance, such as cover for: • All your belongings • Your luggage and their contents against theft , loss or destruction • Public liability for you and your family • Medical assistance and repatriation as much as 150,000€ (7600€ might not be enough) • Cancellation • Delayed plane or train • Pays for a family member to stay with you while you recover • And lots more options This is only a roundup of what I think you must look out for, but if you want any more information on the complicated world of travel insurance, or if you want a free quote and a list of all the options available, don't hesitate to contact me! And we have a dedicated bilingual person to deal with claims!
The same will apply inside Europe but you have to ask for the European Health Insurance Card to the French healthcare system and not to the one of your native country. The good news is you are covered outside Europe (everywhere in the world) as long as it is emergency treatment and you will have to pay the cost up front and then get reimbursed once you are back in France. You will be reimbursed only up to the amount the French healthcare system would have paid if you were in France. This is why it is important to take out travel insurance if you travel to countries where the health system is expensive (USA, Japan, etc).
3. The cover from your car insurance
This will come as a surprise to you and this is why most French people don’t actually bother with travel insurance. You are automatically covered everywhere in the world for health issues and repatriation via a majority of French car insurances as long as you are a French resident. It should be written on your contract under Garantie Assistance. You don’t need to be with your car so you can take the plane to Turkey and if you break your leg belly dancing, your French car insurance pays for your repatriation and health expenses. Do note that the insurance will only pay up to a certain amount. For instance, Allianz pays up to 7600€ on top of what the French health system will pay. Check your contract to see what is the exact cover you get. And remember, if you are retired and covered by the S1, it will be 7600€ in total as you will get nothing from the UK health system if you are outside Europe. 7600€ is enough in countries like India or Morocco but it is nowhere near enough if you go to the States! In any case the repatriation is covered. 4. Debit/credit card With some Visa or Mastercard credit cards (especially Visa Premier), you get free travel insurance when you purchase your trip using this card. Check with your bank or go online on the website of your card to check. 5. Why take out travel insurance? For the reasons stated above and especially if you are a UK pensioner and going to a country with an expensive health system.
BH Assurances 22 rue Jean Jaures, 16700 Ruffec Contact Isabelle Want: Tel: 05 45 31 01 61 Mob: 06 17 30 39 11 Email: isabelle.want@bh-assurances.fr
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iPayFX...
Control in the palm of your hand
by Sue Cook
iPayFX, our online payments platform, gives you 24/7 online access to cross border transfers so you can make payments when it suits you. Giving you unlimited access to international payments, iPayFX puts control in the palm of your hand. You can check the rate, select a beneficiary and make a payment in a matter of seconds. iPayFX is easy to use and totally secure. The system is designed to be intuitive, so making an international payment is as simple as a domestic one. You can store your beneficiary details on the system, making regular payments quick and easy to complete. You can add new beneficiaries or edit existing ones whenever required. iPayFX has live market rates which constantly change with the fluctuating market so you benefit from the most current market position. Once you agree the rate, it is locked in and you know exactly what price you will pay for your currency. With iPayFX you can review a statement of all your transactions in the system providing you with a record of all payments made by beneficiary or by currency. If your payments require authorisation by more than one person within the organisation, iPayFX will automatically email the relevant people to request approval of payments. This means that your organisation can implement and maintain internal security of payments being made on behalf of your business.
Ask Amanda. Are you thinking about what to give your family and loved ones for Christmas? How about financial peace of mind! As we approach the season of goodwill, many of us think about how we can help our families more. Whilst you are out choosing presents or perhaps arranging to spend the festive period with your nearest and dearest, there is something you can do which may give them peace of mind, well into the future. You can arrange for a financial review with me, which is free and provides the following benefits: • Peace of mind for you Your financial review will look at your current financial situation and help you ensure that all investments are working for you in the most productive and tax efficient way, whilst taking into consideration your own risk profile • Peace of mind for your children We will look at your potential inheritance tax obligation and ways to keep this to an absolute minimum • Peace of mind for all of your dependents There are many options available for your investments or UK private pensions that can provide a more efficient and tailored way to pass money onto your dependents in the event of your death
iPayFX is protected by the highest level of security so you know your payments can be made with complete confidence. If you require multiple authorisations on payments, these protocols can be established, further protecting your account. Keeping a track of the payments you’ve made by beneficiary, by currency or by time period is easy with iPayFX. Our transaction history gives you the clarity you need to budget for the future or analyse past spending trends. We pride ourselves on providing a transparent service so the reports available in iPayFX give you all your costs, rates and fees at a glance. If you need any further information about this or would like us to organise a Tour de Finance event in your area, give me a ring.
Sue Cook, Currencies Direct Tel: 06 89 99 28 89 ~ Email: sue.c@currenciesdirect.com
If you want to know more about these areas you can either call or email me on the contacts below and I will be glad to help you. We do not charge for reviews, reports or recommendations we provide. Have a fabulous Christmas & New Year from all at The Spectrum-‐ IFA Group. Amanda Johnson, The Spectrum IFA Group. Tel: 05 49 98 97 46 Email: amanda.johnson@spectrum-‐ifa.com
www.spectrum-‐ifa.com/amanda-‐johnson
or “Ask Amanda” at finance@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
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French Resident Tax Tips With the ever-‐changing worldwide economy, fluctuating stock markets and interest rates, it is not easy to keep track of what is happening and its effect on your money. However, there is one thing that is certain – we all have to pay tax. The French taxation system is different to what you may be used to in the UK and there are some important facts to know if you are resident in France and, therefore, liable for French taxes. Siddalls have put together a quick guide to French tax to help you keep your tax liability to a minimum. Tax Tips for UK expatriates tax resident in France 1. On becoming a French tax resident it is your responsibility to make yourself known to the tax authorities and to declare fully your income, capital gains and wealth. Once you have made your first tax return your local tax office will automatically send you a declaration in future years. 2. Take advantage of French tax free bank accounts for immediate access deposit funds. The main accounts are the Livret A, (maximum holding €22,950 per person) and the Livret de Développement Durable, (maximum holding €12,000 per person). 3. Take steps to place long term investment funds in tax efficient structures to keep taxable income to a minimum. “Unsheltered” investment income is liable to income tax and “social taxes” and may also be liable to healthcare contributions, if you do not qualify for free access to the French system. 4. French inheritance tax may not be as bad as you fear. The allowances for assets passing to children may be lower than the UK, but so are the rates. There are ways of reducing, and possibly removing, any liability to French inheritance tax on assets passing to children. 5. "Do as the French do". They take active and sensible steps to avoid unnecessary taxation. Seek advice from a qualified financial adviser, fully authorised in France, who will have access to a range of solutions and products tailored to your specific circumstances and needs. David Hardy is Regional Manager of Siddalls France, Independent Financial Adviser, specialised in tax, inheritance, pension and investment planning for the British community in Poitou-‐Charentes since 1996.
Contact David Hardy, Regional Manager: Tel: 05 56 34 75 51 Email: bordeaux.office@siddalls.net ~ www.siddalls.fr
Small Colour advert only 34€
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2014 ~ Will it Still be a ‘Buyer’s Market’?
by Trevor Leggett, Chief Executive
Regular readers of ‘The Deux-‐Sèvres Monthly’ will know that we often speak of this being a ‘buyers market’. By that we mean that ever since Lehman Brothers went bust in 2008 the European property market has been in the doldrums. The subsequent reduction in buyer numbers meant that simple supply and demand led to price falls and an annual drop of around 50% of international buyers of French property. However, it does seem to be that confidence is coming back into property markets in the UK and across the continent -‐ we’re not saying that we are all out of the Crise Financière but we do feel cautiously optimistic for 2014 and beyond. This would be good news for many people across the region who would like to sell their house next year. If you are one of these people then we are happy to reiterate three ideas for selling your house: • Firstly, do make sure you price your house sensibly. If it has been on the market for a long time then the chances are that you’re asking too much. Be realistic and listen to your agent -‐ here at Leggett’s we have seen many sales from price reductions. By lowering your price we automatically re-‐send your listing to over a dozen property portals thus giving it further exposure. • You should also ask your agent if they can create a ‘virtual tour’ of your house on their website. We have researched the benefit of this and our analytics show that houses with virtual tours receive far more hits than those without. • Finally, don’t forget that first impressions count. Tidy the place up, paint the gate and try and offer a splash of colour -‐ even though winter is nearly here! The first of these points is obviously the most important -‐ buyers know that prices have dropped and will be looking to pick up a bargain. Figures from BNP Paribas show that, on average, international buyers in Poitou-‐Charentes spend €145,000 while those moving to neighbouring Limousin spend €101,000. Do make sure that your house is competitively priced -‐ if not then your agent will have an impossible job on their hands, despite all best efforts. All of us at Leggett Immobilier would like to take this opportunity to wish readers of ‘The Deux-‐Sèvres Monthly’ a wonderful festive season and a truly happy new year. Leggett Immobilier is one of the leading estate agents in France. You can access all their local property listings and articles at www.frenchestateagents.com/poitou-‐charentes-‐property.
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© Rupert Roxburgh-‐Abbs 2013, age 10. More colouring pages can be downloaded from our website: www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr 40