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Welcome! to Issue 46 of
‘The Deux-Sèvres Monthly’ magazine.
It’s that time again folks.....Christmas! Yay! I love the festive season but are you sure it only comes around once a year?! It only seems like yesterday since I wrote to you last Christmas, saying how organised I was. Unfortunately, that all went out of the window this year! Never mind, there’s still time... Be sure to visit the wonderful Christmas markets in the Department this month. There are many listed in our guide on Page 8, but also check our Online Events Calendar and Facebook page for others, some may have missed the print deadline. For the festive season, we also have some great ideas for aperitifs with the neighbours...visit page 31 to read recipes from Homechef, Hazel Foster; give them a try - I know I will! I look forward to seeing some of you at the various markets, events and parties this month. Rob and I would like to thank you all for your continued support this year and wish you a magical Christmas and propserous 2015.
à plus, Sarah
Tel: 05 49 70 26 21 Email: info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr Website: www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
Emergency Numbers: 15 SAMU (Medical Advice) 17 Gendarmes (Police) 18 Pompiers (Fire Service)
112 European Emergency 113 Drugs and Alcohol
Contents What’s On 4 Getting Out & About 6 A-Z of the Communes in the Deux-Sèvres 11 Hobbies 12 Clubs & Associations 14 Health, Beauty & Fitness 16 Our Furry Friends 19 Home & Garden 21 Spotlight On... 24 Take a Festive Break 26 French Life 27 Communications 29 Food & Drink 31 Motoring 35 Building & Renovation 37 Business & Finance 41 Property 45
This Month’s Advertisers
ABORDimmo Ace Pneus (Tyre supplier & Fitter) Affordable UK Designs (Kitchens & UPVC Double Glazing) AgriPelle Ajmal’s Masala (authentic Pakistani cuisine) AKE Petit Travaux (Builder) A La Bonne Vie Andrew Longman (Plumber) ARB French Property ARB French Property Arbrecadabra Tree Surgery BH Assurances / Allianz - Isabelle Want Bill McEvoy (Plumber / Heating Engineer) Blevins Franks Financial Management Brian Fox Web Design Buzz Transport Camping Les Prairies du Lac Caniclôture Hidden Fences Cheryl’s Helping Hand Chris Parsons (Heating/Electrical/Plumbing) Christies (English Book Shop & Tea Room) CJ Electricité Clean Sweep Chimney Services Couhe ULM Loisirs Currencies Direct - Sue Cook Cut 46 (Hair Salon) Cym Cards (online shop) David Cropper (Stump Grinding & Jungle Busting) David Watkins Chimney Sweep Deb Challacombe (online counsellor) Duncan White - Agent Commerciale Emilie Baudrez (French Classes & Translation) Franglais Deliveries GAN Assurances Hallmark Electronique Holistic Therapy by Soul to Sole Irving Location - Digger Hire John Snee Groundworks J.P. Lainé Chimney Sweep Julia Hunt - Agent Commerciale Julie Tee (Freelance Administrator) La Deuxième Chance (Annie Sloan Chalk Paint supplier) Lawrence Associates (Renovations etc) Le Comptoir du Tapissier (Upholstery and Hardware) Leggett Immobilier Mark Sabestini Renovation & Construction MFP Porge Fermeture (PVC Windows, doors etc) Michael William Hairdressing Michael William Hair salon ML Computers Motor Parts Charente M. Page Landscaping MSS Construction Mutuelles de Poitiers Assurances Nathan Foster Building Services Needa Hand Services Pamela Irving (Massage & Reflexology) Pascale Matéo (French Tuition) Plan 170 (Professional Scale Drawings) Polar Express Rob Berry Plastering Services Robert Lupton (Electrician) Ross Hendry (Interface Consulting & Engineering) Sarah Berry (Websites & Graphic Design) Satellite TV Savons et Senteurs (Soaps and scents) Siddalls (Financial Advisors) Simon the Tiler Steve Enderby Steve Robin (Plumber) Sue Burgess (French Classes & Translation) The English Mechanic & Son - Tony Eyre The Spectrum IFA Group - Amanda Johnson Under the Top (Underwear Shop) Val Assist (Translation Services) Victoria Bassey Jewellery Boutique Yoga Vendée
45 36 2 39 32 40 34 38 21 45 23 43 38 41 30 36 7 19 21 38 6 37 37 12 44 17 7 23 37 17 46 10 36 36 37 17 39 39 37 46 30 23 40 21 46 40 21 16 17 30 36 23 39 36 40 21 17 10 45 32 40 37 29 30 30 18 42 40 38 38 10 36 44 18 10 18 17
© Sarah Berry 2014. 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, 3 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, Shutterstock, GraphicStock et morgeufile.com. Impression: Graficas Piquer SL, 29 Al Mediterraneo, Pol. Ind. San Rafael, 04230, Huércal de Almeria, Espagne. Dépôt légal: decembre 2014 - Tirage: 5000 exemplaires. Siret: 515 249 738 00011 ISSN: 2115-4848
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 3
What’s On...
Please refer to this page for information on the various church services during December and don’t miss out on our guide to Christmas Markets in the Deux-Sèvres on P.8. Also keep an eye on our Facebook page and Online events calendar for others that may have missed the print deadline..... 4th December - Xmas Books and Card Fayre Bar/Brasserie Vue du Chateau, Bressuire. See advert on P.34. 5th-7th December - Alan Bennet Festival Packed programme organised by local theatre group, TheatriVasles; including 2 performances of Talking Heads. STOP PRESS: Alan Bennett has sent a handwritten note which will be read out before each performance. To find out more please see article on P.6. 6th December - Fish ‘n’ Chip Soirée Bar/Brasserie Vue du Chateau, Bressuire. See advert on P.34. 6th December - Live Music Night in Fenioux at Café des Belle Fleurs. See advert on P.31. 6th & 7th December - Christmas Fayre Organised by the Hope Association’s Charity Shop. From 10am to 5pm at Route 66, 87320 Bussiere Poitevine. For more info please see advert on P.18. 6th & 7th December - Aigre Christmas Market Find Victoria Bassey Jewellery at this event. See P.18 for further details. 7th December - Christmas Market at Terves Organised by Association Aidez. See advert on P.6. 7th December - Christmas Market Hosted by La Soliniere, at The Market, Luché sur Brioux. 9th December - A Filling Station talk in La Roche-sur-Yon at 7.30pm. See advert on P.5. 12th December - Charroux Christmas Market Find Victoria Bassey Jewellery at this event. See P.18 for further details. 13th December - A Christmas Cornucopia Performed by the Reaction Theatre in Secondigny. See article on P.14. 13th December - CSSG Meeting & Christmas Lunch At Café des Belles Fleurs, Fenioux. Book before 6th December. 15th December - Competition Closing Date For short-stories written in English. See article on P.6. 14th December - Christmas Concert in Charroux The Phoenix Choral Christmas Concert in Charroux church (86) 4pm. 16th December - Opera: Alice on Wonderland As part of the 2014 Opera Season. See P.9 for more information, discounted tickets and a chance to win free tickets. 19th December - Christmas Dinner Party Quiz At Café des Belles Fleurs, Fenioux. See advert on P.31.
The National Holidays, Religious and Feast Days 2014/2015
December 2014 The Chaplaincy of Christ the Good Shepherd, Poitou-Charentes, have once again arranged a bi-lingual Christmas Carol Service, which has always been well support by both British and French people in the area. A Traditional Service of Nine Christmas Carols and Lessons (in English and French) will be held in Sainte Croix Church, rue de la Citadelle, Parthenay on Wednesday 17th December at 7pm followed by mince pies and mulled wine A warm welcome awaits website www.church-in-france.com or contact us by email: offfice.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 bilingual website for details of meetings and summer programmes www.thefillingstationfrance.com or contact 05 49 87 89 16 or email: michael.willis@sfr.fr ALL SAINTS, VENDÉE - Puy de Serre All are welcome to join us for our English speaking Christmas celebrations, hosted by the Anglican Church the Congregations of All Saints Vendée. Most services have refreshments afterwards. We would love to see you! •
On Advent; Sunday 30th November 4.00pm Christingle Service at Puy de Serre L’Eglise Sainte Marthe 85240 • 6th December 11.00am Lessons and Carols at La Chapelle Palluau L’Eglise Saint Pierre 85670 • 10th December 7.00pm informal carol singing at L’Auberge St Vincent Sterlanges (plus fish and chips courtesy of the Vendee Chippy if you want!) 85110 • 14th December 11.00am Lessons and Carols at Puy de Serre • 16th December 5.00pm Favourite Carols (chosen by members of the All Saints Anglican Church) at Puy de Serre • 21st December 11.00am Holy Communion at La Chapelle Achard L’Eglise Notre Dame de L’Assomption 85150 • Christmas Eve; 24th December 11.00am Holy Communion at La Chapelle Palluau • Christmas Eve; 24th December 4.00pm Holy Communion at Puy de Serre There will be no service on the 28th December Further details can be obtained from our website www.allsaintsvendee.fr
Thursday 25th December Christmas Day (Noël) Thursday 1st January 2015 New Year’s Day (Jour de l’An) Saturday 14th February Valentine’s Day (Saint Valentin) Tuesday 17th February Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras) Sunday 1st March Grandmother’s Day (Fête des Grands-mères) Sunday 5th April Easter Sunday (Pâques) Monday 6th April Easter Monday (Lundi de Pâques) Friday 1st May Labour Day (Fête du Travail) Friday 8th May Victory in Europe Day (Fête de la Victoire) Thursday 14th May Ascension Day (Ascension) Sunday 24th May Pentacost (Pentecôte) Monday 25th May Pentacost (Lundi de Pentecôte Sunday 31st May Mother’s Day (Fête des Mères) Sunday 21st June Father’s Day (Fête des Pères) Sunday 21st June World Music Day (Fête de la Musique) Tuesday 14th July National Day (Fête Nationale) Saturday 15th August Assumption of Mary (Assomption) Sunday 4th October Grandfather’s Day (Fête des Grand-pères) Sunday 1st November All Saint’s Day (Toussaint) Wednesday 11th NovemberArmistice Day (Armistice) Friday 25th December Christmas Day (Noël) Dates in blue are celebration days, not public holidays
4 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
The Rendez-Vous Christian Fellowship A warm welcome awaits you at our meetings in the Vendée on the 1st & 3rd Sunday in the month at 11am. We meet at The Barn, off the D960B between Pouzauges and Chantonnay. Meetings last about an hour and are followed by a time of fellowship with refreshments. To find out more please contact Chris Taylor 09 60 49 78 50 or Des Vine 05 49 74 18 27 or visit: www.therendezvous.fr
‘The Deux-Sèvres Monthly’ magazine. Published by Sarah Berry 3 La Bartière, 79130 SECONDIGNY Tel: 05 49 70 26 21 Email: info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr www.magazineanglais79.com
Paperback Jan Books in English Find me at these venues during December: Civray Xmas Market, Civray 86400. 10am - 4pm Café Cour de Miracle, Vouvant 85120. 2.30pm - 4.30pm Vue du Château, Bressuire 79300. 11am - 1pm Bar Palais, St Aubin le Cloud 79450. 2pm-4.30pm Bar de la Paix, Thouars 79100. 11.30am - 1.30pm Café des Belles Fleurs, Fenioux 79160. 4pm - 6pm Terves Xmas Market 79300. 11am - 5pm Au Bec de Marnes, St Jouin de Marnes 79600. 3pm - 5pm Pause! L’Absie 79240. 2pm - 5pm Jan’s Home, La Ferriére-en-Parthenay 79390.11am - 4pm Bar Le Chauray, St Maixent l’Ecole 79400. 10am - 12.30pm La Mothe-St-Heray Xmas Market 79800. 5pm - 10pm La Mothe-St-Heray Xmas Market 79800. 9am - 6pm For more info contact Jan on: 06 08 30 73 29 or email: paperbackjan@gmail.com
2rd: 3rd: 4th: 4th: 5th: 5th: 7th: 10th: 11th: 12th: 13th: 13th: 14th:
From 7pm
Open 6.30-9pm Reel Fish & Chips
Top Hat Quiz & Curry
December
Dates & Venues for December: 1st: Limalonges 5th: Chef Boutonne 10th: Aigre 11th: Champniers Tel: 05 45 71 70 91 - more info at www.tophatquizzes.com
Weds 3rd The Canteen, Etusson Thurs 4th Bar Tabac PMU, St Martin de Sanzay Fri 5th Bar Tabac PMU, Bouille-Loretz Sat 6th Bar Vue du Chateau, Bressuire Sun 7th Lunchtime Xmas Market at Terves Tel: 06 04 14 23 94 - www.reelfishandchips.net
Open 6.30-9pm
Open 6-8.30pm La Vendée Chippy Weds 3rd & 10th: Bar ‘Auberge le St Vincent’, St Vincent Sterlanges. Come and enjoy Christmas carols & mince pies on the 10th Saturday 6th: Bar ‘Le Clemenceau’, Mouilleron-en-Pareds We are closed for January but will be back beginning of February
(incl. Bank Holidays)
Mr T’s Friterie
With regular venues at: • • •
Aulnay 17470 (from 6pm) Matha 17160 Gourville 16170
• •
St Hilaire de Villefranche
17770
St Jean d’Angély 17400
Tel: 02 44 39 16 73 - www.lavendeechippy.com
See www.frying4u2nite.com for details or call 06 02 22 44 74
Season’s Greetings from ‘The Deux-Sèvres Monthly’
Fish 4 Chip + Authentic Indian meals
Open 6 - 8pm Mondays: Bar Tilleuls, Champniers (near Civray) Tuesdays: Sauzé-Vaussais (Main square) Wednesdays: Chef Boutonne (near Chateau) Thursdays: Sauzé-Vaussais - Evening (Main square) Fridays: Mansle (car park of Simply Supermarket) Tel: 06 37 53 56 20 - www.mobilefishandchipsfrance.com
What’s On...ONLINE NEW! Online Calendar now available on www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr Share your events online for free - email the details to events@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 5
Getting Out & About Theat r i Vasl es Pr esent saThr eeDay
Al anBennet tFest i v al 5, 6, 7December2014
Cel ebr at i ngt he25th Anni v er sar yofTal ki ngHeads: “ HerBi gChance” “ AChi pi nt heSu gar ” “ ABedAmongstt heLent i l s” * Mati neeandEv eni ngPer f or mances * Fi l m,Exhi bi t i on,Wor kshops * Gal aLu nchwi t hBennet t“ Sni ppet s” Fol l owu sonFacebookf orf u l lpr ogr ammedet ai l s.Ti cket sf r om t i cket st heat r i v asl es@gmai l . com or Kat eon06 1548 0089. Ti cket sf orsomeevent sar est r i ct l yl i mi t edsobookear l yt oavoi ddi sappoi nt ment .
Aidez Association News
by Linda Reffold
It’s time to shout about what we have achieved over the last five years....
We have raised nearly 5,000€! We gave donations to Terves CCAS, the Croix Rouge, Medicins sans Frontiere and Parthenay & Bressuire Resto du Coeur. The restaurant, the Fangnam in Bressuire, had a charity evening to raise money for some villages in Laos where Sammy, the owner of the restaurant, comes from.
Entree Gratuite
Alan Bennett sends his personal support and best wishes to TheatriVasles Members of TheatriVasles were thrilled to receive a note recently from Alan Bennett regretting that he cannot attend their ‘Alan Bennett Talking Heads Festival’, but wishing them every success. The handwritten note reminisces about the last time he was in Poitiers and reveals that he is still at his desk trying to write. Richard Smith, Chairman of TheatriVasles, admitted that he wasn’t surprised that Mr Bennett didn’t feel up to travelling all the way to Vasles for the Festival as he turned 80 this year.
On a recent visit to the restaurant we discovered what they were doing with the 7,000€ they raised. They have paid for a container and are filling it with all sorts of items to send out there. It was in Terves on three Saturdays in October, so we took advantage and gave them our donation of 20 writing books, 20 packets of pens and 20 jigsaw puzzles.
“In some ways it is a bit of a relief for me, as I am performing ‘A Chip In The Sugar’ which Alan Bennett not only wrote but also performed for the very first TV presentation. To actually perform it in front of the man himself, one of my all-time heroes, would have been quite daunting. However, we will read out Alan Bennett’s message at the beginning of each performance, which will really bring a personal feel to the Festival”. For tickets and more information on the Festival, email theatrivaslestickets@gmail.com, telephone Kate on 06 15 48 00 89, or message on Facebook.
SHORT STORY COMPETITION....... hurry! Closing Date 15th December The International Club of Bordeaux, an anglophone association, has launched a short story competition for stories written in English. Entry is open to all adults with an address in France and judging will be by best-selling author Amanda Hodgkinson who lives in the Gers. Closing date December 15. Full details can be found on website: www.icbordeaux.fr/icb-short-story-competition
Good Luck!
6 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
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Conception graphique : Valérie Leclerc service communication de la Ville de Thouars
CHRISTMAS CAROLS (Throughout the Centuries)
Traditional European Christmas Carols by Daquin, Mendelssohn, Britten, Kodaly, Vaugham Rutter
Wednesday, 10 December at 8pm Chapelle de la Providence, Matha Saturday, 13 December at 5pm Temple protestant de Saintes Wednesday, 17 December at 8pm Abbaye royale, St Jean d’Angély Pre-booked tickets 7€ or 8€ at the door (children free) Email: ticket@lachantonge.eu
www.lachantonge.eu
Bernard Kemp: 05 46 74 53 59
Contact Sarah at ‘The DSM’ on 05 49 70 26 21
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 7
Christmas Markets in the Deux-Sèvres
Tuesday 2nd December Civray 86400 (10am-4pm)
Friday 5th December Sainte-Néomaye 79260 Salle des Fêtes (4.30pm-10pm) Sauzé-Vaussais 79190
Saturday 13th December
by Julie Tee
Bessines (Niort) 79000, Christmas Farmer’s Market in the ‘salle de la Grange’. (5pm-10pm). Free entry. Children’s area making christmas decorations, restaurant on site. Cuban singing concert at 6.30pm in the church, followed by food tasting by the producers Champdeniers-Saint-Denis 79220 Salle des Fêtes (10am-7pm) Chef Boutonne 79110 A small but ‘sparkly’ and festive market La Mothe-Saint-Héray 79800 centre-bourg (5pm-10pm) Thénezay 79390 16th edition of this christmas market (evening)
Saturday 6 December th
Cerizay 79140 Place de l’église (3pm-9pm) Doué-la-Fontaine 49700 Although outside of the DeuxSèvres, this 2-day market truly deserves a mention. A magical atmosphere in the beautiful troglodyte caves! More than 70 exhibitors selling regional products (and tastings) with free craft workshops for children. (10am-8pm) Niort 79000, Not your traditional Christmas Market.. but a ‘pink’ Christmas day in Niort’s Parc des Expos (6 rue Archimede). (10am-7pm). Free entry. An ideal opportunity to get that something special for the ‘her’ in your life. More than 70 exhibitors of designer clothing, jewelry, accessories, home decor, children, artists etc Saint-Loup-Sur-Thouet 79600 The 18th year of this extremely popular Christmas Market. 2013 saw 8-12,000 visitors over the two days, to browse the coloured ‘beach-hut’ stands and night-time illuminations Saint-Verge 79100 Salle Alcide d’Orbigny (5pm-10pm)
Sunday 7 December th
Thouars 79100 Place St Médard (10am-8pm)
Sunday 14th December
Bessines (Niort) 79000, Christmas Farmer’s Market continued François 79260, Salle des Fêtes, La Breuil de Francois (9.30am-5.30pm) Fressines 79370, Salle des Fêtes. (10am-6pm) Gencay 86160, Althought outside of the DeuxSèvres, this market attracts 100 exhibitors. Gift ideas, flavours from around the world. Entertainment includes carriage-rides, choirs, nativity with animals. (7am-7pm) La Mothe-Saint-Héray 79800, Halles, rues du centre-bourg et Loumin l’Abbé. Free entry. (5pm10pm). Truffles market commences at 9.30am, with tasting and recipes. Christmas stories at 11am at the Library for 2-6 year olds, photos with Santa, fast food and other refreshments. Live music throughout the day Prahecq 79230 Le Tallud 79200
L’Absie 79160 Salle Polyvalent (10am-6pm)
Thénezay 79390 16th edition of this christmas market.
Cerizay 79140 Place de l’église (10am-6pm)
Thouars 79100 Place St Médard (10am-8pm)
Doué-la-Fontaine 49700 Day two of this magical market. (10am-6pm) Faye-sur-Ardin 79160 Salle des fêtes (10am-6pm) La Mothe-Saint-Héray 79800 The Magic of Christmas. La MotheSaint-Héray commence their weekend of Christmas festivities with a lantern walk through the scenic town at 6pm. 4€ per person, limited to 80 people, registration required via the Tourist Office Niort 79000 A second chance to visit the ‘Pink’ Christmas market in Parc des Expos. See details shown above Périgné 79170 Salle de Sport (10am-6pm)
Friday 19th December
Brûlain 79230 Salle Polyvalente (4pm-9pm) Coulonges-sur-l’Autize 79160 Rue du Commerce (4pm-11pm
Saturday 20th December
Bressuire 79300 Rue du Guesclin (10am-8pm) Saint Hilaire la Palud 79210 Salle des Fêtes (10am-6pm
Saint-Loup-Sur-Thouet 79600 The 18th year of this extremely popular Christmas Market. 2013 saw 8-12,000 visitors over the two days, to browse the coloured ‘beach-hut’ stands and nighttime illuminations
Sunday 21st December
Saint-Maurice-la-Fougereuse 79150 (10am-6pm)
Saint-Maixent-l’École 79400 Place du Centenaire – Les Halles (Place du marché). Free entry. (2pm-10pm). Festival of lights, illuminating the towns heritage, street shows
Saint-Verge 79100 Salle Alcide d’Orbigny (9am-5pm) Terves 79300 Salle des Fêtes (10am-5pm) Vouillé 79230 Salle Polyvalente (10am-6pm)
Wednesday 10th - 24th December
Niort 79000 Place de la Brèche (all day, every day until Xmas Eve) Christmas Stalls and various street entertainment and events 8 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
Saint Hilaire la Palud 79210 Salle des Fêtes (10am-6pm)
Bressuire 79300, Rue du Guesclin (10am-6pm) See the map on Pgae 47 for market locations.
Tuesday 16th December, 8.15pm (Ballet: 3 acts, duration 2hrs 55mins)
LIVE
Opera Season 2014
If you love classical music and dance, then this is for you! This season, in conjuction wil the Royal Opera House, there will be regular operas and ballets broadcast LIVE to your local cinema. The greatest tenors, sopranos and orchestral leaders come directly to you highlighting the best of this classical medium. The shows will also include some exclusive bonuses and stories behind the scenes. The CGR Cinema in Niort is one cinema in the area participating in this season of events. To find others, please visit the website: www.rohaucinema.fr
FREE TICKET GIVEAWAY >>>>>>>>
Les Aventures d’Alice au Pays des Merveilles
by Christopher Wheeldon Royal Opera House Orchestra
The story of Alice in Wonderland. Alice is bored at a garden party, when a family friend suddenly turns into a white rabbit. She follows him into his hole and after a fall that seemed endless, finds herself in Wonderland..........
We have 2 pairs of tickets to giveaway for each live Opera showing at the CGR Cinema in Niort. For your chance to win these free tickets, simply go to our website www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr and register your name* and email address with us. A name will be drawn randomly 7 days prior to the next showing, and the winning tickets sent to you. *Only one registration allowed per person. The names will rollover to the next draw. If you don’t have access to an email address, please send your name, address and telephone number by post to: Sarah Berry, 3 La Bartiere, 79130 SECONDIGNY.
Special Discount for Readers! T H E R O YA L B A L L E T
YOUR TICKET TO THE BALLET
13 19
ONLY
LAUREN CUTHBERTSON | FEDERICO BONELLI
€
INSTEAD OF
€
OFFER VALID ON PRESENTATION OF THIS COUPON IN YOUR CGR CINEMA OF NIORT MUSIC
JOBY TALBOT | CONDUCTOR DAVID BRISKIN | DESIGNS BOB CROWLEY CHOREOGRAPHY
CHRISTOPHER WHEELDON
LIVE FROM LONDON 16 DECEMBER 2014 AT 8.15PM
www.cgrcinemas.fr The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 9
Christmas Gifts
by Sue Burgess
It is tradition to offer (offrir) a Christmas present (cadeau de Noël). In France the tradition is to give the presents on the evening of the 24th December and to open (ouvrir les cadeaux) after midnight. Christmas presents (cadeaux de Noël) are generally wrapped (enveloppés) in wrapping paper/gift wrap (papier cadeau) which is brightly coloured (brillant or de couleur vive), sometimes surrounded by a ribbon (ruban or bolduc). In France on Christmas Eve (la veille de Noël), the children place a slipper (un soulier) or a pair of slippers under the Christmas tree (le sapin). Before the appearance of the consumer society (la société de consommation) the gift was often something to eat, e.g. an apple (pomme), orange (orange) or sugar candy (une pipe en sucre). In Catholic families the presents were brought by the baby Jesus. But since the 20th century by adoption of the American custom, the presents are delivered by Father Christmas (le père Noël). Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, that shouldn’t stop you joining in the fun and enjoying yourself. Here is a little Christmas vocabulary quiz. Match the French on the left with the English on the right. (Answers in the next issue)
Joyeux Noël à Tous
Noël
Christmas carols
Les chants de Noël
Christmas decorations
Les décorations de Noël
Boxing Day
Le gui
Christmas
Offrir des cadeaux
Gift wrap
Le lendemain de Noël
To give presents
Les fêtes
Mistletoe
Le papier cadeau
The holiday season / the festivities
La Veille de Noël
A garland / streamer / tinsel
Une guirlande
Christmas Eve
And if you don’t like studying vocabulary, there is always a good Christmas film.... Home Alone (Maman, j’ai raté l’avion) A Christmas Carol (Le Drôle de Noël de Scrooge) Miracle on 34th Street (Miracle sur la 34e rue) The Santa Clause (Super Noël) The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (Comment le Grinch a volé Noël!) A Charlie Brown Christmas (Un Noël à la Charlie Brown)
10 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
A-Z of the Communes in the Deux-Sèvres
by Sue Burgess
GLÉNAY The inhabitants of Glénay are the Glénéens. The commune of Glénay is situated in the north of the Deux-Sèvres between the Bocage Bressuirais and the Gatine Poitevine. The river Thouaret flows through the village set in its rolling landscapes. The village has an important historical heritage – the Church and the Château are both classified as historical monuments. The little town is situated on the edge of the Thouaret at an altitude of 109 metres. The highest point of the commune is in the wood at Beaumont (170 metres). The village is situated in the centre of the territory of the commune and is surrounded by several distinct hamlets: Soussigny, Biard, Valigny and Beaumont. Soussigny is the furthest away from the main village (4 km). Orbigny is a hamlet which touches the main village on the east.
Chateau de Glénay. Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Yapil.
In 2009, there were 259 houses on the commune. The origin of the name Glénay seems to come from the celt word ‘glenn’ meaning valley. The first written trace of the name ‘Glenacio’ dates from 1110, and is translated into Latin by ‘Glennacum’. The form ‘Glenayo’ can also be found. Today’s spelling started to be used in the 14th century.
A VOIR / MUST SEE •
Archaeological digs to the East of the commune found remains from several periods from the 6th to the 10th centuries. A tumulus was discovered in 1987 on the hamlet of Beaumont and this would indicate a very ancient human presence. The villa Glennacum stretched over a large part of today’s territory until the beginning of the 11th century. Digs to the West of the church in 1943 revealed walls with Romanesque masonry - they are today covered by a house.
Over the centuries, three families lived in the château. The Beaumonts, The Saint-Gelais of Lusignan and the Vignerots of Pontcourlay, who later became the Dukes of Richelieu. Cardinal Richelieu stayed here for several months during 1610 and 1611 with his sick brother-in-law, René Vignerot de Pontcourlay.
Situated at the crossroads of several roads linking Airvault to Bressuire and Thouars to Parthenay, the geographical situation of the commune was ideal for trade and agriculture during the Middle Ages. The château was attacked and partially destroyed several times during the wars of the 13th century. The centre was under the protection of the lord of Glénay. In 1386 the lord Jean de Beaumont decided to renovate the château and the fortifications of St Martin’s church.
The destruction of the château happened at the beginning of the Revolution. Marie-Madeleine de Vignerot, Duchess of Aiguillon, was born in the château of Glénay in 1604 and baptised in the church. In 1639 she founded the Hôtel-Dieu (hospice) in Quebec.
Rabelais makes an illusion to Glénay through the character of Braguibus, hermite of l’ile Sonnante.
The château is a listed building for its façades and roofs and for the dwelling house, chapel and pigeon loft.
During the 17th century Glénay lived through the changes of the owners and lords of the château including the Vignerot de Pontcourlay family, close friends of Cardinal Richelieu who spent several months at the château. René Vignerot de Pontcourlay and his wife, Françoise du Plessis, are buried in the family tomb of Saint Martin church. The two recumbent tomb statues were moved to the château during the 20th century. Their daughter, Marie-Madeleine de Vignerot d’Aiguillon, left the village when she was 16 on her mother’s death. Several windmills and water mills situated on the commune indicate that there was an important milling activity until the beginning of the 20th century. There was also wine-growing. We can still see some vines from the road to Breuil. The existence of several wine presses in some of the old buildings is witness to the importance of the wine growing industry. In 1882 a lime kiln was built opposite where the school is today. The kiln closed down in 1930. 16 Glénéens were killed during the Great War and 4 during WW2. Photo Right: Lime Kiln. Wikipeadia.com
The château. The first foundations were built at the beginning of the 12th century just outside the main village on a steep rock overlooking the Thouaret. Originally the stronghold was lived in by a captain who kept a watch over the ford over the river. Later, the lord of the town came to live here and changed the stronghold into a château between the 12th and 14th centuries. In 1386, the lord Jean de Beaumont had the fortifications, which had been damaged during the 100 years war, restored. After the Wars of Religion, the château was restored, modified and extended. Apartments were designed in the central building. SaintMarguerite’s chapel was built next to the huge pigeon loft.
The château today is privately owned. The large pigeon loft with the arms of the Vignerot de Pontcourlay family, Saint Marguerite’s chapel and the chimneys still exist. •
Saint Martin’s Church. The foundations date from the 12th century and the bell tower was a keep, during the Middle Ages. The church was fortified by Jean de Beaumont in the 14th century. An underground refuge was dug out during the same period and allowed the villagers to hide in times of trouble. Until the Revolution, the recumbent statues of René de Vignerot and his wife Françoise du Plessis de Richelieu, the sister of Cardinal Richelieu, were to be found in the Church. In 1936, they were moved to Saint Marguerite’s chapel in the château. The 17th century altar piece represents Saint Hilaire of Poitiers who was a contemporary of Saint Martin.
More A-Z of the Communes of Deux-Sèvres next month...
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 11
Hobbies More from local writer Alison Morton... Please see back issues of ‘The DSM’ if you would like to see previous articles.
Oh, it’s wonderful, Darling! Really? You’ve written your piece (article, blog post, short story, novel, memoire). Defeating the inner worm hissing “Rubbish” inside your head and sapping your confidence, you’ve polished your work until it gleams. You’ve absorbed every article and book about self-editing, you’ve checked grammar, punctuation, structure and syntax until your eyes have nearly dropped out. And then you’ve asked people to comment. That took guts, believe me, so congratulations for having done it. But all they’ve said is “I really liked it” or “I read it to the end” or “Aren’t you clever?”. They nod politely and you are stuck without a clue about what they really thought.
What is Feedback?
For a writer, it should mean constructive comments given by somebody who knows what they’re talking about with the aim of helping the writer improve. Honesty should be the core of this feedback. Typical feedback providers range from friend, writing group, beta readers, critique partner, published author, professional editor. As humans, we are risk averse, and would rather sell our grandmother into slavery than tell a writing colleague they have adverb diarrhoea.
How to find good feedback providers
1. Define your goals - do you want a general assessment, structural comments on narrative and form, or a detailed analysis with annotations? 2. Who is doing it? What are their qualifications? Do they know your genre? 3. Define how you want that feedback given - verbal or written, in public or in private? Verbal gives you an immediate chance to respond, but written gives you the ability to go back and study it in detail. 4. Think about what you can take emotionally and psychologically. Every writer, however successful, gets negative feedback. 5. Ask around, check online, find another writer in your genre. Build a relationship with that person so you can trust them to give positive and negative criticism honestly.
Receiving and using feedback
1. Be aware it takes time to read, assess and critique a piece of work properly, so respect the feedback-giver’s work. 2. Try not to react immediately or cry behind the fridge. We all want to be told we’re brilliant, but ‘it ain’t necessarily so’. 3. Many reports only mention places where work is needed, so they may seem more negative than positive. 4. Take grandstanding and literary theory with a pinch of salt, but check they are not making a vital point in there. 5. Go through the report and mark up places to work on. This gives you an action plan. 6. Disagreeing - your privilege. Think through why they’ve made a point you disagree with. Once you are sure, discard their recommendation with confidence.
Giving feedback
1. Be very careful - this is not about you, but the writer. Make sure you are competent in the field. 2. Organise your comments under headings so it doesn’t turn into a meandering burble. 3. Give praise where due but don’t ignore the weak points of the text you’re looking at. 4. Be specific - why is it weak or strong? And quote examples. This will show the ‘feedbackee’ exactly where further work is needed. 5. Offer alternatives and ways forward. Good feedback is precious; no writer can progress without it. Take it on the chin and you may find your work will start to fly!
Alison Morton writes alternative history thrillers, blogs about writing, Romans and publishing at www.alison-morton.com. Subscribe to her newsletter on her site for more tips. 12 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
Cockleshell Heroes You may know that 10 brave marines were dropped from a submarine at the entrance to the Gironde estuary during the second World War. Their task was to paddle up the estuary in small canoes (cockleshells) and to plant explosives to destroy the German emplacements in Bordeaux. Only two of the marines made it, the rest died in the attempt. The survivors were subsequently helped to escape by the French resistance. In fact, the hotel ‘La Toque Blanche’ in Ruffec was one of the places that sheltered them. The Club Marpen in Tusson (contact M. Flaud), in conjunction with the Association Frankton (contact Mme Babin) are putting on an exhibition about the event. It will run from January until June 2015. Le Coq et la Rose, a local French/English association, have been asked to help. Any information, stories, photographs or artefacts that you may have that could form part of the exhibition would be very welcome. Of course, it goes without saying that precious mementoes would be treated with the utmost respect.
If you can help, please contact Celia Hall by phone on 05 45 71 43 22 or by email: candles@wanado.fr. Photo: Wikimedia.org
MOVIES
by James Luxford
We’ve got tortured geniuses, scary stalkers and a famous bear in this final round-up of the year, with selections to keep the whole family entertained during the festive period. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Mr Turner (3rd December) Mike Leigh’s period biopic of the famous English painter JMW Turner, played superbly by regular Leigh collaborator Timothy Spall. Following the painter’s later years - his clashes with fellow artists, the women in his life, his struggles with fame and his passion for his work - this is an absolutely gorgeous, moving portrayal of an influential figure in art history. Essential viewing if only for the stunning cinematography that makes every frame look like its own work of art, it’s sure to be a delight for those who enjoy thoughtful, well crafted cinema. Paddington (3rd December) The classic children’s character Paddington Bear gets his own live action film, with ‘Skyfall’ actor Ben Whishaw providing the voice of the Marmalade loving bear from deepest darkest Peru, adopted by the kindly Mr. Brown (played by ‘Downton Abbey’ star Hugh Bonneville) and his family. Nicole Kidman also stars as a dastardly villain in our furry hero’s tale in this colourful, funny family film that is high on slapstick and feel-good fun. The perfect treat for the festive season! No Good Deed (10th December) ‘Thor’ and ‘The Wire’ star Idris Elba shows a very dark side to his character in this tense thriller. He plays an escaped convict who charms his way into a lone mother’s (Tajari P Henson) house one stormy night, leading to a tense and violent fight for survival. Despite strong performances from Henson and Elba, the latter of whom is a decidedly menacing screen presence, a lacklustre script and awfully predictable plot leads to a thriller that holds little surprises and splutters to an uninteresting conclusion. Whiplash (24th December) A tense, jaw-dropping American drama about an aspiring young jazz drummer (Miles Tellar) attending a prestigious New York music school, who is driven to the limit both physically and mentally by the cruel conductor of the school’s prestigious band (JK Simmons). Agonising to watch at times but still relentlessly fascinating, two great performances duel during a tremendous exploration of passion, drive and the limits to which we go to achieve perfection. One of the best films of the year and a shoo-in for next year’s awards circuit. Release dates are nationwide in France.
For English language films, search showings marked ‘version originale’.
The Local Art Scene
by John Blair
Do you remember the art columns that used to appear in ‘The DSM’ written by the lovely Josie Bounds? Did you understand what she was talking about? Well I didn’t, so I challenged her to explain to me what abstract art is. Josie kindly invited me to her studio in Le Busseau, so off I went to learn about this unusual form of art. Josie told me that her paintings often “Start with a personal thought or feeling”. She focuses on process, material and the surface structure of the canvas. Josie uses a very limited palette, which doesn’t include black, much to my surprise. Then she tries to take these elements to their limits by applying and negating the paint and materials over and over again until she feels the painting is finished. Turning a potential 2D surface to a 3D surface. Many of Josie’s paintings look like a black canvas from a distance and it is only when you get close to the painting that you experience the full impact of the textures, shapes and colours. Look at this example (right). First impressions... What is it? Bet that didn’t take long to paint. Well after standing close to the painting for a few minutes, which is a long time for me, I was hooked. The textures, the deep dark colours, the 3D effect, amazing. You could actually see things in the painting others might never see. How could she get this depth of colour without using black? The second painting I spent some time looking at is a painting of dead sunflowers. I always wondered why Van Gogh’s sunflowers were half dead. This painting follows the same of Josie’s ideals, limited palette, process, material led and surface effects. Again to gain the full benefit of the painting it had to be viewed close up. You could have actually cut it into panels and made 3 or 4 good paintings from this one. As you can tell I am a convert, not 100% but a much bigger percentage than I ever imagined. My one negative thought was that when sitting in the room and looking at some of Josie’s picture they looked like black shapes but close up, amazing. Josie has been influenced by many artists but when put on the spot she recommends looking at the work of the German/ Austrian abstract expressionists who include Ad Reinhardt and Gerhard Richter - I might just do that! If you want to find out more about Joise’s art and other art work, you can contact her by email: josiebounds1@me.com
Parthenay Cinema: www.cinema.foyer.cc-parthenay.fr/foyer Niort CGR cinema: www.cgrcinemas.fr/niort/# Melle cinema: www.lemelies-melle.info Bressuire Le Fauteuil Rouge: www.lefauteuilrouge.fr
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 13
Clubs & Associations Book Club Thouars.
ARE YOU A MODEL RAILWAY ENTHUSIAST?
GARDENING CLUB
Alone in France?
2nd Sunday Motorcycle Club Come and join us for a bike ride, or just a cup of coffee and a chat, with bike-minded people. As the name suggests, wet meet on the 2nd Sunday of every month. New members are always welcome. For more information, visit our web-site. www.2ndsundayclub.fr
Le Tallud Boules en Bois
Do you enjoy reading a cracking 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 Louise Read at info@bookclubthouars.fr for details. We meet every third Tuesday of the month, 2.30pm with free tea/coffee and bscuits at Le Bon Vertoef, 28 Grand Rue, 79110 TILLOU. (Nr Chef Boutonne). Everyone welcome for garden talk! For further information contact Mike Curtis 05 46 33 66 17 (eves).
CLE helps you unlock the secrets to a happy and comfortable lifestyle in France. We provide information and organise workshops, visits and charity events, enabling members to make new friends in the ex-patriot and French communities. www.cle-france.com. Tel: 05 49 87 19 85
Fitness Class with James
A fun & lively Aerobic/fitness class run on a voluntary basis. Tuesday evenings 7-8pm at Salle de Fete in La Chappelle St Etienne. All ages, nationality & gender welcome. 15€ membership for the year which covers insurances & room. For further details please email James: jdharris247@gmail.com.
ALL GIRLS TOGETHER Calling all girls 18-80 for fun, laughter & support. We meet alternate Tuesdays at Fontenille, 2-5pm. Ring Viv for further information 05 49 27 51 98. All welcome.
Craft Café Creatif
If so, join a group of like-minded friendly modellers who meet on a monthly basis to visit member’s layouts and swap information. If you are interested please contact Gerry Riley for more information on 05 49 63 34 01.
We are a group of people living alone in the L’Absie area who meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 11am for coffee at the Pause! café in L’Absie. Our lunches are at different venues each month. A warm welcome awaits you. More details from Ros 09 67 49 21 44.
are offering sessions every Wednesday, 4pm-6pm from April to September and 2pm-4pm October to March at the parc de loisirs, Le Tallud. Everyone welcome. Details from Terry Hawker via email: terryhawker@orange.fr
THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION LINAZAY, POITOU-CHARENTES BRANCH
Please visit the branch website: www.rblpoitou-charentes.fr
Woodturners/Woodworkers
Are there any other amateur woodturners/woodworkers out there who might be interested in forming a club to share ideas, tips etc? Any level of ability, beginners to experienced. Contact Roland 05 49 96 44 10, preferably evening. I’m Francis. I am 52 years old, French and have been learning English for a few years. I live in Aiffres (nr Niort). I would like to meet with English speaking people near me, to spend a couple of hours per week to speak in French or English. We could both improve our language skills this way. Contact me on francis.gaboriau@bbox.fr or 06 85 92 58 33.
Hypnotherapy Slimming Group
Do you enjoy knitting or sewing in the company of others? Join us in L’Absie for an enjoyable afternoon over a cup of tea and a piece of cake. For details contact Margaret on email: knight.margaret@orange.fr
For four weeks only. Starts January 2015. Near Bressuire, dept. 79. Call Hypnotherapist/bodywork therapist Pamela Irving on 05 49 65 55 25 or email for more information: irving.philip@wanadoo.fr
Every Saturday between 2pm-5pm the Lorigné Library (79190) is open. Located behind the school playground, in the canteen, thousands of English book and also French books are available for loan.
Helping to improve the lives of people affected by Cancer in the Vendée. Helpline: 02 51 00 58 21 or email: presidentcsv@orange.fr
English Library
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
If you or someone you know has a drinking problem, there are now a number of English-speaking meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous in the South West of France.
Cancer Support Vendée
TTL Photography Group
Local photography group on the Deux-Sèvres / Vendée border. New members always welcome, and at all levels of expertise and knowledge. Contact us via the website to find out about our meetings. www.ttlphotographygroup.net
Alcoholics Anonymous is a Fellowship of men and women who share experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership and A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organisation or institution. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. Telephone: Angela: 05 49 87 79 09, Roger: 05 55 76 22 65 or Nancy: 02 54 24 09 74. Email: publicinfo.swfrance@aa-europe.net or visit www.aafrancesud-ouest.com for details of English-speaking meetings.
14 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
JUST BRASS 79
An orchestral group who meet each Tuesday at the Salle de la Cendille at Limalonges at 8pm. All levels of expertise welcome....
Combined Services Support Group (CSSG) by Terri Laverick It is amazing to me that we are already in December, what on earth happened to the year? One day it was spring and here we are just a few weeks from Christmas. They do say that time flies when you are retired. It is actually true... well, for me anyway. We saw friends from the group at the Ceremony of Remembrance at the Jardin du Public in Parthenay on 11th November, and we are now gearing up for the Aidez Christmas Fair in Terves on 7th December. This year we have a ‘Spot the Snowball’ board, so come along and see if you can find it. Our raffle tickets will be on sale from 13th December 2014 until 24th April 2015, for the signed copy of ‘The Casual Vacancy’ by JK Rowling and the beautiful painting of a Tiger Moth by John Jeapes, plus other prizes. The winning tickets will be drawn at our St George’s Day event, which we are in the process of organising. If you are interested in purchasing tickets, contact members of CSSG or email me at terri.laverick@outlook.com or telephone 05 49 64 07 24 and we will be happy to help.
Comments from our President Mr. Malcolm Daniels; “The latest show from Reaction Theatre was performed at Secondigny at the end of November and proved to be a great success. It was a collection of five very different comedy plays and included a number of new actors and directors. We had three very enthusiastic audiences and comments received were very favourable”.
Raction Theatre, Keynotes Singers and The Art Scene
On the 14th November we took part in a joint production with the Get Together Club History Group to commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War 1 at the museum in Parthenay. Members of The Art Scene provided a number of paintings for the exhibition and other members have lent family memorabilia to the museum. The exhibition is on until the 8th March 2015 and is well worth a visit.
Our next meeting is on 13th December and it will be followed by our Christmas Lunch, as usual at the Cafe des Belles Fleurs in Fenioux. If you wish to attend please let me know before 6th December.
Whats Next...........you might ask? Well, following our highly successful “A Cocktail of Comedy” we are proud to present a new version of A Christmas Cornucopia. There will be a number of different songs, carols and sketches for your enjoyment but still many of the old favourites for you to sing along with.
May I, and our committee, thank all those of you who have either helped or joined in our events this year and take this opportunity of wishing you and your families a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS.
Ticket sales, at the usual price are now open through the usual sources and the price includes a drink and finger buffet. So come and join us at the Secondigny Petite theatre on the 13th December at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.
Clubs & Associations Submission Guidelines Wordcount: Title of entry+ 40 words (max. including contact details). Logos can be supplied and will be added if space allows. Adverts meeting the above specifications can be added free of charge, and will be rotated on a monthly basis to allow everyone to participate. To guarantee the advert is printed each month, a small fee of 45€ per annum will be requested. How to SUBMIT your entry: 1) Complete the short form on ‘Submit Article’ page of our website (under the ‘Content’ menu) or 2) Simply email the details to us: info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
website: www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
JUST FOR FUN!! Can you spot Santa and his sleigh in this issue? He’s there....somewhere!
The ever popular 3+1 will be entertaining us after the evening show. Tickets may now be booked via email on reaction.tickets@ yahoo.fr or by telephone please ring Maureen Murdoch on 05 49 64 06 14 Before the Christmas Cornucopia show we will be singing at the Terves Christmas Fair and then looking forward to a Happy Christmas holiday before we prepare for our next year’s schedule - where has 2014 gone? If you have an event you would like us to sing at, please let me know asap and we’ll see if we can fit you in to our schedule.
The Art Scene
The group is going from strength to strength and we now have a number of members who have the ability to share their talents with newer members, and my thanks go to them for all their support. Our programme for December can be seen on our website as can details of theatre and Keynotes events. Stop Press - Change to Keynotes and Art Scene Venue! Due to problems with our normal venue in Secondigny we have moved to the Café des Belles Fleurs in Fenioux; same day (Fridays) and same times (10am for art and 2pm for Keynotes). So why not come along and join us there? The Committee have agreed that our next play, in March 2015, will be ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ - great choice, even I’m looking forward to it! The AGM will be held in February, I believe, and I will then be handing over this column to someone else. So thank you readers for your support and comments over the past couple of years. Not finished yet though, I still have January to do. Best wishes, A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Information on Reaction Theatre membership, Reaction Theatre and Keynotes performances past and future and The Art Scene meetings and projects can be seen on www.reactiontheatre.fr or contact me for more information.
John Blair. (Tel: 05 49 63 23 50) johnblair@btopenworld.com
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 15
Health, Beauty & Fitness What Not to “Do”
by Laura Bostock
People often admit that they can never “do” their hair the same as their stylist - so here are a few points often discussed in hairdressing that could be hindering you achieving the hair style you want.
“I just cut a little off myself ” Getting your hair cut professionally is always a good basis for having a great style. Taking the scissors, often the wrong type of scissors, to your hair and cutting it can really hinder the way your hair falls. Hair can be left wonky or too short and sometimes chunks of hair can be missing, leaving a stylist with nothing to work with or correct.
Solution: Always get your hair cut professionally; book in advance to avoid the temptation of having a go yourself. “I just wash my hair in whatever I can find” A product that is not suitable for your hair may leave your hair greasy and limp or may not clean the hair properly. This can make it hard to style as it will be weighted down. Over-using conditioning products can have the same effect.
Solution: Select wisely, find a suitable product and watch the quantity you use. Investing in a suitable product can be beneficial for the hair and often more cost effective.
“I always rub my wet hair dry with a towel” Wet hair is very susceptible to damage and the harsh rubbing motion of towel drying can rough up the outer layer of the hair leaving it frizzy and difficult to style.
Solution: Blot your hair with a towel instead of rubbing it to remove excess moisture. Also, invest in a super-absorbent towel, especially if you have very thick hair. “I haven’t bought a new hairbrush for as long as I can remember” Having not only the correct brush for your style, but one that is in suitable condition is really important to be able to style your hair properly. Cleaning your hairbrushes to prolong their life and choosing a professional quality brush can also be the secret. Think of your hairbrush as one of the main tools in achieving your style and having the wrong tool for the job can be a disaster.
Solution: Invest in the right shape and size brush for your individual style and clean and maintain your brushes. Also, choose professional quality brushes made from material that is not damaging to the hair. Styling your hair should always be as easy as possible for you and just making simple changes can make a huge difference. If you are unsure about anything that could be causing you a problem, have a chat with your stylist, a solution is always on offer.
Michael William Hairdressing Tel. 05 49 07 11 48
16 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
It’s Silver for John!
by Leonie Henstridge
Hello everyone, we hope you are warm and cosy in your homes. We have returned from a trip to Greece and England, feeling refreshed and renewed. Now in our sixth year, we are excited to bring new focus to our jewellery business as John has completed further training in silver work. He is introducing new ranges in fine silver, with crystals and semi-precious gemstones. John has designed and created each piece from conception to completion. Every piece is individually hand-made and unique. We will be showing from our stand at Les Flâneries (an enclosed shopping mall) in La Roche-Sur-Yon. This is the Marché de Noël, each day from 10th - 31st December. We will be in front of Monsieur Bricolage. There will of course be the usual collections which we have been showing, but also some new ones, like a new range of pearls and several types of additional stones and crystals. Many of the earrings can now be supplied with closed-backs, so good for winter woolies! We often notice that as soon as John has made a piece of jewellery, someone will make a bee-line towards it, from many choices. Also, we often hear from clients that they wear their crystal and stone jewellery most days, because they “feel” so good when they do. We are so pleased that many clients and friends return to us when they need that special gift and we are pleased to offer gift vouchers as another alternative. This is the perfect idea if someone wants to come along after Christmas, make a personal choice, or to make sure a ring fits. We look forward to seeing some of you soon, and wish you a wonderful Christmas.
Don’t forget this month’s earlier deadline:
December for entry into the JANUARY issue
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 17
December’s Birthstones...
by Vicki Bassey
Tanzanite
Discovered in the sixties, there may not be too many legends surrounding this gemstone but the story of its discovery and naming is fascinating. In 1967 in the foothills of Kilimanjaro, the Masai herdsmen noticed that a short-lived grass fire turned burgundy surface pebbles of Zoisite into a vibrant blue. The grandson of Louis Comfort Tiffany was enraptured by the gem but disliked the gemological name Zoisite; to him this name echoed ‘blue suicide’. The rare and exotic gem was renamed Tanzanite and the rest is history. Tanzanite exhibits more shades of blue than a clear midnight sky. A phenomenon called pleochroism enable different colours to be seen in different directions of the gemstone. Tanzanite is extremely light sensitive showing more bluish hues in the daylight and more pinkish violet hues in candlelight. This level of intensity is found more in the larger gems. Mined only in one place in the world and thus far has been discovered nowhere else, Tanzanite is coveted for its rarity as well as its beauty. It is ten times rarer than diamonds and the gemologists say that the mines will be depleted within the next twenty years or so. Tanzanite is also given on a 24th anniversary. Zircon A brilliantly transparent gemstone that comes in a variety of beautiful colours - yellow, brown, orange, violet, green, blue and red. Most desired is the rare colourless Zircon. Natural Zircon was believed to give the wearer wisdom, honour and great riches. The colourless version of Zircon is often used instead of diamonds. The majority of Zircon comes from Australia.
Turquoise
One of the first gemstones ever mined, dating back to at least 5000 BC. A turquoise bracelet was found on the wrist of Queen Zer of ancient Egypt when her tomb was opened. Aztecs made elaborate masks from Turquoise and the Navajo believed that Turquoise fell from the sky. The Apache fixed Turquoise to their bows believing the arrow would always hit its mark. Turquoise has always been closely associated with Native Americans and America is one of the major sources for the gemstone.
Purple Turquoise pendant
It is believed that Turquoise helps to start new projects. The intense blue colour is often mottled with veins of brown limonite. It is nearly always opaque and polished into cabochons.
Turquoise is also given on an 11th anniversary. Follow Vicky on Facebook at www.facebook.com/victoriabasseyjewellery
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Our Furry Friends Getting Heavy
by Nigel Franks, NALA
Sometimes we have to ask ourselves what the heck is going on in France. In the beginning of November the FNSEA (National Federation of Agricultural unions) organised a day of protest. Amongst the targets of their complaints were EU regulations on competition (they want to be protected against imports from other EU countries), EU regulations against nitrates and the “greening” of the agricultural policy. Another of their claims was for more EU subsidies to cope with the Russian embargo. So, on the one hand, they want EU money but, on the other, they don’t want to comply with EU regulations. “But, what”, I can almost hear you exclaim, “ does this have to do with NALA?” Well, in addition to their traditional pastime of spreading muck and dumping fruit and vegetables in the streets, this time they decided to abuse some animals. In Nantes and Angers a number of coypu (ragondin) were released in front of some government buildings. When the terrified animals tried to find cover they were beaten and kicked by the demonstrators and in one case sprayed with red paint. We know this because the people involved were happy to do this in front of the press, so videos have been posted on the internet. Searching “ragondin Nantes” should give you a good chance of finding them. This, of course, has been a spectacular own-goal as the videos have attracted a lot of public outrage. The farmers’ behaviour begs the question that if they treat animals like that in public then what are they doing behind closed doors. Well, if you’ve got a strong stomach, there are some videos on the NALA Facebook page www.facebook.com/nala.bournezeau ... what happens to male chicks, where goose down comes from, how foie gras is made etc, etc. We were also outraged by the farmers taking out their anger on innocent animals so we have filed a complaint with the public prosecutor for cruelty towards animals, intentional harm and also unauthorised release of a so-called pest. We’re not alone in this, the major organisations for the protection of animals have also filed complaints. Let’s hope that something comes of it. But enough of unpleasant matters, it’s time for something cute and fluffy, so here’s Heidie who is up for adoption. Heidie spent a few days with us before moving to her foster family. There’s a video of her and her brother on our website here www.nosamislesanimaux.com/animaux-a-adopter.php. We called her Heidie because at the beginning she was a bit shy, however she’s grown out of that and has developed into a friendly and affectionate young lady. For information on how to adopt Heidie please look on our website or call 06 52 60 08 84. Thank you for thinking of her!
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Paulo GASPARD is a 3 year old male Anglo hound weighing 30kgs.
This gorgeous boy is affectionate and cuddly and he is blind. As with most visually impaired dogs, GASPARD is calm and gentle, needing reassurance, closeness and trust rather than ‘mollycoddling’ or smothering. A blind dog does not mean a problem dog. They live very normal lives once they are familiar with their surroundings and routine and the bond that develops between dog and owner is always something ‘extra special’. It’s a special closeness that comes from knowing your pet is reliant on you to guide him and to be aware of his limitations but equally to allow him to enjoy and lead a normal doggy life. GASPARD is good with other dogs, both male and female, but we would advise against him being rehomed with unneutered males or dogs who are very excitable/active - he’s such a gentle lad that he gets scared by them. However, he’s good with cats. He hasn’t yet been assessed with children. GASPARD is microchipped, neutered, vaccinated including rabies so he has a passport and has been treated for worms, fleas and ticks. An adoption fee of 100€ will be asked towards his veterinary costs to date and Orfée will conduct a home visit prior to adoption. If you would like more information about GASPARD please contact MARY - 0549506941 - OrfeeInEnglish2@gmail.com CAROLINE - 0545960279 - OrfeeInEnglish3@gmail.com www.OrfeeInEnglish.com www.facebook.com/OrfeeInEnglish
Poor 12-year-old Labrador, Paulo, has been in the refuge for five years without a sniff of interest. He would love a house with no cats and no other male dogs. He is a big old guy who needs little more than a warm fireplace for the winter. Can you help Paulo out? He comes with 600€ of support for his vets’ bills. Contact the refuge de l’Angoumois, 16600 MORNAC or 05 45 65 76 99. The refuge is open Monday-Saturday 2pm - 5.30pm
If you would like further information or are interested in adopting, please go to the Hope website: www.hopeassoc.org for further information or email: soomog4hope@gmail.com
HOPE BOOK SALE - UPDATE!
A massive thank you goes out to all the volunteers and the public who supported the Hope Association at the recent Book Sale event at Clussais la Pommeraie. The results were amazing and because of you all, we are now able to send donations out to many associations that provide help and refuge to so many abused and abandoned animals in need. A special thanks must go to all the hard working volunteers who made this event so successful, also thank you to all of you who baked those wonderful cakes - what a selection of mouthwatering delights they were! Thank you all for your continued support. Hope is pleased to announce that donations are being made to the following associations: Twilight retirement home for elderly dogs, L’Association Orphee, SPA Limoges, SPA Mornac, L’Association Levriers, L’Ecole du Chat Libres de Poitiers, Feline pour L’Autre, Poor Paws, Dog Links, Galia Association, APA Niort.
Refuge SPA de SAINTES route des GAUTHIERS 17100 SAINTES Tel: 05 46 93 47 65 www.spa.de.saintes.free.fr
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Home & Garden
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 21
THE AMATEUR GARDENER
T
his year I took my own advice for the veggie plot and only grew what we really like to eat. The freezer is now nicely stocked with green beans, sprouts & broccoli - these last two are still cropping as I write this - and of course we were well supplied with salad items during the summer.
My next job this month is to remind you of the following maintenance tasks, so don’t rest on your laurels just yet! • Replenish gravel on paths where necessary. • Clean paths of mossy patches which can become slippery in wet weather.
Now it’s time to dig over the plot as it becomes vacant. Remove weeds and add organic matter to replenish the soil, then leave it for the cold weather and birds to rid the soil of any pests that might like to overwinter there before feasting on next year’s early crop - crafty little blighters! In the main, December is a quiet time in the garden, although I say that very ‘tongue in cheek’ because there is a whole list of things that still need seeing to:
Bell heather©Geograph/Anne Burgess
• In the hardy herbaceous border continue digging over between plants and cutting back where necessary. Birds feeding©Wikimedia Commons/Jans Canon • Cut back invasive roots of trees and hedges. • Plant deciduous trees and shrubs during mild weather and re-firm the soil around any newly-planted shrubs loosened by frost. • Finish planting deciduous hedges. If the weather catches you out you can safely store new plants in a frost-free shed for a few days. • Tie the branches of conifers together with sacking to prevent heavy snowfalls breaking them down. • Stake tall brassicas, such as brussels and broccoli, to prevent wind-rock. • Bring the more tender containergrown plants into a cool greenhouse or light, airy shed. Alternatively, protect by shrouding with garden fleece. • If you are planning a new lawn for Lavendar©Wikimedia Commons/Llez next year dig over the area now and let the cold weather break the soil down. • Finish planting spring-flowering bulbs. • Order seeds and plan next year’s garden - (you can sit down while you do this ). Heathers are marvellous for winter colour, so keep them looking their best by weeding the heather bed regularly. When they have finished flowering trim back to keep their shape ready for next year’s display. The same with lavender plants - finish trimming them back to shape after their flowering season. This will stop them getting too leggy and woody, although lavender plants are best renewed every 5 or 6 years. Nasturtium plants will self-seed, as we all know, and in some places are regarded as invasive, but don’t remove all the young plants. They are frost hardy and also edible, so the peppery-tasting leaves are handy to add to a winter salad, the flowers make a bright, edible garnish and the seeds can be used as a substitute for capers.
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by Vanda Lawrence
Poinsettia©Wikimedia Commons/ Scott Bauer
Hedgehog©Wikimedia Commons/Jorg Hempel
• Make sure you have a supply of salt, sand or grit for icy drives and pathways. • Remove leaves & debris from gutters. • Empty the garden hose; drain/ disconnect/insulate the garden tap. • Clean nest boxes ready for next year’s bird families. • Check stored veg and discard any with blemishes. I can’t finish this month without mentioning Christmas, can I? Apart from all the sparkly baubles I hope you can find room for some living decorations. How about a beautiful, bright Poinsettia or some lovely, fragrant hyacinth bulbs in a festive pot? If the youngsters have time they could make a colourful decoration for the front door - cut some holly sprigs, paint the leaves with glue and sprinkle with glitter; add Christmas baubles if you like or pine-cones sprinkled with glitter; hang using lovely red ribbon. Very simple but very effective. Lastly, as usual, my plea on behalf of our feathered friends. Please remember to put out plenty of food for them and to defrost the bird bath in icy weather so they can have a drink. If you plan to have a bonfire in the garden please check first to make sure there are no hedgehogs hibernating underneath. NOW you can rest on your laurels* HAPPY CHRISTMAS one and all!
Rest on your laurels *The origins of the phrase ‘to rest on your laurels’ (which we use when we feel satisfied with our achievements and don’t need to make an effort to do anything else) stems from Ancient Greece where laurel wreaths were symbols of status and/or victory. The laurels in question are scented Laurus Nobilis trees, known as Sweet Bay, and grown these days mostly for culinary use. PreChristian Greeks associated the god Apollo with laurel, as we know from historical images and coins, but Greek mythology tells us of Apollo’s love for the nymph Daphne, who turned into a Bay tree as he approached her. Apollo embraced the tree, cut off a branch to wear as a wreath of remembrance and declared the plant sacred. The Greeks then presented laurel wreaths to winners in the Pythian Games, held in honour of Apollo every 4 years from 6th century BC.
Thinking about placing an ad? Why not take advantage of our Special Packages for New Advertisers? Call Sarah for more details: 05 49 70 26 21
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Spotlight On...
Time for a COGNAC! by Mick Austin
T
here you are, sitting in front of the wood-burner, basking in that warm post-Christmas dinner glow. The snow is a metre deep outside the front door, but it doesn’t matter. The dog has been walked, the wood is cut and stacked and The Sound of Music is about to start on TV (again!). It must be time for a Cognac! The name is synonymous the world over with the finest French spirit and today the vineyards of the Charente and CharenteMaritime departments combine to make the largest single vineyard in Europe for white grapes, most of it used in Cognac production. First produced in the 17th Century, Cognac takes its name from the city in the Charente Valley and today more than 21,000 people work to produce the 130 million bottles sold annually in more than 100 countries. More than 90% of it is exported. It all starts with the grapes selected to produce the white wines destined exclusively for Cognac production. The variety most widely planted is Ugni Blanc, although Folle Blanche and Colombard are also used. Since the phylloxera plague of the 19th Century decimated production all the varieties used have been grafted onto various vine stocks according to the type of soil. Harvesting begins as soon as the grape reaches maturity, usually at the beginning of October. The grapes are pressed immediately in traditional basket plate or pneumatic bladder presses and fermentation of the juice follows immediately. These processes are closely monitored as they have a determining influence on the final quality of the liquid produced, known as eau-de-vie (water of life). About a week after the beginning of fermentation, the Cognac wines contain around 9% alcohol and with their high acidity and low alcohol content they are perfect for distillation, which by law must be completed by the following March 31. Once alcoholic fermentation is finished, the white wine needs to be distilled to make the eau-de-vie and that method hasn’t changed since the birth of Cognac. The special Charentais copper stills (à repassé) that were used then are still used today to perform a two-stage distillation process. A first distillate, a slightly cloudy liquid known as brouillis, is obtained and has an alcohol volume of 28-30%. The brouillis is then returned to the boiler for a second heating, known as ‘la bonne chauffe’. The master distiller then carries out a delicate operation known
Cognac vineyard near Bouteville Poitou-Charentes © visit poitou-charentes
as cutting, or la coupe. The first vapours that arrive, known as ‘the heads’ have the highest alcohol content and are separated from the rest. Then comes ‘the heart’, a clear spirit that will eventually produce Cognac. The distiller gets rid of the ‘second cut’ when it reaches 60% alcohol and finally he eliminates the ‘tails’. The heads and second cuts are re-distilled with the next batch of wine, or brouillis. The success of the distilling cycle – which lasts about 24 hours – lies in constant supervision and the experience of the master distiller. He may intervene in the distillation process at any time he deems necessary and so confers to the Cognac facets of his own personality. Then begins the work of time. Cognac is a living thing and ageing is essential for an eau-de-vie to be sold as Cognac. That ageing – which may at times last for decades – takes place in oak casks that hold 270-450 litres of spirit. Nothing is left to chance, from the selection of the oak to the building of the casks. Cognac ages exclusively in oak casks traditionally from the Tronçais and Limousin forests (Quersus pedunculata and Quersus sessiliflora respectively) depending on the producer and style. The tannins in Tronçais oak are famed for their softness while those in Limousin oak are known for the power and balance they give to the Cognac. An eau-de-vie will extract more tannin when it is aged in casks made with Limousin oak. The long work of maturation is made possible thanks to the wood’s porosity, allowing indirect contact between the spirit in the cask and the air outside. This way, the substances extracted by the Cognac from the wood (dry extracts) alter the Cognac’s physical appearance, giving it a colour ranging from golden yellow to a fiery brown. Over time, the transfer of the oak’s natural characteristics gradually produces ‘rancio’ aromas (sometimes described as a blend of butterscotch and old wood) and develops the Cognac’s bouquet. The natural humidity of the cellars in which the casks are stored is one of the determining factors in the ageing process, a process made up of three basic stages: extraction, hydrolysis and oxidation. The new eau-de-vie is stored in new casks where it dissolves the wood’s extractable substances and undergoes an evolution in terms of colour (from colourless to a golden yellow), flavour and bouquet (an aroma of oak with a hint of vanilla). Hydrolysis is a transitory stage that precedes an important evolution of the spirit’s organoleptic characteristics, when its colour tends to darken. During oxidation the taste softens, the notes of steamed oak disappear and give way to floral aromas with hints of vanilla. Over the years, the eau-de-vie becomes increasingly mellow, the bouquet grows richer and the ‘rancio’ flavour appears.
Cognac pot still © Wikimedia Commons / Sémhur
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Mick Austin is a freelance journalist based in the Pays-de-la-Loire. He has had his work published in several expat magazines and newspapers and has also written the Mayenne Tourist Board’s only English-language brochure. He also runs a gîte business at www.gitefortwo.com.
COGNAC tasters COGNAC
Storage Cognac Rare Old Vintag e Barrels © Pixab ay / Elementus
Contacts Visit one of the region’s Cognac houses – Hennessey, Courvoisier, Rémy Martin etc – for a behindthe-scenes tour and the odd sample or two! Les Étapes du Cognac, Maison des Viticulteurs, 25 rue Cagouillet, 16100 Cognac. Tel: 05 45 36 47 35. Website: www.Cognacetapes.com
• For public sale a Cognac must have been aged in an oak cask for at least two years from the end of the distillation period.
Poitou-Charentes tourist board website: www.visitpoitou-charentes.com/en/Cognac-country
• Unlike wine, a Cognac doesn’t evolve any more so it will always be the same age as when bottled.
Office du Tourisme de Cognac, 14 rue du 14 juillet, 16100 Cognac. Tel: 05 45 82 10 71. Website: www. tourism-Cognac.com
• The most widely used Cognac ageing designations are: VS (Very Special) or *** (3 star). Cognacs whose youngest eau-de-vie is at least two years old (compte 2). VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale). Youngest eau-de-vie is at least four years old (compte 4). Napoléon, XO (Extra Old)**, Extra**, Hors d’âge**. Youngest eau-de-vie is at least six years old (compte 6).
Bureau National Interprofessional du Cognac. Website: www.Cognac.fr
• The stonework of some of the older houses in the city of Cognac is often coated with black velvet, the work of a microscopic fungus that feeds on alcohol vapours. • The production area covers the Charente-Maritime, most of the Charente departments and several districts of the Deux-Sèvres and Dordogne. • All Cognacs are brandies, but not all brandies are Cognacs. • While ageing in casks the natural evaporation is known as la part des anges, or the angels’ share.’ The equivalent of more than 20 million bottles per year disappears into the atmosphere. Those angels must hold some parties!
der Bolotnov a Commons / Alexan barrel © Wikimedi Small french cognac
Cognac has a worldwide reputation to uphold and the main concern for each Cognac house is the constant quest for consistency of quality – and that is down to the Master Blender (Maître de Chai). For many years now there have been strict rules governing the way Cognac is made. Nonetheless, all Cognacs are different as every Master Blender creates a unique liquid through subtle and endless variations of flavours. The Master Blender buys eaux-de-vie and follows their development from the moment they come out of the pot stills. He monitors their ageing, tastes them regularly and decides if it is time to change them from one oak cask or from a chai (ageing warehouse) to another so they become rounder or drier. It’s also he who progressively adds distilled or demineralised water to the eau-de-vie in order to slowly reach the desired alcohol content. Cognac’s minimum alcohol content must be 40%.
Atelier Camus © Wikimedia Commons / Misssoleil
This operation is known as ‘reduction’ and it allows each Cognac house to control the quality of its spirit. By blending eaux-de-vie of different ages and from different crus, the Master Blender creates, as a label might say, ‘genuine harmonies, like a painter or a musician.’ This craftsmanship allows consumers the world over to recognise the Cognac he or she loves so much.
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Take a Festive Break DSM Easy Crossword Across: 8. The room beneath a roof (5) 9. The smallest administrative district in France (7) 10. Burst inward (7) 11. The volume of one kilogram of pure water (5) 12. Coming into existance (8) 13. Refuse to acknowledge (4) 15. Not hard (4) 17. Santa’s favourite animal! (8) 21. Run away to marry (5) 22. The motion of a ship can make you this (7) 24. Large richly coloured butterfly (7) 25. One of 17 across (5)
DSM Toughie Crossword Across: 1. A little extra in the brew for the illicit smoker (3,3,3,3) 7. Rule that gold be included in the others (7) 9. Flower right inside temporary construction (5) 10. Make a fuss of a little note after
the party (4)
11. Set apart dress code combination is emphasised (8) 12. Milk container following one side for device to maintain direction (6) 14. Some currency left when does badly with metal deposit (6) 17. It goes badly in particular chickens’ descriptions (8) 19. Both Osterley and Hounslow contain a lot of people (4) 22. To reverse on road surface! They know what’s coming (5) 23. Tap frenziedly on broken rail, not getting full hearing (7) 24. Arrival in casual wear reveals your inadequacies (12)
Quiz-tastic!
Down: 1. The Three Wise Mens’ Persian tribe (4) 2. Paper fastener (6) 3. See 12 down. 4. Protect, hide, conceal from harm
or danger (6)
5. Happy facial expression (5) 6. Frosty The Snowman’s nose was made of this (6) 7. Christmas month (8) 12. and 3 down. Main character in Charles Dickens’ novel ‘A Christmas Carol’ (8,7) 14. Make better or more attractive (7) 16. Cartoon canine character (6) 18. Make certain (6) 19. Something that baffles understanding (6) 20. Santa’s facial feature (5) 23. Your friends and acquaintances (4)
Down: 1. Declared to be not in ahead of the newspaperman (5) 2. Put up tree crashed in wild winter month (7) 3. Sounds like we can do what we want with the time? (4) 4. Praises directions given to throngs (7) 5. Wisdom ensures the environment for those that predict (5) 6. Broadcasters oddly do suit this room (6) 8. Unusual item for such a little creature (4) 12. Quote about name? (6) 13. Termite struggles and eventually gives out (7) 15. Out, messed up, in terrible pain, but all ends perfectly (7) 16. What a photographer does, backwards or forwards (4) 18. The correct shelf for fish? (5) 20. BT exchange gets stories from packages (5) 21. Peculiar umpire holding wild flower (4)
With thanks to M.Morris
Monthly quiz by Roland Scott...... how many can you get?
1) Which singer changed his name to Islam Yusuf when he became a muslim? 2) Who played Tom and Barbara Good in TV’s ‘The Good Life’? 3) Who played the title character in the 1973 film ‘Day of the Jackal’? 4) What geological feature is associated with Drumlins, Moraines and U-shaped valleys? 5) A former billiards player, he has been commentator on the World Snooker championships from 1978 to 2011, can you name him? 6) Which word can you put after Winter and before House to make two new words? 7) Which museum has 5 sites in England, 3 in London and one each in Duxford (cambs) and Manchester?
8) Which toy and games manufacturer, founded in Germany and moved to Britain in the 1930s, has the rights to produce and market ‘Scrabble’ outside of the USA? 9) Where does Scotland’s Rugby Union team play it’s home international matches? 10) What was the name of the character played by Angie Dickinson in TVs ‘Policewoman’? 11) The English call it ‘Noughts and Crosses’, what do the Americans call it? 12) And finally, assuming you have 11 correct answers, what is the connection between those answers or parts thereof? Find the answers on our website: www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr Copyright RJS 2014
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French Life
Life on the Farm
Well, thats all from us for now. We have really enjoyed writing these articles for the last two years and we hope we have inspired some of you to live ‘The Good Life’, a greener life, a more sustainable life and a tastier life. Also that we have encouraged you to save money, make-do and mend, repair and recycle, make it, use it, grow your own, but even if we haven’t inspired you, we do hope that we have given you a chuckle at how we try to do it!
Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat, well nicely plump and meaty anyway, along with the turkeys, ducks and all the other Christmas dinners! We are looking forward to tucking into yet another home produced Christmas dinner to celebrate all our hard work again this year – all home grown and even the sprouts are welcome on the plate. The chickens have gone off lay this month. With the shorter days the egg production has gone down considerably, quite often the chickens will go through a moult as well. We thought that one of the bantams was laying elsewhere and followed her one day to find her in an apple crate in the goose pen sitting on a clutch of eggs. We candled the eggs with a torch (the light penetrates the egg and makes it possible to observe the inside of the egg) to see how far along they were and as they appear to contain chicks we had to leave them. We really didn’t want a batch of chicks this time of year but that’s mother nature for you! Rhodie is now a proud mum of 7 chicks. Sadly the two sows we looked at buying didn’t work out so we have loaned out Dudley for a working holiday for a couple of months to keep him active and to give us more time to get ourselves sorted with the right breeding stock. If our days weren’t already full we decided to up the ante and create a boot room as an addition to our utility room. In the winter we have always struggled with wet boots and coats and had taken to leaving them in one of the outside buildings. We now have a boot room where we can change from wet wellies to comfortable slippers and hang our wet coats up so they are dry ready for whatever the next day decides to come up with. It has also given us a relatively safe storage space away from our dog Wallis - chief shoe destroyer. The other plus side is that the utility room is much warmer as well. We had another two keen helpers stay with us for a couple of weeks. Claire and Jo helped us get through a huge amount of tasks, including a couple of jobs that have been lingering on for a long time - you know the sort of things I mean, when there is always something more important to do. The end result is I now have a workshop where I can actually find things, and plants have been planted, including Goji berries and Pomegranates. Thank you to all those who helped us in our mission to find names for our new goats. We had a great response with over 200 names from the ladies from LIFT Facebook group (Ladies in France Together), our own facebook page and by email. Some interesting ideas with definite male names for two female goats, and a few duplicates of those we have already used. We finally decided on Willow and Figgy. The other names we will keep in mind ready for the lambing season which, for us, starts in January. Many people ask what does being self sufficient(ish) mean to us. For us it’s a way of life in which everything we do or use (especially consume) has been produced by us, swapped, bartered or sold between friends and like-minded people. We love living a simple but rewarding life with nearly everything on our door step. There is no such thing as food miles only food metres in our house.
Don’t forget to stay in touch on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/Life-on-the-farm/265376020339923 where we would love to hear your feedback and comments.
Thank you for all your support and we hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2015.
Peter & Jenny Sebborn. Breeders of pigs, lambs and poultry. www.facebook.com/pages/Life-on-the-farm/265376020339923 Tel: 07 81 14 32 91 Email: sebsinfrance@hotmail.co.uk or telephone.
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 27
Our Journey to a
Greener
As David and I contemplated our first Christmas in our new
French home we realised that we had the perfect opportunity to rethink the whole concept and what it really meant to us and how we would make it work with our Green Manifesto, and specifically the need to REDUCE!
Life
by Louise Read & David Hammond
make Florentines – a delicious sticky fruity chocolate snack to go with all those cups of chocolat chaud we were planning to have!
Having ditched TV-watching back in the summer, most of the commercial pressure from that particular direction had been lost; but unless you live in a vacuum, even in rural France the push to go into consumer over-drive is almost inescapable. Arrays of china, glass and all things sparkling, assail you at every turn, subliminally letting you know that you can spend your way to a happier Christmas. We resolved to resist, and think for ourselves about what the mid-winter period really meant to us and how we wanted to celebrate it – if at all. Once we got to thinking about it in that way, we realised that our most memorable Christmas times had been around a heaving dinner table with family or friends, laughing, chatting and maybe after a few too many, singing (tunelessly) along with old Christmas songs! Remembered gifts were always those that were handknitted or an old and treasured object that had been handed through the family; things that required thought, effort and most important of all, love. With these things in mind, we planned our mid-winter celebrations, making full use of the darker evenings to make our own gifts for each other and dream of our mid-winter feast! We were delighted in late November, when some of our family asked if they could come and stay, and food planning and preparation could start in earnest. Like most people, particular foods evoke a time and place – for me it’s Christmas pudding and mince pies, without them it’s just not Christmas! The soaking, stirring, and then that wonderful spicy smell wafting through the house as they cook away fills me with a great sense of optimism and contentment.
As mid-December edged closer we decorated the house with evergreens and berry boughs cut from the garden and put the finishing touches to our handmade gifts, excited to see the people we missed over the past months. We were rich in gifts last mid-winter, and will be again this year, spending time with people we love, sharing our home and our food, and taking the time to reflect on what has been and what might be coming next!
The question was how to get hold of the ingredients to make them – I’d not noticed suet in any of the shops, but then again, up until that point, I really hadn’t looked. The hunt was on, armed with a small list of what we started to realise were very English ingredients, we trawled the local supermarkets for suet, allspice, mixed peel and glace cherries. We were defeated by allspice but managed to concoct a suitable alternative using cinnamon and nutmeg, and our neighbours swapped us a packet of suet in exchange for a jar of precious mincemeat. Our “inner miser” kicked in at the price of mixed peel and glace cherries and after some trial and error these were made from scratch with the added benefit of having enough to 28 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
For further information please email: louise@etangfourreau.com or visit our website: www.etangfourreau.com. Also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/etangfourreau
Communications What Happened to Microsoft Windows 9? Microsoft Windows 10 did!
by Ross Hendry
Microsoft have recently announced that they will be releasing Windows 10 in 2015, and have already sent out technical previews of some of the features that, I am pleased to say, will return Windows to a much more familiar operating system. So what happened to Windows 9? Those of you who can remember back to 1995 will remember Windows 95 closely followed by Windows 98 then Windows 98 second edition, what happened is that we have already had Windows 9x, so the new Release is designated Windows 10.
From what I have seen so far, Windows 10 will do what we all hoped Microsoft would do sooner, to return us to familiar screens of Windows XP and Windows 7. Statistically, Windows XP is still the longest running of all of Microsoft’s Operating Systems and according to the numbers is still more popular than Windows 8 and 8.1 combined. Windows 7 is now running on over 60% of the world’s Personal Computers, XP’s share of the market has dropped by 50% to only just over 17%, Windows 8 and 8.1 combined are still not more popular than XP at around 16.4%. Microsoft’s share of the PC operating system marketplace is 91% across all of their operating systems, apparently some users (0.2%) are still using Windows 2000! Meaning that Apple and the other operating systems like Linux have less than 10%. Windows 10 is looking very impressive, and if development continues as planned, it will be what we all hoped Windows 8 would be. I have recently downloaded the Technical Preview Release of Windows 10 and like what I see. I will do a more detailed review in 2015 when more of the user features will be announced and hopefully provided on another preview/update. Microsoft still want to provide an operating system that will work across a broad range of platforms from the traditional desktop and laptop PC, gaming computers, through tablets and on to your mobile telephone/devices. The familiar start programs button returns giving us access to all of our programs and data, in a more traditional menu form. However, the metro active tiles that were the centre of the user interface in Windows 8/8.1 are still available, and may also be displayed on the Start Menu.
If your device is touch screen, the new operating system is capable of detecting this, and will change the OS to a tiles based one if you wish. This is clearly good for the Mobile Telephone and Tablet users of Windows. New apps designed for the metro interface will now run in windows on your desktop, like other programs if you so desire, making it easier for most users to see what apps/programs are running. Unlike Windows 8/8.1 where many users could not work out how to close running apps. Designed to work with the cloud and with beefed up security, the operating system is set to be an efficient one, as was Windows 8/8.1 in terms of using your hardware’s resources. In my opinion there was never an issue with the efficiency and quality of the Windows 8/8.1 Operating System, just the unfriendly user interface for traditional keyboard and mouse users. Windows 8 simply did not come up to users’ expectations and Microsoft did nothing to help with this. Voice control of your Personal Computer has been available for some time, with Apple’s SIRI and Google Now being very popular. Voice recognition and control has long been available for Windows (since Vista I believe) and has been available on the Microsoft XBox for some time, named Courtana. More recently on Windows 8.1 mobile phones, Courtana has given you the ability to do virtually any task via a speech interface without all of the voice recognition training that you used to have to do. I am quite excited about the new release of Windows and will report more when I have given the Technical Preview a good trial. Early in 2015 I am hoping more new consumer/user based features will be released that I may test and report upon to you. No further announcements are likely on release dates as yet or indeed on prices for the product, I anticipate all will be revealed in April 2015 at Microsoft’s annual Build conference. I also anticipate that Windows 10 is likely to be released before the end of 2015. I do not expect to purchase Windows 10 for my own use in 2015 as I am very happy with Windows 7, and to be quite frank, it is going to be supported until 2020 so I do not have to rush to the new offering of Windows 10. Far better to let other guinea pigs find the bugs, I’ll wait until it is a year or so old. This, I suspect is going to be the problem for Microsoft. There must be a very good reason for anyone to want to buy a new operating system unless they have to buy one with a new PC! Remember, you do not always have to accept what manufacturers like Microsoft launch. Of the 45 UK PC’s I have sourced for my customers this year only 15% had Windows 8 or 8.1, the remainder deliberately chose to remain with Windows 7 and will probably never have to experience Windows 8. Thank you all for reading my articles and please have a very merry Christmas and a healthy, happy and prosperous 2015. 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).
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 29
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December
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Food & Drink ere we are again, counting the days down until Christmas and soon enough we’ll be surrounded again with all those sights and smells so familiar to this time of year. Cinnamon and clementines, gingerbread and peppermint and all those guilty pleasures we treat ourselves to. So, here are a few recipes to help you along the way - something sweet, something savoury and what’s more Christmassy than a gingerbread latte!
Pear, Sultana and Apricot Mince Pies
A nice alternative to the usual mincemeat and great for those, like me, who don’t like the orange and lemon peel. 50g/2oz soft light brown sugar For the pear mincemeat The zest and juice of ½ an orange For the pastry (makes 24) 900g/2lb ripe pears 100g/3½oz golden and dark raisins 1 tsp cinnamon 225g cold butter, diced ½ tsp mixed spice 100g/3½oz sultanas 350g plain flour ¼ tsp ground ginger 125g/4oz dried apricots, roughly 100g caster sugar 2½ tbsp dark rum or calvados (optional) chopped Pinch of salt 1 egg Begin by preparing the mincemeat: peel and core each pear and chop into small cubes. Combine the pear pieces, sugar, dried fruit, orange and spices in a heavy based pan and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring regularly to ensure the mixture doesn’t catch and burn. Uncover the pan and continue to gently simmer the mixture over a low heat for a further 20 – 30 minutes or until it is very thick in texture. Stir in the rum and continue to cook gently for another 5 minutes. Once cooked, set aside while you make the pastry To make the pastry, rub butter into flour, then mix in sugar and a pinch of salt. Combine the pastry into a ball and knead it briefly. The dough will be fairly firm, like shortbread dough. You can use the dough immediately, or chill for later. Preheat the oven to 200C/gas 6/fan 180C. Roll out the pastry and cut out circles and line your mince pie tin. Fill each tart with a heaped teaspoon of mincemeat. Roll out remaining pastry and use cutter of your choice for the tops of the pies. Lay the pastry top over the pies, brush with beaten egg and bake in the oven for 20 minutes until the pastry is crisp and golden. Remove from the oven, lift out the pies and leave to cool on a wire rack until ready to eat. Dust with icing. They will keep for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container.
Brie and Cranberry Twists 12 sheets filo pastry 100g butter, melted 250g brie, cut into 18 chunky fingers 18 tsp cranberry sauce Poppy seeds
Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Stack 2 of the filo sheets. With a widest edge facing you, brush with melted butter. Put 3 Brie fingers at even intervals across the bottom of the filo. Top each finger with 1 tsp cranberry sauce. Roll up the filo from the bottom. Cut into 3 parcels, and twist the ends to seal. Brush with more butter and sprinkle with poppy seeds. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Bake for 10 mins. Or, cover the unbaked twists with cling film, chill for up to 1 day and bake just before serving.
Gingerbread Latte
(just like the one you get at Starbucks or Costa Coffee during the festive season) Gingerbread Syrup (makes about 7 depending on how sweet you like it) 2 cups/470ml/14floz water 1 ½ cups/340g/12oz sugar 2 teaspoons ground ginger ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon vanilla extract Combine water, sugar, ginger, cinnamon and vanilla in a medium saucepan. Bring to the boil then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 mins – keep an eye on it and give it a stir every now and then. Remove syrup from heat and put a lid on. To make Gingerbread latte put ½ cup/120ml/4fl oz espresso in a large mug, add ¼ cup/ 60ml/2fl oz of gingerbread syrup and add 1 cup/ 240ml/8floz of warmed milk. Stir then add whipped cream to the top and a sprinkle of nutmeg, or some caramel sauce and a gingerbread man.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas full of festive fun and all the things that make the season special! Hazel Foster – Homechef 79 Personal Chef for dinner parties, special occasions and catering services Tel: 05 49 63 29 98 ~ Email: homechef79@gmail.com | 31
French Village Diaries
by Jacqueline Brown
It’s always exciting to discover something new in the kitchen, especially when it is something quick and easy to prepare as well as being tasty and good for me. I don’t like waste, especially food waste, and am a little cross with myself to think that for years now I have been discarding something that I’ve only just discovered is so simple to prepare and tasty too. My new nibble of choice, for an afternoon snack and to accompany my apero, is home-roasted pumpkin seeds, thanks to Jamie Oliver. I’m no stranger to eating pumpkin seeds and have often picked up a bag of green kernels with their husks already removed from the health food shops in the UK. But the hassle of shelling the ones I scoop out of my home grown pumpkins was just too much effort for too little reward. I should point out I have never thrown the seeds away as I always save a few for re-sowing and the rest are gobbled up by the chickens and ducks. Now I’ve discovered how easy they are to roast and how tasty they are, it is the birds that are the ones missing out, not me. Here is how to prepare them. • • •
Remove any flesh from the seeds then rinse and drain them. Lay them on a baking tray, drizzle them in olive oil and sprinkle over your seasoning of choice (I used salt, pepper, piment d’Espelette and crushed fennel seeds). Make sure the seeds are completely covered in the spiced oil and roast for about ten minutes in a moderate oven.
As they are not shelled I was worried I would find the husks to be hard and unpleasant, but I can assure you they are just nutty and delicious. Pumpkin seeds are high in fibre, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, rich in mono-unsaturated fatty acids and an excellent source of the amino acids tryptophan (that is converted to serotonin, the chemical that maintains mood balance) and glutamate (that helps to reduce anxiety and stress). They are the perfect pick-me-up for this time of year when the light levels are reduced and the gloom of winter descends. Pumpkins have so many more uses than Halloween lanterns, although I’m not sure who had more fun making our lanterns this year, my niece and nephew or me. Pumpkin flesh is delicious roasted, puréed and then frozen (in ice-cube trays) to add to winter casseroles or soups and grated raw pumpkin can be used in cakes in the same way as grated carrot. Thankfully I have plenty of pumpkins and squash in store to use over the coming months. I would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and I hope that 2015 is a happy and healthy one for everyone. Thank you for reading and taking the time to get in touch, it is always nice to hear from you. You can find my favourite recipes including a spicy pumpkin and chocolate cake on my website. For recipes please contact me: Email: frenchvillagediaries@gmail.com, Website: www.frenchvillagediaries.com or find me on Facebook: thefrenchvillagediaries
32 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
A Mellow Yellow
Christmas
by John Sherwin
Am I the only one, or is a bottle of sherry really next to impossible to rustle up in France? I find this an unfortunate and poignant lacuna, particularly at this time of year. Who does not miss the sights and sounds of maiden aunts getting genteelly tiddly as they limber up their taste buds for turkey and trimmings? Who would not be transported back in an instant to paper hats and party games by that nutty-sweet smell? This is where vin jaune or ‘yellow wine’ comes to the rescue. Hailing from the Jura in eastern France, this is a white wine made from late-harvested savagnin grapes. The wine is aged in barrel for six years and three months (I love the three months bit – like a magic spell) under a film of yeast. This is called a voile, exactly the same idea as a flor in sherry making, but vin jaune is not fortified. The result is something akin to a dry fino sherry: aromas and tastes of walnut, hazelnut, almond, cinnamon…. If this doesn’t get you just a bit dewy eyed with nostalgia then you’ve never needed a hankie watching ‘Miracle on 34th Street’. Excellent with Comté (hard cheese from the Jura) and walnuts, or try with chicken in a mushroom sauce. The real, Jura version comes in 62cl (another bit of magic?) bottles. You might see 75cl versions called vin jaune, but these are attempts at replication from other regions, not the real deal. At 28+€ a pop, this ain’t cheap, but it will keep for a week or more in the fridge, recorked. That, or find a drip-feed device for aunty on eBay. Last minute Xmas gift idea, anyone? For the wine lover in your life, a bottle probably is just for Xmas, but some proper glasses should last a lot longer. How to choose? Where on earth to start? So many options. I introduce as evidence, m’lud, recent findings from La Revue du Vin de France. Pin your eyelids back - this is very interesting. A jury of sommeliers and wine journalists tested ten makes of glassware, marking them for weight/heft and aesthetic ‘wow’; how they responded to sparkling, white and red wines; and practicality, particularly dishwasher friendliness. Coming a pathetic ninth out of ten (I love this David v Goliath stuff) was the Verre Chateau Baccarat from Baccarat, weighing in at a stonking 80€ per glass. Deep breath…80€…per…glass. And then you have to add wine. But at the other end of the socioeconomic spectrum, IKEA fares even worse - tenth out of ten at 2.99€. I think the .99 says it all. If you want posh and efficacious, Verre Vinum from Riedel is the one for you: ranked second, at €25. Riedel are glassware manufacturers to the anally retentive, making vessels sensitive to the nuances of every wine region under the sun. Every vineyard for all I know. Each to his own.
Fill Your Boots!
REA REPDER’S ORT by K. L. Whitehead
My attention was drawn to John Sherwin’s chauff driven wine tours advertisement in a previous issue eured of this magazine. Having a more than a passing interest in drinki ng wine and with the imminent arrival of my son-in Scott, another wine ‘aficionado’, this opportunity looked-law good.
E-mails were exchanged and a date and itinerary agreed. John arrived bang on time and we left La Chatawas igneraie to visit Domaine Coirier, a well established producer, based at Pissotte. Mathieu Coirier gave us a brief description wine making process and told us about the differe of his grape varieties that he used. John’s French language skillsntwere bit more developed than ours, and he very helpfully acted a translator, as well as being our wine guide throughout as the trip. The short tour ended with a very enjoyable sampl - and purchasing - of some of the various wines on ing offer. (website www.coirier@pissotte.com) We then broke off for lunch at Le Pommier creperie, just around the corner where, with the sun to the fore, we were able to dine on the patio area, enjoying our meal of galette s and crepes, with the added bonus of a glass of cidre. For those seeking a light, inexpensive lunch timelocal meal with excellent service and cheerful surroundings, this is the restaurant to visit.
After lunch John drove us to the vineyard in owned and managed by the Mercier family. This vineyaVix rd was on a much larger scale than that at Domaine Coirie r. Again, we were given a short, informative talk regarding production and the various grape varieties used.wine We then had a tasting session, which included some b sparkling wines. A number of bottles ended up super in the boot of John’s car, alongside those purchased earlie r. (website www.mercier-vins.com) For our final visit we were driven a couple of miles down the road in Vix to Prieure La Chaume, a vineyard managed and run by Estelle and Christian Chabirand. Relative newcomers, their first vintage was produced in 2003. Estelle talked us throug h each of the wines produced, providing us with a taste of each as she went along. The big reds on offer were a partic ular treat. The visit ended with us purchasing a number of bottle which John’s boot was, thankfully, able to accommodat s, e! (website: www.prieure-la-chaume.com) During the visits John was always at our side, ready where necessary to do some translating and to answer our querie s. I liked the way John did not try to impress us with his wine knowledge or impose onto us his views. This was a “low key” wine tour but was a most enjoyable experience and I would recommend it to those who would like to be “lightly steere around the local Vendée vineyards by a knowledgeable d” and engaging guide.
Numero Uno? Welcome the Verre Authentis from Spiegelau. 8.75€. Find them at www.ravinetdarc.fr. Seasons Greetings, without moderation.
John Sherwin, French Wine Tours. Tel: 02 51 66 13 05 ~ E: john@french-wine-tours.com www.french-wine-tours.com
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I made this Mulled Wine recipe last year, and it was the best I’d ever tasted! So I thought I’d repeat it incase it was missed last time around.... Enjoy ! Ingredients: 2 unwaxed oranges 1 lemon, peel only 150g caster sugar 5 cloves, plus extra for garnish 5 cardamom pods, bruised 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.
Annual Subscription Costs: 29,50€ 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.
34 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
Motoring Still the Best 4x4 - by Far... With winter sneaking up on the sidelines, we are thinking about being ready for whatever the weather throws at us, and giving the Land Rover a check over. Once people know you have one, there always seems to be a trickle of people finding their way to your door and begging for help to remove their vehicles from ditches, waterlogged fields or steep, slippery driveways! Not that we mind! If you have a Land Rover with a winch, you might as well use it! Now, let’s be clear here, I’m not talking about the ‘Chelsea Tractor’ varieties of Freelander, Discovery and Range Rover, good as they undoubtedly are, but the original Land Rover, originally known as the ‘Series’ Land Rover, now known as the Defender. The Land Rover is one of the most distinctive products ever made in Britain and loved all over the world. Enthusiasts claim that over 70% of all Land Rovers ever made are still on the road; anyone who has ever coaxed a battered series two with a broken half-shaft up a muddy mountain road knows that they are indestructible. Even their smell, a mix of oil, mud and hot tin, is unforgettable. Born in the aftermath of the Second World War into a world of rationed raw materials and austerity, the Land Rover had by necessity to be simple, sturdy and multi functional, all characteristics which are as relevant to its popularity today as they were then. Despite going through six incarnations, the rugged spirit remains the same. Beloved by the military and owned by Royalty and small holders alike, this is a vehicle that transcends social classes throughout the world and is renowned for its sturdy, simple construction, and off road abilities. This is a vehicle that can take you across the desert, through a muddy field and stream, up a 45 degree gradient, winch your mate out of a ditch and tow his car home, then if you feel the need you can go and pick up a couple of sheep from the farmer down the road, shove them in the back and hose it out afterwards, and you can still turn up at a society wedding in it without being looked down upon!
by Helen Tait-Wright
Detractors can point out that Land Rovers use a lot of fuel (true, especially ours which has a 3.5 litre V8), rip up the landscape (when driven badly), are used by unpalatable regimes and armies (sadly, also true) and a nightmare to drive (ultra-slow steering with feedback to the driver apparently communicated via telegram), but there is just something solid and honest about a Land Rover that makes them eternally popular. It does what it says on the tin! It is a vehicle for farms, outbacks, jungles and deserts that, for all its flaws, has a very real role in the world today. It is better than ever at those things it needs to be good at, and as useless as it has always been at everything else. And it’s safe. Road accident statistics on a model-by-model basis from the UK Department for Transport show that the Defender is one of the safest cars on the roads, in terms of chance of death in 2 car injury accidents. The figures, based on data collected by police forces following accidents between 2000 & 2004 in Great Britain, showed that Defender drivers had only a 1% chance of being killed or seriously injured and just a 33% chance of sustaining any kind of injury. In Iain Banks’s book ‘Raw Spirit’, someone asks him whether his Land Rover has crumple zones...... “Yes - they’re called other vehicles.” But, legislation is catching up with the Land Rover. Time is running out to buy the iconic Defender model we know and love.....the “classic car that you buy new”, as described by a Land Rover executive. 2015 will see the launch of a brand new Defender. Land Rover insist that “’We are determined that the new Defender will be true to its heritage, while meeting the requirements of a changing global market.” I hope so. Mess up the Defender and you don’t just spoil a car you defile a national treasure. It should not be something done lightly. Contact Helen at helen@stodel.org
Photo: www.aoaforums.com
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Building & Renovation
CONTRIBUTIONS... We are always looking for new articles 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@thedeuxsevresmonthlyfr
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 37
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas Thinking about placing an ad? Why not take advantage of our Special Packages for New Advertisers? Call Sarah for more details: 05 49 70 26 21 38 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
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40 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
Business & Finance UK Pensions - All Change Next April will see the biggest reform to UK pensions in almost a century. Initially announced in the March 2014 budget, the Taxation of Pensions Bill was then published on 14th October. As more options become available, you need to understand how they all affect you, and the tax implications in France, to establish what would work best for you.
Key changes from 6th April 2015, for those aged over 55 with defined contribution schemes: You will have complete freedom to draw down as much of your pension pot as you wish. The maximum cap on withdrawals and minimum income requirements for income drawdown are removed. You can cash in your entire pension without suffering the 55% unauthorised payment charge. UK residents will pay tax at their marginal rate of income tax. For non-residents, taxation usually falls to their country of residence under a double tax treaty. You can take a series of lump sums from your pension funds without having to enter into a drawdown policy.
by Bradley Warden, Partner, Blevins Franks
The 55% pension ‘death tax’ will be abolished. Your beneficiaries will receive the balance tax free if you die under age 75, or pay income tax, or 45% if taken as a lump sum, if you are over 75. Residents of France It is essential that you consider all the French tax implications of each option. French legislation actually provides some opportunities, since lump sums from UK pension funds are taxed very favourably. This compares very well to French income tax rates and UK taxation, and could allow you to invest more tax efficiently elsewhere - but specialist advice is essential. Note that capital withdrawn from a pension fund would become exposed to French succession tax, but with professional advice you could avoid exposure to this tax. This is just a very short summary of some of the points of new and evolving legislation, so it is important for you to take specialist advice to make sure you have all the information you need, including the tax implications in France, to make an informed decision. You also need to consider your personal situation and discuss effective strategies for you. Summarised tax information is based upon our understanding of current laws and practices which may change. Individuals should seek personalised advice.
UK residents can choose whether to take their 25% tax-free cash lump sum all in one go, or have a quarter of any withdrawals paid tax-free.
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 41
How to Avoid Double Taxation
by David Hardy
Many people who moved to France last year, and completed their first French tax return this year, will have noticed that on their tax assessment Avis d’Imposition they have actually paid tax twice, since the HMRC is still taking tax at source on their UK income. So, what can be done to avoid double taxation? Well, the UK and France have a Double Tax Treaty which ensures that you cannot be taxed twice, but how double taxation is eliminated depends on the type of income you are declaring. For UK government pensions (civil or military service, police, teachers’ etc.) the UK will always have the right to tax and the French will give a tax credit ensuring that your pension is not retaxed in France. For share dividends, a tax credit is given in France, equal to the amount of UK tax paid at source. For all other income, (UK state pension, private pensions and bank interest) it is up to you to request from HMRC the repayment of the tax paid in the UK since your departure, and the right for your pension providers and banks to pay income gross for the future. This problem is resolved by completion of the ‘France/Individual’ form, available from the HMRC web-site. The form is in English and French with both requiring completion and submission to your local French tax office at the same time as filing your French tax return. They will stamp the form, confirming you have appropriately declared the various sources of income to the French tax authorities, and then send it to HMRC. Thereafter, HMRC will change your tax code, contact the providers of your various sources of income arranging for them to be paid on a gross basis, and calculate a refund of tax paid since you became liable to French tax. Unfortunately, this process takes several months to resolve as you will have to wait until the submission and assessment of your French tax declaration. Consequently, in the short-term, you will have been taxed twice on the same sources of income, until the refund is calculated and paid. One on-going problem with this form is that UK banks normally refuse to pay interest gross, even after receiving the instruction from HMRC, so, if you wish to avoid being taxed twice on UK bank interest, you may have to repeat the request for reimbursement every year, via the R43 tax repayment form.
David Hardy is Regional Manager of Siddalls France, Independent Financial Adviser, specialised in tax, inheritance, pension and investment planning for the British community in the Poitou-Charentes since 1996.
David Hardy, Siddalls France Tel: 05 56 34 75 51 ~ Email: enquiries@siddalls.net
www.siddalls.fr
42 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
Protection Insurance/Indemnités Journalièrs This article is mainly directed to Artisans and Commerçants who (understandably) complain about having to pay so many cotisations. Sorry, but I can’t please everyone all the time! I recently discovered that some people don’t know that they are entitled to some benefits from RSI if they are off sick even, though they are self-employed. Yes, it may come as a surprise to you but your cotisations are not just for the French government, but are to pay for illness, accident, pension, unemployment, invalidity and even death. So, let’s have a look at how much you are entitled to and why you might also need protection insurance.
What are you entitled to? 1. Death. I’ll start with the worst one. When you die, RSI will pay a lump sum to your spouse, your children or your rightful heir. The capital paid is 7,406.40€ if you were still working or 2,962.56€ if you were retired. 2. Invalidity. If you are an invalid and cannot work anymore, the RSI gives you 50% of your average yearly revenue (declared to RSI). The minimum amount being 3,359.80€ per year and maximum 18,774€ per year for artisans. This will be paid to you until you retire. For Commerçants, the minimum is 7,607.87€ per year and maximum 37,032€ per year. 3. Partial Invalidity. If you have a partial invalidity that stops you from working as an artisan, you get 50% of your revenue the first 3 years, then 30% the other years. Minimum 3,359.80€ per year and maximum 18,774€ per year for the first 3 years and then 11,264.44€ maximum for the other years. For a Commerçant, you get 30% of your average revenue for a partial invalidity with a minimum of 3,359.80€ per year and a maximum of 11,264.44€ per year. 4. Incapacity and sickness. In French it is called “Indemnités Journalières” and it means that RSI gives you a revenue equal to 50% of your average yearly revenue of the last 3 years if you are off work due to health problems. Minimum 20.57€ per day and maximum 54.44€ per day. This is given to you from the 8th day of being sick or injured or from the 4th day if you are hospitalised. This is during a maximum period of 3 years in case of long sickness (eg. cancer) or 360 days stretched over a period of 3 years for any other cases.
To give you an idea, a basic cover for death for 50,000€ can be as little as 5€ per month, 25€ per month for a sickness cover of 50€ per day and 10€ per month for invalidity cover of a benefit pension of 10,000€ per year (prices based on an Artisans aged around 35 years old). So for less than 50€ per month, you can get peace of mind. If you are not an auto-entrepreneur (SARL, societe individuelle, SA, EURL, etc), the cost of this insurance can be added to your charges (under law Madelin).
Conclusion
I know, some of you will say “yet another insurance” but some insurances are more important than others. And this one, to my mind, is vital if you have a family that depends on you financially. So don’t put it off - get a quote - it’s free! And don’t hesitate to contact me for any other information or quotes on subjects such as Funeral cover, inheritance law, car, house and top up health insurance, etc…
And remember to check out our website where you can find all my previous articles under the page on the English site “practical information”: www.bh-assurances.fr.
Protection Insurance If you are an auto-entrepreneur and only earning 10€ per day, those benefits are probably better than you expected. But, if you are earning between 2,000€ and 3,000€ per month and your family is entirely relying on your income, you had better look at a protection insurance to top up those benefits. Remember that the benefits are based on the revenues you declare to RSI.
You can also follow us on Twitter @charenteinsure
With Allianz, we do a protection insurance, where you decide the amount you want to be insured for death, invalidity and sickness (or just one of those guarantees, just two or all three).
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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Visit our website: www.bh-assurances.fr The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 43
Ask Amanda
Your Money Transfers by Sue Cook
“What New Year’s Resolution can I make for 2015?”
I thought after many months of writing this column it was time to explain what I actually do when working for Currencies Direct. My role is mainly to build up partnerships within my area of France, so we can help more clients when they are transferring their funds around the world. Currencies Direct believes that to give our clients a more personal experience it helps to have representatives working on the ground in their area who understand France and the French bureaucracy. You may have seen me out and about, often with the lovely Amanda Johnson of Spectrum IFA group attending lunches and shows. This is because we believe in working with other professionals to give clients information on all aspects of living in France. Out of this ethos ‘Le Tour de Finance’ was born and this has been running successfully for a number of years and will continue to do so for many years to come. If you have not yet attended one of these events, ‘Le Tour de Finance’ brings together professionals such as Currencies Direct and Spectrum but also accountants, notaires and health cover providers to give advice on the best way of looking after your money when living in France. When choosing a currency provider everyone wants the following: • Fantastic rates • A safe and secure service • Quick and easy set up You are assured of this with Currencies Direct. After 17 years in business and with a Dunn and Bradstreet Level 1 rating we are a secure company. We are regulated by both the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and the AMF in France so your money is safe with us. We have over 130,000 customers registered worldwide and traded in excess of £2 billion pounds last year. And not only this, you are guaranteed a professional and friendly service not only from our Head Office in the London but here on the ground in the Deux-Sèvres.
As 2014 draws to an end and we look forward to spending the festive period with family and friends, there is one New Year’s resolution that you can make which will benefit both you and your family and that is to make sure that you review your finances in 2015. 2014 has seen the UK Government make changes to pensions, the French Government levy Social Charges on areas not previously charged and a joint agreement on Wills which is due to come into effect during 2015. On top of this, there is constant media concentration on whether the UK is better off in or out of the EU. Bearing all of this in mind, it is worth taking advantage of a free financial review to ensure your savings, investments and pensions are working for you in the most tax-efficient manner and that they match your goals and aspirations for the future. A free financial review will include the following areas: • •
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Investments: to ensure they are as tax efficient as possible Inheritance tax: to minimise the amount of inheritance tax imposed and increase your say in where your money goes after you die. Pension Planning: putting you in better control of planning for your future
Whether it has been a while since you last looked at your finances or you are unaware of how changes both in the UK and France could affect you, a decision to take a free financial review could be one of the best New Year’s resolutions you can make. Whether you want to register for our newsletter, attend one of our road shows or speak to me directly, please call or email me on the contacts below and I will be glad to help you. We do not charge for reviews, reports or any recommendations we provide.
Have a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
With Care, You Prosper. Amsterdam, Luxembourg, Lausanne, Paris, Cote d’Azur, Barcelona, Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol, Madrid, Mallorca, Rome. «The Spectrum IFA Group » is a registered trademark, exclusive rights to use in France granted to TSG Insurance Services S.A.R.L. Siège Social: 34 Bd des Italiens, 75009 «Société de Courtage d’assurances» R.C.S. Paris B 447 609 108 (2003B04384) Numéro d’immatriculation 07 025 332 - www.orias.fr «Conseiller en investissements financiers, référence sous le numéro E002440 par ANACOFI-CIF, association agréée par l’Autorité des Marchés Financiers»
44 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
Property
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 45
L’Absie... ‘une situation exceptionelle’ by Joanna Leggett
In the heart of the Deux-Sèvres is a small market town set in an idyllic location. Nestled into gentle countryside, L’Absie first grew up around its medieval abbey, once patronised by Eleanor of Aquitaine. She must have appreciated stopping here en route between her château in South Western France and the channel ports! Situated at the crossing point of two ancient Roman roads, L’Absie is particularly well located and connected. Halfway between Parthenay and La Roche-Sur-Yon; the TGV is at Poitiers, it takes only three hours to reach Dinard in Brittany, two and a half hours to Bordeaux; it’s within 90 minutes of airports at Nantes, La Rochelle and Poitiers, while the beautiful Atlantic coast and sunny sandy beaches, are also close. This area is famous for butter, goat’s cheese and apples - then there’s the enticing thought of all that fresh seafood just an hour away! There’s no doubt you will be well-provendered, with five cafés in the village and the Hotel l’Étoile all proffering fare - then there’s the weekly market set in the lovely town square. The town also boasts a good selection of shops, small supermarkets, and all the other necessary amenities such as schools and doctors. This attractive town is typically Charentaise, with many of its buildings traditionally styled. The remains of the abbey can also be seen - the 12th century Notre Dame church still houses one of its frescoes! And when it comes to recreation and amusement … L’Absie is perfect for walkers and cyclists; golf, horse-riding, fishing, swimming and sailing are all on offer - the Marais Poitevin is also close by. For serious entertainment though, the joys of ‘Puy de Fou’ are just 40 minutes’ drive away! Leggett’s Michelle Barlow (shown left) currently has two great properties available here - a five bedroom, two bath restored town house facing the town square (Ref: 21406MB79) providing ample accommodation for all the family, with scope to provide even more rooms in the attic (or perhaps the perfect games room?) At the rear is an enclosed garden area perfect for alfresco dining - for sale at 119,950€. But if you are looking for instant income, also overlooking the village square, is a six bed, five bathroom established bed and breakfast business (Ref: 30890MB79, shown below) offering exceptional value for 224,000€; to the back is a terrace and large well laid out gardens. This property is really flexible as it can be easily separated into gîte accommodation!
Joanna Leggett is Marketing Director at Leggett Immobilier. You can view the full portfolio of properties for sale in France at www.leggettfrance.com
46 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
Doué-la-Fontaine
Saint-Maurice-
Saint-Verge
la-Fougereuse
Thouars
Bressuire
Cerizay
Terves
Saint-Loup Lamairé Thénezay
Le Tallud
L’Absie
Champdeniers Coulonges- sur-l’Autize Faye-sur-Ardin St Maixent-l’Ecole François
Gençay
La Mothe-St Heray
Niort Vouillé Bessines
St Hilaire la Palud
Brûlain Perigné
Civray Chef Boutonne
Sauzé-Vaussais