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Welcome! to Issue 47 of
This Month’s Advertisers
Happy New Year one and all! Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2015.....So I wonder what it will hold for many of us? Maybe this is the year that we will become mill-yonaires! (said with a Del-boy accent).
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‘The Deux-Sèvres Monthly’ magazine.
For Rob and I, 2015 will definitely be the year to finish our renovations.........I think I may have said that last year and the year before oh well, we shall see! Also my goals include getting out of the office more and to get fit! It can be draining sitting at the computer all day, so I must get out into the fresh air.... For ‘The DSM’, we are on the lookout for new ideas for the coming year. Some ideas are already in the pipeline, but something fresh and different is always welcome. We have to keep you all interested! Please send us any ideas or feedback - all comments are appreciated :-) I’ll leave you for now to enjoy another left-over turkey sandwich and look forward to catching up with you next month. Have a good January.
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 Getting Out & About Hobbies Clubs & Associations A-Z of the Communes in the Deux-Sèvres Health, Beauty & Fitness Our Furry Friends Home & Garden Take a Break French Life Communications Food & Drink Motoring Building & Renovation Business & Finance Property
4 6 10 12 15 16 18 20 23 26 28 31 35 37 41 45
© Sarah Berry 2015. 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: janvier 2015 - Tirage: 4500 exemplaires. Siret: 515 249 738 00011 ISSN: 2115-4848
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 3
What’s On...
7th January - Winter Sales start! The start of the Winter Sales in the shops….until 17th Feb! 7th January - Franglais at Bressuire Come and practice your french, with a friendly and convivial group of french and english speakers. At the Centre Socio-Culturel in Bressuire. 8-10pm. Turn up or Contact Jan 05 49 65 60 34. 13th & 14th January - Reaction Theatre Auditions At the Petit Theatre, Secondigny. 7.30pm. See P13 for more info. 18th January - Birdwatching on the Ile de Re Meet at 8am at cour de l’Artisane, rue des prairies, 79320 Montcoutant or at 9.15am at the parking before the bridge to Ile de Re. Enquiries to Jacques Pellerin on: 06 82 02 70 88 or email: jacquespellerin@aol.com. Open to everyone. Take a Picnic and warm drinks! 24th & 25th January - Poultry Exhibition Organised by La société des aviculteurs des Deux-Sèvres, at Parc des expositions, Niort 79000. 25th January - Collector’s Fair At Espace Colonica, Coulonges-sur-l’autize. This show brings together multiple collections, traditional and unusual: beans, old postcards, stamps, coins, brass, porcelain, old papers and almanacs to 1900, comics, muselets but also more surprising exhibitions such as: old phones, perfume bottles, small bottles of milk etc ... 26th - 31st January - Music & Brushes Music and painting by Mr. Michel MORO - creation and improvisation, accompanied by a pianist. Exposure to the works of Michel MORO at the Cultural Centre, Usseau. Free all age groups. For further information, contact Municipality of USSEAU: 05 49 04 85 16. 27th January - Photo Workshop with photofocus.info See article on P14 for further details. 29th January - Andrea Chénier Royal Opera House Choir & Orchestra perform live Broadcast via CGR Cinema, Niort. For further information, please visit page 8. 31st January - Bird Nesting Box Workshop 9am - 12noon at Espace associatif, 48 rue Rouget de Lisle, 79000 Niort. Workshop taken by Jacques Mirebeau and can be contacted on: 05 49 79 03 35 or email: jmirebeau@orange.fr. Open to all, booking required as places are limited. 5€ per person.
Coming Up...
3rd February - Photo Workshop with photofocus.info See article on P14. 6th February - Start of RBS 6-Nations Championships See www.rbs6nations.com for all the fixtures and news.
January 2015 The Chaplaincy of Christ the Good Shepherd, Poitou-Charentes, hold English speaking monthly services. • • •
1st Sunday at 10.30am: At St Leger, near Melle. Followed by tea & coffee. 2nd Sunday at 11.00am: the home of Ann White, Jassay 4th Sunday at 10.30am: the Presbytery Rooms, rue de la Citadelle, Parthenay (opposite St Croix Church). Followed by tea & coffee, and a ‘bring and share’ lunch.
A warm welcome awaits everyone for a time of worship and fellowship. For further information about location of churches and what else is happening near you, please take a look at our 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 We hold two services each month, on the 2nd and 4th Sundays at the church of St Marthe, Puy de Serre, at 11am. After each service, tea and coffee is served in the parish room and everyone is invited to a `bring and share` lunch. For details of all our activities, our Services in the west of the Vendée, copies of recent newsletters and more information, please check our website: www.allsaintsvendee.fr 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
LOCAL MARKETS Mondays.........
The National Holidays, Religious and Feast Days 2015 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
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Tuesdays.........
Wednesdays.... Thursdays........
Friday............... Saturdays........
Sundays............
Benet 85490 Lencloître (1st Monday in month) 86140 Lezay 79120 Coulonges-sur-l’Autize 79160 Thouars 79100 Bressuire 79300 Parthenay 79200 Sauzé-Vaussais 79190 Niort 79000 La Mothe St Héray 79800 Thouars 79100 Melle 79500 Bressuire 79300 Chef-Boutonne 79110 Airvault 79600 Niort 79000 Saint Maixent-l’École 79400 Fontenay-le-Comte 85200 Coulon 79510 Neuville-de-Poitou 86170
From 7pm
Paperback Jan Books in English Find me at these venues during January: 7th: 8th: 9th: 9th: 10th: 14th: 15th: 28th:
Café Cour de Miracle, Vouvant 85120. 2.30pm - 4.30pm Pause! L’Absie 79240. 2pm - 5pm Jan’s Home, La Ferriére-en-Parthenay 79390.11am - 3pm Café des Belles Fleurs, Fenioux 79160. 4pm - 6pm Bar Le Chauray, St Maixent l’Ecole 79400. 10am - 12.30pm Au Bec de Vin, St Jouin de Marnes 79600. 3pm - 5pm Bar Palais, St Aubin le Cloud 79450. 2pm-4.30pm Jan’s Home, La Ferriére-en-Parthenay 79390.1pm - 5pm
Top Hat Quiz & Curry
Dates & Venues for January: 8th: 12th: 14th: 15th: 19th:
Tel: 05 45 71 70 91 - more info at www.tophatquizzes.com
For more info contact Jan on: 06 08 30 73 29 or email: paperbackjan@gmail.com
Have you registered for your chance to WIN free tickets to the opera and ballet? All shows are broadcast live to the CGR Cinema in Niort, in their original languages. Visit our website: www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr, click on the image shown below and send us your contact details. More information about this month’s show can be found on page 8.
Chef Boutonne Limalonges Aigre Champniers Theil Rabier
La Vendée Chippy We are closed for January but will be back every Wednesday night at ‘Auberge le St Vincent’, St Vincent-Sterlanges from Weds 4th February and every FRIDAY evening at ‘Le Clemenceau’, Mouilleron-en-Pareds from Fri 6th February. On Sat 7th February find us at Le Marmiton, Antigny. Tel: 02 44 39 16 73 - www.lavendeechippy.com
Mr T’s Friterie
With regular venues at: • • •
Aulnay 17470 (from 6pm) Matha 17160 Gourville 16170
• •
REOPEN 29th January
St Hilaire de Villefranche
17770
St Jean d’Angély 17400
See www.frying4u2nite.com for details or call 06 02 22 44 74
LIVE
Opera Season 2014
Reel Fish & Chips We are taking our annual break in January and February but will be back in March 2015. We wish all of our customers a very happy new year and we look forward to seeing you at the beginning of March. DSM magazines will still be available at; Argenton Les Vallees, Bressuire, St Martin de Sanzay, Etusson, Genneton, L’Absie and Bouille-Loretz. A bientot. Haley and Andy. Tel: 06 04 14 23 94 - www.reelfishandchips.net
‘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
Fish 4 Chip + Authentic Indian meals CLOSED JANUARY & FEBRUARY, reopening 3rd March 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 AUDITIONS
13 & 14 JANUARY at 7.30pm th
th
Reaction Theatre’s Tony Murdoch is holding auditions for the cast of our Spring Production: ARSENIC & OLD LACE by Joseph Kesselring on Tuesday 13th and Wednesday 14th January at Le Petit Théâtre, Secondigny at 7.30pm. ALL those interested are welcome on either evening, whether they are members now or intend to become members. Anyone hoping to attend, please note the dates and if possible, let Tony Murdoch know by contacting him by phone on 05 49 64 06 14 or by e-mail: tonymurdoch.tm@gmail.com This classic 3 Act play has 14 different characters in the cast. Performances are to be given in Secondigny on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd May 2015.
TheatriVasles Celebrates Success of Alan Bennett Festival “C’est bon!” was the surprised exclamation of the mayor of Vasles as he sampled his third slice of date and walnut bread at the vernissage of the TheatriVasles Alan Bennett Talking Heads Festival, 5th – 7th December. The Festival kicked off with the opening of the Alan Bennett exhibition and was celebrated with champagne, kindly donated by Credit Agricole, and home baked date and walnut bread, which featured in one of the monologues. The bilingual exhibition was a fascinating and colourful insight into Alan Bennett: his early life and influences, from poets such as Larkin to foods such as tinned peaches with Carnation milk and the infamous chicken wings with tuna fish sauce from another of the monologues (not quite such an enthusiastic response to these dishes...). Paintings and a stunning charcoal sketch of the writer all added to the impact of this impressive exhibition, designed and staged by TheatriVasles member and talented local artist Anthea Libby. The vernissage was followed by a Theatre Skills Workshop led by visiting director Claire Dingley. “I was privileged to be part of the first TheatriVasles Festival and I was struck by the huge amount of energy and work which had gone into making it such a success. The workshop received some very gracious feedback along the lines of “this has really energised me and made me feel different about what I want to do next. The group really entered into the spirit and it was great fun to see the two short rehearsed pieces being brought to life”. The two performances of the Talking Heads were received to rapturous reviews. “I love Alan Bennett and last night didn’t disappoint, all the performances were first class. They had all the dry humour and underlying sadness that one expects, and the audience seemed to be totally caught up in the characters being portrayed,” said one person. Someone else emailed “The performances by the three main actors were stunningly good and would grace any professional stage”.
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Interestingly, another commented, “I came along not really knowing what to expect, but it was brilliant”. Of course, choosing Bennett was always going to be controversial. “He’s a bit like Marmite, you either love him or hate him,” one fan commented, which could almost have been written by Bennett himself. The Question & Answer session following Saturday’s performance, led by guest MC Gordon Simms, chairman of St Clementin Literature Festival, was lively and thoughtprovoking, providing some interesting insight into Bennett’s work. Finally the Gala Lunch on Sunday concluded the Festival and played to Bennett’s lighter side, with snippets and quotes about sex, religion, car bombs and much else besides, occasionally embellished with his somewhat ‘colourful’ language. “The Festival was a fantastic experience for members and audience alike,” said Chairman Richard Smith, “and now we need to look forward to our next production. But that’s another story.” To find out more, contact us on theatrivasles@gmail.com, TheatriVasles on Facebook or at www.theatrivasles.com.
Exposition souvenirs 1914-1918
The , showing at the Musée de Parthenay until 8th March 2015, is a collection of mementos brought together by the people of Parthenay and Gâtine. Personal, original objects and documents such as trench crafts, military equipment, photographs, postcards, letters and diaries demonstrate the sensitivity of various individuals during the War. The exhibition covers various topics such as life on the front line, the barracks, the military hospital and the fighting regiments of Parthenay. (Parthenay housed a large garrison and mobilisation centre (a battalion of the 114th RI and deposits 314th RI Reserve and 67th Territorial RI). The local British community was actively involved in this collection, and publicity is fully bilingual, French-English. This exhibition is extended with a virtual online exhibition (by Municipal Archives: www.guerre14-18.cc-parthenay-gatine.fr) and is in collaboration once again, with the local population. The bilingual Exhibition offers a guided tour in English on Wednesday 21st January at 3pm. Topics covered include: • War • The beginnings uniforms / equipment • The Parthenay hospital • The Barracks • The regiments trenches • Crafts • Memories
Guided Tours in French are available at 3pm on: • • •
Wednesday 4 February 2015 Wednesday 18 February 2015 Wednesday 4th March 2015
A Brief Tongue-Tied Encounter
I
t was the first time I met English people in France. I must have been fourteen or something. I did know a bit of English; it was compulsory at collège.
I could introduce myself and find my away across London with an A to Z. But I couldn’t order a pint which, let’s face it, made my entire education useless! Still, I knew about the Queen’s English (as a matter of fact I thought you all spoke like that).
I knew about Wordsworth’s Daffodils (as a matter of fact I thought you all wrote like that). And I could tell you how Romeo sacrificed for Juliet (I didn’t think you all died like that!). .......But I’d never met real English people. I was with a friend of my parents’, an architect who was working for an English couple. He’d offered to take me, and because he had a convertible and I liked it, I went. Thinking back, I can’t remember where they actually lived - but I do remember feeling we would never get there. It was as if they’d tried to bury themselves so deep into the countryside that it wouldn’t even feel like France anymore to them. “You alright hun?” Hun? moi ? I thought. And as we stepped into their home, it became even clearer. Some poster was telling me to keep calm and drink tea. Bright cushions and cosy armchairs. Photographs of a land that only they knew about. The oddest postcard: sheep saying “We’re daft but we love ewe”. Stacks of books on overloaded shelves.
by Thomas Mombras
As I started looking for a picture of the Queen, the woman spoke again. “Love, you alright?” Love? Madame, we’ve only just been introduced, I thought. I couldn’t say a thing. I had a chance to start a conversation with an actual English person. But I couldn’t do it, I didn’t know what to say, I’d never been taught. I’d gone mute. I was able to find my way across London. I was able to recite William Wordsworth’s ‘Daffodils,’ to write mini plays, but all I was able to do in front of an actual English woman was to give her a vague, awkward smile. Another one of these pesky Frenchies, she must have thought at the time. I have to mention that our common history hasn’t been the best. My grandfather brought me up in the belief that English people were the enemy. Not only did he hate their food and boots when he was in the military, but he also hated them because of some obscure treason during the Vendée wars. Not to mention Joan of Arc. Not to mention that we Vendéens consider that les Nantais are from the remotest of places. But I was alright. I was. I’d just survived the first of many, many wonderful encounters with ‘les rosbeefs’.
Do you have a Business to promote? Call us Today - Great Rates! 05 49 70 26 21 The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 7
Thursday 29th January, 8.15pm (Opera: 4 acts, duration 2hrs 30mins)
Andrea Chénier by Umberto Giordano
LIVE
Royal Opera House Choir and Orchestra
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 >>>>>>>>
A verismo opera loosely based on the life of the French poet André Chénier, who was executed during the French Revolution. In Giordano’s opera, the poet Andrea Chénier and the servant Carlo Gérard are both in love with the young aristocrat Madeleine. Madeleine loses everything in the Revolution and Andrea offers her protection, inciting jealousy in Carlo, now a powerful officer. Andrea is arrested during the revolution, Carlo spurred by his jealousy, condems his rival. Following Madelaine’s desperate plea, Carlo tries too late to save him, so finally helps the young woman to join Andrea in prison where the two lovers face the guillotine together.
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 O P E R A
YOUR TICKET TO THE OPERA
ANDREA CHÉNIER €
13 19
ONLY
INSTEAD OF A NEW PRODUCTION OF GIORDANO’S FRENCH REVOLUTION ROMANCE
JONAS KAUFMANN | EVA-MARIA WESTBROEK | ŽELJKO LUČIČ
ANDREA CHÉNIER MUSIC
OFFER VALID ON PRESENTATION OF THIS COUPON IN YOUR CGR CINEMA OF NIORT
UMBERTO GIORDANO | METTEUR EN SCÈNE DAVID MCVICAR | CHEF D’ORCHESTRE ANTONIO PAPPANO
LIVE FROM LONDON 29 JANUARY 2015 AT 8.15PM
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www.cgrcinemas.fr
€
New Year Resolutions! Les Bonnes Résolutions!
B
by Sue Burgess
onne Année tout le monde! I hope you had a good Christmas. First of all here are the answers to last month’s vocabulary quiz:
Noël
Christmas
Les chants de Noël
Christmas carols
Les décorations de Noël
Christmas decorations
Le gui
Mistletoe
Offrir des cadeaux
To give presents
Le lendemain de Noël
Boxing Day
Les fêtes
The holiday season / the festivities
Le papier cadeau
Gift wrap
La Veille de Noël
Christmas Eve
Une guirlande
A garland / streamer / tinsel
Well, have you made any Bonnes résolutions this year? New Year’s Resolutions les bonnes résolutions are a custom which exist in Western civilisations. People commit themselves to improving their behaviour améliorer son comportement or a habit une habitude or their life-style mode de vie. The official website of the US government suggests a list of the most popular resolutions : • • • • • • • • • • • • •
manger sainement eat healthily perdre du poids lose weight se remettre en forme get fit boire moins d’alcool drink less alcohol ne plus se ronger les ongles stop biting your nails penser positive think positively rire plus souvent laugh more often profiter de la vie make the most of life payer ses dettes pay your debts économiser de l’argent save passer plus de temps en famille spend more time with your family faire un voyage travel faire du sport do some sport
As these resolutions are difficult to keep tenir, different methods have been thought of to help. For example, make out a timetable and separate the resolutions into stages étapes. Do some sport faire du sport, becomes choose a sport choisir un sport, begin half an hour on Sundays commencer une demi-heure le dimanche. In 2007 a study étude carried out by Richard Wiseman at Bristol University involving 3000 people, showed that 88% of New Year Resolutions fail échouer. Nevertheless it is a good thing to try to stop smoking arrêter de fumer, go to bed earlier aller se coucher de bonne heure and so on. And have you thought that if you learn just one new French word or expression per day, that by the end of the year you will have increased your vocabulary by 365 words or expressions which is quite an impressive achievement.
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 9
Hobbies More from local writer Alison Morton... Please see back issues of ‘The DSM’ if you would like to see previous articles.
Editing: do I really need it? (Part 1) You’ve written your fabulous book and presumably, you’ve checked everything you can spot yourself. That first self-edit gets rid of the obvious horrors. But why should you use somebody else to edit it? 1. Your readers deserve to get what they pay for – a top quality product. 2. Your book needs to be in the best possible state to compete successfully, whether you send it out to agents or self-publish. 3. You might be so close to your writing that you see what you know should be there, instead of what is actually there. 4. Sometimes writers fall in love with their own work. They cannot see that parts of it are poorly written. 5. A fresh eye looking over your work is likely to pick up on points that you may have missed. 6. A professional, experienced editor knows what is acceptable for the market and will advise and guide you to get your work to publishable standard. So what are the choices? This month, I’ll outline the less formal options; next month, the paid professionals. Friends By all means ask friends to read your book. Every bit of feedback helps, and you should welcome it all. But beware: people are nervous of criticising their friend’s work – they’d rather not offend. They will be in awe of the fact that you’ve written a book and may just say they loved it without saying anything useful to you as a writer. On the other hand, if they’re a top fiction editor at a big publisher, seize their free offer! Writers’ groups Creative writing groups provide a great forum in which to have your work critiqued by people as passionate about writing as you are. Some will be more informed and experienced than others, but there are bound to be people whose opinion you value. However, it’s unlikely that someone in the group will offer to read and edit your whole novel unless you’re prepared to do the same for them.
YOUR Book Reviews
There’s nothing better during this cold weather than being curled up by the fire with a good book - so let’s start with this recommendation from Terry Hawker. Thanks Terry!
‘The Unconsoled’ by Kazuo Ishiguro ‘The Unconsoled’ is an award winning novel written in 1995 and suggested by the Sunday Times as being among the best 100 works of fiction of the Twentieth Century. The author, Kazuo Ishiguro, was born in Nagasaki, now a British citizen and may be better known for his novel, ‘The Remains off the Day’, which by comparison is perhaps a pity. Straightaway, ‘The Unconsoled’ treats the reader to the most elegantly constructed dialogue and a unique plot that unwinds between its main character, Mr Ryder, a celebrated pianist, and the staff at his hotel in a town where he is due to give a concert. The hotel’s ageing porter, Gustav, together with its manager are very obsequious but as their relationships develop, they mention politely from time to time the possibility of Ryder being able to offer them small favours. Ryder timidly agrees but becomes increasingly anxious about these and his own programme for the forthcoming concert, which seems to be vague. The main theme of this book is the pressure building on Ryder over these issues as the day of the concert draws nearer and the consequently surreal direction of his life. There is, for example, a visit to the hotel’s annex far way on a country hilltop, people from his past mysteriously appear, and memorably a city tram full of jolly people eating breakfast. ‘The Unconsoled’ is a novel unlike no other I have read (twice now) and would seem to be about stress, but above all, it is a delight if nothing else to just be immersed in its wonderful language.
If you have a book review to share with us - please email it to us at: info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
Beta readers Non-professional readers who read widely and seem to love the idea of having a ‘sneak preview’. They’ll look through your manuscript and make suggestions to improve the story, its characters, or its setting. I use beta readers to see if my book is ‘a good read’ before the story goes for publishing. Critique partners A critique partner is gold. Usually writing a novel too, though not necessarily in the same genre, they will read the same scenes from your manuscript so many times that neither of you remember the count, and will give you completely honest feedback, however brutal. They’ll discuss your characters’ dilemmas and continually suggest solutions. Critique partners urge you to keep writing when you don’t feel like it and won’t let you give up. And you do exactly the same for them. However, no matter how well versed your friends are in the rules of grammar, and the vagaries of the English language, only a professional editor is likely to handle dangling modifiers, tautologies, hyphenation of compound adjectives, repetition, consistency of punctuation, presentation of numerals, elision, etc. Next month, we have a look at the different kinds of editors in detail as they all have critical roles to play. Alison Morton is the author of three novels, and The 500 Word Writing Buddy: 25 Inner Secrets for the New Writer, the compilation of articles from this column. 10 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
Contact ‘The DSM’ on 05 49 70 26 21 or by email: info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
How the language of the First World War has become everyday in our modern world.
I
by Tony Barrett
t may come as a surprise that a number of words in common everyday uses have their origins from the trenches of the 1st World War. ‘Plonk’ the now almost universal word for a bottle of wine. The British soldier has traditionally failed since time immemorial to master the pronunciation of even the simplest foreign words, and it is merely a corruption of the French ‘vin blanc’. Trench talk is now entrenched into the English language and many terms which were particular to one region or social class before the war entered common usage afterwards. Examples include ‘scrounging’ to describe foraging for food, such as wild rabbits which is thought to have derived from a northern dialect, and ‘binge’ to describe overindulgence in alcohol previously just used in Lancashire. ‘Blotto’ was another term for drunk popularised during the war. Lower class words like ‘gasper’ or ‘fag’ for a cigarette and ‘bloke’, which previously referred just to a gentleman, moved from their narrow social roots. Several phrases from the criminal underworld also entered wider use, among them ‘chum’ formerly slang for an accomplice, ‘rumbled’ (to be found out) and ‘knocked off’ (stolen). ‘The whole nine yards’ referred to the length of the ammunition belt of a 1st World War Vickers machine gun.
Images - www.madefromhistory.com
If you’re feeling washed out, fed up or downright lousy, World War One is to blame: ‘lousy’ and ‘crummy’ both referred to being infested with lice, while ‘fed up’ emerged as a widespread expression of weariness among the men.
The most well known term derived from Hindi though was ‘Blighty’, from bilati, meaning ‘foreign’. This was applied by Indians to Britons and in turn became slang to the British Tommy for ‘Britain’.
Communications from headquarters were derisively known as ‘bumf’ from ‘bum-fodder’, a term for toilet paper. Other phrases to develop were ‘snapshot’ (from a quickly aimed and taken rifle shot), and ‘wash out’, which described a process by which aspiring officers who failed their commissions were sent back to their regiments, or ‘washed out’. By 1915 the term was being used to signify any kind of failure. The French term ‘souvenir’ replaced ‘keepsake’ as the primary word for a memento, following exchanges with the locals, while officers being sacked were said to have ‘come ungummed’ from the French ‘dégommér’, to dismiss. This quickly developed into ‘come unstuck’. Several Hindi terms, picked up from Indian Army soldiers and already circulating in the regular, professional army, were also disseminated widely. One of those most used at the front was ‘cushy’ from khush (‘pleasure’).
A number of words even crossed over from the German trenches. ‘Strafe’ became an English word, from the German ‘to punish’, via a prominent slogan used by the enemy: ‘Gott Strafe England’, while prisoners of war returned with the term ‘erzatz’, literally ‘replacement’, but used in English to mean ‘cheap substitute’ and spelled ersatz. Advances in technology also brought with them new phrases. Aircraft were known to ‘conk out’, while pilots also complained of ‘blind spots’ where they were unable to see. Many of the technical devices encountered by soldiers could be quite baffling and hard to describe, which helps to explain the widespread emergence of the word ‘thingumyjig’ from the period. Other words arrived with troops from the US, such as ‘cooler’, for prison, and including ‘swipe’, for acquiring something by means that were not necessarily above board. ‘Dekko’, as in ‘take a dekko at this’ (take a look at this). From the Hindi word dekho meaning ‘look’, one of a number of terms brought from India by British troops and gradually disseminated through the British army. Others, such as ‘toot sweet’ (from tout de suite, ‘immediately’), are still in use. Toot sweet is, strictly speaking, not a WW1 coinage, as examples are found in English from the early 19th Century, but it gained widespread currency only during the war, and the heavily anglicised form ‘the tooter the sweeter’ (‘the sooner the better’) is certainly a WW1 phrase. Another word which may have been borrowed from French is ‘skive’, first used as a military slang term during the war before passing into general usage. The etymology of skive is uncertain, but it may have derived from French ‘esquiver’ (‘to escape, avoid’.) On 20 March 1915 the Birmingham Daily Mail wrote that “The wars of the past have invariably coloured the language of returned soldiers, and this worldwide war will be no exception to the rule.”
Soldiers would describe cushy, or comfortable billets, as well as cushy trenches, in quiet sectors. The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 11
Clubs & Associations Hypnotherapy Slimming Group
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
CAPELLA GROUP
If you enjoy singing and would be interested in starting a close-harmony group near Chef-Boutonne, please get in touch! Email me, Christine for further information: chezloubigne@aol.com
AL-ANON Support Group
Do you wish the Drinking Would Stop? Are you troubled by someone’s drinking? If so we can help. There is now an English-speaking Al-Anon meeting every Wednesday @ 2.30pm in the meeting room behind Civray Mairie. Just turn up or ring Angela on 05 49 87 79 09.
Scalextric Racers in the Le Busseau area Anyone interested in a bit of friendly racing on 26m of digital track and a beer/glass of wine? Please contact me on 05 49 04 21 98 or email: dave4lowe@yahoo.co.uk
ANYONE FOR TENNIS?
Tennis players wanted, reasonable standard, Secondigny area. Contact Mick Morris on 05 49 65 17 16 or email: mimorris@live.fr We are a photography club who meet twice a month at Terves. We run work shops, and also arrange photoshoots. If you want to learn more then please go to our website www.photofocus.info
Franglais at Bressuire
Why not come and practise your French with a friendly and convivial group of French and English speakers? Each Wednesday evening (8-10pm) at the Centre Socio-Culturel in Bressuire. Phone Jan for further details 05 49 65 60 34.
Les Amis Solitaires
We are a group of people living alone in France. We meet up for coffee mornings from 11am, every 2nd & 4th Thursday at The Lemon Tree in Sauzé Vaussais. More details from Gwen on 05 49 87 91 79 or email: gwanshep@gmail.com
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. 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.
12 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
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, we meet on the 2nd Sunday of every month. New members are always welcome. For more information, visit our web-site. www.2ndsundayclub.fr
GARDENING CLUB
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).
Book Club Thouars.
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. THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION LINAZAY, POITOU-CHARENTES BRANCH
Please visit the branch website: www.rblpoitou-charentes.fr
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.
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
FRANGLAIS at Thouars
We are a French-English speaking group who meet at Centre-SocioCulturel, Anne Desrays, Thouars on Wednesdays 7.30pm-9.30pm. We welcome all English speakers who want to improve their French. Come along or contact jcbed@orange.fr for more information.
Cancer Support Vendée
Helping to improve the lives of people affected by Cancer in the Vendée. Helpline: 02 51 00 58 21 or email: presidentcsv@orange.fr
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
The Harmonics Singing Group
Based in the Salle d’Annexe in Civray. We meet each Wednesday 2pm4pm. No experience necessary, just a willingness and commitment to learn. We sing all sorts of music in several languages. Contact: Dave Lee: 05 49 87 53 93 / dave.lee@cegetel.net
Combined Services Support Group (CSSG) by Pauline Tonks Well, another New Year - they are flying by! We hope you all had a great Christmas and Santa brought you everything you wished for. We finished 2014 with a flourish at the Terves Christmas Market, (organised by Association Aidez) on 7th December where we had a Spot the Snowball game. The board expertly hand painted by our Chairman, John Blair. The winner was Christine Bacon with square E4. Well done Christine, hope you enjoyed the port. On the 13th December we held a meeting followed by an excellent Christmas Lunch at the Café des Belles Fleurs in Fenioux. Then we all rushed off to Secondigny to the Christmas Cornucopia which certainly lived up to our expectations. So... what have we planned for 2015? We have a couple of afternoon events lined up to brighten up those cold winter days in January/February, namely a Beetle Drive and a General Knowledge Quiz. In March, back by popular demand, we hope to have another Race Night. In April there will be a St George’s Day dance and Paperback Jan will repeat her Big Book Fayre in May, so we will be there with our Tombola and Brocante stalls, plus Tea, Coffee and delicious home-made cakes. Further details on all the above events will be made available nearer the time, but to avoid missing out, ask to be added to our e-mailing list or become a member of CSSG. Simply send us an email to: cssgroup@outlook.com. Our next meeting is the AGM on 7th February at the Café des Belles Fleurs, Fenioux. The CSSG committee would like to wish all our members and supporters a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.
Reaction Theatre
A HAPPY NEW YEAR from all the members of the Reaction Theatre. I hope Santa brought you most of the presents you wished for and you had a great Christmas. When I write this column it has to be completed about two weeks or so before you read it. You do read it don’t you? But I tend to try and estimate, that’s another word for guess, how things went. So I guess the Keynotes Christmas Cornucopia went really well. I do however know that the Aidez Christmas Fair went very well at Terves and the Keynotes were in good voice, probably because I wasn’t there. I had to go to Paris, but someone has to. Not wanting to wish my life away but it will soon be Spring and the sooner the better. So lets look to the future :Our next production, which will now be in the first week of May, will be the classic ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ directed by Tony Murdoch. Auditions will probably be this month so if you’re interested in a part let me know ASAP and I’ll pass your name on to Tony.
Keynotes Singers
Having had a couple of weeks rest from Christmas Carols we are now eagerly awaiting our musical director, Margaret Round’s music for the summer performances. Trying to come up with new material each year is a mammoth task and she does a great job, most of the time. Did you just hear someone screaming “What do you mean, MOST of the time?” That was Margaret. Then of course we couldn’t manage without our great accompanist, Ann Milton. Many good pianists have tried but none have succeeded. One of my New Year’s resolutions is to learn to play the ukulele, perhaps I can stand in for Ann when she’s on holiday? Did you hear Margaret scream again?
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:
The Art Scene
We start again on Friday the 9th January with Nicky AddingtonHall doing a couple of weeks on Watercolours. She’s really good. If you fancy joining our group come along to the Cafe des Belles Fleurs in Fenioux 10am Friday mornings, you would be very welcome. I should have the programme for the first few months of 2015 on our web site by the time you read this article. The Reaction Theatre Annual General Meeting is in early February and there may be one or two vacancies on the committee. One definite space will be that vacated by our Treasurer, Mr Vernon Bouch. Vernon has given years of dedicated service to the group and the thanks of all our members go to him. If only we knew where he was? Only joking! Got to go now, Sarah wants my copy in early this month, this month being December - yes confusing isn’t it? It’s a bit like time travel in a way. Well not really, it’s quite simple...after Christmas (2014) I write and tell you how well everything went in January and then when you read what I have written you have to guess what really happened and what was a load of old tripe. I had a great birthday in December, sang really well in the Cornucopia, got lots of Christmas presents and can now play the ukulele brilliantly, well I bet one of them will come true.
info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
Glad you had a great Christmas and hope you have an even better 2015. Best wishes, John Blair
website: www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
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.
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 13
A DIFFERENT FRENCH EXPERIENCE
S
uddenly alone at 68 years old when my wife left me for a younger man, what does one do in rural France? Luckily I have some very good friends, but they are generally in couples and, although loving and sympathetic, cannot begin to replace the tenderness of a deeply loved wife of many years. Still struggling with the shock and intrinsically very sad but afraid of retreating into a shell of remorse and self pity, where do I turn? It is obvious I have to get out, but where, and to start dating again at my age, how? In the UK it would have been the pub, picking up with old friends etc., but in this area, in the countryside, how does one begin to meet people? As a couple, we had always had good times in La Rochelle in an Irish bar; lots of traditional music, friendly atmosphere generated by the landlord and by the always friendly French clientele of all ages. This then was my starting point and it was there that I learned of a group called ‘On Va Sortir’ (We Are Going Out), which exists all over France. Basically, people of all ages sign up for free on their website (onvasortir.com) to join in with various activities organised by fellow members. The groups exist in big towns and cities all over France, the nearest for me being Niort. Having been here in France for some years, I always thought I was missing something by tending usually to mix with expats, apart from lovely meetings with French neighbours for aperos and the odd meal or fête together. My spoken French is not too bad, which is quite important as I am one of only two English people among hundreds of French. Furthermore, I seem to be the oldest in the group! This strikes me as odd; once upon a time I was always the youngest, what happened? So it was with some trepidation that I signed up with On Va Sortir, entered my profile, tried so far unsuccessfully to add a photo, and started to receive lists of the various activities organised for the near future. For some events it was obvious my French was going to have to improve; there were philosophy discussions, for instance, which I would have loved to attend, but could imagine would leave me floundering. Even card-playing evenings would necessitate too much explanation of rules etc. and probably spoil it for everybody else. What then? I spotted the words “Blues Concert”; up to 20 people could sign up, so I thought I could probably tag along without sticking out like a sore thumb. So at 7pm on a Thursday evening I am at the Cafe L’Agape, La Rochelle road in Niort, seeking a group of people who, as far as I knew, spoke only French and none of whom I would recognise. As I was reconciled to the notion that I had to get out and try new experiences, I was fine with this until my 20 year old daughter (who lives In France) observed by text that this was very brave of me! Only then did it occur to me what was involved and, sure enough, I couldn’t find the others and approached two very surprised groups who had no knowledge of On Va Sortir. I resolved that my best course of action was to get a beer, sit down, and wait until a large group began to form somewhere. After all, being English I was probably by far the first to arrive and yes, a group nearby gradually increased in size and an approach was made. “Yes, we are On Va Sortir, come and join us, take a seat, you are...?” music to my ears! And away we went, a lovely welcome, bottles of Beaujolais Nouveau appeared on the table and I was able to start asking about how the club functioned etc. until the music started. We were right in front of the band, the Blues Fathers, two guitarists and a third bass player who joined them from the audience for most of the set. They were brilliant; almost all the songs, of course, were in English and those of us who recognised the words sang along. The group became 20, on this occasion 4 men and 16 women, of all ages, without exception welcoming and friendly, and some, as they do so willingly in my experience, attempting to speak some English to me. (Probably a sign that my French is not as good as I thought!) What a great start to my association with On Va Sortir!
14 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
Local Photography Workshops Photofocus.info is a thriving photography group with 20 active members. From its origins two years ago, the group has grown into a dynamic club of English speaking enthusiasts who share a passion for photography. Members are largely from the north Deux-Sèvres and Vendée border areas and comprise photographers of a wide range of skills and interests. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month to discuss the monthly themed competitions, exhibitions, workshops and photo-shoots. In between meetings, people stay in touch via the group’s Facebook page, sharing images and exchanging information to help us all become better photographers. The focus of the summer months in 2015 will be the two major exhibitions at Vouvant (21-31 May) and Bressuire Museum (29 May–3 June). Last year’s exhibition at Vouvant attracted hundreds of visitors and proceeds from the sale of high-quality prints were donated to charity. If you’re looking to take your photography to the next level or you simply want to rekindle your hobby in the company of fellow enthusiasts, now is the time to join Photofocus.info. To help you get to know us, we are offering two free workshops to people interested in joining. The portraiture workshop is on Tuesday, 27 January, and the studio lighting and still life workshop is on Tuesday, 3 February. To register your interest, please go to our website and send us your details via the Contact Us page. Photofocus.info offers something for everyone - whether you are just starting out on your photographic journey or already a seasoned amateur with an impressive back catalogue of images. We are a band of enthusiasts who like nothing more than talking about and practicing our art form in a convivial and friendly atmosphere. We look forward to welcoming new members.
www.photofocus.info
A-Z of the Communes in the Deux-Sèvres • •
•
by Sue Burgess
The Roman bridge over the Thouet with its seven arches Le Pont (The bridge). See photo below, © S. Burgess. Situated on the old Roman road linking Poitiers to Nantes, this bridge was the way to cross the Thouet. It dates from the 12th and 13th centuries. It is composed of a series of arches which cross the river and are then prolonged along the banks, presumbaly because of flooding. The entrance to the bridge was widened to allow the passage of traffic in 1928. The bridge suffered quite a lot of damage during the second world war Cébron Lake - nature reserve and water activities centre.
View of Gourgé. Photo: Wikimedia
GOURGÉ The commune of Gourgé is crossed from South to North by one of the tributaries of the Loire, the river Thouet. On the West is the river Cebron, which along with the Raconnière and the Taconnière, forms the Cebron lake to the North-West of Gourgé. The village, which lies on the left bank of the Thouet, is on the crossroads of the D134, D137 and D138, 11 km North East of Parthenay and 11 km to the South West of Airvault. On the North East side, the D121 forms the boundary of the commune. The amateur historian Michel Charron has established that there was a prehistoric, Gallic-Roman and Mérovingian settlement at Gourgé. The first written mention of the Gourgé (Curgiacum) goes back to a charter of 889. Gourgé celebrated 1125 years of existence in 2014. Gourgé has a rich patrimony and there are many things to see. A VOIR / MUST SEE • • • •
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Château d’Orfeuille, a listed historical monument since 1966 The large Hosanna cross in the cemetery The Chapel next to the cemetery Logis de la Chaussée, 12th century: The first logis dated from the Medieval period. The logis was rebuilt in the 14th century alongside the road from Gourgé to Thenezay. This was an ancient Roman road and it is the road that gives its name to the château A mill on the Thouet, near the bridge. The mill was worked until 1966. See below (Photo © S. Burgess)
•
There are several fords where the river can be crossed around Gourgé. The fords of Flais (or Fleix) and Rochemenue for example The Bishop’s Hammer and the Church of Saint Hilaire. Saint Hilaire Church dating from the 12th and 13th centuries. According to a legend, in the 4th century the Count of Poitiers offered Saint Hilaire, the bishop, a hammer and promised to build a church where the hammer fell. Thus the count had the church at Gourgé built and a road - le Chemin de St-Hilaire - (the Roman road from Nantes to Poitiers) The church, which we can see today, was built later between the 9th and 10th centuries. It is one of the oldest churches in France Many changes have been made to the church over the years so its appearance is very different now. A romanesque nave and square bell tower were added in the 12th century. Then the church was set fire to during the wars of religion and altered again. More recently, during the 19th century, two side aisles were added to the transept to give it a cross shape, and a door was opened in the west façade. The interior of the church is particularly colourful with a stained glass window representing Saint Hilaire
The communal museum situated behind the presbytery is open in summer. The buildings around the courtyard contain agricultural equipment from the 18th and 19th centuries.
More A-Z of the Communes of Deux-Sèvres next month... •
The 15th century Fresne Pigeon loft The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 15
Health, Beauty & Fitness Artfully Coloured for 2015 Moving into a new year is a great time to re-think your current look. Whilst many will be happy with their hair, this is a great time of year to try something new! A fantastic hair colour can boost a look dramatically and can do wonders for morale. Simply upgrading your existing cut/colour can take your hair to a new level. Blonde, brunette or red hair - everyone has highlights and shades that can be worked with to create glossy, healthy looking hair. Innovative highlights can be edgy or natural, but what they will never be is boring. Silver hair looks fabulous with a hint of blue or violet and will lift the complexion. Colour work adds another dimension to your cut. Highlights add depth and movement and avoids that ‘flat’ look, and colour always keeps hair looking fresh and younger. Cuts for the coming year include the Angular Bob and the Pixie Cut with short hair being right on trend. It’s stylish, fun, low maintenance and just as versatile as longer hair. Tousled short hair can be worked many ways and can create a much younger looking, fresher cut with movement and texture.
The superfood ...KALE The dark green (sometimes purple-leafed) vegetable, Kale, is of the brocolli and cauliflower family (Brassica oleracea species) and is one of the healthiest vegetables to add into your diet this winter.
Having researched it’s properties it shows that just one cup of chopped kale contains 33 calories, 9% of our recommended daily allowance (RDA) of calcium, 206% of vitamin A, 134% of vitamin C, and 684% of vitamin K! Kale also includes high amounts of copper, potassium, iron, manganese, and phosphorus and is a source of two carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin. As with broccoli and other brassicas, kale contains sulforaphane, a chemical with potent anti-cancer properties. With so many antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, this vegetable is the perfect addition to your shopping list to help boost your families immune system. You can simply add Kale into soups, casseroles or to a smoothie, sauté it as a side dish with bacon....or why not make kale pesto? A quick search online will show you many quick and simple ideas. 16 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
Now’s the time to step out of your comfort zone and put yourself in the hands of an expert who will advise, listen and suggest ways of taking your hair to a newer, fresher level. With many years in the hair industry, Michael William understands hair and colour and how to get the best out of it. For 2015 he hopes to create new looks, bolder colours and edgier updates, so now is the time to book that ‘new look’ and take yourselves out of the winter blues and into the new year looking and feeling fabulous. Michael William Park now at Celles sur Belle looking forward to welcoming new and existing clients and wishing you all a very Happy New Year.
Michael William Park Telephone: 05 49 24 52 94 Email: michaelwilliamparkmwp@gmail.com
January’s Birthstones... by Vicki Bassey Garnet For Centuries Garnets had a long symbolism with pomegranates, ancient jewellery pieces being studded with tiny Garnets to resemble pomegranates. It is said to be able to warn of approaching danger and was long ago carried as a protective talisman. Garnets inspire love and devotion and alleviate emotional disharmony and is a stone of commitment. Jewish legends claim that Garnets lit the way for Noah during the great flood. Muslims believe that Garnets illuminate the fourth heaven and Garnet jewellery was also buried with Norsemen to light their passage to Valhalla. The Crusaders set Garnets into their armour believing their power would bring them to safety.
Copy deadline:
There are many types of Garnet but most people associate the name with the small dark red stone, although Garnets range in colour from Champagne to red-orange and pink-orange, mint green and rose colour all from Tanzania.
of the month
There is also colour change Garnet from Madagascar and Tanzania, dark green from Russia, gold and cinnamon colour from Sri Lanka and Africa, light yellow-green from Mali, tangerine from Namibia and red from Mozambique. Garnet is the gemstone for the zodiac sign of Aquarius and are also given on a 2nd anniversary.
We’d love to hear your feedback... What would you like to see in future issues?
Follow Vicky on Facebook at www.facebook.com/victoriabasseyjewellery
Email: info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 17
Our Furry Friends PEPITO !
O
ur repertoire of animals expanded when Pepito, a billy goat, came to stay. Pepito had been raised on a goat cheese farm where he worked as a stud. Unfortunately, at the ripe old age of six, he had to make way for a younger replacement. However, instead of a gold watch and a pension, Pepito’s retirement package consisted of a trip to the abattoir.
Fate intervened on his behalf in the form of Elie, a visitor taking a guided tour of the farm. Once she learnt what the future held for him, she asked his owners if she could save him. When they agreed, she quickly made plans and a two part solution was found. His permanent home would be with a family who had other goats, so they could only take him once he was no longer fertile. In the meantime he would stay with us. The big day arrived and Elie turned up in her van with Pepito. Once she let him out we were impressed by the size of his bladder as he relieved himself at great length after his two hour journey. Amazingly, although this was his first ever journey in a vehicle, he didn’t do any of his business in the van. We were somewhat less impressed by his odour. Strong doesn’t do it justice: it’s also “sticky”. Once you touched him the odour stayed on your hands and then was also transferred to whatever you touched. Pepito was easily lead to his new accommodation in our garden. It must have been quite a big change for him as until then he had only known the pens at the farm. In fact, he was so unused to nature that it took a few days before he began to eat any vegetation, his previous diet consisting almost entirely of hay and concentrate.
by Nigel Franks, NALA
I had a wince-inducing front-seat view and you can be thankful that I’m sparing you the gory details. Once the operation was over, we waited for Pepito to wake up. And we waited, and we waited and then... he stopped breathing. Aghast, we waited for the vet to do something, then, after a few very long seconds, Pepito finally took another breath. Phew! Then he stopped breathing again. The vet reached into Pepito’s mouth and pulled his tongue out and Pepito took another breath. Apparently pulling the tongue stimulates the breathing reflex. For the next 45 minutes or so we all watched on tenterhooks for Pepito’s breathing to become regular. There was no antidote to the anaesthetic, so it was a question of waiting for him to metabolise it. Eventually the vet declared that he was satisfied that Pepito’s breathing had stabilised, so he packed up and left. No sooner had he disappeared down the lane, then Pepito stopped breathing again and didn’t start no matter what we tried. A brief panic ensued when I discovered that I didn’t have the vet’s number on my mobile, so I dashed back to the house and called the surgery. Luckily, whilst I was making the call, Pepito had started breathing again. A few minutes later the vet returned and gave an injection of something to stimulate the breathing. Soon after, the anaesthetic wore off sufficiently for Pepito to unconcernedly get to his feet, totally unaware of the nervous wrecks surrounding him. A couple of weeks passed, during which Pepito found gainful employment, once he had discovered the joys of eating weeds and brambles and then he went off to his permanent home. As a precaution, he was kept separate from the young ladies for a little while just to ensure that he couldn’t impregnate them. He’s now living amongst them and enjoying a life in nature rather than a muddy pen.
After a few days the vet came round to carry out the castration... and so began one of the most fraught experiences of our lives. This was the first time that the vet had operated on a goat, so he had to estimate Pepito’s weight for the dose of anaesthetic. He definitely didn’t underestimate because Pepito went under quite rapidly, so he quickly got stuck into the operation. As I was directing the light
Refuge SPA de SAINTES route des GAUTHIERS, 17100 SAINTES Tel: 05 46 93 47 65 www.spa.de.saintes.free.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
18 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
ECOLE DU CHAT LIBRE DE POITIERS 1 Place de Fontevrault 86000 POITIERS 05.49.01.39.25 (answerphone) Ecoleduchat.poitiers.free.fr Facebook: ecole-du-chat-libre-de-Poitiers ecoleduchatpoitiers.forumactif.org
Milly, Molly, Daisy and George are JETRO is a male 10-month
old Anglo Hound, weighing approx. 15kgs - so he’s not going to be a huge dog. He is a very friendly and affectionate lad. Good with other dogs, male and female, and with cats, he loves being with children and is fine with strangers too. Non-aggressive and non-barking, JETRO is calm if he’s with other calm dogs, but if in the company of an excitable pal - he will join in! Lively and playful, a safe and secure garden will be necessary. JETRO is house and crate trained, knows his basic commands including recall and walks well on his lead. He is good in the car, if crated or restrained, and settles down quietly. Being a young Hound dog, JETRO needs plenty of exercise, activity and stimulation otherwise he can become bored and destructive - so something to be aware of and managed. JETRO is microchipped, neutered, vaccinated and has been treated for worms, fleas and ticks. An adoption fee of 140€ will be asked for towards his veterinary costs to date and Orfée will conduct a home visit prior to adoption. For more information about JETRO please contact MARY - 0549506941 - OrfeeInEnglish2@gmail.com CAROLINE - 0545960279 - OrfeeInEnglish3@gmail.com www.OrfeeInEnglish.com www.facebook.com/OrfeeInEnglish
looking for a home.
These four kittens were left in a bread oven and are looking for new homes having been taken in by their lovely foster mum. They are five weeks old so have not yet had first vaccinations. A contribution will be asked for towards their eventual vaccination and chip. Call 05 45 65 30 70 for further information.
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 Charity Shop
The Hope charity shop will be open on Wednesday, 4th February 2015, 10am-4pm, for donations and browsers, and there will be tea and cake. It will also be open the first Saturday of every month, commencing 7th February 2015, 10am-4pm, with lots of lovely new things including books, bric-a-brac, pre-loved clothes, hand-crafted cards and there’s always tea and home-made cake on offer. Find us at Route 66, Avenue de la Liberation, 87320 Bussiere Poitevine. He needs lots of a love and a secure garden.
Phoenix dog BRADLEY needs a home. BRADLEY is an 8 year-old Male Fauve de Bretagne Cross who just loves his new life at Phoenix since we rescued him from the pound. He’s a happy-go-lucky, active boy who is good with people and other dogs and he has showed little interest in cats.
Bradley is chipped, castrated, vaccinated and de-parasited and if you’d like to meet him, please contact Margaret & Gary White on 05 45 30 10 39 or email maggieslap52@hotmail. com More photos of Bradley can be found at our website, or find him on our Facebook page PhoenixAssociationFrance.
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 19
Home & Garden
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
20 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
THE AMATEUR GARDENER
by Vanda Lawrence
If your lawn edges need repairing, this is the time to do it and don’t forget to finish digging over any vacant plots in the vegetable garden to stop the weeds getting a hold. Check stakes, ties, fleeces and other garden supports - any high winds will loosen these. Lastly, oil the locks and padlocks on the garden shed - I’d hate to think you weren’t able to get inside for your garden equipment in the Spring
Hedgehog © Wikimedia
Heucheras©Wikimedia Commons/Andy Mabbett
B
y the time you read this Christmas will be over and the New Year celebrations too! Where does the time go? I send you my very best wishes for 2015 - health and happiness to all.
We have recently come back from a visit to the UK and while we were there made the usual visits to garden centres (well, it’s rude not to!). On one occasion there was a stand for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). I didn’t realise when or why this society was founded - did you? Apparently, it was originally the ‘Plumage League’ founded in 1889 by Emily Williamson at her home in Didsbury, Manchester. She started it as a protest group campaigning against the use of Great Crested Grebe feathers being used as fashion accessories for hats and clothing; as we know, the fashion at that time was for women to wear exotic feathers in their hats. Ostrich feathers were acceptable because the birds were not killed in order to take their feathers. These days the RSPB maintains over 200 reserves in the UK. What’s the old saying - from tiny acorns giant oak trees grow? Since coming back home to France we have visited more garden centres (yes, I know, the excitement will be too much for me!) and this time I have seen something else which might interest you all. A lovely pot filled tightly with different varieties of Heucheras. It doesn’t sound much, does it?, but it really was very effective because all the varieties were different and all with different coloured foliage. Well worth remembering. I think I might do this myself.
Commons/Tony Wills
Last month I asked you to remember our feathered friends but also asked you to be aware of hedgehogs which might be overwintering/hibernating in your garden. Since then I’ve done a bit of research, and here is what I have come up with: Hedgehogs - the name derives from middle-English ‘hegge’ (hedge) and ‘hogge’ (hog, because of it’s pig-like snout). The collective name for a group of hedgehogs is a ‘prickle’. There are 17 species of hedgehogs. They are mostly nocturnal but can also hibernate if necessary - this depends on particular species, temperature and availability of food. They eat insects, snails, frogs, toads, snakes, bird’s eggs, mushrooms and berries. Hedgehogs are born blind after 35-58 days gestation. The baby hedgehog quills are beneath the skin at birth, looking like pimples until the mother has cleaned the baby then the quills are released. These quills are their defence mechanism. They are not poisonous but, with about 5-6,000 quills on an average hedgehog, when they roll themselves into a tight ball presenting nothing but sharp spines to a predator, who needs poison? So now, with that picture in your mind, please leave a corner of the garden undisturbed so our little spikey friends can have a restful winter. Bye for now.
So now, down to jobs for January. Here’s hoping we don’t have too much in the way of frosty weather so we can get outside to finish pruning the apple and pear trees. It’s a good time to cut back any shrubs which are getting a bit big for their boots. Also, Wisterias benefit from winter pruning now - cut back to 2 or 3 buds from the main stem. Fruit trees are readily available in garden centres and supermarkets, so you can plant these on dry, warmer days. If we have an icy snap just store them in the dry with straw or similar to protect their roots from the frost. Hardwood cuttings can be taken now - flowering shrubs such as Forsythia and soft fruits eg gooseberries and redcurrants - just dig a small trench, line with sand for drainage and pop them in. Remember to water during the warmer months until they have formed their roots.
Wisteria©Wikimedia Commons/Meneerke Bloem
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 21
Useful French Vocabulary....Home and Garden home..................... bedroom............... kitchen.................. bathroom............. lounge................... decorate............... to paint.................. wardobe............... sliding door............ heating.................. rug.......................... soft furnishings...... curtains.................. blind....................... curtain pole........... wallpaper...........
la maison la chambre la cuisine la salle de bains le salon la décorer à peindre la garde-robe la porte coulissante le chauffage le tapis l’ameublement le rideaux le store la tringle à rideaux le fond d’écran
22 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
garden.......................... flowers........................... vegetable garden....... parsnip........................... courgette...................... tomatoe......................... to dig.............................. to weed......................... a weed.......................... a seed............................ to sow seeds.................. slug................................. snail................................. worm............................... compost......................... soil...................................
le jardin fleurs le jardin potager la panais la courgette la tomate à creuser désherber la mauvaise herbe la graine de semer des graines la limace l’escargot le ver le compost le sol
Take a Break DSM Easy Crossword Across:
8. Consent to (5) 9. Container for writing liquid (7) 10. Accounts inspector (7) 11. Summarise briefly (5) 12. Temporary accommodation (8) 13. 365 days (4) 15. Rapid (4) 17. Confection on a stick (8) 21. A mountainous republic in South Eastern Asia (5) 22. Came to rest (7) 24. Move forward (7) 25. The best of a group or class (5)
DSM Toughie Crossword Across: 8. Little irregular army unit in African country is made to pay (7) 9. If gets rolling will collect no sort of lichen (5) 10. Job an eccentric would do for something to play (5) 11. Hide from trouble at herb
garden (7)
12. Prices given are irregular? (4) 13. Puts on a pedestal but dies horribly in damaged silo (8) 16. RSN exchange gives superior feeling after theft (8) 19. Broken seal exposes drinks (4) 22. Impotent queen in fencing arrangement (7) 23. Corner giving different viewpoint? (5) 24. Business paper looking like robbery? (5) 25. Chosen without direction but got in none the less (7)
Down:
1. Statistical information (4) 2. Worn away as by water, ice or wind (6) 3. Sure (7) 4. Fossil fuel drilling platform (6) 5. A female garment (5) 6. Recover or preserve from loss or danger (6) 7. Pompous or pretentious talk (8) 12. This sea vessel is used to do ‘6 down’ (8) 14. Large shallow dish used for serving food (7) 16. Endeavour to achieve (6) 18. Edible marine mollusk (6) 19. Pale; faint or deficient in colour (6) 20. Provoke, mock (5) 23. A prescribed selection of foods (4)
Down: 1. Traitor working over promissory notes is a plant (8) 2. We hear that group are not allowed in? (6) 3. Blocks cut in northern home (5) 4. Put together on little light source that’s gone off (6) 5. Normally America goes before acceptable friend (7) 6. Bashes because he is short and common (6) 7. In the north, tight, but not far (4) 14. Lashes out around us, then puts off for now (8) 15. Avoid old boy by way of a short note (7) 17. Writer in dictionary had first night for the public (6) 18. Smelled strongly of comical squeal given by divided socialist (6) 20. Roman official at one stage over
consumed (6)
21. Real time conversion to be afterwards (5) 22. Sounds like archaeological dig is worth seeing? (4)
Well, what do you know?
With thanks to M.Morris
Monthly quiz by Roland Scott...... how many can you get?
1) Which TV comedian was famous for his failed magic tricks? 2) In Arthurian legend, who is the half-sister of Arthur and, in some versions, the mother of Mondred?
9) Originally broadcast on 7/12/69 and called ‘The Pet Shop Sketch’ featuring John Cleese and Michael Palin, what is it more popularly known as?
3) What, according to an advertising slogan, is Australian for lager?
10) Which jockey won all seven races at Ascot on 28/9/96 and was the first teenager since Lester Piggott to ride 10 winners?
4) Who was writer, director and producer of the ‘Pink Panther’ series of films?
11) Born in Collyhurst, Manchester in 1931, which comedian hosted ‘Blankety Blank’ from 1984 to 1990?
5) Which writer and poet wrote the children’s story ‘Iron Man’ and was the 18th Poet Laureate?
12) And finally, assuming you have 11 correct answers, what is the connection between those answers or parts thereof?
6) Born in Chorley, Lancashire in 1952, who was captain of England’s 1980 Grand Slam winning Rugby Union side?
Find the answers on our website: www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
7) What is the capital of the US state of Nevada? 8) Which two England international cricketers were featured in a series of advertisements for British meat?
Copyright RJS 2014
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 23
2014 ... W
WHAT CA N
hat do you remember of the events that shaped 2014? Here’s your opportunity to find out with the DSM’s 2014 Quiz. Good luck! Answers can be found on The DSM website: www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
SPORT 12th Olympic Winter 1. Which Russian city hosted the Games? to win the 2014 RBS Six 2. Which team beat France 22 – 20 Nations Championship? ager of which English 3. David Moyes was sacked as man Premier League football club? rid to win the 2014 UEFA 4. Which team beat Atletico Mad Champions League? between eight teams, 5. Following sixty cricket matches ier League Twenty20 which team won the Indian Prem Cricket Championship? French Open title? 6. Which tennis player won his 9th place in Brazil from 12 7. Which major sporting event took June - 13 July and who won? n Golf Championship? 8. Which golfer won the British Ope that took place in London 9. What is the name of the Games nded, injured and sick that was contested by over 400 wou rent nations? Servicemen and women from 13 diffe as City Royals 4 Kans the 10. Which US baseball team beat ue Baseball World matches to 3, to win the Major Leag Series? Cup (tennis) for the first 11. Which country won the Davis time? ld title? 12. Who won the Formula One wor
Winter Olympics 2014
Wikimedia Commons/Sergei Kazantsev
24 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
VirusEpidemic
Wikimedia Commons/NIAID
WORLD NEWS 1. On 1 January, which country beca me the 18th member of the Euro zone? 2. What is the name of the virus epid emic that has infected areas of West Africa since February? 3. Which country became the first to legalise euthanasia for terminally ill patients of any age? 4. For most of 2014, which peninsu la was the subject of a territorial dispute between Russia and Ukraine? 5. What was the flight number of the Malaysia Airline Boeing 777 that disappeared on route to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur? 6. The UN International Court of Justice forbade the future grant of permits for Antarctic whaling on which country? 7. On 14 April, an estimated 276 girls and women were abducted and held hostage from a school in whic h country? 8. 238 miners were killed by an und erground explosion and mine fire in which country? 9. Since 5 June, which Sunni milit ant group has carried out an offensive throughout northern Iraq with the aim of overthrowing the Shiite government of Baghdad? 10. Which country voted ‘NO’ in a refe rendum deciding whether or not to stay with the UK? 11. Which British military base in Afgh anistan was handed over to Afghan forces on 26 October? 12. On 12 November, the Rose tta spacecraft’s Philae probe successfully landed on what?
Malaysian Airlines
Wikimedia Commons/russavia
? R E B M E M E R YOU ENTERTAINMENT 86th Academy 1. Which film was awarded Best Picture at the Awards ceremony? – Get Me Out of 2. Who won the 14th series of ‘I’m a Celebrity Here’? 3. Who hosted the Royal Variety Performance? history to have 4. Which British band became the first in US their first four albums debut at number one?
5. Who won ‘Britain’s Got Talent 2014’? is a collaborative 6. ‘Cheek to Cheek’, released in September, le singer? album by Tony Bennett and which American fema Hobbit’? ‘The y 7. What is the name of the third film in the trilog of the Year‘, in 8. Which artist was crowned ‘British Artist Court on 11 the first-ever BBC Music Awards, held at Earls December? ie Smith play 9. In which period drama series does Dame Magg
the character ‘Violet Crawley’? film ‘The Hunger 10. Which actress plays ‘Katniss Everdeen’ in the Games : Mockinjay – Part 1’?
Rosetta spacecraft Wikimedia Commons/DLR
The Hunger Games Wikimedia Commons
PEOPLE 1. Which former Israeli Prime Min ister died on 10 January at the age of 85? 2. Which British labour politician and diarist died on 14 March at the age of 88? 3. On 4 May, Juan Carlos Varela was elected President of which Central American country? 4. Which British Actor, film director and life peer (Baron), died on 24 August at the age of 90? 5. Which American actor, filmmak er, activist and Hollywood heartthrob married Amal Alamudd in in Venice on 27 September? 6. Malalal Yousafzai, who survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban and who is known for her human rights advocacy for the education of women, became the youngest recipient of which award? 7. Which disabled sportsman was sentenced to five years in prison for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp? 8. Which Conservative defector quit the Tories for Ukip and then won the Rochester and Strood by-election? 9. Which English sporting exec utive, politician, newspaper columnist, author and novelist and aide to Lord Sugar in ‘The Apprentice’ TV program was made a Baroness? 10. Which British Billionaire’s amb ition to achieve commercial space travel was put in doubt when the forth test flight broke up in midair killing the test pilot?
Tony Bennett
Wikimedia Commons/TomBeetz
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 25
French Life
The
GOOD LIFE
T
om and Barbara Good have a lot to answer for. The stars of 1970s TV sitcom ‘The Good Life’ were the catalyst for a generation wanting to chuck in their mundane everyday working lives and live off the land. Breeding animals to eat was a big part of that plan and even today - almost 40 years after the Goods were wallowing ankle-deep in mud rounding up pigs many still want to experience that dream. For countless numbers it never happened, but for some it turned out to be the ideal life change. Take David and Lorraine Jones, for example. Back in 2009 they both took early retirement - David was a senior manager at British Airways and Lorraine worked in marketing and communications at the Foreign Office - and moved into Le Logis, near Cours in the Deux-Sèvres.
The Joneses would be the first to admit that back then they knew even less than the Goods. “The plan was to raise our own meat, including pork,” says Lorraine, “But we really didn’t know what we were doing.” Endless hours poring over books and the internet helped, as did the gradual building of a now extensive network of contacts here and in the UK. Visiting agricultural shows home and abroad also helped. But it all began with three little piggies - a Kune-Kune cross, a Berkshire cross and a castrated Gloucestershire Old Spot! “We learned a lot rearing those various dolly mixtures and realised the importance of conserving rare breeds - if we don’t keep (and eat) them they will die out,” says Lorraine. “Also, of course, rare breeds haven’t been messed about with like commercial, highperforming types. They grow slowly, have a different flavour and texture when cooked and they add variety to our everyday lives with their different colours and character traits”. “After much research the Berkshire came out on top for us because of its premium pork quality. We found two Berkshire sows already in France and we imported new bloodlines from Devon and Sussex to boost our herd. It’s taken five years to produce an excellent Berkshire carcass for the local market, i.e. not too much fat, and we’re now looking forward to showing our pork and pigs at this year’s Paris agricultural show.” Things have rapidly moved on from those early hit-and-miss days and now the Joneses have nine breeding sows, each producing a litter of pigs every year. They also have six working boars, three of which are Berkshires from different bloodlines. But it’s not just Berkshires living in the fresh Deux-Sèvres air. There are Middle Whites, Tamworths, Oxford Sandy and Blacks, Gloucestershire Old Spots and recently a pedigree Saddleback gilt (a young female that has not yet had piglets).
26 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
by Mick Austin
Above: Berkshire sow “Maisy” in the field with her litter. Top: Market Stall at Champdeniers. Middle: Pig Experience moving “Neville” our Champion Berkshire boar. Bottom: Oxford Sandy & Black piglet
All the meat pigs are slaughtered at abattoirs and meat for public sale is butchered and packed at the agricultural school in Bressuire, where David has completed a French butchery course to add to his British one. He and Lorraine can be found at Champdeniers and Champeaux markets all year round and Lezay during the summer - where 90% of their customers are French. Most of their British customers visit their farm shop, often buying in bulk. Life is hard work, but David and Lorraine wouldn’t have it any other way. A typical day lasts around 15 hours. Sows are moved to boars, sows are weaned from piglets, new paddocks are arranged and feeding starts at daylight. Feed is blended from wheat, barley and soya and there’s a delivery of whey, from a local goat farm, which is excellent for the young piglets. After the main meal the dessert barrow goes round! Vegetables or, in the winter, tons of beet. Fresh water needs to be constantly available, health checks are regularly made and the pigs are fed again just before dark. It’s a carefully planned operation until a resident decides to escape, which can happen when a sow decides to break through an electric fence and take its little piggies on a visit to the French neighbours!
The Pig Experience
The Good Life works for the Joneses and to help share their passion and knowledge they have created Pig Experience Days for anyone wanting to know about rare breed pigs, how the meat gets to the plate and the essentials of keeping a couple of piglets. Or try a ‘Pig Out’ weekend and sample life as a pig keeper. Learn how to butcher a pig, cure your own bacon and ham, make your own sausages and then take half a pig home with you! Days and weekends are tailored to your needs and there’s one thing you can be sure of - all meals will contain plenty of succulent pork. Unless you’re a vegetarian, of course!
For more information visit www.theperfectpigcompany.com 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.
Our Journey to a
Greener
A
s David and I get ready for our second New Year celebrations in France, like most people we reflect on the year that’s been, and consider what we’d like to do differently in the year ahead. We focused our thoughts primarily on how we’d done against our Green Manifesto: • • •
Encourage bio-diversity Reduce our consumption of plastic and fossil fuels Re-use as much as possible
On the bio-diversity side of things we weren’t doing too badly, gardening as far as possible without chemicals, leaving wild spaces, and planting more pollinators had led to us seeing a wide variety of bees coming into the garden, as well as birds and butterflies. We’re lucky that we live next to a very large lake which is a haven for all sorts of creatures; ducks, herons, buzzards, egrets and a very large population of incredibly noisy mating frogs in the spring! We’d reduced fossil fuel usage by the simple expedient of not having a centrally heated house and using wood as our primary source of heat in winter and we were using much less diesel in the car because we weren’t driving to work any more. So far, not bad! Reduction of plastics was, still is and will continue to be, a big challenge. We want to stop adding to the increasingly large piles
Life
by Louise Read & David Hammond
conditioner, mouthwash, toothpaste) all came in plastic containers as well - so how to reduce? It’s slightly easier in France than in the UK. For example, it is possible to buy a cucumber in a supermarket that’s not wrapped in a plastic sheath and there’s a great selection of fruit and veg that can be bought loose. If you use local markets the stallholders are more than happy for you to have your purchases placed straight in your own shopping bag, without the need for a plastic bag, or in some cases provide paper bags which are much better. Dishwasher tablets can be bought in cardboard boxes, although sadly they do still come individually wrapped in a plastic sachet and neither of us is ready yet for the challenge of making our own. Things like washing up liquid, I now buy in the biggest recyclable containers I can find, and decant into a smaller bottle for everyday use. Similarly for shampoo, conditioner and shower wash - it’s by no means a perfect solution but it does minimise the amount we take for recycling. There’s also the added benefit that it’s considerably cheaper to buy in bulk. Meals made from scratch are also much more plastic-friendly, not to mention tasty and rewarding - flour and sugar come in paper bags (it only takes a couple of weeks for a paper bag to break down), butter is mostly to be found in recyclable wrappers. Eggs are normally stored in cardboard containers and the waxed milk cartons are usually recyclable and tend to breakdown in about three months anyway. Our challenge for 2015 is to cut down by at least 80% our use of cling film. This is probably going to be toughest in the summer when all food needs to be covered against bug invasion. We’re currently trying to remember some of things our grandmothers and mothers used to do to keep food fresh, before cling film pervaded the kitchen and we’ll share our successes and disasters along the way!
Three Egrets
We wish you all a Happy New Year, and hope that you’ll include an environmentally friendly challenge to your list of resolutions this year. We’d also be really pleased to hear about any of your experiences or ideas on how we could reduce the amount of plastic we use, so please get in touch and share your thoughts.
of non-biodegradable plastic rubbish infesting our planet. It takes 450 years for a plastic water bottle to degrade and there are millions already out there, and collectively we add to that total everyday.
Please note that all information related to the time it takes for items to breakdown in the environment come from the U.S. National Park Service, Mote Marine Lab, Sarasota, FL.
Not buying bottled water or other soft drinks has been easy. However, as we looked around our kitchen we realised that just about everything we buy to eat or drink comes wrapped, packed or capped in plastic. It also dawned on us as we look through our weekly shop that the vast majority of our toiletries (shampoo,
For further information please email: louise@etangfourreau.com or visit our website: www.etangfourreau.com. Also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/etangfourreau The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 27
Communications Protecting Your Data - Backing Up your Data and System by Ross Hendry
Say “back-up” to most people and they cringe, fearing complicated computer procedures that they had to do at their businesses. However, for most of us, a back-up simply means copying our important information such as letters and official correspondence and cherished photos, m usic and videos to another medium, such as a USB memory stick or two, or an external hard disk drive. If you are really adventurous, you might choose to back up by uploading (another name for copying, but “up” to the internet or cloud).
or videos. Please purchase a good quality USB stick for this purpose 4GB should be good for documents and contacts, but you may need 8GB or more if you have a large collection of photos and music. The better quality ones such as Sandisk’s Cruzer 16GB cost £10 from Amazon and 64GB version around £18. The faster ones, known as Extreme or Ultra, are a little more expensive but transfer the data far more quickly.
Back Up Frequency
Choosing a medium to copy your data to is a personal choice and depends very much on the volume of information you have, your budget and how you will need access - here are some ideas:
In any event you should copy your information from your computer to one of these solutions at least once a month, more frequently if you are using your PC daily to record or create new files. Daily if you are using your PC for your business.
Online or Cloud Back-up - medium capacity storage
Local Security
Free of charge, it is possible to copy (or upload) your information to the Microsoft’s One Drive system, the 15GigaByte (GB) storage available here should be sufficient for most home users. If you need more space think about keeping you photographs online using Google+ Photos or Picasa. To do this you will need a free Google account and by signing up for this you get another email address and 15GB of storage on the internet known as Google Drive. You may use this to store or back-up your data. The one drawback with this option is you really need high speed internet access to get the best from it, I would not consider it if my speed was less than 2Mbits/sec.
USB Hard Disk Drive - for high volume local storage
Looking at local solutions, you may purchase a USB hard disk drive from around £35 (50€ in France) for a 500GB one (this is probably the size of the average hard disk drive on a modern up-to-date PC) and should enable you to store all of your information more than once. These drives are much more affordable now with 2TB drives available at less than £100.00, but if you are going to rely on this device to keep your data safe, buy the very best quality that you can afford. I prefer Toshiba or Samsung hard drives for reliability.
USB Memory sticks/dongles/thumb drives - low volume local storage If your volume of data is lower, then you may consider purchasing USB memory sticks, and have one for photos, one for documents, email contacts/address books and emails, and one for music and/
28 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
If you choose a local solution, for total peace of mind this should be stored in a safe place and be fire safe. A secure box at a friend or family member’s home could be another option - you might even consider an exchange with a neighbour. A simple cash box would work well as a storgae facility.
Operating System and Programs
How do you get your important programs such as Windows or Microsoft Office back if you have a disk failure? Normally you would have a CD or DVD that was supplied with your computer - alternatively, it may be possible to ‘write’ a CD or DVD if you experience a serious problem. The person charged to assist with the breakdown will be able to help you with this issue when repairing your computer. Finally email, if you use a service like Hotmail/Outlook, Gmail, Yahoo/Ymail or Orange online then you do not need to back-up emails. However if you use Outlook, Outlook Express, Incredimail or Mozilla Thunderbird, then you should also back-up your email, as the chances are that the email service provider is not backing up your emails for you. If you would like further advice on back-ups please contact me and I will do my best to advise you on the optimum solution for your particular situation. My email address is rs.hendry@gmail.com and my other contact information is on my advert below. 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).
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The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 29
File TRANSFERS - A Careful Process The transfer of old films, video & vinyl’s has to be done with a lot of care to get the best results before the analogue to digital process via the computer software takes place.
I hope this information is helpful in the understanding of the transfer process. Care is taken in transferring old films, Videotapes & vinyl’s etc.
The area used has to be as clean as possible and free of dust.
Please contact us with any queries and a price list of all of our facilities.
Old films such as 8mm & 16mm are often brittle due to their age and the way that they have been stored, (not always in the right temperature), so a lot of care has to be taken in the transfer process.
Our advert can be seen below or please email: rjwphoto17@ gmail.com or call 05 46 93 39 24.
Vinyl records are similar, not being stored correctly; they should be stored vertically not laying flat and again in the right temperature, and the same with video tape upright at and about 60 degrees. For a video tape, if it comes from a cold area, you need to let it stand for a while to let it get to room temperature before putting into the machine, otherwise it could stick to the rotating drum where the video heads are.
Useful English Language Numbers... Cancer Support Deux-Sèvres
05 49 64 59 96
French State health insurance advice line
08 11 36 36 46
Elizabeth Finn Care (Grants and advice if in Financial need)
04 68 23 43 79
Orange helpline
09 69 36 39 00
EDF International Customer Service
05 62 16 49 08
CLEISS (Social security advice between countries)
01 45 26 33 41
Funeral Information (AFIF)
01 45 44 90 03 or www.afif.asso.fr
Passport Advice
0044 208 082 4729
30 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
Food & Drink French Village Diaries
I
have found the perfect way to combine my love of food and cycling by taking part in the local Cyclothon.
This Téléthon charity cycle tour of the canton of Chef Boutonne happens every December, so no surprise that it was a fresh start to the day at the 7.30am sign-in at the chateau in Javarzay. The sun was rising, but the thermometer wasn’t set to break six degrees all day so we had sensibly kitted up in many layers of cycle clothes. It was soon apparent that it was more about the conviviality and the hospitality than the cycling and as lots of villages in the canton wanted to host a refreshment stop, it was no surprise to discover that food played a major role, this is France after all. We had only cycled half an hour before we stopped in Loizé, where the coffee they served is up there with my top ten favourites of all time. Not only was it my first of the day, but also it was just what my poor frozen fingers needed to warm them up, and it came with a croissant. Feeling much warmer, our convoy of over fifty cyclists plus marshals on quad bikes set off for Ardilleux, where juice, fruit, cakes and chocolates were waiting. The salle des fêtes in Pioussay was our next stop where hot chocolate and cake were served with a smile and lots of encouragement. The sun was now gently warming us and another half an hour of effort took us to Hanc, where the coffee they served came with a shot of Cognac and slices of brioche. Thankfully it was then an easy downhill run on the back roads into Loubille, where our pre-dinner apero of Kir and savoury nibbles gave us just the push we needed to make it up the hill to Couture d’Argenson for lunch.
by Jacqueline Brown
It was then to Crézières where mulled wine, clementines and biscuits were served in the sun outside the village church. By this point we had eaten and drunk our way around most of the canton, but still had another two scheduled stops for nourishment before rolling back to Javarzay. Not being ones to shirk a challenge we managed to munch our way through the huge selection of snacks on offer in La Bataille and as hot crêpes were served with more mulled wine in Fontenille, it would have been rude to refuse, so we didn’t. Back in Javarzay, feeling we had completed a food marathon rather than a cyclothon, the Maire was waiting alongside a table laid with apero nibbles and fruit juice. Despite being in the saddle from dawn to dusk, excluding refuelling, it was surprising to see we had cycled over 60km as it was great fun and the cycling really hadn’t felt like too much effort.
After much merriment, bowls of hot soup, baguette with rillettes and ham, cheese and red wine, we set off for Aubigné and the first of many afternoon stops. For recipes please contact me: Email: frenchvillagediaries@gmail.com, Website: www.frenchvillagediaries.com or find me on Facebook: thefrenchvillagediaries
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.
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 31
Should it be Red or White with the Sago Worms?
N
o, this is not a missing line from ‘The Hunting of the Snark’ but a serious vinous conundrum. I mean, which way would you go? But I apologise: I’m getting a little ahead of myself. These are the grey days when thoughts turn to beamish beaches where uffish waiters serve you frumious cocktails as you ponder the burning questions of the day: another five minutes on my front then a swim? Addle my brain with Archer or dabble with Dickens? And why is it that sand, which doesn’t budge an inch when you look it straight in the eye, gets absolutely everywhere when you divert your gaze for a second? Yes, we’re all thinking of summer hols. You’ll have a checklist - passport, Piz-Buin, corkscrew, emergency pork scratchings - you are after all a seasoned traveller, but do you think ahead sufficiently? Just because you’re temporarily absent from our bounteous land doesn’t mean you can let standards slip: that way madness lies. Never forget Lord Baden Powell’s key (unaccountably rarely quoted) rule for scouts - “correct wine and food matching, boys, keeps Empire and Soul together”. Thus I segue neatly, if not politically correctly, to India. To paraphrase Madhur Jaffrey, “India is big and has lots of different food”. I was introduced to the idiocy of pairing cold lager with vindaloo by an otherwise kindly tutor of Czech descent. Maybe it was his idea of a joke, but as we know humour doesn’t translate and I almost died of the hiccoughs. Water is worse. Both just swirl the fiery spices around ensuring you get a multiple and eye-swimming hit. A non-scout should go for any milk-based drink – milky tea (chai) or lassi – which coagulates the hot bits and eases them quickly down to where no tastebuds intervene. The wine-loving toggle-wearer will be looking for a non-tannic red, Merlot would be best, or a fruity rosé. For whites, a Gewurztraminer would be worth considering for milder dishes. Thailand, to paraphrase King Bhumibol Adulyadej, “is quite big and has lots of different food”. Here again, lager raises its head. Don’t get me wrong, Singha, Chang, and Leo brands are all fine drops in their own right but are a throwaway and pointless gesture with the incredible palette of flavours you find at, literally, every street corner. You’re looking for something that adds to that palette without losing its own identity. A crisp acidity and characterful aroma, boys! Chenin Blanc would be good, Gewurztraminer (again) too, but maybe best a Riesling from, dare I say it, east of the Rhine. The German Rieslings are less dry than their Alsace cousins and are probably, therefore, to be favoured. I end with the post-apocalyptic scenario where passports and Piz-Buin are no longer required anywhere and rogue bands of Deux Sèvres Monthly readers (the only ones savvy enough to have survived) scavenge for bugs and insects. The new superfood! High protein! (Yes, some of those DSM survivors were in advertising and so continue to contribute to the general good.) But seriously, bugs are on the menu in many a top restaurant. Noma, ‘best’ restaurant in the world, serves beef tartare with ants (not, repeat not, a problem with kitchen
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by John Sherwin
hygiene), and London’s Archipelago has chocolate covered locusts – on the menu that is. So here are your rules of thumb: • Scorpion - strong, bitter flavour = sweetish, fruity rosé or a Pinot Noir • Tarantula - normally deep-fried, fishy = full-bodied Chardonnay • BBQ locusts = sparkling pink • Chocolate-dipped locusts = Coteaux du Layon • Giant waterbugs - body meat like a sweet scallop, head with hints of anise = dry sherry. I’m sure these suggestions will work, but if they don’t, feel free to contact my lawyers, Jubjub and Bandersnatch. Me, I’ll be snacking on sago worms. With a glass of Syrah, if you were wondering.
John Sherwin, French Wine Tours. Tel: 02 51 66 13 05 ~ E: john@french-wine-tours.com www.french-wine-tours.com
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 | 33
,
Start of the New Year – Start of the New Diet!
D
amn those Christmas chocolate tubs - you think you’ll just have the one - well, they’re only small, ok surely one of each wouldn’t harm - and before you know it the tub contains nothing but the wrappers! Then there are the meals out, the family get togethers, and of course the Christmas dinner itself, not to mention all the drinkies!
by Hazel Foster
So, January arrives and those jeans are definitely feeling tighter than they did before and you’re determined (as you were last year), that it’s time to cut back and eat something healthy. The thing is it’s cold out, so a salad won’t do and all you really want is winter comfort food. With this in mind, this month I’ve included some healthy recipes to help you along - a warming Spicy Soup and a tasty Roasted Vegetable Moussaka and as we still need something sweet, a Lemony Yoghurt Cake. Enjoy - and wish me luck with those jeans!
Roasted Vegetable Moussak a – Se
up – Serves 4 Spicy Chickpea Sotasty and you can change
and This is quick, easy suit your taste - so use kidney the ingredients to s instead of or as well as, ch as or cannellini bean other vegetables su chickpeas. Or addtcorn, or use coriander instead of peppers or swee oregano. 1 tbsp olive oil opped 1 medium onion, ch hed us cr c rli ga of 2 cloves 1 carrot, chopped ped 1 celery stick, chop in m cu nd ou gr 2 tsp nder 1 tsp ground coria al and to s or powder (option ke fla illi ch ½ -1 tsp taste) o 1 tsp dried oregan stock 600ml hot vegetable m tomatoes plu 400g can chopped o based helps with a tomat s ay lw (a r ga su 1 tsp sauce or soup) , rinsed and drained 400g can chickpeas en fry the large saucepan, th • Heat the oil incaarrot and celery gently for 5 onion, garlic, quently. mins, stirring fre illi and cook , coriander and ch • Add the cumininu . for another m te gar and atoes, oregano, su m to • Add the stock,s a good grind of black pepper. chickpeas, plu 5 mins. Simmer for 10-1 cheesy g how about serving If you’re not dietinth the soup d bake in the tortilla wedges wi s into triangles an Cut floured tortilla . on se ated chee oven with some gr
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rves 4 1 onion thickly sliced 2 peppers (whatever colour you de-seeded and coarsely choppe like), d 225g courgettes thickly sliced 1 aubergine thickly sliced 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon tomato puree 1 teaspoon dried oregano 400g tin of chopped tomatoes 400g tin of cannellini beans 350g potatoes, peeled and slic ed 300ml milk 2 tablespoons of cornflour 100g natural yoghurt 25g grated parmesan cheese Large tomato sliced • Preheat oven 190˚C/ 375˚F • Line a baking sheet with bak ing parchment. In a bowl tos onion, courgette, peppers and s the tomato puree, oregano, salt aubergine with the balsamic vinegar, and pepper. • Arrange on baking sheet and tomatoes and beans and put roast for 25 mins. Stir in the tinned it all into an ovenproof dish. • Whilst the veg is roasting coo k until tender, and drain. Arrang your potato slices in salted water e the potato slices on top of roasted veg. the • Stir 3 tablespoons of the mil k into the cornflour to make in a bowl. Bring the remaining a paste cornflour. Stir well then return milk to the boil and pour over to pan and hea t until sauce thickens. Simmer for 2 mins then add yoghurt and parmesan. • Spoon over the potatoes and over the top, return to the ovethen arrange the slices of tomato n for 30 mins until golden and bubbling. If you need something to nibble on why not steer away from the crisps and have some olives instead? At only 68 calories for 20 they’re a much healthier option. Did you know that olives are really good for your liver too?
Hazel Foster ~ Homechef 79 Personal Chef for dinner parties, special occasions and catering services Tel: 05 49 63 29 98 Email: homechef79@gmail.com
Motoring
Dreaming of Hidden Treasure... Happy New Year to Everyone!
A
fter the news, just before Christmas, of a big barn find of rare cars near Niort, it got me thinking about what car I would be really excited to find in my barn.
The irony of this is that when we bought our house back in 2002, there were actually two cars in the barn. Unfortunately, but rather amusingly, they were two Sans Permis! They did serve a kind of purpose however, as Chris and my brother- in-law used various pumps and parts from them to make an outdoor shower that first summer, as we had no water into the house. They are now well buried under a massive pile of building rubble up in the top corner of the field. No multi-million pound haul for us. In contrast the Baillon collection of 60 cars, including the “missing” Ferrari 250 GT Spyder California SWB, one of 36 ever made, is estimated to be worth at least 12 million. For anyone interested, the collection will be sold at the Retromobile show in Paris on 6th February 2015. Anyway, I asked Chris what his ultimate barn find would be, already guessing his answer. A Type 35 Bugatti. I mean, any Type 35 would do, I don’t think he is too fussy, but a 35C would be the best. Bugatti’s are famous for their beauty, and exquisite precise construction along with their excellent racing pedigree. It was a Bugatti car that won the first ever Monaco Grand Prix. The most successful racing model was the Type 35, which won over 1,000 races in its time, averaging 14 wins per week at the height of its success. The Type 35 was introduced in 1924 when it was campaigned at the Grand Prix de Lyon. Various derivatives of the model were made, but the 35C was unique in the fact that it featured a supercharger, giving an output of nearly 128hp. Incredible for the 1920’s. A 35C won the French Grand Prix in 1928 and 1930, and only 50 examples of the 35C left the factory! Today they command big money and are very, very rare. So, that would be nice to find.
by Helen Tait-Wright
For me, there are two quite different cars I would like to find. The first would be my favourite 1980’s rally car, the Opel Manta 400. Any rally fan from the Group B era will remember the Opel Manta 400 as one of the best tarmac rally cars of its time, with particular success in the European championships, and will probably recognise the yellow red and blue ‘Andrews Heat for Hire’ car which won the British Rally Championship in 1985 with Russell Brookes at the wheel. In France, Guy Frequelin (Director of Citroen Motorsport 1989 2008) became the French Rally Champion in a Manta in 1983 and a special edition Manta was produced in his honour. Genuine works cars are very rare and valuable, and to find one would be very exciting for a confirmed Manta nut such as myself. The second car would be a Porsche 356. There is actually one of these in the Baillon collection. Film fans will know which car I mean if I say it was Kelly McGillis’s car in Top Gun. That is probably where I first became aware of the car, and have lusted after one ever since. The ancestor of the 911, the Porsche 356, introduced in 1950, put this renowned German automaker on the sports-car map. It was a lightweight and nimble handling rear-engine, rear-wheeldrive, 2 door sports car available in hardtop and convertible configurations. Design innovations continued during the years of manufacture, contributing to its motorsports success and popularity. By the time production finished in 1965, approximately 76,000 had been produced, of which it is estimated approximately half remain, and they are still extremely desirable. And very, very pretty! While neither of my choices would be worth the sort of money of the Bugatti, they would bring a massive smile to my face! Ah well, we can all dream !!! Contact Helen via email at: helen@stodel.org
Photos: derwhites356literature.com & pixabay.com
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Building & Renovation
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 37
Siret: 533 313 508 00012
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PLUMBING TOP TIPS In the freezing cold Winter months, if you are leaving your house for any length of time, remember to turn the water off before your water meter and drain down. A burst water pipe will be the last thing you’ll want to come home to and your insurance might not cover you if the house was left unoccupied over a specified period. (Note: your heating can be left on with the water turned off). Derek Marriott Plombier et Chauffagiste Tel: 09 61 40 44 60
Small B/W Advert
only 32€
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 The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 39
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Business & Finance Changes to the Inheritance Law in France
I
t seems to me that this is the most talked about subject amongst expats. Unfortunately, this is why you will hear or have heard so many different stories, but, unless you hear from a professional, don’t trust it!
Although the change of law is good news, it’s not all plain sailing as French taxes still apply. Here I look at implications and solutions.
17th August 2015
Most of you must have heard that from the 17th August 2015 you will be able to choose the law of your native European country with regard to inheritance law. It basically means that you will not be subject anymore to the minimum percentage you are obliged to give to your children (if you have any). If you don’t have any children, it does not change anything. As under French law, you can then give to whoever you want (for that, you simply need to make a Will). In order to be entitled to this change, you need to make a Will in France or in your native country (if your country has accepted it UK, Ireland and Denmark have not accepted this law) stating that you want to adopt your native law, as you are not a French citizen. You can make this Will now but it will only be applicable if you die after the 17th August 2015. The UK has not accepted it because they don’t need to, as in the UK, you give to whoever you want anyway. So, British people need to go and see a French notaire and make a Will stating the 17th of August law. Most notaires know exactly what you are talking about and have already drafted some Wills including this change.
French Tax
Assets involved: If you are a French resident (more than 6 months per year in France) all your assets in France and all your movable assets worldwide are subject to French inheritance tax. That means that your savings in the UK are subject to French tax but if you have a property in the UK, it will be subject to UK inheritance law and tax. If you have a holiday home in France, then only your house in France will come under French tax and your bank account in France will be subject to UK law and tax. In France, your estate is comprised of assets minus your debt. It is the job of the notaire to ascertain your estate and check any outstanding debts. It is possible to inherit debts! Children/Parents Brothers/Sisters Nephews/Nieces Others
Allowance 100,000 15,932 7,967 1,594
Tax/Death duties 5-20%
35-45% 55% 60%
Taxes
Here comes the worst bit. Please note that the changes that will be applied in 2015 will NOT change this.
Examples: 1. You are married with two children, your house is worth 250,000€ and your savings 100,000€. You have made a Will and when you die, everything goes to your wife and then your children. Your wife has no tax to pay but when your wife eventually dies, your children will inherit 175,000€ each. The allowance is 100,000€ each so they will have to pay 75,000 x 20% = 15,000€ tax each. 2. You have no children and decide to leave your assets to your two nephews. They are entitled to 7,967€ each, tax free, and have to pay 55% tax on everything above this amount.
Solutions
Donation. A good way to avoid the tax/death duties is to donate your assets to your children while you are still alive. You can give as much as the allowance (100,000€ per child) every 15 years and once you have made the donation you can’t die for 15 years! You can give the Nue propriete to your children and keep the usufruit which enables you to give more, as the value of the nue propriete is a % of the value of the assets you donate. It’s a bit complicated, so contact me. Assurance Vie. This is the most popular solution amongst French people to avoid tax in regards to the savings. This is a normal investment composed of secure earnings (around 2.5%), shares or bonds but it has the option of being able to name beneficiaries of your choice. For the money you invest before you are 70 years old, the allowance is 152,500€ per beneficiaries (on top of the allowances given by French tax) and the beneficiaries will only pay 20% tax on what is above 152,500. Otherwise, the allowance is 30,500€ for all the money you put in after you are 70 years old and what is above is added to the assets inherited. This is a huge tax saving when leaving legacies to unrelated beneficiaries such as friends or step-children who would normally pay 60% tax. It is also quite good if you think your children could be liable to tax as the 100,000€ allowance per child might not be enough. There are also other advantages to this saving in regards to income tax (but that is another subject). Obviously if you are interested in an Assurance vie, contact me as it is my speciality! Phew! I think I have covered most of it. Pretty complicated I know but help is at hand, advice is free with me or any notaire. I can do a study of your situation by simulating your death and calculating the tax, if any, and then we can see what solution is best for you. Don’t hesitate to contact me for any other subjects such as inheritance law, tax, savings, funeral cover or quote on any insurances.
And remember to check out our website where you can find all my previous articles under the ‘Practical Information’ page on the English site: www.bh-assurances.fr. You can also follow us on Twitter @charenteinsure
In the UK, the allowance is for your total assets, here in France, the allowance is for the person that inherits and the amount is depending on their relation to you.
N° Orias 07004255
The good news is that there are NO death duties between spouse, Pacs partners or French registered charities. The bad news is 60% tax between partners (not married or Pacs). So if you have bought a house on Tontine and are not married or Pacs, the survivor of the two will have to pay 60% tax on the half of the house he or she will inherit.
BH Assurances 22 rue Jean Jaures 16700 Ruffec
The same problem will occur if you have children from a previous marriage. With the change of law, you can disinherit your children in order to give everything to your new wife on your death, hoping she will then pass on what is left to your children (from the previous marriage). But as those children are not hers, they will inherit from her with 60% tax.
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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Is Your Wealth Management Designed for you?
T
he term ‘wealth management’ covers many aspects: savings and investments, pensions, tax mitigation, estate planning, asset protection etc. For many of us they are equally important, and across all of them is the desire to protect our wealth. We need to protect the value of our capital and income right through our retirement years. You may also want to pass wealth on to the next generations.
The start of a new year is a good time to review your wealth management to ensure it is designed for optimum wealth preservation, and to suit your personal situation and objectives. When you consider your personal family situation, source of wealth, income needs, short and long-term aims, time horizon, risk appetite etc, your situation is quite unique. You therefore need highly personalised financial planning. The first move to protecting your wealth is to identify the potential threats, so you can take steps to protect against them. These include: high French taxation, frequent changes to tax and pensions legislation, low interest rates, inflation, institutional failure and asset volatility. You then need to seek advice from an experienced, expert wealth manager, who is best placed to deal with all your current and
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by Bradley Warden, Partner, Blevins Franks
future needs. They should take all the time needed to help to get to know you, your needs and objectives, very well. Building up a close, long-term relationship with one advisory firm produces positive results as well as peace of mind. Your adviser should live locally here in north west France, so they fully understand what it is like to live here and cope with the local bureaucracy, and have a deep understanding of the financial planning needs of expatriates and the French tax regime. They should have suitable professional qualifications, and ideally, for British expatriates, the firm should be authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK for providing investment and pension advice. Investment is probably the area where people are most concerned about losing money. All investment, including bank accounts, carries risk. However, portfolios can carry a wide spectrum of risk, depending on the assets held within it, the proportions and the level of diversification. So your portfolio must be based on your personal situation, and your adviser should obtain a clear and objective view of your risk tolerance. The sooner you review your financial planning and set it up with a well-thought out, long-term vision to protect your wealth, the sooner you can put it behind you and get on enjoying 2015 here in this beautiful part of France. Summarised tax information is based upon our understanding of current laws and practices which may change. Individuals should seek personalised advice.
Renting out a UK Property as a by David Hardy French Resident
M
any people who leave the UK to set up home in France will keep their British property, either as an investment or as a ‘toe-hold’, should they eventually return to the UK. The question then arises as to how this UK rental income will be treated for tax when received as a French resident.
UK Tax
French residents are assessed for French income tax on their worldwide income. However, under the UK/France Double Tax Treaty, rental income from a UK property remains subject to income tax in the UK. By registering with HMRC, under the ‘Non-Resident Landlord’ Scheme, basic rate tax at 20% should be deducted from your rental income (net of allowable expenses) by your letting agent. If you have no letting agent, and the rent is over £100 per week, then your tenant should deduct the tax. You are still required, nevertheless, to submit UK tax returns to account for the income. By completing and submitting form NRL1, however, it is possible to apply to have the rental income paid to you without tax deducted at source. If your application is accepted you will receive your rental income gross and will be declared on annual UK tax returns and taxed to the extent it exceeds your UK personal tax allowance. Where the rental income arises from a jointly owned property, then each spouse receives half the income (unless you have formally elected otherwise) and each is eligible for a UK personal tax allowance to offset against the income received. It should be noted, however, that the UK government is currently consulting on whether the personal allowance for non-residents should be restricted.
French tax
UK rental income received also needs to be declared on French tax returns. However, under the Double Tax Treaty, income tax is not paid twice by way of a French tax credit. Whilst the tax credit basically means that your rental income will not be subject to French income tax, ensuring the same income is not taxed twice, UK rental income is still taken into account to determine the rate of tax payable on other income, such as nongovernment UK pension income, which may be pushed into a higher French tax band.
French Social Charges
Since the new Double Tax Treaty came into force in 2010, there has been significant confusion over whether French social charges are payable on UK rental income. Under the ‘tax credit’ system described above, the treaty suggests that the tax credit should include a credit for assessed social charges, as social charges are now specifically defined as a form of French ‘tax’ under Article 2 of the treaty. However, it would seem that some tax offices in France have been incorrectly interpreting the tax credit due and are looking to impose ‘social charges’ on UK rental income. Fortunately, we have seen agreement from local tax authorities that no such taxation should apply, and all those who request reimbursement have received a positive response. However, this message does not seem to have filtered down to all local tax offices! 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. This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal, or other professional advice. We would advise you to seek professional advice before acting on this information.
David Hardy, Siddalls France Tel: 05 56 34 75 51 ~ Email: enquiries@siddalls.net
www.siddalls.fr
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 43
Ask Amanda
Money Transfers
by Sue Cook
“I understand you recently conducted a pension workshop for people living and working in France? Will you be doing another in 2015? ”
Save Money on Your UK Mortgage
If you’ve left Britain and set up home in France you’ll know that it’s not as simple as saying goodbye to friends and family and jumping on the ferry. Most people still have strong ties to the UK many years after making the move. Making regular payments back to the UK, to cover a mortgage and monthly bills on properties back home is a great example, and a common concern amongst expats. Setting up a Direct Debit with your bank is one way of solving the problem, but with a Currencies Direct regular payments plan we could help you save up to 5% on your overseas money transfers. It’s quick and easy to set up, without the long waiting times on the phone and unnecessary fees you’ll get with the bank. We’ll also set you up with an online account that you can access 24/7, to make and track your payments. Then, all you need to do is relax… you can trust us to do the rest!
Repatriate Your Funds out of France the Bright Way
Sending money back to your home country should be a simple process, but all too often it’s not. If you are unprepared, it can turn out to be very expensive and you can end up losing a significant slice of your savings. If you’re moving back to the UK, Currencies Direct could help you make a saving of up to 5% compared to transferring your money with your bank. Better still, we provide a service that is personalised to you. We think it’s important to take the time to understand your situation, and tailor our products and services accordingly. If you are planning to move in a year but you think the exchange rate now looks pretty favourable, you could opt for a forward contract that would secure today’s rate for up to a year. Equally, if you have a rate in mind and you are in no rush to move your funds, we can offer a Rate Watch service - where one of our friendly staff will keep an eye on the market so you don’t have to. They’ll call you when your ideal rate is close to being hit, so you can decide if you’d like to transfer right then and there, or wait a bit longer... Ready? Let’s talk currency.
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In November 2014, I was invited by Micala Wilkins of the ‘Ladies in Business in France’ Facebook group to present a pension workshop to those within the group who have moved to France, who are working here and who wanted to know more about planning for their retirements. Choosing a small venue so that I could focus on the individuals present, we covered the following areas: • • • •
What pension am I likely to receive from the UK when I retire? How is the French state pension calculated? What income will I require when I retire? How can I make up any difference between what I would like to receive and what I can expect to receive?
The delegates all found the information very useful and informative, as you can see from these event testimonials: “It was a really useful meeting, thanks for organising it Amanda Johnson gave us some interesting information and plenty to think about :) ” “It was a great session and certainly gave lots of food for thought!” “An informative session on how, as expats, we can find out what our UK pension entitlement is, how we can maximise our full UK pensions and the steps we can take to get as much of a French pension as possible”
Subject to sufficient interest, I will be happy to conduct more workshops covering pensions, or any other areas of financial planning that readers of this magazine may want. If you email me your name, postcode and area of interest, I will endeavour to arrange local events throughout 2015. 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 recommendations we provide. 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»
Property
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 45
Time For Tea?
by Joanna Leggett
Situated in the heart of the Poitou-Charentes, Sauzé-Vaussais is admirably located. While it may seem slightly off the beaten track, in fact La Rochelle and Poitiers airports are just an hour away and you can drive to Paris in three! And then if the Atlantic beaches or the Poitevin - the famous Green Marshes of this part of France - appeal well they too are all easily reached from here - there’s plenty to keep your family and visitors well entertained! Known locally as Sauzé, this is a pretty little town with some lovely buildings and fountains, a Roman church (well worth visiting), old town centre and clock tower which stands outside the Mairie in the middle of the marketplace. Just outside the town stands an ancient pigeonnier (more a tower than dovecote with an unusual arcaded base); once a stage for the Royal Post, now a popular picnic destination! All the amenities you need are here as well as several bars, restaurants, the necessary supermarket and twice weekly markets. One special attraction is its English teashop - well known for delicious sandwiches, home-made cakes and other such delights ...more tea anyone? Just 5kms from Sauzé, Leggett’s Stephanie Hayward has a very pretty stone house for sale (Ref: 43714) for 194,400€. Ready to move in with no work required, it has been beautifully renovated and comes complete with its own impressive bread oven - used these days to cook pizza. Each of the three bedrooms are ensuite and outside there is a delightful garden, terraced area around the solar heated in-ground pool and, to top it all off, a hot tub! But if you are looking for a property with opportunities to extend and stamp your own personality on, then she also has a character stone three bedroom detached property (Ref: 46522, see photo below) for sale just outside Sauzé. This home offers good size openplan living, a lovely terrace, level gardens and an outbuilding which could provide extra living space and more bedrooms, in addition to the three already upstairs; then there’s the bonus of another open fronted barn! On the market for a very reasonable 162,410€. If all this were not enough already, there are leisure and holiday activities all around the town. A large lake is a boon in the summer - especially for fishing - and tennis, cycling and horse riding are all available too!
Leggett Immobilier is one of the leading estate agents in France. You can access all our local property listings at www.frenchestateagents.com/poitou-charentes-property
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