Annual Subscription Costs: 33,60€ within France, 28,80€ 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.
Welcome! to Issue 65 of
‘The Deux-Sèvres Monthly’ magazine
Hi everyone, Hands up those of you who are bored of the football?! Thank goodness for Wimbledon and the Tour de France (much better!) and then onto the Rio Olympics which I’m looking forward to next month. To get away from all the build up to last month’s referendum, we managed a few days away on the beautiful islands of Oleron and Ré. The cycling was great, nice and flat just as I like it, and we got the best of June’s sunshine! The Phare de Chassiron (lighthouse) pictured in June’s DSM was an interesting visit on one of our many cycle routes. I think Rob preferred the refreshment stops though - he doesn’t like heights! As usual we have a range of articles both regular and new to interest you this month, including a centre pages spread all about dragon and damsel flies. And of course we have our many advertisers, regular and new, offering sales and services should you need them. Please also check out our website www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr where further information can be found. I’m hoping to get out and about this month and visit many of the events taking place. Hopefully the sun will shine and I will see many of you there. Tel: 05 49 70 26 21 Email: info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr Website: www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
à plus, Sarah
Emergency Numbers: 15 SAMU (Medical Advice) 17 Gendarmes (Police) 18 Pompiers (Fire Service)
112 European Emergency 113 Drugs and Alcohol
Contents What’s On 4 Getting Out & About 6 Hobbies 12 Clubs & Associations 14 Our Furry Friends 16 Health, Beauty & Fitness 18 A-Z of the Communes in the Deux-Sèvres 20 Food & Drink 21 Where We Live 26 Take a Break 30 Motoring 31 Communications 32 Home & Garden 34 Building & Renovation 38 Business & Finance 44 Property 49
This Month’s Advertisers
ABORDimmo Ace Pneus (Tyre Fitting) Affordable UK Designs (Kitchens & UPVC Double Glazing) AKE Petit Travaux (Builder) A La Bonne Vie (Restaurant & Auberge) Alan Pearce Plumbing & Heating Amanda Johnson - The Spectrum IFA Group Andrew Longman (Plumbing & Heating) Anne Dessens Vocal Coaching & Singing Lessons ARB French Property Arbrecadabra Tree Surgery Argo Carpentry Assurances Maucourt (GAN) Atelier J.M. Toledo (Rug Repairs & Cleaning) Bayleaf Books (Books in English) BH Assurances / Allianz - Isabelle Want Bill McEvoy (Plumber/Heating Engineer)
49 31 2 41 24 39 48 39 13 51 37 42 31 35 8 46 39
Blevins Franks Financial Management Building & Renovation Services Café Bonbon Camping Courte de Vallée Caniclôture Hidden Fences Carlill-Strover Building Centre Régional <Résistance & Liberté> Chat-eau Cattery Château du Pont Jarno (Garden Centre) Cherry Picker Hire Chris Parsons (Heating, Electrical, Plumbing) Chriss Bassett Construction Christies (English Book Shop & Tea Room) Cindy Mobey (Freelance Writer & Marketing Consultant) CJ Electricité Clean Sweep Chimney Services Creature Comforts (Home Repair Service) C.T. Bois énergie (Firewood, logs, planed boards) Currencies Direct - Sue Cook Darren Lawrence David Cropper (Stump Grinding) David Watkins Chimney Sweep Deb Challacombe (Online counsellor) Derek Marriott Plumbing and Heating Down to Earth Pool Design Eco-tabs Equi Libre Immobilier Conseil Franglais Deliveries Fresco Interiors Futuroscope Gites.co.uk Go Go Bike Hire Hallmark Electronique Haynes Carpentry (U.P.V.C Double Glazing) Helen Booth, deVere France Home2bchic (Interior Design Services) Inter Décor (Tiles & Bathrooms) Irving Location - Digger Hire Irving Location - Septic Tank Installation & Groundworks James Moon Construction Jb Plumbing Jeff’s Metalwork John Purchase - Mobile Mechanic John Snee (Groundworks) John Spray Maçonnerie Keith Banks Pool Services La Deuxième Chance (Annie Sloan Chalk Paint supplier) La Petite Noisette Bar & Restaurant La Vendée Chippy Leggett Immobilier L’Emporium Shop, L’Absie Le Regal’on Bar & Restaurant Mad Hatter’s Kitchen (Restaurant) Mandy Moat Personal Trainer Mark Sabestini Renovation & Construction ML Computers Mogettes et Cie (Deux-Sèvres Gift Shop) Motor Parts Charente M.Page Ladscaping Mutuelles de Poitiers Assurances Needa Hand Services O’Bistrot (Bar & Brasserie) Pamela Irving (Massage & Reflexology) Paul Woods - Agent Commerciale Plan 170 (Professional building plans) Plombier Anglais en France Polar Express (Frozen Food Supplier) Projet Piscine (Swimming Pool solutions) Pure Heart Yoga Retreat Quedubois (windows and doors) Restaurant des Canards Rob Berry Plastering Services Robert Lupton Electrician Ross Hendry (Interface Consulting & Engineering) Sarah Berry Online (Website Design) Sarl Down to Earth Construction (Groundworks and Micro Station Installer) Satellite TV Short Cuts (Mobile Dog Grooming) Simon the Tiler Simply Homes and Gardens Steve Coupland (Property Services) Steve Robin (Plumber) Strictly Roofing Sue Burgess (French Classes & Translation) The English Mechanic & Son - Tony Eyre Val Assist (Translation Services) Yesbays.info (free-ads website) Yoga Vendée Your Local Gardener Zumba Gold Classes
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© Sarah Berry 2016. 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: juillet 2016 - Tirage: 6000 exemplaires. Siret: 515 249 738 00011 ISSN: 2115-4848 TVA: FR 03 515 249 738
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016 | 3
What’s On...
WEEKLY EVENTS: Quizwitch Quiz - every Thursday pm At le Chaudron, 79320 Chantemerle from 8pm. 2.50€ p/p. Monies raised in aid of Cancer Support Deux-Sèvres. Annie Sloan Workshops - every Tuesday & Thursday am Personally trained by Annie Sloan to help you get the best from her paints and products. Please see www.ladeuxiemechance.com
1st July - Concert at Notre-Dame Church in Bressuire At 8.30pm. Polyphonie Sacree by Petrae Canticum of Bressuire, free entry. 2nd July - Vasles Netball Club’s Race Night. All are welcome for a fun night, see P.6 for info 2nd July - Annual Braderie/Vide Grenière In Gençay town with entertainment, food etc. from early morning until late afternoon. 2nd-6th July - Young Zulu Warriers European Benefit Tour 3rd July - Concert at Saint-Laurent Church in Parthenay At 6pm. Polyphonie Sacree by Petrae Canticum of Bressuire, free entry. 4th July - Scottish Dancing At Café des Belles Fleurs, 7pm - 9pm. 5th July - Financial surgery with Helen Booth At the Tipsy Bar, Coulonges-sur-l’Autize. See advert on P.46. 6th - 17th July - Photography Exhibition by Fotofocus4fun At Salle d’exposition, Vouvant. See information on P.6. 10th July - CSSG Summer Fair including Keynotes concert From 11am - 4pm at St Pardoux. More details on P.15 10th July - Phoenix Chorale Summer Concert in Lezay Free entry, 5pm in Lezay Church. 14th July - Bastille Day Celebrations At Café Bonbon, La Chapelle aux Lys. More info on advert, P.23. 16th July - Annual Reaction Theatre Summer BBQ At the lake in Secondigny. Contact Reaction Theatre for more information. 16th July - RBL Garden Fete & Barn Dance At 54 Route de Beaulieu, La Cendriniere, Pompaire. 3pm for afternoon tea, games & stalls. 6.30pm Dance. Tickets 10€ from RBL Bookstore or Alan Rowlands 05 49 95 49 59. All welcome. 17th July - RAF Association Hog Roast in Beurlay (17) See info on P.9 18th July - CSSG Race Night A fun night organised by CSSG, at the Foyer Rural, St Pardoux. 23rd-24th July - Magné Painting Festival 25th July - CSSG Quiz in St Pardoux From 7pm in the Foyal Rural - all welcome. 30th July - Le Vanneau Floating Market 31st July - British Day at Maillé port From 11am - 4pm, lots to see and do including live music. See advert on opposite page for details.
What’s Coming Up... 12th, 13th, 14th August - Mad Hatters Wonderland Festival 3 day event full of music, entertainment and food. See P.7 for details. 4th September - Fun Dog Show, St Pardoux See advert on P.7 28th September - Book & Coffee Afternoon at Mauzé Thouarsais
CONTACT
Sarah Berry on 05 49 70 26 21 Monday - Thursday 9am - 1pm & 2pm - 6pm Email: info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
4 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016
July 2016 The Chaplaincy of Christ the Good Shepherd, Poitou-Charentes, hold English speaking monthly services. 1st Sunday at 10.30am: At St Leger de Martinière. Followed by tea & coffee. • 2nd Sunday at 11am: the home of Ann White, Jassay • 4th Sunday at 11am: the Parish Church at Pompaire 79200 (rue du Baille Ayrault). 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 please take a look at our website www.church-in-france.com or contact us by email: office.goodshepherd@orange.fr •
Further information from the Chaplaincy Office 05 49 97 04 21 or from John & Barbara Matthews 05 49 75 29 71 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 Mike & Eva Willis on 05 17 34 11 50 or 07 82 22 31 15 ALL SAINTS, VENDÉE - Puy de Serre We hold two services each month (+ Sunday school), 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 welcome you to any of our meetings held throughout the month in the Deux-Sèvres and the Vendée. 1st & 3rd Sunday at 11am in St Hilaire de Voust, Vendée and 2nd & 4th Sunday at 11am in two locations: one near Bressuire, DeuxSèvres and the other near Bournezeau, Vendée. Meetings last about an hour and are followed by a time of fellowship & refreshments. Find out more by contacting Chris & Julie Taylor 09 60 49 78 50 or visit: www.therendezvous.fr The English Speaking Church of the Valley of the Loire (ESCOVAL) Meet at the R.C. Church in Arçay every 3rd Sunday at 11.00am. We welcome and embrace all Christians from all denominations and warmly invite you to join us. Following the service, coffee is served, and for those who wish to stay a little longer, we enjoy a light, bring and share lunch. Please see our website for details www.escoval.org
The National Holidays, Religious and Feast Days 2016 Thursday 14th July
National Day (Fête Nationale)
Monday 15th August
Assumption of Mary (Assomption)
Tuesday 1st November Friday 11th November Sunday 25th December
All Saint’s Day (Toussaint) Armistice Day (Armistice) Christmas Day (Noël)
Sunday 2nd October Monday 31st October
Grandfather’s Day (Fête des Grand-pères) Halloween
Dates in blue represent celebration days, not public holidays.
Celebrating our 10th Year! Reel Fish & Chips July
(See our website for venue details)
6th & 20th Etusson 7th La Coudre 8th La Chapelle Thireuil 10th (12-2) St Pardoux 22nd St Martin de Sanzay Tel: 06 04 14 23 94 - www.reelfishandchips.net
Open 6-8.30pm
La Vendée Chippy
LOCAL MARKETS Benet 85490 Lencloître (1st Monday in month) 86140 Tuesdays......... Lezay 79120 Coulonges-sur-l’Autize 79160 Thouars 79100 - and - Bressuire 79300 Wednesdays.... Parthenay 79200 - and - Celles-sur-Belle 79370 Thursdays........ Sauzé-Vaussais 79190 - and - Niort 79000 La Mothe St Héray 79800 Friday............... Thouars 79100 - and - Melle 79500 Saturdays........ Bressuire 79300 - and - Champdeniers 79220 Chef-Boutonne 79110 Airvault 79600 - and - Niort 79000 Saint Maixent-l’École 79400 Fontenay-le-Comte 85200 Sundays............ Coulon 79510 - and - Neuville-de-Poitou 86170 Mondays.........
PLEASE DON’T FORGET TO MENTION ‘THE DSM’ when responding to an article or advert... Thank You
Weds: Bar ‘Auberge le St Vincent’, 85110 St Vincent Sterlanges Thurs: New venue Bar ‘Au Fil de l’eau’, 85200 Mervent Fri: Bar ‘Le Clemenceau’, 85390 Mouilleron-en-Pareds Sat: 1st Saturday of the month, Bar ‘Le Marmiton’, 85120 Antigny
Sun 31 - British Day, Maillé port, 85420. Open 12noon-2.30pm Tel: 02 44 39 16 73 - www.lavendeechippy.com
Top Hat Quiz & Curry
From 7pm
Dates & Venues for JULY:
4th: Limalonges 7th: Chef Boutonne 11th: Theil Rabier 13th: Aigre Tel: 05 45 71 70 91 - more info at www.tophatquizzes.com
Mr T’s Friterie
Open 6.30-9pm
With regular venues at: • • •
Aulnay 17470 (from 6pm) • Beauvais-sur-Matha 17490 • Gourville 16170
St Hilaire de Villefranche 17770
St Jean d’Angély 17400
See www.frying4u2nite.com for details or call 06 02 22 44 74
SPORTING EVENTS THIS MONTH Euro 2016 Final: Wimbledon started: Men’s Singles Final: Ladies Singles Final: Tour de France: Next month... Rio Olympic Games 2016:
Sunday 10th July Monday 27th June. Sunday 10th July Saturday 9th July 2nd July - 24th July 5th - 21st August
Fish 4 Chip + Authentic Indian meals Mondays: Tuesdays: Wednesdays: Thursdays: Fridays:
Bar Tilleuls, Champniers (near Civray) Sauzé-Vaussais (Main square) Chef Boutonne (near Chateau) Sauzé-Vaussais - Evening (Main square) Mansle (car park of Simply Supermarket)
Tel: 06 37 53 56 20 - www.mobilefishandchipsfrance.com The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016 | 5
Getting Out & About
Vasles Netball Club is holding a
Race Night On Saturday, 2nd July at 3, Les Fosses,
CHANTECORPS An evening of fun and laughter in aid of Vasles Netball Club funds.
Doors open 6pm for the first race 7pm Tarifs including welcome drink, bread and cheese: Adults 7€, under 12s 3€
Reserva'ons please: 05 49 94 67 63 or 05 49 95 28 73
Distant Travels As part of the 2016 season of art exhibitions in Vouvant in the Vendée, a group of 10 photographers called fotofocus4fun.com are staging an exhibition of their work from 6 to 17 July. The venue is at Vouvant, Espace Lusignan, Maison des Arts et de la Culture. The varied range of images draws on the photographers’ travels to distant places including India, Australia, Thailand, Vietnam and Africa, presenting a worldview from a very personal perspective. The opening hours are: weekdays from 2pm to 6pm, weekends and Bastille Day 10am to 6pm As keen amateurs, members of fotofocus4fun will be on hand to discuss the images and all things photographic. The venue is spacious and light and, together with the interesting range of high-quality images from around the world, will make it a very worthwhile date for your calendars. All profits from sales will be donated to Cancer Support Deux-Sèvres.
Vietnam © Sally Coppack.
6 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016
Rallying for Charity We are a group of friends from La Chapelle Thireuil; Brad, Sally, Ian and Sue, collectively known as Dumbarton Doodahs. On 22nd July we will be embarking upon a motoring adventure, taking part in the Monte Carlo or Bust Banger rally. The rules are simple, buy a car for less than £300, and drive it from northern France down to Monte Carlo! We have purchased an old Saab for 100€ and we are hoping that with a bit of gaffer tape, a lot of luck and a fair tail-wind behind us, we can get our trusty old banger over the finish line. The challenge is not a time trial; competitors are set various tasks on route for which points Above: The Dumbart are awarded. There tru on Doodahs with sted Rally car. their are fancy dress themes for each of the days, including ‘beachwear’, ‘onesies’ and ‘film stars’, so there is sure to be plenty of laughter along the way. We have recently recruited a new member to our team, an Orangutan, named Doodah, who will be posing for photos along the route and helping us keep our followers updated on Facebook throughout the journey. It will be a hectic 3 days... Day one - the rally begins in Saint Quentin in northern France, and from there we head off to Reims and then on to Dijon. Day two – we drive to Switzerland, skirting Lake Geneva, then on the Grand St Bernard pass, which is said to be one of the most spectacular drives in Europe. If all goes well, we should reach Italy in the afternoon and rest overnight in Turin. Day three – sets out from the Muzeo Nazionale d’ell Automobile and from there, after negotiating some hair-raising mountain turns, we cross into Monaco and hopefully motor our way safely over the finishing line. As part of the challenge, we are fundraising for Cancer Support DeuxSèvres. You can sponsor us by contacting junesearchfield@gmail. com or visit the website www.cancersupportdeuxsevres.com Will the Dumbarton Doodahs make it to Monte Carlo? Follow our progress on Facebook to find out!
Mad Hatter’s Wonderland festival Friday 12, Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 August. If you happened to be taking a drive in the rolling countryside of the Deux-Sèvres you might hear the strains of melodies and beats, you could see jugglers and hula-hoopers, you would certainly see a jolly crowd at this charming micro music festival with some big line bands.
From 5.30pm on both Friday and Saturday it’s entry by ticket only to enjoy the bands playing each night until 1.30am. On Sunday we are open again for BBQ, bar and more music, tickets needed. Camping is available, and also Rent a Tent!
A popular family music festival set in the countryside of Poitou Charente offers a great weekend of music, fun, great food and relaxation. This is a super family festival with amazing bands from France, UK, Belgium and Germany performing Rock, Swing, Ska, Folk, Indie, Hip Hop and more:
TICKET INFORMATION
For more information about this great country party, tickets and band line-up, please see our website www.madhattersfrance.eu or check out our festival Facebook page
* Eddie and the Hotrods * Swingrowers * Mac Abbe and the Zombie Orchestra * Coco and the Butterfields * Ghouls (playing Fri & Sat) * The Rhythm Junks * Black Friday (playing Sat & Sun) * Joel Sarakula * Gad Zukes * All Butter Band * Itch * Martin Lavansch * Martin & Paul
Mad-Hatters-WonderlandFestival-1564602203862508
Evening tickets: Entrance only from 5.30pm: 12€, for all music or with the 3 course buffet, Friday: 28€, Saturday: 30€ includes all music. Camping for the whole weekend, including all music: 50€ per person
During the day from lunchtime to 5.30pm it is free to come and join in - there’s a bar, BBQ serving roast pork rolls, burgers, sausages, etc, tasty vegetarian hotpots, curries and stews, Artisan trade stalls, animation and childrens workshops, balloon sculpture, face painting, juggling, bouncy castle and music!
Photos:©PamelaJaynePhotography
Mad Hatters Kitchen Le Logis, Le Breuillac, 79190 Caunay Tel: 05 49 27 67 29 ~ www.madhattersfrance.eu
SHARE YOUR EV ENTS ! Entries into the What’s On Listing (P.4) are free! (12€ for businesses) + we can add your event to our Facebook page....
Simply email us:
events@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016 | 7
A Gift from Deux-Sèvres The shop, Mogettes et Cie, is located in the centre of Niort near Place de la Brèche. It is the only store in Deux-Sèvres which offers gifts solely related to the department. All food specialities are made by small producers here in Deux-Sèvres and Angelica has a great presence instore. Elisabeth, the shop owner, makes gourmet baskets on demand and tastes all the Angelica products.
But in the Deux-Sèvres, it’s not just the food that is sought after - there are also wonderful crafts. Each piece shown in Mogettes et Cie is created by a local artisan, is unique and is a beautiful gift. You’ll find jewellery (cardboard, ceramics, seeds, stone ...), leather goods manufactured in Niort, candles, paintings, T shirts, soaps ... and much more. There are souvenirs such as magnets, placemats and mugs from 3€. The shop is full of beautiful things to make you love the Deux-Sèvres.
Small B/W advert only 32€ ht
Please visit the website www.mogettesetcie.com or Facebook page for more information. Orders can be delivered. **Please bring this advert with you to receive your free gift.** Valid on purchases of 30€ or more, until 31st August 2016.
19 rue Sainte Marthe, 79000 Niort www.mogettesetcie.com
Annual Subscription Costs: 33,60€ within France, 28,80€ 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.
8 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016 | 9
We are all going on a summer holiday! by Sue Burgess
Les Grandes Vacances the summer holidays are coming. Most primary schools finish for the long summer holidays on 5th July, older children will have finished earlier as classes in secondary schools and high schools often stop once the exams start. La rentrée (back to school) will be on the 1st September. Some students try to get a summer job un boulot d’été/un travail saisonnier for part of the holidays. Some people go on holiday in July les juilletistes and others wait until August les aoûtiens. A lot of places are closed for two or three weeks for the annual holidays fermeture pour congés annuels. It used to be very common for French families to have a holiday home une maison sécondaire/une maison de vacances and lots of children went away to holiday camp les colonies de vacances/ les colos. Nowadays families seem to prefer to send their children to activity centres centres de vacances which mainly just operate during the day. The children return home to sleep although there are sometimes short camps. Some families prefer a seaside holiday les vacances au bord de la mer whilst others prefer the mountains les vacances à la montagne or the countryside les vacances à la campagne. Camping le camping is popular. You can stay in a tent une tente or in a static caravan un mobil-home or a chalet un bungalow/un chalet. There are chambres d’hôtes B&B and hotels les hôtels. You can louer une maison/un gîte rent a house or a gite.
ht ht
You can faire un stage go on a course and learn something new or practise a skill. Children who have been struggling at school might faire un stage de remise à niveau go on a revision course or at least travailler les cahiers de vacances do the holiday workbooks that are available. Whatever families decide to do they will probably se reposer rest and faire la grasse matinée have a lie in, traîner and flaner take it easy, do very little. Bonnes Vacances à tous. Profitez-en. Happy holidays everyone. Make the most of it. Vocabulary / Vocabulaire: une station balnéaire ...................... a seaside resort
le dépaysement ............................... a change of air/routine
une station thermale .................... a spa resort
prendre un coup de soleil .............. to get sunburnt
une station de ski ............................. a ski resort
changer d’air ................................... to travel
une station verte ............................. a country resort
partir avec armes et bagages ......... to take everything you need
la haute saison ................................ high season
Faire route vers ............................... to go towards
la basse saison ................................ low season
Partir à l’aventure ..........................
10 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016
to set off into the unknown
JULY and ‘Les Calendriers Des Mois Romane’ by Howard Needs
P
reparing for this month’s article I see that although I have a recorded number of photos from churches, the variety is poor, with generally a single peasant working, depicted in two or three ochre colours.
For example, Vieux Pouzauges (shown above) has a medallion with a peasant with a wide brimmed hat using a sickle right handed with a baton in his left hand to separate the bunch of wheat stalks that he wants to cut. The position of the sickle and the sheaves in the back ground show that he is cutting high, close to the head of the plant, supports the stalks whilst cutting and then lays them carefully on the ground. The others that I have are similar and so it is to the illustrated manuscripts that I turn to find more about the grain harvest in July. The illustration of the month of July from the calendar of ‘Les Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry’ (1415) (Google it if you want to see it) has in the background the castle of Poitiers. It is very formally styled with white walls in a triangle, slate roofs and pointy towers, a deep blue sky in the background and the Clain flowing round it. The foreground is divided by a stream with polled willows along its banks, to the left there is a field with two peasants harvesting wheat. They are wielding rather large sickles, dressed lightly in the July sun with baton in hand carefully separating the bunch to be cut. The neat rows of cut wheat stalks bear witness to the care that they are taking with their crop. No shaking of the plant as the sickle slices, no random spreading on the ground, neat paths left to walk and work along, preservation of the harvest to the last grain. One sees poppies and cornflowers cut along with the wheat. Both harvesters are wearing broad brimmed hats like the peasant in the Vieux Pouzauges calendar. One is bare footed whilst the other has sturdy foot-ware and carries a whetstone at his waist for sharpening the sickles. These two are working their way round the perimeter of the field one after the other carefully avoiding stepping on the wheat stalks. The other side of the stream shows two peasants – a woman and a man – shearing sheep with simple scissors with the two blades joined by a spring (how do they make the spring steel and weld it to the blades?). The majority of the available arable land was taken up with wheat cultivation right up to the edges of the forests and on hill sides. Bread was a staple for rich and poor alike and do not forget the use of large dense slices of bread as plates even for thick soup. In the course of the centuries there was progress and regression
Photo left: Église Notre-Dame, VieuxPouzauges, Vendée. Above: Église SaintAgen, Brinay, Chere. Below: Église SaintÉtienne, Paulnay, Indre © Howard Needs
in the techniques used in harvesting the grain crop. The sickle changed its shape and in the French books the name changed as each major form emerged. However, I have not found a translation of the terms and will have to describe them. The small sickle was used from the early middle ages onwards. A short wheat spike and stalk was separated, cut and laid out carefully on the ground for later gathering and transport, all this to prevent loss and to make a useful use of all plant parts – good husbandry. This meant cutting a small bunch of stalks at a time in a slicing movement which caused a minimum shaking of the heads and loss of grains. In the course of time a larger sickle came into use requiring more force and necessitating a lower cut so that the stalk cracked and was directly cut. This however resulted in a somewhat later harvest because the stalk needed to be dryer and brittle. There was more grain loss due to shaking and there was spoilage of the straw. Later still, a really weird sickle came into use - the blade was long with a curved end rather like a bill-hook but much larger and slender in construction. The handle was two pieces of wood joined at right angles so lowering the cut and incorporated an arm support to allow a more powerful swing. This allowed a cut closer to the ground and was assisted by a baton with a curved metal portion for holding and separating the stalks and after the cut, laying them neatly on the ground. The scythe was seldom used presumably because it was a two handed device which did not allow the neat gathering of the stalks. And so there was a progression in more work per labourer but with an increased loss (up to 10%) of the harvest. There is a lot more to be said but I have exceeded my word quota.
More next month...
CONTRIBUTIONS... We are always looking for new articles for consideration in future issues. 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, July 2016 | 11
Hobbies More from local writer Alison Morton... Please see back issues of ‘The DSM’ if you would like to see previous articles.
YOUR Book Reviews
Huge thanks go to Patricia Mc Avoy and Beryl Brennan for more great book reviews.
Before you Tap the first Keystroke
I
f you’ve been reading the articles in this column each month, you know that the writing process roughly comprises drafting, revising, editing, proofreading and publishing.
But is there anything else we should think about? Perhaps obvious, but choosing a topic and narrowing it to a length that can be covered in the space allowed is important. Writing a short story of 3,000 words is entirely different from a novel of 90,000 words. Motivation and awareness of your readers are equally important. Why are you writing what you are writing? Who are you writing for? Have you wondered what your ideal reader is likely to read, what their interests are and why they would read your work? Of course, you shouldn’t be constrained in your creativity by trying to please others, but answers to these questions can guide and focus your work before you start. I’ve hammered on about research in this column: on-site visits, finding original or primary historical documents, asking experts and reading round your subject area until your eyes drop out. But writers could go beyond that; interacting with setting or materials and making observations about your experience. And importantly, noticing how vocabulary is used when discussing the topic. For strong writing, you could give particular attention to what you hear, taste, touch, smell and feel. I remember standing mesmerised on the junction of the Roman Via Domitia between Italy and Spain and road north up the Rhone valley; the wheel ruts made over hundreds of years, the countless thousands of soldiers, traders and families who had travelled that piece of road, under the same hot sun, surrounded by the same smells of the garrigue – wild Thyme, Juniper and Artemisia. Organising your work is crucial from the start; you need to check music, photos, websites, interviews, and any other source you use so that you don’t inadvertently plagiarise somebody else’s work. And whether you use lists, notebooks, spreadsheet, a mind map on a large A3 sheet or a diagram made with felt-tips on a whiteboard, you need to gather together the most important elements of your work, whether research, plot twists, character sketches or setting descriptions. And think how you are going to organise your story: by time (one event following another, flashback, telling the story backwards, jumping around different time periods); and by space (domestic, foreign, outer space, a hovel or castle, a council flat or a treasure island). Once you’ve gathered all this together, work out how you are going to omit things. It’s enormously tempting to include all the research you’ve discovered, write lush descriptions, include every tiny piece of a conversation, repeat the same action twice to ensure the reader ‘gets it’. Usually, you wield the word-cutting machete on the first run through after you’ve completed the draft. I don’t bother cutting until then as it can interrupt the flow. But developing the skill to delete the over-writing is a good one to cultivate and something to keep in the back of your head as you write that first draft. Your work will be clearer and tighter as a result. Happy writing! Alison has compiled the articles from this columns into The 5000 Word Writing Buddy, available on Amazon. Her fifth novel, INSURRECTIO, is now out. 12 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016
If you’d like to share a book review with us, please email: info@thedeuxsevresmonthly. fr
‘My Sister’s Keeper’ by Jodi Picoult My Sister’s Keeper was the first Jodi Picoult I read and it has remained my favourite. In it she deals sensitively with a subject which, in lesser hands, could have been a sentimental tearjerker. The novel centres on 13 year old Anna. She has always been aware that she was conceived so that her body could be used to prolong her sister’s life. For this purpose, from birth, she has had to endure many medical procedures. Now her sister needs a transplant and it is assumed that Anna will donate a kidney. It is at this stage that Anna seeks legal aid to give her the right to make decisions regarding her body. As with all Picoult works, the details of the novel have been well researched from the medical and legal aspects to even the making and quenching of fire. To give the reader the full picture and help in the understanding of the situation, Picoult does not use the omnipresent narrator. Instead she gives all the main characters their own chapters to convey their stories. Sara, the mother, once a practicing lawyer, will do anything to keep her sick daughter alive. She cannot understand what Anna is doing and is prepared to oppose her, should it go to court. The father, a firefighter, comes across as being able to see the wider picture and he knows that Sara loves all of her three children. Jesse, the son, left to his own devices since his sister’s illness was diagnosed, is going the route of a delinquent while Anna’s lawyer is not without his personal problems. Anna goes to court. The matter goes before the judge. It is only after he makes his ruling that the full truth emmerges. But the story does not end there. A great read. by Patricia Mc Avoy
‘Hidden’ by Cathy Glass The world today for millions of children – war orphans, street children, migrants lost by their parents, ‘battle of love’ children. How do they cope with the risks life throws at them? ‘Hidden’ follows the true story of one such child who found himself in the UK illegally, fearful of exposure, existing in an underworld most of us never see, slipping through the system, betrayed. It’s a story told by the foster mother who would not give up on him and how he overcame the odds to find his happy ending. by Beryl Brennan
Anne Dessens Vocal Coaching and Singing Lessons. Beginners, itermediate and advance - rock, blues, jazz, folk and pop (French and English)
a Improve your singing voice, sing with better control and gain and build your vocal range. a Learn to have more vocal control and freedom, remove vocal cracks, breaks, or shakiness. a Increase your vocal range so that you can sing higher notes with ease and less strain. a Develop better breathing techniques a Build confidence and eliminate stage fright a Improve Vocal Tone - learn a variety of techniques to get the best tone out of your voice a Increase Your Vocal Range - develop your vocal muscles and range a Improved Vocal Power - learn simple tips and techniques that will allow you to sing with a a
more power and confidence, improve pitch issues, create better tone and have more control while singing. More Precise Vocal Agility - develop more precise vocal agility Develop Your Mixed Voice - sing higher notes with more power, have better vocal tone, sing with less strain and smooth out the transitions in your voice while you sing.
Want to get started? Contact Anne on 06 61 43 92 03 for more information.
MOVIES
by James Luxford
The weather’s getting hotter, but here are a few reasons (besides the air conditioning!) for you to go inside a cinema and watch some movies. BAD NEIGHBOURS 2 (6th July) A sequel to the surprise hit from a couple of years ago sees young parents Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne team up with their old nemesis (an almost constantly topless Zac Efron) when a disruptive sorority moves next door. Despite a likeable cast (including new addition Chloe Grace Moretz, who leads the disruptive college students) it’s a standard Hollywood sequel, retreading a lot of ground with pleasing but unremarkable results. BASTILLE DAY (13th JULY) Everyone’s favourite tough guy, Idris Elba, takes to the streets of Paris as a CIA agent who uses a pickpocket (‘Game of Thrones’ Richard Madden) to uncover a wide-reaching conspiracy. Making the most of the ‘Luther’ star’s charisma, the film doesn’t do too much different from the average cop thriller (kicked-down doors, car chases, you know the drill). However, it has enough action to make sure that things never get dull, and that fans of the cast will go home happy.
Cricket UPDATE.... by Hugh Armitage
Maille C.C. V Saumur C.C. The first Sunday in June and it’s actually warm and sunny. A great day for our first match of the season. Against a strong (and young) Saumur team, the gallant old warriors of Maillé provided stern opposition. Opting to bat first, Maillé were soon down 3 wickets having barely troubled the scorer. Enter the fray Mike Greenwood and Pradeep Chalise. Between them they restored our fortunes to reach over the century mark before also falling to some well aimed slings. Another collapse from our tail-enders and our total stuttered to 139 all out. Saumur’s young Braves faltered in the first few overs but were scoring at a steady rate. A few lusty blows saw them through to 100, but with only a meagre total to chase, their men began to
THE BOSS (20th July) In the five years since her Oscar nominated turn in ‘Bridesmaids’, Melissa McCarthy has become a bona-fide comedy star. In this new comedy she ups the manic energy, playing an abrasive former mogul who has to rebuild her reputation after being arrested for insider trading. No one can match McCarthy for on-screen chuckles, and she puts herself head first into the madness with a character that is both biting and hilarious. It’s just a shame that there isn’t a story that matches her talent, as the plot unfolds in a rather dreary fashion that makes the film unmemorable. THE BFG (20th July) Roald Dahl’s book (B.F.G. Stands for Big Friendly Giant, in case you were wondering) is adapted for the screen by no less than Steven Spielberg. It tells the story of an orphan named Sophie (Ruby Barnhill) who befriends a kindly giant (Mark Rylance) as the pair head off on a magical adventure. The changes to the original story dampen the fun a little bit, giving you the sense that with a little less tinkering this might have been a true classic. However, nonetheless it’s a captivating tale that will be perfect for young and old viewers alike. Release dates are nationwide in France.
fall. It was finally left to their young maiden, Becky, (who is actually a representative of the French Ladies International squad) to deliver the killer blow. The battle lost, it only remained to offer our congratulations and our beer to the victors. Further matches are due to be played, but as I write this, I don’t yet know the outcome... ...we face another young team, Loire C.C and the following weekend we will be hosting a UK touring team for both Saturday and Sunday matches. I’ll keep you updated of our news.
Anyone interested in learning more about the Maillé cricket team, please contact Hugh Armitage on 07 80 05 66 97 or email: hugharmitage@yahoo.co.uk
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016 | 13
Clubs & Associations The Rainbow Association Charity Shop
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-€pe.net or visit www.aafrancesud-ouest.com for details of English-speaking meetings. Melleran Chanteurs – Amateur singing group meeting every Monday 6.45pm in Melleran Salle des Fetes. French & English members, singing in many languages. New voices always welcomed, particularly tenor and bass. For more information contact Maggie Geal 05 49 07 11 69
(previously The Hope Association Shop 87)
Raising Funds for animals in need Open every Wednesday plus the 1st Saturday of each month, 10am-5pm “Route 66”, Rue de la Liberation, 87320 Buissier Poitevine
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 17 34 10 23 or email: gwanshep@gmail.com
TheatriVasles
A vibrant group based in Vasles (79340) offering quality theatre productions. New members always welcome. Contact www.theatrivasles.com, find us on Facebook or email: theatrivasles@gmail.com Get Together is an association for English speakers of all nationalities. We have social gatherings, lunch & wine club, quizzes, walks, group meetings for all manner of hobbies and much more. Contact Membership Secretary Michele Hansford for joining details. Email: michelemhansford@gmail.com Tel. 05 49 64 21 63. THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION LINAZAY, POITOU-CHARENTES BRANCH
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:
Please visit the branch website:
www.rblpoitou-charentes.fr
chezloubigne@aol.com
TTL Photography Group
Local photography group on the Deux-Sèvres/Vendée border. New members always welcome, all levels of expertise and knowledge. We meet every 2nd Tuesday of the month at Pause! L’Absie. Feel free to pop in and join us.
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. Acceuil des Villes Françaises A French association dedicated to welcoming newcomers, from across France & abroad, to their new environment; helping them to integrate, speak French and feel ‘at home’ through social www.avf.asso.fr events and activities. pjhenderson@orange.fr
We are a netball team in Vasles (79340). We meet every Monday 5-6pm at the Salle Omnisports in Vasles for training with our qualified English coach. It’s fun and a great way to keep fit, so come along or contact: susan_beale@hotmail.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.
COME and PRACTICE your FRENCH
with a friendly group of French and English speakers. Each Wednesday at 7.30pm at the Salle des Fêtes, Veluché 79600. Call Christian for more details: 05 49 63 04 78 RAFA provides direct, practical support, comradeship and friendship to all serving and former RAF personnel and their loved ones. Contact RAFA Sud-Ouest France email: rafasof@orange.fr or Tel 05 46 95 38 39. Website Short URL: http://goo.gl/ut80T
Alone in France?
We are a group of people living alone in the L’Absie area who meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 11am for coffee at the Pause! café in L’Absie. Our lunches are at different venues each month. A warm welcome awaits you. More details from Ros 09 67 49 21 44.
I’m Francis. I am 52 years old, French and have been learning English for a few years. I live in Aiffres (nr Niort). I would like to meet with English speaking people near me, to spend a couple of hours per week to speak in French or English. We could both improve our language skills this way. Contact me on francis.gaboriau@bbox.fr or 06 85 92 58 33.
Come KNIT/CROCHET with us every Friday at 3.30pm in the Café des Sports, Chef-Boutonne. Beginners to Experts - all welcome. Contact us via Facebook (Girls that do knitting and crochet) or Melanie on 06 65 17 89 16.
The Phoenix Chorale An English speaking choir. We sing 3 or 4 concerts of seasonal and classical music, often including readings and poetry. Based near Charroux (86), we are always looking for new members. If interested, call 05 45 89 14 84 or 05 49 48 29 68.
Aims to improve the lives of people affected by Cancer in the Deux-Sèvres. Contact June Searchfield on 05 49 64 59 96 or visit www.cancersupportdeuxsevres.com
14 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016
Cancer Support Deux-Sèvres
Combined Services
Support Group (CSSG)
A
by Terri Laverick
s I sit and write this all I can see outside is a curtain of rain. I hope, by the time you get to read it, the sun will have returned. Come on summer, we really need you!
In date order this month we have the Summer Garden Party/Market on the 10th July at Chambord, St Pardoux. Reel Fish and Chips will be serving lunch, Keynotes Choir and 3+1 will be there to entertain you and tea, coffee and cakes will be served all day to keep your strength up for spending money and testing our games of skill. Can you Hook a Duck, get five quoits over the pegs, or even Splat the Rat? Come along and join in the fun, or just have a cuppa and listen to some fantastic music. The fun starts at 11am until 4pm, look out for CSSG signs and balloons to point the way. On 18th July, we are holding a Race Night in the Foyer Rural in St Pardoux, commencing at 7.30pm. We are unable to provide alcohol, but you are welcome to bring your own, along with something to share for the buffet. Tea and coffee will be available. It should be a great night, the Chairman’s Cup and St Pardoux Stakes will be great races, so come along, the more people the better the evening will be. Cost is 2€ per person, plus race stakes, of course. Just turn up and have some fun. Don’t forget, on 25th July at 7pm the CSSG Quiz in the Foyer Rural, St Pardoux, for directions or queries please contact me. Our next meeting will be on 30th July in Café des Belles Fleurs, in Fenioux at 11am, if you would like breakfast beforehand, please contact Joy at the Café a few days in advance. If you would like to join us, or help in any way, please contact me by email: terri.laverick@outlook.com or by telephone on 05 49 64 07 24.
A
by Kate Jouanneau
fter the resignations of Ralph Bramely and Tony Murdoch from the RT committee, we are pleased to announce that two lovely members have been co-opted to make the team complete again. Rosalind Kemplay and Jack Davies are both well known members and we’re sure their contribution will be both helpful and productive. The committee will be having a meeting shortly with the view to re-establishing people’s functions within the committee so that we can bring you the best possible efforts on our behalf. If you have been following the Scottish Dancing scene run by Tony and Maureen Murdoch, you will know the group of jolly dancers has been meeting regulary at the Café des Belles Fleurs, in Fenioux. Tony informs me that they have made good progress with five dances virtually under their belts after only two sessions and another two reels soon to be added to the list. The next session is on Monday 4th July, 7pm – 9pm and if you would like to join you can contact Tony for more details: tonyandmaureen2@wanadoo.fr. Maybe they would be good enough to give us a demonstration at the annual Summer BBQ...? Talking of the Summer BBQ, members and friends are invited to bring a picnic and enjoy an evening of fun, games and singalongs. This merry affair is on Saturday 16th July from 4:30pm onwards at Le Lac in Secondigny. BBQ’s will be available for use and we encourage you to bring any outdoor games/activites (eg. pétanque) for an added touch of fun. KeyNotes also will be gracing us with a selection of songs they have been working on, plus some favourites that everybody can sing along to. Do join us in making this the usual lively social event that members have come to love. Another time to see KeyNotes perform will be at the CSSG’s Garden party held at John & Sue Blair’s home in Saint Pardoux on the 10th July. The band 3 + 1 will be there adding to the atmosphere of this great day out, as well as lots of interesting stalls and people to mingle with. If you’d like more information, or maybe have a stall of your own, please contact John at johnblair@btopenworld.com.
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 54€ per annum will be requested. How to SUBMIT your entry: 1) Complete the short form on ‘Submit Article’ page of our website (under the ‘Content’ menu) or 2) Simply email the details to us:
info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
John can also be called upon for any news on the ArtScene front. Recently the group welcomed Grace McKee, a well know local artist, who spent two weeks demonstrating portrait painting using oil paints. The first week Grace painted a portrait of her husband, Philip, and the second week one of our members, Penny, modeled for group members to have a go themselves under the guidance of Grace. Everyone had a really good time. A new member joined the group and if any of our other readers would like to come along they would be very welcome. There is also a drawing group which meet fortnightly in Fenioux if anyone is interested. For full view of the up and coming art classes please check out the RT website. Well, I’ll sign off now and wish you all a lovely, and hopefully, not too soggy July. If you have any further questions you can visit our website www.reationtheatre.fr or contact me directly. Contact Kate Jouanneau on 06 77 51 55 16 Email: kscks9@hotmail.com
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016 | 15
Our Furry Friends We’re Not in England Anymore..
by Nigel Franks, NALA
I
n England (and Wales) we’re lucky to have the RSPCA which deals with animal neglect and cruelty to animals. They provide wide coverage and have a very good relationship with the authorities who appear to take the issue seriously.
In France the situation is dramatically different. There is no nationwide coverage by the large animal protection organisations and the authorities seem to have a rather lackadaisical approach to the mistreatment of animals. We have discussed dogs being kept on chains in appalling conditions (semi) permanently with the DDPP (formerly known as the Veterinary Services.) Unfortunately, their position is that if the dog is not in immediate danger of dying they won’t take any action. We disagree and feel that prevention of harm is more important. We have been informed of a number of cases, but our success rate is not very impressive. Some cases fall at the first hurdle through a lack of sufficient information. With only limited resources, we have to be sure that the case is worth acting on. For that, an exact address is important: third left after the barn, then right before the house with the blue shutters etc. just isn’t good enough. Pictures/videos are necessary so we can evaluate the situation to tell if it’s illegal or not. If we do establish that it’s illegal, we can’t seize the dog: only the authorities can do that. If the owner is reasonable, then sometimes a visit from the authorities will make him see the error of his ways and either improve the conditions for the dog or allow it to be taken away. If the owner is not reasonable and a mutually acceptable solution is not found, then a whole legal procedure has to be started and that can take years. In one case we were informed of, when contacted, the DDPP told us that that had been working on the case for five years already. Recently we have been involved in two particularly unsatisfying cases. One involved two dogs without proper shelter and access to water, right next to a main road on an area that was a mud patch throughout the winter. Although the DDPP had known about the case for years, they hadn’t taken any action. We pushed them to get the local authorities to talk to the owner and eventually... the dogs disappeared and no one knows what happened to them. In the other, a dog was attached to a tree with a very short chain in an area that flooded. After we got involved we discovered that the person who contacted us had also got two other associations working on the case. Not a good idea... The first association didn’t take any action. We sent a letter suggesting a meeting to try to find a solution. Association number three phoned up the owner and gave him a tongue lashing before getting him to agree to think about giving the dog to them for adoption.
Gemma
a 9 year old Beagle Meet Gemma! Until we took her in, she hadn’t had much of a life. She came into our care in November from the SPA where she had a zero chance of adoption as she was elderly and had a mammary tumour. This has been successfully removed and she is now ready to find her forever home. Gemma needs an owner who will be willing to keep up her contraceptive injections, as she cannot be spayed for safety reasons, and as with all long-eared breeds, her ears will need regular cleaning. She’s also a bit portly, so it’s diet and exercise for her! Gemma is very loving and just wants a lap to lay her head on, but she is a Beagle after all and will require an enclosed garden. She is good with other dogs, travels well in the car and even took a liking to the cat (in the nicest way). Her only fault, if you can call it that, is that she likes to sing for her supper and gets over excited when food or treats are being prepared. She is not a barker, however, though she does give you a noisy welcome (or maybe a telling off) when you come home if you have left her. Gemma is chipped and fully-vaccinated and has been wormed and flea treated. She’s fully house-trained and a really affectionate little character. All she needs now is a kindly soul to love her for ever and she’s hoping it will be you! For more information on Gemma please contact her foster mum Yvonne at yyanderson87@gmail.com or 06 02 38 20 70, dept. 87. www.phoenixasso.com
The result was: no reply to our letter, the owner didn’t phone back the third association and the dog disappeared. We have to change mentalities so that keeping dogs permanently on chains is no longer considered “normal”. So to make more publicity about this issue we have started a petition which can be found on our website: www.nosamislesanimaux.com. Please sign it and share it.
16 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016
Nos Amis Les Animaux 85480 (NALA 85480) Tel: 07 70 31 54 59 Email: nala85480@hotmail.com www.nosamislesanimaux.com
“ Both our cats Treacle
and Flirt have stayed at the Chat-eau and we were able to completely relax on our vacations knowing they were being left in an exceptionally caring and loving environment; it really is home from home! We highly recommend it...
“
Grande Suite, Chat-eau
Photo © Howard Needs
Take a Break - SOLUTIONS Easy Crossword: Across: 8. peach 9. aquatic 10. moldova 11. ideal 12. explicit 13. edit 15. slam 17. improper 21. arrow 22. tremble 24. inferno 25. aries. Down: 1. spam 2. gallop 3. chaotic 4. salami 5. quail 6. attend 7. sculptor 12. ecstatic 14. arsenal 16. adrift 18. meteor 19. public 20. aware 23. east Toughie Crossword: Across: 1. cabin 4. captain 8. coo 9. rumblings 10. pilau 11. literal 13. temperamental 16. pasteur 18. chain 19. anomalous 21. tri 22. evident 23. shrug Down: 1. cockpit 2. blowlamps 3. nurture 4. camel hair coat 5. pilot 6. ann 7. nasal 12. retractor 14. excuses 16. plane 17. evade 20. obi
Well, what do you know?: The connection: Saxophonists 1) (Paul) DESMOND Morris 2) (Johnny) HODGES 3) (Coleman) Jim HAWKINS 4) (Woody) HERMAN’s Hermits 5) (Charlie) Peter PARKER 6) (King) Richard CURTIS 7) (Zoot) Joan SIMS 8) (Ornette) David COLEMAN 9) (Art) PEPPA Pig 10) (Louis) JORDAN 11) (Benny) Get CARTER 12) (Lester) Will YOUNG
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016 | 17
Health, Beauty & Fitness You are NOT a Failure!
D
by Lorraine Wallace
o you start off with good intentions to eat well and exercise but after a week or two, it all falls by the wayside? You’re not alone.
I was inspired to write this following a lecture by author/ speaker Gretchen Rubin, as her theory makes sense when it comes to our behaviours. In talking about why some people are unhappy due to unfulfilled goals, lack of motivation etc, Gretchen explains her framework that helps people to better understand themselves in order to set themselves up to achieve and ultimately create happiness. The framework is simple. There are 4 types of people; Upholders, Questioners, Rebels and Obligors. I’ll briefly describe the first three but the last is what I feel is most appropriate for those who feel like a ‘failure’. Upholders: Respond well to internal and external expectations, ie expectations they make of themselves and that others make of them. They get on with it, juggling it all fairly effortlessly. Questioners: Question all expectations. If it makes sense they’ll do it. They can exhaust themselves with the need to constantly research and answer questions. Rebels: Resist all expectations and do what suits them at the time, most of the time. Obligors: This is where it gets interesting. Obligors cope well with all external demands made of them. They are people pleasers, they make time for everyone else but do not make themselves a priority. And it’s all down to accountability. If they are accountable to someone, they have committed to something or someone, family member, boss, school etc., they will rise to the challenge. But when it comes to prioritising their own needs, they only have themselves to answer to and so they struggle. They cannot achieve their goals. This makes them unhappy with themselves and they consider themselves a failure. IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY! As an obligor you have a multitude of strengths, but you are so busy that you’d rather let yourself down than others. You are unlikely to commit sufficiently to achieving your own goals alone. That doesn’t make you a failure, it simply means you need to find a support system to set you up for success! Realising that it’s not simply about willpower and that you are not a failure can create a huge shift in thinking. Recognising that you simply need someone or something to keep you accountable is very empowering. You could join a gym (accountable due to the money investment), but more likely as a people pleaser, you’d respond well to something more personal. Teaming up with a friend to walk/ cycle/run 3 times a week, or you could hire a health coach like myself or a personal trainer. This is just the tip of the iceberg, as other emotional reasons may be contributing to your lack of success, but for now, I just want you to know that you are not a failure! On my website there is a free extended guide with meal planning sheets to get started. Visit www.lorrainewallace.com/free-stuff/ FB: www.facebook.com/lorrainewallace.hc/
www.lorrainewallace.com Email: lorraine@lorrainewallace.com ~ Tel: 05 55 68 15 77 18 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016
Ian’s Orange Day 4 CANCER RESEARCH
by Caroline Self
Previous articles have touched on the reason why the colour orange has been used for this charity event. But for those who are not familiar with it, it was because my husband, Ian, went to buy a pair of glasses shortly after being diagnosed with Primary Liver Cancer 3 years ago (on his own may I add) and he came home with a bright orange pair on. After that it became his symbol of defiance over the dreaded disease so, on Wednesday 8th June, I held a charity day for Ian who passed away on 15th February this year. I bought 10 orange buckets and they were filled with donated prizes, topped with a handmade teddy bear, most of which had been knitted by either myself or friends and family. Raffle tickets had been distributed to various Bars/Restaurants in the area and along with badges, sales had reached 550€.
DONT FORGET! Deadline:
of the month
There is promise of more donations to be made so I hope it will reach 1,600€. Next year’s charity event is hoped to have a ‘garden theme’ - to be held on the same date, where there will be raffle prizes, plant stalls and a plant exchange and perhaps there may be someone willing to make a wooden planter or two that can also be sold or raffled.
Watch this space.......
Photos of the event, courtesy of Caroline Self.
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On the day itself the sun shone brightly and it was very warm. Many neighbours and friends turned up at 3pm, bought more tickets and then scoffed delicious scones with clotted cream and jam, all washed down with either tea or coffee. There was an auction held first with various items and then the raffle and along with some jewellery which was sold alongside the raffle tickets, a further 1000€ was raised. It was a brilliant effort by all and with the help of great friends the day went very successfully indeed.
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016 | 19
A-Z of the Communes in the Deux-Sèvres MONTALEMBERT
S
by Sue Burgess
ituated in the South East of Deux-Sèvres, Montalembert is at the edge of the Vienne on the East and Charente in the South.
The commune of Montalembert gave its name to the horst of Montalembert. Of tectonic origin, the horst of Montalembert, which is a raised fault block, is oriented according to the granite axis of the Massif Armoricain/Massif Central, that is to say North-West/South-West. The horst of Montalembert is one of the three main structural geological elements of the centre of Poitou. The horst of Montalembert constitutes a remarkable hill which reaches 190m above sea-level at la Coudrée, it is 9km long and 1km wide, with reddish clay soil (used for making tiles).
A voir / Must See • The Old Castle/Le Vieux Château The castle was finished before the end of the Hundred Years war, according to Abbé Gabilly. Montravers must have suffered some terrible moments when Grignon and his troops passed through. After this the château was sold as a national monument to Mr Proust (who also possessed the chateau of St Mesmin).
In 1838 Mr Proust sold the castle to Mr Gouraud (a lawyer). He died young and his widow had a house built near Montravers that she called la Louisière. In order to build the house, she ordered that the castle be destroyed so that she could use the stones to build the house. This was common practice at that time. From 1850 to 2006 the remains of the castle were a house and then an agricultural building before being abandoned.
In 2006 the new owner of the castle began restoration work. First making it safe, clearing and then the reconstruction of the East gable wall. The tower was rebuilt in 2007 and then in 2008 the beams and floors were replaced. The roof was replaced in 2009 and the pointing done. In 2011 archeaological digs found the remains of ancient walls.
•
Le Vieux Deffend The Vieux Deffend (previously known as «Les Deffends») was built at the beginning of the 16th century, there is evidence that an earlier building existed in the same place. In 1363, the Lord of Laval, a title held by Simon de Thouars, owned the seigneury of Deffend. At the end of the 14th century, Oliver de Clisson passed it to Marguerite de Clisson, who became the princess of Penthièvre by her marriage to Jean de Bretagne. Towards 1615, the castle belonged to the Mesnard de Toucheprès family and then to the Pellot de Trevières around 1668.
Built at the centre of a wooded park overlooking the Sèvre Nantaise river valley, the château of Deffend has a panoramic view of the Vendée hills. The château is privately owned and open to the public for visits only at Heritage weekend (Les Journées du Patrimoine, third weekend of September).
MONTRAVERS Montravers is part of the Delta-Sèvre-Argent community of communes. There are 377 inhabitants of the village of Montravers. The population increased by 31% between the last two censuses. The neighbouring towns are Saint-Mesmin, Combrand, La Pommeraiesur-Sèvre and La Petite-Boissière. The nearest large town is Cholet which is 28.23 kilometres to the South West as the crow flies. The commune of Montravers is situated 3km North-West of Cerizay. The commune is separated from the Vendée by the Sèvre Nantaise river. Montravers used to be called Mautravers which meant ‘mauvais passage’ (bad passage or crossing). The name would seem to be appropriate because there have been several ‘bad passages’. The most recent being those of Grignon (officer of the Republican Army) in January 1794 and that of the German troops in August 1944. About a thousand years ago, Hugues de Mautravers left Mautravers to join William the Conqueror and to set off with him to conquer England in 1066. Hugues never came back to France and left numerous descendants in England. One of them was Jean de Mautravers who was possibly the person who assassinated Edward II of England in 1327. It is possible that Hugues gave his name to three communes in the county of Dorset: Langton Matravers, Lytchett Matravers and Worth Matravers. Hugues, having left France, had to renounce his rights there in favour of his nephews. But here in Deux-Sèvres, the Montravers family disappeared at the end of the 14th century with the marriage of Marguerite de Montravers with André Des Meules.
Photos: Le Vieux Château, before and after renovation. © Yannick Loizeau
More A-Z of the Communes of Deux-Sèvres next month... 20 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016
Food & Drink Oh dear!
A
by Jacqueline Brown
t the moment I am feeling a bit like the White Rabbit in Lewis Carroll’s book ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’. I haven’t worn a watch (or waistcoat) for years but I’m often to be heard muttering “Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be too late!” I am naturally a ‘leave it to the last minute’ type of person, no matter how organised I try to be. But so far this year I have surpassed myself in terms of tardiness although it seems I’m not the only one. Long before Facebook and the ‘your memories on this day’ feature appeared, Adrian has had a habit of looking back through the thousands of photos on our computer and pointing out pictures taken in previous years and comparing them to today. He has shown me the evidence that everything seems to be running late this year and not just me. Despite the mild winter, spring was late, summer is certainly late and that has meant the cherries were late ripening and the hollyhocks were late flowering. The courtyard is usually a riot of colour by early June as the tall spires of self-seeded hollyhocks in shades from white to lemon to pale pink to deep red clash and compete for the attention of the bees. This year however, the buds seem reluctant to open and as every warm day seems to have been shared with a strong wind as well, I can’t say I blame them. I didn’t want to cause panic for Adrian’s (non-gardening) parents, by leaving them lots of needy seedlings to care for when we were away at the end of April, so I was late sowing the tomato, courgette and squash seeds for the vegetable garden. Since our return the weather seems to have been reluctant to move on from spring showers to summer sunshine and I have struggled to keep on top of the weeds, which have thrived in the warm and moist conditions. These delays have all conspired to mean I was late planting everything out in the potager, which will of course mean we will not be harvesting or eating our produce until much later than usual. This makes me sad. Thankfully I am now seeing some signs of summer and I couldn’t be happier. Ed has finished his first year at lycée and came home with slightly more than the usual mountain of weekend washing and ironing. But this time there was no need for me to get it all turned around in two days, yippee! My favourite summer restaurant in Les Gours (just over the DeuxSèvres border in the Charente) has opened it’s doors once more and I can look forward to enjoying relaxed, hot evenings with family and friends, eating a five course meal with the best steak frites ever, all for only 13€. The potager is finally looking like it does in the photos I take every year and I will hopefully be tucking into home grown courgettes and tomatoes very soon. www.frenchvillagediaries.com Email: frenchvillagediaries@gmail.com
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016 | 21
When I Grow Up I want my Very Own Cellar
B
less you, of course you do. When cruel reality deprives you of your dream of being a train driver, your rugged features blasted with soot as you push your engine (which you call ‘she’ and stroke when no-one’s looking) to the limit, hurtling through bitter winds and snow, clay pipe between gritted teeth, your hand hovering between accelerator and brake, when you suddenly fall out of bed and crack your head on the chamber pot of life, of course you need an alternative option reality-wise. But what’s a wine cellar for? The simplest and most correct answer is to let a wine be: to put it away in peace and quiet and let it develop its own character and complexity. This idea of ‘ageing’ wine in order to improve it was prevalent in ancient Greece, Rome, and Biblical times – “and no one after drinking old wine desires new, for he says the old is good.” (Luke 5:39.)1 Why should that be? First, you have to have a wine that’s capable of ageing. Not all wines are created equal, in fact most wines are made to be bought and drunk within a couple of years of their vintage. Nothing wrong with that as long as you know and don’t deceive yourself otherwise. But what gives certain particular wines their special characteristic of longevity? For reds, in a word, tannins. These are chemicals present in the skins, pips and stems of grapes. I once had a client who said he didn’t ‘understand’ tannins, as in he couldn’t comprehend what they were or what they did. I told him to steep a couple of teabags in hot water, let it cool, then drink – that’s tannin, the mouth-puckering astringency/bitterness. Doesn’t bode well for a sophisticated soirée where you’re hovering a corkscrew over an expensive red and out to impress the boss, eh? But whoa! Them there tannins, given time, lose their attitude: no longer do they have you reaching for a glass of sugary water, they greet you with mellow fruitfulness, and much besides – plum, liquorice, tobacco, leather, mushroom, undergrowth… if that doesn’t get you the promotion, blame the missus. For whites, you’re looking for youthful acidity which acts as a preservative in much the same way that tannin does for reds. In particular, the best Riesling and Loire Valley Chenin Blanc, being high in acidity, will give the best results after ageing. Dessert wines also, particularly from Sauternes, will appreciate a good lie down (10 to 30 years plus) due to their high sugar content, plus acidity, plus alcohol.
by John Sherwin
Rosés? Forgeddaboutit. Drink young. Or drink when you’re old to stay young.
So let’s say you’ve progressed from box wine to what the Americans call jug wine; thence to buying a couple of bottles of a wine you’ve found ‘interesting’; and so to purchasing a case… then another… and so on. (I think of this as the ascent of Wineman, not in a wine snobby way, God forbid, but it’s just the way it happens.) Then what? Those cases sitting wherever it is you’ve stashed them represent an investment in your future drinking pleasure so you’d better treat them right. What you need is a wine cellar – or, and here’s the point, anything which replicates the conditions of a cellar. A place which is dark (light being the main enemy of wine after too much oxygen), at a reasonably constant temperature (ideally around 13°C), secure, fairly humid (about 75%) with no strong odours or vibrations. A greenhouse without a lock in which curry is on the boil 24/7 next to a motorway running through the Sahara wouldn’t do it. But you have a spare bedroom, right? Or an outhouse – you know, the one you wanted to convert into a home gym but didn’t have the energy? Or an unused cupboard? Once you’ve found such a place, put the cases away, then for goodness’ sake leave them be – like Garbo, they vant to be alone. So you’ve done everything right, but even then you’re not guaranteed that that special bottle will come up trumps. Fine wine, that is to say the kind of wine you’ve been lovingly storing for so long, is a fickle thing. You lay it down in its youth, too tannic if it’s red, too acid if its white, and you let it mature. So far so good. But somewhere along that curve of maturation – often, not always – there occurs a period when the wine for some reason no one really understands goes dumb. Aromas fade, taste lacks complexity. The phrase ‘sullen teenager’ comes to mind. This period can last for a year or two, again no one can foretell. It will snap out of it and come into full maturity, but can you wait that long? Is it, at the end of the day (literally) worth it? We all have just so many breaths, just so many joules of energy allotted to us. They might seem myriad and unending or uncomfortably tight and close to the finishing straight, depending on your age and propensity for optimism or pessimism, but they are all there to be used. Do you use them being kind to others, or do you use them to hoard away bottles the provenance and intrinsic worth of which you are unsure of in order to impress others or (even worse) yourself? Not a rhetorical question, but one which any serious wine-lover, which in my book equates to lifelover, should ask himself. Either way, bless you for reading this far. 1
Thanks to Dot Cotton, Eastenders
John Sherwin, French Wine Tours 07 50 90 02 00 or www.french-wine-tours.com
22 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016 | 23
Don’t Forget! Copy deadline is the 15th of each month
La Vendée Chippy Poisson et frites à l’anglaise
Traditional British Fish & Chips s llowing venue fo e th at ly k e Find us we om 6 - 8.30pm fr
t, e le St Vincelannges Weds: Auberg er St nt St Vince 85110
route de l’eau, 116,85200 Mervent Thurs: Au Filtiqu e, ag e, La Pl touris
Fri:
ceau,
en au, 26 rue Clem Le Clemence ds eron-en-Pare 85390 Mouill
month urday of everyat at S t rs fi e th s On st) find u (except Augu
Sat:
Le Marmiton,arie Melisson, 14 Rue Jean-M 85120 Antigny
port,
Maillé : British Dayno, on - 2.30pm ly Ju 1 3 y a d n 12 Su Maillé. Open 85420,
enquiries@lavendeechippy.com tel: 06 23 49 15 11 / 02 44 39 16 73
www.lavendeechippy.com Numero de Siret: 791 118 540 00016
This Haricot Blanc recipe is perfect if you have beans to use up from the freezer.....it makes a great accompaniment to many dishes. Thank you to Mum’s neighbour, Dany, for this recipe....
How to cook medium-dry haricot blanc from the freezer... • •
Place in a large saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to the boil and after a few minutes take off the heat and rinse with cold water. • Fry off some lardons (and onion if you like), cut a carrot into chunks and then add the beans. Cover with a good amount of cold water and season with salt and pepper. • If cooking in pressure cooker, cook for an hour - or if you are using a covered saucepan, cook for around 2 hours and monitor the cooking. Enjoy your meal.
24 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016
Lazy Days...
CRUNCHY COLESLAW
by Lynda Gee
Ingredients Half a small, firm white cabbage 1 large carrot 1 small to medium onion walnut pieces tablespoon raisins jar mayonnaise dry white wine. hand is nice, but Finely cut or ‘shred’ the vegetables (byproce ssor.) food a gh throu put or , ming time consu rt spoon full desse one Lighten the mayonnaise by mixing coat all the Fully e. nnais mayo of four to wine white of dry well. g mixin ing, dress the vegetables with Just before serving stir in the raisins and walnuts.
M
y July recipes are a light, easy, summer fare that require little effort to prepare, leaving you to enjoy some lazy days in the sun.
CHARENTAISE FROMAGE BLANC A slight twist on the usual way the French serve this lovely summer dessert, using the caramel sauce instead of granulated sugar. Ingredients Large tub of light fromage blanc 1 small-medium charentaise melon small bottle of caramel sauce First of all prepare the melon into balls or small cubes, place a number of these into sundae dishes and coat with a little of the caramel sauce. Mix more of the sauce with the fromage blanc until it is a pale beige colour and has a lovely delicate caramel taste. Spoon over the melon and top with a swirl of the caramel.
BROCHETTES D’ÉTÉ... Ingredients ut ¾ - 1 inch cubes), Diced cooked ham or gammon (abo size (I usually part lar simi into cut s filet st chicken brea cook these first) sausages pack of Creole or ‘boudin noir ’ cocktail atoes. tom ry cher & e appl pine or diced apple and/ bs. Quantities as required for a number of keba cooking, arrange Using long skewers suitable for barbecue one is nice and each until er skew each on ts the ingredien to alternate the full. The order is not important but it’s nice le. etab /veg fruit meat with until the chicken is Lightly brush with olive oil and barbecue cooked through. and home-ma Delicious served with tiny boiled potatoes coleslaw.
de
Lynda is better known as ‘Ginger’s Kitchen’ and provides a full at-home catering service.
Tel: 06 23 00 72 04 ~ Email: gingers.kitchen@orange.fr
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016 | 25
Where We Live...
A look at what makes France so special
Enter the Dragon..
Crottin de Chavignol
The name could be a little more inviting – it means horse droppings – but take heart, this is one of the most famous Loire Valley cheeses and has been produced in the village of Chavignol, near Sancerre, since the 16th Century. There are around 19 million made every year, so it must have something going for it! This unpasteurised goat’s milk cheese, also known as just Chavignol, is unusual in that it can be eaten at various stages of maturity. A fresh, white Crottin weighs about 140g and has a soft white or ivory-coloured pâte (everything within the rind) and at this stage is often eaten clothed in fine herbs. It then has a creamy, nutty, slightly salty taste. After around six weeks of affinage (maturation), the cheese has shrunk and its smell starts to get stronger and its pâte dry and brittle with a meaty texture and robust flavour. This is now a ripe Crottin. After that the cheese continues to mature and the robust taste increases. After four months its weight has shrunk to around 40g and the rind – which through maturation can range from pale ivory to almost black – develops into a rough, hard layer and should be removed by grating. At that stage the taste can be fairly sharp and salty and perhaps a little intimidating to all but the most dedicated. The Crottin is ideal for grilling when just a hint of mould appears, but it is also tasty upon further maturation when a blue-grey mould covers the cheese. Hot Crottin on salad with wine vinegar can make a good starter, accompanied by a white Sancerre. Production can be fermier, artisanal or industriel and affinage (maturation) must take place within Appelation d’Origine Contrôlée specified areas. Frozen curds are allowed in the manufacture of Crottin but then the words fabrication fermière or fromage fermier are forbidden.
Photo above: © La Fromagerie London
26 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016
T
Flying insects can, quite literally, be a real pain. Wasps and bees sting, mosquitoes bite and flies… well, they do just about anything disgusting. But there’s something quite magical about dragonflies.
ake a walk along a river bank, or just relax beside a lake or even a garden pond on a warm, sunny day and you’re almost certain to be rewarded with the spectacular sight of a dragonfly or damselfly. These amazing insects have a long history and modern species are almost identical to ancestors that flew over prehistoric forests some 300 million years ago. Some were real giants, with wingspans of up to 70cm! Today’s species are tiny by comparison, but are still large and spectacular enough to capture the attention. Riveting to watch, their iridescent bodies and acrobatic skills provide a fascinating spectacle. Of all the aquatic insects, dragonflies and damselflies are surely the best known. A few are instantly recognisable, but there are 100 or so species in France and some of them are now very rare. Often referred to collectively as just ‘dragonflies’, damselflies (Zygoptera)
and dragonflies (Anisoptera) are two distinct groups of the insect order known as Odonata, meaning ‘toothed jaws’. At first glance they seem very similar – delicate wings, long body and big eyes – but on closer inspection a few key characteristics will help you tell them apart. Dragonflies are generally larger than damselflies, are stronger fliers and can often be found well away from water. Their hind wings are usually shorter and wider than the front wings and at rest the wings are held open, much like an aeroplane. They have large eyes – occupying most of the head – that are very close together, often touching. Damselflies are small, delicate-looking with a weak flight and often stay close to water. Their hind wings and front wings are roughly the same size and shape and at rest they are held closed along the body (except for the Emerald damselfly, which holds its wings half open). The eyes are always separated, never touching, and positioned on
by Mick Austin
.
Golden-ringed dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii)
Photo : wikimedia © Siga
Banded demoiselle damselfly (Caloperyx splendens)
Photo: wikimedia AndreaEiskler
Female Emperor dragonfly (Anax imperator) Photo : wikimedia © ChristianFischer
either side of the head. These creatures of the sun may be seen on any warm day between April and October, but most commonly at the height of summer. The distinctive colours of the adults make it relatively easy to tell one species from another. However, their colours change as they mature. When dragonflies and damselflies first emerge from the water, most have very muted colours and it can take several days before they gain their brilliant adult appearance. Common blue damselflies, for example, are often a pale pinkish-brown rather than sky-blue when they first appear as adults. The panels on pages 28 & 29 shows some of the 100-plus Odonata found in France that are most likely to be seen in this region, often described as among France’s finest for this group of insects. Some are quite common, others not so common. It’s not uncommon to find 20-plus species around an established lake. The best months for watching these riveting insects are June and July, but keep a sharp lookout as unusual weather patterns can occasionally bring in some unexpected exotic species!
Most of a dragonfly’s or damselfly’s life – perhaps as much as 95% of it – is spent in the water. The eggs, which are usually laid underwater, develop into larvae from which flying adult insects eventually emerge. The whole process may be completed within six months, but for most species it takes one or two years. In contrast to the larvae, the adults are generally short-lived. While in the water, the larvae undergo a series of moults as they grow. Once a larva is ready to become an adult, it leaves the water by crawling up a plant stem or twig and then undergoes its final moult – the skin of the larva splitting to release the winged adult. You may find these discarded skin casts, called ‘exuviae’, on vegetation by the edge of your pond: clear evidence that dragonflies and damselflies have bred there. Once the young adults have matured and gained their full colours – a process which may take a couple of weeks – the male and female are ready to breed. Males use claspers at the end of their bodies to grab a female and the couples fly in tandem while they mate. After mating, the female lays her eggs, either alone or while still in tandem
with the male. The females of some species deposit eggs directly into the water, while others insert individual eggs into leaves, stalks or pieces of rotting wood that may be floating on the water surface. Depending on the species, the eggs hatch after a few weeks or months. After transforming from an underwater nymph to flying adult – but before becoming sexually mature – young adults may spend a week or more away from the water. During this period, the larger dragonfly species can travel several kilometres away to feed on flying insects. This is the reason you might see dragonflies in your garden even if you don’t have a pond nearby. The Odonata definitely don’t die of old age. They live just long enough to mature and reproduce. Small damselflies live only for a couple of weeks as flying adults, while larger dragonflies can fly for three or four weeks but seldom for longer than a few months. Many die from accidents or predation. Odonata are unable to hunt in poor weather and large numbers simply starve during those times.
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016 | 27
Predators….
Dragonfly and damselfly larvae will eat almost anything smaller than they are, including bloodworms, snails, tadpoles and the larvae of mosquitoes or other aquatic insects. The larvae of larger dragonflies may also catch small fish. The larvae are mostly ambush predators, lying in wait until something comes close enough to pounce on. They have an extendible lower jaw, called a mask, which they can extend with lightning speed to spear their prey with sharp, hook-like mandibles. As adults, Odonata are big eaters and may consume 20% of their bodyweight in food every day. They eat other flying insects, particularly flies, midges and mosquitoes. Larger species will take butterflies, moths and even smaller Odonatas. Adults use their impressive eyesight to detect prey. In flight they hold their bristly legs in a basket shape to scoop up their catch before eating it, often in mid-air.
Dragonflies
Four-spotted chaser (Libellula
quadrimaculata, Libellule à quatre taches).
Medium-size brown species with black tipped abdomen. Dark spot on middle of front edge of the front wings. Small dark patch at base of hind wings.
Emperor
(Anax imperator, Anax empereur).
Male: green thorax and bright blues abdomen. Female: all green. Both sexeof have dark line running along top abdomen.
Photo : wikimedia © JörgHempel
…and prey Among those that catch and eat dragonflies and damselflies are birds (such as wagtails), spiders, frogs and larger species of dragonflies. As larvae, dragonflies and damselflies are preyed on by fish, frogs, toads and newts. As adults, their excellent eyesight and flying skills help protect them from capture, while the warning colours of some species – black and yellow, or black and red – deter some birds.
Migrant hawker
(Aeshna mixta, Aeschne mixte).
Fascinating Facts
Small yellow triangle at top of abdomen. Male: quite dark brown with small blue paired dots along abdomen. Female: brown with dull yellow-green spots. Photo : wikimedia © AndreasEichler
Photo : wikimedia © AndreasTrepete
Broad-bodied chaser
(Libellula depressa, Libellule déprimée).
w Male: broad blue abdomen with yelloto w yello le: Fema . sides spots along yellow-brown abdomen. Both sexes have dark patches at base of wings. Photo : wikimedia © AndreasEichler
Dragonflies can out-fly almost all other insects. They can fly straight up and down, forwards and backwards, side to side, hover like a helicopter and even mate in mid-air! The larger species can hit about 30mph but their average cruising speed is a more sedate 10mph. Smaller dragonfly species and damselflies are much slower. A newly-emerged Odonata adult has to wait several hours before its wings dry out and it becomes strong enough to fly. The dragonfly at this stage is called a teneral, a Latin word meaning tender, soft, or delicate. A single dragonfly can eat hundreds of mosquitoes in a single day. Almost all of a dragonfly’s head is eye, so it has incredible vision that encompasses almost every angle except right behind them.
28 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016
d (Cordulegaster boltonii, (Sympetrum sanguineum, Golden-ringe é). annel tre légas Cordu Sympétrum rouge sang). and female are quite Male rare. Quite , clear with men abdo
Ruddy darter
Male: blood-red similar in appearance. Black body slim waist. Female: dull yellow-brown patterned with gold rings and a pair ofa of with thin black lines along sides bright green eyes. Very large, withs. abdomen. wingspan sometimes exceeding 10cm hler asEic edia © Andre Photo : wikim
Photo : wikimedia © Siga
Damselflies
DID YOU KNOW ?
The most famous, most challenging and most controversial bike race in the world is coming to town. You’d have to be from another planet not to have heard of the Tour de France, but you don’t have to be a bike fan to savour an atmosphere unrivalled in the sporting world. This year’s event – the 103rd since it was first run in 1903 – starts on July 2 with the Grand Départ from the spectacular MontSaint-Michel on the Manche coast and finishes three gruelling weeks and 3519kms later on the Champs-Élysées, in Paris. The third stage starts in Granville and finishes in Angers on July 4, while the fourth stage leaves Saumur for Limoges the following day.
Banded demoiselle
Common emerald
Male: metallic blue-green body with distinctive large blue patch on wings. Female: metallic green body and green tinge to wings.
Keeps wings half open when at rest. Both sexes have metallic green body with the male having a powdery blue colour at the top and tip of abdomen.
(Caloperyx splendens, Caloptéryx éclatant). (Lestes sponsa, Leste fiancé).
Photo : wikimedia © IanKirk
Photo : wikimedia © Loz
Le Tour is much more than a bike race, however, and much of that is due to something that doesn’t involve the racers. It’s the caravan, a parade that covers every single kilometre of the Tour de France route. It sets off a couple of hours before the riders and passes millions of fans, throwing one-size-fits-all caps, blow-up hammers and keyrings like they were going out of fashion. Grown men battle with youngsters for their share of the free booty; music blasts out from the floats and every fan gets a smile and a wave. At its peak the caravan can be 10kms long and take 30 minutes to pass by. For the roadside fan sitting for hours in the hot summer sun for just a few seconds of racing, the caravan is as much – if not more – a part of the experience as the race itself. Top Tour-watching tips
Large red
(Pyrrhosoma nymphula, Petit Common blue (Enallagma cyathigerum, numphe au corps de feu). Agrion porte-coupe).
Mainly red with black markings at the end of abdomen. One of the first damselflies to hatch. Female is larger than the male, with a wingspan of up to 5cms. Photo : wikimedia © soebe
Male: bright blue with thin black segments. Black oval or mushroom shape on second segment of abdomen. Female: black and either blue or dull green, with wide stripes on thorax. Photo : wikimedia © Zampel
• Know what’s happening when. The official website (www.letour.com/le-tour/2016/us/) has a timetable for every stage and it lists the exact location and time-splits for the day. Detailed maps help you to pick the best viewing points. • Get there early. Nearby roads will be closed and the world and his auntie will be there looking for the best spots. • Take a picnic and plenty of water. This is July, after all! • Try to find a raised vantage point or a sharp corner, when the riders will be at their slowest. Pick a fast straight and if you blink you’ll miss it. • Be safe. Keep clear of the road and leave the dog at home!
On this month July 14, 1789: The storming of a medieval fortress and prison in Paris, known as the Bastille, takes place. Its fall signals the beginning of the French Revolution and a decade of political turmoil and terror in which King Louis XVI is overthrown and tens of thousands of people, including the king and his wife, Marie Antionette, are executed.
Red-eyed
Blue-tailed
(Erythromma najas, Naïade aux yeux (Ischnura elegans, Agrion elegant). Male: black abdomen with blue ‘tail’. rouges).
Male: red eyes and dark abdomen Female: black abdomen with either with blue tip. Female: eyes brown-red blue or brown ‘tail’. Associated with and black abdomen with no blue ‘tail’. still waters including stagnant ponds.
Photo : wikimedia © AndreasEichler
Photo : wikimedia © PietSpaans
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.
July 24, 1802: One of France’s most popular authors, Alexandre Dumas, is born in Villers-Cotterêts, north-east of Paris. The Dumas family name was adopted from his grandmother, a former Haitian slave. His best-known works include historical adventure novels such as The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers. July 6, 1885: Louis Pasteur (1822-1895) gives the first successful anti-rabies injection to Joseph Meister, a nine-year-old boy who had been bitten by an infected dog. The success of the vaccine brings Pasteur immediate fame and begins an international fundraising campaign to build the Pasteur Institute in Paris. July 25, 1909: The world’s first international aeroplane flight is achieved by Louis Bleriot in a small monoplane. After asking “Where is England?” he takes off from Calais without even a compass to guide him. Flying at 250ft and at around 45mph, the flight takes just over 36 minutes. As he approaches Dover a French reporter waves the Tricolore to guide him down. A pancake landing collapses his landing gear, but Bleriot still walks away with £1000 prizemoney put up by the London Daily Mail.
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016 | 29
Take a Break
DSM Toughie Crossword Across: 1. Log accommodation arrangement with backing taking weight off (5) 4. Pat can convene with one involved in sorting out for the skip (7) 8. Bill goes first to court, informally (3) 9. Many not joining in with complaints, but there are indications of trouble ahead (9) 10. Pupil authorised to hold oriental dish (5) 11. Eventually all tire, unfortunately. That’s true! (7) 13. Became crotchety when a planter met me in a state of confusion (13) 16. We are told that a vicar discovered what to do with the milk? (7) 18. A series of events follow my being involved with Chinese detective (5) 19. Abnormal outcome when broken loom found in new sauna (9) 21. Cornered athletes could follow this indication of three (3) 22. Clear hospital department after reversal of feigned foul play (7) 23. Express indifference to quiet gravity about rugby game (5)
Down: 1. Unwanted or junk e-mail (4) 2 A fast gait of a horse (6) 3. Completely confused or disordered (7) 4. Highly seasoned fatty sausage (6) 5. Small game bird (5) 6. Be present at (6) 7. A creator of artistic objects from wood, clay, metal or stone (8) 12. Feeling great rapture or delight (8) 14. A place where arms and ammunition are stored (7) 16. Floating freely; not anchored (6) 18. Small, solid, extraterrastrial object (6) 19. Not private (6) 20. Having knowledge or perception of (5) 23. Compass point (4) Down: 1. Piece of shuttlecock pitched onto arena previously (7) 2. Industrial burners hit the French politicians (9) 3. Run with true organisation of care and attention (7) 4. Out of malic, torch AA production of formerly fashionable attire (5-4,4) 5. Medication mostly brought back to leader (5) 6. Girl discovered in Italian night club (3) 7. Liquid found on space station is connected to the nose (5) 12. He withdrew after finding out about farm vehicle? (9) 14. Find ways to avoid odd cues involving kinky sex (7) 15. A stage in the flight, spilling gin on touchdown (7) 16. Smooth one of some here hoping
you make a connection (5)
17. Avoid seeing first lady about publicity (5) 20. Kimono binding holds it in place (3)
Well, what do you know?
With thanks to M.Morris
Monthly quiz by Roland Scott...... how many can you get?
1) Name the zoologist who wrote “The Naked Ape” and presented Zoo Time on TV?
8) Who hosted TVs Question of Sport from 1979 to 1997?
2) Played by Bill Pertwee, what is the name of the ARP warden in Dad’s Army?
9) Which children’s animated character, created by Neville Astley, Mark Baker and Phil Davies was sold recently for a reported £140 million?
3) Name the character who narrates the story of Treasure Island.
10) Which Country’s capital is Amman?
4) Which 1960s Manchester band was fronted by Peter Noone?
11) Which 1971 film starring Michael Caine, Ian Hendry and Britt Ekland, was remade in 2000 starring Sylvester Stallone?
5) Spiderman’s ‘real’ name is? 6) Name the New Zealand born screenwriter who wrote scripts 4 Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Love Actually, and for tv Blackadder, Mr Bean and the Vicar of Dibley. 7) Which English comedy actress appeared in 24 ‘Carry On’ films cast in the early films as a jolly and assertive young woman and in later films as a matronly mature woman? 30 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016
12) Which English singer/songwriter was the first winner of Pop Idol? Finally what connects your 12 answers, assuming you have 12 correct answers? Copyright RJS 2016
Answers on P.17 and our website: www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
DSM Easy Crossword Across: 8. Soft fruit (5) 9. Operating, living or growing in water (7) 10. Landlocked republic in Eastern Europe (7) 11. Exactly right for a particular purpose (5) 12. Very clear and complete; leaving no doubt about the meaning (8) 13. Prepare for publication (4) 15. Close violently (4) 17. Inapropriate; not suitable or right (8) 21. Archer’s missile (5) 22. Shake with fear (7) 24. A very intense and uncontrolled fire (7) 25. First sign of the Zodiac (5)
Motoring
FIND the CHEAPEST FUEL prices in your area. This government run website provides comparative petrol and diesel prices in all areas of France. Just simply select your department from the map, and voila... www.prix-carburants.gouv.fr
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016 | 31
Communications Respect your Friends, Family & Club Members when Emailing
W
e have all at some time received a bulk email. (i.e. one sent to several people). It may be from a friend sending you a joke, a family member inviting you to a party/event, or a business advising you of their latest offer/event. This email showed you all of the contact addresses of the other recipients, and your email address was visible to all.
So why is this wrong?
This shows a complete disrespect for the privacy of all recipients and here is why. I would no more send out a traditional (snail mail) letter inviting all of my friends, or family or customers, to an event and include everyone’s postal address on the letter/ invite. In fact, if one friend asked me for the contact information of another, I would check with the friend who‘s address was requested, that they were happy for me to give their address to my other friend before doing so. It is just respect and common courtesy.
What harm could be done?
Take the example of a joke circular - I receive a circular which has 25 to 30 email addresses visible to all; the chances are that I do not know any of the other recipients, so I do not know who is receiving my address, or if their computer is secure, do they have proper antivirus? Then the other 29 recipients may forward the email to another 20 to 30 people and so on, potentially 580 people, then if those 580 send it out to their 20 friends then that is potentially 11,600 people - and in next to no time the email could be seen by millions. Who knows if one of the future recipients is harvesting email addresses and selling them to unscrupulous third parties. If the joke is very funny it could be in front of millions of people within a very short time. It only takes one of them to copy and paste the email addresses into a file and offer them for sale on the internet - it is like the wild west online and anything could happen to the addresses when sold. By simply putting the email addresses of the people you would like to receive the email, in the Bcc box you prevent all of this from happening.
What is the Bcc and where did it come from?
Our current email systems were modelled on traditional office correspondence such as the memorandum. So you have the ability to send an email much like an office letter or memo to one or multiple recipients. This is made possible using the ‘To’ box, where you enter the name of the primary recipient and you could send a ‘cc- carbon copy’ to other recipients using the cc box, you could also have a ‘bcc - blind carbon copy’ by using the bcc box, this was so that undisclosed recipients could also have a copy. On your email, this means that the primary recipient’s email address in the ‘To’ box is visible to all recipients of the email, and this is also true of the ‘cc’ box. However, those recipients whose email addresses are entered in to the ‘bcc’ box enjoy privacy, because it does not display their email addresses to all of the other recipients of the email, only the sender of the email is able to see all of the addresses in the bcc box.
Example of using the bcc field/box
When I send out the email each month advising people of the English Film available in the Cinema at La Chataigneraie, I put my wife’s email as the primary recipient, then the other 200 or so film goers on the list are sent using the Bcc box. Other people create an email address called ‘undisclosed recipients’ or similar, and use 32 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016
by Ross Hendry
this to address the email in the ‘To’ box, this helps them to see what others receive and keeps everyone’s addresses private.
French Versions of Bcc
If you are using a French email system you will find ‘bcc’ as ‘cci’ which stands for ‘carbon copie invisible’ or ‘copie cachée’, invariably you access this by clicking on the á or Á (To field), then in the dialogue box that opens, you should see a list of your contacts in the left hand side and on the right, three boxes to insert recipient addresses , they are : The To box in French is ‘á’ or ‘to’; The Carbon copy box in French is ‘cc’ The Blind carbon copy box ‘bcc’ in French is ‘cci’. Please remember, email addresses in the blind copy, bcc/cci field/ box will not be displayed to any other recipients, only the named recipient and the sender can see their email addresses.
Business Users
If you are a business and do not use the bcc box, then you are inviting anyone, including your competitor/s, to copy the list of email addresses and email them with their own products and services, potentially losing a customer or at best a sale.
Common Sense
If you are inviting your close friends and/or family and you know they all know one another, I believe that you could be forgiven for not using the bcc, but it is still a potential problem in case one of them forwards your email or their email account gets hacked - so I consider it best practice to use it at all times. To avoid looking like secret squirrel! you can always add a list of the recipients names in the body of the email (without their addresses), then you are letting people know who is coming or who is on your list without disclosing their address - far more civilised and giving all of the recipients privacy. I have used this when planning events, giving the recipients the chance to share lifts to the venues etc by contacting people they know, or for those they do not know, requesting the contact info via me. You may learn more here : www.cs.rutgers.edu/~watrous/bcc-for-privacy.html www.commentcamarche.net/faq/842-messagerie-copiecachee-masquer-les-adresses-des-destinataire Do you use AOL? Then please read here about forwarding email to your friends and family. www.kassj.com/netiquette/aolfwd. html Ross Hendry is the proprietor of Interface Consulting and Engineering, who has over 42 years experience in Communications, Computer Technology and Direct Marketing. (See advert below).
“
‘The DSM’ Feedback...
I think this is an excellent magazine. The ads are a very useful source of contacts and it is very widely read amongst the local ex-pat community.
“
Listen LIVE at www.ex-patradio.fr The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016 | 33
Home & Garden
Love your fosse septique We all know the challenges of a fosse septique, costly emptying charges, whiffy odours in summer, blockages…..the list goes on. Well, fear no more, as there is a simple ecological, efficient and cost effective treatment on the market – eco-tabs. This revolutionary product not only removes the need to empty your fosse, but also gets rid of odours and reduces blockages. Available in small and large tablets for regular maintenance as well as sachets for a shock treatment, eco-tabs introduce sludge-eating bacteria and oxygenate the water. The result? Clear water and a healthy fosse.
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For further info please contact us at: info@eco-tabs.biz or shop at www.eco-tabs.biz 34 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016
This month I have painted in black, Frenchic ‘panther’, and white, ‘wedding cake’, and used a white wax. The great thing with Frenchic paint is it covers almost anything - I have seen metal candlesticks transformed with paint! The items I have painted this time are a collection of wood, plastic, leatherette and the plaque is made of some strange compound. The chair has been painted all over in one colour, including the metal studs and leatherette seat pad, then white waxed. The Frenchic wax is so easy to use it goes on like butter and is then buffed up with a cloth to bring out the detailing. The candlestick has been polished with wax and silver Frensheen added to it giving a pewter metallic finish. Some of these painting techniques are covered in a 3 hour course in L’Absie. Please contact me for further information. I have a selection of stencils we can use. 40 great colours and all are safe to use on children’s toys. For more information about the Frenchic Furniture paint ranges, email: deansmalley@hotmail.com, or pop along to L’Emporium shop in L’Absie
Authorised Stockists of
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Amadeus Tableware & Tables Hand-made crafts Individual furniture Stencils Two paint workshops a month 9 Rue du Duc d’Aquitaine, 85120 Vouvant T: 09 66 92 57 95 E: info@frescointeriors.fr W: www.frescointeriors.fr/en Open Tuesday - Sunday, 10.30am - 7pm
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016 | 35
THE AMATEUR GARDENER
O
ur ‘Bowl of Beauty’ Peony has been absolutely gorgeous this year – probably the best it’s ever been, with masses of luxurious foliage and lots of beautiful fragrant blooms. I’d put the abundant foliage down to all the rain we had had and, because it was looking so glorious, decided not to spoil the look with stakes and twine. I thought that we couldn’t possibly have any more rain for a while so they would be fine. Big mistake! We had those few sunny days which opened all the blooms then the weather did an ‘about-turn’ with more heavy rain and battered all those lovely flowers down. I’m so annoyed with myself.
by Vanda Lawrence
humans. I wish I’d thought to mention it last month, then you could have used this recipe for Elderflower cordial to serve with sparkling water or sparkling wine. Never mind, make a note of it now in readiness for next year:
1. Pour 3 pts boiling water over 2 lb caster sugar in a large basin. 2. Stir and leave to cool. 3. Add 2 oz citric acid and slices of scrubbed, unpeeled oranges & lemons (2 of each) 4. Wash about 30 flower heads and add to the bowl. 5. Leave for 24 hours, stirring occasionally then strain through muslin and store in sterilised bottles. In the flower garden deadhead early flowering plants and shrubs and cut back to maintain a good shape.
But, ‘onwards and upwards’ as they say, so now it’s time to collect our thoughts and organise the to-do list... In the vegetable garden above all keep hoeing to remove the weeds. •
Pick runner beans regularly to stop them becoming stringy and to encourage more pods to form.
•
Lift onions and garlic as the leaves turn yellow and leave to dry in a light, airy shed.
•
Continue harvesting your other salads and vegetables and, in due course, sow autumn vegetables in vacant spaces.
•
Spray potato plants with Bordeaux Mixture to prevent blight.
•
Tomato plants will also benefit from this treatment and don’t forget to pinch out side shoots and keep plants tied to support canes. Remember also to keep them well-watered otherwise the skins will split.
In the fruit garden pick raspberries and cut down canes which have finished fruiting. •
Pick blackcurrants and then prune the bushes afterwards (although to make life easier you could ‘prune ‘off the fruiting branches and take them indoors to remove the fruit).
•
Weed the strawberry bed. If you need more plants then peg down the runners to allow them to root; if not, cut them off and dispose of them before they make a tangled mess.
•
Thin apples, pears and grapes to let air circulate and so that the eventual fruits will be a good size.
In the hedgerows Elderflowers have been so noticeable this year, again presumably because we had so much rain, so let’s hope the flowers set and we get lots of Elderberries to pick and make cordial, wine, jelly etc. Remember that Elderberries are fine when they are cooked but the leaves and stems are poisonous to 36 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016
•
Cut Lupins and Delphiniums to ground level to encourage a second display.
•
As Dahlias come into flower continue to support their stems by tying to stakes, and remove side buds for longer stems and larger blooms if you like to cut them for the flower vase.
•
Stake Gladioli to keep straight stems.
•
Deadhead and feed Sweet Peas regularly.
•
Prune Wisteria.
•
Collect seeds of Foxgloves to sow in small pots ready to plant out in the autumn.
•
Propagate border carnations by layering. The new plants can be separated from the parent plant in about 8 weeks.
•
Feed your roses and spray against blackspot and rust.
•
Use a high potash fertiliser on all summer bedding plants to boost flowering.
So after all that hard work in the garden, when you finally sit down to relax are you plagued with mosquitoes? You can make a ‘mozzie’ trap to deal with the problem: 1. Cut an empty 2 ltr plastic bottle in half. 2. Mix 1/4 cup brown sugar with 1 cup hot water. When cool pour into the bottom half of the bottle. 3. Add 1 gram yeast - this creates carbon dioxide which attracts mosquitoes. 4. Place the funnel part of the bottle, upside down, into the other . half of the bottle, taping them together. 5. Wrap the bottle with something black (mosquitoes are drawn to the colour black) leaving the top uncovered. 6. Place outside away from your normal gathering area. 7. Change solution every 2 weeks.
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The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016 | 37
Building & Renovation
38 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016
DONT FORGET! Deadline:
of the month
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016 | 39
40 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016
The roof, the whole roof, and nothing but the roof Malcolm has been working in the roofing industry for over 40 years. His experience has been sought after in America and Germany, where his roofing skills have been called upon in the construction of stately and unusual homes. In the UK he has re-slated many English Heritage buildings, churches and some of the UK’s finest properties. Since moving to France with his family, Malcolm has been very busy responding to anything from an emergency leak to replacing entire roofs. For a free estimation please call: 06 32 19 50 53 / 05 49 07 67 04.
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016 | 41
42 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016 | 43
Business & Finance Marketing Matters Small B/W Advert
by Cindy Mobey
Customer Complaints
only 32€ ht
Every once in a while you’ll get a complaint from a customer. How do you react? If a customer makes a complaint, they’re actually giving you the perfect opportunity to show them that you care about your customers and a chance to totally satisfy them. By doing this, you are not only likely to keep the custom of someone who was about to desert you in favour of a competitor, but they are likely to be so impressed, they will recommend you to their friends. As Marilyn Suttle, a Success Coach commented, “Thank your customer for complaining and mean it. Most will never bother to complain. They’ll just walk away.” So how do you go about handling that complaint? Here are a few pointers… Listen – Your customer isn’t attacking you personally, so don’t get all defensive – listen very carefully to what they say and make sure you get all the details. Repeat the complaint back – Sounds odd, but it proves to your customer that you were listening. Speak to them in a friendly, empathetic manner. Apologise – tell your customer you’re sorry this has happened – don’t blame anyone else for the mistake, just say you’re sorry. Ask questions – show you care, ask questions so you fully understand their problem – the more information you have, the more you can understand where they’re coming from. Identify the problem and solve it – is it just a matter of someone messing up an order or is it a functional problem with a product? Ask the customer what they would like you to do – give them some options, such as refund or replace the item. Customers like to feel they are involved in the solution…it might be something a bit more technical and they may come up with a great idea that you can use in the future. Follow up – once the problem has been resolved, leave it a couple of weeks and then follow up with the customer – ask them if everything ok and maybe offer them a 10% discount off their next order. This shows them you really care – you didn’t just deal with the complaint on the day, but you thought about them after the event. This goes a very long way to making your customer feel valued. Valued customers give you repeat business and recommend you to friends and family. Dealing with complaints in a calm, empathetic manner helps to turn a challenge into something constructive. How have you dealt with customer complaints? I’d love to hear what you did… Images courtesy of saphatthachat and Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Contact Cindy Mobey Tel: 05 45 31 13 86 ~ Email: cindymobey@outlook.com See advert on P.44 44 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016
USEFUL FRENCH VOCABULARY
BUSINESS agio (m) - bank charge assurance (f) - insurance assurance-vie (f) - life insurance assuré - insured s’assurer - verb - to take out insurance bancaire - banking banque (f) - bank bénéfice (m) - a profit cash-flow (m) - cashflow chiffres de ventes - sales figures compte de pertes et profits - profit and loss account dépôt (m) - deposit impôt (m) - tax frais généraux (mpl) - overheads gérer - to manage perte (f) - a loss prélèvement (m) - direct debit prêt personnel (m) - personal loan prévision des ventes - sales forecast publicité (f) - advertising récrimination (f) - a complaint reçu (m) - receipt rejeter un chèque - verb - to bounce a cheque relevé de compte (m) - bank statement solde (f) - account balance taxe foncière (f) - property tax taxe habitation (f) - habitation tax
One Size Definitely Does Not Fit All
T
by Bradley Warden, Partner
here is no such thing as the right investment solution for everyone. What will suit you depends on your own objectives, time-frame and risk appetite. Whether you are looking at investments, tax planning, estate planning or your pension, it is crucial that your approach is tailor-made for you.
investments in riskier assets to reduce your exposure to market volatility.
With an ill-fitting investment portfolio you could find your money is not working as hard as you would like it to, or it is difficult to access when you need it. Worse still, it could be eaten away.
A good portfolio also minimises risk by putting your eggs in multiple, unrelated baskets, diversified by asset type, region and market sector to limit exposure in any one area. You can take diversification further by choosing an adviser who uses a ‘multimanager’ approach to spread your investments out among several carefully-selected fund managers.
The good news is that with professional guidance you can find the perfect fit for you. First, you need to determine how much risk you are willing to take. Low risk means settling for low returns. Taking on more risk could bring potentially bigger rewards. It is difficult to effectively assess your own tolerance for risk. Instead, speak to an experienced adviser who can ask the right questions and use appropriate tools to create a clear and objective risk profile for you. Without some risk, you may not outpace inflation and could lose money, especially with longer term bank deposits. An adviser can present alternative options to help control risk within your defined boundaries. For example, you could stagger the timing of your
The longer you have to invest, the more risk you can generally afford to take. With time, you can ride out market turbulence and benefit from compound returns. Understanding your time horizon is also the key to future-proofing your investments to make sure you can get hold of them when you need to. You never know when your plans may change, so it is important to make sure you hold some liquid assets.
Finally, you should never underestimate the effect of tax on your investments. British expatriates can make the most of tax advantages in both France and the UK by speaking to someone who specialises in both tax regimes. Remember that your circumstances change over time, so what fits you now may not be so suitable in years to come. It is crucial to regularly review how you manage your wealth to make sure it keeps up with your changing circumstances and objectives. This article should not be construed as providing any personalised investment advice. To keep in touch with the latest developments in the offshore world, check out the latest news on our website www. blevinsfranks.com
‘‘Are my investments suitable for me as a French resident? Am I paying more tax than necessary?” Talk to the people who know.
PWK038-fr
The French tax regime provides opportunities for tax efficient investing, but there are many pitfalls. Using the wrong arrangements could have major tax and succession consequences. Blevins Franks has in-depth knowledge of the local tax system and using it to your advantage, and would be happy to review your existing investment structures.
contact us now on
05 49 75 07 24 niort@blevinsfranks.com
Blevins Franks Group is represented in France by the following companies: Blevins Franks Financial Management Limited (BFFM) and Blevins Franks France SASU (BFF). BFFM is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK, reference number 179731. Where advice is provided overseas, via the Insurance Mediation Directive from Malta, the regulatory system differs in some respects from that of the UK. Blevins Franks France SASU (BFF), is registered with ORIAS, register number 07 027 475, and authorised as “Conseil en Investissement Financiers” and “Courtiers d’Assurance” Category B (register can be consulted on www.orias.fr). BFF’s registered office: Parc Innolin, 3 Rue du Golf, CS 60073, 33701 Mérignac – RCS BX 498 800 465.
FR ANCE
SPAIN
PORTUGAL
CYPRUS
MALTA
UNITED KINGDOM
www.blevinsfranks.com The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016 | 45
SCPI - Rental Investment with a Difference
O
by Isabelle Want
K, let’s face it, these days it is difficult to find a safe and performing investment. There is a temptation to go back to the old and trusted property investment. So how can we get a rental income without having to deal with difficult lodgers and having to invest a huge amount of money to buy a house or a group of flats?
And, you can also get a mortgage for it (75 shares minimum) in order to prepare your retirement. Finally, if you want to get your capital back, you sell them back to Allianz! No hassle of finding a buyer, estate agent fees and showing the house. Although still count on a 2-3 month wait to receive your money.
In France, we have an investment called SCPI- Société Civile de Placement Immobilier which enables you to invest as little as 8000€ and get a return of between 4 and 5% per year without dealing with dodgy lodgers!
In 2014, a 32€ share got you 15.03€ per year so around 4.70% return. So far, it is around the same figure for 2015. The rental income is paid to you quarterly.
Why choose rental income?
Rental investment has stood the test of time and has been chosen by many as a good investment to prepare their pension. When you are working and earning enough money, you buy a property with a mortgage which is then partly paid up by the rental income and when the mortgage is paid up, the rental income will top up your pension (which will be much less than what you are earning now). Or you have a capital lump sum and want to use it to complement your income/pension and find that safe investments these days don’t perform enough for you (around 2%) so you buy a property with the lump sum and rent it. If you choose well, you can get a return around 6 to 7%. E.g. You can buy a property in the PoitouCharentes at around 100,000€ and get a rental from it for around 600€ per month so a return of 7.2%. If you keep the property long enough, you might even get some capital gain.
Problems with traditional renting investment
Well, first of all, not everybody has 100,000€ to buy a property! Secondly, the problem with owning a house is that there is always some work to do on it - so be ready for maintenance costs. Thirdly and more importantly, you become dependent on your lodgers! You can’t evict them during winter months even if they don’t pay. And you can only expel them on the anniversary date of the contract (2 years contract) by registered mail 6 months prior. So if you are unlucky and can’t get a good lodger for a long period of time, you end up without income.
What is SCPI?
SCPI is a civil society who buys and rents commercial properties. So in effect you buy shares in this society and get dividends (rental income). It’s what we commonly call paper stone investment. The Allianz Pierre SCPI has a capital of 410,548,725€ with 14,143 investors and 140 properties, mostly offices and commercial centres based around Paris (80%). The occupancy rate of those properties is 90.51%. The price of the share is 320€ with a minimum of 25 shares, so 8000€ investment.
Why choose SCPI over traditional rentals?
Because, you can invest from as little as 8,000€. You share the risk of no occupancy with others so you don’t have the risk of losing your income. It is commercial property so safer than individual people renting. You have no maintenance of properties to do and no ‘taxe fonciere’ either.
How much income?
Allianz Pierre has been voted in 2015 best SCPI in France by 3 different investment magazines.
Tax
Well, that is the good part, you have nothing to calculate, Allianz send you a yearly statement telling you where to put the income figures on your tax form. But I can’t tell you how much tax you are going to pay as it depends on your total income. The revenue from the SCPI will be added to your other earning/pensions/etc. In 2015, a couple who declared less than 27,000€ did not have to pay income tax. If you sell them, it is the same as selling a secondary property so subject to capital gain tax.
Disadvantages
There is a 10% penalty for selling it. So you buy it at 320€ and sell it at 288€. But note that it is based on the actual price of the share when you sell it and not when you bought it. The prices of the shares do increase year after year. In 2003, the selling price was 168.39€. It is now 288€. The other disadvantage is that nothing is guaranteed, same as any property investment in fact. Finally, you must remember that it is a long time investment, just like a property!
Conclusion
This is a no-hassle rental income investment, so if you like renovating a house in order to rent it, this is not for you. It is also not an investment to have compound interest. Here, you get the interest quarterly so it is an investment to complement your revenues, not increase your capital. But it is less risky than owning a property directly so why not contact me for any further information? And remember to check out our website www.bh-assurances.fr for all my previous articles (“practical information” on the English site). You can also follow us on Facebook: ‘Allianz Jacques Boulesteix et Thierry Hatesse’. And don’t hesitate to contact me for any other information or quote on subject such as Funeral cover, inheritance law, investments, car, house, professional and top up health insurance, etc…
N° Orias 07004255
BH Assurances 22 rue Jean Jaures 16700 Ruffec Contact Isabelle Want: Tel: 05 45 31 01 61 Mob: 06 17 30 39 11
Email: isabelle.want@bh-assurances.fr ~ Visit our website: www.bh-assurances.fr 46 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016
Financial Advice in France by Helen Booth
deVere France s.a.r.l forms an integral part of the deVere Group of Companies. The deVere Group is one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading independent international financial consultancy. This year deVere Group won the Best Global Independent Financial Advisory organisation award, awarded by A1 Magazine 2016 Business Excellence Award. Whether you are moving to France as a permanent resident or you already live here, Helen Booth, a representative of deVere France, can offer you truly independent financial advice. It is important that when choosing an advisor you are sure that the recommendations being made to you will not steer you towards limited products. deVere France s.a.r.l is fully regulated in France and only offers products written under French contract law, so as to be compliant with French financial regulation. Some advisers offer contracts written under trust. This can potentially lead to issues with the French tax authorities who can view trusts as a way of avoiding tax. It is important to check that any financial adviser has the necessary representation in France. deVere France is a French registered company with headquarters based in Paris under company number RCS B 528949837. It is registered with ANACOFI-CIF (National Association of Financial Advisers (E008176), the association approved by the Financial Markets Authority. deVere France is also registered as an Insurance and re-insurance broker, Category B, registered with the Organisation for the Registration of Assurance Intermediaries (ORIAS) (12064640). For a free no-obligation consultation please contact Helen Booth on +33 (0) 771 712 879 or see advert below.
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016 | 47
Ask Amanda
“How often should I review my Finances?”
As I write this article we are a week or two away from the referendum on whether the United Kingdom should stay in the European Union, and reading it today I think I know the outcome. However, whatever the result will be, a regular review of your financial position is always a positive step for your financial wellbeing. It doesn’t take a massive event, like the banking crisis of 2008, to have an effect on your finances. Here are several other circumstances which indicate now could be the right time for a review:
Market Reactions
by Sue Cook
Now the referendum is over I thought I would have a look back at how the markets have reacted over the last 6 months. When writing this I do not know the outcome of the referendum but, it is safe to say that the threat of a Brexit over the last 6 months has had a profound effect on the exchange rate. As you can see from the charts the pound has suffered not only against the euro but against the dollar too. The main winner has been the Euro against the dollar.
1. Your personal circumstances may have changed since your last review. Changes to health, work or relationships all effect your medium to long term goals and plans. 2. You haven’t reviewed your investment statements closely with your financial planner for over two years. Are the investments you chose still ‘best in class’ and meeting your expectations? 3. You are starting to think about retirement and are not sure what your pension situation may be. Reviewing your future pensions whilst still working, gives you an opportunity to take positive action whilst you are still earning money. So, whether there have been huge economic changes across countries or continents or small changes to your own plans and goals, if you haven’t reviewed your financial position in the last 12-18 months, now may be a good time to do so. 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 Fin
Amanda Johnson of The Spectrum IFA Group 05 49 98 97 46 or 06 73 27 25 43 Email: amanda.johnson@spectrum-ifa.com
48 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016
Although the referendum debate has not been the only factor it shows how uncertainty can affect the markets and subsequently the exchange rate. That is why it is a good idea to use Currencies Direct who have experts watching the markets by the hour. This gives you peace of mind that you are in safe hands when transferring funds overseas. Let’s talk currency - www.currenciesdirect.com
Property
Don’t forget our deadline!
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016 | 49
Reflections On a New Home
by Joanna Leggett
W
hen the weather is fine you know its a sign for messing about on the river .. so the old sixties pop song went! But what could be better if your new home had a river, canal or lake right on your own doorstep? And with fishing rights thrown into the mix! Well ... There’s nothing more peaceful than contemplating the reflection of light over water – or the sound lapping you to sleep. Fortunately there are some lovely properties available on the market in Deux Sèvres which provide such peace and tranquillity. Close to Boismé, near Bressuire and halfway between Poitiers and Nantes, a beautiful renovated watermill (Leggett ref: 45669, photo left) sits waiting for its new owner in a wonderfully tranquil location with river access and fishing rights! It offers expansive living areas including an enormous sitting room with doors opening out to a verandah overlooking the garden. Upstairs are two bedrooms and two bathrooms, together with a vast office and lounge area – easily changed into more bedrooms. Outside are a range of outbuildings while the land, lined with mature trees, stretches as far as the eye can see along to a small weir! Drift off to sleep hearing your own canal rushing past the house – a dream on the market at 267 500€. As you drive towards the coast from Fontenay le Comte, you pass close to St Vincent-sur-Graon where an expansive five bedroom three bathroom house with lake access (Leggett ref: 63841, photo top right) offers a great lifestyle and income. Here, as well as
fishing and boating, you could add a horse or two as there’s a 1,5 acre meadow included in the sale! With fabulous views down to the lake and in-ground swimming pool the current owners have obtained fantastic return from letting it during the holiday season. This property is wonderfully light and, with the village complete with bar and boulangerie within walking distance, it could be your dream home – for sale 246 100€. But if it’s fishing and tourism income you’re wanting then how about a three bedroom wooden property with its own 1.5 hectare fishing lake and two bedroom gîte with all the amenities of the lovely village of Beaulieu-sur-Parthenay within walking distance? Spacious and light, the house offers flexible accommodation while outside there’s an indoor swimming pool in a separate building and potential to create more gîtes! A great opportunity for sale at 299 600€. 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
Leggett Immobilier www.frenchestateagents.com
LEGGETT
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE YOU CAN TRUST
Ref: 64466 Lovely 4 bed / 2 bath cottage with nearly 2 acres, a pool and a hamlet setting 10kms from Sauzé Vaussais. CAUNAY €262,150
Ref: 50407 Detached 4 bed / 3 bath country home full of character - fabulous views, pool and hamlet location. THURAGEAU €299,999
Buying or selling a property ? Contact the ‘Best Estate Agency in France’
Ref: 64717 4 bed family home on the edge of the village with garage, hillside views, bread oven and mature garden. ARGENTON LES VALLEES €162,410
Ref: 64954 Lovely old stone, 3 bed / 2 bath farmhouse with garage and garden in a small hamlet 32kms from Niort. LE BUSSEAU €162,000
Ref: 63900 House for renovation on the edge of this popular town with loft, adjoining barn, garage and garden. SAUZE VAUSSAIS €49,000
Ref: 25445 Well maintained 4 bedroom sous sol property with garage, large garden, terrace and views to the river. MELLE €230,050
Looking for a new career? Join our winning team. If you want to find out about becoming a sales agent contact max79@leggett.fr
Tel:05 53 60 84 88 or 0800 900 324 www.leggettfrance.com 50 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly, July 2016