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THE DEUX-SÈVRES MONTHLY
Welcome!
to the new-look colour magazine... Issue 19: September 2012. Well, it’s been hard work - but we’ve got there in the end - a full colour magazine! Hope you like it?
As I sit typing this late on a Sunday night, I’m dreaming of a quiet day relaxing and reading my ever increasing pile of books...but with the Trade Fair (Foire Commerciale AngloFrançaise) fast approaching, I guess that will have to wait until after the event! I’m preying for some dry, sunny weather on Saturday 8th September and a steady stream of visitors throughout the day; meeting their local businesses and enjoying the food and entertainment. I hope to see many of you there! Email: info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr or Tel: 05 49 70 26 21.
à plus, Sarah.
Annual Subscription. If you would like to receive a copy of ‘The Deux-‐Sèvres Monthly’ magazine by post each month, please complete this form and send to La Bartière, 79130 Secondigny. Please enclose a cheque to cover postage for the year. 28€ within France, 18€ to addresses in UK. (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.
Emergency Numbers: 15 SAMU, Medical 17 Gendarmes, Police 18 Pompiers, Fire
112 European emergency 113 Drugs and alcohol
© Sarah Berry 2012. All rights reserved. Material may not be reproduced without permission. While care is taken to ensure that articles and features are accurate, Sarah Berry accepts no liability for reader dissatisfaction. The opinions expressed and experiences shared are given by individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the publisher. Please ensure you verify that the company you are dealing with is a registered trading company in France and/or elsewhere. <<The Deux-‐Sèvres Monthly>> est édité par Sarah Berry, La Bartière, 79130, Secondigny. Tél: 05 49 70 26 21. Directeur de la publication et rédacteur en chef: Sarah Berry. Crédits photos: Sarah Berry, Clkr et morgeufile.com. Impression: Raynaud Imprimeurs, zone industrielle, BP13, 79160, Coulonges-‐ sur-‐l’Autize. Dépôt légal: septembre 2012 -‐ Tirage: 5 000 exemplaires. Siret: 515 249 738 00011 ISSN: 2115-‐4848
CONTENTS
What’s On.......................................................................................................4 Getting Out & About......................................................................................6 Hobbies, Clubs & Associations.....................................................................12 Take a break..................................................................................................13 Health, Beauty & Fitness..............................................................................14 Our Furry Friends..........................................................................................16 The Great Outdoors......................................................................................18 French Life, Food & Drink.............................................................................20 French Adventures.......................................................................................24 Motoring.......................................................................................................25 Communications...........................................................................................26 Building & Renovation..................................................................................29 Business, Finance & Property.......................................................................34
THIS MONTH’S ADVERTISERS 79 Renovations........................................................................................30 A La Bonne Vie (Restaurant)................................................................... 20 Abattage Service..................................................................................... 23 Abordimmo.............................................................................................39 Ace Pneus (Tyre Supplier & Fitter)......................................................... 25 Affordable UK Designs (Kitchens & UPVC D/Glazing).............................2 AKE Petits Travaux (Builder)................................................................... 31 Alan Pearce (Plumbing & Heating)......................................................... 29 Andrew Longman (Plumber)...................................................................29 Andrew Quick Building Services............................................................. 31 An English Nursery in France (Garden Centre).......................................19 Antiquites Decoration & Galerie du 309................................................ 6 Architect anglais en France (Vaughan Abbott)...................................... 31 Art Course, Josie Bounds........................................................................ 9 Blevins Franks Financial Management Ltd............................................. 35 Cafe Cour du Miracle.............................................................................. 22 Café des Belles Fleurs............................................................................. 20 Chris Bassett Construction..................................................................... 32 Chris Dwyer (Handyman)....................................................................... 30 Christies (English Book Shop and Tea Room)......................................... 6 CSB Construction.................................................................................... 30 Cut 46 (Hair Salon).................................................................................. 15 Dave Bowring (Electrician)..................................................................... 32 D J Maintenance (Handyman)................................................................ 30 Dave Rosenberg (Carpenter/Joiner)....................................................... 30 David Watkins (Chimney Sweep)........................................................... 32 deVere Group (Financial Advisors)......................................................... 37 Energie-‐79............................................................................................... 29 Fresco Interiors (Interior Design)............................................................33 Garage Planchet (Renault)......................................................................26 George Rayner Computers..................................................................... 26 Hair by Janet........................................................................................... 15 Hallmark Electronique (Electricians & Sat. Engineers)........................... 32 Homes in France (Estate Agent)..............................................................39 Insink Plumbing...................................................................................... 29 John Etherington (Home and Garden)................................................... 18 John Snee (Groundworks & Septic Tanks).............................................. 34 John Spray Maçonnerie (Stonemason).................................................. 32 Julie’s Cleaning Services......................................................................... 37 Keith Bassett General Building Services................................................. 31 La Deuxieme Chance (Annie Sloan chalk paint supplier)....................... 33 La Grande Galerie................................................................................... 6 La Joie de Vivre....................................................................................... 7 Le Forgeron (Ornamental Ironwork).......................................................32 Le Logis (Rare Breed Pigs in France)....................................................... 21 Leggett Immobilier.................................................................................. 38 Les Ecuries du Saumort (Horse Riding School & Livery)........................ 16 Man & Van.............................................................................................. 26 Michael Glover (Plasterer, Renderer & Tiler)......................................... 32 Michael Hobson (Painter & Decorator).................................................. 33 MKR Mobile Beauty................................................................................ 14 MS Electrique (Electrician)..................................................................... 33 Mutuelle de Poitiers Assurances............................................................ 26 Nathan Foster Building Services............................................................. 31 Pamela Irving (Massage & Reflexology)...................................................14 Phil Savage (General House Repairs)......................................................33 Philip Irving (Mini Digger hire)............................................................... 34 Plombiere Anglais en France (Plumber)................................................. 29 Poitou Property Services.........................................................................37 Premier Autos -‐ Mike Lane (Mechanic).................................................. 25 R&A Services (Renovation)..................................................................... 30 RDK Roofing & Building Services............................................................ 32 Red, White & Blue.................................................................................. 22 Restaurant des Canards.......................................................................... 22 Rob Berry (Plasterer).............................................................................. 33 Robert Walker Plomberie (Plumbing, Heating, Air con)........................ 30 Ross Hendry (Interface Consulting & Engineering)................................ 27 Satellite TV (Nigel Gubb)........................................................................ 26 sarl Down to Earth (Groundwork & Construction).................................33 Siddalls (Financial Advisors)................................................................... 36 Soul to Sole Holistic Therapy.................................................................. 15 Spectrum IFA Group (Amanda Johnson)................................................ 34 Steve Enderby......................................................................................... 33 Sue Burgess (French Courses & Translation).......................................... 8 The English Mechanic & Son -‐ Tony Eyre................................................25 The Market (Luché-‐sur-‐Brioux).............................................................. 7 Total Renovation Services (Michael Dominey)....................................... 29 Trisha Mobile Hairdresser................................................................. 15 VMP (Windows & Doors)........................................................................2 Page 3
THE DEUX-SÈVRES MONTHLY
What’s On... September 2012 1st September -‐ 4th Annual Produce Show From 10am at Logis du Thail, nr St Aubin le Cloud. Email:ljdp@hotmail.co.uk 1st September -‐ Bilingual Quiz with meal At ‘The Market’, Luché sur Brioux. For more details please see advert on P.7. 7th September -‐ Jazz Blues Night At A La Bonne Vie Restaurant from 7.30pm. See ad on P.20. 8th September -‐ The DSM Trade Fair/Foire Commerciale At La Salle Alauna 21, lac des Effres, 79130 Secondigny. 10.30am to 6pm. 45+ exhibitors, live music, Fish & Chips, Bacon butties, bar, refreshments, cakes, demonstrations, pony rides, bouncy castle...and lots more! Contact Sarah on 05 49 70 26 21. 9th September -‐ Fun Dog Show At St Pardoux, 79310 from 10am. Dog classes, assorted trade & craft stands, have-‐a-‐go archery, fish n’chips + more. See P6. for details. 13th September: French conversation class At the Language Centre, The Market, Luché sur Brioux. See advert on P.7. 14th September: Music Quiz At Café des Belles Fleurs, Fenioux. See P.20. 15th & 16th September: Patrimoine 15th September -‐ Autumn Vegetable Show & Competition At the Salle des fetes, Chatain. Categories will include vegetables, fruit, flowers, jams, chutney, cakes and children’s section. Refreshments available. For more info contact Susan Brice on 05 49 87 60 21. 15th September -‐ Make Your Own Cards With The Craft Cabin, at The Market, Luché sur Brioux. See details on P.7. 15th September -‐ Live Music with G.P.S At Café des Belles Fleurs, Fenioux. See P.20. for more info. 20th September -‐ Band In The Attic Performing at A La Bonne Vie Restaurant. See advert on P.20. 28th September: Music Quiz At Café des Belles Fleurs, Fenioux. See P.20. 26th September -‐ Demonstration enabling self-‐medication in Equines. At Les Ecuries du Saumort. Please call 05 49 05 30 75 for more informalon. 30th September -‐ Big Book Fayre Over 3000 books in English. At Paperback Jan’s, Ferrier-‐ en-‐ Parthenay. See P.6. 22nd & 23rd September -‐ Relais de la Vie La Ligue Contre le Cancer/Cancer Support Deux Sèvres. 24 hour rally at Melleran in memory of those that lost their battle with cancer. (www.relaispourlavie.net/deux-‐sevres) 23rd -‐ 30th September -‐ Cancer Support Awareness Week. Eve nt s t h ro u g h o u t D e u x-‐ S è v re s . Fo r d eta i l s e m a i l ivan7thelma@wanadoo.fr 24th September -‐ Coffee Afternoon. At Vue de Vallée, Le Bernerie, 85120, St Hilaire de Voust. 2pm to 4pm. For map email robbell16@orange.fr. In aid of Cancer Support Deux Sèvres.
Contact ‘The Deux-‐Sèvres Monthly’ La Bartière, 79130, Secondigny. Telephone: 05 49 70 26 21 or email: info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr or see our website: www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
What’s Coming Up... 5th -‐ 7th October -‐ Hope Association Book Sale 10am to 3pm at The Salle des Fetes, Clussais la Pommeraie, 79190. See PX for more info. 6th -‐ 14th October -‐ Pomm ‘Expo, Secondigny This years theme: ‘Water’. More info next month. 7th October -‐ Fetes des Plantes Around the Chateau grounds, Bressuire. 10am -‐ 6pm. Please see P.X for more details. 8th & 9th October -‐ Exposition de champignons. At La Courde. See P.X for more details.
Monthly services in the English speaking Anglican Church in Deux-‐Sèvres Jassay The Chaplaincy of Christ the Good Shepherd, Poitou-‐ Charentes, has a Home Group Service at Jassay commencing at 11.00am on every 2nd Sunday in the month. It is held at the home of Ann White, a warm welcome awaits everyone for a time of worship and fellowship. St Leger The Chaplaincy of Christ the Good Shepherd, Poitou-‐Charentes, also holds services on the 1st Sunday of each month at 10.30am at St Leger near Melle. After each service, tea or coffee is served and an opportunity to meet other people in the area. Parthenay The Chaplaincy of Christ the Good Shepherd, Poitou-‐Charentes, also holds services on the 4th Sunday of each month at 10.30am in the Presbytery Rooms, rue de la Citadelle, Parthenay, opposite St Croix Church. After each service, tea or coffee is served and everyone is invited to a 'bring and share' lunch. Further details about venue and services consult our website on www.church-‐in-‐france.com
Monthly services in the English speaking Anglican Church in the Vendée: Puy de Serre All Saints, Vendée holds two services each month, on the 2nd and 4th Sundays at the church of St. Marthe, Puy de Serre, at 11am. After each service, tea and coffee is served in the parish room and everyone is invited to a ‘bring and share’ lunch. Other services are held in the west of the Vendée, in La Chapelle Achard and La Chapelle Palluau. For details of these, please check the website: www.AllSaintsVendee.com.
A VERY WARM WELCOME awaits you at ESCOVAL (The English Speaking Church of the Valley of the Loire). Communion Services are held on the 3rd Sunday of each month at La Chapelle de la Bonne Dame de Ranton at 11.30am followed by a Bring and Share lunch. Full details of how to find us may be found on our website at: www.escoval.org or please telephone us at: 05 49 66 79 14. Our GPS address is 46˚59'25.30 N 0˚02'06.22 W.
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THE DEUX-SÈVRES MONTHLY
Open 6-8p La Vendee Chippy m Traditional Fish & Chips in France!
Paperback Jan Books in English
1st Sept: Cafe Le Chauray, St Maixent l’Ecole. 10am-‐12.30pm 1st Sept: Garden & Produce Show, St Aubin le Cloud. 1-‐5pm 2nd Sept: Café des Belles Fleurs, Fenioux 2pm-‐4pm 4th Sept: Pizzeria Resto Bar, Bressuire. 2.30pm-‐4.30pm 5th Sept: Cafe Cour de Miracle, Vouvant. 2.30pm-‐4.30pm 6th Sept: Bar le Palais, St Aubin le Cloud. 2pm-‐5pm 6th Sept: Bar La Cabane de Vouhé, Vouhé. 6.30-‐8pm 7th Sept: Le Tipsy Bar, Coulonges sur l’Autize. 4pm-‐6pm 8th Sept: ‘The DSM’ Trade Fair, Secondigny. 9th Sept: Fun Dog Show, St Pardoux. 13th Sept: Pause! Cafe, L’Absie. 2pm-‐5pm 14th Sept: Jan’s home, La Ferrière-‐en-‐Parthenay. 11am-‐4pm 27th Sept: Joie de Vivre, Moncoutant. 2pm-‐5pm 30th Sept: Big Book Fayre 11am-‐4pm For more info contact Jan on: 06 08 30 73 29 or email: paperbackjan@gmail.com
+ a
little something extra...
Anyone who fancies seeing their writing prowess in print, could think about writing a book review for the spot on Page 11: ‘YOUR Book Reviews’. Sarah is always looking for budding authors to write a piece about 150 words long, describing their take on a particular book. I am offering a prize of one free book to anyone who is successful in having their review printed.
Wednesdays (Sept 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th) Bar ‘Auberge le St Vincent’, St Vincent Sterlanges Thursdays (Sept 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th) Bar ‘La Rando’, Mervent. Fridays (Sept 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th) Bar ‘Au Bon Coin’, Thoursais Bouildroux For more info please email: lavendeechippy@hotmail.fr
Open 6-8p m
Fish 4 Chip Fish, Chips & mushy peas!
Mondays: Bar Tilleuls, Champniers (near Civray) Tuesdays: Sauzé-Vaussais (Main square & can be eaten in local bar) Wednesdays: Chef Boutonne (near Chateau) Thursdays: Sauzé-Vaussais (Main square & can be eaten in local bar) Fridays: Mansle (Car park of Simply Supermarket) Tel: 06 37 53 56 20, or visit: www.mobilefishandchipsfrance.com
Reel Fish & Chips Traditional English style Fish & Chips
To find out the latest information try: www.vide-‐greniers.org or
5th Sept: The Canteen, Etusson. 18H30 - 21H00 7th Sept: Bar Tabac PMU, Bouille-Loretz. 18H30 - 21H00 9th Sept: Fun Dog Show, St Pardoux 12H30 - 14H30 14th Sept: Bar Tabac, Genneton 18H30 - 21H00 15th Sept: Cafe des Sports, l’Absie + Fayre 18H30 - 22H00 19th Sept: The Canteen, Etusson. 18H30 - 21H00 20th Sept: St Martin de Sanzay 18H30 - 21H00 30th Sept: Jan’s Big Book Fayre, La Ferriere - - 12H30 - 14H30
www.rendezvousduchineur.unblog.fr
Tel: 06 04 14 23 94, or visit: www.reelfishandchips.net
There are lots of Vide greniers taking place around the region.
Local Markets Tuesdays:
Wednesdays: Thursdays: Fridays: Saturdays:
Sundays:
• Lencloitre (1st Monday in month) (dept.86) • Lezay • Coulonges-sur-l’Autize • Thouars • Parthenay • Sauzé Vaussais • Niort • Thouars • Melle • • • • • •
Chef Boutonne Airvault Niort, St. Maixent l’École Fontenay le Comte Neuville (dept.86)
Mr T’s Friterie Plat à Emporter Traditionnel Britannique
With regular venues at:
• Beauvoir-sur-Niort • Loulay • Melle
• St. Hilaire de Villefranche • St. Jean d’Angély
See www.frying2nite.com for details or call 06 02 22 44 74
Photo: Lisa Roberts
Mondays:
The National Holidays, Religious and Feast Days 2012 (remaining): Thursday 1 November........... All Saints’ Day (La Toussaint) Sunday 11 November............ Armistice Day (Jour d’Armistice 1918) Tuesday 25 December........... Christmas Day (Noël)
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THE DEUX-SÈVRES MONTHLY
Getting Out & About...
page 66 Page
THE DEUX-SÈVRES MONTHLY
THE HOPE ASSOCIATION
HELPING ANIMALS IN NEED
THREE DAY BOOK SALE to be held at the SALLE DES FETES, 79190 CLUSSAIS LA POMMERAIE (D45 Sauzé Vaussais to Lezay Road)
FRIDAY 5th, SATURDAY 6th & SUNDAY 7th OCTOBER Doors open 10am to 3pm.
Lotto prizewinner at the Strawberry Afternoon Tea party. The first prize for the lotto was presented to the winner by local artist, Mr H Dwight, who donated the painting for the Strawberry Afternoon Tea event in aid of Cancer Relief and Breast Cancer at The Market, Luché sur Brioux. More of Fred's paintings can be viewed and purchased at The Market.
THOUSANDS OF ENGLISH AND FRENCH BOOKS FOR JUST 1 EURO EACH. BRIC A BRAC~JULES HALL WITH HER LOVELY SCARVES AND SPICES~EDDIE GRIFFEE WITH HER AMAZING SELECTION OF GREETINGS CARDS~LAURA WALKER SHOWING HER STUNNING HAND MADE JEWELLERY~RAFFLE ~REFRESHMENTS WITH YUMMY HOME BAKED CAKES ~ENGLISH FISH & CHIPS~BACON BUTTIES and much much more to enjoy! ALL MONEY RAISED FROM THIS EVENT WILL GO TO HELP ANIMALS IN NEED AND SUPPORT OTHER ANIMAL ASSOCIATIONS If you have books to donate, please email:
givebooks4hope@gmail.com
Visit our website www.hopeassoc.org
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THE DEUX-SÈVRES MONTHLY
English words in the French language?
by Sue Burgess
Surely not, I hear you say. Mais oui ! Here are some English words that you'll often hear on the streets of Deux-‐Sèvres. • «Le week-‐end»: The French have actually used this term since the 1920s. You may also hear • «partir en week-‐end» to mean going away for the weekend. Note that «le week-‐end» has a hyphen! • «Un leader»: You can talk about «un leader sportif» or «un leader politique». • «Cool»: If you like something: «C’est cool !» • «Surbooké»: If you're very busy, you are «surbooké». «Je ne peux pas cette semaine, je suis surbooké» .
Vocabulary / Vocabulaire English words used in French and found in Larousse French dictionary. English word used in French Traditional French Word Le week-‐end
La fin de la semaine
Le brainstorming
Le remue-‐méninges
Le barman
Le serveur au comptoir
un best-‐seller
Un gros succès commercial
bluffer
tromper par des faux-‐semblants, par des bluff
Law nº 94-‐665 of the 4th August 1994 relating to the use of the French Language is better known as the Toubon law. Toubon was at that time Minister of Culture. The law has three objectives : to enrich the French language, to make the usage of the French language compulsory, to defend French as the official language of the French Republic.
le boss
chef, patron
un check-‐up
un bilan de santé
le fast-‐food
la nourriture cuite/preparée rapidement
le ferry
shortened form of le ferry-‐boat
The law primarily wanted to ensure the use of the official traditional French words rather than all the anglicisms which were creeping into the French language. However, the law was considerably watered down after an appeal before the Conseil Constitutionnel who declared that the law was contrary to the right to free thought and expression which is so important in the French constitution and declared that the law could only regulate the choice of language in public services.
le hot-‐dog
un sandwich à la saucisse de francfort
une interview
un entretien
un job
un travail rémunéré souvent temporaire
le know-‐how
le savoir-‐faire les connaissances
un leader
un chef, la personne à la tête
le marshmallow
la guimauve
le marketing
le mercatique
un penalty
un pénalité
le roller
le patin à roulettes
faire du shopping
courir les magasins
un thriller
un film d’épouvante
le toast
le pain grillé
Several English words, such as those given above, therefore have their rightful place in the French dictionary. Others are commonly used without in fact being officially part of the French language. To be sure your French is up-‐to-‐date and not «dépassé» or «démodé», here are some commonly used English words you'll hear on the street but won't find in the dictionary... yet! • «Yes»: Don't be surprised if someone replies to your question with «Yes». It's very popular among younger generations especially to show enthusiasm. • «News»: If you want to catch up with a friend, you can say: «Donne-‐moi de tes news.»
‘The DSM’ Monthly Photograph Competition
WINNER! Congratulations to this month’s competition winner, Helen Meek, 85400
Get your Business Seen with ‘The DSM’ magazine!
Advertise in the printed publication from 30€ and online from just 5€ per month! To find out more, visit our website: www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
“Here’s Marta, having settled well into her new ’forever home’”.
For a chance to see YOUR photograph on the front cover of our magazine (5000 copies!) -‐ enter our monthly photo competition. Entry is free and limited to one photograph per month. Please see www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr for further details.
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THE DEUX-SÈVRES MONTHLY UP
DAT
Notes from the North
About this course:
What will be learnt during the course, what are the learning goals? You will learn more about the work of Henri Matisse and Vincent Van Gogh whilst enjoying the opportunity to work in their style. It's a great way to pick up painting techniques and increase your knowledge of art history with artist and lecturer Josie Bounds. What level is the course and what skills or knowledge are needed before enrolment? All levels. Some experience of painting may be useful but not a requirement. What opportunities for further learning and progression routes does the course offer? Further reading and gallery visit suggestions. Subject areas: Art History, Appreciation Of Art / Specific Artists, Painting (Art), Drawing (Art). Materials: Note pad and pen, Internet access.
About the artist:
I studied Fine Art at The University of Northampton and graduated in 2008 with a BA (First Class Honours) in Fine Art. I am passionate about all aspects of art especially painting, printmaking and art history. I get my inspiration from many places and carry a notebook with me to sketch and write down my ideas, as I am afraid they will float away as quickly as they arrive. There are many artists I admire throughout the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, for example Van Gogh, Henri Matisse, Gerhard Richter and Ian McKeever. Following my degree I have been lecturing fine art at University College Milton Keynes and in that time my work has been exhibited with other artists and in solo shows.
August is a quiet month for the Northern Section of the Poitou-‐ Charantes Linazay Branch of the RBL. Many of us have friends and family visiting, or even taking breaks ourselves. During this time we are also aware that many British Veterans and their families still need our help, and this is our main reason for holding functions and events, to fill the coffers for the welfare work that is carried out locally and in the UK. The RBL in France is very busy with its welfare work, and here in Poitou-‐Charantes we have caseworkers who respond to requests for aid, not only financially but also by offering the hand of friendship, where and when needed. In the coming month the Northern Section of the Branch will be attending the Liberation Parade in Parthenay on 6th September at 18.00 hrs. Our stand will be at ‘The Deux-‐Sèvres Monthly’ Trade Fair in Secondigny on the 8th September, and finally on 30th September, representatives will be at Paperback Jan’s “Big Book Fayre” in Le-‐Ferrier-‐en-‐Parthenay and will run the Horse Racing, tombola and, once again, our representatives will be there should you wish to join us. Our plans for the future are being formulated as I write this piece and look to be interesting, with two trips to a vineyard on the edge of the Loire region, and looking even further ahead to our Christmas lunch and the Branch AGM in Linazay. Not to mention the most important event in the RBL calendar – the launch of the POPPY APPEAL on the 14th October, 2012. We are always pleased to welcome if you would like to become a please come and visit us at one of also have a look at our website.
new members, and member of the RBL the events above, and
One final note: the second prize from the British Day has yet to be claimed, the wining number was 92, if you have that number please contact us. Terri Laverick, PRO Northern Section.
Currently I am exploring how to achieve a black matt velvety surface, and how the relationship of this surface responds to one with opacity and transparency, like Pierre Soulages black has become the basis of my palette, my exploration of one colour is an investigation of values changing a surface. For further information please contact Josie Bounds. Tel: 05 49 06 58 89 or email: josiebounds1@me.com
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THE DEUX-SÈVRES MONTHLY
Three Plus One - the scoop!
what type of music you are going to perform. (i.e. Blues, Jazz, Rock, Pop, Soul music).
‘Three Plus One’ will be one of two bands playing for us at ‘The Deux-Sèvres Monthly’ Trade Fair on the afternoon of 8th September. Here, Trevor shares all with us!
We perform 60s Pop music, primarily because we are all of an age that were around at that time, plus the majority of our audiences are also around the age that remember and enjoy the music we play.
So who are Three Plus One?
Jim and I met in 2003. Jim lived close by and we soon realised we shared the same interests... Jim has played with several top name bands in the UK, both as bass and lead guitar and has played with a number of top named professional artists too. At first, Jim found it difficult to find like-‐minded musicians who were prepared to play for the love of music and enjoy playing in rehearsal bands and not just for the money. I have played bass for 50 years in all sorts of bands in the UK. Pop, country, blues and the music I love most is 60s soul music. The last band I played with before I came to France was a 15 piece 60s soul band with a full 6 piece brass section, 3 female singers, a male front man, keyboards, drums and 3 guitars. If anyone has seen the film ‘The Commitments’ you will know what I mean. Our first Band in France was “The French Connection” which I'm sure many of you will be familiar with. I was the original founder and worked with them in the early years getting established. But as with all bands there were some conflicts of opinion and Jim, our then drummer Richard and I went our separate ways. French Connection are still playing today and we are all still on good terms and still go to each others gigs. Jim and I met Mike and formed an acoustic band doing small quieter gigs, playing 50s/60s early blues music in a band called ‘Troubladour’. We still do the occasional venues. We met Helen and Geoff earlier this year who are now the other members of our new band, ‘Three Plus One’. They came to live in France after travelling in and around Spain and Portugal occasionally singing in bars and hotels and charity venues, but have now put down roots in France. Helen has many years experience singing with bands in the UK since the early 70s and Helen’s husband Geoff’s roots are with folk music. Although we now use some backing tracks to enhance our p e r fo r m a n c e s , fo r additional sounds like brass, piano, and other s p e c i a l e f fe c t s , t h e majority of music played is by the band.
What do you do to prepare for a Gig?
To turn up and play looks easy but what goes on behind the scenes is quite a lot of hard work by all bands to make the evening a great gig. Initially, buying the gear. Guitars range from £100 to £1000. Amplification is very expensive too, a good PA system could set you back £700 plus. Then the guitar amplification can be £1000 plus. Drums are expensive also, often £1000 plus for a decent kit with some cymbals alone costing over £1000. The average band standing on stage could well have equipment worth over £5000. Having the gear is great but then you have to practice and that's the hard bit, also knowing what to play and
We practice twice a week for around 3 hours each time, running through new numbers, perfecting and tweaking old numbers and putting forward new ideas for songs to make the evenings go with a swing. We do two, one hour sets with around 35 songs in total, but we can do more if required. The same preparations go into performing at small private functions as well as for the larger venues. ‘Three Plus One’ will put everything into making the evenings entertainment enjoyable as well as afternoon BBQs, Weddings, or parties. To contact the band phone Trevor on 05 49 64 57 17 or Jim on 05 49 72 81 56 to discuss your requirements. We look forward to helping you have a great night.
Through the Lens Group The ‘Through the Lens Group’ was formed in 2007 by a number of people interested in photography living in the Vendee and Deux-‐Sèvres. The Group currently meets on the last Monday in each month to discuss various topics relating to photography. In order to encourage members t o u s e their cameras and improve their photography, we hold a monthly competition which is judged informally within the group. Recent topics covered were ‘water’ and ‘people’ and topics scheduled for the next few months include ‘black and white’, ‘shapes and textures’ and ‘after dark’. We can also provide information and assistance for those taking up the hobby for the first time, or those wishing to improve their skills. In addition, trips to places of photographic interest are also arranged on a regular basis. In recent years we have exhibited our work in the Café Cour du Miracle at Vouvant and held exhibitions in Bazoges-‐en-‐Pareds, Vouvant and Bressuire. So if you are thinking about taking up a new hobby in photography, or wanting to know more about the subject, then why not come along to one of our monthly meetings. Being such a friendly group we don’t even ask you to pay to join. For further information contact : Ian Gawn: 02 51 00 84 52 or Brian Preece: 05 49 72 09 94
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THE DEUX-SÈVRES MONTHLY It’s hard to become a successful author, but local writer Alison Morton has done just that, successfully publishing several titles. We are thrilled to print a series of articles written by Alison to help all you budding authors out there....here’s the first.
You’ve written your novel. What next?
cowboys out there on the publishing frontier, so I strongly recommend you read The Independent Publishing magazine online at http://mickrooney.blogspot.fr/p/author-‐solution-‐services.html which lists and reviews the good, the bad and the really too horrible to describe. This is a brief overview. Next time, I’ll look at preparing your book before you think of uploading or sending it off to an agent.
Anybody who completes a novel, be it romance, thriller, historical, science-‐fiction, crime or adventure deserves a round of applause for the sheer hard work of writing it. Generally 70-‐100,000 words long, a novel takes at least four to six months to draft, another three to revise and a further three to polish. And that’s if you’re doing it full-‐time. Normal people have jobs, children, parents and lives so slog on for years, grabbing a few precious hours when they can. But now you’ve completed your manuscript, what are you going to do with it? Not everybody wants to publish. Some writers take enjoyment from the process of constructing and writing a story, others write it for family and friends. But many have a desire to see it in print and these days, digital form. It’s the most thrilling feeling in the world to hold a copy of the book you’ve written in your hands. Today, we’re lucky to have many choices: print, e-‐book, formal publication through an agent and publisher, DIY or self-‐publishing, assisted publishing and partnership publishing. And hybrid and co-‐ operative publishing are new kids walking onto the block. Traditionally, a writer polishes up their book, runs it past members of their writing group, or association, asks another author to critique it and then submits the final version to a literary agent to request representation. If the agent takes a writer on, they start the job of finding a publisher, and then handle all business arrangements including rights and royalties and negotiating contracts and overseas deals. The writer then divides their time between publicity and promotion for that book and writing the next one. As it becomes increasingly harder to be accepted by an agent, and with publishers no longer accepting fiction direct from authors, writers are seeking other ways to publication. Some choose the full DIY route: paperback copies printed via CreateSpace, Lulu or other POD (Print On Demand) companies plus an e-‐book version uploaded direct on to Amazon for Kindle readers and Smashwords for Apple iBookstore, Barnes & Noble, Sony Reader Store, Kobo, etc. Authors and publishers retain full control over how their works are published, sampled, priced and sold. If an author wants to give it away for free, they have that choice. But it’s up to the author to format their book, design a cover and acquire an ISBN number so their book can be distributed through retail channels. I recommend reading Catherine Ryan Howard's Self-‐Printed: The Sane Person's Guide to Self-‐Publishing which is an excellent guide for both print and ebook DIY publishing. Two things are indispensible to make your self-‐published book of the same high standard as a traditionally-‐published book: firstly, commissioning a structural editor who will look at the content, style and narrative development and then a copy editor who will proof-‐read it; secondly, having a professionally-‐designed cover. Graphic designers who specialise in book covers, along with editors, are taking on much more work from self-‐publishers as the sector grows. And so are author service companies who can provide a range of support from simple proofreading though to managed publication and book marketing. But there are a lot of
Alison Morton writes alternative history thrillers, blogs about writing and Romans at http://alison-‐morton.com/blog/ and is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and the Society of Authors.
YOUR Book Reviews... A big Thank you to Lesley Fraser for this month’s book review. ‘My Dear, I wanted to tell you’ by Louisa Young In a bag of books loaned to me by a friend I chanced upon this book by Louisa Young, and am so pleased to have done so. In this moving story set in World War 1, Louisa Young tells of the terrible dilemmas and mental anguish suffered by not only the men who faced the ultimate sacrifice, but of characters she has brilliantly created from different classes and backgrounds, both male and female. The central story tells of the love between two young people who have to face the trauma and shocking reality of a terrible war and the poignancy and courage of how they choose to deal with the hand they have been dealt. In Nadine and Riley the author offers two really memorable and admirable individuals. She has also communicated with great clarity historic facts, details and descriptions. A World War I story is never going to be a lighthearted read but despite the theme I found it a positive one on several levels and thoroughly enjoyed the story due to Louisa Young’s really fascinating characters. It was definitely one of those I couldn’t put down as I was so anxious to know the outcome, and I can’t recommend it highly enough!
We would love to show more of YOUR Book Reviews. If you would like to share one with us, please send it on an email to: info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
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Hobbies, Clubs & Associations... The Filling Station Poitou-‐Charentes On Thursday September 13th 2012, we are meeting at The Little Stone Church, 14b Avenue de d’Hôtel de Ville. 79110 Chef Boutonne, Deux-‐Sèvres. • Rev Val Inglis-‐Jones ~ speaking on PRAYER • 3pm Workshop • 7pm Worship Celebration Drinks and cakes will be available before the evening meeting. ALL WELCOME. Interested to find out more? Please view the website: www.thefillingstation.org.uk or locally contact Mike Willis 05 49 87 89 16. michael.willis@sfr.fr
Book Group....meeting 2nd Thursday of the
month from 3pm at Christies Tea Room & Bookshop, Gençay, 86160. Take a look at the Book Group page on the website: www.chezchristies.com for more information.
Association Meridien Green We are an Anglo-‐French group which was founded in 2001 for mutual understanding of each other's language and culture. We meet twice weekly in the Salle des Associations in St Coutant, 79120. The best way to find out more is to visit our website -‐ www.meridiengreen.asso.fr or contact Maureen Dalby: 05 49 29 94 50. The name of our group comes from the fact that St Coutant is on the Greenwich Meridian!
CRAFT CAFE CREATIF
If you enjoy sewing, knitting, crochet or any crafts, you are invited to bring along your current project to our venue in L’Absie and join a like-minded group of women, for friendship and to exchange ideas over a cup of tea. For further information contact: knight.margaret@orange.fr.
Anyone for Tennis?
Tennis players wanted, reasonable standard, Secondigny area. Contact Mick Morris on 05 49 65 17 16 or email mimorris@live.fr
Language Group You speak french (un peu), I speak english (a little bit), why don't we meet up to improve each language? One hour per week could be good timing, by phone or for coffee mornings. I'm retired, living in Niort. Please call at 06 73 70 14 21 or send email for more details: joseph.aubineau@laposte.net.
Alone in France?
We are a group of people living alone in the L'Absie area who meet regularly for coffee and lunches. We meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 11am for coffee at the Pause cafe in L'Absie. Our lunches are at different venues each month. There's a warm welcome if you'd like to join us. More details from Frank 05 49 69 80 4713.
Interlude16. An association offering ‘Leisure & Culture for all’. Lots of regular events organised. www.getogether-france.org
Secondigny Running Club... Put the bounce back in your step. Join our friendly and supportive running group. All abilities welcome. Email Kelly for more details: kellyencezelle@hotmail.co.uk
Anyone in the Le Busseau area interested in Scalextric racing for fun? I had a set for my 65th. birthday, but playing on your own is getting boring! Maybe meet once a month for a bit of fun and a beer? Please phone Dave Lowe on 0549042198 or email dave4lowe@yahoo.co.uk Franglais Thouars The Thouars ‘Franglais’ group, (a member of l’ Association du Centre Socio-‐Cultural de la Communauté de Communes du Thouarsais) meets every Wednesday from 19.30h to 21.00h, in the Association’s centre at 7 rue Anne Desrays, Thouars, for conversation in English and French. We welcome those of all nationalities who would like to participate. Either come along to see us one evening, or contact us at: Mobile: 06 52 21 92 34 ~ Email: jcbed@orange.fr
Please see website www.interlude16.org for more information.
2nd Sunday Motorcycle Club has a new club website! Check it out: www.2ndsundayclub.fr If you would like to attend our coffee mornings please contact us via the website........ New members always welcome!
The Harmonics based in the Salle d'Annexe behind
the mairie in Civray are looking for singers. We meet each Wednesday from 2.00pm to 4.00pm. No experience necessary just a willingness and commitment to learn. We sing all sorts of music, from stage and screen, gospel, classical, country songs, madrigals and in several languages, whatever the music dictates. We support charities by donations or by participating in their events by singing for them and each year we hold our own annual concert. We are a small and friendly group who would love to meet you.
Contact: Dolly Ait Boualou:05 45 22 89 32 email sylvia.murray@wanadoo.fr or Margaret Gomersall on 05 49 48 09 02, email: margaretgomersall@sfr.fr
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Take a Break... Down: DSM Easy Crossword! 1. The rear part of a ship (4) 2. Fisherman (6) 3. To a severe or serious degree (7) 4. Mediterranean island (6) 5. Hand shears for cutting sheet metal (5) 6. Narrow channel of the sea (6) 7. Positioned in the middle (8) 12. A lorry equipped to hoist and pull wrecked cars (3-‐5) 14. Own up (7) 16. Territory over which rule or control is exercised (6) 18. The essential nature of a person or group (6) 19. Road surface (6) 20. Very thin (5) 23. A solemn declaration (4)
Across: 1. Has the use of sea’s turbulence, ends up in maximum security (4,2,6) 7. Clam ate urchin! A case for a part-‐timer? (7) 9. American soldier reversing in vehicle goes up in smoke! (5) 10. An Irishman with energy can become head (4) 11. Loud monarch involved with exceptional dentist (8) 12. Very crowded, so got ready to leave? (6) 14. One not fully qualified drops metal off inside (6) 17. Getting off a vehicle without article is illuminating (8) 19. Rip appears as result of upset (4) 22. Lost, confused, took drug, finally nicked! (5) 23. Unusual form of rabies takes time to get householders (3-‐4) 24. One car design modified for not achieving top speed (2,6,4)
Down: Toughie Crossword! 1. Keen and well dressed, but can be grating on the ear? (5) 2. Train sloppily in football club with desperate result (7) 3. Main part of church altered in cavernous chimney construction (4) 4. Anointing following 13 down’s final refuge act in passing (7) 5. More than one below par finds refuge in Southsea Glee Club (5) 6. Native of the isles; one who needs good housekeeping to get to south coast resort (6) 8. Sounds like the correct way to perform a ceremony? (4) 12. Apparently, eastern European has refined manners? (6) 13. Drastic result of short time in former regiment (7) 15. Lift obtained from new tee in unfamiliar vale (7) 16. Wader materialises when tide is heard? (4) 18. Force applied to kind of horse provokes cry of pain (5) 20. Early, before this, is one who is conscientious and merit’s a step up (5) 21. Five hundred on spot for absolute beginning (4)
Sudoku Corner... Easy
www.sudokupuzz.com
Hard
With thanks to M.Morris
Please see website: www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr for answers
Across: 8. Proprietor (5) 9. Largest river in Asia (7) 10. Loud, confused and empty talk (7) 11. Folded fabric (5) 12. Unlimited, unending (8) 13. Heavenly body (4) 15. Not on target (4) 17. Of many different kinds (8) 21. Ballroom dance (5) 22. A very intense fire (7) 24. Dry Italian red wine (7) 25. Elegant and stylish (5)
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Health, Beauty & Fitness... By Terry Ryan
Taijiquan : aka Tai Chi Quan (pronounced : tie chee chew an) is well known as an ancient system of movement, originally developed in China as a martial art. Today it is practised by many people for the health benefits that it can bestow. From a casual glance, it would appear to be simply a sequence of (usually) slow movements that link one posture to the next :
You could be forgiven for thinking that it looks so slow, relaxed and gentle, that its health benefits would be negligible…but you couldn't be further from the truth! The very fact that the movements are slow requires you to be more attentive to your balance. During the transitions between one posture and the next, most of your body weight will be borne by one leg, so your legs muscles will feel like they've been exercised. The deep abdominal breathing which accompanies the relaxed movements helps to promote the flow of well-‐oxygenated blood through the body … an essential requirement for health. In Chinese terms, your chi would flow throughout your body! The benefits of Taijiquan however aren't only physical; your mind will become fully engaged in the movements as you become more and more relaxed and less stressed. So, perhaps you'll agree that Taijiquan can benefit your balance, joints, muscles and circulation etc as well as reduce the tensions within your body and your mind.
Satyananda yoga classes offer postures, breathing techniques, meditations and relaxation,taught by a bloke, for all, yes it is for us hardy creatures too! If you have discomfort in your body, find it difficult to move the breath to your abdomen, seem to live with your thoughts past and future and at times have areas of dullness that seem to last etc. We bend, stretch, twist and experience the body and it's energies... learn to be still, to move the breath, to be able to watch - Come and feel how these ancient teachings work to create an easier flow in body, mind and emotions. Annual fee 68 euros
Although at first you'll probably find that your movements will be a w k w a r d a n d uncoordinated, that y o u r b r e a t h i n g i s unsynchronised etc. gradually you'll find t h a t t h e s e w i l l disappear and your m o v e m e n t s w i l l b e c o m e m o r e controlled and elegant whilst your mind will become more relaxed. If you'd like to verify these claims for yourself, why not try the beginners classes! New Taiji classes for beginners will be starting in September 2012 in Bressuire. Please see www.chentaiji-‐fr.com or phone me on 05 49 65 60 34 for further details.
Classes start Thursday 6th September at ‘Maison pour tous’, L’Absie. 2.30pm - 4pm Contact Rysz for more info: 06 42 35 97 11
Visit our website: www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
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Love Your Feet
by Suzanne Thorne
Love them or hate them they support the whole of our body weight and contain more sensitive nerve endings than anywhere else in our body. The skin on our feet is thicker than anywhere else on the body and can become cracked and dry and sometimes infected but with a few simple ‘steps’ we can help keep our feet looking and feeling great. Just by doing a couple of simple exercises will help ease the tension and ache in feet and legs: • Roll a ball back and forth under each foot. Do this sitting at your desk. • Rotate each foot ten times to the right and then back to the left. • Just going up on to your toes and back down again takes the tension from legs and feet. • Next fill a bowl with warm water (not hot) and add a few drops of aromatherapy essential oil such as lavender for relaxation or tea tree which is anti-‐fungal and anti-‐bacterial. Adding half a cup of milk to the water helps to further soften hard skin. • Gently exfoliate the dead skin around the heels and under the foot where hard skin may have formed using a pumice stone. If you are diabetic or have circulatory problems you should always check with your health practitioner before doing this. Remember the hard skin has taken time to develop and likewise it will not disappear immediately but within a couple of feet treats like this, you will see and feel the difference. • Use a foot scrub and massage well into each foot and rinse thoroughly. • Dry your feet ensuring you dry in between the toes as not drying properly can cause fungal infections. • Finally massage some foot balm all over each foot. By now your feet should already be looking smoother and feeling great. Independent Consultant Neal’s Yard Remedies Tel: 05 49 26 27 74 ~ www.blush-‐rush.com
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Our Furry Friends... APPEAL
This is Max, a very friendly young Cocker Spaniel cross
Equine Rescue France Max is a lovely, young (about 18 months) old Cocker Spaniel cross with a Red Setter. He is a very affectionate dog and loves nothing better than to play all day long. He needs a family friendly home with the company of another dog and a large safe enclosed garden. Max is very good with people and gentle with children, he is one of those dogs who is non-‐ aggressive, loves his food and at the end of the day collapses in a big red heap sound asleep. Max loves travelling in a car and is learning all the time. You could not find a nicer animal to adopt. We do not know what he is like with cats, but he is young enough to be taught to leave them alone. He walks well on the lead and will benefit from going to Puppy classes. Max has been castrated, vaccinated and microchipped and we are asking for a donation to cover his veterinary costs.
We are always looking for new members and we are in need of donations so we may continue to help equines in France. Please support the ERF. Please contact the Equine Rescue on Tel: 05 49 48 27 91 or visit our website www.equinerescue.org
HOOF (Horse Orientated Open Forum)
HOOF is open to anyone with an equine interest. You do not need to own a horse! We meet about once a month for talks, visits etc. Interested?
Useful website for LOST cats
He is currently being fostered in the Deux-‐Sèvres near Sauzé-‐ Vaussais and if you would like to meet him, please contact Siobain on 05 49 27 26 20 or email siobain.duckworth@wanadoo.fr
Do you have an adorable furry friend? Then why not make him/her famous for a month?! Send us a photo and short comment to be featured here....
just for fun..
Spencer
We recently lost our beautiful grey, tabby cat ‘Spencer’ and someone suggested I post details on a website for lost cats in case someone had found him. www.chat-perdu.org Unfortunately our story doesn’t have a happy ending, but I wanted to share this website in case anyone has need for it, either now or in the future. It’s a very user-friendly site (all in French) and for both LOST and FOUND cats. There is also a similar site for dogs, www.chien-perdu.org
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Animal magnetism
by Nigel Franks
Either you've got it or you haven't. I reckon we've got it...
We planned to get away in July: just a mid-‐week i n a holiday park. The Friday a‚ernoon before our departure we had to deliver a cat that had been adopted. On the way we saw a rather unkempt hen pecking by the side of the road. She was obviously in poor condilon, but we couldn't stop because of the traffic. A‚er delivering the cat we returned by the same route and sure enough the hen was slll there. We picked a safe place to stop and a„empted to catch her. That was quite easy as she was limping. So we took her home. We examined her to make sure that she had no signs of injury or disease and put her in a spare room in our hen house for quaranlne. She immediately started ealng and I don't think she stopped for 3 days. That evening we went out for dinner and a‚er the meal, on the way home, on impulse, I didn't take the usual route. When we reached a roundabout we saw a ki„en standing in the road and some others on the verge. So of course we had to stop. We always have cat and dog food in the car, so we put some crunchies down which the ki„ens immediately went for. This made them easy to catch, especially as they were quite tame. Of course we didn't have a cat basket in the car, so a “Bag for Life” was pressed into service. Next day the ki„ens went for their obligatory stay in a fourrière and we took the hen “Tracey” to the vet for a check up; She confirmed what we already suspected, that Tracey was an escapee ba„ery hen from a truck on the way to slaughter. In case, you're not aware, ba„ery hens are generally slaughtered before they are a year old, because they have a season when they lay less, which means that it's cheaper for the farmer to slaughter them and start with a new batch. Tracey was limping because she had broken her leg whilst in the ba„ery farm and it had healed by itself. Sunday dawned overcast, drizzly and cool. This didn't put me off going for a walk in the a‚ernoon and I was rewarded when a few lmid rays of sun peaked through the clouds. A‚er about 9 km and I'm within 200m of my car when I nolce a small hedgehog
brought it back to the car and took it home in my trusty “Bag for Life”.
Tracey
Once home Google supplied the diagnosis: hypothermia. It had been sunning itself in an a„empt to warm up. Google also supplied feeding and care instruclons. To get some idea of it's age to determine it's food requirements I weighed it. About 100g: so on solids. Solids turned out to be lns of ki„en food and then puppy food. This was the evening before we were due to go on holiday so too late to arrange alternalve care for “Harley. So Harley came with us on holiday. Two things we learnt about hedgehogs very quickly... the “hog” part of their name comes from the noises they make. And when you change their diet they make really smelly poo. Seven weeks later and Harley is a mighty 370g . We're going to progressively introduce him back to the wild and let him go when he's about 600g, so we keep handling to the minimum. Just take him out of his cage, weigh him and put him back. Meanwhile the ki„ens are doing well in a foster home and are available for adoplon, and two weeks ago Tracey laid her first egg since we found her.
Nos Amis Les Animaux 85480 (NALA 85480). Tel: 06 48 68 40 37
Email: nala85480@hotmail.com www.nosamislesanimaux.com
Harley
sunning itself in the middle of the track. Humm that's a bit dangerous if a cyclist comes along. So I picked it up and put it to one side of the track. I walked on a few metres and looked back at it. It hadn't moved. I also realised that it hadn't even curled up when I picked it up. That can't be right so I went back, picked it up again and
Contact ‘The Deux-‐Sèvres Monthly’ La Bartière, 79130, Secondigny. Telephone: 05 49 70 26 21 or email: info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr or see our website: www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
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The Great Outdoors... Other news... We have started weaning the gorgeous little rabbits ready for sale, They are so cute and friendly. We are also excited to have found an Owl in one of our barns. It’s a Barn Owl and don’t know if it has a mate. We did see one in the garden last year and often have heard its call at night.
Life on the Farm...
We had another French Student (Antoine) who lives in Gabon, Africa come to stay recently and he helped us make a new chicken house for Fred (our Rhode Island Red) cockerel and his two wives. Antoine also helped us convert and paint the old chicken house and made a big run for our four new geese. by Peter & Jenny Sebborn.
As they say time flies when you’re having fun and we have been having a great time here on the farm. The first of our bronze turkey poults have arrived which we will fatten to be ready for the Christmas market. We have had some reserved already for Christmas but we still have some availability. It seems a long way off but the way this year is going it will be on us before we know it. As they say the early bird catches the worm but in our case the early bird catches a tasty free range turkey for their Christmas dinner at a price you wont believe. Give us a call if we can help.
It doesn’t look like we’ll be getting much fruit from the orchard this year. The blossom was blown from the trees just after it appeared. Such a shame as we love to make our own chutneys and jams as well as giving the excess to the pigs.....oh well, there’s always next year! Next month we will tell you all about our beautiful new Chamois goats. Bye for now.
When our duck called Dave (who turned out to be a girl) disappeared, we feared the worse. Then one day out of the daisy bush she popped, waddled over to get some food and a quick drink and back into the daisies. Yes you’ve guessed it, she had a clutch of eggs she was sitting on. She is now a proud mum of 6. Bianca the bantam who was playing mum to a duckling called Chuck, who is now twice the size of her, has gone broody again. This time she has chosen chicken eggs to sit on. More chicks and two ducks have arrived. They were hatched in the incubator. It’s really strange to hear them cheep, cheeping even though they are still in the egg. It’s time already to say goodbye to the 8 of the ducks, they will be heading off to the abattoir soon. We said “no more” but couldn’t resist buying two more Gloucestershire Old Spot piglets called Curly & Wurly. They are really great piglets and will produce great pork and bacon ready for Christmas. They have settled in very quickly and are loving being free range with lots of fresh grass and room to run and play. We do have to be careful they have enough water to wallow in as they can suffer with sunburn.
Peter & Jenny Sebborn. Breeders of pigs, lambs and poultry. La Gauteliere, 79220, Pamplie. Tel: 05 49 28 38 57.
Its’ nearly time for two of the others to “go” and we will also be cooking a whole pig in a pit like the ‘Maoris’ do for a special party. Unfortunately we can’t get banana leaves from Super U so will have to wrap it in silver foil and hessian before slow cooking in a pit for 12 hours. It’s delicious and will be a great centre piece for our party with about 70 or so friends and family.
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THE AMATEUR GARDENER
by Vanda Lawrence
After all that wet weather isn't it lovely to see the sun? Unfortunately, the rain took its toll and lots of plants/veggies suffered, but by the same token there were other plants which seemed more than happy with the damper conditions. For now though we can see that the summer bedding and perennials are beginning to slow down. Time to lift the annuals which have finished flowering and prepare the soil for winter flowering plants. Cut back the perennials -‐ in some cases it will be necessary to lift and divide congested clumps. The resulting plants that you have no room for can always be passed on to friends and neighbours. Continue to feed dahlias fortnightly with liquid fertiliser to produce good blooms and build up strong tubers for subsequent years. Start planting daffodils and other narcissus, crocus, iris, lilies etc for your spring displays in pots and borders. If you plan to plant new trees or shrubs this autumn, or need to move shrubs which have outgrown their space, it's time to start preparing the soil now so you will be ready to plant during showery weather. The same thought applies if you are planning to plant a new hedge. There is always something to do in the vegetable garden: • Continue to lift and store carrots, potatoes, beetroot etc and plant your spring cabbages. • Céleri-‐rave can be lifted as required during this month but by the middle of next month you should dig the last of them up on a nice dry day so they can sit in the sun for a few hours. Remove leaves and store, root down, in boxes of sand in the cave. • Sweetcorn will be ready now. If the discarded parent plant is still healthy it can go onto the compost heap, but if there are any signs of disease burn the plants -‐ the resulting ash will be rich in potash and is good for the soil around your fruit trees. • Sow autumn spinach now (eg Géant d'Hiver) for cutting any time during November-‐March. • Leeks can be sown up until mid-‐September. 'Blaugruner Winter' or 'Verina' for example. No need to lift and store them; at the end of October protect the soil around each one with a covering of about 20cm of dead leaves -‐ you will then be able to dig them up easily, even on frosty days. • A second sowing of sprouts can be made now for harvesting next March/April. They should be fine so long as we don't have an extremely harsh winter. • Parsnips can be sown now ready to harvest next spring. • Calvo nero, also known as black cabbage or Tuscan kale can be planted now. A very versatile vegetable which can be used in soups but is equally good in salads. A source of lutein, vitamins K, A & C and significant amounts of manganese, copper, calcium, iron, B vitamins & with plenty of fibre -‐ me thinks we should all give this a go! It's also a busy time in the fruit garden, picking, storing, freezing, bottling, jam & chutney making ... the list goes on. Sloes are plentiful this year. You can make Sloe Gin of course, but Sloe jam is said to be delicious and with a tartness very much like blackcurrant jam. Hopefully we shall find time to fit in some of these gardening jobs, but be sure to make time to sit in your garden and enjoy the sunshine. See you next month ...
Contact ‘The Deux-‐Sèvres Monthly’ La Bartière, 79130, Secondigny. Telephone: 05 49 70 26 21 or email: info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr or see our website: www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
FÊTE DES PLANTES SUNDAY 7th OCTOBER CHATEAU GROUNDS, BRESSUIRE 10.00am – 6.30pm. Following the success of the first Fête des Plantes held in October last year the second event, organised by the Rotary Club of Bressuire in collaboration with «Les Automnales de Bressuire», will be held in the Château grounds at Bressuire on Sunday 7th October between 10.00am and 6.30pm. The entry fee is 3€ (free for those up to 17). There will be numerous plant stalls, owned by both English and French nurseries, providing plants for sale and offering their advice. In addition to numerous plant stalls there will be a number of other attractions including: An exhibition of scarecrows A photo exhibition in the Château rooms Childrens’ entertainments Talks on restoration of the château and the municipal gardens within the château grounds. • Various food and drink outlets • • • •
P a t r i c i a B e u c h e r, journalist, broadcaster a n d g a r d e n i n g a u t h o re s s , w i l l b e present and offering her observations and advice as to how to avoid stress in the garden. For further information Fête de plantes 2011 please contact: 06 80 73 19 05
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French Life, Food & Drink... Vive la Difference
by Gilly Hunt
Many of us when we move to France miss the buzz of a busy shopping centre, the crowds of people (yes some of us do miss crowds) and the enjoyment of sitting in a cafe and watching the great and the good go by, armed with shopping bags. Of course we have shopping centres here in the Deux-‐Sèvres, but they are not quite the same. However, on a recent trip to Poitiers centre I was amazed at how much it had changed since my last visit some 18 months previously. The centre is now car free as are many of the streets leading up to the main square. The atmosphere of the centre is now one of a chic café culture rather than an old town square. There are many “one off” clothes shops and also a small shopping centre and a department store – so if you are feeling the need for some retail therapy along with a busy atmosphere then this could be the answer. Whilst I know Poitiers is not in the Deux-‐Sèvres, it is only just over the border in the Vienne. With our summer visitors we have been enjoying visiting places and seeing them with new eyes. I think we all become rather blasé about the lovely area in which we live. The markets are just a way of life, and we forget how wonderful they are, the sounds, smells and colours of the markets, even more vibrant in the summer months – we are all truly lucky to enjoy this on a weekly basis. I love visiting markets whether it be Thouars, Parthenay, Lencloitre or Saumur to have a wander around, taste some local produce and then while away an hour or so drinking coffee watching the world go by; in my view a perfect way to spend a morning and quite often bumping into friends as well to add to the pleasure of the whole experience. One of the things that are great to buy at markets is bread and cakes. There seems to be a greater choice than in the supermarkets and as you visit markets in different towns and areas you can try and then buy the local specialities. Each area has its own special bread, sometimes even specific to the Boulangerie. Believe me, the person who once told me that there was a universal charge for a baguette could not have been more wrong – the price varies hugely. For those of us who do not eat all of our baguettes on the day of buying, have you tried having it for toast the next day? Sliced lengthwise and popped in the toaster (although it can easily become stuck, so do not leave unattended or you might be meeting your local fireman!) , it really is yummy. Especially when eaten out in the garden with a nice cup of tea. On the weekend of 15 & 16th September do not forget that it is Patrimoine, which means that many chateaus and places you normally have to pay for will be free. There are also many other historical buildings open with many having guided tours. Check out your local paper or Mairie for information in your local area. Vive la Difference.
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A pig for everyone September is upon us and for many pig keepers who have raised their pigs over the spring and summer, thoughts will be turning towards the delicious final product! You might think that pork from any kind of pig tastes the same – a pig is a pig isn’t it? Yes – but only in the same way that a Rolls Royce and a Lada are both cars. Berkshire piglets can be raised to slaughter weight more quickly than other types of pig, produce a delicious layer of fat and therefore excellent pork loin and belly and let’s not forget their chubby rears that produce a first class gammon. If bacon is more your thing, consider one of our Tamworth crosses, bred for length but still with that key layer of Berkshire flavour. However, the glory of the pig is that whatever breed you decide on, you can still end up with delicious pork and bacon from the same animal. If you’re worried about how much room a butchered pig will take up in your freezer, to give you some idea, half of a 65kg pig will fill two large Super U carrier bags. For those of you that have raised weaners, you will know that what you put into the pig is key and the results are obvious when the carcass comes back from the abattoir. A well fed and well looked after pig will produce the best pork you have ever tasted. The only way to know is to try it yourself. Our Family Pig Experience Days have been a real highlight for us this year -‐ one family that came, returned home with three Berkshire piglets to rear themselves and a Gloucestershire Old Spot that they had butchered with us -‐ ready for their freezer.
Reader’s Restaurant Reviews
Thank you to Martin & Pamela Hole for this month’s Restaurant Review: Auberge du vieux pont, 2 rue du vieux pont, 79600, Saint Généroux. We were taken to this Auberge two years ago to celebrate our French neighbour’s birthday. It was good then and we decided to go back there in August with our friends to check it out, now it is under new management. Saint Généroux itself, just north of Airvault, is worth a visit, for its Pont Roman over the River Thouet and for one of the oldest churches in the Poitou, dating back to the 10th century. Christine and Ulrich Imbert, the new owners, were very welcoming. It was a lovely sunny day so we chose the terrace over the spacious inside dining room. Menus varied from the menu du jour at €10.90 (Assiette de cruditées, caille aux amandes, fromage, dessert, ¼ vin) to those at €19.50, €24.50 and €26.90. My wife saw the crème brulée on the €19.50 menu, so there was no contest for her! Our friend saw the aile de raie aux càpres, so that was her decided. We chaps were left with no choice but to follow the same menu but with the rumsteck. Entrées were salade de chèvre chaud and salade de poulet, both substantial starters! Apparently, the skate wings were absolutely delicious and as for the steak, well, medium was actually pink for once! The desserts were equally good, the crème brulée and the tarte au citron being excellent. Full marks to Ulrich! The wine was extra but good and reasonably priced. The service from Auberge du vieux pont Christine was great and very friendly. There was a reasonable choice of menus even though there was not a vast choice of dishes within each. However, the quality was excellent and all in all this was a restaurant that we would recommend for a ‘value for money’ meal in a delightful setting.
Right: Mastering the butcher's knot at one of our Family Pig Experience Days
As the centre of British rare breed pigs in France, at Le Logis you can see many different Pedigree breeds of pig in action and make your mind up as to your favourite. Whether it’s the Berkie with its cute face and white socks, or the Gloucester Old Spots with their floppy ears, or the rare Oxford Sandy & Black an old-‐fashioned Plum Pudding pig – we have something to appeal to everyone.
Oxford Sandy & Black gilt at Le Logis
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French Village Diaries
by Jacqueline Brown.
Summer is a perfect time for a foodie like me to be living in rural France. In addition to our over-‐ productive courgette patch, the markets are full of seasonal fruit and vegetables and there are the village fêtes. We are lucky enough to live in a small village that has a big social scene where every month from April to September there is some sort of event. The themes are always different, but one thing that remains the same is that the shared meal is always an important part. The main event of the year, in July, is held in the woods, “If you go down to the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise” always comes to mind as tucked away down a narrow lane and totally hidden from view, over 400 people gather to enjoy an afternoon of eating, drinking and dancing. The long trestle tables are set up in the dappled shade and ‘personalised’ as we all bring our own plates, cutlery, glasses and some of us, tablecloths and cushions too. It is a leisurely event of five courses, interspersed with the dancing and drinking, and it is not uncommon to still be there at dusk. The menu has been tried and tested over many years and starts with half a Charentais melon filled with Pineau, followed by slices of jambon de pays with butter. The main course is a barbequed steak, cooked ‘à pointe’ (medium rare) with mojette beans and green salad. Then there is a choice of cheese, an ice cream, coffee and a digestif. The food is good and the atmosphere jovial. It is a great ‘bringing together’ event, the village councillors, the farmers, the holidaymakers, and family and friends, local and from afar, all let their hair down and have fun. The noise of 400 chattering voices, the music; think 1980’s disco with hits like Y Viva Espana, Ra Ra Rasputin and Dancing Queen, the smell of the steaks cooking, everyone is in party mood and our woods are buzzing! The August event is our Family Fun Day and picnic in the park w h e re ga m e s l i ke petanque, badminton, t a b l e t e n n i s a n d cricket are available for children of all ages. The trestle tables are again set up in the shade, but this time everyone brings their own food to eat together. No matter how inventive I am with our picnic, our French friends always seem to do it bigger and better. The afternoon ends with a Franco/Brittanique petanque tournament and lots of laughter. Just before La Rentrée we have an evening randonée followed by Moules et Frites to end the summer. At least with this one we have walked off a few calories before tucking into the meal. Even if all we do on a summer weekend is visit a brocante or vide grenier, I’m sure to come home with some mismatched old plates that are just perfect for serving salads or vegetable dishes. Food is never far from thought. Follow Jacqui’s blog at hYp://www.frenchvillagediaries.com
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September’s Recipe: Monkfish with lime and chilli sauce. Ingredients: • 4 x 115g/4oz monkfish fillets • 25g/1 0z rice four or cornflour • 6tbsp vegetable or groundnut oil • 4 garlic cloves, crushed • 2 large fresh red chillies, deseeded and sliced • 2 tsp palm sugar or soft, light brown sugar • juice of 2 limes • grated rind of 1 lime • boiled rice, to serve Method:-‐ Toss the fish in the flour, shaking off any excess. Heat the oil in a wok and fry the fish on all sides until browned and cooked through, taking care when turning not to break it up. Life the fish out of the wok and keep warm. Add the garlic and chillies and stir-‐fry for 1-‐2 minutes, until they have softened. Add the sugar, the lime juice and rind and 2-‐3 tablespoons of water and bring to the boil. Simmer gently for 1-‐2 minutes, then spoon the mixture over the fish. Serve immediately with rice. RESTAURANT REVIEWS... If you have positive restaurant experiences to share, we would love to print them here. Please email to: info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr for inclusion into future issues.
1855 and all that…
by John Sherwin
Napoleon III was the nephew of the real Napoleon. He was known for an enthusiastic foreign policy, with sell-‐out gigs in Austria, the Crimea, and China, but dismal performances in Korea, Japan, Mexico and (doh!) Prussia. Back home, he stirred up the economy and started the modernisation of Paris. But that’s neither here nor there; for us wine buffs, his contribution to history remains to this day. The Universal Expo of 1855 invited the great and the good from the known world to Paris for a bonanza trade fair from May to November (and you thought the Olympics was never-‐ending?). It was decided that many of the finest Bordeaux wines should be served to visiting royalty and other dignitaries – but how could foreigners be expected to understand the quality of what they were drinking? So, Napoleon III ordered the compilation of the first in the ‘For Dummies’ series – the 1855 classification of the wines of Medoc and Graves. This classification listed 61 of the leading wines from Bordeaux, ranking them from ‘First Growth’ to ‘Fifth Growth’. This listing was based on market price. Of course, market price was based on reputation and perceived quality, but first and foremost, the chateaux were listed in descending order of spondulicks – from the most expensive ‘First Growths’ to the least pricey ‘Fifth Growths’. (‘Growth’ or ‘Cru’ in French simply means ‘category’ in this context.) No wine gurus in those days, just good old market forces. Given that this antique has been changed only once (in 1973 when Mouton-‐Rothschild was correctly elevated to First Growth) and will never be changed again, does it still have any relevance at all? Amazingly, yes. No-‐one would seriously argue that Lafite, Latour, Margaux, Mouton-‐Rothschild and Haut-‐Brion should be considered as anything other than First Growth. OK, some Chateaux from Second to Fifth Growths are slightly mis-‐ranked, but by and large the big picture is still valid. Given that it’s set in stone, does it have any use at all? Times and winemakers change, parameters of quality shift, surely it becomes of less and less interest? Quite so, to an extent. But to adopt such a modern-‐day, gung-‐ho, iconoclastic approach ignores on the one hand the importance of tradition and on the other the pragmatics of the market. A winemaker who, by general wine-‐world recognition, is rated below where he should be, would simply give a Gallic shrug if asked if it bothers him. On the one hand he is proud to be part of an historic classification; on the other, he knows that his peers and the wine consuming public know where his true worth lies – which is to say, he might be Fifth Growth, but he’s commanding Second Growth prices. The system also, of course, has its snob appeal. The more-‐money-‐ than-‐sense brigade, like the poor, will always be with us. Their cellars would recoil at the presence of anything less than a First Growth of impeccable vintage. Well, let them go their yellow-‐brick-‐ road way. In the second part of this article, next month, I explain how you can enjoy Bordeaux wines from classified vineyards at a proper price.
John Sherwin, French Wine Tours Email: johnsherwin@orange.fr ~ www.french-wine-tours.com
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French Adventures... I first met Sally at a singles night in 2004. She was single after a messy divorce and I was a widower having lost my wife in a tragic road accident. We soon became very close and Sally brought me to France to meet one of her sons and his family who lived at St Paul-‐ en-‐Gatine. Sally had always loved France but my only experience had been a trip to Calais and a pilgrimage to Lourdes when I was a teenager. However, I fell in love with it and to cut a long story short we both decided to retire and then bought the first house we saw that week. We moved in August 2005. The house was an old farmhouse 2kms outside Secondigny and just habitable. We didn't sell my house back in Wells, Somerset straight away as we needed a fall-‐back plan in case Sally, myself or my 12 year old daughter Jazmine could not settle. None of us really spoke French, my only claim to fame was an ‘O’ level 50 years ago! Of all of us I think Jazzie was the bravest, starting college about 2 weeks after arriving here. While we were waiting for the sale to go through we came up with a 5 year plan. With the help of Sally's son Andy we were going to renovate our farmhouse in 5 years, simple as that. Oh and we got married a month before we moved. We were advised that because of the inheritance laws in France it was a good idea. A marriage of convenience! In the November of the year we moved Sally began to get itchy feet and did a bit of research to see if there were any Line Dance groups she could join. She had been a teacher in England for a number of years. She was contacted by an English lady who said that she and a group of other ladies went to a French group and wondered whether Sally could perhaps give them a bit of extra tuition. Sally went to the Salle de Fete in Glenay and an association was formed with Sally as their instructor, not quite what she had in mind! The renovations progressed well and after about 18 months we had 2 bedrooms and a new bathroom sorted. When we viewed the house we planned to turn an old room at the rear into a 2 bedroomed gîte but by now we were having second thoughts as there seemed to be a lot of them close by and in an area of France that wasn't particularly common for tourists. One day we were looking at the room and I had an idea to turn it into a dance studio. Sally was all for the idea and decided to look into setting up her own business teaching dance. After a lot of red tape and form filling ‘Mustang Sallys’ was born as a Micro Entreprise. We finished renovating the studio and ended up with a 65 sq m. sprung chestnut floor. Sally opened for business in April 2007. We had a bit of a hiccup just after this when I was diagnosed with bladder and prostate cancer, but after a very worrying 18 months when everything that could go wrong did, I was eventually given the all clear. I have to say that I have nothing but praise for the French Health system. Business progressed well and fame spread so much so that our local Maire asked Sally if she would provide the entertainment for Friday night during Pomme Expo at The Salle Alauna. It ended as a very successful evening and was asked back again for the next year. We then had a call from the Care Home in Secondigny asking if Sally would do the entertainment for their Family Day. During
the preparatory discussions it came out that I was a Catering Manager for a group of care homes in a former life and a plan was hatched for me to prepare and cook an English meal for the 80 residents and staff. Both events were Above: Sally and her team at the amazing successes and we were Pomme Expo in 2008 asked back to do the same again the next year. In fact Sally now goes in each Wednesday to do chair dancing with the residents and I cook an English meal for them every 6 months. Come the end of 2010 we had finished the renovations and guess what? It had only cost us twice what we had budgeted for! By now we had accumulated quite a menagerie, 2 donkeys, 20 sheep, 5 pigs and numerous chickens, ducks and guinea fowl. Self sufficient in meat, eggs and vegetables. Wow the real “Good Life”.
Above: Sally’s dance studio, before and after the renovation
As for Mustang Sallys, it still continues to grow, dancing to popular music rather than just country. With her abilities in movement and dance and her passion for Latin music it has inspired Sally to introduce Deux-‐Sèvres to SALUMBA! DANCERISE TO LOSE A SIZE, MOVE YOUR BODY AND FEET TO THE RHYTHM OF THE LATIN BEAT. She will be launching this new branch of her business with a 20 minute taster session at ‘The Deux-‐Sèvres Monthly’ Trade Fair, at 2.30pm on 8th September, and starting sessions at Les Ourieres on Thursday mornings at 10.30. They will be an hour long and cost 5 euros. We feel that we have now integrated well into our local community, our French has improved beyond recognition, Jazzie is off to Strasbourg Grande Ecole in September and life really couldn't get much better. Well... maybe the weather could improve. I will always remember what someone said to me just after we moved here “Two things have shocked me about France, first how friendly and helpful the French are and secondly how b****y cold the winters are”.
The move to France was one of the best decisions of our lives. Sally & John Lanario. Tel: 05 49 64 92 33 ~ Email:mustangsallys.fr@hotmail.com Thank you to Sally & John Lanario for sharing their story with us.....If you would like to share your ‘French Adventure’, please email your story to us for consideration. For more information, please visit the ‘Written Contributions’ page on our website: www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr.
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Motoring... Bugatti Bug!
by Helen Tait-‐Wright
Generally speaking, I am not a great lover of French cars. There are however two notable exceptions. If I win the Euromillions tonight (it’s Friday as I am writing) pretty close to the top of my things to spend the money on is a car which is as impractical as it is beautiful, as challenging to drive as it is evocative, and rare as hen’s teeth! I speak of the Bugatti Type 35C. I mean, any Type 35 would do, I’m not fussy, but a 35C would be the best. The Bugatti company was founded in 1909 in the Alsace region of France (which was at the time the territory of the German Empire) by the Italian Ettore Bugatti. Ettore was the son of an important Art Nouveau furniture and jewellery designer, and his cars are famous as much for their beauty as their exquisite, precision construction and their excellent racing pedigree. It was a Bugatti car that won the first ever Monaco Grand Prix. The most successful racing model made by Bugatti was the Type 35, which won over 1,000 races in its time, averaging 14 wins per week at the height of its success, from both the works team and privateer racers. It was the first vehicle to feature the famous Bugatti arch-‐shaped radiator, and is regarded by many as the most beautiful pre-‐war racing car as well as probably being the most successful racing car ever constructed. The Type 35 was introduced in 1924 to take advantage of a new 2 litre racing class, and made it’s debut at the Grand Prix de Lyon. The design of the car had many innovative features including a hollow front axle to reduce weight and solid alloy wheels, at a time when wire wheels were normally fitted. This car could achieve 110mph and was designed on lightweight principles, when the commonly accepted belief was that heavier cars held the road better. The combination of the featherweight chassis and low center of gravity make these relatively diminutive GP cars extremely manouevrable, especially on short tracks. It was this versatility of the chassis that enabled the car to compete successfully in long distance road races and hill climbs as well as Grand Prix, and achieve so many wins. In short, the Type 35 would make the Bugatti name a legend. Over the years various derivatives of the model were made, but the 35C is unique in the fact that it featured a supercharger on the straight 8 cylinder engine, giving an output of nearly 128hp and a top speed of around 125mph. Incredible for the 1920‘s. It was a 35C that won the French Grand Prix in both 1928 and 1930. Only 50 examples of the 35C left the factory! As you can therefore imagine, the remaining cars fetch incredibly high prices today, ranging between 600,000 Euros and two million Euros depending on the provenance of the car. Despite this many remaining Type 35 Bugattis are still raced today, and the Circuit des Remparts in Angouleme, 14 -‐ 16 September is a great place to see them in action! PS. I didn’t win the lottery! Photo: www.ultimatecarpage.com
Contact Helen at: helen@stodel.org.
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How to speed up your PC
need to activate it. It is quite straight forward to do just follow the instructions that come with the software.
Part 11: Re-‐loading / re-‐installing Windows XP Drivers, Programs and Data Last month we got to the position where we had loaded and installed Windows XP on your PC. This month we are going to reload the rest of the information that makes the PC yours.
My preference is to load the Anti-‐Virus and Anti-‐Spyware programs first. This will give you protection for when you go on-‐line to the internet. You will need to do this throughout the re-‐installation process, as many programs check for updates as part of the loading process.
These items should be loaded in a logical sequence to ensure that you have all of the features you need. I strongly suggest that you create or update the checklist I suggested in part 9 in July, listing what you need to load, in the sequence you need to load it, after reading this article.
You may have also received Application programs with any device you have connected to your PC, such as a DVD or CD burner, then you may have something like "Nero" or "Easy DVD/CD Creator" to burn or copy CDs and DVDs, or with your Sat Nav, Mobile telephone, printer etc. You should load these next. Some programs may be downloaded rather than come on disk; once you have got the anti-‐virus and ant-‐spyware programs installed you should be totally safe to do these re-‐installations next.
by Ross Hendry
The sequence should now be load the Drivers first. These are the bits of program code that let Windows interact with the various devices on/in or connected to your PC; these include the graphics card, network card, sound devices, and other features on the main board of the PC, plus your printer, scanner, camera and or webcam, sat nav, mobile telephone and any other devices you may have. Always load the drivers that came with your PC first. This should ensure that all of the devices on the PC work, such as the network or WiFi adaptor. If either one of these is not installed you will not be connected to the internet. If you are using WiFi to connect to your Livebox or other modem router remember you will need to put in the Security code when you first connect to the router. Once you have installed all of the Drivers you should have all of the components on the PC working, the screen should look normal (this means correct resolution and icons and text the size you like), you should hear sounds from your speakers, the printer should have printed a test page (if not check that now). You should also be able to get on the internet. If so, you should activate the Windows operating system and follow the instructions. If the automatic on-‐ line attempt fails just telephone the service and follow the instructions, if you are challenged simply state that, "this copy of Windows is not running on any other PC and that you have just completed a reload", the operator will then issue you another code to activate Windows. Once again just follow the instructions and you will be fine.
Finally, you are ready to reload all of the data you have on to the freshly loaded PC. Use Windows Explorer to help you do this. I like to have two small Windows Explorer windows open, the one on the left the source device, say a USB stick and the right hand one, showing the destination folder for the data you are re-‐loading. Take your time and copy the folders and files in batches. Do not try to do them all in one go. Make sure that you put documents and document folders into the ‘My Documents’ folder, pictures and picture folders to ‘My Pictures’ and so on -‐ it makes life so much easier when you come to try to find things. Good luck, and be patient. This process may take several hours. You are also bound to receive many updates for Windows and other programs over the next few days -‐ this should ensure that you have the latest versions of Windows XP, drivers and programs. Next Month we will look at loading Windows 7 from scratch all being well. Ross Hendry is the proprietor of Interface Consulting and Engineering, who has over 42 years experience in Communications, Computer Technology and Direct Marketing.(See advert below for more information).
Now the Drivers are loaded, you need to re-‐install the Application programs that you use. This is normally from the discs that you got when you purchased the software. To do this follow the instructions that came with the software. A good example of this would be your Anti-‐Virus Programs or Microsoft Office, this suite of programs includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher and many more. Some of these programs will need a code or serial number to run and in the case of Microsoft Office you may also
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A-Z of the Communes in the Deux-Sèvres
Bu- Cel
A-Z of the Communes of the by Sue Burgess Deux-Sèvres.
CELLES-SUR-BELLE Celles-‐sur-‐Belle is situated between Niort and Melle. Since 2009 Celles has had more inhabitants (who are known as Celloises and Cellois) than Melle.
LE BUSSEAU Le Busseau is situated on the road from Niort to l'Absie, just on the Deux-‐Sèvres / Vendée border. The nearest villages to Le Busseau are Marillet , Scillé , La Chapelle-‐Thireuil , Saint-‐Hilaire-‐de-‐Voust and Faymoreau.
Celles-‐sur-‐Belle is situated on one of the roads (the Via Turonensis) to St Jacques de Compostelle (Santiago da Compostella), between Poitiers and La Gironde. Celles-‐sur-‐Belle is situated on the old N148 road which joined Sainte-‐Hermine to Etagnac through Niort and Melle. This road has been renumbered as the D 948.
The commune of le Busseau has 31 lieux dits and hamlets: La Baubière, La Blinière, La Boissière, La Bourtière, Bretignolles, Les Broises, La Chauvière, La Coutancière, L'embranchement, Le Fougeroux, Les Frênes, La Girardière, La Givrelière, La Grange Burgaud, Les Granges, La Guérinière, La Haute Bourtière, La Jaguignière, La Landremière, La Lizabère, La Ménantelière, Le Peu, Le Plessis, La Pouge, La Réortière, La Rousselière, Le Suchaud, Les Terrières, La Trépinière, La Tutière, La Touche Allerit, La Vezallière. The mathematician François Viète (1540-‐1603), who developed new algebra lived in Le Busseau where his father was the “notaire”. Left: Coat of arms of François Viète The Michenot group has two main types of economic activity – distribution of drinks to wholesalers and stockage. There are four sites in France : Paris, Lyon, Chouze sur Loire (37) and Le Busseau group also has something else to offer : Le Cellier. In this wine cellar you can find some of the greatest wines of France : Bordeaux, Burgundy,... but also wines from lesser known vineyards. CAUNAY Caunay is situated close to Pers, Vanzay, Mairé-‐Levescault, Pliboux and Clussais-‐la-‐Pommeraie. It has 163 inhabitants. A VOIR / MUST SEE • The Church The romanesque church is dedicated to Saint Peter. You enter the church through a gothic style side doorway. The nave was damaged during the wars of religion. The light enters the vaulted apse through decorated glass. The top parts of the columns are sculpted with a variety of themes – birds, chimaera …. Several tombs with epitaphs on them can be found in the stone slabs of the nave. In 1998 and 1999 the little church of Caunay was lucky enough to be decorated with 6 magnificent stained glass windows. These original pieces of artwork are by Pierre BOUTIN, a former gynaecologist and mid-‐wife who developed a passion for stained glass work when he retired. He remembered the holidays he used to spend at his grandmother's in Caunay.
The river Belle, a tributary of the Boutonne crosses the commune. A legend tells us that the first pilgrimage to Notre-‐Dame-‐de-‐Celles was made in in 507, by the king Clovis after his victory over the Wisigoths at Vouillé., Notre-‐Dame-‐de-‐Celles was a priory of the abbey of Lesterps in the Limousin. It became an abbey in 1137. Between 1460-‐1477, king Louis XI rebuilt the abbey which was later destroyed in 1568 by the protestants. Louis XI made several pilgrimages to the abbey, in particular on Sunday 22 April 1470 to celebrate Easter. The architect François le Duc known as Toscane restored the abbey in 1669. Since 1973, the communes of Montigné and Verrines-‐sous-‐Celles have been associated with Celles-‐sur-‐Belle. A VOIR / MUST SEE • The Royal Abbey of Celles-‐sur-‐ Belle dating from the XIIth century. • The 12th century romanesque style church which was later rebuilt in a gothic style. • The ‘Maison du protestantisme poitevin’, museum of protestant history at Beaussais. • La talle à teurtous (The Chestnut Tree that belongs to everybody). A “talle” is a chestnut tree that has been greffé to produce chestnuts. This one gives its name to the spot where it can be found in the hamlet of la Revêtizon. The main trunk which at 1,80m from t h e g r o u n d , h a s a circumference of more than 7 metres, has been dead for some years. But two off-‐ shoots which surround it have given it a new life. The w h o l e t h i n g h a s a circumference of 11,65m. Famous people with a connection to the commune: Charles-‐Maurice de Talleyrand-‐Périgord, the abbot of Celles Abbey. The actor Robert Dalban was born in Celles as were certain members of the music group Trip Transfert.
More ‘A-‐Z of the Communes of the Deux-‐Sèvres.’ next month...
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Building & Renovation...
Short editorials can be offered to advertisers, free of charge.
ARTISANS & TRADESMEN... Do you have any top tips you can share with our readers? We would love to include them in this section!
Please call Sarah to find out more.
For more details, please see the ‘Written Contributions’ page on our website: www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
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Business, Finance & Property... Ask Amanda.
With summer coming to a close many ex patriots will have said goodbye to friends and family who have visited over the last few months, or have waved guests goodbye for those involved in the tourism industry.
mornings in La Grande Galerie in Civray. You can also send your enquiry to “Ask Amanda” on the contacts below and I will be happy to help where I can. Amanda Johnson, The Spectrum IFA Group. Tel: 05 49 98 97 46 Email: amanda.johnson@spectrum-‐ifa.com “Ask Amanda” at finance@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
Autumn often finds us with a little more “me time” and provides an opportunity to look back on what we have achieved and plan ahead for next year and beyond. Whilst you look around the house and garden to see what maintenance is needed before winter arrives, or maybe aim to shed a few pounds after showing your guests the abundance of fine food and wine the region has to offer, do not forget that your financial wellbeing is just as important as your health and home. Why not use the next month or so to have a free financial review to ensure that your French adventure continues smoothly, with as few unforeseen bumps in the road as possible? Whether you want to look at proposed changes in legislation the new French Government are proposing or review any investments you hold to ensure they are as tax efficient as they can be, I am more than happy to sit down with you and review your situation. The review also covers inheritance planning and pension options. For those who would like an informal chat or have a quick question which I may be able to help you with, I have a stand at ‘The Deux-‐ Sèvres Monthly’ Trade Fair on Saturday the 8th September in Secondigny “Look out for the Spectrum IFA Group Banners” -‐ I will be next to Currencies Direct. I can also be found most Tuesday page 34
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How is your wealth management strategy holding up? by Bill Blevins, Blevins Franks Financial Correspondent.
The investment and general wealth management landscape has changed considerably over the last decade or two. The credit crunch had a dramatic impact. Economic growth stalled. Bank interest rates plummeted to record lows. Long established banks collapsed. Stockmarkets became volatile. And now we have the Euro crisis and austerity measures to deal with.
arrangements and advise you on how to protect and grow your wealth; to legitimately mitigate the amount of tax that you pay and control when and where you pay it; to ensure your wealth will be distributed on your death according to your wishes and with as little inheritance tax as possible, and to protect your investments from institutional failure. Ask an experienced wealth manager like Blevins Franks for advice on your situation and investment and tax planning objectives. To keep in touch with the latest developments in the offshore world, check out the latest news on our website www.blevinsfranks.com. (See our advert below)
All this has brought renewed emphasis on wealth preservation. Many investors today are concerned with maintaining the value of their money over the long term. It is important to, with the help of a wealth manager, devise a strategy across your savings and investment portfolio that employs asset allocation and diversification to reduce risk. This strategy should be based on your specific investment objectives. At the same time, we have been faced with rising taxes, here in France and elsewhere, and the global crackdown on offshore banking. Banking secrecy is fast being consigned to history. The impact of taxation on savings income and investment growth has become a bigger issue. What matters, after all, are after-‐tax returns. Your financial planning strategies, therefore, require both investment expertise and tax expertise. In view of all these changes and the complex world we find ourselves in today, wealth management advice is more important than ever before. A wealth manager will review your current
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French Tax – Top Tax Tips
by David Hardy With the current, ever-‐changing worldwide economy, fluctuating stock markets and interest rates it is not easy to keep track of what is happening and the effects on your money. However, there is one thing that is a certainty -‐ we all have to pay tax. The French taxation system is different to what you are used to in the UK and there are some important facts to know before you make the move to France, or if you are already living in France and are now classified as a 'French resident' and therefore liable for French taxes. Siddalls have put together a quick guide to French tax to help you reduce your tax liability -‐ 5 Top Tax Tips for UK residents moving across to France and 5 Top Tax Tips for British people who are now living in France. Five Tax Tips for UK Residents moving to France:
1. 2.
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Before you leave make sure you complete the Inland Revenue Form P85 to inform the Inland Revenue of the date you leave the UK. They will finalise your tax affairs. Obtain a forecast from the Dept Work and Pensions of your entitlement to a State Pension and if you need to make additional Class 3 Contributions to obtain your full entitlement (www.thepensionservice.gov.uk). Note however, that anyone retiring after 2010 may get a pleasant surprise. The qualification for a maximum pension reduces from 40 years full NI contributions to 30 years. Do not overpay! Consider taking any tax free cash commutation from your pensions whilst a UK resident. Since the start of 2011 lump sums taken from a UK pension scheme are now taxable in France. The tax benefits of holding stocks and shares, ISAs and cash ISAs will no longer be available to you once you are French resident. You should therefore consider realising any gains, free of UK income or capital gains tax, before you make your move. There are re-‐investment options available through other deposit and investment products which are more tax-‐efficient for French residents. There is no substitute for taking advice from qualified advisers who are regulated in the UK by the Financial Services Authority and are familiar with taxation and investments in France and the EU. This is to ensure you are taking advantage of all windows of opportunity ie maximising your French IHT exemption limits whilst still a UK resident.
Five Tax Tips for UK Tax Residents in France: 1. On becoming a French tax resident it is your responsibility to make yourself known to the tax authorities and to declare fully your income, capital gains and wealth. Once you have made your first return they should automatically send you a form in future years. 2. Ensure you each top up to the maximum your tax free accounts which are Livret A (€15,300) and a Livret de Développement Durable account (€6,000). 3. Take steps to keep your taxable income to the minimum by placing surplus funds in tax efficient investments. Investment income is liable to income tax, social charges and if you do not qualify may be also liable to contributions to the French healthcare system. 4. French inheritance tax may not be as bad as you fear. The allowances for assets passing to children may be lower than the UK, but so are the rates. There are ways of reducing and possibly removing any liability to French gifts tax and inheritance tax on assets passing to children. 5. "Do as the French do". They take active and sensible steps to avoid unnecessary taxation. Seek advice from persons authorised in France who have access to a variety of solutions and not just one product.
David Hardy is Regional Manager for Poitou-‐Charentes for Siddalls France, who have been providing specialist independent financial advice to the British community in France for the last 15 years. If you wish to discuss your own financial planning requirements in more detail, please contact David on 05 56 34 71 77.
For a full list of our advertising rates, please phone for an advertising pack or download from our website. Tel: 05 49 70 26 21 www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
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International buyers see France as a safe haven by Joanna Leggett Marketing Director A hearty “bonjour” from the Leggett team in the Deux-‐Sèvres. We are delighted to take over this regular slot from Peter Elias and hope we can continue bringing you interesting comment on the local and national property market. The 2012 "Investing & living abroad" survey by BNP Paribas has just been published and this year the report has been extended to look at the impact that the internet is having on the buying process. It was no surprise to see the headline figure that the number of overseas buyers in France fell by 7% last year (from 42,057 sales to 39,160). Before you start feeling too sorry for we estate agents though you should realise that the average purchase price saw a significant jump of 12% up to €265,000. Indeed last year Leggett Immobilier saw a 39% increase in transaction numbers which indicates a most pleasing growth in our own market share.
tour” of many of our houses for instance) and we are always aware that it will be consumers who drive the market, not agents! Ultimately though, the most comforting line in the report comes towards the end -‐ where BNP Paribas say "Le marché immobilier Francais reste une valeur sure" which needs no translation. The halfway mark of 2012 saw that our agency has seen a growth in transaction numbers of 9% (year on year) and that we are selling larger properties at higher prices. Both of these things seem proof that international buyers do indeed see France as a safe haven in these uncertain times. You can access all the local Leggett Immobilier property listings and articles at www.frenchestateagents.com/poitou-‐charentes-‐property.
The BNP Paribas figures show that French expatriats are now the biggest "overseas buyers" and that the UK dropped from representing 11% of the market to 9% -‐ there was, however, a marked increase in buyers coming from Switzerland and Russia. There are no real changes in the most popular regions and departments within France but there is certainly a clear change in the attitude that investors have towards the French real estate market in comparison to other countries. The research shows that 61% of respondents haven't thought about investing in another country (compared to 54% in 2011) and 97% of respondents said that they saw the long term investment potential in France as very good (37%) or quite good (60%). Encouragingly 91% of respondents were happy with the level of service they received from their estate agents. What will be interesting to follow is the rise in popularity of "geo-‐ localisation" -‐ or in layman’s terms the ability to see the exact address of a property. BNP Paribas say that 97% of buyers would like to see this so that they can view the house on satellite imagery such as Google Earth. Agents are sure to resist this and the culture of only giving approximate locations is deeply ingrained both here in the Deux-‐Sèvres and throughout France -‐ this could well be a case of the immovable force meets the unstoppable object so expect fireworks in the coming years. Leggett Immobilier are at the forefront of this technological change (we now offer a “virtual
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