12 minute read
Bulletin Board
CHURCH NOTICES...
The Filling Station - Poitou-Charentes. Local Christians of all denominations who meet for spiritual renewal and evangelism. www.thefillingstationfrance.com or Carolyn on 05 45 84 19 03.
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ALL SAINTS, VENDÉE - Puy de Serre. We hold two services each month (+ Sunday school), on the 2nd and 4th Sundays at the church of St. Marthe, Puy de Serre, at 11h. www.allsaintsvendee.fr
The English Speaking Church of the Valley of the Loire (ESCOVAL)
meets at the R.C. Church in Arçay every 3rd Sunday of the month at 11am (just off the D759, Thouars to Loudun).
Eglise Vie Nouvelle
Bilingual (French / English) weekly service based in Civray See www.vie-nouvelle-civray.com Contact 05 49 87 49 04
The Chaplaincy of Christ the Good Shepherd, Poitou-Charentes,
normally holds Sunday services in English. Please see our website for current information: www.churchinfrance.com
Christian Fellowship - Chef Boutonne
Meeting each Sunday at 15h. Visit www.chef-boutonne.net for more information.
The National Holidays, Religious and Feast Days
2022...
Sun 25 December Christmas Day (Noël)
2023...
Sun 1 January Sun 9 April Mon 10 April Mon 1 May Mon 8 May Thu 18 May Sun 28 May Mon 29 May Fri 14 July Tue 15 Aug Wed 1 November New Year’s Day (Jour de l’an) Easter Sunday (Pâques) Easter Monday (Pâques) Labour Day (Fête du premier mai) VE 1945 (Fête du huitième mai) Ascension Day (Ascension) Whit Sunday (Pentecôte) Whit Monday (Lundi de Pentecôte) Bastille Day (Fête nationale) Assumption day (Assomption) All Saints’ Day (Toussaint) Sat 11 November Armistice Day (Armistice) Mon 25 December Christmas Day (Noël)
source www.publicholidays.fr
LOCAL MARKETS
Mondays......... Benet 85490 La Châtaigneraie (last Monday in month) 85120 Lencloître (1st Monday in month) 86140 Tuesdays......... Lezay 79120 Civray 86400 Coulonges-sur-l’Autize 79160 Thouars 79100 - and - Bressuire 79300 Vasles 79340 Wednesdays.... Parthenay 79200 - and - Celles-sur-Belle 79370 Ruffec 16700 Thursdays........ Sauzé-Vaussais 79190 - and - Niort 79000 La Mothe St Héray 79800 Gençay 86160 Fridays............... Thouars 79100 - and - Melle 79500 Secondigny 79130 (pm)-and-St Aubin le Cloud (pm) Civray 86400 (small food market) Antigny 85120 (1st and 3rd Fridays - pm) La Mothe Saint-Héray 79800 (Place Clémenceau)
Melle 79500 (la Place Bujault) AIGONDIGNE 79370 (Place de la Gasse, 4pm-8/9pm)
Saturdays........ Bressuire 79300 - and - Champdeniers 79220 Chef-Boutonne 79110 Airvault 79600 - and - Niort 79000 Saint Maixent-l’École 79400 Fontenay-le-Comte 85200 Ruffec 16700 Magné 79460 and Moncoutant 79320 Sundays............ Coulon 79510 - and - Neuville-de-Poitou 86170 Thénezay 79390 Saint-Varent 79330 Saint-Loup-Lamairé 79600
by John Blair
Please note that from January the Book Club and Poems and Pints events will take place at the earlier time of 3pm. Poems and Pints: next event will be held on the 25th January at the Café des Belles Fleurs in Fenioux. The theme will be "Winter". Everyone is welcome to come along but if you have a poem you would like to read please contact johnwround@ gmail.com. The Book Club January book is the "Grey Bees" by Ukrainian author Andrey Kurkov.
A big thank you to EVERYONE who helps get our magazine into your hands each month
MARKEY’S PORK ‘N’ PIES
TRADITIONAL BRITISH COOKING
Sat: Fontenay-le-Comte (marché), Vendée and at Saint-Jean-d’Angély (marché intérieur), Charente-Maritime Sun: Aulnay (marché), Charente-Maritime Open mornings
Tel: 05 46 01 54 65 www.markeys-pies.com
SIRET : 484 920 285 00018
MR T’S FISH & CHIPS
Regular venues at:
• Aulnay de Saintonge 17470 • Beauvais Sur Matha 17490 • St Jean D’Angély 17400 • Sauzé-Vaussais Hope 79 79190 • La Chaumière, La Chapelle 16140 • Charroux 86250 • Saintes 17100 • Savigné 86400
SIRET : 537 606 972 00025
The information here is as accurate as we can get it but PLEASE check events have not been cancelled or altered before you leave the house.
WHAT’S ON DIARY
01/12 MARCHÉ MUSICAL LA CRECHE 79260. Farmers market with aperitif-concert. Local producers offer specialities in the form of ready to eat meals. You can dine on site - picnic tables available. Bring plates, glasses, cutlery. 17h-20h Free.
01-04/12 EXPOSITION DE LA REDDITION DE THOUARS
On the 650th anniversary of the surrender of Thouars, discover the story and the character of Du Guesclin and his role in the surrender through this exhibition. 14h-18h. Free. 04/12 MARCHÉ DE NOËL SAINT-GEORGES-DE-REX 79210. Meet Santa Claus. Numerous exhibitors and local producers Mulled wine, pancakes, waffles and food trucks. Sale of Christmas trees, activities for children. 10h-17h.
04/12 MARCHÉ DE NOËL QUINCAY 86190. Come and discover original creations and stock up on gift ideas! Jewellery, decorations, crafts, sewing, accessories, handpainted tableware, regional products. Mulled wine and catering on site. 10h-18h.
02/12 PIQUE-NIQUE SAINT-MAIXENT-DE-BEUGNE 79160. Picnic at the village hall in aid of the Telethon at 20h.
02/12 SOIREE COULONGES-SUR-L'AUTIZE 79160. DJ evening with fast food in hall in aid of the Telethon at 20h.
02/12 MARCHÉ DE NOËL ADILLY 79200. Producers & artisans will be present. Delicious tartiflette to enjoy on the spot or to take away. Don't forget plates or trays. 17h-23h.
03/12 MARCHÉ DE NOËL CHAMPDENIERS 79220. Artisanal creations & regional products. Santa Claus, entertainment, carriage rides. Food & refreshments on site. 10h-19h. 06/12 TELETHON QUIZ L'ABSIE 79240. 19h30. Quiz night in English. Contact Clare for details 09 61 66 06 88.
08-31/12 NOËL DANS LE QUARTIER MÉDIÉVAL PARTHENAY 79200. Giant garlands, decorated trees. Artist exhibitions 17th & 18th.
03/12 MARCHÉ DE NOËL AUGE 79400. More than 40 exhibitors, tree decorating, arrival of Father Christmas by torchlight. Food and drink on site. 10h-19h.
03/12 MARCHÉ DE NOËL SAINT-LAURENT-SUR-SEVRE 85290. An event that promises to be friendly and magical in a family atmosphere.
03-04/12 MARCHÉ DE NOEL SAINT LOUP SUR THOUET 79600. 120 exhibitors in chalets. Local and regional crafts and gastronomic specialities. Sat December 3rd from 12:00 to 23:00 and Sun December 4th from 10h to 19h.
03-04/12 MARCHÉ DE NOËL CERIZAY 79140. More than 30 local producers & craftsmen. Brass band, games, exhibitions and nativity scene. Bar and restaurant on site. 03/12 15h-18h, 04/12 10h-18h.
04/12 MARCHÉ DE NOËL FAYE-SUR-ARDIN 79160. Market & free entertainment, face painting and inflatables. Baked potatoes & sausages available to eat. 10h-18h. 03-04/12 MARCHÉ DE NOËL CHÂTEAU SEVREMONT 85700. Stroll through the garden and ruins to discover the local merchants, be soothed by the smell of spices & cinnamon as some surprise events await you. 03/12 from 16h30, 04/12 from 12h.
04/12 INDOOR CHARITY ENGLISH CHRISTMAS MARKET
TERVES 79300. Artisan & English stalls. Mulled wine and mince pies, real English fish and chips, bacon butties, cakes and refreshments. 10h00 - 16h00. Free entry, 09-31/12 ANIMATIONS DE NOËL POITIERS 86000. Merrygo-rounds, Christmas market, ice rink, entertainment, shows. Several sites through the city. Free horse-drawn carriage rides (from 9th) and pony rides (from 24th).
10/12 MARCHÉ DE NOËL CHEF BOUTONNE 79110. Organised by the association Miltourzumba in the Centre Cultural. 10h00 - 18h00.
10/12 CONCERT CHOEUR DE CHAMBRE DES DEUX-SÈVRES
L'ABSIE 79240. The Deux-Sèvres Chamber Choir sing works from around the world amid magnificent frescoes of the recently renovated abbey 20h30 -22h30. Free
10/12 MARCHÉ DE NOËL SEMI-NOCTURNE COULONGESSUR-L'AUTIZE 79160. Night market with entertainment and restaurant area on site. 16h-21h.
10-11/12 MARCHÉ DE NOËL LA MOTHE-SAINT-HERAY 79800. Catering, refreshment bar, tree-themed exhibition, music and pony rides.
10-11/12 MARCHÉ DE NOËL NUEIL LES AUBIERS 79250. Chalets, indoor and outdoor exhibitions, foie gras, wines, chocolates, oysters. Also jewellery & decorations. Tartiflette to eat in or take away, mulled wine, chestnuts, oyster bar. Many activities from Saturday 15h-18h, Sunday from 11h closing 19h with a grand fireworks display.
11/12 SERVICE OF NINE LESSONS & CAROLS VOUVANT 85120. Bilingual service. All welcome. 16h.
11/12 MARCHÉ DE NOËL MONTOURNAIS 85700. Producers, entertainment, oyster bar, Santa Claus, free horse-drawn carriage rides. From 9h.
11/12 MARCHÉ DE NOËL LA CHATAIGNERAIE 85120. Father Christmas, exhibitors, musical entertainment, rides. Food and refreshments on site. From 10h.
WHAT’S ON DIARY (continued)
16/12 MARCHÉ DE NOËL PAIZAY-LE-CHAPT 79170. Honey, recycled sewing, organic soap, cheeses, sausages and more. Refreshment bar, wine, hot waffles. From 17h30.
16-18/12 ANIMATIONS DE NOËL FONTENAY-LE-COMTE 85200. A full weekend of Christmas entertainment, ice sculpture and shopping. Including on 17th from 19h fireworks and arrival of Father Christmas.
17/12 FETE DE NOËL ARGENTONNAY 79150. Alpacas, mince pies, mulled wine, pony rides, artisan beer, Christmas crafts, music and food. 10h - 18h 18/12 CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT ARCAY 86200. At the parish church of St Paul's at Arçay. See advert on page 4.
18/12 SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS CHEF BOUTONNE 79110. In the Church of Christ the Good Shepherd, Chef Boutonne. 15h00. Details on our website: www.churchinfrance.com
17/12 CAROL SINGING AT THE SATURDAY MORNING
MARKET CHEF BOUTONNE 79110. All welcome to join in, contact Amanda, les.amis.de.crezieres@gmail.com for more info.
17/12 ENGLISH CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE
MONCOUTANT 79320. The Protestant Church of Moncoutant. 80, Ave du Maréchel Leclerc (opposite the Maison Pour Tous). At 18h00. More info : 06 42 80 99 62 21/12 READINGS IN ENGLISH: THE GRINCH SECONDIGNY 79130. Children’s story time at the media library 17h.
25/12 CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE CHEF BOUTONNE 79110. In the Church of Christ the Good Shepherd, Chef Boutonne. 11h00. Details on our website: www.churchinfrance.com
31/12 CLOSING DATE FOR 800 WORDS COMPETITION (SEE BACK PAGE FOR DETAILS)
The information provided here is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of printing. Do check though.
17 & 21/12 ANIMATIONS DE NOËL POUZAUGES 85700. Around the ice rink, entertainment & creative workshops for adults and children, balloon sculpture, Santa Claus. Music, magic, horse-drawn carriage rides, refreshment and catering. From 14h.
December
December 1, 1990
Shortly after 11am, 132 feet below the English Channel, workers drill an opening through a wall of rock. The hole, the size of a car, connected the two ends of an underwater tunnel linking Great Britain with the European mainland for the first time in more than 8,000 years.
December 3, 1992
The first SMS text message is sent by Neil Papworth, a 22-yearold engineer, via a personal computer. “Merry Christmas” was sent using the Vodafone network to the phone of a colleague. He was part of a team developing a “Short Message Service Centre” (SMSC) for the British telecommunications company who hoped to use these short messages as a paging service.
December 5, 1872
The Mary Celeste, an American ship, is discovered sailing erratically but at full speed near the Azores Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. The vessel was seaworthy, with its stores and supplies untouched, but not a soul was on-board. The last entry in the captain’s log shows that the Mary Celeste had been nine days and 500 miles away from where the ship was found. The captain, crew and families of the Mary Celeste were never found.
December 6, 1917
At 9:05 a.m. in the harbour of Halifax Nova Scotia, the most devastating pre-atomic, man-made, explosion occurs. The French munitions ship Mont Blanc exploded 20 minutes after colliding with the Norwegian vessel Imo. The French freighter was carrying highly explosive munitions - 2,300 tons of picric acid, 200 tons of TNT, 35 tons of high-octane gasoline, and 10 tons of gun cotton. The collision caused the Mont Blanc to be propelled toward the shore and minutes later it scraped by a harbour pier, setting it ablaze. The resulting explosion killed more than 1,800 people, injured another 9,000, blinded 200 and destroyed almost the entire north end of the city of Halifax including more than 1,600 homes. The resulting shockwave shattered windows 50 miles away, with the sound travelling hundreds of miles.
December 10, 1901
The first Nobel Prizes are awarded in Stockholm, Sweden in the fields of physics, chemistry, medicine, literature and peace. The ceremony came on the fifth anniversary of the death of Alfred Nobel, the Swedish inventor of dynamite and other high explosives. In his will, Nobel decreed that most of his considerable fortune should form a fund in which the interest would be “annually distributed in the form of prizes to those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind.”
December 16, 1773
A group of Massachusetts colonists, some disguised as native American Mohawks, board three British tea ships and over the next three hours dump 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbour. The raid, which became known as the “Boston Tea Party,” was in protest of the British Parliament’s Tea Act of 1773. The bill was designed to save the faltering East India Company by greatly lowering its tea tax and granting it a virtual monopoly on the American tea trade and was viewed by many colonists as another example of taxation tyranny by the British.
December 18, 1620
The English ship "The Mayflower" makes landfall in the area now known as Plymouth, Massachusetts. The story of those settlers on-board began in Nottinghamshire, England, in 1606, when a group of reform-minded Puritans founded their own church, separate from the state-sanctioned Church of England. When accused of treason, they settled in the more tolerant Netherlands but after struggling for 12 years the group sought financial help from some London merchants to set up a colony in America. On September 6, 1620, 102 passengers - dubbed "Pilgrims" by William Bradford, a passenger who would become the first governor of Plymouth Colony - crowded on the Mayflower to begin the long, hard journey to a new life in the New World.
December 19, 1843
Charles Dickens’ classic story “A Christmas Carol” is published. Dickens was born in Portsmouth in 1812. His father, a clerk in the navy pay office, was thrown into debtors’ prison in 1824, and Charles was sent to work in a factory. The miserable treatment of children, the institutions of the debtors’ prison and workhouses became the topics of several of his novels. Written during a period when the British were exploring and re-evaluating past Christmas traditions such as carols, and newer customs such as Christmas cards and Christmas trees: the first edition sold out by Christmas Eve.
December 21, 1958
War hero Charles de Gaulle is elected the first president of the Fifth Republic by a sweeping majority of French voters. When a military and civilian revolt in Algeria threatened France’s stability, De Gaulle was called out of retirement to lead the country as he was the only leader of sufficient strength and stature to deal with the perilous situation. He was given power to rule by decree for six months. A new constitution of his design was approved in a national referendum in September leading to his election.
December 25, 1914
Just after midnight, most of the German troops cease firing their artillery and begin to sing Christmas carols. At some points along the eastern and western fronts Russian, French and British soldiers even heard brass bands accompanying the Germans in their singing. British and German soldiers met in no-man's land and exchanged gifts, took photographs and some played impromptu games of football. They also buried casualties and repaired trenches and dugouts.
