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CONTENTS
Welcome! to Issue 41 of‘The Deux-Sèvres Monthly’ magazine.
Yay! It is officially Summer and I’m loving the warm, balmy evenings away from the computer reading some excellent books....well, it’s got to be better than football hasn’t it ladies?!
If, like me, you’ve been subjected to too much sport recently, then enjoy taking a moment with a glass of something refreshing, to see what we have inside to keep you entertained
this month. Perhaps you can take a day-‐trip to the Marais Poitevin.... Mick Austin, our regular ‘Spotlight On’ writer gives us plenty of information on the centre pages, plus there is the painting festival in Magné on the weekend of 19th/20th July and Le Vanneau hosts the floating market on Saturday 26th July. I haven’t yet had chance to visit either -‐ but this year I’m hoping to get to both!
Other events coming later in the Summer (29th-‐31st August) include the second Litfest, organised by Gordon & Jocelyn Simms. This literary event has all sorts to offer -‐ not just books, as you’ll see inside on page 7!
Well, whatever you choose to do, have fun and enjoy the beautiful Deux-‐Sèvres.
Tel: 05 49 70 26 21Email: [email protected]
THIS MONTH’S ADVERTISERS
BH Assurances / Allianz.......................................................................................Bill McEvoy (Plumber / Heating Engineer)..........................................................Blevins Franks Financial Management................................................................British Mobile Mechanic (John Purchase)...........................................................Camping Les Prairies du Lac................................................................................Caniclôture (Hidden Fencing for Dogs)...............................................................Cave/Brasserie J-‐M Renaudin.............................................................................Centre Régional “Résistance & Liberté”..............................................................Chris Bassett Construction..................................................................................Chris Parsons (Heating/Electrical/Plumbing)......................................................Chris the Handyman............................................................................................Christies (English Book Shop and Tea Room)......................................................CJ Electricité.........................................................................................................Cleaning Services by Karen..................................................................................Clean Sweep Chimney Services...........................................................................Cottage Services (Garden Maintenance)............................................................Currencies Direct (Money Transfers)...................................................................Cut 46 (Hair Salon)..............................................................................................DB Electricité.......................................................................................................D.W Cooper (Carpenter, Roofer, Mason).............................................................David Cropper (Stump Grinding & Jungle Busting)............................................David Watkins (Chimney Sweep)........................................................................Double Glazing Installation -‐ Haynes Carpentry..................................................Down to Earth Pool Design (Swimming Pool Design & Construction)................Duncan White -‐ Agent Commerciale..................................................................EcoPower (Solar Thermal Trading Company)......................................................Electricien Anglais en France..............................................................................Emilie Baudrez (French Classes and Translation)................................................Fête Litteraire Bilingue (Litfest)...........................................................................Franglais Deliveries.............................................................................................French Wine Tours...............................................................................................Fresco Interieurs..................................................................................................Futuroscope.........................................................................................................GAN Assurances..................................................................................................George Rayner Computers..................................................................................Hallmark Electronique (Electricians & Sat. Engineers)........................................Holistic Therapy -‐ Soul to Sole.............................................................................I C O Electricté.....................................................................................................Insink Plumbing...................................................................................................Jean David Atelier (Artist commissions & courses)............................................Jeff’s Metalwork..................................................................................................John Pate (Renovations).....................................................................................Julia Hunt -‐ Agent Commercial............................................................................Keith Banks (Swimming Pool Maintenance).......................................................Kelly Knight (Pampering Events).........................................................................La Deuxieme Chance (Annie Sloan chalk paint supplier)....................................Le Pub des Halles.................................................................................................Lawrence Associates (Renovations etc)..............................................................Leggett Immobilier..............................................................................................Mad Hatter’s Kitchen...........................................................................................Marais du Marais Poitevin (museum).................................................................Menuiserie Fermeture Porge (PVC Windows and doors)..................................Michael William Hairdressing.............................................................................ML Computers.....................................................................................................Motor Parts Charente..........................................................................................Musée de Tumulus de Bougon............................................................................Mutuelle de Poitiers Assurances.........................................................................Nathan Foster Building Services..........................................................................Needa Hand Services...........................................................................................Pamela Irving (Massage & Reflexology)..............................................................Pascale Matéo (French Tuition)...........................................................................Philip Irving (Mini Digger hire).............................................................................Plan-‐170 (Professional Scale Drawings)..............................................................Polar Express (Frozen Foods)..............................................................................Premier Autos (Mechanic)..................................................................................Première Classe Removals & Deliveries..............................................................Restaurant des Canards.......................................................................................RH Motorsport.....................................................................................................Rob Berry Plastering Services..............................................................................Robert Walker Plomberie (Plumbing & Heating Engineer).................................Ross Hendry (Interface Consulting & Engineering).............................................Sandy G (Hairdresser)..........................................................................................Sarl Down to Earth (Fosse Installations & Groundworks)...................................Satellite TV...........................................................................................................Siddalls (Financial Advisors).................................................................................Silverwood Books................................................................................................Simon The Tiler....................................................................................................Simply Homes and Gardens................................................................................Steve Enderby......................................................................................................Steve Robin (Plumber).........................................................................................Sue Burgess (French Courses & Translation).......................................................The Craft Cabin (Handmade cards and card-‐making items)...............................The English Mechanic & Son -‐ Tony Eyre............................................................The Spectrum IFA Group -‐ Amanda Johnson......................................................Trisha Mobile Hairdresser....................................................................................Val Assist (Translation Services)...........................................................................Venus Rose Yoga..................................................................................................Yoga Vendée....................................................................................................
Emergency Numbers:15 SAMU, Medical17 Gendarmes, Police18 Pompiers, Fire
112 European emergency113 Drugs and alcohol
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<<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, Shutterstock, GraphicStock et morgeufile.com. Impression: Raynaud Imprimeurs, zone industrielle, BP13, 79160, Coulonges-‐sur-‐l’Autize. Dépôt légal: juillet 2014 -‐ Tirage: 5000 exemplaires. Siret: 515 249 738 00011 ISSN: 2115-‐4848
© Sarah Berry 2014. All rights reserved. Material may not be reproduced without permission. While care is taken to ensure that articles and features are accurate, Sarah Berry accepts no liability for reader dissatisfaction. The opinions expressed and experiences shared are given by individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the publisher. Please ensure you verify that the company you are dealing with is a registered trading company in France and/or elsewhere.
à plus, Sarah.
What’s On..........................................................................................Getting Out & About.........................................................................A-‐Z of the Communes in the Deux-‐Sèvres.......................................Hobbies............................................................................................Clubs & Associations........................................................................Health, Beauty & Fitness..................................................................Our Furry Friends...............................................................................Home & Garden..............................................................................French Life.......................................................................................Spotlight On.....................................................................................Take a Break.....................................................................................Communications.............................................................................Food & Drink...................................................................................Motoring..........................................................................................Building & Renovation.....................................................................Business & Finance..........................................................................Property...........................................................................................
79 Renovations....................................................................................................A La Bonne Vie (Restaurant)...............................................................................Ace Pneus (Tyre Supplier & Fitter)......................................................................Aerodrome de Couhé-‐Vérac...............................................................................Affordable UK Designs (Kitchens & UPVC Double Glazing).................................AKE Petits Travaux (Builder)................................................................................Alain Miot (Sawmill)............................................................................................Alan Pearce (Plumbing & Heating)......................................................................Andrew Longman (Plumber)...............................................................................ARB French Property...........................................................................................Arbrecadabra.com (Tree surgery).......................................................................Art de la Breche (Art Gallery)..............................................................................Atelier JM Toledo (Rug Repairs & Cleaning)........................................................Bar Vue du Chateau............................................................................................
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...continued.
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 3
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The Chaplaincy of Christ the Good Shepherd, Poitou-‐Charentes, hold English speaking monthly services.
• 1st Sunday at 10.30am: The Little Stone Church in Chef-‐Boutonne. Followed by tea & coffee.
• 2nd Sunday at 11.00am: the home of Ann White, Jassay• 4th Sunday at 10.30am: the Presbytery Rooms, rue de la Citadelle, Parthenay (opposite St Croix Church). Followed by tea & coffee, and a 'bring and share' lunch.
A warm welcome awaits everyone for a time of worship and fellowship. For further information about location of churches and what else is happening near you, please take a look at our website www.church-‐in-‐france.com or contact us by email: [email protected].
Throughout JulyLes Nuits Romanes -‐ various events throughout the region see www.nuitsromanes.poitou-‐charentes.fr for more information.4th July -‐ Outdoor Music & DiningWith The Endless Trail Band at The Mad Hatter’s Kitchen, Caunay. See advert on P.30 for details.5th July -‐ First Aid Course in EnglishAt SDIS79 HQ in Chauray. Contact 05 49 08 18 49.5th July -‐ Live Music NightWith rock group, ‘Coffees and Cigarettes’ at Café des Belles Fleurs, Fenioux.5th July -‐ Annual Braderie/Vide GrenierAt Gençay, 9am -‐ 6pm. Plus a ‘painters in the Street’ competition. Free entry. Contact Tourist Info Gençay for more info 05 49 59 47 37.5th July -‐ Fish n ChipsAt Bar Vue du Chateau, Bressuire. See advert on P.315th & 6th July -‐ 24 hours VTT (Mountain bike race)At Lake Lambon, Prailles. See www.arp79.com for more information.6th July -‐ 10th Anniversary celebration of the ChaplaincyAt l’Abbatiale St Maur, 16140 Marcillac Lanville, 10am. See P.5.8th July -‐ Marche en Fête in Coulonges-‐sur-‐l’AutizeEntertainment and more than 150 exhibitors in the streets of the town centre.9th July -‐ A Filling Station talk on “Revival”By Derek Chittick, a recently retired Elim Pastor. At 7.30pm, see advert on P.5.12th -‐ 14th July -‐ 14th Tour Cycliste de Deux-‐SèvresThe mini ‘Tour de France’ within our department.14th July -‐ Fête Nationale in Coulonges-‐sur-‐l’AutizeFestive food, entertainment in the streets, torchlight, fireworks, folk dance -‐ at place du château.18th July -‐ Quiz NightAt Restaurant des Canards, Chef Boutonne. See advert on P.30.19th July -‐ Art Gallery Open DoorAt Art de la Breche, Niort. 5pm -‐ 8pm. See advert on P.7.19th-‐20th July -‐ English WeekendAt La Mothe St Héray. For detail please see advert on P.6.19th -‐ 20th July -‐ 26th Festival de Peinture de MagnéFor further info please visit: www.festivalpeinturemagne.com20th July -‐ 50th Anniversary Air ShowAt Couhé-‐Vérac airground -‐ see P.47 for details.24th July -‐ Les Jardiniers du Poitou monthly meetingAt the Salle de Fête, Verruyes. 2pm -‐ 5pm.27th July -‐ Summer Fair organised by RBL Linazay branch.At Salle des Fêtes, Linazay, 10am -‐ 4pm. See advert on P.7.27th July -‐ Grand Prix Retro at Puy Notre Dame (49)For details visit: www.grandprixretro-‐puynotredame.com30th July -‐ Book & Coffee MorningAt 45 rue du Bois Baudron, Mauzé-‐Thouarsais. 10am -‐ 12.30pm
What’s Coming Up...
The Filling Station ~ Poitou-‐CharentesThe Filling Station is a network of local Christians of all denominations who meet together regularly for spiritual renewal and evangelism purposes. ALL WELCOME.
Please see our bilingual website for details of meetings and spring programmes www.thefillingstationfrance.com or contact 05 49 87 89 16 or email: [email protected]
ALL SAINTS, VENDEE - Puy de SerreWe hold two services each month, on the 2nd and 4th Sundaysat the church of St Marthe, Puy de Serre, at 11am.
After each service, tea and coffee is served in the parish room and everyone is invited to a `bring and share` lunch. For details of all our activities, our Services in the west of the Vendée, copies of recent newsletters and more information, please check our website: www.allsaintsvendee.fr
8/9/10th August -‐ The Mad Hatter’s Music Festival. See info on P.7.23rd August -‐ Vide Grenier/Brocantein Beaulieu sous Parthenay, organised by the Assocation ‘Tennis Loisirs Beaulieu Vouhe’.29-‐31st August -‐ LitfestAt St Clémentin. See details on P.7.31st August -‐ Les Jardiniers du Poitou monthly meetingin St Aubin le Cloud.7th September -‐ Pastyfest and Garden FêteAt L’Hermitage, Puy de Serre. 11am -‐ 5pm.20th September -‐ ‘The DSM’ Anglo-‐French Trade FairAt Secondigny 79130 with Live music, Fish n chips and many, many trade stands. Call Sarah on 05 49 70 26 21 to reserve a stand.
The Rendez-‐Vous Christian Fellowship A warm welcome awaits you at our meetings in the Vendée on the 1st & 3rd Sunday in the month at 11am. We meet at The Barn, off the D960B between Pouzauges and Chantonnay. Meetings last about an hour and are followed by a time of fellowship with refreshments. To find out more please contact Chris Taylor 09 60 49 78 50 or Des Vine 05 49 74 18 27 or visit: www.therendezvous.fr
July 2014What’s On...
4 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
The National Holidays, Religious and Feast Days 2014
Monday 14th July .............. National Day (Fête Nationale)Friday 15th August ............ Assumption of Mary (Assomption)Sunday 5th October ............ Grandfathers’ Day (Fête des Grand-‐pères)Saturday 1st November ..... All Saint’s Day (Toussaint)Tuesday 11th November ... Armistice Day (Armistice)Thursday 25th December ... Christmas Day (Noêl)
Dates in blue are celebration days, not public holidays
07
Call Sarah on 05 49 70 26 21 oremail: [email protected]
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 5
Paperback JanBooks in English
1st July: Golf Club Les Forges 79340. 10am -‐ 4pm 2nd July: Cafe Cour de Miracle, Vouvant 85120. 2.30pm-‐ 4.30pm3rd July: Brasserie Vue du Chateau, Bressuire 79300. 11am -‐ 1pm3rd July: Bar le Palais, St Aubin 79450. 2pm -‐ 5pm 4th July: Bar de la Paix, Thouars 79100. 11.30am -‐ 2pm4th July: Tipsy Bar, Coulonges 79160. 4pm -‐ 6pm6th July: Café des Belles Fleurs, Fenioux 79160 2pm -‐ 4pm9th July: Le Don Jon Bar, Moncontour 86330. 4pm -‐ 6pm10th July: Pause! Cafe, L’Absie 79240. 2pm-‐ 5pm11th July: Jan’s home, La Ferriére-‐en-‐Parthenay 79390. 11am-‐ 4pm12th July: Café Le Chauray, St Maixent l’Ecole 79400. 10am -‐ 1pm25th July: Le P’tit Bar Boucard, Menigoute 79340. 4pm -‐ 6pm27th July: CSSG Summer Garden Party, St Pardoux30th July: Jan’s home, La Ferriére-‐en-‐Parthenay 79390. 11am-‐ 5pm31st July: Le Relais des 2 Moulins, Clessé 79350. 4pm-‐ 6pm
For more info contact Jan on:06 08 30 73 29 or email: [email protected]
Mr T’s Friterie
With regular venues at:• Aulnay 17470 (from 6pm) • Matha 17160• Gourville 16170
See www.frying2nite.com for details or call 06 02 22 44 74
Open 6.30-9pm(incl. Bank Holidays)
• St Hilaire de Villefranche 17770• St Jean d’Angély 17400
Reel Fish & Chips
Weds 2nd & 16th The Canteen, Etusson Fri 4th Bar Tabac PMU, Bouille-‐LoretzSat 5th Bar Vue du Chateau, BressuireThurs 17th Bar Tabac PMU, St Martin de SanzayFri 18th Bar Tabac, GenettonSat 19th Bar Des Sports, L’AbsieSun 27th Charity Garden Party @ St Pardoux (12-‐2.30pm)
Tel: 06 04 14 23 94 ~ www.reelfishandchips.net
Open 6.30-9pm
Fish 4 Chip
Mondays: Bar Tilleuls, Champniers (near Civray)Tuesdays: Sauzé-Vaussais (Main square)Wednesdays:Chef Boutonne (near Chateau)Thursdays: Sauzé-Vaussais - Evening. (Main square)Fridays: Mansle (Car park of Simply Supermarket)
Tel: 06 37 53 56 20 ~ www.mobilefishandchipsfrance.com
Open 6 - 8pm
La Vendée Chippy
Wednesdays: Bar ‘Auberge le St Vincent’, St Vincent SterlangesThursdays: Bar ‘La Rando’, Mervent.Fridays: Bar ‘Au Bon Coin’, Thoursais Bouildroux
Tel 02 44 39 16 73 ~ www.lavendeechippy.com
Open 6 - 8.30pm
+ 12th July: Le Clemenceau 85390 Mouilleron en ParedsMondays:Tuesdays:
Wednesdays:Thursdays:
Fridays:Saturdays:
Sundays:
• Benet 85490• Lencloître (1st Monday in month) 86140• Lezay 79120• Coulonges-sur-l’Autize 79160• Thouars 79100• Bressuire 79300• Parthenay 79200• Sauzé-Vaussais 79190• Niort 79000• La Mothe Saint-Héray 79800• Thouars 79100• Melle 79500• Bressuire 79300• Chef-Boutonne 79110• Airvault 79600• Niort 79000• Coulon 79510• Saint-Maixent-l’École 79400• Neuville-de-Poitou 86170• Coulon 79510
Local Markets
Phot
o: L
isa
Robe
rts
Top Hat Quiz & Curry
3rd July: Chef Boutonne7th July: Limalonges 9th July: Aigre10th July: Champniers14th July: Theil Rabier Tel: 05 45 71 70 91 ~ more info at www.tophatquizzes.com
From 7pm
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Getting Out & About...
6 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
Spotlight On...Next month we Coastal Days OutDeadline: 15th July.
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 7
Not just books at the LitFest . . .As well as an impressive line-‐up of authors at the LitFest St Clémentin, 29-‐31 August, there will be a special exhibition of photographs by Howard Needs: Wall paintings -‐ literature of Romanesque churches. Linked to the exhibition is a Haiku competition. Howard, a renowned local photographer, is also holding a workshop on how to put together a photographic book.
For those who like to be active there is an hour’s walk through the village stopping at points of historical interest in the company of John Hudson, who will share his thoughts along with pertinent poems. Many of you will have met John (he featured at the 2012 festival with film and installations) and know him to be a most entertaining and enthusiastic raconteur.
Richard Lee will be holding a wine tasting and introducing the beautiful but frequently underrated Chenin Blanc and letting you in on some secrets about this grape. Places are limited.
Singer, storyteller and accordionist Chloe Martinez will introduce traditional songs in French, Spanish and English.
I understand from the bookshop organisers that Jim, the Whippet, will personally ‘pawtograph’ copies of Narrow Dog to Carcassonne.
All workshops/special events need to be booked in advance so check out the programme on www.stclementinlitfest.com
We are still looking for helpers (even dog minders)) so if you feel like lending a hand or taking a lead do please contact Gordon or Jocelyn Simms: 05 49 80 22 96, [email protected] or [email protected]
Do you have a Business to promote? Call us Today - Great Rates!
8 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
Bastille DayBastille Day is the French national day, known as La fête nationale. This day commemorates the start of the French Revolution with the storming of the Bastille on the 14th July 1789.
What is the Bastille?France was ruled by the monarchy, King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette. The royals had whatever they pleased and the citizens were left to starve. There was a middle class between the rich and the poor, and those who sided with the poor and revolted against the royals were thrown into the Bastille prison -‐ for no other reason than to have spoken out against the government. Inside the Bastille prison, the guns, weapons and gunpowder were kept safely. The citizens living in injustice, tired of the King and Queen's way of thinking, attacked the prison on July 14th with the weapons they found in the prison and freed the seven prisoners and so the revolution began.
This historical event is known as the French revolution, and is why it has been celebrated every year to this day.
The French celebrate the 14th of July with firework displays and it's a great way of exploring the French culture on a warm, summer’s evening. Firework displays take place in many villages in the Deux-‐Sèvres and to find out more information you can contact your local Mairie, or Tourist Office.
Photos: Communauté de Communes Parthenay - Gâtine
Photo: Wikipédia
by Joëlle Henstridge
14e Tour Cycliste des Deux-SèvresStage 1: SAT. 12th JULY161.5km, Moncoutant – Bressuire
Stage 2: SUN. 13th JULY12.7km, Azay-le-Brûle
Stage 3: SUN. 13th JULY90.8km, Azay-le-Brûle – François
Stage 4: MON. 14th JULY157.3km, Niort – Parthenay
For further details visit the official website: www.tour79.fr
by Sue Burgess
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 9
Vous partez cet été?
Are you going away on holiday this summer? Vacances (holidays) is always used in the plural in French. The singular word une vacance means a job vacancy. If you are going away on holiday (partir en vacances/prendre des vacances) are you going to spend (passer) your holidays at the seaside (au bord de la mer) in the mountains (à la montagne), in the countryside (à la campagne) or abroad (à l'étranger).
You have most certainly done some research (faire des recherches) and booked (réserver/faire une réservation). Are you going to travel by car (en voiture) by bus (en bus) by coach (en car/autocar) by train (par le train) by plane (en avion) or by ferry (en ferry). If you are travelling within Europe you will not need to go through customs (passer la douane).
Do you need your passport (votre passeport) or a visa (un visa)? Have you reserved a room (une chambre) in a hotel (dans un hôtel), a B&B (une chambre d'hôte) or have you booked a gîte (un gîte). Or are you going camping (faire du camping) in a tent (dans une tente) a caravan (une caravane) or a motorhome (un camping car) or are you staying in a bungalow on a campsite (mobil'home)?Are you going to rent a car (louer une voiture) or a bicycle (un vélo)?
And what are you going to do? Sightseeing? (visiter les monuments), visit museums (visiter les musées), sunbathe (prendre un bain de soleil), go shopping (faire du shopping), eat in
restaurants (manger dans des restaurants).
Have you packed your bags (faire ses valises)?
Bonnes Vacances! Don't forget to send a postcard! (une carte postale)
Vocabulary / vocabulaire :
un cahier de vacances ...................... holiday workbook*
un club de vacances ......................... holiday club
une colonie de vacances ................... holiday camp
le départ en vacances ....................... leaving/going on holiday
le droit aux vacances ........................ holiday entitlement
en vacances ...................................... on holiday
être en vacances ............................... to be on holiday/vacation
les grandes vacances ........................ summer holidays
partir en vacances ............................. go away
*Note: In France it is common for children to have books to work on over the summer holiday to help them retain information learned over the preceding school year.
A-Z of the Communes in the Deux-Sèvres...FOMPERRON
The 431 inhabitants of Fomperron are called the Fomperronais and the Fomperronaises. The closest communes to Fomperron are Coutières, Chantecorps, Ménigoute, Saint Germier and Soudan.
The history of Fomperron is closely linked to that of the old Abbey of the Châtelliers which was founded in 1791. However, this area was already inhabited even at the Gallo-‐Roman period. There are remains of an old tile-‐works dating from the 2nd century at La Gâchetière and we can suppose that it supplied tiles for the building of the Roman town of Sanxay (86).
In the Middle Ages, a large part of the territory of the commune belonged to the Benedictine monks of the Abbey of the Châteliers. In the XIIth century these busy monks cleared a large area of woodland and forests. Some of the names of different hamlets of the communes date from this period: ‘Anges Bertières’ and ‘Anges Draudières’ now called ‘Angebertières’ and ‘Andraudières’. The Abbey later became a Cistercian abbey.
Fomperron gets its name from the source near the town. The source is supposed to be inexhaustible, hence the name of ‘fontaine perenne’ which became ‘Font-‐Perron’ and finally Fomperron.
A VOIR / MUST SEE• Fomperron church was built in 1693 by sire Sarson, a gentleman farmer. There is some argument as to which saint the church is dedicated to. Perhaps Saint Mesme -‐ a contracted form of Saint Maxime, the founder of a monastery in Chinon. By 1898 the Church had become the Church of Saint Maximin. It seems likely that unwl the revoluwon the patron saint of the church was Maxime or Mesme and that in the 19th century there had been a misunderstanding and that the patron saint was thought to be Saint Maximin of Trèves.
FONTENILLE-SAINT-MARTIN-D’ENTRAIGUES
Fontenille-‐Saint-‐Martin-‐d'Entraigues is a commune of Deux-‐Sèvres. It is part of the Pays Mellois and is situated 36km from Niort and 5km from Chef Boutonne. The river Boutonne crosses the commune which is made up of several villages: Fontenille, Saint Martin d'Entraigues, Couturette and Rhy. Walking circuits have been set up which allow visitors to discover the local scenery.
The village of Fontenille gets its name from the small fountains situated around the town. In olden times two noble families lived in the parish and there were also a gentleman, a notary, a sergeant, a court clerk, three millers, thirteen labourers, seven craftsmen, nineteen daily workers and twenty domestic servants. At the beginning of the 18th century, local taxation was very heavy and harvests were poor. There were 354 inhabitants in 1821 and 283 in 1968.
The village of Saint Martin d'Entraigues is situated on an ancient Gallo-‐Romanic site. The village was originally called Inter-‐Aqua around 1300 and got its current name in 1648. The name comes from hommage to Saint Martin and “Entraigues" which means ‘between the waters’ and makes reference to the Boutonne and the rivers around. The parish was attached to Loizé. The château of Saint Martin d'Entraigues, which was partly rebuilt in the 16th century, disappeared a long time ago. Pottery tiles dating from the Renaissance, and exhibited in Niort archeological museum, were discovered on the site of the château in 1855. At the beginning of the 18th century, Saint Martin had six grain stores and two water
mills. In 1804, the land produced froment, baillarge, méteil, oats, flax, linen and potatoes but only in a small quantity. Part of the land was planted with vines. Business was done selling froment, wine, ewes and pigs that were fattened with the potatoes. Communications were difficult, the roads were impracticable and there was not a lot of stone for road repairs. Farming was only improved in 1946 with the creation of a harvest cooperative ‘La Paysanne’. Saint Martin d'Entraigues had 401 inhabitants in 1821 and 174 in 1975.
Nowadays, 24 companies representing a total of 15 different jobs, have their headquarters here. More than 130 people work in these companies. There are six agricultural companies, one shop, five industrial establishments and nine artisans so there is a lot of economic activity for such a small commune. Agriculture is the main economic activity. 850 hectares are cultivated producing 600,000 litres of goats milk and 600,000 litres of cows milk per year.
A VOIR / MUST SEE• The Church of Saint Martin d'Entraigues: built in the 12th century and of a surprising size for such a small village, the romanesque church dedicated to Saint Martin was rebuilt in the 15th century after it was destroyed. Fires meant that the building had to be altered in the 17th and 18th centuries. Even though the size has been much reduced, there is an impression of space and we can only wonder about the church's original size. Only three travées remain today and one of these is used for the cœur. Gothic architecture is dominant here which is rare in the churches of the Melle area. A lot of restoration work was carried out between 2002 and 2004. The modern stained glass windows were fitted in 2009 and their style is contemporary so that the history of the church throughout the centuries and up to today is present.
• Fontenille church dates from 1870 and replaced the huge old church of St-‐Médard, which was sold off under the Révolution and partly demolished in 1818. In 2004, the town council decided to install a clock and to light the inside of the tower.
• The château de Couturette (11th century) an old manor house with two corner towers which was previously surrounded by a moat.
• Couturette covered wash-‐house.• Rhy Fountain.• Les Trembles Fountain.• Les déversoires into the bed of the Rhy used to be used to flood the fields for growing flax.
• Le bois de pin et la mare des Chaumes pelées (pine wood and pond) is a natural reserve with varied fauna and several species of orchids.
• La mare des Chétifs prés (pond) is home to a variety of rare fauna.• Les prés de Fontenille (fields and meadows) form an ecosystem which is the natural habitat of a number of species of orchids and butterflies.
• Jaen Daguzay. The Captain of the cavalry was born in Saint Martin d'Entraigues in 1808. He went off to the war in the Crimea in 1854. He was awarded a medal for this in 1858. In 1860 on his return he built a large house in Saint Martin which is today divided into two. From 1861 until his death in 1890, Jaen Daguzay was the mayor of the commune and it was during this time that he had the first bridges built over the Boutonne. Until then the river had been crossed by fords.
by Sue Burgess
More A-Z of the Communes of Deux-Sèvres next month...
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The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 11
House Portraits with Jean DavidHouse portraits (for want of a better term) are one of my more popular commissions. Most people spend an enormous amount of time, money and care on their homes, and just as we value a portrait of a family member or loved one, so a house portrait celebrates a home and all it represents. A portrait of your own house is far more than just another painting on the wall, and should reflect the unique beauty of your home. Hence, a number of proud owners are keen to get an original oil painting of their house and land, and this provides an ideal opportunity to create a unique picture of their home and garden. I try to see and portray the house and it’s environment as a unified vista with house spilling into land and vice versa rather than as two separate identities.
The painting process starts with a visit and discussion over the owner’s requirements and what they would want the picture to look like, and, once agreed on the fundamentals, I begin a block-‐in of the painting on site.
This initial process usually takes about 2 hours of painting time, which I can then take back to the studio and do some more work from photos taken. I prefer to keep the owners in the loop of the painting’s progress, to ensure that they are happy with the unfolding picture, and often send them a photo of the progress of the painting.
I then arrange a time to come out, put on the final touches on site and complete the painting, as the light and colours are vitally important to get as right as I can by painting directly from life, plein air.
The owner of this painting (right) was delighted with the result -‐ “I can't tell you how pleased I am with the painting, it's exceeded my expectations!”
Jean will be conducting a number of house portrait workshops and classes over the summer catering for all levels of artistic ability and experience. So, come along and create a ‘portrait’ of your own house or land under the guidance of Jean. Participants are required to bring in a photo of their own house and Jean will guide you through the progressive steps to create a painting of your house. For more details on dates and venues and what to bring, please visit www.jeandavidfineart/contemporaryart, or ring Jean directly on 06 52 93 33 60 (see advert at top of page).
Getting Together for 25 years
Get Together (GT) is a lively group of multi-‐national English speaking friends who live or have second homes in or around Deux-‐Sèvres. This year we are proudly celebrating 25 years as an Association, having helped hundreds of members and their families to meet new people, socialise and settle in the region.
We organise monthly and annual activities with the emphasis on fun, relaxation and the chance to learn -‐ from other members or through various groups. There is something for everyone in the family, for example, walks (dogs very welcome), lunches, history group, book swaps, reading and even a pudding club; you can participate in as many (or few) events as you choose! Events are organised by our members and we are always looking for fresh interests and activities as well as enjoying our regular pursuits. New MembersHave a look at our website www.getogether-‐france.org and if you think you would like to join, you would be very welcome to come along to one or two events as a guest before deciding.
Contact one of the GT coordinators to have a chat or email for more information: John Buckley [email protected] ~ Tel: 05 49 07 70 68Annette Green [email protected] ~ Tel: 05 49 33 41 90
Membership fees are €15 for a family membership and €12 for a single person. Discount available if joining now, use code: DSM.
Hobbies...
Jean David ~ Email: [email protected]
by Margaret Asquith
More from local writer Alison Morton... Please see back issues of ‘The DSM’ if you would like to see previous articles.
Full of CharacterGood stories rarely happen without a structured plot, but they never happen without strong characters. A plot gives the reader the main character’s goal; the dire consequences if they don't succeed; the challenges the character has to overcome to achieve the goal; new threats that present themselves along the way that could cause the character to fail in his/her mission; the sacrifices that he/she has to make to overcome original and new problems; and the ultimate gains and losses at the resolution of the story. But for me, all this vital stuff is not as important as the story’s characters.
Characters are the life-‐blood of a story as they reflect real people. If the main character wasn’t pig-‐headed, wimpy, over kind, casual, ruthless, wise or persistently worried, they wouldn’t make the decisions in the story that they do. Their environment and experiences make them who they are. But how does a writer bring characters to life and make them credible?
A good start is using a list of questions:✦What is your character’s name and do they like it?✦When and where were they born?✦What do they do for a living and are they happy in their job?✦ Is your character married/living with somebody and how do they feel about that relationship?
✦Where does your character live now and why are they there? ✦ Are they content, integrated or lonely in the place where they live?✦ Do they have brothers and sisters and how do they get on with them?
✦What impact do/did the character’s parents or guardians have on them?
✦ How does/did your character get on with them?✦ Does your character have children and what’s their relationship with them?
✦ Describe a significant memory from your character’s childhood.
Now, although very useful as a first step, this could seem a little formulaic, so next think about which actor you’d like to play your main character. Stick a picture of that actor on your wall above your desk. I look at mine every time I write but I don’t describe every detail about her, just enough of a foundation for a reader to build their own idea on. That’s the fun of reading!
And then interview them. You’d be amazed what you find out. (Read my interview with Carina here: http://alison-‐morton.com/2014/04/15/meet-‐carina-‐mitela-‐main-‐character/)
As the story unfolds, the character reveals herself/himself to the writer. I know it sounds funny, but well-‐written and rounded characters start taking on a life of their own and running the story. This is A Good Thing. By the end, the characters have evolved, learnt something, are deeply affected by the events in the story, and have developed and matured as people.
But the essential is that characters must engage us as readers. We need to share their joys, fears, pain and pleasure. We are there when they fall in love or fall over. Their joy of their team winning or their child performing in the school play (even as third mushroom), the frisson of fear they feel when facing an enemy with a gun, receiving a joyful letter or devastating email, must be real for us to invest our precious reading time.
Happy writing!
Alison Morton writes alternate history thrillers, blogs about wriOng and Romans at hQp://alison-‐morton.com/blog/
12 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
Combined Services Support Group(CSSG)Well, mid-‐summer is nearly upon us and things are progressing well for all our events over the holiday period, and beyond.
On 15th June, we had our tombola stand at the Aidez Association Summer Market at St Germain-‐de-‐Longue-‐Chaume, along with many other stall holders, and had very few prizes left at the end of the day! Thanks to those of you who joined in the fun.
The Race Night on 28th June was very successful and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Those who won with their horse of choice obviously had more fun than those who didn't. This was more of a social get together than a fund raiser, although we did add more money to our coffers for Charity.
The organisation for the Summer Fair on 27th July is going at a pace, the games are ready for the day, Splat the Rat, Tin Can Alley, Play Your Cards Right, and Roll a Penny. We have our orders in for cakes for the Tea, Coffee and Cakes stand, Reel Fish and Chips are on standby and 3 Plus 1 and Keynotes Choir are raring to go. There are a few places available for traders and if you would like to come along and sell your goods, please contact [email protected]. We are looking forward to seeing you on the day. It’s at La Bourrichere, St Pardoux (off the St Pardoux to Azey sur Thouet road, just follow the balloons). Do come along and join us, the more the merrier. Funds raised from this event will be going to SSAFA and the local Pompiers.
If you would like to join us, please contact us by email: [email protected] and we will be pleased to meet you.
by Terri Laverick
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 13
A quiet time for most at the moment but the Play Reading Group are working away on their suggestions for our next production, some more interesting news next month. During June a workshop was held with the aim of encouraging new actors for the future productions and a great deal of fun was had by all. If you would like to join the fun in the future let me know.
Keynotes will be performing at the Combined Services Support Group Garden Party on Sunday 27th July at around 2pm, at La Bourrichere Saint Pardoux, everyone welcome.
The Art SceneThe art group had a very intereswng presentawon on art restorawon by Mairi Venables. A number of our members took old or damaged painwngs in and Mairi gave her professional advices on how to clean and restore them and also showed us the restorawon project she is currently working on. Unfortunately no old masterpieces were discovered.
We have a programme now until the end of July which you can see on our web site.
As I mentioned last month, The Reaction Theatre Alternative Calendar Girls calendar appeal has now closed and on the 1st July a cheque for 10,000€ will be presented to the mayor of Secondigny, Monsieur Dufour. The monies will be shared equally between Leukemia and Lymphona Research in the UK and the French cancer research organisation Fondation de France.
Once again our thanks go to the sponsors and each and every one of you who so kindly helped us reach this magnificent total.
Information on Reaction Theatre membership, Reaction Theatre and Keynotes performances past and future and The Art Scene meetings, can be seen on www.reactiontheatre.fr or contact me for more information. John Blair, 05 49 63 23 50.
SUCCESSIO is published!Last month the third in my Roma Nova thriller series, SUCCESSIO, was published. Hooray! A year of slog -‐ researching, writing, and polishing -‐ led to the launch on 4th June in London with p re s en te r S u e Cook interviewing me (right).(http://alison-‐morton.com/2014/06/07/successio-‐launches-‐in-‐london-‐the-‐official-‐report/).
The French launch of SUCCESSIONow, I’ll be signing copies at the Foire Commerciale/Trade Fair on Saturday 20th September at La Salle Aluna, 21, Lac des Effres, 79130 Secondigny between 10.30am -‐ 5.00pm. Will it be as exciting as the launch of INCEPTIO and PERFIDITAS? I hope so! Hard to believe it was only just over fifteen months since we gathered at the Bar de la Paix in Thouars to launch INCEPTIO and just over seven months since PERFIDITAS hit the ground at the Journée du Livre at Sainte-‐Verge, near Thouars.
So what’s SUCCESSIO about?Like INCEPTIO PERFIDITAS it’s a thriller set in an alternate timeline where the mysterious Roma Nova has battled its way from a small colony in the late fourth century into a high tech, financial mini-‐state in the 21st century. Located somewhere north of Italy, Roma Nova runs on Roman Republican values, but is ruled by women.
Stories with Romans are usually about famous emperors, epic battles, depravity, intrigue, wicked empresses and a lot of sandals, tunics and swords. But imagine the Roman theme projected sixteen hundred years further forward into the 21st century and with a more equal society.
In SUCCESSIO, we catch up with Carina, the heroine of the previous books, seven years since the story of PERFIDITAS.
Roma Nova -‐ the last remnant of the Roman Empire that has survived into the 21st century -‐ is at peace. Carina Mitela, the heir of a leading family, but choosing the life of an officer in the Praetorian Guard Special Forces, is not so sure.
She senses danger crawling towards her when she encounters a strangely self-‐possessed member of the unit hosting their exchange exercise in Britain. When a blackmailing letter arrives from a woman claiming to be her husband Conrad’s lost daughter and Conrad tries to shut Carina out, she knows the threat is real.
Trying to resolve a young man’s indiscretion twenty-‐five years before turns into a nightmare that not only threatens to destroy all the Mitelae but also attacks the core of the imperial family itself. With her enemy holding a gun to the head of the heir to the imperial throne, Carina has to make the hardest decision of her life…
SUCCESSIO will be available as paperback and ebook. For more about Alison’s Roma Nova novels, writing and Rome, visit her blog at http://alison-‐morton.com or Facebook page AlisonMortonAuthor and sign up to her newsletter http://alison-‐morton.com/newsletter/
by Alison Morton
GATIN'DANSE association was created in 1983 with the aim of allowing members to meet up and relax whilst learning to dance. The group meets every week (except during the school holidays) with their talented teacher Stéphane Pouzet to learn and practice ballroom dances such as the tango, paso-‐doublé, cha-‐cha-‐cha, salsa, Rock'n Roll and samba. The members of the club also meet for practice on Fridays and organise dances and outings.
The association will be starting up its classes in Parthenay in September. Why not come along and join in? It is not necessary to join as a couple, you can find a dance partner in the club.www.gatinedanse.jimbo.com ~ [email protected]
Clubs & Associations...
FRANGLAIS at ThouarsWe are a French-‐English speaking group who meet at Centre-‐Socio-‐Culturel, Anne Desrays, Thouars on Wednesdays 7.30pm – 9.30pm. We welcome English speakers who want to improve their French. Come along or contact [email protected] for more information.
The Harmonics Singing GroupBased in the Salle d’Annexe in Civray. We meet each Wednesday 2pm-‐4pm. No experience necessary, just a willingness and commitment to learn. We sing all sorts of music in several languages. Contact: Dave Lee: 05 49 87 53 93 / [email protected]
Capella GroupIf you enjoy singing and would be interested in starting a close-‐harmony group near Chef-‐Boutonne, please get in touch! Email me, Christine for further information: [email protected]
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.
Alone in France?We are a group of people living alone in the l'Absie area who meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 11am for coffee at the Pause! café in l’Absie. Our lunches are at different venues each month. A warm welcome awaits you. More details from Frank 05 49 69 80 47.
ALL GIRLS TOGETHERCalling girls 18-‐80 for fun, laughter & support. We meet alternate Wednesdays at Fontenille, 2-‐5pm. Ring Viv for further information: 05 49 27 51 98. All Welcome.
Book Club Thouars. Do you enjoy reading a cracking story? And talking to others about it? Do you live in north 79, south 49 or north 86? Come along to our book club. Contact Alison Morton at [email protected] for details.
GARDENING CLUBWe meet every third Tuesday of the month, 14.30 with free tea/coffee & biscuits at Le Bon Vertoef, 28 Grand Rue, 79110 TILLOU. (nr Chef-‐ Boutonne). Everyone welcome for garden talk! For further information Mike Curtis 05 46 33 66 17 (eves)
Le Tallud Boules en boisare offering sessions every Wednesday (16h-‐18h) from April to September at the parc de loisirs, Le Tallud. Everyone welcome. Details from Rosemary Williamson via email: [email protected]
ARE YOU A MODEL RAILWAY ENTHUSIAST?If so, join a group of like-‐minded friendly modellers who meet on a monthly basis to visit member’s layouts and swap information. If you are interested please contact Gerry Riley for more information on 05 49 63 34 01.
CLE helps you unlock the secrets to a happy and comfortable lifestyle in France. We provide information and organise
workshops, visits and charity events, enabling members to make new friends in the ex-‐patriot and French communities.
www.cle-‐france.com. Tel: 05 49 87 19 85
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English Library: Every Saturday between 2pm-‐5pm the Lorigne Library (79190) is open. Located behind the school playground, in the canteen, thousands of English books and also French books are available for loan.
Cancer Support Deux-SèvresAims to improve the lives of people affected by Cancer in the Deux-Sèvres. Contact June Searchfield on 05 49 64 59 96
NEW Theatre Association in Deux-‐Sèvres
ThéâtriVasles is a new amateur theatre group with members from across the region. We aim to present one major production a year in English in the modern, well-‐appointed theatre in the centre of the lively town of Vasles.
Our priority is definitely comedy and farce. So if you're looking for a feel-‐good experience with rib-‐tickling laughter, then make sure you keep 28th/29th November free in your diary. We've got an absolute show-‐stopper planned for our first production.
If you would like to be involved in ThéâtriVasles, we are holding a get-‐to-‐know-‐us afternoon on 20th July. For more information contact me, Richard Smith, on email: [email protected]
2nd Sunday Motorcycle Club Come and join us for a bike ride, or just a cup of coffee and a chat, with bike-‐minded people. As the name suggests, wet meet on the 2nd Sunday of every month. New members are always welcome. For more information, visit our web-‐site. www.2ndsundayclub.fr
Hypnotherapy Slimming Group (Near Bressuire)Slimming group including Hypnotherapy, Metabolic, lymphatic and dietary ideas to let go of that weight once and for all ! Call Pamela Irving Dip MHCAH on 05 49 65 55 25 or e mail [email protected]
Fitness Class with JamesA fun & lively Aerobic/fitness class run on a voluntary basis. Tuesday evenings 7-‐8pm at Salle De Fete in La Chappelle St EVenne. All ages, naVonality & gender welcome. 15€ membership for the year which covers insurances & room. For further details please email James: [email protected]
An Exciting Year...We all agree that these days time flies but we are pausing to celebrate as it has now been an entire year since we opened the doors to our Chef Boutonne salon. Opening on July 6th 2013, we have had an amazingly successful year and have continued to work with, and receive the wonderful support from, clients from both the Deux-‐Sèvres and far beyond.
Opening a salon on the high street has enabled us to grow as a company and with the support of the local commune, the chambre de métiers and chambre de commerce we are open five days a week serving a mix of English and French speaking clients.
Our first year has also seen the expansion of the salon and the team, and we are very proud to have Nicola Warren our nail technician. Nicola offers a full range of nail services in the salon on Saturdays and is always proud to give your hands and feet a professional manicure and pedicure. Nicola also specialises in offering semi-‐permanent nail treatments, so having the possibility to add this to your salon visit really does complete the experience for many of our clients. We have also welcomed Sherry Parry to the salon. Sherry, our Artistic Stylist, works alongside Michael William and brings over 20 years hairdressing experience to the salon. Sherry loves to provide both traditional and creative cuts and with her bubbly and friendly personality has been welcomed
by all. We are also proud to be encouraging the next generation into the Michael William team and have recently welcomed Hollie A, our super Salon Assistant. Hollie assists us all in the salon and really adds fun, love and laughter to the client experience. Hollie is also fluent in French and is a great contributor to the many multilingual conversations.
For our next year…………….we aim to remain at the forefront of hairdressing and we are looking forward to working with
some of the world leaders in hairdressing in London in October and Paris in early 2015, and as we fast approach our second year in the Deux-‐Sèvres, our plans for expansion in the salon and with the team haven’t quite been laid to rest yet -‐ there is more to come. None of this would have been possible without all of the continued support, love and loyalty we have from our wonderful clients and community. So a huge Thank You and here’s to you all, but hold on tight.... the next chapter will be even more exciting!
Health, Beauty & Fitness...
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 15
Michael William HairdressingTel: 05 49 07 11 48
Mobile Pampering!So... we're coming into the summer and I'm sure that sunshine, gite bookings, sunshine, family visits and more sunshine are proving to be hot topics in many households. But what happens when the sunshine lets us down? Or your visitors have already visited the local attractions? Or they just want a rest? My mobile pampering events offer the perfect solution!
Three great reasons to bear pampering in mind:Pampering makes a wonderful and much appreciated gift for loved ones when they are visiting you. What better way to treat someone or spend some much needed quality time together with people you don't see as often as you might like?Pampering offered in the luxury of holiday accommodation could be the difference between potential gîte guests choosing your gîte over another. Holiday makers take advantage of downtime as they can relax without any guilt attached. Plus the exchange rate means treatments are more affordable in France.Pampering can be offered on a rainy day or a Monday or Jour Ferie when other attractions may not be suitable or open; keeping guests occupied and happy usually ensures a positive perspective of a holiday even if the weather isn't great.
With treatments starting at just 5€, for ladies, gentlemen and children please give pampering a thought this summer!
My regular events make a fantastic trip out too! Why not come along to one of my regular venues this summer? All venues offer food, snacks and hot and cold drinks and my pamper package deals often have these included in the price!
Monthly Pampering Events:24th July, 28th August & 25th September @ The Pause! Cafe L'absie16th July, 19th August & 16th September @ The Market Luché-‐sur-‐Brioux1st July, 5th August & 2nd September @ Les Forges Golf Club
For more information, price lists (including customised price lists for gites owners) or to book a treatment, please contact Kelly [email protected] or 07 77 91 44 83
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Contact ‘The DSM’ magazine...
Call Sarah on 05 49 70 26 21 oremail: [email protected]
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Yoga and the Art of Going with the Flow...
Meditation in Movement...Movement meditation is a truly beautiful way to restore your equilibrium and recharge your energy levels. The following meditation is based on the sacred dance Chandra Namaskara...
Or Salutation to the Moon...
When you are in the midst of your day with whatever life has thrown your way, this meditative moon sequence brings you peace, bliss and serenity...
Dance your way to Peace...
Om Shanti
“Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.” Kahil Gibran
Abbey teaching at Venus Rose Yoga Sanctuary situated at the foot of The Melusine Tour in Vouvant.
Yoga SECRETS
The Venus Rose Yoga RETREAT WEEKEND
'The Chandra Experience'
Experience a magical weekend of meditation in movement amidst the mystical surroundings of the enchanting medieval walled artists village of Vouvant...
In the true Spirit of Vedanta tradition, attain yoga, meet your Inner Guide and discover your Sankalpa...
'San' is your deepest desire, your highest truth and 'kalpa' is your vow and commitment to that...
Your Sankalpa acts as a guiding golden sutra that you weave throughout your destiny and your sacred dance...
Set against this breathtaking backdrop of folklore and legends...
Experience the miracle of the meditations at the heart of the Vedas...
And transform your life forever...
Weekend Retreats now running in Vouvant for July, August and September 2014.
Saturday 11am -‐ 1pm and 3pm -‐ 5pmSunday 10am -‐ 12pm and 2pm -‐ 4pm
(Investment 80€)
Charming Chambres D'hotes from 38€(Special Rates May Apply)
www.vouvant-‐vendee.comwww.laporteauxmoines.com
To view the sacred dance Chandra Namaskara, see our YouTube Channel:
www.youtube.com/user/yogadevatv
For more information on dates, availability and places to stay,contact us by email:
[email protected] or telephone: 06 35 15 60 60.
'Private and Group Classes running weekly Monday to Friday. For your FREE introductory session please call Abbey on
06 35 15 60 60.
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 17
Our Furry Friends...
Tina Hatcher
Nos Amis Les Animaux 85480 (NALA 85480). Tel: 07 70 31 54 59Email: [email protected]
Refuge de l'association GaliaChemin des perchées (ancienne déchetterie), 85200 Fontenay Le ComteTel : 02 51 51 48 74 ~ Email: [email protected]galia.fr
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If Your Cat or Dog goes Missing...
You're probably used to a nationwide coverage for dealing with stray pets. If you lose one, if it's found you have a good chance of getting it back if you contact the authorities.
It doesn't work like that in France as there is no national coverage. The mayor of each town is responsible for dealing with strays on his/her territory. However, there is no strict enforcement of this law, so what happens to strays is entirely dependent on the good will of the mayor. If the mayor obeys the rules there will be 24/7/365 availability of someone to take care of a stray. The instructions on what to do if you find a stray will be published where visible outside of opening hours of the town hall and the town will either have an animal pound or have access to one.
However, this costs money and it's not particularly vote catching, especially in rural areas which tend to have a more utilitarian view of animals, so it may be given a low priority. In some cases there will be absolutely no provision for dealing with strays. In other cases mayors will comply with the law but choose the cheapest possible option. This could mean subcontracting the task to a private service. Experience has shown that where a profit motive is concerned then animal welfare standards may slip. There is a loophole in French legislation: once an animal is in an animal pound, the operator is supposed to try to find the owner as soon as possible... but no procedure is specified. There is no obligation to contact the police, the vets or the animal shelters in the area to inform them that an animal has been found. And we've seen some contracts which mean that the fourriere earns more if an animal is put down rather than returned to its owner.
If the owner of a stray is not found then the animal has to stay in the shelter for 8 working days. After this period it can be put up for adoption via a suitable animal shelter or, in extreme cases, be put down, if a vet decides that it is necessary. However, in France it is common practice for animals to be put down automatically after those 8 days.
So what should you do if your pet strays? You must immediately contact all the local vets, police, town halls and animal pounds in the area. As your pet is identified you should also contact your country's identification service and make sure that they can get in touch with you. If you have access to the internet you can post details on www.chien-‐perdu.org for a dog or www.chat-‐perdu.org for a cat. It helps if you have a recent photo that you can put on the site.
by Nigel Franks, NALA
Equine Rescue FranceWe 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 Equine Rescue France via their website:
www.equinerescuefrance.org
Refuge SPA de SAINTESroute des GAUTHIERS,
17100 SAINTESTel: 05 46 93 47 65
www.spa.de.saintes.free.fr
APPEAL
Kittens!Three of the four beautiful furry bundles (below) are looking for wonderful, loving homes. Do you have a furry sized hole in your home that one of these would fit? They’re 5 weeks old and will be ready for adoption in 2-‐3 weeks, currently in St Macoux, Dept. 86.
Three females and they are tri-‐coloured. If you're interested in adopting one of this gorgeous babies or want further information, please contact Sue on [email protected] or Tel: 06 33 00 80 59.
Don’t Forget... our copy deadline
is the 15th of the month!
BAYRON..BAYRON is a 4 year old male Labrador X -‐ possibly with an Anglo-‐Francais because of his colour and markings; he weighs approximately 30kgs.
Despite his awful past, BAYRON is an adorable dog, very affectionate and cuddly. We feel he would be best suited to a household as the only pet, certainly one without cats, other small animals or pre-‐adolescent children. He gets along with female dogs but tends to become dominant around other males. He is faithful, loves people and being in their company, and will bark if he's left alone -‐ he hates it!!
BAYRON knows some basic commands but would benefit from more training and will need LOTS of exercise. He's a VERY active lad with tons of energy and a safe secure garden with boundaries of at least 1.8m would be imperative, he will need plenty of walks too. At times he can be a little headstrong so someone patient, firm and consistent would be needed to make sure he knows what is and isn't acceptable behaviour. BAYRON has a lot of love to give to the right person(s) and richly deserves a kind, loving home.
BAYRON is microchipped, neutered, primo-‐vaccinated and has been treated for worms, fleas and ticks.
An adoption fee of 120€ will be asked for towards his veterinary costs to date and Orfée will conduct a home visit prior to adoption.
If you would like more information about BAYRON please contact MARY: 05 49 50 69 41, email: [email protected] or CAROLINE: 05 45 96 02 79, email: [email protected]
Phoenix Association rescue and re-‐home animals in need. Please visit our website: www.phoenixasso.com for more details.
Can you give a home to adorable KIM? 6 year-‐old Braque x Spaniel.
We’re putting a shout-‐out for this boy because he’s been at Phoenix for a few months now and has received absolutely no calls! This makes no sense as he’s close to being an all-‐rounder. We say close, as he is inclined to chase cats, but if you have a cat-‐free home, and a secure garden to guard against his curious nose, then he could be just what you’ve been waiting for!
He looks lean and muscly but he’s as cuddly and devoted as they come, and extremely gentle. He travels brilliantly, and he’s an easy-‐peasy boy who, previously desperately unhappy at the SPA, now loves nothing more than affection and curling up in his bed. He delights his foster carers with his loyalty and lovely gentle nature and he loves the company of other dogs or people.
He is a fairly small boy, weighing in at about 19kg. He is in foster care in Thiviers, 24. Kim is tatooed (2 GCB 867) vaccinated and neutered and if you’d like to meet him, please contact Jackie and Andy on 05 53 52 06 23 or email [email protected]
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 19
MAYDAY MES AMIS
If you know of an animal in need in the l'Absie area or if you would like more information about Mayday Mes Amis please email: [email protected]
Helpful Animal Vocabulary...
Breed.............................................. la raceleash/lead.....................................la laissekennel.......................................... le chenilcollar.............................................le collierveterinarian.........................le vétérinairerabies..............................................la ragefleas...................................................pucesticks............................................ les tiquesclaws.......................................... les griffesfur.....................................................le poilpaw................................................la pattemuzzle...................................... le museau
tail................................................la queuewhiskers...................................moustacheskin............................................... la peauto bark............................................aboyerto chew, to bite.............mordiller, mordreto meow........................................miaulerto purr...................................... ronronnera puppy.........................................un chiota kitten.......................................le chatona bird...........................................le oiseaua guinea pig.....................le cochon d'indea rabbit..........................................le lapin
a horse........................................le chevala tortoise .................................... la tortuea frog................................... la grenouillea toad.......................................le crapauda snake..................................... le serpenta sheep.................................... le mouton
Famous FurnitureHome & Garden...
20 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
Everything you need for your French Home, all in one place....Fresco Interiors is a beautiful little shop in the heart of the charming village of Vouvant offering a wonderful choice of home ware, decorations, gifts for all occasions, art de table, clocks and wall art, wicker ware, candles & candlesticks, greetings cards, garden ornaments and containers, glass ware, carpets and flooring, hand painted furniture and chalk paint.
Autentico Chalk Paint is a beautiful range of organic, low odour chalk paints and waxes. This versatile paint with its lovely chalky finish works well on any surface, has excellent coverage and can be easily distressed for that classic, vintage French look.
There is an extensive range of carpets and flooring which can be presented to you in the shop or in your own home, where the desired area can be measured and a quotation given for the product and the installation then and there.
Fresco Interiors is run by Alison Millin, with the support of her husband, Colin, both originally from Devon. Alison is a qualified interior decorator, is passionate about French furniture and runs decorating courses from the shop bespoke to the needs of her clients. Whether it be hanging wall paper, painting techniques or
with the use of Autentico Chalk Paint breathing new life into an old piece of furniture, Ali has years of experience with all types of products and absolutely loves helping clients achieve their decorating dreams.
Vouvant is a vibrant tourist town with a thriving artist community nestled in the Mervent/Vouvant forest in the department of Vendée near the Deux-‐Sèvres border. Vouvant is regarded as one of the prettiest villages in France and with it’s ancient ramparts, riverside walks, 13th century keep, artist studios and its charming restaurants and bars it is a wonderful place to spend and an idle day.
Last, but absolutely not least, Fresco Interiors support the Association Galia animal charity. Alison volunteers at the Galia refuge in Fontenay le Compte and the shop is also a drop-‐off point for donations of items such as old blankets and towels which are invaluable at the refuge. The Association are desperate for more volunteers to help their beautiful doggies, so if you could offer half a day a week to help either with cleaning, feeding and generally giving some affection in the mornings or woofer walking in the afternoons, you would be making a huge difference to an awful lot of lovely doggies. For more information please contact Galia (see contacts on Page 18) or pop into the Fresco Interiors shop and have a chat about it.
So when you are in the area, or need something beautiful for your home, visit Fresco Interiors where you will always get a very warm welcome. Follow Fresco Interiors on Facebook or check out their new website at: www.frescointeriors.fr/en
Affordable Advertising Solutions:Small B/W Advert only 30€
Small Colour Advert only 34€Featured Business Advertising from 55€
ARTICLES.... Nous sommes toujours à la recherche de nouveaux articles à publier pour les éditions futures. Avez-vous une expérience à partager? Quoi qu'il en soit, que ce soit long ou court, nous aimerions vous lire.
Vous pouvez appeler Sarah au 05 49 70 26 21 pour proposer des idées ou les envoyer par courriel à: [email protected]
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 21
by Vanda LawrenceTHE AMATEUR GARDENERJuly is one of the best months in the garden because all our previous hard work is paying dividends, with lovely colourful flowerbeds and beautiful perfumes filling the air. I love it! However, let's not get carried away with ourselves, we still need to keep on top of things, so here goes:
Prune your Wisteria now by cutting back the whippy side-‐shoots to 6-‐8" (about 5 leaves) from the main stem. Dead-‐head roses to keep them looking tidy but leave the flowers in place if your rose produces attractive hips later in the season. Cut back perennials as flowers fade to encourage new growth and more blooms. Dead-‐head sweet peas regularly to keep them blooming, also annual bedding plants to stop them self-‐seeding and to encourage further flowers. Divide clumps of Bearded Iris so that they will have time to form roots and flower buds before the cold weather.Stop rust damage on hollyhock foliage by pruning out affected leaves and spraying with rust treatment.Dahlias, Gladioli and Cannas need staking now; it only takes an unexpected downpour and they could be flattened.Rhododendrons and Azaleas need mulching. Their roots grow quite close to the soil surface and are very prone to drying out. If you are planting new pot-‐grown plants, first soak the root ball in a bucket of water until saturated. Tub and container plants need constant attention during these hot months. Water at least once per day and feed weekly.
Do you have a problem shady area in your garden, creating cool conditions with very damp or very dry soil? Perhaps the following list of plants for dry/damp shade might be useful?
Shrubs (dry shade): Daphne, Eleagnus, Sarcococca, Snowberry, Viburnum (damp shade): Buxus, Camelia, Gardenia, Hydrangea, Sarcococca, Skimmia.Perennials (dry shade): Bergenia, Euphorbia, Alchemilla mollis, Bleeding heart (damp shade): Anemone, Aswlbe, Bergenia, Hellebore, Hosta. Climbers (dry shade): Honeysuckle, Pyracantha, Cotoneaster horizontalis (damp shade): Ivy, Climbing Hydrangea, Akebia quinata.Bulbs (dry shade): Anemone, Bluebell, Cyclamen, Snowdrop (damp shade): Snowdrop, Erythronium, Winter Aconite, Cardiocrinum.Annuals(dry shade): Begonia, Foxglove, Honesty.Biennials (damp shade): Busy Lizzie, Mimulus, Primula, Viola.
Do you have a problem with mosquitoes when you sit in the garden? Don't worry, make a 'mozzie' trap using an empty 2 ltr plastic bottle: Cut the bottle in half. Mix 1/4 cup brown sugar with 1 cup hot water. When cool pour into bottom half of bottle. Add 1 gram yeast -‐ this creates carbon dioxide which attracts mosquitoes. Place funnel part of bottle, upside down, into the other half of the bottle, taping them together. Wrap the bottle with something black (mosquitoes are drawn to the colour black) leaving the top uncovered; place outside away from your normal gathering area. Change solution every 2 weeks.
Well, we've worked hard and the garden's looking good. Enjoy! Happy gardening. See you next month.
22 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
French Life...
Life on the Farm...Back to usual this month with news of what’s been happening here on the farm...
Polly, our Sanaan milking goat, kidded in early June with two lovely kids, both boys. Polly’s udder was so full and the boys so big that they found it difficult to find her teats. So, to make sure they got a good feed, we milked her and gave it back to them in a bottle. She is still producing lots of milk and we have had to milk her a couple of times to make her more comfortable.
After last month’s special on rabbits, ours have been busy producing kits. Grey only had one but boy did she grow fast getting all mum’s milk! First time mum Lilly had two with new dad Nero -‐ these are both black and very cute. Zealy and Beano have just given birth -‐ we are yet to look in the nest but it looks from the size of the nests that they have had about six to ten each.
The potager is now in full swing with broad-‐beans, asparagus, strawberries, rhubarb and raspberries. In the poly-‐tunnel the courgettes, potatoes, carrots, lettuce, radish, tomatoes and aubergine are doing well. We have set up a watering system for the tomatoes and cucumbers so they never dry out and it has paid dividends already.
The lambs are doing well with the first two lambs already heading off for meat -‐ with the good grass they have grown well this year. The other lambs have now been weaned to get the ewes back in tip-‐top condition for this year’s mating with Winston, a pure Suffolk ram. The sheep have all been sheared. Once again we hired a guy to do the job. He makes it look effortless -‐ which it isn’t -‐ and he does a far better job in 40 minutes than we could achieve in a week! The added bonus is no chronic backache, although catching the big ewes and ram is hard work. They have also had a pedicure and been treated for the dreaded fly strike.
Jen’s been busy in the kitchen making another batch of ginger beer and elderflower cordial and with the summer fruits, a delicious ice cream and coulis. We have also had a go at making duck confit for the first time. It is basically duck legs that have been salted and then cooked on a very low heat in their own fat. Once cooked they are stored in jars covered by fat. This is an old way of preserving and just gives another option to use the duck. We also cooked one of our favourites, pulled pork -‐ cooked long and slow with lots of barbeque flavours. It is a good use of one of the less popular joints of pork -‐ the hand (part of the shoulder) and very tasty as well.
On the hatching front we have also been busy with chicks, ducklings, a goose and some quail. We had four broody hens, so as the chicks were hatching in the incubator, we swapped the eggs so that the broodies were sitting on those hatching giving all four of them an instant family. The tiny quail, which are the size of
bumble bees, were very fragile and we have been using a heat pad rather than a heat lamp to keep them warm with all the other hatchings going out into the sunshine during the day. We have had to be very careful as we have a family of Magpies who have been stealing the quail’s eggs so we have to make sure they are nice and secure or they could take the chicks too.
As if we don’t have enough animals around the place, a family of hedgehogs and her babies have been seen in the garden and down the lane. We had to move them across the lane when two of the babies got left behind and were crying for mum, who was frantic on the other side.
Hope you enjoy the Summer, we are already thinking of Christmas with the arrival of Geese and Turkeys for Christmas dinner.
See you in August for the next ‘Life on the Farm’.
by Peter & Jenny Sebborn.
Peter & Jenny Sebborn. Breeders of pigs, lambs and poultry. La Gauteliere, 79220, Pamplie. Tel: 05 49 28 38 57.
Annual Subscription Costs: 29,50€ within France, 18€ UK addresses.(Unfortunately the cheaper ‘printed papers’ rate cannot be applied to addresses within France, only when sending abroad)
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Baby quail
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 23
Spotlight On...
24 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
It all happened a very long time ago... Gargantua was on his way from La Rochelle to Niort when, following a heavy drinking session the night before, he had to stop for a call of nature. With one foot on Luçon cathedral and the other on the bell tower of the church at Niort, he turned to the west and as he relieved himself he flooded the countryside right across to the ocean. And that, as legend has it, is how the Marais Poitevin was born…
France’s second largest wetland after the Camargue and covering almost 1000 square kilometres (nearly 400 square miles), the Marais Poitevin (meaning marsh of the Poitou region) is a unique landscape created, shaped and maintained across the centuries by water.
Once covered by the ocean, reclamation of the marshland began in earnest by monks in the Middle Ages who dug out the canals considered today as a keystone in the drainage and clearing up of the land. The work of those monks was modernised in the 1600s by Dutch engineer Humphrey Bradley and improvements were continued by Louis XIII and Louis XIV before work lapsed until 1808, when Napoleon I had the Sèvre Niortaise river -‐ the backbone of the marshes -‐ cleaned out and widened. This reduced flooding and improved navigation for boats between Niort and those ports open to the Atlantic.
Today, those who have inherited this amazing place have the challenge of safeguarding a landscape made of channels and canals with their banks lined with pollarded ash trees.
The marshland is split into three zones, each with its own distinct personality. The wet marsh (Marais Mouillé) with its maze of weed-‐choked, tree-‐lined canals and shady pastures is probably the most interesting and most visited of the three and is often called France’s Venise Verte (Green Venice).
In the far west, the Sèvre-‐Niortaise flows into the Baie de l’Aiguillon on the Atlantic coast north of La Rochelle. This seashore belongs to fishermen and birds. Rich mud banks exposed twice a day at low tide separate salt meadows from the sea and provide a haven for hungry wading birds. Out in the bay mussels are farmed on lines of vertical poles (bouchots).
Inland, the Sèvre-‐Niortaise cuts through the dry marsh (Marais Desséché), an agricultural plain fed by canals that is used for cattle grazing and cereal growing. At its heart lies the historic river port of Marans, important in the 18th Century for the treatment of animal hides.
The Marais PoitevinThe Marais Poitevin
Above: Coulon Quai Louis Tardo. Right: Enjoying a guided tour on the canal
Above: Green Venice. Right: The Rosalia longicorn beetleBelow: The mudbanks at Baie de l’Aiguillon
Water always has a soothing effect, and as soon as you enter the Marais Poitevin you can feel the pace of life slowing right down. It’s a magnet for wildlife -‐ both flora and fauna -‐ including some that are in danger of extinction. Take a boat trip and keep an eye out for the Rosalia longicorn (a black and blue coloured beetle), eels, cattle egrets and five species of heron. There’s also the rainette verte (green tree frog), the elegant crested peewit and, if you’re really lucky, a European otter, one of the region’s rare and protected animals. Along the canals you’ll also see yellow iris with their feet in the water and the common ash, considered to be the emblem of the Marais Mouillé.
The Marais is full of charming waterside towns and villages and one of the best is Coulon, capital of the wet marsh and home to the Maison du Marais Poitevin discovery centre and its 700sqm of exhibitions and sales of regional products.
Now listed as one of the most beautiful villages of France with its narrow streets of white houses and red-‐tiled roofs, Coulon once throbbed with cargo boats passing through (2700 during 1840, according to records).
With all that water around, the best way to see the sights is to enjoy a guided tour in a traditional flat-‐bottomed boat (platte) or punt (pigouille). Learn about
the plants and the animals and the legends of the marshes. The length of visits varies, departure times are indicated and booking is necessary. In general, if you want to make the most of the natural environment and its wildlife this time of year, the best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon.
You’re spoilt for choice with all the locals at the embarcadères (piers or wharfs) offering to show you the Marais from the water from dawn ’til dusk and many English-‐speaking tours are available upon reservation. For the more adventurous who prefer a rowing boat or paddling their own canoe, the boatmen can provide you with a detailed map and there are plenty of arrows to follow. But again, don’t forget to book.
Things to SeeThe floating market at Le Vanneau, which takes place on July 26th. Around 15,000 visitors turn up to see people, animals and produce transported along the canals of Green Venice in one of the more unusual traditions of the Marais Poitevin. Do your shopping differently this year -‐ by rowing boat!
St Maxire flower boat festival. Since 1942 on the last Sunday in July more than 6000 people line the banks of the Sèvre to watch boats decorated with flowers made of crepe paper. There’s a different theme each year and two processions -‐ one at 5pm and the other once it’s dark -‐ and the day ends with fireworks (well, this is France).
Bird sanctuary at Saint-‐Hilaire-‐la-‐Palud. A twitcher’s delight. More than 70 species of birds in the heart of the Marais. Discover them by boat either on your own or with a guide.
If you don’t fancy getting your feet wet there are horse-‐drawn carriages or a miniature train (Petit Train Pibalou). Or you can hire a bike and explore miles of marked, level trails. All are available around Coulon town centre or check out the Coulon tourist office.
Food and DrinkThe Marais Poitevin is home to Angelica, one of the world’s best known aromatic plants. This Jack of all trades is said to be a tonic, an anti-‐spasmodic, a purgative, a digestive and can also keep away the plague! It ’s supposed to heal TB, malaria, typhus, smallpox, cellulite, gout, impotence, bites, toothache… the list goes on. Today the plant is made into liqueur, candied stalks, sculpted objects, cream, jam, sweets and chocolate. It’s also used in recipes for Suze, Pernod, Chartreuse and Benedictine and also flavours vodka and gin.
Other local delicacies include the Mogette (or Mojette) bean and Echiré butter. Echiré has been classed as one of the world’s most refined butters since 1904 and has been served at banquets in the Elysée Palace and Buckingham Palace. Mogettes (white beans) are grown in the black earth of the wet marshes. Part of the harvest is eaten fresh while the rest is dried on sticks (tourettes) on which the plant is put after it is pulled out of the ground.
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 25
Did you know?Ever heard of Spirodela Polyrhiza? That’s its Latin name, but you and I probably know it better as duckweed. It forms a mat on the river water’s surface and tends to turn it green -‐ and there’s loads of it in the Marais Poitevin. Perhaps that’s why it’s called Green Venice!
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Angelica plant
Contacts• Poitou-‐Charentes regional website: www.visit-‐poitou-‐charentes.com• Parc interregional du Marais Poitevin: www.parc-‐marais-‐poitevin.fr• Deux-‐Sèvres tourism: www.tourisme-‐deux-‐sevres.com• Marais Poitevin official tourist site (in French): www.marais-‐poitevin.com• Coulon Office de Tourisme and Maison du Marais Poitevin 5 Place de la Coutume, 79510 Coulon. Tel: 05 49 35 81 04. Guided tours, exhibitions and answers to all your questions. Website: www.maison-‐marais-‐poitevin.fr
• Petit Train Pibalou, 6 Rue de l’Eglise, 79510 Coulon. Tel: 05 49 35 14 14. Website: www.lemaraispoitevin.fr/Petit-‐train_a46.html
• Fête des Bateaux Fleuris website: www.bateauxfleuris.com• Le Vanneau tourist office website: www.le-‐vanneau-‐irleau.fr• Parc Ornithologique les Oiseaux du Marais PoitevinLe Petit Buisson, 79210 Saint-‐Hilaire-‐la-‐Palud. Tel: 05 49 26 04 09. Website: www.oiseauxmaraispoitevin.com
Mick Austin is a freelance journalist based in the Pays-‐de-‐la-‐Loire. He has had his work published in several expat magazines and newspapers and has also written the Mayenne Tourist Board’s only English-‐language brochure. He also runs a gîte business at www.gitefortwo.com
The Marais Poitevin spans three departments, Deux-‐Sè`vres, Vendée & Charente-‐Maritime. Surface Area: 970 sq km
Airports: Poitiers (76 minutes), La Rochelle (57 minutes)
26 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
MARAIS POITEVINFACT FILE...
LOCAL ADS*LOCAL ADS*LOCAL ADS*LOCAL ADS* LOCAL ADS*LOCAL ADS*LOCAL ADS*LOCAL ADS* LOCAL ADS*LOCAL
Aire de Repos/pique-niquePlan d’eauFishing LakeCycle RoutesWalking Routes
Bars & RestaurantsCashpointFuel StationCampsiteSupermarket
Distances from Coulon:Benet: 9 minsNiort: 25 minsFontenay-‐le-‐Comte: 37 minsMelle: 45 mins
Above: Footbridge in Le Vanneau.
The Marais Poitevin was awarded National Park
status in May 2014!
Across:8. A number of little passages lead to the dales? (7)9. Paragon drops former partner to show that’s enough (5)10. For a period of time is held by force of the sea but went over again (5)11. Confines trainee workers? (7)12. Peaceful nature conceals hard centre of member (4)13. Foolhardy, naive, having no ime to go ajer formula for metal (8)16. Earth, wind and fire, for example, displace steel men in the table (8)19. Possible location for unusual bore, but not the Severn (4)22. Bad seed is thrown out because it is defiled (7)23. Bible lesson given in taxi for indigenous people (5)24. Joke about respectable number in camp (5)25. It may be rare, but it’s not a big hit for Tom (7)
Across:8. Lowest ranking British peer (5)9. An associate in an activity or endeavour (7)10. Partial or total loss of memory (7)11. Elegant and stylish in dress (5)12. In an affable manner (8)13. A republic in the middle east (4)15. A garment that covers the face (4)17. Board game (8)21. Find repugnant (5)22. Analyse thoroughly (7)24. Bodily disorder or disease (7)25. Vote into office (5)
Down:1. 1970s Swedish pop group (4)2. Monetary unit of Denmark and Norway (6)3. Not normal (7)4. Strike with disgust or revulsion (6)5. Hold firmly (5)6. Unjust (6)7. A se r ious examinat ion and judgement of something (8)12. Donate for free (4,4)14. A series of acts at a night club (7)16. Take a breath (6)18. Bring into existance; make (6)19. Cooked in hot water (6)20. Star sign (5)23. Consumes food (4)
With thanks to M.Morris
Down:1. For a start, that’s the strangest tour ever. Tell William to come back (8)2. Rolf in a pickle; must produce the cash (6)3. Time added on for a wrong name given; that was intenional (5)4. Aim for a high church attachment? (6)5. Manages a top sports tournament? (7)6. Power added to electrical wave produces wild plant (6)7. Male/female swap restyles the gents into the bogs (4)14. Orwellian farm animal to get bigger and bigger? (8)15. Meg crossed rough seas to deliver her tidings (7)17. Male bachelor held in tree; that’s the way to treat some body! (6)18. Tim due for a change before dullness sets in (6)20. One element of a meal that could show one up (5)21. It is acceptable in a highlander to go ahead and make an observaion (5)22. Italian ruler; one of the Lido gentry? (4)
DSM Toughie Crossword
DSM Easy Crossword
1) Name a Briwsh M.P. who has won two Oscars.
2) Who won best actress Oscar in 1994 and what was unusual about her role?
3) One point each for the 4 people who formed the film company ‘United Artists’?
4) ’A Night at the Opera’ and ‘A Day at the Races’ are film and album titles by which performers?
5) Who wrote the music for Disney’s Lion King?
6) In which decade was ‘Fantasia’ released?
7) Who provided the music for Disney’s ‘Tarzan’?
8) Who played the title role in ‘Citizen Kane’ in 1941?
9) In which 1993 film did Richard Attenborough play Dr. Hammond?
10) Name the two actors who played the main roles in ‘Rain Man’.
11) Which film won best picture Oscar for Alfred Hitchcock?
12) Why was ‘High Society’ Grace Kelly’s last film? Find the answers on our website: www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
Quiz-tastic! Monthly quiz by Roland Scob.....how many can you get?
Copyright RJS 2014.
Take a Break...
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 27
Protecting Your PC and Data. Gameover ZeusIn the news recently there has been a considerable amount of hype about the Gameover Zeus Botnet and the Cryptolocker ransomware. This is largely due to the success of "Operation Tovar", an international collaborative operation carried out by law enforcement agencies from multiple countries, many leading antivirus companies, prominent computer companies (such as Microsoft) and academic researchers from some Universities and Technology Institutes.
On 2nd June 2014, the joint task force advised that there was a window of 14 days or so before the perpetrator Evgeniy Mikhailovich Bogachev, aka Slavik, aka Pollingsoon, from Anapa, Russian Federation and his collaborators (from Russia and the Ukraine) would be able to re-‐instate their systems and start preying on the infected computers again.
Gameover Zeus and Cryptolocker are responsible for emptying bank accounts and ransoming people's and company's data, by encrypting the data on their computers and charging a ransom to decrypt the data. To date in excess of $100 million have been paid to or stolen by them.
So How do they Work ?A botnet is a collection of networked PCs that are controlled by a cyber criminal's server or servers. Botnets sometimes compromise computers whose security defences have been breached and control conceded to a third party. Each such compromised device, known as a "bot", is created when a computer is penetrated by software from a malware distribution. The controller of a botnet is able to direct the activities of these compromised computers through communication channels via the internet.
Computers can be co-‐opted into a botnet when they execute malicious software. This can be accomplished by luring users into making a drive-‐by download, exploiting web browser vulnerabilities, or by tricking the user into running a Trojan horse program, which may come from an email attachment. This malware will typically install modules that allow the computer to be commanded and controlled by the botnet's operator.
Gameover ZeusGameover Zeus monitors and injects rogue code into Web browsing sessions when users access banking and other popular websites from infected computers. The targeted sites are determined by regular-‐expression-‐based rules listed in the malware's configuration file. These cyber criminals and their associates then use the logins and passwords they have gleaned from the infected computers to move money into internet bank accounts around the world and eventually into their coffers.
CryptolockerCryptolocker is a ransomware trojan which targets computers running Microsoft Windows and was first observed by Dell in September 2013. A Cryptolocker attack may come from various sources; one such is disguised as a legitimate email attachment. When activated, the malware encrypts certain types of files stored on local and mounted network drives using RSA public-‐key cryptography, with the private key stored only on the malware's control servers. The malware then displays a message which offers to decrypt the data if a payment (through either Bitcoin or a pre-‐paid voucher) is made by a stated deadline, and threatens to delete the private key if the deadline passes. If the deadline is not met,
the malware offers to decrypt data via an online service provided by the malware's operators, for a significantly higher price in Bitcoin.
Although Cryptolocker itself is readily removed, files remain encrypted in a way which researchers have considered infeasible to break. Many say that the ransom should not be paid, but do not offer any way to recover files; others say that paying the ransom is the only way to recover files that had not been backed up. Payment of the ransom may not result in the files being decrypted.
According to the FBI, the malware infected over 1 million computers and was used to steal millions of dollars from businesses and Internet users worldwide. It was also used to distribute Cryptolocker, a separate malware threat that encrypts files and asks for a ransom to restore them.
SymptomsHow do you know if you have been infected? Your PC seems sluggish, websites take a long time to display, chat windows may pop-‐up when you are surfing, of course many of these symptoms are quite subjective, there is a service available that may help you here http://campaigns.f-‐secure.com/en_global/zeus/ols. Provided by F-‐secure it is a one-‐click check and may give you peace of mind.
ProtectionHow can you prevent these potentially expensive viruses or at least reduce the damage they are able to inflict?
• Ensure that your copy of Windows, your anti-‐virus and anti-‐malware programs are updated and kept up to date at all times.
• Run regular full scans of your computers.• If you receive an email with an attachment -‐ DO NOT open it unless it's expected. Examples would be invoices for unknown purchases, bank statements (which are never emailed).
• DO NOT click on website links to download files unless you trust and know the site and or have requested them.
• Ensure that you have a back-‐up of all of your important files and store them off-‐line, if they get encrypted you may never get them back, even if you can see them on your PC!
• If you have been infected with Cryptolocker, do not pay the ransom. Payment to cybercriminals only encourages more malicious campaigns. There is no guarantee that payment will lead to the decryption of your files.
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).
by Ross Hendry
Communications...
28 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
Useful English Language Numbers... Cancer Support Deux-Sèvres: 05 49 64 59 96French State health insurance advice line: 08 11 36 36 46Elizabeth Finn Care (Grants and advice if in Financial need): 04 68 23 43 79Orange Helpline: 09 69 36 39 00EDF International Customer Service: 05 62 16 49 08CLEISS (Social security advice between countries): 01 45 26 33 41Funeral Information (AFIF): 01 45 44 90 03 or www.afif.asso.fr
Passport Advice: 0044 208 082 4729
The Deux-Sèvres Monthly | 29
Contact ‘The DSM’ magazine...
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French Village Diaries
One of our favourite ways to spend a summer afternoon is to plan a route of at least 30km, pack some energy nibbles (a pot of home grown walnuts are perfect for this) and set off on the back roads on our bikes. We either head off from home, trying to plan a stop at a bar in a mid way village, or we venture further afield now we are the proud owners of a tow bar bike carrier.
In previous years we have tended to cross the border into the Charente (not too difficult for us as it is only five kilometres away) and made use of their excellently marked cycle routes. With circuits (boucles) from 6km to over 100km that are well signed, avoid main roads and are planned to take in the prettiest of villages we can highly recommend them for all cyclists. They also kindly mark village amenities on the map so we have become used to stumbling into a bar half way around and
enjoying a cold beer. I am not a big beer guzzler, but the cold fizziness makes a very refreshing drink on a hot bike ride.
This year we are determined to see more of the Deux-‐Sèvres, although it is a shame that outside of the Marais Poitevin (one of our favourite places for a day trip, with or without our bikes) the only marked cycle routes in the department are from town to town, not circuits. Thankfully my husband has treated himself to a clever gadget thingy that allows him to create our own circuits online and then guides us around from village to village, although now we are always on the lookout for bars to offer weary cyclists a cold beer and a sit down. I’ve lost count of the number of towns and villages we have arrived at only to find the bar permanently closed, stating it is open but actually being closed (as we invariably turn up in the dead hours between lunch and dinner) or even seeing the owners scurrying indoors and locking the door behind them as we arrive on their terrace. New discoveries for us so far this year are L’Orangerie in La Mothe St Héray, the source of the Sevres Niortais River and the Boutonne river valley.
We are also signed up members to the Office de Tourism’s Ambassadeurs des Deux-‐Sèvres club, a free to join club for all residents of the Deux-‐Sèvres that offers members reduced entry to many tourist sites and museums, discounts at selected restaurants and invitations to member only events. See your local tourist office or www.tourisme-‐deux-‐sevres.com/cdt79/club-‐ambassadeur for more details.
For cycling fans, don’t forget the Tour de Poitou-‐Charentes at the end of August. Although much smaller than the Tour de France, it still has top teams, professional cyclists and is a great spectator event, especially as there is far less distance to travel to catch some action but still with the buzz and the whoosh as they charge past.
For recipes please email me at [email protected] or visit www.frenchvillagediaries.com
by Jacqueline Brown.
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Once Upon a Time in the WestA short intro to Vendée wine
Many, many years ago our ancestors in the Vendée really did walk around in clogs, biceps bulging, legs like tree trunks, clay pipe clenched between blackened teeth: the men were pretty tough too.
They didn’t work in the local Leclerc because there wasn’t one; likewise no high street banks, estate agents, dog-‐groomers or flower shops. Our people were -‐ and to an extent still are -‐ farmers through and through. With that never-‐ending toil came the need for sustenance: jambon-‐mogettes was our meat and two veg; fressure a treat on your saint’s day. The vegetable garden and chicken run were things of pride. If you could go back in time and tell your ancestors you buy your onions, potatoes, garlic, beans and eggs from strangers in a big town, their mouths would gape and clay pipes fall and crack.
This self-‐sufficiency, and pride therein, extended to their everyday beverage, wine. And to call wine at that time an ‘everyday beverage’ is no exaggeration when there were no taps to give us clean, healthy water at the twist of a wrist. At the very least, wine was germ-‐free. Every farmer had his vines, enough to keep his family in wine for the year -‐ perhaps his extended family and friends too if he was a larger landholder or tenant. At the harvest, everyone helped out, and if you’re lucky enough to live near some of the remaining family holdings, this is a tradition which, delightfully, continues to this day. Pick one row, stop and have a drink; pick another, stop and have a drink -‐ and so on: hard, hard work, but has to be done.
So, enough of the ‘first-‐the-‐earth-‐cooled’ stuff. In the mid-‐1960s, wine makers from four areas in the Vendée made a loose affiliation called ‘Fiefs Vendéens’. Thus began a long journey to recognition -‐ from little more than peasant farmer, with all the humility he had to choke on, to winemaker, with his rightful place amongst his peers. These wines were granted Vin de Pays status in 1974. A mere ten years later they were promoted to VDQS (Vin délimité de qualité supérieure), known at that time as the ‘waiting room’ for full AOC recognition. The boys in the band felt confident enough to officially apply for AOC in 1991. The boys in the government finally got round to a first inspection of vineyards in 1995. Only in 2011 was AOC status granted to wines made in the designated areas of Mareuil (585 ha), Brem (382 ha), Vix (149 ha), Chantonnay (a late comer to the original group, 57 ha), and Pissotte (42 ha).
Over the past few years, I have been guiding wine lovers to many of the great wine producing areas in France. I’ve decided that it’s high time to include trips much nearer to home. See the ad on this page, and get in touch for a great voyage of discovery. You will find delightful, value-‐for-‐money wines, reds, whites, rosés, sparkling. These are wines, and winemakers, that have earned their laurels, and wines which we should support with chauvinistic vigour (cue accordions…).
John Sherwin, French Wine Tours. Tel: 02 51 66 13 05 ~ E: [email protected] ~
www.french-wine-tours.com
32 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
by John Sherwin
Three Wheels on my CarWhen people talk of a three wheeler, I’m sure the image that springs to people’s mind is that of the Robin Reliant, and/or, the Trotter’s van.
However, that is not the subject of my piece today .... today we are focusing on the Morgan Three Wheeler. Unlike the Robin, the Morgan has two wheels at the front and one at the back. The brilliant but simple design of this car made it one of the most successful lightweight cars of the early days of motoring, and ensured the success of the Morgan Motor Company.
The principal of fitting a powerful motorcycle engine and simple transmission into a lightweight chassis and body inspired a new type of vehicle, generically known as a ‘Cyclecar’, and introduced the freedom of the open road to those of more modest means. Indeed three-‐wheeled vehicles avoided the British tax on cars by being classified as motorcycles, and the distinctive tricycles had a vee-‐shaped engine between the front wheels, usually a J.A.P.
H.F.S. Morgan's first car design was a single-‐seat, three-‐wheeled runabout which was fabricated for his personal use in 1909. Interest in his runabout led him to patent his design and begin production. While he initially showed single-‐seat and two-‐seat versions of his runabout at the 1911 Olympia Motor Exhibition, he was convinced at the exhibition that there would be greater demand for a two-‐seat model.
The Morgan cars were well engineered and reliable, and Morgan established its reputation via competition, such as winning the 1913 Cyclecar Grand Prix at Amiens in France. This became the basis for the 'Grand Prix' model of 1913 to 1926, from which evolved the 'Aero', and 'Sports' models. It wasn’t until the Super Aero of 1927 that it began to take on the shape we today recognise as that of the classic Morgan: low slung to aid grip, handling and, crucially, stability.
During 1930, Mrs Gwenda Stewart broke the One Hour World Record at the banked race track of Monthlery, south of Paris, at a speed of over 100mph, and later achieved 117mph on the long straight at Arpajon nearby.
The last of the original three-‐wheelers rolled off Morgan's production line in Malvern in July 1952, after building around 30,000 examples.
Morgans were once the epitome of cool: it was the first car Sir Stirling Moss drove legally on the road, and other owners have included Brigitte Bardot, Queen Noor of Jordan and Ralph Lauren. In 1968, the Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger drove Marianne Faithful in his buttercup yellow Morgan from his home in Chelsea to the Old Bailey where he was on trial for possession of drugs.
In 2012, the Three Wheeler was relaunched, updated with 21st Century technology. The shape however remains the same, and so the car is instantly recognisable. The modern car costs around £30,000, whereas an original version could be up to £120,000.
Every year the classic Morgans can be seen racing at Le Puy Notre Dame, in the Grand Prix Retro at the end of July. This year the event is 26th and 27th July and more details can be found at www.grandprixretro-‐puynotredame.com
by Helen Tait-‐Wright
Contact Helen at: [email protected].
Motoring...
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Photo: Helen Tait-‐Wright
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Thinking about placing an ad?
Why not take advantage of our Special Packages for New Advertisers?Call Sarah for more details: 05 49 70 26 21
Copy deadlineis the 15th ofthe month
40 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
Business & Finance...
Let’s face it, we cannot do without it as most of us live in the countryside and buses are sparse! So make sure you understand fully how it works in France. Yes, it is different than in the UK. To start with, we drive on the correct side of the road!
Who is Insured?This is the main difference from the UK. In France, it is the car that is insured so everybody can drive it as long as they have a valid driving license and have your authorisation to drive it. But do note that if someone else drives your car and crashes it, it is your No Claims Discount that is affected, not theirs. If it is a young driver, the excess is higher. You and your car are covered if you are hit by an insured driver. Car insurance also automatically covers trailers up to a certain weight (750kg with Allianz). Caravans and trailers above 750kg must have their own number plates and insurances.
Finally, your car insurance in France does not cover you to drive someone else’s car in the UK! Your car however is insured everywhere in Europe (list of countries shown on your green paper).
No Claims Discount/Bonus malusIn France, you need to have 13 years without a claim to be entitled to 50% discount, which is the maximum discount. If you had 50% bonus more than 3 years, you keep your maximum discount after an accident that is your fault (a little thank you for being so good for so long!). We accept no claim certificates from the UK.
Excess/Franchise Like most insurances, you can choose to have or not to have an excess (affects your premium). If the accident is not your fault and the culprit (third party) is identified, you have no excess to pay. If your car is stolen, you have an excess. The excess can be different depending on the claim (always check your contract).
Fully Comprehensive/Third Party Fully comprehensive is the same as in the UK, you and the car are insured whether it is your fault or not. Third party means that your car is not covered for accident (only public liability) and it has different levels of cover. Some include theft and fire, some don’t, so it’s best to check your contract.
Glass Breakage/Bris de GlaceThe excess is less for glass breakage and it covers windscreens, windows and headlights and does NOT include wing mirrors and backlights.
Breakdown cover/Assistance 0km or 25kmYou can have breakdown cover from 0km (your front door) or from 25km (with Allianz). For the recovery, the car is taken to the closest garage (not the one you choose). If the repair takes less than 2 days, the insurance pays the hotel, otherwise, the insurance pays to take you home or where you were going with your car. The insurance then pays for you to pick up your car (only one person) when it is repaired.
Replacement VehicleYou can have this option added to your contract. With Allianz, it’s about 6€ more per month. There is a limit on the length of time for the replacement and it depends if it is a breakdown, theft or accident.
If you have an accident and it is not your fault and the third party is identified, you are entitled a replacement vehicle.
Claims/SinistresMake sure if you have an accident that you fill in an agreed statement of facts on motor vehicle accident (Constat in French). There is an emergency helpline (they speak English) for breakdown, accident, etc. but also make sure you have the number on you even if you are not driving, as it includes repatriation and health cover abroad (see my previous article in December 2013 on travel insurance).
Compensation for death or injury is decided following the French code of law and the amount is calculated in accordance to the level of importance of injuries or grief. Eg: the death of a father of 5 children will be better compensated than the one of a 100 year old without any family.
Note that there will be no compensation for death or injury, or for the car if you took the vehicle without permission of the owner or if you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the accident.
UK Registration PlatesNormally, you have one month to change your number plate to French plate. Contact me directly if you want more information on that.
PremiumsIt is calculated by taking lots of different facts into account (probably why it is done by computer). The model of the car, price of replacement parts, horse power, the date it was first on the road, nationwide statistic of theft, what option you choose (third party, fully comprehensive, replacement car, excess, etc). You can reduce the premium if you do less than 9000 or 4000km per year.
Conclusion: If, like my lovely English husband, you think French drivers are dreadful (OK, I drive too close to the car in front but it’s only because they are going too slow!!), then make sure you are properly insured and check your options on your contract.
As always, I am available for free quotes! And check out our practical page on our website www.bh-‐assurances.fr for all my previous articles.
CAR INSURANCE
BH Assurances22 rue Jean Jaures, 16700 Ruffec
Contact Isabelle Want:Tel: 05 45 31 01 61Mob: 06 17 30 39 11
Email: [email protected]
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My article in May summarised the radical reforms to UK pensions as announced in the budget. You need to understand how all the options affect your personal situation and, importantly, how they are taxed in France. So this month I take a closer look at the tax implications - and it can be good news for French residents.
One key change was the reduction in the minimum income requirement for flexible drawdown, from £20,000 to £12,000. Flexible drawdown allows you take as much cash from your pension as you wish.
In France, lump sums from UK pension funds are taxed at 7.5%, and where an entire pension fund is withdrawn under flexible drawdown, it is likely to be taxed in the same way. This compares very well to the 45% top rate of income tax in France, and there are no social charges if you have Form S1.
The same applies if you take your entire pension as a lump sum if the proposed new rules go ahead from next April. If taken as a lump sum while you are resident in France, the local tax is only 7.5%, representing a significant tax saving. The combined tax and social charges (if you do not hold Form S1) would be a third of what you would pay in the UK.
You also need to consider all of the tax implications of retaining the pension or extracting it in both France and the UK. Occupational pension funds are not subject to wealth tax in France, although the capitalised value of an annuity is. The cash you take from your pension fund would become exposed to French succession tax. This is a serious consideration, but with specialist advice you could invest tax efficiently for France and avoid or mitigate your succession tax liability.
In some cases it may be beneficial to pay tax on the funds to enable you to invest in something that suits you better - but this would have to be carefully considered.
The fact that you now have more options for your pension fund means that professional guidance is more important than ever. You need to ensure that you take the right route for your personal objectives and circumstances, and what will work best for you and your family in both the short and long-term.
Tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; an individual is advised to seek personalised advice.
by Brad Warden, Partner, Blevins FranksThe UK Pensions ReformsNew Opportunities for French Residents
42 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
by Sue CookAsk Amanda.“I wasn’t able to attend the recent Tours de Finance, where can I find you in September?”
For the past few years I have been running regular Financial Surgeries in the Deux-‐Sèvres, Vendée and Vienne. These are free to attend
and allow Expats to pop along and informally ask any financial questions that you may have, to see if I can help you.
During the spring, Sue from Currencies Direct & I ran a prize draw in each of my surgeries with the winners receiving sparkling wine to enjoy on a “Fizz Friday” and an ice bucket to keep it chilled.
A big Thank You to all who entered
Questions often asked in financial surgeries, include the following topics:• Inheritance tax planning -‐ How can I minimise the amount of Inheritance tax liable in the event of death?
• What to do with UK private Pensions -‐ What options are available to me now I am no longer a UK resident?
• Changes in French financial legislation -‐ How do recent changes in French legislation affect me?
• Investments -‐ Do my investments match my current financial aspirations?
With many Expats looking forward to enjoying August with friends & family, I will be recommencing my financial surgeries from September at the following venues:
• Pause Café in L’Absie on their Traders afternoon 2.00pm until 5.00pm, second Thursday of each month.
• Café Cour de Miracle, Vouvant, 2.00pm until 4.30pmthe first Wednesday of each month.
• The New Café Ruche d’Activite, Rue du Commerce, Civray which will be opening very soon, dates to follow next month.
Whether you want to register for our newsletter, attend one of our road shows or speak to me directly, please call or email me on the contacts below and I will be glad to help you. We do not charge for reviews, reports or recommendations we provide.
With Care, You Prosper. Amsterdam, Luxembourg, Lausanne, Paris, Cote d’Azur, Barcelona, Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol, Madrid, Mallorca, Rome. «The Spectrum IFA Group » is a registered trademark, exclusive rights to use in France granted to TSG Insurance Services S.A.R.L. Siège Social: 34 Bd des Italiens, 75009 «Société de Courtage d'assurances» R.C.S. Paris B 447 609 108 (2003B04384) Numéro d'immatriculation 07 025 332 -‐ www.orias.fr «Conseiller en investissements financiers, référence sous le numéro E002440 par ANACOFI-‐CIF, association agréée par l’Autorité des Marchés Financiers»
‘Le Tour de Finance’, Chateau de Saint LoupFirst of all I would like to say a big Thank you to all our ‘The Deux-‐Sèvres Monthly’ readers who came along to this event and made it a big success.
We had a full house with over 50 people attending and everyone agreed that it was an extremely informative and enjoyable day. The morning started with coffee and croissants and a chance to catch up with old friends. This was followed by a short presentation by the Tour de Finance partners leading into the main event -‐ a forum of frequently asked questions.
These ranged from residency rules, through to regulation of currency providers to investment advice with many other topics in between.
Attendees had a chance to raise questions during and after the forum and the delegates were on hand afterwards to answer more specific questions on a one-‐to-‐one basis.
The forum was followed by an excellent lunch provided by the Chateau de St Loup and the chance to get to know others living in the Deux-‐Sèvres area. For those that wanted to walk off some of the pounds, there was a welcome opportunity to walk around the grounds.
If anyone wants to register to receive an invitation to our next free ‘Le Tour de Finance’ event please contact me on email: [email protected] or ring me on 06 89 99 28 89. We hope to see you all there.
Le Tour de Finance, June 17th 2014
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CONTRIBUTIONS....We are always looking for new articles for consideration in future issues.
Do you have an experience to share? Are you a tradesman with a Top Tip? or perhaps an avid reader who would like to contribute a book review? Whatever it may be, either long or short, we would love to hear from you.
You can call Sarah on 05 49 70 26 21 with any ideas, or send them on an email to: [email protected]
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Gone Fishing!
The Marais Poitevin is one of the most peaceful parts of Western France -‐ nicknamed Green Venice (la Venise Verte), its wet marsh consists of a maze of tranquil small islets, criss-‐crossed by centuries-‐old duckweed covered canals -‐ nowadays known for tourism and boating (whether rowing or punting) and of course obligatory opportunities for fishing!
Once the largest port in Green Venice, Mauzé sur le Mignon (its Latin name means 'place in the middle of the waters') is a bustling little town which still retains its old walled city and twice weekly market and is well supported with supermarkets and all the other daily necessities of life.
Situated west of Niort (for the TGV) and north of the airport at La Rochelle, road access is by the N11, the route from Poitiers to La Rochelle, which is linked around and bypasses this lovely place.
And with its position at the southern end of the Marais, it provides an ideal jumping off point to explore the region. Just 40kms from the Atlantic Coast and La Rochelle (under an hour from the Ile de Ré!) Mauzé sur le Mignon offers the best of both worlds -‐ countryside tranquillity close to wonderful beaches and opportunities to bring home the 'catch of the day' should your own local fishing exploits leave you with an empty basket.
Just 10kms from Mauzé, in the Marais Poitevin, is a traditional stone-‐clad semi detached house on the market near St Hilaire la Palud. This is an ideal lock-‐up-‐and-‐leave house for a small price (118,800€). It features a spacious lounge with a traditional fireplace and beautiful beams and generously
sized kitchen. Easily heated within two hours thanks to its woodburner, upstairs are two vast bedrooms plus a further floor of attic space which could be easily converted to provide more. It also has a very original bathtub coated with stone! Outside space consists of a private terrace with views to the church and over local gardens (reference 36265 -‐ photo above).
Also close to Mauzé is a superb, e n t i r e l y r e n o v a t e d , f i v e bedroomed property. This has the advantage of being situated in a lively village with nearby access to the parc nationale. From its deceptively simple exterior facade, it opens up to provide beautiful downstairs living spaces and a quality fitted kitchen. Four of the bedrooms are on the first floor (one with a balcony overlooking the garden) with a further bedroom lounge/office on the next floor. Its fully enclosed garden has a working well, with attached buildings for the central heating boiler as well as a large garage with a first floor (potential for further accommodation) plus a 100m² vegetable plot not attached to the property! Recently reduced to 223,500€ this handsome property provides exceptional value (reference 30536 -‐ photo above right).
Joanna Leggett is Marketing Director at Leggett Immobilier.You can view their full portfolio of properties for sale in France at
www.leggettfrance.com
46 | The Deux-Sèvres Monthly
by Joanna Leggett
