THE DEUX-SÈVRES MONTHLY
French Adventures... The Face of the Deux-Sèvres If you are leafing your way through a thriller or sci-‐fi novel, chances are it came from Paperback Jan. Jan is probably the best known face in the Deux-‐Sèvres and with eleven venues, her book exchange is a legend in its own time. She came to France in the “canicule” of 2003, having decided to try pastures new when her courier business ‘Jan The Van’ fell on difficult times. Along with the end of a relationship and feeling physically and mentally exhausted, she threw her lot in with Lady Luck and bought a place in La Ferriere-‐en-‐Parthenay. A friend who lived locally sourced the property, and although she hadn't seen it, she bought it. The rest as they say, was history. Jan's purchase was a bit of a random lot: Two outbuildings, two garages and a field – there was no house to speak of, so one of her early tasks was to source a caravan to live in for the early months following her arrival. She endured unbearable heat and no water or electricity making life very uncomfortable. She joined Get Together where she gleaned the vital bits of info she needed to survive and start up here. Her building project was ambitious: To create a home were there was none, on a modest budget. A chance meeting on a plane led her to the builders who were to achieve this and get her the home she wanted. As Autumn approached, she returned to the UK, not relishing life in a caravan in the harshest months of the year. She returned to find her pied a terre had become a reality – just 60 square metres, it was the home she wanted and she moved in immediately. Jan's book empire came from very humble beginnings. Her sister gave her a few crates of books following a clear out, and it was with them she went along to the British shop in L'Absie to see if she could make some money. Like most new ventures, it was hard in the early days, but she quickly realised that in order to make a go of things, she needed to put some added value into her book venues. The shop already had a coffee bar, and was running French lessons, so there was existing incentive to get people through the door. Soon Jan was organising art and jewellery classes, to draw even more people through the door, and slowly her book exchanges became a regular weekly spot at the shop. Her idea started to mushroom, and after the closure of the British shop, Jan spread her net further to attract other venues throughout the region. She started to offer her customers much more than a
good read: Slowly charity quizzes appeared, English language magazines (like The DSM!) Remembrance Day poppies, and much, much more. She always welcomes a new face, understanding herself how hard it can be to be a stranger in a new place, and for that we are all so very grateful! She now travels from Thouars in the North to Saint Maxient l’Ecole in the South, taking in a bit of the Vendée en route. She tries to be organised and works “a fortnight on and a fortnight off” as she additionally helps with the care of her mum Lyn, who in recent years has started the onset of Alzheimer's Disease. Through her warmth, Jan has introduced her mother to many of us on her visits. Looking to push her game on, Jan launched the very first “Big Book Fayre” in September 2009. As she offered a “three for one” exchange system for her books, she was amassing a seriously large quantity of books, only a fraction of which made it out on the road with her. She invited other stall holders, to coincide with La Ferriere's annual Vide Grenier where 300 stall holders gather. Jan feels one of her highlights was counting up her proceeds after this first big event. She was delighted at the result and felt her efforts had finally paid off. This year Jan has changed the event, and is calling it “Clear Your Clutter For Charity” inviting charities along, and the general public who can sell bric-‐a-‐brac and donate to the charity of their choice. It is quite staggering the effect she has on us all with her tireless efforts to help others by spreading knowledge and increasing contact for those who feel isolated. So, does she have any wisdom for newcomers? She does, and in no particular order she advises:-‐ Be prepared to work hard for little reward. Look for opportunities and grasp them. Try and know at least ONE person when you arrive -‐ even if it's your estate agent! Come with enough funds to last at least a year Wise words indeed from Paperback Jan. Contact Jan on 06 08 30 73 29 or pop along to one of her book venues listed on Page 5. Below: Paperback Jan pictured at Pause! café, L’Absie with some of her many books in English. Written by Helen Aurelius-‐Haddock. http://haddockinthekitchen.wordpress.com or contact Helen by email at: helenah@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr
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