The Deux-Sèvres Monthly - November 2023

November 2023

GRATUIT I’m free

eNglIsh laNguage magazINe for the Deux-sèvres aND surrouNDINg areas

Armistice Day

Echoes of Peace

• LOCAL EVENTS • HISTORY • WINE • TRAVEL • RECIPES and more Issue 139 Charities Building & renovation CluBs & assoCiations FinanCe estate agents gardens ProPerty Care

Affordable UK Designs

UPVC & Aluminium Double Glazing, Fitted Kitchens

FREE PLAN, DESIGN AND COSTING THROUGHOUT SOUTH-WEST FRANCE - OTHER AREAS BY ARRANGEMENT

www.affordableukdesigns.com UPVC windows, Doors & Conservatories in all colours and styles.

Phone: 05 49 42 99 41

Aluminium and UPVC Bifold Doors made to “A” Grade spec in French styles.

Mobile: 06 63 71 09 81

email: scott.braddock1@yahoo.com

SIRET: 513 577 809 00017

Estate planning in France.

Will the right money go to the right hands at the right time?

Succession tax can be high in France and its forced heirship laws are restrictive. The European Certificate of Succession can be used to bypass French succession law (but not tax) but there are pitfalls, so explore the pros and cons. And now, France has ruled that this will not stop your children making a claim on your French assets, even if you intended otherwise.

Talk to the people who know

05 49 75 07 24 niort@blevinsfranks.com www.blevinsfranks.com

There are other options which could achieve your wishes, but care must be taken. Contact Blevins Franks for a review of your estate planning and advice on how you can have control and certainty.

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I N T E R NAT IONA L TA X A DV IC E • I N V E S T M E N TS • E S TAT E PL A N N I NG • PE NSIONS Blevins Franks Group is represented in France by the following companies: Blevins Franks Wealth Management Limited (BFWML) and Blevins Franks France SASU (BFF). BFWML is authorised and regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority, registered number C 92917. Authorised to conduct investment services under the Investment Services Act and authorised to carry out insurance intermediary activities under the Insurance Distribution Act. Where advice is provided outside of Malta via the Insurance Distribution Directive or the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II, the applicable regulatory system differs in some respects from that of Malta. BFWML also provides taxation advice; its tax advisers are fully quali ed tax specialists. Blevins Franks France SASU (BFF), is registered with ORIAS, registered number 07 027 475, and authorised as ‘Conseil en Investissements Financiers’ and ‘Courtiers d’Assurance’ Category B (register can be consulted on www.orias.fr). Member of ANACOFI-CIF. BFF’s registered of ce: 1 rue Pablo Neruda, 33140 Villenave d’Ornon – RCS BX 498 800 465 APE 6622Z. Garantie Financière et Assurance de Responsabilité Civile Professionnelle conformes aux articles L 541-3 du Code Monétaire et Financier and L512-6 and 512-7 du Code des Assurances (assureur MMA). Blevins Franks Trustees Limited is authorised and regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority for the administration of retirement schemes. This promotion has been approved and issued by BFWML.

www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr

Welcome to the November edition of Deux-Sèvres Monthly magazine!

November is a month of remembrance for those who sacrificed their lives in the First World War. Back then, it was known as The Great War, as no one could predict future conflicts. At the moment, it seems that every time we turn on the news, another war unfolds somewhere in the world, so it feels even more important to learn from the past..

Living in France provides a different perspective on the impact of war. As a child, I visited Coventry Cathedral and heard stories from my family about being evacuated from London in 1939.

However, it all felt distant from my reality. As the daughter of a sailor, I attended many memorial services near the sea. Royal naval memorials held significant meaning, but commemorated individuals from a broader area.

Remarkably, in our rural community, the names on the memorials are still familiar today. Perhaps it's because the population here is less transient. The individuals these statues commemorate aren't distant memories; they are our neighbours' ancestors.

During my travels in France, I noticed statues of soldiers scattered throughout the countryside. In this issue, we've included a piece on the history I've uncovered so far. There's a wealth of information waiting to be discovered. Additionally, we have articles dedicated to French war poets and the Bleuet, France's equivalent of the Poppy Appeal.

We're thrilled to introduce two new contributors this month.

Firstly, our new wine writer, The Loire Girl on Instagram. In her debut article, she shares insights into her experience as a wine trader in the UK, her passion for winemaking, and her current work placement at Château du Petit Thouars near Chinon. We can't wait to hear about her exciting adventures every month!

And we're delighted that Clare Hill has agreed to write a new gardening section for us, titled "Clare's Garden Diary". It makes a huge difference having an actual gardening expert contribute.

With Clare on board, we feel inspired and reassured that the gardening section is in capable hands. We are motivated to give it another try next year, perhaps starting slowly with some sweet peas.

The "What's On" section is as comprehensive as ever, and you will start to see Christmas events on the calendar. By the time this magazine reaches the shelves, there will only be eight weeks until Christmas. If you wish to advertise or publicise a Christmas event, be sure to get in touch with us.

Wishing peace to everyone on Earth, and we look forward to seeing you in December.

Kathleen & Chris

tel: 07 86 99 16 17 email: info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr

emergency Numbers Numbers to phone in case of an emergency 15

SAMU - Emergency Medical Service

17

Police Secours - Emergency Police

112

European Emergency Calls

18

Sapeurs Pompiers - Fire Brigade

114

French Emergency number for the deaf and hard of hearing

15

Dentiste de Garde – Emergency Dentist (Sundays & Bank Holidays)

© K Butler-donnelly 2023. all rights reserved. Material may not be reproduced without permission. While care is taken to ensure that articles and features are accurate, we accept no liability for errors or omissions. the opinions expressed by individual authors do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the publisher.

While we make every effort to ensure that businesses advertising with us are reputable and appropriately registered, you should verify that any company you are dealing with is a registered trading company in France and/or elsewhere and has the correct siret number and insurance. Before embarking on a long journey to attend a published

Local markets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 News & Announcements . . . . . . . . . 5 What’s On. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Life in 79 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 On this day. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Shaping reality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Everyday yoga. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 The Bleuet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Book club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 - 13 La vie en France . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Atelier adventures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Beaujolais Nouveau. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 French war poets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 France’s silent guardians. . . . . . . . . . 18 Languedoc part 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 The essence of autumn. . . . . . . . . . 22 Stay connected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Taking better photographs . . . . . . . 24 Coarse fishing 101 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 The Loire Girl. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Ready for some R&R? . . . . . . . . . . . 28 French Country Villas . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Clare’s garden diary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Clubs & Associations . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Seasonal Recipes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Take a Break . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Our Furry Friends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Money Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Ask Amanda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Index of Advertisers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Don't miss an issue!

Subscribe to The Deux-Sèvres Monthly and enjoy delivery to your door.

November 2023 rates: EU - €30 (6 months), €50 (12 months); UK - €25/£25 (6 months), €45/£45 (12 months).

Make cheques payable to K BUTLER-DONNELLY, and send with your name and address to 27 rue de la Madoire, Noirlieu, BRESSUIRE 79300 France or email adverts@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr for more details.

event, it is highly recommended that you verify the event details with other sources. the deux-sèvres Monthly est édité par Kathleen Butler-donnelly, 27 rue de la Madoire, Bressuire 79300 tel: 07 86 99 16 17. directeur de la publication et rédacteur en chef: K Butler-donnelly ei.

Crédits photos :adobe stock, istock, Pixabay sauf mention contraire. impression: graficas Piquer sl, 29 al Mediterraneo, Pol. ind. san rafael, 04230, huércal de almeria, espagne. siret: 90043034900028. issn: 2115-4848

The Deux-sèvres Monthly | 3

local markets in the Deux-sèvres THE ENGLISH SPEAKING CHURCH OF THE VALLEY OF THE LOIRE “ESCOVAL” We meet on the third Sunday of each month at the church in Arçay at 11h00. The services are multidenominational and vary between Matins and Holy Communion - both usually include hymns.

Afterwards there is usually a bring-and-share lunch.

Arçay is situated between Loudun and Thouars just off the D759. www.escoval.jimdofree.com Contact Geoff Cornwall : gdfrance6052@gmail.com Jim Burrows : 05 49 22 41 78 Carole Taylor : mumsikins@hotmail.com

CHURCH NOTICES

The Filling Station - PoitouCharentes. Local Christians of all denominations who meet for spiritual renewal and evangelism.

Carolyn on 05 45 84 19 03 or www.thefillingstationfrance.com

All Saints, Vendée - Puy de Serre. We hold two services each month (plus Sunday school), on the 2nd and 4th Sundays at the church of St. Marthe, Puy de Serre, at 11h. www.allsaintsvendee.fr

The English Speaking Church of the Valley of the Loire (ESCOVAL) meets at the R.C. Church in Arçay every 3rd Sunday of the month at 11am (just off the D759, Thouars to Loudun).

Eglise Vie Nouvelle English service (translated into French) every week in the Salle Annexe behind Civray Mairie at 10.30am.

Contact 06 25 04 36 51 www.vienouvelle-civray.com

The Chaplaincy of Christ the Good Shepherd, PoitouCharentes. Normally holds Sunday services in English. Please see our website for current information: www.churchinfrance.com

Evangelical Church (ChefBoutonne) Meetings each Sunday at 3:00pm. The Evangelical Church, 10 Rue de l’Huilerie, 79110 Chef-Boutonne. All are welcome. Parking on site. Please see our website for more www.mission-poitou-charentes.com .

| The Deux-sèvres Monthly

Monday am

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Cerizay 79140

Bressuire 79300 Coulonges-sur-l'Autize 79160 La Creche 79260 Lezay 79120 Niort 79000 Thouars 79100 Vasles 79340

Celles-sur-Belle79370 Niort 79000 Parthenay 79200

Argenton-les-Vallées 79150 La Motte St Héray 79800 Niort 79000 Sauzé-Vaussais 79190

Coulon 79510 Melle 79500 Niort 79000 Nueil les Aubiers 79250 Thouars 79100

Airvault 79600 Bressuire 79300 Cerizay 79140 Champdeniers 79220 Chef-Boutonne 79110 Cherveux 79410 Coulonges-sur-l'Autize 79160 Lezay 79120 Mauleon 79700 Mauze sur le Mignon 79210 Moncoutant 79320 Niort 79000 Saint Maixent-l'Ecole 79400

Chatillon sur Thouet 79200 Coulon 79510 La Creche 79260 Niort 79000 Thénezay 79390

place des Halles

place Dupin Centre Ville rue du Marché place du Marché place des Halles place Lavault la place du 25 Août

Centre Ville place des Halles rue Jean-Jaurès

place Philippe de Commynes place Clémenceau place des Halles Centre Ville

place de l'Eglise place Bujault place des Halles place Pierre Garnier place Lavault

place Saint-Pierre place Dupin place des Halles Centre Ville Centre Ville Centre Ville place des Halles place du Marché place du château place de l'Eglise Centre Ville place des Halles place du Marché

place du Parnasse place de l'Eglise rue du Marché place des Halles place de L'Hôtel de Ville

local markets in neighbouring departments Monday a.m.

Tuesday a.m.

Wednesday a.m.

Thursday a.m.

Friday a.m.

Saturday a.m.

Sunday a.m.

Doue-la-Fontaine 49700

Civray 86400 Montrueil-Bellay 49260 Mortagne-sur-Sèvres 85290 Surgéres 17700

Fontenay-le-Comte 85200 Lusignan 86600 Ruffec 16700 Vihiers 49310

Aulnay 17470 Surgéres 17700

Civray 86400 Doue-la-Fontaine 49700

Cholet 49300 Fontenay-le-Comte 85200 La Châtaigneraie 85120 Pouzauges 85700 Ruffec 16700 Surgéres 17700

Aulnay 17470 Latillé 86190 Valence-en-Poitou 86700

place du Champ de Foire

place Leclerc place du Marché place Hullin rue Audry de Puyravault

place du Commerce place Isabelle d’Angoulême Centre Ville place Charles-de-Gaulle

Centre Ville rue Audry de Puyravault

place Leclerc place René Nicolas

place du 8 Mai 1945 place du Commerce place de la République place de l’Hôtel de Ville Centre Ville rue Audry de Puyravault

Centre Ville place Robert Gerbier place du Marché

Notice Board

www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr

News & Announcements

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS, RELIGIOUS AND FEAST DAYS

it’s a girl!

Toussaint All Saints Day Wednesday 1 November 2023

Armistice de 1918 Armistice Day Saturday 11 November 2023 Noël Christmas Day Monday 25 December 2023

W

Jour de l'An New Year's Day Monday 1 January 2024 Pâques Easter Sunday Sunday 31 March 2024

Lundi de Pâques Easter Monday Monday 1 April 2024 Fête du Travail Labour Day Wednesday 1 May 2024

Creativity brings happiness!

Victoire de 1945 VE Day Wednesday 8 May 2024

Ascension Ascension Day Thursday 9 May 2024

Dimanche de Pentecôte Whit Sunday Sunday 19 May 2024 Lundi de Pentecôte Whit Monday Monday 20 May 2024 Fête nationale "Bastille Day" Sunday 14 July 2024

Assomption Assumption Day Thursday 15 August 2024

Regular venues at:

My name is Sarah Berry and I am an artist with a passion for mosaic. A mosaic is a pattern or image made up of small pieces of stone, glass or ceramic, held in place by a glue and then often grouted. They can be used for floors, wall art, signage, sculptures and indoor or outdoor use.

www.frying4u2nite.com

SIRET : 537 606 972 00025

Remember to pick up your copy of The Deux-Sèvres Monthly!

Tel: 06 02 22 44 74 email: mrt.fishandchips@gmail.com

You may not think of your self as 'arty' or creative, but every one of us can benefit from the creative process.

Taking time out to be in a bright and calm environment, to slow our breathing, concentrate our thoughts and to 'make' something is a positive way to occupy an hour or two of your time. Research shows that taking time out to be creative does in fact make us happier in our daily lives.

Mosaic making is one of many creative outlets that can bring this happiness into your life!

MR T’S FISH & CHIPS • Aulnay de Saintonge 17470 • Beauvais Sur Matha 17490 • St Jean D’Angély 17400 • Sauzé-Vaussais Hope 79 79190 • La Chaumière, La Chapelle 16140 • Charroux 86250 • Saintes 17100 • Savigné 86400

We are excited to share the news that our regular contributor Sophie Hargreaves and her husband Will have welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world.

Emilie Clémentine Hargreaves was born on 4 October, and both mother and baby are doing well. Will jokingly mentioned that they have already started training her as an alpaca keeper! After a short break, the Petite Ferme d’Alpagas is now back at full speed. You can read about their latest venture in page 15.

Emilie is a lucky little girl, born in France to wonderful parents, surrounded by alpacas and next to a chateau. What more could you ask for? Congratulations to them all!

As someone with a passion for this art form, I am delighted to be able to share mosaic art with you from my new workshop/shop in Secondigny.

It is bright and airy, and has everything you need to learn and make mosaic. Everyone is welcome

chez Berry Créatif. Beginners (children age 8yrs+ and adults) are free to choose from the many wooden shapes to create with, and the more experienced artists can buy materials for their next project, seek advice and book sessions to use my workshop as their own (and leave the work in progress secure in my storage until the next visit).

Once a month I will also be running one-day workshops to create specific mosaic items for the home or garden.

I will be teaching the methods to create each item and customers will take away their special piece. Mosaic kits and gift vouchers are also available.

The opportunity to be creative is within your reach...drop me an email or message, and let's get started!

Berry Créatif Mosaics 9 Rue de l'Anjou, 79130 SECONDIGNY (opposite the florist) Tel: 05 49 631779 Email: sarah@berrycreatifmosaics.com www.berrycreatifmosaics.com FB: @atelierdemosaique79

The Deux-sèvres Monthly |

© Ville de Niort

“LES TOMBES REMARQUABLES” Throughout November

Parthenay Discover 25 of the most extraordinary tombs at Parthenay’s cemetery. This tour is an integral component of a larger landscaping initiative, aiming to provide visitors with a unique viewpoint on this tranquil space for strolling and shared memories. parthenay.fr LA CHAMOISERIE ET LA GANTERIE NIORTAISES Throughout November

Port Boinot, Niort This exhibition highlights the industrial heritage of Niort, specifically Brosserie Brenet. It explores the techniques used in glove and chamois leather manufacturing in Niort, featuring photographs, films, texts, and testimonials about this lost craft. niortmaraispoitevin.com EXPOSITION NOIR ET BLANC 30 October - 3 November

Sanzay, Argentonnay Immerse yourself in the world of black and white at the Château de Sanzay. This new exhibition by Léa Giret and Paul Renault showcases beautiful artworks that blend shadow and light, photography and painting, poetry and provocation. lacolporteuse.net REACTION BOOK CLUB 1 November, 3pm

Fenioux The Reaction Book Club meet on the 1st Wednesday of the month at 3pm in the Café des Belles Fleurs, Fenioux. This month the book is ‘Cutting For Stone’ by Abraham Verghese. reactiontheatre.eu “L’ÉCHO DES TRANCHÉES”: WW1 DEPICTED IN BANDE DESSINÉE 3 November

Sauzé-Vaussais Discover World War 1 through 14 highly praised Bande Dessinée series and albums. This exhibition showcases the best graphic interpretations of the Great War, featuring a wide range of themes and artistic styles. Explore the captivating storytelling of 16 beautifully illustrated colour panels. coeurdelectures.fr DISCOVER TOURTENAY, A VILLAGE OF THE RESISTANCE 2 November

Thouars & Tourtenay Explore the “Marshal, get out of there!” exhibition at CRRL then explore the

| The Deux-sèvres Monthly

incredible past of the troglodyte village of Tourtenay. Take part in a guided 1km walk, tracing the path of the Resistance and unveiling the secrets of its clandestine missions. crrl.fr GUIDED TOUR OF THE MUSEUM 2, 12, 25 & 26 November

Bressuire Explore the Museum of Bressuire on a guided tour. Housed in the city’s old grain barns, the museum offers a glimpse into the history of the Bocage through recent archaeological finds and local art, including sculptures, paintings, and jewellery. Free entry. agglo2b.fr LEGENDS OF THE MAULÉON COUNTRY ROADS 4 November

Mauleon Explore the captivating trails of the Bocage region and familiarise yourself with local legends. From gods and fairies to talking animals and magical transformations, these mythical tales will spark your imagination. Suitable for ages 14 and above, reservation necessary. tourisme-bocage.com END OF SEASON SHOW 2023: “HUMAIN, HUMAIN” 5 November

Bougon Experience a captivating performance as a woman traces her ancestry to describezz a tale of the first cave painting. The narrative explores plausible scenarios depicting the evolution from beast to human. Limited seats, advance booking advised tumulus-de-bougon.fr EXHIBITION: JEAN LUC RENAUD Until 7 November

Cafe de Boulevard, Melle Explore Jean-Luc Renaud’s artistic journey from literature and teaching to becoming an artist in the 1990s. His latest project, The Dorothy’s Project, repurposes an eBay-found holiday photo album into narrative paintings and texts. Free entry artup79.com EXHIBITION BANDE DESSINÉE ECOLOGY 7 November -15 December

Médiathèque de Bressuire As part of European waste reduction week, this exhibition uses works from a variety of BD artists to spotlight the effects of our consumption (plastic, digital, water...) on our environment.

Suitable for teenagers and adults. bibliotheques.agglo2b.fr

FUN WINE TASTING EVENT 9 November

Salle des Fêtes de Soutiers Join us for a fun-filled wine tasting event!

Learn about different wines, experience new flavours, participate in a quiz, enjoy a ploughman’s lunch and compete in trivia with prizes up for grabs. A day of wine, knowledge, food, and fun! associationviolet.com ARMISTICE DE 1918 11 November

Throughout France France commemorates the end of World War I with military parades, ceremonies, and a moment’s silence at 11am. Like the poppy in the UK, attendees typically wear a Bleuet, a symbol of remembrance for the fallen. bleuetdefrance.fr MEDICINAL PLANTS AND THE CHALLENGES OF THE INDUSTRY 14 November

Cinema, Parthenay Join Jean-Christophe Gueguen in this conference exploring the long-standing relationship between humans and plants, tracing back to Neanderthal times.

Discover the evolution of healing with plants and the creation of early pharmacopoeias. lesrdvparthenaisiens.fr REACTION POEM & PINTS GROUP 15 November, 3pm

Fenioux An afternoon of poetry readings and drinks with Reaction Theatre members and friends. The Reaction Poem & Pints group meets every 3rd Wednesday of the month at 3pm in Café des Belles Fleurs, Fenioux. We gather to share our favourite poems. reactiontheatre.eu THE MAGIC OF WOOL 15 November

Bibliotheque, L’Absie Enjoy a relaxing session revolving around the passion for wool. Engage in knitting, crocheting, and more. Stay as long as you want and bring your own tools or borrow from the librarians. bibliotheques.agglo2b.fr LE SALON DE L’HABITAT 17- 19 November

Bocapole, Bressuire With experts from the home construction, renovation, and decoration industries in one convenient location. Explore the latest trends and innovations, ensuring you have everything you need for your home projects. puzzle-centre.fr

SIESTE MUSICALE 17 November

Moncoutant sur Sevre Come relax with a musical siesta, let yourself be carried away by the disc jockey’s selection. Close your eyes, unwind, and listen. Reservation required. bibliotheques.agglo2b.fr HOPE79 CHRISTMAS MARKET 18 November, 10am – 3pm

Sauze-Vaussais Join us at the Hope79 Christmas Market!

Enjoy craft and food stalls, raffles, tombola, and Christmas goodies. Meet animal associations and support us in raising money for animals in need. tinyurl.com/Hope79 SALON DU MARIAGE 18 – 19 November

Bocapole, Bressuire Prepare for your big day! A range of services including catering, venues, attire, florists, decor, photography, videography, wedding planning, beauty services, and more. Featuring 30 exhibitors and fashion shows over two days. puzzle-centre.fr EXPOSITION DE PEINTURE 18-19 & 25-26 November

Galerie des Arcades, Bressuire A unique exhibition showcasing the textile works of plastic artist Geneviève Pidoux, presented by Les Amis des Arts. amis.desarts@orange.fr BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU EST ARRIVÉ!

16 November

Throughout France Let’s raise our glasses to toast the arrival of this year’s Beaujolais Nouveau. Keep an eye out for upcoming events in the Deux-Sèvres region, which will be announced on the Deux-Sèvres Monthly Facebook page. Sante! beaujolaisnouveau.fr

NATURAL CHRISTMAS DECORATION WORKSHOP

www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr

19 November

Bêta Lab, Melle A workshop dedicated to crafting Christmas decorations using natural elements. This full-day event requires registration and includes a shared meal.

Participation is free of charge. lesateliersdelasimplicite.com ATELIER DÉCORATION DE NOËL 22 November

Viennay A fun and festive Christmas decoration workshop. Suitable for children aged 4 and above. Admission is free. viennay.fr JE VIDE MON ATELIER 24 - 27 November

Bouillé-Saint-Paul Visit the Forge Fleurie gardens for an exhibition and sale featuring Christmas decorations and accessories. A wonderful opportunity to add festive cheer to your home. For more information, contact: laforgefleurie@orange.fr SALON DU BIEN ÊTRE 25 November

Celles sur Belle Experience a day of wellbeing at the Salon du Bien Être, organized by the 2MCS Yoga Association. clf79370@gmail.com ATELIER CADEAUX GOURMANDS 25 November

Bêta Lab, Melle Join the culinary workshop, Atelier Cadeaux Gourmands, from 10am-12pm.

Organised by “Les Ateliers de la Simplicité”, promoting daily actions for reduced ecological impact since 2011.

Fees range from €12 to €20 based on resources. lesateliersdelasimplicite.com

FÊTE DE NOËL AT THE FUNNY FARM

25 November, 10am-5pm

St Germain de Longue Chaume Enjoy a festive day of raffles, tombola, party clothing and books sales, Christmas decorations, and a café serving hot soup, cakes, and drinks.

Cuddle cats and bring them a Christmas treat. All proceeds go towards feeding rescued cats over Christmas.

Find us on Facebook - The Funny Farm Cat Rescue ARK79 CHRISTMAS FAIR 25 & 28 November

Saint-Soline A festive two-day event featuring stalls, tombola, hot food, mulled wine, Santa paws associations, and a variety of Christmas food. There’s festive fun for everyone! ark79.com cc-hautvaldesevre.fr

TERVES CHRISTMAS MARKET 3rd December, 10am-4pm

Terves Salle des Fêtes Join in the festive spirit at our English Christmas market with artisan stalls.

Feast on fish & chips, mulled wine, mince pies, bacon butties, and homemade cakes. Enjoy live music including a choir and ukulele band.

Find us on Facebook facebook.com/groups/ TervesChristmasMarket

Château de Sanzay, 79150

The Deux-sèvres Monthly |

LIFE IN 79

Where the beautiful people live Stephen Shaw

“We're going camping” Anna, my wife, announced one evening. She had been rootling in a cupboard and found our old family tent. So we were off to the Île de Ré for a night under the stars.

The cat looked very confused as we lined up three meals for her in our absence. She seemed to think we had introduced a buffet system for her dining pleasure. Before we got into the car on Saturday morning, she was well into Sunday morning's pouch.

When we rocked up to the campsite on the outskirts of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, we were surprised to see how camping amenities had progressed since we last camped twenty years ago. Every pitch was ten metres square (hedged on three sides for privacy) and had its own electricity point, light and water source. Ooh! There were washrooms, a shop and a café. This was nothing like the cow field in Cromer where we used to go; staggering, in darkness, to the one loo (serving 200 people) on the other side of the field... trying not to trip on a neighbour's guy rope.

There were some very plush motorhomes surrounding our pitch with every mod con, so we looked like a right couple of amateurs trying to remember how to erect our moth-eaten tent. Half our pegs were missing for some reason and the ones we still had we only managed to whack 3mm into the rock hard ground, so hoped the wind wouldn't pick up. Our tent had been designed by an Eskimo so you had to crawl on your hands and knees to get in, it was roasting hot and had more moths in it than Silence of the Lambs. Glamping, this was not.

After a successfully erecting it, we wandered into the idyllic harbour town of Saint-Martin with its inviting restaurants and beautiful shops selling cuddly donkeys, salt and all things nautical (I've never seen so many clothes with horizontal lines on). We did some top drawer people watching, as we swigged our Grimbergens at the seafront, noticing how many good-looking people there are in this part of the world, with their beautiful haircuts, coloured trousers and full sets of teeth. Everyone had a dog too, it was like being at Crufts... I've never seen so many Labradors in one place.

Several Grimbergens later and having consumed a bucket load of moules and frites in a Roquefort sauce, we staggered back to our campsite sated.

The pitch next to ours, which had been empty when we arrived, now had the smallest tent I have ever seen (I think it was one of those pop-up ones you can keep in your pocket), surely no one could be sleeping in there. In the morning, two of the tallest people I've seen in my life appeared from it. I couldn't believe it, it was like one of those comedies where a never-ending stream of people get out of a car.

To help with the whole sleeping- in-a- tent thing we enjoyed a bottle of Les Ormes, Cabernet Sauvignon 13.5% and a bag of Bugles (bacon flavoured). On our way to the washroom to brush our teeth, Anna tripped over a piece of wood that had been screwed to the ground to mark the parking area. This is not surprising, as my wife is the clumsiest person on the planet (only the day before, while out walking, she fell down a hole). She rushes through the day at breakneck speed leaving a trail of broken crockery and glass in her wake, it is part of her charm. So down she went like a sack of tatties (due to the alcohol coursing through her body, she was as relaxed as could be when hitting concrete and thankfully the only injuries sustained were scraped hands and bleeding knees).

I'm not a good sleeper at the best of times, but with several trips to the loo, the thunderstorm and the woodland creature round the back of the tent munching on a nut, to say I didn't sleep right the way through would be an understatement. The inflatable mattress had deflated somewhat, so when Anna went to the loo I hit the ground, then when I got up there was an audible thud as Anna hit the deck. But on a positive I got through quite a lot of my book with the aid of my trusty head torch (possibly one of my finest purchases).

In the morning, tired, bruised and bleeding, we hurled everything into the back of the car and after a petitdéjeuner in the picturesque town of La Couarde-sur-Mer and a stroll along the beautiful beach, we were homeward bound.

Whenever we re-enter the Deux-Sèvres, we emit a small cheer and a whoop as we pass the boundary sign. We had spent a fantastic 24 hours on Ré, but it felt good to be leaving the beautiful people behind, we were back, home.

If you would like to read more ramblings from Mr Shaw, go to www.lifein79.blogspot.com

| The Deux-sèvres Monthly

www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr

on this Day...

1 November 1993, the Maastricht Treaty established the European Union (EU). This treaty creates a central European bank, strengthens parliament, and implements common policies, including the introduction of the euro. It is a significant milestone in Western Europe’s history of economic cooperation after centuries of conflict.

2 November 1401, the Battle of Tuthill takes place in Caernarfon, North Wales during the revolt of Owain Glyndŵr. The battle was significant as it was where Glyndŵr first raised the royal standard bearing a golden dragon on a white field.

4 November 1922, British archaeologist Howard Carter and his team discover steps leading to the tomb of King Tutankhamen.

Carter and Lord Carnarvon later enter the tomb’s chambers and unveil a wealth of treasures, including a stone sarcophagus with three coffins. The final coffin, made of gold, contains the mummy of Tutankhamen.

5 November 1605, Guy Fawkes, a Catholic conspirator, attempts to blow up James I and the Houses of Parliament. The plot is discovered, leading to the capture, torture, and execution of Guy Fawkes and seven accomplices. Since then, this event has been commemorated as Guy Fawkes Day, where his effigy is traditionally burned on a bonfire, accompanied by fireworks.

7 November 1492, the Ensisheim Meteorite strikes a wheat field near the village of Ensisheim in Alsace. It is the oldest recorded meteorite impact with a known date. The meteorite is still on display in the town’s museum.

8 November 1895, Physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen’s accidentally discovers Xrays, revolutionising medicine. This groundbreaking observation allowed doctors to visualise the human body without invasive procedures, becoming a crucial diagnostic tool. Röntgen’s discovery earned him the first Nobel Prize in physics in 1901.

11 November 1918, at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, the Great War comes to an end. Germany, facing the imminent invasion and lacking resources and manpower, signs an armistice agreement with the Allies in a railway carriage outside Compiégne, France.

14 November 1994, the Space Shuttle STS66 (Atlantis 13) lands at Edwards Air Force Base in California at 7:33:45 a.m. PST. The STS-66 mission was NASA’s 66th space shuttle mission and the 13th flight of Atlantis.

21 November 1783, French physician JeanFrançois Pilatre de Rozier and François Laurent, the marquis d’Arlandes, achieve the first untethered hot-air balloon flight. Lasting only 25 minutes, they cover a distance of

8km over Paris. The successful flight was made in a balloon crafted by Montgolfier brothers, Jacques-Étienne and JosephMichel, inventors of the hot-air balloon.

22 November 1900, the first Mercedes car was driven in Cannstatt, Germany.

Commissioned by entrepreneur Emil Jellinek from Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft, the vehicle was named after his daughter, Mercedes, in recognition of his patronage.

25 November 1952 “The Mousetrap,” a murder-mystery play by renowned novelist and playwright Agatha Christie, premiers at the Ambassadors Theatre in London. This whodunit goes on to achieve a historic milestone as the longest-running play in theatrical history.

30 November 2021 Josephine Baker becomes the first black woman to be inducted into the Pantheon in Paris. Her induction recognises her achievements as an entertainer, civil rights activist, and anti-Nazi spy and her contributions to promoting racial equality in France and beyond.

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The Deux-sèvres Monthly | 9

Shaping Reality The power of positive perception Some people believe that our thoughts and feelings shape the world around us - literally change the physical world. It's a theory called Manifesting, made popular by books like The Secret.

But whether you believe in such things or not, one thing is for sure - we 100% alter our experience of the world around us through our perceptions.

Annoying as this is, I do take pleasure in correcting people who say 'it's miserable out there.' on a rainy day. I always reply by saying, 'It's not miserable, it's just rain.' - I told you it was annoying... but it's a really important point when it comes to making your world a better place.

Life is, by and large, neutral - Good things happen, bad things happen and a lot of the time pretty much nothing really happens.

But the way we filter our experiences make a huge difference to our wellbeing.

To see what I mean, try this - it's called 'reframing' Imagine you're driving through a village and the car in front of you has stopped because the driver has decided to have a chat with a friend... in the middle of the road... with no room for you to get past.

I know it's a stretch of the imagination nothing like that could ever happen in rural France!!!

So what do you do?

Hoot your horn and gesticulate angrily like you're in an Italian rush hour?

Perhaps take the very British approach by saying and doing nothing but seething with mild rage below the surface?

Or maybe you think how wonderful it is that you now live somewhere where the pace of life is much slower, giving us all the chance to' smell the roses' a little more.Many of us take the first or second approach in these kind of situations.

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Maybe because they deserve to be shouted at.

Or maybe because it just makes you really cross when someone is so selfish and inconsiderate.

Well here's the real truth - whether they deserve to be shouted ay or not, it's you who suffers when you get angry - they say it's like eating rat poison and expecting the rat to die (don't try this at home, kids).

And no-one 'makes' you angry - the anger comes from you and is generated by you. I'm not saying it's easy to control - I know from my own regular experiences that it's not. But if we try to filter our world experiences with positivity, it becomes a better place and we become happier. And that's the magic of reframing!.

We live in the land of 'La vie en rose' so perhaps you should give it a whirl - pop on some rose-coloured glasses and see how it makes you feel... and how it can change the world around you.

Let's face it, you'll never change the countryside culture of the mid-road stop-and-chat, so you might as well change the way you respond to it - you never know - you may find yourself sat there in your car, as happy as the two people in front of you who are simply enjoying their friendship.

Because the world can always be a little more beautiful, if only you see it that way.

Written by David Murphy - Clinical Hypnotherapist and Life Coach DavidMurphyHypno@gmail.com

www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr

Everyday yoga for everyone Classes & Courses

can change from day to day and even from hour to hour.

As I’ve been getting quite a lot of requests lately, I thought that this month I would take the opportunity this month to describe the kinds of classes I offer in yoga and breathing.

My approach can be summed up with the sign-off line that I use at the end of these articles: Respect yourself, explore yourself. I encourage my clients to explore and play with the boundaries of their comfort zone in order to safely and confidently reach beyond them. At the same time, I encourage everyone to acknowledge and respect their limits in that very moment – because our limits

I am currently holding two very different kinds of classes, both in Le Tallud (79200).

On Tuesday evening, from 8:30 to 9:45 pm, I teach an intermediate class in French that has been running for going on two years. Beginners are welcome here, but the routines are sometimes quite dynamic. On Thursday mornings from 10:15 to 11:30 am, I teach a class called "Ageing Gracefully" in English, which is specifically for people over 50. I focus on issues related to the ageing body, such as how to maintain muscle mass and strength, with a strong focus on balance and coordination, strength-building, breathing awareness and heart health.

We explore how to guard against falls, how to maintain our resilience and, perhaps most importantly, how to listen to our bodies in order to recognise when we have gone too far and when we need to test ourselves a bit more. In other words, how to better negotiate our limits and potential.

Since our breathing habits are so deeply integral to our health, especially cardiac

health, I include some amount of breath work in every class. As well as being a certified yoga instructor I am also a certified breath coach. I offer one-to-one bespoke courses consisting of four halfhour sessions for the ‘Breathe Better' course with an initial free 20-minute consultation. I also offer a six-part ‘Body Awareness’ course to help people to reconnect with their bodies through techniques that work to reset our nervous system states. These courses can be conducted online via Zoom or Skype or in person.

There is nothing that cannot be improved with a little more awareness and knowledge. I really enjoy taking people on a journey of exploration and showing them how they can observe and measure their own improvement, and how even small improvements can make a world of difference. I am always happy to answer any questions and provide more information lavieenyoga@gmail.com Respect yourself, explore yourself.

Rebecca

the bleuet - a symbol of remembrance November, a month known for its cold winds and falling leaves, has great significance in France. This time is symbolised by the cornflower or 'le bleuet', a simple but powerful symbol of remembrance.

as 'bleuets'. They wore these when they joined the older soldiers, the 'poilus', on the battlefields. Moreover, the cornflower, along with the poppy or 'le coquelicot', was one of the few splashes of colour to appear in the devastated trenches. Coincidentally, blue is also the first colour of the French national flag, the Tricolore.

The history of Le Bleuet de France dates back to 1920 when the idea was born to honour the soldiers of the First World War, 'la Grande Guerre'. These brave men had sacrificed their lives for France, but their bodies had never been identified. To honour these unsung heroes, it was decided to erect a monument to the unknown soldier under the Arc de Triomphe.

Today, Le Bleuet de France is known as the French flower of remembrance. Every November, this humble flower is worn at commemorative ceremonies. Its bright blue is a powerful reminder of the past, a symbol of national remembrance and a tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

But it was not until 1925 that the cornflower began its journey as a symbol of French remembrance. Charlotte Malleterre, the daughter of the commandant of the Hotel National des Invalides, set up a workshop at the Institution nationale des Invalides (INI) with the nurse Suzanne Lenhardt.

There, the residents made cornflowers from blue fabric and sold them on the street to provide the wounded with a meaningful occupation and a source of income.

Images © BleuetdeFrance.fr

The cornflower was chosen as a symbol for several reasons: Its blue colour was reminiscent of the light blue uniforms worn by the young recruits, known

The Deux-sèvres Monthly | 11

Book Club motivation – the writer’s dilemma

Alison Morton

social media about it. Choose your method, but do note these things down. You’ll be astounded when you go back and read it.

THREE BENEFITS OF MAKING NOTES ON YOUR PROGRESS

1. Taking time to recognise and review your progress will show you how to work better; the best time of day, under what conditions, how you can organise your days to include writing, research and thinking time, and allot other times for emails, calls and social media.

Staying motivated is one of the most difficult challenges when you’re a writer. Catching up on social media, taking Internet surveys, the inexplicable urge to mow the lawn, the sudden need to go to SuperU or answer ‘urgent’ emails can undermine your writing. Oh, look, it’s lunchtime already!

Despair sets in as you realise you haven’t written that blogpost/poem/article you promised or hit today’s word count in your novel.

We love writing, but how do we keep our motivation up?

GOALS TO THE FORE

Our goals are ‘big wins’ – rewards, recognition or money for getting a piece accepted, hitting the ‘send’ button for a submission or seeing our words in print or ebook on a retailer site such as Amazon. Holding a finished print book is exhilarating after months of slog, as are lovely 5-star reviews.

PROGRESS VS. PRODUCTIVITY

Big wins are important and should be celebrated (Mine usually involve bubbly liquid!) but accumulated ‘small wins’ along the way actively help increase your productivity.

Actually, let’s rechristen ‘productivity’ as ‘progress’. ‘Productivity’ sounds as if you’re working on a factory assembly line or in a sales office; ‘progress’ indicates making positive steps

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towards an end goal. Even though you may set yourself a daily word count goal, the pressure is off when you classify the words you actually wrote (even half your daily goal) as ‘progress.’

My daily word goal is 1,000, but I had a bad dose of Covid recently and for ten days I wrote nothing – I was too ill.

After a couple of weeks, I could manage 300-500 words a day which put me horribly behind with my deadline.

I could have fallen into despair and self-castigation at my lack of productivity. But slow as it was, after seven days back at my desk my manuscript had an additional 2,800 words towards the end goal – a ‘small win’ and visible progress. This kept me engaged with my story and happy with myself when I was able to resume my usual work hours.

2. Keeping a regular note will enable you to maintain the momentum, even if it’s just a few lines. Your notes will show you what you were thinking when you wrote the previous day’s words, and also how you wanted to take the story forward. You may well change that when you actually get down to writing, but the notes put you back ‘in the zone’.

3. You’ll generate your own feedback. When you make a regular practice of noting what progress you made and analysing what may have stopped you writing that day, you accumulate feedback about your work from your own history. You can use that to gain perspective and adjust or make new plans for the next day’s progress.

Happy writing!

COUNTING IT

Noting down what you have achieved each day and how you did it is a powerful way of recording your progress. Some writers jot it down in a daily journal, some write the number of words/sentences/pages on a calendar, others keep a time grid in a separate file of what’s happened in the scenes they wrote with the date they wrote it, or even blog, tweet or post on Alison has compiled a selection of articles from this column into ‘The 500 Word Writing Buddy’, available in print and ebook. Her latest Roma Nova novel, set in the 4th century, JULIA PRIMA, is now out.

She will be signing books at the Terves Christmas Market on 3 December 2023.

www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr

Book Club this month’s book reviews Christmas on the Riviera

Summer on the French Riviera

by Jennifer Bohnet

by Jennifer Bohnet

review by Jacqueline Brown

review by Jacqueline Brown

Having been a big fan of Jennifer Bohnet’s novels for many years, it was a real treat to find myself in the Riviera for a cosy read with a sprinkling of festive magic.

Gabriella and her family have reached a point in their lives where change is afoot. Having shut away her memories of growing up in France, it is now time to return to her roots and confront her childhood home in the south of France. For her granddaughter Elodie, now feels the right time to change the direction her life is going in, but she needs to discover the where and how. For her estranged daughter, it is time to discover if there is still a place for her in her family, despite the mistakes she’s made over the years.

This is a strong emotional read where settling past traumas and tentatively taking steps to new beginnings hold their own alongside Christmas friendship and the promise of romance, all with the backdrop of festive cheer on the Riviera. There are a lot of emotions for each of the women to come to terms with, but I especially enjoyed discovering the secrets hidden in their pasts. As the true romantic I am, I was hoping for happy ever afters – it is almost Christmas after all – but I shall say no more and let you discover what happens this Christmas on the Riviera.

If you are looking for something special to read, that will wrap you up in the lives of the strong female characters, treat yourself to Christmas on the Riviera, with a glass of mulled wine, I’m sure you will love it.

In a first for Jennifer Bohnet, this book carries on from where Christmas on the Riviera left off, so with Christmas approaching once more, why not treat yourselves to both books.

These three strong women are on the cusp of a new life that exceeds their wildest imaginations, especially Gabriella, who never dared to dream her fractured family would ever get the chance to reunite. With the strained relationship between Harriet and her daughter Elodie, this was never going to be plain sailing, but I enjoyed their journeys, their heartache, their luck and the love they create. Cleverly woven around the main plot, I loved that they also had their own storylines too. For Elodie, now she has Harriet around, she was on a mission to find out about her father. For Harriet, it was coming to terms with the decisions she’d made, and regretted, over twenty years ago. For Gabriella it was making peace with the memories of her childhood at the Villa de l’Espoir.

As well as strong, independent characters and an emotional storyline, there were also quite a few surprises along the way and some special cameo roles, by Joel and Carla, and Freya and Marcus, from some of Jennifer’s previous novels set in the same location. The Cote d’Azur played its role well, adding warmth and Frenchness to another fabulous read from Jennifer Bohnet.

This is a novel full of love that will lift your spirits and let you escape to the French riviera.

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The Deux-sèvres Monthly | 13

La Vie en France The pop-up health village Jacqueline Brown It is difficult not to curl up and hibernate now November has arrived and the tourists have left.

There is no château to open, or museum to share and no incentive to get out on my bike as my commute is just a short walk to my desk. I have set myself a winter challenge to delve further into the history of the Château de Javarzay and the pile of books I am amassing from the library is in danger of toppling over. At least my trips to the library get me out on my bike and there is always a poster advertising an event to catch my eye, like a popup health village for the over fifties.

One of the things I love about France is its focus on prevention rather than just cure in terms of medical services, so more out of curiosity than for any specific worries, I cycled along to see what was on offer. It is always a little daunting to walk into a large hall, lined with stands and professional looking people and not know where to start, so I was rather relieved when a smiling face caught my eye and reeled me over. The stand was the cancer screening team, based in Niort, and any of you who have reached the magic 50 will have had letters from them inviting you to take part in various screenings. Despite still being fairly new to the over 50’s club, I was able to reassure her that I had not only had my mammogram, but that my colon had been given a clean bill of health following a colonoscopy. She then encouraged me to have a good old prod of a fake chest, to ensure my self-examination technique was up to her standards and see if I could identify any abnormalities and hidden lumps in her model boobs. That was a first for me and very reassuring.

support group for the last year, so it was interesting to see what services other associations were able to offer.

There were people to talk to about exercise as we get older, prostrate issues and addictions, as well as on the spot testing for blood pressure and blood glucose. I did have a chat with a lady from a diabetes association as Adrian and I both have family history, but it was the two ladies hidden behind a screen who I was happiest to see. They were from Niort hospital’s dermatology department and armed with their magnifying devices were able to confirm the moles on my back were harmless “grains de beauté”.

It was a well-attended event and everyone I spoke to was friendly, approachable and happy to offer advice or information. I know they are planning other similar events, so if you see one advertised in your area, I encourage you to make time for a visit.

Some of the stands were associations providing help and support for those caring for someone with a longterm illness, or with relatives in a residential home. I’ve been a volunteer for our local France Alzheimer’s

www.frenchvillagediaries.com email: frenchvillagediaries@gmail.com

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Sophie Hargreaves

Atelier Adventures dventures Discovering the joy in crafting with alpaca wool

When we moved to France to set up a business, we had in our minds what we thought this would look like and the activities we would be launching at the farm. All of this was set into a neat and well-presented business plan, and full of excitement.

Most of these activities are still what’s on offer at the farm here today, but of course we have adapted and changed them over time as we have naturally grown and developed.

One activity that was never in the original business plan that now takes place regularly at the farm is our wool workshops! The French love an atelier (workshop) and I, not necessarily being a natural crafter, never imagined that this would be how I would be spending a lot of time with our customers. It is a real joy to be sharing our passion for the alpacas, in a way that is creative and skillful too.

The idea really came from a friend we made here who offers their own workshops to customers in their amazing craft, blacksmithing! We had become friends with L’atelier D’Acryle after meeting Carole and Elie at the local markets here in the Deux-Sèvres, and in 2021, I had bought Will a day at their forge to create his own handforged knife under their guidance. He loved it! They really loved what we did at the farm, and encouraged us to share this in the form of workshops with the souvenirs that we create from our alpaca’s wool.

We delivered our first “discover the alpacas and their wool” workshop in April 2022,where our clients created their own alpaca wool felted soaps, and since then,we’ve not stopped delivering these. Including hosting groups of up

to 25 children aged 3 to 16 who can come and create bookmarks or other pieces too, from our alpaca's wool.

Personally, we both love a workshop too, and have discovered the many different kinds across France, locally and further away, that are available to attend. It’s something we can do together; learn new skills and create memories. This year for Will’s birthday, I’ve bought him a workshop in glass blowing in Nantes, something he has always wanted to do, especially since finding the TV contest“Blown Away”, which admittedly was very bingeworthy.

As we are always developing and adapting, we are launching a new workshop at the farm for the cold season; Winter Warmer Workshops, where our customers can create their own pocket hand warmers, the ones you put in the microwave to warm up, using our herd’s wool. With alpaca wool being very well insulated and four times warmer than sheep's wool, our pockets and hands were kept very warm last winter when working outside in the fields with the alpacas. The fourhour workshop will start off with an introduction to the qualities of alpaca wool and its uses, a guided workshop to create your patterned felt, some time feeding the alpacas and warming up with a hot drink, followed by you finishing off your piece by creating its shape and choosing its scent too.

I would love to encourage a few people to take a look at what workshops are available to them, whether near or further afield (I made note of the Indian cooking course in last month’s magazine!) and get involved with this culture of learning new skills from the artisans who share their passions.

For more information, visit: www.lapetitefermedalpagas.com or email: hello@lapetitefermedalpagas.com

The Deux-sèvres Monthly | 1

Beaujolais Nouveau

a celebration of wine and tradition Every year on the third Thursday in November, when the clock strikes 12:01 a.m., the current vintage of Beaujolais Nouveau is released amid a spectacle of fireworks and fanfare, signifying the beginning of Beaujolais Nouveau Day.

The answer to its popularity lies in its history, which dates back to the 1950s. Originally, Beaujolais Nouveau was a local wine, prized for its affordability in bistros and at postharvest celebrations. On a broader scale, however, demand was limited. With an ingenious marketing concept, producers launched a race to Paris, where the first bottles of the new wine were eagerly awaited in the city’s cafés and restaurants.

The banners “Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé!” became ubiquitous and the race to deliver the wine to consumers became a worldwide event.

Over time, the release of Beaujolais Nouveau has become a worldwide celebration. The success of this event is due to the festive, convivial image of the wine and the occasion itself. Its affordability and ease of drinking have contributed decisively to its popularity.

The history of Beaujolais Nouveau, a wine that divides opinion, takes us back to 1951, when a decree forbade winegrowers to sell their annual harvest before 15 December.

This regulation caused a stir among the winegrowers of the Beaujolais region, who were used to bringing their wines to market earlier. As a result, the Beaujolais wine association applied for permission to market its early wines, the socalled “en primeur”,” before the set date.

The authorities granted the request, and so the first Beaujolais Nouveau was launched on 13 November 1951, with each bottle proudly bearing the word “Nouveau” on the label.

From 1951 to 1967, the release date of Beaujolais Nouveau varied each year. From 1967 to 1985, however, the date was always set for 15 November. Since then, the official date has been the third Thursday in November, when the clock strikes midnight and Wednesday becomes Thursday.

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As a young wine, Beaujolais Nouveau is not suitable for long storage. Ideally, it should be drunk within three to six months of its release. It tastes best when served slightly chilled at 14 to 15 degrees Celsius.

Look out for Beaujolais Nouveau events in the Deux-Sèvres on the DSM Facebook page and be one of the first to try this year’s vintage. Tchin!

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french war poets voices from the trenches

When we think of the Great War, images of trenches, barbed wire and mud often come to mind. However, there is another aspect of this war that is perhaps less well known - the poetry that came out of it. Names like Wilfred Owen, Siegfried Sassoon and Hedd Wyn may be familiar to us, but French poets also played a crucial role in conveying the grim realities of the battlefield and the profound emotional upheavals of the soldiers.

One such poet was Guillaume Apollinaire, a French poet, playwright and art critic. Apollinaire’s works from this period reflect the harsh realities of war, with a surrealist touch that he is said to have introduced into literature. His writings from the war years are very different from his earlier, more romantic and experimental works, and reflect the deep impression of his experiences at the front.

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Another well-known name among French poets of the First World War is that of Louis Aragon. Although he served in the army during the Second World War, his poetry was strongly influenced by the horrors of the First World War. Aragon’s work is marked by a strong political consciousness, reflecting his communist sentiments and his involvement in the French Resistance.

Paul Éluard, another prominent French poet is best known for his anti-Nazi poems during World War II. His poem “Liberté” was even dropped over France by RAF planes and helped inspire resistance to the German occupation.

These poets not only documented the war, but also actively shaped public opinion and rallied support for their cause. Their words gave voice to the voiceless and expressed the fears, hopes and traumas of soldiers at the front and civilians at home.

Poem for Lou

If I should die out there on the battle-front, You’d weep, O Lou my darling, a single day, And then my memory would die away As a shell dies bursting over the battle-front, A beautiful shell like a flowered mimosa spray.

And then this memory exploded in space Would flood the whole wide world beneath my blood: The mountains, valleys, seas and the stars that race, The wondrous suns that ripen far in space, As golden fruits round General Baratier would.

Forgotten memory, living in all things, I’d redden the nipples of your sweet pink breasts, I’d blush your mouth, your hair’s now blood-like rings.

You wouldn’t grow old at all; these lovely things Would ever make you young for their brave behests.

The fatal spurting of my blood on the world Would give more lively brightness to the sun, More color to flowers, to waves more speedy run.

A marvelous love would descend upon the world, Would be, in your lonely flesh, more strongly grown.

And if I die there, memory you’ll forget Sometimes remember, Lou, the moments of madness, Of youth and love and dazzling passion’s heat My blood will be the burning fountain of gladness!

And be the happiest being the prettiest yet,

O my only love and my great madness!

Long night is falling, On us foreboding Ushers a long, long fate of blood.

SIRET: 88406320700010

Guillaume Apollinaire, 1915 translated by Hubert Creekmore

The Deux-sèvres Monthly | 1

france’s silent guardians War memorials of the first World War In the years following the First World War, France, like other countries, struggled to come to terms with the immense loss of life and devastation caused by the conflict. Amidst the ruins and rubble, memorials sprang up to commemorate the courage, sacrifice and perseverance of those who had served their country.

The most common form of these memorials were the ‘monuments aux morts’ or ‘monuments to the dead’.

These traditional monuments, which could be found throughout France, contained the names of soldiers who had lost their lives during the war. They were silent witnesses to the sacrifice and courage of those who had served their country.

In addition to these traditional monuments, various forms of sculpture were also used to commemorate the sacrifices made during the war. These included statues depicting victory, mourning figures and symbolic representations such as cockerels and urns.

Several renowned sculptors and foundries contributed to the creation of these war memorials. These included Edouard Rombaux-Roland, known for his work at the Fonderie de Jeumont, and Hector Jacomet, a wellknown sculptor from Villedieu. The Etablissements Métallurgiques Antoine Durenne, with their foundries in Paris, Sommevoire, Wassy and Bar-le-Duc,

Poilu au repos

1 | The Deux-sèvres Monthly

also played an important role in the production of war memorials.

Anyone wishing to commission a war memorial could request catalogues from these sculptors and foundries with detailed information on the various designs.

One of the most famous designs, ‘Poilu au repos’ by Etienne Camus, can be seen in Ardilleux and Villemain. The term ‘Poilu', referring to the 'hairy' or

Poilu à l’écu

unshaven French infantryman, became synonymous with the image of the brave soldier. This statue depicts a 'poilu' at rest, evoking the calm after the storm of war.

Another notable design was the ‘Poilu triomphant’ by Eugène Benet. This triumphant soldier is a symbol of victory and resilience. In the Deux-Sèvres, there are examples in La Chapelle-SaintLaurent and St Pierre a Champ. In contrast, the ‘Poilu mourant en défendant le drapeau’, which can be seen in Lezay, shows a dying ‘Poilu’ defending the flag an image that illustrates the ultimate sacrifice for his country. The statue on the front of the magazine 'Poilu à l’écu', in Noirlieu, shows a soldier with a shield.

Other motifs include 'La victoire en chantant', which can be seen in Thenezay, and 'Victoire soutenant un poilu mourant', a depiction of a soldier in the arms of a woman, symbolising victory. Other popular motifs included the 'Ange porteur de lauriers', an angel representing France and holding aloft a crown of laurel leaves. A variety of

Poilu triomphant

medallions and stylised leaves were popular motifs, each with its own interpretations and meanings, as well as the Gallic cockerel, a national symbol of France.

In the Deux-Sèvres, more than 380 monuments commemorate the fallen of the First World War. In the commune of Noirterre there is a remarkable war memorial. This imposing monument stands at the exit of the village and commemorates 40 villagers who died in the First World War. The monument, which covers almost 700 m², consists of two artillery pieces, a statue of the Virgin Mary, a stone altar with shells and a rock formation.

Built in 1921 by Abbé Vatel, the monument is decorated with two Russian cannons captured from the Germans and six shells from the Austrian army grenades. The five columns symbolise the years of war, with the fifth symbolising victory. In a small chapel carved out of a military tower is a reclining Christ.

Poilu mourant en défendant le drapeau

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Noirterre war memorial

Wartime poster by Suzanne Ferrand, 1916

commemorative column decorated with interwoven laurel leaves, an ivy garland and the Croix de Guerre surrounded by railings.

In Saint Varent, the statue of the soldier 'Poilu baïonnette au canon', which used to stand in the military square, is back in its original place after careful renovation.

The Clessé war memorial, another 'Poilu au repos', stands on a high marble plinth in the former

cemetery near the church and honours the fifty soldiers from Clessé who lost their lives in the First World War. Scattered throughout France, these war memorials are a silent but poignant reminder of the immense sacrifices made during the First World War. They are not

simply structures of stone and metal, but living narratives of loss, courage and resilience.

Through their different shapes and designs, they tell the story of a nation that remained strong in the face of adversity, forever honouring those who gave their lives for freedom.

THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF SCOTLAND

Another important monument is located in the public garden of Parthenay and features a relief medallion depicting a soldier surrounded by laurels and a girl with flowers. During recent restoration work, the monument was cleaned and the names restored.

In Sauzé-Vaussais, the monument consists of a

Poilu baïonnette au canon

La victoire en chantant

French soldiers - Somme, 1916

Oven Gloves for Sale

We are delighted to once again offer our double oven gloves, featuring a beautiful poppy fabric in a hand-stitched patchwork design. These double all-in-one gloves are hard to find in France, making them a very special addition to your kitchen.

To support the poppy appeal, we're offering these oven mitts for €14, including postage.

Every single penny of the proceeds will go to the Poppy Appeal, .

To place an order, simply email us at poppybox2020@gmail.com with the quantity you would like and your full postal address. We will post your order and send you a request for payment.

Payments can be made by cheque to "The Royal British Legion" or via our Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/littlefat-norm By purchasing our double oven gloves, you are contributing to the work of the Bordeaux Royal British Legion Account and supporting the Poppy Appeal.

We thank you for your support.

Pat and Kay Johnson Aude, France

Languedoc

part Part 3

Leaving Carcassonne we drove for about 40 miles through the massive vineyards of Corbieres, which must produce millions of gallons, where does it all go? It is pretty low key in Britain and the ones we have found in the French supermarkets have been quite unremarkable. We headed further south into the Roussillion (French Catalan) area of France. You knew you had reached the area when the second language on the road signs changed from Occitan to Catalan, with Catalan flags proudly displayed everywhere.

We stopped at a pleasant campsite between Argeles-sur-Mer and Collioure. You immediately noticed the difference to the northern Languedoc, there was much more life here. The area also had the advantage of having the Pyrenees in the background, which made the landscape even more scenic.

Argeles Plage was full of bars, restaurants, buskers etc with a very long and pleasant sandy beach. There were a few pebble coves near us that were supposedly closed because of the danger of falling rocks, but we ignored this.

The real jewel in the crown though was Collioure, a 30minute walk away. I timed it in case any French signs appeared telling us how far it was. Collioure a beautiful fishing village with several beaches and lots of restaurants and bars. The church on the seafront is on every postcard and tourist brochure for the area, according to the Rough

Guide. But just our luck, it was covered in scaffolding during our stay. Still, with its narrow streets, fortress, windmill and hilltop castle, framed by vineyards and mountains this was still one of the most attractive sea front towns we had visited.

It is said to have the best anchovies in the world, still filleted and packed by hand - they were delicious.

One incident marred the idyllic stay. In France, there is a rule that says loose-fitting swimwear cannot be worn in the pool.

20 | The Deux-sèvres Monthly

Russ Adams

This is reputedly because tight swimwear accumulates less dirt and is worn much less often for reasons of modesty, which in turn means that fewer pollutants accumulate and

French swimming pools remain pure and clean. I had been wearing my rather fetching Pierre Cardin swimming shorts in pools for 7 weeks without incident. In Argeles, I was immediately approached by the lifeguard and told that I was not allowed to swim in such unsuitable attire. I sulked for half an hour before capitulating and going off in search of a pair of budgie smugglers. Surprise, surprise, right outside the pool they were on sale. I bought the largest pair they had and then set about the task of folding and stuffing the most vital parts of my 18-stone anatomy into what can only be described as a lycra truss. When I arrived back at the pool, I

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presented myself to the attendant to prove my compliance and was greeted with the response “très sexy”. I told you the French can tell lies! Unfortunately, all photographic evidence of this incident were deemed unsuitable for publication.

As we were only 15 miles from the Spanish border, we decided to visit Cadaques, described in the guidebooks as the Costa Brava as it used to be. We drove the 38 miles to Cadaques along the tortuously winding coast road. It took us an hour and a half to get there, but as soon as we arrived, we knew we were in Spain. The mellow, multi-coloured buildings of the French resorts had been replaced by consistent Spanish whitewash, broken only by coloured shutters or coverings of bougainvillea. The town had been the home of Salvador Dali and his statue stands proudly next to numerous art galleries and exhibitions of his and other artists’ works. Cadaques has remained unspoilt due to its remoteness, but they know what they have is special, and you pay accordingly. It was not the cheap day out in Spain I had expected.

Next month - catch up with Russ and Sher when they visit The French Pyrenees and Basque Country

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The Deux-sèvres Monthly | 21

Sophie Stokes

Bringing the outside in The Essence of Autumn is my favourite time of year.

Nature has been busy all summer regardless of the heat, it can now ease gently into autumn, allowing us to enjoy and appreciate the abundance of fruits, nuts and seeds, highlighted by the beautiful colours all around.

The heat gradually becomes less intense, the grass finally returns to green, as the leaves turn golden, reds and browns, and the berries offer scarlet bursts of vibrancy in the hedgerows.

Luckily, much of what autumn offers can be easily gathered and used to decorate our homes.

Wreaths and garlands needn’t be just for Christmas. The warmth of autumn colours can help our homes feel cosier and allow us to enjoy the seasons even on cold damp days, maybe with a glass of sloe gin and a bowl of nuts in front of the fire.

Here are a few ways to enjoy autumn in your home...

Garlands

Take a strong piece of twine. I prefer something natural that can be composted, but depending on what you intend to create to may want to use some sort of coated garden wire. Just consider the length and weight of what you are adding and if it will be hung or not.

I use a sturdy needle and then walk round the garden threading on coloured leaves, tie on interesting twigs, cones, thread acorns, conkers etc and even dried slices of citrus fruits. These look lovely curled along a table centre as a festive runner, adorning a mantle piece or maybe twisted through banisters. You could add a few gourds for extra structure.

Chunky elements such as cones are firmly tied in, twiggy branches and stems are bunched and then tied overlapping their way around the wreath, seed heads can be threaded and strung around and around the base. It simply depends of the effect you are trying to create.

Whatever you gather, do allow time, and maybe give a gentle shake, so that any wildlife sheltering inside it, can find a new home before you bring it inside!

Pot Pourri

Collect all sorts of autumnal elements, such as cones, conkers, acorns, some evergreen leaves like bay, maybe add some cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, dried fruits such as apples or oranges. To prolong the scent, you can add quality essential oils, either alone or blended.

Certain scents may help deter spiders so your pot Pourri can be functional as well as decorative.

Wreaths

I use twisted and dried wild clematis bases for many of my wreaths as these are sturdy and long lasting. I only use twine to attach my materials so that the wreaths can be easily revamped seasonally or composted once they are too old too old to enjoy.

I will be running wreath making workshops in the coming weeks, or alternatively you can order any of the above items (including your choice of essential oils for pot pourri) by contacting me via my Facebook or Instagram pages Cueillette et Découverte.

GK

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22 | The Deux-sèvres Monthly

Siret: 430 480 038 00032

stay Connected The latest trends in satellite TV and internet services Stuart Wallace

First off, an apology. My phone number on my advert has been wrong for the last few months. C’est la vie as they say somewhere. So, to confirm, my number is 07 69 66 98 55.

Sorted. Right, November already eh? This is getting silly. It’ll be the Xmas edition next month and that just seems way too early. Still, what can you do? Don’t answer that, I’m well aware there is literally nothing anyone can do about it without some sort of impossible to internationally agree and incredibly complicated to implement, calendar change.

Y2K anyone? Mrs W loves things like calendars. It gives structure to her planning. I’m a little more like free-form jazz. The only difference being that there is a small chance that someone somewhere actually likes me…Pretty sure it’s not Mrs W though. On the day of my birthday, she writes ‘oh god, is he still here?’ on our calendar.

I’ve mentioned this before, but it’s becoming a bit of an issue it would seem. Starlink is brilliant, but the fact it only comes with a 50ft (15.2m) cable as standard, is not. It’s really not that long (stop sniggering at the back!). Before ordering, download the Starlink app to your smartphone or tablet (if you have one) and use it to establish a good place for the dish. This is done by pointing it at the sky and moving it around until you get dizzy and fall over. Then, once you know where you’d ideally like the modem to be situated, you can have an educated guess at the length of cable you need (between the dish and the modem). I can’t extend the cable if it isn’t long enough and that means the system can’t be installed to completion. Longer cables are available when ordering the system and may well be a good investment.

Of course, this is less of an issue and you’re not too fussed about modem placement. Just remember that many French houses with thick stone walls might either require a centrally located modem to offer the best chance of WiFi coverage, or you’ll need to use WiFi repeaters to boost the signal around the property.

Freesat is not the same as Freeview. Please do not purchase a Freeview receiver for the reception of UK satellite TV. I know I write this every month, but it still happens.

Someone recently asked me the difference between a ‘smart’ TV and an ‘Android’ TV. There isn’t any really. A smart TV is one that can connect to the internet to allow you to watch Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video etc and even play games. Stuff like that. You can also use them for general web browsing, but don’t, they are terrible for this.

Android (from our overlords at Google) is the most commonly used operating system to make a TV ‘smart’ but is not the only one (for example, Samsung has their own operating system called Tizen). So to recap, if you see a TV labeled as an Android TV, then you will know it is a smart one.

During my internet browsing I discovered a couple of uninformed websites stating that Freesat was to stop broadcasting in 2024. This is NOT true. What was meant is that the BBC will be high-definition only from the end of March 24. So, if you have a non-HD receiver you’ll need to upgrade. That’s all.

It often gets overlooked that when you have a satellite receiver for UK TV, you also get UK radio channels. You need your TV to be on to provide the sound, but if Radio 2 is your thing, then head to channel 702 on Freesat. Some Freesat receivers don’t make it obvious that the radio channels exist, but if you head to channel 700, they start there. You can also get UK radio via a Sky box or indeed any generic digital satellite receiver.

As always, please feel free to get in touch if you would like any further information or would like to discuss your requirements. Contact details can be found on the advert. Have a great month.

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The Deux-sèvres Monthly | 23

taking better Photographs...

Getting It Right In The Camera

By Steve Marshall

A genuine Adams quote is ‘You don’t take a photograph, you make it.’

Making a photograph is a multi-stage process and pressing the shutter is the easy bit in the middle.

The end part is editing – in the darkroom or with software. If you do not edit your photos find some photographers who do and talk to them about what they use and why.

There are many free editors available to download, just search ‘best free photo editor’ and look at the review sites. Some will lead you to great tutorials to get you started.

So what does ‘get it right in the camera’ actually mean.

The statement ‘I like to get it right in the camera’ has more than one meaning.

I have heard many photographers use this phrase to explain why they do not edit their images. And whilst it is possible you may take the perfect photograph just with the camera, I would like you to consider whether it can be improved.

Some images, such as family moments, are more about the people and the memory than the specific qualities of the photograph, and still I think many of these could be improved.

I suspect that the complexity of camera options and fear of editing software is more likely to be the real reason.

I now have a hybrid car and whilst I have looked under the bonnet I do not want to have to do so again. The technology has become more complex and just different. The same can be said of what is possible with a camera.

I have been told that ‘get it right in the camera’ is a quote from Ansel Adams, one of the greatest landscape photographers of the American west.

If so, he never stopped with the camera. Adams spent far more time in the dark room, dodging and burning his images to create his original conception. He edited one image multiple times over a 10 year period.

Was that because he ‘got it wrong in the camera’, and then had to correct it? I do not think so.

If Ansel Adams had said it I think he would have been referring to the process before the shutter is pressed, so what he captured in the camera would be right for the way he intended to edit it.

This can be one look and one press.

But taking a little time to consider what you want to create can be valuable.

The barn was shot with a mobile phone as that was the camera I had. I took a number of pictures and moved around to see what angles would work best, assessing potential images from left and right and decided that I wanted an image square on and with vertical sides.

As the only ground was below the level of the barn I would have needed a very long stepladder to ‘get this right in the camera’. And I knew that I could straighten the image once I had it in the editor.

I had known from the beginning that this image would end up as almost black and white. I have taken a liking to leaving some hint of colour in almost black and white images and here the vegetation still has some green.

This was ‘right in the camera’ because I captured what I needed, knowing what I intended to do with it. In Ansel Adams’ terms I had visualised the image I wanted to create, knowing what I would need to do with the raw file to make the photograph I wanted.

The arch is another example of getting it right in camera so that post processing can create the image I want and the image I saw.

2 | The Deux-sèvres Monthly

www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr

The human eye is remarkable at switching focus and adjusting for different light levels. It does this sufficiently swiftly that the image we create in our brains combines all of the elements that make the scene visible at different light levels.

One photograph can only be taken with one collection of settings. So the bright outside light has forced my camera to darken the interior of the arch. It has also washed out the blue my eye can see in the sky and lost some of the cloud detail.

The final image is a combination of three photographs.

If you would like to talk about photography with from some fellow photographers then please get in touch.

We all have things to learn from each other whatever our individual levels of expertise. Please drop me a line at stevemarshall128@gmail.com

Send us your snaps and ideas...

While you're out exploring over the autumn, why not take Steve's advice by snapping some photos of the beautiful scenery? Share your favourite snaps on our Facebook page, and we'll showcase the most impressive shots. If a particular monument or

building has ever piqued your curiosity, feel free to contact us, and we'll endeavour to uncover its secret. Send your suggestions and ideas to info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr, and let's explore the Deux-Sèvres together.

www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr

by Peter Lowth

Coarse fishing 101

If this article were left to my wife, she would summarise coarse fishing as the angling equivalent of football, whereas fly fishing would be classified as rugby! But exactly what is involved in playing this beautiful game?

Float Fishing Rods set up for different depths

Of all the genres of fishing, coarse fishing is the most accessible and a great starting point for anyone wanting to “have a go” at fishing for the very first time.

Coarse fishing can be broken down into four basic categories: 1.Pole fishing 2.Float fishing with rod and reel 3.Lead fishing with rod and reel 4.Feeder fishing with rod and reel

The easiest and simplest coarse set-up for a beginner is a short pole (8m in length) with a ready-to-fish, pre-weighted float rig, which attaches to the elasticated end of the pole. With a pole and pre-made rig, there is no requirement for rig tying, and it is a simple matter of adding your bait of choice.

As for bait, the choice is extremely varied from maggots & worms, bread, cheese, chopped meat and sweetcorn to artificial baits such as boilies and fishmeal pellets.

Now where do you want to spend your day fishing?

The beauty of coarse fishing is that there is a wide range of venues accessible to the coarse angler. We are lucky in the Deux-Sevres to have Pescalis near Moncoutant (www.pescalis.com) that has a variety of well-stocked lakes to cater for all angling abilities and interests.

If you are a more experienced angler and want to progress from simple pole fishing to rod and reel with either float, lead or feeder, then there is a little more technique to master in accurately casting. At Les Forges Fishing, my own fishing venue, we not only offer tuition in any of the four coarse categories, but you can also hire the required tackle for a pleasurable and instructive day’s fishing.

A major part of coarse fishing is the competitive element: Match Fishing.

This is where you are not only pitting your wits against the fish but also other anglers, looking to win either the best total weight or the largest number of fish species caught. You have to be prepared for every eventuality of fishing across all four coarse categories as well as a large selection of different baits. At this level, lots of equipment is required together with a patient and understanding partner, as you will be gone for days, if not weeks at a time!

A selection of Pole rigs

I have barely scratched the surface of coarse fishing but will happily talk at great length about it, just ask my wife, so if you would like further details or a lesson please just get in touch.

Till next month, tight lines!

Peter

Peter Lowth is an experienced angler with over 40 years of fishing knowledge in match, predator, coarse and fly fishing. Growing up near Bath, fishing local rivers and ponds, he then transitioned to competitive fly fishing and in recent years competed on the UK match fishing circuit. He opened Les Forges Fishing venue, located near Pescalis, in early 2023 – www.lesforgesfishing.com

2 | The Deux-sèvres Monthly

Winning Fishomaniac at Stafford Moor, UK

IMAGES CREDIT: P J LOWTH

www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr

The Harvest

Château du Petit Thouars If someone had told me that in 2023 I would be knee deep in mud, in 35 degrees heat harvesting Chenin Blanc grapes with my own two hands, I don’t think I would have believed them.

If I rewind to a couple of years ago, I was just like any other Londoner.

Floating in my concrete bubble, rushing to cross London Bridge for my free Waitrose coffee, which usually would have been the highlight of my day. I worked in an office job, without questioning where I was going, whether I was enjoying it or what it meant for me in the long run. At the time I felt like I was at the peak of my career; I was unstoppable and I loved what I was doing.

To give you some background, I had worked in the wine industry for nearly 10 years mainly in sales, more specifically selling fine wine and spirits as a tradable asset. I learned an incredible amount about wine, investment and what it truly means to make it work in the cutthroat world of commerce. So did that mean I was destined to pursue this path? I can answer that easily: no. I had never been thick-skinned or commercially aware. I never considered wine as an asset, and still don’t. I see it as a work of art, a carefully curated but non-manipulable recipe, guided from the vine to the bottle by the winemaker and their team. Just like a painting that cannot be

reproduced identically twice, grapes are the blank canvas of the vinification world.

Fast forward to 2023 – one of the most significant years in my life that brought me back to the Deux-Sèvres. I won’t pretentiously pontificate that I knew all along that I would end up discovering viticulture and that this was my plan all along, because like so many others my path was not linear. I searched, struggled, procrastinated, floundered, lost hope and then fell onto the path that I was supposed to be on. My life took an unusual turn and I finally found what we are all looking for – a purpose.

Behind the scenes, I found my place, finally appreciating what I had always known to be true. Wine making is dark alchemy. I fell back in love with wine, my true first crush (excuse the pun).

I was asked by a friend if I could help in harvesting their Chenin Blanc grapes.

This was laborious, tiring graft, one that left my muscles aching thoroughly the next day. As ludicrous as it may seem, this labour of love helped me appreciate the dedication behind winemaking, having only learned the theory at the WSET school (Wine & Spirits Education Trust).

We’d arrive on the parcels at that point in the autumn morning where mist cools the grounds that the sun is slowly heating. Early. Slowly we would work our way through the shade into the searing sun, secateurs in hand, carefully picking every succulent bunch, which we packed into cases to be transported from the vineyard to the cellar, and placed in a metallic tank or oak barrel to start the fermenting process. Did you realise you can hear the fermentation?

Neither did I. When the Maitre de Chai lifted a stopper from the barrel for me to listen to the yeasts nibble their way through the sugar, I thought I had died and gone to heaven.

That’s when I realised: wine is alive. And consequently, so was I.

www.instagram.com/theloiregirl www.chateaudptwines.com

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ready for some r&r?

As the beekeeping season draws to a close you’d like to think that those people ‘of beekeeping age’ (according to The Guardian*, they are “ripped, rugged, with a confident bearing, and have a certain ease in their skin”), could finally think about putting up their feet for a few weeks. Far from it! It’s true that the work involved in keeping bees is less intensive over the winter months, but it is still important. Bees are living creatures, not toys to be packed away until next year, so they need to be looked after even if you don’t actually see them very often.

After the honey harvest, typically for us in September, we treat our colonies for varroa mites, and carry out our final disease inspections to ensure that our bees are as healthy as possible going into the winter. We assess their food stores, and if we feel they are a little low (happily very rarely), we’ll feed them sugar syrup that they can store. In a typical French hive, a viable colony requires around 18-20kg of food to see it through until the Spring when the foragers can start again to gather nectar and pollen in earnest. So, by checking the frames for capped honey and nectar, and by hefting the hives to feel their weight over the following weeks, we can ascertain whether or not they have enough to live on.

Amanda Baughen

We also assess the size of the colonies and any that are too small and therefore too weak to survive the winter can be merged with stronger, larger colonies.

Tempting as it is to try and get several small colonies through to spring, the reality is that success is often unattainable. Far better to have only a few hives but hives that you know contain strong queens and healthy bees, ready to grow and thrive as the weather warms up.

When checking the frames we will mark those that we think need to be changed early next year as part of the springcleaning process. Over time, wax comb becomes darkened with age and usage, and this old comb can contain pathogens that need to be cleared out of the hive. We do this as soon as we can at the start of the next season, so that the new generations of bees will thrive on clean comb.

Given that we insist on keeping some of our bees in hives which are not exactly the shape or size, or in the location that bees would choose themselves, (ie in large boxes close to the ground, instead of small hollows high up in trees!) it is incumbent upon us to protect them as much as we can. This means that we need to provide shelter from any violent winds, insulation in the event of sudden cold snaps, and deterrents to intruders.

This last issue is a simple one to resolve – we place ‘reducers’ across the hive entrances. These clever devices effectively cut down the large gap to just a few small archways, plenty big enough for the bees to pass through, but too small for mice and lizards looking for a cosy place to spend the winter. The reduced entrance also helps the bees to guard the hive from any inquisitive and hungry wasps. Hornets can still be a problem up until the beginning of December if it is a mild winter, and so these entrance reducers are even more important to install. It’s worth

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2 | The Deux-sèvres Monthly

mentioning that some of our colonies are kept in different kinds of hives, using a more natural beekeeping method, which we aim to migrate further towards in the coming year.

All of the above is done before we can enjoy some of the first ‘R’, the Rest, but then it is time for the second ‘R’, Reflection. Winter is a great time to look back on the beekeeping year just gone and decide what went well or not, and why. Keeping notes of all the hive inspections reminds us of what’s gone on, and helps us to make decisions for the following year. Obviously notes about queen strength, laying abilities, and honey yields are important, but paying attention to the pollen the bees gathered can give us insight as to what flowers we need to plant for future foragers. Then off we trot to buy lots of bulbs for early pollen…forget what was said about ‘Rest’!

If you would like to know more about keeping bees (and becoming ‘ripped and rugged’ in the process…!), then please contact us on 05 45 71 22 90 or sign up for a course on our website www.13bees.co.uk *The Guardian quoted in BeeCraft magazine, Sept 2023 issue

www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr

PROMOTION

Welcome to French Country Villas

Introducing a fantastic new venture near the Golf Club at Les Forges called French Country Villas.

If you're curious to know more about the villas and the amazing facilities on offer, we've got all the details for you here including a special Christmas offer.

friends wishing to holiday together. Its spacious outdoor areas make it perfect for young families, while the proximity to the golf course and the tranquility of the surroundings will appeal to golfers and those seeking peace and relaxation.

Whether you're seeking a peaceful retreat, a family-friendly holiday destination, or a base for your search for a French home, French Country Villas is the perfect choice. Mark and Kate look forward to welcoming you soon.

Introducing French Country Villas, a new holiday resort located in Le Bois Senis, near Les Forges. This exclusive retreat offers luxury, tranquility, and an array of facilities for guests to enjoy.

The resort boasts numerous villas, each one a haven of comfort and convenience. These two and threebedroom properties, sleeping up to four and six people respectively, come with ensuite bathrooms, separate toilets, and additional shower rooms. The high vaulted ceilings and open-plan living areas create an airy and spacious atmosphere, while free WiFi, TVs, BBQs, and private gardens with verandacovered patios cater to all needs.

French Country Villas is not only about comfortable accommodation, but also

about leisure and relaxation. The resort features a stunning 25m communal pool, open 1 May - 29 September, with a separate kiddies pool, perfect for family fun under the sun. For those who enjoy sports, the resort offers practice putting holes, table tennis, and areas for playing Pétanque (guests are advised to bring their own equipment).

In close proximity to the resort is a 27hole golf course, making it an ideal destination for golf enthusiasts. A short walk or four-minute drive will take you to the golf club, where you can enjoy a meal or a drink at the restaurant and bar. A quaint farm shop is also within walking distance for any necessities. For a wider variety of shopping options, the village of Vasles, home to a small supermarket, bakery, butcher, and bars, is a mere six-minute drive away with Parthenay and Poitiers within 35 mins.

Set to open in 2024 is an indoor play area that will keep the kids entertained even when it is raining, Feeling peckish? Food and takeaways will be available from the resort's very own chef. These additions are sure to enhance the guest experience, providing more entertainment options for children and culinary delights for all.

Christmas Deal

French Country Villas is very excited to announce our festive season discounts 2 bedroom villa (sleep up to 4) 99€ a night

3 bedroom villa (sleep up to 6 ) 120€ a night

We also offer a Christmas decoration package for just 65€ and you will arrive to your villa fully decked out with all the lights and sparkle befitting the festive season.

With this package we will also supply a Christmas tree either decorated or with the decorations waiting for you to put up yourselves

Early birds planning their 2024 holidays can also take advantage of special rates.

To find out more about any of these offers, get in touch by emailing frenchcountryvillas@gmail.com or visit the Facebook page: French country villas

The reception at French Country Villas provides information on local activities and facilities, ensuring guests can make the most of their stay. An office can also be booked free of charge for those who need to work during their visit.

With its secure and traffic-free environment, French Country Villas is an ideal venue for those looking for a French home or groups of families or

French Country Villas, Domaine Les Forges, 79340 Vasles, FrAnCE The Deux-sèvres Monthly | 29

Clare’s Garden Diary The month of November can dawn fair or very windy. November 1 is, of course, All Saints' Day, All Souls' Day or Toussaint, depending on who you talk to. It is often a stormy time when we gardeners shelter inside or at least in the shed, wondering if we can dash back to the house yet!

time to call in an expert to help you prune them for winter.

Clare Hill

Rene used to check that I had the garlic planted by the shortest day, and often bought me his spare ones to plant out with mine.

So, there's still a lot to do and of course planning for the year to come, so if it's very stormy, you can relax and read the seed catalogues!

here are a few jobs to do in the November garden: November is the perfect time to plant new fruit trees, bushes, and bare root plants, including roses, as long as the ground is frost free and not too wet. My neighbour René, now departed, used to tell me that 25 November, Saint Catherine's Day, was the perfect time.

fruit and trees

Take note of where the prevailing wind is coming from and stake new trees to protect them from those winter gales.

Don't forget to remove a good big circular area of grass around the new tree, keep the weeds down and don't over mulch the area, a little is enough. If it is a really dry winter, keep these young trees well watered, and for the first two summers. A good 11-litre watering can full per week is better than more frequent dribbles.

Remember to check which varieties will cross-pollinate, as not all are created equal. A good supplier will give you a list of which varieties will work alongside which others. Then wait until the springtime to watch the blossoms unfold.

Speaking of fruit trees, take a look at existing trees and thin out some of the new shoots, which can become too congested. Tie in new tiers of espaliered fruits like prune, apple, pear, quince and medlar. If the trees have become very big and unmanageable, it may be

30 | The Deux-sèvres Monthly

This time of year you will find the best availability of bare root roses, and hedge plants too. Why not add some wildlife-friendly hedgerows to your garden? This is on my to-do list as my neighbours have removed a very old, fallen down fence and with it an equally old hedge held together mainly by ivy and brambles but a very important area for birds to shelter and nest. So we will be clearing our side of their new fence and adding hawthorn, blackthorn and some rosa rugosa. The brambles and ivy will soon add to the mix I'm sure. I last planted hundreds of metres of hedging when I was in my 20's so it will no doubt be a slower planting effort now I'm 50!

Now is the time to prepare areas of the vegetable plot, using either dig or no dig methods, removing the largest perennial weeds and adding well-rotted organic matter. You can sow a cover crop (also called a green manure) that has the benefit of keeping weeds down and adding organic matter and nutrients back to the soil when you dig it in! Win – win!

You can still sow salad leaves and spinach; try sowing on a bright windowsill or a sheltered spot outside like a cold frame or greenhouse. If you want some chilli peppers, some varieties can be sown at any time of year, just give them a little warmth and a bright spot.

If you have parsnips or leeks in the ground they can be left until needed, or start the harvest and enjoy the fruits (and veg!) of your labour. Celeriac can also be left in the ground, but if an early frost is forecast, you should protect it with a thick mulch of straw.

In the vegetable plot

You can sow overwintering broad beans outside in a sheltered spot. Garlic can be planted in November too, right up until Christmas for harvest next June.

In the flower and ornamental garden

November is also the time for planting tulip bulbs, either into the ground or in pots. In recent years, the method of “lasagne bulb" planting has become popular; start with the biggest bulbs deepest, cover them with soil, then add smaller bulbs, eg narcissi, cover, then smallest bulbs nearer the top, eg muscari. This will ensure your display sees you through several months from early spring until early summer. Be careful not to plant tulips too early as this can lead to Tulip fire disease. I like

to add some pretty violas to the top of my pots, or the ornamental cabbages can look a little different and add colour over winter.

Sweet Peas can be sown in autumn too, which gives earlier flowering plants than Spring sown ones, which with our climate here is a positive thing.

Autumn into winter sees a carpet of leaves. What to do with, them all? Well, you could rake some up and pop into a plastic bag, poke a few holes in it, put the bag in a corner forget about it, then when you look in a few months you will have black leafmould, which can be added to your other garden compost. You could also sweep some from the grassy areas onto your borders, which is less disruptive for wildlife.

to blow the leaves or not?

Well, that’s quite a lot of tasks for November! In the meantime, why not try the recipe for apple cake on page 35. A friend showed me a similar recipe when she was trying to use up lots of eating apples Until next month, à bientôt.

Clare

about Clare Clare, along with her husband Martin and their furry family, moved to North Vienne in 2017. With a passion for plants inherited from her family, Clare is currently studying Horticulture with the Royal Horticultural Society. Previously working in corporate and private banking, Clare now enjoys the tranquility of her garden, where she experiments and nurtures her favorite plants, especially roses. An animal lover, Clare shares her home with 4 rescue dogs and a mischievous puppy. She also loves brocantes and vide greniers and is a Reiki Master Teacher and a Tai Chi/Qi Gong teacher.

Last year I experimented with parts of my garden, mainly because I had hurt my arm and raking was making it worse.

Some went into bags, left six months, and some I put on the borders, others I used as a thick mulch to protect my dahlias from frost. I popped the Hazel leaves into the main compost bins, and left some on the grass as my arm was complaining!

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The Deux-sèvres Monthly | 31

Clubs & Associations Alcoholics Anonymous - South West France If you or someone you know has a drinking problem, there are now a number of English-speaking meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous in the South West of France.

Alcoholics Anonymous is a Fellowship of men and women who share experiences, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.

There are no dues or fees for AA membership and AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organisation or institution. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

For help or information, telephone: 05 31 60 90 95 or visit: www.aafrance.net

Craft Café Creatif - We are a craft group who meet once a fortnight on a Wednesday afternoon at Pause Café, L'Absie. Our members knit,crochet,sew, embroider etc. We craft and socialize over a cup of tea.

New members welcome - contact barbarawhitehouse@yahoo.co.uk

CHORALE MELUSINE, PARTHENAY - French 4-part choir, established over 30 years (with 4 English members) and always looking for "new blood"! Excellent Musical Director. Come to a rehearsal on Tuesday evenings and see if it's for you. Contact Keith for info keithandcarol@orange.fr 0671 14 16 72

French Lessons for English Speakers

Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall), 4 Place Leopold Bergeon, 79150 Argenton-les-Vallées Classes: beginners or intermediate. Private lessons on request.

Contact: rendez-vous79@orange.fr

Vasles Netball Club - Want to keep fit, have fun & make new friends? Join us every Monday from 5.30 - 7pm & Thursday 6.30 - 8pm at the Salle Omnisports in Vasles. Open to men & women of all abilities and experience. Two free taster sessions.

FB @VaslesNetballClub Email: vaslesnetballclub@gmail.com

ALL ENQUIRIES ARE TREATED IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENCE

Crafts, Community and Friendship. We run regular workshops and events as well as offer community workshop space for crafting and making. Learn new skills and share your talents. New members welcome. Contact us for details: therepairshed@naturalcrafts.eu or telephone 05 49 80 39 57.

Royal British Legion - Bordeaux & South West France Do you need help or advice?

Contact us at: rblbx.assistance@gmail.com www.facebook.com/groups/306085566632991

melleran Chanteurs - Amateur singing group that meets every Monday at 6:45 pm at the Salle des Fêtes in Melleran. French and English members singing in many languages. New voices are always welcome, especially tenor and bass.

For more information, please contact Alison Hudson 05 49 29 65 31

Combined Services Support Group - CSSG is a group of mainly ex services people living in the area who meet socially whilst raising funds to support ex-service charities. Former UK servicemen and women, police and firefighters are invited to email Christine Hester at christine.hester10@gmail.com Why Not joiN thE RAF FAmiLy? RAFA Sud-Ouest France Le Perail, 17250 BEURLAY, France Tel: 05 46 95 38 89 email: admin@rafasudouest.fr North Charente Maritime Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club

AFVBC - The newly formed North Charente Maritime Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club meets the second Sunday of every month at 10:15 a.m. at the Relais d'Aulnay.

Reservations with Ann and Allan at walpcs@yahoo.co.uk

Airvault Conversation - Come and practice your French with a friendly group of French and English speakers. Every Wednesday at 7pm at the Salle CSC 16 rue Emmanuel Bonnet, 79600 AIRVAULT Call Christian for more information: 05 49 63 04 78

32 | The Deux-sèvres Monthly

www.avf.asso.fr

Acceuil des Villes Françaises - A French association dedicated to welcoming newcomers from all over France and abroad to their new surroundings; helping them integrate, speak French, and feel 'at home' through social events. pjhenderson@orange.fr

Les Amis Solitaires is a group of people living alone in France. We organise social events and meet for coffee at The Lemon Tree in Sauze Vaussais, 11am every 2nd and 4th Thursday. Contact Pennie on pennietelford@hotmail.com Tai Chi classes - exercise for body and mind (and memory) for everyone. Classes are held Mondays at 7:30 pm in Bressuire and Wednesdays at 3:00 pm in Le Breuil Barret. Call Terry at 05 49 65 60 34, email chentaiji.fr@gmail.com or visit www.chentaiji-fr.com

National Helpline 0800 240 200 or email: helpline@cancersupportfrance.org You can find more details about CSF Vienne & Deux-Sèvres by visiting: vienne.cancersupportfrance.org/vienne-home www.facebook.com/groups/1573102762990772

Franglais Anglo-French Group thouars - Centre Socio-Culturel We meet every Wednesday 7.30pm-9pm, at 7 rue Anne Desrays, for conversation in English & French, and to understand each other’s language and culture. Contact 05 49 66 35 11 or email jpc.allorent@orange.fr or eugene_mc_cabe@hotmail.com

Choeur de Chambre des Deux Sevres A group of enthusiastic amateur singers who

meet twice a month (Wed & Sat) in St-Aubin-le-Cloud (79450). We sing a variety of different music and give concerts throughout the department. A mixed-voice choir (30 singers) and a male choir (20 singers). More info at www.choeurdechambre79.fr New singers are always welcome - English speaking choir members.

Contact Ianthe on 06 10 66 16 37 for more information.

Netball: Clessé Allstars - The Clessé Allstars netball club meets every Monday at Salle Omnisports, Clessé 79350 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. We welcome players and supporters of all ages and abilities. Join us for a free taster session before signing up. FB @clubdenetballclesse

Clubs & Associations Submission: include title and 40-word max entry (with contact details) and optional logos if space allows. Free ads rotate monthly; for guaranteed monthly printing, pay a 4.50€ monthly fee (54€ annually). Email submissions to: info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr

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Clubs & Associations As the year draws to a close, it is time to reflect on our achievements and the incredible support we have received from our community. We continue to help local families with the daily care of their beloved children, who live with lifelong disabilities. The constant care of these children can be a financial burden on their parents who work tirelessly to provide the best for their children, often sacrificing their own needs in the process.

Over the past 18 months, we have been able to make a significant difference in the lives of several children. We have helped fund intensive physiotherapy treatments in Spain for Diego, Mahé and Octave, and in the USA for Lewis. We have also provided Gabin, Melinda and Zoé with vital equipment, organised therapeutic trips for Tahys and provided specialised treatments for Manon.

Violet continues to be supported by her benefactor so that we can focus on the local children we have come to know so well.

Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who donated, helped or participated in our 3rd garden party. Together we raised a remarkable € 3000. These funds were used directly to support the parents of Tahys, Lewis and Melinda with their on-going care and to help fund equipment.

We are pleased to announce that next year's garden party will be held at Chateau Cherveux on Sunday 8 September. The needs of our children are on-going and we are always looking for generous people to lend a hand, donate and spread the word about our cause. A special thank you to Bar de le Post for hosting our monthly quiz nights and to our sponsors this year; Leggett, Blevins Franks and Vasles Netball Club. Your continued support has helped us greatly along the way.

We would also like to express our sincere thanks to Penn and Emma who left the committee this year. Their contributions have been invaluable. At the same time, we extend a warm welcome to our new committee members: Jeanne, Kirsty, Monica and Shona. Together we are stronger and able to continue our mission.

Look out for our Christmas hampers next month! Every donation, every act of kindness, brings us closer to our goal.

vienne and Deux-sèvres

Philip Buckley

I hope that the Summer break has refreshed and revitalised you. As with many volunteering organisations the summer months are always a difficult period to bring people together. So, I am looking forward to meeting up with colleagues again on October 19th for bureau business in the morning and our AGM in the afternoon. This year the AGM is being held in the Vienne but in 2024 it will be held in the Deux-Sèvres.

I am pleased to say that we have a new volunteer from the Sauzé-Vaussais area who has been invited to attend our next meeting. It is always a pleasure to welcome new members with their various talents and areas of expertise.

During September Denise Langford and myself were invited to the new palliative care unit in Rue de Goise, Niort. Madame Spinks was our host and it was very interesting to learn about the developments in this area.

She was very keen to learn about Cancer Support France so that, should the need arise, she could quickly get help for English speaking patients.

For us, it is important to raise awareness and build links with medical practitioners and settings.

Denise used my time wisely whilst in Niort by visiting the Centre Hopitalier and the offices of La Ligue. So, along with my visit to the region in August, when I learned about the communities served by the hospital at Chiché, I feel that my knowledge of provision in the Deux-Sèvres has definitely increased. Links with the hospitals had always been a strength of the team in the Deux-Sèvres and with the merger with La Vienne one of the prime aims was not to lose those links.

Denise and Vinny will be attending a presentation at a golf tournament at Les Forges 79340. I'm very sorry that I am unable to be there but I would like to offer my gratitude to the kind staff from Elsan, Polyclinique de Poitiers, for organising this event. More will be written about this in the next edition I am sure.

Thank you for your continued support and please get in touch through the helpline if you feel that you can offer time , energy and commitment to this most worthwhile cause. You can get in touch with us here: National Helpline 0800 240 200 email: helpline@cancersupportfrance.org You can find more details about CSF Vienne and Deux-Sèvres by visiting: vienne.cancersupportfrance.org/vienne-home www.facebook.com/groups/1573102762990772 It has been a busy month in the Repair Shed and we have received some really wonderful donations for upcycling projects. A huge thank you for your support!

This is one of the projects we have completed recently by converting the legs from an old farmhouse table into a new bathroom sink stand. If you have a project that you would like some help with or maybe or fancy joining us in the workshop for some fun and creativity, please do get in touch.

Bathrm sink stand

We love to hear about what wonderful things you have been making!

Email us at therepairshed@naturalcrafts.eu or find us on facebook @therepairshed.fr

if you are running a club or association and would like to be featured on this page, please do not hesitate to email us with your news at info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr.

We will make every effort to include it.

The Deux-sèvres Monthly | 33

Seasonal Recipes

Beef Curry (serves 3-4) A curry to warm you on a chilly evening.

The meat can be replaced with lamb or chicken, adjusting the cooking time as needed. As with all curries, it can be made a day ahead as the flavours improve as it sits. Serve with naan/rotis and/or rice .

INGREDIENTS

Curried Sweet Potato/ Potato Gratin (serves 4 as a side) This dish is full of warming spices and makes a great addition to a traditional roast dinner or as a side to any roasted meat or fish mains. Mixing together sweet potatoes and potatoes balances the flavour and texture of the gratin. A 25x17cm stoneware baking dish was used here but feel free to swap it out for whatever you have handy as long as it comfortably holds all the potatoes. The gratin is best served warm on the day it's made.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tbsp sunflower oil • 1 large or 2 medium sized sweet potatoes (about 500g in weight) • 3 medium sized potatoes (about 400-450g in weight) • 1 tsp coriander powder • ½ tsp cumin powder • 1 tsp paprika powder • ½ tsp cinnamon powder • 2 tsp curry powder • Salt & pepper • 350 ml full fat cream • ¼ cup grated gruyere cheese • 40g butter cut into small cubes 3 | The Deux-sèvres Monthly

METHOD

1.Preheat the oven to 180C. Grease the bottom of a heavy baking dish with the tablespoon of oil and set aside.

2.Peel and slice the sweet potatoes and potatoes into rounds about ½ cm thick and place them in a large mixing bowl.

3.Add the spices to the bowl along with salt and pepper (to taste). Mix everything thoroughly with your hands.

4.Arrange the slices in the baking dish in layers alternating between the sweet potato and potato slices.

5.In a measuring jug, mix together the cream and grated cheese. Season it with a bit of salt and pepper.

6.Pour the cream and cheese mixture all over the potato slices. Dot the top with the cubed butter. Place the dish on a baking sheet to catch any spills and then transfer to a rack in the middle of the oven.

Bake for about 40-45 minutes.

7.Check for doneness by piercing the middle with a knife. If it goes through without much resistance, the potatoes are cooked.

8.Remove from the oven and let the gratin cool for about 15-20 minutes before serving.

• 4 tbsp sunflower oil • ½ tsp cumin seeds • 2 medium onions sliced • 3 cloves of garlic peeled & chopped • 1” piece of ginger peeled & chopped • 2 heaped tsp turmeric powder • 1 tsp cumin powder • 2 tsp coriander powder • 2 tsp paprika powder • 1½ heaped tsp garam masala • 500-600g beef cut into big chunks (look for braising cuts such as 'paleron de boeuf' or 'jarret de boeuf' ) • Salt • One 400g tin of tomatoes • One 200ml carton of coconut milk • A few sprigs of fresh coriander leaves for garnish (optional) • Juice of half a lemon

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 170C. Heat the oil in a heavy bottomed oven safe pan on a medium flame on the hob.

Once the oil is hot, add the cumin seeds and wait for them to sizzle, this usually takes less than a couple of minutes.

2. Add the onions to the pan and let them soften, stirring occasionally, for a good 7-8 minutes. Lower the heat and then add the garlic and ginger followed by all the spices.

Mix it all together and let it cook for 3-4 minutes.

3. Add the beef to the pan and stir to brown the pieces and coat them with the spices.

4. Season with salt. Add the can of tomatoes to the pan followed by about 3 cups of hot water.

5. Bring everything to a boil, then turn off the heat, cover the pan and transfer to the oven.

6. Let it cook slowly in the oven for about 2.5-3 hours. Around the 3hour mark, check to see that the meat has become quite tender.

Place the pan back on the hob over a low heat. Add the coconut milk, check for seasoning and add more salt if needed. Let the curry simmer gently, uncovered, for about 15 minutes before turning off the heat.

7. Garnish with the coriander leaves if using and add a squeeze of lemon juice just before serving.

www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr

Apple Snacking Cake

An easy bake inspired by the classic French apple cake called 'moelleux de pommes' in which any variety of apples can be used. This version includes warm autumnal spices such as cinnamon and allspice as well as demerara sugar which makes for a crunchy topping. Using a square tin means the cake can be cut into dainty squares, ready to be served as a snack with a cup of tea.

INGREDIENTS

• 120g self raising flour (farine à gâteau) • ½ tsp cinnamon powder (canelle) • ¼ tsp ground allspice powder (piment de jamaique) • A good pinch of salt • 110g sugar (sucre en poudre) • 2 large eggs • 110g butter melted and set aside to cool • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 2 apples peeled cored and cut into cubes • 1 tbsp demerara sugar (cassonade)

METHOD

1.Preheat the oven to 180C. Grease the bottom and sides of a 20cm square cake tin and line the bottom with parchment paper with enough overhang on two sides of the pan to allow for removing the cake out of the tin easily later on.

2.In a small bowl, mix together the flour, spices and salt. In a larger bowl, whisk together the sugar and eggs and then add the melted butter and the vanilla extract.

3.Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix everything together until well combined. Fold in the apple pieces with a spatula.

Transfer the batter to the prepared cake tin. Sprinkle the demerara sugar on top of the batter.

4.Place the tin in the oven and bake for about 35 minutes. The cake is done when a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean.

5.Take the tin out of the oven. Let the cake cool in the tin for about 10 minutes before taking it out and setting on a wire rack to cool completely.

6.The cake will keep well at room temperature loosely wrapped in some foil or stored in a closed container.

All recipes and food photographs by Sujatha Otzen. Born in India, Sujatha is a trained chef who runs Indian cookery workshops from her kitchen at Closerie Les Roches in Bouillé-Loretz (79290)

The Deux-sèvres Monthly | 3

TAKE A BREAK

easy Crossword (with thanks to Rob Berry) ACROSS

1. A beverage (6) 4. Edible nut (6) 8. A grown up (5) 9. Boney structure enclosing the chest (7) 10. A Finnish steam bath (5) 11. The capital and largest city of Cyprus (7) 12. Someone who is punished for the errors of others (9) 15. Add together from different sources (7) 16. Not ever, at no time in the past or future (5) 17. An Italian title or form of address for a married woman (7) 18. Keep out of the way of someone or something (5) 19. A metal pot for stewing or boiling (6) 20. A hazard on a golf course (6)

DOWN

2. A severe or trying experience (6) 3. Item of office furniture (6-7) 5. Kitchen appliance that cooks food (9-4) 6. Quarter of a pint (6) 7. An award for winning third place in a competition (6-5) 13. Someone new to a field or activity (6) 14. Cooking instructions (6)

Cryptic Crossword (with thanks to Mike Morris)

ACROSS

1. Bits of two cubed clams employed in most notable work of pirates? (6,2,5) 8. Go and see him to get money for old rope perhaps? (5) 9. Father having worker in charge is beside himself. (7) 10. Decline in popular leaders in low country. (3) 11. Mad rush to top, not in Blackpool............(9) 13 .....Nor to come back with award for king of the fairies. (6) 14. Sniffy member of little group allied with pristine heroine.

(6) 17. Works with light and does the decent thing. (5, 4) 19. It is the decision of the EU not to hold one in Barcelona. (3) 20. Nothing to carry in one French land newly reformed. (7) 22. National heroine taking time off from court action. (5) 23. Bad sex and the data rewritten about it are famously unavoidable. (5, 3, 5)

DOWN

1. Model Don proud of pun used to make a direct comparison.

(5, 3, 5) 2. One who got away from space set up within boundaries of estate. (7) 3. Men rise so remarkably to become egresses. (9) 4. Remnant not available on the menu, joint to follow. (6) 5. Years with a common thread are receding. (3) 6. Target going to be an embrace in the first place. (3-2) 3 | The Deux-sèvres Monthly

21

22

23

7. Costly mess out of sorts for me in an attempt at damage limitation. (2, 3, 2, 6) 12. Good rise up in hunt to find those most in need of food. (9) 15. Who in France is found among a variety of oxen at this time of year? (7) 16. Loose maybe? If so we could all be at risk. (6) 18. A long list of acknowledged founders of Scottish city. (5) 21. Things not going so well, according to Homer? (3)

www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr You’ll find all the answers on page !

sudoku

Easy

Medium

Very Hard

Decode the message Each letter in the phrase has been replaced with a random letter or number.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Y Q A U D L B I Z U P K W M T G C J T V O E F R S W

Start a new career as a property sales agent

Scan the QR code and watch my story!

Kevin Andrews - Leggett Area Coordinator

If you would like the freedom to grow a successful business supported by an award winning team, please contact our recruitment department.

+33 (0)5 53 60 82 77 · recruitment@leggett.fr · www.leggettfrance.com

The Deux-sèvres Monthly | 3

Building & Renovation DPS Services

Gardener | Handyman

SIRET 883 823 908 00016

Garden maintenance, grass cutting, strimming, hedge cutting, weed control, planting, pruning, pathways & patios Fence Installation and repairs Interior & exterior decorating Regular visits or one-off jobs Local & dependable

Darren Stutter

Phone: 05 49 94 27 29 | email: dpstutter@gmail.com | L'ancienne Ecole, 79310

H&R Building & Renovation Services

Railing & Plasterboarding Renovation Work Painting, Decorating & Tiling Wood Flooring Carpentry Bathrooms & Kitchens

< Roof repairs < Carpentry < Renovations and Refurbishment < Blockwork and Brickwork < Boarding and Plastering < Velux and Dormers < Groundwork, Patios and Paving < Kitchens (Howdens) & Bathrooms

Contact Darren Lawrence Tel: 05 49 94 64 90 Email: lawrenceassociates79@gmail.com

tel/WhatsApp: 06 29 62 81 26 email: hjrizzlor@hotmail.com web: tinyurl.com/HeathRutherford

SIRET: 8414 0681 200013

La Deuxieme Chance.

7, rue de la Croix Cholette, 79120, Messé.

Tel: 05 49 27 12 62 www.ladeuxiemechance.com siret: 49910212300039

FOSSE AND GROUNDWORKS 79

Had an eye watering quote for your fosse?

Don't panic! We’re here for you!

Based near Chef Boutonne and covering a 50km radius.

We also offer all aspects of groundworks including:

• all types of fosse septique installed • machine and driver hire • drainage • driveways • foundations • tree stump removal • ground clearance • trench digging for electric/water/services

mobile: +44 7725 233726 10 Year Decennale Insurance

email: fosseandgroundworks79@hotmail.com

www.fosseandgroundworks79.com

3 | The Deux-sèvres Monthly

DARREN LAWRENCE

Siret: 882 747 348 00010

Based near Parthenay. Siret no: 802 238 964 00018

www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr

jon-thecarpetman 1000’s of modern carpet samples available to choose from.....

Ask for our At Home service and we’ll bring the samples to you!

Covering all of Deux-Sèvres and neighbouring departments

Free estimates - no obligation

35 years experience ~ Fully registered and insured

Contact Jon Prince Tel: 09 63 56 23 10 Mob: 06 42 19 82 12 Email: jonthecarpetman@gmail.com or visit our website to find out more

www.jonthecarpetman.com Find us on Facebook

PRINCE S.A.R.L. siret 538 076 688

The Deux-sèvres Monthly | 39

Building & Renovation STEVE COUPLAND Based 79130 Secondigny

SIRET: 491 711 354 00036

Property Services including:Plumbing Tiling Dry Walling

www.facebook.com/SRCplumbingandrenovations

Mobile: 07 89 30 95 86

email: steve.coupland@hotmail.com

R IAN H 4 2 TRIC LE EC

FULLY QUALIFIED & INSURED 35 YEARS EXPERIENCE Domestic & commercial Deux-Sèvres & surrounding areas Available 24/7

MICHAEL MOORE TEL - 06 49 61 26 68

EMAIL - 79ELEC@GMAIL.COM

SIRET - 881 860 506 00016

www.srcplumbingandrenovations.fr

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® Handyman/Man & Van services ® House / Barn Clearance ® Railing/Insulating/Plasterboarding S Decorating ® Interior/Exterior

Membre de la Chambres de Métiers et de l’Artisanat Fully Insured

Building / Brickwork Property Maintenance Patios & Decking Repointing

& Flooring ® Garden Clearance ® Odd jobs...anything considered

SIRET 892 311 952 00014

Call, Text or WhatsApp Owen on 06 73 50 14 41 email: kmpropertymaintenance@outlook.com

0 | The Deux-sèvres Monthly

GLENDEE

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

BASED IN 79160 COULONGES-SUR-L’AUTIZE

###! !"

!"

SIRET 851 535 930 00016

Roof repairs Garden Maintenance Landscaping Tel: 05 49 94 63 59 Mob: 07 80 66 70 96 email: glenrodger63@gmail.com

Building & Renovation

The Deux-sèvres Monthly | 1

Our Furry Friends Meet Helios W792005754

The unluckiest yet loveliest dog awaiting adoption

only shows opportunistic tendencies around food when unobserved. He is house-trained and enjoys a secure garden where he can explore and play.

Helios thrives on routine and benefits from having someone spend time with him. His foster family describes him as 'young-at-heart', full of energy to play and go for walks. He is placid with people, and while he is generally okay with other dogs, he has reservations around cats and can be unpredictable with male dogs.

Long car journeys are no problem for this gentle and playful dog. Equipped with an EU pet passport, Helios is ready to travel with his new family wherever their adventures may lead.

If you're looking for a loyal companion who shares a love for cuddles and would like to meet Helios, please get in touch with Association En Route at Sainte-Soline, France. You can reach them at 07 69 18 56 81 or via email to henri@assoenroute.com.

For more information, visit

www.assoenroute.com

Helios, is an 11-year-old Spaniel/Collie blend whose life has been marked by change but remains undeterred in his quest for a loving home. This affectionate and intelligent dog is looking for a new family due to a change in his current family's circumstances.

Rescued from the streets of Poitiers, Helios has transformed into a well-behaved companion who loves people, cuddles, car rides, and long walks on a leash. Despite his past, he

Shop and Café Open every Wednesday 11am - 4pm Oh my lord Francks fish and chips second Wednesday of the month from 12h00 Magasin et Café Ouvert tous les mercredis de 11h à 16h Oh my lord Francks fish and chips le 2ème mercredi du mois à partir de 12h00 Donations welcome Monday 10am - 12pm Wednesday 11am-3pm Les dons sont les bienvenus les lundis 10h - 12h et mercredis de 11h à 15h

2 | The Deux-sèvres Monthly

Do you know of a pet rescue charity that could use this page to advertise free of charge?

Send us the details and we’ll try to include them next month. Email: info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr

www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr

Cybersecurity 101

New law on chimney sweeping comes into effect

In our digital lives, unsolicited messages, phishing, and scams have unfortunately become all too common. These online dangers can have serious consequences, like financial loss and identity theft. But fear not, French authorities and professionals are actively working to combat these issues. Yet, sometimes when these messages appear in French (e.g. from ANTI or amendes.gouv), they can feel even more worrying. We often see messagse on Facebook from people worrying about messages and emails they have received.

Isabelle Want

These digital threats include 'spam' (those annoying advertising emails you never signed up for), 'phishing' (fraudsters pretending to be someone they're not to trick you into giving away personal information), and 'scams' (strangers promising amazing deals that are too good to be true, if you pay upfront, of course).

To spot these cyber risks, keep an eye out for warning signs like an email from your 'bank' asking for personal details due to a 'technical incident', or a stranger offering to help you claim a lottery prize for a small fee.

From 1 October 2023, households using wood or wood pellets for heating are obliged to have their chimney swept by a professional.

Chimney sweeping reduces the risk of fire by removing soot and creosote build up present in the chimney. This process must be carried out by a professional to prevent fires and carbon monoxide poisoning and to ensure the optimum performance of your heating system.

Before this new law, the commune (your town) set the rules (so could be different depending on where you lived).

Now the law applies at national level: https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTE XT000047867286

- You must sweep your chimney once a year; - This must be done by a qualified professional.

- You must obtain a certificate and keep it safe.

In addition, this professional is required to give you information on the maintenance and best practice

regarding using your heating system to reduce the emission of fine suspended particles which are responsible for adverse health effect in humans.

Basically, this qualified professional should tell you if your heating system is causing too much pollution to the environment!

Sweeping must be organised by the person using the property, i.e. either the tenant or the owner living in the property.

In summary, you can no longer do it yourself, nor can you use the sweeping logs you used to be able to buy at the supermarket which gave you a certificate. It has to be done by a qualified artisan.

If you receive an unexpected text message or multimedia message, forward it to 33700 or scan the QR code below from your mobile phone and send a screenshot of the suspicious message. This will alert the phone operators, who can take action.

When it comes to suspicious emails, don't reply or open any attachments - report them to the Signal Spam website www.signal-spam.fr

For internet scams, report them on the website www.internet-signalement.gouv.fr. This site fights against illegal content and can even lead to criminal investigations.

Remember, you're not powerless against these message. By taking these steps, you're playing an active role in making the internet a safer place. So, don't ignore them - report them and help tackle these pesky digital menaces.

And don't forget to check out all my previous articles on our website www.bh-assurances.fr/en and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

And don’t hesitate to contact me if you need any further information or quotes on topics such as funeral cover, inheritance law, investments, car, home, professional and top up health insurance, etc.

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The Deux-sèvres Monthly | 3

money matters

french succession tax. how much will your heirs pay?

by Catrina Ogilvie, Blevins Franks It is important to review and adjust your estate planning once you have moved to France, to protect your heirs from inheritance tax and France’s strict succession law.

While your children each receive €100,000 tax-free, for other relatives and non-relatives the allowances can be very low and tax rates very high.

Succession tax is applied when assets pass on death or as lifetime gifts. It is charged on each beneficiary, depending on their relationship to the owner and the amount received.

If you are resident in France when you die, each heir has to pay succession tax on their inheritance. This applies to worldwide assets.

• Spouses and PACS civil partners are exempt from succession tax on inheritances. Lifetime gifts are taxable at progressive rates from 5% to 45%, with the first €80,724 being tax-free.

• The tax rates for children (inheritances and gifts) also range from 5% to 45%, with an allowance of €100,000 each.

• Grandchildren pay the same rates as children, but without the €100,000 allowance. They get the standard €1,594 allowance, but you can give them lifetime gifts of up €31,865 tax free, plus the same again for cash gifts. These are cumulative and renewable every 15 years.

• Brothers and sisters generally receive a €15,932 allowance and pay tax at 35% or 45%. The allowance for nephews and nieces is €7,967 with a 55% tax rate.

• Anyone else pays succession tax at 60%, and their allowance is just €1,594. Note that this includes stepchildren (for couples with children from previous relationships this can be a real problem) and long-term partners if you are not married or in a PACS partnership.

| The Deux-sèvres Monthly

SUCCESSION TAX PLANNING There are various solutions that could help mitigate succession tax. For example: • the allowances for all lifetime gifts renew every 15 years.

• you can make tax-efficient gifts to step-children • the value of your main home can be reduced by 20%, provided your spouse/PACs partner or children continue to live in it.

Alternatively, you could use a usufruct (usufruit) to give away assets to children, while retaining a lifetime right to live in the property and/or to the income. This is a way of splitting the overall inheritance of a property between deaths while utilising maximum allowances and lower tax rates.

When it comes to your savings and investments, there are structures that can provide significant succession tax planning benefits in France, as well as accomplishing tax advantages for yourself.

Your estate plan should be tailored to meet your personal objectives and family situation. Dealing with tax regimes and succession laws of different countries is complex, so taking specialist, professional advice will give you peace of mind that you are making things as straightforward and taxefficient for your heirs as possible.

Summarised tax information is based upon our understanding of current laws and practices which may change. Individuals should seek personalised advice..

Keep up to date on the financial issues that may affect you on the Blevins Franks news page at www.blevinsfranks.com.

www.thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr

Expert advice

ask amanda

I have an Assurance Vie with my local bank, I don’t take any regular withdrawals but I pay social charges on this policy. I was chatting to a friend who has a policy in Dublin and she doesn’t pay social charges on her policy, why is that?

Social charges are automatically deducted from your Assurance Vie if the money is invested in Fonds en Euro.

These funds pay interest to your policy and as such are subject to French social charges.

When it comes to choosing an Assurance Vie you have two choices, the first is with your local bank, the second is to speak to a regulated international Financial Adviser. Both will conduct a “know your client” meeting, talk to you about your appetite for risk v reward, how long you can put the money away for and discuss if there are any sectors you don’t want to be invested in and how ethical you would like your money invested. Your local bank will offer you a domestic French Assurance Vie Policy in Euros your International Financial Adviser will offer an International Assurance Vie Policy in either, Euros, Pounds or Dollars.

One of the key advantages of an international Assurance Vie policy is the flexibility it offers. While French bank

Assurance Vie policies do provide some flexibility in terms of withdrawals and investment options, international policies often go above and beyond.

With an international Assurance Vie, you can enjoy a broader range of investment options, including access to global markets and a wider selection of funds.

This allows you to diversify your investments and take advantage of opportunities beyond the confines of the French market.

Additionally, international Assurance Vie policies often come with the added benefit of having an English-speaking adviser. This can be a significant advantage for individuals who are more comfortable discussing their financial matters in English. Having an adviser who understands your language and cultural background can help facilitate clear communication and ensure that you fully comprehend the intricacies of your policy. This level of comfort and understanding can greatly enhance your overall experience and peace of mind.

Portability is also an advantage, you may well be settled living in France but can you take your investment back with you, should you move back to the U.K.?

Furthermore, international Assurance Vie policies may offer a more favourable regulatory and legal framework. While

French bank Assurance Vie policies are subject to French regulations and consumer protection laws, international policies may be governed by regulations that are more favorable to policyholders. This can provide an additional layer of security and protection for your investments, giving you greater confidence in the long-term viability of your policy.

It is also worth noting that international Assurance Vie policies can provide access to a wider network of investment professionals and expertise. By opening an international policy, you can tap into a global pool of financial advisers who possess a wealth of knowledge and experience in various markets. This can be particularly advantageous if you have specific investment goals or if you are interested in exploring opportunities outside of France.

French bank Assurance Vie and international Assurance Vie policies offer attractive benefits, the latter option provides even greater advantages. With an international Assurance Vie, you can enjoy enhanced flexibility, access to English-speaking advisers, and potentially more favourable regulatory conditions. These benefits can significantly enhance your investment experience and provide you with the peace of mind you deserve. So, if you are seeking a policy that offers a broader range of investment options and the convenience of an Englishspeaking adviser, opening an international Assurance Vie may be the ideal choice for you.

Amanda Johnson works as an Independent Financial Adviser with the Spectrum IFA Group tel: 06 73 27 25 43 or email: amanda.johnson@spectrum-ifa.com www.spectrum-ifa.com/amanda-johnson Whether you want to register for a newsletter, attend a roadshow or speak Amanda directly, please call or email her.

The Spectrum IFA Group do not charge for reviews, reports, or recommendations.

« 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 »

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The Deux-sèvres Monthly |

This month’s advertisers Adrian Butterfield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Affordable UK Designs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Alcoholics Anonymous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Andrew Longman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Ark79 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Association Escoval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Assurances Maucourt (GAN Parthenay) . . . . . . . . 21 Au Petit Brasseur/Argentonnay Alpacas . . . . . . . . 48 Baudouin Barateau (Cabinet Makers) . . . . . . . . . . 41 BH Assurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Blevins Franks Wealth Management Limited . . . . . 2 Chris Bassett Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Closerie Les Roches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Darren Lawrence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Darren Stutter (DPS Services) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Dave Murphy (Hypnotherapist) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Fosse and Groundworks 79 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Franglais Deliveries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 French Country Villas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Gingers Kitchen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Glendee Property Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 H&R Building & Renovation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Hallmark Electricité . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Irving Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Jeff's Metalwork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Jon the Carpetman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 KM Property Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 KM Services 79 (Property Services) . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 La Deuxieme Chance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 La Petite Ferme d'Alpagas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Leggett Immoblier (Estate Agent) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Leggett Recruitment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Les Bons Voisins (LBV) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 LPV Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Magic Renovations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Maison Secondaire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Mann Upholstery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Mark Sabestini . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Michael Moore. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 ML Computers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Mr T's Friterie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Mutuelle de Poitiers Assurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Rob Berry Plastering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Royal British Legion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 RT Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Sarah Berry Mosaic Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Simon The Tiler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Smart Moves Removals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Spectrum IFA Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Stephen Shaw EI (Painter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Steve Coupland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Strictly Roofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Sunny Sky Cars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Terves Christmas Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 The Fixer Administration Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 The French House Satellite TV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 The Funny Farm Cat Rescue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 The Perfect Pig Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Val Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Vendee Pool Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Vienne Tree Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Zena Sabestini . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Thank you to all our advertisers - your support enables us to print and distribute the magazine every month!

Puzzle answers easy Crossword sudoku Easy

Cryptic Crossword

Medium

Very Hard

Decode the message A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z N O Y U Z F L S H K P B W E C D I M T X G V A R J Q

21

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23

| The Deux-sèvres Monthly

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE YOU CAN TRUST Our favourite selection of properties for sale in the Deux-Sèvres

EXCLUSIVE

Sitting Pretty

Loretz-d’Argenton

EXCLUSIVE

Agency fees to be paid by the seller.

Energy class: F Climate class: C

Two for One

Tastefully Renovated

€99,000 Vernoux-en-Gâtine

€61,600 Sauzé-Vaussais

Ref: A16741 - Delightful 2-3 bedroom house within enclosed gated grounds.

EXCLUSIVE

Countryside Views

Ref: A21750 - Cute 3-bedroom house ZLWK ZRUNVKRS WHUUDFH DQG ODQG 8% agency fees included paid by the buyer.

DPE: Not required

EXCLUSIVE

Rural Retreat

€150,000 Genneton

Ref: A24402 - Superb 3-bedroom property with gardens and garage.

9% agency fees included paid by the buyer.

DPE: In progress

9% agency fees included paid by the buyer.

Energy class: E Climate class: E

Uninterrupted Views

€262,150 Messé

€132,980

Ref: A24147- 3-bedroom house with ODUJH EDVHPHQW ODQG DQG RXWEXLOGLQJV

EXCLUSIVE

Gîte Potential

Clussais-la-Pommeraie €199,000 Valdelaume

EXCLUSIVE

Simply Spacious

€192,600 Valdelaume

€245,000

Ref: A24464 - Two spacious houses with large garden and outbuildings.

Ref: A20139 - Stunning 4-bedroom house with workshop and garden.

Ref: A17121 - 3-bedroom family KRPH ZLWK JDUGHQ EDUQ DQG YLHZV

Ref: A10501 - 5-bedroom house with XQGHUć RRU KHDWLQJ JDUGHQ DQG JDUDJH

7% agency fees included paid by the buyer.

Energy class: E Climate class: E

7% agency fees included paid by the buyer.

Energy class: E Climate class: B

4% agency fees included paid by the buyer.

Energy class: B Climate class: A

EXCLUSIVE

EXCLUSIVE

EXCLUSIVE

EXCLUSIVE

Agency fees to be paid by the seller.

Energy class: D Climate class: D

Le Vert

Picture Perfect

€251,450 Alloinay

Ref: A19229 - 2/3-bedroom house with outbuildings and river views.

7% agency fees included paid by the buyer.

Energy class: E Climate class: B

Must be Seen!

Stunning Views

€212,903 Beugnon-Thireuil

Ref: A21928 - 4-bedroom farmhouse with outbuildings and bread oven.

Agency fees to be paid by the seller.

Energy class: D Climate class: B

Super Farmhouse

€256,800 Vanzay

Ref: A24091 - 3-bedroom house with large garden and outbuildings.

7% agency fees included paid by the buyer.

Energy class: D Climate class: B

€239,784

Ref: A18103 - 3-bedroom house with EDUQ JDUGHQ DQG D FRWWDJH WR UHQRYDWH

Agency fees to be paid by the seller.

Energy class: C Climate class: C

We have helped 1000s of clients buy and sell property in France and have 8000+ properties OLVWHG RQ RXU ZHEVLWH ,I \RX DUH ORRNLQJ WR VHOO contact us for a free market appraisal.

The Le  fily wc  you !

+33 (0)5 53 60 84 88 · leggettfrance.com · info@leggett.fr

Information on the risks to which these properties are exposed is available on the Geohazards website: www.georisques .gouv.fr

ed ild in ne h c a r o a gift f Donate full details on esChristmasMarket ebook www.fac

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‘KEYNOTE’ Choir Ukelele Band Christmas Fun

Mulled wine & Mince Pies Real English Fish & Chips Bacon butties Homemade cakes & refreshments

Christmas decorations

Party clothing

Name the toy dog

Tombola

Raffle

Books Bring a cat a Christmas treat!

Cats to cuddle

Party shoes

Café with hot soup, drinks and Christmas treats

le grand Beaupuits, 79200 st germain de longue Chaume

Fête de Noël

Saturday 25 November 10am-5pm Association number W793001884 Find us on Facebook - The Funny Farm Cat Rescue

All money raised will go to feed the rescued cats over Christmas