The Deux-Sèvres Monthly - October 2023

ENGLISH LANGUAGE MAGAZINE FOR THE DEUX-SÈVRES AND SURROUNDING AREAS

Your pensions are key to your long-term nancial security. With the complex UK pension regulations, French tax regime and frequent rule changes, specialist advice is essential. e problem for expatriates is that UK pension transfers often require UK-regulated advice, but most UK advisers cannot advise EU residents post Brexit.

Blevins Franks is authorised to provide regulated advice on UK pensions to residents of France. We have in-depth knowledge of the UK pension and French tax regimes and the planning opportunities for expatriates.

Welcome to the October issue of the Deux-Sèvres Monthly magazine! This month's edition has a distinctly pink theme

On 1st October, the Octobre Rose campaign begins in France, aiming to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research It emphasises the importance of early screening to save lives This initiative generates widespread support, with numerous events and activities organised throughout the month From individuals to prominent brands, everyone is united in the fight against breast cancer

In the What's On section, you'll find a comprehensive guide to events happening throughout the DeuxSèvres Additionally, we feature details of fundraising initiatives and my reflections on the screening programme in France

Moving to France can sometimes be a solitary experience, but we are delighted to introduce a new initiative called The Repair Shed This project offers a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and acquire new skills We eagerly anticipate its progress and success in the coming years

In this issue, you'll find an interview with the talented chef behind the mouth-watering recipes featured in our magazine in recent months The courgette tian recipe, which appeared in August's edition, has received countless praise To learn more, turn to page 29 With Halloween just around the corner, we have some spooky ideas for decorating using natural goods Furthermore, the photography section continues the theme with a guide on capturing cobwebs through the lens

Make the most of the end of summer, and we can't wait to welcome you back in November!

Kathleen & Chris

tel: 07 86 99 16 17

email: info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr

© 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

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 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

MR T’S FISH & CHIPS

Regular venues at:

• Aulnay de Saintonge 17470 • Beauvais Sur Matha 17490

• St Jean D’Angély 17400 • Sauzé-Vaussais Hope 79 79190

• La Chaumière, La Chapelle 16140 • Charroux 86250

• Saintes 17100 • Savigné 86400

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

Tel: 06 02 22 44 74

email: mrt fishandchips@gmail com www frying4u2nite com

CHURCH NOTICES

the Filling station - poitou-charentes. 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 vie-nouvelle-civray com

the chaplaincy of christ the good shepherd, poitou-charentes Normally holds Sunday services in English Please see our website for current information: www churchinfrance com

christian mission Fellowship An evangelical mission at the heart of Poitou-Charentes, Western France

Please visit our website for more details www chef-boutonne net

Local Markets in the Deux-Sèvres

Monday am Cerizay 79140 place des Halles

Tuesday a m Bressuire 79300 place Dupin

Coulonges-sur-l'Autize 79160 Centre Ville

La Creche 79260 rue du Marché

Lezay 79120 place du Marché

Niort 79000 place des Halles

Thouars 79100 place Lavault

Vasles 79340 la place du 25 Août

Wednesday a m

Thursday a m

Celles-sur-Belle79370 Centre Ville

Niort 79000 place des Halles

Parthenay 79200 rue Jean-Jaurès

Argenton-les-Vallées 79150 place Philippe de Commynes

La Motte St Héray 79800 place Clémenceau

Niort 79000 place des Halles

Sauzé-Vaussais 79190 Centre Ville

Friday a m Coulon 79510 place de l'Eglise

Melle 79500 place Bujault

Niort 79000 place des Halles

Nueil les Aubiers 79250 place Pierre Garnier

Thouars 79100 place Lavault

Saturday a m

Airvault 79600 place Saint-Pierre

Bressuire 79300 place Dupin

Cerizay 79140 place des Halles

Champdeniers 79220 Centre Ville

Chef-Boutonne 79110 Centre Ville

Cherveux 79410 Centre Ville

Coulonges-sur-l'Autize 79160 place des Halles

Lezay 79120 place du Marché

Mauleon 79700 place du château

Mauze sur le Mignon 79210 place de l'Eglise

Moncoutant 79320 Centre Ville

Niort 79000 place des Halles

Saint Maixent-l'Ecole 79400 place du Marché

Sunday a m Chatillon sur Thouet 79200 place du Parnasse

Coulon 79510 place de l'Eglise

La Creche 79260 rue du Marché

Niort 79000 place des Halles

Thénezay 79390 place de L'Hôtel de Ville

Local Markets in neighbouring departments

Monday a m Doue-la-Fontaine 49700 place du Champ de Foire

Tuesday a m Civray 86400 place Leclerc

Montrueil-Bellay 49260 place du Marché

Mortagne-sur-Sèvres 85290 place Hullin

Surgéres 17700 rue Audry de Puyravault

Wednesday a m Fontenay-le-Comte 85200 place du Commerce

Lusignan 86600 place Isabelle d’Angoulême

Ruffec 16700 Centre Ville

Vihiers 49310 place Charles-de-Gaulle

Thursday a m Aulnay 17470 Centre Ville

Surgéres 17700 rue Audry de Puyravault

Friday a m Civray 86400 place Leclerc

Doue-la-Fontaine 49700 place René Nicolas

Saturday a m Cholet 49300 place du 8 Mai 1945

Fontenay-le-Comte 85200 place du Commerce

La Châtaigneraie 85120 place de la République

Pouzauges 85700 place de l’Hôtel de Ville

Ruffec 16700 Centre Ville

Surgéres 17700 rue Audry de Puyravault

Sunday a m Aulnay 17470

Centre Ville

Latillé 86190 place Robert Gerbier

Valence-en-Poitou 86700 place du Marché

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

Petals of Hope

Ceramic Roses for October Rose

In the pretty town of Melle, an extraordinar y initiative is blossoming Local ceramic artist Linda Macdonald has handcrafted 100 unique ceramic roses to raise funds for Octobre Rose

For some time now, Linda has been keen on contributing to the fight against cancer Her idea finally took root earlier this year when she decided to create 100 ceramic roses Priced at 12 euros each, Linda is not taking anything from the sales covering all costs for materials and kiln firing herself Each rose is individually handmade ensuring that no two are alike

As of now, Linda's roses are being glazed and prepared for their second firing Soon they will be ready to add a touch of beauty to any setting

These unique creations are in aid of the Octobre Rose (Pink October) campaign, a global initiative aimed at raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research With her experience in crafting various ceramic flowers, Linda felt roses were the perfect choice for this project

But the roses are only part of the stor y Together with her friend Tess Goodliffe, Linda has planned an event to coincide with the sale of the roses

The beautiful Logis de Canteau, owned by Tess, will host the event on Wednesday, October 18th

In addition to the rose sale the event will feature an auction with items donated by local artists artisans, therapists, and businesses Attendees can also enjoy tea, cakes, and a photo booth, making it a morning filled with fun and community spirit

Those unable to attend the event can still purchase Linda s roses at Le Petit Bocal a boutique in Niort where many local artisans sell their creations

Linda invites ever yone to join the special charity auction and sale of her pink roses at Logis de Canteau, Melle on Wednesday, October 18th It's not just about buying a rose; it s about joining a community united in the fight against cancer

For more information or to place an order, visit Linda's Facebook page Les Céramique de Linda or email her at lesceramiquedelinda@yahoo.fr.

Fête du travail Labour Day

Wednesday 1 May 2024

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

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS, RELIGIOUS AND FEAST DAYS

La parthEnaisiEnnE 2023

1 October

Parthenay

Join us for the Charity Run and Walk for Breast Cancer as part of Pink October

The Parthenaisienne and the League 79 against breast cancer are relying on your support You can register online or come to Hyper U Parthenay on 30 September to sign up Remember to wear pink! facebook com/fillesdeparthenay

La randonnéE rosE

1 October

Pioussay

Join us for a hike to support breast cancer research Choose from two routes, 7 or 13 km Remember to dress in pink and show your support for this important cause

tinyurl com/PioussayRose

marchE rosE

1 October

Largeasse, Participate in our 2nd Marche Rose Choose between two routes of approximately 7km and 15km

Remember to wear something pink to support the cause!

largeasse fr/marche-rose-1-oct

Exhibition “inspirations animaLEs”

1 October - 5 November

Parthenay

Discover how animals inspire artists in various mediums like ceramics, painting, photography, and drawing Reflect on the aesthetic, symbolic, and affectionate representations of animals parthenay.fr

La niortaisE, marchE rosE

1 October Niort

Join us for the Octobre Rose event in Niort! Enjoy two scenic routes along the picturesque Sèvres riverbanks, starting from Parc Pré-Leroy Choose from two routes: 11 KM for 10€ (9am-10am) or 4 5 KM for 5€ (10am-11am) Don’t forget to wear pink! lesprinseinses com

From poitou to thE Lands oF rEFugE and FrEEdom

1 – 7 October

Musée du Protestant, Beaussais-Vitré

This exhibition pays tribute to Pastor Jean Rivierre who documented the Huguenot migrations from Poitou to various lands of refuge during the “Desert” century (1680-1780), preserving genealogical history for their descendants museepoitouprotestant com

thE sEcrEt LivEs oF thE ordinary

1 -21 October

Villa Pérochon Niort

French artist Magali Lambert displays her exhibit “The Secret Lives of the Ordinary,” where she repurposes discarded objects to create a dreamlike intersection of reality and artifice through photography, drawing, printmaking, and installation Free admission, Tuesday to Saturday niortmaraispoitevin com

ExpLorE thE undErground

Fountain

1 - 28 October

air vault

Discover the unique underground fountain site Collect the key for a free visit from the Tourism Office or Airvault Museum upon presentation of your ID and signature, acknowledging the regulations airvault fr

producErs markEt

4 October

Cher veux

The local producers’ market in Cherveux, happening monthly, offers a variety of exclusively local products From starters to desserts, explore the best of local produce between 5pm and 8pm tourisme-deux-sevres.com

octobEr rosE Fashion show

6 October

Moncoutant-sur-Sevre

Join us for an evening of fashion and solidarity as we kick off October Rose at Salle Chênaie 1 in Moncoutant All proceeds from this event will go towards our new project, “Ma Petite Seins’Glée” Box, a personalized well-being box for individuals affected by breast cancer facebook.com/LesSeinsGlees

FEstivaL voix & dansEs

6 October

Bocage Bressuirais

Celebrate the art of artistic and human encounters at the fusion festival of Terre de Danses and Eclats de Voix The festival includes concerts, public dances, youth programs, and practice workshops voix-danses fr

La JoséphinE

7 October

Le Fenouille (85800)

Get your pink t-shirts ready! Join the 2nd La Joséphine walk/run to support breast cancer awareness We welcome everyone, including men and children, to take part in this worthwhile event larochesuryon fr/lajosephine

wEEkEnd rosE - La sEins’gLéE

8 October

Moncoutant-sur-Sevre

The 2nd “La Seins’Glée” with routes of 5 and 11 km through the Moncoutant countryside All profits and donations contribute to the creation of the “Ma Petite Seins’Glée” box, a personalised well-being package for those affected by breast cancer Dress in pink and show your support!

facebook com/LesSeinsGlees

pomm’Expo 2023

7 – 15 October

Secondigny

An annual festival that taken place for more than 65 years The event lasts for 9 days and includes a street market, car boot sale, and a funfair Apples are available to buy, in keeping with this year’s apple and ecology theme secondigny fr

concErt - irish sEssion

6 October

Parthenay

Enjoy a lively Irish Session led by Zito Baret and his companions They will share a common repertoire of traditional Irish melodies, each taking turns to lead with a melody or a series of melodies lecoupegorge.fr

atELiEr dégustation vins Et FromagEs dE chèvrE

6 October

Celles-sur-Belle

Discover the perfect pairing of goat cheese and wines at this tasting workshop Explore the taste universe of regional cheeses, including Chabichou du Poitou AOP and Mothais sur Feuille, and learn how to pair them with wines facebook.com/maison.fromages.chevre

La FêtE dE La sciEncE

6 – 16 October

Various in Nouvelle-aquitaine Engage with the wonders of science during this ten-day festival Discover a range of events, exhibitions, and workshops celebrating scientific exploration and knowledge

echosciences nouvelle-aquitaine science visit to thE résErvE naturELLE nationaLE du toarciEn

7 October

Sainte-Verge, Join Didier Poncet, a geologist and chief heritage conservator, to explore the Réserve Naturelle Nationale du Toarcien Discover two open-air quarries of international historical significance and observe three successive Jurassic stages lhommeetlapierre com

La randonnéE dEs vEndangEs

8 October

Soulbrois - Mauzé thouarsais

Discover the beautiful vineyard landscape of Thouarsais on two hiking trails, one 8km long and the other 14km long Treat yourself to a refreshing coffee and enjoy delicious gourmet breaks along the way Don’t miss out ! lesrdvthouarsais.fr

art nouvEau, a styLE inspirEd by naturE

8 October

Parthenay

Explore Art Nouveau, a style that breaks away from traditional trends and finds inspiration in nature Discover how Parthenay’s earthenware makers, notably Edouard Knoëpflin, experimented with this style Free entry parthenay fr

28th FEstivaL coréadEs

9 October aiffres

11 October Melle

14 October Pamproux

Experience high-quality concerts presented by the CoRéAM collective

Enjoy symphonic masterpieces including Mozart’s Symphony no 40 and Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto featuring P Clarhaut, solo trumpet of the Paris Opera coream org

coFFEE morning at À La pausE bistro

10 October

L’absie

Join us for a coffee morning at A la Pause bistro from 10am to noon Open to everyone who wants to enjoy coffee/tea, cake, and good conversation We look forward to seeing you! facebook com/1921Pause

Fashion show

14 October 20h30

Firefighter Barracks, Parthenay

Join us for a unique fashion show, has been organised by the Club Athlétique Parthenaisien to support the October Rose campaign This event is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research Your presence will make a difference! caparthenay com

visit to monpaLais nEcropoLis

15 October

taizé-Maulais

The Montpalais necropolis in TaizéMaulais is a significant Neolithic site with six dolmens and a barrow lhommeetlapierre com

mégaLithEs En poitou

17 - 30 October

Château de Javarzay, Chef-Boutonne

Discover the megalithic heritage of DeuxSèvres, Vienne, and North Charente through fifty photographs by Sébastien

Joffre Explore the secrets of these monuments erected 6000 years ago chateau-javarzay.fr

saLon habitat

20 - 23 October

Niort

A regional fair for those looking to build or renovate homes, find energy solutions, or seeking interior or exterior design inspiration Meet professionals in the field over four days habitat79.com

shirLEy vaLEntinE

20 - 21 October

Vasles

TheatriVasles present Willy Russell’s classic play ‘Shirley Valentine’ Follow the transformative journey of a middle-aged Liverpool housewife as she rediscovers herself on a Greek holiday A timeless tale of self-discovery and empowerment starring Nicky Marshall as Shirley email theatrivasles@gmail com

saLons vins Et tErroir

21 – 22 October

Lezay

Organized by the Union of Merchants and Artisans of Lezay, this fair features around thirty exhibitors including wine producers from all over France and local artisans ucal79120 fr

witchEs and wizards

21 – 22 October

Echiré

Experience a magical spectacle featuring fire breathers, the Valiant Knight, captivating magic and thrilling wizard duels Performances by Olivier Varanceau, Jehan Sérien, The Guild of the 12 Kingdoms, and Friends of CoudraySalbart Admission £4, free for children under 5 coudraysalbart fr

marchE rosE

22 October, 9h30

Place de la Mairie, Sauzé-Vaussais

Participate in the Marche Rose, a twohour circuit walk as part of 'Osez Sauzé' initiative There will be a sale of soaps and pink ribbons, with all proceeds benefiting L'Association Ruban Rose and La Ligue Contre Cancer tinyurl.com/OsezSauze

La marchE rosE dE brEssuirE

22 October

Gare de Fret, Bressuire

AJT du Bocage is organising the traditional Marche Rose de Bressuire

Even if you can't be present, you can register and support them lesajtdubocage79.fr

urban traiL “La médiévaLE”

22 October

Parthenay

Join the 9th edition of the urban trail “La Médiévale”, organized by Jog’Gâtine

Discover the medieval city of Parthenay through a 9km or 16 5km run, or join a 9km walk This event is part of the “Terre de Jeux 2024” initiative joggatine fr

visit to odysséE naturE

24 October

Nueil les aubiers,

Take a guided tour into the heart of the Laboratoire Science et Nature Discover the production process of Body Nature, Prosens, Centifolia, and Guérandes Cosmetics products Reservation required odyssee-nature fr

39th intErnationaL

ornithoLogicaL FiLm FEstivaL

27 October - 1 November

Ménigoute

This renowned festival showcases wildlife films from around the world, featuring the latest nature documentaries The event offers film screenings, conferences, exhibitions, and environmental activities, attracting people of all ages and backgrounds

menigoute-festival.org

rEaction thEatrE prEsEnts: it’s showtimE

27 - 28 October

L absie

Join us at Foyer Rural, L’Absie for an evening of songs, dances, and sketches brought to you by Reaction Theatre 27 October at 19h30 or 28 October at 15h You can either pay at the door or book in advance reactiontheatre.eu

rEaction thEatrE EvEnts

Choir - every Thursday 2 30pm Scillé salle Book Club @ Poems & Pints at Café des Belles Fleur Fenioux at 3pm

Book Club 4th Oct “The Miniaturist’ by Dawn French

Poems & Pints 25th Oct Theme “Farming @ the Countryside

For more information email johnblair696@gmail com

concErt - LEs sympa'tiFs

28 October, 20h30

Salle socio-culturelle, Sauze-Vaussais

Join us for a concert by Les Sympa'tifs, part of the 'Osez Sauzé' initiative supporting breast cancer awareness Soaps and pink ribbons will be sold, with all proceeds going to L'Association Ruban Rose and La Ligue Contre Cancer tinyurl.com/OsezSauze

cErizay En rosE

29 October

Stade roger Quintard, Cerizay

Participate in the second 'Cerizay en Rose', a community walk and race against cancer Let's exceed last year's 1,450 participants and raise more funds for medical research cerizay-rose.fr

Memories Old and New

Stephen Shaw

Not only was the summer of 2023 a bumper year for tomatoes and blackberries at chez Shaw, but we have had a never ending supply of friends and family visiting Happy memories abound even though the waistline like the cost of living has increased exponentially and we don't know when it will stabilise

It was like a Chinese laundr y at times, with all the washing hanging on the line; the bottle bank took a pounding as did the scum line around the top of the swimming pool from all the suntan lotion

It is one of the great pleasures of living in France, 'making memories' (as ever yone seems to say these days) with family and friends who we have enjoyed spending time with

As children we went on several Canvas Holidays in Normandy/Brittany Piling into the car, a hodgepodge of suitcases strapped dangerously to the roof rack with an elasticated octopus We would take it in turns to go in the boot of our estate car, not a seat belt in sight, sliding about with rest of the camping gear The family size tent would be astronomically hot at night as we boiled in our sleeping bags and got bitten to death One night there was a torrential storm and my dad had to tr y and dig a moat around the tent perimeter with a plastic spade to stop us being washed away Happy memories

We enjoyed a summer holiday in Turkey one year well maybe not all of us My sister had a passing resemblance to Lady Diana in the early 80s, moustachioed Turkish gentlemen would stick their heads out of passing cars and shout “Lady Dee! Lady Dee! Hey, Lady Dee!” Happy memories

Suntan lotion hadn't been invented when we were children It wasn t a proper holiday if the skin on our ears hadn't bubbled and we couldn't peel great strips of skin of our shoulders like parchment Ahh, happy memories

My parents were into the self-sufficiency movement when The Good Life was at its peak We had a melange of chickens ducks and pi

The doyen self-

sufficiency was a chap called John Seymour who had written two bible on the subject and which his wife, S had illustrated For two consecutive summer holidays we participated in working holiday on their farm near Newport, Pembrokeshire It wasn't what Cliff Richard had in mind when Summer Holiday, but we enjoyed it

For two weeks dad would scroffle about on his hands and knees planting leeks, mum would help with the cheese making and we would have the time of our lives playing on dangerous farm equipment Mum was a keen apiarist (having a couple of hives at home) and one day asked if I would like to come and see how the honey was collected She had brought her own suit but I was to wear an old suit that had been kicking about a barn, the ones with the mesh box you put on your head

After opening and blasting smoke into one of the hives I felt a shooting pain in the back of my head How did that happen, I'm wearing a protective suit? Then I saw a bee crawling on the inside of my mesh helmet I was stung again several bees were now angrily flying around inside my hood I was like a human snow globe I was unable to fend them off, because of the protective head gear, which seemed to be working in the bees favour All I could do was dance about jerking from side to side as the stings kept coming Mum started puffing smoke into my face which didn't help Turns out there was a blooming great hole in the back of the hat Having been stung about thirty times my head was pulsating like a Belisha beacon and I had to go to bed for the rest of the day Happy memories

Once we were returning from one of our holidays tired and irascible We three children were arguing about something probably whose turn it was to go in the boot Dad was a man on the edge “If you don't stop arguing, I'll stop the car and you can walk home!” After a period of calm the arguing started again Right, that s it! he shouted pulled in lent over my mother and opened the rear passenger door “OUT!”

Stunned silence Then foot steps were heard and a hair y hippy with a guitar jumped into the back seat with us “Cheers man, thanks for the lift!

Happy memories

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

3 October 1990 Less than a year after the fall of the Berlin Wall East and West Germany are reunited, marking an end to 45 years of division that had symbolized the Cold War

The reunification process, which involves talks between officials from both German states and international powers culminates in Helmut kohl becoming the first chancellor of the unified Germany

to protect his employees from deportation to death camps In 1962 Yad Vashem Israel's Holocaust remembrance agency declared him a Righteous Gentile

10 October 732 The Battle of Tours takes place with the Christian Frankish leader Charles Martel triumphing over a large force of Spanish Moors, stopping their advance into Western Europe This victory solidifies Martel's family dynasty, the Carolingians

20 October 1973 The Sydney Opera House is officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II

The iconic structure with its distinctive geometric roof shells was a creation of Danish architect Jørn Utzon The inaugural performance was Sergei Prokofiev s War and Peace" by the Australian Opera

22 October 1797 André-Jacques Garnerin performs the first notable parachute jump from a hydrogen balloon 3,200 feet above Paris His prototype parachute a 23-foot diameter canopy attached to a basket oscillates wildly due to the lack of an air vent However, Garnerin lands safely half a mile from his take off site

4 October 1957 The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 1 the world's first artificial satellite marking the onset of the Space Age This artificial satellite with a diameter of approximately 56cm and weighing 83 6kg orbits Earth once every hour and 36 minutes

13 October 1957 The Amazing Colossal Man a science-fiction thriller makes its debut in cinemas The story revolves around Lt Colonel Glenn Manning, who survives a plutonium explosion only to undergo a startling transformation, growing to a towering height of 60 feet

24 October 1945 The United Nations Charter becomes effective marking the birth of the United Nations This international organisation replaces the League of Nations aiming to arbitrate global conflicts and negotiate peace more effectively while laying out principles for human rights, justice, international law, and social progress

25 October 1415 During the Hundred Years’ War king Henry V of England leads his forces to a significant victory at the Battle of Agincourt (Bataille d Azincourt) in northern France Despite being vastly outnumbered the English used their innovative longbows and strategic positioning to defeat the heavily armoured French knights

9 October 1974 German businessman

Oskar Schindler dies in Hildesheim, northern Germany known for saving 1 200 Jews during the Holocaust Schindler employed workers from the Jewish ghetto in his enamelwork factory Despite being a member of the Nazi Party, he risked his life

14 October 1066 The Battle of Hastings sees the defeat of England s king Harold II by William the Conqueror s Norman forces The battle ends with Harold's death and marks the conclusion of Anglo-Saxon rule in England William was crowned the first Norman king of England on Christmas Day heralding a significant shift in English history

The French language became prominent in the king s court, gradually merging with Anglo-Saxon to form modern English

19 October 1989 The Guildford Four, convicted for the 1974 IRA pub bombings in Guildford and Woolwich, are acquitted after almost 15 years in prison The evidence against them including coerced confessions and questionable forensic data was discredited leading to their release and the subsequent exoneration of the associated Maguire Seven

30 October 1938 Orson Welles radio play

The War of the Worlds is broadcast The dramatic storytelling based on the H G Wells science fiction novel, depicts a realistic Martian invasion of Earth, causing panic among listeners

SIRET: 820 918 316 00028

The Blame Game

Lear ning to be kinder to ourselves

This article was late I forgot to do it I missed the deadline, I inconvenienced people around me who relied on me to do what I said I would do, when I said I'd do it

I dropped the ball and there was no one to blame but me

But blame is such a terribly loaded word

It's been a judge, a jury, a witness, a prosecutor and a persecutor for most of us our whole lives

For some, it's a word that can bring to the surface so many negative emotions and thoughts that it's one we could all do without

That's not to say that we shouldn't feel any remorse when we do something that is wrong or has a negative impact on ours or other people's lives We all should acknowledge our wrongs, put them right wherever possible and learn from our mistakes One of the most beautiful things about life lies in our ability to change for the better, no matter how old we are

But blame? How about we do without the word all together? Let's just never use it again

Shakespeare wrote: What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet

Well, on this occasion, regardless of the Bard's genius, I really believe he was wrong

Words matter

Names matter

And how those words and names affect us matters

Even when someone has done something so terrible that you feel fully justified in using 'blame', the weight of the word can hold you down Blame doesn't let go easily but it's always for the best to rid it from your life everywhere you can Also, it's important to realise that blame is often not external at all - The person often most cruel, unkind and unjust to us is ourselves

I'd bet that many people reading this article will, without a thought, call themselves and idiot when they make a mistake Yet most of those wouldn't dream of calling someone else an idiot

Negative words affect how we see ourselves on the inside

And negative thoughts do so to an even greater extent

So if you can relate to this (and I'm sure we all can to a greater or lesser extent) then please try to be kind to yourself Don't play the blame game with yourself or anyone else for that matter No good comes of it

Instead, be even in your judgement and fair in your assessments Whether you're the judge, the judged or botheliminating blame will make us all a little happier and more content

And If you want a little more happiness in your life, well who can blame you?

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

I talk a lot about ‘body awareness’ in my classes But what does this mean exactly?

You might think, “Well, I’m aware of my body I tell my hand to move and it moves ” Or else “I’m aware of my body It hurts!” The word Yoga comes from the same root as the word ‘yoke’ It means to literally ‘yoke’ or connect the body and the mind Yoga means to bring more attention to all our actions: the physical, verbal and mental We begin on the physical level because for most people this is the easiest place to start Body awareness is learning to bring more noncritical attention to one’s body in order to

Everyday yoga for everyone What is Body Awareness?

first become aware of our negative physical habits, and then to undo those habits, and to form new ones that serve us better

All of this requires attention; first and foremost, because we cannot change something we’re not aware of In yoga, we learn to create a habit of observing the body (and the mind but we’ll stick to the body for now) We begin to make a new habit of checking in with ourselves, with our posture, with our breathing At first we learn to do this several times a day Later, we learn to do it much more often You might imagine that this takes a lot of concentration and brainpower but that’s not the case at all

Do you ever see a learner vehicle in front of you, moving tentatively around the roundabout, and you suddenly remember what it was like when you first learned to drive? This tentativeness is what many people feel when they first begin a yoga course Having to think through every motion, none of it feeling natural, a lot of it feeling a bit dangerous, and wondering when you’re going to ‘get the hang of it’ But remember how quickly the act of driving became second nature to you?

Now you can drive while thinking about what you need from the shops, even talk to someone else, while still having enough awareness to change gears, turn the wheel and stop at traffic lights In the same way, with the practice of yoga, in your daily life you learn to ‘drive’ your body with this kind of background attention, while also attending to other things

Eventually, as you progress in the practice of body awareness, as you go about your day, you develop a positive habit of making the minor adjustments of back and head posture, foot and hand positions, firming up or releasing tension as needed, changing your breathing style and rhythm, and so on, to help you to protect yourself and function more efficiently, just as you operate the gears and pedals of your car to ensure that you reach your destination as safely and as efficiently as possible

For information on my Thursday morning ‘Aging Gracefully’ class please contact me at: lavieenyoga@gmail com

Respect yourself, explore yourself

come to use the tools bring their own projects that might need some help to work on or simply a place to come for a cuppa and a chat If there is sufficient interest we will look to grow the initiative which would allow us to run events and demonstration workshops

For many people, taking the leap into starting a new life in France, comes with a mixture of excitement and trepidation

There are many things that take time to get used to as you settle into your new way of life, which includes the ways in which people interact with one another Some find making friends easy especially if you have a good level of conversational French whereas others find it more challenging to find places and activities to get involved with Social involvement is incredibly important for your health as well as your physical and mental wellbeing and as such, is often something that becomes a priority for many

Over the last 6 months, we have been converting one of our outbuildings into a multi purpose space with a range of tools and machines for woodworking upcycling and repairing items as well as equipment such as laser engravers, sewing machines as well as many other craft tools and materials Although there is still work to be done it is now in a place where we can share it with others We have decided to call the outbuilding “ The Repair Shed” and would like to open it up as a place for people to

Many people have a wealth of knowledge skills and experience that could be shared We want to open up the opportunity for anyone to join us in The Repair Shed so that we can help to build a safe community space where anyone feels comfortable to come and spend some time doing something creative or talking to people with similar interests

The concept of The Repair Shed is based on an initiative that started in Australia in the 1980 s called Men in Sheds which has proven results in helping to support people with improving their mental and physical wellbeing The Repair Shed is slightly different to this as anyone can become a member and the extra bonus is it is only 10 euros a year to join We are registered as a formal Association in France under reference W791006052

If you are interested in finding out more about The Repair Shed or would like to receive a membership form we would love to hear from you You can contact Elf or Lisa by email: therepairshed@naturalcrafts eu by phone 05 49 80 39 57 via our website naturalcrafts eu/the-repair-shed/ or by post 10 rue des Coudriers La Coudre 79150

We are always grateful for any donations of tools or equipment that you may no longer need but might be of use to someone else in The Repair Shed, if you would like to make a tool or equipment donation, please get in touch

Book Club

Presentation is all!

Alison Morton

Whether you’re sending your completed novel to an agent or publisher, an article to a magazine or a short story to a competition, you will put yourself well ahead of others if you set it out in the standard publishing industry format It shows you’ve done your homework and taken a professional approach

Publishers will format it in their own house style if they take it on, but if you present your work in the expected way, they will have less work to do and thus look at your manuscript more favourably

For novels, you’re usually asked to send in the first 50 pages or three chapters plus a one-page synopsis of the story This varies from agent to agent and publisher to publisher – they can ask for the whole thing to be emailed as a Word document – so do check on their website and send exactly what they ask for

The pages of your story should be set out in one-and-a-half or double spacing This looks weird at first, but you get used to it These days it’s a simple ‘Select All’ and change the line spacing function in the paragraph dialog box operation Use a standard serif font like Cambria, Times New Roman, or Garamond and 12pt size Points are deducted for Comic Sans or green ink!

For articles and short stories, the same formatting applies, but you send the whole thing in down to the detail

British typesetting uses single speech marks for dialogue and double for quotes within dialogue And your dialogue should be indented so it’s easily visible You can make this default by using the ‘First line indent’ selection in the Paragraph dialog box Each time you do a return, the next line will automatically indent Ditto for the start of a new paragraph, except for the first one in a new chapter or after a scene break

Please don’t indent by typing five spaces – it drives editors, typesetters and formatters mad!

There is no need to make a line break (‘Return’ on the keyboard) except at the end of a scene when you want to go to another location or start the next scene further on in time within the same chapter In fiction manuscripts, it’s usual not to justify the text to the right as well unless the agent or publisher asks you to

Complicated? I thought so at first, but once you get used to it, it will come naturally You can research this layout in the paperbacks on your bookshelves, but here’s an example from my short story The Sand Beneath Her Feet:

Mel read the special deliver y letter ag ain T his was ridiculous. She was due to leave her job as an intellig ence analyst with the French Ar my within weeks yet she’d been rostered for an operation With the letter was an order telling her to re por t to the bar racks at Strasbourg by 18:00 tomor row evening at the latest.

‘Do you have to g o?’ Gérard asked. ‘Can’t your colonel g et somebody else?’

Mel exchang ed glances with her father, Henri des Pittones. He didn’t do anything as undignified as roll his eyes, but he looked steadily at the young er man without smiling

‘I am still on strength with the Ar mée de Ter r e until my contract r uns out, darling,’ she re plied ‘I’m sure you must understand that ’

‘Well, my mother won’t be happy as she wanted to meet you in Paris about the wedding ar rang ements ’

‘I realise there’s a lot to do but that’s months away!’

‘Come on, Mélisende, these things take ag es to ar rang e Or so she says ’ His tone was almost petulant Mel would much rather they could just g o to the mairie for a civil ceremony with families only and then g et on with their lives as a couple. -----

You’ll also see that foreign language words are written in italics Although a sprinkle of non-English words can add flavour, it’s wise to keep them to a minimum and, if necessary, find a roundabout way using context to explain them But the odd bonjour, salve or guten Tag is fine

Happy writing!

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

This month’s book reviews Book Club

A Light to Guide Us Home

by Dianne Haley

review by Jacqueline Brown

This is the third book in a series but can be read as a standalone novel and despite not having read the first two books, this didn’t spoil my enjoyment I found I easily slipped into the lives of Valérie and Philippe, as they bravely put themselves into ever increasingly dangerous situations to help others affected by the war and the occupation of France, from German infiltrated Geneva and over the border into Italy At a time in their lives when they should have been able to celebrate being with each other, doing what they knew was right, meant separation, fear and anxiety

Then there was the Lieberman family, who thought Paris would offer them a safe haven, only for the Occupation to tear them apart Clara’s escape journey, alone and at high risk, was emotional and I can’t imagine what the thousands of children like her had to live through during that time With each chapter focussing on a different character ’ s stor y, it was Hannelore, Clara’s aunt, who I found myself bonding with the most The decisions she made, and the risks she took staying in Paris, were brave and centred only on helping those around her despite her heartbreak and the mission she knew she had to accomplish

This is definitely a book for those of you who are drawn to historical fiction set amidst the selfless underground Resistance movement Set at a time when knowing who to place your trust in could be a matter of life and death, and the threat of tragedy for those you love only ever a heartbeat away It was easy to keep turning the pages in this emotional read

The Paris Maid

by Ella Carey

review by Jacqueline Brown

I’ve been a fan of Ella Carey ’ s writing since reading Paris Time Capsule and never fail to get excited when she releases a new book I wasn’t disappointed with The Paris Maid, which is another immersive read with characters who drew me in to their stories

Paris is coming to the end of its Occupation, and I loved the sense of ner vousness Ella created amid the excitement

The Resistance is active, many Germans have left Paris, but the Nazi’s have not given up There are still arrests, French citizens are still hiding the allies, danger is all around In the midst of this, Louise keeps cleaning the rooms at the Ritz, rooms occupied by Nazi s, by French long-term residents and others, hidden in plain sight

Many years later, for a family fractured by hidden truths, the question that needs to be answered is who was Louise? The maid who worked at the Ritz The mother who hid her histor y from her daughters The loving granny who Nicole misses now she is expecting her first child As Nicole puts all her energies into reconnecting her family ties and untangling the lies, it was the dramatic twists in the plot that I really enjoyed The surprise directions Louise’s stor y took kept me guessing, and discovering the truth as the emotional stor y revealed itself, was a treat to look for ward to at the end of the day

If you enjoy the suspense of historical fiction set during The Occupation, I’m sure you will feel at home in the pages of The Paris Maid

Jacqueline Brown

Ever y year the commune of ChefBoutonne puts on an array of events to ensure a lively summer vibe for residents and tourists One of the afternoon events I attended this year was a guided visit to the local trout farm at Lussais Run by a brother and sister team, with occasional help from their parents who bought the business in the 1980 s the farm raises rainbow and brown trout from eggs to table

The first part of the visit was to the fish pens that are fed directly from the Boutonne river and on a hot day, crossing the shaded mill race to reach them, cooled the air nicely The first pens contained the smaller rainbow trout many of which will be released into the fishing lakes next year or even into the local rivers This ensures the fisherman have something to catch, enabling the numbers of local river fish to improve The larger pens contained the less active, bigger fish, those who were almost ready for the local shops, markets and restaurants

Next stop was the processing and smoke rooms The family do their own smoking, using an old wood-fired smoker, sustainably fuelled with wood from their land that is fired up ever y Monday Then came the tasting part of the visit We got to sample their speciality, whole hot smoked trout, where the skin just peeled off and the fish flaked easily from the bones Part of the experience was a demonstration turning this into a delicious creamy apero dip which we enjoyed alongside the thinly sliced smoked trout fillets and the tiny jewel-like eggs, with a chilled apero, ser ved in the shade of the chestnut trees in their garden

If you are local to Chef-Boutonne, I would recommend a visit and you can buy direct from the farm on Monday to Friday 9am to midday and 2pm to 6pm plus Saturday from 9am to midday

There was a time a few years ago when the lingering smell of simmering vinegar was a constant summer odour in my kitchen and my chutney cupboard was

always well-stocked with as many flavours as we have trees in the orchard At some point this summer I made the shocking discover y that my chutney reser ves had gone beyond critical levels, in fact, the cupboard was bare

As our summers have become busier juggling work with our need to explore further afield by bike there is less time for gardening and that inevitably means less ingredients (and time) for chutney making too With another season drawing to a close at the château, I needed a new focus and restocking the chutney cupboard seemed a good place to start The weather this summer might not have been my ideal cycling weather but with plenty of wind and a decent apple har vest a windfall apple chutney recipe was an easy choice With fresh ginger a hint of turmeric and a touch of chilli, it will be a warming addition to cheese platters, but I’ve yet to tr y it with the smoked trout

Work ExperiencE

The next generation working with the animals

October is a month where we’ve just moved into autumn; summer may have lingered a little longer this year, but autumn really starts creeping in, and at the end of this month, we all need a break after a few weeks back at work or indeed, school or college

For some students, there’s no time for a break; this is the time for work experience, or, as it’s called in France, a stage An introduction for some who have yet to start working This is a taster into the future, a chance to see if their chosen profession really is for them, or perhaps for those with an open mind of what their future may look like, it’s a trial of a working sector they may consider

At La Petite Ferme d’Alpagas Sanzay, we’ve had the pleasure, in our short two and a half years of being open, of hosting three stage students so far At first, it did feel a little daunting to be self-employed and have the responsibility for someone’s first experience of the working world, and that’s without forgetting the potential language barrier While we operate our alpaca experiences in both English and French, the idea of spending seven hours a day with a teenager was a little intimidating - for both us and the student, we’re sure! However, I must say it was the best practice we could have hoped for I’ve always been jealous of British children being submerged in French schools and language, and here was our opportunity

So where to start? Well, for us, we always invite them to the farm for an informal chat first and to set the scene for their week with us, and of course it’s important to cover simple information

such as start and finish times, lunch breaks if we provide lunch (we do, of course!), what they should expect us to cover over the week, and what we expect of them All the paperwork is signed, and contact details are exchanged between us both and their educators too

I think what’s so rewarding for us and them is that it’s not just an eye-opener for the students but for us too These students are our future generation and have some great ideas that are fresh and useful I always warn our students at the very beginning that I’ll be asking for their feedback and that I would like to hear three things about our farm that they could recommend we change or improve I have seen deer in the headlights looking back at me after I ask them this on their very first day, but I want this to be in their mind throughout their working time with us, and by the end, they seem quite at ease with it, and it’s a great resource for us

What work can a stage student expect at my farm? There are the obvious tasks: caring for the animals, which is what I think they think they’ll be doing for 7 hours a day for all 5 days when they first enquire with us Yes, this is a big part of the work and the most important They feed the animals, get to know them, clean up after them, and learn about the basic care of alpacas However, there is much more work to do on the farm than that, and we don’t even get them involved in the accommodation side of the business! I remember one stage student being surprised (in a good way) that a couple of hours of one day were spent weeding; we had an invasive toxic weed that had made its way onto the farm, and it needed removing for the safety of the animals We also get them involved in our marketing, which is a huge part of the job Anyone who’s selfemployed can tell you they are the CEO, the caretaker, the administrator, the accountant, the marketing department, and everything else in between So there is so much that our students get to experience with us

We know our students get a lot out of their time with us, and honestly, we do too One of my favourite tasks I set was for a student to create a blog of their

experience for our website This also gave me an insight into the day through their eyes, and I was so pleasantly surprised at how much they were enjoying their time Another was when a student and I were over-seeding a field where the grass was thinning a little (October is a great growing season), and Will was harrowing in front of us getting the ground ready when suddenly he jumped off the vehicle and came running past us in quite a comical style shouting "wasps nest!" To have someone else to share this with was great in itself, but months later we were also told it made a great feature in their verbal presentation to their teacher and class, which they got a great grade for!

We look forward to welcoming so many more stage students for the October and February school holidays and would be happy to chat with any students interested in spending their stage with us Please get in touch Similarly, we can share our experiences with those who are also interested in opening their doors to host students We highly recommend it!

Sophie Hargreaves

A to Z of the Communes of the Deux-Sèvres

Villiers-en-Plaine

Villiers-en-Plaine, located northwest of Niort, is a rural commune on the Niort plain With a population of 1,798 residents (2020), its history dates back to when it was a lakeside village called Villac The village underwent changes when the lake disappeared around 1350, transforming both its landscape and lifestyle

During the Middle Ages, the village was renamed Villiers In the 16thC, it acquired the name Villiers-en-Plaine, which it still holds today This name change reflects the village's evolution over the centuries

Excavations in Villiers-en-Plaine revealed three phases of occupation spanning from the 11th to the 20th centuries Discoveries include pottery, storage containers, a forge associated with the Jamin family, and historical documents dating back to the late 16thC The Jourdain family held the lordship, which encompassed a castle, court, prison, and a thriving community Conflict led to destruction, damaging the church and priories The village's history is marked by Protestantism and street names from the late 16th century Communal facilities like an oven and windmill were present, and the Saint-Laurent priory fireplace featured scallop shells symbolising hospitality for pilgrims

The feudal castle is a notable historical landmark in Villiersen-Plaine Originally built in the 9thC by Norman invaders who later became the lords of the area, the castle stands as a reminder of the village's turbulent past In 1242, the castle was destroyed under the orders of Saint-Louis but was later rebuilt by the Jourdain d'Embleville family in the 15thC

The Fixer

The castle changed ownership through marriage, eventually passing to the de La Forterie family in 1868 They remained stewards of the castle until 1954 Today, the castle serves as the town hall and is located at the heart of the village, surrounded by a 7-hectare wooded park The castle's former outbuildings have been converted into a children's space and a library Villiers-en-Plaine also boasts other points of interest The St-Laurent church is a significant landmark along the Deux-Sèvres pilgrimage route It was given to the Benedictine priory of Saint-Laurent in 1080 and underwent reconstruction in the 15thC, with a bell tower added in the 19thC The church is the final resting place for members of the Jourdain d'Embleville family

In addition, Villiers-en-Plaine is home to the remains of an 18th-century dovecote in La Garde, with one pillar built on the base of a column from the ancient pagan temple of Ceres There is also the Gallic path of the Chevaleret, a mule track used for transporting charcoal from the Secondigny forest, from Saint-Maixent to Fontenay via Villiers

The village offers various walking routes, allowing visitors to explore its natural beauty Further details about these walking tours can be found on the village's official website

Zena

Val Assist Translation Services

Scallop shells on the chimney of the Saint-Laurent Priory

From Denial to Discovery

My Wake-Up Call to Breast Cancer Screening

to review the images After about 10 minutes, the doctor entered and told me that an ultrasound was necessar y I expected to book another appointment but to my surprise, she performed the scan immediately

The doctor returned to her office to write up her report, indicating a small anomaly While 98% of such anomalies are benign, a controle in 6 months was recommended She handed me the report along with a set of x-rays and scans in case I decided to seek another opinion in the future There was no payment required, as ever ything was covered by the screening programme in France

Six months later I returned to the same doctor and repeated the process

Thankfully ever ything appeared normal and I resumed the usual cycle of mammograms ever y two years The most dangerous part of the visit was when the doctor nearly ran me over with her car while rushing to her next appointment

Cancer was something I never imagined would affect our family Sure, there was a histor y of breast cancer with my aunt and cousin, but I foolishly believed it happened to other families That all changed when my sister discovered a lump eighteen months ago Despite previous scares I didn t pay much attention when she mentioned going for a mammogram outside of her regular screening cycle

However, after being called back for more tests, reality hit hard What started as a routine screening turned into scans, a titanium marker placement, and a biopsy The terrifying news came next: she had aggressive triple negative breast cancer The BRCA tests were negative ruling out any hereditar y factors It was simply the worst kind of luck

Due to COVID I had missed my first mammogram in the Uk Yes I did the normal monthly checks but when I moved to France, I became nonchalant about the situation, thinking cancer only affected other people But this bombshell shattered that illusion Suddenly I realised it could happen to me too I panicked and filled the fridge with soya products, pledged to give up alcohol and discarded all the dair y Then, the realisation hit me that a mammogram was the wiser choice

I had recently been enrolled in the

and promptly booked the first available appointment Normally, I wouldn’t bother with language options but this time I felt the need for the security of an English-speaking doctor

At that point I was still registered with CPAM in the Maine-et-Loire, so my appointment was at the Centre de Radiologie in Saumur I was terrifiedafraid of embarrassing myself, forgetting how to speak both French and English and most of all, afraid of what the scan would reveal

I remembered seeing portacabins outside supermarkets in the Uk , hearing from friends and relatives about the test taking place and the agonising wait for the all-clear or a call back It was always described as basic and done on a tight budget

As I walked into the clinic in Saumur, the first thing that caught my eye was the chandelier I couldn’t help but burst out laughing and immediately sent a photo to my cousin a radiographer in Bristol, who found it equally amusing I handed over my carte vitale and test voucher then was called into the x-ray room There was nothing glamorous about standing topless while answering questions about my family and medical histor y, but it was necessar y The actual test itself felt like being squashed into a toasted sandwich maker, with the x-rays

So, how difficult was the process? Surprisingly not at all I was impressed by the speed and efficiency of ever ything - from booking the test to receiving the results I had worried that my French would fail me, but it didn’t matter The staff were consummate professionals, accustomed to seeing all shapes and sizes on a daily basis Their focus was on checking my health not scrutinising my French vocabular y

If you receive an invitation for breast screening my advice is to promptly book the appointment Endure a few minutes of discomfort and then either be reassured that ever ything is all right or receive exceptional care from the French health ser vice It’s important to note that all screening ser vices are provided free of charge Mammograms are covered by the national screening program, and any cancer treatment falls under the categor y of Affection Longue Durée (ALD), so reimbursed at 100%

Unfortunately, my sister is still undergoing treatment This issue is dedicated to her, as well as all the other brave individuals and their families around the world - women and men alike - who have battled, are currently battling or have yet to face this dreadful disease

Useful Links:

• depistagecancer-na fr

• ligue-cancer net/79-deuxsevres f

The Musician Angels - Part III - III

Some

churches where depictions of les Anges Musiciens can be found

The chapel of the Collégiale de Saint-Bonnet, Saint-Bonnet-leChâteau, Loire (42)

The Anges Musiciens found at Saint-Bonnet-le-Château are XIV cent fresques painted on the vault of a crypt/chapel under the main church building of the present collegiate church The crypt/chapel dates from early XIV cent or even earlier, and the present church was built in the early 1400s

There are many paintings in this chapel, primarily depicting the life of Mary, with the conventional scenes where she is present – the nativity, crucifixion, burial in the tomb and crowning However, on looking up at the vault, one finds Anges Musiciens and their counterparts, Anges Chanteurs, looking down upon the more terrestrial body of the chapel. The theological significant of these marvels of colour and portrayal is obscure; the instruments

themselves are worth a separate study and form part of the history and development of musical instruments

During the period when the fresques were painted, the town was growing in size and importance, possibly due to its position on trade routes from the old department of Forez, to the north, to Le Puy-enVelay (Haute-Loire), to the south, and farther The growing prosperity allowed the construction of a town wall and other defences against the marauding bands common in the times of civil and military unrest during the hundred years war The collegiate church was founded earlier, but the religious foundation it formed part of followed the town in prosperity and was rich enough to commission these fine fresques

In earlier times, the only formalised educational institutions were the great universities, such as at Paris, where the arts and theology were studied However, by the middle of the XIV cent, a number of towns had started local schools teaching much the same subject matter but specialising in subjects of local interest Saint-Bonnet-leChâteau chose, perhaps because of the collegiate church and its tradition of church music, to specialise in music and gained a reputation for this By the XVI cent, the town was known for its music This reputation and concentration on music is perhaps one of the reasons for the choice of les Anges Musiciens as decoration and for complementing the life of Mary scenes on the walls

The paintings in Le Mans cathedral, which earlier than those in the collegiate church of Saint-Bonnet, were possibly the physical inspiration for the religious establishment at Saint-Bonnet-le-Château to imitate Less is known of the spiritual motivation and the symbolic significance in the local context

Geographically, Saint-Bonnet lies closer to Italy than to Paris and certainly closer to Avignon and the papal seat there at the time One may suppose that there was some Italian influence on the artistic and spiritual expression of the fresques and in particular of les Anges Musiciens Certainly they appeared earlier in the XIV cent in Italy than in France – examples can be found in Venice, Florence and other Italian towns Similarly, it is probable that the humanistic movement in Italy similarly influenced theological thought in Saint-Bonnet and that such concepts as celestial harmony spread as a result of this influence Platonic astronomy views the stars as superior beings living in the sky, and one could suppose les Anges Musiciens to be a representation of these beings adulating God In the SaintBonnet paintings, each angel is attached to several stars

Theologians suggest that les Anges Musiciens are an aspect of non-earthly divine worship and adoration of God It is thus that the celestial Anges Musiciens complement the earthly scenes of the life of Mary and Jesus and the adoration thereof

I have not visited Saint-Bonnetle-Château, but during my first searches for information on

les Anges Musiciens, I found not only quite a bit of information on tourist web sites but also mention of the book Les Anges Musiciens de Saint Bonnet le Château (AMEditions) I have used both sources to write the above, admittedly with my own inevitable twist to things

The private chapel of the Château de Montreuil-Bellay, Maine-et-Loire (49)

Montreuil -Bellay is situated north of the Deux-Sèvres, south of Saumur The town is centred around a magnificent Renaissance château, on a promontory above the river

Thouet Built on and incorporating the remains of an earlier fortification, the site includes old town walls extending down to the river and, further on, to a bridge which formed a toll point for river traffic A very fine watermill, a collegiate and houses for the attached canons, and a vineyard all form part of the complex Very worthwhile a visit

by Howard Needs

Kernascleden, Morbihan, Drum or Tambourine

Le Mans Cathedral - Small Bagpipe

Château Montreuil-Belay, Maine-et-Loire, Plucked Rebec

The château itself houses two private chapels, one of which can be viewed by the visiting public It has retained its late XV cent fresques despite the hazards of history, which included being used as a women's prison during the revolution The fresques remaining are a complete vault with les Anges Musiciens and some wall paintings of the life of Mary The angels have been painted in the 16 panels formed by the ogives of the vault, and their form and

Above the altar is written a verse for female voices, devoted to Mary, which perhaps the musicians are supposed to accompany – yet another combination of the Queen of heaven and celestial choir and music All told a very complete example of les Anges Musiciens, in beautiful surroundings

The château has published a detailed information booklet, which is the source of some of this description

Chapelle Notre-Dame-duChevet, Cathédrale Saint-Julien, Le Mans, Sarthe (72)

I first visited Le Mans several years ago, before I had become interested in les Anges Musiciens, and paid a hasty visit to the cathedral, not knowing of the existence of the fresques of the angels in the chapel or of those in the stained glass of the north rose window A second visit last year specifically made with the angels in mind allowed a good set of photos to be taken

Construction of the present cathedral started in the XI cent, and the Chapelle Notre-Damedu-Chevet, which houses the paintings, was possibly commissioned by Queen Bérengère, wife of Richard Lion Heart, and was finished in 1235, after her death The chapel is a major eastward extension of the choir, and overlooks the “new” town (the old medieval town being more to the west and south)

more or less original condition and detail

The figures are all different in their costumes, poses and expressions and were clearly painted as individual compositions Their clothing in general is an underdress and a mantle or overgarment, both of which are visible The colours, patterns and details of the garments are individual and are not repeated The poses were chosen to fit the curved triangular space allotted to each figure, with the bodies and wings flowing to conform with the surround. Most are portrayed full length, but some are positioned sitting on a cloud without legs showing This wealth of minute attention to detail can also be seen in the different geometric and flowered paintings on the ridges of the ceiling vaults However, the chapel is not the only place in Le Mans cathedral which harbours les Anges Musiciens They can also be found in the rose window of the north transept –present, yes, but with no great detail

For the most part, I have found the information on this chapel presented here in an excellent book titled Les Anges Musiciens de la Cathédrale du Mans (Editions de la Reinette) - this in addition to my own observations

Chapelle Notre-Dame, Kernascélden, Morbihan (56)

but made mistakes – who wouldn’t make mistakes painting on one’s back with bad lighting and paint dripping in one’s face The painter tried to achieve a certain symmetry, with the left-hand angel being a musician and the right-hand one a singer, but in one panel the angels are reversed However, all of the right-hand figures have little “eyes” in their wings The instruments are easily identified, the faces and bodies are all well drawn, the clothes seem to be feminine, and the hair is light brown veering to blond –unusual in France Angels are traditionally considered as being unsexual; however, in many cases the long, flowing robes tend to make us Westerners think that they are feminine Just to confuse the issue, the French words ange and chanteur are both

masculine

posture conform to the triangular shape of the panels Following restoration work, the background is a strong blue colour and the arches are outlined in red and gold It looks as if the restorer has been very careful not to let their imagination fill in the deterioration The figures of the angels are low contrast, but their form and particularly the instruments can be clearly distinguished, as can the folds of their clothing They have wings but no halos, and their posture is that of musicians playing their instruments (within the constraints of the triangular panel) There are 16 angels, each playing a different instrument, all dating from the XVI century

In the chapel are the remains of paintings on the walls and window embrasures, but their subject matter is hardly recognisable The three vaults and the apse are, however, another matter These are home to paintings of 47 figures of les Anges Musiciens and les Anges Chanteurs commissioned by Gontier de Baigneux and realized in the period1370-1378 and attributed to Jean de Bruges court painter to King Charles V of France The word angel comes from the Greek aggelos, meaning messenger – a messenger between humans and God, always in movement

Photos taken before the present restoration show the paintings in a deplorable state, and it is only the knowledge and skill of the restorers that allows us to see them in their

The church at Kernaskleden is still richly ornamented with fresques, its choir and north and south transepts particularly so The Anges Musiciens and their counterparts, the Anges Chanteurs, are to be found on the arcs of the roof of the north transept There are four panels, each of which contains a pair of musicians and singers beautifully painted and showing very little degradation Each pair is portrayed with halo and wings and is set against a starred and clouded background, their celestial connections being very evident Each musician holds an instrument, each singer a roll of music with text; the colours are brown, yellow and, unusually, green, with outlines in black or brown – an altogether agreeable scene The painter was methodical

For Kernascléden, the information presented here is just based on what I have observed in my photos

Notes

There must be quite a few churches in France with fresques of the Anges Musiciens; I have visited only some 15 of them and I have another 5 or so on my “little list” Please contact me if you are interested in my overall list

This article is the third instalment in the series The first two instalments appeared in DSM for the months of August and September 2023.

Le Mans Cathedral - Drum with strings

Château Montreuil-Belay, Maine-et-Loire, Portable organ

Kernascleden, Morbihan, Bowed Mandore

Lan g uedoc Lan g uedoc

Part 2 part 2

Russ Adams

The beach resorts in the Northern Languedoc may be simpler, but they have one redeeming quality that makes up for it: wine There are vineyards everywhere and unlike other French wine growing regions, even the Appellation Contrôlée wines are reasonably priced These include Corbières, Minervois, Fitou, Limoux and many more We were only a few miles from Pinet (as in Picpoul de Pinet) and Marseillan, the home of Noilly Prat (the original vermouth) In addition to these, enormous quantities of excellent vin de pays wines are produced; we were buying from the barrel in the local store at just over 2€ a litre

SÈTE

Sète doesn’t look that interesting as you first enter, feeling partially modern and quite industrial, with a large port and a fishing fleet But, if you love seafood, it quickly redeems itself with restaurants serving the days catch and the produce from the massive Basin de Thau where oysters, mussels and other shellfish are grown The port area is extended by a grid of canals, these add to the port-side atmosphere

The main claim to fame of the town though is water jousting, where teams of rowers’ joust against other teams to unseat their man with an enormous pole Unfortunately, the season for this hadn’t yet started Seeing past pictures, it reminded us of “It’s a Knock Out”

the vast majority of restaurants we could find were either burger joints or Italian restaurants only selling pizza and pasta

CARCASSONNE

Carcassonne is very picturesque, interesting and engaging It consists of two town areas, La Cité and Ville Basse Ville Basse is interesting in its own right, with historic buildings and pleasant streets and squares But everyone comes to see the La Cité, the restored double walled fortified town on the hill; and it is glorious

The only problem when you enter, you are confronted with tourist shops selling children’s wooden swords and shields etc So instead of feeling like an historic monument it feels

NARBONNE

Leaving the northern coast of the Languedoc for Carcassonne we called in at Narbonne and were pleasantly surprised The centre of the town was compact and dominated by a medieval cathedral and adjoining fortifications and it was peaceful and quiet It may have helped that it was a Sunday The only problem we had in Narbonne was eating French food is almost always good, but

more like a theme park or a film set I compounded this by booking a hotel under walls of La Cité called Good Knight, complete with suits of armour and flickering wall torches We did enjoy it all though

LA CITÉ

The city was divided into two parts due to the Cathar Crusade and the rebellion of Trencavel Louis IX expelled the population from La Cité, allowing them to return only if they resettled on the other side of the river, forming the Bastide Saint-Louis, the lower part of the city The Cathars were a religious sect that gained popularity in southern France in the early 13th century The more devout among them practiced celibacy, abstained from eating meat, and believed in reincarnation for the righteous This religious dissent was met with severe consequences, as Pope Innocent III ordered a crusade led by the barons of Northern France to convert or eliminate the Cathars

The crusade lasted 20 years and resulted in numerous massacres Many southern Catholics fought alongside the Cathars, viewing the crusade as a northern land grab Abbot Arnaud Amalric, one of the commanders, allegedly responded to his troops' question about how to distinguish between Catholics and Cathars by saying, "Kill them all, the Lord will recognize his own " Up to 20,000 people were killed in Beziers, and 200 Cathars who refused to renounce their faith were burned in a mass pyre in Montsegur Those who survived the crusade faced persecution by the inquisition, enduring torture and death

CANAL DU MIDI

The Canal du Midi was built in 1681 and at the time was considered a masterpiece of engineering, with feeder reservoirs allowing the canal to rise 189 metres above sea level and succeeding in connecting the Atlantic to the Mediterranean It passes through Carcassonne so we decided to cycle some more of it Once clear of Carcassonne, it was lovely, albeit with much rougher towpaths Restaurants were available at the locks for much needed liquid refreshments

The pleasure boaters don’t operate the locks themselves it appears; permanent lock keepers open the motorised locks for them It must be said that the craft are much bigger than the average UK barge If you fancy cruising through France with very little to do but eat and drink this could be for you

Temperatures in Carcassonne were touching 40°C, the tourist office had given us a map showing a lake (La Cavayère), for swimming and leisure 20 minutes cycle away The cycle route was clearly signposted out of Carcassonne, but then completely disappeared We cycled up hills, through woods and even walked a narrow track you couldn’t cycle, in search of clues or a sign of the lake

After about an hour of this we cycled back to Carcassonne and discovered a second sign hidden about 50 metres off the original route We then cycled this and after about 40 to 50 minutes of tough cycling, found the lake It turned out to be worth the extreme effort as it had beach bars, swimming areas, water boarding, canoeing as well as an obstacle and slide area

Next month - catch up with Russ and Sher when they visit the Languedoc- Rousillion

Bringing the outdoors inside for...

Halloween s origins date back over 2 000 years On November 1, Europe's Celtic ancestors celebrated their New Year s Day called Samhain (SAH-win)

On Samhain eve what we now call Halloween spirits were believed to walk the Earth as they travelled to the afterlife

Nowadays, Halloween is met with mixed emotions some love the symbolism and games steeped in tradition some hate the commercialism of what it has become But it can be fun even if you don t want to make a huge event of this spooky festival!

In our home we have celebrated the tradition and added some games and more modern elements, but our

You will need:

• Some good-sized windfall apples

costumes are mainly hand-made and we try not to fill the house with plastic tat or sugar filled sweets

There are many ways to celebrate and have fun using nature here’s an easy and slightly gruesome idea that anyone can ‘enjoy’ using something you should easily be able to find for free in your garden or hedgerows, if not, you can get some cheaply in the supermarket at this time of year apples!

Apples have been linked to the very origins of Halloween dating as far back as 400 BC Many historians attribute the creation of Halloween to the Celtic tradition of putting out fruit and nuts for the gods at the change of seasons that happened around the end of October

• A sharp knife, vegetable peeler, apple corer and chopping board

• A bowl of water with a squeeze of lemon juice

• An oven or food dehydrator

How to make them:

•Children will need adult super vision when using a sharp knife, you may prefer for them to draw their design and you to make it for them

• Peel core and half each apple carefully

• Design and carefully car ve a face design into each apple half

• You will want to include lots of depth as fine lines will get lost once the apples have been shrunk Deep holes for eyes and mouth work well

• Once car ved, place in lemony water to prevent discolouration

• Once happy with your heads dr y in a cool oven or food dehydrator set to about 40C

• They don’t need to dr y completely but should feel dr y to the touch yet retain some give when squeezed gently How to ‘enjoy ’ them:

• The shrunken heads can be used to decorate Halloween drinks such as mulled

cider or wine they look rather spooky floating in a large bowl or cauldron!

• Floating in water coloured with red food colouring for apple bobbing

• Hung from strings for decoration

• Added to autumnal wreaths or home décor for some plastic-free Halloween decoration you could even add some to your fruit bowl for unsuspecting guests to pick up!

• Or you can simply eat them!

Sophie Stokes

Stay Connected

The latest trends in satellite TV and internet ser vices

Hello everyone Welcome to this month’s offering My word October already eh? Summer is over (probably) and the nights are drawing in Whilst some people love this time of year, I find it awkward It means I have to talk to Mrs W and if I do that I’ll end up making a faux-pas For example, when asked ‘does this look alright?’ whilst preparing to go out for an evening, what am I supposed to say? If I say yes then I’ll be accused of just wanting to hurry her along If I say no, well, you can imagine So what to do? The same applies when I’m asked if I’ve showered recently If I reply yes, she’ll suspect something is going on If I say no (my usual reply) I’m told I’m unhygienic I really can’t win Mrs W has said many times that I need to grow up, and that includes cutting out the silly innuendos But it’s so hard, I don’t know if I can pull it off

Trees are our friends so David Attenborough and Chris Packham would have us believe And I don’t disagree But, have they ever tried installing a satellite dish in a house surrounded by them? Satellite dishes really do require a clear line of sight and even if your system sort of works when looking directly at trees, you’ll almost certainly lose reception in wet and windy weather Unfortunately, there is sometimes no way around it Either no TV or some trees have to go Whilst I do not advocate the random felling of trees, it is something to consider when purchasing a property that you want to have satellite TV at The dish needs to point to the south-east (for UK TV anyway) and if you want TV, then you need a clear line of sight

Starlink is a brilliant satellite internet system However, one thing that can be overlooked is that - as standard in the box - it only comes with a 15 2m (50ft) cable which runs between the dish and the modem In quite a few cases, this is insufficient The cable is not like TV coax and cannot be extended (or indeed shortened) So, when ordering Starlink you need to have a good idea of where you’d like the modem to be situated in the house and roughly where the dish will need to go You can order longer cables when ordering the kit, but it can be frustrating if you don’t know the standard one is only 15 2m

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

Whilst on the subject of Freesat, it’s worth remembering that it can be very difficult and/or expensive to get the recording type units (Freesat+) sent to France Many companies will not send them outside of the UK They’ll work just fine here, but it’s usually easier and a whole lot cheaper to have one brought out with visitors if practical Just be careful at customs!

Don’t forget that if you have something like a Freesat HD or Sky HD receiver, or any satellite receiver with both an HDMI and scart socket, you do not need to connect both to the TV If you have an HD TV then you only need to use the HDMI connection as this can carry high-definition signals

Ditch the scart lead

Most satellite receivers ask you to create a PIN on first installation This is to prevent others from changing settings etc and in some cases to block the more adult channels This is a good thing However, forgetting what PIN you created is a bad thing It can be incredibly frustrating to know that all a receiver needs is a factory reset but that it can’t be done due to a forgotten PIN Most have a ‘master override’ but it’s not always easy to find out what it is Sometimes, it’s only available from the manufacturer Keep a note of the PIN

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

Taking Better Photographs... Cobwebs

By Steve Marshall

Tr y looking at it from different heights

If it is low down you may get the best light display by getting down to its level

Once you have decided what you want to shoot remembering that cobwebs can be small you will almost certainly need to get close or use a zoom

Beware the zoom on all but the most recent of mobile phones All they do is reduce the area of sensor used and create a picture with low resolution

Now look at the background Are there any items you would prefer not to include? If so can you adjust your position a little to avoid them? I have photographs of wonderful cobwebs marred by the item of gardening equipment in the background that I cannot quite lose

Consider the colours in your background They will probably end up out of focus but they will have an impact A uniform colour is unlikely to interfere with your image A more complex background may distract from the subject but it can also enhance it, so take some test shots

Many British people living in France have chosen old properties that they have renovated There is a joy in wooden beams and hidden corners which shows its downside when the local spider population seems to work night and day to create cobwebs

Accepting that cobwebs can cause cleaning issues I think spiders are our friends for at least two reasons The first is that spiders eat flies, which I really don’t like The second reason is that they create cobwebs, which can become wonderful opportunities for photography Indoor cobwebs that catch the light from a window can create gorgeous images, but the best are usually outside, so the cleaning must still be done

Not all cobwebs are photogenic but those that are can be enhanced most wonderfully by light rain or frost and at their best will create diamonds in the air

And the ingredient that can heighten these natural jewels is low light Not low in intensity but bright and from low in the sky

Rain helps clear dust from the air so light night rain can create the perfect

morning conditions Autumn and even winter can produce the best of cobwebs so there is no need to get up at four o clock Choose a still clear morning and go looking French agriculture can overdose on insecticides so areas away from fields are usually likely to be more productive Woods, parks and even your own garden may have some surprises I find aging vegetation a prime source

Once you find a favoured cobweb, just stop and walk about Move as far around it as you can and look at the light

Most straightfor ward subjects – people, flowers, buildings, landscapes, etc –have light falling on them and the photographer captures the light that comes back

Cobwebs are different So are rain and frost The shards of frost and the drops of rain and the silken threads of cobwebs reflect and refract and bounce light around

Move around and assess your options

Look at how the light falls and how it bursts forth Take a few test shots and see which you like

Cameras and mobile phones on auto will tr y to focus ever ything in a scene and that may include what is behind your chosen cobweb In the worst case they focus on the background and miss the fine strands of the spider s work Test shots can help check if this is a problem

If you do not want to use full Manual then select Aperture Priority – usually A

or AP on the camera ’ s dial, rather than Auto – and then set the aperture to the lowest number you can The camera will adjust shutter speed and ISO

If the cobweb is flat then it should all be in focus If it not then you may need to increase the aperture to capture what you want

Most mobile phones allow you to select a focus area Tap the screen and a yellow square will appear indicating the primar y area of focus The difficulty with cobwebs is their ver y ephemerality and this may not always work Test shots are recommended

The final task is composing your photograph Being a small subject you may have flexibility about where the main lines in your image will lie Do not be afraid to tr y more than one angle or position and enjoy your photography

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

The G uys V ine y ard

Autumn at The Vineyard

We are now well into Autumn at Clos Vieux Rochers and the colours are so rich and vibrant through the vines with the beautiful golds and reds of the foliage that is quite striking in the evening sun It is one of the most beautiful times of the year as the vines and trees that flow across our valley transition before losing their leaves and winter sets in

The Autumn is a time for tidying up around the vineyard after tending to the work of wine making each morning and evening This year being slightly different as we had a limited harvest, due to the severity of mildew caused by the high humidity this year and our transition to organic, this being the case we picked by hand and pressed straight away to produce our rosé which is a little different from our normal rosé Generally we take some of the juice from our production of our red before the colour changes too much, although we do like a rosé with a strong pink colour This is a traditional method from a red wine producing area However this year we pressed immediately after picking so the juice had only limited contact with the skin and soon we will be tasting the results

Throughout September we had a constant flow of guests and visitors to the vineyard and October is set to be the same The region is a drawer to visitors at almost any time of the year with towns like Saint Emilion, Bergerac, Duras and of course Bordeaux so accessible and less crowded through the Autumn and Winter months So many take the opportunity to visit at a time where long walks through the countryside are cooler and the streets of medieval villages are more like days gone by

We hope to welcome you to Clos Vieux Rochers very soon Until next month best wishes from The Vineyard Guys

by Rob Brimfield and Steve McMahon

by Peter Lowth

Fly fishing exposed

Great, you’ve chosen to fly fish! Here’s my step-by-step guide of how to start, so you can catch the game, coarse or predator fish of your dreams

Step 1 - Learn to cast

Casting is truly an art form, which takes practice, practice and yet more practice I advise my students to practice casting on a clear, flat area, such as a lawn that does not have trees, pylons or anything overhanging The aim is not to force a cast and trying to cast too far, the ideal is to cast with a smooth, fluid motion to produce an accurate and delicate presentation of the fly

There are many useful books and YouTube videos on casting techniques to help the beginner and improver, however, nothing beats practice Mastering the basic approach to the single haul cast (the simplest form of casting) is key This is where the rod is brought to the vertical position and the line is unfurled horizontally on the back cast The rod is then brought forward with a smooth, steady motion to shoot the line, leader and fly forward, to present the fly to any feeding fish

Like many things in life, it sounds easier than it is!

Invariably, for the beginner, the fly line drops behind the angler with the fly catching in the undergrowth or the line is brought forward too soon and catches the angler in the head Or in my wife’s case, incredibly she managed to catch the fly in my eyebrow, in the two inches of skin that was exposed between the top of my glasses and my cap - we are still married, but the memory lives long!

Step 2 - Buy the kit

There is a wide choice of fly rods and reels available both in-store, online and second-hand A basic, budget option is best for beginners until you have mastered the art of the cast or the frustration of casting proves too much! Rods are graded by length and casting weight, as are the reels An ideal length for a beginner would be a 9ft rod with a 5-7 weight fly line and a reel capable of storing a 5-7 line

A cap or hat and protective eyewear, preferably polarized, are required to protect your head from the fly as well as the sun, should it return this year! I would also recommend buying a fly vest for carrying your essential items such as: flies, line snips (scissors) and a disgorger

As for flies, where to start?

You can buy basic selection boxes of flies, which will cater for most coarse and game fish species, whether it is dry flies for surface fishing; nymphs and imitations for fishing through the water or weighted nymphs and lures for fishing deeper in the water The same entry-level selection boxes are available for sea and predator fishing too In addition to the flies, you will need nylon or fluorocarbon leaders to attach the fly to the casting line, for beginners these can be purchased ready-made

Step 3 - Find a venue

You can fly fish on rivers, streams and lakes as well as on and by the sea So, either decide on your preferred venue and then pick your target species or pick your ideal species which determines the venue! Fly fishing is nothing but flexible and caters for all

For beginners, I would recommend having a few lessons to get started and to learn how to cast correctly As an instructor, I have helped many new anglers master the basics of casting and fly fishing However, after 40+ years of fishing, I am still learning and practicing new casting skills and techniques, so go on, find a large empty space and get casting!

So till next month, tight lines!

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

Fly Fishing Flies

Carp caught on the fly, June 2023

Fly Fishing Tackle

Fly Fishing Rods & Reels

xing Lyrical Amanda Baughen

this instance is from the Old German/Anglo Saxon word ‘wahsan’ (similar to the modern-day word ‘wachsen’, to grow) and means ‘to increase in size’ It is really only used in terms of the moon, waxing and waning throughout its month’s orbit around the Earth Undaunted by this discovery, I still want to talk passionately about beeswax in this article

As autumn approaches our beekeeping jobs are mainly concerned with ensuring our colonies have enough food to see them through the lean winter months (which, ideally, is the honey they have been making during the summer) We also make sure that their homes are safe and secure: entrances are reduced to help deter unwanted guests, gaps are sealed and any damage to the hives is repaired

Having harvested any surplus honey at the end of summer (only amounts over

and above what they will need to live through the winter), we also have a fair amount of wax Cappings from the honey extraction process, plus any old used wax that is too dirty to return to the bees The autumn months are the ideal time to sort out all the wax we have, and there are several options available to us First of all, the wax has to be separated from anything and everything else eg traces of honey, propolis, bee detritus etc This is done by either steaming the frames or boiling the pieces of wax, and the result is an amount of cleaned beeswax that can then be filtered

There are many uses for beeswax and these dictate how many rounds of filtration are required At its most basic it can be taken to the larger beekeeping suppliers and exchanged for sheets of pre-pressed foundation wax ready for the next season As it takes around 8kg of consumed honey for bees to produce 1kg of wax, you can easily see how important it is for us not to waste this precious commodity

We filter our wax primarily to be used in our wax workshops which we run over the winter months By melting down and filtering several kilos of wax, we ensure we have enough for attendees to make a variety of items such as candles, tealights, Christmas tree decorations, and beeswax food wraps By filtering the wax a third time to ensure it is ultra-refined, and combining it with calendula oil, we are able to make soothing lip balms However, our favourite thing is to produce furniture polish by combining beeswax with natural turpentine The smell works just as well as a Proustian madeleine for invoking memories of childhoods spent visiting grandparents’ homes!

Raising the tone a little, Ian Swanson waxed lyrical last December in an article which appeared in the Edinburgh Evening News about the Scottish Parliament bees In 2014 a local beekeeper managed to persuade the management team at Holyrood that hives on the roof would be a good idea There are now around half a million bees across 11 hives that happily pollinate the Parliament Gardens, Holyrood Park and the wildflower meadow around Arthur’s Seat Stuart Hood of Hood’s Honey harvests the surplus honey which is sold in the Parliament’s gift shop, but also collects and refines the wax This beeswax is destined for great things: it is used to seal every act passed by the Scottish Parliament and to fill the Great Seal of Scotland Not a bad effort from a few thousand striped insects!

If you’re interested in finding out more, please visit our website www 13bees co uk, or get in touch by email info@13bees co uk, or call us on 05 45 71 22 90 Amanda and Kevin Baughen, 13 Bees, Confolens

ighly ut our yrical’ ested hat’s x’ in

Spicing up the Deux-Sèvres

Have you ever wondered who writes the recipes that appear in the Deux-Sèvres Monthly? Look no further Sujatha Otzen, a professionally trained chef who works with locally sourced ingredients, tells us more about her laid-back cooking courses at Closerie les roches where she shares the best of indian and French cuisine

If you travel to the north of DeuxSèvres, you'll come to the small village of Bouillé-Loretz It sits at the heart of a tranquil area known for its many fine wineries, where you can find some of the best Anjou rosé Saumur sparkling wines and fruity Cabernet Francs What you would probably not expect to find is some of the best Indian cooking this side of Paris That's exactly what's on offer since the start of this summer at Closerie les Roches And even better you get to learn how to make it yourself

The workshops are run by Sujatha who moved to the village in the summer of 2019 with her husband Peter and their then toddler son They had fallen in love with a wonderful former wine estate that held a 19th centur y manor house with a generous kitchen as well as plenty of outbuildings to convert into a rental business It was quite the change from their previous city and office based lives

They had in fact spent the majority of their working days sitting at their computers churning out emails and the like, and were looking for a fresh start, a place where they could be masters of their own time, and a place where Sujatha could share her passion for cooking Three years later they have successfully completed the conversion of a massive barn and stable into two gites that opened for guests this

summer With guests coming in and the renovation work done, it was time to start cooking

Sujatha grew up in the coastal city of Visakhapatnam in the South of India and always had a deep love for cooking

She was raised in a family that put food front and centre and as a little girl she would watch her mother preparing the day's meals from scratch Freshly made rotis, tasty idlis and dosas, delicious curries and plenty of fresh mangoes and coconuts to go around Joining a well-known search engine company, her work soon took her out of India and as she travelled around the world she kept her love of food alive through her blog After spending time in Ireland, where she met Peter, and several years in California the family ended up in Paris

There, in the autumn of 2018, she decided it was time for a change and she enrolled in a five month intensive professional cooking course at Ferrandi, Paris Her time there taught her the foundations of classic French cooking and just as importantly, the know-how and skills needed to work in a professional kitchen She followed it up with an internship at the reputed Parisian bistronomic restaurant L'Epi Dupin renowned for its zero-waste approach to food and cooking

Her goal all along was to find a way to share the joy of cooking with others and over past few months she has been running courses in the revamped kitchen of the manor house The halfday sessions usually start in the morning and end with a leisurely lunch where the participants enjoy the fruits of their labour And the focus of the first set of workshops? Well, of course it had to be Indian

But how to do this in the French countr yside? Where can you find the right ingredients? While it may be true that the list of spices used in some

dishes can run ver y long indeed, it is entirely possible to make Indian food without having to source elusive herbs and spices This is one of the main focuses of Sujatha's workshops - help people recreate simple and satisfying dishes using ingredients readily available in local supermarkets

One of Sujatha s other goals is to shine a light on lesser-known parts of Indian cuisine The workshops include recipes such as Moru curr y (a tempered yoghurt curr y) and 'Ularthiyathu' (a slow cooked beef dish) These are typical dishes from southern India and are not as famous as butter chicken or rogan josh but are definitely as delicious and deser ve their own spotlight

In the end Sujatha's main goal is to provide a relaxing atmosphere in her kitchen where ever ybody can have fun while learning something new Her hope is that you will leave relaxed but confident that you can recreate the same tasty dishes back home

For more info on Sujatha's workshops, please contact +33 7 84 37 29 91 or visit www closerielesroches com

October in the garden

urgency to complete pending tasks before winter sets in Yet, there's beauty in this transition, and with a little effort, you can ensure your garden is prepared for the colder months ahead and positioned for a glorious spring revival

OCTOBER TO-DO LIST

October’s gardening tasks are plentiful, but don't be daunted Each task completed now will contribute to a healthier and more vibrant garden in the spring

Lift Dahlia Tubers and Cannas

as the year progresses and the calendar turns to October, we enter a season of transformation the garden, once bursting with the vibrant hues of summer, now adorns a more subdued palette the cooler temperatures become the norm, yet our gardens continue to provide a bountiful har vest Flowerbeds are ablaze with asters, dahlias, rudbeckias, and the last of the clematis blooms trees join in this grand spectacle, their leaves turning vivid shades of orange, red, and yellow

Despite the beauty, gardens are showing signs of exhaustion after a long, fruitful summer There's an

In the Deux-Sèvres, October usually brings continuous rainfall, providing relief after summer's dry spell While flowerbeds may seem unkempt and overrun with neglected weeds, trees and shrubs maintain their resilience With some restoration effort, everything will return to its former glory

If temperatures drop significantly, lift your dahlia tubers and canna plants for storage in a frost-free area If they've acclimatized to your garden, protect the crowns with extra mulch

Replant Herbaceous Perennials

Continue dividing and replanting herbaceous perennials like bergenias, phlox, and hardy geraniums

Relocate Hardy Evergreens

Move hardy evergreens such as mahonia, rhododendron, and osmanthus while the soil is still warm

Collect and Store Seeds

Harvest ripe seeds, store them in labeled envelopes within an airtight container, and keep them in the fridge

Transplant Cuttings and Plant New Trees

Autumn is an ideal time for revamping your garden The cooler temperatures and new stock available at garden centres provide the perfect opportunity to lay the groundwork for a delightful display of spring colours Planting bulbs now, in pots or directly in the ground, is a rewarding endeavour For pot planting, layer tulips at the base, cover with compost, add daffodils/ narcissi, cover again, and top with crocus or grape hyacinths This ensures a lasting show as each layer blooms in succession

Transplant cuttings into larger pots and place them in a sheltered location Plant new trees, hardy shrubs, and perennials

Prepare Beds for New Plantings

Clear away spent annuals or bedding plants to make room for bulbs and new stock

Apply Autumn Feed to Grassed Areas

Give your lawn some attention by applying an autumn feed and spiking waterlogged spots for better drainage

Har vest Remaining Crops

Harvest remaining pumpkins or squashes and store in a cool, dry place

Prepare for Winter

Cover ponds with netting to keep out fallen leaves, and collect dead leaves for leafmould

HAPPY GARDENING!

OCTOBER PRUNING GUIDE

Plants

Shrubs and climbers

Hostas

Pruning Tips

Prune back plants that can damage roots Check their supports and replace if needed

Remove old foliage to lower the risk of crown rot and reduce hiding places for slugs and snails

Ivy Allow some ivy to flower as it provides a good source of nectar and berries for wildlife

Roses cornus forsythia and philadelphus

Herbs (rosemar y, lemon balm, sage)

Take hardwood cuttings after their leaves have fallen Plant deep cuttings around the edges of flower pots or in trenches at the end of a flower bed

Take cuttings to over winter Increase horseradish and mint by root division Divide lemongrass and ginger protecting them from the cold

Plant

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

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

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

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

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 www.avf.asso.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

Ta i 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

Airvault Conversation - Come and practice your French with a friendly group of Fench 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

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

Clubs & Associations

Slow ness a nd Ta iji

There are many systems of physical exercise, many involve the use special equipment that one might find in a gym Often, there is a requirement of heavy weights or quick movements that are designed to increase the heart rate and result in rapid breathing

Taiji, known for its slow and gentle movements and coordinated breathing, offers more exercise than meets the eye Physically, it consists of a continuous flow of pre-defined postures, such as the transitional movements for the 'Xie Xing' posture

Xie Xing This can take 15-20 seconds to complete; during which the weight is being transferred from one leg to another, part of the time is spent with the body’s weight being fully supported by one leg

Transferring the weight will gently exercise the joints, standing on one leg will

T h eat r iVasl

presents:

A Heartwarming Journey with Shirley Valentine

strengthen both bones and the muscles in that leg (especially the those associated with the femur) Over a period of time both mobility and balance will improve, as will the capacity to breathe more deeply

Over time, the slow and gentle movements and the coordinated breathing will also lead to a calmer and relaxed mind When performing the Taiji sequence, the back is always held relaxedly straight with the head lightly balanced The legs are never straightened, which means that the legs are being continuously exercised throughout the Taiji sequence

So don’t be surprised if, the day after your first Taiji session, your legs feel tired it’s just how your legs will grow stronger There are other benefits in moving slowly, you’ll have the opportunity to:

sense and reconnect with your body

• observe & feel your posture, and correct it when necessary

• coordinate your breathing and become relaxed

• feel reinvigorated end the end of your practice

If you want to verify these claims for yourself, why not join in and try some classes !

Monday evenings:

18th September in Bressuire

Centre Socio- Culturel 7:30-9:00pm

Wednesday afternoons:

21st September in Le Breuil Barret

3:00 – 4:30pm

Visit www chen-taiji-fr jimdosite com or phone me: 05 49 65 60 34 for more details

Lazy days of lying on the beach or sipping cocktails by the pool may have come to an end for another year for most of us, but don’t abandon that holiday feeling quite yet

TheatriVasles hopes to whisk you away again with our upcoming production of Shirley Valentine on the 20th and 21st of October

‘Shirley Valentine’, a classic play written by Willy Russell, has had sell-out runs in the West-End and on Broadway Made into a much-loved film it tells the tale of a middle-aged Liverpool housewife who rediscovers her zest for life on a Greek holiday It s a timeless stor y of self-discover y and empowerment, which promises an emotional rollercoaster as Shirley's transformative journey unfolds in a way that feels personal and relatable to ever yone in the room

Nicky Marshall will be playing the title role of Shirley Nicky has been part of TheatriVasles from the ver y beginning Nicky s credits include: Susan in Bed Amongst The Lentils by Alan Bennett; Miriam in Outside Edge by Richard Harris and Pearl in Ladies Day and Ladies Down Under by Amanda Whittington She also took various roles in our two 10 Minute Play Festivals winning Audience Favourite for Esther in Slow Dating

So, book your places now and let us transport you from rural France to the sun-soaked shores of Greece (via the confines of a Liverpool kitchen)!

Performances will take place on Friday 20th and Saturday 21st October both at 8pm Tickets are €10 and can be reser ved by emailing theatrivasles@gmail com or by calling Gemma on 05 49 04 84 82

TheatriVasles is a vibrant theatrical society who put on quality productions in Vasles, 79340 We are always looking for new members and for those who want to get involved There are many roles that you can fill be it acting technical props sourcing and ever ything in between If you would like to get involved then please find us on Facebook or contact theatrivasles@gmail com

the Airvault French-English Conversation Group starts after the half-term holidays on Wednesday, 8th November It provides a casual setting for engaging conversations between French and English speakers. Join us on Wednesday evenings at 7pm at the Centre Socio Culturel on rue Emmanuel Bonnet in Airvault. For more information, please contact Christian at 05 49 63 04 78 If you don't receive an immediate response, rest assured that he is currently away and will get back to you soon This is why the sessions start in November Alternatively, you can also get information from the Accueil at the centre While the sessions are free, membership to the social centre is required (with a minimal annual fee of a few euros)

In partnership with:

Seasonal Recipes

Butternut Squash

Dal serves 4)

This lentil and squash dish makes a warming side to serve with rice and bread/rotis It can also be served as a soup with a dash of cream on top The butternut squash can be replaced with pumpkin or even sweet potatoes

INGREDIENTS

• 125g red lentils

• 1 small or half of a medium butternut squash peeled, seeds removed and cut into chunky cubes

• 2 tbsp sunflower oil + a big knob of butter

• 1 small onion finely diced

• ½ tsp cumin seeds

• 2 garlic cloves minced

• ½ inch piece of ginger minced

• ½ tsp paprika powder

• ½ tsp coriander powder

• Salt

• 2 tbsp lemon juice

INSTRUCTIONS

1 Place the red lentils and butternut squash in a large saucepan Add enough water to fully cover the lentils and bring it to a boil on a medium heat before lowering it to a simmer Keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn't boil over

2 After about 15-20 minutes, the lentils and squash should have fully cooked, almost turning soft and mushy Keep checking the water content and add more if there's not enough liquid during the cooking time Turn off the heat once done

3 In a small frying pan, heat the sunflower oil and butter Once the butter has melted, add the cumin seeds and let it sizzle.

4 Add the onions to the pan and cook until softened for 2-3 minutes Then add the garlic and ginger followed by the paprika and coriander powders Mix everything well and cook for a further 2 minutes

5 Turn off the heat and add the contents of the frying pan into the saucepan with the lentils and squash Season with salt and mix it all together Serve warm, finishing with freshly squeezed lemon juice just before serving

Za'atar Roasted Cauliflower & Chickpeas with a Feta & Yogurt Sauce

(serves 4 as a side)

This simple one pan dish makes use of za'atar, an Oriental spice and herb mix made up of thyme, sumac and sesame seeds among other things It's readily available in large supermarkets and is worth seeking out for its nutty and tangy flavour Roasting chickpeas this way turns them crispy, spicy and salty, an addictive combination!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 small cauliflower cut into medium sized florets

• 1 400g can of chickpeas

• 1 medium red onion sliced

• 2 tbsp za'atar

• 1 tbsp paprika powder

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• Salt & pepper

For the sauce

• 100g feta

• 250g greek yogurt

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

INSTRUCTIONS

1 Preheat the oven to 180C Drain the canned chickpeas in a colander, rinse it under running cold water, place them on a large plate and pat dry with a kitchen towel (it's okay if it remains a little moist)

2 Line a large roasting tin with parchment paper. Place the cauliflower florets, chickpeas and onion slices in the tin

3 Add the za'atar, paprika, oil and salt and pepper to the tin Using your hands, mix it all together making sure everything is well coated in the spices and oil

4 Transfer the tin to the oven and let it roast for about 35 minutes or until the cauliflower pieces have crispy edges and the chickpeas get nice and crispy Take it out once done and let it cool for a few minutes

5 While the cauliflower is roasting, make the accompanying sauce by blending together all the ingredients until smooth Check for seasoning and add salt if needed

6 You can serve the cauliflower and chickpeas on a bed of the feta and yogurt sauce or simply dollop the sauce on top

Pear Upside Down Cake

(makes one 20cm cake)

A perfect little cake for teatime or for dessert It starts off by making a caramel-like mixture made by briefly melting brown sugar and butter together which then transforms into a glossy topping for the pear slices when it's turned upside down This cake keeps well at room temperature for a couple of days

INGREDIENTS

2 large ripe (but not overripe) and firm Conference pears peeled, halved, cored and cut into not too thin slices

60g dark brown sugar

50g + 200g butter at room temperature

200g granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

200g self raising flour (farine pour gateaux)

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

a good pinch of salt

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 180C. Place the dark brown sugar and 50g of butter in a 20cm cake tin and heat it gently on the hob until the butter has melted and the sugar has dissolved Set the tin aside to cool for a few minutes If using a springform tin with a loose base, line the bottom of the tin with parchment

paper and do this step separately in a pan instead Then transfer the sugar butter mixture to the base of the tin once cooled

2 Place the pear slices on the bottom of the cake tin in a circle

3 Mix together the flour, cinnamon and salt in a small bowl and set aside

4 In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or using a handheld mixer, beat the 200g butter and granulated sugar together on medium speed until pale and fluffy Add the eggs in one at a time, mixing well between additions followed by the vanilla extract Add the flour mixture to the bowl and mix until just combined You can add a splash of milk to the bowl to loosen up the batter if it's too thick

5 Using a spatula, transfer the batter on top of the pear slices in the cake tin and spread it evenly taking care not to move the fruit around too much.

6 Place the cake tin on a baking tray to catch any drips and place it in the oven Bake for 40 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean

7 Once done, take the cake out of the oven and let it cool in the tin for about 10 minutes Run a butter knife around the edges of the cake to loosen it Then invert a large serving plate over the top of the tin and flip the tin over Wiggle the tin gently if needed to help release the cake

8 Serve the cake warm or at room temperature

all recipes and food photographs have been provided this month by sujatha otzen. born in india, sujatha is a trained chef who runs runs indian cookery workshops from her kitchen at closerie Les roches in bouillé-Loretz (79290) read more about sujatha on page 29

Easy Crossword

(with thanks to rob Berr y)

ACROSS

1 Someone living temporarily in a tent for recreation (6)

4 Canine mammal closely related to the dog (6)

8 A brand of mineral water sourced from springs near Lake Geneva (5)

9 A borough of London (7)

10 Feeling or showing extreme anger (5)

11. No longer active in your work or profession (7)

12. Eight sided (9)

15. Before now (7)

16 A strong very dark heavy-bodied ale (5)

17 A knife that can be fixed to the muzzle of a rifle (7)

18 A daily written record (5)

19. The most recent news or development (6)

20. Lit up by fire or flame (6)

DOWN

2 A public promotion of some product or service (6)

3 A prank or trick played on a person (9-4)

5 A rigorously controlled test of a new drug (8-5)

6 Joined by treaty or agreement (6)

7. Preserved by chilling (11)

13. A stiff hat made of straw with a flat crown (6)

14. A hard glossy mineral in crystal form found in most rocks especially granite and sandstone (6)

Cr yptic Crossword

(with thanks to Mike Morris)

ACROSS

1 So if Cable or if moderate exhibits traditional parliamentary livery…? (8,5)

8 Unknown wearing Roman garment appearing in the South Seas. (5)

9 Utter chaos leading to pressure to provide lighting at night (3-4)

10 One good reason to preserve your self esteem? (3)

11 Peers mark shambles of chairman's address (2, 7)

13 To bring about change, whistleblower leads us to initiators of online reactionary messages (6)

14 Resistance following honour bestowed after I get one in the club! (6)

17. Cross newt with mutation in prominent marine habitat. (5-4)

19. Familiar US jail holds leaders of criminal activity nucleus. (3)

20. Endure pain with no hesitation but use a supplement to bathe with. (7)

22. Given a short time in Indonesia to come up with a hot meal. (5)

23 Brute is filing criminal way to put off bills until later (13)

DOWN

1 Surprisingly, at the fork, cons are not far behind (2, 3, 6, 2)

2 Large number on marsh not available to avert an attack (4, 3)

3. Scottish weaponry bringing Mary close to ruin. (9)

4. Unexpected strike of spouse on early form of public transport. (6)

5. Measure of length employed in aerodynamics? (3)

6. Grim symbol of authority if used before five? (5)

7 Bring round woozy nun after excellent, distinguished athletic performance (6, 7)

12. Tele cable is straightened out in property of preferred candidate. (9)

15. Shortly I shall get island taxi going in reverse to find micro-organisms. (7)

16. MPs not sitting during this short video, which has directions to follow! (6)

18 Lungs, for example, not working after light metal detected (5)

21 Dulux Brilliant White keeps; it hasn't gone off yet! (1 1 1 )

Building & Renovation

FILM REVIEW

Adrian Blake

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Save the date...

Saturday, October 14th, 2023, marks the National Day of Local Commerce in Coulonges-surl'Autize, the only participating commune in Deux-Sèvres This nationwide French initiative will be celebrated across 200 towns Coulonges-sur-l'Autize has been recognised for its exceptional efforts and was honoured with the Best Commercial Union in France Award in 2023

I’ve enjoyed past Indiana Jones films mostly on DVD, but the most recent film release in this popular series has had its inaugural release in the cinema, with those wishing to buy a DVD version being forced to wait a little longer

So when Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, directed by James Mangold, recently came up showing in my local cinema in Civray, it was inevitable that I should be dragged along to see it

To be honest, I was very sceptical as to whether Harrison Ford, born in 1942, so now aged 81 years old, would be capable of pulling off the lead role in an action adventure film, especially after news reports of him sustaining a shoulder injury during filming of a fight scene

I was half expecting either to come away feeling very disappointed with the film, or for Mr Ford to be taking a back seat role in the story line

The film that was being shown in Civray was the original English language version, which was a great motivation for me to go and see it It was an evening showing and there were maybe 30 people in the audience, mostly English speakers

The film was shown with French subtitles, although near the very start of the film, there are a few scenes with dialogue in German which left nonFrench speakers guessing, I’m not sure if, were the film shown in its original version in an English speaking country whether this would have been translated into English instead

The story finds ‘Indie’ in 1969, on the brink of retirement So, Harrison Ford, an old man in real life is playing the role of an elderly man and in all fairness, there are a few scenes whereby he

does show his age I think really, this is the strength of the film, I don’t think it would work if the character Harrison Ford was portraying was significantly younger than the actor himself Having grown up with the Indiana Jones films myself, I can appreciate the actor’s age and by definition his potential limitations I wonder therefore, if a younger viewer would actually see an old man, trying to play the part of a younger man and thus view the film in the same way

This is nevertheless, a full action film in all senses of the term, I suspect however that there is significant Computer Generated Imagery, but having said that, the films flows smoothly and does not obviously stand out as CGI There is the usual plot of an ‘Indie’ film, namely, Germans seeking iconic artefact, Indie giving chase and getting in to all sorts of scrapes There is a new, for an ‘Indie’ film, twist of the location for the treasure and also on his Ophidiophobia (fear of snakes)

I am struggling to imagine how a convincing sequel could be made for this film Unlike the James Bond films whereby new actors take on the role Bond, I doubt if that approach would work for an Indiana Jones movie, however, I may be proved wrong in this, we will have to wait and see

All in all, this was a fast moving action movie with a plausible plot and a lot of excitement, easily being able to stand up to the standards of the preceding four ‘Indie’ films, whilst at the same time, revealing the vulnerability of an older man For fans of these movies, it is a "must-see " After watching it, I have to admit that I was wrong and it does work, despite the challenges faced by the scriptwriters and filmmakers

On this day, 35 local shops will open their doors, offering a variety of activities including raffles, games, and product tastings Whether you're a resident or a visitor, you're warmly invited to join the celebrations This year, the event embraces a sports theme with fun activities like a puzzle to find scattered Olympic rings hidden in shops Prizes from sports clubs and entries for Paris 2024 are up for grabs

Don't miss out on the "Our Talented Shopkeepers" photo exhibition at the Micro-Folie from October 3rd to 28th, showcasing the artistic prowess of local artisans The day concludes with a film debate featuring the short film "Born to Ride" at 7pm, with the presence of Sébastien Bichon, a para-cyclist and bronze medalist at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games

And here's something unprecedented in Poitou-Charentes and Vendée: the commune will be holding its very first Office Chair Race! If you're at least 18 years old and interested in participating, either individually or in teams of 3, you can register at colibris link/bureau23

Make sure you come along and Join the excitement!

IMAGE ©DISNEY

Insurance and asset management advice in English

Isabelle Want

Hello, my name is Isabelle Want For the past 10 years, I have been working for Allianz as an asset manager Being married to an Englishman and having lived in the Uk for 8 years gives me a better insight into what British

people are experiencing and what they need Being French and born in the Charente has enabled me to offer some answers

I am, as always, available for any free advice on the following subjects:

INHERITANCE LAW (who inherits, death duties, solutions)

-TAXES (everybody's fear! The month of May tax forms, etc)

-INVESTMENTS (what is available, what rate, etc )

-LIFE INSURANCE (how to protect your loved ones)

-FUNERAL COVER (preparing for the inevitable, unfortunately!)

-TOP UP HEALTH INSURANCE (why you need it and how much it is)

-INSURANCES (get a free quote to see if you could save money)

Our Furry Friends

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

I work in the Allianz offices in Ruffec La Rochefoucauld Roumaziere

Loubert and Chasseneuil sur

Bonnieure and my contact details are below

Please do not hesitate to contact me for free advice on any of the above or if you think you are paying too much on your insurances and want a free quote We have a dedicated bilingual team to deal with claims

Finally, we have an English website with all sorts of useful information and tips on all of the above subjects: www bh-assurances fr/en

Isabelle Want, BH Assurances

Conseiller Financier/ Asset Manager

Mob:+33(0)6 17 30 39 11

Email: isabelle want@bh-assurances fr N° orias : 07020908/07021727/07004255

No RNA: W792009674

Shop

Open 10am to 4pm, Thursdays & 1st Sunday of the Month

2 Rte de Vauthion 79190 Sauzé Vaussais Furniture Barn

Open 11am to 3pm, Thursdays & 1st Sunday of the Month

1 Rte de la Mare aux Loups Louba 79190 Clussais-le-Pommeraie

Email shopseventynine4hope@gmail.com

Facebook Groups:

Hope79 Sauze-Vaussais Furniture for Sale

Hope Associaton Charity Shop 79

hELioS

THE ASSOCIATION EN ROUTE tel: 07 69 18 56 81 or email: henri@assoenroute com

Helios is 11 years young and his raison d'etre is to fill his people's lives with joy ! He's a bit fussy about some dogs and will chase cats, so is probably best as an only dog but promises to brighten your life with his charm.

Please contact us if you'd like more infohenri@assoenroute.com.

www.assoenroute.com

money matters

Reviewing your UK pensions and retirement savings for your life in France

Our pensions are key for our long-term financial security but unfortunately they are complex You need to navigate various options, establish how they suit your objectives, research the tax implications and weigh up the pros and cons You need to keep up to date with Uk pension reforms and French and Uk taxation

LASTING A LIFETIME

How long will you live? And your spouse? This is an unknown factor in financial planning but an essential one because you need your money to last as long as you do We should plan for living to a ripe old age

Studies show that many people, including affluent households, overestimate how long retirement savings will last While you may be able to afford living necessities, your later retirement lifestyle could fall below your expectations

Much depends on the type of pension you have A pension providing a secure income for life can provide peace of mind

Other options provide the opportunity for your funds to grow, but you need to carefully manage investment risk and rate of withdrawals to meet your income needs

FRENCH TAX

When weighing up your pension options, consider the French tax implications Except for gover nment ser vice pensions, Uk pension income, including lump sums, is subject to French taxation and generally taxed at the scale rates of income tax up to 45% (after a 10% reduction) NonS1 holders also pay 9 1% social charges

For non-pension capital, investment income is taxed at 30% including social charges France also offers opportunities for tax-efficient investing; assurance-vie, for example, provides many tax and estate planning advantages

If your personal situation allows you to transfer your pensions capital into a more tax-efficient investment vehicle

by Catrina Ogilvie, Blevins Franks

and take your entire pension as one lump sum it may be eligible for a fixed 7 5% income tax rate (with conditions)

UK TAX

Income from government service pensions remains liable to Uk income tax

The Uk’s 2023 budget abolished the pensions lifetime allowance and tax charges A future gover nment could reverse this move so there may be limited opportunity to transfer your pension out of Uk and avoid future charges

PENSIONS ADVICE

Pensions are personal so establish a solution that works for your circumstances and objectives

Since they ’ re so complex and a wrong decision could impact your retirement security, you need professional, regulated advice The problem for British expatriates is that most Uk advisers are not regulated to give advice to EU residents following Brexit

Even without this issue it s important to get local advice in France Most Uk-based advisers don t have in-depth understanding of French taxation, which can result in you paying more tax than necessar y

Use a qualified advisor y firm which is regulated to provide advice on Uk pensions in France and has the specialist crossborder advice you need for taking Uk pensions in France

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

Ask Amanda Expert advice

reduce the overall tax burden for families Additionally, France imposes a social security contribution, known as the CSG (Contribution Sociale Généralisée), which is levied on various types of income

When moving from Britain to France, it's crucial to plan ahead to ensure a smooth transition regarding income taxes Here are a few key considerations:

1 Residency Status: Determine your residency status for tax purposes, as it will impact your tax obligations in both countries

2 Double Taxation Agreement: Familiarize yourself with the double taxation agreement between Britain and France to understand how your income will be taxed and avoid paying taxes twice on the same income

I have recently arrived in France and now I live here do I have to pay income tax in France and how does the French system compare to the U K ?

Moving to a new country can be an exciting adventure, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges One crucial aspect to consider when relocating is understanding the differences in income tax systems

In Britain, income tax is levied on individuals based on a progressive tax system The rates and thresholds for income tax vary depending on the individual's income level As of the 2021/2022 tax year, the basic rate is 20% for income up to £50,270, the

higher rate is 40% for income between £50,271 and £150,000, and the additional rate is 45% for income above £150,000 France operates a similar progressive income tax system, but with some notable differences The French tax system is divided into several tax brackets, with rates ranging from 0% to 45% The rates and thresholds are subject to change each year, so it's essential to consult the latest information

One significant difference is that France applies a family quotient system, which takes into account the number of dependents in a household This system can help

3 Seek Professional Advice: Consult with a tax advisor who specializes in international taxation to ensure you comply with all relevant tax laws and make the most of any available tax benefits or exemptions

Moving from Britain to France involves navigating the differences in income tax systems Understanding the variances and seeking professional advice can help ensure a smooth transition and optimize your tax situation By being well-informed, you can focus on enjoying your new life in France while managing your tax obligations effectively

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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