French Founded Association 1989 3035

Events, activities, news & reports for members

AUGUST 2013

GT 2013 Calendar - Sunflowers at Sunrise in Newsletter Clussais

GT Website www.getogether-.org

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Book Club/Library Mon 5th Aug 2-4pm Saint-Jean-de- Kate & Grant 05.49.50.84.77 Sauves Sangster Walk Sat 10 th Aug 10.00am Souvigné Bob Seager 05.49.29.54.12 Summer Garden Sun 18th Aug 12 noon Exireuil Annette & Leslie 05.49.33.41.90 Party Green Reading Circle Tue 20th Aug 2.30pm Oroux Bernie Smith 05.49.63.41.09

Book Club/Library Mon 2nd Sept 2-4pm Mazières en Carol Andrews 05.49.63.18.87 Gatine Walk Sat 14 th Sept 10.00am David & Margaret 05.49.07.43.51 Boardman History Group Thur 19th Sept 3.00pm Menigoute Robert Pierson 05.49.95.43.73

Horse Racing Sun 29 th Sept 1.15pm Niort Rebecca & David 05.49.95.43.73 Afternoon Hippodrome Sewell

Next Committee Meeting Wed 14th Aug 10.30am Chez Buckley Final Copy Date for Newsletter Items Fri 23rd Aug

FORTHCOMING EVENTS Book Club/Library Mon 5th Aug 2-4pm Saint-Jean-de-Sauves Kate & Grant Sangster August Book Club/Library is to be held chez Sangster, 18 route de Mazeuil, 86330, Saint-Jean-de-Sauves. Directions: - From Thenezay take the D738 towards turning left at La Bourrelière onto the D40, through Mazeuil and onto St- Jean-de-Sauves. No 18 Route de Mazeuil is on this road on the left just after the newish bungalow. It is double fronted with a green front door, opposite the silo and just before the railway crossing. Tel No: 05.49.50.84.77 Please park behind the concrete railings at the silo opposite. Please do not obstruct the silo entrance as it is very active in August . Walk Sat 10 th Aug 10.00am Souvigné Bob Seager This walk offers two possibilities. The main walk is about 8km, and includes one significant hill, while the 4km alternative avoids this. Both walks are on quiet roads and tracks. It is unlikely that there will be any mud, but the stony tracks suggest the wearing of robust footwear. A lot of the route is shaded, which we hope will be necessary – though perhaps not as hot as last year's August walk. The walk will start from the car park at the Stade at Souvigné, situated on the D10 about 6km south of St Maixent l'Ecole. GPS ref N46°22.47', W0°11.12' Lunch will be on off er at the Commerce restaurant in the centre of La Mothe St Héray, four courses with wine and coffee for 15€. Please note the revised map reference and there are no toilets at the start. Entries must be advised by Sat 3 rd August, stating whether meat or fish is required, email [email protected] or phone 05.49.29.54.12. Please ensure your booking is confirmed by Bob either by email or telephone. Emergency phone on the day 0044 7954 608321 Summer Garden Sun 18th Aug 12 noon Exireuil Annette & Leslie Green Party This years Garden Party/picnic will be hosted by Annette and Leslie at 2 La Gaconniere, Exireuil, 79400 about 5 minutes north from St Maixent L'Ecole. Please provide your own food and drinks, as well as crockery, plates and glasses. You will also need to bring along tables/chairs, sunshades and any other creature comforts you may need on the day! To add a little 'je ne sais quoi' to the day, we will be offering a 'cream tea' with authentic clotted cream, two home made scones and jam + tea/coffee for 1.50 euros. In addition we have invited - recommended by a GT Member - Wine producers from the Loire region, Domaine de L'Argaruy. There will be wine tasting and an opportunity to buy if you so wish. Prices start at 2.20 euros for a Cabernet d'Anjou to 5.90 euros for a Cremant, with plenty of variety in between. Directions: For TomTom etc - GPS N 46 26.354 W 0 09.918 (rural farm house) - If no satellite device please see below for detailed directions: Anyone wishing to attend should contact Annette or Leslie on 05.49.33.41.90 or email [email protected] Directions to: 2 La Gaconniére, Lieu dit La Gaconniére 79400 Exireuil Situated just North of Saint Maixent L'Ecole

From Parthenay or North West using the D938 (Parthenay to Saint Maixent l'Ecole road). As you travel towards St Maixent L'Ecole you pass the junction with the D524 (sp Menigoute etc), you will pass through a very small hamlet ( les Grands Ajoncs ) and AFTER 800 METRES TURN 2 nd LEFT (2nd turn on the left (small sp La Pailliere ) off the D938) onto an unlisted road. After 1.3km TURN LEFT onto the D121 (Fomperon to Saint Maixent L'Ecole road). After 60metres TURN RIGHT onto another unlisted road (sp La Gaconniére etc). After 700metres TURN RIGHT at the crossroads (sp La Gaconniére). After 400metres TURN RIGHT (sp La Gaconniére) onto a local lane). After 300metres the house is on the right.

From St Maixent L'Ecole or the South. Take the D611 from the main roundabout at Place Denfert (by the two large car parks) towards . After 200metres TURN LEFT (sp Exireuil) onto the rue de Béchereau. After 4km TURN RIGHT (sp La Gaconniére etc) onto an unlisted road. After 700metres TURN RIGHT at the crossroads (sp La Gaconniére). After 400metres TURN RIGHT (sp La Gaconniére) onto a local lane). After 300metres the house is on the right.

From Poitiers or the North East . Take the D611 through Soudan (you pass junction 31 of the A10) towards St Maixent L'Ecole.

After 3.4km you enter Belle Vue with a large water tower on the right – pass the Menigoute turn off D58 on the right, but then immediately TURN RIGHT onto rue de Grippault ( WARNING - this is a very small road between a house and a garden ) onto an unlisted road. (DO NOT take the Fomperron road which is just before this turning).

After 2.2km (twisting country road passing La Boutiniére) TURN LEFT (sp La Gaconniére) onto a local lane).

After 300metres the house is on the right.

Reading Circle Tue 20th Aug 2.30pm Oroux Bernie Smith This month we shall be reading "The Scheme for Full Employment" by Magnus Mills which although it sounds like it, we are reliably assured it is not a textbook on Keynesian macro-economics. Just as well as something light-hearted and fun is exactly what is required during this lovely summer weather. Please don't forget to look up the reading list on the GT website to catch up on our latest reviews. Book Club/Library Mon 2nd Sept 2-4pm Mazierès en Gatine Carol Andrews The September Book Club will be held at the home of Carol Andrews in Mazières en Gatine. Directions: from Mazières, take the D743 towards Niort. At the end of the golf course approx 4kms from the village there is a slip road to the right (direction L’hirondelle and La Blanchetiere). Carol is the 4 th house on the right with a clé vacances sign on the fence. Tel No. 05.49.63.18.87 Walk Sat 14 th Sept 10.00am Sanxay David & Margaret Boardman The walk starts at the swimming pool/campsite car park in Sanxay. The long walk is 8.6km with a shorter version of 5km. The countryside around Sanxay is rolling so there are a couple of moderate climbs. Strong footwear is recommended. The car park (with toilets) is situated next to the pool. From St Maixent take the N11 (D611) towards Poitiers. Shortly after crossing the autoroute near Soudan turn left just after La Guittiere on to the D5 which becomes the D62 into Sanxay. In Sanxay turn left onto D3 signed for piscine campsite and site Gallo Roman. From Lezay take D45 towards Chey. At the crossroads turn right on D950 passing through Chey and continuing for approx. 12km then turning left on to D26 towards Rouille. Pass through Rouille crossing N11 and 200m later turning 2 nd right after crossing still on D26 towards Sanxay. Follow D26 towards Sanxay which involves one left turn and one right turn at junctions. In Sanxay turn left onto D3 signed for piscine campsite and site Gallo Roman. The meal is at Les Voyageurs in Menigoute at 12.30pm. Cost is €14 to include 4 courses with wine and coffee. Bookings please by Sept 7 th (indicating meat or fish main course) by emailing [email protected] or tel David or Margaret Boardman on 05.49.07.43.51. Emergency No for use on the day only is: 06.02.27.76.03. Please ensure David or Margaret acknowledge your booking. History Group Thurs 19th 3.00pm Menigoute Robert Pierson Sept Topic: Joan of Arc Is there anything worse than death? It’s debatable. One might list a range of alternative misfortunes, if death were a misfortune. Worse than death might be emblazoned betrayal by those to whom life itself had been confided. This was the time of the Hundred Years War between France and England. At the age of twelve, maybe, thirteen, Joan of Arc heard, she said, the voices of angels, which would change her life, and the fate of France, forever. An illiterate peasant girl won over a sceptical, royal court including the dauphin whom she would see crowned Charles VII. She summoned and led an impressive, winning army of French loyalists against the English. Her enemies captured and successfully tried her as a witch. Her captains and her king betrayed her. She was, slowly, very slowly, burned alive, at the stake in Rouen in 1431, re- habilitated by the Church in 1456 at the instigation of the same Charles VII and, in 1920, canonised by Rome. Joan of Arc didn’t end the war with England but her deeds and her presence changed long defeat into ultimate victory. She remains an icon of France. Her story challenges our comprehension of reality. Against the odds, Joan insisted that saints had inspired and commanded her to save the Nation. The Nobel prize-winning writer, Anatole France penned this, “Joan of Arc is the most striking example of the miracles which faith and will can accomplish.” We can only wonder. The cost is €4.00 per head , to cover refreshments, hire of the room. Please book by Fri. 13 th Sept. 13, either by phone David Sewell on 05.49.95.43.73 or email [email protected] Directions to Auberge des Voyageurs in Menigoute. From North [Parthenay], exit towards Pompaire then via Vausseroux and La Pagerie, on mainly D176 and D21. From South [Lezay], via D45 and D5 through Chey, La Mothe Saint Heray and Saint Germier. From West [Champdeniers], via Saint Georges de Noisne, Chantecorps and La Pagerie, mainly D329. From East [Poitiers], via La Torchaise and Sanxay, mainly D3. The restaurant itself is in the centre of the Bourg, opposite the small chapel. N.B. We have to confirm numbers to the Auberge 1 week before the meeting. As a result we will be charged for any people who DO NOT TURN up on the day. So, we will have to charge individuals for “No Shows” on the day, sorry about this, but we have no choice! Horse Racing Sun 29 th Sept 1.15pm Niort Hippodrome Rebecca & David Sewell Afternoon Niort Hippodrome is situated just south of Niort off the N11. Do you fancy coming along and losing - sorry winning - some Euros? Their betting system is similar to the Tote system in the UK (eg no bookmakers), minimum bet is 2 Euros. Entrance will be approx 6 Euros for men and ladies are free. We will meet for a picnic at 1.15pm in the car parking field and the racing usually starts at about 2.30pm. There are also snacks and drinks available to buy. Please let me know before Sunday 15 th September 2013 If you’re interested call me on 05.49.95.43.73 – for more info and directions. [email protected] REPORTS ON RECENT EVENTS Walk Fri 28 th June Saint-Jean-de-Sauves Report by Michele Hansford Despite the promise of rain, the 16 walkers and 5 dogs gathered optimistically at Kate and Grant’s house for the planned 6km walk. As it turned out, part of the walk had to be abandoned because of the muddy conditions, but we all enjoyed our walk through the lanes and tracks around the area. The rain held off so we were able to gather for lunch at Saint-Jouin-de- Marnes both clean and dry! The paella was delicious and the staff at the Bec à Vin restaurant were very welcoming. Thank you to Kate and Grant for organizing both the walk and the meal.

Walk held at Saint-Jean-de-Sauves

Walk Sat 13 th July St. Coutant Report by John Chard It was a nice warm morning when 19 walkers and two dogs set off from the Marie de St Coutant for a walk around the highways and byways of this commune. We were all suitably dressed for the conditions anticipated that day in shorts and light clothing. We had only walked for a few minutes before we were greeted by Steve Parker looking over his garden hedge.

As the walk continued the temperature started to rise but we continued undaunted. At the 3 to 4 Kilo point three walkers and one dog took off on the short cut whilst the main group turned off the hard road into the forest. The track was slightly muddier here but this was no serious problem to such a determined group.

The walk finished in good style at around 11.30am and members adjourned to Berland's in Lezay where we enjoyed a lunch that was up to their usual excellent standard. Many thanks to Brian and Joan for organizing an excellent walk and meal.

Walk held at St. Coutant

Hog Roast Sun 21 st July La Mothe St Héray Report by Noreena Parker “Well we all knew it was going to be a scorcher but not THE scorcher of the year! However, everyone (except us) came well prepared with parasols to shield us mere mortals from the sun. The Hog Roast which was held in The Orangerie at La Mothe St. Héray is a beautiful building and just the right venue for a summer event. The Courtyard where we had our party was perfect and as cool as it could have been on such a day. There was loads-a-wine, nibbles, good food and good company. Despite the heat we all tucked in and probably imbibed far too much but it was good fun and thank you again to our dedicated Committee for arranging such a good day. Having seen how hard they must have worked I felt quite exhausted!! Thank you again and here’s to more fun next year.”

GT Hog Roast held at the Orangerie, La Mothe St Héray MISCELLANY

GT 2014 Calendar Competition

We are pleased to announce that the calendar competition continues again this year. The theme for the calendar will be Scenes in and of the Poitou Charente and Vendee. The scope is wide-ranging, but images must portray our region. Four photographs per family member are allowed. Each photograph must be titled with where it was taken and must be in landscape (not portrait) format. All entries will be received independently of the committee and GT membership.

Details of where to send your entries will be confirmed in next month's newsletter, so get snapping to build up your portfolios! Remember, you don't need state of the art photography equipment to take part - some of last year's successful entries were taken on mobile phones. The closing date for entries will be 30th September and the full rules of entry will be published next month.

Articles for Sale For sale Whirlpool fridge freezer. Only had 9 months use is in excellent condition inside and out has been stored indoors, larger than standard size 68" tall 28" wide. Original cost over 570 euros now only 295 euros Tel 06.33.05.65.65. email [email protected]

Loving Home Needed

'A good home is wanted for a lovable, good-tempered, 11 year old thoroughbred black cocker spaniel. He gets on well with adults, children, other dogs, cats and chickens. He has been castrated, tattooed, micro-chipped and is fully vaccinated.

We shall be sorry to see him go but personal circumstances mean that we are moving back to the UK.

If you can offer a kind, loving home, then please ring Pauline and Ron Hayford: 05.49.72.84.13 '

NON GT ITEMS OF INTEREST

Les Amis du Chateau are organising a Jazz Concert and Craft Market at the Chateau of Cherveux on Sunday 11th August with Valerie 'Bigmam' singer and guitarist Olivier Savariau and co. The craft market in the Grand Hall of the Chateau begins at 14.30 and conducted tours of the chateau begin at 15.00. The concert starts at 16.30 in the courtyard. Tea/coffee bar ENTRANCE is 12 Euro - 5 for children under 12 and there is no charge for the conducted tour of the chateau. Free car parking. For more info contact Jim Hutchison 05.49.06.16.48

Published by: Get Together, 9 Route de la Barre, 79160 La Chapelle Thireuil 05.49.76.15.30 [email protected] Edited, Printed & dispatched by: Anne Amsden, 1 Rte De Mautre, Perré, 79400 05.49.28.98.69 [email protected] Website: George Rayner, 10 Allee Pierre Jouffrault, 79240 Largeasse 05.49.80.33.94 http://www.getogether-france.org