Welcome to your ‘new look’ newsletter! L’amitié en Périgord acip NEWSLETTER W I N T E R 2 0 1 7 Aentre welcome tonous our new committee During the AGM meeting on 27th October, which was very well attended by almost one third of the total membership, the four Officers of our new committee were duly elected. They and the rest of the team would like to extend their appreciation to the previous committee members for all their hard work, especially joint co-presidents Robert Brereton and John Kuppens. Looking forward, the new committee would like to introduce themselves to those members who don’t know them, so here Merry Christmas follows a short ‘rogues gallery’ . to all ACIP members! President : Bryony Marshall Before taking early retirement, I was understatement. a teacher of English and drama, and It is exceptional in the wealth and head of the English department at breadth of classes, activities and courses Pocklington School, near York. offered, to say nothing of the social Within two weeks of moving events, large and small, which continue permanently to France, Simon and I throughout the year. were invited by Martine van Meerbeeck I also feel ACIP is hugely important to a concert being organised by ACIP. in terms of the community, of Le Bugue We were so impressed with the and surrounding communes. Our concert, the organisation, and the warm very popular annual Vide Grenier and welcome given by Jenny and Gwyneth, this summer our contribution to the that we joined up on the spot! To say Marche Gourmand, are a vital way of ACIP has broadened our experience integrating and part of all of our lives of living in the Dordogne would be an here in France. Vice President : Jenny West I am proud to be part of the new from primary teaching to university team ready to build on the successes lecturing in the UK, Malta, N. Ireland (at of our unique association, alongside the height of the troubles) and Africa our committed volunteers. I have – I joined a County Council as their been a member of ACIP for over ten management development consultant years – making great friends; improving introducing a major senior leadership my French no end; attending some programme. I then established Spiral great do’s; walking; attempting ten-pin Learning Ltd providing management bowling like the ‘bright young thing’ training, business and team I really am; acting out the twelve days development to clients in a variety of of Xmas; dressing up as Henry 11 business and public sectors for over and, most importantly, receiving the eleven years. Meanwhile, with my late most incredible personal support husband, I raised a combined family of in difficult times. I lead Advanced five – now all gainfully employed and English Conversation and have project happy. I am blessed with four gorgeous managed several large themed step grandchildren under six with dining events. another about to arrive. After a long career in education – Happy days! Committee Member : Andrew Easdale Andrew Easdale was born in Windsor Europe. After eight years of commuting and educated at Oxford. He joined misery his wife, Rebecca, suggested that United Biscuits in marketing and his they ought to get out whilst they were main claim to fame is that he launched still sane and young enough to enjoy McVitie’s Hob-Nobs. He went on a new challenge, i.e. moving to France, to an international career as their but this time, without the aid and European business development resources of an HR department behind director working, and often living, in them! They have two sons; the elder the Netherlands (Verkade), Hungary and his family live near Oxford and the (Gyori Keksz), Poland (San), Scandinavia younger and his family live near San (Oxford), Germany (Delacre), Romania Francisco. Andrew’s biggest obsession, and Russia (McVitie’s). After UB’s apart from loud shirts, is even louder takeover he rejoined former colleagues music especially by bands formed in at Findus, this time based in Prague. the 60s. He has seen Van Morrison 77 That lead to a stint back in Russia, this times so far and yes, he does have a time for Twinings tea and finally to list of every show he has been to. His NZTE , based in London helping New wife is similarly musical but she prefers Zealand food companies to export to classical piano. Committee Member : Simon Marshall Soon after retiring and moving to Before retirement, I worked as a GP France two and a half years ago, I in East Yorkshire, so I am used to deal- joined ACIP and now enjoy a range of ing with people, making decisions and activities including the monthly walks running a small business. and social events. I have just started a My hobbies include hill walking and new ‘Weight Matters’ group, helping music – I am a member of various members to look at their eating, diet choirs in the area. and exercise. Secretary : Lianne Lenz Together with my husband competition. I also love and our eleven year old son reading all English books I and nine year old daughter, can get my hands on. we are in our fourth year In my quest to find French of living in the beautiful lessons I came across the Perigord region. The nice ACIP lessons and joined and long outdoor summers immediately. I was pleasantly being the main reason surprised to find such an why we have left Holland original initiative open to all to come and live here nationalities. So when I was permanently. informed that the position Between taking for secretary would open up care of our children, I was happy to put myself accommodating the forward and make use of countless visitors one gets my work and language when living in France and a experience. busy social life, I do enjoy my tennis and play in the ladies Committee Member : Mark Hedan Marc was a management consultant travels – mainly to Scotland, Wales and for 32 years (finance, law and human the South. resources), having created a small For hobbies, Marc writes thrillers (his company with his wife Mimi. Their latest is about to be published) and clients were middle sized companies enjoys gardening, DIY and travelling. He in several countries including France, has also developed a great liking for England, Belgium and Morocco. single malt whisky, so if you need any They moved to the Perigord to be help in tasting yours at home, please near their son three years ago and let him know! He would like to extend have found the people to be very nice thanks to ACIP for the warm welcome and friendly. As French nationals they they have received and if you need any joined ACIP to improve their English help, especially our French members, and maintain contacts with the British, then he is more than happy to lend a having become well acquainted with helping hand. the country during their extensive Treasurer : Martin Crawford As far as how we got here – well a down for a week on our own and long time ago in a galaxy far far away. eventually decided that we would or perhaps it was in fact Essex! During maybe like to live here. Teresa found my last few years at work in the UK, we our house on-line and after a couple took the family on holiday somewhere of false starts, we ended up buying. We different and hit on the idea of hiring have been here for six and a half years a house somewhere. Our first thought now and although there have been a was Italy, but we decided that the drive few hiccups along the way, we are quite was perhaps a little too much so we settled. Would we ever go back? Well found ‘Simply Perigord’ in Le Bugue the thought has crossed our mind, but and hired a house from them. We the thought of all the people and the thoroughly enjoyed our two weeks at traffic is enough to make us stay put Le Buzonnie and that started a string for the moment. No doubt that will of annual pilgrimages to the area. On be reinforced when we go back for occasion, Teresa and I managed to get Christmas this year. Membership Secretary : Paul Cope Although I emigrated from the UK to include a Treasure Hunt in Le Bugue in the Dordogne in 2007 I only became September 2014, the 2015 and 2016 an ACIP member in 2013. My wife, Julie, classical music concerts, a Halloween had already joined ACIP a couple of themed social with meal in October years ahead of me and was attending 2016 and a Quiz Night in March 2017. the art group then run by Judy My wife and I live in the countryside Woodcock. I was induced to join ACIP on the outskirts of Les Eyzies de Tayac- by Julie so that we could learn to play Sireuil with our cat, ‘Kit-Kat’, and our dog bridge together. Four years on we are ‘Bailey’. Our desire to live permanently still going to bridge and still learning! in France was formed in the mid-1990s The year 2014 saw me become after a work assignment in Provence. our Membership Secretary and I have For fifteen months I worked as a remained in that role up to the present customer representative based at the day. During that time I have witnessed a Eurocopter Group factory situated at year on year increase in the number of Marseille Provence airport. Eurocopter ACIP members. Looking back to 2014 Group (now part of Airbus) was, and we had 249 members whereas we still is, a major helicopter manufacturing currently have 324.