French Founded Association 1989 3035

May 2015 Newsletter

Events, activities, news and reports for members

Square in St Emilion

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Book Club Mon 4th May 2 – 4.00 pm St Pardoux Reading Circle Wed 6th May 2.30 pm La Lande Walk Sat 9th May 10.30 am St Coutant Quiz Night Thurs 21st May 7.00 pm Menigoute Second Circle Tues 26th May 10.00 am Scille Walk Fri 29th May 10.00 am Moncoutant Book Club Mon 1st June 2 – 4.00 om Walk Sat 6th June 10.30 am Caunay Garden Party Sat 13th June Saint Coutant Walk Fri 26th June 10.30 am Fenery Garden Party Sat 11th July 12.30 pm Scille BBQ Sun 26th July Le Tallud

 Next Committee Meeting Tuesday 19th May, Chez Sewell  Final Copy Date for Newsletter Items Monday 25th May ([email protected])

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Remember to keep your cameras at the ready as we will be announcing the theme of this year’s calendar competition in the next Newsletter!

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Book Club Mon 4th May 2 – 4.00 pm St Pardoux The May book club is kindly being hosted by Kath & David Scown.

Reading Wed 6th May 2.30 pm La Lande Circle This month we shall be discussing The Husband's Secret by Australian author Liane Moriarty. Cecilia discovers an old envelope in the attic. Written in her husband's hand it says: to be opened only in the event of my death. But he is still very much alive, so what should she do? A gripping retelling of the Pandora's box story. All our reviews can be found on the website.

Walk Sat 9th May 10.30 am St Coutant

There will be a walk of approximately 8km and a shorter one of around 4km set in the gently undulating countryside surrounding the village. The walk starts in the parking of the Salle des Associations in St Coutant which can be found south of . Follow the road from Lezay, direction St Vincent Le Chatre (D105), skirting the village of Ruisseau. At the brow of the hill turn right towards St Coutant. Follow the road passing the “garden centre” on the right and take the next right just after the St Coutant Sign. Then take the first left signed “Salle des Associations”. (46⁰ 13’ 50.31”N 0⁰ 00’ 45.48”). The walk is around 7km with a shorter option. As ever, stout footwear should be worn. Lunch is booked at Berlands in the centre of Lezay and will consist of aperitif, goat’s cheese salad, a choice of chicken or fish, fruit desert, wine and coffee at a cost of 18€.

Quiz Night Thurs 21st 7.00 pm Menigoute History Group May Committee This quiz evening will be held at the Auberge des Voyageurs, Menigoute and organised by members of the History Group but rest assured it will be a general knowledge quiz with just a few questions on History from previous History Group talks. The proceeds from the evening will go towards a contribution to local charities chosen by Carol Andrews for the 250 history book collection kindly donated to GT by Carol on behalf of her late husband, Keith. The quiz will start promptly at 7.00 pm but the doors will be open from 6.30 pm for those wishing to stimulate their brain cells with a pre-quiz drink. Your quiz master will be Jonathan Townsend assisted by Jackie Luckett. There will be a break halfway

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through for supper. Maximum of four quizzers per table with an entry fee of 4€ per person. Supper will cost 10€ each and consist of a main course plus desert followed by tea or coffee. Details to follow but fish and vegetarian options will be available. The scores will be added up at the end and prizes will be awarded. Just imagine a luxury weekend for two in Paris..... Well, dream on; because we could not get the GT committee to agree to this one. But rewards of a more modest nature will go to the winning team plus a booby prize for the 'also rans'.

Directions to Auberge des Voyageurs in Menigoute. From North (), exit towards then via 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 (), 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.

Second Tues 26th May 10.00 am Scille Circle The next meeting of the Second Circle reading group will be at 10.00 am on Tuesday 26th May, at Joyce Robert's home near Scille. We will be discussing Pigs in Heaven, a novel by Barbara Kingsolver.

Walk Fri 29th May 10.00 am Moncoutant This 8km walk starts in the car park of Pescalis; it loops around the fishing lakes before climbing gently towards Moncoutant, passing an old water mill and the ‘Ferme Découverte’ des Noues de Puy Jean before arriving in the town itself. We pass through the town to rejoin the country paths, circling back to Pescalis. The off road terrain could be wet and muddy, so wear suitable shoes and clothing. There is a reasonable amount of shade, but hopefully the glorious sunshine will mean hats and suntan cream are advisable. It is a fairly easy walk, with interesting scenery and views of Pescalis and the Sèvre Nantaise valley. There is a short walk option. Lunch will be at ‘Chez Chantal’ in L’Absie from 12.30 pm. Starter, Main course, cheese, dessert, wine and coffee all for 12.50€! Please indicate when booking if you would prefer meat, fish or vegetarian and of course non-walkers are more than welcome to join us for lunch. All booking in by Monday 25 May 2015. Please note that anyone cancelling at the last minute may still be required to pay for the meal.

Directions: Aim for Moncoutant. Arriving from the south, on the D744 coming from L’Absie.: at the Pescalis roundabout, turn left into the nature park. Take the first right and follow the short road alongside the lake to the car park. There are picnic benches for non-walkers and toilet facilities.

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Arriving from the north: leave Moncoutant on the D744, signposted towards . Drive south and turn right at the Pescalis roundabout. Take the first right and follow the short road alongside the lake to the car park where there are picnic benches and toilets. Chez Chantal is on the D744, heading south from L’Absie to Niort. As you leave L’Absie the restaurant and its large car park are on the right, just past the park on the right. Arriving from Niort, Chez Chantal is on the left at the junction with the D136, signposted St Hilaire de Vouste. It is shown on Google maps!

Book Club Mon 1st June 2 – 4.00 pm Le Tallud June’s Book Club/Library will be held at Chez Mousdale.

Walk Sat 6th June 10.30 am Caunay The walk starts at the Marie in the centre of Caunay and passes around the village and through the nearby forests. It will be 8kms long with a choice to return after 5kms. Dependent upon the weather the tracks through the forest may well be wet so suitable footwear is recommended. It is all in the flat. There are toilets at the start of the walk.

Lunch will be at the Mad Hatters restaurant close to Caunay and will be 4 courses including a 1/4 litre of wine each at a cost of 15€ each. When booking it is not necessary to specify meat or fish, there will be choices on the day for each.

Directions to Caunay; Postcode 79190, off the D 15 between Lezay and Sauze Vaussais. It is well signposted off this road whichever direction you drive from.

Garden Party Sat 13th June Saint Coutant A date for your diaries! Noreena & Steve Parker will be hosting a garden party on 13th June and will also have an English gardener offering unusual plants for sale on the day too! More details to follow.

Walk Fri 26th June 10.30 am Fenery

We will meet at the old station (La Gare) car park in Fenery – sign posted ‘La Voie Verte’. Rue de La Gare, Fenery, 79450. NOTE THE LATER START TIME (so you can have a lie-in!) The walk will be approx. 8kms, with a shorter route also available. It will mainly be on quiet roads and some tracks and should be fairly flat. So appropriate footwear

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needed etc. We will eat at La Parth de Boeuf, 5 Route de Moncoutant, St Germain de Longue Chaume 79200 From the South; from take D949 towards Parthenay, at Azey-sur- Thouet; take D139 left to St Aubin le Cloud. From the North; from Parthenay take D140 to St Aubin le Cloud. Then from centre ville St Aubin, take D139 to Fenery. As you approach Fenery follow the signs for La Voie Verte. In the centre of Fenery, go past the Mairie’s on your right, keep left & you will see a sign on your left for the 'La Voie Verte'. Turn left here into Rue de La Gare, past the Gare (Old station house) and into the car- park where we will meet. Natural compost toilets available here (ladies can use our house just nearby if you prefer!) Directions for lunch; leave the Gare car-park, turn right, and then second on the left, signed for St.Germain de Longue-Chaume (C1), keep on this road for approx. 3km. At the T junction, turn left on to the D19 & the La Parth de Boeuf restaurant is about 200 meters on your left with a large car-park. Lunch includes: starter, main course, dessert, wine and coffee for 12€.

Garden Party Sat 11th July 12.30 pm Scille

Garden Party, Wine Tasting and Treasure Hunt. A GT garden party with a difference - Joyce Roberts has organised a very interesting afternoon for us all, so why not come along and sample some wine produced by Roger Boisdron, viticulteur et recoltant. They offer the full range of reasonably priced red, white, rose and sparkling, with no pressure to buy. This will be followed by your own delicious picnic in Joyce's pretty garden and to finish off the afternoon a treasure hunt with fun cryptic clues to reawaken those little grey cells.

BBQ Sun 26th July Le Tallud The Committee

This year we have decided to hold a BBQ at the summer event on the 26th July at Le Tallud, so here’s a taster (pardon the pun).... Committee members (and volunteers) will BBQ and members will bring salad and sweets, there will also be an apero, wine and tea & coffee provided. Further details will follow but reserve the date.

One For the Ladies?

Would you be interested in having your fingers and toes painted in a venue to be agreed? We thought perhaps a couple of people would be happy to host a session for 3 or 4 others. Lisa would be happy to travel within Deux Sèvres. She is around during the last 2 weeks in May and again early July. Her charges seem reasonable: 22€ for just toes, 35€ for fingers and toes.

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If this is successful we could arrange regular appointments. Let me know – [email protected]

REPORTS ON RECENT EVENTS

Walk Fri 27th March La Chapelle Report by Thireuil Rebecca Sewell 20 people chatting & talking 7 dogs also barking and walking Usual tracks, roads and mud Gossip to catch up with – that was good! 3 more joined us for the lunch A lovely meal for us all to munch. Thanks to Brad for guiding us round While Sally nursed her bad ankle – she was safe and sound.

Walk Fri 24th April Menigoute Report by Julia Murray 20 walkers and 7 dogs met at Menigoute on a slightly fresh April day. After some gentle banter on who was wearing the right outfit, which ranged from full winter gear to summer shorts and tee shirts we set off around the lake. Some anglers were busy reeling in the fish as we passed. We had a lovely walk through bluebell wood, as well as blue bells there was an abundance of wild garlic and several other dainty looking flowers, On the return journey along a quiet lane we Page 6 of 8 http://www.getogether-france.org

were met by a beautiful herd of brown cows and 3 gorgeous very young calfs. A convenient gateway enabled us to hide the dogs and the little herd slowly passed by, Only Annette thought of taking a photo, unfortunately of the rear end!! As all ways the dogs were well behaved and we returned to the car park in sun shine and all winter garments removed. Thank you Annette and Leslie for a nice walk and a lovely meal at Le Voyageurs in Menigoute. Second Circle Report by Lesley Ritchie After a wide-ranging discussion, the Second Circle reading group unanimously agreed that Calling Me Home a first novel by Julie Kibler, was a very thought- provoking, convincing, well crafted novel. Set in contemporary southern USA, it explores racism, family relationships and changes in attitudes over time and more.

SPRING 2015 SHORT STORY & POETRY COMPETITION

Are you a prolific writer, a closet writer, been published, never been published, got lots of short stories or poems filed away? Now is your chance to spread your wings. This is a BRAND NEW competition which it is hoped all writers will enter. Subject matter is whatever you wish - wherever your imagination takes you! It's also a fundraiser for Pepis Dog Refuge, Pedrera, Seville, where there are over 70 dogs and 18 puppies needing feeding. All the details are on the link below or email [email protected]. http://www.thisfrenchlife.com/deuxsevres/spring-2015-short-story-and-poetry- competition-for-pepi-and-his-pals-pepis-dog-refuge-pedrera-seville-was- opened-in-20.html

Closing date is midnight 23rd May 2015

Charroux Literary Festival

Please find below the link provided by Bernadine Smith to the website for the Charroux Literary Festival which takes place in 27th, 28th & 29th August this year. The festival will take place mainly in Le maison du pays Charlois (Le Grand maison) in the centre of Charroux, a medieval village which has managed to conserve a part of its medieval architecture! You will see that Kate Mosse is attending, also Kate Gallagher who is quite a renowned poet. https://charrouxlitfest.wordpress.com/

French Exchange Group

The French group based in Niort who organise the annual exchange to Wellingborough also hold very enjoyable coffee mornings at a various cafes in Niort, film nights with buffet and picnics, to meet and get to know local British residents.

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They are keen to expand the group, so if you are within reach and would like to join us and meet some interesting and friendly French people, please contact Lesley Ritchie.

Published by: Get Together, 10a Rue du Four a Tuiles, 79410, 05.49.17.11.20 [email protected] Produced by: Rebecca Sewell, 6 Allée de Longeville, Fenery 79450 05.49.95.43.73. [email protected] Website: Andy Walmsley, 5 Jarzay, 79200 St Germain de Longue Chaume [email protected]

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