Two messages from Hans

Hi Val, I hope you are feeling better again.

I have two messages :

 

Help on computers still available.

 

If anyone within reasonable distance of St Antonin needs assistance on computers or wifi/internet you may contact me. I keep my shop closed in St Antonin, but I can visit people. 0643734697 Hans, VIDEPC

 

 

 

 

Solidarity in St Antonin

 

I recently became élu in St Antonin Noble Val. The team of the elected group have now announced the following for the inhabitants of St Antonin:

The "Solidarity" operation of the 19 new elected officials works and continues. Spread the word around you.
We have set up an organization for the elderly but also for single people who need to go shopping, who cannot move or just need a call to get news.
For your food and medication shopping, place your order:
Carrefour Contact: Aziz or Aurore at 05.63.02.49.8
Occitan Workshops: Patricia on 09 53 05 34 34
Mme Grare, Pharmacy: 05 63 30 60 94
We deliver to your home, weekends included.
If you need a "special travel certificate", send us a message with your name, address and date of birth and we will bring them to your home.
If you know people who have a need, thank you for notifying a member of the team or for putting a message on our facebook page. Do not hesitate to contact us. Take care of yourself.

stanto2020@gmail.com

 

Hans Buijserd

For those of us who hate hunting

Book sale at St Pantaleon

Dear Booklovers,

It is with MUCH regret that I have to tell you that the Book Sale for the 4th April has had to be postponed/cancelled - hopefully the former.

The announcement that people of 70 and over should avoid contact with others as much as possible, just put the tin lid on it.  A lot of our loyal customers fit in to that bracket - as do some of our team !  We feel that if we went ahead, numbers would be well down which would be a shame after all the hard work that goes into making it a good event for you.

Hopefully, when all this madness settles down, we will try for an early Summer sale, if not, full steam ahead for the Autumn !

Keep well,

Sue x  Glibbery, Poorpaws

Mains Tendues 82 at Varen

Today we all felt sad at Mains Tendues 82 as a group we took the decision to close the friperie until the situation with the virus improves. Just too many of us over 70 and some with husbands with chronic health conditions.

What more can one say but “keep well and a bientôt 

Cheering ourselves up with a coffee at the bar.

Generator for sale SOLD

Generator, the model is hyundai hg2700

Only used to try it, bought in error as we do not need one at Mains Tendues, as we use local electricity.

HYUNDAI GENERATEUR (NOUVEAU) - HG2700

cela n'a jamais été utilisé (une seule fois pour s'assurer que cela fonctionne). Coût neuf 289 euros. Une grosse économie de 100+ euros.

Groupe électrogène essence de chantier 2700 W 2500 W - Système AVR

Puissance nominale 2500 W

Puissance maxi 2700 W

Puissance du moteur 7 hp

Système AVR Oui

Autonomie 10.5 h

Voltmètre Oui

Capacité réservoir carburant 15000 mL

Niveau sonore 95 dB

Poids net (kg) 37

Half price

150 euros

Mains Tendues 82.     taglines82@gmail.com

Varen

Aristides last morning in Varen market

We will miss you Aristide

Aristide is dead

The saddest news as our group were worried we had not seen Aristide on the market for two weeks I went to see his apartment to check on him. I was met by his daughter who told me he was dead, had been in his apartment dead for some days.

It was the third time he had tried to take his life. If only we had known we could have done so much for him.

I am really sad as the rest of our group will be. He was practically part of the team

His daughter will let me know when his funeral will be at Albi

How sad that a man who gave so much joy was so unwell and unhappy

Ps he also played in St. Antonin market on Sundays

A big thank you

A thank you to all who have open hearts and minds and who have welcomed the Yedizi ladies and their children at Septfonds and Caussade. Yesterday Jill Williamson and I went to make a donation to each of the eleven ladies of 150 euros. It was money donated by you all instead of flowers after Malc died.

Since the last time we went to see them just after they arrived when Mains Tendues gave each one 200 euros, we were delighted to see how they had integrated into the French community. After four mornings a week having French lessons their language and communication skills were noticeably different. 

They looked happy.

Jill and I drove home also feeling happy  as I am sure Malc looking down would also have done.

Thank you

Book swap March 2nd

Book swap Monday March 2 nd at the Gazpacho at St. Antonin, 10.30 am

Please note no book swap in April

Helen Graham

Poorpaws book sale

Poorpaws

Dear Booklovers,

A  reminder for you to put Saturday 4th April in your diaries !  It's time for your favourite - I hope - Book Sale.  As usual, at the St. Pantaleon, (Lot), Salle des Fetes from 10am to 3pm.  Books, dvds at one euro and cds at 50 cents.  Your best loved cakes, we have it on record that Liz's carrot cakes and Pat's coffee and walnut, are the best in France - and possibly the universe !

Tea, coffee and snack lunches will all be on offer, so come along and spend a great few hours browsing, buying, eating and drinking !

I am responsible for the books that are chosen to go on sale so if there are authors you don't see and who you like, or if you have any suggestions, please don't hesitate to tell me. (But please don't ask me to put them all in alphabetical order !)  I do categorise them but sometimes it is a bit difficult to know which genre to put them in so do look at miscellaneous and hard backs where different categories are put together.   I do try to ensure books which are in good condition but sometimes there are those which I think are cracking good and deserve to be read whatever state they are in, so they are given a chance.  This time - don't I always say this ?! - we have a really excellent choice, so come and indulge !

A service which I started last was a 'book search'; this proved quite popular, so if there is an author you really like, or a book you have been wanting to read, let me know and I will do my best to find it/her/him.

All proceeds to go to La Mere aux Betes, Cancer Support France and Poorpaws Dog Rescue.

So, come rain or shine your Book Team will be ready to greet you on Saturday 4th April !

Sue xx

Vide Maison

Vide Maison

Moya is having a vide maison on Sunday 1 March at Las Treilles, 81170 Itzac from 10am to 4pm. Her house is 1km up the hill from the centre of Itzac on the road to Vaour. There is a lot of great furniture for sale, including: 2 Stuart Jones chairs,  a nest of tables and a yew corner unit, as well as pictures, kitchen items, crystal glass and a wide range of books. The larger items can be bought in advance. Contact Moya on: graemoya@orange.fr for more information or to arrange a visit to see the furniture.

Remember Laura and Sid?

Glad to hear that you're happy in your new home.

We're fine, Sid's doing well, he's got past the first 3 months which apparently is the dodgy time after a heart attack & is now back to normal really. Portugal has taken us in hand totally... We're registered farmers now which was a bit of a shock to the system! But honestly everyone is so kind & helpful we really feel as if we're finally in the right country. We're now busy putting in raised beds for veggies, have pruned about 80 of the olives which hadn't been touched for years & made a start on double glazing and insulating the house, that in itself is now a building site but the weather's too glorious to be indoors so it'll remain a mess for a while. We seem to have a constant stream of visitors most of whom help.

We cannot believe how early spring comes to this area, the meadows are full of thigh high flowers, chamomile, marigolds, lavender, ash trees are in leaf it's just wonderful. Anyway here's a few pics of our place, we've got all the land both sides of the river just can't believe it.

Really if you ever fancy then do come & see us.

Look after yourself with love from both of us Laura & Sid

Val says.  There is life after France and this couple are now in Portugal

taglines82@gmail.com

A club no one wants to join

A club no one wants to join

A good friend who lost his wife a few years ago said to me, ‘’ Val we are in a club no one wants to join’’

I understood perfectly what he was saying. No one wants to loose a beloved partner but as we get older it is going to happen to us all, its a fact of life...or death.

There are  two other people in the village who lost partners around the same time as I lost Malc. It is uncanny how we are all going through the same stages of grief, but the over riding problem is the loneliness, after spending years of sharing ones life.

I am a great one for tackling problems head on. We must accept our lives have changed and prepare for the next phase, which we must try to make as much fun as possible.

Hearts  will ache at bedtime bit we still have our lives which are a gift to enjoy.

If you live in Varen or nearby and want for any reason to join the group no one wants to be in, then contact me to arrange having some fun.

Its a club  with no direction and no other aim than to make us happy.

Maybe we can discuss help we need with documents or jobs too difficult around the house.

So far I think I can  count on 5, not a bad start, and or course it will be a multi lingual group.

taglines82@gmail.com

Dogs are banned

Varen  frip takes a hard stand 

No more  dogs in the frip. 🦮

You know we love dogs at Mains Tendues, we all have one or two ourselves... but after a week end where 3 dogs lifted their legs copiously in the shop and the owners sneaked off without offering to clean up. We have a new rule now.

Dogs have to be tied up outside or if one of us is free we will hold their leads for you. 

We do not have washing facilities, although we do now have a smelly mop.

You brought it on yourselves you mutts.... I do mean the dogs.

Car wanted

Hi Val,

How are you doing? So hope all's well with you, often think of you, have you moved yet?

I have a request for tag

Please does anyone have an old car they no longer need, preferably English with French registration, anything considered.

Many thanks & lots of love to you Laura & Sid xxxxx

green.havard@gmail.com

Apero Concert, Verfeil

Mercredi 19 Fevrier, 19 h cafe de la halle 

Busy week end

This Valentine days week end and what a busy time we have had a Mains Tendues 82

We had a lovely visit from Sol handi à Verfeil. They are setting up two or three apartments for the handicapped people they help, for  them to learn to live independantly.

We are helping them for free to furnish their apartments.

Then we had a visit from representatives of Citrus Laguepie, who we gave a cheque for 1,000 euros to help them with their work of integrating young people from around the world and teaching them to work together.

Then we welcomed two new helpers to the team both elderly French ladies who are my neighbours in the village. Well done ladies.

A young refugee, one of my young men who has just got asylum came for bedding and he happily went away with arms full

We are only open 2 hours on Friday and three on Saturday but we fit a lot into those hours.

The bureau of Mains Tendues 82 with Citrus Laguepie 

Foire des Couturières

Restaurant for sale at Verfeil

An absolute bargain, you can live there, rent rooms and have a restaurant

Go for it whilst you can

Vide Maison

Vide Maison

Moya is having a vide maison on Sunday 1 March at Las Treilles, 81170 Itzac from 10am to 4pm. Her house is 1km up the hill from the centre of Itzac on the road to Vaour. There is a lot of great furniture for sale, including: 2 single beds (never used),  a UK king sized bed (150 x198, excellent condition), Parker Knoll sofa and two arm chairs and pine bedside cabinets as well as pictures, jewellery and you guessed it, more cookery books! The larger items can be bought in advance. Contact Moya on: graemoya@orange.fr for more information or to arrange a visit to see the furniture.

MOYA’S ITEMS FOR SALE ON OR BEFORE VIDE MAISON

Please contact Moya via: graemoya@orange.fr or telephone Graeme on: 06 04 08 81 12:

2 single beds with mattresses, unused, still in their wrappers. 190 x 90. 200 euros for the pair.

Single bed: integral headboard, pine frame. Mattress vgc, hardly used. 200 x 90. 60 euros.

UK King sized bed and mattress. Mattress vgc. 198 x 150. 120 euros.

Parker Knoll tapestry effect sofa and 2 chairs 350 euros.

Corner unit/vitrine in yew. 181h x41/45w top/bottom sections. 75 euros.

1 pair dark pine bedside cabinets. 50w x 48d x 68h. 70 euros

 

MOYA’S ITEMS FOR SALE ON OR BEFORE VIDE MAISON

2 single beds with mattresses, unused, still in their wrappersMOYA’S ITEMS FOR SALE ON OR BEFORE VIDE MAISON

2 single beds with mattresses, unused, still in their wrappers. 190 x 90. 200 euros for the pair.

Single bed: integral headboard, pine frame. Mattress vgc, hardly used. 200 x 90. 60 euros.

UK King sized bed and mattress. Mattress vgc. 198 x 150. 120 euros.

Parker Knoll tapestry effect sofa and 2 chairs 350 euros.

Corner unit/vitrine in yew. 181h x41/45w top/bottom sections. 75 euros.

1 pair dark pine bedside cabinets. 50w x 48d x 68h. 70 euros

 

La grotte du Bosc above St. Antonin

The grotte du Bosc is set to open again yet another place interesting to locals and tourists alike.

There is a report in the  Depeche

2020 Municipal Elections

The 2020 French municipal elections will be held on 15 and 22 March 2020 to renew the municipal councils of the approximately 35,000 French communes

Many of us who have lost our European citizenship will not be able to vote this year 

Changes afoot

Now you may all have heard about this, it must have been in the Depeche.

The Abbaye of Beaulieu is going to be made an important Museum in France.

Daniel Cadiac, not sure of the spelling of his surname even though he is a friend, was in the frip this morning. He is the leader of a team who for the last few years have organised expos at Beaulieu, absolutely splendid. All that is set to stop and for about a year the site will be closed as extensive works get underway.

It is envisaged to be a huge, well promoted museum expecting thousands of visitors to the area ( I mean thousands )

I felt sorry for Daniel but for others in the area of tourism ,this could be a great opportunity.

The villages close by Verfeil, Varen, Parisot, Caylus could all benefit.

Imagine the potential of easily filling your chambre d’hote and gite. Restaurants nearby must be rubbing their hands.

On that subject there is a restaurant for sale at Verfeil, the nearest village. Anyone with a bit of go could do well there.

These villages need to elect Maires who can see the potential of making their villages tourist villages, parking for motorhomes, villages fleuris, plenty of car parks.

Like it or not, tourist invasion in the summer is on its way.

Sadly we leave the E U today

Time for the book swap again

The book swap will be  10.30 on Monday 3rd February at the Gazpacho at St. Antonin

Helen Graham

I remain European

No longer eligible to vote

British citizens resident in France,  unless they already have dial dual citizenship,  will not be eligible to vote- Je suis ressortissant britannique, "pourrai-je voter aux prochaines élections européennes et municipales ?

A compter du retrait effectif du Royaume-Uni hors de l'Union européenne, les ressortissants britanniques résidant en France ne pourront plus participer à l'élection des représentants de la France au Parlement européen ni, non plus, aux élections municipales. La condition de nationalité (être ressortissant d’un Etat membre de l’Union européenne) prévue par l’article 2-1 de la loi du 7 juillet 1977 relative à l’élection des représentants au Parlement européen et l’article L.O. 227-1 pour les élections municipales ne sera en effet plus remplie et les ressortissants britanniques perdront donc leur droit de vote pour ces scrutins. 

Les ressortissants britanniques disposant également de la nationalité française ne sont de ce fait pas concernés par ce qui précède. Ils pourront voter aux élections européennes à condition d'être inscrits sur la liste électorale d'une commune en tant que citoyen français'

Cancer Support in our area

Dear CSF Members, Friends and Volunteers,

"HELLO" and welcome to our February "What's On" Newsletter.  

With New Year celebrations behind us we hope 2020 is going to be a busy year for CSF Tarn. 

February is normally a dismal and grey month but here in South West France we are enjoying some bright sunny days.  Of course, this month is the time for those Truffle Festivals/Markets, where we can watch ingenious displays of culinary 'know how' from the experts. Nice to look forward to!!

It is also the 20th World Cancer Day on the 4th February.

It highlights the need for access to quality care, cancer research funding and greater understanding, respect and dignity.

This health awareness day is led by the Union for International Cancer Control, a global consortium of more than 470 cancer fighting organisations in over 120 countries.  The day is the one singular initiative under which the entire world can unite together in the fight against cancer.  It takes place annually on the 4th February and targets the public through global communications and encourages policy makers and UICC member organisations to make cancer a political priority.  

Cancer Support France well understands the deep emotional effects.  This is why we ask you to give your support and time to help us promote awareness of our association. 

There are many ways to do this. 

You can:-

- spread the word and let all your friends know whenever we have a fund raising event.

- share this Newsletter with your friends.

- place one of our posters and brochures in as many pharmacies, dentists, hospitals, doctors and medical centres as possible. These are always supplies available from Denise Copley and Peter Waldekker, our CSF Co-ordinators, at our regular Coffee Mornings. 

- alert us to events/activitiesthroughout the year, involving English speakers, where we could promote CSF.

Thankyou!!

The next  Monthly Drop-In Coffee Morning Support Groups in Gaillac and Saint Antonin Noble Val will take place on the following dates:-

Wednesday 12th February, 10.00 - 11.30am

Cafe des Sports Brasserie, Gaillac.

(held every second Wednesday of the month).

Wednesday 19th February 10.00 - 11.30am

Le Gazpacho Bar Brasserie, Saint Antonin Noble Val.

(held every third Wednesday of the month).  

Why not come along and join us?  We enjoy an informal setting and everyone is welcome.  Please ask your friends to come along  too!

A Trained Listener is always on hand.

Now available to download - January "TOUCHLINES" -  (the Cancer Support France Regular Quarterly Newsletter).  

www.cancersupportfrance.org.

CYCLE FOR LIFE 2020 - Wednesday 3rd June/Sunday 7th June

New route this year!   It will be following a dedicated cycle route, "La Flow Velo", through the Charente to Perigord, beginning in Rochefort at lunchtime on the 3rd June, ending lunchtime on the 7th in Thiviers.

If you are interested in taking part please contact Sasha on admin@cancersupportfrance.org.  She will ensure you are kept up to date and answer any queries.

In the meantime, A BIG THANKYOU for all your continued support.   It is always so very much appreciated!!

See you very soon!!

Warmest wishes.

Sheila Barcroft

for CSF Tarn, Tarn et Garonne Regions

"Our Mission" to support English speaking people living in France who are affected by Cancer.

Hazards en Résonances

Three hours long but worth watching when you can

Une vie cachée, a hidden life , shown in version originale which was English

Won the Palme D’Or this year.

A true story presented by Terence Malick, the cinematography  was wonderful. A slow paced film with wonderful views of the Austrian alps.

Has a very sad ending but a film worth making the effort to see. Sadly tonight was the last night at the Querlys.

taglines82@gmail.com

Vide Grenier at Verfeil sur Seye

The bar des sports now open in Varen

With a new owner Laure, the wife of the local plumber and electrician Jerome Rodriques the Bar Des Sports in Varen opened this week.

It starts serving food tonight and then next week

I will update on opening hours when I know exactly

The tel number for bookings is 0563021024

taglines82@gmail.com

In Varen tomorrow morning

Jo Hickson is in Varen Sat. Morning, old mairie

Bit late but Happy New Year everyone! I’m at the Frip in Varen on Saturday morning 10-12 with some cakes and jams and marmalade. Plus a new batch of beeswax wraps!! 

Excellent to use as an alternative to cling film and reusable. Made with beeswax from our local honey farm at Puylaroque and 2€ is donated to Mains Tendues (Val’s charity) from every pack of 3 wraps sold! 

Cakes:

Mini apple crumble tarts

Apple crumble tarts 

Lemon meringue tarts 

Almond thins (biscuits)

Mini Victoria Sandwich cakes 

orange and cranberry Florentine’s 

Marmalade 

Mini variety jam packs

Fête de l’Osier

A meeting for animal lovers in St.Antonin

A meeting open to all local animal lovers, of all ages.

  This project is supported by the association Oasis.

                           Together we can do more!

For everyone who already does a lot of positive action for animal welfare and for those who would like to do more. 

The aim is to share, inform, organise and inspire. And then to put into action whatever is possible. 

You may want to share what you, or your association already does and explain what extra help is needed.

You may want to share projects or ideas.

You may just want to be able to do more.

Place: The meeting is in the Salle Chorale next to the Post Office in Saint Antonin.

Date: Sunday the 19^th of January, at 14h00 or again at 15h00 or 16h00. We’ll be there all afternoon. Come when you can or contact Rachel if you can’t come but would like to be informed about actions decided. 

rachel.shamash@orange.fr   05 63 24 07 34

some possibilities would be supporting existing associations, helping/walking abandoned animals, transport share for demonstrations, vegan tasting for the public, interaction in schools, in our villages …. etc

Festival des lanternes at Gaillac

Du 1er Décembre 2019 au 31 Janvier 2020.
Grand événement du Sud-Ouest, le Festival des Lanternes de Gaillac dans le Tarn a conquis plus de 370 000 visiteurs en 2018.
Pour cette 3eme édition dans un parc 100% renouvelé, venez vivre un majestueux voyage à la découvertes des 5 provinces chinoises : coutumes, traditions et coup de projecteur au patrimoine mondial.

Val saysyou have till the end of January to go

Thank you for your replies

Martin Pittaway thanks you for your replies. He now has adopted a young cat, so thank you.

Cancer Support in France

Dear Cancer Support France Members, Friends and Volunteers!

"Meilleurs Voeux" pour cette nouvelle annee 2020!!   We hope everyone is looking forward to this New Year - it's going to be busy with lots of activities and we will keep you all informed along the way of dates for your diaries!!

We are happy to announce that the Christmas Fayre in Monesties Village raised 135 Euros from the sales of Christmas cards, mince pies, cakes and other CSF merchandise!  A big thankyou to everyone for your wonderful contributions.  It was very much appreciated.

We will be holding out regular Monthly Drop In Coffee Morning Support Groups in Gaillac and Saint Antonin Noble Val on the following dates:-

Wednesday 8th January, 10.00 - 11.30am

Drop-In Coffee Morning at Cafe des Sports Brasserie, Gaillac.

Wednesday 15th January,10.00 - 11.30am

Drop-In Coffee Morning at Le Gazpacho Bar Brasserie, Saint Antonin Noble Val.

We really hope you will be able to join us on some of these dates - it's such a lovely opportunity to get together for a drink and a chat.  Come and meet some of our other volunteers.  Active listeners will be available.  

For anyone interested, the CSF Sud de France Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 29th January 2020 from 09.45am at.-

L'Oliveraie, 850 Boulevard Denis Papin, 11000 Carcassonne.  Website www.loliveraie.fr

It is being held at the same venue that has been used for the past few years and is very conveniently situated near the Carcassonne Ouest Autoroute Exit.

The speaker will be Dr Martin Christleib, from the Department of Oncology at Oxford University.  The subject of his talk will be on clinical trials of new treatments and how to measure their effectiveness.

Following the AGM everyone is invited to stay for lunch.  The cost of the lunch will be 20 Euros.  Please reserve in advance.  Details of the menu can be found on the website.  Your choices need to be made by Monday 20th January.

Car sharing can be arranged from Albi.

And to you dear Melissa,

CSF Tarn and Tarn et Garonne would like to express sincere condolences to you and your family on your sad loss.  Our thoughts are with you all at this difficult time.

With warmest wishesl.

Sheila Barcroft

for CSF Tarn, Tarn et Garonne Regions

"Our Mission" to support English speaking people living in France who are affected by Cancer.

Martin can rehome a cat

Hi Val.

can you help with an announcement please.

If anyone around the Gaillac area knows of or is wishing to home a kitten or a cat, we would be very interested to hear from them.

Our dog, Lucky (a rescue dog from Toulouse), made friends with a wild cat living in our rear garden.  Sadly the cat passed away on New Years Day and our little dog hasn’t been the same since.

He wanders around the garden looking for his friend: and of course without success. He’s sad and miserable even off his food.

So we are looking to home a unwanted cat or kitten.

I can be contacted by email.

Many thanks

Martin Pittaway.       martinpittaway@mac.com

Are you eligible to vote ?

Elections Municipales et Régionales 

 

As probably most of us have heard of, in 2020 we will have elections for both the local councils and the representatives in the regions (Communité de Communes) on the 15^th and 20^th of March.

If you want to participate and want to vote, you have to be sure that you are on the election list of your town.

The rules: First of all you have to be 18 years of age or more. You must be French or a member of the European Union (UK at this moment included, but depending on Brexit results) living in France. You must have voting rights. And you must be on the list for the local elections in the town where you live. 

Once you are on the list you also may vote for the European Elections (you have to indicate that you want to vote for this also), but you may only vote in one country.

To get on the election list you have to subscribe. But for EU members there are additional rules. You can subscribe in:

• The town where your house is
• The town where you live for at least 6 months
• The town where you pay local taxes (taxe foncière, taxe d’habitation, cotisation d’entreprise) for at least 2 years
• The town where you have a company as a (co-)owner for at least 2 years and pay local taxes for

When you subscribe you must indicate if you only subscribe for the local elections, only for the European elections, or both.

The subscription can be done on the website of the Service Public via the link https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F1937

You have to send in a copy of your Passport or ID or Titre de Séjours. Plus, a justificatif de domicile, not older than 3 months. 

You can do everything online, but you also can go to the Mairie of your town to subscribe. On the website you also can find the forms to fill in when you want to do everything per mail.

 

The subscription needs to be done before the 7th of February 2020. Did you subscribe before? Then it is good to check at the Mairie if you are still on the list. Because of the changes in the recent past some people are not on the list anymore.

 

It is good to participate in the local elections and to let hear your opinion. It is good to be represented.

 

Hans Buijserd

Book swap at St. Antonin

The next book swap will be on Monday 6 th January  at 10.30

The Gazpacho. St. Antonin

A new start doing what she does so well

New Year – new Start

After having worked for 20 years with Agence L’Union in Saint Antonin I had to reorientate myself after the office closed last year. Since I enjoy working in the property market, meeting people and making the process of buying and selling houses as smooth as possible for them, I will be continuing with this line of work, using my good knowledge of the local market to help my future clients. 

I will be working as an independent agent with Laforêt in Caussade. Laforêt has 700 offices in France and I will have a strong and well established company with a large base of potential buyers behind me. Our motto is Clarity – Conviviality – Efficiency meaning that it is important for vendors and buyers to have all necessary information to make clear decisions, that we are serious in our approach to work without taking ourselves too seriously and that customer satisfaction is very important to us.

I am based in Saint Antonin and will be covering the area of approximately25km around it. So if you have a property for sale or know of someone who might not be getting the service or viewings they need, please contact me for any help or advice.

Angelika Schmenkel
(Fluent in French, English, German)
06 30 40 98 58 or aschmenkel@laforet.com

Val says , many of us over the years have got to know Angelica, many of us bought a house from her whilst she was with Agence L’Union. I am sure we all wish her well, I certainly do.

Good luck Angelica

 

All the Olive Oil got sold, now a dog sitter needed

Caring person needed to look after my lovely dog for 3 weeks from as soon as possible. She's large, super friendly, loves people, good with cats & other dogs, quite happy to live outside.

Hoping someone can help.

green.havard@gmail.com

Val says i believe this is in St. Antonin.

Thank you all

A big thank you to everyone who contributed a donation when Malc died

Malcs wish was for no flowers but a donation going to 12 refugee ladies and their children at Septfonds and Caussade. The ladies Yedhizis all had their husbands killed and after 3 years in a camp were brought to France on a Macron scheme.

Malc thought of others less fortunate, even as he was dying.

We now have 1, 200 euros collected which means each lady will have a 100 hundred euros each to spend.

Thank you all for your generosity.

Trusty vehicle needed

   I am looking for  a trusty fairly roomy vehicle.    I don't mind if it is RHD, but must it  have a Control Technique (CT) and be preferably 5-door. I can rematriculate if necessary.  Reliability is paramount  - petrol or diesel.  Modest budget! 

      Please contact: andrea.white08@gmail.com   or    06 84 15 52 11

Extra virgin olive oil

Many of you will remember Laura and Sid who left St. Antonin for Portugal

Extra Virgin olive oil fresh off the press. Grown & processed without any chemicals or pesticides for many years. Currently awaiting organic certification. This year is our first year here and we have a very limited amount of this superb oil available from our own farm on the slopes of the Gardhuna mountains Beira Beixa region of central Portugal. All the olives were hand picked and sorted by us. €17 per ltr or €75 for 5 ltrs. 1st come, 1st served, order early to avoid disappointment. Delivery from 10th December.

green.havard@gmail.com 

Carols at Christmas

No book swap tomorrow

A reminder that there will be no book swap on Monday 2^nd December.

The next book swap will be on the first Monday in January.

Helen

Farewell Malcolm Johnstone

Young and old, English, French, Sudanese, Afghan, Pakistani, Ugandan,friends all ... from around our small world came to celebrate the life of Malc.

Thank you to Dave Smith who conducted the ceremony with such style aided by his wife Diane Smith . I will be eternally grateful to the couple for making it a “send off” to remember.

Speakers and friends David Atkins,Jean Marie Nosal, Véronique Weyergans, Shahzeb Khan and last but certainly not least Sam Jonkers our daughter.

Our neice Su and her boys Thomas and George flew in and we as family spent some happy, some sad and some thoughtful moments together. They represented brother in law Tudor Powell who was not well enough to come.

The joy of seeing  friends Jill and Liz who had flown in also for the funeral  made it totally memorable.

The crematorium was full to bursting with standing room only left. As someone said “love came from every corner”

Our boys came out in force and offers of help for my coming move came from so many.

Malc you were loved not only by me and Sam Jonkers and our girls but by so many.

Rest in peace my darling but please stay with me and guide me, as you have done all my life.

The photos Terence Harker and French friend and filmaker Cecile Ordanoff who has made a film for relatives and friends who were unable to come. It will be available when edited.

taglines82@gmail.com

World Aids Day Charity Event

Rebecca at Castelsarassain

Rébecca J Allen Celebrity Artist
Exhibits her large portraits
15 to 24 Nov 2019
Invitation Vernisage / private view with musical animation and cocktails (Friday 15 Nov 19 pm).
Autumn Salon of Castelsarrasin 2019.
Add: Espace culteral Paul Descazeaux, CASTELSARASSIN 

My dear Sub editor

Dear dear friends

Sam our daughter is with us now as we face the last step for Malc.

Yesterday I was asked to attend a meeting with the Doctors to be told after a bleed in the brain and the calcium not be beiing controlled by the aggressive chemotherapy, there was nothing more they could do to prolong Malcs life.

They have waited till today till Sam was here to see her Dad, then tomorrow they will stop treatment.

Without the drug which halts the calcium blocking the kidneys they  think he will not survive too long.

He has put up an amazing fight over the last 6 months, he really wanted to continue our lovely life we had together... sadly will power is just not enough. 

He has had amazing care in Albi hospital.

For me all your support has really been needed, the driving everyday for weeks to Albi has taken its toll on me, so all your help over the last few weeks has made a real difference.

I hope I am strong enough to go this final step for him, he is worth it .

53 years together, and I cannot imagine the next step, moving house and being without him.

I am assured of all your love and support and for that I cannot thank you enough.

We are hoping we can get him home for a few days to be with us and the pets but we are not sure if he is well enough for the journey here or even if he would feel safer in hospital for the end.

I wanted all our friends to know where we are and this is the easiest way to tell you all.

taglines82@ gmail.com

Language tuition

The Maison de la Halle, an association in Verfeil, is looking for
someone English speaking to give beginner English classes and
conversation classes for higher level. Starting with two groups.

This for the moment, would not be paid much but could have expenses paid
and maybe a little more and could also be in exchange for french classes
they also plan to do. All this can be discussed.

The woman in charge of organising the different workshops they hope to
start up is Fati Fall, tel: 06 59 94 82 93 or fatifall@hotmail.com. If
you are interested please contact her direct.

She speaks English so anyone  can phone or write in English.

My feeling would be that it could be appealing to people who would like
to improve their french/ who would like to have new french contacts/who
live not too far from Verfeil/ who would like the challenge/who have
time/ and some teaching experience or at least willing to learn quick!

We will continue when we can

Many of you will understand that the editor, me ... is busy caring for a very sick sub editor Malcolm.

For nearly 5 months Malc has spent weeks in hospital with a very aggressive lymphoma and then a stroke to add to it.

We hope when all is sorted to continue with news and views and happenings in our area.

One thing we know now is although the health service here is under pressure the standard of care Malc is receiving is second to none.

Hope you have all had a great summer and after a week of rain looking forward to sunny skies before long.

Taglines82@gmail.com

Friends of the English Theatre

Book swap tomorrow in St. Antonin

There will be a book swap tomorrow morning, 4^th November, at the Gazpacho (indoors) at 10.30.

Helen