.

2009 newsletter

Mr. Martin Howard was the speaker for our January meeting:and his subject was “Being an author in France” His audience was enthralled and many members remarked that they could have listened to him for much longer, and asked many more questions about his work.

 

In February the “Make and bring your favourite recipe” meeting was extremely well supported with demonstrations, explanations and helpful hints.  Tasting the dishes, which ranged from soup, mackerel paté, fish pies, biscuits to desserts, ended a really enjoyable afternoon.

 

Helen Raphael explained many of the triggers and symptoms of osteoporosis at the March meeting. We were surprised to learn that this ‘silent’ disease is not confined to women and is not solely age-related.  She recently completed a Ph.D. and a specialist with whom she was working, a 48-year old man, is afflicted; however, as it can be hereditary, a scan shows up early symptoms and medication can be prescribed. Contributory factors can be chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This gave everyone much food for thought.

 

The April meeting started with Leggies’ first Annual General Meeting - to read more, click here.  This was followed by a fascinating talk by Nikki Barber, previously Visits Officer at Canterbury Cathedral, about this building’s intriguing past which has led it to become one of the UK’s most visited places, with over one million visitors every year.  It costs £6million to maintain the Cathedral and, without outside funding, charges were reluctantly introduced to maintain the high standard of repair and conservation to this important historical landmark.  Nikki’s knowledge and enthusiasm conveyed the importance of our heritage and preserving this building for future generations.

 

Janet Thomas, at our May meeting, explained the basics of painting, the different media of watercolours, acrylics, etc and how photographs can be enhanced by ‘digital-painting’, a skill for which she is much in demand and which was demonstrated by several stunning pictures.  Janet urged our members to develop their confidence and learn art skills through classes or with magazine tutorials especially for beginners: “you can draw and paint!!!.

 

Sunshine, shopping, good food, a glass of wine and good company: all the ingredients that made our Bring and Buy in May such a success!  Over 50 people turned up to support Leggies’ chosen charity for 2009 (Maison des Femmes in Villeneuve) and find bargains in the clothes, plants, books and bric-a-brac stalls and then sit down to a delicious Ploughman’s Lunch in the garden!  Thanks are due to the many volunteers who worked hard through the day and also to the guests who supported this event - over €1,000 was raised, a truly impressive amount that will make a huge difference to other’s lives.  Thank you all!  To see some photographs of the day, click here.

 

The June meeting, our final one before the summer recess, saw Claudie Gadiffert of the SPA (French animal protection association) speak of her group's work in taking in stray cats and dogs and tracing their owners or, if necessary, rehoming the pets.  As this work is poorly funded by State and local bodies then fundraising events and charity donations have to make up a considerable shortfall in their running costs  However, despite this, the SPA continues to be a powerful voice against the illtreatment of animals and Claudie plans to expand their activities in the coming year.  Meryl Gregory presented the SPA with a donation from Leggies and the hope that the SPA may long continue its vital work.

 

After a two-month summer break, Leggies reconvened in September where Liz Fraser gave a fascinating talk on natural medicine and the principles behind iridology and reflexology.  Liz had practised these sciences in the UK and quoted several case studies where impressive results had been achieved with herbal medicine and a vegetarian diet.  Leggies' members had plenty of questions for Liz, and offered their own home remedies ranging from skin-healing oils through to cures for hiccups!

 

Our October meeting started with a presentation by Marie-Christine Ahagreis of the Maison Des Femmes, thanking Leggies' members for their charitable support and presenting Meryl  Gregory with a beautiful flower painting done by their group.  The main speaker for the meeting, solicitor Jonathan Cavender, followed with an overview of French family and taxation law - both subjects dear to our members' hearts, judging from the many questions that were asked of him.  Queries ranged from having the right kind of marriage regime through to rights-of-way disputes and Jonathan even made the complexities of Napoleonic Law understandable!  

 

Husbands and partners were welcomed to our November meeting to hear a talk on a subject that is unavoidable: death and the practical aspects of bereavement.  Undertaker Angela Clohessy handled this with tact and sensitivity, explaining the need for keeping vital papers in order and making lists of assets and vital numbers to assist one's family at a difficult time.  Whilst the topic is a serious one the mood was lightened with typical Leggies' laughter as we discussed our 'last wishes' and our own humorous epitaphs!

 

Our December meeting featured a demonstration of Christmas Crafts by Kate Thomson and members set to work making their own seasonal decorations.  The hall was full of chatter and laughter as we combined fragrant lavender, clove-studded oranges and cinnamon sticks into aromatic and attractive arrangements. As a reward for our efforts Nina Parret had laid out a Christmas tea with sausage rolls, mince pies and generous slices of stollen cake plus glasses of wine to help the Christmas spirit along!

For 2008 newsletter, click here ..