A huge “thank you” to Monique S. for having organised the May Day Walk 2025. Beautiful sunshine and temperatures higher than the norm for the time of year combined with an amazing setting to make it a special day for all who attended. 25 members and friends set off on the walk at a leisurely pace, chatting and making new acquaintances as they covered approximately 5 km through woodland surrounding the Château de Pignerolle near St. Barthelemy-d’Anjou. Wildflowers and birdsong were plentiful, confirming that spring had truly arrived. Amongst the greenery, several abandoned bunkers were reminders that the Château had been requisitioned by German Marines during WW2 to be used as a base for handling communications with Atlantic ports.
Arriving back at the starting point several members were waiting to join the walkers for a convivial picnic lunch in the picnic area in parkland facing the neoclassical style Château. Built in 1776, and resembling the Petit Trianon at Versailles, prior to the Revolution the Château was owned by Marcel Avril de Pignerolles, director of the Royal Equestrian Academy in Angers.
The AGM took place the morning of Saturday 12 April in a meeting room at the Maison des Associations in Saumur. 28 members were present, and others unable to attend had forwarded proxy votes in advance. During the meeting, the chairman raised several issues currently proving challenging to the committee and requested help from the membership regarding ideas for events and venues and for assistance in our aims to promote communication skills, in particular among young people. All ideas put forward will be investigated further by committee members.
The serious business of the day over, after the meeting attendees were joined by members and friends to relax together over an aperitif before sitting down to enjoy an excellent lunch in the restaurant “Le Cinq 7”, just a few minutes’ walk from the Maison des Associations.
Saturday 22 March at lunchtime, members and guests gathered at the Auberge de la Rose in Doué-la-Fontaine for an excellent meal preceded by a talk by member Chris Taylor. In a previous life Chris toured England and Wales delivering after dinner speeches to raise money for charity. Chris’s experience in this field was evident when he entertained everyone with an amusing talk entitled “Allegory”.
Starting with Moses, Chris explained how the prophet had used allegory to persuade his people to escape Egyptian slavery and cross the red sea to freedom. Authors and artists have used allegory throughout history to illustrate or convey complex ideas and concepts in ways easily understood by all. Allegories were used by Shakespeare in ‘the Tempest’, by George Orwell in ‘Animal Farm’. Even children’s nursery rhymes are often based on true stories. We learned that ‘Baa, baa, black sheep’ tells of the medieval wool tax introduced by King Edward 1 whilst ‘Ring o Ring of Roses’ tells of the Great Plague and the two characters in ‘Jack and Jill’ stand for Louis XVI and his wife Maire Antoinette who both died at the guillotine in 1793.
We have come to expect excellent food and service from the Auberge de la Rose. We weren’t disappointed on this occasion, and with friends and guests had a convivial, enjoyable meeting learning about ‘allegory’ from an experienced and entertaining speaker.
A great deal of fun was had by all those who attended the branch annual quiz and photographic competition, which took place 15 February over lunch at the “Auberge de la Rose” in Doué-la-Fontaine.
Whilst relaxing over an aperitif, 34 members and friends had time to catch up with each other and cast their votes in the annual photographic competition. The aim of the competition is to select several scenes that reflect the beauty and history of the area we live in, to be featured on our website and Facebook page during the course of the year 2025. There were 14 entries in total, but with a score of 21 points, the winner was Colin Morison with his entry “Sunrise”. There were 3 entries tied for 2nd place with a score of 19 points, Colin Browning with “The Loire Poppy”, and Maureen Sargent, with her photos “Murmuration” and “Rainbow”. Congratulations to the winner and runners up, and well done to everyone else who entered.
It was soon time to settle down in teams at table to enjoy the excellent meal and answer questions that would tax the brain cells of everyone present. Teams had been chosen to mix nationalities so all would have a good chance of answering the questions. These, which covered a variety of themes, had been set by the branch Treasurer, Roy Powell, and assistant Secretary, Patricia Nickels. Inevitably noise levels rose, particularly when the answers were revealed. Question master, Terry Orner, managed somehow to control the noise and the inevitable haggling and arguing over the allocation of marks. The winning team displayed a great deal of general knowledge especially of rules and regulations, French landmarks, music and films. Our thanks to all concerned for their hard work and patience and to the proprietors for allowing us sole use of their restaurant.
Saturday 18 January, over lunch in Angers, 46 members, friends, teachers and students had the pleasure of listening to Michael Naouri, the 2024 winner of the ESU International Public Speaking Competition. Mickael had come from his home in Paris to share his experiences leading up to and during the competition week in London at Dartmouth House, the ESU headquarters in London.
Just 16 years old and in his first year of lycée studies, Mickael quite remarkably attended the national finals at the Assemblée Nationale in Paris as an independent candidate, without the support of his teachers and not representing a branch of the ESU in France. The judges selected him to represent France in London last May, where he would be the youngest candidate of the 40 from around the world who gathered at Dartmouth House to compete for the international title.
The format for the week-long competition is the same every year: candidates arrive in London on Monday and spend the next two days getting to know each other and the team of young mentors at Dartmouth House whilst attending workshops, perfectioning their speeches, sightseeing around the capital, and generally having a good time. Then on Thursday the competition starts. Following the heats, the judges select 6 candidates to present their speeches in front of a large audience at the Royal Institution on the Friday afternoon.
Winning the competition is no mean feat and on his return to France, in recognition of his achievement, Mickael received a handwritten letter of congratulations from President Macron.
All those who attended 18 January to listen to Michael, expressed admiration for this remarkable young speaker – the first candidate ever to bring home the trophy to France.
The importance of the London competition goes much further than public speaking and reaches the heart of the aims of the ESU, established in 1918 to improve communication worldwide. As Mickael explained to our members, the competition is just one side of the London experience. The other is the opportunity to forge friendships, to appreciate different cultures, and to understand together the challenges facing the world. The friendships made over 5 days remain firm and lasting.
To quote a 2023 finalist at the end of his week at the IPSC:
“I have changed. I now believe that we can change the world. I now believe that humanity can move mountains. These people are set to change the world in their own countries and I’m excited about that.”
Mohamed Suhail, IPSC 2023 Finalist, Mauritius
Much fun was had by the 42 members and friends who attended the Christmas lunch and celebrations at the Restaurant “Le Tablier de Marie” in Juigné-sur-Loire, Saturday 7 December.
Tables around the room had been beautifully decorated by several members with greenery, baubles and fir cones in abundance: a perfect setting for the entertainment which was provided by members and non-members and encompassed renditions of Christmas songs on the guitar, poetry reading, sketches and carol singing, included a most original version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”.
The meal was excellent, and a great time was had by all. A huge “thank you” to all who contributed to the great success of this event that was so enjoyable for all who attended and a huge “Happy Christmas” to all who read this.
The ESU Loire Valley meeting 16 November took place over lunch at the Hôtel St. Paul in Vivy when members learned of the enormous challenge undertaken by an Australian couple, Tim Holding and Felicity Selkirk.
The couple moved from Melbourne to Paris in 2013, and immediately fell in love with French architecture and interior design. In 2019 they purchased their dream property: the Château de Purnon at Verrue in the Vienne, with the aim of restoring the building and outbuildings to their former glory. Their lives are a rollercoaster of despair and excitement as they uncover yet more restoration work and at the same time hidden treasures: wallpaper samples, abandoned statues and wooden items that enable insight into the history of the property and the lives of its former inhabitants.
Members are now impatient to visit the Château once all safety measures are completed and to learn more about this exciting undertaking and witness firsthand the treasures the Château has revealed. In the meantime, we congratulate Tim and Felicity for the work they have achieved so far and send them all our good wishes for the future.
The ESU Loire Valley meeting Saturday 12 October took the form of two very different, very interesting visits. The first was to ‘Plantagenet Plants’ situated in the small hamlet of Argentay, near Doué-la-Fontaine. In 1997, the owners, David and Bella Gordon, gave up London life working as journalists for the BBC and purchased 3 hectares, which they have transformed into a thriving business. Their original plans to produce and sell plants have expanded into landscaping and lecturing in communes around France. In the greenhouses, David explained the three main methods of plant propagation. Outside, Bella took members on a tour of the gardens, including the wildlife areas so vital in their aim to encourage insect life to help fight plant diseases today.
We then drove the short distance to Messemé where we were welcomed by François David and his mother Annie. François is in charge of the business side of the Domaine while his brother Sebastien runs production. We were treated to a glass of ‘bernache’ as an aperitif, following which, whilst enjoying a light lunch of charcuterie, cheese, and delicious apple tart, François explained in excellent English, the history of the Domaine originally established by his great grandparents in the 1930s. We enjoyed sampling 5 different wines and learning about the changes in production methods over the years, in particular the changes brought about recently by climate change.
The summer barbecue that took place Sunday 25 August in the orchard of Jackie and Simon Reeves’ delightful property was one of the highlights of the ESU Loire Valley 2024 calendar. This informal event brought together over 60 people including members, family and friends, and dancers of the Chacé Country Club.
Following the aperitif, a delicious summer meal was served and enjoyed by all who were seated at tables under the shade of the trees. To add to the atmosphere, many had donned Stetsons and Hillbilly gear. During the afternoon, the dancers took to the floor, dancing to country music before inviting all to join them for a lesson. To quote Miley Cirus’ “Hoedown Throwdown” lyrics: “I’ll … show and tell you how to move, If you’re 5 or 82, this is something you can do”. Great fun was had by everyone – participants and audience alike. It was a perfect way to end a lovely afternoon.
Our thanks to Jackie and Simon for the beautiful venue and for all their hard work, to the dancers of the Chacé Country Club and to all who contributed in any way to such an enjoyable day.
Saturday 20 July, 30 members and friends embarked on the boat “l’Hirondelle” moored in the picturesque harbour of Grez-Neuville, near Le Lion-d’Angers, for an afternoon river cruise along the river Mayenne. Some climbed up to the open top deck of the 26-metre-long boat and others opted to sit in the spacious covered area below.
The captain and crew slowly guided the boat away from the mooring point, past the small boats, past the church, the mill and restaurants along the bank and into the canal towards the loch from where entered the tranquil waters of the Mayenne. We meandered along the twisting river, soaking up the peace whilst admiring the scenery.
The weather was perfect: not too hot, nor too cold, and the predicted rain held off for the 2-hour cruise. For those out on deck, the tranquillity was all pervasive, broken occasionally by the captain who pointed out places of interest along the way: an historic mill, a grand house, a heron, and the ducks and geese, all oblivious to us as we passed by.
Little detracted from the peace. Occasionally a fisherman would wave from the bottom of his garden. Canoes and small boats were tethered along the banks, but few were out on the water. Time slipped by and all too soon we turned to go back to our starting point and the reality of everyday life. A glass of Cremant helped the disappointment as we returned to the hustle and bustle back at the harbour.
Our thanks to the ESU Loire Valley committee for this lovely river trip and special thanks to Fabien at Le Domaine du Moulin for providing such a tranquil and delightful afternoon.
Mix together a stunning location, plenty of sunshine and 30 people determined to have fun, and the result was an outstanding day out for the members and friends who met at the Château de la Boussinière on the bank of the river Loire near Gennes, 23rd June.
The terrace of the 17th century Château was kindly lent to us by the owner, Madame Jouan-Rambeau, who over the past two years has added a magical touch to the property by placing unusual and fascinating objects at every turn, in every nook and cranny: objects that can’t fail to catch the eye and rouse curiosity in all who pause to visit the Château shop and terrace.
Lunch took the form of a bring and share picnic and the large buffet table was covered with a variety of interesting dishes to suite everyone’s taste. A dessert of ice-cream was supplied by the proprietor and was most welcome in the warm sunshine on the terrace overlooking the stunning view down to the river below.
The highlight was the inhouse entertainment. Our thanks to Tony Oakley for providing the sound system and also for entertaining us with his guitar, sometimes alone and sometimes accompanied by his carefully selected backing group. Other members contributed to the entertainment by reciting poems, stories, and singing, and inevitably hidden talents were revealed – Bernard with his musical instruments and Fran with the story of taking her 3-month-old kitten on a London double-decker bus and the ensuing arguments with the conductor and eventually with the police.
All in all, it was a really lovely summer day out. Our thanks to all who contributed. We hope it marks the start of a season of similar outdoor meetings which will be equally as enjoyable.
The annual May Day Walk was kindly organised by member, Tony Oakley. 16 members spent 2 hours following a route approximately 9 km long around Le Sale Village, near Saint-. Georges-sur-Sept-Voies.
Although most of the time walkers were under a light drizzle, this didn’t detract from the enjoyment. The route took walkers past the Dolmen de la Bajoulière and 2 other Menhirs, with frequent pauses to admire the spring flowers along the forest paths. The pace was slow offering the perfect opportunity to chat with others along the way, and to get to know each other better, not always possible at our more formal monthly meetings.
The parking spot was near the entrance to church of le Prieuré where the large porch provided shelter for everyone to enjoy a picnic lunch in the dry. Thank you, Tony, for organising another most enjoyable walk. Where to next time?
