Unseasonal snow and high winds descended on Manche and Calvados on Monday 11th March.

Blocking the motorways and roads, closing schools, businesses and shops. Sixty thousand homes were without power and over fourteen thousand without the telephone.

Many buildings suffered structural damage, especially shops, businesses and agricultural buildings with flat roofs. With large shops such as Auchan in Cherbourg closing for safety reasons because of the w;eight of the snow on the roofs

The army and firefighters from all over Normandy was called in to help clear the RN13 north of Caen which was badly hit. Hundreds of cars were stranded, plus around one hundred lorries. Many people who were trapped in thier vehicles were evacuated  by the firemen and spent the nights from Monday through to Wednesday at  La Glacerie in Cherbourg, The road was finally cleared by Wednesday night/Thursday morning

In the countryside most of the minor roads were practically impossible to use and it was only with the help of the local farmers that some of these routes have been opened.

By Thursday morning some outlying villages in the north of the area were still isolated by the snow and an emergency helicopter was drafted in to deliver food and much needed supplies to some outlying hamlets.

 

The Anglo Normandy Angling club was founded in 2008 and is registered in the UK, France and with the French fishing federation

Fishing one competition every month, normally on the third Sunday, we fish rivers and lakes all over Normandy.

As well as regular matches club members often organise other fishing events and social gatherings.

We were the first team to enter the Devision 2 National Championships in the UK that was not based in the UK.

In 2013 it is our intention to fish French Federation and French National qualifiers.

Any angler no matter what the ability would be welcome to join, there is no membership fee, five Euros per match goes to the club to pay for trophies and pay for club subscriptions to governing bodies.

Contact for further information -
paul@anglonormandyanglingclub.com

There is new help for anyone thinking about making alterations to their property.

Newly qualified in France

Contact NormandyMagazine for more details.

 

A great night was had by all last Friday at the Samovar Bar/Restaurant in Villedieu les Poeles, when the The Folk Club gets together, there was a variety of songs and musicians. The Samovar is a bar and restaurant close to the centre of Villedieu les Poeles in lower Normandy, with a convivial atmosphere. 

 

The owners Bernard and Natalie host the Folk club each month usually on the second Friday of each month. The bar specialises in different teas and beverages as well as meals so you can eat whilst enjoying the folk tunes of both the UK, France and beyond.

 

It is open to anyone with an acoustic musical instrument to come along and play, so the line up and songs vary each session, from  unaccompanied vocalists singing traditional folk to french ballads played on a hurdy gurdy. So there is always something for everyone.

 

So if you like folk music and would like to join in or simply sit and watch you are always sure of a warm welcome.