Epeigné-les-Bois: 8th May 2020 – marking 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe

7th May 2020  – the eve of VE Day

 The war memorial and the church

 The names of those from Epeigné-les-Bois
who were killed during the Second World War

 All is ready for the limited and restrained

ceremony to mark VE Day 

8th May 2020: VE Day

It wasn't intended to be this way in 2020 to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day – the day that Nazi Germany surrendered bringing the war in Europe to an end. A time to remember the sacrifices made by many people from many different nations. Particularly poignant for countries like France that were occupied. 

Unfortunately due to the coronavirus the ceremony was  limited to just six people – the Maire (Christian Percevault) plus five representatives.

The front of the procession 

 

The Maire's speech

 A tribute under 'social distancing'

Laying Epeigné's wreath at the 

base of the memorial

 Silence for Epeigné's dead

Epeigné's wreath

NB: all above photos taken at more than 2 metres distance. 

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Memories from 8th May 2011:

Looking back nine years to a more customary marking of VE Day. As it would have been but for the pandemic. In normal years there is a ceremony at the war memorial and then a second ceremony in the cemetery. In 2020 only the ceremony at the war memorial was held.

 Getting ready to march

 The march

The Maire (Michel Mergot gives the speech)

Laying the wreath 

In the cemetery:

A plaque of remembrance

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Looking back nine years is also a reminder of people who are sadly no longer with us:

 Piero – one of Epeigné's great characters
with a tremendous zest for life

Gérard Taureau  – a previous Maire of Epeigné (1959-1983)
He died in August 2011

'Élu une première fois au conseil municipal d'Épeigné-les-Bois en 1953, il a assuré deux mandats de conseiller puis quatre mandats de maire soit 36 ans au service de la commune.'

Epeigné-les-Bois: 2020 elections municipales– back to square one...... ?

Although postponed date – 21st June –  for the Second Round of the French Muncipal Elections has not yet been cancelled, it looks increasingly unlikely that the Second Round will actually happen as previously planned on Sunday 21st June. From 11th May there is some loosening of strict confinement. However, gatherings are limited to 10 people whether in public or private. 

The second phase of loosening is planned for 2nd June but will this allow the second tour of the elections to take place on 21st June? The reported project to organise the municipal elections at the end of September and beginning of October appears to involve a completely new election for those communes that failed to elect a new conseil. 

This includes Epeigné-les-Bois. 10 new councillors were elected but not the now critical 11th. Two unsuccessful candidates – Ludovic Guillon and Dominique Hisbergue both on 49.47% – were tantalisingly close to the magical 50%. A new more votes for either candidate would have seen a new conseil elected.

Instead the old conseil has to continue but as their mandate has now expired they are really a lame duck administration. It does seem absurd that Epeigné may now have to go through an entirely new election process. However, taken the whole of France it is not surprising that if a second tour in June is a none start that the whole process has to start again. In the intervening seven months some of the March candidates may have died, become seriously ill, taken up new posts or just lost interest.

A can of worms .....une boîte de vers.......

 

   
  

 

Excellent Jamain Reuilly for Sauvignon Blanc Day

2010 Les Chênes, Reuilly, Denis Jamain

Although I was aware towards the end of April that May Day was in addition being Labour Day was also Sauvignion Blanc Day, I had conveniently forgotten this by the time we reached 1st May. I'm not a great fan of special days to celebrate a particular grape variety. Anyway but happy coincidence I selected this 2010 Les Chênes from Denis Jamain (Domaine de Reuilly) on Friday 1st May. Along with Domaine Claude Lafond, Denis Jamain is Reuilly's top producer.

This is Denis' top white Reuilly – 100% Sauvignon Blanc as required by the appellation. It comes from 40 year old vines planted in one of the parcels of Pierres Plates in the middle of the coteau. The soil is clay-limestone Kimméridgean. Les Chênes is fermented and aged in barriques for a year. 

Denis recommends that you drink Les Chênes within five to ten years. However, this lovely 2010 still has wonderfully fresh with complex texture and concentrated fruit – peach and apricot. Showing beautifully and no reason why it should be good for at least another five years and may be more. When I first opened it was a little too cold, which subdued its complexity and made the oak more apparent. Denis recommends that ideally Les Chênes should be drunk between 13˚C and 15˚C. He is absolutely right – don't serve this cold otherwise you will miss out, which would be a great shame.