ypresman Posted 1 October , 2006 Share Posted 1 October , 2006 Hi Just to let you all know, and be aware of, Tommies Bar in Poizere has now started to charge for entrance to see the trenches in the garden (or museum as its now called). Roughly 5 euros per person or 3 euros as a group. Also whilst the kitchen is being extesively refurbished, there is no food on offer for the forseeable future. He is also starting to shut at odd times too..... Cheers Marc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta Posted 1 October , 2006 Share Posted 1 October , 2006 He always did shut at odd times Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SOMMESOLDIER Posted 1 October , 2006 Share Posted 1 October , 2006 Hi Marc, Unbelievable !! That place has really sold it's soul ! When I first went there several years ago it was a great place with a good atmosphere. Over the last year or two particularly it has become a place I avoid. Cheers Tim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Poilu Posted 1 October , 2006 Share Posted 1 October , 2006 Comparisons are bound to be drawn with the Hill 62 Jacques thread! Frankly I am surprised it took this long - the volume of people (coaches) passing through Le Tommy has grown and grown. But from nothing to 5 Euros...?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ypresman Posted 1 October , 2006 Author Share Posted 1 October , 2006 Comparisons are bound to be drawn with the Hill 62 Jacques thread! Hi Funny, when I was typing the post, I was thinking exactly about Jacques... and how Dominque is very fast morphing into the former. My thoughts only of course.... Cheers Marc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Robertson Posted 1 October , 2006 Share Posted 1 October , 2006 That place has really sold it's soul ! We attempted to go there in July but his new opening times meant that when we arrived there, he was closed. So went to Avril's instead. And we weren't disappointed. So we'll continue to go to Avril's in the future. And Avril has trenches in her back yard as well - and these appear to be authentic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ypresman Posted 1 October , 2006 Author Share Posted 1 October , 2006 He always did shut at odd times Hi But these are more odd (er) than usual...ie lunchtimes..... Maybe a 1 off..or a 2 off.....who knows Cheers Marc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ypresman Posted 1 October , 2006 Author Share Posted 1 October , 2006 And Avril has trenches in her back yard as well - and these appear to be authentic Hi All made by her very own hand....... .... (Scones I mean) Everywhere has trench lines around that area....you just need to dig down a bit.... Cheers Marc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveBrigg Posted 3 October , 2006 Share Posted 3 October , 2006 We were there on Saturday - they kindly allowed the students to eat their packed lunches inside, although a good trade was done in drinks and chocolate. The price for the trench has been reduced by a Euro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 3 October , 2006 Share Posted 3 October , 2006 Hi All made by her very own hand....... .... (Scones I mean) Everywhere has trench lines around that area....you just need to dig down a bit.... Cheers Marc. Once Ive finished carving the names, initials and units with the dremel, im going to open up my cellar.. i do have the original ...'JC woz 'ere' of course. I also need the garden landscaped, do you think the National Army Museum would do it for me? I'm happy to supply them with tea and bacon sarnies. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianw Posted 3 October , 2006 Share Posted 3 October , 2006 We were at Tommies in Sepeember and also noted the "museum" entrance charges - consequently we did not venture into the back garden. He has also had a large extension built - so is obviously trying to recoup the cost ! Some of the atmosphere does seem to have been lost. We also had lunch at Avril's . A very nice baguette served by her son. She also seems to have extended the place a bit. I must say the prices seemed a bit high at both establishments. Both these places will be the size of a typical Tesco's by the 100th Anniversary! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Barker Posted 3 October , 2006 Share Posted 3 October , 2006 Mick, Avril has shown great courage, determination and initiative in what she has achieved. The carvings are authentic and she is to be commended for gaining the support of Andy Robertshaw, the National Army Museum, and the other archaeological teams that work there. In enhancing her business by exploiting the historical opportunities available, she is to be commended. Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Poilu Posted 3 October , 2006 Share Posted 3 October , 2006 Both these places will be the size of a typical Tesco's by the 100th Anniversary! We're coming back to 'Jacques' again -Tesco's £70 a second profit is nothing compared to Hill 62... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Brown Posted 3 October , 2006 Share Posted 3 October , 2006 I'm happy to have been part of the team that excavated Avril's trenches and prepared them for display. The site has been archaeologically excavated so she and other guides can say that it is an accurate representation (albeit without parapets but that's her choice) of a Great War trench using the excavated remains to reconstruct an actual feature of the Great War. In addition that trench is one that has specific stories from the war associated with it, some of them identifiable/locateable from the brick floor they mention and that we found. I'm also happy to have contributed to Avril's success as a businesswoman because I feel she does a good service connecting folk - she put Andy Robertshaw and me together, for example - and because she is doing what she does in the right spirit: although she is making money it's not exploitative of the conflict or it's victims. She is also providing employment for locals and contributing to the commune. All credit to Avril for having the vision and for supporting No Man's Land with more than bacon sarnies over the years. No Man's Land Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 3 October , 2006 Share Posted 3 October , 2006 I didnt say they weren't authentic did i? Stand back and take a joke gentlemen. Personally I admire her, she is a grafter and a fantastic businesswoman. The offer still stands to the NAM to landscape my garden. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ypresman Posted 4 October , 2006 Author Share Posted 4 October , 2006 Mick, Avril has shown great courage, determination and initiative in what she has achieved. The carvings are authentic and she is to be commended for gaining the support of Andy Robertshaw, the National Army Museum, and the other archaeological teams that work there. In enhancing her business by exploiting the historical opportunities available, she is to be commended. Stephen Hi She is to be commended in what? Promoting her own business? You have hit the nail on the head... Any business person would show courage, determination and initiative to ensure their business survives. Anyway going back to the Great War.... How do you know the carvings are authentic, has this been officially authenticated? Can we see the reports?.. The only reason she has gained the support of the NAM, is because she supports them. This is fair enough, but then she gets the free press as her property is on an important site, like many other properties in the area. The difference is, she co-operates. Many like the the NAM use her as a base. Therefore, due to her bacon sarnies (tongue in cheek), she seems to get some sort of recognition! Yes she has an interest in the Great War, but only because she was sidelined into it. If you see her early TV interviews , she admits her 'passion' only grew after buying the property. She had no knowledge of its worth or the sacrifice beforehand, or it was very limited. As a person I have no problems with this lady, but its when people start putting her on a pedestal, that really cheeses me off!!! There are 100's of other people around that area who are just, if not more, dedicated... Cheers Marc This is my opinion only. Everyone has their opinion, which I respect. Therefore I will not be putting any further posts on this matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianw Posted 5 October , 2006 Share Posted 5 October , 2006 Marc - I think you are being somewhat unfair to Avril. Yes of course she is a successful business person. I admire her for that and her establishment is a welcome stop off point when touring the Somme and a good place to stay. Her expertise about the Great War has been learned "on the job". Nothing wrong with that. It's like a "total immersion" language course. I suppose she is one of those larger than life people who seem to prompt extreme opinions of themselves both pro and con. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Poilu Posted 5 October , 2006 Share Posted 5 October , 2006 Is there a charge to view the cellar or 'trenches' at Avril's? I have only been there twice - many years ago to see the cellar just after she appeared on Richard Holmes War Walks and a few years later for one of the worst cups of tea I have ever had in France, and that's saying something! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Brown Posted 6 October , 2006 Share Posted 6 October , 2006 How do you know the carvings are authentic, has this been officially authenticated? Can we see the reports?.. quote] I was thinking of not rising to this but its crass comment warrants rebuttal. The carvings are original. I have seen photographs of the original clearance of the cellar, including the grafitti. If you have visited you will have seen the patina of age, the stratigraphy of writing and the different hands, all of which indicate age. I suspect that forgeries might actually be more interesting in what was written! I'm not sure what "official" authentication means but more than one or two historians and archaeologists have looked at them and are happy with their authenticity. Avril gets recognition from No Man's Land because she helped us in the early days but also because it's a good place to meet folk, including members of this forum. No pedestals, just facts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Brown Posted 6 October , 2006 Share Posted 6 October , 2006 Is there a charge to view the cellar or 'trenches' at Avril's? I have only been there twice - many years ago to see the cellar just after she appeared on Richard Holmes War Walks and a few years later for one of the worst cups of tea I have ever had in France, and that's saying something! Max The trenches are, I think, free to view but there is a charge to see the cellar as one has to be guided. The quality of tea can be variable, better stick to coffee or Leffe. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Barker Posted 6 October , 2006 Share Posted 6 October , 2006 Hi She is to be commended in what? Promoting her own business? You have hit the nail on the head... Any business person would show courage, determination and initiative to ensure their business survives. Mark, Not a pedastal, but respect for someone who started a new life alone with children, in a country whose language she did not speak and who had the initiative to make the best of her environment. Running a business and displaying the qualities of courage, determination and initiative are not mutually exclusive or inevitable. I think that No Mans Land and the RAF team who excatvated recently have no doubts about the authenticity of the carvings. Indeed thay are to be found all over the area, if you look. Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Poilu Posted 6 October , 2006 Share Posted 6 October , 2006 Thanks Martin. It's my wife really - infuriates me, she doesn't drink coffee or beer which as you know in France is virtually compulsory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 7 October , 2006 Share Posted 7 October , 2006 Perhaps the moderators should look at this, way off the original subject. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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