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Your Hostess - Joy Swindells

Joy Swindells originates from the Pendle area of Lancashire, an area of outstanding natural beauty and inspiration for a lot of her landscapes and sketches. Like her husband Simon, Joy's rich Lancashire accent easily betrays her origins and gives a whole new lilt to spoken French!

After studying Restoration of Art for several years in Newcastle on Tyne, Joy returned to Lancashire and went into business as an art restorer where she earned a considerable reputation for her skills. During this time, she also accepted and painted a large number of commissions of local scenes. Joy was well known in East Lancashire for her exhibitions of work. She is quickly earning a similar reputation in Brittany and has undertaken a month long exhibition where a number of her works have been sold.

Joy has three adult children and her two grandchildren who remain in England, but who visit her in France from time to time. Two of her grandchildren live with her in France.

Menhir Ty is an entirely new venture compared to anything which Joy has undertaken in the past, but the challenge has been accepted with relish. She admits that it has been a far bigger job than she could ever have initially imagined. However, despite the huge learning curve of becoming an instant builder/painter/plumber, etc., she has enjoyed the experience with all its trials and tribulations. Joy is looking forward to receiving visitors at Menhir Ty and, hopefully, passing on some of her artistic skills.