How Well Do We Know People in our Community?

By Lyle Griffiths

Pierce Boyle of Le Coiffeur _ his mother is French, his father a New Zealander. Pierce was raised in

Versailles.

“Every Sunday was very special for me. My mother would collect my grandmother and cousin, who was just a little older than me. We would be allowed to play at the Jardin de Versailles. We could run wherever we wanted, play hide and seek, invent stories or become adventurers or spies. 

Our only restriction: balls must not go into the water! That didn’t stop my cousin from launching leaves and making little acorn boats float in the ponds.

My first school or Ecole Primaire, started at 8:00 a.m. and finished at 4:30 p.m. The Principal was always at the gate to greet all the children and school wardens were employed to ensure children were safe during recess and lunch. Just before lunch there was a 15-minute play break.

Lunch consisted of an Entrée, Main and Dessert. We all sat at table and learned how to use our knives and forks. Everyone had the same meal, and we were expected to eat it or at least try a little bit. The portions were not huge. Friday’s menu was the best. None of us could ever resist Pommes Frites? After lunch we had time to play.

Learning was very structured. One of our first treats was to choose a ‘Bic’ Pen and a book. Bic pens were a French invention. We were told that this pen would be our Best Friend, and we were allowed to select our own colour. Naturally we all competed to see who could run out of ink first.

At College the curriculum was the same for everyone – French, Maths, History, English or German, Geography, Natural Sciences, Sport, Art, and Music. After two years we had to take another language. Every term we sat exams, and we knew how well we had achieved.

Following College I attended a Professional Lycee, specialising in Sales and Marketing. Accounting, French, English and Maths were also part of my degree.

Work Experience was a large part of the curriculum. One of my most interesting projects was working for an Events Company, organising a Mid-Winter party for 1,200 people on the island of Mont Saint Michel. 

The function was at the top of the island so instead of carting equipment up numerous steps we had helicopters drop them into place. Considering that one had to watch the tides and be careful where you walked to avoid quicksand it was inspiring to see what could be achieved.

I spent a year working at Telecom in sales before my father took me on a trip to New Zealand to show me his homeland.

A two year-round trip of Australia covering 36,000 kms in an old van was my next adventure. I worked wherever there was an opportunity. I bottled mango wine. I planted pine trees. I worked as a cleaner, but deep down I had always wanted to be a hairdresser. I returned to France and trained in Paris.

My second longing was to return to New Zealand. I bought a one-way ticket. I landed on Saturday. On Sunday I took a day to recover, and on Monday found a position as a hairdresser.

Then at a friend’s engagement party I met Anne Christine Rousel. I had travelled across the globe to find my French wife. We moved to Martinborough, and I set up my own salon.

In France women are very conscious of their hairstyles and will spend a lot of time on their hair. New Zealanders prefer wash and go, easy maintenance styles, so my challenge is creating a hairstyle for an outdoor lifestyle but still retaining a sense of femininity.

Moving to Martinborough was the best decision we have ever made. We just love it here.