Neither suspense nor surprise. As planned, at the end of the general assembly of the Nord-Deux-Sèvres Mycological Society, organized on Sunday January 19 at the Orangerie de Thouars, Laurence Tavenon was elected president of the association. This is the first time a woman has held the position.
She succeeds her brother Jean-Yves Tavenon, president for nearly twenty years, while her father, René Tavenon, is also among the former presidents (with Maurice Leing, Joseph Noël and Pierre Sallé).
Passion and prevention
“It was time for me to hand over. Laurence is also a big mushroom enthusiast, but she knows them even better than me”summarizes Jean-Yves, elected honorary president of this association of which he has been a member since its creation in January 1975, just fifty years ago. This expected change is therefore part of continuity, even if Laurence Tavenon will not fail to bring new impetus.
Managed by the Covid crisis, numbers have already doubled in four years (41 members). The association therefore invites all interested people to join it. In 2025, they will be able to take advantage of around twenty “picking” outings in different areas, from April 12 to November 15.
Laurence Tavenon during a picking in one of the many corners of which she has the secret…
© (Photo archives NR)
The company also supports young people in several leisure centers on the ground (Champdeniers, Brie, Saint-Varent and probably Airvault), without forgetting the exhibition scheduled each end of the year.
“In 2022, there were around 1,400 poisonings linked to mushrooms, some of which were fatal. recalls the new honorary president in conclusion. Our main mission is therefore to inform, raise awareness and draw the public's attention to the dangers that mushrooms can pose, but also to pass on our knowledge to younger generations for the sake of prevention. »
