"It's the taking part that counts"

In her weekly column, Maddie Grigg trades rural Dorset for south-west France. 

- Maddie Grigg

WE have been invited to take part in a quiz to raise some money for a new French animal shelter, which looks after young and old cats and dogs.

It's one of Sweet Caroline's pet projects, if you'll pardon the pun, and a great cause.

Before we came over to France, she asked us to bring some English goodies with us to use as raffle prizes on the quiz night.

We arrive at the community hall on the edge of our nearest town, and it's full of tables, and full of Brits, too.

It's a new experience for us as I don't think we have been surrounded by as many British people as we are tonight.

We find our table, where two of our team members, Mr and Mrs De Nimes, are already sitting.

We're followed by Jimi's mum, who is not a great one for quizzes, especially with so many Brits about, but, like us, she wants to support our friend, Sweet Caroline.