Dordogne Advertiser - September 2012 by English Language Media Sarl

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ISSUE 43

SEPTEMBER 2012

PUBLISHERS OF

News and What’s On information for the Dordogne and surrounding area

UK police horses enjoy a Dordogne retirement

PAGE 5

Boost for Dordogne TGV link

Charles Gillooley

Tributes to key figure in local life TRIBUTES have been paid to the British head of the Dordogne’s estate agent association, Charles Gillooley, who has died at his home in Le Bugue, at the age of 59. Mr Gillooley was heavily involved in local life and spent an active nine years as president of the Dordogne branch of Fnaim. He had known for just three months that he had motor neurone disease. He came to France in 1979 with his wife Gil to work in a private international school in Mussidan. He went on to start a small language school in Périgueux and then teamed up with Keith Wilson in Le Bugue to work in the estate agency business, expanding it to a point where he was running five offices. Angela Martyn, who worked with him for more than five years said: “He was always willing to give his time and his customers got a service that extended way beyond the normal call of duty as an estate agent.” Î Turn to p4

by JANE HANKS

UNESCO BADGE IS A BONUS FOR RIVER What new status means for area, p7

Paris but neither pass directly through the Dordogne. Périgueux mayor Michel THE DORDOGNE’S bid to Moyrand has been campaignbring Périgueux within three ing for years to make sure that hours of Paris by train – cutting the department is not left the journey time by a third – has behind. He has advocated elecmoved a step closer to success. trifying the rails from his city Campaigners have warmly to Limoges to enable TGV welcomed the decision by the trains to continue on to French rail track operator RFF Périgueux once the new (Réseau Ferré de France) that Poitiers-Limoges line is built. the Dordogne capital should be The trains would not be at linked to the proposed Poitiersfull speed from Limoges to Limoges high-speed train route. Michel Moyrand: mayor of This was considered to be Périgueux backs campaign Périgueux, but it would mean that passengers could travel €50million cheaper than the directly to Paris without changing. The journey alternative route, joining the Bordeaux-Tours time would be cut by one and a half hours – line via Coutras. The committee promoting the meaning that a round trip would be possible in route believe it would be possible for the link to a day, which would be particularly useful for be established by 2020. The committee has also businesspeople. asked the RFF to discuss the number of trains Î Turn to page 2 to Paris – they are hoping for four return journeys a day. A public inquiry into the LimogesM 05151 - 43 - F: 0,95 E Poitiers line will start this autumn and if it goes through, work could begin in 2015. At present, there are two new TGV lines planned to extend into the south-west from

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2 News

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September 2012 Photo: SDHPA Dordogne

CONTACT US With a story, email: dordogne@connexionfrance.com (please include a daytime contact number) With a subscription or advert query call:

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Contents News What’s On Feature Leisure Time

1-7 8-11 12-13, 24 14

Food and Pets 15 Directory 16-19 Home and Garden 20-21 Property and Finance 22-23

Useful Numbers EMERGENCY NUMBERS 18: Emergencies: Calls the fire brigade (Sapeurs Pompiers), but they deal with medical emergencies and are usually the first port of call in rural areas. 112: Emergency calls from your mobile: Be ready with your name and where you are calling from and do not hang up until told to do so. 17: Police (gendarmes) 119: Child abuse. 1616: Sea and lake rescue. 01 40 05 48 48: Anti-poison centre (Paris) 08 10 33 30 + your department number (eg 24 for the Dordogne): Gas & electricity emergencies UTILITIES FRANCE TELECOM Website in English: www.francetelecom.com To report a fault online: www.1013.fr (click on the UK flag). English-speaking helpline: 09 69 36 39 00 (from France); + 33 1 55 78 60 56 (outside France). ORANGE: English-speaking helpline: 09 69 36 39 00. SFR: 1023 (+ 33 6 10 00 10 23 from outside France) FREE: 1044 BOUYGUES: 1034 EDF: 24 hour breakdown line: 08 10 33 30 87; Helpline in English: 05 62 16 49 08; From outside France: + 33 5 62 16 49 08; Email: simpleenergywithedf@edf.fr GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS CAISSE D’ALLOCATIONS FAMILIALES - CAF: 50 Rue Claude Bernard, 24011 PERIGUEUX CEDEX; Tel: 08 10 25 24 10. L’ASSURANCE MALADIE (AMELI, formerly known as CPAM – the health service): www.ameli.fr, Tel: 36 46 (MonFri, 8am-5pm) English spoken. URSSAF: English-language site:www.anglais.urssaf.fr, Périgueux, 50 rue Claude-Bernard, 24022 Périgueux Cedex; Tel: 05 53 45 69 00. PREFECTURE: Services de l’Etat-préfecture, Cité administrative 24024 PERIGUEUX CEDEX Tel: 05 53 02 24 24; Email:prefecture@dordogne.gouv.fr OTHER HELP IN ENGLISH COUNSELLING IN FRANCE: for a qualified therapist near you or counselling over the telephone; www.counsellinginfrance.com SOS HELP: similar to the Samaritans, listeners who are professionally trained; Tel 01 46 21 46 46; www.soshelpline.org.

NO PANIC FRANCE: for help with anxiety disorders; Tel: 02 51 28 80 25; www.nopanic.org.uk ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: www.aafrancesud-ouest.com or call Ewen on 05 53 05 76 62 or Christine on 05 45 98 11 05. CANCER SUPPORT FRANCE: for advice and someone to talk to: www.cancersupportfrance.info, National Office email: cancersupportfrance@orange.fr, Tel: 05 45 89 30 05. CSF DORDOGNE EST/LOT: Margaret York: 05 65 22 96 37 or 06 35 90 03 41 (24 hrs); csfdoedognelot@yahoo.com CSF RIBERAC (CHARENTE SOUTH AND DORDOGNE WEST): Teresa Rekowska: 06 43 67 86 11; Email: csfriberac@gmail.com SOLDIERS, SAILORS, AIRMEN AND FAMILIES ASSOCIATION FORCES (SSAFA): In France: 05 53 01 64 54; Email: france@ssafa.org.uk. AVF: help with integration into French life; www.avf.asso.fr ASSOCIATION FRANÇAISE DES SOLOS: Monthly meetings after divorce, bereavement or separation. Social events for members. Corinne: 05 53 22 68 52 (evenings); or Claire: 05 53 08 55 13 (evenings); Email: afs.bergerac@orange.fr; www.asso-des-solos.fr BRITISH CONSULATE Address: 353 Boulevard du President Wilson 33073, Bordeaux Cedex; Tel + 33 5 57 22 21 10; www.ukinfrance.fco.gov.uk/en ENGLISH-LANGUAGE RADIO Radio Liberté 91.6 Mhz, based in Riberac, Dordogne, broadcasts an English-language radio show with news in English from Monday to Friday at 12:15 and at 19:30. It also airs a live English program every Friday from 12:30 to 14:30. Online streaming available. OTHER INFO YELLOW PAGES: www.pagesjaunes.fr SPEAKING CLOCK: 3699. WEATHER: 08 92 68 02 + dept. number. LAST INCOMING CALL ON YOUR PHONE: 3131, then ‘5’ if you wish to connect. PUBLIC HOLIDAYS THIS MONTH None

Dordogne Clubs and Associations Anglican Church of Aquitaine Services: Bertric Burée, Chancelade, Limeuil Haut, Ste Nathalène and Sorges, also in 47, 33. Chaplain Revd Dr Paul Vrolijk 05 53 23 40 73 aquitainechaplain@gmail.com Association Culturelle Franco-Anglaise Aquitaine From French lessons to bridge, plus monthly social get-togethers. www.acfaa.com

www.photoclub-bergerac.com Bibliothèque Anglaise Meyrals English books and DVDs. Mon 14.00 to 16.00 and Wed 10.00 to noon in 24220 Meyrals. Em Boiling: 05 53 30 30 23 bibliotheque.anglaise@gmail.com Chabrelle Computer Club Charlie Nott: La Roche Chabrelle 24320 St Just Tel: 05 53 90 50 39

Association Culturelle Internationale du Périgord ACIP aims to promote integration. Lycette Schouten Hoogendyk: 05 53 29 27 96 louisa.schoutenhoogendyk@orange.fr www.acip24.com

Centre de Golf Bergeracois Philippa Thornton: 05 53 58 87 18 centredegolfbergeracois@orange.fr

Bergerac Photo Club Meets Wed at 20.30, Maison des Associations, Place Jules Ferry, Bergerac. photoclub-bergerac@orange.fr

The Interesting Gardening Club Jane Evans: 05 53 91 34 96 carolawt@aol.com www.theinterestinggardeningclub.org

Golf Public de Périgueux 05 53 53 02 35 golfpgx@wanadoo.fr www.golfdeperigueux.com

Winners of the eco-label campsite award collect their certificates from the SDHPA Dordogne

Dordogne tops list for eco-friendly camping THE Dordogne has been named the top department in France for environmentally friendly campsites, with seven sites being awarded a special prize out of a total of just 36 in all of France. The federation for campsite owners in the department, the SDHPA, says it sets an example for others in this beautiful region to make ecology a priority. Ten more sites are hoping to work towards the label this autumn. SDHPA director Jérôme Neveu said: “The eco-label is not easy to obtain. It means a huge investment in terms of time and money and a real determination to change things, but campers are attracted to such campsites and are proud to

‘New TGV link will help local economy’ Î From

page 1 Mr Moyrand recently joined the mayors of Cahors, Brive, Limoges and Poitiers to write a letter to President Hollande and Prime Minister JeanMarc Ayrault asking for their support for the train service. The mayors said that the development of the Dordogne, the Limousin and the Lot had been penalised by the degradation of the rail service between Paris and Toulouse and that a new high-speed TGV link would help boost the economies of the region. It was also good news for the Dordogne rail consumer group Périgord Rail Plus, which campaigns for better train services. The group’s president and former train driver JeanFrançois Martinet said it was the right decision as it was more direct to go via Limoges. However, he added: “At present the government is looking for ways to save money. “And at the end of the day, even if everyone is agreed that it’s a valuable and worthwhile project, that counts for nothing if the state isn’t prepared to sign the cheque.” Ministers have already hinted that new TGV projects might have to be shelved in a cost-cutting exercise.

think that they have contributed to the environment while on holiday.” The list of requirements touches most of the aspects of life under canvas or in a mobile home. For example, every tap must be monitored to make sure it does not exceed a certain amount of litres per minute, windows must be insulated, boilers need to be serviced to run as efficiently as possible and rubbish must be properly sorted for recycling. But it is also the little things that can make a difference. Mr Neveu said: “We try not to have any sachets of ketchup or mayonnaise in our restaurants so as to cut down on packaging and sugar is served from boxes rather than individual packets. Plastic glasses are

never used and nor is plastic cutlery. The campsites are reviewed every two years so that standards are maintained.” However, seven award-winners is still not many out of the 200 sites in the department. Mr Neveu says the label is not for everyone: “We realise that it is a real committment – but smaller sites can take up some of the ideas and make camping greener. It is a good start.” The winning sites are: Le Paradis at Saint Léon sur Vézère; Le Pont de Mazerat at Tamnies; Peyrelevade at Brantôme; Maisoneuve at Castelnaud-laChappelle; Les Deux Vallées at Vézac; La Rivière at Eyzies-de-Tayac and Castelwood at Biron.

Dordogne Advertiser

September 2012

Research into Riberac bypass

Army base to be shut down ESCAT, the army site in Bergerac will close in 2014. It had been hoped that closure would be delayed until the most of its 43 employees retired. But defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, questioned by senator Bernard Cazeau, said that this would be unlikely – although attempts would be made to find new jobs for the remaining workers. There are already plans to turn the 21 hectare site by the Dordogne river into a tourist area with a covered swimming pool.

Broadband now at 98% access

by JANE HANKS EXPERIMENTS have begun to see whether hemp could join the familiar fields of maize, wheat, sunflowers, tobacco and vines in the Dordogne. It is thought that the crop – a close cousin of cannabis but a variety which is not for smoking – could be an answer to help the department’s agriculture industry, as it is a versatile crop with a wide range of potential uses. It is also ecological as it uses far less water than thirsty maize, needs very little fertiliser and thrives on organic manure and is very resistant and does not need pesticides or herbicides. Hemp was a common crop in the landscape many years ago and now four farmers in the Carlux area in the east of the department are carrying out trials to see how well it flourishes. The Communauté de Communes de Carlux is backing the project financially. Its president Vincent Flaquière said: “I would like to see it as the crop of the future. At present it is more expensive to plant because there is so little of it. But we have found a factory near Toulouse which will buy our hemp and process it – and as production increases, costs will inevitably drop. It is a sustainable crop and fits the requirements for a better agriculture.” In the past, hemp was used to make nautical ropes – but many other uses have now been developed. Its highly nutritious seed can be harvested for bird food and fishing bait and it can be pressed for cooking oil. Its fibres are strong and can be made into textiles, paper, incorporated in plastics for the car and aeronautical industry and it can be

Guy Saulière is one of the farmers taking part in the hemp-growing experiment put round plants in the garden to keep up humidity and enrich the soil. The rest of the plant is extremely absorbent – able to mop up five times its volume – and is used as an alternative to straw in stables as well as insulating material in buildings. Guy Saulière is one of the four farmers who has planted a hectare on his land. He is keeping meticulous notes on its

Lascaux launch for Bordeaux THE first showing of the Lascaux exhibition designed to travel the world will be at Bordeaux in October. The 700m2 stand includes replicas of parts of the cave never before seen by the public, videos and interactive stations designed to bring the site to an international audience. It will travel to Chicago in 2013, Montreal in 2014 and there are negotiations with New York, Singapore and Shanghai among others. It will stay for four to five months in each museum. The visit takes about an hour. The exhibition will be at the Cap Sciences in Bordeaux from October 13January 7.

Valentine show THEATRE group MADS are putting on a performance of Willy Russell’s Shirley Valentine at Issigeac Château, September 13-15. The performances are on Thursday and Friday at 20.00 (€10) and Saturday 19.30 (€12). Call 05 53 24 56 11, visit mads-theatre.org or email mads.bookings@gmail.com

progress: “I am happy to take part in the project. The fact that it uses very little fertiliser and no herbicides and pesticides will help balance the costs of the price of seed. It is important to look at the sums but there could well be a future in it because there are so many uses for it. So far the crop is growing well – we will be able to analyse the results when we harvest it this autumn.”

Weather has hit income A STUDY of the economy in the Dordogne has shown that both industry and agriculture are struggling. The Chamber of Commerce questioned 600 merchants, artisans, farmers and industrial firms representative of the local economy. Some 42% said they had suffered a downturn in their turnover for the first half of 2012. Three quarters said that the increase in purchase prices had been significant in their results and 86% said there was no hope of taking on more workers in the near future. Farmers are still suffering from the drought of 2011, the exceptional cold in February and the severe frost in April which destroyed much of the apple harvest. However, although the drought meant problems with hay in the spring, the later rains did a great deal of good. There is promising news for foie gras and related duck and goose products as sales were up.

Bergerac wines look Insurance firms flooded to Asia for sales push with claims over drought Photo: CIVRB

THE last two major areas without broadband access in the Dordogne have been linked up to the network meaning that 98% of the department is now covered. Since 2008, €11million has been invested in 92 units which have been installed to cover as many of the black spots as possible. The last two units were unveiled at Tamnies and Sarlat. The remaining 2% without broadband can get a grant to help them buy a satellite. The department is now working to bring super-fast internet to every home via fibre optic in the next 10 years.

Farmers pin hopes on hemp Photo: Jane Hanks

STUDIES are under way for a proposed by-pass for Riberac to take heavy traffic away from the town centre. It would run from le Relais and rejoin Gayet by passing behind Faye and via la Petite Borderie. The aim is to complete the road by the beginning of 2015. Once the final plans are drawn up there will be a public inquiry.

News 3

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Chinese journalists with chef Marie Rougier at restaurant la Tour des Vents BERGERAC winemakers are busy forging stronger links with China to tap into the new, expanding market. Bordeaux wines are very popular with the Chinese, who have even been buying vineyards in the Gironde, but Bergerac wines are only beginning to make their mark. There are 30 operators who sell Dordogne wines in China and it is the region’s fourth export market after Belgium, Holland and Germany. Sales are increasing every year. This summer, the region’s wine body CIVRB invited three journalists from Chinese wine magazines plus the country’s biggest wine internet site to spend five days visiting local producers and seeing the local sites.

Rachel Liang, Herry Gao and Shan Shan were delighted with their visit. Ms Shan said: “Bordeaux wines eclipse all the others – they are a little like a huge tree hiding the rest of the forest.” There was a return trip to China in August, when samples of Pécharments, Monbazillacs, Saussignacs and others were taken to Peking, Shanghai and Canton. CIVRB spokeswoman Marie-Pierre Tamagnon said it was important to make Bergerac’s presence known in China. She said: “Every year we export a little more and we need to make sure that our presence is known in Asia. We are also hoping for a trip to take our wines to Japan.”

THE drought which affected the Dordogne in spring and summer last year has been officially recognised as a natural disaster, which means that individuals should be able to claim for damages against their insurance. Over 200 communes are affected by the measure, after many house owners across the Dordogne saw cracks appear in their walls as foundations dried out. One of the communes affected was Notre-Dame-de-Sanilhac where many properties are on clay. Mayor Jean-François Larenaudie said: “About 130 people notified us of problems. As soon as the government declared it to be a natural disaster we contacted them to get their claim into their insurance companies. “There is no real pattern to the way in which houses have reacted – it’s quite strange. Some have had very serious cracks in outer walls, others more minor inside.” Resident Maria Carrier said: “I’ve got a staircase which

has cracks all over it and there are cracks on the outside wall – I don’t know how deep they are but I’m relieved I can get it fixed. My insurance firms says it is overwhelmed by claims.” Mr Larenaudie said that his commune was lucky to be included as only a third of those who put in a request were accepted: “The drought last year was catastrophic in its effects – much worse than the previous ones in 2003 and 2009. Since 2004, builders in our commune have to take special precautions if they are building a house on clay.” Another resident, Pascal Moutard, has just finished €149,000 of building work on his property following major cracks after the 2003 drought. He said: “Without that help [from the insurer] I would have lost the house. My wife was particularly upset to think she would lose her home and it was unsettling to move out while the building work was done. It’s taken a long time but at last it’s over.”

Funding call for hail protection AN organisation that operates 17 cannons in the Bergerac area in a bid to reduce hailstorm damage for local farms says it is running out of money and is appealing to local communes and the departmental council to increase funds. The president of Adelfa, Francis Danglade, says he is convinced of the efficiency of the machines, which send silver iodide into the air before an approaching storm. This, it is claimed, reduces the size of hailstones. He said: “The fight against hail is a necessity to protect vines and fruit trees. This year has been particularly stormy and we’ve had seven alerts since April. “There has been serious crop damage in the Lot-et-Garonne – the only

department in the Aquitaine without protection of this kind. Besides helping to guarantee income for farmers it also protects local people from damage to their cars and houses.” The cannons in the Bergerac area are operated by volunteers. Philippe Perrier, a farmer from Saint-Pierred’Eyraud says that even though he must always be on standby to use the machine he benefits from having it on his land: “I get precious details about the weather which means that I and my neighbours can work out what work needs to be done and when.” Mr Danglade says he is sure that good sense will mean that there will be support for anti-hail measures so that people continue to be protected.

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Did you know? Photo: Jane Hanks. Inset:DC_Rebecca/Flickr

Swan colony thrives in shallow river near Lalinde

The 210 swans on this stretch of river feed off plentiful vegetation on the river bed – you should not feed them bread FOR those taking the road to Bergerac via Lalinde, the huge colony of wild swans on the Dordogne river is always an impressive sight. There are 210 of them – all mute swans (Cygnus olor) and they thrive in the shallow waters of this part of the river where they can feed happily on the vegetation growing on the river bed. This summer you may have been able to spot a pair of Black Swans among them – which are an Australian species thought to have escaped from a zoo. The colony and its habits are closely monitored by ornithologist Serge Fagette, who lives in Lalinde. He says the swans are thriving: “Thirty years ago their numbers were dwindling as people used to hunt them to eat. They are not a

delicacy as the meat is tough – but people weren’t as fussy as they are today and if they were poor they would happily eat swan meat. But in 1976 they became one of many protected birds and since then the population has grown.” They make their nests on the small islands in the middle of the river – but these do risk being swept away in the spring high waters. During the winter the swans often move up river beyond the EDF dam where the river is calmer – they do not like fast flowing water – but they return to the area around the Lalinde bridge where they are an attraction for passers-by who often stop to photograph them. Mr Fagette says they are very popular with the locals and visitors: “People like

them a lot and often take them bread to eat. But it is better to leave them to eat what nature provides. There is plenty for them in the river – and it is an indication that the quality of the water is good. Swans are vegetarian so they pose no threat to the fish population.” The swan is the largest bird in Europe – a male can weigh over 10kg. The Mute Swan is so called because it makes less noise than other species. It is white all over with an orange bill bordered in black. In the UK, all mute swans on the River Thames belong to the monarchy or two London livery companies. In the Dordogne they have no such status – but they remain king of this stretch of the Dordogne.

September 2012

Warning over vehicle thefts POLICE are warning drivers to be vigilant when parking in Périgueux after 117 incidents of thefts from cars were reported in the first six months of this year. In French these thefts are called “vol à la roulotte” – still in use from the19th century when open horse-drawn wagons were an easy target for the thief, or roulottier. Thierry Bouron from the city’s commissariat de police says most of the thefts are from cars parked along the roadside or in street-level car parks. There are far fewer in underground car parks – just four so far this year. The most popular targets are the Renault Twingo and Clio.

Mr Bouron says foot and car patrols are on the lookout for any incidents, but drivers need to take precautions. He advises car owners to make sure all windows, doors and the boot are closed and locked – apparently most potential robbers begin by making a tour of the car to check all the door handles. Hide anything that could provide a temptation – even a closed bag can incite a robber to break a windscreen just to see what may be inside. Take all objects of value with you – such as the satnav, jewelry and telephones. If you are robbed go straight to the police and tell your insurance company within three days.

Tributes to Charles Gillooley Î From

page 1 Ms Martyn added: “Many became very good friends and were able to offer invaluable moral and practical support when Charles became ill.” Charles Gillooley was very involved in local life, as president of the parents’ association at Le Bugue collège. He was also president of the local traders’ association for 10 years up to 2006.

Mr Gillooley was a practical man and was passionate about cars, with a large collection of 2CVs. He is remembered as someone who was always happy to give advice and who readily gave up his time to help others. He regularly helped journalists from the Dordogne Advertiser and Connexion as well as French publications and local radio.

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September 2012

THE panoramic lift at Sarlat has been hailed a great success by tourists. About 200 people a day have been taking the glass-sided ascenseur up the tower of the old Eglise Saint-Mairie in the centre of the town to get an over-therooftops view of the medieval city. At the end of July it recorded its 10,000th visitor, having first opened in April. The lift was designed by the world-renowned architect Jean Nouvel, who comes from Sarlat. However, some critics have pointed out that it is a shame that the lift shaft does not have a roof, meaning it has to close in bad weather.

Unemployment rising too fast UNEMPLOYMENT has gone up once again in the Dordogne. The latest figures show an increase of 1.6% month-on-month, which is double the national increase of 0.8% and higher than the figure of 0.9% for the Aquitaine. The department also has the highest increase over the past 12 months in the region – at 12.1% compared to 9.4% in the Aquitaine and 7.8% in France. There are 19,069 people looking for work in the Dordogne. Young people are most concerned by the latest rise – though over the whole year it is the over50s who are finding it most difficult to get work.

A Dordogne retirement for police horses by JANE HANKS IT IS not just humans who move to the Dordogne for the good life – nine British police horses have found retirement bliss in the department as well. Among them is gentle giant Lewis – who, even at a massive 18.3 hands, became too nervous to be ridden after last summer’s riots and who has a recurring injury to a back leg. Then there is Walter, who used to be on duty at football matches and Clifton, who retired from the Avon and Somerset Police force after stripping one of his back leg tendons. They would all have been put down if they had not been taken on by Roland and Alison Phillips, who run the Brantome Police Horses and Friends sanctuary in Saint-Pancrace, between Brantôme and Nontron. Mr Phillips – who himself came here to retire after 30 years as a detective in London – says the horses are very happy in their new home: “The French countryside is good for them – drier, warmer and calmer. “Many of them have breathing and foot problems from the fumes and hard pavements of city life.

“Some also have mental problems – two came out of the riots last summer. But here they do well and we work to rehabilitate them.” He adds: “I got involved in animal welfare after my mother set up a sanctuary in Devon. “My daughter now runs that and finds new homes for the animals. “The police horses can no longer be ridden so we wanted to find a good place to care for them. “We have always loved France and found just what we were looking for here.” They imagined they would quietly go about their business of looking after the animals and renting out a Alison Phillips with Freddie, one of nine police horses moved to France gîte to fund their project. But when the popularity of the horses who when crowds are throwing things at they decided to hold an open day last thrive on human contact they are them, because they trust in their rider. spring they were amazed when more open to visitors (by appointment) and They have served the public and we than 300 people turned up. hold fundraising events. This autumn believe they deserve a good end to “We are passionate about our horses they want to create a woodland padtheir life.” but we never expected other people to dock and are looking for volunteers to It is an expensive project, and when be quite so interested,” says Mr come and clear the area – in return hay prices tripled this year following Phillips. “Every horse has a story and they can take away free fire wood. the drought the couple realised that we try to show visitors that they aren’t they would have to find ways of just big amiable creatures. They’ve had www.brantomepolicehorses.com, bringing in money other than proa tough life. Normally a horse will run email rolandphillips@hotmail.co.uk ceeds from their gîte. They are formaway from danger – but when they are or call 05 53 05 86 80. ing an association and spurred on by in a riot situation they go on even

Young improve their local area THE young in Périgueux have been busy over the summer – cleaning and painting the dustbin areas in the blocks of flats where they live. For the last two years a local association, Périgueux Habitat, has organised a group of 30 teenagers aged 11 to 18 to work on their local area. They were provided with the materials and a professional painter gave them some tips. Last year, they cleaned the entrance halls and stairways of their building. The aim is to make the teenagers proud of the place in which they live and to get to know each other better. In return the participants get a week’s holiday – either by the sea or skiing – funded by the family allowance organisation, the CAF.

Funding help for new builds MORE public money is to be put into building projects for the next six years to give a boost to the ailing construction industry in the Dordogne. In the past six years, €42million of public money have been injected into the local building industry, resulting in €150m of works being carried out. The departmental council has negotiated an extension of this state funding, known as aide à la pierre, which is valid from 2012-2017.

Roland Phillips with Eden

Hamlet residents against drive-thru RESIDENTS in La-Borie-desMounards near Trélissac are furious over plans by E. Leclerc to build a drive-in shopping centre in their hamlet, allowing shoppers to pick up orders placed online. Marie Bertrand, who has lived in the hamlet for 32 years, says she cannot understand it: “We are a group of small houses with gardens. It’s a peaceful area and the place where they want to put it is lovely and green with lime trees. I just don’t understand why people want to come in and spoil things every time there is something beautiful. I’m sure there is enough room at their super-

market site in Trélissac.” The residents have signed a petition against the development but Mrs Bertrand does not have much hope for its success: “Everyone here is outraged. It will be noisy, ugly, there will be lots of cars and it’ll be dangerous for our children, but I don’t expect we can do anything to stop it.” Trélissac mairie says Leclerc has put in an application for a building permit which should take about two months to go through. A spokesman said that it is most likely to be accepted as there are no particular restrictions for a business of this kind. No one at Leclerc would comment.

Worried about the Euro debt crisis? Talk to Siddalls about how to structure your ﬁnances in these diﬃcult times Peter Wakelin, Regional Manager French Head Office: 05 56 34 75 51 Email: bordeaux.office@siddalls.net

www.siddalls.fr French ﬁnance in plain English Siddalls France SASU, Parc Innolin, 3 Rue du Golf, 33700 Mérignac - RCS BX 498 800 465. C.I.F. No E001669 auprès de ANACOFI-CIF association agréée par l’Autorité des Marchés Financiers et Courtier d’Assurances, Catégorie B - ORIAS 07 027 475. Garantie Financière et Assurance de Responsabilité Civile Professionnelle conformes aux articles L 541-3 du Code Monétaire et Financier et L 512-6 et 512-7 du Code des Assurances.

Photos: Jane Hanks

10,000 try out new Sarlat lift

News 5

SWEET mirabelle plums from Lorraine have just hit the shelves and should be enjoyed during their short season – which ends in the middle of this month. Lorraine is today responsible for 90% of the world’s production of the small and round fruit, which was a minor part of the region’s agriculture until it was relaunched in the 1980s. The increase in demand that this caused saw 1,500 hectares of new mainly organic orchards being planted and led to the Lorraine Mirabelles being the first fruit to receive the European IGP quality label, in 1996. If they carry the IGP logo the fruit must be cultivated according to traditional, mainly organic, methods, with the use of manure and other natural fertilisers preferred to chemical ones. This means worms, which aerate the soil, are encouraged, as are bees and butterflies. Chemical treatments to protect the trees are allowed only in the winter.

Hollande lets train take strain for hols PRESIDENT Hollande returned to Paris by TGV after his two-week holiday in the Var – making the TGV his favoured mode of transport as he had also set off by train for the presidential residence at Fort Brégançon. He had stopped to buy some DVDs in Fnac before starting his holiday with partner Valérie Trierweiler and his return was the fourth time he has travelled by train since becoming president. This was said to be an attempt to distance himself from the “bling bling” image of his predecessor, Nicolas Sarkozy. However, it is a costly security exercise for the SNCF, which is required by law to have a police guard on every bridge under which the train passes. Hollande told reporters it was “an important gesture” at a time when “a

Mirabelles are glorious in a tart or conserve

Known as greengages in English, the Lorraine mirabelles are particularly enjoyed for their luscious flavour lot of French people want to go on holiday but cannot do so”. However, while enjoying his break he notched up his 100 days in office and saw his popularity slump to 46% from 56% the previous month. In voters’ eyes Hollande has not moved fast enough to improve the jobs situation or stop closures.

Eiffel Tower is worth €434bn in revenue EUROPE’S most valuable historic monument has been named as the Eiffel Tower – which is said to be worth €434billion in tourist and associated revenues. The figures calculated by the Chamber of Commerce of Monza and Brianza, a small province near Milan, puts the value of the tower at around one-fifth of France’s gross domestic product each year. Monza and Brianza chamber estimates that the tower is worth nearly

five times more than its nearest competitors, the Colosseum in Rome (€91bn) and Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia cathedral in Barcelona (€90bn). The Tower of London is claimed to be worth €70.5bn, while Stonehenge is a mere €10.5bn. The study was not on the monuments’ material value but on their image, branding and attractiveness.

Mont Saint-Michel visitor numbers fall VISITOR numbers at Mont SaintMichel have fallen by a quarter compared to last year after changes were made stopping people from parking on the causeway next to the famous landmark. Now, as part of agreements with Unesco to safeguard the setting of the World Heritage Site, people have to park 2km away and take a shuttle bus – but there have been complaints that the new car park is some ©PHOTOPQR/LE COURRIER PICARD

One of the vehicles that was set on fire. The damage from the rioting is estimated to run into several millions of euros

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distance from the bus stop and is also too expensive. The tourist office at the Mont say there were 24% fewer visitors in July compared to last year. However, this figure differs from figures from the office for national historic monuments, which puts the drop at 9%, following a 16.5% fall in June. Unesco says that the Mont usually attracts about 3.5 million people a year. Tourist office head Emmanuel Villain said there could be several factors including the new shuttle, the economic crisis and poor weather – the Manche departmental tourism body says tourists were down 7% in general in July. Mont Saint-Michel abbey administrator Jean-Marc Bouré does not agree and said the Mont was not usually affected by the ups and downs of the economy, and bad publicity about the shuttles was mainly to blame.

Young men arrested after Amiens riots injure police FIVE men aged 15 to 30 were arrested in connection with riots in Amiens, although two were later released without charge. Sixteen police were hurt and three public buildings, including a school and a newly-built gym, were torched during violent confrontations in the Fafet district of the northern city where several officers were hit by shotgun pellets.The cost is estimated to run into several million euros after buildings were attacked, windows broken and vehicles set on fire. Interior Minister Manuel Valls – who was barracked and jostled by youths when he visited the city – ordered heavy police reinforcements to restore order. He later said 500 extra police posts would be created each year to police new Security Priority Zones. This would help cover the gaps left after 12,000 police jobs cut in the last five years. The prefecture has also ordered an inquiry into the causes of the disturbances. Some residents had blamed heavy-handed policing during a memorial ceremony for a 20-year-old killed in a scooter crash.

September 2012

Assumption prayer prompts gay row MANY French Catholic churches marked Assumption with a prayer containing strong support for traditional marriage – as the government promised to legalise gay marriage. The “prayer for France” from Cardinal André Vingt-Trois called for support for the victims of the economic crisis and for the young but also said children should “cease to be objects of the desires and conflicts of adults and fully benefit from the love of a father and a mother”. The government has said it will legalise same-sex marriage in 2013 and the prayer was addressed to “those recently elected to legislate and govern” adding the wish “that their sense of the common good will overcome special demands.” Gay rights groups attacked it as an intrusion by the church into politics with Act Up saying it was an “attack on homosexuality.” Michael Bouvard, of SOS Homophobia, said the message was “a breeding ground for discrimination and homophobia”. Assumption is a national holiday across Europe to celebrate the raising of the Virgin Mary to heaven. Opinion polls have said that 65% of people support same-sex marriage. Same-sex civil unions have been legal since 1999.

Five hit by lightning on treetop trail FIVE people were injured, three seriously, after being hit by lightning in a forest park in the HautesPyrénées. They had been amongst groups in the forest canopy at the Chloro’fil aerial adventure park at Argelès-Gazost when hit. It is thought lightning hit a tree and cables for the aerial pathways on the “accrobranche” network where visitors were walking. One child was knocked unconscious and another received burns along with a 20-year-old park monitor who had leg burns. Days earlier two women survived being hit by lightning on a beach on île d’Oléron in Charente-Maritime. Each year in France around 100 people are hit by lightning strikes, generally in open or high country and the advice is to lie flat on the ground if lightning is about.

Thief steals plans for the Elysée Palace A THIEF has stolen plans for the Elysée Palace, the Interior Ministry and the Paris Préfecture de Police which were on a USB stick taken from a technician’s car. The man, who had been working on installing fibre-optic cables in the buildings, had parked outside the Gare de Lyon and his briefcase with the USB memory sticks and hard disks was stolen. Le Parisien, which revealed the theft, said data on more than 9,000 buildings was included on the memory stick and hard drives. The details were confidential but not secret and were not encrypted and did not show who used which office.

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September 2012

Excellence award for beautiful river expected to boost tourism AN AWARD by world heritage body Unesco recognising the Dordogne river as a site of natural excellence will bring many benefits to the department, including a boost to tourism, it is claimed. The river has been named as a Unesco Man and Biosphere Reserve – one of 598 in 117 countries in the world. It was chosen because of its remarkable and exceptional natural qualities and because local people were able to demonstrate that they were working together to preserve it. The site covers 24,000km2 from the source of the river in the Massif Central to the Gironde estuary. It is the largest in Europe, covering five regions and 11 departments along the 476km river and its catchment zone which includes its tributaries. The river is unusual because of its low population density and the fact that there are no major towns on its banks and very little pollution. It travels through varied and dramatic landscapes and is still home to rare animals such as otters and migratory fish. Biosphere Reserves are sites of excellence chosen by Unesco “to promote sustainable development based on local community efforts and sound science”. There are no regulations but an area can only keep its title if it can show that it is continuing to work towards preservation. It is reviewed every 10 years and there are 10 other sites in France – among them the Camargue and Fontainebleau. Dordogne departmental council president Bernard Cazeau says the award is very important: “It is a

prestigious recognition that the Dordogne valley is indeed an area with exceptional characteristics in its landscape, its animals and its vegetation. “The advantages are obvious. A Unesco label gives international recognition – and it will encourage more visitors to come. For the people who live here it makes us proud of what we have. It shows that we are already doing the right thing to preserve the environment.” When asked whether he thought it would make a difference to the three applications to drill for shale gas in the area, he said: “I don’t think we will see drilling for shale gas here. I think the government is against it and I really can’t see it happening.” Tourist board officer Micheline Morrisneau said it was early days but that they were already talking to Epidor, the body which looks after the river, about ways in which to promote it. She says: “When Bordeaux was classified a Unesco site there was an increase in tourism and there is no reason why that shouldn’t happen here. The Dordogne valley has always been recognised as important by us but this will enhance it further.” The Unesco application took two years of intense work including consultation with local councils and associations the length of the river. Epidor assistant director Roland Thieleke says: “We had to show that it is an area of outstanding natural beauty and interest. And we had to show that there had been efforts by the local community to value the river. “It was not always easy as some businesses and farmers were worried that restrictions would be

The Dordogne river at Trémolat

imposed on them. However we were able to persuade them that there are no regulations attached to the reserve and that classification can only bring benefits.” He says the benefits are twofold: “It will make those of us who live here conscious of the fact that we live in a region which is of international importance and worth preserving. For example it will make us

realise that it is more and more unusual to live by a river which you can actually swim in. And it will also contribute to the area’s prestige abroad and attract visitors.” River authorities have been cooperating closely with EDF for 10 years to reduce the impact of the hydro-electric dams up river which have perhaps been the biggest threat to the balance of the river’s ecosys-

tem. Unesco says: “The area is one of the three principal providers of hydro-electric power in France which represents a considerable pressure on the water and its aquatic ecosystems.” EDF has taken measures to control the use of its dams and have put some “lifts” in place to help migratory fish move up river. But it is seen as vital to keep up and improve this kind of initiative.

the river once again. Epidor says more needs to be done to help fish get past the dams. Twenty years ago, otter numbers were low but now they can be found all along the river basin. It is thought that the otter’s status as a protected species has ensured its survival. There are reports of a decrease in the numbers of dragonflies and crayfish, but freshwater mussels – a good indicator of water quality – are still present in large numbers. The bird population – herons, ducks, kingfishers and wagtails – seem not to be a cause for concern.

Photo: Jane Hanks

Photo: A. Bordes - EPIDOR

Fish and birds a sign of health THE STATE of the fish population is an indication of the river’s health – and there is still work to be done. The main concerns have always been for the great migratory fish. At present, there are between 100 and 300 salmon in the Dordogne – a massive drop from 2002 when 1,400 were counted. There are virtually no shad left at all but there is hope for the sturgeon. Although they have not reproduced naturally here since 1994, young sturgeon have been released and it is hoped they will populate

Council leader Bernard Cazeau: award is good news for Dordogne

Find registered tradespeople quickly and easily

Have your say on river condition Unesco will review the status of the river in 10 years. Meanwhile there is no room for complacency – in November, the 20th anniversary of the Dordogne Valley Charter will be celebrated with a public meeting at Bergerac when all aspects of the river’s health will be discussed. It is hoped the local population will become involved and a questionnaire open to everyone is online asking for ideas, information and advice about the river. The results will be presented to the public bodies and representatives of river users at the meeting. Various themes will be addressed: water quality both for drinking and swimming, the quantity of water as affected by the dams and the danger of flooding and preservation of the different natural habitats – wetlands, backwaters, valleys and the flora and fauna. You can contribute by filling in the questionnaire online at www.eptb-dordogne.fr (in French) or by writing to Epidor, Etats généraux 2012, Castelnaud-la-Chapelle.

Photo: F. Ehrhardt - EPIDOR

by JANE HANKS

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Angoulême

September 2012

FESTIVAL Photo: © Circuit International des Remparts d'Angoulême

Near Dordogne

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Photo: © Circuit International des Remparts d'Angoulême

September September 14-16 Circuit International des Remparts d'Angoulême – this event is not in the Dordogne but not far away and well worth a visit! This international vintage car rally in the beautiful medieval hillside town of Angoulême has been running since 1939. Every year, the old town fills with racing enthusiasts and the circuit around the remparts remains unchanged since the first race more than 70 years ago. It starts on Friday with the Concours d’Elegance, where the cars gather in the centre of Angoulême for judging. On Saturday is the Tourist Rally for pre-1975 cars, which takes you out of Angoulême on a scenic route, including lunch and a gala buffet dinner back in the town in the evening. The main Circuit des Remparts race is on Sunday afternoon, after the morning practice sessions. Seats cost from €25 to €45. www.circuit-des-remparts.com

Photo: © Circuit International des Remparts d'Angoulême

FOOD

September 16 Festival de Recettes de Saint-Pantaly d'Excideuil – A friendly neighbourhood festival where families bring their own lovingly made dishes and share food and recipe ideas with others.The Doctor Bob Quartet provide the musical accompaniment. To find out more, Call 05 53 52 29 79 Photo: © Père Igor - wikipedia.org

Corgnac-sur-l’Isle

Photo: © ARochau - Fotolia.com

Périgord Vert

Saint-Pantaly d’Excideuil

SPORT September 2 Course pédestre nature and marche nordique – A 15km run through Eyzerac, Corgnac and Vaunac starting at 09.30. It is suitable for all abilities, and there is a separate nordic walking group with trained guides. Entry €10. Call 05 53 62 07 19 or see www.leschatignols.asso-web.com

Celles FAMILY Until September 15 Soirées animées de la Ferme de Lafayas – This farm in Celles, north-west of Périgueux, opens to the public on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturday evenings from 17.30 for a guided tour and food, wine and fruit-juice tastings for just €3. Call 05 53 91 98 56

Market days Monday: Les Eyzies, Ste Alvère,Tocane St Apre, Beynac Tuesday: Beaumont, Bergerac, Brantôme, Cénac et St Julien, Lanouaille, Le Bugue, Lisle, Mareuil-sur-Belle, Ribérac,Thiviers,Trémolat, Gourdon, Neuvic, Salignac-Eyvigues,Thenon Wednesday: Bergerac, Cadouin, Hautefort, Jumilhac le Grand, la Tour Blanche, Montignac, Montpon Ménestérol, Piégut Pluviers, Sarlat, Siorac en Périgord, Carlux, Périgueux, Razac, Ste Nathalene Thursday: Domme, Excideuil, La Coquille, Lalinde, Monpazier, St Astier, St Julien de Lampon, St Pardoux la Rivière,Terrasson, Eymet

Meyrals Friday: Bergerac, Brantôme, Le Buisson, Le Lardin, Ribérac, Sarlat, Cubjac, La Roque Gageac, Sigoules, Souillac, Vergt Saturday: Beaumont, Belvès, Bergerac, Le Bugue, Lalinde, Lanouaille, Montignac, Montpon Ménestérol, Nontron, Saint Aulaye, Sarlat,Thiviers,Villefranche du Périgord, Agonac, Gourdon, La Roche Chalais, Mussidan, Neuvic, Périgueux, Razac Sunday: Angoisse, Bergerac, Calviac, Couze-St-Front, Issigeac, Jumilhac le Grand, Limeuil, Pontours, Pressignac-Vicq, St Cyprien St Front de Pardoux, St Geniès, St Leon sur Vezère, St Pardoux la Rivière, Sarlat, Sorges, Carsac, Daglan, Marquay, Rouffignac

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September 2012

Périgueux Until September 17 Le Ventriloque des Lois – The Musée d’Art et d'Archéologie du Périgord presents an exhibition of work from local graphic designer and cartoonist Michel Herreria. His work casts a critical but humorous look on society and its ills and has been displayed around France and internationally for more than 20 years. Entry €4. Call 05 53 06 40 70

OUTDOORS

Until September 7 Concours des Maisons Fleuries – For the third year running, Périgueux tourist office encourages homeowners and shopkeepers to show off their gardening skills for passers-by to enjoy. A broad range of participants are involved, from community allotments and vegetable gardens to simple flower displays on an apartment balcony.The prize-giving ceremony is on September 7 from 18.30 at La Filature de l'Isle, on the Chemin des Feutres du Toulon. Call 05 53 53 10 63

Périgord Blanc

September 2 Randonnée – One of the key pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela passes through the Dordogne, and Saint-Géry offers an opportunity to explore it either on foot, horseback or bicycle on this activity day.The walking routes are 8km or 12km and cost €3 to take part. Horse-riding is €5 for a 27km trail and there are three bike circuits (15km, 30km or 45km) costing €5.The day is open to all and there will be refreshments, a vide-grenier and other games and activities. To reserve: Call 05 53 58 73 35

Périgord Pourpre

EXHIBITION

Photo: © Ville de Perigueux

Périgueux

Eymet HISTORY

September 1 Ronde de nuit en Bastide – This torch-lit night-time tour of Eymet’s medieval old town is an interesting way to discover the local architecture, or to revisit it under a different light if you are already familiar. It is free to take part and there is no need to book - just turn up at the tourist office at 21.00.

All month L'antiquité avec Jean-Claude Golvin – Internationally renowned archaeologist Jean-Claude Golvin shares his discoveries with the public at an exhibition at the Musée Vesunna in Périgueux. It is an opportunity to explore his extensive research into the lost towns of the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans – and find out more about the Middle Ages, including a vast range of original sketches and interesting archaeological finds. Entry 6. Call 05 53 53 00 92 or visit www.perigueux-vesunna.fr

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Eymet FAMILY

Photo: © c-chez-marc - Fotolia.com

September 7 Barbecue convivial – Les Vieilles Pierres restaurant on the Route de Marmande in Eymet organises a lively, friendly barbecue every Friday throughout summer and tonight's is the last of the season. It starts at 19.00, weather permitting, and is an ideal way to meet locals and share a meal outdoors. A three-course meal costs €17, excluding drinks. Book on 05 53 23 75 99

Only €10 a year to a French address. See page 18

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Photos: © Michel Herreria

Périgueux ART

Saint-Géry OUT AND ABOUT

What’s On 9

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September 2012

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Cancer Support branch seeks extra volunteers

Get Involved! CSF’s Annora Tiley (above, right) with hospital staff and the new bed shower unit that will be a boon to patients

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IF YOU live in the Ribérac area and would like to give some time to others two associations would welcome help. One is Cancer Support France Ribérac which supports Englishspeakers in the North Dordogne and South Charente who have cancer and the other is Solidarité Ribérac which helps people in financial difficulties. CSF Ribérac also raises funds to improve patient facilities and donated a bed shower to Angoulême Hospital oncology unit. It has 39 volunteers, with nine trained as Active Listeners. They support clients and their carers by phone or home visits and guide them to support services as required. The group is looking for new members and people to train as AL volunteers – especially in the Barbezieux and Chalais areas. Find out more at the cancer support drop-in centre open on the fourth Friday morning every month in the

Palais de Justice in the market square in Ribérac. Get volunteering details on 06 43 67 86 11 - csfriberac@gmail.com or www.cancersupportfrance.org The group has a 5km Marche de la Vie sponsored walk on September 30 at Salles Lavalette, open to all. Register by email to rchedelavie@ gmail.com or call 06 82 72 68 58. Solidarité Ribérac helps 106 families but says more and more are seeking help. It works with the social services and the mairie to decide who needs most aid. It also gives grants to three lycée students a year, enables children to have a summer outing, helps a charity in Sénegal and gives out food donated by the local Leclerc. It also has a charity shop and would welcome furniture and other household items. Run entirely by volunteers it needs more help and you can contact them at the Rue de la République premises or call on 05 53 91 45 56.

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September 2012

What’s On 11

What’s On in the capital

Celebrating the city’s famous cabaret

and sustainable development. Headlined by Pete Doherty, it is back for a second year and is described as “a heartfelt call to attention and at the same time a move to invent a new way of living in harmony and respect for the environment”. It takes place in the Bagatelle park on the edge of Paris, in the Bois de Boulogne.Tickets €38.50. www.welovegreen.fr

September 28-October 1 – Enthusiasts race their precious vehicles from Place Vendôme to the Normandy seaside resort of Deauville each year. Before the race, there is an exhibition of pre-1940s vintage cars, and coupés and cabriolets designed before 1960. www.deauville.org/en

On the run September 9 – The La Parisienne 6km women’s race is back for its sixth year, starting at the Pont d’Iéna and taking in the Trocadéro and Eiffel Tower before reaching the finishing line at the Ecole Militaire. Registration is closed, but come and cheer from 09.45. www.la-parisienne.net

SPORT

Ile-de-France music festival September 8-October 14 – Each year, the Ile-de-France Festival offers a varied programme of music ranging from classical to contemporary, from traditional and folk to cutting edge electronic music, at venues ranging from central Paris to Fontainebleau.All the venues are places of outstanding cultural heritage within the region.The festival will this year once again offer some 40 concerts of baroque music, world music, jazz, electronic music and so on, as well as visits, meetings and conferences which address issues that are at the heart of life in the region.The full programme can be found at www.festival-idf.fr

FESTIVAL

Two hours of fireworks

Climbing Bercy Photo: So_P/Flickr

From September 13 – A new exhibition celebrates Montmartre’s famous avantgarde cabaret Le Chat Noir, taking visitors on an audiovisual tour of the musical and theatrical performances that wowed audiences from 1880-1910. Musée de Montmartre, €8. Discounts for under 24s. Open every day 10.00-18.00 at 12/14, rue Cortot (18e, metro Lamarck-Caulaincourt). See museedemontmartre.fr or call 01 49 25 89 39. While in the area, head round the corner to Rue Saint-Vincent for a peek at Paris’s only vineyard.

Classic cars Go green for weekend meet for September OUTDOORS Deauville 14-16 – We Love Green is a forward-thinking music festival that combines performances with race workshops on environmentally friendly living

OUTDOORS

Photo: Gerard Cohen/Wikimedia

Until September 30 – The Musée du Quai Branly in Paris invites you to discover an exhibition about gastronomy and the culinary arts in China. Cooking, dishes, table manners – you will discover some fabulous artefacts including ancient bronze dishes and imperial porcelain, as well as different techniques, various inventions and many menus outlining a brief history of Chinese culture. Entry €10. www.quaibranly.fr

EXHIBITION

September 22-23 – For two days, the Fête des Jardins à Paris presents a programme of varied entertainment in the city’s green spaces. Hundreds of free events take place throughout the capital – from guided tours and walks to concerts and exhibitions. Particularly recommended are the Parc de Bercy, Parc de la Villette, Jardins du Luxembourg, Jardins des Tuileries and Jardin des Plantes (pictured) where gardeners will reply to visitors’ questions and give guided tours.This year’s festival emphasises the importance of sustainable gardening. Entry is FREE.

Photo: Ted Drake/Flickr

Chinese culture through its food

Hundreds of special garden events

Photo: Rama/Wikimedia. Inset: John Robert Charlton

Throughout September – Paris attracts some of the biggest acts in popular music this month, with a Stade de France gig from Lady Gaga (pictured below, September 22, from €50) and, at the end of the month, legendary singersongwriter Leonard Cohen playing three nights at l’Olympia, Boulevard des Capucines (metro Opéra) from September 28-30, with tickets starting at €100 from all the usual outlets. Pop-rock supergroup Coldplay also play the Stade de France on September 2, but it is sold out.

September 12-16 – Some 500 athletes representing 60 countries take part in the 12th World Climbing Championships and 15,000 spectators are expected. €32. worldclimbing2012.com

SPORT

Outdoor opera September 11-15 – Open air performances of Verdi’s Aida each evening in the grounds of the Hôtel des Invalides, where Napoleon is buried. Tickets from €39. www.operaenpleinair.com

MUSIC

September 8 – The Grand Feu d’Artifice de Saint-Cloud is billed as the world’s biggest and longest fireworks display, lasting over two hours and watched by 23,000 people in the Domaine de Saint Cloud park.Tickets range from €26 to €78. www.le-grand-feu.com

Photo: BenH/Wikimedia

Leonard Cohen, Lady Gaga in town

12 Going green

www.dordogneadvertiser.com

Dordogne Advertise

Save money by going green (while it lasts) The French government’s green tax credits scheme has been extended from the previous deadline of the end of this year, to the end of 2015. Benefits this year include higher rebates for people putting in more than one kind of installation at once. We explain more CERTAIN materials and equipment used to make your home more environmentallyfriendly can be written off against income tax. This is one of the ways the government encourages greener lifestyles to help with its commitments to cutting greenhouse gas emissions and making greater use of renewable energy sources (agreed at international climate conferences in Kyoto and Copenhagen and at France’s 2007 environment summit the Grenelle de l’Environnement). Since it was made obligatory for estate agents’ advertising to display ratings showing how much energy your home uses (from A to G) it has become all the more desirable for your home to be “greener”, as it affects its value and attractiveness should you wish to rent or sell. However it is a good idea to take advantage of the green tax rebates scheme rapidly, as money off tax has been reduced several times already, with this year no exception. Rebates for solar photovoltaic panels, for example, have been slashed especially drastically – they now attract an 11% credit compared to 22% in 2011 and 50% up until autumn 2010. However, the good news this year is that a number of popular items now benefit from higher rates (up to 40%) if you have at least two different kinds of eligible installation put

in at the same time – for example double glazing and solar thermal panels. Another plus is that the scheme has been extended until the end of 2015, whereas it only originally applied until the end of 2012. Tax credits can also now, once again, be combined with the zero-interest “eco-prêt” loan, under certain circumstances, which was not possible last year. The green tax credit Green tax credits were introduced in 2005 and were initially planned until the end of 2012. They will now continue until the end of 2015, apart from for new-build homes. Tweaks have been made to the way they work over the years, including changes to the products that qualify and the amount of tax you can offset against certain items. Work done in 2012 would usually be claimed back as a tax deduction when filling in your income declarations in 2013 (it is possible the new government will make further changes applicable for work in 2013). The basics Carrying out renovation or improvement work

such as fitting insulation, a wood-burning stove or a condensing boiler gives you the right to ask for a tax credit. This is a sum deducted from your income tax bill on the income you earned in the same year that you had the work done. The main difference between a tax “reduction” and a tax “credit” is that with a credit if you fall below the income thresholds to actually pay French income tax you are eligible for a payment via a cheque or directly into a French bank account. Similarly if you do not pay enough tax to deduct your full entitlement, the rest will be paid by cheque. However to benefit you still have to fill out a French income tax form for the year in question. Who is it for? People who rent their home, owneroccupiers, people who let out a home or people who live in a home free of charge. People who are fiscally-resident in France Note that if you are letting the home you cannot both opt for the tax credit and the option of an expenses deduction from your income from property (revenus fonciers) for the same equipment/work. What properties are concerned? A main residence, either house or apartment A residence that you let out to someone else unfurnished. In this case, you should intend to rent it out as your tenant’s main home for a period of at least five years

At least two years old for credits for insulation, regulating equipment, condensing or microgeneration boilers and for a energy efficiency check. The home can be either new or old for equipment using renewable energies or for installation of heat pumps. Note that from 2013 properties built after January 1, 2011 will not benefit from the scheme. This is because they are now meant to be built already at a very high standard of energy efficiency. Main conditions On the whole the credit is for materials or equipment, not for labour (with an exception for wall/roof insulation or the underground heat exchanger that forms part of a geothermal heat pump). The materials or equipment must be installed in the home by a professional firm, which should be the same firm that supplied (not necessarily made) them. In the case of newbuild homes they should be installed by the builder or seller. It is important that you keep the facture (bill) for the work and this must clearly state the cost of supply of materials, with VAT included (fourniture de matériels, TVA comprise). It should also give the relevant technical specifications for the material to ensure it meets the requirements for the credit. These vary according to the kind of material/equipment and are intended to make sure that the tax credit is

Photo: FABIOBERTI_IT - FOTOLIA.COM

ADVERTISING FEATURE

A helping hand for those affected by cancer The word cancer conjures up a variety of feelings as many people are affected in different ways. Cancer Support France offers help and advice to anybody dealing with the effects of the disease LINDA Shepherd founded Cancer Support France (CSF) ten years ago in Poitou-Charentes following her own experiences with the disease. Since then, CSF has grown into a national network with 15 affiliated associations. All working to the same aims and standards, these affiliations provide help, advice and support in English, and without charge, to all those affected by cancer. “Many people - while they may be in a loving relationship - often find it difficult to talk of their concerns to their partner for fear of adding to the hurt which is already there,” said Tony Benstead,

President of CSF Dordogne Sud (DS). “People can voice their fears to our supporters in complete confidence, whether they are the carer or the patient.” It can often be the case that both parties need support, and CSF offers help to all, using different supporters to ensure confidentiality where necessary. “There are many things that we can do for you,” said Tony. “We are available to you and your carers on the telephone or email, with home and hospital visits where possible and desired. “We may also be able to provide inter-

preter support at specialist appointments, help formulate questions you may have and guide you to reliable sources of advice. And although we cannot give medical advice, we may be able to help you understand your condition in simple terms.” CSF also offers an internet discussion forum and hosts a website that provides a host of useful information. In return, it asks people to do certain things, including making people aware of their service. “We ask that people look in their GP’s waiting room for a CSF poster,” said Tony. “If one is not displayed please contact a local CSF association to obtain one, and ask that it be put up.” Cancer Awareness Week takes place from 23 to 30 September, with many associations running activities that week.

Team members at CSF DS, including Angela Benstead, Margaret Wells, Marian Wilsom and Marie Prole, offer support to all those dealing with cancer For more information about this, or about the services CSF offers, visit their website.

05 45 89 30 05 www.cancersupportfrance.info www.csf-forum.org

www.dordogneadvertiser.com

September 2012

Going green 13

Reader Feedback

I saved €22,000 thanks to the eco home initiatives

Photo: CYRIL COMTAT - FOTOLIA.COM

Putting in loft insulation is a popular option for making a home more energy-efficient

“

People should take advantage of these schemes - there are financial benefits there for the taking - but they should also do their homework Marc Asker

Renewable energy products supplier only given for installations that will have a significant effect on the energy efficiency of your home. The facture should also state on it the address of the property. Having eco-friendly materials professionally installed can often work out even cheaper than DIY, because you may benefit from the tax credit and this kind of home improvement is also often, as of 2012, eligible for reduced VAT (from 19.6% to 7%). Beware pitfalls... THE phrase caveat emptor – buyer beware – is good advice when it comes to renewable energy products marketed as supposedly eligible for tax credits. According to Marc Asker of renewable ener-

gy products firm EcoPower, some DIY stores display products labelled as giving a rebate, with no indication of rules such as the fact that if you buy a product you must also be sure to have the same firm install it. He said: “One person told me how they bought a wood-burner which had a ‘rebate’ sticker on it and had it put in by a local plumber. They then applied for – and received – a tax credit, oblivious to the rule. Years later they were shocked to get a letter from the tax office demanding the rebate – and interest – back.” Even had the customer taken up an option of having the equipment installed by a subcontractor the firm uses, this would still not have been good enough – it really must be the same firm that supplies and installs the goods. Of course that is not an issue if you have it done by a local tradesman who will bill for both equipment and the labour on his facture. Mr Asker added: “In my opinion, despite the fact that legally it is your responsibility to ensure you are not making any false tax claims unwittingly or otherwise, (which could be considered as fraudulent) the supplier has a moral obligation to give you accurate advice. “If they are not prepared to help then maybe they are not the company for you. People should take advantage of these schemes - there are financial benefits there for the taking - but they should also do their homework so they can be secure in the knowledge that they have complied with the rules.”

PIPPA Curtis bought an old farmhouse near Briançon in the southern French Alps in 2003 and moved to the area permanently three years later. Since then she has been busy building up her business offering self-catered Alpine holiday apartments and is constantly looking at ways to make the property more environmentallyfriendly while keeping costs down. Ms Curtis read about the financial incentives for eco home improvements in the Connexion’s helpguide and decided to find out more. “I’m trying to do everything as environmentally friendly as possible. The rules are hard to keep up with as there are changes all the time. I know others, including French people, who gave up before succeeding. I knew about the eco home initiatives before my builder, thanks to Connexion.” she says. She had wall and ceiling insulation and solar panels for hot water installed in 2010 and benefited from a €30,000 interest-free loan from the state, which she is paying back over a 10-year term. “I calculate I will have gained €22,000 €16,000 through eco initiatives,” she says. “€ through tax rebates and €6,000 saved by not paying interest on a €30,000 loan repaid over 10 years. “I’ve been very lucky and fallen on my feet. My builder has formal training in renovating national monuments, so he understands old buildings. Both the builder and the plumber [who installed the photovoltaic panels] have been great and have helped me fill in all the forms.” Her local tax office was less useful at first when trying to find out about the credits

Tax rebates helpguide – updated The Connexion newspaper has published an updated helpguide to tax rebates for eco-friendly products from which the information above is extracted. It contains full details on which products you can claim for, at what percentages and explains how to do so.

Download a copy for €5 at www.connexionfrance.com or call 0800 91 77 56 for a printed version to be sent (postage is extra)

Plumber Hervé Puy and son Gabriel unload the solar panels

Alpine gîte owner Pippa Curtis and her daughter Becky she could claim on her income tax return, and her advice for anyone seeking advice is to be persistent: “It’s difficult to find out how to do it. It doesn’t make it easy for people who want to apply. “I went in the week before the papers were due and the guy kind of shrugged his shoulders as if to say: you’re already getting the interest-free loan, isn’t that enough? I now know you can’t give up. “I handed over all the pieces of paper they might need – just bombarded them. I think they recognised I was putting in the legwork. In the end, bung them every piece of paper you think might apply and let them verify which applies for each year.” She says the solar hot water system will pay for itself in 12-15 years: “I’m doing it as much for the principle. It’s not going to give a quick return.” The environmentally friendly approach has also been good for business. The gîte, called Snowgums, is an inaugural member of Alastair Sawday’s Ethical Collection: “When we were originally inspected to be listed by Sawday, I knew he was interested in environmental things. They were just over 400 properties [in the 2008 guide] of which only seven got the green award and I was one of them.” And Ms Curtis’s plans keep coming: “Hopefully this year we will be creating a new bedroom for my daughter in the attic using environmental and traditional techniques. After that we need to insulate our main room and the stairway from street level to the fourth floor.”

ADVERTISING FEATURE

A new range provides fuel for thought As the wood-fired systems from SwanSolar have proved so popular, the company has now decided to expand its range THANKS to the success of its wood-fired systems, SwanSolar now also supplies and distributes LaNordica products, including wood boiler stoves and wood-burning cuisinières and ranges. With stylish designs and competitive pricing, the company can provide a perfect heating solution for any home. Wood boilers can be used to heat domestic hot water as well as central and underfloor heating. There are a variety available, all of which have different benefits.

“Wood boiler stoves are aesthetically pleasing and so can be placed in a main living area,” said Michael Swan of SwanSolar. “Wood boiler ranges and cuisinières are available with cooking facilities, whether using a hotplate, oven or both. “Finally, wood gasification boilers are usually housed either in an outbuilding or an uninhabited, well-ventilated room. “Wood gasification boilers produce large amounts of heat at high efficiencies which is stored in an accumulation tank and used as required. They have a burn cycle of around four hours, which for many people proves to be very convenient.” The team at SwanSolar take the time to discuss each client’s lifestyle, property and heating needs, to ensure they design a system that will exceed expectations.

“Due to the ever-increasing fuel costs, using a wood-fired system will reduce annual heating bills in comparison with gas and oil,” said Michael. “They also have a realistic payback period.” “If the wood-fired system was also combined with a solar thermal system, it would provide a cost-effective and efficient all year round heating solution.” SwanSolar specialises in the supply and installation of this type of system as well as other renewable energy products. More information can be found on the company’s website.

05 53 63 43 87 info@swansolar.eu www.swansolar.eu www.enerbois24.eu

Wood-fired systems provide cost-effective heating solutions

14 Mind Matters

www.dordogneadvertiser.com

Dordogne Advertiser

September 2012

CATEGORIES

THE directory is split into the different types of businesses covering the Dordogne area. To locate a company, simply find the type of business you need which are indicated with an illustrative symbol and the title underneath (see right for some examples).

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Nursery offers impressive plant selection From bamboos to hardy succulents, the Pépinière du Lac des Joncs is renowned for its diverse range of plants WILLY De Wilde has been running the Pépinière du Lac des Joncs, at Rouffignac-Saint-Cernin between Perigueux and Sarlat, since 2004. Since then the business has gone from strength to strength. It offers a large variety of unusual perennial plants, all of which have been cultivated in the company’s nursery, and so are fully adapted to the local climate. It is the wide choice of plants and tremendous experience and advice offered by Willy that keeps bringing customers back for more. “We see a lot of repeat business and gain new customers regularly through word of mouth,” said Willy.

“Our customers are a wide variety of nationalities, including English, French, Dutch and German.” The nursery offers over 350 species of plants and varieties of ornamental grasses, as well as 120 bamboos, 150 hemerocallis, 200 hardy succulents, 60 hederas and 50 hostas, as well as aquatic plants and a substantial selection of other perennials. “All our plants have been studied in natural conditions, enabling us to provide our customers with detailed information on their needs and requirements,” said Willy. “Whatever the nature of the project

you may have in mind, we can advise you on your choice of plants and how to highlight their unique aspects in combination with others.” Willy often goes to local and national plant shows and is planning to attend many throughout the autumn. The nursery is open to the public from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 7pm. However, as Willy attends many events it is advisable to make contact before visiting. For more information and details on the plant shows Willy will be attending over the next couple of months, visit the company’s website, call or send an email. 05 53 46 78 18 06 84 83 70 38 pepi.lacdesjoncs@orange.fr www.pepilacdesjoncs.com

Pépinières du Lac des Joncs cultivates perenniel plants in its own nursery so they are fully adapted to the local climate

Dordogne Advertiser

Directory 17

www.dordogneadvertiser.com

September 2012

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Machinery company launches hire service Whether you want a new driveway or to landscape your garden, you can hire the equipment you need from Maxima Five years ago April and Max Higginson set up SARL Maxima with just one machine for sale. The company grew little by little and today employs five members of staff. While this family-run business is renowned for the sale of its high quality plant and machinery equipment, such as hydraulic hammers, augers, undercarriage parts, pins and bushes, buckets and tracks, last year it launched a range of hire machines and accessories which is proving to be very popular with both French- and English-speaking customers. “By using our hire service, customers can do the job they need doing in their own time and in their own way,” said Max. “Anything to do with travaux

publique is so very expensive in France that a lot of money can be saved by doing the work yourself.” It is the quality of the machinery, its availability and the company’s advice service that makes it stand out head and shoulders above the competition. “Our customers say that we are prepared to go the extra mile and it’s true,” said Max. “If someone hasn’t used a particular machine before we’re happy to take the time to ensure customers have the right equipment and are confident operating it.” Between them the Maxima team speak English, French, Polish and German, so are able to help a wide range of customers. The fleet of hire machines

To advertise here call freephone in France 0800 91 77 56 / from UK 0844 256 9881 (4p/min)

We look after your dog in our own home. Love, Food and Plenty of Exercise, near Montignac. Tel Emma: 06 48 02 41 57 Chenil Les Mille Calins English Run

5 Star accommodation for Dogs/Cats Underfloor heated kennels Qualified staff Top Quality food and exercise Only 45 minutes south of Caen Convenient Ferry Access

www.goldenwaypets.com Telephone 02 33 37 49 19 Emergency 02 33 38 41 32 Fax 02 33 38 44 16

WAGS AND WHISKERS British owned boarding kennels and cattery 35 years experience Tel: 05 65 35 46 51 www.wagsandwhiskerskennels.co.uk

Dept 46, near Cazals

SIRET: 500607858

The Cats Inn Luxury Cattery - Cales near Lalinde - Very Spacious - Lots of Love and Attention Tel: Paula 05 53 24 14 42 www.thecatsinncattery.com paulaL24150@aol.com

ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES Small or large projects. Applications for building permits. Friendly,professional service.

Tel: 05 45 78 36 63 mcdonaldritchie@hotmail.com

includes: micro to three-tonne diggers, wheeled dumpers, a tipper truck, trailers, hydraulic hammers, trench compactors, wacker plates, road saws and augers. “The augers are very popular with customers, particularly campsites or people with a lot of land that needs fencing and we’re actually the biggest stocker of augers in France,” said Max. “If you have, say, 100 fencing holes to dig an auger will do the work quickly for you.” As the company specialises in hydraulics and machine accessories it is able to hire out accessories too, making it more economical for customers with their own machine. The company takes a flexible approach to its delivery service, which is available in the Sarlat, Souillac and Gourdon areas. Delivery further afield is possible

Renovation or New Construction * Private Homes * Shops * Offices *

20 years experience Tel: 06 30 63 20 40 deryck.interiors@gmail.com Depts 19,24,46,47,82 Languages spoken: English, French, Dutch

for longer term hire. “We can deliver equipment on a Friday night or Saturday morning and pick up on a Monday morning to fit in with our customers’ schedules,” said Max. “Those with their own transport are more than welcome to collect the machinery themselves too.” Special rates are also available, for example, if equipment is required from Monday to Friday the customer will be

Hautefort Renovation Professional Building & Renovation Services NE24 & bordering 87,19 & 46

Charles Fleming 0553501239 or 0684530839

hautefortrenovation.com

Siret: 48157998500021

De Ryck Elisabeth Interior Architect

The Maxima team (L to R): Max, Damien and April

CT HEWITT GENERAL BUILDER Renovation - New Build - Plastering Fosse septic Roofing - Guttering Maintenance & Repairs

OAKWOOD FLOORING Wide boards Large stocks available Prime & Character grades Oiled & waxed finishes Contact us for special offers

www.oakwood-import.fr email: franceoak@gmail.com tel: 06 80 33 93 57

Architectes

UK and French Registered Architects Dossiers for Permis de Construire Interior and Landscape design Ordre des Architectes No. 1867 Tel: 05 53 09 33 45 E: mail@parkes-ducellier.com W: www.parkes-ducellier.com Depts: 16,19,24,33,87 Siret: 488 165 564 00011

City & Guilds qualified, 35yrs experience, reliable, ALL WORK GUARANTEED Tel: 05 53 80 42 91 Mob: +44 759 286 5010 Email: angelaharrisson@orange.fr Dept 24, close to Mussidan Siret: 51352715000017

Ad No. 10862

PENSION POUR CHATS NEAR SARLAT, OPEN-AIR, INSULATED AND HEATED CONTACT ANNA MASLEN 05 53 31 95 88 / 06 86 94 85 78 p.maslen@wanadoo.fr www.dordognecattery.com

ABP SASU

Renovation and construction of buildings and swimming pools. New timber framed constructions. Negotiation of diverse products

Tel Alan Fisk: 05 53 56 68 87 Email: abp.sasu@orange.fr

Dordogne

Internet by satellite, Streamed and satellite TV on computer, Networking and network streaming, Cloud computing. Mob: +33 (0) 6 44 01 70 63 Tel: +33 (0) 5 53 51 87 53 / +33 (0) 9 70 40 82 31

E-mail: John@JohnAin.org

Bergerac Renovation & Building

For all your electrical requirements contact

AK Electrical

From groundwork, fosse septiques, masonary, interiors, to rooves. Free estimates & advice

ak-electrical@hotmail.co.uk

Tel: 05 53 81 60 73 christopher.jarrett@wanadoo.fr

siret: 494 064 322 00014

30 years experience/Fully insured

Tel 06 32 31 61 85

BÂTI-TOP SARL

Vezere Counselling

CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATION

Help with Stress - Anxiety - Depression - Life Changes

MEDIUM/LARGE PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN 10 YEAR INSURED GUARANTEE

Experienced Mental Health Worker

www.bati-top.com 05 53 73 02 88 - Siret: 9868562700016

Email: gillcr@ymail.com www.vezerecounselling.com

Gill Clunes Ross - Dip social work. RGN Tel: 05 53 51 63 69 or 09 51 80 97 38 Siret: 53445895500018

Mob: 06 33 94 84 53 - Tel: 05 65 31 98 11 barry@bgsurveyor.com www.bgsurveyor.com Siret 51786170400016

Justine Joseph

Renovation Architect 06 79 92 95 88 33580 Monségur - 24590 Salignac-Eyvigues

www.justinejoseph.com

Underfloor Heating/ Aerothermie Premiere service guaranteed St Yrieux / Brive / Perigueux / Sarlat

Tel: 06 37 09 55 13 Website: http://eurolec24.com/ Email: james.gunn@club-internet.fr Siret: 489 542 589 00010

Installation, rewires and repairs. 20+ years experience. Fully insured. No job too small. Contact Justin or Melissa Kennedy. Tel: 05 55 56 37 36 Email: justin.kennedy@orange.fr

Regions Covered 24,16,87 - Siret: 51913926500010

Planning Permissions - Setting Out Measured Building Surveys - Topographical Surveys (all sizes)

ALL ELECTRICAL/ PLUMBING WORK

Kennedy Electricite Services

Repointing, Plasterboarding, windows, doors installed. Translations, planning permissions. Tel: 06 43 25 85 68 Email: daveindordogne@sfr.fr www.dordognedave.webs.com

GEOMETRE TOPOGRAPHIE

Siret: 38058374000028

Tel: 05 53 50 04 68 www.lefrancaischezvous.com

SMALL BUILDING WORKS

LAND SURVEYOR

Regions : All FRANCE Karen RENEL-KING Tel: 06 18 03 18 38 Email: karen.king@wanadoo.fr Web: www.certifiedfrenchtranslation.com Fast and affordable

home or Castel-Merle, 24290 Sergeac. Amanda and Emilie Millinship

Siret No.520 980 269 00010

THE DORDOGNE CATTERY

Property-legal-birth cert., driving licences, traductions assermentées Valid everywhere with 25 years of experience

LE FRANCAIS CHEZ VOUS Tailor made tuition in French at your

Le Colombié, 46600 Montvalent

PARKES et DUCELIER

All legal translations by FrenchEnglish speaking sworn translator

Siret 409 972 056

Siret: 49899034000016

RON HARRISON

05 53 31 21 15 06 31 11 02 02 info@sarlmaxima.com www.maximalocation.com

CERTIFIED TRANSLATIONS

All aspects of building work carried out. Established in the UK for over 20 years. Tel: 06 79 05 98 85 / 05 53 58 92 13 Email: Hewitt.chris@wanadoo.fr Web: www.hewittbuilders.com Depts: 24, 46 & 47

General Builder

charged for just four days and not five and over a weekend the charge will be for one-and-a-half days not two. For rates, a list of available equipment and more details, visit the hire website.

Regions 87/24 Siret 503 417 04000014

Hopkins Renovations

Painter and Decorator

Brian Macey - Electrician

05 53 36 34 59/ 06 08 71 53 49 jameshopkins@orange.fr www.hopkinsrenovations.com

Tel: 05 53 62 81 40 Email: craig.harriss@orange.fr Web: www.lasimpode.com/cherrypicker

Email: brimacelectrical@supanet.com

General building work. 20 years building experience in France. Based in Castelnaud de Gratecambe 47.

Interior and Exterior Cherrypicker assisted for speedy and cost saving service

Siret number: 417 916 574 00011

BOIS D'ARBRE CONSTRUCTION Specialists in Oak frames, Timber houses and carpentry Tel: 06 72 01 11 06 web: www.boisdarbreconstruction.com email: info@boisdarbreconstruction.com Siret 4899 5394 30011

Siret 520 298 217 00016

WEBSITES

Boost your business with an affordable, high-performance website that you can edit yourself

www.rob-tomlinson.com Tel: 05 62 67 39 98 rt@rob-tomlinson.com

Regions: All France Siret: 419 490 297 00027

maintenance, breakdowns, renovations, rewires, new build, interior & exterior 30 years experience

Tel: 05 55 97 18 10 Siret: 517 566 196 00013 Regions Covered: 19,24,87

18 Directory

www.dordogneadvertiser.com

Dordogne Advertiser

September 2012

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Maximise the earnings from your holiday rental Everything Dordogne offers the opportunity to advertise in the Australian market place and increase the earning potential of your holiday rental AUSTRALIANS have always been great travellers and often they choose to visit Europe off season when airfares are cheaper and there are fewer crowds to contend with. The strong Australian dollar has led to a large number of Australians taking the opportunity to fulfil their dreams of travelling overseas and visiting France. As most Australians travel outside the main European holiday season, this offers an excellent opportunity to owners of holiday accommodation to increase their occupancy rate and profitability. Furthermore, while Europe and the

Americas are going through a period of financial difficulty, Australians have been left relatively unscathed and have money to spend. Alex Petrovic from Everything Dordogne intends to tap into this market by promoting the Dordogne directly to Australians who are planning to visit France. “Working in conjunction with Seek Travel Australia, we are currently searching for suitable holiday accommodation for Australian clients,” said Alex. “Properties that clients are interested in include bed and breakfast, and selfcatering accommodation. Everything

HOUSES ON INTERNET

SAPEG expertise et conseil

Sell your property to a worldwide audience using our global network. Our fees are the lowest in France, our results are the best. WWW. HOUSESONINTERNET.COM

Tel: 05 55 65 12 19

Registered Chartered Accountants

- Business set up and registration - Business accountancy - Income tax,Wealth tax - Payroll and legal services Contact Alain: 05 53 92 50 00 Email: a.clisson@sapeg.expertscomptables.fr www.sapeg.experts-comptables.fr

Dordogne aims to offer an authentic French experience to the discerning Australian traveller who realises there is more to France than the Eiffel Tower and the Champs-Élysées.” Alex, who is an Australian himself and has travelled to Europe countless times over the past two decades, bought a house and moved to Sarlat in 2010. He believes that while the Dordogne and the Lot have much to offer the holiday maker - and are arguably two of the best regions in France - they are still relatively unknown to the Australian traveller. “Good industry contacts and strategic marketing is needed to change that,” he added. To find out more about what Everything Dordogne can offer, visit the website or contact the company directly via email.

GARDEN SERVICES Creation of Garden Maintenance & Tree surgery High quality in respect with nature Philippe Brulé -30 years experience

Tel. 05 65 34 09 91 Working dept: south 19, 46 Email: brule.philippe0346@orange.fr

St Pool Piscines

Concrete pools, reinforced liners. No expensive over design, expertly constructed

www.aquapierre.com stpoolsfrance@gmail.com 05 53 91 45 18

Jardins du Périgord - Design - Creation - Garden management

FRENCH INSURANCE IN ENGLISH For people who live in / own property in France Straight-forward, honest advice on the best house, car, life & health insurance policies for you Over 15 years experience in French insurance markets English, Dutch & German spoken. Philippe Schreinemachers www.insurance.fr Tel: 05 62 29 20 00 Email: cover@insurance.fr RCS Auch B479 400 657 - Regions: All France

AXA INSURANCE J. LECLUZE ST HILAIRE DU HARCOUET - 50600

HOME - CAR - HEALTH We insure UK registered cars ENGLISH SPOKEN (call Angeline) - 02 33 49 12 34

englishspokenlecluze.e-monsite.com

EXECO PARTNERS Certified Accountants (FR) Serving English Clients in France

Accounting, Payroll, Business Setup and registration, Individual & Business Taxation and more... Please feel welcome to contact:

Mr Pierre CHERON (Expert-Comptable) on Tél: 05.53.54.48.91 Email: contact@execopartners.com www.execopartners.eu

DEMPSEY TREE SURGERY CONTRACTORS British trained & qualified tree surgeon All tree work undertaken.

Tel: 05 45 65 96 86 Mob: 06 61 90 04 92 enquiries@dempseytreesurgery.com www.dempseytreesurgery.com Working in dept: 16, 17, 24, 87 Siret: 48930027700014

High quality work by qualified gardeners

www.jardinsduperigord.com

24 SERVICES Property Maintenance - Pools & Gardens Changeovers - Keyholding

Plant Nursery le Lac des Joncs Unusual hardy perennials, ornamental grasses, hemerocallis Ivy, hosta, succulents

Tel: 05 53 46 78 18 - 06 84 83 70 38 24580 Rouffignac - St Cernin Email: contact@pepilacdesjoncs.com

Roots & Shoots

Professional tree surgery Call Mark for a free quote 05 53 75 05 48 - 06 89 79 05 02 rootsandshoots.fr@gmail.com. www.roots-shoots.fr Siret number 452-803-539-00017

l‘Ecrin de Verdure

A Garden Design and Build Company “Full service” from sketch schemes to finished garden with integrated systems (lighting/watering/mowing)

24 Sarlat - 33 Monségur - 47 Duras

UK 06 79 92 95 88 FR 06 42 85 53 60 www.lecrindeverdure.com

IN DEEP PISCINES Maintenance, leak detection, servicing, repairs

Tel: 05 53 22 79 18 / 06 84 68 84 92 Web: www.indeeppiscines.com Email: sean@indeeppiscines.com

Regions: 24, 33, 46, 47, 82 - Siret: 504 576 802 00038

Garden Design Service by professional Landscape Architect/Garden Designer from conception to supervision of installation Virginia Fletcher BA, Dip (Hons) LA, MLA

Tel: 05 53 62 51 94 Mob: 06 24 92 82 57

N. Dordogne

Tel: + 33 (0)5 24 17 60 29 contact@24services.fr Siret: 52841725600013

info@everythingdordogne.net www.everythingdordogne.net

Café Church Bergerac An English speaking approach to contemporary Christianity

Alex Petrovic runs Everything Dordogne

To advertise here call freephone in France 0800 91 77 56 / from UK 0844 256 9881 (4p/min)

EVERY FOURTH SUNDAY Tea and Cake from 5pm

Cafe Church from 5.30pm - 6.45pm Sponsored by and held at L'Eglise Evangelique Libre de Bergerac, 5 Rue Durou

For details of other meetings brian@lincolns.me.uk or Peter Shire 05 53 22 74 08 www.christiansindordogne.com Ad No. 2467

'Massages and well being at Castelnaud la Chapelle' With

Sophie NALIN, massage practitioner

Exclusive Healthcare

- Relaxing massage with organic oils - Wave and vibration massage techniques - Energising massage - Shiatsu Amma Assis

Tel: 06 79 67 38 06

Your Helping Hand to the French Health System

+33 (0) 4 94 40 31 45 www.exclusivehealthcare.com

TIP TOP

LANDROVER*MG* ROVER*JAGUAR* AUSTIN-MORRIS PARTS

Garden & Property Services

Garden Maintenance Hedge Trimming - Strimming Groundworks / Diggerworks General Property Maintenance Property checks/Keyholding Photo updates

ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTICS & GEARBOX REPAIRS

WWW.LANDYPOINT.NET

0545622720

Contact Barry On Tel: 05 53 29 03 52 Mobile: 06 24 07 31 14 E: paula.grainger@wanadoo.fr Dept 24 - Radius 50 kms Sarlat Siret: 49372365400015

Prêt à Plonger

www.realheating.com info@realheating.com

Piscine installation, repairs & maintenance. Bespoke pools, no project too big or small.

Tél: 05 53 90 46 34 Siret: 4119 419 830

Plumbing, Central & Underfloor Heating Bathrooms, Solar systems, Woodburners.

Complete package including groundwork, terracing/decking and pool security.

Simon & Julia Holt 0619 071121 or 0553 620152 or Julia: 06 32 10 39 92 simon.holt@wanadoo.fr www.pretaplongerpools.com Siret: 49397835700017

GAS QUALIFIED INSTALLERS.

G. W.

Makeovers & Design English Kitchens/ Bathrooms/appliances direct from UK manufacturers Full range of French kitchens supplied Free design/planning service Installations/Makeovers/ Installations Only/Tiling Granite and Stone worksurfaces available

E-mail: virginia.fletcher@aliceadsl.fr

Areas: 24 33 47 Call 05 53 58 09 32 or 06 58 92 09 97

Siret: 44943716900013 - Ad No. 17855

siret: 510 011 554 00019

STAR SATELLITE British TV in France

BskyB Qualified - For All Your Satellite Needs

Tel: 05 53 80 63 93 Email: contact @starsatellite.fr Web: www.starsatellite.fr

Regions: Dordogne and surrounding Departments Siret: 50196266600019

Dordogne Advertiser

Directory 19

www.dordogneadvertiser.com

September 2012

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Futuroscope, a new leisure park experience With 40 million visitors since it opened, Futuroscope is one of the best-known and best-loved Theme parks in France. IN 2012, Futuroscope celebrates its silver jubilee year, and brings you a range of unforgettable experiences and amazing shows…. Futuroscope is the ideal place to relax in with 60 hectares of tranquil green countryside and 25 original experiences you won't find anywhere else: films in giant format, thrill-filled attractions, live shows, open-air activities, and more…. The spectacular theatres inside Futuroscope are gigantic sculptures designed by the architect Denis Laming…Here futuristic architecture blends with the relaxing landscape. Discovery and thrills guaranteed for everyone, young and old! Our visitors' favourite attraction takes award for "best

attraction" Futuroscope's blockbuster attraction "Arthur, the 4D Adventure" received the THE award for "outstanding achievement" This is the first attraction in France to win the coveted award in the category "best attractions"…A wonderful gift, for the Futuroscope 25th Anniversary! Having already been hailed by the amusement park industry at the IAAPA* expo in Orlando last year, "Arthur, the 4D Adventure" has now received another international award, this time from the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA). The TEA is an international association of creators, developers, architects, designers and producers of shows in the

<< L'ATELIER >>

www.swansolar.eu

Free Estimates - Depts: Dordogne - Gironde

• Solar domestic hot water systems • Solar swimming pool systems • Wood boiler stoves • Plumbing services

Carpentry - Roofing - Insulation - Wood frames and houses - Decks - Porches - Floors

Web: latelierdecharpente.fr Mob: 06 02 50 11 56 Email: latelier.construction@gmail.com English spoken

KITCHENS & BATHROOMS IN FRANCE For the best deals on your kitchens and bathrooms Call us on 05 53 09 41 88 for a FREE home visit. We offer a full planning and design service...all under one roof! Visit our showroom in Perigueux. Covering Depts 24,16,17,33,47,46,19 & 87

www.bathroomsinfrance.com Email: info@salon2bains.fr Tel: 05 53 09 41 88 Fax: 05 53 09 21 04

LOCKES GROUNDWORKS & LANDSCAPING Digger / driver hire Fosse septiques Excavations, Building, Renovations Driveways, Fencing, Decking, Pergolas Tel: 05 53 79 77 61 or 06 42 86 85 31 Email: lockes@orange.fr Website: www.lockes47.com

Dordogne-Correze-Properties Property Finder Service helping the buyer find their dream home. Telephone: 06 45 10 21 54 john@dordogne-correze-properties.com www.dordogne-correze-properties.com Siret 508 891 983 00019

Everything Dordogne Seeking Holiday Rentals for Australian Travellers Working in conjunction with Seek Travel Australia We advertise in Major Australian Newspapers Property Owners Advertise with us for FREE info@everythingdordogne.net www.everythingdordogne.net

Signs, vehicle lettering etc. Free advice and quotes, based in the Dordogne, covering all of France. Tel: 05 53 52 45 82 or 06 32 83 35 97

Email: mark@signsetc.fr Web: www.signsetc.fr Siret: 491205035 00026 - Ad No. 17751

Supply & Installation of :

Tel : 05 53 63 43 87 / 06 06 41 08 85 Email : maswan@live.co.uk All depts covered Siret 50406233200011

SAND AND BLAST

Sandblasting service for Wood, Metal and Stone. Floor sanding service / hire available. Tel: 05 55 78 43 71 / 06 67 81 63 46 www.sandandblast.com

amusement park industry. Futuroscope offers also a wonderful gourmet experience at Le Cristal, which uses the "molecular cookery". Using natural and local products and some chemistry magic, the food becomes part of the futuristic experience. Good fun, but also great taste, and a modern tribute to France's gastronomic heritage. Find out more and check the opening dates at http://en.futuroscope.com/practical-information/restaurants-en/lecristal-1 The association 'Les Yeux Grands Fermés' helped SONAR to equip a sailing boat used in the 2012 Paralympics co-piloted by a crew of disabled people including a blind person, Nicolas Vimont-Vicary who comes from Poitiers. This association "Les Yeux Grands fermés" have created an original experience

EcoPower The World's Leading Solar Systems

Futuristic fun for all the family at Futuroscope

at Futuroscope which allows you to explore different worlds as a blind guide leads you along a new route cloaked in darkness with only smell, sound and touch to help……

The association raises funds to offer equipment to improve blinded-person's day life….

George White European Transport

WOODBURNERS

www.en.futuroscope.com

Special rates to S/W France 13.6m/45ft trailer - Full/Part loads Removals/materials/vehicles Owner driver. RHA member

Tel: +44 (0)7768 867 360 Fax: +44 (0)1773 570 090 Fr Mobile: +33 (0)6 23 03 85 59 www.georgewhiteeuropean.co.uk

Ash Grove Stoves Supplier of Hunter - Villager -

Clean Burn - Fire Visible Boiler versions available Deliveries all over France Prices on our website Lowest Prices Guaranteed

Tel: 05 53 62 31 35

Tel: 00 44 (0) 1392 861579 www.ashgrovestoves.com sales@ashgrovestoves.com

www.ecopower.eu.com

SIMPLY BRITISH

Areas: 87, 16, 24 Siret: 48852292100037

INDEPENDENT BRITISH GROCERS

BOUCHERIE

Mini digger hire from 100 Euros per day HT Hammer, auger, dumper, roller etc available

Sarlat, Gourdon and Souillac areas

SARL Maxima Tel April on 0631110202 or 0553312115 see rates at

www.maximalocation.com Siret no. 498 524 032 00022

DIGITAL INSTALLATIONS We do not only sell & install We also repair digiboxes NOW!! All freesat systems available WITHOUT CARD

For more information call 00 33 (0)5 45 98 25 37 FINNINGER & HELBACH Gmbh Le Petit Fouine, 16210 Curac Tel/Fax: 00 33 (0)5 45 98 25 37 email: FinnHans@aol.com www.digitalsatellitefrance.com Siret: 400 415 246 00026

Credit crunch specials

Contact Andrew +44 (0) 7976 702 241 andrew@redclifferemovals.co.uk www.redclifferemovals.co.uk

MOVING TO OR FROM FRANCE? Weekly services to & from France

Full or part loads, 4 wks free storage, 30 Years experience Bar & Guild Member Contact: Anglo French Removals Tel: +44 (0) 1622 690 653 Email: info@anglofrench.co.uk

www.anglofrench.co.uk

SECURITY SYSTEMS Alarm calls up to 4 numbers if activated. NO ANNUAL CONTRACTS OR MONTHLY PAYMENTS. Wireless or wired. Cameras with 24/7 recording + Internet access. Security lighting.

REFLEX MOODYS LTD SALISBURY

REMOVALS UK - FRANCE - UK

• Weekly Service • Full & Part Loads • Container Storage • BAR Members • On-line Quotation • Internet Shopping Deliveries

Tel: 06 27 76 95 91

00 44 1722 414350 info@reflexmoodys.com www.reflexmoodys.com

Regions Covered: 24, 33, 17, 16 SIRET 50793843900019

Company Regn No: UK 5186435 TVA / VAT No: UK 864 7217 04

E: contact@aquitainealarmes.com W: www.aquitainealarmes.com

English butchers and farmers in France.

Tel: 05 61 64 98 89 Email: simplybritfoix@aol.com Web: simplybritish.fr REGION: Shop 09, mail order throughout France

Beef, Lamb, Pork Pasties, steak pies, pork pies. Bacon, gammon, sausages.

Anglo Foods

A LA FERME

REDCLIFFE are a reliable Bristol based Remover and Storer with weekly trips to the Dordogne

Large range of food - fresh and frozen, books, greetings cards and gifts

Bespoke insulated packaging used for delivery throughout France. Raymond&Sophie Hicks www.boucheriealaferme.com Tel: 05 55 97 95 66 Mob: 06 45 51 34 58

Agreed distributor of Iceland Frozen food 17270 Montguyon

Tel: 05 46 48 32 44

Siret: 509 528 014 00012

U.K. WOODBURNERS

Furniture for France

A wide range of quality indoor furniture and sofas supplied and delivered direct to your French property saving you time and money. New showroom "Meubles New Ideas" near Brive(19) now open. For full colour brochure please e-mail info@furnitureforfrance.co.uk or call 0033 (0) 6 46 49 73 45 or 0033 (0) 5 55 25 02 68 www.furnitureforfrance.co.uk

Spex4less.Com High Quality Prescription Glasses Online Save Money On All Your Prescription Eyewear www.spex4less.com

AARROW YEOMAN STOVAX VILLAGER France Agent - P.E.P Leisure Ltd UK 08717174097 FR 0553732521 www.pepleisure.com email: fires@pepleisure.com Regions All France

CLASSIFIEDS

BACCHUS IMMOBILIER recruits

France based estate agency seeks representatives for ALL regions of France. Carte Blanche Agent Commercial Immobilier and generous commission rates offered. Contact Ivan Tredinnick. Tel: 00 33 (0)5 45 82 42 93 Fax: 00 33 (0)5 45 36 27 95 E: property@bacchus-french-property.com W: www.bacchus-french-property.com Siret: 48034462100010

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20 DIY

www.dordogneadvertiser.com

2012 Helpguide to Local Taxes

Dordogne Advertiser

September 2012

D I Y tips Sponsored by

INFORMATION YOU CAN TRUST ON LIFE IN FRANCE Whether you own or rent a home or holiday home in France, you will be subject to French

Get to work on building an office Photo: Monster - Fotolia.com

local taxes. This guide explains who must pay, how to pay and who is eligible for reductions or exemptions.

Especially written for Britons living in France. Published September 1, 2012

ONLY

€5

The 2012 helpguide is now on sale for €5 for a downloadable or printed version Excluding (printed version does not include p&p) P&P You can order at the helpguide section of www.connexionfrance.com or call (free from France) 0800 91 77 56 or 0844 256 9881 from UK (4p/min) to pay by credit card

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A basic home office need not take up a lot of space AS YOUNG people go back to school and life moves indoors again after the summer, creating office space for homework (and planning DIY projects) is a rewarding task. If space is at a premium, check the possibilities of landings, halls, alcoves and under the stairs. A wellarranged desk need not take up huge amounts of room. A very simple desk can be constructed by putting a desktop over two filing cabinets. Measure the tops of the cabinets and use batons to construct a wooden frame for each one on the underside of the desktop. That way, when the desktop slots into place, it will not slide about. Remember to cut a fist-sized hole somewhere at the back of the desktop so that you can run cables, wires and plugs through it. To ensure that you get wi-fi into your new office space, look at obstacles such as thick stone walls and fireplaces, and fish tanks. Are they your problem? Large volumes of water can block a wi-fi signal. If the walls are too thick for wi-fi, the latest solution is running ethernet connections through your existing electrical wiring via a special plug. Modular shelving systems are possibly the easiest and quickest to install, and a wide choice is available from DIY stores. But if building your own pay attention to the height of the books and files destined for each shelf – measure carefully before you start – and include enough vertical supports to prevent the shelves bowing under the weight of the books. For simple storage units, first buy a series of boxes or crates and then construct the unit to house them. You can build this exactly like a bookcase, but with dividers to give each crate its own space. Putting doors on bookshelves turns them into cupboards – suddenly the contents stay dust-free and the room looks more organised. The trick to hanging a door is starting with a level floor and a frame consisting of four right angles. Construct frames along the front of your book case and then hang the doors. Ensure you mount the hinges in a straight line on the edge of the door and then keep them absolutely parallel to the upright on the doorframe and it will be plain sailing. If, however, the frame is crooked, the easiest approach is to correct the frame before proceeding rather than attempting to hang a door from an off-centre frame. Lighting in office spaces needs to be bright without glaring off computer screens, and multiple light sources achieve this best. If the room has a central light but the desk is over by the wall, you can easily move the centre light by replacing the cable with a much longer one which you then run over a cup-hook screwed into a rawl plug in the ceiling. This is not perhaps the most elegant solution but certainly a fast one, and one which is easily reversible if the room is rearranged.

Dordogne Advertiser

Home and Garden 21

www.dordogneadvertiser.com

September 2012

Photo: www.doglikehorse.com - Fotolia.com

Gardening Facts

Sponsored by Photo: Ludmila Smite - Fotolia.com

Prune your fruit trees once you have finished picking

Harvest time in the garden

Feng Shui your home THE ART of Feng Shui is thought to have originated in China thousands of years ago. Feng means wind and shui means water; in Chinese culture, these two elements are associated with good health and fortune. Andrew Laycock, who runs Feng Shui retreats in France says: “Feng Shui is all about promoting balance and harmony in your environment.” The foundation principles of Feng Shui are yin and yang, the five elements, the Bagua (a map which shows how energy moves within your home) and where your house is situated. “The first level is to create balance to ensure that your home is filled with positive energy. This includes creating

Thinking of a major redecoration of your house? The principles of Feng Shui could help you create a beautiful and relaxing living space, as REBECCA LAWN finds out an equal balance between yin energy and yang energy (dark, pale, quiet and light, bright, busy), ensuring the house is well maintained and in good repair, kept tidy and free of clutter and that the four seasons are equally represented in your home. “These are linked to the five elements so spring is represented by wood, summer by fire, autumn by metal and winter by water. The four are then balanced and grounded by earth,” Mr Laycock explains. “The second level of Photo: djama - Fotolia.com

Feng Shui is how you then enhance positive energy in your home in order to attract what you currently desire in your life.” Each area of the Bagua corresponds to an aspect of your life and is represented by different colours, numbers, elements and shapes. For example, the south-west corner of your home is linked to your relationship and is represented by earth, squares and rectangles, the number two and cream, brown and pink. The career area is to the north of your home, and is represented by dark blue, black, grey, freeform shapes, water and the number one. Mr Laycock says: “The numbers on the Bagua map link to the numbers of the Lo Shu Square. The Lo Shu square is an important mathematical principle in Chinese culture.” By using these numbers in certain areas of your home – for example placing nine can-

dles in the south, two crystals in the south west, three plants in the east – you will help strengthen the energy in that area of your home. To put the map into place, you align the bottom edge of the Bagua with the front door of your home. There are also a few simple changes you can make to enhance the energy in your home. For the living room, Mr Laycock advises pulling furniture away from the walls so that energy can flow around it. “Group furniture together so that people sitting down can focus on each other rather than something else in the room, such as a TV,” he adds. In the dining room, the table should ideally be round or oval-shaped as there is no clear head of the table and everyone can see everyone else. As for bedrooms, Mr Laycock adds that beds should be placed so that the occupants have a clear view of the door but their feet are not pointing at it (said to be the death position), nor are they at a right angle to the door as this can lead to a feeling of insecurity. Photo: sergey02 - Fotolia.com

SEPTEMBER is the month to liberate your inner hunter/gatherer. All this month’s fruits including apples, pears and apricots marry well with blackberries, and those stubbornly unripe specimens are ideal for chutney, as is quince. As well as picking fruit and nuts, this is also a good time to plant trees and take cuttings. Once you have finished picking, prune fruit trees. Geranium cuttings taken now and over-wintered somewhere frost-free will avoid the need for buying expensive plug plants next spring. And if you have gaps in your hedge, take cuttings of box, yew and holly now too. If you have ever fancied trying your hand at topiary, this is the month to start trimming that bush into an artistic shape. If your lawn went brown in August, it will be turning green again in September and this is a good month to give it some TLC and get it back in form for the winter. Fertilise it to boost growth, aerate it with a garden fork, and give it a good raking over to remove all the detritus of the summer. Keep raking to keep fallen leaves off the grass (they could encourage it to rot underneath). Re-sow any bare patches. Plant bulbs like daffodils, crocuses and hyacinths. Scatter them across the lawn and plant where they fall. To repair the edges, just cut the edge tile of turf out and turn it round. Then fill in the hole with compost and re-seed. In the vegetable garden harvest roots vegetables such as carrots and potatoes before the ground gets too wet. Leave parsnips until after the first frost, when they will taste sweeter. Sow broad beans and hardy peas for early cropping next year. Harvest the last of the green beans. Put a layer of hay or straw under your pumpkin if you are growing a big one for Halloween. Start forking over parts of the garden which have finished cropping for this year. Check that potted plants have not become root-bound over the winter. Weed them too and add mulch. To keep cats off containers and pots, mulch with the prickly sweet chestnut shells – shell and freeze enough chestnuts for stuffing the turkey at Christmas. Most plants can stay outside for another month, but keep a sharp eye on the weather forecast just in case. Hang sunflower heads up to start drying them out. Pot up herbs such as mint and chives so that you have fresh supplies through the autumn. Make sloe gin by rinsing the sloes (there is no need to prick them), putting them in a large glass jar so that they come half way up the side, pouring in supermarket gin to cover and then adding sugar so that you have a drift about three inches deep at the bottom of the jar. Leave in a cool dark place for three months, taste to see if more sugar is required, then strain and bottle. Do not crush the fruits when straining.

Different areas of your house respond to an aspect of your life and are represented by different colours and shapes

Reductions, Felling, Hedge cutting, Planting. Experienced tree climbers fully trained and insured. Contact Mark Wilson 0553750548 / 0689790502 O O

www.roots-shoots.fr info@roots-shoots.fr

Feng Shui is about balance and harmony – a mix of colours and keeping a well-maintained and clutter-free living space

22 Property

www.dordogneadvertiser.com

Dordogne Advertiser

September 2012

Houses for sale across France Buying or selling a property? We can help. Our website www.connexionfrance.com carries details of more than 14,000 homes for sale across France. We also feature properties for sale in this dedicated section of the paper each month. To find out more about any particular property, go to www.connexionfrance.com and enter the ref: code shown under the property.

thousands of potential buyers EVERY day. Our 3+3 package costs just €200TTC and gives you three months online advertising as well as a print advert in three editions of The Advertiser. Our 6+6 package is best value at €330TTC and provides the same, but for six months via each channel.

New Consumption and Emission Chart - e.g. Energy rating C & F refers to C for Consumption and F for Emissions

More details on all these properties - and how to contact the seller directly - can be found in the property for sale section of

www.connexionfrance.com

For sellers, the adverts are also displayed across a range of popular English- speaking websites and are seen by

Simply enter the code under each home to find out more PROPERTIES IN DORDOGNE

€94,600

€99,000

€119,900

Saint-Saud-Lacoussière Three bedroom house consists of a lounge/dining room, fitted kitchen, shower room, separate toilet, private courtyard, terrace, garden and barn.

Sainte Alvère The main house includes two bedrooms, kitchen, two living rooms and a bathroom. Second house has two levels with basement and a small courtyard.

Nontron These two apartments make a great investment yielding around 750 euros per month between them.

REF: 700549

ENERGY RATING = F

REF: 100519

ENERGY RATING = Not given

REF: FP-26564SS24

€135,000

€160,000

€180,200

Monpazier Two bedroomed wooden house comprises living room, open plan kitchen, bathroom, WC, storeroom, garage and workshop.

Issigeac Two bedroom cottage set on 2.2 acres of land with planning permission for two dwellings.

Excideuil Mansion house to renovate is set on 0.37 acre of land and comes with large outbuilding.

REF: 200242

ENERGY RATING = Not given

REF: 46987

ENERGY RATING = Not given

REF: 43987

€224,000

€265,000

€276,000

Sarlat-la-Canéda Attractive two bedroom house is close to the centre of Sarlat.

Sarlat Three bedroom house comprises living room, modern kitchen, bathroom, covered terrace, outbuilding, garden and swimming pool.

Sarlat-la-Canéda Two bedroomed house includes lounge/dining room, kitchen, bathroom, toilet, laundry room and garage.

REF: 1957

ENERGY RATING = D & B

REF: V5730

ENERGY RATING = D & D

REF: 1965

€295,000

€318,000

€320,000

Issigeac Recently renovated three bedroom stone house is set on land of 2,500m2 with swimming pool and pool house.

Ribérac Renovated 18th century building currently divided into two dwellings could easily be reconverted into one large family home.

Near Bergerac Four bedroomed detached house includes living room, dining room, kitchen, study, bathroom, shower room, integral garage, and swimming pool. In need of modernisation.

REF: BVI0005779

ENERGY RATING = E

REF: 700565

ENERGY RATING = B

REF: IFPC22356

€372,000

€399,000

€448,000

Near Le Bugue Two bedroomed bungalow includes terrace and outbuildings.

Near Champagne-et-Fontaine Fully renovated six bedroomws farmhouse consists of terrace, outbuildings and swimming pool.

Near Terrasson-Lavilledieu Recently renovated five bedroom house with two Gîtes with swimming pool.

REF: 3375

ENERGY RATING = C & C

REF: AQU-675

ENERGY RATING = D & D

REF: V5764

€460,000

€470,000

€493,500

Neuvic Restored five bedroomed farmhouse includes gardens, tractor shed, workshop and various smaller stone outbuildings attached to garage and swimming pool.

Bergerac This five bedroomed property set on 25 acres comprises living room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom, large outbuilding used as garage, shed and workshop.

Saint-Victor Six bedroomed mill, fully renovated, situated on the river includes two bedroomed gîte, garden, stable, swimming pool and exclusive fishing rights.

REF: IFPC22622

ENERGY RATING = D

REF: 160vm

ENERGY RATING = D

REF: 700524

€530,000

€550,000

€585,000

Domme Six bedroomed manor house includes lounge/dining-room, kitchen, bathroom, terrace, garage, outbuildings and swimming pool.

Near BouteillesSaint-Sébastien Enormous seventeen bedroomed, seven bathroomed stone country house. A large part of it is currently being rented-out as 4 well-equipped gîtes.

Near Montignac This beautiful seven bedroomed house comprises furnished kitchen, dining room, two bathrooms, three shower rooms, private terraces, landscape garden and swimming pool.

REF: FPBD3356C

ENERGY RATING = E & F

REF: AQU-573

ENERGY RATING = D & D

REF: V5739

ENERGY RATING = D & B

ENERGY RATING = Not given

ENERGY RATING = D & B

ENERGY RATING = E & F

ENERGY RATING = D & D

ENERGY RATING = C

ENERGY RATING = C & E

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Dordogne Advertiser

Property / Money 23

www.dordogneadvertiser.com

September 2012

Currency Notes Elisabeth Dobson, head of private clients at foreign exchange company, World First, talks about the euro and other currencies.

FINANCE