The Bugle Dordogne - Aug 2017

The electric bikes making a difference

GoodTurn Cycles rents and sells electric bikes in Eymet, with profits providing opportunities for local youths >> Page 4 November 2016 - Issue #85

Dordogne

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August 2017 - Issue 50 - FREE!

Government move to scrap taxe d'habitation As part of a series of tax cuts worth €20 billion, the government has announced plans to scrap the unpopular taxe d'habitation for up to 80% of all households. people with a pension of less than just over €1,200 a month and then this will be extended to other groups over the coming years. Although the news will be welcomed by lowincome retirees, this same group will be hit hard by the 1.7% increase in the CSG social charge which also comes into force next year.

Eventually, only households with an annual taxable revenue of more than €20,000 per ‘part’ will still pay the taxe d’habitation. In other words, a couple earning €40,000 per year will be exempt, as will a couple with 2 children earning €60,000.

>> continued on page 6

2nd degree burns from a garden weed - pg 5

France to ban all petrol vehicles - pg 7

11 vaccines to become compulsory - pg 9

The Bugle Business Directory - pg 13-16

© B. and E. Dudzinscy - Fotolia.com

F

ollowing through on a highly publicised election p l e d g e , the government has announced that as many as four out of every five households will become exempt from the taxe d’habitation. The changes had been thrown into doubt when incoming prime minister Édouard Philippe said in his parliamentary address that the timetable had been moved back, but economy minister Bruno Le Maire has now revealed that the first groups will be exonerated from the unpopular tax in 2018.

The tax will initially be reduced for retired

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Welcome to

I

The Bugle

t was all supposed to be so simple. This editorial is usually the last thing I write each month, sometimes literally as the presses are warming up!

I often don’t plan what I’m going to write, although if I see anything that catches my eye during the month I’ll jot it down or, in these days of smartphones, save a link. But this month I didn’t even do that... you see, I just dropped the in-laws back at the airport after a three-week stay!

As regular readers of the paper will probably know, my wife’s parents are a well-mined resource for this column and I can always guarantee to have plenty to write about in a half joking, half affectionate (but half serious!) way. A particular favourite was the throwing of the dirty bucket of water “out” of the recently closed window!

So it is with a degree of trepidation that I stare at this blank page with an almost equally blank mind... neither of the inconsiderate buggers did anything of any note.

Selfish! Typical! They finally get their revenge by leaving

me with nothing to complain about. Editorial inspiration was the one positive side of having them to stay and now they have taken even that away from me! If I didn’t know any better, I’d say it was deliberate!!

There has been a lot of talk recently among friends of the return to a 4-day primary school week. I guess I am in a slightly different situation to many in that my wife and I both work from home, so we are relatively flexible when it comes to dropping off and picking up kids. Many working parents were understandably against the scrapping of school on a Wednesday as it means an extra half day of childcare that needs to be arranged if you work full-time.

For me, the flip side of the obvious inconvenience of having children under my feet three days a week is that we are so incredibly lucky to have the schools that we do, given that there are not many children round these parts.

Unfortunately, that is the case across many parts of rural France, where young families

naturally migrate to the cities in search of work. As such, class sizes are small, local councils struggle to finance them and more and more rural schools are being closed down or merged with neighbouring communes.

Under this financial pressure, it is no surprise that while only a third of schools nationally voted to return to the four-day primary school week, that number is significantly higher in poorer, rural areas.

I can not speak highly enough of the teachers at the schools my children have attended and whilst there are undoubtedly many negatives to living abroad, away from family and friends, the quality of the education my children have thus-far received is top of the list in the positives column.

So for me, returning to a four-day week was a nobrainer. The costs involved in operating the school bus, paying teaching assistants, etc. - all for just three hours of school on a Wednesday morning - are significant for small communes such as mine.

If the mild inconvenience of children screaming in the background while I try to sound all professional on the phone (there’s only so many times you can use the “sorry, it’s national take-yourchildren-to-work day” joke!) is the price I have to pay for securing the future of our excellent local schools, then it is no price at all.

I know that makes me sound bad and parents are supposed to enjoy spending time with their little bundles of joy, but I’m going to come out and say it: they do my head in and sometimes I wish I could just send them off to their grandparents for the summer. …oh, stream of conscience, you little beauty! Revenge is a dish best served screaming!

They’re always banging on about how they’d love to spend more time with the grandchildren, so maybe it’s time for my little bundles of “she-hit-me-first” to experience life in the country of the passport they travel on?!

That’ll teach you to not drive me mad!

I’m off to check out the Ryanair website... eight-yearolds can travel as responsible adults to their younger siblings, right?

Until next month!

Steve Martindale, Editor

CONTACT us Tel: 05.55.41.17.76

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INSIDE this edition 3-5 Local News 6-10 National News 11-12 French Life 13-16 Directory 16 Community 17-20 What’s On

Copy deadline for advertising and content:

15th August for September’s print edition

LOCAL NEWS ♦ 3

AUGUST 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

The Dordogne gîte helping a Yorkshire hospital

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British owned gîte business has just received a big thank you from a Sheffield NHS trust for its help in raising funds for patients, and helping to launch its staff lottery initiative.

Back in November 2014, Joy Milton, Sheffield-born owner of a 4-star Dordogne gîte, spent many days and nights at the bedside of her grandmother in several hospitals of the Sheffield Hospitals Trust. Joy was overwhelmed by the care and support given by staff, particularly in the Brearley ward of the Northern General, who cared for Joy’s Nan at the end of her battle with terminal cancer.

Nan was Irene Eastwood, ex-steelworks crane driver and tram conductress, who lived all her life in Sheffield’s Darnall district.

Joy told The Bugle what happened next: “The staff were so good to both of us, so concerned to make a difficult time as comfortable as possible...

I wanted to give something back. The ward was running a Christmas raffle and patients, families and visitors were donating chocolates and wine as prizes. I decided to offer a week’s

holiday for 4 people in July in our gîte and sell Christmas raffle tickets back in France.” Worth around £1,000, the staff decided to make a separate lottery with the holiday as the star prize.

La Varenne Farmhouse Gîte sold hundreds of raffle tickets and the lottery prize was eventually won by a hospital porter and friends. The cash raised provided special beds and equipment for Alzheimer patients on that ward.

This is a Yorkshire story, however, so things couldn’t end there! The same holiday was offered, won and enjoyed the following year and by 2017 it has become a major part of a Trust-wide staff lottery, helping to raise almost £50,000.

“Our guests are unbelievable, we have had so much fun and laughter while they have been here,” explained Joy’s Scottish husband, John. “It’s like being on holiday ourselves!”

“It has been fantastic for us,” continued Joy. “From the start our winners have been wonderful and made lots of French friends and we still keep in touch. It’s so satisfying that

we are able to give something back to the people who gave so much to us.

Nan would have been 90 this year and she would have loved that the prize is going to ordinary Sheffield people.”

For more information visit www.sheffieldhospitalscharity.org.uk and www.bellemaison24.co.uk ■

by Brian Hinchcliffe

Cancer fund-raising Fun Day appeal

A

group of British volunteers is appealing for helping hands to run their Family Fun Day in August. The North Dordogne Fund-Raising Group, which raises cash to support local cancer treatment hospitals, is holding its annual Fun Day at Vieux-Mareuil’s La Charrue.

Sarah Barrette, group secretary and team co-ordinator for the event explained to The Bugle: “This event gets more and more popular every year. For the group it is a key event and helps us provide more equipment and support for cancer patients across the north Dordogne and surrounding areas. Every centime raised goes to fund treatment at local hospitals. We are mostly Brits, but of course, the equipment we provide is for all cancer sufferers in the hospitals we support. If people can help supply our big money raisers, like home-made cakes, jams, chutneys, garden produce, etc., for the “home-made” stall, plus donations to the bottle stall, it would be a wonderful boost!”

As the fair is set to be bigger than ever, Sarah and her team are also keen to invite volunteers to man stalls and work the shows. “We’d love to get more people to lend a hand so we can do more of what we do,” she added. The group is an officially registered association and works with partner hospitals at Soyaux and across the Dordogne.

The Fun Day is on Sunday 13th August, from 11 am to 4 pm, with La Charrue’s usual attractions plus the new mini-golf.

For more information contact Sarah Barrette on 05 53 56 33 68 or email sarnig@wanadoo.fr ■

by Brian Hinchcliffe

4 ♦ LOCAL NEWS

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ AUGUST 2017

The electric bikes making a difference in Eymet

T

here is no better way to explore the stunning Dordogne countryside than on a bike! The wind in your hair, the freedom of the open road and, in a country that has a long tradition of two-wheeled travel, drivers who are generally respectful of cyclists.

Now, following the opening of GoodTurn Cycles in the heart of the bastide town of Eymet, locals in the south of the department have no excuse not to get pedalling.

Not only can you rent or buy bicycles and explore the local area the healthiest way possible, but you will also be helping to fund a non-profit social scheme working with young

locals to gain invaluable skills and experience.

Not convinced you have the puff for heading out on two wheels? GoodTurns Cycles’ electric bikes are powered by lithium-ion batteries, allowing riders to travel long distances at a fast pace. As battery technology improves, electric bikes are a fast-growing mode of transportation and offer riders the choice of whether they want to use the throttle or pedal assist while riding.

The throttle can be engaged, allowing the bike to be propelled forward up to a speed of 35 kilometres per hour with no need to pedal.

With the pedal assist system, the rider must be pedalling

in order for the motor to engage. The pedals have torque sensors, which measure the amount of pressure applied to the pedals. This allows the motor to assist the rider proportionally to the speed and force they are applying to the pedals. The result is a safe, fun, and effective means of transportation.

GoodTurn Cycles is a nonprofit enterprise, using any revenue generated to benefit the local community. In addition to selling electric bikes and providing rentals and tours, an apprenticeship programme for French youth is core to their mission. Working in partnership with the MFR (Maison Familiale Rurale de Miramont) and the Pôle Emploi (French Unemployment Agency), it provides on-thejob training in bike mechanics, financial planning, retail, entrepreneurship and management skills, and customer service to young locals facing challenging circumstances.

The placements focus on teaching skills that are applicable to the wider workplace, such as experience working with others, critical thinking skills, work ethic, customer service catered to a variety of nationalities, and an awareness of the needs of a business.

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ful, creative and exciting employment opportunity.

GoodTurn Cycles was born many thousand of miles away in Denver, Colorado, at the base of the Rocky Mountains.

The business worked with several non-profit organisations to place at-risk, unemployed youth into apprenticeship programmes. When founder Catherine Clements travelled to the Dordogne region, she noticed the high rates of youth unemployment in the rural areas of south-west France. The experience drove Clements to expand GoodTurn Cycles and open an outlet in Eymet - a beautiful, bustling town on the borders of Dordogne and Lotet-Garonne. With the area’s rolling countryside, famous vineyards and historical towns and chateaux, it is a common summer destination for

French, British, Spanish, and Dutch tourists.

The Pedego electric bikes are available to rent by the hour, half-day, day or week (a 10% discount is available in August using the offer code HelloFun), but can also be purchased, and thanks to an incentive currently being offered by the French government, a €200 electric bike rebate is on offer to French residents.

For more information on any of the above, stop by the new shop, visit the website or give them a call!

48 rue du Temple, 24500 Eymet info@goodturncycles.fr www.goodturncycles.fr Facebook: “GoodTurn Cycles France” Tel: 06 78 55 73 10

LOCAL NEWS ♦ 5

AUGUST 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

T

he 104th Tour de France passed triumphantly through the Dordogne on its 2017 route after setting out from Dusseldorf on 1st July. After a first week geared towards the sprinters, the Dordogne stages gave some momentum to the race as it headed towards the Pyrenees and the big mountain stages on its way to Paris after 3,500 kilometres of racing.

The Dordogne first hosted the event in 1952 and the Tour has passed this way 13 times since.

Over a 3-day period this year from 10th July, including one rest day, all eyes were once again on the department. The Tour de France “village” was set up in the allées de Tourny in the department’s capital for the rest day on Monday. Périgueux, Bergerac and Eymet were all “en fête” for the race period with shows, displays, concerts and much general excitement.

The first Dordogne stage left Périgueux shortly after midday on the 11th towards Bergerac. The route was a wide loop of 178 kilometres, passing through historic sites and stunning locations. Commentators

made much of the world’s greatest cycle race passing the premier prehistoric centre at Lascaux in Montignac, in the year that the new Lascaux IV exhibition opened, before the peloton followed the picturesque Dordogne valley through Sarlat, Domme, Beynac, Lalinde and finally, to the finish line at Bergerac.

Leaving Eymet the following day, the riders took on the 11th stage, heading for Pau and the Pyrenees.

“The Dordogne element of the tour gets bigger and better every time,” commented a Périgord cycle racing promoter. “It is something the department can be really proud of.”

With many Brits buoyed by the recent exploits of Wiggins and Froome, there was unsurprisingly significant backing from expats for the Sky team on the streets of Périgeux, Sarlat, Bergerac and Eymet.

Froome did not let his supporters down, but regardless of a fifth British winner in the last six years, the Tour itself remains the biggest star! ■

by Brian Hinchcliffe

O

ne unlucky local from the Nouvelle-Aquitaine has highlighted the dangers of an innocuous looking weed that could well be lurking in your garden.

Gilles Cichy will not forget his afternoon of strimming any time soon as he has been left with the scars to prove it.

“I was working in a T-shirt and I felt my arms burning but I had to finish,” Gilles explained. “Last year, I had cleared the same area and I remember that then I had reddish spots on my arms, but they disappeared after a while.”

That evening, he had the same irritation on his arms and thought nothing of it. Over the following days, he returned to the same patch of land, under a full sun, and continued cleaning up the area. “It was a really warm weekend and I was in short sleeves. Working, with the sweat and everything, it really burned, and eventually the marks turned into blisters.”

Unbeknownst to Gilles, he had been dealing with Heracleum mantegazzianum - also known as giant hogweed, or giant cow parsley - and the weekend's weather

had conspired to leave him with second degree burns over much of his arms. His injuries were so severe that doctors say the affected areas will remain photosensitive for the rest of his life!

The sap of the giant hogweed plant is phototoxic; when the contacted skin is exposed to sunlight or ultraviolet rays, it can cause phytophotodermatitis, a severe skin inflammation. Initially, the skin colours red and starts itching, but as it continues to burn, blisters subsequently form, usually within 48 hours, forming black or purplish scars that can last several years.

Authorities advise that children should be kept away from giant hogweed, that protective clothing, including eye protection, should be worn when handling or digging it, and that if skin is exposed, the affected area should be washed thoroughly with soap and water and the exposed skin protected from the sun for several days at least.

Giant hogweed was first introduced into western Europe as an ornamental plant - and is still widely available as such! - but its

© Fritz Geller-Grimm (WikiCommons)

Tour de France passes The dangers of giant hogweed through the Dordogne

spread is being closely monitored by the Observatoire des plantes exotiques envahissantes du Limousin. In the UK, it is an offence to plant or cause giant hogweed to grow in the wild. It typically grows to heights of between 2 and 5 metres and superficially it resembles common hogweed: a stout, bright green stem that is frequently spotted with dark red and hollow red-spotted leaf stalks that produce sturdy bristles. ■

6 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ AUGUST 2017

Schools return to 4-day week Four out of five households to pay no taxe d'habitation

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Now, following a decree published at the end of June, local authorities have been given the choice whether to stick with the current system or return to the four-day week. Following votes across the country, one-third of mairies have now decided to once again cancel school on a Wednesday.

When the timetable was last torn up and a fifth day was introduced, it was not because the four-day primary school week was particularly unpopular with parents - in fact, a survey at the time revealed that only 33% wanted a change. It was, however, criticised by a leading parents’ associa-

ike so many before him, the new education minister has made changes to the primary school week in France, the third major reform in less than a decade.

In 2008, the Sarkozy government moved the country to a four-day week from its standard five-day school week, with no school on a Wednesday.

Then, in 2013, Socialist president François Hollande reintroduced school on a Wednesday until midday, with two one-and-ahalf hour periods of noneducational activity added elsewhere in the timetable to keep the same number of hours taught in a week.

tion (FCPE), the national Academy of Medicine and also in a parliamentary report, all of whom believed that when schooling is condensed into four longer days, it is too tiring for children.

In rural areas, however, the introduction of 3 hours of school on a Wednesday morning greatly increased the costs of education: more school buses, longer hours for teaching assistants, as well as the added cost of the two periods of extra-curricular activity that compensated for the three hours of school on a Wednesday. With budgets stretched and schools either merging or closing across the country, the

change was not welcomed by all authorities.

In cities and more affluent areas, the extra cost of Wednesday classes could be more easily absorbed and working parents were keen not to have to arrange an extra half day of childcare. As such, it should come as no surprise that of the one-third of schools returning to a four-day week, many are found in rural areas in the country.

Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly said that reforming education is one of his top priorities and his main aim is to give schools more individual power, meaning that education will be less centralized. Currently, only private schools in France have any autonomy and Macron's changes would see headteachers themselves being able to decide which teachers to recruit, rather than it being done by central education authorities.

Predictably, teaching unions have banded together against this “revolution”, arguing that if schools are given the power to hire teachers then the best schools will attract the best talent and leave poorer schools worse off.

The new timetables will come into effect from la rentrée in September. ■

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>> continued from pg 1 The effective scrapping of the tax in many poorer parts of the country has upset mayors, who fear they will lose one of their main fund-raising streams.

The government, however, has vowed to pay local authorities any lost income “to the exact euro” via centralised grants.

It is currently believed that the tax cuts will cost the government around €8.5 billion annually; they are part of a wider package of tax cuts that will be introduced over President Macron’s five-year term in office that will be worth €20 billion. The other significant change is a reduction in corporation tax from 33% to just 25% by 2022. The government hopes that the cuts will create incentives for investment, hiring and economic growth.

The huge hole the cuts will create in the country’s coffers - estimated at around 0.6% of the country’s GDP - will be offset by hefty spending cuts and predicted economic

growth of 1.6% this year and 1.7% in the following 12 months. Despite the tax cuts, the prime minister reiterated the government’s pledge to bring the French budget deficit to below 3% of economic output, in line with EU budget rules. “We have told parliament that we are aiming for a deficit of 2.7% of GDP next year.

But I’m not going to be obsessed with a number: my political goal is to be under 3%, thanks to restored confidence.”

Owners of residential property in France are liable for two local property taxes, called the taxe d’habitation and the taxe foncière. The rates payable are based on the notional rental value of each property (valeur locative), to which a locally determined percentage rate is then applied (taux d’imposition). The former is decided by the government whilst the latter by the local councils. Together, these taxes currently amount to an average of around €2,000 per household in France. ■

NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 7

AUGUST 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Melania Trump in Twitter name gaffe

D

iplomacy is always hard in someone else's language.. Who remembers President Hollande signing off a letter to Obama with the clunky mistranslation “friendly”?

And I'm sure that JFK never ate a jammy doughnut again after the famous line he delivered in the German capital. In these days of social media, gaffes are even easier to trip over and last month it was the turn of America's new first lady, Melania Trump, to get the Twitterati chuckling into their smartphones.

Following the Trumps' Bastille Day visit to Paris and subsequent dinner with the Macrons atop the Eiffel Tower - the visit featuring the excruciating 29-second handshake!

- the First Lady of the United States (or @FLOTUS to use her official handle) tweeted her thanks to President Macron. Unfortunately, she fell into a trap familiar to wannabe French speakers the world over when she accidentally referred to

the leader of France by the feminine form of his name (and misspelled it at the same time, but we'll let that one go).

Thank you @EmanuelleMacron & people of Paris for your kind hospitality - @potus & I enjoyed our visit.

Mrs Trump is not the first (and will certainly not be the last!) to make this mistake, either in written or spoken French. Not only is the feminine form Emmanuelle spelled differently to the male Emmanuel, there is also a subtle difference in its pronunciation – a social faux pas that catches out far more people.

The female version has a stronger emphasis on the final syllable and many will have accidentally changed the gender of their male French friends.

The message on the First Lady's account was quickly replaced by one with the spelling adjusted and transatlantic relations are not believed to have been damaged. ■

France to ban petrol cars

I

n a month where many were stuck in holiday traffic, sweltering on the country's motorways, the government unveiled a plan to ban all petrol and diesel vehicles from French roads.

Ecology Minister Nicolas Hulot presented his climate plan as a series of measures that will cut air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions and meet France’s obligations under the Paris climate agreement.

Mr Hulot, a long-time environmental campaigner and former wildlife TV presenter, announced “the end of the sale of petrol or diesel vehicles between now and 2040” as well as a pledge to make France carbon neutral by 2050. “The carbon neutral objective will force us to make the necessary investments,” he said, adding that the government would also ban any new project to use petrol, gas or coal by the same date.

The minister said he believed French car manufacturers - including brands such as Peugeot-Citroën and Renault - would meet the challenge, although he acknowledged it would be difficult. “The solutions are there, our own makers have in their boxes the means to fulfil this promise,” said Mr Hulot, calling the situation a “public health” issue.

Peugeot, Citroën and Renault ranked first, second and third on a 2016 list of large car manufacturers with the lowest carbon emissions, according to the European Environment Agency (EEA), and Re-

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nault's “ZOE” electric vehicle range is one of the most popular in Europe.

As part of the plan, poorer households will be offered a financial incentive to swap their polluting vehicles for clean alternatives.

The pledge came in the same month as Swedish car manufacturer Volvo announced plans to build only electric and hybrid vehicles from 2019, making it the first major industry player to abandon cars and SUVs powered solely by the internal combustion engine.

The move by France received much media attention, coming as it did in the wake of Macron's strong criticism of Donald Trump for pulling the US out of the Paris Agreement, but other countries are already leading the way. Norway, which is the European leader in the use of electric cars, wants to move to electric-only vehicles by 2025, as does the Netherlands. Both Germany and India have proposed similar measures, with a target of 2030.

Diesel and petrol vehicles accounted for 95.2 per cent of new car purchases in France in the first half of this year. Hybrid cars currently represent about 3.5 per cent of the market, while electric vehicles hold just 1.2 per cent.

France will also take measures to restrict the use of palm oil in the production of biofuels with the aim of reducing indirect deforestation. ■

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8 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

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France tops world soft power list

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n annual report has placed France as the most powerful nation in the world. The Soft Power 30 ranks countries against one another not in terms of GDP, exports or defence spending, but by their “soft power”, a term used to describe a country’s non-military global influence through international alliances and its perceived appeal to other nations. It also takes into account issues such as culture, foreign policy, digital engagement and capacity for economic innovation.

The UK headed the list two years ago, but was edged off the top spot by the US last year and remains in second place in the most recent rankings. The US falls to third, with Germany and Canada rounding off the top five.

France's move to the top of the international tree appears to be a tale of two presidents: the US has fallen from first to third place while France has shot up from fifth. “France’s soft power has no doubt seen a boost with the defeat of the Front National and election of its youngest ever president, Emmanuel Macron. Elected on a pro-Europe platform of reform, the president is riding a wave of both domestic and international popularity,” the report noted.

Since he was elected in early May, Macron has welcomed Russia’s Vladimir Putin at Versailles, dined with Donald Trump at the Eiffel Tower and also held talks with British Prime Minister Theresa May and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Although some have been critical of Macron for spending too much time with world

Baby saves mother's life

I

leaders, most in France have praised his efforts to restore France’s position internationally.

“France's greatest strength lies in its vast diplomatic network,” the study explained elsewhere. “It is unrivalled in terms of membership to multilateral and international organisations, as well as in its diplomatic cultural missions.

With Macron having long campaigned for cooperation and integration, it is not unreasonable to expect France's global engagement and influence to grow.”

In contrast, Trump's “America first” policy has seen the country's soft power wane: “Trump's 'America First' doctrine has played poorly abroad, alienating allies and damaging links with the rest of the world,” said the report.

“The rise of Trump could be viewed

as a threat to American soft power, not least because his kind of populist rhetoric is known for devaluing international alliances.”

“Under normal circumstances, soft power is a relatively stable asset... but these are not normal times,” commented Joseph Nye, the academic who first defined the term. “The results of this year’s Soft Power 30 reflect the changing balance of global influence.

Europe has regained its confidence and Asian soft power is also on the rise.”

Meanwhile, the report's authors warn that Britain's fall “should serve as a warning of what is likely to come for post-Brexit British influence”, adding that “it is hard to imagine that the direction of travel for British soft power will be upwards in the future”. ■

john.bonella@gmail.com

t was the feel-good story of the month, a heartwarming tale of the baby that saved its own mother's life. A 31-year-old woman, who was eight months pregnant arrived at a Lille hospital with severe stomach pains. Having previously had a Caesarian section at 30 weeks due to an irregular foetal heartbeat, doctors were understandably cautious, but could find no problems.

As her pain persisted, further tests revealed that the woman had suffered a uterine rupture, a tear in the wall of the uterus that can cause fatal haemorrhaging. Performing an emergency Caesarian, it became apparent that the 10-centimetre tear had occurred earlier in the pregnancy, but that the baby's back had acted like a suction cup, covering the opening and preventing significant bleeding. This probably saved not only the baby's life, but also that of his mother.

The position of the baby meant that not only did the woman not suffer a haemorrhage, but no amniotic fluid was lost and the foetus was able to continue to develop normally, albeit with a degree of discomfort to its mother. The healthy baby boy was subsequently delivered with no complications... except for the large blister on his back where it had acted as a vacuum to seal the tear, but doctors say that this was reabsorbed into his body after a few hours.

The lead obstetrician on the case, Dr Charles Garabedian, described the case as “extraordinary”, with the baby having managed to completely avoid any foetal or medical problems up until that point. ■

NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 9

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Eleven vaccinations to become compulsory

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rom next year, eleven vaccines will become compulsory for all children in France, the government has announced. The change follows a similar move in Italy where unvaccinated children will no longer be able to attend state schools.

Prime Minister Édouard Philippe said it was “unacceptable” that children are still dying of measles. “In the homeland of Pasteur that is not admissible,” Philippe said, referring to Louis Pasteur, the French biologist who made breakthroughs in disease research and developed the first vaccines for rabies and anthrax in the 19th century.

Three childhood vaccines - for diphtheria, tetanus and polio - are already mandatory in France, but others are simply recommended.

The new law will now also require parents to vaccinate their children against whooping cough, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, influenza, pneumonia and meningitis C. All of these are universally recommended by health authorities across the country, but are not currently compulsory.

Levels of vaccination have been falling across Europe in recent years and some diseases that were considered to be virtually eradicated have been making deadly comebacks. There were 79 cases of measles reported in France in the first two months of 2017, mostly due to an outbreak of 50 cases in the north-eastern Lorraine region. Between the beginning of 2008 and the end of 2016, more than 24,000 cases of measles were declared in

France, official figures show. Of these, around 1,500 resulted in serious complications and there were 10 deaths.

“We have the same problem with meningitis. It's not acceptable that a 15-year-old teenager could die just because they have not been vaccinated,” the minister said.

In June, 200 senior doctors and hospital bosses published a petition in Le Parisien, declaring themselves in favour of the move. “Vaccination isn't only a personal choice that solely benefits the person who is vaccinated, it aims to protect the population, in particular children, the elderly and fragile,” wrote the health professionals.

“Systematic vaccination has eradicated diseases, such as smallpox,” the text noted. “But the reduction in the vaccination coverage rate of the population has led to the resurgence of certain diseases such as measles.”

Dropping vaccination rates are in part due to complacency, with so few cases of serious disease reported, but also in large part due to the campaigning of anti-vaccine movements, who believe that vaccines carry more dangers than benefits and accuse big pharma of putting profitability ahead of the health of children.

Most famously, a study published in the Lancet nearly twenty years ago suggested a link between MMR and autism. Andrew Wakefield, the disgraced scientist behind the claim, was discredited by his peers and struck off for falsifying data. His paper was retracted by the Lancet and numerous further studies disproved any link. It was subsequently re-

ported that Wakefield had predicted he could make up to $43 million a year from marketing kits for “diagnosing patients with autism”. It was also alleged that he planned to market alternative vaccines to the combined MMR jab he was attempting to discredit.

Despite this - and perhaps fittingly in this era of “fake news” - many are still wary of the MMR jab and numerous deaths across the world have been linked to lower vaccination rates in the last 20 years caused by the study's provenly false claims.

A recent survey found more than three out of 10 French people don’t trust vaccines, with

just 52 per cent of participants saying the benefits outweigh the risks. “We are astonished to see that so many people say they are wary of vaccinations,” said François Chast, head of pharmacology at Paris hospitals. “It is urgent to fight the speeches of anti-science and anti-vaccination lobbies that play on fear, they show nothing and rely on a few very rare side effects to discredit vaccines that save millions of lives.”

The World Health Organisation estimates that between 2000 and 2015, measles vaccination prevented more than 20 million deaths worldwide. ■

10 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

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Head of French armed forces resigns

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he head of the French armed forces, General Pierre de Villiers, has resigned just days after he was rebuked

by President Emmanuel Macron. The very public spat began following a row over cuts to the military's budget. In a statement De Villiers, who has been France's top military man since February 2014, said he no longer felt able to command the sort of army “that I think is necessary to guarantee the protection of France and the French people”.

The conflict began when France’s budget minister, Gérald Darmanin, revealed details of planned spending cuts being introduced that the government believes are essential to get the country’s finances under control. No area of government has been spared and the ministry of defence was told it would have

to cope with cuts of €850 million, mainly on the cost of equipment.

Defence chiefs, who had expected the military budget to rise, were furious and the famously straight-talking general told a closed parliamentary committee: “I won't let you screw me like that!”

His actual choice of verb often has a stronger translation in English!

This led Macron to give a defiant defence policy speech in which he warned military leaders: “For me it’s undignified to wash dirty linen in public. I have made commitments, I am your boss… what I like is the sense of duty, the sense of discretion that has taken our army to where it is today.

And what I sometimes find hard to tolerate in certain sectors, I tolerate it even less when it comes to our military.”

Further flexing his presidential muscles and

ramming home his point, Mr Macron said in a newspaper interview that “if the military chief of staff and the President are opposed on something, the military chief of staff goes”. This appeared to give the 5-star general little option than to stage a humiliating climb-down, or resign, which he duly did.

“Armies basically obey.

So in substance the president was within his rights to restate his authority,” a former chief of the French armed forces Henri Bentégeat told Le Monde newspaper. “But the way he did it will leave marks.

You cannot publicly question a military leader like that in front of his subordinates. When Macron attends the first ceremony for a soldier killed because of a lack of equipment, all the criticism will be directed at him.”

The clash sparked a heated political debate

and threatened to become the first real crisis faced by the Macron government. Many questioned whether the president had overstepped the mark and humiliated his military chief or had little choice but to assert his authority after taking a difficult decision on cuts across the board. Defenders of

has pledged to increase defence spending to 2% of gross domestic product by 2025, in line with Nato targets, which would bring it to €50bn.

Macron moved quickly to replace De Villiers after his resignation, appointing 55-year-old General François Lecointre to fill the role. ■

De Villiers believe that the French army, whose funding has steadily decreased over the past three decades, is being asked to do too much with too few resources.

The President subsequently announced a €1.5 billion rise in military spending for the following year. France

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FRENCH LIFE ♦ 11

AUGUST 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

The wines of Bergerac

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by Martin Walker

n Monday evenings in summer, whenever possible we go with friends to the delightful old bastide town of Beaumont for a particularly good marché nocturne. The setting in the old market square with its brooding high church tower is hard to beat and the music is always first class and we always end up dancing. The food ranges from grilled meats (including ribs and duck sausages) to paella, from salads and omelettes to oysters and brochettes of shrimp and there are some remarkably addictive apple pies.

But my first stop is always behind the music stage to the stand that sells the wines of Christian Roche, who has been making wines at Domaine de l’Ancienne Cure since the 1980s. He represents the fifth generation of his family on the land and he likes to call himself ‘a peasant winemaker’. Some of the land that is now vineyard was growing crops and raising cattle when he inherited so he has every right to do so.

Big and burly with a slow, warm smile that gives him the look of a good-natured boxer, Christian was one of the first in the Bergerac to conclude that the so-called ‘modern’ methods of chemical weedkillers and fertilisers were hurting both the soil and the wine.

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ugust, highlight of the summer months and often the hottest, is a busy time in the garden – or not... it all depends on the weather.

If it’s baking hot and dry, the main work is keeping your vegetables from dying of drought, desiccating, going over too quickly or cooking on the vines. If you’ve got a watering system set up with drip hoses, etc. then that’s fine, but otherwise it means carrying watering cans about or moving hoses.

Note that in some areas there are now official bans on watering and restrictions on water usage, so check with your local mairie. Offenders can be sanctioned by the gendarmes if caught.

And be thrifty in reusing water, say from washing your vegetables, or cooled cooking water. Don’t put it down the drain, put it on the garden!

Make sure you’ve got as many containers out to collect water from thunderstorms as possible, and that there

“I decided to get back to basics – respect for the land and for the vine. And that drove me to the decision to convert the whole of our property into Agriculture Biologique,” he maintains.

“What I want to do is to express the terroir through the grape in order to produce the most authentic wines we can.”

In his tasting room there is a shelf with four large glass jars, each flanked by a bottle of wine, which contain the four different kinds of terroir on his 47 hectares. There is the thin chalk on the plateau, good for reds, and the more chalk-clay mix on the main slope which is better for whites and where he grows his muscadelle and chenin.

At the bottom of the slope there is clay, where he also grows white wines and finally a more sandy area devoted to sauvignon blanc and semillon.

More than two thirds of his production is white wines, and the red grapes he grows are the usual cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc and Malbec. His whites include two grapes which are less common in the Bergerac, chenin (best known for its use in South African whites) and ondenc. This last one is so rare I had to look it up, and found that I had been drinking it with appreciation in Gaillac some time ago,

and also in Dax where it is called chalosse.

Christian’s Domaine is easily found at Colombier, on the west side of the Route Nationale 21 that runs south from Bergerac to Castillonès.

The vineyards can be seen from the road and it is hard to miss his tasting room. Some folk have wondered whether the closeness to the road is a problem for the grapes, to which I can only reply that I have not noticed any effect.

He makes red, whites and roses at three price levels. The standard Jour de Fruit wines are just over seven euros, and his Jour de Fruit Pécharmant at ten euros is a bargain. The second, slightly more expensive wines, are called Abbaye at around thirteen euros, and sixteen for the Abbaye Pécharmant. His best wines are called Extase and the 2012 white which I got for 16.50 euros is drinking beautifully now and it has the body to be enjoyed for some years to come.

His 2013 Monbazillac Abbaye is very, very good indeed. I bought a bottle after seeing it win a coveted coup de coeur in the Hachette Guide des Vins and I was enchanted. It is a majestic wine that somehow manages to be both voluptuous and sprightly at the same time, fresh and full of fruit while retaining all the dignity and strength of a Monbazillac. I was surprised to find that Christian had added a touch of chenin to the usual blend of semillon and muscadelle grapes.

Martin Walker, author of the best-selling ‘Bruno, chief of police’ novels, is a Grand Consul de la Vinée de Bergerac. Formerly a journalist, he spent 25 years as foreign correspondent for The Guardian and then became editor-in-chief of United Press International.

He and his wife Julia have had a home in the Périgord since 1999 and one of his great hobbies is visiting the vineyards of Bergerac.

In the garden - jobs for August

the prunings where they won’t disturb if they get left a while.

The days are, sadly, starting to get shorter, and we’re reminded that in the not too distant future the autumn will be here, so think what you can do to be as productive as possible in that period, and extend the growing season. Will you install a mini tunnel, or some cloches? Do you need to replace plants in the greenhouse which will have gone over, with other things for the end of the year? What will you replace them with? Will you have the seedlings or do you need to grow them before? Can you use the idea of companion planting to boost plant health?

Will there be time for another quick sowing of beans before the cold arrives ? It seems crazy to be thinking of that kind of thing on such a sweltering day, but then planning now saves effort and money later.

So, bon courage, and good gardening! ■

by Michelle Pierce

are no obstacles in gutters causing them to block and overflow. Then try and protect the surface earth from getting too hot and drying out the roots of your plants. Put down a thick layer of mulch - organic matter is best as it will gradually biodegrade. Throw down armfuls of grass clippings, or greenery, or use newspaper or cardboard. We’re not trying to grow cacti, and most of our productive varieties need water to yield well, even those that love the sun.

As an aside, I’ve also recently realised the extreme importance of siting your veg patch. When I look at my poor stunted plants, in full sun all day, and those of my neighbour just as equally unwatered as mine, but in a patch that gets some shade during the course of the day, I realise how this

is going to be an important factor. His veg are at least twice the size of mine!

Bah... I am going to move mine next year.

So, such hot conditions mean that sowing seed and getting it to germinate successfully can be very tricky, especially if you’re not in your garden every day. Normally we’d have been sowing since July, to ensure the crops for the end of the year and through the winter. What do we do? Give it a go, would seem to be the only answer, but don’t sow whole packets in case it doesn’t work, and sow some in controlled conditions, in pots indoors, or somewhere where you can keep a regular eye on their watering needs.

On the other hand, we’ve had some periods of unsettled weather, leading to storms and sudden downpours. This

is great for grass growth, and wildflower species, but does mean that it needs to be cut, when some years you can be taking a break from it now. And many people have told me their tomatoes are really slow to redden up, due to the cool(ish) nights. It’s not easy on the plants, but persevere! Collect your treasures from the veg plot and enjoy them fresh to your table, collect seeds for next year, dry herbs, freeze and bottle what you can. Work according to common sense, given the weather in your area, your availability, and the needs of your garden. And do like the old-timers: avoid the 12-4 period. You don’t want to damage your skin.

Keep a To Do list in the shed, so that if you can’t do jobs for the moment, you can remember to do them later. Prune but don’t burn and stock

The Grumpy Granny Guide Mobility problems?

T

The half-litre bottle of Monbazillac Extase from 2009 got a remarkable eighteen points out of a maximum twenty in the Guide Vert review of wine but they had none in stock at the tasting room on my last visit. I managed to get a bottle of the 2010 and at 21 euros it was splendid. I usually try to stop off there on my way to collect friends and family from Bergerac airport, just a few minutes away.

We are lucky at the Beaumont night market that one of Christian’s staff lives nearby and loads up a trailer every Monday, with a chill box for the whites, to do a roaring trade. I always start the evening by buying a bottle of the Domaine’s Jour de Fruit Bergerac sec white and another of the same red. I hand over sixteen euros and I get the two bottles and some change. I am never disappointed and nor are my friends, although some have a soft spot for his rosé. I just wish that one could buy these wines at the other night markets I visit. ■

he Périgord is not the easiest area to visit if you have difficulties climbing, managing steps and stairs, find it hard walking on uneven surfaces or have a young child in a pushchair. Short and easy visits may be appropriate for the elderly or anyone who tires easily but if even shallow steps or a couple of stairs are out of the question, the option then is to go for those sites which are entirely on the flat or which offer an agreeable place to sit and watch the world go by as others go off to explore.

Good options are Montpazier and Domme which provide plenty of well situated cafés where you can wait in comfort. It isn’t difficult to drop people off in the very centre of Montpazier and then go to park the car nearby. That is also true for Domme where you must ignore the strong official recommendations to park at the foot of the village and instead when you enter through the main gate, should turn right to follow the road round the ramparts. At the top there is a series of small parking areas just a stone’s throw from the spectacular view, seating and cafés. In the town centre there is a small, very pleasant, museum of local farming and domestic life, ‘l’Oustal,’ which is easy to navigate, doesn’t take long to visit and you can drop someone off right outside the museum if need be.

The riverside cafés in Limeuil are also very friendly; active family members can go off to play on the beach or in the water within the sight of those who want to sit and enjoy an ice cream. Sites on the flat, step-free and with plenty of seating are Le Bournat, Cadouin and if a

short walk is possible, the train in Rouffignac enables those who find it hard to walk or stand for long periods, to see an interesting cave in comfort. Garden visits can be problematical but Marqueyssac offers a tour in an electric train (April to September) although there is some walking from the car park to the ticket office.

The charming garden ‘Clos des Sources’ at Vitrac just outside Sarlat also has easy slopes, a manageable area to visit and a place to sit and have a drink.

It is a shame that so many sites use heavy gravel on their paths making life truly difficult for anyone unsteady on their feet or using a pushchair. Both Montbazillac and Hautefort are a challenge to visit for this reason and Montbazillac the worse offender since there is a long walk between the welcome centre and the chateau which provides no place to park a pushchair.

These suggestions are not for the disabled who will find full information on sites to visit at their local tourist office.

I’d love to hear from you if you have further suggestions – please do get in touch! grumpygrannyguide@orange.fr This is part of a series of features devoted to the tourist experience in the Dordogne provided by grumpygranny-guides.com which highlights those sites which are comfortable and pleasant to visit and which offer a warm welcome.

Hard to know which tourist sites to visit?

Grumpy Granny Guide

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Need practial information Are with young children or a pushchair Are elderly Hate standing in the sun Tire easily and need to sit down Can’t manage any steps or stairs Are with your dog The Grumpy Granny website provides all the information you need to make the right choice for a comfortable experience in the Dordogne Visit us on:

www.GRUMPYGRANNY-GUIDES.com

12 ♦ FRENCH LIFE

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ AUGUST 2017

Is your financial plan still ideal for you in today’s world? - Blevins Franks

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or most people, the key aim of financial planning is to protect their wealth. Whether you are looking at your savings and investments, tax planning, pensions or estate planning, there are two key elements to consider – are they up-todate and are they specifically designed around your family’s circumstances and objectives?

Protecting your wealth

We need to protect the value of our capital and income right through our retirement years. Knowing that both you and your spouse will be financially secure, no matter how long you live or what health issues life may throw your way, provides welcome peace of mind.

You may also want to pass wealth on to the next generations, to help your children and grandchildren as they make their way through life.

When you consider your personal family situation, source of wealth, income needs, short and long-term aims, time horizon, risk appetite, etc., your situation is quite unique. You therefore need highly personalised financial planning.

The first move to protecting your wealth is to identify the potential threats. You can then weigh up which affect you most and establish what steps you can take to protect against them.

Threats include: taxation; automatic

B

exchange of financial information and the loss of financial privacy; frequent changes to legislation (e.g. taxation and pensions); low interest rates, inflation, asset volatility and institutional failure.

Long-term personal advice You then need to seek advice from an experienced, expert wealth manager/financial adviser, one who is best placed to deal with all your current and future needs. You want an advisory firm which will be around for the long term to provide guidance and recommendations as needed, both to yourself now and to your spouse and family after you are gone.

Since wealth management is such a personal issue, your adviser should take all the time needed, and use the necessary tools, to help to get to know you, your needs and objectives, very well.

They should understand how you want your family to inherit your assets and be looked after in future. Building up a close, long-term relationship with one advisory firm produces positive results as well as peace of mind.

Understanding local taxation The ideal situation would be for your adviser to live locally in France. They will understand what it is like to live here and cope with the local bureaucracy, and have a deep understanding of the financial planning needs of ex-

patriates here and all the nuances of the French tax regime.

They need to be able to react quickly and help you make adjustments if your personal circumstances suddenly change, or if there are reforms to local tax legislation.

Brexit makes it even more important to use a locally based adviser. If you live here, all elements of your financial planning, from investments to estate planning, need to be set up for France, and not for the UK. And only someone with local experience can provide that. If you move between countries, your adviser should have knowledge of both and the interaction between the regimes.

Investment planning Investment is probably the area where people are most concerned about losing money. All investments, including bank accounts, carry risk. However portfolios can carry a wide spectrum of risk, depending on the assets held within them, the proportions, and the level of diversification. So your portfolio must be specifically based on your personal situation and risk appetite. It is essential that you obtain a clear and objective view of your risk tolerance.

Your adviser can do this, for example, through psychometric tests, combined with his knowledge of your personal situation and aims for you and your family.

Greek Burgers

by Julia Watson

y August, you’re probably flagging in the kitchen.

You’ve survived a canicule (‘période de grand chaleur’ my foot. It’s like living in your oven).

But you might not have survived your relentlessly hungry guests.

I’m not clear why it is everyone picks August to visit when South-West France is so glorious in May and June, September and October. You can’t get a seat at the marchés nocturnes picnic tables unless you show up at teatime. The Parisians have descended to claim what is, I suppose, rightfully their turf (unless you want to argue with them about the substantial Eleanor of Aquitaine/Henry II British connection), amid great shrieks and greater chic. Prices in the cafés and restaurants have shot up. Restaurant tables are already long-reserved. If you’re lucky enough to have made a booking, you won’t find a parking space because there’s probably some firework display in the town or village you’ve picked to dine in and the place is packed with cars. By the end of August, I’ve cooked so many ducks and parts of duck for visitors who want to eat the local speciality, l’ve developed webbed feet.

My reaction is turn away from French food to the food of the country I would head for myself, were I not cooking for the friends I do in fact love to have to stay: Greece. Greek dishes are simple to prepare and simple to cook. And in hot temperatures - forgive my disloyalty so much easier to digest than confit de canard and pommes sarladaises.

If you go Greek, a number of timesaving shortcuts can be deployed. Grate an unpeeled cucumber, squeeze out its water between two clean hands then fold it into a carton of Greek-style yogurt which you’ve salted to taste and add, if you wish, finely chopped garlic

and mint. Now you've a dip to go with battered and fried sliced courgettes, or a thick sauce for a barbecued roast of herbed lamb.

I keep in my freezer mixes of finely chopped oregano, sage and garlic, or fresh coriander, lemon zest and shallots, all pressed into ice cube trays and frozen to add instant fresh flavour to a meat dish or to rub over fish.

There’s another versatile seasoning useful to have to hand: known in North America as Montreal Steak Seasoning, its ingredients aren’t strictly ‘foodie’ but it’s good on any meat destined for the grill. Combine 2 tablespoons paprika, 2 tablespoons crushed black pepper, 2 tablespoons sea salt, 1 tablespoon dried garlic, 1 tablespoon dried onion, 1 tablespoon crushed coriander seeds, 1 tablespoon dried dill, and 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes. Mix well and store in a lidded jar.

The seasoning appears in this Greek take on the classic burger, though if you form the meat into 16 small patties, you can serve them with drinks, using the Feta Mousse recipe as a dip. If you are forming the meat into burgers, the Feta Mousse should be served on top of them.

What makes this version Greek, aside from its herbs, is the addition of minced lamb to the usual minced beef. The feta ‘mousse’ that tops it is a more sophisticated version of the tzatziki cucumberand-yogurt sauce above, and would work well dolloped on a salad of cooked beetroots into which you’ve folded thin circles of red onion and segments of peeled orange, to serve alongside a couple of grilled lamb chops per person. ■ Julia Watson has been a long-time Food Writer for newspapers and magazines in the US and the UK.

Regulation Your advisers should have suitable, higher-level professional qualifications, and follow continuous professional development practices to ensure their advice is always up to date. Regulation is very important, and the advisory firm should be authorised by a reputable regulatory body. Check that the firm is authorised to give advice here in France, either through one of the French regulatory bodies or the EU ‘passport’ system.

Note that for certain transactions you may need to use a UK regulated adviser. For example, under the UK pension rules, if you want to transfer more than £30,000 out of a defined benefit scheme, you must first take advice from a UK FCA regulated firm.

The sooner you review your financial planning, and set it up with a strategic, long-term vision to protect your wealth, the sooner you can put it behind you and get on with enjoying your life here in France. ■ Tel: 05 53 63 49 19 Email: bergerac@blevinsfranks.com Tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; an individual is advised to seek personalised advice.

Makes 16 mini or 4 large Greek burgers 225g minced beef 225g minced lamb 2 teaspoons peeled and finely chopped garlic 1 heaped tablespoon Greek mountain oregano or herbes de Provence Zest of one lemon 2-3 tablespoons Montreal Seasoning (recipe above) 1 cucumber, peeled and sliced into 16 very thin slices Feta Mousse (recipe follows) In a small stainless steel bowl combine the beef, lamb, garlic, herbs and lemon zest.

Season with one tablespoon of Montreal Seasoning and salt to taste.

Form into 16 mini patties approximately 30 grammes each, or into 4 large ones.

Sprinkle remaining Montreal Seasoning over each patty or burger. You can either fry them in a pan, grill them, or cook on a barbecue, pushing the cocktail versions onto several long skewers.

If serving 4 large burgers: 4 rolls 2 tablespoons butter or oil Split rolls and brush with oil or butter and toast slightly in a sauté pan over medium to high heat.

Feta Mousse 55g feta, crumbled 55g plain Greek yogurt 55g sour cream or crème fraîche 1 teaspoon dried dill weed 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar 1 teaspoon garlic, minced ¼ teaspoon dried oregano Sea salt and coarse black pepper, to taste Mash and mix all ingredients together thoroughly.

To serve as 4 large burgers: Top each burger with 1-2 tablespoons feta mousse and several slices of cucumber and place between each toasted bun.

To serve as mini patties: Roll up each slice of cucumber, spear it onto a cocktail skewer then pierce the skewer through each little patty. Grill and pass them with a bowl of the Feta Mousse to dip.

DIRECTORY ♦ 13

AUGUST 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Business Directory

Your indispensable guide to finding local businesses & artisans Animals & Pets

WOOFERS RETREAT Holiday Home for Dogs

Home from Home Established 7 years Pet Sitting available 19510 Masseret Tel: 05 55 97 27 33 Mob: 06 61 05 06 13 debbie_shiralee@hotmail.co.uk siret 804 476 802 00017

MinouCats

Purpose built cattery with 7 heated, well equipped luxury suites Relaxed and secure environment Experienced and qualified owners Tender loving care all day long Agnac, 47800

Tel: 05 53 93 92 44 nicky@minoucats.fr www.minoucats.fr

All breeds catered for Clipping, hand stripping and bathing 30 years’ experience 24500 Eymet

05 53 58 55 38 and home of CANOUAN ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIELS Siret: 499 234 615 00015

Ironwood Motif www.ironwoodmotif.com

Dossiers prepared Permis de Construire Déclarations Préalables

05 55 41 17 76

Facebook & Instagram: Ironwood Motif

MOTOR PARTS CHARENTE

Suppliers of Car & Van Spares & LHD headlights, anywhere in France JOHN SOWERSBY

+44 (0)1377 538 639

motorptscharente@aol.com www.motorpartscharente.com

Renovating your French property?

New build?

Ferronnerie d’Art

sales24@thebugle.eu

Services

Architectural DRAWING SERVICE

Artist Blacksmith

Pergolas, staircases, railings, handrails, balustrades, balconies, gates, sculptures, outdoor structures & more.

Simple or elaborate, intricate or uncomplicated, small or large, we can fabricate, forge and hand make ironwork customised to your needs.

SHAMPOOCHIENS Auto Dog Grooming Parlour

Blacksmiths

Tel: 05 53 52 36 05

Tel: 05 65 30 53 99

lavieilleabbaye@orange.fr www.latuspeter-architecturaldrawings-24.com

SIRET: 481 198 638 00019

SIRET: 493 770 358 00015

Building Services Architects/Surveyors

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

At Masterplans.eu we can help guide you through your planning application in France.

From initial feasibility to completed dossiers.

We will compile all the relevant drawings and complete the necessary paperwork to ensure your application proceeds smoothly.

We are equally at home working with clients here in France or those living abroad.

CHARTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEER

Tel: 05 55 80 72 83 Mob: 06 33 07 29 72 Email: info@masterplans.eu www.masterplans.eu Siret: 790 016 984 00011

Building Services Electricians

BARWICK ÉLECTRICITÉ SHAUN BARWICK QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN

Available for all types of electrical work Small jobs, new builds, renovations, rewires Consuel assistance and certification service available Fully insured with 10 year workmanship guarantee Based near Châlus (87230)

Tel: 09 72 35 74 73

Email: barwick.shaun@gmail.com @iret: 794 282 368 00016

Qualified Electrician

Tim Haw B.Eng C.Eng M.I.Struct.E

From wire a plug to a full rewire + Property Services: Gite Preparation, Key Holding Painting, decorating, Grass Cutting, Strimming, etc

Web: www.versineer.com Email: enquiries@versineer.com

Tel: Susan 06 41 81 63 96

Pre-purchase & Structural Surveys.

Verbal & written reports.

Structural calculations & drawings.

Redevelopment ideas & solutions.

FR: 0033 (0)6 05 56 42 81 UK: 0044 (0)7448 466 662 Siret: 498 843 051 00018

Siret: 824 825 095 00014

ADVERTORIAL

Is your pool losing water or just showing its age and in need of a makeover?

W

e are fibreglass lining specialists who are based in both the UK and in France, just outside Limoges.

We can take your old or leaking pool and transform it to look like new again. Using your drained down pool as a mould, we will fibreglass line the floor and walls using our specialist g.r.p. system.

This will give you a beautiful onepiece lining which is fabricated using raw materials to the exact contours of your swimming pool.

Existing coping stones need not be disturbed as we can recess and dress the lining in underneath.

Once finished this can then be heated to whatever temperature you personally prefer to swim in without the worry of sagging or damage to your new liner. Our fibreglass linings are used in hydrotherapy pools so are used to running at a high temperature.

A large number of our customers in France use our method of lining their pools as they are suitable for high summer use with their gîte businesses and can (water table permitting) be drained down fully for cleaning at the beginning of the season without the normal stretching that can occur with plastic linings. No need to alter existing fittings whether it is a tiled or liner pool.

As we all know, fibreglass has

Before

After

New steps, Lining & Tile band

been around for many years in the boat and car industry and has proved itself time and time again to be hard working and resilient in many applications. A fibreglass lining will give you a flexible, hard finish that will bridge cracks and problem areas which are unsightly

and are hard to keep clean.

Most customers choose white or light blue, or sometimes a bespoke colour. This can be complemented with one of our digital printed tile bands, fabricated around the water line and clear coated, which then becomes integral to the fibreglass lining itself.

This will lift your pool to look like new again and can be installed over tiles, marblelite, painted or drop in liner pools and even in ground steel or plastic panelled

structures.

You could even use the opportunity to have us build you a set of quadrant steps in the corner of your pool before the new fibreglass lining to do away with your shallow end steps. ■ Please see our website for many more photos and information: www.fibreglass-lining.com Email: grplining@yahoo.co.uk Call Dave Roberts on +44 (0)7825 916 573

14 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ AUGUST 2017

ADVERTORIAL

Chasing Dreams and Flies; A Tragicomedy of Life in France

D

orothea Shefer-Vanson's fourth novel, ‘Chasing Dreams and Flies; A Tragicomedy of Life in France,’ recounts the saga of a couple from England who decide to follow their dream and leave England in order to move to France. As they approach retirement age, Sophie and John Williams are anxious to escape the Britain of the early 2000s, but find that there are various hurdles on the road to fulfilling their dream of living the good life. They assume that with the help of their friends and by dint of their devotion to one another they will be able to succeed in their new life. In the process, however, they find that they are limited by their ignorance of the French language and culture as well as being harassed by the hostility of one of their neighbours.

Like them, Julie Smithers has left England to live in France, but in her case it is in order to write a book and escape a painful romance. Her encounter with expat handyman Steve gives her renewed hope of finding happiness despite her reservations. In the unexpected denouement, all the characters happen to be in the same place at

almost the same time.

The book is available in both ebook and printed form from Amazon. ■

https://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Dreams-Flies-Tragicomedy-France-ebook/dp/B01LW3D212

Building Services General

PB INTERIORS Fitting & Installation Service Home Renovation/ Refurbishment Works Kitchens - Bathrooms Bedrooms - Living spaces

Services: Plasterboarding/Plastering (inc.specialist wall finishes) • Plumbing • Tiling • Laminate/Wood Flooring • 2nd Fix Carpentry (doors, architraves etc.)

Over 30 years UK experience Dordogne/Lot area. Contact Paul on:

05-53-59-51-59 06-44-70-05-56

Email: pb.interiors24@gmail.com Siret 830 526 810 00015

ANGLO SCAFFOLDING HIRE UK scaffolding supplied and erected here in France Qualified and fully insured FREE no obligation quotes Call Ian on

06 34 24 64 11 or see

www.lakesidebandb.net

Email: akbrunnstrom@yahoo.co.uk SIRET: 799 067 939 00014

CHARKER DAVID

Specialist in the renovation and restoration of period and contemporary buildings All small works undertaken

Stonework, Traditional renderings in Lime, Doors and Windows, Dry line walls, Zinc work, Electrical wiring and interior finishes Based near Brantôme

E-mail : dn.charker@sfr.fr

Tel: 05 53 09 42 18 No Siret: 402 444 871 00030

Building Services Painters/Decorators Simon Carter

Painter & Decorator Qualified craftsman with over 25 years UK experience, now based Haute-Vienne/north Dordogne border.

Specialist services: Interior & exterior painting & decorating, wallpapering, plastering.

FREE QUOTES

Tel: 05 87 19 91 50 Mob: 07 81 26 88 65

ADVERTORIAL

Advertising with The Bugle

W

ith 7 years’ experience delivering print advertising to an expat market, The Bugle represents one of the most cost-effective ways to let English speakers know about your business. An advert with The Bugle starts from just €13.50 HT per month – that’s less than 45 cents a day to put your business in front of 25,000 people each month.

In the Dordogne we have more than 150 distribution points across the region and surrounding areas where readers can pick up a copy for free.

We also distribute 2,500 copies through Bergerac Airport, which means that we are in the perfect position to target not only residents and secondhome owners, but also tourists and those new to the region.

The Bugle is the only English language newspaper dedicated to the Dordogne - in fact, today, The Bugle is the only free English language newspaper in France and we are growing all the time.

If you would like to discuss any of our advertising options further, why not give us a call today to find out more about the ways that we can help you grow your business.

For more information on advertising in the Bugle Business Directory, give us a call or send us an email: sales24@thebugle.eu

05 55 41 17 76 Building Services Sandblasting Sand and Blast We provide a fully operated

Kitchens fitted and tiled Replacement doors and windows Parquet flooring Oak framed porches Plasterboard and Insulation

- Emergency plumbing repairs - Full analysed testing

05.55.68.67.56 06.06.60.46.97

M : 06 72 47 88 00 T: 05 53 20 64 02

SIRET: 494.501.067.00016

Registered Artisan - Siret No: 480 857 853 00018

harlequindevelopments@live.com www.harlequindevelopments.com

E : wellers@orange.fr

contact@no6.co

06 38 75 32 97

www.no6.co Siret: 80493524500014

Your advert here

05 53 80 29 54

or email: steve.francis24@gmail.com or facebook: Beaupouyet La Poutre siret 537 415 903 00013

The Dordogne Chippy

Traditional Fish & Chips in a town near you All venues are in the evening between 6pm & 8.30 pm 1st Monday: Le Champsac Tuesday: Tremolat Thursday: Eymet 1st & 3rd Friday: Lauzun 2nd Friday: Ste-Alvère Last Friday: Daglan See our website for full details:

bobby@sandandblast.com steve@sandandblast.com

05 55 41 17 76

AUBERGE AUX DELICES DE LA TREILLE

SIRET: 812 727 253 00013

- Breakdown / Replacement boilers

afterwards

- Update your own site if you like!

- Enjoy a fully maintained site - Enjoy full website support

French/International cuisine.

Open Tue - Fri: 11am - 9pm (except Wed eve) Sat: 6pm - 10pm, Sun: 12pm - 3pm, For further details call Steve:

sales24@thebugle.eu

siret: 792.130.932.00017

- Installation, from kitchen taps to full central heating systems

during

- Refresh / redesign your existing site - Create new one page / multipage / shop / gite booking system site

Bar & Restaurant

24400 Beaupouyet (N89 between Montpon & Mussidan)

www.sandandblast.com

Computers, Satellites & Web Design

Stephen Wisedale Harlequin PLUMBING & Developments HEATING ENGINEER WiFi Anglais All aspects of renovation and refurbishment, big or small, undertaken.

before

- Free quote / discussion / meeting / assessment of current site

La Poutre

05 55 41 17 76

service for wood, stone and metal.

Perfect for stripping away years of grime or paint.

Contact us for a free quote, or see our website:

05 55 76 31 59 / 06 77 40 95 92

est. 2007

WEBSITE No6 DESIGN

www.thedordognechippy.com 05 53 74 01 91 or 06 19 99 25 62

sandblasting

Web: www.sjcmontluc.fr Email: sjcmontluc@yahoo.fr

Building Services Plumbing & Heating

T: 05 55 41 17 76 E: sales24@thebugle.eu W: www.thebugle.eu

Solve your Internet, wireless and computer problems

Extended wired and wireless networks for homes, gîtes and small businesses.

VPN solutions. Windows and Mac OSX.

www.wifianglais.com Email: hello@wifianglais.com Tel: 05 53 30 23 96 Mob: 07 78 52 20 46 Siret: 800 525 040 00013

Food & Drink

Authentic Indian Cuisine to eat in or takeaway

Eymet - every Tuesday Lauzun - 2nd, 4th & 5th Friday of the month Allemans du Dropt - every Saturday See our website, Facebook page, or give us a call for venue details

www.bombaybusserie.com 05 53 83 26 20 / 06 74 13 56 01

siret: 444 925 630 00014

24350 MONTAGRIER

05 53 91 12 63 A La Carte or 2 Set Menus Lunchtimes (except Sun and bank hols) Soup+Starter+Main+Dessert - €15 Soup+Starter+Main - €11.90 Soup+Main+Dessert - €11.90 Soup+Main - €8.90 €26.40 Menu Soup+Starter+Main+Cheese+Dessert

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

DIRECTORY ♦ 15

AUGUST 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

ADVERTORIAL

Are your finances still on the “To Do” List?

T

he reality of life means that there are many important things we find need doing when we first move to a new country. Buying a house, getting a mortgage, setting up new bank accounts, getting into the medical system etc. etc. and whilst these are all necessary objectives that we need to achieve it seems much easier to leave behind the savings, investments and pensions that you have worked so hard to accumulate in the UK, where they will be ‘safe’ for now.

Our all too busy lifestyles mean that time is a precious thing and when you do sit back and take time to look

Shhhhh... it’s aisecret!

TheiSecret CurryiClub Pop-Up restaurant serving Indian Restaurant Curries

Weihaveiregularivenues in Ribérac, Villeréal, Bergerac, SteiFoyilaiGrandei & Nontron ‘Secret Curry Club Dordogne’ secretcurryclubdordogne@gmail.com

06 84 35 42 73

real value of your savings is being eroded. Add to that constant changes made by the government and your savings, investments and pensions could be a massive disadvantage to you without you even knowing.

Despite Brexit people are still moving around the world, whether it be for work, sun, a happy retirement or even love and we work with some of the world’s largest institutions that recognise that and offer solutions that can consolidate your investments into one safe location, in a fully French tax compliant way, allowing you to also easily access and easily transfer them back to the UK if that is your next destination.

Whether in retirement, or still aiming that way, your hard earned savings need to work harder than ever for you now and not against you, to help you enjoy the life in France that you moved here for. So whilst you are enjoying the summer sun and the hustle and bustle of the tourist season

in our beautiful Dordogne spare a thought for those things that are still on your “To Do” list – it’s not as complicated as you might think.

Not everyone has a huge amount of savings, but whatever you have needs protecting, so please do not hesitate to get in touch to see if I can help you do that and give you some straight forward advice to take the worry away from what could be a potentially evergrowing financial mess.

All initial consultations are without obligation or cost.

with a native French speaker Why commute? Long distance learning is the answer!

C’est simple, call Sophie...

Your advert here

R.S.M.DISTRIBUTION

05 55 89 15 74 scarolinea@yahoo.fr

05 55 41 17 76

at pensions that may be in several places and investments and savings that may be in more than one country it seems like a daunting task to begin.

However, this is possibly one of the most important things in your life – your future, that you are neglecting and the reality of leaving them in a ‘safe’ place may have disastrous consequences when you reach an age when you actually need to rely on these, if you haven’t already.

The harsh reality is that most investments are not actively managed and in the ever-changing environment that we currently find ourselves in this could have disastrous consequences meaning that your ‘safe’ investment has underperformed the marketplace and in the medium/long term this can have huge consequences on their performance and growth. Even just leaving your savings in your UK bank, whether it be an ISA or otherwise, if it is not achieving interest at the current rate of inflation, i.e. above 2.6% the

FRENCH LESSONS Via Skype

Pest Control

Property Sales

For an independent, professional and impartial consultation please contact me by email: Rosemary. sheppard@blacktowerfm.com or call me on 06 38 86 99 70.

The above information was correct at the time of preparation and does not constitute investment advice and you should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any

Central France Pest Control 05 55 41 17 76

NEW STOCK HAS ARRIVED

SAVE UP TO 50% OFF RRP

DORDOGNE WAREHOUSE Sarlande (24270)

www.fudgejj.com email: ray.mole@wanadoo.fr

Tel: 05 49 87 67 34

Eco Entrepot

Gifts & Crafts

aka The Shed

32,000ft2 of great products incl.

British Groceries, DIY, Housewares, Furniture, Clothing, Toiletries plus loads more!!

Dératisation, Déinsectisation, Désinfection

02 48 60 83 72 / 06 74 33 02 38

05 55 68 74 73

www.applicateur3d.com Email: info@applicateur3d.com

Open every day except Monday

Curative and preventative Ivan Petley

rats, mice, moles, flies, woodworm, bed bugs, fleas, wasps, hornets

Handmade, fully interlocking, multi-layered 3D puzzles from just €9.

Keyrings €2 plus other unique gift ideas.

Customisation and personalisation possible.

Postal delivery options across France.

La Petite Barre, 18210 Bessais Le Fromental

3D Puzzle Maker

Tel: 05.55.80.29.98 Les Bregères, 23150 St-Martial-le-Mont alison.petley@wanadoo.fr

Language Services Learn French in France

Dave Roberts

Fibreglass Specialist Fibreglass swimming pool linings that can be applied over all finishes: tiles, marbelite, concrete, etc.

Complete immersion in a local family with lessons, conversation workshops, visits and local activities in Périgord, all at your own pace. (total independence possible)

Perfect for new pools, old pools, or pools leaking water Laminated on site, one piece and seam free For more information or a quote, contact Dave:

www.auclairduperigord.com +33 (0)6 41 37 02 50

+44 (0)1903 893 451 +44 (0)7825 916 573

d.nina@live.co.uk

Support

SIRET No. 498 544 741 00024

Pools & Spas

www. fibreglass-lining.com

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Retail & Commerce

bookstop

Quality second-hand books in English & French 19 r Victor Hugo, 24310 Brantôme

09 51 45 57 49

Enjoy a relaxing read in the tea room or riverside garden bookstop24@gmail.com facebook.com/bookstop24

Blacktower Financial Management Ltd is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority. Blacktower Financial Management (Int) Ltd is licensed in Gibraltar by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) through whom we have a registered branch and passport for financial services in France. License number 00805B.

Transport,

Furniture & Removals UK mattresses & Storage

By appointment only

sales24@thebugle.eu

financial planning activity.

SOS Help

anxious? stressed? feeling down? call us up!

01 46 21 46 46 3 - 11pm daily Confidential & Non-profit

www.soshelpline.org

Rent a Daughter in the Dordogne for Grocery shopping, retail therapy, visits to the doctor/hospital, small tasks, dog walking, day trips, short holidays, etc.

English & Dutch spoken Tel: 0031 6 20602520

www.rentadaughterinthedordogne.com email: claudiadekanter@live.nl siret: 790 909 436 00012

Man & Van Transport

Genuine/Reliable/Honest Local + Europe + UK runs Now also available for House/Barn clearances!

14m3 capacity 4.2m load length English & French Spoken

09 82 12 69 73 87150 Oradour-sur-Vayres

www.frenchvanman.eu Siret 530 213 644 00012

MICHAELS MOVERS Removals

UK ↔ France ↔ UK Full & Part loads All size of vehicles Storage facilities in Sussex UK free phone:

0800 840 3058 Mob: +44 (0)7808 338 386 Removals, storage & house clearance in Dordogne

06 73 96 38 39 (FR) www.michaelsmovers.freeindex.co.uk

Smart Moves For a fully insured, careful service

FORTNIGHTLY SERVICES TO FRANCE FULL OR PART LOADS WELCOME WE COLLECT FROM ALL AREAS OF THE UK AND DELIVER TO ALL AREAS OF FRANCE Please CALL or EMAIL Stephen

smartmovers@hotmail.co.uk

+44 (0)1253 725 414

www.smartmovesremovals.co.uk

16 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ AUGUST 2017

ADVERTORIAL

“SolarVenti”- the solar solution to damp and humidity

A

simple solar energy system that runs on its own, even when you are not there! – And provides a free heat supplement in winter.

The Solarventi air panel was invented more than 20 years ago

by Hans Jørgen Christensen, from Aidt Miljø, with the backing of the Danish government.

He wanted to use the sun’s energy for airing and ventilation of the thousands of holiday homes on the West coast of Jutland, - houses that were left empty and unheated for long periods - houses with damp problems, mould and bad odours - houses that left their owners with discomfort, lots of work and expense. He wanted a system that would be safe, simple, without the need for radiators, water and/ or mains electricity. Slowly but surely, the first Solarventi model came together.

How it works The principle behind Solarventi is simple: a small, built-in, solar cell powers a 12V fan that is connected to an air vent, a control unit and an on/ off switch.

Whenever the sun shines, the air in the solar panel is heated and the fan, receiving power from the solar cell, introduces warm, dry air into your home at the rate of 20 to 100 cubic metres per hour.

The initial models were more than capable of keeping the cottages dry (and ventilated), even with the limited sunshine hours available in Denmark during the winter season. Since that time, the technology has really come along in leaps and bounds. Now, more than 20 years later, the 3rd and 4th generation Solarventi have exceeded all expectations.

In Southern Europe, Solar-

venti is not only used for ventilation/dehumidification purposes; with far more winter sunshine hours, it also provides a substantial heating supplement. Several technical and governmental studies show that incoming air temperature can be increased by as much as 40°C. A DIY Solution?

The installation process is very straightforward and should only take two or three hours. All that is needed is a drill, hammer and chisel to make a hole in the wall. Roof installations are also possible. In fact, the Solarventi was originally designed to be a DIY product - in Scandinavia it still is.

There are no electrical or water connections and it can be safely left running, even when the property is empty. Solarventi requires no maintenance

- if the property is unoccupied during the hot summer months, then it can be left running at low speeds for ventilation and dehumidification purposes or simply switched off.

With a range of panel sizes, and the option for wall or roof mounting, Solarventi is suitable for all types of buildings, caravans or even boats!! Following the patenting of its design in 2001, Solarventi has only recently been actively commercialized. Over the last six years, Solarventi units have been installed in more than 24 countries and demand is increasing rapidly. From Greenland to Australia, Solarventi is finally getting the recognition it deserves. ■ Units start from €490 TTC. Several ex-demonstration models available at reduced prices, call for details.

SOLARVENTI - Available in the Dordogne and Lot from Harlequin Developments Tel: 05 55 68 67 56 Mobile: 06 06 60 46 97

Advertising in The Bugle Business Directory Advertising your business couldn’t be easier. Text only, boxed listings are available in our Business Directory from just €13.50/month. Alternatively, why not spotlight your business with an Advertorial, available from 1/6 Page (€50 HT) up to Full Page (€300 HT). Both Directory Adverts and Advertorials represent a cost effective way to put your brand in front of more than 25,000 pairs of eyes each month!!

For more information on any of our advertising options, please feel free to give us a call on 05 55 41 17 76 or send an email to sales24@thebugle.eu

6-Month Contract €108

Small b&w Directory Ad

(€18/month)

Large b&w Directory Ad

(€24/month)

Small Colour Directory Ad

(€27/month)

Large Colour Directory Ad

(€36/month)

€144 €162 €216

12-Month Contract €162

(€13.50/month)

€216

(€18/month)

€243

(€20.25/month)

Large Directory Ad 46mm x 71mm (Actual Size) 45 words max Small Directory Ad 46mm x 46mm (Actual Size)

30 words max

€324

(€27/month)

Directory Advertising is available either in black and white or colour, and in either small (30 words max) or large (45 words max) format.

Directory adverts may only contain text - no logos, images or artwork are allowed. The minimum contract length is 6 months.

Advertising is payable on publication. All prices are HT.

Blaze - Male possibly Manx kitten born 3/4/17 Nefertouem - Male part Turkish Angora kitten Nefertouem is a shy kitten with no tail and, with his sharp almost oriental features, he may well be a Manx kitten.

He needs reassurance but give him time and he will relax with you and you'll then get to hear his best feature, his very loud purr! He is learning to play and is enjoying the company of the other kittens.

Blaze is a beautiful kitten, he has inherited his mum's short hook tail, common in Turkish Angoras, which she is. He is interested in everything around him, playing and exploring and, very importantly, loves lots of cuddles.

If you wish to meet either of these gorgeous boys please contact their foster carer: Sophie Nicol Tel: 05 53 73 91 13 Mobile: 07 78 21 13 55 Email: sophie.nicol@yahoo.fr Dept. 24 Bergerac

UPCOMING AQUITAINE CHURCH SERVICES The Chaplaincy of Aquitaine covers the Dordogne, Gironde, Lot-et-Garonne, and Condom (Gers).

All services are held in English.

For further details, please see our website: www.churchinaquitaine.org or contact Chaplaincy Administration: Amy Owensmith, +33 (0) 607 04 07 77 chapaq.office@gmail.com SUNDAY 06 AUGUST 10:30 Service of the Word – Bertric Burée 10:30 Family Communion – Bordeaux 10:30 The Gathering Meeting, Condom, Le Mouret 10:30 Fresh Expressions – Eymet Temple 10:30 Prayer & Praise – Limeuil 10:30 Morning Worship – Monteton 11:00 Holy Communion – Doudrac 11:00 Prayer & Praise – Sainte Nathalène 18:00 Evensong – Bertric Burée Wednesday 09 August 11:00 BCP Holy Communion – Bertric Burée SUNDAY 13 AUGUST 10:30 Holy Communion – Bertric Burée 10:30 Family Communion – Bordeaux 10:30 Fresh Expressions – Eymet Temple 10:30 Holy Communion – Limeuil 10:30 Morning Prayer – Monteton 10:30 Family Service - Négrondes 11:00 Prayer & Praise – Sainte Nathalène 11:00 Holy Communion – Condom Chapelle Wednesday 16 August 11:30 Holy Communion – Envals

Thursday 17 August 10:30 BCP Holy Communion – Limeuil 17:00 Evensong - Limeuil SUNDAY 20 AUGUST 10:30 Family Service – Bertric Burée 10:30 Family Communion – Bordeaux 10:30 Holy Communion – Chancelade 10:30 Holy Communion – Dondas 10:30 Fresh Expressions – Eymet Temple 10:30 Songs of Praise – Limeuil 10:30 Prayer & Praise – Monteton 11:00 Prayer & Praise with Communion – Sainte Nathalène SUNDAY 27 AUGUST 10:30 Holy Communion – Bertric Burée 10:30 All Age Worship – Bordeaux 10:30 Fresh Expressions – Eymet Temple 10:30 Prayer & Praise and Baptism – Limeuil 10:30 Holy Communion - Monteton 10:30 Holy Communion – Négrondes 11:00 Prayer & Praise – Sainte Nathalène Thursday 31 August 11:00 Harvest Holy Communion – Condom Chapelle SUNDAY 03 SEPTEMBER 10:30 Service of the Word – Bertric Burée 10:30 Family Communion – Bordeaux 10:30 The Gathering Meeting – Condom, Le Sauvetat 10:30 Fresh Expressions – Eymet Temple 10:30 Prayer & Praise – Limeuil 10:30 Morning Worship – Monteton 11:00 Holy Communion – Doudrac 11:00 Prayer & Praise with Communion – Sainte Nathalène 15:00 French-Madagascan Communion - Bordeaux 18:00 Evensong – Bertric Burée

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AUGUST 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

WHAT’S

ON

Richard III - The Wars of the Roses are over and King Edward IV rules England.

But his brother, Richard, is in no mood to celebrate.

With murder, deceit and dark humour as his weapons, Richard overcomes scheming nobles, treacherous assassins and vengeful enemies to seize the crown.

But as the body count rises, Richard soon learns that a throne founded on blood offers little security...

Award-winning UK theatre company Antic Disposition returns to Périgord and Quercy with a thrilling new production of Shakespeare’s darkly comic drama.

Performed in English in eleven stunning open-air locations, Richard III is an accessible and fast-paced evening of entertainment for the whole family.

2nd to 14th August. Tickets €20-€40; 16 and under FREE (maximum 2 per adult). Booking recommended.

For more information visit www.ad-tour.com

Not to be missed this month is the Nontron Knife Festival, which is one of the largest cutlery showcases in France and Europe, with over 100 exhibitors from all over the world. It concludes a week dedicated to the rich heritage of iron and forges in the region and follows the Festival Forges et Métallurgie at Etouars.

Entry to the Fête du Couteau (5th-6th August) costs €5/ day or €7 for both days (free for under 16s).

For more information visit lafeteducouteau.jimdo.com

DID YOU KNOW...?

Nontron Knives are traditional forged folding knives with decorated wooden handles made in Nontron, in the heart of the Périgord Vert. The methods and techniques used in making these have remained virtually unchanged since the fifteenth century when they were first in manufacture; in fact the workshop where they are hand made by local craftsman is the oldest continually running cutlery forge in France. Each pocket knife is an original work by one of only six artisan knife makers.

The boxwood used for the handles of Nontron knives is cut only in the immediate region and allowed to air dry for at least five years before being cut, shaped and finished as a handle. Each knife is hand decorated with a circle of pyrograved figures of ancient and unknown significance.

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“Churchill”, the 2017 British historical war film directed by Jonathan Teplitzky about the actions of Winston Churchill in the hours leading up to D-Day, will be shown on 12th August at 6 pm at the Cinéma Louis Delluc in Le Buisson-de-Cadouin.

As a bonus, the trailer for the forthcoming documentary “Opération Percy Pink” will be screened.

Produced by Ronald Knoth and directed by Simon Holland, this is the story of a paradropping of US commandos near the village of Cadouin on the night of 11th-12th August 1944. The parachute drop was organised by the US Office of Special Services in support of local Resistance fighters.

A large number of volunteers from the US, England, Norway, Scotland, the Netherlands, France and Luxembourg are engaged in producing the 52-minute documentary to mark the 75th anniversary in August 2019.

Churchill is in English with French subtitles. Opération Percy Pink is in French with English subtitles.

After the screening the audience is invited to meet the Percy Pink film crew.

For more information visit Facebook: “Operation Percy Pink”

Issigeac Concert - Monday 14th August at 5 pm International pianist Anthony Adkins, accompanied by flautist Corinne Larzul, will be performing at the Saint-Félicien church.

Concert on Sunday 13th August at 15h30 at Boschaud Abbey, 24530 Villars (near Brantôme) FestiVillars presents ‘Musique du Monde’ featuring Slyvain Calmon and Xavier Bluhm with an eclectic programme of music arranged for Marimba and Vibraphone: ranging from Vivaldi, Chopin, Listz and RimskiKorzakov with a touch of rag time via John Williams.

Entry 12 Euros, Under 16s free.

Further information from colinsfrance@gmail.com - www.festivillarsenperigordvert

The concert is free but donations are welcome.

Brocante Street artists Véhicules anciennes Artisanat

Marché de Potiers 30 potters will line the streets of the village of Beauronne, between Mussidan and Ribérac, on 19th and 20th August from 10h-19h.

There will be demonstrations, children’s workshops and entertainment for all the family.

AUGUST 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

BOOKSTOP screenings Dan Bessie’s 2017 season in UNDERSTANDING FILM WHEN: Sunday 20th August at 2.30 pm and the second Sunday of each month to October.

With discussion and a refreshment break, a few programmes may be longer than the average of 2 hours and 30 minutes.

WHERE: Bookstop, 19 rue Victor Hugo, Brantôme

WHAT’S ON ♦ 19 Paella at the Stables!

Sunday 20th August 7 pm Live music, free champers on arrival, 4-course paella dinner, art expo launch, dancing ‘til late.

Tickets €22; Members €20. Please book in advance.

La Grange, 24530 Saint-Pancrace, near Quinsac All proceeds go to horse rescue & welfare.

For more information visit: www.brantomepolicehorses.com

RESERVATIONS: Please contact Howard on 06 51 45 57 49 or via email at bookstop24@gmail. com. We have room for up to 20 (no need to register for the entire series).

FEE: €7.50 - Includes tea or coffee (maybe popcorn too!)

Cake and other items will be available for purchase.

This month’s screening is The Miracle Worker, the amazing true story of Helen Keller, deaf, dumb and blind, who went on to huge accomplishments and world renown; the film features stunning performances by Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke.

Exhibition of photographs by Barry Ainsworth at La Halle aux Grains, La Rochefoucauld 31st August to 6th September

For over twenty-five years Sinfonia has established itself as an unmissable event for lovers of Baroque music, with an ever-changing line-up designed to offer audiences a week of unforgettable experiences. Concerts take place from 26th August to 2nd September against the backdrop of Périgord’s most beautiful locations. Abbeys, churches, theatres all become places of discovery and exchange between audiences and artists.

For more information visit: www.sinfonia-en-perigord.com

The old factory at Saint-Florent, La Rochefoucauld, is scheduled for redevelopment. It is an enormous facility divided mainly into two multi-storied buildings, and is situated in an ancient part of the town along one bank of the River Tardoire. Sadly business declined and eventually the older buildings became deserted. It is the neglected state of these structures that interested me, as I hope is evident from the photographs.

Dordogne beauty spot unique visit Frequently in the news as the place where centuries of culture and the 21st century try to harmonise, Beynac’s unique attractions are on show throughout the month of August.

The Office de Tourisme in Beynac et Cazenac is providing a guided tour of this magnificent, ancient bourg every Thursday. Starting from the well-signposted tourist office itself, the 90-minute tour is scheduled at 10h30, before the Dordogne sunshine gets too hot. Visitors will see and have explained how this strategic medieval village earned its living and its key role in the Dordogne of the Middle Ages. The tour also offers a rare and exclusive chance to see inside the village church, normally closed to the public. Tickets cost €5, concessions are available.

More info from: 05 53 31 45 45 and www.sarlat-tourisme.com

The Autumn Phoenix Book Fair on Saturday 23rd September ...will again be held in Campsegret (24140) with over 20,000 English and French fiction and non-fiction books (all sorted by category and in excellent/good condition), 3,000 DVDs/CDs and many lovely greetings cards for Christmas.

So come and stock up on your winter reading/listening, and presents and cards for your family and friends! The famous Catering Ladies will spoil you with a wonderful offer of home-made savouries and sweets. Come for the day and bring the family with you!

Everything’s from one euro and up! And who knows, you might meet your next furry friend for life!

All the proceeds from the Book Fair will go to the Phoenix Association to continue their work in saving, caring for and rehoming abandoned, abused and unwanted animals.

The doors will open at 9.30 am (9 am for people with limited mobility) and close at 3 pm.

Entrance and parking are free. Donations of books, cakes, DVDs, CDs, unwanted gifts for the bric-a-brac, unwanted animal items, etc. are very welcome on the day!!

For further information go to www.phoenixasso.com

Fête du Cinéma en Plein Air en Dordogne Ciné-Passion has a programme of mobile open-air cinema for the summer season with movie teams visiting a score of venues across the department.

What better way to spend a hot summer’s night?!

For programme and venue details visit

www.cine-passion24.com

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