The Bugle - December 2022

Although the government has said that temporary power cuts are unlikely, plans are already in place for rolling blackouts should demand outstrip supply.

As the first sub-zero temperatures hit the country in early December, France was facing the very real prospect of rolling power cuts in a bid to save energy. The government has insisted that power cuts remain unlikely this winter, but despite these assurances, an emergency plan has been put in place should energy supplies fail to satisfy demand and prefectures have been asked to prepare for the worst.

President Macron has urged the public “not to panic”, whilst admitting that outages are “a real possibility” for as much as 60% of the country. The remaining 40% live in areas containing essential infrastructure such as hospitals and police stations which have been designated as priority zones. Were there to be rolling blackouts, rural areas such as the Dordogne and former Limousin region will almost certainly be affected. Any cuts would be most likely to occur in January.

Some details of the emergency planning have been released and any power cuts would be brief and signalled days in advance. Key points include:

•

power cuts to two hours

• Staggering cuts across the country

• No household to be affected twice in a row

• Giving at least one day’s notice

• Not cutting off an entire department at the same time

Language tests for residency cards

New

Christmas strike chaos

Travellers to and from the UK are preparing for serious disruption at British borders due to widespread strike action >> Page 12

s I wrote this introduction last month, the opening games of the World Cup were fast approaching and I was questioning whether I would get as “into” the tournament as I have in the past. Well, I can report that it did, or course, suck me in and make me believe that maybe, just maybe, this would be the year that football came home for England fans. So here I am, a few short weeks later with that familiar brand of disappointment that can only follow such high, unrealistic hope.

Although, this time it is a slightly different flavour of disappointment, one which took me a while to pin down. I was born in the late 1970s and the first major tournament I remember was Mexico '86 and England's exit to Maradona's famous Hand of God. With no frame of reference, I was just plain old gutted.

I think it would be fair to say that the next 30 years or so

Awas a repeating cycle of overconfidence and never-ending references to the “Spirit of 66” in the build-up, before losing to the first half decent team we came up against. I remember, time after time, believing that this time we could actually win a major tournament, before then looking back after the inevitable defeat and wondering what had given me that confidence in the first place.

We always had a decent enough team, but I can't now honestly say that we would have been anyone's favourites to “go deep into the tournament” as pundits like to say. Was I gaslit by the English press? Was it because we had won it once and so assumed we would win it again? Or was it the enthusiasm of Skinner and Baddiel setting me up for another fall? As an aside, I bet they can't wait for England to break the curse and release them from the Sisyphean task of re-recording Three Lions every few years.

Our major tournament exits always came with a whimper,

rolling over against a better side and creating that unique feeling of disappointment created by unrealistic hopes being dashed against the rocks. This time was different. Sure, a quarter final exit was familiarly disappointing, but that England team was objectively one of the best at the tournament and for me, our exit against France can be filed under “it just wasn't our day”. Rather than “failing to turn up” or “crumbling under the pressure”, we were the better team for large parts of the game and probably did enough to win. That same game, played that way ten times, England would have won six or seven times.

It just wasn't our day. And that has generated a flavour of disappointment that is somehow easier to swallow. No one let anyone down, we didn't flatter to deceive, and we didn't wilt under the pressure. It just wasn't our day and on that night in Qatar the football gods simply smiled on Les Bleus

From the few Wales fans I have spoken to, their experience was quite different. It was a shame that they did not play to their undoubted potential, but simply getting to the World Cup was a massive achievement given where the team was a decade or so ago. Everything else was just gravy.

I will be cheering for France for the rest of the tournament,

which I can now do without the fear of further disappointment. I would love to see them win, but I'm not emotionally invested so it's a bit of a free pass.

When the World Cup does end, it will be full on Christmas in Bugle Towers, with the kids breaking up unusually early this year. They are now at the perfect age and we are in the middle of a Golden Age of Christmases; my eldest is 13 and my youngest 8. Their excitement is genuine and since they have become increasingly interested in food, so is mine.

Of course it is still about the presents, but I now have supporters when I explain to my wife why we do need all the trimmings... and I mean ALL of them. I've even managed to create a “tradition” of having a full-English breakfast in the

morning. I managed to source some black pudding last year, although to be fair that did not go down as well as I had hoped.

I topped out at 6 hours in the kitchen last Christmas, a record I am hoping to beat this time around. That may sound like a nightmare to some, but for me, pottering around my kitchen making sarcastic amounts of food while the kids play... perfect!

I hope your Christmas will be as fun as I am planning mine to be, however you choose to celebrate.

Steve Martindale, Editor

Until next month!

Language tests for new arrivals

New arrivals to France may soon have to pass a language test in order to be issued a long-term carte de séjour . The changes are part of an immigration bill that is going before parliament in the New Year, which is likely to find significant support from the right-wing opposition parties who have long campaigned for greater curbs on immigration.

“We want to make multi-year titres de séjour conditional on passing a French language test,” explained Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin. “A quarter of foreigners with titres de séjour speak and understand French very poorly.”

Under the Withdrawal Agreement, British tourists and second home owners can spend 90 days in any rolling 180-day period in France without the need for a visa or, alternatively, apply for a one-year long-stay visa. Anyone wishing to settle in France permanently, however, must apply for a carte de séjour . which is usually issued for one or five years, depending on the status of the applicant. When this expires, you will usually need to apply for a long-term residency permit, or carte de séjour pluriannuelle

The language requirements being attached to these various types of residency permits are not as strict as those that already apply to applications for French citizenship. The shortest permits will require A1 French, the lowest of the six levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). A1 speakers are expected to be able to “understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases” and “interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly”.

“Integrating means living among people from that country, and interacting with them,” said Nicole Devel-Laigle, president of EuroMayenne, an association that helps foreigners in western France to integrate. “This will be more difficult without speaking the language. People will be fine if they use French a bit when

going shopping, or speaking to their neighbours. If they do nothing, I think they will need a few classes.”

Those who do not already have an A1 level of French must agree to take lessons while in France before taking a test and Darmanin warned there could be consequences for those that did not make an effort. “If they do not succeed, we will take away their titre de séjour and they will have to leave,” the minister explained.

Applicants for long-term residency permits will now need A2 level French and be able to “describe in simple terms aspects of their background and immediate environment” as well as being able to “understand sentences and frequently used expressions relating to very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography and employment”.

Those wishing to take French nationality already need to pass a test displaying B2 level language abilities and this will not change. ■

Tour de France to finish outside Paris for first time

The 2024 Tour de France will finish outside Paris for the first time in the race's 121-year history. The peloton will instead settle the battle for the yellow jersey on the streets of Nice on the Mediterranean coast. The move is largely due to the Summer Olympics which is due to start just days after the Tour finishes.

The last stage will also be an individual time trial rather than the usual ceremonial outing for the leaders, meaning the race could be decided in the finale. The last occasion on which a time trial closed a Tour de France was in 1989. The American Greg LeMond stripped Laurent Fignon of his yellow jersey for eight seconds and won his second Tour by the narrowest margin in history.

“Nice is a city that shines, it's known around the world,” Tour director Christian Prudhomme said.

“There is the beauty of the setting and the mountains nearby. The city offers an exceptional setting and a great course.” ■

France prepares for blackouts

The government has said that the emergency plan is based around a principle of “no surprises” and any outages will be advertised days in advance. To check the current status of the country's power network, as well as forecast for the coming days, households are being urged to use the EcoWatt website – www.monecowatt.fr - or use the app. If a day is designated as “red”, power cuts are likely and individuals can check if their specific address will be affected on the website of electricity network manager Enedis by 17:00 the night before.

Europe’s gas storage was at almost 90% full in the run-up to winter after concerted efforts following the disruption of Russian supplies. A series of nuclear outages, especially in France, have increased nervousness

among European leaders as demand looks set to surge in the coming months. Around half of France's nuclear reactors are currently out of action; some are undergoing routine maintenance, but a number have also been offline for longer than expected due to unexpectedly high levels of

corrosion.

France is one of the most nucleardependent countries in the world and typically generates more than 70% of its electricity from its fleet of 56 reactors, as well as providing about 15% of Europe’s total power through exports. ■

Motorway speeds to stay at 130

km/h

P rime Minister Élisabeth Borne has confirmed that the government has ruled out plans to reduce the speed on the country's motorways from 130 km/h to 110 km/h. “Imposing this on people in France is not the right way,” the Prime Minister said in an interview with BFMTV. “There are people who need to travel on motorways and who may have time constraints. It is important to inform people about the savings that can be made by driving at a slower speed, about the interest that this can have in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but we cannot operate by means of bans.”

Supporters of the changes have been keen to point out that reducing your speed by 20km/h can reduce fuel consumption by as much as 20%, saving motorists money and cutting CO2 emissions.

The speed reduction was initially suggested by a Citizens' Convention on Climate - a citizens' assembly tasked with finding ways to reduce the country's carbon emissions – but was rejected as being too unpopular. Government officials have previously said that while they are behind the speed reduction in principle, it would need significant public support.

Ministers will be keen to avoid the problems that arose the last time national speed limits were changed. In 2018, the speed limit on national roads was reduced from 90 km/h to 80 km/h, which was a major factor in the gilets jaunes uprising that crippled the country. ■

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Pair on trial for manslaughter after hunter death

hunter who killed a man chopping wood on his own land has gone on trial accused of manslaughter, in the latest seemingly avoidable tragedy. Morgan Keane, born in France to British and French parents, was hit in the chest two years ago as he was cutting wood outside his home in a village north of Toulouse. Julien Féral had obtained his hunting licence only six months before the tragedy and admitted he did not know the area. Laurent Lapergue, 51, who organised the hunt, is also on trial for manslaughter.

The case follows a string of hunting accidents that have led to increasing calls for restrictions on when and where la chasse can operate and has also fuelled anger over the perceived impunity of France’s powerful hunting lobby. Morgan Keane's death sparked a social media campaign, resulting in a 140page parliamentary report inquiry that recommended, among other safety measures, banning hunters from drinking, but rejected activists’ calls to outlaw hunting on Sundays and Wednesdays when many children have no school.

According to court documents, Keane, 25, was chopping wood on his private land when Féral, “believing he was shooting at a boar”, fatally hit him from a distance of 75

metres with a Remington pump-action rifle. Féral, who had a valid gun permit and a recent hunting licence, told police he had joined the hunt with his brother-in-law but was not familiar with the area or which parts of it were private. He said he was standing in a field where he saw “no car, no habitation, no person”. He claimed he then heard a cracking sound and spotted a boar, which turned and ran into the wood. When he spotted movement nearby, he said he shot again assuming it was the boar, fatally hitting Keane in the chest.

“He spent 15 minutes dying. The autopsy report makes for hard reading. The enormous bullet pierced his lungs and heart and he drowned in his blood. That’s the reality. For 15 minutes he was crying out,” explained a lawyer for the victim's brother, Rowan Keane, reducing members of the jury to tears. “Morgan’s life ended in the forest where he went to cut wood. But the story didn’t start there: for several years, Morgan’s father had politely asked hunters to go elsewhere to shoot. He was a foreigner and at the same time not a hunter, and the hunting world is quite ferocious. If you are not a hunter it means you are against hunting. Morgan and Rowan’s father asked the hunt to go further away, but they came back, bigger and better time and time again. Why

didn’t they go to the valley where there are kilometres to hunt?”

Co-defendant Lapergue said Féral should not have been shooting from where he was and with a high hedge in front of him. “I repeated the rules as required but not everyone always listens,” he said, adding that the hunt was “perfectly controlled... but perhaps not 100%. To me this was impossible. You couldn’t see more than three metres.”

“And yet a shot was fired,” replied the judge, to silence in the court.

“It was a hunting accident, but this hearing is putting hunting in general on trial,” argued Charles Lagier, a lawyer for the Lot hunting federation, adding there had been no negligence by hunters. “The pain of the family and friends is shared by the hunting community. It is not true that hunters can do what they want with impunity.”

Prosecutors have called for Féral to be given a two-year sentence with 18 months suspended and Lapergue an 18-month sentence, 12 months suspended, adding that both men should be banned from hunting for life and stopped from owning a weapon for five years. “Society will not understand for a single second that these two could continue to hunt.”

The verdict is expected on January 12. ■

French baguette recognised by UNESCO

ans of the humble baguette are celebrating news that the traditional “French stick” has been officially recognised by UNESCO. At a meeting in Morocco, UNESCO delegates chose the baguette among the 56 “human treasures” being considered for the organisation's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The crusty loaf beat off challenges from the traditional zinc roofs of Paris and an annual wine festival in the Jura to be France's submission to the global list, which contains around 600 cultural gems. On hearing the news, President Macron, who has long advocated its inclusion, described baguettes as “250 grams of magic and perfection”.

For many, the traditional baguette is synonymous with France and while consumption has dropped in recent decades, the country still chomps its way through six billion annually – the equivalent of half a 250g baguette per person per day. While this is a significant amount of carbohydrate, at the turn of the 20th century the average French person would eat three entire baguettes each day!

It is not the bread itself which is being recognised, but rather the “artisanal know-how and

culture of baguette bread”, which UNESCO chief Audrey Asoulay said “celebrates the French way of life”, adding: “The baguette is a daily ritual, a structuring element of the meal, synonymous with sharing and conviviality. It is important that these skills and social habits continue to exist in the future.”

Consumption of baguettes has dropped significantly in recent years, as has the number of artisanal bakeries producing authentic versions of them. Many diners have swapped their lunchtime sandwich for a burger – the American import recently overtook the traditional baguette jambon beurre as the country's most eaten sandwich – and village boulangeries are slowly being replaced by industrial bakeries and out-oftown supermarkets.

Despite this, the baguette remains key to national identity, a symbol of French culture recognised around the world and more than just bread. “This is a recognition for the community of artisanal bakers and patisserie chefs,” said Dominique Anract, president of the bakeries federation. “The baguette is flour, water, salt and yeast... and the savoir-faire of the artisan.”

The exact origins of the hum-

ble baguette are not known for sure. Some believe that the distinct shape was introduced by Napoleon Bonaparte who wanted a loaf that his soldiers could easily carry, others that its form was designed to allow workers to tear and share the bread without needing a knife. Others credit the popularisation of steam ovens by Austrian baker August Zang for giving it a crusty exterior and soft, spongy centre.

Whatever the origins, the name, shape and weight of a

baguette were finally formalised in 1920. Due to its shape, the long, narrow loaves do not stay fresh for long, and at the time they were more commonly eaten by high society. “Initially, the baguette was considered a luxury product. The working class ate rustic bread that kept better,” said Loic Bienassis, of the European Institute of Food History and Cultures, who helped prepare the UNESCO dossier. “Then consumption became widespread and the countryside was won over

by baguettes in the 1960s and 1970s.”

The 2003 Intangible Cultural Heritage convention has been signed by 180 countries, although the UK is not among these. This may partly explain why uniquely British rituals such as morris dancing, teadrinking and cheese rolling are yet to enjoy UNESCO recognition. Other cultural elements joining the list this year include Tunisian harissa, Azerbaijani and Turkish tea traditions and Cuban white rum. ■

A cleaner future today

Eymet company planning first panto Fresque de Bridiers celebrates Olympics

We recently moved to live in the Eymet area of Dordogne after more than 35 years working in musical theatre and drama, mostly on Anglesey in North Wales where I ran the local theatre. Putting on performances that appeal to the whole family has always been a passion of mine so once we got settled here it wasn’t long before my theatrical fingers began to twitch and I decided to form a new performing group.

Our brand new company is called Théâtre Musical d’Eymet and we will be staging Cinderella on 12th, 13th & 14th January 2023 at the Espace Culturel in Eymet, Dordogne. I’m really excited about introducing our French friends and neighbours to a traditional British PANTOMIME, ‘Oh yes I am!’

This will be the first pantomime our new group has performed and we hope it will be the first of many. The Espace Culturel in Eymet has a proud history of staging French and British performances so we are really helping to continue that tradition. This promises to provide great fun and entertainment for all our audiences and a great

For more than 10 years, the Tour de Bridiers has been lit up every summer for a huge sound and light spectacle known as the Fresque de Bridiers. The festivities attract 500 volunteers who create the costumes and backdrops as well as performing in the show itself.

Organisers have recently revealed that next August, the theme will be the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. The event has already caught the eye of the Olympic organisers who have now included the Fresque de Bridiers in the “cultural Olympiad” taking place across the country in the run-up to the Games.

Whilst not all details have been made public, the 2023 show will follow the story of a fictitious Creusois cyclist who participates in the 1924 Games. His tale is inspired by the real-life achievements of Joseph Guillemot, a local athlete from Le Dorat in Haute-Vienne whose lungs were damaged by mustard gas while fighting in World War I, but who would go on to win the 5,000 metres gold at the 1920 Olympics. ■

start to 2023! What better way to spend time than to escape to the magical world of Panto-land! So come along on the journey with us and feel free to Shout, Laugh, Boo and Cheer along the way as our fairy story CINDERELLA un-

folds and of course,ß we can all look forward to a very happy ending!

Carol OPENSHAW President Théâtre Musical d’Eymet Reservations: theatremusicaldeymet@gmail.com

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France ban on internal short-haul flights

The European Union has given the green light to French plans to ban short-haul flights where reliable train connections exist. The changes are one of the proposals put forward by a Citizens' Convention on Climate - a citizens' assembly tasked with finding ways to reduce the country's carbon emissions – that were eventually included as part of the 2021 Climate Law.

The new law, which could now come into force in the next few months, bans internal flights between cities where there is a reliable rail journey of less than two-and-a-half hours. The conditions approved by the EU are somewhat more restrictive than those initially put forward by the French government, with “reliable” now meaning several, fast return journeys every day.

The result is that only three routes will initially be lost: between Paris-Orly and Bordeaux, Nantes and Lyon. Routes between Paris Charles de Gaulle and Lyon and Rennes, and between Lyon and Marseille, will also be cut if local rail services improve.

“This is a major step forward and I am proud that France is a pioneer in this area,” France’s Transport Minister Clément Beaune said in a statement. “The French ban on short-haul flights where quick train connections exist is a baby step, but it’s one in the

right direction,” said Thomas Gelin, Greenpeace’s EU climate campaigner, while also stressing that the country has to do much more to decarbonise transport. Supporters also hope to extend the ban to private jets in the future.

Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport has estimated that

the end of the Paris-Orly route could result in a 16% drop in turnover, affecting the region’s economy. Supporters of the new rules argue that these are not lost journeys, but simply coming via a different route, meaning that there should be no overall negative impact to the local economy. ■

William the Conqueror's boat to be rebuilt

Almost one thousand years ago, William, Duke of Normandy, boarded a ship and set sail across the Channel in an attempt to conquer England. What followed is a story that most school children in the UK can recount to this day: the English King Harold met the invaders at Hastings, where he was shot in the eye, the English forces were beaten by the Norman army, and William earned his more famous epithet William the Conqueror.

Now, with the millennium anniversary of the event fast approaching, a historical society on France’s Normandy coast is attempting to recreate William's ship La Mora, the largest and fastest of the 700 ships that carried the Norman army across the Channel that day in 1066. The €13m project aims to create a replica of the 34-metre-long, 5-metre-wide ship, which carried 70 crew including the oarsmen.

The team do not have much to go on. No original plans and few details of the actual ship survive, and aside from some basic information, the project will take most of its inspiration from the Bayeux tapestry. On the famous tapestry, La Mora is depicted as a Viking-style longship carrying striped red and gold sails, with the gilded statue of a child pointing to England on its stern and the head of a lion, the symbol of royal power, at its prow.

“We have the Bayeux tapestry and a plan of La Mora’s sister ship, as well as similar ships that are represented in museums in Denmark and Norway, where these kind of craft were originally built,” said Olivier Pagezy, president of the La Mora project. “Our architect is confident we can reproduce the ship as authentically as possible.”

The project is a first in France, but the team have been in close contact with the Roskilde Museum in Denmark, which has created replicas of a number of 11th-century ships using techniques based on the discovery of ancient wrecks in 1962. The final design is that of a narrow and shallow Viking-type warship, powered by oar and a 150-square metre sail.

This made La Mora fast. So fast, in fact, that legend has it William was forced to stop half way across the Channel and take breakfast, allowing his remaining fleet of 7,000 men and 2,000 horses to catch up.

As with other projects to recreate objects from the past, such as the medieval castle being built at Guédelon in Burgundy, artisans will only be using skills and tools available at the time. “Marine carpenters will have to relearn these techniques that are no longer used today,” said naval architect Marc Ronet. “The way they cut the wood, planed the boards and assembled the pieces is linked to the tools of the 11th century. The carpenters of the time used green wood, which was easier to bend. After felling the oaks, they split them with wedges and sledgehammers, and then cut the boards to make the planks. The point of

splitting the wood is to let it run its own course: in the end, the planks are stronger and thinner, and the boats are lighter.”

The first phase of the project will see the construction of a visitor centre on the site at Honfleur on the Normandy coast. During phase two, the paying public can learn about the history of the Norman invasion and watch the actual ship being built. It is hoped that the finished vessel will take to the water in 2027, the year of William the Conqueror's birth.

“There are descendants of William’s army on both sides of the Channel, and the goal is to create something that is Franco-British. The object is not to play up the French invasion or be in any way triumphant. We want this to be a symbol of Franco-British friendship, something that in the wake of Brexit can reunite our two countries.” ■

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Many people's Christmas plans have been thrown into chaos by the threat of strikes on both sides of the Channel. The most significant disruption is expected at six major airports where Border Force staff have announced industrial action. The workers, represented by the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, are set to strike for eight days between December 23 and New Year’s Eve at Manchester, Cardiff, Birmingham, Gatwick, Heathrow and Glasgow airports, as well as the Port of Newhaven.

UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman has said that people expecting to travel to and from the six British airports will face “undeniable, serious disruption,” and should rethink their travel arrangements. The UK is pressing ahead with plans to bring in members of the armed forces to cover striking border guards.

The action will likely delay security checks, causing lengthy

queues and knock-on disruption, with Heathrow expected to be the worst hit. Workers at other British ports such as Dover, Plymouth and Portsmouth have not said if they will be taking part in the strikes. Neither have staff at the Channel Tunnel terminal in Folkestone and at the Eurostar terminal at Gare du Nord in Paris.

“We, like nurses and teachers and paramedics and other people in the public sector, have no option but to take industrial action because our members currently are skipping meals, not being able to put the heating on at home because of the poverty they are living in,” said PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka, who added that the action was “designed to be escalated” if the government did not meet the union’s demands. “Like so many workers, our members are struggling with the cost of living crisis. They are desperate. They are being told there is no money for them, while they watch ministers

giving out government contracts worth billions of pounds to their mates. Some sections of the media have accused us of playing politics with these strikes. Let me be clear: our dispute is with the employer. We will fight to improve our members’ pay, terms and conditions regardless of who is in Downing Street.”

There were fears of even greater disruption in France when EasyJet cabin crew announced that they would also be performing strikes over the Christmas period. This action has now been cancelled after a deal was struck with the union representing them. “The company has accepted our demands: a

7.5% increase to the basic salary and 3.5% to performance-based additions. And a €3,000 PPV (prime de partage de la valeur) bonus,” the Syndicat National du Personnel Navigant Commercial (SNPNC) union said. “For us this is a good deal so we won't call for a strike this time around.” ■

Paris overtakes London as Europe's largest stock market Record-setting goldfish caught in French lake

The Paris stock exchange hit a historic milestone recently when the dollar value of its shares exceeded those of London's FTSE for the first time since records began. In November, the value of the Paris exchange hit $2,823 billion, while that of London was $2,821 billion. By comparison, in June 2014, the value of the London stock exchange hit $4,000 billion compared to the $2,234 billion of Paris.

The reversal in fortunes is due in part to modest gains by French companies, most notably from the luxury goods market, which has seen a bounce-back in demand from China. Shares in LVMH, which owns fashion brand Louis Vuitton and Champagne house Moët Hennessy, have surged 22% in the last six months, while luxury design house Hermès is up 37%.

The other significant factor in the dramatic reversal is the effect of Brexit on the British economy and the relative dollar exchange rates: the value of the pound slumped against the dollar in the wake of the disastrous Truss/Kwarteng minibudget. The value of the euro has also dropped against the dollar in recent years, but it has fallen less sharply than sterling.

“London's loss of the top spot by stock market valuation to Paris will be seen as a blow to the City's prestige,” Russ Mould from AJ Bell investors explained. “Since the Brexit vote in June 2016, Paris' CAC-40 index is up 47% and London's FTSE 100 has advanced by just 16% - but the gap is not down to Brexit alone. The London market is more heavily exposed to unpredictable sectors such as mining and petrochemicals.”

Since Britain officially left the EU in 2021, the UK has also lost its European crown for the value of share trading. In 2020, almost 15 billion euros of shares were traded daily in London, far above second placed Frankfurt with less than 5 billion. In 2021, when the transition period expired and the withdrawal agreement began, much of this trade activity moved to Amsterdam which saw 8.97 billion euros per day on average last year, ahead of London's 8.32 billion. The Dutch financial hub has remained the largest trading centre in 2022, with Paris and Frankfurt not far behind. ■

© Jason Cowler

n amateur angler has landed one of the world's largest goldfish at a lake near Champagne. Far removed from the little fish children take home from the fair, this 30 kilogram giant would not fit in many people's front room.

Kidderminster native Andy Hackett spent 25 minutes hauling in the monster fish, known as “The Carrot” due to her distinct colour, at Bluewater Lakes in northern France. “We put The Carrot in about 20 years ago as something different for the customers to fish,” said fishery manager Jason Cowler. “Since then it has grown and grown but it doesn’t often come out. She is very elusive.”

The giant goldfish is actually a hybrid species of a leather carp and koi carp, and is thought to be the second largest of its type ever caught. “I always knew The Carrot was in there but never thought I would catch it,” the lucky angler explained. “I knew it was a big fish when it took my bait and went off side to side and up and down with it. Then it came to the surface 30 or 40 yards out and I saw that it was orange. It was brilliant to catch it... but it was also sheer luck.”

After posing for the traditional photo, The Carrot was put back into the water and swam off to hopefully grow even larger, giving future anglers the promise of another record-breaking catch. ■

With Christmas fast approaching, plenty of us will be preparing to host visitors, or travelling to the UK to see family and friends. The family pet will often come along for the ride, but, especially as many of us may not have travelled since the pandemic, it is important to remember that the rules have changed significantly post-Brexit.

When the UK officially left the EU in 2021, Britain lost access to the EU Pet Passport scheme. Under the previous rules, British Pet Passports issued under the scheme were valid across the bloc and made travel relatively straightforward, but this is no longer the case. EUissued pet passports, however, are valid for travel within the EU as well as to and from the UK. There is one exception: if your pet passport was issued in Northern Ireland, it is still valid for travel to other EU countries.

If you have a pet passport issued in England, Wales and Scotland, it is no longer valid when crossing into France, or any other EU country. In this case, you will be required to provide:

• Proof that your dog is microchipped

Proof that your dog has a valid rabies vaccination, issued more than 21 days prior to travel.

• An “animal health certificate”. (You can add up to 5 pets to an animal

health certificate.)

This last document replaces the pet passport and must be issued by an “Official Veterinarian” (OV) no more than 10 days before travel. When you visit your vet, you’ll need to take proof of your pet’s microchipping date and vaccination history. Your pet’s animal health certificate will be valid after the date of issue for:

10 days for entry into the EU or Northern Ireland

• 4 months for onward travel within the EU

• 4 months for re-entry to Great Britain

If you remain in the EU for more than four months, you will need to get a new animal health certificate, issued by an OV in France before returning to the UK. As has always been the case, you must also have your dog treated for tapeworm no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours (5 days) before you return to Great Britain.

Furthermore, your pet will need a new animal health certificate for each trip to an EU country or Northern Ireland from Great Britain, a rule that has proved particularly restrictive for owners of guide dogs. “Before Brexit, we could come in freely. Since then, they’ve cast us out

like a Third World country,” said David Adams, honorary president of the European Guide Dog Federation (EGDF), speaking to Connexion. “The certificate takes several hours to prepare and can cost up to £250. You can only apply 10 days before you leave. When a friend in Paris died, with the funeral a week later, there was no way I could get the certificate in time. Then it only lasts one trip once you’ve returned. I used to sometimes do three trips a month, now that’s impossible.”

For permanent residents, the solution is to apply for a French pet passport which allows you to travel with your pet all across the EU as well as to and from the UK. Another solution for second home owners that has gained some traction online is to apply for a Frenchissued pet passport while you are at your second home. This is a slightly murky issue as while there are reports online of this being possible, you may be refused if you are not French resident and the exact rules are currently unclear. ■

Ian Scott English Hairdresser

France has announced that it will make condoms free for everyone under the age of 25 in a bid to reverse a recent rise in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among young people. The move had initially been thought to be targeted at those aged between 18 and 25, but announcing the move, President Macron confirmed that the scheme would also include minors, describing it as “a small revolution in contraception”.

Condoms are already reimbursed by the French healthcare system, but only when prescribed by a doctor or midwife. They are also available for free from school infirmaries, but a recent survey showed fewer than one third of under25s were aware of this.

STIs such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea are on the rise among young people, particularly among men aged 15 to 29, with a 45 per cent increase between 2017 and 2019, according to national data. In 2021, the number of new HIV diagnoses remained largely unchanged at around 5,000. Macron has previously

set a goal of “zero new HIV infections” in France by 2030 and the elimination of STIs as “a major public health problem”.

After initially announcing that condoms would be made available to those over 18, the president was challenged on social media by a number of media outlets as to why minors were not also included. Replying in a selfie video on Twitter, the president said “A lot of minors also have sex... they need to protect themselves too. Let's do it.”

Other changes being introduced include free emergency contraception –the morning after pill – for all women and free STI tests, excluding HIV, for those under the age of 26. Both are available at pharmacies and without prescriptions.

The recent changes come after the government expanded free birth control for women under 26 from the start of 2022, a scheme that previously was only available to under-18s. At the time, the government said that no woman should stop taking birth control because they could not afford it. ■

Chocolate Cookies

by Julia Watson

When my sister and I were small, my mother regularly baked vanilla and chocolate cookies. They were crumbly yet crisp, like the best of shortbread but much lighter and as buttery. While they were cooking, the house would fill with the warm scent of vanilla and the velvet scent of chocolate.

I didn’t really give them much thought until I opened up one of Nigella Lawson’s cookbooks and found a recipe for them called Granny Boyd's Biscuits. No, they’re not! I objected, they’re not Granny Boyd’s, whoever that is. They’re my mother’s! Besides, her ‘Granny Boyd’ recipe only called for the chocolate variety, whereas my mother would split the dough into two, adding chocolate to one half and vanilla only to the other.

It turns out Granny Boyd is the grandmother of Nigella’s editor. All writers know one must treat an editor with delicacy and respect and accept whatever they say. I’m guessing that this was a biscuit recipe ‘of the day’, possibly even found on the back of a cocoa tin or a flour packet, and could just as easily be called ‘Granny Watson’s biscuits’.

At any time of year, they’re a useful biscuit to have around. They store well without losing their crispness - if you can keep them that long. They're perfect to pass around with a fruit compote both in winter and summer to make it just that bit more special, or to stick into a boule of ice cream. But at Christmas is when they come into their own. They make delicious presents, wrapped in baking parchment and tied with a ribbon if you don’t have a pretty tin to give away. If you are in possession

of small children or visiting grandchildren, they’re a perfect recipe to get them to make - quick and easy and leaving a bowl that’s delicious for swiping a finger round to lick off any left-over dough.

Nigella only provides a recipe for the chocolate version. Her editor doesn’t seem familiar with the possibility of making a vanilla variety. The only quibble I have is that Nigella and her editor don’t add enough cocoa powder. They suggest 30 grams. My mother went for more, so I always use 50g. If you’re going to make vanilla-flavoured biscuits as well as chocolate ones, hold back the cocoa powder (reducing the amount to 25 grams) and add it only after you’ve reached the point where you can split the dough in two. Then add the cocoa to one half and a teaspoonful of vanilla extract (not the ubiquitous French supermarket arôme de vanille which should be banned for its ersatz flavour) to the other. I would add the vanilla extract anyway to all the dough base including the cocoa version for extra depth of flavour.

She also recommends a secondary baking time of 10-15 minutes, whereas I go for 20 minutes. Oven temperatures do vary, so check at 15 minutes that the biscuits feel crisp to the touch. If still spongey, keep them in a further 5. They will firm up as they cool.

The amount the dough makes means you’ll need to bake them in two batches, unless you own two baking sheets. ■

Julia Watson has been a long-time Food Writer for newspapers and magazines in the US and the UK. She writes 'Tabled', a weekly food blog at juliawatson.substack. com

Ingredients

(To make 30-35 biscuits)

300g self-raising flour

50g cocoa powder and/or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (my addition)

250g unsalted butter (room temperature)

125g caster sugar

Preheat the oven to 190°C. Sift together the flour and cocoa powder into a mixing bowl and set aside. Cream together the butter and sugar until light and pale in colour (you can use a wooden spoon but it’s easier and quicker with an electric hand whisk).

Mix in the sifted flour and cocoa – the mixture might look as if it needs liquid to bring it together, but it really doesn’t. Keep working in the ingredients and it will form a dough.

Damp your hands and spoon walnut-sized balls of dough into them. Roll the dough between your palms and, spacing them well apart because they will spread, arrange them on the baking sheets. Gently flatten each ball a little to mark it with the tines of a fork.

Bake the biscuits in the preheated oven for 5 minutes, then turn the temperature down to 170°C for a further 15-20 minutes. The biscuits should feel firm on top but not hard.

Remove from the oven and transfer to cool completely on a wire rack, before storing in an airtight container.

From Saint Nicholas to Father Christmas - the history of Santa

In looking for the historical roots of Santa Claus and Father Christmas, we must travel far back into the past. The modern incarnation of the benevolent Christmas-time present-giver is a combination of many different legends and mythical creatures.

In fact, although very similar, Father Christmas and Santa Claus developed independently of one another into two very different legends and only in recent years have they become increasingly interchangeable.

The basis for the modern day Father Christmas and Santa Claus lies in the story of Bishop Nicholas of Smyrna, a city located in what is now Turkey. Nicholas lived in the 4th century AD and was reputedly a very rich and generous man. There are a number of legends associated with Nicholas that resulted in his beatification (elevation to sainthood) and Saint Nicholas is remembered and revered among Catholic and Orthodox Christians.

One grisly legend (skip this paragraph if you are squeamish!) describes how a famine struck an island and an evil butcher tricked three young children into his shop where he butchered them and pickled them in a barrel, planning to sell them off as ham. Saint Nicholas was visiting the island at the time to help care for the hungry and saw through the butcher’s horrific crime. Using the power of prayer, Saint Nicholas is then believed to have resurrected the three boys from the barrel, a miracle that has contributed to his image as a lover of children.

The most famous legend associated with Saint Nicholas involved a poor man with three daughters. Not having enough money, the man could not afford the dowries that would be required to marry his daughters off. The daughters were set to remain unmarried and condemned to work in the local brothel. Upon hearing of their plight, Saint Nicholas visited the man’s house under cover of darkness and, wishing to remain anonymous, threw three pouches filled with gold coins through the window - one dowry for each of the three daughters. Variations of this legend have Saint Nicholas visiting three separate times, as each daughter came of age, and on finding the window locked on one occasion, he is fabled to have dropped the pouch of coins down the chimney. This legend contributed to his image as a benevolent and secret gift-giver and is the basis for the modern traditions in which Father Christmas delivers presents down the chimney.

Based on the stories of his help for the poor, Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of, amongst other things, pawnbrokers; the three gold balls traditionally hung outside a pawnshop symbolize the three sacks of gold.

The Orthodox Church later raised Saint Nicholas, miracle worker, to a position of great esteem. It was in his honour that Russia’s oldest church, for example, was built. For its part, the Roman Catholic Church honoured Saint Nicholas as one who helped children and the poor and Saint Nicholas also became the patron saint of children.

Saint Nicholas died on 6th December 330 AD and this date has become his feast day. Across much of Europe, this is the occasion when children receive anonymous gifts and in many countries is a bigger day than Christmas Day for present giving.

The most prominent incarnation of Saint Nicholas in this giftgiving respect is the Sinterklaas of Holland and Belgium. In the days leading up to Sinterklaasavond (the evening of 5th December), children will leave a shoe in front of the fire containing a carrot or some

Le réveillon

straw for Sinterklaas’ horse. In return, the children will wake to find their shoes surrounded by presents.

Whilst Sinterklaas clearly derives from Saint Nicholas and his feast-day of 6th December, he differs from the earlier portrayals of Saint Nicholas in a number of ways, not least in his flying white horse. These differences are usually explained as a result of the legends of Saint Nicholas being fused in the medieval period in mainland Europe with those of the former pagan god Wodan, the Norse Odin, who did possess a flying horse.

Santa Claus

Sinterklaas was brought to New York in the 17th century by the Dutch settlers that founded New Amsterdam (later to become New York). Over the years, a more secular version of Saint Nicholas emerged: the day of celebration was moved to Christmas; the imagery changed and the reindeer replaced the horse. In general, the traditions became much less religious and more secular. This Dutch-American incarnation of Saint Nicholas achieved his fully Americanised form in the 1823 poem, A Visit From Saint Nicholas, by writer Clement Clarke Moore, a poem more commonly known as The Night Before Christmas. In this poem, the eight reindeer (presumably an evolution of the eight-legged horse ridden by the Norse god Odin) were given their names. Moore describes the saint not as a bishop in a red cape, as in Holland, but as a fat man dressed in fur, driving his reindeer sleigh. Illustrating Moore’s poem in the 1860s, Thomas Nast used the colloquial Dutch ‘Santa Claus’ rather than the formal ‘St Nicholas’ and dressed him in a belted jacket and furry cap.

This is the image of Santa Claus that has endured. Coca-Cola did use the image created by Nast in an advertising campaign in the 1930s, but the myth that Coca-Cola invented Santa Claus is not true. It is true, however, that the company cemented this modern image of him in the public’s mind.

Father Christmas

Although the names Father Christmas and Santa Claus are virtually interchangeable these days, Father Christmas has his roots elsewhere. Modern day Father Christmas first appeared in a 15th century carol as Sir Christmas. He was subsequently known and Old Christmas and Captain Christmas. The most significant difference is that he was a Yuletide, or Christmas, visitor and not a presentgiver. In the 19th century Father Christmas benefited from the general Victorian revival of Christmas traditions and famously made an appearance in Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’ as Christmas Present. From the late 1800s, as cultural exchanges with America increased, Father Christmas took on more and more of the characteristics of Santa Claus, both in terms of his actions (he adopted some reindeer and started giving gifts) and his appearance as a large, bearded man in a red suit.

Santa’s Helpers

In all the myths surrounding Sinterklaas, Santa Claus and Father Christmas, he always has his helpers. The Norse god Odin had two huge, black ravens that kept him informed of what was going on and

Epiphanie

The most important Christmas event in France is la Messe de minuit (midnight Mass) followed by the eating of a meal known as the réveillon de Noël (from the verb réveiller , to ‘wake up’ or ‘revive’). Although fewer and fewer French attend midnight Mass, it is still an important part of Christmas for many families. The réveillon represents a symbolic awakening to the meaning of Christ’s birth and is one of the most important meals of the year.

Traditionally the réveillon is a family affair and the meal is eaten immediately after midnight Mass at home or in a restaurant. The meal varies from region to region, but typically will involve seafood, followed by a cooked bird and the traditional bûche de Noël (Yule log). This cake is made from chocolate and chestnuts and represents the log burned from Christmas Eve until Epiphany in parts of France. The log-burning is itself based on an ancient pagan Gaul tradition of burning a log for the duration of the winter solstice.

Present giving

Adults

some say these form the basis of Santa’s helpers. Saint Nicholas is said to have liberated an Ethiopian boy named Peter from slavery and the boy was so grateful he decided to stay with Saint Nicholas as a helper. Another story has Saint Nicholas rescuing three Moorish boys from execution for a crime they didn’t commit. These stories almost certainly explain the origins of Sinterklaas’ helper, Zwarte Piet (Black Peter). He is represented as a boy with a blackened face, said to be due to the fact that he climbs down chimneys helping Sinterklaas. Zwarte Piet is understandably a controversial figure in these times due to the fact that he has his roots in slavery and has been described as a “racialised tradition”. Children will often ‘black up’ their faces to portray him, another custom which people are finding increasingly distasteful.

Historically, there was only ever one Zwarte Piet. Following the liberation of Holland in the Second World War, however, the Canadians were organising Sinterklaas celebrations in the newly liberated country and, not fully understanding the traditions, they decided that multiple Zwarte Piets would be more fun. This seemed to stick and these days Sinterklaas has one Zwarte Piet for each of his tasks, much like Santa’s elves.

There is also a darker side to the Christmas tradition. “He knows if you’ve been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake”. Zwarte Piet carries a sack that is full of sweets for the ‘good’ children, but also a bunch of willow branches that are supposedly used to beat the ‘bad’ children! If they have been especially bad, they will be put into the bag and taken back to Spain, where Sinterklaas spends the rest of the year!

In France this character is known as Père Fouettard and traditionally dispenses coal/ floggings to the naughty children while Saint Nicolas gives gifts to the well-behaved. ■

- 6th January

The final celebration of the festive season in France is Épiphanie (Epiphany) on the 6th January. The tradition on this day revolves around the eating of a special cake known as the galette des Rois (literally ‘cake of the kings’). A small figurine or fève is placed inside the cake. The cake is cut into pieces and distributed by a child, known as le petit roi , or l’enfant soleil

Whoever receives the piece of the cake with the gift inside is declared King or Queen for the day and gets to choose a partner.

Festive traditions

An important aspect of Christmas in France is the Nativité (Nativity) with its crèche (manger) and santons (figurines). The latter are often hand-made and passed down through the generations.

Mistletoe is hung above the door and is considered to bring for good fortune. Note that it does not have the ‘kissing’ connotations of other countries!

The sapin de Noël (Christmas tree) is not as important in France as, for example, in the UK, but it does still form part of the Christmas celebrations. Christmas trees are decorated a few days before Christmas and Père Noël will often leave sweets and treats on its branches in addition to the present in the children’s shoes.

Unique to Lyon is the Fête des Lumières (Festival of Lights), where every house in the city will place a candle in their windows, producing a spectacular effect. The celebration usually lasts four days, culminating on the 8th December.

Santa Claus as depicted in ‘A Night Before Christmas’

French children traditionally leave their shoes in front of the fireplace on la veille de Noël (Christmas Eve) before they go to bed. Père Noël (Father Christmas) visits them while they sleep and if they have been good leaves presents in and around the shoes.

In northern and eastern France, there is a parallel tradition which celebrates Saint Nicolas on December 6th (see the story of St Nicholas opposite for more details).

traditionally wait until le jour de l’ An (New Year’s Day) to exchange gifts, although, increasingly, families are exchanging gifts on Christmas Day.

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, builtin, 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, Solarventi 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!!

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For Dave Cardwell - Builder 05 55 98 24 12 See our Display Ad below Wooden shutter painting and restoration using the best quality paint. Located near Nontron 24 but we cover a large radius. Contact Marco or Jo on 06 62 81 43 22 or 07 84 13 28 21 mvlservice22@gmail.com S.M.C. SERVICES 3 tonne Excavator with Driver Hydraulic Breaker Based in Haute-Vienne (87130) e: snilloc62@hotmail.com t: 06 47 08 13 45 see main ad - pg 4

don’t like to repeat articles but with the continuous rise in inflation over the last 12 months, it’s difficult to ignore the effects that this has on our day-to-day living.

The latest inflation figures show that the UK is now running at 11.1% and is expected to stay high until at least mid 2023 and France is presently at 7.1%, much higher than we have been accustomed to over recent years.

We can all see the increase in the prices of goods, none more so than at the petrol pumps or reflected in our energy bills. There has also been an increase in both food and beverages, which is pushing up prices in our supermarkets and favourite restaurants. Inflation affects all of us one way or another and it’s an important factor for those that continue to hold their savings in cash deposits/premium bonds or fixed deposit accounts.

If your current rate of return isn’t at least matching current rates of inflation, then as we know, your money is in effect

devaluing even if you are not spending it. A simple calculation shows that €100,000 held in Euros in a bank account earning no interest could be worth closer to €91,100 by this time next year. Yes, it’s that serious!

The first chart above shows how in 2001 interest from a three-month deposit covered inflation. However, in 2021, with low interest rates and higher inflation, capital is eroding. The second chart shows a decline in the value of £100,000 over a 40-year period when inflation is a constant 2%. Imagine the impact now with inflation over 11%.

Back in 2021, the Bank of England initially indicated that it felt inflation was a short-term reaction to the opening up of the economy after the shutdowns caused by the pandemic. However, this rise in inflation is certainly not a short-term issue and not taking action can seriously devalue your wealth.

We are now seeing some reaction by central banks to raise rates to combat and

slow inflation, however, this will take time to take effect, meaning that funds held in cash will continue to devalue.

There are other options, including those for the risk-averse investor, where returns can significantly outperform cash returns and help offset the rise in inflation. A well-constructed, low-risk investment can still produce returns to at least offset some of the effects of inflation allowing your funds to maintain their buying power.

Can you afford to allow your hardearned savings to diminish? Make it part of your New Year’s resolution to take some action and in the meantime, I and the team at Blacktower wish you a very Happy Christmas.

We are here to help you. For a free, no obligation consultation, please contact me today by email Rosemary.sheppard@ blacktowerfm.com or call me on 06 38 86 99 70. Website: www.blacktowerfm.com

This communication is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed

as, investment advice, investment recommendations or investment research. You should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity.

Blacktower Insurance Agents & Advisors Ltd is regulated in Cyprus by the Insurance Companies Control Service and registered with ORIAS in France. Blacktower Financial Management (Cyprus) Ltd is regulated in Cyprus by the Cyprus Securities & Exchange Commission and is registered with the AMF in France.

BOUNICHOU

- CHARCUTERIE

Oscar

came to

refuge

after he was found wandering for several years in a village. When Oscar first arrived, he was petrified and it took several months to even coax him out of his box and be able to pet him. Today, Oscar is a very different little dog, very sweet, sociable and enjoys the company of dogs of all sizes. He loves to play in the park, adores hugs and his walks. Because of his past, Oscar will always be a little fearful and he is never going to be able to be off lead unless he is in an enclosed area. He needs a quiet environment and the presence of another dog would be ideal. He really is gorgeous. Give him a chance and you won't be disappointed !

If you think you can help Oscar then please contact: SPA de Creuse (Guéret), 21 Le Clocher, 23000 Saint-Sulpice-le Guérétois www.spa-creuse.com - email: spa.gueret@orange.fr

Les petits jardiniers du Limousin

We are a gardening association based in the Mairie at St. Amand le Petit, between Eymoutiers and Peyrat le Château. We hold monthly meetings on the third Thursday of the month, starting at 2.30 pm. Meetings are held in English, but we can also present topics in French. We have lots of different nationalities amongst our members. Our aim is to provide and promote opportunities for people to develop their interest and knowledge in horticulture and gardening and related topics in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. In-house workshop meetings, external speakers and visits are on our agenda.

During Covid-19, we were not been able to have meetings and kept in touch with members and friends via Facebook. This has become a very popular feature so do have a look at our Facebook page, "Les petits jardiniers du Limousin", where people post photos of their garden, ask questions, share information and keep in contact on a casual, friendly basis.

Our meeting agenda remains subject to any Covid-19 regulations and restrictions in place at that time:

pjlimousin@gmail.com

Wednesday 28th December at 3:30 pm

Pianist Jean Dubé presents a selection of popular film music

Programme: A.Newman/J.Dubé - The Magnificent 7, M.Steiner/J.DubéGone with the Wind, B.Herrmann/J.Dubé - Love scene from the film Vertigo, B.Herrmann/J.Dubé - Psycho, E.Morricone/ Morricone - Playing love, from the film " 1900 the pianist legend ", H.Mancini /Mercuzio - Breakfast at Tiffany's "Moon River, D.Elfman/J.Dubé - Matilda, C.Bolling/G. Krezos - Borsalino and Co, Vangelis/J.Dubé - 1492 : Conquest of paradise, J.Horner/J.Dubé - " For the love of a Princess" Braveheart, G.Delerue/J.Dubé - Des Pissenlits par la racine, M.Legrand/Yann Le Gac - Les parapluies de Cherbourg : I will wait for you J.Williams/J.Dubé - Hedwige’s Theme, from "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone”, J.Williams /J.DubéStar Wars, J.Williams /J.Dubé - Superman, J.Williams /J.Dubé - Indiana Jones "Raiders of the lost Ark", M.Theodorakis/J. Dubé - Zorba's dance, from "Zorba the Greek”

A child prodigy, pianist Jean Dubé, has been performing around the world since the age of four and won a Steinway piano at the age of nine in the national competition “Jeunes Prodiges Mozart à Paris”. That same year, he performed as a soloist at the Maison de la Radio with the Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra, live on France Musique. His discography already includes some thirty recordings.

First Prize at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Paris at the age of fourteen, he has performed on all continents as a soloist, in chamber music ensembles and with many major orchestras, as well as giving international masterclasses.

Music in the Dordogne sponsored by ARCADES