The Bugle Dordogne - Feb 2016 by The Bugle

Lascaux IV exhibition nears completion After three years of painstaking work, the Lascaux IV recreation of the world famous cave paintings is nearing completion >> Page 4

Dordogne February 2016 - Issue #32

Government shuts down poultry farms As the bird flu crisis worsens and more countries place bans on French poultry imports, the government has forced duck and goose farms across south-west France to close. The move will cost the industry hundreds of millions.

s the country battles against the recent outbreak of bird flu that has swept across south-west France, poultry producers in the Dordogne have been ordered to halt duck and goose production. The Ministry of Agriculture said farmers would be allowed to continue raising birds they already own, but may not take on new ducklings and goslings until farms are totally cleaned and disinfected. The order concerns all the departments of Aquitaine and Midi-Pyrénées, as well as the Haute-Vienne and Corrèze. After the first case of bird flu was reported at a Dordogne farm near Biras in November, the virus quickly spread across the region. In response to the growing crisis, the government created a “restriction zone”, within which the movement of

poultry - the most common way for the virus to be spread - was restricted. Authorities also began implementing strict cleaning and disinfection programmes for the premises and equipment of all poultry farms. The new moves go one step further, however, and will come as a major blow to the industry. The process of specially fattening geese and ducks to produce foie gras takes 12 to 15 weeks, and once the current stock has been processed, the farmers must halt production while their farms are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. This means that the latest order will effectively shut down production of the controversial delicacy until early summer. One consolation to farmers will be that, if all goes well, they should be able to increase their stock levels in time for Christmas and New Year - peak season for foie gras

>> continued on page 5

INSIDE > > > NEWS - Terrestrial TV goes HD

From 5th April, French terrestrial TV will only be available in high definition. Not all TVs are compatible, so are you ready for the switch? >> Page 3

NEWS - Toulon in shock Premiership bid

France's most successful rugby club of recent years has unveiled a shock bid to join England's Aviva Premiership. >> Page 7

FRENCH LIFE - No more AZERTY?

After driving generations of French speakers to madness, the government has announced it is to review the layout of the AZERTY keyboard >> Page 11

The Bugle Business Directory

A local historian has revealed that Queen Elizabeth II holds the title >> Page 4 of Dame de Bergerac

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4- pages of listings for local English-speaking businesses - your essential guide to finding just what you’re looking for >> Pages 15-18

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2 ♦ IN THIS EDITION

Welcome to

The Bugle

ne downside of unseasonably warm weather is that it often seems to coincide with bugs and viruses. I confess I don’t know if there is any science behind it, but it seems logical to me that nasties will find it harder to survive and move between hosts if it’s minus 10 outside! I supposedly live in one of the colder parts of the country, but I literally spent 5 minutes the other day considering whether it was jeans or shorts for the school run. We’ve also had a daffodil and at least one crocus appear in the garden... in mid-January!! The price to pay for us was in the form of the gastro bug that has been rampaging across France (see page 6). I suppose with three young

children it was inevitable. For us, it was quite a violent but short-lived bug. The symptoms came and went in around 12 hours, although it did take a few days to fully bounce back. The problem was that it seemed to have a 48-hour incubation and all 5 of us took it in turns to go down, one after the other, all of which added up to well over a week of constantly washing, cleaning and disinfecting. I’m going to taunt the cosmos by saying at least, on the plus side, we’ve all had it now for this year... go on fate, do your worst! There was a lot of talk in the media this month about bringing in state subsidies for the country’s struggling cafés. This is a very hot topic, especially in rural areas, where the local bars

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ FEBRUARY 2016

are so often the focal point for a community; much like the pubs are (were?) in the UK. Unfortunately, it is a fact of life that small, local businesses like pubs and cafés struggle in modern times, but the number of businesses that have closed over recent decades is staggering. I live in a very small, isolated, farming community. My commune has around 250 people in it, although I suppose that this would have been higher “back in the day”. In that day, my house was the local bar (in a hamlet of 3 or 4 houses!), the village 800 metres away had one (as well as a bakery) and the village at the centre of the commune had at least 3 cafés in it. Today, the commune has just one café left, next to the mairie and this has passed through 4 sets of hands in the 10 years I have been here the numbers just don’t add up to make it financially viable. It is no surprise that the demise of the rural café in France coincided with the toughening of drink-driving laws. I’m told that 30 or so years ago, the bar that used to be in one room of my house

got through a staggering 5 litres of Ricard a night!! And let’s just say that there aren’t many houses within walking distance. It is of course right and proper that drink driving is so heavily policed and the reduction in road death figures is undeniable. But the inevitable result was that rural communities became less close. I remember listening to a discussion on Irish radio a few years back, where the topic was the legalisation of drinkdriving after midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. It was being put forward as a solution to the closure of so many rural pubs in isolated areas and the subsequent loss of community spirit. The argument went that for many, the pub was the only place where they would interact with other people on a social level, and the psychological benefits of this outweighed the dangers of drink-driving. Those who did not want to take their chances could just avoid the roads after midnight. I think the debate was more focussed on raising the general issue of rural

isolation and I don’t believe that many people thought that allowing drink-driving was a sensible or viable solution, but it is interesting that such a left-field idea should be discussed at all. It is a shame that so many small establishments are closing. I do not know probably half of the people that live in my commune... if I had a café within 5 or 10 minutes walk, I’m sure I would know everyone much better. We are losing a way of life. For better or worse is another question, but it is undoubtedly changing. Until next month! Steve Martindale, Editor

General: editor@thebugle.eu Advertising (EN): sales24@thebugle.eu Publicité (FR): publicite@thebugle.eu Subscriptions: subscriptions24@thebugle.eu Write to: The Bugle Les Quatre Chemins 23150 St-Yrieix-les-Bois

INSIDE this edition 3-5 Local News 6-10 National News 11-12 French Life 13 Practical 14 Bilingual 15-18 Directory 18 Games 18 What’s On 19 Community

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LOCAL NEWS ♦ 3

FEBRUARY 2016 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

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French TV to go fully HD

s an expat, one of the best ways to learn French is to listen to the radio, talk to your neighbours or watch the television. This latter option may require you to make a change soon, however, as the Dordogne migrates to a fully HD signal. During the night of 4th/5th April, the old signal will be dropped in favour of a high definition beam, at which point, anyone who does not have a compatible TV will lose all their current channels. France has already made the move to a fully digital system – TNT (télévision numérique terrestre – terrestrial digital television). It is this digital signal that will now be converted into a high definition one. Authorities have been running a number of information campaigns in recent weeks and you may well have received a leaflet through the post. Gilles Brégant, managing director at the Agence nationale des fréquences (ANFR), has been touring the country to raise awareness of the upcoming changes and answer some common questions. Most importantly, do people have the choice? “No, everyone must make the change,” explained Mr Brégant. “Those that are saying that they will wait and see are wrong to do so. Everyone needs to be prepared if they do not want to be staring at a blank screen on the 5th April.” So what does need to be done? If you currently receive your terrestrial television via cable or the internet, then you do not need to do anything. If you receive your television signal through an aerial, however, which is still the case for 57% of us, then you will need to check whether you are HD ready. The quickest way to do this is via Arte – channel 7 or 57. If you can see an HD logo in the corner of the screen, then you are ready

R for the change; if not, then you will need to invest in an adapter. These are currently available for around €20-25 and those aged 70 or more can request help installing the new equipment from a service provided by La Poste (call 0970 818 818 for more information). In general, televisions bought since 1st December 2009 with a screen greater than 26 inches are HD-ready, as are all televisions purchased since the end of 2012. “The move to high definition will obviously allow us to improve the quality of the picture, but also give access to more channels; there are currently six channels that are only available in HD,” explained Mr Brégant. “Plus, removing the old signal will free up a number of frequencies that can then be used to improve mobile reception and coverage.” ■

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Archangel follows Napoleon statue to the Dordogne egular Bugle readers may recollect the Bugle’s report last autumn on the renovation in Périgueux of Cherbourg’s equestrian statue of Napoleon Bonaparte. This month as the emperor leaves for home, the same company is set to give a makeover to yet another iconic statue. The worldfamous UNESCO site of Mont Saint-Michel on the border between Normandy and Brittany is sending its magnificent Saint Michael to Socra in Marsac this month. The statue, by Emmanuel Fremiet, was installed on the spire of the abbey in 1897, the focal point of the mount and its bay. The abbey, however, is

a truly ancient monument. Founded in 709 AD it was one of William the Conqueror’s properties and fought over by the French and English for centuries. Like Cherbourg, SaintMichel has a hostile location because of the corrosive sea air. Additionally the Mont SaintMichel Bay has one of the world’s biggest tidal ranges of 15 metres. While the archangel is with us in the Dordogne, Socra’s 30 specialist restorers will see that over the next three months he will be thoroughly cleaned, have any corrosion treated, be regilded and be back home to greet the millions of visitors to the prime tourist site. ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe

4 ♦ LOCAL NEWS

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Dordogne association to petition the Queen

n Anglo-French group from the Dordogne is planning a petition to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. The “So British” association, based in Brantôme, has discovered an ancient direct, personal link between the Dordogne and the monarch herself. Jean-Luc Nicolas, So British president and a well-known and respected historian in the town, has discovered an ancient title that the Queen has inherited from the time of the Hundred Years’ War. That conflict was a series of campaigns waged from 1337 to 1453 by the House of Plantagenet, rulers of the Kingdom of England, against the House of Valois, rulers of the Kingdom of France. In 1345 Henry of Grosmont, known as the Earl of Derby, stormed Bergerac with his small force of 2,000 English troops, backed by local Gascon allies. The devastating fire from English and Welsh archers and the ferocity of the cavalry defeated the French army and within days Bergerac fell. For the English, and especially Derby, the spoils and ransom payments for prisoners were fabulous - the Earl of Derby himself pocketed around £34,000. Derby was now Lord of Bergerac and in 1351 was made the first Duke of Lancaster.

This title expired when he died in 1361, reverting to the Sovereign of England. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth has therefore inherited that title of “Dame de Bergerac” through the Duchy estate. The Duchy of Lancaster has survived and prospered, now estimated to be worth £472 million and as Queen Elizabeth is the present incumbent, it is the principal source of Her Majesty’s income. Prince Charles is heir apparent to the Duchy of Lancaster and Lordship of Bergerac. Jean-Luc points to Brantôme’s unquestioned role in the war. He has discovered that the Black Prince himself stayed in Brantôme on the west bank of the Dronne river. His French foes camped on the east. Interestingly, Jean-Luc is the owner and operator of the Brantôme pleasure launch on that same river that separated the two nations. Celebrated French historian, Jean Barthe (1901-2001) also traces the “Dame de Bergerac” connection in his tome, “La Victoire de Castillon”. Founded on these very real links, Jean-Luc Nicolas and his colleagues in the Brantôme group plan to petition the Queen, as Dame de Bergerac, to become the patron of their association. John Beynon, vice-president of So British told The Bugle: “This association promotes

John Beynon (l) and Jean-Luc Nicolas (r) from the So British association Franco-British understanding, social and cultural links. We aim to promote and celebrate the British role in this part of France, one that has such profound links to British and French history. We need hundreds of signatures to get our petition started. Both French and British may sign to support our request to the Queen to be our patron. She is already patron of over 600 organisations. We hope that the strength of our existing ties, going back to 1345, plus support from British and French petitioners,

will bring about this honour for Brantôme and the Dordogne.” The association will be celebrating those ties in 2016 at their annual So British weekend in June as well as celebrating Her Majesty’s 90th birthday. To join the petition or find out more, call John on 05 53 54 81 19 / email jobelix@ wanadoo.fr (ENG) or email jean-luc.nicolas24@orange.fr (FR) ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe

Latest Lascaux cave to open in 2016

he iconic World Heritage site of the Lascaux caves is set to turn another page of its long history as a fourth incarnation gets ready to open. The original cave was discovered in Montignac, Dordogne, by four boys and a dog in 1940 and became an important tourist venue after the war. Scientists have estimated the works to be about 17,000 years old. Visitors from across the world came to marvel at the beautiful cave paintings and etchings, which have an extraordinary beauty and delicacy that speak of humanity itself. The Dordogne’s emblem is the buffalo head reproduced from that cave wall and its logo “Le pays de l’homme” (Land of Mankind). Between 1943 and 1963 visitor figures were over a million. More than the population of the entire planet when the paintings were done! That number of viewers was beginning to cause deterioration of this hyper-ancient monument, however, and in 1963 the cave was sealed. Following pressure from scientists, anthropologists, prehistorians, geologists and millions of ordinary people fascinated by their ancestors’ works, a replica was created, finally opening in 1983 - Lascaux II. There have since been 10 million visitors to Lascaux II, situated close to the original. A third version, Lascaux III was created as a touring interactive exhibition and has been seen worldwide across Europe, North America and Asia. After three years of painstaking work, the latest interpretation, Lascaux IV, is now nearing completion. The meticulously faithful copy of what has been dubbed the “Sistine Chapel of prehistoric art” is ready to be transported one segment at a time - 46 altogether - and installed just down the road from the original at a site

semi-buried in a hillside in Montignac, in eastern Dordogne. The newest incarnation consists of a faithful reproduction of the original cave, equipped with a battery of hi-tech devices to provide an authentic experience of cave art. Lascaux IV aims to offer an insight into life in Cro-Magnon times, into the development of aesthetics and representational media and to create the subterranean atmosphere of those moments when the paintings and etchings were first created 17,000 years ago. With its theatre and 3D cinema elements, it is destined to be a major attraction for the general visitor but also a serious and advanced centre for specialists. Visitor groups are to be limited to a maximum of 32, with no more than 4 groups at any one time, with electronic guides in a range of languages. Once Lascaux IV opens to the public this autumn, Lascaux II will take on a special educational role with a more restricted footfall. To find out more about the International Centre for Cave Art, Lascaux IV, go to: http://lascaux.fieldmuseum.org/ ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe

LOCAL NEWS ♦ 5

FEBRUARY 2016 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Poultry farms to close Leather goods on the up >> continued from pg 1 consumption. It has been estimated that the closures could cost the industry up to €300 million in lost revenue and could see some farmers go out of business if state aid is not made available. “It’s catastrophic for many small producers who had run out of stocks over the New Year and hoped to build them back up again in time for the summer tourist influx,” said Isabelle Daugreilh, a producer in the Landes department. “Now we can’t start fattening geese again until June so we won’t have anything to sell.” The agriculture minister Stéphane Le Foll assured the industry that government help would be made available. “Of course there will be aid for producers and slaughter houses. The EU has also indicated that it will help our government to eradicate the virus. The State will be there to help producers,” the minister said, speaking at the National Assembly. Local MPs were keen to stress that any help should not just be made available to producers, but also to the secondary industries that will be impacted. “There are 650 producers, but we should not forget the processing and packaging firms, the transporters and the retail outlets,” said Germinal Peiro, president of the Conseil départemental. French foie gras producers group CIFOG described the ban as a “brutal yet necessary

evil”, but said that it could not shoulder the loss in production alone. “State compensation to farmers will be essential to support this very heavy burden,” the group said in a statement. Another blow to the industry came as several key export markets such as Japan and China introduced bans on French poultry imports until the current crisis is resolved. Last year France exported 4,934 tonnes of foie gras, earning more than €86 million, mainly through sales to Asia. According to a French industry group, Japan was the top global importer of foie gras during the first eight months of 2015. Avian influenza, or bird flu, is an infectious virus affecting birds that is highly contagious. It can be introduced into a farm through vehicles, equipment, people, manure, livestock and waste, or via wild or domestic birds. The term bird flu covers a number of variants of the virus and they are not necessarily dangerous to people, although some strains can be transmitted to humans. According to the health and food safety agency (ANSES), the strain currently present in France does not have the combination of genes that would make it transmissible to humans. The Ministry of Agriculture has repeatedly stressed in its press releases that “avian influenza is not transmissible to humans through the consumption of meat, eggs, foie gras and more generally any food product”. ■

ootwear has been a speciality of the Dordogne for centuries and the industry’s renown has spread far and wide. Shoes are part of the area’s history and heritage. There was bad news at the end of 2015, however, when traders and shoppers were saddened to hear of a favourite footwear brand in trouble. The family firm of Marquet, based in Villars, was in danger of liquidation, despite its exciting “Souts” range of footwear, a sneaker-espadrille hybrid, and its record on exporting and mass brand supply. Marquet found itself trapped in a cash flow vacuum as its biggest customer, shoe giant André, cut its order by 50% in a rebranding exercise. In a bold move, Marquet created pop-up shops, selling direct and appealing to fashion conscious bargain hunters in Brantôme and Périgueux. Customers were attracted by generous discounts on the Marquet styles. The strategy succeeded and the company, as well as its 24 employees, are putting their best foot forward in 2016.

A dozen kilometres away in Thiviers the high end of the leather trade is developing a training institute. Financed by the region and based in the Lycée Professionnel “Portes d’Aquitaine” in Thiviers, the centre caters for over 100 companies in the leather industries, representing round 5,000 employees. Courses are presently being followed by over 250 trainees. Big names in the South West’s shoe industry include Weston (Haute-Vienne), Ferrand (Charente), as well as Repetto and Hermès in the Dordogne. In Nontron, highly specialized training is being delivered for top quality leather saddler, CWD. After their linking with Biarritz-based Devoucoux, CWD chief Laurent Duray is looking towards growth and the success of their investment in Pôle d’Excellence Rurale (PER), a training and development organisation for the entire leather industry, not least the farmers who produce the raw material. Hides are also imported from Ireland and Germany, before being locally tanned in

St-Pardoux-la-Rivière. CWD, established in Nontron in 1998, export their saddles and associated products worldwide, a fact testified to by the number of internationally-acclaimed riders who choose this Dordogne craft product. A new designer footwear studio is launching its products from its base in the same town. Chamberlain is the creation of Sophie Engster and Franck LeFranc. The team currently numbers 8 operatives plus an ex-Weston manager and Sophie and Franck aim to have production and distribution well under way before spring. Benefitting from the training opportunities funded by the region and OPCALIA, a joint-management training consultancy, Chamberlain is aiming to serve the top end of the market. Sophie said, “We were thinking about setting up in Cholet on the Loire, but here with the Portes du Cuir organisation we are so much at home already”. To find out more about Nontron’s art and creative sharp end go to: www.metiersdartperigord.fr ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe

6 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ FEBRUARY 2016

Government declassifies wartime files

he French government has announced that it has declassified thousands of documents from one of the most controversial periods of recent French history: the Vichy regime's collaboration with the invading Nazis. The archives include documents from the foreign, justice and interior ministries as well as from France’s provisional government after liberation. While the Nazis occupied the north of France, General Philippe Pétain - a hero of World War I led Vichy France in the centre and the south of the country. The Vichy government was named after the city of the same name where the collaborating “government” was based. Despite having autonomy from German policies, Pétain passed legislation that saw the country's Jewish population around 150,000 of whom had fled to the south believing it to be safer - subjected to severe discrimination similar to that in the Nazioccupied north. It is believed that as many as 76,000 Jews were transported from France to the infamous death camps in the east of Europe. This event has become known in France as la rafle, or the roundup. More than 200,000 police and

government files will now reveal the inner workings of the Vichy government, something that could provide answers for the descendants of Holocaust victims, but that will also make uncomfortable reading for numerous others. “Time has passed. The generations who were involved in World War II are no longer around. This isn't a hot political debate anymore, so it can be reopened without any risk,” argued the historian Annette Wieviorka, who specialises in the Holocaust. However, particularly in rural communities which have low levels of population migration, there remains the fear that the archives could reignite old family rivalries. A handful of files remain classified, but historian Gilles Morin told French television that he believes the archives now in the public domain will provide new insights. “So far we’ve relied on witness accounts and they’ve been our main source, but now we’ll be able to read the minutes of meetings, police memos and Resistance documents seized by the police,” said the historian. “There is also a demand from the children of deportees, and of those who were executed, who want to know - and that’s a legitimate demand.” Former French Resistance fighter Lucien Guyot told the

Phillipe Pétain (left) meeting Hitler during the war New York Times that the Pétain government “went far beyond the Germans' expectations, in particular with the deportation of 'foreign' Jews, including children, to concentration camps, and they chased us down with a vengeance”. President François Hollande, who was born after the war, announced on the 70th anniversary of the end of hostilities in Europe on May 8 that the archives would

be thrown open, which he said would guard against “these evils which threaten us, of revisionism, the altering of history and forgetfulness”. Previously, only researchers and journalists could see certain archives and only then with special permission. However, under French law, now that 75 years have elapsed since the Vichy regime was formed in 1940, the authorities are obliged to open them

to the public. La rafle remains a controversial event in French history and it was not until 1995 that President Jacques Chirac officially recognised the French State's responsibility in the deportation of Jews. “These dark hours forever sully our history and are an insult to our past and our traditions,” he said. “Yes, the criminal folly of the occupiers was seconded by the French, by the French state.” ■

France in the grip of gastroenteritis epidemic

s many readers will no doubt be all too well aware, France has been in the grip of a “gastro” epidemic. In the two weeks leading up to 24th January, 286,000 cases of acute diarrhoea and sickness were reported to doctors, according to Sentinelles de l'Inserm, a network of GPs that collates anonymous real-time data on the spread of communicable illnesses in France. The incidence rate of acute diarrhoea reported by French GPs was 219 cases per 100,000 inhabitants during the period, which is well above the epidemic threshold of 194 cases per 100,000. “This is the second consecutive week

exceeding the threshold, confirming the arrival of an epidemic in France,” Sentinelles said in a statement. GPs were also reporting that the epidemic would most likely worsen before it improved. Although you may not agree if you have been on the receiving end, the report added that the strain of the sickness currently doing the rounds was not too serious, with just 0.4 per cent of all reported cases requiring treatment in hospital. Gastroenteritis, or “gastro” as it is commonly referred to in French, is a common condition where the stomach and intestines become inflamed. It is

usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. The two main symptoms of gastroenteritis are diarrhoea and vomiting. There is usually no need to see your GP if you have gastroenteritis as the symptoms are typically short lived. Most people don't need any specific treatment, but it's important to make sure you drink plenty of fluids to reduce your risk of dehydration. If symptoms persist, or if there is a risk of you becoming significantly dehydrated, you may need to be admitted to hospital for treatment; severe dehydration can become serious and even potentially fatal in rare cases. As gastroenteritis is highly infectious,

it is also important to take steps to prevent it spreading to other people. These include: • washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water or an antibacterial hand wash after going to the toilet and before eating or preparing food • cleaning the toilet, including the handle and the seat, with disinfectant after each bout of vomiting or diarrhoea • not sharing towels, flannels, cutlery or utensils with other members of your household • not returning to work until you have had no symptoms for at least 48 hours ■

NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 7

FEBRUARY 2016 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

uch has changed in Rugby Union in recent decades as the sport has embraced the professional era. Top flight players were once to be found behind an office desk during the week, but now you will more likely find them in a hyperbaric chamber or an ice bath. Along with professionalism has come money, and few rugby clubs have more money than Toulon, in the south of France. In recent years, the lure of passionate fans, huge salaries and a warm climate has tempted a series of galácticos to the Mediterranean port town, including Jonny Wilkinson, Jerry Collins, Victor Matfield, Tana Umaga and

Leigh Halfpenny. In a surprise move, Toulon’s president Mourad Boudjellal has announced his plans to quit France's Top 14 and apply to join the Aviva Premiership in England. Premiership Rugby officials confirmed that they received a letter from Boudjellal, who insists he is “serious” about joining a league he regards as better run than the French Top 14. “This is not just a provocation,” said Boudjellal, whose side have won the European title for the past three seasons. “The economic future is better in England than in France, given how the two leagues are run. The English make good decisions. For them, besides [being] a big first, it would be

a huge added value.” “It is too early to give a formal response but we will give it due consideration and we will respond,” said a Premiership Rugby spokesman, refusing to rule out the switch. “If it’s not possible next season, maybe the one after that,” Boudjellal told French newspaper L’Équipe. “I’m serious. Monaco compete in the French Ligue 1 and no one finds that incongruous.” Boudjellal is a controversial figure and has endured an often strained relationship with the French Rugby Federation. He has regularly complained publicly about the Top 14’s tighter salary-cap regulations, specifically the rules introduced last summer regarding bonus payments to

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Toulon in bid to join Aviva Premiership

players. They are now considered to be part of the cap if they amount to more than 10% of a player’s salary; a problem for a team created largely thanks to the deep pockets of its owners. Although many believe that Boudjellal is simply stirring up controversy and

that switching leagues is highly unlikely, others do feel that the future of northern hemisphere rugby lies in a pan-European league. There is also precedent: in Rugby League, France's Catalan Dragons, based in Perpignan, currently play in the Super League. ■

France in shock over drug trial death

man in his 20s has died and five others have been hospitalised after a clinical drug trial went tragically wrong in January. The five hospitalised men were said to be “in a stable condition”, but doctors fear three of them may have suffered irreversible brain damage. The incident is the worst of its kind in French history. A total of 108 volunteers initially took part in the trial, 90 of whom received the drug in various doses, while the remainder were given placebos. It is believed that the 6 people worst affected were given the drug in its highest doses. Pierre-Gilles Edan, head of the neurology department at the Rennes hospital said that three of the men were suffering a “handicap that could be irreversible” and another also had neurological problems. The sixth volunteer had no symptoms but was being monitored. The hospital confirmed that the other 84 people exposed to the drug had been contacted. Ten of them reported back to the hospital to be examined, but did not have the “anomalies” seen in the hospitalised patients. The drug at the heart of the trial was an “FAAH inhibitor” that acted on the

body’s endocannabinoid system, which controls pain, the health ministry confirmed, adding that the drug had been approved for trials in June of last year. It was being tested for the Portuguese pharmaceutical company Bial. Three separate investigations are under way to try and find out what went wrong, specifically whether the cause of the accident was the drug itself, or the way in which the trial was administered. Bial said that it was fully cooperating with the investigations and vowed that it had followed international best practice in developing the drug. “Our principal concern at the moment is taking care of participants in the trial,” Bial said in a statement. Serious accidents of this nature are incredibly rare during the development of a drug, which begins in the laboratory, before being tested on animals and then in three phases of human trials before it can be brought to market. France’s public body Oniam, which is responsible for compensating the victims of medical accidents, said it only had around ten cases of accidents during drug trials over the past 15 years, and all “with consequences infinitely

less serious” than the recent tragedy. Although rare, there have been precedents in other countries. A comparable accident took place in London in 2006 when six people taking a drug for German drug manufacturer TeGenero fell seriously ill, with one suffering multiple

organ failure. Every year, thousands of volunteers, often students looking to make extra money, take part in such trials. Participants were to be paid €1,900 for taking part in the most recent trial, which was scheduled to run from 4 to 18 January. ■

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France to introduce ban on plastic bags

rance is set to become the latest country to outlaw disposable plastic bags when a ban comes into effect on 1st April this year. The change, which concerns the type of plastic bag typically distributed at supermarket checkouts and is part of France's 2014 energy transition bill, was originally due to come into force on 1st January, but its introduction was delayed when the European Commission called for clarification of the text legislating the ban. “The European Commission requested clarification concerning the decree on the bags,” environment minister Ségolène Royal told Le Journal du Dimanche newspaper. “Brussels wants to approve a measure that concerns the free movement of these products.” According to the ministry, the Commission wanted more information on the size, weight and type of bag covered by the law. The executive body also wanted to know whether the French ban could hurt businesses that manufacture the bags. When Italy passed a similar law in 2013 banning non-biodegradable bags, Britain formally requested that the Commission block the law, claiming that it created obstacles to the free movement of goods in the EU’s internal market. From April, only reusable or biodegradable bags - which cost more to produce - will be allowed in France. According to the French environment ministry, 17 billion plastic bags are used in France every year, 6.5 billion of which are single-use plastic bags. Almost all of them are made from non-recyclable materials, which is why the French government has set out to hasten the transition to reusable or biodegradable bags, ahead of EU targets. Some large retailers in France already charge customers for plastic

bags, but the new law will go a step further. In a second step, all disposable plastic fruit and vegetable bags will be banned from French supermarkets from the beginning of 2017. Instead, retailers must use biodegradable bags made from paper or bioplastics. France has already drastically reduced the number of plastic bags handed out by large retailers over the past decade, thanks largely to a voluntary agreement; the number dropped from 10.5 billion in 2002 to 700 million in 2011. Today, the average French person gets through 79 plastic bags per person, compared to an EU average of 175 bags per citizen. The EU hopes to reduce this number to 40 by 2025. In a recent survey, Estonia was at the bottom of the class, with each resident getting through an impressive 450 single-use bags annually. As is so often the case, Scandinavian countries led the way: residents in Denmark and Finland use only four plastic bags on average each year! A number of countries around the world have already imposed outright bans on plastic bags, which are blamed for polluting countrysides and marine ecosystems. In 2012 Haiti outlawed all plastic bags and packaging in a bid to protect its coastal mangrove swamps as did Bangladesh, where they are blamed for blocking sewage systems and exacerbating extreme flooding events. Also included in the same bill are proposals to ban disposable tableware, including cups, mugs, and plates (but not cutlery) by 2020 as well as plans to promote the development of electric cars, recycling and moves to prevent “planned obsolescence” in consumer goods; a practice where products are given an artificially-limited life and become unusable after a given time. ■

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French thirst for lotteries on the rise

urope may still be in the grip of an economic crisis, but it would appear that the average person does have at least a little disposable income, according to figures published in Le Parisien. The newspaper has revealed that the country spends a whopping €13.7 billion on games of chance each year – enough to buy 35 Airbus A380 airplanes, 40 million Sony Playstations or 3 billion Big Macs. The French have steadily been increasing the amount they spend on lotteries and scratch cards over recent years; the figure has more than doubled from €6.5 billion in 2004 to €13.7 billion last year. According to figures from the national lottery operator La Française des Jeux, 2015 was a record year for revenue and saw 149 participants winning €1million or more. One recent scratch card player got lucky twice after he dropped his winning €15,000 scratch card. Maurice Desnoy-

ers had been in a newsagent in Agde when he saw the elderly man celebrating his win on a Solitaire scratch card. After leaving the shop and later returning to his car, he found the winning ticket lying on the floor. “I tried to run after the man, but I couldn’t see him. I didn’t think, I put my shopping in the car and took the ticket back. I had seen the man, he was happy. It was the first time he had won. He was an elderly man, he probably had more need of it than I did.” When the lucky winer later returned in a panic to find that his ticket had been handed in, he was understandably delighted... and probably more than a bit relieved. “It was a nice gesture at this time of year. It shows that there are still honest people,” said the newsagent Alain Collet. “The chances of someone bringing back the ticket were infinitesimal. This type of ticket is bearer only, it’s the person who has it in their hand who benefits.” ■

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FRENCH LIFE ♦ 11

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France falling out of love with AZERTY

ow many people have typed out a sentence on a keyboard and looked at the screen only to see a curious stream of commas and “q”s: you forgot that you're using an AZERTY keyboard. When you choose to live and work in France, there are many things that you need to adapt to. Most people eventually learn to speak the language, drive on the right and not try to buy anything on a Monday. But one thing many never overcome is the French keyboard. “You have to do what to get a full stop?!”... “How do I get a pound sign?”... “What the heck is that behind the exclamation mark?!”... not to mention that you need to be a concert pianist to generate an “@” symbol on many keyboards. So you may feel slightly better to hear that the French themselves share your frustration and

the government has now said that it will act. The much-maligned AZERTY keyboard (the French version of the QWERTY keyboard and so named after the positioning of the first six keys) will be getting a make-over after it was announced that the culture ministry has commissioned Paris-based consultancy AFNOR to draw up a list of recommendations by the summer. Ultimately, the aim is to produce a new standard keyboard that will gradually replace the many varieties of AZERTY currently on the market. The move even has the support of the change-fearing Académie française - the notoriously tough guardians of the French language. “Today it is practically impossible to write French correctly using a keyboard that has been bought in France,” the ministry said in a statement. “More surprisingly, certain European

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countries like Germany and Spain respect French writing better than the French are able to - because their keyboards permit it!” The French language understandably requires a more complicated keyboard than English as there are more accents (like é, è and ç) and “ligatures” (such as æ and œ). However, it is the priority given to the various numbers, characters and symbols that has so frustrated generations of French speakers. For example, in order to write a full stop you need to hold down “shift + semicolon”, even though a full stop is far more common than a semicolon in any language. Another example is the letter ù (u-grave), which has its own key, even though it is used in only one word in the entire French language - où, meaning 'where'. Other, more common, accented letters are harder to com-

pose and accented capital letters require manoeuvres of which, according to the ministry, most people are unaware. This ignorance has led to the growing disuse of accented capitals, to such a point that there is a widespread belief that good French does not need them; most people think that ignoring an accent on a capital letter is acceptable. This is not the case, insists the culture ministry, pointing out that both the Académie française and the National Print have issued guidelines urging the use of accents on capitals. The same goes for ligatures. Correct French says you should spell “eye” and “egg” œil and œuf respectively, but the æ and œ ligatures are so hard to access that you are far more likely to see oeil and oeuf in printed French. “The idea is not to impose anything, but simply to make it possible for people to obey the

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rules,” says Philippe Magnabosco, who is running the project at AFNOR. “Right now, there is a big discrepancy between French grammar and the possibilities offered by the keyboard.” Despite all of this, one thing that the recommendations are unlikely to change is the AZERTY configuration itself - this despite the fact that most agree it is ergonomically disastrous. Whilst the numbers, accents, ligatures and symbols will all be overhauled, the layout of the letters themselves will remain the same. The original QWERTY keyboard was first introduced in the US in the late 19th century and was designed to avoid jams on typewriters by placing letters that are commonly used together, such as “st” or “th” on separate parts of the keyboard. This helped to avoid the arms carrying the letters from clashing and jamming the writing machine. ■

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A look at the wines of Bergerac

How Brits lose out in Brexit referendum

by Martin Walker

ne of the great pleasures of being in this part of France is the chance to potter around the wine country, calling in at vineyards to taste the wines and buy directly from the producer. Winemakers enjoy these visits, and not only because they get the full price for their wine rather than sharing it with various middlemen. The best place to start is at the Maison des Vins de Bergerac on Quai Salvette on the riverbank in the heart of old Bergerac. They offer tastings and sell wine but the real prize is their Carte touristique du vignoble, the map that shows (almost) all the vineyards and gives phone numbers and addresses. To be listed in the guide, vineyards have to be open to the public and offer tastings (dégustations), but it’s best to check opening hours, and more and more of them have modern tasting rooms and even Englishspeaking staff. So armed with this wine-lover’s bible, I set off regularly with my friend and neighbour, Raymond, a retired gendarme officer. Usually we have at least one destination in mind; to try a wine we came across on a restaurant’s wine list or to visit a vineyard recommended by a friend. But we usually manage to call in at one or two more places, attracted by the name or the look of the place or simply to admire the view. We happened upon one wine that is now a firm favourite at the Monday night market in Beaumont, the Domaine de l’Ancienne Cure near Colombier, just off the N21 road from Bergerac to Agen. The place is owned and run by Christian Roche, who proudly calls himself ‘a peasant winemaker’. Like more and more of the Bergerac vineyards, his property is run on strictly bio and organic lines and he is positively missionary in his fervour for making wines that express the terroir of his land. He offers wines at three price levels. The Jour de Fruit is the cheapest at around 7 euros, the Abbaye is mid-priced at around 10-12 euros depending on the year and the top-of-the-line Extase was well worth the 20 euros we paid. If you can find an example of his 2005 Monbazillac, snap it up. Another wine we really enjoyed came from a visit to Chai Monique, the charming wine bar in Le Bugue (with good food turned out from a tiny kitchen by the friendly Monique). She was offering Château Montdoyen white wine by the glass, and it was a real discovery. It tasted fresh and clean, with at first a touch of flowers and just a hint of sweetness before

the characteristic dry flavour emerged and lingered in the mouth. Then Monique asked if we had ever tried the same vineyard’s Divine Miséricorde, a vine only made in years when the conditions are just right. It retails for 22 euros but it is a rare and noble wine that we reserve for special occasions. The vineyard is in the Monbazillac region, and it also offers very good rosé wines for 4 euros a bottle, and the Bergerac sec dry white wine I first tasted sells for 6 euros. But try their mid-priced white wine at 10 euros called Ainsi soit-il (which can be translated as ‘this is how it should be’). Their reds range from 6 euros to the spectacular l’imparfait at 40 euros. Raymond and I have a routine. Each week with another friend we each put in ten euros to play the national lottery and while we have yet to have a big win, we usually get back about half of our money in small prizes. This goes into a pot which we use to buy wines on our explorations of the region. We usually buy at least one or two bottles wherever we go, but if we really like the wine we buy a small case of six. But when we call in at our friend Sean and Caro Feely in Saussignac, at Terroir Feely (formerly Château Haut-Garrigue) we usually end up buying more. We first met Caro in the Bio tent at the Vinexpo wine fair in Bordeaux a few years ago, liked what we tasted and arranged to visit. Originally from South Africa, they moved to Ireland and by selling their house and amassing their savings thought they had enough money to finance their dream of owning a French vineyard. They didn’t. In tears because she did not have enough money to buy shoes for her children, at the last minute an order arrived from America that saved their bacon. Now with their wine tours and wine lunches and the really excellent wines they produce (and Caro’s highly readable books on their adventures) they are making a living and doing what they love. So one of the extra pleasures of our wine tours is that we meet some interesting people and make some delightful new friends. ■ 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.

Denis MacShane ou might call it the luck of the Irish or the curse of the EuroBrits. David Cameron’s Brexit referendum - whenever it is held - will forbid hundreds of thousands of true-born Englishmen and women, as well as Scots and Welsh holders of UK passports from voting on their fate while allowing 400,000 Irish passport holders living in the UK to help decide the fate of Brits living across the Channel. Moreover EU citizens who do not hold British passports can vote if they come from Cyprus or Malta as part of the contingent of 1.6 million Commonwealth but not British citizens who live in the UK and who have the right to vote in parliamentary and local elections. So a vote by Irishmen and women or a vote by Canadian, Australian or Indian passport holders temporarily resident in Britain may make the difference between staying in or leaving Europe, if the result is narrow either way. The real losers are the 2 million British citizens who live and work in Europe including an estimated 750,00 in Spain and many settled in regions of France like the Dordogne. They are the most likely to be directly affected by a vote in favour of Brexit as British withdrawal from the EU would mean the loss of automatic residence rights plus access to all local amenities on a non-discriminatory basis along with local citizens of the host country. Jean-Claude Piris, who served for 22 years as the European Council’s chief lawyer and is acknowledged as the best brain on EU law states: “At the date of Brexit British nationals would lose their EU citizenship. It is not legally possible to build a theory according to which British nationals would keep as ‘acquired rights’ some of the rights attached to EU citizenship.” As EU law expert, Helena Wray, notes: “The price (of a Brexit vote) will be the loss of innumerable business, educational and cultural opportunities as movement from Europe becomes more difficult and likely increased difficulties for UK citizens who may no longer take for granted their own privileged access to Europe for work, education, holidays or retirement.”

Unlike the United States or France and most democracies which expect their expat citizens to remain active in deciding the leadership and policy of their nations Britain puts every difficulty in the way of allowing their own citizens to exercise democratic rights to vote. British citizens lose all their democratic rights to vote once they have spent 15 years outside the UK. Even within that period the British citizen is expected to remain registered in a constituency and there are increasing difficulties being placed in the way of registering to vote. But the Brexit referendum is completely different. It is not about electing an MP or councillor. It is a single national ballot paper with a simple Yes or No vote. It should be perfectly possible for the government to allow every British citizen registered at a consulate in Europe or further abroad to come and get a ballot paper. It is bizarre that Commonwealth passport holders who are not British can vote in the referendum but not British citizens, especially those living in Europe who will lose. ■ Denis MacShane is the former Minister of Europe who writes regularly about France and broadcasts on French TV and radio. His latest book Brexit: How Britain Will Leave Europe is published by IB Tauris

In the garden - jobs for February

n between the downpours (and latterly rare snow flurries), we can see that the days are starting to get longer - great!! - and that we are heading towards the start of the growing season, made even more pronounced by the unseasonal winter weather so far. Thoughts pleasurably turn to seeds and sowing, and the garden in general. So the first thing to do is get organised. Look through your seed box and make a note of what you've got and what you need. Maybe you can divide it up into early, mid and late sowings if you don't want to be placing one large order all at once. Then you'll have a list of 'I'm looking for' things - useful to be able to ask friends and contacts for specific varieties, and know what you can offer them in return. You can also see what you have too much of (if you've harvested your own seed) and too little of to spare. Then think about where your seeds are going to germinate and grow. If you have an electric propagator, give it a thorough clean and leave it open to air fully. Compost invariably seems to spread around as you transfer pots and trays in and out of the propagator, so put it down on a sheet of plastic or a wipeable surface if it's going into your living space. The end of the month is probably about right for sowing, but not yet for the sun lovers like chillies and tomatoes, unless you can grow

by Michelle Pierce

them on under warm conditions. If you're going to sow in a tunnel or greenhouse, encourage it to heat up in advance. You can either lay a piece of plastic on the ground, if you're sowing direct into a bed/the floor, put some large containers filled with water in the space, or make a hotbed with manure. Even just putting a reasonable sized pile of fresh manure in the greenhouse should warm things up. Really organised people would make a sketch of their veg beds and list what they're going to sow where, with the successional crops noted - I mean, am I going to sow a quick catch crop of radishes round the onions, etc? This can help organise the order of sowing, because once you get going space very quickly seems to fill up! Much better, finally, than just sowing in abundance and then a few weeks down the line asking yourself where you can plant things. With the recent cold spell it gives us a timely reminder that the weather so far this winter has been really mild. Be cautious about pruning and clearing too early in case we have a return to the cold. Looking into Winter Gardens for the gardening club talk of January, I find myself quite surprised that there are not more of them around here, where many gardens have enough space to have a dedicated area devot-

ed to winter colours, textures and smells. Why aren't the local councils doing something interesting? Looking at websites for places like Anglesey Abbey or Cambridge Botanical Garden, it seems that you can make really impressive winter borders with a relatively limited cost, especially if you propagate your

own plants. How gratifying is that?!! So, heads up and gardening gloves to the ready - lots to do when the weather is OK, and also inside when it's not. The season is starting up soon!! Good gardening! ■

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PRACTICAL ♦ 13

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Regulations in France regarding boundaries and gardens Prune CALONNE gives advice on the law surrounding shrubs and trees near the borders of your property. To avoid conflict with your neighbours, there are several rules to keep in mind.

pring is on the way and as we know, the British are very fond of gardening. This article provides tips on what is legal when it comes to your land. Anything can start a quarrel between neighbours (persistent noise, leaves in your garden, an extension being built…); it is important to know your rights and remain calm. Minimum distances to your neighbour

In this area, two set of rules apply: national rules applicable to the whole of France and local ones (for local regulations, seek advice from your mairie). The basic rules to keep in mind with regards planting are that if a tree or bush is going to be higher than 2 metres, it needs to be at least 2 metres away from the property boundary. If the tree or bush is going to be smaller, it has to be at at least 50 cm from your neighbour’s property. If the tree grows higher than expected you can keep it but you will have to keep an eye on it and make sure you prune it. How to measure distances correctly You need to measure at ground level and measurements should be taken from the middle of the trunk to the boundary between the two properties. Can my neighbour complain about my trees or shrubs even if he does not suffer any inconvenience? Yes, your neighbour can apply the law “to the letter” as we say in French and annoy you by asking you to prune the plant or tree if it is above the legal limits stated previously, or even request that you remove it altogether. What if it has been like this for as long as I can remember and no one ever said any-

thing until a new neighbour purchased the property next door? If a new neighbour starts to complain about the regulations not being respected and asking for trees to be pruned or cut down, be aware that after between 10 to 30 years you might acquire a right if no one puts forward a concern. So if, for instance, your neighbour never complained about a tree that has been on the boundary for more than 30 years and after this time lapse his successors start asking for the tree to be cut down, you could in theory tell him/her that there is a “prescription acquisitive trentenaire”. To make sure that this is the case, I would advise that you seek legal advice first, as some legal analysis needs to be done. Roots and branches on my property, what are the dos and don’ts? If roots from your neighbour’s tree encroach upon your land, in theory you could cut them until they are on the other side of the boundary. I would advise against this, however, as the tree or plant might die, causing further problems down the line. You cannot, however, cut down any branches on your land as they not your property. If a tree annoys you for valid reasons, ask your neighbour to either cut it or prune it. You cannot pick any fruit from trees that overhang your land, but any that falls on the ground then belongs to you. Will I receive compensation if a tree belonging to my neighbour falls on my land and causes damage? In theory, damages caused by a fallen tree should be covered by your neighbour’s home insurance contract. If your neighbour states that the insurance

will not cover the damages because the insurance company states limits within the contract, ask your neighbour for a copy of the insurer’s response and contract and seek legal professional advice as there is no standard answer. An analysis of the insurance contract needs to be done to check if the provisions in the contract are legal or if the provisions are unfair and should be ignored to discard the limitations in the insurance contract. A letter before action might do the trick to get damages. Do I have to maintain my garden? No, you do not if you do not want to. It is different for the boundary though. In theory the mayor can intervene to clean your garden if public health, pollution or a danger to others are involved. In practice this is very unlikely. Bear in mind that in the south, as the weather is drier, you have to be careful not to start a fire and to maintain your garden to prevent fires. You need to have a look at the “code forestier” at your local mairie or at the prefecture with regards to regulations on the risk of fires in your area. What if my neighbour takes me to court or if I wish to solve my problem in court? Stay calm. Help is at hand. If you receive any document from the court and you do not understand it, do not wait and see if you can manage to translate the document. If you see a date and a time and a document called “CONVOCATION” seek legal advice immediately, even if the date of the hearing is several months away. Legal matters in this area depend on the Tribunal d’Instance which is the British equivalent of the county court. In theory, you do not need to be assisted (if you turn up at court) or to be represented by a French lawyer (avocat). Even though the French procedural code does not make it mandatory to get a French lawyer, you need to ask yourself if your French is good enough to explain the matter to a French judge, in the middle of a French court, with a lot of people present.

Secondly, you need to know that even if you decide to deal with the matter yourself, your opponent might not be as courageous as you and might have a lawyer who will turn up at court and you might not know about this until the last minute. Ask yourself if you are able to fight against a legal professional who speaks French fluently, who studied for 8 years and has a few years of practice behind him/her in civil procedural law using rules and words you have never heard before. If you have tried to handle the matter yourself and you find out at the court hearing that you are not going to be able to, there is no shame in that. Please note that you still have the possibility to ask the judge for a time extension and get a new court date to seek legal representation. The judge CANNOT refuse it to you. You should maintain your request even if you see your opponent’s lawyer moving about and protesting. Before you consider legal action, I would recommend that you draft a letter before action if you wish your neighbour to complete some work on his trees or if you wish to ask that something is done to the boundary hedge or wall (“limite mitoyenne”, “mur”). I think it is key to remain as calm and polite as possible and to maintain communication with your neighbour, especially if you do not wish to move anytime soon. ■ For more information on this or any other topic, please do not hesitate to contact: Prune CALONNE, Avocat au Barreau de Toulouse, 117 route d’Albi 31200 Toulouse Phone: 05 34 30 51 33 Mobile: 06 74 16 11 12 Email: scpcalonneadouedugast@hotmail.fr Web: www.cad-avocats.com My firm can arrange appointments in CAHORS at our correspondent’s offices. Please do not hesitate to contact us for more details.

Is it time for a financial planning review? - Blevins Franks

re you up to date with the latest developments in France and internationally that affect you? Do you have a considered, strategic tax and wealth management plan in place? Spending a little time now will help you protect and preserve your wealth over the long term. Tax planning Make sure your investments and wealth are placed in the most suitable arrangement to limit your tax liabilities. Take advice from someone who is well-versed in the nuances of French taxation, otherwise you could see your investment returns slashed by French taxes that could have been avoided or mitigated. The right tax efficient arrangement can keep most of your investments in one place and help you legitimately avoid paying too much tax. It is important to ensure your tax planning is up-to-date and designed to take advantage of tax planning opportunities in France. Another major incentive to review your tax affairs now is that the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) went live in January. The French tax authority will receive information on every resident of France, without having to ask for it. There has never been a better time to consider your tax planning and, more importantly, the use of a fully tax compliant structure in France, to ensure peace of mind. Social charges In February 2015 the European Court of

Justice ruled that social charges on unearned income paid by French residents working in another EU Member State, and subject to the social security in that Member State, were discriminatory. This decision applies to: • French residents subject to the social security of another EU member state (Form S1 holders), on unearned income. • Non-French residents living in another EU Member State, on French unearned real estate income (capital gains and letting income).

• Would you like to try and avoid probate on some of your assets?

If you fall into either of these categories and unduly paid social charges on unearned income in 2013, 2014 and 2015, you can make a claim to recover the tax. Contact your French lawyer or accountant for help in filing the claim. The 2016 social security budget amends the social charges legislation to be in line with EU rules, which mean they will be due on unearned income again from 2016, for everybody, but in another form.

There are major differences between UK and French succession law. For example, in France children are protected heirs, inheriting up to 75% of the parent’s estate, even in preference to the spouse who is generally not protected. However, the new EU succession regulation, known as “Brussels IV”, that came into force in August 2015, allows you to choose between French or UK succession law to apply to your estate. French succession law will apply by default, unless you have a will saying otherwise. This is a new, complex area and you need to carefully examine how the law works for your personal circumstances. Seek specialist advice. Brussels IV does not cover tax laws. French succession tax continues to apply as it does now. You may be free to pass assets to whomever you wish, but with tax rates up to 60%, the French taxman could well be the biggest beneficiary.

Estate planning

Savings and investments

Estate planning is about ensuring that the right money is in the right hands at the right time, to give you peace of mind. The first step is to establish your goals: • Who would you like to benefit from your estate? • Do you want them to have control over the money or not? • How quickly would they need to be able to access the money? • What impact will tax have?

Are you sure your investments, and the mix of them, is suitable for your life in France? You may have built up a portfolio of shares and funds over the years, without really considering how they work together or whether they suit your aims. Consider the principles for successful investing below. • Your appetite for risk Obtain a clear and objective assessment of your appetite for risk, or your portfolio may not be suitable for you.

• Match your risk profile to the optimum portfolio Make sure your investment portfolio matches your attitude to risk. • Diversification It is critical to ensure your investments are suitably diversified, so you are not over-exposed to any given asset type, country, sector or stock. • Yearly review Your portfolio can shift away from the one designed to match your risk profile and objectives, and your circumstances may have changed. Pensions Deciding what to do with your pension fund now, following the new ‘pension freedom’ in the UK, is of fundamental importance. There are more choices than ever before and expatriates have further levels of complexity to contend with. It is critical that you consider the tax implications in France for your pension options. Do not risk your pension savings - get help from an expert well versed in both French and UK legislation. Whether it is investments, pensions or tax planning, seek advice to ensure you do what works best for your personal situation. Use an adviser who can guide you on all these aspects and provide holistic solutions. ■ 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.

14 ♦ BILINGUAL

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ FEBRUARY 2016 SIRET 502 409 212 00011 – APE 8559B

LEARNING FRENCH VIA INTERNET

Perhaps you would like to learn French in comfort at home or from your office? You are not in France and you wish to communicate with a native French person for one hour per week? LONG-DISTANCE LEARNING is the answer. You only need internet access and a free Skype account. It can be a one-to-one lesson or you can share the lesson with a person of the same level.

TRANSLATION SERVICES ALSO AVAILABLE

Please contact Sophie Arsac for further information – 05 55 89 15 74 - scarolinea@yahoo.fr

Pétanque

étanque is a ball game in which the aim is to throw metal balls as close as possible to a small wooden target object. It is usually played on hard dirt or gravel and is a game enjoyed by millions across France. History

Thousands of years ago the ancient Greeks played a game with flat coins or stones, which involved throwing the object as far as possible. This game was later refined by the Romans to include a target. The Romans then brought the game to Provence, where the stones were eventually replaced with wooden balls and this gave birth to a number of similar games, collectively referred to as boules. The most popular variant of the game at the turn of the last century was jeu provençal, where the playing area was larger and players ran three steps before throwing their ball. The modern game of pétanque traces its creation to a moment in 1907 in La Ciotat, Provence, when a local player, Jules Lenoir, did what can only be described as the opposite of William Webb Ellis [the inventor of rugby] - he picked the ball up and stood still. Lenoir was a keen jeu provençal player, but was left in a wheelchair following an accident and his friends agreed to play the game pieds-tanqués (feet anchored). A new game was born and the first pétanque tournament was organised shortly afterwards. Today it is by far the most popular form of the game. Rules of the game Pétanque is played by between 2 and 6 people. The team going first draws a circle in the dirt about 35-50 cm in diameter and throws the jack (or cochonet which literally means ‘little-pig’) 6-10 metres away; the jack must be at least 1 metre away from any boundary.

The player who threw the jack then throws their first ball. A player from the opposing team then makes a throw. Play continues with the team that is furthest from the jack, who continue throwing until they either land a ball closest to the jack, or they run out of balls. When all balls have been thrown, the winning team receives one point for each ball that it has closer to the jack than the best-placed ball of the opposition. A team wins when they have 13 points. ■

Historique Il y a des milliers d’années, les Grecs anciens

Useful Vocab Pointer (verb) - to place - throw your ball in such a way as to leave it as close to the jack as possible Tirer (verb) - to fire or shoot - to throw your ball with the intention of making contact with another ball You can’t play pétanque amongst Frenchmen for long (and 86% of all registered players in France are male) without hearing the phrase « Tu tires ou tu pointes? » Mettre fanny - to fanny - to beat one’s opponents 13-0. The figure of a bare-bottomed lass named Fanny is ubiquitous in Provence wherever petanque is played…

Clues in English - answers in French

1. flights (4) 3. factory (5) 7. friends (4) 8. to write (6) 10. dozen (8) 13. spectacles (8) 16. curve (6) 17. tyre (4) 18. teeth (5) 19. baby (4)

a pétanque est un jeu de boules dont le but est de lancer des boules de métal le plus près possible d’une petite cible en bois. Les parties se déroulent généralement sur un terrain en terre battue ou en gravier. C’est un jeu qui est pratiqué par des millions de personnes à travers la France.

jouaient à un jeu avec des pièces ou des cailloux qu’il fallait jeter aussi loin que possible. Plus tard, les Romains améliorèrent la règle en ajoutant une cible puis ils introduisirent le jeu en Provence. Les cailloux furent finalement remplacés par des boules de bois. Nombre de jeux similaires furent alors pratiqués sous le nom collectif de « jeux de boules ». A la fin du XIXème siècle, le « jeu provençal » devint la variante la plus populaire. Le terrain était plus grand et les joueurs faisaient 3 pas pour prendre de l’élan avant de lancer leur boule. Les origines de la pétanque moderne remontent à 1907 à La Ciotat (Provence) lorsqu’un joueur local, Jules Lenoir, fit ce qui peut être décrit comme l’exact opposé de ce que fit William Webb Ellis, l’inventeur du rugby : il ramassa la boule et resta immobile pour la lancer. Lenoir était un joueur assidu du jeu de boules provençal mais après un accident, il se retrouva en fauteuil roulant. Ses amis acceptèrent alors de jouer avec les pieds-tanqués (les pieds ancrés au sol). Un nouveau jeu était né et le premier tournoi de pétanque fut organisé peu après. C’est de loin aujourd’hui la variante la plus populaire du jeu. Règles du jeu

Bilingual Crossword

Across:

The Bugle thanks French teacher, Sophie Arsac, for the translation of this month's bilingual article on a topical aspect of Franco-British culture.

Down:

1. meat (6) 2. lettuce (6) 4. seconds (8) 5. night (4) 6. beak (3) 9. ocean liner (8) 11. amazed (6) 12. confident (6) 14. here (3) 15. cube (4)

Bilingual crossword solution can be found on page 19

La pétanque se joue entre 2 et 6 personnes. L’équipe qui débute trace un cercle d’environ 3550 cm de diamètre sur le sol et un joueur lance la cible (ou cochonnet, littéralement « le petit cochon ») à une distance comprise entre 6 et 10 mètres. Le cochonnet ne doit pas être à moins d’un mètre des limites du terrain. Ensuite le même joueur lance la première boule puis un joueur de l’équipe adverse fait de même. Les joueurs de l’équipe dont toutes les boules sont les plus éloignées du cochonnet continuent à jouer jusqu’à ce qu’ils placent une boule plus près de la cible ou qu’ils aient épuisé leur stock de boules. Lorsque toutes les boules ont été lancées, l’équipe gagnante reçoit un point pour chaque boule qui se trouve plus près de la cible que la plus proche des boules adverses. Une équipe gagne lorsqu’elle atteint 13 points. ■

DIRECTORY ♦ 15

FEBRUARY 2016 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Business Directory

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

Auto Services

ElsaConception

(Architecture/ Design/ Decoration) Need interior design advice? Planning a project? Giving a space a makeover? Need to submit a building permit or a declaration? I can support you in all your makeover, renovation or construction projects. Sarlat and surrounding areas (up to 100km)

Tel: 06.87.09.38.94

Web: http://www.elsaconception.com

Cats and Dogs Boarding Kennels

Purpose built kennels - dept 16. 45 years animal care experience. Fully insured and vet approved. Individual kennels plus family pens. Walking off lead 4 times a day. Michael and Wendy Aldrich

catsanddogs2009@hotmail.co.uk

05 45 66 14 62 Siret: 494 030 919 00018

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

SHAMPOOCHIENS Dog Grooming Parlour 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 Puppies sometimes available Siret: 499 234 615 00015

DOG GROOMING FOR ALL TYPES OF DOGS Clipping, cutting, hand stripping, bathing, ear care & nail trimming. INGRID GELAUDIE La Baronnie, 24260 Audrix

06 31 98 92 07

CHARENTE

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

www.motorpartscharente.com

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.

Tel: 05 55 80 72 83 Mob: 06 33 07 29 72 Email: info@masterplans.eu www.masterplans.eu

CHARTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEER

Pre-purchase & Structural Surveys. Verbal & written reports. Structural calculations & drawings. Redevelopment ideas & solutions. Tim Haw B.Eng C.Eng M.I.Struct.E

FR: 0033 (0)6 05 56 42 81 UK: 0044 (0)7448 466 662

Web: www.versineer.com Email: enquiries@versineer.com Siret: 498 843 051 00018

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Building Services

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

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Building Services

Renovating your French property? New build? Dossiers prepared Permis de Construire Déclarations Préalables

Tel: 05 53 52 36 05 lavieilleabbaye@orange.fr www.latuspeter-architecturaldrawings-24.com SIRET: 493 770 358 00015

Carpenters/ Joiners

Wood Work

General Harlequin Developments All aspects of renovation and refurbishment, big or small, undertaken.

MADE TO MEASURE

Harlequin Developments are a Distributor and Installer for Solarventi, solar dehumidifying and ventilating products.

05 55 14 12 43

harlequindevelopments@live.com www.harlequindevelopments.com

SHUTTERS/DOORS, STAIRCASES, etc.

IN SOFTWOODS OR LOCAL HARD WOODS SIMPLE ORDERING / 10 DAY TURNAROUND Please explore our website for more info: www.scrollart.co.uk Oradour Sur Vayres (87150)- siren 752 051 482

Mini diggers, backhoe loaders, site dumpers, etc. Groundworks, site clearance and gardening services Very competitive prices Delivered Call Ant: 05 55 05 09 60 Mob: 07 50 44 76 27

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 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

Siret: 790 016 984 00011

Architectural DRAWING SERVICE

Plant Sales

siret: en cours

SHAUN BARWICK QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN

+44 (0)1377 255470 +44 (0)7830 170761 motorptscharente@aol.com

Architectural Services

Electricians BARWICK ÉLECTRICITÉ

MOTOR PARTS

Building Services

05.55.68.67.56 06.06.60.46.97 SIRET: 494.501.067.00016

ETS RICHARD ESTABLISHED IN 2005

ARTISAN IN RENOVATION AND CONSTRUCTION WORK INCLUDING BARN AND LOFT COVERSIONS. SPECIALIST IN OLD STONE WORK, ALL TYPES OF ROOFING, PAINTING & DECORATING, BATHROOMS, TILING, GUTTERING, WOOD CONSTRUCTION, PLASTERBOARDING, INSULATION. BASED IN PERIGORD NOIR COMPETITIVE PRICING

T : 06 38 71 08 36

E : richard.stienstra@orange.fr For more information please visit my Facebook page : Entreprise Richard

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

16 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ FEBRUARY 2016

ADVERTORIAL

“SolarVenti”- the solar solution to damp and humidity

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-

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 Web: www.sjcmontluc.fr Email: sjcmontluc@yahoo.fr siret: 792.130.932.00017

Building Services

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

Building Services Sandblasting Sand and Blast We provide a fully operated

sandblasting

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:

www.sandandblast.com

05 55 76 31 59 / 06 77 40 95 92 bobby@sandandblast.com steve@sandandblast.com

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

French/International cuisine. Themed nights each Friday: 1st Friday - Curry night 2nd Friday - Quiz night 3rd Friday - Fish n Chips night “best around”!! 4th Friday - Live Music night Open Tue - Fri: 11am - 9pm (except Wed eve) Saturday 6pm - 10pm Sunday 12pm - 3pm, traditional English roasts served For further details call Steve:

05 53 80 29 54

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

Garden Services

Gestalt Therapist Couple’s therapy Individual therapy English speaking Rue de La République, 24200 Sarlat-la-Canéda

Tel: 06 21 95 24 42

www.existtherapy.com

SOS Help

anxious? stressed? feeling down? call us up!

www.soshelpline.org

Computers & Satellites

Sat-Elec Formerly Electrosat

UK & French Satellite TV

TOOWAY BROADBAND

- Emergency plumbing repairs

Wi-Fi, Data Networks, CCTV For sales, service or advice call Mike G on:

Registered Artisan - Siret No: 480 857 853 00018

Losing business due to poor Internet and WiFi?

Bar & Restaurant

24400 Beaupouyet (N89 between Montpon & Mussidan)

Ellen B. Sanchez

05 55 41 17 76

- Breakdown / Replacement boilers

E : wellers@orange.fr

WiFi Anglais

La Poutre

01 46 21 46 46

Dishes & Freesat boxes always in stock Terrestrial digital aerial installations From a single outlet to multi-point systems

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

Stephen Wisedale

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

sales24@thebugle.eu

- Installation, from kitchen taps to full central heating systems

- Full analysed testing

Units start from €630 TTC. Several ex-demonstration models available at reduced prices, call for details.

SIRET: 812 727 253 00013

Plumbers PLUMBING & HEATING ENGINEER

- 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. ■

Approved Supplier

05 55 09 15 73

We only use our own qualified staff No call out charge Free quotations All areas covered Quality work from qualified Staff 5 Place de la Republique Sauviat-sur-Vige 87400 siret no 798 364 600 00014

3 - 11pm daily Confidential & Non-profit

The Dordogne Chippy

Traditional Fish & Chips in a town near you Please note, we are closed until 20th March Monday: Champsac Tuesday: Tremolat Wednesday: Star Inn, Périgueux Thursday: Eymet 1st & 3rd Friday: Lauzun 2nd Friday: Ste-Alvère Last Friday: Daglan See our website for full details:

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

HOME & GARDEN KATE MACKENZY INTERIOR DESIGN maintenance For all your gardening, window/gutter cleaning & paintwork needs, etc... Call me for a professional, reliable and friendly service

Paul: 07 83 75 45 76

Free quote Bergerac and surroundings mansfield.gardening@gmail.com

General

siret: 444 925 630 00014

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

Renovation consultation to finished interiors

Kitchen and Bathroom Planning Traditional to Contemporary Gite to Château & B&B 25 years of property transformations

mackenzyfr@gmail.com

05 53 58 65 11 siret: 815 112 362 00018

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

CARPET / UPHOLSTERY CLEANING Specialists in all carpet and upholstery cleaning

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

PROCHEM trained and Qualified

10 years UK experience - Covering depts 24/47/33

06 32 32 64 54 / 05 53 58 00 98 email lucidservices24@gmail.com siret: 512 614 306 00011

DIRECTORY ♦ 17

FEBRUARY 2016 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

ADVERTORIAL

Houses on Internet: A Global Property Network Australia, Belgium, Holland, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, Norway and of course France. Richard continues: “Our continuous global marketing is definitely paying off and guarantees a worldwide exposure of your property to buyers wherever they live. The actual work all starts with the presentation of a property. If that’s not good enough, all other marketing efforts are useless. Our photographers usually take 150 to 200 photos of a house and in addition copy any good (summer) photos our clients may have themselves. About 50 to 60 of those photos are selected, enhanced and presented on the dedicated website we make for each property. The text doesn’t just describe the house, garden and outbuildings, but also gives information about

shopping, schools, airports and local leisure activities. “When the website for the house is online, we first connect it to our main HOI-GPS websites which attract over 135,000 visitors from 40+ countries each month. Most of these people find us through Google and additional Google advertising. To reach an even larger audience, a summary of the presentation of the house is also placed on several other leading property websites. These adverts are also connected to the dedicated website of the house, making it all one big global property network. “As the property market has become a global one, a prospective buyer can be on the other side of the world while the owner is in bed sleeping. With our approach, the buyer does not have to wait and can see the entire

Central France Pest Control

Retail & Commerce

Dératisation, Déinsectisation, Désinfection

02 48 60 83 72 / 06 74 33 02 38 www.applicateur3d.com Email: info@applicateur3d.com Curative and preventative

La Petite Barre, 18210 Bessais Le Fromental SIRET No. 498 544 741 00024

Property Sales 3D Puzzle Maker 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.

09 51 45 57 49 Relax and browse in comfort Hot and cold drinks served

Short ‘optimised’ web videos in English and/or French for your property sale or your business.

Pest Control

Contact Joanna:

www.VideoProFrance.com Te: +33 (0) 6 99 07 64 28 contact@videoprofrance.com Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

MEDIUM

Tel: 06 79 04 10 21

Eco Entrepot aka The Shed

French Spoken

Transport, Removals & Storage

DSD Removals & Storage

87150 Oradour-sur-Vayres Siret 530 213 644 00012

The Removal Experts France ↔ UK

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

Open every day except Monday

www.michaelsmovers.freeindex.co.uk

HARD

Genuine/Reliable/Honest Local + Europe + UK runs Now also available for House/Barn clearances! 14m3 capacity 4.2m load length

05 55 41 17 76

32,000ft2 of great products incl. British Groceries, DIY, Housewares, Furniture, Clothing, Toiletries plus loads more!!

05 55 68 74 73

Man & Van Transport

www.frenchvanman.eu

for the whole family

(opp. the boulangerie) Open: Tue & Thu, 14h-17h also Sun, 10h-12h in July & August only By appointment outside these hours:

+31 (0)1 15 82 35 53

09 82 12 69 73

ABJAT-SUR-BANDIAT

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

EASY

Quality second-hand books in English & French 19 rue Victor Hugo 24310 BRANTÔME

Houses on Internet - Global Property Services www.housesoninternet.com

sales24@thebugle.eu

SECONDHAND CLOTHING

Ivan Petley

Tel: 05.55.80.29.88

bookstop

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

Removals, storage & house clearance in Dordogne

06 73 96 38 39 (FR)

05 55 41 17 76

Gifts & Crafts

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

property whenever he wants, at the moment he is interested in it.” For more information on HOIGPS or to market your property through them, visit their website.

editor@thebugle.eu

ouses on Internet – Global Property Services (hereafter referred to as “HOIGPS”) is the internet/marketing company that helps people sell their French property to buyers worldwide. Richard Kroon, founder and director of the company: “Last year was one of our best years ever in terms of sales. An important reason for that was the exchange rate between the euro and the pound sterling, which makes it interesting for British people to buy. Another reason is that we were able to increase our worldwide advertising budget and reach more prospective buyers than ever.” But it’s not just the British who are buying. In 2015 HOIGPS sold properties to people from 16 different countries, like

• All risk insurance cover • Full and Part load specialists • Professional staff & modern vehicles • Every vehicle from a Luton van to a full removals lorry • Prices from £3.63 per sq ft

+44 (0)1274 724 545

info@dsdremovalsltd.com www.dsdremovalsltd.com facebook.com/DSDRemovals

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

18 ♦ LANGUAGE & GAMES

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ FEBRUARY 2016

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.

To advertise in The Bugle Business Directory, call 05 55 41 17 76 SEARCHWORDOKU © - by Anthony Parson Complete the alphabetical Sudoku grid to the left using only the letters already shown, then use the result wordsearch grid to find: A freshwater fish

How does it work...? Complete the Sudoku grid in the usual manner, using only the 9 letters already shown. Once complete, you will be left with a 9x9 wordsearch grid, in which to find the final piece of the puzzle. See the completed example to the right, the clue for which is "An English county". Be careful not to jump to conclusions, as with the letters available, the answer could be SURREY, SUSSEX, ESSEX, or as it turns out in this case... SOMERSET.

Solution on page 17

SUDOKU - EASY

SUDOKU - MEDIUM

The solutions to this month’s sudokus can be found on page 17

SUDOKU - HARD

COMMUNITY ♦ 19

FEBRUARY 2016 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Monday

Market Days

Beynac Le Fleix Les Eyzies Ste-Alvère

Tuesday

Beaumont du Périgord Bergerac Brantôme Cénac-et-Saint-Julien Lanouaille Le Bugue Mareuil Neuvic Ribérac Salignac Eyvigues Thenon Trémolat Villefranche-de-Lonchat

Wednesday Bergerac Hautefort Jumilhac-le-Grand La Tour Blanche Montpon-Ménestérol Montignac Périgueux

Domme Excideuil Eymet La Coquille Lalinde Monpazier St Astier St-Julien-de-Lampon Terrasson

Bergerac Lalinde La Roche Chalais Le Bugue Montignac Mussidan Neuvic Nontron Périgueux Razac Sarlat Sigoulès St Aulaye Thiviers Verteillac Villefranche du Périgord

Friday

Sunday

Piégut Pluviers Razac Sarlat Siorac-en-Périgord Vélines

Thursday

Bergerac Brantôme Cubjac Le Buisson Ribérac Sarlat Vergt

Saturday

Agonac Beaumont du Périgord Belvès

Bergerac Couze St Front Daglan Issigeac Pontours Pressignac-Vicq Rouffignac Sarlat Sorges St Cyprien St Génies St Pardoux la Rivière

The Cantabile Choir, based in Eymet, has restarted rehearsals for their Summer Concerts in June, singing Mozart’s Coronation Mass, and arrangements of popular Viennese Music. New members, especially those with choral experience, are welcome to contact Philippa Tillyer at cogulot@yahoo.co.uk. At the moment we are especially looking for strong sopranos. In addition to our Concerts, we are arranging a Music Day for those who would like to learn more about how music theory works. This workshop will be led by our dynamic choir leader Simon Kenworthy, and will take place in Eymet on Saturday 27th February during the day. A second ‘Come and Sing’ event will be held in Eymet on the afternoon of Saturday 23rd April, and will be exploring a new composition composed by Simon Kenworthy, based on a theme from one of Shakespeare’s plays. This event is suited to experienced singers and will involve sight reading. Both courses are open to non members but places are limited and there will be a small charge. For further information on any of the above events, please register your interest with Philippa Tillyer by email at cogulot@yahoo.co.uk, giving details of your singing experience and range, or simply ask to be put on our mailing list for details of future events.

AQUITAINE CHURCH SERVICES FEBRUARY 2016

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

notices@thebugle.eu

Poor Gus was dumped when his owner moved house. Extraordinary that someone can keep a dog for 8 years from a puppy and then abandon it when they move! Like all Brittany Spaniels, he’s lively and loving. This handsome chap is fine with other dogs, loves children and people, but would undoubtedly chase cats and poultry. He travels well in the car.

SUNDAY 07 FEBRUARY 10:30 Service of the Word – Bertric Burée 10:30 Family Communion – Bordeaux 10:30 Prayer & Praise – Limeuil 10:30 Candlemas Morning Worship - Monteton 11:00 Holy Communion - Doudrac 16:00 Evensong – Bertric Burée

Gus would love a family home with a large, fenced garden.... he may be 8 years old, but he’s still full of beans!

Ash Wednesday, 10 February 10:30 Holy Communion – Limeuil 11:00 Holy Communion – Bertric Burée 15:00 Holy Communion – Doudrac 17:30 Holy Communion – Bordeaux 18:00? Holy Communion - Monteton

Thursday 18 February 10:30 BCP Holy Communion - Limeuil SUNDAY 21 FEBRUARY 10:30 Family Service – Bertric Burée 10:30 Morning Worship – Bordeaux 10:30 Holy Communion – Chancelade 10:30 Holy Communion - Dondas 10:30 Morning Worship - Limeuil 10:30 Prayer & Praise – Monteton 11:00 Holy Communion – Carlux, chez the Wiltons SUNDAY 28 FEBRUARY 10:30 Holy Communion – Bertric Burée 10:30 Family Communion – Bordeaux 10:30 Fresh Expressions – Eymet Salle des Fêtes des Marguerites 10:30 Holy Communion – Limeuil 10:30 Holy Communion - Monteton 10:30 Holy Communion – Négrondes

www.phoenixasso.com www.facebook.com/PhoenixAssociationFrance

05 55 41 17 76

Tuesday 16 February 11:30 Holy Communion - Envals

He is tattooed and neutered and will be vaccinated on adoption. If you’d like more details about this lovely lad, please contact Sheelagh on 05 53 54 94 81 (leave a message and I’ll get back to you!) or at sheerik@wanadoo.fr

notices@thebugle.eu

SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 10:30 Holy Communion – Bertric Burée 10:30 All Age Worship – Bordeaux 10:30 Fresh Expressions – Eymet Salle des Fêtes des Marguerites 10:30 Holy Communion – Limeuil 10:30 Morning Prayer - Monteton 10:30 Family Service – Négrondes

GUS – an 8-yr-old Brittany Spaniel boy

Managing Editor: Steve Martindale Editor-in-Chief: Steve Martindale Registered Address: Les Quatre Chemins 23150 St-Yrieix-les-Bois France SIRET: 514 989 748 00017 Printed by: Charente Libre 16340, L’Isle d’Espagnac France Monthly circulation: 11,000 copies

Directeur: Rédacteur-en-chef: Siège SIRET: Imprimé par:

Steve Martindale Steve Martindale Les Quatre Chemins 23150 St-Yrieix-les-Bois France 514 989 748 00017 Charente Libre 16340, L’Isle d’Espagnac France

Tirage mensuel:

11,000 copies

All copyright, unless stated otherwise, is reserved to The Bugle. Reproduction in whole or part of any text without permission is prohibited. Dépôt légal à parution.

The Bugle cannot accept responsibility for the claims of advertisers or their professionalism. We strongly advise readers to verify that the company you are dealing with is a registered trading company in France or elsewhere in the world.

20 ♦ WHAT’S ON Walnut Festival, Sarlat Saturday 13th February The nut in all its forms... For centuries, the Périgord Walnut has enjoyed an unrivaled reputation. Visit Sarlat on 13th February to discover the Noix du Périgord. There will be the regional walnut oil competition and stands with a variety of nut-based products (oil, cakes, sweets, cheeses, breads).

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ FEBRUARY 2016

Music in the Dordogne sponsored by ARCADES Join us for concerts in the air conditioned new hall in Le Buisson, mostly of classical music, with top class French, English, Russian and other international performers. Concert tickets cost €15 including wine in the interval. All events are organised by volunteers and serve also as a meeting ground for the French and international communities of the Dordogne, including ACIP and La Tulipe.

Venue - Le Buisson de Cadouin, Nouvelle Salle des Fêtes, Avenue Aquitaine

For more info, tel 06 87 88 15 33 or 05 53 23 86 22 or visit http://www.arcadesinfo.com/

UPCOMING CONCERTS Concert - Lutèce String Quartet 21st February at 5pm

Artists: Benjamin Ducasse (violin), Laure Simonin (violin), Sylvie Carrasco (viola), Myriam Teillagorry (cello) Programme – Haydn: Quartet op 33 N°2; Dvorak: American Quartet

Piano and violin duo Evelyne Cohen and Benjamin Ducasse will be performing Jewish Folk Music (Klezmer) as well as works by Bloch and Bruch on 6th March at 5pm

notices@thebugle.eu