The Bugle Dordogne - Jan 2015 by The Bugle

Winter Fuel Payment to stop in 2015 The British government has confirmed that expat pensioners will no longer receive the WFP on the >> Page 6 grounds of France being "too hot".

Dordogne January 2015 - Issue #19

Local expat couple strike medieval gold

NEWS - Anyone for a game of bowls?

Whilst renovating their property, one local couple literally struck gold when they discovered a purse containing 45 Spanish gold coins dating from the 16th century buried in the walls. Under French law, the treasure now belongs entirely to the lucky couple.

NEWS - Switched at birth families sue

reality for one local British couple recently, when they quite literally discovered a haul of buried treasure! Jennie and Ron Whetton first retired to France in search of a quieter life, but soon found themselves taking on increasingly large renovation projects near Castillonès, in the Lot-etGaronne department, near the southern borders of the Dordogne. Their love of local buildings culminated in 2009 when they heard that one of the most beautiful properties in their area had failed to attract its reserve price and they were soon the rather daunted owners of a glorious monument historique – the Hôtel de Cours de Thomazeau. With their thirst for a medieval fixer-upper apparently sated, the couple hoped to

>> continued on page 3

As a new president takes over the reins, the Périgord Lawn Bowls Club is keen to recruit new members for this most British of pastimes >> Page 5

The case of two 20-yearold girls that were switched at birth has finally come to court, with the families seeking €12 million in compensation >> Page 8

PRACTICAL - When the cat's away...?

We take a look at the practical steps you can take to make your house less appealing to rats and mice and how to keep them safely outside >> Page 13

The Bugle Business Directory

4 pages of listings for local English-speaking businesses - your essential guide to finding just what you’re looking for >> Pages 16-18

any expats who have bought houses in France will have spent their first few weeks as French property owners going through barns and attic spaces, clearing through decades of, let’s face it, dead mice and junk. Every now and then a useful item will be thrown up that can be restored or recycled: an old barrel, a chair or even a rusty bike. When going through these areas, that often look as though they have remained untouched for generations, it is natural to harbour fantasies of stumbling across something of worth. Who hasn’t watched Antiques Roadshow and then vowed to clean out the attic next weekend! Well, this dream became a

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2 ♦ IN THIS EDITION

Welcome to

The Bugle

ell, 2015 is finally h e r e ! ! A very Happy New Year to all our readers and here’s hoping that this year finally sees France - and the eurozone as a whole - sort out its financial troubles. I launched The Bugle in 2009 at a time when I thought there was only one way the economy could head from the doldrums it was in at the time. I was right, except that direction was down, down and further down! I haven’t gone back over previous editorials, but I have a feeling that most years I will have stated a belief that the coming year will be the one where everything turns around. I am nothing if not an optimist!! So I won’t be making any prophecies this year - at least not anywhere they can come back to bite me at a later date. One economic positive for many readers will have been the recent changes in the EuroSterling exchange rate. The pound is going a lot further at

the moment and quite a few expats rely on UK income or pensions. Houses must also be looking increasingly cheap to those on the other side of the Channel. Perhaps 2015 will be the year that sees the start of an influx of new expats... no, Steve - no predictions this year! I was delighted with the response to the request run in December’s issue of our Limousin edition to track down a château that had once belonged to the grandparents of a 93-year-old lady living in Australia. We had a very old photo, a vague area to the east of the region and a few first names from over 100 years ago. Within days, a number of people had come forward with the exact location of the building, a visit was planned and a very old lady was hopefully made very happy. It reminded me of the time in 2010 that we ran a request to find a bit of information about the provenance of a hurdy gurdy a UK enthusiast had recently acquired. He knew that it had been made

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2015 in 1889 and that it had been in use in the Bellegarde-enMarche area (department 23). Long shot? Not in the slightest. A French reader of The Bugle, from Paris no less, came forward as the grandson of the owner of the “other” hurdy gurdy in the area at the time and remembered that the instrument in question had belonged to the town postman. He even had a name. Another happy customer! I had occasion to return to the UK in December and, blessedly free from my family - or rather, as my family were sadly unable to come with me - I decided to take the train. I travelled a lot by train in my younger days and when time is not tight, it is my preferred means of transport. Ryanair are brilliant at getting you from A to B at a reasonable price, but very few would claim that the journey was part of the holiday. It has been a long time since I was able to sit back on a train and enjoy the ride - one of the side-effects of young children, unfortunately. French trains, in my experience, are universally excellent. I once spent 6 months commuting weekly by train from central France to Brussels and was only late once - and that was not the fault of the train network. I joked last month that the answer to my financial troubles may be to invest in a metal detector and find some treasure. One witty reader even sent me a catalogue entry for

such a piece of kit, along with a hundred euro note to pay for it. Unfortunately for me, the note was in fact a napkin made to look like a euro note! Many people laughed at my idea of finding buried treasure, but as you will see from the front page of this edition, miracles do indeed happen. How many of us have treasure hidden in or around our houses that we don’t know about? Well, I can say for certain that I don’t as, after speaking to the Whettons, I ripped apart all my walls in the search for Spanish gold. Not only did I not find any, I’ll now have to spend the next few months replastering and repointing!! So... back to work for me. Once again, I wish all our readers the very best for 2015! Until next month! Steve Martindale, Editor

INSIDE this edition 3-5 Local News 6-10 National News 11-13 Practical 14 Bilingual 15 Games 16-18 Directory 19 Community 20 What’s On

CONTACT us Tel: 05.55.41.17.76 General: editor@thebugle.eu Advertising (EN): sales24@thebugle.eu Publicité (FR): publicite@thebugle.eu Subscriptions: subscriptions24@thebugle.eu Editor: Steve Martindale Write to: The Bugle Les Quatre Chemins 23150 St-Yrieix-les-Bois France

LOCAL NEWS ♦ 3

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>> continued from pg 1 finally sit back and enjoy their retirement... that was until the former coach house of their current property also came up for sale, complete with crumbling walls, a roof threatening imminent collapse and literally thousands of pigeons, alive, dying and dead. “When the dust settled and we started to peel off the layers of plaster we made our first discovery,” Jennie told The Bugle. “One room was completely covered in what can only be described as graffiti dating from the 16th century. It was clear that this was a significant part of the original fortified town and we continued very carefully. A few weeks ago my husband was working in what was one of the old coach houses, cleaning out a wall in readiness for pointing. In a tiny crack between two stones was something that he assumed was a dead rat... it wouldn’t be the first time. He called me over and told me to close my eyes and hold out my hands.”

When Jennie opened her eyes, she was not holding a dead rodent. What she had in her hands was an exquisite, teal-green silk purse containing 45 Spanish gold coins from the late 16th century! Two of the coins carried dates from the 1590s and, together with the delicate nature of the purse and the other evidence being discovered on and in the walls, it was soon clear that the coins had been hidden over 400 years ago and remained untouched ever since. The couple declared their find to the town’s mayor, as the law dictates, who in turn informed the local authorities. Here the Whettons had a second stroke of luck: because the coins had been found in the wall and not buried in the ground outside, the treasure belonged entirely to them. Under French law, any treasure found by chance belongs 50% to the owner of the land and 50% to the person that finds it. Jennie told The Bugle that, as of yet, she has no idea as to the value of the solid gold coins, although back when

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Local couple discover Spanish gold

they were buried they would have represented a significant sum of money! Spanish gold from the period is not necessarily that uncommon, but is most often brought up from the sea floor where it becomes damaged by time and needs to be ‘cleaned’. The coins found in the mortar of the Whettons’ coach house had been perfectly preserved by the dry conditions and, as gold is one of the most unreactive elements

known to man, they are in virtually the same state today as when they were squirrelled away by their original owner. What happens next to this medieval treasure remains to be seen. With museums unlikely to be interested, the future for the coins most probably lies with private collectors. There is a thriving market for Spanish gold coins, although Jennie would prefer that they are somehow put on display. ■

Fewer cars burnt this New Year France has developed a worrying “tradition” over recent decades of setting fire to cars on New Year’s Eve. The custom reportedly began in the east of the country, around Strasbourg, in the 1990s, in the the city’s poorer neighbourhoods and was then quickly taken up by youths in cities across the country. The practice was enthusiastically adopted by rioters in Paris in 2005 and remains a problem to this day. Authorities had stopped publishing official figures of the number of burnt cars after it was revealed that a district-by-district breakdown was fuelling competition between rival gangs. In recent years, the interior ministry has again been publicising general statistics on the number of incidents. The most recent celebrations saw a 12% drop in burnt-out cars, with “only” 940 reported - a figure that is still shockingly high. Thankfully, the Dordogne largely avoids this unusual form of celebration and there were only 2 cases of cars being set on fire one in Bergerac and the other in Périgueux. Neither resulted in further damage. Over 90,000 police, gendarmes, soldiers and emergency service workers were deployed across France to protect the public on December 31st after three violent street attacks in the run-up to Christmas, in which one person was killed and over 20 injured. ■

4 ♦ LOCAL NEWS

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Popular Périgord pants Ancient Dordogne wine

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n all-French manufacturer in the Dordogne has won a prestigious business award, placing it firmly at the top... when it comes to bottoms! The recently established company in St-Antoine-Cumond produces a range of underwear under the brand name “le Slip Français” - literally “French Pants”. The company belongs to entrepreneur, Guillaume Gibault, who came to St-Antoine in 2011 to start manufacturing the range of underwear and his Dordogne base plays a major role in Guillaume’s network of 15 small companies specializing in topquality bottoms for men and women. Selling his speciality products online has been the source of Guillaume’s success, using social media to triple turnover in just 3 years. Le Slip’s online selling techniques have not only brought commercial success, but have now won a top industry award for digital marketing. He explained: “When you start up a new company it’s absolutely essential to get the brand known on the Net. When you are selling online it makes all the difference.” This 30-something entrepreneur has a good eye for publicising the brand. His vessel in the recent “Route du Rhum” yacht race came in three weeks after the winner, very appropriately in bottom place! In the recent Téléthon, the annual

French fund-raising event along the lines of “Children in Need”, Guillaume launched a pompom hat to raise funds. He again worked largely through social media and a number of French celebrities were persuaded to post photos of themselves wearing the distinctive red and blue, French-made pompom hat. The promotion was cheekily named “Bouge ton pompon” - Shake your pompom - and set itself a target of raising €30,000. The collection tins were soon rattling and the scheme has so far raised €140,000 for French good causes... as well as also further raising the profile of the brand.

Just another reason for Saint-AntoineCumond to shake its own pompom and celebrate being at the top of the bottoms! ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe

ergerac is best known for its strong, fine reds, but growers in Bergerac AOC are delighting serious wine buffs with a new twist on an ancient product. Bergerac has been a protected name in wine since 1936. In September of that year its wines were designated AOC (Appellation d’origine contrôlée) but its wine-growing area has been defined and jealously guarded since as long ago as the 14th century. Now, almost exactly 800 years later, an ancient wine long neglected and almost forgotten has been recreated – and is enjoying great success amongst connoisseurs. A sweet white that is produced by just a dozen growers on a few hectares around Creysse, Ginestet, Lembras, Prigonrieux and Maurens, Rosette takes its dénomination from the hamlet at the centre of production. Eric Vandamme, respected Bergerac wine merchant and caviste is highly enthusiastic:

“It is amazing. Sales have gone through the roof. I now sell more Rosette than Montbazillac. Yet compared to this big name in dessert wine, Rosette production is tiny. Montbazillac produces around 55,000 hectolitres a year, but Rosette a relatively tiny 700.” “It’s a lovely story, a superb wine with a long tradition that we almost lost, and it comes from ten or so growers working less than 20 hectares,” said fellow Bergerac wine merchant, Christophe Queuille, speaking to The Bugle. “We owe its survival to a grower returning from North Africa in the 1960s, who brought Rosette back from obscurity.” The appellation d’origine contrôlée demands that Rosette be made with three principal grape varieties: sémillon, muscadelle and white and grey sauvignon. The grapes are harvested when their sugar level is high and traditional manpower is mainly used, as a machine is not selective enough for the process.

When finally bottled after several months in casks, Rosette has a pale, straw colour and a distinctive aroma of acacia, citrus and exotic fruits, particularly peach. It is drunk as an aperitif and perfectly accompanies seafood, mushroom and truffle dishes. Despite all that is going for this local wine, Rosette will not break the bank, with a bottle retailing at around a modest €7. Perfect for cheering up a winter’s day dinner! ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe

80-year-old’s bath ordeal French businessman’s boost for local charity A n 80-year-old lady from the Dordogne endured a nightmare run-up to Christmas when she spent 6 days stuck in her bath. Identified as Huguette by the local press, the resident of Saint-Antoine-de-Breuilh, was going through her usual morning routine, placing her panic button on the sink before climbing into the bath. Unfortunately, on this occasion, the elderly woman fell and was unable to get up... or reach her panic button. In the end, it was the postwoman who came to her res-

cue and possibly saved her life. “I passed on the Monday,” said Sylvette Villaud. “I wasn’t working, but was doing my round to sell the traditional calendars.” Ringing the doorbell, the postwoman had no response, despite the shutters all being fully open. Again, visiting the next day, “the house was exactly the same – nothing had moved”. Although worried, it was not until the Thursday, with nothing apparently moved all week, that the postwoman alerted the mayor. “It was too much. I knew there was a

problem,” said the La Poste employee. “I haven’t been doing this loop for long, but I knew an elderly person lived there.” With the help of the neighbours and a spare set of keys, the mayor entered the house to find Huguette lying in the bath, having survived for 6 days on water from the tap. The octogenarian was in surprisingly good spirits following her ordeal, saying she would keep her panic button on her at all times in the future: “It has certainly taught me a lesson!” ■

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he biggest cancer charity in the Dordogne has just received a cash boost from a prominent businessman. Cancer Support France held its annual fund-raising dinner dance at the Hôtel de France in St-Pardoux-la-Rivière at the beginning of December. Organizer Linda Kelly had a bright idea. In addition to the traditional Loto money-spinner, there would be an auction. She decided to offer to provide and host a 5-course meal for 6 people with aperitifs, wines and digestifs, to be sold by auction during the fund-raising dinner. Excitement was high and bidding was keen amongst the British and French guests but a local builder of wood-framed houses beat everybody with a fabulous bid of €300! Gérard Brives told The Bugle that he was delighted to have won the auction, adding that it sounded like good value in any case. The Brives family have been known for their philanthropy for decades around the north Dordogne, and for their unique house builds across the whole of south-west France. Linda Kelly told us: “I’m delighted that Gérard and his guests will be dining at our house and we are all thrilled at Gérard’s generosity. Although CSF initially aims at supporting English-speaking cancer sufferers, our funds go directly to local Dordogne hospitals treating patients of all nationalities.” ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe

LOCAL NEWS ♦ 5

JANUARY 2015 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

precious piece of Britain, located in rural France, is set to expand when the best bowling green club in France boosts membership in 2015. Lawn bowls in the UK is associated with crisp whites, perfect turf, and the evocative click of wood on wood... and most of all with the sportsmanship and civilized behaviour of its participants. France’s only lawn bowls club, near Vieux Mareuil, is a superb example of this ancient noble sport’s admirable qualities! The Périgord Lawn Bowls Club has its home green at La Charrue, a convivial location on the D939 between Mareuil and Brantôme, with food and drink available. The green was laid several years ago by the owners and a group of volunteers. Adjustments and fine tunings have been made over the years to account for the rather different climate of the Dordogne and today the green is a magnificent example of what can be achieved with a bit of hard work. The retiring president, Martyn Hayhow, and his successor,

Peter Fillingham, are agreed on the quality of their venue: “It is a superb facility, and due to its design and the care that it gets, the green can be in use throughout the season. We can play every day from May to October. Only heavy rain is a game-stopper.” Out of season the club goes indoors for short-mat bowls. “Just as much fun,” says Peter, “but out of the Dordogne chill.” The game of lawn bowls has been part of the British scene for centuries and this corner of the Périgord Vert proudly maintains the traditions. “We are looking to introduce new members,” Peter told The Bugle. “Some members have moved away and now, largely because of the excellence of the green, it is possible to play every day of the season. La Charrue is an ideal location and makes for a lively social scene for 12 months a year.” Peter went on to tell The Bugle of the hugely successful 2014 spring-time tour to Spain where they played a number of games at Spanish venues. There are future plans for similar ventures and Peter Fillingham paid

tribute to the outgoing president’s efforts in setting up this international event. At the PLBC players can set the tone of their games as they choose. Playing in a team in a league tournament is a serious business, with a strict dress code and a concentrated intensity to win. On a more casual basis, members can also drop in for a quiet “click-about” on the green with friends, just for fun. Prospective members who are not sure whether bowls is for them can get free tuition and a loan of woods for a road-test of the game. An ex-firefighter from Scunthorpe, Peter Fillingham likes to spread the word about the health benefits of lawn bowls: “The game has a reputation for being only for the unfit and infirm. In a way that is partly true, it doesn’t take strength and stamina to be able to enjoy the game, but a match tournament entails plenty of cardio-vascular activity and especially, walking. Doctors highly recommend this kind of exercise to keep in shape whatever your age and state of fitness.”

Dordogne bowls club looking to expand

The mayor of Cussac tries his hand at indoor bowls He emphasizes that the club rules insist that male and female players will always compete on equal terms. “For 2015, we are looking to welcome men and women of any nationality to join us. We have an unrivalled venue in a good location, we have the equipment, we have a warm and friendly membership, we have a lively, interesting programme

and we have a great year ahead of us!” ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe To find out more, contact Peter on 05 53 56 26 82 or by email at pafillingham@gmail.com For Clive and Pauline Davie of La Charrue, call 05 53 56 65 59 or visit www.lacharrue.biz

6 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

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Winter Fuel Payments to stop in 2015 worked in this country years ago but no longer live here is not a fair use of the nation’s cash.” Whilst many would agree that those living in tropical climates should possibly not receive the WFP at the British taxpayer's expense, those of us living in France may question whether it really is that “hot” here in winter. In fact, as details of the chancellor's “temperature test” were revealed, it emerged that French expats had reason to be upset. Under the test, the WFP is being withdrawn from pensioners living in countries where the average winter temperature is considered higher than the warmest area of the UK - the south-west of England. An examination of the raw data used by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), which was provided by the University of East Anglia, shows clearly that the average

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winter temperature of France and Corsica is 5.08°C, while that of the south-west of England is 5.6°C. When pressed, the DWP later admitted that it had included France’s overseas departments (départements d'outre-mer - DOMs). These far-flung places, inhabited by roughly 30 UK pensioners, include tropical islands such as Guadeloupe, Martinique

and La Réunion as well as French Guyana in South America, where average annual temperatures are in the mid-20s. By adding these locations, the average temperature of “France” nudges just above that of Cornwall. The government defended its use of the data on the grounds that the DOMs are considered part of France - and

therefore the EU - and that British pensioners living there can claim the WFP. “The French state defines itself as the mainland and its overseas departments. It is not for the UK government to redefine the territory of another EEA member state,” a spokesman said. More than 95,000 British pensioners living in France, Spain,

Greece, Portugal, Malta, Gibraltar and Cyprus will now lose the annual £100-£300 payment. However, anyone who has not previously claimed the allowance can still receive the 2014/15 payment if they lodge their claim before 31st March. You must have been born on or before 5th July 1952 and live in the EU or Switzerland. ■

No more tax rises until 2017

France's finance minister has vowed that there will be no further tax rises before the next presidential elections in 2017. “The government will not propose any new measures to raise taxes, not in 2015, 2016 or 2017,” said Michel Sapin at a recent press conference. “From now on the only contributions that will rise will be linked to decisions already taken.” The government has been under pressure to ease the tax burden on struggling households, with figures showing an explosion in recent years in the number of people requesting a deferral or cancellation of part or all of their tax bill: between 2011 and 2013, the number rose by 22% from around 177,000 to more than 216,000. Over the same period, the number of reminders for payment sent out by the French government, i.e. when a payment is overdue, soared from 4.5 million to nearly 10 million. ■

Long-distance local scallops

Much is made these days of food miles - the distance travelled by our food before it hits our plates. So bear in mind that the next time you eat French-farmed scallops in a dish made by Celtigel, the crustaceans may well

he British government has officially announced that the Winter Fuel Payment (WFP) will not be paid out to British pensioners living in France for the winter of 2015/2016, as part of cost-cutting measures. The move had been widely anticipated after British chancellor, George Osborne, previously announced that pensioners living in “hot” countries would no longer be eligible for the allowance. In a statement to the Commons in 2013, Osborne explained how the government planned to get around paying the allowance to expat pensioners: “We will link the winter fuel payment to a temperature test. People in hot countries will no longer get it; it is after all a payment for winter fuel. Paying out even more money to people from all nationalities who may have

have travelled from the coast of France to China, before being processed by hand and then shipped all the way back to France to be used in the meal. “It sounds weird, but it’s a matter of cost,” said George Brézellec, vice-president of fishing cooperative Cobrenord. “We are on wage differences ranging from one to 100.” Fishermen, along with local communities, have now taken on the task of finding an alternative to the ludicrous production step. “You could create local jobs and avoid shipping the scallops around the world... at the same cost if possible,” said Mayor of Saint-Quay, Thierry Simelière, where the majority of the scallops used by Celtigel are farmed. He hopes that the work could eventually be assigned to people with disabilities, something that would have the added benefit of attracting European subsidies for the area. ■

JANUARY 2015 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 7

8 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2015

en years ago, two French couples had their worst fears confirmed after DNA tests revealed that their daughters were switched at birth. The families of the girls, both now aged 20, have taken their case to court in the southeastern city of Grasse, near Cannes, and are suing the doctors and the clinic involved for more than €12 million in damages. The story began in July 1994. Three babies on the same maternity ward were suffering from jaundice, but the unit they were in only had two incubators equipped with the special lights required to treat the condition. The baby boy was placed in one of the incubators and the two girls were placed side by side in the other. After treatment, the girls were then returned to their mothers who raised immediate concerns. Sensing something was wrong, one pointed out to hospital staff that her daughter had light skin but it now appeared much darker. Staff dismissed her concerns, saying that the difference was due to the effects of the lamps in the incubator. Ten years later, worried by the fact that his daughter had darker skin and bore no resemblance to him, one of the fathers ran a paternity test, revealing that he was not her biological parent. More shockingly, however, further tests revealed that neither was his wife the girl's biological mother. A subsequent inquiry established that the two girls had been switched at birth and were growing up in separate families, just 30 kilometres apart. “They took my innocence away,” said one of the two girls recently, speaking to Nice-

Matin newspaper. “They took away my dreams, my hopes, my desire to have children.” The two families involved did meet 10 years ago when the mistake was first uncovered, but it was decided that the girls would remain where they were and they did not stay in touch. “I don’t see my biological daughter anymore,” one of the mothers told Nice-Matin. “The social, educational and cultural differences [between the two families] added to the pain of our unconscious rivalry and took their toll on our relations.” She said that she “instinctively loved her biological daughter” from the moment she met her and added that although she officially only has three children, “in my heart I have four”. When the baby switch was first uncovered, the families pressed charges against the clinic where it took place, but as the incident occurred more than 10 years previously, the case was dismissed under the statute of limitations. They are now seeking compensation in a civil lawsuit, suing the clinic, the doctors who supervised the births, and the auxiliary nurse who made the actual mix-up. The clinic has admitted fault, blaming the baby exchange on the nursing auxiliary who it claims suffered from alcoholism, but has said that it will not pay any damages. “There should be exemplary sentences,” said one of the mothers after the initial court hearing. “We really hope to get this recognition, so as to free us from all this guilt about not having been able to protect our child, not having insisted when we saw there was a problem.” ■

Baby switch case reaches court

Insurance renewal law changes come into force

rom 1st January 2015, it should now be easier to cancel or change your home or car insurance as the “Hamon Law” finally becomes operative this month. The new law allows consumers to cancel certain types of insurance contract at any time after an initial 12-month period; under previous rules, contracts were either tacitly renewed, or had to be cancelled within a certain period of time just prior to their renewal date. The law is part of the consumer rights “loi Hamon”, named after Benoît Hamon, the politician who suggested the changes. Although initially unveiled in March of 2014, the changes relating to insurance contracts are only now coming into force after the industry lobbied for delays to give them more time to adapt. Whilst home and car insurances are affected by the new law, the rules for cancelling and renewing mutuelles (health top-up) insurances remain unchanged. The changes come at a good time for consumers as it is believed that home insurance premiums may go up by as much as 5% in 2015 as insurers look to claw back losses from a series of recent natural disasters. The previous insurance cancellation rules were complex and often poorly understood and as a result the French have historically changed their choice of insurer far less often than elsewhere in Europe. With consumers now free to shop around for new insurance at any time, future price rises may be kept in check by increased competition. ■

Charges dropped over Oradour massacre

German court has thrown out the case against a former Nazi officer accused of taking part in the massacre at Oradour-sur-Glane, one of the worst atrocities in France during the Second World War. Many were surprised when charges were brought nearly a year ago and the court in Cologne has now decided that there is not enough evidence to proceed with a trial. The accused former soldier, Werner C, whose last name has not been revealed in accordance with German privacy laws, was 19 at the time of the massacre and serving with an SS mechanised-infantry regiment in the area. He admitted he was present in Oradour-sur-Glane at the time of the atrocity. However, he denied any involvement in the murders. “It's a big disappointment,” said Claude Milord, president of an association set up for family members of the victims. “We weren't necessarily expecting any punishment, but we were expecting the case to proceed and to hear what he saw and what he did that day. Time passes quickly, the people involved are very old and this process would ideally have taken place much sooner.” The charges were the result of 3 years of tireless work by a team headed by Stefan Willms, who has 15 years' experience tracking Nazi war criminals. After painstaking research, the team

identified 7 soldiers still alive believed to have taken part in the massacre: 1 Austrian and 6 Germans. Three were deemed too ill to ever stand trial. “The investigation will continue for as long as the suspects are alive,” Mr Willms has said previously. The presidents of Germany and France travelled to the village last

September, along with the three living survivors of the massacre, in a historic moment of reconciliation - it was the first time that a German president had visited the village. On 10th June 1944, German soldiers massacred 642 men, women and children at Oradour-sur-Glane, the largest atrocity committed against civilians

in France by Nazi forces. Adolf Diekmann, who commanded the German troops on the ground on that day, was killed in action shortly afterward during the Battle of Normandy, and a large number of the third company, which had committed the massacre, were themselves killed in action within a few days. ■

NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 9

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Corsica is voted the mustsee destination of 2015

France to make payments to SNCF Holocaust victims

The government has unveiled its latest weapon in the ongoing battle against speeding motorists: a new breed of cameras that can take a picture of both the front and rear of a vehicle. The move follows the recent introduction of average speed cameras and mobile speed cameras mounted in unmarked cars. The device is initially being tested for 3 months on a stretch of road near Lyon. Those flashed will not be receiving a fine, but if the tests are successful, the new generation of radars could soon be deployed across the country. Authorities hope that the new cameras will reduce the number of blurred or unusable images. Currently, as many as one third of all images taken are unusable because they are either too blurred or the number plate is not legible. Police say the image taken from the front will always be useful in helping to identify who was driving at the time - but the rear image should improve accuracy. ■

ccording to National Geographic Traveler magazine, the top destination to visit in 2015 is the French island of Corsica. The sun-drenched Mediterranean island was not the only French location in the magazine's top 20 “must see” destinations, however, with the Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy coming in at 17th place. Corsica was ruled for centuries by the Italians, but was conquered by France in 1769, just before the birth of the island's most famous inhabitant, Napoleon Bonaparte. National Geographic praised the “olive groves and quiet villages that dot the slopes and isolated valleys of the interior” as well as the “undeniable pleasures of the coast or the thrill of visiting the historic La Maison Bonaparte in the city of Ajaccio”. Corsica, the so-called “Island of Beauty”, is an extremely popular tourist destination, but is also plagued by high levels of unemployment and is a hotbed of organised crime. Nationalist sentiment is strong and extremists on the island have been known to have blown up the houses of foreign property investors as a warning to others. Corsicans have a fiery reputation and tensions on the island often run high: today the island has the highest murder rate per capita in Europe. Not only is Corsica famous for being the home of Napoleon, the northern town of Calvi also claims to be the birthplace of the explorer Christopher Columbus. ■

he French government has agreed to pay €50 million in compensation to the families of Americans and foreigners who were deported to Nazi death camps using the country's state-run SNCF trains during the Second World War. The move follows a protracted legal battle after the decision of the US state of Maryland to bar SNCF from bidding for contracts on a $3 billion transport project there. It is believed that, as part of the deal, the US government will work to end other lawsuits and compensation claims against SNCF currently in US courts. “The US and France have reached a historic agreement for substantial compensation in connection with the deportation from France during the Holocaust,” said US special adviser on Holocaust issues, Stuart Eizenstat, who spent three years working with French officials on the agreement. “This is another measure of justice for the harms of one of history’s darkest eras.” During the German occupation of France, the Nazi regime used French freight cars to deport almost 76,000

New double speed cameras tested

Jews to concentration camps between 1942 and 1944 - only around 3,000 are believed to have survived. There are around 250 people in the US who are eligible under the rules for the new fund as direct survivors or spouses, according to an advocacy group, but several thousand may also be eligible as heirs to survivors or spouses who died between 1948 and today. The reparations equate to around $100,000 each for survivors and tens of thousands of dollars for spouses. Although SNCF is not a party to the agreement, it is believed the company will contribute $4 million over the next five years to fund Holocaust memorials and museums in the US, Israel and France. In 2010, the SNCF publicly expressed regret for the role the rail operator played, but insisted it had no control over its operations during the Nazi occupation. France has already paid billions in reparations to French victims of the Holocaust. This latest deal, however, will allow compensation for Americans, Israelis and others ineligible under previous agreements. ■

Changes to allergy information rules

French restaurants will soon be required to provide information on 14 separate ingredients known to trigger allergic reactions, as part of Europe-wide regulations on food labelling. Under the new rules, consumers must be told if their food contains any of the following: celery, cereals containing gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, lupin, milk, molluscs, mustard, nuts, peanuts, sesame seeds, soya and sulphur dioxide. The European Commission had initially wanted details to appear on menus. However, following intense lobbying by the restaurant industry, businesses have been given flexibility on how they provide allergy information. As well as traditional restaurants, takeaways, hospital canteens and care homes will all be covered by the new legislation. Failure to comply with the rules, which are due to be signed into French law in mid-January, could result in heavy fines. The European Academy of Allergy estimates that 17 million people across the continent are affected by food allergies. ■

103 years old and going strong

The D532 between Saint-Félicien and Lalouvesc is a hard hill climb by most people's standards; a 10 km stretch of road that rises 450 metres in altitude. The climb is part of the Ardéchoise race, which is one of the largest cycle races in Europe, attracting some 12,000 riders each year. Robert Marchand, a former firefighter from Seine-etMarne, recently completed the climb in a little under one hour. Certainly nowhere near the fastest ascent ever seen, but not bad for someone celebrating their 103rd birthday! The centenarian cyclist is no stranger to the headlines, having already broken the world centenarian speed record in 2012 by covering 24.25 km in one hour, a record he stretched to 26.927 km in 2014. He also holds the centenarian world speed record, covering 100 km in Lyon in 4hr 17mins 27 sec at an average of more than 23 kph. Mr Marchand revealed that he is planning to continue racing until he is 105! ■

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ir Lindsay OwenJones, the former boss of French company L'Oréal, is waging a legal battle against the owners of a chip shop based just outside his luxury flat in the upmarket French ski resort of Val-d'Isère... because he cannot bear the smell! The millionaire, along with three of his neighbours, has asked a court in the Alps to shut down “La Cabane” chip stand for operating illegally and causing “olfactory pollution”. The 68-year-old Welshman owns an apartment at the foot of the slopes in the exclusive Val-d’Isère resort and he and his neighbours say the smell of chip fat drifts up from the stand to their balconies and into their apartments. Laure Sauthier, a lawyer representing Owen-Jones, said it was not just about the smell and that he and his neighbours were merely trying to apply the law. She said the stand was “built without authorisation and run completely illegally”. Accord-

ing to Sauthier the chip stand is very big, covered by a marquee and built on a no-building area. “When you are in Val-d’Isère, in front of the slopes, it’s a shame not to be able to take advantage of your balcony, of this remarkable view, and to constantly have the smell of chips under your nose,” the lawyer said. The chip shop's manager, Valerie Maertens, told reporters that Owen-Jones only came to Val-d’Isère “for three days, three times a year”, whereas her stand welcomed seasonal workers and municipal employees every day of the year. She also accused the millionaire businessman of “legal harassment”; he has now launched no fewer than five cases against the chip shop, all of which have failed. Earlier cases were aimed at forcing the council to shut down the chip stand and were heard by administrative courts. Undeterred by their failure and the mounting legal costs, Sir Lindsay and his neighbours are now asking a civil court to order it to close. If that fails, they say

Chip shop "stink" upsets millionaire

Sir Lindsay was boss of L'Oréal for 18 years they will ask the court to appoint an expert to evaluate the fall in the value of their properties caused by the presence of the stand, so that they can ask for compensation, arguing that the “exceptional tranquillity” of the location is marred by the chip stand's “numerous chairs

and deckchairs, tables, tents and marquees”. “It's a case brought by rich people who live in luxury and comfort, where everything smells of perfume, who want to stop this woman earning a living,” lawyers for the chip shop's owner told reporters, adding

that if Mr Owens-Jones' “precious nostrils” could not take the smell of chip fat, then he should move out of the “hugely busy” resort. Mrs Maertens appears to largely have the backing of the locals, with several papers publishing messages of support. ■

Inventor unveils Million euro artwork flatulence pills left on French train

f you have you ever left something on the train... a book, a coat, a bag... then you know how annoying this can be. So spare a thought for Franco-Italian art dealer Francesco Plateroti, who left a 13th century Chinese artwork worth over €1 million on a recent TGV service from Paris to Geneva! After presenting the work of art, which dates from the Yuan dynasty (1280 - 1329) in the French capital, Plateroti took the high-speed train back to Geneva, getting off without the pre-

the relevant health authorities. Currently retailing at €9.99 for a jar of 60, they also apparently bring other benefits, such as “the reduction of gas and bloating”. “Some buy them because they have problems with flatulence and some buy them as a joke

to send to their friends. Christmas always sees a surge in sales,” said the inventor, according to IBTimes.co.uk. “We're not quite ready to be floated on the stock exchange, but we sell a few hundred jars every month. Everyone needs these kind of pills.” ■

French inventor has attracted worldwide attention after appearing on France's equivalent of Dragons' Den with his range of anti-flatulence pills! Christian Poincheval presented his capsules to the panel of investors, claiming that they made farts smell of roses or violets, and even added a new option for the festive season: “The Father Christmas fart pill that gives your farts the scent of chocolate”! The pills - which contain only natural ingredients such as fennel, seaweed and blueberries - were rejected by the show’s panelists. The story was soon picked up by other media outlets around the globe, however, bringing a degree of notoriety to their creator, if not massive sales. The pills are sold on the internet under the Lutin Malin (Crafty Imp) brand name and, according to Mr Poincheval, have been approved by

cious scroll at Bellegardesur-Valserine, a town close to the border with Switzerland and the final stop before Geneva. By the time the art dealer had realised his mistake, the train had already left for the border. “I was crushed when I realised I didn't have it with me,” Mr Plateroti later said. “It was a massive shock.” Train officials contacted their Swiss colleagues, but the scroll could not be found on arrival. Taking matters into his own hands, the dealer has offered a reward for the

safe return of the artwork, although this is yet to yield any leads. “People take advantage of my misfortune,” said Mr Plateroti. “They are calling me to say they have the painting and that they will send it once I put the reward money in their bank accounts. This all makes having lost the painting a lot worse. I call the Swiss department for lost property three times a day...” The only good news for the dealer is that the artwork cannot legally be sold on or displayed without its certificate of authenticity. ■

PRACTICAL ♦ 11

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In the garden - jobs for January

t's now official that 2014 was the warmest year in France since record keeping began. So why hasn't the garden been burnt to a crisp? Well, the copious rain and the lack of prolonged vastly hot temperatures during the summer has meant that in the garden the growing season has been lengthened considerably. We have certainly been able to garden right through December - if you're home in daylight hours that is. I've never before had a forest of coriander and lettuce seedings growing outside, unprotected, on Christmas Day!! So evidently, the usual gardening advice for the time of year doesn't really seem to apply.

by Michelle Pierce

First of all, keep on top of things; the grass hasn't stopped growing so that needs mowing. But the lack of winter cold is likely to mean that the little creatures which would normally be hibernating at this time are not, so don't mow all the grass short - leave some longer to act as habitat for insects, and therefore hedgehogs, etc. One option is to keep the grass paths really short so that you can circulate more pleasantly, and leave other areas completely, or cut them at a different frequency. The weeds have also been self sowing and growing well on bare ground. Hoe them out if they are small, or hand weed if they are too big. Look in a book and see which you can eat in salads. Pay particular

attention to weeds with sturdy taproots like docks and thistles. Once the ground is clear of them, try to keep it in this state by putting down some mulch, some weed suppressant textile or layers of cardboard, if the appearance doesn't bother you. If you have lots of nettles, it's a good idea to remove some of them now, pulling up the long fibrous yellow roots as you go. This action is fabulous for 'rotavating' the ground. The bulbs are emerging earlier than usual, given the mild conditions, so keep a bucket or two of dry material (leaves, straw, chopped hemp, etc.) to shove over them if a frost threatens, or else the tender leaves could be damaged. Edge your beds: after all

this growth, the creeping type grasses and plants have made good headway in colonising new territory, and have invaded the edges of many beds so it will save work later in the spring if you get out there now with a spade or a half moon, all the more so given that the ground is not frozen solid and is quite workable. If the weather continues in the same vein, it would seem a good time to transplant herbaceous perennials - after all, the weather is more like that of October than January! There's nothing really to stop you - but have a plan B ready in terms of protection, in case it freezes directly afterwards. It might even be worth sowing some trial half rows of things like mustards, spinach,

land cress, etc. to see if they germinate successfully. Who knows, we might start sowing a couple of months early? Well, finally, there seem like so many things to do, that I wonder how I ever managed in other Januaries, when, forced by the cold, I was obliged to stay inside and leaf through seed catalogues, old editions of gardening magazines, consult photos of gardens that I just had to 'recreate', look at my must-have plants lists, etc., etc. But you're not forced to do anything, so maybe the wood burner and those catalogues will tempt me more than the muddy veg patch. Until the sun comes out...... Good gardening, and all the best for a productive and beautiful 2015. ■

What you need to know about Income Tax in France In September’s edition, Prune CALONNE, The Bugle’s resident English speaking French lawyer, was writing about how to create your dream job in France. Now that you have successfully done so and you are managing to earn a living, income tax (“impôt sur le revenu”) needs to be paid. Here are a few pieces of information on how it is done on this side of the Channel... it might come in handy at some point. NOTE: This article is for general information ONLY. It only concerns self-employed workers whose profits can be taxed under the personal income tax, i.e. (sole traders, EURL if they choose to…) SARL, SA companies are excluded as all profits are subjected automatically to corporate tax. You should seek professional advice if you decide to relocate in France and run a business here. First of all, income tax has to be paid by people who are tax residents (“résidents fiscaux”) in France. 1. WHAT IS A TAX RESIDENT ACCORDING TO FRENCH TAX LAW? To become a French tax resident and therefore pay income tax to French administration, you need to be living in France most of the year, with the will to live in this country. You would be a French tax resident if you have your main home over here and if you spend more than 6 months a year in France. It is also the case if you run your business(es) from France. Please note that the administration could consider you are a tax resident even if you spend less than 182 or 183 days a year in France. For instance, if you spend time in 3 different countries, the administration will consider you are the tax resident of the country where you spent the majority of your time. This rule is to prevent people from not being tax resident in any country. If you do not know whether you are a French tax resident or not, you could contact the centre for nonresidents on 0033 (0)1.57.33.83.00 or email them at nonresidents@dgfip.finances.gouv.fr You also have the option of contacting a French tax lawyer (“avocat spécialisé en droit fiscal”). WARNING: The French administrative system is a declarative system. Basically it means it is up to you to declare your income, to ask if charges need to be paid. Do not consider that if no one asks for anything everything is fine. You need to be proactive and gather information or if you do not have the time, the will or the language skills, seek help. 2. WHEN DO YOU NEED TO COMPLETE AN INCOME REVENUE TAX FORM AND WHEN DO YOU PAY YOUR TAX? If you come from the other side of the Channel, you will be pleased to learn that “impôt sur le revenu” or

income tax is not taken on your wage every month. That would be too simple! You need to declare your revenue the year after and pay income tax on it then. For instance, in May 2014, you should have declared in the tax form the income you made in 2013. In September 2014, you will then have paid tax on the income you made in 2013. If you do not make a request to pay in instalments, income tax is due in September in one go! However, in practice, given the number of people who are facing financial difficulty, you can and you should WRITE to the tax administration and request via recorded delivery with receipt slip to be allowed to pay by instalments. For future tax to be paid and if you already know that the sums will be significant, ask to pay every month or every three months. 3. HOW TO COMPLETE THE TAX FORM Please note that the tax form is not always pre-filled. If you work in an area where incomes vary a lot from one year to the next, it is very likely that the form will not be pre-filled. One tax form should be filled out per household (“foyer fiscal”). If you are married, PACSed (civil partnership), if you have children, or if you live with someone who is dependent on you, it is considered as one household Please note that if you live with someone but you are not PACSed or married, you have to fill out two tax forms. The income you declare is net of expenses you have incurred to run your business(es). Included in this category is money paid to URSAFF, health insurance and pension contributions, but also rent, stationery, etc… The amount deductible varies according on the business regime chosen. Either it is “régime réel”, in which case you can deduct all the expenses incurred, or if you have chosen the “régime de base”, the expenses you can deduct are limited to a certain percentage of your turnover, depending on the area you are working in. 4. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I DO NOT RECEIVE A FORM? You should receive a 2042 form in the post. If you are an “auto-entrepreneur”, you should receive a 2042 C PRO also. Be careful as the forms might be hiding amongst junk mail in the letter box - do not throw it away by accident!

If you do, forms are available to download at www. impots.gouv.fr from May each year. It is your responsibility to get this form. You will face penalties for not declaring income. 5. WHAT IS NEXT? In August, you should receive a tax assessment or “avis d’imposition”. Bear in mind that you are required to keep all documents regarding tax for 5 years! In France, from September until the end of the year, tax residents, businesses and independent workers have to pay quite a lot of tax as soon as the summer is up. Here are some key dates: • 15th September - Income tax has to be paid (“impôt sur le revenu”), • 15th October - “Taxe foncière”, or land tax, has to be paid by property owners (including owners of holidays homes when estates are located in France), • 15th November - “Taxe d’habitation et taxe audiovisuel” (council tax and TV licence) is due by tenants or property owners if the property is not rented out on 1st January. • 15th December - The CFE (“Cotisation foncière des entreprises”) is also due for all self-employed workers and for premises rented for business purposes. CFE is also due for sole traders working from home - it is calculated in accordance with the rentable value of the property rented or used to do business in. Be aware of exceptions, which do exist - take note of them and feel privileged if you do not have to pay the CFE! A final word of advice: If you receive ANY letter from the French administration and you do not understand what is written, DO NOT PLAY DEAD as the administration will not forget about you. The more you wait, the more penalties you might have to pay! SEEK ADVICE NOW! 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.

12 ♦ PRACTICAL

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The joys of a wood burning stove

Financial incentives for wood burning

Think you’ll need to buy a wood heating appliance this year? Before you do, it would be well worth reading the following text about how you can benefit from some of the tax and loan schemes available in France to help save on this costly but essential purchase. Limousin-based stove installation specialists, Stovesellers, along with their legal experts, have put together some indispensable facts and figures about a selection of the tax breaks and other benefits available to help us all save a packet this year on the cost of a new wood burner, pellet stove or range cooker. The regulations regarding who can install wood heating appliances and offer benefits such as tax credits and reductions on VAT have also changed, so if you are still deciding on whether to treat yourself to a new one this year, then this useful guide explains all you need to know…

s part of France’s drive to encourage the widespread adoption of energy saving products, as well as renewable energy equipment and appliances, we’re going to take a closer look at some of the aids that are available to all of us living in France whilst at the same time dispelling some of the commonly held beliefs that expats living in France, including those not paying any tax, cannot benefit from the tax breaks to which all French national citizens are entitled to. In addition, it’s now ‘game over’ for all those unqualified artisans who have been fitting wood burning appliances with no official accreditation or affiliation to the professional organisations which now govern this specialist industry. RGE 2015 (Reconnu Garant de l’Environnement) There has been a global upsurge recently in the interest surrounding ecology and the environment and the promotion of renewable energy appliances such as wood burning stoves. As the most densely forested country in western Europe, France has been investing heavily in the promotion of environmentally friendly products through its programme of financial incentives and fiscal advantages. As of 1st January 2015 the system of public aids such as tax exempt loans (known as écoprêts à taux zéro) and tax credits (crédits d’impôt) will now only be attributed to householders who engage the services of professionals who hold ‘RGE’ accreditation and whom adhere to a charter supporting the development of renewable energy sources. RGE (which stands for Reconnu Garant de l’Environnement) is a consumer’s charter. It

acts to bring participating professionals in the renewable energy sector together under a common agreement and issues the RGE qualification to those businesses that have undergone all the necessary training, who can prove their competences on a technical and client satisfaction level and that undertake a high standard of workmanship. If you have a new appliance fitted you should ensure that the person fitting it is a member of the Qualibois or Qualibat organisations. If not, they will no longer be able to offer you any of the fiscal advantages available, such as the tax credit or reduced rate of VAT to which you are entitled. Insurers are also insisting that installers are qualified and members of these organisations, otherwise they could find themselves to be uninsured in the event of a claim. This type of regulation has been a long time coming in France and up until now just about anybody could fit a wood burning appliance unchecked. If you’re having a new stove, boiler or cooker installed, ask your installer if they are qualified and registered to fit it and if not, why not? Crédit d’impôt The tax credit is a benefit to which all residents in France are entitled if the property where the appliance is to be installed is their main residence. The appliance should perform to a pre-defined technical criteria and the installer must of course be RGE accredited. If you are in full-time employment in France then the tax credit will be credited against your tax liability when you fill in your tax return form or ‘déclaration sur les revenus’, usually around May for the preceding year. If you are retired and/or living in

France without paying any tax, no matter whether you are a home owner or in rented accommodation, then you can still apply and the benefit will be credited directly to you in the form of either a bank transfer or by cheque. It is important to remember the point that you will still be eligible even if you do not pay tax in France. As long as the property is your main residence you should be able to qualify, but you will need to fill in the declaration form (Cerfa form No. 10330 available from www.service-public.fr) and return it to your local tax administration office, along with a copy of your invoice which should state the conforming specifications of the stove that you have had fitted. Until the end of this year the tax credit will be worth a very enticing 30% of the value of the appliance fitted (including the VAT). You will also be able to benefit from a reduced rate of VAT applicable on the appliance and its installation (5.5% instead of the usual 20%). This is a hugely significant saving and surely worth the trouble of filling out the forms required. Speak to your installer who will be able to talk you through this and advise you on the best product to buy before you take the plunge. Don’t make the mistake, like so many before, of buying a stove only to find out too late that you could have saved 15% on the VAT and claimed a further 30% back! The tax credit only applies if the same company supplies and installs the appliance. If you have bought the appliance from a DIY chain or the UK, for example, there’s a good chance that it may not conform and may not be suitable for its intended application in addition to you not being eligible for the tax credit yourself. What’s more, if you then want a professional installer to fit it for you, you’ll be charged the higher rate of TVA (10%) rather than the 5.5% which applies when your installer supplies and fits it for you. It’s a no brainer really and it is usually not worth buying a stove from a cheap online supplier or lugging one over from the UK or elsewhere when you work out what you’ll be saving. Your dealer can explain everything to you before you buy, so don’t be afraid to ask. If you don’t speak French, or even if you do, and might not fully understand what’s being said, then contact us at Stovesellers and we’ll explain it all to you in plain English if it helps.

Éco-prêt à taux zéro (éco-PTZ) The éco-prêt à taux zéro (zero-interest loan) allows you to finance works improving the consumption of energy in your home. It is awarded under certain conditions relative to your property and the type of work envisaged and is currently valid until the end of this year. It concerns owners of properties built before 1990 and used as the principal residence. There are no special requirements to fulfil but, as with any loan agreement, it is subject to approval by your bank. As with the crédit d’impôt, the éco-prêt loan can be used to finance works including the fitting of wood burners and other renewable energy appliances, thermal insulation and energy efficient windows, etc. All you have to do get some quotations from local companies and fill in the forms which you can download from the www. service-public.fr website (http://vosdroits. service-public.fr/particuliers/R12435. xhtml). Take the forms to your bank and, once they are approved, you have two years in which to carry out the works. You can borrow up to €30,000 and can make the repayments over as many as 10 years in most cases. These are just two of the most common public aids which are available to us expats, just as much as to the French themselves, but surprisingly very few of us know much of their existence or how to take advantage of them. It really can be a case of money for nothing with schemes like the tax credit, so if wood heating is on the agenda for this year then speak to a specialist first and ensure that you get all that’s due to you! ■ If you’d like to know more about the topics raised here, take a look at Stovesellers' website for more information on wood burning stoves and cookers, central heating systems, chimney installations and chimney sweeps at www.stovesellers.com or call 05.55.63.78.72

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When the cat’s away, the mice will play

hy not start the New Year by rodent proofing your house? Prevention might not be the cheapest option of pest control, but effective prevention is always preferable to treatment. If one or two get into your house, it’ll be far easier and cheaper to treat than an infestation. Mice and rats can destroy your treasured possessions, spread disease via their excrement or even cause fires if they chew through electrical cables. Regardless, they cause stress and anxiety. A mouse can squeeze through a 5mm hole (think smaller than the width of your little finger) whilst a rat only needs 15mm (think thumb). So fill as many holes as you can in the walls and under tiles, inside and out. Preferably use cement and wire wool - they can’t chew through the wire wool. Avoid expandable foam, however, as rodents can go though it like a hot knife through butter. Outside, keep a minimum 40cm clear path around your house with nowhere for them to hide. Plants and wood piles look lovely but are perfect hiding places for rodents. Over-hanging branches should be cut back to up to 2 metres from your house. Rodents are neophobic (the fear of anything new) and they don’t like open spaces either. In your garage, basement or attic, avoid placing anything against the wall and pack things in metal or plastic boxes as opposed to bin bags or cardboard cartons. If you store things for long periods of time, rearrange them occasionally and sweep the area, this will

stress the critters and they will avoid the newly cleaned area. In the kitchen, inspect behind appliances and cupboards for droppings. Stored food should be kept in sealed containers - tin cans or glass jars with lids are ideal. If not, rearrange them occasionally and clean the shelves. Birds are very messy eaters, their grain falls to the floor when they are feeding, which is a free meal to a rodent. Clear up fallen food if possible. Seed should

be stored in air tight containers and don’t store pet food in the same place all the time. There are a lot of rich people out there inventing new gizmos that click, buzz or smell. They’re good for short-term peace of mind, but after a while you’ll realize that most are only good for landfill. Just as weeds are misplaced plants, so pests are simply misplaced animals. They all serve a purpose in the cycle of life and are generally the food source for the next

animal. If they’re outside and don’t bother you, leave them alone. Just make your home as uninviting to rodents as you can and as difficult to enter as possible. ■ For more information on bed bugs, or how to deal with them, please contact Robert Moon from Applicateur 3D: 02 48 60 83 72 06 74 33 02 38 www.applicateur3d.com

Renting out a UK property as a French resident

any people who leave the UK to set up home in France will keep their British property, either as an investment or as a “toe-hold”, should they eventually return

to the UK. The question then arises as to how this UK rental income will be treated for tax when received as a French resident. UK tax

French residents are assessed for French income tax on their worldwide income. However, under the UK/ France Double Tax Treaty rental income from a UK property remains subject to income tax in the UK. By registering with HMRC, under the “Non-Resident Landlord” Scheme, basic rate tax at 20% should be deducted from your rental income (net of allowable expenses) by your letting agent. If you have no letting agent, and the rent is over £100 per week, then your tenant should deduct the tax. You are still required, nevertheless, to submit UK tax returns to account for the income. By completing and submitting form NRL1, however, it is possible to apply to have the rental income paid to you without tax deducted at source. If your application is accepted you will receive your rental income gross and will be declared on annual UK tax returns and taxed to the extent it exceeds your UK personal tax allowance. Where the rental income arises from a jointly owned property, then each spouse receives half the income (unless you have formally elected otherwise) and each is eligible for a UK personal tax allowance to offset against the income received. It should be noted, however, that the UK government is currently consulting on whether the personal allow-

ance for non-residents should be restricted. French tax UK rental income received also needs to be declared on French tax returns, however, under the Double Tax Treaty income tax is not paid twice by way of a French tax credit. Whilst the tax credit basically means that your rental income will not be subject to French income tax, ensuring the same income is not taxed twice, UK rental income is still taken into account to determine the rate of tax payable on other income, such as non-government UK pension income, which may be pushed into a higher French tax band. French social charges Since the new Double Tax Treaty came into force in 2010, there has been significant confusion over whether French social charges are payable on UK rental income. Under the ‘tax credit’ system described above, the treaty suggests that the tax credit should include a credit for assessed social charges, as social charges are now specifically defined as a form of French ‘tax’ under Article 2 of the treaty. However, it would seem that some tax offices in France have been incorrectly interpreting the tax credit due and are looking to impose ‘social charges’ on UK rental income. Fortunately, we have seen agreement from local tax authorities that no such taxation should apply, and all those who request reimbursement have received a positive response. However, this message does not seem to have filtered down to all local tax offices! ■ Peter Wakelin is Regional Manager of Siddalls France,

Independent Financial Advisers, specialised in tax, inheritance, pension and investment planning for the British community in France since 1996. Telephone 05 56 34 75 51 Email: bordeaux.office@siddalls.net Web: www.siddalls.fr

14 ♦ BILINGUAL

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

Golf - made in Scotland

he origins of the game of golf are not entirely clear. People have been playing “stick and ball” games for many centuries and several countries lay claim to “inventing” it. One legend is that golf was invented by shepherds who were out looking after their flocks. They became bored and created a game using their wooden crooks to hit round rocks into rabbit holes. It is generally accepted that the modern game of golf, as we understand it today, originated in Scotland. According to the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, considered to be “the home of golf” and one of Scotland’s oldest clubs: “Stick and ball games have been around for many centuries, but golf as we know it today, played over

18 holes, clearly originated in Scotland.” One of the very first references to the game of golf came in 1452 when King James II banned it in Scotland, along with football, because he believed that it interfered with his people’s archery practice – a skill much needed by his armies! The game remained a largely Scottish hobby until the mid-19th century. As the first railways began to cross England and Scotland, the game’s popularity quickly spread, first across Great Britain and soon across the rest of the British Empire. It can be said that golf along with football, cricket and rugby - is another game invented by the British and then given to the rest of the world so that they could beat us at it!

Today, golf is played over 18 holes, with the winner being the player who can get his ball around in the fewest strokes. Each player has a bag containing 14 clubs. Although golf is not as popular in France as in Britain, there are still well over 500 courses in France and over 400,000 registered players. France is due to host the Ryder Cup for the first time in 2018, which will be only the second time the biennial tournament will have been contested in mainland Europe. The Ryder Cup is held every 2 years between teams from Europe and the US who both select their best 12 players. The 2018 competition will be held at Le Golf National course near Paris and organisers hope that the event will give a big boost to golf in France. ■

SIRET 502 409 212 00011 – APE 8559B

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2015

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

Bilingual Crossword Clues in English - answers in French

Across:

Down:

5. musicians(9) 7. to want(7) 8. pine tree(3) 10. enough(5) 11. lead (i.e. metal)(5) 13. cape(3) 14. olive tree(7) 16. fireplaces(9)

1. July(7) 2. shin(5) 3. goose(3) 4. nurse(9) 6. moustache(9) 9. keyboard(7) 12. white(5) 15. friend(3)

Bilingual crossword solution can be found on page 19

’origine du golf est difficile à retracer avec certitude. Les gens jouent à des jeux de balles et de bâtons depuis des siècles et plusieurs pays en revendiquent l’invention. Selon l’une des légendes, ce sont des bergers qui auraient inventé ce jeu alors qu’ils surveillaient leurs troupeaux. Gagnés par l’ennui, ils tapaient dans des cailloux sphériques avec leur houlette de bois pour les projeter dans des terriers de lapin.

Il est généralement admis que le golf, dans sa version moderne, est originaire d’Ecosse. Selon le «Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews», l’un des plus anciens clubs de golf en Ecosse et considéré comme “La Maison du Golf” : «Les jeux de bâtons et de balles existent depuis de nombreux siècles mais le jeu de golf tel que nous le connaissons aujourd’hui, avec un parcours de 18 trous, a clairement des racines écossaises». L’une des toutes premières

références au golf date de 1452 lorsque le roi Jacques II d’Ecosse le bannit, au même titre que le football, au prétexte que les deux sports interféraient avec l’entraînement au tir à l’arc, une compétence en la matière étant ô combien nécessaire aux archers de ses armées! Le jeu resta un loisir principalement écossais jusqu’à la moitié du 19ème siècle. Lorsque les premiers chemins de fer commencèrent à traverser l’Angleterre et l’Ecosse,

sa popularité se répandit rapidement au sein de la Grande-Bretagne puis bientôt dans le reste de l’empire britannique. On peut dire que le golf, au même titre que le football, le cricket et le rugby, est encore un jeu qui a été inventé par les Britanniques puis offert au reste du monde afin qu’il puisse les battre! Aujourd’hui, le golf se joue sur un terrain à 18 trous et le gagnant est celui qui effectue l’ensemble du parcours en un minimum de coups. Chaque joueur a un sac contenant 14 clubs. Bien que le golf ne soit pas aussi populaire en France

qu’en Grande-Bretagne, on y trouve cependant plus de 500 parcours et plus de 400 000 licenciés. L’hexagone accueillera la Ryder cup pour la première fois en 2018 et pour la deuxième fois seulement, le tournoi sera disputé en Europe continentale. Tous les deux ans, la Ryder Cup oppose des équipes d’Europe et des Etats-Unis qui sélectionnent leurs 12 meilleurs joueurs. La compétition de 2018 se tiendra sur le parcours du Golf National près de Paris et les organisateurs espèrent que l’événement permettra de promouvoir efficacement le golf en France. ■

LANGUAGE & GAMES ♦ 15

JANUARY 2015 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

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France, UK and Europe - €16 per year

Email us for more details - subscriptions24@thebugle.eu or visit www.thebugle.eu

Crossword Clues and answers (page 19) in English

Across: 1. Afternoon nap in Spain (6) 4. Wide street (6) 9. Coherent (7) 10. Speak (5) 11. Playing card (3) 12. Exactly the same (9) 13. Not as strict (6) 15. Armed thief (6) 19. Set up or found (9) 21. Australian flightless bird (3) 22. Stories (5) 23. Chosen by vote (7) 24. Fervid (6) 25. Basement (6)

Down: 1. Save from destruction (7) 2. Bird of prey (5) 3. Haptic (7) 5. Strongroom (5) 6. Observed (7) 7. Join up (5) 8. Hints (5) 14. Resolved (7) 16. Sports contestant (7) 17. Booming noise (7) 18. More judicious (5) 19. Additional (5) 20. Large shaggy bovid (5) 21. Exalt (5)

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 number

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 19

SUDOKU - EASY

SUDOKU - MEDIUM

The solutions to this month’s sudokus can be found on page 19

SUDOKU - HARD

16 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2015

Business Directory

Your indispensable guide to finding local businesses & artisans Activities & Leisure

Animals & Pets DOG GROOMING FOR ALL TYPES OF DOGS

Clipping, cutting, hand stripping, bathing, ear care & nail trimming. INGRID GELAUDIE ** New address ** La Baronnie, 24260 Audrix

Tennis in Bergerac SHAMPOOCHIENS Summer 2015 Dog Grooming Parlour Summer camps for kids 7-13 years old - August 2015 See www.dordognetennis.com Over 10 years experience from the leading provider of public tennis in the UK Camp runs Monday- Friday 10-12 and 1-3pm

Email : dordogne@willtowin.co.uk

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

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

Siret: 499 234 615 00015

sales24@thebugle.eu

05 55 41 17 76

Your advert here

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

06 31 98 92 07

05 55 41 17 76

Auto Services

Building Services

MOTOR PARTS CHARENTE

Suppliers of Car & Van Spares & LHD headlights Direct to France at big savings! also Mower Batteries and drive belts!

www.motorpartscharente.com Delivery via Parcelforce Worldwide to your door in France

JOHN SOWERSBY +44 (0)1377 255470 / +44 (0)7830 170761

motorptscharente@aol.com

05 53 56 72 59 / 06 05 56 42 81 +44 (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

Architectural Services

05 53 58 55 38 and home of CANOUAN ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIELS Puppies sometimes available

CHARTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEER

Plans, Permissions & Photo-Realisations Comprehensive CAD drafting & design service for your planning application. Dossiers compiled and submitted, including all local & departmental liaison.

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

Tel: 05 55 80 72 83 Mbl: 06 33 07 29 72

web: www.masterplans.eu email: info@masterplans.eu

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

siret: 790 016 984 00011

ADVERTORIAL

P RIVATE P ROPERTY S ELLERS

S ELL A ND B UY P ROPERTY W ITHOUT E STATE A GENT FEES

e provide a proactive approach to marketing your French property. The future of selling property is changing, no more leaving it sitting in estate agent windows, waiting for buyers to find the agent's website and request further information. No more listing on websites that don’t have a proactive approach to worldwide marketing. With today’s technology, potential buyers want to research property details 24/7. This means if you want to maximise your property's exposure then it needs to be marketed online and via a range of media platforms. Whilst the French property market still remains slow, as a private seller

WWW.PRIVATEPROPERTYSELLERS.COM you have the ability to offer your property at a more realistic price, without the added estate agent fees that can often make your property appear overpriced. The benefit from our proactive marketing is we offer the opportunity for your property to be listed on a number of high ranking property portals maximising exposure, attracting GLOBAL interest including RIGHTMOVE and social media platforms. We believe in order to provide a more proactive approach to modern day marketing, embracing technology and offering the ability to respond to property enquiries and requests for information, needs to be available 24 hours, 7 days a week. This means

not only office hours but evenings, weekends and holidays... when most potential buyers are researching property. You, as the owner, have greater knowledge of your property and the local area, and can provide a far more detailed response to an enquiry. Deciding where to list your property can be confusing and often expensive with some of the sites that are available. You want value marketing in the knowledge that your property isn’t just listed on a website and forgotten. Our marketing packages mean that you list with us for one fee, there are no other fees during or at the end of your advertising. We manage your listing on all the external sites,

all at a fraction of the price you as an individual may achieve. You can create your property listing on our website, but if you prefer we can do this for you, providing a professional profile of your property. Add unlimited pictures and text and if you have a website link this can also be included. We also offer an ‘A Vendre’ board which provides direct reference to your property on our website so anyone interested can research your property details and make contact. ■ Working for the private property seller offering best value marketing www.privatepropertysellers.com email Anne info@privatepropertysellers.com

DIRECTORY ♦ 17

JANUARY 2015 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

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 exceed-

Building Services

ed all expectations. In Southern Europe, Solarventi is not only used for ventilation/dehumidification purposes; with far more winter sunshine hours, it also provides a substantial heating supplement. Several technical and governmental studies show that incoming air temperature can be increased by as much as 40°C. A DIY Solution? The installation process is very straightforward and should only take two or three hours. All that is needed is a drill, hammer and chisel to make a hole in the wall. Roof installations are also possible. In fact, the Solarventi was originally designed to be a DIY product - in Scandinavia it still is. There are no electrical or water connections and it can be safely left running, even when

BARWICK ÉLECTRICITÉ SHAUN BARWICK QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN

Architectural Services Architectural DRAWING SERVICE 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

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

the property is empty. Solarventi requires no maintenance - if the property is unoccupied during the hot summer months, then it can be left running at low speeds for ventilation and dehumidification purposes or simply switched off. With a range of panel sizes, and the option for wall or roof mounting, Solarventi is suitable for all types of buildings, caravans or even boats!! Following the patenting of its design in 2001, Solarventi has only recently been actively commercialized. Over the last six years, Solarventi units have been installed in more than 24 countries and demand is increasing rapidly. From Greenland to Australia, Solarventi is finally getting the recognition it deserves. ■ Units start from €630 TTC

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

@iret: 794 282 368 00016

05 55 41 17 76

Building Services

Email: barwick.shaun@gmail.com

05 55 41 17 76

Building Services

General David’s Services

What can I offer you?

22 Years’ experience working in France A complete service of Repairs and Maintenance (interior and exterior) A house opening and closing service Good solid technical advice on future projects Trustworthy, reliable and conscientious Based in the North of Dordogne

Contact David: 05 53 09 42 18

Harlequin Electricians Developments Electrical Services Full house rewiring, renovations EDF/Consuel arrangements Fully qualified & Decennale insured Established in France since 2007 Based near St-Yrieix-la-Perche

O5.55.48.95.86

Food & Drink

Sat-Elec

La Poutre

Formerly Electrosat

UK & French Satellite TV

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

TOOWAY BROADBAND Approved Supplier

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

Painters/ Decorators

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

No Siret: 402 444 871 00022

Leigh Dodd

Computers & Satellites

05 55 09 15 73

SIRET: 493 770 358 00015

sales24@thebugle.eu

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

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

Harlequin Developments are a Distributor and Installer for Solarventi, solar dehumidifying and water heating products, as well as a range of other renewable energies

05.55.68.67.56 06.06.60.46.97

www.saraleigh.com contact@saraleigh.com

harlequindevelopments@live.com www.harlequindevelopments.com

Siret: 507 643 336 00013

SIRET: 494.501.067.00016

Simon Carter

Montluc Painting & Decorating Qualified craftsman with over 25 years UK experience, now based 24/87 border Specialist services: Interior & exterior painting, wallpapering, plastering & boarding, floor restoration, tiling. 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

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

WiFi Anglais

Bar & Restaurant

24400 Beaupouyet (N89 between Montpon & Mussidan)

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

Email: Stephen@Wisedale.com

Your advert here

Siret: 800 525 040 00013

05 55 41 17 76

Solve your Internet, wireless and computer problems Extended wired and wireless networks for homes, gîtes and small businesses. VPN solutions. Windows and Mac OSX.

Tel: 05 53 30 23 96 Mob: 07 78 52 20 46

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

The Dordogne Chippy Traditional Fish & Chips in a town near you All venues are in the evening between 6pm & 8.30 pm Monday: Le Champsac (every other week) Tuesday: Tremolat Wednesday: Star Inn, Périgueux Thursday: Eymet Friday: Lauzun

(except the last Friday of the month when it is Daglan)

See our website for full details:

www.thedordognechippy.com 05 53 74 01 91 or 06 19 99 25 62 siret: 444 925 630 00014

18 ♦ DIRECTORY Karen’s Kitchen Catering for you in the Dordogne

Specialising in home-made pastries: Sausage rolls, Pasties - Cornish, Cheese & Onion, Steak & Stilton, Vegetarian & Chicken. Eccles cakes. Scones made to order. All prepared and baked daily on the premises you cannot get fresher! Bacon, cheese, bread, tea bags & tinned produce all in stock. Find me at your local market: • Tue - Le Bugue • Thu - Eymet • Fri - Le Buisson • Sat - Villereal • Sun - Issigeac

www.karenskitchen24.com email: karenskitchen24@gmail.com

05 53 74 01 91 or 06 01 31 07 47

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2015

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

Pest Control

Efficient parking for all types of vehicles Book now!!

www.parkinglimoges.com

06 13 38 59 68 05 55 14 49 45

Central France Pest Control 05 55 41 17 76 Dératisation, Déinsectisation,

sales24@thebugle.eu

Désinfection

Health & Beauty

Parking For Limoges Airport

Property Sales

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

General

Beautiful fishing lake for sale 1 hectare 05 53 62 93 27

Curative and preventative

Gifts & Crafts

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

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

● HAIRSTYLIST ● COSMETICIAN ● MAKE-UP ● MASTER ARTISAN

Ivan Petley

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.

Tel: 05.55.80.29.88 Les Bregères, 23150 St-Martial-le-Mont alison.petley@wanadoo.fr

WWW.CARDBUBBLE.COM BUY YOUR BRITISH GREETINGS CARDS ONLINE! QUALITY CARDS AT UK PRICES! E: ANGI@CARDBUBBLE.COM FREE DELIVERY ON ALL ORDERS OVER €10 WORLDWIDE siret: 751 978 917 00019

Property Maintenance

sales24@thebugle.eu

05 55 41 17 76

Transport, Removals & Storage

PROCHEM trained and Qualified

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

Eco Entrepot

ENGLISH SPOKEN

aka The Shed

Tue - Fri: 9h - 19h, Sat 9h - 17h

Tel: 05 24 13 65 58

sarldesouchevicente@sfr.fr 47, rue du Gén. de Gaulle, 24660 Coulounieix Chamiers

05 55 41 17 76

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

Specialists in all carpet and upholstery cleaning

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

• Air-conditioned • Shiatsu massage chair

sales24@thebugle.eu

CARPET / UPHOLSTERY CLEANING

Dyal Consulting

Your partners for peace of mind

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

Man & Van Transport

05 55 68 74 73

While you’re away, we can look after your house, check for weather damage, perform small maintenance jobs, take care of the garden, get your home ready for winter. On your return, we can prepare your house, stock up on groceries, etc... everything to make your arrival stress free.

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

We are here to keep your house alive throughout your absence and to make your life easier! Call your concierge today:

05 55 33 21 59

07 77 95 31 36

French Spoken 87150 Oradour-sur-Vayres

www.frenchvanman.eu Siret 530 213 644 00012

Open every day except Monday

SOS Help

anxious? stressed? feeling down? call us up!

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

www.soshelpline.org

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 20,000 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)

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(€36/month)

€144 €162 €216

12-Month Contract €162

(€13.50/month)

€216

(€18/month)

€243

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COMMUNITY ♦ 19

JANUARY 2015 ○ 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

Piégut Pluviers Razac Sarlat Siorac-en-Périgord Vélines Domme Excideuil Eymet La Coquille Lalinde Monpazier St Astier St-Julien-de-Lampon Terrasson

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

Friday

Sunday

Thursday

Bergerac Brantôme Cubjac Le Buisson Ribérac Sarlat Sigoulès Vergt

Saturday

Agonac Beaumont du Périgord

Phoenix dog BRADLEY needs a home BRADLEY is an 8-year-old male Fauve de Bretagne Cross who just loves his new life at Phoenix since we rescued him from the pound. He’s a happy-go-lucky, active boy who is good with people and other dogs and he has showed little interest in cats. He needs lots of love and a secure garden. Bradley is chipped, castrated, vaccinated and de-parasited and if you’d like to meet him, please contact Margaret & Gary White on 05 45 30 10 39 or email maggieslap52@hotmail.com For more photos of Bradley or for details of other animals awaiting homes, visit www.phoenixasso.com www.facebook.com/PhoenixAssociationFrance

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 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.

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05 55 41 17 76

Directeur: Steve Martindale Rédacteur-en-chef: Steve Martindale Siège Les Quatre Chemins 23150 St-Yrieix-les-Bois France SIRET: 514 989 748 00017 Imprimé par: Charente Libre 16340, L’Isle d’Espagnac France

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EASY

MEDIUM

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

20 ♦ WHAT’S ON

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2015

It’s January again! Always the awful anti-climax after the build-up and partying of Christmas and New Year. The moment when we really start to notice winter. It’s dark and cold. Bills arrive daily. Nothing seems to be happening. No wonder the cranes fly south! Here are just a few ideas for Dordogne dwellers to help fight off the January gloom.

Rois - 8th January, 8:30pm Centre Culturel Michel Manet, Bergerac

In Rois, Gilles Baron brings to the stage eight male artists from the world of circus and dance to evoke themes of conquest, combat and defeat to the sound of Fauré’s Requiem. Tickets €20. For more information visit www.la-cab.fr

Foire des Rois: Foire Primée au Gras 10th January, 8am-1pm, place Foch, Thiviers Thiviers holds its annual Foire des Rois, its food feast and contest on 10th January. Top chefs from all over France come to create their own take on local produce, particularly duck, goose and truffles in a kind of town-wide Master Chef. Supervised by local guilds, celebrity chefs give cooking demonstrations and tastings in the market, where the same commodities are on sale. The whole affair is entertained by a parade and traditional folk-dance group. For more information contact the tourist office on 05 53 55 12 50

AsFâr, Le Trio Joubran 9th January, 8:30pm, L’Odyssée, Périgueux

This one and a half hour programme, presented by the Joubran Trio, is part of the Odysée’s series of world music. The three brothers, Samir, Wissam and Adnan, descending from a family of « Oud » makers and players for four generations present a show centred on music from their native Palestine. Tickets €20. For more information visit: www.odyssee-perigueux.fr/la-saison-2/trio-joubran

Watercolour exhibition 13th January to 7th February, Espace Culturel, Montpon-Ménestérol Exhibition of watercolours by Sylvette Monique GRENIER. Sylvie’s vernissage takes place on Friday 16th January from 6:30pm. For more information tel 05 53 82 30 54

Fellag - 23rd January, 8:30pm Centre Culturel, Sarlat-la-Canéda An evening of food and entertainment with Fellag, celebrated comic chef with real expertise. It’s laugh and learn as Fellag creates extraordinary dishes on stage. His one and a half hour show bears a health warning: “Excessive consumption of laughter is not dangerous to health!” Tickets €28. For more information visit www.sarlat-centreculturel.fr

Maquiz’Art: The Volunteered Slaves 31st January, 8:45pm, Château d’Eymet, Eymet

A jazz and blues show with Olivier Témime (saxophone), Hervé Samb (guitar), Emmanuel Duprey (piano), Akim Bournane (bass), Julien Charlet (drums) and Arnold Moueza (percussion). Book a table on 05 53 23 82 37 if you wish to dine. A steal at €12. For more information visit www.maquizart.com