The Bugle Dordogne - Jan 2017 by The Bugle

French Grand Prix back on the F1 calendar After a 10-year absence from France, the Circuit Paul Ricard near Toulon >> Page 7 will host F1 from 2018 November 2016 - Issue #85

Dordogne

Your local newspaper for life in France

January 2017 - Issue 43 - FREE!

EU citizenship hope for expats The European Parliament's chief negotiator has fasttracked a scheme to introduce EU citizenship for expats.

who want to stay part of the European project and retain some of their EU rights. The idea of EU citizenship has been around for a few months, and had initially been tabled by Luxembourg MEP Charles Goerens as an amendment to an upcoming report by Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliament’s chief Brexit negotiator. It has enjoyed significant support across Europe, however, and Mr Verhofstadt recently acknowledged that the “very important” proposal had “captured the imagination and hopes” of many British people who wished to retain their rights as EU citizens. He has therefore proposed that Mr Goerens

>> continued on page 9

The region unveils a new logo - pg 5

President Hollande opens Lascaux IV - page 3

World’s first solar road opened - pg 9

Carrefour bans battery and caged eggs - pg 12

The Bugle Business Directory - pg 16-18 © J.Damase/ADRT

n the aftermath of last year’s EU referendum, there was a surge in the number of British nationals applying for citizenship in other countries across Europe. Many expats qualify for French citizenship on residency grounds and large numbers of Brits qualify for an Irish passport through parents or grandparents. In both cases, dual nationality has been seen by many as the easiest way to maintain their rights as EU citizens in a post-Brexit world. There could soon be another option, however, after details have emerged of a proposed “associate EU citizenship” status that would be open to nationals of a country that has left the Union but

INSIDE > > >

We all have bad habits. Develop a healthy one that actually saves you money!

Don’t let the banks cash in!

www.hifx.co.uk

Save time and money by sending your international money transfers Consistent bank beating exchange rates online or over the phone. Move money, pay people and settle bills within seconds. Make and track payments 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Norton security used by 97 of the world’s top 100 banks. HiFX Europe Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Payment Services Regulations 2009, registration 462444, for the provision of payment services.

2 ♦ IN THIS EDITION

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2017

Mini Digger

European Vehicle Transport

All vehicles / Tous véhicules Classic & Prestige cars / Véhicules Collection et Prestigieux

with Driver for Hire

Landscaping, Ditching, Land Clearance etc. Hedge Removal and Stone Wall Construction

David 0044 (0)7480 216 395 / 0033 (0)6 23 29 24 70 Email: lcs@lcs23.com

Welcome to

The Bugle

n the First day of Christmas, my true love sent to me... a pair of in-laws for tea! It's that time of year and I suspect regular readers can see where I'm headed... On the Sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me... Six trips and counting Five-fold spends Four Pete's sake Three weeks of fights Two airport trips And a pair of in-laws for tea! The song only goes up to 12, yet my true love was very generous this year and I was blessed with 18 days of the in-laws' company! Every year I think I've been a good boy and I fill out my Christmas list, but Santa has yet to bring me blizzards in and around the Manchester airport area in late December! I think it was Einstein

who said that the true test of insanity was doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting a different result each time. Yet still we had a conversation in October that went along the lines of, “It's a bit longer than we originally planned, but I'm sure two and a half weeks will be fine...” The men in white coats will see you now, sir. I joke of course, they're actually OK, and all was forgiven when I opened up my Terry's Chocolate Orange on Christmas Day. If you ever find yourself having to deliver bad news to me, just bring along a chocolate orange and I'll take it a whole lot better! I don't miss too much from the UK and what you can't easily find in France is more than made up for by the foods that you can only get over here. Marmite, tea bags and orange cordial are my Pavlovian response to “Can we bring anything out with us?”, but if I sat

Experienced, Registered & Fully Insured No mess, no fuss Based near Ribérac (will travel) Email: cinderssweep@gmail.com

T: 05 53 91 87 88

down and thought about it harder, I might slip the odd chocolate orange or pack of middle-cut bacon onto the wish list. I think it is perfectly OK to hold on to certain British traditions when you move abroad and we have, almost without exception, always had a Christmas roast with all the trimmings on 25th December. This year, I found myself unexpectedly in the UK in early December and made the most of the trip to stock up on Christmas treats. I usually buy chipolatas from the supermarket and wrap them in bacon; it's a passable imitation of pigs in blankets, but this year we had the real thing. And by “real”, I mean what I remember eating growing up... they were amazing!! I also came back with a Christmas pudding, crackers, stuffing mix, a jar of stilton and cranberry sauce, among other naughty-but-nice treats. I think I enjoyed them all the more for not having had the real thing for a few years. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers a happy and prosperous New Year. It has been a funny old year, full of ups and downs. After Brexit and Trump, the surge in support for the Front National ahead of this year's

siret: 484 768 700 00029

Fully insured / Assurance tous risques

John Bonella

87440 Marval

05 55 78 62 29

siret no. 523 183 580 00019

presidential elections has me a little jittery, but I am still positive for the future. I recently had a look back at previous January editorials I have written and it would appear that more often than not, now is when I predict that the coming year will be the one where it all turns around. I launched this paper in 2009, so I am yet to be right, but it's surely just a matter of time!! Maybe I'll try another tactic this year and call fate's bluff... I think the economy will continue to stagnate in 2017, the EU will disintegrate and the pace of climate change will steadily increase. How's that? Now I just need to sit back and let the good times roll!!

john.bonella@gmail.com

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

INSIDE this edition 3-6 Local News 7-13 National News

Until next month!

14-15 French Life

Steve Martindale, Editor

16-18 Directory 19 Community 20 What’s On

Copy deadline for content and advertising:

15th January

for February's edition

30.04.2017)

30.04.2017

LOCAL NEWS ♦ 3

JANUARY 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Airport growth continues

he Dordogne’s busiest airport is celebrating its busiest ever year. Bergerac Airport, at Roumanière just to the east of the city, has revealed a 7% increase in traffic for 2016, far exceeding targets. Emmanuel Ibarra, head of the airport, said, “Most airports are looking at increases of up to 3% maximum, with some actually decreasing, so we are pleased”. For 2017, Emmanuel and his team are planning to renew part of the apron, where the aircraft stand, as well as creating a new one. The main runway was relaid in 2012 before the airport’s increase in traffic. Starting in mid-January the works have been planned to avoid any disruption to scheduled timetables and will include some face-lifting cosmetic work to ancillary buildings. For those who travel to and from the UK by plane, the department received more good news when Limoges Airport recently unveiled a deal with British Airways to open a line between Gatwick Airport and the capital of the Limousin. For those towards the north of the Dordogne, Limoges Airport is a very convenient travel option and for many is actually closer than Bergerac. The new route to London Gatwick is a significant boost, as it not only cre-

U ates a partnership with one of Europe’s most respected international airlines, but also opens up the rest of the world via connections at the London hub. Furthermore, those with friends or family south of London will also be grateful for the new option; anyone who has disembarked at Stansted to spend the next 2 hours sat on the M25 will know how hard it is to get round the capital. The line will operate four times a week, initially between 28th May and 17th September, with flights on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. Prices start from €50 one-way. “It’s a real sign of confidence from British Airways. It’s great news and will help hugely in the opening up of the re-

gion to the wider world,” explained Laurent Le Mercier, director of Limoges Airport. “It couldn’t have worked out better for us. British Airways are focussed on France; after Nantes and Montpellier, Limoges is the now the third French airport to be connected to Gatwick.” The airport hopes that the new routes will generate a further 15,000 passengers, but also acknowledges that the benefits are more than purely statistical. “The British Airways desk will add to the image and standing of the airport,” admitted Mr Le Mercier, who underlined that it is now up to them to ensure that the new route is a success. ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe

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

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

Hollande opens Lascaux IV

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

New Year Concerts by the Trio from Luxembourg Irene Chatizisavas - violin Olivier Dartevelle - clarinet, piano Emmanuel Chaussade - clarinette and bass clarinette Musicians with the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra

Friday 13th January at 6 pm ‘Hello Dolly’ Ciné-concert with original compositions Saturday 14th January at 4 pm ‘Classical Concert’ Haydn, Offenbach, Strauss, Bizet, Planquette and Suppé Special reduced fee for combined concert tickets

nder tight security, President François Hollande paid an important visit to the Dordogne in December, possibly one of his last as head of state. After years of planning, design and construction the Lascaux IV project was officially opened in Montignac last month. A world-class site for studying the 17,000-year-old cave paintings and the Cro-Magnon culture, the opening has been long awaited since the first stone was laid in 2014. On inauguration day, the town of Montignac was described as being in a state of siege behind a “ring of steel” security operation put in place for the president, the 1,200 dignitaries and guests, the public and, of course, Lascaux IV itself. The latest version has been globally hailed as a massive research resource for scholars and scientists, with a magnificent reproduction of the world-famous cave paintings first discovered in 1940. The original caves were closed to public viewing in 1963 because of the deterioration of the paintings from exposure to the air. A replica (Lascaux II) was constructed and a touring version (Lascaux III) was subsequently added. Funding for the new €66 million Lascaux IV permanent exhibition has come from the State, the region and the EU. The latest Lascaux incarnation is considered by many to be one of the world’s most important archaeological sites. After Hollande’s official opening the huge centre was subsequently opened to the public on 15th December. Entry prices are €16 for adults, €10.40 for children (aged 6-12) and a family ticket costs €44.90. To book online visit http://reserver.lascaux.fr ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe

4 ♦ LOCAL NEWS

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2017

British expats in massive refugee aid effort

major refugee aid agency has been established in the Dordogne to support refugees and the homeless. Back in August 2015 a group of expats wondered what they could do to help refugee families in France, and set up a network to collect and distribute aid through Facebook’s France & Beyond. Since that time, both the need and the response have grown exponentially and, with it, so has the group. The camps of Calais started as the highest priority for a distribution base. Since then, as refugees and asylum seekers have been allocated across the country, there are are now 4 “super-hubs” across France. Ros Petherick and partner, Mandy, run one of these hubs from their Dordogne home at St-Paul-la-Roche. Ros explained to The Bugle how families, single parents, widows and children are supported by FAB HUB 24, the region’s collection and distribution warehouse. “We are a bit like Amazon. People need things and we look for the items in the warehouse that have been donated and send them to where they are needed. We publicise on Facebook and on the Dronne Valley Network, so our donors are currently mainly Brits. Unlike Amazon, we don’t receive donations in nice boxes on pallets. We have to open the bags and boxes of stuff

as they arrive from all over the region and then sort and check them by hand. Everything is then categorised and organised into a picking area. If donations were presorted and labelled it would be like a dream!” Ros has teams of volunteers trained to sort and evaluate clothes, household items and toys. Things like tableware and pans have to be super clean, electrical goods must be in new condition and clothes ready to wear. Ros is fierce in maintaining standards. “We are the M&S of refugee aid!” she insists. “I will not allow anything to go out to a person or family that I would not be pleased to own or wear myself. Our aid families have already been through the mill, they are trying get back on their feet and lead a new life. Why would we send them stuff that is old, worn, dirty or substandard?” Ros highlighted the need for donations to be appropriate, pointing to a box with brand new designer high heels and an evening dress, unquestionably lovely but not meeting any urgent needs in a camp. These kinds of donations are typically sold on and the money re-invested. The barn super-depot at St-Paul-la-Roche is looking after refugees’ needs locally, delivering clothes and household equipment to several families setting up their homes in Montbron, Charente. While the refugees await the processing of their ap-

plications for residence, which currently takes 9 months, the team continues to give practical help, advice and preschool support. Genuine friendships have developed, especially over the Christmas period. In the meantime, Ros underlined the fact that refugees are not just sitting about waiting for their paperwork to arrive, they are involved as multi-lingual interpreters, liaison workers and administrators. FAB HUB 24 is now under the umbrella of a new association called OMNIS. “We can now take cash donations and sell items. Omnis is Latin for ‘all things’ and that’s what we are trying to be.”

Omnis and FAB HUB 24 are also helping out further afield. At the turn of the year a truck made its way to Romania to deliver toys to orphanages and every 6 weeks on average, a massive container of goods is sent to the Middle East. One recent container held a fully equipped ambulance and tons of medical supplies. “The drivers are true heroes,” Ros told The Bugle. “They pick up the containers at the docks and drive into the Middle East war zones, in constant danger en route to the camps. They are continually under fire and some have even been killed.” FAB HUB 24 also works with homeless in

Limoges with Camilla Pomeroy and with the Paris camp on boulevard Stalingrad. Ros has also set up a dream scheme with Amazon where donors can buy from a wish list and have their items delivered directly to FAB HUB 24. Among Ros’ favourite donors at Christmas was 10-year-old Alex Gray from Angoisse. Alex told The Bugle: “I brought one of my best toys. I’m sad to see it it go but I’m happy that someone else can get as much fun from it as I have.” Alex’s Mum, Adele, was named as a “Queen of Donation” by Ros, for her freshly laundered and folded clothing, wrapped and labelled by age and gender!

Ros asked The Bugle to appeal for donations to be like Adele’s. “We get 60 tons of clothes and bedding a year. There is absolutely no way we can launder it. To label items, particularly clothing, with sex, age, size and so on would make the HUB’s task so much easier and would help us to get stuff to where it’s needed even faster.” FAB HUB 24 would also like a van of its own, a bigger warehouse and the use of a rent-free shop. Offers and more information on donating or helping on Facebook: FAB HUB 24 France. ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe For information about refugee aid, visit:

http://franceandbeyond.fr

LOCAL NEWS ♦ 5

JANUARY 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Complaints over new logo Nouvelle-Aquitaine to invest in local businesses

factory founded over a century ago is due to receive a boost which is hoped will eventually create jobs for Bergerac town. The region has awarded a grant to Eurenco to help fund expansion and construction of a new facility on the boulevard Charles Garaud in Bergerac. Eurenco owns the old gunpowder works, updated to produce munitions, explosives, propellants and combustibles for the defence and commercial markets. The company is a multinational, part of the SNPE group, with industrial plants located across France – in Sorgues (Vaucluse) and Bergerac (Dordogne) – Belgium and Sweden and employs 900 people worldwide. Eurenco are investing €14.9 million in the Bergerac site, spending

€2 million on ventilation equipment alone, to increase efficiency and production capacity to meet rising demand worldwide. The Conseil Régional is legally obliged to fund equipment only, not buildings, so the grant of €200,000 is going towards ventilation and desiccation equipment for the new facility with a guarantee from Eurenco of new jobs. Dominique Guillet, head of the Bergerac factory, announced that recruitment for up to 40 full-time maintenance operatives is currently under way and the new full-time posts will come into action in the spring. Elsewhere, the department’s leather industry also received a boost with funding for the creation of a new network, to be based in Thiviers. The network will involve around

4,800 employees across 100 businesses and will aim to aggregate the skills areas and improve cooperation across the industry. The new organisation is certain to include the planned Cité du cuir just over the border in nearby Saint-Junien. The “City of Leather” will include a museum, temporary exhibitions, educational and professional workshops, and an archive. The region has already put forward €400,000 towards this project which will be added to a €2.8 million grant received from central European development funds. As well as creating indirect benefits for the local economy, the project will also directly create jobs: 10 in the running of the Cité, a further 5 or 6 jobs in the local hospitality industry, as well as 80 new jobs at the town’s Hermès factory. ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe

he administrative map of France was torn up in 2016 when the government reduced the number of regions from 22 to 13. As such, Aquitaine got a new name, fusing with Limousin and PoitouCharentes to become Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Now, the new region has a new logo, but as has so often been the case over the course of the last year, not everyone is happy about it.

aine, 3 from the Limousin and 4 from Poitou-Charentes), but in order to create a convincing lion's head, the Creuse, Vienne and Deux-Sèvres departments appear to have been omitted from the design. This has led to leaders from outlying departments calling the logo clumsy at best, and at worst indicative of the feared centralising vision of the new region, with its capital in Bordeaux and little thought or care given for those

The logo features the head of a lion, a reference to the area's ties to Richard the Lionheart. The lion's head features five thick stripes which form a mane and represent the five major rivers of the region: the Vienne, Dordogne, Adour, Garonne and Charente. The lion's head is made from the outline of the new region and this is where some leaders have become understandably upset. Nouvelle-Aquitaine is now made up of 12 departments (5 from the Aquit-

living on the borders of its authority. The design was chosen by leaders from among 119 proposals put forward. “This new region, it needs a logo that resembles its geography, its history,” explained Nouvelle-Aquitaine's president Alain Rousset. On a positive note, the new logo did not cost the region any money: the advertising agencies and design schools involved in the process did not receive any payment for their work. ■

6 ♦ LOCAL NEWS

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2017

Would you like to receive an electronic copy of The Bugle each month? We can deliver a copy to your inbox, hot off the press

Simply email - subscriptions24@thebugle.eu For more details visit www.thebugle.eu

Dordogne couple in kitchen nightmare Canteen Vincent and Marina finally emerged at the programme’s end with a revitalised business after a facelift, new menu and restored confidence, improved work practices and a growing customer base. Looking more like a bearded rugby forward rather than a gourmet chef, Philippe Etchebest has strong connections with the Dordogne through his first Michelin star at Les Reynats in Chancelade; he also has a holiday home in the department. The series is televised on channel M6 on Mondays, when chef Etchebest, in his signature Land Rover Discovery, powers in to fix food failures across France. M6 is France’s third most popular TV channel after TF1 and France 2. ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe

Local business in Bataclan refurbishment

Dordogne company has received praise after restoring the tragic scene of 2015’s terrorist attack in Paris. The Périgord company, Signature F, was the supplier of new seating for the interior of the Bataclan concert hall, destroyed in the attack just over a year ago. Signature F is a specialist furnishing manufacturer for public venues such as theatres, auditoriums, cinemas, lecture and concert halls

from their hi-tech workshops in Saint-Astier. The Bataclan restoration, like all Signature F’s projects, was custom-tailored to the venue and the type of audience. The company makes a point of employing Frenchmade materials: wood is sourced in nearby Charente Maritime, foam from the Landes, south of Bordeaux and textiles from the Aude. “I will never forget that Monday when I went to start my estimate for the new

seating,” said Pascal Gautheron, head of Signature F, reflecting on the project. “There was a stench of death and fear, even though the place had been thoroughly cleaned and aired. There were bullet holes everywhere...” Signature F’s 28-strong staff designed, made and supplied 1,000 custom seats for the Paris venue, situated on the boulevard Voltaire in the 11th arrondissement. The company’s work is found all over France including Bordeaux’s Cité

du Vin and Signature F is currently working on prototypes for a concert hall planned for the city’s Floirac district. The Bataclan’s inauguration event was

a highly acclaimed 90-minute gig by the UK’s Wallsend star, Sting, and took place on the first anniversary of the terrorist attack. ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe

food laws strenghtened

he campaign to make our food more green has helped frame a law to make canteen food more healthy. France as a nation is passionate about what it eats, and leads the way in demanding quality produce wherever you are in the Hexagone. Brigitte Allain, the ecologist MP for the Dordogne, has had an amendment passed to a new food law that will further improve the quality of the food we eat. Public, state canteens will now be obliged to provide at least 40% of their menus from locally sourced seasonal produce, of which 20% is to be organic. The new measures are principally about sustainable development, reducing food miles, maintaining resources, reducing pollution, etc. As her amendment passed unanimously through the National Assembly she tweeted, “This is the result of a lot of work over a long period of time. We took a wide survey that showed 76% of French people supported eating local produce and eating more natural foods. When the State chooses what to give children in its schools, people in its social care, people in hospital and retirement homes, this is a political choice with deep responsibilities attached”. Wendy Burwood, an organic grocer from Brantôme, welcomed the move: “It’s excellent news that the French State is taking food sustainability seriously. Wherever we live on this planet, everything we eat comes ultimately from the earth. We have to look after it to be able to look after ourselves. To start with society’s most vulnerable people is a great place to begin.” ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe

05 55 41 17 76 - sales@thebugle.eu

probable ruin as customers had been staying away in droves! Viewers saw a Gordon Ramsay-style aggressive verbal assault, but without the UK chef’s colourful language, as the couple were mercilessly hauled over the coals for their catering shortcomings. Uncompromising hard man of the cuisine Philippe Etchebest is passionate about food. Although closely associated with Michelin stars he believes that eating out should be a quality experience at every level, from gourmet to routier. He is emphatic that the whole dining experience is important, not just what is on the plate. The programme followed the chef and the couple over several days of hardhitting criticism, advice and challenge.

Advertise your business in The Bugle

illions of people watched recently as a Dordogne couple were put through the mincer in a bid to turn around their failing restaurant business. It sounds like a nightmare, and indeed that’s the name of the TV programme on channel M6 - “Cauchemar en cuisine”. Acclaimed chef and TV presenter, Philippe Etchebest, came to Gardonne, to the west of Bergerac, to deal with a failing restaurant. Set in the heart of Bergerac wine country, the Gardonne restaurant’s fortunes had all but collapsed after a change of ownership, when Vincent Larvol and Marina Nyd took over the Cèdre Vert last spring. By the time Etchebest was on the scene, the couple were facing

NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 7

JANUARY 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Wanted Experienced shopfitters Experienced shopfitters required for installs all across France. Joiners, electricians and labourers also required.

Email: contact@reactive-resource.com

Très Jolie

Ladies fashion accessories Beautiful scarves, purses, handbags, jewellery & gifts

(See Notice Board for where to ﬁnd me)

Paula Bonella

05 55 78 62 29 06 04 08 29 53

tres.jolie1@orange.fr Facebook: search for “Tres Jolie Milhaguet” siret 753 125 061 00014

érôme Cahuzac, the former budget minister appointed by President François Hollande to lead a clampdown on wealthy tax avoiders, has been jailed for stashing his cash in a secret Swiss account for 20 years. The court in Paris handed Cahuzac a 3-year jail sentence for tax fraud, tax evasion and money laundering, after he hid millions of euros in secret offshore accounts held around the world. Cracking down on financial corruption and taxing the mega-rich had been central to Hollande’s election pledges and the deeply damaging saga was the biggest scandal to hit his presidency. Hollande came into office vowing to run an “irreproachable Republic” and the Cahuzac affair led to all ministers being ordered to disclose their personal wealth, a first in France, where the wealth of public officials had long been considered a private matter. Mr Cahuzac, who ran a lucrative hair transplant clinic and conducted consultancy work for drugs companies before becoming a minister, was initially outed by the Mediapart investigative website shortly after being appointed the country's “tax tsar” and vehemently denied any wrongdoing. He gave a statement to parliament denying ever having owned overseas accounts, say-

ing he was happy to look France “in the eyes” to swear he had done no wrong. He went on all major television stations to continue this lie and is believed to have personally reassured Hollande he was telling the truth. The government stood by him, even after his resignation, before he issued a stunning mea culpa, saying he had been “caught in a spiral of lies”. In court, a weeping Cahuzac admitted he had stashed millions in offshore accounts in the Isle of Man, Switzerland and Singapore to maintain his family’s standard of living, which included buying apartments for the children in London and Paris and taking holidays in Mauritius. During the trial, Cahuzac repeatedly admitted his “inexcusable wrongdoing”, describing it as a kind of “mechanical action” that was “very hard to stop”. The judge jailed the former minister for 3 years and handed down a 2-year sentence to his former wife, Patricia Ménard, who was also implicated in the scandal. Cahuzac's lawyers immediately announced that he would be appealing, meaning that the politician would not be spending Christmas behind bars. The pair have already paid back taxes and penalties totalling some €2.5 million. ■

Is it about time you put that door or window in...?

rench fans of Formula One are celebrating the return of the sport to these shores after a five-year deal was signed with the Circuit Paul Ricard near Toulon, in southern France. The circuit, owned by Formula One promoter Bernie Ecclestone, last hosted an F1 race in 1990 when home hero Alain Prost claimed the chequered flag. The race is most likely to be held at the end of July in the slot being vacated by the German Grand Prix, which has been dropped from the calendar. This will provide its own logistical problems for motorsport fans, however, as the roads of the Riviera are already clogged up with seasonal tourists at that time of year. The last F1 race in France was held at the Magny-Cours circuit in 2008, a hiatus that has left “a real scar” on the country, according to former French motorcycle champion Christian Estrosi, who is now president of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Former minister jailed F1 coming back to France

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

Call us... the easy access opening specialists For a rapid response and a job well done, call

Dave: 06 42 73 83 37 Martin: 05 55 61 93 07

A member of The Guild of Master Craftsmen since 2008

Windows, Doors & Dormers. Structural & load bearing work. All types of structure... stone, block, timber, etc. New, old, or adjustment to existing openings. Structural concrete specialists.

siret: 795 207 067 00013

siret: 531 768 182 00010

+44 (0)1274 724 545

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

(PACA) region which will host the race from 2018. “We and those who are with me are very proud... it’s a great victory!” It is expensive to host an F1 race, a fact that has seen many traditional races lost from the calendar and a number of new races spring up across Asia where State funding is more readily available. Along with the loss of the German Grand Prix, the Italian Grand Prix's future was in doubt until a recent deal and Silverstone's owners have said they are looking into whether they will be able to continue to afford the British Grand Prix after 2019. It is estimated that the

event at the Circuit Paul Ricard - also known as Le Castellet - will cost around €30 million to host, €14m of which will come from public funds with a further €16m in ticket sales. On the other hand, the event is expected to attract 66,000 fans and PACA estimates that the economic impact could be as much as €65 million - with 500 jobs secured or created. France currently has 2 drivers in Formula 1, Romain Grosjean and Esteban Ocon, both of whom took to Twitter to celebrate the news. “Really super-happy for French fans, who will have their Grand Prix and can come to support us,” tweeted Grosjean. ■

Could you be a property consultant? • Beaux Villages Immobilier is the fastest-growing estate agency in SW France • We need self-employed commission-only property consultants. • This role will suit motivated individuals who can support themselves financially until they produce income. • We are a people business operating in a stressful environment. • We value life experience above qualifications or hard-sell technique. • If you want a job (not a hobby) please call for an informal understanding of what is involved to make this work for you, us and our clients, and to earn just rewards. • Our training is person-centred, local and free. • Conversely, if you are the right person already in our industry (with a successful track record) we can help you make the move. • Either way, having two (spoken) languages is a distinct advantage. • Self-motivation is indispensable. • Mobility and some computer skills are required.

Email: enquiries@beauxvillages.com

Phone: 08 05 69 23 23 www.beauxvillages.com

8 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2017

Frenchman breaks solo round-the-world record

French sailor has smashed the record for circumnavigating the globe single-handedly, beating the previous record by more than a week. Thomas Coville set off from Brest in north-western France on 6th November, and made it back 49 days, 3 hours, 7 minutes and 38 seconds later. On his gruelling journey Coville sailed at an average speed of 45 kph, covering more than 52,000 km. It was the sailor's fifth attempt at the record, which he has now taken away from fellow Frenchman Francis Joyon. “Great dreams never come off first time. I tried, I failed, I fell, I picked myself up again, I rebuilt myself,” he said following his return to France. Coville travelled so fast that not only was it the quickest solo trip around the world, but the third-fastest journey round the world in any sailing boat. The only two crafts to have made the journey faster had crews of 10 and 14 people, able to work in shifts. The previous solo roundthe-world record was set by Joyon in 2008 when he beat the time famously set by Dame Ellen MacArthur in 2005 in her custom-built trimaran, designed specifically to accommodate the sailor's diminutive 5-foot 2-inch frame. Coville's expedition was a

highly risky venture given the huge size of his Sodebo Ultim trimaran - a 31-metre long and 21-metre wide craft equipped with a 35-metre high mast carrying up to 680 square metres of sail area. “Nothing else in the world resembles this exercise. It requires total focus. It's severe and extremely violent and that's what's so magnificent about it,” explained famed French skipper Olivier de Kersauson. “With a multi-hull, if you get it wrong, you're dead.” After multiple failures, his latest attempt almost foundered when he narrowly avoided a head-on collision with a whale. “We must have seen each other at the same

Houses on Internet is a marketing service that allows private owners of French property to sell their house without using an estate agent. A method that has proven to be very successful. How does it work? 1. We make a website for your property in English, French and Dutch. The main website is available in Russian too. 2. We connect that website to our main site which gets over 130,000 visitors from 40+ countries per month. 3. We advertise your property on several international French-property websites. This way we reach 1.5 million people a month worldwide. What does it cost? We ask a contribution to the advertising cost up front and after the sale a fee of 2.5%, which is included in the selling price. Houses on Internet operates throughout France with a staff of 7 professionals and 89 local photographers who visit our clients to take photos and gather all information. For more information, visit our website or give us call us at +31 (0)1 15 82 35 53.

WWW.HOUSESONINTERNET.COM Plus Vite!

Moins Cher!

time. I swerved, the boat veered sideways. For a moment I expected the worst. It could have ended there,” he recalled. Despite this near miss, weather conditions were initially highly favourable, allowing Coville to smash the record for crossing the Indian Ocean, the Pacific and the Equators, but there were some unstable spells in the South Atlantic and a tough drop in pressure in the North Atlantic. Buffeted by winds of up to 45 knots and 10-metre swells, he described his boat as like “a dragonfly” skating on the water whose threat of capsizing was so great

he could sleep for no more than 30 minutes at a stretch. Hours before arriving back in France, he told Le Parisien his dream was to rest “while telling myself 'all is well' and not 'if the boat tips over, you're dead'!” “My story is about a guy who one day believes he can do it, who one day makes good his dream,” said the jubilant sailor. “I want to tell people: Don't be fooled by those who tell you that things will be worse tomorrow, that the other scares you. That's their bread and butter. Mine is to tell people that dreams are possible. Perhaps my dream will unleash other dreams.” ■

MICHAELS MOVERS UK ↔ France ↔ UK Removals Full & Part loads - All size of vehicles Storage facilities in Sussex

UK free phone: 0800 840 3058 Mob: +44 (0)7808 338 386 www.michaelsmovers.freeindex.co.uk

Removals, storage & house clearance in Dordogne www.dordognestoragesolutions.com Removals across France and to anywhere in Europe. We can also transport cars, boats and plant.

Tel: 09 67 33 67 51 Mob: 06 73 96 38 39

Warning over house tagging

Authorities in France have been warning the public to be on the lookout for the latest tactic being used by burglars to target empty houses. Criminals and petty thieves have apparently taken to placing small stickers on the doors and letter boxes of properties and then checking back some time later to see if they are still there. Not only does this give the burglars an idea as to which properties are empty, but it also allows them to line up and target multiple properties in the same area at one time. The tactic, which has become popular in Paris and areas around the capital, now appears to be spreading to other parts of the country. Police have called on property owners to remain vigilant to this form of “tagging”, immediately remove any stickers they may find on or near their front door and have also urged people to keep an eye on neighbours' properties for other such unusual signs. ■

€15 million da Vinci unearthed

A lost drawing by Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci has been unveiled by a Paris auction house after a retired doctor found it in his attic. Paris auctioneer Tajan said there was no doubt the “extraordinary discovery” was indeed one of eight drawings of The Martyred Saint Sebastian mentioned in the Codex Atlanticus, a list compiled by the Italian genius and master draftsman.

“The attribution is quite incontestable,” said one of the experts who authenticated the find, despite the absence of pre-20th century ownership history. “What we have here is an open-and-shut case. It’s an exciting discovery.” The pen and ink sketch is the first new da Vinci work to be uncovered for 15 years and has been valued at €15 million. The last drawing that came to market - a sketch of a horse and rider - equalled the world record for an old master drawing when it sold for $10 million in 2001. At the time, it was the most significant drawing by the artist to be sold at auction since the 1930s. When the auction house contacted the owner to tell him of the drawing's provenance and value, he is reported to have calmly replied: “I’m very pleased, but I have other interests in life than money”. ■

Happy hour rules changed

As France battles “le binge drinking”, new rules on happy hours have been introduced by the country's health ministry. Bars are now forbidden “from offering reduced priced alcoholic drinks for limited times (happy hours) without also offering cheaper non-alcoholic drinks during the same time period”. In other words, juices, soft drinks, and “virgin cocktails” must also have their prices proportionally reduced along with beer, wine and alcoholic cocktails. Whilst France has traditionally had a more relaxed attitude to alcohol consumption than Britain, this is slowly changing. Excessive alcohol consumption is becoming a problem, particularly among the country's youth: a recent study revealed that 12 per cent of 17-year-olds drink at least 10 times per month. The health ministry's crackdown will also see those under the age of 16 banned from places selling alcohol, unless they are accompanied by an adult. ■

NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 9

JANUARY 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

EU citizenship plans Solar road unveiled >> continued from pg 1 withdraw his amendment and the issue now form part of Mr Verhofstadt’s negotiating mandate. An amendment may have taken years to be approved, but this move effectively fast-tracks the idea straight to the negotiating table. The chief negotiator told the European Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional Affairs: “We come to the vote of this important amendment 882, tabled by colleague Charles Goerens. It is an important amendment that has captured the imagination and hopes of many of the 48 per cent of Brits that have voted to remain in the EU. It has therefore become a very important issue that cannot await treaty change - as envisaged by Charles when he first tabled it. I am therefore proposing to remove it from my report - which after all is concerned with Treaty change - and to include it in the negotiations we will have with the UK government. I, as Brexit negotiator for the Parliament, will ensure that it is included in the Parliament’s negotiating mandate.” In a statement, Mr Goerens said: “Today I decided together with Guy Verhofstadt to withdraw my amendment on associate EU citizenship. We realised that this has become a very important issue that cannot await

treaty change - as was my intention when I first tabled my amendment since this might take years. Yesterday evening, the House of Commons decided by a majority of almost 400 to support Theresa May’s plan to trigger Article 50 by the end of March 2017. Hence the prospect that this Article 50 will be invoked has become very real indeed. The European Parliament will define its position on the Brexit agreement through a resolution during spring 2017. This seems to be the best opportunity to give Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt the possibility to enforce the associate EU citizenship. I recognise this might come as a surprise to many of you, but please understand that the above mentioned procedure makes it much more likely for the associate EU citizenship to succeed than through an amendment.” The plan would see British citizens offered individual “associate citizenship” - for an undisclosed fee - letting them keep free movement to live and work across the EU, as well as vote in European parliamentary elections. The UK government has repeatedly stated that control of EU immigration is one of its top priorities and this makes it highly likely that under a future reciprocal Brexit deal, British citizens will no longer automatically enjoy the right to travel freely, live and work across the continent. ■

Expats may face increased voluntary NI charges

hanges to the UK National Insurance Contributions rules could see some expats paying five times as much to top up their British state pension. From April 2018, working expats may no longer be able to make Class 2 voluntary contributions (£2.80 per week) and instead need to make Class 3 contributions (£14.10 per week) - the same rate as early retirees. UK chancellor Philip Hammond said in his recent Autumn Statement: “As announced at Budget 2016, Class 2 NICs will be abolished from April 2018, simplifying National Insurance for the self-employed.” To pay voluntary NICs at either level, expats must have previously lived continuously in the UK for at least three years or have paid three years of contributions in the UK. The number of years of contribution required to receive a full pension has also increased in recent years from 30 to 35 years, although the amount received has also risen. “The new online Check your State Pension service allows individuals to see a forecast of the State Pension they will receive when they reach state pension age based on the information shown on their National Insurance record,” explained an HMRC spokesperson. “Each case is different and expats may want to get financial advice before deciding to making voluntary contributions.” As reported in The Connexion, the DWP said: “More detailed information setting out the arrangements the government has made so that individuals who have been paying voluntary Class 2 NICs can maintain their access to contributory benefits will be available in due course.” ■ To find out about your UK state pension eligibility: visit: www.tax.service.gov.uk/check-your-state-pension Your favourite one stop shop where you will find something for all the family within our 32000ft² sales floor.

www.eco-entrepot.fr The best selection of DIY timber at very favourable Heinz Baked Beans, Homepride Flour, prices including decking, skirting board, flooring, Mcvities Biscuits, Typhoo T-bags, Mushy tongue & groove (int/ext treated), plywood & OSB... Peas, Baking Powder, Icing Sugar, Thistle Multi Finish Plaster, Cement, Sand & Gravel. Cornflour, Curry Pastes & Sauces, PVA and all your silicone based products. Naan Breads & Mango Chutney, As well as a fabulous range of tried Poppadums, Robinsons Juices, and tested paints, we are now an Cadburys chocloate + 100’s of other official Crown Paints distributor. well known grocery products. www.facebook.com/eco.entrepot

We also have Furniture, Beds & Mattresses, Clothing, Pets Accs, Hygiene & Household, Smoking Accs, Toys, Storage, Clothing, etc, etc

Just oﬀ the RN147 on the D107 (dir. L’Isle Jourdain) 0°53’33’’40 E, 46°13’45’’10 N

87320 Bussière-Poitevine

Tel: 05 55 68 74 73

Open Tue - Sat: 09h00 - 12h00 & 14h00 - 18h00 Sun & Bank Hols*: 09h30 - 12h00 & 14h30 - 18h00 Closed Mon *closed: 1st May, 14th Jul, 25th Dec & 1st Jan

cology minister Ségolène Royal has unveiled the world's first ever solar road in a small village in Normandy, northern France. The 1-kilometre stretch of road which runs through Tourouvre-en-Perche has been dubbed “Wattway” and contains 2,800 m2 of electricity-generating panels, creating enough electricity to power the street lighting in the village of 3,400 residents. A two-year test will now begin on the stretch of road, which cost €5 million to build and will be used by up to 2,000 motorists a day. At the inauguration, the ecology minister stated that she wanted to see similar projects rolled out across France over the coming years, with an initial target of 1,000 km of solar roads. Critics say the project is not a cost-effective use of public money. “It’s without doubt a technical advance, but in order to develop renewables there are other priorities than gadgets,” said Marc Jedliczka, vice-president of Network for Energetic Transition (CLER). “We are currently

more certain that it’s very expensive than the fact that it works.” The company behind the panels, Colas, is part of the telecoms giant Bougyes, and hopes that the technology will become cheaper as it becomes more widespread. The price of silicon - a key component of photo-voltaic cells - has dropped significantly in recent years, but making panels tough enough to withstand HGV traffic is not cheap. In 2014, a solar-powered cycle path was unveiled in Krommenie in the Netherlands and, despite teething problems, has so far generated 3,000 kWh of energy - enough to power an average family home for a year. Critics point out, however, that the cost of building the cycle path could have paid for 520,000 kWh through other means. “As the cost of solar panels comes down, increasingly interesting and innovative applications will be created in places one would not otherwise consider,” said Piers Barnes, a physics research associate at Imperial College London. ■

10 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2017

Law changes for 2017 No plastic bags for fruit and veg While plastic bags were banned from supermarkets in France back in July, this ban has now been extended to include fruit and veg aisles and markets. From 2017, bags used for the sale of fruit and veg must be made of a biodegradable substance, like paper.

Plastic bag usage at French supermarkets has dropped from 12 billion to just 700 million in the last 12 years and in 2016 the average French person got through 79 single-use bags. This compares to an EU-wide average of 175 per citizen, a figure the EU hopes to reduce to 40 by 2025. Diesel tax up, but petrol tax down - The cost of a litre of diesel will rise by one centime while the cost of a litre of petrol will fall by the same amount. The move is aimed at reducing the price advantage of diesel which is considered far more of a pollutant than petrol. Price of a stamp rises - The price of a standard priority stamp will go from 80 cents to 85 cents - a 6.3 per cent rise. The cheaper lettre verte option will rise by less (4.3 %) going from 70 cents to 73 cents. Other postal services will also rise across the board.

Some may not need to pay at the doctors - The new health law passed last July means some patients will no longer have to pay up front when seeing a general doctor. Currently, a visit to the GP will set you back €23, a cost that is then reimbursed by your social security organisation... less a handling fee! From January, pregnant women or those with long-term illnesses will no longer have to pay up front - the GP will be paid directly by the State. Everyone else will have to wait until November 2017 for the changes to roll out universally. Supporters of the changes argue that those from low-income households will forego a trip to the doctor because of the need to pay up front. GPs argue that the new steps will increase their administrative workload and also lead to more unnecessary trips to the doctor. No more tinted windows - As part of a raft of new driving rules announced last year the ban on tinted windows in the front seats and windscreen will come into force in January. Those caught flouting the ban will be hit with a €135 fine and three points off their licence. New cars are currently allowed to have a tint of up to 30% and this rule will remain in effect, although no further darkening will be allowed. A spokesman for the Inter-ministerial Road Safety Delegation said: “To ensure the correct checks of certain dangerous habits like using a phone or not wearing a seatbelt, the police need to see the driver.” We are all organ donors, unless... you opt out via a government run scheme - see right for more information or visit www.registrenationaldesrefus.fr

France strengthens optout organ donation laws

espite being introduced 40 years ago, the loi Caillavet du 22 décembre 1976 is to undergo a “reboot” to ensure that more people become organ donors after their death. The aim of the original law change was to create an opt-out system and stated that “Organ harvesting may be carried out for therapeutic or scientific purposes on the body of a person who has not made known during his lifetime his refusal of such a usage”. In reality, when a person died whose organs were viable for donation, the immediate family would be consulted and any refusal given often reflected the choice of the relatives rather than that of the deceased. This was highlighted by a recent survey which showed that while 79% of the population are in favour of having their organs given to medical science, donation only occurs in 67% of suitable cases. From 2017, the rules surrounding a refusal have been strengthened and a new national database has been launched where those opposed to organ donation can register their views. In the event of death, only this register will be used to determine a patient's wishes, not the opinion of immediate family, except in certain cases such as minors and those under guardianship, etc., or where the deceased has left written testimony.

The updated text reads, “The post-mortem organ harvesting may be carried out on a person of full age if, during his lifetime, he has not made known his refusal to do so, mainly by entering an automated national register to this end.” From January, to register your opposition to organ donation, visit www.registrenationaldesrefus.fr and follow the steps outlined (in French). Organ donation is on the increase in France, but so too is demand and the country still has far fewer donors than required, with hundreds dying each year while on transplant waiting lists. In 2016, there were 21,000 people waiting for a transplant, a number that has doubled in the last decade. The French system is the opposite of the UK opt-in approach (except Wales) where you are considered to be against donation unless you carry a card. Research has shown that countries adopting a “presumed consent” approach have higher donation: countries with this system, such as Spain and Belgium, are among those in the world with the highest number of donated organs and transplants, whereas in countries like the UK, Germany and Switzerland, with presumed refusal, donation rates appear to be far lower. Wales has operated a “deemed consent” system since 2015, a scheme which has already brought an increase in the number of donations. ■

www.agence-eleonor.com Agence Eleonor Estate Agency 36-38 rue du Temple, 24500 EYMET Tél. : 05 53 27 83 45, info@agence-eleonor.com

Ref: 4879-EY €278,200 (7% fees inc.) 17thC Stone character property, renovated over recent years, would be an ideal family home or gite business, with 4 bedrooms and a private courtyard. Option of buying an independent apartment. DPE: D.

Ref: 4875-EY €556,500 (5% fees inc.) This beautiful property comprises: a main house with 3 bedrooms, a second house/gite with 3 bedrooms, a jacuzzi & sauna, several outbuildings, a swimming-pool and just under 5 acres of land. DPE: Vierge.

Ref: 4866-EY €141,700 (9 % fees inc.) Rare opportunity to acquire this fabulous property set out in two parts, the ﬁrst has 3 bedrooms and needs some renovation, the other part which is far older needs extensive restoration. There is a large cellar with a vaulted ceiling and many outbuildings. DPE: N/A.

Ref: 4872-EY €231,125 (7.5% fees inc.) A lovely modern built house with beautiful views over the countryside and 4 bedrooms, balcony, terrace and a swimming pool. The property also has a garage and a carport and just under one acre of land. DPE: C.

Other ofﬁces at : Beynac, Monpazier and Villeréal

JANUARY 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 11

12 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2017

Hollande issues rare pardon

Mayor renames road Brexit Street

French mayor has put his town on the map by announcing that he is to name one of its streets “rue du Brexit”. In a highly symbolic move aimed at further infuriating pro-Europeans, the mayor chose to place Brexit Street next to “rue Robert Schuman” and “rue Jean Monnet” - streets named after two of the founding fathers of the European Union. Julien Sanchez, the farright Front National (FN) mayor of Beaucaire in the southern Gard department, announced the move on Twitter, saying he wanted to “pay homage to the choice of the sovereign British people”. Speaking to France Bleu, he said the move was “not polemical” and was in keeping with the European theme of the other road names in the area. “We have already received lots of messages of thanks and congratulations from British people,” he said, claiming that, “British MPs are starting to talk about it. I think that the people of Beaucaire are very happy that Europeans have reclaimed their sovereignty, and perhaps they will want to reclaim their own as well”. Whilst eurosceptics revelled in the press attention,

and beat her and her three daughters and also abused her son. On 9th September 2012, her son hanged himself and the following day Sauvage shot her husband three times in the back with a rifle. She was found guilty of murder and sentenced to ten years in prison in October 2014, which was upheld on appeal in December 2015 when the State rejected her plea of self-defence. The state prosecutor said at the time that she should have shown a proportionate response and that firing three shots into her husband's back was inadmissible as self-defence. In French law, for an act to be considered self-defence, it must be seen as proportional and in direct response to an act of aggression. “We were afraid of him, he terrified us,” one of her daughters told the court during the original trial. Another of her daughters, raped at the age of 16, described her father’s death as a “relief”. Follow-

ing the 2016 hearing, her family told France 3: “I think she has paid enough. She paid all her life and has been in prison for almost four years, so I think she's paid enough.” Whilst almost universally welcomed, the pardon was questioned by Virginie Duval, head of the French union of magistrates, who complained that the president had simply acted “to please public opinion” and highlighted that the judiciary had followed the law when it rejected Ms Sauvage's appeals. Pardons, which were reinstated by Napoleon, are very rare in France and during his 2012 presidential campaign Hollande distanced himself from such actions, describing them as belonging to “a different concept of power”. He has granted only one previous pardon, when he freed convicted bank robber Philippe El Shennawy - who had spent 38 years behind bars - in 2014. ■

others were quick to point out further symbolism: the road in question is actually a small ring road on an industrial estate, so anyone going down Brexit Street will drive round in circles forever without actually getting anywhere! The chosen name has also irritated some of the FN's own supporters, with one tweeting: “Now we're giving street names to pay tribute to foreign countries. Crazy!” with another adding it was “perfectly ridiculous to attach a journalistic neologism to a street, and an Anglicism as well!” The FN are expected to perform well in this year's presidential elections, with most pollsters predicting that its leader Marine le Pen will secure enough votes to win the first round, or at least make the second round runoff. In the second round of voting she is is most likely to come up against François Fillon, the winner of the recent centre-right primary, who is currently expected to become France's next president. Le Pen was vocal in her backing of the Leave campaign in the UK's EU referendum and has vowed to hold her own referendum in France if she enters the Elysée Palace later this year. ■

Carrefour to ban battery eggs

nimal welfare groups have been celebrating a recent announcement by the Carrefour supermarket giant that it is to stop selling eggs from battery and caged hens across its French stores. Carrefour is the latest retailer to make a pledge regarding battery eggs, but is the first of France's big supermarkets to make the move - a similar pledge was made earlier in 2016 by Monoprix. “All eggs sold under the Carrefour brand will come from alternatives to cage production by 2020,” the retailer announced on its website shortly before Christmas. “To facilitate this change in production methods, Carrefour will put in place a specific contract with its suppliers, over a minimum of 3 years, for the creation of new organic or outdoor breeding programmes and the phasing out of cage breeding”. Carrefour also announced that it will stop selling caged eggs from any source (including third party suppliers) by 2025. Currently around 75% of egg production in France comes from cage farms. However, the public are becoming increasingly concerned about the origin of their eggs: of the 5 billion

n a surprise move, President Hollande has granted a full pardon to a woman who had been sentenced to prison for murdering her husband after decades of domestic abuse. “The president of the Republic has deemed that Ms Sauvage’s place is no longer in prison, but with her family,” read a statement from the president’s office. Jacqueline Sauvage was released from a prison near Paris within hours of the announcement, which took even her own family by surprise. “I’m deeply shaken, I wasn’t expecting it,” said Carole Marot, one of Sauvage’s daughters. “An infinite thanks to the president of the Republic!” Hollande had already granted Sauvage a remise gracieuse earlier in 2016, which reduced her sentence and made her eligible for immediate release. A parole board, however, subsequently refused to release her, arguing that Sauvage had “not done enough to question her own actions” and expressed concern that a return to her old neighbourhood might encourage people to see her as a victim rather than a convict “given the support around her and the media coverage”. Sauvage’s case had become a cause célèbre in France and led to a fierce debate about when selfdefence is justified. A petition calling for her release gathered well over 400,000 signatures and support from across the political spectrum. Jacqueline Sauvage was married for 47 years to Norbert Marot, a violent alcoholic who she said raped

boxed eggs bought in 2014, 37% came from chickens raised with access to the open air, compared with just 20% in 2007. Carrefour said it had made its decision following months of discussions with animal welfare groups L124 and The Humane League both of which are working to end the rearing of animals in cages. “The commitment of the leading retailer in France confirms the growing importance of the animal issues in our society and limits the suffering inflicted on

animals used in the food industry,” said L124's Brigitte Gothière. The labelling of eggs is not always clear and obvious and the removal of cage production does not mean that all hens will now have access to fresh air and natural light, despite what the packaging may suggest! Indoor production, where hens are free to move around, but live their entire lives inside a barn, will still continue. See the accompanying box to learn more about egg labelling. ■

European egg labelling All eggs in Europe are stamped with a code, made up of a number indicating the type of production, a 2-letter country code and then a number uniquely identifying the producer: 0 - organic; 1 - free-range; 2 - deep litter indoor housing; 3 - cage farming. So 0-FR-12345 would identify a French, organic egg and 3-UK-12345 would indicate a battery egg produced in the UK.

JANUARY 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 13

UP TO

HALF PRICE

SALE Free delivery on orders over €50*

debenhams.fr * T&C’s apply - Please see Debenhams.fr for further details

14 ♦ FRENCH LIFE

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2017

Périgord black truffles by Julia Watson

ust when Christmas and the New Year festivities have drained your bank account of funds, along comes the truffle season. From December to March, gourmets, aspirational or actual, can only be unaware of the black truffle of the Périgord if they’ve been holed up in a cave. Truffles, legitimate and under-the-counter, are everywhere. But beware seduction by the latter. It may be a flavourless counterfeit from China, and not much cheaper than the real thing. If you’re going to invest in this expensive ingredient, you’d do better to head to a market that focuses on the sale of the Périgord’s Tuber melanosporum. The largest truffle market in the world is in the Vaucluse, in the small walled town of Richerenches, once the headquarters of the Knights Templar. The largest truffle market in the south-west is in the Quercy, at Albenque. There are others. But probably the most popular is in the small Périgord village of Sainte-Alvère. At up to €1000 a kilo, the fusty, musty, heady truffle is possibly the world’s most expensive ingredient. It’s a better bargain than caviar, a similarly pricey luxury food, since it isn’t eaten and over at a single sitting. Added in small quantity to other elements like eggs or pasta or chicken, the truffle’s indefinable taste can transport dishes into a heavenly stratosphere over a series of meals. Of course you know all this. I’m simply trying to provide an argument here to persuade you that an investment in one small truffle of around €100 is worth every last centime. Ask those who know, then pay a Monday visit to Sainte-Alvère. The village is sited in an area of wooded chalky land that encourages the growth of the tuber. It has always been a source for truffles. But after the First then the Second World War, the nurture of truffles went into decline, on one hand because so many smallholders moved off the land into towns in search of post-war work, on the other because of the shrinking of forests, changes of land use, and the exhaustion of truffle-friendly trees untended during the war years. Across France in the 1930s, the truffle harvest was roughly 1000 tons. These days, it’s nearer 50. By the late 1960s, the countryside witnessed a reviv-

al of fortunes, with people leaving the towns in search of a better life on the land. At the same time, science labs were working on more productive methods of encouraging truffles. These two factors combined to reboot interest in replanting stocks of the French oak and a broader spectrum of trees bred to be truffle-friendly. Now, however, a new threat emerges from climate change. Scientists in the British journal Nature linked a decline in the truffle harvest in France and Spain to hotter summer temperatures and lower rainfall. As the harvest has declined, so the price has risen, from about €150 a kilo 15 years ago to as much as €1500 now. Invest in a truffle while you still can. Don’t, however, make the mistake of saving it: it doesn’t last. A truffle is a living thing, even if it does look like a lump of peat. One of the best ways to use it is the most simple -

scrambled eggs with truffle shaved over at the last minute. But if you want to push the boat out, try the elow recipe. ■ Julia Watson has been a long-time Food Writer for newspapers and magazines in the US and the UK.

Pan-fried foie gras with sauce Périgueux and poached egg 1 small black truffle, shaved with a potato peeler 1 egg per person 2 x 1.5cm thick slices of foie gras Splash of cognac 1 slice each toasted bread (optional)

50g butter 200 ml stock 1 small glass white wine 1 shallot, finely sliced 10g flour 1 bay leaf

Shave the truffle, set aside. Melt butter in a small pan and fry the shallot until soft. Add flour, stir into shallots, add wine and reduce for 2 minutes, stirring. Slowly add stock, stirring. Add bay leaf. Simmer 10 minutes on a low heat, stirring regularly till thickened. Strain into a warmed bowl, then add the shaved truffle. Add 1 tsp of white wine vinegar to a shallow pan of boiling water. Break one egg into a teacup. When the water boils, stir vigorously in a circle then carefully pour the egg into the centre to make it form a ball. Cover with a lid for 3 to 5 minutes depending on how firm you like your egg, checking if the water needs another swirl to create the round shape. Lift the egg onto a warm plate with a slotted spoon. Repeat with the second egg. Toast the slices of bread and set each on a warm serving plate. Heat a dry pan until a drop of water sizzles. Sauté the foie gras 1 minute each side. Add a splash of cognac and shake the pan. With a fish slice, lay the foie gras on each slice of toast, then the egg on top. Sauce the dish generously, season to taste and serve.

Is your tax and wealth management in shape for 2017? - Blevins Franks

t is that time of the year when many people make New Year resolutions to improve their life in one way or another. Whether or not you make resolutions, this is a good time to consider whether you need to review your financial planning. To protect your financial security through retirement, and achieve your wishes for your family and heirs, you need to have a strategic tax and wealth management plan in place. This should cover your savings and investments, tax planning, pensions funds and estate planning. These should all be set up to work together to preserve your wealth over the long term and meet your objectives. You need to consider any recent global and local developments that may affect your finances in the coming year, as well as have a long-term strategy. Any changes in your personal circumstances could also warrant a review. Once you have assessed your situation and financial planning, you will be able to discuss any necessary adjustments with your financial adviser. Savings and investments 2016 was certainly an interesting year, with Brexit and the US elections. More recently the Italian referendum could add more uncertainty for the Eurozone and financial markets. Diversification is more important than ever. Do you have a long-term strategic asset allocation plan specifically designed around your circumstances, needs and risk profile? Diversification gives your portfolio

the chance to produce positive returns over time without being vulnerable to any single area under-performing. There are various levels you should have in your investment portfolio: 1. A sset allocation - spreading your capital across different asset classes (equities, bonds, real assets, property, cash, etc.) 2. D iversification across geographical areas, sectors, company size, etc. 3. O wning equities and bonds issued by a range of companies (for example through owning a selection of funds) 4. U tilising a multi-manager approach where you diversify across managers and styles 5. C urrencies The starting point should be to obtain a clear and objective assessment of your appetite for risk, to make sure your portfolio is suitable for you. Remember that as asset prices rise and fall, your portfolio can shift away from the one designed to match your risk profile and objectives. You should review your portfolio around once a year to rebalance it if necessary. Tax planning French tax regulation changes constantly and it pays to be on top of things. The French government’s draft budget bill for 2017 showed no change to the income tax rates themselves, but the income bands for each rate increase very slightly. For example, the nil rate band will cover income up to €9,710

(compared to today’s €9,700) and the 45% top rate will apply to income over €152,260 (up from €152,108). Some tax reductions will be introduced for taxpayers with low income. Another major incentive to review your tax affairs is the global automatic exchange of information regime under the Common Reporting Standard which is now in force. The French tax authority will receive information on every resident of France, without having to ask for it. Cross-border tax planning can be complex, so you need to ensure you are declaring income and paying tax in the right country. There has never been a better time to consider your tax planning and, more importantly, the use of a fully tax compliant structure in France, to ensure peace of mind. Make sure your investments and wealth are placed in the most suitable arrangement to limit your tax liabilities. Take advice from someone who is well-versed in the nuances of French taxation, otherwise you could see your investment returns slashed by French taxes that could have been avoided or mitigated. It is important to ensure your tax planning is up to date and designed to take advantage of tax planning opportunities in France. Estate planning The first step is to establish your goals. Who would you like to benefit from your estate? Are you happy for them to have control over the money? When should they receive the fund? How much tax will they have to pay on their inheritance?

You then need to obtain specialist advice to ensure that your estate plan is specifically set up to achieve your wishes for your heirs. Under the EU succession regulation Brussels IV that came into force in August 2015, you can now use your will to elect for UK succession law to apply to your estate, thereby avoiding France’s forced heirship. However you should take expert advice before choosing UK law as it may have indirect consequences you are not aware of. Remember that Brussels IV does not cover tax laws. French succession tax continues to apply as it does now. You may be free to pass assets to whomever you wish, but with tax rates up to 60%, the French taxman could well be the biggest beneficiary. Whether it is investments, tax or pension planning, seek professional advice to ensure you do what works best for your personal situation. Use an adviser who can guide you on all these aspects and provide holistic solutions so you can have peace of mind that your financial affairs are in order. ■ Tel: 05 53 63 49 19 Email: bergerac@blevinsfranks.com Tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; an individual is advised to seek personalised advice.

FRENCH LIFE ♦ 15

JANUARY 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

The history of the wines of Bergerac

by Martin Walker

t is pleasant to reflect over a glass of Bergerac that one is drinking not only wine but history, enjoying a local tradition that goes back for some 2,000 years to Roman times. They left none of their wines behind but the evidence remains in the must cellars beneath the Roman villa at Montcaret, or the basket of grapes depicted in the Canet mosaics at Port-Sainte-Foy. The 4th century Latin poet and consul of Gaul Ausonius, who was also himself a winemaker with a hundred acres of vines, sang their praises and recommended taking a glass before reading his verses. The vineyards were still in place in the early 8th century, when the Arab armies under Emir Abdul Abd al-Rahman burned them out as they came north from Spain to meet their defeat at the hands of Charles Martel in 732 AD. But by the 11th century, the monks of the Abbey of St Martin were laying the foundations for Monbazillac by growing a sweet white wine on the slopes to the north of Bergerac. Devastated during the Hundred Years’ War, these northern vineyards were shifted in 1485 to the southern side of the river Dordogne. By then, the wines of Bergerac were well organised thanks to the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine to England’s King Henry II, which opened the English market. By 1254, the relationship was formalized by King Henry III, who gave the

winemakers of Bergerac some special privileges, including some exemptions from taxes and customs dues and the right to ship their wine to England through the port of Bordeaux without hindrance. This was important. It was not simply jealousy or the wish to control the trade that made the wine exporters of Bordeaux reluctant to help their inland neighbours; it was also the weather. The difference in climate between the coastal regions around Bordeaux and the Périgord means that the Bergerac grapes usually ripen a week to ten days later. The warehouses of Bordeaux wanted to sell all their own stock before making room for the wine from up-river. King Henry III, otherwise one of England’s less impressive monarchs, established a special body to assure the quality of the Bergerac wines, the Grands Consuls. They exist to this day, and the impressive medieval robes of the Consuls can be seen at the Maison des Vins in Bergerac. King Henry also gave the citizens of Bergerac the right to assemble and petition him directly, a move intended to ensure their loyalty in the long wars against the French kings. (It is curious how wine and tax relief go together. The Cloister of the Récollets, attached to Bergerac’s Maison des Vins, is named for the monks installed there with the gift of tax exemption from King Louis XVIII.) The English connection began to fade

after their eviction from Bordeaux in 1453, but in the next century the French wars of religion between Catholic and Protestant opened a new market. Protestant refugees from the Bergerac fled to a tolerant and increasingly prosperous Holland which soon developed a taste for the sweet golden wine of Monbazillac. The trade prospered to the point that the individual Bergerac vineyards invented the modern marketing technique of the brand; the barrels from Château Tirecul La Gravière were branded with the image of a pine tree, a symbol of the pine wood that overlooked the vineyard. The wines became famous across Europe. Prussia’s Frederick the Great imported a Périgord chef named Nöel, called him ‘the Newton of cuisine’ and wrote a poem in his honour. But then in more recent times came three great blows. In the 1860s, the phylloxera plague devastated French vineyards and while other regions replanted with grafts of resistant vines, the Bergerac region moved swiftly to the new wonder crop of tobacco. Then in the 20th century, when the AOC boundaries were being drawn up, Bordeaux wines decided to limit themselves to the department of the Gironde. Bergerac wines, hitherto sold under the generic term Bordeaux, had to scramble to find a new identity. And in 1956, a prolonged and ferocious frost killed off most of the vines.

These days, thanks to a handful of gifted pioneers, the wines of Bergerac are enjoying a renaissance. The de Conti family of Tour des Gendres, Bruno Bilancini of Château Tirecul, the Dournels of Domaine des Costes, the Rymans of Château de la Jaubertie, Christian Roche of Domaine de l’Ancienne Cure and David Fourtout of Les Verdots and Daniel Hecquet of Château Puy Servain - to name but a few of the best-known - are all producing wines of extraordinary quality that can hold their own against Bordeaux vintages that cost several times as much. And with Patrick Montfort, who founded the Julien de Savignac chain of wine stores, they found a gifted marketing man and promoter with his own vineyard at Clos l’Envège. So the long history of Bergerac wines has taken on a new lease of life for the future. With luck, our descendants will still be drinking in 2,000 years hence. ■ Martin Walker, author of the bestselling ‘Bruno, chief of police’ novels, is a Grand Consul de la Vinée de Bergerac. Formerly a journalist, he spent 25 years as foreign correspondent for The Guardian and then became editor-inchief of United Press International. He and his wife Julia have had a home in the Périgord since 1999 and one of his great hobbies is visiting the vineyards of Bergerac.

In the garden - jobs for January

appy New Year! So, although it’s difficult to believe, here we go again. A new year opens out in front of us, with all the pleasures and challenges of the garden to relish. What to do now clearly depends largely on the weather, and given that December was pretty warm, things may have continued growing. There have been few frosty, snowy winter scenes, but that may still happen, so prudence is the watchword. You can start some pruning but before you do, feel virtuous by taking the time to sharpen your secateurs and rub them over with alcohol to disinfect them. Prune your wisteria (cut the whippy side shoots back to 2 buds). The stems can be twisted into garlands for decorating the house, or

by Michelle Pierce your Xmas wreaths for the future. Prune rose bushes now if necessary, removing any dead wood. In fact, it can be satisfying going round the garden with the secateurs and looking at shrubs in general, to remove dead wood or crossing branches. You can begin pruning your apple and pear trees but not stone fruit like peaches, plums, cherries, apricots, etc., because the cold can encourage silver leaf infection. You can also do the soft fruit bushes, currants, gooseberries and jostaberries. Remove any visibly dead raspberry canes. Some people would say to cut back herbaceous perennials and grasses now, but for me it’s too early. If the ground isn’t too hard or wet, you can plant (or transplant) bare root shrubs, soft fruit, raspberry canes, trees and roses. Fork

SUDOKU - EASY

some manure or compost into the bottom of the hole, and mulch thickly on the earth surface. Prune back to stimulate good new growth, and stake trees. Start thinking about the first things you want to be growing in your veg garden - place a cloche or mini tunnel over the soil to warm it up a bit for a couple of weeks, then sow directly. You could try cold tolerant things like mustards, land cress, chards and spinach. You can also be thinking about sowing early peas and broad beans. Get a head start with onions and garlic, too. Don’t forget to make a sketch about where you plan to plant what, to rotate your crops and not plant things from the same family in the same place as last year. You can start chitting early potatoes by putting them end up in

egg boxes in a light place. Why not also try growing a few potatoes in big containers in a warm greenhouse, or room for a super early crop? Apparently Charlotte is a good variety for this. If you decide to try in an unheated greenhouse, wrap your containers well in fleece. If you have several rhubarb plants and want to force a few, place a big bucket or bin over them, and you should get nice new stems in about eight weeks, if it’s not freezing. January is a good month to prepare. Clean and organise the tool shed. Check the greenhouse or polytunnel and clean that, too. Check that you’ve got enough supplies of things like string, pots and labels for later in the year. Mend things. Check tools, and the mower. Check tree stakes. Count

SUDOKU - MEDIUM

The solutions to this month’s sudokus can be found on page 16

your pea/bean sticks and tomato stakes to make sure you have enough. Consult catalogues for your seeds and summer bulbs. Sow some flower seeds in the propagator, or on sunny windowsills (salvias, lobelia, etc.) as long as you’ve got the space to put them somewhere once they’ve grown. You can also be taking root cuttings of things like oriental poppies and verbascum, etc. Tidy up your hellebore leaves when the flower buds push through. Remove dead flowers on winter pansies, to keep them flowering. And go and admire any flowering things in the garden don’t forget to bring in the odd sprig of winter flowering jasmine or honeysuckle, to perfume your house! Enjoy the month! Good gardening! ■

SUDOKU - HARD

16 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2017

Business Directory

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

Auto Services

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

06 31 98 92 07

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

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

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76 Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Building Services Electricians

BARWICK ÉLECTRICITÉ

MOTOR PARTS CHARENTE

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

+44 (0)1377 538 639

motorptscharente@aol.com www.motorpartscharente.com

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76 Building Services Architects/Surveyors 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 SIRET: 493 770 358 00015

CHARTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEER

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

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

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

sales24@thebugle.eu

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

Tel: 09 72 35 74 73

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

Siret: 498 843 051 00018

sales24@thebugle.eu

05 55 41 17 76 At Masterplans.eu we can help guide you through your planning application in France. From initial feasibility to completed dossiers. We will compile all the relevant drawings and complete the necessary paperwork to ensure your application proceeds smoothly. We are equally at home working with clients here in France or those living abroad.

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

Building Services General

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

uPVC windows, doors, porches & conservatories

Available in white, beige & oak woodgrain. Visit our website for more information.

www.upvc-solutions.webs.com email: upvc-solutions@orange.fr siret: 503 133 159 00015

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

05.55.68.67.56 06.06.60.46.97

harlequindevelopments@live.com www.harlequindevelopments.com SIRET: 494.501.067.00016

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Simon Carter

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

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

CHARKER DAVID

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

All small works undertaken

siret: 792.130.932.00017

Specialist in the renovation and restoration of period and contemporary buildings Stonework, Traditional renderings in Lime, Doors and Windows, Dry line walls, Zinc work, Electrical wiring and interior finishes Based near Brantôme

EASY

est. 2007

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

Building Services Painters/Decorators

upvc-solutions

Siret: 790 016 984 00011

Advertise your business to more than 25,000 readers from as little as €13.50 per month

05 55 41 17 76

SHAUN BARWICK QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN

Harlequin Developments

E-mail : dn.charker@sfr.fr

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

MEDIUM

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

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE... HARD

DIRECTORY ♦ 17

JANUARY 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

ADVERTORIAL

Online radio station for English-speaking expats Ex-patradio.com is a brand new online internet radio station, which launched live on 21st March 2016. The station is designed for English-speaking expats. The aim is to have a variety of shows, ranging from chat shows through to music programming covering a full spectrum of musical tastes. Our DJ presenter music shows include: • ‘The Golden Oldies’ with Mick Hennell, featuring tracks from the 50s and 60s • ‘The Beat Goes On’ with Steve Bell, showcasing new expat bands, musicians and singers • ‘The Blend’ with Ira, our American presenter, with the best of Creole and Swamp music through to rare blues cuts • ‘The All Day Special’ with station founder, Dave Hailwood • ‘The Roast Beef’ and a little Country and Western from 'The Southern Comfort’ with Wayne Allen • ‘The Retro Chart Show’ with Dave Mac • ‘Soul Time’ with Max Morrison - a great new show of Northern Soul • ‘The Nostalgia Club’ with David Sibbald -

Our ‘live’ coffee morning chat shows with station founder, Dave Hailwood, feature regular specialist contributors, covering topics such as women’s issues, gardening, sport, travel, cuisine and eduction... in fact, anything that affects expats. Our audience is encouraged to join in via email or phone with comments, questions and requests. Ex-pat Radio aims to be an international station, with an approachable local feel to it. Our website also features businesses, advertis-

Building Services Plumbing & Heating

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

PLUMBING & HEATING ENGINEER

Computers, Satellites & Web Design

- Installation, from kitchen taps to full central heating systems - Breakdown / Replacement boilers - Emergency plumbing repairs - Full analysed testing

M : 06 72 47 88 00 T: 05 53 20 64 02 E : wellers@orange.fr Registered Artisan - Siret No: 480 857 853 00018

sales24@thebugle.eu

05 55 41 17 76 Building Services Sandblasting

Food & Drink AUBERGE AUX DELICES DE LA TREILLE 24350 MONTAGRIER

05 53 91 12 63

Stephen Wisedale

WiFi Anglais Solve your Internet, wireless and computer problems

Extended wired and wireless networks for homes, gîtes and small businesses. VPN solutions. Windows and Mac OSX.

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

bobby@sandandblast.com steve@sandandblast.com SIRET: 812 727 253 00013

€24.90 Menu Soup+Starter+Main+Cheese+Dessert

Bar & Restaurant

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

Siret: 800 525 040 00013

Chimney Sweeps

05 53 80 29 54

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

sandblasting

05 55 76 31 59 / 06 77 40 95 92

A La Carte or 2 Set Menus Lunchtimes (except Sun and bank hols) Soup+Starter+Main+Dessert - €15 Soup+Starter+Main - €11.90 Soup+Main+Dessert - €11.90 Soup+Main - €8.90

24400 Beaupouyet (N89 between Montpon & Mussidan)

We provide a fully operated

www.sandandblast.com

Closed Tue eve & Wed

La Poutre

Sand and Blast service for wood, stone and metal. Perfect for stripping away years of grime or paint. Contact us for a free quote, or see our website:

Experienced, Registered & Fully Insured No mess, no fuss Email: cinderssweep@gmail.com

T: 05 53 91 87 88 siret: 484 768 700 00011

ing their services and trades. If you are interested in sponsoring one of our shows on a regular basis, or would like a commercial made and aired, please get in touch with Catherine Brown at catherine@ex-patradio.com Email us with requests, stories, jokes, local events in your area, sports groups, and anything else. We want to hear it all.. So get typing to: dave@ex-patradio.com Like us on Facebook:www.facebook.com/ expatradiofrance/ Tweet us on: @ExpatRadioFr And listen live now!

songs from the 50s • ‘Smooth Jazz’ with Phil Johnson • ‘Good Vibes’ with Anne Dessens

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

www.ex-patradio.com

The Dordogne Chippy

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

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

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76 Language Services

siret: 444 925 630 00014

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

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

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

FRENCH LESSONS Via Skype

with a native French speaker Why commute? Long distance learning is the answer! C’est simple, call Sophie...

05 55 89 15 74 scarolinea@yahoo.fr

Property Sales

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

Would you like to receive your copy of The Bugle by post each month? We can deliver a copy to your door, hot off the press

France, UK and Europe - €20 per year

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

Contact Joanna:

www.VideoProFrance.com Te: +33 (0) 6 99 07 64 28 contact@videoprofrance.com

18 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2017

ADVERTORIAL

“SolarVenti”- the solar solution to damp and humidity

How it works The principle behind Solarventi is simple: a small, built-in, solar cell powers a 12V fan that is connected to an air vent, a control unit and an on/ off switch. Whenever the sun shines, the air in the solar panel is heated and the fan, receiving power from the solar cell, introduces warm, dry air into your home at the rate of 20 to 100 cubic metres per hour. The initial models were more than capable of keeping the cottages dry (and ventilated), even with the limited sunshine hours available in Denmark during the winter season. Since that time, the technology has really come along in leaps and bounds. Now, more than 20 years later, the 3rd and 4th generation Solarventi have exceeded all expectations. In Southern Europe, Solar-

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.

HOLIDAY HOMES IN THE UK

A DIY Solution? The installation process is very straightforward and should only take two or three hours. All that is needed is a drill, hammer and chisel to make a hole in the wall. Roof installations are also possible. In fact, the Solarventi was originally designed to be a DIY product - in Scandinavia it still is. There are no electrical or water connections and it can be safely left running, even when the property is empty. Solarventi requires no maintenance

Eco Entrepot

Open every day except Monday

05 55 41 17 76

aka The Shed

CALL 0044 1424 853 764 www.ParkHolidays.com/beauportsales

SOS Help

Retail & Commerce

bookstop

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

09 51 45 57 49

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

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

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

Support

£9,995

- 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. ■

Your advert here

05 55 68 74 73

Are you looking for your perfect base in the UK? We have beautiful 2 and 3 bedroom models available in East Sussex. Relax in style in a modern holiday home and take advantage of fantastic facilities. Open for 11 ½ months a year. From

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

anxious? stressed? feeling down? call us up!

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

www.soshelpline.org Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Transport, Removals & Storage

MICHAELS MOVERS Removals

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

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

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

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

sales24@thebugle.eu

05 55 41 17 76

Man & Van Transport

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

DSD Removals & Storage The Removal Experts France ↔ UK

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

+44 (0)1274 724 545

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

English & French Spoken

09 82 12 69 73 87150 Oradour-sur-Vayres

www.frenchvanman.eu Siret 530 213 644 00012

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

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

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS TO OVER 25,000 PEOPLE EACH MONTH FOR AS LITTLE AS €13.50 HT

SALES@THEBUGLE.EU 05 55 41 17 76

COMMUNITY ♦ 19

JANUARY 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

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

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

6-Month Contract

12-Month Contract

€108

Small b&w Directory Ad

(€18/month)

Large b&w Directory Ad

(€24/month)

Small Colour Directory Ad

(€27/month)

Large Colour Directory Ad

(€36/month)

€162

(€13.50/month)

€144

€216

(€18/month)

€162

€243

(€20.25/month)

€216

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

30 words max

€324

(€27/month)

Directory Advertising is available either in black and white or colour, and in either small (30 words max) or large (45 words max) format. Directory adverts may only contain text - no logos, images or artwork are allowed. The minimum contract length is 6 months. Advertising is payable on publication. All prices are HT.

Lutin & Tinsel

Monday

Market Days

Beynac Le Fleix Les Eyzies Ste-Alvère

Tuesday

Hi, we are an adorable duo, brother and sister, who were born outside to a feral mum about 3-4 months ago. Luckily a very nice lady took us in to socialise but she can't keep us! Everything is so new and although we are still a little shy we LOVE cuddles and will purr to let you know that! We enjoy exploring and are both litter trained, enjoy hide and seek and, when you find us we will do the tail and paw dance for you. Although we would love to stay together it's more important that we find loving families. If you are interested in adopting them please contact Sophie (Bergerac area) on 05 53 73 91 13 / 07 78 21 13 55 or at sophie.nicol@ yahoo.fr Both kittens will be vaccinated and chipped on adoption. www.phoenixasso.com www.facebook.com/PhoenixAssociationFrance

UPCOMING AQUITAINE CHURCH SERVICES The Chaplaincy of Aquitaine covers the Dordogne, Gironde, Lot-et-Garonne, and Condom (Gers). All services are held in English. For further details, please see our website: www.churchinaquitaine.org or contact Chaplaincy Administration: Amy Owensmith, +33 (0) 607 04 07 77 chapaq.office@gmail.com SUNDAY 08 JANUARY 10:30 Holy Communion – Bertric Burée 10:30 All Age Worship – Bordeaux 10:30 Fresh Expressions – Eymet Temple 10:30 Holy Communion – Limeuil 10:30 Family Service - Négrondes

Beaumont du Périgord Bergerac (bio market) Brantôme Cénac-et-Saint-Julien Lanouaille Le Bugue Mareuil Neuvic Ribérac Salignac Eyvigues Thenon Trémolat

Wednesday Bergerac Gardonne 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

Le Bugue Montignac Mussidan Neuvic Nontron Périgueux Razac Sarlat Sigoulès St Aulaye Ste-Foy-la-Grande Thiviers Verteillac Villefranche du Périgord

Friday

Sunday

Thursday

Bergerac Brantôme Cubjac Le Buisson Ribérac Sarlat Vergt

Saturday

Agonac Beaumont du Périgord Belvès Bergerac Lalinde La Roche Chalais

(20 rue Gadaud) 20:30 Christian Unity service – Eysses church, Villeneuve sur Lot (rue Victor Michaud) SUNDAY 22 JANUARY 10:30 Holy Communion – Bertric Burée 10:30 Family Communion – Bordeaux 10:30 Christian Unity Service - Gradignan 10:30 Fresh Expressions – Eymet Temple 10:30 Holy Communion – Limeuil 10:30 Holy Communion - Monteton 10:30 Holy Communion – Négrondes Monday 23 January 20:30 Christian Unity Service – Bergerac, Eglise Evangélique Libre (5 rue Durou) Tuesday 24 January 19:30 Christian Unity Service – Sarlat, Centre Madeleine Delbrel (33 bd Eugène Le Roy)

Wednesday 11 January 11:00 BCP Holy Communion – Bertric Burée

Wednesday 25 January 18:00 Christian Unity Service – Lalinde

Saturday 14 January 15:00 Christian Unity Service – Ribérac Hospital Chapel

Thursday 26 January 11:00 Holy Communion – Condom

SUNDAY 15 JANUARY 10:30 Family Service – Bertric Burée 10:30 Family Communion – Bordeaux 10:30 Holy Communion – Chancelade 10:30 Morning Worship – Limeuil 10:30 Prayer & Praise – Monteton 11:00 Christian Unity Service – Sainte Foy la Grande Protestant Temple (rue Louis Pasteur) 11:00 Prayer & Praise – Sainte Nathalène

SUNDAY 29 JANUARY 10:30 Special Christian Unity service – Bertric Burée 10:30 Family Communion – Bordeaux 10:30 Special Service – Limeuil 10:30 Morning Prayer – Monteton

Thursday 19 January 10:30 Holy Communion – Limeuil 18:00 Christian Unity Service – St Avit Sénieur 18:30 Christian Unity Service – Périgueux, Protestant Temple

SUNDAY 05 FEBRUARY 10:30 Service of the Word – Bertric Burée 10:30 Family Communion – Bordeaux 10:30 Prayer & Praise – Limeuil 11:00 Holy Communion - Doudrac 15:00 French-Madagascan Communion – Bordeaux 16:00 Evensong – Bertric Burée

Bergerac Couze St Front Daglan Gardonne Issigeac Pontours Pressignac-Vicq Rouffignac Sarlat Sorges St Cyprien St Génies St Pardoux la Rivière See www.jours-de-marche.fr for more information

20 ♦ WHAT’S ON