The Bugle Dordogne - July 2019 by The Bugle

Calls to protect sounds of the countryside Mayors and politicians are campaigning to have the sounds of the countryside given protected heritage status

>> Page 5

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Dordogne

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July 2019 - Issue 73 - FREE!

National service returns for French teenagers For the first time in 20 years, French teenagers have taken part in national service, although not everything went to plan due to the recent heatwave.

une saw the return of national service in France as the first batch of teenagers took part in a voluntary pilot programme, although all did not go according to plan. The 2,000 recruits were taking part in an official ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of General de Gaulle’s famous 1940 radio appeal from London for the French to resist the Nazis when 29 of them succumbed to heatstroke. Whilst some fainted under the blazing sun as they stood in uniform, others appeared to have been less lucky. “Two or three were more seriously affected and one had to be taken away for medical care by ambulance,” said Guy Lefrand, the head of Evreux council. Facing criticism, the government was forced to deny that the recruits had been neglected due to a “lack of

supervision”. “There was one supervisor for every five young people, and they had all received training,” said Geneviève Darrieussecq, Secretary of State for the Army. “This is not a local error, but a question of circumstances: a very hot location, where the young people started to feel ill. Supervisors took these young people to shelter, and gave sugar to those whose levels had dropped. I am not minimising what happened, but the right things were done. They were taken care of. This was a problem of heatstroke. All of the young people continued their normal activities in the afternoon and evening.” The incident was an inauspicious start for one of President Macron’s flagship programmes. The president

INSIDE > > > Elton John given top French honour - pg 5

Concerns after Bergerac dengue fever case - page 3

Ban on destruction of unsold items - pg 9

Cross-border traffic fines increase - pg 10

The Bugle Business Directory - pg 14-17

>> continued on page 7

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Welcome to

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oly moly, I know I was warned in advance, but as I write this the last few days have been unbearable in this part of France, and there's currently no sign of an end in sight. The house feels like a pressure cooker, the kids are overexcited, it's hard to sleep and everyone has been bickering over the smallest things. Yep, the in-laws are here!! We're also in the middle of a heatwave which I always find exhausting. I've never been very good with heat and I'd take -10 over +35 every day of the week. It's been over 40 at times in my part of the country which is dangerously hot. I wasn't in France for the famous canicule of 2003 in which thousands of people died as a result of the heat, but this one is apparently shaping up to potentially be as serious. I believe a lot of lessons were learnt from that heatwave and the country

appeared to be much better prepared this time around, with schools closing and plenty of public warnings and advice. I live in an area of vines and they must build them tough round here as people have been out there working throughout the day! No thank you. I am currently very glad that I effectively have a desk job. The first time I experienced the kind of heat that takes your breath away was when I spent some time in Thailand as a much younger man. I knew that it would be warm as we were travelling in the hot season and humidity was forecast to be high. I remember disembarking the plane and thinking that it wasn't too bad, travelling through the airport wondering what the fuss was all about and then approaching the automatic doors that led outside. As the air hit my face, it felt like I had been punched. It literally took my breath away. After 15 hours in an air-conditioned plane and a

slightly less air-conditioned airport I was unprepared. I would learn over the next few months that you're better off going between quite hot and really hot and avoiding overly air-conditioned spaces. This memory is at the front of my mind as I experienced it again yesterday afternoon. With the car telling me it was 39 outside, I made a mad dash to the supermarket for some emergency supplies and some blessed relief from the in-laws, I mean heat and I might have taken slightly longer than usual for both those reasons. The supermarket had excellent air conditioning and it was very refreshing, but as I left the store, I was instantly back in Thailand stepping through those airport doors and towards adventure. I know that smells and sounds can transport you to places and moments from your past, but it was the first time the weather had had that effect on me. It's like I was there again in that moment. It was a wonderful and strange experience... and then I legged it to the car and got the air con going!! On days like these I completely get why the Spanish do it the way they do. The absolutely best times of the day at the moment are very early and very late. I have been getting up at five or six o'clock and it is

glorious outside and it has been unbearable in the early afternoon. Unfortunately, children and the rhythms of school don't allow me, but I would love to get up with the sun and then hide in a cool, dark room for a few hours in the afternoon before working again into the evening. I guess that with the in-laws here I could start trialling siestas and rope them into some childcare duties. Although perhaps I could take it further and make the daytime siesta 10 hours long. That's it... for the next threeand-a-half weeks (yes, you read that right, it's not a typo, they really are here for that long!), I just might go fully nocturnal!! Until next month! Steve Martindale, Editor

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LOCAL NEWS ♦ 3

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Car breathalysers Bergerac dengue fever case leads to anti-mosquito operation introduced as drink driving punishment

uthorities in Bergerac have put in place an operation to eliminate all the mosquitoes from an area around Bergerac hospital after a patient was admitted suffering from dengue fever. According to a statement from the Regional Health Agency, a team from the Entente interdépartementale de démoustication (EID), is scheduled to move in between 5 am and 6 am on 2nd July, “to eliminate mosquitoes present in the places frequented by the dengue case, in order to avoid any risk of spreading the virus in the event that they have been contaminated by biting this person”. Locals have been advised to keep their windows closed, bring children’s toys in from the garden and remove any outdoor fabrics as the van passes through with the anti-mosquito spray. Health officials have been keen to stress, however, that this is precautionary and there is no significant risk to the public from the low levels of insecticide being used. There have been a number of cases of dengue fever in France over recent years, all of which have

been contracted abroad. This was the same for the recent patient in Bergerac who had been bitten by an infected mosquito while holidaying in Africa. The potential danger for public health is linked to the spread of the tiger mosquito across the country in recent years. Tiger mosquitoes can transmit dengue fever - as well as chikungunya and zika - but there are currently no mosquitoes carrying the disease in France. Authorities are worried that if a “native” tiger mosquito bites a person who has caught dengue fever while abroad, the disease could quickly spread, infecting the tiger mosquito

population in the area. If and when this happens, it will be almost impossible to remove the disease from the country. Symptoms of dengue fever typically begin three to fourteen days after infection and may include a high fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, along with a characteristic skin rash. The symptoms have been described as a combination of a cold and gastroenteritis and recovery generally takes two to seven days, although in some rare cases the disease can develop into dengue hemorrhagic fever which has more serious consequences. ■

fter a successful pilot scheme involving seven departments, the government has given power to local prefects to order the installation of car ignition breathalysers to the vehicles of drivers convicted of drink driving offences. Known as éthylotests anti-démarrage (EAD), these devices are fitted to the vehicle which will only start if the driver has a level of alcohol below the legal limit. In 2017, there were 8 deaths in the Dordogne involving a drink driver, a figure that rose to 10 last year and authorities in the department have indicated that they will be adding EADs to the range of punishments available to judges. “EADs, where they are applied as an alternative to licence suspension, avoid the social isolation and employment problems linked to a suspension,” the Prefecture said in a statement. The drink driving limit in France is 0.5 g/l of alcohol in your blood, which is roughly the equivalent of two units of alcohol, lower than in the UK where it is 0.8 g/l. If you are stopped and have between 0.5 and 0.8 g/l you face a fine of €135 and 6 points off your licence. For offences above 0.8 g/l the maximum penalty is 2 years in prison, a €4,500 fine, and 6 points off your licence, which can be suspended for between 6 months and 3 years. Under the new rules, rather than suspending a licence, judges can order drivers to fit an EAD for offences that involve a blood-alcohol level of between 0.8 and 1.8 g/l. Installation of an EAD must be paid for by the driver, but judges have the authority to lower the associated fine to take this cost into account. If stopped driving a vehicle that is not equipped with an EAD, offenders face a fine of a further €1,500 as well as potentially having their vehicle confiscated and their driving licence suspended for three years. ■

4 ♦ LOCAL NEWS

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Vintner is coming

prolific drinker. “My goal was to make a wine that was really from Dorne,” Thibault Bardet said at his vineyard in Vignonet, a village south of Saint-Emilion, in the heart of the famed wine-growing region. “I knew it was important that it should have lots of spice flavours. It’s an intense colour, like dark blood. It’s fruity, strong and full-bodied, yet very drinkable.” Unfortunately, with 30,000 bottles

Screenshot (HBO)

he final series of Game of Thrones recently aired worldwide, bringing to an end one of the most successful television programmes of all time. A feature of the show is the vast quantity of wine consumed by the characters - between dodging dragons and stabbing each other in the back - and one local French winemaker, who is also a super-fan of the series, decided to pay tribute by creating his own Westeros wines.

After studying maps of the fictional land and trawling through the books of George R. R. Martin for clues and tasting notes, he began making his version in 2016 using Merlot grapes from vineyards in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Through trial and error, he came up with two wines: “The Imp’s Delight” and “Dornish Wine” - both deep-red, full-bodied wines, the former honouring Tyrion Lannister, undoubtedly the show's most

Dordogne nuclear free zone

produced, the winemaker received a gently worded letter from producers of the series, pointing out that he did not exactly have the rights to trade off the show's fame. “It’s true that I kind of use the code of their universe,” admitted the fan, who said he would comply with HBO's request. The company had rather generously said that they would not stop him selling his existing stock, but requested him not to produce any more. ■

rance is the second largest producer of nuclear energy in the world, behind only the US, and currently has 58 nuclear reactors. Whilst the benefits and dangers of nuclear power are up for debate, it is a fact that they produce nuclear waste and that this waste needs to be stored safely and securely. Where this waste goes, however, is not always clear and many worry about the dangers of living near former uranium mines or waste storage facilities. Environmental campaign group Greenpeace has now released a map showing all the nuclear sites in France, as well as the road and rail network hubs used to transport waste. The data was collected from records of radioactive waste agency l’Agence nationale pour la gestion des déchets radioactifs (Andra). Whilst there is absolutely no evidence to suggest that the nuclear waste in France is being mishandled or represents any danger to public health, residents of the Dordogne will possibly be relieved to know that the department is one of the very few places in France that are completely nuclear free! According to Greenpeace, France currently has 1.6 million cubic metres of radioactive waste, the equivalent of nearly 640 Olympic swimming pools, which has accumulated over the years. Whilst the government claims that 96 per cent of the uranium used by the industry can be upgraded and injected back into the reactors, in reality this is not currently the case. Instead, much of it remains in storage and will ultimately head to a planned long-term storage facility in Bure in the Grand Est region, buried 500 metres below the ground, although this has not yet been completed. In November last year, President Emmanuel Macron said that France would shut down 14 of the country’s nuclear reactors currently in operation by 2035. ■

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NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 5

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Calls to give sounds of the Elton John given countryside protected status highest honour

fter a series of recent cases involving noisy neighbours, one French mayor has launched an appeal to have the sounds of the countryside granted national heritage status. Bruno Dionis du Séjour, mayor of Gajac, population 387, in the Gironde department of southwest France, claimed he had been spurred into action after a string of complaints from “selfish” neo-rurals over the noise of countryside life. In an open letter to French MPs, Mr Dionis du Séjour said that noises were part of “the rhythm of the countryside and things that make it what it is, which are as dear as they are simple”. “Let the crowing of the cockerel, the familiar bark of the dog, the church bell, the mooing of cows, the braying of the donkey and the chirruping of birds be inscribed into national heritage,” he wrote. Defenders of the rural soundtrack argue that tensions

are often caused by city dwellers with second homes or those who move to rural areas to retire. This situation is summed up perfectly by the case of Maurice the cockerel, which goes before a court this month. Maurice is a resident on the picturesque island of Ile d'Oléron, off the west coast of France, but his early morning calls have angered his holidaying neighbours, who are demanding he be “silenced”. The case is all the more contentious as the cockerel is the symbol of France. “They come twice a year to the island,” the owner of the cockerel, Corinne Fesseau, told local television. “I've been here for 35 years!” In June, a group of six new villagers from Occoches, in the Somme, filed a legal complaint against a farmer over plans to place 80 cows in a field and stable near their property. Their lawyer stated: “That means no more summer barbecues... The smell, the noise, the flies are real

nuisances.” In March this year, 18 inhabitants living in the centre of Colmar, eastern France, threatened to file a legal complaint unless the mayor muffled the sound of church bells ringing for Sunday mass and in 2016, a couple in the Dordogne were ordered to drain their pond after neighbours complained the noise from its mating frogs was spoiling their rural tranquility. The mayor's appeal has struck a chord, with one MP preparing to table a bill before the National Assembly to grant the sounds of the countryside protected status. “If we get this status, it will be a guarantee for a farmer not to find himself in front of the judges because his cows moo too much before being fed or because his donkey brays during the hot season. It's humiliating for rural folk to find themselves in court because of someone who comes from elsewhere. When I go into town, I don't ask them to remove the traffic lights and cars!” ■

ollowing a concert in Paris on his farewell world tour, Elton John has been awarded France's highest civilian honour, the Légion d'honneur, by President Emmanuel Macron. As the pair held hands, they took the opportunity to urge for further international action on one of the singer's personal causes, the fight against AIDS. “AIDS still exists, still strikes, and continues to advance,” Macron told the 2,000 people gathered for the ceremony at the presidential palace. “We still have a lot to do to convince people that they must protect themselves, that it is not a story of the previous generation, but of young people today.” The performer's charity, The Elton John Aids Foundation, has raised more than £310m for HIV prevention, education and support over the years and during his acceptance speech, he emphasised how important

the battle against AIDS was personally: “Like music, the fight against AIDS has been my passion for many many years. And like music, this fight reminds me every day of the extraordinary power of the human spirit. And that things that bind us are stronger than those that divide us. It is this magical human spirit I will carry with me as a proud member of the Légion d'honneur.” “I have a huge love affair with France,” the singer continued. “I have a house here, I've always loved coming here, I love the French culture, the way of life and the French people.” Elton John has announced that the current Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour will be his last, and the epic journey will see the singer perform more than 300 concerts in five continents over the course of three years. On the French leg, he played concerts at Lille, Paris, Bordeaux and Nîmes. ■

6 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

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National service returns to France >> continued from pg 1 took the country by surprise when he announced the return of “service national universel” (SNU) during his election campaign. National service was phased out 20 years ago and Macron, who came of age after the practice was scrapped, is the first modern French president not to have performed military service. Although initial plans were for SNU to involve military training, this was scrapped after protests from the army and the scheme is instead now a civic one. Defence officials were concerned that being in charge of military service would produce limited benefit, whilst cutting into an already stretched budget. Many of the country’s army barracks have either been converted for other uses or knocked down over the course of the last decade and the cost of reintroducing compulsory military service had been estimated as well into the billions. Rather than being housed in barracks, 16-year-olds will be called up for four weeks’ service, two of which will be spent in shared accommodation at school dormitories during the summer

holidays, where they will learn skills such as first aid and how to use a compass, read maps and inform emergency services of a natural disaster or terrorist attack by radio. Recruits will wear a uniform of black trousers, white shirts and a blue cap for ceremonies, and fluorescent vests for civil protection exercises. The national service centres are to be managed by a “chief of brigade” and will each feature five houses of 10 young people. Although each house will have an adult supervisor, the teens will be responsible for dividing up tasks and taking care of the accommodation. According to the government, one of the most important objectives is getting young people out of their habitual familial, social and regional surroundings, and to open their eyes to new experiences. A feature that is sure to prove less popular is the ban on mobile phones, except during a single hour of downtime every evening. The ban is one of the ways that the government hopes SNU will encourage youngsters to engage with each other. Rather than checking Facebook, the teenagers will instead debate different social

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

issues after dinner each day “such as discrimination based on sexual orientation and disability or radicalisation”. The two-week residential period will be followed by a second twoweek phase, later in the summer or during the coming school year, which involves work on a “collective project”, such as volunteering with a charity or local government. The re-introduction of SNU is part of a wider government initiative to foster more solidarity, shared ideals and civic pride among the country’s youth. “What’s missing is a moment of cohesion, of youth coming together from different parts of France, from different social backgrounds, sharing their experiences and their commitments for society and the country,” explained Gabriel Attal, the junior education minister responsible for launching the scheme. Whilst this may well be true, others believe that the move may have political undertones with closer links to the rise of the right, particularly Marine Le Pen. The leader of the Rassemblement National, formerly known as the Front National, made the run-

off against Macron in the last presidential elections and her party won the recent European elections. Many believe that Macron is trying to undermine Le Pen’s popularity by reclaiming the notion of patriotism from the far right. “What Macron is trying to show to the French public is that there is no contradiction in being proEuropean and patriotic; to be proEuropean and to believe in your country; to be pro-EU and also proud to be French,” explained Bruno Cautres, a prominent political scientist. For the time being, SNU is voluntary, but the government aims

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to make the service compulsory and universal within a few years. Following the 4 weeks of national service, the estimated 800,000 sixteen-year-olds will have the option to extend the experience by a further three to twelve months by serving with reserve armed forces, the fire brigade or community groups. During the French Revolution, France pioneered the idea of military conscription as a condition of citizenship. By the second half of the 20th century the amount of military service required was gradually scaled back and the practice was finally phased out between 1996 and 2001. ■

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8 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

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Taux d’honoraires 17,640€ (7%) inclus à la charge de l’acquéreur

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Agence Eleonor - Bergerac

Agence Eleonor - Lalinde

Tel: 05 53 27 89 59 - Email: bergerac@agence-eleonor.com

Tel: 05 53 73 30 62 - Email: lalinde@agence-eleonor.com

19 rue du Colonel de Chadois, 24100 BERGERAC

19 rue des Déportés, 24150 LALINDE

Ref: 7923-BGC €172,800 HAI

Ref: 7696-BGC €205,200 HAI

Ref: 7952-LA €249,900 HAI

Ref: 7953-LA €194,400 HAI

Renovated 4 bedroom 16th C stone farmhouse with pool. Wonderful secluded property not isolated as minutes from a village or town and 25 mins to Bergerac. Ideal holiday home. DPE: Vierge

Bergerac town centre two bedroom immaculate apartment on the 1st ﬂoor of a modern residence completed in 2018. Elevator, reversible air conditioning, private garage. DPE: C

Perigourdine style house with an incredible view of the river Dordogne. Main house has 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, kitchen/dining, living room. 1 bed studio, terraced garden with plunge pool, parking 4 cars. DPE: D

An old stone farmhouse in small village, 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, living/ dining. Studio, 72m² heated pool on terrace. Small garden 906 m² with fruit trees. Parking 2/3 cars. Lovely renovation. DPE: 0

Taux d’honoraires 12,800€ (8%) inclus à la charge de l’acquéreur

Taux d’honoraires 15,200€ (8%) inclus à la charge de l’acquéreur

Taux d’honoraires 17,435€ (7.5%) inclus à la charge de l’acquéreur

Taux d’honoraires 14,400€ (8%) inclus à la charge de l’acquéreur

Ref: 7002-BGC €235,425 HAI

Ref: 7672-BGC €390,000 HAI

Ref: 7937-LA €549,950 HAI

Ref: 7935-LA €263,375 HAI

Beautiful 3 bedroom stone cottage minutes from a charming village near Bergerac. Impressive lounge, spacious en-suite ground ﬂoor bedroom. Character house ready to move into. A rare gem! DPE: E

Renovated house & gite with pool. Excellent condition, full of charm. Spacious 3 bedroom main house plus 3 bedroom gîte. Beautiful garden with terraces and 12x5m pool. 20 minutes from Bergerac. DPE: D

Equestrian property on almost 15 hectares of meadows, overlooking the Vezere. 350 m² tobacco barn that dates from th 18 C, partially renovated with great taste. 5 minutes from Le Bugue. DPE: 0

BIG POTENTIAL - For lovers of stone and nature, stone house ready to restore with a 12th century tower, a barn and a double garage on 7 hectares of land without neighbours. TO VIEW! DPE: 0

Taux d’honoraires 16,425€ (7,5%) inclus à la charge de l’acquéreur

Taux d’honoraires 22,000€ (6%) inclus à la charge de l’acquéreur

Taux d’honoraires 26,188€ (5%) inclus à la charge de l’acquéreur

Taux d’honoraires 18,375€ (7.5%) inclus à la charge de l’acquéreur

NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 9

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Ban on destroying unsold non-food items

rime Minister Edouard Philippe has said that France will ban the destruction of unsold nonfood items by supermarkets and online retailers in what is being hailed as a “world first”. According to the prime minister’s office, more than €650 million of new, unused consumer products are thrown away or destroyed every year in France. “It is a waste that shocks, that is shocking to common sense. It’s a scandal,” said Philippe, as he launched the measure at a discount store in Paris. The announcement comes as President Emmanuel Macron looks to bolster his green credentials following a strong showing by the Green Party (EELV) in the recent European elections; the EELV came third in France with 13.5 per cent of the vote. The new measures would make it compulsory for retailers to hand in unsold goods to be re-used or recycled, and is part of a draft bill on the economy which is due to be discussed by the cabinet in July. If passed, it will come into law sometime

between 2021-23. Action had been promised earlier this year following public outrage at an undercover report that revealed the scale of wastage at online retailer Amazon. Television channel M6 embedded a journalist wearing a hidden camera in Amazon's Chalon-sur-Saône warehouse in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region. The report revealed that almost 300,000 unsold, new objects were destroyed in just three months from that one warehouse alone. The items ranged from nappies and unopened boxes of Lego, through to coffee machines and flat-screen televisions. The report also showed drone footage of discarded items headed to incinerators or landfills, which environmental activists have denounced as an “ecological disaster”. It is estimated that Amazon disposes of as many as 3 million items in this way each year. Companies that supply to Amazon are charged €26/m³ to stock items, but this ramps to €500/m³ after six months and an eye-watering €1,000/m³ after a year. The result is that suppliers

prefer to have their unsold goods destroyed rather than stocked at these high rates. Another reason for destroying stock is to prevent it being sold off at a discount, thereby devaluing the brand. British fashion firm Burberry caused a furore last year by acknowledging that

it burned unsold clothes, accessories and perfume worth £28.6 million annually to prevent them being sold off cheaply. It is now accepted that this practice is relatively common, especially in high-end, luxury industries. Environmental issues are becoming increasingly important

to voters. The government's image was tarnished last summer when prominent campaigner Nicolas Hulot, who Macron had named as environment minister, spectacularly quit the government, saying that his cabinet colleagues were doing too little to tackle climate change. ■

Parliament approve speed limit rollback Student's car crash exam

changes “must be systematically accompanied by measures guaranteeing the highest possible level of road safety”. ■

As featured in last month's edition of The Bugle, the government appeared to take a big step towards rolling back the unpopular change to the national speed limit when Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced he would allow local authorities to set their own limits. Last year's reduction in the national speed limit from 90 km/h to 80 km/h proved controversial from the outset and contributed in large part to the public anger which fuelled the gilets jaunes protest movement. While a number of local leaders opposed to the changes came out and said they would immediately be raising the speed limits on large sections of their road networks, nothing has yet changed and, indeed, it may be a while until opponents get their way. The first steps were taken in June, however, when an amendment to France's wide-ranging loi d'orientation des mobilités transport bill devolving speed limit decision to local councils was approved by the country's parliament, the Assemblée Nationale. The amendment is the first step in what could be a lengthy process and the changes will need to go through several more steps before becoming law. There is also a degree of confusion over exactly what Philippe meant when he announced that any future local speed

Many people have had anxiety dreams about sitting exams, but for one French student this nightmare came true recently when his baccalaureate literally became a car crash! Loïc was due to sit his history exam, but missed the bus. Desperate, he decided to borrow his Dad's car and drive himself to school. Unfortunately for the 18-year-old, he lost control of the vehicle on a corner and slammed it into the guard rail on the opposite side of the road. Police were soon on the scene and after performing a breath test to check that alcohol was not involved in the crash they took pity on the increasingly stressed student. After checking his condition, local officers in the small town of Albi delivered him to school just in the nick of time. Police said the teenager explained that he was keen to take the exam and that they had agreed that missing the test, which is required for students to graduate from lycée (high school) in France, would be “unfortunate”. In a subsequent Facebook post, the Albi police said they all wished the high school student “all the success he deserves”. ■

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Contrôle technique further toughened

rom this month, it will once again become harder to get your car through its contrôle technique - the French equivalent of the MOT. The main target this time around is older diesel vehicles, with experts predicting that it could become very difficult for diesels more than 15 years old to pass the test unless they have been well maintained. The changes were due to come into effect on January 1st this year, but have been twice delayed in the wake of the gilets jaunes protests, and have again led to a rush of drivers desperate to get their car through before the tougher rules apply. Under the new standards, far more attention will be paid to emissions, with the amount of CO2 and NOx gases measured along with the colour of exhaust fumes. Age will be taken into account, however, with cars measured against standards when they were originally manufactured. In better news, failing to meet emissions

standards will not be a “critical” failure, giving drivers two months to find a solution. The most significant change to the CT rules in 2018 saw the introduction of 127 “défaillances critiques” - critical failures which gave the owner just 24 hours to fix the problem or have their car removed from the roads. As previously, drivers of cars that fail with major faults still have two months to get them fixed, during which time they can continue to drive as normal. Failure to carry out the necessary repairs in the given time will lead to a €135 fine. A certificate remains valid for two years. Elsewhere, the rules surrounding the Crit'Air system have again been strengthened this month. From 1st July, any vehicles carrying Crit'Air 4 stickers will be banned from the roads of Paris from 8 am to 8 pm on weekdays. In effect, this is any diesel car manufactured before 2006. It is not yet clear if other cities that have adopted the anti-pollution measures will follow suit. ■

Macron replaces 'friendship tree'

n what would appear to be a worryingly accurate metaphor for reality, the “friendship tree”, offered to US President Donald Trump and planted on the White House lawn, has died. The symbolic tree was planted in front of the world's media by the two presidents in April of last year during a state visit to the US by Emmanuel Macron, flanked by their wives. When the cameras were turned off, however, the sapling was apparently removed and placed into quarantine over fears that parasites on the tree not native to the US might spread to others on the White House property. It would now appear that the tree did not make it out of solitary confinement. The oak tree was particularly symbolic as it had been taken from the Belleau Wood to the north-east of Paris, where around 2,000 US marines died in a ferocious battle in June 1918. It is an immensely important site to the US military and President Trump faced an angry backlash when he cancelled a visit to the US cemetery located at the wood because of heavy rain dur-

ing last year's visit to France to commemorate the centenary of the end of World War One. “It turns out that this oak was put in quarantine for American health and safety reasons and the poor thing did not survive. I’ll send another oak because I think the US Marines and the friendship and freedom between our peoples is well worth it,” Macron told Switzerland’s RTS network during an International Labour Organisation meeting in Geneva. “We will send him another, it is not a tragedy. Do not see symbols where there are none, the symbol was to plant it together.” The two leaders have had their ups and downs over the last few years, fro-m cringeenducing 30-second handshakes to Macron's famous “Make our planet great again” jibe when Trump pulled the US out of the Paris climate deal. They recently marked the 75th anniversary of D-Day together, where Macron again used the occasion to send a message to his American counterpart, saying: “America is never as great as when it is fighting for the freedom of others.” ■

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Cross-border traffic fines

here is increasing evidence that French authorities are successfully chasing more and more British drivers for speeding offences in France. The Bugle has been contacted by a number of readers on the issue and online message boards have been unusually busy with angry drivers receiving fines through the post to their UK address, some significantly backdated. For a number of years the majority of the EU has been part of a Cross-Border Enforcement Directive (CEBD) whereby countries share information to allow fines to be enforced for traffic offences registered across the bloc. France signed up in 2013, but Britain, Ireland and Denmark held off. Britain eventually signed up to the system in 2017, but initially relatively few fines were in fact handed out. This would appear to no longer be the case. Some have suggested that with so many of the country's speed cameras out of action following the gilets jaunes protests, authorities are instead using resources to go back through previous data to enforce fines on foreign drivers. If you are speeding on French roads in a car carrying British licence plates, there is a very good chance that any fines will be sent to your UK address. If you are flashed by a speed camera or red light camera, you will receive a letter, written in English, which must, under the CBED agreement, include details on: • • • • •

The date and time when the offence was detected The nature of the offence Any relevant information about the offence The nation’s legislation you infringed The legal consequences of the offences

Furthermore, whilst in the UK driving penalties can not be issued more than 14 days after the alleged offence, it is the law of the country in which the fine was issued that applies. In Italy, for example, this can be up to a year after the offence occurred. In slightly better news, you will only be hit with a financial penalty - no points will be added to your licence and drivers of French cars are unlikely to penalised for driving offences in the UK. This is because under British law the responsibility lies with drivers rather than registered car owners, which is the information available through the directive. ■

FRENCH LIFE ♦ 11

JULY 2019 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Podding The Perfect Pea by Julia Watson

Pea pod soup

Ingredients (serves 4): 1 kg pea pods 1 tablespoon butter 1 shallot, peeled and finely chopped ¾ litre chicken stock or water Salt to taste Single cream Small bunch of chives, finely chopped Pea shoots (optional)

offer you an ode to one of my favourite fruits - the pea. Yes indeed, botanically speaking, the pea does not qualify as a vegetable because it develops from a flower into a pod which contains its seeds. It was a summer holiday ritual of my childhood that my sister and I were not released to go off on all-day adventures on bicycles until we had picked and podded that day’s dish of peas. Back then, no-one had any idea of, or interest in, where we had disappeared to or how long we would be gone. We were only instructed to be back in time for supper which, for the peas alone, we would not have missed. Planted during the wintery part of the year all the way through to early summer - those jewels that emerge in July represent the epitome of summer. Sweet enough to eat raw (try offering a bowl of them with aperitifs, they will disappear faster than crisps), pick or buy them young enough that their tender pods can be eaten too. If you don’t have access to fresh peas, they are about the one unique vegetable that is just as

good - some might say even better - cooked from frozen. Back in the Middle Ages - and the present day north of England, location of the famous mushy peas made from the marrowfat pea variety - peas were grown for drying to eat as a porridge, potage or soup. Records find peas as early as the Neolithic period in the spread of land that is now known as Greece, Turkey, Jordan and Syria. Archaeologists discovered evidence of peas in the Nile Delta as far back as 4800 BC, then later in Georgia and even later in Afghanistan. Peas first appeared as a staple in India and modern-day Pakistan as far back as 2250 BC. But it took several centuries for eaters to wake up to the joy of the immature pea eaten fresh. If you are growing them yourself, or have access to a grower, don’t waste the pods. No good Périgord housewife or cook would. They make a fine soup. ■ Julia Watson has been a longtime Food Writer for newspapers and magazines in the US and the UK.

If you’d like to make a main course of them, this is a delectable recipe pinched from The Guardian that pairs peas with ricotta. The two star ingredients marry well; but whereas you can happily make the previous recipe with any frozen pea, this one needs to have fresh peas for best affect and a good ricotta, which unless carefully sourced, can be extremely bland in flavour.

Ingredients (serves 4): A handful of flat-leaf parsley 50g toasted breadcrumbs 250g runner beans (topped and tailed) Juice of 1 lemon Extra virgin olive oil 100g fresh peas A handful of picked mint leaves A handful of pea shoots 200g ricotta Salt and black pepper Firstly make your parsley crumbs. Chop the parsley finely and bash together with the toasted breadcrumbs in a pestle and mortar. Blanch the runner beans in boiling salted

by Martin Walker

in the mouth. Since then, having been similarly awed by Les Verdots and Jaubertie, by Ch Feely and Ch Payral in the Saussignac, by the Montravel whites of Ch Puy Servain and Moulin Caresse, I have learned that Pierre is far from unique. The Bergerac is full of devoted winemakers and I love to seek them out and spread the word. I still think Pierre is special, even though his Cuvée Quercus white is now 11 euros a bottle (I remember writing that it was the best white wine I knew for under ten euros). But now I may understand his secret. We were standing in his chai, chatting as he showed me one of the cheap glass-fibre vats with which he began before he could afford the big inox vats, when he said something about using the carbonised gas from his Monbazillac to help make his Cuvée Quercus. This sounded different so I asked him to elaborate. He has rigged up a system that uses the heavy carbonised gas from a big vat of Monbazillac to come down a smaller

Reheat with the remaining chicken stock or water. Ladle into warm bowls, swirl in a little cream, scatter over some chopped chives and a pea shoot.

Pea, mint and ricotta

The wines of Bergerac

t will soon be ten years that I have known Pierre Desmartis, one of the first Bergerac winemakers to become a friend. We met in Paris, celebrating the way he’d just won three gold medals in a row at the Paris Concours. To give somebody else a chance they gave him the overall Prix d’Excellence instead. Pierre was the first of the makers of Bergerac white wines to astonish me with the level of quality he achieved. Most of the Bergerac Secs I had tried before were perfectly quaffable but seemed destined more for a quick glug or to mix with crème de cassis to make a kir than for a serious wine with dinner. For that I usually turned to a Sancerre, the white Burgundies or a Pessac-Léognan from the Bordeaux. But Pierre poured me a glass of his Cuvée Quercus and I was blown away. This was a white that was serious, instantly rich, almost lavish to the nose. Full of fruit and seductive at first taste it then savoured very long

Top and tail the pods. Melt butter in a pan and sweat the shallot. Add the pods and boiling stock or water. Boil gently till soft. Puree in a blender using a little of the cooking liquid to loosen, then pass through a sieve and season.

tube and then into the top of big oak barrels in which he’s making his Quercus. The gas is inert but also heavy so it allowed the skins and fruit to stay longer in the white wine while the gas blocks any oxygen from coming in to turn it all into vinegar. We started laughing as he described the cardboard and sticky-tape system he used to seal the barrels and I was thinking: so that’s how he gets that depth of fruit! Pierre is not a secretive man. He loves to share his ideas and methods and he’s been a real pioneer in using video on his website to give people a sense of the different kinds of work that go into making wines throughout the year (www.vieille-bergerie. fr). His latest video is about the family in Portugal that he went to visit because they provide his corks. Pierre firmly believes in buying the best, long and properly treated. (Be wary of winemakers who scrimp on corks, he says.) Talking with Pierre you always learn something, like the

water. Remove while they still have bite, drain well, but reserve the water. Then place on a hot griddle or frying pan and char until marked and blistered. Place on a plate and squeeze over the lemon juice, a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. In the same pan of boiling water, cook your peas and drain. In a large bowl, combine the mint and pea shoots. Roughly chop the runner beans (save the dressing) then add to the salad with the cooked peas. Blob the ricotta over a large serving plate and assemble your salad over the top, dress with the reserved lemon juice and olive oil. Finish off the salad with an attractive scattering of the parsley crumbs.

way he gives his Malbec vines a bit more branch in the pruning, so it will bear more grapes and lose some of the intensity and harshness that can make it a difficult partner in blending. He thinks the way climate change is increasing the alcohol strength of Merlot is best managed by planting Merlot on north-facing slopes. He reckons that the appellation system is going to have to adapt to climate change by being more flexible about permitting different varieties of grapes. Syrah and Grenache are for him obvious candidates for the Bergerac appellation. He has three properties: four hectares of frost-prone valley near Pomport for his Monbazillac; an even smaller 1.3 hectare vineyard for his Pecharmant, and the remaining six hectares just north of Bergerac. His father was a market gardener near what is now Bergerac airport. His mother’s father was a winemaker in the Monbazillac. Pierre studied horticulture was for a while a sheep farmer before becoming a winemaker. “It’s all farming,” he says with a shrug. “But wine isn’t just about producing great grapes. Competition is getting harder, from cheap Bordeaux to South

African wines. The big supermarkets drive down prices. It’s tough for a small guy, having to do my own marketing.” Two of his wines boasting the latest Guide Hachette Coup de Coeur and he grins as he tells me this in a way that reminds me I’ve yet to meet a winemaker who was not fundamentally happy. His Pecharmant and his Monbazillac ‘Laure,’ each at 9 euros, are a bargain and so is his 5-litre box of rosé at 15 euros. Treat yourself to the special Quercus brand: the white is 11 euros a bottle; the Pecharmant is 17 euros and the Monbazillac is 19.50. Pierre also sells wonderful honey from the bees that roam his vineyard.. ■ Martin Walker, author of the best-selling ‘Bruno, chief of police’ novels, is a Grand Consul de la Vinée de Bergerac. Formerly a journalist, he spent 25 years as foreign correspondent for The Guardian and then became editor-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.

12 ♦ FRENCH LIFE

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JULY 2019

Just byways, no highways: some of your suggestions - The Grumpy Granny Guide

he tourist season is upon us and with it the perpetual search for something new and interesting to do, with or without visitors. I am always struck by the emphasis on activities which are physically strenuous and, being resolutely unsporty myself, prefer outings which are quieter and - dare I say it? - more contemplative. I freely admit I spend more time people-watching over a cup of coffee than hiking, rock climbing or cycling. Luckily in this area there is plenty to do whatever your inclination. Recently I asked Bugle readers to come up with their favourite ‘hidden treasures’, off the beaten track. I have tested three of these suggestions, two car outings and a garden visit and they all came up trumps! Luckily for me they did not involve anything very strenuous so are ideal for the very young, the elderly, those with a short attention span or those who like me, prefer just to potter around. The first car trip, starting in St-Cyprien, a stone’s throw from Sarlat, takes you round a tiny corner of the Périgord revealing lesser-known bijoux villages, a 2-3 hour round trip if there are no long stops. This beautiful little circuit has no castles, absolutely no tourist infrastructure and is a nostalgic trip back to the past. It is hard to imagine that all the decorative villages you pass through, now pristine and easily accessible, were on rutted roads and bustling with people and animals just 50-60 years ago. From St-Cyprien take the fast road towards Belvès and Siorac, the D703, and turn off left towards Berbiguières after a few kilometres. This road takes you up and out of the valley and into the hills where the trip begins with spectacular views and a series of small villages which have not been over-restored or marred by excessive tourist infrastructure. Berbiguières is worth getting out of the car for to take a short walk. Park in the centre and wander down the streets behind the church. A wonderful feel of past times in a picture-postcard setting. Continue on the same road through the village and on towards Allas-les-Mines. This is a lovely road through a delightful little valley. Allas-les-Mines is also worth a quick visit if you park down by the river to see the old mill and admire the river view. You might want to visit the excellent little museum - La Rue du Temps qui Passe, a visit will take 45-60 minutes - or just have a cup of coffee by the river. From the roundabout in the centre of the village take the road uphill towards Cladech. This is a little known hamlet full of atmosphere and described by one reader as a ‘pocket of delight’. It is certainly one of my favourites. Continue on this road through Malvieand and on reaching the main road turn left onto the D50 towards St-Cybranet. This stretch along the ridge has wonderful views. Continue on to Daglan. Daglan, at the height of the tourist season, is packed but it is very quiet off-season so worth visiting any time the weather permits. It is beautifully restored but sadly most shops and restaurants close out of season which one local inhabitant said was ‘un catastrophe total’. Indeed, midweek and mid- morning the only place I saw open was a hat shop! From Daglan carry on towards St-Pompom. Here the topography begins to change as green hills give way to steeper escarpments but the scenery is still enchanting. Continue to Prat-du-Périgord where some houses are beautifully restored but Managing Editor: Steve Martindale Editor-in-Chief: Steve Martindale Registered Address: Les Quatre Chemins 23150 St-Yrieix-les-Bois SIRET: 514 989 748 00017 Printed by: Charente Libre 16340, L’Isle d’Espagnac Monthly circulation: 14,000 copies All copyright, unless stated otherwise, is reserved to The Bugle. Reproduction in whole or part of any text without permission is prohibited. Dépôt légal à parution.

others abandoned, a strange mix of the chic and the tumbledown. On to the D58 towards Le Peyret, on a tiny but very scenic road, dropping down onto the D170 and turning right, back towards Belvès and then St-Cyprien. The second trip is from Monpazier to Fumel and then perhaps on to Moissac. Although on the way there are the castles of Biron and Bonaguil, this trip is about admiring the views of rich, rolling countryside which is no longer Périgordian, but rather, once beyond Fumel, more typical of the Quercy and then the Agenais. This is for those of you happy to leave the confines of the Dordogne for the Lot and the Lotet-Garonne and to explore the unspoilt countryside of ‘La France Profonde’. It is a two-hour trip each way to Moissac, half that of you only go as far as Fumel. Leave Monpazier on the road to Fumel on the D660 towards Viilefranche then the D710 though the Forêt de la Bessade to Sauveterre, which is dominated by a fascinating privately owned castle, le Château de Roisducs. If you turn off the road to go up the hill to this castle you reach a hamlet being beautifully restored, compensation for the fact that the castle itself is walled off. Go through the valley of the Lémance to St-Front which is a good place to stop for a coffee and then on to Cuzorn. This tiny village is totally unknown but has simply extraordinary, spectacular castle ruins which dominate the village. Park the car in the village centre and walk up through a narrow street which takes you to the foot of the most visually unexpected ruined walls. Why are they never mentioned in the tourist brochures? Continue on to Moissac or return home via the D162 (off to the right 2.5 km beyond Cuzorn) then on the D150 through Givaudun and Biron, along a windy but very interesting road which leads you back to Monpazier. For those of you have never been there, Moissac will come as a pleasant surprise. A small town with a very interesting abbey and cloisters which have been sympathetically restored, it has a specific wellpreserved, architectural style. Sitting as it does on the Tarn river, it is a charming place to stop for a meal. A small scale Sarlat without all the crowds, it is nevertheless best avoided at the height of the tourist season. The Pimpinellifolia Rose Garden - Jardin PIMPINELLIFOLIA, St Aubin de Cladech, Wednesdays and Sundays, 14h-20h according to season. Tel 05 53 58 88 40 I first visited this little-known garden some 10 years ago shortly after it had been set up by a Dutch amateur rose enthusiast and was pleased to visit it again to see how it had matured. It is a garden set out solely with shrub and climbing roses (no Hybrid Teas, Heritage or Grandiflora) and you have to catch it at the right time. So it is probably best to phone ahead or check the internet to ensure the garden is already/still in flower. There is no entrance fee but a contribution to its upkeep is welcome. On this second visit I was very impressed by the sheer quantity of varieties and the vast area covered with amazing blooms. Beautifully maintained and set out on a hillside with lovely views, it is a triumph of enthusiasm combined with hard work, showing literally thousands of specimens (sadly not labelled) and more than 250 varieties. There is a warm welcome by the owner who is always on hand to explain his garden and answer

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EASY

your questions but be advised, there is no visitor infrastructure. This garden, just 20 km south of Bergerac, does not take long to go round, maybe an hour, and can be easily combined with a visit to nearby Issigeac which has become much more lively and interesting over the last few years. My one reservation would be that this garden has to be caught at the right time since there is nothing on display but roses, few of which are repeat flowering. This is a garden which does not so much inspire but leaves you in awe that anyone, barring a professional rose grower, should have undertaken to grow roses on this scale. All 3 trips are strictly on minor roads but nevertheless easy to navigate and free of traffic, although local signposting is its usual chaotic self. Fully 50% of the time signs can only be read from one approach or are totally absent, so reversing, doubling back and losing your way has to be considered part of the charm of driving off the highways! If you have a similar suggestion in your area which you would like to share with other Bugle readers we would be delighted to hear from you. Just contact us at: editor@thebugle.eu ■ This is part of a series of features devoted to the tourist experience in the Dordogne provided by the website grumpygranny-guides.com which highlights those sites which are comfortable and pleasant to visit and which offer a warm welcome.

Hard to know which tourist sites to visit? Grumpy Granny Guide

The Grumpy Granny Guide® will help you choose if you:

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

www.GRUMPYGRANNY-GUIDES.com

MEDIUM

HARD

PRACTICAL ♦ 13

JULY 2019 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

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QROPS: The pros and cons of transferring your UK pension - Blevins Franks

ne of the many pension options available to British expatriates today is transferring to a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS). QROPS are foreign pension schemes recognised by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to receive tax-free transfers from UK-registered pension funds. They were introduced in 2006 to help Britons who have permanently moved abroad simplify their affairs by taking their pension savings with them. Despite being widely seen as the answer for expatriate retirees, QROPS are by no means a one-size-fits-all solution. Here we explore some of the advantages and disadvantages of moving UK pensions to a QROPS.

come tax scale rates starting at 14% from €9,964, up to 45%. Under certain conditions, however, you could take your whole fund as a lump sum and pay just 7.5% tax with an uncapped 10% allowance. Pension income also attracts 9.1% social charges (7.4% for pension income under €2,000 a month, €3,000 per couple) unless you hold EU Form S1 or are not affiliated to the French healthcare system. For French residents, reinvesting pension funds into a suitable assurance-vie – a specialised form of life assurance where the underlying investments attract no tax in France – may actually be more beneficial than a QROPS.

Tax efficiency

While UK pensions can be restrictive, many QROPS allow you to take as much cash or income as you like, however and whenever you want. You could, for example, draw a higher income in early retirement when you are most active and reduce it in later years. Or you could take a lump sum and preserve the rest for a rainy day or for future generations. However, with this freedom comes more potential to exhaust your funds – unlike a UK annuity or ‘final salary’ pension which provide a guaranteed income for life.

Currently, France residents can transfer one or more UK pensions into an EU/EEA-based QROPS without taxation, while transfers outside the bloc attract the UK ‘overseas transfer charge’ of 25%. There are expectations the UK could extend this within the EU/EEA after Brexit, so time may be limited for tax-free transfers. Once in a QROPS, funds are sheltered from future UK taxes on income and gains. They also no longer count towards your lifetime pension allowance (LTA), so can grow unlimited without attracting 25% or 55% LTA penalties when accessing your money. QROPS funds only become taxable once you start taking benefits in your country of residence, but expatriates in France can receive favourable tax treatment. Usually, pension and QROPS income is taxable in France at the in-

Flexible access

Diversification and investment choice QROPS usually offer more options than UK pensions for how your money is invested, and are not as over-exposed to UK assets. You can choose a flexible investment plan across a wide range of funds to suit your circumstances, objec-

tives, timeline and risk appetite. As the value of any investment can go down as well as up, this introduces an element of risk that is absent from a guaranteed annuity. However, an active, well-diversified investment approach can manage and minimise risk. Estate planning flexibility While most UK pensions are only payable to your spouse on death, QROPS offers the option to include other heirs. QROPS may also offer some protection from UK inheritance tax when passing pension assets to non-UK resident heirs, although they may still be subject to local succession taxes. Multi-currency options Some QROPS allow you to invest funds and make withdrawals in more than one currency. This is a major advantage for British expatriates in France as it reduces dependence on pound/euro exchange rates and removes currency conversion costs. Freedom from UK rules… to a point Funds in a QROPS are no longer governed by UK pension legislation, so are protected from future changes to UK rules. However, you could still be subject to UK legislation – and taxation – if you transfer funds again to an unapproved scheme within five tax years (for funds transferred after 8th March 2017), or you permanently return to the UK within ten years. Note that the goalposts for QROPS are highly likely to shift in the future. Since their inception in 2006, HMRC has made numerous revisions to the

rules and delisted thousands of QROPS from various jurisdictions. There is now far more complexity in the QROPS market than people realise. For example, currently there are no French schemes on the HMRC list of approved QROPS. Expatriates in France therefore need to take care to choose an eligible scheme in another EU/EEA country, such as Malta, to avoid transfer penalties. Where HMRC deems that its rules have been broken, it can charge a 55% tax penalty on the transfer amount. Regulated, tailored advice is crucial Overseas pension transfers are a complex area – and a key target for pension scams – so regulated advice is essential. Take care to explore your full range of options to establish the most suitable pension solution for your circumstances. If you decide to transfer, you will need specialist guidance to find a suitable product, navigate the cross-border tax and jurisdiction issues, and ultimately secure your long-term financial security in this ever-changing pensions landscape. ■ 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; individuals should seek personalised advice. Keep up to date on the financial issues that may affect you on the Blevins Franks news page at www.blevinsfranks.com Tel: 05 53 63 49 19 Email: bergerac@blevinsfranks.com

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14 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JULY 2019

Business Directory

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

SHAMPOOCHIENS Dog Grooming Parlour

All breeds catered for 30 years’ experience 24500 Eymet NEW – RAW FEEDING Now stocking a wide variety of raw/frozen meats Details on our website www.shampoochiens.net shampoo@shampoochiens.net

05 53 58 55 38

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06 04 17 80 93 Auto Services

06 04 17 80 93

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: 499 234 615 00015

Your advert here

Building Services Architects/Surveyors

SIRET: 493 770 358 00015

MOTOR PARTS CHARENTE

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

+44 (0)7830 170761

motorptscharente@aol.com www.motorpartscharente.com

CHARTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEER

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

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

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

ADVERTORIAL

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

Architecte d’intérieur bilingual Interior design: new and renovation projects (residential and commercial space) • Plans, budgeting, work follow-up • 3D visualisation • Consulting before buying/selling a property

Tel: 06 27 36 48 23

Email: info@masterplans.eu www.masterplans.eu

Email: dar_tacheva@yahoo.com https://designbar2.wixsite.com/designbar

NEU DplG ARCHITECTURE

Building Services Carpenters/Joiners

Siret: 790 016 984 00011

Member

Chamber

Architects

P r o v i d i n g A L L architectural services V ery s ma l l t o ve ry big projects welcome P r e-p u rcha se a ssist a nce Feel welcome to ask for a non-binding meeting 05 53 56 52 27 a@mon.archi 06 42 86 59 12 (www)mon.archi

Darren Piper

Carpentry &

Building Services Qualified craftsman with over 20 years experience running his own business in the UK - Specializing in:

sales24@thebugle.eu

 Decking (all shapes and designs)  Renovations, alterations & conversions  Kitchens  Bathrooms Roofs Based in Sigoulès and covering Eymet, Bergerac, Duras & surroundings FREE QUOTES

06 04 17 80 93

06 89 18 35 89

Based in Périgord vert 24340 A l l of F ra nce cove r e d

e: darren.piper@hotmail.com Siret: 847 651 072 00013

DIRECTORY ♦ 15

JULY 2019 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Building Services Electricians

BARWICK ÉLECTRICITÉ SHAUN BARWICK QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN

Available for all types of electrical work 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 siret: 794 282 368 00016

GMS Electrical 40 years’ experience

French registered - French insured 10 year décennale insurance French consuel certificates obtained Any job, small or large Full re-wires, extra sockets, industrial/commericial installations... Pool heat pumps, external lighting, emergency lighting, electric gates... Contact Gary Sear:

05 53 08 94 90 06 84 27 79 67

garysear5@hotmail.com

Based near Les Eyzies de Tayac (24620) siren: 808 093 322

sales24@thebugle.eu

06 04 17 80 93

Electrician & Home Renovations French Registered Electrician

Contact David Hirons:

06 85 85 51 01 dhirons1992@gmail.com Siret: 810 344 820 00016

Building Services General

Chantilly Properties

Property maintenance General repairs Kitchen Fitting Service Bathroom Fitting Dry lining/ Plasterboarding specialist

Tel: 05 53 58 07 99 Email: neilallcorn@orange.fr Siret: 792 389 561 00012

ANGLO SCAFFOLDING HIRE

CHARKER DAVID

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

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

E-mail : dn.charker@sfr.fr

Dan Dan the odd Job Man! Based near Bergerac General Maintenance Shelving Woodwork and Carpentry Dry Walling Small odd Jobs

Tel: 05 53 09 42 18

Tel: 06 78 67 02 91

KP RENOVATIONS DORDOGNE

Harlequin Developments

No Siret: 402 444 871 00030

Tiling, plumbing, decorating, flooring and plasterboarding. Specialising in kitchens and bathrooms. Based in the Sarlat/Belvès areas and covering the Southern Dordogne.

Tel: 05 53 30 28 84 or 06 37 32 19 94 Fully Registered SIRET: 522 951 318 00024 / 512 253 931 00012

siret: 831 746 193 00018

est. 2007

All aspects of renovation and

refurbishment, big or small.

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

05.55.68.67.56 06.06.60.46.97

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

Building Services Painters/Decorators Simon Carter

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

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

Tel: 05 87 19 91 50 Mob: 07 81 26 88 65 Web: www.sjcmontluc.fr Email: sjcmontluc@yahoo.fr siret: 792.130.932.00017

Building Services Plumbing & Heating

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PLUMBING & HEATING ENGINEER

06 04 17 80 93

- Emergency plumbing repairs

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

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or see

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

Email: akbrunnstrom@yahoo.co.uk

06 04 17 80 93

Registered Artisan - Siret No: 480 857 853 00018

06 34 24 64 11

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

E : wellers@orange.fr

Buying or selling small items...? Check out our online Classifieds... updated daily!

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To place a Classified, simply email details of your item for sale to notices@thebugle.eu

16 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JULY 2019

ADVERTORIAL

The Complexity of Expat Finances – Rosemary Sheppard, International Financial Adviser unforeseen expenses) and making new friends can affect your spending behaviour. How far do your income/investments go to cover this lifestyle? Are you planning far enough ahead?

ne of the biggest challenges that expatriates face when moving to and living in France is the complexity of expat finances, be it inheritance tax or income and savings tax rules. Add to this, problems with understanding the language and it can soon become difficult to know where to turn. Many expats don’t consider all aspects of their finances before, during or after moving abroad, therefore making their life abroad more difficult than it needs to be. Some common mistakes are:

2. Banking, local or overseas - It is of course imperative that you open a local bank account in your new country of residence to assist with your day-to-day financial needs. What other needs do you have and what products are suitable to keep your savings and investments tax efficient for you now you are in France? (Assurance Vie as an example). Should I maintain accounts in my home country or consider alternative locations? It’s important to get this part right to ensure you are aligning everything in a tax effective manner and getting the best service/returns for your money.

1. Living beyond your means The excitement of starting a life in a new location, integrating with the local culture, building or renovating a new home (always

3. Not getting your tax right - Many expats forget to inform their home country’s tax agency of their decision to move abroad, thus failing to change their tax

Building Services Sandblasting Sand and Blast We provide a fully operated

sandblasting

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

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05 55 76 31 59 / 06 77 40 95 92 bobby@sandandblast.com steve@sandandblast.com SIRET: 812 727 253 00013

Computers, Satellites & Web Design

Satellite TV Solutions Sky / Freesat / French TV Installation and Re-alignment Internet Installation & Repairs inc. Satellite Broadband Fast, Friendly Service 60km radius of Ribérac Call Dave on:

06 04 17 72 05

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status. In the UK, aspiring expats should inform HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) of their intention to move abroad and submit a completed P85 form. This is crucial for expats to ensure that they will not be sought after for tax, claim tax relief or any tax refund they are owed and become non-UK resident to avoid tax on certain incomes.

5. Neglecting your pensions - Next you would be advised to review your pensions; we have all been educated over our working careers that we must set aside monies to be able to live a comfortable life in retirement. So what should you do with what has been accumulated? What options outside of the UK could have advantages such as QROPS etc.

4. Not researching the laws of inheritance in the country you are moving to - Every country has its own way of taxing people’s wealth after they have left this world. Leaving the UK, contacting HMRC and completing the P85 form does not remove your Inheritance Tax liability to the UK; but on top of this you are likely to have a liability on the assets you hold in the country where you now reside and this is certainly true in France, potentially up to 60% Inheritance Tax liability. Careful financial planning is required to ensure that you get to leave your wealth to your loved ones in the most tax efficient way possible.

6. Getting the services of unregulated/unauthorised financial planners - One mistake expats make is believing that their financial adviser is regulated in their new country of residence. You need to ask the question and complete your own due diligence; the Internet is a great place to start. The Financial Adviser must have the relevant ‘Passporting’ permissions to provide advice in your country of residence – this information should be well documented on the Regulator’s website.

Stephen Wisedale

WiFi Anglais Solve your Internet, Wi-Fi and computer problems

Wi-Fi networks for homes, gîtes and small businesses. Outdoor Wi-Fi 4G Internet. Windows and MacOS.

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

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06 04 17 80 93 WEBSITE No6 DESIGN

7. Poor investment choices Making poor investment choices is, to some extent, relevant to

Food & Drink

during

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

- Update your own site if you like! - Enjoy a fully maintained site - Enjoy full website support contact@no6.co

06 38 75 32 97

www.no6.co Siret: 80493524500014

In these testing times, getting advice from a financial advice company that has weathered more than one or two financial downturns is essential for your financial wellbeing and peace of mind. Blacktower Financial Management has been established for over 32 years and has worked with its clients through the good and the bad times, offering sound financial advice. For an independent, professional and impartial consultation please contact me by email: Rosemary.sheppard@ blacktowerfm.com or call me on 06 38 86 99 70. Website: www. theblacktowergroup.com. The above information was correct at the time of preparation and does not constitute investment advice and you should seek advice

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

Language Services

Pest Control

FOR SALE:

FRENCH LESSONS

Specialising in Indian and English food, serving Depts 24,16,46 and surrounding. Easily managed from your home. Sale due to retirement. €25k neg as going concern including commercial equipment, training, etc. Huge Potential. Email for details. rhome2012@hotmail.co.uk

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

Central France Pest Control

Established catering business

The Dordogne Chippy

Traditional Fish & Chips in a town near you All venues are in the evening between 6pm & 8.30 pm Wednesday: Mauzac, Le Barrage Thursday: Eymet 1st & 3rd Friday: Lauzun 2nd Friday: Ste-Alvère Last Friday: Campagnac-lès-Quercy See our website for full details:

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

Via Skype

05 55 89 15 74 scarolinea@yahoo.fr

Handholding Services HELP IS HERE!! Struggling with the Complex French Administration?!

We are here to help! Call us or email us We will help you find a solution

06.70.23.53.33

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Dératisation, Déinsectisation, Désinfection

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

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

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06 04 17 80 93 Health & Beauty

siret: 444 925 630 00014

before

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

the previous mistake, which is getting the services of unregulated advisers, especially in countries with lax policies on regulation, but you are not stuck with these and that is why a review with a qualified adviser can help.

Massage: Holistic + Hot Stone + Aromatherapy + Sports Clinical Hypnotherapy: + EMDR + NLP Fears, Phobias, Anxiety, Weight Control, Panic Attacks, Habit, Trauma PTSD, Smoking Cessation, Sport / Business Performance, Relaxation. Relax, Recharge, Release Mentally, Physically, Spiritually, Emotionally

Pete or Irene: 07 69 42 17 99 petehypno@gmail.com dordognetherapies.com Based near Verteillac 24320 SIRET 830 715 785 00010

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

06 04 17 80 93 Property Maintenance La Conciergerie Taking care of your home all year round providing you with a wintering service, managing your summer rentals or organising a happy holiday for you.

www.laconciergerie-housekeeping.com

24600 Villetoureix laconciergerie24@orange.fr Tel: 06 42 67 94 50 siret: 840 556 228 00010 - APE 9609Z

To advertise in The Bugle Business Directory, call 06 04 17 80 93

DIRECTORY ♦ 17

JULY 2019 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

ADVERTORIAL

“SolarVenti”- the solar solution to damp and humidity

simple solar energy system that runs on its own, even when you are not there! – And provides a free heat supplement in winter. The Solarventi air panel was invented more than 20 years ago by Hans Jørgen Christensen, from Aidt Miljø, with the backing of the Danish government. He wanted to use the sun’s energy for airing and ventilation of the thousands of holiday homes on the West coast of Jutland, - houses that were left empty and unheated for long periods - houses with damp problems, mould and bad odours - houses that left their owners with discomfort, lots of work and expense. He wanted a system that would be safe, simple, without the need for radiators, water and/or mains electricity. Slowly but surely, the first Solarventi model came

together.

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

Pools & Spas

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

bookstop

the property is empty. Solarventi requires no maintenance - if the property is unoccupied during the hot summer months, then it can be left running at low speeds for ventilation and dehumidification purposes or simply switched off. With a range of panel sizes, and the option for wall or roof mounting, Solarventi is suitable for all types of buildings, caravans or even boats!! Following the patenting of its design in 2001, Solarventi has only recently been actively commercialized. Over the last six years, Solarventi units have been installed in more than 24 countries and demand is increasing rapidly. From Greenland to Australia, Solarventi is finally getting the recognition it deserves. ■ Units start from €490 TTC.

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Quality second-hand books in English & French

06 04 17 80 93

19 r Victor Hugo, 24310 Brantôme

Limousin Spas

The region's leading distributor of Spas, Swim spas, Saunas & Hot tubs

New for 2019

We are pleased to announce our new range of over 80 Spas, Swim spas, Hot tubs & Saunas from top European and U.S. manufacturers. *Platinum Spas* *Superior Spas* *Tuff Spas* *Zen Spas* *BeSpa* *Durasport* *Superior Saunas* *Baltic Hot tubs* *Baltic Saunas*

Prices from €2,000 Web: www.limousin-spas.com Email: sales@limousin-spas.com Tel: 05 55 63 26 20 Siret: 752 157 610 00011

Retail & Commerce USED KITCHENS FRANCE Looking for a designer kitchen with granite worktops and premium appliances at a fraction of RRP? Pre-loved kitchens from brands like Poggenpohl and Bulthaup at usedkitchensfrance.fr 09 53 50 86 49

09 51 45 57 49

Autism &

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

Special Needs Support Psychologist (MBPsS) looking for part-time work helping young adults/children in their own home, giving quality psychological support & respite to their carers. Native English speaker. Please contact Catriona:

Your advert here

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06 04 17 80 93 Support

Périgord Noir, will travel up to 45 mins from 24170. siret: 841 001 456 00018

SOLARVENTI - Available in the Dordogne From Harlequin Developments Mobile: 06 06 60 46 97

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

anxious? stressed? feeling down? call us up!

Franklins Removals

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

www.soshelpline.org

A family business offering a quality, professional service since 1985

Contact Stephen or Ben: 0044 121 353 7263 sales@franklinsremovals.co.uk www.franklinsremovals.co.uk

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

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09 82 12 69 73

06 04 17 80 93

www.frenchvanman.eu

sales24@thebugle.eu

Smart Moves

06 04 17 80 93

Transport, Removals & Storage

SOS Help

Man & Van Transport

Local and European Removals France to France, Spain, Portugal, Italy etc We Offer: Removals, Storage, House Clearance, also Car, Caravan, Plant Transport. French Registered Business. Local Friendly Service.

+33 (0)6 73 96 38 39

www.dordognestoragesolutions.com

87150 Oradour-sur-Vayres Siret 530 213 644 00012

For a fully insured, careful service

FORTNIGHTLY SERVICES TO FRANCE FULL OR PART LOADS WELCOME WE COLLECT FROM ALL AREAS OF THE UK AND DELIVER TO ALL AREAS OF FRANCE Find us on Facebook: @smartmovesukfrance Please CALL or EMAIL Stephen

smartmovers@hotmail.co.uk

+44 (0)1253 725 414

www.smartmovesremovals.co.uk

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06 04 17 80 93

18 ♦ COMMUNITY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JULY 2019

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 €12.50/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 30,000 pairs of eyes each month!!

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SUDOKU - EASY

SUDOKU - MEDIUM

SUDOKU - HARD

The solutions to this month’s sudokus can be found on page 12

NEDWA - North Eastern Dordogne Women’s Association Come along and meet us on Tuesday 23rd July from 10:30 am to 12 noon at our next Coffee Morning at Auberge du Pont, route de Lanouaille, 24390 Cherveix-Cubas. Always be sure of a warm welcome, good company and genuine friendship. For more information and details of upcoming events, see:

www.nedwa.com

NEDWA is a dynamic, multi-national group of around 100 women of all ages... Whether you are retired and feel like meeting some friendly faces, work from home and want to network, or just need to get out and attend some good monthly events, NEDWA fills the gap. Activities include a book club, sewing circle, coffee mornings, walks, lunches, speakers on topics which relate to you and much more.

Pixel and his friends are waiting for you at Acorn Cat Rescue. Pixel will be vaccinated, microchipped and de-parasited upon adoption. His adopter will be expected to have him sterilised when he is old enough. www.associationacorn.com Facebook: Acorn Cat Rescue Tel: 05 53 81 30 44

Worship services in English held throughout the Dordogne: Bertric Burée, Chancelade, Eymet Temple, Limeuil, Négrondes, Sainte Nathalène (near Sarlat). All are welcome!! Please visit our website for more information: www.churchinaquitaine.org Find us on Facebook: English Church Aquitaine

WHAT’S ON ♦ 19

JULY 2019 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Battle of castillon July 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 August 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 23, 24

Spectacular sound and light show commemorating the last great battle of the Hundred Years War, when France took back Aquitaine from the English in 1453. Performed on a natural arena encompassing 17 acres, within firing range of the original battle ground, 600 volunteers, including 400 actors and 50 horseback riders, re-enact the Battle of Castillon. The 90 captivating minutes, filled with stunts, special effects and explosive expertise are combined with the everyday life of the Middle Ages, including rural scenes set in a farm, scenes from the grape harvest and market day with street sellers and a travelling dentist! The show takes place at the foot of the

Château Castegens. Belvès-de-Castillon is 3 minutes from Castillon-la-Bataille, on the Gironde/Dordogne border. The performance begins at 10:30 pm and it is recommended that you arrive one hour before. An open-air restaurant offers dinner from 7 pm (reserve online). Light re-

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 as a meeting ground for the French and international communities of the Dordogne, including ACIP and La Tulipe.

Venue - Le Buisson de Cadouin, salle des fêtes, avenue Aquitaine

For more info, tel 06 31 61 81 68 or 05 53 23 86 22 or visit http://www.arcadesinfo.com/

Friday 26th July 9 pm Concert by AVA CORSICA Corsican Polyphony

Programme: Corsican folksongs, old polyphonies and new creations by the group Ava Corsica sings traditional Corsican music a cappella as well as with instruments, including a mixture of guitar, saz, violin, charango, flute, cetera, cajon, double bass and even a hanging drum.

freshments and drinks are also available on site and picnics are allowed. The village of Aliénor welcomes visitors from 6:30 pm prior to the show for an evening of entertainment for the whole family: medieval jousting and combat; demonstrations of dance; theatre; traditional games; and a chance to meet the animals that participate in the event. Also present on site are local artisans and shopkeepers as well as wine producers. For more information and tickets: Tel 05 57 40 14 53 or visit www.batailledecastillon.com Tickets: Adults €24; 5-12 year olds €12; FREE for Under 5s. Parking €1.

20 ♦ WHAT’S ON

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JULY 2019

Eymet Night Markets, 19h Tuesdays

Every Tuesday from 19h until 27th August. Over 70 stalls, refreshments, music, entertainment.

Come and discover the architecture and history of these beautiful medieval towns as night falls. The guided visits by lamplight last around one hour. Meet at the tourist office 15 minutes in advance. €4 per person, free for under 10s. For more information call +33 5 53 58 79 62 or visit www.pays-bergerac-tourisme.com