The Bugle Dordogne - Mar 2014

France and the UK hold first summit for 4 years In their first official summit, Prime Minister Cameron and President Hollande enjoyed a pub lunch and discussed Syria and joint defence projects >> Page 10

Dordogne March 2014 - Issue #9

France confesses to forced repatriations Between 1963 and 1982, over 1,600 children were removed from the French island of Réunion and “relocated” to mainland France - primarily the Limousin. Now, for the first time, France has publicly acknowledged its responsibility in the scandal of “Les Enfants de la Creuse”. and unemployment were booming in the French overseas territory of Réunion, and at the same time a mass exodus was taking place from rural France towards the country’s cities. This was noted by Michel Debré, a former Gaullist minister who was then an MP for Réunion. It was his job to manage “the demographic problem in the overseas departments, by encouraging and developing the promotion of mass immigration toward mainland France”, according to documents obtained by AFP news agency.

Debré hit upon the idea of sending children deemed “wards of the State” in Réunion to be adopted by families in France.

However, many of these children were not orphans or “wards of the State”, but

NEWS - Speed limit to be reduced to 80 km/h The government looks set to reduce the speed limit on national roads to 80 km/h in some or all departments >>Page 3

NEWS - Expats lose some Sky channels

BBC, ITV and Channel 4 move to a new satellite, causing problems for expats in Portugal, Spain and parts of southern France >> Page 8

FRENCH LIFE - In the Garden - March

Our resident expert, Michelle Pierce, helps us get our veggie gardens ready for summer >> Pages 12-13

© 2006 - Remibetin (WikiCommons)

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n the 18th February, France finally admitted responsibility for its role in the scandal that saw 1,615 children taken from their homes on the island of Réunion and sent to live in rural France. Many of these children were brought to the Limousin, in particular the Creuse department and a large number still live there today.

France’s National Assembly voted by 125 votes to 14 to adopt a resolution that finally recognized the country’s “moral responsibility” for these “stolen children”, denouncing their “forced migration” from the island in the Indian Ocean and describing their fate as “irreparable”.

In the 1960s, birth rates

INSIDE > > >

>> continued on page 8

BILINGUAL Pancake Day

No need to turn off your mobile phone next time you fly as Ryanair change their rules >> Page 7

Develop a habit that saves you money!

We take a look at Shrove Tuesday, pancakes and the strange tradition of pancake racing >> Page 17

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2 ♦ IN THIS EDITION

Welcome to

The Bugle

I

t’s been hard not to talk about the weather in the last few weeks.

I’m fortunate enough to live on slightly higher ground and while it’s been pretty squelchy underfoot, we have avoided any actual flooding. As I write this, however, we are enjoying something of a warm spell - it was 17ºC yesterday and I passed a very pleasant hour in my garden.

The reason for my sojourn into the outdoors can be found on pages 12 and 13 of this paper. Having read Michelle Pierce’s two excellent pieces on getting your gardens planned and prepped for the summer growing season, I well and truly have the bug.

I’m itching to get out there and get planting!!

The first years that I lived here, I had a huge vegetable patch going on behind my house. Arriving from the big city, I knew very little about vegetables, plants and flowers, and didn’t really

appreciate things like seasons and their effect on the garden.

Those first years, although the garden produced prodigious amounts of food, were very much part of a steep learning curve! I remember growing melons for the simple reason that my elderly neighbours said they wouldn’t grow in this climate. More than 70 years of experience versus blind stubbornness... I’ll let you guess how the melons fared.

I also grew some quite impressive aubergines, even if I do say so myself... only to find that no one in my household actually liked them!!

While I would never say I have green fingers, over the years I have grown to understand how the garden works, when certain vegetables and fruits come into season, and how to work smarter, not harder, in my potager. Unfortunately, work and family commitments have meant that more recently,

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MARCH 2014

my most plentiful crop has been grass, closely followed by nettles. I’d like to say I’ve been cultivating “green compost”, but alas, I have simply been letting nature run its natural course.

This year will be different, however! My children are old enough to understand planting, growing and harvesting (and crucially, to help out!), so I think it will be loads of fun to grow vegetables with them. I suspect that foods they would ordinarily sniff at will be wolfed down when they have just been freshly hand-picked from the garden.

There is something incredibly satisfying in harvesting your own food and it does taste better, doesn’t it?!!

Anyway, I guess what I’m trying to say is if you are even slightly interested in growing fruit and vegetables, read Michelle’s articles and I bet you a packet of seeds that you’ll be in your garden measuring up in no time!!

Elsewhere, Ryanair have announced that they are allowing passengers to use their phones and tablets at all times on flights. I took a flight to London recently and it was a surreal experience to be sending a text from up in the clouds. At the time, I had not read about the changes and didn’t realise I’d be able to use my phone. Then again,

the cabin crew on the way back to France didn’t seem to know about the changes either and told me I had to switch it off.

Ryanair are on something of a PR push at the moment and boy would that be welcome.

Most people who live out in France will use Ryanair frequently and though I may occasionally bad-mouth them, I am simultaneously eternally grateful that they run the flights they do. They offer a vital link back to the UK for many expats, it’s just that sometimes they seem to make things difficult simply for the sake of it. Improving their customer service may cost them a little, but I suspect that they would gain a lot.

Until next month!

Steve Martindale, Editor

INSIDE this edition 3-6 Local News 7-11 National News 12-15 French Life 16 Practical 17 Bilingual 18-20 Directory 21-24 What's On

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

LOCAL NEWS ♦ 3

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RAF crew honoured on 70th anniversary

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by Brian Hinchcliffe, photos courtesy of Flight Sergeant John Reid

n the 16th February, 70 years ago, the dark silence of a cold night near Vergt, Dordogne, was violently rent by a huge explosion. As dawn broke local inhabitants, as well as the Nazi occupiers, discovered the scattered remains of an aircraft between

Bordas and Grun.

Over the following days local people pieced together the story of that night.

The aircraft was identified as an RAF Stirling bomber and German recovery crews were able to make out its number, EF271.

Seven bodies were recovered

from the wreckage site, hardly identifiable. Misinterpreting the remains of two Australian airmen, the Germans believed the aircraft and crew to be Americans and the bodies were sent to Mazargues War Cemetery, near Marseilles, for military funeral.

Later, it was discovered that the aircraft had left RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk at 23:05 that night. The Stirling’s mission had been to drop arms and munitions to resistance groups. It was after successfully completing this drop that the bomber exploded in the air before crashing. Nothing had been heard from the bomber after leaving Lakenheath and the cause of the explosion and crash were never found.

Often in time of war such an incident is forgotten, but this is not the case in Bordas.

At the church in Bordas, exservice groups came together with local people to remember the events of that night and to pay homage to the ultimate sacrifice made by those flyers in their mission to help to free France.

This year, the 70th anniversary

fell on a Sunday and, as they do every year, fifteen flag-bearers representing Ancien Combattants came to honour the memory of their RAF comrades. A 60-strong group of officials and local inhabitants, accompanied Madame le maire, Sylviane Feix, placed sheaves at the memorial in Bordas. Children placed floral tributes and the RAF wreath, in the shape of an RAF roundel, was also laid.

The RAF was represented by Flight Sergeant (retired) John Reid, RAFA Honorary Welfare Officer for South-West France.

Flight Sergeant Reid gave a short address in French, much appreciated by the francophone participants. “It was a very moving ceremony and very humbling,” said John. “The French commemorate this event every year on the date.

For me it was especially poignant as the bomb aimer came from Barrow-in-Furness, my home town.”

John Reid’s task as RAFA representative is to ensure contact, support and assistance to any ex RAF service person who needs it in the south-west of France. ■

Speed limit could be lowered to 80 km/h

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n the latest move to combat the number of deaths on the country's roads, France could be about to implement plans to reduce the national speed limit on open roads from 90 km/h to 80 km/h. According to Europe 1, a panel of experts from the national road safety council has met behind closed doors to discuss the logistics of lowering the speed limit.

There are apparently 2 suggestions on the table: the first is to reduce the speed limit from 90 km/h to 80 km/h across the entire country; the second is to reduce it in the half of the country's departments with the highest rates of road deaths per capita.

If the second of the plans were to be implemented, the Dordogne would have its speed limit lowered to 80 km/h on national roads, along with the Charente, Lot-et-Garonne, Lot and Corrèze departments.

Neighbouring Haute-Vienne and Gironde have fewer than the national average of 47 deaths per million people and the limit would remain at 90km/h.

The changes may even be implemented as soon as this summer, with

one member of the council hinting that a date of July 1st is being targeted.

“The easiest option would be to say 80 km/h on all roads and then revisit after a year,” said council member Claude Got, giving a clue as to which option he prefers. “It is a political decision.

This summer would appear to be a good time.”

Implementing the new speed limits would require updating the code de la route and replacing road signs, which experts have assured is “neither complicated, nor expensive”.

Government figures show that 3,250 people died on the roads of France in 2013, a fall of 400 when compared with 2012, significantly down on the 9,000 who died in 2002 and a vast improvement on the 18,000 fatalities recorded in 1972. The figures show that excessive speed still accounts for 25% of all deaths on French roads, while alcohol is a factor in 20%.

Interior minister, Manuel Valls, has publicly stated his wish to see the number of people killed on French roads fall to less than 2,000 in the next decade. ■

For more information contact John Reid: E: papillon24300@yahoo.co.uk - T: 05 53 56 24 46

The aircrew:

RAAF P/O KA Robinson (Pilot) RAF Sgt RA Williams (Flightengineer) RAF Sgt R Stubbings (Navigator) RAF Sgt G Caine (Bomb aimer) RAAF Flt Sgt HE Lambourne (Wireless,air gunner) RAF P/O JA Jackson (Mid upper gunner) RAF Sgt A Whimpenney (Rear gunner)

4 ♦ LOCAL NEWS

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In the footsteps of Thomas Paine?!

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by Stewart Edwards, local councillor for Abjat-sur-Bandiat

n Sunday March 23rd and Sunday March 30th, the whole of France goes to the polls for LES ELECTIONS MUNICIPALES. The object is to elect local councillors who will in turn elect from their number a mayor and his deputies (adjoints).

The number of councillors to be elected depends on the size of the city, town or village - in my village, Abjatsur-Bandiat, which has fewer than 1,000 inhabitants, we are voting for 15 councillors. Candidates present themselves in a list (in Abjat’s case in a list of 15) and there may be several lists to choose from. Each list will usually be headed by the person who has ambitions to become the Mayor (the tête de liste).

In large towns and cities the lists tend to have a specific political affiliation, whereas in small villages this is less common and the lists are apolitical (sans étiquette). In villages of fewer than 1,000 inhabitants, it is possible to cross out names from one list and insert a name from another list but this is fraught with danger - for example, the risk of cancelling your vote by leaving too many names in or crossing out the wrong person! In fact, the law is changing and after this election it will be no longer possible to vote in this way.

Non-French residents from the European Community are eligible to vote in 2014’s local elections and European elections, as long as they have been on the electoral register since before 31st December 2013. I urge everybody who is eligible to vote to do so. We live here, we pay taxes here and so I think we should have a say in who is elected, especially as the elected councillors decide on the amount of some of the taxes we have to pay.

But it isn’t just about money. I have been a councillor in Abjat for the last 6 years and have been surprised at the many and varied ways that a village council can improve the general life of the community and its inhabitants. And it’s for that reason that I am presenting myself on a list for re-election in March.

Yes, of course, I feel I’m representing our British community, but I also feel that as a relative newcomer (25 years in Abjat), I have something to offer the whole community.

Why Thomas Paine? Well, he was an Englishman who was elected as an MP (député) in France in 1792. No, I don’t have those sort of grand ambitions, but I am very happy to spend my time working for my adopted village and ALL who live there! ■ Stewart Edwards

Stewart Edawards (far left), is hoping to be re-elected on his local council in 2014

A bad year for Bordeaux?

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he Bordeaux region has had a few spectacular years recently, with 2009 and 2005 providing vintages that saw prices soar, but no one was expecting too much from 2013’s production.

After a strange year of weather that saw rain, hail and rot decimate the area’s vineyards, 2013 was never going to be year to remember.

Despite this lowered expectation, the middleranking Bordeaux vineyard, Château Malescasse, has sent shockwaves through the industry by declaring that last year’s vintage is too poor to even bear the label. The bottles, which usually sell at about €10 each, will instead be sold off as generic Haut Médoc red wine for about €2 or €3 a bottle. The decision will cost the chateau

several hundred thousand euros.

“I’m not saying that the wine is bad,” explained Stéphane Derenoncourt, a consultant to Château Malescasse. “But it does not measure up to our ambitions. Rather than squeeze something out of a wine we don’t like, we prefer to cut off our own arm and move on.”

The decision to effectively scrap last year’s wine may anger many of the other Bordeaux viticulteurs who are still hoping to salvage an acceptable wine from a bad year. Mr Derenoncourt, however, has predicted that many would be forced to follow his lead. “They will have no choice,” he told Le Figaro newspaper. “Others will go to the market with ridiculous quantities, maybe 20 to 50 per cent of what they usually sell.

Solar farm for Bergerac Airport Bergerac Airport could soon become the latest site in Dordogne to have a photovoltaic park. Rennes-based company Landa is looking to invest in a 17-hectare site to north of the airport, between the runway and the RN21 ring road.

The 28,000 solar panels due to be installed under the project would generate up to 7.5 MW of electricity, enough to power 3,000 households.

If an agreement is reached, EDF would buy back the electricity for the next 20 years in a deal that could bring in €25,000 per year for the airport. Work could begin as soon as the end of next year. ■

Ribérac mayor unveils one-way traffic plans The mayor of Ribérac, Rémy Terrienne, has presented plans to overhaul the centre of town, most notably around rue du 26-Mars, rue de la Fontaine, rue Notre-Dame and place Jules-Brunet. The changes would see a portion of the rue 26-Mars, the main road through the town centre, becoming

All of Bordeaux is not bad. But even the top chateaux, which always make good wines, will have no great stars this year.”

Overall, wine production in Bordeaux is expected to drop by 23 per cent, according to the French government, to 543 million bottles.

Last year saw a “perfect storm” of bad weather for wine-growing in Bordeaux: the vines were damaged by cold weather in May; the flowers failed to develop properly because of constant rain; and freak hail storms battered some vineyards in the height of summer, stripping the grapes from the vines. When rot began to set in as the September harvest time approached, many chateaux were then forced to pick their grapes early, before they were fully mature. ■

one-way.

The proposed alterations, which are backed by the local council and have been requested by local business owners, would see the pavements widened and improved parking solutions. ■

Dordogne-based film, Richelieu The telefilm, Richelieu, which was largely filmed in the Dordogne in the summer of last year, will be broadcast on France 3 on Tuesday 11th March at 20h45. The film charts the final years in power of the famous historical figure Cardinal Richelieu, Chief Minister of Louis XVIII, and perhaps most famous to British audiences thanks to his role in stories about the three musketeers.

One of the principal locations used for the film was the Château de Bourdeilles, where one of the bedrooms was used as the Palais Royal in Paris. The outside of the building also features heavily. Other towns which were used during filming were Hautefort, Jumilhac, Beynac, Cadouin and Sarlat.

The department invested €100,000 through its audiovisual support fund; Richelieu becomes the 25th project to benefit from departmental funding in this way. ■

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LOCAL NEWS ♦ 5

6 ♦ LOCAL NEWS

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Medicine recycling in the Dordogne

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he heads of the Cyclamed organisation has visited Bordeaux to congratulate the Aquitaine region on being one the best recyclers of old and unwanted medicines in France. In fact, the region ranks 5th in mainland France in terms of the amount of medicines recycled.

Recycling unused medi-

cine is something that 78% of French people say they do “regularly”, although official statistics reveal that in reality only 60% actually do. In an effort to boost this number, Cyclamed has been running a TV campaign during January and February, aimed at housewives under 50 years of age, their target audience.

Cyclamed, a not-forprofit organisation, has

proved to be a massive success. This can be put down to two main factors: Firstly, since 2009 pharmacies are required by law to collect any unused drugs brought in by members of the public, whether they are in or out of date - it is very rare that one refuses; secondly, marketing campaigns targeting the mothers of young families have proved very successful.

Cyclamed - how it works Can a pharmacy refuse to take the drugs? No. Providing that the drugs are still in their original packaging (i.e. blister pack, sachet or bottle) then the law requires the pharmacist to take them.

What is the environmental issue? Medicines form part of the 28 million tonnes of household waste produced every year. They contain active chemical ingredients that pollute the environment.

Does Cyclamed make money from this? No, Cyclamed is a not-for-profit organisation responsible for the safe disposal of medicines and drugs.

Is there anything that can’t be recycled? Veterinary products, cosmetics, X-rays, mercury thermometers, dressings and syringes – ask your pharmacist for a full list.

What about the box and other packaging? Anything that has not been in direct contact with the medicine or drug in question can be recycled in the conventional way.

“Mothers have a tendency to stockpile from pharmacies, collecting medicines that they keep ‘just in case’”, explained Thierry Moreau-Defarges, president of Cyclamed. “But often, this ‘case’ never arises.”

The success of the scheme has been tempered recently with Cyclamed’s own statistics showing that in 2012, we recycled 2% fewer medicines than in 2011. This drop can in part be explained by the financial crisis; we also have been buying slightly less in recent years. The provisional figures for 2013 are again showing a rise in the amount of recycled medicine, up 3% from the 14,271 tonnes processed in 2012.

When the organised recycling first started, many believed that they were performing a humanitarian service, i.e. that the unused drugs would be used in third world countries. In reality, the types of medicines handed in tend to not be in demand in poorer nations, and in practice the amount being reused overseas was never above 10%. Further-

more, since a law change in 2009, all drugs and medicines collected must be disposed of or converted into energy by Cyclamed. This process is performed using 52 incinerators which recover the energy contained in the medicines as

heat and/or electricity. So, believe it or not, the electricity in your house could have been generated from recycled medicine. ■ More information is available in English on the Cyclamed website: www.cyclamed.org/en

The last town in the Dordogne gets a mobile phone signal

The Dordogne now officially has 100% mobile phone coverage after the last of the department’s 557 communes was finally connected. Saint-Aquilin, in the canton of Neuvic, is now the proud owner of a 25-metre mast, broadcasting a mobile signal to the town’s 500 inhabitants and the surrounding areas. There are, of course, still “white zones” in the commune, as there are across the rest of the department.

Attempts over the last 10 years to connect Saint-Aquilin by boosting the signals from Périgueux have all failed, but now, thanks to investment from the Conseil général and pressure on Orange, residents are able to walk and talk.

Saint-Aquilin was left off the mobile network by accident due to an error by Orange in the original planning phase - the town was marked as already connected, which was not the case. ■ 32,000ft² of great products incl. Toiletries, DIY, Housewares, Furniture plus loads more at great prices & we are even open on SUNDAYS!!

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Ryanair allows smartphones on flights

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n February, Irish low-cost airline Ryanair announced that, with immediate effect, passengers will be allowed to use electronic devices such as tablets, smartphones, ereaders and MP3 players at all times on their flights. Ryanair follows British Airways' lead in allowing the use of so-called PEDs (Personal Electronic Devices) during take-off and landing - BA were the first major European airline to allow their use throughout the flight.

In November last year, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) ruled that smartphones and tablets could be safely used during take-off and landing, a decision which followed the release of a report from the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) in the US suggesting the rules could be relaxed. At the time, executive director of the EASA, Patrick Ky, described the changes as “a major step in the process of expanding the freedom to use personal electronic devices on board aircraft without compromise in safety”.

Passengers must still listen to the safety announcement and all devices must be switched to “flight mode”, which means that they will effectively be offline and unable to make calls, send texts or access the internet.

How cabin crew will police exactly which devices have been switched to flight mode remains unclear.

Laptops and other larger electronic items are not subject to

the relaxation of the rules.

The EASA has said that it is up to individual airlines whether they change their own rules on the use of PDEs and airlines such as easyJet and Air France have yet to do so.

Ryanair has been on something of a public relations drive in recent months in an attempt to improve both its image and its reputation for less-than-spectacular customer service. “We are working hard to improve our service to all customers and today’s PED approval is the latest in a series of changes which we know our customers will love,” said the airline in a statement on its website. “Ryanair customers can now use their personal electronic devices at all stages of their flight, while they enjoy their allocated seats, our low fares and on-time arrivals.”

In October of last year, following a series of high-profile PR disasters and investor concerns, Ryanair's controversial boss Michael O'Leary announced a range of new measures aimed at improving the public's perception of the company. These included a more customer-friendly website, relaxed baggage allowances and the introduction of 'quiet flights' before 8am and after 9pm where no PA announcements would be made during the flight. All passengers also now have allocated seating.

Ryanair carries more than 80 million passengers every year to destinations across Europe. ■

Maiden names set to become default for all women in France Married women are to be addressed by their maiden names in all official correspondence under new gender equality laws being discussed by the National Assembly.

The law is just one of a raft of measures aimed at improving equality between men and women in the country.

If the law is passed, women would need to opt out of the system if they prefer to be addressed by their married name. Maiden names will become the default option used by government bodies, the tax office and any other state organisations.

Feminists in the country point out that since the French

Revolution of 1789 French law has stipulated “no citizen can carry a surname or a first name other than those expressed on their birth certificate”, although currently around three-quarters of women choose to take their husband's surname when they marry.

Since 2013, French tax forms have included a tick box for women who wish to use their birth name; the new rules, put forward by two Socialist MPs, Axelle Lemaire and Sébastien Denaja, would mean the opposite choice would apply in the future.

Critics of the new law argue the move is a further intrusion into family life in France. ■

Expats lose Sky channels

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ne of the creature comforts adopted by expats living in France is receiving British television via satellite. In February, however, many people across Portugal, Spain and the south of France woke up to blank screens, having lost the signal for BBC and in some cases ITV. The problems are due to the changeover of many channels to a new satellite, Astra 2E. This new satellite has a much more focused beam, targeted at the UK, so there is far less “overspill” into Europe, meaning a far weaker signal for those of us who live abroad. The change has been expected for some time now - a planned launch of the new satellite was delayed last year following technical problems.

It was not known before the switch exactly what effect the changes would have, but expats in Portugal and Spain have been bracing themselves to lose the signal.

So far, it would appear that only the far south of France is affected, with one frustrated expat in the Gers department writing on the Survive France Network: “In the Gers we've lost BBC, although the Sky box is telling me we still have a good signal...”

Many other expats took to the message boards to vent their frustration, but Alix Pryde, Director of BBC Distribution, shrugged off any complaints: “The overspill of the BBC’s services will be reduced so viewers outside the UK will find it even harder to receive them. I know that this causes unhappiness to some of you living outside the UK. However, it is entirely appropriate because the BBC domestic services are for people living in the UK only.”

All is not lost if your signal has gone, however, as most expats in France should still be able to watch Eastenders, though a larger dish may be necessary depending on how far south you live. ■

8 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

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France admits guilt over forced repatriations more often they came from poor, illiterate families who couldn’t resist the promise of a brighter future for their children in mainland France. Although promised a better life, many children suffered from the sudden and brutal shock of leaving a warm, tropical setting for rural life in central France. Further, the educational opportunities promised were not systematically applied and the children’s futures depended largely on which family they ended up with.

The forced repatriations ran from 1963 up until 1982.

According to Philippe Vitale, a sociologist and expert on the case, Debré’s actions need to be viewed in the context of the times. “The goal of Michel Debré, who had a very Jacobin, nationalist vision of France, was to push the overly full towards the overly empty,” Vitale told AFP. “For him, a Corsican, Breton or person from Réunion

were the same and he believed in assimilation. At that time we had not really embraced the idea of child psychology.”

The move to force the government to finally accept responsibility was brought by Ericka Bareigts, the current MP for the island, who said it was “high time” the Assembly discussed this dark period of French history and “at least recognised its moral responsibility”.

Creuse MP, Michel Vergnier, spoke during the debate and said that the facts of history needed to be addressed and accepted, but also that the current reality needed to be appreciated, namely, “the Réunionais who have brought many positive things to the department”. He summed up his position by saying that France should try to “transform something unacceptable into something with positive energy because today, we live together”.

The scandal surrounding “Les Enfants de la Creuse” was brought to

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the attention of the wider French public in 2002 when one of these children, Jean-Jacques Martial, tried to sue the state for €1 billion for “kidnapping and sequestration of minors, roundup and deportation”.

“A billion, it’s like a euro, it’s symbolic,” Martial told AFP. “It’s a lot of money, but how much is a stolen childhood worth?” he asked.

His case eventually failed because the events took place outside France’s statute of limitations.

Jean-Jacques Martial was six years old when he arrived at Orly airport in Paris one November morning wearing flipflops and shorts. He had been removed from his grandmother’s care and was eventually brought to Guéret, capital of the Creuse, where he was brought up by an elderly farmer and his wife.

Then, four years later, he was uprooted again, and moved to Normandy where, he wrote in his book Une Enfance Volée (Stolen Childhood), he was sexually abused.

Others who were taken from Réunion reportedly committed suicide. Still more suffered with depression and mental illness, or turned to crime.

“They took babies who were only six months old,” said Ericka Bareigts. Poor and illiterate families were told that their children would be sent to France, “and of course they imagined Paris and the Eiffel Tower,” she said. “They were promised a home, schooling, and told they would succeed. The families were told the children would return for the holidays. But it was all a lie.”

Another victim, Simon A-Poi, was 12 years old when he arrived at Guéret on 6 September 1966 with two coachloads of children from Réunion.

“There were children of all ages - 12, 15, 17, even 3,” he recalled prior to the Bill being read.

He was an orphan who was removed from his grandmother’s care with four brothers and sisters, and twelve cousins. “We were the largest family to arrive in the Creuse. We thought we were going to Paris, to see the Eiffel Tower, and the Arc de Triomphe. And we ended

up in a home in Guéret. It was the first time we had seen snow, we thought it was cotton wool falling,” he told a local TV station in Réunion.

The passing of the Bill does not pave the way for financial compensation for the victims, and Yvan Combeau, a historian from Réunion and expert on the case, noted that the French motion did not even ask for an apology. He said every word had been carefully weighed so that historical

© 2008 - Allotmenteer (WikiCommons)

>> continued from pg 1

archives could be opened up. “The text seeks reparation through a recognition of the history of these exiles. Reparation must come through knowledge and recognition,” he said in an email.

France is not the only state to have sinned against its own children.

The Australian government apologised in 2008 for the removal of an estimated 100,000 Aboriginal children between the 1890s and the 1970s. The United States and Canada

had similar policies for their indigenous peoples.

Colonial Britain exported 100,000 children to populate Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Canada under the “home children” programme. And the story of Philomena, now an Oscar-nominated film, highlights Ireland’s treatment of thousands of single mothers whose children were forcibly removed by the Catholic Church. ■

NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 9

MARCH 2014 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

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Dead wolf found just 150 km from Paris

M

uch has been made over recent years about the resurgence of the wolf in southern and even central France, but no one thought they would find one just 150 km from Paris! But that is exactly what happened in February when the body of an animal, which had been shot dead, was found in the commune of Coole, in the Marne region.

“We have confirmation by a national expert that it is a wolf which was probably shot in the middle of last week,” said Yann Dacquay, Marne’s deputy departmental director, speaking shortly after the body had been discovered.

He said the wolf had not been killed instantly but travelled a short distance before dying.

Wolves were virtually extinct in France until a handful crossed the border from Italy and recolonised

the French Alps around 1993; they then rapidly spread across much of the southeastern part of the country and in recent years have crossed the Rhône valley and moved into the Massif Central.

Wolves are protected under European law and a “wolf code” established in France in 2004 means that the animals can only legally be shot by licensed “wolf lieutenants” or government marksmen, and only then if all other measures have been exhausted.

To ward off the carnivores, shepherds are first expected to invest in guard dogs, lighting and electric fences - financially difficult for all but the biggest farming businesses.

Many see wolves as a threat to livestock and are campaigning for the government to do more to halt their spread across France. In the Massif Central, farmers have even said the wolf could

threaten the very existence of Roquefort cheese - part of the cheese's AOC label protection states that it is “compulsory” for sheep to be allowed to graze freely and to roam on the hilly pastures “every day” provided there is sufficient grass, “weather conditions permitting”. The farmers argue that with wolves roaming the hills, this may no longer be possible.

Defenders of the wolf say that co-habitation between man, sheep and wolf is possible. Wolves are blamed for 5,000 sheep deaths a year in France double the number of five years ago - and the most recent estimates suggest there may be as many as 300 wolves in France, in up to 25 packs. This figure is still far lower than in Italy, which has an estimated 1,000 canis lupus lupus and Spain where 2,000 wolves roam free. In both countries, sheep farms still thrive. ■

Netflix set to launch French service in 2014

O

n-demand TV service Netflix looks set to launch a service in France as part of a “substantial European expansion”, it has been revealed. The subscription based service could be operational as soon as September this year, although as of yet, no rumours have been confirmed by the company.

Netflix sells monthly subscriptions that allow users to watch television series and films via the internet on their televisions, tablet computers and mobile phones.

For several months, the company has been involved in high-level talks with French politicians who are looking to work with the company as an innovative way of preventing illegal downloads of US television shows.

After establishing a European presence through the UK, Ireland, Scandinavia and most recently the Netherlands, 2014 could be the year that Netflix truly goes big in Europe, with Germany also set to be added to the list of territories where the service is available. If that were the case, with

France, Germany and the UK, the US company would have a presence in Europe's three largest TV territories.

There are still some regulatory and legal wrinkles to smooth out, particularly in France, where strict laws prevent feature films from being offered on a subscription “video on demand” service until three years after their debut in cinemas.

But if a consumer rents the video of the same film using his set-top box, for example, it would be available just four months after its premiere. The framework, which dates back decades, is aimed at protecting French film producers and cinemas, and does not affect TV series.

The long delays for films by subscription have so far crippled attempts to launch video streaming services in France. A recent study commissioned by the French culture ministry recommended shortening the delays, and discussions are ongoing with content owners and media companies on how to achieve this.

Around a quarter of Netflix's 44 million subscribers are currently based outside the US. ■

10 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MARCH 2014

French pole vaulter breaks legend Sergie Bubka's 20-year-old world record

© Erik van Leeuwen (bron: Wikipedia)

F

rench pole vaulter Renaud Lavillenie has broken the indoor world record by clearing 6.16 metres at an athletics meeting in Donetsk in February. The previous record of 6.15 metres was set by the legendary Ukrainian Sergei Bubka at the same venue in 1993.

Lavillenie took his head in his hands when he realized he had beaten the record: “It's completely unbelievable,” he later told French news channel BFM TV. “I will need time to get back down on Earth. It was a mythical record. I knew I had the potential to do it.

But to beat it so early, that's something else. I did not know what was happening to me. The sound was crazy. These are huge emotions. I am in a new dimension.”

The French perchiste had come close to disaster, failing twice at 6.01 metres before going on to clear the new record height at the very first attempt.

Sergei Bubka, the six-time outdoor world champion and 1988 Olympic gold medalist, stood and applauded as he

watched his long-standing record broken; he had previously said that if it were to fall, he would like it to happen in his

home town of Donetsk.

“That's fantastic. It's history and I'm very happy that Renaud does it here, in Donetsk,

my town,” said Bubka, who came on to the track to personally congratulate the Frenchman. “I'm happy because my job is to help athletes perform. Athletics is my life. I'm pleased for him and for athletics,” added Bubka, who is the vice-president of the International Association of Athletics Federations.

The 27-year-old Lavillenie had made the world record his priority for this season and started using longer poles last year in preparation. He has been steadily improving on his indoor personal best this year and become the second highest man in history by clearing 6.08 metres in Bydgoszcz, Poland, a few weeks before his world record vault.

Despite only having a personal best outdoors of 6.02 metres, the London 2012 Olympic champion will now have his eyes set later this summer on Bubka's outdoor record of 6.14 metres. ■

Hollande on the defensive in UK

T

he first Anglo-French summit in the UK for four years was held this month.

President Hollande and Prime Minister David Cameron answered questions from reporters at a press conference at RAF Brize Norton, followed by a working lunch at a local Oxfordshire pub.

Among issues discussed were military deployment in Syria, the now infamous issue of EU reform, Iran, and nuclear and space technology.

Key agreements were made with regard to British and French defence. The UCAV combat drone, an Anglo-French financed project, which will cost about 145 million

euros and will involve several British and French companies, including Thales, Dassault, Rolls Royce and BAE, was discussed in detail. In addition, funding for helicopter missiles and shared underwater mine detectors were on the negotiating table.

The number of shared defence projects discussed testify to the growing relationship between Britain and France, not least because both defence departments have suffered severe budget cuts.

The informal setting in a pub in Cameron's own constituency allowed the leaders to discuss the problems which mar the political

landscape on both sides of the Channel outside the high pressure environment of diplomatic events.

For Hollande, however, other pressures were in evidence. Unlike their French counterparts, the British press wasted no time in asking Mr Hollande about his vaudevilleesque love life, a sorry farce which has gripped millions around the world. “Is there still a first lady then?” was the first question asked by unabashed British reporters. Mr Hollande, after a day discussing France's defence systems, was left, not for the first time, on the defensive. ■ Amaryllis Barton

Au revoir to 'The France of Amélie’Poulain'

O

n 27th January 1964, Charles de Gaulle became the first Western leader to officially recognise the People's Republic of China. During a visit to China this month as part of celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties, Claude Bartolone, president of France’s National Assembly, took advantage of an opportunity to rebrand France in the eyes of the world’s second largest economy and called for France to shed its image as the 'France of Amélie Poulain'.

Amélie Poulain is the main character in the 2001 film “Amélie”, or as it is more accurately known in its original French version, “Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain”. The film achieved worldwide success and, as a result, the eponymous heroine is associated with the 'je ne sais quoi' of France in the hearts and minds of all who have seen the film.

However, as Bartolone was keen

to point out, France is more than just the backdrop to a feisty romcom. “We want this anniversary to allow us to talk about the future and make it clear to our Chinese friends that France is also the country of nuclear energy, agribusiness, the pharmaceutical industry,” said Bartolone.

While Bartolone underlined the importance of the French economy as opposed to French culture, it must not be forgotten that the romantic 'Amélie' image of France accounts for ever-increasing sales of designer clothes, French food, and, of course, high quality wine. Indeed, as China develops its taste for French wine, maintaining the image of France as the home of sophisticated culture will become more crucial than ever.

As a result, the self-titled 'Madonna of the unloved', Amélie Poulin, could yet play a part in France's economic growth in China. ■ Amaryllis Barton

NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 11

MARCH 2014 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Nearly one half of all French sandwiches sold are burgers!

T

he humble baguette is a staple of French cuisine and there was a time, not long ago, when households would routinely make the short trip to their local boulangerie at least twice a day in order to maintain a constant, fresh supply of bread at home.

A century ago, every French person would eat on average three baguettes a day. By 1970 this had dropped to just one and today, the average person is somehow surviving on a meagre half a baguette a day!

And in worse news for France's bread lobby (yes, that does exist and it's called l’Observatoire du pain), it has been revealed that the hamburger, that most American of foods, now accounts for nearly half of all “sandwiches” sold in France, up from one in nine in 2000 and one in seven in 2007.

Research by marketing and consulting firm Gira Conseil found that burgers are also making inroads into traditional French cuisine. Although McDonald's dominates the burger market, one quarter of all burgers sold last year were served up by traditional restaurants. Gira's director, Bernard Boutboul, said the firm found “seventy-five per cent of traditional French restaurants offer at least one hamburger on their menu” and that in one third of these restaurants, burgers were outselling entrecotes, other grilled meat or fish dishes. In all, burger sales in traditional restaurants have soared by 40 per cent in the last two years, Mr Boutboul added.

Last year it was revealed that for the first time ever, sales of fast food outstripped those of traditional sit-down res-

A "traditional" French sandwich? taurants, with 54% of the market. These figures led magazine Le Point to proclaim that “In the land of gastronomy, fast food has become the king”.

Much of the change in France's lunchtime routine has been put down to shorter lunch breaks, down from around an hour and a half in 1975 to less than 30 minutes today. The stereotype of the 2-hour, 4-course lunch washed down with a bottle

of wine is now about as relevant as that of the bowler-hatted Englishman eating cucumber sandwiches with the crusts removed while taking high tea.

Not only does France represent the largest market for McDonald's outside the US, the report has also revealed that the French are now the second-biggest consumers of pizza in the world, again, behind the Americans. ■

Frenchman sets over-100s cycling record Whilst most people lucky enough to reach 100 years old would be sitting back and enjoying a nice cuppa, age has not slowed down Frenchman Robert Marchand, who has just broken his own world record for distance cycled in one hour in the over-100 category.

When the 102-year-old was born, the Titanic was still afloat and the Tour de France was a mere 8 years old, but despite his advanced years, the resident of Amiens (Picardie), covered an impressive 26.9 km, blowing his previous record out of the water by over 1.5 km.

Despite admitting that he was only feeling “90% fit”, the centenarian put on a good show for the gathered crowds, some of whom had travelled long distances to witness the record attempt. “It was very good, but at the end it started to become very hard,” the rider told AFP news agency. “You have to know there are people who came from 600 kilometres away to see me today! It is incredible. That's all I can say.”

The cyclist admitted that he had gone against doctor's advice in his recordbreaking effort. “The doctors told me to make sure that my heart rate did not go higher than 115 beats per minute,” he said, before confessing that it had in fact hit 130 during the ride.

Mr Marchand, a retired firefighter and logger, also holds the record for someone over the age of 100 riding 100 km, which he completed 2 years ago in 4 hours, 17 minutes and 27 seconds.

The current world record for the distance cycled in an hour is 49.7 km, set by Ondrej Sosenka from the Czech Republic in 2005. ■

A

group of grumpy French chefs have hit out at the increasing number of customers who disrupt their restaurants by taking endless photos of their meal. Fed up with diners snapping pictures with their smartphones to post on social networks, several Michelin-starred French restaurants are now looking to ban cameras as part of their war on so-called “food porn”.

Food bloggers, and even some chefs, defend taking pictures of food as free publicity, but for many the sharing has just gone too far.

“Before, they took photos of their family, of their granny - now it's photos of the dishes,” said Alexandre Gauthier, chef at La Grenouillère restaurant in La Madelaine-sousMontreuil, 60 kilometres from Calais. “There is a time and a place for everything. Our aim is to create a special moment in time for our clients. And for that, you have to switch off

your phone.”

The 34-year-old chef told La Voix du Nord newspaper that his customers had sometimes set off a series of flashes, repositioned their tables, taken each photo several times before posting the final result on social media... in the meantime leaving the dishes to go cold.

Another chef, Gilles Goujon, told the Midi Libre newspaper that he also wanted to ban camera phones at his three Michelin-starred restaurant, L'Auberge du Vieux Puits, in Fontjoncouse, near Perpignan, but was still working on exactly how to achieve this. He also raised the interesting question of intellectual property rights.

“If people take a photo and put it out on social media, it takes away the surprise,” he said, adding that pictures of his signature dish “oeuf de poule pourri de truffes” (chicken egg laden with truffles) were now commonplace across social media. “It takes away a little bit of my intellectual property

© 2007 - Jacques Lameloise (WikiCommons)

French chefs rail against "food porn" trend

too. Someone could copy me.

Plus a photo taken on an average smartphone is rarely a great image. It doesn't give the best impression of our work.

It's annoying.”

Not all chefs are against the craze for food photos, however. David Toutain, whose eponymous Paris restaurant is a favourite among critics, said word of mouth on the internet

had provided a boost to his career. “You have to live with the times,” he said. “Social networks helped at the start of my career and are helping me now.

It's advertising!” ■

12 ♦ FRENCH LIFE

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MARCH 2014

In the garden - jobs for March

ouillé, sodden, soaked, trempé, how many ways can we find to say 'wet'?!! What a few weeks we've had. The ditches are full, the rivers are at or over capacity, and the ground in many places is a squelchy thing, more akin to a swamp!

But it's been relatively mild, with virtually no frosts, and that means the vegetation is well away, roughly about 2 weeks ahead of where it should normally be, I reckon.

If it turns cold, we may suffer for it, but if it doesn't then the garden will likely burst into activity rather than gradually wake up. So be prepared.

Fruit Fruit can be a real cornerstone of a garden, and represent a big saving in your pocket when you consider the high prices in the shops for fruits grown halfway around the globe and then flown in. It also has the advantage of just growing by itself, with much less human input than traditional vegetables. Over the last couple of years, due to working commitments, my time in my garden seems to be getting less and less, but by growing fruit, I still manage to have good crops, with limited work.

I wonder why I didn't see that before? The trick is to have a good selection and at least two varieties of everything, if

crops in February (although I should say, continued to, to be precise) with wild rocket plants, mizuna (red and green varieties) and mustards ready to pick. The garlic is growing well and could be used as a flavouring now, although some will not be touched, so it matures more quickly. Cutting some of the green part off to use like chives won't hurt the plant in any way, but it will slow down growth. I like it as aillet, green garlic, rather than bulbs for storing and generally work on a “harvest one, plant one” basis, so that there is an ongoing supply. If you're going to use it in this way, it's perfectly adequate to use the tail ends of bought garlic cloves which have started sprouting in the larder.

Herbs Herbs are so important in a healthy garden. Visually & aesthetically they are some of the loveliest garden plants, and then there is their important role in feeding bees and butterflies (which then in turn feed birds), so make sure your plot has a good selection. If you go out with a trowel you can easily dig up sections of, for example, thyme or sage that have rootlets. Plan to sow dill, fennel, parsley (curled & flat leaved), coriander and basils (later on when it's warmer). Why not try more unusual things, like

aillet - young garlic

you have the space. After all, many people grow early and maincrop potatoes, so what's the difference in having early and late varieties of plum, currant or apple? Whether it's soft fruit, stone fruit, orchard fruit, berries, nuts, fruits rouges or edible ornamentals, do make plenty of space in your plot for as much fruit as possible.

Early crops The tunnel started producing

fenugreek? This usually germinates well from the packets you buy for cooking, as long as you buy the whole seed.

Sowing for now, and later March really is a good time to start sowing under cover.

You can sow most things, but use caution when sowing varieties that like heat for their growth - chilies, aubergines, basils, etc. If you are going to sow these early, do so in a

© 2008 - Allotmenteer (WikiCommons)

M

by Michelle Pierce

With a bit of hard work and forward planning now, the perfect vegetable garde

heated propagator and make sure you have a nice warm place for them to grow on afterwards. Go round the garden or greenhouse, etc. with a trowel and dig up self-sown seedings that you can either move into a more convenient place, or pot up into pots and modules. There can be lots of advantages to letting things go to seed.

tities of seed saved from last year, it can give you four different crops: sprouted seed for adding to salads & sandwiches; micro leaves, harvested by cutting with scissors (think mustard and cress); baby leaves picked at about 5 cm; and last but not least, young plants. Now that's what I call worth it.

Grow your own seed, grow your own plants Given the extraordinary rise in prices for seeds and plants over the last few years, it makes sense to factor this into your plans for the garden. A single tomato given to you by a friend, or a couple of bean seeds, can be grown on, not for a vegetable crop, but for the seed they will give you for the next year. We have forgotten to be thrifty, but gardeners can really save themselves lots of money by doing this with some of the varieties they want to grow.

One strawberry plant, with a year's patience, will produce enough offspring for you to plant a whole bed.

Admiring the self-restraint of others Often when I read about famous modern gardens, or the work of garden designers, I admire, in a kind of horrified way, their self-restraint.

The person who says “When a plant doesn't fit my planting scheme, it has to go” or the garden where the designer has chosen a colour palette where each element complements the other, seem to miss the point in my opinion. Where is the scope for sudden desires?

Or plants that remind you of defunct friends and relatives?

Is there a secret bed, out of the way of all view, where red poppies clash with blue delphiniums and pink geraniums? Let's hope so!

Make your seed work hard for you If you have reasonable quan-

Pots are soaked through Put a top dressing of chopped flax, or bracken to help push

the wet off, or cover them for a few days with fleece, to help them dry out a little.

Start weeding The first crop of weeds will be well away. Most can be easily removed, and fed to hens, or put on the compost heap, but pay particular attention to deep rooted weeds or pernicious weeds like bindweed and couch grass. These shouldn't go on the heap. I put mine in an old barrel of water, where they slowly rot, and then every now and then it gets emptied onto the garden.

Resist temptation!!

The shops and garden centres will suddenly be full of glorious plants, many in full flower. If what you see is much more advanced than what's in your garden, then it has been gown in hotter conditions and it won't adapt easily to life outside. Just try to be a bit patient, though that's easier said than done. Remember that shops respect their product cycles much more than the seasons and that it's in their best interests if you need to buy tomato plants twice over because the first ones died.

Ils sont malins! ■

FRENCH LIFE ♦ 13

MARCH 2014 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Let's get fruity!!

W

by Michelle Pierce

ith less and less time available for the garden, in general, growing fruit makes sense.

As the majority is perennial, it's basically a question of planting, occasional pruning and harvesting. Really easy. Add to this the fact that some fruit is extraordinarily expensive in the shops - when did you last buy a kilo of raspberries?! - or difficult to get hold of, it just makes perfect sense.

So try and make space for as much as possible, try and have early, mid season and late varieties, in order to spread the harvest over as wide a period as possible, and aim to grow what you and your family like to eat. No point growing blackberries if no one likes them.

Here are some ideas for currants and berries you might like to try.

Currants - There are the traditional blackcurrants (cassis) and redcurrants (groseille), but did you know there are other colours: pink (Rose de Champagne), white (Versaillaise blanche), and then others that verge on the pale pinky white (Gloire des Sablons). There is also the ornamental yellow-flowered Ribes odoratum, the golden currant or clove currant, with its highly perfumed flowers, that produce edible currants.

© 2005 - Serena (WikiCommons)

n could be just a few short months away

ED - For me it's hard to beat a good raspberry

These are just a few examples; there really are colours (and tastes) to suit everyone. And if you don't get round to eating them, or if you have too many, well then they are still highly decorative additions to the garden.

Aronia melanocarpa - the black chokeberry.

This doesn't sound too nice, does it? In fact, this small to medium sized shrub produces tons of black berries which are excellent when processed into jams, pies, jellies, syrups, etc. It is common in cultivation in the US, where there are black, red and purple varieties. As it's highly ornamental in the garden, with its clusters of creamy white flowers, it really makes a welcome addition.

Amelanchier - juneberry, shadbush. This fineleaved tree is covered in star-shaped white flowers in late spring/early summer, and turns a flaming red/orange in the autumn. The flowers lead to dark purply-black berries roughly the size and shape of blackcurrants. The family has lots of varieties, including Amelanchier canadensis. The berries are, depending on the variety, good to eat raw or can also be used in cooking or dried. Well known in the States, from where it originates, it's a family that European gardeners could make much more use of.

Tayberry - Rubus fruticosus x idaeus is a cultivated shrub in the genus Rubus, patented in 1979 as a cross between a blackberry and a red raspberry, and named after the river Tay in Scotland. The fruit is sweeter, much larger, and more aromatic than that of the loganberry, itself a blackberry and red raspberry cross. The tayberry is grown for its edible fruits which can be eaten raw or cooked, but the fruit do not pick easily by hand and cannot be machine harvested, so it has not become a commercially grown berry crop. As a domestic crop, this plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. As you could expect, it's a vigorous grower, so leave lots of space for it, and preview a strong pole & wire framework before you plant it.

Loganberry - Accidentally created in 1883 in California, it is also a cross between a blackberry and a raspberry. The large black-red fruit are delicious and juicy, and plants often produce huge quantities of berries (mine do, anyway). It's very vigorous, so the same advice applies as for tayberries. Well worth having, though - I wouldn't be without mine.

Raspberry - Raspberries are pretty much loved by everyone, aren't they? With or without the company of dark chocolate! There are a vast range of cultivars, which fruit at different times, and have quite different tastes so don't hesitate to plant two or three varieties for comparison. There are also other colours of raspberry: yellow (Fall Gold, Golden Everest) and even black ones.

These are difficult to get hold of in Europe, but can be found from specialist growers. I believe in the US there are blue and purple varieties.

Wineberry - The Japanese wineberry or wine raspberry is a handsome species of raspberry that was introduced to the West from Northern China, Japan and Korea as an ornamental. It has heartshaped leaves, and little pink flowers, not really spectacular, which lead to orange berries maturing to red. The fruit can be eaten raw, although it does have quite a lot of seeds, or else can be cooked. A very nice plant for a corner of the garden. In the US it has become invasive in certain areas, so keep an eye on it in your garden. Hasn't been a problem for me.

Gooseberry - The groseille à maquereau is an ancient garden plant. With its spiny (although there do exist a few cultivars without spines) stems, it produces green, yellow or red berries of various sizes and tastes. Mmmmmm gooseberry mousse, crumble, pie with ice cream!! And in other parts of the world they are picked, dried, used to flavour beverages, etc. In the UK, in the past, gooseberries were particularly popular before fruit was imported from elsewhere, as they were often the first available fresh fruit of the year. It is very sad that a fruit which was once so popular, and had hundreds and hundreds of varieties, is now usually offered in such a restricted list. Try hunting out old, local varieties!

Jostaberry - This is a botanically complicated cross between several gooseberries and a blackcurrant, has fruit with the notes of both parents, and is rich in vitamin C. It isn't spiny, so is fine planted by paths or areas where people walk. It is a good cropper but is not in commercial production because of the difficulty of large-scale picking.

Blueberries, strawberries, wild strawberries, rhubarb, grapes, kiwis, hardy kiwi (a smooth-skinned kiwi whose small fruit can be eaten whole), nuts, walnuts, cobnuts, plums, peaches, apples, pears, sharon fruit, apricots, quince, medlars - the list is nearly endless of delicious marvels that you can grow at home.

We think that supermarkets have an ever-widening range of fruit on offer, but the reality is that the average peasant family probably grew just as many, if not more, on their own smallholding, in times past. What a pity to have lost so much!! ■

14 ♦ FRENCH LIFE

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MARCH 2014

Dordogne bees in need of a boost

G

by Brian Hinchcliffe

ilbert and Myriam Buffard are self-confessed nature freaks, and proud of it. They run a landscape and grounds maintenance business from StPardoux-la-Rivière, near Nontron. A couple of years ago, as a good turn for a friend, they took over two hives of bees.

“We learned a lot very quickly,” says Myriam. “We did a lot of studying, asking advice and paying close attention to the bees. It slowly dawned on us that the life of bees is incredibly complicated and their impact on human life is incalculable.”

The couple now have 13 hives and are fast becoming the local experts in apiculture. Ask them why they think the fate of bees is so important and their answer is that bees have an absolutely crucial role in our food chain. And it’s not just a question of the honey on our toast!

Gilbert added: “Some scientists say that if bees disappear the human race will be wiped out in 18 months. I think that’s pessimistic. I reckon the last human being will die at least 5 years after the last bee!”

All plant life needs pollination to reproduce itself and survive. No pollination means extinction. Bees are responsible for pollinating a large proportion of plants and ensuring they will produce fruits and seeds and reproduce for the following year. This has been the case for millions of years, but mankind and the weather have recently thrown spanners in the works.

Gilbert holds up his hand to count off the 5 menaces to the world bee population: “Pesti-

cides, parasites, Asian hornets, food shortage, climate change.

It’s a tall order, but there are a few very simple things all of us can do to help.”

Pesticides are used more and more by agri-business and by gardeners. They kill the helpful bees as well as the pests.

Insecticides and herbicides can be accidentally carried back home by a bee, which then poisons the entire hive. In 2013, 500 hives in the Pyrenees were completely wiped out by pesticide. Some genetically modified plants contain their own pest and herbicides which can remain in the soil for 5 years after the initial planting. Gilbert is adamant that growers have a responsibility, not only to get a good yield and a healthy profit, but also in the fact that they are custodians of the soil and have a responsibility to do no harm. He is also keen that consumers pay attention to what goes into food and apply pressure on suppliers where changes are needed.

There is a plague of parasites affecting bee populations in France and world-wide. “Fixing this is the professionals’ job. The microscopic tics lay eggs inside the bee larvae in the hive, killing the new bees. At the moment, we have no 100% real solutions apart from maintaining impeccable hygiene inside the hives. We have a kind of bee isolation ward standing by, just in case.”

Asian hornets kill and eat bees and their honey. They also sting and scare people. Combatting this menace can also be done by all of us. An inexpensive hornet trap bought from a garden centre will catch hornets before they do their mischief. A

hornet trap is very similar to one for wasps but with 10mm holes in the portal to prevent helpful insects and butterflies from being caught. Bait the trap in early spring, before the hawthorn starts to flower, with beer and grenadine. This will catch them before the queen hornet starts to lay. One queen in one nest can create another 10 queens for another 10 nests!

A piège à frelons is cheap to run, needs no batteries and is very effective!

At the start of spring, bees are usually very hungry, having used up their stores of honey over the winter. Humans have allowed fashions to interfere with biodiversity and have upset the bees’ food sources. In spring bees need pollen to eat from plants, but the 21st century fashion-conscious gardener likes hedges of leylandii and cupressus, with bright splashes of forsythia.

Unfortunately, these are useless to bees. A happier hedge has hazel, hawthorn and winter-scented honeysuckle. There are dozens of varieties of hedging plants that will please the bees. The Dordogne expert on bee-friendly shrubs and hedges is Jacky Borie in Beaumont (24440). Apiculturists for 3 generations, this company can recommend and supply the best plantings for ecological gardening.

Wise gardeners leave small plots of grass and meadow flowers, including dandelion and cowslips, un-mown and un-weeded. A couple of square metres will do the trick. A small area such as this will ensure the garden will be visited and pollinated throughout the year.

The final threat is weather and climate. The jury is still

The Buffards with their hives on the Dronne out on the extent to which human activity is responsible for climate change, but there is no denying the recent extremes.

We can all reduce our carbon emissions at least, and try to compensate for these extreme conditions by planting helpful hedges and doing selective lawn mowing.

This winter has been hard for bees. Bees need 11°C to leave the hive, they can fly in wind but not in rain. The start of 2014 has been far from ideal.

Myriam & Gilbert’s bees have consumed 20kg of honey over the winter just to survive. “The worry is that time is running

out,” explains Gilbert. “The queen needs pollen to eat to start her off laying eggs. No pollen means no eggs, no eggs means no honey. That means no new bees, that means less pollination in gardens and fields, and that means dull gardens and a poor harvest.”

“We hope our British and Dutch friends will join us in taking care of bees. It is a fascinating hobby but with a deeply serious purpose. Anyone who wants to know more can email us at myriam.buffard@gmail. com or why not pop round and see what we do? We’d be pleased to see you anytime!” ■

Global warming, jet streams and Frankenfoods

A

fter all the rainfall that we’ve just had in Western Europe, it was expected that the exponents of climate change due to global warming would be out in force to claim we’ve brought it all on ourselves.

It would also appear that there are now new avenues opening up for politicians to bring in ever more green taxes.

However, as various politicians line up to claim the latest storms are a result of global warming, they should take note of one of the Met Office’s senior experts, who claims there is no link between global warming and the storms that have battered the US and the UK. Mat Collins, a professor

in climate systems, said the storms have been driven by the jet stream, the fast-moving river of air that controls weather over Northern Europe and North America, which has been ‘stuck’ further south than usual.

Professor Collins said: “There is no evidence that global warming can cause the jet stream to get stuck in the way it has this winter. If this is due to climate change, it is outside our knowledge.”

Professor Collins is also a senior adviser for the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

His statement appears to contradict the posturing politicos lining up on the nightly news for their soundbite.

*** It’s just been announced that the first potato genetically modified to resist blight may soon be grown in Europe.

It has been engineered in a three-year project that saw genes from a wild South American potato inserted into a normal Desiree.

Scientists say it is fully resistant to blight which destroys up to half of European crops in a bad year.

The disease was responsible for the Irish potato famine of the 1840s, and still destroys over €4 billion worth of potatoes globally each year.

However, critics say tampering with genes in crops to create ‘Frankenfoods’ could damage natural ecosystems and affect human health, and insist shoppers would never knowingly buy GM products.

Consumer fears have so far kept genetic engineering out of European farming.

© 2008 - Allotmenteer (WikiCommons)

Regular environment contributor, Arthur Smith from Harlequin Developments, takes a look at the recent changes to the jet stream and considers whether blight-resistant potatoes count as genetically modified "Frankenfoods"

No GM products have ever been commercially grown in a European country, and only one, a pest-resistant maize, is authorized for cultivation in Europe.

Currently all GM foods have to be labelled, but meat, milk and eggs from farm animals fed on GM products do not,

and campaigners are worried about political pressure to accelerate research in the field. ■ Arthur Smith Harlequin Developments www.harlequindevelopments.com Tel: 05.55.68.67.56 Mob: 06.06.60.46.97

FRENCH LIFE ♦ 15

MARCH 2014 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Local felt artist’s exotic exports

F

by Brian Hinchcliffe

ashion fans all over the world are currently focusing on a Dordogne artist. Using some of the world’s oldest textile techniques, local artist, Janine Lacey, is creating a brand new look for discerning glitterati across the globe.

Working from her workshop and studio in her ancient cottage in the Périgord Vert, Janine is following in the footsteps of the ancients as she fashions her stunning creations in felt.

Felt is mankind’s oldest type of textile. Remains of felt saddles, clothes and even tents have been discovered in Siberia, dating from 700 B.C. Felt is not made by weaving on a loom. It is made from wool by hand, using heat, moisture and pressure. The wool fibres combine, shrink and lock together. When worked carefully with soap and hot water it becomes a strong, resilient, waterproof and attractive fabric. Felt is even fireproof!

In the 19th century mercury compounds were added to dress the felt for hats. This made nice hats but was not so good for the hatters who often suffered brain damage, hence the “mad hatter”.

Janine has developed the original form of this ancient craft and combined it with her skills as a trained artist to create stunning pieces of art that are not just great to look at but wonderful to wear and use.

Janine comes from King’s Langley near London and studied art for 5 years, working on photography, design, painting, silk-screen printing, ceramics and textiles. After working with a design studio Janine moved to France at the end of the 80’s. Whilst working on a range of projects and products with a partner, Janine was attracted more and more to the special, unique qualities of felt and the possibilities it offers for creative design. Her favourite artefacts to create are bags and hats, combining practicality, fashion and art.

Janine explains, “I‘m a painter first and foremost. I love working with felt but I love to create images, too. I love birds, they figure

in a lot of what I do. Basically I have become a painter in felt”.

In her tiny studio in the woods between Brantôme and Nontron she uses coloured wool to create pictures in felt. Using hot and cold water, and fine, mild soap she works the colours just as a painter would use oils.

Janine imports the pre-dyed wool from Germany. She says it is excellent quality merino wool, very soft and beautifully coloured.

Janine insists on the best Marseilles soap to work on her delicate creations.

Working on a “canvas” of felt, Janine builds up her pictures. It takes hours of time but the results are stunning, the picture is not simply “on” the felt, but has become integral to it.

Birds and faces are favourite themes and a recent venture is to recreate faces from great works of art. In her studio Janine displays a new creation, a beret with an iconic face taken from a painting by Gustav Klimt, an Austrian artist of the early 20th century.

“This is what I love about it,” she says. “I love felting because I love designing and I can use all the skills I’m good at, using wool instead of paint.”

Janine also creates hand-made accessories like buttons and decorative features.

While wool felt is the core material, cotton, silks and even some synthetics can be “feltedin” to produce fascinating textures and effects.

Janine also uses leathers from a supplier in Javerlhac, on the borders of the Dordogne and the Charente. These materials become part of the structure, not simply something sewn on.

“It’s a kind of sculpture in wool,” she adds.

As well as hats and berets, Janine also makes individual and absolutely unique bags.

She usually builds them from a single large area of wool, which she processes by hand to give a one-piece creation, a perfect field for Janine’s painterly talent to embellish, complete with the signature of the artist herself!

For Janine, felting in hats is mainly seasonal with her busy period for felting running from late summer to April. Felt hats are warm in winter and cool in summer, but as the weather

turns warmer the demand for hats slows and Janine prefers to get back to her roots as a painter. Her work, as might be expected, often has the familiar hats’ and bags’ themes of birds and faces.

In the past, Janine has exhibited and retailed at expos and shows and at specialist Christmas markets in Paris, but these days most of her customers look around her internet shop, called Jannio. In the Jannio shop, within etsy. com (www.etsy.com/shop/jannio), hats and bags are beautifully modelled by a neighbour’s daughter.

Jannio is also found on Facebook, Twitter

Fun at the brocante

Y

ou never know who’s interested. I was having a new freezer delivered in Devon. One of the nice men delivering spotted some boxes of interesting and valuable antiques and collectibles - erm, junk – in my garage. “Are you a car booter?” was the first question, then, when I said no, they were going to France, the next question was did I go to brocantes and vide-greniers?

Plug in the freezer. Get the coffee on. Someone who knows about La Brocante and all its pleasures.

The second nice man, having asked what a brocante was, then decided it was more interesting to watch the trawlers come and go in the English Channel from our living room window. It turned out that the nostalgic brocanteur had lived in La Creuse for a while and had really enjoyed the videgreniers. As they trotted back to the van, he said that he thought he might look at living in La Creuse once more. He missed it.

And it made me think about how much I enjoy vide-gren-

controversy in households where there is at least one of each.

I often start out the year with a great heap of wonderful objects for the brocante, a heap

come in useful sometime’.

They don’t, that’s why they are broken and not used and you have probably bought new... chuck ‘em!

That all culminates in the day of the sale. Up at four, out at five, get on the pitch early, although personally, I don’t get the boxes out or display goods before the official start. This

which then tends to diminish with time and cries of “you’re not taking that…” Then as the day draws near there is a renewed interest in getting rid of stuff; this is a danger point and can lead to regrets. The moral: don’t put anything in the brocante boxes which you’ll be sad to see go; and don’t include broken things which ‘might

is because the dealers descend like crows on the wares and pick through them carelessly.

This is also because I am what is known in Devon as Ar$ey. If a dealer wants something they will come back, and friends have had items broken by their practice. I did a stint in highend craft retail and learnt that unpacking stuff and arrang-

by Gina Jolliffe

iers and brocantes. Quite a lot as it happened.

I like doing the sales for different reasons. The videgreniers is a wonderful opportunity to do what the translation says: empty the attic. At the vide-greniers you can sell and indeed pick up authentic items, strange stuff, and yes, more stuff to put in your own attic for next time. Many videgreniers don’t charge for the pitch, and most are very cheap.

Some will have a mobile coffee wagon, always welcome at 6am! The brocante is more serious and you can sell more up-market items, vintage, retro and antique. They charge, but always reasonably.

What follows is how to approach things. Not everyone will agree. And I have to say if I have to hear the words ‘quirky’ or ‘bling’ or ‘shabby chic’ or ‘art deco’ applied to anything that’s not, I will spit.

'Kitsch’ is rapidly gaining this accolade too. Likewise, I also leave the over-cleaned overpriced wooden furniture alone.

It helps to be a hoarder, and secondly to be a de-clutterer.

This can be a major cause of

and numerous other social websites.

“Etsy works for me,” says Janine. “I have customers all over the world. My largest sales volumes are with the UK, Russia, Iceland, Greece, and France, of course. I have very good customers in Miami, Florida and others across the USA and Canada”.

In some ways Janine and Jannio sum up the best of the Dordogne: tucked away in woods in the Périgord Vert, one of man’s most ancient of crafts is combined with 21st century talent and the very latest technology to spread a local business world-wide. Felt goods feel good! ■

ing it when the general crowd is around attracts like nothing else.

Opinion varies about price ticketing. I know what I want for pricier items and what my meilleur or dernier prix is.

Other bits and pieces can have tickets on, or I’ll just trill out a price as someone looks at an item. I find a box of 50 cent and €1 items will attract, or a ‘3 for 2 euros’ book box. On larger items I’ll put the price and ‘à débattre’ (negotiable) on them.

I’ll always haggle on those, but have a base price below which it’s worth taking things home again for next time.

You can tell I’m not a professional; I do this for fun and for socialising. Friends and neighbours will also have their own stalls, so one can wander off, talk to them, have a snack, have a laugh, share food, look after their pitch while they have a look round themselves, have a chat to the mayor, see what’s what and what’s new in the locality, talk to local journalists, be interested... all this reinforces that we’re part of the community even if we’re immigrés. What's more, my French improves. I learn more about France every time and make a tiny bit of cash. And more importantly, I clear cupboards for the hoarder to refill... ■

16 ♦ PRACTICAL

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MARCH 2014

Everything you always wanted to know about “international” marriage, divorce and the applicable law In the last two issues, Prune CALONNE, French Avocat, practising in Toulouse, gave practical tips and information on matrimonial regime and the applicable law as well as on divorce by mutual consent. This month, she will explain the three forms of contentious divorce.

Types of contentious divorce in France “Divorce pour faute” or hostile divorce The idea in this procedure is for the claimant to show that the defendant is responsible for the breakdown of the marriage because he or she breached their duties as a spouse.

This is typically the case when the spouse has been unfaithful.

From a legal point of view, this is the type of divorce that a lawyer would recommend not to choose.

Practical Tip: Why is this?

Firstly, the procedure is long and is not always effective in recovering money that you think you should be awarded because you have been cheated on. The law does not award more financial support for this reason. Because of the length of this procedure, it will cost more in lawyer’s fees for no real benefits.

“Divorce accepté” or accepted divorce The couple agrees on divorcing but not on all the consequences, essentially on the financial support proposed by one to the other (support towards children or the “impoverished” spouse).

“Divorce pour altération définitive du lien conjugal” (divorce when the couple has

•

split for more than two years) The couple has to be separated for more than 2 years before a petition to divorce can be submitted. They no longer live together and lead separate lives.

Common procedure to get divorced 1. Petition to submit to the local JAF - A petition has to be submitted to the “Juge des affaires familiales” (High court, family law division) by a lawyer.

In this petition, the claimant does not mention the reason why divorce is sought, who is to blame, etc.

Temporary measures requested by the claimant have to be detailed.

2. The Tribunal will send a letter (“convocation”) with a court date to the claimant and the defendant will be made aware that he/she is being sued and that the claimant has requested a divorce.

3. First hearing - A mediation hearing is scheduled where both parties discuss provisional measures such as: • Custody of children and financial support to be awarded.

• Financial support to the “impoverished” spouse. Financial support to the children is determined in accordance with a scale established by

• • •

the Court of Appeal depending on the age of the children, parents’ incomes, etc.

This scale is used by lawyers but does not bind the judge.

Who remains in the family home, if this occupancy is free or the amount of occupancy indemnity (“indemnité d’occupation”) paid by the spouse that stays.

When personal belongings should be handed over.

Who is in charge of repaying debts.

Which notaire is appointed to split up all jointly-owned assets (“liquidation des biens de la communauté”).

An order is pronounced.

4. Summons to be notified by the claimant within 30 months of the ruling - The claimant has to summon the defendant for the second part of the procedure within 30 months of the order otherwise all temporary measures mentioned above will no longer be in effect.

If no summons is delivered to the defendant, the divorce procedure will have to be started again and a new petition will have to be submitted.

If the summons is not delivered, the defendant can summon the claimant and carry on the divorce procedure.

In the summons, the claimant can mention the reason for the divorce and make claims on: • Custody of the children and financial support for them.

• Financial support for the “impoverished” spouse.

The Civil Code states that the “prestation compensatoire” is supposed to help the “impoverished” spouse

to diminish the difference in their standard of living before and after the divorce is pronounced. It also mentions several criteria to calculate its amount, such as: »» Duration of the marriage »» Spouses’ age »» Health »» Incomes »» If the couple decided that one of them should be a stay at home parent and its consequences on career and pension In general, financial support for the future ex-spouse has to be paid as a lump sum.

However, because of financial difficulties, if evidence is provided to the judge, a claim can be made to pay by monthly installments or in kind.

Practical Info: The JAF (family law judge) is not in charge of splitting jointly held assets of a couple who wish to divorce. This matter does not fall within the competence of the judge. Only a notaire can do this in France.

The latter, however, only suggests ways of splitting the assets.

He has no judicial power. If an agreement is not reached between the parties, the case will return to court (before the JAF) and a decision over how assets should be split will be imposed by the judge.

5. Ruling to be rendered effective and registration at the local registry office where the couple got married - Once a divorce has been granted, it must be rendered effective by the lawyer in charge of the case.

The latter must send a copy of the judgement (“copie exéc-

utoire”) to the registry office where the couple got married (if the couple married in France).

Practical Tip: In the January issue, I mentioned that the basic matrimonial regime in France is the community regime or “régime de la communauté réduite aux acquets”.

This means that everything bought before marriage remains the sole property of the purchaser.

The assets bought after the wedding are jointly-owned by both parties with the exception of donations and legacies. In this instance, the assets given will remain the sole property of the beneficiary.

This regime (the basic one applicable to everyone who gets married in France who has not drafted a wedding contract before a French notaire) will be effective even if all the spouses’ assets have been bought thanks to one spouse’s wage only.

A “récompense” or financial reward could be sought or claimed if a spouse sold a property belonging solely to him/her and has reinvested part of it, for example, in the family home. ■ For more information, please do not hesitate to contact: Prune CALONNE, Avocat au Barreau de Toulouse, 117 route d’Albi, 31200 Toulouse Tel: (0033) 5 34 30 51 33 Mob: (0033) 6 74 16 11 12 Email: scpcalonneadouedugast@ hotmail.fr My firm can arrange appointments in CAHORS at our correspondent’s offices. Please do not hesitate to contact us for more details.

A question about Inheritance Law Dear Sirs, It is my understanding that all French residents are subject to the Napoleonic inheritance laws in France. However, according to my Notaire, a new law will allow any foreigner living in France to write a will according to the law of their nationality, which I have now done.

the law not being in force, so please thank your Notaire for that information.

We are also not yet entirely clear about how the fact that the UK has opted out of the new rules, will affect their application in practice, particularly in respect of French property (real estate).

Siddalls reply:

There is no question, however, that the new rules should provide extra flexibility, but our first analysis is that they will not be of benefit to many of our clients, due to the fact that they do not affect the issue of inheritance tax.

For simple family situations, the new rules provide an easy way to circumvent French inheritance rules, although solutions already exist under French law. However, for second marriages, unless it is certain that the survivor will return to the UK, it is unlikely that the new rules will be suitable, since they could leave one family with a potential 60% inheritance tax bill!

We are aware of the new European rules from 2015, but were not aware that they could already be applied, despite

For unmarried, or un-“PACSed” couples, the new rules will offer no protection from the 60% tax due by the

Furthermore, whilst I understand that the law change does not come into force until August 2015, I have been informed that should your spouse/partner die before the new law comes into force the will becomes active at that time.

Your clarification on this matter would be appreciated.

Sincerely Mr and Mrs XXX

survivor on anything left to each other.

Finally, for an estate of any size, using UK law is likely to increase the eventual inheritance tax bill for the next generation, since it would, in theory, annul the effects of any inheritance tax planning done under French law.

Therefore, whilst we agree that the new European rules will offer greater flexibility, which is very welcome, it will remain vital to plan each individual case, to ensure that UK law does not cause any additional problems and that there is not a more appropriate solution under French law.

Peter Wakelin, Siddalls France.

Peter Wakelin is Regional Manager of Siddalls France, Independent Financial Adviser, specialised in tax, inheritance, pension and investment planning for the British community in the Dordogne since 1996.

Telephone 05 56 34 75 51 - Email bordeaux. office@siddalls.net www.siddalls.fr

LEARNING FRENCH VIA INTERNET

Perhaps you would like to learn French in comfort at home or from your office? You are not in France and you wish to communicate with a native French person for one hour per week?

LONG-DISTANCE LEARNING is the answer. You only need internet access and a free Skype account.

It can be a one-to-one lesson or you can share the lesson with a person of the same level.

TRANSLATION SERVICES ALSO AVAILABLE

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

S

Pancake Day

hrove Tuesday is the last day before the beginning of Lent, the 40 day fast that comes before Easter. Lent is a time of abstinence, when many people choose to give something up, such as chocolate or sweets.

Therefore, Shrove Tuesday is the last chance to indulge yourself... and to use up the foods that aren’t allowed in Lent.

Fat, butter and eggs are three ingredients which were traditionally forbidden during Lent and over the years this has led to people eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. This tradition has led to the day becoming more commonly known as Pancake Day. Shrove Tuesday always falls exactly 47 days before Easter Sunday, so the date changes from year to year - according

to the Christian calendar, it will always fall between 3 February and 9 March. In 2014, Easter is relatively late, meaning Pancake Day will not happen until the 4 March - although you can also eat pancakes before this date!

Pancakes are very versatile and you can put almost anything you like on or in one, but the most common topping in the UK is sugar and lemon juice. The pancake is then usually rolled before being eaten.

Over the years a number of other traditions have been created around Pancake Day - the most fun of these is pancake racing. The object of the race is to get to the finishing line first, whilst flipping a pancake in a frying pan a minimum number of times along the way. Be careful - the pancake must

still be in one piece when you finish!

The most famous pancake race has taken place in Olney since 1455. Only local housewives may compete and in order to win, they must start with a hot pancake in the market square, run 375 metres to the church, flipping their pancake at least three times along the way. When they arrive at the church, they must serve their pancake to the bell ringer, and then be kissed by him. The record, set in 1967, is 63 seconds!!

Elsewhere, in Ashbourne, one of the world’s oldest, largest, longest and craziest football games begins on Shrove Tuesday every year.

The game is played over two days and involves thousands of players. The goals are more than 4 kilometres apart and there are not many rules! . ■

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

Bilingual Crossword Clues in English - answers in French

M

© 2009 - Robin Myerscough (WikiCommons)

Across:

ardi Gras est le dernier jour avant le commencement du Carême, la période de jeûne de 40 jours qui précède Pâques. Durant ce temps d’abstinence, de nombreuses personnes choisissent de se priver de certains aliments, tels que le chocolat ou les bonbons.

En conséquence, il vous reste une dernière chance de vous faire plaisir le jour de Mardi Gras …et de consommer les aliments défendus pendant le Carême.

Les matières grasses, le beurre et les œufs étaient les trois ingrédients alimentaires interdits durant cette période.

Au fil des ans, cette tradition a incité les gens à manger des pancakes le jour de Mardi Gras, dont le nom est devenu communément «La journée des Pancakes».

Mardi Gras tombe toujours 47 jours avant le dimanche de Pâques. La date est donc

mobile d’une année sur l’autre et est toujours fixée, selon le calendrier chrétien, entre le 3 février et le 9 mars. En 2014, la fête de Pâques sera célébrée relativement tard et la journée des Pancakes se fera attendre jusqu’au 4 mars … mais vous êtes autorisés à en manger avant cette date!

Le pancake se prête à de nombreuses recettes et les garnitures peuvent être multiples, soit en nappage soit mélangées à la pâte à crêpe. Au Royaume Uni, il est d’usage de l’accommoder avec du beurre et du jus de citron puis de le rouler avant de le consommer.

Au fil du temps, la journée des Pancakes a suscité l’organisation de nombreux événements dont le plus drôle est «la course de pancakes».

Les concurrents font la course tout en faisant sauter un pancake dans une poêle, un nombre minimum de fois. Le gagnant est celui qui franchit la ligne

d’arrivée en premier. Attention!

Le pancake doit arriver en un seul morceau!

La course de pancakes la plus fameuse a débuté à Olney en 1455. Seules les ménagères de la région peuvent entrer en compétition. Pour avoir une chance de gagner, elles doivent partir de la place du marché avec un pancake chaud, courir les 375 mètres jusqu’à l’église et faire sauter leur pancake au moins 3 fois sur le trajet. Une fois arrivées à l’église, elles doivent servir leur pancake au carillonneur qui doit les embrasser. Le record de 63 secondes date de 1967!

Ailleurs, à Ashbourne, se déroule chaque année l’un des doyens des matchs de football mais aussi l’un des plus dingues du monde pour son nombre de joueurs (ils sont des milliers) et sa longueur (il dure deux jours).

Quant aux buts, ils sont distants de 4 kilomètres et il n’y a que très peu de règles à respecter! ■

SIRET 502 409 212 00011 – APE 8559B

BILINGUAL ♦ 17

MARCH 2014 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

5. cockerel(3) 6. garbage(7) 8. meal(5) 9. keys(5) 11. divorced(7) 14. dresses(5) 15. pen(5) 17. jobs(7) 18. friend(3)

Down:

1. cheeks(5) 2. meadow(3) 3. advertising(9) 4. eggs(5) 7. chickenpox(9) 10. floor(3) 12. apple(5) 13. lead(5) 16. lily(3)

Bilingual crossword solution can be found on page 23

Did You Know?

The world's biggest pancake was cooked in Rochdale in 1994; it was an amazing 15 metres in diameter, weighed three tonnes and contained an estimated two million calories!!

Le Saviez-Vous?

Le plus grand pancake du monde fut cuisiné à Rochdale en 1994. Ses mensurations étaient impressionnantes puisqu’il mesurait 15 mètres de diamètre, pesait 3 tonnes et contenait environ 2 millions de calories!!

Bringing you news, views and events from across the Dordogne and surrounding areas.

18 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MARCH 2014

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sales24@thebugle.eu

05 55 41 17 76

Supplying all the necessary drawings, elevations & photo realisations for your application. We also offer a floor plan service. Dossiers compiled for: ● Certificat d'urbanisme ● Déclaration préalable ● Permis de construire

05 55 80 72 83 / 06 33 07 29 72 info@masterplans.eu siret: 790 016 984 00011

ElsaConception

(Architecture/ Design/ Decoration) Need interior design advice?

Planning a project? Giving a space a makeover?

Need to submit a building permit or a declaration?

I can support you in all your makeover, renovation or construction projects.

Sarlat and surrounding areas (up to 100km)

Tel: 06.87.09.38.94

Web: http://www.elsaconception.com

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

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76 Building Services

SIRET: 493 770 358 00015

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

General Skilled Workman Building Renovations & Small Jobs • Velux Windows • Roof Repairs • Tiling • Plumbing • Plaster boarding • Garden Projects & Maintenance For more info please call Barrie

05.55.02.66.58 / 06.76.09.68.37 Or visit my website

www.bw-renovations.co.uk SIRET: 501 338 230 00011

ADVERTORIAL

Big Dish Satellite - Satellite broadband solutions

H

ere at Big Dish Satellite, we have been supplying and installing the new generation Tooway satellite broadband system ever since it first launched in June 2011.

We brought a new approach to France by being the first satellite installation company to import all the necessary hardware from a UK service provider enabling everything to be in English… including the vital after-sales service.

The Tooway equipment is designed for self-installation and therefore slotted in to our wellestablished mail order business; we have now supplied several hundred Tooway kits throughout France and many customers have visited our workshop in the Limousin for a demonstration and have taken away the kit to install themselves.

In a new move, we can now supply and install the new Astra Connect satellite broadband system. This is a rival system to Tooway and has some interesting features which are not available on the Tooway system. The Astra Connect equipment is slightly cheaper to purchase outright and, just like Tooway, there is no ‘engagement’ with the service provider, so no minimum contract term.

Not everybody has 300+ euros in petty cash, so Astra Connect has a very interesting rental option in which the equipment will belong to the customer after 24 months… so the rental payments stop. Tooway also has a rental scheme but the equipment is never owned by the customer, no matter how long he (or she) rents the equipment for. With Astra Connect, you pay a one-off 60 euros fee and then 15 euros

per month on top of your monthly subscription. After 24 months, the 15 euros stops because you now own the equipment and you just continue to pay the monthly airtime.

Astra Connect monthly packages start at 10.95 euros, so satellite broadband is not going to break the bank and is a fairly painless way to rid you of the misery that is Dial-Up. Like Tooway, our service provider will automatically give you a British IP address to easily access UKonly sites and services.

Tooway stopped offering an Unlimited service to new customers last September; the most data that you can move now is capped at 50GB per month.

Astra Connect can offer you an Unlimited package, but speed restrictions will be applied to make sure everyone has fair and equal access to the system… all

very carefully explained on our website.

We have been ‘doing’ satellite from our Limousin base since 1998; we have a well-established mail order business and are still installing systems after all these years. Customers like the way we can sort out most problems over the phone, mainly through old-fashioned experience but also through sophisticated diagnostic tools put at our disposal by

EuropaSat, our UK-based internet service provider.

We have both Tooway and Astra Connect satellite broadband systems installed here… bring a laptop and give them a road test. We carry large stocks of both systems for take aways, installation or mail order. ■ John Sidwell www.bigdishsat.com 05 55 78 72 98

DIRECTORY ♦ 19

MARCH 2014 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76 Harlequin Developments All aspects of renovation and refurbishment, big or small, undertaken.

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

05.55.68.67.56 06.06.60.46.97

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

Building Services Electricians

Building Services Painters/ Decorators Simon Carter

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

SHAUN BARWICK QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN

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) Covering departments 87 and north 24

Tel: 09 72 35 74 73

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

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

05 53 74 01 91 or 06 01 31 07 47

Garden Services

sales24@thebugle.eu

05 55 41 17 76

Food & Drink

Gardening & Property Services Stuart Fieldhouse All aspects of garden maintenance: hedge cutting, mowing, fencing, etc as well as property maintenance.

References provided.

Coussac-Bonneval - 05 55 70 59 75 email: smincky@yahoo.com

05 55 41 17 76 Bar & Restaurant

24400 Beaupouyet (N89 between Montpon & Mussidan)

French/International cuisine.

Themed nights each Friday: 1st Friday - Curry night 2nd Friday - Quiz night 3rd Friday - Fish n Chips night “best around”!!

4th Friday - Live Music night Open Tue - Fri: 11am - 9pm (except Wed eve) Saturday 6pm - 10pm Sunday 12pm - 3pm, traditional English roasts served For further details call Steve:

05 53 80 29 54

or email: steve.francis24@gmail.com or facebook: Beaupouyet La Poutre

Your advert here

05 55 41 17 76

www.thedordognechippy.com 05 53 74 01 91 or 06 30 02 46 67 siret: 444 925 630 00014

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

Transport, Removals & Storage

Man & Van Transport Genuine/Reliable/Honest Local + Europe + UK runs Goods In Transit Insurance 14m3 capacity 4.2m load length French Spoken

05 55 33 21 59 Based southern 87, Oradour-sur-Vayres Siret 530 213 644 00012

Efficient parking for all types of vehicles Book now!!

www.parkinglimoges.com

06 13 38 59 68

3D Puzzle Maker Handmade, fully interlocking, multi-layered 3D puzzles from just €9.

Keyrings €2 plus other unique gift ideas.

Customisation and personalisation possible.

Postal delivery options across France.

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

sales24@thebugle.eu

CARPET / UPHOLSTERY CLEANING Specialists in all carpet and upholstery cleaning

PROCHEM trained and Qualified

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

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

Eco Entrepot aka The Shed

32,000ft2 of great products incl.

British Groceries, DIY, Housewares, Furniture, Clothing, Toiletries plus loads more!!

Open every day except Monday

Parking For Limoges Airport

Ivan Petley

General

05 55 68 74 73

Gifts & Crafts

Traditional Fish & Chips in a town near you

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

siret: 751 978 917 00019

www.frenchvanman.eu

The Dordogne Chippy

Your advert here

FREE DELIVERY ON ALL ORDERS OVER €10 WORLDWIDE

05 55 41 17 76

siret 537 415 903 00013

All venues are in the evening between 6pm & 8.30 pm (except Villereal which is at Lunch time) Tuesday: Monsegur or Tremolat Wednesday: Issigeac Thursday: Eymet Friday: Lauzun Saturday: Villereal (Lunch time) See our website for full details:

E: ANGI@CARDBUBBLE.COM

05 55 41 17 76

sales24@thebugle.eu

La Poutre

BUY YOUR BRITISH GREETINGS CARDS ONLINE!

sales24@thebugle.eu

siret: 792.130.932.00017

www.saraleigh.com

BARWICK ÉLECTRICITÉ

QUALITY CARDS AT UK PRICES!

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

O5.55.48.95.86

Siret: 507 643 336 00013

Specialising in home-made pastries: Sausage rolls, Pasties - Cornish, Cheese & Onion, Steak & Stilton, Vegetarian & Chicken.

Eccles cakes. Scones made to order.

All prepared and baked daily on the premises you cannot get fresher!

Bacon, cheese, bread, tea bags & tinned produce all in stock.

Find me at your local market: • Tue - Le Bugue • Thu - Eymet • Fri - Le Buisson • Sat - Villereal • Sun - Issigeac

Catering for you in the Dordogne

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

ELECTRICIAN

contact@saraleigh.com

WWW.CARDBUBBLE.COM

FREE QUOTES

Leigh Dodd

Rewires, renovations and all other electrical needs Fully insured, 25+ Years experience Based near St-Yrieix-la-Perche Depts covered: 24, 87 & 19

Karen’s Kitchen

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

SOS Help

anxious? stressed? feeling down? call us up!

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

www.soshelpline.org

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

05.55.41.17.76

20 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MARCH 2014

ADVERTORIAL

“SolarVenti”- the solar solution to damp and humidity

A

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 exceeded all expectations.

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

The installation process is very straightforward and should only take two or three hours.

All that is needed is a drill, hammer and chisel to make a hole in the wall. Roof installations are also possible. In fact, the Solarventi was originally designed to be a DIY product in Scandinavia it still is.

There are no electrical or

water connections and it can be safely left running, even when the property is empty. Solarventi requires no maintenance - if the property is unoccupied during the hot summer months, then it can be left running at low speeds for ventilation and dehumidification purposes or simply switched off.

With a range of panel sizes, and the option for wall or roof mounting, Solarventi is suitable for all types of buildings, caravans or even boats!!

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. ■

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

Advertising in The Bugle Business Directory Advertising your business couldn’t be easier. Text only, boxed listings are available in our Business Directory from just €13.50/month. Alternatively, why not spotlight your business with an Advertorial, available from 1/6 Page (€50 HT) up to Full Page (€300 HT). Both Directory Adverts and Advertorials represent a cost effective way to put your brand in front of more than 20,000 pairs of eyes each month!!

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

6-Month Contract €108

Small b&w Directory Ad

(€18/month)

Large b&w Directory Ad

(€24/month)

Small Colour Directory Ad

(€27/month)

Large Colour Directory Ad

(€36/month)

€144 €162 €216

12-Month Contract €162

(€13.50/month)

€216

(€18/month)

€243

(€20.25/month)

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

30 words max

€324

(€27/month)

Directory Advertising is available either in black and white or colour, and in either small (30 words max) or large (45 words max) format.

Directory adverts may only contain text - no logos, images or artwork are allowed. The minimum contract length is 6 months.

Advertising is payable on publication. All prices are HT.

SUDOKU - EASY

SUDOKU - MEDIUM

SUDOKU - HARD

The solutions to this month’s sudokus can be found on page 22

To advertise in The Bugle 05.55.41.17.76 / sales24@thebugle.eu

WHAT’S ON ♦ 21

MARCH 2014 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

WHAT’S

ON in March

Manufacture of Verteillac Félibrée decorations - 1st-31st March The Félibrée (Felibrejada in Occitan) is an annual festival of Occitan language and heritage. It travels around different towns and villages of the Périgord each year and this year it’s coming to Verteillac, which will be spectacularly decorated with paper flowers for the occasion.

Flower making workshops are taking place throughout March in Verteillac and environs. Interested volunteers please visit the Félibréé Verteillac Facebook page for details of dates and times or contact Guy Coussy - email: coussy.guyserge@orange.fr

Got an event...? notices@thebugle.eu

Le Grand Carnaval de Périgueux - Sunday 2nd March Grand carnival parade through the quartiers of the town, arriving at place Bugeaud for speeches by the mayor and the carnival president, and finishing on the quais with the traditional judgement of Pétassou at 17h30.

Procession route: 9h quartier de St Georges; 9h45 quartier de Vésone; 10h45 quartier du Gour de l’Arche; 11h30 stops in place Verdun, quartier du Toulon; 14h30 continues on the boulevards Montaigne; 16h arrives place Bugeaud.

Concert by the Vox Vesunna Male Choir Sunday 2nd March, Pressignac-Vicq Eglise de Pressignac. 16h. Tickets €10; Free for Under 16s.

For more information visit www.vox-vesunna.com

Avalon Celtic Dances Saturday 8th March, Bergerac Irish dance spectacular with dancers from the troupes Lord of the Dance , Riverdance and Feet of Flames, and Scottish singer Jamie McMenemy.

Centre Culturel Michel Manet, place Gambetta, Bergerac. 20H45. Tickets €35.

Reservations : www.ticketnet.fr / www.fnac.fr

22 ♦ WHAT’S ON

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MARCH 2014

Exhibition of Sculpture by Sy Capellino 1st-31st March

L’Atelier Contempora presents an exhibition of sculptures by Sy Capellino at the Atelier Contempora, 40 rue Notre Dame, Ribérac.

Open Tuesday – Saturday from 14h-18h.

For more info, visit http://atelier.contempora.over-blog.com/

“Carnavélo” Le Carnaval des Familles Sunday 16th March, Bergerac

This year’s Carnavélo Carnival celebrates the coming of the 2014 Tour de France which passes through the town in July.

There are two parades on the left and right banks of the river: Departure Left Bank - rue Van Gogh at 13h15; Departure Right Bank - Maison du quartier - Salle René Coicaud at 13h30. The festivities start in place de la République at 14h with lots of entertainment for the whole family.

Eymet Sport Relief Mile 2014 Sunday 23rd March

Soirée de la Saint Patrick Friday 14th March, Sarlat Celtic night of music with Brittany group Plantec, The Churchfitters and Three Daft Monkeys.

Salle Paul Éluard, Centre Culturel, Sarlat-la-Canéda. 21h.

Tickets €15-€20.

For tickets tel 05 53 31 09 49 and for more information visit www.sarlat-centreculturel.fr

This is the third time the Sport Relief Mile has been held in Eymet; the last event in 2012 raised €1,200 - all of the money raised goes directly to Sport Relief.

WHERE & WHEN: Stade de Bretou in Eymet (24500). Gates open from 10am. There will be two Mile departures: the 1st is at 10:30am, the second at 11:15am.

WHO: You don’t need to be a runner to take part in the Eymet Sport Relief Mile, everybody can join in the fun - you can run it, walk it, hop or even skip your way around! The Mile course is a gentle loop around the lovely parc de Bretou, passing alongside the river Dropt.

ENTRY: €6 for adults, €3 for children (3-16 years) and €15 for families. The entry fee will be collected on the gate on the day of the Mile, so come a bit before your chosen Mile start time.

ABOUT THE EYMET SPORT RELIEF MILE If you would like to help raise

EASY

MEDIUM

HARD

even more money for Sport Relief, then why not get your friends and family to sponsor you - perhaps for doing it in fancy dress! Sponsorship forms are available from the Sport Relief website at http://www.sportrelief.com/ sponsorship-forms/ssrg If you have friends and family abroad who would like to sponsor you, you can also create a giving page via the Sport Relief website. There will be drinks and cakes for sale on the day.

CONTACT & MORE INFORMATION Ben Dykes tel 05.47.77.29.84 - email ben. dykes@sfr.fr Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EymetMile Help spread the word about the Eymet Sport Relief Mile:

“Like” the Facebook page or contact Ben for a printable poster that you can put up where you are or email on to all your friends.

ABOUT SPORT RELIEF As one of the UK’s biggest fundraising events, Sport Relief brings the entire nation together to get active, raise cash and change lives.

Since 2002, Sport Relief has raised over £195 million.

The money raised by the public is spent by Comic Relief to help people living incredibly tough lives, both at home in the UK and across the world. Visit sportrelief. com to keep up with the latest news. Sport Relief is an initiative of Comic Relief, registered charity 326568 (England/Wales); SC039730 (Scotland).

WHAT’S ON ♦ 23

MARCH 2014 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Phoenix Appeal for CHARLIE “Hi, I’m Charlie, and I’m a young, good-looking dude, as you can see. Life hasn’t always been a breeze, though. I was loved once, but then abandoned when my owners moved away.

Despite this, I am really friendly and affectionate. I’m not even a year old yet.

I would just like to stare like this into my own family's eyes and be secure forever. I will give you loads of cuddles in return.

Contact Lynda on lapuille@gmail.com or telephone 05 53 81 30 44. Thank you.”

For more animals awaiting homes visit: www.phoenixasso.com www.facebook.com/PhoenixAssociationFrance

We understand that life can be difficult for expats living away from the UK and that sometimes assistance is needed. We will listen and try to help when that help is needed. As I am sure you realise, there seems to be this popular misconception that expats living outside of the UK live in large houses with hectares of ground and that nobody ever has problems. As we all know this is far from the truth and even the best laid plans can fall apart due to sudden changes in health, bereavement, family breakdown or a host of other unforeseen problems.

Registered charity Elizabeth Finn Care is able to offer direct financial assistance to British and Irish nationals or residents who live overseas. We ensure that our help does not affect any means-tested payments.

Briefly we can consider assisting those who: 1. Are British or Irish residents or nationals.

2. Are living on a low income or means-tested benefits.

3. Have formerly been employed in one of a wide range of qualifying occupations. Have, or have had, a partner employed in a qualifying occupation.

We are able to consider assisting financially in numerous ways.

For more information contact: Mary Hughes - Case worker France, Elizabeth Finn Care tel: 04 68 23 43 79 or visit: www.elizabethfinncare.org.uk and: www.turn2us.org.uk

Market Days

Monday Beynac Le Fleix Les Eyzies Ste-Alvère

Tuesday

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

Wednesday

English speakers can now turn to L’Association France Alzheimer Dordogne for help and support. A group led by English speakers now meets weekly in Bergerac. As a charitable organisation the Association cannot provide medical care or treatment. But as a social network we can offer support and guidance to anyone dealing with the day-to-day difficulties affecting those with dementia, their families and their carers and assist with how to access the best provisions of care. Our anglophone group meets on Tuesday mornings in our centre at 2, rue Emile Counord, Bergerac. Please feel free to drop in without appointment on any Tuesday morning after 10am to meet others who face the same challenges. If you are unable to attend the group you can also access our assistance through our English Helpline between 10am and midday on Tuesday mornings: 09 64 21 40 86.

L’Association France Alzheimer Dordogne 2, rue Emile Counord, 24100 Bergerac Mail: alzheimer.dordogne@orange.fr Website: www.francealzheimer-dordogne.org

Managing Editor: Steve Martindale Editor-in-Chief: Steve Martindale Registered Address: Les Quatre Chemins

23150 St-Yrieix-les-Bois France SIRET: 514 989 748 00017 Printed by: Charente Libre

16340, L’Isle d’Espagnac France Monthly circulation: 11,000 copies All copyright, unless stated otherwise, is reserved to The Bugle. Reproduction in whole or part of any text without permission is prohibited.

Dépôt légal à parution.

Bergerac Hautefort Jumilhac-le-Grand La Tour Blanche Montpon-Ménestérol Montignac Périgueux Piégut Pluviers Razac Sarlat Siorac-en-Périgord Vélines

Thursday

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

Directeur: Steve Martindale Rédacteur-en-chef: Steve Martindale Siège Les Quatre Chemins

23150 St-Yrieix-les-Bois France SIRET: 514 989 748 00017 Imprimé par: Charente Libre

16340, L’Isle d’Espagnac France

Tirage mensuel:

11,000 copies

Tous droits réservés. Toute reproduction, totale ou partielle, des articles et illustrations du présent numéro est strictement interdite.

Dépôt légal à parution.

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

Friday Bergerac Brantôme Cubjac Le Buisson Ribérac Sarlat Sigoulès Vergt

Saturday

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

Sunday

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

24 ♦ WHAT’S ON

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MARCH 2014