The Bugle Dordogne - May 2017 by The Bugle

The brown bears making a comeback

After becoming extinct in France, brown bears are now staging a comeback in the Pyrenees >> Page 11 November 2016 - Issue #85

Dordogne

Your local newspaper for life in France

May 2017 - Issue 47 - FREE!

Seismic shift in French politics With

the

mainstream

candidates

Bringing people together, one meal at a time - page 4

eliminated in the first round, France must now choose its next president

from two political outsiders. performance of left-wing firebrand, Jean-Luc Mélenchon who gained 19.5% of the vote. Republican François Fillon, who bounced back from “Penelopegate” but could still not overhaul Le Pen to make the second round, just pipped Mélenchon into third place, but together the two candidates attracted almost 40% of the vote. Where these voters now turn could decide who enters the Elysée Palace in May. Fillon has backed Macron, but Mélenchon has so far refused to back either candidate, raising the possibility that a section of anti-globalisation voters could find common cause with Marine Le Pen. Fillon is positioned to the right of his Les Républicains party and if Le Pen softens her message

>> continued on page 7

The attraction lit by visitor power! - pg 3

Laguiole finally wins legal battle - pg 10

French tax declaration window opens - pg 11

The Bugle Business Directory - pg 14-16

erhaps the biggest shock of the first round of voting in this year’s presidential elections was the fact that the pollsters were spot on in almost all their predictions. Centrist Emmanuel Macron came out on top with 23.75% of the vote, slightly ahead of the National Front’s Marine Le Pen with 21.53%. Pre-election polling accurately predicted both candidates’ share of the vote to within 0.6%, and correctly placed the top five contenders in what was a very tight race. This was an impressive achievement given the wildly inaccurate polling in the run-up to the UK’s last general election, the Brexit referendum and Trump’s election. The surprise of the first round was arguably the

INSIDE > > >

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

Don’t let the banks cash in!

www.hifx.co.uk

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

2 ♦ IN THIS EDITION

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MAY 2017

R.S.M.DISTRIBUTION

NEW WAREHOUSE NOW OPEN IN DORDOGNE Sarlande (24270) UK Mattresses now available in France Famous named brands in stock, in all sizes: Silentnight - Rest Assured - Sealy - Airsprung

www.fudgejj.com Siret 531 167 443 00013

email: ray.mole@wanadoo.fr - Tel: 05 49 87 67 34 By appointment only

Welcome to

The Bugle

t just seems that there’s no getting away from voting and elections at the moment! First it was the 2015 general election in the UK, followed a year later by the EU referendum and the US presidential elections. All three dominated the headlines for long periods of time and now we find ourselves in the middle of another seismic political shift as France chooses between two political outsiders for its next president. I feel like I’m suffering from voting fatigue, despite the fact that I haven’t actually had the right to vote in any one of the above. If that wasn’t enough, there is now also another general election looming in the UK, one that will in all likelihood set the tone for the upcoming Brexit negotiations. And despite being led to believe that as a 15-year-expat I would soon have the right to vote in future UK elections, I will once again be disenfranchised on 8th June when my compatriots make a decision that will directly affect my future and that of my children. A vote can be a powerful thing and it is incredibly frustrating to me personally to feel like a

spectator to such momentous decisions. As I always say, if you have the right to vote in either the French or UK elections... use it! It would appear that we called it right in these pages last month (albeit with a massive caveat!) when we predicted a Macron-Le Pen run-off and all pointers currently suggest that 39-year-old Emmanuel Macron will indeed be France’s next president. It is easy to overlook what a shockwave this election has sent through French politics. The equivalent in the UK would be if the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat candidates were all knocked out in round one (and in Labour’s case, with just 6% of the vote), leaving an Independent candidate to fight it out with a more right-wing version of Nigel Farage! One year ago, it would have been unthinkable that no (historically) major political party would have a candidate in the second round of voting. I don’t think that is necessarily a bad thing, either. I’ve gone on record as saying that I don’t agree with Marine Le Pen’s policies, but French politics did need a shake-up and much of what is now happening is in

response to her rising influence over recent years. The French have shown they are fed up with the status quo and change is now coming; I personally hope that that change comes under the leadership of Macron. So often in recent years, a vote for “change” or the “outsider” has required a vote for someone with fairly extreme views; you might not like everything they stand for, but you’re fed up with the mainstream options. Macron has managed to tap into that sentiment without resorting to xenophobia, fear and “alternative facts”. He feels like a bloody nose for mainstream politics, despite being firmly in the centre himself. Will anything actually change? Who knows, but it’s worth a try and I personally will feel much safer if it isn’t Le Pen driving the car. In more light-hearted news, and as a complete non sequitur, I’ve always liked being a Steve. It feels like a solid kind of name. I hated being a Steven when I was a kid (constantly having to qualify my name as “Stevenwith-a-V”, although, that said, I do still have to qualify my name to French speakers as “Stevewith-one-E”... honestly, who spells it Steeve...?!) So it was amusing to see a recent report that a new and hitherto unknown form of aurora has been officially named Steve. Testing revealed the late night light show was a hot stream of fast-flowing gas in the higher reaches of the atmosphere, similar to the more famous Northern Lights, or aurora borealis. The story culminated in this quote from a scientist

Experienced, Registered & Fully Insured No mess, no fuss Based near Ribérac (will travel)

at the European Space Agency, which is now on the wall of my office in 120pt font: “It turns out that Steve is actually remarkably common, but we hadn’t noticed it before”! Apparently the group chose the name Steve in homage to the 2006 children’s film, Over the Hedge, where the characters give the name to a creature they have not seen before. For fans of Edward Lear’s poems, I am The Scroobious Pip of the 21st century! And finally, on to more boring matters... tax returns. The deadlines for online and paper declarations are fast approaching (see page 11), so if you are tax resident in France, don’t forget! And don’t be afraid... France has a fearsome reputation for high tax rates, but in actual fact it is social contributions on income that tend to be more significant and almost half of all households in this country actually pay no income tax at all!! Until next month! Steve Martindale, Editor

Email: cinderssweep@gmail.com

T: 05 53 91 87 88

siret: 484 768 700 00029

SAVE UP TO 50% OFF RRP

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

INSIDE this edition 3-5 Local News 6-11 National News 12-13 French Life 14-16 Directory 17 Community 18-20 What’s On

Copy deadline for advertising and content:

15th May for June’s edition

LOCAL NEWS ♦ 3

MAY 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Visitor powered caves Sarlat terrace tax cut proposal

he major tourist attraction may be millions of years old but Le gouffre de Proumeyssac, at Audrix in the Périgord Noir, now has the very latest technology addressing modern-day issues. Visitors to the network of caves are invited to take a quick ride on one of six generator bikes that have been installed, in order to produce a part of the electricity needed for their visit. An average of 10 minutes on the “Velwatt” produces around 8 watts, compared with some low-energy bulbs that need 10 watts to produce light! The initiative is a collaboration with the Atelier du Son et de l’Image, a hi-tech sound and light lab in Châteaul’Évêque, near Périgueux and is being funded by the region and ADEME (French Environment & Energy Management Agency) at a cost of €95,000. It forms part of the site’s commitment to lowering its environmental impact

T for which it received the NF Environnement eco-label in 2016. The caves at Proumeyssac were surrounded by legend and horror stories for centuries before a comprehensive exploration in 1907 and today they are the largest cave network in the Périgord open to the public. A short tunnel leads into the heart of this attraction, a vast chamber called the “Crystal Ca-

thedral”, with its spectacular lighting effects. Site manager, Alain Francès, has said that his aim is to get 30 to 35% of the power needed for a visit generated by the bicycles. Alain demonstrated how a hard pedalling visitor will receive encouragement and congratulations from the bike and can also earn an online certificate for meeting the machine’s target. ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe

Check out our NEW website:

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

Ref: 6440-VI €574,350 HAI DPE: D. This pretty property has been tastefully renovated and comprises: 3 bedroom main house with many original features, a 2/3 bed guest house/ gîte and a swimming pool. A superb setting with breathtaking countryside views. Taux d’honoraires

Ref: 6447-VI €73,700 HAI DPE: non requis. Character stone house to restore. On 3 levels with a good size garden of just under half an acre, the pigeonnier offers great views over the countryside and just a short walk to a popular Bastide village. Taux d’honoraires

547,000€ (5%) inclus à la charge de l’acquéreur

67,000€ (10%) inclus à la charge de l’acquéreur

Ref: 3506-EY €270,000 HAI DPE: E. Traditional Perigourdine style property with 4 bedrooms, 2 reception rooms, modern ﬁtted kitchen, dining room, a large covered terrace overlooking the swimming pool and just over ½ acre of gardens. Taux d’honoraires 252,336€

Ref: 6435-EY €997,500 HAI DPE: B. Fabulous panoramic views from this luxurious Manor House that comprises: 6 bedroom main house, separate 2 bedroom guest accommodation, a studio, a large barn, a windmill and just over 11 acres of land. Taux d’honoraires 950,000€ (5%) inclus à la

(7%) inclus à la charge de l’acquéreur

charge de l’acquéreur

Ofﬁces at : Eymet, Beynac, Monpazier & Villeréal

ourism is the lifeblood of many rural communes in south-west France and nowhere more so than in the Périgord. The Dordogne’s fabulous wealth of history and culture, together with its benign climate, make it a massive attraction for visitors from all over the world. For many businesses, however, the tourist trade is a very seasonal phenomenon and can make for a difficult business model. With a general unease about the possible effects of Brexit on the expat and tourist trade, it is felt that the time has come for a creative rethink. To combat the sad winter scene of empty, closed terraces, Sarlat town council has unveiled an innovative plan in the form of reduced taxes on the pavement terrasses of restaurants and bars. To qualify for the proposed 10% reduction, businesses must not close for more than 5 consecutive weeks between September and the following August. Jean-Jacques de Peretti, mayor of Sarlat, is just one person dismayed at town centre bars and restaurants

that remain closed for six months of the year, reducing the town’s low season attractiveness. The plan has received a cautious welcome, with many local officials arguing for even bigger incentives. Councillor Anick Le Goff claims that terrasse taxes are far too high in any case, particularly when compared to places like Cannes and Bordeaux: a typical monthly cost is €210 per square metre in Sarlat, compared with €183 in St-Tropez! One local restaurateur, Serge Valentinuz of Le Practice, is not impressed. “They put the charges up by 5% last year so the new plan is actually just a 5% reduction. It’s not enough.” Sébastien Maleville and Karine Pau of L’Ardoise are working to build up more of a local clientele, especially over the school holidays in winter. “This is a start at least. It is difficult to attract customers when the town looks empty and closed.” The scheme begins in earnest in September this year. ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe

4 ♦ LOCAL NEWS

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MAY 2017

Bringing people together, Young northerners help restore Dordogne château one meal at a time

n a trans-region initiative, youngsters from the north of France have been involved in rebuilding one of the Dordogne’s finest ruined châteaux. The Château de Miremont, near les Eyzies, recently hosted a team of 8 boys and girls from Marly in the Nord department, close to the Belgian border. The group is part of a visionary plan to benefit the youngsters while at the same time providing extra labour for essential renovation and restoration work on the medieval château. The château was built in the 12th century and had a facelift in the 1500s, before falling into disuse and ruins over the last 200 years as locals used it as a quarry.

group of free-thinking friends have been busy travelling the length and breadth of the country as part of their innovative and unconventional Tour de France. Rather than spending 6 hours in the saddle each day, the group has been sitting down at a table to talk life and politics with strangers. Their 20-stop Tour mirrors the route being taken by the peloton later this year. The Tour, which ends in Paris on the eve of this month’s second round of the presidential elections, aims to gather citizens from different backgrounds to debate and talk politics. All are welcome, those who vote and those who don’t. There is only one rule: diners are not allowed to mention individual candidates or political parties! So why are the group going to such lengths to discuss what can be such a divisive topic of conversation? “To create a real debate beyond the ‘débats télévisés’ and social media echo chambers, where people from different horizons can meet and share ideas,” explained Francesca Cartier, one of the Tour’s organisers. “We want to show that politics can be intimate and collaborative - and that we can go beyond the culture of division that we saw in the media during Brexit and Trump. If nothing else, to show that strangers with different opinions can share a great meal together.” Whilst the group are closing in on the finish line, there is still time to get involved as the penultimate stage of the event will be held at the Temps Pizz’ restaurant in Bergerac on Friday 5th May at 7 pm. To find out more about the project, or to book a seat at the table, see: www.atablecitoyens.org www.facebook.com/atablecitoyens/

Like their friends in Marly’s renowned apprentice college, the youngsters’ days consisted of courses in basic masonry skills, hammer and chisel use and site experience, all in the picturesque south Dordogne. The group was accompanied by teachers from the Sauvegarde du Nord organisation which aims to provide support for disadvantaged children and young people. The weeklong course is aimed at basic construction but also social and interpersonal skills. A period of balmy Dordogne weather, Miremont’s stunning views and the glorious Dordogne are a welcome bonus during their afternoons off. ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe

Thinking inside the box!

ardeners in the Dordogne are reporting a large outbreak of a pest that attacks box trees and bushes (see photo). The damage is being caused by the “box tree caterpillar” (pyrale du buis). While the moth of this species is largely harmless, the voracious larvae specialise in devouring box plants, often used as hedges, shrubs and topiary. Originating in Asia, the pest was first noticed in the UK in 2011 and it now has a grip on the Dordogne. The larvae feed on the leaves and shoots, producing webbing over their feeding area. They can be treated with synthetic

insecticides like cypermethrin, deltamethrin or pyrethroid insecticides, which must be thoroughly applied inside the bush, and under leaves. To avoid harming bees and useful insects this should ideally be applied late

in the evening. Topiary is especially vulnerable and the work of decades can be destroyed in a matter of weeks. Vigilance is recommended followed by swift action. ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe

LOCAL NEWS ♦ 5

MAY 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

local boy received a welcome gift from Bergerac’s Rotary Club this Easter when he was presented with a brand new set of wheels. Quite a gift for an 8-yearold you might think, until you learn that Pierre Vandenberghe suffers from muscular dystrophy and the new car is essential for him and his family. As his condition has deteriorated, Pierre now needs a wheelchair to get about - anywhere further than a few steps is out of the question. With his father currently unemployed and his mother Séverine his full-time carer, Pierre’s family simply could not afford a vehicle adapted to take the specially built wheelchair. At this point Bergerac

Rotary club stepped up to the plate. This organisation of generous business folk has been supporting sufferers of Charcot’s Disease, a neurodegenerative condition, for a quarter of a century. During that time they have acquired a range of equipment that they lend out... including a mobility-modified Berlingo. “We are delighted to be able to give Pierre the use of this vehicle for as long as he needs it,” said Jean-Pierre Durou of the Rotary Club Bergerac Cyrano. “We have a range of wheelchairs too but unfortunately none that could meet Pierre’s needs.” A chair is also on its way, however, thanks to the MDPH (Departmental Home for Disabled Persons), the social security system and support from

the Lions’ Club. “We really can’t imagine how we could have done anything without all this help,” explained his smiling mother. “We’ve had many sleepless nights over this and Pierre is getting too big for me to move on my own. The chair and Berlingo combination is a tremendous relief and the hitech chair should be ready in time for Pierre’s school holidays!” Pierre has the Duchenne type of Muscular Dystrophy, a severe version for which there is no known cure at present. It mainly attacks boys from the age of 4 and by 12 most sufferers are unable to stand due to rapid muscle wastage. Treatments to slow the progress of the disease include steroids and surgery. ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe

Bergerac Rotarians’ End of the road for Dordogne bike race help for local boy

ace organisers of the Tour de la Dordogne have just announced that the 2017 race, scheduled for 6th to 9th July, will not take place. The bike race has been held annually since 1987, drawing riders from across Europe and Africa as well as attracting local and national talent. Serge Sallès, the Tour’s president and stalwart since the earliest days announced the sad news at Easter. He explained that despite running for over 30 years, the event somehow never developed the devoted and fanatical fan base among the locals that often characterizes similar events elsewhere. While the departmental council has regularly subsidised the Tour, falling financial participation from the various communes of the

Dordogne has jeopardized the €100,000 budget required to run the race. Thirty-three teams were already signed up for 2017 and many Dordogne residents were left disappointed by the news. No more so than in Mensignac, which has hosted a stage of the Tour every year since 1987, and Lanouaille, with its popular Excideuil to Clairvivre section. Tour supporters had hoped that the interest generated by the Tour de France passing through the region may have rubbed off on the local cycling fans. “We were too naïve, it turned out that was not the case,” admits Mr Sallès. “But if an equally crazy visionary backer were to step in for 2018, I for one would be delighted!” ■

by Brian Hinchcliffe

6 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MAY 2017

On behalf of the commerçants of Eymet, it is business as usual while the road upgrades continue!!

Massive offshore wind farm New diagnostic check project given approval rules for landlords

pproval has been granted for a massive wind farm project off the Brittany coast – the country's largest ever project of its kind. In total, 62 turbines, each an impressive 216 metres tall, will generate 496 MW of electricity, seven times more than the largest current wind farm, off the coast of Toulouse. The €2.5 billion project is being undertaken by Ailes Marines which aims to start producing power by 2020, providing enough energy for 850,000 people.

“It will be the first marine renewable energy project of such a scale in Brittany and one of the first of this nature at a national level to receive authorisation,” a spokesperson from Ailes Marines told FranceInfo. The location of the wind farm project in the Baie de Saint-Brieuc, also the site of a nature reserve, has caused some opposition against wind energy projects. The closest turbine will be 16 km off the north coast between Ile de Bréhat and Saint-Malo, an area that was of significant strategic importance

during the Second World War; as such, a UK coastal survey vessel has been sweeping the area for unexploded mines and bombs in advance of construction starting. Elsewhere, work continues on a proposed underwater power station off the coast of Cherbourg, where seven OpenHydro turbines have been installed in waters 30m deep to harness the power of the tide. It is hoped the project will eventually produce 14 MW of power, estimated to be enough for 10,000 people each year. ■

ver the coming months, landlords in France will be required to have diagnostic checks performed on their property's gas and electricity installations. The law, introduced as part of the package of reforms known as the loi Alur, comes into force on 1st July and will initially apply to all rental properties in shared buildings (flats, apartments, etc.) built prior to 1975. From 1st January next year the rules will apply to all rental properties, whether furnished or unfurnished. The reports, which must be carried out by a qualified diagnostiqueur, are aimed at protecting tenants; they already form part of the house buying process, but have never before applied to rental agreements. Once issued, gas and electricity certificates will be valid for six years, twice as long as those for house sales. According to a recent report, as many as 4 out of every 5 properties contain potentially dangerous gas installations, a figure that rises to 9 out of 10 for electricity systems. The most common irregularity highlighted in the diagnostic report involves the grounding of the electricity system, either because an earth cable is not present or is not correctly installed. Another common fault is the presence of obsolete equipment that no longer conforms under current safety regulations. A study by the National Electrical Safety Observatory revealed that more than 200,000 homes catch fire each year and as many as 60% of these fires are related to electrical equipment. A further 5,000 people are poisoned each year as a result of gas leaks, leading to 100 deaths. Landlords who flout the new regulations risk having their properties deemed unfit for purpose; the tenants are then no longer required to pay rent and the landlord must find them alternative accommodation at his own cost. To find a qualified professional, search for “diagnostic immobilier” in the yellow pages: www.pagesjaunes.fr ■ Gas checks will include three main safety points: • the status of fixed appliances for heating and domestic hot water production. • the condition of fixed gas supply piping. • the layout of the rooms, allowing for correct ventilation and the evacuation of emissions. Electricity installation checks will include: • a check of the general controls and safety apparatus, and their accessibility. • the presence of at least one differential device appropriate for earthing. • a power surge protection device on each circuit. • the respect of regulations for electricity sources in rooms containing a bath or shower.

NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 7

MAY 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Très Jolie

Mini Digger

Advertise here from just €36 HT / month

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

(See Notice Board for where to ﬁnd me)

Paula Bonella

with Driver for Hire

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

05.55.41.17.76

05 55 78 62 29 06 04 08 29 53

sales24@thebugle.eu

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

John Bonella

87440 Marval

05 55 78 62 29

siret no. 523 183 580 00019

john.bonella@gmail.com

>> continued from pg 1 even slightly, she could attract a significant proportion of his voters. Despite this, Marine Le Pen still faces an uphill battle if she is to win the second round of voting on 7th May. Polls currently show Macron with a 20 point lead and the 39-year-old remains the odds-on favourite to become France’s next president, as well as its youngest since Napoleon. Macron gained almost one million more votes than his rival in the first round of voting and traditionally the mainstream parties - and the majority of the public - would now rally around any candidate standing against a far-right opponent. This was certainly the case in 2002 when Marine Le Pen’s father made it to the second round before being defeated by Jacques Chirac by 82% to 18%. Today’s politics represents a different landscape, however. The rise of nationalism and populism has coincided with a softening of the FN’s message under Marine Le Pen - Front National is no longer the dirty word it once was - and probably the biggest hurdle to a Macron presidency is second round abstentionism. “If there is a very weak turnout for Macron and very strong support for Le Pen, she could go above 50% of the vote,” explained political scientist Aurélien Preud’homme. “If Le Pen gets 42% of the vote, which

isn’t impossible, and Macron gets 58%, normally she loses the election,” said physicist and Sciences Po political expert Serge Galam. “But if 90% of people who said they would vote for Le Pen do it, and at the same time only 65% of people who declared they would vote for Macron actually do it, then it’s Marine Le Pen who wins the election with a score of 50.07%.” In this regard, the timing of the vote may work in Le Pen’s favour. With the vote coming the Sunday before a public holiday, will people stay at home for the long weekend just to vote? This logic can apply both ways but the Macron support is more city-based, voters who are more likely to venture away from home. Whatever happens, the 2017 presidential elections represent a seismic shift in French politics. In a country where the word has a huge significance, many are still calling it a revolution. The historic first round result marked the rejection of the ruling political class - it was the first time in post-war France that the traditional left and right ruling parties were both ejected from the race in the first round. Whoever wins, a political “outsider” will be the country’s next president and the face of French politics will change significantly. Macron, a former investment banker has never previously held elected office. He was a chief adviser and then economy minister to the Socialist President François

Houses on Internet is a marketing service that allows private owners of French property to sell their house without using an estate agent. A method that has proven to be very successful. How does it work? 1. We make a website for your property in English, French and Dutch. The main website is available in Russian too. 2. We connect that website to our main site which gets over 130,000 visitors from 40+ countries per month. 3. We advertise your property on several international French-property websites. This way we reach 1.5 million people a month worldwide. What does it cost? We ask a contribution to the advertising cost up front and after the sale a fee of 2.5%, which is included in the selling price. Houses on Internet operates throughout France with a staff of 7 professionals and 89 local photographers who visit our clients to take photos and gather all information. For more information, visit our website or give us call us at +31 (0)6 41 20 73 69.

WWW.HOUSESONINTERNET.COM Plus Vite!

Moins Cher!

Macron and Le Pen vie for French presidency

Hollande before sensationally quitting government last year to launch his own political movement, En Marche ! (On The Move). He is not actually a member of any political party; he defines himself as “neither left nor right” and promises to “revolutionise” what he calls France’s vacuous and decaying political system. Entering the race he had no experience of electoral politics. He had no party backing. He had none of the organisational support of the Socialists, the Republicans or

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

even the National Front. And yet somehow Emmanuel Macron read the zeitgeist and found an untapped reservoir of support. France must now choose between Macron and a far-right candidate who has vowed to leave the EU, bring back the Franc and close the country’s borders. For many voters this is choosing between a rock and a hard place, but for many more it represents a move away from traditional, failing politics and a significant step towards a brighter future. ■

MICHAELS MOVERS UK ↔ France ↔ UK

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

Dave: 06 42 73 83 37 Martin: 05 55 61 93 07 Windows, Doors & Dormers.

Removals Full & Part loads - All size of vehicles Storage facilities in Sussex

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

Removals, storage & house clearance in Dordogne

Structural & load bearing work.

www.dordognestoragesolutions.com

All types of structure... stone, block, timber, etc.

Removals across France and to anywhere in Europe. We can also transport cars, boats and plant.

New, old, or adjustment to existing openings.

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

Structural concrete specialists.

siret: 795 207 067 00013

siret: 531 768 182 00010

8 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MAY 2017

ETA hands over weapons in step towards disarmament

he Basque separatist group ETA has revealed the location of 8 massive arms dumps across southern France as part of its move to finally disarm. The group, which is one of Europe's few home-grown terrorist-designated organisations, claimed that the cache contained 118 pistols, rifles and automatic weapons and 25,700 rounds of ammunition, as well as 2,875 kilogrammes of explosive materials. Founded in 1959, ETA has been blamed for the deaths of 829 people in a string of bombings and shootings dating back to 1968 as it fought for an independent Basque region between France and Spain. Thousands more were injured. When the locations were handed over in a black dossier, France mobilised nearly 200 police, along with bomb disposal experts, to secure the weapons. French investigators quickly opened a preliminary terrorism investigation to use forensic evidence to ascertain if any of the weapons seized had been used in previous crimes. “It's a decisive step towards the end of Basque separatist terrorism,” said French prime minister Bernard Cazeneuve, who welcomed the move by ETA. “The dangerous weapons will be destroyed. Whether the disarmament is, effectively, total will also be established.” The handing over of weapons was greeted less warmly by the Spanish government, who warned the group it would receive “nothing” in return – it had made no previous concessions beyond allowing the handover to happen. “ETA will not reap any political advantage or profit,” said Inigo Mendez de Vigo, Spain's culture minister and government spokesman. “The only logical

response to this situation is for ETA to announce its definitive dissolution, to apologise to its victims and to disappear rather than mount media operations to disguise its defeat.” “The government will not change its position: terrorists cannot expect favourable treatment... much less impunity for their crimes,” added Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy in a statement. Northern Ireland's Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, who is credited with convincing the IRA to give up their armed campaign which saw 3,000 deaths, welcomed ETA's “historic” decision to put “its weapons beyond use”. He also called on the French and Spanish governments to “demonstrate generosity in their response” and for Spanish authorities to “address the issue of political prisoners”. ETA has been attempting to negotiate on behalf of its roughly 350 members imprisoned across Europe to have them moved to more favourable conditions in a Basque prison. There are also a number of members who are wanted by Spanish authorities and in hiding. The group has been accused of being blind to the fact that it has already been defeated and is negotiating from a position of weakness. Spain regards those concerned as terrorists and not political prisoners and has shown no intentions of any concessions. ETA announced in 2010 that it would not carry out further attacks and in January 2011, it declared a permanent and “internationally verifiable” ceasefire but refused to disarm. In recent years, police in France and Spain have arrested hundreds of ETA members, with a number of senior figures among them, and had already seized many of its weapons. ■

Eco grazing sheep

here's plenty to look at while driving round the ring road of Paris, but one thing you may not expect to see is a flock of grazing sheep. If a trial currently taking place in Paris is successful, however, then this sight could become increasingly common across the capital and other cities in France. The sheep taking part in the Parisian trials are from GreenSheep, a company that owns 400 moutons that it rents out to local authorities for their grass cutting needs. The new gardeners are Ouessant sheep, named after the island of Ouessant off the coast of Brittany from where they originate. Standing only 2-feet tall and known for their stamina and short tails, the dark coloured sheep have been tasked with the upkeep of several hard-to-reach green spaces around the capital until the end of the summer. The sheep do not appear to be affected in any way by the traffic and their new pastures were tested for pollutants before they moved

in. A further benefit is that while the sheep love to eat grass, they can not stand daffodils, which means the banks of the roads have remained resplendent in their Spring finest. As well as being a pleasant sight, the sheep are cheaper than petrol-run lawnmowers and even their wool is put to good use. They are due to be sheared in the summer; their wool will be sent to a Breton business which will turn it into ponchos and hats. It is estimated that they represent an overall cost saving of 25% for local authorities in the areas they cover. ■

MAY 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 9

10 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

Joiners, electricians and labourers also required.

Email: contact@reactive-resource.com

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

Laguiole wins longrunning legal battle

ollowing a bizarre, 19-year-long battle, Laguiole knives made in Laguiole can finally use the name of the town without fear of copyright infringement. The knives are arguably the country's best-known brand and have been a household name in France for more than a century; the corkscrew version is a firm favourite with wine waiters around the country. Laguiole knives are high-quality pocketknives with a locking blade, slim elegant handle and a distinctive logo of a bee or horsefly and are still made in the town today. Despite being made in the town's forges for nearly 200 years, Paris-based businessman Gilbert Szajner bought the rights to the name Laguiole in 1993 and now demands royalties for its use from the town famous for the iconic knives. Szajner has subsequently ex-

panded the brand to include a number of other products, including table linen, clothing and lighters, many of which opponents claim are being mass-produced in China. For years, locals no longer had the right to use the name of their town in association with any product other than knives, without paying royalties to Szajner. Now, a definitive ruling by the European Union Court of Justice has declared that businesses in the Aveyron town can use the name Laguiole on any product made there, with no further risk of forgery accusations, bringing to an end the long-running legal battle. “The word Laguiole has been kidnapped. It has been stolen from us,” said Michel Bras previously, who runs a three Michelin-starred restaurant in the Aveyron town of 1,200 people. “It is very easy

to ride on the backs of people who made sacrifices, who made the most of what little they had, to establish the name of this area. These people have been swindled by someone who does not know the place.” “Mr Szajner is riding the wave of the town’s fame,” said Carine Piccio, a lawyer for the mayor of Laguiole. “His products are systematically associated with the town via references to its history, its soil, its craftsmanship or its natural environment. The brand rights Gilbert Szajner has accumulated have allowed him to construct a veritable monopoly of the Laguiole name, which he uses against the town and its administration to stop their growth to his profit.” Despite the ruling, the businessman will still be able to use the Laguiole name on any products not currently being made in the town. ■

All vehicles / Tous véhicules Classic & Prestige cars / Véhicules Collection et Prestigieux Fully insured / Assurance tous risques

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

Half of all non-prescription medicines are useless

leading French pharmaceutical expert has claimed that up to half of all non-prescription medications sold in France have no therapeutic effect. The renowned physician has studied 4,000 over-the-counter medicines, covering a number of ailments, in his book “Selfmedication - the expert guide”. It is not uncommon to see someone walking out of a French pharmacy with a carrier bag full to bursting, but the bad news is that besides (probably) wasting a significant sum of money, people could literally be doing themselves more harm than good. “Not only are we being sold hot air, but what is more serious is that, unfortunately, all drugs, even ineffective ones, are likely to cause some side effects,” Professor Jean-Paul Giroud told France 2. “For example, there are no effective sore throat medications for the simple reason that they contain antiseptic, and a sore throat is an irritation and not linked to either a virus or bacteria. Yet the throat medications can cause digestive problems and allergic reactions.” Professor Giroud's book categorises the efficiency and tolerance of nearly 4,000 non-prescription drugs (including homeopathic and herbal medicines), all of which were independently evaluated and objectively assessed on a scale of 0 to 20. He also explains that

it is essential to choose effective and well-tolerated medications when selfmedicating and provides a list of 85 “favourites” - safe, medicine cabinet staples for the average home. At the same time, he also warned that “the French take too many medications”. “Throughout my career I have tried to inform my medical students, as well as pharmacists, that for certain medicines there is no objective information available,” said the professor, adding that he advises against self-medication “for infants, pregnant or breast-feeding women, as well as for elderly people already on prescribed drugs.” ■

05 55 41 17 76 - sales24@thebugle.eu

Experienced shopfitters required for installs all across France.

Advertise here from just €35 HT / month

European Vehicle Transport

Advertise your business in The Bugle

Wanted Experienced shopfitters

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MAY 2017

NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 11

MAY 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Faster sales with PRIVATE PROPERTY SELLERS LTD “within one month of advertising... offer accepted!”

Buyer had already found property with estate agent, however, too expensive with the fees. Buyer finds property with PPS, views and an offer is accepted. Buyer has saved 15,000€ and client has an offer on their property within the required asking price.

A Place in the Sun Show Live, London, 5th - 7th May, we’re delighted to be advertising a selection of property at the show. Furthermore, we have advertising in the French Property News Magazine, distributed free at the French Property Exhibition, Wetherby 12th-13th May.

Advertising with PPS without agent commission really could make a difference. Leaders in French Property Marketing for the Private Seller.

www.privatepropertysellers.com

info@privatepropertysellers.com

Brown bears making a Tax declaration season Pyrenees comeback

rown bears have lived in the Pyrenees for over 250,000 years, but have seen their numbers dwindle virtually to extinction by the early nineties. In 1996, a reintroduction programme was started, when three Ursus arctos - the same species as the North American grizzly bear were brought to the mountains in south-west France from Slovenia. The new population adapted well to their mountain habitat and a recent study has shown that numbers of brown bears in the Pyrenees reached a record 36 last year, with 10 cubs among them. The success of the programme has been hailed by conservationists, but local farmers are not as happy with the return of the northern hemisphere's largest predator. According to the Association Pays de l'Ours - Adet, which is responsible for the reintroduction of bears into the region, these latest figures represent a lesson in how to successfully cultivate a wild bear population. “It proves what we've always said: the Pyrenees is a good habitat for bears, the reintroduced bears are well adapted to life there, and that it is possible for sheep farmers and bears to live alongside each other,” said the association's president, Alain Reynes. “The target of establishing a selfsufficient breeding colony is within our grasp. We just

need to release a few more unrelated females, to avoid interbreeding.” For their part, the farmers complain that they have lost up to 10% of their herds to the huge predators in recent years, as well as birth rates being down by as much as 25%. In October last year, 70 sheep breeders took to the streets of Saint-Béat (Haute-Garonne) in protest at the attacks on their herds. Whilst they are compensated for animals bearing tooth and claw marks, the farmers argue that many more are lost in the panic of an attack, with greater numbers falling off cliffs whilst trying to escape, deaths for which they receive no compensation. While it is known that hundreds of sheep are indeed directly lost each year to bear attacks, conservationists are quick to point out that this is natural predation and more than 15,000 Pyrenean sheep die each year of other causes, includ-

ing falls from cliffs and violent mountain storms. Dogs also take a toll that may run as high as 1,000 sheep a year. They also argue that the compensation is generous: anywhere between 100 and 500 euros for a sheep, with each payment offering about 50 euros more than the price of buying a new animal. For cows killed by the bears, payments can run into the thousands. Female bears typically roam across a territory of 100 km², but males will cover an area 10 times as large as they look for food, shelter, breeding grounds and suitable hibernation spots. The general public are highly unlikely to meet a bear in the Pyrenees as the animals are mainly nocturnal and avoid human contact if at all possible. If you do have the luck to spot one, do not attempt to approach it; move slowly away and most importantly, never ever run! ■

Your favourite one stop shop where you will find something for all the family within our 32000ft² sales floor.

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

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

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

87320 Bussière-Poitevine

Tel: 05 55 68 74 73

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

es, it's that time of year again... tax declaration season! And in 2017 this may represent a first for many as it is now compulsory to submit your tax return online. If you have an internet connection and the revenu fiscal de référence net income as shown on your last tax statement was €28,000 or more, then you MUST declare online. The revenu fiscal de référence in question is the one that appeared on your 2016 tax statement (avis d'imposition), in other words, based on 2015's income. Online declaration is now open via the government's website (www.impots.gouv.fr) and pre-filled paper forms are currently being sent out. If you are unable to declare online, don't panic just yet, as authorities have indicated that they are prepared to be lenient on non-compliance. The penalty for incorrectly sending a paper declaration is currently €15 and this will apparently only be enforced for a second offence. Now may be the time to come to terms with online declaration, however, as the threshold is due to drop to €15,000 next year and the government is keen to move more and more services online. All households must e-declare by 2019. If you have never declared online before, do not leave it until

the last minute as it is first necessary to create an account. The deadline for paper declarations is midnight on 17th May. Those declaring online have a little longer and the exact date depends on which department of France you live in: Depts 01-19 & non-residents - midnight Tuesday 23rd May Depts 20-49 - midnight Tuesday 30th May Depts 50+ - midnight Tuesday 6th June Around this time each year, we receive numerous enquiries about the Sterling/Euro exchange rate to use as an average for the previous year when filling out tax returns. We have been given a figure of 1.25774, but if you have any doubt, please check with your local tax office. ■

12 ♦ FRENCH LIFE

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MAY 2017

The Grumpy Granny Guide

his month sees the first feature devoted to the tourist experience in the Dordogne. Some of you may already know my online guide – grumpygranny-guides.com - which highlights those sites which are comfortable and pleasant to visit and which offer a warm welcome. My concern has always been to ensure that tourists know what they are getting for their money and are able to make an informed choice about which sites to visit, given limited time and money as well as personal requirements. There are so many choices and the official information we get is not always accurate. We all know that the scenery and villages in this area are some of the most beautiful in the world and that the areas’s reputation as a prime destination is well deserved. Which makes it all the more frustrating when having paid good money to view a castle or visit a museum, we feel the

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

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

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

www.GRUMPYGRANNY-GUIDES.com

experience hasn’t been that good, or maybe that it has been worthwhile in spite of, but not because of, the organisation of the site. This can be especially true if you are visiting with small children, a dog, or backpack, or can’t climb stairs, stand for long or need quick access to toilets, etc. I was spurred to take action when a couple of years back I became so frustrated by what I saw as a total disregard for the punter at such prestigious sites as the Cro-Magnon cave where people in the summer have to queue up at the crack of dawn, wait for several hours with no shelter, seating or access to toilets (there is now some seating). And this site was not the only one. I felt that visitors should know what was in store for them before they pay the entrance fee because if they discover afterwards that the a site is not suitable, refunds are few and far between. And then I had my ‘Damascus’ moment when I found myself in Bordeaux with a small group of American visitors who, when they heard I lived in Les Eyzies, scratched their heads trying to remember which of the many places it was that they had visited the previous week. Then someone said, “Yes, you remember Nancy, it was where the lady in the museum was so rude to you”. I was very upset. All the money and effort that goes into promoting tourism in this area and it takes only one person to undo the good work, because yes, we remember the bad things far more vividly than the good. So I set up the Grumpy Granny Guide website to inform everyone about what they would find beyond the ticket office, taking 2 years to visit every single paying site in the Périgord bar 4 or 5 which are open only for a brief period in the summer. Having posted the results, I then went to see everyone, however remotely connected with the tourist industry in the Dordogne, to get their comments. What an eye opener that was! I discovered that not only was I the only one to have visited every single site and make some sort of assessment but that the tourist industry here is long on rivalry and short on co-ordination, an inextricable tangle of overlapping areas of responsibility and financing where politics and commercial interests often conflict, but that will be a subject for the future. So I will be sharing my views and experience with you and inviting you in turn to give your own opinions and comments. Where have you and your visitors found a warm welcome or where have you been frustrated by the lack of facilities or off-hand attitude of the staff? Have you found a hidden gem you would like to share? Watch this space for suggestions and if you have an experience, good or bad, which you would like to share, contact me at: grumpygrannyguide@orange.fr

he tourist season is creeping up on us and with it the usual flow of friends and family who come to visit both us and the sites (and sights) of the area. Delighted as we are to see everyone, there comes a moment sooner or later (I confess for me, it’s sooner) when you just can’t face another round of Sarlat, Castelnaud, Les Eyzies, etc., never mind how attractive they are. Of course if guests have independent transport you can send them on their way and relax for a few hours, but if they rely on you the only way to relieve the strain of admiring the spectacular view from Domme for the umpteenth time, is to include small side visits to something which you haven’t yet explored yourself. Here are a couple of my suggestions to start you off. It seems churlish not to visit Périgueux but apart from the small-scale Roman ruins and the old town, I find it singularly lacking in charm. But there is one visit worth making which receives unanimous praise and no, it’s not Vesunna, which is indeed worth a trip, but rather the Musée Militaire. This is a museum run by an association, whose name is quite misleading because it’s not about war or the army but about how both soldiers and civilians got through the war years. The museum houses a collection of mementos, intimate souvenirs and bric-a-brac, along with uniforms, small arms and insignia from wars fought from medieval times through to the 20th century, scattered higgledy-piggledy over several floors which are invisible from the street. Located on rue des Farges, right next to the cathedral on the right, you will see the discreet entrance which belies the treasure behind the doors. The minute you enter you are overwhelmed by the huge number of exhibits in a rabbit warren of rooms. Sheer delight for children big and small because there is so much to see... and so few people! An excellent place to potter around while you dispatch your visitors to admire the cathedral or old town. There is one drawback, however. If you find climbing stairs difficult, this museum isn’t for you. There are places to sit down but no food or drink on the premises. Here’s a challenge for you: can you find the small but quite delightful framed collection of miniature regimental headgear collected by children in the 1914-18 war? Full details on www.museemilitaire-perigord.fr If it’s a hot day or you’re tired, there is also a little-known landscaped walk with lots of seating along the river bank in Périgueux, “la Voie Verte” (Voie des Stades), not below the cathedral as you might think but running round the back of the football stadium off the road to Angoulême, which makes a refreshing break. This may require a little detour if you are in the car since it is on a one-way system flowing towards the town centre but is a small and unexpected oasis. Let me know how you get on! ■ grumpyrannyguide@orange.fr

Wealth creation and management: Five key elements for success - Blevins Franks

situation:

xpatriates in France should be aware of five key principles to obtain the optimum investment portfolio to suit you and your particular

1. Choosing the right tax-efficient structure 2. Identifying your particular appetite for risk 3. Matching your risk profile to the optimum investment portfolio 4. Diversification, repeat, diversification! 5. Regularly reviewing your portfolio 1. Choosing the right tax-efficient structure A suitable tax-efficient structure – such as a pension plan or ISA in the UK – can keep most of your investments in one place and legitimately protect you from paying more tax than necessary. This is usually more straightforward in the UK, where you are more likely to be familiar with the local rules. Here in France, however, with a foreign tax system and various changes and tax rises over recent years, it can be much more complex. You will need to understand your tax liabilities, here and in the UK, and recognise the tax-compliant opportunities available to you. An adviser who has cross-border experience and understands the French taxation system will be best placed to help here. Otherwise, you could find an investment portfolio that produces excellent returns, only to see them slashed by taxes that could have been avoided, or at least significantly reduced.

2. Identifying your particular appetite for risk Of course, no risk often means no returns. And arguably, as we witnessed in recent years, even bank accounts are not 100% safe. Today’s historically low interest rates mean that returns may struggle to keep up with inflation. Putting funds under the mattress is hardly the solution either! Most of us recognise that some exposure to risk gives us a better chance of outperforming inflation and producing real returns over time. However, without a clear and objective assessment of your appetite for risk, you could end up with an investment portfolio that does not suit you. Today there are sophisticated ways of accurately mapping your risk profile. These usually combine psychometric assessments with an evaluation of your finances as a whole, while taking into account the goals you have for you and your family and your timeline for investing. 3. Matching your risk profile to the optimum investment portfolio Every set of investments can be ranked according to an ‘amplitude’ of risk. Low amplitude brings less risk but also lower likely returns, while a higher amplitude potentially brings greater rewards. Where you feel comfortable within this range is best decided objectively. Just as most surgeons will not operate on their own family due to subjective emotional involvement, neither should you try to determine your

own tolerance to risk. Without professional, objective guidance to match you to your optimum blend of investments, you could find yourself with a portfolio that is either too risky or too cautious for you. 4. Diversification, repeat, diversification! In any case you should ensure your investments are suitably diversified so that you are not over-exposed to any given asset type, country, sector, currency or stock. By spreading across different asset types – equities, government bonds, corporate bonds, property, cash – as well as regions and markets, your portfolio has the chance to produce positive returns over time without being vulnerable to any single area under-performing. Ideally, this sound investment approach should be extended one further step. A 'multimanager' approach – where several different fund managers are blended together – can reduce your reliance on any one investment manager making the right decisions in all market conditions. Remember that while you should choose the right tax-efficient structure, that does not mean that you have to put all your eggs in one basket. Diversification done properly should reduce your exposure to risk at the same time as legitimately minimising taxation. 5. Regularly reviewing your portfolio Finally, it is important to review your

portfolio around once a year to re-balance it and make sure it is still in line with your unique risk profile, aims and circumstances. As the world keeps turning and asset values rise and fall, your portfolio can shift away from the one designed to originally suit you. You may need to make adjustments to re-establish your original weighting, and also consider if any of your circumstances or goals have changed. In uncertain times like this, with Brexit and global political developments likely to continue unsettling markets and currencies, regular reviews are even more important to help control risk and encourage a positive effect on portfolio performance. While there is no one size fits all solution for investing, these five key principles are the essential cornerstone of any successful wealth management strategy. Applying them in the right way can help you have the peace of mind to sleep at night, knowing your investments are best placed to meet the unique needs of you and your family. ■ Tel: 05 53 63 49 19 Email: bergerac@blevinsfranks.com Tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; an individual is advised to seek personalised advice.

FRENCH LIFE ♦ 13

MAY 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Strawberries

by Julia Watson

trawberry season is almost upon us. When these gleaming red berries arrive in the markets, summer is only a warm breeze behind. In France, women don't simply go out with 'Strawberries' scribbled on their shopping lists. They buy strawberries for specific uses, seeking out different varieties for different recipes. One kind may be best for jam, while another shines in a crème pâtissière tart, and yet another strawberry merits being left untampered with, eaten only with sugar and perhaps a little Chantilly. The cone-shaped Gariguette is the first to arrive on market stalls, which probably accounts for it being one of France's most popular strawberries. These days grown primarily under shelter, it’s an old Provençal variety, named after the ‘garrigues’ - the flower-covered hills of southern France. Mara des bois is a remarkable cultivar, developed, as its name indicates, to reproduce the flavour of wild strawberries in a garden-size fruit. It should never be cooked and probably not smothered in cream either, but relished just as it is for its highly scented taste. Anabelle is a bright red strawberry, firm, juicy and very sweet. This is the strawberry most favoured by the French for the making of jam, since it retains its shape after being cooked in sugar. Charlotte has the longest season, running from early summer

to the first frost. It’s a fruity, soft-fleshed strawberry preferred by some to Anabelle for jam making, for its converse ability to collapse in the cooking process. My grandfather used to sprinkle his whole strawberries with freshly ground black pepper, which he insisted enhanced their taste. Others believe in a splash of balsamic vinegar. My father taught me the English habit of roughly crushing strawberries with the back of a fork and a little sugar to bring out their flavour. This works to an extraordinary degree. If you’re making Eton Mess (the dessert of chopped strawberries folded into a mess of thickly whipped cream and broken meringue pieces), it’s worth crushing a portion of the strawberries to marble through it once you’ve incorporated everything else. Should you be crushing all the strawberries you are serving, add the juice of at least one lemon, along with sugar to taste. The acid will enormously intensify their flavour. If you need an excuse to gorge on strawberries throughout the summer, one study has associated the eating of strawberries with helping to slow down age-related memory loss. But I can’t remember which one. (Waiting for them to come back in season, I haven’t eaten strawberries for nine months.) At any rate, over 16,000 women were measured for cognitive function. Those with the highest intake of strawberries (and blueberries, if you’re not a strawberry fan) showed about one and a half to two and a half years of delays in loss of thinking, remembering, and reasoning abilities. In a separate study, 3 cups of fresh strawberries eaten every day for eight weeks reduced total cholesterol levels and other markers of atherosclerosis. Strawberries are one of the best arguments for eating season-

ally, and their season is just around the corner. So here are two recipes to showcase two varieties (or three of you prefer the jam that the Charlotte variety produces). ■ Julia Watson has been a long-time Food Writer for newspapers and magazines in the US and the UK.

Gratin de fraises au Monbazillac 400g Mara de Bois strawberries (or any other type you prefer) 100g sugar 2 pinches flour

In a double boiler, beat the egg yolks with the sugar. Once it is foamy and thick, incorporate the Monbazillac and the flour and mix well. Continue to beat the mixture until it forms a thick custard, taking care not to allow it to curdle. Remove the bowl and set in a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process and chill. Whisk the cream to soft peaks and fold into the cold custard. Slice the strawberries in half or quarters and set in a serving dish. Pour over the sabayon without covering the entire pile and set briefly under a hot grill to brown a little here and there, then serve immediately.

In the garden - jobs for May

by Michelle Pierce

o now the garden is really getting into its swing, after the glorious push of April, which sees the landscape, and gardens, greening up, the wild flowers pushing through the lush grass, and the trees bursting into leaf. Insects are waking up, bees are bumbling and swallows have returned from African skies. The weather should be getting kinder, though there are still frosts to be watched out for, and sunny days and blue skies seem much more of a reality than they were a few months ago. This is both good and bad, depending: great for growth, bad for watering; great for germinating, hard on young seedlings; tempting for putting out the frost sensitives (like geraniums), but bad if we have a cold spell. So exercise caution, especially in the first part of the month. The saintes de glace are the traditional date that the danger of cold is gone, but we have had years where that isn't the case. The ground in my area seems already quite dry, with the recent sun and wind combination having its effect. If what happened for the last two years happens again this year, the main challenge will be watering, so go out and look at your watering system. Are your water butts clean, in good condition, in the right place to

catch the maximum rain, and with useful overflows? If not, do something about it. Also think about installing a little shallow water feature for the wildlife, if you don't have a pond. A shallow container, or even a large plant saucer can do the job. Give those bees, sparrows and hedgehogs something to drink from that they can't fall into and drown. If you're anything like me, your greenhouse, house and cold frame are bursting with seedlings. Plant the hardier ones out first - the cabbages, salad leaves, chards, kales, spinach, etc. Remember to harden them off, for a few days at least, before planting out. If you've got too many of the same salad things, start harvesting some as baby leaves, or even micro leaves. Slow down a glut. Keep the sun lovers - aubergines, tomatoes, chillies - growing on nicely in pots until they too can safely go out. Don't believe the shops, which are full of lovely greenhouse grown melons, aubergines, etc. Keep cropping what you can from the polytunnel or from the greenhouse. It's fascinating to watch how different cultures do things differently. Looking at my neighbours' impeccably rotavated and prepared patches (end of April), there was nothing growing from them. I guess they've planted potatoes but no green

was showing. I walk into my sister's polytunnel (and mine) and look at the rows of salads, garlic, strawberries with fruit set, rocket and think that we've been eating things from it for at least a month, probably a bit longer. Outside, sowings will catch up, depending on the weather this year, but in this area the reason for having a polytunnel or greenhouse really comes into its own in the Spring. You can extend the growing season significantly, even if it's unheated. If you've been organised with the planning stage earlier in the year, now starts the 'action and maintenance' phase. It's all about planting out, sowing in place, keeping up the weeding (if you can be bothered/ if it's a priority for you), controlling the grass, picking what's ready this month. Look after your asparagus bed if you have one, keeping it earthed up, well weeded, and regularly collecting the spears to stop them becoming too woody. Don't forget to maintain and water it after harvesting ends. Your next year's crop depends on healthy crowns. Look after the soft fruit. Feed the strawberries and currant/ gooseberry bushes. You can use bought fertilizer, but why not make your own purin d'ortie or nettle tea? It's SO useful. Just fill a bucket with the slightly crushed

The wines of Bergerac

ne of the pleasures of writing this column is that I get to share my enthusiasm for that handful of people and their vineyards – about twenty of them – who have between them over the past thirty years transformed the wines of Bergerac by lifting their quality and reputation. Over the coming months I intend to profile each of them. Any such list would have to include David Fourtout of Vignoble des Verdots, down in the south-eastern corner of the region, not far from Issigeac. I recently spent a lovely morning with him, touring the splendid winery he and his father built and tasting all of his wines. I took my neighbour, Raymond, a retired commandant of the Gendarmes and a regular drinking and wine-testing companion. The two of them hit it off at once when David revealed that his original ambition had been to raise cattle, which is how Raymond planned his retirement, rather than make wine. But wine runs in the family. Back in the late nineteenth century,

by Martin Walker

after the phylloxera plague devastated French vineyards, David’s great-great grandparents left Saint-Émilion and moved to the Bergerac and became farmers as well as wine-makers. David grew up with cattle, and had it not been for a family friend who worked for Mouton-Rothschild, and took the youth to the Médoc peninsular and awed him with its famous vineyards, he might have stuck with the cattle. As it was, he and his father sold off most of their herd to raise the money to fulfil David’s dream of making great Bergerac wines that could be compared with the Grands Crus of Bordeaux. The local banks would not lend them the money to modernize the vineyard, so they began the work themselves, digging out a huge hole, about forty metres long, thirty wide and at least twenty metres deep, where they found a subterranean river, the Verdot. The result is one of the best-designed wineries in France, planned from the beginning to use gravity to move the wine rather than have the wines stressed by mechanical

pumps. He was one of the first to invest in a detailed investigation of the soils on his property, digging trenches thirty metres deep and more to understand the terroir. He grows his 64 acres of red wines on a chalky bedrock, rich in magnesium carbonate and calcium which reduces the acidity in the soil. His 46 acres of whites are grown on a mixture of flint, limestone and clay soils and the winery is organized in a way that allows him to make specific wines from tiny parcels of land, or from particular vines – and some his vines are a hundred years old. A handsome, well-built man in his late forties, who looks at least ten years younger, David has the kind of deep, resonant voice that could make him a handsome living doing voice-overs for TV and radio. And the enthusiasm with which he speaks of his lifelong vision for his wines is endearing. “Making great wines is about attending to all the little details, tiny improvements that go step by step,” he told me during the tasting. For example, he invested a hun-

4 egg yolks 10cl double cream 15cl Monbazillac (Périgord dessert wine)

stems of fresh nettles, bung in some water and leave somewhere warm to ferment. When it stops bubbling it's ready – filter, dilute and use as a boost for your plants. You can even just cut the stalks of fresh nettles and lay them round the bases of plants, if you can't be bothered doing nettle tea. Keep enjoying the lilac, and do the pruning at the same time by picking big bunches for the house. Divine! How utterly amazing to think of Persian lilac seeming so French. Enjoy the roses and keep an eye out for any blackspot on leaves. Pick them off and dispose of, but not in the compost heap. If you see any, you can spay a fungicide made of 1 soup spoon bicarbonate to 1 litre boiling water. Leave to cool completely, then add a couple of drops of lavender essential oil. Spray roses with this. You can also spray the leaves with diluted nettle tea 10%. Deadhead any faded flowers. Feed them to keep them in good health, to resist microbes. Remember to pick the more scented varieties for potpourri, rose petal jam, flavouring cooking or just admiring in a vase. Prune the wisteria after it has finished flowering. Hopefully it'll flower again later in the year. You can sow many things outside this month – beans, peas if you haven't already, runner beans, all types of salads, herbs, flowers, loads of things. Time to get super busy but keep that fleece handy! Good gardening!! ■

dred thousand euros in a new bottling machine that bottles the wine under vacuum to control oxidation. He buys the expensive cork from Sardinia and uses very long corks, which he warms first so that the fibres don’t crack when they are rammed and shrunk into the bottle necks. His wines win gold medals at Paris and he has been Bergerac’s winemaker of the year, but he seems as proud of his everyday red being named one of France’s best wines for under 8 euros as he is of the plaudits for his most expensive bottles. ‘Le Vin selon David Fourtout’ costs 30 to 35 euros. With a name like that – ‘The wine according to David Fourtout’ – his critics sniff that he is big-headed, which is not the case when you meet him. And his medals and prizes suggest that he has a lot to be big-headed about. He makes his own rules, adding a little muscadelle to his ‘dry’ whites, buying his barrels from seven different makers to benefit from what he believes are subtle differences in the oak. In the vineyard, he uses the ‘lutte raisonnée’ system to minimize chemicals, and likes to thin the leaves twice each season. He prefers picking by hand and 12% of his white grapes are Sauvignon Gris,

a high proportion. The only other great vineyard that uses so much is the wonderful Château Palmer in the Médoc. It is a risky grape, at its best for picking for only 48 hours. His cheapest wines, the Clos des Verdots, are a bargain at euros €6.50 a bottle for the whites and €7 for the reds. The next level up, the Tour des Verdots at 10 euros, are very good indeed. His lovely Grand Vins at 19 euros will last for 15 years in a decent cellar and for a 35 euros treat, his ‘Le Vin’ from 2014 is already a magnificent wine, a voluptuous velvet in the mouth. It is made without cabernet sauvignon, containing 70% merlot, 21% cabernet franc and 9% Malbec and Raymond and I agreed that it deserves to be ranked with the finest wines of Pessac-Léognan. Bergerac can be proud of him. ■ Martin Walker, author of the best-selling ‘Bruno, chief of police’ novels, is a Grand Consul de la Vinée de Bergerac. Formerly a journalist, he spent 25 years as foreign correspondent for The Guardian and then became editor-in-chief of United Press International. He and his wife Julia have had a home in the Périgord since 1999 and one of his great hobbies is visiting the vineyards of Bergerac.

14 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MAY 2017

Business Directory

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

Auto Services

MinouCats

Building Services Architects/Surveyors

MOTOR PARTS CHARENTE

Purpose built cattery with 7 heated, well equipped luxury suites Relaxed and secure environment Experienced and qualified owners Tender loving care all day long

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

+44 (0)1377 538 639

Agnac, 47800

Tel: 05 53 93 92 44

motorptscharente@aol.com

nicky@minoucats.fr www.minoucats.fr

www.motorpartscharente.com

SHAMPOOCHIENS Blacksmiths

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

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

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

Architectural DRAWING SERVICE

SIRET: 493 770 358 00015

Ironwood Motif Artist Blacksmith Ferronnerie d’Art

www.ironwoodmotif.com Pergolas, staircases, railings, handrails, balustrades, balconies, gates, sculptures, outdoor structures & more. Simple or elaborate, intricate or uncomplicated, small or large, we can fabricate, forge and hand make ironwork customised to your needs.

Tel: 05 65 30 53 99

Facebook & Instagram: Ironwood Motif SIRET: 481 198 638 00019

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

Tel: 05 55 80 72 83 Mob: 06 33 07 29 72 Email: info@masterplans.eu www.masterplans.eu Siret: 790 016 984 00011

CHARTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEER

Qualified Electrician

Tim Haw B.Eng C.Eng M.I.Struct.E

From wire a plug to a full rewire + Property Services: Gite Preparation, Key Holding Painting, decorating, Grass Cutting, Strimming, etc

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

Tel: Susan 06 41 81 63 96

Pre-purchase & Structural Surveys. Verbal & written reports. Structural calculations & drawings. Redevelopment ideas & solutions. FR: 0033 (0)6 05 56 42 81 UK: 0044 (0)7448 466 662 Siret: 498 843 051 00018

Building Services Electricians

Siret: 824 825 095 00014

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Building BARWICK ÉLECTRICITÉ Services General 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)

upvc-solutions uPVC windows, doors, porches & conservatories

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

Tel: 09 72 35 74 73

www.upvc-solutions.webs.com

@iret: 794 282 368 00016

siret: 503 133 159 00015

Email: barwick.shaun@gmail.com

email: upvc-solutions@orange.fr

ADVERTORIAL

“SolarVenti”- the solar solution to damp and humidity

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

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

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

- if the property is unoccupied during the hot summer months, then it can be left running at low speeds for ventilation and dehumidification purposes or simply switched off. With a range of panel sizes, and the option for wall or roof mounting, Solarventi is suitable for all types of buildings, caravans or even boats!! Following the patenting of its design in 2001, Solarventi has only recently been actively commercialized. Over the last six years, Solarventi units have been installed in more than 24 countries and demand is increasing rapidly. From Greenland to Australia, Solarventi is finally getting the recognition it deserves. ■ Units start from €630 TTC. Several ex-demonstration models available at reduced prices, call for details.

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

DIRECTORY ♦ 15

MAY 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

ADVERTORIAL

Article 50 – Fed up of hearing about it now?

nfortunately, this is what most expat conversations begin with at the moment, but should we be as worried as some are making out? According to one leading Cambridge European law specialist, Dr Michael Arnheim, barrister at law, the UK prime minister Theresa May does not actually need to negotiate the rights of more than a million UK expatriates in the remaining 27 EU member states and all European expats that live in the UK, as post-Brexit rights are already protected by a clause in EU law that is being overlooked by officials. Referring to permanent residents that have lived in the EU for five years or more he argues

CHARKER DAVID

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

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

E-mail : dn.charker@sfr.fr

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

that their rights are protected under EU Directive 2003/109/EC and when they become nonEU citizens, post Brexit, they should still be afforded the same rights as long-term non-EU residents. This, as you can imagine, is an argument that has not been officially acknowledged by the UK government, so we will continue to debate the effects of Brexit over our coffee and croissants. In the meantime there are all those ‘real-life’ issues that we need to deal with. The UK has just had its tax year end and those of you with savings still there will be wondering how you are are going to better your 1% interest rate on your ISA that is no longer tax free as you are no longer UK resident. There is an easy answer to that – transfer your funds to a French tax compliant Assurance Vie that affords you international protection and flexibility should you ever move back to the UK, whilst providing you the tax efficiency that you will no longer benefit from in the UK. This does not mean that your savings have to be put into Euros - they can remain in sterling and this will depend on your personal circum-

06 34 24 64 11 or see

www.lakesidebandb.net

Email: akbrunnstrom@yahoo.co.uk SIRET: 799 067 939 00014

For an independent, professional and impartial consultation without obligation or cost, from your local adviser in the Dordogne, please contact me by email: rosemary.sheppard@blacktowerfm.com or call me on 06 38 86 99 70. The above information was correct at the time of preparation and does not constitute investment advice and you should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity.

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Building Services Sandblasting

Building Services Painters/Decorators

Sand and Blast

Simon Carter ANGLO SCAFFOLDING Painter & Decorator Qualified craftsman with over 25 years HIRE UK experience, now based UK scaffolding supplied and erected here in France Qualified and fully insured FREE no obligation quotes Call Ian on

stances and how you are using them. With a possibility of returns between 3% and 5% this is a better option than letting your savings dwindle away in an ISA. ‘Article 50’ is no doubt going to run for a long time to come and doing nothing in the meantime, but speculating could cost you more than you think. It’s an important time to review your financial affairs, so take the time now to look at the reality of your own situation – none of us are in the position to influence Theresa May and her negotiations, but we are all in a position to influence our own personal circumstances. ■

Haute-Vienne/north Dordogne border.

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

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

We provide a fully operated

sandblasting

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

www.sandandblast.com

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

Computers, Satellites & Web Design

- Update your own site if you like! - Enjoy a fully maintained site - Enjoy full website support

05.55.68.67.56 06.06.60.46.97

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

sales24@thebugle.eu

05 55 41 17 76

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

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

Solve your Internet, wireless and computer problems

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

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

during

afterwards

contact@no6.co

06 38 75 32 97

www.no6.co Siret: 80493524500014

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

Food & Drink

Shhhhh... it’s aisecret!

TheiSecret CurryiClub Pop-Up restaurant serving Indian Restaurant Curries

Weihaveiregularivenues in Ribérac, Villeréal, Bergerac, SteiFoyilaiGrandei & Nontron

Siret: 800 525 040 00013

‘Secret Curry Club Dordogne’ secretcurryclubdordogne@gmail.com

06 84 35 42 73

The Dordogne Chippy

before

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

All aspects of renovation and refurbishment, big or small, undertaken. Kitchens fitted and tiled Replacement doors and windows Parquet flooring Oak framed porches Plasterboard and Insulation

WiFi Anglais

WEBSITE No6 DESIGN

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

Plumbing & Heating

Stephen Wisedale

Chimney Sweeps

Harlequin Building Developments Services est. 2007

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

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

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

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

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

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

La Poutre

Bar & Restaurant

24400 Beaupouyet (N89 between Montpon & Mussidan)

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

05 53 80 29 54

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

To advertise in The Bugle Business Directory, call 05 55 41 17 76

16 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MAY 2017

ADVERTORIAL

Online radio station for English-speaking expats Ex-patradio.com is an online internet radio station, which launched live on 21st March 2016. The station is designed for English-speaking expats around the world. The aim is to have a variety of shows, ranging from chat shows through to music programming, covering a full spectrum of musical tastes. Our shows include: • ‘The Golden Oldies’ with Mick Hennell, featuring tracks from the 50s and 60s • ‘The Beat Goes On’ with Steve Bell, showcasing new expat bands, musicians and singers • ‘The Blend’ with Ira, our American presenter, with the best of Creole and Swamp music through to rare blues cuts • ‘The All Day Special’ with station founder, Dave Hailwood • ‘The Roast Beef’ with Wayne Allen, also “Nashville Calling” • ‘The Retro Chart Show’ with Dave Mac • ‘In Bed with the French’ Talk Show with Christine Caldi • ‘Country Classics’ & ‘The Nostolgia Club’ with David Sibbald • ‘Bridget’s Mix’ with Bridget Waterhouse • ‘Classical Gems’ with Bridget Waterhouse • ‘Digital Blues’ with Ashwyn Smyth • ‘The Culture Gap’ with Vincent • ‘Soul Time’ with Max Morrison • ‘Essential Rhythms’ with Peter Simmons

Food & Drink AUBERGE AUX DELICES DE LA TREILLE 24350 MONTAGRIER

05 53 91 12 63 Closed Tue eve & Wed A La Carte or 2 Set Menus Lunchtimes (except Sun and bank hols) Soup+Starter+Main+Dessert - €15 Soup+Starter+Main - €11.90 Soup+Main+Dessert - €11.90 Soup+Main - €8.90 €24.90 Menu Soup+Starter+Main+Cheese+Dessert

Gifts & Crafts

• • • • •

Our live “Coffee Morning” chat shows with station founder, Dave Hailwood (an expat from the UK) and our regular guests from around Europe. We feature regular topics such as women’s issues, gardening, sport, travel, cooking and schooling... in fact anything that affects expats. Our audience is encouraged to join in via email or phone with comments, questions and requests. Ex-pat Radio aims to be an international station, with an approachable local feel to it. To our surprise we also won “Best Foreign Radio Station” in France as voted by the readers of Paris publication “Expatriates Magazine”, which we won with 75% of the vote.

3D Puzzle Maker Handmade, fully interlocking, multi-layered 3D puzzles from just €9. Keyrings €2 plus other unique gift ideas. Customisation and personalisation possible. Postal delivery options across France.

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

Dératisation, Déinsectisation, Désinfection

FRENCH LESSONS

02 48 60 83 72 / 06 74 33 02 38

Via Skype

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

05 55 89 15 74 scarolinea@yahoo.fr

www.applicateur3d.com

Coming soon: "Treasure Hunting with Charles Hanson" If you have any treasures you would like valued send us in details and photos of your items to expatradio.request@gmail.com and Charles will value for you. We will also have a page on our website. If any valuable items are found, we can arrange to have them shipped to the UK to be auctioned off at Hanson's Auction house.

books in English & French

Curative and preventative

19 r Victor Hugo, 24310 Brantôme

La Petite Barre, 18210 Bessais Le Fromental

Complete immersion in a local family with lessons, conversation workshops, visits and local activities in Périgord, all at your own pace. (total independence possible)

SIRET No. 498 544 741 00024

Property Sales

09 51 45 57 49

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

Eco Entrepot aka The Shed

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

www.auclairduperigord.com +33 (0)6 41 37 02 50

05 55 68 74 73 Open every day except Monday

Support

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

SOS Help

Pest Control

anxious? stressed? feeling down? call us up!

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:

12,000 copies

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.

Transport, Removals & Storage

bookstop Smart Moves Quality second-hand

Email: info@applicateur3d.com rats, mice, moles, flies, woodworm, bed bugs, fleas, wasps, hornets

Learn French in France

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: 12,000 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.

www.ex-patradio.com

Central France Retail & Pest Control Commerce

Language Services

d.nina@live.co.uk Ivan Petley

Email us with requests, stories, jokes, local events in your area, sports groups, and anything else. We want to hear it all... So get typing to: expatradio.request@gmail.com Like us on Facebook: "expatradiofrance" Tweet us: @ExpatRadioCom And listen live now!

‘Musicial Memories’ with Sir Owen Gee ‘Sunday Bandstand’ with Chris Helme ‘Writers Salon’ with Hazel Manuel ‘The Message Kids’ with Expat Kids And lots more new shows coming soon!

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

www.soshelpline.org

Rent a Daughter in the Dordogne for Grocery shopping, retail therapy, visits to the doctor/hospital, small tasks, dog walking, day trips, short holidays, etc. English & Dutch spoken Tel: 0031 6 20602520

www.rentadaughterinthedordogne.com email: claudiadekanter@live.nl siret: 790 909 436 00012

For a fully insured, careful service

FORTNIGHTLY SERVICES TO FRANCE FULL OR PART LOADS WELCOME WE COLLECT FROM ALL AREAS OF THE UK AND DELIVER TO ALL AREAS OF FRANCE Please CALL or EMAIL Stephen

smartmovers@hotmail.co.uk

+44 (0)1253 725 414

www.smartmovesremovals.co.uk

MICHAELS MOVERS Removals

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

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

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

Man & Van Transport

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

09 82 12 69 73 87150 Oradour-sur-Vayres

www.frenchvanman.eu Siret 530 213 644 00012

COMMUNITY ♦ 17

MAY 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

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

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

6-Month Contract €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.

UPCOMING AQUITAINE CHURCH SERVICES The Chaplaincy of Aquitaine covers the Dordogne, Gironde, Lot-et-Garonne, and Condom (Gers). All services are held in English. For further details, please see our website: www.churchinaquitaine.org or contact Chaplaincy Administration: Amy Owensmith, +33 (0) 607 04 07 77 chapaq.office@gmail.com SUNDAY 07 MAY 10:30 Service of the Word – Bertric Burée 10:30 Family Communion – Bordeaux 10:30 Fresh Expressions – Eymet Temple 10:30 Prayer & Praise – Limeuil 10:30 Morning Worship - Monteton 11:00 Holy Communion – Doudrac 11:00 The Gathering meeting – Le Mouret, Condom 11:00 Prayer & Praise with Communion – Ste Nathalène 18:00 Evensong – Bertric Burée

Wednesday 10 May 11:00 BCP Holy Communion – Bertric Burée SUNDAY 14 MAY 10:30 Holy Communion – Bertric Burée 10:30 All Age Worship – Bordeaux 10:30 Fresh Expressions – Eymet Temple 10:30 Morning Worship – Limeuil

10:30 Morning Prayer – Monteton 10:30 Family Service – Négrondes Thursday 18 May 10:30 BCP Holy Communion - Limeuil SUNDAY 21 MAY 10:30 Family Service – Bertric Burée 10:30 Holy Communion – Bordeaux 10:30 Holy Communion – Chancelade 10:30 Morning Worship – Dondas 10:30 Fresh Expressions – Eymet Temple 10:30 Holy Communion – Limeuil 10:30 Prayer & Praise – Monteton 11:00 Prayer & Praise – Sainte Nathalène 15:00 Anglican Madagascan Communion – Bordeaux Thursday 25 May 11:00 Holy Communion – Condom 18:00 Ascension Holy Communion - Monteton SUNDAY 28 MAY 10:30 Holy Communion – Bertric Burée 10:30 Family Communion – Bordeaux 10:30 Fresh Expressions – Eymet Temple 10:30 Morning Worship – Limeuil 10:30 Holy Communion - Monteton 10:30 Family Service – Négrondes

Creative Writing Residential Retreat in Dordogne Experienced tutors, feedback and guidance on writing your memoirs, poetry, short stories, novels. The support of other writers. 5 nights full board. £300 / £350 in June and September. For more information contact David and Michele Lambert at info@retreatfrance.co.uk

Mindfulness & Creativity Retreat in Dordogne Guided relaxation and meditation, experienced tutors, nature walks, creative response activities (poetry, art, mandalas), yoga, singing, cooking, and periods of silence. The retreat is designed to give you time and space for inspiration to feed your Creativity. 5 nights full board. £300 / £350 in June and September. For more information contact David and Michele Lambert at info@retreatfrance.co.uk

18 ♦ WHAT’S ON

Plant Sale and Cream Tea for the Bansang Hospital Appeal Gambia All day on SATURDAY 6TH MAY at Le Touroulet, 24800 Chalais (4km from the RN21)

Exhibition of Textile and Stitch Art

2nd - 6th May, Centre Culturel Michel Manet, Bergerac Sew’n Sews is an informal group of friends who meet regularly near Eymet to share their interest in all types of quilting, embroidery and textile art. In the last 8 years, they have run exhibitions and other projects, raising over €3,000 in donations for Alzheimer’s Dordogne. This new exhibition demonstrates the wide variety of the interests and skills of the members, ranging from full double bed quilts to miniature models and reproductions of medieval embroidered boxes. Entrance is free. Opening hours are: Tue, Thu & Fri 13h30-17h30 Wed & Sat 9h30-12h

The 9th Salon Métiers & Arts Organized by Le Pays du Grand Bergeracois in partnership with the Cave de Monbazillac, the salon take place on 5th (14h-21h) and 6th, 7th and 8th (10h19h) May at the Château de Monbazillac. 50 artists and craftsmen and women will be presenting their creations and offering demonstrations and workshops. Free entry. For more information & to see the programme visit www.artisandart-perigord.com

Beautiful plants for sale and the usual fabulous cake stall and big surprise tombola. Donations of potted-up plants for us to sell gratefully received, especially herbaceous plants or shrubs in 1 litre pots. A very warm welcome awaits visitors in the clubhouse with traditional scone tea with clotted cream and home-made jam. All the proceeds go to Bansang Hospital Gambia. Find out more at www.bansanghospitalappeal.org

Les Floralies - Saint-Jean-de-Côle Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th May

Annual flower festival which attracts over 10,000 visitors from all over the world. Over 100 exhibitors share their passion for flowers with a breathtaking array of plants and flowers, works of art, crafts, local products, new floral varieties, rare plants, garden decorations... You’ll see why Saint-Jean-de-Côle has a reputation as one of the most beautiful villages in France. A delight for both its sights and smells, Les Floralies is not to be missed!

1 pm – 7 pm. All welcome, bowls supplied, a fun afternoon, NO FEES. Come and have a go and meet a new group of friends.

Evelyn BERNARDI, The Heron (La Fontaine fable) 40cm x 40cm

WHAT’S

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MAY 2017

WHAT’S ON ♦ 19

MAY 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

BOOKSTOP screenings Dan Bessie’s 2017 season in UNDERSTANDING FILM WHEN: Sunday 14th May at 2.30 pm and the second Sunday of each month to October. With discussion and a refreshment break, a few programmes may be longer than the average of 2 hours and 30 minutes. WHERE: Bookstop, 19 rue Victor Hugo, Brantôme RESERVATIONS: Please contact Howard on 06 51 45 57 49 or via email at bookstop24@gmail.com. We have room for up to 20 (no need to register for the entire series). FEE: €7.50 - Includes tea or coffee (maybe popcorn too!) Cake and other items will be available for purchase. This month’s screening is Central Station, followed by a discussion on world cinema enjoyed and explained.

COME AND SING

Saturday 20th May at Saint-Eutrope Church in Allemans-du-Dropt CONCERT: Trois Leçons de Ténèbres - François Couperin and music by J.S. Bach, Telemann and Handel Saturday 13th May at 6 pm - Eglise de Saint-Rabier (24210) Exceptional musicians of London Early Opera Annabel Mountford - Soprano, Emma Murphy - Soprano and Recorder Petra Samhaber-Eckhardt - Baroque Violin, Bridget Cunningham - Harpsichord and Director Tickets on the door €12 and €5 for children.

Come and join us at Cantabile, the ACFAA mixed French/ British choir for a fun day, open to all singers. The charge will be €5 for the day with registration at 09:30 in the salle Armand Fallières opposite the church. We will rehearse a new work written by our musical director, Simon Kenworthy, from 10:00 until noon, then from 13:30 until 15:00. Guests are invited to listen to a final presentation at 15:30 for which there will be no charge. Please contact Philippa Tillyer at pippacogulot@gmail.com for more information. Those who sign up will be sent a link to the music and MP3 learning files.

Organised by the associations CréAquitaine and Le Livre en Tête

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

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

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

Sunday 21st May at 5 pm Chopin recital by Martin Cousin

Programme: Fantasy Op. 49, Sonata no. 2 in B flat minor Op. 35, Preludes Op. 28 Martin Cousin comes to us following his May performance at the Kirker Chopin Festival in Valldemossa, Mallorca. He is regarded as one of the most exceptional pianists of his generation, having been awarded 1st Prize at the 2005 Ettore Pozzoli International Piano Competition (Seregno, Italy) and Gold Medal at the 2003 Royal Over-Seas League Music Competition (London) and has appeared regularly in the major British musical venues as well as across Europe, New Zealand, the US and the Far East. Martin’s hands are also featured on the big screen in the Oscar-winning film “Shine”, for the scenes involving Rachmaninov’s 3rd Concerto.

The 41st edition of the Foire des Potiers brings together renowned potters from all over France and Europe from 25th to 28th May. 24360 Bussière-Badil. 10h-19h. Free entry.

20 ♦ WHAT’S ON