The Bugle Dordogne - Nov 2017 by The Bugle

Pétanque for the 2024 Paris Olympics? Pétanque has been put forward as an official entry for inclusion at the Paris Olympic Games in 2024 >> Page 7 November 2016 - Issue #85

Dordogne

Your local newspaper for life in France

November 2017 - Issue 53 - FREE!

Butter shortage leads to empty shelves Increased demand, a drop in production and sky rocketing wholesale prices have left many supermarket shelves empty where the butter used to be. Figaro has called the shortage “the worst since the Second World War” and reported that the sight of empty supermarket shelves is becoming increasingly common. The reasons for the current shortage are complex, but the problem stems from the phasing out of EU dairy quotas in 2015. This led to a flood of milk supplies entering the market and a collapse in global prices that prompted some dairy farmers back out of the industry and others to slash their output. These falling levels of milk production combined with poor weather last year - 2016 was not a good year in France for growing animal

>> continued on page 8

Surge in mushroom poisonings - pg 3

Contactless limit rises to 30 euros - pg 9

A bilingual look at Concorde - pg 11

The Bugle Business Directory - pg 14-16 © @k1664nz (Instagram)

acré beurre! If you have been down to your local supermarket in recent weeks, you may have noticed rows of empty shelves where the butter used to be. As reported in The Bugle in July, France is undergoing a butter shortage as worldwide demand increases and wholesale prices go through the roof. Everything may not be as it seems, however. Whilst the country’s bakers have been sounding the warning bell for many months, the public have finally taken notice as the problem became starkly apparent in shops across France. French daily Le

It's official - beer improves your language skills! - page 6

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2 ♦ IN THIS EDITION

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Welcome to

The Bugle

t feels like I say it around this time every year, but blow me down with a feather if The Bugle isn’t one year older. And the numbers are starting to get a little scary: 8 years, 150 editions across the Limousin and Dordogne and something like 2 million copies distributed, but crucially - at time of going to press - zero divorces... although it’s come close a few times! I never imagined when I sat down and planned my first edition all those years ago, with little experience and no idea what I was really doing, that The Bugle would establish itself as part of expat life for so many people. It’s not always been an easy ride. I launched the paper at the start of the worst financial crisis in a generation under the misguided impression that if I could ride out the first few years, the economy would rebound and we could all start making lots of lovely, delicious hay under clear blue skies. With hindsight, my naivety was almost cute! I have seen a lot of businesses come and go over the years, but it is a source of enormous pride that if you go back to those first few editions in late 2009

and early 2010, many of those who joined us from day one are going strong and still advertise in these pages. Whilst the economy is not quite there yet, these days I read far more positive stories about the state of the country than negative ones (see page 8 for the latest), so I am confidently going to sharpen my scythe and predict some haymaking in the not too distant future. I didn’t come to France to farm on industrial levels... a few bales will do me just fine. I should also take this opportunity to say a few thank yous to the people that help me get this paper produced and distributed each month: Bill, Paula, Jonathan, James, Michelle, Brian, Martin, Julia, Laure... the list goes on. It is an incredible amount of work to get The Bugle out and without these people’s help, it just wouldn’t be possible. It was interesting to read a bit about the history of Concorde when I was researching this month’s bilingual article (see page 11) - another thank you is due here to Sophie for her translations! It is easy to forget what a feat of engineering Concorde actually was. Growing up in the 80s,

Concorde was always just there and I never stopped to think just how far ahead of its time it was. There was a time when countries would just build things because they could. Projects didn’t need to make sense or even make a profit, it was more about pushing the boundaries and seeing what was possible. For me Concorde fits in that camp. Over one and a half billion dollars in the 60s... that is a crazy sum of money, but what a machine they built. I was listening to an interview with Richard Branson the other day where he was discussing his Virgin Galactic brand that is developing commercial spacecraft. Bonkers, but brilliant. He’s a clever man, so I imagine he has half an eye on the commercial aspect, but you get the impression that his motivation is not primarily financial. By all accounts, they are quite close and I must admit that if I did have a bucket list, looking down on Earth would be right at the top. If I can hang on long enough, I’m sure that will be something that I can achieve in my lifetime without winning the lottery, given the pace of change. I am always reminded of a family friend I only really knew as Mrs Gates. She was born in 1900 and one of her great ambitions in later life was to receive a telegram from the Queen on her hundredth birthday. Sadly, she passed away in 1999, but she lived a happy life and was sharp as a tack right to the end. When I think about the changes she saw in her

lifetime, it blows my mind. Two world wars, man on the moon, the birth of the computer generation... how different was her life in her last years compared to her first?! I don’t know if the pace of change has slowed - probably not - and I can’t imagine what the world will be like when I receive a royal email on my 100th birthday. By then, emails will almost certainly seem as quaint and outdated as telegrams do today. I imagine it will be hard to explain to my grandchildren one day that in my childhood the internet didn’t exist and knowledge came from an encyclopedia, not wikipedia... and people read newspapers!! Don’t say that Steve, the hay loft is empty... there’s plenty of life left in print... here’s to another 8 years!! Until next month! Steve Martindale, Editor

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 6-10 National News 11-13 French Life 14-16 Directory 17 Community 18-20 What’s On

Copy deadline for advertising and content:

15th November for December’s print edition

LOCAL NEWS ♦ 3

NOVEMBER 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Rise in mushroom poisonings Dordogne local

he arrival of autumn and the accompanying wetter weather always hails the start of mushroom picking season... and with it comes a startling increase in the number of cases of mushroom poisoning. In the three months to October, the Direction générale de la santé (DGS) reported 1,179 cases of mushroom poisoning, resulting in one death and two further people needing a liver transplant. In total, 32 people have been treated for severe infections at the 10 poison centres across France since the start of the annual surveillance period, an increase of 50% on last year. “This rise in the number of cases of poisoning can be seen to run in parallel with the return of the rain, which encourages mushrooms to grow and therefore be collected,” explained the National Institute for Health Surveillance (InVS). For those of us in the Dordogne, the nearest poison

centre is in Bordeaux (05 56 96 40 80). In France, you may come across 3,000 types of mushroom, but only around one hundred are edible. Moreover, those that are edible all have doppelgängers that are either inedible at best, or toxic at worst. The cèpe, for example, beloved by so many in the Dordogne, has 5 imitators that it would be very unwise to eat! If you are a mushroom forager, it is worth bearing in mind that pharmacists in France are trained to recognise the most common types of mushroom, so if in doubt, you can take any you have collected into a pharmacy for advice. It can also be wise to photograph any mushrooms you do collect as this will help to identify them in the event of illness. Symptoms of mushroom poisoning include diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, vertigo and problems with eyesight and generally appear around 12 hours after ingestion. If you

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A believe that you may have eaten a poisonous mushroom, call the Bordeaux poison centre directly or dial 15 to contact the SAMU (Service d'aide médicale urgente). The advice of regional health authorities includes: • Only pick mushrooms you recognise and seek advice if you are unsure (for example, from a pharmacist). • Only pick mushrooms that appear fresh and pick the whole mushroom to help with identification.

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• Do not pick mushrooms close to sources of pollution, e.g. roadsides or industrial sites, as mushrooms concentrate pollutants. • Never store mushrooms in plastic bags as this speeds up their decomposition. • Store different varieties separately. • Store your mushrooms in the fridge and eat them within 2 days. • Cook any mushrooms you have collected - never eat them raw. ■

talented a m a t e u r pâtissière from a Périgord village is gripping TV audiences in the French equivalent of the highly successful UK programme Bake Off. Natalia Noviel is one of the 12 cake bakers taking part in M6’s “Meilleur Pâtissier” (Top Baker) which hit screens in mid-October. A newcomer to the tiny village of Milhacde-Nontron, the mother of a 2-year-old has so far impressed judges with her beautiful, playful confections and her on-screen presence. Natalia said that she is completely self-taught. Basing her creations on the delicious traditional patisserie of the Périgord she has cre-

ated a new style with eye-catching as well as mouth-watering novelties. Fascinated by the previous series of the M6 programme she decided to enter. After being shortlisted from over 5,000 applicants, she was invited to Paris to take a screen and kitchen test in March. Natalia said she was surprised to be chosen and pleased to have some time to practise before the broadcast! Local British expat, John Lancaster, said: “We want her to do well. We already have a great patisserie in Milhac, but it is nice to have our local traditions given a tweak and showcased for the nation”. ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe

4 ♦ LOCAL NEWS

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British Dordogne resident has launched a scheme for expats looking for companionship. Alan Lees, from La Rochebeaucourt, has created an opportunity for lonely singles to meet up and make new friends. “For widows, widowers, divorcees and single Brits it can be quite difficult to get out and meet new people,” Alan explained. “Couples often find it awkward to invite friends who are no longer part of a couple. When you are still at work this is not a problem but once you are retired it’s not easy to make new acquaintances, especially in a foreign country.” Alan spent 25 years in the British Army working as an accountant. After a lifetime in foreign parts like Germany, Hong Kong, Australia and Libya, Lt Col Lees and his wife moved to the Dordogne seven years ago. “My wife was a keen gardener and the weather here is lovely, the people are wonderful and the countryside is stunning. Life seemed perfect. However, when my wife died two years ago, I realised that being a retired single is not easy. Because all our friends were couples, I had

no way to meet people in the same position as me.” Realising that singles can be vulnerable and cautious, Alan came up with the perfect place for people to meet. “People in my position are a bit wary, we need a neutral sort of place, plenty to look at and talk about, a nice cup of tea and a scone, lots of room to circulate or sit and if the weather allows it, to go outdoors. And it shouldn’t cost anything,” said Alan. After searching the department for a venue, he discovered the Bookstop bookshop in Brantôme. As a meeting place it is the ideal spot: a pleasant town centre, plenty of people about, refreshments available, comfortable seating and a beautiful garden. Alan uses the DVN blog to announce events, with the next one planned for Tuesday 21st November from 2 pm. “Single people shouldn’t have to be alone as Christmas comes,” added Alan. ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe More details: alanlees@freeuk.com Facebook: Bookstop

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Dordogne village’s annual conker fest exceeded all expectations this year. The 2017 French Conker Championships took place in Abjat-sur-Bandiat in the heart of the Périgord Vert, drawing large crowds for the 27th edition of this oh-so-British bit of fun. After an anxious period, when the conker harvest was looking problematic, the organisers launched what turned out to be a great tournament. Organiser Stuart Edwards explained that the dry period had caused the local crop to be small, but an importation of the precious chestnuts from the south of France saved the day. During the tournament, which is open to men, women and children, around 3,000 conkers are bashed. This year’s winners were James Scott (men), Nicky Johnson / Elaine Adams (ladies) and Gabriel Garton (children). Stuart told The Bugle about how it all began: “The modern history of conkers in France starts here! In 1989 my wife and I bought a hotel bar restaurant in Abjat. Passing under the conker trees on the Place des Marronniers on her way to the greengrocer’s Sue found she was crushing thousands of conkers underfoot. Naturally, she collected some, much to the amazement of the locals who warned her not to use them for cooking. The French view of English cooking in those days wasn’t very high! “And so in 1990, with those few collected conkers, we held an impromptu conker tournament with a few Brits on holiday and a couple of bemused Frenchmen. For the next few years we continued, in front of the bar (named the “Entente Cordiale”) with an increasing number of participants. “In 1994, a conker competition with 50 peo-

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ple taking part was won by a young Frenchman Stéphane Jally. When we told him that there existed a World Conker Championship each year in England he insisted that he wanted to take a team across the Channel to represent France and so in October 1995 France was represented in front of 8,000 spectators at the World Championships near Oundle in England. “The team returned with nothing but sore heads from the real ale in the beer tent! Stéphane won the French Championship the following year (so it’s not just luck!) in front of a much bigger, largely French, crowd. It was decided at this time to officially create La Fédération Française de Conkers in order to keep the annual French Conker Championships here in Abjat.” The event has now become a fixture of the autumn season in the Dordogne and France has gone on to produce several world champions, wining the ladies team title 4 times and the ladies singles title once. ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe

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LOCAL NEWS ♦ 5

NOVEMBER 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

FBCCI goes on the road Urban expert

hen the FrancoB r i t i s h Chamber of Commerce & Industry in the Dordogne (FBCCI 24) came up with the notion of an Ideas-Exchange, the chamber had no idea that they had struck gold. The monthly get-togethers proved hugely successful. It was an opportunity for local British Dordogne entrepreneurs to meet and keep informed. The meetings were initially always held in Périgueux and it was not long before businesses further afield were calling for the same, but nearer home. Listening to its members is something the FBCCI is good at, so in response it has taken the meetings on the road at a series of venues across the Dordogne. Starting with a highly successful lunch in June at Château les Merles near Mouleydier, the chamber next ran a visit to the Bergerac vineyard of Châ-

teau Lestevenie, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. This proved enormously popular and was massively oversubscribed. In October, a much-valued networking meeting at the Café de Paris in Eymet was arranged by local insurance broker, Eric Engels. Coming up, the north of the department is hosting a networking evening on Tuesday 14th November. The venue for this event is the Entente Cordiale at Abjat, also known as the home of the French Conker Championships (see left). The event, which starts at 6:30 pm, is a chance not only to meet and discuss with other Franco-British members but also to sample some premium British products made locally. “I certainly wouldn’t want to miss Anna’s cocktail stick tapas with a glass of Périgord Beer’s IPA and a little something from Bacon in a Box,” said FBCCI Delegate John Beynon. “It’s

also a chance to distribute publicity flyers, but be sure to bring your business card to put in the raffle.” This event is open to all, members and non-members and entry is free. John Beynon explained that the FBCCI is there to help expats to establish solid, successful businesses and give advice and practical assistance, including through the unfamiliar, sometimes mysterious, parts of French administration. The future programme includes Brantôme Police Horses Christmas Fair on 3rd December, a Christmas event at Le Cluzeau on 14th December, and Sarlat’s “Village de Noël”. Planning is in hand for 2018: Police Horses again and the Franco-British week in Sainte-Foy-laGrande. For further information contact John Beynon on 05 53 54 81 19 or at jobelix@ wanadoo.fr ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe

in Périgueux

nationally acclaimed expert in town centre development has turned a spotlight on the Dordogne’s capital city. David Lestoux, director of Cibles et Stratégies, a firm specialising in commercial strategy, came to Périgueux in mid-October to talk to the CCI (Chamber of Commerce and Industry) about the need to think about the future of the town centre as it faces increasing competition from out-of-town retail developments and the internet. Mr Lestoux outlined some basic guidelines to local businessmen. “It’s not just about parking,” he stressed, explaining that this is really only a side issue. In fact, the busiest, most profitable times for businesses, like market days, are the very times

when parking is at its most difficult. For Cibles et Stratégies, the key point is the attractiveness of the centre. David Lestoux, after 15 years in the study of towns, explained what attractiveness means. Very simply, a city centre must have some “wow factor”. He pointed to the need for flexibility in shopping hours to compete with the 24/7 internet, and a rethink about how and when to satisfy paying customers, not just by shopkeepers but perhaps by market stallholders, too. He asked why the majority of businesses are closed at the very time that most people are available to shop. We consume the most between 5 pm and midnight; by this time the butcher counters are empty and there are no baguettes left in the bakeries.

He made a simple observation: In some cities, businesses are closed between midday and 2 pm. This is precisely the time when those who work in the city, but do not live there, are available to do their shopping. Conversely, he asked how a trader from a rural town can run a successful business if he closes up before the inhabitants return from work? He gave the example of nocturnal markets, which work very well in summer in the Périgord, and suggested that perhaps a Thursday morning market during winter could be put back to Friday evening when residents have finished work for the week. Lestoux warned that the largest threat to city centre retailers is the internet. To flourish, the city centre must become a destination in itself, an environment that really attracts shoppers with quality restaurants and cafés, places for children, green spaces... as well as somewhere to park your car! ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe

6 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ NOVEMBER 2017

The price of a standard It's official... booze stamp to rise by 10% makes you better at

s people's habits change and the world turns increasingly to the internet, the cost of sending items through the country's postal service continues to rise. After significant year-on-year rises over the last decade, the Arcep (Autorité de régulation des communications électroniques et des postes) has now authorised La Poste to increase prices by an average of 5% in 2018.

(9.6%). There are more modest rises for parcels, with Colissimo prices increasing by 1.5% from January. One other major change will be the introduction of a “suivi” sticker that can be purchased for 40 cents and allow the sender to track the progress of their letter through the postal system. Whilst the price hikes will also raise a few eyebrows, the recent de-

From next year, the price of a 20g priority stamp (timbre rouge) will go from 85 cents to 95 cents - a rise of 11.8%! The price of a timbre vert, which will see your letter delivered in 48 hours in mainland France, will increase from 73 cents to 80 cents

cline in traditional postal services means the modern family spends significantly less on stamps than it did even one decade ago. Today, the average household spends €43 on postal services, so the changes will only add €3 to the annual budget! ■

being bilingual!

s if you needed another excuse! A study by British and Dutch researchers has confirmed what many of us already knew... a couple of drinks does indeed improve our language skills! Many of us will have been quietly impressed with our own linguistic progress over an aperitif with a friend or neighbour, but now we know that it is literally just the drink talking!

sequent conversations were recorded and their foreign language skills rated by native Dutch speakers, who didn’t know which participants had consumed alcohol. After analysing the data, the researchers found that participants who had consumed alcohol had significantly better observer-ratings for their Dutch language, specifically better pronunciation, compared to people who didn't have

The exact science behind the improved language skills is not yet known. “Given that executive functions are important when speaking a second language, one might expect that alcohol would impair the ability to speak,” the researchers said. “On the other hand, alcohol increases self-confidence and reduces social anxiety, both of which might be expected to improve language ability when

Researchers from the University of Liverpool, Maastricht University and King’s College London studied 50 native German speakers who had recently learned to read, write and speak Dutch. Participants were given either an alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink and asked to have a conversation in Dutch for a few minutes. The amount of alcohol they were given was adjusted for body weight, with a 70kg male receiving just under a pint of 5% beer. The sub-

the alcoholic beverage. “Our study shows that acute alcohol consumption may have beneficial effects on the pronunciation of a foreign language in people who recently learned that language,” explained Dr Inge Kersbergen, coauthor of the study and a researcher at the University of Liverpool. “This provides some support for the lay belief among bilingual speakers that a low dose of alcohol can improve their ability to speak a second language.”

interacting with another person.” Before expats the world over start packing a bottle of wine for every trip to the post office or bank, researchers were keen to point out that higher levels of alcohol consumption are almost certainly not beneficial when speaking a foreign language. As you can see from pubs and clubs across Europe, language skills - even in your mother tongue – definitely decrease rapidly with excess alcohol consumption! ■

NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 7

NOVEMBER 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

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Pétanque at the Paris Olympics?

ollowing the recent confirmation that Paris will host the 2024 Olympics, attention has turned to which sports may be introduced at the world's largest sporting event. The Olympic Committee has for many years stated its intention to introduce more sports and diversify both the summer and winter Games. “The Olympic Games do not need to be bigger, they need to be more diverse,” President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, said in 2014. As such, the 2020 Tokyo Games will feature five new sports - karate, surfing, climbing, skateboarding and baseball/softball - and, with hosting countries able to put forward their own choices, pétanque is now an official candidate to be introduced at the 2024 Olympics. “Pétanque has become a true sport of the highest level. That did not happen overnight, but has come about over the last fifteen years,” said Michel Desbois, head of the Fédération française de pétanque (FFP). “We now have to take the next step. Our legitimacy as a sport has been proven. This discipline requires the same qualities of skill, resilience and balance seen in so many other sports that are already present at the Olympics.” Whilst some may scoff that to have pétanque at the Paris Olympics is like the UK applying for darts at the London Games, the sport colloquially known as boules has a strong argument for inclusion. The game is indeed huge in France, with more than 300,000 registered players, but is also played by 200 million people across 262 federations in 165 countries around the world! Pétanque did feature at the 1992 Barcelona games as a demonstration sport, meaning that the tournament received minimal coverage and no medals were handed out. Supporters are now hoping it can go one better in 2024, and not just so that France can climb the medal table. “It would be the perfect occasion to establish a national pétanque centre and help us to professionalise as a sport,” said Michel Desbois. As part of the FFP's efforts to promote the sport, they are also cam-

Government targets its own employees in phishing scam

E paigning to have pétanque introduced to the national curriculum - so far, two lycées in France offer courses. The FFP has helped to train the lycées’ pétanque teachers, and financed all the necessary equipment. Students have four hours of pétanque lessons a week, but are not graded, so that they are encouraged to improve their confidence and ability without judgement. ■

Useful vocab to sound like a local Pointer (verb) – to place – throw your ball in such a way as to leave it as close to the jack as possible Tirer (verb) – to fire or shoot – to throw your ball with the intention of making contact with another ball You can’t play pétanque amongst Frenchmen for long (and 86% of all registered players in France are male) without hearing the phrase « Tu tires ou tu pointes ? » Mettre fanny (verb) – to fanny – to beat one’s opponents 13-0. The figure of a bare-bottomed lass named Fanny is ubiquitous in Provence wherever pétanque is played... (see right!)

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veryone knows these days that clicking on unknown links in emails is unwise and opens your computer to viruses, hacking... or worse. The bad guys often prey on our greed and sometimes what we are being offered seems too good to be true and there is a strong temptation to click anyway and see what happens. In October, the country's finance ministry conducted a “phishing” experiment against its own staff to see how cyber-safe its workers were. Using fake accounts bearing the names of famous literary figures and authors, such as Emma Bovary or Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (birth name of actor and playwright Molière), the ministry sent out an email to all its staff offering them free cinema tickets if they clicked on the below link. Shockingly, of 145,000 employees at the ministry, more than 30,000 (over 20%) clicked on the link within just two hours on the morning the email was sent out, according to Yuksel Aydin, one of the managers of the scheme, speaking to Le Figaro. “Cybersecurity is not just lines of coding,” he said. “It is also about making sure users are aware of the dangers.” Those employees duped by the email were taken to a web page reminding them of the steps to take to avoid becoming the victim of cyber attacks... such as not clicking on random links in emails! Not everyone was fooled, however, with one worker confirming to journalists: “Yes, I received an email from Isabelle de Merteuil, from Dangerous Liaisons!” ■

8 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

In further good news for the French economy, the country's statistics gathering body, INSEE, has increased its forecast for economic growth this year to 1.8%, which would be the fastest expansion in six years. The 0.2% increase is in line with recent predictions made by ministers. The organisation now expects 0.5% growth in the third and fourth quarters of the year - an end-of-year rate that experts have hailed as “unheard of” since 2012, and the fifth quarter in a row that growth in France has hit that level. The news will be welcomed by President Macron who has built many of his policies around a strengthening economy, and the strong growth will help the government as it works to keep its pledge to drag the public deficit below the EU limit of 3% - France is hoping to keep public spending below 2.9% of GDP this year. Elsewhere, optimism is high with both businesses and consumers. The private sector has welcomed the election of Emmanuel Macron and the new president's labour reforms have proved popular with business leaders. Business investment has hit its highest level since 2011 and the INSEE now expects the country's unemployment rate to fall to 9.4% by the end of the year, a significant drop from the 10% recorded at the end of 2016. Workers are also enjoying privatesector wage increases of 1.9% and household investment is at its highest level for 11 years, INSEE reports ■

Butter shortages across France

>> continued from pg 1 feed and that means lower milk yields in 2017. At the same time, demand for butter has surged across the world. The Chinese in particular have discovered a taste for Western-style pastries, which require butter as an essential ingredient. Across America and Europe, consumption has also risen in recent years following the discovery that butter, once associated with a high risk of heart disease, poses less of a health risk than previously believed. Today, the demon ingredient is sugar. All these factors have led to a perfect storm of higher demand, lower production and soaring wholesale prices; the cost of industrial butter has risen from €2,500 a tonne in April 2016 to €7,000 this summer. France’s agriculture and food minister, Stéphane Travert, has insisted the shortage will not last because milk production levels are expected to rise soon. Industry and farming insiders, however, have warned the situation could continue through the autumn and into winter. Many of these factors affect every country in Europe, not just France, so why is it that only the French shelves are bare? The answer lies in large part in the rigidity of the French supermarket pricing system and the fact that there isn’t really much of a butter shortage at all - there is still plenty of it out there, it’s just not in the shops. In France, butter prices are set annually in negotiations between supermarkets and producers. The next round of talks is not due until February, so until then the

French economy sees record growth

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ NOVEMBER 2017

supermarkets are only offering to pay what was agreed nine months ago, when butter was much cheaper. Despite there being nearly-empty shelves, you may have noticed the prices haven’t actually gone up. French producers are not fools, so many have decided to sell their produce on the open market for a far higher price than they are forced to under the supermarket deal. France still makes plenty of butter - it has the second biggest dairy industry in Europe after Germany - it just isn’t where you might expect to find it. Hugues Beyler, director of the Federation of Commerce and Distribution (FCD) said for the moment there are only “occasional shortages,

often linked to problems of logistics”, but the situation has not been helped by the butter-loving French public panic buying as news of dwindling stocks spread. The crisis was met with typical humour on the internet, with one man placing a piece of buttered baguette online at LeBonCoin.fr for €5. “Tartine for sale covered in real Breton butter, bought just a week ago,” the cheeky post read. Several other resourceful people have placed blocks of butter online with prices ranging up to €49! When the industry sits down with the supermarkets in February, the price of a block of butter may not reach €49, but consumers can currently expect significant rises... and full shelves! ■

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NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 9

NOVEMBER 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Contactless payment limit Bournemouth fan hunt increases to 30 euros goes viral in France

introduced, many were suspicious and feared that they would lead to increased levels of fraud, but this does not appear to have been the case. In fact, according to the Observatoire de la sécurité des moyens de paiements (OSMP), which monitors payment security and fraud, contactless cards have a “generally stable fraud rate” of 0.02%, with instances exclusively linked to card theft; overall levels of card fraud are 0.029%. Furthermore, there are certain protections already in place for consumers. “Even if your card is stolen and the thief manages to make several contactless transactions, the consumer will be fully reimbursed and the payments are guaranteed for the shopkeeper,” explained the CB group. The most popular places to use contactless payment are supermarkets, followed by fast food restaurants and bakeries. ■

France celebrates food wastage week

uch has been made in recent years of food wastage across the developed world. France itself has followed many other countries in taking steps to oblige large retailers to find outlets for their produce approaching its best before date rather than throwing it away, but the public's habits are also being targeted. October saw the French National Day Against Food Waste (Journée nationale de lutte contre le gaspillage alimentaire) take place in France, with the government releasing figures that show the average French person throws the equivalent of one meal in the bin every week. Overall, 10 million tonnes of edible food are thrown away by the public each year in France - 29 kg per person with an overall value of €16

billion. When the entire food production chain is taken into account, this figure rises to 155 kg per person! Whilst this may seem staggeringly high, the French are far from the worst offenders: Europe-wide figures from 2010 show that the British each squeeze 236 kg of food into their bins, but even they are far behind the wasteful Dutch who top the table with well over half a tonne of wasted food per person per year. As part of an information campaign, the public were urged once again to be aware of the difference between “use by” dates (in French: DLC - date limite de consommation) and “best before” dates (DDM - date de durabilité minimale). “Use by” (DLC) dates should not be ignored as they are used for perishable items such as meat

or dairy products which can be dangerous if eaten after this date. “Best before (DDM)” dates, however, show that food may be past its best after the date shown, but is not likely to be dangerous, and could probably still be eaten for a few more days or weeks - for example dried pasta, chocolate or jams. One group raising awareness is the Remplir les ventres, pas les poubelles (Fill stomachs, not bins) association, which recently held a banquet for 500 people in La Rochelle using food being thrown out by supermarkets. The menu consisted of gazpacho, panzanella, potato curry, chocolate cake, and fruit crumble - all home-cooked by members of the organisation and was available to anyone, as long as they brought their own plate and cutlery. ■

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ince their introduction in 2012, contactless payments have proved incredibly popular with consumers and businesses alike. With the number of contactless transactions rising steadily, the limit on these payments has been raised from €20 to €30. In July this year, there were 108 million paiements sans contact across France, an increase of 112% on the previous year. If your bank card features the contactless symbol, which looks very similar to the wireless symbol on many tablets and computers, then your card already contains contactless technology with a €20 limit per transaction. Any new cards issued from October this year will feature the increased €30 limit. In order to pay for your goods, you simply need to hold your card close to the payment terminal - no pin number is required. “Currently 60% of all transactions are lower than €30, compared to 43% lower than €20,” explained a spokesperson for the CB group, a figure that he believes justifies the change. “This will further encourage its usage; shopkeepers are already very pleased with the increased speed through the checkout and 80% of consumers say that they are happy with the technology.” When contactless payments were first

Bournemouth football fan received a shock recently when a social media campaign was launched by French club Nice to track him down and offer him free tickets to a game. An eagle-eyed viewer in France spotted the fan in question wearing an old Nice replica shirt in the stands of a recent Premier League match involving the southern side. When images of the fan hit Twitter, Nice Football Club got involved and called upon AFC Bournemouth to help them find him. A few days later,

the man was identified as Jim Attridge, a history teacher and Bournemouth season ticket-holder, who had lived in Nice for four years while working in Monaco between 2002 and 2006. He told the French club's website that he alternates his 2002/03 Nice shirt with his Bournemouth shirt when supporting his local team - the two red and black striped kits are almost identical. The Ligue 1 side were clearly delighted to hear why the expat had chosen Nice over their more glamorous neighbours Monaco during his time

in France. “I worked in Monaco, but for me, it was all a bit fake. I immediately chose Nice, for its soul and its culture. In Monaco, everyone looks at you, it’s artificial, you get the feeling that you are in a fish bowl. It was impossible for me to go there. However, Nice is something else…” Jim Attridge returns to Nice every couple of years, but has never visited the team's new multimillion euro Allianz Riviera stadium. This may soon change, however, as the club reiterated its promise of free tickets the next time he is in town. ■

10 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ NOVEMBER 2017

FRENCH LIFE ♦ 11

NOVEMBER 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

t is over 70 years since the end of World War II. On 8th May 1945 the fighting stopped. Europe has rebuilt and recovered, old enemies are now partners in a peaceful, affluent and free part of the world. For France back then it was the end of over four humiliating years of occupation. It was the moment to welcome home more than a million and a half Prisoners of War, incarcerated since 1940. Coming home, too, were more than half a million workers conscripted by Vichy and the Nazi occupiers in the STO regime (Service du travail obligatoire). Thousands of workers who were called up to go to Germany on STO left their homes and families to join the Resistance instead. Almost all the prisoners were sick, starved and exhausted by punishments and crushing toil. These were the men and women who had resisted the Nazis, been arrested and condemned to almost certain death in camps such as Dachau, Sachsenhausen, Auschwitz, Buchenwald and hundreds of others. When the trains transporting these skeletal,

by Brian Hinchcliffe destroyed people arrived in Paris and the other big cities, there were no welcoming committees, bands, bouquets, dinners or speeches in their honour. Robert Carrière, from Toulouse, was one of those human wrecks. “We were like living scarecrows,” Robert explained, speaking to The Bugle. “We were in rags, filthy, with shaved heads, emaciated, limping and coughing. People were scared and disgusted just to look at us. Nobody knew who we were or where we had been, or why we were in such a state.” Robert Carrière was just 17 when the Nazi Gestapo captured him and some companions as they tried to escape to Spain in September 1943. Robert’s idea had been to get to Britain and join General de Gaulle and fight the Nazis. That hope died then, on a mountainside near Luchon, but his spirit of resistance was alive and well as he and thousands of other prisoners finally arrived in November at the Dora camp, part of Buchenwald where Wernher von Braun was setting up his factory for V-2 rockets.

Robert’s memory of the atrocities are undimmed, he recalls a myriad of small cameos that paint a striking picture. “I saw von Braun a few times. He never looked at us. We prisoners had to dig a huge tunnel for his rocket factory by hand. There was unbelievable cruelty all the time,” he told us. “But there were moments of humanity, too, even from the guards. I came to realise that we were not fighting the Germans but fighting Nazism. It’s not where you were born that counts, it’s what you do. I was struck by the strength and courage of the women prisoners. I remember at roll call one day the women began to sing the Marseillaise. We men never dared to. History has little to say about the massive contribution of women in Resistance, and it’s a story that has to be heard.” Today, at 94 years of age, erect, lucid, clear spoken and articulate, this remarkable man gives regular termtime presentations about the camps to school children at the Resistance Museum in Toulouse. He believes that the horrors of the camps could

have been stopped, reminding us that the first Nazi concentration camps were set up as early as 1933. “People near the camps say they didn’t know about them. That’s not completely true. Yes, they knew, but they thought they could do nothing about it. We can never let it happen again.” He is passionate that everybody, especially young people, should know the truth about Nazism and learn from it. A cornerstone of his passion is the strength of remembrance, that history should not be subject to review, alteration and painting over what happened. This is particularly important, he says, when the truth is painful. “We should not only remember those who were lost in the fighting but those who resisted and were killed by the uncontrolled power of an evil doctrine. And not only remember, but vow to never let it be forgotten.” As the world approaches the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Moon Landing, it is appropriate to remember that the technology that put men on the Moon is rooted in Werner von

Buchenwald survivor’s memorial message

Brian with Robert Carrière (r) at the Resistance Museum in Toulouse

Braun’s V2s. The USA’s rocket programme has benefitted immensely from the technological discoveries made in that underground factory at Dora. Whilst admiring the success of Armstrong and Aldrin, the world must be made conscious of the human cost of that technology, carved out at the loss of the lives of thousands of political slaves. ■

ne shining example of FrancoBritish collaboration in recent times is the development of Concorde. The iconic plane was the first commercial supersonic aircraft and for decades flew the rich and famous around the world at twice the speed of sound. The project was never without controversy, however: high fuel consumption, noise pollution from the sonic boom and huge operating costs eventually led to the demise of the most recognisable aircraft ever designed. The Concorde project began not as a commercial agreement between France and the UK, but as a treaty. This meant that both governments were committed to the project and would face heavy penalties if they pulled out. The initial £70 million budget quickly exploded to £1.3 billion - a lot of money 50 years ago! and this financial cost meant that Concorde would never be commercially viable. When all other interested airlines withdrew their orders, the only remaining customers for Concorde were Air France and British Airways – only 20 planes were ever made. The British and French governments had agreed to cover the development and manufacturing costs, meaning British Airways were able to purchase their seven commercial Concorde for £1 each... the entire British fleet cost just £7!

The name Concorde was chosen as the word had a significance in both French and English, reflecting the co-operation between the two countries. Following a diplomatic spat, however, the name was officially changed to Concord (a more anglicised version) by Harold Macmillan after the British prime minister became annoyed that his French counterpart, Charles de Gaulle, had cancelled a meeting because he had a cold. The “e” was later reinstated by the British government. Concorde took to the skies in March 1969 and the first commercial flight left the runway in January 1976. As well as flying faster than other aircraft (at more than 2 000 km/h) Concorde also flew higher, cruising at over 50 000 feet (15 250 metres). At this height, not only could passengers see the curvature of the Earth, but there was also less turbulence, resulting in a smoother ride. To this day, Concorde still holds the record for a transatlantic flight: 2 hours and 56 minutes from London to New York. The journey was quick, but there was no in-flight entertainment on Concorde... however, you did get free champagne and high class food served on Wedgwood crockery! On 25th July 2000, an Air France Concorde crashed shortly after take-off from Paris when debris from a punctured tyre ruptured the fuel tank. The aircraft crashed into a small ho-

Many thanks to local French teacher, Sophie Arsac, for this month's bilingual article. Why not get in touch with Sophie to see how she can help improve your French! See right for contact details.

Concorde: the miracle of Franco-British engineering

tel and restaurant. All 109 people on board died - 100 passengers and 9 crew members; 4 people on the ground were also killed. Although the fleet did take to the skies again the following year, the accident marked the beginning of the end for Concorde and one of the greatest feats of Franco-British engineering made its last flight in October 2003. ■

’un des exemples brillants de la coopération franco-britannique de ces dernières années est le développement du Concorde. Premier avion commercial supersonique, cet appareil emblématique transporta pendant des dizaines d’années les personnalités riches et/ou célèbres à plus de deux fois la vitesse

du son. Le projet fut toutefois toujours l’objet de controverses : la consommation excessive de carburant, la pollution sonore due au bang supersonique et les coûts d’exploitation faramineux entraînèrent finalement la disparition de l’avion le plus reconnaissable parmi ceux jamais conçus. Le projet Concorde fut mis en place entre la France et le Royaume Uni par un traité et non point par un accord commercial, ce qui signifiait que les deux gouvernements étaient engagés dans le projet et qu’ils devraient subir de lourdes pénalités en cas de désistement. Le budget initial de 70 millions de livres explosa rapidement et atteignit 1.3 milliards de livres, un montant très conséquent il y a 50 ans, et ce coût financier signifia d’emblée que le Concorde ne serait jamais viable commercialement. A l’exception des deux seuls clients Air France et British Airways, toutes les autres compagnies aériennes initialement intéressées se retirèrent du projet et seuls 20 avions furent construits. Comme les gouvernements français et britannique s’étaient engagés à couvrir les frais de développement et de fabrication, British Airways put acheter chacun de ses sept Concorde au prix d’une livre et… la flotte britannique ne coûta que sept livres ! Le nom Concorde fut choisi car de signification identique en français et en anglais, il symbolisait la coopération entre les deux pays. Cependant, suite à une querelle diplomatique, le nom fut officiellement changé en “Concord” (version plus anglicisée) par Harold Macmillan après que

le Premier Ministre britannique eut pris la mouche car son homologue Charles de Gaulle avait annulé une réunion à cause d’un rhume. La lettre “e” fut rétablie plus tard par le gouvernement britannique. Le Concorde prit son envol en mars 1969 et le premier vol commercial quitta la piste en janvier 1976. Le Concorde n’était pas juste plus rapide que tout autre avion (sa vitesse dépassait les 2 000 km/h), il volait aussi plus haut, à plus de 50 000 pieds (15 250 mètres). A cette altitude, les passagers pouvaient non seulement voir la courbure terrestre mais comme il y avait également moins de turbulences, le trajet était plus confortable. A ce jour, le Concorde détient toujours le record du temps de trajet le plus court pour un vol transatlantique : 2 heures et 56 minutes de Londres à New York. Le trajet était certes court mais il n’y avait pas de divertissement à bord… cependant le champagne était gratuit et une cuisine de premier ordre était servie dans de la vaisselle Wedgwood ! Le 25 juillet 2000, un Concorde d’Air France s’écrasa sur un petit hôtel restaurant peu après le décollage au départ de Paris. Les débris d’un pneu crevé avaient causé la rupture du réservoir de carburant. Les 109 personnes à bord (100 passagers et 9 membres d’équipage) furent tuées ainsi que 4 personnes au sol. Bien que la flotte continuât de voler l’année suivante, l’accident marqua le début de la fin du Concorde et le dernier vol de ce qui représentait l’un des plus grands exploits de l’ingénierie franco-britannique eut lieu en octobre 2003. ■

12 ♦ FRENCH LIFE

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ NOVEMBER 2017

The wines of Bergerac

here are people who think that Bruno Bilancini is very close to God. He is the only winemaker in the Bergerac who has ever hit that ultimate score of 100 points from Robert Parker, the hugely influential American wine critic. Few would deny that his cuvée Madame of Monbazillac from the vineyard of Tirecul La Gravière, is an extraordinary achievement, the star of the region. To me, it was like drinking a celestial mixture of liquid gold and honey while hearing Gregorian chants sung by angels. And that was at 11 am in the morning. At 85 euros for a half-litre bottle, his cuvée Madame is the most expensive Bergerac wine that I know. But since it costs but a fraction of the Chateau d’Yquem, queen of Sauternes, to which it is often compared, it is a lavish treat for a very special occasion. But what took me to his vineyard for a tasting session and an interview was another wine entirely, for Bruno has started to make a red wine. And it costs less than ten euros a bottle. I was tipped off by friends at Julien de Savignac, the wine store in Le Bugue, which reminds me that there are few better investments than to become friends with your local vintner. The wine is called Boucicaut, a blend of merlot and cabernet sauvignon from 2016, grown on a hill of almost solid chalk at St Perdoux, just a couple of miles west of Issigeac. Bruno says he had to break up chalk lumps the size of his fist just to plant some new vines. His red wine is terrific, as rich and generous in the mouth as in the bouquet, with hints of spice and pepper and it does not fade in the second glass. He is also making a Bergerac sec, a dry white of classic purity, pale and fresh, and named Ulna, after his dog. It also costs less than ten euros a bottle. “I always wanted to make a red wine and for a while I had a hectare of vines at Pomerol but then our daughter was born and it was taking too long to get to Pomerol and back but the urge to make a good red never left me.” Bruno trained as a biologist, became a wine scientist who worked at the Monbazillac co-operative and at the Maison des Vins in Bergerac. He and his wife saved hard until they were able to lease 9 hectares of Tirecul in the 1990s, a gentle scoop of land on the slope below the

Tour des Vents restaurant. “The vineyard was perfect for us, a young couple, just starting out,” he said. “It was in poor condition, needing a lot of work but it was wholly free of chemical fertilizer and I knew it was wonderful terroir, especially for the muscadelle grape which I really treasure.” It was exactly what he and Claudie wanted, one of the grandest and most historic of the crus of Monbazillac. It is a marque Hollandaise, one of the handful of wines that became so popular in Holland in the 17th and 18th centuries that they invented the concept of the brand, with a special logo branded into the barrel. In Tirecul’s case, the symbol was a pine tree and to this day the vineyard is protected by trees at the top of the slope. Very quickly, his Monbazillac caught Robert Parker’s attention, and he wrote: “It is a euphemism to say this is one of the greatest wines of Monbazillac; it is among the greatest sweet wines I have ever tasted from any anywhere.” Tirecul is very different from the new vineyard that makes the red wine, except that Bruno makes his wine the same way. He spends a minimum amount of time in the chai, refusing any of the mechanical tricks. There is no added sugar, and the wine is moved by gravity, not pumps. “The less I do in the chai, the better. I’d rather work in the vines, controlling the yield, picking by hand because I want each grape to be perfect,” he says, stressing his commitment to organic methods. And he picks later than most. The Monbazillac co-op began picking on October 1. Bruno will wait until the last days of October or even November. He is a genial man who laughs a lot when he speaks, and has blonde hair and blue eyes despite his Italian heritage. His enthusiasm is catching when he talks of his passion for the muscadelle grape and the way he is now using some chenin for the delicacy it brings. Like many of the most interesting winemakers, he is not sure how much longer he wants to limit what grapes he can use in order to use the Bergerac appellation. He surveyed his customers and distributors around the world (70 per cent of his wines are exported) and found that many of them thought the Bergerac

by Martin Walker

label was not helpful. He might try replacing some of his older cabernet sauvignon with syrah or other varietals, and then simply call it a Vin de France or even use the Périgord. “It is my own wines I want to make, not what the appellation says I must,” he says. “Wine is the last relic of the ancien régime, where origins and titles are more important than merit.” ■ 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.

What tax will you pay on your savings and investments next year? - Blevins Franks

s part of his election campaign, President Emmanuel Macron promised various tax reforms, particularly on how investment assets and income are taxed. The aim is to encourage people to save more by simplifying taxation on financial income as well as aid business growth. The draft French budget for 2018 was presented to Parliament on 27th September 2017. A balancing act of tax and spending cuts, it includes the promised tax reforms. The budget will now work its way through parliament before being approved at the end of the year, so changes are possible. The main measures affecting expatriates in France are summarised below. Flat tax on investment income Investment income is currently taxed at the scale rates of income tax, but from 1st January 2018 it will become liable to one fixed rate of 30%, regardless of the amount earned. This 30% rate includes both income tax (12.8%) and social charges (17.2%). It will only apply to investment policies over €150,000 (per person, so €300,000 for a joint policy), whether in an assurance-vie or not. Lower income households can continue to opt for the progressive income tax rates, so that they do not have to pay more tax under the new system. Assurance-vie Note that for assurance-vie, the new

system will apply to all policies set up on or after 27th September 2017 but the 30% flat rate system will not start to be applied to withdrawals until 1st January 2018. This is because the French Constitution states that 70 days have to elapse between the budget being proposed to parliament and it being approved. While most of the reforms were expected, this early date for assurance-vie was a surprise. However, the flat rate can actually be more beneficial for individuals with a higher marginal rate of tax. If your assurance-vie policy was set up before 27th September, the old fixed rate system is still available, as is the ability to elect to use the scaled tax system. Policies held for more than eight years will continue to benefit from the €4,600 prélèvement libératoire allowance (€9,200 for married couples / PACS partners). Your assurance-vie policy will no longer be subject to wealth tax (see below). There are no changes to the succession tax treatment of assurance-vie. Wealth tax The budget released on 27th September proposed that wealth tax will be abolished from 1st January 2018 and a new real estate tax will be applicable. Savings and investments, including assurance-vie policies, will be exempt from this tax. If you own or are thinking of buying investment property, it may be worth considering moving the funds into capi-

tal investments instead. The current threshold of €1,300,000 will stay in place; the wealth tax scaled rates will apply to property, and main homes will still enjoy the 30% abatement. The 75% limit will also continue to apply. As at the time of writing on 12th October, this, along with the rest of the budget, still needs to be debated by parliament and approved. There have been reports that, to counter criticism that M. Macron is a “president of the rich” he will extend the new wealth tax to include items like precious metals (so possibly jewellery) and luxury yachts and cars. Social charges

have dependent children, this threshold increases by €6,000 for the first and second child and by €12,000 for each child after that.

Social charges for all forms of income are increasing by 1.7%, as follows: • Employment/self-employment income from 8% to 9.7% • Pension income from 7.4% to 9.1% • Investment income (including rental income) from to 15.5% 17.2%

Not yet approved

Taxe d’habitation This property tax will be abolished for around 80% of households in France, based on their level of taxable income. This will be implemented over a threeyear period, starting with a 30% reduction in 2018. You will benefit from this 30% reduction in your 2018 taxe d’habitation bill if you are a single person with a net income lower than €27,000 or a couple with an income under €43,000. If you

Income tax Income tax rates will remain the same, though the income bands increase by 1% in line with inflation. The 2018 scale rates of income tax (for 2017 income) will therefore be:

Up to €9,807 €9,808 - €27,086 €27,087 - €72,617 €71,618 - €153,782 Over €153,783

– – – – –

0% 14% 30% 41% 45%

Remember that all these reforms still need to be debated and approved by parliament, and so changes are possible. Take personalised advice from a professional wealth manager to establish how these reforms will affect you.. ■ Tel: 05 53 63 49 19 Email: bergerac@blevinsfranks.com Web: www.blevinsfranks.com The 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

NOVEMBER 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

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

In the garden - jobs for November

by Michelle Pierce

oday has been a glorious, sunny day, warm with blue skies. Hard to believe November is upon us, even though the swallows (hirondelles) have long gone, and the grues (cranes) have flown over towards Africa. Listening to their fabulous soft chattering calls must surely be one of the highlights of the year, even though their southward migration signals the start of the cooler months. So we can expect the cold to be coming, and it’s often the case that there is a fairly radical change from one week to the next, so be prepared! Firstly, go round and look at your containers, if you have any. Keep an eye on any sensitive plants that you had out in tubs - like agapanthus, gaura, plectranthus, salvia, cosmos atropurpurea, geraniums and other frost sensitive plants. Put them in frost-free environments to over-winter. Remember quite a few of these plants are actually perennial if you can keep them from getting too cold. Replant for winter colour with pansies, violas, heathers, spring bulbs, ivies, grasses, etc. Go round the garden and look at what needs pruning back immediately and see if you can use it as a mulch, laid directly on the earth surface. Discard anything that is diseased. Remember to collect free bracken from the road verges to help protect sensitive plants, especially in containers. Sowing can continue now for a while if it’s done under fleece or cloches, or if they

are at hand should need be, to help protect the young seedlings. It’s often a good idea to sow and then lay a layer of mulch, straw, dried bracken, even sawdust directly over the seeds, to help protect them from the cold. Alternatively, sow under a plastic cloche. “A la Sainte Catherine, tout bois prend racine” - this basically means this is a good time of year to plant roses, trees, shrubs, etc., before the real cold sets in. Also, plant your spring bulbs now like tulips, daffodils, grape hyacinth, etc. If it turns cold after doing this, use the leaves coming down off the trees an excellent free resource to collect. Spread them in a thick layer on clean beds, or pop on the compost heap. I put a thick layer in my polytunnel, and as a mulch over dahlias and round trees, shrubs, and over bulbs not in grass. If they are very thick leaves it doesn’t harm to run the lawnmower over them, to shred them up. Things can be cut back now, hedges, branches, herbaceous perennials, but remember that if you leave the debris in a pile something or other will try and shelter in it over the winter. It’s best to decide straightaway if you can leave it in a heap all winter, or if it’s going to get on your nerves and end up being tidied away. If this is the case, do it immediately, to avoid disturbing wildlife; it makes a good addition to the compost heap... and acts as a less kitsch insect hotel. The weather has been mild, so things

may well be in the early stages of growth if you’ve been sowing winter veg recently. Have a fleece handy to pop over them when the nights seem cold, and keep them well watered if the temperatures drop. Stuff sown in September should have made good progress, and may need thinning out. Some may even be ready for harvesting soon, as young plants for salads, or baby greens. November is a good month to take a little time and wander round the garden thinking about any changes you might want to make. The majority of perennials still have their volume, so you can see whether they will be short of space or not next year. If they look as if they’re going to be crowded, it’s worth splitting up the clumps now and replanting the offshoots elsewhere. The same could be said for trees - branches that look as if they’re going to go in the wrong direction, or crowd each other out need to be removed, preferably before the real frosts begin. So in a perfect world the veg garden is under control, with some beds under cover waiting for the spring, and some planted up with winter veg. The blackcurrants have been pruned back as needed, with the cuttings shoved into the ground to make new plants for next year and the raspberries and strawberries have been sorted out, with the extra plants removed to new homes, and the beds thickly mulched. Old canes or plants have been removed or cut back.

The tayberries and loganberries have been similarly dealt with, with the recent new growth tied up to the supporting structures so that they don’t sucker, and the gooseberries have had growth cluttering up the centres of the plants taken out. The apples have been collected and stored in well ventilated areas, as have the squashes, walnuts and hazelnuts. The grass is under control, with some areas left a bit longer for the wildlife, and others kept shorter, for the spring bulbs. These have been bought and planted in various areas of the garden, at reasonable depths (roughly twice the depth of the bulb) and their location carefully recorded in your garden notebook. Seeds have been saved. The Virginia creeper has been pruned back after its glorious autumn colour and any invasive things have been a little reduced in volume. The water features have had the extra oxygenating plants removed, especially things like water hyacinths which are not hardy, and been a bit tidied up. Water butts will be emptied as soon as the big freezes start happening. The bird tables and feeders are in place, well away from cats and other pests, as are shallow water dishes. There are some places for the small mammals, invertebrates and insects to overwinter. All is well in your garden and you’re ready for the winter. Good gardening! ■

Mincemeat - a non-meaty treat! by Julia Watson

ne Christmas, living in Washington DC where I became infected by the American enthusiasm for extreme festive decoration, I set fire to the house. Twice. I had, in the local way of things, laid branches of pine along a mantel piece in the sitting room and along the mantel piece in the dining room. I had nestled in among them several fireproof glass balls and hung others from more artistically lichen-covered twigs. Each was set with a tea light which I lit. The effect was so ‘Shelter’ magazine, I should have had the photographers around at once. Instead, I had the firemen. The glass balls, contrary to their description, were not fireproof and had delicately exploded, a sound not to be heard by the raucous guests celebrating their about-to-arrive turkey dinner. When the firemen left with the flames extinguished and a lovely tracery of carbon smoke across the ceiling, we sat down to our feast. Then the glass balls in the sitting room exploded. I’d forgotten about them or I would have put their candles out. Fortunately, the firemen were still stumbling down the garden path in their massive, inhibiting yellow fireproof jackets. So we called them back. Mortified, I handed out the mince pies that had just come out of the oven, warm and clovescented. The firemen looked suspicious. “And these are what?” “Mince pies,” I said cheerfully. “Mince?” “Strictly speaking, mincemeat - dried fruits.” They missed the reference to dried fruits, drawn, appalled, only to the ‘meat’ part of what had been described as an English dessert, and left in a hurry. Originally, mincemeat always contained meat. These days, the only meat connection is the suet - and even that can be replaced by vegetable suet. It’s a recipe that goes back as far as the 15th century, much influenced in ingredients by the plunder of the spice trade routes. Clove, mace (the outer husk of a nutmeg), nutmeg itself and

cinnamon were all used in meat dishes for their antimicrobial properties that preserved fresh meat through the winter. They have become the main source of flavourings in mincemeat which once sugar began arriving in Britain in affordable quantities, moved mincemeat from a savoury into a sweet dish served for dessert. By the end of the 19th century, meat finely chopped into a mince had disappeared from the recipe and the booze quotient was upped, along with the dried fruits. There isn’t really any commercial mincemeat that can compare with home-made. Even those who think the whole idea of mince pies quite revolting can be converted by home-made mincemeat. And mincemeat doesn’t have to be the exclusive preserve of the little Christmas pie. It’s good stuffed down the cavity left behind when an apple is cored for baking. This is the time to make your own - in quantity, because the longer it is left to mature, the better it gets. Like Christmas puddings, if you start off making plenty of it and make a little more each year, the earlier batches are the ones to celebrate with while the later ones are left to become richer and richer. If you can’t get the exact dried fruits, substitute others, such as pruneaux d’Agen finely chopped, to make up the total quantity. ■ Julia Watson has been a long-time Food Writer for newspapers and magazines in the US and the UK.

Mincemeat - makes 3 kg 450g apples (preferably cooking apples, but any will do) peeled, cored and finely chopped 225g suet or vegetable oil or butter 350g raisins 225g sultanas 225g currants 225g whole mixed peel, finely chopped

350g soft dark brown sugar Grated rind and juice of two lemons Grated rind and juice of two oranges 50g slivered almonds (optional) 4 teaspoons mixed spice ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon Half a nutmeg, grated 6 tablespoons brandy

Mix all the ingredients except for the brandy with clean hands very thoroughly in a large mixing bowl. Cover with a cloth and leave for 12 hours or overnight. Place in a cool oven, 120C, to prevent fermentation, for 3 hours. Allow to get completely cold then stir in the brandy and spoon into sterilized dry jars. Cover with wax discs and shove into the back of a dark cupboard until Christmas or after, labelling them with the year’s date. The very best possible pastry to use for mince pies is the following as it is crisp and short without actually crumbling. Nor is it claggy as is the pastry on so many shopbought mince pies.

Pastry for mince pies - makes 2 dozen 285g plain flour 30g ground almonds 170g butter 85g caster sugar

Finely grated zest of one lemon 1 egg yolk 3 tablespoons milk

Sift the flour into a mixing basin and add the ground almonds. Add the butter, cut in small pieces, and rub evenly into the mixture. Add the sugar and grated lemon rind. Lightly mix the egg yolk and milk and stir into the dry ingredients. Mix to fairly firm dough, turn onto a lightly floured board and knead until smooth. Chill for 30 minutes before using.

14 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ NOVEMBER 2017

Business Directory

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

WOOFERS RETREAT Holiday Home for Dogs

Home from Home Established 7 years Pet Sitting available 19510 Masseret Tel: 05 55 97 27 33 Mob: 06 61 05 06 13 debbie_shiralee@hotmail.co.uk siret 804 476 802 00017

MinouCats

Purpose built cattery with 7 heated, well equipped luxury suites Relaxed and secure environment Experienced and qualified owners Tender loving care all day long Agnac, 47800

Tel: 05 53 93 92 44 nicky@minoucats.fr www.minoucats.fr

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

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

Ironwood Motif Artist Blacksmith Ferronnerie d’Art

www.ironwoodmotif.com

sales24@thebugle.eu

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.

05 55 41 17 76

Facebook & Instagram: Ironwood Motif

SHAMPOOCHIENS Auto Dog Grooming Parlour

Blacksmiths

Tel: 05 65 30 53 99 SIRET: 481 198 638 00019

Building Services Architects/Surveyors

Services MOTOR PARTS CHARENTE

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

+44 (0)1377 538 639

motorptscharente@aol.com www.motorpartscharente.com

CHARTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEER

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

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

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

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

Architectural DRAWING SERVICE Renovating your French property? New build? Dossiers prepared Permis de Construire Déclarations Préalables

Tel: 05 53 52 36 05 lavieilleabbaye@orange.fr www.latuspeter-architecturaldrawings-24.com SIRET: 493 770 358 00015

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76 Building Services Electricians Robert Jones Electricité Générale Fully insured, registered electrician with 13 years experience in France Full rewires, renovation, new builds, fuseboards, lighting, heating, A/C and heat pumps, kitchen/bathroom alterations. Reliable and professional service. Lot-et-Garonne.

Tel: 06 81 98 43 22 or email: info@agenelec.com Siret 811 719 285 00017

ADVERTORIAL

Would you like to have all your financial questions answered in one go?

oving to and living in France is a wonderful adventure, but it is often overshadowed by the huge amount of bureaucracy and paperwork that you have to wade through, much of which can be very confusing and have several options available to you. I have often thought how great it would be to have a group of professionals all in one place, in an informal setting that individuals could meet with to talk about their concerns and questions.

Well I have joined forces with some fellow professionals to provide a free drop-in session for exactly this reason. On Tuesday 14th November I will be at the English-owned ‘Le Patio Café’, 10 Rue Jean Jaurès, 24160 Excideuil from 10am to 1pm along with Lauren Cook from AXA, Sue Cook from Currencies Direct and Paulette Peterson from PetersonSims Chartered accountants, to have a chat and help you with your various needs. Between us we can help you with: • Your financial and retirement planning, • Answer tax questions. • Give you help with health insurance and give you advice on getting into the health system in the first place, including advice on getting your carte vitale. • Help you get the best rates for your currency exchange. • Forward planning in this changeable

financial world.

Quite often these are all things that are thought about, but put aside, as they sometimes seem too daunting to tackle. However, the harsh reality is that ignoring this could actually be costing you money right now. If your financial affairs are split between the UK and France you could easily be paying unnecessary tax on your savings. The value of your pensions and investments could be being eroded year on year by inflation or simply the fact that your portfolio is not being actively managed. Worse than that – if you don’t adequately plan ahead you could face a nasty shock when it comes to inheritance tax liabilities. Were you aware that this could potentially create a tax liability of up to 60%? You will have the perfect opportunity to get some professional, independent advice and if needed you can arrange

a follow-up meeting with any of us to discuss your personal circumstances in more detail. As expats we have plenty of things to ‘worry about’ at the moment as negotiations continue on the Government’s Brexit proposals, so let us help you ease some of those worries and come and join is for a coffee and a chat on Tuesday 14th November. Or if you would prefer to arrange an independent, professional and impartial consultation, please contact me by email: Rosemary.sheppard@blacktowerfm. com or call me on 06 38 86 99 70. Blacktower Financial Management has over 30 years’ experience helping expats to make sure that their money works for them.. The above information was correct at the time of preparation and does not constitute investment advice and you should seek advice from a professional

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

DIRECTORY ♦ 15

NOVEMBER 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

ADVERTORIAL

“SolarVenti”- the solar solution to damp and humidity

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

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

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

Tel: Susan 06 41 81 63 96 Siret: 824 825 095 00014

BARWICK ÉLECTRICITÉ 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)

Tel: 09 72 35 74 73

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

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

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

Building Services General

Harlequin Developments est. 2007

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

05.55.68.67.56 06.06.60.46.97

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

PB INTERIORS Fitting & Installation Service Home Renovation/ Refurbishment Works Kitchens - Bathrooms Bedrooms - Living spaces

Services: Plasterboarding/Plastering (inc.specialist wall finishes) • Plumbing • Tiling • Laminate/Wood Flooring • 2nd Fix Carpentry (doors, architraves etc.) Over 30 years UK experience Dordogne/Lot area. Contact Paul on:

05-53-59-51-59 06-44-70-05-56

Email: pb.interiors24@gmail.com Siret 830 526 810 00015

sales24@thebugle.eu

05 55 41 17 76 CHARKER DAVID

Specialist in the renovation and restoration of period and contemporary buildings

- if the property is unoccupied during the hot summer months, then it can be left running at low speeds for ventilation and dehumidification purposes or simply switched off. With a range of panel sizes, and the option for wall or roof mounting, Solarventi is suitable for all types of buildings, caravans or even boats!! Following the patenting of its design in 2001, Solarventi has only recently been actively commercialized. Over the last six years, Solarventi units have been installed in more than 24 countries and demand is increasing rapidly. From Greenland to Australia, Solarventi is finally getting the recognition it deserves. ■ Units start from €490 TTC. Several ex-demonstration models available at reduced prices, call for details.

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76 Building Services Painters/Decorators Simon Carter

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

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

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

Building Services Plumbing & Heating

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

All small works undertaken

- Full analysed testing

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

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

E-mail : dn.charker@sfr.fr

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

E : wellers@orange.fr Registered Artisan - Siret No: 480 857 853 00018

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

Building Services Sandblasting

Food & Drink

Sand and Blast

AUBERGE AUX DELICES DE LA TREILLE

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

05 53 91 12 63 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 €26.40 Menu Soup+Starter+Main+Cheese+Dessert

WEBSITE No6 DESIGN before

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

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

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

24350 MONTAGRIER

06 38 75 32 97

www.no6.co

Shhhhh... it’s aisecret!

TheiSecret CurryiClub Pop-Up restaurant serving Indian Restaurant Curries

Weihaveiregularivenues in Ribérac, Villeréal, Bergerac, SteiFoyilaiGrandei & Nontron ‘Secret Curry Club Dordogne’ secretcurryclubdordogne@gmail.com

06 84 35 42 73

Siret: 80493524500014

Stephen Wisedale

WiFi Anglais

La Poutre

Bar & Restaurant

24400 Beaupouyet (N89 between Montpon & Mussidan)

Solve your Internet, wireless and computer problems

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

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

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

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

05 53 80 29 54 siret 537 415 903 00013

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

16 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ NOVEMBER 2017

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

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

6-Month Contract

12-Month Contract

€108

Small b&w Directory Ad

(€18/month)

Large b&w Directory Ad

(€24/month)

Small Colour Directory Ad

(€27/month)

Large Colour Directory Ad

(€36/month)

€162

(€13.50/month)

€144 €162

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

€216

(€18/month)

€243

(€20.25/month)

€216

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.

Food & Drink

Authentic Indian Cuisine to eat in or takeaway

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

www.auclairduperigord.com +33 (0)6 41 37 02 50 Eymet - every Tuesday Lauzun - 2nd, 4th & 5th Friday of the month Allemans du Dropt - every Saturday Winter (fortnightly) hours in effect soon. Check our website or Facebook for details

www.bombaybusserie.com 05 53 83 26 20 / 06 74 13 56 01

The Dordogne Chippy

d.nina@live.co.uk

FRENCH LESSONS Via Skype

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

Pools & Spas Dave Roberts

Fibreglass Specialist Fibreglass swimming pool linings that can be applied over all finishes: tiles, marbelite, concrete, etc. Perfect for new pools, old pools, or pools leaking water Laminated on site, one piece and seam free For more information or a quote, contact Dave: +44 (0)1903 893 451 +44 (0)7825 916 573

sales24@thebugle.eu

05 55 41 17 76

Eco Entrepot aka The Shed

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

05 55 68 74 73 Open every day except Monday

Support

SOS Help

01 46 21 46 46

05 55 41 17 76

www.soshelpline.org

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

Pest Control

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Gifts & Crafts

Central France Retail & Pest Control Commerce

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:

sales24@thebugle.eu

siret: 444 925 630 00014

Ivan Petley

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

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

Dératisation, Déinsectisation, Désinfection

02 48 60 83 72 / 06 74 33 02 38 www.applicateur3d.com

bookstop

Email: info@applicateur3d.com

Quality second-hand books in English & French

Curative and preventative

19 r Victor Hugo, 24310 Brantôme

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

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

09 51 45 57 49

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

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

sales24@thebugle.eu

05 55 41 17 76

www. fibreglass-lining.com

Your advert here

05 55 89 15 74 scarolinea@yahoo.fr

Man & Van Transport

anxious? stressed? feeling down? call us up! 3 - 11pm daily Confidential & Non-profit

Transport, Removals & Storage

Smart Moves For a fully insured, careful service

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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, from Man & Van through to 18 tonne truck Storage available in Sussex and the Limousin UK free phone:

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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

NOVEMBER 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

The Grumpy Granny Guide -

Behind the scenes - The Château Owner! Not many of us have a clear idea about what goes on behind the scenes of our local tourist industry. What are the challenges, politics, expectations and disappointments experienced by those who work hard throughout the year to ensure that the incredible heritage of the region is preserved and shown to best advantage? So while continuing to assess individual tourist sites, I have been talking to key people whose livelihood depends on tourism and this month begin with a series of profiles starting with... the Château Owner.

friend of my mother’s who lived on her own in a large castle outside Périgueux would laughingly recount the trouble she had in convincing visitors that despite her dishevelled hair, muddy boots and scruffy clothes, she was in fact the owner! Well, Madame R. as we will call her, would never have that problem. As she sits in her Renaissance drawing room, impeccably dressed, no one could take her for the gardener, and yet that is precisely what she is. The castle and its gardens, which together with her husband when he was alive have been a lifetime’s work and commitment to restore, are her pride and joy. Today it is the gardens which still keep her busy. “When we saw this château we fell in love with it, neglected and dilapidated though it was. The previous owner didn’t have the money and perhaps not the will either, to bring back its former glory. We bought it in the 70s and spent all our resources on restoring it to a place where visitors would be as enchanted with its beauty as we were. We were fortunate because the timing was right. It was still possible to find the appropriate artisans and furnishings as well as the help we needed both for inside the castle and the gardens, at reasonable cost. Today, it would be out of the question. We have never received any grant or subsidy and I’m very happy that we had the means to do what was needed on our own.” What are the most challenging aspects of keeping up such a large château? “The challenge, of course, is financial but beyond that it is having to adapt constantly to changing expectations and finding a niche in an increasingly competitive world. The opening of Lascaux IV nearby has drained away some of our potential visitors and things will not get any

easier. Tourism has changed completely and we can’t just stand still. Visitors are more demanding but I am very anxious that visitors shouldn’t just be detached spectators, I want to include them in this rich heritage. So we now have a treasure hunt for children which encourages them to learn something about the history of the castle and its surroundings, which has proved a huge success, and we’ve recently opened up parts of the castle which never interested people before but which excite the imagination of those who are no longer content with history and architecture but want to know all about everyday life over the centuries and love the mysterious and unique. People probably have no idea how much effort is needed to ensure that the castle and gardens are in immaculate condition every day without exception. No branches on the paths, no leaves in the courtyard, no weeds in the flower beds, dust or spider webs in the rooms. Every day visitors expect perfection and that’s what we aim to give them. After a storm, a heat wave or a high wind, we have to make sure that by the time we open the gates, it looks as though nothing has happened, which requires sound organisation and resources.” Mme R. is delighted with what she has achieved but not happy with the present politics of tourism in the area. Too competitive, too centred on the Vézère valley, too politically divided and uncoordinated. Her hope is that with the present shift in politics things will change. I asked Mme R.: “If I could grant you 3 wishes for the future, what would they be?” “I know the department of the Dordogne hopes to see a big increase in tourist numbers but in my view that just isn’t going to happen. The cake will be the same size and we will all get a smaller share. We have reached absolute saturation in some areas like Sarlat while those outside the Vézère Valley don’t get enough publicity. So first of all, I would like to see a wider distribution of visitors throughout the Périgord through more cooperation. At present it is the big sites versus the small, those that are subsidised versus those that aren’t and town councils versus the site owners; we would all gain so much if we combined our efforts. Secondly, although we have plenty of gîtes, camping and camping car sites, mass tourism for

2-3 months of the year just isn’t the way to go. We also need to serve the top end of the market which is on the rise because there are now many more wealthy visitors from further afield - China, Russia, Australia - who are looking for excellence. But although a new hotel has opened up in Montignac, for a number of reasons the tourists with money to spend are not adequately catered for and I would like to see more done for them now. And my third wish? We have an amazing heritage here in the Périgord but we have almost come to the end of the era of purchase and restoration. We have to think now about maintenance and upkeep and here we face a new problem - the lack of trained local people. I can bring in people from outside but I want to employ locals. However, there just isn’t enough well-trained and committed help available. I fear for the garden in the future and so does every garden owner in this area. I would like there to be more local training for local jobs; gardening today isn’t just about digging and weeding, it is highly professional and has to be trained and paid for accordingly.” Mme R. walks me round the immaculate gardens. “We are fortunate because here we have both a beautiful castle and wonderful gardens in a calm and romantic setting. But I am concerned not just about my own situation but that of the whole area. There isn’t enough aesthetic oversight of the changes we see all around us and there is a degradation of the countryside which I think will accelerate despite all the rules and regulations they say are in place. I’ve had to fight very hard not to have a car park built on the river bank opposite the château, intended to allow visitors to admire the castle without having to visit. Ruining of course the view from the château and making no economic sense! I won that round, but the next? Who knows?” Mme R. then adds rather wistfully, “I have done everything I can now and I very much hope all this survives me.” And so do we.

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

grumpygrannyguide@orange.fr This is part of a series of features devoted to the tourist experience in the Dordogne provided by grumpygranny-guides.com which highlights those sites which are comfortable and pleasant to visit and which offer a warm welcome.

Visit us on:

www.GRUMPYGRANNY-GUIDES.com

WASPI Europe

Eric & Zappa - born June 2017 Although Eric and Zappa are not related, they may as well be as Zappa has decided to care for poor Eric who was found in a sorry state in a car park. One of his back legs was broken and the other was badly infected and was being being pecked at by crows. Fast forward two months and his broken leg has healed and X-rays show that there is no more infection in the other leg but, due to bone and muscle damage, the leg may always be weak. That doesn't stop Eric, though, he's a brave little man and enjoys playing with Zappa, the more adventurous of the two, and holds his own with all the other cats. Zappa, as well as being an adventurer, is a loving affectionate boy, always purring and loves to pretend he's a scarf draped around your neck and is particularly gentle around Eric. Both these angels are vaccinated, chipped and have been treated for fleas and worms so, if you would like to meet them please contact foster carer Julie on 06 48 36 26 7 or email her at oldclockhouse@hotmail.com Both cats are in 87150 Oradour-sur-Vayres.

COMMUNITY ♦ 17

Are you a woman born in the 1950s in the UK and now living in Europe? Are you one of the 3.8 million women affected by the changes made to the state pension age? There is a group called WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality), set up by 5 ordinary women in 2015, that believes the changes to be unfairly implemented and poorly notified and who are campaigning on behalf of all of us to achieve fair transitional arrangements. WASPI Europe is a closed Facebook group set up in support of the official WASPI campaign but more specifically to campaign on behalf of expats, for whom some of the suggested ‘solutions’ would not be helpful. If you would like to be part of the campaign please follow the below link on Facebook and ask to join. In addition to discussion and facts, you will also find a section with template letters so you can get involved in the campaign. The campaign is moving forward and we need as much support as possible. We invite you to sign the petition for fair transitional state pension arrangements at https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/200088 For more information visit www.waspi.co.uk and www.facebook.com/groups/Francewaspi/

Chloe is one of the many gorgeous, happy and healthy kittens looking for homes with Association Acorn Cat Rescue, based in 24400 Église-Neuve-d’Issac, Dordogne. All Acorn cats and kittens are microchipped, vaccinated and sterilised where age appropriate.

www.associationacorn.com Facebook: Acorn Cat Rescue

www.phoenixasso.com www.facebook.com/PhoenixAssociationFrance

UPCOMING AQUITAINE CHURCH SERVICES

The Chaplaincy of Aquitaine covers the Dordogne, Gironde, Lot-et-Garonne, and Condom (Gers). All services are held in English. For further details, please see our website: www.churchinaquitaine.org or contact Chaplaincy Administration: Amy Owensmith, +33 (0) 607 04 07 77 chapaq.office@gmail.com

SUNDAY 05 NOVEMBER 10:30 Service of the Word – Bertric Burée 10:30 Morning Worship – Bordeaux 10:30 The Gathering Meeting – Condom, Le Mouret 10:30 Fresh Expressions – Eymet Temple 10:30 Prayer & Praise – Limeuil 11:00 Holy Communion – Doudrac 11:00 Prayer & Praise with Communion – Sainte Nathalène 16:00 Evensong – Bertric Burée Wednesday 08 November 11:00 BCP Holy Communion – Bertric Burée SUNDAY 12 NOVEMBER 10:30 Holy Communion – Bertric Burée 10:30 Family Communion – Bordeaux 10:30 Fresh Expressions – Eymet Temple 10:30 Holy Communion – Limeuil 10:30 Remembrance Service - Monteton 10:30 Family Service – Négrondes

10:30 Remembrance Service – Talence Allied Military Cemetery 11:00 Remembrance Service – Condom Tuesday 14 November 11:30 Holy Communion – Envals Thursday 16 November 10:30 BCP Holy Communion – Limeuil SUNDAY 19 NOVEMBER 10:30 Family Service – Bertric Burée 10:30 Family Communion – Bordeaux 10:30 Holy Communion – Chancelade 10:30 Morning Worship – Dondas 10:30 Fresh Expressions – Eymet Temple 10:30 Morning Worship – Limeuil 10:30 Prayer & Praise – Monteton 11:00 Prayer & Praise – Sainte Nathalène 15:00 French-Madagascan Family Communion – Bordeaux SUNDAY 26 NOVEMBER 10:30 Holy Communion – Bertric Burée 10:30 Family Communion – Bordeaux 10:30 Fresh Expressions – Eymet Temple 10:30 Holy Communion – Limeuil 10:30 Holy Communion - Monteton 10:30 Holy Communion – Négrondes

Thursday 30 November 11:00 Morning Worship – Condom

18 ♦ WHAT’S ON

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ NOVEMBER 2017

WHAT’S

BOOKSTOP screenings Dan Bessie’s 2017 season in UNDERSTANDING FILM WHEN: Sunday 12th November at 2.30 pm. With discussion and a refreshment break. WHERE: Bookstop, 19 rue Victor Hugo, Brantôme RESERVATIONS: Please contact Howard on 09 51 45 57 49 or via email at bookstop24@gmail.com. We have room for up to 20. FEE: €7.50 - Includes tea or coffee and a goodie. Cake and other items will be available for purchase. This month’s screening is Waiting for Guffman. As the poster explains, “There’s a good reason why some talent remains undiscovered.” With his gang of regulars in completely different roles, Christopher Guest unleashes his wonderfully idiosyncratic humour on small-town theatre in his third in the series of “mocumentaries.” Guaranteed to send you home laughing.

Exhibition of mushrooms - photos and illustrations 1st-22nd November - Issigeac Tourist Office Tues-Sat 10h-12h & 14h-17h30; Sun 10h-12h30 Mushroom picking on Wednesday 8th November RDV In front of the tourist office at 9h30 12h Packed lunch 14h Identification of the mushrooms

YOU’RE INVITED TO A

CHRISTMAS

Market November 18 2017 – 10 am – 3 pm

Sarlat Film Festival - 14th-18th November Sarlat’s wonderful architecture, medieval-style buildings and stone roofs have made a backdrop for a score of top motion pictures since 1968, adding to its fame and its fortune. So it’s no surprise to learn that only Nice and Paris have had more films shot in their locales than Sarlat. The town plays host to an annual Film Festival, which this year celebrates its 26th edition and will run from 14th to 18th November. One of the finest film festivals in the country, it attracts many famous French actors and directors who come to present their film. On the bill for this edition of the festival are premiere screenings of feature films, numerous short films, workshops and discussion sessions with writers and film professionals. The festival was created with an educational objective as it brings together 600 baccalaureate students each year from all over France who will take part in workshops and meet film crews. Films will be shown at the Cinéma Rex. Tickets are available on the door or from www.cinerex.fr (book early to avoid disappointment). For more information visit www.festivaldufilmdesarlat.com

Salle des fêtes Bertric-Burée

Christmas Cakes, Puddings & Crackers Handmade Decorations & Gifts Bacon Butties & Mulled Wine And much more...

NOVEMBER 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

WHAT’S ON ♦ 19

Christmas Craft Fair Sunday 26th November,

Theatre de Lauzun present

Salle de Carbonnier, Castillonnès 10 am – 4 pm

by Charlotte Jones at the Theatre de Lauzun, Rue Eugène Mazelie, 47410 Lauzun

One-stop Christmas gift shopping at this Craft Fair with lots of crafts from jewellery to handmade soap, Indian sauces to cosy hand knits. Father Christmas will be visiting after lunch and there are delicious homemade cakes, pasties, soup, Christmas cake, mince pies and so much more and tea/coffee on sale all day.

BRANTÔME POLICE HORSES

The Best Christmas Fair Sunday 3rd December from 10:30 am to 5 pm Lots of stalls under marquees, hot food served all day, bar, Père Noël in his grotto, the Great Brantôme Police Horses Christmas Bake Off with prizes, tombola, cake stall and much more! Yearly raffle drawn at 4 pm. La Grange, 24530 St Pancrace For more information visit www.brantomepolicehorses.com

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/

UPCOMING CONCERT Sunday 3rd December at 4 pm Piano Recital by Giulio Potenza

‘Humble Boy’

Thursday 30th November, Friday 1st December and Saturday 2nd December. Doors open at 7 pm, curtain up at 7:30 pm. This funny and poignant play is performed in English by The Theatre de Lauzun group. Tickets are 10 euros each and are on sale now. Reservations should be made by email to barbaragray1@hotmail.com or by phone on 05 53 88 09 71.

Help us to support

BANSANG HOSPITAL IN THE GAMBIA

Annual Christmas Market Sunday 10th December Salle Le Capitolet, Abjat-sur-Bandiat 24300 From 10 am to 6 pm Booking & enquiries to:

Programme: Leos Janacek - Piano sonata 1.X.1905 In the mist, Nikolai Medtner - Sonata Op.38 no.1,”Reminiscenza”, Clara Schumann Romances Op.21 no.1 and Robert Schumann Carnaval Op.9 Giulio Potenza, born in Palermo, has been playing piano since the age of six and giving piano recitals since he was ten. He has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in major international festivals and venues and has also won several important international piano competitions. His recitals have been recorded and broadcast by BBC Radio 3, the Swiss Classical Radio, Radio Vaticana, Radio Mozart Italia and Rai National Television.

Linda Nicholson - tel 05 53 56 73 86, email lindanicholson51@yahoo.co.uk Find out about Bansang Hospial at bansanghospitalappeal.org

DON’T BE ON YOUR OWN THIS CHRISTMAS MEET NEW FRIENDS AT THE SINGLES CIRCLE 21ST NOVEMBER – 2 PM TO 5 PM BOOKSTOP, rue Victor Hugo, Brantôme Contact: alanlees@freeuk.com Facebook: Bookstop

20 ♦ WHAT’S ON