The Bugle - November 2018

Opticians could soon perform eye tests

A watchdog has recommended new powers for opticians to tackle the huge >> Page 3 waiting times for eye tests

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November 2016 - Issue #85

Dordogne

Your local newspaper for life in France

November 2018 - Issue 65 - FREE!

Expat healthcare rights guaranteed Shortly

after

the

French

All change at the pumps as new labelling is introduced - page 8

government

unveiled its Brexit bill to safeguard expats' rights in the event of a no deal, the UK introduced its own bill guaranteeing a

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worried: “reciprocal”.

France is expecting Britain to enshrine in law similar deals for its nationals currently living in the UK, effectively making the rights of expats on both sides of the Channel bargaining chips in the ongoing Brexit negotiations.

Despite this, the introduction of a Brexit bill in France does highlight the willingness of France to protect the rights of British expats and has been hailed by others as a positive step.

“We must make sure that in the absence of a deal on March 30, 2019, Britons living in France do not find themselves suddenly with irregular

Calls for homeowners to save hedgehogs - pg 6

Anyone for cassoulet flavoured beer? - pg 10

reciprocal healthcare agreement.

Parsnips: the versatile winter veg - pg 11

The Bugle Business Directory - pg 14-16

>> continued on page 6

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he French government has published a draft bill on the plans it intends to rush through to avoid problems for British citizens living in France in the event that the UK crashes out of the EU without a Brexit deal. The bill contains contingency plans to guarantee certain rights to healthcare and freedom of movement, as well as granting Brits “more favourable treatment” than people from other third countries, i.e. other non-EU member states.

Whilst much of this sounds like good news for expats in France, the continual reappearance of one word has many people

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Welcome to

The Bugle

R

e m e m b e r, remember, the fifth of November!

I do always remember this date as it marked the day that the final copies of the first ever edition of The Bugle were distributed and I sat back hoping I hadn’t made a huge mistake! That was way back in 2009 when my hair was dark and the two ends of my belt still just about met in the middle. It feels like a lifetime ago, which it literally is for my eldest as that was the same year she was born!

A lot has changed in the past nine years, including the introduction of this, our Dordogne edition, but one constant has been the mounting stress at the end of each month followed by a bout of nerves after pushing the Big Red Button, crossing my fingers that I didn’t forget something important.

It remains a source of pride - and consternation to those close to me - that we have never taken a month off or missed a print run in all that time. Long may it continue!

A big thank you to readers who keep the paper going by picking it up and letting advertisers know that you saw their advert in these pages.

And despite essentially being a one-man band, the paper could not exist without some very loyal and patient helpers. Thank you again, you know who you are!

It was interesting learning this month about the changes being proposed by a watchdog to allow opticians to perform basic eye tests (see opposite).

Sometimes, it just takes a bit of common sense to solve massive problems. A good few years ago when my daughter was told by a school nurse that she should have her eyes tested, I thought it about time for me to get my own vision checked again as well. Phoning around the ophthalmologists in the Creuse I very quickly learnt that this literally wasn’t possible – no one was accepting new patients as waiting lists were already too long.

I ended up taking an appointment an hour away in a neighbouring department

and even then we had to wait 3 months. Now, I’m not having a go at ophthalmologists, who are highly trained eye professionals able to carry out specialist surgery. Unlike Gove, I have nothing against experts. I like mine to be nerdy as hell and trained up to the eyeballs, if you’ll pardon the pun.

But it just doesn’t feel as though someone who has been through medical school and specialised as an eye doctor needs to be spending their days asking a child “Which is clearer, left or right?” It’s a bit like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. It just seems so sensible and obvious to me that, given that there aren’t enough ophthalmologists, you would train a portion of the country’s army of opticians who are already themselves highly qualified - to perform the most basic of eye tests.

Why make someone with a genuine problem that could affect their sight and/or health wait to see an expert who is too busy trawling through dozens and dozens of routine repeat prescription visits. I remember hearing someone joke about forming a new type of government where one person at the top deemed sensible and trustworthy gets to say “yes, that sounds like a good idea”, or “no, that is clearly bonkers”. I seem to recall them suggesting Stephen Fry, who I think

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would be perfect for the role, and I reckon he would look at the French watchdog’s suggestion and say it was a very fine idea indeed.

Elsewhere, the EU has changed the labels on all the petrol pumps to some indecipherable series of letters and numbers, all in the name of clarity and simplification (see page 8). I’m not usually one to bash the EU, but I remain baffled as to why petrol should be “E” and diesel “B”.

This news piece rather snuck up on me. Apparently they have been preparing the changes for a while, but I must admit I hadn’t heard about this in advance or noticed anything at the pumps. Maybe it’s time I got my eyes tested...

I’m free this time next year!!

Until next month!

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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:

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pticians in France could soon be authorised to prescribe glasses and contact lenses independently, after an official watchdog found the public is experiencing significant delays for ophthalmologist appointments. Under current rules, opticians are only allowed to renew or tweak a prescription given out by an ophthalmologist, but waiting times for an appointment are incredibly long across the country.

The problem is especially bad in rural areas such as the Dordogne where some ophthalmologists do not take new patients, and if you are lucky enough to already be registered, you may still have to wait several months for an appointment.

According to the report: “In many areas, patients are suffering from significant delays, even in an emergency, to get a consultation. Some are finding it to be impossible to get treatment if they are not already in the system.” This situation is only expected to get worse, with a 20% drop in the number of specialists expected by 2030.

Nationally, the delay for an appointment is currently an average of 80 days, but this data is skewed by the relatively short waiting times in large cities. In small, rural communes, the average delay is 97 days.

The watchdog's report suggested that “widening the services” of other eye health professionals, such as opticians, could be one solution. This would also free up ophthalmologists’ time to focus on more serious eye conditions, and on patients who require surgery and other more serious inter-

©wavebreakmedia (Shutterstock.com)

Opticians may soon be able to perform basic eye tests

vention. There are currently over 35,000 opticians working in France, but just 4,643 fully-trained ophthalmologists in clinics and hospitals.

The proposed changes would see certain opticians receive an extra 2 years of training which would allow them to offer simple consultations, deliver prescriptions for glasses and lenses, perform eye tests and monitor certain eye conditions.

Opticians would have a responsibility to refer customers to an ophthalmologist in the event that an eye condition “exceeded their field of competence”.

The watchdog suggests that, in order to prevent a conflict of interest, customers should not be allowed to buy glasses from the same optician that gave them the initial prescription. ■

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Organic products available at local food bank Teaming up with a national organic foods provider, a Dordogne resource for families in financial difficulties is now offering organic products. Through the innovative partnership with Biocoop, who have also given a €2,000 grant, the Epicerie Solidaire in Sarlat can now offer organic bulk goods at accessible prices.

Claudine Noue, chair of the association running the food bank, has been able to equip the Epicerie Solidaire with specially designed dispensers for organic dry goods. The Biocoop has committed to handle the refilling of the dispensers.

People are normally referred to the Epicerie Solidaire by a social worker, usually for short-term assistance to get through a financial sticky patch. Users of the bank can now get organic versions of staples like sugar, cereals, rice, pastas, dried beans, etc. without having to pay the high premium that organic products often attract.

Wendy Burwood, an organic shopkeeper based in Brantôme, told The Bugle: “Good food is essential for good health. Hippocrates said, ‘Let food be your medicine’ and for me, everyone should have access to organic food. We hope that one day it will be the norm.”

Biocoop boss, Christophe Laurens, agrees with Wendy, adding that “part of the aim of this initiative is to open up to a wider public the real benefits of organic foods, without insecticides or additives, and to show that organic foods can be for everybody not just for the few”. ■

by Brian Hinchcliffe

4 ♦ LOCAL NEWS

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ NOVEMBER 2018

‘Harry’s Boys – Caught up in War’ Fears for the

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fate of PérigueuxBassillac airport

he discovery of a heartbreaking story hidden by his father for decades inspired local expat Richard Barker, who has a house in Le Lédat close to Villeneuve-sur-Lot, to retell the incredible tale in

a novel.

“In 1986 my father had retired to Biscarrosse, a small coastal town just south of Bordeaux. He had never spoken about his childhood. Dad was fluent in French but I never knew why. As far as I knew we were English. In 1987 I arranged a visit to introduce Mum and Dad to my firstborn.

It was then that I asked Dad if he could write down a few words about where he was born and grew up. He said he would try.”

Sadly Paul Barker died not long after, in 1992, but Richard found he had indeed left 29 pages of hand-written notes. “I read his story with tears rolling down my cheeks.

I really could not believe what had happened to him and his younger brother,” said Richard. “It was incredible that they had survived - and he had said nothing!”

The story really begins with Richard’s grandfather, Harry Barker, as a soldier in WW1 in France where he meets and later marries Belgian born Albertine. They live in England for a time, but decide to move back to Brussels. Their two sons, Paul and Stephen, are born but sadly, soon after, Albertine dies of TB. Nevertheless, Harry decides to stay in Brussels.

In 1939 Hitler launched Blitzkrieg on Belgium. Harry, a British national, realises he is at risk so jumps into his car with his two young sons, his caretaker and the neighbour’s daughter and heads north to the Channel hoping to find passage to England. All efforts prove unsuccessful and they end up in Port Navalo, a little fishing village in southern Brittany, whilst the battle on the beaches of Dunkirk rage.

The Germans sweep through northern France where Harry and his sons soon find themselves trapped but just as the Germans close in they see a refugee ship steam by. Harry persuades a local fisherman to take him and his sons and chase after the vessel. The Frenchman, planning on leaving himself, agrees. The following morning as Harry arrives on the quayside with his boys he is told that things have changed and that now there is only space for him - but not the children. Harry makes an extraordinary decision...

The book tells the incredible story and retraces Harry’s tortuous escape effort through south-west France and the

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lives of his two young sons in German-occupied Belgium.

Richard spent five years researching the book, visiting the places in northern and south-west France, Belgium and the Ardennes detailed in the notes and meeting relatives he previously didn’t know he had.

‘Harry’s Boys – Caught up in War’ is available from Amazon, by ordering from all major bookshops in the UK or direct from the publisher.■ Details and links: www.harrysboys.co.uk

he fate of Périgueux’s civil airport is in the balance in November, the month when deliberations will be taken out of local hands by the civil aviation authorities (DGAC).

Since it lost its scheduled service to Paris in June, things have been looking bleak at the bijou airport at Bassillac, just over the river from the big shopping centres at Trélissac. The airport is a hub for aeronautical expertise, aircraft repair, maintenance, training and airframe building and recently hosted an event encouraging youngsters to discover career opportunities offered by flying, building and maintaining aircraft.

Users of the airport are concerned that at decision making level, there seem to be no elected members prepared to put up a fight to preserve it. Once commercial flights are completely lost, it is feared that the airport may never be fully used again. The military, including US forces are expected to continue to use Bassillac for training purposes, however.

Veteran pilot, Jean-Pierre Andraud, accepts there are problems: “It became clear that the Paris route was not viable long term, but losing it shouldn’t put the whole complex in jeopardy.”

Various agencies are involved in decisions about the airport’s future and users are calling on the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) and local authorities to step in.

The airport is also in a tricky position geographically. Bergerac airport is going from strength to strength and Limoges airport serves the north of the department well.

While the users’ group have been demanding an answer on the fate of Bassillac from the president of Greater Périgueux, Mr Andraud laments: “We have had no reply. There is absolutely no movement on this.” Whilst concrete decisions are not being taken on a local level, the DGAC may take the fate of the airport out of their hands. ■

by Brian Hinchcliffe

LOCAL NEWS ♦ 5

NOVEMBER 2018 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Families of downed RAF pilots and local Facelift for Périgueux Resistance fighters meet after 75 years animal rescue centre

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credit: John Reid

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Dordogne town has paid homage to wartime French Resistance fighters and downed RAF pilots in an unusual and moving event in October.

On the night of 9th-10th May 1944, an RAF Halifax bomber of the 138th Squadron crashed near Chabanais, Charente. It had just been involved in a lowlevel drop of weapons and supplies to Resistance fighters near Brive-la-Gaillarde. Having lost two of their four engines, the 7 British and Canadian crew were forced to parachute and risked being shot on sight or locked up as POWs, until the Dordogne Resistance intervened.

The commemoration on 9th October was organised by the mayor of Saint-Saud-Lacoussière, Pierre Duval, and historian Alan Latter. This unusual occasion was made more special and moving by the attendance of families of some of the crew as well as those of some of the rescuers, after almost 75 years!

Gunner Sgt Blackett and Sgt Jones were hidden and cared for by the RAC Brigade of the Resistance who looked after the two parachuted survivors for 3 months. During that time the RAF airmen were involved in training and operations with Resistance fighters before be-

David Blackett with Stuart and French Resistance vehicle

ing able to return to England.

All 7 of the crew survived, thanks in no small part to the Brigade Résistance RAC plus lion-hearted local families and the maquis. They all faced certain death if discovered hiding British aircrew, but despite the risks, concealed and accommodated them, whilst the Nazis frantically searched the area.

Flt Sgt Reid RAF (rtd), who is the local RAAF Welfare Officer (Sud-Ouest France) met Sgt Blackett’s son, David, and grandson, Stuart, and learned that they both served in HM Forces, Royal Navy and Army respectively and that they had found the whole event very humbling and emotional and

had never expected such a turnout. Their gratitude was expressed in English and French via Alan Latter to the 100 plus audience which included some members of the families who had so courageously cared for the aircrew during those dark days of the war.

Despite the loss of the aircraft the mission was not a total failure. Four months after the weapons drop, the town of Brive-la-Gaillarde became the first French city in occupied France to fight and liberate itself from the enemy by its own means on 15th August 1944.

For this, the town was later awarded the Croix de Guerre. ■

by Brian Hinchcliffe

ne of the Dordogne’s foremost animal carers has just announced a major relaunch. Many of the department’s animal lovers will know of the dog and cat refuge in Périgueux, where strays, lost and abandoned cats and dogs can find a new home. The sanctuary, on the Bordeaux Road in Marsac, is highly respected for its levels of care and proactive stance for the benefit of animals.

The Société Protectrice des Animaux - generally known as the SPA - has been looking after our furry friends there since 1962.

In 2017, the Périgueux sanctuary began a massive refurbishment programme to bring the premises up to current standards. Under the leadership of president Eliane Rigaux and vice-president Thierry Coussemacq, accommodation for animals has been enlarged and upgraded, with a decontamination and isolation ward for ailing pussycats and a new kitchen, all thanks to a massive SPA-athon which raised them a comfortable working fund. The heavy work involved the canine pound which features 64 individual kennels.

Work began in earnest in 2018 with around 40 tonnes of materials handled by Thierry plus one helper and volunteers. The €50,000 new premises, predominantly wooden, are insulated with rock wool soundproofing, a fact insisted on by the department. Concrete walls separate the kennels which have a transparent roof to allow daylight and sunshine in. The design incorporates the need to facilitate cleaning through new drains and pipework. This year’s renovations are estimated to have cost the charity around €145,000 in total. “And all that without any grant or subsidy, just us and our generous supporters,” said Eliane proudly.

After a successful open weekend, held on 6th and 7th October, and “National Cat Day” on 10th October, The Bugle wondered: “What’s next?”

The answer is that once the car park is finished off, all the volunteers are looking forward to refocussing on the association’s main aim: caring for animals in need. The SPA is not just a hostel for cats and dogs but also runs an outreach programme of feline care and sterilisation.

The Périgueux SPA is linking with the Bergerac SPA with a view to levelling tariffs for the communes’ dog pounds, and working with the prefecture to establish geographic areas of activity.

Conscious that many British expats are keen animal lovers, Périgueux SPA has a website in English and welcomes contacts for dogs or cats lost and found, for foster and adoptive families or just to be a volunteer. For more information visit spa-perigueux.org/en.

by Brian Hinchcliffe

6 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ NOVEMBER 2018

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ver since the Rime of the Ancient Mariner, fishermen have always been afraid of the proverbial albatross around their neck, but trials being carried out by a French research group could give illegal fishing boats another reason to be wary of one of the world's largest flying birds.

According to the Chize Biological Study Centre, a French research body which seeks to help preserve the feathered giants of the air, a recent scientific programme might also help identify poaching fishing vessels.

As part of the programme known as “Ocean Sentinel”,

funded by the Council of Europe, 150 albatrosses from the remote French southern Indian Ocean islands of Crozet, Kerguelen and Amsterdam, will be equipped with tiny beacons which allow scientists to track their movements. These beacons can also be used to pick up local radar signals, however, as they pass over ships.

Vessels intent on illegal fishing often turn off their automatic identification system (AIS) when entering areas where fishing is prohibited, thereby cutting themselves off from automatic satellite tracking. However, they do usually still rely on low-level radar emissions for safety reasons

and it is these that the airborne equipment will be able to pick up.

“Half the boats we detected during tests did not have their AIS switched on,” explained Henry Weimerskirch, director of research at the French centre. With an albatross picking up signals from five kilometres away, “we can localise a boat within half an hour of contact”. If the vessel is seeking to avoid detection, the centre can pass this information on to the relevant authorities “for possible interception,” he added.

One of the main threats to the albatross comes from commercial longline fishing as the

© Duncan Wright (WikiCommons)

Albatrosses target illegal fishers

birds often become hooked on the lines and drown whilst searching for fish. By combining existing conservation efforts with a crackdown on

illegal fishing techniques, scientists hope to reverse the recent decline in albatross numbers, many species of which are on the endangered list. ■

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he public are being urged to do more to help the humble hedgehog, as their numbers dwindle across the country and fears grow over their eventual extinction.

Hedgehogs usually forage for food at night and are good for your garden as they tend to eat common pests such as slugs and snails, but modern living is threatening their survival.

According to campaigners, the walls and fences surrounding household gardens are often too strong to allow hedgehogs to get through, and pesticides can also cause them harm. This can lead to the hedgehogs’ starvation and death, the proliferation of pests, and damage to surrounding ecosystems.

French wild animal group l’Association pour la Protection des Animaux Sauvages (ASPAS) have claimed that hedgehogs could be at risk of extinction within ten years if current trends are not reversed and are seeking to raise awareness of the problem. The group are urging homeowners to create small holes around 10-15 cm in diameter at the bottom of their garden fences and walls, to allow hedgehogs to get through.

ASPAS is also encouraging gardeners not to use pesticides or other chemicals or pellets that could harm the animals. Such actions will not only help the hedgehogs themselves, campaigners say, but also help gardeners to protect their plants, flowers and vegetables.

This issue is not confined to France and in the UK, ecologist Hugh Warwick is rapidly approaching 500,000 signatories in his campaign to introduce legislation requiring all new housing developments to include a 13-centimetre hole in fences to allow hedgehogs to forage for food and find mates.

It is estimated that hedgehog numbers have fallen by as much as 95% over the last 60 years. ■

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NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 7

NOVEMBER 2018 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Britain guarantees expat healthcare rights >> continued from pg 1 immigration status,” explained France’s Europe minister Nathalie Loiseau, who unveiled the bill in October. “A good deal on Britain’s exit is still possible, but we must prepare for all scenarios, including no deal.”

“We want to reach the best situation possible with a view to - and that is quite normal - working in a spirit of parallelism and reciprocity between the status we’ll give UK residents in France and the status given to EU citizens in the UK,” Loiseau told reporters.

A press release sent out by the Elysée Palace said the purpose of the bill is to give the government the power to quickly adopt urgent new laws by decree if Britain crashes out of the EU. “These measures first relate to British people who, on the day of the withdrawal, will be subject to French law, particularly as regards to right of entry and residence, employment, exercise of an activity, social rights and social benefits. The government is very attentive to the situation and rights of French nationals living in

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the United Kingdom. The government will take appropriate measures relating to the situation of British nationals in France and will take into account the status granted by the United Kingdom to our nationals in its territory.”

The UK government has already guaranteed the rights of EU citizens in the UK even if there’s no deal, but has yet to draft anything concrete into law. British politics is currently fairly unstable, to say the least, and with the very real threat of a leadership challenge against Theresa May - or even a snap general election - the verbal guarantees given by the prime minister could soon stand for nothing.

Until the rights of French nationals in the UK are guaranteed in law, then France could in theory scrap its own contingency plan to guarantee the rights of British citizens here.

The draft bill confirms that, in the event of a no deal, Brits in France will need to apply for residency permits, currently a carte de séjour.

“In the event of withdrawal, British nationals who enjoy the right of free movement and free establishment throughout the European Union,

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as well as members of their family, will become third country nationals and will therefore in principle be subject to common law, that is to say to the requirement to present a visa to enter French territory and to have a residency permit to justify staying here.”

Elsewhere, the bill also referred to steps that would need to be taken to guarantee the healthcare rights of Brits in France, an issue that has had many people worried, especially those living in France on a UK pension and whose healthcare charges are currently reimbursed by the NHS. These rights are currently at risk of being lost from March next year due to the uncertainty surrounding the negotiations.

In the days following France’s Brexit bill, however, the UK quietly unveiled a new bill to cover this issue.

The new “Healthcare (International Arrangements) Bill” gives the UK government “legal powers to fund and implement healthcare deals after Brexit”. Many of these rights are currently covered by EHIC cards and officials stressed the bill would still allow the EHIC scheme to survive

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after Brexit “subject to an agreement with the EU”.

In reality, any future reciprocal healthcare deal will require the whole EU, or individual EU countries, to agree on arrangements with the UK, but the new law shows a will on the UK side to engage with the issue. It is being hailed as the first explicit move by the UK government to safeguard the rights of its citizens in the EU. Furthermore, in both “deal” and “no deal” scenarios, the bill confirms that: “For the 190,000 expat state pensioners who have chosen to live in the EU and those intending to retire to the EU, the Healthcare (International Arrangements) Bill will help by safeguarding reciprocal healthcare if there is no EU deal.” In other words, whatever the result of Brexit, pensioners already living in Europe, as well as those moving after Brexit, will have their healthcare costs covered by the NHS as is currently the case.

France’s Brexit bill is expected to be debated by the Senate in November and then the National Assembly in December. ■

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8 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ NOVEMBER 2018

New labels introduced at the petrol pump

T

he prices at the fuel pumps have been steadily rising this year, with a litre of diesel costing more than petrol for the first time, but that might not be the only change you have noticed at your local forecourt as the EU re-

cently overhauled the labelling of petrol pumps. The changes, brought in on 12th October across the EU, as well as in neighbouring countries including Norway, Iceland and Turkey, will see names for different fuels being shortened and a set of symbols

François Mitterrand voted France's favourite president

A

s part of a poll to celebrate sixty years since the founding of the Fifth French Republic, the public has voted François Mitterrand as their “favourite” president.

Despite winning comfortably with 31% of the vote, it may be something of a hollow victory for Mitterrand, who led France from 1981 to 1995, given that General Charles de Gaulle was exempt from the poll, as he typically comes out top of any kind of similar list.

Recent leaders did not fair well, with current president Emmanuel Macron coming second to last with just 10% of the vote, although he did beat his predecessor François Hollande who polled a measly 4%. Nicolas Sarkozy fared slightly better with 14%, which placed him third on the list.

The poll, carried out by consulting firm Odoxa-Dentsu for Le Figaro and France Info, also found that only around one in ten French people (11%) would describe themselves as “very attached to the Fifth Republic”, while almost twice as many (20%) said they were “not very attached”.

The Fifth French Republic, which was created by Charles de Gaulle on 4th October 1958, introduced the current “semipresidential” political system in France, which sees power shared between the prime minister as head of the government, and the

president as head of state.

The first Republic in France was created following the French Revolution and since then, new ones have been created after severe governmental, constitutional or social crises such as war, or total government collapse as happened to the Fourth, formed in the wake of the Second World War, but collapsing as a result of the Algerian crisis.

There have been five Republics since the creation of the system: the First began in 1792 and lasted until 1804; the Second, from 1848 to 1852; the Third, from 1870 to 1940; the Fourth, from 1946-1958; and the Fifth until the present day. ■

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introduced.

Under the EU directive, instead of “Unleaded” and “Diesel”, petrol pumps will be labelled with letters and numbers in a bid to help consumers select the appropriate fuel for their vehicles throughout Europe. They aim to highlight the proportion of biofuel - fuel from renewable sources - and make it clearer to customers that they are buying biofuel when they fill up the tank.

“Unleaded 95” and “Unleaded 98” will both be replaced by the letter “E” surrounded by a circular border, followed by a “5” for 5% biofuel, and “10” for 10%. The fuel currently labelled “Superethanol” will become “E85”.

Diesel will be identifiable by a square containing the letter “B” fol-

lowed by either the number “7” or “10”, again depending on the percentage of biofuel it contains. There will also be a square label containing the letters “XTL” for synthetic diesel that is not derived from crude oil.

A diamond symbol will be used to indicate gaseous fuels: “H2” for hydrogen fuel, “CNG” for compressed natural gas, “LPG” for liquified petroleum gas and “LNG” for liquified natural gas.

As well as at the pumps, the new symbols will be clearly visible next to the fuel filler cap of all new vehicles produced after 12th October. Although the new signs should already be in place at pumps across France, a number of service stations have admitted that they are running late in adopting the changes. ■

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NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 9

10 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

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Pork and Parking fine cars introduced sausage beer?

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A

In Pau, as in Marseille, the LAPI has been deployed for several months; as many as 300 tickets are currently being handed out daily.

The new vehicles, which are typically operated by private companies hired by local authorities to monitor parking rules, have proved highly controversial, with many complaining that they operate on the edge of what is legal. French law states that “no court decision involving an assessment of the behavior of a person can be based on automated processing of personal data”.

The authorities get around this caveat by entering a human element to the handing out of fines.

The roof-mounted cameras drive through the streets scanning number plates and passing this information back to a central processing centre. If a vehicle is illegally parked, or is flagged up for some other reason, a traffic warden is

then immediately dispatched to the location to hand out the actual PV, thereby circumventing the “automated processing” restriction.

Although these vampire cars are only currently operating in a few French cities, they are expected to be very lucrative investments for local authorities and many believe they will be prowling the streets of more and more town centres in the coming years.

The amount of money collected from speed camera fines is expected to rise by 12% and reach a record high of €1.04 billion in France in 2019 according to a report in Les Echos, due in part to the 80 kph speed limit introduced this year. This figure does not include the extra fees due in the event of unpaid fines; adding this would raise the amount to €1.23 billion.

This represents an increase of 50% in the amount collected from fines compared to 2016. ■

French has its own fake news

F

rance has a long tradition of inventing new words to drive invading Anglicisms out of the language of love, often with limited success. Nouveau terminal mobile de poche struggled to oust smartphone from the lexicon and the public never quite got on board with l’accès sans fil à internet in place of the punchier Wi-Fi. To say that language purists are fighting a losing battle, however, is “fake news”... or should that be “infox”.

The unusually snappy suggestion to the seemingly ubiquitous term is a combination of information, often shortened to info and intoxication, sometimes shortened to intox, which as well as having the same meaning as in English, also describes something that acts in an “insidious way on people’s minds”.

Infox was suggested as a new word by top language body the Commission d’enrichissement de la langue française (CELF), which works alongside the more famous Académie française. The CELF defines infox as: information that is lying or deliberately biased, for example aiming to discredit a political party, harm the reputation of a person or company, or undermine an established scientific truth.

“The Anglo-Saxon expression 'fake news', which refers to a range of behaviour contributing to the misinformation of the public, has rapidly prospered in French,” the commission lamented. “This is an occasion to draw on the resources of the language to find French equivalents.”

Official news of the new fake news was published in the French government's outlet, the Journal Officiel, but we can confirm that the article did not end with a smiley... or should that be frimousse! ■

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P

lenty of people are fans of a hearty, warming stew and many more will be fond of a cold glass of beer... fewer of us would have thought of combing the two in the same glass! But a group of independent French brewers did exactly that recently as part of a challenge to create a cassouletflavoured beer.

Cassoulet - typically made with meat such as duck or pork sausages, stewed with white haricot beans - is a common, traditional dish of the Occitanie region of southern France.

“We cooked the beans separately and added them during the mash conversion, the step during beer-making when we extract the sugar from the cereals,” explained Benjamin Serralta from the Hopscotch pub, one of the brewers who took part. “We reduced the cooking juices from the meat and the beans, then we added them during the fermentation process. It was hard to do because the fat was preventing a head from forming, but in the end it worked and gave us a light beer.”

The pub's Cassou’Ale was one of several beers created especially for the Octobière festival, an annual autumnal beer event which takes place in Toulouse and which issued the challenge for cassoulet-inspired craft ales.

Another entrant was Justin Marquez, who was pleased with the results. “It is meat juice, made from duck and pork, and a bouquet garni of herbs. We have been letting it reduce slowly for over a week. In the end, the meat is more like a secondary flavour. The beer is really drinkable, and rich, without being too heavy. It is really quite pleasant.” ■

s it was revealed that the French government is expected to make a staggering one billion euros in speeding fines next year - breaching this threshold for the first time - there was more bad news for drivers with the unveiling of a new car that can automatically scan parked cars and hand out parking fines. The voiture à PV (procès-verbal), or lecteur automatique de plaques d’immatriculation (LAPI) to give it its full name, has already been labelled the “vampire car” in the cities where it is patrolling the streets.

The high-tech car has 360 degree vision and can scan up to 12,000 number plates every day. “This car comes by twice a day,” complained a shopkeeper in Marseille, speaking to France 2. “It comes along, bites us and sucks our blood. We're just a money pump!”

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FRENCH LIFE ♦ 11

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by Julia Watson

ometimes there are words in French that no matter how hard I try, I can never remember.

Panais is one of them - the French for parsnip, for those also wandering in my fog of ignorance.

It seems to me a completely inappropriate descriptive for the root, a word more fitting as the name of the prima ballerina in a sylvan ballet populated by chiffon-wearing dancers. Or of a Greek goddess, the provoker of epic wars between ancient civilisations dragging on poetically over decades. It’s surely a word too overblown for a long straggly root that before the discovery of cane sugar was used as a sweetener.

It is an ancient vegetable, at least two millennia old, cultivated by the Romans from a vegetable sourced in the region east of the Mediterranean. Like carrots, parsnips have the lovely ability when slowly and lengthily roasted to squish into a kind of vegetable fudge, sticky and sweet.

They’re not bad grated raw in salads, either.

This is the parsnip’s season. Somehow, although they’re available throughout the year, they’re an autumn/ winter vegetable, not a summer one. Perhaps it’s their colour, reflective of frost and snow and blank skies, not of high temperatures and days throbbing with hot colour.

(Actually, that argument doesn’t work if you factor in the beetroot. But we’ll ignore that.)

They’re a root high in vitamins and minerals including potassium, which is handy for people looking for a good source of potassium but wary of the high-calorie banana that is a prime supplier. What with the addition of antioxidants and dietary fibre, this is a very useful vegetable from the health point of view.

My own admiration has more to do with its versatility.

While parsnips are winners when roasted alongside a joint of beef or pork, they marry well with a broad spectrum of flavours, from ginger and apples, to rosemary and curry spices, in wonderfully warming soups. Mash them up with boiled potatoes to make a change in fluffy topping for shepherd’s or fish pie. Ribbon them with a potato peeler and fry them up in hot vegetable oil or bake them painted with oil on a roasting tray at 180C. Sprinkled with salt, these make a delicious crisp to nibble with aperitifs. You can even make moist cakes with them, as you can with courgettes.

But at this increasingly chilly time of year, something soothing to eat with friends makes the best use of the parsnip. ■ Julia Watson has been a long-time Food Writer for newspapers and magazines in the US and the UK.

© Infrogmation (WikiCommons)

S

Parsnips

Braised shin of beef with parsnip purée Ingredients (serves 8-10):

4kg shin of beef on the bone Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Oil for frying 2 carrots, chopped 1 onion, peeled and chopped 1 celery stalk, chopped 1 clove garlic, crushed 400ml red wine 100ml port 1 pig's trotter 300ml beef stock Preheat the oven to 190C. Trim any excess fat from the meat. Slice beef into chunks. Season with salt and freshly ground white pepper. Add oil to a sauté pan and brown chunks on all sides. Heat a little oil in a heavy-based casserole, and sauté the vegetables until softening. Pour in the red wine and port and bubble until the liquid has reduced by half. Add the meat and pig's trotter and cover with the stock. Bring to the boil, skimming off any scum that rises to the surface, then add the Guinness and season. Transfer to the oven and cook for three hours, or until the meat is tender.

With a slotted spoon, drain the meat from the pan and keep warm. Strain the cooking liquid through a sieve, return it to the pan and bring to a rolling boil and re-

425ml Guinness Salt and ground white pepper to taste For the parsnip puree 1kg parsnips, peeled and cut into small cubes 2 shallots, peeled and finely chopped 200ml milk 100ml cream 2 bay leaves 1 tbsp butter Juice of ½ lemon duce until the sauce has thickened and adjust seasoning if necessary. Remove the pig's trotter, reserving its meat for a supper of it on toast. Return the beef to the pan and bake for a further 30 minutes.

Put the parsnips and shallots in a saucepan with the milk, cream and bay leaves and cover with water. Add the butter and lemon juice, season and bring to the boil then reduce the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Drain the vegetables, reserving the cooking liquid, and discard the bay leaves. Place the vegetables in a food processor and blend with enough cooking liquid to make a purée the consistency of whipped cream. Season with salt and freshly ground white pepper and keep warm.

Spoon the meat onto warmed plates and serve with the parsnip purée.

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The Grumpy Granny Guide A Teetotaller’s Guide to the Bergeracois

B

ergerac, while unable to rival the status of Périgueux as a prefecture and without its prestigious monuments, is nevertheless in many ways the more attractive of the Dordogne’s two main towns.

It has, for the most part, avoided the terrible urban errors that blight Périgueux, is visually more engaging and relaxed and apart from all the usual services, has a couple of good museums: the Maison des Vins and the Musée Costi. The very interesting old town down by the river is also worth exploring. Bergerac is the watershed between the classic Périgord with its prehistory and castles which attract so many tourists and the plains to the south where conditions are ideal for prestigious winemaking.

The area is of course synonymous with excellent wine and an obvious destination for anyone interested in the vineyards, but the retail sprawl and the ever-changing speed limits on the N21, the D936 and the D32 (some of the most tedious and least attractive roads in the department) can make a trip from outside the area to the airport or to shop in Bergerac a less than happy experience. So for my third ‘Day Away’ I wanted to see what, apart from the vineyards, was on offer by driving off the main roads.

On the roads into Bergerac there are the castles of Montréal to the north, Bridoire to the south and Lanquais to the east but from Périgueux I chose to leave the busy N21 south of Villamblard at Douville, go onto the D38 and began a leisurely zigzag route across country southwestwards via Saint-Julien-de-Crempse, Maurens, Ginestet and Lunas before taking the D15 back onto the main road at SaintPierre-d’Eyraud.

This part of the world was pleasantly surprising; within just a couple of kilometres north and east of Bergerac the terrain and architecture reflect the transition between the Dordogne and the Gironde. Here the attractive

villages have been prettily restored and are enveloped in cosy dips in the hills while pleasant, windy roads suddenly open up onto splendid views. I couldn’t quite avoid the vineyards because this is Pécharmant country, which lives well up to its name with delightful small stands of vines nestled between wooded areas. There are none of those ubiquitous expanses of serried vines which may delight the wine aficionado, but which can appear rather charmless for the teetotal visitor!

Beautiful and relaxing as this corner is, however, it gave me a rather sobering glimpse of rural life today because its most noticeable feature was the absence of any sign of life. Although the villages seem quite prosperous, in more than an hour’s driving (on a weekday) I saw no people, shops or any place to stop for a break and the only living things were the cows quietly grazing in the bucolic setting. So the attraction here was the relaxed and visually appealing drive rather than any specific site.

By lunchtime there was no option but to return to the busy main road with all its hustle and bustle, rather a shock after the peace and tranquillity of the roads just to the north. I knew that here, along the stretch of road between Le Fleix and Castillon-la-Bataille, there was much to see.

Remaining on the same side of the river the first stop was at Port-Sainte-Foy where there is the littlepublicised and poorly-signed Maison du Fleuve et du Vin - Musée de la Batellerie (River and Barge Museum), which is small but definitely worth a visit to learn about the river traffic which only disappeared in the last century. It tells a fascinating story of this recent past and is friendly and easy to visit.

It also offers an excellent picnic spot on the river bank.

It is literally at the foot of the river bridge and to find it, make your way down to the water. About an hour’s visit for a modest €3.

I was looking for a place to

stop and have lunch but have to report that this area is singularly lacking in tourist infrastructure and for those of us used to the plethora of small cafés, restaurants and food outlets to the north, it can be frustrating. I had to make do with a rather miserable snack. But then it was a short hop, only possible along the D936, to Vélines and the Jardins de Sardy. This attractive intimate garden with charming water features is a quiet oasis and worth an hour’s visit as a break from that busy main road nearby.

From there on to the GalloRoman Villa at Montcaret, with its beautiful mosaics and which makes for as impressive a visit as Vesunna in Périgueux, although more modest in size. It is partly indoors and partly outside, in a lovely setting and the staff are very friendly and knowledgeable. Allow for a one to two-hour visit.

Just a couple of kilometres further along the main road (but poorly signed off to the right), you come to the Tour de Montaigne, the tower where Michel de Montaigne spent the latter part of his life writing his wellknown philosophical essays.

Although anybody who is interested in Montaigne and his writings will find this a ‘must do’ visit, it has to be said that anyone not familiar with his works and their historical context may find the site somewhat disappointing.

The beautiful château is not open to the public and the visit is confined to the library at the top of the famous tower which today is empty of books or any other artefact of the period.

The fireplace and beams are all that remain and while admirers might find this evocative of the man and his time, it requires a lot of imagination for the passing tourist who is not helped by an uninspiring guided commentary.

Finally onto Castillon-laBataille, rich in a history which could be better presented, and it merits a stopover if not a whole day’s visit. Here at least there are plenty of places for a meal,

a lovely stroll down by the river, a chance to stretch your legs, walk the dog and have that cup of coffee so elusive in the morning. Then it was a fast drive back east through Bergerac and home.

My conclusions? Although the roads can be frustrating with a lot of unsigned T-junctions on the smaller roads and an unpleasant level of traffic on the bigger ones, and although you should take a thermos and picnic basket to explore the villages north of Bergerac, a combination of several sites makes this trip worth doing. Even if you don’t feel like spending a day away, leaving the busy main roads for a side-trip is certainly rewarding. Both the River Museum at PortSainte-Foy and the Montcaret

Villa stand out as excellent places to visit if you have just a couple of hours to spare. As always in the Dordogne, the back country reveals new and fascinating worlds you cannot even glimpse if you just stick to the main roads.

If you know of other places in this area worthy of a visit and which I have overlooked, please let me know. Contact me via The Bugle at editor@thebugle.eu. ■ This is part of a series of features devoted to the tourist experience in the Dordogne provided by the website grumpygranny-guides.com which highlights those sites which are comfortable and pleasant to visit and which offer a warm welcome.

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FRENCH LIFE ♦ 13

NOVEMBER 2018 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

The wines of Bergerac

by Martin Walker ganic’ can become arcane and I am more interested in the second phenomenon, the way Bergerac winemakers are increasingly turning to new grape varieties, even though it means their wine cannot be sold under Bergerac appellation.

This year so far, I have come across vineyards in the Bergerac where they are growing Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Ugni Blanc, Sangiovese, Grenache, Syrah, Tempranillo, Chardonnay and Separavi. And they are making very good wine. But they have to call it either Vin de France or a Périgord wine, under the EU’s system of geographical protection, the IGP. In the Bergerac, red wines are required to be made from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Bordeaux also allows Petit Verdot and Carménère, better known as one of the main grapes in Chile. I only know of one vineyard that uses it, Château Clerc Milon.

But that queen of wine writers, Jancis Robinson, recently served a wine from the Médoc region of Bordeaux, famed for its grand crus. The Château du Retout Blanc from 2012 contained a wondrous variety of grapes.

There were Gros Manseng from the Jurançon, Savagnin from the Jura near Switzerland, Mondeuse Blanche from Savoy (and very rare even there), all blended with Sauvignon Gris.

Call me a barbarian but my view is, the more the merrier.

The only real test is the taste of the wine itself and its ability to last and to age well. I have drunk wonderful wines in various parts of the world made from many different grape varieties and I don’t think that a few experiments in the Bergerac region will damage our steadily-growing reputation for producing excellent wines at remarkably low prices.

And given the impact of climate change, we may have little choice but to expand our palette of grapes beyond the traditional big four. After all, the great wine of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, whose vineyard French soldiers must salute as they pass it (on Napoleon’s

There is even no reason not to mix red and white grapes. After all, champagne can contain Pinot Noir as well as Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. And the celestial wine of Côte-Rôtie is itself a blend of white Viognier and red Syrah, a fact that might come in useful one day in a pub quiz. ■

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.

© sabino.parente - Fotolia.com

T

he Bergerac wine region is currently being rocked and increasingly transformed by three separate revolutions. The first is the steady shift towards organic wines. The second is the quiet rebellion against the strictures of the appellation contrôlée system which regulate the varieties of grapes permitted. The third is climate change, which is accelerating the first two movements.

The experts at the Maison des Vins in Bergerac reckon that their region has now nosed ahead of Alsace as the most organic region in France, and the Saussignac district is poised to be the first allorganic appellation in France. But there is a catch. Organic does not quite mean what it says. Under European Union rules, wines can be described as being made from organic grapes, which means grown without chemical fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides.

But the EU declines to probe the mysteries of the chai, the building in which the grape juice is fermented and transformed into wine, in part because of the controversy over the use of sulfites to stabilise the wine. In the United States, wines with up to 20 parts per million of sulfites may still be called organic under the definition of the National Organic Program of the Department of Agriculture, a ruling based on the argument that some wines are said to produce minute proportions of natural sulfites.

The various definitions of ‘or-

orders) is allowed to contain up to thirteen grape varieties. So one or two more are unlikely to hurt us.

Others have already been doing this for years. The Sangiovese grape that is the backbone of Italy’s Chianti was transformed into the hugely expensive superTuscan wines by adding our own Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

In the cool and rainy Washington state of North America, they added Syrah to the Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon mix to produce a splendid wine, much more fullbodied than anything they had made before.

In southern France, they have been experimenting with their core varieties of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre (think Côtes du Rhône) by adding Cinsault, Carignan and Grenache Blanc.

Is time running out for today’s pension opportunities? Blevins Franks

W

ith the Brexit clock ticking, there are just months of certainty left for British expatriates living in France. If you have chosen to retire here, take steps now to review your pension options – before the rules potentially change.

The option to transfer overseas Many expatriates have chosen to transfer their UK pensions to a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS). Since QROPS were introduced in 2006, £10.77 billion had been sent through 123,100 transfers up to April 2018 – an average of £898 million per year.

Transferring to a QROPS can consolidate several UK pensions under one tax-efficient roof suited to your country of residency. Funds are sheltered from UK taxation on income and gains, and no longer count towards your lifetime pension allowance (LTA), enabling unlimited growth without attracting 55% or 25% LTA tax penalties.

Usually, a QROPS provides greater investment diversification compared to UK pension schemes and more freedom to vary income. And while most UK pensions are payable only to your spouse on death, a QROPS allows you to include other heirs in estate planning.

A QROPS can also offer protection from the risk of a no-deal Brexit ‘cliffedge’ for pensions, where some UK providers will lose the legal right to pay personal pension benefits to expatriates

(unless new post-Brexit arrangements are agreed). Funds already transferred to a QROPS will be unaffected.

In any event, as UK pension payments are usually made in sterling, the income remains highly sensitive to volatile exchange rates during these uncertain times. Many QROPS offer multi-currency flexibility, letting you hold and draw your funds in your currency of choice.

Taxation of QROPS transfers Currently, most expatriates can transfer to a QROPS completely tax-free, but there are two key situations in which tax is payable. First, if your combined UK pension benefits exceed the UK’s lifetime allowance – currently at £1.03 million – you would face a 25% tax penalty on anything transferred over the limit, even if you are non-UK resident. Once in a QROPS, your funds would never be subject to LTA charges – or indeed any UK taxes – again.

The second taxable scenario is if you transfer to a QROPS based outside the EU/EEA (European Economic Area). In this case (unless you live in the same jurisdiction as the QROPS), the UK would apply a 25% ‘overseas tax charge’ on the whole amount transferred.

Expatriates in France can escape this tax by transferring to a QROPS based here or in another EEA area, like Malta.

However, this may change with Brexit.

A closing tax-free window?

As Brexit eliminates Britain’s current

EU commitments – including freedom of movement for capital – the Treasury gains more scope to recoup revenue from UK nationals abroad. Many speculate this will prompt the UK government to impose widespread penalties on pension transfers, even within the EU. Another concern is that the UK government could change the rules to make it harder to take advantage of today’s high transfer values for ‘defined benefit’ (final salary) pensions.

The UK government has offered reassurance that expatriates will keep the right to make overseas transfers, whatever happens with Brexit – but it has stopped short of making any tax promises. According to economic secretary to the Treasury, John Glen, "whether or not these transfers will be exempt from the overseas transfer charge once the UK leaves the EU is dependent upon the terms of future exit agreement between the UK Government and the EU." What you need to consider Without a guarantee that tax-free transfers will continue beyond next March, it is sensible for anyone considering transferring to act sooner rather than later. Timing is especially important here as the administrative process for pension transfers can take several months to complete.

However, transferring is not suitable for everyone and differences between QROPS providers and jurisdictions could affect the tax benefits. Alternative investment structures could offer expatriates comparable benefits to

QROPS, so take personalised advice to establish the most suitable approach for you.

As pensions are likely to play an important part in your long-term financial security, it is crucial that you only use a fully authorised and regulated provider.

An alarming number of people have lost some or all of their retirement savings through pension scams or by reinvesting in failed, unregulated investments that offer no protection. Your adviser should take into account your unique circumstances, income requirements, goals and tolerance for risk – as well as the cross-border tax implications – to establish the right solution for you and your family.

Even if transferring is not right for you, with so much uncertainty ahead, now is the time to review your pension arrangements so you can secure the retirement of your choice in France, whatever happens with Brexit. ■ Tel: 05 53 63 49 19 Email: bergerac@blevinsfranks.com Web: www.blevinsfranks.com Tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; an individual is advised to seek personalised advice. Keep up to date on the financial issues that may affect you on the Blevins Franks news page at www.blevinsfranks.com

14 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ NOVEMBER 2018

Business Directory

Your indispensable guide to finding local businesses & artisans Architectural Building Services DRAWING Architects/Surveyors SERVICE

Auto Services

Animals & Pets

SHAMPOOCHIENS Dog Grooming Parlour

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

MOTOR PARTS CHARENTE

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

NEU DplG ARCHITECTURE Member

of

Chamber

of

Architects

JOHN SOWERSBY

P r o v i d i n g A L L architectural services

motorptscharente@aol.com

V ery s ma l l to v ery b i g projects welcome

+44 (0)7830 170761

www.motorpartscharente.com

Blacksmiths

P r e-p u rc h a s e a s s i s ta n c e Feel welcome to ask for a non-binding meeting 05 53 56 52 27 a@mon.archi 06 42 86 59 12 (www)mon.archi

05 53 58 55 38

Based in Périgord vert 24340 A l l o f F ra n c e c over ed

Siret: 499 234 615 00015

Ironwood Motif

Your advert here

Artist Blacksmith Ferronnerie d’Art

www.ironwoodmotif.com

06 04 17 80 93

Pergolas, staircases, railings, handrails, balustrades, balconies, gates, sculptures, outdoor structures & more.

Simple or elaborate, intricate or uncomplicated, small or large, we can fabricate, forge and hand make ironwork customised to your needs.

Tel: 05 65 30 53 99

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

At Masterplans.eu we can help guide you through your planning application in France.

From initial feasibility to completed dossiers.

We will compile all the relevant drawings and complete the necessary paperwork to ensure your application proceeds smoothly.

We are equally at home working with clients here in France or those living abroad.

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

Renovating your French property?

New build?

Dossiers prepared Permis de Construire Déclarations Préalables

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

CHARTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEER

Pre-purchase & Structural Surveys.

Verbal & written reports.

Structural calculations & drawings.

Redevelopment ideas & solutions.

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

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

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

sales24@thebugle.eu

06 04 17 80 93

Your advert here 06 04 17 80 93 Building Services Electricians

BARWICK ÉLECTRICITÉ SHAUN BARWICK QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN

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

Tel: 09 72 35 74 73

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

ADVERTORIAL

“SolarVenti”- the solar solution to damp and humidity

A

simple solar energy system that runs on its own, even when you are not there! – And provides a free heat supplement in winter.

The Solarventi air panel was invented more than 20 years ago

by Hans Jørgen Christensen, from Aidt Miljø, with the backing of the Danish government.

He wanted to use the sun’s energy for airing and ventilation of the thousands of holiday homes on the West coast of Jutland, - houses that were left empty and unheated for long periods - houses with damp problems, mould and bad odours - houses that left their owners with discomfort, lots of work and expense. He wanted a system that would be safe, simple, without the need for radiators, water and/ or mains electricity. Slowly but surely, the first Solarventi model came together.

How it works The principle behind Solarventi is simple: a small, built-in, solar cell powers a 12V fan that is connected to an air vent, a control unit and an on/ off switch.

Whenever the sun shines, the air in the solar panel is heated and the fan, receiving power from the solar cell, introduces warm, dry air into your home at the rate of 20 to 100 cubic metres per hour.

The initial models were more than capable of keeping the cottages dry (and ventilated), even with the limited sunshine hours available in Denmark during the winter season. Since that time, the technology has really come along in leaps and bounds. Now, more than 20 years later, the 3rd and 4th generation Solarventi have exceeded all expectations.

In Southern Europe, Solar-

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

The installation process is very straightforward and should only take two or three hours. All that is needed is a drill, hammer and chisel to make a hole in the wall. Roof installations are also possible. In fact, the Solarventi was originally designed to be a DIY product - in Scandinavia it still is.

There are no electrical or water connections and it can be safely left running, even when the property is empty. Solarventi requires no maintenance

- if the property is unoccupied during the hot summer months, then it can be left running at low speeds for ventilation and dehumidification purposes or simply switched off.

With a range of panel sizes, and the option for wall or roof mounting, Solarventi is suitable for all types of buildings, caravans or even boats!! Following the patenting of its design in 2001, Solarventi has only recently been actively commercialized. Over the last six years, Solarventi units have been installed in more than 24 countries and demand is increasing rapidly. From Greenland to Australia, Solarventi is finally getting the recognition it deserves. ■ Units start from €490 TTC. Several ex-demonstration models available at reduced prices, call for details.

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

DIRECTORY ♦ 15

NOVEMBER 2018 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

ADVERTORIAL

Do you want HUGE tax efficiency for your savings in France?

– Rosemary Sheppard, International Financial Adviser

W

hen I first meet a client it takes time for us to get to know each other, and every single person is different with different needs.

However, at the root of those needs is usually the desire to find out how best to keep all those hard earned savings, investments and pensions as tax efficient as possible.

Once you have left the UK and become resident in France, the ISAs and other tax efficient savings you may hold in the UK are no longer tax-free and you need to give careful consideration about how you deal with this.

With the new Common Reporting Standards that were introduced recently we can no longer bury our heads in the sand and think that the French taxman will not know about the assets you have left in the UK and will not look to tax you accordingly.

Fortunately, there is a perfectly good solution for this in France – Assurance Vie. Many of my clients have heard the name, but do not necessarily know how it works. Similar in make-up to a UK Equity ISA an Assurance Vie allows you to save your money in a tax-efficient ‘wrapper’.

Assurance Vie, Working for You What are the principles of an Assurance Vie and how can it help you with your tax planning?

• Your investment is allowed to grow tax free.

Building Services General

ANGLO SCAFFOLDING HIRE

• Should you wish to withdraw funds only the part of the withdrawal that is subject to a ‘gain’ will be subject to tax and social charges, as the majority of your withdrawal is classed as return of capital.

• For higher rate taxpayers you can choose to be taxed at the lower rates attributed through the Assurance Vie regime (12.8% in years 1 – 8, plus 17.2% social charges. After year 8 if your net premiums are below €150,000 then you can benefit from a reduced rate of tax at 7.5%) or your nominal rate, so if you are a nil-rate taxpayer then you will have no tax to pay.

• After your 8th year there is a tax-free withdrawal allowance of €4,600 per annum (€9,200 for a joint policy), after which additional withdrawals are taxed as above.

• You can nominate anyone

CHARKER DAVID

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

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

E-mail : dn.charker@sfr.fr

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

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

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

or see

Harlequin Developments

06 34 24 64 11

www.lakesidebandb.net

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

Chantilly Properties

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

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

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

Building Services Painters/Decorators Simon Carter

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

Your advert here

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

06 04 17 80 93

siret: 792.130.932.00017

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

FREE QUOTES

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

to be a beneficiary of your Assurance Vie and unlike other aspects of inheritance the recipient is entitled to receive the equivalent of €152,500 tax free, with anything over this taxed at a rate of 20%. This means that anyone who is not a blood relative or spouse (stepchildren, non married partners or friends) will not be subject to the usual 60% Inheritance Tax. (Different amounts apply if initial investment is made when you are over the age of 70.)

• Savings can be kept in sterling, or be made in Euros or US dollars and can be ported back to the UK should you return in the future.

• You can have a choice of investment options to suit your specific requirements and level of risk, which can be altered as your needs change.

• Assurance Vie policies are exempt from Wealth Tax.

Building Services Plumbing & Heating

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

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

Building Services Sandblasting Sand and Blast We provide a fully operated

sandblasting

service for wood, stone and metal.

Perfect for stripping away years of grime or paint.

Contact us for a free quote, or see our website:

www.sandandblast.com

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

For more information on advertising in the Bugle Business Directory, give us a call or send us an email: sales24@thebugle.eu

06 04 17 80 93

However, this is only one aspect of your tax planning and it is extremely important to take full advice from the outset to ensure that your hard-earned cash, whether in savings, pensions or investments, keeps working hard for you.

If you would like 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 32 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.

Food & Drink

Computers, Satellites & Web Design Stephen Wisedale

WiFi Anglais Solve your Internet, wireless and computer problems

Extended wired and wireless networks for homes, gîtes and small businesses.

VPN solutions. Windows and Mac OSX.

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

WEBSITE No6 DESIGN

FOR SALE:

Established catering business Specialising in Indian and English food, serving Depts 24,16,46 and surrounding.

Easily managed from your home.

Sale due to retirement. €25k neg as going concern including commercial equipment, training, etc.

Huge Potential. Email for details. rhome2012@hotmail.co.uk

Shhhhh... it’s aisecret!

TheiSecret CurryiClub Pop-Up restaurant serving Indian Restaurant Curries

Weihaveiregularivenues in Ribérac, Villeréal, Bergerac, SteiFoyilaiGrandei & Nontron

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

‘Secret Curry Club Dordogne’ secretcurryclubdordogne@gmail.com

06 84 35 42 73

afterwards

- Update your own site if you like!

- Enjoy a fully maintained site - Enjoy full website support contact@no6.co

06 38 75 32 97

www.no6.co Siret: 80493524500014

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

06 04 17 72 05

dave@satellitetv.solutions www.satellitetv.solutions siret: 794 461 293 00019

The Dordogne Chippy

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

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

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

16 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ NOVEMBER 2018

ADVERTORIAL

Advertising with The Bugle

W

ith 9 years’ experience delivering print advertising to an expat market, The Bugle represents one of the most cost-effective ways to let English speakers know about your business. An advert with The Bugle starts from just €12.50 HT per month – that’s less than 42 cents a day to put your business in front of 30,000 people each month.

In the Dordogne we have more than 150 distribution points across the region and surrounding areas where readers can pick up a copy for free.

We also distribute 3,000 copies through Bergerac Airport, which means that we are in the perfect position to target not only residents and secondhome owners, but also tourists and those new to the region.

The Bugle is the only English language newspaper dedicated to the Dordogne - in fact, today, The Bugle is the only free English language newspaper in France and we are growing all the time.

If you would like to discuss any of our advertising options further, why not give us a call today to find out more about the ways that we can help you grow your business.

Gifts & Crafts Ivan Petley

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

Keyrings €2 plus other unique gift ideas.

Customisation and personalisation possible.

Postal delivery options across France.

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

Handholding Services HELP IS HERE!!

Struggling with the Complex French Administration?!

We are here to help!

Call us or email us We will help you find a solution

06.70.23.53.33

helpishere24@yahoo.com

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

T: 06 04 17 80 93 E: sales24@thebugle.eu W: www.thebugle.eu

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 d.nina@live.co.uk

Pest Control

Central France Pest Control Dératisation, Déinsectisation, Désinfection

02 48 60 83 72 / 06 74 33 02 38 www.applicateur3d.com Email: info@applicateur3d.com Curative and preventative rats, mice, moles, flies, woodworm, bed bugs, fleas, wasps, hornets

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

Property Maintenance

ADVERTORIAL

DORSET WRITER AIMS TO MAKE A FRENCH IMPRESSION

E

nglish author Brent Shore toured several Dordogne markets in August selling his latest novel, An English Impressionist.

Having written and selfpublished two novels set in the south-west of England, the fictitious town of Frettignac-du-Périgord provides the backdrop to the third. “Ever since I took part in a town-twinning holiday as a teenager,” explains the writer, “I have described myself as a Francophile.”

An English Impressionist is an ambiguous title in that the story involves both modern-day mimicry and a nineteenth-century painter.

The story’s principal character is an academic, Trevor John Penny, who has turned his back on his

Retail & Commerce R.S.M.DISTRIBUTION www.fudgejj.com

Now delivering Mattresses Every 1st / 2nd Mon & Tue of each month From Angoulême to Ribérac area and Limoges to Sarlande area Go to our website for more information

email: ray.mole@wanadoo.fr

Tel: 05 49 87 67 34 Siret 531 167 443 00013

USED KITCHENS FRANCE Looking for a designer kitchen with granite worktops and premium appliances at a fraction of RRP?

family and his working class roots. Discharged from two English universities for a variety of misdemeanours, he fetches up in France where he is desperate to make a name for himself.

As the story unfolds, his reputation depends on the success of a gallery in which he plans to exhibit five mysterious paintings discovered in a Somerset barn. Meanwhile he has fallen in love with a visiting American student. Can he strike a balance between his ambition and his personal relationships?

Narrated by an unassuming Frenchwoman who has her own dramatic tale to tell, An English Impressionist is a moving story about literature, art and family secrets, and – just

SOS Help

anxious? stressed? feeling down? call us up!

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

FRENCH LESSONS Via Skype

with a native French speaker Why commute? Long distance learning is the answer!

C’est simple, call Sophie...

05 55 89 15 74 scarolinea@yahoo.fr

La Conciergerie Taking care of your home all year round providing you with a wintering service, managing your summer rentals or organising a happy holiday for you.

24600 Villetoureix laconciergerie24@orange.fr Tel: 06 42 67 94 50

MICHAELS MOVERS

Business and Life Coach - Mentor One-to-one & Groups - Face-to-face & Distance Certified and experienced coach.

Certifications in Positive Education, Appreciative Inquiry, Horse Whispering, Design Thinking, NonViolent Communication.

+33 (0)6 70 51 89 68 lucy.airs@wanadoo.fr http://lacoaching.simplesite.com

Transport, Removals & Storage

siret: 840 556 228 00010

sales24@thebugle.eu

06 04 17 80 93

Your advert here 06 04 17 80 93

+33 (0)6 73 96 38 39

Lucy Airs, MSc. Positive Psychology

bookstop 09 51 45 57 49

France to France, Spain, Portugal, Italy etc We Offer: Removals, Storage, House Clearance, also Car, Caravan, Plant Transport.

French Registered Business.

Local Friendly Service. www.dordognestoragesolutions.com

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

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

Local and European Removals

www.soshelpline.org

19 r Victor Hugo, 24310 Brantôme

Language Services

There are more details about the book, which would make a perfect Christmas gift, at www.brentshore.co.uk where it is available to buy for £16.50 (including p&p to Europe).

Support

Pre-loved kitchens from brands like Poggenpohl and Bulthaup at usedkitchensfrance.fr 09 53 50 86 49

Quality second-hand books in English & French

below the surface – vanity, deception and revenge. ■

Smart Moves For a fully insured, careful service

Removals

UK ↔ France ↔ UK Full & Part loads All size of vehicles, from Man & Van through to 18 tonne truck Storage available in the Limousin, Dordogne & Sussex UK free phone: 0800 840 3058

Mob: +44 (0)7808 338 386

email: mharristransport@gmail.com www.michaelsmovers.freeindex.co.uk

Man & Van Transport

Genuine/Reliable/Honest Local + Europe + UK runs Now also available for House/Barn clearances!

14m3 capacity 4.2m load length English & French Spoken

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

www.frenchvanman.eu

smartmovers@hotmail.co.uk

sales24@thebugle.eu

+44 (0)1253 725 414

www.smartmovesremovals.co.uk

09 82 12 69 73 87150 Oradour-sur-Vayres Siret 530 213 644 00012

06 04 17 80 93

COMMUNITY ♦ 17

NOVEMBER 2018 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Advertising in The Bugle Business Directory Advertising your business couldn’t be easier. Text only, boxed listings are available in our Business Directory from just €12.50/month.

Alternatively, why not spotlight your business with an Advertorial, available from 1/6 Page (€50 HT) up to Full Page (€300 HT).

Both Directory Adverts and Advertorials represent a cost effective way to put your brand in front of more than 30,000 pairs of eyes each month!!

For more information on any of our advertising options, please feel free to give us a call on 06 04 17 80 93 or send an email to sales24@thebugle.eu

6-Month Contract

12-Month Contract

Small b&w Directory Ad

€100

€150

Large b&w Directory Ad

€130

€195

Small Colour Directory Ad

€140

€210

Large Colour Directory Ad

€180

€270

All prices exclude TVA (20%)

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

30 words max

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 (small logos may be allowed when supplied). The minimum contract length is 6 months.

Advertising is payable on publication. All prices are HT.

NEDWA North Eastern Dordogne Women’s Association Come along and meet us on Tuesday 20th November from 10:30 am to 12 noon at our next Coffee Morning at Auberge du Pont, route de Lanouaille, 24390 Cherveix-Cubas.

Always be sure of a warm welcome, good company and genuine friendship. www.nedwa.com NEDWA is a dynamic, multi-national group of around 100 women of all ages...

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

There is no such thing as a “free cat” or “free kitten” - at least, not if you are a responsible adopter.

For a fully treated cat (microchipped, fully vaccinated and sterilised) Acorn Cat Rescue’s adoption fees are 115 euros per cat. Were you to go directly to your vet for the same treatments, it would cost you a whole lot more.

By adopting through a responsible rescue organisation such as Acorn, you have saved money and most importantly, the cat is all set for a bright future with no unwanted diseases or offspring.

Thomas is in the Dordogne and is just one of the Acorn cats waiting for his home.

Visit www.associationacorn.com for further information

Molly Say Bonjour to Molly! She is such a beauty with a colouring of soft shades of grey and white that is so appealing. She loves to play and is very affectionate.

She was born to a semi-feral mum in the garden hidden away in a barn but is now in the house and completely civilised!

Molly has been vaccinated, chipped and given preventive treatment for parasites.

To meet Molly please contact Louise James on 05 53 88 84 37 or at happytalk2007@hotmail.co.uk Molly is in 47, Loubès-Bernac, 30 minutes from Bergerac. www.phoenixasso.com www.facebook.com/PhoenixAssociationFrance

Cantabile 2019

Cantabile choir continues to develop as it grows each year. With more than 50 members we give regular concerts of a quality rare in the region with a varied programme.

Following the great successes of previous years - which have included Carmina Burana and the opera Dido and Aeneas - we look forward to presenting two important concerts which will take place in 2019 in the Espace Culturel, Eymet.

Saturday 5th January - Souvenirs of Vienna

Part one is a traditional Viennese concert for the New Year with music from the great composers of the era, Johann Strauss and Franz Lehar. There are selections from “The

Worship services in English held throughout the Dordogne: Bertric Burée, Chancelade, Eymet Temple, Limeuil, Négrondes, Sainte Nathalène (near Sarlat).

All are welcome!!

Please visit our website for more information: www.churchinaquitaine.org Find us on Facebook: English Church Aquitaine

Merry Widow” and “Die Fledermaus” together with other musical delights.

Part two reflects world music influenced by the Viennese including English operetta (Gilbert & Sullivan) and French music (Messager and Offenbach).

The final part includes popular songs by the French composer, Michel Legrand, in the Viennese tradition. This arrangement for choir, orchestra and soloists is by our musical director, Simon Kenworthy.

With invited guest soloists (Alison Hudson and Peter Fowler), together with string orchestra, this is a concert not to be missed.

Concert starts at 8 pm. Tickets are available at the Tourist Office in Eymet or at the door on the night at a cost of €10 each.

Sunday 16th June - Dvorak’s Mass in D and Negro Spirituals by Michael Tippett

Antonin Dvorak’s Mass in D is full of melody, light and joy. It is one of his great sacred works (together with his Stabat Mater and Requiem) but is less well known. It is music of the Romantic era but within it there are traditional melodies typical of Dvorak. Cantabile will present the original version for choir and organ with added string orchestra.

Dvorak is famous for his New World Symphony from where derive the other pieces in the concert - 5 negro spirituals arranged by the English composer, Michael Tippett. There are three well-known songs - “Steal Away”,”Nobody Knows the Trouble I See” and “Deep River” - which are presented in a rich and imposing setting - choir with up to 12 part harmonies plus soprano and tenor soloists. Our special guest for this concert is Emily Albrink, an American soprano, who will joins us for the spirituals.

18 ♦ WHAT’S ON

WHAT’S

ON

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ NOVEMBER 2018

BY CHANCE, Sandra Sedgwick

In Castillionnes, France, in 2014, a 17th-century purse containing 45 Spanish gold coins is discovered in a wall in a derelict house.

Near Seville in 1634, Alejandro and Maria-Theresa Vasquez are preparing to travel to Paris. During their perilous journey, bandits, plague and illness take their toll.

In the autumn of that year, Robert Dubois, a French farmer, and his son leave their farm near Auch and journey towards Bordeaux, where they will board a ship bound for Quebec. On their journey, they visit a relative in Castillionnes and here, Robert meets Marguerite. France is suffering the effects of the religious wars and during a bombardment by the Huguenot army from Bergerac, they flee and journey on to Bordeaux. On the ship crossing to Quebec, they meet the Le Creux family.

The story begins to unfold when at Bodium Castle in 2012, a Canadian woman presents a Spanish gold cross for valuation at the Antiques Road Show.

Meet the author and book signing Tuesday 6th November, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm Hôtel de Cours de Thomazeau, rue du Petit Paris, 47330 Castillonnès (where the coins were found in 2014)

Sarlat Film Festival - 13th-17th 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 27th edition and will run from 13th to 17th 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).

Grand Christmas Fair in association with CSF Sunday 25th November Salle de Carbonnier, Castillonnès From 10 am – 5 pm We have a fun-filled day planned with wine tasting (and sales) at 11 am and 3 pm, carol singers at 3:30 pm with free mulled wine and home-made mince pies, plus stalls filled with original ideas for all your Christmas presents and stocking fillers, home-made Christmas fare including Christmas cake, puddings, shortbread and mincemeat. There will be jams and chutneys, locally brewed beer, jewellery, fashion accessories, English books, tombola, bran tub and so much more...

The Crafty Cafe will be open all day with a Hot Chocolate Bar, delicious home-made cakes, pasties, paninis and teas and coffee.

We hope to see you all on the day! For more information email sara00tyl@hotmail.co.uk.

NOVEMBER 2018 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

WHAT’S ON ♦ 19

VARIATIONS’ SPECIAL WINTER SHOW The Ensemble Vocal Variations presents a light-hearted musical repertoire of favourite songs of

pies e c n Mi & bar 2 €1 s t e k Tic

the 20th century, including a couple of Christmas classics to

YOU’RE INVITED TO A

CHRISTMAS

Salle des fêtes

Market

Villetoureix 24600

1st December, 10h – 15h

welcome in the season of Advent.

Friday 30th November at 8 pm

Salle des fêtes Bertric-Burée

Tickets €12 on the door Reservations: variationsfrance@outlook.com

BRANTÔME POLICE HORSES

Big Christmas Fair Sunday 2nd December from 10:30 am to 5 pm Hot drinks, lots to eat, scrummy cakes, games, Santa in his grotto, tombola...

La Grange, 24530 St Pancrace GPS Sat Nav: 45.420263,0.667473 For more information visit www.brantomepolicehorses.com

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

Help us to support

BANSANG HOSPITAL IN THE GAMBIA

Annual Christmas Market Sunday 9th December Salle Le Capitolet, Abjat-sur-Bandiat 24300 From 10 am to 4 pm Booking & enquiries to: Linda Nicholson - tel 05 53 56 73 86,

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Unwanted present... decluttering the garage...?

What better way to make some space (and some money!) than by selling through The Bugle's Classifieds service. Go online now:

www.thebugle.eu/classifieds It's FREE and updated daily!!

Just email classifieds@thebugle.eu

email lindanicholson51@yahoo.co.uk Find out about Bansang Hospial at bansanghospitalappeal.org

Advertise on these pages notices@thebugle.eu

20 ♦ WHAT’S ON

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ NOVEMBER 2018