The Bugle Dordogne - Oct 2017 by The Bugle

La Poste to deliver parcels on Sunday After a year-long trial, La Poste is to deliver seven days a week across France via its Chronopost service >> Page 10 November 2016 - Issue #85

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Ryanair criticised over cancellations Ryanair has found itself in hot water with both passengers and regulators over a series of lastminute flight cancellations across Europe.

instead. This has resulted in large numbers of pilots and other staff taking holiday leave towards the end of this year. “We have messed up in the planning of pilot holidays and we’re working hard to fix that,” confessed marketing officer Kenny Jacobs. Attempting to put a positive spin on the public relations disaster, the company said that “fewer than 2% of its flights would be cancelled and the move would help it hit its annual punctuality target of 90%”. After a host of complaints, Ryanair did eventually publish a list of the flights being cancelled. In France, affected airports are Paris Beauvais, Marseille and Toulouse. Ryanair initially emailed

>> continued on page 6

World’s wealthiest woman dies - pg 8

Cows infuriate expat neighbours - pg 9

Royal backing boosts lentil sales - pg 10

The Bugle Business Directory - pg 16-20

yanair is no stranger to c o n t r o v e r s y, but even by its own standards September was a difficult month for the company’s PR department. After initially announcing that it would be cancelling 40-50 flights per day over a sixweek period until the end of October, Europe’s largest airline then revealed that it was to ground 25 planes between November and March, cancelling a further 18,000 flights. In total, almost 700,000 passengers have had their travel plans affected. The cancellations are due to a mix-up with staff holiday allocations. The airline is changing its holiday year, which currently runs from April to March, to run from January to December

Major French fashion houses ban ultra-thin models - page 7

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don't know if it is the shorter days and the cooler nights, but I've been having a bit of trouble sleeping recently. It's not something I ever really suffer from but, for me, lack of sleep was by far the hardest part of early parenthood. I always feel sorry for people with genuine sleep problems who go months on end with just a few hours sleep each night. I literally can't imagine how hard that must be... at least with young babies, even though it doesn't feel like you'll ever sleep again, deep down you know it won't last forever. One positive note is that it has reminded me of a joke I heard not that long ago that has made me chuckle a few times as I lie there at night unable to nod off: Insomnia is awful, but on the plus side, only three more sleeps until Christmas! Some furious googling reveals I should properly credit Robert Garnham for that joke. I read a story this month about a child’s doudou being reunited with its owner after nearly two years lost in a shop

and I know from experience that one thing guaranteed to stop your children going to sleep is losing their prized comforter. The story reminded me of the time we lost Mr Polar Bear at the soft play centre in Limoges when my middle child was just a few years old. At the time, she had a few doudous that had been bought for her and a small army of stuffed toys, but she only had eyes for Mr Polar Bear and he went everywhere with her. We often had to lay an extra place at the table when he was hungry and wanted to join us for dinner! I say we “lost” Mr Polar Bear... but it would be more accurate to say we “left” him in the ball pool as we knew straightaway where he probably was. I live over an hour away, however, so when we realised he was not with us, going back to get him was not an option I was immediately drawn to. Before the bad parent police come knocking on my door (“What do you mean you wouldn't even drive 2 hours for your child's happiness!”), I did phone the next day to ask if he had been handed in. Unfortunately, I was told he had not and so we had to gently break it to our daughter that Mr Polar Bear had sailed

off to sea on a big white iceberg to go play with all the other polar bears. OK, you can let the officers in now, I'm bang to rights!! It was quite a few months later when I happened to be in the area that I popped back into said play centre to ask if they had a white f luffy bear with a red scarf and without even breaking eye contact, the gentleman leant beneath the counter and there he was, just as grubby, smelly and partially de-stuffed as he was the last time I'd seen him. He didn't ask me for any proof as quite frankly, who else would want him! Reunited with her beloved, I was officially the “best Dad ever!” for a few days, but as time went by, Mr Polar Bear's trips to the meal table became fewer and farther between and he was eventually usurped by a more traditional doudou that has remained her must-have, take-everywhere comforter ever since. We told her the story of Mr Polar Bear and the ball pool a few years ago and she decided to dig him out, but a thorough search of the house revealed that he was, once again, nowhere to be found. “We wouldn't have chucked him out, would we?” my wife implored. The fact that I could not with certainty say that I wouldn't have done that is just more grist to the mill of the prosecution's case! And then, just last month, I found him. Covered in dust, buried under cobwebs in the tiny gap between a wardrobe and the ceiling. Before anyone

thinks that I am some kind of domestic god, I was dismantling said wardrobe, not cleaning it! In my head, a darker version of the film Toy Story had taken place in my own house. After making his prodigal return, a power struggle had ensued, the other teddies had revolted and Mr Polar Bear had been forced to live out his days on top of the wardrobe in exile. I triumphantly told my daughter that I had once again found Mr Polar Bear, expecting to be smothered in grateful hugs and kisses. “Oh yeah, I remember I chucked him up there by accident years ago”... it would appear that 6-year-old hearts are somewhat harder!! Well, I'm off for a camomile tea and some calming music to help me off to sleep. Failing that, a very large whisky and some late-night Sky Sports... thinking about it, maybe I'll just skip straight to option two!!

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INSIDE this edition 3-5 Local News 6-11 National News

Until next month!

12-13 French Life

Steve Martindale, Editor

14-16 Directory 17 Community 18-20 What’s On

Copy deadline for advertising and content:

15th October for November’s print edition

LOCAL NEWS ♦ 3

OCTOBER 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Charity boost for Gambia hospital Hirondelles’

departure signals end of summer

ocal British expats have received generous plaudits for their charity work. The hard-working group supports the Bansang Hospital in the Gambia, West Africa and its longstanding efforts have helped turn the hospital from a failing wreck into an efficient, invaluable asset to a community in dire need. Local organiser, Linda Nicholson from Sainte-Estèphe, explained to The Bugle: “We raise cash for this UKbased charity dedicated to funding Bansang Hospital. It is the sole source of health care for over half a million people in a desperately poor country. We have raised £1,100 this year and are pleased that so many people in the Dordogne keep supporting us. This fund was founded in 1992, and is headed by Anita Smith MBE MRG.” Anita Smith’s current £27,000 plan is to deal with the outpatients department and clinics. The hospital was opened in 1938 and work is in hand to upgrade towards 21st century standards with a new roof, aluminium windows and doors, LED lighting, fans and full tiling to provide a decent working environment for the medical staff and privacy for patients. It aims to provide increased access to medical, surgical, gynaecological and paediatric services

W and help patients avoid the cost and inconvenience of having to travel 200 miles to Banjul to get specialist attention. On behalf of the Bansang Hospital Appeal, Anita has told the Périgord fundraisers how much their time and commitment are appreciated by the staff and all the people the hospital serves. “The impact that Linda’s fundraisers have had on the lives of some of the poorest people in the world is truly staggering,” Anita said. “Everyone is so grateful for their efforts and their tremendous contribution.”

Linda’s valiant group’s next date is a Christmas Market in Abjat-sur-Bandiat, an annual event that continues to attract crowds of shoppers. Crafters, artists, creators, artisans and other vendors are invited to take part on Sunday 10th December. Linda can be contacted at lindanicholson51@yahoo.co.uk or on 05 53 56 73 86 for more information.■ by Brian Hinchcliffe To find out more about the hospital and the appeal visit: bansanghospitalappeal.org

inter is well on the way here in the Dordogne following the annual migrations, particularly of swifts, swallows, martins - all members of the Hirundinidae family. In the Dordogne the actual date of departure can vary from as early as August to as late as November, but one thing is for sure, the departure of les hirondelles signals the end of summer! The birds themselves appear to agree on a date, probably according to the weather. They have to take into account not only conditions for long distance flight, but the amount of insects available to stock up energy for the 5,000 to 10,000 kilometres ahead. These birds will have spent the summer in the Dordogne in the same nesting spots as the previous year, but as autumn approaches in the Périgord, they gather and leave in large groups. Scientists are still unable to entirely account for the precision of this navigation over the enormous distances travelled. Once here, it is thought that adult birds may fly around three hundred kilometres per day to feed their young in spring. Protein-rich insects are their food of choice and the use of pesticides and changes to traditional nesting sites may be responsible for a massive drop in numbers since the 1970s. Some sub-species have decreased by a worrying 84%. The Dordogne’s woods, forests, lakes and meadows, together with the insects they attract, have made this department a favourite for the hirondelle for millennia. Their migration will now take them them over the Pyrenees and Spain, before crossing the Mediterranean to winter in Africa... until they return once more in spring! ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe

4 ♦ LOCAL NEWS

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ OCTOBER 2017

n expat film-maker is finalising an important documentary film on the French Resistance in the Dordogne. Simon Holland has spent years researching and gathering eyewitness accounts of the Dordogne’s experiences of the Resistance and these have now been captured for posterity in Simon’s fascinating footage. Simon and his collaborator, Ronald Knoth, have not created a dry, purely factual documentary account, however, but a gripping movie. It is highly watchable for its own sake, as well as for the accurate and honest history it relates, plus several hours of detailed footage for serious historical researchers. The film’s intriguing title is “Operation Percy Pink”. At first sight it may seem puzzlingly off-colour, but this was the operational code name for a US army parachute drop into Occupied France, aimed at co-ordinating French Resistance groups in the fight to liberate the country. Winston Churchill summed up the aim of these missions as being to “set France ablaze!” The 13 paratroopers landed near the Dordogne town of Cadouin on 11th August 1944. First Lt. Legare made contact with the local maquisards (resistance fighters) to organise and lead mayhem against the Germans for the next two weeks, helping to bring about the Nazis’ retreat, surrender and final rout. Simon initially left his hometown of Hawick in the Scottish Borders to go to Sheffield University to study fine art. Instead of becoming a painter he became a talented film editor, head-hunted on graduation by Ealing Studios to later become editor of a huge number of Britain’s iconic TV documentaries and dramas, in-

cluding Panorama, Horizon, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Bergerac and recently to work with Professor Brian Cox and edit at the USA’s documentary channel, PBS. “France is the birthplace of cinema,” Simon told The Bugle. “Even the word is French! Then there are the names like Gaumont, and Pathé, Méliès and Lumière. Still world famous! Cinema is a part of French culture in a much stronger way than in the UK. This area, too, is rich in film-makers, right from the earliest days with Léon Poirier. He made his first film in 1914 and died in Urval in the Dordogne in 1968.” Simon explained that the Dordogne is one of the film industry’s favourite locations, with local and regional authorities being very supportive, added to the universal passion for movies and film festivals. While in the US Simon met and corresponded with Dorothy Faison, a well-known artist living in Honolulu. They married 2 years ago and moved to Siorac where they live in an old water mill where Simon has built his editing suite and Dorothy her studio. They also run an Airbnb and manage an organic area for their own poultry and visiting wildlife. “Percy Pink”, however, remains a major focus in their lives. The couple have made many French friends during their researches, including local deputy mayor, Michèle Fourteaux, whose father was an active member of the maquis. Dorothy explained: “The film is not just about the fighting, it’s about the way ordinary folk resisted in thousands of simple acts of defiance. It’s more than just the French Resistance, it’s about the wholesale Resistance of the whole of France.” At present there are no plans for

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Local expat makes Resistance documentary

public release, the film is essentially an educational tool for French students struggling to understand what happened to their country and their great grandparents in 1944. Nouvelle Aquitaine is providing funding and local mayors are already booking the film for their schools. The strength of this documentary film is Simon’s expert blending of narratives, eyewitness accounts, original archives, stills and re-enactment of events and explanatory linking passages. The accompanying music is subtly edited to create the tone for the historical acts and to make this film a “must watch” and probably “must watch again”! ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe

Fun at the Périgueux fair The annual Périgueux Foire Expo took place in the second week of September. Held in the exhibition park at Marsac, it once again attracted thousands from across the Dordogne and beyond. The 2017 event balanced the cutting edge high tech, the traditional, the frivolous and the essential. Care for the environment is always a central theme and 2017 is no exception. Apiculture, honey and beekeeping fascinated many as did the numerous exhibitors displaying devices to improve thermal efficiency, reduce costs, reduce waste and to add luxury and glamour to everyday life and leisure. Dealers displayed scores of camping cars, sheds, pergolas and garden machinery. For people with deep pockets this part of the fair is a paradise! This being a French event, the fine food area also proved highly popular, just like the music, free fun fair, animals and birds and, new this year, the hall of mirrors. Even though the weather proved less generous than an average September, the late night weekend openings were well attended. ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe

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LOCAL NEWS ♦ 5

OCTOBER 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Sarlat cinema celebrates Heritage Days a massive success 60 years of films

ne of the Dordogne’s most fun weekends was enjoyed in September when the 34th annual European Heritage Days opened up not only favourite places, but also some unseen sights and sites - all over the department. Just as attractive were the entrance prices, which were mainly free! Over the weekend of 16th and 17th September thousands of Périgourdins went out and enjoyed a peek at something not always on view and certainly not usually for free, notably a free guided bus tour of Périgueux city centre! While free entry to popular venues

the Dordogne’s pole position in the movies for audiences and for movie-makers. It is this passion that makes this department one of France’s favourite locations for producers and directors. For those still mastering the French language, the Rex regularly shows films in VO (version originale) - see www.cinerex.fr for full listings. ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe

Dordogne cinema has just celebrated six decades of screenings in the heart of the Périgord. It was an unbelievable sixty years ago that the 700-seater Rex cinema was first opened by Martial and Jeanne Vialle in the avenue Thiers for film-lovers in Sarlat. This was 1957, the year of Alec Guinness in “Bridge on the River Kwai”, Tyrone Power and Ava Gardner in “The Sun Also Rises” and Ingmar Bergman’s “Wild Strawberries”. With an industry still largely dominated by British and US films, the 10th annual Cannes Film Festival in 1957 was raising the profiles of French film-makers like Robert Bresson, Jacques Becker and Jacques Pinoteau. Pinoteau’s comedy “Le Triporteur” with Darry Cowl’s first appearance, was number 4 in the French box-office charts that year. As style and tastes matured, so did the Rex under generations of the Vialle family, with complete facelifts in 1995 and 2014, including its popular city restaurant. A favourite moment in the eatery’s history is one Sunday morning when the entire cast of “Jeanne d’Arc” turned up for brunch! The city of Sarlat is best known for its medieval sites but is by no means a movie backwater. The Rex has been assiduous in hosting important film festivals and inviting celebrities such as Luc Besson, Eric Cantona and Sophie Marceau, fostering

like the Périgord Museum of Art and Archeology, Vesunna Gallo-Roman site, and the military museum attracted many, there were also rare opportunities to visit less prominent spots off the beaten track, including the inside of the prefecture, the historic Lycée AlbertClaveille, and the Masonic Temple. Further afield, historic and prehistoric sites were unsurprisingly well visited. The village of Agonac stepped out with a free guided tour, and in a tiny chapel on a narrow street The Bugle discovered a real gem that encapsulates the spirit of this glorious inheritance. Agonac resident Claire set up her personal celebration of the history of France from King Clovis to our times. To bring her handmade displays to life, Claire prepared costumes for visitors, especially children, to try on and capture a sense of the country’s destiny. Clare explained to The Bugle: “I am passionate about history. It reminds us about who we are and explains why things are the way they are and gives an idea of what we can do better. Heritage is not just about the past, it’s about right now and about us.” ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe

6 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ OCTOBER 2017

Ryanair in hot water over cancellations passengers informing them of the cancellations and offering them alternative Ryanair flights or a full refund. The company also offered vouchers for €40 and €80 for one-way and return trips towards alternative flights on top of any refund. “This is a mess up. When we make a mess in Ryanair we come out with our hands up,” chief executive Michael O’Leary said in a statement, before going on to challenge EU rules and say that Ryanair would not be forced to book passengers on to rivals’ flights. This is in direct opposition to EU regulations and led the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)’s chief executive Andrew Haines to say he was “furious” that the airline was not complying with the law and to announce the CAA had launched “enforcement action” against Ryanair for wrongly claiming it did not have to re-route passengers on rival airlines. “These are simple things to fix and they’re choosing not to fix them,” said Andrew Haines. “People shouldn’t have to choose between low fares and legal rights. Michael himself said he wasn’t going to pay for passengers to fly on other airlines. That’s against the law. My concern with Ryanair, and the reason we are

>> continued from pg 1

speaking so openly, is they say one thing and yet they don’t follow it through.” The CAA said information provided on Ryanair’s website failed to make it clear that the airline was obliged to refund all expenses incurred as a result of the flight cancellation. Those expenses include meals, hotels, as well as transfer costs to re-route passengers on other airlines when there was no suitable alternative. The company was also criticised for not informing passengers whose flights were cancelled with less than 2 weeks’ notice that, under EU law, they were entitled to additional compensation of

€250 (for flights of less than 1,500 km) or €400 (flights further than 1,500 km). Elsewhere, Ryanair has announced that, from November, only Priority Boarding passengers will be allowed to take two bags onto the flight as the current system was being “abused”. Nonpriority passengers will have their wheelie case taken from them at the boarding gate and put in the hold for free. In order to encourage passengers to check in luggage, the check-in bag allowance will increase from 15kg to 20kg for all bags and the standard check-in bag fee will be cut from €/£35 to €/£25 for this 20kg bag. ■

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Your rights explained Ryanair has 24 hours after informing affected passengers of a cancellation to book them on an alternative Ryanair flight. If the alternative Ryanair flight is not soon enough, or at a time that does not work for you, then you can tell Ryanair to book you on the most appropriate flight on an alternative airline at no extra cost to you. Consumer group Which? says that it is best to make Ryanair do the legwork - rather than take a refund from the Ryanair flight, rebook yourself on another airline, and try to reclaim any extra cost from Ryanair if the new flight is more expensive. By doing so, you will probably only get a refund for the cancelled Ryanair flight, but not the difference for the more expensive alternative flight. If less than 2 weeks' notice is given, passengers are eligible for compensation of €250 (for flights of less than 1,500 km) or €400 (flights further than 1,500 km).

NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 7

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Major French labels ban ultra-thin models

s Paris fashion week began in September, two top French fashion groups with labels including Christian Dior, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Yves Saint Laurent announced that they have banned super-skinny models from their catwalks and worldwide advertising. LVMH, the luxury retailer with the world's largest market share, and rival Kering will also stop hiring models under 16 years old. France had previously passed a law earlier this year requiring models to provide medical certificates proving they are healthy in order to work, with particular attention paid to their body mass index (BMI), age, gender and body shape. Fashion agencies currently face fines of up to €75,000 or six months in prison if they breach this law. The latest move by the word's biggest players goes further, however. Whilst the French certificate is valid for 2 years, the companies say they will require this to be renewed every 6 months and have also said that they will not use models under a size 34 (size 6 in the UK). Previously, size 32 models have regularly been used - size 4 in the UK, or size 0 in the US. “That's finished now, the size will be 34 and above, which is already quite small,” said Antoine Arnault, a board member of LVMH and son of owner Bernard Arnault. According to figures, only 0.7% of women in France wear a size 34 or below. The groups also confirmed that they would stop hiring models under 16, a common practice in the industry, saying: “A young girl of 15 doesn't have the faculties to take on the difficult world of fashion and modelling.” In 2015, Israeli model Sofia Mechetner, then aged

14, featured in a catwalk show for Dior, while Karl Lagerfeld said earlier this year that he thought girls of 15 were old enough to model. “Respecting the dignity of all women has always been both a personal commitment for me and a priority for Kering as a group,” said the company's billionaire chairman François-Henri Pinault in a statement. “We hope to inspire the entire industry to follow suit, thus making a real difference in the working conditions of fashion models industry-wide.” The fashion industry has been coming under increasing pressure for pro-

moting unattainable beauty ideals that are harmful both to models and those who try and emulate them. Last year, French former supermodel Victoire Dauxerre lifted the lid on the dangers of seeking to fit into size 32-34 clothes in a tell-all book, revealing she had adopted a diet of three apples a day with laxatives. Another French model, Isabelle Caro, fronted a shocking anti-anorexia campaign during Milan fashion week in 2007 before she died from the disease three years later at the age of 28. It is estimated that around 600,000 young people suffer from eating disor-

ders in France, including 40,000 people suffering from anorexia, 90% of whom are female. After road accidents, eating disorders are the second most common cause of death of 15-24-year-olds. Also included in the French law change is a further measure, due to come into force on 1st October, which will require magazines, adverts and websites to clearly mark images in which a model’s appearance has been digitally manipulated with the words photographie retouchée (retouched photograph). Failing to flag up retouched images will incur a fine of €37,500, or up to 30% of the amount spent on the advert. ■

8 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

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World's wealthiest woman dies in France

iliane Bettencourt, the heiress to cosmetics firm L'Oréal and the world's richest woman, has died at her home in Paris, aged 94. The one-time society beauty lived her life surrounded by money, politics and more than a touch of scandal and at the time of her death, her wealth was estimated at a staggering €33 billion. Both her father, who founded L'Oréal, and her husband André Bettencourt were accused of being ardent Nazi collaborators during World War II. Her husband, who died in 2007, had been a member of a French fascist group during the war but sought forgiveness from the Jewish community in its aftermath and later served as a government minister under President Charles de Gaulle. Bettencourt was close friends with both de Gaulle and François Mitterand, but it was her ties with another former president, Nicolas Sarkozy, that were the most controversial. It was alleged that Patrice de Maistre, who managed Bettencourt's vast fortune, secretly handed over envelopes of her cash to members of Sarkozy's right-wing party during his 2007 presidential campaign. The charges against Sarkozy were dropped in 2013 due to lack of

evidence, but de Maistre was later convicted in a separate case for mishandling her finances. In recent years, Bettencourt has been most famous for a public spat with her daughter and accusations that members of her entourage were taking advantage of her failing health for their financial gain. The saga began in 2007 as a family feud between Bettencourt and her daughter Françoise Bettencourt-Meyers, who feared her mother was not in a fit state to manage her substantial wealth. It was then revealed in 2008 that a photographer who had befriended the heiress, François-Marie Banier, had been gifted items worth hundreds of millions of dollars - including paintings by Picasso and a 670-acre island in the Seychelles. When her daughter claimed that Banier was manipulating her mother for his own gain, Liliane Bettencourt insisted she could spend her time and money on who she saw fit, even briefly considering adopting Banier and making him sole heir to the L'Oréal fortune. At a subsequent trial it was revealed that Banier had received gifts worth €414 million and that he had a “psychological and moral hold” over Bettencourt, whose mental faculties

Cartes grises online only

rom November, anyone applying for a carte grise (French vehicle registration document), or alerting the authorities to a change of name or address, must do so online. The changes are part of an administrative move known as the Plan préfecture nouvelle génération that will see public access to local prefectures phased out and an increasing number of services only being available online. As many as 30 million vehicles change hands in France every year and, under the current system, many of those owners queue up in their local prefecture to fill out a form by hand. A number of these prefectures have already either closed their vehicle registration desks, or require people to make a pre-arranged appointment. For those without access to the internet, the interior ministry has said it will set up public points numériques equipped with computers,

printers and scanners. The new online service is free - although taxes are due based on the age and size of your vehicle. However, as happened when the Crit'Air pollution stickers were unveiled, a number of websites have already sprung up offering to handle your carte grise application... for a small fee. All they will be doing is forwarding on your request via the government's website and you will still need to supply exactly the same information. The only difference is that you will be paying for it. If you are going to use a third party to apply for your carte grise, such as the garage where you bought the car, then make sure they are registered with the Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés (ANTS). For more information, or to make your application, visit: https://immatriculation.ants.gouv.fr

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doctors had warned were failing as early as 2006. “She found herself at the mercy of men in whom she placed her trust,” said the judge, before sentencing Banier to three years in prison, as well as imposing a €350,000 fine and ordering him to repay €158 million to the Bettencourt family. In total, eight people were found guilty over the scandal. Bettencourt's assets, including her holding stake in the cosmetics company, were placed in a trust controlled by

her daughter with whom she ultimately reconciled. In a statement, L'Oréal's chairman and CEO Jean-Paul Agon said: “We all had a deep admiration for Liliane Bettencourt who has always watched over L'Oréal, the company and its employees, and who was very attached to its success and development. She personally contributed a lot to its success for very many years. A great woman of beauty has left us and we will never forget her.” ■

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NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 9

OCTOBER 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Controversial labour reforms signed into law

resident Emmanuel Macron has signed a series of executive orders live on TV, making radical changes to the country's labour laws and sealing a signature reform promise after four months at the helm. The overhaul, eagerly awaited by the business community and France's EU partners, was fast-tracked via executive orders as a way of avoiding a prolonged battle in the streets while the changes were debated in parliament. “The reform constitutes an unprecedented transformation of our social model and the economic functioning of our country,” the president said, adding that it had been “carried out in record time”. France's labour code, which is well over 3,000 pages long and contains chapters dating back more than a century, is seen

by many as a straitjacket for businesses. Any attempts to change the code in recent years, however, have been fiercely opposed by the country's powerful unions. The end of François Hollande's term in office was marred by wave after wave of street violence following plans to reform labour laws. Macron entered into discussion with the major unions before unveiling the text of the latest reforms, offering some minor concessions, and only the militant CGT union opposes them. The more moderate CFDT and FO unions said that while they were disappointed with some aspects of the reforms, they called on their members not to join any protests. “The future of trade unionism... is our presence within companies rather than on the streets,” argued the head

of the CFDT, Laurent Berger. Although several major protests have taken place, there appears to be less appetite for a fight this time around. An estimated 130,000 people took to the streets across France during one major protest, far fewer than organisers had hoped for and well down on the numbers regularly seen during the last months of Hollande's presidency. In brief, the new laws give companies more flexibility when it comes to hiring and firing staff and allow them to negotiate directly with their employees on certain matters, rather than being bound by industry-wide collective agreements negotiated by trade unions. A cap has also been set on the amount of compensation awarded by industrial courts in cases of unfair dismiss-

al - a key demand of bosses who complain that lengthy and costly court cases discourage them from hiring staff in the first place. The reforms will also give workers more right to work from home if appropriate and give companies more say on how long and how many times temporary CDD contracts can be renewed for. The Macron team insists that the reforms will encourage businesses to hire and will lower France's stubbornly high unemployment rate to 7 per cent, down from its current level of 9.5 per cent, roughly twice the levels in Britain or Germany. The president is also hoping the changes will encourage foreign investors, who have long been put off by France's powerful unions and restrictive labour laws. ■

Alpine expats angered by noisy neighbours

ngry expats in the picturesque Alpine village of Le Biot have taken action against the noisy neighbours they claim are disturbing the peace and ruining their sleep. The inconsiderate locals in question are a herd of cows and twenty residents of the village in Haute-Savoie - home to a total of 600 people - have now signed a petition to have the bothersome bovines moved on. According to the town's mayor, HenriVictor Tournier, the petition has been signed “only by second homeowners”, including Brits, Belgians, Corsicans and Parisians, who are not accustomed to the noise of the cows' bells. “We understand that we live in the countryside and that there is a long history of cows, sheep and goats in the region,” conceded the unhappy homeowners. “Neverthe-

Multinational insurer moves to France In a major boost to the government's efforts to tempt big business to Paris, insurance giant Chubb has announced plans to shift its European headquarters from London to Paris post-Brexit. The insurer, which has 31,000 employees worldwide, said the move made sense given that it already has a major base in the capital. “Locating our EU headquarters in France post-Brexit is a clear choice for us,” explained Evan Greenberg, Chubb’s chief executive. “Paris is the principal office for our Continental European operations and we have a significant

investment there in both financial and human resources. Our many years of experience in the French market and working closely with the French regulators gives us great confidence in making this decision.” Much was made of the impact Brexit might have on where multinationals headquarter their businesses and the potential benefits for France. Paris has so far struggled to attract big-name financial institutions that are moving their operations out of the UK, however. Many banks have chosen Frankfurt, while insurers have opted for Luxembourg, Brussels and Dublin. Chubb, which is based in Switzerland but trades on the New York Stock Exchange, currently uses London as its headquarters for its EU and Central and Eastern Europe divisions. ■

less, the constant noise of the bells opposite, all through the day and night is unbearable. There are more fields, higher up, where the cattle can graze.” The cows, which provide milk for the production of the local Reblochon cheese, graze close to the towns' houses as they help to keep the grass on the hills under control. “It costs us €5,000-8,000 to strim the grass and to keep it neat. At the moment, the cows graze it for us for free and it's pleasant. If the petition came only from people living here all year round, I would understand; but that's not the case. There is no question of banning the bells!” declared Mr Tournier. As a concession, the mayor has said he will investigate the possibility of putting smaller bells on the cows. Angry locals will have a chance to air their grievances at a planned council meeting in October. ■

10 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

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Passenger saves bus A quick-thinking French tourist has been praised for preventing a bus from plunging over a cliff in the Alps after the driver passed out. The 65-year-old man was one of 21 French tourists on the coach when the driver fell ill and collapsed on a highaltitude road near the city of Schwaz in western Austria. The passenger leapt forward and applied the brake as the vehicle crashed through the wooden roadside guardrail, leaving the bus full of passengers hanging over the cliff edge a short distance from a 100-metre drop. “We were a hair's breadth from catastrophe,” a local police spokesman said, adding it was “incredible luck” that the passenger's reflexes had managed to stop the bus. In 2004, five tourists were killed when a coach left the road and tumbled down a 30-metre embankment near the village of Bad Dürrnberg, south of Salzburg, in Austria. ■

Parcel post on Sundays After a one-year trial, France's postal service La Poste has announced that it is to start delivering parcels on Sundays. La Poste has successfully been delivering on the seventh day for the past year across large towns at peak times, such as at Christmas, through a partnership with e-commerce site Cdiscount. Following the continued growth of online shopping, the company is now set to roll out this scheme nationally through its subsidiary, Chronopost, and will focus on the delivery of online shopping parcels. “Chronopost will only be delivering packages from businesses working on Sundays,” explained a spokesperson for La Poste. “For someone wanting to send keys to a friend on Saturday, hoping they will receive them the next day, that will not work.” According to the Fédération du e-commerce et de la vente à distance, over 80% of French internet users are said to shop online, and consumers spent €72 billion shopping online in 2016, a rise of 14.6% in comparison with the previous year. ■

Government doubles autoentrepreneur thresholds

he government has announced a major shakeup of the popular auto-entrepreneur (AE) system, with the current income ceilings more than doubling in 2018. Emmanuel Macron had first suggested tripling the income thresholds in 2015, an idea that was rejected by then finance minister Michel Sapin, but since being elected president earlier this year, Macron has pushed forward with these reforms as part of his plans to kick-start the country's economy. Currently, those working under the AE status who earn more than €33,200 as a service-based business, or €82,800 as a commerce must upgrade to the more onerous Entreprise Individuelle (EI) regime. As an EI, business owners are required to pay minimum social contributions, regardless of turnover, as well as keeping and submitting full accounts and regis-

tering for value added tax (TVA). Under the much simpler AE regime, businesses pay their social and tax obligations as a fixed percentage of their chiffre d'affaires (turnover); no turnover means no social or tax payments. There is no need to submit detailed accounts and business expenses cannot be claimed back. From 2018, the thresholds for an AE business will be raised to €66,400 (services) and €165,600 (commerce). Supporters of the changes argue that they will allow more people to benefit from the simplified status and that those businesses who artificially hold their turnover just below the current thresholds will now be able to continue to grow. “We are raising the production capacity for auto-entrepreneurs for the simple reason that the system works, because it creates jobs and because it releases the entrepreneurial spirit of the French,”

explained the economic minister Bruno le Maire in a Facebook live post. Opponents point out that as many of half of all AE businesses declare no turnover and only 5% exceed the current thresholds. It is also true that while the AE regime is very simple to operate under, many businesses approaching the current thresholds would be better off financially by changing their status - for larger AE businesses, simplicity sometimes comes at a price. There is also confusion over TVA rules as these thresholds will not be changed. This means that a business registered as an AE will neither charge nor claim back any TVA up to the current limits of €33,200 and €82,800, but will need to add TVA to their invoices after this threshold has been reached in any financial year. There remains some confusion as to exactly how this will be implemented. ■

Pulse receives royal boost

othing does more for a product's popularity than a spot of celebrity endorsement. And so producers of puy lentils were rejoicing when the Daily Mail ran an article on Prince George's first day at school and revealed that the future king had tucked into a plate of the posh pulses for lunch. Hailing from Le Puy in the Auvergne region of central France, the blue-green lentil is considered to be one of the finest varieties – it is often described as the poor man's caviar - and is distributed by Sabarot, a company that has specialised in pulses since 1819. “It's the 'star effect' - as soon as a VIP is linked to a product!” explained Antoine Wassner, head of

Sabarot. “We've had high demand from clients in Britain since the Daily Mail article, notably from restaurants. Maybe the trend won't last on the other side of the Channel, but with the vogue for being vegan, we're hopeful!" In the European Union, the term puy lentils may only be used to designate lentils that come from Le Puy, notably the commune of Le Puy-en-Velay, where they have been grown for more than 2,000 years. In 2016, more than 3,000 tonnes were produced in the region, with 10% heading to the UK. Prince George was served his lentils with smoked mackerel at the €20,000 per year private school he attends, although it is not known if he cleared his plate! ■

OCTOBER 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 11

12 ♦ FRENCH LIFE

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ OCTOBER 2017

UK keeps tight rein on pension transfers - Blevins Franks

atest efforts from the UK government to tighten the rules for pension transfers should have little impact on Britons living abroad. Expatriates still have the right to move UK pension funds into an approved Qualified Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS) without paying UK taxes or penalties. Currently, no UK charges apply for EU/EEA residents transferring to an eligible QROPS within the bloc, or for non-EU/EEA residents transferring to a QROPS based in their country of residence. However, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) impose an ‘overseas tax charge’ of 25% for unapproved QROPS, or penalties of at least 40% on transfers to other unregistered schemes. Why does the UK regulate transfers? By ‘policing’ transfers, the government aims to protect Britons from pension scams and inappropriate investments. An alarming number of cases have seen people lose some or all of their retirement savings as the result of deliberate fraud or by reinvesting in failed, unregulated investments. The government estimates that pension scammers claimed £5 million in the first five months of 2017, totalling £43 million since April 2014. While funds in a UK authorised pension scheme offer some compensation if things go wrong, if they are transferred into an unregulated structure there is no protection.

To make sure foreign pension schemes meet their strict standards, the government maintains a public list of approved QROPS. To make the list – and stay there – QROPS must behave in a similar way to UK schemes. Any scheme, for example, that allows savers to access pension funds before the UK minimum age of 55 (outside exceptional circumstances) is not approved. Anyone moving UK funds to such a scheme would face penalties as a result. Ever decreasing options The government’s rules and list of approved QROPS are regularly reviewed. After major rule changes this April, 30% of schemes – over 400 – were taken off the list for failing to meet the requirements, and nine countries no longer had an approved QROPS option. For example, currently there are no Portuguese, French or Cypriot QROPS on the list. That means expatriates in France wishing to transfer must select an eligible scheme in a third country. Transfer penalties can be avoided by choosing an approved QROPS within another EEA jurisdiction, such as Malta or Gibraltar. Note that UK funds transferred after 8th March 2017 remain liable to the overseas tax charge for five UK tax years. This means you could still be taxed 25% if you move funds again (an ‘onward transfer’) to an unapproved scheme or you become nonEEA resident within this period.

Brexit may further limit opportunities Another incentive for the UK government to tighten control over pension transfers is increasing revenue from Britons abroad. HMRC’s benefits here are twofold – keeping funds within the UK so that, wherever possible, pension income and withdrawals can be taxed, and collecting penalties from those who transfer overseas. Currently, UK pension contributions and growth both benefit from tax relief in Britain, and can potentially be accessed by expatriates without paying UK tax (under double tax agreements). While this is unlikely to change with Brexit, HMRC may want to keep more funds within their reach by stemming the flow of UK pensions abroad. While Britain is in the EU, the government is committed to freedom of movement – including capital – across the bloc. After Brexit, however, fewer restrictions mean there is more flexibility to claim taxes from expatriates’ EU pension transfers. Why consider transferring? Many expatriates choose to transfer to a QROPS to unlock significant tax advantages and flexibility over UK pensions. Once in a QROPS, your funds are sheltered from future changes to UK pension rules and British taxation on income and gains. Funds will no longer count towards your lifetime pension allowance (LTA), enabling

The wines of Bergerac

e first came across the wines of Château Les Hauts de Caillevel when they won a prize at the Salon International du Livre Gourmand in 2014. This cookbook fair is a splendid event, held in late November in Périgueux every two years, with endless tastings and testing and cookery demonstrations. It is great fun and I was honoured to be on the jury, and keep coming across friends I made there. Then I got to know Sylvie Chevallier, who with her husband Marc runs the vineyard along organic lines. But she is now better known for chairing the tourism committee of the Conseil Départemental and as a campaigner for sustainable agriculture. We have met at various events to promote Périgord tourism, food and wines, including this year’s Tour de France. It was like a homecoming for her because she began her career as one of the event organisers of Le Tour. Her husband Marc had a similar job with the ParisDakar overland race, but they

by Martin Walker

decided they really wanted to make wine and raise their children in the country. It is a modest home and vineyard of some 18 hectares, but has one of the finest views of all the Bergerac vineyards, facing south and overlooking the wide, lush valley of a small stream, the Gardonnette. To see it is to fall in love with the place, Sylvie says. They bought the vineyard, which is near Pomport and inside the Monbazillac appellation, in 1999 and they are now selling since their son and daughter have chosen other careers. Their wine-making days are ending, sadly with a savage battering from the killer frost of last April, but they leave behind an admirable legacy of exciting and original wines. So, this is your chance to buy some of the most interesting wines of the region while stocks last. The first surprise is that they are using an unusual grape for this region, the chenin, better known in the Loire and in the wines of South Africa. It is quite high in acid and is known to be, not

bland exactly, but a wine that allows the special flavours and minerals of a particular terroir to come through. In their standard dry white, called Fleur at 6.50 euros, the chenin is just a drop of five per cent in a wine that is 85 per cent sauvignon blanc and ten per cent sauvignon gris. It is a charming, fresh and summery wine and refreshingly low in alcohol (just 12.5 degrees). The finer wine, Atypique, is one third each of chenin, sauvignon blanc and gris and at 9.50 euros it is an eye-opener. It spends six months in oak barrels and the result is a fresh and fruity wine but one that contains real depth and body. It reminds me a little of some of the best German wines and it is unusual to find this combination of delicacy of flavour and weight in the mouth and in the aftertaste in a Bergerac wine. It really is quite special. Then there is the rarity, the Chenin de Compostelle, named for the pilgrim route that passes by the church of St-Jacques in Sigoulès, quite nearby. It is one hundred per

unlimited growth without attracting the 55% or 25% LTA tax penalties. You can combine several UK pensions under one tax-efficient QROPS umbrella, with more flexibility and control over how you invest and access your pension funds. This can include currency flexibility, enabling you to reduce exchange risk by taking income in Euros without having to convert it from Sterling. QROPS also offer estate planning advantages. While many UK pensions are payable only to your spouse on death, QROPS offer flexibility to include other heirs and roll across generations. However, transferring a UK pension is not suitable for everyone and differences between QROPS providers and jurisdictions could affect tax benefits. It is essential to consider all your options and take regulated pensions advice to protect your retirement savings and establish the best approach for you. If you decide to take action, consider doing so now – under current rules and before Brexit – to make the most of today’s opportunities. ■ Tel: 05 53 63 49 19 Email: bergerac@blevinsfranks.com Tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; an individual is advised to seek personalised advice.

cent chenin and it seemed to me at first sniff and first sip like a particularly rich Vouvray, and then in the aftertaste like a good white Burgundy. “That’s the terroir,” Sylvie said as my eyes widened in happy surprise. The vineyard is composed of a plateau, whose soil is ferrous clay on top of limestone, and then a thickly pebbled slope of clay, sandstone and a fossil limestone that dates back to the day when this region was a seabed. The semillon, sauvignon and muscadelle vines on the plateau are eighty to a hundred years old. The merlots and red cabernets on the slope plunge their roots through the pebbles and deep into limestone clays. This produces reds of real complexity and elegance. The basic red, Fruissance at 6.60 euros, is one hundred per cent merlot, picked in October, quite late, when the grapes are fully ripe and it tastes young, fresh, full of fruit but very clean on the palate. Eté, at 7.50 euros, is only twenty per cent merlot blended with the two cabernets, but the 2015 that I tasted shows real elegance, with a touch of that forward Cali-

fornian way of wanting the fruit to explode in the mouth. Then comes the two most powerful reds. Terres Chaudes, at 9.95 euros, is very good indeed, a deep wine and you can almost taste the iron in the clay, as in a Pécharmant. Ebène, a wine they only make in special years, is 15.50 euros and a real stunner. The 2015 was 57 per cent cabernet sauvignon and 43 per cent merlot, a solid, meaty wine that will last for years. A week or so later, by chance, I was invited to a dinner party where a friend served with the foie gras Haut Caillevel’s special Monbazillac, a 2008 called Grains de Folie. 15.50 euros for a halflitre bottle. It’s divine! ■ 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.

FRENCH LIFE ♦ 13

OCTOBER 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

In the garden - jobs for October

by Michelle Pierce

robably the last month before the real cold starts, October still offers plenty of great moments for the gardener – from picking huge bundles of asters and dahlias to planting the first of the new bulbs. Especially, admire the autumn colours and the hedgerow fruits. But the days are so much shorter and darker that there’s a natural reining back of the time you can work outside. Another rhythm. We’ve had some rain in September, and the grass is still growing so keep mowing, but consider moving the blades up, to protect the lawn from vulnerability to bad weather. Leave some corners longer for wildlife shelter. If you plant bulbs to naturalise in lawn, make sure you make a sketch of where they are,

so you’ll be able to cut the grass in the spring ahead of them emerging. Use your grass clippings as mulch on beds, or round shrubs and trees to suppress weeds. Don’t waste your fallen leaves – put them on the compost heap, or make a leaf-mould pen out of chicken wire. But be cautious with the leaves of walnut, which have strong chemicals in them that can inhibit growth in other species, especially apples. Now is a good time to divide clumps of herbaceous perennials, once they’ve finished flowering, as well as moving self-sown flowers that are in the wrong place. Make a mental note about moving suckers of bushes, or self-sown fruit trees and other shrubs. Next month will be a good time to do this.

If you want to grow veg over winter, sow winter varieties, or buy plants, and at the same time put the framework of a cloche or mini tunnel over your sowings, for later. These can be bought very cheaply these days, and even just a white horticultural fleece will be very helpful, or spread a thick layer of compost/manure/straw over them. For unoccupied plots, consider sowing a green manure such as phacelia or red clover. Make a specially protected place in your greenhouse for sowing seeds, dealing with seedlings, and protecting the more fragile things. Polystyrene boxes can be very useful. Continue harvesting fruit and veg, transforming it as you go, if necessary. Ensure you keep your potatoes in a dry, well ventilated place, and your pumpkins spaced out on shelves, having first let them cure a few days in the sun. This really helps the cut ends of the stalk to dry up, thus preventing bacteria entering. Keep an eye out for vermin. Next month will be the moment for chrysanthemums in the shops, because of La Toussaint, but the less flouncy ones can look absolutely lovely in the

garden or in winter containers. And speaking of which, look after your pots. Move them to shelter if necessary, junk the annuals, replant with more winterresistant things. The pansy-ivy combination is a sure winner, and now the colours are virtually unlimited. Put up some protection for insects – insect hotels can be lovely to look at in their own right, but pots on their sides, or suspended, filled with straw or leaves are also great shelters. Try to make sure you pick up piles of branches or twigs now, before some wildlife takes up residence over the winter. You wouldn’t want to evict a poor little hedgehog, would you? Think about next spring, in terms of the bulbs you want, the biennials you’ll want to complement them with, and the colour schemes you’re going to be tempted by. Have a general tidy up. After the long season, it’s often quite surprising what you find, and how much needs to go back to its right place. It's maybe a good time to organise and clean that shed/garage/barn, etc. Good gardening! ■

Serves 4 1.2kg hare in pieces. Strictly speaking, you should retain the blood and the liver.

Hare, rabbit... or just too cute?!

by Julia Watson

neighbour came by one autumn day, a dead rabbit dangling from his hand. He made a few judicious nicks in its neck then unrolled its skin like a sock down its body. I was offered it for the family pot. Only the greatest British phlegm and grit allowed me to receive it without either bursting into tears or gagging. I'll eat anything. I've eaten dog in South America, beetles in SouthEast Asia, snake in Indonesia and ant soup in Laos. (You have to eat that fast, before the ants swarm out of the bowl.) But rabbit? It's a bit too bedtime story for my taste. However, I can get my head round hare with less discomfort. It seems to me that while both animals can give a dog a run for their money, somehow the rabbit is on a losing wicket right from the moment it lopes off towards the safety of its burrow. If it isn’t evading hounds, it’s under threat from hunters with guns and snares. No jolly Disney cartoon of stalker incompetence. Then there's the Beatrix Potter connection, all fluffy animals in blue jackets among soporific lettuces, not to speak of a childhood summer of myxomatosis when the countryside round my

aunt's house was heaving with expiring bunnies running in demented circles, their eyes hanging out on their throats. Hare seem made of sterner stuff. They're canny creatures, zigzagging across the hills, driving pursuing dogs crazy with frustration. Besides, they provide a mainstay dish of Faustian blackness and depth at La Coupole brasserie in Paris where it would be a mistake to question the origin of any ingredient, especially when the table next to you is taken up by an exquisitely dressed elderly woman feeding half her civet de lièvre to the dainty dog on the seat opposite her. Sensitivity over eating rabbit or hare under those circumstances becomes an irrelevant distraction. This is the time of year when hare is readily available (as is rabbit, but I still draw the line). It marries wonderfully with autumn mushrooms, as in this recipe for Hare with Cèpes. In contrast to La Coupole’s speciality, it’s not a funereally dark dish but of a light shade, the wine it marinates in being white not red. ■ Julia Watson has been a long-time Food Writer for newspapers and magazines in the US and the UK.

For the marinade 2 glasses of white wine 5 tbs walnut oil 5cl vinegar 1 bouquet garni 2 carrots sliced in rounds 2 shallots finely sliced lengthwise 1 large clove of garlic 1 small onion pierced with a clove 2 tbs Cognac Several peppercorns Salt and pepper to taste In an enamel or stainless steel pan bring all the ingredients gently to the boil. Put the hare portions into an enamel or china bowl and pour the marinade over it. Allow it to cool then add the blood and 2 tbs vinegar (optional but authentic). Cover and leave to marinate in a cool place for at least 24 hours.

To cook 200g smoked pork fat sliced thinly 50g butter 2 tbs vegetable oil 10 peeled small pearl onions 5cl Cognac 2 tbs flour 1kg cèpes Handful of finely chopped parsley Drain and pat dry the pieces of hare. In a pot melt the butter and add the oil. Gently fry the pork fat till it turns gold then drain on paper towels. Add the onions to the pot and fry till lightly golden, then remove them to a separate plate. Coat with flour and then brown the pieces of hare in the pot then add the Cognac and flame it. Drain the marinade through a sieve onto the pieces of hare. Pick out the carrots, the onion pierced with the clove, and the bouquet garni and add to the pot along with the pearl onions. Bring them to the boil, cover and let simmer for half an hour, turning several times. Meanwhile, sauté the cèpes in 80g of butter and 3 tbs olive oil. Season to taste and sprinkle over finely chopped parsley. Once the hare has cooked 30 minutes, add the cèpes to the pot, cover and let it simmer over a low heat for a further 15 minutes. Serve in the cooking pot, sprinkled if you wish with the crispy pork fat and slices of toast rubbed with a clove of garlic, alongside a salad dressed in a mustardy vinaigrette.

14 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ OCTOBER 2017

Business Directory

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

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

05 53 58 55 38 and home of CANOUAN ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIELS

WOOFERS RETREAT Holiday Home for Dogs

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

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

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

Ironwood Motif www.ironwoodmotif.com

Dossiers prepared Permis de Construire Déclarations Préalables

05 55 41 17 76

Facebook & Instagram: Ironwood Motif

CHARENTE

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

+44 (0)1377 538 639

motorptscharente@aol.com www.motorpartscharente.com

Tel: 05 53 52 36 05

Tel: 05 65 30 53 99

lavieilleabbaye@orange.fr www.latuspeter-architecturaldrawings-24.com

SIRET: 481 198 638 00019

SIRET: 493 770 358 00015

Building Services Architects/Surveyors

MOTOR PARTS

Renovating your French property? New build?

Ferronnerie d’Art

sales24@thebugle.eu

Auto Services

Architectural DRAWING SERVICE

Artist Blacksmith

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.

Siret: 499 234 615 00015

MinouCats

Blacksmiths

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

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

CHARTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEER

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76 Building Services Electricians Registered Electrician English speaking

Pre-purchase & Structural Surveys. Verbal & written reports. Structural calculations & drawings. Redevelopment ideas & solutions.

• Electrical installations • Electrical repairs • New builds, renovations & extensions • Prompt quotations supplied

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

I undertake to start and finish jobs on schedule, with a high degree of care. I offer reasonable prices and will travel to jobs so please don’t hesitate to contact me for a discussion of your requirements. Andy Hood

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

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

e: andy@andyhood.co.uk

m: 07 77 05 14 17 t: 05 53 23 12 80 siret: 820 042 984 00022

ADVERTORIAL

Is another banking crisis just waiting to happen?

elieve it or not you may have recently seen on the news that we are 10 years on from the Northern Rock collapse. It was a strange time for all of us, not least myself, who had only just started working for HBOS (now Lloyds Banking Group) at the beginning of that year. As an insider it was a difficult place to be, seeing customers rushing in, in a panic, their savings interest disappearing before their eyes and moving money from one establishment to the next in the slight hope the FSCS would cover them if others were also to collapse. You would think, therefore, that we

would not become complacent enough again to believe that the banks are now too big to fail. Well wake up and look at the facts. Britain’s finance sector is an “accident waiting to happen”, according to a report branding the Bank of England’s stress tests as “worse than useless” on the 10th anniversary of the Northern Rock collapse. A study by the Adam Smith Institute (ASI) said the Bank’s tests - designed to measure whether a bank could withstand a severe financial shock - give false comfort by overstating the resilience of the finance sector. “It is disturbing that 10 years on from Northern Rock, the best measure of leverage - those based on market values - indicate that UK banks are even more leveraged than they were then. “The biggest risk facing the UK banking system now is the Bank of England’s own complacency.” The report said high bank leverage

had helped fan the flames of the financial crisis, while market valuations of UK lenders indicate that some have hidden losses and for those of us thinking ‘I am OK as I don’t have my money in UK Banks’, do you believe that the banks in Europe are any better? Just take a look at the current state of Italian banks and the recent collapse of Banco Popular, the 6th largest bank in Spain. Only last year Banco Popular passed the stress tests with flying colours! The collapse of Northern Rock didn’t just highlight the fragile state of the banking sector across the world, but has meant that we are still feeling the aftershocks 10 years on, pensioners and savers are still suffering due to low interest rates, which have meant that in real terms they are losing money year on year as they are unable to keep up with the growing level of inflation. A £40,000 savings pot would have earned a couple annual interest of £2,679 in September 2007, when the best rate

on an easy access savings account was 6.5%, from West Bromwich Building Society. This compares to today’s best buy rate of just 1.25% (1.65% below inflation) from Ulster Bank, which would generate a paltry £503 over 12 months - or £2,176 less. The only real alternative that will offer the potential to outperform inflation is investing the money. For an independent, professional and impartial consultation, from a company with over 30 years experience, please contact me by email: Rosemary. sheppard@blacktowerfm.com or call me on 06 38 86 99 70. The above information was correct at the time of preparation and does not constitute investment advice and you should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity.

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

DIRECTORY ♦ 15

OCTOBER 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

ADVERTORIAL

“SolarVenti”- the solar solution to damp and humidity

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

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

BARWICK ÉLECTRICITÉ SHAUN BARWICK QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN

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

Tel: 09 72 35 74 73

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

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

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

Building Services General

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

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

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

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

sales24@thebugle.eu

05 55 41 17 76

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

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

Harlequin Developments est. 2007

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

05.55.68.67.56 06.06.60.46.97

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

sales24@thebugle.eu

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

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

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

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

- 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.

Building Services Plumbing & Heating

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

Computers, Satellites & Web Design

AUBERGE AUX DELICES DE LA TREILLE

PLUMBING & HEATING ENGINEER

WEBSITE No6 DESIGN

- Installation, from kitchen taps to full central heating systems

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

- 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

05 55 41 17 76

before

during

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

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

06 38 75 32 97

www.no6.co Siret: 80493524500014

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

24350 MONTAGRIER

05 53 91 12 63 A La Carte or 2 Set Menus Lunchtimes (except Sun and bank hols) Soup+Starter+Main+Dessert - €15 Soup+Starter+Main - €11.90 Soup+Main+Dessert - €11.90 Soup+Main - €8.90 €26.40 Menu Soup+Starter+Main+Cheese+Dessert

Shhhhh... it’s aisecret!

TheiSecret CurryiClub Pop-Up restaurant serving Indian Restaurant Curries

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

06 84 35 42 73

Authentic Indian Cuisine to eat in or takeaway

Food & Drink

La Poutre

Bar & Restaurant

24400 Beaupouyet (N89 between Montpon & Mussidan)

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

05 53 80 29 54

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

Eymet - every Tuesday Lauzun - 2nd, 4th & 5th Friday of the month Allemans du Dropt - every Saturday Winter (fortnightly) hours in effect soon. Check our website or Facebook for details

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

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

16 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ OCTOBER 2017

ADVERTORIAL

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

Food & Drink The Dordogne Chippy

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

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

• • • • •

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

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

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

Language Services 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

Pools & Spas Dave Roberts

Fibreglass Specialist

d.nina@live.co.uk

Fibreglass swimming pool linings that can be applied over all finishes: tiles, marbelite, concrete, etc.

sales24@thebugle.eu

Perfect for new pools, old pools, or pools leaking water Laminated on site, one piece and seam free For more information or a quote, contact Dave:

05 55 41 17 76 Pest Control

siret: 444 925 630 00014

Gifts & Crafts

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

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

Central France Pest Control Dératisation, Déinsectisation, Désinfection

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

+44 (0)1903 893 451 +44 (0)7825 916 573

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

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

05 55 41 17 76

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

sales24@thebugle.eu

05 55 41 17 76

Eco Entrepot aka The Shed

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

05 55 68 74 73 Open every day except Monday

Support

SOS Help

05 55 41 17 76

www.soshelpline.org

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

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

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

bookstop

Quality second-hand books in English & French 19 r Victor Hugo, 24310 Brantôme

09 51 45 57 49

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

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

09 82 12 69 73 Siret 530 213 644 00012

01 46 21 46 46

Retail & Commerce

Man & Van Transport

87150 Oradour-sur-Vayres

Your advert here Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Transport, Removals & Storage

www.frenchvanman.eu

www. fibreglass-lining.com

Curative and preventative rats, mice, moles, flies, woodworm, bed bugs, fleas, wasps, hornets

www.ex-patradio.com

MICHAELS MOVERS Removals

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

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

Smart Moves For a fully insured, careful service

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

Your advert here

smartmovers@hotmail.co.uk

05 55 41 17 76

www.smartmovesremovals.co.uk

+44 (0)1253 725 414

COMMUNITY ♦ 17

OCTOBER 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

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

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

6-Month Contract

12-Month Contract

€108

Small b&w Directory Ad

(€18/month)

Large b&w Directory Ad

(€24/month)

Small Colour Directory Ad

(€27/month)

Large Colour Directory Ad

(€36/month)

€162

(€13.50/month)

€144 €162

€216

(€18/month)

€243

Small Directory Ad 46mm x 46mm

(€20.25/month)

€216

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

(Actual Size)

30 words max

€324

(€27/month)

Directory Advertising is available either in black and white or colour, and in either small (30 words max) or large (45 words max) format. Directory adverts may only contain text - no logos, images or artwork are allowed. The minimum contract length is 6 months. Advertising is payable on publication. All prices are HT.

Angele - Beautiful white Turkish Angora female approximately 3 years old

We understand that life can be difficult for expats living away from the UK and that sometimes assistance is needed. Registered charity Elizabeth Finn Care is able to offer direct financial assistance to British and Irish nationals or residents who live overseas. We ensure that our help does not affect any means-tested payments. Briefly we can consider assisting those who:

Angele was spotted wandering in the streets of Bergerac by one of our fosterers who took her into Phoenix care. She was found to be ‘in the family way’ and a foster home was sought where she could comfortably have her babies. It was Ann, foster carer in Savignacde-Duras, who welcomed this sweet girl into her home. Now her babies are grown she is looking for that special someone to give her a permanent loving home. Here is what Ann says about her: “Angele is an independent, self-sufficient girl. She likes to spoon with you either by your tummy or behind your knees in bed early in the morning and is extremely attentive from then until you feed her! Thereafter she is happy to go off and amuse herself. She is fearless and I have found her pawing at a small snake! In the evening any little things that find their way into the house, like crickets and grasshoppers, she will happily bat around. She is definitely a huntress and if you have a mouse problem she will take care of it for you. If you’re home at sunset she enjoys you playing with her by swooshing a stick through grass, flipping fallen leaves for her to catch or encouraging her tree climbing practice. At night she comes in of her own accord for an evening snack, some stroking and a nice lie down!”

1. Are British or Irish residents or nationals. 2. Are living on a low income or means-tested benefits. 3. Have formerly been employed in one of a wide range of qualifying occupations. Have, or have had, a partner employed in a qualifying occupation. We are able to consider assisting financially in numerous ways. For more information contact: Mary Hughes - Case worker France, Elizabeth Finn Care tel: 04 68 23 43 79 or visit: www.elizabethfinncare.org.uk and: www.turn2us.org.uk

Chloe is one of the many gorgeous, happy and healthy kittens looking for homes with Association Acorn Cat Rescue, based in 24400 Église-Neuve-d’Issac, Dordogne.

She has been sterilised, chipped and vaccinated. For more information, contact her foster carer Ann Major Stevenson on 05 53 89 59 35 or 07 81 27 86 51 or at boyd.47120@gmail.com (Dept. 47 Savignac-de-Duras)

All Acorn cats and kittens are microchipped, vaccinated and sterilised where age appropriate.

www.associationacorn.com Facebook: Acorn Cat Rescue

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

UPCOMING AQUITAINE CHURCH SERVICES

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

SUNDAY 08 OCTOBER 10:30 Holy Communion – Bertric Burée 10:30 All Age Worship – Bordeaux 10:30 Fresh Expressions – Eymet Temple 10:30 Holy Communion – Limeuil 10:30 Morning Prayer - Monteton 10:30 Family Service – Négrondes Tuesday 10 October 11:00 Creationtide Holy Communion - Allez Wednesday 11 October 11:00 BCP Holy Communion – Bertric Burée SUNDAY 15 OCTOBER 10:30 Family Service – Bertric Burée 10:30 Family Communion – Bordeaux 10:30 Holy Communion – Chancelade 10:30 Holy Communion – Dondas 10:30 Fresh Expressions – Eymet Temple 10:30 Morning Worship – Limeuil

10:30 Prayer & Praise – Monteton 11:00 Harvest Prayer & Praise – Sainte Nathalène Thursday 19 October 10:30 BCP Holy Communion – Limeuil SUNDAY 22 OCTOBER 10:30 Holy Communion – Bertric Burée 10:30 All Age Worship – Bordeaux 10:30 Fresh Expressions – Eymet Temple 10:30 Holy Communion – Limeuil 10:30 Holy Communion - Monteton 10:30 Holy Communion – Négrondes Thursday 26 October 11:00 Holy Communion – Condom SUNDAY 29 OCTOBER 10:30 Special Service – Bertric Burée 10:30 Family Service – Bordeaux 10:30 Protestant Joint Communion – Eymet Temple 10:30 Special Communion Service – Limeuil 16:00 All Saint’s Day Evensong – Monteton SUNDAY 05 NOVEMBER 10:30 Service of the Word – Bertric Burée 10:30 Morning Worship – Bordeaux 10:30 The Gathering Meeting – Condom, Le Mouret 10:30 Fresh Expressions – Eymet Temple 10:30 Prayer & Praise – Limeuil 11:00 Holy Communion – Doudrac 11:00 Prayer & Praise with Communion – Sainte Nathalène 16:00 Evensong – Bertric Burée

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www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ OCTOBER 2017

WHAT’S

BOOKSTOP screenings Dan Bessie’s 2017 season in UNDERSTANDING FILM WHEN: Sunday 8th October at 2.30 pm With discussion and a refreshment break. WHERE: Bookstop, 19 rue Victor Hugo, Brantôme RESERVATIONS: Please contact Howard on 09 51 45 57 49 or via email at bookstop24@gmail.com. We have room for up to 20. FEE: €7.50 - Includes tea or coffee and a goodie. Cake and other items will be available for purchase. This month’s screening is Best in Show. Christopher Guest (upper left with his bloodhound Hubert) co-wrote, directed and stars in this ‘mockumentary’, the third in his line-up of extremely funny and sophisticated put-ons. This one parodies dog shows: the antics of both the pooches and their owners.

To mark World Sight Day 2017, and on the initiative of the Trémolat Mairie, visual health awareness workshops have been organised in association with “Mon opticien à domicile” on Thursday 12th October and Friday 13th October.

Basket Fair - Sainte-Eulalie-d’Ans Sunday 8th October

Professional basket makers will be exhibiting their creations and offering demonstrations of their skills throughout the day.

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

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

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

UPCOMING CONCERT This free event is open to the public and will take place in the Hangar room (next to the Grenier) located in Trémolat. On both days from 14h15h, local optician Karine Ratel Mocholi will lead a workshop on different themes (vision after the age of 40, driving, reading, leisure activities...) From 16h, she will carry out a free eye test on the first 10 registered attendees (pre-registration is possible via the Trémolat Mairie).

Sunday 15th October at 5 pm Piano - Cello recital by James Lisney and Joy Lisney

Workshops: Thursday 12th October, from 14h – in FRENCH Friday 13th October, from 14h – in ENGLISH

Classical Music Meets Electronics Organist Nelly Johnson will be drawing from her French, German and Italian repertoire when she performs and promotes her new album “La Musique Classique rencontre L’Electronique” at Bookstop, Brantôme on Sunday 15th October at 4 pm. Free entry.

Programme: Bach Chaconne, Beethoven Sonata in A, Lisney Scordatur in A, Brahms Sonata in D, Op. 78 James Lisney enjoys a rich musical life, moving seamlessly from concerto and recital soloist to chamber musician, song accompanist and pianist director. Joy Lisney is one of the most exciting young string players to emerge in recent years. Her early promise was highlighted by Carlton Television when they chose her, at the age of six, as a possible high achiever of the twentyfirst century.

WHAT’S ON ♦ 19

OCTOBER 2017 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Fête de la châtaigne et du cèpe 21st-22nd October Head to the village of Villefranch-du-Périgord for the 29th edition of its annual chestnut and mushroom festival. This two-day extravaganza offers visitors a farmers and local produce market, the sale of grilled chestnuts and fresh apple juice, artisans demonstrating their skills and plenty of entertainment besides. Don’t miss the chestnut spitting contest and the chance to sample the giant cèpe omelette.

Cantabile, the ACFAA choir

Pumpkin Festival Sunday 22nd October, Issigeac See pumpkins and gourds in all shapes, sizes and colours and sample the delicious pumpkin soup. There will be also be a competition for the biggest pumpkin. All day. Place du château.

After a triumphant season in which Carmina Burana drew record audiences in Eymet and Bergerac, the choir has started practices for the new season. This year’s season will include ‘Dido and Aeneas’ by Purcell, together with Handel’s Coronation Anthems including the stirring ‘Zadok the Priest’.

Got an event? 05 55 41 17 76

Performances are planned for June 2018 in Eymet and Bergerac. Meanwhile, on Sunday 5th November the choir will sing a Requiem composed by their musical director, Simon Kenworthy, at the Morning Mass in the Catholic Church in Eymet.

Thirty artists and artisans will present their latest collections and demonstrate their skill and creativity in the centre of Nontron from 27th-29th October. Friday 14h-19h, Saturday 10h-19h and Sunday 10h-18h. Entry €2; Free for Under 16s. For more information visit www.metiersdartperigord.fr

The Grumpy Granny Guide A head for heights!

s the tourist season draws to a close I enrolled a team made up of an experienced mountaineer, a cautious 10-year-old and a teenager up for any challenge, to test three climbing attractions on offer locally. It turns out that none of these sites require any particular skill or experience, but rather a dose of self confidence, sturdy footwear and of course, a head for heights. The sites tested were the newly opened Big Bird, part of the Euroland complex in Le Bugue, the Via Ferrata in Marqueyssac and the high ropes (tyroliennes) at the Forêt des Ecureuils on the road between Sarlat and St-Juliende-Lampon. Each is a very different experience and none of them, in my opinion, are adequately described in their brochures or online. Big Bird - This attraction has been squeezed into the crowded Euroland site next to Le Bournat and is a glorified climbing frame for all ages. The safety harness ensures you feel totally secure and it was judged to be a rather ‘tame’ experience because at every step you can choose your level of difficulty and is not hard to negotiate. “More annoying than challenging”, “An acrobatic and not a climbing experience”, “Fine for the very young or those who have have never climbed before” were the team’s comments. However, the ticket price is high at €17 for what is a short visit (approx 30-40 minutes or even less for an agile or experienced climber), and not re-

ally exciting enough to merit a ‘stand alone’ visit. But it could be included if you are visiting Le Bournat or the Aquarium and have time, and money, to spare. The Via Ferrata in the grounds of Marqueyssac was a much greater success. Well organised, there was a feeling of total security yet with more than enough of a challenge to make it exciting. The Via Ferrata is included in the price of the visit to the gardens, which means those in your party who are adventurous can test their skills while the others can go off to admire the gardens. The cliff just below the gardens has been transformed into a via ferrata (climbing wall) and the panorama over the river is magnificent. Even our expert climber was thrilled with the spectacular view from this angle. Contrary to the impression given from the Marqueyssac online video, it is not and does not feel - dangerous, but to allay any fears you may have you can make a 50m ‘test’ run before committing yourself to the longer (approx 45 minute) climb. An excellent initiative which some other sites would do well to follow. The one negative on this visit was the lack of signs indicating where the Via Ferrata was located in the grounds. The team had a frustrating time finding it. Overall judgement: “Brilliant!” The experience at the Forêt des Ecureuils is different again, consisting of a number of high rope trails through the trees which present different lev-

els of difficulty which you can select to climb as you go round the grounds. Again there is something for all ages and the price of the ticket depends on the level selected (from €15 ). This site presents a real, but achievable, challenge with the added advantage that you can spend the best part of a day there if you so choose, stopping off for a snack or picnic or just to catch your breath. This site was judged to be really exciting and very good value for money; far better than the flyer suggested, being a true climbing experience and not just a set of ropes and zip wires. However, getting from one trail to the next was complicated by poor signage and lack of information in the trail area. Something to be corrected for next year’s season maybe? At all three sites staff were friendly and helpful, ensuring clear, careful safety procedures and all spoke some English. There are other such sites in the Périgord and we’ll send in our team next season to see how they compare. If you have an experience of any of them which you would like to share, do contact me at: grumpygrannyguide@orange.fr This is part of a series of features devoted to the tourist experience in the Dordogne provided by grumpygrannyguides.com which highlights those sites which are comfortable and pleasant to visit and which offer a warm welcome.

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

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

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

www.GRUMPYGRANNY-GUIDES.com

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