Dordogne Advertiser - July 2012

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ISSUE 41

JULY 2012

PUBLISHERS OF

News and What’s On information for the Dordogne and surrounding area

Family’s relief as murderer is jailed

Why the Brits in Dordogne make great TV Seized Nazi art goes on show

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Photo: PHOTOPQR/SUD OUEST/Sounalet Jean Christophe

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by JANE HANKS THE DAUGHTER of a British golf course owner stabbed to death following a row with his gardener has spoken of her relief after his killer was jailed for 18 years and banned from living in France.

British handyman Neil Ludlam, 33, was found guilty of murdering 67-year-old Peter Fuller at the Mirandes golf and country club in Plaisance, near Bergerac, in June 2009.

Defence barrister Philippe de Caunes had told the court that Ludlam “didn’t want to kill... it was a tragic accident”.

The victim’s daughter, Alexandra, who was present throughout the four-day hearing at Périgueux criminal court, said: “We have waited three years for this result. We came here to find justice for my dad and this is what we have got. We are thankful it is now out in the open that my father was indeed murdered.”

Ludlam had been working for three weeks for Mr Fuller, who had transformed the land around his Dordogne home into an 18-hole golf course.

Ludlam told the court: “I am very sorry. I can’t think of anything more to say.”

Visit beautiful restored château PAGE 5

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Neil Ludlam (right): British handyman murdered Peter Fuller at his golf course near Bergerac in June 2009

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CONTACT US With a story, email: dordogne@connexionfrance.com (please include a daytime contact number) With a subscription or advert query call:

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Contents News What’s On Feature Leisure Time

1-7 8-11 12-13, 24 14

Food and Pets 15 Directory 16-19 Home and Garden 20-21 Property and Finance 22-23

Useful Numbers EMERGENCY NUMBERS 18: Emergencies: Calls the fire brigade (Sapeurs Pompiers), but they deal with medical emergencies and are usually the first port of call in rural areas. 112: Emergency calls from your mobile: Be ready with your name and where you are calling from and do not hang up until told to do so. 17: Police (gendarmes) 119: Child abuse. 1616: Sea and lake rescue.

01 40 05 48 48: Anti-poison centre (Paris) 08 10 33 30 + your department number (eg 24 for the Dordogne): Gas & electricity emergencies UTILITIES FRANCE TELECOM Website in English: www.francetelecom.com To report a fault online: www.1013.fr (click on the UK flag). English-speaking helpline: 09 69 36 39 00 (from France); + 33 1 55 78 60 56 (outside France).

ORANGE: English-speaking helpline: 09 69 36 39 00. SFR: 1023 (+ 33 6 10 00 10 23 from outside France) FREE: 1044 BOUYGUES: 1034 EDF: 24 hour breakdown line: 08 10 33 30 87; Helpline in English: 05 62 16 49 08; From outside France: + 33 5 62 16 49 08; Email: simpleenergywithedf@edf.fr GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS CAISSE D’ALLOCATIONS FAMILIALES - CAF: 50 Rue Claude Bernard, 24011 PERIGUEUX CEDEX; Tel: 08 10 25 24 10.

L’ASSURANCE MALADIE (AMELI, formerly known as CPAM – the health service): www.ameli.fr, Tel: 36 46 (MonFri, 8am-5pm) English spoken. URSSAF: English-language site:www.anglais.urssaf.fr, Périgueux, 50 rue Claude-Bernard, 24022 Périgueux Cedex; Tel: 05 53 45 69 00. PREFECTURE: Services de l’Etat-préfecture, Cité administrative 24024 PERIGUEUX CEDEX Tel: 05 53 02 24 24; Email:prefecture@dordogne.gouv.fr OTHER HELP IN ENGLISH COUNSELLING IN FRANCE: for a qualified therapist near you or counselling over the telephone; www.counsellinginfrance.com SOS HELP: similar to the Samaritans, listeners who are professionally trained; Tel 01 46 21 46 46; www.soshelpline.org.

NO PANIC FRANCE: for help with anxiety disorders; Tel: 02 51 28 80 25; www.nopanic.org.uk ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: www.aafrancesud-ouest.com or call Ewen on 05 53 05 76 62 or Christine on 05 45 98 11 05. CANCER SUPPORT FRANCE: for advice and someone to talk to: www.cancersupportfrance.info, National Office email: cancersupportfrance@orange.fr, Tel: 05 45 89 30 05. CSF DORDOGNE EST/LOT: Margaret York: 05 65 22 96 37 or 06 35 90 03 41 (24 hrs); csfdoedognelot@yahoo.com CSF RIBERAC (CHARENTE SOUTH AND DORDOGNE WEST): Teresa Rekowska: 06 82 72 68 58; Email: csfriberac@gmail.com SOLDIERS, SAILORS, AIRMEN AND FAMILIES ASSOCIATION FORCES (SSAFA): In France: 05 53 01 64 54; Email: france@ssafa.org.uk. AVF: help with integration into French life; www.avf.asso.fr ASSOCIATION FRANÇAISE DES SOLOS: Monthly meetings after divorce, bereavement or separation. Social events for members. Corinne: 05 53 22 68 52 (evenings); or Claire: 05 53 08 55 13 (evenings); Email: afs.bergerac@orange.fr; www.asso-des-solos.fr BRITISH CONSULATE Address: 353 Boulevard du President Wilson 33073, Bordeaux Cedex; Tel + 33 5 57 22 21 10; www.ukinfrance.fco.gov.uk/en ENGLISH-LANGUAGE RADIO Radio Liberté 91.6 Mhz, based in Riberac, Dordogne, broadcasts an English-language radio show with news in English from Monday to Friday at 12:15 and at 19:30. It also airs a live English program every Friday from 12:30 to 14:30. Online streaming available.

OTHER INFO YELLOW PAGES: www.pagesjaunes.fr SPEAKING CLOCK: 3699. WEATHER: 08 92 68 02 + dept. number. LAST INCOMING CALL ON YOUR PHONE: 3131, then ‘5’ if you wish to connect.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS THIS MONTH July 14 - Bastille Day

Dordogne Clubs and Associations Anglican Church of Aquitaine Services: Bertric Burée, Chancelade, Limeuil Haut, Ste Nathalène and Sorges, also in 47, 33. Chaplain Revd Dr Paul Vrolijk 05 53 23 40 73 aquitainechaplain@gmail.com Association Culturelle Franco-Anglaise Aquitaine From French lessons to bridge, plus monthly social get-togethers. www.acfaa.com

www.photoclub-bergerac.com Bibliothèque Anglaise Meyrals English books and DVDs. Mon 14.00 to 16.00 and Wed 10.00 to noon in 24220 Meyrals.

Em Boiling: 05 53 30 30 23 bibliotheque.anglaise@gmail.com Chabrelle Computer Club Charlie Nott: La Roche Chabrelle 24320 St Just Tel: 05 53 90 50 39

Association Culturelle Internationale du Périgord ACIP aims to promote integration.

Lycette Schouten Hoogendyk: 05 53 29 27 96 louisa.schoutenhoogendyk@orange.fr www.acip24.com

Centre de Golf Bergeracois Philippa Thornton: 05 53 58 87 18 centredegolfbergeracois@orange.fr

Bergerac Photo Club Meets Wed at 20.30, Maison des Associations, Place Jules Ferry, Bergerac. photoclub-bergerac@orange.fr

The Interesting Gardening Club Jane Evans: 05 53 91 34 96 carolawt@aol.com www.theinterestinggardeningclub.org

Golf Public de Périgueux 05 53 53 02 35 golfpgx@wanadoo.fr www.golfdeperigueux.com

Dordogne Advertiser

Golf bar row that ended in murder Î From

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The court heard that Mr Fuller had returned home from Paris, where he worked for oil giant Total during the week. The two were having a drink in the bar, but this turned into a violent argument. Ludlam, who was drunk at the time, said he could not remember much of what happened.

Mr Fuller’s body, covered in blood, was discovered the next day by his ex-wife, who also worked at the golf course.

He had suffered multiple blows to the body and a knife wound had pierced a lung.

The court heard from the prosecution that the crime scene resembled a “massacre” and that Fuller had sustained 59 injuries.

Two cars were missing – one, a Citroën AX, was found crashed a few minutes away and the other, a Mercedes, was found in Bordeaux.

Ludlam was arrested at Luton airport as he stepped off a flight from Bordeaux. He said he had not called an ambulance for Mr Fuller because he did not speak French.

Peter Fuller: Dream was to set up his own golf course The jury took three-and-ahalf hours to deliberate and the three men and three women decided unanimously that there was was no doubt that Ludlam intended to kill his victim.

Defence barrister Philippe de Caunes said that he was

considering an appeal and that although Ludlam would begin his sentence in France, he hoped he would be able to finish it in the UK. Ludlam had faced up to 30 years in prison, but the judge recognised that he had shown remorse for the killing.

July 2012

Council takes action over shale gas threat DORDOGNE council has unanimously voted against any testing for shale gas in the department – and has set up a committee to keep a close eye on developments.

The group will “react as quickly as possible should we hear that permission to drill is given”, according to councillor Jean-Fred Droin.

It follows news that Isle of Man company 3 Legs Oil and Gas wants to make tests in an area which covers 7,510km2 and includes 35 communes to the south of the Dordogne – including Domme, La Roque Gageac and Sarlat.

A law was passed last year to outlaw shale gas “fracking” – which is said to cause earth tremors and contaminate water supplies – but Mr Droin, who sits on the newly formed committee, is worried that the regulations could easily be side-stepped.

He said: “I think we have to be extremely vigilant. We must make sure that no tests are allowed to go ahead. We are dealing with multi-national companies who have immense power and once they start exploration they will find a way to start extracting.”

Volunteer for a greener lifestyle PÉRIGUEUX is looking for 50 volunteers for an experiment looking at how people can adopt a greener and more economical lifestyle. The participants will be asked to keep records of the way they shop, use energy, travel and deal with rubbish. They will also be invited to a series of workshops and meetings to see if they can change their habits and reduce their bills. To take part, ask the mairie or see www.agglo-perigueux.fr

theme park

Dordogne crime novel translated A DETECTIVE novel set in the Dordogne, by British author Martin Walker, has been translated into French for the first time. Bruno, Chief of Police was already available in English, German, Dutch, Italian, Portuguese, Finnish and Danish – but has only just come into bookshops in France. Called Meurtre en Périgord, it tells the tale of a chief inspector who, as well as solving crime in his town, enjoys all the pleasures the Dordogne has to offer – truffles, good wine and hunting.

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And take advantage of the special 25th Birthday offers to discover Futuroscope in 2012…

New swimming pool for Périgueux THE FIRST brick has been laid for a new covered swimming pool near the Lycée Betran-de-Born in Périgueux.

The €6.5m pool will be used mostly by schools and clubs and should be open in 2014.

Périgueux currently has two pools – an open-air one for the summer at Marsac and a year-round covered complex, L’Aquacap.

iMagic

Arthur, the 4D Adventure

Cosmic Collisions

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The voucher is valid for adult, senior citizen (aged 60 and over) and child (aged 5 to 16) for 1 day or 2 day dated-entry tickets and must be handed in at the Futuroscope ticket booths between the 1st April 2012 to the 6th January 2013* (1 to 5 visitors per voucher). Discount does not apply to packages, group tickets, and undated entry tickets (visa/ season). Offer may not be combined with other offers and backdated. *Please check the opening date’s calendar on futuroscope.com

Dordogne Advertiser

July 2012

News 3

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TV fame for Brits in Dordogne The British in the Dordogne have long been of interest to television producers and audiences – but it seems the demand has grown recently, with a wide range of programmes focusing on expat life. ITV is in the region filming its second series of Little England, Channel 4 was in Périgueux for A Place in the Sun and French television has also shown an interest.

JANE HANKS reports

Photo: Gérard Bedeau FRANCE 2

LIVING in France and perhaps particularly in the Dordogne has been the subject of television series for many years. Back in 1994, Channel 4 made a series called A French Affair – and the story of how Patricia Atkinson took on a vineyard near Bergerac when her husband became ill and had to return to England is still fresh in many people’s memories.

It seems that audiences are still keen to know why people come to live here and what they do when they arrive. French channel France 2 recently filmed an edition of their weekend morning magazine show Thé ou Café in Eymet, talking to British residents ahead of the Queen’s diamond jubilee.

Meanwhile, the ITV Little England production team are filming in the Dordogne over the summer and series producer Putul Verma says the dream of coming to settle in France lives on: “Lots of people think that at one stage in their lives they would like to make that big move.

“There’s the gorgeous countryside and beautiful weather and audiences watching TV in the UK in the autumn are keen to see how people who’ve taken the big step are getting on – how they are living their dream.”

Of course, those who have moved know that it is not all a bed of roses and Ms Verma says she hopes the programme reflects that: “I think it’s important to show the reality and that most people have had to work hard to get over difficult times.

“However, we haven’t met a single person who has regretted the move.

We don’t want to make generalisations – and we do want lots of variety. We find that everybody’s got a very different story to tell and different reasons for coming.”

One woman who was featured in the first series was Julia Grant, who runs a dog grooming parlour in Eymet. She says it was a good experience: “They spent about four days filming for about 18 to 20 minutes of TV, but it was good fun and I would do it again.

“There is always the worry about how you will be represented, so I asked them if they would make fun of people and they said no – it would be serious but light-hearted, which I think it was, and so I agreed to take part.”

When the programme aired, a lot

Catherine Ceylac: the audience is really curious of her friends contacted her: “My Facebook page was full, but also lots of people I didn’t know sent me emails asking for advice. I didn’t reply to them – I felt I couldn’t take on that responsibility.

“It was good for business. A lot of people in France saw the programme and didn’t know I existed and now I have clients from a wideranging area. It was a great experi-

Filming Thé ou Café for France 2 outside the Café de Paris in Eymet town centre

‘French are interested in why we moved here’ IT IS not just the UK television channels that are interested in British residents in the Dordogne – the French are equally fascinated by the phenomenon.

Last month, Eymet was taken over by a television team from France 2 for their cult weekend morning magazine programme Thé ou Café. Presenter Catherine Ceylac, who usually interviews famous politicians or people from the world of showbusiness, instead decided to dedicate a programme to Britons in the Dordogne.

She said: “The French really are interested to know why so many British people come to live here. They understand that the property prices and the lifestyle are attractive but they really want to know what else it is that makes France special for you. The audience is really curious.”

Based at the famous Café de Paris in Eymet, the programme featured a British pig farmer, two organic winegrowers, a wine shop, a pub, the English grocery store, a local college and the market at Eymet as well as the château at Hautefort where the Queen Mother was once a guest.

It was a sympathetic view of the British living in the Dordogne – concluding that the population from the UK is welcome here, works hard to integrate and despite some difficulties with the language makes a positive contribution to the area, both

commercially and culturally.

Tim Smith, the president of Eymet cricket club, was one of those interviewed for the France 2 programme. He said he did not realise that when he took on the role at the club that he would have quite so many dealings with the media.

“I’ve been on TF1, TV7 from Bordeaux, Sud Radio, now France 2 and last year I was on Little England. So far all the programmes have been very fair and the people very friendly.

“When Little England came we were a little worried about what the outcome might be, knowing the dry humour of presenter Geoffrey Palmer. They filmed for two to three hours and used just five minutes, but they were very friendly and true to their word and we felt we were fairly represented.

“I suppose we [the cricket club] fit into a stereotypical view of what people associate with the English, so they are bound to come to us. It is surprising that media interest in the British living in the Dordogne has gone on for so long and that it is of interest in both the UK and France – I suppose it’s to do with the feelgood factor in these hard times.

“But of course people mustn’t think that we just sit here drinking coffee and wine – all the people I play cricket with are very hardworking, doing a full time job.”

ence and I did feel I was fairly represented.”

The show’s producers are still looking for people to feature in the series. If you are interested, call +44 20 7157 3736 or send an email to little.england@itv.com They are particularly keen to find a family in the process of moving, so that they can tell the story from day one.

Cinema locations take to the road AS ONE of France’s leading filming locations, the Dordogne has been seen on screens across the globe.

Whether it was in Chocolat with Juliette Binoche and Judi Dench, Becoming Colette with Klaus Maria Brandauer, D’Artagnan with Catherine Deneuve and Tim Roth

or Ridley Scott’s The Duellists, the department is widely known.

Now it is taking advantage with an inaugural Route du Cinéma car rally on July 1 to some of the locations and ending in Saint Médard d’Excideuil at Domaine d’Essendièras where a drive-in cine-

ma will show the department’s latest production, Un Jour mon Père Viendra with Gérard Jugnot, François Berléand and Olivia Ruiz.

Next year the Commission du Film de la Dordogne also plans a Route du Cinéma for English-language films shot in the department.

Julia Grant: Appearing on television has been good for business

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July 2012

Region leads Head to Sorges market for health tech taste of the summer truffle breakthrough

Did you know?

The summer truffle Tuber aestivum has been growing in popularity in recent years It looks very similar from the outside, with a black skin and is often a little larger than its winter rival. Inside though it is much paler – from white through to beige and lightly veined. People use dogs to

seek it out, but it is nearer the surface and can break out of the ground on its own which makes it easier to find. It grows in similar conditions but is normally not found under the same trees and

tends to require more shade.

This year’s truffle markets at Sorges are on July 6 and August 10 and coincide with a nocturnal market where visitors can taste the truffle in a dish with tagliatelli.

THE AQUITAINE is spearheading the development of new télémédicine technology that will make it possible for doctors to more easily share information with specialists – reducing the need for patients to travel.

More than half of the French businesses working on the new technology are based in the region and the development, once implemented, should be good news for people in rural areas such as the Dordogne where there is a serious shortage of doctors.

Télémédicine or i-santé involves the electronic transmission of medical information, including X-rays, patient records and filmed operations which are now possible in some hospitals. It could mean that patients would no longer have to travel around.

Solange Ménival, the head of health services at Aquitaine regional council, said that most of the local expertise in this new technology was currently being used to develop systems in coun-

tries other than France.

She explained: “Both France and Germany are very wary about the security aspect of transferring details electronically, but I think it is the way forward for improved patient care. France must reorganise its healthcare and I have great hope that these systems will be introduced in the future.”

She said the benefits would include better care for serious illnesses such as heart conditions. People would not have to travel as much, as GPs could access their hospital records and consult with a specialist far more easily.

Ms Ménival added that doctors in rural areas would not feel as isolated as they could be in easy contact with the main teaching hospitals.

“I believe we can have a secure system for transferring details. The Aquitaine is ahead in France for encouraging this kind of technology and when it is accepted by the medical profession we will be in a very strong position to apply it to people living in our region.”

A SPOT OF HISTORY

Beynac’s imposing fortress Photo: meesteryan - wikimedia commons

TRUFFLES are usually associated with the winter season – but there is a species which can be found in the summer and, for the third year running, it has its own official market at Sorges, the “truffle capital” of the Dordogne.

Tuber aestivum can be found between the months of April and October, depending on the weather conditions.

The president of the truffle museum at Sorges, JeanMarie Duprat says that although this species was regarded with disdain 20 years ago, it is gaining in reputation and is used by some of the great chefs. He says it will never be able to compete with the prized winter Tuber melanosporum which can command up to €1,000 a kilo – but that it has its own qualities and is well worth tasting.

“It is much cheaper – at around €200 a kilo – and is the only fresh truffle available in the summer and for visitors may be their only chance of experiencing a real truffle.

It must be eaten fresh as it quickly loses its flavour but it has a fine, delicate taste.”

Château de Beynac

AT YOUR first distant sight of the huge fortress crowning the lofty cliff at Beynac, you can only wonder how it could ever have been captured. Expanding from a stone keep built some nine centuries ago, the castle seems impregnable.

It gives you an idea of the ferocity of medieval warfare that England’s Richard I (the Lion Heart) lost no time in seizing it back from the Périgourdin nobles in 1194, after his return from captivity in Austria.

And, a mere 20 years later, it was reconquered by Simon de Montfort, a northern baron sent down to crush the Cathar “heretics”.

By the 19th century, Beynac’s river port was handling 2,000 tonnes of goods each year, particularly timber for the wine trade downstream. The stone ramp which facilitated cargo loading is still there.

The conditions in the village were described by the travel author Edward Harrison Barker in Two Summers in Guyenne, published in 1894: “As the brown dusk filled the valley... shrill voices of old women were heard calling the geese and turkeys that still lingered in the fields.

From a guide to Beynac published by the Périgord Heritage association - one of a series of bilingual guides to beautiful Dordogne villages. Copies (at only €5) can be obtained from: Mairie, Le Bourg, 24220 Beynac et Cazenac.

“The geese were often left to come home by themselves, after spending the day along the banks of the river. They belonged to various people, but, being eminently sociable birds, they started together in flocks of fifty or more.

“They knew when it was time to go home by the failing light, and in the dusk I often met them marching along the road like a regiment of soldiers. As they reached houses to which some of them belonged, detachments would fall out and the others would go on. Every bird would return to the place which had for it the sweet associations of its gosling innocence.”

Dordogne Advertiser

July 2012

87-year-old sits bac in son’s memory AN 87-year-old man who sat the baccalauréat exam this year in memory of his murdered son is eagerly awaiting the results from his retirement home in Bassillac, near Périgueux.

René Buffière is the oldest man in France to sit the bac this year and began studying five years ago for the ES version of the exam (economic and social studies) by correspondence course. He sat the exams alongside thousands of young students who could easily be his grandchildren.

Mr Buffière said he decided to take on the challenge in memory of his son, Daniel, a works inspector who was killed in 2004 alongside his colleague in a gruesome double murder by a farmer when they made a visit to his premises.

“Not a day goes by when I don’t think of my son. I have four children and was pleased to give them the chance to study, which I never had. I came from a poor family and left school when I was 14. I was bright but my parents couldn’t afford to let me continue my education and anyway they didn’t see the point.”

He said he has learnt an enormous amount from his studies but admitted that it was not easy: “It’s very interesting but it involves a tremendous amount of work. When I started I didn’t know anything. And of course I have to do it all on my own – I don’t have a teacher with me and I’m not with other students.”

Mr Buffière worked eight hours a day preparing: “I do three hours in bed in the morning before I get up, then two hours from four to six in the afternoon and a further three hours at night from nine o’clock to midnight. There’s an awful lot of French, history, economics, maths and philosophy – and of course English which is very difficult.”

This year’s results are out on July 6.

More road checks to warn drivers

News 5

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Beautiful château saved to become major tourist venue

by JANE HANKS

Château de Bridoire will reopen, but surrounding land is disputed

A CHÂTEAU which was left abandoned to fall into disrepair has been restored and will open to the public on July 1, after an association spent more than 20 years trying to save it. However, the Château de Bridoire near Bergerac is still the centre of a dispute as the future of the adjoining 40 hectare park is under question.

Claude Leroy, president of the Association de Sauvegarde du Château de Bridoire, said the opening would be a great day: “We have fought for 23 years to see the château restored and open to the public. The château will live again.

It will become an important tourist attraction for the Bergerac region.

We feel we have won on all fronts.”

The 15th-century building had been abandoned after it was sold to a Senegalese company in 1978. The water and electricity were cut off and the deserted building became easy prey for burglars and squatters.

The association was formed to save it and after years of campaigning it was expropriated by the state and put up for sale. It was eventually bought by a family who have made looking after châteaux their life’s work. Since 1987, Catherine and Jacques Guyot have lived in

and worked on an 18th-century château in the Loire. Now they are working to transform the Château de Bridoire into a tourist site which they hope will attract 25,000 visitors a year.

Ms Guyot said everything was ready for the summer season: “We have restored the chapel, the kitchens, the dining room and the billiard room. Outside, families and friends can play traditional games – for example there is a giant chessboard. We will be having evening visits on Fridays and Saturdays during July and August where visitors will be met by costumed guests and where the rooms will be lit by candles.”

However, last-minute plans were disrupted by a row over the surrounding park land. Local mayors had hoped to use the land for a project involving buildings, which was opposed by the Association de Sauvegarde du Château de Bridoire, but the land is still owned by the Senegalese firm.

Mr Leroy said the association had managed to stop the plans from going ahead and Ribagnac mayor Marcel Rondonnnier refused to comment on the matter.

Ms Guyot said she would like to buy the land, but the owners are in no rush to sell.

‘Great success’ for relaunched Bergerac fair

POLICE will be carrying out more speed and safety checks on Dordogne roads this summer, as the rate of accidents remains alarmingly high, the préfecture has warned. In May, two motorcyclists were killed in the Dordogne and a third at the beginning of June – in good weather conditions and on clear roads. Some 21 people have died in road accidents in the department this year, a figure described by the préfecture as “extremely high”. Motorists are urged to follow the highway code, be extremely careful and adapt their driving to the road conditions and to pay attention to the increasing numbers of motorbikes out on the road.

Unemployment growing faster THE NUMBER of people looking for work in the Dordogne has gone up and is rising faster than the national average, new figures reveal. Unemployment rose by 1.2% in a month in the department, compared with 0.2% across France.

Over the past year, 12.1% more people have signed up at the Pôle Emploi, compared with 7.5% nationwide.

Judges crown best Bergerac wine A WINE-grower from Conne-deLabarde has picked up the prize for best wine at the Foire de Bergerac for a second time. David Fourtout from Clos Les Verdots was praised for his 2010 red Côtes de Bergerac, which was picked by a team of seven judges from 280 blind tastings. He last won in 2004.

BUSINESSES say this year’s completely revamped Foire de Bergerac has been a big success and given a boost to trade.

The five-day event attracted 35,000 visitors and 98% of stall-holders said they were satisfied with sales. This year the Chamber of Commerce was called in for the first time to oversee the event.

Organiser Jacky Larroque said: “We changed everything from A-Z and the new formula seemed to work. It meant that people could have a good day out – but also it was very positive for the local economy.

“Businesses with stands said people were buying – from swimming pools to cars to wine. We hope to do the same thing next year.”

In previous years, the fair was held over 10 days in September – in the same period as the Foire de Périgueux. Ms Larroque added: “This year it’s worked because we’ve moved it to the early summer, it’s over a shorter period of time, we introduced new attractions to appeal to the young and entrance and car parking were free. That meant people had extra money to spend at the stands.

“I saw families return every day, which they couldn’t have done when they had to pay €5 each to get in. At a time of economic crisis, the fair was a great success.”

Inheritance Solutions French inheritance rules may mean that your worldwide estate will not be distributed according to your wishes.

Look after those that matter.

Peter Wakelin, Regional Manager Tel French Head Office: 05 56 34 75 51 Email: bordeaux.office@siddalls.net

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6 National News

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British-style police searches proposed

Men stole €1.5m yacht 'for a jaunt' TWO young men have appeared in court after stealing a €1.5 million motor cruiser from the marina at Antibes on the Riviera and taking it for a jaunt on the Mediterranean.

The two unemployed men from Douai, Nord, had been on holiday in Antibes. They had never driven a boat before and just followed instructions on a sticker on the bridge. Appearing before the court in Grasse, they said: “We just fancied a little ride.” One has been jailed for a year and the other given a six-month suspended jail sentence.

Retire at 60 - new pension rules revealed MOTHERS and older long-term jobless people will get the right to retire at 60 under new pension measures.

Social Affairs Minister Marisol Touraine’s decree to the Conseil des Ministres will, in part, overturn one Photo: Chris3d-fotolia.com

TOURISTS are giving animals diabetes by feeding them chocolate, warns an association in the French Alps. Cecile Corellou, of Apvem, an association protecting the animals in the Hautes-Alpes, Apvem, said: “The problem is it has terrible effects. A study on another site in the southern Alps has shown they are becoming diabetic and developing eczema.”

Normally marmots eat only leaves and vegetables.

A CALL by housing minister Cécile Duflot for cannabis to be put on the same legal footing as alcohol or tobacco has opened a potential split in the new government of Jean-Marc Ayrault and President François Hollande. Duflot, who is still leader of the Europe Écologie-Les Verts, said she was putting forward her party’s position five days before the first round of the parliamentary elections. Ayrault, when questioned by reporters, said the “government had said nothing”. However, during the presidential election campaign Hollande had refused to support a call by his security adviser, François Rebsamen, to ease laws on cannabis and other “soft drugs”.

Sex workers call for say in rules NEARLY 200 sex workers took to the streets in Paris recently to protest against "police repression" and plans to penalise clients.

The sex-workers' union Strass told journalists they wanted “our views to be taken into account when decisions concerning us are taken.” Prostitution is legal in France but Morgane Merteuil, of Strass, said sexworkers were being repressed all the time.

The prostitutes – who walked the streets from Place Pigalle to Châtele – say new laws such as the ban on vans in the Bois de Boulogne in Paris and the proposal to penalise clients were pushing prostitutes towards working illegally with pimps and as part of illegal networks.

Socialists win decisive majority Photo: Fred-fotolia.com

of the most controversial reforms introduced by former president Nicolas Sarkozy.People who started work at 18 or 19 and have been paying charges for at least 41 years have the right to take their pension at the age of 60 rather than the Sarkozyimposed age of retirement at 62.

There will also be help for mothers who started work early but who, while raising a family, had a broken contributions record and have not paid enough into the system.

Older workers on long-term unemployment will also be given a boost, especially those who are close to retirement age.

Eurotunnel wins SeaFrance fight CHANNEL Tunnel firm EuroTunnel has been given the green light to buy three ferries from bankrupt DoverCalais ferry firm SeaFrance in a €65 million deal. SeaFrance collapsed under debts thought to be around €150m and took with it 880 jobs in France and 130 in the UK. Now Eurotunnel will lease the ferries back to a cooperative of former SeaFrance staff under a French flag and save the jobs of 560 in the Calais area. No date has yet been set for the restart of crossings.

opened fire on them with several weapons. Ms Moktari said they would be presenting proof of their claims, thought to be videos sent by Merah via his phone to his father, Mohammed Benalel Merah.

Inheritance rules change approved A NEW EU regulation enabling Britons to bypass restrictive French inheritance rules has been given the final go-ahead. The Council of the European Union has adopted, unchanged, the regulation which means expats who live permanently in France will have the right to stipulate in a French will that they want the inheritance law of their country of nationality to apply to their whole estate. This means that Britons will be able to leave all their property to anyone they like, as opposed to being obliged to leave set portions to their children. The regulation will “enter into force” later this month

but will not apply in practice until summer 2015.

Ban to be lifted on gay blood donors THE BAN on homosexual men giving blood in France is to be lifted.

Health Minister Marisol Touraine said the criteria for assessing risk from infected blood did not depend on the “nature of sexual relations or sexual inclination” but on the “multiplicity of partners”.

She said she would put forward proposals for the change to allow homosexuals to give blood in the coming months. Previous governments had maintained the ban on homosexual donations as the male gay community was seen as having a greater prevalence of Aids. In the UK, the ban was lifted in November 2011 in England, Scotland and Wales for homosexual and bisexual men who had not had sex with another man in the last 12 months.

PRESIDENT Hollande has been given a decisive majority in the new Assemblée Nationale after the Parti Socialiste returned 314 MPs in June’s elections - it needed just 289.

However, it came at the cost of losing 2007 Socialist presidential candidate Ségolène Royal, above, and former minister and party stalwart Jack Lang - and seeing the Front National win two seats; although party leader Marine Le Pen was beaten in HéninBeaumont, Pas-de-Calais. The UMP lost more than 100 MPs and now has 215. The election gives the socialists control of parliament for the first time since the presidency of François Mitterrand in 1981 - it also has control of the Sénat and the presidency.

Photo: © Freddy Smeets - Fotolia.com

Diet of chocolate ‘bad for marmots’

Minister isolated on cannabis call

Photo: Matthieu Riegler, CC-BY - wikipedia.org

BRITISH-STYLE stop-and-search procedures may be introduced to improve relations between the police and public, says Interior Minister Manuel Valls.

This would, notably, include police handing out receipts with their identity numbers to anyone they stop.

In Britain people stopped are also asked to give their ethnic origin so this can be noted as part of a report on the stop (Mr Valls did not say if this would be done, however France has rules against keeping files on ethnic origins, so it is less likely).

The aim is to give the public more confidence in the police, and to avoid so-called délit de faciès, which refers to people being stopped and questioned – allegedly sometimes several times the same day – because of their race, colour or appearance.

July 2012

Scooter killer father in murder claim THE father of scooter killer Mohammed Merah has lodged formal legal action against the police for “murdering” his son.

His lawyer Isabelle Coutant-Peyre, said they were alleging “murder in aggravating circumstances”.

Merah, who admitted killing three soldiers, three Jewish children and a rabbi in Toulouse and claimed connections with Al-Qaeda, was shot in March by the elite RAID squad as they tried to get into his flat to arrest him after a 32-hour siege.

Police bosses said afterwards the officers were forced to kill him as he

Six wine merchants accused of fraud SIX Burgundy wine bosses have been questioned over suspicion of fraud involving the mixing and labelling of wines.

Leaders of one of the main Burgundy wine merchants, Labouré-Roi, were questioned in police custody after investigators found possible evidence of banned practices – a scandal

which the Dijon public prosecutor, Eric Lallement, said “has upset the profession and changed the image of the wine”.

It is alleged that in around half a million bottles, the firm mixed wines of different origins, even adding table wine to ones labelled appellation contrôlée.

It is also alleged that there was fraud over date labelling.

The enquiry, by the gendarmerie and anti-fraud officers, relates to a period from 2006-2008.

Bosses have admitted there may have been “errors”, but claimed there was no intention of fraud.

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Cold snap in spring ruins Dordogne’s apple harvest

Seized art on show in bid to find owner Photo: Artelista/Creative Commons

A Canaletto depiction of the Rialto bridge EIGHT paintings that were stolen from France by the Germans during the Second World War have been put on show in an exhibition at the Museum of Art and Archaeology in Périgueux in the hope that the works can be reunited with their original owners.

One of them is by the famous 18th-century Venetian painter Canaletto and depicts the Rialto bridge. It has just been returned to the museum after restoration work in Paris.

The exhibition, Art: Victim of the War, is part of an initiative throughout Aquitaine to bring into the public eye those works which were given back to France after the war but whose owners have not yet been identified.

The hope is that the original families who owned the pieces may recognise them and be able to claim them back.

Museum curator Francis Couturas said: “Most of the paintings were taken from Jewish families who were sent to camps – but some came from other homes where the owners were imprisoned by the Nazis. They were restored to France after the war and those whose owners couldn’t be identified were marked as such and put in public museums.

“We are duty bound to put them on show all the time just in case somebody can trace their history. But at the moment there is a special effort throughout the Aquitaine to make people aware they still exist.”

About 45,000 works of art were stolen from France during the war. Many were seized in the Aquitaine as some of the great art collectors such as the Rothschild family brought them here in the hope that they might send them to America via Bordeaux. About 500 of the repatriated works are still without their original owners.

It is thought that the Canaletto painting was sold at Christie’s in London in 1929 to a member of the Rothschild family. It later appeared in an art gallery in Paris.

While in Germany, there is evidence to show that it was part of the personal collection of Von Ribbentrop, the Nazi foreign minister. It is one of only 12 of Canaletto’s paintings on show in France.

News 7

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July 2012

APPLE producers in the Dordogne are appealing to the government to come to their aid after this year’s crop was virtually wiped out by one night of severe frost in April.

In the north of the department, farmers lost between 90% and 100% of their potential crop when the blossom was destroyed by temperatures which dropped below zero.

Apples in the Limousin and the Corrèze were also severely affected. In the Dordogne valley around Bergerac, farmers were less affected – but even so have lost up to 60% of this year’s apples.

Pierre Brunie, a young farmer in Dussac near Lanouaille, only expects to see 800 tonnes out of a normal 8,000 tonne harvest from his orchards.

He said: “It is a disaster not only for me but for all the other farmers and workers in the area. There are 800 hectares of orchards in this area and we reckon that one person is employed per hectare of land, including farmers, workers and related jobs such as transport.

“Normally we take on 40 seasonal workers to help with the harvest – this year we’ll only employ one or two. This is likely to be the final straw for some farmers who will lose their business.”

Mr Brunie also has beef cattle – but he says that has not been easy either: “We have also been strug-

Photo: ©PHOTOPQR/SUD OUEST/Sounalet Jean Christophe

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Pierre Brunie: no seasonal staff this year because of disastrous harvest gling with our animals because of the drought and lack of fodder.

This apple disaster comes after difficult years for farmers – and the future is grim.”

Didier Méry, who represents apple farmers at the Chamber of Agriculture, said it was a catastrophe the like of which had never been seen before and a request had

been made to the agriculture ministry to declare it an “agricultural disaster” which could result in financial help for the farmers.

However, the procedure is lengthy and the outcome will not be known for some time.

Meanwhile Mr Brunie, who is also the treasurer for young farmers association Jeunes Agriculteurs,

said producers were asking for help from local and regional councils and from the banks.

“The fight to save our farms is still on,” he said. “There are a lot of meetings ahead of us.

“We are OK this year because we’ve got money coming in from last year’s harvest. It’s 2013 which is going to be hard.”

Couple seek reunion with ‘pet’ fox

Maeva and Rudy, children of the Delanes with Zouzou

A FAMILY taken to court for rearing a fox cub after finding it next to its dead mother on the roadside have stepped up their campaign to have the cub back with them.

Anna-Paul and Didier Delanes were fined €300 last year and ordered to hand the animal over to the authorities because it is illegal to look after a wild animal in your home. But when officials turned up to their house, they were told that the fox, called Zouzou, had disappeared in the night.

The family say they do not know Zouzou’s whereabouts, but they get regular messages telling them that he is in safe hands.

They have been given an October 2 date to appeal against the original ruling but say it is too long to wait and that their lawyer has told them they can ask for a provisional order from the préfecture to get Zouzou back.

The family and their 12,600-strong group of supporters have been bombarding the sous-préfecture with letters and emails, but Anna-Paul said they still had no response.

She said: “We just ask that they send us a reply. Other owners who have been in a similar position seem to have had their situation sorted out. Why not us?

“We feel we have done nothing wrong – just saved an animal. Zouzou has been fully vaccinated and has become domesticated. The law is old and needs changing so people in our situation aren’t penalised.”

A spokesman for the préfecture said that registered letters have been sent to the Delanes with no response – and that if they want their fox back they must follow the necessary procedures.

Find registered tradespeople quickly and easily

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Périgord Pourpre

Dordogne Advertiser

July 2012

Bergerac HISTORY

July Bergerac

MUSIC

July 25 - August 14 Bergerac Festival Evenings of music in chateaux, abbeys and country houses features acts as diverse as the Ukraine National Symphonic Orchestra, Thomas Dutronc and Gitane music and dance. Call 05 53 74 30 94 or visit www.festivalbergerac.blogspot.com

July 20, 21, 27, 28 Bataille de Castillon Each year in July and August, the night sky at Castillon rings to a spectacular sound and light show commemorating the fighting that ended the Hundred Years War when France took back Aquitaine from the English. Around 800 volunteers, including 450 professional actors, plus 50 horses, cannons and fireworks are used to recreate the historic battle within a cannonshot of the original site.Two hours of stunts, explosives and well-staged battle sequences show the day in 1453 when French king Charles VII managed to reclaim Aquitaine. However, there is more than just fighting and the show recreates medieval life with grape harvest, shooting parties and the town market.

Tickets cost €22 for adults, €15 for 13-17 year olds, and €9 for 9-13.Visit www.batailledecastillon.com

Périgord Blanc Périgueux MIME

Photo: HuiEn Teng

July 31-August 4 Mimos International Mime Festival Around 23 young and talented groups are performing in the streets and squares of Périgueux. All events are free and passers-by can just stop and watch whatever they feel like, from small one-man bands to large and impressive performances.

Call 05 53 53 18 71 or visit www.mimos.fr

FOOD

Photo: Constantinos - Fotolia.com

Hautefort

July 14 Traditional Repas méchoui Badefols d’Ans hosts this spit roast as a tasty way to celebrate Bastille Day, although it is an annual event and not held to mark the national day.

Costing €20, get more info and tickets from 05 53 50 89 05 For something different, try the Repas des Sans Culotte, feu d’Artifice et Bal the same night at Neuvic - 05 53 81 52 11

Pick of the rest in the Dordogne July 14 Bastille Day – This marks the storming of the Bastille, Paris' high-security prison, on July 14, 1789, and the beginning of the French Revolution. It is France’s most important national holiday.The whole of France celebrates with fireworks, balls and street parties in all the major towns.

PÉRIGORD BLANC, Périgueux, SPORT July 6 Rollerblading Evening – Place Bugeaud in Périgueux will be closed to traffic for an evening of rollerblading. Bring your rollerblades or just watch the professionals performing their roller acrobatics.The French champions are performing at 21.00. Rollerblades are also available to rent at the venue.

Call 06 09 39 72 57 PÉRIGORD BLANC, Saint Leon sur l'Isle, SPORT July 6-8 National Skate Board Championships are being held this weekend at the Skate park St Léon.There is a FREE rock concert on the Saturday evening. Call 05 53 80 65 18

PÉRIGORD NOIR, Le Bugue, FOOD 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 July – Gourmet Tuesdays Dinner with local specialities including patisseries and crepes.There is also live music. Bring your own plates, knives and forks to the Place de la Mairie for a 19.00 start. Call 05 53 07 28 68 PÉRIGORD NOIR, Badefols d'Ans, SPORT 8 July – Motor and Quad Bike competition at the Terrain auto cross with dinner in the evening.The event begins at 9.00 with qualifying rounds and the main competition starts at 14.00.

Entry fee including dinner is €15.

PÉRIGORD POUPRE, Limeuil, EXHIBITION 1-15 July – Aerial photography exhibition of the region with text and images portraying the architecture and countryside including mountains and rivers as seen from above.

Rue du Port every day. Call 05 53 63 38 90 or visit www.limeuil-en-perigord.com PÉRIGORD POURPRE, Corgnac-sur-l'Isle, 7 July – Gourmet Duck Evening. Duck is on the menu in the village along with dancing and a bonfire.

Call 05 53 55 12 50

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July 2012

Debademba will play on July 21

Périgord Vert Ribérac

26 July-29 July Baroque Itineraire This year’s edition of the Itineraire Baroque is a tribute to Gustav Leonhardt who died recently and was due to open this year’s festival.

Highlights include performances by Ensemble Sirocco, Ton Koopman and Bettina Pahn with the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra and the Colcanto Ensemble. There is also a discussion on the history of the harpsichord since its revival in popularity by Wanda Landowska.

Call 05 53 90 05 13 or visit www.itinerairebaroque.com

Eyrignac FAMILY

Photo: igorfp - Fotolia.com

Nantheuil FAMILY July 6,20,27 Stargazing for amateurs/ Veillées aux étoiles pour amateurs If you have a telescope or good binoculars you can find out more about the night skies with the Club Regulus at the Observatoire du Haut Périgord/ Courtigeauds at Nantheuil. Joining the club costs €4 for adults and €3 for children and gives access to all sessions open to the public.

Call 05 53 52 56 89 or see www.clubregulus.free.fr

Every Monday evening July 16 - August 20 Eyrignac Gardens Musical picnic in the White Garden The topiaries at the gardens in the Manoir of Eyrignac make this one of the most beautiful gardens in France and visitors can enjoy the fountains at twilight and watch the sunset with a picnic. The only condition is to dress in white (and pay the €14 fee) for a special night in an informal atmosphere of music and chatter.

Information from 05 53 28 99 71 or visit www.eyrignac.com

Montignac

FAMILY

23 July-July 29 Montignac Festival This art, music and dance festival turns the town into a global village for a few days in July with performers from Argentina, Botswana, Canada, Chile, Croatia, France, Italy, Mexico, Palestine and Tahiti. There are workshops, music, dancing and aperitif evenings. Call 05 53 50 14 00 or visit www.festivaldemontignac.assoo.org

Jumilhac MUSIC 5 July-22 July Guitares Vertes Festival An eclectic mix of concerts and shows, cinema and music, photography and literature, all on a guitar theme.

The event starts with an African theme dinner on July 5. Performers over the festival include African groove duo Debademba, reggae and roots Gnawa Diffusion, Congolese band M’bata Kongo and Oloma who play with the Guitares Vertes Orchestra. Main event prices are €12/adults per evening, €5 for under-13s and students.

Fringe events, workshops and the Young Persons concert are FREE. Call 05 50 35 59 65 or visit the website to find the programme in English www.festival-jumilhac.fr

MUSIC

Périgord Noir

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July 2012

noticeboard

Join the cricket week Get Involved!

St. Aulaye’s team photo 2011, top, and, below left and right, last year’s cricket week at the club

Promote your club or community event - email news@connexionfrance.com

IF YOU have children who like playing cricket you may be interested in a cricket week being held at the St. Aulaye cricket club from July 30 to August 4.

It is an annual event and Wynford Hicks, the secretary of the club, says it is becoming increasingly popular: “We welcome boys and girls from far and near - there are campsites nearby if anyone wants to stay for the week.

“It is a chance for children to have a go at this sport which they can't necessarily play at school in France.

“Last year we had a section from Toulouse who came to join us. We charge €25 for the week or €5 a day.”

For further information contact Wynford Hicks on 05 53 91 32 57 or wynford@hicksinfrance.net The two cricket clubs in the Dordogne, at St. Aulaye and Eymet, are currently on the lookout for new members at both junior and adult level.

Beginners and confirmed players, all nationalities and both sexes, are welcome. Both clubs play league cricket

and friendly matches with visiting clubs and both have a section for juniors.

Mr Hicks says they have an all-weather wicket and good practice facilities including two nets.

“The more players we have the more cricket we can play! We are really keen on attracting new members. There are other teams in the region - at Bordeaux, Mansle which is north of Angoulême and Catus near Cahors so we can get in some matches."

President of Eymet Tim Smith said: “We are always looking for new members. We have about 21 players in all but we would like more and it is surprisingly difficult to get anyone to come along.

“We like everyone to have a go at playing and welcome all ages and abilities.

We play against other clubs in the region and friendlies with visiting teams. We have a very enjoyable time and would like to welcome more players."

If you would like to find out more contact Tim Smith on 05 53 24 15 22 or taandtim@hotmail.com

Dordogne Advertiser

July 2012

What’s On 11

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What’s On in the capital

July 20August 19 – Visitors to Paris this summer can combine city sightseeing with a trip to the beach with the return of Paris Plages for its 11th year.A stretch of the right bank of the Seine, from Pont Neuf to the Pont de Sully will be closed to traffic for a month and turned into an urban beach, with sunloungers, mist machines to cool off, ice-creams, restaurants, table football, children’s activity areas, tai-chi and a pétanque pitch.

The main stretch of “beach” is narrow and can get very busy with tourists. Locals looking for a less stressful experience prefer the second Paris Plages site – the much more spacious Bassin de la Villette in the 19th arrondissement, with all the same features plus pedalos and other watersports, a mini-golf

FAMILY

OUTDOORS July 7 – Paris’s tropical carnival is without doubt one of the city’s liveliest and most colourful outdoor events, with 4,000 dancers and musicians from France’s overseas territories joining the procession in dazzling bright costumes.The event grows in size every year and attracts tens of thousands of spectators of all nationalities.

This year’s route starts and finishes at the Place de la Nation, passing by the Boulevard Voltaire, Rue du Chemin Vert and Boulevard Ménilmontant. 14.00 to 18.00. www.carnavaltropicaldeparis.fr

July 19-22 – To mark the launch of Paris Plages, culture superstore Fnac and the Mairie de Paris put on a series of more than 20 free open-air pop and rock concerts on the impressive square outside the Hôtel de Ville over a long weekend.A mixture of popular and up-and-coming French and English-language acts is expected, with full details available shortly at www.fnac.com/fnaclive

MUSIC

The Boss performs at Bercy

Celebrate all things Japan Exclusive July 5-8 – From manga to music and TV, this wide-ranging new exhibition celebrates Japanese popular culture in all its forms, including performances and seminars. It takes place at the Parc des Expositions in Villepinte, on the RER B towards Charles de Gaulle airport.

Open daily 10.00-19.00. Tickets from €9 to €14 depending on day of visit. www.japan-expo.com

CULTURE

Evenings of chamber music July 19-August 15 – The beautiful orangery in the Parc de Bagatelle, part of the vast Bois de Boulogne, is the venue for a chamber music festival this summer, with concerts every Thursday at 20.30 and Sunday at 16.30.

Works from Beethoven, Bach, Rossini, Mozart and Schubert are among those on the programme, and most performances are priced at €25. www.octuordefrance.com

MUSIC

previews at Paris film fest

Until July 10 – The Paris Film Festival is back for its 10th year, with more than 30 exclusive preview screenings, director talks and a special evening dedicated to films from Hong Kong. Most screenings are €5 (3D films are €7). A pass for the whole festival is €35.The venue is MK2 Bibliothèque cinema, M° Bibliothèque François Mitterrand (line 14/RER C). www.fnac.com/fnaclive

CINEMA

Riverside views as Tour de France cyclists reach capital Photo: traviscrawford/Flickr

July 4-5 – American rock superstar Bruce Springsteen plays two nights at the Palais Omnisports (M° Bercy) as part of his world tour. Tickets range from €68 to €100. Doors open 18.00, concert from 20.00.

MUSIC

Disco theme for fireworks

July 22 – After 20 days racing all over the country, the Tour de France cyclists reach the capital. Setting off from Rambouillet at 14.00, the first competitors are expected to enter Paris at 15.45, with a scenic ride along the right bank of the Seine opposite the Eiffel tower – where there are plenty of vantage points for spectators.They will then complete eight loops from the Louvre up the Champs-Elysées and back before reaching the Arc de Triomphe finish line for about 17.00. www.letour.fr/2012

July 14 – There are fireworks all over France today, but the display at the Eiffel Tower is one of the most spectacular.

Lasting 30 minutes, this year’s theme is the 1970s-80s disco era and the first firework goes off at 23.00, but you will need to be there early for a good spot on the Champ de Mars.

Earlier in the day is the traditional military parade on the Champs-Elysées from 10.00 – and on the evening of July 13, pompiers hold street parties outside their fire stations.

Photo: tangi_berlin/Flickr

OUTDOORS

SPORT

course, cycle track, early evening concerts from metro buskers and an open-air cinema festival.

Central site: M° Pont-Neuf, Châtelet or Hôtel de Ville.

Second site: M° Stalingrad or Jaurès. Entry to both sites is free and open from 8.00 to 0.00. www.paris.fr/parisplages

Photo: Craig O’Neal/Wikimedia

Free summer music outside Hôtel de Ville

Sun, sand and Seine

Photo: slasher-fun/Flickr

Photo: Willy_G91/Flickr

Tropical carnival hits Paris streets

12 Currency special

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Dordogne Adver

Make your money go further when buying a French home Buying a French property – whether a main residence or holiday home – is one of the largest purchases you will ever make, so it is important not to waste money by getting a poor deal on currency exchange. Here we look at some of your options WHETHER it is for regular mortgage payments or for a lump sum for a deposit or cash purchase, would-be homeowners often need a cost-effective way to transfer money to France.

In fact, getting as much as possible for your pounds became increasingly important in recent years as the value of the pound dropped against the euro.

Arranging a transfer through your own bank is the obvious option, but it is advisable not to do so without checking what it offers and whether there are cheaper alternatives.

When moving money, costs fall into two main categories: charges and the exchange rate. It is crucial to examine both.

Charges A variety of charges can apply, both for the sender and the recipient. Some providers levy several small ones so it may not be immediately clear how much the transfer will cost.

Exchange rates This is the “hidden” charge. Some companies state they are commission-free, however an inferior exchange rate can still result in you getting fewer euros for your pound.

The principal question to ask is: “How many euros will I get for my pounds, after all of the different charges?”

Beyond that, practical considerations come into play, such as the speed of the service, how easy and convenient it is, whether the method is suited to regular payments or one-offs and whether any special safeguards are offered.

If you are going with the basic option of using your bank – and many people do – you will need the BIC and IBAN numbers of your French account, which are printed on your relevé d’identité bancaire (RIB).

Depending on the bank’s policies, you can arrange the transfer by phone, internet or in person. The bank sending the money applies their own exchange rate. They may also levy a commission fee and/or a transfer charge.

Depending on where you are sending the money, there can also be up to another half a

per cent of bank receiving fees, charged by the bank receiving the money.

Banks may offer an exchange rate that is considerably worse than the interbank one (the rate you see quoted in the press) which they usually set at the start of each day.

They set their rate at a level to make sure if there are exchange rate fluctuations during the day these will be accommodated in the rate.

Using a currency exchange company is the main alternative to a bank transfer.

Advantages may include cheaper transfers, the chance to arrange your transfers over the internet and the option to set up regular payment schemes, sometimes with “locked in”, agreed exchange rates.

People will generally think of using one of these firms when they want to transfer larger amounts, says Mark Bodega, a director of HiFX, one of the larger currency specialists.

“Traditionally people will use a firm like ours on occasions like buying a property in France or when transferring larger sums of £5,000 or more,” he says.

He adds that people use currency transfer companies for a variety of reasons, including monthly mortgage payments or ad hoc payments such as maintenance money to cover bills for a property in France.

While some firms do not allow small transfers, policies vary, he adds. HiFX has an online service which allows people to transfer from £250 up to £300,000 and offers better online exchange rates for the transfer of smaller sums than are available by telephone.

A manager at another large currency exchange firm, Moneycorp, Christina Weis, says: “Currency transfer is our core business – it’s the only thing we do, which is why we are able to offer the best rates and more specific help compared to the banks. For example, we can track the rates and complete transfers when they reach a certain level.”

To make use of a British currency specialist, you need to have a UK bank account.

An agreement is made – for example via the specialist’s website – for transfer of a given sum at a given rate. The client then transfers the money to the specialist, who transfers it to the client’s bank in France. They can also transfer from your UK account to other third parties with bank accounts.

No additional charges There are no charges directly levied by most of the larger currency specialists as any commission charges, transfer fees or bank receiving fees involved are paid by the currency specialist.

The firm is able to make money based on the fact that they receive a more favourable exchange rate in the currency markets than an individual does and they share the benefits of this with the customer.

HiFX report that their exchange rates are still typically better than those offered by banks, despite the fact that banks can profit also by levying other charges on top.

Mr Bodega says: “The banks’ spread on the exchange rate – ie: the difference between the price they buy foreign currency at compared to what they sell it to you at – is so wide that we can afford to offer a better exchange rate and include all the fees within that, because currency is all we do. We don’t avoid those charges – we have to pay them.”

Where a fixed rate has not been agreed, currency firms calculate their

exchange rates with reference to the actual interbank rate at the time of exchange, Mr Bodega says, as opposed to the banks’ system of setting a rate at the start of each day. He says this could help them to set more favourable levels because they do not have to factor in possible fluctuations.

Regular payment plans For Britons paying overseas mortgages, regular payment plans offered by currency firms allow them to fix or “lock in” an exchange rate, typically for up to 12 months. This protects you from negative exchange rate fluctuations and makes sure you never miss a payment when it is due.

rtiser

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Connexion helpguides INFORMATION YOU CAN TRUST ON LIFE IN FRANCE

When buying a home, consider the purchase as well as ad hoc payments, such as for maintenance

“

We can afford to offer a better exchange rate and include all the fees withing that because currency is all we do Mark Bodega

Director at HiFX currency specialists Forward contracts This is a “buy now, pay later” agreement, allowing you to lock in a rate for a one-off payment that you plan to make in the future.

Buying a house When using a currency transfer specialist to help you with buying a house, the deposit money can be sent over to whichever bank account you want, whether your own, an estate agent’s or a notaire’s.

Regular mortgage payments can be arranged so they go either to your bank account or directly to the mortgage provider.

Moneycorp’s Christina Weis says the option of fixing exchange rates for future transactions up to two years ahead is especially useful in the case of buying a house.

“It gives risk protection, as regardless of exchange rate fluctuation, your currency will be secured.

“If you don’t secure the rate, you agree on a purchase date and start signing paperwork and by the time the notaire has processed everything you need to pay the

balance. By that point, the exchange rates might have changed and you might have to pay more than you budgeted for.”

A trader from another large firm, Baydonhill FX, Regis Grant, says: “Your broker can tell you how the markets operate and you can ask them to keep you informed of major market movements. That way you can make informed decisions about whether it is a good time to fix a rate.”

He adds that you should never leave an important transaction to the last minute. “If the market takes a bad turn just ahead of your completion, you have no time to recoup your losses.”

Picking a currency firm You should do your own research before making a decision. Among checks you will want to make on British ones are looking to see if they are FSA registered. See www.fsa.gov.uk/register/psdFirmSearchForm.do Larger providers are called an “authorised payment institution” and smaller ones are listed as a “small payment institution”.

The larger ones must safeguard your money – that is, they must keep it separate from their own funds, so that if the firm went bankrupt your money would be safe. Small payment institutions may also choose to safeguard customers’ funds.

Being authorised as either kind of body means the firm has agreed to abide by an EU directive on their terms of business.

Individual firms may also stress other matters as proof of seriousness and security – for example, one major currency exchange firm points out that it is stock-exchange listed, which means its accounts get regular and public scrutiny.

Currency exchange helpguide – newly updated The Connexion newspaper has a helpguide to currency exchange that covers topics such as using your UK bank to make a transfer, understanding fees and rates, how to have your UK pension paid directly into your French bank account, and using a currency exchange specialist. The above article is extracted from it.

Download a copy for €5 at www.connexionfrance.com or call 0800 91 77 56 for a printed version to be sent to you

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1. Sweet bread often served warm for petit déjeuner (7) 4. Eccentric composer Erik _____, best known today for his Gymnopédies (5) 7. Conductor’s instrument (5) 9. Healthy toast – à votre _____ (5) 10. Salty accompaniment in Chinese cuisine (3) 11. Greek goddess of victory (4) 12. Scene of first modern Olympics in 1896 (6) 15. Book title by Sir Thomas More now used to describe a perfect but unlikely society or state (6) 16. Toddler depository (6) 19. Musketeer mate of Athos and Porthos (6) 20. Le ____, a loosely defined area of several regions including Languedoc-Roussillon (4) 21. and 14 down: Legend has it this monk discovered méthode for making sparkling wines (3,8) 23. Informal for someone over 60 (5) 24. Writer born Françoise Quoirez who achieved fame with first novel Bonjour Tristesse (5) 25. A bleue one is useful in many transactions (5) 26. Small quantity, just to give a taste (7)

1. Michelin Man introduced at the Lyon Exhibition of 1894 (8) 2. Hollow jointed stem of a tall grass such as bamboo (4) 3. Made as a substitute for something, usually inferior in quality (6) 4. Dry white wine from the upper Loire valley (8) 5. Long lock or ringlet of hair (5) 6. Deadly Sin known in Latin as invidia (4) 8. Far Eastern city bidding for the Games of the XXXII Olympiad (5) 13. Ancient province where the battles of Crécy and later of the Somme took place (8) 14. See 21 across 17. Type of peach whose flesh sticks firmly to the stone (5) 18. Upper arm muscle (6) 19. For some people, this sentiment is all you need (5) 21. Descartes said: “Je pense, ____ je suis” (4) 22. Twin brother of Jacob, to whom he sold his birthright (4)

The France quiz

by Paul Masters

Photo: Mike Knell/Flickr

Photo: Patrizia Tilly - Fotolia.com

canapé IT IS the end of a sweltering hot day in midsummer and you are sitting out on a terrace or balcony when you hear the whine of a mosquito, out for its evening meal. Many an evening has been spoilt by the little pests.

Even in Ancient Greece, they suffered. But, being Ancient Greeks, and very civilised, they took to the remedy of hanging curtains around the area where they were seated, as a form of protection from the flying predators. Since the Greek name for mosquito was konops, the curtained area was called a konopion. In later times the Romans took over the Greek idea, but the pronunciation altered slightly to canopeum.

Over the centuries that followed, the word spread throughout the Roman Empire, but up in barbarous Britain the final syllable fell silent, and canopeum became canopy, and has, of course, remained in the language to the present day.

In France, however, the concept was

1 WHO did François Hollande appoint as the new prime minister of France?

2 WHAT feature will Eurostar be introducing to all of its trains from September?

3 MEMBERS of which age-old industry demonstrated in Paris last month to protest against “police repression" and plans to penalise their customers?

4 WHERE was the starting point for this year’s Tour de France?

applied more to the seats within the area than to the curtains themselves. Thus the modern French word for couch or sofa is canapé. But the story does not end there. At some stage, the French word canapé took on its second meaning, describing a small piece of bread or toast spread with some savoury appetizer, such as foie gras. Maybe because the two shapes resembled one another, or because the bread provided a seat for the pâté. No one is quite sure.

5 TO the nearest million, how many people in France are registered as looking for work at the Pôle Emploi (job centre) according to the latest figures?

6 FRANCE’S first match in the Euro 2012 football tournament was against which country?

Sudoku

Puzzles by websudoku.com

Intermediate

Difficult

CROSSWORD ANSWERS. Across: 1 brioche; 4 Satie; 7 baton; 9 santé; 10 soy; 11 Nike; 12 Athens; 15 Utopia; 16 crèche; 19 Aramis; 20 Midi; 21 Dom; 23 Oldie; 24 Sagan; 25 carte; 26 soupçon Down: 1 Bibendum; 2 cane; 3 ersatz; 4 Sancerre; 5 tress; 6 envy; 8 Tokyo; 13 Picardie; 14 Perignon; 17 cling; 18 biceps; 19 amour; 21 donc; 22 Esau FRANCE QUIZ ANSWERS. 1. Jean-Marc Ayrault. 2. Quiet carriages. 3. Prostitutes. 4. Liège, Belgium. 5. Three million. 6. England

Easy

by John Foley

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Chutney is chic

Food and Pets 15

Green tomato chutney

CUT OUT & KEEP!

is cooked slowly, stirring with a wooden spoon from time to time, until soft. To test for readiness, draw the wooden spoon through the mixture. It should leave a clean path with no trace of unabsorbed liquid.

Jars should be sterilised, either by running through the dishwasher or heated in a warm oven for 15 minutes and filled hot and to the brim.

Because they contain such a significant amount of vinegar, the closures used for chutneys need to prevent evaporation and shrinkage, rather than spoilage. Lids should be tightly fitting and of course need to be resistant to vinegar, ie; avoid “bare” metal.

The jars should be wiped and dried and labelled as usual, then stored for at least a month, preferably longer, in a cool, dark place. Once opened, chutney should be kept in the fridge.

Here is a very easy starter recipe – anyone who grows tomatoes will always have a supply of green ones.

INGREDIENTS 1kg green tomatoes 1kg onions 1kg apples - can be wind-falls 500g raisins or sultanas often to be found in markets sold loose.

500g soft brown sugar 2 tbsp Dijon mustard Juice of 2 lemons 1.2 litres white vinegar (see above) Salt and pepper

influenced by the vinegar chosen. So, for example, if you are making a mango chutney, a white distilled vinegar (vinaigre d’alcool cristal) would be indicated so that the golden colour of the fruit is retained The same applies to the sugar; the darker the sugar, the richer the flavour and finished colour.

As chutney needs to mature to develop its full flavour, it is no good tasting it when it is freshly made. You would get a very false idea. It may appear too hot or spicy, but this will mellow out during storage.

When choosing a pan for chutney, avoid copper, brass, iron or chipped enamel. These impart a very unpleasant taste and give a poor colour.

The fruit and vegetables should be washed, peeled, cored, stoned or seeded according to type. They are then either coarsely minced or finely chopped. The remaining ingredients, sugar, flavourings and spices are then added and the whole lot

Photo: Joan Bunting

I DO not think I am alone in noticing that what I used to consider to be a very British condiment, though of course originally imported from India, is making an appearance on French supermarket shelves and especially on upmarket menus – chutney.

One of my favourite restaurants serves a variety of preserves with the cheese course including chutney, fig confit and cherry preserve.

Chutneys are perhaps the easiest and most satisfying preserves of all. Even inexperienced cooks can be successful, so this is an excellent way to start.

Unlike jam ingredients, fruit and vegetables used in chutney-making need not be perfect. This means that surplus or abundant ingredients can be used up economically.

Here are a few tips.

The type of vinegar used should always compliment the other ingredients. The final colour and flavour of the finished result will be

After winning the first BBC MasterChef in 1990, JOAN BUNTING was soon writing a food column and doing local radio for the BBC. Now she has retired and moved permanently to her home in France, but she is still keen to tell readers about good food

METHOD Chop, mince or process the fruit and vegetables. Put these into a preserving pan. Add the raisins and the other ingredients.

Bring to the boil and then simmer for at least an hour, or until very thick (see above).

Pot into hot sterilised jars, cover with suitable lids and store for a month before using.

Note: If you wish to make a spicier chutney, add a large cube of grated fresh ginger and four to six chopped fresh or dried chillies.

Keeping pets comfortable in the heat

ONE of the reasons many expats cite for a new life in France is the glorious weather. But when the temperature rises there are steps all conscientious pet owners must take in order to protect their pets.

While we might enjoy the long, sunny days of summer outdoors, hot weather can spell danger for our four-legged friends. Dehydration, heat stroke and sunburn are some of the severe ailments that can seriously harm – or even kill – animals.

First up; never, ever leave an animal alone in a vehicle. The French authorities can and do prosecute for this. Do not forget, even with the windows open, a parked vehicle can rapidly become a furnace and overheating can kill an animal. Parking in shade offers little protection, as the sun moves throughout the day.

When travelling with your pets, always carry a supply of fresh, cold water. Symptoms of overheating in pets include excessive panting, diffi-

Photo: alessandrozocc - Fotolia.com

Animals do not handle the hot weather in the same way as humans.

SAMANTHA BRICK explains the steps you can take to keep your pet safe and comfortable in the summer heat

Pet Care culty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness or even collapse.

Always exercise your animal in the cool of the early morning or evening. Never force your animal to exercise after a meal in searing, humid weather.

In extremely hot temperatures, do not keep your dog standing on the street, and keep walks to a minimum. He is much closer to the hot asphalt and his body can heat up quickly. His paws can also burn since they are not protected by shoes.

Also, avoid walking your dog in areas that you believe may have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals, as poisonings increase during the summer when gardens, lawns and trees are

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Give your dog a haircut and brush your cat’s fur more regularly to prevent problems with excessive heat sprayed. These chemicals are toxic, sometimes fatally so, for animals.

Keep all unscreened windows or doors in your home closed. Vets have noticed an increase in the hot weather of pets – mostly cats – falling out of open windows or doors. Unfortunately the injuries sustained can be serious or fatal.

Give your dog a lightweight summer haircut to help prevent overheating. Shave their coat down to a one-inch length, never to the skin, so your dog still has some protection from the sun. Brushing cats

more regularly than usual can prevent problems caused by excessive heat. Ensure that any sunscreen or insect repellent product you use on your pets is manufactured specifically for use on animals.

Always provide plenty of shade for an animal staying outside the house.

A properly constructed dog house serves best. Bring your dog or cat inside during the heat of the day and let them rest in a cool part of your house. Be especially sensitive to the needs of older and overweight animals in hot weather.

If you are attending any of the summer fetes which you know will have a bonfire and fireworks display afterwards, then leave your pet at home – and never use fireworks around pets. If you do attend barbecues or other summer get-togethers, remember the food and drink offered to guests may be poisonous to pets.

Finally, always remember that pets can get dehydrated quickly, so ensure they have a constant supply of fresh, clean water when it is hot outdoors.

Tel. 06 58 01 82 76 Web. www.seulementnaturel.eu Email. marc.somsen@chardeyre.com

16 Directory

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Advertise here ALL YEAR from just €75HT Call free on 0800 91 77 56 or email directory@connexionfrance.com

Students, get smarter with currency transfers Choosing to study in a foreign country is one of the most exciting and rewarding things a young person can do. The chance to learn abroad and immerse yourself in a different culture is a fantastic opportunity for anyone, but it is not one without challenges.

World First is ready to help.

ONE THING that many people can often overlook is the process of moving your money overseas, whether you're a parent sending money overseas to pay for student fees, or just sending your offspring some much needed cash to pay

for day to day life.

With the currency markets proving particularly difficult to predict in recent memory, the relative value of currencies can change significantly in the space of just a few days. That's why it's a good idea to look up a company who can help you avoid any undue risk when it comes to making foreign exchange transfers.

Most people still consult their bank when it comes to making international money transfers, and as a result they end up with a poor exchange rate and substandard customer service.

Fortunately there are FSA authorised experts out there who can not only save significant amounts of money, but who offer the same standard of personalised client support that the big banks usually reserve only for a select few.

"With the exchange rates continuing to

Pools for thought this summer With so many pool design options and the use of such high quality materials, it is no wonder that St Pools’ order books are fast filling up for the 2013 construction season this year THE warm and sunny climate in France means that most customers require pools to be constructed outside. For Stuart Roberts, owner of St Pools, business is booming and his order books to build exterior pools have been full for an unprecedented five months earlier than usual. The company started working on these contracts in autumn 2011 to ensure completion for clients in time for summer 2012.

Another unprecedented element this year was the weather, says Stuart, which caused a few delays to the construction process. “Winter is usually a couple of weeks of hard frost or snow on separate

occasions - we rarely have both at the same time,” he said. “This year, to make matters worse, we also had nearly six weeks of unbroken rain in the spring, but we still managed to complete our orders and satisfy our customers.”

Stuart and his team worked hard against the odds to ensure that their clients’ dreams of swimming in sparkling new pools this summer came into fruition. “I’d like thank all my clients for their faith, good nature and understanding through this very difficult year,” said Stuart.

For the 2013 season, many orders had already been placed in 2011 and some

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Take away the stress of money transfers when studying abroad made as clear and simple as possible," adds Elisabeth. "There's enough to think about when you're heading off to a new country, and it's reassuring to know that you're not going to lose any money on the exchange rates."

For more information about protecting your overseas payments in advance visit the website or call our offices. +44 (0) 20 780 190 80 www.worldfirst.com

The Hubert pool with integral toddler area and optional hydromassage tracts with clients, Stuart always ensures that each aspect is worded in an easy-tocomprehend manner and priced so that there are no hidden surprises.

“The client can even contribute to the wording for their own clear understanding,” added Stuart.

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Orders for 2013, for new pools and refurbishments, are ongoing - for more information contact Stuart directly. www.aquapierre.com stpoolsfrance@gmail 05 53 91 45 18

Hopkins Renovations

General building work. 20 years building experience in France. Based in Castelnaud de Gratecambe 47.

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were also made at the beginning of 2012, several of which have not yet been designed by the client.

The reason St Pools is so popular, Stuart believes, is due to the high quality of the materials involved and the creative input that clients can have. The company can also build spas in small courtyards or gardens in accordance with customers’ own design preferences.

“We are all about providing customers with a pool of superior finish, durability and limitless design potential,” said Stuart. “The client can look at the price of a standard pool and make like-for-like comparisons with plastic liner pools of traditional steel and reinforced concrete construction. Their preferred pool design can go beyond the limits of plastic liners or kit pools as my AquaVerre and AquaPierre pools can easily hang on to designers’ shirt tails due to the fluidity of GRP and Pebble Tec finishings.”

When it comes to working on con-

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vary extensively from week to week it is certainly worth keeping your eyes closely peeled when you're moving overseas," explains Elisabeth Dobson, from foreign exchange company, Word First.

"The slightest blip in exchange rates can end up costing you a great deal of money. With everything that's going on when you're moving to a new school in foreign climes, it's a bit much to ask to be watching the rates like a hawk every day. That's why we're here to help."

When you set up an account with World First you get a dedicated consultant who keeps on top of the currency markets for you. They will advise you on the right approach to making regular payments from overseas accounts, and secure the best possible exchange rates available.

"We will make sure that everything is

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

Large and dangerous trees tackled by tree surgeon If your garden contains tree work that is too extreme for the ordinary gardener, Michael Dempsey is trained and ready for action EVER since professional tree surgeon Michael Dempsey moved to France six years ago from the UK, he has been inundated with requests to remove large and dangerous trees in and around the Angoulême area.

Whether it is to create more light in a garden or to remove the shade and leaves that hinder the summer enjoyment of an outdoor swimming pool, dealing with difficult trees is what Michael does best.

“I often help people who have recently

bought a property and have problem trees around their house,” said Michael.

“Customers install pools and find that the filters are constantly clogged and the pool is in shade, so I often remove trees for this reason.”

Michael also finds that once clients realise that his company, Dempsey Tree Surgery Contractors, owns a stump grinder that they also request stump removal. “Stump grinding is not a common thing in France,” said Michael.

“People tend to tolerate stumps in the garden without realising there is a machine that can take them out.”

A wood chipping machine and mini digger are also owned and used regularly

by Michael and his team. Wood from the trees can be chipped on site and the mulch produced can bring great benefits to the client’s garden.

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“We’ve got two trucks that tip, as well as a four-wheel drive and an ordinary transit, so when we take a tree down we can chip all the branches into the truck and tip the chip somewhere people can easily access in their garden,” said Michael.

“As it is very hot here during the summer the mulching of gardens will keep the moisture in, which is better for the plants in this climate, and also prevent weeds from growing.”

If customers prefer not to chip their tree remains then the vans can take wood off site if necessary.

When pricing a job, if the distance involved is too great to justify an on-site consultation then a devis can be put together as a result of emailed photos showing power lines and hazards.

“I do difficult jobs that the ordinary

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Mob: +33 (0) 6 44 01 70 63 Tel: +33 (0) 5 53 51 87 53 / +33 (0) 9 70 40 82 31

E-mail: John@JohnAin.org

All legal translations by FrenchEnglish speaking sworn translator

Property-legal-birth cert., driving licences, traductions assermentées Valid everywhere with 25 years of experience Regions : All FRANCE Karen RENEL-KING Tel: 06 18 03 18 38 Email: karen.king@wanadoo.fr Web: www.certifiedfrenchtranslation.com Fast and affordable

gardener with a chainsaw would not dream of taking on - we need to take certain criteria into consideration before actually starting work on a tree,” said Michael.

“It doesn’t work to turn up to a job finding that there is a power line through the tree, so we need to know proximity to roads, buildings and that kind of thing. This method also makes the job as cost-effective as possible for the client.”

For more information or to discuss particular tree work, contact Michael by email or telephone.

05 45 65 96 86 06 61 90 04 92 enquiries@dempseytreesurgery.com www.dempseytreesurgery.com

HOUSES ON INTERNET Sell your property to a worldwide audience using our global network.

Our fees are the lowest in France, our results are the best.

WWW. HOUSESONINTERNET.COM

Tel: 05 55 65 12 19

Large tree removal is all in a day’s work for Michael Dempsey and his team

SAPEG expertise et conseil Registered Chartered Accountants

- Business set up and registration - Business accountancy - Income tax,Wealth tax - Payroll and legal services Contact Alain: 05 53 92 50 00 Email: a.clisson@sapeg.expertscomptables.fr www.sapeg.experts-comptables.fr

Siret: 38058374000028

Vezere Counselling

Voilà!

Web Solutions Exclusive multilingual websites competitively priced. Personalised Facebook, Twitter and blogs part of a complete service to make your business highly visible on the Internet. www.voilawebsolutions.com info@voilawebsolutions.com Tel: Harvey 05 53 81 03 78

Help with Stress - Anxiety - Depression - Life Changes

Experienced Mental Health Worker Gill Clunes Ross - Dip social work. RGN Tel: 05 53 51 63 69 or 09 51 80 97 38 Email: gillcr@ymail.com www.vezerecounselling.com

LE FRANCAIS CHEZ VOUS Tailor made tuition in French at your home or Castel-Merle, 24290 Sergeac.

Amanda and Emilie Millinship

Tel: 05 53 50 04 68 www.lefrancaischezvous.com Dordogne

For people who live in / own property in France

Siret: 53445895500018

MGF Counselling Services

Straight-forward, honest advice on the best house, car, life & health insurance policies for you

English Speaking Counselor.

M. Glenys Forrester (B.Sc.psych.) (M.Sc. psych.)

Offering individual / couples counselling.

(Depression, Stress, illness, bereavement etc).

For all your electrical requirements contact

Tel: 05 53 50 07 28 Mob: 06 47 17 60 78

AK Electrical

ak-electrical@hotmail.co.uk

Regions Covered: All - Siret: 520 314 824

siret: 494 064 322 00014

www.insurance.fr Tel: 05 62 29 20 00 Email: cover@insurance.fr

Email: mglenys.forrester@gmail.com Web: www.mgfcounselling.com

30 years experience/Fully insured

Tel 06 32 31 61 85 ALL ELECTRICAL/ PLUMBING WORK

Underfloor Heating/ Aerothermie Premiere service guaranteed St Yrieux / Brive / Perigueux / Sarlat

Boost your business with an affordable, high-performance website that you can edit yourself

Tel: 06 37 09 55 13 Website: http://eurolec24.com/ Email: james.gunn@club-internet.fr

www.rob-tomlinson.com Tel: 05 62 67 39 98 rt@rob-tomlinson.com

Siret: 489 542 589 00010

Regions: All France Siret: 419 490 297 00027

Painter and Decorator Interior and Exterior Cherrypicker assisted for speedy and cost saving service

Tel: 05 53 62 81 40 Email: craig.harriss@orange.fr Web: www.lasimpode.com/cherrypicker Siret 520 298 217 00016

Kennedy Electricite Services Installation, rewires and repairs.

20+ years experience.

Fully insured. No job too small.

Contact Justin or Melissa Kennedy.

Tel: 05 55 56 37 36 Email: justin.kennedy@orange.fr Regions 87/24 Siret 503 417 04000014

Brian Macey - Electrician

OAKWOOD FLOORING

maintenance, breakdowns, renovations, rewires, new build, interior & exterior 30 years experience

Tel: 05 55 97 18 10

Wide boards Contact us for special offers

Over 15 years experience in French insurance markets English, Dutch & German spoken.

WEBSITES

Large stocks available Prime & Character grades Oiled & waxed finishes

FRENCH INSURANCE IN ENGLISH

Email: brimacelectrical@supanet.com Siret: 517 566 196 00013 Regions Covered: 19,24,87

Tailor Made French Lessons In Your Home

www.oakwood-import.fr email: franceoak@gmail.com tel: 06 80 33 93 57

By an experienced French teacher ALL LEVELS Group, Individual or Conversation

Siret 409 972 056

Siret : 530585181

Tel: 06 83 48 82 05

Philippe Schreinemachers

RCS Auch B479 400 657 - Regions: All France

AXA INSURANCE J. LECLUZE ST HILAIRE DU HARCOUET - 50600

HOME - CAR - HEALTH We insure UK registered cars ENGLISH SPOKEN (call Angeline) - 02 33 49 12 34

englishspokenlecluze.e-monsite.com

EXECO PARTNERS Certified Accountants (FR) Serving English Clients in France

Accounting, Payroll, Business Setup and registration, Individual & Business Taxation and more...

Please feel welcome to contact:

Mr Pierre CHERON (Expert-Comptable) on Tél: 05.53.54.48.91 Email: contact@execopartners.com www.execopartners.eu

DEMPSEY TREE SURGERY CONTRACTORS British trained & qualified tree surgeon All tree work undertaken.

Tel: 05 45 65 96 86 Mob: 06 61 90 04 92 enquiries@dempseytreesurgery.com www.dempseytreesurgery.com Working in dept: 16, 17, 24, 87 Siret: 48930027700014

Plant Nursery le Lac des Joncs Unusual hardy perennials, ornamental grasses, hemerocallis Ivy, hosta, succulents

Tel: 05 53 46 78 18 - 06 84 83 70 38 24580 Rouffignac - St Cernin Email: contact@pepilacdesjoncs.com

Roots & Shoots

Professional tree surgery Call Mark for a free quote 05 53 75 05 48 - 06 89 79 05 02 rootsandshoots.fr@gmail.com. www.roots-shoots.fr Siret number 452-803-539-00017

l‘Ecrin de Verdure

A Garden Design and Build Company “Full service” from sketch schemes to finished garden with integrated systems (lighting/watering/mowing)

24 Sarlat - 33 Monségur - 47 Duras

UK 06 79 92 95 88 FR 06 42 85 53 60 www.lecrindeverdure.com

IN DEEP PISCINES Maintenance, leak detection, servicing, repairs

Tel: 05 53 22 79 18 / 06 84 68 84 92 Web: www.indeeppiscines.com Email: sean@indeeppiscines.com

Regions: 24, 33, 46, 47, 82 - Siret: 504 576 802 00038

Garden Design Service by professional Landscape Architect/Garden Designer from conception to supervision of installation Virginia Fletcher BA, Dip (Hons) LA, MLA

Tel: 05 53 62 51 94 Mob: 06 24 92 82 57 E-mail: virginia.fletcher@aliceadsl.fr Siret: 44943716900013 - Ad No. 17855

18 Directory

www.dordogneadvertiser.com

Dordogne Advertiser

July 2012

ADVERTISING FEATURE

The jewel of the Vézère valley A medieval stronghold steeped in history offers culture and charm in abundance from the depths of the Dordogne.

DRIVING south of Montignac-Lascaux (famous for its caves dating back to 17,000 BC) on the D706 to Les Eyzies, which is known as the prehistoric capital of Périgord, the Château de Losse commands the view of the valley.

The chateau towers above the Vézère river and access is via a monumental gatehouse, which is covered in lauze stones and known as the largest in the south of France.

The Renaissance Hall was built in 1576 within the walls of the fortress. Its elegant façade of local mellow golden stone and the grand staircase beckon visitors to explore inside. Here, fine decor and

exceptional period furniture can be found, which evoke the grand lifestyle of the marquesses of Losse in the 16th and 17th centuries during the reigns of the last Valois and first Bourbon kings.

Visitors from all over the world flock to experience the beauty, culture and history of the Château de Losse and an English speaking guide is available for groups if reservations are made.

People from as far as Australia, New Zealand, the US and Canada book in advance to make sure they do not miss out on a proper tour of the chateau when they visit.

The Renaissance-style gardens at the

GARDEN SERVICES

Café Church Bergerac

Creation of Garden Maintenance & Tree surgery High quality in respect with nature Philippe Brulé -30 years experience

Tel. 05 65 34 09 91 Working dept: south 19, 46 Email: brule.philippe0346@orange.fr

St Pool Piscines

Concrete pools, reinforced liners.

No expensive over design, expertly constructed

www.aquapierre.com stpoolsfrance@gmail.com 05 53 91 45 18

Jardins du Périgord - Design - Creation - Garden management

Château de Losse are listed and labelled “jardins remarquable”.

Visitors can wander the grounds at leisure and enjoy the unspoilt views over the Virgilian countryside.

Garden seats to accommodate guests’ picnics and refreshments are available at the Princess Garden.

To find out more about this spectacular chateau, call in the afternoons or visit the website.

The management are also looking for a couple who would be interested in accommodation in exchange for watering the flowers and looking after the winter heating - email or phone directly for further information. www.chateaudelosse.com chateaudelosse24@yahoo.fr 05 53 50 80 08

Discover Renaissance-styled gardens this summer at the Château de Losse

Dordogne-Correze-Properties Property Finder Service helping the buyer find their dream home.

Telephone: 06 45 10 21 54 john@dordogne-correze-properties.com www.dordogne-correze-properties.com

An English speaking approach to contemporary Christianity

EVERY FOURTH SUNDAY Tea and Cake from 5pm

Cafe Church from 5.30pm - 6.45pm Sponsored by and held at L'Eglise Evangelique Libre de Bergerac, 5 Rue Durou

For details of other meetings brian@lincolns.me.uk or Peter Shire 05 53 22 74 08 www.christiansindordogne.com Ad No. 2467

High quality work by qualified gardeners

Siret 508 891 983 00019

Discover all 7 Golf Courses

Reduced fares between 20 - 30%

Golf Pass Dordogne Available on line

www.golf-dordogneperigord.com

Souillac Golf & Country Club

www.jardinsduperigord.com

Play golf all year round in the Dordogne Valley.

24 SERVICES

Property Maintenance - Pools & Gardens Changeovers - Keyholding

Challenging 18-hole course, driving range, pools, tennis, bar, restaurant, accommodation

N. Dordogne

Tel: + 33 (0)5 24 17 60 29 contact@24services.fr Siret: 52841725600013

www.souillaccountryclub.com

Tel : 05 65 27 56 00

TIP TOP Garden & Property Services

Garden Maintenance Hedge Trimming - Strimming Groundworks / Diggerworks General Property Maintenance Property checks/Keyholding Photo updates Contact Barry On Tel: 05 53 29 03 52 Mobile: 06 24 07 31 14 E: paula.grainger@wanadoo.fr Dept 24 - Radius 50 kms Sarlat Siret: 49372365400015

Exclusive Healthcare Your Helping Hand to the French Health System

+33 (0) 4 94 40 31 45

'Massages and well being at Castelnaud la Chapelle' With

www.bathroomsinfrance.com Email: info@salon2bains.fr Tel: 05 53 09 41 88 Fax: 05 53 09 21 04

Everything Dordogne Seeking Holiday Rentals for Australian Travellers Working in conjunction with Seek Travel Australia We advertise in Major Australian Newspapers Property Owners Advertise with us for FREE info@everythingdordogne.net www.everythingdordogne.net

Tel: 06 79 67 38 06

Tel: 00 33 (0) 5 24 17 60 29 contact@24services.fr

Property Maintenance – Pools & Gardens

Key holding – Changeovers N.Dordogne

<< L'ATELIER >> Free Estimates - Depts: Dordogne - Gironde

Web: latelierdecharpente.fr Mob: 06 02 50 11 56 Email: latelier.construction@gmail.com

Complete package including groundwork, terracing/decking and pool security.

English spoken

Makeovers & Design English Kitchens/ Bathrooms/appliances direct from UK manufacturers Full range of French kitchens supplied Free design/planning service Installations/Makeovers/ Installations Only/Tiling Granite and Stone worksurfaces available Areas: 24 33 47 Call 05 53 58 09 32 or 06 58 92 09 97 siret: 510 011 554 00019

Act before EU forces removal and bans DIY disposal Save up to 75% contractor costs

Contact SiteClear for Cheap, Safe, Legal Solution FREE CONSULTATION

Tel: 09 62 27 94 39 email info@siteclear.eu Siret no. 51438447800012

Signs, vehicle lettering etc.

Free advice and quotes, based in the Dordogne, covering all of France.

Tel: 05 53 52 45 82 or 06 32 83 35 97

Email: mark@signsetc.fr Web: www.signsetc.fr Siret: 491205035 00026 - Ad No. 17751

www.swansolar.eu Supply & Installation of :

• Solar domestic hot water systems • Solar swimming pool systems • Wood boiler stoves • Plumbing services Tel : 05 53 63 43 87 / 06 06 41 08 85 Email : maswan@live.co.uk All depts covered Siret 50406233200011

SAND AND BLAST

Sandblasting service for Wood, Metal and Stone. Floor sanding service / hire available.

Tel: 05 55 78 43 71 / 06 67 81 63 46 www.sandandblast.com Areas: 87, 16, 24 Siret: 48852292100037

“Bonjour from 24”

Carpentry - Roofing - Insulation - Wood frames and houses - Decks - Porches - Floors

G. W.

ASBESTOS ROOFING ALERT!

Covering Depts 24,16,17,33,47,46,19 & 87

24 SERVICES

Prêt à Plonger

Siret: 49397835700017

We offer a full planning and design service...all under one roof!

Visit our showroom in Perigueux.

- Relaxing massage with organic oils - Wave and vibration massage techniques - Energising massage - Shiatsu Amma Assis

Piscine installation, repairs & maintenance. Bespoke pools, no project too big or small.

simon.holt@wanadoo.fr www.pretaplongerpools.com

For the best deals on your kitchens and bathrooms Call us on 05 53 09 41 88 for a FREE home visit.

Sophie NALIN, massage practitioner

www.exclusivehealthcare.com

Simon & Julia Holt 0619 071121 or 0553 620152 or Julia: 06 32 10 39 92

KITCHENS & BATHROOMS IN FRANCE

LANDROVER*MG* ROVER*JAGUAR* AUSTIN-MORRIS PARTS ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTICS & GEARBOX REPAIRS

WWW.LANDYPOINT.NET

0545622720

To advertise here call freephone in France 0800 91 77 56 / from UK 0844 256 9881 (4p/min)

STAR SATELLITE British TV in France

BskyB Qualified - For All Your Satellite Needs

Tel: 05 53 80 63 93 Email: contact @starsatellite.fr Web: www.starsatellite.fr

Regions: Dordogne and surrounding Departments Siret: 50196266600019

LOCKES GROUNDWORKS & LANDSCAPING Digger / driver hire Fosse septiques Excavations, Building, Renovations Driveways, Fencing, Decking, Pergolas Tel: 05 53 79 77 61 or 06 42 86 85 31 Email: lockes@orange.fr Website: www.lockes47.com

SURFACES Polished Concrete Floors, Walls, Worktops Sinks & Furniture

STONE & TILE Restoration, Colouring, Sealing.

Web: www.surfaces24.com Email: info@surfaces24.com

Tel: 06 82 38 21 12

Siret 51500573400014

Mini digger hire from 100 Euros per day HT Hammer, auger, dumper, roller etc available

Sarlat, Gourdon and Souillac areas

SARL Maxima Tel April on 0631110202 or 0553312115 see rates at

www.maximalocation.com Siret no. 498 524 032 00022

Dordogne Advertiser

Directory 19

www.dordogneadvertiser.com

July 2012

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Use free energy from the sun to heat your water Whether it is to heat your hot water or extend your swimming season, investing in a solar thermal system from Swan Solar could improve your lifestyle and your finances HARNESSING energy from the sun the only “free” source of energy - can not only save on fuel and heating costs, it can also help protect the environment by reducing carbon emissions.

“Solar thermal can be used to heat your domestic hot water,” said Michael Swan, owner of renewables energy company Swan Solar.

“It is a good feeling having a hot shower, knowing that it has been heated for free. You can also heat your swimming pool and extend your swimming season,” he added.

When the swimming season is over, the energy generated from the panels

can be used to contribute to heating the home, thus reducing fuel costs - and for unoccupied properties it will reduce the risk of frozen pipes, internal dampness and so on.

Swan Solar specialises in wood and solar thermal installations and while it is based in the Dordogne it covers all areas of France. The company is registered with QualiSol and QualiBois (www.quality-enr.org), which ensures that companies are registered, insured and audited, giving clients added confidence in their choice of installer.

All of the solar products supplied by Swan Solar hold the Solar Keymark and

Hautefort Renovation Professional Building & Renovation Services NE24 & bordering 87,19 & 46

Charles Fleming 0553501239 or 0684530839

hautefortrenovation.com

DIGITAL INSTALLATIONS We do not only sell & install We also repair digiboxes NOW!! All freesat systems available WITHOUT CARD

For more information call 00 33 (0)5 45 98 25 37 FINNINGER & HELBACH Gmbh Le Petit Fouine, 16210 Curac Tel/Fax: 00 33 (0)5 45 98 25 37 email: FinnHans@aol.com www.digitalsatellitefrance.com Siret: 400 415 246 00026

SECURITY SYSTEMS Alarm calls up to 4 numbers if activated.

NO ANNUAL CONTRACTS OR MONTHLY PAYMENTS. Wireless or wired.

Cameras with 24/7 recording + Internet access. Security lighting.

Tel: 06 27 76 95 91

E: contact@aquitainealarmes.com W: www.aquitainealarmes.com Regions Covered: 24, 33, 17, 16 SIRET 50793843900019

EcoPower The World's Leading Solar Systems Tel: 05 53 62 31 35 www.ecopower.eu.com

are eligible for crédit d’impôts (www.ademe.fr).

Whether the property in question is a chateau or a gite, Swan Solar will design a system that works in harmony with the property and its existing heating systems.

Solar thermal systems are very flexible and can be combined with other heat sources - such as wood-fired or pelletburning boilers and air source heat pumps - that can be connected into the system via an accumulation tank. This provides a cost effective and efficient allyear-round heating solution.

“Once the solar thermal system is installed the running costs are virtually nil and the only power required is to run the solar circulation pump,” said Michael. “All the heat is generated from the sun and is free.”

REFLEX MOODYS LTD SALISBURY

BOUCHERIE

UK - FRANCE - UK

English butchers and farmers in France.

REMOVALS

REDCLIFFE are a reliable Bristol based Remover and Storer with weekly trips to the Dordogne Credit crunch specials

Contact Andrew +44 (0) 7976 702 241 andrew@redclifferemovals.co.uk www.redclifferemovals.co.uk

MOVING TO OR FROM FRANCE? Weekly services to & from France

05 53 63 43 87 info@swansolar.eu www.swansolar.eu

• Weekly Service • Full & Part Loads • Container Storage • BAR Members • On-line Quotation • Internet Shopping Deliveries

00 44 1722 414350 info@reflexmoodys.com www.reflexmoodys.com Company Regn No: UK 5186435 TVA / VAT No: UK 864 7217 04

George White European Transport Special rates to S/W France 13.6m/45ft trailer - Full/Part loads Removals/materials/vehicles Owner driver. RHA member

Tel: +44 (0)7768 867 360 Fax: +44 (0)1773 570 090 Fr Mobile: +33 (0)6 23 03 85 59 www.georgewhiteeuropean.co.uk

Full or part loads, 4 wks free storage, 30 Years experience

Beef, Lamb, Pork Pasties, steak pies, pork pies. Bacon, gammon, sausages.

Bespoke insulated packaging used for delivery throughout France.

Raymond&Sophie Hicks www.boucheriealaferme.com Tel: 05 55 97 95 66 Mob: 06 45 51 34 58 Siret: 509 528 014 00012

SIMPLY BRITISH INDEPENDENT BRITISH GROCERS Large range of food - fresh and frozen, books, greetings cards and gifts

Tel: 05 61 64 98 89 Email: simplybritfoix@aol.com Web: simplybritish.fr REGION: Shop 09, mail order throughout France

www.anglofrench.co.uk

REMOVALS & STORAGE Murray Harper

European transport & storage ENGLAND, FRANCE, SPAIN Scheduled collection and delivery service guaranteed Established 30 years in the industry

www.murrayharper.com Tel: (0034) 952 793 422 or (0034) 952 807 692 info@murrayharper.com

WOODBURNERS.FR Traditional cast iron multifuel and woodburning stoves. Option for fire back boilers on most models. Delivered to your door or installed. Also coal now available.

Contact us for (solar) renewable energy air source pumps to replace your gas or oil fired systems.

See our website on

www.woodburners.fr Tel/fax or Email 05 53 84 36 81 Mob 06 72 02 88 29 enq@woodburners.fr Siret no 45204687300017

WOODBURNERS

A LA FERME

Spex4less.Com High Quality Prescription Glasses Online Save Money On All Your Prescription Eyewear www.spex4less.com

Bar & Guild Member Contact: Anglo French Removals Tel: +44 (0) 1622 690 653 Email: info@anglofrench.co.uk

Swan Solar installs solar thermal heating systems that can be combined with existing heat sources

Furniture for France

A wide range of quality indoor furniture and sofas supplied and delivered direct to your French property saving you time and money.

New showroom "Meubles New Ideas" near Brive(19) now open.

For full colour brochure please e-mail info@furnitureforfrance.co.uk or call 0033 (0) 6 46 49 73 45 or 0033 (0) 5 55 25 02 68 www.furnitureforfrance.co.uk

Ash Grove Stoves Supplier of Hunter - Villager -

Clean Burn - Fire Visible Boiler versions available Deliveries all over France Prices on our website Lowest Prices Guaranteed Tel: 00 44 (0) 1392 861579 www.ashgrovestoves.com sales@ashgrovestoves.com

U.K. WOODBURNERS

AARROW YEOMAN STOVAX VILLAGER France Agent - P.E.P Leisure Ltd UK 08717174097 FR 0553732521 www.pepleisure.com email: fires@pepleisure.com Regions All France

Anglo Foods Agreed distributor of Iceland Frozen food 17270 Montguyon

Tel: 05 46 48 32 44 CLASSIFIEDS

BACCHUS IMMOBILIER recruits France-based estate agency seeks representatives for ALL regions of France.

Carte Blanche Agent Commercial Immobilier and generous (up to 70%) commission rates offered.

Contact Ivan Tredinnick.

Tel: 00 33 (0)5 45 82 42 93 Fax: 00 33 (0)5 45 36 27 95 E: property@bacchus-french-property.com W: www.bacchus-french-property.com Siret: 48034462100010

Book now for the August issue - copy deadline July 5 - call freephone in France 0800 91 77 56 / from UK 0844 256 9881 (4p/min)

Advertise your business from just €75HT

Get even more impact by adding an Advertorial from €200HT. This popular advertising option allows you the space to explain what your business offers using a combination of words and photos.

Call Clare on 0800 91 77 56 or email directory@connexionfrance.com

20 DIY

www.dordogneadvertiser.com

2012 Helpguide to Letting out your French home to tourists INFORMATION YOU CAN TRUST ON LIFE IN FRANCE This helpguide provides you with the information you need to enter the world of short-term holiday lets.

O

We also provide tips on marketing your home and giving it special touches which will make it more attractive to potential guests.

O

Published February 1, 2012, to include the latest information.

O

Choose between PDF digital edition or paper copy posted to your French home.

ONLY

July 2012

D I Y tips Sponsored by

How to build a brick barbecue Photo: Alexey Polikarpov - Fotolia.com

O

Dordogne Advertiser

€5

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It only takes about a day to build a fixed barbecue WITH the summer months in full swing, there is nothing more convivial than inviting over family and friends for an alfresco meal and of course nothing beats a good barbecue when it comes to a summer get together.

Impress your guests by cooking for them on a brick barbeque that you have made yourself. It only takes about a day to build and offers many summers of enjoyment. Materials needed are: bricks, cement, sand, spirit level, rectangular cooking tray, trowel, metal ties, length of wood, water, large paving slab.

1. Level the ground where you intend to build the barbeque.

Lay out the first level of bricks in an E shape, making sure that bricks fit exactly around the shape of the cooking tray.

If possible try not to cut the bricks.

2. Once the shape has been defined, mix the cement and lay the first layer of mortar directly on the ground then place the first level of bricks on top. Check that it is still level and that all corners are at right angles.

3. Use the metal ties to hold together and strengthen the inner, middle wall to the back long wall.

4. Continue to lay the next levels of bricks starting from the corners. Make sure to use the spirit level to check the structure is straight horizontally and vertically and that the bricks’ joints are staggered.

5. On the seventh level place the bricks on small outer and inner walls sideways to create a ledge on which to place the wood or charcoal tray. Build up another three layers (more if you are taller) and do the same again, this time to place the cooking grill on.

6. Build up another level but only on the side where the grill will be to act as protection.

7. Cement the large paving slab to the top of the wall on the right hand side which will act as a work surface.

8. Finish off the joints on the outside walls by taking a length of soft piping and running it along the joints.

Wait for it all to completely dry and there you have it – a simple but chic barbecue. Bon appétit.

Dordogne Advertiser

www.dordogneadvertiser.com

July 2012

Al fresco party time

Gardening Sponsored by

Photo: skampixel - Fotolia.com

by SAMANTHA DAVID

GARDEN parties are a must for summer – and one way of making sure yours is remembered is to have a theme.

With so many possibilities, there is bound to be an idea that suits, whether it be a carnival with games for the kids or an altogether more tranquil affair with a traditional afternoon tea party complete with homemade scones.

For a sophisticated evening party, why not go for a jazz or classical music theme and ask guests to come dressed in their finest, or a Victorian theme with paperlace doilies and sophisticated flower arrangements to decorate?

If you want to go all out – and think your guests are up for it – you could even ask everyone to come in fancydress. Popular costume ideas include a 50s rock ‘n’ roll party, storybook characters or Bollywood.

Once you are happy with your idea, you can set about matching your invitations, music and drinks to the theme. You can either make the invitations yourself or go online to download readymade ones.

Alternatively, you could ask friends to RSVP online. If there is a dress code, be sure to mention it in the invitation.

When it comes to decorating, flowers are the obvious choice for an outdoor do and can be used as centrepieces on tables. The classic look for garden party table decor is a white tablecloth, and garden arches can work well as an entrance to the party. It is a good idea to start from the top when decorating your garden. Starting at the bottom might mean you have to work around other decorations and risk breaking something.

Guests could either sit at tables and chairs dotted around part of the garden, or on picnic mats for a more relaxed style. However, if you would prefer a more elegant garden party, have a table for glasses and nibbles. For a sit-down meal, a seating plan could be a good idea, and you could always add handwritten place cards.

If you are lucky enough to have the weather on your side, make sure to have a place where guests can get some shade – either indoors, under canopies or in a summerhouse.

Once the party is under way, it could be time to hit the dance floor. If your garden has some space to dance, be sure

Finger food allows guests to wander and mingle amongst themselves

“

Finger food is ideal, as garden parties are a place for mingling. Light, seasonal ingredients work well – and if you grow vegetables, have a fruit tree or plant herbs, put them to good use

to have music to hand; salsa tracks or slow romantic waltzes are often popular.

You could also match the music to your theme.

As for what to serve your guests, finger food is ideal, as garden parties are a place for mingling. Light, seasonal ingredients work well. And if you grow vegetables, have a fruit tree or plant herbs, be sure to put them to good use. Ideas include mini bruschetta toasts with mozzarella, basil and tomato, wraps, dips, plates of cheese and crackers, salads and mini quiches for savoury, and chocolate dipped strawberries, cookies, petits fours and fruit kebabs for dessert.

While beer and wine are a safe bet, you could also offer pitchers of homemade lemonade, sangria or summer punch.

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Give some thought to the range of drinks you are offering – and arrangements for seating depending on formality

Photo: Yves Damin - Fotolia.com

Photo: Dasha Petrenko - Fotolia.com

BETWEEN watering the garden and watering the guests, July is a busy month outdoors. Organic mulching can retain moisture, but does also tend to attract slugs, so if you go down this route, consider beer traps.

Hoeing will ensure water sinks into the ground, and watering late at night and/or early in the morning gives plants a chance to have a good drink before the sun hits them again. If it thunders, do not assume that you will not have to water. Check for water absorption by sticking your finger into the earth. Very often after a summer storm, only the very surface of the soil will be wet.

The vegetable garden will be in full harvest mode, but do not forget to swap produce with other gardeners to avoid eating endless gluts. Ensure you get every single tiny spud out of the ground as rotten potatoes can harbour diseases which will attack next year’s planting.

If you have a greenhouse, make sure it is well aired and consider putting up shade if you notice leaves getting scorched. Rolls of bamboo are useful for this.

Harvesting fruit is better done before breakfast than any other time of the day, not least because it gives time for jam making or bottling. Set up an outdoor kitchen to avoid heating up the house. Once apple trees have fruited you can prune them.

Keep an eye on your strawberry plants. They will be sending out long runners with baby plants on them. Just keep the first one or two plantlets and cut the rest off. You can either pot the baby plants up for over-wintering in the greenhouse or you can stake them out, leap-frogging your established plants each year so that your strawberry bed gradually walks down your vegetable garden, rejuvenating itself as it goes.

This is also an ideal month to start a gardening diary of what you planted where, so that you can rotate your planting in the years to come and also so that you remember what grew well in which area of the garden.

July is also a good time to do any garden carpentry like constructing trellises or mending gates. And it should be dry enough to give wooden constructions a coat of paint or wood preservative.

Do not worry if your lawn dries out and goes brown. It is dormant rather than dead. It will go green again with the first autumn rain. If you have lots of time, energy and water, you can give it a daily soak and a weekly trim to keep it green all summer however. Sow Sweet William, Foxgloves, Violets and Canterbury Bells for next year and take some geranium cuttings to grow on indoors over the winter and plant out next summer.

There is plenty to consider when arranging a summer garden party. REBECCA LAWN looks at everything from themes and decoration to your choice of seating, food and drink

Photo: Moreno Novello - Fotolia.com

Facts

The fruits of your labour

Home and Garden 21

22 Property

www.dordogneadvertiser.com

Dordogne Advertiser

July 2012

Houses for sale across France Buying or selling a property? We can help.

Our website www.connexionfrance.com carries details of more than 14,000 homes for sale across France.

We also feature properties for sale in this dedicated section of the paper each month. To find out more about any particular property, go to www.connexionfrance.com and enter the ref: code shown under the property.

age costs just €200TTC and gives you three months online advertising as well as a print advert in three editions of The Advertiser. Our 6+6 package is best value at €330TTC and provides the same, but for six months via each channel.

New Consumption and Emission Chart - e.g. Energy rating C & F refers to C for Consumption and F for Emissions

Contact us on 0800 91 77 56 (freephone in France) or email sales@connexionfrance.com

More details on all these properties - and how to contact the seller directly - can be found in the property for sale section of

For sellers, the adverts are also displayed across a range of popular English- speaking websites and are seen by thousands of potential buyers EVERY day. Our 3+3 pack-

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Simply enter the code under each home to find out more PROPERTIES IN DORDOGNE

€89,650

€107,000

€125,000

Jumilhac-le-Grand This charming 1 bedroom stone cottage is set on 0.35 acre of land. Comprises living room, open kitchen and shower room.

Eymet, Aquitaine Charming 2 bedroom stone house in good condition comprises small kitchen /diner, small lounge, nice garden, well and garden shed.

Near Mareui, Aquitaine This spacious renovated 3 bedroomed property. Includes fitted kitchen/diner, lounge, family bathroom, newly built conservatory, small garden, garage and small outbuildings.

REF: 44373

ENERGY RATING = Not given

REF: APS2067

ENERGY RATING = G & G

REF: BVI0004618

€162,800

€178,000

€207,500

Near Lalinde, Aquitaine 3 bedroom stone house dating from 1902 with a mansard roof peacefully situated on land of 2400m2. This house has a lot of potential to create a spacious home or holiday let.

Festalemps, Ribérac This renovated 4 bedroom house with a cottage garden and an attached 80m2 barn. The house includes kitchen, dining room, sitting room, studio/study, shower room and bathroom.

Near Gourdon, Aquitaine This spacious 4 bedroom property comprises large open plan kitchen/living room, bathroom, shower room, cellar, veranda, double garage and outbuilding used as a workshop.

REF: FPBM1482L

ENERGY RATING = Not given

REF: 40788

ENERGY RATING = Not given

REF: 3747G

€237,000

€249,000

€271,000

Near Domme, Aquitaine 4 bedroom stone house offers an enormous potential. Comprises lounge, kitchen, study, shower room, bathroom, 2 separate toilets, former shop, garage, workshop, garden and courtyard.

La Coquille, Aquitaine This 2 bedroom farm house with 2 large barns set on 6 hectares of land.

Montpon, Aquitaine An attractive 4 bedroom house with large barn, workshop, garage, parkland garden and small woods.

REF: 300447

ENERGY RATING = Not given

REF: FP-P1001AC

ENERGY RATING = Not given

REF: DT1082

€285,000

€290,000

€309,000

Near Payzac, Aquitaine An idyllic setting for this 4 bedroom barn conversion with outbuilding to convert, 3 stocked fishing lakes set on 7.5 hectares of land.

Aquitaine New 5 bedroom house (1982) set on 4213m² of land. Includes kitchen, living/dining room, office, 2 bathrooms, 2 separate toilets and garge.

Near Belvès, Aquitaine This beautiful 4 bedroom house comprises lounge/dining room, kitchen, bathroom, 2 toilets, cellar, garage, workshop/laundry room and garden.

REF: IFPC21976

ENERGY RATING = D & E

REF: 100568

ENERGY RATING = Not given

REF: 200503

€318,000

€328,600

€371,000

Near Monpazier, Aquitaine 3 bedroom stone house build in 1970 set on 8610m2 of land.

Includes living room with chimney, kitchen, 2 bathrooms, office, garage with workshop and attic.

Castillonnès, Aquitaine 3 bedroom Chartreuse set on 1.5 hectares of land. Includes living/diner/open kitchen, office, shower room, bathroom, 2 terraces, swimming pool, detached barn and garage.

Near Beaumont-du-Périgord Stone 3 bedroom house consists of living room, kitchen, 2 bathrooms, office, extra storage space, double garage, utility room, workshop, wine cellar and garden.

REF: 200336

ENERGY RATING = Not given

REF: APS2149

ENERGY RATING = G & G

REF: 200439

€378,000

€418,700

€434,600

St Martin de Fressengeas, Aquitaine Renovated 3 bedroom farmhouse set on 4 hectares of land.

Near Piegut Pluviers, Aquitaine Stunning Stone built eight bedroom farmhouse with 2 gîtes set in 11,000m2 of land.

St Vincent de Cosse, Aquitaine This carefully restored 3 bedroom 19th century property consists of 2000m2 of beautifully garden with several terraces and a superb small pool.

REF: FP-25581NC24

ENERGY RATING = Not given

REF: BVI0004913

ENERGY RATING = E

REF: FP-26007JF24

€450,000

€495,000

€499,790

Aquitaine 4 bedroom farmhouse with open-plan kitchen/diner, living room with mezzanine with sitting, office, bathroom or shower room to each bedroom, barns and workshop.

Lunas, Aquitaine A beautiful Perigourdine property 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and swimming pool.

Near Velines, Aquitaine Beautiful 18th century architect designed renovated barn with a stunning sitting room, large fully fitted Kitchen, 3 bedrooms and a separate 3 bedroom guest cottage.

REF: 100369

ENERGY RATING = Not given

The adverts above cost from just €200

REF: FP-26374CH24 TTC

ENERGY RATING =

REF: BVI0006562

ENERGY RATING = E

ENERGY RATING = D & E

ENERGY RATING = Not given

ENERGY RATING = Not given

ENERGY RATING = Not given

ENERGY RATING = Not given

ENERGY RATING = B & C

for three months of web advertising and three months of print advertising.

Let our distribution get you a sale. Contact our sales team on 0800 91 77 56 (freephone in France) or email sales@connexionfrance.com

Dordogne Advertiser

July 2012

PROPERTIES AROUND FRANCE

LegalNotes FINANCE

€101,000 Sées, Orne This 1 bedroom stone house comprises living room, bathroom with jacuzzi bath, converted attic, garden, garage and barn.

REF: 45662

Answered by ENERGY RATING = Not given

Sponsored by

CABINET D'AVOCATS E. ARAGUAS

French Avocat & Solicitor

Photo: © zimmytws - Fotolia.com

€160,000

Photo: © Iurii Sokolov - Fotolia.com

www.thefrenchlawyer.com

Morbihan, Brittany A delightful 3 bedroom stone house set within the confines of a friendly little village. Internally it is set out in the French style with large open fires and needs modernisation.

REF: IFPC21813

Property / Money 23

www.dordogneadvertiser.com

ENERGY RATING = F & D

€240,000 Near Bernay, Eure Restored traditional Norman 3 bedroom farmhouse comprises terrace, garden, outbuildings.

REF: IFPC21434

A hand-written will can ease succession formalities

ENERGY RATING = Not given

Long-term French residence can affect couple’s rights

€285,000

Marital regime poser for expats

St Chinian Proche, Hérault 3 storey pigeonnier comprises 3 bedrooms, open plan living room, fitted kitchen, large circular bathroom, 2 terraces and large cellar.

REF: M2892

ENERGY RATING = Not given

€300,000 Carcassonne, Aude This beautiful 3 bedroom detached villa very good condition throughout with American kitchen, 2 bathrooms, 3 toilets, garage and swimming pool.

REF: 1175

ENERGY RATING = B & C

€371,000 Gathemo, Manche A rare combination of modern comfort and traditional features are offered in this beautifully renovated 3 bedroom stone Longere.

REF: 700617

ENERGY RATING = Not given

€410,000 Magalas, Hérault This 3 bedroom villa comprises lounge, dining room, bathrooms, kitchen and gardens. There is a 22m2 Mezzanine which is currently used as an office.

REF: 342431375

ENERGY RATING = C & D

€528,000 Near Cognac, Charente Established hotel business. Seven bedroom town house consists of 5 bathrooms, 2 receptions rooms, dining room, terrace, garden, garage and vaulted cellars.

REF: IFPC19503

ENERGY RATING = D & D

€595,000 Annepont, Charente-Maritime This 5 bedroom Mill includes fitted kitchen, large lounge, study, living room, shower room, terrace, large cellar, cellar, summer kitchen and swimming pool.

REF: P0087

ENERGY RATING = E

€685,000

IN ENGLISH law, marital regimes do not exist properly and the main rule between spouses lies in the principle of absolute separation of assets – but it is different in France.

If there is no pre-nuptial agreement (eight times out of 10), spouses become subject to the statutory regime known as communauté d’acquêts (like the English regime of severance over a joint-ownership turned into a co-ownership).

In France, most aspects of relocated life are governed by French and European laws: implied commitments may lead to unforeseeable and regrettable consequences for a spouse unexpectedly forced to determine what law applies to his/her marital regime or his/her divorce.

This is highlighted in two laws – article 309 of the French civil code and European Regulation CE 2201/2003 in force from the September 1, 1992.

Under article 309, spouses whose main residence is in France are governed by French law.

Under Regulation CE 2201/2003, if they have failed to specify otherwise, the local court has jurisdiction in any separation or divorce dispute between two English spouses who relocated more than six months previously. In addition, if they have lived in France for more than a 10 years they are automatically married under the local statutory regime. Most likely without knowing!

So, an English couple who married after September 1, 1992 and who moved here straight after the wedding or who have lived in France for 10 years or more, have retrospectively become married under French law and implicitly submitted themselves to the communauté d'acquêts statutory regime for their lifetime. This is exactly as if they had been married in France... or had been French!

However, once they know about it, they can change to a wide range of regimes such as communauté universelle, séparation de biens, or participations aux acquêts.

It is vital for foreign or mixed couples to determine a suitable marital regime as it sets binding rules between the spouses until the “separation of body”, divorce or death.

Changing regimes should be done with an eye on the spouses’ common interests and prospects.

The Hague Convention can provide answers in the case of legal uncertainty but spouses have to remember that they still have the right to choose the law that will be applied to them and can change any decision on marital regime.

Offices open from Mon. To Fri., 9am to 12am & 2pm to 6pm

ENERGY RATING = Not given

FOR British nationals owning a property in France, it is vital they understand how French law will apply to their French property and other assets which will be subject to French inheritance law in the event of their death or the death of their spouse or joint owner.

MANY British buyers do not receive personalised advice when buying their French house and so do not set out specific estate planning measures to give greater security and protection to a surviving spouse in the event of a death.

Regardless of whether habitually resident in France, the UK or elsewhere in the world, in the vast majority of cases, French succession law will govern what happens to your French property after your death. Specialist legal advice on your particular circumstances is invaluable.

The existence of a French will cannot override the French law reserving a fixed proportion of the deceased’s French estate to his/her children (natural or adopted but not stepchildren). However, it can deal with the remaining proportion of the estate. A will can also be used to enhance (or deny) the rights of the surviving spouse, either absolutely or by the giving of a life interest.

For the French notary administering the estate, the existence of a French will simplifies the succession formalities especially if the deceased was not French resident.

The simplest way to make a French will is to write it, by hand, in French. Known as a Testament Olographe, to be valid it must be written, dated and signed entirely in the testator’s handwriting. No witnesses are required. Take care to ensure your French will does not revoke any existing UK (or other) will you may have written and vice versa.

If you wish to leave all or part of your French property (real estate) to a UK charity be aware the charity may be taxed at 60% on the value of the asset. It may be better to leave such an asset to an international charity with a presence in France as it will receive the asset tax-free.

In November 2009 the European Commission asked France to amend taxes on legacies to public-interest and non-profit bodies in the EU. As far as we are aware, however, France has not yet implemented the change requested.

Adopting the French marriage regime of communauté universelle (universal community) is a useful tool and allows French property to pass entirely to the surviving spouse; postponing the interests of children until the second death.

Most married couples whose children are common to the marriage and not from a previous relationship, will find this relatively straightforward to arrange. For the resulting benefit, the costs and tax involved are generally reasonable.

Serving your interests is our first concern, defending them is our vocation Full contact details and fees available on our website, English-speaking services including phonecalls, emails & legal consultations.

Near Cazals, Lot Exceptional modern house built in the local style with swimming pool set on 11 hectares of private ground.

REF: BVI0007290

Britons who have moved to France should think about what could happen to their assets during their lifetime and how that affects events after death or divorce

Two ways to ease the cost of death

Tel:00.33 (0)5.46.97.96.74 Fax: 00.33 (0)5.46.97.96.7

Why take a chance with your French tax affairs?

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T.V.A. Returns Dual taxation advice General Accountancy

enquiries@moneybureau.co.uk 00 44 18 27 70 39 76 Money-bureau

24 People

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Dordogne Advertiser

July 2012

Meet the Dordogne storyteller The Dordogne has always had a rich tradition of storytelling and this has been carried on by local man Daniel l'Homond who has made a successful career out of it and taken his stories from the Périgord all over the world. JANE HANKS went to meet him DANIEL L'HOMOND is to be found in his study at the bottom of his garden in the village of St. Julien de Lampon, which has always been his home. Every day, when he is not travelling he crosses the road to the bar-tabac for his morning coffee before returning to the book-lined haven where he creates his tales.

“I think I became a storyteller because I have always loved literature, poetry and the cinema. When I was 19 I left my village to travel with my guitar and see the world. I stayed in Norfolk in England for a year and then went to Quebec.

“There I worked the bars and cafés and gradually realised that my stories worked better with the public than my songs.”

At the time there were very few professional storytellers or "conteurs" in France - about 40. Now he estimates that there are around 3,000.

“It is something that is becoming more popular with the public. They have experienced huge shows with amazing effects - now there is an audience which is looking for something more intimate. Even with big numbers the storyteller’s relation with the listener is close. There is just me, my voice, my chair and my accordion. And stories go back to the basics of what it is to be a human being - they are universal.”

Does he draw his inspiration from Périgord and its tradition of story

Daniel L’Homond: I’m proud to live in the land of the troubadours - stories around the fire were important when everyone wanted to keep warm telling? "I am proud to live in the land of the troubadours and stories round the fire were very important when everyone wanted to keep near to the hearth to keep warm.

The age of central heating and the radio was the beginning of the end of the tradition. But I didn't have any particular experiences as a boy which led to me being a storyteller.

It seems to be something that was always there in me."

“

I think I became a story teller because I have always loved literature, poetry and the cinema. When I was 19 I left my village to travel with my guitar and see the world.

Now Daniel L'Homond takes his tales around the world - Asia, the United States, Canada, Spain and three or four times a year in the Dordogne. He can also be heard every day on Radio Périgord - and on the rest of Radio France in the summer and winter - which means that his output has to be considerable. For nearly all the tales he tells are his own.

“I particularly like stories with a sense of the fantastic and the mysterious - when there is a question mark at the end and the listener cannot be quite sure of the outcome.

I get my ideas from an object I see, a fragment of conversation I hear, someone I may see in real life or on the television. I find my inspiration everywhere around me. They are a mixture of the modern world and myth. One of my favourite stories is based in a boy's school dormitory in Sarlat. It is about a red haired girl who looks like a fox who is rumoured to make nocturnal visits every Monday. The man in charge

sets an animal trap and catches a fox which manages to escape but it leaves a star on its foot. And the girl never returns.

“Sometime later there is a story which circulates about a red headed girl who has a scar in the shape of a star on her leg…….. Does the girl become a fox? Or was it a fox who became a girl? Or was there no connection between the two ………. Of course when I am on stage the story is much longer and more imaginative in the telling."

So does he take the Périgord to the four corners of the World ?

"Yes I do in the sense that a lot of my stories are based in the Périgord.

And people recognize my accent as being from the South West but the stories are not necessarily about the Périgord. They are about human nature in general - and often happen to be "dressed" in the colours and descriptions of the Dordogne.

“I sometimes tell the local stories and myths - but I like to invent my own and move the art of storytelling

into the modern age. It is an evolving art and audiences are more sophisticated now and so I can use different methods - such as flashbacks as used in the cinema - to illustrate my tales.”

And is he afraid of running out of ideas?

"No, not really. The world is a fascinating place and a constant source of inspiration. I keep a globe on my desk which reminds me how much of it there is to see and explore."

And does he ever tell his takes in English?

"No - I speak English because I've spent some time in English-speaking countries - but I don't have the subtleties of the language."

So if you want to hear him you will have to listen to him in French.

But he speaks slowly in a very rich and melodious voice. His stories are on Radio Périgord at 13h40 every day. Frequencies: Ribérac 90.5, Périgueux 99.3, Bergerac 99, Sarlat 89.1, Montignac 99.5 St. Astier 101.1, Mussidan 104.4 FM.

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