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CONTACT US With a story, email: normandynews@connexionfrance.com (please include a daytime contact number) With a subscription or advert query call: From France: 0800 91 77 56 (freephone) From UK: 0844 256 9881 (4p per minute) or by email: sales@connexionfrance.com The Advertiser is published by: English Language Media Sarl, Le Vedra, 38 rue Grimaldi, 98000 Monaco. Directrice de la publication: Sarah Smith. Matin, Printed at Nice-M 214 Route de Grenoble, 06290 Nice Cedex 3. Environmental policy The Advertiser is printed on recycled newspaper, using a printing company which adheres to stringent regulations to reduce pollution.
Mensuel Depôt légal – a parution ISSN: 2226-9517 CPPAP: 0413 I 91325 Encart abonnement sur une diffusion partielle. Read the Advertiser online at www.normandyadvertiser.com
Contents News What’s On Feature Leisure Time
1-7 8-11 12-13, 24 14
Food and Pets 15 Directory 16-17 Home and Garden 18-19 Property and Finance 20-23
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 76 for Seine-Maritime): 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: www.caf.fr; Tel: 08 10 25 14 10. L’ASSURANCE MALADIE (AMELI, formerly known as CPAM – the health service): www.ameli.fr; Tel: 36 46 (Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm) English spoken. URSSAF: English-language website: www.anglais.urssaf.fr - Calvados - 22 rue d'Isigny, 14045 CAEN CEDEX 9 Tel: 08 20 39 51 40 | Manche - 50013 SAINT LO CEDEX Tel: 08 20 39 55 00 | Orne Pôle d'activités d'Ecouves, Rue François Arago, 61250 VALFRAMBERT Tel. 08 20 39 56 10 | Eure - Parc d'activité de la Forêt, Rue Henri Becquerel, BP 250 27092 EVREUX CEDEX 9 Tel: 08 20 39 52 70 | Seine-Maritime - 61 rue Pierre Renaudel, BP 2035X, 76040 ROUEN CEDEX 1 Tel: 08 20 39 57 60 PREFECTURE: Calvados - rue Daniel Huet, 14038 CAEN CEDEX 9 Tel: 02 31 30 64 00 | Manche - place de la Préfecture, CS 10419, 50009 ST LO
CEDEX Tel: 02 33 75 49 50 | Orne - 39 rue Saint Blaise, 61019 ALENCON CEDEX Tel. 02 33 80 61 61 | Eure boulevard Georges Chauvin, 27022 EVREUX CEDEX Tel: 02 32 78 27 27 | Seine-Maritime - 7 place de la Madeleine, 76000 ROUEN Tel: 02 32 76 55 00 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: Bilingual meetings French/English: Picauville (50) At: Centre Socio-Culturel, Prieuré (opposite the church) Tel: 02 33 40 66 53, Friday at 20:00 | Alençon (61) At: 22 Rue Porchaine, Alençon Tel: 02 43 24 88 40 Monday at 20:30-22:00 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. SOLDIERS, SAILORS, AIRMEN AND FAMILIES ASSOCIATION FORCES (SSAFA): In France: 05 53 01 64 54; Email: france@ssafa.org.uk AVF: Help with French life www.avf.asso.fr 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. BRITISH CONSULATE British Consular Services, Paris: Postal address: British Embassy, BP111-08, 75363 Paris Cedex 08. Tel : 01 44 51 31 00 Tel (after hours Emergency Service only): 01 44 51 31 00 PUBLIC HOLIDAYS THIS MONTH July 14 - Bastille Day
Normandy Clubs and Associations Alliance Anglo-Normande A helping hand to integrate through French lessons, meetings and a social calendar, with members of many nationalities. Based between Livarot and Vimoutiers. secretary.normande@orange.fr www.alliance-anglo-normande.info Amicale Culturelle Européenne Offers cultural events and welcomes all nationalties www.amicale-culturelle.eu president@amicale-culturelle.eu Calvados Polo Club Polo matches and events in Lisieux area (14). Open to non-members. Mme Garmond: 02 31 31 19 85 calvadospoloclub@free.fr
Writers in France Relaxed, friendly creative writing group which meets on first Tuesday of every month at the Bistrot du Coin in Passais kitty.stephens@virgin.net Royal British Legion Normandy/Calvados district branch Goona Naidu: 02 31 78 36 40 Ron Matthews: elronmat@wanadoo.fr www.rblnormandy.wordpress.com "Ville-Beau-Son" Choir Anglo-French choir based in Villebaudon (50). Welcomes enthusiastic singers of all abilities. Meets every Wednesday at 20.30 at the Salle Culturelle. Sylvia Miles: 02 33 59 21 81or 02 33 51 13 20 moulin50410@hotmail.com
Normandy Advertiser
July 2012
Franco-British chamber will give business boost THE FRANCO-British Chamber of Commerce and Industry has opened a new branch in Basse-Normandie and aims to encourage more companies and smaller businesses to get involved. Based at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry offices in Caen, it will be holding regular meetings and networking events aimed at helping Britishowned businesses develop and grow. It is estimated that more than 4,000 British people are living full time in Basse-Normandie and around 250 are running their own business. Chris McManners, the regional organiser of the Franco-British Chamber in Caen, said the networking and business meetings are not just open to larger businesses, as many people might think. He wants to reach those in the tourism industry such as gite owners; tradespeople such as carpenters, plumbers and builders, and the services industry.
Mr McManners said: “People that I have already contacted to find out what their needs are say that they like living here but they often face certain difficulties developing their business.” He said those Chris McManners who have run businesses in the UK find the language barrier, and tax and administration systems can be onerous when they move to France, but added: “My role is to point people in the right direction and put them in touch with those who can help.” Members of the new branch will also be able to develop and promote the business with other groups and have access to a network of expert
members across France and the UK. Mr McManners said membership would not be expensive, from €160 for small businesses to €375 for bigger ones. Most meetings will be in English and those in French will have a translator. He lists the advantages as including being part of an English-speaking business network, having access to a source of advice and support, and access to other business people of all sizes. Members will also receive a fortnightly newsletter, have an entry in the trade directory and on the website and be able to attend business networking events at other chamber branches as well as in Caen. Mr McManners also wants to conduct research to find out what businesses in the region need and have to offer. He said: “Our core members will be businesses of one to 10 people. “We want to be constantly in touch with them.”
Site helps find beaches where dogs are welcome EVERY year, thousands of dogs in France are left abandoned during the summer when their owners go on holiday – but this year an animal charity is trying to encourage people take them with them, even if it is just for a day on the beach. Fondation 30 Millions d’Amis points out that in Normandy, for example, there are 47 beaches where you can take your dog despite a widespread myth they are banned from the sand from May to the end of October. The site, 30millionsdamis.fr, lists 33 beaches in Manche, two
in Calvados and 12 in Seine-Maritime where dogs are allowed. Some allow them only on a lead, others outside the bathing zones and others only before 8.00 and after 20.00. A spokesman said it was worth checking with town halls before travelling long distances as the details could change at the last minute. He said: “If you are taking your dog to the beach keep your pet on a lead, don't let them run around or swim. Keep them in the shade, such as under a sun umbrella, and make sure they have fresh water.”
Ferry fears for second home owners Î From
page 1 spend less time on the road and use less fuel in my car.” Ms Pearce is also worried about the effect on her business: “I have already had to mention to prospective buyers that last winter’s loss of the Poole-Cherbourg route needs to be taken into account when considering where to buy. “I am concerned cutbacks could see more second home buyers look away from Normandy to locations around Calais, for example.” Some people will be put off using BF if they cut routes and increase prices, says Judy Mansfield who travels around six times a month between Calvados and the UK for her work for a currency company. “I have used every way there is to cross the Channel and I like Brittany Ferries because I can book a cabin and spend five hours working during the crossing. “If Brittany Ferries reduces crossings and puts up prices it will make me more costsensitive and perhaps look elsewhere.” Meanwhile, a new company will operate on the CalaisDover route after SeaFrance went into administration last year. Eurotunnel has bought three ships for €65m and will lease them to a new company created by ex-SeaFrance staff. The ferries will need a technical overhaul as SeaFrance did not finish maintenance work but the new service could start later this year.
Inheritance Solutions French inheritance rules may mean that your worldwide estate will not be distributed according to your wishes.
Look after those that matter. Jennie Poate, Regional Manager Tel French Head Office: 05 56 34 75 51 Email: northwest.office@siddalls.net
www.siddalls.fr French finance in plain English Siddalls France SASU, Parc Innolin, 3 Rue du Golf, 33700 Mérignac - RCS BX 498 800 465. C.I.F. No E001669 auprès de ANACOFI-CIF association agréée par l’Autorité des Marchés Financiers et Courtier d’Assurances, Catégorie B - ORIAS 07 027 475. Garantie Financière et Assurance de Responsabilité Civile Professionnelle conformes aux articles L 541-3 du Code Monétaire et Financier et L 512-6 et 512-7 du Code des Assurances.