dordogne - march 2009

AdvertiserThe

DORDOGNE

March 2009 - Issue 1

I love the Brits for their curiosity and willingness to travel

President of the Dordogne Chamberof Commerce, Jean-Pierre Conte Page 7

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Watch out for electricitysales conmenDOOR-to-door salesmen are conning Dordogneresidents with promises of cheaper power supplies- only to send them bills double their originals.Consumer body Union fédérale des consomma-

teurs (UFC) in Périgueux is receiving more andmore complaints from people saying they havebeen conned after signing up with a new supplier. The complaints range from one customer who did

not give written consent to change suppliers butfound it was done after oral agreement only, to aman who claimed his bill had doubled after beingpromised it would drop by 10%. Volunteer Martine Moreau said: “There have been

an awful lot of complaints here but it is also anational problem. We are dealing with about 30cases at the moment and it’s going to get worse.

“The problem concerns all electricity suppliersand all the department.” The electricity market wasopened up to competition in July 2007. At the endof 2007 UFC in Périgueux were handling one com-plaint, at the end of 2008 they were dealing with 50.

Mrs Moreau added: “Unlike EDF, other suppliersdo not have their own electricity network.

“This means extra cost for them which they getback through bills.” EDF is the only supplier with atarif réglementé which is state controlled.

Gérard Moreau, who works with his wifeMartine, said: “We are advising customers to keeptheir current contracts with a regulated tariff, asotherwise the risks of an increase in prices are veryreal. It is possible to go back to a tarif réglementéafter six months and before July 2010.”

If you have signed a contract you benefit from aseven day cooling-off period. The supplier isobliged to give you a form which you fill in andsend off by lettre recommandée avec accusé deréception. However be aware that if a salesmanapproaches you outside of your home or work-place, for example in a shopping centre, the suppli-er is not obliged to grant you the cooling-off peri-od. If you are approached by a supplier over thephone you are only engaged in a contract once youhave signed. Be aware however that if you havecontacted the supplier it is possible to give an oralagreement if you want your power to be supplied ina short time period. To contact the UFC inPérigueux call 05 53 09 68 24 or for more informa-tion about your rights visit www.energie-info.fr

‘New airport will open June 2010’THE long-proposed Brive-Souillacairport to the east of the Dordognewill be operational next year, it hasbeen announced.Construction of airport buildings

and the control tower will beginthis month, said leading memberof the consortium behind the planMichel Pedamond. Mr Pedamond,who is also Director General ofBrive Chamber of Commerce,said: “We’re signing contracts withconstruction companies and areconfident work will begin.” The development has been wel-

comed by Bergerac airport whosay added competition from thesite - whose destinations may

include London - will be good forbusiness and the area in general.Head of commercial development

for Bergerac Airport, Emily James,said another airport nearby willcreate a choice of arrival anddeparture points, encouragingtourists to visit more of the depart-ment. She added: “This proximitywill also encourage the airlines todiversify their destinations as theycan spread out their days. “It will force us to become more

competitive and we will becomeeven better at what we do.”

Serious doubts had been raisedabout Brive-Souillac with previousopening dates for 2007, 2008 and

2009 passing by. Work began orig-inally in 2005 with 200 hectares ofwoodland levelled and a 2100metre runway installed, designedto take Airbus A320s and Boeing737s. An access road was built -and then work appeared to stop. Last May the French watchdog forpublic spending, La Cour desComptes, warned that the consor-tium must control spending if itwas not to exceed budget. It said anumber of questions over financ-ing had not been clarified.

However Mr Pedamond said:“The plans have been reworked,the original budget of €46 millionwill be maintained. It is possible to

continue because the economicdownturn has led to a decrease inthe price of public works.” Bergerac airport recently signed

an agreement with nearby airportsPoitiers and Limoges to poolresources. They will share equip-ment and staff but long-term hopeto work together in negotiatingwith airlines and marketing.Bergerac is undergoing a €3.4mil-lion transformation to incorporatethe corrugated arrivals and depar-tures lounges together into a morepermanent glass and metal framedbuilding better suited to copingwith almost 300,000 travellers peryear - 95% of whom are British.

Bergerac welcomes long-awaited arrival of Brive-Souillac as boost for department

The Advertiser, Dordogne March 20092 News

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Directrice de la Publication (Managing Editor): Sarah SmithRédactrice-en-Chef (Editor-in-Chief): Sarah Smith

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Editor: Sarah SmithContributors: LucyStubbs; Katy West; DanArnold; Jane Hanks Design and layout: Wil Pace, Dave Cooper

Contact Us

I'd like to wish the Dordogne Advertiser a longand happy life!

It's a very importantdevelopment for the

region to have a newspaper that repre-sents the people of the region.

Here in Eymet both communities arewell integrated and I hope your news-paper will serve to strengthen these tiesthroughout the region. Good luck, Iwish you every success."

Welcome to The Advertiser

Périgord Développement and the FrancoBritish Chamber of Commerce DordogneDelegation are delighted to welcome theDordogne Advertiser, yet another string to the

Dordogne’s bow of dynamic initiatives aimed at the Franco-British community.

With an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 permanent British resi-dents in our beautiful département, the Dordogne has becomefar more than a mere tourist destination. In the past four years,Périgord Développement and the Franco British Chamber ofCommerce Dordogne Delegation havefocussed their efforts on helpingEnglish-speaking entrepreneurs set-ting up in the Dordogne and onstructuring the network of Franco-British business interests. As such,we can but applaud new venturessuch as the Dordogne Advertiser,joining us in our mission to deliverreliable information with a realdesire to bridge gaps betweencommunities on all levels.

It gives me great pleasure to welcome a newarrival. We know how useful and important anEnglish language newspaper can be - not onlyfor English speaking residents in France but also

for the French community. There are many different kinds ofinformation taken for granted by Britishpeople living in Great Britain and byFrench people living in France, butwhich become much more complexfor British people living in France.The newspaper will, I trust, pro-vide a communications bridgebetween the two communities whilebeing a much needed vector of eco-nomic development through its adver-tising opportunities. May TheAdvertiser Dordogne Editionhave a long, happy andprosperous life!

Dear Reader,Welcome to the first edition of The

Advertiser, a new free newspaper forthe Dordogne, brought to you byThe Connexion, France's nationalEnglish-language newspaper.

We hope very much that you enjoyour mix of local news and features aswell as community informationwhich has been compiled by jour-nalists living in the area.

We aim to cover key issues whichaffect the community, whetherEnglish-speaking or French, and toprovide information and servicecontacts useful to understandingand making the most of life in theDordogne. We are already workingon a new website to bring you dailynews updates about the departmentwhich will launch this spring.

For our first issue, we look at thenew airport being built to the east ofthe department, the Dordogne'sfirst bilingual school and whatEymet residents think about livingin the town that the UK press dub'Little England'.

We also have a feature on a thriv-ing local cheese, a full page ofWhat's On information and aninterview with the President of theDordogne Chamber of Commerceand Industry.

Launching a new publication is aconsiderable undertaking and weappreciate all the help we havereceived from our distributors (seelist bottom left), our partners inboth the French and British commu-nities, some of whom have writtenthe messages of welcome and sup-

port below, and, of course, ouradvertisers.

The Advertiser is a monthly publi-cation, completely free to readersand is thus supported by advertis-ing. So if you do use the services ofour advertisers please mention us.

We would welcome feedback onour first edition. If we have not cov-ered a local issue you think shouldbe highlighted, please email us at [email protected] If you have a query or view about

any issue, other readers will too.Thank you for reading

The Advertiser.

Sarah Smith Editor The Advertiser

As president of the Chamber of Commerce, Iam delighted to have so many British living inour region as well as many Irish and Scottishresidents. Britain isn't

far away and I truly welcome thestrengthening of ties between ournations. It is especially important atthe moment. I hope this new paper, the Dordogne

Advertiser, like the relationshipbetween us, goes from strength tostrength. I wish it well for the future."

We are looking forwardto the DordogneAdvertiser, which willstimulate the local

economy and build closer linksbetween the department and itsBritish residents.

The Advertiser can be picked up for free at many key points around the department selected for their contact with residents. These include:

Clubs and Associations:Association Culturelle Franco-Anglaise d'Aquitaine; Association Culturelle

Internationale du Périgord; The Bowls Club; The Interesting Gardening Club;Dordogne Ladies Club International; Anglican Services throughout the department

Business outlets:Brico Dépôt, Périgueux; Bricomarché, Le Bugue; Bricomarché, Montpont

Menesterol; Bricomarché, Nontron; Bricomarché, Périgueux; Bricomarché,Riberac; Bricomarché, Sarlat; Bricomarché, Terrasson; Britannia Foods, Augignac

Buggs Car Hire; Centre de Golf Bergeracois; Château de Fayolle; Château desVigiers; Château les Merles; Club Vermillon, Crepin de Richmond; The FiddlersRest, Chaleix; Le Gambetta, Eymet; Golf Public de Périgueux; Irish Corner,Périgueux; Leroy Merlin Périgueux; The Panier Company, Eymet and St Crépin;La Petite Maison de Langues, Thiviers; Point Vert, Cenac; Point Vert, Marsac surl'Isle; Dominique Rousseau Insurance, Bergerac; Ruchi Market Stall; Salon de thé,Thiviers; The Star Inn, Périgueux; Les Toques Irish Pub, Périgueux

If you know of a distribution point where The Advertiser should be stockedplease email details to [email protected]

Our distributors

WE at Bergerac airport are delighted to hearabout the launch of the Dordogne Advertiser. In2008 we had a record year

with passenger traffic up 16% on 2007.The airport’s expansion will be finishedby summer catering for up to 400,000passengers a year. There will be newUK destinations and as such we hopemore and more English speakers willcome to discover our area. An English-language newspaper informing our pas-sengers on local news and eventswill, I am sure, be a muchvalued resource and wewish it every success.

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JEROME BETAILLEMayor of Eymet

MARC MERCIERManaging Director, Périgord DéveloppementRegional Delegate, Franco British Chamber of Commerce

MICHEL MOYRANDPérigueux Mayor

JEAN-PIERRE CONTEPresident of the Dordogne Chamber of Commerce

OLIVIER GRIBELINDirector Bergerac airport

ALASTAIR ROBERTSBritish Consulate-General, Bordeaux

The Advertiser, Dordogne March 2009 News 3

Dismay as Army bootcontract moves abroad

New traffic-free cycle route to cross the department

A WELSH man is one of six people to have been convicted offraudulently claiming the French social security benefit theRMI. The Tribunal Correctionnel in Périgueux has orderedthe man to pay back over €6,000 of benefits after he was foundguilty of fraudulently claiming the Revenue minimum d'inser-tion (RMI) - a benefit provided to the unemployed and thoseon very low incomes, such as single parents. It is assessedbased on both your income and your assets. All six people were unemployed when they made their claims,however all had assets and property which, they claimed incourt, they did not realise they needed to declare. The courtheard that the Welsh man had made his claim for RMI and theCMU (health cover) during a period when he had no income -but omitted to mention that he owned property valued ataround €460,000. The other defendants were ordered to payback amounts ranging from €3,000 - €12,000.

Welsh benefit fraudsterto pay back €€6,000

A FACTORY in the Périgord Blanc whichhas been making boots for the FrenchArmy for 20 years is fighting to stay in busi-ness after losing the contract to manufac-turers abroad.Marbot-Bata in the small town of Neuvic-sur-Isle, which employs 76 people, willlose three quarters of its annual revenue asa result. Factory owner Jean Claude Jegousaid: “We're trying to find alternative con-tracts. But it's hard, very hard.

“The Ministry of Defence were our maincustomer and their loss is immense.

“For now we'll continue to make shoesfor our other customers and try and findalternative custom elsewhere but it won'tbe easy; it takes time to search out anddevelop those sort of relationships.”

Mr Jegou had taken legal action over thedecision, claiming there was a pre-con-tractual understanding between the facto-ry and the Ministry of Defence.

However a court hearing rejected hisclaims. Mr Jegou has warned staff redun-dancies are looming if alternative con-tracts cannot be found.

However, the town’s mayor FrancoisRoussel is determined it will not be theend for the factory. He said: “To quote

General Charles De Gaulle, Marbot havelost the battle but not the war.

“They're looking for new contracts andwill hopefully find new opportunities sothey can continue manufacturing theirmilitary boots. This is not the end of theirstory. This will not be the end of the facto-ry.” A German company is rumoured to

have been chosen for the contract, withsome of the manufacturing also set to takeplace in Tunisia - despite Sarkozy's vowsto support French businesses and keepFrench factories in France. The decisionhas sparked anger from politicians whosay Sarkozy only cares for big businesseswhile ignoring the needs of smaller com-panies who are struggling.

Many EU ministers have also claimedthat Sarkozy's recent bail out of the carindustry - €6.5 billion was handed out inemergency state loans on the understand-ing that they keep their French car plantsopen - amounted to protectionism and isnot in line with the Lisbon Treaty.

A NEW cycle path is to be created from Jumilhac le Grandvia Périgueux to Libourne. The new route will follow thevalley of the river Isle and will link many of the existingpedestrian paths which run through the area’s parks andforests. The aim is to make it safer for people to enjoy thecountryside away from traffic - and everyone is encour-aged to use it. Local tourism official Georges Honorat,from the Service du tourisme et du développement touris-tique, said: “It will be a continuous pathway.

Eco-friendly

“Cyclists will potentially be able to travel from Jumilhacto Libourne but walkers will also be able to use it. It will bea resource for everybody; families, athletes and tourists.”

The new route is one of the general council’s biggesttourism projects for the year and also aims to promoteeco-friendly tourism, the chosen theme in 2009 forFrance’s tourism industry. Mr Honorat added: “It supportsour wish to be environmentally friendly.

“The pathway will pass through some beautiful country-side as well as towns and should be good for everyone.”

In 2007, 2.9 million tourists visited the Dordogne,accounting for just over one fifth of the region's revenueand bringing in a bumper €850 million.

Tourism in the region has been steadily on the increaseover the past decade. Figures for 2008 are not yet availablehowever officials hope the trend will continue despite thecurrent economic climate. ON YOUR BIKE: The Tour de France, above, passes through the Dordogne. A new cycle path will soon link Jumilhac and Libourne

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THE Dordogne-Périgord rally has been abandoned after aserious crash during the first stage in Sceau-Saint-Angel.

Fireman took over an hour to cut a driver from the wreckageafter his car lost control and hit a tree. The force of the impactthrew the engine from the car which then hit two marshals.

The crash follows the death of a driver in last year's rally,casting doubt over the race’s future.

Nontron sous-préfet Bernard Bahut ordered this year’s rallyto be abandoned, saying the risks were too high in the wake ofsuch serious accidents.

Rally organiser Paul Gauthier is now considering whether togo ahead with plans for next year’s event. Rally fans and driv-ers keen for him to continue have pledged their support.

THE BOOT: 300,000 are made a year

“They were our main customer and their loss is immenseFactory owner

Jean Claude Jegou

Rally’s future in jeopardy


THE long-proposed Brive-Souillac airport to the east ofthe Dordogne will be opera-tional by June 2010, with possi-ble daily flights to London, theconsortium behind the projecthas announced.

Director General of BriveChamber of Commerce andleading consortium memberMichel Pedamond says con-struction of the airport build-ings and control tower will startthis month.

He said: “We’re signing con-tracts with construction com-panies and are confident thatwork will begin.”

The announcement followsserious doubts about the newairport which has already seenopening dates for 2007, 2008and 2009 come and go.

Work began in 2005 when200 hectares of undulatingwoodland were cleared and lev-elled and a 2100 metre runwayinstalled, designed to takeAirbus A320s and Boeing 737s.

A perimeter road was builtfollowed by an access route.However, then there weremonths with no visible signs ofprogress and waning confi-dence in the outcome.

Last May the French watch-dog for public spending, LaCour des Comptes warnedthat the consortium, which ismade up of seven public serv-

ice authorities including theConseil Général du Lot, andthe Conseil Général de laCorrèze, must control itsspending if it was not toexceed budget. It regrettedthat a number of questionsover the financing of the proj-ect had not been clarified.

Mr Pedamond accepted thatthere had been problems,however he added: “The planshave been totally reworkedand the original budget of€46 million will be main-tained. In spite of the recessionit is possible to continue

because the economic down-turn has led to a decrease inthe price of public works.”

If the consortium exceeds€50 million it risks losing itsEuropean funding of 7%.

The prospect of a new air-port is welcomed by SarlatTourist Office.

Director Bouahlem Rekkassaid: “An airport so near toSarlat would have a positiveimpact on tourism in theregion and I have always beenoptimistic that it would bebuilt. It would stimulate localtransport - taxis and coaches,and encourage the holidayrentals market in an area to theeast of Sarlat which up untilnow has not been exploited.”

It has also been pointed outthat the site is in easy range ofsome of France's most presti-gious tourist attractions -Lascaux, Les Eyzies andRocamadour.

The consortium, however,cannot, as yet, guarantee anyflights to the UK. MrPedamond said: “We need towork on one part of the proj-ect at a time. The first step is towork on the infrastructure andthen we will work on flightdestinations. We will soon beentering into talks with low-cost companies and shouldknow more by June.”

He admitted that competi-tion with the existing flightsbetween the UK and the threeother regional airports -Bergerac, Limoges and Rodezmay make it less profitable tointroduce another line fromBrive. There are also worriesabout the effects of the reces-sion and the poor pound/euroexchange on the number ofBritish travellers.

“We want to fly to England

but we must take the econom-ic crisis into account,” he said.

No flights to the UK wouldbe a disappointment to the3,000 British second homeowners in the Dordogne,which the consortium claimslive 30 minutes from the site,not to mention the residentUK population.

The Souillac Country Club,with its complex of holidayhomes owned largely byBritons, ran a survey of itsowners to see whether theywould use the new airport, and95% of those who already comehere by air, said they wouldmake three more visits a year ifflights were so close by.

Marketing director, Chrisvon Koettlitz, said: “Thatmeans that we alone wouldgenerate 600 additional flights

a year. Obviously a nearby air-port with flights to the UKwould be great for us and forthe community - more visi-tors would mean more tradefor local businesses.

“We are working with thelocal tourist offices to makesure the airport goes ahead.

“We think its position nearto the east-west, north-southmotorway intersection withdirect links to Bordeaux,Clermont Ferrand, Paris andToulouse make it well placedfor success.”

Some local residents, howev-er, remain fiercely opposed.

The President of theAssociation Against theAirport Project, PhilippeGuergen says the waste ofpublic money is scandalous.

He said: “It is ridiculous tospend so much money on asmall airport which is envi-ronmentally unacceptable. Itwill produce noise pollution,increase carbon emissions andthe site itself has already seenthe destruction of unspoiltwoodland, which was once thehabitat of a rare butterfly.”

He is also worried by plans toclear further land for anadjoining industrial park.

The consortium says it hasheard of such a project but thatit is not part of its plans.

‘Brive-Souillac airport will open 2010’

“We do want tofly to England but we must take the economic crisisinto account Consortium member

Michel Pedamond

CONFIDENT: Mr Pedamond

POPULAR: The Souillac Country Club, home to many British, is eager for the airport to open

LOCATION: The new site would boost tourism in the region

By Jane Hanks

“A nearby airport with flights to the UKwould be great for us and the community - more visitors would meanmore trade for local businesses.Chris von Koettlitz, Souillac Country Club


SEVERAL local services inNontron have moved to PlacePaul Bert.Various government offices

now located there include theChambre de commerce etd'industrie, the Chambre desmétiers et de l'artisanat andthe Chambre d'agriculture.

Services are housed in theEspace économie emploi, theidea being that the building isa one-stop shop for all thoselooking for work, help andsupport in developing theirskills or starting a business. Other services in the build-

ing include job-hunting helpat the Espace économieemploi du Périgord vert, aswell as la Mission locale duhaut Périgord, which helpsyoung people aged 16-25 tofind work and improve skills. Services offering support to

people working in theforestry industry can also befound there.

Useful numbers: l'Espace économie emploi du Périgord vert: 05 53 60 82 82 Chambre de commerce et d'industrie: 05 53 60 99 70 Chambre des métiers et del'artisanat: 05 53 56 63 02

SARLAT is bracing itself forfilm crews to descend on thepicturesque town yet again. It has long been a favourite

amongst film producers;acclaimed producer RidleyScott filmed most of his firstfilm,The duellists in andaround the town.

Many film makers have fol-lowed in his footsteps; in1998 Drew Barrymore andAngelica Huston came to thetown to star in a re-make ofCinderella entitled Ever Afterfor 20th Century Fox. Award-winning French film,Jacquou le Croquant was alsofilmed there in 2007.

With its narrow medievalstreets and well preservedbuildings, it is easy to seewhy period films are madein Sarlat. As well asmedieval architecture youcan find well preserved ren-aissance and 17th centuryfaçades. The town is alsohome to both an annual filmand theatre festival so is nostranger to the arts. This lat-est film, entitled Cartouche,le Brigand Magnifique willstar Frédéric Diefenthal, awell known French actor andcomedian who recentlystared in a French stage pro-duction of Oscar Wilde's TheImportance of Being Earnest.

Cartouche was the nick-name for the 17th centuryRobin-Hood style banditLouis DominiqueBourguignon, whose

exploits have been retoldmany times in cartoons andswashbucklers. He terrorisedthe highways of Paris untilthe authorities finally caughthim and tortured him todeath in 1721. The film’sdirector, Henri Helman, whomostly concentrates on tele-vision work also once direct-ed a quirky British film enti-tled Where is Parsifal? whichstared Tony Curtis. Assistantmayor responsible for cul-ture in Sarlat, Pascal Bureausaid: “This film's plotrevolves around Cartouche,who rather like Robin Hood,is said to have stolen fromthe rich to give to the poor.

“Sarlat was chosen becausethe film is set in the early18th century and we have ahuge number of 17th and

early 18th century buildingsin the town.” He added:“The town is often chosenfor films because it hasremained unspoilt; we don'thave electric street lightingfor example, it's all gas.

“We're very used to filmingtaking place in Sarlat and wewelcome it. We're reallylooking forward it and it'sgreat that so many residentswill be involved.” A total of500 local people of all ageshave been recruited as extrasand will don period cos-tumes to look like 18th cen-tury peasants. The extrasinclude a number of localunemployed people whohave been encouraged byANPE (unemploymentoffices) to take part.

All extras will be paid butfor many the allure will beseeing themselves on the tel-evision. Filming will takeplace some time betweenMarch 13 and 25 in Sarlatbefore shooting moves toother parts of the regionincluding Saint-Astier. "Wedon't have the full details ofwhen the filming will takeplace," a spokeswoman forthe Mairie said. "We willhave to close some roads butwe'll put diversions in placeso it shouldn't cause toomuch inconvenience."

The film is being made forFrench television and is dueto be shown on France 2towards the end of 2009.

Services inNontron on the move

Join the massjump intothe Dordogne

French Robin Hoodto be filmed in Sarlat

“The town is oftenchosen for filmsbecause it hasremained unspoilt;we don’t have electric street lightsfor example, it’s all gas.Deputy mayor

Pascal Bureau

TRANSFORMATION: Sarlat’s unspoilt scenery has seen it chosen as a location for many films, including Cinderella (above) starring Drew Barrymore

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A MASSIVE ‘group jump’ intothe Dordogne river is one ofmany events planned toencourage residents to learnmore about the waterway.

Local authorities plan tostage the big jump on July 12and are encouraging as manypeople as possible to join in.

It is seen as a celebration ofsuccessful work carried out toraise water quality and is partof a Europe-wide initiative.

Other local initiatives aboutthe river include a day enti-tled Getting to Know yourRiver at the beginning ofApril. President of theConservatoire des rives de laDordogne, which works toprotect and promote theriver, Marie Claude Raguy,said: “The first event will bein April with more to come.

“I hope the activities will begood for the region and pro-vide fun and useful informa-tion.” The river is over 400kmlong, crosses five depart-ments, and gave theDordogne department itsname. It flows from a sourcein the Auvergne through theLimousin and Périgordregion to the mouth of theGironde estuary.

DRIVERS in Nontron maybe baffled by traffic lights ona rarely used stretch of roadwhich seem surplus torequirements. Their exis-tence is rumoured to owenothing to road safety but tothe fact that a set of trafficlights is needed forNontron's learner drivers totake their driving test in thetown without having to trav-el to Périgueux.

Light relief


DORDOGNE wine-makersare struggling amidst a disas-trous 2008 harvest and thefinancial crisis.

Vineyard owner RobinRuffler, 37, has taken a 60%battering in the amount ofbottles produced from lastyear's vendange (harvest).

Mr Ruffler, who owns a 15-hectare vineyard inVillefranche de Lonchat said:“Usually we get around 26hectolitres but this year weonly produced around 10.

“Both the Bergerac andBordeaux regions were affect-ed and now we see contractstumbling.” Vineyard ownerLucian Moritz, 31, whosevineyard straddles theDordogne/Gironde border,said his recent harvest is downby around 40%.

He said: “Normally we pro-duce around 54 hectolitres butfrom last year's vendangewe've managed around 31 hec-tolitres. We got hammered bythe weather last year and thecost of everything has gone up.

“Diesel and farm productsare much more expensive.

“The high value of the eurohas made the export marketmore difficult. Not so long agothere were $1.5 to the euro.Now the US market is weaker.”

Wine is traditionally sold bythe tonneau (900 litres). In theBergerac region this is now

around €700 per tonneau, andin Bordeaux €2,200 per ton-neau.

This is slightly up from lastyear but production has takena big hit and farmers are see-ing vastly reduced incomes.

Problems began in Marchlast year as late frosts attackedthe growing vines. Rain dur-ing May affected the buddingof the plants and the hot andhumid summer caused

mildew throughout the region,which stunted the growth ofgrapes. Mr Moritz, whosePuisseguin St Emilion red sellsfor €8-9, said: “We also suf-fered from couluremillerandage which affectedthe grapes at an early stage -just after they begin to flower.But we weren't the only ones,everyone asked last year whathad happened to their fruit.

“Our quality was fine. We

had good sugar levels andgood potential alcohol levels -but it is the quantity that haslet us down.”

However he remains opti-mistic. He said: “If you're nottoo greedy, you will getthrough this. This year willhopefully be better. High qual-ity wine is a luxury product,and that market seems to beholding up well. It is the smallguys that are going to be worse

affected.” Latest figures fromthe regions show that overallbuying contracts from vine-yards to negotiants are downaround 37%.

Brantôme houses for €15 a dayA GOVERNMENT scheme allowing less well-off families to buy a house for just €15 a day inthe pretty town of Brantôme has been hailed asuccess. Nine energy efficient houses have so farbeen built in La Pouge, on the outskirts ofBrantôme - nicknamed the Venice of Périgord -and many more are expected to come.

Commercial director of Aliénor Promotion,the company building the houses, ChristopheThomasson said: “They have much more insu-lation than a traditional house which meansthey use significantly less energy.

“The first tranche of houses are finished butwe're building more - there will be 17 in total.

“This is the first project like this in theDordogne but we are expecting to build many,many more.” Housing minister ChristineBoutin created the ‘House for €15 per day’ proj-ect to provide affordable housing to those onsmall to moderate incomes. It is open to house-holds with two children whose total monthlyincome is between €1,500 and €2,000.

The development at La Pouge is one of 3,000building projects to have been set-up acrossFrance. The scheme employs builders and con-tractors to build family homes of a modest size- around 85 square metres - for a fixed price -between €150,000 - €180,000, depending onthe region. Residents then pay €15 a day to livein the houses until the house is paid off - inapproximately 25 years.

The advantage, compared to buying a houseby more conventional means, is that there is noneed for an initial large deposit.

It is claimed that it can also be significantlycheaper than having a mortgage; the houses atLa Pouge are estimated to be worth €150,000and typical mortgage repayments over 25 yearsare between €650 - €900 per month.

The scheme has been compared to that pro-posed in 2005 by Environment Minister Jean-Louis Borloo, of ‘A House for €100,000’.

However whereas that scheme never reallytook off, the new project, passed in April 2008,is proving popular. Ms Boutin has promised toextend it to include apartments and PresidentNicolas Sarkozy has said he wants 30,000 homesto be created under the project.

The first three couples to benefit from thescheme were in Ambérieu-en-Bugey in theRhônes-Alpes region shortly before Christmas.

Wine production halves for some

Key figures:

Surface area of Bergeracvineyards: 12,220 hectares.Wine produced: 650,000 hectolitresWinegrowers: 1,240

Looking for English-speaking businesses and tradesmen near you?

See Pages 21 - 23

By Dan Arnold

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OPTIMIST: Vineyard owner Lucian Moritz’s harvest was down by around 40%, he says this year will hopefully be better

“This is the first projectlike this in the Dordognebut we are expecting tobuild many, many moreChristophe Thomasson

of Aliénor Promotion

CALLS have been made toupgrade France's electricityinfrastructure labelled one ofthe worst in Europe after therceent storms that devastatedthe south west.

President of the DemocraticMovement party FrançoisBayrou claims the country hasone of the worst electricityinfrastructures in Europe.

Around 170,000 homes wereleft without power inAquitaine for up to two weeksafter the storm in January.

Voltage

Opposition parties are call-ing for the government to fol-low the Netherlands,Switzerland and Germanywho have buried most of theirlow and medium voltagecables - the ones most at riskfrom adverse weather.

The government said it plansto increase the estimated3,000km of cable buried ayear, however burying all thecable will cost around €100billion. Thirteen people werekilled as a result of the recentstorm, including an elderlycouple in the Dordogne.

They died from carbonmonoxide poisoning afterusing an unsafe heating appli-ance to keep warm when theirhome lost power.

Calls for powercables to beburied afterstorm chaos

The Advertiser, Dordogne March 2009 Interview 7

How long have you beenpresident of the Chamber ofCommerce?I've been president since 2000.I didn't choose to be presi-dent. The CCI sought me outand persuaded me.

Initially, I was just presidentof the Chamber of Commercein Bergerac. It was a tiny CCI.

Then in 2004, I becamepresident of the CCI inPérigueux too. I suggested weamalgamate the two CCIs - Iknew we'd be stronger togeth-er. Suddenly, without havingto find any more investmentwe were able to do more.

For example, I had two sec-retaries, now I only neededone. My other secretary coulddo something else within theorganisation. It has made usmuch more efficient and ulti-mately more successful.

Was it your idea to bring low-cost flights to Bergerac andwhat made you think of it?Yes, it was my idea.

Over the years I've met a lotof British people and one inparticular, who I met a longtime ago, made a lastingimpression on me. I admirethe British for their curiosityand willingness to travel.

The French are poortourists, they crave the famil-iar and stick to what theyknow. British tourists aregreat; they really enjoy travel-

ling. I wanted to attract moreof them to the Dordogne.

I approached the bank for aloan and when they refused Ithreatened to withdraw mybusiness account.

This would have been acatastrophe for them and theyquickly changed their minds.

I contacted John Stricklandfrom the low-cost carrierBuzz. We got on well straightaway and in 2002 Buzz cameto Bergerac. Sadly, they foldedbut then Ryanair came on thescene and now the airport isthriving. My only concern isif the low-cost carriers everstop coming; the British bringso much to the region - work,jobs, money - I believe it isthe airport that has trulytransformed the Dordogne.

Do you have a strong attach-ment to the Dordogne?Yes. I wasn't born in theregion but members of myfamily, going back five gener-ations, are from the Bergeracarea. I love the Dordogne andhave lived in the area formany years now.

When did you startJardiland?Strictly speaking, I didn't startit. I took it over in 1984, fromMonsieur Stein who ran achain of supermarkets(Prisunic) and had decided tobranch out into garden cen-

tres. There were just two gar-den centres at that time.

Today, there are 115branches in France, Spain andPortugal. We also have 1,000hectares of plant nurseries.My son Michel is responsiblefor the day-to-day running ofthe company now.

Do you have green fingers?Is that why you chose tofocus on garden centres?Not really.

I'm a shop keeper, an entre-preneur. In the 1980s, Inoticed the British love forgardening and garden centresand wanted to copy them.The French may know cook-ing but the English know allabout gardening.

So, how did you get fromleaving school to where youare now?I grew up in Viroflay, a smalltown near Versailles and lefthome when I was 15. In thosedays this was quite normal. I really wanted to start work.

I moved to Creysse andworked in my great uncle'sgrocers store.

I drove a van around the vil-lages delivering groceries.Eventually I got to run thegrocers store then I moved toRibérac and set up a secondshop - a self-servicegrocers/supermarket.

What inspired you?I come from a background ofhard work. My father was just11 when he was employed asa cabin boy on board a shipand my mother also workedfrom a very young age.

When I decided to marry, Ichose a woman that I lovedbut also a woman who under-stood how to work and who Iknew would support me. All

our lives we've worked hardand our son and daughter arethe same.

What's the secret of yoursuccess?There's no secret really.Although I think I've beenvery lucky. I'm happiest whenI'm working. I'm never satis-fied, there is always some-thing else I'd like to do. Also,I like to be generous; to beable to give things to my fam-ily. They give me plenty ofsupport as do my friends.

I'm never ill either, which,again, is just luck. Finally, I'minterested in everything - Ilove all kinds of music, artand travel. When I retire lateron this year (on his 73rdbirthday), I won't put my feetup and watch TV.

I'm just not that sort. Thereare some people who feel veryold at 73 and some who feelvery young.

I think it's time to stopbeing president but that does-

n't mean I'll stop workingaltogether.

So what will you do?I'll probably spend more timein Madagascar. I discoveredthe island some years ago - itwas so beautiful but so poor. There wasn't much happiness

in the place. I wanted to dosomething for the island so Ibuilt a hotel complex there. It opened in 2004. We get a

lot of Russian visitors as wellas South Africans, Italiansand British. We employ 200people and it is going well.The islanders are getting to

know me too. I send the com-puters from Jardiland to themwhen we update them. I visitthe orphanages on the islandand talk to the islanders. They have the same aspira-

tions as us. I'd like to do whatI can to help.

I admire the Britsfor their curiosity

PIONEER: Jean-Pierre Conte’s achievements include bringing low-cost airlines to the area

“The British bringso much to theregion - work,jobs, money - Ibelieve it is theairport that hastruly transformedthe DordogneJean-Pierre Conte

ENTREPRENEUR Jean-Pierre Conte, 72, isthe president of the Dordogne Chamber ofCommerce (CCI). Lucy Stubbs meets the manwho is credited with bringing low-cost flightsto Bergerac airport and who created the inter-national garden centre chain, Jardiland.He lives in the Dordogne with his wife and

has two children.

Garden centre entrepreneur and President of the Dordogne Chamber ofCommerce, Jean-Pierre Conte talks of his many Brit-inspired achievements


Dordogne man’s bid tosmash water-speed record

A DORDOGNE man is part of a team aim-ing to build the world’s fastest jet boat.

Geof Whitnall, 61, from St Martin deGurson, is a team member and financialadvisor to the Quicksilver outfit who arecurrently building a 400mph jet boat.

The international £1.5 million project isbased at East Midlands airport in the UKand the record attempt will be staged inAustralia at the beginning of 2010.

The team hopes to smash the currentwater-speed record of 317mph set over 30years ago. Mr Whitnall, who moved to thearea permanently with his wife Linda, 55,in 2005, said: “As a kid, world recordsalways fascinated me. Speed and excite-ment have always been in my blood. Ihave always loved racing.” The Quicksilver team has shoe-horned a

jet engine from a RAF Buccaneer bomberinto a bespoke space-age frame. The 13-metre craft delivers a staggering

25,000 horsepower. Mr Whitnall added:"Water speed records are more dangerousthan land records. Eight people have diedtrying to do this over the years. If you hitthe water at high speeds everything getsripped apart. The amount of work thatgoes into a project like this is incredible.

“There have been designs and redesigns- all the team are totally committed andare working round the clock. It is not aquestion of if we succeed but when.”

Piloting duties are to be handled by 53-year-old team founder Nigel McKnightwho has considerable racing experience,and has trained with NASA astronauts atthe space shuttle airbase in the USA.

Mr McKnight will begin the recordattempt at Coniston Water in the Lake dis-trict and hopes to achieve at least 350mph.The team then want to take the boat toAustralia to compete against the currentrecord holder Ken Warby.

Warby set a record speed of 317.18 mphin his craft the Spirit of Australia in 1978.Two other jet boats have tried and failed

to beat the record in the past 31 years. Blowering Dam, in Australia, offers a

longer stretch of water than the UK and sogreater speeds can be achieved.

Mr Whitnall, who owns the refrigerationcompany Interlevin, went into engineer-ing after leaving school.

He has driven Formula Three carsaround the Brands Hatch race track andhad a spell in karting in his youth.Surrounded by speed record memorabiliaat his home he said: “Although I won't bethe pilot I will certainly get a ride in theboat. We're all up for a race in Australia.It’s time we won the record back.”

The team will be following in the foot-steps of British speed legend Sir DonaldCampbell. Campbell held the water-speedrecord several times until his death afteran accident at 300mph in 1967.

Mr Whitnall said: “The big problem is'tramping' (vibration). This is what killedCampbell and that is the most importantproblem to overcome. It causes instabilityand vision problems for the pilot but wereckon we've cracked it.”

Statistics: Quicksilver

Weight: 3.5 tonnesLength: 12.87 metresWidth: 3.3 metresPower: 25,000 horsepower, providedby Rolls Royce Spey engine.Hull: carbon fibreBrake: tiny 10mm wide by 40 mmlong water 'brake' exerts 2 tonnes ofpressure at 400 mph

By Dan Arnold “Speed and excitementhave always been in myblood. I have alwaysloved racing.Geof Whitnall

DARING: Dordogne resident Geof Whitnall is part of the team attempting to break a potentially deadly world record

THRILL SEEKER: Geof Whitnall, 61

THE Federation of DordogneFishermen, which boasts20,000 members, has a newpresident. Mr Philippe Roberttakes up the post this month intime for the opening of theseason. He said: “It will behard work but I'm ready.”

Of the 20,000 fishermen inthe Dordogne, Mr Robert esti-mates that around 500 of theseare British and numbers aregrowing.Members include people who

fish daily as well as those whofish once or twice a week,those who catch any fish tothose seeking only onespecies, such as carp.

Mr Robert says water qualitycan be a problem despiteEurope-wide directives toclean up the waterways.

Chemicals

“The waterways still containpesticides and other chemicalsfrom the land as a result ofagriculture,” he said.“It's not the farmers’ fault; it

just happens. Pollution is alsoa problem. Both damage thefish and crustaceans, makingit harder for them to breed.” He added that cormorants arealso a problem. Around 2,000of the birds descend on theregion's rivers, consuming220,000 kilos of fish a year.

There are 4,500km of water-ways in the region and com-mon fish include carp, troutand perch. The costs to fishare low; a fishing licence (cartede pêche) costs €64.50 for anadult, less for women and chil-dren and lasts for one calendaryear. You can also buy a holi-day carte de pêche which isvalid for 15 consecutive daysbetween June 1 and December

31 and costs €30. You'll alsoneed to purchase a vignettehalieutique for €18.

Both can be purchased froma number of outlets includingtabacs and, of course, shopsselling fishing tackle andequipment. Once you haveyour carte and vignette you arefree to fish in any of thedepartment's waterways “pro-vided of course you respectthe rules,” Mr Robert said.

“All rivers display signstelling you where you can fish;the main fishing season runsfrom the second Saturday inMarch until the third Sundayin December.” He added:“Sometimes there will beother reasons why you cannotfish but there will always be asign to tell you.” Outside of themain fishing season, somecommon species such as carpcan be caught. Listings of whatcan be fished, when andwhere, can be found on thefederation's website or byphoning their office.

Call La Federation deDordogne pour la pêche et laprotection du milleu on 05 5306 84 20 or see www.federationpechedordogne.fr

New president for area’s20,000 keen fishermen

TWO carnivals take place in the Dordogne this monthOn March 1, Périgueux will host its 26th carnival. In the

morning the floats will tour several suburbs before the paradegets underway through the streets of the city centre. The parade begins at 14.30 and will include Miss Périgord andher entourage. There will also be a plethora of stalls, fair-ground rides and various other attractions. In Bergerac on March 15, a carnival parade will take place

through the streets of the town. It will set off from the place dela République at 14.30. Other attractions such as stalls, chil-dren's games and various entertainment will also take place. Whilst the date is set, other details have still to be finalised.

For more local events See What’s On, page 16.

Carnival capers this month

PHILIPPE ROBERT

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Essential reading foreveryone living in orowning a home inFrance. News, views andinterviews plus the latestinformation on issuesthat concern you

Also regular helpsheets onsubjects such as completingFrench tax forms, owning

an SCI and employingpeople in the home

Healthcare - MoneyProperty - PracticalLanguage - EducationRunning a Business

www.connexionfrance.com

UK pensions: Where are they best paid - a French or UK account?

SASPA: French benefit for thosehardest hit by euro-eexchange rate

Auto-eentrepreneur, the new business status

The problems of rural doctors

Tax credit changes for eco homes

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Subscribe to Connexion at www.connexionfrance.com

March Edition

?Residents of the Dordogne

are not called Dordogniens,but Périgordins. This comesfrom the name of the pre-Revolution Province, whichcovered the area – Périgord.This name, still often usedtoday, derives from the title ofa Gaulish tribe the Petrocorii,meaning four armies.Residents of the town ofPérigueux, which has the sameorigin, are Périgourdins - notethe difference in spelling toPérigordins, or sometimesPétrocoriens.

Périgueux has Europe’s onlytrompe l’œil museum, theMusée Atelier du Trompel’Oeil et du Décor Peint. Itexplains the history of this arttechnique, which consists of

fooling the eye by paintingfalse views, as well as exhibit-ing expert examples and run-ning courses in the tech-niques. Trompe l’œil was firstdeveloped by cave artists suchas those that were active inthe Dordogne in prehistorictimes and was highly devel-oped by the Romans. Themuseum is in the old Gallo-Roman quarter of Périgueux.www.museedutrompeloeil.com

Périgord claims one king –not of France but of thesouthern half of Argentinaand part of neighbouringChile. Orélie-Antoine deTounens (1825–1878), aFrench lawyer and adventurerfrom the Dordogne, claimed alarge, mostly uninhabited,

area of South America anddeclared himself King ofAraucania and Patagonia,with support from the localMapuche Indians.He was deported by the

Chilean authorities but madeseveral attempts to reclaim hiscrown. His grave inTourtoirac states: “Here liesOrélie-Antoine I, King ofPatagonia.” His descendentPrince Philippe, who has spo-ken at the UN as a Mapucherepresentative, maintains deTounens’ birthplace inChourgnac as a museum.

DO you know a quirky factabout the department or oneof its famous residents?

Send us details at [email protected]

LAWRENCE of Arabia biked through the Dordogne in 1908 on a tour of sites linked toRichard the Lionheart, or Richard Coeur de Lion as he is known in France. He stopped at Hautefort, former home of the famous 12th Century lord and troubadour

Bertran de Born, who was associated with Richard on several occasions. The Lionheart, whoseFrench titles included Duke of Aquitaine, once besieged the castle but was later reconciledwith Bertran. His mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, is said to have visited later when she was collecting funds to secure Richard’s ransom from captivity by the Holy Roman Emperor. Lawrence was also keen to see Chalus, on the border of Périgord and Limousin, where

Richard died after being hit by a crossbow bolt while besieging another castle.

We’re staying to work withFrench and tackle bad timesLIFE for British people living in the Dordogneis portrayed by the UK press either as idyllic;one long wine and cheese party in the sun, oras a grim nightmare from which we can't waitto escape. As reported in last month'sConnexion newspaper, a number of Britishpapers are suggesting an exodus is under waywith credit-crunch hit pensioners rushing toreturn to Britain. Talking to estate agents inour region, this simply doesn't appear to be thecase. So, I'll stick my neck out here and hazarda guess that for most of us, the reality of livingin the Dordogne falls somewhere between thetwo. Life is never easy - whilst many of us havemoved here for a better quality of life, we stillhave to earn a living. We are all affected bymundane factors like dealing with bureaucracy,rising food prices and, of course, the weather. As the recent tempête has shown, the sun does-n't always shine in the Dordogne. In recentyears the town of Eymet in particular hasreceived a lot of press coverage, being billed asDordogneshire by British newspapers. The Advertiser set out to discover the truth

behind its reputation; you will find the fullscope of our discoveries on pages 12 - 13.Suffice it to say Eymet stands as a shining

example of how the two cultures can, in theright circumstances, truly complement one

another. Whatever our cultural differences,we're all in the same boat and there's plenty wecan learn from one another.

Sort out public transportproperly for benefit of allI PREFER to use public transport than todrive. So, a few years ago, when the ConseilGénéral introduced the Trans-Périgord busesto enable people to travel cheaply across thedepartment, I was delighted. The idea is great;for a flat fare of €2 you can travel betweentowns such as Périgueux and Bergerac orPérigueux and Ribérac. You can even travel outof the department to Angoulême. But, and it'sa big but, whole swathes of the department,including the north of the region - where I live- have been left out. If you're anywhere nearPayzac or Jumilhac le Grand your nearestTrans-Périgord bus starts in Excideuil - about20km away. There are no longer trains in thearea either, although you can still trace thetrain track's route across nearby countryside.

So much is said about encouraging environ-mentally-friendly modes of transport.

Plus there is a real need to stimulate the ruraleconomy, around 10% of the population areunemployed. So I find it mystifying that peopleare forced into their cars - or condemned torural isolation. L.S.

Did you know?

Advertiser Point of View

for putting up the house prices and for not usinglocal trades people but it's not like that any more.”

More recent British arrivals in Eymet have beenyounger; families who have started businesses andwhose children attend the local schools.

The little town is thriving; around 40% of the busi-nesses are British owned and, unlike a number ofbastide towns which appear closed outside of thetourist season, Eymet is open for business all yearround. Mr Camlane is adamant that the British havebeen good for Eymet.

He added: “They bring money and a refreshingoutlook on life. They open businesses which keepour town alive and also buy things from the Frenchbusinesses. They come here in search of a goodquality of life and the two cultures work well togeth-er. Their presence is a positive thing for Eymet.”

Terrie Simpson has lived in Eymet for six years.She co-owns Agence Eleonor, an estate agents, aswell as being on the town council. "I came here byaccident," she said. “I wanted to live in the Lot but afriend suggested I take a look at Eymet. It's so beau-tiful, I just had to stay. I've never experienced anybad feeling from French residents and being electedto the council proves I've been accepted.”

Surprisingly, despite the huge British populationonly 48 voted in the 2008 elections, it's somethingMs Simpson hopes to change for next time.

She said: “2009 is going to be a tough year but I'drather be here than in Britain. Journalists keep ask-ing me if we've seen residents packing their bagsand returning to Britain.

“They want me to say yes but to be honest, thatjust hasn't happened in Eymet.”

Residents such as Mark Packham seem to backthis up. He and his wife Tracey moved to Eymet in2004 for a better quality of life after deciding theywanted to have children. He said: “We were workingfor DHL and had good jobs. However whenFrederic was born we wanted a better quality of life.

For the first year I kept going back to the UK towork . Then my wife had an idea to open a book-shop - we called it Frederic's after our son. In thewinter we only open for half a day but it's a success.

“I also run a removals firm. It's fun living here andour son, who is eight now, is enjoying school - he

The Advertiser, Dordogne March 200912 Spotlight

Eymet: The Press have got

JÉRÔME Bétaille, 43, has been mayorof Eymet since the elections in 2008.He divides his time between his workwith the department’s agricultural co-operative and working in the Mairie.

What is it like presiding over a com-mune with such a big UK contingent?

It's great. The British have invested alot in Eymet in recent years; not justmoney but time. They are involved inso many parts of our community fromrunning businesses, to joining and set-

ting up societies and clubs. Wesocialise together and the communityis well integrated.

Would you mind if moreBritish came?I wouldn't mind at all, they have been

very good for our town.

What are the advantages anddisadvantages of having such a mixed population?Really, there are no disadvantages,

none at all. The British cgreatly add to the life of They bring so much; thereally do compliment ea

Was it important for yoBritish member on you(Terrie Simpson was ele

Yes, it was. I felt it was the British to be represe

I hope now they have asentative they'll feel morvote and will become m

IT'S fair to say that in recent years, the prettybastide town of Eymet has received a mixedpress.

Situated in the south of the Dordogne in theregion known as the Périgord Pourpre, it is afavourite amongst British expats; close to 10%of the permanent residents are British.

This figure swells to nearly 40% in summerwith tourists and second-home owners.

Perhaps it is no wonder, then, that it has beennicknamed Little England by the British Press,earning itself a reputation as a town invaded byBrits who refuse to integrate. However is thisreputation really deserved?

“People always assume that the English inEymet live in a little bubble,” said TerrieSimpson, the only British member of the towncouncil. “But that's just not possible in a smallcommunity (Eymet has a population of 2,500).

“The biggest problem residents have is thelanguage. We have an Anglo-FrenchAssociation which teaches British residentsFrench and French residents English.

“It's been very effective. Most people make aneffort to join in and the association has lots ofmembers from both cultures.”

The Anglo-French Association was set up in1992 by Philip Rodger, a Scot living in Eymet,with the aim of encouraging French andBritish residents to get together socially and toshare each other's cultures.

As well as running language classes, the

association has several clubs such as gardening,cooking, bridge and line-dancing and organis-es social events throughout the year. Today, ithas nearly 400 members.

The first British resident to settle in Eymet inrecent times arrived in 1972.

However, historically Eymet is no stranger tothe British; for approximately 200 yearsbetween the 13th and 15th centuries, the town,in common with the whole of Aquitaine, wasoccupied by the British. So how has this morerecent 'occupation' been received?

Deputy mayor Jean Michel Camlane said:“Around 20 years ago, when a lot of Britishstarted coming there was a bit of hostility.

“They were retired, wealthy and simply reno-vated their homes. They didn't really integrate.

“Being older, they found it harder to learn thelanguage. Some French residents blamed them

By Lucy Stubbs

People living and working in the town nicknamedLittle England by the British Press reveal howAnglo-French relations grow stronger every day

The more the British presssearch for problems, themore the two nationalitiesunite. There's a growingsolidarity between us."Eymet town councillor

Terrie Simpson

POPULAR: The arrival of Dave and Helen Mansfie

We would welcome more Brito

“

loves playing sport and, of course, he's bilingual.Since opening our shop, we haven't looked back."

A stroll around Eymet reveals the full extent ofBritish involvement in the town. In addition toFrederic’s, there's a British epicerie, a British-runcyber-cafe, a Franco-British bar and a Franco-British architects - to name but a few.

Boost

Whilst some businesses attract an almost exclu-sively British clientèle, others, like the cyber-cafe areused by all. Owner Simon Colebourne said: “I'd say35% of customers are French, the rest are British.”He and his wife Karen set up the business in 2004.

Mr Colebourne added: “It's been good for us.Being part of the business community has reallyhelped us to integrate.”

French resident and owner of Grain d'èpices, asalon de thé, Brigitte Bigot, bought her shop from aBritish couple last year.

She has just been elected as the head of theAssociation de Commerçants. She said: “It's a goodthing, having lots of British people here. I hope toget both French and British businesses to join ourassociation; we want to boost business and attractmore visitors.

“As far as my salon de thé goes, about half my cus-tomers are British. Most of the British in Eymetmake an effort to integrate, though there are a fewwho just don't want to."

One of the highlights of the week is the arrival ofthe Dordogne Chippy, a mobile chip van run byDave and Helen Mansfield.

They park up in the town square and customerscan eat their fish and chips in the nearby Cafè deParis. Mr Mansfield said: “It's an arrangement thatworks well for both of us. People get a warm placeto eat their food and the bar gets more custom.”

And it's not just the British who look forward tothis weekly treat. French resident and DordogneChippy regular Cathy Dursapt said: “Fish and chips

are fantastic.” She is not the only French person tohave developed a taste for the British dish. MrMansfield said: “Eymet is the nicest place we work.We have the highest percentage of French customerstoo and, yes, they really do come back for more.”

Town councillor Ms Simpson added that rumoursover the Franco-British divide in Eymet would onlymake community relations stronger.

She said: “The English and French rub alongtogether quite well. The more the British presssearch for problems, the more the two nationalitiesunite. There's a growing solidarity between us.”

The Advertiser, Dordogne March 2009 Spotlight 13

t us so wrong

Bilingual internationalprimary set to be a first

communityf our town.e two culturesach other nicely.

ou to have aur councilected in 2008)?important for

nted. a British repre-re inclined touch more

involved in the town's politics. I reallydo welcome their involvement.

What are your hopes for the future of Eymet?

I want us all to continue workingtogether, to continue to grow, to attractvisitors and develop our businesses.

Right now, we're looking forward tothe summer; planning our festivals andplanting flowers to keep our townlooking attractive. I want us all to con-tinue to develop, side by side.

PRIVATE primary school in Eymet EcoleNotre Dame is set to become the first bilingualinternational primary school in the region.It expects to achieve the status of a bilingual

international school in time for the beginningof the new school year. The Catholic school, which charges fees of

around €400 a year, the rest of the costs beingpaid for by the state, caters for children agedtwo - 11 years. From September 2009, they plan to offer their

55 pupils the opportunity to learn all subjectsthrough both English and French. Its statedaims are two-fold: “for students to develop athorough and practical knowledge of theEnglish language, both oral and written, and“to accommodate and integrate the Englishstudents into the French educational system.”

Headteacher Marie-France Bragagnolo said:“We're actually doing this already. We're justwaiting for the inspection académique to make

it official. In order to be recognised as a bilin-gual school, 30% of your pupils must beBritish. In our case it's 50% so we definitelyqualify. You also have to teach for at least fivehours a week in English. We exceed this too.

“Our aim is for the children to be completelybilingual by the end of primary school so thatthey can go on to secondary school and be ableto complete their baccalaureate in either lan-guage.” Pupils also get the chance to studySpanish or German in Cycle 3 (Year 6).

Mrs Bragagnolo added: “In the nursery class,we teach English vocabulary such as the daysof the week, the months, the weather and num-bers. Each term we have a topic; at the momentwe are teaching the children about the fivesenses using French and English.

“We also teach the children to read in bothlanguages from the very beginning.” From

Cycle One (Year 2), subjects such as literature,science and maths are taught in English.

From Cycle Two (Year 4), history and geogra-phy are taught in English. The aim is that bythe end of Cycle Two, all children are com-pletely bilingual. Mrs Bragagnolo said: “Wefind lots of students find it easy to speakEnglish (or French) but we make sure they canwrite well in both languages too. We also uselanguage labs to ensure each child's languagelearning is tailored to their needs.”

Parent Gini Ivey moved to Eymet when herdaughters Ellie and Natasha were six and eightyears old. She was attracted to the school bythe small class sizes.

She said: “We moved from Wales where we'dlived for a couple of years. When we arrived,Ellie spoke Welsh; I don't know if that was ahelp in learning French. When the girls started,there was just one teacher who spoke a bit ofEnglish, all that's changed now and the schoolreally is properly bilingual.” Ms Ivey said shewas impressed by the extra tuition her daugh-ters received in French when they first arrivedto ensure that they caught up.

She said: “I cannot praise the school highlyenough. Ellie is in her final year at the schooland is top of her class.

“Natasha is doing well at college. Both girlsreally are completely bilingual.”

Headteacher Marie-France Bragagnolo previ-ously studied for a doctorate which examinedthe benefits of bilingual education.

She said: “We looked at students who'd beentaught bilingually and those taught in just onelanguage. The results showed that the bilingualstudents did much better compared to the oth-ers. We're very excited about becoming anInternational Bilingual School and the oppor-tunities it will offer our pupils.”UNITED: Cathy Dursapt and Terrie Simpson

ld’s mobile chip van is one of the highlights of the week in Eymet and popular with French and Brits

We find find lots of students find it easy to speak English (or French) but we make sure they can write well in both languages too.Headteacher

Marie-France Bragagnolo

LEARNING: Ecole Notre Dame hopes to have official status ready for the new school year

ons, says Mayor

DOING WELL: Natasha, left, and Ellie IveyPLEASED: Eymet mayor Jerôme Bétaille

“

The Advertiser, Dordogne March 200914 Community

Add variations to your social life

VARIATIONS Association based near Ribérachas several performances in the pipeline - and islooking for new members, whether musical ornot. The association was set up three years agoafter a music show staged as a fundraiser forthe Chaplaincy of Aquitaine proved a big hit.

It now has around 80 members and is splitinto two groups - Variations en scène, whichfocuses on amateur dramatics, and the choirsection known as Variations Ensemble Vocal.

Choir manager Teresa Rekowska said: "We

are always on the look out for new members.Obviously to join the choir you need to be ableto sing, and people do have to have an audi-tion. However, even if people aren't musicalthere are plenty of other things which need tobe done behind the scenes.

“Whether it's working on the box office,doing the make up or helping make the tea, wealways need people to give us a hand.”

The association is also a great way for peopleto make new friends and to help expats inte-

grate in the area. Mrs Rekowska said: "When Ifirst got here I didn't know one person, now Ihave 80 friends. There is a really good sense ofcamaraderie. We are a predominantly expatgroup there is no denying that, however we dohave French members.

“Last year we put on a summer show inVilletoureix and, because it was so popular, wehave been invited back again this year by themayor which is a great honour.”

Members cover a broad spectrum of ages

with the youngest being 26 and the oldest 85.They rehearse on a Wednesday evening in StMartin de Ribérac. Future plans include theformation of a classical chamber music groupand the staging of a pantomime in January2010. Concerts by Variations Ensemble Vocal,Orchestra and Soloists conducted by JohnJenkins will take place on April 17 at L'eglise deChampagne et Fontaine at 20.00 and on April18 at L'eglise de St. Astier at 20.30.

To join email [email protected]

HITTING HIGH NOTES: Variations Association based near Ribérac says everyone is welcome to join the group which is always looking for new members from singers to backstage help

Alcoholics AnonymousPérigueuxEwen: 05 53 05 76 [email protected]

Anglican Church of AquitaineBetric Burée, Chancelade, LimeuilHaut, Ste Nathalène and Sorges,Revd Dr Paul Vrolijk, The Chaplain05 53 23 40 [email protected]

Association Cuturelle Franco-Anglaise AquitaineFrom French lessons to a bridge club,monthly social get togethersPresident: Ron TillyerContact details on www.acfaa.org

Association CulturelleInternationale du PérigordACIP aims to promote integrationinto the local community.Marie Lacheze: 05 53 06 96 [email protected]

Association Française des SolosAFS aims to help adults of all agesfind new lease of life after a divorce,bereavement or separation. Monthlymeetings in Bergerac area.Simon Ferrey: 05 57 41 35 [email protected]

Bibliothèque Anglaise MyralfEnglish library lending books andDVDs. Open Mon pm and Wed amin 24220 MyralfEm Boiling: 05 53 30 30 [email protected]

Bowls ClubDick Passmore: 05 45 23 62 [email protected]

Cancer Support Dordogne Est / Lot Jenny Kain: 05 53 59 51 [email protected]

Cancer SupportRibérac(Charente) South andDordogne West)Valerie Wareham: 05 53 90 62 [email protected]

Cancer Support Sud DordogneTony Benstead: 05 53 08 20 [email protected]

Centre de Golf BergeracoisPhilippa Thornton: 05 53 58 87 [email protected]

Les Chemins de la GuyenneSmall friendly walking group nearEymet, walks on Wednesdays andSaturdays. Averil de la Rue: 05 53 9438 28 [email protected]

Dordogne Ladies Club InternationalOpen to ladies of any nationalitywishing to participate in regularmeetings and activities in [email protected]

Eymet Cricket ClubDavid Horlock/ Clin Bond05 53 24 11 40/ 05 53 93 00 [email protected]@aliceadsl.frwww.eymetcricket.com

Golf de la Forge24170 Siorac en PérigordBoris [email protected]

Golf Public de PérigueuxAntony Martin: 06 06 54 10 [email protected] http://golfdeperigueux.free.fr/

The Interesting Gardening Club For French and British gardeners pro-moting exchange of gardening skills.Katie Armitage: 05 53 91 38 [email protected]

Maquiz'ArtOrganisers of winter and summermusic festivals in EymetLaurent Pasquon: 05 53 23 82 [email protected]

Phoenix Animal Rescuein 24380 VergtSheelagh and Richard Johnson05 53 80 73 [email protected]

Royal Airforces AssociationSud-Ouest BranchBeryl Dennett Stannard05 46 95 38 [email protected]://rafasudouest.googlepages.com

Royal Navy Aquitaine BranchKen Napier:05 53 01 72 [email protected]

VariationsMusical association for all tastes andstyles from choral to music hall, allnationalities welcome Villetoreix, nrRibérac.Teresa Rekowska: 05 45 67 24 [email protected]

La Société Musicale de RibéracMeets every Thursday, 8.30pm, atl'Ecole de Musique to play classical,popular and jazzMichel Lorin: 05 53 90 87 [email protected]

Outside Dordogne

Alliance Aquitaine EcosseTo create, promote, diffuse, exchangesbetween Aquitaine, Scotland and anyother country or regionMartin Neish: 05 56 81 38 [email protected]

Association Bordeaux AccueilleWelcoming English-speakersto BordeauxMarie-Annick Barker: 05 56 81 68 [email protected]

Association Bordeaux-USARegular meetings and program ofevents for all nationalities speakingFrench and EnglishMr Alex Rychlevski: 05 56 48 18 [email protected]

Association DeuxlanguesBilingual (French/English) workshopsfor children and families in BordeauxHelen Rullier: 05 56 44 70 97 [email protected]

Friends of the Chamber Orchestra of the GirondeHelp arrange annual concerts in thearea between July 29 and August 14in local churchesNorma Jarman: 05 57 47 46 46 [email protected]://ocg.free.fr

Promusica ChoirMeets in Ste Foy la Grande, just in theGironde on the Dordogne and Lot etGaronne border,every Thurs, outside school hols at8.30pm. Everyone welcome.Jane Arthur: 05 53 88 11 [email protected]

Useful Dordogne Contacts

If you would like your club or association listed here, please contact us via email: [email protected]

The Advertiser, Dordogne March 2009 Community 15

CHURCH services will be held across the area in celebrationof a Women’s Day of Prayer on March 6.

Over 3 million people worldwide will be praying and wor-shipping together during this annual day of prayer, using aservice prepared by Christian women in Papua New Guinea.

Aquitaine Chaplain communications officer MadeleineHolmes said: “The first service will begin at sunrise in Tongaand travel around the world until the sun sets in neighbour-ing Western Samoa.

By then, the day will have been celebrated in over 170 coun-tries. We will be praying with the women of Papua NewGuinea so come and join us.”

Monteton will be holding a prayer service at 15.00. Bertric-Burée together with the Eglise Catholique and EgliseReforme will be holding their ecumenical service at 17.30 inthe hospital chapel in Ribérac. There will also be a service inLimeuil at 15.00 however the venue is yet to be decided.

For more information call Charlotte Sullivan on 05 53 6181 61 or Gill Strachan on 05 53 58 12 58.

Church services are heldmost Sundays and on feastdays. Below are some of theAquitaine chaplaincy’s localvenues for services. For fur-ther details, see the website: www.chapaq.org or contact:

Chaplain:The Revd Dr Paul VrolijkTel: 05 53 23 40 73 Email: [email protected]

Assistant Chaplain:The Revd Caroline Gordon-WalkerTel: 05 53 29 36 03 Email:[email protected]

Assistant Curate:The Revd Gillian StrachanTel: 05 53 58 12 58Email:[email protected]

BERTRIC BURÉE Venue: Bertric Burée,

24320, between Ribérac and Verteillac on D708

Lead by: Local Wardens:Janis Adams, Peter Robinson

Tel: 05 53 91 32 89 (Janis Adams),

05 53 91 45 15 (Peter Robinson)

CHANCELADE Venue: Chapelle St Jean de

l'Abbaye, Chancelade, 24650, west of Périgueux

Lead by: Local Warden: Elizabeth Oaten

Tel: 05 53 05 42 76

LIMEUIL HAUT Venue: Eglise Ste Catherine,

24510, Limeuil , between Bergerac and Sarlat

Lead by: Local Warden:Liz Marsden

Tel: 05 53 22 30 66

SORGESVenue: Eglise de Sorges,

24420, between Thiviers and Périgueux

Lead by: Local Warden: Elizabeth Oaten

Tel: 05 53 05 42 76

STE NATHALÈNEVenue: At Eglise de Ste

Nathalène, 24200, North-East of Sarlat

Lead by: Judith Thomason Tel: 05 53 30 47 94

English-language church services

THE Chaplaincy of Aquitainehas welcomed a Dutch man tothe helm.

Reverend Doctor PaulVrolijk, a Parish Curate previ-ously ministering at Christthe King in Bradley Stoke inBristol, has been appointed asthe next Chaplain ofAquitaine. He has moved tothe Bergerac area with hiswife Janine, twin daughtersDavita and Hannah, agedeight, and three-year-old sonBoaz. The new chaplain haslived in many different coun-tries including Singapore andfeels his experiences havehelped him to understand theneeds of expats.

He said: "I lived inSingapore from December1995 until 2001 where Iworked for a Dutch computersoftware company servicingoil and gas companies. I havealso worked in the USA andthe UK so we know what itfeels like to be an expat andfar away from home. It wasactually in Singapore that Ibecame a Christian."

After feeling a strong call togive up his job in the interna-tional oil and gas industry hemoved to Bristol in 2001where he carried out histraining at Trinity College,Bristol, and was ordained in2004, and priested in 2005.

He is now looking forwardto his next challenge asChaplain of Aquitaine.

He said: "We have had aninteresting starting month aswhen we arrived there wasthe extreme cold, snow andtemperatures of minus 10 andalso the area was hit by thereally bad storms.

“However over all it seemsto be going quite well.

“The main challenge for thisarea is that it is so large.

“There are a lot of peoplewho will do a regular hour-and-a-half drive to come to aservice." Such a large areameans the role is a busy one,something which Dr Vrolijk isalso looking forward to. Headded: "There are regularworship services and all sorts

of different activities. Oneexample is the hospital visit-ing scheme which we run inBordeaux. We have links withthe British Consulate and canhelp people who find them-selves stranded in hospitaland unable to speak the lan-guage. There is a very activesocial life in the chaplaincy

and lots of charity relatedactivity which takes placethroughout the year."

The chaplaincy is also keento involve people outside itsmembers.

Dr Vrolijk said: "We adver-tise fundraising events and soon on our website, so thatpeople who aren't memberscan find out about the eventsand join in. We do get a lot ofpeople who do this and wewelcome everybody."

He added that it was not justthe clergy who provide thechaplaincy's support network,especially when faced withproblems which particularlyaffect expats.

He said: "As we get older,issues such as bereavementsadly become more commonand expats especially canoften feel isolated or lonely.

“Support comes not justfrom the clergy but also from

regular members. They makesure people get any help orsupport they may need."

Dr Vrolijk, whose interestsinclude spending time withhis family, music, literatureand gardening, is looking for-ward to meeting the chal-lenges of the chaplaincy. Hesaid: "The size of the area as Ihave mentioned is difficult, ashere we don't really haveparishes but rather wide openareas. However I am not theonly clergy, there are abouteight of us. As well as offeringpastoral care, another impor-tant role will be explainingfaith. I came to faith quite latein life and I think this is morecommon now.

“A challenging part of thenext few years could be deal-ing with the pound and theeuro but I hope the chaplain-cy grows and that many peo-ple will come to know God."

New chaplain bringssome Dutch courage

More than cardsat Ribérac clubRIBERAC bridge club meetson Mondays at 19.30 andTuesdays and Thursdays at14.30, at the Maison duTemps Libre in the mairiegarden next to the cinema.

Member Julie Lees said:“Becoming a member alsogives you the opportunity toget involved in other activi-ties. For example we goabroad on coach holidays andare currently planning a tripto Venice. We also do moreordinary activities such asdress-making, games and soon. It is a very friendly cluband everyone is welcome.”

Contact J. P Bétoin (presi-

dent) on 05 53 90 56 60 or,for those who prefer to speakEnglish, call Julie Lees on 05 53 90 19 08.

Cricket club quizon March 15ST Aulaye Cricket club will beholding its annual quiz nighton March 15 at 19.00 at thesalle des fêtes, Bonnes (in theCharente). Teams of up toeight can participate. Entry is €12 which includes athree-course meal. A bar will be open and therewill also be prizes. To bookyour table call Tim Williamson 09 50 12 32 65 or [email protected]

WELCOME: Dr Paul Vrolijk and his family are looking forward to joining the community

“The main challenge here isthat it is such alarge area. Manypeople drive anhour-and-a-halfto come to a service.Dr Paul Vrolijk

Historical society to hear talk about black deathAN Aquitaine HistoricalSociety’s (AAHS) next talkwill be on the subject of theblack death through Europe.

The group meet on the thirdWednesday of every month at11.00 in the salle de fêtes atCoutures, near Verteillac.

The society is open to any-one who is interested in histo-ry and in particular, localAquitaine history and the his-tory of France. It was foundedin 1990 by Peter Dagnall tohelp summer residents findout more about the local cul-ture but it has become a fully-grown association, whichoffers cultural activitiesthroughout the year.

Speakers come from withinthe society, or are invited, andgive lectures in English on atopic of interest. During the

winter there is also a separatestudy group which meets toresearch and present topicswithin a historical period.

The annual subscription is€10 with a €2 contribution ateach meeting. A monthlynewsletter is sent to all mem-

bers. For more informationcall president Erica Laine on05 53 90 37 75 or [email protected]

OUTINGS: An Aquitaine Historical Society meet monthly and organise trips in the summer

Join women prayer day

Soldiers stop off at bikers campA DUTCH couple who run a bikers campsite in St-Aubin-de-Nabirat will be welcoming English soldiers biking fromGermany to Timbuktu to raise money for British charity Helpfor Heroes. Pieter and Renske van der Vlis will be putting upthe bikers for the night on their return leg to Germany onMarch 8. Mr van der Vlis said: “The campsite has become theplace to be in southern France for the international bikers com-munity. Our guests come from all over Europe, many from theUK, Ireland, Belgium and Holland. “We had a request by a few English soldiers stationed in

Germany to help with their activity and decided to help themout with accommodation when they pass by here.”

Pick up a bargainat antique fairsand Brocantes

March 22, monthly bro-cante at Terrasson laVilledieu near to espace JeanRouby and Quai du 14 Juillet.9.00 - 18.00.

March 1, vide poussette-grenier inCoulounieix Chamiers from10.00 to 18.00 in the Salle desfêtes Gérard Philipe

March 1, monthly marchéaux puces in Bergerac in the vieux village from 8.00 -12.00.

March 1, La Douze,Brocante vide-grenier from8.00 - 18.00.

March 8, vide-grenier inBergerac from 6.00 at theSalle louis delluc and boulo-drome, opposite the swim-ming pool.

March 8, vide-greniers,and brocante in Thenon,Quartier de la Farge from8.00 - 18.00.

March 29, brocante inSarlat from 8:00 - 18:00 nearto the Place des AnciensCombattants d'AFN.

March 15, collectors fair inBergerac at the Salle AnatoleFrance from 9.00 - 18.00.

March 15, brocante andvide greniers in Verteillacfrom 6.00 - 19.00 at the sallepolyvalente.

A CARNIVAL and festivalmeal organised by AmicaleLaïque du Buisson, March 7in Le Buisson de Cadouin.

Call 05 53 23 70 61

CHILDREN’S story tellingevent, the Cycle des mercredis contés, Wednesday, March 11at 10.30 for children aged twoto six. Wednesday, March 25at 15.00 for children fromseven to 11. Bergerac at theBibliothèque Municipale .Reservation obligatory.

Call 05 53 57 67 66

CARNIVAL in Le Bugue onMarch 28 at 15.00 followed bya festive meal and competi-tion for the best costume at 19.00.

For more information call 05 53 07 28 68 or 05 53 09 73 05

SUNDAY, March 1, a walk inLalinde organised by LesMarcheurs de la Vallée de laDordogne association.

For more information call 05 53 24 92 57

A FOIE gras-themed walkorganised by the associationdes Marchés Campagnards duBergeracois, Sunday, March15. It will be held at theFerme de Fontbrune at 9.00 inSaint-Germain et Mons.

Call 05 53 57 36 47

DISCOVERY tour of theQuartier Cathédrale in Sarlat,

March 28 from the touristoffice at 15.00. Discover themonastic area, its buildings,history and the origins of thetown. An exhibition ofRoman sculptures will also berunning in the chapelle desPénitents Bleus (Saint Benoît). Tickets €3 and €5.

Call 05 53 31 45 45

LES Samedis du Patrimoine(heritage Saturdays), March 7in Sarlat. Open doors to her-itage sites with entertainment.Tours leave from the touristoffice and last 90 minutes.Tickets €3 - €5.

Call 05 53 31 45 45

AN organised ramble, March8 and March 15 in the LesEyzies area, between eight and12km. Everyone welcome,meeting at 13.30.

See www.leseyzies.com

JAZZ concert Alefa! with theCéline Bonacina Trio,Saturday, March 7 in Eymet.Restaurant italien des Arcadesat 19.30. Tickets €12.

See www.maquizart.com

JAZZ show in Sarlat onMarch 27. Swing! Swing! is 75minutes in the company offour singers and three musi-cians who adore jazz, andbring their own interpreta-tions to the best known andsometimes less heard songs ofsuch composers as BobbyLapointe, Claude Nougaroand Francis Blanche amongstmany others.

Tickets €10 - €28. Call 05 53 31 09 49

A REGGAE concert fromJamaican singer Rod Taylor,Friday, March 6 at 21.00 at LeSans Réserve in Périgueux. A chart topper in the 70s, his

influences include BobMarley and Peter Tosh. Tickets €10 - €13.

See www.sans-reserve.orgor call 05 53 06 12 73

AN extra performance of thePeking Opera has been sched-uled at the Odyssée theatre inPérigueux on Wednesday,March 11. The extra perform-ance has been added at 18.00,

due to the sell-out of the21.00 performance. Showlasts two hours with an inter-val. Tickets from €8 (for chil-dren) to €22.

Call 05 53 53 18 71 or visit www.odyssee-perigueux.fr

BELGIAN pop groupAbsynthe Minded at Le SansRéserve in Perigueux onSaturday, March 14 at 21.00.Influences on the band arevaried and include LedZeppelin and The Beatles,plus Miles Davis and DjangoReinhardt. Also performingwill be American bandElysian fields and local groupLady Calling. Tickets €12 /€13 or free for members.

www.sans-reserve.org

LOCAL rock group King for aDay at Le Sans Réserve onThursday, March 26 at 18.30.Entry free.

www.sans-reserve.org

BOOK fair, Eymet, Sunday,March 1, throughout the dayin the Salle Polyvalente. Entry is free.

Call 05 53 23 74 95

EYE specialists will cometogether in Eymet on March13 and 14. Organised by theassociation Retina France,specialists will be on hand toanswer sight-related ques-tions. The maison départe-mentale des personnes handi-capées de la Dordogne willalso be present as well as thelocal library, the library for

the hard of hearing and theschool of guide dogs for theblind. Entry is free. An interactive guided visitwill be organised for thosewith impaired sight. It leavesthe tourist office at 15.00.

Call 05 53 22 98 16 for theevent or for the guided tourcall the tourist office on 05 53 23 74 95

A REGIONAL conference forlocal artisans entitled Artisansen 2012? Des clés pour l'avenir,at the théâtre de Périgueux onMonday, March 2. The day isbased around the theme of“preparing together for thechanges in the sector and theworrying economic climate”and will be an opportunity tofind out information with theparticipation of nationalexperts. Free entry and opento all. Free buses will be puton for people coming frommain towns in the region.

www.artisans2012.com

A CAKE competition willtake place in Villefranche-du-Périgord on Sunday, March 15at 15.00. Organised by LesAmis de Villefranche it will beheld at the Foyer Rural.

See www.tourisme.perigord-fr.com

ST Patrick's Day celebrationsat The Fiddlers Rest, Irish pubin north Dordogne (on RN21,8kms north of Thiviers) onSaturday, March 14. Sing-along with Bo'sun, and

other musicians. Food avail-able by reservation.

Call 05 53 62 15 80 or seewww.thefiddlersrest.com

Other

MusicOut and about

Family

ROCK: Absynthe Minded

Phot

o: V

olum

e12

New discoveries may lead to Lascaux IIIWORK is under way to reproduceunseen paintings from the world-famous Lascaux cave which could leadto a new site for the tourist attraction.

The Lascaux révélé project led byenthusiast Renaud Sanson is using newtechnology to create reproductions ofpreviously unseen paintings from theoriginal cave. Mr Sanson, whose work-shops near the cave are regularly open tothe public, said the precision of newreproduction techniques has led to thediscovery of further works which werehidden behind others.

It is hoped the project will be a kind ofprecursor to Lascaux III - an addition tothe Lascaux II cave in Montignac whichis a near-perfect reproduction of theoriginal prehistoric find. Skilled crafts-men have reproduced many fameddepictions of bison, deer and other ani-mals from the original cave which werediscovered around 1940 by fourteenagers out walking their dog. Theworks date to around 17,000 years ago.

The caves were opened to the publicafter the Second World War and proveda popular tourist attraction but had toclose in the early 1960s after showingsigns of deterioration, said to be caused,in part by the carbon dioxide beingexhaled by the many visitors.

The conseil général estimates around270,000 people visit the Lascaux II caveevery year. The original cave was classi-fied a World Heritage site by Unesco in1979. Unesco is currently consideringre-classifying the cave as a world her-itage site in danger.

What’s On - Carnivals, concerts, guided tours and more

HISTORY: Previously unseen works from the Lascaux cave may lead to extension of Lascaux II cave which attracts 270,000 visitors a year

Useful terms

Brocante: Antique shop orantique fair Vide-grenier: Literallymeans empty your attic Marché aux puces: Flea marketBraderie: Street/ town fairChiner: To hunt for bargainsBrader: To knock someonedown on priceEvent listings are free in The Advertiser. Send details to [email protected]

The Advertiser, Dordogne March 200916 What’s On

The Advertiser, Dordogne March 2009 Food 17

Pepper filled with Cabécou du PerigordIngredients (serves four)

4 Cabécous du Périgord2 green or red peppers

(choose well-sized pepper toensure room for the cheese)

4 black olivesButter, salt and pepperCreole style curry-

flavoured rice

Cut the peppers in halfwidthways, empty them oftheir seeds and the white

flesh. In the middle of thepeppers place a knob of but-ter and season with salt andpepper. Heat in the oven for10 minutes. Then add thecheese in the centre of thehalved peppers. Melt in theoven for ten minutes at180

oC. Add an olive into the

centre and serve on a bed ofcurry flavoured rice. Put the pepper in the middle

and serve as soon as possible. Recipe: www.cabecou-perig-ord.com

PRODUCTION of the localgoat’s cheese Cabécou duPérigord is booming despitethe economic downturn.

Production of the cheeserose from 450 tonnes in 2007to 500 tonnes in 2008 and isstill rising despite the eco-nomic crisis which has leftcheeses made with cow’s milkstruggling.

Spokesperson Marie-NoëlleFreyssignet said: “We aredelighted. The price of goat’scheese has not risen as muchas the price of cheese madewith cow’s milk, which isprobably one reason.

“It is a small cheese and isnot too expensive so I thinkthat’s another reason it’s doingso well, plus it’s very tasty.”

The cheese costs betweenaround 80 cents and €1 perblock. The Cabécou duPérigord marque collective was

created in 1992. In order for acheese to be awarded the labelit must be made and maturedin Périgord with goats milkproduced also in Périgord. Itis the only goat’s cheese pro-duced in the Dordogne tohave the label, and officialsare working towards reinforc-ing the distinction by gainingan IGP (IndicationGéographique Protégée) sta-tus for the cheese.

The term Cabécou comesfrom the Occitan word Cabre,meaning chèvre (goat), towhich the suffix cou is added,which makes the word literal-ly mean petit chèvre (littlegoat). The texture is fine andcreamy, with an even pale yel-

low crust. The minimum timefor it to mature is five days.

It is mainly eaten “young”and has a nutty flavour. Thelonger the cheese is maturedthe stronger the taste. It can beenjoyed as or with an aperitif,topped with noix confîtes duPérigord or honey. It is alsopopular after dinner. MsFreyssignet, who raises goatsto produce milk for thecheesemakers, added: “Thereis a lot you can do with it.

“It can be eaten hot or coldand there are lots of differentrecipes to try. It is also a veryfestive food, ideal to sharewith friends and family.”

The Dordogne is the leadingdepartment in Aquitaine forgoat rearing, counting morethan 20,000 animals.

The most popular family isthe Alpine Française, with afawn coloured coat, howeverthe department also has goatsfrom the Saanen Française

family whose coats are white. The Dordogne produces

annually around 14 millionlitres of goat’s milk which istransformed into Cabécou duPérigord and other speciali-ties. This involves 155 goatrearers, 25 of which are alsocheese producers. The milkcollection is run by five com-panies, three of which trans-form the milk into cheesethemselves. The Dordogneprides itself on the expertiseof all those involved in the

industry. Ms Freyssignet said:“The cheesemakers continueto hone their craft year onyear and their expertise iswithout doubt another factorin the cheese’s popularity.”

To taste the cheese MsFreyssignet added: “Producerssell their cheese at marketsthroughout the Dordogne.Otherwise ask your localcheeseseller or as a last resortyou can try your local super-market.” For more details see www.cabecou-perigord.com

The little Dordogne cheese that’s booming

Try it out with two easy recipes

Roasted asparagus withCabécou du PerigordIngredients (serves four)

4 Cabécous du Périgord1kg thin green asparagus50g parmesan shavingsolive oilsalt and pepper

Heat the oven to 2100C. Cutthe tail off the asparagus,which should be washed anddried beforehand, howevermake sure you keep the

asparagus at a length ofaround 13cm. Next put theminto an oven-proof dish andsprinkle with a dribble ofolive oil. Put them into theoven for 20 minutes. At theend of cooking turn youroven to the grill setting at2000C. Cut each cheese intotwo to end up with eightdiscs. Put the Cabécous duPérigord on top of the aspara-gus and season with salt andpepper. Sprinkle the aspara-

gus with the parmesan shav-ings and season again withsalt and pepper. Heat them up for aroundthree to five minutes, untilthe top of the cheese is grilledand crispy, and the asparagusis crunchy.

Recipe: Nathalie Valmary,extract from Pur Chèvre - LesRecettes, courtesy the ICDP(www.cabecou-perigord.com)

HERD: Ms Freyssignet with her goats. Dordogne’s annual goat milk production is 14m litres

As France celebrates national cheese day on March 28, the department is enjoying its own successstory with local cheese Cabécou du PérigordBy Katy West

It’s a very festivefood, ideal toshare with friends and family

“

The Advertiser, Dordogne March 200918 Practical

WHERE can I find English bookslocally?The only English bookshop is in

Eymet, in the south of the depart-ment. Frederic's bookshop stocksfiction and non fiction books foradults and children and also sells sec-ond hand books. If they do not have a particular book

that you want they will order it.The municipal library in Bergerac

is the only library in the departmentwhich claims to have a large collec-tion of English language books foradults and children.

In Périgueux, your best bet is theStar Inn. It holds a book exchangeevery Wednesday and Thursdaybetween 12.00 and 17.00. There areabout 1,000 books to choose fromand there is a swift turnover.

If you cannot make those days, apermanent collection of around 300books is available to browse throughand exchange during pub openinghours. If you're looking for children’sbooks, Usborne Books at Home haveagents in the Dordogne and sell arange of books for children aged 0-16.

Also, look out for English booksales which crop up from time totime. Two of note are a weeklyEnglish book stall at Riberac marketevery Friday morning and the GreatEuro Book sale held by the PhoenixAssociation, an animal shelter nearVergt. These take place twice a yearin April and November. The PhoenixAssociation expects to have around12,000 books to choose from at itsnext sale. All books cost one euro.

You can also donate your unwantedbooks; there are drop off pointsthroughout the region. All moneyraised goes directly to the charity.

Details of all venues are listed here: Frederic's, 32 rue du Temple,

24500 Eymet. 9.30 - 12.30 and 14.30 -17.00 Tuesday - Saturday from March- December. Open 9.30 - 12.30 inJanuary and February.

Call 06 30 03 52 79.Bergerac Bibliothèque

Municipale, Place Bellegarde,Bergerac. Open Tuesday, Thursday,Friday 13.30 - 18.00, Wednesday10.00 - 18.00, Saturday 10.00 -12.00

and 13.30 - 18.00. Call 05 53 57 67 66.

Book exchange, The Star Inn, 17rue des Drapeaux 24000 Périgueux.Wednesday and Thursday 12.00 -17.00. Smaller selection available onother days from 19.00. ClosedSunday. Call 05 53 08 56 83

Usborne Books at Home.Contact Victoria Sauron on 06 08 85 87 60 or see website for fur-ther details: www.yellowduck.fr.

Riberac Market. Book stall sell-ing English books every Fridaymorning.

Contact the tourist office on 05 53 90 03 10 for more information.

The Phoenix Association. The next Great Euro Book Sale

takes place on Saturday April 18 inthe Salle Municipale, Campsegret,24140 (on the N21 between Bergeracand Périgueux) and runs from 11.00- 15.00. Call Christine 05 53 82 65 77or see www.phoenixasso.com

WE live near Ribérac. Our son startscollège in 2010. Is there an interna-tional school nearby where he canboard and get a bilingual education?THE Inspection Académique in theDordogne (the local educationauthority) said there are no interna-tional schools in the department. They advise parents with children in

primary education to approach thechild’s current school for informationregarding choices for their next step. In the neighbouring department the

Bordeaux International School said itis the main establishment to receivepupils from the Dordogne whoseparents want their children to go toan international school. It is currently taking applications for

the 2009 / 2010 academic year. Thereis no deadline for application, theschool will stop taking applicationswhen it no longer has places. It hasaround 100 pupils, the majority ofwhich board with host families. The fees for the 2009 / 2010 year

were due to be confirmed as TheAdvertiser went to press. (seewww.bordeaux-school.com). As a guide, the fees for 2008 / 2009

are: Full time tuition (lunch includ-ed) per year is €8,600 for middle

school (children aged 10 - 12),€11,100 for secondary / IGCSE (theinternational GCSE, pupils aged 12 -16) and €13,280 for Advanced Level(post 16). One full term's notice is required for

withdrawing a student.A payment equal to one third of

tuition fees is required as a depositon entry to the school for each child(for the current year this was equal to€2,860 for middle school, €3,700 forIGCSE and €4,420 for A-Level.) This is reimbursed when the pupil

leaves provided all fees due have beenpaid and the notice period respected.Boarding fees are €4,850 per year foraccommodation with a host familyMonday to Friday, €7,160 for a year’sboarding including weekends andthere is also a fee of €165 for arrang-ing the host family. A one-off payment for each new stu-

dent of €570 was also required in2008 /2009 to go towards the school'sdevelopment fund. Primary schooleducation is also available.

IS there a local vintage car club. We live in Brantôme?THERE is a local vintage car clubabout one hour’s drive fromBrantôme in the neighbouringdepartment of the Charente.

They meet on the second Sundayof every month from around 10.00onwards at the Manoir de Longeveaucountry club.

It has around 30 and 40 membersof mixed nationalities, who are pre-dominantly British however othernationalities include Dutch andBelgians. Founder of the group RickPeacock said: “We are about onehour from Brantôme and we havepeople coming from even furtheraway to join us.

“People will often do a two hourdrive.” People interested are welcometo bring along vintage cars, oraccording to Mr Peacock any othercars which are considered to be“interesting”.

He said: “For example, somebodyrecently brought along a brand new

Lamborghini. So there are peoplewith modern sports cars too.”

Renaults, Triumphs, Mini Coopersand Citroëns dating back 60 or 70years are some of the vintage carswhich members bring along.

Mr Peacock said it is a very infor-mal meeting and everyone is wel-come. People who just want to comeand have a look at the cars are alwayswelcome too.

He said: “It isn’t even a club assuch, we just get together. It beganabout three or four years ago as Ihave got some old cars, a friend cameover with his and then someone else,and it just grew from there. It is veryfriendly and very informal.”

The country club is also the region-al centre for the MG Car Club deFrance.

Other vintage car clubs nearby arebased in Bordeaux and Angoulême.

Anyone wanting to find out aboutany of these groups can call MrPeacock on 05 45 98 55 13 or see www.longeveau.com

In the local know: Your questions answered EVERY day we receive questions about life in France at our offices. Here weanswer a selection of those that relate to the Dordogne.If you have a question that you would like answered please send it to

[email protected]

VINTAGE: Classic car enthusiasts meet on the second Sunday of every month, an hour’s drive from Brantôme

The Advertiser, Dordogne March 2009 19

Franco-British Chamber of Commerce and Industry Dordogne Delegation C/O Périgord Développement23, Rue Président Wilson - 24016 Périgueux Cedex

Tel.: 05 53 35 80 73 - Fax: 05 53 35 80 43 - www.francobritishchamber.com

PERIGORD DEVELOPPEMENT

CREATED in 1873, the Franco BritishChamber of Commerce & Industry, with a strong network of over 800 members, hasbecome the voice and principal representativeof the Franco-British business community. With the continual development of business

relations and commercial exchanges betweenFrance and Great Britain over the years, theFBBCI has always been actively involved inaiding these exchanges through its regionaldevelopment strategy.

After the opening of the Normandy andBrittany Regional Delegation, the FBBCI welcomed the approach of PérigordDéveloppement in 2006 to open a thirdregional delegation in the Dordogne and, inthis way, confirming the economic impor-tance of the British community in theDordogne.

The Franco British Chamber of Commerce& Industry Dordogne Regional Delegationhas quickly become an essential service inaiding and assisting existing establishedBritish companies or those wanting to start a

business in the Dordogne. Thanks to theenthusiasm and expertise of its members, itspartners and operational team, it has createda dynamic business network to bring togetherthe British business community.

Anyone can become a member of the FrancoBritish Chamber of Commerce and IndustryDordogne Delegation. It means they alsobecome a member of the Franco BritishChamber of Commerce as a whole, gainingaccess to valuable networking opportunitiesthrough a programme of events based onconferences, lunches and events throughoutthe year, here in the Dordogne, in Paris andother regional delegations.

Members are listed in the Franco BritishChamber of Commerce & Industry's TradeDirectory, both on the website and in thediary, along with contact details and anoverview of their activities providing greatexposure to a national and international cap-tive audience.

Members also benefit from various initia-tives negotiated by the Dordogne Delegation

such as free subscriptions to various newspa-pers in English, a free presence throughleaflets on dedicated stands located in theBergerac Airport departure lounge whichmanaged 280,000 passengers in 2008, in theChamber of Commerce in Industry receptionareas in Périgueux and Bergerac, as well asthe Chambre de Métiers' reception area inPérigueux too.

Free participation to the weekly national e-newsletter is yet another opportunity topromote services and communicate on vari-ous offers (e.g. vacancies, commercial premis-es for sale or rent etc.).

Finally, the Privilege Members Card allowsmembers to offer or benefit from specialoffers other members are prepared to makeavailable to the network.

The cost of membership is 260€ + VAT (corporate) or 95€ + VAT (individual).

For more information on applicationforms, along with the 2009 calendar ofevents, please contact: [email protected]

Events coming upthis monthMarch 27

Legal Advice Club / CaféJuridiqueBergerac - 9.00 - 12.00amThe Legal Advice Club willmeet up on four occasions in2009 in various Dordognelocations and around variedlegal matters. The meetings will start at9.00 am with a short confer-ence, followed by informalconversations with bilinguallawyers on general legal mat-ters. Brief meetings can alsobe held on legal mattersrequiring more privacy.Conference: Taxation - how to avoid double taxation

Free entry - Bookings only:[email protected]

March 27

FBCCI Network CocktailBergerac - 12.30 - 2.00pm

Bookings only:[email protected]

CORPORATE: AEROPORT BERGERACAGENCE ELEONORANGLOINFO AQUITAINEAPITERM AQUITAINEAQUITAINE INVESTAQUITAINE LANGUESBANQUE POPULAIRE CENTREBARCLAYS

BUGGS CAR HIREC.I.V.R.B.CABINET CASSE FINANCEMENTCABINET JEAN-LUC PARIESCABINET LEMPEREURCHAMBRE DES NOTAIRES DE DORDOGNECHÂTEAU DE VILLARSCHÂTEAU DES VIGIERS

CONSULT SERVICESCREDIT AGRICOLECURRENCIES DIRECTGCL AUDITS ET EXPERTS LANDES PHILIPPE & GALLIEZLEROY MERLINMAKE IT EASY CONSULTINGCHÂTEAU DE MARCASSINMONEYCORP

PERIGORD DEVELOPPEMENTPOLYCLINIQUE FRANCHEVILLESAPEGSALVETAT RESTAURANTSIMPLY PERIGORD SOCIETE D'EXPERTISE DU SUD OUESTUNION VINICOLE BERGERAC

INDIVIDUAL:BENATAR PRUDENCEBESSOUT MARIE -CLAUDEBROYD JEREMYCHAMBERLAIN CAROLYNCINTAS JANETDEWAELE CHRISTINEGUINDON SOPHIEHALL GAVINHARRIS RAPHAELROTHWELL GILESTOSCANI SABRINA

Our members

The voice of the Franco-British business community

Featured Member

PERIGORD DEVELOPPEMENT is an asso-ciation created by the Dordogne CountyCouncil, the Chamber of Commerce andIndustry, the Chamber of Trade and Crafts,the Chamber of Agriculture and theAquitaine Regional Council, with the sup-port of the European Union through theFEDER scheme.

Since its creation in 2004, PérigordDéveloppement has set up a unique schemewith personalised free of charge advice andassistance to companies and entrepreneurswishing to set themselves up in theDordogne. This mission takes place withinthe framework of the French and local insti-tutional networks (Aquitaine Agency forIndustrial Development, Invest in FranceAgency…) set up to promote and assistinternational investments in France.

Périgord Développement has undertaken asurvey on local British businesses to betteranticipate their needs, launched the regional

delegation of the Franco British Chamber ofCommerce & Industry to bring the FrancoBritish business community together andfoster a network of English-speaking experts- within private companies and Frenchadministrations - to assist in the process ofsetting up a business in the Dordogne.

This work has led to the organisation inApril 2008 of SUCCESS IN THE DOR-DOGNE, the first exhibition dedicated toEnglish speakers wishing to create or devel-op a business in the Dordogne (www.suc-cessindordogne.com). Over two days, it gavethe public free access to the main servicesrequired for settling in the Dordogne: con-sular chambers, institutions, partnershipstructures dedicated to supporting entrepre-neurs and service providers.

In 2008, PRD and the Dordogne Chamberof Commerce and Industry also teamed upto open an economic development deskwithin the premises of the French Chamber

of Commerce in Great-Britain. Its aim is tofoster business relations and partnershipsbetween companies from the Dordogne andthe UK - see www.uk.dordogne.cci.fr.

Marc Mercier, Managing Director, PérigordDéveloppement says:

"We are here to identify and assist foreignbusinesses or individuals who want to create,acquire or develop businesses in theDordogne. We want to make sure they suc-ceed. So our bilingual and bicultural teamworks in connection with our partners toguide entrepreneurs through the process ofsettling in the Dordogne, mainly helping

them to understand the way the systemworks and to find the proper contacts at theright time."

MARC MERCIER, Managing Director,Périgord Développement

Your partner to set upin the Dordogne

CONTACT DETAILSPérigord Développement / FBCCI Dordogne Delegation:Périgord Développement23, Rue Président Wilson24016 Périgueux Cedex

Tel.: 05 53 35 80 73Fax: 05 53 35 80 43Email: [email protected]: www.perigord-developpement.comwww.francobritishchamber.com

Advertisement

"Association co-fundedby the European Unionthrough the EuropeanRegional DevelopmentFund (ERDF)"

The Advertiser, Dordogne March 200920 Directory

Dordogne Directory English-speaking businesses near youAdverts here cost from just €144HT for the year. Contact our sales team on 04 93 08 31 03

PLUMBER(city & guilds)

35 years experience.Bathrooms, kitchens, central

heating. Based St Foy le Grand. Depts. 24, 33.

Tel: 05 53 57 00 16. Mob: 06 61 53 13 50

Email: [email protected]:4974 1837 200019

ENGLISH PLUMBER

Bathrooms a SpecialtyKitchens, Central Heating,

Tiling and Dry lining.Ask for Dave.

Tel: 05 53 60 76 89Email: [email protected]

Depts 24, 87, 16Siret: 484432455

JUST PLASTERINGCeilings, walls, floors

Time served tradesman24, 33, 47, other regions possible

Contact Mike Tel: 05 53 58 17 19

Mob: 06 67 03 30 48Email: [email protected]

Siret no: 42424381400011

SivaliPainting & Decorating,

Inside & Out,30 years Experience.

Tel: 06 71 04 85 19Regions: 24

Siret: 452 220 015 00021

OAK FLOORING

AND DOORSPre-finished, oiled

and varnished.Wide boards up

to 215mm.Skirting and architraves.Ledged Oak

cottage doors.www.oakwood-import.fr

email: [email protected]: 0680339357siret 49426348

CARPENTER JOINER

WOODTURNERSmall building worksEURL Andy James RPT

Tel: 00 33 (0) 5 55 29 01 58Mob: 00 33 (0) 681 503 [email protected]

Siret 501 368 393 000 10

GBM 24All aspects ofBuilding andGroundworkUndertaken

(Sarlat and surrounding areas)Tel: 05 53 59 22 03

Email: [email protected] No. 49250541700013

C&C CONSTRUCTION SARL

QUALIFIED BUILDER

15 Years Experience10 Years Insurance Guarantee

Finance Arranged/Storm Damage RepairsTel: 05 53 62 13 38/06 63 84 79 99

Email: [email protected]

The Dordogne and adjacent departments

DRAWING SERVICE

Dossiers Permis de ConstruireDéclarations PréalablesTel/Fax: 05 53 52 36 05

Email: [email protected]: 493 770 358 00015

Civil / StructuralEngineer

Allan Baldry(MSc. SISF.MICE reg no 30269044)

With Cambridge UK office baseand with a house in

the Dordogne,Offers structural report

and designServices for house

owners / purchasers.

Tel: 05 53 51 91 44 / 06 21 43 87 06

Fax: 05 53 50 58 77For further information

CHARTEREDSTRUCTURAL

ENGINEERBased in Northern Dordogne

Pre-purchase &Structual Surveys.

Verbal & writtenreports.

Structual calculations& drawings.

Redevelopment ideas& solutions.

Tim HawB.Eng C.Eng. M.I.Struct.E


Siret: 49884305100018

WANTED.RHD UK & FRENCH

LHD CARSAlways a selection to buy, sell or exchange.Friendly service and

advice given.Tel: 05 58 78 33 04 or

portable 06 14 43 12 79 anytime

HEATHROW LEFTHAND DRIVE CENTRE

77 Dawley Road,Hayes,Middlesex, UB3 1LX

Tel: +44 (0)208 8487407Mobile: +44 (0)7811 784766

We Specialise inbuying and selling

Left Hand Drivequality vehicles.

We have a variety of cars mostlyon French/Spanish andEnglish registrations.

We have over 11 years of professionalexperience in the motor trade.Web: Heathrowlhdcentre.co.uk

E: [email protected]

LAND ROVER PARTS

TEST BOOK DIAGNOSTICSLUCAS ELECTRICSTel: 05 45 62 27 20mailorder welcomewww.landypoint.net

Siret: 477 897 565 000 16

WRITERS!NEED A HAND?

Handwritten or audio manuscripts transcribed.For a fast, friendly service

contact Sally Gibson05 55 81 00 39

[email protected]

Ambiance MarqueesFramed Marquees and

Accessories available forhire and installation.

Private and Corporate Events.Tel: 09 63 29 02 69

Mob: 06 30 94 78 28Email: [email protected] : www.montpon.com

Dep 33, 24,47,16Siret: 50997567800012

PARLEZ 4UANGIES HELPLINENo Good on the Phone?

Want to Complain?WE CAN PARLEZ 4U

[email protected] 53 67 66 39 & 05 63 39 55 97

INSURE HOUSE

HEALTH TRAVEL

IN ENGLISH Call for FREE quote

MAXWELLINSURANCE30 yrs experience05 56 86 12 [email protected]

A VOTRESERVICE

We will arrange andorganise on yourbehalf all your

administrative dutiesand renovation works!

Let us beyour French Liaison

+33 (0) 663 933 866WWW.VOTRE-SERVICE.EU

Sworn translationsfrom French Court of

Appeal registered "expert traducteur agrée" -

valid everywhere. Free quotes.Tel./Fax. 05 46 47 74 54

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.traducteur-assermente.frSiret: 504 6433 0500015

SWORN TRANSLATIONS

All legal translationsby French-

English speaking

sworn translator

and help with paperwork

and phone callswith 25 years of experience

Regions : All FRANCEKaren RENEL-KING

Tel: +33 6 18 03 18 38 Email: [email protected]

Fast and cheapSiret: 38058374000028

Websitesfor

Gites & B&BsSmart

AffordableProfessional

www.letsites.com05 59 85 17 92

Established in 2001Siret 400 782 488 00037

WEBSITESTHAT WORK !

small businesses, property rentals, e-commerce, content management,

optimisation, bi-lingual04 68 49 34 39

info@anglo-website-design-france.comwww.anglo-website-design-france.com

Siret. 442 580 569 00030

BIRO DESIGNWebsite Design

From €100 p/page (see website for details)

Tel: 04 73 79 01 74 Email: [email protected]

Website www.birodesign.com Regions Covered: All France

Siret 50291431000011

Gitecompare.com The FREE

website linkingaccommodation

& tourist attractions.

If you own a campsite, gite, B&B, restaurant,

bar, café or any touristattraction, then this isthe website for YOU!

Check online thatyour business is listed& simply claim or add

your information.

All RegionsEmail:[email protected]

Gitecompare.com

FIRST-RATE WEBSITES

Affordable, standards-compliant websites

designed for the 3 audiences that matter: you, your clients and the

search engines, giving yourbusiness maximum visibility.

www.rob-tomlinson.comTel: 05 62 67 39 98

[email protected] Covered: All France

Siret: 419 490 297 00027

Web Hosting - 27€€/yearWeb Design

Brochure or catalogue sites aspeciality. Competitive rates

Tel: 05 53 28 15 14web@businesssolutionsconsultancy.comwww.businesssolutionsconsultancy.com

Regions Covered: AllSiret: in progress

PennyGraphicsAmazing

web sitesFantastic

Priceswww.pennygraphics.net

02 33 90 92 15

Delivered anywhere in France. Russells,

Border Terriers, Labradors & Cotons

du Tuléar fromTodspack Kennels.

www.parsonrussellterrier.comTel 02 43 03 20 94

Siret 44242459400012

WAGS AND WHISKERSBritish owned boarding

kennels and cattery35 years experience

Tel: 05.65 [email protected]

SIRET: 500607858

ANIMAL COURIERSExperienced couriers

specialising in pettravel between France / UK /

Spain or within France. Pet passport advice.Tel: 0044 (0) 1483200123

Email: [email protected]: www.animalcouriers.com

Cats & Dogs Boarding

Kennels in the Charente

New purpose built buildingExtra outside playground

Tel: 05 45 66 14 62e-mail: [email protected]

Siret 494 030 919 00018

THE DORDOGNE CATTERY

PENSION POUR CHATSSARLAT

OPEN-AIR, INSULATED AND HEATED

CONTACT DAVID KNIGHT05 53 31 95 8806 71 25 00 84

www.dordognecattery.fr

www.connexionfrance.comLooking for news about France?

The Advertiser, Dordogne March 2009 Directory 21

SIMPLY BRITISHINDEPENDENT BRITISH GROCERSLarge range of food including

fresh/frozen. Plus books, greetings cards and gifts


Web: simplybritish.frREGION: Shop 09,

mail order throughout France

KANGAROO KARDSHigh Quality

Greetings CardsFree Delivery to France

Order OnlineAward Winning Website

www.kangarookards.co.ukSiret: In Progress

Furniturefor FranceA wide range of quality indoor furniture andsofas supplied and

delivered direct to yourFrench property savingyou time and money.

New showroom "Meubles New Ideas"

near Brive(19) now open.

For full colour brochureplease e-mail

[email protected] or call 0033 (0) 6 46 49 73 45

or 0033 (0) 5 55 88 17 53www.furnitureforfrance.co.uk

ANGLO FRENCH REMOVALSWeekly between UK/France

Moves within FranceContainer Storage

24 years’ experience.Tel: +33 (0)5 45 30 71 88 /

+44 (0)1233 660 963e-mail: [email protected]

www.anglofrench.co.uksiret : 48777270900019

REFLEX MOODYS LTDSALISBURY

REMOVALSUK - FRANCE - UK

• Weekly Service to France

• Full & Part Loads• Container Storage

• BAR Members• Instant On-line

QuotationTel: 0044 17224 14350

Email: [email protected]: www.reflexmoodys.com

Company Regn No: UK 5186435TVA / VAT No: UK 864 7217 04

REMOVALS & STORAGEMurray HarperEuropean transport & storage

ENGLAND, FRANCE, SPAIN

Scheduled collection anddelivery service guaranteed

Established 30 yearsin the industry

www.murrayharper.comTel: (0034) 952 793 422 or

(0034) 952 807 [email protected]

George White EuropeanTransport

Special rates to S/W France13.6m/45ft trailer - Full/Part loads

Removals/materials/vehiclesOwner driver. RHA memberTel: +44 (0)7768 867 360Fax: +44 (0)1773 570 090

Fr Mobile: +33 (0)6 23 03 85 59www.georgewhiteeuropean.co.uk

RENOVATIONS/RESTORATIONS

Insurance DecennaleGRAHAM FORD

BUILDING CONTRACTORTel: 05 53 52 53 74

Email: [email protected] 24 / 87 / 16

Siret:479454043

Diggers, dumpers, tractors, all types ofagri/plant machinery for sale and wanted.

Tel: 05 49 64 52 06 / 06 16 59 54 27 or visit

[email protected]

Siret: 48032367400014

PEPINIERES DE JUMILHACENGLISH-OWNED

PLANT NURSERY

Over 250 varieties offlowering shrubs, trees,fruit trees, ground-cover

plants and conifers. Stockists of vast quantities

of leylandii and laurels. Delivery available.

Tel: 05 53 52 56 90.www.pepinieres-de-jumilhac.com

Dept 24, between Perigueux and Limoges, Fouilloux

(D79E between Jumilhac and Ladignac), 24630

Jumilhac-le-Grand.

AGENCE CLASSIC FRENCH

HOMESExclusively Prestige Property

€1 million plus.

Knight Frank Representative

For Dordogne, N Lot-et-Garonneand E Gironde

Floor Plans,Virtual Tours,

Elevated Photography as standard

Contact Michelle or Stewart Cook

05 53 23 32 13www.classic-french-homes.com

Siret: 491 449 328 00021

The adverts above cost from just

€144HT

for the year

POLYTUNNELSHIGH SPEC

BUILT TO YOUR REQUIREMENTS.

QUOTES AVAILABLEIN STOCK, STARTER TUNNEL

2.00MTS W X 1.70MTS H X 4.50MTS L215 EUROS COMPLETE

TEL: 0546484335, [email protected]

PROPERTY ODD JOBS Painting + Decorator, General

Property Maintenance, 25 yearsexperience, Registered Artisan

Tel: 05.53.23.77.05 (Rob)Regions: Dept 24

Siret: 501 098 883 00017

LoxtonUk LtdGroundworks, Digger Hire,

Landscaping, Garden / PropertyWork, Manual Labour

Experienced, Obliging Operators & StaffTel: 0033 6 85 88 01 51

Email: [email protected]: www.loxton-uk.com

Regions: Kent (UK) - Dordogne (France)Siret: 6643680

BergeracRenovation & BuildingFrom groundwork, fosse

septiques, masonary,interiors, to rooves.

Free estimates & adviceTel: 05 53 81 60 73

[email protected]

SWAN PROPERTYSOLUTIONS

Complete Building andRenovation service includingplumbing, tiling, kitchen and

bathroom installation. Tel: 05 53 63 43 87

Email: [email protected] Covered: 24

Siret: 50406233200011

DIGITAL INSTALLATIONSWe do not only sell & install

We also repair digiboxesNOW!!

All freesat systems available WITHOUT CARD

For more information call00 33 (0)5 45 98 25 37

FINNINGER & HELBACH GmbhLe Petit Fouine, 16210 Curac

Tel/Fax: 00 33 (0)5 45 98 25 37email: [email protected]

www.digitalsatellitefrance.comSiret: 400 415 246 00026

Lot andDordogne Fencing

Fencing, Paving, Patios,Decking, Garden clearance,

Tree Felling, RepointingStonework.

Tel : 05 65 27 17 60 / 06 14 58 15 86Email: [email protected]

Siret No 453 419 236 00022

MEL BARRGeneral Building & Renovations

Large & Small ProjectsUndertaken

EXPERIENCED & RELIABLE05 53 90 77 21

email: [email protected] radius of Riberac (24)

Siret 480 621 259 00021

Garden & Pool Maintenance

Ribérac, Verteillac, Tocane areas. Since 1992.

A. D. [email protected]

Tel: 05 53 91 14 09

AFS IMMOSelling or renting your Frenchproperty? Looking to buy orrent a property in France?www.allfrenchservices.com

Tel: 0553 791124Siret No: 49979912000013

TIP TOP GARDEN SERVICES

"Garden behavingbadly?"

Selling your house need that "Curb

appeal"?Second home

Garden maintenancebetween visits & guestsfrom: Grass to weeds

Hedges to leavesSite clearance to trees

Fighting with Flatpacks, Given up with

Do It Yourselves!?

Need a hand? Contact Barry on:Tel: 05 53 29 03 52

mobile: 06 24 07 31 14email:

[email protected] Covered: Dept 24 - 40

kms radius of SarlatSiret No: 493 723 654 00015

CATS are sensitive animals thatthrive in calm and peaceful environ-ments. They are territorial and needtheir own space.

It is important for the well being ofyour cat that these basic require-ments are met when choosing a cat-tery. Our boarding cattery has beenconstructed to the English FelineAdvisory Bureau (FAB) standardsand is classified as an outdoor cat-tery. Cats enjoy having an outdoorrun; it ensures there is good ventila-tion and airflow to help prevent thespread of disease. The FAB preferscatteries with outdoor runs.

Our cattery is licensed to operateby the Direction Départementale desServices Vétérinaires.

Each unit contains five separatepads, has a security corridor andeach cat has its own run.

Each area where the cat sleeps andeats is fully insulated, heated andseparate from the litter.

Each area is isolated from itsneighbour by either a 60cm gap or asneeze barrier. This keeps the risk ofcross infection to a minimum.

The cattery is south facing to takefull advantage of the sun.

We are a small facility so each catreally does get individual attention.

Cats are fed to the owner's require-ment twice daily. Clients are encour-

aged to supply the feed if the cat ison a special diet, typically for obesityor urinary problems. We now feedArden Grange dry food as standardbecause it is a high quality organicfeed. We also supply the full range ofArden Grange to our clients for boththeir cats and dogs.

We have pads for single cats andpads for two cats from the samehousehold sharing. There are alsothree large pads for three or four catsfrom the same household to share.

Long Term CareWe have particular experience inlooking after cats for long periods,typically six months, although wehave had cats for up to eight months.All left in a healthy, happy condition.

InoculationAll boarding cats have to be fullyinoculated (including rabies) and thecertificates of inoculation (Carnet deSanté) must be shown when the catarrives. All catteries will require yourcat to be vaccinated against felineupper respiratory disease - known ascat 'flu - and feline infectious enteri-tis, which is a highly contagious dis-ease. Vaccinations should be boostedannually and this should be done atleast seven days before the cat is tobe boarded.

Transporting your catUntil your cat is inside the cattery itssafety is entirely your responsibility. Do not carry your cat in your armsto the cattery.

Make sure you have a sturdy catcarrier, of ample size, solid enoughto prevent the cat from escaping, yetproviding sufficient air and a goodview. Line it with several sheets ofnewspaper - not the bedding whichis intended for use in the cattery.

Cardboard carriers have poor ven-tilation and are completely insecureif the cat is determined to get outand may fall apart if made wet.

A cat may be sick or urinate in thecar. It is wise to refrain from feedingyour cat before travelling.

What to pack for your catPlease bring something that smells ofhome for your cat. An old towel,jumper or its basket will help yourcat to settle in. If the cat sleeps onyour bed, please do not bring thebed! A favourite toy is also a goodthing to take with you to the cattery.

Book earlyBook as early as you can, particularlyduring peak periods, because thecattery is quickly filled. If you are planning to go abroad, ask

for a provisional booking.

You can finalise the dates as soonas you have flight details.

Male cats which have not beenneutered are not accepted forboarding

Health warning for cat ownersThe following is a quote from theFAB website: "Housing which offers any opportuni-ty for cats from different householdsto come into contact with each other(or each other's faeces) increases thepotential for spread of disease andshould be avoided. This includes cat-

teries where lots of cats are kepttogether in large pens and those whichuse a common area as an exerciserun. Cat cages without runs should beavoided - cats need space to exerciseand move around."

Our cat pads allow each cat to havegood ventilation and each cat has itsown run.

Contact David Knight forfurther informationTel: 05 53 31 95 88Mobile: 06 71 25 00 84Email: [email protected]

The Dordogne Cattery in Sarlat first opened for business duringJanuary 2004. There are no kennels, only cats enjoying lots of space

CREATURE COMFORTS: David Knight with a resident at the cattery

High standards at cattery in SarlatAdvertising feature

The Advertiser, Dordogne March 200922

EymetA fantastic opportunity to followthis architect designed showpiece with accommodationarranged over 2 floors, with terraces, pool and a secret walled garden.REF: IFPC16480

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DordogneThis ensemble of principal houseand 3 gites is in a lovely peacefulsetting with large 12m x 6mswimming pool, barn and 1.5hectares of land.

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€ 595,000

DordogneIn the heart of the Dordogne,near Perigueux, fully equipped 2bedroom apartments with onsitefacilities including pool, bar,restaurants... Leaseback residencewith guaranteed yields of 4.71%.REF: LLFP0547

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BergeracStunning flat land in an ideallocation, with authorisation to build.

REF: 02-03-09-berg10

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Eyzies-de-Tayac-SireuilThis large restored house is in atranquil situation by the RiverVezere in 6000 m2 of mature gar-dens, yet in walking distance ofthe shops.

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Montpon-MénestérolBeautiful building plot in the countryside, 2 km from all amenities (schools, supermarket ...).

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DordogneNice plot of land located on thewaterside of the Dordogne.Exceptional for outdoor leisures!

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Aquitaine, DordogneOld stone house, quiet location.Potential to exploit, large andsmall fireplaces, 4 rooms, con-vertible attic, large cellar, works to carry out, price canbe bargained.REF: 7040117

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DordogneBeautiful building plot of 0.61acre in the countryside. 5mnfrom a supermarket.

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Buying or selling a property in or around the Dordogne?We can help. Our website www.connexionfrance.com carries details of more than 14,000homes for sale across France. We also feature properties for sale in this dedicated section ofThe Advertiser every month. Use the code under each property to find out more on thewebsite. For sellers, the adverts are also displayed across a range of popular English-speak-

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€ 17,000DordogneNear Naussanes, in the country-side, beautiful building plot of0.26 acre, with water and electricmeters and septic tank.

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€99,360DordogneCountry house in need of updating divided into 2 flats with5 bedrooms and a lovley garden.View onto a small river.

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€ 140,400DordogneIn the heart of the bastide, pretty restored stone house on 2 levels with 4 bedrooms. Lovely courtyard.

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Houses for sale in the DordogneThe Advertiser, Dordogne March 2009 Property 23


AN unusual new visitor attraction has opened at Mescoulès, between Bergeracand Eymet in the south of the department. The Vivarium du Périgord houses arange of snakes, turtles, crocodiles and lizards and is one of only ten such centresin France. It is the brainchild of Roland and Nathalie Collebrusco and took themnearly ten years to accomplish, involving a lot of paperwork and the support ofthe local mayor. The Collebruscos hope to encourage people to respect and enjoylooking at reptiles but are keen to stress that such creatures are not designed to bepets; apart from the obvious dangers, many of them, such as the turtles andsnakes can live for over 100 years. In the spring they plan to expand the attractionto include endangered species of domestic animals. The vivarium is open everyafternoon except Monday from 14.30 - 18.30 and operates by guided tour. Entry is€6 for adults, €3,50 for children and free for the Under 3s.

FIVE local school classes areto close next year becausepupil numbers have droppedbelow 20, the numberrequired to maintain a teacher.

Inspection Academiqueinspector Patrick Guichardmade the announcement inPérigueux.

Unique

Schools affected areChaleix/Saint Jory de Chalaisin the north of the Dordogne,Cercles/La Tour Blanche, LaRoche Chalais and Razac surl'Isle and Tursac near LesEyzies. Parents at Tursacprotested outside the educa-tion academy in Périgueuxwhen the decision was made.Mrs Dominique Estreguil has

been a parent at the school for11 years and fears that it willlead to the ultimate closure ofthe school."We’ve had two teachers here

to cater for pupils from CP toCM2 for years and are veryproud of our school, whichattracts children from outsidethe village because of itsunique style of teaching.“It works on a co-operative

system where each child fol-lows his or her own rhythmwith guidance from theteacher. We are also possiblythe only canteen in theDordogne which provides

organic food. It is a shame thatthe decision is purely mathe-matical and that the otheraspects of the school aren'tlooked at. “Next year we will only have

24 children and so a teacherwill have to go unless we canfind more pupils." The schoolhas four English children andone German child.

Alongside the closures, 21new classes will be opened inthe department. Eight otherschools must wait untilSeptember to see how manypupils enrol to learn their fate.

Fate

The union, SNUipp-FSU,said they had concerns aboutthe drop in the number ofteachers available in theRéseaux d'aides spécialiséesaux éleves en difficulté (Rased)- a pool of teachers who gointo schools to help pupilswith learning difficulties.

They point out that eight ofthe new classes will in factredeploy teachers from the‘Rased’ to normal classes.

The union says it will remainvigilant over changes in thenumbers of pupils in the hopeof keeping those classes thatare to be reassessed inSeptember open.

It also pledged to pay specialattention to Tursac.

Five school classes to close, 21 to open

Snake, rattle and a new roleSNAP HAPPY: Reptile fan Roland Collebrusco with two of vivarium’s attractions which also include snakes, below, and turtles

dordogne - march 2009

Documents

new supplier

new airport

andmore complaints

grard moreau

mrs moreau

ufc inprigueux

electricity suppliersand

electricity network