This French Life

Government to give back the right to vote for all British abroad

The government will today (8 February) restate its commitment to ending the current 15 year time limit on British expats registering as overseas electors.

As well as removing a time limit on the right to vote for UK citizens living abroad, the government intends to enfranchise any British expats who was previously resident or registered to vote in the UK. This is part of the government’s wider ambition to strengthen the foundation of democracy and continually increase voter registration by ensuring every voter’s voice is heard.

Combined, these changes will mean millions of UK citizens overseas will be eligible to register to vote. British expats – under existing laws – have the lowest level of voter registration of any group.

via www.gov.uk

A snowy start for many in the Dordogne

MANY people in the Dordogne will have woken this morning to a centimetre or two of snow, as winter takes a bite before its time is up.

Here in Loubéjac the snow began falling late evening and by the morning a still, white blanket covered the ground, with few people out and about.

Temperatures are expected to stay around freezing for the rest of today and tomorrow, so the gritters have been out on the main roads (marked yellow on the map) although by the weekend rain is forecast to return.

Normandie Nue in Villefranche-du-Périgord: 16 February

THE charming town of Mêle-sur-Sarthe, Normandy, is in crisis with dairy and livestock prices having fallen due to a flood of imports many farmers are threatened with bankruptcy.

Mayor Georges Balbuzard (François Cluzet, The Intouchables and The Country Doctor) does his best to fight and raise awareness of their plight, but things seem hopeless.

Until famous American photographer Newman (Toby Jones) passes through the village and discovers the perfect backdrop for his next shoot.

Balbuzard sees a rare opportunity, and sets about convincing local farmers, the butcher, the pharmacist and the rest of the village to participate. The catch? They all have to pose naked.

The film showing, in French, takes place in the foyer rural of Villefranche-du-Périgord on Friday 16 February from 20h30, with tickets priced 6€.

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Au Mêle sur Sarthe, petit village normand, les éleveurs sont touchés par la crise. Georges Balbuzard, le maire de la ville, n'est pas du genre à se laisser abattre et décide de tout tenter pour sauver son village.

Le hasard veut que Blake Newman, grand photographe conceptuel qui déshabille les foules, soit de passage dans la région. Balbuzard y voit l'occasion de sauver son village. Seulement voilà, aucun normand n'est d'accord pour se mettre à nu

February opening hours for Villefranche-du-Périgord tourism office

IT is still quiet at this time of year here in the Dordogne, but if you need to drop in on the tourism office in Villefranche-du-Périgord then it is open from 10 February.

The office, found on the main Rue Notre Dame, is open Tuesday to Friday from 10h to 12h30 and in the afternoon from 14h30 to 17h. On Saturday it is open from 10h to 13h.

France bans use of mobile phones by drivers unless vehicle is properly parked

DRIVERS in France have been warned that it is illegal to use mobile phones in their vehicles even if they have pulled over and turned their hazard lights on at the side of the road.

The Court of Appeal has ruled that drivers are still 'in circulation' even if they have pulled over, and the ruling comes after a driver was fined when he was parked, with his vehicle's hazard lights on, on the right side of a roundabout.

Drivers caught using their phone face a fine of up to €135 and will see three points added to their driving license, and applies to the use of mobile phones in the hand and not to cars fitted with hands-free sets.

Vehicle drivers are warned that they must be properly parked in a designated parking area before using their phones, although drivers of cars that have broken down that are on the side of the road due to not being able to drive further, are permitted to use their mobile phones to call for assistance.