There are tens of thousands of English speakers living in France so it’s not surprising that several publications exist to serve their needs. I picked up “Creuse News” the other day, never having seen it before.

It contained the usual mix of stories extolling the French way of life, stories complaining about the French way of life, articles on how to do x or y when living in France and lots of ads.

Most of the ads were unsurprising – builders, electricians, teachers of French, restaurants, installers of British TV, social events etc. But some did catch my eye: the Corner Shop providing all our favourite products (not yet run by an ethnic minority I noted); the English mobile hairdresser and nail technician; the traditional Scottish piper available for all special occasions; and to cap it all there was Bill aka Monsieur Fromage who takes coals to Newcastle in the form of British cheese to French markets.

“Comment voulez-vous gouverner un pays où il existe 258 variétés de fromage?” said General de Gaulle. He must now be turning in his grave at the thought of the British making the country even more difficult to govern. Yet more so at the thought of Churchill having the last laugh.