The Bugle Limousin - Apr 2015

France blocks new 2 euro Waterloo coin

France has blocked Belgian plans to strike a commemorative €2 coin celebrating the 200-year anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo >> Page 12

Limousin April 2015 - Issue #66

Government plans for rural regeneration

NEWS - Top Gear France tops ratings

Prime Minister Manuel Valls has unveiled a 50-point plan for improving life in the most rural areas of France. The moves include 100% 3G coverage, more health centres and the conversion of former post offices into government administrative centres.

NEWS - French sports stars die in crash

associated with isolation,” said Valls as he unveiled his plan to “fight the sense of abandonment” and show the party's commitment to those living in rural France. Key among the plans were three aspects of life: access to public services, healthcare and digital connectivity.

Valls announced that the government was planning to triple the number of maisons de services publics over the next 2 years by converting former post offices, huge numbers of which have closed down in recent years. By combining the function of these post offices with other public services such as the CAF, EDF or the Pôle emploi the government

>> continued on page 5

The first ever episode of Top Gear France has ridden the wave of controversy generated by Jeremy Clarkson's "fracas" >> Page 7

3 of France's top sports stars were among 10 who died in a helicopter crash while filming an adventure reality TV show in a remote part of Argentina >> Page 8

NEWS - Museums may ban selfie sticks © Jean-Christophe BENOIST (WikiCommons)

I

n the build-up to the recent departmental elections, key members of the Socialist government hit the roads and travelled to the most rural parts of France as part of a drive to convince farmers and those living in the more remote corners of the country that they were not being ignored.

Under the banner “A chance for France”, no fewer than 11 government ministers got on the bus, with Prime Minister Manuel Valls taking the opportunity to announce 50 measures aimed at improving the life of those living in France's rural areas. The cost of the proposals is estimated to be €1 billion.

“Rural life is too often

INSIDE > > >

As the craze for taking "selfies" gathers pace, museums in France are planning to ban the popular selfie sticks being used to take them >> Page 12

The Bugle Business Directory

Moutier-d'Ahun has been selected to represent the Limousin as "France's favourite village" >> Page 3

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2 ♦ IN THIS EDITION

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INSIDE this edition

General: editor@thebugle.eu

3-6 Local News

Advertising (EN): sales@thebugle.eu

7-13 National News

Publicité (FR): publicite@thebugle.eu Subscriptions: subscriptions@thebugle.eu Editor: Steve Martindale Write to: The Bugle Les Quatre Chemins 23150 St-Yrieix-les-Bois France

14 French Life 15 Practical 16-17 Classifieds 18 Letters to the Editor 19-27 Directory 28-30 Community 31-32 What’s On

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elcome to the Easter edition of The Bugle and what a busy few weeks it has been!!

We always see a spike in the number of businesses looking to advertise around now and this year was no exception.

It is usually a combination of seasonal businesses that have had the winter months off, established businesses hoping to speak to the second home owners who begin to arrive in earnest during the Easter holidays and new businesses looking to expand for the coming year.

The result is our busiest ever edition and our largest ever print run. The paper in your hands is one of 14,000 that is currently out there, and a further 12,000 copies of our sister edition, The Bugle Dordogne, are also doing the rounds to the south-west.

It is a massive undertaking to produce and distribute The Bugle each month and it is a source of great pride that I have never missed an edition.

Over the course of 5-and-ahalf years, 2 newspapers and

88 editions, my own family has grown in number by 2 and through our extended families we have celebrated marriages and births and said goodbye to loved ones. As everyone who has made the move to France will know, being apart from friends and family is one of the hardest aspects of living abroad and it has not always been easy to combine our life and business here with our ties from back “home”.

The Bugle is free and will always remain so, but its continued existence is down to you, the reader. Using the trades and services advertised in this paper - and crucially, telling them that you found them in these pages - allows me to continue to produce The Bugle each month.

The 14,000 copies distributed this April represent a record print run and a quick calculation has just revealed that at some point in the last 2 months, someone picked up the one millionth copy of The Bugle to roll off the presses!!

Wow, that is a big pile of paper... I'm suddenly feeling a bit guilty about the melting ice caps!!

Our distribution at Limoges Airport (3,500 copies this month!) is now being monitored daily by airport staff, which means that from now on, you can be virtually guaranteed to find a copy at the airport month-round.

I know that in certain areas the papers go very quickly indeed and it is a shame when people are unable to find a copy. If you do ever struggle to find one, please just let me know as I am always looking to improve and increase distribution!

Until next month!

Steve Martindale, Editor

LOCAL NEWS ♦ 3

APRIL 2015 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

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Moutier-d'Ahun to represent Better educated, the Limousin on national TV but lower paid

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very year, national broadcaster France 2 chooses one commune from each of France's 22 regions to compete in the programme “Le village préféré des Français” - France's favourite village. This year, it is the turn of Moutier-d'Ahun, in the centre of the Creuse department, to represent the Limousin in front of the nation.

Moutier-d'Ahun is a small village of just 150 inhabitants on the banks of the river Creuse. It is dominated by the Benedictine monastery that overlooks the village, founded in 997, but is equally famous for the “Roman” bridge that crosses the river, first built in the 12th century.

The popular programme, presented by Stéphane Bern, regularly attracts audiences of 5 million when it is broadcast in June each year. The public can vote on the France 2 website until late May and the villages featured are shown in reverse

order, culminating in a feature on the country's favourite.

Villages featured in the series often receive an economic boost following transmission, which was certainly the case last year when Chambon-sur-Voueize came third. The day after the village featured, the tourist office received its first visitor as a direct result of the show and in the first 2 weeks of July its church saw 78% more visitors than in the whole of July 2013.

Tourists such as Pierre and Christine, a couple that were heading from Belgium to the south of France, were typical visitors. “We watch the programme each year and made a detour to come here,” they told La Montagne last summer whilst enjoying a drink at a local café in the town centre.

“Every year, we try to visit some of the places featured... it's nice to take a detour!” ■

ecent figures released by France's statistics gathering body, INSEE, have revealed what many will already have suspected... in the Limousin, as elsewhere, girls do better at school than boys. In 2013/2014 the same number of boys as girls sat their baccalauréat in the Limousin (roughly the equivalent of A-levels in the UK). The boys had a respectable pass rate of 86%, but it was the fairer sex that again came out on top with 91% gaining their diploma.

However, the statistics have also revealed another unfortunate truth: despite being better educated, women fare much worse than their male colleagues in the workplace.

The number of women working part-time, whether by choice or not, is still falling. From one third at the turn of the century, that figure is now nearer a quarter.

Women working in the Limousin are also less well paid, earning on average 15% less than their male colleagues, a figure that has dropped only very slightly from the 17% gap recorded in 2000, despite government efforts to reduce inequality in the workplace.

Things are slowly improving for the region's working women, however. There is now virtual parity when it comes to employment contracts, with 87% of women on CDI contracts (contrats à durée indéterminée – permanent, open-ended contracts), compared to 91% of men.

The INSEE also believes that the gaps could close further over the coming years as women continue to outperform men, particularly in higher education.

Among 25 to 34-year-olds in the Limousin, 46% of women possess a higher education qualification, compared to just 33% of men - a gap that is significantly larger than the national average. ■

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4 ♦ LOCAL NEWS

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he president of the Limousin region, Gérard Vandenbroucke, has quelled some of the fears surrounding the financial future of Limoges International Airport, by announcing that the region will take over the share of the airport's budget currently being met by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI). This 17% share is around €1 million.

The uncertainty over Limoges Bellegarde's future comes from the unwillingness of local partners to finance the loss-making airport - it traded with a €3 million deficit in 2014 - and forthcoming changes to the administrative map of France. “A complete rewriting of the financing structure is required, which will be dictated by the territorial reforms that are due to redefine the powers of local authorities from July this year,” explained Gérard Vandenbroucke earlier this year, before adding that “this airport must continue to thrive and I will do everything necessary to make that happen”.

The region's president also said that once the Aquitaine, Poitou-Charentes and Limousin regions combine, the financing structure of Limoges Airport will come under scrutiny from their bigger brothers: “In Aquitaine, the region does not pay a single centime to its airports,” he explained.

Other members of the mixed airport syndicate (SMALB), which operates the airport, are also unhappy at their continued financing burden. The Conseil général of the Haute-Vienne has already announced

that it will be greatly reducing its share of the budget from next year - it currently contributes €1.7 million - and the mayor of Limoges has described as “unbelievable” the fact that the city currently pays €1.42 million a year towards “paying for airplanes to land at Limoges”.

“We are in a period of complete legal uncertainty,” bemoaned Jean-Pierre Limousin speaking on behalf of the CCI, “with partner organisations having voted, or planning to vote on budgets that are based on areas of authority that could very soon become obsolete”.

Figures show that after a brief fall in passenger numbers in 2013, they were up again by 8.5% last year to just under 400,000, with the vast majority of passengers being British. A report by the State has also concluded that the airport finances are “satisfactory”. ■

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he city of Limoges has invested €73 million in recent years in two huge construction projects: the Aquapolis swimming centre and the stadium at Beaublanc. Building projects of this nature usually provide a huge boost to the local economy, in particular for the construction industry, which is why there was consternation at the news that only €37 million of this budget was spent locally; the rest went to businesses in Tarn-etGaronne, Yvelines, Vienne and even northern Spain.

“When there is enough work for everyone, it is normal that work should be distributed independently, irrespective of the location of that business,” argued a spokesperson for the regional federation of builders. “But when there is not enough work to go around, surely you have to favour local businesses, especially when you consider factors such as local reinvestment and global warming.

In recent times, local businesses have been closing. They may not have done so if they had been working on these projects!”

Of the €38.2 million it cost to build the new state of the art aquatic centre, €17 million went to local businesses.

“It's true that it is not all of the money,” explained Isabelle Briquet, a local official in charge of finance. “But we must respect the public codes which do not allow us to choose a business purely on its location. It may seem a shame, but it would be illegal if we did. There are exceptions, but not on large projects such as this.”

When two companies are otherwise equally skilled, preference can be given to local businesses, but the group behind the two projects claimed that certain skills are not available locally, citing the example of the €120,000 spent on a wave machine at Aquapolis and the €9.5 million it cost for the metal framework of the Beaublanc stadium.

For the majority of the work, however, the federation of builders insist that local skills do exist, although they concede that it is not aways easy for local businesses to offer competitive quotes compared to large multinational building companies. ■

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LOCAL NEWS ♦ 5

APRIL 2015 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

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Government unveils plans for rural regeneration >> continued from pg 1 aims to allow people to carry out their administrative

tasks in one place without having to travel to multiple locations, often far from home.

The government has also promised to create more health centres in France, where multiple health workers from a wide range of professions operate under one roof. Valls believes that the number of such centres can reach 800 this year and that through the introduction of grants, 1,700 young healthcare workers can be convinced to set up in rural areas by 2017.

Despite having one the highest numbers of doctors per capita in the world, these are weighted disproportionally in the country's cities. The problem has led to many rural communities having to employ GPs from abroad in order to have a doctor within reach of their residents. In December last year, the government announced plans to make trainee doctors complete part of their training in those areas most in need to try and alleviate this problem.

Lastly, the prime minister vowed to finally rid France of its “white zones” in the next 18 months, areas where no mobile phone reception is possible. “In the countryside, it is often impossible to receive a mobile phone signal from within your house,” underlined Valls - a problem many readers will be familiar with. “I want us to go further than currently required by law and give everyone in the country access not only to 2G, but to high-speed 3G networks.”

“In 2022, France will be completely connected by a high-speed network,” insisted Axelle Lemaire, the digital secretary of state.

Last year, one village in the Haute-Vienne, fed up with a lack of internet coverage, refused to pay any taxes un-

RESTAURANT

til they were connected. The inhabitants announced that they would pay no national taxes until they received at least 2MB broadband - the minimum currently offered

by France Télécom/Orange. “We are second-class citizens, forgotten by everyone,” one angry resident told Le Populaire newspaper at the time. “On the other hand, when it comes to taxes they remember us well enough!”

Although nearly one third of the cabinet hit the roads together, Valls insisted that the government was not campaigning ahead of the local elections held at the end of March. Marine Le Pen's far-right Front National have been doing particularly well in much of rural France as voters become increasingly disillusioned with the main parties. Le Pen has skilfully tapped into this sense of abandonment and rural areas have proved to be fertile grounds for FN support.

The planned measures were cautiously welcomed by the Association des petites villes de France (APVF), which “hailed” the moves, but said that it would be “closely following” their implementation to ensure they “provide answers to the major challenges posed by the decay of town centres”. ■

The dates that the various parts of France take their school holidays are set to change. As the country moves towards officially cutting the number of regions from 22 to 13, the education minister has announced plans to “review” the school holiday calendar.

Traditionally, France has staggered a number of its school holidays. Each of the three defined “zones” take school holidays lasting 2 weeks in periods that overlap to create one “school holiday” of four weeks. This spreads the load that school holidays place on the country's transport system and tourist industries and reduces the “spike” in holiday and travel prices often seen in the UK during, for example, the Easter holidays. Summer and Christmas holidays in France are always taken at the same time across the whole country.

The Limousin is set to join with the Aquitaine and PoitouCharentes regions in the coming shake-up, and whilst Limoges and Poitiers already take their school holidays at the same time, Bordeaux does not. It is believed that the education minister will unveil the new timetables in April and that they will come into effect from 2016. ■

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The Limousin-based owners of the “La Pataterie” chain of restaurants have been found guilty of providing their franchisees with potatoes that are too small! The commercial court in Limoges found in favour of the two restaurants behind the complaint, one based in Saône-et-Loire and the other in the Meuse, who had argued that the potatoes being provided were not of the correct size.

The complaint stated that the minimum 500g Samba potatoes were the cornerstone of the restaurants' business model and that serving smaller potatoes negatively affected their turnover.

The commercial court agreed and has ordered the franchise operator to guarantee to supply its franchisees with the correct weight and calibre of pomme de terre in the future or face a fine of €500 per day. ■

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6 ♦ LOCAL NEWS

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ APRIL 2015

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NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 7

APRIL 2015 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Top Gear France Police on trial in ratings boost over youth deaths

T

© RMC Découverte

C

ar enthusiasts the world over were in uproar at the BBC's decision to suspend Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear and a petition with one million signatures was even delivered to Downing Street in protest against the channel's broadcaster. One group of car fanatics were delighted by the news, however, the producers and presenters of Top Gear France!

By coincidence, the furore over Clarkson's “fracas” with a producer came in the week leading up to Top Gear France's first ever episode. The increased publicity this generated led to 1.1 million people tuning into the show, which was broadcast on the relatively minor channel RMC Découverte - a huge hit given the channel's previous biggest audience for a show was 480,000.

Top Gear France’s second episode kept up the momentum, managing to retain 85% of the audience and averaging 793,000 viewers.

The Gallic version features comic actor Philippe Lellouche, driving ace Bruce Jouanny and car expert Yann Larret-Menezo - even “Le Stig” makes an ap-

pearance as the mysterious white-suited racing driver. When plans were first announced, there had been fears that the particularly Anglo-Saxon humour of the show may not translate for a French audience. “Top Gear is a fabulous concept but I'm not sure the huge budgets and the devastating British humour can translate into French,” warned Pierre Taylor, editor-in-chief of Auto Plus, France's biggest car magazine, in advance of the first episode.

He needn't have worried, with the majority of reviews being largely favourable. “It fulfilled its promises of a jokey ambience, crazy tests, off the wall tone and guest stars,” wrote Le Figaro.

The list of guest drivers will apparently include former prime minister

François Fillon, an avid motor racer.

“The English will have to say what the French touch of our programme is,” presenter Lellouche told Le Parisien, referring to the potential problems of cultural crossover. “We will test French cars that the English wouldn't necessarily try out. France is an automobile culture and we are very close to that culture, but we have to admit we owe the British everything as they created the show.”

Top Gear France is being produced by BBC Worldwide Productions France, which has previously adapted shows including Strictly Come Dancing, Antiques Roadshow, The Great Bake Off, The Weakest Link and Sewing Bee for French audiences. ■

wo police officers have gone on trial over the deaths of two youths in 2005 that led to some of the worst rioting seen in France in decades. The court case is sure to raise tensions in the banlieues (suburbs) of Paris, home to many of France's immigrant communities, but authorities hope that, whatever the outcome, it will go some way to healing the mistrust between police and young people that still plagues French tower blocks.

The trial dates back to 27th October 2005 in Clichy-sous-Bois, a notorious Parisian suburb, when police were called to a construction site to investigate a possible break-in. Three teenagers, who were on their way back from a football match, saw the police and ran, hoping to avoid the lengthy questioning that youths in the housing projects said they often faced from the police.

An inquiry concluded that they had not committed any crime, but that they had fled simply because they had seen police. After climbing a wall, the youths hid in a power substation, but while hiding, two of the boys, Zyed Benna and Bouna Traoré, suffered fatal electric shocks. The third, Muhittin Altun, received serious burns but survived.

The deaths triggered the biggest wave of civil unrest France had witnessed since 1968. That first night, 15 cars were set alight in Clichy-sous-Bois, an area home to 30,000 residents, mostly second and third-generation immigrant families living in poor conditions in high-rise apartment blocks.

The violence quickly spread and over the next 20 days reached as far as Rennes, Bordeaux, Strasbourg and Marseilles. Nearly 3,000 people - half of them minors - were arrested, more than

9,000 cars were set on fire and 126 policemen and fire-fighters were injured.

The two police officers face charges of “non-assistance to a person in danger” for allegedly failing to come to the boys’ aid, despite knowing that they were in the substation and in grave danger – a charge they deny. One of the officers is said to have radioed to colleagues for help at the time, saying he expected the boys to leave the substation but added: “If they enter the site there's not much hope they'll make it alive”.

His radio contact is expected to form a crucial part of the five-day trial, which will be attended by relatives of the two boys who died as well as Muhittin Altun, who survived.

After the deaths, judges opened an investigation and recommended that the police officers face trial. But the state prosecutor, arguing that no crime had been committed, went to the appeal court and the case was dropped. The families fought on through higher appeal courts and the trial will now finally take place. “Seemingly, certain people never wanted this case to be tried,” said the families’ lawyer, Jean-Pierre Mignard, at a press conference.

The case has once again shone a light on the grim realities of France’s ghetto estates, dumped on the outskirts of cities and rife with discrimination, joblessness and poverty. The Socialist prime minister Manuel Valls recently slammed what he called France’s “territorial, social and ethnic apartheid” and announced an action plan for more mixing in social housing and measures against discrimination.

If found guilty of failing to help individuals in danger, the two officers could face up to five years in prison and up to €75,000 in fines. ■

8 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

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French stars die in TV helicopter crash

F

rance was in mourning this month after three of its top sporting stars were among the ten dead when two helicopters crashed in Argentina during the filming of a reality TV show. The helicopters collided in mid-air just after take-off while filming the adventure show Dropped for France’s biggest private TV station, TF1. The programme is adapted from a popular Swedish show and sees sporting celebrities blindfolded before being flown into the wilderness and given 72 hours to make their way back to civilisation.

Along with the three sporting celebrities swimmer Camille Muffat, yachtswoman Florence Arthaud and boxer Alexis Vastine - five French nationals from the production team and two Argentinian pilots also died in the crash, which President Hollande described as an “immense sadness” for France. “The whole of French sport is in mourning because we have lost three huge champions,” the sports minister, Thierry Braillard, told RTL radio.

French investigators were sent to Argentina to investigate the incident, which has been described as the deadliest accident in the history of so-called survival shows, which see contestants, often celebrities, taken to far-flung places to face physical and mental challenges against the elements. Production of the show was immediately shut down

Skier hit by light aircraft A Polish woman was severely injured in March when she was hit by a light aircraft that careered down the slopes of a ski resort in the French Alps after a botched take-off attempt. The woman was hit by the plane's propeller and suffered a “near amputation” of her hand.

The ski-equipped single-propeller aircraft had failed to take off from the snowy high-altitude runway near a resort near Avoriaz and then slid down the slopes, narrowly missing a group of children and passing under a chairlift, before clipping the woman. “We only narrowly avoided a catastrophe,” said a firefight-

and after interviews with the French investigators, the cast and crew were all flown back to France.

The crash, which an Argentinian local dramatically captured on a smartphone, took place in good conditions and officials said that initial findings indicated that it was caused by human error.

Both pilots were experienced, with one of the two reported to have been a veteran of the 1982 Falklands War. TF1 issued a statement expressing solidarity for the victims' families. “We are living a nightmare.

The programme was going so well and the sports champions were all very happy to take part,” said Nonce Paolini, chief executive of TF1.

Former France and Arsenal striker Sylvain Wiltord, who would have been on the flight had he not been voted off the show the previous day, later tweeted: “I am sad for my friends, I’m shaking, I’m horrified, I can’t find the words.”

The crash in Argentina is not the first time in recent years that a reality show produced for TF1 has been hit by tragedy. In 2013, a 25-yearold contestant on the 16th series of the popular programme “Koh Lanta” - the French version of “Survivor” - died of a heart attack on the first day of filming after complaining of chest pains. The show's physician subsequently committed suicide just a week later, citing “unfair accusations” against him in the media. ■

ing source, who declined to be named.

After being attended by a resort doctor, the 55-year-old woman was airlifted to hospital.

Patrick Steinmetz, a local public prosecutor who is investigating the incident, said: “The plane suddenly appeared behind her and there was virtually no sound. She didn't hear it.” ■

Yoghurt cartel

Eleven French dairy producers have been landed with €192.7 million in fines

by France's competition watchdog for price fixing. Between 2006 and 2012, the “highly organised cartel” were accused of colluding to set wholesale prices for various fresh dairy products.

Lactalis Nestlé received the largest in-

The 3 sports stars that died in the crash

Florence Arthaud, 57, made sporting history and became a female icon in 1990 after becoming the first woman to win the prestigious Route du Rhum solo Atlantic race, earning herself the enduring nickname of “fiancée of the Atlantic”. She had a previous brush with death when she fell overboard whilst alone on her yacht.

Fortunately, she had purchased a waterproof mobile phone just before setting off on her voyage and was able to phone her mother in Paris and relay her GPS coordinates.

Camille Muffat, 25, won three medals at the London Olympics, including gold in the 400m freestyle. Her victories made her a superstar in France and big things were predicted for her in Rio next year. The shy swimmer struggled with her new-found fame, however, and recently announced her shock retirement, saying she wanted to take more time out to enjoy life with her boyfriend, a former swimmer turned golfer.

Alexis Vastine, 28, won bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the light-welterweight category and was narrowly beaten in the quarter-finals of the 2012 Games.

After a recent bout of depression, the boxer was targeting a return in Rio in order to complete his Olympic dream. Tragically for the family, his 21-year-old sister died in a car crash only two months ago.

dividual fine of €56.1 million, but said it planned to appeal the “extremely severe” decision. The Yoplait group escaped punishment as part of a clemency agreement after it left the yoghurt cartel in 2011 and blew the whistle.

Wholesale prices to the supermarkets are estimated to have been inflated by between two and seven per cent. ■

France to host World Cup

Football's governing body Fifa has announced that France will host the 2019 Women's World Cup - the first time it will have done so. Fifa officials unanimously backed the bid ahead of rival South Korea.

At one point England had been among the five countries in the running to host the tournament, which has been held every four years since 1991, before the shortlist was narrowed to two in October last year. The 2015 tournament takes place in Canada this summer, with France currently among the favourites to lift the trophy.

Last year, France hosted the Women’s Rugby World Cup - a tournament that was ultimately won by England and was considered a huge success for the women's game on both sides of the Channel. Paris is also currently considering whether to bid for the 2024 Olympics.

Other major tournaments heading to France in the near future are the Men's European Championships in 2016 and the Ryder Cup in 2018. ■

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Religious group attacks dating website

F

rance is famous in many parts of the world for its remarkably liberal attitude to extra-marital affairs. There is even an expression - the so-called “cinq à sept” - referring to the two-hour period after work, from 5 to 7 pm, when (some) people meet up with their lovers before going home to their spouses.

Dating website Gleeden, which is aimed squarely at women looking for some extramarital action, has built a business model based purely on this principle. The site has run a series of posters on buses and metros across the country in recent months, one of which shows an attractive young woman in a bridal dress with her fingers crossed behind her back.

The campaign has drawn much attention from conservative groups in France and has so angered the Association of Catholic Families (ACF) that the group has filed a legal complaint in a Paris superior court, claiming that the poster campaign is crude, immoral and a

reckless breach of an article in the civil code. The article in question was written in 1804, features in marriage ceremonies and stipulates that married couples must show each other respect, fidelity, help and assistance.

“I was shocked and disgusted when I saw the ad,” said Aude Ducros, a spokeswoman for the ACF. “Infidelity pollutes the couple and the family and destroys the social fabric of France. It is immoral to be publicly promoting adultery, and hurtful to infidelity’s victims.”

“There are plenty of other websites out there which promote sexual contact between individuals, but what makes Gleeden different is that its very business model is based on marital infidelity,” said JeanMarie Andres, president of the ACF. “It states quite openly that its purpose is to offer married women opportunities to have sex outside the marriage.

But here in France, people and parliament are all in agreement that marriage is a public commitment. It's in the law. What

we are trying to do with our suit is show that the civil code - the law - has meaning.”

It is now up to the courts to decide whether, legally speaking, this is the case and if Gleeden has indeed broken French law by encouraging infidelity.

Gleeden, launched in 2009, has a million subscribers in France, and 2.4 million globally. The site is free for women, who do not pay to be registered, but male users have to buy credit, opening up different levels of access to registered women. Though accurate information on this is impossible to obtain, Gleeden itself says that 80% of the people who use the service are indeed married.

Margot, a 44-year-old Parisian, is one registered user who has been married for many years. She says that she is unsatisfied sexually, but has no intention of leaving her husband. “I chose Gleeden precisely because it is for married people. It means that the person you meet knows your situation. There's no deception.

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Gleeden was quick to defend itself against the accusations.

“We have plenty of clients who tell us that having a secret garden is what saved them from

walking out of the marriage,” argued Solene Paillet, a spokeswoman for the website. “We didn't invent adultery. Adultery would exist whether we were there or not. All we are doing is filling a demand. If people see our advertisements and are shocked, well there is no obligation. If you see a nice car in an ad, you aren't obliged to buy it. You make your own mind up.” ■

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French foie gras producer has been cleared of “acts of cruelty” at a landmark trial due to a lack of evidence.

Ernest Soulard, who supply foie gras to top chefs such as Gordon Ramsey and Alain Ducasse, found themselves in the dock following a private prosecution brought by animal rights group L214.

The trial, which took place in La Roche-surYon in western France, focused on a video which L214 claims was taken by an employee of the company and highlighted “animal cruelty”. The video, which makes for uncomfortable viewing, shows ducks covered in filth and confined to individual

feeding cages; some have open wounds, others have abscesses and shake with distress. Several lie dead along the production line.

As the trial progressed, it became clear that many sections of the film were not in fact taken at factories operated by Ernest Soulard and the company's boss, Roland Tonarelli, angrily described the video footage as “fake and misleading”, accusing the animal rights group of using the courts as a propaganda tool for their campaign. The company even countersued L214 for damage to its property when it was revealed that holes had been drilled in certain factories to hide hidden cameras.

Speaking in court, the animal welfare campaign-

Foie gras and gavage Foie gras, which literally translates as fatty liver, is made from the liver of a duck or goose that has been specially fattened. This is often achieved through a process of forcefeeding known as gavage, whereby the animal is fed a concentrated corn solution via a tube inserted down the neck and directly into the stomach. French law states that “Foie gras belongs to the protected cultural and gastronomical heritage of France”, although no mention is made of the gavage typically used to produce it.

ers insisted they had obtained the images via an employee with access to the different feeding rooms and were “certain” they were genuine, pointing to the company logo that appears on the building’s doors and staff clothes. L214 claimed that it had received the images from someone with access to the force-feeding areas and “simply edited them together”. This version was questioned by lawyers for the foie gras producer, who asked why the holes were drilled “if the person filming really did have access to Ernest Soulard buildings”.

In his summing up, state prosecutor Hervé Lollic called for the case to be dismissed due to “insufficient evidence” and accused the activists of “misusing the courts as instruments” of anti-foie gras propaganda - suggesting to the judge that they be fined €10,000 as a result.

The judge cleared the foie gras producer, but chose not to fine L214.

“It has been demonstrated that the images

© Luigi Anzivino (WikiCommons)

Foie gras producer cleared of cruelty

that caused such a stir on the internet were falsified, so justice has been done,” said Roland Tonarelli.

“We have turned the page with our clients, everyone is absolutely convinced that we are blameless.”

Hélène Thouy, lawyer for L214, called the ruling “disappointing”, but said the case was “just one step in the long process of raising awareness about animal suffering

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and banning ‘gavage’ as a result”. “One day, we will look back on the forcefeeding of animals as a barbaric practice to be filed away in the museum of horrors,” she added.

The case came amid signs that the country’s love of foie gras may be on the wane. There are 8,000 producers in France, manufacturing 74 per cent of the world's foie gras, although con-

sumption is dropping, with the product facing increasing pressure from public opinion and outright bans in places like India and California. Recent polls suggest that 47 per cent of French people want an end to forcefeeding and 29 per cent would refuse to buy foie gras in protest against the ill-treatment of animals - a 10% increase since 2009. ■

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NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 11

12 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

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Museums may France blocks Waterloo €2 coin ban 'selfie sticks'

© Marco Verch (WikiCommons)

Boris Johnson and Barrack Obama are both apparently fans of the selfie stick, but they will soon have to put away the devices if they wish to see works of art such as La Joconde (the Mona Lisa), housed at the Louvre museum in Paris. The museum is one of many that is looking to impose a ban: whilst there is no official ban yet “their use must respect the rules”, said a spokesperson, rules which include not pointing objects at the paintings or sculptures. Management of the Pompidou Centre, which houses modern art exhibitions, said they are “heading towards a ban but the decision has not yet been made”.

Peter Greene, 41, a visitor from Birmingham who used a selfie stick to take a family photo with his wife and sixyear-old daughter outside the Louvre, said: “I don't see why anyone should object to them outdoors, but I understand why they might cause problems in confined spaces, especially if they're as crowded as this place.”

France is not alone. Several other big museums across the world have this year started banning the extending rods, including the Smithsonian in Washington, the MOMA in New York and the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra. They are also banned at Wembley Arena in London.

Even if a ban in France's museums - which welcome 20 million visitors per year - does come into force, France has a long way to go to match South Korea's dislike of the telescopic devices, where the use or sale of unregistered selfie sticks is illegal and punishable with a fine of more than €20,000. ■

French tycoon shocked by news of his own death News agency Agence France-Presse (AFP) was left red-faced recently after mistakenly reporting the death of French industrialist Martin Bouygues, chairman and CEO of the Bouygues conglomerate which runs Bouygues Telecom and TV station TF1.

After news of the 62-year-old tycoon's death broke, deputy director of TF1, Catherine Nayl, tweeted: “I spoke to Martin Bouygues ten minutes ago. He is doing very well and was surprised to hear the news.” Seconds later, Prime Minister Manuel Valls added: “Happy to have just spoken to Martin Bouygues and to share in his surprise.”

AFP admitted its error, which it put down to confusion with a local mayor over the death of a Mr Martin, and apologised profusely. “We take this incident very seriously and are carrying out an investigation among editorial staff to understand how such an error could have been made,” AFP said in a statement. “We offer our humblest apologies to Martin Bouygues, his loved ones, his group and all our clients.” ■

T

Belgium, a country which was in part born from the political aftermath of Napoleon's defeat, is planning a weekend of festivities to mark the 200-year anniversary of the battle, including a major re-enactment involving 6,000 people. It has already minted around 180,000 collectors edition coins and was understandably disappointed by France's objections. “I am a bit surprised by all this agitation,” Belgian Finance Minister Johan Van Overtveldt said in a statement. “Europe has plenty of other issues to deal with and challenges to overcome without wasting time and energy on this.”

It is not the first time that reminders of the Battle of Waterloo have upset the French: it has been widely claimed, but never fully substantiated, that several former French presidents have asked for two large murals depicting Waterloo and Trafalgar in the Royal Gallery of the Palace of Westminster to be covered up whenever they visited the UK. In the aftermath of the French Revolution, Napoleon seized power in 1799 and began to steadily increase France's territory and influence across Europe through a series of military campaigns. Following a disastrous campaign in Russia in 1812 and a period in exile, defeat at Waterloo in 1815 ultimately ended the First French Empire and the political and military career of Napoleon Bonaparte. It also ushered in almost half a century of peace in Europe - no further major conflict occurred until the Crimean War. ■

Dangerous drivers urged to speed up!

A mayor in the Côte-d'Or department of France, fed up with motorists speeding through the small village of Bretenières, has put up a sign aimed at slowing down the traffic: “There are still children to run down... you can go faster”. The unconventional sign has been met with reactions varying from amusement to outright anger.

“We have chosen communication rather than information,” explained mayor Hervé Bruyère. “Drivers come through at 70, 80 kph! The village is quiet, but I have seen several near misses. It is humorous, yes, and some would say it is black humour, but it has at least created a reaction.”

The mayor insists that he has already tried all conventional methods to slow down the traffic. “The limit was reduced from 50 kph to 30 kph without effect; we have put

© lebienpublic (Twitter)

T

he arrival of the smartphone ushered in the era of the “selfie” and the popularity of digital self-portraits has now led to the proliferation of so-called “selfie sticks”. These cheap, telescopic devices can reach up to 1.5 metres in length, but museums in France are now moving towards banning them because of the dangers they pose in crowded spaces, both to the public and to priceless works of art.

he legendary French leader Napoleon Bonaparte was famously defeated by the Duke of Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo, but France was celebrating a minor follow-up victory recently when it successfully blocked the minting of a €2 coin commemorating the event.

Following French objections, Belgium withdrew proposals for the commemorative coin in honour of the Anglo-DutchGerman victory outside Brussels 200 years ago on 18th June 1815. Paris officials had claimed the coin would glorify a conflict that split Europe, running contrary to today’s efforts to unite Europe.

In a letter to the Council of Europe, President François Hollande said the project would be a “symbol that is negative” and could “risk engendering unfavourable reactions in France”. “The Battle of Waterloo is an event with particular resonance in the collective conscience, going beyond a simple military conflict,” the letter states. “The circulation of coins carrying a symbol that is negative for a fraction of the European population to us appears prejudicial, in a context where the governments of the Eurozone are trying to strengthen unity and co-operation throughout the monetary union.”

In 2014, France struck a commemorative €2 coin marking the 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings that ultimately led to the defeat of Nazi Germany.

notices in our municipal bulletins; we placed speed bumps outside the school; and we have introduced priority to the right on side roads... all to no avail.”

The sign was first installed four months ago and has since gone on

to attract national press attention, but the mayor recently admitted that it has proved no more effective than his previous efforts. “I'm still thinking about what else we can do,” said the mayor. “Maybe install some chicanes?!” ■

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In the garden - jobs for April

B

by Michelle Pierce

y now it really feels like the season has started, though yes, it's true we're not out of the woods yet and there's still plenty of time left for a last minute cold spell.

But the days are a lot longer, things are bursting up out of the ground all over the place, growth is lush and the bulbs have been in full flower for a while. Not to speak of the blossom on the trees appearing from the end of March. The first wave of wildflowers is attracting the insects, the butterflies are out on sunny days, the birds are collecting nesting material, the cranes have headed back up north and the tadpoles are wriggling in the ponds. Lovely, lovely, lovely...

So get out there and grab your gloves.

Vegetable beds need to be weeded off and prepared. Traditionalists will dig or rotavate, others may spread mulch on the surface. Don't leave the space bare for any length of time – clean and plant up, or clean and cover with textile for a short while.

This year I'm hoping to try out Lasagna gardening, whereby you make a raised bed with layers of garden waste, onto the top of which you finally put some compost or earth. Apparently very, very good growing conditions ensue, with good yields. It's also a good way to deal with pruning trimmings, bramble prunings, grass clippings, etc. A very interesting concept.

Because things in the wild world are fully active now, limit disturbing nesting sites for birds in hedges and if you need to clean out ponds, try to do it as soon as possible (and leave the piles of weed by the edge for beasties to creep back into the water).

Nettle tops are bursting with goodness now, so pick them regularly to make nettle tea, or to dry them, or to eat them.

Always leave as many nettles as possible in your garden - as long as they're not somewhere that causes problems.

They're so good for the butterfly caterpillars.

Continue sowing in the veg garden.

What you sowed in February will probably be ready for picking - micro leaves, baby leaves of oriental mustards, mizuna, chards, etc. In the tunnel the garlic

planted in the autumn is being exploited for its young green leaves. Picking a few at a time off each plant doesn't harm the plant, gives you a crop, and leaves the bulb to continue growing. You can harvest some early as aillet (green garlic) or just leave it all to mature. I'm a fan of trying to maximise the exploitation of each type of veg. Now the beetroots have wonderful green, red or purple leaves - pick a few regularly from each individual for use to brighten up your salads, cook with ricotta in cannelloni and lasagnas, or make Greek pastries with them mixed with feta. And as long as you don't take too many off the same root, this will continue its work of going towards the wonderful red globes we'll be enjoying later.

Why waste carrot thinnings, too?!

They add extra crunch put whole into salads, work wonderfully in sauces and are brilliant in soup. And your row gets the space it needs. Radishes as well - we all sow too many, so instead of having 10,000 all ready at the same time, eat some as tiny micro leaves, others as immature ones, and then the rest as usual.

Wander round your garden, keeping an eye out for things in the wrong place.

You still just have time to move them, depending on the weather, but make sure to water well once they're in their new place. Container planting can continue, too, but bare rooted planting now needs to wait until the autumn.

April often has a few good showers, so make sure your water butts are in good condition, connected to the necessary gutters/pipes and that pumps are ready to go.

The shops will be full of bedding plants, often in all their showy glory, so it's fun to go and have a look round, but remember that they must all have come straight out of heated Dutch greenhouses to be so beautiful now. Harden any off gradually before putting them into the garden, at least for a little while, by putting them outside in the day and under cover at night or during cold weather.

Start picking flowers for the house from the end of February you can hope to have greenery and flowers to pick to beautify your indoors and cheer the

Mon Jardin

Gardening essentials and giftware - Tools - Garden Essentials - Accessories - Kids - Seeds & Bulbs - Gift Ideas

www.mon-jardin.co.uk mon-jardin25@hotmail.com

Why not try Lasagna beds this year...? spirit.

Prepare to deal with the sun lovers - tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, basils, courgettes - that you sowed last month, or the plants you'll buy. Clear the ground, put stakes in situ, or frames and other supports. A few piles of well rotted manure would kick start things off well, or piles of fresh nettle tops. At the end of the month you can start cautiously planting out, weather depending.

So all in all, lots to do, but the results are already starting to show, with fresh herbs, cut fresh flowers and the first of the veg being harvested for the kitchen.

Now all we need is some good weather, and it'll be time to dust off the garden loungers and barbecues. Not that you'll have too much time to lounge about..!

Good gardening!!! ■

PRACTICAL ♦ 15

APRIL 2015 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Biocides and pest control products

W

hoever r e a d s product instructions? It says rat poison on the box, so chuck a few grains or sachets down and job done. If only! Why is it important to read the instructions? Because all animals are different and toxins react differently to different animals. For example, with the same poison, you might only need 15g of bait to kill a rat, 500g per kilo of dog, but 30g could kill your prize rabbit.

Rodent poisons usually have a slow acting anticoagulant, this is to allow time to monitor signs and symptoms to non-target species and administer an antidote, usually Vitamin K1, which is always kept in stock at pharmacies,

vets and doctors.

Most liquid insecticides are liposoluable, meaning they dissolve fat, which some of us have quite a lot of!

Any product ingestible by humans, be it washing up liquid, insecticides, or even your favourite chocolate bar will have an MSDS (Manufacturers Safety Data Sheet) or FDS (Fiche de sécurité) in French. The FDS (seeing as we are in France!) has 16 parts of reference, including: the manufacturer’s details; emergency contact details; its composition; risks to environment/ animals; safety procedures; first aid; storage; transportation and more.

The FDS will advise you of the type of safety clothing you should use

when handling the product. Don’t assume a surgical mask will protect you from toxic vapours, dusts or sprays... woollen gloves won’t protect you from corrosive materials!

If you need to dilute a product, follow the instructions. If it says 10 drops per litre, it means the manufacturers have tested the maximum efficacy with the minimum risk to humans. Putting 20 drops per litre doesn’t make it twice as potent, it means you have wasted 10 drops.

Now there should be no excuse not to know what chemicals you are using in your house or garden. SIMMBAD.FR is a site set up to give a clear understanding of products. For instance, if you buy rat poison, go

to SIMMBAD.FR, enter via “Accès Public”, you can research everything you should need to know regarding any chemical product available in France. The site is accessible in French, English and German.

Who can enter the “Accès Professionnel” section of the SIMMBAD website?

From 1 July 2015, the answer is any person using “produits biocides” as part of their business: farmers, gardeners, municipal workers and pest controllers, all of whom will have to undertake formal training and hold a personal diploma.

For more information, check out SIMMBAD. FR or for training, your nearest CFPPA.

For more informa-

tion on this topic or anything else to do with pest control, please contact Robert Moon from Applicateur 3D: 02 48 60 83 72 06 74 33 02 38 www.applicateur3d.com

The new UK pension regime and expatriates in France

T

he new UK pension regime is just around the corner, coming into effect from 6th April.

This is a major change for retirees, with the restrictions on how much income and lump sum you can take being removed for defined contribution schemes.

Whether you are resident in the UK or France, everyone should review their pension holdings now to establish how they can best be utilised for their personal circumstances and objectives. This does not necessarily mean that you should make major changes though; it all depends on what you are hoping to achieve, how much risk you are in a position to take, what other assets and income you have and the tax implications. If you are, or will become, tax resident in France, then you need to understand the French tax rules, and the tax traps and opportunities.

If you have a defined contribution scheme and are aged over 55, you are now free to choose how to access your funds.

You could continue with income drawdown, so that you receive regular income each month and the balance remains invested. If you have not started drawing your pension, you could start by taking the 25% ‘tax free lump sum’ (though note that this is not tax free in France), and then start drawdown in the future. You could also choose to make withdrawals as and when you want, of any amount. For those who prefer to take a secure regular income through an annuity, this option remains available.

As previously, you can also transfer into a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS), if this proves to be the best move for you.

It is also possible to withdraw the whole fund in cash at one go, with no restrictions on what you do with the funds. However, this is a major decision and needs very careful consideration; you do not want to risk your long-term financial security.

Do not forget that every pound you take out of your pension is a pound less sitting in your pension fund which could enhance or protect your future pension income… so think carefully before taking lump sums out to treat yourself.

You should be aware that if you still plan to contribute to your pension, if you use the new flexi access, un-

less your pension is worth £10,000 or less your annual allowance will fall from £40,000 to £10,000.

This pension freedom does not apply to defined benefit (final salary) schemes. There is an option to transfer to a defined contribution scheme, but this would mean losing valuable benefits.

Another element of the pension reform is that the 55% charge on death is abolished from 6th April. If you are under age 75 when you die, your beneficiaries do not need to pay any tax on the pension funds they inherit from you, whether they take it as a lump sum or income. They will pay tax if you are over 75, either at 45% if they take a lump sum, or at their marginal rate of tax if they take income. The government is considering applying the marginal rate of tax for lump sums too in the future.

This also applies to annuities, but not to final salary schemes.

In France, your pension income is generally added to your other income for the year taxed at the scale rates of tax, so at rates of up to 45%. The first €9,690 is tax free, and private pensions also receive a 10% deduction, with a maximum of €3,707.

You also pay social charges of 7.4% on top, but this is waived if you do not yet have access to the French health system or if you have EU Form S1.

UK government service, civil and military pensions are an exception, as they remain taxed in the UK. They are not directly taxed in France, but you still need to declare the income. It is included in the calculation of your taxable income and a credit equal to the French income tax and social charges that would have been payable is given.

Large one-off lump sum payments from overseas pension funds are now generally taxed at 7.5% in France, plus the 7.4% social charges (unless you have Form S1 or if you have not access to French health system).

This is a relatively low rate of tax, and is of particular interest now that that the UK pension regime gives you freedom to take large lump sums. This can present tax planning opportunities, but it is a complex area and you need to take personalised, specialist advice.

This applies for all your pension options. Since for most people your pension savings are essential for your long-term financial security, it is really important that

you explore all the options now available and understand how they affect you personally, before you decide what the best route is for you.

Pensions are a highly specialist and complex area, with different rules for different types on pensions, so professional guidance is essential. ■ David Hardy is Regional Manager of Siddalls France, Independent Financial Advisers, specialised in tax, inheritance, pension and investment planning for the British community in France since 1996.

Telephone 05 56 34 75 51 Email: bordeaux.office@siddalls.net Web: www.siddalls.fr

16 ♦ CLASSIFIEDS

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ APRIL 2015

The Bugle CLASSIFIEDS are brought to you in association with WWW.HOUSESONINTERNET.COM ANIMALS & PETS

FOR

SALE:

Piglets

87150) Buyer collects.

Email: mick.denibates@ hotmail.co.uk

FURNITURE

BUILDING MATERIALS FOR SALE: Various Crepinette pneumatique €10: (in box unused) paint/ crepi sprayer for use with all compressors; Telescopic chainsaw (electric) - €20: hardly used; Black and decker wallpaper steamer - €20: in box. (Cussac

www.ohmycod.net E:- kenvesty@gmail.com

Tel:- 05 55 80 34 26

St-Sébastien (pl. du Champ de Foire) Wed 01-Apr Bourganeuf (Esp. Martin Nadaud) Thu 02-Apr Châtelus-Malvaleix (Auberge de Voyageurs) Fri 03-Apr Sardent-Masmangeas (Auberge du Lac) Sat 04-Apr Pommiers (Bar de Pommier) Wed 08-Apr Bonnat (Bar des Sports) Thu 09-Apr Marsac (Chez Jacques) Fri 10-Apr La Cellette (Auberge de la Tour) Sat 11-Apr St-Germain-Beaupré (Maison Durran) Wed 15-Apr Bourganeuf (Esp. Martin Nadaud) Thu 16-Apr Cheniers (Auberge du Chaumiers) Fri 17-Apr Boussac (pl. de l’hôtel de ville) Sat 18-Apr Bussière-Dunoise (Auberge du Tilleul) Wed 22-Apr La Châtre (Au Jardin d’Eté) Fri 24-Apr Peyrat-le-Château (in square by PMU bar) Sat 25-Apr IMPORTANT - Please email your orders stating your time of arrival.

Please consult our website for any updates.

SIREN: 520 807 660

Piglets born November and available immediately, reared in outdoor pens. Rare breed Berkshire crossed with Gloucestershire Old Spot; excellent meat.

Tagged with documents.

Mum & dad are here to be seen. Weight around 25kg, price 60 euros each. To be collected - postcode 23240.

06.87.92.83.63 Email: hannahlwatson@yahoo. co.uk SOS Rita – British Spaniel Rita has been living in an outdoor kennel and has been badly mistreated. I am desperately looking for a household that can take Rita, either permanently or temporarily. Please call for more information. Tel: 02 54 38 81 76

FOR SALE: Various Furniture Pine headboard - 5ft - medium stain - 20€; Ikea pine effect kitchen doors, drawer fronts, side panels, etc. Reasonable offers. Text 06 41 99 57 40 (St-Yrieix-la-Perche) FOR SALE: Beige leather three piece suite Three seater sofa with one recliner and two armchairs, one with recliner. Top quality, stylish but elderly and well used. St Yrieix la Perche. €150.00 Tel: 06 41 99 57 40 FOR SALE: Various 2 Bedside Cabinets Pine effect 40 euro; 1 Double Wardrobe Pine effect 40 euro; Directors chair cream 25 euro. Tel: 05 55 89 24 71 Email: elsonandrew@ yahoo.com FOR SALE: HEADBOARD (pine) for double bed In excellent condition. €15.00 Tel: 05 55 78 79 02 FOR SALE: Dining Furniture DUCAL PINE DINING TABLE, MATCHING SIDEBOARD and 8 DINING CHAIRS (including 2 CARVERS).

Also nest of 3 TABLES and a WINE TABLE. (Table 168 x 103cm, extending

to 213 x 103cm, sideboard 173 x 44cm with height 87cm). €325.00 Text or tel 06 41 99 57 40. (St-Yrieixla-Perche)

GARDEN FOR SALE: Traditional farmhouse gates With posts and all fittings. All brand new, bespoke, unused.

Gates are 3.73m long. Tel: 07 61 21 85 15 (French mob) FOR SALE: Various Intex above ground swimming pool - €300: (new in box unopened) 5.49m x 3.05m x 1.07m (18ft x 10ft x 42ins) includes pool ladder,

wrapped, 70mm wide x 23mm thick - 18 packs @ 1.12 metres squared - per pack – 35 Euros; LIMOUSIN OX-CART - huge and magnificent example - probably always kept under cover wheels 1m62 diameter - body 3m x 1m plus 2m70 shaft - 8 pointed staves to support hay extant, each 1m40 – 195 Euros; HOME GYM POWERSTACK 200LB BENCH PRESS - good condition – 185 Euros; WASHING MACHINE scarcely used - PRO-LINE from DARTY - Economy Level A, washing efficiency level B - 99 Euros; SMALL FRIDGE -

How to place a Classified Advert To place a classified advert, please email:

'Victory' - 60 Euros; FRENCH DINING TABLE - chestnut? - 1.03m x 1.25m - very solid - rounded corners - much admired by visitors - 70 Euros. (Near S t - L a u r e n t - s u r- G o r r e ) Email: tonybigglesworth@ hotmail.co.uk FOR SALE: Royal Albert Bone China Tea Set Consisting of 6 cups/

saucers, 6 tea plates, 1 milk jug, sugar bowl and cake plate. All pieces are in mint condition. We are near Chénérailles in dept 23. €50.00 Tel: 05 55 62 77 41 FOR SALE: Royal Vale Bone China tea set

notices@thebugle.eu

BY THE 20th with the details you would like include. Your advert will appear online and in the next print edition of The Bugle.

Classified adverts are currently free for all small items (less than €500). For more expensive items and photos a small fee applies: ● Items more than €500 are charged at €5 per month ● Photos are charged at €2.50 per month filter pump 99w, pool cover, surface skimmer, pool maintenance kit.

Takes replacement filters type a; Intex krystal clear for above ground pools €40: (used) for converting salt to free chlorine; Flora best water pump - €15: for water butts; Flora best electic lawn scarifier 1300w - €30: used once; Electric garden tiller 280w - €20; Hand push lawn scarifier - €5: hardly used; Sourcidys telescopic electric hedge trimmer 220w - €20: hardly used.

(Cussac 87150) Buyer collects. Email: mick. denibates@hotmail.co.uk

GENERAL FOR SALE: Various Solid all-wood Far Eastern hardwood garden bench - 49 Euros; Huge old wooden wheelbarrow, solid rubber tyre - some enthusiast will enjoy restoring it' – 30 Euros; Nice Limousin wooden plough' – 40 Euros; Rusty old all-metal Limousin plough – 35 Euros; OAK PARQUET - still shop-

fits under worktop - PROLINE A CLASS - 48cm x 60cm x 84cm high - freezer compartment - 70 Euros; BROYEUR to chip garden branches - 55 Euros; CARAVAN TOILET - PORTA POTTI ELEGANCE - top of the range - little used - 49 Euros; OLD 2-WHEEL CART - useful in the garden or for fun with the children or grandchildren - wheels 60cm diameter, body 63cm x 90cm x 36cm deep - shafts almost 1metre - priceless historic gem - a snip - 50 Euros; ROUTER BLACK AND DECKER - 710W scarcely used - 20 Euros; CORRUGATED PLASTIC T R A N S L U C E N T SHEETING - 2m00 x 66cm - 9 pieces @ 10 Euros each or the lot for - 75 Euros; 3 x ENGLISH 6 PANEL COLONIAL KNOTTY PINE DOORS (without frames) 78 in x 30in – 35 Euros ea. or all three for 85 Euros; 1930's (?) OAK DRAW-LEAF DINING TABLE, ENGLISH with diagonal cross-members 91cm x 91cm, extending to maximum 91cm x 1m50 - as solid as Nelson's

Consisting of 6 cups/ sauces, 6 tea plates. In mint condition. We are near Chénérailles in dept 23. €35.00 Tel: 05 55 62 77 41 FOR SALE: Lowry framed prints (3) In excellent

condition. 40 euros for the three framed prints. Tel: 05 55 78 79 02 FOR SALE: Beige chandelier 8 bulbs, 70cm

drop, 70cm diameter. St Yrieix. €45.00 Tel: 06 41 99 57 40 FOR SALE: Various John Lewis duvet cover and matching sheet, unused.

Pale blue. 15€. Mirror 80 x 65 cm. Painted wood - yellow with small decoration. Matching wall lights, toilet roll holder, shelf and soap dish holder.

FRENCH LESSONS WITH A NATIVE FRENCH SPEAKER Individual/Group lessons, all levels - Skype lessons via the INTERNET also available

Free trial lesson!

Lessons in La Souterraine & Dun-le-Palestel (23) OTHER SERVICES: Accompanying and interpreting - house purchase, arranging new utilities, car registration, healthcare, liaison with French administration, etc...

I am always looking for new students in the English Library in La Souterraine!

Sophie Arsac -

05 55 89 15 74 - scarolinea@yahoo.fr

40€. Ice cream maker Philips. Little used. 20€.

Text 06 41 99 57 40 (St Yrieix la Perche) FOR SALE: Porcelain for tea room/ B & B (Limoges hotel ware) white with flower border: 10 individual 2-cup teapots; 18 teacups and scrs; 18 tea plates; 6 sugar bowls; 10 milk jugs (150cl); 2 milk jugs (300cl); 12 coffee cups and scrs. Sold as a lot. €200.00 Tel: 05 55 69 21 98 FOR SALE: Rayburn Heatranger 480(CF) for gas

In good condition. In Brillac 16500. €1,750.00ono Tel: 05 45 31 08 17, mob 06 43 31 63 22 Email: loverlaet@ yahoo.com FOR SALE: LCD TV 20”

TFT LCD TV (Firstline).

Overall size: 24” (61cm) wide X 18.5” (47cm) height on removable base.

Multiple inputs including SCART, S-Video and PC. Not HD. Full working order and in good condition.

Complete with remote control, power supply and manual in English. €35.00 Tel: 05 55 78 79 02 (near Rochechouart) FOR SALE: Piano and drum kit Klein 6 octave piano 300€; Premier drum kit 300€. Tel: 05 55 48 81 36 (87600 Chéronnac) FOR SALE: Godin Log Burner Excellent condition.

Buyer collects. €350.00 Tel: 05 55 89 24 71 FOR SALE: Various Electric radiator 20 euro; Bread maker 25 euro; Electric oven with rotisier 40 euro; Fishing rod, box, reel and nets 60 euro. Tel: 05 55 89 24 71 Email:

CLASSIFIEDS ♦ 17

APRIL 2015 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

The Bugle CLASSIFIEDS are brought to you in association with WWW.HOUSESONINTERNET.COM elsonandrew@yahoo.com FOR SALE: Large antique cast iron standing Paris street lamp Ornate vine patterns, glass lantern top.

Embossed with “Marquise”.

Height: 3.36m. €400.00 Tel: 02 48 56 74 73 FOR SALE: Various Children's Large quantity of boys clothes 0-13 years all in good condition, some toys. Offers (will not split). 2 booster seats from Halfords as new. Child's desk, wood with lifting desk, wipe clean lid and chair. Good condition 20 euros. Tel: 02 48 56 74 73 FOR SALE: Kodak Hero 5.1 printer Needs a new print head and has UK plug. 10 euros. Plus, 15 colour and black ink cartridges 30XL. 15 euros or 20 euros for both. Buyer must collect. Chateauneufla-Forêt (87). Tel: 05 55 57 28 74 Email: rynn.sandra@ orange.fr FOR SALE: Wood burning Fire SUPRA, Colmar 5 - 7 Kw. Flu Size 125 mm (rear). 61cm H, 56cm W, 36cm Dp. (Cash deal, buyer collects) €250.00 Tel: 09 72 31 69 61 Email: pbrslr@hotmail.com FOR SALE: Books Approx 140/150, good condition, popular authors: Jeffrey Deaver, Michael Connelly, Sue Grafton, Lee Child, Susan Lewis, Clive Cussler, Phillippa Gregory, etc. Proceeds to Charity. €50.00 Tel: 05 55 03 15 82 FOR SALE: Computer accessories Phillips 18.5 inch computer screen.

Hardly used and in excellent condition - €45. Logitech camera and software excellent condition €15.

Acer french keyboard excellent condition €10.

Tel: 05 55 64 22 25 Email: geeinfrance@gmail.com FOR SALE: SOLAVOX PR25 Speakers SOLAVOX

PR25 speakers (2). 25w.

RMS. Teak finish. 4cm x 37cm. Good working order.

25 euros the pair. €25.00 Tel: 0555 787902 (near Rochechouart) FOR SALE: OLD FRENCH JIGSAW PUZZLE CUBES IN ORIGINAL WOODEN BOX (4 different pictures).

Stored in barn for years and some wear and tear to picture on outer side lid of the box, and cubes, as would be expected. The box is in good condition, as is the picture on inside of box - complete. €20.00 Tel: 0555 787902 (near Rochechouart) FOR SALE: Sony PS2 With 2 Controllers, PS2.

Plus 'Ferrari' Steering wheel/pedals. Included are Games - 'Grand Turismo 4', 'Robotech' and 'Ace Combat'. Little used. In excellent condition. All for 50 euros. €50.00 Tel: 0555 787902 (near Rochechouart) FOR SALE: LG LED flatscreen TV 119cm

(47 inches) As new, full working order. €300.00 Tel: 06 52 23 44 19 (nr La Souterraine) FOR SALE: Commercial Kitchen Equipment E500 Commercial Dishwasher 600€ ono; 900 x 300cm Falcon Grill with Shelving and S/S Splashback Plate 400€ ono; Large Hot Counter (approx 1,5 mtr. in length) 4 hot plates and hot cupboard underneath 600€ ono; 22" Firstline Colour TV with remote control 120€ ono; Convection Oven (needs attention) offers; 12 x 1.5kg Catering Moules Bowls with lids (like new) 75€; 50 wine glasses, 14 x 25cl carafes and 8 x coffee liqueur glasses 50€; 6 x 8" and 6 x 7" Creme Brulee Dishes 25€; Job lot of crockery to include 3 x 16" Giant Serving Plates, 8 x 12" Large Dinner Plates, 25 x 8" Dessert Plates, 19 x 6" Side Plates, Tea & Coffee Cups, Espresso cups, variety of saucers, 2 Large & 3 Small Teapots, 3 small Milk jugs and 1 Large Milk jug, 8 Pepper pots and 1 salt pot, also 4 x 145ml s/s sauce boats and 2 x 275ml sauce boats and 6 glass vinegar bottles 150€; 12 x Wicker breadbaskets with detachable covers 8€.

Contact Mrs M Taylor 05 55 48 92 84 or 06 04 09 03 10 FOR SALE: Why take Victorian? 1 sink left like on

photo from French chateau, 1920s, brand Porcher. Good condition, no cracks. With

pedestal and original soap holder. Buyer collects (10 min from airport, Bellegarde 87). €50.00 Tel: 06 66 24 85 49

VEHICLES / PARTS FOR SALE: Boat and trailer

French Registered Falcon 18, 115hp, morse hydraulic steering, electric tilt and trim, stainless steel propeller, 2 anchors and usual equipment. €5,000.00 Tel: 05 55 60 64 03 FOR SALE: Kia Sorento XS 4x4 RHD Reg UK Sept

03 now French registered, Control Technique to Oct 2015, Full service history, De-mountable Tow bar fitted, Excellent condition. €3,000.00ono Tel: 02 54 31 35 03 FOR SALE: MECEDES BENZ E CLASS 320 ESTATE. AUTO. Left Hand

Drive. Petrol. Fully French registered. CT to Jan 2017.

Carte Grise. Cruise control, Aircon, good tyres, good engine, mileage 110,000.

Slight scratches on bumpers.

Lovely smooth drive. Email for more pictures. €5,000.00 Tel: 05 55 47 34 98 Email: bradlang@mac.com FOR SALE: Mitsubishi Carisma RHD French registered car. €500.00 Tel: 05 55 48 81 36 (87600 Chéronnac) FOR SALE: Towbars Towbar for Citroen Xsara Picasso complete. 60 euros. Towbar for Peugeot 406 complete. 40 euros. Tel: 02 48 56 74 73 FOR SALE: 2009 MINI One Hatch with Pepper Pack and other extras Lightning Blue

FOR SALE: Citroen C4 Grand Picasso 7 seats,

1.6 VTR+, Petrol, RHD, Dec 2009, Blue, French Registered, CT July 2016, Only 28000 kilometres, Excellent condition. €6,250.00 T: 05 55 60 26 90 FOR SALE: Tow a Van Box Trailer with roller shutter door Very good condition.

Email for more details. €900.00 Email: rofesteven@ yahoo.co.uk

WANTED Metallic, Petrol 1.4, Manual, RHD French Registered, FSH last serviced December 2014/CT Due January 2017, Chrome Line Exterior, Body Coloured Mirror Caps, 15’’ Alloys, 6 Speed Gearbox, Cosmos Black Cloth Interior, Height Adjustable Drivers Seat & Steering Column, Leather Steering Wheel, Air-Con, ABS, Auto Stop/ Start energy saving function, Dynamic Stability Control, Computer, ISOFIX, Luggage Pack including many other extras. 97,000KMS. Ex dealer demonstrator and one very careful owner from new.

Extremely reluctant sale, much loved car. £5700 ONO or equivalent in Euros. Nr Chalus 87230, Haute Vienne.

No timewasters please. Tel: 05 55 50 19 16 Email: carrie. ward@btconnect.com

WANTED: Digger or Excavator Any age or condition. Any other plant or machinery considered.

Prompt cash buyer. Tel: 02 48 56 74 73 WANTED: Slate bed pub style 7' pool table Any condition. Tel: 05 87 77 20 82 (ask for Mike phone evenings) WANTED: Caravan Prompt cash purchase and collection available. Tel: 02 48 56 74 73 WANTED: Trailer - any age or condition Tel: 02 48 56 74 73 WANTED: OLD MOTOR CYCLES Barn clearance, garage clearance. Pre 1966 motor cycles hidden away in barns and garages wanted for cash, any condition, even the rusty ones and non runners.

Everything considered.

Friendly buyer will call round. Pls tel Martin on 05 55 89 12 96

How to place a Classified Advert To place a classified advert, please email: notices@thebugle.eu

BY THE 20th with the details you would like include. Your advert will appear online and in the next print edition of The Bugle.

Classified adverts are currently free for all small items (less than €500). For more expensive items and photos a small fee applies: ● Items more than €500 are charged at €5 per month ● Photos are charged at €2.50 per month

18 ♦ LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letters to

The Editor

The Free Church of England – FCE Founded 1844 – in France Robert Leone

By Email

I

n December 2014 the Free Church of England (founded 1844) was formally established in France as a church serving the spiritual needs of all Anglicans in eastern Poitou-Charentes, as well as much of Limousin and Centre.

This was achieved by the registration of the Association Chrétienne des Anglicans en France (ACAF) which, in English, is the Christian Association of Anglicans in France. The Registration Number is W 86 2002061. This followed the retirement of the Rev Robert Leone and his wife, Sarah, to their holiday house in Montmorillon, Vienne.

In October last year Robert went “church hunting”, looking for disused chapels. In the first hamlet he came to, he found a manor house with an ancient church next to it. The lady of the house, Mme Eliane Freeman, unlocked the church – built in 1096. It was perfect. It is structurally sound, thanks to the efforts of Eliane and her English husband, Dudley. Much still needs to be done, however, to make it comfortable. In January it was reconnected to the electrical grid and the first cabling work was completed. A roofer, appropriately named Robert Priest, made sure the roof was safe and secure. To complete the work inside the church will require another 8,000 Euros.

The FCE was established in 1844 as a reaction to the powerful influence of the Oxford Movement, or Tractarian Movement, which introduced what were seen as Roman Catholic practices and beliefs in to the Church of England.

Disaffected Anglican clergy, supported by wealthy sponsors, joined with the Countess of Huntington’s Connexion to form the FCE. In 1863 the FCE was registered at

the Court of Chancery, London. In January 2013 a Declaration by the Archbishop of Canterbury confirmed the recognition of the clergy and bishops of the FCE as valid and validly Anglican.

The great irony is that in the past 15 years the FCE has modified its views about the practices it once opposed. It is still an Evangelical or “Low Church” Anglican denomination, but it is now in affiliation with churches whose services are much “higher up the candle”, to use an Anglican expression. The FCE also has a number of “sister churches” to which it is directly linked, such as the Reformed Episcopal Church, in the USA and Canada (founded in 1873). There are also sister churches in many other countries, with new groups affiliating in Australia. All these churches and groups, like the FCE, are growing rapidly, as ecumenism has become very important to all of them.

The FCE has learned, over the past decade in particular, that what it is for is much more important than what it used to be against.

Robert has been given permission to vary the FCE’s religious services, to serve a wider group of Anglicans.

Robert can be contacted on 06 40 12 77 52 or, preferably at his email address revrobertleone@gmail.com

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ APRIL 2015

Learning French in France Tanguy

By Email

S

o… the strangest thing happened to me the other day at the hardware store.

I was standing in line, waiting for the cashier to be available so that he could give me an estimate. Then a guy came in and started chatting with me in the line, telling me how he had just seen me in another hardware store earlier.

Well, this story doesn't sound so weird, now, does it? It doesn't... until I tell you that this happened in Creuse, and that the man was actually talking to me in English!

He didn't ask whether I spoke the language, he just assumed I did. Well, either he was a psychic medium or extremely lucky. In any case, I do speak English, and our little chat ensued.

The guy was all right, mind you, friendly and everything. It doesn't hurt to practise one's English once in a while, as a matter of fact I relish the opportunity.

But... this episode just felt weird to me. Not rude, not arrogant. Just plain surreal.

After our little chat I had learned that this fellow had been living here for 7 years but barely spoke any French. I gave him some advice on how to learn French more efficiently.

Nothing extraordinary, the usual advice like listening to the French radio while he was working (we were in a hardware store, remember), TV, reading French news articles...

Then I let him go first as I had a fairly long estimate to ask for and he only had a couple of things to buy.

This is in no way meant to be an insult, or condescending, but for the life of me, I cannot imagine ever living in a foreign country without trying to master its tongue. I cannot fathom it, and yes, I did go overseas and I did learn the language.

So, to this gentleman, if he happens to read the Bugle, and to any other Englishman or woman here in Limousin who can barely speak any French and who have been here longer than they care to admit, I ask this: What are you doing? What is the matter with you?

After a couple of years here, you should amaze your folks back home with your mastery of the “Langue de Molière”, not be ashamed of your level.

Let me tell you something else about myself.

I am, unfortunately, unemployed as of January.

Hopefully this will not last long. Alas, in 2015 France and with our current economy, speaking English near fluency and having a degree and quite some work experience under one's belt is no cure against unemployment, but that is a

separate issue.

Anyway, an extensive job hunt will not take you more than a couple of hours a day at most, and I currently find myself with more free time than I would like to have. So I am taking it upon myself to strengthen my Spanish, which could be described as “intermediate” at best.

I am doing it for free, from home, with a great website called “duolingo”. Check it out.

Please, for the love of God please do. I am not affiliated with it, it is entirely free, and works for several languages, even French for the native English speakers.

I am also reading news and articles and watching tons of YouTube videos and documentaries in Spanish.

I cannot tell for sure, but I think that after only two weeks, the results are starting to show. Recently, I found myself waking up and realising that my last dream was in Spanish!

And I am not even in a Spanish-speaking country!

So... there you have it. The tools are here.

They have never, ever, in the history of humankind, been more accessible and easier. I cannot stress that enough. And you live in the middle of freakin' France!

I know learning a language is hard. I should know. I did it. Twice. So can you.

I have to stress once again that this little rant is not directed at the many English people who do try their best and oftentimes succeed, and they are legion. It is also not meant to sound rude, condescending, or arrogant. And it certainly is not a rant against this very nice fellow I met at the hardware store.

I couldn't personally care less about your French. I speak English. We can talk, no problem.

I will always admit to speaking English when asked and I will always give you directions.

And I mean, ALWAYS. Even when I don't know where it is!

But if you do get serious about learning French, it will probably increase the quality of your life here in a million subtle ways you couldn't possibly imagine.

A little side-note: Quite a few of the English speakers around these parts are retirees, hence of a certain age. Did you know that learning another language was one of the best ways to fight off Alzheimer's desease and quite a few other brain issues common in ageing people?

Just sayin'.

Well, I guess I have given you all enough food for thoughts. And as our President would say: Friendly! (French for “Best regards”... or something!)

Tanguy

SEARCHWORDOKU © - by Anthony Parson Complete the alphabetical Sudoku grid to the left using only the letters already shown, then use the result wordsearch grid to find: A bladed weapon

How does it work...?

Complete the Sudoku grid in the usual manner, using only the 9 letters already shown. Once complete, you will be left with a 9x9 wordsearch grid, in which to find the final piece of the puzzle.

See the completed example to the right, the clue for which is "An English county".

Be careful not to jump to conclusions, as with the letters available, the answer could be SURREY, SUSSEX, ESSEX, or as it turns out in this case... SOMERSET.

Solution on page 29

DIRECTORY ♦ 19

APRIL 2015 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Business Directory

Your indispensable guide to finding local businesses & artisans Animals & Pets Auto Services Building Services Architects/Surveyors Carpenters/Joiners Electricians Fosses Septiques General Groundworks Painters/Decorators

Plasterers Plumbers Roofing Sandblasting >> pg 19 Chimney Sweeps >> pg 19 >> pg 19-20 Computers/Satellites Food & Drink >> pg 20 >> pg 20 -22 Garden Services Gifts & Crafts >> pg 22 Handholding Services >> pg 22

>> pg 19 >> pg 19

FARRIER Animals & Pets REGISTERED MARECHAL FERRANT NOW TAKING ON NEW CLIENTS

Champlong Chatterie

Caring, quiet accommodation just for cats JUNCT 22 off A20, Arnac la Poste

Alison & Ray

Tel: 05 55 60 27 83

champlongchatterie@me.com www.champlongchatterie.com SIRET: 520 896 671 00010

ZE DOG (& CAT) HOUSE

Family, cage-free boarding for dogs and cats.

Positive dog training and counseling.

We make sure that “Ze Dog (& Cat) House” is a real home from home for your companions so that they, as well as you, spend a great time on holiday!

June Altman, Le Puytren, 87800 Meilhac

Tel: 05 55 58 87 94 / Mob: 06 61 01 12 21 Email: junealtman@orange.fr or junealtman@yahoo.fr

CHRIS SELWYN Dip WCF REGISTERED FARRIER ▪ OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE ▪ ALL DISCIPLINES AND REMEDIAL WORK UNDERTAKEN ▪ RELIABLE, HONEST SERVICE ▪ CONTACT TO DISCUSS YOUR REQUIREMENTS AND AREA ▪ BASED IN 87 BUT WILL TRAVEL ▪ REFERENCES AVAILABLE

TEL: 06 30 96 02 02

E: info@englishfarrierinfrance.com W: www.englishfarrierinfrance.com siret: 799 169 479 00018

The Orchard Kennels & Cattery (Farges, nr. Aubusson)

Small & friendly, English run.

Viewings welcome.

Certificat de capacité.

Also available: Pet foods, treats & accessories.

Mon - Sat: 9.00 - 7.00

Contact Dave Grant: 05 55 67 58 87

English, French, German - and Animal spoken! Katharina Maiss

Registered Car Mechanic

05.55.81.31.85

See Display Ad pg 21

Building Services Architects/ Surveyors ALBION BUILDING SURVEYORS RICS Chartered Surveyor

35+ years experience, fully insured - pre-purchase house surveys - digital floor plans - project monitoring

www.surveys-in-france.org

Auto Services

Architectural DRAWING SERVICE Renovating your French property?

New build?

LCS 23 Autos

Car and Van Sales European Transport

06 23 29 24 70 - see pg 17

Health & Beauty House Clearance Insurance & Finance Language Services Pest Control Property Sales Retail & Commerce Transport/Removals /Storage General

CHARTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEER

Pre-purchase & Structural Surveys.

Verbal & written reports.

Structural calculations & drawings.

Redevelopment ideas & solutions.

Tim Haw B.Eng C.Eng M.I.Struct.E

FR: 0033 (0)6 05 56 42 81 UK: 0044 (0)7448 466 662

Web: www.versineer.com Email: enquiries@versineer.com Siret: 498 843 051 00018

Tel: 06 02 27 45 60

siret: 504 584 228 00010

Animal communication

www.ame-et-corps.com Tel: 06.66.24.85.49

RING BILL!

www.the-orchard.eu

Certificat de capacité n° 87-203 RCS Limoges 750 912 057

Gentle healing for people and pets.

Complementing conventional treatments by easing the side effects. Helping to identify the causes of allergic reactions and behavioural problems. More information at:

>> pg 22 >> pg 22-23 >> pg 23 >> pg 23 >> pg 23 >> pg 23-24 >> pg 24 >> pg 24 >> pg 24 >> pg 24

Dossiers prepared Permis de Construire Déclarations Préalables

Tel: 05 53 52 36 05

lavieilleabbaye@orange.fr SIRET: 493 770 358 00015

Building Services

>> pg 26 >> pg 26 >> pg 26 >> pg 26 >> pg 26 >> pg 26 >> pg 26-27 >> pg 27 >> pg 27

Le Charme De Chêne Handmade solid oak joinery and furniture Our joinery expertise includes barn doors, barn door frame openings, staircases, kitchens, windows & doors.

We also make handmade furniture.

Every item is bespoke and made to measure.

Please visit our website for recent installations and references.

www.lecharmedechene.com contactus@lecharmedechene.com

02 54 25 65 08 06 16 91 64 67 SIRET: 510 156 763 00011

Carpenters/ Joiners

Building Services

WOODWORK MADE TO MEASURE

DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, STAIRCASES, OAK FRAMES...

FROM LOCAL HARD AND SOFT WOODS. SHUTTERS FROM 35 EUROS. Please explore our website for more information:

www.scrollart.co.uk scrollartfrance@gmail.com

05 55 14 12 43

Oradour Sur Vayres (87150) - siren: 752 051 482

Nicholas Hemming Wood Craft www.nicholashemming.co.uk

02 48 63 15 09 - see main ad pg 4 Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Electricians Pink Electrique Ruth & Geoff Kowalczyk All electrical work, home automation & security.

Project management. See our website for more information. French qualified and insured.

30+ years worldwide experience.

Departments covered: 23, 36, 87.

Tel: 05 55 63 10 68 Mob: 06 64 59 48 64

Email: info@pink-electrique.fr www.pink-electrique.fr SIRET: 788 709 871 00016

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

20 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ APRIL 2015

ADVERTORIAL

“SolarVenti”- the solar solution to damp and humidity

A

together.

simple solar energy system that runs on its own, even when you are not there! – And provides a free heat supplement in winter.

The Solarventi air panel was invented more than 20 years ago by Hans Jørgen Christensen, from Aidt Miljø, with the backing of the Danish government. He wanted to use the sun’s energy for airing and ventilation of the thousands of holiday homes on the West coast of Jutland, - houses that were left empty and unheated for long periods - houses with damp problems, mould and bad odours - houses that left their owners with discomfort, lots of work and expense. He wanted a system that would be safe, simple, without the need for radiators, water and/or mains electricity. Slowly but surely, the first Solarventi model came

How it works The principle behind Solarventi is simple: a small, built-in, solar cell powers a 12V fan that is connected to an air vent, a control unit and an on/ off switch.

Whenever the sun shines, the air in the solar panel is heated and the fan, receiving power from the solar cell, introduces warm, dry air into your home at the rate of 20 to 100 cubic metres per hour.

The initial models were more than capable of keeping the cottages dry (and ventilated), even with the limited sunshine hours available in Denmark during the winter season. Since that time, the technology has really come along in leaps and bounds. Now, more than 20 years later, the 3rd and 4th generation Solarventi have exceed-

Building Services

ed all expectations.

In Southern Europe, Solarventi is not only used for ventilation/dehumidification purposes; with far more winter sunshine hours, it also provides a substantial heating supplement. Several technical and governmental studies show that incoming air temperature can be increased by as much as 40°C. A DIY Solution?

The installation process is very straightforward and should only take two or three hours. All that is needed is a drill, hammer and chisel to make a hole in the wall. Roof installations are also possible. In fact, the Solarventi was originally designed to be a DIY product - in Scandinavia it still is.

There are no electrical or water connections and it can be safely left running, even when

SALAMANDRE

électricité

the property is empty. Solarventi requires no maintenance - if the property is unoccupied during the hot summer months, then it can be left running at low speeds for ventilation and dehumidification purposes or simply switched off.

With a range of panel sizes, and the option for wall or roof mounting, Solarventi is suitable for all types of buildings, caravans or even boats!! Following the patenting of its design in 2001, Solarventi has only recently been actively commercialized. Over the last six years, Solarventi units have been installed in more than 24 countries and demand is increasing rapidly. From Greenland to Australia, Solarventi is finally getting the recognition it deserves. ■ Units start from €630 TTC

Building Services

SOLARVENTI - Available in the Limousin From Harlequin Developments Tel: 05 55 68 67 56 Mobile: 06 06 60 46 97

Building Services

Keith SLOPER

Electricians Lumiere Service et Energie Steven Rofe 20+ Years experience

No Siret: 494 916 760 00015

• NICEIC approved Electrician for 8 years in the UK • Wiring of new installations (including liaising with EDF) • Rewiring existing houses/barns • External & garden lighting • All aspects of electrical works • Fully insured - (10 year Decennale) • Departments covered 19,23 & 87 05.55.69.75.67 / 06.89.47.69.71 email: rofesteven@yahoo.co.uk Siret No. 501.792.386.00010

BARWICK ÉLECTRICITÉ SHAUN BARWICK QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN

INSTALLATION23

- Electricity - Plumbing - Air conditioning and heat pump - Small renovations (bathrooms, kitchens, etc.)

Dutch and English spoken Creuse / Puy-de-Dôme E-mail: installation23@gmail.com

Mob. 06 40 56 96 12 Tel. 05 55 67 57 64 Siret: 753 054 030 00014

Available for all types of electrical work Small jobs, new builds, renovations, rewires Consuel assistance and certification service available Fully insured with 10 year workmanship guarantee Based near Châlus (87230)

Tel: 09 72 35 74 73

Email: barwick.shaun@gmail.com @iret: 794 282 368 00016

Tel: 05 55 64 94 20 Mob: 07 86 38 09 61 * Qualified electrician * All types of electrical works carried out * Free estimates * Fault finding * Consuel certification arranged * Temporary and permanent EDF supplies arranged * Departments 23 and 87

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

Fosses Septiques

General

Steve Johns

Max Huggett

Fosse Septique Specialist 20+ years experience All aspects covered: Paperwork and permissions arranged Installations (full/part) Upgrades (to current regs) Inspections

Digger and dumper hire

Groundworks, foundations, driveways, etc.

Building & Renovation services Free devis and site visit

05.55.64.11.73

We guarantee to beat any like for like quote ! siret: 514 556 208 00015

LES VIDANGES LIMOUSINES

Experienced and fully registered builder with 10 year Décennale Insurance Offering a broad selection of building services in depts. 87, 19 & 23.

From one off installations to complete renovations, construction, landscaping and ground works.

E: info@maxhuggett.com

T: 05 55 69 37 64 M: 06 80 92 23 82

www.maxhuggett.com

English & French spoken - Siret: 518 511 340 00011

T J Renovations

30 years experience in building trade

▪ Emptying septic tanks ▪ Unblocking pipes ▪ Cleaning wells ▪ Group rates available between neighbours Call David - 24/24 7/7

Full refurbishments undertaken

87800 Jourgnac

Email: tjrenovations96@yahoo.fr

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Abris Bois LV

06 49 66 44 25 Siret N° 750 725 780 00019

• Stone/Brickwork • Patios • Repointing • Studwork • General Repairs & Maintenance All areas in the Limousin covered Contact Tim

05 55 61 16 30 / 06 85 37 04 35 web: www.builderinthecreuse.co.uk Siret: 750 068 116 00011

Timber Building Specialists www.abrisboislv.fr 05 87 77 95 57 - see pg 2

Entreprise Hines Building & Renovation ● Roofing - New & Repairs ● Masonry ● Plastering ● Dry Lining ● Sand Blasting ● Equestrian Buildings ● Digger/Scaffold Hire ● ... and much, much more

28 years qualified experience

05.55.89.69.46 www.entreprisehines.com robert.hines@orange.fr SIRET: 503 169 237 00016

La Noneix

Construction & Property Services

Established, Professional and Personal Building Services. Fully registered with décennale insurance covering all works.

●Renovations ●New builds ●Roofing ●Stonework ●Carpentry ●Ground works

Large or small projects undertaken - please view our website.

Contact: Paul or Joanne Rands

05.55.66.44.06 www.lanoneix.com Paul.rands@orange.fr SIRET: 501 144 596 00019

Creuse Property & Lake Services - General maintenance including grounds - Change overs - Meet and Greets - On call / Emergency help - Key holding - Handyman Building projects also undertaken For full details visit

www.creusepropertyservices.eu or call 06 02 67 72 19 Siret No: 804 568 020 00015

To advertise in The Bugle Business Directory, call 05 55 41 17 76

Entreprise Hines Building Services All Internal & External Works, completed to a high standard.

We also supply KWIKSTAGE scaffold for hire - either DIY or full scaffold service provided. siret: 503 169 237 00016

See website for more info - www.entreprisehines.com - 05 55 89 69 46 - robert.hines@orange.fr

DIRECTORY ♦ 21

APRIL 2015 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

ADVERTORIAL

Limousin Spas H

ere at Limousin Spas we aim to offer our clients a comprehensive sales, installation and continuing advice and support package. This means that you can truly relax and enjoy your experience of choosing and owning a spa... whether it is for a holiday home or all year round.

We set up our business after finding it difficult to obtain reliable advice or choice when trying to buy a spa for our own home. Most of the widely available models demand a high power supply and are thus unsuitable for the majority of rural properties (unless you can

manage without using any other electric appliances at any time!) After many meetings with suppliers we decided to stock 3 full ranges of spas which we found particularly sturdy and reliable... this gives a choice of models for 2 to 8 people and from basic to luxury.

We run our business from home so we don't have to pass on the cost of running a huge showroom and can keep prices reasonable.

There is always at least 1 model on display to inspect and wet test to truly appreciate the features. We welcome any enquiries and visits (although we suggest you phone first to check

we are not out delivering a spa). Many of our previous customers have offered to discuss or show the tubs they have bought so we can probably put you in touch with someone local.

We are happy to visit and advise on siting your spa and quote for works such as decking and bespoke gazebos to enhance the surroundings.

Full specifications and details on all our spa ranges are available on our website www.limousin-spas.com We are further developing our website, so please contact us if you would like any more information in French or English. ■

www.limousin-spas.com Tel: 05.55.63.26.20 Email: sales@limousin-spas.com

The current strong pound/euro rate means our spas are at their lowest prices for many years!

To advertise in The Bugle Business Directory, call 05 55 41 17 76 CHRIS STONE SERVICES

Dave Cardwell - Builder

05 55 98 24 12

PLUMBING/ELECTRICITY

See our Display Ad - pg 3

INSTALLATIONS AND REPAIRS TEL: 05.55.06.05.69 MOB: 06.04.44.26.36

Davis & Davis

Rochechouart SIRET: 520 275 504 00022

R & B Construction ALL ASPECTS OF RENOVATION & CONSTRUCTION • House & barn renovations • Garage/loft conversions • Bathroom/shower rooms • Doors/windows • Roofing • Patios/decking • Plumbing & Electrical • 10 year Guarantee Insurance

See our website: www.rb-first-construction.com Tel: 05 55 37 74 06 (Dave) Tel: 05 55 69 75 67 (Steve) (Depts 23, 87 & 19) siret: 501 792 386 00010

French Lily

Kitchens & Interiors 05 55 80 92 91 - see pg 2 Double D

Renovations & Home Improvements 05 55 65 00 29 - pg 10

30 years' Experience in Construction, Renovation & Project Management Quality Workmanship Guaranteed Internal/ External Developments Barn conversions, loft conversions, new-build, drylining, plastering, rendering, spray rendering, tiling, installation of kitchens/ bathrooms, painting, carpentry, replacement doors & windows, velux installation, groundworks, landscaping, decking & much more...

No job too big (or small). Give us a call for a free competitive quote.

05 55 60 29 50 / 06 04 13 30 57 email: davis-davis@sfr.fr

Based Arnac-la-Poste - Covering depts 87, 23 & 19 Siret: 498 203 652 00017

Paul Jones Renovation

Paul Goldsmith Harlequin Developments Interior Renovations All aspects of renovation and refurbishment, big or small, undertaken.

Harlequin Developments are a Distributor and Installer for Solarventi, solar dehumidifying and water heating products, as well as a range of other renewable energies

05.55.68.67.56 06.06.60.46.97

harlequindevelopments@live.com www.harlequindevelopments.com SIRET: 494.501.067.00016

Interior & Exterior building work

• House renovations • roofing • de-mossing • pointing • masonry • ground works • etc.

Honest price and efficient service Please call to discuss:

02 54 24 29 76 or e-mail:

Experienced and fully registered artisan, offering a high quality finish and service

happydayshereweare@gmail.com

• 10yr Décennale Assurance • Full house/barn renovation • Plasterboarding walls and ceilings • Tape and Jointing • Kitchen Installation • Roofing works • Carpentry • Patios/Decking

House Renovations

Tel: 05 55 69 28 12 Mob: 06 73 18 63 47 Email: pauljones@orange.fr www.pauljonesrenovation.com siret no: 495 067 829 00020

Monte Sarginson Inside & Out

Experience in Roofing, Tiling Floors & Walls, Plumbing, Fitting Kitchens & Bathrooms, Stonework & Rendering, Painting & Decorating

Tel: 05 55 63 88 70 Mob: 06 21 34 18 20 Siret no 507 516 748 00013

Registered for 8 years in France

High quality work, excellent references available • Kitchens • Bathrooms • Tiling • Wood flooring • Loft conversions • Pointing • Windows • Plasterboarding Covering Creuse and Indre

e: lasout@live.com

t: 09 66 03 52 89 SIRET 494 123 847 00019

WASTE REMOVAL SERVICES

• house/barn/garden clearances • dechetterie runs • rubbish removal • cash paid for scrap • general labouring service • mini digger - with/without driver • Vehicle with 1.5 tonne crane

Multi-skilled Professional Workmanship for every aspect of your build Please see our portfolio at : www.oldstylecreativity.weebly.com Contact Kristian Woodgate on:

kristianwoodgate@icloud.com

05-55-62-24-27 / 06-48-77-79-19 siret: 511 277 527 00012

Masonry & More

General building Renovation & maintenance Reliable, good quality work 30 years exp Based central 23 - will travel Martin Sprague

05 55 61 93 07

05 55 37 45 35 06 74 21 47 71

martin_sprague_1@ hotmail.com

GODSON

Stephen Cullinane & Son

J. S. Long Building Services

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

siret 532 981 198 00015

Travaux Publics www.pilgrim23.com 05.55.62.61.12 - pg 3 www.jslbuilders.com

09 67 30 71 46 / 06 42 06 52 20 see main ad - pg 5

SIRET: 531 768 182 00010

From the foundations to the roof Established 9 years in France 05 55 81 00 53 - see pg 4

RING BILL!

NEUVIALLE MENUISERIE no job too small

Registered Car Mechanic

30 Years’ Experience Joiner Kitchens, Bedrooms & Bathrooms Flooring & General 2nd Fix Finishing, Joinery & Decking Emergency Lock Services

05 55 81 31 85

Siret: 802 265 728

Mike Christie 05 55 64 35 11 (Home) 07 87 38 58 88 (Mobile) mgchristie2013@gmail.com

Old Style Creativity Rural Renovations

■ Services ■ Brakes ■ MOT Prep

(contrôle technique)

SIRET: 494 617 798 00017

■ ... much more Dept. 23 & surrounding areas

22 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ APRIL 2015

ADVERTORIAL

E

ARL Diffusion Médicale

stablished in 1989, this trusted local business specialises in the sale and rental of medical equipment, aimed at both professionals and individuals.

With an extra-regional dimension, ARL boasts a family spirit

and a strong relationship with its customers.

The company, which is 100% Limousin, equips individuals as well as health centres and independent healthcare professionals. ARL sells or leases the equipment and has particular expertise in wheelchairs, hospital beds and hoists, as well as sitto-stand lifts and air mattresses.

“We work hard to have a wide range of products that allow home-based support with the maximum level of comfort,” explains Jean-Christophe Boichard, director of ARL. Support does not end with delivery of the equipment, however, as the company also has a dedicated aftersales team. “We keep things local, which enables our dedicated after-sales team of four to respond within 24 hours.”

Scaffolding Hire

Building Services

Large stock Rapid response Good rates for long & short term hire Erected or self-erect Delivery or collection All areas covered Call Dave:

General

06 42 73 83 37 siret: 795 207 067 00013

La Coterie Entreprise Approved septic tank installer

05.55.80.83.30

www.lce23.com See our main ad below

Building Services

05.55.80.00.57

See our Display Ad - pg 12

KWIKSTAGE Scaffold Hire DIY or Full Scaffold Service See our website or phone for details

05 55 89 69 46

www.entreprisehines.com robert.hines@orange.fr SIRET: 503 169 237 00016

ARL Diffusion Médicale would be delighted to meet you at its premises from Monday to Friday between 9h and 18h (nonstop) and on Saturday mornings from 9h to 12h. ■

Building Services

Building Services

GLEN VINEY

Painters/ Decorators

Plasterers

CALL KATH

Le Plâtrier du Limousin

Groundworks

Room Re-designs

info@platrierlimousin.fr

Mini-Digger with driver

05 55 63 53 06

john.bonella@gmail.com See Main Ad pg 23

siret 802 262 35200015

For more information on advertising in the Bugle Business Directory, give us a call or send us an email:

Simon Carter

sales@thebugle.eu

05.55.64.11.73 - see pg 10

05 55 41 17 76

Septic tanks

systems designed with permissions & paperwork included and independent approval with certification.

05 55 80 92 91

Kathleen Willis

kathleen.willis@orange.fr

Painter & Decorator Qualified craftsman with over 25 years UK experience, now based in Haute-Vienne.

Specialist services: Interior & exterior painting & decorating, wallpapering, plastering.

Siret: 534 396 908 00012

Web: www.sjcmontluc.fr Email: sjcmontluc@yahoo.fr siret: 792.130.932.00017

Concrete

the Plasterer A genuine plasterer French and English spoken Traditional Plastering Rendering, Stud partition dry lining Lime mortar stone pointing

CALL FOR A FREE QUOTATION

05 55 63 53 06 06 23 29 48 19 christopher.willis@orange.fr Le Bourg, 23360 Nouzerolles SIRET: 504 612 441 00015

Tel: 06 45 18 86 10

(18 Years Experience) Email: glenviney1@btinternet.com Siret: 527 736 326 00010

Building Services

sales@thebugle.eu 05 55 41 17 76

concrete floors, concrete terraces, concrete retaining walls, openings, underfloor heating, insulation, steps.

Plumbers Plumber/Electrician

Installation, servicing & maintenance of all types of boiler: wood, gas, fuel, pellet...

Solar panels installed and maintained.

Underfloor heating, bathrooms, kitchens, etc...

General electric works up to full house rewire.

Will travel.

www.helplomberie.com e: benjaminjourdan@hotmail.com

m: 06 42 65 83 44 t: 05 55 60 84 69 siret: 517 848 826 00023

H20 CREUSE

Heating & Plumbing engineer

05 55 63 89 23

Renovation

bathrooms & kitchens from design to completion, ceilings, partition walls, drylining.

see our portfolio at www.LCE23.com

05.55.80.83.30

Quality Plasterwork, Internal & External

Benjamin Jourdan

Chris

FREE QUOTES

Tel: 05 87 19 91 50 Mob: 07 81 26 88 65

PLASTERER

The friendly & reliable plasterer

Painting and Decorating Colour Consultations

05.55.78.62.29

www.arl-limousin.fr 05 55 43 84 17 (French) 06 37 51 47 91 (English) 18, avenue de Landouge 87100 Limoges

Plasterboarding, Partitioning, Skiming, Solid Plastering, Floor Screeding,Rendering: Mono Couche/Coloured Render Waterproofing Render Systems

10 year guarantee.

Covering depts. 23 & 87.

Call Stuart on:

Steve Johns Assainissement

fosse-septique23.com

lowing you to eat at home.

Heavier items such as elevators, stair lifts, or platforms for the disabled are also part of ARL's catalogue, which has more than four hundred pieces of equipment operating across the region.

Committed to high levels of customer service, ARL offers individuals and businesses the same benefits, such as free delivery in the Limoges metropolitan area.

Interior and Exterior

RSW Entreprises

Fosse Septique Specialist

In total, ARL has no fewer than thirteen employees ensuring that clients are very well looked after. An on-site orthotist is available for all issues of movement restriction and can also visit you at your home if necessary.

ARL has a wide variety of products to equip a house or apartment in order to provide the best possible conditions for home care; promoting independence, balance, stability and al-

registered and insured for all work we do

see pg 9

trading 6 years

sales@LCE23.com

DIRECTORY ♦ 23

APRIL 2015 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

ADVERTORIAL

La Noneix Construction and Property Services Limousin residents Paul and Joanne Rands moved to France with their two young children nearly a decade ago and established their successful construction company, La Noneix Construction and Property Services, offering a full range of building services, from a small job right through to a total renovation or complete new-build.

H

ere at La Noneix Construction we are into our 9th year of trading in France and business is going from strength to strength. We find that there are still a lot of people moving to France from other countries and many of those are buying properties that require substantial renovation. The number of barn renovations, extensions and re-roofing jobs we are doing on old properties can only be good for the region, with old properties being given new life.

When carrying out a large renovation, the customer needs to be sure that the

Rick Fife

Plumbing & Heating Engineer All aspects of Plumbing and Heating work undertaken.

SPREAD THE COST OF A NEW GAS/OIL BOILER OVER 3 MONTHS 23 Years Qualified (Previously UK CORGI registered – Oil / Natural Gas / LPG) Established and registered in France for 8 years.

Areas Covered: North Creuse (23) & South Indre (36)

Tel:(temporary 02 number 54 during 06relocation) 94 74

Email: amanda.rick@tiscali.co.uk

Please give us a call to discuss your requirements. If you get the answer machine we WILL return your call the same day. siret: 494 380 264 00015

Martin Walters

Plumber

Caught out last winter?

Don't worry!

We can now offer winter checks, drain downs, caretaking, general DIY, key holding, as well as our usual friendly plumbing services.

Tel 02 54 24 84 62 Siret 522 804 723 00016

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

company they choose is fully qualified, insured, reliable and has a good track record. We pride ourselves on meeting these criteria and for the attention to detail and level of customer service that we provide.

We are in constant contact with our clients; we effectively run a 24/7 business via phone and email. Often, our clients will be based offsite or overseas and we send weekly updates, with photos of how the work is progressing. They are able to get back from work in an evening and email us to find out how things are going - we will always respond.

We find that this service is essential to our customers who do not live permanently in France, allowing them to remotely see exactly what has been happening in their absence.

This not only provides peace of mind, but also avoids the need for constant, costly trips back and forth to make sure that the work is being carried out effectively and efficiently.

Something that we unfortunately

Building Services Roofing

“I have used La Noneix Construction for a number of projects on my house in France, the biggest project being a new roof.

A. Robins Construction Roofing Specialist www.robinsbuilders.com 05 45 61 40 15 - see pg 12

ROOFING SPECIALISTS All types of roofing External insulation Carpentry work Dormer windows Velux windows Zinc guttering Chimney repoints Lead flashing, etc.

Contact Phil Andrews:

Mob: 06 42 38 54 22 Tel: 02 54 30 11 20 Email: philip.andrews@orange.fr siret: 509 180 410 00011

MUMFORD TOITURE Roofing & Plastering/ Plasterboarding Service

25+ years roofing experience All aspects of roofing, large or small 15+ years experience plastering/boarding Fully registered and insured Trading in France since 2007 Call Mark for a free quotation

05 55 71 49 13 - 06 78 60 96 16 mumford.toiture@orange.fr Siret No. 493 159 412 00011

PMC BATIMENT Roofing Specialists

www.pmcbatiment.fr see main ad - pg 3

with Driver for Hire

Landscaping, ditching, land clearance etc.

Also general Garden Maintenance John Bonella

87440 Marval

05 55 78 62 29

john.bonella@gmail.com

Before Joanne and Paul are very helpful and offer great advice, without any pressure to accept a quote. The quality of work is second to none and all work has been completed quicker than expected without compromise on quality. You pay for what you get, and with La Noneix Construction that is guaranteed quality workmanship.

I would recommend them to anyone wishing to have some work done on their house." - Andy “We've been considering our project

Chimney Sweeps

Building Services

After very carefully, and have been really impressed with your careful approach to our proposed extension.

We particularly like your attention to detail and your honesty about what needs doing to make it the best possible job.” - Jim & Viv ■ La Noneix Construction & Property Services Tel: 05.55.66.44.06 Email: paul.rands@orange.fr Find more information on: www.lanoneix.com

Chimney Sweeping • Flue ways cleared • Birds nests, vermin & debris removed • Smoke evacuation & gas tightness tests • Official certificates of cleaning issued (Certificat de Ramonage)

www.stovesellers.com

05 55 63 78 72 Siren: 502 409 949

TOUTE SWEEP

Eurl Réno-Gén

Mini Digger

siret no. 523 183 580 00019

see a lot of are enquiries from people who have been let down by other companies, who have either not finished the job or have not carried out the work to the relevant standard. When doing any kind of work, but especially when the work is structural, it is imperative that customers ensure anyone they use has a valid insurance policy to cover them for this work.

La Noneix Construction and Property Services is a professional enterprise that is registered at the Chambre de Métiers. We operate under a full, mandatory 10-year insurance (décennale) and we have an excellent customer service record.

Don’t take our word for it, though, just listen to what our customers have to say about our business in their own words:

Sandblasting Sand and Blast We provide a fully operated

sandblasting

service for wood, stone and metal.

Perfect for stripping away years of grime or paint.

Contact us for a free quote, or see our website:

Chimney Sweep Service

* All types of chimneys cleaned * Brush & Vacuum * Smoke Tested * Fully Insured * HETAS Approved and member of NACS * Official certificates of cleaning issued (Certificat de Ramonage) * Clean, tidy, professional & friendly service

Computers & Satellites

Contact Barry Manning

Tel: 05 55 66 14 11 Mob: 06 31 59 81 08

barry@toutesweep.com

www.sandandblast.com

REMEMBER - BLOCKED FLUES AND CHIMNEY FIRES CAN BE FATAL... DON'T TAKE THAT RISK!

05 67 77 83 05 steve@sandandblast.com

SIRET: 534 351 754 00013

SIRET: 534 759 337 00015

For more information on advertising in the Bugle Business Directory, give us a call or send us an email: sales@thebugle.eu

CLEAR CHIMNEYS

All types of chimneys cleaned Clean and efficient Certificat de Ramonage issued with every chimney swept Woodburners supplied & fitted Accredited flue installer Woodburner repairs Safety surveys Chimney repairs/maintenance

02 54 06 40 80

05 55 41 17 76

sootylesweep@gmail.com siren 535 199 483

Sat-Elec Formerly Electrosat

UK & French Satellite TV

Dishes & Freesat boxes always in stock Terrestrial digital aerial installations From a single outlet to multi-point systems

TOOWAY BROADBAND Approved Supplier

Wi-Fi, Data Networks, CCTV For sales, service or advice call Mike G on:

05 55 09 15 73

We only use our own qualified staff No call out charge Free quotations All areas covered Quality work from qualified Staff 5 Place de la Republique Sauviat-sur-Vige 87400 siret no 798 364 600 00014

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

50,000 sq ft of covered showrooms & 2 large external display areas - All reclamation bought & sold - Demolition undertaken - Specialists in oak beams - Metalwork & stonework - Indian stone flooring - Plywood, all in 8x4 sheets: internal, external and marine grade Open Mon-Sat 8.30am to 6pm - www.reclamation-yard.com Only 1km from Confolens on the D952 Ansac-sur-Vienne road

24 ♦ DIRECTORY

GOODWIN SATELLITE

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ APRIL 2015

Carraciola Sardo

SALES & INSTALLATION OF ALL SATELLITE SYSTEMS & AERIALS. FAULT FINDING.

Italian restaurant in St-Etienne-de-Fursac

Dept 23 & surrounding areas

Bar/café open: 10am - 2pm, Fri - Sun Restaurant open: 6pm - 10pm, Fri - Sun €10, €12 & €14 menus now available Lunch time specials.

Regular music and entertainment each month See our web site, or visit us on Facebook for more information:

Tel: 05 55 62 05 61 Mob: 06 23 40 18 64 Email: garygoodwin@wanadoo.fr siret: 453 067 910 00019

Big Dish Satellite www.bigdishsat.com

05 55 78 72 98

Tel: 05 55 63 86 05

www.carraciola.com see you soon, Steve and Elena

see main ad - pg 7

Creusetec

Satellite Systems 05 55 66 60 21

"Tooway" High speed internet via satellite TV Satellite Sales, Service & Installations.

TV Receiver & Electronic Repairs.

Dish alignments. Sky/Freesat/TNT/FTA. Most of depts 23,03,63,87,36 covered.

martin@creusetec.com http://www.creusetec.com SIRET: 510 117 328 00011

For all your TV and satellite installations and repairs (Sky TV, Internet etc.)

Call Patrice:

06.79.07.91.56

libre.antenne87@gmail.com Fast dependable service Based Séreilhac (87) siret: 353 613 227 00035

Food & Drink

Mandys-curry-2-go Mobile Curry Take Away

Try Something Different

Chez Jacques Marsac (23)

• Cosy atmosphere • Speciality Crêpes • Large burger menu • Over 20 whiskeys • Book corner, pool table • Fish & chip night (2nd Fri each month) • Curry nights (by reservation)

05 87 40 02 83 closed Wednesdays

RIVE DROITE 8 rue Ledru-Rollin 36200 Argenton-sur-Creuse

02 54 24 01 06

Restaurant - Pizzeria ● Italian Specialities ● Traditional Cuisine ● Home-made Desserts Moules de bouchot AOC available from July to December High Quality Food, a Warm Welcome and a Friendly Atmosphere await Closed Sundays & Mondays

Petticoat Lane 5 Rue Nationale – 16150 Chabanais

For menus and venues:

Tel: 05 45 29 03 99

Follow us on facebook e : mandyscurry2go@gmail.com

Visit: www.petticoatlaneshop.com E-mail: sales@petticoatlaneshop.com

www.mandyscurry2go.com

m : 07 70 39 12 23

Parties 20+ & events catered for siret: 498 199 306 00016

JJ’s Cafe Bar

Some customer quotes: ‘...more than just a bar’ ‘....a bit like Allo Allo and Cheers!’

English groceries, Fresh British Beef & Steaks (to order only), Gammon Steak, Bacon, Sausage & Cheddar Cheese.

Wide range of frozen items including vegetarian.

Traditional English beers, Sherries & Wine.

Cards for all occasions.

Opening hours: Mon - Sat 10am – 6pm Visit us and compare our prices

Come and see for yourself - Open all week.

See our Notice Board events listings 39 Place du Champ de Foire 36140, Aigurande

02 54 06 30 77

www.frenchweb.eu/jjscafebar/ cafebarjj@yahoo.co.uk SIRET: 508 754 314 00013

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Restaurant AUX CEPES LA veytiZoU, 87130

Tel: 05 55 69 33 38 see main ad - pg 5

Oh My Cod Fish and Chips www.ohmycod.fr

05 55 80 34 26 - see pg 16

Le Creusois Bar/Restaurant

Les Genêts, Azerables

High quality British & French food at reasonable prices.

Menu du Jour €12, Traditional Pub Food, Vegetarian dishes, Childrens & Snack menus also available

05.55.63.90.79

www.lecreusoisbistro.com SIREN: 483 988 853

Robert and Sue Manning

FARM TO FORK

Farm-raised Limousin Beef, Lamb and Poultry All the meat we sell is bred, fed and finished here on the farm Beef available as 1/16 or 1/8 side at just €10.90/kg Duck/Chicken available all year round Lamb available from 2015

Penstemons and Herbs in France English speaking nursery Order online and visits by appointment welcome See website for details

www.penstemonsandherbs.com Siret No. 490 041 183 00016

T.A.D. 23 (Travaux d'Accès Difficiles)

23140 PIONNAT

05 55 80 37 70 - see pg 5

Le Pub

58, rue d'Orjon, Argenton-sur-Creuse

02.54.60.02.14 - see pg 6

Garden Services

T: 05 55 81 14 51 M: 06 85 78 81 32 siret: 788 438 562 00019

Gifts & Crafts

'ROUSSIS MAID' (formerly Cartes de Christine)

APRONS HAND-CRAFTED CARDS FOR ALL OCCASIONS

Email: ellinghamroam764@yahoo.com

Tel: 06siret86 89 81 02 528 539 448

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76 Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

The Exchange Rochechouart

SECOND HAND BOOK SHOP. GREAT SELECTION OF GIFTS, CARDS, CANDLES AND HAND-CRAFTED PRODUCTS 500+ DVD's now in stock

Handholding Services

Tue 2.30pm - 5pm Thu, Fri 9:15-12 & 2:30-5pm Sat 9 - 12

05 55 78 19 24

www.theexchangerochechouart.com 9 rue Dr Charles Poitevin SIRET 484 479 480 00010

LE DORAT (Pl. Charles de Gaulle)

Mon Chic Cottage Home Decor & Gifts

Contact Jay:

05 87 77 95 59

see main ad below

www.monchiccottage.com info@monchiccottage.com

Les Jardins d'Olivier

Très Jolie

100% French eco-friendly pools www.les-jardins-d-olivier.com 05 55 68 67 21 - see pg 14

Les Bregères, 23150 St-Martial-le-Mont alison.petley@wanadoo.fr

VISIT ME AT THE FOLLOWING MARKETS: PIEGUT (Wed), BRANTOME (Fri) AIGRE, CHASSENEUIL & CONFOLENS (Monthly) FIND OUR CARDS AT: Magazin Artisanat, Confolens Send an email to sign up to the newsletter

Open Tue-Fri 10h00 -17h00 for all your tree requirements beverley.pawson@yahoo.co.uk 05.55.60.62.14 / 06.78.38.42.44

Tel: 05.55.80.29.88

• Tree Surgery • Garden Clearance • Strimming • Pruning

Tea, coffee & home-made scones / cakes Official Stockist & Workshop for Chalk Paint™ by Annie Sloan & Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic

Cross Cut Tree Surgeons

Handmade, fully interlocking, multi-layered 3D puzzles from just €9.

Keyrings €2 plus other unique gift ideas.

Customisation and personalisation possible.

Come and visit the workshop by appointment.

Quality product at affordable prices.

Customized, if required, especially for you.

Available blank or with either English or French greetings.

Tel: 02 54 25 34 73 BAR, RESTAURANT, TERRASSE

3D Puzzle Maker

All aspects of garden maintenance

EARL Les Fromentaux 10 Route de Vilenne, 36200 Celon

Le Moulin du Breuil

Ivan Petley

Ladies fashion accessories 05 55 78 62 29 / 06 04 08 29 53 see main ad pg 5

A HELPING HAND Translation/interpretation Dealing with utilities/banks Permis de construire Sourcing/supervising artisans 1-2-1 conversation classes

05 55 62 50 38 Jonathan Critchley jcritch.7@gmail.com siret: 792 285 025 00013

Sophie Arsac

French lessons & handholding services 05.55.89.15.74 - pg 16

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

To advertise in The Bugle Business Directory, call 05 55 41 17 76 unt o c s di !!

20% April s thi

Cross Cut Tree Surgeons

for all your tree requirements 30+ years experience Free quotes and advice We will not be beaten on price or standard of work Reliability guaranteed Fully qualified arborist - Fully insured Covering depts: 87, 23, 86, 36, 19 & 16

beverley.pawson@yahoo.co.uk

05.55.60.62.14 / 06.78.38.42.44

siret: 530 840 958 00017

DIRECTORY ♦ 25

APRIL 2015 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

ADVERTORIAL

Abris Bois LV - Residential Log Cabins

F

or all those who have ever renovated a property or built a new house in France, the bureaucracy and seemingly ever-changing regulations will be a familiar nightmare. Not to mention the language and legal barriers that may make it difficult to fully make sense of the regulations and to understand when, and to whom, they are applicable... or worse, when have been breached.

These difficulties need not cause you a headache if you have a fullyregistered building company to talk you through each stage of your building project, in your own language.

Abris Bois LV is registered in the Limousin and they receive regular updates about all French Building Regulations that affect their area as well as the rest of France. Only if your builder is fully appraised of changing regulations, knowledgeable and able to discuss up-to-date regulations with clients, can the customer ensure that their finished building work will be signed off without undue delay or last-minute changes being imposed.

Since January 1st 2013 the new building regulations RT 2012 apply to all new heated or cooled buildings greater than 50m2, except for: • provisional buildings • buildings heated with an indoor temperature lower than 12°C • buildings heated or cooled for other reasons than comfort, for example industrial processes • farms RT 2012 building regulations include three major requirements which must be respected simultaneously: • The first one deals with the intrinsic features of the structure and the envelope of the building without considering the HVAC system (Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning) and other technical facilities. Such features are specified with the Bbio Factor (bioclimatic needs factor).

• The second involves the maximum permitted annual consumption of primary energy of the building, taking into account performances of HVAC system,

DHW (Domestic Hot Water) production and, if any, artificial lighting through the Cep factor.

• The third corresponds to requirement for thermal comfort in summer based on the compliance with a maximum comfort calculated temperature Tic. Complementary prescriptive requirements

Besides the three main performance requirements described above, some wherewithal exigencies are listed in RT2012: 1. Thermal insulation of walls. Albeit that the thermal quality of the building envelope is already considered in the Bbio coefficient, a number of rules exist for thermal transmission through floors and walls.

2. Air tightness of the building envelope. Airtightness of the building envelope measured according to EN 13829 measuring method (blower door) must be not higher than 0,6 Q(m3/h,m2) 3. Natural lighting. For residential buildings, the total window area must be more than 1/6 of the floor surface area.

4. Thermal comfort in summer. In bedrooms, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient of the windows is limited according to the orientation of the façade. Lower values of SHGC are required when the building is located in a noisy area.

5. A double flow CMV (Controlled Mechanical Ventilation) has to be installed.

6. Renewable energy sources. The use of renewable energies is compulsory in any new build.

Minimum requirements are: • Heating system has to run on more than 50% renewable energy • Production of domestic hot water with a thermal solar system or thermodynamic hot water heater.

Not complied to RT2012 regulations?

The state issues a €40,000 fine and work has to be stopped immedi-

ately!

So why choose us?

Abris Bois LV is a full-service company dedicated to quality timber buildings and superior customer service. Whether you prefer delivery of materials or a turnkey service, we can handle your project from start to finish.

• bespoke design • planning permission, thermal study • base construction • wind and watertight building • electrics & plumbing • ventilation & heating • fully insured We look forward to meeting you at our show site and remain at your disposal for any further free advice or detailed quotes.

Why choose our Residential Log Cabins?

If you want superb quality and have a budget ranging from forty thousand upwards, then you could be the proud owner of a beautiful Residential Log Cabin that will only increase in value. How is this possible? Our cabin designers and architects will make sure your residential building will be fully insulated, which will be above the requirements needed for today’s regulations. We are also constantly looking to the future and what will be needed as energy costs continue to rise, salaries decrease and pensions are further eroded by governments. As such, we have decided to build-design our residential log cabins to be almost passive (Highly Insulated). The cost of this is minimal, but the savings over 5 to 10 years will be outstanding.

Timber is a very flexible construction material and this makes designing a building quite easy. Within your plan for your Residential Log Cabin you can now determine the floor plan, number of rooms, etc. on the site. We can offer a fully integrated plan suitably customised to

ADVERTORIAL

Mobile British Indian Curry Take away

A

fter moving to France, the British take away I missed the most was Indian. So I decided to use my chef background & love for curry to learn how to make my favourite curries like my British Indian restaurant.

After successful trial runs at an Auberge I discovered there were more people who would enjoy curry in different areas. So after 4 years I gave up my job as a chef in Limoges and decided to start a mobile British Indian Take away - Mandys-curry-2-go.

I offer poppadoms with

chutneys, 4 different starters, 6 different curries with chicken tikka, lamb tikka or vegetables, naan breads, chapattis and pilau rice. All made by myself, using fresh ingredients and without prebought pastes and sauces.

You can pre-order for hot & chilled food or just come to the van at one of the ven-

ues and order a hot take away. Pre-ordering is recommended to avoid disappointment! ■ For more info go to: www.mandyscurry2go.com Follow us on facebook, or to be added to our email list send an email to: mandyscurry2go@gmail.com

The van will be going to the following venues every month Boussac, (place de l'Hôtel de Ville) Every 1st Wednesday Aubusson, (place Maurice Dayras) Every 1st Thursday Gouzon, (place de l'Eglise) Every 2nd Wednesday Peyrat-le-Château, (place du Champ de Foire) Every 2nd Thursday Dun-le-Palestel, (place du Champ de Foire) Every 3rd Thursday Sardent, (Auberge du lac, Masmangeas) Every 3rd Friday La Souterraine, (searching for a placement in or around La Souterraine) Le Grand-Bourg, (place du marché) Every 4th Thursday

your requirements.

With good design and the correct protection and maintenance, our Residential Log Cabins will last for a lifetime. Perhaps this is why most of the large houses in the olden days were made out of timber!

Plus, the material is resistant to most climatic conditions such as heat, frost, corrosion, pollution, etc. On average, the service life of wooden houses is between 80 to 100 years.

In fact, many wooden houses built in the Middle-Ages survived the elements and have lasted till today.

So it is safe to say that Residential Log Cabins from Abris Bois LV are not only eco-friendly, but also economical. Moreover, they also provide you with the best means of integrating modern technology systems such as controlled ventilation, air extraction and solar

panels into an exquisite and lavishly designed contemporary building, beautifully rooted in nature.

You can easily live the dream and at the same time either release that hard earned equity and enjoy your lifestyle during your retirement. Or, if you are struggling to get on to the property ladder because the bricks and mortar properties are so out of reach, here is the simple answer.

Our Residential Log Cabins are increasing in value against bricks and mortar, a trend down to their affordability to purchase and low running costs. ■

www.abrisboislv.fr

05 87 77 95 57

ZA Sirvenon 87190 Magnac-Laval

ADVERTORIAL

Poor or no Broadband? Then the Satellite solution is for you!

T

here are two main providers in Europe.

Rent or buy, the choice is yours. DIY or we can install it for you, again the choice is yours. The equipment is delivered to your door.

TOOWAY offers speeds of up to 22M down and 6M up and the monthly rental (dependent on package) starts from €19.95.

SES offers speeds of up to 20M down and 2M up and the monthly rental (dependent on package) starts from €10.95.

Is UK TV reception a problem? We have many years' experience in the satellite world and Mike G is here to help you. Call him on 05 55 09 15 73 or on his mobile 06 38 16 01 61.

CCTV - four cameras and a DVR fitted from €800.00 and you can view it from a laptop anywhere. Ideal for checking if the gardner, cleaner, etc. has come, or for just projecting

the view from your window in France on to the wall to impress your friends in the UK. Limited Wi-Fi Coverage, don’t suffer we have the solution. ■

SAT-ELEC - where knowledge and experience provide the complete solution.

The two Mikes are happy to prepare a custom package for you on all or any of the above.

Call Mike G: 05 55 09 15 73 - 06 38 16 01 61 or Mike T: 03 66 88 06 29 or email: info@sat-elec.co.uk

26 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ APRIL 2015

Advertising in The Bugle Business Directory Advertising your business couldn’t be easier. Text only, boxed listings are available in our Business Directory from just €11.20/month. Alternatively, why not spotlight your business with an Advertorial, available from 1/6 Page (€50 HT) up to Full Page (€300 HT). Both Directory Adverts and Advertorials represent a cost effective way to put your brand in front of more than 25,000 pairs of eyes each month!!

For more information on any of our advertising options, please feel free to give us a call on 05 55 41 17 76 or send an email to sales@thebugle.eu

6-Month Contract

12-Month Contract

€84

Small b&w Directory Ad

(€14/month)

Large b&w Directory Ad

(€18.75/month)

€134.40

(€11.20/month)

€112.50 €126

Small Colour Directory Ad

(€21/month)

Large Colour Directory Ad

(€28/month)

€168

Large Directory Ad 46mm x 71mm (Actual Size) 45 words max

€180

(€15/month)

€201.60

(€16.80/month)

Small Directory Ad 46mm x 46mm (Actual Size)

30 words max

€268.80

(€22.40/month)

Directory Advertising is available either in black and white or colour, and in either small (30 words max) or large (45 words max) format.

Directory adverts may only contain text - no logos, images or artwork are allowed. The minimum contract length is 6 months.

Advertising is payable on publication. All prices are HT.

Health & Beauty

House Clearance

HiFX

International money transfer

Pest Control

Houses on Internet www.housesoninternet.com

05.55.65.12.19

www.hifx.co.uk

See our Display Ad - pg 3

Language Services

Agence Marche Limousin Bilingual Estate Agency www.ieafrance.com see main ad - pg 4

La Petite Place Hair salon, Le Dorat

05.55.60.87.37

See our Display Ad - pg 3

AMMARA Call Alex, your English nail technician now

www.ferraille87.com see main ad - pg 12

Insurance & Finance

ammara.onglerie@gmail.com siret: en cours

05 87 41 07 93 - see pg 10

Siddalls

Financial Solutions & Expert Advice

05.56.34.75.51

See our Display Ad - pg 15

Learning to meditate

Meditation class in Limoges for beginners and advanced participants Each Tue at 7pm at 1, rue des Frères Bonneff, 87100 Limoges First session free of charge, then 4 evenings at a total fee of €35.

Working in small groups in a beautiful space.

NEW- Class in St-Junien 2nd Mon of every month www.ame-et-corps.com or call Katharina Maiss on:

06.66.24.85.49

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

E.N.G.L.I.S.H. today www.english-today.fr

Tel: 06 22 93 14 57

lindabodimeade@eircom.net paulbodimeade@eircom.net

Centre de formation

English & French Language School

Gel nails starting from €40 a set

OSTEOPATHY & ACUPUNCTURE

Central France Pest Control

debarrasser87

House Clearance Specialists

Dératisation, Déinsectisation, Désinfection

02 48 60 83 72 / 06 74 33 02 38 www.applicateur3d.com Email: info@applicateur3d.com rats, mice, moles, flies, woodworm, bed bugs, fleas, wasps, hornets

Tel: 05 55 77 53 35

La Petite Barre, 18210 Bessais Le Fromental

Email: contact@english-today.fr

SIRET No. 498 544 741 00024

Easyfrench

Property Sales

FREE FRENCH LESSONS

The Spectrum IFA Group with over 20 years' experience advising expatriates throughout Europe on all aspects of financial planning. Represented in Creuse

by Tony Farrell:

Tel: 05 55 89 57 94 Mob: 06 15 28 54 82

Email: tony.farrell@spectrum-ifa.com TSG Insurance Services S.A.R.L. Siège Social: 34 Bd des Italiens, 75009 PARIS "Société de Courtage d'assurances" R.C.S. Paris B 447 609 108 (2003B04384) Numéro d'immatriculation 07 025 332 - www.orias.fr SIRET No.: 500 064 183 00014

Alongside the amazing "Rotospa" spa range, we are now able to supply the "Durasport" & "Strong Spas" ranges of quality spas.

easyfrench87@orange.fr www.easyfrench.fr

Ecole de Langue 86, Rue Nationale, 36400 La Châtre

All your language needs under one roof!

02 54 31 12 55

www.ecole-de-langue.net

sales@thebugle.eu

Retail & Commerce

Limousin Spas

06 75 56 99 06 – 05 87 77 90 39 TONY FARRELL INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISOR

05 55 41 17 76

Curative and preventative

21, cours Bugeaud, 87000 Limoges

Training institution in partnership with the State.

Lessons in either of our premises or at your home.

12 rue Thiers, 87300 Bellac ... or 11 ave Cruveilhier, 87130 Châteauneuf-la-Forêt

Your advert here

www.limousin-bilingual.com

All our spas are manufactured to the highest standards & have full manufacturers warranty.

These spas have relatively low power requirements & are very economical.

Leggett Immobilier

Prices start from €3,750.

Models seat 2 to 7 people.

For more information on our range check out our website:

05 53 56 62 54

www.limousin-spas.com or telephone: 05 55 63 26 20

Cendrillon - Bourganeuf Bilingual Estate Agent in Creuse

05 55 54 95 85 - see pg 10 www.leggettfrance.com see main ad - pg 9

Numéro Siret: 752 157 610 00011

05.55.41.17.76

DIRECTORY ♦ 27

APRIL 2015 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

ADVERTORIAL

Houses on Internet: A Global Property Network

H

ouses on Internet – Global Property Services (hereafter referred to as “HOIGPS”) is the internet/marketing company that helps people sell their French property to buyers worldwide.

Richard Kroon, founder and director of the company says: “The number of responses from prospective buyers and sales keeps rising. No doubt one of the reasons is that we have been able to increase our worldwide advertising budget and reach more prospective buyers than ever.”

Last year HOI-GPS sold to people from 15 different countries including Australia, Belgium, Holland, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, Norway and of course France.

Richard continues: “Our continuous global marketing is

definitely paying off and guarantees a worldwide exposure of your property to buyers wherever they live.”

The actual work all starts with the presentation of a property - if that’s not good enough, all other marketing efforts are useless. Our photographers usually take 150 to 200 photos of a house and in addition copy any good (summer) photos our clients may have themselves.

About 50 to 60 of those photos are selected, enhanced and presented on the dedicated website we make for each property.

The text doesn't just describe the house, garden and outbuildings, but also contains information about shopping, schools, airports and local leisure activities.

When the website for the house is online, we first con-

nect it to our main HOI-GPS websites which attract over 135,000 visitors from 40+ countries each month. Most of these people find us through Google and our additional Google advertising.

To reach an even larger audience, a summary of the presentation of the house is also placed on several other leading property websites. These adverts are also connected to the dedicated website of the house, making it all one big global property network.

As the property market has become a global one, a prospective buyer can be on the other side of the world while the owner is in bed sleeping.

With our approach, the buyer does not have to wait and can see the entire property whenever he wants, at the moment

Chez Amanda Depot Vente des Vêtements

Moulin de Tintin

MAN + VAN Peugeot Boxer

Dress agency and gallery, specialising in designer and high quality pre-owned clothes for women and children, together with accessories, footwear, jewellery, gift items, and hand made furniture.

8 rue Principale, St Mathieu, 87440

Email: soieetbois@gmail.com Web: www.soiebois.net Tel: 05.55 48.28.89 SIRET: 510 995 681 00010

sales@thebugle.eu 05 55 41 17 76 French Lily

Kitchens & Interiors 05 55 80 92 91 - see pg 2

Eco Entrepot Get down The Shed

87230 Bussière-Poitevine

05.55.68.74.73 - see pg 4

Furniture, interiors & gifts

www.moulin-de-tintin.com 05.55.79.57.60 - see pg 5

For more information on advertising in the Bugle Business Directory, give us a call or send us an email: sales@thebugle.eu

05 55 41 17 76

Transport, Removals & Storage

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

www.fabricadesign.com - see pg 9

Your advert here

"Official Transporter of The Bugle" Collections \ Deliveries \ Brico Runs Transport and Small Removals France - UK - Spain - NL Based Nr Aubusson, Dept. 23

05 55 83 02 77 \ 06 30 90 58 90 jonathanpiddock@orange.fr Siret No : 523 955 151 00015

The Man With A Van

Affordable Moves Europewide 18m3 Van / 4.5m load length 29m3 available on request Full loads/ part loads/ single items Regular UK runs.

www.themanwithavan.info vanrouge@mail.com

ARL Diffusion Medicale

The Removal Experts France ↔ UK

• All risk insurance cover • Part loads & dedicated lorries • Professional staff & modern vehicles • Every vehicle from a Luton van to a full removals lorry

+44 (0)1274 724 545

info@dsdremovalsltd.com

www.dsdremovalsltd.com facebook.com/DSDRemovals

Buggs Car Hire Bergerac & Limoges Airports

www.buggscarhire.com see pg 7

Man & Van Transport

European Vehicle Transport Visit: www.lcs23.com

Genuine/Reliable/Honest Local + Europe + UK runs Now also available for House/Barn clearances!

14m3 capacity 4.2m load length

Please call Mick for further info

UK: 0871 218 6425 FR: 05 55 71 73 87

Transition Removals

sales@thebugle.eu

www.transitionremovals.com

05 55 41 17 76

(+33) 05 55 34 19 46 see main ad - pg 10

see main ad - pg 8

Help at home We can help look after your house, garden and animals and even clean your house.

One off or regular service.

For more information, call Angela:

07 81 31 45 47

Cash paid for scrap

siret 532 981 198 00015

General

Siret 530 213 644 00012

Stove Sellers www.stovesellers.com

Specialists in home support

or see our ad - pg 17

www.frenchvanman.eu

For more information on advertising in the Bugle Business Directory, give us a call or send us an email:

www.arl-limousin.fr

LCS 23 Autos

87150 Oradour-sur-Vayres

• Man with a van service • Friendly, Mature Service, Ex-Police • Living in Limousin, specialising in moves between UK and France • Competitive Rates • Fully Insured

05 55 65 12 19

All Limousin covered Anything considered Any quantity

05 55 33 21 59

05 55 41 17 76 See our Display Ad - pg 15

DSD Removals & Storage

Siret : 532 526 001 00013

(+33) 07.61.21.85.15

W: www.milenlighthaulage.co.uk E: info@milenlighthaulage.co.uk

05.55.63.78.72

Houses on Internet - Global Property Services www.housesoninternet.com

French Spoken

FABRICA

Everhot stoves supplied & installed across France

with 13.5 m3 Load capacity

he is interested in it.

For more information on HOI-GPS or to market your property through them, visit their website. ■

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts New Wave Energies

www.newwave-energies.com

Tel: 09 81 32 42 37 see main ad pg 2

Carrefour du Bois Limousin

www.chauffagebois-limousin.com 05 55 63 72 45 - see pg 12

Tel: 05 55 37 45 35 Mob: 06 74 21 47 71

BABY/INFANT EQUIPMENT FOR HIRE

To raise funds for the SPA dog rescue centre in Guéret.

High chair, buggy, travel cot (plus mattress/bedding), changing mat, etc.

Each item will incur a hire charge of 10 euros, plus a refundable 10 euros deposit.

For more INFO or to HIRE Call Vanessa: 05 55 64 32 08 or email: eq6763@gmail.com

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

28 ♦ COMMUNITY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ APRIL 2015

CLUBS, CHARITIES & ASSOCIATIONS Charities Phoenix Association Phoenix Association is a registered charity that has existed since 2001 to deal with the sad plight of the everincreasing number of abused and abandoned animals in France.

Phoenix does not have a 'rescue centre' as such. Sadly, many of the animals it saves have only ever known confinement and isolation, so instead, the animals are placed in foster homes all over South-West France while they wait for their loving and permanent forever homes.

This gives Phoenix a better chance of assessing the animal in the normality and comfort of a home which leads to the virtually 100% successful adoption rate.

Phoenix is not state funded and so relies on fund-raising and donations to cover the very high re-homing and veterinary costs. Phoenix is formed of a committed but fun and positive team of volunteers, and is always on the lookout for more, so if you are interested in adopting an animal, foster caring or becoming a Member, please visit the Contact page of the website at www.phoenixasso. com and www.facebook.com/ PhoenixAssociationFrance Church Notices

Anglican Holy Communion services are now being conducted

by Rev Robert Leone at 2:30 pm on the 1st Sunday of each month at the French Protestant Church, Place du Temple, Thiat (87) near Le Dorat (87) and Montmorillon (86) until the Anglican church is ready for use.

For more information email: revrobertleone@gmail.com Monthly Worship in English If your journey of life has brought you here to France, why neglect your journey of faith? We look forward to giving a warm welcome to everyone from whatever Christian tradition (or none) on the 3rd SUNDAY of the MONTH at 3pm. Where? At the Temple in Thiat (in the north of the Haute-Vienne) – we are part of the Parish of the Basse-Marche of the Eglise Protestante Unie de France.

The Temple is on the main road close to the Mairie. After worship there is tea/coffee and cake – and a chance to chat.

If you want to know more contact Rev Derek Lawson on 05 55 68 53 03 or Rev Stephen Sawyer on 05 49 84 33 86.

English-speaking church services Guéret Come as you are... This is an invitation to join us at our CHURCH SERVICE IN ENGLISH. Whether you have a faith or would just like to attend a church service you are welcome at 3pm on the 2nd Sunday of each month at the Eglise Evangélique, 9b Place Bonnyaud, Guéret, 23000.

We welcome all who want to join a group of English-speaking Christians for a time of worship and learning together. Children are very welcome.

For more details contact Jim & Pat Scott on 05 55 67 54 78 / email scott.james@neuf.fr or Ian & Becky Jefferies on 05 55 61 10 23 / email mail@otiumsanctus.com Christians together in Limousin La Souterraine Area We hold a time of fellowship and Bible study every Tuesday afternoon.

Barbara and Cedric look forward to welcoming you. Tel: 05 55 71 09 04 The International Free Church in Creuse The church presently meets at 10, La Chaudronnière, a small hamlet midway between Crozant and Eguzon.

Sunday worship meetings are held

on the first and third Sundays of the month at 10.30am. Fellowship meetings, for mid-week prayer, bible study and discussion are at the same venue every Thursday at 7.30pm.

For further information contact Eric Sutton tel 05 55 89 26 62 Fitness & Fun Keepfit (Bonjour La Forme) Held at Saint-Sulpice-les-Champs in the Salle Polyvalente: Mon evening at 19.45-20.45 for cardiac and muscle exercises; Thurs afternoon at 15.00-16.00 for gentle exersises.

All are welcome to join us. Contact Jeanette 09 62 58 49 03 (Eng) or Catherine 05 55 66 67 30 (Fr) for more info.

PENSOL Indoor Carpet Bowls We meet on Wednesdays at 2.30pm-5.00pm. Come along for a fun afternoon, a warm welcome in a warm hall, refreshments and equipment provided. Ladies and Gents welcome. The venue is the salle polyvalente at PENSOL - 87440 on the D67 between Marval and Dournazac, clearly indicated from the village, or from Piégut-Pluviers take the D91. Come and have a free trial, with our slightly smaller Bowls and 33` carpet. NO heavy lifting.

Established club and club Leader.

Registered and insured. Please phone Hilary for any enquiries on 09 72 23 13 20 or r.h.brayshaw@gmx.com Tai Chi, Pakua & Qigong Tai Chi, Pakua & Qigong classes organised by the ACAMIES (association culturelle d'arts martiaux internes et d'exercices de santé). Wed: Jarnages, 18h30-20h, Salle Polyvalente. Thu: Bétête, 19h-20h30, Domaine de Tournessac.

Individual classes, courses, massage & treatments also available. Contact: 06 48 00 02 07 http://acamies.e-monsite.com Keep Fit Amazing abs, breathtaking buttocks!

Come and join our group at the CAPE in Pontarion. We are all ages, all sizes, men & women, but are serious about keeping fit.

Our “monitrice” is English and will happily provide bilingual instructions. We meet every Thursday at 8p.m. in Pontarion Town Hall, for a one-hour workout.

Come for a free trial, or call 05 55 64 98 87 or 06 32 42 95 68 for more details.

Indoor Bowling at Oradour-surVayres If you already play or have never tried indoor bowling then come along to a meeting. It's great fun and easy to play. If you have never played it before we will show you how. We meet every Monday evening starting at 18.30 hrs at La Chapelle, avenue des Chapelles, 87150 Oradour-surVayres. Come and try it - it's free. If you require further information or directions to our venue please contact me - Email: Oradour-Bowling@ gmx.com or telephone: 05 55 08 41 75 Zumba!

Regular zumba classes across depts 36, 18 & northern 23. For more info tel 06 58 37 17 04 - email evezumba36@gmail.com and for details of classes visit www. zumbazumba.fr Indoor Short-mat Bowling at Cussac 87150....and now Outdoor too!

As the premier bowls club in the Haute-Vienne, we are going from strength to strength with members seeking us out and travelling great distances to continue their love of bowls or simply to 'try us out'. Our reputation as a "very friendly and welcoming club" goes before us.

If you've never tried the game, just come along and take a look; there is far more to it than first appears!

We are a formally registered

association within the French system and benefit from assistance from our local commune by use of a wonderful indoor venue. AND NOW...the use of a synthetic outdoor court where Flat-green, Crown and Short-mat can be played. Just imagine the summer evenings with a drink in your hand, watching fellow bowlers enjoying the quiet of village, interrupted only by the 'click' or 'tunk' of bowl against bowl!

Our regular sessions indoors are Wednesday evening at 8pm and Thursday Mornings at 10am.

Outdoor sessions will be arranged as the spring arrives so keep in touch.

Serious bowlers and beginners are welcome - club bowls are available for use.

For further information contact cussac-bowls-club@live.co.uk or telephone 05 45 29 05 73.

Association Equilibre, le mouvement du corps Yoga for all levels: Tue 18:30 Aubusson, Pied au plancher (Espace Philips); Wed 18:30 Vallière, salle polyvalante.

Pregnancy/Post Natal: Tue 17:00 Aubusson, Pied au Plancher (Espace Philips) For further information tel 06 83 24 62 72 or visit www.spaequilibre. yolasite.com Chinese Gym & Karate Mondays & Thursdays 19h30-21h at the DOJO, Allée Jean-Marie Couturier, Aubusson. Warm and friendly atmosphere. For more info tel 06 08 92 30 53 Tai Chi at Boussac and La Châtre Tai Chi classes in Boussac (Tue 18.15 - 19.45) and La Châtre (Thu 18.15 - 19.45). The first two lessons are free, the subscriptions are 36 euros per month and members can go to both venues having paid this fee. The style is that of Yang. All ages and abilities welcome, but folk must bear in mind that they will be on their feet, doing the equivalent of what one might classify as light exercise, for about an hour and a half. For more information contact 05 55 65 08 20.

Gym Bien-être Would you like to be more supple?

Come to our gym class on Thursday mornings from 10.30am to 11.30am, where we do gentle exercises to help all our muscles and joints. The classes are held in Rochechouart in the Capitole building, upstairs. Our group is part of a National Federation of Gymnastics. For information contact Pauline at pauline.maskell@ sfr.fr Learn to Meditate Learn to meditate and meet other like-minded people.

Simple mindfulness technique. Dechen Choling, Le Mas Marvent, St-Yrieixsous-Aixe, 87700. Also, ongoing regular group meetings and events.

Contact tel Christina 05 55 03 82 01 www.dechencholing.org Gardening Les petits jardiniers du Limousin http://jardiniers-du-limousin. webs.com Do you have a love of gardening and a desire to learn more about growing plants, flowers, fruit, vegetables and trees in this region?

If you do, then come and join our friendly group to meet like-minded people. With a different topic or visit each month there's something for everyone. We meet on the third Thursday of each month (excluding February) in the Mairie at St-Amandle-Petit (between Eymoutiers and Peyrat-le-Château). Meetings start at 2.30pm and everyone is made very welcome. For more information contact Carolyn at carolyn@cnlees. eu or Gerda at g_hoogenboom@ yahoo.ca Agenda for 2015: 16 Apr Hanging baskets: what and how to plant, with demonstrations;

21 May Pruning: the how, what, when and why; 18 Jun Talk by Andrew Williams on permaculture; 13 Jul (MON) Picnic and visit to commercial bio-vegetable grower, including companion planting; 20 Aug Summer lunch at the home of Carolyn Lees; 6 Sep (SUN) 3rd Annual Show at St-Amand-le-Petit; 15 Oct AGM followed by 'Preparing the garden for winter'; 19 Nov Slide show presentation by Michel Peyrat; 17 Dec Gardeners' Question Time and Christmas Party.

All meetings (unless stated otherwise) are held on the third Thursday of the month. Meetings start at 2.30pm and are held in the Mairie, St-Amand-le-Petit. Starting times and venues of visits tba.

Club Liseron – Gardening Club Meets on the 2nd Mon evening of the month at 19.30 at the Salle des Fêtes in Massignac. We're a mixed bunch of English & French, who are united by a passion for gardens and gardening, sharing plants, seeds and information.

This year the President is Véronique Granet and the Vice President is Michelle Pierce. For further information contact Michelle on 05 45 89 36 54 / unjardinenfrance@ gmail.com Aux Plantes, etc.

We are an association of independent, ethically-minded and passionate plant producers. Our aim is to encourage consumers to know more about the plants they buy, how they were produced and their needs, thereby avoiding the disappointments that so often come with mass produced plants. It’s not just about us selling you plants - we want them to thrive and do well for you!

Current members include plantspeople specialising in unusual shrubs & trees, butterfly plants, heritage vegetables and flowers, irises, perennials and droughttolerant plants.

For more info contact Michelle Pierce 05 45 89 36 54 or visit: www.auxplantesetc.jimdo.com Les Jardins de Sirius Based in Pressignac, Charente, we are a small association of people who are keen on gardening. As well as finding plants an endless source of interest, we believe that the simple fact of gardening has numerous positive benefits for health, stress, social interaction - in other words, our daily lives - and we’d like to encourage this aspect. We run flower workshops on the first Saturday afternoon of the month. If you’d like to get involved, have more info on the association or become a member, please contact Michelle Pierce on 05 45 89 36 54 or at unjardinenfrance@ gmail.com Integration International Apero Reseau We are a group of French and English people who meet each Saturday from 11.30am-1pm at Les Picards Restaurant (formerly Bailey’s), 5 rue de l’Abreuvoir, Aubusson.

These meetings offer the opportunity to: exchange views - make new friends - share experiences - have fun together - help and advise one another - help intergrate newcomers.

Discussions in English (all nationalities welcome).

For more information please contact Catherine 06 86 17 80 88, Francois 07 86 29 97 98, Olivia 05 55 83 30 82 or jan.senior@yahoo.co.uk. English and French spoken.

Learning Together – Apprenons Ensemble We are a friendly club based in Rochechouart and our aim is to promote good relations amongst the local French-speaking and Englishspeaking community. We offer

courses of tuition in English and French as well as organising social and cultural events including visits to places of interest.

For further information please visit our website www.learningtogether. moonfruit.com, email us at learningtogether87@gmail.com or telephone our President Sue Ratcliffe on 05 45 31 50 86. We look forward to hearing from you.

The Melting Pot Members of the Ambassador's Club of the Welcome en Limousin Association. We are a group of around 70 members, both French and British, who meet with the aim of sharing things and trying to integrate with the French community. We meet every week at the Ancienne Ecole in Darnac, on a Wednesday morning from 10am - 12noon, except for the first Wednesday, when we meet in the evening at 8pm. We hold information meetings, plant swaps, BBQ's, games nights, visits and have guest speakers about topics relevant to living in France.

Contact: www.meltingpot-limousin. com Charente Limousine Exchange The Charente-Limousine-Exchange (CLE), founded in 2003, aims to improve the provision of French language courses and to share experiences and skills among members who live in Charente, Vienne and Haute-Vienne. CLE provides information to members living and/or working in France and works with local communities and organisations to tackle practical issues through forums and workshops, as well as organising a wide range of cultural and social events throughout the year. The recent launch of English lessons has been well attended by Confolentais.

If you would like to know more about this group of volunteers, please look on our new website www.charentelimousine-exchange.com or contact the Chairman, Barry Leech, on 06 35 96 77 46.

Libraries & Books Sale of Second-hand Books, La Croisille-sur-Briance On the 18th of every month, during the monthly market at La Croisillesur-Briance (87130), there is a sale of second-hand books (both English and French) from 9am to 12 noon, at the old garage in La Place - next door to the pharmacy. All proceeds towards the restoration of the church.

La Souterraine English Library and Information Centre Located in the historic Porte de Puy Charraud, at 10 rue de Portail, La Souterraine, we are a lively, wellstocked English language library with almost 10,000 books and media available to borrow. We have an attractive cafe which serves tea, coffee and a range of home-made cakes. There is also a regularly changing display of works by local artists and an interesting brocante area on the ground floor.

The Library offers classes in French for English speakers with a professional teacher and also organises Anglo-French conversation groups in association with the Municipal Library in La Souterraine.

There are also a number of thriving special interest groups, such as the Gardening Group, Camera Club, Friendship Group, etc.

We also provide support & assistance in bureaucratic and administrative matters for both existing British residents as well as newcomers to the area. Whatever your interests don’t hesitate to pay us a visit and you will be made most welcome.

We are open from 09.30 until 12.30, Mon, Thu, Fri & Sat. For more info tel 05 55 89 57 62 during opening hours or visit www.englishlibrary.fr

COMMUNITY ♦ 29

APRIL 2015 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

The English Library, Dun-le-Palestel The English Library, which has now been established for over 5 yrs, is situated in the Route des Rateries, beside the Bibliothèque Municipale, Parc Benjamin Bord. The library is a very welcoming meeting place, where you can come and enjoy a cup of tea, or coffee, whilst you browse through our collection of around 7,500 books, DVDs and talking books.

Our opening hours are Thursdays, 10h00 – 16h00 and Saturdays 10h00 – 12h30.

Also, on the first Tuesday of every month, 10h00 – 12h00, you are invited to join us for our Club Franglais, which welcomes people from all nationalities, to chat in French, English or any language you wish(!) whilst enjoying a cup of tea, and a piece of home-made cake.

We host a range of other activities too, including the Café Philo, and Club Scrabble, More information can be found on the Entente Cordiale website at www. ententecordiale-creuse.org or email us at library.ententecordiale@yahoo.com Music Music Club Boussac The venue of the Club de Musique & Music in Boussac "open mic" night has changed. We welcome musicians of all levels and styles, spectators and all music lovers to join us for an evening of musical entertainment and fun at L'Origan restaurant, 34 rue Vincent, Boussac 23600 from 20h until midnight on the last Saturday of each month.

Upcoming events: 27 Mar, 30 May, 27 June, 25 July, 29 Aug, 26 Sept, 31 Oct, 28 Nov, 19 Dec. A PA system will be available. For only 8€ Christophe, the chef and proprietor, will be offering a special formule of Fish & Chips or a small pizza of choice from a Reine, Campagnarde, 4 fromages or Creusoise plus a drink. His normal extensive menu is also available. Food will be served until 22h.

For more info please email Dave and Bev at gemsandcrystalsmail@gmail. com or phone 05 55 65 19 24 or Rosie and Mervyn 05 55 65 70 06 mervynjw@ aol.com. We look forward to greeting you all at this new venue.

Open Mic Night If you like music and have ever fancied getting up and having a go, why not come along to our Open Mic Night at “Le Loch Ness” in La Souterraine town centre every Friday around 8.30pm.

L'Orchestre Philharmonique de La Souterraine If you or one of your family are interested in playing in an orchestra and think your standard might be adequate do get in contact with us. We meet weekly on Friday evenings in La Souterraine (apart from the summer holidays) to rehearse.

Most of our concerts are around Xmas or May-July. Our members come from all over Limousin so lifts to and fro may be possible if necessary. Contacts: French language Marie-France Martinie

05 55 30 76 23 / English language Alan Kerr 05 55 56 34 52 The Harmonics This is our 6th season of singing as a group. Our music is varied classical, madrigals, spiritual, songs from the shows etc and we sing in French, English, Swahili, Latin - whatever the music demands. Our concerts are in support of a variety of charities including the British Legion, L'Oregon at Civray and Retina and thus non profit making. We meet Wed 14h – 16h in the Salle d'Annexe behind the Mairie in Civray. Interested? We'd love to see you so contact: David Lee tel 05 49 87 53 93 email dave.lee@cegetel.net or Dolly Ait Boualou email sylvia.murray@ wanadoo.fr Support

Alcoholics Anonymous If you or someone you know has a drinking problem, there are now Englishspeaking meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous at Limoges, Périgueux and the recently opened meeting at Civray.

Alcoholics Anonymous is a Fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership and A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

For details of the meetings or other information contact Roger 05 55 76 22 65 (Limoges), Ewen 05 53 05 76 62 (Périgueux) or Angela 05 49 87 79 09 (Civray).

Other meetings in South-West France can be located on our web-site at aafrancesud-ouest.com English-speaking council surgery ...for residents of the commune of StLéger-Magnazeix. Every 2nd Weds in the month, an English-speaking council surgery with councillors Manuela

Managing Editor: Steve Martindale Editor-in-Chief: Steve Martindale Registered Address: Les Quatre Chemins

23150 St-Yrieix-les-Bois SIRET: 514 989 748 00017 Printed by: Charente Libre

16340, L’Isle d’Espagnac Monthly circulation: 14,000 copies All copyright, unless stated otherwise, is reserved to The Bugle. Reproduction in whole or part of any text without permission is prohibited.

Dépôt légal à parution.

Stroescu and Patrick Johnson will take place at the Mairie between 11am and 12pm.

Cancer Support France, Charente Plus Offers free and confidential support to English speakers affected by cancer in departments 16, 17 & 86. Our helpline number is 06 45 35 32 30. If you need any more information, please get in touch via csf.charenteplus@gmail.com Cancer Support France, HauteVienne (supporting Creuse, too) We offer free and confidential support to English speakers affected by Cancer in the Haute-Vienne (87) and Creuse (23).

Our helpline number is 06 04 43 39 87.

If you would like more information or would like to become a member or help in any other way, please contact Sue Ware 05 55 00 31 15, csfhv@frangle.fr Elizabeth Finn Care Registered charity Elizabeth Finn Care is able to offer direct financial assistance to British and Irish nationals or residents who live overseas. We ensure that our help does not affect any means-tested payments.

For more information contact: Mary Hughes - Case worker France, Elizabeth Finn Care - tel 04 68 23 43 79 or visit www.elizabethfinncare.org.uk and www.turn2us.org.uk L’Association France Alzheimer Dordogne Charitable organisation offering English-speaking support and guidance to anyone dealing with the day-today difficulties affecting those with dementia, their families and their carers and assistance with how to access the best provisions of care.

English Helpline (available on Tuesday mornings between 10am and midday): 09 64 21 40 86.

For more information email alzheimer. dordogne@orange.fr or visit www. francealzheimer-dordogne.org

We rely on you to help us keep these pages up to date, so please do inform us of any changes to clubs and associations that you run or are members of.

Many thanks!!

Directeur: Steve Martindale Rédacteur-en-chef: Steve Martindale Siège: Les Quatre Chemins

23150 St-Yrieix-les-Bois SIRET: 514 989 748 00017 Imprimé par: Charente Libre

16340, L’Isle d’Espagnac Tirage mensuel: 14,000 copies Tous droits réservés. Toute reproduction, totale ou partielle, des articles et illustrations du présent numéro est strictement interdite.

Dépôt légal à parution.

The Bugle cannot accept responsibility for the claims of advertisers or their professionalism. We strongly advise readers to verify that the company you are dealing with is a registered trading company in France or elsewhere in the world.

SOS Selena looking for a foster family Selena is a mixed Labrador-Whippet. She is now 9 years old and is one of the dogs that doesn't cope well at the SPA, with all the stress and noise. She is calm, friendly, but tends to protect her family, so no tiny children please. It would be lovely to find her a foster home for her late years - it would be terrible for her to end her life at the SPA. She is still in good shape and will make a good guard dog.

She copes with males and isn't too interested in females.

Any questions, contact either the SPA on 05.55.48.06.75 or Katharina (volunteer) for information in English on 06.66.24.95.49. Thank you!

30 ♦ COMMUNITY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ APRIL 2015

RESTAURANT

AUX CEPES

Bugle Notice Board

La Veytizou

On the main road (D979), Between Limoges & Eymoutiers ~~~~~~~~~ SUN 5th APR - CRAFT FAIR - 10h-16h With cream tea and cakes (hot food also available) +++++++++++ Sat 11th APR - open mic night Relax and enjoy the music, or join in! +++++++++++ Line Dancing (to be onfirmed) +++++++++++ Thu 23rd APR - Curry and Quiz Night +++++++++++ Sat 25th APR - MUSIC WITH EDDY & CHRIS Come and rock the night away with Eddy and Chris!

Carraciola Sardo

Easter Special - Music Night - 3rd April with k'ervahen and guitar

Très Jolie

Fashion Accessories Where to find me this month: Every Wednesday - Piegut Market Items arriving daily, please see my facebook page 'Tres Jolie Milhaguet' to see what's new.

Mail order available, email for more details.

Most items now stocked at the 'Coeur et Etoile', St-Mathieu

Singing both English and French folk rock ballads and more.

So why not come along and treat yourself to our special Easter 3-course menu for only €12 pp, or just relax and listen to the music.

Booking for the menu essential by tel or online:

www.carraciola.com Tel: 05 55 63 86 05 ristorante@carraciola.com See our web site or find us on Facebook for more info

Cross Cut Tree Surgeons

05 55 78 62 29 / 06 04 08 29 53 tres.jolie1@orange.fr

Le Moulin du Breuil Restaurant, Bar, Terrasse

23140 PIONNAT

Easter Sunday - 5th April We will be offering our very popular Easter Sunday lunchtime menu - €27.50 for 4 courses.

Please ensure you book early to avoid disappointment.

** April Special **

Tel: 05 55 60 62 14

Fish and Chip Soirée - Sat April 25th 3 courses + coffee/tea - €19.50

20% discount Birdwatching in the Haute-Vienne

Are there any keen bird watchers in the Haute-Vienne who might like to get together for an informal outing and share some much needed local advice and expertise?

The Limousin region is reckoned to be one of the best areas in France for bird watching but I am struggling to find any established guides or groups to share knowledge.

Anyone interested please contact me (Graeme) at shaun143@live.com

Wanted, experienced shopfitters Experienced shopfitters required for installs all across France. Joiners, electricians and labourers also required.

Email: contact@reactive-resource.com

Mandys-curry-2-go www.mandyscurry2go.com

Boussac, (place de l'Hôtel de Ville) - Wednesday 1st Aubusson, (place Maurice Dayras) - Thursday 2nd Gouzon, (place de l'Eglise) - Wednesday 8th Peyrat-le-Château, (place du Champ de Foire) - Thursday 9th Dun-le-Palestel, (place du Champ de Foire) - Thursday 16th Sardent, (Auberge du lac, Masmangeas) - Friday 17th La Souterraine, (searching for a placement in or around La Souterraine) Le Grand-Bourg, (place du marché) - Thursday 23rd

Tel: 07 70 39 12 23

Email: mandyscurry2go@gmail.com

Music Club

2nd Sat of every month. 8.30 pm.

Next event: 11th April Mild Goan Pork curry - €8 pp (by pre-order) JJ's Music club is for musicians of all levels and genres entry is free, there is no membership and is open to everyone who loves music. The club starts from 8:30, but we are open for all those who want to come earlier. In fact we hardly ever shut !!!!

JJ's Cafe Bar, 39 Place du Champ de Foire, 36140 Aigurande Email: cafebarjj@yahoo.co.uk

Pianist/ vocalist available for events/ gigs/ private parties etc...

New Orleans old time jazz n blues n boogie...

Call: 07.61.21.85.15

Mon Chic Cottage

LE DORAT (Pl. Charles de Gaulle) Home Decor & Gifts Tea, coffee & home-made scones / cakes

Homemade salmon ravioli with carrot and orange salad ● Duo of lamb, roast garlic potato puree, selection of spring vegetables and a rosemary jus ● Selection of cheese ● Chocolate & mango teardrop with raspberry & mango coulis ● Coffee or tea (We will also be open for lunch on Easter Monday)

Dates for April

Aigurande

Tel: 02 54 06 30 77

~~~~~~~~~ For more information on any of the above or reservations call Sue on 05 55 69 33 38 or email susan.dorrington87@orange.fr

Italian restaurant in St-Etienne-de-Fursac

JJ’s Café Bar

Join us on facebook: www.facebook.com/lemoulindubreuil and follow us on twitter: @lmdb_pionnat

Tel: 05 55 80 37 70 Mail: info@lemoulindubreuil.com Web: www.lemoulindubreuil.com

Official Stockist & Workshop for Chalk Paint™ by Annie Sloan & Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic Decorative Paint Workshops To learn the basis of using Chalk Paint™ & ask questions, join us on a workshop.

All materials included. To book contact Jay. Opening hours: Tue-Fri, 10h00-17h00.

Workshops on Mon by appointment only.

05 87 77 95 59

info@monchiccottage.com www.monchiccottage.com

ACTORS WANTED

Two English-speaking male actors wanted to play Lawrence of Arabia in a spectacle this summer to mark the 80th anniversary of his visit to Chalus (87).

Contact: tel 06 70 64 33 43 or email festival.richard@orange.fr

Petticoat Lane

This month we will be at the following markets: Saturday 4th April - Aigre Sunday 5th & 19th April - Panazol

sales@petticoatlaneshop.com http://www.petticoatlaneshop.com/ 5 Rue Nationale – 16150 Chabanais

Tel: 05 45 29 03 99

Roussis Maid

(formerly Cartes de Christine) Find us at the following weekly markets: Piégut and Brantôme and at the following monthly markets: Chasseneuil, Aigre and Confolens.

Still selling cards and aprons made by ourselves.

All enquires can be made via e-mail to: ellinghamroam764@yahoo.com

5th Annual Fund-raiser in Aid of the Guide Dogs for the Blind School in Landouge, Limoges The annual fund-raiser will be held this year on Sunday 21st June from 1pm to 5pm.

The venue once again will be in our large garden, come rain or shine, at 17 avenue du 8 mai 1945, 87150 Oradour-sur-Vayres.

The event will include: the presence of the Guide Dog School President and volunteers, highlighting the very good work they do, with various items for sale and some working Guide Dogs and student Guide Dogs, delicious home-made cakes, tea, coffee, soft drinks, ice cream, clothes, shoes, books, bric-a-brac, CDs, DVDs, a variety of artisans, plants and tombola.

If anyone has any saleable items they can donate to this very worthy cause we would be very grateful. Please contact Roger and Christine Thomas tel 05 55 78 83 05.

Thank you once again to everyone who has helped and supported the events for the last four years.

WHAT’S ON ♦ 31

APRIL 2015 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

will include: sale of plants, seeds, vegetables, herbs; troc jardin; artisanal stands (sculptor, wood turner, basket maker); produce market (bio bread, cheese, apple juice, medicinal plants, chocolate, wine); children's area...

Free entry from 9h-19h. Over 90 stands and 3500 visitors.

This year's theme is climate change and considers how to observe this in our gardens and looks at its impact on the environment.

For more information visit http://lesprintanieres.wordpress.com/ Fri 15th to Sun 17th May CLUSSAIS-LA-POMMERAIE Hope Association 3-day book sale 3-day book sale at the Salle des fêtes, Clussais-la-Pommeraie, 79190 (D45 SauzéVaussais to Lezay road).

10am to 4pm. (Also open Thursday 14th May 3-5pm for disabled book lovers).

Thousands of English and French books for just €1 each. Plus: * Massive sale of plants * English Fish and Chips * Tea and Cakes * Bacon Butties * Fascinating bric-a-brac * Tombola * Trade stands * Eddie's hand crafted greetings cards * Classic car display (17th May) * Bouncy castle (16th and 17th May) * Twilight Old Dogs Retirement Home * Angoulême SPA Books to Donate? Email: givebooks4hope@gmail.com The HOPE Association helping animals in need. See www.hopeassoc.org for further details.

Please bring any unwanted towels, blankets, duvets and tins/croquettes of dog/cat food for Hope to donate to animal refuges and SPAs. Sun 17th May SAINT-DIZIER-LEYRENNE Fête du Pain This annual celebration of one of our staple foods, organised each year by the Société Leyrenne Patrimoine, will be held this year in the village of Jalinoux, just to the west of St-Dizier-Leyrenne, on Sunday 17th May starting from 8h30.

Bread for sale will be baked in a restored traditional oven, pizzas prepared on site and cooked in a wood fired pizza oven, and there will be traditional lunches of andouillette, merguez, saucisses and of course frites. Various artisanal stands will also be present throughout the day. There is no admission charge.

The weather of course plays a major part in the success or otherwise of such an event, but whatever the weather you can expect a warm welcome from all the participants; there will be a bar and covered seating should the smell of frites and merguez, etc. get too much for you to resist.

WEEKLY MARKETS MONDAY

Evaux-les-Bains

TUESDAY

Auzances Bénévant-l’Abbaye Bussière-Poitevine Champagnac-la-Rivière Genouillac Gouzon Laurière Limoges (Le Vigenal) Peyrat-le-Château Rochechouart Royère-de-Vassivière Saint-Sulpice-les-Feuilles

WEDNESDAY

Ahun Bourganeuf Chambon-sur-Voueize Cognac-la-Forêt Clugnat Isle Le Dorat Limoges (pont St Martial) *NEW* Luchapt (5-7pm) Nantiat Séreilhac

THURSDAY

Boussac Coussac-Bonneval Dun-le-Palestel Guéret Limoges Bastide et Corgnac Magnac-Laval

Oradour-sur-Vayres (except 3rd Thu) Peyrat-le-Château Saint-Sulpice-les-Champs Saint-Victurnien La Souterraine

FRIDAY

Aigurande Aixe-sur-Vienne Ambazac Bessines-sur-Gartempe Bosmie l’Aiguille (16h - 19h30) Bujaleuf Châlus (except 2nd Fri) Châteauponsac Châtelus-Malvaleix Couzeix (16h30 - 19h30) Le Dorat Felletin Limoges (place des Bancs et Beaubreuil) Nexon Pierre-Buffière Rochechouart St-Etienne-de-Fursac Saint-Sulpice-Laurière Verneuil-sur-Vienne(15h18h30)

SATURDAY

Aixe-sur-Vienne Aubusson Bellac Bonnat Bussière-Poitevine

Châteauponsac Condat-sur-Vienne Eymoutiers Feytiat Flavignac Guéret La Châtre La Jonchère-St-Maurice La Souterraine Limoges (place des Bancs et place Marceau) Le Palais-sur-Vienne Mainsat (4th Sat only) Nantiat Peyrat-le-Château Rochechouart Saint-Junien St-Léonard-de-Noblat Saint-Mathieu Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche

SUNDAY

Bessines-sur-Gartempe Blond Crocq (1st and 3rd Sun) Jarnages Panazol Peyrat-le-Château Saint-Paul St-Sulpice-le-Guéretois (3rd Sun) Saint-Vaury (2nd Sun) Veyrac (2nd Sun)

editor@thebugle.eu

Concert programme 2015 for the Société Philharmonique de La Souterraine with the Harmonie de Guéret 4th April: Concert with the Banda Bessines 20h30 Salle des fêtes Bessines 17th May: Departmental festival of Creuse 14h Bourganeuf Orchestras 23rd May: Annual concert 20h30 Centre Culturel Yves Furet, La Souterraine 30th May: Concert 21h Salle polyvalente, Bénévent-l’Abbaye 19th June: Annual concert l’Harmonie de Guéret 21h Espace Fayolle, Guéret 21st June: Fête de la Musique Late afternoon, La Souterraine town centre .

Further info contact Alan Kerr on 05 55 56 34 52

Important: the Bergerac Book Fair of 25th April is cancelled!

32 ♦ WHAT’S ON Mon 30th Mar to Sun 26th Apr GUÉRET Exposition d'AnoukA

Exhibition by visual artist and painter Anne Catherine Ollagnier at the tourist office.

Mon-Sat 9h30-12h30 & 14h30-18h.

Mon 6th Apr GUÉRET Giant Easter Egg Hunt Egg hunt (for under 12s) at the Labyrinthe Géant de Guéret.

14h - 20h (last entry 18h30). 2 departures at 14h & 16h.

Price 4-11 yrs: 4.50 €.

Price over 12s: 6.50 €.

For more info visit www.labyrinthe-gueret.fr Fri 10th to Sun 12th Apr LIMOGES Reading in Limoges Festival This is the month of book fairs, and Limoges is no exception to the rule with the Lire à Limoges (Reading in Limoges) event.

Featuring over 300 authors of general and children's literature as well as comics, this book festival brings together both children and adults, and exercises a strong appeal with extensive comics and youth literature stalls.

Book signings and conferences will punctuate a

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ APRIL 2015

weekend full of literary discoveries.

Esplanade du Champ de Juillet.

Free entry.

Sun 12th Apr MAGNAC-LAVAL 5ème Fête des Plantes Organised by Les Amis des Fleurs et des Jardins. Takes place in the grounds of the Château at the Agricultural College.

Buy from 30 plant and garden related stands. Refreshments available.

10h-18h. Free entry.

Contact: fleursmagnaclaval@gmail.com Sat 18th Apr BOUSSAC Spring Concert On Saturday 18th April Amitiés Internationales du pays de Boussac will be holding a spring concert in association with Les Troubadours starting at 21h in the salle polyvalente.

The concert will feature 3 local popular groups, PressPlay, Dookisson and B.Boog & the Woogs.

Entrance price on the door is only €5 and there will be a bar available throughout the evening. We do hope to welcome you to our first event of 2015.

For more information please call Mervyn & Rosie on 05 55 65 70 06 or email mervynjw@aol.com Sun 19th Apr Luchapt and Asnières-sur Blour Library Open Day From 7h-17h. Activities all over the commune including: vide-greniers, plant swop, raku demonstration, exhibition of medieval costumes and embroidery, handicrafts, weaving workshop, falconry show at 15h30, buvette, tea room, refreshments, sandwiches, cakes and much more!

To book table space please contact Nathalie Smith on 06 30 40 71 43.

Sun 19th Apr BOUSSAC Les voix de la Roche male choir As a prelude to a musical tour of England planned in June, the male choir LES VOIX DE LA ROCHE will perform at Boussac church on Sunday 19th April at 16h (participation libre).

Formed in 2009, the choir performs Basque, Corsican & Russian songs (and more) in their original language.

Passionate about music, these singers will share their dreams and emotions through a vibrant repertoire.

Sun 19th Apr MAISONNISSES 20ème Foire aux Fromages Annual cheese fair. 8h30-14h.

Contact: Tel 06 31 03 09 77.

Wed 22nd to Sun 26th Apr LE DORAT 4ème Festival Musique & Manga

For the 4th time, Le Dorat is devoting 5 days to Japanese cinema.

The varied programme includes a concert by Pianokad (Sat 25th at 18h), film projections, workshops, drawing contest, signings...

To find out more visit www.manga-ledorat.com Sun 10th May SAINT-LÉGER-BRIDEREIX 6ème Fête des jardins et de la nature Organised each spring by garden and nature enthusiasts this year's Les Printanières Garden and Nature Festival CONTINUED ON PAGE 31 >>