The Bugle - April 2012 by The Bugle

French attraction wins the 'Oscar' for best theme park Le Puy du Fou theme park in the Vendée region of western France has been crowned 'Best Park' in the world at the >> Page 9 recent awards ceremony in Los Angeles

April 2012 Issue #30

Entire Limousin village for sale… yours for just €330,000 ♦ Includes 19 buildings, a tennis court, swimming pool and stables ♦ The village has lain empty since the early 1970s ♦ It has 3 ‘miraculous springs’ with healing powers! Jean-Pierre Chateau, who lives in the nearby countryside, told Le Figaro newspaper that it was “heartbreaking” to see the place as a “ghost village”. He said it once had a unique atmosphere with “village festivals which were held right up until the 1960s”. Following its demise, Courbefy passed through a number of owners, most of them foreign and all of them apparently without the requisite skills and/or budget to return the village to its former glory. There were plans to turn it into a holiday village in the 1990s, complete with hotels and restaurants, but the hugely expensive project was eventually abandoned. The most recent owners bought the village at the turn of the century, but by 2008 were unable to keep up with mortgage repayments.

>> continued on page 5

News - Trucker stopped on A20 watching DVD A Bulgarian trucker has fallen foul of tough new laws to combat dangerous driving >> Page 4

Culture - Au revoir, Mademoiselle

Alysa Salzberg takes a look at a recent law change which effectively bans the use of the word 'Mademoiselle' in France >> Page 11

n entire village in the heart of the Limousin is on the market and it could be yours for as little as €330,000. The story of how Courbefy, just outside Châlus in southern Haute-Vienne, came to be abandoned is a sad, but common one. Once a thriving village, the last inhabitants moved out around 1970, chasing jobs in new industries. It was not uncommon for villages to be abandoned around that time; running water was being brought to the last corners of France, but many people ended up leaving villages where connection was judged to be too difficult and expensive. Other villages were abandoned as farming became industrialized and small plots like those in Courbefy didn't lend themselves to mechanization.

INSIDE > > >

Bilingual - The Eiffel Conspiracy Files

New documents come to light showing that it was the British who built the Eiffel Tower >> Page 15

They may be bitter political rivals, but research has now shown that Sarkozy and Hollande are in fact cousins! >> Page 10

Your indispensible guide to the region's Businesses >> Centre Pages

APRIL 2012 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

2 ♦ IN THIS EDITION

Welcome to

The Bugle

that you usually can’t burn fires pring has finally in the summer and by autumn arrived and I was I tell myself that we’ll have a starting to think big bonfire in Spring. And then about getting my Spring comes… you know the garden in order the drill. other day. Between running Well, no such worries this year. The Bugle and running around The clocks hadn’t even gone after 2 young girls, I don’t get as much time to spend pottering around the garden as I would like. When I do get out there, I have a bit of a tendency to half do jobs that I will “come back to later”. And that is exactly how I came to be the proud owner of a huge pile of rose trimmings, assorted branches that have fallen, or been cut, from various trees and © 2005 - Per Palmkvist Knudsen (WikiCommons) a small mountain back and I was in the garden of other garden detritus. I am and primed to light one almighty slightly ashamed to admit that fire. I was going to globally at the bottom, some of those warm the planet by at least one trimmings are probably a couple degree and use up my carbon of years old. The problem is

footprint allowance for the next decade! A quick trip over to the commune notice board… a bonfire ban had come into force that very day, effective until the end of summer!! What are the chances?! Oh well, I’m sure I’ll get round to doing it in the Autumn…!! I have noticed a huge upturn in the number of businesses looking to advertise in the last month or two, which is reflected in a bumper edition this month. Speaking to others I am definitely hearing many more positive than negative feelings at the moment. Times are still undoubtedly tough out there, but a few estate agents have now told me that the start of 2012 has been much better than 2011. Do support your local businesses, whether they are French, British or whatever. When times are good again, we will miss the small businesses that struggled to survive the harder years. Like everyone, I was shocked to follow the events in Toulouse of recent weeks. What at first appeared to be random killings turned out to be far worse. France has not had to deal with

much ‘home-grown’ terrorism before and such atrocities have shocked the nation. I am fascinated to see what will happen when the Limousin village again goes under the hammer (see our lead story). The interest that this sale has generated worldwide is quite phenomenal. It only takes 2 mega-rich Russians or Chinese to start a bidding war so who knows what it will go for. The idea of owning a village is quite appealing, but much like owning a château, the reality is that you need very deep pockets to restore and maintain it. I have enough trouble keeping my own house in order, let alone an entire village! Until next month. Steve Martindale Editor

INSIDE this edition 1 & 3-5 Local News 7-10 National News 11-15 French Life 16 Letters to the Editor 16 Caption Competition 17 Notice Board 18 Clubs & Associations 19-20 What's On B1-B10 Business Directory B11-B12 Classifieds

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LOCAL NEWS ♦ 3

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f there was one single event that changed the landscape of the Limousin more than any other in recent memory, it happened at Limoges Airport in 2002, the year that low-cost airline Buzz made the first flight into the region from London. One year later, Ryanair took over Buzz, but kept the London service going. Flybe arrived in 2005 with a flight to Southampton and the same year Ryanair launched its popular Liverpool route. The region unveiled its second airport just outside Brive in 2010. The Limousin now has 8 permanent and seasonal flights to the UK. This désenclavement ('opening up') of central France by the low-cost airlines was largely responsible for the huge influx of expats to the region in the past decade. Brive Vallée de la Dordogne, to give the airport its full name, now has its first permanent route to the UK with the unveiling this year of the CityJet line to London’s City Airport; there are 2 flights per week in winter, rising to 5 per

week in the height of summer. There will also be direct flights from the Limousin to Holland for the first time this year, with a seasonal Brive-Amsterdam route opening up, again operated by CityJet. Last year the 2 Limousin airports transported 395,000 passengers between them, with more than three quarters of the traffic coming via low-cost airlines. According to a recent report by the airport union, there are a number of airports in France where this figure is 100% - namely, Beauvais (Paris), Bergerac, Carcassonne, Tours and La Rochelle. With 76%, Limoges Airport is 11th in the list of dependance on low cost operators in France. “The proportion of low-cost traffic from the airport increased steadily until 2008 when it hit the 75% mark; it has hovered around this level ever since”, explained Olivier Claudon, head of the CCI de Limoges, the organisation that runs Limoges Airport. Could Limoges see a day when 100% of the traffic is via low-cost flights to and from the UK? “The situation can change

very quickly”, explained Mr Claudon “depending on proposals put forward for new lines”. Limoges Airport is keen to find another airline to take over the Paris-Orly route, currently run by Airlinair, but which is due to stop at the beginning of July. “We have several parties interested in taking over this route,” said Mr Claudon. “We are still in the discussion phase, but we will be hopefully be making an announcement soon.” Limoges Airport is also looking to add new internal routes to complement Paris and Lyon. “We would love to reach other major population centres, although Bordeaux and Toulouse are too close.” In other words, Marseilles, Nantes, Strasbourg and Lille are likely to be interesting targets. Not only do the low-cost airlines make up the majority of the flights, they are also more popular, with 70% of seats filled on average. The current internal flights to Paris and Lyon are typically around 50% full. ■

The Limousin still relying on low-cost airlines

Women live longer in the Limousin

any women will argue that there is still no such thing as gender equality, but one area where the female species definitely holds the upper hand is life expectancy. If scientists are to be believed, there are biological reasons for this: women apparently have better immune systems than men and produce more natural antioxidants. In this respect, the Limousin is no exception to the rule. In 1990, the life expectancy of a woman living in the Limousin was 81.3 years; by 1997 this had risen to 82.8 years

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and by 2009 the average was 84.3 years. For men the figures are 73.2, 74.8 and 77.6 respectively. There are five 100-year-old women for every male centenarian in the region. But the men of the region shouldn’t complain too much, as both male and female residents of the Limousin live longer than anywhere else in France. At last count, there were 300 centenarians in the region, a number that has doubled over the course of 8 years and is almost twice the national average. They build them tough out here! ■

APRIL 2012 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

4 ♦ LOCAL NEWS

New shopping centre to open soon in Guéret

n e w commercial centre will soon be opening its doors in the heart of Guéret. Based around the E. Leclerc hypermarket it is currently scheduled to open at the end of May or beginning of June. Nine national chains will be opening up in the development following a major renovation that began last July; these will include Brico Leclerc, La Foir'Fouille (which is moving from its current location off the RN145) as well as a Drive – a new internet shopping concept recently brought to the area for the first time at Guéret’s Intermarché. There will also be a children’s play area. The idea of supermarket shopping on the internet is not a new one to those of us from the UK, but until recently in France it has only been an established model in areas like Paris and Nantes. The French appear to be taking to it, however, with 700 Drives currently operating across

DVD watching trucker stopped on A20

the country. The principle is simple: you do your shopping online and book a slot to go to the store to pick it up – home delivery is not currently an option. At Intermarché there is a minimum order of €40 and you pay at the reception desk when you pick up your shopping (Carte Bleu only). At Leclerc,

the payment will be done online (Carte Bleu), there is no minimum order and the shopping will be loaded into your car for you at a special drivethrough. The project has not been without its detractors. A group of local business owners tried unsuccessfully to block the development,

claiming it would damage businesses in the town centre. The owner of the E. Leclerc stores in Creuse disagrees. “The more commercial outlets we offer, the more people will stay and shop in Guéret”, explained Philipe Lelaure. “Otherwise we will be driving consumers to larger centres like Limoges and Montluçon.” ■

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s we reported in February’s edition of The Bugle, the government is clamping down on dangerous driving by truck drivers. One area that the government is particularly targeting is the recent phenomenon of watching films while driving. The first truck driver to be stopped for film-watching was in 2008 on a motorway in southwestern France and the practice has become increasingly common since – last year 324 truckers were fined for this offence. From the beginning of 2012, the fine for watching a film while driving has risen from €135 to €1,500, with a loss of three points instead of two. A Bulgarian driver felt the force of these new laws when he was stopped this month on the A20. Gendarmes became

aware of a truck veering across the carriageways and it soon became apparent that he was watching a film on a laptop balanced on the dashboard. The man was given an on-thespot fine of €500 before being allowed to carry on his journey; his laptop was confiscated. Truckers apparently have filmwatching down to a fine art. One common technique for driving without looking is to drive along the grooved white line of the breakdown lane, which emits a steady hum. Thanks to the cruise control and automatic speed regulators, drivers need not even keep their feet on the pedals. In fact, several have been stopped with theirs up on the dashboard. The practice is thought to have caused at least one death last year when a woman was hit as she walked down the hard shoulder following a breakdown. ■

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www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ APRIL 2012

LOCAL NEWS ♦ 5

French village GPS tours of St-Léonard goes on sale >> continued from pg 1 When the village was put up for auction earlier this year there were no bids. As a result, Crédit Agricole became the latest in a long line of owners. Following a brilliant piece of marketing, however, the story of Courbefy has gone global; news channels and media outlets across the world have been running the story of the French village on sale for the price of a Parisian flat. CNN even reported the sale in the US and before long the local mayor, Bernard Guilhem, was inundated with requests about the village. With the surge in global interest, a new auction has been scheduled. The sale is now set to go ahead on May 21, with potential owners required to register beforehand. There are already a number of bidders: a group of students who always dreamed of living together; an organisation looking to set up a holiday camp for sick children; there is even a mysterious

anonymous bidder from Hong Kong. The worry now is that the hall booked for the auction will not be big enough! One thing is for sure, however: this time Courbefy will sell, although for what price remains to be seen. The village dates back at least to Gallo-Roman times, when a road connecting Limoges and Bordeaux passed through, according to mayor Guilhem. It was the site of a château occupied by Jeanne d'Albret, mother of King Henry IV and its surroundings are dotted with three so-called “miraculous springs” whose waters are said to have healing powers. Local lore has it that early in the Hundred Years’ War between England and France, the residents of Limoges hired a mercenary to chase away the English who had settled at Courbefy. With the identity of the new owners still undecided, how ironic it would be if a British buyer were to again ‘invade’ this corner of France. ■

The tourist office in Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat has launched an innovative way to discover the sights and sounds of this medieval town. From spring, ten GPS units are available for hire from the tourist office, offering 3 separate tours around the town: • A Medieval Tour of the town for adults. • A Medieval Tour of the town for children. • An “Outside the Walls” Tour of the local area to discover the unique environment of the Vallée de la Vienne. The GPS units are aimed at all ages, and your electronic guide (unsurprisingly called Léonard!) will take you on a journey with quizzes and games to play along the way. The tours are also available in English to appeal to tourists and English-speaking residents. For more information on the new GPS tours, please contact the tourist office in Saint-Léonard-deNoblat on 05.55.56.25.06 or visit their website: www.tourisme-noblat.fr

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Miss France contest comes to Limoges

It has been announced that this year’s Miss France contest will be held in the Limousin. On December 8th 2012, France’s most beautiful women will be descending on the Zenith in Limoges to battle it out for the coveted crown. Sylvie Tellier, herself a former Miss France in 2002 and now CEO of the organisation, recently visited Limoges on a fact-finding mission. The Zenith has vast experience of hosting a wide variety of shows and organisers decided that the area had the necessary infrastructure to cope with the popular event – hotels, public transport links etc. The final of Miss France, broadcast on television station TF1, has one of the highest audiences on French TV. It attracts more viewers (35.9% of the audience) than the finish of a Tour de France stage (32%). Last year, the crowning of Delphine Wespiser at Brest attracted 7.7 million viewers, although the competition faced strong opposition. Local politicians called the €237,000 of public money invested in the show “exorbitant” compared to the benefits provided by hosting it. ■

APRIL 2012 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

6 ♦ ADVERTISING FEATURE

e Puy Shooting is an exciting new clay pigeon and deer stalking business that has recently opened in the stunning Limousin countryside, close to the village of Peyrat-leChâteau. The proprietor, Luke Robbins, has created a innovative sporting layout which will be rearranged on a frequent basis to keep things fresh for regular customers. The state-of-the-art kit includes four clay traps that will test clients’ different skills, including a rabbit trap that allows the clay to mimic a fast running rabbit. Our aim is to have regular competitions for all levels of shooter throughout the year. As you would expect, the business is fully insured for all levels and guns and ammunition are supplied by Le Puy Shooting as part of the competitive package price. After a delay caused by the recent snow, the clay pigeon facility at the heart of the Château Grillière deer estate is now fully up and running. Regular Saturday sessions are being held to cater for all levels of experience. If you have never shot before, don’t worry; full training in the use of a firearm will be given, as well as professional guidance on safety and handling. If clients, wish to come during the week an appointment can be made for

Le Puy Shooting one-to-one tuition. Group and corporate days can also be booked at any time throughout the week. As for the deer stalking, we are set amongst 500 acres of land and we currently have three types of deer: Red deer (Cervus elaphus), Fallow deer (Dama dama) and also the native Limousin species the Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). Stalking is a real art and can be difficult. Experience has taught us that a lot of luck can be involved in just finding the deer. The purpose of stalking is to keep numbers at a sustainable level and to make sure that there is enough natural food on the estate so all the animals are fit and healthy. Welfare of the animals is carefully monitored in order to ensure the healthiest stock of deer possible. As a member of the British Deer Society, we have the best interests of the animals at heart. If guests would like to come and visit the park to learn about the deer in more detail please phone to organise a trip around the estate, where Luke will go into greater detail about their behaviour. During the rutting season in September and October the male deer battle for dominance, which is a very impressive spectacle to watch. During this fascinating period Luke can take guests into the heart of the park in the safety of the estate vehicle to observe the deer close up in their natural

habit, the perfect opportunity for photographers to shoot that perfect image. For guests who like to combine shooting with a longer stay, Le Puy also offers two attractive holiday cottages that can be rented for a weekend or a longer period. The properties have been restored to a high standard and feature tasteful decorations and a real home from home feel. The accommodation can be booked through the website: www.lepuy. co.uk. There you can see photos of all the lovely interiors as well as the large heated pool that has amazing far reaching views over

the estate. Guests also have access to a fitness room and free use of a selection of bikes, so there’s no need to compromise on keeping fit with a visit to Le Puy. If that all sounds like too much effort, there are plenty of places just to sit and chill with a glass of wine and watch the animals pass by! Please call Luke for full details of all the activities currently being offered by Le Puy Shooting. ■

Mobile: 06 37 46 49 98 Office: 09 61 42 41 26 www.lepuyshooting.com www.lepuy.co.uk

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Bugle Editor, Steve Martindale, recounts a recent visit to Le Puy Shooting Before visiting Le Puy shooting, I had never handled a shotgun before. I did some prone target shooting in my youth, but that is a very different ball game and was over 15 years ago now. So it was with a degree of nervousness that I went through the comprehensive safety demonstration with Luke Robbins before attempting to shoot my first shots. I needn’t have worried; under Luke’s guidance, the first clay pigeon had shattered within 5 minutes - although a fair few did escape unharmed!! Not to worry, as all the clays are biodegradable. Over the course of a couple of hours, spent amidst some of the most stunning countryside the Limousin has to offer, my aim gradually improved. The traps ranged from relatively easy (I managed to hit quite a few clays), to a little bit more difficult (I did manage to hit a few) and a bit more difficult still (Luke assures me I clipped one of these once, but it was too fast for me to see!) All the equipment was supplied, including ear plugs (it’s not as loud as I had feared) and a shoulder pad (the recoil is impressive, but no more than a small amount of soreness the next morning). You can literally just phone up, book and be shooting in no time and I would recommend Le Puy Shooting as a day out to anyone like me who has an interest and would like to give clay pigeon shooting a try. Even if you just come along with someone else to soak up the view, it would be worth it for that alone! ■

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ APRIL 2012

NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 7

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Breath test kits compulsory from July

s reported in January’s edition of The Bugle, breath test kits ('éthylotests') are to become compulsory for motorists and motorcyclists in 2012. Originally, the new law had been expected to come into force in spring, but will now not take effect until 1st July. Under the new law, aimed at reducing the number of road deaths in France, it will be compulsory to have at least one unused and easily accessible breath test kit in your vehicle at all times. Anyone found not carrying this device will face a fine of €11, although a period of grace means that fines will not be enforced until 1st November 2012. According to Transport Ministry officials, the rule will equally be applied to foreign drivers and tourists, and only drivers of motorbikes less than 50cc will be exempt. The single-use kits can be purchased in supermarkets and pharmacies, as well as online and should cost no more than €1.50 each. Although they have been available in France since last November, manufacturers are now rushing to produce enough kits to meet the 1st July deadline. They are valid for up to 2 years and should bear the mark “NF” (Norme Française). Drivers are being advised to carry two in case they need to use one. The Bugle contacted Hertz car rental in Limoges to find out whether these new kits would now be included as standard in all hire cars from the summer, as is currently the case for the other compulsory car equipment (warning triangle, high visibility vest etc). Although unable to officially confirm anything, Hertz indicated that it is very likely that all hire cars would indeed come equipped with the new breathalyser kits. In 2011 there were approximately 4,000 deaths on the roads of France, with little change from 2010. Overall, alcohol is responsible for 31 per cent of all fatal road accidents with this figure rising to 58.7% for weekend night-time accidents. Opinion polls have said two in three voters in France approve of the new law. ■

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Brit poised to join France's elite

istory could soon be made by a British academic who is hotly tipped to be voted into the Académie Française, the body that maintains the ‘purity’ of the French language. In the 400year history of the Academy, there has never been a Britishborn member, nor a member whose first language was English. The 40 members of the Academy are known as the “immortals” and Professor Michael Edwards hopes to now sit among them. The 73-year-old scholar's first language is English; he was born in Barnes, southwest London and did not speak his first word of French until he was 11. He is today a published poet in both English and French and is a professor at the Collège de France, the prestigious institution just across the road from the Sorbonne in Paris' Latin Quarter.

“From my very first lesson in French at 11 years old, I felt a sense of wonder, a sense of marvel, that there was a completely other way in which people could express themselves,” Professor Edwards said. He has lectured and written on Shakespeare in French and on the classical 17th-century French playwright Racine in English. To understand why his achievement, should he be accepted, is so exceptional, you first need to understand a bit about the history and workings of this venerable French institution. The Académie Française was created in 1635 by Cardinal Richelieu, the chief minister to King Louis XIII. Its aim was to “fix the French language, giving it rules, rendering it pure and comprehensible by all”. Since then, the body of 40 immortals has met regularly, compiled 9 editions of a dictionary of the French

language and campaigned tirelessly to maintain the purity of French. Membership is for life – unless it is revoked for misconduct (for example, General Pétain was ejected following his Vichy government’s collaboration during the Second World War) – and new members are only elected when a post is freed up by the death of an immortal. Former notable members include Voltaire and Victor Hugo. One of the main roles of the Academy in the modern world is to come up with French words for “AngloSaxon” linguistic invaders like "email" (replaced with courriel). France introduced the “Toubon” law in 1994 making the use of French obligatory in official government publications, in state-funded schools, in advertisements and French workplaces. This means, for example, that all English words on billboards must come with a French

translation in a footnote. Each French ministry also has its own commission of terminology and neologisms, whose job is to track down English terms and offer French alternatives. They send their proposals to the Academy, which debates the new terms and rubber stamps them. Unfortunately for the Académie Française, however, its rulings are only advisory. Once the language of the world's elite, French now ranks as only the eighth most spoken language in the world and its influence is clearly receding. French teenagers and twentysomethings talk of "le buzz", they wear "les leggings" and enjoy "happy hour" in "le pub", immune to the protestations of the Academy. The Academy has also struggled with its image as an elitist club for crusty old men, something that led it to pass a motion last year barring those over 75 from joining – the average age of the immortals is

currently around 78. Professor Edwards hopes that the innate ‘anti-English’ philosophy of the Academy will not count against him and points out that he himself is a staunch defender of the purity and integrity of French. Speaking to The Independent, he said: “This is a moment of crisis for French and it makes sense, I believe, for the Academy to choose someone who comes from, as it were, the opposite camp but has become a champion of the special importance and beauty of the French language.” “The Academy is sometimes mocked abroad and even in France for trying to defend the French language from debasement in the modern world. But the Academy is quite right to do so. Quite right. French is not just a beautiful language. It represents a way of looking at the world, a way of ‘naming the world’, a pattern of thought, which is quite different from our own.” ■

APRIL 2012 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

8 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

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Sarkozy overtakes Hollande in polls

French” law. The Hollande camp hit back by comparing Sarkozy to David Cameron. Mr Hollande's campaign manager Pierre Moscovici told TV station France 2 that the Eurosceptic comments were unworthy of a French leader. “I had the impression I was listening not to a French president, because a French president is someone who always wants to construct Europe, to build it, to take it forward, but almost a British Prime Minister, a Conservative.” The British, he went on, “have refused the logic of Schengen for the past 25 years” and Mr Sarkozy's comments represented a “phenomenal step backwards”. His comments came shortly after David Cameron threw his weight behind Mr Sarkozy's re-election bid and refused to meet Mr Hollande during a campaign trip to London. French far right leader Marine Le Pen has finally obtained the backing of 500 elected officials – a prerequisite to run in the presidential elections. It had looked for a while that she may fail to receive the necessary backing, but did so with just days to spare before the deadline. If Le Pen had failed to gather the requisite support by 16th March it would have sent a shock wave through the election race. She currently holds around 1618% of the national vote,

and many of her supporters would have had to turn to the conservative President Nicolas Sarkozy. Although at one time the charismatic leader of the Far Right looked like she may upset the apple cart and beat Sarkozy in the first round

of voting, this now seems unlikely as the president’s support has grown and Le Pen’s share of the vote is steadily dropping back. On the other extreme of the political spectrum, the leader of the Front de Gauche (Left Front), is experiencing a surprising jump in the polls. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who heads a coalition of leftist parties including the Communists, attracted tens of thousands of supporters to a march in Paris recently. His vicious attacks on the rich, France’s elite and austerity measures have struck a chord with many voters and polls showed him rising above the symbolic 10 per cent mark. Decrying France as

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“disfigured by inequality,” Mélenchon called for a “civic insurrection” as he addressed a sea of supporters in Place de la Bastille. Organisers claimed that more than 100,000 took part in the rally. Sensing the threat on his left flank, Hollande has suggested to left-wing voters that a vote for Mélenchon could hand victory to the right. “Every vote is useful,” Hollande said when asked about Mélenchon's recent

surge. “I do not want to question this or that choice by voters, but everyone must understand what is at stake.” Observers also point to Hollande’s recent pledge to introduce a 75% tax band for those earning more than 1 million euros as an attempt to woo voters from the Left. The first round of elections will take place on 22nd April, with a second round run-off (if necessary) scheduled for 6th May.■

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the Sarkozy campaign and a crucial boost to his camp’s flagging morale. After trailing his rival for so long, Sarkozy's aides had dramatically warned that if he failed to gain ground after a recent mega-rally outside Paris then his chances of success would be slim. During this rally, Sarkozy’s policies appeared to move even further to the right, a move that is winning him voters. In a speech to tens of thousands of supporters in Villepinte, he threatened to pull France out of Europe's 26-nation open travel Schengen zone unless the European Union tightens border controls to keep illegal immigrants out. In a TV debate earlier in the month, Mr Sarkozy had defended his plan to almost halve the number of new arrivals if reelected, stating that France “has too many foreigners”. He also issued an ultimatum to the EU to adopt measures to fight cheap imports within a year, or see France pass a unilateral “Buy

ith the first round of voting o n l y w e e k s away, could President Sarkozy be about to pull off the seemingly impossible and win a second term in office? A recent poll suggested that the president would win the first round of voting, beating his main rival, François Hollande, by 28.5% to 27%. It is the first time that Sarkozy has polled ahead of Hollande since the Corrèze MP won the Socialist nomination 5 months ago. The poll also predicted that Sarkozy would still lose the eventual run-off by 54.5% to 45.4%; however, even this was good news for the president as it represented a gain of 2% on previous polls. Mr Sarkozy refused to talk up the results of the survey. Grinning broadly, he said: “I didn't believe you when you said it was all over. And I don't believe you anymore when you say it’s on the rebound.” The poll did prove to be a massive shot in the arm for

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www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ APRIL 2012

NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 9

French attraction wins theme park 'Oscar'

t has been a good month for French tourist attractions, with Disneyland Paris confirming its status as the No. 1 attraction in Europe and two other French theme parks winning Thea Awards at the 'Oscars' of the worldwide entertainment industry. The success of Euro Disney has taken even its biggest fans by surprise. When it was built it had broad political backing, with the French government investing around €666 million in the project; private investments are believed to have been 10 times this much. The park took a little time to find its feet, however, and for a while, many thought it would prove to be a huge waste of money. Today it is the most popular tourist attraction in Europe and has generated an estimated €59 billion for the French economy. The park alone accounts for over 6% of France’s entire annual tourist revenue and last year 15.7 million people walked through its gates. France is the most visited

country in the world and in 2011, 4.6% of the 76.8 million people who visited these shores went to Euro Disney while they were here. Hot on the heels of The Artist the French silent film that recently took the Oscar for Best Picture - Le Puy du Fou theme park has been crowned 'Best Park' at the recent Thea Awards ceremony in Los Angeles; it is the first time that the top prize has gone to a French attraction. The park, in the Vendée region of western France, beat 700 theme parks in 40 countries to claim the honour. The jury praised both its professionalism and its desire to offer visitors increasingly grandiose and fantastic shows. Le Puy du Fou is based around 5 separate historical shows, ranging from the Vikings to the Musketeers. The centrepiece is the massive Cinéscénie, boasting the largest stage in the world. The show includes thousands of actors, hundreds of horses and about 400 fireworks per performance. According to a

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recent IFOP survey, Le Puy du Fou is France's ‘favourite’ park. Also recognised at the Awards was the “Arthur, L'Aventure 4D” attraction at Futuroscope, near Poitiers. Le Puy du Fou is France’s 4th largest attraction with 1.5 million visitors; this puts it a long way behind Disneyland Paris with 15.7 million, but just behind Futuroscope and the Asterix theme park near Paris, both neck and neck at 1.8 million visitors per year. ■

Mobile signal under the Channel

’ll have to call you back, I’m just going into a tunnel. Love them or hate them, mobile phones are very much a part of modern day life, but one of the few places where you have always been guaranteed a bit of peace and quiet is in the Channel Tunnel, 75 metres beneath the seabed. Not for much longer, though; from this summer pioneering developments in technology will allow for reception throughout the Tunnel. Eurotunnel, which manages the 38-kilometre link between Folkestone and Calais, has reportedly announced a deal with four mobile providers, including France Télécom Orange and Free Mobile. The agreement comes after the French technology group Alcatel-Lucent worked out how to link an undersea tunnel with mobile signals.

The new system will be 2G and 3G enabled and initial reports suggest the signal could be turned on by July – just in time for the London Olympics. The deal between Eurotunnel and the mobile providers will officially be signed this month, according to reports. In France, mobile phones can already be used on the deepest parts of the Paris metro. The metro was Europe's first transport system to gain mobile phone reception and there are even plans to roll out reliable internet across the service. Similar plans to introduce mobile coverage on the London underground were recently put on hold due to a lack of funding, much to the relief of most in the capital. A poll in February 2011 revealed that 76% of Londoners declared they were against having mobile phone reception on the Tube.

Indeed, not everyone is a fan of 24/7 mobile coverage in France either. One commentator on the news website of Le Monde wrote: “The only place where we were spared and now we’re going to be able to be annoyed there like everywhere else. Great!” Eurotunnel this month announced that it had returned to profit in 2011 after drawing a record 19 million passengers. The Queen's Jubilee and the Olympics are expected to boost performance this year as well. It made a post-tax profit of €11m in 2011 compared with a €58m loss the previous year. It also announced that it would speed up trains by 10mph to 100mph during the Olympics to cut crossing times to just 30 minutes and enable the Tunnel to handle increased passenger numbers. ■

APRIL 2012 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

10 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

Depardieu to play DSK He ain't heavy, he's my cousin

IMF or top judicial officials can be like that. But I will not try to inhabit the role of StraussKahn too deeply, as I have never been moved very much by people who have no dignity.” French actress Isabelle Adjani is due to play DSK’s wife, Anne Sinclair, who has stood by him and is now editor-in-chief of the French Huffington Post. Depardieu is no stranger to controversy himself. He famously smoked on the Jonathan Ross show in 2005 and last year was ejected from a CityJet flight to Dublin after urinating in the aisle. He later apologised, citing prostate problems and said he could “often behave like a complete a***hole” in public. ■

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had ancestors in the region of Savoy in the Alps, but his recent research has brought the two lines together. He also showed in the first volume of The Political World that Dominique Strauss-Kahn was descended from a notorious 19th century “pimp”. The shamed former IMF chief is the great-grandson of brothel keeper Léon Bricot, who ended his life in prison for shooting one of his customers, Mr Beaucarnot wrote. ■

“Call of nature” man loses battle with Google A man who was snapped by a Google camera car whilst answering a call of nature in his front garden has lost in his bid to seek damages from the internet giant. A court in the northern town of Angers ruled that the plaintiff had lodged a lawsuit against the wrong firm - the picture having been published by Google Inc., the US parent company, and not by its subsidiary Google France. The unnamed man, who claimed he became a laughing

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name is not unknown in France. Another descendant invented the “Labully cake” in the mid 19th century, which is still eaten today. The cake is a brioche flecked with pralines and baked in the shape of... a breast! It was originally baked in honour of Sainte-Agathe, a young Christian martyr, whose breasts had been cut off. Last year, Beaucarnot claimed that the rivals’ maternal grandmothers both lived in the French town of Lyon and

stock after the image taken by Google of his al fresco urination was published globally on the Street View web application, now owes the firm's French subsidiary €1,200 in court costs. Google agreed to take the picture down after the man complained, but refused a demand for €10,000 in damages. The plaintiff's lawyer was not immediately available to comment on any possible appeal. ■

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ccording to research published recently, President Sarkozy and his election rival François Hollande share more than just a desire to call the Elysée Palace their home. They are apparently in fact distant cousins! In the second volume of his book The Political World, author Jean-Louis Beaucarnot has shown that both Mr Sarkozy and Mr Hollande share a common ancestor named Claude LabullyBurty who worked as a farm labourer in the French Alps almost 400 years ago. Both have ancestry which can be traced back to the tiny peasant village of Saint-Genix-surGuiers, near the Swiss border; Mr Sarkozy is descended from Mr Labully-Burty's son Pierre, while Mr Hollande's ancestor is the labourer's son Claude. French daily France-Soir said: “The way these two men attack each other on a daily basis on the campaign trail, one would have thought they have nothing in common. But it now appears that they do, in the form of a humble Alpine peasant who would be delighted to know his descendants have done so well!” It is unlikely, though, that the blood tie will quell the bitter political rivalry of the two men as they fight on the campaign trail. Another interesting aspect to the story is that the Labully

érard Depardieu has revealed in an interview on Swiss TV that he is to play the role of Dominique Strauss-Kahn in an upcoming film about the former IMF chief. Speaking on the Pardonnez-Moi chat show, the Cyrano de Bergerac actor told presenter Darius Rochebin: “He’s not lovable,” before launching into an assault on his fellow countrymen. “I think he is a bit like all French people, a bit arrogant. I don’t like the French too much by the way. He is very French: arrogant, smug. He’s playable. I will do it, because I don’t like him.” The film will focus on DSK’s fall from grace when he was forced to resign as head of the IMF last year following a scandal in New York that saw him accused of raping a hotel maid. The case was subsequently dropped, however the damage to his reputation and political career was irreparable. DSK had hitherto been the red hot favourite to become France’s next president this year. Although released without charge in the US, DSK has been dogged by controversy ever since: the New York maid, Nafissato Diallo, is still chasing him in the civil courts in the US; on his return to France he was accused of sexually abusing a young French writer, a case also dropped, this time on the basis that too much time had elapsed since the alleged assault; and he is currently embroiled in a scandal over a prostitution ring operating out of a hotel in Lille. When quizzed over these controversies and accusations, Depardieu said they were not the reason for his dislike of DSK. “It’s the way he walks, with one hand in his pocket. We can all have filthy thoughts, and it’s well known that these guys with huge power, money, the

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The Bugle April 2012

12 Page Pull-out Section

Your indispensable guide to finding local businesses & artisans Accommodation Activities & Leisure Animals & Pets Auto Services Building Services Architects Carpenters/Joiners Electricians General Groundworks Painters/Decorators

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APRIL 2012 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

B2 ♦ DIRECTORY ADVERTORIAL

uwell Piscine Center is a family-run business based just outside Brive at Malemort-sur-Corrèze. Since our creation in 2008 we have specialised in the sale and fitting of a range of spas, saunas, UV cubicles, hammams and massage beds as well as traditional and raised wooden swimming pools. We can manage your project, whatever the size. From planning through to installation and maintenance, we are there to advise and support you every step of the way to ensure the success of your project. Whether you are an individual or a business, Auwell Piscine Center is committed to combining expertise and experience to offer products and service that are both high quality and innovative. Auwell Piscine has a 450m² showroom where

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www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ APRIL 2012

DIRECTORY ♦ B3 ADVERTORIAL

La Noneix Construction and Property Services

imousin residents Paul and Joanne Rands moved to France with their two young children 6 years 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.

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Here at La Noneix Construction, we are now entering our 6th 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. When carrying out a large renovation, the customer needs to be sure that the 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

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ELECTRICIAN SIRET: 493 084 974 00010

Electricité • Simple jobs

"We are very pleased with the work done by La Noneix Construction on the roof of our holiday home. Every stage of the process from devis to completion was efficient and thorough and we were kept informed by email and sent photographs of the progress." "Paul and Joanne are always keeping us informed of the progress of the build, by email and photos, and also helping out with everything associated with the build, which is much appreciated as we cannot come out to France as often as we would like to, and furthermore, we cannot speak a word of French! "

ADVERTORIAL Philip Evans

Fully Qualified French Electrician

Registered in France since 2007 Banque Populaire La Souterraine Décennale Insurance All works to normes NF C15-100 ● Fault finding ● Small Works ● Complete rewires ● Consuel certification arranged ● Temporary EDF supplies arranged ● Permanent EDF supplies arranged ● Free quotations

• Complete renovations • New builds • Conformity checks • Emergency Call outs • Fully insured 10yr guarantee

Email: robrjhnsn@aol.com Website: www.rob-johnson.biz

hedleymarsh@orange.fr

Email: philip.evans@live.fr

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Your advert here

Mobile No: 06 50 63 65 29

ROGER & SON in Creuse

I offer free & friendly advice so please don’t hesitate to contact me.

05 49 48 35 49 06 45 74 25 36 siret: 511 904 559 00016

Qualified Electrician

05 55 41 17 76

Experienced Builder

Salamandre électricité

English Speaking, French Artisans Repairs, Full Re-Wires, New Build Automated Systems Installation All Masonry Works Plasterboarding Assistance with Architects, other trades and Permis de Construire English References Available

Keith Sloper Tel: 05 55 64 94 20 Mob: 07 86 38 09 61

05 55 41 43 56 06 50 27 87 54 the-poulpe@orange.fr

* Qualified electrician * All types of electrical works carried out * Free estimates * Departments 23 and 87

SIRET: 498 672 708 00019

No Siret: 494 916 760 00015

No job too small - give us a call

All electrical work covered, from a light switch to a full rewire Limousin, Charente & Dordogne covered Emergency Callouts 24/7

A recent new-build undertaken by La Noneix Construction

"Totally trustworthy workers who did all

Diesel self-propelled 4WD machines with jibs

GENIE 45/25J - working height 16m/50ft, outreach 7.5m/25ft. Will go up and over 7.16m/23.6ft. Lift 227kg. €180HT/day or €600HT/week JLG800AJ - working height 25m/82ft, outreach 15.8m/52ft. Will go up and over 9.78m/32ft. Lift 227kg. €280HT/day or €900HT/week Delivery/collection charged by distance

Tel: 06 36 35 56 44 or 05 55 78 16 28

R & L OTLEY sas, Sacierges-St-Martin, 36170

Siret: 533 235 016 00011

SIRET 538 982 414 00012

Building Services

Traditional Building Services

02 54 47 65 37 rotley@aol.com

they could to minimise any disruption." La Noneix Construction & Property Services Tel: 05.55.66.44.06 Email: Paul.rands@orange.fr Web: www.lanoneix.com

Lovejoy’s Scaffolding Hire

Strong, fully adjustable cup-lock scaffolding Collect and erect yourself to save costs or delivery and erection included

Tel: 05 55 68 22 04 www.limousin-builders.com Siret 509 933 784 00027

Harlequin Developments 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

All aspects of renovation/ restoration covered including bespoke joinery and lime plastering. All work is fully insured. References available.

05.55.68.67.56 06.06.60.46.97

General

Ring Andy on 06 35 12 10 66 Ring Will on 05 55 37 45 35

harlequindevelopments@live.com www.harlequindevelopments.com

siret: 532 981 198 00015

SIRET: 494.501.067.00016

Monte Sarginson

Mini Digger

Celotex

House Renovations and dumper hire 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

with driver

From €120 per day

06.43.40.58.85 diggerhire@mail.com

SkyTVI

Insulation Specialists 05.55.78.57.60 - see pg 8

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

Sky TV Installations Satellite Engineer

INSTALLATION, DISH, CABLE AND QUAD LNB - just €180

Sky Subscriptions Available - no UK address necessary All needs, advice, help catered for. All depts covered

06 60 85 93 41 admin@sky-tv-installations.com 05.55.67.01.04

www.sky-tv-installations.com

SIRET: 534 352 802 00019

APRIL 2012 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

B4 ♦ DIRECTORY ADVERTORIAL

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Your advert in the Business Directory - how it works!

ith adverts starting from as little as €12.80 per month, The Bugle Business Directory is the perfect way for small businesses to reach a large number of households at a reasonable price. Directory contracts are for 4, 6 or 12 months, with increasing discounts for the 6 and 12-month options (see box below). To place a Directory Advert, or for more information, simply email us at sales@thebugle.eu with the text that you would like to include or give us a ring on 05.55.41.17.76.

As our newspaper has grown in popularity and The Bugle has established itself as the primary source of free local and national news in the region, our advertising has also become increasingly effective. Every month 12,000+ copies of The Bugle are printed and distributed across the region. Thanks to our targeted distribution where we personally visit each of our 330+ distributors every month, and adjust the number of papers left accordingly, we make sure that the right number of copies go in the right places. The Bugle has an estimated monthly readership of well over 25,000 ** All prices are TTC

As a rough guide:

Small b&w Directory Ad

• Small Adverts can comfortably contain around 30 words • Large Adverts can comfortably contain around 45 words

Large b&w Directory Ad Small colour Directory Ad Large colour Directory Ad

people!! That means as many as 25,000 pairs of eyes could be reading these pages in the coming few weeks… and they could be reading about your business! Another way to target the Englishspeaking community is through Advertorials. These are just one of the advertising options we offer, but they have become a very cost-effective way of attracting new customers and raising the profile of your business. Because we only feature a handful of businesses each month, we highlight those businesses prominently and deliver your message in a targeted manner.

4-Month Contract €64 (€16/month) €86 (€21.50/month) €96 (€24/month) €128 (€32/month)

ADVERTORIAL

Building Services General

Limousin Property Care Property Maintenance & Building

05.55.81.19.61 See Main Ad - pg 13

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

P Services TILE HOIST IAO multi-service company ● Repairs & maintenance FOR RENT ● Gardens & lakes CMS ROOFING SERVICES

● General building Free Quotation and advice If I can't help, I know someone that can. Contact Paul

** from €40 per day ** Tel: 09 79 73 32 00 Mob: 06 60 20 22 38

05 55 77 33 72 / 06 85 18 20 05

No Siret: 444 916 084 00015

siret no 483 666 335 00037

Phillip Williamson

Paul Goldsmith Renovations

Email: cmsroofs@gmail.com

Interior Renovations Honest, Reliable Tradesman

● Plastering. Drylining. Studwork ● Kitchens, Bathrooms, Doors & Windows fitted ● Painting & Decorating etc. Competitive Rates – Call for a free quote

Tel: 05.55.89.05.81 philw2005@msn.com SIRET: 504 976 689 00019

La Coterie Entreprise

Approved septic tank installer

05.55.80.83.30 www.lce23.com

See our main ad - pg 7

Builder 40yrs Experience in quality work,

available for all your House Maintenance/Projects including Plumbing, Carpentry, Masonry, Structural Work, Decorating. Plus Key Holding service. Good References. Dept. 23/36

05.55.80.72.60

email: chris.coxon@orange.fr 497 962 001 00010

iopm@ymail.com

www.centralfrancestorage.com All aspects of interior renovations. Loft conversions, Windows, Bathrooms & Kitchens, Flooring Plastering, Plaster Boarding, Plumbing & Electrics.

lasout@live.com/09.66.03.52.89 Established 6 years - references available SIRET: 494 123 847 00019

Room construction to finishing touches

T: Ian 05 55 53 37 10 E: ian@zanado.co.uk www.zanado.co.uk Siret. 484 206 624 00014

• • • •

1/6 page - €50 1/3 page - €100 (this one) 2/3 page - €200 Full page - €300.

If you would like to find out more about our Advertorials, or any of our other advertising options, please feel free to get in touch with us on 05.55.41.17.76 or drop us a line at sales@thebugle.eu ■

6-Month Contract €86.40 (€14.40/month) €116.10 (€19.35/month) €129.60 (€21.60/month) €172.80 (€28.80/month)

12-Month Contract €153.60 (€12.80/month) €206.40 (€17.20/month) €230.40 (€19.2/month) €307.20 (€25.60/month)

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

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

Nick Glover

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

05.55.66.44.06

www.lanoneix.com

Phone: 05 55 63 65 81

SIRET: 501 144 596 00019

Siret 511 127 763 00015

Paul.rands@orange.fr

Nick.glover@hotmail.com www.glover-carreleur.com siret: 493 766 430 00018

Your advert here

Skilled Workman Prices from €15/hour

● Building Renovations & Small Jobs ● Velux Windows ● Roof Repairs ● Tiling ● Plumbing ● Plaster boarding ● Garden Projects & Maintenance For more info please call Barrie

Home: 05.55.02.66.58 Mobile: 06.76.09.68.37 Or visit my website

www.bw-renovations.co.uk SIRET: 501 338 230 00011

GODSON

**Special Spring discounts**

● Renovations & conversions Specialist in granite stonework ● Roofing - Carpentry Plastering/rendering ● Electrical (NICEIC approved in the UK) fully conversant with French Regulations ● Plumbing (Corgi Registered in the UK) fully conversant with French Regulations ● Kitchens - Bathrooms - Floor/wall tiling

Central Limousin

Unbeatable Price and Quality References Available

Large or small projects undertaken - please view our website. Contact: Paul or Joanne Rands

I fit all kinds of tiles: ceramic, porcelain, slate, natural stone, quarry tiles, travertine & granite.

Tel: 05 55 69 23 29 Port: 06 31 37 53 90

Renovation Specialist

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

R & B Construction

Walls & Floors Interior & Exterior

TERRY DIMMOCK

La Noneix

Construction

Tiler / Carreleur

Kitchen & Bathroom Fitting 05 55 41 17 76 Including Tiling and Plasterboarding

Advertorials are now available in 4 sizes and please ask as significant discounts are available to existing advertisers:

Travaux Publics www.pilgrim23.com 05.55.62.61.12 - pg 3

Over 30 years experience in the building trade

Scaffold and Plant Hire Please ring Robert 05 55 89 69 46

Members of Federation of Master builders in UK

All works carried out by time served tradesmen.

Tel: Dave - 05 55 37 74 06 Tel. Steve - 05 55 69 75 67 (Depts 23, 87 & 19)

siret: 501 792 386 00010

Double D

Renovations & Home Improvements 05 87 96 02 44 - pg 15

SIRET: 503 169 237 00016

Michael Courtin

T J Renovations

● Masonry ● Stonework ● Brickwork ● Pointing ● Structural Repairs

Full refurbishments undertaken • Stone/Brickwork • Patios • Repointing • Studwork • General Repairs & Maintenance

French Stonemason with 20 years Experience in Major & Minor works undertaken throughout the Limousin 10% discount for new clients Free Devis/Estimates References Available

Call:Siret: 0952278 23 38 56 076 546 00012

30 years experience in building trade

All areas in the Limousin covered Contact Tim

Tel: 05 55 61 08 02 Mob: 06 52 23 89 54

Email: tjrenovations96@yahoo.fr Siret: 750 068 116 00011

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ APRIL 2012

DIRECTORY ♦ B5 ADVERTORIAL

Foreign Buyers are Searching for French Properties

ouses on Internet, the marketing/ internet company that helps private owners sell their French property without using an estate agent, has been so successful during the past months that it now desperately needs more houses in order to meet the growing demand from abroad. Richard Kroon, director and founder, says: “It is a bit frustrating to be honest. After a year with new sales records in 2011, the trend continued this year. But this means that we have now come to a point where more houses from our portfolio have been sold than there are ‘new’ ones coming

in for sale.” So because of their success in sales, they have now been forced in a number of cases to disappoint prospective buyers. Richard explains: “Although we currently have about 325 properties for sale throughout the country, there are also over 100,000 visitors, literally from around the world, that browse our website on a daily basis. Most of them are looking to buy within 4 to 6 months. More than half of those visitors live in countries other than the ‘traditional’ ones: France, UK, Holland and Belgium.” This is definitely the result of their continuous global

Tony Hall

General Builders Renovations, Brickwork, Masonry We only undertake one job at a time! All areas covered

Tél: 02.54.06.91.54

hall.anthony@orange.fr Siret: 504 350 604 00014

Dennis Fry Timber Services Dave Cardwell - Builder 05.55.08.40.67/06.06.44.35.28

See our Display Ad - pg 11

Chez Vous

Fosse Septique installation and building renovations

05.55.63.44.43 - pg 10

WASTE REMOVAL SERVICES

• house and barn clearances • dechetterie runs • rubbish removal • cash paid for scrap • general labouring service • mini digger hire - with/without driver

05 55 37 45 35

advertising, both on Google and on the leading French property websites. Over 50% of the people that bought a house through ‘Houses on Internet’ were either nonEuropean (from Canada to Australia and from Russia to China), or came from parts of Europe that have in the past been less active on the French property market. Examples of those are Finland, Switzerland, Sweden and Germany. Richard Kroon: “We have a large group of potential buyers that is constantly checking our website for houses that have recently been put on the market. And many of them also contact us

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

martin_sprague_1@ hotmail.com SIRET: 531 768 182 00010

Building Services Groundworks

directly to tell us what they are looking for, so we have a pretty good idea of what it is they want.” The group of potential buyers is large and diverse. Some of them want a house (to renovate) under € 100,000 in any region. But there is also a strong demand for relatively new bungalows (for people who want to downsize), renovated country houses, villas and large properties or estates suitable for horses. Richard continues: “What these people search for is in fact not so different from what was sold through us over the past 12 months, when we sold houses priced from € 60,000 to € 1.9 million.

ADVERTORIAL

Building Services Painters/ Decorators Ken Nickless Interior/Exterior Painter & Decorator

with over 25 years experience Wall Papering - Tiling All Repairs Undertaken

Tel: 05 55 60 05 26

heather.nickles@orange.fr siret: 518 225 545 00012

Building Services

06 74 21 47 71

See Main Ad - Pull-out pg B3

john.bonella@gmail.com

Plasterers

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Creuse Excavation Services www.creuseexcavation.com +33 (0)786 95 18 90 See ad pg 4

GLEN VINEY

UK Paint Depot

Your advert here

siret 532 981 198 00015

Quality UK Paints at the lowest prices

www.ukpaintdepot.com see main ad - pg 9

RSW Entreprises

Fosse Septique Specialist

05.55.80.00.57

See our Display Ad - pg 9

05 55 41 17 76

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

Multiskilled Artisan

Graham Carter Plastering

• Plastering • Rendering • Stud Walling • Tiling and associated works • Bespoke polished concrete surfaces for Window Sills, Shelves, Fire Surrounds etc. • General Renovation interior and exterior of buildings to customer's specification.

Tel: 05 55 76 69 32 Mob: 06 43 11 95 87 Siret No. 513 415 091 00018

Mini-Digger with driver

05.55.78.62.29

The areas most popular to our foreign buyers currently are Normandy and Brittany, Poitou-Charentes, Limousin, the north-east of Aquitaine and the whole Mediterranean area.” So if you are thinking of selling your property then

PLASTERER Quality Plasterwork, Internal & External

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

Tel: 06 45 18 86 10

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

Pro-Point Facades

Re-pointing - Rendering - Plastering

05 55 78 80 31 See our Display Ad - pg 9

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu MARK COLYER

LIMOUSIN PLASTERING LIMOUSIN STUKADOORS

19 years experience in: ● Solid plastering ● Skimming ● Dry Lining ● Rendering ● Plasterboard Studwork

Specialising in both French lime plastering and English plastering techniques. 10 years tiling experience. Covering Creuse (23), Haute-Vienne (87), Northern Corrèze (19) & Southern Indre (36) For a free quotation & friendly advice call Mark or Mareike on

05 55 54 95 63

mcolyerplasteringandtiling@orange.fr siret: 539 941 450 00014

check out the ‘Houses on Internet’ website and your property will be online in three languages in just a few weeks. ■

HOUSES ON INTERNET 05 55 65 12 19 www.housesoninternet.com

« LE PLATRIER »

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

FOR A QUOTATION CALL

05 55 63 53 06 06 23 29 48 19

christopher.willis@orange.fr Le Bourg, 23360 Nouzerolles SIRET: 504 612 441 00015

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76 Le Plâtrier du Limousin The friendly and reliable plasterer Registered in France. Fully insured offering 10 year guarantee. Call Stuart on:

05 55 80 92 91 06 87 92 83 63

info@platrierlimousin.fr Siret: 534 396 908 00012

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

APRIL 2012 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

B6 ♦ DIRECTORY ADVERTORIAL

“SolarVenti”- the solar Harlequin solution to damp and Developments humidity A E stablished and registered in France since 2006, we specialise in all aspects of property renovation and refurbishment, along with barn conversions and extensions. No job is too big or too small and we will provide you with a detailed devis at a competitive rate. Our work includes full renovations, extensions, insulation and plaster boarding, tiling, replacement windows and doors, re-pointing walls, parquet flooring, staircases, kitchens and bathrooms fitted. We also undertake insurance work (floods, fires etc) and send regular update emails, together with photographs, to clients who may live outside France, to keep them fully up to date with their project. References are gladly given from previous/current clients. We now offer a wide range of renewable energy products from some of the world’s leading manufacturers. Our core products are: Solar Hot Water Systems, Underfloor Heating, Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery Systems, SolarVenti Dehumidifiers and Water Heating Systems. Solar Hot Water kits are available from only €2400. Supply only or supplied and fitted. Wall ventilators offering heat recovery, humidity control, acoustic isolation, and anti-pollen filters from only €460. Phone for more details. For more information, a devis, or simply to discuss your project, please feel free to contact us. Tel: 05 55 68 67 56 - Mobile: 06 06 60 46 97

Building Services Plumbers H20 CREUSE

Heating & Plumbing engineer

05 55 63 89 23 - see pg 8

FRENCH REGISTERED CERTIFIED PLUMBER

(29 years experience) ALL PLUMBING & HEATING INSTALLATIONS OR ALTERATIONS EMERGENCY WORK UNDERTAKEN ANDY IVES - 06 02 37 62 57 SIRET 538 689 530 00011

Submissions Deadline 15th of the month Rick Fife

Plumbing & Heating Engineer

All aspects of Plumbing and Heating work undertaken.

23 Years Qualified (Previously UK CORGI registered – Oil / Natural Gas / LPG) Established and registered in France for 7 years. Areas Covered: North Creuse (23) & South Indre (36)

Tel: 05 55 62 34 66

Email: amanda.rick@tiscali.co.uk Office Hours: 8:30 – 21:00 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

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 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. 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 collar cell, introduces warm, dry air

Building Services

Plumber

Tel 02 54 24 84 62 Siret 522 804 723 00016

Your advert here

Property Maintenance & Building

05.55.81.19.61 See Main Ad - pg 13

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

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

www.stovesellers.com

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.

www.sandandblast.com

05.55.78.43.71 / 06.67.81.63.46 steve@sandandblast.com SIRET: 488 522 921 00037

Chimney Sweeps

Contact Barry Manning

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

barry@toutesweep.com

REMEMBER - BLOCKED FLUES AND CHIMNEY FIRES CAN BE FATAL... DON'T TAKE THAT RISK! SIRET: 534 351 754 00013

(obligatory for home insurance)

Sky TV Installations Sky TV/Tous travaux satellite 05.55.67.01.04

See Main Ad - Pull-out pg B3

Creusetec

Satellite Systems 05 55 66 60 21

SIRET: 510 117 328 00011

GOODWIN SATELLITE

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

sootylesweep@orange.fr

Email: garygoodwin@wanadoo.fr

siren 504 218 454

We provide a fast and friendly service either at the client's home, via remote software or computers can be left with us and collected when the work is complete. ● Ordering/Installing wireless & broadband ● Fixing results of a virus attack ● PC healthchecks ● Virus , trojan , worm removal and protection ● Backups/Disaster recovery ● Hardware/software upgrades. ● Website and graphic design. ● Printer/scanner assistance.

martin@creusetec.com http://www.creusetec.com

Bird guards supplied and fitted Chimney repairs and maintenance Safety surveys

TEL. 02 54 06 40 80

www.indre-it.com

"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.

CHIMNEY SERVICES SWEEP

since 1986 All types of chimneys cleaned Fast and Efficient Certificate de Ramonage issued with every chimney swept

NO FIX... NO FEE !!

02.54.25.65.08 06.16.91.64.67

Computers & Satellites CLEAR

see pg 4

TOUTE SWEEP

* 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

Floor Sander hire

06 34 96 63 58

IT Support for Creuse, HauteVienne, Indre and Vienne

Chimney Sweep Service

Sandblasting &

Dave Pilcher

Call Me for PC Repairs

05 55 63 78 72 Siren: 502 409 949

Sand and Blast

Building Services

Limousin Property Care

Chimney Sweeping

Sandblasting

05 55 41 17 76

Property Management

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

ADVERTORIAL

Martin Walters

All types of plumbing and general maintenance work undertaken Friendly, reliable, professional service Fully registered and insured

into your home at the rate of 20 to 100 cubic metres per hour. 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. 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. There are no electrical or water connections and it can be safely left running, even when the property is empty. 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!

Dept 23 & surrounding areas

Tel: 05 55 62 05 61 siret: 453 067 910 00019

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ APRIL 2012

DIRECTORY ♦ B7 ADVERTORIAL

Dave Cardwell - professional builder/designer

xperienced builder Dave Cardwell has been based in the Limousin for over 3 years and is able to offer a complete building package from planning right through to the finishing touches. Along with 15 years’ experience as a professional builder in the UK, Dave Cardwell has an HNC and ONC in building and engineering and is able to oversee building projects from the design phase all the way to completion. As part of his day-to-day work, Dave regularly undertakes groundworks, block and brick work, roofing, plastering, stud work and tiling to name but a few. He can assist with arranging the necessary building permits and can even help to set up appointments with your local Mairie. As well as covering all the traditional aspects of building, Dave also regularly works with wood to produce high quality doors and shutters,

amongst other things. He produces a range of hand-made chicken coops that are custom-built to order and which can be yours for as little as €160, as well as kennels and sheds! Thanks to a collaboration with Dennis Fry of Dennis Fry Timber Services, Dave is also able to deliver large timber-based projects such as stables. Together they have built a number of stable yards, taking projects from a greenfield site right through to the end product including all groundworks and construction of the stables and ménages themselves. Having worked for a concrete/marble company in the UK, Dave is able to lay the concrete bases for large projects such as these as well as the other building work required. Pictures speak much louder than words, so take a look at a small selection of the projects that Dave has recently completed. To find out more about the services on offer by Dave

Cardwell, feel free to get in touch or check out his website:

Dave Cardwell www.limousinbuilder.webs.com dave.cardwell@yahoo.co.uk 05 55 98 24 12 - 06 06 44 35 28

Barn doors - before and after

Split level mezzanine - before and after

Terrace - before and after

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

Courses & Classes

Call Patrice:

06.79.07.91.56

libre.antenne87@gmail.com Fast dependable service siret: 353 613 227 00035

Submissions Deadline 15th of the month Connect-Français

Computer Problems? Limousin & Charente PC & Mac Internet Assistance WiFi, ADSL, Dial-up Helpdesk, Data retrieval Call Dave

05.55.53.37.06

david.paver@wanadoo.fr SIRET: 479 095 705 00014

Chicken coops from just €160!!

ADVERTORIAL

Reiki Training in France Levels 1, 2 and Master

Kinesiology / TFH Alergy Testing for Foods, Candida, Dogs, Cats, Cosmetics etc Other treatments and Courses

Jewellery Making Courses

See website:

Tel: 05 55 09 76 10

SIRET: 504 584 228 00010

Food & Drink

Learn how to make stunning jewellery and stay at our beautiful B&B www.hiddenfrance.co.uk

05.55.81.30.39 SIRET: 479 965 758 00010

Submissions Deadline 15th of the month

La Petite Fontaine The Grande Rue, Le Dorat Corner Shop Café,15 Bar and Events Venue

Large range of British foods. Special orders can be catered for. Usually cheaper than the supermarkets!! 5km west of Aubusson Tue-Sat 10.00 - 4.00

www.therapiesinfrance.com

Based Séreilhac (87)

Terrace - before and after

Submissions Deadline 15th of the month

05.55.67.58.87

Restaurant

AUX CEPES

Lunch Menu Free WiFi

05.55.60.29.74

info@lapetitefontaine.com www.lapetitefontaine.com SIRET: 489 218 636 00012

Auberge du Golf

LA veytiZoU

Bar & Restaurant - Gouzon

FISH & CHIPS €10

€12.50 (3 courses), €15 (4 courses)

4 Course Sunday Lunch €15 For Further Information

Tel: 05 55 69 33 38

Menu du Jour, Mon-Fri

Sunday Lunch - €12.50

Tel: 05 55 61 99 14 Email: aubergedugolf@orange.fr

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

APRIL 2012 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

B8 ♦ DIRECTORY ADVERTORIAL

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Your advert in the Business Directory - how it works!

As a rough guide:

Small b&w Directory Ad

• Small Adverts can comfortably contain around 30 words • Large Adverts can comfortably contain around 45 words

Large b&w Directory Ad Small colour Directory Ad Large colour Directory Ad

4-Month Contract €64 (€16/month) €86 (€21.50/month) €96 (€24/month) €128 (€32/month)

ADVERTORIAL

Food & Drink

JJ’s Cafe Bar Some customer quotes:

‘...more than just a bar’ ‘....a bit like Allo Allo and Cheers!’

Come and see for yourself - Open all week.

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

23140 PIONNAT

05 55 80 37 70 - see pg 9 26, Ecurat 23150

Atelier d'Art du Jardin Jardin du Thé

Gateaux, scones, sandwichs. Ouverture samedi et dimanche 11h00 à 18h00, lundi à vendredi sur RDV svp. Du 1 mai au 30 septembre. 2 km de Chénérailles et le Chateau Villemonteix

tel: 05 55 81 31 85

email: artdejardin@gmail.com www.atelierdartdujardin.net

Microbrewery Bar

Bières 23

4 rue Tanneries Bénévent-l’Abbaye, 23210 For further information

Tel: 05 55 63 59 17 Mob: 06 86 55 18 78

LES PAPILLONS Salon de Thé

12-Month Contract €153.60 (€12.80/month) €206.40 (€17.20/month) €230.40 (€19.2/month) €307.20 (€25.60/month)

Garden Services Gifts & Crafts

Tel: 05 44 00 03 24 SIRET: 510 986 490 00017

L’Escale Restaurant & Bar

5 Rue Andre Jouhannaud, Compreignac

Freshly home-cooked Food Daily Plat du Jour from €9

2-course Sunday Lunch from €10 with real Yorkshire puddings. Friday Night - Free Weekly Quiz Every Saturday night is Steak Night Steak for 2 + bottle of wine from only €19.50 (alternative menu available)

Restaurant Open:

Mon–Fri 11.30–2pm Fri & Sat eve 7–9pm, Sun 11:30–2pm Party bookings welcomed

C’est cheese

Find us at local markets selling a small and tasty selection of excellent quality english cheeses. Also available online. For more information, see our website:

www.cestcheese.fr 09.66.87.02.74 cest.cheese@orange.fr SIREN: 409 679 578

La ferme du Duc noir

05 55 12 99 45 - 06 04 09 03 10

Free range, rare breed pork 02.54.30.51.95 See our Display Ad - pg 3

Au Beau Rivage

Daniel welcomes you at

Or email for a menu: L_escale@yahoo.fr

Hotel - Bar - Restaurant Busseau-sur-Creuse 05.55.62.40.27 - 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 SIREN: 483 988 853

6-Month Contract €86.40 (€14.40/month) €116.10 (€19.35/month) €129.60 (€21.60/month) €172.80 (€28.80/month)

Jackie Cawtheray

www.LesPapillons.beep.com

05.55.63.90.79

Tue - Fri 10:00 - 5:30 Mon, Sat & Sun Closed

cafebarjj@yahoo.co.uk

www.lecreusoisbistro.com

1/6 page - €50 1/3 page - €100 (this one) 2/3 page - €200 Full page - €300.

Menu du jour. Teas, coffees, cream teas and gateaux. 1 rue Pierre Chambord, Oradour-sur-Vayres

SIRET: 508 754 314 00013

BAR, RESTAURANT, TERRASSE

• • • •

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

02 54 06 30 77

www.frenchweb.eu/jjscafebar/

Le Moulin du Breuil

Advertorials are now available in 4 sizes and please ask as significant discounts are available to existing advertisers:

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

02 54 60 02 14

Open Late!! Sunday roast & pudding ONLY A TENNER (€) Fish + Chips + Mushy Peas, every Fri + Sat night Opening hours:

Thu 12-2pm & 6pm-midnight Fri 12-2pm & 6pm-2am Sat 12pm-2am, Sun 12pm-11pm

Cross Cut Tree Surgeons for all your tree requirements beverley.pawson@yahoo.co.uk 05.55.60.62.14 / 06.78.38.42.44 see main ad below

TERRY DIMMOCK

The Exchange Rochechouart

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

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

Renovation Specialist

has now opened a fencing dept. All types of fencing supplied and erected. Stock fencing a speciality. Please call for a quote.

Phone: 05 55 63 65 81 Siret 511 127 763 00015

Grimpereau Elagage

Qualified Tree Surgeon Climber

26, Ecurat 23150

Atelier d'Art du Jardin is open each Saturday and Sunday 11h00 to 18h00 from 1st May until the end of September. Artisan art for your garden. Cream teas on the terrasse. RDV for weekday visits SVP. 2km from Chénérailles and the Chateau Villemonteix

tel: 05 55 81 31 85

02.54.25.66.58

email: artdejardin@gmail.com www.atelierdartdujardin.net

Submissions Deadline 15th of the month

See ad pg 9

Cross Cut Tree Surgeons

for all your tree requirements 27 years experience Grass & hedge cutting service We will not be beaten on price or standard of work Fully qualified arborist - Fully insured Covering depts: 87, 23, 86, 36, 19 & 16 Reliability guaranteed

beverley.pawson@yahoo.co.uk

05.55.60.62.14 / 06.78.38.42.44

siret: 530 840 958 00017

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ APRIL 2012

DIRECTORY ♦ B9 ADVERTORIAL

“Customer Service as important as the Furniture”

urniture for France is now into its twelfth year of supplying quality furniture to properties in France. The company has started the New Year with a number of new oak furniture designs for its customers. “With competition

We will go to great lengths to get your new furniture safely installed!

between manufacturers intensifying in the last year, oak furniture prices are starting to compete with pine on price,” said Brian Muir, the managing director of Furniture for France. “But with the added advantage that, of course, it is a hard wood and a more attractive wood grain.” The six new ranges include traditional styles in a rustic finish as well as contemporary lighter lacquer designs for more modern properties. With the price of solid oak bedside cabinets starting at just £125 it is no wonder Furniture for France had its best ever year in 2011. In addition to the new oak furniture, a choice of 12 different paint colours are now available on all their pine furniture. Wood samples can be sent out if you are not able to visit the showroom. “With delivery costs starting at just £99 for any quantity of furniture, there really isn’t a better or easier way to furnish a property in France,” said Brian. Throughout 2011, sofas have continued to be the best selling

individual item for the company. Loose covered designs are always top of the list with the introduction of more complex fabric patterns and colours allowing customers to custom cover the sofa of their choice. “This process can take some time to work through, but as this product has a life expectancy of over 15 years, it pays to get it right,” said Brian. The Easter period is already looking to be the company’s busiest for years, with deliveries as far afield as Geneva, Le Mans and Nice, not forgetting all the many local customers from the Limousin, Dordogne, Lot and Charente and who are able to see before buying by visiting the showroom which is situated near Brive. “It was very rewarding to have so many great comments on the furniture and our delivery service,” said Brian. “We place as much importance on ensuring customers receive their orders on time as we do on the quality of the furniture. “We always post testimonials on the website - they are all genuine

Handholding Services

Health & Beauty

Mobile Hairdresser

ADVERTORIAL

discount available for multiple bookings Contact Debra on Are you having problems communicating with French administrations, notaires, banks...? I can help you either by going with you or writing for you. I am perfectly bilingual and I am an experienced translator and interpreter

English Hairdresser All aspects of hairdressing, in your home or mine Call Jane:

05 49 91 02 23 06 47 94 95 75

Tel: 02 54 06 93 47

Based La Trimouille (86290)

Sophie Arsac

Donna’s Beauty Treatments

siret: 539 484 238 00016

French lessons & handholding services 05.55.89.15.74 - pg 15

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

05 55 53 37 10 06 15 63 70 22

debra@zanado.co.uk www.zanado.co.uk Siret. 482 420 114 00019

Insurance & Finance

A loose-cover sofa - available in a wide variety of colours and patterns and hopefully reassure prospective clients that the furniture and its delivery is always top notch.” Brian added: “The company will continue to introduce great ranges of furniture for delivery to its customers in France, without compromising on quality or service.” ■

FURNITURE FOR FRANCE 19350 Chabrignac, Correze

Blevins Franks

Online Shopping

Integrated Tax Planning & Wealth Management

05 53 63 49 19 - see pg 5

06 35 92 77 83 / 02 54 06 07 48 meadowsdonna@hotmail.co.uk www.donnasbeautytreatments.com Based La Châtre. Covering 36 and surrounding. Siret No. 530 364 744 00017

La Petite Place Hair salon, Le Dorat

05.55.60.87.37

See our Display Ad - pg 13

Advertise your business here for only €35/month

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

info@furnitureforfrance.co.uk www.furnitureforfrance.co.uk

FRENCH ACCOUNTANCY AND TAXATION SERVICES

Personal tax returns completed. Assistance and advice for auto-entrepreneur, self-employed & companies. Bookkeeping and accounts preparation. Tax investigations defended. Capital gains tax and tax planning. We can deal with the tax office and authorities/Carte Vitale on your behalf. Sylvie BARITAUD - 02 54 24 89 64 Email: sylvie.baritaud@wanadoo.fr siret: 498 420 280 00014

Language Services

siret: 502 867 211 00018

A moment of luxury for your body, mind and spirit. The finest skincare, massage and wellness treatments await you. All in the comfort of your own home

06 46 49 73 45 05 55 22 31 46

Mouse 2 House

Your shopping simply delivered

www.mouse2housedeliveries.com

05 55 68 78 23 - see pg 4

La Maison Shopping UK shopping delivered to your door

05 55 41 46 88 - see pg 9

Financial Solutions & Expert Advice

FRENCH CLASS

Your advert here

See our Display Ad - pg 14

SMALL & FRIENDLY GROUPS

05 55 41 17 76

Siddalls

05.56.34.75.51

HiFX

International money transfer

www.hifx.co.uk

WITH FRENCH TEACHER

Vacancies for various levels in Chénérailles. Elisabeth Sicard

05 55 80 44 83

japprendslefrancais@sfr.fr Not sure? Attend once for free!

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

APRIL 2012 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

B10 ♦ DIRECTORY Property Sales

Auwell Piscine

Pools, Hammams, saunas, spas, furntiure...

www.auwellpiscine.fr - see pg 7

The Reclamation Yard 05.45.30.72.04

www.reclamation-yard.com See our main ad - pg 13

Kevin Andrews Leggett Immobilier

+33 (0)6 31 19 55 81

kandrews@leggett.fr - see pg 12

Naudon’s Estate Agency Long established, traditional, French Estate Agency with a British member of staff at your service for property transactions in Limousin. Find us easily, just opposite the church in La Souterraine

e-mail : helen@naudon.com Site : www.naudon.com

Planète Automobiles New & used cars

www.gueret-auto.com see pg 5

Transport, Removals & Storage

turneramandajane@gmail.com Tel: 05.55 48.28.89 SIRET: 510 995 681 00010

Your advert here

MAN + VAN

Fiat Ducato with 11m² load capacity Collections / Deliveries Removals / Brico Runs All over France. Competitve hourly rate incl fuel. Please ring or e-mail for a quote. Based nr Aubusson Dept 23

05 55 83 02 77 / 06 81 33 07 15 jonathanpiddock@orange.fr SIRET: 523 955 151 00015

Airport Direct

05 55 41 17 76

Houses on Internet www.housesoninternet.com

Stove Sellers www.stovesellers.com

See our Display Ad - pg 3

See our Display Ad - pg 12

Retail & Commerce

Finegans Rainbow

1) You drive your car to the airport. We will meet you there, take your car and securely store it. 2) We will then meet you at the airport in your car upon your return. No flat tyres, no starting problems, no flat battery. Servicing and CTs can also be arranged in your absence FULLY INSURED For more details contact Terry:

www.finegansrainbow.com

05 49 48 87 23 - see pg 12

tableywsm@hotmail.co.uk

Antiques Brocantes

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

05.55.63.78.72

Your local corner shop

Magnac-Laval

www.antiquesbrocante.net 06 30 88 78 62 - see pg 11

Moulin de Tintin Furniture, interiors & gifts

www.moulin-de-tintin.com 05.55.79.57.60 - see pg 3

Arfeuille Antiques All types of furniture

05 55 83 14 47

See our Display Ad - pg 13

Eco Entrepot Get down The Shed

87230 Bussière-Poitevine

05.55.68.74.73 - see pg 10

Submissions Deadline 15th of the month

Contact Mike on 05 55 60 22 28 or email: mlfripley@hotmail.co.uk siret 52226733500019

www.centralfrancestorage.com

Office line : 05 55 63 13 57 Helen’s mobile : 06 82 92 88 61

05.55.65.12.19

General

Available for house and garden clearance rubbish taken to dechetterie. All types of jobs considered such as labouring jobs and van and man jobs. Daily, half daily, and hourly rates. Those mucky little jobs that you want sorting out at competitive rates and reliable service. Live in 87 but can work further afield.

Central France Storage

Soie et Bois Depot Vente des Vêtements 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. 4 rue Principale, St Mathieu, 87440

Mike & Van Deliveries and collections

A new service offering 'Peace of Mind' to car owners in the Limousin.

05 55 63 65 81

Parking For Limoges Airport

Cheaper parking for all types of vehicles Book now!! www.parkinglimoges.com

05 55 03 37 96

All your storage needs both long & short term. Fully insured through Axa and alarmed. Call Karen or email for a quote:

lasout@live.com/09.66.03.52.89 SIRET: 494 123 847 00019

The Man

With A Van Who Can

Removals/ Single Items House/Barn/Garden Clearance Handyman jobs of all kinds Iveco Luton with Tail-lift

Tel: (+33) 07.61.21.85.15

Jon the Carpet Man Carpets & Flooring

05.55.73.63.16

See Display Ad - pg 8

Metal World

Welding & Metalwork

05 55 06 07 28

Siret : 532 526 001 00013

See main ad page 11

Man with Van

Submissions Deadline 15th of the month

Reliable man with reliable van and trailer for hire Cheap rates for any work requiring 1 or more strong, fluent French-speaking men to move, pick up, or dump whatever you need.

Call us on: 06 16 91 or email at

64 67

Carrefour du bois Limousin

www.chauffagebois-limousin.com

contactus@sb-services.net

05 55 63 72 45 - see pg 10

A2B (Sussex) Removals Ltd

Quality handmade wood furniture

France/UK UK/France

We move, collect and deliver anything. Vehicles and plant to a maximum of 2 tons. We operate 3 vehicles with a load space of 16m² and tail lift. We will match or beat any genuine printed quote. Our rates are the best.

0033 (0)2 54 37 76 24 0033 (0)6 87 66 31 41 a2b.removals@hotmail.com

Ebénisterie Hemming 02 48 63 15 09

See our main ad - pg 20

FIRE LOGS FOR SALE

45cm Oak - €40/m3 45cm Mixed Hardwood - €35/m3 (poplar/cherry/hornbeam)

Buyer collects from 36160 Lignerolles

02 54 30 51 95 (evenings best) siret 508 166 642 00019

To advertise in The Bugle Business Directory 05.55.41.17.76 / sales@thebugle.eu

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ APRIL 2012

CLASSIFIEDS ♦ B11 The Bugle CLASSIFIEDS are brought to you in association with WWW.HOUSESONINTERNET.COM litre hot water cylinder, brand new from Castorama, never been out of its box. €95.00 Please call 05 55 00 98 52 FOR SALE: Shower suite Blue knight shower cubicle - toilet white close coupled suite - white vanity china basin. All still in packaging. All brand new. 87 area. €180.00 Tel 05 55 60 27 03 FOR SALE: Godin Circular Wood Burner Brown enamel, filigree finish. 75cm high, 28cm diameter. €250.00ono Tel: 05.55.60.46.33 FOR SALE: Nokia mobile telephone 3500 Classic, earphones and mains adapter Good condition, with black leather protective case w/belt clip. €40.00 Tel: 09 50 76 37 75 FOR SALE: Electric Sewing Machine - Lervia Almost new. Only used twice. Perfect condition. €70.00 Tel: 05 55 62 49 65 FOR SALE: Vox Cambridge 30 twin guitar amplifier The amp has been upgraded to 50 watts and is in perfect working order. Features incl. footswitch for channel, reverb and tremelo. €199.00ono Tel: 05 55 71 79 31 Email: john.martin@netcourrier.com FOR SALE: White kitchen sink ceramic single bowl With barge like flowers painted on (still in bricodept). €85.00 Please call 05.55.67.58.87 FOR SALE: French Linguaphone Course Complete course in boxed set (books, tapes & cd's). €30.00 Tel: 05 55 71 79 31 Email: john.martin@ netcourrier.com FOR SALE: Ladies Mountain Bike 26" wheels, 18 gear twist grip change. Good condition. €40.00 Tel: 05 55 51 91 79 FOR SALE: Bike trailer 20" wheels. Seats 2 children. €30.00 Tel: 05 55 51 91 79 FOR SALE: Bikes Ladies shopper bike, 17" wheels. New tyres & tubes.Boys mountain bike, 24" wheels.EUR 30 for pair. Tel: 05 55 51 91 79 FOR SALE: New White PVC D.G. Window 1600 x 1250 inc sill. €50.00 Tel: 05 55 51 91 79 FOR SALE: Large wooden storage chest/coffee table 92cm x 94cm. €30.00 Tel: 0555895605 Email: sellwood56@ hotmail.com FOR SALE: TAKAI open face sports helmet Matt black, clear visor and retractable sun visor. XS 53-54cm. 5 months old, hardly worn. €65.00 Tel: 0555895605 Email: sellwood56@ hotmail.com FOR SALE: Towable Altrad Cement Mixer With a 3.5 Briggs and Stratton engine, with a ball hitch. €450.00 Email: sermur2002@yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: Complete photographic dark room Any offers considered. Tel: 05 55 02 93 01 (Saint Junien-87) FOR SALE: Scanner Epson Perfection 1240U Photo. Any offers considered. Tel: 05 55 02 93 01 (Saint Junien-87) FOR SALE: AMD Tower and PC Complete with DVD, CD rewriter and floppy disk drives, IIYAMA monitor, 2 keyboards (French and qwerty), speakers and mouse. Needs hard disk. Any offers considered. Tel: 05 55 02 93 01 (Saint Junien-87) FOR SALE: Various Log saw, free standing, 1.8KW 230V, 480mm blade. 400 euros.New generator 2KW. 200 euros.Window - new, white, doubleglazed. Act size 1600 x 1250 inc. sill. 100 euros.Tent new vango colorado 600 DLX 6 man+. 200 euros.Corner display unit, oak, leaded glass. 75 euros.Copper compression fittings, 22mm elbows x 10 & 22mm straight connectors x 10. 25 euros.Tasco telescope/tripod/various lenses. 50 euros.Table saw 230V. 30 euros.All new:Shutter hooks 300mm 6 prs - 6 euros the pair.Shutter hinges complete 400mm 4 prs - 12 euros

pr.Shutter hinges complete 500mm 12 prs - 12 euros pr.Coach bolts/washers/ nuts m8, 75mm, 6 pks x 25. 3 euros pk.Coach bolts/washers/nuts m8, 65mm, 6 pks x 25. 2.75 euros pk.Glue screws (like no nails) 9 tubes x 350 ml + exp. foam 2 x 750 ml. 20 euros. Tel: 05 55 51 91 79 (Marsac) FOR SALE: Antique French cast iron fire dogs with iron basket

Height: 59cms, Overall Width: 90 cms, Basket Width: 63 cms, Depth: 57 cms. €300.00 Phone: 05 55 65 00 04 Email: pc.cullen@yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: Caste Iron fire grate

45cm (16ins) X 74cm (29ins). Fire dogs and back plate. Hardly used. Price 350 Euros. With free fire guard to match. €350.00 Call Linda on 05 55 75 27 01 FOR SALE: 100 English Books Both Hard and Paperback. In good condition. All for 20 euros. €20.00 Tel: 0962 58 49 03 FOR SALE: Large number of bargain books Adventure, Mystery, Crime and family sagas. All in good condition, 3 for 1 euro, North Creuse. Contact 05 55 80 75 78 FOR SALE: Red Diesel heater

Including 700 ltr tank and electric pump. Excellent condition. Lignerolles 36160 €450.00ono Tel: 02 54 06 02 37 FOR SALE: Large fine photogravure prints of famous paintings. Only €5 each. Tel: 05 55 51 91 47 FOR SALE: 100 Edwardian English Books Many with gold leaf covers. Ideal for bookcase display. €300.00 Tel: 05.55.63.46.69 FOR SALE: National Geographic Magazines 11 years - 1989 to 2006. 22 volumes (2 per year) plus 2 volumes of maps. All in slip cases and in very good condition. Reason FOR SALE: downsizing from a very large house to a small flat. €265.00ono Contact: 05 55 80 48 20 FOR SALE: 100 Novels / Autobiographies All good condition. €100.00 Please ring 05 55 78 45 24 FOR SALE: New Oak Door Frame 900 x 2100mm (exterior) €35.00 Tel: 05 55 81 30 39 FOR SALE: Long black leather riding boots Size 7. Length 19" 49.5cm. Calf 14" 35.5cm. Knee 13" 35cm. La Souterraine

Managing Editor: Steve Martindale Editor-in-Chief: Steve Martindale Registered Address: Les Quatre Chemins 23150 St-Yrieix-les-Bois France SIRET: 514 989 748 00017 Printed by: Rotocentre 348, rue Marcel Paul 45770 Saran France Monthly circulation: 12,000 copies All copyright, unless stated otherwise, is reserved to The Bugle. Reproduction in whole or part of any text without permission is prohibited.

area. €90.00 Call Judy 05.55.89.12.96 (eve) Email: wildlifegardens@orange. fr FOR SALE: Sony Playstation One Complete with two controllers, steering wheel and pedals, memory card and six games. Excellent condition and can be seen working. €75.00 Telephone 02 54 30 00 79 (near Guéret) FOR SALE: Various Garmin Oregon 300 GPS complete with topo maps for SW France, City navigator maps for Europe, rechargeable batteries, carrying case and fixing kit for car windscreen. This GPS is primarily designed for walking and cycling, but can also be used for driving. Cost 680 euros new, will accept 400 euros.Fish kettle, 20 euros.FAIP NHP 145 pressure washer, 50 euros.Philips SBC HC 8445 wireless rechargeable headsets, 20 euros.HDMI selector box 4 in 1 out, 10 euros.Techwood 19” LCD TV used twice as new, 100 euros. FTE twin universal satellite receiver head LNC 54 US, 30 euros.3 ultra sonic cordless pest repellents, new, 30 euros each. Linksys wireless G broadband router WRT54GL, 50 euros.French TV satellite receiver, 15 euros.Bush Freesat HD satellite receiver box, as new, 50 euros. Sony blu ray disc player BDPS350, 150 euros. Logitech Z5500 5 speaker + sub woofer surround sound system. 100 euros.TACX cycle trainer, as new, 150 euros. Panasonic portable stereo CD system, 50 euros. Tel. 09 80 08 68 72 FOR SALE: Temporary EDF connection box Only used for 5 months. Purchased new in Feb 2010. Creuse area. €140.00 Tel: 06 04 42 97 73 FOR SALE: Rosieres wood burner 1920's? Art Deco style. Blue enamel finish. Works but a couple of parts need replacing. Front loading, rear flue. 55 cm high, 50 cm wide, 40 cm deep. €60.00 Telephone 05 55 65 67 24 (near Auzances) FOR SALE: 1930's Westminster Chimes Clock Chimes on the quarter hour and hour. €45.00 Tel: 05.55.51.91.47 FOR SALE: Garage trolley jack 2 1/4 tonne. Heavy duty. Hardly used. €60.00 Tel: 05.55.03.08.19 Mob: 06.02.32.46.31 (Daniel McNally) FOR SALE: EPSON PICTURE MATE Excellent condition. Only 55 Euros. We are in dept 23. €55.00 05 55 62 77 41 FOR SALE: Motorcycle helmet 'TNT' open face with visor, size XL (61-62cm), black and orange, hardly worn. €30.00 Contact 05 55 68 58 16 FOR SALE: Black mesh fire screen 120cm wide, with 3 hinged sections 30 cm-60 cm-30 cm wide x 65cm high. Excellent condition, as new. €80.00ono Contact 05 55 68 58 16 FOR SALE: TV stand 3 shelf black glass TV stand. Size: 110 cm long, 40 cm wide, 50 cm high. €60.00 Tel 05.45.85.97.27 FOR SALE: Two Canon Pixma ink cartridges 510 Black and 511 Colour cartridges, suitable for Pixma series MP240/MP260/MP480/MX320/ MX330. Bought in error. €15.00 Tel: 05 55 03 28 18 VEHICLES/PARTS FOR SALE: DACIA Logan Estate French registered. LHD. 2009. 60,000 kms. Regularly fully serviced. New tyres. Excellent condition. €11,000.00ono Call Nico - English speakers - 0254 07 55 19 / 0658 12 47 73. French speakers - 06 15 42 04 22 after 6pm FOR SALE: Pair of LHD Headlights for Citroen Berlingo 2005 model €80.00 Call Nev on 09 62 58 49 03 FOR SALE: ISUZU TROOPER 3.2 V6 PETROL MANUAL SWB English registered 1992. Needs new starter motor.

Directeur: Steve Martindale Rédacteur-en-chef: Steve Martindale Siège Les Quatre Chemins 23150 St-Yrieix-les-Bois France SIRET: 514 989 748 00017 Imprimé par: Rotocentre 348, rue Marcel Paul 45770 Saran France Tirage mensuel: 12,000 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.

Runs well when bump started. Clean for its age. Tow bar fitted with double socket. No C/T or MOT and needs to be registered in France. Hence only 500,00€. €500.00 Tel: 06 04 46 73 92 FOR SALE: Nissan Terrano II 2.7 TD Blue with grey trim. Reg 1996.

RHD. French registered. CT 6 months remaining. Diesel. 4x4. Very reliable. 7 seater. All electrics. Tow bar. New clutch and radiator. €2,500.00ono Tel: 05 81 63 39 77 Email: desandkris@viveole.net FOR SALE: 2 CV 1987, left hand drive,

78,000 kms. Good running order. Also, box of spare parts for 2CV including electrical items, boot lid, etc. €1,800.00 Phone: 05 55 65 00 04 FOR SALE: Nissan Primera GX TD French reg. RHD. CT- Sept 12. VGC. A/C. Front electric windows. Hands free Connection. Kenwood CD/Radio (1999). 168,000 miles. FSH. €1,500.00 Tel: 05 55 81 07 13 FOR SALE: MERCEDES SPRINTER 308 CDI VAN RHD,

FRENCH REG, PLY LINED, CD PLAYER, CT OK. €4,750.00ono Tel: 06 37 71 20 57 FOR SALE: Classic Car 1961 Peugeot 404. In good condition, drives regularly. Car on show at events organised by the VAHL (Volants Anciens du Haut Limousin) in Bellac.Price EUR 2,500 or exchange for 2CV. €2,500.00 Tel: 06 20 79 79 34 FOR SALE: FORD FOCUS 1.8TDi Sept 2004 French registered but RHD, with French headlights. 62,000miles. Alloy wheels. Pale blue metallic. CT until 07/13. All round good condition. €3,500.00 05 55 29 39 15 - Correze (19) FOR SALE: Landrover 4x4 TD5 French green. Alcantara beige interior. 2001. 60,000km. €15,000.00ono Tel: 06 75 51 47 27 FOR SALE: Peugeot 307 SW LHD.

Met Grey. 122,000 km. Full service history. Just had Controle Technique. Good reliable car. Priced to sell. €6,500.00ono Tel: 05 55 61 99 14 / 06 76 52 26 47 FOR SALE: Renault Master T35D (ex ambulance with seats removed) Used to move down to France now selling. Good mechanical condition, lots of space, on French plates & part registered in France. Only needs new Controle Technique, and registration to complete. €1,000.00 FOR SALE: Peugeot 406 HDI man sal 2002 RHD, on French plates, CT until Oct 2013. Silver. VGC. High spec, climate control, computer, CD player, elec windows and mirrors. All good tyres, under 90000 miles. €2,495.00ono Tel: +447779 406613 Email: tony.prosser@ live.co.uk FOR SALE: Renault Megane Cabriolet 'Karmann' LHD - French registered. Petrol. 89,000 km. Colour: champagne. Glass roof. Fully serviced, CT until 2012. Excellent condition.

€5,200.00 Tel: 05.46.59.79.55 FOR SALE: Peugeot 307 HDI Estate 2005 French registered. RHD. 22 months left on CT. High milleage, hence price. €2,300.00 Tel: 05 55 60 45 03 FOR SALE: Ford Transit Short Wheel Base Van, 1997, LHD French registered, 2 year CT, White no stickers, good all round. €1,800.00 call 05 45 31 59 34 FOR SALE: Citroen Relay (Jumper) Hi-Top Long Wheel Base. 2003 model. New battery, alternator and fuel pump. CT until April 2011. Headlights changes. UK plates. €2,500.00ono Tel: 05 55 61 19 81 FOR SALE: VW Golf MK2 GTI 1.8 8v 1987 Over €400 spent in new parts all with 0 miles including 4 new tyres, RHD, UK reg, absolute bargain! €550.00 05 45 31 59 34 FOR SALE: Truckman Hi-Top Cab (white) with rear glass door Fitted with rotavent in roof. Originally fitted to a 2005 Mitsubishi L200 double cab. €350.00 Tel: 05 55 68 71 22 (after 6pm) FOR SALE: Halfords Car Roof Box (Half width). Approx 360ltr. Plus Roof Bars plus Clamps - complete €100. Used once. €100.00 Tel 05 53 52 41 34 FOR SALE: Roof Bars and Headlamps Roof bars for Renault ClioII 3dr 35€; Thule KIT1297 roof bars for Renault Megane Hutchback96-02 5dr, Coupé97-02 3dr, or Classic 4dr Sedan97-02 40€; headlamps Megane RHD 96-02 40€. Tel: 05 55 78 73 46 FOR SALE: Suzuki DR 650 R Djebel 1991, 46000 kms, good condition, French registered, blue/white, good tyres, lights, indicators all in good working order. €900.00 Tel David 05 55 94 38 35 (North Correze) FOR SALE: Engine and gearbox 1.9 diesel from Citroen Xsara (also suitable for other models of Citroen and Peugeot). Complete with all ancillaries except alternator. Delivery possible if fuel cost covered from 87330. €450.00 Tel: 06.10.85.04.85 Email: baldiolgit55@ gmail.com FOR SALE: Engine and Gearbox for Ford Transit, 2.5 Radiator and exhaust (complete) also available. €350.00 Tel: 06.03.07.82.10 FOR SALE: 50 cc scooter Peugeot buxy. Year 1996. Slight problem with it - sometimes loses power when riding, it then picks up again after a few seconds but could be fixed quite easily. Apart from that is fine. It also has a sports exhaust on it. €300.00 Tel: 06 83 45 70 96 FOR SALE: 2 x Right Hand Drive Renault Megane Headlights From a 2004 Megane Hatch. Excellent Condition. Tel: 05 55 65 02 31 WHITE GOODS FOR SALE: FREE - Brandt Dishwasher In working order, needs door handle repair but still opens and top missing but supplied with one close to right size. Buyer collects from 03370. Email: ingle.graham@neuf.fr FOR SALE: Hoover Nextra Mega Load Washing Machine - white Large 7.5 kg load, max spin 1400rpm. Good working condition. Oradour-sur-Vayres area. €100.00 Tel 09 64 43 80 25 FOR SALE: FRIDGE, FREEZERS, FRIDGE/FREEZER 1 x Fridge/ Freezer, LG Multi air flow.model GR349SQF. 80 Euros ovno...67 1/2 inches high x 23 1/2 inches wide x 24 inches deep..1 x Upright Freezer, DIVA Metro model MM5. 90 Euros ovno..76 inches high x 29 1/2 inches wide x 28 1/4 inches deep..1 x Fridge, Model Frigster BC135.. 45 Euros ovno..34 inches high x 21 1/2 inches wide x 22 1/2 inches deep..1 x Chest Freezer, Curliss model CC2001.. 60 Euros ovno..35 inches high x 31 1/2 inches wide x 28 inches deep..All in very good condition.Also an Electrulux Fridge model RF493.32 1/2 inches high x 19 1/2 wide x 22 1/2 inches deep..Plus a Chest Freezer Elmec..{ lid detached }34 inches high x 21 1/2 inches wide x 23 inches deep.20 Euros each OR 35 Euros the pair.Both a bit untidy, but would make ideal freezer and fridge for Anglers bait... Phone 0555 64 48 35 (St. Dizier Leyrenne) Email: bigbob.bb@ wanadoo.fr FOR SALE: Fridges Large Bluesky fridge - 1450 high by 550 wide. 75 euros. Under counter fridge 50 euros. Please call 05.55.67.58.87 FOR SALE: Three-Way Fridge for a Caravan Electrolux 700 - 12V, 22OW, gas fridge. €220.00ono Tel: 05 55 64 27 86 Email: hoppyholman@hotmail. com FOR SALE: Table Top Fridge with ice box Excellent condition - hardly used. Silver casing. Size: height 62cms, width 47cms, depth 44cms. Haute-Vienne. €65.00 Tel: 05 55 03 08 19 Mob: 06 02

32 46 31

WANTED WANTED: 16 Roumazieres Loubert II interlocking roof tiles Size 435mm x 255mm. Maximum 500 needed. Approx 150 to be exact match for an existing roof. South of Limoges - North of Thiviers off N21. Please email to discuss further. Other building materials required - oak flooring - celotex insulation - window/ door heads & cills Tel UK 0044 1848 841581 Email: paulhobby@msn.com WANTED: Small Trailer to sit behind ride-on mower Any conditions considered Tel: 05 55 51 19 67 Email: mazzer09@hotmail.com WANTED: PEUGEOT 107 or CITROEN C1 Must be in good condition, low mileage, French registered and left hand drive. Tel: 05 55 78 79 02 WANTED: French and English people to meet I am 29 and would like to meet more young French and English people to socialise and improve my language skills. Email: dawm82@hotmail.co.uk WANTED I am looking for a house or building to renovate. Quick purchase. Any area considered. Tel: 05 55 65 84 95 WANTED: Covered parking to store a car For approx. 12 weeks a year in the region of Limoges or Bergerac airports. Tel: 0044 1748 884526 Email: thiernswood@talk21.com WANTED: For compact tractor Transport box (bennette), rotovator, plough and snow plough all in usable condition. Tel: 05 55 64 33 71 WANTED: Chain harrow /grass rake Approx 8' x 8'. Any age considered, for use on a small tractor. Tel Barbara 06 30 02 35 73 WANTED: Tea chests/ stong boxes for packing Tel: 05 55 51 91 79 WANTED: Mobile home For use while restoring my house near Guéret (23). 06.83.42.72.75. after 6 pm Email: marmuse@live.fr WANTED: Various ...Roof bars for 124series Mercedes estate, engine for 3ton mini digger or similar with pumps if possible, large log saw bench, PTO or engine driven. Tel: 05 55 60 64 92 Email: c.nokes@free.fr WANTED: Vacuum Cleaner in good working condition Tel: 05 55 78 79 02 WANTED: GAYTIME POTTERY SALT POT WANTED Gaytime salt pot, I have just broken mine and want to replace it. Please contact with price or I will exchange for a Gaytime vinegar/oil bottle. Tel 05 65 31 20 10 WANTED: Land With or without buildings, with or without planning permission. All types of land considered: woods, fields, houses with attached land etc. Preferably in the Blessac/Ahun area of Creuse. Tel: 06.03.07.82.10 WANTED: Motor Vehicle Anything considered. Tel: 05 55 65 84 95 WANTED: Transit type pick-up Does not matter if it's got no mot or ct. Any condition as it's for a project. Cash paid. Tel: 05 55 68 31 81 WANTED: Motor transport - scooter/ moped Will pay up to EUR 500 Tel: 06 42 82 92 42 WANTED: Moped/ Trail Bike WANTED by private buyer one or two cheap old road legal French reg mopeds or perhaps 50cc trail bike. Nr A20 direction Bellac. Anything considered as long as they run. Email: ingm80@ hotmail.com WANTED: Second Hand Washing Machine Tel: 06 42 82 92 42 WANTED: Cooker and hob in good condition (not free standing unit). Will collect - we are near Rochechouart. Please call 05 55 77 66 61 Ruby

Classified Submission Deadline 15th of the month for next edition

APRIL 2012 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

B12 ♦ CLASSIFIEDS The Bugle CLASSIFIEDS are brought to you in association with WWW.HOUSESONINTERNET.COM

Classified Adverts

Classified adverts are currently free for all small items (less than €500). For other types of classified adverts a small fee does apply:

● Items more than €500 are charged at €5 per month ● Accompanying photos are charged at €2.50 per month To place a classified advert, please phone 05.55.41.17.76, or email notices@thebugle.eu with the details you would like included in your advert.

FOR SALE ANIMALS & PETS FOR SALE: 2 small yorkshire terriers puppies (1 female and 1 male) Born

on January 4, 2012. Vaccinated and microchipped. Price: 400 euro. €400.00 For more information: 05 55 83 01 25 Email: info@camping-laperle.nl FOR SALE: Horse Equipment masta deluxe turn out rug, black, 6ft €55masta flysheet and neck cover white with blue trim, 6ft €30rambo turn out green with red trim, 6ft3 €45brown check travel rug, 6ft €30greenstable rug chill cheeta, 6ft €25sweat rug red blue trim, 6ft €10monty roberts dually head collar black full size never used €20head collar black full size €6fluorescent waterproof exercise sheet €102 sets leather reins brown €5 eachplus boots crops brushes over reach bts.All above in very good condition.dept 23 near Chenerailles. Tel: 05 55 62 77 41 evenings please FOR SALE: Horse rugs for Shetland size or foals Two indoor and two outdoor. Bridle with white rubber bit made for Shetland sized or foals. Buyer collects. €200.00 Telephone Nigel on 06 04 46 73 92 FOR SALE: 3 pure bred cockerels 10 months old. 2 are speckled sussex and 1 maran. Email: juliet.stringer@ btinternet.com FOR SALE: WHIPPET PUPPIES

FOR SALE: Everything you need to supply electricity for a new build or renovation Includes nearly 50 metres of cable in gaine, main consumer unit plus chantier, extra cable for a road crossing plus telegraph pole. €300 the lot ono. Pictures on request. €300.00ono Call Andy 02 54 47 77 02 FOR SALE: A limited amount of ecological paint and varnish removing products The items listed below are a much safer alternative and really work. No hazardous skin burns, no solvents and no fumes!500 ml and 1 litre containers of paint and varnish remover.2.5 litre containers of textured coating remover (perfect for removing crepi)Brush renew (removes paint and varnish from your brushes), Super strength degreaser (great for removing grease ,oil and grime), Graffiti remover, and also hand cleaner.To check availability and prices on any of the above please e-mail. Email: sndmb@ hotmail.com FOR SALE: Mixture of corrugated and steel framed sheets 17' x 6' and 8' x 4'. Ideal for animal shelters and pens. Buyer collects. 50 euros the lot. Please call 05 55 00 98 52 FOR SALE: Building materials - roof tiles/ stone Approx 200 m2 roof tiles. 45 m3 stone. Call for more information. Tel: 06 03 07 82 10 FOR SALE: Quarry Tiles - 150mm Square Approx 550 (13 m2). Brand new. €350.00ono Tel: 06.42.82.92.42 FOR SALE: Large quantity mechanique roof tiles (around 1000) Offers invited. Tel: 05 55 60 64 92 FOR SALE: Scaffold tower, cement mixer, builders trestles, acrows 1 Scaffold tower in aluminium. Working platform 3.8m. Good condition and easy to erect by one person...150 eu2 Cement mixer. Electric. 145 litres. Very good condition...125 eu3 Builders trestles. Very strong and heavy. 50mm steel construction. Adjustable from 1m to 2.3m with 2 x 3.8m scaffold boards...125 eu4 Acrows...or the French version. 8 from 1.6 to 2.6m...60 eu the lot Tel 04 73 52 14 07...15 mins east of Auzances FOR SALE: OLD RECLAIMED ROOF SLATES 100s! Only €95! Buyer collects. €95.00 Tel: 05 55 78 79 02 FOR SALE: RECLAIMED FRENCH INTERLOCKING NATURAL RED CLAY ROOF TILES Approx 350. (French manufactured). Only €95! Buyer collects (Nr Rochechouart). €95.00 Tel: 05 55 78 79 02 FURNITURE

Superior quality puppies from Champion parents. Father EL NINIO MOSQUITO French & Italian Show and Racing Champion and mother CASTAGNETTE DE CROQUESOLEIL (LOF 37388/9190) French Show & Race Champion. Fully French registered. Pedigrees can be seen on http://thewhippetarchives.net. Puppies will be vaccinated, miro-chipped and registered. Make wonderful family pets or can be shown or club raced. 4 Males & 3 Females born 13 Nov 11. Available Mid January 2012. Price Males €650, Females €700. For more photos & information Tel. 05 53 56 49 38 Email: Email marland.howe@orange.fr FOR SALE: Jack Russell Puppies x 3 males Born 28/12/2011. Ready end February. Mother's tat: 2EEZ603. Registered L.O.F. Will go to new homes micro-chipped and vaccinated. Exceptional pedigree as well as both parents having excellent characters.Royal Canine puppy starter kit offered with each puppy. €500.00 Tel: 02 54 24 07 76 Mob: 06 78 29 32 61 FOR SALE: Wood Dog House & Pet Barrier for Auto Wood dog house in excellent condition for med-large dog (height 90 cm): 60 euros. Pet barrier for auto, never used: 12 euros. Please contact: 05.55.38.37.73 FOR SALE: DOG BASKET IN WILLOW Large dog basket 1 metre x 80cms - our dog refuses to go anywhere near it! Hence totally unused. €45.00 Email: sermur2002@yahoo.co.uk BUILDING MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT

FOR

SALE:

Wardrobe

Probably

about 1910, mahogany, for sale in the Felletin area. Make an offer, more photos available. Tel: 06 77 83 82 94 (Christine) FOR SALE: Computer Desk Oak finish. 2 shelves on runners. Including office chair. Good condition. Email for photos. Dimensions: 80cm wide, 50cm deep 85cm high. €30.00 Tel: 05 55 69 79 71 Email: david.sekinger@ sfr.fr FOR SALE: Large mirror 135cm X 106cm. Gold leaf effect coloured frame. Excellent condition. Buyer collects. €400.00 Telephone Nigel on 06 04 46 73 92 FOR SALE: Farmhouse Table - 2 Carvers + 4 other Chairs Rug also

available if required. €100.00ono Tel: 05 53 56 90 87 FOR SALE: Nathan furniture Display Cabinet Very good condition, approx

6ft long, two leaded glass illuminated displays and center drinks cupboard with draws and cupboards below. Plus matching corner unit. €120.00 Tel: 05 55 76 69 32 FOR SALE: Pine Double Bed €100.00 Tel: 05 53 56 90 87

have been recovered in brown velor type material. The chairs would benefit from a quick coat of varnish as one of them was always left near the central heating radiator. €30.00 Tel: 05 55 03 28 18 FOR SALE: ROUND WOODEN TABLE Wooden table painted white - diameter 110cms €45.00 Email: sermur2002@yahoo.co.uk GARDEN

FOR SALE: Welsh Dresser Good condition. Cupboards in base with two glass-fronted display cabinets on top . €100.00 Tel: 05 55 76 69 32 FOR SALE: Meubles anciens Various pieces of furniture: armoires, bedhead, Chesterfield, St Hubert sideboard, candelabras etc. Call for more info. Tel: 06 75 51 47 27 FOR SALE: Solid Oak Chest Age

FOR SALE: Log Saw Rocking bed type 3 phase motor. €250.00 Tel: 05 46 33 18 75 FOR SALE: Two Hay Carts 100 euros each. Buyer collects. Tel: 05 55 48 81 98 FOR SALE: Garden Tools Stihl KombiSystem: débrousailleuse, scarificateur, cultivateur, coupe bordure (used for trimming hedges, edging lawns, turning borders or sweeping paths) - 350 euros. Agria Farmhandy Power Hoe - 290 euros.Honda petrol scarifier 50cm - 395 euros.Épandeur (spreader) - 85 euros. Black & Decker cordless Pole Pruner 125 euros.All tools hardly or never used. Email: hendrikavz@orange.fr FOR SALE: Log Saw Blade diameter 500mm. Cutting depth 150mm. Motor 230V. 1.8kW. Little used. Excellent condition. Cost new EUR 650. €325.00 Tel: 05 55 51 91 79 GENERAL FOR SALE: A lovely old character French Pendulum Clock in oak case, with bevelled glass Strikes on the

unknown (at least 100 years). Been in family but now too large to keep. Contact for more photos. Dimensions: 150cm(w) x 54cm(d)x x 70cm(h). Depth of inside 34cm. €250.00ono Tel: 05 55 41 17 76 FOR SALE: HABITAT round dining table 42"/ 107 cm in diameter. Handpainted and antique waxed in soft white. Very sturdy. A beautiful piece of furniture in very good condition. €75.00 TEL: 05 55 08 46 53 FOR SALE: Two pine dressers One has a top unit with two cupboards and one centre glass cupboard with shelves below. The other one is a pine base unit with three cupboards wide 150 x 45 cm. 125 euros for the base cupboard and 200 for the dresser unit. Tel: 05 55 67 58 87 FOR SALE: Single beds & bedding 2 brand new single quality beds 200x90cm, adjustable on 3 heights, complete with undermattress, 100% latex mattress, mattress protector, 4 seasons quilt, cover, sheet, pillowcase. Never used. Bought for 3000 euros, will sell for 2000 euros. €2,000.00 Email: hendrikavz@orange. fr FOR SALE: Oak Corner Display Unit 2m H x 50cm. Leaded glass top. €40.00 Tel: 05 55 51 91 79 FOR SALE: Various 1. Brand new ( Reference Bali) single sprung hypoallergenic mattress 200cm x 90cm x 18 cm. Eu 100.002. Single sprung mattress , hardly used 190cm x 90cm. Eu 30.003. Solid pine round (1.25m) pedestal table. Eu 150.004. Sofa bed red colour converts to double bed with built in storage in as new condition. Eu 275.00Delivery possible locally. Phone Geoff on 05 55 81 08 77 Email: geoffrey. sowler@orange.fr FOR SALE: Recliner chair Floral draylon, in excellent condition. Will deliver locally. Email for photos. €150.00 Email: janemcmullin@gmail.com FOR SALE: ROUND STURDY FARMHOUSE KITCHEN STYLE TABLE 1.1 Diameter. Dark oak finish. Very good condition. €50.00 Tel: 0555784524 FOR SALE: Brown leather, large 3 seater sofa Some wear hence 85 euros. E-mail for info and photo. €85.00 Email: carol.roach@hotmail.co.uk FOR SALE: Single Beds + Almost new matress Bed - metal frame and dismountable. €35.00 Tel: 05.55.03.08.19 Mob: 06.02.32.46.31 (Daniel McNally) FOR SALE: 3 piece lounge suite - 3 seater settee All covers removable & washable. Blue/grey colour. Available mid December. Buyer collects from between St Yrieix and Payzac. €200.00 Tel: 05 53 55 21 85 FOR SALE: Set of 4 70’s style dining chairs In fair to good condition, the seats

hour and half hour. Size approx 800 x 360. €110.00 Tel: 05 55 787902 (Near Rochechouart) FOR SALE: Various - WC, Wash Basin, Steel Bath, Corner Bath, Cooker, Cement Mixer Unused items: White WC. Low flush 30euro. White pedestal wash basin 30euro. White steel bath 40euro. Ivory 3 corner bath GRP. White LPG cooker s/h 35euro. Electric cement mixer in good order 75euro. Confolens 16500. Tel. 05 45 89 22 05 FOR SALE: Velux / Mosquito Window Blind / TV Cabinet Genuine Velux window GGL CO2 78mm x 55mm with blind and Flashing kit. Used but good condition. 50 euros.New Lapeyre mosquito window blind size up to 40cms marron. 40 euros.TV cabinet, antique pine with one drawer. 40 euros Phone 06 31 91 70 03 - St Yrieix la Perche area FOR SALE: UPVC Door Lock Ferco 635 multipoint sprung door lock. €40.00 Tel: 05 55 68 37 58 FOR SALE: 'Rosières' CORNER CHIMNEY COOKER HOOD

Stainless Steel.4 Spot Lights. 4 Fan settings.Near Chabanais. €225.00ono Tel 0545 30 69 72 FOR SALE: WOOD BURNER SUPRA NORVEGE 6.5kw. Cream

and grey. H 1040mm W 540mm. Near

Chabanais. €325.00ono Tel 0545 30 69 72 FOR SALE: MUSIC FOR THE GREATEST 100 LOVE SONGS EVER Arranged for piano, vocals and guitar. Large album in as new condition. €15.00 O5 55 89 21 37 evenings only please FOR SALE: Large picture print by Beckindale Fine Arts (framers of quality pictures and mirrors) Name of picture "Spirit 1" in frame n° SM16 - of horse and man is only way of description. Buyer collects. €400.00 Telephone Nigel on 06 04 46 73 92 FOR SALE: CHILD'S BUGGY XTS 3 WHEELED, OFF-ROAD/JOGGING BUGGY. EXCELLENT CONDITION, NEW TYRES, CARRY CASE. €60.00 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 05 55 63 43 35 FOR SALE: BASS GUITAR IBANEZ SR305DX 5 STRING ACTIVE, VERY GOOD CONDITION, PROFESSIONALLY SET UP, NEW STRINGS. €195.00ono FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 05 55 63 43 35 FOR SALE: TV Thomson TV 52 cm with remote. €30.00 Tel 05 55 03 87 56 FOR SALE: SUPRA WOODBURNING STOVE Cast iron. Model HF3932. 7 to 14 KW. Rear venting. Almost as new, used little. Includes some chimney pipes. €350.00 Tel 05 55 03 87 56 FOR SALE: A SELECTION OF ANTIQUE FURNITURE AND KNICK-KNACKS 1) Baby High Chair/Stroller Combination. Antique. Condition Excellent/Good. Wood. Total height 3'8.5". width 19.5". As low chair 2'6". 200€ or very near offer. 2) YOU REALLY NEED TO SEE THE PHOTOS OF THIS ONE. Vegetable Serving Tureen. By removing the handle this can transform from a single Vegetable Warmer into two individual serving trays. Brilliant Idea. Made in Sheffield of Electo Plated Nickel Silver (EPNS) it dates between 1890 - 1910. Measures approx 12" long x 9.5" wide x 3" high (not including removable handle). Weighs approx 1kilo730g before packing. 130€ or very near offer. 3) Antique Vase made by A J HARLEY JONES, FENTON, STAFFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND between 1907-1934. The principle colour is blue - called Bleu de Feu because of the type of firing the glaze. The picture on the side shows 2 peasant women in a woodland setting. Approx 10.25" tall x 16" round the body (not including the handles). This vase has been valued by two local Antique Dealers (in France) as being worth between 150€-200€. 150€. 4) Large Wall Clock with Westminster Chimes. Runs for 20 days per wind-up. In very good over-all condition. Measures approx 28" high x 12" side to side x 6.5" front to back. 140€ or very near offer. 5) A set of 3 jugs. coloured green decorated with various fruits. Unmarked. 1) 4.75" high x 4.5" handle to spout x 2.5" wide. 2) 5.25"high x 5" handle to spout x 2.5" wide. 3) 6" high x 6.25" handle to spout x 3.25" wide. 40€ 6) Very unusual Brass Lamp with 2 wicks. Marked DUPLEX. MADE IN ENGLAND on both wick handles. Patterned glass shade. Overall height 18.5". 150€ or near offer. Email for photos. Tel: Jannie 05 55 89 98 47 Email: janniesjunkandjems@gmail. com FOR SALE: Various 2 x Free standing electric heaters. Different models/styles in very good/ excellent condition. Very little use. 20€ eachFlame effect electric fire. 54cm x 44cm x 30cm. In good/ excellent condition. Very little used. 50€Free standing Fire Grate with attached Back Plate. In good used condition. 45cm x 53cm x 29cm. 250€ or very near offer.Heavy dining table and 6 chairs. Malaysian Oak. Not sure of the age but at least 10yrs old (possibly older). In very good/excellent condition. Table 96cm x 152cm x 78cm. Chairs height to top of back 115cm. Height to seat 47cm x 52cm x 47cm. 300€ or very near offer. Email for photos. Tel: Linda 05 55 89 31 97 or Jannie 05 55 89 98 47 Email: janniesjunkandjems@gmail.com FOR SALE: Various - House Clearance 1) 6 Chairs and a Dinning Room Table. Solid oak. Very good condition. €250 2) 2 Single Beds. €100 the pair. Metal framed.

3) 2 Reclining Chairs. Cream leather. 4) Electric Bike. Needs new battery. EUR 50 ono. Tel: 05 55 64 18 33 FOR SALE: Hay Bales Small Bales 2.50 per bale. Tel: 05 46 33 18 75 FOR SALE: Various equipment for handicapped person Wheelchairs, stanner stair lift, 3 wheel electric scooter etc. Tel: 05 55 42 75 92 FOR SALE: Hot Tub Spa Lay-Z with digital control for 4 adults Un WANTED present. As new, still in packaging. Sells on amazon.fr at €489. Area 87130. €399.00 Tel: 05 55 56 62 84 Email: pugsley.homer@gmail.com FOR SALE: Godin solid cast iron woodburner fire Size 660mm long 600mm high - 320mm wide. V.G.C. Buyer collects. Phone Patricia for details. €200.00 Tel: 05 55 41 19 28 FOR SALE: Ikea oven White. Used only few times. V.G.C. Buyer collects. Phone Patricia for details. €50.00 Tel: 05 55 41 19 28 FOR SALE: "PETIT GODIN" multi fuel circular stove 10kw output. Majolica enamel brown finish, with decorative ash tray and cast iron tool for opening door catches. £1600 new. In good condition. €300.00 TEL: 05 55 08 46 53 FOR SALE: Antique woodburning stove dating from the 1900's Excellent condition with bread oven. Delivery possible. €450.00ono Tel: 0613363979 FOR SALE: 2 off Shimano Baitrunner 6000b GTE Carp reels C/w spare spools and boxes, instructions etc. Hardly used, as no time. In excellent condition. 75 Euro each or 140 Euro for the two.Also a tackle box trolley/barrow still in box never assembled. 50 Euros. Phone Andy 0555-483062 (nr Rochechouart) FOR SALE: 5 pairs of original wooden windows Varying sizes, with original window furniture and fittings. All fitted with the original glass. 75,00 euros for the lot. €75.00 TEL: 05 55 08 46 53 FOR SALE: Various PETMATE AIR TRAVEL and TRAINING KENNEL Through flow ventilation for safe air and auto travel. Safe way to help solve behaviour problems. For dog/cat up to 51 cms tall by 61 cms long. Meets international air travel requirements. (IATA) Kennel bed-pad also included. Unused. Easy to carry. €50 3 SINGLE PINE BEDS. TWO MATCHING, including mattresses for all three. Comprised of head and footboards and slatted base. €50 each. BATHROOM WASH-HAND BASIN AND MATCHING PEDESTAL. White. New and unused. Includes two taps. Basin measures 66 cms wide by 56 cms deep. €30. Ladies BICYCLES° Ladies Peugeot Mosaique. Pink. 15 gears. €50° Ladies Ammaco Oasis. Purple. 15 gears. €50° Ladies Boulevade EMMELLE. Black. 12 gears. €50 Telephone 05 55 14 28 09 FOR SALE: Licence IV Enables sales of beverages and spirits in Bars/Restaurants etc Email: jsezer@yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: Ladies Coats Pale blue swede, full length ladies coat. Brand new. Size 14. EUR 80 onoRed leather, short ladies coat. Brand new. Size 14. EUR 50 onoCream, full length ladies coat. Brand new. Size 14. EUR 35 ono Tel: 02 54 25 38 97 (orsennes, dept 36) FOR SALE: Computer Equipment Computer screen, Epsom printer, English keyboard, mouse + mouse mat. €60.00 Tel: 02 54 25 38 97 (orsennes, dept 36) FOR SALE: SCHAUB LORENZ COMBO FLAT SCREEN LCD TV/ DVD 19" with TNT and HDMI, still boxed, as new. €50.00 Tel: 0555895605 (La Souterraine) Email: sellwood56@ hotmail.com FOR SALE: Baby/child items Quality baby car seat, in excellent condition, 30 euros. Travel Cot which folds into carry bag, in good condition. (Also suitable as play pen). 25 euros. Used few times during our grandchildren's visits! Tel: 05 55 78 79 02 FOR SALE: Land Rover Discovery dog guard, mats & UK headlights TRAVAL dog guard for Land Rover Discovery, as new - 60 euros.Full set Land Rover mats for Discovery - 15 euros.UK Headlights for Land Rover Discovery - 60 euros. Tel: 05 55 78 54 20 FOR SALE: Rectangluar Hay Bales (87) Ideal for use as animal bedding. 6 euros a bale. Please call 05 55 00 98 52 FOR SALE: Hot Water Cylinder 150

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ APRIL 2012

FRENCH LIFE ♦ 11 4 large rooms of antique & quality furniture, linens, collectables, cushions & gifts all at aﬀordable prices. Handmade furniture of all types designed & created for clients’ individual specifications.

No More “Mademoiselle” men, the former are still publicly and obligatorily categorized as married or unmarried. On top of that, the issue seems even more ridiculous to me because there are many different civil statuses you can have in France, but no way for those to be signified. For example, I'm PACS’ed; however, on official documents I’m identified as “Mademoiselle”. Women who have concubinage status, as well as women who are divorced, widowed, or separated are also all officially called “Mademoiselle”. In the work world, “Mademoiselle” can be a major obstacle to respect for some women stuck with the title. It’s a term laden with connotations. Try having a woman at the head of a company who is officially a “Mademoiselle”. For all its good points, French culture can be extremely macho, and “Mademoiselle” sounds weak and young – and available for marriage. Many women in CEO and other high-ranking positions will nonetheless go by “Madame”, and their employees will call them that, but whenever they receive a bill or have to show government-issued ID, they’re still “Mademoiselle”. When the issue of eliminating this term from official documents and identification cards came up last autumn, I was overjoyed. When I brought it up in some of my classes, though, the reactions I got to it went from apathetic, to angry. The first reason for the anger was something most of us can understand: Some of my female and male students wondered why French feminist groups are wasting time on an issue like this, when there are so many more important problems facing women today. One of my youngest students, a girl in her late twenties, revealed a very surprising reason for being upset. As a devout Catholic, to her, being called “Madame” is a privilege reserved for married women. If everyone could have that title, or if another title were created that made all women nominally equal, she argued, there would be one less incentive for women to get married. Rather a stupid idea, I thought, but

then again, some of my reasons for wanting to have one uniform title for women are just as ideals-based. Another reason the debate made some of my students angry was far more complex: Many of the

from their title, but then again, a person can certainly pick up on the fact that someone thinks they're attractive. And on the other hand, if you’re called “Monsieur”, you don’t have to take it as a message

here had been whispers about it for decades, usually among feminists, occasionally echoed by female politicians. This autumn, as reported in The Bugle's November edition, the issue came into the spotlight again: women’s rights organizations Les Chiennes de Garde (Guard Bitches) and Osez le féminisme (Dare Feminism), joined by Roselyne Bachelot, began fighting for the removal of the term “Mademoiselle” from government forms. Despite public controversy, on February 21, 2012, the law passed. In matters of state, a woman will now only be “Madame”, regardless of her age or marital status. The idea isn’t completely new: During and shortly after the French Revolution, “Monsieur” was replaced by “Citoyen” (citizen) and “Madame” and “Mademoiselle” were replaced by “Citoyenne”, the word’s feminine form. This may not seem like a very big deal to us native English speakers. After all, the title “Ms” has been in wide use in many Anglophone countries since the 1970s. For the French, however, this subject is fraught with controversy – in some very surprising ways. As an American and an EFL teacher for adults, the title “Ms” is one of the most complicated things for me to explain to my French friends and students, and not just because they have a tough time pronouncing it. It seems like such a radical concept to them – even to the females of my generation. Part of it may simply be linguistic preference: why would anyone need to make up a word, some might think, when two perfectly good ones – Mrs and Miss – are already in place? Whenever I try to explain the origin of “Ms”, and the ideas of equality and the right to privacy behind it, my students just shrug their shoulders. I’ve personally often been bothered by the fact that there’s no equivalent of “Ms” in French. For one thing, I hate the notion that in this day and age, in a Western, secular country where women officially have the same rights as

A Revolutionary-era envelope made of a folded sheet of paper, addressed to La Citoyenne Briton[?] women I teach like being called “Mademoiselle”. Like “ma’am” and “Miss” in some Anglophone cultures, but, I feel, in a bigger way, in France, the word “Mademoiselle” plays a special role in a woman’s everyday life. As you may have experienced, when you go to a shop, or talk on the phone to someone you don’t know, you are usually at some point referred to as either “Madame” or “Mademoiselle”. Typically, women perceived as young and/or attractive get called “Mademoiselle”, while those perceived as older and/or undesirable are called “Madame.” Sadly, there is, I admit, a thrill in being called “Mademoiselle” by a chicly dressed shop owner, or a guy hoping you’re as single as you are (apparently) attractive. Especially when you’re having a bad day and you’ve recently turned thirty. And being called “Madame” can feel like a rejection sometimes… especially when you’re having a bad day and you’ve recently turned thirty. But why should it be this way? Men may not get implicit compliments

that you’re not young-looking and/ or desirable. Why should women have to be judged by something so seemingly benign, every time we leave the house? Regardless of my opinion on this part of the debate, I reminded my students that a law eliminating “Mademoiselle” from government forms and proceedings would only cover that realm: the question “Madame ou Mademoiselle?” - so classic that it’s even been used in commercials - would continue to flourish on the streets and in daily life here. Still, most of them didn’t really seem to take to the idea. At best, they found it ridiculous. But the government didn’t. As of February

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21, the “Mademoiselle” option on French government documents is no more. In addition, other changes have been put into place: nom de jeune fille (maiden name) will now be replaced by nom de famille (family name), and nom patronymique (married name) will be replaced by nom d’usage (name used). The terms nom d’époux/nom d’épouse (spouse’s name) will be eliminated altogether, as they’re considered inapplicable for people who are widowed or divorced but who’ve kept the name of their former spouse. (You may not see these changes on the next government document you receive or fill in, since all of the old forms will be used until they run out.) As far as what will replace “Mademoiselle” – nothing will. The French won’t make up a new word like “Ms” and thus forms won't have boxes to check that would include said new option (which probably would have been the best solution). Instead, there will be only one box to tick for all women: “Madame”. My students and French friends may not understand it, but the news makes me smile. Times have changed, and this law reflects that. In the 1970s, the word “Fraulein” (mademoiselle) was eliminated from German government forms. Friends who live there today tell me that even in everyday life, this word has now fallen out of favour. Maybe the same thing will happen in France in a few decades. Mademoiselle's elimination from government forms may not seem important to some, but words have power. If people get used to women not constantly being associated with their marital status, that may lead to progress in other, bigger areas in the fight for equal rights. I can’t wait to get my new my new titre de séjour this year and see “Madame Alysa Salzberg” written on it. ■

Alysa lives in Paris with an eccentric Frenchman and a cross-eyed cat. She blogs regularly on Open Salon and is founder and Editorin-Chief of Beguile, a literary and arts e-zine: http://open.salon.com/blog/alysa_salzberg http://www.beguilezine.blogspot.com

APRIL 2012 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

12 ♦ FRENCH LIFE

Why hasn't my In the garden - April house sold? B

HOUSES NEEDED We are one of the biggest sellers of houses to UK clients in France and after a busy year I am looking for more properties, particularly in the following areas:

Oradour sur Vayres Chalus - Bussiere Galant Saint Auvent - Saint Laurent sur Gorre - Cognac la Foret - Sereilhac Contact me for a no obligation chat. We have clients looking now!

Kevin Andrews +33 (0)631 195 581 kandrews@leggett.fr

What may not be well known is that 99% of agent commercials in this country don’t get paid anything until they sell a property. All the time spent driving around finding and mandating properties, answering queries, helping vendors and clients and showing houses is effectively unpaid and, in fact, costs money in terms of petrol and phone calls. I’m not complaining; it is our choice to pursue this career and I, for one, love the job, but to suggest that somehow we are deliberately not selling houses (the attitude of some vendors) is patently wrong. Now back to those statements! “I need €230,000” – Unfortunately what a vendor may need or indeed want and what their house will sell for are in no way related. Note, I will never describe a house as ‘worth’ anything; it is a cliché but, like a lot of clichés, true, that a house is only worth what someone will pay for it. “I’ve seen other similar houses on the web for €230,000” – The key here is that they are still being advertised, i.e. they haven’t been sold. A good agent will be able to provide you with evidence of what kind of properties have recently sold and for what kind of amounts; this is the benchmark against which unsold properties should be judged. There is no doubt that market conditions are still tough, despite the increase in the number of clients coming to the market. The competition amongst properties is still very, very intense and it is definitely a buyer’s market. At the time of writing, seloger.fr (the French equivalent of Right Move) was showing just under 10,000 properties for sale in the Limousin, this in an area with relatively few houses! The 30-35% price drops we have seen over the last few years seem to have slowed to a halt at the bottom end of the market but there is, however, still a way to go at the top end. I hope it doesn’t appear that I am ranting! I know there are good agents and bad agents and some who try harder than others but the majority of us are trying to sell your house for as much money as we can – after all, that’s how we earn our millions!" ■ If you have any questions regarding these issues or indeed anything else to do with house sales, please feel free to get in touch: Kevin Andrews Email:- kandrews@leggett.fr Tel:- 0631 195 581 http://www.limousinhouses.com/

burning the leaves when the sun shines on the ice crystals, but also by locking water up in the soil as ice so it's not available to plants. Ironically it may be necessary to water (avoiding leaves). Drought: It already looks like we are in a drought year, the winter rains being under the necessary requirements. Figure out how you are going to deal with this in your garden – mulching, watering, irrigation system etc. The ground is likely to have a bit of residual moisture in it for a while, but it all depends on the sun and the wind. Empty the compost bins on the garden: If the contents are anywhere near ready, empty them on to beds

and borders. If not, consider making a heap for the marrows, pumpkins and courgettes. You are likely to need the space in the bins as the season goes on, so what the hell? Anything unsightly is likely to disappear under vegetation. Start to enjoy your garden again! After all those months of winter weather, the ground is waking up, the buds have burst forth, the song birds are in the skies, and you need to get out into your garden. Go now!! ■ Michelle Pierce Un Jardin en France plant nursery unjardinenfrance@gmail.com 05 45 89 36 54

Mister Horse, the postie

magine this: An ordinary little postman way down in rural south-eastern France, content to do his daily rounds on foot, all 33 kilometres! One day, he stumbles over a stone, and while picking it up to toss it out of his way, he realises that it is rather pretty and so takes it home. And the next time he sees an interesting stone, he does the same and so on until one day he asks himself: “What am I going to do with all these stones?” Then he has a flash of inspiration!!! “I know, I'll build a Perfect Palace.” And with that, in 1879 he starts work on his fantasy castle, using rocks and stones that he finds along his round, joined together with cement and wire. This is the true story of how Ferdinand Cheval created an extraordinary piece of folk art, which has similarities to Hindu art and architecture in its ornate detailing, and has inspired numerous artists, including Picasso. He spent 33 years of his life building it, and then another 8 years building his own tomb, in which he was buried after he died on 19th August 1924. 2012 marks the centenary of the completion of the Palais Idéal; it remains a great example to those of us who dream of follies, towers, moats, stumperies or other eccentric things in our gardens! ■

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onestly and probably, in a word, price. A recent edition of the French estate agent’s business newspaper (as riveting as it sounds) said that, with the market as it currently stands, if your house has been for sale for more than a year and hasn’t yet sold then it is too expensive. Whilst they are predominantly referring to French to French sales of newer houses (the largest part of the market in France) the principle remains the same across the rest of the country. We, for example, have had our most successful January and February ever and are seeing lots of clients returning to the market. As estate agents, one of the things we find the most frustrating is to make an assessment of what price a house can achieve within an area within the confines of the market as it stands, only to be totally ignored by vendors who usually say things like “I need €230,000” or “I’ve seen other similar houses on the web for €230,000”. I’ll come back to these statements in a second. What usually then happens is we mandate the house for too much money, in the hope that a) that special client comes along who falls in love with it (unlikely) b) the market suddenly bounces back (even more unlikely) or c) the vendor decides at some point to market the house at a more sensible price. Of course, people have every right to ask what they want for their house and we will do our utmost to achieve that sale price but it is slightly galling to then be blamed for a lack of visits and a lack of progress towards a sale.

sales@thebugle.eu 05.55.41.17.76

Kevin Andrews, Regional Estate Agent for Leggett Immobilier, gives us a honest answer to one of the most common questions you will come across in the property business.. why hasn't my house sold?

eware the ides of March, or les giboulées, as they call them round my way. We may be in April, but the plain fact remains that the weather is still uncertain, with cold, frosty mornings, and balmy, hot afternoons. Prepare and organise for both eventualities. Sowing, sowing, sowing: This should continue apace, both inside and out. In the garden you can sow carrots, broccoli, sprouts, radish, broad beans (you are a bit late, but why not give it a whirl, if you haven't already?), rocket, kholrabi, leeks, parsnips, salsify, scorzonera, spinach, New Zealand spinach and chards. Round the 14th of the month should be a good time to sow turnips, carrots and other root veg, according to the moon. Get sowing the warm weather lovers, under shelter: melons, chillies, aubergines, tomatoes, cucumbers etc. Never mind that the shops have been full of these plants for a while, now. Remember, they want you to buy them, kill them and buy them again! Yours, sown later, will catch up with the rhythm of the year. Try anything you want; seed isn't that expensive and will keep from one year to the next, so just go for it. Sort out your strawberry patch: Eliminate old, poor plants and encourage new growth, or replant. Feed with chicken or beef pellets. Add some garlic cloves to the patch, or some salad onion, or chives etc. Knock soft fruit into shape: remove any raspberry canes that are growing out of the bed, or in the wrong place. Feed and mulch. Make sure your currants, both black, white and red, have air going through the middle of them – prune if necessary, even though it's late. Give a good mulch at the foot of the plant. Dealing with frost: There's likely to be frosts until the saints de glace in May, so protect newly planted plants and seedlings with fleece or straw (beware slugs). If your plants get badly frosted, spray them with cold water and cover them with fleece. Frost damages by

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www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ APRIL 2012

FRENCH LIFE ♦ 13

I just happened to look up…

What are contrails? Contrails aren't smoke, such as what might belch from a poorly maintained car, they are more akin to the clouds of fog you see emanating from car exhausts on a very cold morning. Unlike the clouds of fog from a car's exhaust, however, that tend to dissipate rapidly, contrails can hang in the sky for minutes, even hours, and this is where an environmental threat lies. Aside from the other chemicals and particulates being spewed out in the aircraft exhaust, contrails are thought to have an impact on climate. Contrails and the environment According to a 2004 study contrails have the potential to affect climate via something called ‘radiative forcing’. Here comes the techy bit: radiative forcing is the change in net irradiance between different layers of the atmosphere. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) defines it as “a measure of the influence a factor has in altering the balance

Chocolate truffles (truffes au chocolat)

was walking the dogs the other morning at the start of another beautiful day in the Limousin. A crisp white landscape, frosty breath, the chatter of birds and a stunning sunrise. These were the only sounds and sights of nature, or so I initially thought. When I looked up at the sky, it was marred by a couple of what I later found out were called ‘contrails’. A bit of research and I discovered that ‘contrail’ is short for condensation trail, a streak of artificial cirrus cloud made by jet aircraft engine exhaust, also known as ‘vapour trail’. The scars left across the sky, particularly above the Limousin which is a major European air corridor, are another marker of our conquest of the planet, visible from our cities, suburbs and out in the sticks.

Recipe provided by Chef George of the Auberge du Golf in Gouzon.

These are great fun to make and can be dipped in chocolate, or rolled in nuts or cocoa powder. For the truffles:

of incoming and outgoing energy in the Earth-atmosphere system”. The study states that like natural cirrus clouds, the artificial contrail clouds reflect solar radiation, while absorbing and emitting thermal infrared radiation. Contrails have already been observed to affect regional weather in areas experiencing heavy air traffic. As air travel increases and expands, the impact may become “globally significant” states the study. While the word ‘weather’ is associated with short term events, ‘climate’ is used in relation to the longer term, and with contrails criss-crossing the skies and being a permanent

feature of some regions, especially it seems here, the move from weather to climate isn't such a big jump. Avoiding contrail formation Given that contrail formation occurs at great heights, researchers suggested some years back that jet aircraft should fly below 31,000 feet in the summer and below 24,000 feet in the winter. However, there is a trade-off: fuel efficiency. By addressing the threat posed by contrails, we could exacerbate others such as an increase in other forms of pollution from aircraft

exhaust due to increased fuel consumption. Researchers believe this is the lesser of the environmental evils, however. While the contrails I spot above Chez Smith from time to time aren't going to send temperatures in the area skyrocketing or plummeting, nor directly cause a flood/ drought/tornado/whatever, it's just another disturbance on an already very disturbed planet and not one to be disregarded. ■ Arthur Smith Harlequin Developments www.harlequindevelopments.com Tel: 05.55.68.67.56 Mob: 06.06.60.46.97

The Canny Shopper

The Ed has asked me to expand a little from ‘green issues’, and has suggested the possibility of having a regular feature on getting the most for our Euros here in central France, something that we all have an interest in. What I’d like to do is gather information about shops, supermarkets, bricos, garages etc who offer that little something extra. It could be regular 2 for 1 offers, discounts for buying in bulk, anything that makes our money go further. I’d also like to hear about factory outlets, farm

shops etc that offer good value for money. They are out there, so it might be useful to have a list of them. It’s not always about the bottom line and sometimes it’s worth spending a extra few Euros for exceptional service. Spending a little more on a product can sometimes save a packet if things go wrong at a later date. The other thing that we’ve all probably noticed is that there seem to be certain times of year when the French buy certain items. Bedding comes to mind, as every year at the same

time, all the stores reduce the price of sheets, duvets, pillows etc. My French neighbours are always telling me that you can get better value by waiting to buy certain products at these times. The trouble is I always seem to forget when I’m supposed to be buying things, and end up buying them a few weeks before they go on ‘promo’. So, could we come up with a calendar of the various product sales that happen here? This will be very much a feature led by you, the reader, based on your knowledge

and experiences of our region. Unfortunately, we can’t really do ‘instant deals’, as due to printing dates, we run a little behind ‘real time’. We hear so much about how expensive life is here at the moment, and how bad customer service is, but I believe that there are some bargains out there, as well as some people who really do give great customer service. So readers, it’s over to you, help me get the ball rolling. Send any ideas, contributions or suggestions you have to cannyshopper@ thebugle.eu ■

175ml/6floz Thick cream 275g/10oz Plain chocolate, broken up 30g/1oz Unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

(This will be enough to make 20 to 30 truffles) 1. Bring the cream to a boil over a medium heat in a heavy based pan. Remove from the heat, then add the chocolate and stir until melted. Add the butter and continue to stir until smooth. 2. Strain the mixture into a bowl and leave to cool, then cover and put into the fridge overnight. 3. Line your work top or a baking sheet with greaseproof paper, then using a spoon, scoop out the mixture and form into balls by rolling between your hands. Place the balls onto the paper. If the mix becomes soft, pop it back into the fridge to chill.

For the coating: Finely chopped hazelnuts, cocoa powder (chocolat en poudre) or 400g chocolate (this can be whatever you want plain, milk, or white) To coat the truffles, roll in the nuts or cocoa powder, keeping the shape round. If you want to coat them with chocolate you will need to freeze the truffles for about 1 hour first. For a chocolate coating you will need a bain-marie. This is a pan of simmering water with a pyrex bowl on top (the bottom of the bowl must not touch the water). Break the chocolate into the bowl and stir until melted and smooth. Allow to cool slightly, then using a fork dip the truffles into the chocolate. Tap off the excess and place onto nonstick baking paper. Once coated, the truffles can be stored for up to 10 days in the fridge (if they last that long!)

APRIL 2012 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

14 ♦ FRENCH LIFE

Financial Solutions for your life in France O

Checking a business is correctly registered

David Hardy, Regional manager in Poitou-Charentes and Limousin of Siddalls France, explains how they help British citizens living in France.

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rom taking early retirement to starting a new business adventure, from improving the quality of your life to simply a change of lifestyle, the staff at Siddalls France have heard all the reasons why people choose to come and settle in France – and the Limousin is no exception. With its quiet, timeless villages and its rolling countryside the Limousin has become a popular area to put down roots whilst offering easy transport links back to the UK.

Feeling lost?

However, not everything may be as straightforward as you thought it would be. Many of our clients come to us frustrated by over-complicated French bureaucracy, complicated tax rules and trying to understand the French forced succession laws – and these are just a few examples! Moreover, trying to get to grips with all of the technical and legal language in French can leave you not knowing which way to turn.

and investment planning. French based and independent Financial Advisers, Siddalls are there to not only explain, but to provide support and solutions on how to make your finances work to your advantage when integrating your money into the French fiscal system. Their advisers in France regularly help their clients to understand French succession laws and manage investments to ensure that they avoid the pitfalls of the French tax system and minimise the risk of exchange rate fluctuations. As ex-pats themselves, the advisers have personal experience of many of the issues they advise their clients on.

Siddalls’ expertise

Guiding you through the issues

Living in France will inevitably have an impact on the way you manage your finances since taxation, inheritance, pension and investment planning take on a whole new meaning. Siddalls France have fifteen years’ experience in providing financial advice to expatriates in France. Their bespoke service has been designed to make managing your finances as plain sailing as possible, and every year, they help hundreds of people, all with different needs in terms of tax, inheritance, pension

As part of a large UK financial services group with offices in both countries, Siddalls have a full understanding of both the French and UK tax systems and can offer a complete cross-Channel service. Siddalls France’s position as a French company gives them unique access to a full range of French investment services, where appropriate. In the field of inheritance planning, they can help you mitigate French inheritance rules and tax liabilities in both countries. As part of the Siddalls group, Siddalls France also retains access to specialised advice on UK issues such as pension planning, which is fully regulated in the UK by the Financial Services Authority.

They can also plan to give you maximum flexibility for your investments and pension planning in case of a possible return to the UK in the future. Siddalls has a network of regional advisers throughout France who can provide support and up-to-date information on any issues that may affect your finances. All of our staff are bilingual and receive regular training to ensure they keep up to date with the ever changing rules and regulations. They are there to provide up-to-date information and deliver British standards of trust, loyalty and a supportive ongoing service.

Siddalls can provide you with assistance on: • Taxation - they can maximise your benefits and minimise your taxes • The French inheritance system – they can ensure your estate is distributed in accordance with your wishes and French inheritance laws • Pensions advice and managing your money for your retirement - they can ensure that your pension arrangements work for you in France • Savings and investment – their investment management services provide peace of mind that your portfolio is regularly monitored Siddalls France are fully regulated by the French authorities and have built a reputation based on trust with people who have relocated to France over the years. We work independently of any financial institution so are able to provide impartial advice. Finally any initial meeting is without obligation and in the strictest of confidence. If you wish to review and discuss your own financial planning requirements in more detail, please contact David on 05 56 34 75 51. You can also visit their website and download their free help sheets at www.siddalls.fr ■

ne topic on which we receive a lot of correspondence at The Bugle is the question of business registration and insurances in France. It is very important that you use only correctly registered and insured businesses; in the event of a problem or accident you may be liable and ignorance is not an excuse under French law. For example, if you employ an unregistered builder who subsequently injures himself on your property, then you are liable for all costs including medical and social security charges. It can be a complicated area, but in essence there are a few tips and tricks to bear in mind to make sure that a business you employ is legally registered and insured. What follows is only meant as a rough guide, so if in any doubt, seek a professional opinion. All legitimate traders and businesses in France must be registered – i.e. with the Chambre de Métiers, Chambre de Commerce etc. When is a business is registered, it is assigned a SIRET number (Système d’Identification du Répertoire des Etablissements). A SIRET number comes in 2 parts: the first 9 digits form the SIREN number which uniquely identifies a business; the last 5 digits are called the NIC (Numéro Interne de Classement) and this identifies the ‘branch’. For example, if your business had 2 shops, it would be assigned 2 SIRET numbers, but the SIREN number would be the same in both cases. A reputable business will usually include its SIRET number on official documentation such as a quote (devis) etc. When dealing with a business, you should first check that they are registered. There are several websites where you can check the SIREN number of a business – the one used at The Bugle to check our advertisers are correctly registered is www.infogreffe.fr (available in French and English). Here you can find out basic information about a business by entering their SIREN number. These types of website are not updated on a day-by-day basis, however, so if a company has very recently been registered then they may not appear. It is also therefore prudent to ask to see a tradesperson’s “Carte d'indentification” which is issued by their local Chambre de Métiers/ Commerce and to make sure they are properly registered for the type of work they are offering. A business may be registered for web design and have a valid SIRET number, but that does not mean that they can install a fosse septique! Always ask to see any relevant insurance documents; for example, in the case of an electrician or builder etc this will usually include a 10year guarantee (assurance décennale). This covers work done for 10 years after completion and is compulsory for many types of building and structural work. If a business is reluctant to show you a copy of any of the above, then alarm bells should start ringing. If in any doubt then a call or visit to the local Chambre de Métiers/Commerce office will tell you if the business is registered correctly. It may often seem ‘cheaper’ to use unregistered or uninsured businesses, but should something go wrong it can cost an awful lot more in the long run than using a reputable and insured business. Ask around – most people will know at least one person who has learned this lesson the hard way! The Bugle always checks that a business is registered or in the process of registering before allowing them to advertise. We will never knowingly advertise an incorrectly registered business, but it remains the responsibility of the individual to properly check any business they employ, especially before parting with any money. ■

Siddalls France, RCS BX 498 800 465, Société par Actions Simplifiée Unipersonnelle, Parc Innolin, 3 Rue du Golf, 33700 Mérignac. VAT registration number FR 61 49 88 00 465. Authorised as Conseil en Investissements Financiers (C.I.F.), registered number E001669 with ANACOFI-CIF, association agréée par l’Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF), and as Courtier d’Assurances, Category B, registered with the Organisme pour le Registre des Intermédiaires en Assurance (ORIAS) registered number 07 027 475 Garantie Financière et Assurance de Responsabilité Civile Professionnelle conformes aux articles L 541-3 du Code Monétaire et Financier et L 512-6 et 512-7 du Code des Assurances.

David Hardy, Regional Manager of the Poitou-Charentes and Limousin joined Siddalls in 1999. He is there to provide support and up-to-date information on any issues that may affect your finances when living in France. He is able to explain and identify problems in a language you will understand, identify any problem areas that need to be addressed and suggest personalised solutions. The things David does on a day-to-day basis include advising clients on tax, inheritance and investment planning. He helps his clients to integrate their finances in France so that they pay less tax on their savings, helps them gain additional sources of income, if required, from such savings and ensures that their money is passed on according to their inheritance wishes.

Siddalls provide a range of free help sheets on a variety of topics from banking to the taxation system that will have an impact on your finances in France. They are available to download from their website:

www.siddalls.fr

Inheritance Solutions French inheritance rules may mean that your worldwide estate will not be distributed according to your wishes.

Look after those that matter David Hardy, Regional Manager: Tel: 05 56 34 75 51 Email: bordeaux.office@siddalls.net

www.siddalls.fr French finance in plain English

Siddalls France SASU, Parc Innolin, 3 Rue du Golf, 33700 Mérignac - RCS BX 498 800 465. C.I.F. No E001669 auprès de ANACOFI-CIF association agréée par l’Autorité des Marchés Financiers et Courtier d’Assurances, Catégorie B - ORIAS 07 027 475. Garantie Financière et Assurance de Responsabilité Civile Professionnelle conformes aux articles L 541-3 du Code Monétaire et Financier et L 512-6 et 512-7 du Code des Assurances.

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ APRIL 2012

BILINGUAL ♦ 15

The Bugle thanks local French teacher, Sophie Arsac, for the translation of the following article on a topical aspect of Franco-British culture.

The Eiffel Conspiracy Files

he Eiffel Tower has been in the news this month, as previously unknown details have emerged about the origins of this Parisian landmark. Named after its ‘creator’ Gustave Eiffel, the Tour Eiffel was built in 1889 to celebrate the opening of the Exposition Universelle – a World’s Fair marking the centennial celebrations of the French Revolution. At the time it was celebrated as a victory for French engineering, built using 18,000 pieces of iron and over 2.5 million rivets. When complete it was twice as tall as the previous tallest building in the world and it has become one of the most famous landmarks on the planet, welcoming over 200 million visitors. According to recently unearthed documents, it now appears that the Eiffel Tower was in fact designed and built in secret by a British team of architects and engineers. The real designer was Graham

Fish from Avril Construction, a British company based in Foolton, Hampshire. The documents show that although Eiffel knew what he wanted to build and had a basic outline, France lacked the necessary skills to pull off such a massive feat of engineering and turned instead to its colleagues across the Channel. Aware of the embarrassment that this would cause the French national pride, part of the deal required the identity of the true team behind the project to remain secret. French workers were also not seen as being skilled or hardworking enough to complete it and instead a team of British engineers were secretly brought to Paris from the UK. These workers were first

given extensive training in being French which included courses on language, recognising different cheeses and wines, getting used to the 2-hour lunch break and instructions on how to correctly wear a beret. So convincing was their disguise that to this day the world still believes that the Eiffel Tower was entirely built by the French. This could now be about to change, although it is not currently known if the Tour Eiffel will eventually be renamed Fish Tower. Other classified documents released at the same time as the Eiffel Conspiracy files include a planned law to ban April Fools' Day and make it a crime to play practical jokes on April 1 st. ■

know I’ve mentioned this before, but prior to moving to France I lived in Belgium for 6 years and I am a big fan of the country. The people are lovely, it has some beautiful architecture and countryside and best of all, with the possible exception of Bruges, it is an undiscovered gem, relatively devoid of tourists. I loved living there, but often found myself defending Belgium from national stereotypes. “Can you name 5 famous Belgians?” This is a question often asked, as I did in my editorial a year or so back. Most people can’t (although there are plenty). The Belgians are also the butt of an entire genre of ‘classic’ jokes in France which start: “Il était une fois un Belge…” – roughly translated as “Once upon a time, there was this Belgian…” The jokes run along the lines of the “An Englishman, an Irishman and a Scotsman…” jokes or the now slightly dated “Blonde” jokes of yesteryear. In every case, we are laughing at the ‘stupid’ Belgian. There was even a film recently released called “Il était une fois, une fois”, a comedy about a character called

Willy Vanderbrook who, rejected for a job as concierge in a 5-star Paris hotel on account of his being too Belgian, seeks dastardly revenge. All this is by the by. The French have been poking fun at their northeasterly neighbours for over a century and that won’t stop any time soon. So it did make me laugh the other day when I saw that the Belgians had hit back! A Belgian joke currently doing the rounds goes as follows: "The Artist", le film muet rafle 10 nominations aux Oscars, une première pour un film Français! Comme quoi, quand les Français ferment leurs gueules, tout le monde les apprécie! Translated, the joke becomes: Silent movie “The Artist” was recently nominated for 10 Oscars, a record for a French film. It would seem that when the French finally shut up, the whole world loves them! Hardly payback for a hundred years of abuse, but it made me smile!! ■ ED

Comment affoler un Belge dans une pièce ronde??? En lui disant qu'il y a un fromage caché dans un coin!!!

Discover French authors in English on FRANCE 24

a Tour Eiffel a fait parler d’elle dans les actualités ce mois-ci alors que des révélations sur l’origine de cet emblème parisien ont récemment fait surface. Nommée d’après le nom de son créateur Gustave Eiffel, la Tour Eiffel fut construite en 1889 pour inaugurer l’Exposition Universelle, une foire internationale destinée à célébrer le centenaire de la Révolution Française. A l’époque, la construction de la tour fut considérée comme une victoire de l’ingénierie française et nécessita l’emploi de 18.000 pièces métalliques assemblées par plus de 2.5 millions de rivets. Au final, la tour battit le record du précédent monument le plus haut du monde puisqu’elle mesurait deux fois sa taille. La Tour Eiffel est devenue l’un des sites les plus connus de la planète et a déjà accueilli plus de 200 millions de visiteurs. Cependant, des documents récemment exhumés nous apprennent que la Tour Eiffel a en fait été conçue et construite en secret par une équipe d’architectes et d’ingénieurs britanniques. Le véritable concepteur de la tour fut Graham Fish qui travaillait pour Avril Construction, une compagnie britannique basée à Foolton dans le comté de Hampshire. Les documents révèlent que Monsieur Eiffel avait élaboré les grandes lignes de son projet mais que la France n’avait pas les compétences requises pour réaliser une telle

Il était une fois...

prouesse technologique. Les Français durent donc se tourner vers leurs collègues d’outre-Manche. Afin de ne pas heurter la fierté de la nation française, les parties s’accordèrent pour garder secrète l’identité réelle de l’équipe chargée du projet. Considérant que les ouvriers français n’étaient ni suffisamment compétents ni suffisamment durs à la tâche, une équipe de techniciens britanniques fut secrètement envoyée à Paris. En premier lieu, les Britanniques suivirent une formation intensive pour se comporter comme de vrais Français. Ils prirent des cours de langue, apprirent à différencier les différents types de fromages et de vins, s’habituèrent à leurs deux heures de déjeuner quotidiennes et s’entraînèrent à porter leur béret comme un bon Français. Leur camouflage fut tellement convainquant que jusqu’à ce jour, le monde entier croit encore que la Tour Eiffel a été entièrement construite par les Français. Ce qui risque de ne pas durer… bien qu’on ne sache pas encore si la Tour Eiffel sera un jour rebaptisée la Tour Fish.

D’autres documents classés secret jusqu’à présent et rendus public en même temps que les dossiers de la conspiration Eiffel révèlent l’existence d’un projet de loi visant à interdire la journée du Poisson d’Avril et à considérer les farces du 1er avril comme un délit. ■

RANCE 24 has this month launched VICE VERSA, a weekly programme that invites Englishspeaking TV viewers to discover French authors of every genre (novels, poetry, plays, crime fiction and comics). Presented in English by Olivier Barrot, VICE VERSA reviews books that were originally written in French and have been translated into English. According to Barrot, “French books are doing well. They are translated into all languages, English particularly.”

Daniel welcomes you at

siret: 510 357 155 00017

Le Pub

Double D

02 54 60 02 14

Renovations & Home Improvements

Open Late!!

All types of building work, groundwork, renovations, decorating and maintenance Fosses septiques Roofing Tiling Kitchen and bathroom fitting Conservatories Plaster boarding Masonry Carpentry etc. etc.

Sunday roast & pudding ONLY A TENNER (€) Fish + Chips + Mushy Peas, every Fri & Sat night

Opening hours:

Thu 12-2pm & 6pm-midnight Fri 12-2pm & 6pm-2am Sat 12pm-2am Sun 12pm-11pm

PETS France

Pet & Equestrian Total Supplies

58, rue d’Orjon Argenton-sur-Creuse

URGENT We are also looking for a kitchen/bar assistant for the summer season, approx 24 hours per semaine, self contained accomodation can be provided.

The 3-minute programme airs on Tuesdays at 10:50 am (French time) and is repeated at regular intervals throughout the week. For readers not already familiar with the TV channel, FRANCE 24 is the first news channel covering international current events from a French perspective and is available on the SKY platform (channel 513) and on FREESAT (channel 205). The website www.france24.com is available in 3 languages (English, French and Arabic). ■

Covering depts: 03, 23, 63, 87 Telephone: 05 87 96 02 44

06 33 19 99 64

Email:-

double-d-23@live.fr

Quality UK brand animal food and bedding available locally in France

05.55.08.40.67 06.35.31.31.32

APRIL 2012 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

16 ♦ LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

SIREN: 453 573 388

Advertise your business here from only €35/month

Letters to

The Editor

The problem with insuring an 'unoccupied' building

he Bugle received an email question from a new reader this month on the subject of insurance when a property is unoccupied for large periods of the year. This can be an issue for many expats who have a property in both France and their home country. Understandably, the person wished to remain anonymous as they were effectively telling the world their house is empty! Here is an excerpt of his question: My reason for writing to you this morning is a little unusual, however I did think that perhaps with your experience of parttime expats like ourselves you

may be able to help me as for the first time I have just been refused buildings and contents insurance for my UK home due to the fact that it will be left continuously unoccupied for more than the 30 days which my insurance broker states is an occupancy clause that insurance companies apply. Can you help me please as I am sure that a lot of your readers must be in the same position and have probably found an insurance company to help them. Before being able to offer a solution, the reader managed to find suitable insurance

through a company called Intasure. However, it is still worth printing his question as a reminder that an expat's situation is often a bit grey, with so many of us splitting our time between countries. Having recently had to make an insurance claim here in France, I have some experience of the clauses written towards the end of a contract in very small writing! I would urge all our readers to check the small print on their insurance policies as the worst time to find out that there is a loophole is at the point at which you need to make a claim!

Caption Competition - April

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

It's the same on Main Henry Morgan Montalvo San Antonio, Texas By Email

Dear Editor

lease allow me to express to you my pleasure at finding your online news and features periodical. I am a reporteranchor (presenter) for a news radio station in San Antonio, Texas and avowed Francophile who, having visited France for the first time in 2004, longs to return for an extended stay and dreams of retirement in the land of liberté', egalité, fraternité. My wife is of French descent and it was her desire to visit the land of her ancestors that led us to the aforementioned visit. While in France (and, subsequently, on into Spain to look up my relatives), we carried on with our usual practice of supporting small businesses to preserve the livelihood and spirit of the independent merchant - which brings me to Christine Moshy's Letter to the Editor "S.O.S. - Save Our Shops" in the March 2012 edition of The Bugle. Sadly, Ms Moshy's observations also reflect the state of what we Americans refer to as “Main Street, USA” which, with few exceptions, now suffers the protracted agony of its own demise. What drew us to France was not merely a connection to history and family, but a desire to experience the charm and simple dignity of your country's small shops, restaurants and bars, the subtle uniqueness of their products,

and the warmth of their proprietors. With a bit of planning, we discovered that we could even avoid “chain” fuel stations in favour of small, independent petrol vendors. As I read Ms Moshy's editorial, I reflected back on dozens of small bistros, boulangeries and bookstores, to say nothing of news agents and night spots, where we happily parted with our Euros, met undoubtedly the nicest people of all of my travels abroad, and felt the most connected. That's not to say that we never tried a meal at a French McDonald's to see if, indeed, it “tastes like home” (it did not), nor entered what passes in France for a Wal-Mart (we were underwhelmed by the similarities to our “Super Centers”). Our suspicions confirmed, we returned to our practice of patronizing small shops where knowledge that we were supporting someone's neighbours was the value-added to our purchases. To be sure, there always will remain those “chic” or “quaint” establishments that survive according to the whims - or mercies - of the affluent, but it will require commitment by all who reside on Your Street or My Street to save Main Street. So I salute Ms Moshy's clarion call...errr make that a Bugle beckon (!)...that redirects our attention to our local, independent merchants who, upon opening their doors to us each day, personify and pride themselves in what author Jack London described as “so simple a remedy, merely service”. With warmest wishes from The Lone Star State,

Henry Morgan Montalvo

Please be aware that the deadline for all submissions for content and advertising is the 15th of the month for the following month’s print edition.

Last Month's Winners WINNER:

"Felt it in my bones that I was one nail short in my coffin! Wondered where it had flown off to!" - Joseph LAMADE HONOURABLE MENTIONS:

Send your entries for this month's Caption Competition to: editor@thebugle.eu Winner receives a modicum of kudos.

"Is this what they call a GRAVE situation?" - Rob Southwell "How much longer will you be? I'm due for my heat treatment in an hour." - John Martin "C’mon Drac, gives me a hand. It’s dark out here, honest!" - George Birt "Why oh why didn't I join the AA??" - Jane Ginham "We always said he'd be late for his own funeral!!!" - Gill Gowen "Ring Bill !!!" - Bill Stott (see pg B3 if this doesn't make sense!)

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ APRIL 2012

COMMUNITY ♦ 17 Creusetec

SPECIAL OFFER - "tooway" satellite broadband from €24.99 per month Creusetec is the supplier and installer of “tooway” satellite broadband at the Moulin Du Breuil We would like to wish Anne, Nick, Rachel and Brett success with their new venture

Tel: Martin - 05.55.66.60.21 Web: http://www.creusetec.com Email: tooway@creusetec.com

BOOK CLUB

For ladies who love to read (and chat!)

Bugle Notice Board RESTAURANT

AUX CEPES La Veytizou

Saturday 14th April OPEN MIC NIGHT

BELLAC AND SURROUNDING AREA Get in touch if you would like to join in with a new book discussion group or for more details: bellacbookclub@gmail.com

8pm Start - Bar Snacks from €3 to €10

JJ’s Café Bar

Auberge du Golf

Aigurande

Saturday 28th April - An evening of Blues and more with Steve and Greta Curtis

Yes the Big Guy and his Lovely Lady are back !!!! And they have an evening of magnificent musicality lined up for you to enjoy and to get down and Boogey (if applicable!) There will be a meal of Chinese aromatic braised beef (not spicy) and dessert for €12 per head. Also please break open your piggy bank as we are collecting for SPANA - an international organisation in aid of working animal welfare. Early reservations advisable but optional.

Music Club

2nd Sat of every month. 8.30 pm. Next event: 14th April 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. You can also buy fish and chips from the van in the market square (from 6.30 - 8.30) and eat them in the comfort of JJ's. The club starts from 8:30, but we are open for all those who want to come earlier to eat. In fact we hardly ever shut !!!! JJ's Cafe Bar, 39 Place du Champ de Foire, 36140 Aigurande

Tel: 02 54 06 30 77

www.frenchweb.eu/jjscafebar/ Email: cafebarjj@yahoo.co.uk

Les Papillons Oradour-sur-Vayres Sunday April 22nd

Vide-Greniers and Les Papillons/La Galérie Gabriel Spring Fair & Book Swap Jackie: 05 44 00 03 24

tel: 05 55 81 31 85 email: artdejardin@gmail.com www.atelierdartdujardin.net

Saturday 28th April Italian Night Reservation Only

For more information Tel: 05 55 69 33 38 Bar & Restaurant - Gouzon Easter Sunday 8th April Lunch 3 Courses 15€ (wine not included) Lamb Shank or Confit Duck Resevation only (Limited Spaces) Plat du Jour 12.50€ Mon-Fri - 3 Courses & 1/4 l wine per person Sat - Plat du Jour, not including wine Sunday Lunch 12.50€ - 3 Courses In April Fish & Chips Days or Moules Frites Fri 13th 12-3pm 12.50€ for 3 Courses incl. 1/4 l wine per person Reservation only

Please Note: We are closed from 2.30pm on

Le Moulin du Breuil 23140 PIONNAT

The bar and restaurant is now open

(Closed Monday evening and all day Tuesday) Come and visit us and relax alongside the River Creuse. We will be offering a special Easter menu on Sunday 8th April and an Easter egg hunt for the children starting at 11.30am Rachel, Brett, Anne and Nick look forward to welcoming you. Tel: 05 55 80 37 70 Mail: lemoulindubreuil@gmail.com Web: www.lemoulindubreuil.com

Au Bon Vivre, Parnac Fish and chips every Tue evening, just €7.50 NEW €8 Menu - starter + plat du jour OR plat du jour + dessert Tel: 02 54 24 83 31 aubonvivrerestaurant@hotmail.com

The Exchange Rochechouart

The Exchange Book and Gift Shop will be closed from Sunday 22nd April reopening on Thursday 3rd May at 9 am Call Phil and Jane: 06 62 84 16 14 or 05 55 78 19 24 www.theexchangerochechouart.com

Godson Travaux Publics We are now local agents for Klargester BioDisc® Micro-Stations For more information call Chris Godson: 05 55 62 61 12 / 06 33 78 24 23 www.pilgrim23.com

L'Escale

Restaurant & Bar

Wednesday and all day Thursday) Tel: 05 55 61 99 14 Email: aubergedugolf@orange.fr

5 Rue Andre Jouhannaud, Compreignac

The Corner Shop

Every Saturday Night is Steak Night 2 Rumpsteaks & Bottle of Wine 19,50€

It is with regret that I have to inform you all that The Corner Shop will be closing at the end of May. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of our customers for their support over the last 4 years and offer an explanation for why I have decided to close the shop. As you are all no doubt aware, the cost of diesel has risen by over 50% since we started trading in spring 2008 making the cost of ferry tickets rise by about the same amount. This coupled with the large number of couriers offering to bring supermarket orders here reducing the number of customers that we see each week, it is no longer cost effective to stay open as we have overheads to meet running the shop and cotisations to pay on all the products that we sell. This does not affect the running of the The Orchard kennels and cattery and I would like to advise any customers looking for places during the school summer holidays to please book as early as you can.

Daily Plat du Jour from €9 2-course Sunday Lunch from €10

Now Taking Reservations for Easter Sunday Lunch, 8th April, 2012 4-course lunch 15€ (Children 3 – 11 years 10€) Bar/Restaurant Open Good Friday and Easter Monday. Weekly Quiz Every Friday 5 Euros – to include a hot meal. Prize for the Winner. See Business Directory for more information and opening hours Tel: 05 55 12 99 45 email: L_escale@yahoo.fr Or see us on Facebook for further details.

Daniel welcomes you at

Le Pub

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

Easter Saturday night - 7th April

Dave Grant

Entertainment: the group 'Hold On' will be playing live at the bar

Le Bellerive

2 entrecotes (env.225g) and chips for only €20 (booking necessary)

29 Ave de la Tour, 87470 Peyrat-le-Château

Hotel – Restaurant – Café-Bar

Under new management Opening 28th April 2012

See website for more details www.lebellerive.net Further information: bonjour@lebellerive.net

Thursday Night PROMO

Sunday Roast + Pudding (just €10!!) is booming and customers must reserve in advance to avoid disappointment

Jubilee weekend - 1 to 3 June

We will be having a party all weekend full details to follow in next month's edition.

02 54 60 02 14 le-pub@orange.fr

APRIL 2012 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

18 ♦ COMMUNITY

CLUBS, CHARITIES & ASSOCIATIONS

Church Notices 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 5pm on the 2nd Sunday of each month at the Eglise Evangélique, 9b Place Bonnyaud, Guéret, 23000. Next meeting on Sunday 8th April, Easter Sunday. 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 or email: scott.james@neuf.fr English-speaking church services Limoges @ 2pm, 4th Sunday each month. 126 Rue Armand Dutreix, 87100 Limoges. Contact Pat Reid Tel: 05 55 84 00 64 Email clanreid@googlemail.com Interested in Alpha? An opportunity for those who don't regularly attend church to explore the Christian faith. More than 17 million people worldwide have done this course. In English @ L'Eglise Baptiste Evangélique, Limoges (contact details as above). 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. 05 55 71 09 04

Fitness & Fun SALSA! SALSA! SALSA! Learn to dance! Join the "Salsa Crazy". Every Monday, 7pm-8.30pm (Absolute Beginners) & every Thursday, 7pm-8.30pm (Improvers). 4 euros per person, 7 euros per couple. No partner required. Any age welcome. Free soft drink included. Come and join in the fun get fit for 2012 at St-Priest-la-Feuille community hall. Coming soon: "The Sizzling Summer Salsa Ball" - watch this space for future details. NEW for this year. Why not try bachata or merengue? Private lessons also available. For more info contact Ellie on 05 55 63 86 05 / email elena.hampson@ hotmail.co.uk 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 Classes coming soon to Felletin on Fridays. Chinese Gym & Karate Mondays & Thursdays 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 in La Châtre (Thu 18.15-19.45). The first two lessons are free, the subscriptions are 36 euros per month, and folks 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. Learn how to jive at Lussac-les-Eglises in an exciting, fun, friendly group that meet every Mon at 8pm, at the Salle Polyvalente, Lussac-les-Eglises. Everyone welcome whether you’re on your own or part of a couple, young or young at heart. This is a great way to keep fit, have some good laughs and meet new people. For more info contact Alwyn on 05.55.60.27.05 or Hank on 05.55.68.42.09. See you there! Gym Bien-être Would you enjoy an afternoon of gentle exercise with a cheerful, light-hearted group? Each week we exercise a different group of muscles, do a little country dancing & some floor exercise and laugh a lot .The aim of the activities is to increase suppleness and mental agility. We meet every Tuesday afternoon upstairs at the Capitole in Rochechouart between 2.00 and 3.30 pm. It isn’t necessary to speak French because you can copy but you will learn some. Come for 2 weeks’ free trial. For details contact: pauline.maskell@sfr.fr Secretary Gym Bien-être. Learn to Meditate Learn to meditate and meet other like-minded people. Simple mindfulness technique. Dechen Choling, Le Mas Marvent, St-Yrieix-sous-Aixe, 87700. Also, ongoing regular group meetings and events. Contact tel Christina 05 55 03 82 01 www.dechencholing.org.

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-lesFeuilles

WEDNESDAY

Ahun Bourganeuf Chambon-sur-Voueize Cognac-la-Forêt Clugnat Le Dorat Isle Limoges (pont St Martial) 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-lesChamps 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-surVienne(15h-18h30)

SATURDAY

Aixe-sur-Vienne

Aubusson Bellac Bonnat Bussière-Poitevine Châteauponsac Condat-sur-Vienne Eymoutiers Feytiat Flavignac Guéret La Jonchère-SaintMaurice 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) Panazol Peyrat-le-Château Saint-Paul St-Sulpice-le-Guéretois (3rd Sun) Saint-Vaury (2nd Sun) Veyrac (2nd Sun)

Gardening Les petits jardiniers du Limousin Http://jardiniers-du-limousin.webs.com Do you love gardening or are you keen to learn more about it? Then why not come along and join Les Petits Jardiniers? We’re a friendly group of English, French and Dutch residents and normally meet on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 2.30pm in the salle de fêtes in St-Amand-le-Petit, between Peyrat-le-Château and Eymoutiers. Our meetings are held mostly in English and we have guest speakers, organise garden visits and swap plants and seeds. You can take out an annual membership of 15 euros per person or 20 euros per couple or pay as you go for 3 euros per meeting. Agenda for 2012: 16th April Private visit to Garden Centre & talk by Proprietor; 17th May Drought resistant planting & water conservation; 21st June Guided Tour of Private Garden; 19th July Growing Herbs for culinary/medicinal use; 16th August Annual BBQ; 20th September Plants for free – splitting perennials; 18th October AGM plus ‘All about apples’; 15th November Gardeners Question Time; 6th December Natural Christmas Decorations & party. If you would like to receive more information about our association or be put on our mailing list for our quarterly newsletter or monthly agenda then please contact Carolyn at Carolyn@cnlees.eu or Gill at gillinfrance@orange.fr Club Liseron – Gardening Club meets on the second Monday 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. More info contact Michelle Pierce on 05 45 89 36 54 or at unjardinenfrance@gmail.com

Aux Plantes etc We are a new 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. We are working on our website (www.auxplantesetc.jimdo.com) and a common plant list but for now contact us via: Michelle Pierce 05 45 89 36 54 Integration Faceaface is an association founded to facilitate and encourage interaction between all members of the local community. As our first venture we have created a library. Where? In the Mairie of St Priest which is just off the D4 between Mainsat and Chenerailles. When? The first and third Mon afternoon in every month between 2-5pm. To join all you have to do is donate six books and pay €5 per person or €8 per household. If you would like more information please contact us at: faceaface23@ gmail.com or just come by and see us. Everyone is welcome! Learning Together – Apprenons Ensemble Our main aim is to foster understanding and good relations amongst the local French-speaking and English-speaking populations. To this end we are offering courses of tuition in English and in French, and organising social and cultural events and visits. Language Classes (take place at the Maison des Associations, Rochechouart) Beginners and intermediate classes - Monday am; French/English conversation – Tuesday am; Advanced and children’s classes – Wednesday am. Games Night (Rochechouart) 1st Thursday; Games Night (St Junien) 2nd Thursday; Lunch Club – Last Thursday. For your calendar: Quiz Night – Thurs 12th Apr. 8pm. New Station – Adjacent to Bibliotheque, near Carrefour Mkt, Rochechuart. Teams of 4 but teams can be made up on the night. Open to non-members. Questions will be in English and French. Entry free, bring your own refreshments. Register your interest with Mike Ellingham on 05 55 03 27 67; Race Night – Sat 19th May; Picnic & All American Hoedown Sun 17th Jun. For more details visit www.learningtogether.me or contact Mike or Christine ELLINGHAM 05 55 03 27 67 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 each week 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: info@meltingpot-limousin.com We look forward to seeing you!

MONTHLY FOIRES BY DATE

Aixe-sur-Vienne: 1st Fri Ambazac: 1st Wed Auzances: 2nd Tue Bourganeuf: 1st & 3rd Wed Boussac: 1st & 3rd Thu Bujaleuf: Last Mona Châlus: 2nd Thu Châteauneuf-la-Forêt: 2nd Sun Cognac-la-Forêt: 1st Tue Cussac: 4th Sun Domps: 2nd Tue Dun-le-Palestel: 1st Thu Evaux-les-Bains: 1st Mon Eymoutiers: 1st & 3rd Thu Feytiat: 1st Sat La Souterraine 2nd & 4th Sat Magnac-Bourg: 2nd Sat Meuzac: 4th Mon Mézières-sur-Issoire: 2nd & 4th Mon Nexon: 3rd Fri Oradour-sur-Vayres: 3rd Thu Peyrat-le-Château: 3rd Mon Peyrilhac: 3rd Sun Pierre-Buffière: 1st Fri Royère-de-Vassivière: 2nd Tue Saint-Germain-les-Belles: last Sat Saint-Jouvent: 1st Sun Saint-Junien: 3rd Sat Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat: 1st Mon Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche: 2nd & 4th Fri Sauviat-sur-Vige: 2nd Mon Veyrac: 2nd Sun

BY DAY

1 (day before if public holiday): Bellac 3: Bellegarde-en-Marche 3: Châteauponsac 5: Bussière-Poitevine 5: Chénérailles 6: Bussière-Boffy 8: Compreignac 9: Saint-Sulpice-Laurière 11 (Sat if 11 is a Sun): Bessines-surGartempe 13 (Sat if 13 is a Sun): Le Dorat 15: Oradour-sur-Glane 17: Mortemart 18: La Croisille-sur-Briance; La Jonchère-Saint-Maurice 20: Chénérailles 21: Ambazac; Saint-Sulpice-lesFeuilles 22 (Mon if 22 is a Sun): MagnacLaval 23: Razès; St Laurent sur Gorre 24: Nantiat 25: Blond - St Paul 26: Nouic; Rochechouart 28: Cieux 29: Laurière

All Markets & Foires are in the morning unless stated otherwise. If your local market is not listed, please let us know - editor@thebugle.eu

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. charente-limousine-exchange.com or contact the Chairman, Barry Leech, on 06 35 96 77 46. Libraries & Books Sale of Secondhand Books, La Croisille-sur-Briance On the 18th of every month, during the monthly market at La Croisille-sur-Briance (87130), there is a sale of secondhand books (both English and French) from 9am to 12 noon, at the church. All proceeds towards the restoration of the church. St Jean English Library, La Souterraine The La Souterraine Library and Information Centre – the friendly library – is now firmly installed in a beautiful medieval building at the Porte de Puy Charraud, Route de Portail, La Souterraine. The library has over 5,000 books, DVDs and other items, as well as its café, Caxtons, which serves English cakes. The Library also provides French lessons and organises Anglo-French conversation groups. The Information Centre provides support and assistance with bureaucratic, family and legal problems to British residents and new arrivals. The library is open from 9.30 -12.30 on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Contact Rodney Sabine on 05 55 63 03 87 or at stjeanbiblio@yahoo.com. Our website is www.frenchweb.eu/biblio The English Library, Dun-le-Palestel Located in the Route des Rateries, just behind the Biblithèque Municipale, you will find the Anglophone Library, which offers a wide variety of reading material, DVDs, talking books and videos. It is also a meeting point and arranges a host of activities including: Café Franglais; Club Scrabble; Café Philo; Sewing Group; Art Group. Library opening hours: Thu 10am – 4pm & Sat 10am – 12.30pm. For details of activities or general information, go to www.ententecordiale-creuse.org or email library@ententecordialecreuse.org. We look forward to seeing you there soon. Music Club de Musique Takes place on the last Friday of each month from 8pm at La Grange, Chassignolles (5mins from La Châtre) Open to all musicians, singers, groups and audience. PA and drum kit available. Bring your instrument, mic and join in a great French / English musical and social evening. Bar, hot and cold snacks. Meals available if reserved – see website for contact details of La Grange. For more info email: geoff@clubdemusique.fr http://www.clubdemusique. fr Club de Musique , Le Vieux Soldat, 7 rue de La Fontaine, 87250 Fromental If you like music and have ever fancied getting up and having a go, please come and join in. This monthly evening (first Friday in every month @ 8pm) is designed mainly for amateurs who would like to play or sing or just to meet some like-minded people with similar interests. There is no age limit. So if it be guitar, violin, spoons, triangle etc (get the gist?) or maybe you might like to read a poem, then please come and see what it's about, dust down that instrument and bring it along. jacqueline.grant@sfr.fr 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 Amateur open mic night @ Vautredeix (Just outside Gouzon, next to Saint-Sylvain-sous-Toulx). Poets, musicians, whatever you may be.... Everyone welcome to perform or just enjoy the company. Every Friday night 7pm onwards. Free. Bring a bottle. For more info contact stonryop269@hotmail. com Support Alcoholics Anonymous If you or someone you know has a drinking problem, there is now an English-speaking meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous at 2 Avenue Pierre Traversat, Limoges. Thu 7.30pm-9.00pm. 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. Contact tel Roger 05 55 76 22 65 or Nancy 02 54 24 09 74 or visit www.aafrancesudouest.com Cancer Support France, Creuse branch If you or anyone close to you has been diagnosed with cancer and would like help or support, we are here for you. If you need someone to talk to we have a helpline available and if we are not there we will call you back within 24 hours. Our helpline number is 06 06 47 18 60. If you would like to get involved with the work of CSF Creuse (perhaps you have some free time and can help to organise and run fundraising events) please get in touch with Mike Walsh on 09 50 49 33 04. 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. Drop-in Service at the Maison des Usagers (MDU) at Limoges CHU Held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 9.30 – 12.30. There will be 2 trained Active Listeners available to you if you have been affected by cancer in some way and have questions or need information about CSF Charente Plus and the service we provide. We are entering into a contract with Limoges hospital which is very thorough on their part. They do not take it lightly, allowing associations onto their premises, so be assured the service is confidential and that we are fulfilling the requirements of the hospital. The hospital informs all departments of our existence, it informs other associations and those in the community of the service we provide, so this is another way of promoting our services and getting to those who may need us. If you need any more information, please get in touch via csf.charenteplus@gmail.com

Please be aware that the deadline for all content submissionis the 15th of the month for the following month’s print edition.

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ APRIL 2012

WHAT’S ON ♦ 19

PRESS RELEASE

Cancer Support France Haute-Vienne Our newly formed Association for the Haute-Vienne is truly up and running. We are slowly getting our publicity out to Englishspeaking associations, and to doctors and clinics. We have now a number of Active Listeners trained and more to be trained over the next two months. We have a presence at the Maison des Usagers at CHU Hospital in Limoges on the second Tuesday morning of the month from 9.30 until 12.30 where you can meet an Active Listener to chat to in confidence or get information. We shall be there on 11th April with an Active Listener from Charente Plus. We are also organising a number of fund-raising events which we hope will raise the awareness of the Association. These include Bangers and Mash – give us your cash at Petite Verneuil, 87360 Verneuil Moustiers on Saturday 21st April (see page 20 for more info). We are hoping to find members both active and supportive over towards the east of the department with a view to spreading the word and identifying English-speaking communities and health care facilities east of Limoges. If you would be interested in hearing more about the Association or receiving our literature please phone either Sue Ware 05 55 00 31 15 or Karen Blewett 05 55 68 64 43. We look forward to hearing from you.

Tue 1st May LE GRAND BOURG The return of the 'Miroir du Temps'

After a year off because of the scaffolding around the church in Grand Bourg the 'Miroir du temps' returns in a slightly different format. It will take place on Tuesday May 1st during the afternoon between 3:00pm and 6:30pm. There will be 9 tableaux dotted around the square with the theme being village life after the Second World War up until 1958. They will be depicted by a marriage ceremony - masons working - a commeration ceremony - a card game outside a cafe - a 'guinguette' open-air dance - children playing - a priest and parishioners after mass - a postman - the end of a cycle race. A text will be read to explain the tableau while music is playing. This year there will be mannequins interspersed in each tableau, dressed in appropriate costume which will be left out all summer for an extra appeal for tourists and locals alike. There will also be something completely different going on during this exhibition of village life but that will be left as a surpise for those who come along! Entry: 5 euros for adults and lesser charges for children, etc.

Sat 5th May CAMPSEGRET – DORDOGNE THE PHOENIX BOOK SALE

An afternoon/evening celebration of British traditions organised by the Association Culturelle, Sportive et de Loisirs de St-Pardoux-Morterolles. The event begins at 2pm at the Mairie/Salle Polyvalente in St-Pardoux and is FREE. In the afternoon we have a range of activites from an egg painting competition for young French and English to traditional British games - cricket, Aunt Sally, Welly Wanging, egg rolling, darts etc - an exhibition about British patron saints/the Queen, tasting of some traditional British foods and English Country Dancing. At 6pm the fish and chip van will be available for food to those who've prebooked and we will be entertained by the Country Dancers and a Folk ensemble until around 8.30pm. For more information contact Peter Edmondson tel 05.55.64.14.86

Mon 30th Apr GOUZOUGNAT Fête de la bière More than 50 different beers. Salle communale. 20h-3h. Contact: Tel 05.55.81.76.20.

The club is a part of the 'Fédération Française de la Retraite Sportive' and a small annual fee is paid for membership. There are a couple of other Brits who are members of the club, the rest are locals. Nearly all are women, although there are some men who join the walks.

•

The Phoenix Book Sale, the biggest Anglo-French charity event in the south of France, will once again be held on Saturday May 5th. Over 15,000 well sorted English books, CDs, DVDs, refreshments and home-made cakes up for grabs for only one Euro each. It'll be money well spent; all proceeds will be used by the Phoenix Association to rescue, foster and re-home dogs, cats, horses and in fact all animals in dire need. So have fun, do good and grab a bargain between 10.00 am and 3.00 pm in the Salle Municipale, Campsegret - on the RN 21 between Périgueux and Bergerac. www.phoenixasso.com

€1,000 for Guide Dogs’ School

Sun 22nd Apr MORTEMART Garden Fair

Fête des Plantes organised by garden lovers association "Découverte du Patrimoine Paysager et Botanique" of Limoges. 35 exhibitors of plants, trees, roses, etc... We also have 3 English exhibitors, specialising in perennials and vegetables. Mortemart is one of the most beautiful villages in France and the Garden Fair will be held in and around the medieval castle. 9h-19h at the Château des Ducs. Entry - 3 euros.

Gym is a delight – a cheerful hour of fun and laughter! We all take part in the exercises, depending on our ages and levels of ability (some members are aged over 80 and sit out the floor work). The atmosphere is welcoming and relaxed. As well as the weekly exercise classes, there are fortnightly dance sessions and monthly walks (well behaved dogs welcome) through the local countryside. We will end our summer session with a trip to the Thermal Spa at Evaux-les-Bains, a day of pampering and luxury. Not only am I enjoying the company of a fine group of people, I am also improving my fitness!

• •

Sat 21st Apr MARVAL THE DIVA AND THE CLOWN

Sat 21st Apr SAINT-PARDOUXMORTEROLLES British Traditions Event

A few months after becoming an official resident of St-Sébastien in northern Creuse, I asked our Maire how I could meet and mix with some local people. He suggested going to the Bibliothèque and talking to the volunteers there, several of whom spoke some English and would help me to chat in French. This was an excellent start, with friendly and patient women who seemed happy to correct my mispronunciations and extend my vocabulary. Through these conversations I was invited to come to the weekly 'Gym' class, held on a Tuesday morning.

The Fédération Française de la Retraite Sportive is represented by 60 regional committees, bringing together 440 local clubs. It is intended for people of over 50 years of age. Their primary aims are:

Sue Ware President CSF Haute-Vienne

Musical spectacle for all the family at 20h30 at the church in Marval 87440: Cécile Leleux Mezzo-soprano Paolo Del Vecchio chant Pianist Del Vecchio ENTRY 10 EUROS (Children under 12 free)

La Retraite Sportive

Thanks to a Marché de Noël held by the Charente Limousine Exchange (CLE), a cheque for 1,000 euros has been presented to l‘Ecole Limousine des Chiens Guides d’Aveugles in Landouge. Jean-Pierre Lémann, President of the School, accepted the cheque and welcomed representatives of the British association and its President, Barry Leech. CLE exists to help British people settle in the region through affordable language lessons, social activities and seminars and forums covering different aspects of French administration. The link between the Ecole and CLE was forged when Etoile, a black Labrador, was donated to Christine Thomas, a British retiree, who lives in Oradour-sur-Vayres. Christine will be holding her second own fund-raising summer garden party at her home in Oradour on 24th June 2012.

To protect the health of each of their members To provide opportunities to practise many physical sports at affordable cost To train volunteer leaders to ensure safe and accessible practice

Joining our Retraite Sportive is one of the best moves I have made since emigrating to France. I would strongly recommend others to find out where and when their local group meets. Contacts for St-Sébastien Club: Ginette Bleuzen, 05 55 63 46 98 or Annie Bourgoin, 05 55 63 08 48. Ginette and Annie are leaders at the Club and they both speak good English.

Maggie Everton

APRIL 2012 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

20 ♦ WHAT’S ON

EVENTS ACROSS THE REGION THIS APRIL Fri 30th Mar GUÉRET Irish Celtic

With its precise choreography, explosive tap, catchy music & colourful costumes, this show will transport you to the heart of Ireland. On stage, the talented dancers of the legendary Irish show Riverdance, Celtic Tiger and Lord of the Dance who have chosen to put their experience to a unique performance: Irish Celtic. Choreographed by Denise Flynn and Jim Murrihy & accompanied by the best Irish musicians - listen out for the sublime melodies heard in Titanic, Braveheart, The Last of the Mohicans and other traditional music. Espace André Lejeune. 15h & 20h30. Tickets €38 via Gueret tourist office (05 55 52 14 29) or online at www.fnac.com or www.ticketnet.fr or www.francebillet.com

Fri 30th Mar to Sun 1st Apr LIMOGES Limoges Salsa Carnival

For this year's Limoges Salsa Carnival, the EnDanse association is launching a new formula with two evenings at the John Lennon Municipal Cultural Centre. The programme is composed of an opening night with shows on the Friday evening, two days of courses, with the customary traditional costume party and concert. Centre Culturel Municipal John-Lennon, rue de Feytiat, 87000 Limoges Tel: 05 55 06 24 83 For more info visit http://www.carnaval-salsa. com/

Sun 1st Apr JARNAGES Marché de la Saint-Cochon Themed market: the mighty pig. 7h-13h. Place de l'église.

Sun 1st Apr TOULX SAINTE CROIX Medieval Event

The Middle Ages and the wolves come to the Pierres Jaumâtres. Guided walk evoking the legends of the site; stands & entertainment on a medieval theme. From 15h. For more information contact: Stéphane tel 05 55 65 89 71

Sat 7th Apr NOUZERINES Dernier bistrot avant la Creuse

"Spectacle Chansonniers" with Yves Desautard, Christophe Dupuis & Jean-François Julien. Salle des Fêtes. 20h30. Reservation strongly recommended via Boussac tourist office. Tickets 10€. For more info tel 05 55 65 05 95.

Sat 7th Apr SAINT-GEORGESLES-LANDES Bourbon Street Folk and Blues Concert

Cazalibus is pleased to announce a Folk and Blues concert to be held in Saint Georges les Landes on April 7th at 8:30 pm with the

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Bourbon Street Band. Bourbon Street, an acoustic duo, has performed 800 concerts throughout the world and produced five albums. This band features Cyril Menet on acoustic, electric slide and dobro guitars and Eric "Catfish Slim" Vacherat on acoustic guitar and lead vocals. Both have played in many open formations and have shared moments on stage with Little Jimmy Reed, Teenie Tucker, Michael Burks, Little Charlie Baty, Sugar Ray Norcia & The Bluetones, Monster Mike Welsh, Benoit Blue Boy, Steve & Patrick Verbeke, Guitar Ray, JJ Milteau, Eddie Martin ... The Bourbon Street repertoire is inspired by Delta Blues music and Blues legends such as Robert Johnson, Charley Patton, and of their heirs John Hammond, Ry Cooder, Corey Harris, John Mooney... Providing a wonderful atmosphere and infusing a mixture of Soul, Gospel and Folk-Blues, Bourbon Street has a traditional American style with a subtle contemporary empathy, which mesmerises their audiences. The Bantard Salle des Fêtes can be easily accessed from A20 motorway: Take exit 22 and drive through St-Sulpice-les-Feuilles. In Mailhac, turn right on the D912, cross StGeorges-les-Landes and continue for 1 km. Plenty of beer and champagne will be available. Combined with world-class music, a splendid time is guaranteed for all. Ticket price: €6. Reduced price for 18 - 25s: € 3. Early bookings by phone (05 55 76 70 15) or by e-mail (cazalibus@orange.fr) Payment by post: Cazalibus - 14 place de la Fontaine - 87160 Les Grands-Chézeaux

Sun 8th Apr SAINT-JUNIEN Easter Egg Hunt

Children & their parents are invited on an Easter Egg hunt at the Site Corot. The hunt will be an opportunity to learn about the flowers in bloom at the Site Corot. 4 hunts organised at 10h, 11h, 15h & 16h. Participation is free although there are limited places so please reserve via the St-Junien tourist office tel 05 55 02 17 93 / email saintjunien.tourisme@wanadoo.fr

Mon 9th Apr GUÉRET Giant Easter Egg Hunt

Egg hunt (for under 12s) at the Giant Labyrinth. 14h - 20h (last entry 18h30) - Labyrinthe Géant de Guéret. Price 4-11 yrs: 4.50 €. Price over 12s: 6.50 €. Contact: Tel 05.55.41.01.97.

Sun 15th Apr MAISONNISSES 17ème Foire aux Fromages Annual cheese fair. From 9h. Contact: Tel 06 77 52 16 17

Sat 21st Apr LUSSAC-LES-EGLISES Fund raiser for Cancer Support France Haute-Vienne

Sausage and Mash - give us your cash (ingredients donated by Fish et Frites) & Apple Pie with Custard - traditional cooking by English chef. 7 euros per person. Bar 'Petit Verneuil', 87390 Verneuil Moustiers (nr Lussac-les-Eglises) at 7.30pm. Contact Karen 05 55 68 64 43 for bookings. Please book early to avoid disappointment. Limited seating.

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