The Bugle - February 2013 by The Bugle

Did the French really invent the French fry?

Both the French and the Belgians have laid a claim to be the first people to dip a chipped potato into hot fat, but who really did invent the French fry? >> Page 10

February 2013 Issue #40

EU driving licences introduced

INSIDE > > > NEWS - Care home scandals

Two recent cases of elderly patients being thrown out of their retirement homes have highlighted the issue of the cost of care >> Page 5

♦ New chipped cards replace the current 'pink paper' licences ♦ All current licences will remain valid until January 2033 if not changed before ♦ Move aims to reduce driving licence fraud

first cards will not be issued in France until 16th September 2013. Temporary paper licences will be issued in the interim. When plans for the new Europewide licence were first announced in 2006, Belgian MEP Mathieu Grosch highlighted at the time that some licences currently in use were so old that they had been issued by states that no longer exist, such as the former East Germany. The new cards contain a chip that holds information on the card as well as additional data, which the International Automobile Federation (FIA) says is a key step towards making cross-border travel easier and the counterfeiting of driving licences harder.

>> continued on page 7

A recent case in the Dordogne has re-ignited the debate on how expats are accepted by local communities >> Page 3

BILINGUAL - French turn to British cheese

rom 19th January 2013, a new Europewide driving licence has been introduced, replacing the 'pink paper' licences previously issued in France. The plastic, credit card-sized permit will replace the roughly 100 different types currently in the wallets of the 300 million registered drivers in Europe's 27 member states. Existing licences are not affected, but will be changed to the new format at the time of renewal. All licences will have to be replaced by the electronic version by January 2033 at the latest. Although the new cards are now in operation Europe-wide, following technical issues the

NEWS - Xenophobia in the Dordogne?

As British cheeses develop stronger flavours, it seems the French are developing a taste >> Page 13

Deaths on the region's roads up in 2012 - more speed cameras are installed to combat the problem >> Page 4

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

FEBRUARY 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

2 ♦ IN THIS EDITION

Welcome to

The Bugle

ell, February is finally upon us. January is always a difficult month; the fun bits of winter are behind you and summer seems such a long way away - it is the Monday of months. Every winter the press rolls out the story about the first Monday after the New Year being the “most depressing day in the year”. I'm not sure about that, the most depressing day of the year for me usually comes a few months later when England's rugby team fail to win the Six Nations yet again! But now it is February, the shortest month of the year. It will surely fly by and then we'll be knocking on the door of spring. My birthday is early in March, which can usually go either way. I distinctly remember in my teens that on successive birthdays I got sunburnt one year and had a snowball fight the next!! Still, winter can be beautiful, too, especially up in the hills near me on clear sunny days. It has been a bit alarming in recent days to read about David Cameron's promise to hold an in/out referendum on Europe. OK, so it wouldn't be for a good few years yet, and then only

if the Conservatives win the general election, and the population may well vote to stay in... but it has had me thinking about the consequences for us expats. Would we all suddenly need visas and/or work permits? Would the double-taxation agreements between France and Britain still hold? Would UK driving licences still be valid? I'm sure that the answers to these questions would be no, yes and yes, but it gets you thinking as to what an exit from the EU would mean for Brits abroad. Personally, I am pro-Europe. I'm not an economist and I don't know what being in or out of the EU means for Big Business and the wider British economy. It just seems to me that Britain is so small that it is going to be hard to compete with the growing economies of India, China and to a lesser extent Brazil as well as the Eurozone. Sure, things are bad right now and why should we have to pay to bail out Greece etc. etc., but I do believe that long term, we would be better off in than out. I think that Euro-scepticism in the UK is a result of our being an island. We do have an island mentality that

sets us apart from the rest of Europe. I just hope that this mentality doesn't lead us to believe that we are in some way 'better' than the rest of Europe. Mainland Europe has plenty of problems, but hey, just watch an episode of Jeremy Kyle - things are pretty screwed up on the other side of the Channel as well! I laughed when I read what Laurent Fabius had said after Cameron's speech on the EU referendum. In a clear dig at Dave's comments that he would welcome France's rich who wanted to avoid paying 75% tax, the French foreign minister said that “If the UK decides to leave the EU, we will roll out the red carpet to businessmen”. We have run a piece this month about a British couple in the Dordogne who appear to have been targeted by a group of locals. They have been subjected to a prolonged campaign of vandalism that seems to primarily involve damage to their vehicles. The story that has been created around it is over whether they have been targeted because they are 'foreign' and whether this is common. I feel for this family; life must be very hard when you are being bullied, but I do not think that the French are institutionally xenophobic towards the British. Unfortunately, you get idiots the world over, France included, and idiots will do idiotic things. I have heard many stories of people being hounded from their homes in the UK by unpleasant

neighbours. The Dordogne family may well have initially been targeted because they are 'different', but I think this could just as easily have happened anywhere in the world. I trawled through all the comments that had been written on the Sud Ouest website on this subject and overwhelmingly people were proBrit. Certainly, my experience and that of the vast majority of people that I speak to, is that if you are open and honest and make a small amount of effort to get to know your neighbours, you will be warmly welcomed. It is unfortunate to read stories like this, but I am fortunate enough to read very few. Until next month! Steve Martindale Editor

INSIDE this edition

1 & 3-5 Local News 6-9 National News 10-12 French Life 13 Bilingual 14-15 Classifieds 16 Games 17 Community 18 Clubs & Associations 19 What's On & Letters 20 What's On B1-B8 Business Directory

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www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ FEBRUARY 2013

LOCAL NEWS ♦ 3

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Xenophobia in the Dordogne...?

he case of a Dordogne couple, James and Karen Gunn, has again raised the question of how an expatriate community can best integrate into its host country and how that community feels about foreign residents. Although for the vast majority of people the locals in this part of France are friendly and welcoming, it is true that not everyone is always keen to have 'outsiders' living in 'their' village. The Gunn family - James, Karen and their five children - left Middlesbrough to buy a house in the Dordogne village of Saint-Rabier seven years ago. An estimated 10,000 Brits live permanently in the Dordogne, with some putting the number as high as 40,000 in the summer months when second home owners are taken into account. But for this family, “Dordogneshire”, as it has been dubbed, has not turned out to be the idyllic lifestyle often associated with that popular part of France. On two occasions, soon after the Gunns' arrival, the windows of their British-registered car were smashed and their children found it hard to settle in local schools. Their problems took a turn for the worse when in May last year the tyres were slashed on their car and also on

the two vans used by Mr Gunn for his plumbing and electricity business. Later in the year, the windscreen wipers on all three of their vehicles were broken and just last month, the tyres on the car and one of the vans were slashed yet again. Mr Gunn's van has also recently been covered in mayonnaise and daubed with paint. James Gunn admitted that he does not speak very good French, something which does greatly help integration into a local community. “I started working straight away and I haven't had time to take French lessons,” he was quoted as say-

ing. In all, the damage has so far cost €3,000, and according to Mr Gunn is the result of “antiEnglish racism”. The Gunns say that they are considering moving back to the UK as a result of the campaign of vandalism against them. The case, first reported in the local Sud Ouest newspaper, was picked up by the British press and has since been widely reported. The Bugle has even been contacted about it, in one case by a couple planing to move to France in the near future, who wanted to know if this kind of attitude is common (in our expe-

rience, it is extremely rare). Claude Delpy, the Mayor of Saint-Rabier, was not convinced that the problems were a simple case of anti-British sentiment, but rather could be the result of a neighbourhood row. “We don't know who's doing this. It's a real problem,” he told Sud Ouest. Another “foreigner” in the neighbourhood is Yilmaz Sutyemez, a Frenchman of Turkish origin whose testimony appears to back up a degree of xenophobia in an area where Marine le Pen's Front National party polled well in last year's presidential election. “My wife wears a veil and since living here you

can feel the way people look at you,” he said. “One time, my windscreen wipers were broken and the paintwork of my car scratched.” The story attracted much feedback on the Sud Ouest website, and although some of the comments were negative, the overwhelming majority appeared to support the Gunns and the expatriate population in general. ■

Pensioner sentenced for homegrown cannabis A Limousin man has appeared before the courts, charged with cultivating cannabis at his home in Fransèches. The pensioner, who was not named in the media, had his 40 marijuana plants removed by police following a raid on his house. The man had claimed in writing, to President François Hollande amongst others, that his stash was cultivated for his own personal use and was purely for medicinal purposes. However, the public prosecutor reminded the amateur horticulturalist that even though his crop was perfectly “organic”, it was still illegal in France. He was sentenced to a suspended €250 fine. ■

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Fewer road accidents in 2012, but more fatalities

ast year was a deadly one on the roads of the Limousin. Although there were slightly fewer accidents, they were more serious. There were 56 deaths across the region, an increase of 20% on 2011: 25 people died in accidents in Haute-Vienne in 2012, 13 on the roads of Creuse and 18 in Corrèze. Although the figures are bad compared to 2011, they do still make for good reading when compared to 5 years ago: 30% fewer deaths and 20% fewer accidents and injuries. Nationally, official figures put road deaths down by 318 to 3,645 in 2012. This is significantly down from a peak of 9,000 in 2002, and the lowest on record since 1948, the year in which France first started accounting for road deaths. As part of of the government's continued initiative to reduce road deaths, there were plans to install 1,000 speed cameras in 2012 adding to the 1,740 already in use - and 2013 will see a further 200 added to the nation's roads. Among this number are two new cameras in the Limousin. The first, in use since 21st January, is a variable speed radar (radar discriminant) at Ajain to the east of Guéret on the westbound carriage of the RN 145. This

next generation camera is able to differentiate between types of vehicle and therefore apply different speed limits to them. It is also able to tell which car was offending when multiple vehicles are snapped in the same shot. The second is an average speed camera that will be installed near to Ambazac on the northbound carriage of the A20 in the 110 km/h section of the motorway. This radar tronçon will measure a driver's speed over the course of several kilometres and if the average speed is over the limit, a fine will automatically be issued. This is the second stretch in the region to be covered by an average speed camera, joining a portion of the A20 in Corrèze between Saint-Ybard and Uzerche, where one was put into service at the end of November 2012. A national road safety council met in January to discuss further changes including whether or not to go ahead with fines for not carrying breath test kits (currently put back indefinitely pending further consultation) and whether to bring in a “zero tolerance” alcohol policy for young drivers. Successive governments have introduced a raft of new laws and tougher penalties on drivers in recent years in attempts to further

COLOMBIER

reduce the number of road deaths in France. The measures are targeted mainly at drinkdivers, speeding motorists and mobile phone users. Mobile phone usage is on the increase and is believed to be behind 1 in 10 road accidents. Over half a million people were found guilty of this offence last year, something which now carries a penalty of a €135 fine and 3 points off your licence. In the very near future, the first so-called “mobile-mobile” cameras should be put into use. These can be installed on moving unmarked police cars and are capable of flashing and automatically fining up to seven motorists a minute. One dangerous driving stunt that is unlikely to help improve the region's road accident statistics is tweeting while driving at 220 km/h. A motorist, racing between Limoges and Angoulême on the new RN 141 this month, took a picture of his dashboard showing more than 200 km/h and uploaded it to his Twitter account. He also later tweeted “Just hit 220!! She's got a little something under the bonnet!!” As quickly as he was driving, @portesferrées87 deleted the incriminating tweets and posted “This account was hacked at 3 o'clock”. ■

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www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ FEBRUARY 2013

LOCAL NEWS ♦ 5

Chabrières wolf park shows how it's done

s Cirque Valdi announces its closure, 2012 was a better year for one of the region's other major tourist attractions, the Chabrières wolf park. Cirque Valdi, the world's largest miniature circus, has a had a troubled few years as visitor numbers have steadily dropped from 60,000 per year when it opened in 2007 to just 10,000 in 2012. The

attraction's owner, Maurice Masvignier, has laid the blame squarely at the feet of the tourist office and the communauté de communes, who he says failed to properly publicise and run the circus. The parc aux loups de Chabrières, on the other hand, in the hills just outside Guéret, has had stable visitor numbers over the past few years: 40,000 in 2012, com-

pared to 42,500 in 2011 and 38,700 in 2010. Reflecting on another successful year, Abel Guittard, director of the wolf park, believes that winter is an even better time to visit the park than summer when they see the majority of visitors. “The best thing is to see the wolves in their winter coats. You get the impression that they have all put on 10 kilos,” said the director,

The cost of retirement care

90-year-old woman has been thrown out of her retirement home in Bénévent l'Abbaye after falling behind with her payments. The woman, who had been living at the home since 2008, was ejected for failing to pay her bill “for several months” according to the home's director, Bernadette Maucourant. The woman is reported to now be living temporarily with her son. “The contract allows for cancellation in the case of late payment of more than 30 days,” explained the home's director. Social workers have now taken up her case and are trying to find her alternative accommodation. The case highlights a growing problem for the region's elderly as the price of care homes rises steadily. At the moment, the average price for staying in a retirement home is around €60 per day, or €1,800 per month. Another care home hit the headlines recently after leaving a 94-year-old resident at the Accident and Emergency department of a local hospital after a dispute over unpaid bills. “A vulnerable person was expelled on the eve of a weekend and during the winter,” the minister for the elderly, Michèle Delaunay, told AFP news agency after details of the incident emerged, calling the move “a violation of the law and human dignity”. Workers at the retirement home in the Parisian suburb of Chaville took the woman to her son's residence on a Friday after she was

expelled, but finding no one at home, they left her in the emergency room at a local hospital instead. The care home alleged that the family was €40,000 behind on payments and had ignored repeated attempts to contact them. “We wanted to accompany this woman back to her family. Finding the door closed, we should have brought her back to us and not left her in a hospital. It was a clumsy decision that I regret,” the co-chairman of the retirement home, Richard Claverie, said. “Why does this family never look after its mother? Why have her children never come forward to pay us? They have the means - one of them is a gynaecologist and the other is a wealth management consultant.” The director of the care home was subsequently suspended over the incident. While pensioners are being thrown out of retirement homes, a brand new €5.3 million establishment in La Courtine is looking for guests. After opening to much fanfare, the care home with a capacity of 40 and costing €64.20 per day boasts a total of 2 guests! “We knew it would be a tough start, but we expect occupancy levels to slowly rise in line with similar establishments,” said departmental councillor Philippe Breuil. Under French law, if a person is unable to pay for their own care, then their children, if they are deemed to earn enough money, are required to meet any costs. ■

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speaking to La Montagne, with a film of snow covering the entire park. “What's more, the colder it gets, the more active the wolves become, the more they play, the more they howl.” Although visitor numbers have remained stable in these tough times, the demographic has changed. “We have seen a significant drop in the number of school trips to the park as education budgets become tighter. Although our prices have not changed, schools can no longer afford the transport to the park,” explained the director. But despite fewer schoolchildren, the park has picked up visitors elsewhere. “Previously we saw the majority of visitors coming from the region and its neighbouring departments. But now we are seeing far more people coming from further afield, espe-

cially the north of France.” The park, which today has 47 wolves living in 5 packs, will almost certainly be adding to its numbers again in 2013. Every year since the park opened in 2001 there have been births, something that the management say is testimony to the quality of life that the wolves enjoy. Such has been the success

of the Chabrières breeding programme that the last three years have all seen wolves leave for parks elsewhere in France. More changes are planned for 2013 to further improve the visitor experience which Mr Guittard is confident will help cement the wolf park as one of the region's top tourist attractions. ■

FEBRUARY 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

6 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

First baby of 2013 born to 2 mothers go to a Belgian sperm bank in order to be artificially inseminated, because gay couples are currently not able to do so in France. The bill does not address the question of medically assisted procreation for same-sex couples. “We were very lucky because we only had one insemination which worked right away, so everyone was ready to start our little family,” said Delphine. The issue has proved divisive in France since the draft bill was passed last November. The legislation, which President Hollande called “progress for all of society”, follows through on an election pledge in which he promised to legalise samesex marriage. There have been protests across the country culminating in January when hundreds of thousands of people massed at the Eiffel Tower in Paris waving pink and blue flags showing a father, mother and two children. Organisers claimed 800,000 had protested, while police put the number at 340,000.

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Protesters insisted that they are not against gay and lesbian people, but are for the rights of children to have a father and mother. Slogans on the posters and banners approved by the organisers included “marriagophile, not homophobe”, “all born of a father and mother” and “paternity, maternity, equality”. Civitas, a far-right Catholic group that sees homosexuality as a sin, staged a much smaller march along another route. Hollande's office said the turnout was substantial but would not change his determination to pass the reform. If the bill passes through parliament, France will become the 12th country to make its marriage laws gender neutral, joining a list that includes the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Spain. ■

Woman late for her own funeral

Who hasn't heard the phrase “you'll be late for your own funeral” following a particularly bad case of timekeeping? Whilst usually used as a joke, sadly it was literally the case recently for one French lady who missed her own internment. At fault was a funeral home in the town of Bayonne in southwest France who failed to arrive with the coffin - the family were eventually forced to hold the ceremony without her. It had been the dying wish of Maria-Louise Malca to be buried next to her husband in Villenave-d'Ornon, near Bordeaux, a journey of 200km from the care home where she died. “The ceremony was planned for 10:30,” explained one family member. “But at 10:20 there was still no sign.” Panicked phone calls ensued, but all the funeral home could confirm was that the coffin was “somewhere between Bayonne and Bordeaux”. “At around 11:15 we were eventually told that the hearse had not even left Bayonne, so we decided to go ahead with the ceremony - it was very tough for everyone.” When the coffin finally arrived later in the day, many family members had already returned to work. The family have since hired a lawyer to sue the undertaker for 'moral damages'. When contacted about the incident by Sud Ouest newspaper the funeral directors admitted that a “mistake” had been made, but claimed that incidents of this nature were extremely rare. ■

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s France deals with mass protests over plans to legalise samesex marriages, it has been revealed that the first baby born in 2013 has two mothers. Baby Sacha was born between midnight and one minute past midnight on the 1st January 2013 making it the first child of the new year. Although the baby has 2 mothers, under current laws only the birth mother has any legal rights over the child, something that may change this year. A draft bill, approved last November by the French cabinet, is currently being debated in parliament and redefines marriage to stipulate that it is “contracted between two persons of different sex or of the same sex”. The words “father” and “mother” in existing legislation are to be replaced by “parents”. The birth mother Maude and her partner, Delphine, said they hope to marry as soon as it becomes legally possible to do so. Sacha's birth mother had to

75% tax rate change rejected

The government has been dealt a blow as France's Constitutional Council has rejected François Hollande's plans to introduce a 75% top rate of income tax for those who earn more than €1 million. The country's rich should keep the Champagne on ice, however, as the changes were rejected on a technicality and Hollande has indicated that the government will re-submit an amended change later this year. In France, tax is levied on a household, not on an individual, but in the text of the proposed changes, the new 75% tax band would be applied to individuals, which is why it was rejected as unconstitutional. The bill is sure to re-appear later in 2013 under a different guise and it seems unlikely that the country's expatriate rich, such as Gérard Depardieu, will suddenly come running back to mother France. ■

French population growth rate slows France's statistics body, the Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques (Insee), has revealed census figures for the French population, showing an increase of 300,000 people in 2012, taking the country's population to 65.8 million. The rise is the smallest reported for any of the last 10 years, and has been put down to falling birth rates and rising death rates. Although overall fertility has remained the same at 2.01 births per woman, the number of women of child-bearing age is falling and they are having babies later - the average age for childbirth is now 30.1 years old. A particularly cold winter in early 2012, coupled with several serious outbreaks of flu and gastroenteritis, accounted for the rising death rate. Life expectancy has remained unchanged for men at 78.4 years and dropped by two months for women to 84.8 years. Across the country around 1 person in 10 is now over the age of 75. ■

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ FEBRUARY 2013

NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 7

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ost of us are well aware of how expensive it can be to live in a capital city like Paris or London and how little you get for your money. But spare a thought for a Parisian who has been living in a 'flat' with just 1.56m² of living space for the last 15 years and paying €330 per month for the privilege. The man, identified only as Dominique, was living in what one media outlet called “Harry Potter's cupboard under the stairs” as he could not afford anything else. The housing charity that unveiled what it called the “scandalous” case, hoped that his extreme example would highlight a wider issue in the country's bigger cities.

Dominique, a casual worker, said: “I return home and I sleep. With the slope there’s only 20cm where you can stand up. You cannot live like that, you just survive. But at the end of the day, you say it’s that or the street.” Flats in France are measured according to 'habitable' space, defined as the area in which it is possible to stand upright. It is illegal in France to rent out apartments with less than 9m² of habitable space. “Landlords are profiting from the housing crisis in Paris,” said Samuel Mouchard from the housing charity Fondation Abbé Pierre. “Many people don’t have a choice but to accept to live in these tiny apart-

Man living in 1.56 m² 'flat'

ments because they fear being out on the street. Some landlords are unscrupulous. The law is there but it needs to be enforced. Tenants need to know that it’s forbidden. If they have doubts they can go to their local Town Hall where measures can be taken

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to protect them or to rehouse them.” Local authorities have now closed the apartment and are currently processing a court order which will force the landlord to rehouse his tenant in a more suitably sized flat. ■

Qualigaz certificates arranged Winterising of heating & plumbing systems Kitchens & bathrooms fitted and tiled Swimming pool maintenance. Advice given Jason Green: 05.55.63.89.23 Email: h2ocreuse@orange.fr Siret no: 487 425 639 00027

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New EU driving licences >> continued from pg 1 FIA region director general Jacob Bangsgaard commented: “The new licence will not only make it easier to drive crossborder, it will also help to tackle the problem of drivers banned in one member state trying to get a licence in another country.” Under current rules, any EU issued driving licence is valid in all other EU states. In practice, this has meant that people who lose a licence in one country, can simply hop the border and apply for one in a neighbouring state. Legislators hope that the new cards will stop this “driving licence tourism” as the data will be shared between all countries. Prosecuting a motorist from a foreign country for traffic offences such as speeding is currently difficult; the new standardised licences will aid this process. Today, a foreign driver is 3 times as likely to commit a driving offence as a national of that country. One of the other major changes

coming in along with the new cards will be tougher rules for those on two wheels. Applicants who want to ride a scooter (the smallest type of motorcycle) will now have to pass a theory test and aptitude tests may also be required. For larger motorcycles, there are two possibilities: either direct eligibility at age 24 (up from 21 today) upon passing a theoretical and practical exam; or access from the age of 20 with at least two years' experience on a smaller motorcycle. In practice, this measure is expected to push riders to acquire experience on smaller motorcycles first before moving up to more powerful ones. The hope is that road safety will improve as a result. Unlimited validity will also now come to an end. Existing French licences are valid for life, but the new chipped licences will have to be replaced every 10 years (or every 15 years if states choose this option). Licences for professional drivers will be valid for 5 years.. ■

FEBRUARY 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

8 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS Ask at the reception desk for Erik

ENGLISH SPOKEN

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esidents and businesses across Paris are in uproar at the news that American coffee chain Starbucks is to open up a branch in Montmartre's Place du Tertre. Famed for its artistic residents, beautiful streets and bohemian atmosphere, Montmartre is a treasured neighbourhood of Paris. It was a favourite haunt for the likes of Hemingway and Picasso and many believe they will be turning in their graves at the news. Starbucks has announced plans to open up a number of new branches across the capital in the near future, and barring any major problems, will be opening in the shadow of Montmartre's famous cathedral after buying up a former brasserie that closed following “hygiene problems”. Locals have already made their thoughts clear, daubing “It's rubbish” across the sign announcing the takeover. Pierre Brabant from the association Paris Fierté (Paris Pride) said the arrival of Starbucks in the historical cobbled centre would be fought by he and other locals. “Already 20 years ago, McDonald’s tried to set up on the Butte (de Montmartre). The fast food giant had to throw in the towel. Here again we have no intention of giving in,” he told Le Figaro newspaper. A petition has been launched

by Mr Brabant and the local shopkeepers' association of Upper Montmartre and there are plans to organise protests against the Seattle-based coffee giant. One American blogger in Paris summed up the opinion of many, writing on her Out and About in Paris site: “I’m still trying to imagine Hemingway ordering a Frappuccino grande and a muffin before settling down with his laptop to take advantage of Starbuck’s free wifi.” The story has highlighted the problem of the rocketing price of local real estate and rents. “I have no illusions about the future,” said Frédéric Loup, who runs the local chemist and is president of the Upper Montmartre shopkeeper’s association. “Rent has gone up so much that when I leave, there will no longer be a chemist on the Butte de Montmartre. Small shopkeepers are finding it harder and

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harder to hold on. Who has enough clout to battle against a giant?” Real estate prices are also rapidly changing the face of another Paris landmark, the Champs Elysées. Cushman & Wakefield recently ranked the famous Parisian street as the third most expensive retail strip in the world after Causeway Bay in Hong Kong and New York's Fifth Avenue. Once famous for its cinemas, now only a few remain and 'traditional' retailers are being squeezed out by international brands looking for a shop window to the street's estimated 30 million tourist visitors per year. “The Champs has become a kind of obligatory site for major brands, which logically want a showcase here,” said a spokesperson for the Champs Elysées committee, which groups retailers along the avenue. In recent years, Abercrombie & Fitch, Banana Republic, Disney, Gap and Guerlain have all set up shop, while jeweller Tiffany is expected to replace one of the many fast-food outlets next year. Officials at the Paris town hall are allegedly concerned that the image of the Champs Elysées could be affected by a certain “banalisation” due to the massive presence of uniform brands found all around the world. ■

aris, the so-called “City of Light”, could soon be plunged into darkness if government proposals are pushed through. The environment minister, Delphine Batho, is presenting a decree that will require stores and non-residential buildings in France to turn off their lights between 1am and 7am. It is hoped that the move will help the country cut its energy consumption and costs - France aims to become 20% more energy efficient over the next 7 years. Not everyone is a fan of the move with many businesses, especially those in the capital, complaining that the darkness will affect their trade. “Visitors and locals follow the light, from one spot to another, all night long,” French chef and culinary consultant Didier Quemener told Quartz. “My clients don’t want to be in the dark in the City of Light.” “I can't imagine the Eiffel Tower turned off, the Champs Elysées obscure, and the Conciergerie, just recently renovated, already deprived of its lighting,” said writer Guy Ko-

Modern Paris is not Lights to go out at night everyone's cup of tea P

nopnicki in a column for the French weekly, Marianne. In fact, the plan is already in place voluntarily at more than 300 churches, bridges, and monuments across Paris, including the Eiffel Tower. It has not been confirmed, however, if the country's national monuments will be forced to comply with any new law. Ms Batho has said, however, that the law would not

apply in cases where light was needed for safety reasons, during festive periods, or for businesses that operate at night. “One of our main objectives is to change the culture,” the energy minister told a French TV station. “We need to end the cycle of producing more because we are consuming more. There should be sobriety in energy use.” ■

5-year-old arrested at school for unpaid canteen bill A 5-year-old girl has been removed from her school canteen by police after her parents allegedly failed to pay her canteen bill. “Léa” was escorted in the middle of lunch and in front of all the other children by a uniformed officer from a school near Ustaritz in south-west France. The policewoman drove the terrified child to her house, but finding her mother absent, took the sensible decision to take her back to the station and give her some food there. The infant school said that they had no idea that the canteen bill, which is usually settled with the local Mairie, was overdue. The head teacher said that when Léa came back in the afternoon the other

children were astonished. “They thought she was in prison. The teacher had a discussion with the whole class to try to calm things down.” The parents, who are going through a divorce, allegedly owed €170 for their daughter's lunches. Education Minister Vincent Peillon called the incident “an act of scandalous violence,” adding: “I ask everyone to avoid this kind of thing. There may be difficulties with parents, but one must never go after the children.” Dominique Baudis, France's national “rights defender”, said he was “deeply shocked” and had opened an enquiry. ■

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François Hollande steps up to the mark

resident François Hollande has regularly been targeted by his opponents as a hesitant and indecisive leader, earning him several unpleasant nicknames in the French press. This image could be about to change, however, following France's military interventions in Somalia and its former colony Mali and a significant deal with France's powerful unions. Politicians have long been worried about the situation in Mali after Islamic rebels overran the northern half of the country last year and introduced strict Sharia law. France and other member states of the EU have campaigned hard to get UN and African backing for a regional force for Mali, led by west African states. Until recently the rebels' gains were confined to the dessert regions of the north. Mali is a curiously shaped country, with a geographic bottleneck in the centre leading into the more prosperous southern savannah. This plan was still on the drawing board when rebels made a sudden advance in January, obliterating the Malian army, surging through central Mali and threatening to reach the city of Mopti and later the capital, Bamako, home to around 6,000 French citizens. The speed and success of the rebels'

advance is due in part to the success of Hollande's predecessor, Nicolas Sarkozy, in Libya. When Gaddafi fell, many of the fighters, now battle hardened, fled south across the border into Mali. There has always been a separatist Tuareg movement in northern Mali, but this now appears to have been hijacked by Islamic extremists who are well trained and well armed. The speed and effectiveness of the French response took many by surprise. Within hours, France had troops on the ground and had fought back the column of rebels with a helicopter gunship raid, backed up by air strikes, in which a French officer lost his life. Fighting continued with reinforcements rapidly swelling to 2,000 the number of French troops in Mali. At the time of writing, the AlQaida backed Islamist rebels were being forced back into northern Mali and towns recently captured by them were being liberated. Even the failure of the raid in Somalia, in which two French commandos died and the hostage is believed to have been killed by his captors, does not seem to have hurt Mr Hollande. The general public do not expect warfare to be risk-free, and many are worried about the rise of radical Islam and the plight of several French hostages currently being held by

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religious extremists in North Africa. “This is the first occasion Hollande had, or seized upon, to act decisively, without the sort of waffling that had appeared to be his trademark,” said François Heisbourg, a defense expert at the Foundation for Strategic Research in Paris. “So in that sense, it changes his image instantaneously.” In a speech to the country's diplomatic corps, Hollande said France was “ready to stop the terrorists' advance if it continues. I have decided that France will respond, alongside our African partners, to the request from the Malian authorities. The rebels have tried to deal a fatal blow to the very existence of Mali. France, like its African partners and the entire international community, cannot accept that.” The French often judge leaders on their ability to make tough decisions, and there are few tougher ones than to send young soldiers into battle. No one expected Hollande's presidency to be one marked by war, but so far it is safe to say that the French media are impressed with their leader's response. But what next for President Hollande? He will not want

to be drawn into a protracted conflict. The vast dessert regions of northern Mali are the size of France and Belgium combined. Any military campaign to oust the rebels would require vast resources and no little amount of time. Hollande drew further praise when, after months of negotiations, he and his government were able to announce an agreement with the unions over how to liberalise the labour market. France is facing rising un-

employment amongst young people, nearing 25 per cent, and a deal has been sought to make hiring new employees more attractive. Currently, employees on long-term contracts enjoy extensive, costly job protections and benefits, while temporary workers, whose ranks have surged to

Physical map of Mali

a third of the French work force, have minimal job security and relatively few benefits. The changes announced include giving employers more flexibility to reduce working hours in times of economic crisis without incurring union strikes. High levels of compensation that courts can currently award to laid-off workers would be trimmed. The five-year period that former

employees now have to contest layoffs would be reduced, a shift that Medef, France’s employers’ union, said would “reduce the fear of hiring” by businesses. Mr Hollande’s government is now expected to sign off on the deal. Although the actual changes are relatively small and will in no way fix France's economic problems overnight, reaching any kind of deal with the country's powerful unions is a major victory for the president and could pave the way for further reform. ■

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FEBRUARY 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

10 ♦ FRENCH LIFE

Bugle Editor, Steve Martindale, looks at the origins of the humble chip. As a proud Belgian resident for 6 years, but now raising a family in France, his loyalties are torn on the topic of who exactly did invent the French Fry...

prinkled with salt, dunked in ketchup, soaked in vinegar, covered with gravy or dipped in mayonnaise, everyone has their own specific way of enjoying the humble, crisp strips of fried tuber known the world over as French fries! The origin of the fried potato, or chip to the British, is a matter of dispute among experts; both France and Belgium - where they are the national dish - have laid claim to the invention of fries, but until now there has been no definitive answer. According to French legend, the frite was invented by street merchants on the Pont Neuf in Paris, just after the French Revolution in the late 18th century. “Fries, they are the orphan of street cooking, of low birth. That is why it's hard to establish where they really come from,” says French historian, Madeleine Ferrière. This Parisian genesis story is popular in France and has been often quoted, but is

bitterly disputed by the proud Belgians, who claim that fried potatoes were invented on their side of the border. Belgian folklore states that the chip was invented by accident in the 17th century by the people of Namur, in what later became southern Belgium. The story goes that people there needing a cheap meal would fish in the river Meuse, frying what they caught. One day, when the river was frozen, local fishermen chopped potatoes up into slices resembling small fish and fried those instead. As part of a festival of food in the Belgian capital called Brusselicious, culinary experts and historians from both countries have examined the competing claims. Pierre Leclerc, a professor at the University of Liège, admitted that there was little proof of Belgium’s paternity. “Belgians adore chips but serious scientific research on the subject has only just begun,” he said. Then there are the Spanish. They once controlled the

area that is now Belgium and claim that the recipe for French fries first appeared in Galicia, where it was served as an accompaniment to fish dishes. From there they say it traveled aboard Spanish galleons to Belgium. Looks like the jury is still out on this one... What's in a name? The exact origin may remain unclear, but where does the “French” part come from? One theory is that the term “French fry” is a shortening of “French fried potato” meaning a potato fried in the French style. In 1802, Thomas Jefferson had “potatoes served in the French manner” on the menu at a White House dinner. Adventurous farmer, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and former ambassador to France, Jefferson had indeed brought the fried potato back to America with him from Paris. In fact, the recipe can still be seen today in a manuscript

written in Jefferson’s own hand (although it almost certainly came from his French chef, Honoré Julien). When he served these fried potatoes to his guests using this trans-Atlantic recipe... voilà, the French fry was born. Some Belgians dispute this and believe that the term “French” was introduced when American soldiers arrived in Belgium during World War I, and consequently tasted Belgian fries. They supposedly called them “French” as it was the official language of the Belgian Army at that time. Today, Belgian culinary experts insist that chips have achieved their pinnacle, in terms of both quality and cultural importance, in Belgium. The French use them as something to eat with meat. The British insist on fish. “We, the Belgians, have made the chip something noble in itself,” says Albert Verdeyen, co-author of a book on chips. “Above all, we have mastered better than anyone else the art of doublecooking them until they are golden and crunchy.” Frites in the south, or frieten in the north, are an institution in Belgium

So who really did invent the Fr

- do not try to tell a proud Belgian that they were invented anywhere else! The Belgians are also the largest consumers of chips in Europe. They are eaten at any time of the day, usually from a cone with a large

dollop of sauce on top and can be a meal in themselves. You have not eaten chips until you have had twice fried chips from a friterie or frietkot on a square in a Belgian town. “To go to a frietkot,

Inheritance Rules for French Residents

ne of the most frequently asked questions, about which we are able to offer advice, is how the French inheritance rules affect British residents in France. Once you become a permanent resident of France, you are subject to the French laws of succession (“Code Civil”) for inheritance purposes. This basically means that your worldwide estate will be subject to French inheritance rules and taxes with the exception of real estate property situated outwith France. All residents with children (including those legally adopted) cannot, however, freely dispose of all their assets by way of a French will. This is because the children have an automatic legal entitlement to inherit a share of their parents’ separate estates. The size of their entitlement will depend on the number of children involved and will vary between 50% and 75% of the deceased parent’s estate. By writing a will in France, the rest of the estate can then be left to the survivor. However, there has been press coverage recently of the new EU Succession Regula-

tion which will come into force in August 2015. The regulation states that an EU national living in another member state will be able to choose between the law of the country of nationality or residency that will determine the distribution of their estate. This will then have to be stated in a will. For example, British nationals resident in France will be able to stipulate that they wish to use English or Scottish Law, rather than French Law, thereby bypassing France’s strict succession rules. Without an appropriate will, however, the French inheritance rules will be adhered to. However, the UK opted out of this EU regulation and some anomalies still exist with regard to British nationals resident in France. In particular, the British Government has indicated that under the new EU regulation, property in France will remain subject to French succession law, thereby defeating one of the major benefits of the legislation for British nationals! So we await clarification on this point. Whilst this new regulation will make it possible to choose UK law for the distri-

bution of your estate, it will not apply to French inheritance taxes. For example, whilst it will be possible, in the future, to leave all of your assets to your spouse/partner in the first instance, assets left on second death to children and stepchildren could result in higher taxation with step-children facing a punitive 60% French inheritance tax on anything over a minimal allowance of €1,594! Inheritance issues are naturally a major concern for most British residents in France. However, there are techniques available under French law to ensure that your wishes are met and taxation is kept to a minimum, so sound professional advice should always be taken first. David Hardy is Regional Manager of Siddalls France, Independent Financial Adviser, specialised in tax, inheritance, pension and investment planning for the British community in the Poitou-Charentes since 1996. Telephone: 05 56 34 71 77 Email: bordeaux.office@siddalls.net. Web: www.siddalls.fr

The Bugle February 2013

8 Page Pull-out Section

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

Plasterers >> B4 Plumbers >> B4 Sandblasting >> B4 Chimney Sweeps >> B4 Computers & Satellites >> B5 Food & Drink >> B5-6 >> B2 Garden Services >> B6 >> B2 >> B6 >> B2 Gifts & Crafts >> B2-B4 Handholding Services >> B6 Health & Beauty >> B6 >> B4 >> B1 >> B1 >> B1 >> B2 >> B2

Accommodation La Petite Maison

Beautiful 2-person gîte in the heart of Creuse. Perfect for house-hunters & holidaymakers alike.

05.55.80.04.31

www.la-petite-maison.eu sue@la-petite-maison.eu SIRET: 518 135 009 00018

Beautiful 4 person gîte /chalet in a charming village Perfect for nature lovers, walkers. Available for weekends, week and monthly rentals from 70€. Special rate for the Christmas weekend and New Year.

Call Florence Godson for more details:

06 40 12 93 53

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The Linden House Self-catering gîte in Creuse Sleeps 6-8 Prices from €250/week

La Courede Bed and Breakfast

Comfortable B&B. Two double rooms, en-suite. Guest lounge. Evening meal on request. 20 minutes from Limoges airport. 05 55 71 08 56 06 75 79 28 71 stevens.peter@wanadoo.fr www.lacourede.eu

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

Animals & Pets

PAWS & HEARTH

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Avoid the anguish of sending your pets away from the comfort of their home when you go away on holiday. I can mind your pets for you in their familiar surroundings, keeping them safe and contented until you return.

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Champlong Chatterie

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Activities & Leisure

Dog Holidays

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at Valhalla Farm

5 Star Accommodation in our Home (Dept 23).

(Farges, nr. Aubusson)

Cosmo Flight School

www.cosmoflightschool.com See page 7

Small & friendly, English run. Viewings welcome. Certificat de capacité. Also available: Pet foods, treats & accessories.

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We make sure that “Ze Dog (& Cat) House” is a real home from home for your companions so that they, as well as you, spend a great time on holiday! June Altman, Le Puytren, 87800 Meilhac

Tel: 05 55 58 87 94 or Mob: 06 61 01 12 21 Email: zdh@ze-dog-house.fr

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CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

05.55.41.17.76

FEBRUARY 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

B2 ♦ DIRECTORY Antiques/ Brocantes

Building Services Architectural Services

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Auto Services

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Building Services

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Carpenters/Joiners Nicholas Hemming Wood Craft

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SHUTTERS / VOLETS Made to Measure Woodwork

Pine Window Shutters from €35 Pine Ledge and Brace Doors from €69 Bespoke items made

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Building Services

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Ring Andy on 05 44 19 15 57 Ring Will on 05 55 37 45 35

Steven Rofe - 20 Years experience

• NICEIC approved Electrician for 8 years in the UK • Wiring of new installations (including liaising with EDF) • Rewiring existing houses/barns • External & garden lighting • All aspects of electrical works • Fully insured - (10 year Decennale) • Departments covered 19,23 & 87

siret: 532 981 198 00015

GODSON

Travaux Publics www.pilgrim23.com 05.55.62.61.12 - pg 3

05 55 14 12 43

05.55.69.75.67 / 06.89.47.69.71

Siren 527 854 749

Siret No. 501.792.386.00010

Oradour-sur-Vayres (87150)

Lovejoy’s Scaffolding Hire

SIRET: 510 156 763 00011

Tel: 05 53 52 36 05

05.55.80.72.83

Le Mécanique Anglais

Salamandre électricité

Le Charme De Chêne Handmade solid oak joinery and furniture

email: lsetenergie@yahoo.co.uk

sales@thebugle.eu

Elegance Home Improvements Full, Comprehensive Building Service

05.55.64.18.33 - see pg 6

High Finish Quality Work Reliable 8 years Limousin - Photos Refs available

SAVE HEAT - GET INSULATION

Blockwork Brickwork Stonework Repointing Rendering Plastering Tiling Walls Floors etc Now available in Bonnat area 23 also 03,18,36

05 55 62 48 15 / 06 33 17 17 54 stooze@wanadoo.fr siret: 489 041 830 00030

BATIMENT SERVICES ROCHE Tailored solutions for your projects - big or small. Can do part or all of your jobs. • Painting (inside/outside) • Plaster boarding and insulation • Floor coverings (laminated floors, carpet, etc.) • Wall coverings (wallpaper, paper to paint, etc.) • Handyman jobs Phone Seán: 06-77-21-24-54 87800 Meilhac - Free quotations. SIRET: 788 841 021 00017

Celotex

Insulation Specialists 05.55.78.57.60 - see pg 13

Dave Cardwell - Builder

05 55 98 24 12

See our Display Ad - pg 11

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76 La Noneix

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

●Renovations ●New builds ●Roofing ●Stonework ●Carpentry ●Ground works Large or small projects undertaken - please view our website. Contact: Paul or Joanne Rands

05.55.66.44.06

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

05.55.41.17.76

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ FEBRUARY 2013

DIRECTORY ♦ B3 ADVERTORIAL

PROPERTY BUYERS ON WAITING LIST

‘H

ouses on Internet - Global Property Services’, the internetmarketing company that allows French home owners to sell their house through its worldwide network, continues to be innovative and has expanded its services in order to better match prospective buyers to the properties for sale. Richard Kroon, founder of the company, explains: Thanks to our ongoing success in sales, we have been able to hire extra staff to focus on the many people that visit our website (over 125,000 each month from 35+ countries) searching for French property. We noticed that a growing number of prospective buyers kept coming back to our site and sent us emails saying it shows the best presentations they have ever seen. So about six months ago, we started to categorise these people and enable them to send in their detailed search criteria, budget, etc.

This list now contains over 250 buyers from 12 different countries who are notified immediately by us as soon as we get a property on the market that matches their specifications. The condition to be put on our list is that they are ready to buy; to people who have a house to sell before being able to buy another, we explain they need to do that first. This way we can guarantee the quality of this group when we introduce them to the owners of houses we have for sale. We know that 82% of the people on our ‘waiting list’ are cash buyers. Their search criteria vary a lot. There are (mainly younger) couples searching for properties with gîtes, others are looking for a townhouse with restaurants nearby, a country house with a pool and more land, or larger estates suitable for horses. Older people are mainly searching for newer bungalows or villas. The diversity of this group is enormous. Each time owners decide to market

their house through us, we match it with the search criteria in our database. Only buyers with perfect matches are notified by us, so they know that when they receive our message, it is serious. They are always the first to see the presentation of the property and in the past six months this has resulted in a number of direct sales. Richard Kroon: As this new service has proven to be a success we will certainly continue it, hoping to make more ‘perfect matches’ this year. Putting your house on the market with ‘Houses on Internet’ is easy. Just visit our website and submit the signup form. We will then call you to start up the process and one of our 82 photographers across France will visit you.

Albo

Harlequin Developments

Steve Booth

Property maintenance

Windows & Doors

www.albo.cz/english 07 86 95 18 90 - see pg 4

Haute-Vienne and surrounding area Project help. Renovations interior & exterior. General maintenance. Conservation and restoration trained in the UK.

Magnetic Double Glazing info@magneticglazing.eu 05.55.60.62.97 - see ad below

Tel: 05Siret55 06 52 36 Registered

Monte Sarginson

Kitchen & Bathroom Fitting

House Renovations Inside & Out

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

Including Tiling and Plasterboarding Room construction to finishing touches

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

T: Ian 05 55 53 37 10 E: ian@zanado.co.uk www.zanado.co.uk

RSW Entreprises

Fosse Septique Specialist

05.55.80.00.57

See our Display Ad - pg 6

Siret. 484 206 624 00014

Double D

Your advert here

Renovations & Home Improvements 05 55 65 00 29 - pg 6

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

05 55 41 17 76 Nicholas

Hemming

WOOD CRAFT

Doors, Stairs, Shutters, Gates & Furniture... No job too small Call us today for a FREE QUOTE We can beat any like-for-like quote!

02 48 63 15 09

n.hemming@orange.fr - www.nicholashemming.co.uk SIRET: 533 607 115 00011

Houses on Internet – Global Property Services www.housesoninternet.com 05 55 65 12 19

ADVERTORIAL

All aspects of renovation and refurbishment, big or small, undertaken.

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

05.55.68.67.56 06.06.60.46.97

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

DAVID LEE General Builder

All exterior and interior work undertaken including: • Plasterboarding • Plastering • Rendering • Tiling • Blockwork • Bathrooms and Kitchens • Septic tanks As seen on Channel 4's Grand Designs Abroad Covering Limoges and surrounding areas Free Estimates

Mob: 06 08 07 95 24 Email: david.lee044@orange.fr Siret: 453 965 493 00027

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 06 74 21 47 71 siret 532 981 198 00015

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76 Mini Digger and dumper hire with driver From €120 per day

06.43.40.58.85 diggerhire@mail.com

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

T J Renovations 30 years experience in building trade

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

05 55 61 08 02 / 06 52 23 89 54 web: www.builderinthecreuse.co.uk Email: tjrenovations96@yahoo.fr Siret: 750 068 116 00011

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

06 49 66 44 25 87800 Jourgnac Siret N° 750 725 780 00019

Tersannes Timber

www.gatesinfrance.com 05 55 60 14 18 - see pg 8 Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

FEBRUARY 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

B4 ♦ DIRECTORY Septic tanks

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

Building Services

Electrics

diagnostic report and remedial works – consuel approvals - liaison with ERDF for changes. full re-wires, new-build, additions, modiﬁcations.

Building Services

Pro-Point Facades

Re-pointing - Rendering - Plastering

05 55 78 80 31 See our Display Ad - pg 12 MARK COLYER

General 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

The Reclamation Yard 05.45.30.72.04

Groundworks Mini-Digger with driver

05.55.78.62.29

john.bonella@gmail.com

See Main Ad - Pull-out pg B3

Your advert here

www.reclamation-yard.com See our main ad - pg 8

05 55 41 17 76

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Building Services

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

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

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

GLEN VINEY

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

Le Plâtrier du Limousin

Plasterers 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

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

Renovation

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

Chimney Sweeps

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

TOUTE SWEEP

Office Hours: 8:30 – 18:00 Please give us a call to discuss your requirements. If you get the answer machine we WILL return your call the same day.

Chimney Sweep Service

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

siret: 494 380 264 00015

H20 CREUSE

Heating & Plumbing engineer

05 55 63 89 23 - see pg 7

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

Martin Walters

Plumber

Caught out last winter? Don't worry! We can now offer winter checks, drain downs, caretaking, general DIY, key holding, as well as our usual friendly plumbing services.

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

CLEAR CHIMNEY SERVICES All types of chimneys cleaned

Clean and Efficient Certificat de Ramonage issued with every chimney swept Woodburner repairs/installation Accredited Flue liner Installer Chimney repairs/maintenance Fabrication & welding to E.N. 287

TEL. 02 54 06 40 80

info@platrierlimousin.fr

Tel 02 54 24 84 62

Siret: 534 396 908 00012

Siret 522 804 723 00016

siren 535 199 483

Building Services

Chimney Sweeping

Siret No. 513 415 091 00018

« LE PLATRIER »

Tel: 05.55.80.83.30 Email: sales@LCE23.com Web: LCE23.com

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

Plumbers

Sandblasting

FRENCH REGISTERED CERTIFIED PLUMBER

Sand and Blast

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

sales@thebugle.eu

Sandblasting & Floor Sander hire

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

sootylesweep@orange.fr

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

www.stovesellers.com

05 55 63 78 72 Siren: 502 409 949

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

05.55.41.17.76

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ FEBRUARY 2013

DIRECTORY ♦ B5 ADVERTORIAL

Freesat in France

very happy New Year to you all from ElectroSat. No we still aren’t in our new building at Sauviat - the French legal system works in wondrous ways, but mainly slowly. We had a few unexpected problems with boundaries, but they are all resolved now, so hopefully progress will be made. This month I would like to talk about Freesat. There has been much speculation about the programmes moving to the new Astra satellites. At the moment we seem to be OK in the middle of France, but further south it is a different matter and in parts of Spain even 3m dishes are no longer working. I have read comments in forums about the signal only being 4-5 decibels lower on a meter so it's all ok. Well it isn’t! A drop of 6 dBs

means you are only receiving half the signal you had before. For the mathematically minded dBs are a log scale and a drop of 4-5 dBs is a huge reduction in signal. The results for you the user may well be a loss of signal when it is cloudy, rainy or in the evening. The cure is simple: fit a larger dish - the mini sky dishes are not really suitable any longer. Our website (www.electrosat.fr) is full of helpful information as well as very competitively priced DIY kits. When we finally arrive, these kits will be available in the shop at Sauviat along with much more. We will be adding to the shop as time allows. Sky boxes have a method of sending the programmes to extra points. However, this is in low definition analogue pictures with mono sound. Why not

Computers & Satellites

watch the programmes in your bedroom in Full HD? We have a range of kits to give HDMI distribution around the house allowing all HD programmes to be transmitted in HD and full stereo to all connected TVs. This system also allows full remote control of the satellite set. Ideal for watching those programmes you recorded previously and it works equally well with Freesat boxes or DVDs. All this and more will soon be in our web shop either to self install or to be professionally installed by us.

Building or renovating a new property? Then make sure you are able to have the latest home technology in your house. Call us for planning advice and don’t get caught out in the future. Electro-Sat Tel 03 66 88 06 29

Mayday

computer services - pc • mac • network

ADVERTORIAL

Food & Drink

05 55 68 47 33 / 06 82 26 31 54 see pg 9

www.cestcheese.fr 09.66.87.02.74 cest.cheese@orange.fr

IT Support for Creuse, HauteVienne, Indre and Vienne

www.indre-it.com

GOODWIN SATELLITE

SALES & INSTALLATION OF ALL SATELLITE SYSTEMS & AERIALS. FAULT FINDING. Dept 23 & surrounding areas

Tel: 05 55 62 05 61 Mob: 06 06 47 89 66 Email: garygoodwin@wanadoo.fr siret: 453 067 910 00019

Big Dish Satellite www.bigdishsat.com

05 55 78 72 98

see main ad - pg 10 For all your TV and satellite installations and repairs (Sky TV, Internet etc.) Call Patrice:

06.79.07.91.56

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

SIREN: 409 679 578

Fish et Frites

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.

Mobile Fish & Chips 05.55.68.78.23 -see pg 5

Creusetec

"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.

Menu du jour - €12 (coffee and wine included) Weekends Menu gourmand - €18.50 or Menu grill - €21 ... local Limousin meat grilled, while you watch, over an open wood fire in our chimney dating from 1732. Local, fresh and homemade produce. Evening meals by reservation.

SIRET: 510 117 328 00011

www.restaurant-des-sources.fr

Satellite Systems 05 55 66 60 21

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

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Advertise your business here

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

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:

NO FIX... NO FEE !!

02.54.25.65.08 06.16.91.64.67

C’est cheese

RESTAURANT DES23100 SOURCES FENIERS Weekday lunchtimes

Tel: 05.55.67.15.27

La ferme du Duc noir

Free range, rare breed pork 02.54.30.51.95 See our Display Ad - pg 6

La Petite Fontaine 15 Grande Rue, Le Dorat

L’Escale

Restaurant & Bar

5 Rue Andre Jouhannaud, Compreignac

Freshly home-cooked Food

Daily Plat du Jour - €12.50 Sunday Roast main course only €6.50 (with real Yorkshire puddings) Every Friday Night – Fish & Chips 8,50€ To Eat In or Takeaway (alternative menu available)

Open: Mon–Sat 11.30–2pm, Fri & Sat eve 7–11pm, Sun 11.30–3pm Party Bookings Welcomed for further information

Café, Bar and Events Venue Lunch Menu Free WiFi

tel: 05 55 12 99 45 or 06 04 09 03 10

info@lapetitefontaine.com www.lapetitefontaine.com

Bar & Restaurant

05.55.60.29.74 SIRET: 489 218 636 00012

Restaurant

AUX CEPES LA veytiZoU, 87130 Neuvic-entier

▪ Menu du jour ▪ Carte ▪ Our famous Fish & Chips

Tel: 05 55 69 33 38 Open Monday to Saturday from 12pm to 2pm and from 6pm to 9pm

BAILEYS

5 Rue de L’Abreuvoir Aubusson

Traditional French and English dishes Menu du Jour 16€, 4 courses incl. wine Open Fri 12pm-2pm Sat 11.30am-2pm & from 7pm Restaurant Menu

05.55.66.37.10

Book club open when bar is open

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

FEBRUARY 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

B6 ♦ DIRECTORY

Cross Cut Tree Surgeons

for all your tree requirements 27 years experience Free quotes and advice 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

Food & Drink

Le Relais de l'Abloux

Ivan Petley Garden Services 3D Puzzle Maker Handmade, fully interlocking, multi-layered 3D puzzles from just €9. Keyrings €2 plus other unique gift ideas. Customisation and personalisation possible. Come and visit the workshop by appointment.

Bar - Restaurant Pizzeria

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

02 54 24 01 06

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

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76 JJ’s Café Bar

More than just a Bar - Especially January!! BURNS NIGHT 25 JAN with a free Concert. Meal €14 (inc. that wee dram of whisky) JJ's CLUB DE MUSIQUE CURRY NIGHT - 12 JAN 39 Place du Champ de Foire, 36140 Aigurande

02 54 06 30 77 cafebarjj@yahoo.co.uk SIRET: 508 754 314 00013

Le Creusois Bar/Restaurant

Les Genêts, Azerables

High quality British & French food at reasonable prices. Menu du Jour €12, Traditional Pub Food, Vegetarian dishes, Childrens & Snack menus also available

05.55.63.90.79

www.lecreusoisbistro.com SIREN: 483 988 853

Pizzas to eat in or take away

Tel: 05.55.80.29.88

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

Cross Cut Tree Surgeons

02 54 47 56 74

for all your tree requirements beverley.pawson@yahoo.co.uk 05.55.60.62.14 / 06.78.38.42.44 see main ad above

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

Buy popular vegetable and flower seeds online www.businessinfrance.eu See ad pg 4

36170 SACIERGES-ST-MARTIN

Le Moulin du Breuil

Grimpereau Elagage

Petticoat Lane 5 Rue Nationale – 16150 Chabanais

Tel: 05 45 29 03 99

Visit: www.petticoatlaneshop.com E-mail: sales@petticoatlaneshop.com English groceries, Fresh British Beef & Steaks (to order only), Gammon Steak, Bacon, Sausage & Cheddar Cheese. Wide range of frozen items including vegetarian. Traditional English beers, Sherries & Wine. Cards for all occasions. Please don’t forget we will not be open until 9th January 2013 Opening hours: Mon - Thur 10am – 6pm Fri 10am – 7pm, Sat 9am – 6pm Visit us and compare our prices

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

Contact Debra on

05 55 53 37 10 06 15 63 70 22

Sophie Arsac

05.55.89.15.74 - pg 13

05 55 41 17 76

DES LETTRES ET DES CHIFFRES

See ad pg B6 (below)

meche-highlighting, tinting, cutting and weddings

Your advert here

Gifts & Crafts

05 55 80 37 70 - see pg 11

Mobile Hairdresser

debra@zanado.co.uk www.zanado.co.uk

French lessons & handholding services

Qualified Tree Surgeon Climber

siret: 530 840 958 00017

Handholding Services

02.54.25.66.58

BAR, RESTAURANT, TERRASSE 23140 PIONNAT

05.55.60.62.14 / 06.78.38.42.44

Your freelance secretary for professionals or private individuals. Let me manage letters, invoices, book keeping accounts, checkout reports, CV etc... Telework possible. Very reasonable rates.

Siret. 482 420 114 00019

Insurance & Finance

05.55.80.98.35

www.deslettresetdeschiffres.e-monsite.com dletdc23@gmail.com siret 531 793 255 00013

TEXTILE

de la maison fleur • Interior design • Craft • Dressmaking fabrics

Health & Beauty

International money transfer

Info : 05 55 36 23 95

www.hifx.co.uk

siren: 790 024 350

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

05.56.34.75.51

See our Display Ad - pg 10

HiFX

Eymoutiers market every Saturday and the 1st & 3rd Thursday each month. Studio visits by appointment.

The Exchange

Siddalls

Financial Solutions & Expert Advice

OSTEOPATHY & ACUPUNCTURE

www.osteopathyforbackpain.com www.acupunctureforhealthwellbeing.com 06 18 74 05 08 - see pg12

La Petite Place Hair salon, Le Dorat

05.55.60.87.37

See our Display Ad - pg 9

Blevins Franks

Integrated Tax Planning & Wealth Management

05 53 63 49 19 - see pg 3 Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ FEBRUARY 2013

DIRECTORY ♦ B7 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 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 are now able to offer an even wider range of renewable energy products from some of the world’s leading manufacturers. Harlequin Developments have just been appointed Distributors and Installers of industry leading wall and window mounted controlled ventilation systems from SIEGENIA-AUBI. These award-winning German products offer: Effective protection from mould, damage caused by humidity and safety hazards. Healthy fresh air without harmful substances or noise. Truly cost effective and sustainably energy efficient. For more information, a devis, or simply to discuss your project, please feel free to contact us.

Language Services

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

Mouse 2 House

www.mouse2housedeliveries.com 05.55.68.78.23 - see pg 7

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!

ADVERTORIAL

Property Maintenance

La Maison Shopping UK shopping delivered to your door

Chénérailles Native qualified teacher

- Small groups - 1 to 1 Elisabeth Sicard

05 55 80 44 83

British Corner Shop

www.britishcornershop.co.uk British food shopping, delivered worldwide - See ad pg 5

Pest Control

Stress Free Property Services

Security and Storm Damage Checks Housekeeping & Winter Care Key-holding & Changeovers Care & Maintenance Post Collection & Bill Paying References available

japprendslefrancais@sfr.fr Free trial lesson!

05 55 81 35 95 / 06 74 03 07 05

Native French Translator

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25 years experience Proposes French teaching and conversation as well as personal development. Please call:

05 55 69 71 40

Online Shopping

stressfreepropertyservices@hotmail.com

Central France Pest Control Dératisation, Déinsectisation, Désinfection

Property Sales

www.applicateur3d.com Email: info@applicateur3d.com

La Petite Barre, 18210 Bessais Le Fromental SIRET No. 498 544 741 00024

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

Retail & Commerce

Houses on Internet www.housesoninternet.com

05.55.65.12.19

See our Display Ad - pg 3

Alinéa

Meuble & Déco

05.55.57.09.34 see advert on pg 2

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

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

Eco Entrepot Get down The Shed

87230 Bussière-Poitevine

05.55.68.74.73 - see pg 11

Stove Sellers

www.stovesellers.com

05.55.63.78.72

See our Display Ad - pg 11 Mégisserie Colombier www.tannery-colombier.com

05 55 02 30 60 - see pg 4

Moulin de Tintin

02 48 60 83 72 / 06 74 33 02 38

Curative and preventative rats, mice, moles, flies, woodworm, bed bugs, fleas, wasps, hornets

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

05 55 41 46 88 - pg 9

FRENCH CLASS

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

SECOND HAND FURNITURE

www.latourmasseret.com

Furniture, interiors & gifts

www.moulin-de-tintin.com 05.55.79.57.60 - see pg 4

MEUBLES D'OCCASION

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CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

FEBRUARY 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

B8 ♦ DIRECTORY ADVERTORIAL

Spotlight your business to an estimated 30,000 readers

very month 13,000+ copies of The Bugle are printed and distributed across the region. Thanks to our targeted distribution where we personally visit each of our 350+ 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 over 30,000 people!! That means as many as 30,000 pairs of eyes will be reading this text in the coming few weeks… and they could be reading about your business! An Advertorial like this one costs just €50, that’s 600 potential new customers or clients for your business for every euro spent!

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. Advertorials 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. Advertorials are now available in 4 sizes: • 1/6 page - €50 (this one) • 1/3 page - €100 • 2/3 page - €200

ADVERTORIAL

Transport, Removals & Storage

• 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 ■

The Man With A Van Who Can

Affordable Moves/ Single Items Regular UK runs - check website Europewide/ limousin based

E: pancentral@hotmail.com W: www.themanwithavan.info

Tel: (+33) 07.61.21.85.15 Siret : 532 526 001 00013

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

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Man & Van Transport Genuine/Reliable/Honest Local + Europe + UK runs Goods In Transit Insurance 14m3 capacity 4.2m load length French Spoken

05 55 33 21 59 87150 Oradour-sur-Vayres

www.frenchvanman.eu Siret 530 213 644 00012

ADVERTORIAL

From low-cost shutters to beautiful handmade staircases - made right here in the Limousin

nother year and another set of New Year resolutions to break, but not all is doom and gloom - one should look to the new year with a positive outlook! We run our woodworking business with only a positive and friendly attitude to our work, solving sometimes difficult woodworking problems and making unique architectural items for the home. Sometimes made to measure can be costly, but we do our best to keep our pricing low; such as our range of low-cost shutters (starting from only €35

Your advert here

each!) to complement our standard range of Douglas Fir and Oak shutters. We also build with care external & internal doors, stair cases, beds and windows using high quality, long-time air seasoned Oak timber, giving our clients very stable wooden doors with beautiful grain. If it can be made from wood then we are very happy to build it for you using our nice timbers and an artistic eye. 'Scrollart Bespoke Woodwork' - wishing you a very prosperous New Year.

If you would like to know more about our services, please visit our website: www.scrollart.co.uk or call us on:

ADVERTORIAL

General

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

05 55 03 37 96

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

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)

05 55 41 17 76 Parking For Limoges Airport

05 55 14 12 43 E: info@scrollart.co.uk Siret: 752 051 482 00012 Oradour-sur-Vayres (87150) ■

siret 508 166 642 00019

Carrefour du bois Limousin

www.chauffagebois-limousin.com

05 55 63 72 45 - see pg 4

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

BABY/INFANT EQUIPMENT FOR HIRE To raise funds for the SPA dog rescue centre in Guéret.

High chair, buggy, play pen, travel cot, fire guard, stair gate etc. Each item will incur a hire charge of 7 euros, plus a refundable 8 euros deposit.

For more INFO or to HIRE Call Jean: 05 55 54 96 36 jeanwhitham@orange.fr

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

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ FEBRUARY 2013

FRENCH LIFE ♦ 11

ench fry? Is the answer really

blowin' in the wind?

that is the very essence of being a Belgian,” says Philippe Ratzel who owns the Clementine stall, one of the most popular in Brussels. “Here, you can meet anyone - the old lady who is taking her dog out for a walk, students or even the government minister who lives nearby.” Whatever their origins and however they got their

DAVID

name, let's stop fighting and just agree that at their best they are hard to beat. John Calvi, in a 1982 poem called French Fries, perhaps said it best, in his final stanza, when he wrote: Some think the army, the bombs and the guns Will one day save all of our lives, I don’t believe it – heat up your pans Make peace, and lots of French fries.

CARDWELL

PROFESSIONAL BUILDER Home renovations / Ground works Block works / Verandas, Abris & Terraces Barn doors & Shutters Also available: digger & driver Planning permission assistance and design available HNC and ONC qualified, 15 years experience & 5 in France

Tel: 05 55 98 24 12 Email: dave.cardwell@yahoo.co.uk

t seems that wind farms have just half the useful lifespan to what has previously been claimed. According to new research, they start to wear out after just 12 years, something that has been blindingly obvious for years… A study of almost 3,000 turbines in Britain, the largest of its kind, has shed major doubt on manufacturers’ claims that they generate clean energy for up to 25 years, a serviceable period which is used by the government to calculate subsidies paid to wind farm companies. Wind power is becoming big business in France, which has the third highest output in Europe after Germany and the UK. The government has committed to investing in more wind farms over the coming years and there are several projects ongoing in the Limousin. Professor Gordon Hughes, a former energy advisor to the World Bank, has predicted that in the coming decade

by Arthur Smith from Harlequin Developments

far more investment will be needed to replace older and ineffective turbines. This is likely to be passed on in even higher household electricity bills, something that seems to happen with increasing regularity in Europe at the moment, even though the major power suppliers keep making even more obscene profits. A study of 280 wind farms in Britain and more than 800 in Denmark from 2000 to 2011, found that the larger wind farms typical in Britain are less effective than smaller ones. In Denmark, where wind power has been used for longer, the decline in output was less dramatic, which could be put down to their smaller size and possibly better maintenance. For onshore wind, the monthly ‘load factor’ of turbines, a measure of how much electricity they generate as a percentage of how much they could produce if on at full power all the time, dropped from a high of 24 per cent in the first year

after construction, to just 11 per cent after 15 years. Now call me a cynic, but only 24% productivity on full power when new isn’t something that I think is worth shouting about, especially when they have to be shut down if it gets too windy. But the UK government, which has very close ties to some wind farm companies, plans to increase the number of turbines from the current 3,873 to 10,000 within the next decade, and insist they are essential to fight climate change. But they would, wouldn’t they? Energy scaremongering is an easy way to raise taxes. The return of the ‘Green Goddess’? While browsing the ‘interweb’ the other day, I came across an item that says that when it comes to recycling, women are definitely the greener sex. A survey found that almost 70% of women who live

alone dispose of refuse in an environmentally-friendly way, compared to 58% of single men. A totally needless survey according to my Mrs, as she says that any woman could have told them that… Anyway, that figure rises to nearly 80% for couples, suggesting women are the driving force when it comes to sorting and disposing of paper, boxes, bottles and various leftovers. This just shows that all we men have to do is get something wrong a few times, and you’re never asked to tidy up again. But seriously, householders are increasingly viewing recycling as essential and the study concludes that the best way to improve the figures is to target green messages at men. A conservative estimate from Friends of the Earth is that 80% of all household waste is recyclable. ■ Arthur Smith Harlequin Developments www.harlequindevelopments.com Tel: 05.55.68.67.56 Mob: 06.06.60.46.97

3000m² of great products incl. Toiletries, DIY, Housewares, Furniture plus loads more at great prices & we are even open on SUNDAYS!!

From our store to your door whenever you like! We never break down! We are always on time! It’s so easy.......just nip down to THE SHED!! The bargains don’t stop at THE SHED - we have 1000’s of value for money products in our 3000m² store including the best Ambient British Grocery selection available anywhere in the Limousin. We are reliable for lots of your favourite brands whether it be Heinz baked beans, Bisto gravy granules, Typhoo teabags etc.

Our British food aisle may be second to none, but at THE SHED we are about more than just groceries. We regularly restock our range of DULUX paints and English Plaster as well as many other DIY essentials. Whether you’re after HOUSEWARES, TOILETRIES, FURNITURE or CLOTHING, you’ll find them all at bargain prices... so get yourself down THE SHED!!

LE MOULIN DU BREUIL BAR, RESTAURANT, TERRASSE

Le Moulin du Breuil is closed for the month of February. We look forward to welcoming you back in March - new and ‘old‛ customers!! Look out for dates of our Soirees, Breakfast Clubs, Quizzes and new menu.

Route de l’Isle Jourdain

Thanks again to all our customers for their support over the last year - Rach, Brett, Anne and Nick.

23140 PIONNAT – Tel 05 55 80 37 70

info@lemoulindubreuil.com

TRADE/BULK ORDER ENQUIRIES

Please note that many products at THE SHED can be ordered in bulk at favourable prices and all trade enquiries are welcome, so whether you are a builder, chip shop, B & B or just doing up your house please call Léon to discuss your requirements on 06 62 53 66 22

www.lemoulindubreuil.com

Opp. the Gendarmerie, just off RN147

87320 Bussière-Poitevine

Tel: 05 55 68 74 73

Open Tuesday - Saturday 09h00 - 12h00 & 14h00 - 18h00 (closed Mondays) Sunday 09h30 - 12h00 & 14h30 - 18h00 GPS co-ordinates: Long: 0° 53’ 33’’ 40 E Lat: 46° 13’ 45’’ 10 N

FEBRUARY 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

12 ♦ FRENCH LIFE

Car Breakers - C.R.A.L.

Centre de Recyclages d’Automobiles du Limousin - Les Tourettes, 87440 SAINT-MATHIEU

WE WILL COLLECT YOUR SCRAP CAR FOR FREE - WE BUY & SELL SECOND HAND CARS (RHD OR LHD) SPARE PARTS FOR SALE

TEL: 05.55.48.21.33 - ENGLISH SPOKEN - Email: cral87@gmx.fr

Le greffage - Grafting One of my New Year's resolutions this year is to improve my grafting skills. But what is grafting? Well, think about taking cuttings, which many of us are familiar with. You take a piece of a plant and incite it to develop new roots, thereby creating a new plant. Success rates differ according to the plant you're trying to root, but generally most people don't find it too daunting.

When you graft, you take a piece of the specimen you want to reproduce and you insert it into an existing tree or shrub, which already has its roots. This acts as a host plant (root stock) and, hopefully, what grows above the graft is the variety you wanted. Professionals use this technique to clone varieties because they are identical to the parent plant, whereas sowing seed leads to all sorts of variation. There are lots of different techniques for grafting, but it is still an art which is practised in France, especially in the countryside, and enables you to have as many fruit trees for free as you want. It is also important when saving old varieties. February is a good time for grafting, because when the sap starts rising with the start of the growing season, it naturally feeds the 'cutting'. You can read up on how to graft, but a hands-on demonstration is usually much easier to follow, so why not contact your local gardening group, or Les Croqueurs de Pommes (http:// croqpomlim.free.fr/) or Mémoire Fruitière des Charentes (http://memoirefruitiere.blogspot.fr/) who regularly run grafting sessions at this time of year. ■ Michelle Pierce - Un Jardin en France plant nursery unjardinenfrance@gmail.com - 05 45 89 36 54

OSTEOPATHY & ACUPUNCTURE UK Registered Cranial & Structural

OSTEOPATH

PAUL BODIMEADE, BSc (Hons) OST UK Licensed Five Element & Traditional Chinese

ACUPUNCTURIST

LINDA BODIMEADE, BSc (Hons) MBAaC

Do You Suﬀer from Back, Neck, Joint Pain, Arthritic conditions, Tension headaches or Sports Injuries, Insomnia, Stress, Sinus, Hayfever? Based in Châteauneuf-la-Forêt - Home Visits now available in the Haute-Vienne, Corrèze and Dordogne

www.osteopathyforbackpain.com or www.acupunctureforhealthwellbeing.com

Tel: 05 87 41 07 93 or 06 18 74 05 08

In the garden - jobs for February

on't get carried away! Yes, the days are getting longer, and the mornings are lighter. Yes, bulbs are already showing in the garden. I have crocus, narcissi & daffodils all just popping through the turf. But... snow is forecast over quite large parts of France, and by the time you read this, your garden may well be under the white stuff. Still, at least the desire to get back out into the garden has started to regenerate.

Sort things out The greenhouse, polytunnel or shed may all benefit from a general clear-out or tidy-up. This enables you to see what you have plenty of, and what you may run short of in the year. Put any opened bags of last year's compost onto borders, or seed bed. Shred or burn any old pea sticks that are too fragile for use. Sort through your plant pots and donate excess ones to a good cause rather than taking them to the dump. Clean, sharpen and oil tools in readiness for the off. An excellent way to do regular tool maintenance is to have a bucket of dry sand. Pour some vegetable oil into it and then, after use, plunge your tools into this mix. The abrasive quality of the sand will remove soil or plant residue, then all you have to do is wipe over with a dry cloth. It's been mild so far but... Make sure gutters on sheds aren't blocked by fallen leaves and twigs. Check that outside water pipes are well protected. If it gets really cold, you may want

to empty your water butts to stop them from freezing and then splitting. It depends on whether, like me, you have waterlilies growing in them. Cast your eye over things in tubs and big pots. Throw fleece over them if you can't move them to more sheltered areas, and make sure the roots are well protected. Being house-proud We should all clean and disinfect our greenhouses each year, but that does involve eradicating insects so unless you've had a particular disease problem, you can make do with a thorough tidy.

The mower Do a service on your mower, or have one done before there is a waiting list. Change or clean filters, change the oil, sharpen the blades, check the condition of belts etc if it's a ride-on. Weeding It's been so mild this winter that the weeds are getting a head start on us. My garden has a fine crop of cleavers growing merrily away, as well as vetches, wild lettuce, bittercress and buttercup. Don't let them get too much of a hold in areas where you'll be unhappy to have them later. Sowing Towards the middle of the month is a good time to turn on the propagator, which is always one of the real pleasures of the spring. In advance of this, look through your seeds and make a list of what you need to buy. I try

and do this before I start looking at seed catalogues, to avoid getting completely carried away, but it only works to a certain degree! Hardy annuals, sweet peas, cosmos, poppies, cornflowers, ammi, calendula, sunflowers, snapdragons, cleome, nigella are amongst some of the loveliest things to put in the flower garden. Re veg, leaf vegetables like chards, rocket, salads, mustards, etc, as well as herbs, can all be sown. Grow onions, broad beans, peas, etc in lengths of gutter or troughs, then just pop them into

place when you're ready for them. Hotter temperature varieties like tomatoes, cucumber, chillies, aubergines can be started off too but need to wait for good weather before going out, so it may pay to be patient with them, or they may get leggy. Think about starting to chit your seed potatoes in a bright, frost-free place. ■ Michelle Pierce Un Jardin en France plant nursery unjardinenfrance@gmail.com 05 45 89 36 54

Dates for your diary Not much is happening in the gardening world round here in February, unfortunately. The season really starts in earnest in April. Here are a couple of suggestions: Barnhaven Primroses Open Weekend - 23-24 February in Brittany, if you're passing! www.barnhaven.com Salon de l'Horticulture de Niort - “Printemps aux jardins” 10-12 March (dept 79, Deux-Sèvres) - www.vivre-a-niort.com Journée des plantes - 21 April, Nexon (dept 87) www.jardin-plante-nexon.com Fête des Plantes Vivaces - 12-14 April, Saint-Jean-de-Beauregard near Paris www.domsaintjeanbeauregard.com

French Onion Soup - Soupe à ľoignon gratinée

Onion soup dates back to Roman times, as onions were very cheap and easy to grow. It was in France in the 18th century that onion soup as we know it was developed.

Ingredients (Serves 6-8):

50g Butter 2 tbsp Olive oil 1 1/2lb / 700g Finely sliced onions 3 Garlic cloves, crushed 1 Bay leaf 125ml / 4fl oz Dry white wine 2l / 3 pints Beef stock

2 tbsp Brandy Salt and pepper to season 1 Baguette, cut into 1 inch diagonal slices 1 clove Garlic, cut in half 1 tbsp Olive oil 340g / 12oz Gruyère or Emmental, grated

1. In a flameproof casserole or large heavy based pan heat the butter and the oil on a medium-high heat. 2. Add the onions and garlic and cook for about 8 minutes or until the onions are soft or the edges have darkened. 3. Turn the heat to its lowest setting and carry on cooking the onions for 30-35 minutes, stirring frequently. 4. Add the bay leaf, wine and stock, bring to the boil scraping the bottom of the pan, then turn the heat down to its lowest setting and leave to cook gently for about 1 hour with the lid off. 5. Remove the bay leaf, add the brandy and season to taste. 6. Preheat the grill, rub the slices of bread with the cut side of the garlic and the oil. 7. Bake the bread until crisp and crunchy. Float a piece of the bread on top of a bowl of the soup, sprinkle with grated cheese and place under the grill until the cheese begins to melt and bubble (you can also use a blow lamp to melt the cheese). Serve immediately. Recipes provided by Chef George. Written and compiled by Frances of La Grande Maison (Table et Chambres d'Hôte), Chénérailles www.grandemaison-chenerailles.com

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ FEBRUARY 2013

BILINGUAL ♦ 13

French turn to British cheese

omment voulezvous gouverner un pays qui a deux cent quarante-six variétés de fromage?” Charles de Gaulle once famously said this of France: “How can you govern a country that has 246 varieties of cheese?” That was over 50 years ago and these days France officially boasts more than 400 types - have sympathy for François Hollande!! It is safe to say that the French love their cheese and never more so than today. In 1900, they ate around 4kg per person per year today, that figure has risen to 25kg! Cheese is part of French culture and when people think of France, the picture that often comes to mind is a big piece of cheese accompanied by a crusty baguette and a glass of red wine.

developed a taste for stronger cheeses and are themselves now making cheeses that the rest of the world like. Until 20 years ago, 60% of all cheddar made in the UK was mild (jeune) - today nearly 70% is mature (vieux). Nigel White, secretary of the British Cheese Board, explains: “I think historically we used to send out cheese to the rest of the world that was too young. There was nothing wrong with it, but it didn't have a very strong flavour.” This has now changed and in 2011 a British cheddar

won the top prize at the International Cheese Awards, following on from the success of a Cornish Blue the year before. And it is not just British offerings that are invading the French cheese board; Emmental, mozzarella and feta have all seen rising sales in recent years. The Swiss cheese Emmental has even knocked Camembert off its perch as France’s favourite cheese - the French today eat almost as much Emmental as they do Camembert and brie combined!! ■

Bilingual Crossword Clues in English - answers in French

harles de Gaulle fit ce bon mot désormais célèbre au sujet de la France: “Comment voulez-vous gouverner un pays qui a deux cent quarante-six variétés de fromage?” C’était il y a plus de cinquante ans et aujourd’hui la France se glorifie d’avoir plus de 400 variétés de fromage. Ayons de la compassion pour François Hollande! On ne prend pas beaucoup de risques en disant que les Français sont plus que jamais amoureux de leur fromage et qu’ils ne l’ont jamais autant aimé qu’aujourd’hui. Leur consommation annuelle par personne est passée de 4 kg en 1900 à 25 kg aujourd’hui! Le fromage fait partie intégrante de la culture française et quand on y pense, l’idée qui vient à l’esprit est souvent un bon français avec une baguette de pain croustillante, un gros morceau de fromage et un verre de vin rouge. Mais les goûts de la nation

But the nation's tastes are changing and it appears that the French are developing a penchant for English cheddar! This can be seen most clearly in the success of “Cathedral City” cheddar. Cathedral City entered the French market 5 years ago and today sells 250,000 packets of cheese in France every year. This success may be a result of changes in tastes in both directions across the Channel: importing more cheese from abroad has meant that the British have

The Bugle thanks local French teacher, Sophie Arsac, for the translation of this month's bilingual article on another topical aspect of Franco-British culture.

évoluent et il semblerait que les Français développent un penchant pour le cheddar anglais! Le constat est évident pour «Cathedral City» qui remporte un franc succès. Lancée sur le marché français il y a 5 ans, la marque vend désormais 250.000 paquets par an. Cette réussite s’explique peut-être par une évolution du goût de chaque côté de la Manche: l’importation accrue de l’étranger a aiguisé le goût des Britanniques pour les fromages forts et leur propre production est désormais appréciée du monde

entier. Il y a encore 20 ans, 60% du cheddar produit au RoyaumeUni était doux ; désormais le ratio s’est inversé au profit du cheddar plus affiné qui représente 70% de la production. Nigel White, secrétaire du «British Cheese Board», explique: «Je crois qu’autrefois le fromage que nous exportions dans le reste du monde était trop jeune. Il n’y avait rien à redire mais son goût n’était pas suffisamment prononcé». Les choses ont changé et un cheddar britannique a gagné le premier prix lors du Festival

International du Fromage en 2011, succédant au Bleu de Cornouailles, élu meilleur fromage du monde l’année précédente. L’offre britannique est loin d’être la seule à envahir le plateau de fromages français : les ventes d’emmental, de mozzarella et de feta ont aussi progressé ces dernières années. L’emmental suisse a même détrôné le camembert, fromage favori des Français. En effet, les Français consomment quasiment autant d’emmental que de camembert et de brie réunis! ■

5. pie (5) 6. sand (5) 8. air (3) 9. Thursday (5) 12. frogs (11) 13. dog (5) 14. east (3) 17. morning (5) 18. pupil (5)

Down:

1. salt shaker (7) 2. summer (3) 3. sandal (7) 4. island (3) 7. to measure (7) 12. anchovy (7) 11. washing powder (7) 15. cape (3) 16. wheat (3)

Bilingual crossword solution can be found on page 19

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. editor@thebugle.eu - sales@thebugle.eu 05.55.41.17.76

The Bugle, live on France Bleu Creuse Tune in to our next show: 09h30 THURSday 7th FEBRuary

Celotex Rigid Insulation Board B-Grade - all sizes available Delivery can be arranged

Tel: 05.55.78.57.60 dawn-2665@hotmail.com

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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 email notices@thebugle.eu with the details you would like included in your advert.

FOR SALE ANIMALS & PETS

WANTED:

good

home

My family are moving to an appartment in Spain and cannot take me because it will be too hot. I am an 8-year-old Belgian Shepherd bitch who loves the outdoors during the day and sleeping indoors at night. I get on well with humans and all animals, especially cats, goats, chickens and ducks.If you can give me a kind and loving home please phone 05 55 81 36 70 so that you can arrange to meet me. Tel: 05 55 81 36 70 FOR SALE: Dog folding wire cage 110cm x 70 cm x 70cm. Has metal tray base. €30.00 Tel: 05 55 69 49 28 FREE TO A GOOD HOME: 3 Homes needed for 3 Kittens, 5 months old - 2 Boys black & white and one Tabby girl. They are used to living outside but like to sneak in round the fire. All are healthy, friendly, well handled, good mousers and like dogs. Tel: 05 55 62 18 95 (between Bonnat & Aigurande) FOR SALE: Wintec 2000 saddle With girth, stirrups and price to include a full bridle. €150.00 Tel: 05 55 60 62 14 or 06 78 38 42 44 Email: beverley.pawson@ yahoo.co.uk Can you give me a new home?

I am a very affectionate 1 and a half year old spayed female. I found my way to a nice family when I was a tiny kitten and I liked it so much, I stayed.The problem is, they already have lots of cats and we don’t all get along, which isn’t much fun for anyone. I would be much happier in a new home where I can relax and not worry about the other cats. I am very confident, outgoing and am happy to be around dogs, children, chickens, anything really. If you would like to talk to my family about me, please call. Thank you. Tel:

05 55 69 37 64 (Dept.87) FOR SALE: Rugs Masta Deluxe Turn Out Rug Black 6FT V.G.C. 50€; Brown Check Travel Rug 6FT 25€ NEW; Green Stable Rug Chill Cheeta 6FT 25€ NEW. We are in dept 23 close to Chenerailles. Tel: 05 55 62 77 41 KITTENS TO GIVE AWAY Kittens ready to give away to good homes. Various colours, male and female, including pure white. Please contact for more information and photos. Can deliver. 06 11 41 95 14 (after 6pm) Email: davisaunis@aol. com FOR SALE: Affectionate Young Male Parson Russell Terrier Fully house-trained and well socialised. Microchipped and fully vaccinated. L.O.S. €300.00 Tel: 06 78 29 32 61 / 02 54 24 07 76

of furniture. 60 ins long by 18 ins deep by 30 ins high. 3 lockable doors with keys. Good condition. €25.00 Tel: 05 55 69 79 71 (Eymoutiers) FOR SALE: 4 seater settee and 3 seater bed settee Biscuit colour in good condition. Together with arm protectors and large pouffe (small tear on one corner). Very comfortable and useful as the 3 seater doubles as a full length single bed. 87150. €400.00ono Tel: 05 55 50 49 51 FOR SALE: Antique Oak Dining Table This lovely table

FOR SALE: 15 sheets of 9mm exterior plywood 2.40 x 1.44 (3sq metres per sheet). Unused. Surplus to req. €30 per sheet. Tel: 05 55 89 00 67 FOR SALE: ISOLATION REFLECTIF (aka tin foil insulation) 5 layers, 1.5 x 13.34 linear metres, a good 2.5 rolls, bought too much! €65.00ono Call Dave on 05 55 64 83 13 FOR SALE: Unopened Leyland blue undercoat and gloss paint 7.5 litres of each. €80.00 Tel. 05 17 23 61 12

has cabriole legs and seats 6-8. It is 168cms x 82cms and 76cms high. Will deliver. €400.00 Call 0555 60 62 97 Email: anthony. parson@gmail.com FOR SALE: Dressing table Sizes 170 x 113 x 50 cm. Made from reclaimed wood. From Bexleyheath Kent.E-mail for pictures or call to arrange a viewing. Based near Bonnat 23220. €500.00 Tel. 05 55 81 69 61 Email: bridger.nigel@ orange.fr FOR SALE: Pine Kitchen Trolley V.G.C. €15.00 Tel. 05 55 78 45 24 FOR SALE: Pine table Round 77cm diam. €8.00 Tel: 05 55 03 87 56

FURNITURE

GARDEN

BUILDING MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT

FOR SALE: Tapley '33' Teak glass fronted wall display cabinet 22 ins wide by 44 ins

high by 11 ins deep. 4 adjustable glass shelves. Fitted 2 lighting units (fluorescent tubes not fitted). Wall bracket included. Good condition. €40.00 Tel: 05 55 69 79 71 (Eymoutiers) FOR SALE: Sideboard / office storage / workshop bench

Substantial Teak finish piece

FOR SALE: BACK BOX 1.2m wide, used with Siromer Compact tractor. Bought new in 2007 but hardly used. €325.00ono Call Dave on 05 55 64 83 13 FOR SALE: Agri-Fab 42" Lawnsweeper (Model 45-0320062) For towing behind sit-on mower, in order to sweep up leaves and/or grass cuttings. (More info on Google). €120.00 Tel: 09 50 76 37 75 FOR SALE: 2005 Topper Gyromass G1252 B40 1.2m

width - excellent condition, hardly used. €900.00 Tel: 05 55 78 54 20 FOR SALE: New above ground steel wall swimming pool Still in package with assembly

instructions. Cost 600 euros now 500 euros. To be collected ( B e s s i n e s - s u r- G a r t e m p e ) . €500.00 Phone 05 55 60 88 30 Email: ianmags@tiscali.co.uk

GENERAL FOR SALE: MICROSOFT desktop wired keyboard 600 In black with USB connection. English layout. Brandnew, never used in original packaging. €30 + €5 postage or collect. 36170 close to Limoges border. 02 54 25 34 78 Email: blake.peter@orange.fr FOR SALE: Carp fishing Tackle 1) New, Unused, Tracker Armo Dome, 250 euros. 2) 3x Quantum Energy BCS750 big pit baitrunners, 200 euros. 3) 2x Shakespeare Albany 3.00lb tc Rods, 100 euros. 4) 2x Shimano Aero GTE 6000B baitrunners. 150 euros. 5) 2x Shimano Aerlex 7000 (ideal for spod and marker) 60 euros. 6) New ( still sealed packaging) Fox digital scales. 80 euros. 7) 3x Nash Pursuit 3.00 lb tc rods. 200 euros. 8) 2x DAM Titanium Allrounders (handcrafted) 12/13 foot. 140 euros. All are in excellent condition. Need the money to repair my car. Tel: 05 55 68 71 22. After 6.00pm. FOR SALE: Portable room heater (gaz) Regulator & empty

container. €75.00ono Tel: 05 53 56 90 87 FOR SALE: 1000W wallmounted electric inertie Ceramique radiator (never used). €80.00 Tel: 05 53 56 90 87 FOR SALE: Heavy duty fire back, fire base, fire dogs, basket

Also fire guard. Total €199. Will separate if required.Also additional fire back & base €75. Tel: 05 53 56 90 87 FOR SALE: Audi Q7 Parka Limited Edition Audi Q7 Parka for sale. Size Large, fits approx 42"-44" chest. Green with fur lined hood. As new condition, only worn twice. Very rare item as it was only issued to people

who worked on the Audi Q7 development in Munich. €75.00 Tel: 06 06 60 46 97 FOR SALE: Confidence USA 2 in 1 excercise bike/cross-trainer In new condition complete with original packaging. Would like 75euros, but sensible offers considered.Based in Dept.86. Please telephone for further details. €75.00 Tel: 05.49.48.59.18 / 07.80.05.42.52 FOR SALE: Very old French pendant light fitting €35.00

Tel: 05 55 78 79 02 (near Rochechouart) FOR SALE: ROGER BLACK GOLD TREADMILL Model AG-10302, owned from new, little used and complete with User Manual. 7 preset programmes, plus measurement of pulse, calories, speed, distance and time, with an 'incline' setting. In excellent condition and a genuine bargain at only 185€. €185.00 Tel Clair Birkett on 05 55 64 83 13 FOR SALE: Good quality hay Small square bales 3e each; big round bales 1m20 30e each; big wrapped silage/haylage 1m20 35e each. Tel: 05 55 68 20 27 FOR SALE: Dallas Accoustic guitar Condition as new. €85.00 Tel: 05 55 82 08 03 Boussac FOR SALE: Cornilleau 140 indoor table tennis table Condition as new. €195.00 Tel: 05 55 82 08 03 Boussac FOR SALE: Small Bales of Hay 10-12 kilo - 2.22 euros each. Near to Chénérailles. Can deliver up to 70 bales. Tel: Steve or Rosie 05 55 41 59 42 Email: stephen.towse@ wanadoo.fr FOR SALE: Model WS 5406 'Miele' Commercial Washer In good condition. €75.00 Tel: 05 55 98 57 62 FOR SALE: 'Keraco' Stone Effect Twin-Bowl Sink (120cm x 60cm) with single drainer in light grey, never used. €40.00 Tel: 05 55 98 57 62 FOR SALE: 'Extralight Sprint' Gents Bike Never used and in mint condition. €80.00 Tel: 05 55 98 57 62 FOR SALE: Netbook - Acer Aspire One 533, red Intel Atom Processor N455 (1.66GHz), 1GB memory, 250GB Hard Drive. Windows 7 Home Premium version. Plus travel mouse and UK/European power connector. Email for pictures & more information. €150.00 Email:

jim87500@gmail.com FOR SALE: Telephone handsets & ext leads/ adaptors/ connectors BT (English) wifi telephone handset and Phillips Dect (French) wifi telephone handset, both in very good condition. Also an assortment of phone ext leads, English/French adaptors, connectors etc. Offers please. Tel: 05 55 60 25 92 FOR SALE: Various 1. Canon MP240 Colour printer/copier in vgc, needs new ink cartridges. 2. Samsung inkjet phone/fax in vgc. 3. Rotary clothes line - large, brand new. 4. Sheet of opaque glass - 52 1/2 ins x 22 1/4 ins x 4 mm 5. Brand New Real Wood flooring. Glueless interlocking hickory planks. 8 packs each consisting of 6 planks 13.5 x 190 x 1220 - total 11.12 m2. Offers please for any of the above. Tel: 05 55 60 25 92 FOR SALE: Golf Equipment Lots of top quality golf equipment including bags, trolleys, clubs (irons, woods and putters), balls (new and used), gloves tees and a pair of size 9 1/2W Footjoy Dry Ice shoes. ALSO 1 ladies gooseneck putter and 1 ladies mashie niblick, both hickory shafted and made by Wm Gibson & Co Ltd Kinghorn Scotland. Sensible offers please. Tel: 05 55 60 25 92 Email: malcolmwalden@yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: Various Mens light grey salopettes size 32-34 waist & ladies cream salopettes size 29-30 waist, both unworn 10€ each; large mirror 66cm x 92cm with smoked grey surround 25€; electric mincer with sausage and biscuit attachment 20€; white modern sideboard with two drawers and two cupboards 60€; ladies B’Twin bike with padlock and helmet unused 90€; teal bedspread 200cm x 214cm unused 10€; Brita water filter with three cartridges 8€; Quechua single inflatable mattress 10€; four porcelain Franklin Mint model unicorns approx 26cm high in excellent condition 20€ each. Tel: 05 55 81 74 25 FOR SALE: 10kw woodburning stove This beautiful looking

woodburner features bullrushes in an art deco style. It is in good working condition and measures 50cms (w) x 32cms (d) x 68cms in height. It has a rear flue of 15cms diameter. Could deliver. €250.00 T: 0555 60 62 97

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ FEBRUARY 2013

CLASSIFIEDS ♦ 15 The Bugle CLASSIFIEDS are brought to you in association with WWW.HOUSESONINTERNET.COM Email: anthony.parson@gmail. com FOR SALE: Gents Apollo Mountain bike With pannier and storage. 20 Euros each. Tel: 05 55 60 03 34 (87330 Nouic) FOR SALE: 8 New Epson Inks T1285 (Fox) 2 x red, 2 x blue, 3 x yellow, 1 x black. Reason for sale - changed printer. €60.00 Tel Barbara: 05 55 03 76 87 FOR SALE: MENS COATS Due to loss of 3 stones in weight! Quiksilver Parka, XXL, khaki with quilted soft fleece lining, half zip and hood with faux fur, worn only twice, 45 €; Ciro Citterio quality 3/4 length black leather jacket, XXL, 50 €; Stylish black corduroy coat, L, never worn, 35 €; Ben Sherman brown suede-effect jacket, XL, with fleece lining, 35 €. All ovno. Email for photos. Tel: 05 55 64 83 13 Email: clairbirkett@ hotmail.co.uk FOR SALE: NORDIC TRACK CXT 1200 cross trainer BURN OFF THE CALORIES AFTER CHRISTMAS! Can be seen on Nordic Track web site. In good condition. Lack of space after rearranging home forces sale. 100 Euros, cash. Buyer collects. €100.00 Tel: 05 55 14 28 09 Email: patriciawoodward@ hotmail.co.uk FOR SALE: Front fork for racing/road cycle Carbon, FUNDA 3T PRO in excellent condition and hardly used. Buyer to collect. Photos available. €140.00 Tel: 05 55 64 22 25 Email: geeinfrance@gmail.com FOR SALE: Guitars 2 Fender Squier Affinity Stratocaster guitars:One Black, white pickguard, couple of small marks but plays fine - Euro 65 One maroon, white pickguard, skunk stipe neck, perfect condition Euro 95 Yamaha Pacifica Guitar, black sparkle, black pickguard, refinished headstock, great player - Euro 85 Laney 120 watt amp head, built-in effects, footswitch, massive sound, perfect working order - Euro 150 Email for further details and pix rfloate@hotmail.co.uk FOR SALE: Various Singer treadle sewing machine to restore. 10€ Demijohns 1€ each.Full size tennis table; Coffee maker; Bread maker; Cot mattress and sheet - Any reasonable offer accepted. Tel: 06 26 07 72 75 FOR SALE: Metal Gun Cabinet

EASY

Height 154 cm; width 40 cm; depth 26 cm. Holds 6-7 guns with internal ammo box. €250.00 Tel: 05 55 42 56 44 FOR SALE: Large Granite Chimney Lovely granite surround for integrated fire. Width: 1m85, height: 1m40, depth: 0m70.Very heavy - collection only. Near Eymoutiers (dept 87). Selling for my French neighbours, price negotiable. €1,500.00 Tel: 05 55 42 56 44 (English) or 05 55 69 73 20 (French - midday and evenings) FOR SALE: Vase x 2 Peacock design, blue, pink and white, 14 inches €10.00 Tel: 05 55 60 03 34 (87330 Nouic) FOR SALE: Step machine with counter €20.00 Tel: 05 55 60 03 34 (87330 Nouic) FOR SALE: Electric food steamer 2 tiers, never been used. €10.00 Tel: 05 55 60 03 34 (87330 Nouic) FOR SALE: English television with built in vhs video 21" Made by AIWA. Silver in colour.Email for pictures or call to arrange a viewing. Based near Bonnat 23220. €75.00 Tel. 05 55 81 69 61 Email: bridger.nigel@ orange.fr FOR SALE: Large picture/print Sizes 134 x 106 cm. Framed by beckindale's of England. "spirit 1" of horsman and his horse.Email for pictures or call to arrange a viewing. Based near Bonnat 23220. €500.00 Tel. 05 55 81 69 61 Email: bridger. nigel@orange.fr FOR SALE: Large mirror Sizes are 138 x 104 cm. Gold frame.Email for pictures or call to arrange a viewing. Based near Bonnat 23220. €500.00 Tel. 05 55 81 69 61 Email: bridger.nigel@orange. fr FOR SALE: Mirror 82 x 63 cm incl. Wrought iron surround. €10.00 Tel: 05 55 03 87 56 FOR SALE: Raclette New, boxed. €5.00 Tel: 05 55 03 87 56 FOR SALE: Ceiling light fitting As new. Gold/wood. Semimodern design. Upward facing. Approx depth 500mm. Today's approx price 85 euros, will accept 40 euros. €40.00 Tel: 05 55 03 87 56 FOR SALE: Microsoft Media Desktop 1000 & Logitech querty keyboards Microsoft Media Desktop 1000 (querty ultra-thin keyboard and optical mouse). Unused, still in sealed box. €35. Logitech querty keyboard. Used,

but in working order. €10.10 minutes from Aubusson. Tel: 05 87 36 00 50 FOR SALE: TWO GOOD QUALITY VERY WARM SLEEPING BAGS Used only a few times and in excellent condition. 55 euros for the two. Tel: 0555 787902 (near Rochechouart)

Dave on 05 55 67 58 87 FOR SALE: Nissan X trail Aventura T 30 2007 pair of genuine xenon left hand drive headlights including bulbs

VEHICLES / PARTS FOR SALE: Roof Rack Fits Peugeot Partner/ Citroen Belingo 2003/04 etc. €45.00 Tel: 05 55 69 49 28 FOR SALE: LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 200TDI for spares or repair 1992. French registered but no CT. Good strong engine that does not burn oil, the 5 speed manual gearbox and transfer box are both very good. Axles and brakes good though could do with new discs on the rear. New exhaust last year, 5 fivespoke alloy wheels with 4 very good tyres, less than a thousand on the two rear ones. New starter motor and new battery within the last two years. A lot of mileage but the body is poor! Rear cross member is rotten as are the arches. So welding or breaking are the only two options. Tow bar fitted. Fifteen minutes from Boussac 23600. Contact for more information. €500.00 Tel: 04 70 06 37 99 Email: rg.ingle@yahoo. com FOR SALE: French Registered 2001 Land Rover Freelander Td4 Automatic LHD Turbo Diesel, Col Black, leather interior, 5 Doors.Automatic gear box, Air con, ABS, Hill descent, Electric windows, Tow bar, radio/CD, 4 New Tyres. 5,000 ono.Roof rack/Snow chains opt. extras. €5,000.00ono Tel: 05 55 60 08 46 FOR SALE: 4 x 15” steel wheels complete with brand new, unused, high quality snow tyres to suit Renault Megane/ Scenic etc. Cost me 400 Euros will sell for 300 Euros. €300.00 Contact

MEDIUM

NEW LIFE – NEW BUSINESS

AN OPPORTUNITY TO ACQUIRE AN ESTABLISHED PROPERTY BUSINESS IN THE HAUTE-VIENNE (LIMOUSIN) AREA OF FRANCE. »» »» »» »»

PROPERTY TO LET: 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house, 5 Km west of Aubusson Oil fired central heating, English and/or French TV. 400 Euros per month plus bills. Available 1/3/13 furnished or unfurnished. Tel: 05 55 67 58 87

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

€500.00 Tel: 05.55.66.44.06 FOR SALE: 1994 Mercedes 408D Removal van Can be driven on car licence. Extra large 900 cubic ft body with all blankets, ties etc needed for household removal. New MOT and Taxed. Excellent condition. The cheapest way to move to or from France. €2,000.00 Phone Martin 02 54 05 12 45 Email: mister.martin.lewis@ googlemail.com FOR SALE: CAMPERVAN Elnagh 1989 Fiat Ducato LHD

5.6m.2.5 Diesel 5 speed. Towbar. Ideal for 2 people. Fixed bed. New upholstrey & curtains. Internal screen protectors. Blinds & flyscreens.Blown air heating. Shower, cooker, fridge etc. New cover. €7,500.00 Tel: 05 55 03 59 83 FOR SALE: Citroen Xsara Picasso MPV Diesel 2002. Very economical - 50mpg+. English plates. Good condition. Good running order. €750.00 Tel: 05 55 65 84 95 FOR SALE: 1988 MITSUBISHI L200 PICK-UP TRUCK 2.5

Established 15 years ago Sale due to retirement Full Training and Continuing Support will be given Knowledge of French useful but willingness to lear essential (help available) »» Fully supported by Accountants / Bankers (Information only available to serious parties) »» Ideally suited for a couple »» Further information available on request

+33 (0)5 55 60 04 79 / +33 (0)6 82 13 86 51 enquiries1@orange.fr 25 34 78 Email: blake.peter@ orange.fr FOR SALE: Misubishi L200 4 Life Diesel. Double cab pick-up. Aluminium lined carry boy. Year 2000. 1 owner. 193,000 miles. RHD. French registered. Grey/ green with bull bar attached. CT until Aug 2013. Slight damage to bodywork. Interior in good condition. Stereo/ radio. Towing hitch. €3,000.00ono Tel: 02 54 36 94 17 Email: christine. baxter@orange.fr FOR SALE: Hyundai coupe TSIII Limited Edition Crystal

White, RHD, French Registered, Sunroof, 17" anthracite alloys, quad exhausts, sport suspension from the Eibach springs, quilted style leather seats with matching door-trims, high boot spoiler, 2.0 liter Beta engine badged chrome door sills, metal foot rest and pedals, iPod connectivity and heated seats, 30K. Contact for info or pictures. €11,000.00 ono tel: 05 55 47 34 82 Email: jseretny@hotmail.co.uk

WHITE GOODS litre, long wheelbase, with rear cover, two wheel drive 155,000 miles. A good reliable workhorse, RHD UK registered. Engine & gearbox excellent but needs some welding underneath. Hence only €350 ONO.Please telephone or email for further details. €350.00ono Tel: 02 54

HARD

FOR SALE: Extra large lockable freezer Whirlpool complete with baskets - unused although has

FOR SALE

Building Plots / Economic Activity Areas The Brame Benaize Community of Communes would like to inform possible entrepreneurs in Limousin or elsewhere - interested in developing or setting up a business - that we have building plots / economic activity areas available for sale in JOUAC (87890) and MAGNAC-LAVAL (87190). Interested parties can email in English for enquiries.

mairiestleger@wanadoo.fr

been in storage. Area 87120. €250.00 Tel: 05 55 36 23 95 or 00 44 77 07 60 413

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR SALE: Licence 4 €4,000.00ono Tel: 06 76 52 26 47 FOR SALE: Licence IV covering whole of Creuse area Enables sales of beverages and spirits in Bars/Restaurants etc Email: jsezer@yahoo.co.uk BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY I am a physicist and chartered engineer looking for a dynamic business person as agent or partner for the development and commercialisation of my 3D technologies. Interested in new ways of working? Email: barry@barrygblundell.com

WANTED WANTED: Curved corrugated metal sheets Pete tel 05 45 30 72 04 (daytime) 06 24 65 40 33 (eve) WANTED: House/Garden/ Garage Clearance Single items or entire contents. Tel: 05 55 65 84 95 WANTED: OLD CARAVANS Any condition considered, will collect, cash paid. Pete tel 05 45 30 72 04 (daytime) 06 24 65 40 33 (eve)

Classified Submission Deadline: 15th of the month for the next edition

FEBRUARY 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

16 ♦ GAMES Crossword

Caption Comp February

Clues and answers in English

If you have a photo that you think would make for a good Caption Competition, please feel free to send it in to The Bugle: editor@thebugle.eu

Send your entries for this month's Caption Competition to: editor@thebugle.eu

Last Month's Winners

Across:

Down:

1. Tropical bird (6) 2. Asinine (7) 3. Ambit (5) 5. Yelled (7) 6. Relative (5) 7. Mistakes (6) 8. Varieties (5) 14. Injured (7) 16. Foreshorten (7) 17. Barrel maker (6) 18. Wild and savage (5) 19. Blot (6) 21. Flower (5) 23. Part of a play (5)

1. Pub (6) 4. Take for granted (6) 9. Weird (7) 10. Take place (5) 11. Expiation (9) 12. Sense organ (3) 13. Stage whisper (5) 15. Paragon (5) 20. Sphere (3) 22. Vortex (9) 24. Tine (5) 25. Ameliorated (7) 26. Cure (6) 27. Extremely bad (6)

WINNER:

"For kicking one of the other Snowmen in the Snow Balls, Frosty had to sit out the rest of the game on the bench." - J. Lowe HONOURABLE MENTIONS:

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. SUDOKU - EASY

"I only popped in for a quick pint and ended up legless" - Mike Scott "Freeze a jolly good fellow." - Anon "Icey a little silhouetto of a man." - Martin Green "That will teach him to stay out on the tiles all night!" - John Martin "We ordered our Tarte Tatin last August, any news of it yet?" - DM & PG

SUDOKU - MEDIUM

SUDOKU - HARD

The solutions to this month’s Crossword can be found on page 19, Sudokus on page 15

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ FEBRUARY 2013

COMMUNITY ♦ 17 Le Bellerive

Hotel - Restaurant - Café-Bar

Sat 2nd Feb onwards - 6 Nations Rugby. We're showing all of the games on our new big screen TV. Tue 12th Feb - Pancake Day. Crêpes with all your favourite toppings. Thu 14th Feb - Valentine's Day. Romantic 3-course dinner for 2. €15pp incl. carafe of wine Thu 21st Feb - Book Swap. There's nothing like a good read. Thu 28th Feb - Quiz Night. Trivia? Pop? Geography? Sport? Entertainment? Who knows! For details of all the events, go to: www.facebook.com/hotellebellerive Email: bonjour@lebellerive.net

Petticoat Lane

Bugle Notice Board

Please Note...

that we will be at Panazol Sunday Market on 3rd & 17th February

5 Rue Nationale – 16150 Chabanais

Tel: 05 45 29 03 99

The Exchange Rochechouart

JJ’s Café Bar Aigurande

Phone: 05 55 36 20 63

Music Club + Curry Night

Creusetec

MILD: Butter Chicken or MED: Lamb Curry or HOT: Pork Vindaloo. €8 (incl. rice). Eat in or Take Away. Please pre-order if you can. (Please note there is no Fish n Chip van for the Jan or Feb Music Club hence Curry Night)

2nd Sat of every month. 8.30 pm. Next event: 9th February

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

Winter offer - "tooway" satellite internet. 18 Mb DL speed, 26 Gb monthly data allowance, FREE equipment. Only €49.95 / month!! Other data options from € 29.95 / month

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

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

Jane & Phil Nicholson

05 55 78 19 24

www.theexchangerochechouart.com

Restaurant des Sources 23100 FENIERS

Saturday 2nd February - Choucroute

Le Relais de l'Abloux 36170 SACIERGES-ST-MARTIN

Friday 22nd February

Pianist/ vocalist available for events/ gigs/ private parties etc... New Orleans old time jazz n blues n boogie... Call: 07.61.21.85.15

Karaoke Night - English & French

Saturday 23rd March

The Comité des Fêtes in Chéniers is organising an art exhibition called RENC'ARTS 2013 on May 1st 2013 in the salle polyvalente Pierre Laurent.

Soirée Cabaret

Tel: 02 54 47 56 74

Anyone interested in exhibiting is welcome. All kinds of art will be represented (painting, drawing, photography, caricatures, sculpture, floral art...)

Daniel welcomes you at

Le Pub

58, rue d'Orjon, Argenton-sur-Creuse Please note that we are closed between 10th and 27th February.

02 54 60 02 14

For further information and to sign up email s.franz@live.fr

Le Moulin du Breuil 23140 PIONNAT

le-pub@orange.fr

L'Escale

Restaurant & Bar

5 Rue Andre Jouhannaud, Compreignac Freshly home cooked English and French food Daily Plat du Jour - €12.50 Sunday Roast, main course only €6.50 (with home-made Yorkshire Puddings)

Every Friday Night - Fish & Chips - €8.50 To Eat In or Takeaway (alternative menu available)

Book now for St Valentine's Night Thursday 14th February (menu available) Party Bookings welcomed See main ad for more information and opening hours Tel: 05 55 12 99 45 / 06 04 09 03 10 email: L_escale@yahoo.fr Or see us on Facebook for more details. 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.

Fabulous February Huge Stock Clearance 100's of books from 50cts - fiction, non fiction, reference and children's. DVD's - blockbuster films, boxed sets and children's favourites. Bargains galore throughout the month of February!

Le Moulin du Breuil would like to thank all their customers for their support over 2012. We are taking a break over January and February to recharge, ready for the new season in 2013. Watch this space for our re opening date and events in March. We look forward to seeing you all again and many new customers in 2013. With very best regards, Anne, Nick, Rachel and Brett Tel: 05 55 80 37 70 Mail: info@lemoulindubreuil.com Web: www.lemoulindubreuil.com

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.

Choucroute, cheese and dessert - 15 € per person (drinks not included) Please book before 31st January

Tel: 05.55.67.15.27 www.restaurant-des-sources.fr

Craft Club

Do you sew, quilt, knit, crochet, do paper crafts, etc? Would you be interested in meeting once a month to get together with like-minded people to 'do your thing', learn something new, teach someone else what you do? We are two ladies living in the Creuse, and between us we do amazing things with machine embroidery, quilting, knitting, sewing, counted cross stitch, embroidery, and crochet. We live in Dept 23 and are looking at setting up a monthly group, either half a day or a full day depending on what people want. If you are interested you can talk to Pat on 05 87 40 91 26 (preferably in English), or Lynne on 05 55 89 80 66 (French or English). We look forward to talking to you.

Creuse Astronomy Club

For the last fifteen years there has been no Astronomy Club in Creuse. A few of us have decided to revive a Club with the aim of arranging observations together, exchanging experiences and perhaps organising outings/ conferences etc. Anyone interested is invited to come to our first meeting on 8th February at the MMA offices, 26 Avenue Gambetta, 23000 Guéret or to get in touch: jean-pierre.dechoz@orange.fr 05 55 81 12 05 / 06 48 15 52 70

Self-Help Group for Learning French Being an expat can be quite an isolating and debilitating experience. At the very least, there are many of us who have not studied the French language since our school days. If that's anything like myself, it is over 40 years ago! Then there are others of us who have never studied French in any capacity. I hope to help any interested expats. Before early retirement, I worked as a Humanities teacher in what was considered to be a challenging, inner-city secondary school. It was essential for success that learning was made fun and bite-size. With regular weekly meetings, my aim will be to demystify the basics of a second language in a friendly and non-threatening manner. The group will operate on the ideals of a self-help group. I will bring to the table my experience of preferred learning skills. But it is not my intention to control the group. I want to move away from traditional teaching methods that demand the more formal teacher/student relationship. I would prefer the group to evolve naturally so that individual needs are met and so that everyone feels that they can contribute. My primary aim is for people to move forward in an enjoyable way. I would like to see interested parties working alongside each other as equals by sharing their experiences and challenges of speaking a foreign language. I make no claim myself to be a fluent French speaker. Please email me at 'maisondurran@aol.co.uk' if you would like to register your interest. I envisage that meetings will take place at my house in Saint-Germain-Beaupré, 23160. Thank you.

FEBRUARY 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

18 ♦ COMMUNITY

CLUBS, CHARITIES & ASSOCIATIONS

Church Notices Monthly Worship in English If your journey of life has brought you here to France, why neglect your journey of faith? We look forward to giving a warm welcome to everyone from whatever Christian tradition (or none) on the 3rd SUNDAY of the MONTH at 3pm. Where? At the Temple in Thiat (in the north of the Haute-Vienne) – we are part of the Parish of the Basse-Marche of the Eglise Protestante Unie de France. The Temple is on the main road close to the Mairie. After worship there is tea/coffee and cake – and a chance to chat. If you want to know more contact Rev Derek Lawson on 05 55 68 53 03 or Rev Stephen Sawyer on 05 49 84 33 86. English-speaking church services Guéret Come as you are... This is an invitation to join us at our CHURCH SERVICE IN ENGLISH. Whether you have a faith or would just like to attend a church service you are welcome at 3pm on the 2nd Sunday of each month at the Eglise Evangélique, 9b Place Bonnyaud, Guéret, 23000. We welcome all who want to join a group of English-speaking Christians for a time of worship and learning together. Children are very welcome. For more details contact Jim & Pat Scott on 05 55 67 54 78 / email scott. james@neuf.fr or Ian & Becky Jefferies on 05 55 61 10 23 / email mail@ otiumsanctus.com Christians together in Limousin La Souterraine Area We hold a time of fellowship and Bible study every Tuesday afternoon. Barbara and Cedric look forward to welcoming you. Tel: 05 55 71 09 04 The International Free Church in Creuse The church presently meets at 10, La Chaudronnière, a small hamlet mid-way between Crozant and Eguzon. Sunday worship meetings are held on the first and third Sundays of the month at 10.30am. Fellowship meetings, for mid-week prayer, bible study and discussion are at the same venue every Thursday at 7.30pm. For further information contact Eric Sutton tel 05 55 89 26 62

Fitness & Fun Cussac Bowls Club The new arrangements at Cussac gymnasium bring us new facilities and more sessions for Lawn-Bowling, Short-mat Bowling and Crown-green Bowling. We will now be able to accept members who have a preference for other types of bowling, so why not come along and see if we can satisfy your needs. If you have never played before or don't have your own bowls, don't worry. The club has a supply of bowls for your use and most of our nowcompetetive bowlers had never played before joining us a year ago. Session times: Mon morning OUTSIDE (synthetic lawn); Wed evening - inside - short-mat bowling (4 mats available); Thurs morning - inside short-mat; Friday morning OUTSIDE (synthetic lawn). CUSSAC (87150) is in southern Haute-Vienne, just 6km from the Dordogne and Charente borders and the gymnasium is easily found next to the school near the town centre. Ring Roger Hammond on 05 55 50 40 89 or mail roger.hammond@ orange.fr for further information. Association Equilibre, le mouvement du corps Yoga for all levels: Tue 18:30 Aubusson, Pied au plancher (Espace Philips); Wed 18:30 Vallière, salle polyvalante. Pregnancy/Post Natal: Tue 17:00 Aubusson, Pied au Plancher (Espace Philips) For further information tel 06 83 24 62 72 or visit www.spaequilibre.yolasite.com Chinese Gym & Karate Mondays & Thursdays 19h30-21h at the DOJO, Allée Jean-Marie Couturier, Aubusson. Warm and friendly atmosphere. For more info tel 06 08 92 30 53 Tai Chi at Boussac and La Châtre Tai Chi classes in Boussac (Tue 18.15 - 19.45) and La Châtre (Thu 18.15 - 19.45). The first two lessons are free, the subscriptions are 36 euros per month and members can go to both venues having paid this fee. The style is that of Yang. All ages and abilities welcome, but folk must bear in mind that they will be on their feet, doing the equivalent of what one might classify as light exercise, for about an hour and a half. For more information contact 05 55 65 08 20. Gym Bien-être Would you enjoy an afternoon of gentle exercise with a cheerful, lighthearted 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 Ro echouart between 2pm and 3.30pm. 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 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 Gardening Les petits jardiniers du Limousin http://jardiniers-du-limousin.webs.com Do you love gardening or are

CSF Haute-Vienne's First AGM We are pleased to announce that our AGM marking the end of our first year is to be held in the Salon de Mariage of the Rochechouart Hôtel de Ville on Wednesday 6th March at 2.30pm. Everyone is welcome, but only those who are paid up members of the Association will be able to vote. Jane Nicholson, from the Exchange in Rochechouart, will be coming to give a talk on Living with Cancer - The squatter in the spare room. An Eviction Order. There will be a question and answer session at the end of her talk. We very much hope to see you on the day. If you would like further information, please contact Sue Ware, President CSF-HV on 05 55 00 31 15.

A Date for your Diaries Cancer Support France Haute-Vienne is organising a jazz evening at the Megisserie on 15th March 2013. A group of professional jazz musicians will be putting together a programme - see March's edition of The Bugle for full details of the event.

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 Peyratle-Château and Eymoutiers. Our meetings are held mostly in English and we have guest speakers, organise garden visits and swap plants and seeds. Annual membership is 15 euros pp or 20 euros per couple or pay as you go for 3 euros per meeting. For more information or to be put on our mailing list for our quarterly newsletter or monthly agenda contact Carolyn at Carolyn@cnlees.eu or Gill at gillinfrance@orange.fr Agenda for 2013: Feb No meeting; 21st Mar Raised beds, vertical planting; 18th Apr Clematis and ground cover planting; 16th May Visit to botanical gardens Limoges and also the vaulted caves under the city; 20th Jun Trees & Shrubs; 18th Jul Farm Visit; 15th Aug Annual BBQ; 14th Sept Flower & Vegetable Show – How does your garden grow; 17th Oct Barnhaven Primroses; 21st Nov Planting a wildflower meadow; 12th Dec Xmas party, Gardeners Question Time and Quiz. Club Liseron – Gardening Club Meets on the 2nd Mon evening of the month at 19.30 at the Salle des Fêtes in Massignac. We're a mixed bunch of English & French, who are united by a passion for gardens and gardening, sharing plants, seeds and information. More info contact Michelle Pierce on 05 45 89 36 54 or at unjardinenfrance@gmail.com Aux Plantes etc We are an association of independent, ethically-minded and passionate plant producers. Our aim is to encourage consumers to know more about the plants they buy, how they were produced and their needs, thereby avoiding the disappointments that so often come with mass produced plants. It's not just about us selling you plants - we want them to thrive and do well for you! Current members include plantspeople specialising in unusual shrubs & trees, butterfly plants, heritage vegetables and flowers, irises, perennials and drought-tolerant plants. For more info contact Michelle Pierce 05 45 89 36 54 or vitist www.auxplantesetc. jimdo.com

Integration International Apero Reseau We meet each Saturday from 11.30am-1pm at Baileys Bar/Restaurant, 5 Rue de L'Abreuvoir, Aubusson. These meetings offer the opportunity to: exchange views - make new friends - share experiences - have fun together - help and advise one another - help intergrate newcomers. Discussions in English (all nationalities welcome). For more information please contact Catherine 06 86 17 80 88 or Liz 05 55 66 22 92. Faceaface 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 Chénérailles. When? The 1st and 3rd 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 - Mon am; French/English Conversation – Tues am; Advanced and Children’s – Wed am; Conversation (St-Junien) - Thur. SOCIAL EVENTS Games Night (Rochechouart) 1st Thur; Games Night (St-Junien) 2nd Thur; Lunch Club – Last Thur. FORTHCOMING EVENTS - More details in Association Newsletter. 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 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 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 HauteVienne. 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 Baileys Book Exchange Baileys Bar/Restaurant, 5 Rue de L'Abreuvoir, Aubusson. Large selection of English books, plus a few French books and DVDs. Swap (for each swapped book a small charge of 20cts applies) or buy books from as little as 50cts. ALL money received donated to S.P.A. de la Creuse Dog Refuge Guéret. Books available during opening hours, please check Baileys Restaurant Ad for details. Sale of Second-hand Books, La Croisille-sur-Briance On the 18th of every month, during the monthly market at La Croisillesur-Briance (87130), there is a sale of second-hand books (both English and French) from 9am to 12 noon, at the old garage in La Place - next door to the pharmacy. All proceeds towards the restoration of the church. St Jean English Library, La Souterraine The La Souterraine Library and Information Centre 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 AngloFrench 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 visit www.ententecordiale-creuse.org or email library@ententecordiale-creuse.org. Music Club de Musique Takes place on the last Fri 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 The Harmonics This is our 6th season of singing as a group. Our music is varied classical, madrigals, spiritual, songs from the shows etc and we sing in French, English, Swahili, Latin - whatever the music demands. Our concerts are in support of a variety of charities including the British Legion, L'Oregon at Civray and Retina and thus non profit making. We meet Wed 14h – 16h in the Salle d'Annexe behind the Mairie in Civray. Interested? We'd love to see you so contact: David Lee tel 05 49 87 53 93 email dave. lee@cegetel.net or Dolly Ait Boualou email sylvia.murray@wanadoo.fr Support Alcoholics Anonymous If you or someone you know has a drinking problem, there 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.aafrancesud-ouest.com Cancer Support France, Charente Plus Offers free and confidential support to English speakers affected by cancer in departments 16, 17 & 86. Our helpline number is 06 45 35 32 30. If you need any more information, please get in touch via csf. charenteplus@gmail.com Cancer Support France, Haute-Vienne We offer free and confidential support to English speakers affected by Cancer in the Haute-Vienne (87). Our helpline number is 06 04 43 39 87. If you would like more information or would like to become a member or help in any other way, please contact Sue Ware 05 55 00 31 15, csfhv@ frangle.fr

PHOENIX ASSOCIATION - Adoption GONZO - 2-year-old Boxer X Bullmastiff

“International Apero Reseau” are looking for new members We meet every Saturday morning from 11.30am until 1pm at Baileys Bar Restaurant, 5 rue de l'Abreuvoir, Aubusson and would welcome anyone who wishes to pop in during these times. We hope to bring together English-speaking people of all nationalities in the area. Here are some of our upcoming events: At Baileys there is a competition sized pool table and one of our members, Mr Paul Giles, has organised a pool tournament, for fun, once a month on a Saturday evening from 7pm. Dates for these are 23rd February, 23rd March, 20th April, 18th May and 22nd June. For more information contact Liz Rodwell at Baileys or just come along on the night. QUIZ Night - Saturday 16th March and Saturday 27th April. Starts 7pm. A fun evening for all - groups or individuals. Please book in advance by contacting Liz Rodwell at Baileys on 05 55 66 37 10, at home on 05 55 66 22 92 or by email at riversidehols@wanadoo.fr Hot self-service buffet meal for 10 euros and bar available during the evening.

Gonzo is a real live wire who loves to bounce and play, and who is gentle and affectionate with his Phoenix Foster Carers. He’s not a beginner’s dog and needs an owner experienced in powerful breeds and who can cope with his 40kg of energy! Gonzo needs to know his place in the pack, as true to the Bullmastiff breed, he can be guarding of his own people and wary of strangers. He gets on really well with other dogs, but NOT with poultry! If you think Gonzo would like to join your pack, then please contact his Carer, Patricia, on 05 53 50 40 76 or email: baerloo@ orange.fr Check out our ADOPTION PAGE at www. phoenixasso.com or FACEBOOK www.facebook. com/PhoenixAssociationFrance for other Phoenix animals available for adoption.

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ FEBRUARY 2013

WHAT’S ON ♦ 19

Letters to

François Clémandot By Email

The Editor I

Dear sir,

Response to recent "leboncoin" scam Anon By Email Hi Steve

s a further contribution to the warnings about Leboncoin scams, I've been using the site for a good number of years without any significant problems, but it does require the use of a bit of common sense. Buying - a €30,000 camper will NOT be for sale for €10,000, so don't waste time finding out its owner isn't in the country and it doesn't really exist. A friend experienced vehicle buyer on Ebay - recently bought a nonexistent camper in the UK, and lost a lot of money. Another friend who is a tractor expert noticed that the pictures for an immaculate tractor had been copied from an old catalogue, and yes, the owner lived abroad

and was offering free delivery anywhere in France, which is a sure sign of a scam. Selling - I only take French cheques, and not Western Union. I don't use PayPal for the reasons noted below. I was recently selling a very rare motorbike part, for a good price. I had a French buyer emailing me 3 times a day, asking questions, asking me to withdraw it from the site, etc, but when I asked why the cheque hadn't arrived, I was told he had changed his mind and wanted to use PayPal, kindly giving me a link to click on. Eh, no. When I explained I used to work in a previous life as a fraud investigator for a bank, and had had lots of information from the police about PayPal scams, the message stopped abruptly. Strangely, he didn't want my bike part any more!

would like to react to Elisabeth Orsini's contribution in the January issue of The Bugle. Having been made to study English in my adolescence so that “someone in the family should master the language of the Enemy”, I consider myself an expert as regards French prejudices against the English, and I

do have an explanation for: “les Anglais ont débarqué”. It is a well-known fact that the English enjoy crossing the Channel just to savagely slaughter French women, thus shedding their blood. However, we are thankful to our neighbours from the other side of la Manche for la semaine anglaise and the twoday weekend during which we can have a typically French brunch: l'assiette anglaise. Sincerely yours

François Clémandot

Can anyone shed light on this picture, sent in by one of our readers this month? Ideas to: editor@thebugle.eu

Annual Plant Sale in aid of Bansang Hospital, Gambia We have decided to hold our Annual Plant Sale for Bansang Hospital in Seguinaud, St-Estèphe 24360 on Sunday 19th May. I am advertising very early to ask the gardeners amongst you, that whilst you are starting to tidy the borders perhaps you could spare a few plants for our plant stall. We would be very grateful for any plants of a reasonable size starting from 1 litre size pots where possible. It is always a pity to compost good plants that have outgrown their space when we can make use of them and raise money for our very worthy cause.

We are always very pleased to welcome anyone who is interested in helping to raise funds, to help at our functions and to donate items for our Bric-a-Brac stall. For further information please tel Linda Nicholson on 05 53 56 73 86. Many thanks and happy gardening!

The Festival du Haut Limousin

In order to update its Calendar of Events and website, the Office de Tourisme des Monts de Guéret is asking all associations and anyone organising events throughout the 22 communes of Grand Guéret to contact them with details, either by mail to: Office de Tourisme des Monts de Guéret 1, rue Eugène France- B.P. 52 – 23000 GUERET email at info@lesmontsdegueret.fr fax on 05.55.41.19.38 or in person at the tourist office.

If you are interested in the charity please take a few minutes to look at the website bansanghospitalappeal.org

Anon

he Festival du Haut Limousin has been delighting Limousin audiences for the past fourteen years, having been set up in 1999 by the conductor Wim Baarens and the tourist boards of St Pardoux, the Monts de Blond and the Basse Marche. Two years later, Jerome Kaltenbach, conductor and President of the Ferme de Villefavard, a centre for the performing arts, took over its organisation, turning it into one of the major Limousin summer events, attracting visitors and locals alike. Then, in 2011 Martin Kubich, founder of a musical and theatre festival in the Indre, was appointed Artistic Director of both the Festival and the Ferme de Villefavard. A dedicated group of volunteers run the festival, without whose efforts it would not be possible. The office manager who organises the daily running of the Ferme de Villefavard is also involved. These close links, which have developed between Festival and Ferme, provide financial savings for both organisations and on-going musical inspiration. The festival differs a little from others in that it particularly aims to introduce young players, at the beginning of their professional careers, and to bring them into contact with well-known, established musicians, who help them through giving masterclasses and through sharing their experience. They try to put on at least one première performance, as well as encouraging concert goers to discover the Limousin’s architectural heritage. There is always a wide choice of exciting musical events; from chamber music and jazz to choral and operatic, and sometimes dance - in as many different churches, chapels, chateaux and parks as possible.

Tourist Office Guéret - Press Release

One special memory for me of past festival events is the steel pan band, playing in the square by the church in the centre of Bessines, with those who simply just couldn’t stay seated, dancing to the Caribbean beat. Another is of a warm summer night, sitting outside in the courtyard at the Ferme, moonlight glinting down, the church clock interrupting hourly, listening to the poems of Jacques Prévert interspersed with a lovely selection of classical, jazz and modern pieces played on the Ferme’s magnificent Steinway. Every year there is a “Musical Promenade”, with morning, afternoon and early evening performances. These are usually given by young players who have been participating in masterclasses at the Ferme during the previous weeks. The Promenade concerts are held in different chapels and churches, and are a wonderful excuse to spend a day out, following the music, walking in the surrounding countryside and picnicking with family and friends at lunchtime. The Festival takes place from the 2-18 August this year, so book the space in your diaries! Its programme is not yet set in concrete, but promises to be full of interest. Fiona Campbell Vice Président du Bureau du Festival For further information and ongoing updates about the concerts, please send your email address to me at info@festivalduhautlimousin.com with my name in the subject matter. Your address will not be passed on to any other organisation.

FEBRUARY 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

20 ♦ WHAT’S ON

UPCOMING EVENTS ACROSS THE REGION Sun 6th Jan to Sun 21st Apr Les Bistrots d’Hiver 2013 The Bistrots d'Hiver are back in to liven up winter Sundays in and around the Plateau de Millevaches. Organised by the association Pays'Sage this season sees a diverse programme including jazz, manouche, samba, pop-rock... there is something for everyone! Concerts take place in auberges and cafes across the region and take the form of an apero-tchatche (debate on something topical or related to the territory) before lunch and an afternoon concert. The following take place this month. For full details and to download the programme visit http://www.pays-sage.net/ 3rd – Le Retour du Roi (theatre) – L’Auberge de Magnat – Magnat l’Etrange (23) 10th – La Main Gauche – Le Petit Breuil – La Courtine (23) 17th – Le Ramdam Secret – La Taverne de Masgot – Masgot (23) 24th – Lionel Langlais – Le Foirail – Giat (63) 24th – Coko – L’Auberge des Tours – Goulles (19) Mon 28th Jan to Fri 15th Feb LA SOUTERRAINE Exhibition by Anne Crahay

Born in Belgium in 1973, Anne Crahay is an artist, graphic designer, teacher and illustrator of children's books. RDV 14h-18h Mon-Fri at the MJC La Souterraine, 27 Rue de Lavaud. Mon 28th Jan to Wed 13th Mar AHUN Exhibition: Rocailles Limousines Exhibition of rockwork at the tourist office. Mon-Sat

9h30-12h & 14h-18h. Free entry. In Creuse rockwork can mainly be seen in Aubusson, Felletin & Bourganeuf. The department is home to a rockwork dynasty - the Lecardeur family. The first generation of this family is thought to have worked in Paris around the time of the 1889 World Fair at the Trocadéro at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. The movement of rockworkers in Creuse developed alongside its stonemasons. Sat 2nd Feb BOUSSAC Soirée fondu creusois et récital Jacques Cassyan Soirée fondu creusois with music from Jacques Cassyan (you may have already heard Jacques' voice on France Bleu Creuse when tuning in to The Bugle's monthly slot - now hear him sing!) Grand café des sports. 19h30. Reservation only - call 06 80 74 25 23. Fri 8th to Sat 9th Feb Concert symphonique: 'L'aube viennoise' Concert of classical music by the Orchestre de Limoges et du Limousin. Acclaimed Dutch violinist, Frederieke Saeijs, will be the guardian angel of this programme, led by Jérôme Kaltenbach. Programme: Alban Berg's Violin Concerto "To the memory of an angel" & Brahms Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98. 8th Feb - Pôle Culturel de la Mégisserie, SaintJunien. 20h30. Tickets €15 / €6 (concessions) / €4 (under 6's) Contact: tel 05 55 02 87 98 www. la-megisserie.fr

9th Feb - Espace André Lejeune, Guéret. 20h30. Tickets: €20 / €6.90 (students) Contact: tel 05 55 52 84 97 Sat 9th Feb AIXE-SUR-VIENNE Concert-cabaret with the LADYBIRD JAZZ'TET The LADYBIRD JAZZ’TET is composed of four instrumentalists (piano, flute & saxophone, bass and drums) and complemented by a singer offering original arrangements & an exhilarating performance. Centre Culturel Jacques Prévert. 20h30. Tickets: 7€ / 4 €(concessions) / 2 € (6-12's) Contact: Mairie d'Aixe sur Vienne tel 05 55 70 77 00 www.mairie-aixesurvienne.fr Sun 17th Feb MAILHAC-SUR-BENAIZE Blues & Rock Evening: Jerome Pietri one-man blues band

A long-time fixture on the festival circuit as a solo performer, band leader and session musician, and having toured all over Europe, Jerome Pietri will once again be making his mark in the Limousin by raising up a storm in Mailhac-sur-Benaize. Since the age of 15, when he discovered the Rock and Blues universe of the Rolling Stones, The Animals, Pink Floyd and

The Who, Jerome has performed across the continent, a guitar in his hands. His meeting with Mick Ronson (David Bowie’s guitar player) was the catalyst which pushed him towards Rock, for a few short years at least. Jerome has now returned to his Blues roots, performing as a one-man blues band with his guitars, harmonicas, vocals and drum kit. Jerome uses all techniques, from Slide and Dobro to finger picking, to belting out the Blues along with the brilliant use of his instruments. Yet, despite his expert musical skills, there’s no lack of feeling! Rare indeed are those who can make you pulsate with the Blues like Jerome Pietri does. « You are dynamite! » said Calvin Russell himself, after a particularly awe-inspiring show. The concert will start at 5 pm. After the concert, you will have the opportunity to participate in a wine tasting session dedicated to the Rhone river valley wines followed by a cold buffet dinner. Mailhac-surBenaize can be easily accessed from A20 motorway: Take exit 22 and drive through Saint-Sulpice-lesFeuilles. In Mailhac, turn left and continue for 500 m. Information and Bookings: Ticket price: concert only €8. Concert + Wine tasting session + Buffet: €18. 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. Fri 22nd to Sun 24th Feb LIMOGES Limoges Wine Fair This expo-fair will feature over 170 winemakers and artisan producers in the food industry who will offer a selection of rare and excellent quality. You will find a range of varied products here as each exhibitor presents the products of their region. Parc des Expositions, Pavillon Buxerolles, Boulevard Robert Schuman - 87100 Limoges. Fri: 14h-20h, Sat: 10h-20h, Sun: 10h-19h. Entry: €5.50 (free for under 18's).