The Bugle - May 2013

All government ministers forced to declare assets

Following the Cahuzac affair, President François Holande has demanded that all his ministers publicly declare their global assets. >> Page 12

May 2013 Issue #43

Largest court case ever gets under way

INSIDE > > > NEWS - "Terror of Limoges" off the streets

After a campaign of terror, an ultra-violent boy has finally been taken into police custody after turning 13. >> Page 3

♦ 5,127 women register as plaintiffs, represented by over 300 lawyers ♦ Jean-Claude Mas, founder of Poly Implant Prothèse (PIP) accused of "aggravated fraud" ♦ 300,000 women worldwide were given substandard breast implants

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t is set to become one of the biggest and most expensive trials in French legal history as Jean-Claude Mas, founder of Poly Implant Prothèse (PIP), a company based in the south of France, has gone on trial with 4 senior staff, accused of “aggravated fraud” over the scandal of substandard breast implants.

A total of 5,127 victims, a record number of plaintiffs in the history of French law, have joined the action against the former French cosmetic implant manufacturer, and are being represented by about 300 lawyers.

The trial is so large that it has had to be moved from the courthouse in Marseille to a nearby conference centre at a cost of nearly €1 million.

Even then, there is little room for everyone. It will last a month and a

verdict is not expected until autumn.

Mr Mas and his four senior staff face up to five years in jail and a €37,500 fine if convicted.

PIP, which at the height of its powers was the world's third biggest supplier of breast implants, is accused of cutting costs for over a decade by using an illegal home-made concoction of industrial and agricultural silicone not fit for use on humans. It is alleged the company hid evidence of the non-medical silicone during visits by European inspectors who approved the implants. At around €5 per litre, it was seven times cheaper than medicalgrade silicone - a cost-cutting measure that saved the company an estimated €1 million per year.

The scandal emerged after surgeons warned authorities there was an

>> continued on page 8

NEWS - Doomed dromedary eaten

A camel, gifted in thanks for France's efforts in Mali, has been eaten by its host family. >> Page 11

PRACTICAL - A guide to filling in Tax Returns In partnership with Siddalls, we bring you a guide to filling in your 2012 tax return. >> Page 14

Limoges-Bénédictins train station is the new home for a colony of eco urban bee hives >> Page 5

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

MAY 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

2 ♦ IN THIS EDITION

Welcome to

T

The Bugle

here have been plenty of big stories this month: the Boston bombings, the legalisation of gay marriage in France and the Cahuzac affair, to name but a few. But the biggest news to break at Bugle Towers was the start of BBQ season!!

It is safe to say that I am a little obsessed with BBQs. I'm not a “man make fire” guy whose only culinary contribution of the year is to dig out the BBQ, immerse it in lighter fluid and proceed to crucify the sausages until they look more like the coals they were cooked on. I tend to do the majority of the cooking at home year round (my wife is an excellent cook, I just don't let her near 'my' kitchen!) and I like nothing more than lighting the BBQ at the end of a long day and having a good cook-up in the garden!

I will always take the first

opportunity of the year to whip out the charcoal and convince everyone that it's definitely BBQ weather. And so it was that I was in my garden a week or so ago, tongs in hand and a smile on my

face - the accompanying glass of beer may have been playing its part also!!

I remember one year lighting the BBQ in February. In my defence, at 2pm that afternoon when the sun was out and it was a balmy 18 degrees, it felt like a good idea.

By the time the butcher had been visited and the food was cooked,

it was 6pm, nearer 5 degrees and going dark!! But damn, they were some good sausages!!

As we have been going to press, France's legalisation of gay marriage has dominated the news.

We have not covered it in these pages, although it has been given a lot of coverage internationally.

It is big news and some have even called it the most significant social change in France since the death penalty was abolished in 1981.

It has certainly proved controversial. If you believe the organisers, rallies opposing the new law attracted 800,000 protestors. The police put the figure at nearer 340,000, but even so, as peace time protests go, that is a lot of people! The consensus seems to be that the majority of French were in favour of legalising gay marriage, but it was a different story when adoption rights were taken into account. Then only around half - and possibly fewer were in favour of equal rights for gay couples. The fact that these adoption rights were also part of the new law, coupled with the fact that it went through without a national vote, is what is proving most controversial.

The changes were a central

social reform promised by Hollande during his election campaign, so many will argue that his election was the referendum on this issue. He said he would do it if elected and now he has. Either way, what is sure is that France is now the 14th country in the world to approve a law allowing gay marriage.

Don't forget that it is tax declaration season. We have printed an article in association with Siddalls on how to fill out your French income tax returns which we hope will help. And don't forget that you can declare your income tax online - you even get an extension to the deadline!

Until next month!

Steve Martindale Editor

INSIDE this edition

1 & 3-5 Local News 6-12 National News 13-15 French Life 16 Bilingual 17 Games 18-19 Classifieds 20 Notice Board 21 Clubs & Associations 22-24 What's On B1-B8 Business Directory

CONTACT us Tel: 05.55.41.17.76

General: editor@thebugle.eu Advertising (EN): sales@thebugle.eu Publicité (FR): publicite@thebugle.eu Subscriptions: subscriptions@thebugle.eu Write to: The Bugle Les Quatre Chemins 23150 St-Yrieix-les-Bois France

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MAY 2013

LOCAL NEWS ♦ 3

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LGV project enters next phase

A

major hurdle in the future of the ligne à grande vitesse (LGV) LimogesPoitiers has been cleared, following the announcement by the Réseau Ferré de France (RFF) that it has opened the public inquiry phase of the project. The LGV is a planned high-speed rail link that will put Limoges 35 minutes from Poitiers, connecting the Limousin to the national TGV network and allowing direct travel to Paris in just 2 hours.

As the name implies, the public inquiry phase is the opportunity for individuals, businesses and associations to voice their opinions on the project. The prefect of the Limousin is in the process of forming a committee of between 7 and 13 people to oversee the inquiry, so it will probably not now begin until the beginning of June. The usual length of

an inquiry would be 30 days, but given the complexity of the project and the approaching summer holidays it could run until the end of August - the maximum period of time an inquiry can take.

The committee will have a further 30 days to submit its report. The government will then take a maximum of 18 months to review the report before deciding on the future of the project. The earliest that the first high-speed trains could be making the 35-minute journey to Poitiers is 2022.

The move from the public debate to the public inquiry phase is a major boost for those campaigning for the LGV and comes after months of fierce political wrangling. That said, the decision is not a fatal blow to those opposed to the new high-speed line, either. Although it would appear that the government is currently keen to press ahead with the

115km stretch of new railway, there is still the small matter of the €1.5 billion budget - it is not apparent at the moment who will be paying for what.

Many opponents of the LGV argue that it will signal the end of the POLT line (Paris-Orléans-Limoges-Toulouse). The current plans for the LGV factor in 11 trains to Paris on this line - exactly the current number. And in a further boost to those who believe that the €1.5 billion would be better spent upgrading the existing network, plans have been unveiled to “recycle” retiring TGV carriages on the POLT line. Not only would the new carriages be faster, they would also offer higher levels of comfort and make embarking and disembarking an easier affair than it currently is on the Corail coaches. On paper at least, upgrading the carriages in this way would also put La Souterraine a mere 2 hours from Paris. ■

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The "Terror of Limoges" is off the city's streets

A

fter a spate of violent attacks going back nearly a year, the boy nicknamed by police as the “Terror of Limoges” has finally been removed from the streets of the region's capital. The adolescent, who has not been named due to his age, is well known to police.

The pattern of much of the last 12 months has been the same: a violent act is committed, the boy is apprehended, taken back to his legal guardians and released. He then goes on to commit another crime, sometimes the very same night. The problem for the police is that the boy started his campaign of terror when was just 12 - under French law, the police cannot detain a child under the age of 13.

In January this year, in the space of 8 days alone he is known to have committed a theft from a parked vehicle, a mugging and threatened someone with a Stanley knife. In total, police believe that he has 17 thefts and one suspected rape to his name... and these ares just the crimes they are aware of!

They also know that he has tried in the past to acquire a firearm - mercifully without success.

“We cannot legally place him under garde à vue [police cus-

tody] as he is not yet 13,” said one weary police officer in January this year. Typically, the boy is brought before a magistrate, who hands down a rehabilitation order in an education centre. In practice, the boy just goes home. “He is not big, but he is capable of significant violence, even if the victim does not resist,” said police at the time.

“He is completely out of control, always operates in a group and he is getting more and more violent.

He will carry on, that's for sure.”

So it came as no surprise when in April this year, following a brutal assault on a German student by a group of youths, that they apprehended the Terror of Limoges fleeing the scene after an emergency call by a member of the public. The difference this time was that the ultra-violent child was now a teenager - he had recently celebrated his 13th birthday.

He could now be held in police custody and placed under investigation. The youth was then brought, for the first time ever, before a judge, who charged him with aggravated theft and placed him in a secure educational unit in the Puy-de-Dôme, where he will be closely monitored. ■

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4 ♦ LOCAL NEWS

Rural France lacking a Local Brit is France's number of key health- best young butcher care specialists

R

region to be well equipped with nurses and pharmacists.

In fact, all three departments have more pharmacists per capita than the national average.

For dentists, the situation is slightly worse. France as a whole has around 60 per 100,000 residents; in Corrèze that figure is approximately 55, Haute-Vienne has 43, but Creuse a worrying 31. It gets worse still for physiotherapists where both HauteVienne and Corrèze have around 25% fewer than the national average and Creuse has less than half the number you would expect.

The regional INSEE report was entitled “First line care: The Limousin - a patient to watch closely”. We may not have big problems now, but potentially they are waiting around the corner. “Despite a few weak figures we have highlighted, there is a good coverage of healthcare professionals across the region,” explained Dr Laurence Tandy. “But, if we don't look to the future today, we could be

ecent figures released by France's statistics gathering agency, INSEE, have shown some wild variations in the number of medical professionals in the Limousin. They have also raised some worrying questions for the future.

The list compares the number of practitioners per 100,000 residents across a range of professions, and while there are plenty of GPs, nurses and pharmacists, there is a worrying lack of specialists such as dentists and physiotherapists. According to INSEE, the Limousin has the fewest ophthalmologists per capita in France; it takes between six and eight months for an appointment.

Some of the statistics are to be expected. The population of the Limousin in general, but especially the Creuse, has a higher average age than much of France... and it is increasing all the time, along with life expectancies.

It stands to reason, therefore, that you would expect the

in trouble.”

The data shows where the problems may lie. Today in the Limousin, 1 in 5 doctors is older than 60 and there appear to be fewer lining up to replace them as they retire.

What's more, according to the study, an 80-year-old is twice as likely to visit a GP than the average person, 4 times more likely to need a physiotherapist and 8 times more likely to see a nurse. In a region with more 100-yearolds than anywhere else in France, the potential problems are self-evident.

In their report, the researchers highlighted the need to attract young professionals to rural parts of the country to boost numbers in general, but more importantly to replace the retiring generation of practitioners, although how this will be achieved in practice remains to be seen. ■

A

s regular readers will know, earlier this year British expat Robert Fairbank won the regional competition to find the Meilleur Apprenti Boucher (best apprentice butcher). In April, the 17-year-old went on to fly the flag for the Limousin and the expat community in the national championships, held at Tours.

The Bugle is delighted to announce that not only is Robert the best young apprentice butcher in the Limousin, he is now officially the best in France!! In total, 24 young apprentices battled it out over 2 days to earn the title of France's best, de-boning, preparing and presenting joints of beef, lamb and veal. When the dust settled, three young butchers could not be separated and were jointly awarded the title of Meilleur Apprenti Boucher de France.

Robert grew up around cattle and is following in something of a family tradition. Back in Yorkshire, where his family originate from, a number of Fairbanks are also farmers, butchers and

slaughtermen. His mother and step-father have a large farm of 150 Limousin cattle in the Haute-Vienne and at 9 years old Robert was already driving tractors and helping calve cows!

Having moved to France a little over 7 years ago, Robert these days considers himself to be French, speaking fluent French and without an accent. “I picked up French very quickly,” Robert told The Bugle. “Within about 6 months of starting school I was fluent. It is easier when you are that age. I know people who moved here in their mid-teens and still struggle with the accent many years later.”

He found butchery through a friend and neighbour in Ladignac-le-Long, Guy Tallet, who runs a local boucherie. Robert is due to finish his CAP (Certificat d'aptitude professionnelle) this summer at which point he hopes to move on to study for a BEP (Brevet d'études professionnelles).

Robert's mother, Charlotte, was understandably chuffed with her son's achievements, but was also keen to stress the

advantages of an apprenticeship. “I'm so very proud of him,” she said. “Robert is an intern and works hard all week, still doing French, technology, maths, etc. and always shows excellent results. Basically, an apprentissage is an excellent choice for young adults like him.”

It was a good month for the Limousin's talented youngsters as another apprentice, Élodie Garolle, took the title of France's best apprentice in the “charcuterie” category. ■

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www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MAY 2013

LOCAL NEWS ♦ 5

Bees hives introduced at Speed camera survey results revealed Limoges train station

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n a largely symbolic move, but one that is likely to be copied, Limoges-Bénédictins train station is to become the first public building in Limoges as well as the first train station in France - and maybe even Europe - to introduce bee hives. A first hive is being installed in one of the station's towers, with more set to follow as the weather improves.

The bees, provided by Toulouse company Biocenys, are particularly suited to city living. “We have chosen a Buckfast bee,” explained a company representative. “It is a cross-bred bee, calm and non-aggressive, perfectly adapted for the urban environment.”

The honey that the bees eventually produce, which for a healthy hive would be

about 10kg per year, will be auctioned off, with the proceeds going to an as yet unnamed local charity. Although the bees are coming from outside the region, their upkeep has been entrusted to a local apiculturist, Laurent Desmichel, who already maintains a 'farm' of 250 hives.

“This is a local example of our wider focus on the environment,” announced SNCF's regional director Philippe Charlot. SNCF, France's state-owned transport company, is trying to make the environment and renewable energy key policy issues and has put Limoges-Bénédictins at the forefront of this new campaign.

Bees and their hives are excellent indicators of pollution and the health of

the colony will be closely monitored over the coming months and years as a first-line indicator of any changes in the quality of the air.

As well as the largely symbolic bee hives, the station is also planning a move away from its fuel and gas boilers to a more efficient wood-burner. A feasibility study is currently under way for a switch to 'natural' energy, one that management hopes will save money, not only for the main station, but, by virtue of a back burner, also for the offices of its 800 workers. It is not known how much the changes will save on running costs, but SNCF has admitted that the station heating bills are currently relatively high.

Staff are also being en-

couraged to turn off their computers at night. Like most businesses, SNCF spends 10% of its energy bill on office IT and admits that only 50% of its employees currently shut down their equipment before heading home.

Finally, the station will also be turning down the outside lights at night in a further cost-saving exercise. This is in line with a new law, due to come into effect in July this year, requiring all monuments and government-owned buildings to switch off their external lighting by 1am.

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.■

T

he motoring magazine Auto Plus has released its annual statistics on the nation's speed cameras and guess what, it's (relatively) good news for those of us who live in the Limousin. In a time when budgets are tight and the economic crisis shows no sign of abating, residents of the Limousin can at least comfort themselves with the knowledge that we receive fewer fines and loss of points than most of the rest of the country.

Surveying the results of the 4,047 speed cameras in service at the end of 2012, not one of the top 100 cameras was based in the Limousin. In 2011, the Haute-Vienne boasted the country's 86th most active camera, situated at Saint-Bonnet-de-Bellac on the RN147, just west of Bellac, which flashed 24,945 that year - that’s around 3 times, every hour of every day, all year long! Drivers seem to have wised up, however, as there is no sign of it in this year's roll of honour.

The Haute-Vienne has once again emerged victorious within the Limousin, taking both the title of most-prolific radar - 30,173 flashes at Pierre-Buffière on the A20 - and also placing highest as a depart-

ment - ranking 46th (170,832 flashes) out of France's 100 departments.

In the Corrèze, which ranked 66th (103,235 flashes), the place you are most likely to get caught out is on the A20 by the tunnel at Noailles, just south of Brive, which was activated 26,402 times.

It would appear, however, that the place to live is La Creuse, which languishes in 97th place in the list of 100 departments that includes France's overseas territories. In total, all the radars of the Creuse flashed on just 29,765 occasions, fewer than the single camera at Pierre-Buffière!

These figures, of course, don't take into account the number of inhabitants in the territory and the volume of traffic. The Limousin is far from being the most populated region in France and it follows that its speed cameras are less active.

Pay close attention if you are planning to go on holiday to the Rhône (826,520 flashes), Nord (821,854) or Alpes-Maritimes (758,438) regions, which ranked as the most expensive places to have a heavy right foot.

In the Rhône, 2,264 drivers are flashed every single day!! ■

MAY 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

6 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

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www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MAY 2013

NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 7

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T

he extraordinary success of McDonald's in France looks set to continue as the American fast food giant has announced a €200 million investment plan.

The money will be split between opening a further 40 restaurants (€110 million) and refurbishing its existing outlets (€90 million).

The company will also be hiring 3,000 extra staff. According to McDonald's president, Jean-Pierre Petit, the company is France's biggest recruiter: “Taking into account staff turnover, this represents more than 40,000 jobs each year.”

As part of this new recruitment drive, McDo has held open days in 150 of its restaurants for the public

to come in and get a feel for what it is like to work as everything from a burger flipper to a director.

The success of McDonald's is impressive, especially in a country that is often anti-American and resistant to cultural imperialism.

Since opening its first restaurant on these shores 33 years ago, France has become the company’s second biggest market outside the US and the French eat more McDonald's per capita than even the Americans! The company has not yet released figures for 2012, but they are expected to be an improvement on the €4.2billion it turned over in 2011.

A key factor in the American invasion of the homeland of haute

cuisine has been its acceptance by France’s notoriously protective agricultural industry. McDonald's sources 80% of all its produce locally, spending an estimated €800 million with French suppliers, something that has kept the French farmers onside and avoided protests from that sector.

Its success does not please everybody, however, and as France tackles a growing obesity problem, the light is shining ever more brightly on fast food. A government-backed study recently revealed that obesity had doubled in France in the last 15 years with the problem worst amongst the young: obesity in 18-24-year-olds has increased by 35% since 2009. ■

No more rues Pétain

I

n most French towns of a certain size, you are likely to walk down a road named after France's wartime hero General Charles de Gaulle. However, you will no longer find a street named after his nemesis, Marshal Philippe Pétain.

Philippe Pétain was at one time a hero of the First World War. Since it was customary for the French to honour their war heroes with numerous monuments, memorials, statues - and street names - after World War I, virtually every town in France had its Rue or Avenue Pétain. So vast was his fame that a dozen or so towns and cities in the United States also named streets after him.

However, during the occupation of the Second World War, the Vichy government, led by Pétain, collaborated with the Nazis. It participated in the rounding up of Jews - known in France as la grande rafle - who were then sent on to death camps in Eastern Europe. Vichy forces also fought against the Allies in various battles during the war.

So what is a Frenchman to do when the hero of one war becomes the villain of the next one? Well, you

simply remove the monuments, memorials, statues and street names until none remain.

In the northeastern village of Berlain, near the town of Verdun, there was, until recently, still a road called “rue du Maréchal-Pétain”, so-named as Verdun was the site of a WWI battle in which Pétain was the senior French commander.

“Pétain Street had existed since the 1930s, without really causing a stir,” Patrick Gondouin, mayor of Berlain, said. “But when I was elected mayor in 2008, it bothered me - I suspected that one day or another it would be a problem.”

The local council has this month voted to rename its rue du Maréchal-Pétain - the last road in the country named after the disgraced leader. Mr Gondouin told reporters that local villagers would be consulted to help choose a new name for the street - one that would bring back less painful memories.

Following France's liberation in 1944, Pétain was sentenced to death for treason, although his sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment. He died in detention in 1951, aged 95. ■

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Lowest ever interest rates Now could be the time to borrow to finance a home project, or even buy a house outright, as mortgage rates in France have fallen to their lowest ever levels. In April, the average mortgage interest rates fell to 2.45% over 10 years, 2.75% over 15 years, 3.05% over 20 years and 3.35% over 25 years. Given that these are average figures, those in a strong financial position should be able to negotiate even lower rates.

However, despite the low cost of borrowing, and the similarly low house prices, figures show that there are fewer and fewer people buying properties.■

MAY 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

8 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

Phone number portability As anyone who has tried to change their telecoms operator in France will be painfully aware, taking your phone number with you is all but impossible. France has its house in order when it comes to mobile phone number portability, a process that is now quick and easy, but no such standardised system exists for fixed phone lines. Although it is theoretically possible to keep your number when switching provider, in practice it is a haphazard process that can literally take months.

This is about to change, however, and a year from now, customers will be able to keep their number when moving between competitors “with a maximum delay of 3 working days”. There will be one constraint, however. Since 1996, France has been split into 5 zones with numbers that start 01, 02, 03, 04 and 05, and it will only be possible to take your phone number with you if you stay within the same “area code” zone. ■

Breast implants court case gets under way >> continued from pg 1 abnormally high rupture rate among PIP implants.

Gendarmes searching the business in southern France then found cans of industrial silicone in a van. Soon afterwards, the company was closed and its products taken off the market. When Mr Mas was finally arrested, he denied that the implants posed any health risks, calling the women who complained “fragile people, or people who are doing this for money”.

An estimated 300,000 women in 65 countries are believed to have received the implants, which are twice as likely to rupture as other brands - more than 4,000 women have reported ruptures. Of the 30,000 French women given PIP implants, 15,000 have had them removed. In Britain, only 607 women of the 47,000 who received the implants have had them removed by the NHS. As the scale of the scandal emerged, public fears grew over links between the lowgrade industrial silicone and cancer. In December 2011, the

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French health ministry advised women with PIP implants to have them removed, although last year, medical experts investigating the consequences of the PIP scandal in the UK concluded that substandard silicone gel did not pose a significant risk to women's health in the long term.

“Even if not all the women have significant physical or psychological after-effects, they have all been marked for life,” Joelle Manighetti, a 56-year-old breast cancer survivor who received a PIP implant after a mastectomy, told AFP news agency.

However, potential health risks are still being looked at and a separate investigation into possible involuntary homicide against the company is currently ongoing, following the 2010 cancer death of a French woman with PIP implants.

Christine Micchi, 48, a sales assistant from Aix-enProvence, paid €4,000 for PIP implants for cosmetic reasons in 2007. She said: “Two years later, they ruptured. I had them removed, more surgery, more scars, and now I have leaked silicone in my body that has to be constantly monitored. At the start, I was on antidepressants.

We hear talk of the industrial silicone used in these implants which might normally be used for electrical cables or car oils.

It's a constant worry.”

All but around 200 plaintiffs in the current trial are French, with 36 British among them at

last count, although more are expected to join proceedings during the month-long trial.

One such plaintiff is Jan Spivey, 50, from south-west London, who received PIP implants as part of reconstructive surgery following breast cancer, in 2002. She had her implants removed and replaced on the NHS last August following a long battle. “Jean-Claude Mas has made me, along with many other women, suffer hugely, spreading torment,” she told The Daily Telegraph.

“I actually regard him as a terrorist and can't think of any criminal behaviour directed against women on this scale, ever.” She said she hoped the trial would see “those responsible for an international health crisis brought to account”.

As the trial began, boos erupted and one person shouted

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“bastard” when the PIP founder stood up to declare his earnings - a monthly pension of less than 1,800 euros. His company has declared bankruptcy and thus he will escape paying financial compensation to implant victims, who can expect a maximum of €4,179 each from a state fund. Outside court, Jean-Claude Guidocolli, lawyer for 10 victims, called the trial “catastrophic” because it had taken too long to come to court, “allowing the defendants to organise their insolvency” and limit potential for compensation.

Mr Mas and his former chairman are also under investigation in a separate case for fraudulent bankruptcy and money laundering.

Maître Yves Haddad, lawyer for Mr Mas, said that his client deserved credit for turning up in person. “He

could have said he was sick, which he is,” Mr Haddad said. “He wanted to be here to answer questions because he cares about all the people who have linked their names to the case, even if that seems strange to some people.”

France's cosmetics and plastic surgery industry is among the biggest in Europe.

An estimated 21,000 breast augmentations are carried out each year and between 400,000 and 500,000 women in France currently have breast implants - the most popular cosmetic operation after liposuction and antiwrinkle procedures. A study in 2009 found that although French women are the slimmest in western Europe, they also have the biggest complexes about their bodies and the toughest standards on weight. ■

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NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 9 Septic tanks

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Under 18's to receive free contraception From April this year, girls aged 15-18 now have free access to certain types of contraception in a move that follows through on an election pledge made by François Hollande. First and second generation contraceptive pills and contraceptive implants are covered by the measures, however condoms are not included.

Girls aged between 15 and 18 already have access to these types of contraception, although until now they have only been reimbursed at 65% by the state. The contraception is available for free from pharmacies on presentation of a valid prescription and a Carte Vitale. It will not show up on health insurance statements, meaning those who make use of the new measures can remain anonymous.

It is hoped that better access to contraception will reduce the number of terminations among teenage girls; there were 13,500 reported terminations in this age group in 2010.

In a linked move, abortions are to become free for all women – they currently cost between €200-450 and are only partially reimbursed.

Some conservative groups argue that making abortion and contraception free to minors encourages young women to be more promiscuous and less responsible. Véronique Séhier, co-president of the French family planning group, welcomed the measures, however, arguing that many women could not currently afford the cost of an abortion. ■

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Wolf cull numbers increased

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he wolf is not an animal that you expect to come across while wandering through the woods in France. But in recent years, this once-lost predator has been making an impressive comeback.

Hailed as a success story by naturalists and conservationists, the numbers of wolves are steadily rising.

Today there are estimated to be around 200 animals in 20 packs, ranging across much of southeastern France. While this number is still relatively low compared with neighbouring countries, wolves are becoming a problem, in particular for sheep farmers. 5,848 animals were reported to have been killed by wolves in 2012 (up 120% in 5 years); 95% of the victims were sheep.

“I suffered 35 wolf attacks last year alone,” complained Bernard Bruno, a sheep farmer from the Alpes-Maritimes. “And in the last month I have lost another 3 sheep.” In response, Mr Bruno has had to move his sheep far from the hills, virtually into town.

Wolves are protected under European law and a “wolf code” established in France in 2004, means that the animals can only legally be shot by licensed “wolf lieutenants” or

government marksmen and only then if all other measures have been exhausted. To ward off the carnivores, shepherds are first expected to invest in guard dogs, lighting and electric fences - financially difficult for all but the biggest farming businesses.

The national wolf council - made up of farmers and conservationists alike – has suggested raising the number of wolves that can be killed to 24 this year - up from 11 in 2012.

The proposal, however, has been met with resistance from both camps.

Those who seek to protect the wolf say that these small-scale culls have not been proven to be effective in halting the progress of wolves. And the farmers say that it is not as simple as just finding and killing 24 wolves.

“These limits are pointless, because even when we go out hunting with 70 people, we don't manage to flush out the wolves,” claimed Mr Bruno.

In fact, between 2008 and 2012, only 7 wolves were successfully hunted under these measures.

Wolves were virtually extinct in France until a handful crossed the border from Italy and recolonised the French Alps around 1993; they then rapidly spread across much of the southeastern part of the country.

Initially, the wolves were situated to the east of the busy and heavily populated Rhône valley, but it seems that they have now crossed this barrier and are poised to colonise the Auvergne, Limousin and the rest of central France. So meteoric has been their rise that some experts are now predicting that they could be hunting in the woods outside Paris within the next 15 years.

According to Daniel Véjux, one of France's foremost experts on the wolf: “It was inevitable that the need for new wild prey would force young wolves to establish new hunting territories across the Rhône at some point.

Now, unless they are persecuted to extinction by mankind again, there is nothing to stop wolves spreading across thousands of square miles throughout the Massif Central and Limousin in the next couple of decades.”

As reported in The Bugle in November 2012, the influx of wolves into the Massif Central has even threatened the existence of Roquefort cheese. There are strict rules to the “Roquefort” AOC label, which stipulate that it is “compulsory” for sheep to be allowed to graze freely and to roam on the hilly pastures “ev-

ery day” provided there is sufficient grass, “weather conditions permitting”. The farmers argue that with wolves roaming the hills, this may no longer be possible.

Defenders of the wolf say that cohabitation between man, sheep and wolf is possible. There may be 200 wolves in France but there are over 1,000 in Italy and 2,000 in Spain, countries where sheep farms still thrive. ■

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Forget Google Maps - hello Poople Maps

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Screen shot of the PoopleMaps app - www.pooplemaps.com

here can be no doubt that we live in a technologically advanced era, with more and more gadgets, gizmos and apps integrating themselves into our everyday lives. Some of these inventions make our lives easier, some save us time and others even save our lives.

There is a danger, however, that we use technology simply because we can, an accusation that may well be aimed at a new smartphone app that has been developed by a trio of IT students in Paris. As anyone who has taken a wander around Paris will know, if you spend too long admiring the scenery, it is only a matter of time before you step in something unpleasant. Enter “Poople Maps” (Google Maps' lawyers have so far remained quiet...), a new

app that will “revolutionise” the curb cleanliness of French streets by allowing users to “flag” unwelcome pooch poo on the pavements.

The app, developed by Eléna Domercq, Josselin Caër and Barbara Le Rétif, has a growing number of users mapping the exact location of offending piles of doggy dirt in the country's capital. Upgrades are already planned that will allow users to “personalise” photos of their faecal finds, share them on social networks and even earn virtual badges of honour via a points system.

“The objective isn't simply to help users know

where there will be lots of dog mess,” Miss Domercq told Le Parisien newspaper.

“The main idea is that the application will show local authorities that they have a problem and motivate them to find some solutions. We know we'll never achieve total victory over the scourge of dog mess. There will always be a poo that gets through the net. But we hope that this application will reduce the volume, and that will be a victory in itself.”

It is fair to say that Paris has garnered something of a reputation for canine caca in recent times. In fact, some even blamed the proliferation of pavement parcels for

the city's failed 2012 Olympics bid. Paris' former environment head, Yves Contassot, said at the time: “By 2001, Paris was the dog poo capital of the world. It was such a problem that the Japanese used it as an argument for opposing our candidacy for the Olympic Games.

There were complaints from people all the time. What was worse was that we were mocked around the world for not being able to keep our own pavements clean.”

Where giant mobile vacuum cleaners and harsher fines have failed, maybe Poople Maps will finally clean up the streets of the City of Light... or should that be City of Shite? ■

Paris introduces 'eco-grazing'

M

ayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoë, has made the environment a priority during more than a decade in power. He was the driving force behind popular bike- and car-sharing schemes, has introduced a network of dedicated lanes for bicycles and buses, and has been at the head of an enormous project to pedestrianize the banks along much of the river Seine.

His latest eco-drive has seen Paris take on four new employees, although these woolly workers will be less of a drain on the city's coffers. The four little black sheep, who recently left their countryside homes to become ‘park keepers’ in the French capital, are thought to have cost just a few hundred euros.

The new gardeners are Ouessant sheep, named after the island of Ouessant off the coast of Brittany from where they originate.

Standing only two feet tall and known for their stamina and short tails, the dark coloured sheep have been tasked with the upkeep of 2000m² of green space until October

this year. If the trial is a success, it will be rolled out to other grassy areas around the capital.

The trial project, on an area of grassland the size of 8 tennis courts, is part of an experiment in ‘eco-grazing’, an effort by Parisian authorities to promote biodiversity, keep down fuel emissions, and avoid the use of machines and chemical weedkillers.

“For a lawn mowed 24 times a year, there is no biodiversity. When you use animals, the droppings attract insects and the insects bring birds,” said Eco Terra president Alain Divo whose company plans and organises eco-pasture projects in French urban areas.

The patch of grass belongs to the capital's archives service, which initially came up with the initiative to attract the public to the archives; informational panels have been put in place to explain exactly what the sheep are doing. “Myself, I wanted a donkey,” said Agnès Masson, director of the archives, although in the end it was decided that sheep would be more appropriate. ■

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Malian family eats Hollande's camel animal to a zoo in France, but for logistical reasons it was decided in the end to leave it with a family in Timbuktu.

Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian was tasked with giving Hollande regular updates on the camel’s status, but had to inform the president that his camel had been casseroled just a few weeks later.

The Malian authorities were naturally embarrassed. “As soon as we heard of this, we quickly replaced it with a bigger and better-looking camel,” said a local government official, quoted by Reuters news agency.

“The new camel will be sent to Paris.

We are ashamed of what happened to the camel. It was a present that did not deserve this fate.”

French leaders have received many gifts of exotic or wild animals from around the world over the years. In a separate and unrelated incident in April, a robber chainsawed a tusk off the skeleton of an elephant offered to Louis XIV by a Portuguese king in 1668. Police caught the thief as he fled with the tusk under his arm. ■

Cancer patient saves ambulance driver's life Whilst being driven to hospital for a check-up, a cancer patient has saved the life of his ambulance driver after he suffered a heart attack.

The retired 60-year-old, Christian Nayet, who has end-stage stomach and liver cancer, was being taken by ambulance to a hospital in Lille to undergo routine tests. But during the journey, his driver, Jean-François Pina, began to complain of tingling in his fingers.

Mr Nayet took control of the vehicle and diverted the ambulance to another hospital in Lens. He even administered a blood thinning drug to the driver during the journey, as well as another to stabilise his heartbeat.

“I told him: Give me the keys, trust me! My life is not in danger, but yours is,” Mr Nayet told the newspaper Voix du Nord. “I couldn't fire the

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A man has set the unenviable record of becoming the drunkest Frenchman ever when he was brought to hospital and found to have 11g of alcohol per litre of blood. His life was very much in danger, but unbelievably not from his impressive alcohol consumption – he had been left for dead after being beaten up and robbed outside an Avignon bar.

Doctors at the Timone hospital in Marseille said the man, in his 40s and named only as Sébastien, must have drunk the equivalent of four bottles of whisky in just a few hours. The levels of alcohol in his system were nearly 4 times higher than the 3g per litre that doctors consider to be potentially fatal. He was identified as an oil worker in Angola who was in France on leave.

According to Dr Laqueille, an addiction specialist in Paris, “The effects on his liver, but also on his nervous system, could be significant, especially if he is a regular drinker. This man was literally pickled in alcohol - his survival is a miracle!”

Police are still looking for the two men responsible for the attack, although they say that they were caught on CCTV. The previous record was set in 2005 by a shop worker from Ain. The 37-year-old was found in an alcoholic coma in his car with 9.76g of alcohol per litre of blood.

In France, the drink driving limit is 0.5g per litre, lower than the UK which has a limit of 0.8g per litre. ■

siren, but I managed to turn the lights on and told him to put his arm out the window to signal to the cars to let us pass.”

When the makeshift paramedic arrived at the hospital, he drove straight into the area reserved for ambulances and the driver was immediately admitted to the emergency room. “The patient gave correct information, had the right reflexes, which allowed the driver to be treated quickly,” said Mr Allienne, an emergency worker at the Lens hospital, adding that without Mr Nayet's assistance, the driver “could have died”.

After his ordeal, the grateful ambulance driver phoned Mr Nayet the following day, telling him: “I have a wife, a child... and you saved me.”

“He wanted to see me again,” said Mr Nayet. “I told him: The most important thing is that you're OK. As for me, that night I slept like a baby - I knew I had done something good.” The cancer patient was later taken in another ambulance to the Lille hospital where he was due to undergo his original scan. “I have had chemo, two operations and I'm not really hopeful. My days are numbered, but morale is intact,” adding of his heroics: “Anyone would have done it!” ■

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hings have not been going well for France's president, François Hollande, in recent months. His reforms are proving increasingly unpopular, his popularity is falling to unprecedented levels and his government has become embroiled in a tax scandal.

Good news then, when the Malian authorities bestowed upon him the gift of a camel in thanks for France's military intervention in its former colony. But, proving the old adage that “it never rains but it pours”, news soon filtered through that the doomed dromedary had been cooked and eaten by the local family it had been left with for safe keeping.

Hollande was presented with the camel on a visit to Mali in February, several weeks after deploying French troops to combat the Islamist militants that had taken control of the northern half of the country. At the time, the president joked that he would use the camel to get around the traffic-jammed streets of Paris.

There were plans to transport the

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Hollande's cabinet declare global wealth scandal broke, Cahuzac even restated this assertion and said that he would be counter-suing Mediapart - the investigative website that exposed him - for libel. It has subsequently been alleged

by Swiss public television that he in fact tried to move €15 million to Geneva in 2009, but that the bank in question refused because it was worried about future complications as a result of his high-profile status in politics.

The scandal has been a major blow to President Hollande, who is currently enduring approval ratings lower than even those of his predecessor, Nicolas Sarkozy. Surveys indicate that nearly two-thirds of French people are now in favour of a government reshuffle.

In an attempt to regain public trust, all 38 government ministers have publicly declared their assets, a move which has proved controversial across the political spectrum. The exercise risked being all the more uncomfortable for wealthy left-wing ministers, as Hollande has previously famously

President François Hollande's approval ratings are currently rock bottom more embarrassing as Mr Cahuzac, who has now resigned, was a key figure in the government's efforts to raise taxes, reduce the deficit and clamp down on tax avoidance.

For several months, in interviews and in a solemn declaration to Parliament, Cahuzac had denied having a secret Swiss bank account or otherwise dodging taxes, telling MPs in the National Assembly: “I do not have, I have never had a foreign bank account. Not now, not before.” In the days after the

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declared: “I don't like the rich.”

The head of the main opposition UMP party, Jean-François Copé, insisted that the measures would only “create tensions” in French society, telling BFMTV that “the only consequence of all of this voyeurism will be that a certain number of people - business people, artisans, professionals will no longer want to engage in public life”.

Claude Bartolone, the Socialist president of the National Assembly,

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who is not a minister, is not obliged to reveal his wealth and has said he has no plans to do so. “I have serious concerns about the respect of privacy,” Bartolone told Le Figaro. “I'm concerned about any initiative that could feed populism. To declare, check and punish, that's transparency; to make it public, that's voyeurism.”

Disclosing family assets of €5.3 million - including €3m in property, a €200,000 art collection and €15,000 in jewels plus €10,000 of watches the minister for the elderly Michèle Delaunay conceded that her considerable wealth would be “difficult to understand for the majority of the French, who are facing hard times”.

She described the disclosure as an “ordeal”, but insisted that she supported the idea. “It is probably a necessary step toward a real battle against tax evasion and fraud. If we had not taken it, in the context of Cahuzac, it may have been seen as a desire to protect certain people,” she told Sud Ouest newspaper.

So now we know that the foreign affairs minister, Laurent Fabius, has a net worth of €6.07 million, made up mostly of a €2.7 million apartment in Paris and two country homes, while the prime minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, is worth €1.55m. On the other end of the scale, the housing minister, Cécile Duflot of the Green party, admitted she drives around in a 1999 Renault Twingo worth €1,500.

There were some embarrassing revelations, such as Arnaud Montebourg, the minister for industrial renewal behind the “Made in France” brand, having to admit that he owns a €4,500 armchair from the US designer Charles Eames.

Some ministers appeared to take the task less seriously than others, with culture minister Aurélie Filippetti, proudly declaring she owns her 70m² flat in Paris and a David Beckham T-shirt!

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, head of the far-left Parti de Gauche, opposed the declarations and had no need to reveal anything, but could not help himself from poking fun, posting on his blog: “I'm 1.74 metres tall. I weigh 79kg.

My shirt size is 41/42. My trouser size is 42, and I take a size 42 shoe.

All my hair is my own and is not dyed”. He went on to admit owning

Jérôme Cahuzac's admissions sparked the government's first major scandal an apartment, a house, some savings and 12,000 books, adding that he had “no horses”.

The president himself said he would not be publishing a list of his material assets as they “had not changed in the last year”. As is customary for French presidents, Hollande published his declaration when he entered the Elysée, which showed he was worth around €1.17 million.

This included a house at Mougins in the Alpes Maritimes worth €800,000 and two apartments in Cannes worth €370,000 together.

The declarations have had many political commentators referring to a growing trend of Champagne Socialism and asking “if you're an egalitarian, how come you're so rich?”

In France, rich socialists are often referred to as “gauche caviar”, or “caviar left”, and can be a highly unpopular group. Many opponents are already arguing that the very exis-

CARREFOUR BOIS LIMOUSIN Order your winter firewood today

All wood is stored under cover and cleaned before delivery

Oak, Beech, Hornbeam - Logs of 50, 33 & 25 cm Home delivery loose or palleted - depts 23/87

www.chauffagebois-limousin.com

05 55 63 72 45 / 06 76 05 81 38 (8h30-12h & 14h-18h)

20211438CC1243

I

n the wake of the Cahuzac tax fraud scandal, President Hollande has forced all of his ministers to declare their assets publicly. The French press have called it Le Grand Déballage, which can be translated as “The Great Revelation” or “The Great Naming and Shaming”, depending on your politics. In a country where the private lives of politicians remain a closed book - and where finances are treated even more circumspectly - the move is a bold one.

The decree came in the weeks following the first major scandal to hit President François Hollande's Socialist government. During his election bid in 2012, Hollande declared that he would form an “exemplary” government. It was a brave statement and one that has already left France's leader with egg on his face, following revelations that his budget minister, Jérôme Cahuzac, had squirrelled €600,000 in a secret Swiss bank account. The scandal was all the

tence of wealthy socialists is indicative not just of the hypocrisy of certain individuals but also of a fundamental problem for egalitarian politics: if rich socialists profess to believe that inequality is unjust, why don't they give their wealth away to the poor? Supporters argue that what socialists want to see is a world in which everyone has equal access to the resources they require in order to flourish - what they do with those resources is secondary.

But do the wider public really care what their politicians own? According to one poll, 70% of voters are uninterested in hearing about the accumulated wealth of the governing class what they care about is corruption in the wider sense. France has a history of being relatively tolerant of its leaders in the past - Chirac's secret second family being a prime example - but Hollande is pressing ahead with his assertion that his will be a “scandalfree” government. ■

The Bugle May 2013

2

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 >> B5 Plumbers >> B5 Sandblasters >> B5 Tilers >> B5 Chimney Sweeps >> B5-6 Computers/Satellites >> B6 Courses & Classes >> B6 >> B2 Food & Drink >> B6 >> B2 >> B7 >> B2 Garden Services >> B7 >> B2-B4 Gifts & Crafts Handholding Services >> B7 >> B4 >> B1 >> B1 >> B1 >> B1 >> B2

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

Activities & Leisure

Rochechouart

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

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

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

Small & friendly, English run.

Viewings welcome.

Certificat de capacité.

Also available: Pet foods, treats & accessories.

Contact Dave Grant: 05 55 67 58 87

www.the-orchard.eu

email: tipar@hotmail.fr

La Petite Maison

05 55 03 76 87 / 06 30 02 35 73

Mon - Sat: 9.00 - 7.00

+33 (0)6 77 90 83 37

siret: 504 584 228 00010

DAY TICKET FISHING Enjoy a day's fishing at Lake Brillac, situated in Brillac, 16500.

Carp, Roach, Zander and Perch.

Sport fishing only - no kill policy.

Full day ticket €10 pp

Open daily Night fishing available on request.

Equipment hire/bait available at extra cost.

lakebrillac@yahoo.co.uk

Tel: 09 74 76 76 62

www.etangbrillac.weebly.com Siret No. 511 322 554 00011

Cosmo Flight School

www.cosmoflightschool.com See page 10

www.canicloture.fr

The Caring Cattery

www.thelindenhouse.eu info@thelindenhouse.eu

Shops and restaurants close by.

3 prices for 3 increasingly high-spec apartments: 40€/50€/60€ per night - minimum 2 nights On foot: bus station 2mins, train station 10mins.

Fully furnished for 2 people: kitchen, bathroom, all towels and linen included.

French breakfast pack available by prior notice - €7.

Wifi available. Call Eric for more details:

CaniClôture

Invisible boundaries for dogs

05 46 59 06 81 - see pg 8

06.04.17.80.93

Apartments in the heart of Limoges Old Town

Health & Beauty >> B7 Insurance & Finance >> B7 Language Services >> B7 Online Shopping >> B7 Pest Control >> B8 Property Maintenance >> B8 Property Sales >> B8 Retail & Commerce >> B8 Transport/Removals /Storage >> B8 General >> B8

ZE DOG (& CAT) HOUSE

Family, cage-free boarding for dogs and cats.

Positive dog training and counseling.

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

June Altman, Le Puytren, 87800 Meilhac

Tel: 05 55 58 87 94 or Mob: 06 61 01 12 21 Email: zdh@ze-dog-house.fr Certificat de capacité n° 87-203 RCS Limoges 750 912 057

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

sales@thebugle.eu

Only 30 mins from Limoges airport.

Established, purpose built secure cattery. Large individual/family units, tiled floors, shelving, adjoining outside areas.

Heated, individual needs catered for.

NEW - purpose built isolation unit.

Certificate of Capacity. Contact Barbara:

bdowning77@wanadoo.fr SIRET: 494 125 016 00019

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76 Antiques/ Brocantes

Dog Holidays at Valhalla Farm

5 Star Accommodation in our Home (Dept 23).

4 Walks each day & lots of T.L.C. Contact Karen & Darren Tel: 05 55 80 95 18 / 06 52 58 17 95 valhallafarm@europe.com www.valhallafarm.org SIRET: 511 629 610 00011

Champlong Chatterie

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

Tel: 05 55 60 27 83

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

LA GRANGE ANTIQUE

FLEA MARKET / BROCANTE

13 rue Ledru Rollin, 36200 Argenton-sur-Creuse YOU NEED SOME FURNITURE? ASK ME - I HAVE EVERYTHING!!

I SPEAK ENGLISH AND I CAN DELIVER TO YOU!

tel: 06 08 50 36 26

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

05.55.41.17.76

MAY 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

B2 ♦ DIRECTORY

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

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

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

Auto Services

Architectural DRAWING SERVICE Renovating your French property?

New build?

Car Breakers - C.R.A.L.

Buy/Sell/Scrap Spare Parts for Sale 05.55.48.21.33 - see pg 10

RING BILL!

Registered Car Mechanic

05.55.81.31.85

See Display Ad below

Le Mécanique Anglais 30 years’ experience

● All Makes & Models ● Repairs ● Servicing ● CT’s ● Specialist in: Vehicle Diagnostics and Auto Electrics Covering 87/24/16 - I can come to you

Email: lemeca24@gmail.com

TEL: 05 53 62 50 46 SIREN: 514 423 532

The English Mechanic

Building Services Architectural Services www.masterplans.eu Comprehensive planning & permissions service for your projects. Dossiers compiled, c/w floorplans, elevations and photo-realisations.

05.55.80.72.83

info@masterplans.eu siret: 79001698400011

Dossiers prepared Permis de Construire Déclarations Préalables

Tel: 05 53 52 36 05

lavieilleabbaye@orange.fr www.latuspeter-architecturaldrawings-24.com

Your advert here

Pre-purchase & Structural Surveys.

Verbal & written reports.

Structural calculations & drawings.

Redevelopment ideas & solutions.

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

05 53 56 72 59 / 06 58 04 21 94 +44 (0)7910 283 965 Web: www.versineer.com Email: enquiries@versineer.com UK Reg No. 5245744

Your Home - Get it right first time

Thinking of improving or extending your house?

I am a retired British architect based in the Creuse near Aubusson, ready to work with you and your ideas.

Déclaration Préalable / Permis de Construire, General advice, Good reputation, Reasonable rates Please contact: Neil Parkyn

tel: 05 55 66 75 53

Building Services Carpenters/Joiners Le Charme De Chêne Handmade solid oak joinery and furniture

Our joinery expertise includes barn doors, barn door frame openings, staircases, kitchens, windows & doors.

We also make handmade furniture.

Every item is bespoke and made to measure.

Please visit our website for recent installations and references.

www.lecharmedechene.com contactus@lecharmedechene.com

02 54 25 65 08 06 16 91 64 67

SUNMAN

Carpentry & Joinery www.sunmancarpentry.com

05.55.60.15.57 - see below

Your advert here

Nicholas Hemming Wood Craft

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

www.nicholashemming.co.uk

02 48 63 15 09 - see main ad pg 11

SHUTTERS / VOLETS Made to Measure Woodwork

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

www.scrollart.co.uk

Robert Johnson

ELECTRICIAN SIRET: 493 084 974 00010

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

Mobile No: 06 50 63 65 29

Electricians

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

Pink Electrique

ELECTRICIAN

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

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

30+ years worldwide experience.

Departments covered: 23, 36, 87.

Tel: 05 55 63 10 68 Mob: 06 64 59 48 64 Email: info@pink-electrique.fr www.pink-electrique.fr SIRET: 788 709 871 00016

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

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

Philip Evans

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

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

Email: philip.evans@live.fr Siret: 533 235 016 00011

Building Services

No Siret: 494 916 760 00015

SIRET: 510 156 763 00011

carol.neil@orange.fr

05 55 41 17 76

Building Services

05 55 41 17 76

SIRET: 493 770 358 00015

CHARTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEER

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

Lumiere Service et Energie

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

General R & B Construction ALL ASPECTS OF RENOVATION & CONSTRUCTION *Special Spring Discounts* • House & barn renovations • Garage/loft conversions • Bathroom/shower rooms • Doors/windows • Roofing • Patios/decking • Plumbing & Electrical

See our website: http://www.rb-first-construction.com

05 55 14 12 43

05.55.69.75.67 / 06.89.47.69.71

Tel: 05 55 37 74 06 (Dave) Tel: 05 55 69 75 67 (Steve)

Siren 527 854 749

Siret No. 501.792.386.00010

siret: 501 792 386 00010

Oradour-sur-Vayres (87150)

email: lsetenergie@yahoo.co.uk

(Depts 23, 87 & 19)

Advertise your business here Carpentry & Joinery

05.55.60.15.57

www.sunmancarpentry.com

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MAY 2013

DIRECTORY ♦ B3 ADVERTORIAL

Houses on Internet: A Global Property Network

H

ouses on Internet – Global Property Services (hereafter referred to as “HOI-GPS”), the internet/marketing company that helps people sell their property, have seen their sales in France rise by an astonishing 275% in the first quarter of this year and continue to expand their services.

Richard Kroon, founder and director of the company: “Although we have been successful over the past years, allowing us to hire more staff, the market seemed to explode right after Christmas of 2012 and it hasn’t stopped since. No doubt one of the reasons is that we were able to increase our worldwide advertising budget and reach more prospective buyers than ever.”

So far this year HOI-GPS have sold to people from 14 different countries, of which the Australians are now the number one buyers, closely followed by the Belgians.

Richard continues: “Last year we also saw a small rise in buyers from Russia, which made us decide to have our websites translated into Russian, combined with advertising on the Russian version of Google. This really helped a lot and I

wouldn’t be surprised if by the end of this year a large part of our buyers come from that region. Of course, we continue to advertise in other parts of the world (the Americas, Europe and Asia) as well.”

Still, after many years of presenting themselves across a range of media outlets such as the internet and in this and other papers and magazines, Richard and his colleagues from HOI-GPS sometimes get questions like: “But you are just a website, right?”

In fact, HOI-GPS is a little bit more than just that.

First of all, the company comprises three different organisations: • HOI - France focussing on the French property market has a staff of 7: a copywriter, two translators, three photo editors and one person for marketing and web design. In addition, 89 photographers work for them throughout France to take photos of the houses they have for sale.

• HOI - Spain with a staff of 5 and 49 photographers.

• HOI - Germany has just started this year under its own management with currently a staff of 2 and 12 photographers.

In addition, one of their staff is currently looking into the Portuguese property market and they will decide in a few months whether or not to start there as well.

So that is the internal

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

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

organisation, but what’s more important, of course, is what we do.

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

About 50 to 55 of those wellsized photos are selected, enhanced and presented on the dedicated website we make for each property.

“The copywriter writes the text in which the entire house, garden, any outbuildings, and each room is described in detail.

Information about shopping, schools, airports and tourism is added too. Then our translators start to work and everything is combined in one website, presenting the house at its best.

“Some of our clients even say they did not know their property could look that good!”

As a lot of private website owners might know, having a website does not mean people can actually find it.

Without continuous advertising it is simply a waste of money.

So after the website for the house is online, we first connect it to our main HOIGPS websites which attract over 135,000 visitors from 35+ countries each month.

Most of these people find the sites through Google, and additional Google advertising, for which we pay thousands of euros

Elegance Home Improvements Full, Comprehensive Building Service

05.55.64.18.33 - see pg 13

Paul Foster Jardins

06 23 90 45 82 / 05 87 19 85 85 www.paulfosterjardins.com see main ad pg 7

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76 Tersannes Timber

www.gatesinfrance.com 05 55 60 14 18 - see pg 8

per month - it is definitely worth it. Without visitors, no buyers.

To reach an even larger audience, a summary of the presentation of the house is also placed on several other leading property websites.

These adverts are also connected to the dedicated website of the house, making it all one big global property network.

Sometimes people ask: “Why so many photos and why so much information on each house?”

The answer is obvious. In the past (and even now) property was presented with 3 to 5 very small photos and a few lines of text, which means the first thing a prospective buyer needed to do was ask for more photos

T J Renovations

and information... and then wait…

Experience has taught us that most potential buyers are lost at that very moment.

As the property market has become a global one, a prospective buyer can be at the other end of the world while the owner is in bed sleeping. With our approach, the buyer does not have to wait and can see the entire property whenever they want, as soon as they are interested in it.

Richard: “Another advantage for home owners

is that viewings are more successful. As there are no surprises and hardly any questions left, a visit in most cases is merely a confirmation of what they already know. We have even seen a couple of sales from far away buyers who bought the house based only on the presentation and a few questions by email. These are of course exceptions and I always encourage buyers to see the house themselves, as walking around the place is different from looking at photos.” ■

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

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

Double D

GODSON

30 years experience in building trade

Renovations & Home Improvements 05 55 65 00 29 - pg 9

Travaux Publics www.pilgrim23.com 05.55.62.61.12 - pg 3

All areas in the Limousin covered Contact Tim

Steve Booth

Celotex

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

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

Albo

Windows & Doors

www.albo.cz/english 07 86 95 18 90 - see pg 11

BURTON’s BUILDERS All Masonry High Finish Quality Work Pergolas Carports Patios Bonnat Dept 23, 03,18, 36

05 55 62 48 15 stooze@wanadoo.fr siret: 489 041 830 00030

Property Maintenance Haute-Vienne and surrounding area Spring Deals Available

Project help Renovations interior & exterior General maintenance Conservation and restoration trained in the UK

Tel: 05 55 06 52 36 Siret Registered

PATIO & DECKING CLEANING Ring Bryan

05 55 64 87 92 / 06 47 46 62 29 see main advert - pg 8

Insulation Specialists 05.55.78.57.60 - see pg 14

PROPERTY RENOVATIONS ED BREWIS

For all your renovation needs

Kitchen/Bathroom fitting - Plasterboarding Carpentry - Painting and Decorating - Tiling etc Areas 87, 23, 36 25yrs experience / 7yrs in France

Tel: 06 89 45 08 88

E-mail: edward.brewis@wanadoo.fr Siret No: 489 898 585 00018

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

MAY 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

B4 ♦ DIRECTORY Septic tanks

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

Building Services General Traditional Building Services

All aspects of renovation/ restoration covered including bespoke joinery and lime plastering.

All work is fully insured.

References available.

Ring Andy on 05 44 19 15 57 Ring Will on 05 55 37 45 35 siret: 532 981 198 00015

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

The Reclamation Yard 05.45.30.72.04

www.reclamation-yard.com See our main ad - pg 15

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

05 55 89 69 46 www.entreprisehines.com robert.hines@orange.fr SIRET: 503 169 237 00016

BATIMENT SERVICES ROCHE 87800 Meilhac

Tailored solutions for your projects (big or small)

• Painting (inside/outside) • Plaster boarding and insulation • Floor coverings (laminated floors, carpet, etc.)

• Wall coverings (wallpaper, paper to paint, etc.)

• Handyman jobs Free quotation.

Phone Seán

06-77-21-24-54 SIRET: 788 841 021 00017

SOLAR PANEL CLEANING

Protect your investment, ensure maximum output, extend the life span of your panels.

Dirty solar panels can lose up to 30% of their energy output if not cleaned on a regular basis.

We can also clean your windows, patio, driveway, decking areas and guttering, etc.

Please ring for a free estimate, for either a single or regular clean.

Mick - Home 05 55 61 94 76 or Mob 06 02 33 08 80 siret: 791 880 198 00019

Tony Hall

General Builders All types of building work undertaken

Over 35 years experience References available Décennale Insurance - All areas covered

Tél: 02.54.06.91.54 hall.anthony@orange.fr Siret: 504 350 604 00014

Lovejoy’s Scaffolding Hire

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

Tel: 05 55 68 22 04 www.limousin-builders.com Siret 789 209 236 00015

Skilled Workman

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

05.55.02.66.58 / 06.76.09.68.37 Or visit my website

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

Electrics

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

Steve Johns

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

Digger and dumper hire

Groundworks, foundations, driveways, etc.

Building & Renovation services Free devis and site visit

05.55.64.11.73

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

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

Renovation

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

Paul Brown From small repairs to renovations Garden maintenance La Souterraine & surrounding area

Mob: 06 06 43 90 81

Email: brownpaul006@gmail.com Siret: 483 059 242 00022

Your advert here

harlequindevelopments@live.com www.harlequindevelopments.com

Tel: 05 55 63 88 70 Mob: 06 21 34 18 20

SIRET: 494.501.067.00016

Siret no 507 516 748 00013

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

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

RSW Entreprises

05 55 60 29 50 / 06 04 13 30 57

Fosse Septique Specialist

Based Arnac-la-Poste - Covering depts 87, 23 & 19

See our Display Ad - pg 8

email: davis-davis@sfr.fr Siret: 498 203 652 00017

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

87800 Jourgnac Siret N° 750 725 780 00019

Dave Cardwell - Builder

05 55 98 24 12

See our Display Ad - pg 12

Magnetic Double Glazing

Masonry & More

Inside & Out

05.55.68.67.56 06.06.60.46.97

Barn conversions, loft conversions, new-build, drylining, plastering, rendering, spray rendering, tiling, installation of kitchens/ bathrooms, painting, carpentry, replacement doors & windows, velux installation, groundworks, landscaping, decking & much more...

06 49 66 44 25

Monte Sarginson

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

Quality Workmanship Guaranteed Internal/ External Developments

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

flyscreensandmore@gmail.com 05.55.60.62.97 - see ad below

House Renovations

30 years' Experience in Construction, Renovation & Project Management

LES VIDANGES LIMOUSINES

05 55 41 17 76

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

Davis & Davis

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

05.55.80.00.57

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

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

Building Services

La Coterie Entreprise

Approved septic tank installer

05.55.80.83.30 www.lce23.com

Groundworks

Big Stone Co

Mini-Digger with driver

See our main ad - pg 9 www.thebigstoneco.co.uk

Stone flooring, delivered to France see pg 5

05.55.78.62.29

john.bonella@gmail.com See Main Ad below

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MAY 2013

DIRECTORY ♦ B5 ADVERTORIAL

ADVERTORIAL

Ristorante Carraciola Sardo - a Parking for Limoges Airport: new Italian restaurant in Fursac New "Meet & Greet" Service

S

teve and Elena would like to invite you to the Grand Opening of a new Italian restaurant in St-Etienne-de-Fursac – the Ristorante Carraciola Sardo. The restaurant will be inaugurated by the mayor of St-Etienne-de-Fursac at 10am on Friday 10th May. The full restaurant menu will be available from June, but the bar will be open and we will be serving a lunchtime menu during the month of May. Why not join us on the 10th of May to experience our family-oriented environment for yourself and check out our menus. We would be delighted to welcome you with a complimentary glass of bubbly - soft drinks will also be available!!

The Ristorante Carraciola

F

rom previous experience, we found that when arriving at the airport in France there was always a problem with the car that had been left in the car park too long: a flat tyre, flat battery, puncture, etc.

Sardo is the perfect place for a family meal, a romantic dinner for two, or just even somewhere to grab a quick bite.

Steve and Elena look forward to welcoming you soon. ■

Building Services

Ristorante Carraciola Sardo 23290 St-Etienne-de-Fursac T: 05 55 63 86 05 E: ristorante@carraciola.com W: www.carraciola.com

Pro-Point Facades

Re-pointing - Rendering - Plastering

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

Plasterers Jimmy’s Plastering Service All aspects of plastering work incl: Internal & External, Sand & Cement, Dry Lining, Rendering.

Also Tiling and General Maintenance.

20+ years experience.

Call Jimmy on

05 55 66 23 97 / 07 61 23 33 63 Siret: 792 049 025 00010

« LE PLATRIER »

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

FOR A QUOTATION CALL

05 55 63 53 06 06 23 29 48 19

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

Multiskilled Artisan

Graham Carter Plastering

• Plastering • Rendering • Stud Walling • Tiling and associated works • Bespoke polished concrete surfaces for Window Sills, Shelves, Fire Surrounds etc.

• General Renovation interior and exterior of buildings to customer's specification.

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

LIMOUSIN STUKADOORS

20 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

A. Ives Plumbing & Heating

Building Services

Plumbers

06 02 37 62 57

Tilers

Installations & Alterations Bathroom suites, Showers, Kitchens, Tiling, Complete wetroom installations Emergency work undertaken SIRET 538 689 530 00011

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)

GLEN VINEY

Email: amanda.rick@tiscali.co.uk

Quality Plasterwork, Internal & External

siret: 494 380 264 00015

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

Tel: 05 55 62 34 66

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.

H20 CREUSE

Heating & Plumbing engineer

Siret: 527 736 326 00010

05 55 63 89 23 - see pg 12

Le Plâtrier du Limousin

Martin Walters

The friendly and reliable plasterer Registered in France.

Fully insured offering 10 year guarantee.

Call Stuart on:

05 55 80 92 91

info@platrierlimousin.fr Siret: 534 396 908 00012

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

valeting, arranging a dation. Visit: www.

Contrôle Technique lemoulindelafauvette.

(MOT) and assistance com ■ with registering a vehiTo find out more about cle in France. our services For customers departel: 05 55 03 37 96 ting on an early flight or visit: or arriving late we can offer B&B accommo- www.parkinglimoges.com

Building Services

siret: 539 941 450 00014

PLASTERER

so you can be confident that on arrival, your car will be ready to drive.

We also offer packages to enable you to get to and from Limoges town centre.

Additional services include vehicle

Just 20 minutes from Limoges Airport, we offer alternative, cheaper parking facilities with the benefit of regular vehicle checks

MARK COLYER

LIMOUSIN PLASTERING

NEW for 2013 - We’ll meet you at the airport!!

Starting this Spring we are now offering a new "meet and greet" service for Limoges Airport, for both new and existing customers. We will meet you at the airport at your convenience and take your vehicle away to be parked securely with us. We will then be there to greet you at the airport with your car on your return. Perfect for those living east of Limoges.

Plumber

Siret 522 804 723 00016

sales@thebugle.eu

Phillip Girard Tiling

Tiling walls and floors, tanking systems, undertile heating, laying of natural stone, pattern specialists.

Full design and professional decorating service available.

Contact Phillip for a free estimate

05 55 41 17 76

05 44 19 13 97 / 06 81 47 68 94

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Chimney Sweeps

phillipgirard1970@gmail.com Siret: 750 256 067 00018

Building Services Chimney Sweeping

Caught out last winter?

Don't worry!

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

Tel 02 54 24 84 62

Your advert here

Sand and Blast

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

sandblasting

05 55 63 78 72

Sandblasting We provide a fully operated

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

www.stovesellers.com Siren: 502 409 949

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

05.55.41.17.76

MAY 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

B6 ♦ DIRECTORY Chimney Sweeps

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

Fontaine Food & Drink La15Petite Grande Rue, Le Dorat Café, Bar and Events Venue Lunch Menu Free WiFi

Call Patrice:

06.79.07.91.56

05.55.60.29.74

libre.antenne87@gmail.com Fast dependable service

info@lapetitefontaine.com www.lapetitefontaine.com

Based Séreilhac (87) siret: 353 613 227 00035

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 sootylesweep@orange.fr siren 535 199 483

TOUTE SWEEP

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

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

Computers & Satellites

Creusetec

Satellite Systems 05 55 66 60 21

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

TV Receiver & Electronic Repairs.

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

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

electro sat

satellite TV/broadband etc. www.electro-sat.fr see main ad pg 14

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 13

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

Mayday

computer services - pc • mac • network

05 55 68 47 33 / 06 82 26 31 54 see pg 14

Courses & Classes

NO FIX... NO FEE !!

IT Support for Creuse, HauteVienne, Indre and Vienne

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.

26, Ecurat 23150

Atelier d'Art du Jardin Open Fri, Sat, Sun and Bank Holidays 11h00 to 18h00 from Easter until the end of September.

Artisan art for your garden.

Cream teas on the terrasse.

RDV for weekday visits SVP. 2km from Chénérailles and the Chateau Villemonteix

tel: 05 55 81 31 85

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

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

02 54 24 01 06

Restaurant - Pizzeria

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

L’Escale Restaurant & Bar

Develop your film and take a mounted print home.

Expert one to one tuition.

Equipment and materials supplied.

Based 86200. Accommodation possible.

For details: richard.tuckey@orange.fr

Fourneaux, 23200 St-Médard-la-Rochette info@camping-laperle.nl 05.55.83.01.25 - see page 7

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76 05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu Restaurant

AUX CEPES LA veytiZoU, 87130 Neuvic-entier

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

Tel: 05 55 69 33 38

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

C’est cheese

Find us at local markets selling a small and tasty selection of excellent quality english cheeses.

Also available online.

For more information, see our website:

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

BAILEYS

Bar & Restaurant

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

Fish et Frites

Mobile Fish & Chips 05.55.68.78.23 -see pg 13

Open Monday to Saturday from 12pm to 2pm and from 6pm to 9pm

Plat du Jour, Mon-Sat: €12.50 Sunday Lunch with real Yorkshire puddings Every Friday Night - Fish & Chips with home-made mushy peas €8,50 To Eat In or Take Away

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Come and see for yourself - Open all week.

Open: Mon–Sat 11.30–2pm, Fri & Sat eve 7–11pm, Sun 11.30–3pm

Le Moulin du Breuil

39 Place du Champ de Foire 36140, Aigurande

23140 PIONNAT

www.frenchweb.eu/jjscafebar/

Freshly home-cooked Food

(alternative menu available)

Party Bookings Welcomed For further information

BAR, RESTAURANT, TERRASSE

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

05 55 80 37 70 - see pg 11

Le Pub

Le Relais de l'Abloux

02.54.60.02.14 - see pg 6 Traditional Black and White Photographic 2 Day Course

Restaurant Camping La Perle

05 55 41 17 76

5 Rue Andre Jouhannaud, Compreignac

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

www.indre-it.com 02.54.25.65.08 06.16.91.64.67

SIRET: 489 218 636 00012

Your advert here

Oh My Cod Fish and Chips www.ohmycod.fr

05 55 80 34 26 - see pg 14

Le Snack Shack www.lesnackshack.com

05.55.68.24.19 see main ad - pg 10

sales@thebugle.eu

Bar - Restaurant Pizzeria Pizzas to eat in or take away 36170 SACIERGES-ST-MARTIN

02 54 47 56 74

JJ’s Cafe Bar Some customer quotes:

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

See our Notice Board events listings

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

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.

Opening hours: Mon - Thur 10am – 6pm Fri 10am – 7pm, Sat 9am – 6pm Visit us and compare our prices

05.55.41.17.76

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MAY 2013

DIRECTORY ♦ B7

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

Garden Services

'CARTES DE CHRISTINE'

HAND-CRAFTED CARDS FOR ALL OCCASIONS Quality product at affordable prices.

Customized, if required, especially for you.

Available blank or with either English or French greetings.

Email: ellinghamroam764@yahoo.com VISIT ME AT THE FOLLOWING MARKETS: PEIGUT & PANAZOL (Weekly) CHALUS, CHASSENEUIL & CONFOLENS (Monthly)

Handholding Services

www.cartesdechristine.com siret 528 539 448

Très Jolie

French lessons & handholding services

26, Ecurat 23150

Your advert here

see main ad pg 7

Atelier d'Art du Jardin Open Fri, Sat, Sun and Bank Holidays 11h00 to 18h00 from Easter until the end of September.

Artisan art for your garden.

Cream teas on the terrasse.

RDV for weekday visits SVP. 2km from Chénérailles and the Chateau Villemonteix

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

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

Cross Cut Tree Surgeons

The Exchange

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

Gifts & Crafts

tel: 05 55 81 31 85

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

05 55 78 19 24 SIRET 484 479 480 00010

** NOW OPEN!! **

LE DORAT (Pl. Charles de Gaulle)

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.

Tel: 05.55.80.29.88

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

05 55 41 17 76 Health & Beauty

Vera Laine Gift Shop & Salon de Thé

Colin Anthony

The English Hairdresser

La Petite Place

veralaine19@yahoo.com

See our Display Ad - pg 11

Advertise your business here

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

Hair salon, Le Dorat

05.55.60.87.37

- Small groups - 1 to 1 Elisabeth Sicard

Native French Translator

japprendslefrancais@sfr.fr Free trial lesson!

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

Please call:

05 55 69 71 40

Siddalls

Financial Solutions & Expert Advice

05.56.34.75.51

See our Display Ad - pg 14

Online Shopping

HiFX

International money transfer

www.hifx.co.uk

British Corner Shop

Integrated Tax Planning & Wealth Management

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

Language Services

Mouse 2 House

Tel: 05 55 68 39 21

We look forward to meeting you!

Contact Jay:

Chénérailles Native qualified teacher

Insurance & Finance

13 rue Thiers, Bellac

www.osteopathyforbackpain.com www.acupunctureforhealthwellbeing.com 06 18 74 05 08 - see pg 14

FRENCH CLASS

05 55 80 44 83

Established in Bellac since 2003

OSTEOPATHY & ACUPUNCTURE

siret: 530 840 958 00017

05 55 41 17 76

05 53 63 49 19 - see pg 3

Large selection of gifts, candles, mugs, shabby chic homeware, cards, plus leather goods, jewellery and hair accessories. Affordable prices!

06 35 91 03 83

Your advert here

Blevins Franks

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

9 rue Dr Charles Poitevin

3D Puzzle Maker

05.55.89.15.74 - pg 16

Rochechouart

www.theexchangerochechouart.com

Ivan Petley

Sophie Arsac

Ladies fashion accessories 05 55 78 62 29 / 06 04 08 29 53

05.55.60.62.14 / 06.78.38.42.44

abc perfect

www.mouse2housedeliveries.com 05.55.68.78.23 - see pg 7

Your advert here

Bilingual language services www.abcperfect.com 06 47 84 06 83 - see pg 7

05 55 41 17 76

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

MAY 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

B8 ♦ DIRECTORY

Pest Control

Brodie's Homecare Services

Is your holiday home all work and no play?

• House Maintenance • Cleaning • Gardening • Changeovers • Storm and Winter checks Bourganeuf area plus 40km

05 55 64 15 42

carolalanbrodie@hotmail.co.uk Siret 533 817 573 00017

Central France Pest Control Dératisation, Déinsectisation, Désinfection

Property Sales

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

SECOND HAND FURNITURE

www.latourmasseret.com

Bilingual Estate Agent in Creuse

MEUBLES D'OCCASION Eco Entrepot Get down The Shed

SIRET No. 498 544 741 00024

05 55 54 95 85 - see pg 8

05.55.68.74.73 - see pg 11

Property Maintenance

www.immolimousin.com

Square Habitat

Auwell Piscine

02 48 60 83 72 / 06 74 33 02 38 www.applicateur3d.com Email: info@applicateur3d.com Curative and preventative rats, mice, moles, flies, woodworm, bed bugs, fleas, wasps, hornets La Petite Barre, 18210 Bessais Le Fromental

Cendrillon - Bourganeuf www.limousin-bilingual.com

06 74 89 40 03

Houses on Internet

Your advert here

See our Display Ad - pg 3

Stress Free Property Services

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

Retail & Commerce

www.tannery-colombier.com

05 55 02 30 60 - see pg 14

stressfreepropertyservices@hotmail.com

www.LBVfrance.com

Stove Sellers www.stovesellers.com

See main ad pg 4

See our Display Ad - pg 15

Help with all property related issues

05 55 41 17 76 Mégisserie Colombier

05 55 81 35 95 / 06 74 03 07 05

Les Bons Voisins

Pools, hammams, saunas, spas, furntiure...

www.auwellpiscine.fr - see pg 9

05.55.65.12.19

05.55.63.78.72

05.55.57.09.34 see advert on pg 2

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76 Transport, Removals & Storage

Parking For Limoges Airport

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

05 55 03 37 96

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

General

87230 Bussière-Poitevine

See main advert pg 4 www.housesoninternet.com

Alinéa

Meuble & Déco

Moulin de Tintin Furniture, interiors & gifts

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

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

Carrefour du bois Limousin

www.chauffagebois-limousin.com

Tel: (+33) 07.61.21.85.15

05 55 63 72 45 - see pg 12

Man & Van Transport

BABY/INFANT EQUIPMENT FOR HIRE

Siret : 532 526 001 00013

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

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.

87150 Oradour-sur-Vayres

For more INFO or to HIRE Call Jean: 05 55 54 96 36

Siret 530 213 644 00012

jeanwhitham@orange.fr

05 55 33 21 59

www.frenchvanman.eu

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

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MAY 2013

FRENCH LIFE ♦ 13

underlying will to see these minority regional languages cease to exist, or at the very least a lack of will to save them. In fact, in an interview with EurActiv.com he said that “it is always the case” that the loss of a language is a result of international state policy.

“Languages would not experience such a recession if they were not marginalised in the education and media system and society in general,” said Alfonsi. In France, the country he knows best, Alfonsi cited Corsican, Franco-Provençal, Breton and Occitan as being threatened with extinction. Of those, some may be in better shape than others, but “all are going in the same direction”.

Some European countries are already working hard to protect their linguistic heritage. “If we compare the resources allocated by the Finnish state to promote Saami and the resources allocated by the French state to promote Corsican, it is like a bicycle and a Ferrari!” he said in the interview, going on to stress that he believed France has a specific responsibility to protect its regional languages.

It is very hard to legislate on language within the EU, however. Laws do exist: all new EU members are required to sign up to the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. The problem is that existing EU countries do not have to sign this Charter and many, like France and Greece, have not. “Why?” asks Alfonsi. “Because if they ratified, they would be held to account before the Council of Europe by such or such linguistic association, or political community, and they would be condemned.”

For some people, investing money in dying languages is not just a waste of resources, but more importantly a misunderstanding of how language works. Writer and broadcaster Kenan

Malik says it is “irrational” to try to preserve all the world's languages. “In one sense you could call it a cultural loss. But that makes no sense because cultural forms are lost all the time. To say every cultural form should exist forever is ridiculous.”

He argues that attempts to prop up forgotten languages says more about a desire to cling to the past.

To have a public policy that a certain culture or language should be preserved shows a fundamental misunderstanding. I don't see why it's in the public good to preserve Manx or Cornish or any other language for that matter.” In the end, whether or not a language is viable is very simple. “If a language is one that people don't participate in, it's not a language anymore.”

Leaders, politicians and dictators

1er Mai, Fête du Muguet

T

he 1 of May brings with it the French tradition of the giving and receiving of small bouquets of muguets, or lily of the valley.

Although the flower has become associated with Labour Day, which is the official status of the May 1st public holiday in France and across much of the world, it has its roots in the Renaissance court of Charles IX, nearly 500 years ago.

Flowering as it does in the month of May and symbolising for many the regeneration of spring and the promise of a prosperous season ahead, it was given by Charles IX to those around him on the 1st May 1561 to bring them st

good luck.

Labour day itself didn’t arrive in France until 1889 when the date was adopted as the Fête du Travail, following an international congress in Paris in memory of those who had died demonstrating for an eight hour working day in the Chicago riots.

At a demonstration in Paris in 1890 over the eight hour day, workers wore a red triangle in their buttonholes to represent the three equal parts of what they saw as the ideal division of the day: work, rest and leisure. This triangle was subsequently replaced by the red rose and later still, the muguet: presumably because it flowered at around this date. It wasn’t until

1936, coinciding with the advent of paid holiday leave, that the muguet became available for sale commercially on and around the 1st of May. The modern tradition is to give your friends and loved ones bouquets of these fragrant flowers on this date to wish them luck and happiness. So popular has this custom become that the flower is intensively cultivated, especially in the region around Nantes, specifically for this date. There is even a law that allows any member of the public to sell the flower commercially free of taxation and without a license (so long as they do it at least 100 metres away from the nearest florist). ■

have long tried to manipulate existing language and even eradicate regional languages, something that history shows is very hard to achieve by force or law - language belongs to the people. Times columnist Philip Howard agrees, arguing that: “Language is the only absolutely true democracy. It's not what professors of linguistics or academics or journalists say, but what people do. If children in the playground start using 'wicked' to mean terrific then that has a big effect.”

Taking this argument further, it would be fair to say that languages like French and English have already been lost many times over. How many people would say that they truly speak the same language as their grandparents...? Go back 200 years and you would quite probably struggle to make yourself understood. ■

ELEGANCE Home Improvements -Windows -Doors -Conservatories -References Available Full Comprehensive Building Service

CALL

TEL: 05 55 64 18 33 / 06 77 12 27 66

www.elegancehomeimprovements.com info@elegancehomeimprovements.com SIREN: 511 268 310

Fish et Frites - A taste of The Traditional British Takeaway as you remember

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S

amuel Johnson once said: “Language is the dress of thought”. There are an estimated 6,000 languages in the world today, but up to a thousand of those only have a handful of speakers remaining - the world is losing 25 mother tongues each year.

To some, this is a tragic lose of culture and understanding, to others it is simply the march of time and a symptom of globalism. So, is it worth fighting to protect these dying languages?

And, taking it further, is it the duty of governments to save them from extinction?

When it comes to Europe and the EU, the main linguistic debate is usually between the French and Englishspeaking camps, both of whom fight bitterly to have their's declared the most 'important' mother tongue. Indeed, despite the many dozens of languages spoken across the European Union, much of the paperwork produced in Brussels is only in English and French. Today, there are 23 official languages recognised by the EU, but Europe's linguistic diversity does not stop there with experts estimating the continent has 250 indigenous languages.

One MP who is championing the small guy and fighting to protect Europe's threatened languages is MEP François Alfonsi. Incidentally, he is also the European Parliament's only Corsican speaker.

“There are hundreds of languages in the EU and each is a part of the European identity,” Mr Alfonsi recently told the parliament’s cultural committee. “Without concrete support at European, national and local level, we will see a further decline in linguistic diversity over the next decades. This will leave all of us culturally, socially and economically impoverished.”

Mr Alfonsi believes that there is an

© 2007 - Euseson (WikiCommons)

What to do with Europe's lost languages?

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MAY 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

14 ♦ FRENCH LIFE

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2013 Tax Declarations - How, what, when & where “La Déclaration des Revenus”

The month of May in France always means tax return month.

The French tax year is a straightforward, calendar year and the deadline for returning your completed declaration of income earned in 2012 is 27th May 2013.

Those of you already in the system should receive your partially completed form (or “préremplie”) at the end of April.

As in previous years, the tax authorities have granted extra time for those who make their declarations on line at www.impots.gouv. fr, however, the amount of extra time given will actually depend on the number of the department you live in eg 3rd June for dept. 19, 7th June for dept. 23 and 11th June for dept. 87.

For “first-timers” you must collect a tax declaration from your local tax office “Centre des Impôts”, or download one from the website above. If you have moved to France part way through the year, you will only declare income earned since the date of “arrival”.

A tax assessment is normally then issued at the end of the following August.

Once you have completed

your first tax return, you can complete subsequent returns on line at www.impots.gouv. fr.

What forms will you need?

Whilst the “Déclaration des Revenus” comprise a variety of forms, according to your circumstances, here are some of the main forms that apply to expatriates: Form 2042: This is the main tax form, which those of you already in the system will receive, where you should declare your worldwide income and gains.

Form 2042C (“Complementary”): This is an additional form which is required for a number of situations, including where you have received income from furnished letting or “chambres d’hôtes”, or where you have paid tax in the UK that needs to be offset against French tax.

Form 20472047: This is an additional form for any income received from outside of France. Foreign income must be declared on this form, as well as on Form 2042.

Form 3916: This is for details of any bank accounts

situated outside of France.

What to declare?

As a French resident, all of your worldwide income and gains should be declared on your French tax return. Any income which is normally taxed out with of France eg on UK public sector pensions or UK rental income, will still be used to calculate your overall tax liability. The Double Tax Treaty will ensure, however, that you do not pay tax twice on this income, but these figures are needed to calculate the rate at which your other income should be taxed.

What exchange rate to use?

Some tax offices tell people to use the £/€ exchange rate at the end of the year. In theory, you should have kept a note of the exchange rates applicable to your Sterling based income as you received it.

However, for income which is received regularly such as a pension, for instance, the authorities will accept the use of the average exchange rate for the year; details of which are made public from various sources, including the official French revenue website noted earlier.

Wealth Tax (Impôt de

Solidarité sur la Fortune or “ISF”) One major change that will affect some people is in respect of ‘Wealth Tax’ declaration.

From this year, anyone with taxable assets of between €1,300,000 and €2,570,000, as at 1st January 2013, will declare the asset figure on their income tax return.

Only those with more than €2,570,000 of taxable assets will have to continue making a separate wealth tax return in June.

David Hardy, Regional Manager Siddalls France Tel 05 56 34 75 51 www.siddalls.fr

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Fresselines (Place de l’Eglise) Châtelus-Malvaleix (Auberge de Voyageurs) Sardent (Auberge du Lac) Bourganeuf (Café Centrale) Gargilesse (Auberge de la Chaumerette) Marsac (Chez Jacques) St-Germain-Beaupré (Chambre d’hôte) Chéniers (Auberge La Chaumière) Crozant (L’Eclat de Soliel) Colondannes (take-away only, 6-8pm) La Cellette (Auberge de la Tour) Peyrat-le-Château (Le Bellerive) Please try to email your order in advance

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www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MAY 2013

FRENCH LIFE ♦ 15

In the garden - jobs for May

A

really warm, balmy sunny day today, and the hope of a typically hot Limousin summer. Fruit trees are dripping with blossom, the cuckoo is calling in the hedgerows, the cowslips are embellishing the road verges and the return of the swallows is not all that far off. Bliss!

In the gardens, there has been the typical burst of country action. Old boys can be seen opening up their cold frames and home-made greenhouses, Sundays signal the sound of mowers and rotavators, and there's always someone looking at the seed packets in the shops.

On that subject, don't get me started! Poor harvests last year may be a partial cause, but when a box of beans costs 8€, then it's seriously time to start saving your own seed.

Things are cranking up in the polytunnels; early potatoes are up, salad onions ready for eating, peas making good growth. Salad leaves have been picked for the last six weeks, as well as radishes, herbs, perennial onions, green garlic, mustard and beautiful golden chard (with no heating

Aillet

by Michelle Pierce

or fertiliser). Cold frames or cloches would have done the same - so very useful for those early pickings. These first crops will soon be replaced by others, but in the meantime, just carry on munching.

Broad beans, runner beans, yard beans and other climbing beans are off to a good start in modules, and two rows of peas planted in lengths of guttering are growing a pace. Must remember to harden them all off before planting out.

Speaking of which, it's no wonder that 'time' is disconnected from reality when it comes to gardening.

Tomato plants have been available for a while, and I even saw geraniums in flower in March!! To be such big plants at this time of year means that they either came from a hot country, or were grown in heated conditions.

Either way things suffer when you put them out in the 'hard' conditions of your garden.

Prudence and patience are the name of the game. Remember, Easter only signals the start of outside veg growing in abundance in the world of marketing!

Effective cropping has been a strong interest so far this year.

Who says you must eat carrots at 20 cm long, radishes the size of shop-bought radishes, garlic the size of clementines? We're conditioned by our contact with highly standardised fruit and veg in the shops to think this, but gardeners have much more flexibility. Take radishes, for example. One packet was sown in the tunnel as a green manure, to help control weed regrowth, on the basis that it was cheap, high volume seed.

Cropping started quickly with the first two leaf sprouts going into the salad bowl (fiddly to wash but worth the effort).

Then, at the matchstick size, and followed by cute pink mini radishes about the size of a pea. Lastly, those at full size have been given to a neighbour who likes their hot taste more than me. Very, very economical, and efficient. So my point is that many other vegetables can be cropped at several stages. The sprouting flower shoots of overwintered cabbages, turnips, cavolo nero, Brussels sprouts - all members of the cabbage family in fact are utterly delicious steamed and served with melted butter or Hollandaise sauce. Why waste them on the compost heap? Garlic planted last

year is now as thick as an index finger. Leaves can be harvested and added to recipes to give a mild garlic flavour, or else pull up the whole plant and cook it like leeks, say, in a cheesy gratin. Pea tops have made a fashionable entry into the world of cool restaurants.

Harvest your peas lightly and you probably won't hurt the future harvest, or alternatively, sow an extra row just to pick the sweet young tips.

I'm particularly happy about my beetroot. A neighbour was going to junk his old woody specimens so I recuperated a few, and, once replanted in the warm, they have given excellent quantities of green and purple leaves for salad, or even, as the Greeks do, been cooked like spinach and served with lemon and olive oil. All for free, and they will go on producing for ages.

So use your creativity to make a single crop work harder for you. That way, if nothing else, you may avoid having a glut of 200 lettuces, etc. all mature at the same time, and which end up making you sick of the sight of them.

Otherwise, there is much to do this month in the garden, so … Good gardening!! ■

Rendez-vous aux jardins 2013 The 11th edition of the “Rendez-vous aux Jardins” event will take place on 31st May (day reserved for schools) and on 1st and 2nd June 2013. The theme will be “The garden and its creators”.

It will be an opportunity to celebrate the fourth centenary of the birth of André Le Nôtre (1613-1700), responsible for the design and construction of the park of the Palace of Versailles.

This is an annual event organised by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication. Throughout France, more than 2,000 private and public gardens will offer countless events: guided tours, demonstrations, knowledge sharing, exhibitions, games / contests, openings until sunset, walks, music, readings, poetry, theatre, films, etc.

For more information on events taking place across the region visit: www.rendezvousauxjardins.culture.fr

A very popular spring vegetable/ herb in the Aquitaine region, and also the Charente, is young green garlic. You can see it sold in bunches in the shops and on the markets, but many people also plant garlic in the autumn for an early spring harvest.

It can be eaten as a nibble, with salt, if you are brave enough! Otherwise, it can be eaten in an omelette, chopped into a green salad, or added to fromage blanc to make an accompaniment to roast meat. Young and tender when picked about the thickness of a crayon, it is far more delicately flavoured than mature garlic. It is also reputed to have medicinal virtues - and to help hangovers!

Dates for your diary Ouverture du jardin d'iris de Jean-Luc Gestreau Open Days 1st & 8th May, 10h-19h, La Ferme des Iris, Courbillac (dept 16) The exhibition garden and nursery of irises are also open on Saturday afternoons from 14h-18h or by appointment in the week until 15th June. www.ferme-des-iris.com 4e Les Flor'idées, marché aux fleurs et produits bio 5th May, Vouneuil-sur-Vienne (dept 86) Place de la Libération. 9-19h. www.lesfloridees.sitew.com 22e Exposition Florale 11-12th May, in the grounds of the château, Verteuil-sur-Charente (dept 16) Around 100 exhibitors. This year's floral exhibition gives a nod to British gardening & includes a conference on English grafting techniques (Sat at 11h) and English roses (Sat at 14h30).

Entry €3.50. Sat 9h30-19h & Sun 9h30-18h30. www.paysduruffecois.com Journées des plantes de printemps 11-12th May, Arboretum de la Sedelle, Crozant (dept 23) Sale of plants, guided tours of the arboretum & conferences.

10h - 19h. Entry: €6, free for Under 15s. http://arbosedelle.free.fr/ Fête des Plantes 26th May, Jardin de Liliane, Saint-Laurent-sur-Gorre (dept 87) 9h-19h (entry 5€) 05 55 48 14 29

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The Louvre - the most visited museum in the world

T

he Louvre in Paris has topped the list of the most visited art museums of 2012, according to the Art Newspaper.

New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art was the second most-visited venue, with three London museums taking the third, fourth and fifth spots. The publication's annual survey found 9.7 million people visited the French institute one million more than 2011.

The Louvre is one of the largest museums in the world and houses 35,000 objects over an area of 60,000m². The museum lies in the centre of

Paris on the Right Bank in a neighbourhood known as the 1st arrondissement.

The Louvre started life as a fortress on the walls of Paris, built to protect the capital from the Anglo-Norman threat. As Paris grew beyond its original walls, the Palais du Louvre evolved first into a royal residence and then, during the Revolution, into a public arts museum. Today the Louvre is one of Paris' most famous landmarks and is home to the equally famous painting, the Mona Lisa.

Visitor numbers at the Louvre, which has been at the top of the list of most popular

museums since 2007, were boosted by the new Islamic art wing which opened in 2012.

The extension took 10 years to build and cost nearly €100 million, much of which came from the French government.

It is the biggest architectural change to the museum since 1989, when architect I.M. Pei unveiled his glass pyramid in the courtyard of the Louvre.

At the time, the modern glass pyramid proved controversial.

Many people felt that the futuristic structure did not fit with the classical architecture of the main building, but it has become one of the most famous images of Paris and

now serves as the museum's main entrance.

Visitor numbers will have been down in April, however, due to the museum's closure after workers staged a walkout over the rising number of pickpockets. Museum staff say the problem is hindering their ability to welcome visitors and protect the Louvre's collections.

“There have always been pickpockets at the Louvre and in tourist locations in Paris, but for the last year-and-ahalf the gangs have become increasingly violent,” said museum supervisor Sophie Aguirre. ■

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.

Bilingual Crossword Clues in English - answers in French

Across:

S

elon le «Art Newspaper», c’est le musée d’art parisien du Louvre qui a bénéficié du taux de fréquentation le plus élevé en 2012. Le musée Métropolitain d’Art de New York décroche la deuxième place sur le podium tandis que des musées londoniens se partagent les trois positions suivantes.

D’après cette enquête annuelle, 9,7 millions de personnes ont franchi la porte de l’institution française, soit un million de plus qu’en 2011.

Le Louvre est l’un des musées les plus spacieux du monde et expose 35 000 œuvres sur une surface de 60 000 m2. Situé sur la rive

droite, il est au centre de Paris dans le 1er arrondissement.

A l’origine, le bâtiment était une forteresse située aux portes de Paris et destinée à protéger la capitale de la menace anglo-normande.

Lorsque la ville s’étendit au-delà de ses frontières initiales, le Palais du Louvre fut converti en une résidence royale puis en musée d’art ouvert au public pendant la Révolution.

Aujourd’hui, c’est l’un des sites parisiens les plus connus et il abrite la non moins fameuse peinture de la Joconde.

Depuis 2007, le Louvre est le musée le plus fréquenté du monde et le nombre de visiteurs s’est accru depuis

la création du nouveau département des Arts de l’Islam en 2012. Le chantier de l’extension a duré 10 ans et a approché les 100 millions d’euros, financés essentiellement par l’état français. C’est la plus grande innovation architecturale du musée depuis 1989, lorsque l’architecte I.M. Pei dévoila sa pyramide de verre dans la cour du Louvre.

Sa construction déclencha à l’époque une véritable controverse car beaucoup de gens considérèrent que son style futuriste n’était pas en harmonie avec le style classique du bâtiment principal.

Pourtant, la pyramide est devenue l’un des

symboles de la capitale et est désormais l’entrée principale du musée.

Le nombre de visiteurs aura baissé en avril: le musée a été fermé suite à la grève du personnel qui protestait contre l’augmentation du nombre de pickpockets. Les employés considèrent qu’ils ne peuvent plus assurer correctement l’accueil des visiteurs ni protéger les collections du musée.

Selon l’agent de surveillance Sophie Aguirre, «Il y a toujours eu des pickpockets au Louvre et dans les sites touristiques parisiens mais depuis un an et demi, les bandes organisées sont de plus en plus violentes». ■

5. old (5) 6. pasta (5) 8. bacon (5) 9. street (3) 12. tow trucks (11) 13. cape (3) 14. shin (5) 17. woman (5) 18. flower (5)

Down:

1. bed (3) 2. hurricane (7) 3. mast (3) 4. to refuse (7) 7. cash (7) 10. petals (7) 11. fuse (7) 15. friend (3) 16. juice (3)

Bilingual crossword solution can be found on page 22

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www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MAY 2013

GAMES ♦ 17 Caption Comp - May

Crossword

© Chris Riley

Clues and answers in English

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

WINNER:

Across:

"OK, honestly, does my bum look big in this?" Rachel Marfleet

Down:

1. Anteater (8) 4. Parts of a play (4) 8. Unfathomable (7) 10. Declare invalid (5) 11. Permit (5) 12. Mariner (7) 13. Denunciation (6) 15. Polar region (6) 19. Amalgamated (7) 21. Publish (5) 23. Din (5) 24. Aromatic herb (7) 25. Hazard (4) 26. Edible snail (8)

1. Intransigent (7) 2. Majestic (5) 3. Gusto (6) 5. Devise or invent (7) 6. Storage towers (5) 7. Cab (4) 9. Darned (5) 14. Dried grapes (7) 16. Salary increase (5) 17. Cigar (7) 18. Detestable (6) 19. Arm bone (5) 20. Notion (4) 22. Vernacular (5)

HONOURABLE MENTIONS: "I've told you. Stop filling his head with rubbish." Lynn Phillips "You were rubbish without your boots" - Fred Ch. "Oh no! That’s Twinkletoes in the sin bin!" - Sheila Taylor "You make a rubbish Dalek!"

- John Kingsley

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

March's Winners

"And you thought it was funny to play football with each of the parkkeepers nice neat piles of leaves" - Mike Scott "You make a rubbish Dalek !" - John Kingsley "I was looking for my shoes and fell in!" - John Martin

SUDOKU - MEDIUM

SUDOKU - HARD

The solutions to this month’s Crossword and Sudokus can be found on page 22

MAY 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

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

Classified Adverts

Classified adverts are currently free for all small items (less than €500). For other types of classified adverts a small fee does apply: ● Items more than €500 are charged at €5 per month ● Accompanying photos are charged at €2.50 per month To place a classified advert, please email notices@thebugle.eu with the details you would like included in your advert.

FOR SALE ANIMALS & PETS FOR SALE: OUESSANT SHEEP 3 rams and 1 ewe 'Hubert, Spot, William and Wonky' our pet Ouessant sheep are looking for new homes! These very hardy, rustic, small sheep make perfect lawn mowers, pasture improvers and great for novice shepherds. They will all live happily together but I am also happy to split. They are all tagged and wormed. €20 each. Tel: 05 55 62 47 06 Email: sophiehabberjam@ hotmail.co.uk Free to good homes I have two 2 lovely cats almost a year old who are looking for a new home. One tabby, one tabby and white. Litter trained, affectionate, love a fuss and good mousers. Tel: 05 45 31 07 83/ 09 75 91 05 45 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: b e v e r l e y. p a w s o n @ y a h o o . co.uk

BUILDING MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT FOR SALE: Compressor €200.00 Tel: 05 55 68 06 65 / 06 06 56 80 78 FOR SALE: Cement mixer Electric, 130 litres capacity.

Bought for specific job and now for sale, in excellent condition. €125.00 Call Dave on 05 55 64 83 13 FOR SALE: 18V Parkside Cordless drill In case with battery and 1 hour charger.

Still with 13 months warranty on it. Virtually unused. €25.00 Call Dave on 05 55 64 83 13 FOR SALE: Industrial pillar drill 5 speed fragram on stand Good working order. €225.00 Tel: 05 55 61 19 81 FOR SALE: Single sheet of opaque glass 52 1/2 x 22 1/4 x 4mm €10.00 Tel: 05 55 60 25 92 Email: malcolmwalden@ yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: Black & Decker DN 227 Circular saw in box 40mm 550W with several blades. €25.00 Tel: 05 55 60 25 92 Email: malcolmwalden@ yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: Building materials/ equipment Adjustable Steel Props. Two 3.6m max height and two 2.9m max height. Euros 50 the lot. Makhita 2200W Angle Grinder. Euros 40. Tel: 05 55

63 43 69

FURNITURE FOR SALE: 2 Seater Settee + Armchair Cream Background/ Floral Print detachable covers + Matching Cushions & Pouffee.

Good Condition. SETTEE:H 34cmxD 35cmxL 70cm.

Contact:- Tony or Marie Wood.

4 minutes from A20 exit 19 (Celon) Buyer Collects. €50.00 Tel: 02 54 25 39 79 FOR SALE: Wooden spindleback armchair Webbing straps in good condition. No cushions. €12.00 Tel: 05 55 76 10 36 FOR SALE: Various - Furniture 2 Seater reclining brown sofa/ synthetic leather.. 120 euros.

Round kitchen dining table/ oak colour/chrome legs/ 6 matching chairs.. 75 euros.

Square tripod leg “cocktail” table.. 30 euros. 4 Black metal folding chairs with cushions Ext/Int.. 50 euros. Dept 87.

Tel: 05 55 68 48 02 FOR SALE: White Ikea Pax wardrobe frames and sliding doors Brand new and still in packaging. Two sections when assembled, total dimensions 200 x 236 x 60. Interior fitments can be bought from Ikea France online. Buyer to collect (please note, large dimensions will need at least two people). €150. (€659 on Ikea website). Bellac. €150.00 Tel: 07958 164945 Email: anne.greaves@hotmail. co.uk FOR SALE: Two folding, wooden futon beds with mattresses In excellent condition and little used. Fold into comfortable chairs if required. €55 each. Cash only and buyer collects. 10K from Bourganeuf. Tel: 05 55 64 22 25 Email: geeinfrance@gmail. com FOR SALE: Hostess trolley Used twice - as new. 150 euros - half Argos price. €150.00 Tel: 05 55 61 19 81 FOR SALE: Coffee table Teak legs and frame 10mm thick.

Smoked glass top.122cm x 70cm. Very heavy. €50.00 Tel: 05 55 61 19 81

GARDEN FOR SALE: Garden Suite 2

seater settee, 2 armchairs, long coffee table. Dark wood frames.

Foam cushions with cream zipped covers. Comfortable

garden furniture. €70.00 Tel: 05 55 03 04 49 Email: billandmaro@orange.fr FOR SALE: Towable lawn sweeper €150.00 Tel: 05 55 68 06 65 / 06 06 56 80 78 FOR SALE: Garden shredder €30.00 Tel: 05 55 58 90 39/ 06 04 49 90 79

GENERAL FOR SALE: Shower tray Ceramic. 80cm x 80cm. €25.00 Tel: 05 55 41 19 28 FOR SALE: VACUUM PACKING MACHINE FULLY

4/5 persons , 320kgs. Ready to go and have lots of fun. Photos available if required. €320.00 Tel: + 44 (0) 7929 830643 or +33 (0) 6646 25092 Email: haynes.peter@yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: Various Electroacoustic round-backed guitar.

Almost as new. 75 euros ono.

Wooden gun rack with ammo

FOR SALE: Galvanised water butt 600 litres. Cost over 300 euro new, will accept 75 euros. €75.00 Email: anniecullen@ yahoo.com FOR SALE: Trumpion GPS Car Navigator Europe mapping, with User's Manual.

Bought in error and beyond my comprehension! €25.00ono

Barn Clearance (house move forces sale)

Fridges, ladders, china, tools.

All sorts of things for the home and garden - too numerous to mention.

Sunday 19th May - 10h00-17h00 26, La Charse, 23150 for more info, email: sue@la-petite-maison.eu

AUTOMATIC VACUUM PACKING PACK AND SEAL MACHINE. DESKTOP STYLE. Suitable for food, meat, restaurant products, skin care products, electronics etc.

Commercial grade vacuum packing machine, constructed with full stainless steel and high grade pump and components, designed to withstand the industrial environment. Stainless steel tank and chassis suitable for packing wide range of products and for easy cleaning.

Long /wide tank design, application for food service such as sandwich, special shape product packing. Computer adjustable vac timer and seal temperature control. Suitable for many types of bags. Very fast operation. Typical cycle time is 15 – 30 s. Specification:Tank size :- 380mm x 280mm x 90mmSealing bar size:255mmUnit size:- 500mm x 250mm x 280mmWeight :- 36 kgVoltage :- 220 volts. Quantity of bags and stamping kit included. Excellent condition. €750.00 Tel: + 44 (0) 7929 830643 or +33 (0) 6646 25092 Email: haynes.peter@yahoo. co.uk FOR SALE: FORGE WULF, portable, coal fuelled forge in very good condition. Photos available if required. €210.00 Tel: + 44 (0) 7929 830643 or +33 (0) 6646 25092 Email: haynes.peter@yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: INFLATABLE DINGHY AVON REDCREST DINGHY, includes wooden floorboards, inflatable seat, fibreglass seat, 2 oars, electric pump, outboard bracket and storage bags. Dinghy:- Length 2.75m, Beam 1.32m.Capacity:-

cupboard beneath. 45inches high. 24inches wide. 15 euros.

Ladies sheepskin coat. Very soft/comfortable.

Natural colour. Size 12. Exceptional condition. 50 euros.Beautiful ladies leather cowboy boots.

Size 37. Excellent condition. 40 euros. Tel: 05 55 76 10 36 FOR SALE: Ceramic Radiator/ Panel Heater 1kW, controls to a 10th of a degree, with full digital day/week settings. Brand new in box with instructions. Under half price. €100.00 05 55 03 04 49 (Rochechouart) FOR SALE: Four superb large curtains 12ft (3.7m) high x 7ft (2.17m) wide. Lined and interlined. Professionally made, goblet pleated. Ready to hang.

Good condition. Buff coloured with elephants and twining vine design. Ideal for wall hanging or large barn conversion windows.295 euros the four. €295.00 Telephone 05 55 51 91 47 FOR SALE: Yamaha Electone Organ HS6 Dual keyboard.

Multitude of functions. Great condition. €350.00 Tel: 05 53 52 03 02 FOR SALE: Various DVD surround sound 50.00. Wicker table and 2 chairs 70.00. Low coffee table 20.00. Nest of 3 x tables 25.00. White bed knobs n broom sticks bed and mat 100.00. Wicker veg rack and 5 draws 40.00. Microwave oven and grill 50.00. Dinner table and 6 chairs 2 years old 500.00. 3 piece settee with poof 300.00. Saddle n bridle with tack box n bits 150.00. 2 x Sky box 40.00 each. Play station 2 40.00 3 door wardrobe and 2x side cabinets 160.00 Tel: 05 55 64 18 33 FOR SALE: Child's bike Excellent condition. Suitable for ages 3 to 5. €25.00 Email: anniecullen@yahoo.com

Call Dave on 05 55 64 83 13 FOR SALE: 2 Fire Plates Each 700x500x13mm. Used only a couple of weeks, and 65€ each when new. 35€ each or 65€ the pair. Call Dave on 05 55 64 83 13 FOR SALE: Full body Safety Harness Bought 12 months ago for 75 € and used on one occasion only. €45.00 Call Dave on 05 55 64 83 13 FOR SALE: 2 Decathlon 2 person 'pop up' tents Both used only once, so in great condition.

35€ each. Call Clair on 05 55 64 83 13 FOR SALE: Towel Radiator White, wall mounted, 500W, 100cms x 45, with thermostat.

Excellent condition. €35.00 Call Dave on 05 55 64 83 13 FOR SALE: French doors (Howdens UK) Plus frame and double glazed. Units 208cm x 126cm. Could be stained or painted. Brand new. €120.00ono Tel: 05 55 61 19 81 FOR SALE: 4foot6 Sprung Mattress Hardly used. €50.00 Tel: 05 55 61 19 81 FOR SALE: Sorrento Radiators - school type - colour white 3 x 1000cm x 600cm high x 100cm deep. 1 x 1000cm x 300cm high x 150cm deep. 1 towel rail 406cm high x 405cm wide. All new, still boxed. Can be viewed on homebase website. Cost £1000 plus. Offers around 600 euros. Tel: 05 55 61 19 81 FOR SALE: Various Electric heater (used) 10€ Loupiac 2005 sweet dessert wine, normal price 6.50€, our price 3€. Tel: 05 55 62 91 97 (ANWSER MACHINE) Email: grandemaison-chenerailles@ orange.fr FOR SALE: RANGEMASTER 110 Gas Range Cooker MAINS GAS ONLY ( non convertible).4 gas hobs - 1 griddle plate - 1

electric hot plate - 2 gas ovens 1 gas grill. Excellent condition.

Email for photos. Buyer must collect 36160. €500.00 Email: emmapattinson@orange.fr FOR SALE: Various 5 assorted Bikes + 9 assorted new tyres and 7 assorted new inner tubes.

Ideal for a gite or brocante. 40 Euro's the lot. Motorized garage door, excellent condition. Cost new 470 Euro's SELL for 100 Euro's. Steel sink with taps + 2 double top cupboards and 2 single. As new. 40 Euro's. Large electric flymo. Good condition.

20 Euro's. Stone shower base + shower door and thermostat.

40 Euro's. Call 09 62 16 87 35 ask for Ken Email: jeanie3@ wanadoo.fr FOR SALE: Brass topped small fire dogs €30.00ono Email: anniecullen@yahoo.com FOR SALE: Scrapbooking items Punches, scissors, junior Dymo and tape, stickers, ribbon, paper, stencils etc. Tel: 06 26 07 72 75 (Bellac area, 87) FOR SALE: Four Electric Radiators All wall-mounted.

0ne Radiant 1500W. Three convector approx' 1500W each.

Euros 50 the lot. €50.00 Tel: 05 55 63 43 69 FOR SALE: Multi purpose aluminium ladder nearly new €80.00 Tel: 05 55 58 90 39/ 06 04 49 90 79 FOR SALE: Bestway round swimming pool Brand new.

15 ft by 3 ft depth. 100 euros telephone €100.00 Tel: 05 55 58 90 39/ 06 04 49 90 79 FOR SALE: 2 metal fuel storage tanks Hold approx 400 litres each. 120 euros each o.n.o. Tel: 05 45 31 07 83 / 09 75 91 05 45 FOR SALE: Swimming pool covers to fit pool 8 x 4m Summer cover complete with roller, very good condition, fully bound edges, €250.

Winter cover conforming to French security norm, excellent condition, €150. Or €350 for both covers plus roller. Buyer to collect (Bellac, 87). Email: david.a.webb@orange.fr FOR SALE: Golf equipment Bargain as new Top-Flite golf bag----Master Gold 3 & 5 woods----Browning 3-4-5-6-78-9- irons----Pitching wedge---Sandwedge----Shoes worn once UK size 9----Waterproof leggings----Some balls new and used in very good condition---Bag is almost new. ALL FOR BARGAIN PRICE 85 EUROS. €85.00 Tel: 05 55 68 27 80 Email: blaze87210@gmail.com FOR SALE: 30 X LED Bulbs Spot Lights 4 Watts, Day White.

GU10 fitting, New. Reason for sale: ordered the wrong colour.

120 Euros the lot. 87230. €120.00 Tel: 05.55.03.84.50 FOR SALE: Coffee Filter

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MAY 2013

CLASSIFIEDS ♦ 19 The Bugle CLASSIFIEDS are brought to you in association with WWW.HOUSESONINTERNET.COM Machine 10/12 cups max.

Black. Jug in burnished stainless steel. Never used. €15.00 Tel: 02 54 25 38 97 (36, Orsennes) FOR SALE: Oil Central Heating Boiler In good order. €70.00ono Tel: 02 54 25 38 97 (36, Orsennes) FOR SALE: Window - 176 x 101 4 panels, 36 x 82.

Not double glazed. In good condition. €30.00 Tel: 02 54 25 38 97 (36, Orsennes) FOR SALE: Window - 150 x 66 8 panels, 25 x 31. 2 broken. Not double glazed. €15.00 Tel: 02 54 25 38 97 (36, Orsennes) FOR SALE: Small Door Complete with its own metal shutters. 175 x 53. Window in door 78 x 26. €40.00 Tel: 02 54 25 38 97 (36, Orsennes) FOR SALE: Various 1. Canon MP240 Colour printer/copier in vgc, needs new ink cartridges.

2. Samsung inkjet phone/fax in vgc. Offers please for any of the above. Tel: 05 55 60 25 92 FOR SALE: Brand New Set of Mens RH Golf Clubs Full set of Powerbilt clubs with stand bag inc. Driver, 3 Wood, 3&4 Hybrid, 5 - SW. All with graphite shafts + Putter. No offers 150 EUR. €150.00 Tel: 05 44 20 22 58 FOR SALE: Overlocker Used once. Excellent Condition.

Contact:- Tony or Marie Wood.

4 minutes from A20 exit 19 (Celon) Buyer Collects. €95.00 Tel: 02-54-25-39-79 FOR SALE: Digibox In perfect working order for Freeview or Sky subscription channels. £20 ono. Tel: 02 54 37 76 24 Email: construction.uk@hotmail.com FOR SALE: Persian carpet, goat skin rug & Chinese vase table lamp Large persian carpet...like new...overall colours are burgundy and dark blue...900 euros. Bought for 1.700 euros 2 years ago. Large goat skin rug...very thick and warm..overall colours are light brown and cream....600 euros. Large Chinese vase table lamp, with beautiful chinz shade....200euros. Tel: 06 01 83 50 55 or 05 55 57 53 19 FOR SALE: Various Prada Gents Jacket, medium, grey, excellent condition E60.00 OVNO. Henri Lloyd Jacket (with logo on outer collar) medium, cream, excellent condition E50.00 OVNO. Rover 25 steering wheel (no airbag console included) with stereo volume control (also fit Rover 200 1995 on) E25.00.

Moulinex deep fat fryer VGC E25.00 ONO. Eurohike 2 man ten in bag (model no: 265TS) VGC E30.00. Moulinex coffee maker (old/retro 1980's) VGC E15.00. Gents Berghaus hiking trainers brown, size 8/ EU 42.5 VGC E25.00. BNIP BHS pure cotton Double Flat sheet, cream BRITISH BED SIZE E20.00. BNIP - House of Fraser oxford pillowcase beige BRITISH BED SIZE E8.00.

BNIP - House of Fraser Double fitted sheet, white polycotton

(50/50) BRITISH BED SIZE E20.00. BNIP - House of Fraser Sheet & Pillowcase set, double, white 100% Egyptian cotton BRITISH BED SIZE E40.00.

BNIP - BHS single flat sheet & pillowcase sky blue polycotton (50/50) BRITISH BED SIZE E17.00. Tel: 05 55 60 46 33 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

VEHICLES / PARTS FOR SALE: Renault Scenic 1.6 16v petrol Ideal second run-around to leave at holiday home. Owned and loved by mechanic for 10 years. Non smoker. Alloy wheels. Electric windows and mirrors. CD player. Twin sun-roof. Mot until November 2013. 115000 miles.

Year 2000. Green. Manual gearbox. €1,200.00ono Email: neiltaylor2367@aol.com FOR SALE: PEUGEOT, ZENITH (FE052) SCOOTER

1996, 50cc. French Carte Grise. No Controle Technique necessary in France. Excellent condition for year. Low usage, 6554 kilometres. €550.00 Tel: 06 64 62 50 92 Email: haynes. peter@yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: TRACTOR

FERRARI PowerSafe, 2 WHEEL TRACTOR, Type 340A/360 with the following attachments:-Plough, Potato ridger, Potato lifter. Very good condition and working order. €1,900.00 Tel: + 44 (0) 7929 830643 or +33 (0) 6646 25092 Email: haynes.peter@yahoo. co.uk FOR SALE: VAN SAFE VAN VAULT 2, Size: 920 x 560 x490mm (LxWxH), Weight:46kg. UK’s no.1 security container for fixed installation into commercial vehicles. High tensile steel storage box. 2mm sheet steel body & lid. Tamper proof single pin hinge. Antidrill 70mm disc lock. Gas strut for soft open/close lid action.

Siren holes for optional anti-theft alarm. Excellent condition. NEW PRICE 242€.Photos available if required. €150.00 Tel: + 44 (0) 7929 830643 or +33 (0) 6646 25092 Email: haynes.peter@ yahoo.co.uk

FOR SALE: Mahindra Tractor FS 254I 2008 25 hp. 140 hours.

Front end Loader. Back Hoe. PTO for other attachments.

Good condition. Photo available. €8,900.00 Tel: 05 55 60 10 56 or 05 55 60 06 19 FOR SALE: Hobby Excellent Caravan 460 UFE. Purchased and registered in France 2008.

4 berth. Double fixed bed.

Water reservoir 50 litres. Extract Hood. Powrtouch Mover. Large Awning. Rear reversing camera.

Good condition. €12,900.00 Tel: 05 55 60 10 56 FOR SALE: Kymco hipster 125 motorcycle 2001. 8400km.

French regd. Excellent condition. €800.00ono Tel: 05 55 76 10 36 FOR SALE: CITROEN JUMPY (DISPATCH) 2.0 HDi panel van Diesel, 2003, 100,000 miles, RHD, French registered, Control Tech. OK (08/13) emmissions only, Towbar. €990.00ono Tel: 06 14 24 05 36 Email: dave@ villasdeleypinas.com FOR SALE: SCOOTER LUDIX RB 1,000KG As brand new having been in storage..

Purchased 30/06/06 for 1,279 euros.. Dept 87. €600.00ono Tel: 05 55 68 48 02 FOR SALE: Citroën Car C1,

3-door basic, LH drive, reg May 2009, 33,000km, red.

Contrôle Technique dated April 2013. Excellent condition. One owner from new. 4,500 Euros.

(We are between Pontarion and Aubusson). Tel: 0555661034 Email: j.bidnall@hotmail.com FOR SALE: Mazda Van (for spares or repair) / Ford Fiesta MK4 Mazda van E220 Spares or repair (new tyres). RHD but French registered. Ford Fiesta MK4, owned from new, runner but needs some attention for test.

RHD but French registered.No reasonable offer refused. Tel: David on 05 55 69 28 22 (near Eymoutiers) FOR SALE: Citroen Picasso Diesel Estate 2002 White, low mileage, English registered, good running order. Clean and tidy, economical. €450.00 Tel: 02 48 56 74 73 FOR SALE: Trailer Wooden trailer box, dimensions 155cm x 92cm. Length plus towbar 225cm.

Suspension, tie-on hooks, drop-down tailgate with removable front and back ends for larger items. €120.00 Tel: 02 48 56 74 73 FOR SALE: Renault Megane II Dynamique 1.5Dci 105PS Diesel Saloon 2007 LHD. French Reg. 113000km. Black. Vgc. €6,500.00 Tel: 05 53 52 41 34 Email: chris.drew1@orange.fr FOR SALE: Honda Big Red Electrics need attention, workshop manual available. No longer needed as we now have a small tractor. €499.00 Email: sue.and.tony@hotmail.com

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. €9,000.00ono tel: 05 55 47 34 82 Email: jseretny@hotmail.co.uk FOR SALE: 1997 VOLVO ESTATE. 850 TDI. 5 cylinder turbo diesel. French registered.

FOR SALE: Mobile Home English made 9 metres long x 3 metres wide. 2 Bedrooms, 1 shower room, dining room/ lounge, kitchen, fridge & oven.

Gas fire, gas boiler. Good condition. €3,500.00ono Steve 05.55.6975.67/06.89.47.69.71 Email: lsetenergie@yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: THERMAL BLINDS THERMAL FOIL WINDOW BLINDS FOR CAMPER VAN, MOTORHOME.NEW, 3 PIECES.Photos available if required. €50.00 Tel: + 44 (0) 7929 830643 or +33 (0) 6646 25092 Email: haynes.peter@ yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: Nissan X trail Aventura T 30 2007 pair of genuine xenon left hand drive headlights including bulbs

requirements. €60.00 Tel: 05 55 41 19 28 FOR SALE: Stoves gas cooker Excellent condition. 12 months old. Cost £399 new. Dept. 16. €150.00 Tel: 05 45 31 19 84 FOR SALE: Upright Freezer-4 draw Excellent condition.

H33cmxW22cmxD21cm.

Contact:- Tony or Marie Wood.

4 minutes from A20 exit 19 (Celon) Buyer Collects. €75.00 Tel: 02-54-25-39-79

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR SALE: Licence IV covering whole of Creuse area Enables sales of beverages and spirits in Bars/Restaurants etc Email: jsezer@yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: Licence 4 €4,000.00ono Tel: 06 76 52 26 47

WANTED

L.H.D. CT until 07/2014.

Manual gearbox. Towing hook, max. 1600kg. Electric windows (front). Heated mirrors. Auto cruise control. Radio, CD, etc.

Central locking. Anti blocking system. Air bags etc. A nonsmoker car. Garage maintained.

Colour: Tropic Green. Bodywork very good. Some scratches (supermarket trolleys). The price includes 4 separate alloys with tyres. €1,300.00ono Tel: 02 54 47 24 15 (after 18:00 if possible) FOR SALE: AUTO Ford Focus 1.6 silver LHD, French reg’d 2001, 195,000km. New tyres, A/C, CD/radio, electric front windows, one owner last 5 years, good mechanical order and condition overall. €2,250.00ono Email: ileslie@fsmail.net FOR SALE: Vauxhall Vectra 1.9 CDTI (150) diesel estate Sept.

2006. New MOT and Taxed.

2 owners with full Vauxhall main dealer service history.

Full service with cambelt, water pump and clutch kit, including dual mass flywheel replaced Dec. at 148k. All Invoices to confirm with original service book and document pack. Every extra including SAT NAV. New Goodyear tyres fitted last year.

Non smoker car in excellent condition. Metallic Black with no damage. RHD will consider exchange for LHD car with cash adjustment either way. May interest person returning to the UK with French car to sell. £2995 ono or € equivalent. Tel: 02 54 37 76 24 Email: construction. uk@hotmail.com FOR SALE: H & K Bradley Trailer (Bingley, Yorks) 2 metres long, 2 metres high. Roller shutter door. Type No. HU4 & 5 MK Year DZA. Very good condition. €850.00ono Steve 05.55.6975.67/06.89.47.69.71 Email: lsetenergie@yahoo.co.uk

€500.00 Tel: 05.55.66.44.06 FOR SALE: RADIATOR 61349A (MADE IN DENMARK

BY NISSENS), as new, suitable for the following models:PEUGEOT 4062.0i Turbo 1996 1.9 TD 1995 à 19992.1 TD 1995 à 1999 PEUGEOT 406 COUPE 2.0 Turbo 1997 à 1999 PEUGEOT 605 2.0 Turbo 1995(M + Auto)2.1 TD 1995 CITROEN XM2.0i Turbo 19952.1 TD 1995 Photos available if required. €45.00 Tel: + 44 (0) 7929 830643 or +33 (0) 6646 25092 Email: haynes. peter@yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: TYRES 4 BRAND NEW 205/80R 16, Remoulds.

Photos available if required. €240.00 Tel: + 44 (0) 7929 830643 or +33 (0) 6646 25092 Email: haynes.peter@yahoo. co.uk FOR SALE: Roof Rack Fits Peugeot Partner/ Citroen Belingo 2003/04 etc. €45.00 Tel: 05 55 69 49 28

WHITE GOODS FOR SALE: Tumble dryer White v.g.c. €60.00 Tel: 05 55 41 19 28 FOR SALE: Freezer Indesit Under worktop, 3 draws, white.

Good clean condition. Surplus to

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

WANTED: Petrol rotary lawn mower (not ride-on) in good working condition to replace our worn-out and well used mower - soon destined for the scrap heap! Tel: 0555 787902 (near Rochechouart) WANTED: Canoe or Kayak Please tel Ray on 05 55 48 81 36 WANTED: Fire bricks various dimensions for bread oven renovation Tel: 05 55 81 15 19 WANTED: Old cast iron door for bread oven renovation Tel: 05 55 81 15 19 WANTED: Curved corrugated metal sheets Pete tel 05 45 30 72 04 (daytime) 06 24 65 40 33 (eve) WANTED: 4 wheel drive vehicle Pick-up preferred but will consider van or car.

CT not necessary as will be used in private field. Cheap and cheerful please. Email: thompsonandrew722@gmail. com WANTED: Large caravan (towable), 4 berth with shower and toilet Small budget. Tel: 06 42 14 26 56 Email: janinedisney@ aol.com 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

MAY 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

20 ♦ COMMUNITY

Le Bellerive

Hotel - Restaurant - Café-Bar 29 Avenue de la Tour, 87470 Peyrat-le-Château

Wednesday 15th May - La Maison delivery & Bookclub (as well as books, we're now swapping DVDs) Friday 17th May - Fun Quiz Saturday 25th May It's the fourth Saturday in the month, it must be Fish & Chip night Sunday 26th May - Fête des Mères Celebrate French Mothers' Day with a special lunch - booking recommended For details of all the events, go to: www.facebook.com/hotellebellerive Email: bonjour@lebellerive.net

Phone: 05 55 36 20 63

Le Relais de l'Abloux 36170 SACIERGES-ST-MARTIN Every Thursday 2 Entrecôte steaks for €20 Every Friday Moules Frites (1kg) from €11 Tuesday to Friday Lunchtime Menu du Jour - €12

mail: lerelaisdelabloux@orange.fr facebook: "le relais de l'abloux"

Tel: 02 54 47 56 74

Petticoat Lane

Bugle Notice Board

Please Note...

that we will be at the following markets:Sat 18th May Confolens, Sun 26th May Panazol Don't forget we will be closed from 6th May to 16th May re-open 17th May.

5 Rue Nationale – 16150 Chabanais

Tel: 05 45 29 03 99

JJ’s Café Bar Aigurande Music Club

2nd Sat of every month. 8.30 pm.

Next event: 11th May

JJ's Music club is for musicians of all levels and genres entry is free, there is no membership and is open to everyone who loves music. You can also buy fish and chips from the van in the market square (from 6.30 - 8.30) and eat them in the comfort of JJ's. The club starts from 8:30, but we are open for all those who want to come earlier to eat. In fact we hardly ever shut !!!!

JJ's Cafe Bar, 39 Place du Champ de Foire, 36140 Aigurande

Tel: 02 54 06 30 77

La Coterie Entreprise

www.LCE23.com

British Corner Shop

Très Jolie

** NOW OPEN!! **

Fashion Accessories

Where to find me in May Every Wednesday - Piégut Market (24360) 18th May - Confolens Market (16500) 26th May - Fête du Village de Lageyrat (87230) Fashion scarves starting from €5. Lovely charm bookmarks Postage always available, please email or call for details.

LE DORAT (Pl. Charles de Gaulle)

Vera Laine Gift Shop & Salon de Thé Large selection of gifts, candles, mugs, shabby chic homeware, cards, plus leather goods, jewellery and hair accessories. Affordable prices!

We look forward to meeting you!

Contact Jay: 06 35 91 03 83 veralaine19@yahoo.com

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

RESTAURANT

Le Moulin du Breuil

AUX CEPES

Friday 10th May - Quiz night 10€ per person - includes food and entry Food at 19h00

On the main road (D979), Between Limoges & Eymoutiers

23140 PIONNAT

MAY ONLY - Open ALL Bank holidays in May (Closed Monday evening and Tuesdays) English Breakfast Club - Sat 24th May, 9h-11h Come and enjoy a 'full English breakfast' including fruit juice and coffee/tea for only €10.00

Take a look at our latest news pages for more details:

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

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: 13,000 copies All copyright, unless stated otherwise, is reserved to The Bugle. Reproduction in whole or part of any text without permission is prohibited.

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.

Email: cafebarjj@yahoo.co.uk

Half price shipping when you spend over £100 for both ambient and chilled orders!

www.BritishCornerShop.co.uk

5 Rue Andre Jouhannaud, Compreignac Freshly home-cooked English and French food Plat du Jour - Mon-Sat: €12.50 Sunday Lunch with real Yorkshire puddings Every Friday Night - Fish & Chips with home-made mushy peas €8,50 To Eat In or Take Away - (alternative menu available)

www.frenchweb.eu/jjscafebar/

Always available the ever popular Jewellery Scarves - great new Spring & Summer colours and designs still only €11 each.

now have pipe freezing equipment available - we can simplify your pipework modifications: no draining down required so it's quicker & cheaper. We can also help with moving radiators, repairing leaking taps, installing isolators, etc.

L'Escale

Restaurant & Bar

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: 13,000 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.

La Veytizou

Fish & Chips any day of the week

Lunch or Evening - Eat-in or Take-away! *******************

We also offer Menu du Jour or Carte *******************

Do not miss our next Open Mic on Saturday 11th of May !

For more information, please ring Sue:

05 55 69 33 38

Listen to The Bugle, live on France Bleu Creuse Tune in to our next show: 09h30 MON 6th MAY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MAY 2013

COMMUNITY ♦ 21

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 Zumba!

Regular zumba classes across depts 36, 18 & northern 23.

For more info tel 06 58 37 17 04 - email evezumba36@gmail.com and for details of classes visit www.zumbazumba.fr Indoor Short-mat Bowling at Cussac 87150....and now Outdoor too!

As the premier bowls club in the Haute-Vienne, we are going from strength to strength with members seeking us out and travelling great distances to continue their love of bowls or simply to 'try us out'. Our reputation as a "very friendly and welcoming club" goes before us. If you've never tried the game, just come along and take a look; there is far more to it than first appears!

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

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

Outdoor sessions will be arranged as the spring arrives so keep in touch. Serious bowlers and beginners are welcome - club bowls are available for use.

For further information contact cussac-bowls-club@live.co.uk or telephone 05 55 50 40 89.

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, light-hearted group? Each

Les Franglais - English/French Conversation Group Wednesdays 14H00 / 15H00 - Mairie de Banize

6 years ago Kath Hodgkinson and Anne Chadwick were asked by the CHA, who run activities in Banize, if they would like to give English lessons to local French people. This they did, using the New Cambridge English Course. This entailed lots of exchanges, oral and written, with various levels of ability, much laughter and fun.

The demand grew for even more conversation, so, with a bit of thought, I came up with the idea of equal (as far as possible) numbers of French and English so that exchanges could be made in both languages.

We usually begin by working in pairs, English / French, reading the excellent bilingual articles from The Bugle! These usually lead to animated discussion, with the French helping the English partner to understand and express themselves or vice versa.

At the same time as learning the language, it creates a contact between the two nationalities which otherwise might not happen and we learn lots from each other.

If you are French or British, do feel come and join us if you are interested. You will be made very welcome. Our numbers vary around 12, some loyal since the start.

Anne Chadwick

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 you keen to learn more about it? Then why not come along and join Les Petits Jardiniers? We’re a friendly group of English, French and Dutch residents and normally meet on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 2.30pm in the salle de fêtes in St-Amand-le-Petit, between Peyrat-le-Château and Eymoutiers.

Our meetings are held mostly in English and we have guest speakers, organise garden visits and swap plants and seeds. 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: 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 from Sally on 05 45 21 30 20 or Craig on 05 45 89 33 50 or mccolville@orange.fr 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 StPriest 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 Sue Ratcliffe 05 45 31 50 86 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 Haute-Vienne. CLE provides information to members living and/ or working in France and works with local communities and organisations to tackle practical issues through forums and workshops, as well as organising a wide range of cultural and social events throughout the year. The recent launch of English lessons has been well attended by Confolentais. If you would like to know more about this group of volunteers, please look on our new website www.charente-limousine-exchange.com or contact the Chairman, Barry Leech, on 06 35 96 77 46.

Libraries & Books 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 Croisille-sur-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.

PHOENIX Appeal - kitten season has begun!

Here is MADISON - a sweet girl who, due to overcrowding, was on death row in the SPA with her 5 kittens.

Phoenix saved them and now they are all in foster care and looking for homes.

Amitiés Internationales du Pays de Boussac (AIPB) ...will be holding a cake stall on Sunday 5th May at the annual Marché Printanier in Lavaufranche, from 9h onwards. On sale will be our delicious home-made cakes, including our famous carrot cake, and pots of orange and lemon marmalade. Also available will be numerous brocante stalls, a huge sale of plants, bar and food. This is always a very popular outing so come early to avoid disappointment.

This is no doubt the start of many, so if you are interested in adopting a cat or kitten, please contact: Lynda Atkins on 05 53 81 30 44 or email lapuille@gmail.com See more photos of Madison & kittens on our new website www. phoenixasso.com PLEASE sterilise your animals!

www.phoenixasso.com www.facebook.com/PhoenixAssociationFrance

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 Anglo-French conversation groups. The Information Centre provides support and assistance with bureaucratic, family and legal problems to British residents and new arrivals. The library is open from 9.30 -12.30 on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays 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 The English Library, which has now been established for over 5 yrs, is situated in the Route des Rateries, beside the Bibliothèque Municipale, Parc Benjamin Bord. The library is a very welcoming meeting place, where you can come and enjoy a cup of tea, or coffee, whilst you browse through our collection of around 7,500 books, DVDs and talking books. Our opening hours are Thursdays, 10h00 – 16h00 and Saturdays 10h00 – 12h30.

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

We host a range of other activities too, including the Café Philo, and Club Scrabble, More information can be found on the Entente Cordiale website at www.ententecordiale-creuse.org or email us at library.ententecordiale@yahoo.com Music L'Orchestre Philharmonique de La Souterraine If you or one of your family are interested in playing in an orchestra and think your standard might be adequate do get in contact with us. We meet weekly on Friday evenings in La Souterraine (apart from the summer holidays) to rehearse. Most of our concerts are around Xmas or MayJuly. Our members come from all over Limousin so lifts to and fro may be possible if necessary.

Contacts: French language Marie-France Martinie 05 55 30 76 23 / English language Alan Kerr 05 55 56 34 52 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 are now English-speaking meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous at Limoges, Périgueux and the recently opened meeting at Civray.

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

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

Other meetings in South-West France can be located on our web-site at aafrancesud-ouest.com 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 HauteVienne (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 Cancer Support France, Creuse If you are English-speaking and need support or information, please phone Helpline number 06 06 47 18 60.

The Creuse Branch is now under the umbrella of Haute-Vienne.

CSF Haute-Vienne's Lunch at the Lake

For the second year running Cancer Support France HauteVienne is doing its fund-raising lunch at Videix (87600) lake on Sunday 16th June at 12 noon.

After last year’s lunch many people said it was one of the best meals they had had since living in France.

Menu - trio of pates, bbq pork with pommes boulangères, selection of cheeses, strawberry tartlets, kir, wine and coffee included - all for 18 euros a head.

With the added attraction of the Sugaree Band playing, it should be a very enjoyable afternoon.

For more information or to book please call 05 55 00 31 15

Charente Limousine Exchange Guide Dogs Charity Presentation Last year, members and friends of the Association, Charente Limousine Exchange, held a Charity Christmas Fayre in Lesterps (16) in support of the Chiens Guides d'Aveugles in Limoges.

The President, accompanied by members of the Association, were pleased to donate a €1500 cheque on Thursday 21st March which was raised from that event. An English member of the Association has already received a fully trained guide dog "Etoile" and is benefiting greatly from her assistance.

MAY 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

22 ♦ COMMUNITY

2013 Concert programme for L’orchestre Philharmonique de La Souterraine Saturday 4th May Open air concert at Bénévent l’Abbaye behind the Abbey or Salle des Fêtes if wet. First part Ladies Pop. 18:30.

Sunday 2nd June The festival of the Creuse Musical Societies, Roches. 10:0018:00.

Friday 14 June Annual concert of the Guéret Fanfarons with both groups, Espace Fayolle, Guéret. 21:00.

Saturday 15th June Concert with the Fanfare of the Boussac Sapeurs Pompiers, Boussac. TBC. 20:30.

Friday 21st June Fête de la Musique open air concert, La Souterraine. Location to be confirmed. 20:30.

Saturday 29th June Joint concert with the Guéret Fanfarons, Saint-Germain-Beaupré. 21:00.

Saturday 13th July Open air concert followed by fireworks for the “Nuits d’été de Guéret”, Etang de Courtille, 22:00.

Further details from the La Souterraine Tourist Office 05 55 63 10 06 or infos@ot-lasouterraine.fr

RISK - New Novel by James R. Vance jamesvance.author@sfr.fr

The fascinating sequel to Les Ruines...

The Special Operations Executive (S.O.E.) recruits a young soldier following a dramatic escape from the horrors of war in occupied France. Overcoming his fear of flying, he parachutes into a country under the Nazi jackboot where he encounters a world of subterfuge and resistance. An affair with a young French girl compensates for the constant threat of betrayal, capture, torture and a 'bullet in the back of the head'.

After imprisonment and interrogation by the dreaded Gestapo, he outwits his captors and flees to England. On his final mission, he fails to reach his target; 'missing presumed dead' becomes his epitaph.

Following a series of unexpected events almost seventy years later, his descendants discover the truth about his clandestine exploits, his bizarre fate and the complex legacy for the family. History is about to be re-written.

For illustrated extracts from the novel visit: http://writerscrampfr.blogspot.com/

Book Signings

Thé Bonbons Cadeaux

Magnac-Laval Saturday 11th May from 11h00

The Bar

Les Pinsons, Thiat Friday 17th May from 19h00 All books individually signed by the author with a personal message

GOT AN EVENT FOR THE BUGLE...? notices@thebugle.eu

DEATH OF A SCIENTIST - A POLITICAL ASSASSINATION

by Mike Welham, Resident in the Limousin

A Time for War - When a President and a Prime Minister want to go to war to remove a dictator, a threat to use WMDs gives them their reason. Weapons inspectors find no evidence, so a political dossier is created claiming their existence.

A Time to Die - Dr John Finch, a British specialist in WMDs, identifies that the dossier is misleading. This makes him a target for a political assassination. When Dr Finch is found dead in a wood it looks like suicide, but is it?

A Time for Justice? - The Excalibur Foundation decides to hunt down the assassin and a former French Foreign Legion sniper is hired for the mission. During the operation a political target comes into his sights, it’s just a matter of squeezing the trigger...

MIKE WELHAM is the co-author of The Crabb Enigma and author of Crime Pays. He brings his investigative skills to Death of a Scientist, this novel.

Book Signing on Saturday 1st June - ALL DAY Signed books for sale after that date Thé Bonbons Cadeaux, Ave Jules Courivaud, Magnac-Laval See www.welhambooks.com

EASY

MEDIUM

HARD

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MAY 2013

WHAT’S ON ♦ 23 Sat 11th to Sun 12th May CROZANT Journées des plantes de printemps Sale of plants, guided tours of the arboretum & conferences. Arboretum de la Sedelle. 10h - 19h. Entry: 6€, free for Under 15s. For more info visit http:// arbosedelle.free.fr/ Sat 11th May SAINTE-FEYRE Journée Médiévale Medieval fesitval with jousting, juggling, magicians, jesters etc. Artisanal & produce market. Parc Animalier Les Loups de Chabrières. Adults: 9€ Children: 7€ 10h - 20h. Contact: Tel 05 55 81 23 23 Sat 11th to Sun 12th May VILLEFAVARD “Somewhere” with Créa d’Aulnay-sous-Bois “Somewhere” is a musical comedy, American style, presented by CREA, a group of young actors and musicians. They have created a show which fuses the songs of Bernstein, Gershwin and Sondheim with oriental and hip-hop dance. It will be a very exciting and professional performance! Sat 11th 19h & Sun 12th 15h. Ferme de Villefavard en Limousin, 2, impasse de l’Eglise et de la Cure, 87190 Villefavard Tel: 05 55 76 54 72 http://www.fermedevillefavard. com/ Tickets can be bought by telephone or through the internet site, price €12 (with €2 discount for the Friends of Villefavard), children under 16 are free of charge.

Sun 12th May SAINT-DIZIER-LEYRENNE Fête du Pain This annual celebration of one of our staple foods, organised as each year by the Societé Leyrenne Patrimoine, will be held this year in the village of Teillet, just to the north of St-Dizier-Leyrenne, starting from 08h30. Bread for sale will be baked in a restored traditional oven, pizzas prepared on site and cooked in a wood fired pizza oven, traditional lunches of Andouillette, Merguez, saucisses, and of course frites. Various artisanal stands will also be present throughout the day. There is no admission charge.

Thu 16th to Mon 20th May Festival Pentecôte en Berry: Francis POULENC “Moine ou voyou”... ?

Under the artistic direction of Cyril Huvé, this festival of concerts in the Berry commemorates the 50th anniversary of the death of Francis POULENC. The festival will feature internationally acclaimed players including: French oboist Maurice Bourgue; André Cazalet, solo Horn of the Orchestre de Paris; Juliette Hurel, solo flute of Rotterdam's Philharmonic Orchestra; Julien Hervé, solo clarinettist of Rotterdam's Philarmonic Orchestra; American violonist Jorja Fleezanis; the Tana String Quartet; the famous singer François Le Roux, a worldwide respected specialist of Poulenc's songs and opera repertoire; French pianists Emmanuel Mercier, Thomas Costille and Cyril Huvé,

who was the 2010 winner of “Les Victoires de la Musique Classique” and who is the artistic director of the festival, which mainly takes place in his music barn in Chassignolles. In this artist's house, Cyril Huvé preserves and highlights his personal collection of historical pianos and promotes concerts and masterclasses where the audience benefit from the quality of acoustics and share a unique proximity with the players.

Before the evening concerts, meals with some of the musicians are proposed in the garden. With associate venues, the Abbaye de Varennes and Château de La Lande, in the same area, the Festival Pentecôte en Berry is increasingly becoming a sort of “Glyndebourne in Berry”.

On the evening of 18th May, a special event will be the recreation of Poulenc's opera on Guillaume Apollinaire's text, Les Mamelles de Tirésias, heard for the first time in France, with singers accompanied by Benjamin Britten's reduction of the orchestral part for two keyboards from the 1958 Aldeburgh Festiva, played on the breathtaking “1898 Pleyel Double Piano”.

For more information, to download the programme of concerts and for ticket prices visit: www.musiciensensemble.com or tel Office de Tourisme de La Châtre: 02 54 48 22 64 / Office de Tourisme de Châteauroux: 02 54 34 10 74 Sat 18th May European Night of Museums Since 2005, selected European museums have exceptionally opened for a night, free of charge, as part of the European Night of Museums.

Over 1200 french museums take part, and 98% of them open to the public free of charge between 6pm and midnight. Most museums offer special activities for this original night, aimed at all audiences: storytelling tours, torch-lit tours, concerts, workshops for children, screenings, fireworks... Children and adults all gather for a unique night.

For more information visit www.nuitdesmusees.culture.fr/ or contact your local tourist office for participating museums.

Sat 18th to Mon 20th May AIGURANDE Fête de la Pentecôte The biggest event of Aigurande's calendar... Fun fair all weekend; Fireworks 22h30 on Saturday; Grand procession on Sunday; Large market on Monday.

Sat 18th May VILLEFAVARD Beethoven Sonatas for cello and piano Honorine Schaeffer, a young and very talented cellist, plays Beethoven sonatas accompanied by pianist Rebecca Chaillot, who, at age 10, was admitted to the Conservatoire de Montpellier. This will be a concert not to be missed in the intimate atmosphere of Villefavard’s small concert hall with its superb acoustics. 18h. Ferme de Villefavard en Limousin, 2, impasse de l’Eglise et de la Cure, 87190 Villefavard Tel : 05 55 76 54 72 http://www.fermedevillefavard. com/ Tickets can be bought by telephone or through the internet site, price €12 (with €2 discount for the Friends of Villefavard), children under 16 are free of charge.

Sun 19th May SEGUINAUD 7th Annual Plant Sale A BIG hellooooo to all GARDENERS. We are holding our 7th Annual PLANT SALE at Seguinaud (near to Nontron 24, and 5 mins outside Piégut) on the afternoon of Sunday May 19th from 2-5 pm. As it is really gardening time now perhaps you could pot up some of those plants for our charity that need splitting. Now is the ideal time. You could then bring them on the day to add to our wonderful selection. This really is the best way to pick up those interesting plants that you can't find here ordinarily, and get excellent advice from our very keen gardener helpers. There are also 2 resident Tree Surgeons on hand for advice on your trees (usually on car park duty).

ALL the money raised goes to Aide Pour L'Hopital Bansang de Gambie which

Fête du pain

DIMANCHE

is the sister Association here in France to The Bansang Hospital Gambia in England. Please visit www.bansanghospitalappeal.com for more information.

This is always a wonderful day, rain or shine, and I can absolutely guarantee that there will be lots of CAKE. Please help support this very worthy cause.

For further information please contact Linda Nicholson on 05 53 56 73 86.

Fri 24th to Sun 26th May CLUSSAIS-LA-POMMERAIE Hope Book Sale 10am-4pm. Salle des fêtes, Clussais-La Pommeraie 79190 (D45 SauzéVaussais to Lezay Road) Thousands of English and French books, fiction and non-fiction for adults and children, each for just 1 euro. Many trade stands and interesting things to see and do including: * Massive sale of plants * English fish and chips * Tea and cakes * Bacon butties * Excellent quality 2nd hand clothes * Exciting bric-a-brac * Dog agility and obedience display (25th May) * Face-painting (26th May) * Classic car display (26th May) Please see www.hopeassoc.org for further details. Books to donate? Email givebooks4hope@gmail.com Sat 25th May CHABANAIS Theatre Chabanois – Summer Show “Behind the Scenes” A collection of short plays to amuse and entertain.

Original radio episodes of Flash Gordon "L’Anglais tel qu’on le parle (English as She Is Spoke)"Murder in the Green Room – Can the audience guess who dunnit? 20h." Salle des Fêtes, Chabanais. Adults 6€, "Children 4€. Seating in tables of 6 – Book your table early for the chance to win 2 free tickets. Bar serving refreshments opens 19h30. Reservations: tel Penny 05 45 94 10 71.

Theatre Chabanois, formed in 2009, is a primarily English speaking community theatre group, warmly welcoming French speakers." A cast and crew of all ages (10yrs to over 80), abilities and talents. "We are always looking for new members not only those with thespian tendencies but those that are willing to help back stage and front of house. Everyone is welcome to join us; whatever" you bring to the group you will be sure of a warm welcome and much fun "on a Monday evening at the Salle des Fêtes in Chabanais at 7pm.

Sat 25th to Sun 26th May VERNEUIL Fête de la Nature At the Centre Nature la Loutre. Sat from 14h30-18h, Sat eve from 21h, Sun from 14h30-18h. Free entry. Many activities will be on offer to the public throughout the weekend on a wide range of topics: birds, amphibians, flowers, bees and hive, garden, orchard, pond, astronomy... For more information visit www.fetedelanature.com Sun 26th May SAINT-LAURENT-SUR-GORRE Fête des Plantes au Jardin de Liliane Plant fair celebrating the Jardin de Liliane's 30th birthday with growers, artisans, brocante jardin, salon de thé etc. Sale of roses, perennials, shrubs & ferns. 9h-19h. Entry €5. Contact: tel 05 55 48 14 29 - www.jardindeliliane. com Fri 31st May to Sat 1st Jun SAINT-GAUDENT Civray Footlights Civray Footlights drama group's forthcoming production features two one-act plays - 'Unexpected Item in Bagging Area' and 'The Worst Day of My Life'.

This will be at Le Théâtre du Foyer Rural, St. Gaudent, on Friday 31st May & Saturday 1st June at 8pm. Tickets are 8€ and doors and bar open at 7pm. If you require further information or tickets please call Pam on 05 49 87 19 10 or Lin on 05 49 97 10 93 or email: civrayfootlights1@gmail.com Sat 1st to Sun 2nd Jun LES GRANDS-CHÉZEAUX Piano Four Hands and Piano Trompet Recitals

12 MAI Teillet Commune de Saint Dizier Leyrenne

Randonnée pédestre : départ 9h salle polyvalente Salon de l’artisanat traditionnel et du loisir créatif.

Vente de pain et pizzas cuits au feu de bois.

Repas campagnard.

Animations diverses.

On Saturday the 1st of June at 5.30 pm, a concert of piano duet music will take place in Les Grands-Chézeaux with the famous pianists William and Jacqueline Bensihmon. Featured will be works by Rachmaninov, Dvorak, Rossini, 0ffenbach, Von Suppe and Bizet. The Bensimhon duo has gained multiple prizes and awards for their "American Music" recording including "The ox on the Roof" by Darious Milhaud and "Cuban overture" by George Gershwin.

On Sunday 2nd of June at 5.30 pm, pianist Yves Josset will team up with trumpeter Christophe Laguzet and explore three centuries of music with works by Albinoni, Vivaldi, Bach, Ravel, Telemann and others. Gosset is a tremendously appealing pianist and Laguzet an equally delightful trumpet player. They play together in perfect harmony.

Information and Bookings: Les Grands-Chézeaux (A20 – exit 21). Ticket prices: €8 per concert. Free entrance for those under 18. Early bookings by phone (05 55 76 70 15) or by e-mail cazalibus@orange.fr

MAY 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

24 ♦ WHAT’S ON

UPCOMING EVENTS ACROSS THE REGION Sun 14th Apr to Sun 23rd Jun VASSIVIÈRE IAN KIAER Solo Exhibition For his first solo exhibition in France, British artist Ian Kiaer is proposing a reinterpretation of the art centre’s architecture, designed by Aldo Rossi and Xavier Fabre in 1986–88 and built on Vassivière Island in 1989–91. In a group of new works all designed specifically for the centre, Kiaer reconsiders the visionary aspect of the building, drawing a parallel between the thinking of Aldo Rossi and the utopian projects of 18th-century architects like ÉtienneLouis Boullée and Claude Nicolas Ledoux.

Challenging the predefined function initially allotted to each room in response to the different phases of the life of a work, the artist takes a fresh look at the relationships between research, creation and transmission, devising subtle installations that involve a mix of the archival and the found. Opening hours: Tuesday - Sunday and public holidays 11am-1pm / 2-6 pm. €3. For more information visit: www.ciapiledevassiviere.com/ Wed 1st to Fri 31st May AUBUSSON Aubusson en 1900 Aubusson takes you back in time to 1900 throughout the month of May, with an exhibition of period hats in the window of Mireille Mouzet, goggles, binoculars and binoculars in that of M. Deblais. Visit Volup'thé for old postcards and the tourist office for newspapers and archives.

Wed 1st May FÉNIERS Renc'Arts Art exhibition organised by the Comité des Fêtes de Chéniers of painting (oil and pastel), drawing, photography, caricatures, sculpture, floral art... Free entry. Salle Polyvalente Pierre Laurent. 9h-18h. For more information tel 06 45 02 99 00 or email s.franz@live.fr Fri 3rd May to Sun 6th Oct Exhibition "La Creuse, une vallée-atelier" 200 works of Romantic, Impressionist and Postimpressionist landscapes gathered together for the first time across Berry and Limousin. Entitled "Creuse, a valley studio 18301930", the exhibition presents chronologically the different

art movements which developed at the junction of the 19th and 20th centuries, between Berry and Limousin, with: - Photographic art in the Creuse valley in Impressionist times - Musée de la vallée de la Creuse, Eguzon (11th May - 15th September) - From Romanticism to Academic Realism - Musée Château d'Ars, La Châtre (4th May - 6th October) - Impressionist paintings, the transcended light - Musée Hôtel Bertrand, Châteauroux (4th May - 29th September) - The Postimpressionist valley - Musée d'Art et d'Archéologie, Guéret (17th May - 15th September) Admission: Free in Eguzon, La Châtre and Châteauroux.

3€ entrance fee in Guéret, (free admission on the first Sunday of each month).

For more information visit: www.expocreuse-valleeatelier.fr Fri 3rd to Sun 12th May LIMOGES The Limoges Exhibition-Fair Variety will be the watchword at this year's Limoges Fair. In fact, no fewer than 400 exhibitors will be taking part! There are lots of different stands to visit including food displays,

house and home exhibits, interior decorating, furniture, cars and DIY, to name just a few.

The Limoges Fair sets the benchmark for national exhibitions. In addition to being the most important home event in the Central/Western part of France, its historical exhibitions mean that it is also a culturally significant occasion.

Palais des Expositions, boulevard Robert-Schuman, 87000 Limoges. 10h-22h. Entry €3.50 (free for Under 12s). Contact: tel 05 55 37 20 20 or visit http://www.foirelimoges.com/

Salle Municipale, 24140 Camsegret - on the N21 between Bergerac and Perigueux - doors open from 9.30am to 3.00pm For more info visit: www.phoenixasso.com and www.facebook.com/PhoenixAssociationFrance

Sat 4th May Saturdays in the Garden A series of gardening courses held at the Lycée Agricole in Ahun. 4th May: Discover Bach flower remedies & their uses. Bach flower remedies are dilutions of flower material developed by Edward Bach, an English bacteriologist, pathologist and homeopath, in the 1930s.

The remedies are intended primarily for emotional and spiritual conditions, including but not limited to depression, anxiety, insomnia and stress. This course costs EUR 27 (free for accompanying children) and will be held at CFPPA d’Ahun from 8h30-12h & CFPPA de Dun-le-Palestel from 14h-17h. For more information tel: 05.55.81.48.90.

Sat 4th May LA CELLE-DUNOISE CHARITY SALE (supporting orphans in Malawi) Salle des Loisirs, La-Celle-Dunoise. 10am - 6pm. Plant sale, vide-greniers, cake stall, buvette, hot dogs, bacon sandwiches, etc. Horse and trap and pony rides. Come along and join in the fun!

Sat 4th May CAMPSEGRET - DORDOGNE The Great Phoenix Book Fair It's time to stock up on your summer reads! The largest Anglo-French fundraising event in South-West France will return on Saturday 4th May, 2013. Over 18,000 wellsorted and recent books, CDs and DVDs will once again be available to all for only €1 a piece! The popular crime and non-fiction sections will be even bigger than before and even a good assortment of French books will be on offer for those who wish to polish their language skills.

For the first time, brand new, high quality books will be available for a steal at €2.50 each!

There will also be stalls with our famous Tombola, family puzzles and games, bric-a-brac, specialist antiquarian and children's books and lots more! Delicious home-made €1 savouries, tasty cakes, scones and other assorted goodies, along with hot and cold drinks will once again make it an unforgettable 'British' day in France! So come and make a day of it, browse, meet new people, join friends, have lunch and enjoy yourself. And most importantly, you'll be supporting Phoenix Association to help care and rehome animals in need.

Sun 5th May LAVAUFRANCHE Marché Printanier Spring market & vide-greniers/ brocante. From 9h. The AIPB will be holding a cake stall (see Clubs page for more details).

Mon 6th to Sun 12th May FELLETIN 3rd European Felt Days - Exhibition-competition at the Eglise du Château (6-12 May) - Beginners and Professionals courses/ Workshops for children.

- Feltmakers market (11-12 May) For more information contact the Felletin Tourist Office tel 05 55 66 54 60 - www.felletin-tourisme.fr Sat 11th May AHUN Saturdays in the Garden A series of gardening courses held at the Lycée Agricole in Ahun. 11th May: The medicinal and culinary properties of les mauvaises herbes - weeds. Depending on the season, you will learn to recognize, use and transform weeds to make the most of their virtues for your health and wellbeing. Teas, syrups, massage oils, wild salads ... will help you discover new tastes and new sensations.

Courses cost EUR 27 (free for accompanying children) and are held from 8h30 - 12h at the CFPPA Ahun. For more information tel: 05.55.81.48.90

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