The Bugle Limousin - Dec 2018 by The Bugle

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France impounds Ryanair plane

The French government sent in the bailiffs after the airline's delayed repayment of illegal subsidies >> Page 5

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France to bring back national service Gilets jaunes protests bring travel chaos nationwide - page 8

National service for all 16-year-olds will

be phased in from next year as President Macron follows through on an election pledge, but the service, lasting four weeks,

will not now have a military focus. also much opposition, particularly from a financial point of view. Defence officials were concerned that being in charge of military service would produce limited benefit, whilst cutting into an already stretched budget. Many of the country's army barracks have either been converted for other uses or knocked down over the course of the last decade and the cost of reintroducing compulsory military service had been estimated at well into the billions. As a result, the national service being introduced next year will now focus on community rather than military service and will be overseen by the education, not the defence ministry.

Limoges to test hydrogen trains - pg 3

Calls for €1 tax on internet deliveries - pg 8

France no longer defines the kilogram - pg 9

The Bugle Business Directory - pg 13-19

>> continued on page 5

a t i o n a l service is to return to France in 2019, but in a scaled-down version of the proposals first put forward by Macron during his presidential campaign. Emmanuel Macron took the country by surprise when he announced his election pledge to require all young people to spend time getting “a direct experience of military life, with its knowhow and demands”. At the time, the move was seen as an attempt to woo right-leaning voters and whilst there is a degree of political support for the return of national service, especially in the wake of increased terror attacks across Europe, there is

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2 ♦ IN THIS EDITION

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ DECEMBER 2018

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ome on, be honest now, how many of you snuck into the advent calendars early again this year and stole some chocolate... shame on you! I was listening to the radio the other day and Chris Evans was putting forward the theory that while it's not OK to steal a few chocolates from the calendar, if you eat them all before the first of December then that's somehow fine! My kids would probably agree, but I'm not sure I do. Like many people of my generation or before, if I had an advent calendar as a kid, it would simply have a festive picture or scene behind each door. This was more than exciting enough to get me running down the stairs at the crack of dawn to peel back the perforated cardboard and tick off another day until the arrival of Santa! Not that I've really looked, but I suspect that you can't buy that kind of calendar any more. These days, even chocolate isn't enough.

Each door has to hold Lego, or a toy, or something of even greater value. There also seems to be an increasing number of adult novelty calendars that promise a delicious slice of artisanal cheese, or a shot of exotic liqueur each day. My local supermarket has at least two different types of “calendar” that provide a 330 ml bottle of beer every morning, presumably to warm you up for the long drive to work!! I'm thinking of marketing my own range next year targeting the festive carnivore. It will essentially be a walk-in cold storage unit and behind each of 24 numbered doors will be treats like an entire cured ham or a side of Limousin beef... unless someone has already beaten me to the idea, it's surely just a matter of time! Like many people, I imagine, I found myself caught up in the “yellow vest” protests this month (see pg 8). I was aware that there were going to be disturbances in my local town and there were indeed small pickets outside the

two main supermarkets which forced one to close early on that first Saturday of action. That aside, it was not big news in my immediate neck of the woods and I thought no more of it. A few days later, I had to drop my in-laws at Bordeaux airport and had not been following the French news that closely in the meantime - I was probably too busy helping them pack and printing out a backup set of boarding passes just in case! As we flew down the A10, all of a sudden the inside lane became static and I could see huge amounts of traffic up ahead. Thankfully, this is where modern technology came to the rescue. My wife quickly opened up the Maps app on her phone, which instructed us to take the next exit, conveniently only a few hundred metres up ahead, and just before the outside lane became stationary traffic! Ten minutes of back roads led us down a few junctions and back onto the motorway, south of the blockage, where the traffic was at a standstill going in the opposite direction. It was then that the penny dropped and I realised that the protests had continued through the weekend. We somehow made it to the airport without losing too much time, but then again, even if we had got stuck, I would have run the rest of the way with my father-in-law on my shoulders!

On the way back I was not so lucky and what should have been an eighty-minute drive took three times as long. I considered myself fortunate, however, as that blockage on the A10 was one of the biggest in the country and many motorists spent a cold night on the tarmac. A near miss. Do make sure to check online if you have to be anywhere urgently at a specific time as, if the protests continue as you read this, the roadblocks appear and disappear rapidly and with no warnings. Finally, as we head towards the festive season and on into 2019, I would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year. Until next month! Steve Martindale, Editor

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Hydrogen trains on the horizon Businesses suffer in wake of gilets jaunes protests

W utting edge, zero emissions hydrogen trains could soon be flying across the Limousin countryside, following an announcement by Michel Delpon, an MP from the Dordogne. The La République En Marche! (LREM) politician made the statement after receiving a letter from the president of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region to say that four routes had been identified to take part in a trial of the futuristic trains. The routes concerned are Bordeaux-Périgueux-Limoges, Bordeaux-Bergerac-Sarlat, Bordeaux-Le Verdon-sur-Mer and AngoulêmeSaintes-Royan. “The president of the NouvelleAquitaine region has decided to launch a hydrogen train project on four lines in the south-west, one of which is Bordeaux-Bergerac, which was threatened with closure just 16 months ago when I was elected,” announced the clearly pleased politician, who has been a prominent campaigner for hydrogen-powered trains. The new trains will need to be located within easy reach of a planned

hydrogen production factory that will be built as part of the project. “Sure, buying a hydrogen train is somewhat more expensive than a diesel train, but it is cheaper to run,” said Stefan Schrank, the project’s manager at Alstom, who argues that the ease of producing hydrogen makes the trains cost effective. “You can get it from renewable electricity - wind farms, solar farms, dams - anything that can generate electricity can generate hydrogen,” explained Shawn Litster, a professor of mechanical engineering at Pittsburgh University. “It’s also possible to produce hydrogen from natural gas, so there’s geographically a lot of flexibility around where you get the hydrogen from.” It has been reported that €45 million that had previously been set aside for a project to electrify the BordeauxSoulac line will now be used to purchase the hydrogen trains, which emit only water when travelling. The world's first hydrogen train entered service in September of this year, operating on a 100-kilometre route in northern Germany, a line

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that had previously been serviced by high-polluting diesel engines. The trains are designed and built by French TGV-maker Alstom, which plans to deliver a further 14 of the zero-emissions trains to the Lower Saxony state by 2021, while other German states have also expressed an interest. Hydrogen trains are equipped with fuel cells that produce electricity through a combination of hydrogen and oxygen, a process that leaves steam and water as the only emissions. Excess energy is stored in ionlithium batteries on board. The trains, which can travel at up to 140 km/h have a range of around 1,000 km on a single tank of hydrogen, a similar distance to traditional diesel engines. Alstom is betting on the technology as a greener, quieter alternative to diesel on non-electrified railway lines, and there is already interest from Britain, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Italy and Canada. The French government has previously said it wants the first hydrogen trains to be on the rails by 2022. ■

hile the gilets jaunes protests have enjoyed widespread public support, many business owners are becoming frustrated at the impact that the roadblocks are having on their tills (see pg 8 for more information on the protest movement). One location where businesses have suffered more than most is the Family Village retail park, just off the A20 to the north of Limoges. In the days after the gilets jaunes first took to the streets, access to the Family Village was virtually impossible due to the blockade of the main roundabout leading to the retail park. Furthermore, as news of the chaos spread, many shoppers simply stayed away, not wanting to get caught up in the tailbacks. “We basically haven't seen anyone for days,” explained one disgruntled director, speaking to La Montagne newspaper. One business happy to speak on the record was the Vib group, which owns the Bonobo and Cache-Cache franchises, who lost €18,000 on that first Saturday of protests. “And that goes up to €40,000 if you count the days since,” explained Nadia, Amandine and Halima, three of the store's employees, who nevertheless appear to generally support the movement. “We just want to be able to work and wish that they would block other locations instead.” In this one store, five employees have already been placed on chômage technique, a semi-unemployed status that sees salaried staff temporarily sent home on reduced wages. “These protests are for a good cause, but it is frustrating that it impacts our jobs. We are suffering,” said Abigail, who works at Cultura. “We took around €3,000 that first Saturday, when we would usually expect to take €50,000. The place was basically empty. The only people who came were those stuck in the tailbacks who wandered in, looking to kill time!” For the management team that runs the Family Village, the numbers don't lie. “We have a system for counting the cars and on an average Saturday we would expect 13,000 to 14,000, so around 25,000 consumers,” explained Fabrice Raveneau, director of the retail park. “That first Saturday we had around a thousand cars and many of those belonged to employees, so no more than 2,500 members of the public all day.” Besides numerous franchise outlets, the Family Village is also home to two very large retailers, Alinéa and DIY store Leroy Merlin, where losses will be far, far higher. Neither store was willing to reveal figures to the press. While support for the protests remains relatively high, it is surely only a matter of time until there is a backlash from small business owners and pressure from big retailers who are suffering financially. ■

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4 ♦ LOCAL NEWS

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ DECEMBER 2018

Mother who hid her baby in the French TV retune boot of her car for 2 years jailed

court in Corrèze has sentenced a woman who kept her baby hidden in the boot of her car to two years in jail for negligence causing mental disability. Rosa Maria Da Cruz, originally from Portugal, kept her daughter Séréna - the youngest of her four children - hidden away in the maggot-infested boot of her car and a spare room at the family home, until she was nearly two. Her lawyers said she had never accepted falling pregnant again and had asked for leniency. Public prosecutors had been seeking an eight-year jail sentence, but following a one-week trial the judge sentenced the fifty-year-old to five years in prison, three of which were suspended. She will also be monitored by social services for five years and required to receive psychiatric treatment. Da Cruz will serve her sentence in Limoges prison. The story of the “baby in the boot” shocked the country when it was first revealed in 2013. The infant was discovered by a mechanic when she took it to be repaired at a local garage in TerrassonLavilledieu. Hearing a noise, he opened the boot of the car to find the baby in a car seat, naked, filthy and dehydrated. “We were deeply shocked because she didn't find this abnormal,” explained mechanic Guillaume Iguacel at the time. “We told her to remove the little girl from the boot and give her something to drink right away. I'm still having trouble sleep-

ing, it was a horrifying sight, seeing this little girl in her own excrement, not able to hold up her head, white as a sheet.” Séréna, who recently turned seven and is in foster care, suffers from severe mental impairments, which medical experts have linked to sensory deprivation during her early months. Da Cruz had hidden the pregnancy and none of her family or friends were aware of Séréna's existence. The tragic case is made all the more perplexing by the fact that in all other aspects of her life, Da Cruz was the perfect mother to her other three children. A paediatrician who examined Séréna and her siblings after the discovery said her team had been “stupefied” by “the gulf between Séréna’s situation and those of her brothers and sisters”, who appeared to have been “perfectly raised”. “You could see she had been a good mother, and we could not understand why Séréna had not received the same quality of care at home,” the doctor said. After initially being taken into care, her remaining three children were returned, and continue to live with Da Cruz and her husband. Da Cruz’s sister and nieces also said they had no idea of Séréna’s existence, and said she was a “loving” mother to the other children. “Inside I think she is suffering. She knows what she has done,” her niece Elodie told the court. During the trial it emerged that she had initially hidden the pregnancies of two of her other children from her partner, not wanting to face reality. ■

fter signing the paperwork and collecting the keys to a new French home, the first step many expats take is to call their local Sky TV installer. On the other hand, for those serious about improving their language skills, one of the most effective methods is to listen to French radio and watch French television... at least some of the time! If you are a fan of interminable advert breaks and “humorous” round table discussion programmes, however, you may need to retune your television in the near future. In order to facilitate the introduction of new highspeed mobile networks, the frequencies of the country's TNT (télévision numérique terrestre) service are gradually being changed, region by region, and this month it is the turn of the former Limousin region, along with the Dordogne. With more and more mobile phone users in France, authorities need to

reserve larger bandwidths for telephone networks. Terrestrial television channels have previously broadcast in the frequency range 470 MHz to 790 MHz, but in the future the 694 to 790 range will be set aside for mobile communications, meaning some channels having to change frequency. Much of France has already made the change, but for the Limousin, the big switch will take place on 4th December. Only those who receive their French television through an aerial will be affected; those who watch TV via an internet enabled device will not have to take any action. Simply retuning your TNT box via your remote control should be enough, but further information is available at www.recevoirlatnt.fr. ■

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France to reintroduce National Service >> continued from pg 1 “This is not a return to military service, but soldiers will participate fully, as supervisors and instructors, with their proven organisational capability and ability to provide a national framework with working methods that facilitate the inclusion of all,” explained Gabriel Attal, the junior defence minister in charge of the project, who insisted that the scheme remained faithful to the president’s original vision. Rather than being housed in barracks, 16-year-olds will be called up for four weeks' service, two of which will be spent in shared accommodation at school dormitories during the holidays, where they will learn skills such as first aid and how to use a compass, read maps and inform emergency services of a natural disaster or terrorist attack by radio. “This will bring together teenagers from different backgrounds and give them a shared experience that will help to forge a sense of national identity and responsibility,” concluded a government report on the proposals. In the first instance, 3,000 volunteer teenagers will take part in a trial in

summer 2019 with the government hoping to make the service compulsory and universal by 2026. Following 4 weeks of national service, the 800,000 sixteenyear-olds will have the option to extend the experience by a further three to twelve months by serving with reserve armed forces, the fire brigade or community

cent agreed that the service national universel (SNU) would allow them to meet people from different parts of the country and from a variety of social backgrounds. A survey of 16-25-yearolds published by Le Parisien revealed that 74 per cent think the reintroduction of SNU is a good idea.

groups. The proposals are part of a wider government initiative to engender more solidarity, shared ideals and civic pride among the country's youth. Perhaps surprisingly, the move is widely popular among young people. A survey of almost 50,000 teenagers has shown that 90 per

Critics, however, see the move as a waste of time and money. “When

this government proposes something, the mountain often gives birth to a mouse,” complained Lydia Guirous, a spokeswoman for the opposition centreright Les Républicains party. “To have something focussing on values such as solidarity and commitment, that seems contradictory to me,” said the youth sociologist, Olivier Galland. “This measure is also an admission of the failure of the education system, which would be expected to take this role if it was really given the opportunity.” During the French Revolution, France pioneered the idea of military conscription as a condition of citizenship. By the second half of the 20th century the amount of military service required was gradually scaled back and the practice was finally phased out between 1996 and 2001. Emmanuel Macron, who came of age after the practice was scrapped, is the first modern French president not to have performed military service. ■

Ryanair plane impounded

t has been a rough year for Ryanair, Europe's largest airline, which has seen a series of strikes by pilots and cabin crew dent its already fragile reputation and, more seriously for boss Michael O'Leary, hit the company's bottom line. Things got even worse in November, however, when the French government sent in the bailiffs to impound one of its planes over an unpaid bill. The issue relates to €1 million of subsidies the budget airline collected during its brief partnership with Angoulême airport in 2008-2009. Forcing airports to pay airlines to operate routes was subsequently deemed unlawful by the European Commission, which ordered Ryanair to repay the money, a ruling which was upheld on appeal earlier this year. According to the French government, only half of this money was ever repaid, which meant that when flight FR1782 from Stansted touched down at Bordeaux airport in November, bailiffs were on hand to impound the plane in lieu of payment of the remaining €525,000. “It is unfortunate that the State had to take such action, which led to the inevitable in-

convenience of the 149 passengers wishing to board the immobilised plane,” the French civil aviation authority said in a statement. “Those passengers were able to eventually reach their destination later that evening on another Ryanair plane, but with a five-hour delay.” It is understood that the plane was seized on arrival and no bags or passengers boarded the return flight. Under EU rules, affected travellers were given a €5 voucher for a snack and a drink and, because of the five-hour delay in sending a replacement plane, EU legislation also allows passengers to claim €250 in compensation from Ryanair. If all passengers exercised this right, the incident will have cost Ryanair a further €37,250. Ryanair repaid the remainder of the money shortly after the incident, but has yet to officially release a statement. Flight cancellations related to recent industrial action at Ryanair contributed to a 7% fall in profits to €1.2bn for the six months to 30th September, but the company did report an 11% rise in traffic in October, carrying 13.1 million passengers. ■

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6 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ DECEMBER 2018

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DECEMBER 2018 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

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Backlash over Trump's cancelled cemetery visit

resident Donald Trump faced widespread criticism from across the world when he cancelled a visit to a US military cemetery in France on the eve of the centenary of the end of World War One because it was raining. The US president was in the country, along with a host of world leaders, to attend Armistice Day commemorations in Paris. Trump had been scheduled to lay a wreath and observe a moment of silence at the Aisne-Marne American cemetery and memorial at Belleau, about 100 kilometres north-east of Paris. The White House cited rain that grounded the president’s helicopter for the cancellation. Around 2,000 US marines died at Belleau in a ferocious battle in June 1918 and the site is immensely important to the US military. During a visit to Washington earlier this year, President Macron gifted his US counterpart a tree taken from the Belleau wood. The embattled president is no stranger to controversy, but the social media backlash against his decision to cancel the visit was loud and wide-

spread. “They died with their face to the foe and that pathetic inadequate @ realDonaldTrump couldn’t even defy the weather to pay his respects to The Fallen,” tweeted Nicholas Soames, the Conservative MP and grandson of Sir Winston Churchill, using the hashtag #hesnotfittorepresenthisgreatcountry. David Frum, a speech writer for fellow Republican president, George W Bush, tweeted that Trump had “shirked, on grounds of weather, the job of honouring those who fought and died in rain and mud”. Ben Rhodes, who served as a deputy national security adviser under former US President Barack Obama, also hit back saying weather was not an excuse. “I helped plan all of President Obama’s trips for 8 years. There is always a rain option. Always.” Others retweeted images of former presidents attending ceremonies in torrential rain, with many on social media re-posting footage of an appearance last year by Justin Trudeau. Dispensing with his umbrella mid-speech, the Canadian prime minister said: “As we sit here in the rain, thinking how un-

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comfortable we must be these minutes as our suits get wet, and our hair gets wet... it’s all the more fitting that we remember on that day in Dieppe the rain wasn’t rain, it was bullets.” In the wake of the criticism, the president's press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, issued a statement that noted the weather and “near-zero

visibility” as well as concerns that a motorcade on short notice would have required closing roads to traffic. “President Trump did not want to cause that kind of unexpected disruption to the city and its people,” Sanders said. She also highlighted that the trip to AisneMarne was two-and-a-half hours each way by car. ■

School uniforms back on the syllabus

chool uniforms may not seem too unusual to those of us who were educated in the UK, but generally speaking, they are the exception not the rule in mainland Europe. One town to the east of Paris has gone against this trend, however, and introduced a voluntary, subsidised school uniform programme. Following a survey earlier this year that revealed 60 per cent of parents were in favour of introducing a standardised dress code, the 759 primary-age children in Provins, population 12,000, are being encouraged to wear clothes from a 10-piece uniform collection including navy blue polo shirts and sky blue sweaters bearing the town shield and the national motto, “liberté, égalité, fraternité”. A full set costs parents €145, but the price is halved for families with more than one child, and those unable to afford the uniform are eligible for State subsidies. The uniform is not compulsory, although it has been reported that around half of all pupils are sporting it. “I was a little worried,” said eight-year-old Noé at his school's entrance. “But I like it, because we're dressed like in Harry Potter!” Traditionally, uniforms have been the preserve of private schools in France often Catholic institutions in more affluent areas. Recently, however, an increasing number of parents have been calling for uniforms as a way to promote social cohesion, in particular in deprived neighbourhoods, and to ease resentment that can emerge over how different kids are dressed. The pressure to keep up with fads and

fashion has been increasingly identified as a problem in schools and supporters see school uniforms as a way to remove this. In November, a school in Merseyside banned students from wearing branded coats such as Moncler, Pyrenex and Canada Goose, which cost as much as one thousand pounds. “We are very concerned as a school about poverty-proofing our school environment and, as such, we met with groups of pupils and made the decision in consultation with them,” explained Rebekah Phillips, head teacher at Woodchurch High School in Birkenhead. “The pupils spoke to us about the pressure on families and the pressure on themselves to wear particular branded coats. A few years ago we introduced a school bag for the same reason. We have had parents approaching us asking us to introduce a ban prior to us writing the letter.” School uniforms have not been compulsory in France since 1968, but have risen up the political agenda in recent years. The far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen and the centre-right’s François Fillon both suggested their introduction during their most recent presidential campaigns. Not everyone agrees, however. Whilst supporters see the uniform as a sign of equality and a levelling of social status and wealth, for others it is the epitome of unacceptable authoritarianism and a detraction from more serious issues such as discipline and inclusion. “There has never been a serious empirical study showing there is more social equality between students or respect for authority because of uniforms,” argued Françoise Lantheaume, an education professor at Lyon University. ■

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Gilets jaunes protests present unique challenge

ne feature of the Macron presidency has been the government's refusal to back down in the face of strikes and union pressure. Generally speaking, the president has stared down the unions, weathered their protests, and pushed through difficult reforms on labour laws and railway workers' pension rights. It has not always been popular, but to date, the government have largely won the battles they have picked. In November, Macron faced a new challenge from a group of angry citizens from across the demographic and political spectrum... the “yellow vests”, or gilets jaunes - so named after the high-visibility vests motorists are required to carry in their vehicles. This is a protest born on social media, with no official leaders, no national organisation and not run by any union or political party. The difficult question facing the government is how do you simultaneously negotiate with 100,000 angry people? The gilets jaunes movement had called on supporters to block city centres, airports, motorways and

major roads, in protest at government increases in taxes on petrol and diesel. The first protests were planned for Saturday 17th November and by midday there were an estimated 244,000 people at 2,000 demonstrations across the country, but also in French overseas territories including Corsica. The protests were for the most part peaceful, although fifty-two people were arrested nationwide according to police. The gilets jaunes had called for a show of numbers, not of force. The plan was effective and disruption was widespread, with some motorists on the A10 motorway in Nouvelle-Aquitaine stuck in their cars overnight and in the case of many HGV drivers, for days. The sheer scale of the protests appeared to take the government by surprise and has added fuel to the argument that President Macron is out of step with the mood of the people. He presented himself as a president from outside the main political parties, carried to power on the back of a grass-roots movement, who could heal the rift

between voters and leaders. Since then, however, his leadership has regularly been criticised for being too rigid, too hierarchical, too arrogant and aloof. His approval ratings have fallen sharply and many are questioning what his response will be now he is faced with a spontaneous grassroots movement. There is real anger among protesters, but one problem for the government is that they come from all walks of life. The vast majority are families and workers who are struggling from France's rural areas or the run-down suburbs that ring its major cities, but these people cross political party lines, which analysts believe makes this protest quite unlike the predictable, highly choreographed marches of France's unions or political groups. “It's the France of the majority, who work, who are not marginalised, but who struggle to make ends meet and often end the month in the red,” explained political author Jérôme SainteMarie, who has written a book on democratic changes in France. This diversity of protesters

could also be the movement's downfall, however. “It's a movement that goes beyond political differences and that's dangerous for Emmanuel Macron,” SaintMarie continued. “But as long as the opposition to Macron is split between left and right, his power isn't challenged. The gilets jaunes are a kind of social reunification of the opposition that goes beyond political divisions.” “There is general agreement right now, but none of us believe the same thing,” explained protester Frank Buhler. “We all sing the Marseillaise and call for Macron's resignation - those are the two slogans of the movement. When Macron stands down, we will no longer agree, but right now we walk hand-in-hand. The politics will come later.” The danger is that the movement will become more political and more extreme as its softer support evaporates and that the cause might be highjacked by other, more militant groups. This was already evident as the protests moved into their second week. Smaller groups of hard-core pro-

testers burned down toll booths and there were ugly scenes on the Champs-Elysées as riot police used tear gas and water cannon to break up groups trying to access the capital's landmarks. Meanwhile, MPs voted in favour of the controversial 2019 budget, which will see taxes on fuel increase by a further 6.5 centimes for diesel and 2.9 centimes for petrol. The bill passed with 345 voting in favour, 200 voting against and 10 abstentions. Since the start of the gilets jaunes movement, diesel prices have dropped significantly from the symbolic level of €1.50 they reached in early November, but the protests continue and many agree that they have become a more general manifestation of public discontent with the government and their own standard of living. For now, Macron is once again staring down the protesters and refusing to negotiate... but with no clear demands other than his resignation, and no identifiable leaders, many are wondering what else he can do? ■

Mayors call for one euro Tax authorities to tax on online deliveries begin scanning

social media profiles

s independent businesses across the country struggle to compete with larger chain stores and the growth of online retailers, an organisation representing the country's mayors has proposed a €1 tax on all home deliveries. The Association des maires de France (AMF) has submitted a proposal to the government to add a one euro tax to all goods bought online and delivered to individuals, with the money raised being used to reduce the charges on smaller, local retailers. The proposal is being driven by the mayor of Cannes, David Lisnard, who is asking for a 10% decrease in the taxe foncière charged to shops of less than 400 m² and is also supported by a number of MPs. The change is expected to cost local authorities €335 million per year in lost taxes, although this figure would be more than offset by the so-called fiscalité locale commerciale équitable (FCLE) – or local fair trade tax. In 2017, 505 million parcels were delivered from online platforms, a figure that has been rising steadily year on year. The AMF stressed that the tax would not apply to parcels that are delivered to collection points or via online click-and-collect services as these

I still encourage consumers to cross the threshold of their local businesses. “In the current financial climate, it is not possible for local communes to accept the loss of this tax income,” the AMF said in a statement. “But this reduction would be compensated for by applying the FCLE on all home delivery ecommerce. Online shopping does not contribute as much to the local economy, destabilises local jobs, and takes up public space at the expense of the taxpayer.” The group believes that the tax would help smaller communes to maintain commercial diversity in town centres and give consumers “greater and fairer choice, and a greater dynamism in the heart of their town”. ■

n the age of social media, many of us are used to sharing our day-to-day lives with family, friends... and total strangers. Not everyone considers the consequences of seemingly incidental posts, updates and tweets, but from next year, the country's tax authorities could be paying much closer attention to your online presence. From the beginning of 2019, the French tax authorities have revealed that they will be using automated algorithms to scan social media profiles for evidence of tax evasion. “We will be able to put social networks into a large database,” explained government minister Gérald Darmanin. “It will give us the ability to notice that, for example, you have had your picture taken a number of times with a luxury car when you can not afford one...

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maybe your cousin or your friend has lent it to you, or maybe not!” “We all know people who say 'It's not normal, there are people who earn very little and yet live a lifestyle that is way beyond their means'... This law has been introduced for that reason and we will be implementing this measure at the beginning of the year.” The Commission nationale de l'informatique et des libertés (CNIL) has not yet officially signed off on the plan, but it is a logical next step, as social networks are already used to help build cases in some criminal investigations. The French tax authorities currently have access to a degree of personal data, including bank accounts, phone numbers and invoices. Government figures suggest that currently, one in four audits results in unpaid taxes being recovered. ■

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hen you buy a wedge of cheese or piece of meat, the chances are that the shopkeeper will place it on a set of scales and tell you how much it weighs, typically in kilograms... but who decides exactly what constitutes one thousand grams? Until recently, the answer had its roots in revolutionary France and a lump of metal that survives to this day in a heavily-guarded facility outside Paris. One kilogram was initially defined as the mass of one litre of water at 4°C and in 1799 the kilogramme des archives was cast in Paris. This prototype became the basis for the new unit of mass and all other weights were compared against it. Over the course of the next century, the metric system grew in popularity and in 1875 the Metre Convention was signed by a number of countries around the world. This resulted in the creation of the International Prototype Kilogram (IPK), a platinum/iridium alloy cylinder cast in London, but stored in Saint-Cloud, France. Scientists agreed at the time that the IPK - also referred to as “Le Grand K” - was the kilogram, and every weight created ever since has been based on this lump of metal. A number of copycat cylinders were made and distributed to the countries that had signed up to the convention. Great Britain, for example, holds Kilogram 18, housed in the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) at Teddington. These siblings have returned periodically to France to be compared against the IPK, but

recent tests have shown that the daddy of all kilograms has lost weight to the tune of 50 parts per billion, or one grain in a bag of sugar. This may seem insignificant, but in a world where accurate measurement is now critical in many areas, such as in drug development, nanotechnology and precision engineering, those responsible for maintaining the international system had no option but to move beyond Le Grand K to a more robust definition. “We know from comparing the kilogram in Paris with all the copies of the kilogram that are all around the world that there are discrepancies between them and Le Grand K itself,” explained Dr Stuart Davidson, head of mass metrology at NPL. “This is not acceptable from a scientific point of view. So even though Le Grand K is fit for purpose at the moment, it won't be in 100 years' time.” Following a recent meeting at the General Conference on Weights and Measures, the weight of the world is no longer on French shoulders after delegates voted to get rid of the single physical specimen and instead switch to use a fundamental, reproducible measurement, to be defined in terms of an electric current. For those who are interested - and to quote the famous L'Oréal advert - here comes the science bit! Electromagnets generate a force... scrapyards use them on cranes to lift and move large metal objects, such as old cars. The strength of the electromagnet, or in other words the force it exerts, is directly related to

Weight of the world off French shoulders

One of the number of replicas of Le Grand K the amount of electrical current going through its coils. There is, therefore, a direct relationship between electricity and weight. So, in principle, scientists can define a kilogram, or any other weight, in terms of the amount of electricity needed to counteract a fixed mass. “I haven't been on this project for too long but I feel a weird attachment to the kilogram,”

explained scientist Perdi Williams from the National Physical Laboratory, who has mixed feelings about the move. “I think it is such an exciting thing and this is a really big moment. So I'm a little bit sad about the change, but it is an important step forward and the new system is going to work a lot better. It is also a really exciting time, and I can't wait for it to happen.” ■

Older cars to be banned from Paris

s authorities continue their battle against the internal combustion engine, older diesel and petrol cars will be banned from much of the capital from July 2019. Following a vote by officials in the Greater Paris region, diesel vehicles registered before 2001 and petrol vehicles more than 21 years old will be banned from 79 of the 131 communes of the Métropole du Grand Paris from next summer. This corresponds to all vehicles with a Crit'Air rating of 5, as well as unclassified vehicles. The changes will see a low emissions zone created - zone à faible émission (ZFE) - which will cover an area home to 5.6 million people; broadly speaking, the ZFE covers the area inside the A86. The plan is for all diesel vehicles to banned in the ZFE by 2024, with a possible ban on all combustion engines being introduced as early as 2030. Although the move looks likely to be rubber stamped, the ban will first be the subject of a public consultation before being validated by the mayor of each commune concerned. It is estimated that next July's ban will affect 700,000 vehicles and officials are urging all motorists concerned to change their vehicles before this date. The move will no doubt further anger protesters who claim that recent tax increases on diesel unfairly target the less well off. Also from July next year, the city is planning to add Crti'Air 4 vehicles

- diesels registered between 2001 and 2005 - to the list of those prohibited from the roads of Paris during weekday daylight hours (Monday to Friday, 8 am to 8 pm). All unclassified and Crit'Air 5 vehicles are already banned from inside the périphérique during these hours. Since its introduction, the Crit'Air system has been adopted by an increasing number of cities across the country to restrict access at certain times to the most polluting vehicles. Any vehicles entering these zones are required to display a valid Crit'Air sticker or face a fine of €68, rising to €135 for lorries. Stickers and more information are available via the official website www.certificat-air.gouv.fr and there is also an English-language version: www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/en/ ■ ED - The Bugle has been contacted numerous times by readers who have paid well over the odds for their pollution stickers. If you use the official website, the stickers should cost no more than a few euros. A sticker for a French registered car, delivered to France, currently costs €3.62. There are a host of unofficial sites also selling these certificates. Be aware that all they do is order it on your behalf through the government site, but will also charge a hefty “admin” fee of €25 or more on top. The official government website is available in 5 languages, including English.

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he South Pacific archipelago of New Caledonia has voted against independence from France in a long-awaited referendum. Final results revealed 56.4 per cent of voters choosing to maintain ties with the country that has ruled the islands since the mid-19th century and 43.6 per cent supporting independence. Voters in the largely self-governing territory had been asked the question, “Do you want New Caledonia to gain full sovereignty and become independent?”, a question which was answered by more than 80% of eligible voters. “The New Caledonians have chosen to remain French. It is a vote of confidence in the French Republic, its future and its values,” President Emmanuel Macron said following the result. Whilst there were reports of sporadic violence as polls closed, voting was largely peaceful, and the president called on both sides to work together. Macron said he understood the disappointment of those who had sought independence, but promised that the French State would ensure liberty, equality and fraternity for everyone. “The only loser is the temptation of contempt, division, violence and fear; the only winner is the process of peace and the spirit of dialogue.” First discovered by the British ex-

plorer James Cook, Nouvelle-Calédonie is located 1,210 kilometres to the east of Australia and is home to just over a quarter of a million people. Colonised by France in 1853, today around 40 per cent of the population are indigenous Kanaks and a further 27 per cent are of European origin. The remainder of the islanders come from across Polynesia and southeast Asia. Under colonial rule the Kanaks were confined to reserves and excluded from much of the island’s economy. In the 1980s there were deadly clashes between French forces and indigenous Kanaks, which culminated in an incident that saw separatists kill four French gendarmes and take another 23 hostage in a cave. The subsequent French assault cost the lives of 19 Kanaks and two soldiers. In the aftermath, France agreed a deal allowing for a referendum on independence to be held by the end of 2018. Over the past decade, relations between the two groups have improved markedly. During a visit to the archipelago in May, Macron acknowledged the “pains of colonisation” and saluted the “dignified” campaign for autonomy led by the Kanaks. He and his administration had sought to strike a neutral tone on the vote. Ultimately, the “No” vote outcome was well below the predictions of some

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New Caledonia rejects independence from France

early polls, which could encourage nationalists to try for a new referendum in coming years. New Caledonia enjoys a large degree of autonomy, but depends heavily on France for matters such as defence and education and receives €1.3 billion from the central government each year. In return, the islands' position gives France

a strategic foothold in the Indo-Pacific region where China is expanding its presence, as well as access to significant natural resources: Nouvelle-Calédonie has 25% of the world's nickel deposits. A “Yes” vote would have made New Caledonia the first French territory to break away since Djibouti in 1977 and Vanuatu in 1980. ■

FRENCH LIFE ♦ 11

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Christmas Chocolate Cake

Chocolate cake Ingredients (serves 10-12):

by Julia Watson

’ve never been much of an enthusiast of Christmas cake. As far as I’m concerned, the only justification for it is the glass of sherry or ginger wine that, with any luck, you’re offered along with it to help flush it down. At the first too-often dry not brandy-soused swallow, Christmas cake slumps into the stomach like wet sand tipped from a child’s seaside bucket and sits there until the last of the twelve days of Christmas is over, even if the cake itself has long been consumed. And it isn’t even confined to Christmas. Anyone who attends seasonal weddings and christenings is expected to munch their way to the couples’ or parents’ happiness through a musty slice of the same weighty, wintery, fruit cake, flirty dresses and feathered headgear the only lightness around. Another complaint: the stupendous and longdrawn out effort involved in the baking of a Christmas cake, with its sousing of fruit, and fine chopping of tasteless coloured rinds and nuts! You are supposed to construct the cake weeks in advance while autumn leaves are still colourful flags clinging valiantly to trees when the last thing you want to think about is weather cold and wet and shopping for inventive presents for people whose own to you won’t be half as imaginative. Next, the cake must be regularly fed with as much whisky or brandy as it can absorb to mitigate the tedium of its entire personality - whisky or brandy it would be far more advantageous to feed directly to yourself. Apparently, this all helps it mature. Why would a cake need to mature? Not many people do. Inhabitants of the north of England improve the

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eating challenge moderately by serving a helping of hearty Cheddar or other imposing cheese alongside, to mitigate the sweetness of the dense cake. Once upon a time, every new bride was taught that to be able to offer seasonal guests the best possible Christmas cake, in her first married year of Christmas she was obliged to make seven of them. Then every Christmas thereafter, to bake another. This would go to the back of the queue in the store cupboard while the cake at the front was the one that was presented to Christmas visitors to slice. By year seven, every cake thereafter throughout her marriage would be seven years old. And thoroughly mature. Here is a cake that is a real showstopper. And because it is frosted with a white icing, you can decorate it with Father Christmas and all the elves and reindeer that your heart desires. It’s a celebration at any time of year, quite the best chocolate cake I know. It is intensely rich, so a little will go a long way - probably for the whole of the Christmas festival. It needs to rest overnight before being assembled and it lasts in the fridge for at least a week (if you haven’t been tempted to eat it all at one sitting), and freezes perfectly well. So it can be made ahead of Christmas long before you begin to panic over how you will ever manage to get everything onto the Christmas table in time. The other thing in its favour is that it uses no flour, so is gluten free. Julia Watson has been a long-time Food Writer for newspapers and magazines in the US and the UK.

600g 70% chocolate, chopped 600g salted butter, cubed 12 large eggs, separated 600g caster sugar For the icing: 300g salted butter, softened 450g icing sugar 500g mascarpone, room temperature Handful of raspberries Preheat oven to 140C. Remove any shelves above the middle shelf from the oven as the cakes will rise high. Butter 2x24 cm springform cake tins then line with greaseproof paper. Break the chocolate into small pieces and put with the butter into a bowl over simmering water, its bottom not touching it, and melt both, stirring occasionally. Beat egg whites on low speed until they begin to froth then, increasing the speed, add half the sugar, a spoonful at a time, till glossy and forming stiff peaks. In a separate bowl, beat together the yolks and remaining sugar till pale and creamy, then fold in the egg whites then the melted chocolate. Divide between the tins and bake 1 hour till firm. Leave the cakes in the tins to cool, then refrigerate overnight. They will slump. To make the icing, beat the butter until pale and fluffy. Slowly sift in the icing sugar and beat till smooth. Beat in the mascarpone. Don’t overbeat or the icing will curdle. Release the cakes from their tins. Spread one with just under half the icing, sandwich together and spread the top and sides with the remaining mixture and decorate with raspberries, strawberries, other fruit, or your Christmas figurines. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year’s cooking to you all!

How might the 2018/19 UK budget affect your pocket? Blevins Franks

n what was the last planned budget before the Brexit due date, UK Chancellor Philip Hammond insisted that “austerity is coming to an end but discipline will remain”. Choosing to spend rather than save last year’s unexpectedly high tax revenue, he pledged to increase public spending without the usual tax hikes, claiming that 32 million people would enjoy tax cuts. So was there anything that will particularly affect expatriates? Personal tax Those earning UK income should benefit from an early increase in the personal allowances to the 2020 levels pledged in the Conservative manifesto. From April 2019, the personal tax allowance increases from £11,850 to £12,500, while the threshold for the highest income tax rate of 40% rises from £46,350 to £50,000. This allows an extra £650 earnings before UK income tax applies – an annual saving of £130 for basic rate taxpayers. It also reduces the number of higher-rate taxpayers by almost 1 million compared to 2015-16. (Scotland has a different allowance structure and is set to announce its 2018/19 budget on 12th December.) Fortunately, personal tax allowances continue to apply for non-resident British nationals, despite suggestions from the previous Chancellor that it should be limited to UK residents only. Remember, however, that all UK-source income will usually need to be declared in your country of residence, even if it is not liable to taxation in either country. Savings With no relevant changes here, the band of UK savings income that can be earned tax-free remains at £5,000 and the annual ISA subscription limit stays at £20,000. However, expatriates should take note that investments like ISAs lose their tax-efficient benefits once you are no longer UK resident. Not only are non-residents ineligible to open and save into ISAs, any interest earned may become liable to taxation in France. Take time to explore alternative arrangements that may better suit your particular set of circumstances.

Pensions Despite calling pensions tax relief “eye-wateringly expensive” in the lead-up to the Budget – heightening expectations that he would make cuts here – the Chancellor did not target pensions at all. This means that the personal allowance remains at its current level of £40,000 and the lifetime allowance (LTA) will increase with inflation (as defined by the Consumer Price Index) in April 2019. Currently, combined pension benefits up to £1.03 million avoid 25% or 55% LTA tax penalties – from April 2019, this threshold will be £1,055,000. While spectators were surprised at this reprieve for pensions, many expect today’s £39 billion in pension reliefs and allowances are likely to be raided in the future. Now is therefore a good time to consider your pension options, before any rule changes. Inheritance tax Despite expectations that this may be another target, there were no key changes to inheritance tax (IHT) rules. With the Treasury taking a record £5.2 billion in inheritance taxes last year, it is unsurprising they left things alone! Having ordered a review to simplify the IHT system in February, it is likely that Hammond is delaying any adjustments until the review concludes. Property Continuing last year’s concessions to first-time buyers, Hammond extended stamp duty relief to shared ownership homes valued up to £500,000 (backdated to April 2018). In January 2019, the government plans to consult on an additional 1% stamp duty charge for non-residents buying residential property in England and Northern Ireland. Also up for consultation is Hammond’s plan to limit private residence relief from April 2020 by slashing the window for capital gains tax exemption from 18 to 9 months for those selling a main home. Another proposal – that could cost most landlords £11,200 in capital gains taxes – is making “lettings relief” only

available to owners who live with tenants before selling their home. Brexit and the UK economy Hammond outlined “resilient” growth over the next five years, revealing an upgraded forecast for GDP growth from 1.3% to 1.6% for 2019. However, growth remains relatively sluggish and – with no Brexit deal yet – is still expected to be a moving target. While Hammond has set aside an extra £500 billion for the government’s no-deal Brexit preparations, he said he was confident that a “double-deal dividend” would be triggered by an orderly Brexit. This boost to the British economy would be brought on by “the end of uncertainty” from a Brexit agreement which would also free up the fiscal “buffer” put in place for a no-deal scenario. However, Hammond kept his powder dry to make further adjustments next year, stating he may upgrade the Spring statement to a “full fiscal event” – an emergency budget – if required. With so much uncertainty still ahead and under five months until Brexit, it is sensible to take personalised, regulated advice. An adviser with cross-border expertise can guide you on the interaction between UK and French taxation and the opportunities available to help protect your finances in these changeable times. ■ Tel: 05 53 63 49 19 Email: bergerac@blevinsfranks.com Web: www.blevinsfranks.com Tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; an individual is advised to seek personalised advice. Keep up to date on the financial issues that may affect you on the Blevins Franks news page at www.blevinsfranks.com

12 ♦ FRENCH LIFE

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ DECEMBER 2018

DIRECTORY ♦ 13

DECEMBER 2018 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

BUSINESS DIRECTORY Champlong Chatterie

Animals & Pets

Caring, quiet accommodation just for cats

Animals & Pets >> pg 13 Antiques/Brocantes >> pg 13 Auto Services >> pg 13 Building Services >> pg 13-16 Chimney Sweeps >> pg 16 Cleaning Services >> pg 16 Computers/Satellites >> pg 16 Counselling & Support Services >> pg 16 Food & Drink >> pg 16 Garden Services >> pg 17 Gifts & Crafts >> pg 17 Handholding Services >> pg 17

RING BILL!

Valhalla dog holidays

Tel: 05 55 60 27 83

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

Antiques/ Brocantes

Small, friendly English-run kennels in Bétête (23270) Open 365 days a year Call Leanne on:

05 55 80 42 47 or email

05.55.81.31.85

See Display Ad Below

leaberry24@yahoo.co.uk siret: 810 192 807 00016

Dog Guest Home (NOT KENNELS) Your dog(s) looked after in our country home, safe enclosed garden area. Walked twice a day in our woods and surrounding fields. Free introductory trial: morning or afternoon. Nr. Châteauneuf-La-Foret, Linards. 30 mins from Limoges airport.

15€ / night

Le Bourg, Chavanat 23250 Gorgeous French finds Open most days - ring to check! Tel: 07 80 00 46 23 UK Mob: +44 (0)7902 838 776 siret: 803 910 942 00025

Auto Services

waggingtails87@hotmail.com Siret: 792 142 341 00017

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93

Pre-purchase & Structural Surveys. Verbal & written reports. Structural calculations & drawings. Redevelopment ideas & solutions.

Siret: 498 843 051 00018

JOHN SOWERSBY

+44 (0)7830 170761

motorptscharente@aol.com www.motorpartscharente.com

At Masterplans.eu we can help guide you through your planning application in France. From initial feasibility to completed dossiers. We will compile all the relevant drawings and complete the necessary paperwork to ensure your application proceeds smoothly. We are equally at home working with clients here in France or those living abroad.

Tel: 05 55 80 72 83 Mob: 06 33 07 29 72 Email: info@masterplans.eu www.masterplans.eu

RING BILL! 05 55 81 31 85 ■ Services ■ Brakes ■ MOT Prep

siret: 814 486 213 00014

Siret: 790 016 984 00011

All types Best Rates Available Immediately References available Call Mark:

06 45 82 34 03 Siret 798 692 778 00011

Carpenter & Joiner 06 35 12 10 66 see main ad - pg10

Architectural DRAWING SERVICE

Furniture Repair, Restoration & Upholstery (Modern and Antique) Snooker/Pool/Billiard Table Specialist General Carpentry & Cabinet Making also undertaken

Renovating your French property?

www.psandifer.fr

New build?

Tel: 05 44 30 16 78

Dossiers prepared Permis de Construire Déclarations Préalables

Siret: 811 511 278 00020

Tel: 05 53 52 36 05

lavieilleabbaye@orange.fr SIRET: 493 770 358 00015

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

Mini Digger

DAVID CARDWELL

Landscaping, Ditching, Land Clearance etc. Hedge Removal and Stone Wall Construction

Home renovations / Ground works Block works / Verandas, Abris & Terraces Barn doors & Shutters Also available: digger & driver Planning permission assistance and design available HNC and ONC qualified, 15 years experience & 7 in France Based near Lubersac (dept 19)

John Bonella

05 55 53 03 56

siret no. 523 183 580 00019

Carpenter

A. Wright

87440 Marval

(contrôle technique)

SIRET: 494 617 798 00017

info@arcpod.org

based Bessines (87)

with Driver for Hire

Registered Car Mechanic

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

06 59 04 27 31

CHARTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEER

Web: www.versineer.com Email: enquiries@versineer.com

Suppliers of Car & Van Spares & LHD headlights, anywhere in France

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES: Help with French system admin, translations, letter writing, etc.

Building Services Architects/Surveyors

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

CHARENTE

ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES: Plans, elevations, RT calculations, photo-realisations & all paperwork for planning applications (<150m2) ACCOUNTING SERVICES: Accounts, taxreturns, annual submissions, book-keeping, etc. for small businesses & MEs

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

MOTOR PARTS

Call Jane: 05 55 00 34 79 or Emily: 06 71 15 15 65

Your advert here 06 04 17 80 93

LA BRAUDERIE BROCANTE

Building Services Carpenters/Joiners

Registered Car Mechanic

JUNCT 22 off A20, Arnac la Poste

Alison & Ray

Health & Beauty >> pg 17 Insurance & Finance >> pg 17 Language Services >> pg 18 Pest Control >> pg 18 Pools & Spas >> pg 18 Property Maintenance >> pg 18 Property Sales >> pg 18 Retail & Commerce >> pg 18 Transport/Removals/Storage >> pg 18-19 General >> pg 19 Businesses for Sale >> pg 19

john.bonella@gmail.com

PROFESSIONAL

BUILDER

Tel: 05 55 98 24 12 - Mob: 07 82 78 01 31 Email: dave.cardwell@yahoo.co.uk

14 ♦ DIRECTORY CARPENTER AND BUILDER

QUALITY WORKMANSHIP SINCE 1986 Building • Roofing • Kitchens • Joinery

Portfolio available to view at

www.jonesentreprise.com Jeff Jones: 05 55 62 46 21 Mob: 06 38 25 74 62 email: jones23entreprise@orange.fr siret: 810 322 123 00011

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ DECEMBER 2018

INSTALLATION23 - Electricity - Plumbing - Small renovations (bathrooms, kitchens, etc.) - Fully Insured Dutch and English spoken Creuse / Puy-de-Dôme

E-mail: installation23@gmail.com

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

Carlos

Electrician/Plumber 05 55 62 63 82 see main ad below

Classical Carpentry

www.classicalcarpentry.fr 05 55 65 15 31 / 06 02 25 41 58 see main ad below

SALAMANDRE

électricité

Mike Christie 05 55 64 35 11 / 07 61 76 97 41 see main ad below

Building Services Electricians

Tel: 05 55 64 94 20 Mob: 07 86 38 09 61 * Qualified electrician * All types of electrical works carried out * Free estimates * Fault finding * Consuel certification arranged * Temporary and permanent EDF supplies arranged * Departments 23 and 87 No Siret: 494 916 760 00015

Lumiere Service et Energie Steven Rofe 28 Years' experience

• UK NICEIC approved Electrician • Rewiring • External & garden lighting • All aspects of electrical works • Fully insured - (10 year Decennale) • Satellite Installation • Departments covered 87, 23 & 19 05.55.69.75.67 / 06.89.47.69.71 email: rofesteven@yahoo.co.uk

BARWICK ÉLECTRICITÉ SHAUN BARWICK QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN

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

Fosse Septique Specialists Planning permission arranged Design and installation Supply and servicing DIY and trade kits Free site visit and devis

05.55.64.11.73 06.70.47.52.96

LVL

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

Building Services General STEVE'S PROPERTY MAINTENANCE Roofing, Building, Renovations, Plastering & stud walls, ... and more! e: lowe.steven@orange.fr

siret: 842 233 108 00013

Pink Electrique

SAS Masters

HANDYMAN/DIY

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

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

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Offering a broad selection of building services in depts. 87, 19 & 23. From one off installations to complete renovations, construction, decorating, landscaping and ground works. E: info@maxhuggett.com

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

www.maxhuggett.com

English & French spoken - Siret: 518 511 340 00011

Your advert here 06 04 17 80 93

siret: 794 282 368 00016

05 55 78 66 35 see main ad - pg 8

Experienced and fully registered builder with 10 year Décennale Insurance

Siret N° 750 725 780 00019

Email: barwick.shaun@gmail.com

www.masters-energies.com

Max Huggett

87800 Jourgnac

Siret No. 501.792.386.00010

Ruth & Geoff Kowalczyk Project management. All electrical work, home automation & security. Please see our website for more information. French qualified and insured. 30+ years worldwide experience. Departments covered: 23, 36, 87.

see main ad - pg 10

06 49 66 44 25

See full list of works carried out on the website

Tel: 09 72 35 74 73

A. Wright

Carpenter & Joiner 06 35 12 10 66

Steve. JOHNS. SARL

t: 05 55 50 52 02 m: 07 66 52 33 47

www.roferenovation.com

GODSON

Travaux Publics www.fossepro.com 06 33 78 24 23 - pg 3

Fosse Septique 23

siret: 824 706 444 00018

Keith SLOPER

Neuvialle Menuiserie

Building Services Fosses Septiques

Can I help you with those jobs you don't want to do?

• Painting/Decorating • Labouring • Pressure Washing • General DIY No job too small, just give me a call!! All areas covered - Based nr Aubusson (23)

05 55 83 02 77 / 06 30 90 58 90

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

Masonry & More

General building Renovation , Roofing Reliable, good quality work 30 years exp Scaffold Hire Martin Sprague

05 55 61 93 07

martin_sprague_1@ hotmail.com SIRET: 531 768 182 00010

Dave Cardwell - Builder

05 55 98 24 12

See our Display Ad pg 13

Davis & Davis WASTE REMOVAL

30 years' Experience in Construction, Renovation & Project Management Quality Workmanship Guaranteed Internal/ External Developments

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

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

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

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

SERVICES

• house/barn clearance (pre sale / post sale) • garden/land clearance • dechetterie runs • rubbish removal Specialist equipment available: • tractor with flail mower, rotavator, etc. • vehicle with 1.5 tonne crane

05 55 37 45 35

wasteremovalmultiservices@gmail.com

Siret: 498 203 652 00017

siret 532 981 198 00015

Le Pic épeiche

upvc-solutions

Constructions & Renovations Traditional Carpentry & Roofing. Experienced, fully registered artisan. Plasterboarding. Full house/barn renovation. From start to finish. Contact Gareth:

jonathanpiddock@orange.fr

07 61 28 87 34

Email: lepicepeiche@outlook.fr

Siret: 523 955 151 00015

SIRET : 829.920.248.00012

uPVC windows, doors, porches & conservatories

Available in white, beige & oak woodgrain. We now offer a supply only service on our made to measure windows. Visit our website for more information.

www.upvc-solutions.webs.com email: upvc-solutions@orange.fr siret: 503 133 159 00015

To advertise in The Bugle Business Directory, call 06 04 17 80 93 Classical Carpentry

ELECTRICIAN/PLUMBER

lorrainemquintana@gmail.com

05 55 62 63 82

siret: 829 638 741 00019

Keith Brown Roofs, stairs, shutters, decking, gazebos... 30 years’ experience. Full décennale insurance guarantee. keith@classicalcarpentry.fr

T: 05 55 65 15 31

M: 06 02 25 41 58

no job too small - very competitive rates 30 Years’ Experience Joiner Kitchens, Bedrooms & Bathrooms Flooring & General 2nd Fix Finishing, Joinery & Decking Emergency Lock Services Mike Christie 05 55 64 35 11 (Home) 07 61 76 97 41 (Mobile) mgchristie2013@gmail.com

Siret: 802 265 728

FROM SMALL REPAIRS TO COMPLETE INSTALLATIONS BOILER SERVICING OVER 35 YEARS EXPERIENCE FULLY INSURED - BASED DEPT 23

Visit our website

www.classicalcarpentry.fr

NEUVIALLE MENUISERIE JOINERY

DIRECTORY ♦ 15

DECEMBER 2018 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

ADVERTORIAL

“SolarVenti”- the solar solution to damp and humidity

simple solar energy system that runs on its own, even when you are not there! – And provides a free heat supplement in winter. The Solarventi air panel was invented more than 20 years ago by Hans Jørgen Christensen, from Aidt Miljø, with the backing of the Danish government. He wanted to use the sun’s energy for airing and ventilation of the thousands of holiday homes on the West coast of Jutland, - houses that were left empty and unheated for long periods - houses with damp problems, mould and bad odours - houses that left their owners with discomfort, lots of work and expense. He wanted a system that would be safe, simple, without the need for radiators, water and/or mains electricity. Slowly but surely, the first Solarventi model came together.

How it works The principle behind Solarventi is simple: a small, builtin, solar cell powers a 12V fan that is connected to an air vent, a control unit and an on/ off switch. Whenever the sun shines, the air in the solar panel is heated and the fan, receiving power from the solar cell, introduces warm, dry air into your home at the rate of 20 to 100 cubic metres per hour. The initial models were more than capable of keeping the cottages dry (and ventilated), even with the limited sunshine hours available in Denmark during the winter season. Since that time, the technology has really come along in leaps and bounds. Now, more than 20 years later, the 3rd and 4th generation Solarventi have exceeded all expectations. In Southern Europe, Solarventi is not only used for

Paul Jones Renovation

Experienced and fully registered artisan, offering a high quality finish and service • 10yr Décennale Assurance • Plasterboarding walls and ceilings • Tape and Jointing • Kitchen Installation • Carpentry • Patios/Decking

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

Harlequin Developments est. 2007

All aspects of renovation and refurbishment, big or small, undertaken. Kitchens fitted and tiled Replacement doors and windows Parquet flooring Oak framed porches Plasterboard and Insulation

05.55.68.67.56 06.06.60.46.97

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

Stephen Cullinane & Son

ventilation/dehumidification purposes; with far more winter sunshine hours, it also provides a substantial heating supplement. Several technical and governmental studies show that incoming air temperature can be increased by as much as 40°C. A DIY Solution? The installation process is very straightforward and should only take two or three hours. All that is needed is a drill, hammer and chisel to make a hole in the wall. Roof installations are also possible. In fact, the Solarventi was originally designed to be a DIY product - in Scandinavia it still is. There are no electrical or water connections and it can be safely left running, even when the property is empty. Solarventi requires no maintenance - if the property is unoccupied during the hot summer months,

Barlow Bâtiment

All Facade Work Undertaken Pointing Sandblasting Rendering Painting Tel: 04 73 52 14 43 Email barlowbatiment@icloud.com siret: 843 900 838 00015

Building Services Groundworks High Ground Development andy@hgdev.co.uk www.hgdev.co.uk

then it can be left running at low speeds for ventilation and dehumidification purposes or simply switched off. With a range of panel sizes, and the option for wall or roof mounting, Solarventi is suitable for all types of buildings, caravans or even boats!! Following the patenting of its design in 2001, Solarventi has only recently been actively commercialized. Over the last six years, Solarventi units have been installed in more than 24 countries and demand is increasing rapidly. From Greenland to Australia, Solarventi is finally getting the recognition it deserves. ■ Units start from €490 TTC.

istmas M e r r y C h r n d n ew to clients

Your advert here 06 04 17 80 93 Building Services Lifts & Scaffolding

RSW Entreprises

Fosse Septiques/Micro stations

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93

M&M EXCAVATION SERVICES

05.55.80.00.57

See our Display Ad - pg 11

05 55 63 58 85 / 06 42 23 38 57 See main ad - pg 8

or see

www.lakesidebandb.net

Email: akbrunnstrom@yahoo.co.uk

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

Cherry Picker Services

christopher.willis@orange.fr

Tel: 09 66 03 52 89

Building Services Painters/Decorators

14.5 metres on a van lasout@live.com

KWIKSTAGE Scaffold Hire

From the foundations to the roof Established 9 years in France 05 55 81 00 53 - see pg 2

06 34 24 64 11

CHRIS

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Mini-Digger with driver See Main Ad pg 13

UK scaffolding supplied and erected here in France Qualified and fully insured FREE no obligation quotes Call Ian on

CALL FOR A FREE QUOTATION

Call for a quote

john.bonella@gmail.com

ANGLO Building SCAFFOLDING Services Plasterers HIRE

SIRET: 799 067 939 00014

see main ad - pg 3

05.55.78.62.29

old a

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

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

Simon Carter

Painter & Decorator Qualified craftsman with over 25 years UK experience, now based in Haute-Vienne. Specialist services: Interior & exterior painting & decorating, wallpapering, plastering. FREE QUOTES

Tel: 05 87 19 91 50 Mob: 07 81 26 88 65 Web: www.sjcmontluc.fr Email: sjcmontluc@yahoo.fr siret: 792.130.932.00017

05 55 63 53 06 06 23 29 48 19 Le Bourg, 23360 Nouzerolles SIRET: 504 612 441 00015

Able Plastering

French registered plasterer with over 30 years’ experience All internal and external works covered Plastering (English and French plaster) Rendering Concreting Floor Screeding Stud Partitioning Lime Mortar Pointing

Tel: 05 55 62 12 39 Mobile: 06 06 41 10 30 Siret: 527 906 614 00013

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

To advertise in The Bugle Business Directory, call 06 04 17 80 93

16 ♦ DIRECTORY Building Services Plumbing & Heating Carlos

Electrician/Plumber 05 55 62 63 82 see main ad - pg 16

Building Services Roofing MUMFORD TOITURE Roofing & Plastering/ Plasterboarding Service

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

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ DECEMBER 2018

Chimney Sweeps LA RAMONEUSE

THE LADY SWEEP Established since 1986

Brush & Vacuum All types of chimney Fully Insured Call Ruth Clear

02 54 31 48 50 06 25 61 84 95 (SMS only) siret 504 218 454 00016

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

05 55 76 31 59 / 06 77 40 95 92 bobby@sandandblast.com steve@sandandblast.com SIRET: 812 727 253 00013

M&M SANDBLASTING SERVICES

05 55 63 58 85 / 06 42 23 38 57 See main ad - pg 8

05.55.63.90.79

www.lecreusoisbistro.com SIREN: 483 988 853

Face to face and online sessions www.evelinavuillemin-psy.fr

1 rue Saint-Roch, Le Grand Bourg

06 41 46 14 58

see main ad - pg 7

GOODWIN Food & SATELLITE Drink British Market Stall facebook.com/britishmarketstall

"Les Combrailles"

T: 05 53 62 48 44

05 55 78 72 98

St-Maurice-près-Pionsat (63330) Open: Tue to Sun, 10am - 2pm Tue/Wed, 5pm - 9pm. Fri/Sat, 5pm - 10pm Evening and weekend reservation recommended for restaurant Hotel rooms - call for info

Email: cinderssweep@gmail.com siret: 484 768 700 00011

see main ad - pg 22

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

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

06.79.07.91.56

www.stovesellers.com

libre.antenne87@gmail.com Fast dependable service

Siren: 502 409 949

siret: 353 613 227 00035

05 55 63 78 72

Bilingual home care near Guéret (23) - Cleaning & Ironing - Grocery shopping - Tutoring (for children under 11) - Baby-sitting (for children over 3) - Pet-sitting - Help for elderly or impaired people (walks, meals, conviviality...) - English and French lessons - House maintenance during absence (watering the plants, emptying mailbox, looking after pets...)

Tel: 06 21 33 60 99 Email: mimihomecare23@yahoo.fr siret: 818 225 526 00016

Based Séreilhac (87)

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93

No6 DESIGN WEBSITE

before

- Free quote / discussion / meeting / assessment of current site during

- Refresh / redesign your existing site - Create new one page / multipage / shop / gite booking system site afterwards

- Update your own site if you like! - Enjoy a fully maintained site - Enjoy full website support contact@no6.co

06 38 75 32 97

www.no6.co Siret: 80493524500014

Rés: 06 73 37 45 01

Chez Jacques

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

www.bigdishsat.com

Allo Allo

Try Something Different

Big Dish Satellite

MIMI HOME CARE

www.sandandblast.com

Computers, Satellites & Web Design

Evelina Vuillemin English speaking psychotherapist in Limousin

Experienced, Registered & Fully Insured No mess, no fuss

Sand and Blast 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:

Siret 841 476 526 00014

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

+33 (0)6 79 23 57 09 +33 (0)7 69 14 49 73 see main ad - pg 3

Cleaning Services

sandblasting

Based in central Creuse (23)

Bar/Restaurant

siret: 453 067 910 00019

Building Services Sandblasting We provide a fully operated

E: nickyminton1@gmail.com

Le Creusois

Counselling & Support Services

Email: garygoodwin@wanadoo.fr

Siret No. 493 159 412 00011

All types of roofing External insulation Carpentry work Dormer windows Velux windows Zinc guttering Chimney repoints Lead flashing, etc. Contact Phil Andrews:

from €12 ph Call Nicola: 06 04 14 29 25

Tel: 05 55 62 05 61 Mob: 06 52 38 67 65

mumford.toiture@gmail.com

ROOFING SPECIALISTS

A cleaning business tailored to your needs Weekly/fornightly or gîte changeover

Dept 23 & surrounding areas

05 55 44 71 44 / 06 78 60 96 16 Eurl Réno-Gén

Nicky... à la maison

Bar, restaurant, hotel

Tel: 09 86 28 41 88

Mandys-curry-2-go Mobile Curry Take Away For menus and venues:

www.mandyscurry2go.com Follow us on facebook e : mandyscurry2go@gmail.com

Marsac (23) • Cosy atmosphere • Speciality Crêpes • Large burger menu • Around 115 single malt whiskies • Selection of bottled British ales • Book corner, pool table • "Mouclade" nights • Curry nights

05 87 40 02 83 closed Wednesdays

Le Tambour Cassé (The Broken Drum) Bar & Cafe

8 Place Saint Jean, 87320 DARNAC Join us in Darnac and enjoy a drink with friends, taste home cooked food or try one of our speciality cuisine evening. Open: Thu 11:30am - 2:30pm & 5:30pm - 9pm Fri 11:30am - 2:30pm & 5:30pm - 9pm Sat 5:30pm - 10pm Sun 11:30am - 2:30pm & 5:30pm - 10pm Meals served lunch and evening, last orders by 9pm on an evening.

m : 07 70 39 12 23

09.66.80.32.41

siret: 498 199 306 00016

facebook: @thebrokendrum

26, Ecurat 23150

Les Remparts

Parties 20+ & events catered for

Le Restaurant Ecurat Atelier d'Art du Jardin

Restaurant du soir. Our menu changes monthly. Special occasions and parties welcome. Fish and chips and mushy peas €11,50 the last Friday of each month. Open Mon - Sat * Reservation in advance please* For more information:

www.brokendrum.fr

Bénévent-l'Abbaye Tel: 0811 381 511 see main ad - pg 4

tel: 05 55 81 31 85

Your advert here

2km from Chénérailles and the Chateau Villemonteix.

06 04 17 80 93

email: ecurat123@hotmail.com

To advertise in The Bugle Business Directory, call 06 04 17 80 93 50,000 sq ft of covered showrooms & 2 large external display areas - P5 18mm tongue and grooved water repellent chipboard. Available in 8ft x 2ft sheets. - C.L.S. stud work: 2.4, 3 & 4.8m lengths. - OSB 8ft x 4ft sheets, 9mm and 18mm in stock. - Plywood all in 8ft x 4ft sheets. External grade, suitable for construction use. - Marine ply also in 12mm - Skirting board & Architrave in stock. - Insulation earthwool, 100 & 150mm. R value for 100mm - 2.25. - Rigid board insulation Xtratherm R: 40/75/80/90 &120 mm. R value for 40mm - 1.73. - If you use hydraulic oil search on Google: reclamationyard Facebook. Open Mon-Sat 8.30am to 6pm - www.reclamation-yard.com - Only 1km from Confolens on the D952 Ansac-sur-Vienne road

Purple Solutions Garden Maintenance Do you have a garden? Home, cottage or holiday home? Call us on 06 72 87 87 14 or contact us via Facebook or email. Leave your details and an idea of the job description. Covering 40 km from Cussac (87150)

purplesolutionsgardenmaintenance email: sryanhill@rocketmail.com siret: 825 351 836 00010

DIRECTORY ♦ 17

DECEMBER 2018 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

ADVERTORIAL

It's all in the name – Well isn't it?! – Rosemary Sheppard, International Financial Adviser

Sherrie et Steve Jardiniers

Garden Services

All general

Gardening Undertaken

M: 06 58 72 03 43

06 72 87 87 14

E: sherrieetstevejardiniers@gmail.com

see main ad - pg 16

Siret No: 811 161 835 00001

Cross Cut Tree Surgeons

Gifts & Crafts

for all your tree requirements pawsonbeverley4@gmail.com 05.55.60.62.14 / 06.78.38.42.44

see main ad below

All gardening work: Grass Cutting Strimming Hedge Trimming General Maintenance

Artisan art for your garden

Tel: 05 55 89 57 40 brownpaul006@gmail.com Siret: 483 059 242 00030

2km from Chénérailles and the Chateau Villemonteix

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

tel: 05 55 81 31 85

All aspects of garden maintenance

email: ecurat123@hotmail.com

• Tree Surgery • Garden Clearance • Strimming • Pruning

Ivan Petley

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

siret: 788 438 562 00019

Tel: 05.55.80.29.98 Les Bregères, 23150 St-Martial-le-Mont alison.petley@wanadoo.fr

French lessons & handholding services 05 55 89 15 74 - pg 9

Gaitway Help Professional and efficient service, confidentiality guaranteed Providing assistance with: • Small business registration • CAF • Healthcare cover • Emails and letter writing • Translation, interpretation and negotiation for all your needs

06.43.83.62.33 nickygait@hotmail.com siren: 515 187 151

in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority. Blacktower Financial Management (Int) Ltd is licensed in Gibraltar by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) through whom we have a registered branch and passport for financial services in France. License number 00805B.

Chez Boutique

Formerly La Petite Place

05.55.60.08.46

See our Display Ad - pg 8

Your advert here

Jonathan Critchley jcritch.7@gmail.com

Hand painted silk accessories, candles, jewellery & more.

Sophie Arsac

Blacktower Financial Management Ltd is authorised and regulated

05 55 62 50 38 siret: 792 285 025 00013

Your advert here

www.nsandifer.com

Atelier d'Art du Jardin

The above information was correct at the time of preparation and does not constitute investment advice and you should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity.

Translation/interpretation Dealing with utilities/banks Permis de construire Sourcing/supervising artisans Notaire/tax/hospital meetings

Handmade Gifts

Handholding Services

track record we're here to stay – and that's a fact not a marketing statement!. If you would like to talk about investments, pension or wealth management please contact me by email r o s e m a r y. s h e p p a r d @ blacktowerfm.com or call me on 06 38 86 99 70. Website: www.blacktowerfm.com

A HELPING HAND

Available to buy online

26, Ecurat 23150

Dept 23 & Surrounding Areas

T: 05 55 81 14 51 M: 06 85 78 81 32

Très Jolie

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

Siret: 811 512 094 00020

GARDEN SERVICES Paul Brown

Well here at Blacktower Financial Management we sit nicely at 32 years old with a network of offices covering Europe, the UK, the US and Grand Caymen. Our highly experienced and qualified team France means you get the best and don't just hope for the best. When it's your financial future at stake why wouldn't you want this peace of mind? With a proven

see main ad pg 18

No job too small. Reasonable prices. Contact Steve or Sherrie

Purple Solutions Garden Maintenance

with the best reputation in the world” as compiled by MSN.

06 04 17 80 93

Insurance & Finance Blevins Franks International tax and wealth

Health & Beauty

management advisers

www.blevinsfranks.com See our main ad - pg 10

Osteopathy & Acupuncture Linda & Paul Bodimeade

Tel: 09 52 32 34 87 or 06 95 46 25 38

lindabodimeade@eircom.net paulbodimeade@eircom.net

Mobile hairdresser Grand-Bourg & surrounding area

Call Teddy:

06 15 78 18 04- pg 5

The Spectrum IFA Group

Tony Farrell

Independent Financial Adviser

05 55 89 57 94 - see pg 3

Back, Neck, Joint Pain, Arthritic conditions? Anxiety, Headaches, Sports Injuries? Insomnia, Stress, Sinus, Hayfever? Based in Châteauneuf-la-Forêt (87130) siret: 791 847 429 00010

the Financial World, which pretty much takes care of most of our lifestyle needs, surely we HAVE to apply the most stringent due diligence checks otherwise we only have ourselves to blame if we've been suckered in with false promises of lower charges or higher than average returns and clever creative marketing? After all this is our hard earned savings/pensions we're talking about! Let's take Visa, 60 years old, Microsoft, 43 years old, Amazon, 24 years old and good old Google at 20 years old – most of us rely on at least one if not all of these companies during our daily activities and every one appear in the “30 companies

siret: 793 539 826 00016

e live in an exciting, fast thinking, i n s t a n t results driven society where the internet can propel and elevate a business through clever and creative marketing – fantastic for the business BUT is this always good news for us? Sometimes it can be dangerous as we accept what we read and don't always look for what we should. Surely it MUST be the longevity and proven track record of the company as

well as continuity of service if the individual looking after your needs leaves the company. There is nothing worse than a one or two man band that promises the earth through slick marketing and gimmicks that suddenly disappears as quickly as they came. In France and Spain more than anywhere we can see daily reminders of businesses that are Here Today and Gone Tomorrow! Airlines, Banks, High Street stores and many other household names have all been victims of collapse leaving many of us out of pocket and shocked. So how DO WE protect ourselves and what we have worked so hard to achieve? Well when it comes to

Blacktower

Financial Managment Group

Rosemary Sheppard 06 38 86 99 70 - pg 9

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

To advertise in The Bugle Business Directory, call 06 04 17 80 93

Merry Xmas to all our customers, new and old!

Cross Cut Tree Surgeons

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

pawsonbeverley4@gmail.com

05.55.60.62.14 / 06.78.38.42.44

siret: 530 840 958 00017

18 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ DECEMBER 2018

Would you like to receive an electronic copy of The Bugle each month? We can deliver a copy to your inbox, hot off the press

Simply email - subscriptions@thebugle.eu For more details visit www.thebugle.eu

Language Services

Sophie Arsac

French lessons & handholding services 05 55 89 15 74 - pg 9

Jenny Homer BA hons, PGCE Proud of your French? or ashamed? Make a Fresh Start this September!

My lessons, held in Eymoutiers: • help you to speak and understand better • focus on real life, at the vet's, dinner invites, emergencies, over the garden wall chat • help keep Alzheimer's at bay! Small groups with a level to suit yours. Free taster class: 3 hours and includes coffee and cake. Email: homer.jennifer@gmail.com If you have French friends who would like to improve their English, maybe they would like to join my TEFL classes. All levels.

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

06 04 17 80 93 Pest Control

Central France Pest Control Dératisation, Déinsectisation, Désinfection

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 SIRET No. 498 544 741 00024

Pools & Spas

Creuse Property Care

Caring for your home in France when you can’t be there

Dave Roberts

Fibreglass Specialist Fibreglass swimming pool linings that can be applied over all finishes: tiles, marbelite, concrete, etc. Perfect for new pools, old pools, or pools leaking water Laminated on site, one piece and seam free For more information or a quote, contact Dave:

Garden & Pool Maintenance General Maintenance & Small Renovation work including plasterboarding, tiling, painting, etc. Changeovers/House Cleaning Ad-hoc Assistance References available Contact Mark or Trudy...

T: 05 55 67 90 47 / P: 06 40 75 74 47 E: marktrudy0506@gmail.com W: www.creusepropertycare.com

www. fibreglass-lining.com

Property Maintenance Inside Out Property Services Offering a wide range of building/joinery/fencing services We pride ourselves on the quality of our workmanship, providing the client with a high quality finish at competitive prices. Servicing 23 and surrounding areas. Ring Dave: 05 55 64 22 98 Email: insideout288@googlemail.com Siret No. 821 348 323 00014

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93 Land & Property Maintenance No job too tricky... there’s always a way!

siret: 834 451 718 00011

www.moulin-de-tintin.com 05.55.79.57.60 - see pg 2

See our Display Ad - pg 2

Leggett Immobilier www.leggettfrance.com

05 53 56 62 54 see main ad - pg 5

Transaxia

Beaux Villages Immobilier

Richard Charlie Collier

creusegardien@gmail.com

06 43 92 28 37

see main ad - pg 6

www.beauxvillages.com

Freephone: 08 05 69 23 23

Retail & Commerce

'Gite and Tidy'

R.S.M.DISTRIBUTION

All properties looked after, main residences, holiday homes & gîtes. Changeovers, cleaning, tidy ups, maintenance, gardening, swimming pools, etc. Single or regular visits. Fully insured. Oradour-sur-Vayres (87150). References available.

Now delivering Mattresses

Property management

www.giteandtidy.com 09 82 12 69 73 (Home) Mason 06 06 40 Derek 81 07 (Portable)

Your advert here

06 04 17 80 93

Furniture, interiors & gifts

Transport, Removals & Storage Franklins Removals 0044 121 353 7263

www.franklinsremovals.co.uk see main ad - pg 3

Smart Moves For a fully insured, careful service

see main ad - pg 10

siret: 838 728 145 00015

Land & Property Maintenance M: 06 43 20 93 48 T: 05 55 10 17 44 E: derekmason27@gmail.com

E: derekmason27@gmail.com

+31 (0)6 41 20 73 69

Creuse Gardien

35 years’ experience No job too tricky... there‛s always a way! • Landscaping & maintenance ofContact grounds: me for a free & friendly, no obligation quote 35 years‛ experience & qualifications - UK & France layouts, patios, fencing, planting, lawns... ▪ Landscaping & maintenance of grounds: layouts, patios, fencing, planting, lawns... ▪ Property interior & exterior work - build new, renovate & maintenance of: • Property interior & exterior work: Floors, walls, doors, windows, roof repair, fireplace renovation, drainage, kitchens, bathrooms, woodwork Floors, walls, doors, windows, Caring for your property as if it were my own! roof repair, fireplace renovation, drainage, Ask about a Land & Property Maintenance Package with weekly checks! siret: 834 451 718 00011 kitchens, bathrooms, woodwork

M: 06 43 20 93 48 T: 05 55 10 17 44

Moulin de Tintin

www.housesoninternet.com

Agencies across Central France www.transaxia-bourganeuf.fr

50km radius from Boussac

05.55.63.78.72

Houses on Internet

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts Landscaping, Gardening Gîte Maintenance Property Clearance Environmental Construction

Stove Sellers www.stovesellers.com See our Display Ad - pg 4

Siret: 479 965 758 00028

+44 (0)1903 893 451 +44 (0)7825 916 573

Derek Mason

Property Sales

www.fudgejj.com

FORTNIGHTLY SERVICES TO FRANCE FULL OR PART LOADS WELCOME WE COLLECT FROM ALL AREAS OF THE UK AND DELIVER TO ALL AREAS OF FRANCE Please CALL or EMAIL Stephen

smartmovers@hotmail.co.uk

+44 (0)1253 725 414

www.smartmovesremovals.co.uk

Central France Storage

Every 1st / 2nd Mon & Tue of each month From Angoulême to Ribérac area and Limoges to Sarlande area Go to our website for more information

email: ray.mole@wanadoo.fr

Tel: 05 49 87 67 34 Siret 531 167 443 00013

Chez Amanda 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. 8 rue Principale, St Mathieu, 87440

Email: soieetbois@gmail.com Web: www.soiebois.net Tel: 05.55 48.28.89

Advertise here from just €36 HT / month

06 04 17 80 93 sales@thebugle.eu

SIRET: 510 995 681 00010

www.centralfrancestorage.com Dry, safe & secure storage Brexit Busting Prices!! Vehicle storage options We also do internal moves! 14.5m cherry picker available

Tel: 09 66 03 52 89 Email: lasout@live.com siret: 494 123 847 00019

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93

Très Jolie

Ladies Italian clothes and fashion accessoires Beautiful scarves, purses, handbags, jewellery & gifts

(See Notice Board for where to ﬁnd me)

Paula Bonella

05 55 53 03 56 06 04 08 29 53

tres.jolie1@orange.fr Facebook: search for “Tres Jolie Milhaguet” siret 753 125 061 00014

DIRECTORY ♦ 19

DECEMBER 2018 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Advertising in The Bugle Business Directory Advertising your business couldn’t be easier. Text only, boxed listings are available in our Business Directory from just €12.50/month. Alternatively, why not spotlight your business with an Advertorial, available from 1/6 Page (€50 HT) up to Full Page (€300 HT). Both Directory Adverts and Advertorials represent a cost effective way to put your brand in front of more than 30,000 pairs of eyes each month!!

For more information on any of our advertising options, please feel free to give us a call on 06 04 17 80 93 or send an email to sales@thebugle.eu

6-Month Contract

12-Month Contract

Small b&w Directory Ad

€100

€150

Large b&w Directory Ad

€130

€195

Small Colour Directory Ad

€140

€210

Large Colour Directory Ad

€180

€270

All prices exclude TVA (20%)

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

30 words max

Directory Advertising is available either in black and white or colour, and in either small (30 words max) or large (45 words max) format. Directory adverts may only contain text (small logos may be allowed when supplied). The minimum contract length is 6 months. Advertising is payable on publication. All prices are HT.

Man & Van Transport

Genuine/Reliable/Honest Local + Europe + UK runs Now also available for House/Barn clearances! 14m3 capacity 4.2m load length English & French Spoken

09 82 12 69 73 87150 Oradour-sur-Vayres

www.frenchvanman.eu Siret 530 213 644 00012

MICHAELS MOVERS Removals

UK ↔ France ↔ UK Full & Part loads All size of vehicles, from Man & Van through to 18 tonne truck Storage available in the Limousin, Dordogne & Sussex UK free phone: 0800 840 3058

Mob: +44 (0)7808 338 386

www.michaelsmovers.freeindex.co.uk email: mharristransport@gmail.com

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

www.themanwithavan.info vanrouge@mail.com

(+33) 07.61.21.85.15

Watson European International Removals

Transition Removals

www.watsoneuropean.co.uk see main ad - pg 4

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93

SAFE GARDE Secure self storage units in Guéret

Whether you are a business or a household, we are here to make your storage a worry free experience at affordable prices. Why not take a look at our website or give us a call... we are here to help you!

www.safe-garde.com

05 55 63 58 85

safegardegueret@gmail.com siret: 821 846 318 00011

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

06 04 17 80 93

(+33) 05 55 34 19 46

www.transitionremovals.com see main ad below

Buggs Car Hire Bergerac & Limoges Airports

www.buggscarhire.com see main ad - front page

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93

Your advert here 06 04 17 80 93 General

BABY/INFANT EQUIPMENT FOR HIRE

To raise funds for the SPA dog rescue centre in Guéret. High chair, buggy, travel cot (plus mattress/bedding), changing mat, etc. Each item will incur a hire charge of 10 euros, plus a refundable 10 euros deposit. For more INFO or to HIRE Call Vanessa: 05 55 64 32 08 or email: eq6763@gmail.com

Carrefour du Bois Limousin

www.chauffagebois-limousin.com

05 55 63 72 45 - see below

Businesses for Sale FOR SALE:

Proxi Supermarket

Cash paid for scrap

In the heart of the market town of Ahun (23150)

All Limousin covered Anything considered Any quantity

• Alimentation Générale • Tabac • Lotto/FDJ

Tel: 05 55 37 45 35 Mob: 06 74 21 47 71 siret 532 981 198 00015

For more information call:

06 38 39 33 99

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93 FOR SALE: Commercial Lease For a shop (all types of commerce) on main street in Limoges. Easy parking. 60m2. 2 large commercial spaces of 20m2 and 25m2 with a room to the rear kitchenette, WC. Very good condition. Contact for more information.

Tel: 06 20 82 89 43 agnespierre.tricard@gmail.com

A VENDRE: Pas-de-porte, boutique tous commerces. Immeuble de style dans avenue principale de Limoges. Parking facile. 60 m². 2 grandes salles 20 m2 & 25 m2. Une arrière salle, mini coin kitchenette, wc. Très bon état.

Tel: 06 20 82 89 43 agnespierre.tricard@gmail.com

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

06 04 17 80 93

Family run business based in France which prides itself on a personal professional service 7.5 tonne truck to and from the UK and Europe, with a highly experienced staff. We provide a door-to-door service with packing and dry, secure storage. We are a professional furniture removal company and NOT a man and a van.

Granulés du Limousin

TRANSITION REMOVALS

Phone: (+33) 05 55 34 19 46 - Mobile: (+33) 06 80 75 87 14 Email: p.evans@orange.fr - www.transitionremovals.com siret: 482 524 907 00011

20 ♦ COMMUNITY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ DECEMBER 2018

CLUBS, CHARITIES & ASSOCIATIONS Charities SPA Creuse The SPA Creuse dog refuge centre is based in Saint-Sulpice-le-Guérétois near Guéret and provides an invaluable service to the community by rescuing dogs that otherwise would have nowhere to go. Each year we re-home over 100 dogs which find themselves at the SPA though no fault of their own. We have dedicated staff who work alongside a network of French and British volunteers, all of whom have one aim in life, which is to do the best they can for the dogs until they find their forever homes. In order to do this they need to raise funds; along with walking the dogs every day, volunteers also organise fund-raising events and vide-greniers throughout the year. We are a friendly bunch and always on the lookout for more like-minded people and so if you are interested in becoming a volunteer, making a donation, or adopting one of our lovely dogs, then please visit our website www.spa-creuse.com. Church Notices English-speaking church services Guéret Come as you are... This is an invitation to join us at our CHURCH SERVICE IN ENGLISH. Whether you have a faith or would just like to attend a church service you are welcome at 3 pm 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 visit www.serviceinenglish. com Eglise Protestante Unie de France English Language services We look forward to giving a warm welcome to everyone from whatever Christian tradition (or none) on the 3rd SUNDAY of the MONTH at 3 pm. (Two exceptions - August and December - second Sunday) Where? At the “Temple” in Thiat (in the north of the Haute-Vienne) – the chapel is on the main road close to the Mairie. After worship there is tea/coffee and cake – and a chance to chat. (Services in French every Sunday morning). If you want to know more contact Rev Stephen Sawyer on 05 49 84 33 86 or Zoë Horlock on 05 55 68 59 95. Fitness & Fun Yoga Equilibre Classes in Aubusson, Maison Sport et Danse, Dojo: Mon 15:45 Hatha Doux; Tue 17:30 Yin, 18:30 Hatha; Fri Yoga for Breast Cancer or also very gentle yoga. 5 euro per class plus 10 euro adhesion. More info: 06 83 24 62 72 www.amovingspa.wixsite.com/ equilibreyoga Indoor Short-mat Bowling at Cussac 87150... and now Outdoor too! As the premier bowls club in the HauteVienne, 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 8 pm and Thursday Mornings at 10 am. 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 cussacbowlsclub@gmail.com or telephone 05 55 78 66 45. Zumba Dept 18 & 36. Contact: Coralie tel 07 78 66 52 01 Web: fun-life-attitude. webnode.fr Facebook: Coco Zumba Email: coralie.pouille@hotmail.fr Indoor Bowling at Oradour-surVayres If you already play or have never tried indoor bowling then come along to a meeting. It's great fun and easy to play. If you have never played it before we will show you how. We meet every Monday evening starting at 18.30 hrs at La Chapelle, avenue des Chapelles, 87150 Oradour-surVayres. Come and try it - it's free. For further info tel 05 55 78 45 24 or email oradourbowlingclub@outlook.com Keep Fit Amazing abs, breathtaking buttocks! Come and join our group at the CAPE in Pontarion. We are all ages, all sizes, men & women, but are serious about keeping fit. Our “monitrice” is English and will happily provide bilingual instructions. We meet every Thursday at 8 pm in Pontarion Town Hall, for a one-hour workout. Come for a free trial, or call 05 55 64 98 87 or 06 32 42 95 68 for more details. Drawing and painting classes At Saint-Junien with the CAPCC (art club). All levels welcome, every Monday and Thursday, English and French spoken, friendly atmosphere, materials provided by the club. 45€ / half-term. Contact: lindsaycox@ club-internet.fr for brochure with full details. Chabanais Bowls Club Chabanais Bowls Club offers gentle, convivial exercise together with a social programme to suit all tastes. Sessions of 3 hours duration take place at the salle des fêtes every Tuesday starting at 10 am and every Thursday commencing at 2 pm with a 30-minute tea/coffee break during each session. The Club has all the equipment that new bowlers require to get started or old hands can use their own indoor or outdoor bowls. There is a one-off joining fee of 10 euros, a yearly fee of 25 euros and a rink fee of just 2 euros. The first two ‘sampler’ sessions are free, only the rink fee to be paid. For more information contact Brian on 05 45 29 05 73 or Jane on 05 45 30 63 10. Photo Club La Meteorite (87) Rochechouart All welcome, all levels; we meet fortnightly at 3-5 pm on Sundays. Field trips, friendly critique, conversation and competitions (to contact and more details go to photoclubmeteorite.org). La Chance de Danser (Adults) St-Léger-Magnazeix – Salle des fêtes: Tue 9.15-10 Beginners Tap; 10-11 Stretch & Tone; Thu eve 5-6 Advanced Tap; 6-7 Dancersize. La Souterraine - 29 bd Mestadier, Gymnasium: Mon eve 6.30-7.30 Dancersize; Wed morning 10.30-11.30 Ballet. Email lachancesdedanser23@gmail.com tel 09 66 96 44 85. Art Classes Mainsat The class runs every Thurs (term

Peyrat Film Club The CINEMA in Peyrat-le-Château, run by the volunteers of the Association Bande Originale, regularly shows VOST films (original version with French subtitles), especially for all the non-French speakers in our region.. In December we will be showing: The Sisters Brothers - A Western, with John C. Reilly, Joaquin Phoenix, Jake Gyllenhaal, Rutger Hauer Bohemian Rhapsody - Biopic about rock group Queen and their extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury Fantastic Beasts: The crimes of Grindelwald - Wizards, magic and beasts in the latest JK Rowling film, with many star actors Ticket price €5, but just €3.50 for members of the Association. See our website for dates & times, etc: http://bandeoriginale.jimdo.com

time) at the Salle du temps libre in Mainsat from 14h-16h. We do a little bit of everything: pencil, charcoal, watercolour, pastel, acrylics, oils and sculpture, etc. Contact Susan Neill for more info: Tel 05 55 83 12 18 / Mob 06 87 99 31 37 / Email thomas-susan. neill@hotmail.com INSPIRATIONS – Art & Craft Group We are a small group of artists and crafters who meet every Friday from 2 pm until 5 pm at the Salle Barbara, Droux 87. There is no formal tuition but we all help, advise and encourage each other to perfect our skills and learn new ones. New members welcome, from absolute beginners to experts. Materials can be supplied for try-outs. Contact: inspirations.droux@gmail.com Dordogne Short Mat Bowls Association Learn to play Indoor Short Mat Bowls in the heart of the Dordogne at Eyzerac, just off the N21, south of Thiviers. We are a small friendly inclusive club who meet every Thursday afternoon throughout the year at the Complex Sportif in Eyzerac 24300. We are looking forward to welcoming new members, both novices or experienced players. We have all the equipment you need to play, so why not join us any Thursday at 2 pm until 5 pm. To arrange a taster session or simply for more details contact Paul Boswell (Secretary) at boswellmoore@ hotmail.com or call 05 53 56 99 75. Walking Football, Dun-le-Palestel If you think your footballing days are over, then think again! Our association, Entente Cordiale, is trying out a new venture – Walking Football, a slower version of the beautiful game! And it's for all adults over the age of 50. We meet every Monday from 16h-17h in the Gymnasium, just opposite The Apollo. Walking football is designed to give you the chance to play the game you love, but at a much slower pace. It's a great way to keep fit, learn skills, have fun, and socialise at the same time, so why not come along? If you used to play football, but now find the pace a bit too much, or if you’ve never had the chance to be involved before, Walking Football is the perfect introduction to playing football for you – no running allowed! At the moment, all sessions are indoors, so please wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Also now – Badminton! Playing Badminton helps to improve your fitness, and is great fun too! Come and join in with us every Tuesday afternoon from 16h-17h in the Gymnasium. Everyone welcome. For more information email eccreuse@yahoo.com Laurière Carpet Bowls Club Registered & insured. For some gentle exercise with a friendly social club, learn to play Indoor Bowls at Lauriere, 87370, in the Haute-Vienne. No experience required. Come and take a look. It is great fun and easy to play. Join us any Monday at 2 pm until 5.30 pm at La Maison des Jeunes (Community Centre), on the route de St Goussaud (D28) just off the D914 at Lauriere. Parking available. Session includes short refreshment break with home-made cakes (€2.50 per person). For info, please call 05 55 71 23 83. Currently, we have British, French, and Dutch members. We look forward to seeing you. American Line Dancing (French Style) The Phénix Country Club welcomes new members - men & women, beginners & experienced dancers - to the salle des fêtes at LACS, near LA CHÂTRE, dept 36. Learn French & learn to dance in a friendly environment every Tues & Fri evening from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. 1st 2 sessions are free. Annual subscription is 80 euros per person. For more information in English contact Annette on 06 85 39 83 41 or email our French Présidente

at phenixcountryclub@gmail.com Art Classes in Bujaleuf in French and English Caroline welcomes you at the Espace Gorceix in Bujaleuf every Wednesday afternoon to teach you drawing and watercolour painting. The classes are in both French and English, a good way to share languages and cultures in a friendly atmosphere. 15 euros per person for a 2-hour class. For further information please contact Caroline on 06 72 08 26 15. Gardening Les petits jardiniers du Limousin Meet Thursday afternoons, dates below. 2.30 pm in the Mairie at StAmand-lePetit. Everyone welcome. Contact: pjlimousin@gmail.com. 2018 Programme: 13 Dec - Christmas party. 2019 Programme: Jan 17th - Bird and song identification; Feb - No meeting; Mar 21st - Drought: sedums, sempervivums and succulents; Apr 18th - Soil testing - knowing what to plant; May 16th - Gardening for the bees; Jun 20th - Car rally and lunch; Jul 18th - Fragrant plants for all year; Aug 15th - Very Berry shrubs; Sep 1st - Annual Show; Oct 17th - AGM followed by Plant Name Origins; Nov 21st - Natural dyeing using plants; Dec 12th - Christmas Party. Integration Learning Together – Apprenons Ensemble We offer an easy-going and relaxing range of social functions to bring members of the French and English communities together, and a range of language courses for different levels of experience in English and French in Rochechouart (87) and Brigueil (16), as well as a Life & Culture in France course in Rochechouart. All lessons are in small groups with qualified teachers for just 7€ per hour; membership costs only 15€ per year. Visit www. learningtogether.moonfruit.com or email apprenonsensemble@orange.fr for more information. For help and advice on choosing the right course telephone 05 55 58 02 88 or email frenchlessons.learningtogether@ gmail.com CLE – (Charente Limousine Exchange) CLE is a not-for-profit organisation whose members form a valuable resource for the exchange of news, views, ideas and information. We lobby and work with key organisations to help protect our members' best interests, particularly when Government or other proposals threaten to impact the wellbeing of expatriate citizens. We organise a range of events, workshops and seminars throughout the year, plus social activities including coach trips, activity days, charity events and regular lunches - all activities to help members make new expatriate and French friends. If you already live in the Poitou-Charentes or Limousin regions of France or are thinking of moving here, CLE is your key to unlocking the secrets to a happy and comfortable lifestyle. Web: www.cle-france.com Email: contact@cle-france.com Aubusson’s Network Each week, for 5 years now, we meet between 11.30 am and 1 pm every Saturday at the café "Aux Baladins" opposite Aubusson’s Gare Routière car park. We are a friendly group of French and English who enjoy conversation in both languages. We like to exchange views, make new friends, help and advise one another and help integrate newcomers. You can contact us by phone: Viviane 06 32 96 54 2 - Jo 09 72 41 40 47 Catherine 06 86 17 80 88 - Jan 00 44 74 68 20 66 12 - John 05 55 67 37 60

Managing Editor: Steve Martindale Editor-in-Chief: Steve Martindale Registered Address: Les Quatre Chemins 23150 St-Yrieix-les-Bois SIRET: 514 989 748 00017 Printed by: Charente Libre 16340, L’Isle d’Espagnac Monthly circulation: 15,000 copies All copyright, unless stated otherwise, is reserved to The Bugle. Reproduction in whole or part of any text without permission is prohibited. Dépôt légal à parution.

Association Rencontres FrancoBritanniques Based in Bourganeuf and created in January 2012 ARFB aims to help British people, resident in the Communautés de Communes surrounding Bourganeuf, to become integrated in their communes and local life. We organize a range of cultural and social activities for our members. The fortnightly conversation groups are an important part of our association where British members can improve their spoken French, and our French colleagues may improve their English. We would very much like to welcome new people, both French and English, into the association. We currently have 90 members. The annual subscription for membership is €12 per person. For further information contact: Christine Gee 05 55 64 22 25 - email: geeinfrance@gmail.com www.francobrit.com French Conversation Group at Les Billanges (87340) We are a small group who meet fortnightly for an hour and a half on Tuesday evenings during term time in Les Billanges, 87340, close to the Creuse/Haute-Vienne border. We are accompanied by a retired French schoolteacher and a current French teacher of English. Discussion is informal, loosely based on everyday topics, including some grammar plus general discussion. We need a few more people to help keep it vibrant and to cater for inevitable absences. The only cost is yearly membership of the local Association, about €16, which brings with it other social opportunities. To find out more please contact Chrissy Smith at chrissysmith@talk21.com Familles Rurales in Peyrat-leChâteau Association Familles Rurales now offer assistance in English and Dutch to all non-French speaking people (British, Dutch, German, etc.) concerning all kinds of administrative steps. The service is available in Peyrat-le-Château and surrounding communes. We will try to provide information and help you find your way in social and administrative matters, as well as with practical matters where language is a problem. Find Heleen Tichler-Botermans at the AFR office in Peyrat-le-Château on Mondays from 9 am to 12 pm and Wednesdays from 9 am to 1 pm. You are welcome to drop in or make an appointment. www.famillesrurales.org/peyrat-lechateau E-mail: familles-rurales.infopeyrat@ orange.fr Telephone: 06 41 20 06 83 Office address: 19 avenue de la Tour, 87470 Peyrat-le-Château Familles Rurales 2 in St-Yrieix-laPerche Weekly courses in French for foreigners (mainly English and Dutch) living in the area. Four levels taught: Level 1 Beginners - Mon 10h30 - 12h; Level 2 - Thu 10h30 12h; Intermediate - Tue 10h30 - 12h; Advanced – Wed 14h30 - 16h30. All courses are held at our premises 1, rue de la Piscine, St-Yrieix-la-Perche 87500. For more info tel 05 55 09 30 86, email afr2.styrieix@wanadoo.fr or visit www.famillesrurales.org/styrieix Les Franglais de Banize (23120) French and English people meet every Wednesday at 2-3 pm in the mairie in Banize to share English and French language and lots of laughter. We all learn from each other, in both languages and about aspects of both cultures. In general the English try to speak in French and vice versa. As far as possible! The meetings have been going on for ten years now but new arrivals are always welcome. For more information please contact Anne Chadwick at lesfranglaisdebanize@ orange.fr or tel 05 55 67 53 60.

Directeur: Steve Martindale Rédacteur-en-chef: Steve Martindale Siège: Les Quatre Chemins 23150 St-Yrieix-les-Bois SIRET: 514 989 748 00017 Imprimé par: Charente Libre 16340, L’Isle d’Espagnac Tirage mensuel: 15,000 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.

COMMUNITY ♦ 21

DECEMBER 2018 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu Bessines-Accueil Bessines-Accueil is a group based in Bessines-sur-Gartempe (87250) which seeks to welcome new arrivals both to the town and to the surrounding region and to assist them with integration in the community. The group is comprised both of French and English members and meets weekly, generally on Thursday afternoons, in Bessines-sur-Gartempe, when various activities take place, all aimed at promoting a friendly and welcoming ambiance. Through these activities, which include visits, talks, entertainment and much more, the group aims to discover and promote an appreciation of the life, the history and the heritage of the area and to help new arrivals settle. For more details or to join please contact the President, Bernadette Ruffenach, on 05 55 76 11 19. Café Franglais Organised by the Amitiés Internationales du Pays de Boussac (AIPB). Every Wednesday starting at 18h30 until 20h00 in la Maison des Associations, Quartier Pasteur, 23600 Boussac. Come and join us for an informal chat to improve your French or English with native speakers in a café atmosphere whilst enjoying a drink and nibbles. Last evening of the winter season will be 21st March. It will reopen on 11th April until 4th July for the Spring/ Summer and from 5th September until 12th December during the Autumn. For more info please call 05 55 65 03 69. Open Door Association – English Language Library & Cultural Exchange Group The association organises a variety of cultural activities throughout the year. These have included events such as a Burns' Supper, Afternoon Tea and Art Exhibition as well as visits to vineyards, sites of historic and artistic interest and sites of natural beauty. Our programme is constantly being updated. We also run an English-language library based in the Old Mairie at Morterolles, commune of St. Pardoux-Morterolles where we have a selection of around 5,000 books, DVDs, jigsaws, etc. The library is open Mondays and Saturdays from 2-4 pm. Feel free to drop in and browse, borrow, chat, enjoy a free tea/coffee or join in the jigsaw that's always in progress!We welcome new members of all nationalities. For further information, visit our website at www.opendoor23.com or contact the President, Peter Edmondson, on 06 47 54 20 09 or peter.edmondson@orange.fr Tea Time Cultural exchange workshop designed to bring together those who want to practise their French or their English in a friendly and fun environment. Held at the old school in Sussac (87) every Tuesday morning, 10 am till 11.30 am, except school holidays, the session includes group discussion/ chat, structured role play and games for grammar practice, specific weekly topics, a small library of English/ French books, CDs and DVDs and an exchange of recipes, thoughts and ideas, followed by tea/coffee and cake. Cost: €144 for the year, plus €25 annual membership fee to the Foyer Rural. Contact: Jasmine (en français or in English) on 06 41 36 05 03. Bilingual Montessori Workshops At the Foyer Rural in Saint-Léonardde-Noblat for children aged 3 to 8 years old, run by Catherine Hutchinson and Sue Greenbank. The children are immersed in an atmosphere where both French and English are spoken. The workshops take place on Wednesdays from 13h30 to 15h30 and on Saturdays from 10h to 12h. The workshops take place without the parents. For further information please contact Catherine on 07 70 46 57 70 or Sue on 06 52 26 54 79. Libraries & Books Sale of Second-hand Books, La Croisillesur-Briance On the 18th of every month, during the monthly market at La Croisille-surBriance (87130), there is a sale of secondhand books (both English and French) from 9 am to 12 noon, at the former restaurant in La Place, opposite the bar/ tabac. All proceeds go towards the local school funds (for La Croisille-sur-Briance and St-Méard RPI). La Souterraine English Library and Information Centre Located in the historic Porte de Puy Charraud, at 10 rue de Portail, La Souterraine, we are a lively, well-stocked English language library with almost 4,000 books and media available to borrow. We have an attractive cafe which serves tea, coffee and a range of home-made cakes. There is also a regularly changing display of works by local artists. The library hosts a lively mixed conversation group for French and English speakers and also organises Anglo-French conversation groups in association with the municipal library in La Souterraine. There are also a number of thriving special

CANCER SUPPORT FRANCE Charente Plus Free confidential support for Englishspeaking people touched by cancer

CSF 24 HOUR HELPLINE - 0800 24 02 00 email: csfcharenteplus@gmail.com

Facebook : Cancer Support France - Charente-Plus interest groups, such as the Gardening Group, Camera Club, Singing Group, etc. We also provide support & assistance in bureaucratic and administrative matters for both existing British residents as well as newcomers to the area. Whatever your interests don’t hesitate to pay us a visit and you will be made most welcome. We are open from 9.30 am until 12.30 pm, Mon, Fri & Sat and 2 pm until 4.30 pm on Thurs. For more info tel 05 55 89 57 62 during opening hours, email info@ lasouterraineenglishlibrary.fr or visit www.lasouterraineenglishlibrary.fr The English Library – La Bibliothèque Anglophone, Dun-le-Palestel The English Library, which has now been established for over 12 years, is part of the Anglo-French Association Entente Cordiale and is situated in the route des Ratteries, adjacent to 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 browsing through our extensive collection of around 10,000 books, talking books and DVDs. Thanks to donations and an active purchasing policy we are able to offer something for everyone. For our new acquisitions we concentrate on recent publications, as well as member requests for older books. Open Thu 10h-13h & Sat 10h-12h30. Entente Cordiale hosts a wide range of other groups and activities too, including English lessons, French lessons, Traditional Dance Group, Art Group, Theatre group, Les Troubadours, Traditional Embroidery Group, Walking Football and Badminton. For more information email eccreuse@ 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 May-July. Our members come from all over Limousin so lifts to and fro may be possible if necessary. Contacts: French language Marie-France Martinie 05 55 30 76 23 / English language Alan Kerr 05 55 56 34 52. Le Chambard du jeudi Organised by the association Nessgig this takes place every 2nd Thursday of the month, from 19h to 23h at “La Maison des Associations", place du 8 mai 1945, Château-Chervix (87). All music lovers who would like to share and exchange information and stories around songs and singing, in French AND in English, or who might like to jam a little, are welcome. Free admission! For more information email nessgig87@gmail.com or tel 05 55 09 99 34. JJ's Music Club Hosted by L'Authentique Restaurant, 25 rue Principale 23360 Lourdoueix-SaintPierre. Singers and musicians of all styles and levels will be warmly welcomed on the last Friday of the month. Free entry. Please reserve food in advance (05 55 80 21 67) - 17 euros for 3 courses. For more information email Jacky at jjsclubdemusique@gmail.com Live music sessions, Rochechouart Our acoustic music sessions take place every second Friday of each month at the Salle Jacques Brel in Rochechouart where singers and musicians can come along to sing or play their own compositions or covers. All styles are welcome... celtic, classical, comedy, country, folk, jazz, music

hall, pop, swing, etc. Why not join us? Alternatively, just come along and listen along with the ever-growing enthusiastic audience. Doors open at 7.30 pm. Join our Facebook Group - Folk-Galerie - for more information or contact folk.galerie@gmail. com if you would like to take part. Support

Gorka

This lovely girl is called Gorka, 8 years old and a Malinois Beauceron cross.

She was entrusted to the SPA by her owner, when she could no longer keep her, due to ill health. She has been well looked after and is a very kind and sweet dog, house trained and gets on well with children, cats and other dogs. She is finding the refuge desperately lonely as she enjoys and looks for company and so really needs to find a family, before the long winter nights set in. There is no adoption fee for Gorka, just a donation of your choice. If you think you you can help Gorka then please contact the SPA de Creuse (Guéret), 21 Le Clocher, 23000 Saint-Sulpice-le-Guérétois www.spa-creuse.com tel 05 55 81 99 31 (answering machine) or email spa.gueret@orange.fr

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 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 James 06 07 57 51 10 (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 website at www.aafrance.net Cancer Support France, Charente Plus Free confidential support for Englishspeaking people touched by cancer in departments 16, 17 & 86. CSF 24 hour helpline: 06 45 35 32 30, Email csfcharenteplus@gmail.com, Facebook: Cancer Support France Charente Plus CSF Charity Shop open at 3 rue Nationale, 16150 Chabanais (entrance opposite the mairie – we are on the 1st floor upstairs) Tue & Wed from 10 am – 4 pm. Cancer Support Haute-Vienne We offer free and confidential support to English speakers affected by Cancer in the Haute-Vienne (87) and Creuse (23). Our helpline number is 06 04 43 39 87. If you would like more information or would like to become a member or help in any other way, please contact Sue Ware 05 55 00 31 15, helpline@cshautevienne.org or visit www.cshautevienne.org Association France Alzheimer in Dordogne We offer English-speaking support as a part of the national French charity supporting families affected by dementia. Our network of English speaking volunteers works across Dordogne. A support group meets near Bergerac on the first Tuesday of each month. Website: www.francealzheimer.org/dordogne Email address: alzheimer.dordogne@orange.fr Telephone: 05 53 27 30 34

Singers wanted La Voie Mélodieuse vocal group, based in Argenton (36) is looking for sopranos, a bass and a tenor! Repertoire from Renaissance to Cole Porter and everything classical, romantic and contemporary in between. Rehearsals on Thursday mornings 10h-12h30. 6-8 concerts a year. If you love to sing in a small group of 14/16 people, please contact us at christianne.braspenning@gmail.com or tel 06 02 31 52 58.

In 2017 AIPB were able to donate almost 3,600 € to local causes due to the generosity of our members and supporters. We gave money to the Phoenix Association (animal rescue), AGIR, SPA Guéret, Téléthon, helped to purchase a braille machine for a local young blind boy and donated to the British Legion Poppy Appeal.

CHARITY SHOP

Do please come in and visit us. We are located at: 3 rue Nationale, 16150 Chabanais (entrance opposite the mairie, directly behind Petticoat Lane – we are on the first floor upstairs)

OPENING HOURS: Tuesday & Wednesday 10 am – 4 pm Sorry – no books or electrical goods Now taking Furniture. Please email joannebrent@outlook.com for details.

22 ♦ WHAT’S ON

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ DECEMBER 2018

Thu 15th Nov to Sat 29th Dec BOUSSAC Boutique de Noël For beautiful unique handmade Christmas gifts come and visit us at our Christmas Pop-Up shop in Boussac, just off the market square. The creations of 11 artisans will make your Christmas shopping easier. 10 ave Pierre Leroux. Tuesday to Saturday from 9.30 am to 1 pm and 2.30 pm to 7 pm and open Sunday mornings 10 am to 12 noon.

Sun 9th Dec at 16.00 VENEZIA > LONDON - Selva di Flauti. Works from the 16th and 17th centuries for flutes. For tickets and further information tel 05 55 60 29 32 or visit www.fermedevillefavard.com

Sat 17th Nov to Sat 29th Dec LA CHÂTRE Boutique de Noël A dozen artists and artisans have beautiful handcrafted works for sale. You’ll find lots of unique Christmas gift ideas as well as handmade decorations. Open Wednesdays to Saturdays... and open some Sundays nearer to Christmas. For full details and opening hours please visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/boutiquefmr or our website www.boutique-fmr.com.

Sat 1st Dec EYMOUTIERS German Christmas Market All morning in the halle.

Sat 17th Nov to Sun 23rd Dec MAGNAC-LAVAL Christmas Pop-Up Shop Inspirations Art and Craft Group will be opening a Christmas Pop-Up Shop on Saturday 17th November until 23rd December. Our opening hours will be daily from 10 am through to 2 pm at L'Escapade, where you will find a multitude of beautiful and unique items on sale at affordable prices. Ideal gifts for your family and friends, come along and see us soon!! Email us for more information: inspirations.droux@gmail.com Fri 30th Nov to Mon 24th Dec LIMOGES Christmas Market Original gift ideas from artisans and producers, exhibiting in 34 traditional wooden chalets on rue Jean-Jaurès. 11h-19h30. Visit noel.limoges.fr for more information. Fri 30th Nov to Sun 9th Dec VILLEFAVARD Concerts at the Ferme de Villefavard Fri 30th Nov at 20.00 FUGATO - Estelle Revaz, cello and François Killian, piano. Beethoven, Brahms.

Sat 1st Dec BERSAC-SUR-RIVALIER Christmas Market 80 exhibitors. Regional produce, crafts, gifts, entertainment for the children. 9h-18h.

Sat 1st to Sat 29th Dec GUÉRET Pop-Up Christmas Shops Looking for that extra special gift for Christmas? Why not head to the Grande Rue in Guéret to visit one of the pop-up Christmas shops: Le Grand Atelier - at no. 36 L'Éphémère - at no. 21 Featuring local artisans, creators and producers. Sat 1st to Sun 2nd Dec SAINTE-FEYRE Marché de Noël - Parc Animalier Les Loups de Chabrières Christmas market at the wolf park. Come and do a spot of Christmas shopping: crafts, regional produce... Entertainment for the children. Free entry to the park. From 10h. Contact: Tel 05 55 81 23 23 - www.loups-chabrieres.com Sun 2nd Dec LE DORAT Christmas Market Halle aux grains. 10h-18h. Sun 2nd Dec ROYERE-DE-VASSIVIÈRE Christmas Market From 9h. Salle polyvalente. Sun 2nd Dec SAINT-LAURENT-SUR-GORRE Christmas Market & Brocante 9h-18h.

Sun 2nd Dec SAINT-LÉGER-MAGNAZEIX Christmas Market Salle socio-éducative. 10h-17h. Fri 7th to Mon 24th Dec MONTLUÇON Christmas Market Place Jean Jaurès. Sun-Thu 14h-19h; Fri-Sat 11h-21h. The ice rink will stay in place until 05/01. Sat 8th Dec BOURGANEUF European Christmas Market Organised by the Association Rencontres FrancoBritanniques. Indoor Christmas market being held in the hall polyvalent Rouchon-Mazerat in Bourganeuf from 8.30 am till 5 pm. Entry is free. Last year we had 42 different sellers and we expect to have more this year. Breakfast will be on sale till 11:30 am. We will be selling bacon and sausage sandwiches, using traditional British produce. And, of course, there will be tea, coffee, and toast with locally made jam and marmalade. There is no need to book for breakfast – just turn up and we will prepare it for you. After breakfast visitors can enjoy browsing the wide range of market stalls – foodstuffs, artisan beer, silk-screen prints, jewellery, cards, sculptures, clothing, toys... and all at a range of prices for those large or small Christmas gifts. For lunchtime curry will be available from Mandyscurry2go (www.mandyscurry2go.com) and there will also be a range of snacks and hand-held food. This can be accompanied by either artisan beer, brewed by Steve Ellis of Artibrassage 87, or wine. The Association will be providing tea and coffee throughout the day and, in the afternoon, traditional mince pies and mulled wine will be on sale. There will be entertainment throughout the day, including a Christmas concert at 3 pm from the Amis Chanteurs de St-Amand. A collection will be made in aid of the Téléthon. So please come along; there will be a lot to see, taste and enjoy! More details about the Association may be found at: www.francobrit.com

WHAT’S ON ♦ 23

DECEMBER 2018 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu Sat 8th Dec BOUSSAC Marché de Noël AIPB will be manning a cake stall at the Christmas market selling our delicious home-made cakes and marmalade. All profits will be donated to the Boussac Téléthon. Place de l'Hôtel de Ville from 10 am. Come early to avoid disappointment. Sat 8th Dec CHÂLUS Christmas Market From 9h30. Sat 8th to Sun 9th Dec LA CELLE-DUNOISE Christmas Market 10h-18h. Salle des Loisirs. Sun 9th Dec BOSMIE L'AIGUILLE Marché de Noël et Foire à l'Orange Organised by the Comité des fêtes and the Comité de Jumelage de Bosmie-l'Aiguille. Gourmet produce, crafts, sales of Spanish produce from the region of Pédralba, Flamenco demonstrations. Salle Georges Bizet from 9h-18h. Free entry. Sun 9th to Sat 15th Dec CONFOLENS Beeswax candle-making workshops Make your own beeswax candles and traditional tree decorations at an afternoon beeswax workshop in Confolens. 9th and 15th December, starting at 1 pm. €40 per person to include everything, including lovely tea and cake. Call 05 45 71 22 90 or email info@13bees.co.uk to book your spot to make your own unique gifts. Sun 9th Dec DUN-LE-PALESTEL Christmas Concert The Association Entente Cordiale’s annual and extremely popular Concert de Noël. Two choirs, Vocalise and Vidolaï, traditional music and songs from La Paillole and guitarist and singer Hervé MAUGERY. Eglise. 17h. Followed by mince pies & mulled wine in the Salle Apollo. Donations to the Children’s Ward at Guéret Hospital. Sun 9th Dec GUÉRET Christmas Carols in the Creuse Come along to our Christmas Carol Service on Sunday 9th December at 3 pm. Service in English. Église Évangélique de Guéret, 9B place Bonnyaud, 23000 Guéret. Refreshments after the Service - possibly even mince pies!! www.serviceinenglish.com Sun 9th Dec SAINT-VAURY Christmas Market Gymnase. 9h-18h.

Thu 13th to Mon 24th Dec LIMOGES Christmas Market 80 artisans and 30 producers. 9h-19h. Jardin d'Orsay. Visit noel.limoges.fr for more information. Fri 14th Dec BOUSSAC Chants de Noël (Christmas Carol Service) Église de Ste Anne. The service commences at 19h30 but please arrive early to get a seat! You will be piped into the church by Alan Nichol, the Scottish bagpiper, wearing his kilt. French and English carols will be sung by all nationalities accompanied by Sylvain Bouard on the piano and readings this year will be in French, English and Dutch by members of the association and the parish. The service will be followed by festive refreshments offered free by AIPB in la maison paroissiale.Come and start your Christmas celebrations with us. For more information tel 05 55 65 03 69 or check our website www.aipbboussac.org and Facebook page: Amitiés internationales du pays de Boussac. Fri 14th to Sat 15th Dec FELLETIN Christmas Market Gymnase municipal. 50 exhibitors. Fri 9h-20h; Sat 10h-18h. Fri 14th Dec VALLIÈRE Service of French and English Lessons and Carols Eglise de Vallière. 18h30. All welcome, free entry, refreshments afterwards. Collection for restoration work to the church. Sat 15th Dec CLUGNAT Christmas Market Place de l'église. From 17h. Sat 15th Dec DUN-LE-PALESTEL Christmas Market Place Philippe Daulny. 10h-19h. Sat 15th Dec EVAUX-LES-BAINS Christmas Market 15h-21h. Sat 15th Dec EYMOUTIERS Christmas Market Sat 15th Dec SAINT-JUNIEN Christmas Market Place Lacôte. 9h30-18h. Sun 16th Dec AUZANCES Christmas Market 10h à 18h. Place du Marché. Sun 16th Dec CHÂTEAUPONSAC Christmas Market Town centre and gymnasium.

Bugle Notice Board Mandys-curry-2-go www.mandyscurry2go.com

Curry & Side Dish of the month: Rogan Josh and Talka Dhal Ste-Sévère-sur-Indre, Boussac, Gouzon and Guéret, Chilled pre-orders only! ... Wednesday 5th (3.15pm, 4pm, 4.30pm & 5.15pm) Aubusson, Chilled only! (place de la gare routière) - Thursday 6th (4pm-5pm) Marsac, (Chez Jacques) - Friday 7th (6.30pm) Bourganeuf Christmas Market - Saturday 8th (9am-3pm) Peyrat-le-Château & St-Léonard-de-Noblat Chilled pre-orders only! ... Thursday 13th (12.30pm & 1.30pm) Le Dorat, Bellac & Limoges, Chilled pre-orders only! ... Friday 14th (1pm, 1.30pm & 3pm) Sardent, (Auberge du lac, Masmangeas) - Saturday 15th (6pm) Bourganeuf, St-Dizier-Leyrenne, Le Grand-Bourg, Dun-le-Palestel & La Souterraine... Chilled pre-orders only! Thursday 20th (1.15pm, 1.30pm, 2pm, 2.30pm & 3.30pm) Please contact me if you would like a chilled pre-order to anywhere that is not listed above!

All venues are weather permitting. Please check website & Facebook for updates. Have a Merry Christmas & all the best for 2019!

Tel: 07 70 39 12 23

Email: mandyscurry2go@gmail.com

Très Jolie Fashion Accessories Where to find me: Every Wednesday - Piégut Market Très Jolie is thrilled to inform you that in addition to the other outlets my Beautiful Collection of Ladies Italian Clothing & Accessories are now available from my new Boutique in Rochechouart. Located at 4 rue Romain Rolland, 87600 Rochechouart next door to the Equilibre Naturellement. Opening hours are 10h to 17h Monday to Friday, Saturday 10h to 12h. Closed Wednesday.

Don't forget to pop into the Gift Shop next door to the 1-4 Euro Store in Piégut for a large range of my everyday accessories

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

26, Ecurat 23150

Le Restaurant Ecurat Atelier d'Art du Jardin

Merry Christmas to all our customers, old and new! Come and enjoy our Plat du Jour every Mon, Tue & Wed Call for more information: tel: 05 55 81 31 85 email: ecurat123@hotmail.com

Sun 16th Dec MAGNAC-LAVAL Christmas Market Espace du Rocher. 10h-17h. Sun 16th Dec VALLIÈRE Christmas Market Sale of local crafts and produce. Salle polyvalente. 9h-18h. Fri 21st to Sun 23rd Dec GUÉRET Christmas Market Place du Marché. Sat 22nd Dec BELLAC Christmas Market In the streets of Bellac from 16h-22h. Sat 22nd Dec GUÉRET Organ recital Recital by organ students from the Conservatoire E. Goué. Eglise Saint Pierre - Saint Paul de Guéret at 4:30 pm. Lasts approx 30 mins. Free entry. Organised by the Association "Les Amis de l'Orgue de Guéret" (AOG), founded almost 40 years ago, which seeks to maintain and make use of the only organ in Creuse with 3 keyboards. Sun 23rd Dec AUBUSSON Christmas Market Parvis de l'hôtel de ville, salle de la bourse du travail, Grande Rue & Rue Vieille from 10h-19h. Sun 23rd Dec GUÉRET Concert: les Noëls de Louis-Claude DAQUIN Performed by organist Georges LARTIGAU. Eglise Saint Pierre - Saint Paul de Guéret at 4:30 pm. Lasts approx 30 mins. Free entry. Organised by the Association "Les Amis de l'Orgue de Guéret" (AOG), founded almost 40 years ago, which seeks to maintain and make use of the only organ in Creuse with 3 keyboards. Sun 23rd Dec LA SOUTERRAINE Christmas Market 16th Christmas market with over 150 exhibitors, the perfect opportunity to find those last-minute Christmas gifts. 10h-19h. Sun 23rd Dec SAINT-LÉONARD-DE-NOBLAT Christmas Market Town centre from 14h. Mon 31st Dec BOUSSAC Corrida pédestre du vieux Boussac 6 km race departs place de l'Hôtel de Ville at 10h30. Free event. Visit courir36.fr to sign up.

Le Tambour Cassé

(The Broken Drum) 8 Place Saint Jean, 87320 DARNAC 9th Dec, 10 am - 4 pm – Christmas Market Find the perfect gifts and stocking fillers at our 4th annual Christmas Market. Refreshments will be available from the bar throughout the day. Stallholders contact Antonia on below number to reserve a table. 22nd Dec, 8 pm – English Christmas Dinner Six course Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, 20€ per person. Reservations required. See website for Menu. 31st Dec, 8:30 pm – New Year’s Eve Rocks Dance the night away with Downright Liberty and welcome the New Year in style. 15€ for adults and 10€ for children (5-10 years old). Price includes serveyourself buffet, available throughout the evening, and a glass of bubbly at midnight. Reservations required. For more information or to reserve your table visit us on Facebook (@thebrokendrum) or call the bar on

http://www.brokendrum.fr 09 66 80 32 41

Purple Solutions Garden Maintenance

Many thanks to all our customers for their support in 2018 and we look forward to meeting new customers in 2019!

m: 06 72 87 87 14 e: sryanhill@rocketmail.com

24 ♦ WHAT’S ON

The Bugle Film Club

Thursday 13th December

What? Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald Where? Cinéma Sénéchal, 1 rue du Sénéchal, 23000 Guéret When? 19h00, Thursday 13th December How much? JUST €4 (mention The Bugle when purchasing your ticket)

For details of the Cinéma Sénéchal, visit www.cinema-senechal.com Details of each month's screening will be included in The Bugle, but to receive emails about upcoming Film Club nights, please send an email to editor@thebugle.eu quoting “Film Club” in the subject line, and we will add you to our contact list. (We promise not to send you any spam!!)