The Bugle Limousin - Jan 2014

Head of faulty breast implant company jailed Jean-Claude Mas, the founder of PIP and the man behind the global manufacture of faulty breast implants, >> Page 9 has been jailed by a court in France

Limousin January 2014 Issue #51

Battle raging in the skies over Limousin Brive airport has announced it is to launch a Ryanair flight to London Stansted in spring, putting it in direct competition with Limoges airport and breaking a non-competition agreement signed between the two regional hubs. airports that they would not compete on the same lines with the same companies. The two airports have existed peacefully beside one another for 3 years, but storm clouds are brewing after Brive recently announced that from April 2014 it would be operating 2 return flights each week to London Stansted with low-cost airline Ryanair.

“To avoid bidding wars and competition between the two airports, we engaged with each other not to negotiate with airlines that already served the other airport, for new or existing lines, unless agreed beforehand with the other airport,” explained Jean-Pierre Limousin, president of the Chambre de commerce et d'industrie (CCI) of Limoges and Haute-Vienne, which operates Limoges airport. “For me, the announcement of the opening of a Brive-London Stansted line con-

NEWS - How much do you pay for water?

A study has revealed vast differences in the price we pay for the water in our taps >> Page 3

NEWS - The price of politeness

A café in Nice has taken the unusual step of charging customers more for their coffee if they fail to ask for it politely >> Page 10

FRENCH LIFE - Soil, rats and beer

We take a look at where the soil has gone, how to deal with rats and why beer is better for you than coffee >> Page 12

© guillaumepaumier.com, CC-BY

O

ne of the big attractions of living in the Limousin, for many British expats, are the excellent air links with the UK via LimogesBellegarde airport. When Brive airport opened in 2010, expat Brits had even more options for getting into and out of the region.

Many questioned at the time, however, whether the Limousin needed, or indeed could handle, another airport. A major fear was that the larger airlines would play Brive, Limoges and to a certain extent Bergerac airports off against each other in order to acquire more favourable deals. Europe's low-cost airlines, and Ryanair in particular, are known for their aggressive negotiating tactics with small regional airports.

To this end, an agreement was signed between Brive and Limoges

INSIDE > > >

>> continued on page 5

France's next president? Former leader Nicolas Sarkozy is on the comeback trail >> Page 7

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2 ♦ IN THIS EDITION

Welcome to

The Bugle

W

ell, 2014 is finally upon us - or will be shortly if you rushed out to pick up your copy of The Bugle hot off the press! I've been saying it for a few years now, but I do think that the economic outlook is gradually improving and that 2014 will mark the start of a real financial turnaround for France - I am nothing if not an optimist!

For the time being, the news coming out of the UK is certainly better than in France, but the recession does appear to be (finally!) behind us over here and house prices are rising steadily back in the UK. Whether this results in a fresh wave of expats making the move to France remains to be seen, but that can only be a good thing for the local economy if it turns out to be the case.

A recurring theme in the paper this month has been politeness. I know that the French have garnered an image over the years as being a bit insular and surly, but I have certainly never found this to be the case. I'm not a big fan of Parisians, but then neither are the French who live outside the capital. Certainly

in my little corner of France, the people who live here could not have been nicer or more welcoming to me and my family.

Before moving to France, I lived in large capital cities for a number of years and so it came as a shock when random strangers said hello to me here in my local bank, post office or pharmacy. Even the moody teenagers will almost always give a polite “bonjour” when they enter into a room full of strangers. Although it seemed odd at first, I have come to realise that this is perfectly normal in the countryside and is something that I now also do myself out of habit. I don't think there is much difference in general between the British and the French, it is more of a city/ country divide in both countries.

I had a good chuckle to myself when reading about the café owner in southern France who is threatening to charge his customers more if they are not polite when ordering their morning coffee (see page 10). I am starting to wonder if that is an approach I should adopt here at Bugle Towers. Over the years we have had everything through the door, from a well thought out handwritten letter (to

were at a then all-time low; he was being battered in the polls by François Hollande and a number of high-profile court cases were hanging over his head. Less than two years later, he's virtually in the clear from a legal point of view and people appear to be clamouring for his return. I try to remain politically neutral on these pages, but I for one would love to see him return... when he was in power, vast chunks of the paper practically wrote themselves!

Every month you could guarantee that he would do something funny, stupid or unexpected - a kind of Gallic cross between George W and Berlusconi!!

Before I go, I would just like to wish all our readers the very best for 2014!!

which we replied) to a one line email without a hello, please or thank you and simply asking, “got any jobs?” (to which we did not reply!)

Personally, I think that much of today's rudeness can be put down to technology. Learning to hold conversations by text message has ultimately led to many people dispensing entirely with any semblance of formality or manners - and that is without getting into the terrible spelling and grammar that textspeak invariably engenders!

We have become so used to communicating anonymously by computer that I think people sometimes forget that there is actually another human being at the other end of the fibre-optic cable, leading them to write things that they would never dream of saying face-to-face with another person. Speaking personally, you are infinitely more likely to get a response from me if your email is properly formatted and politely written. I can not tell you the number of emails we get that do not even have a name at the bottom.

“Dear tomandjerry87, Many thanks for your email....” will begin my reply through gritted teeth!!

It really doesn't cost anything to be polite - maybe I'll make that my New Year's resolution for 2014!

Elsewhere in the news, it very much looks like Nicolas Sarkozy is gearing up for another run at the presidency in 2017. You really wouldn't have thought it possible in 2012 when his popularity ratings

Until next month!

INSIDE this edition

1 & 3-5 Local News 6-10 National News 11-12 French Life 13 Practical 14 Advertising Feature 15 Notice Board 16-17 Classifieds 18 Clubs & Associations 19-20 What's On

B1-B8 Business Directory

CONTACT us Tel: 05.55.41.17.76

Steve Martindale, Editor

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

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LOCAL NEWS ♦ 3

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Disparity in the Mayors could be granted power to set parking fines cost of water

T

he price of utilities are continually changing and recently it seems they have only been heading in one direction. While your water bill might not be as large as the gas and electric bills for the year, it is still a sizeable chunk of most people's household budget. A recent study has shown, however, that there is a wide disparity in the price of water across the country, with large differences even noted between neighbouring departments.

Readers in the Haute-Vienne will be pleased to note that the price they pay for water is amongst the cheapest in the country at €2.92 per cubic metre. In fact, only 6 mainland departments have cheaper water than can be found in the Haute-Vienne. Thank your stars you do not live in the Tarn-etGaronne department in southwest France, where the price of water is €5.72!

Water in Creuse will set you back €3.73 per m³ and in the Corrèze it will cost €4.01 - that's 37% more than in bordering Haute-Vienne. The study shows that the national average price for a cubic metre of water has risen to €4.15. The cheapest water to be had in France comes from the Vosges department of northeast France where the price is a

modest €2.47.

The study, which compared 6,328 prices gathered from the all the departments of mainland France as well as the overseas territories, revealed some stark differences in price. “The disparity, and the high prices in some departments have become the norm, leading to great injustices for consumers,” said a leading consumer rights group, which went on to call the current pricing structure a “jungle”.

Not only do the prices vary wildly from region to region, but the study reveals that prices can also be very different within parts of the same department.

The consumer rights group, which has criticised what it believes to be overly complex pricing structures and billing practices, is calling for prices across the country to be gradually brought in line with each other, something that is already being done on a smaller scale by some departments and groups of communes. “There is no reason why the harmonisation of these prices, which is already being done in certain areas, can not be rolled out across the country,” said the group, arguing that this would be “the first step on the road to having a single unit price for water in France. ■

T

hose of us who have driven in the UK may be familiar with seemingly extortionate parking fines when caught on a yellow line, or overstaying your welcome at a parking meter. In France, fines are set nationwide; for the 25 years until 2011 fines were fixed nationally at €11 and since then have been €17. Change is afoot, however, as local mayors could soon become free to set their own parking fines if new decentralisation legislation being discussed in parliament is passed.

While the price of a parking fine in Le Dorat or Dun-le-Palestel may remain at €17 or even drop, fines in Limoges or Guéret could rise, although it may be some time until the changes officially become law. MPs have voted in favour of the measure at first reading - but it would take at least two years to come into effect.

Under current rules, bad parking is a legal issue handled by the police, but many argue that the €17 fine is not enough to dissuade drivers from breaking the law. According to Guy Le Bras, general manager of the Groupement des autorités responsables de transports (Gart), only 35% of drivers pay for parking when they are supposed to.

By “decriminalising” parking offences, the door would be open for private companies to enter the market for collecting fines. This has the double incentive for local authorities of both increasing their revenue from fines as

well as reducing the costs of collecting them not only are private companies cheaper than using local police to collect penalties, any fees charged by the collection agency can simply be added to the cost of the fine.

Supporters of the move argue that under the current system, fines are not high enough in Paris to dissuade drivers from parking illegally, but are too high in rural areas. They hope that mayors of rural towns will in fact lower the fines while those of larger cities are free to raise them.

Critics of the proposals believe that the move will simply lead to higher and higher parking fines. Not only that, but because penalties will be handled on a municipal level, if a driver wishes to contest a fine, they will need to contact their commune. If the commune upholds the fine, they will need to go before an administrative tribunal. That will require them to engage a lawyer and they will have no right of appeal.

It has been established that Paris is keen to charge €36 for a parking fine, with Lyon and Strasbourg opting for somewhere in the region of €20.

Meanwhile, the Senate has also unanimously voted in favour of making car parking, in any parking space, completely free of charge for disabled drivers. This would mean that drivers with a valid disabled badge would not be limited to designated disabled spaces to benefit from free parking. ■

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Following a survey of public opinion, the neighbouring communes of Saint-Pierre-de-Fursac and Saint-Etienne-deFursac look set to put their quarrelsome past behind them and re-join together.

Of the 822 inhabitants of Saint-Pierre-de-Fursac, 342 completed a questionnaire on the issue, with over 90% saying that they would like to see the two communes merge once more. Fewer than 5% of those questioned wanted to remain separate.

Putting past differences aside, it is today's tough financial environment that has proved to be the driving force in the reconciliation.

“In the current crisis, we need to tighten our belts,” said André Clavé, a member of the commission which carried out the survey. “[By fusing] we can reduce the running costs of the communes.”

Nothing has been officially signed, but the two communes appear to be well on the way to reconciliation. ■

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Télémédecine first for the Limousin

I

n December, the first experiment in “télémédecine” took place in the Limousin, whereby a doctor remotely assesses and diagnoses a patient. Thanks to the new high-tech equipment being trialled at the nursing home in Chambon-surVoueize, the first patients have been “seen” by a doctor many miles away.

The mobile equipment, which comprises a large screen with attached webcam, also contains, amongst other things, a stethoscope, an otoscope for ear examinations, an ECG monitor and a magnifying camera for detailed images of the skin. The equipment can be brought to the patient and operated by a healthcare professional, with the data transferred in real-time to a qualified doctor who can

make their diagnosis and refer the patient to a specialist if necessary.

The benefits for the nursing home are obvious. With many of their patients suffering from physical and mental health issues, being able to check and treat a wide range of less complicated medical problems on site is not only cheaper and more efficient but it also reduces the trauma of having to transport the residents to a doctor or other specialist.

The mobile medical trolley, which has been christened Lim Star by members of staff at the home, is a novel solution to the growing challenges of caring for an increasingly ageing population in rural France, and one that will surely become more and more common across the region in the coming months and years. ■

Unemployment drops In a rare piece of good news, the rate of unemployment in the Limousin has fallen by 3.5%. This is significantly better than the drop recorded nationally of 0.6%, although at least the figures are finally heading in the right direction.

The region as a whole has 1,118 fewer unemployed people, with Corrèze seeing the biggest drop (5.1%) followed by Haute-Vienne (3%) and Creuse (2.2%). ■

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Limousin leads the country in drug and medicine recycling

S

ince the Limousin was part of a pilot for the Cyclamed scheme in 1993, it has held the position as the number one recycler of medicines in France.

The system, run by not-for-profit organisation Cyclamed, has proved to be a massive success.

This can be put down to two main factors: Firstly, since 2009 pharmacies are required by law to collect any unused drugs brought in by members of the public, whether they are in or out of date - it is very rare that one refuses; secondly, a marketing campaign that targeted the mothers of young families has proved very successful.

“Mothers have a tendency to stockpile from pharmacies, collecting medicines that they keep ‘just in case’”, explained Thierry MoreauDefarges, president of Cyclamed. “But often, this ‘case’ never arises.”

In total, 14,271 tonnes of medicines were collected under the scheme in 2012, with the average resident of the Limousin handing over 373 grammes of unused medications.

When the organised recycling first started, many believed that they were performing a humanitarian service, i.e. that the unused drugs would be used in third world countries. In reality, the types of medicines handed in tend to not be in demand in poorer nations, and in practice the amount being reused overseas was never above 10%. Since the law change in 2009, all drugs and medicines collected must be disposed of or converted into energy by Cyclamed. This process is performed using 52 incinerators which recover the energy contained in the medicines as heat and/or electricity. ■ More information is available in English on the Cyclamed website: http://www.cyclamed.org/en

Cyclamed - how it works Can a pharmacy refuse to take the drugs? No. Providing that the drugs are still in their original packaging (i.e. blister pack, sachet or bottle) then the law requires the pharmacist to take them.

What is the environmental issue? Medicines form part of the 28 million tonnes of household waste produced every year. They contain active chemical ingredients that pollute the environment.

Does Cyclamed make money from this? No, Cyclamed is a not-for-profit organisation responsible for the safe disposal of medicines and drugs.

Is there anything that can’t be recycled? Veterinary products, cosmetics, X-rays, mercury thermometers, dressings and syringes – ask your pharmacist for a full list.

What about the box and other packaging? Anything that has not been in direct contact with the medicine or drug in question can be recycled in the conventional way.

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2014

LOCAL NEWS ♦ 5

Airports battle over Ryanair London flights >> continued from pg 1 stitutes a break in the trust that has united us until now.”

Jean-Louis Nesti, president of the CCI of Corrèze and of the syndicate which operates Brive airport, went on the defensive and denied that there was any competition. “The passengers on the Limoges-London Stansted flights are predominantly heading for the Haute-Vienne, Creuse and the Charente departments,” claimed Mr Nesti. “For Brive, the demand is coming from the Dordogne Valley, the Périgord Noir and the Midi-Pyrénées. For me, there is no competition.”

With the two airports situated just 100km - or one hour by car from each other, it is hard to see that this can be entirely true.

Many would argue that having more low-cost flights to the region is a good thing; more flights means more visitors and tourists arriving with bulging wallets. The problem lies in the medium term and the aggressive tactics used by the low-cost

airlines when negotiating deals with regional airports. Ryanair often asks for “contributions” from less profitable, regional airports in return for flying their planes in and out.

Jean-Pierre Limousin is convinced that Brive has paid handsomely for the new flights, something that his colleague from the Corrèze denies: “There has been no financial compensation to Ryanair for opening the London Stansted route from Brive,” assured Mr Nesti.

The practice of demanding state aid for operating flights has long been a target for EU lawmakers.

Under current EU law, however, airports that have fewer than 1 million passengers per year do not need to inform Brussels of any payments made to airlines. The EU is hoping to reduce this threshold to 200,000 passengers, allowing them to more effectively clamp down on the practice. Limoges airport currently sees just over 300,000 passengers pass through its doors each year.

With two airports so close to-

gether and operating the same London route, Ryanair will now be in a much stronger position when it comes to negotiating the renewal of its contracts with the airports in the future. An aggressive bidding war could spell the end for the loser.

The frosty relationship that has developed between the airports shows no sign of thawing in the

near future. The president of the Conseil général of the Limousin, Jean-Paul Denanot, has entered the argument and insisted that the problem will be resolved before it escalates. Asked by La Montagne about his thoughts on the developing war, he said: “It must not be allowed to happen. The agreements that were signed when the region agreed to

finance the airport at Brive must be respected. I sincerely hope that everything will return to order. We need calm between these two airports. Limoges and Brive must not be in competition - they must complement each other. I will be taking the matter up with the prefect of the region to ensure that things return to order.” ■

JANUARY 2014 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

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Red light for prostitution

N

ew laws on prostitution introduced this month will make it illegal to pay for sex. MPs in the National Assembly voted overwhelmingly in favour of a bill which will introduce a fine of up to €1,500 for those caught buying sex.

Under the new ruling, prostitution remains legal, but soliciting will no longer be punished. The new legislation also includes provision to help sex workers find a way off the streets.

France has traditionally had a tolerant approach to prostitution. Under Napoleon prostitution was legalised, with the “filles de joie” registered and subject to health checks. Since 1946, however, controls have tightened, notably under the current Socialist government. In 2010 Manuel Valls, the interior minister, spoke out against the “'new slavery” gripping France and some ministers have even called for a “society without prostitution” as part of a new vision of France's future.

The tightened legislation comes as France attempts to break up the international sex trafficking circles operating in l'Héxagone. Today around 90% of sex workers in France are foreign, a rise of

70 per cent since 1990.

However, many groups fear that fining clients caught paying for sex could have a detrimental effect on the working conditions of France's 20,000 sex workers.

Tim Leicester, who works for Médecins du Monde, commented: “[The new legislation] won't change anything for prostitutes. They will be forced to continue to hide themselves because even if they are not risking arrest, their clients are. And

their survival depends on their clients.”

Women's Rights Minister Najat Vallaud-Belkacem voiced her support for the reforms, calling the latest vote “the end of a long road strewn with pitfalls”.

However, with fines threatening to drive the worst aspects of prostitution underground, it remains to be seen whether this really is the end of the road for those wishing to pay for sex. ■ Amaryllis Barton

Colour tattoos set to be banned

They are statistically less likely to cause deaths than cigarettes, alcohol or drugs, and fewer than 1 in 10 French people have them, but as of January 2014, coloured tattoos will become a taboo in France.

90% of coloured tattoo inks will become illegal following a move by the SNDV (the French union of dermatologists and venereologists) to reduce the adverse effects of the inks, which can include infections, allergic reactions and, according to a new study, cancer.

Tattooists have responded to the news in shock, claiming that the new measure has no scientific basis and will only stigmatise the tattoo industry.

Julien Schroder, the manager of Deluxe Tattoo in Reims, has been in the tattoo industry for 14 years. “I've only seen two allergic reactions to coloured ink - to red ink to be precise. I have never heard anything about the risk of cancer.”

There is also concern that instead of reducing demand for coloured tattoos, a black-market colour tattoo industry could be created. According to 'Tin-Tin', the well-known tattoo artist who famously tattooed Jean-Paul Gaultier , the only people who will benefit are the “backstreet outfits supplying Chinese ink”.

Seeking artistic expression through colourful body art, customers could find themselves in unregulated and unhygienic tattoo parlours. For the time being, tattoo lovers are signing an online petition, which already has over 150,000 signatures at time of publication, to stop the government ban. ■ Amaryllis Barton

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6 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

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www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2014

NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 7

Nicolas Sarkozy on the comeback trail

I

t may have looked almost impossible when he left office in 2012, but it now seems almost certain that France's “bling bling” president, Nicolas Sarkozy, will be making a comeback later this year, with one eye firmly on the 2017 presidential elections.

Sarkozy left office promising never to return, but as Hollande's popularity levels fell to the lowest recorded in modern history, Sarkozy has continually dropped hints that he may come back to rescue “suffering France” from the economic crisis that he blames on the Socialist leader.

“The question is not to know if I want or don't want to return. I cannot not return. I don't have a choice.

It's destiny. Destiny,” he has told friends and political allies, according to a recent edition of Le Point weekly magazine. The comments came as a new opinion poll in Le Figaro showed that the rightwing ex-president is far more popular than the incumbent François Hollande, with 46 per cent of voters saying they would like to have Sarkozy as head of state and just 27 per cent plumping for the Socialist.

In his first tentative steps back into public like after a very lucrative period on the international lecture circuit, the 58-year-old has begun attending the concerts of his singer wife Carla Bruni’s comeback tour, where thrilled audiences have greeted him with chants of “Come back Nicolas!” and “Get out Hollande”.

For a long time, the biggest obstacle to a return to front-line politics were the charges raised against him over the so-called Bettencourt Affair. Sarkozy had been facing a lengthy trial process, a potential three-year prison term and a ban from public office after being formally charged in March last year as part of a wide-ranging probe into allegations he illegally received cash from France's richest woman, Liliane Bettencourt, to help fund his successful 2007 election campaign.

Despite a series of other legal problems, when these charges were unexpectedly dropped by judges late last year, the door was suddenly re-opened for what had previously looked an unlikely comeback.

In a message he posted on his official Facebook page after he was cleared, Nicolas Sarkozy proclaimed that he had been declared “innocent”, and listed the numerous hardships to which he had been subjected by investigators, including 22 hours of questioning. “So, this was the price to pay so that the truth could finally

Nicholas

be established,” he wrote, before adding a warning: “For the politicians who, during these months, have used this 'affair' and contributed to increasing suspicion, I want to remind them how the presumption of innocence is a fundamental principle. We can never win by slandering people. It only harms democracy,” he said.

Sarkozy will have to battle hard to convince the public that he has changed from the man who lost the 2012 presidential elections. His problems with the electorate started as early as the night of his victory when he attended a VIP dinner organised at Le Fouquet’s, a luxury restaurant on the Champs-Elysées.

He then jetted off for a short cruise on a billionaire friend’s yacht before his inauguration. A series of similar incidents led to his nickname as the “bling bling president” and built his reputation as a friend of the rich, disconnected from the people.

Even if he successfully manages to change his image, his UMP party is in disarray, dogged by infighting, threatened by the rise of the far right and unable to capitalise on the Socialist government's record unpopularity. For that reason, it is now widely believed that Sarkozy is considering forming a new political party, a move that would also allow him to avoid a tricky UMP primary to select the party’s candidate for 2017.

Bruno Jeanbart of polling firm OpinionWay said the prospect of Mr Sarkozy moving back into the Elysée was a very a real one. “If the current situation persists, with François Hollande remaining a very unpopular president, and the Front National remaining a real threat, his chances could be strong,” he said. “Today he appears to be in a favourable position because there is a void that was created on the right due to his absence and nobody has filled that void.” ■

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Cigarette prices rise again to hit €7 per packet From 6th January, the price of a packet of cigarettes in France will rise another 20 centimes, the third price hike in 15 months.

The cheapest packet of cigarettes will now cost at least €6.50, with the price of a packet of Marlboro – France's most popular cigarette – reaching €7 for the first time.

“Reaching the symbolic level of €7 is a big deal for our clients,” explained Pascal Montredon, president of the federation of tobacconists. “They tell us that they are having more and more trouble making ends meet.”

Announcing the latest price rise, France's budget minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, told France 2 that the government's aim was to “have a steady decline in smoking and therefore a steady rise in prices”, adding that “the results seen in the last year show close to an 8% drop in tobacco consumption”.

In better news for committed smokers, they are now allowed to bring twice as much tobacco into the country as was previously permitted. Following a ruling by the European Court of Justice earlier this year that France was not complying with EU rules by strictly

limiting the purchase of tobacco, travellers can now bring 10 cartons of cigarettes back into the country, or 50 cartons for a car with 5 passengers. For cigars, the limit has gone from 50 to a whopping 1,000.

According to Le Parisien, around 500 million packets of cigarettes smoked in France each year are bought in neighbouring countries such as Italy (€5/packet), Luxembourg (€4.80), Spain (€4.65) or Andorra (€3) - countries where taxation on tobacco is significantly lower.■

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8 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

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François Hollande's secret prostate op

Earlier this month François Hollande admitted he underwent treatment for an enlargement of the prostate before he became president in 2012. The operation took place at the Cochin hospital, Paris, in February 2011; Hollande stayed for several days and then returned home as no further treatment was deemed necessary.

At the time, Hollande was president of the Conseil Général of the Corrèze region.

The reaction to the news has been mixed, with Hollande drawing support from across the political spectrum. Bernard Debré, a UMP member but also the head of the urology department at Cochin, put the operation into context. “It was nothing. It’s as if we were saying: you know, François Hollande was operated for appendicitis when he was seven. So what?” he said.

However, the health of France's leaders is a sensitive issue after two previous presidents concealed serious illnesses: Georges Pompidou hid his cancer from the electorate, ultimately dying in office, and François Mitterrand did not disclose his prostate cancer.

The operation calls into question whether voters have a right to know the medical history of their leaders when there is no constitutional obligation to do so. An unnamed source close to Hollande commented it would have been 'political suicide' for the president to disclose his condition to the electorate before the presidential race in 2012. ■ Amaryllis Barton

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France debates assisted suicide

A

fter tackling the thorny issues of gay marriage and prostitution, a debate is currently raging in France on another controversial issue: assisted suicide and euthanasia. The subject has once again been thrust into the limelight following the double suicide of an 86-year-old married couple in a top Parisian hotel.

Georgette and Bernard Cazes, both 86, were found lying peacefully on a bed in a room at the Lutetia hotel in the Saint-Germain district of Paris, having planned their deaths in meticulous detail. The couple, who met in their teens and had been married for more than 60 years, were found by hotel staff holding hands and with plastic bags over their heads.

Police found two documents in the room, which was undisturbed: one, a letter for the couple's family; the other, a typewritten attack on the government, addressed to the French public prosecutor, demanding “the right to die in a dignified manner”.

France's official Ethics Advisory Committee (CCNE) passed a majority vote earlier this year against introducing Dignitas-style assisted suicide clinics where lethal medication is deliberately given to a patient. It did say, however, that it was in favour of “passive euthanasia” whereby treatment, hydration and nutrients are withdrawn at the request of an individual facing the end of their life.

In 2005, France approved a law that allows patients, and in some cases their families, to decline extreme medical treatment keeping them alive despite their wishes, but euthanasia - an act by a medical professional or other person meant to cause the patient to die - is illegal in France. This is despite repeated polls suggesting that over 90% of the public are in favour of assisted suicide.

In neighbouring Switzerland, Luxem-

bourg and Belgium, as well as in the Netherlands, assisted suicide is already either legal or has been decriminalised.

In her final letter, Georgette Cazes voiced her anger at not being allowed to leave the world “peacefully”. She declared the letter a formal legal complaint for the “non respect of my liberty”, and wrote that she had asked her son to pursue the case after her death.

“The law forbids access to any lethal pills that would enable a soft death,” the typed note said. “Should my freedom be only limited by that of others? Who has the right to hinder a person [to end their life] who has nobody in their charge, who is up to date with their taxes, having worked all these years and then as a volunteer in the social services? Who has the right to force them to commit cruel practices when they want to leave this life serenely?”

One of their sons later said that they had been “planning their deaths for years” because they did not want to become a burden on their family or the state adding that they “feared separation and dependency on others much more than death”.

Jean-Luc Romero, president of the Association for the Right to Die with Dignity, said that without a new law on euthanasia, those who wished to end their lives before a prolonged and painful sickness or period of decline, would continue to be forced to use drastic means to do so. “Unfortunately, the fate of this couple is typical. There are many elderly French people who are forced every year to take their own lives in very unpleasant ways,” he said, adding that this case proved beyond doubt that the time had come for French law to change. “Quite simply we need a new law which allows people in similar circumstances to this couple to be able to seek assistance from doctors and to pass away peacefully and with dignity, in the company of their

loved ones,” he added. “With assisted suicide you avoid trauma and allow a departure within minutes, without suffering and surrounded by loved ones.”

Marie-Frédérique Bacqué, a psychoanalyst and head of the review, Death Studies, said that while nobody could be prevented from ending their life, “assisted suicide widens the possibilities of killing, which is problematic and dangerous: how then could you refuse such a death to someone who is [simply] depressed?”

In the wake of the story, a second couple, an 81-year-old and 84-year-old, were found by their cleaner in the bedroom of their home in the seventh arrondissement of the French capital having also taken their own lives. “It is clear the couple committed suicide by taking medication,” a police source said, who also confirmed that they had left a note explaining the reasons behind their actions.

One neighbour described them as a “nice elderly couple” while another told AFP news agency that the woman suffered from cancer and walked with crutches, “but they went to the theatre and liked to go out”.

During his 2012 presidential campaign, President François Hollande promised to further look into the issue of assisted suicide, but no reforms have been presented to date.

A panel of 18 people who are “representative” of the population was set up earlier this year at the request of the president to look into the issue of assisted suicide. In December, after news of the most recent suicides, the “Conference of Citizens” panel said: “The possibility of committing medically assisted suicide... is, in our eyes, a legitimate right of a patient close to death or suffering from a terminal pathology, based first and foremost on their lucid consent and complete awareness.” ■

Lottery unveils game to create 100 millionaires Française des Jeux (FDJ), the company which runs the Euromillions lottery in France, has announced plans to create 2 millionaires every week from next month. As of the 1st February, a ticket for the Euromillions will rise from €2 to €2.50 if players also wish to take part in the “My Million” game.

Every Tuesday and Friday, one ticket bought in France for the Euromillions which also took part in the My Million will be drawn at random, with the winner collecting a

guaranteed €1 million. Because there is a guaranteed winner at each draw, the new My Million game will create over 100 new millionaires every year in France.

Although players of My Million will be hoping that it will soon be their lucky day, FDJ chose an unusual date to announce details of the new game... Friday 13th!

France has 83 Euromillions winners, more than any other country, ahead of Spain (67) and the UK (65). The biggest Euromillions win in France was 169 million euros. ■

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2014

NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 9

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PIP founder jailed

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ean-Claude Mas, the founder of Poly Implant Prothèse (PIP), the French firm at the centre of a global scandal over defective breast implants, was yesterday found guilty of aggravated fraud and sentenced to four years in prison. Four other defendants, former PIP executives or managers, were also found guilty and given jail sentences ranging from 18 months to 3 years.

Cheers erupted from the 50 women present when the verdict was read out in the courtroom in Marseille, southern France. There were a total of 7,113 civil plaintiffs in what was one of the largest cases in French legal history.

Mr Mas was also ordered to compensate more than 4,000 plaintiffs up to €13,000 each for the anxiety he had caused them and, in some cases, the physical trauma of

having the implants removed.

They are unlikely to receive anything, however, as the 74-year-old claims he is insolvent and PIP was put into liquidation shortly after the scandal broke.

There was further anger amongst the plaintiffs as Mr Mas was allowed to walk free from court pending an appeal.

Mr Mas admitted to lying about the gel he used but denied that the substandard implants posed any health risks, at first dismissing the complainants as “fragile people, or people who are doing this for money”. He later offered a half-hearted apology.

His co-defendants had acknowledged during the trial that industrial-grade silicone gel had been fraudulently used instead of the official Nusil gel, but said they were under Mr Mas’ authoritarian spell.

PIP, which at the height of its powers was the world's third biggest supplier of breast implants, was accused of cutting costs for over a decade by using an illegal concoction of industrial and agricultural silicone not fit for use on humans. At around €5 per litre, it was seven times cheaper than medical-grade silicone - a cost-cutting measure that saved the company millions of euros per year.

The scandal emerged after surgeons warned authorities there was an abnormally high rupture rate among PIP implants. Gendarmes searching the business in southern France then found cans of industrial silicone in a van.

Soon afterwards, the company was closed and its products taken off the market.

An estimated 300,000 women in 65 countries are believed to have received the implants, which are twice

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France's oldest mayor seeks re-election as likely to rupture as other brands - more than 4,000 women have reported ruptures. In France, the health ministry has advised all 30,000 women with implants to remove them and is footing the bill. In Britain, of the 47,000 women who received the implants, only those those issued by NHS doctors are being replaced for free. Previously, the then Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, told private clinics that they had a moral obligation to do the same.

In November 2013, 1,700

women received an initial payment of €3,000 each from TUV Rheinland, the safety standards firm which certified the sub-standard breast implants, in a separate trial.

The judge in that case ruled that the company had “neglected its duties of checking and vigilance” and ordered it to pay compensation to victims. Lawyers for TUV Rheinland had argued that it was never the German firm's job to check the actual implants, and their task was only to inspect the manufacturing process. ■

When the municipal elections take place in a few months' time, one mayor will be looking for his 12th mandate - a record in France.

Since first being elected mayor of La Bastide-de-Bousignac in 1947 at the tender age of 27, Roger Sénié has continued to serve his commune and now, at the age of 93, is hoping to be elected for a 12th time and reach 70 years in charge.

Mr Sénié, who says he used to be called “Roger”, then “Monsieur Sénié”, before simply becoming known these days as “le maire”, is paid €570 per month for looking after the commune of 338 inhabitants in the Ariège department in the south of France.

Despite fluctuating health, he says he has the blessing of his 90-yearold wife to run for his record 12th term as mayor. ■

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10 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

Y

our parents may well have drummed into you that it doesn't cost anything to be polite, but the opposite is not always necessarily true, especially if you are planning to drop in for a quick drink at La Petite Syrah café in Nice.

According to a large notice outside the establishment, “un café” will set you back €7, but if you also include the magic words “s'il vous plaît” you’ll get the same drink for €4.25.

Add a friendly “bonjour” and your morning caffeine hit will be yours for a much more reasonable €1.40.

Café manager Fabrice Pepino said his staff had grown increasingly fed up with the bad manners of people in a rush on their office lunch breaks. “It started as a joke because at lunchtime people would come in very stressed and were sometimes rude to us when they ordered a coffee. It's our way of saying 'keep calm and carry on',” he said. “I know people say that French service can be rude but it's also true that customers can be rude when they’re busy.”

He admitted that he was yet to actually enforce the “strict”

pricing scheme, but said: “People are more relaxed now, and they’re smiling more. That’s the most important thing.”

As is often the way with these things, what started off as a joke quickly hit the internet and went viral, and before long the world's media were all focused on the small café in the south of France. Former government minister Christine Boutin even got involved, calling the sign an excellent idea. “We live in a strange old world,” said Mr Pepino. “For three years we have put all our passion into what we do, which is trying to offer quality food, and good wines… and it's this that creates the buzz. A few words on a blackboard. It wasn't even an original idea! I saw it on the internet and liked it… but I was planning to rub it out.”

Another area of France where politeness is often not top of the menu is the Paris Metro. Parisian commuters are not famed for their manners and a trip on the capital's underground can often be an unpleasant experience.

But now, Paris' public transport body has released a special “politeness” manual aimed at trying to reduce uncouth

© @tokai06 (Twitter)

The café where politeness pays

behaviour on the Metro, with a list of “commandments” on how to improve civility. These range from helping clueless tourists to ensuring body odour is not wafted around the carriage.

The online “etiquette manual for the modern traveller” includes an array of tips split into four categories - “helpfulness”, “courtesy”, “manners” and “politeness” - drawn up from among more than 2,000 suggestions from the general public.

The manual is largely tonguein-cheek, such as rule number 3, which states: “On really hot

L'anglais - ce n'est pas cool

F

rance has long fought against the invasion of foreign words, particularly Anglicisms, into its language.

Chief in that fight is the Académie Française, set up in 1635 to protect the purity of the French language. The institute’s 40 members advise on vocabulary, word usage and grammar, but it is increasingly losing its battle against words with English origins creeping into everyday usage.

In 1994 France introduced the “Toubon” law making the use of French obligatory in official government publications,

in state-funded schools, in advertisements and French workplaces. This means, for example, that all English words on billboards must come with a French translation in a footnote. The law also requires a minimum of 40% of French-language music to be played on the radio.

One front on which the battle is being lost, however, is on the nation's TV channels. The advent of reality TV, American series and foreign-designed formats has seen a dramatic rise in English expressions and viewers can now tune in to “prime time” shows such as “Secret Story”,

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“Masterchef” or “Ice Show”.

France has stuck with the English “The Voice” for its version of the popular international singing competition, whereas in Canada it is broadcast as “La Voix”.

To begin the fight back against this cultural invasion, the Conseil Supérieur de l’Audiovisuel (CSA), France’s broadcasting watchdog, gathered together a selection of linguists and TV and radio bosses at its first-ever summit on “the future of the French language in audiovisual media” at the Collège de France in Paris, one of France’s most hallowed

days, even an emperor penguin needs to keep his arms close to his body so grab the bottom of the pole and not the very top!”

Last year, France's stateowned railway operator announced the creation of almost 3,000 “polite police” with tough new powers to eradicate bad manners on the nation's intercity trains. Traveller gripes include spitting on and insulting ticket inspectors, putting feet on seats, pulling emergency alarms without reason, speaking loudly on mobile phones, playing music and damaging train interiors. ■ academic institutions. “The idea is not to mete out punishment or play at being grumpy grots who hunt English words, but rather to take stock of the situation and help channels be aware of their obligations in defending and promoting the French language,” Patrice Gélinet, president of the CSA's French language mission, told Le Parisien.

Erik Orsenna, a member of the elite Académie Française, said: “I find putting Anglicisms everywhere, and often not the correct English terms, totally naff.

People think it sounds trendy and international, but it’s just naff”. The best way to counter English is to make French “more beautiful, funny and cheeky,” he said. ■

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INSEE sends letter to Napoleon Bureaucracies the world over are known for their blunders, but France's statistics agency, the INSEE, has outdone itself by despatching a letter to Corsica for the attention of Napoleon Bonaparte, the French emperor who has been dead for nearly 200 years!

The letter, addressed in typed letters to “Bonaparte, Napoleon”, was despatched to 3 rue Saint Charles in Ajaccio - just next door to the former emperor's birthplace, which is now a museum dedicated to his memory. The current resident of 3 rue Saint Charles clearly has a sense of humour, however, as they marked the letter “return to sender”, before adding an explanatory note beneath the address: “Died in 1821 – please forward to Saint Peter”.

According to the INSEE, the letters were being sent out to thousands of newly-registered autoentrepreneurs, questioning them about their “creative processes”. It is believed that an unknown individual had, possibly as a joke, registered a small business online under the name of Napoleon Bonaparte, and that the letter was then automatically sent to them as a result, despite it being registered with one of the most famous names in French history.

Napoleon was born in 1769 in Ajaccio, Corsica, to a family of noble Italian ancestry. A brilliant military commander, he rose to become Emperor of the French and conquered half of Europe until his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, after which he was sent in exile to Saint Helena. ■

Hollande's son grabs headlines He has a cute beard, large RayBan style glasses, a very attractive girlfriend and his name's Hollande.

This is the president's son, Thomas, whose celebrity lifestyle has been causing something of a stir in the French press. Tabloids to financial magazines seem unable to leave the president's more popular son alone.

“Thomas Hollande is becoming a minor celebrity,” said Fabrice Argelas, a journalist at Voici magazine.

“He is not in the top ten yet, but he is interesting and good looking.”

In December the 28-year-old Hollande was photographed at a 600 euro per head dinner with his girlfriend, the singer-song writer Joyce Jonathan.

However, Jonathan has no desire to become the new Carla Bruni of French politics: “Thomas is a lawyer, not a politician, in any event,” she commented earlier this year.

The dinner made the news not simply because of its price tag, but because Valérie Trierweiler, the president's partner, also attended. To the frustration of the many cameras present, Hollande and Jonathan did their utmost to avoid a picture with Trierweiler, showing that relations between Hollande's children and his new partner have not thawed. ■ Amaryllis Barton

The Bugle January 2014

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05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

Building Services

Le Charme De Chêne Handmade solid oak joinery and furniture

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

We also make handmade furniture.

Every item is bespoke and made to measure.

Please visit our website for recent installations and references.

www.lecharmedechene.com

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

02 54 25 65 08 06 16 91 64 67

UK Reg No. 5245744

contactus@lecharmedechene.com SIRET: 510 156 763 00011

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

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

30+ years worldwide experience.

Departments covered: 23, 36, 87.

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

05 55 14 12 43

Oradour-sur-Vayres (87150) Siren 527 854 749

Nicholas Hemming Wood Craft

www.nicholashemming.co.uk

02 48 63 15 09 - see main ad pg 7

Fosses Septiques

Lumiere Service et Energie

Steve Johns

Steven Rofe - 20+ Years experience • NICEIC approved Electrician for 8 years in the UK • Wiring of new installations (including liaising with EDF) • Rewiring existing houses/barns • External & garden lighting • All aspects of electrical works • Fully insured - (10 year Decennale) • Departments covered 19,23 & 87

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

05.55.69.75.67 / 06.89.47.69.71

Building Services

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

email: rofesteven@yahoo.co.uk Siret No. 501.792.386.00010

BARWICK ÉLECTRICITÉ

Electricians

SHAUN BARWICK QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN

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

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

Building Services

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

SALAMANDRE électricité Carpenters/Joiners Keith SLOPER

Pre-purchase & Structural Surveys.

Verbal & written reports.

Structural calculations & drawings.

Redevelopment ideas & solutions.

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

05 53 56 72 59 / 06 58 04 21 94 +44 (0)7910 283 965

Bespoke items made

www.scrollart.co.uk

Pink Electrique

Available for all types of electrical work Small jobs, new builds, renovations, rewires Consuel assistance and certification service available Fully insured with 10 year workmanship guarantee Based near Châlus (87230) Covering departments 87 and 24

Tel: 09 72 35 74 73

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

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

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

Digger and dumper hire

Groundworks, foundations, driveways, etc.

Building & Renovation services Free devis and site visit

05.55.64.11.73

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

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

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

Fosse France Solutions DO YOU NEED A NEW FOSSE SEPTIQUE? HAS YOUR FOSSE FAILED ITS INSPECTION? IS YOUR EXISTING FOSSE ILLEGAL? If you have answered YES to any of these questions then help is at hand.

We offer the very latest in: sewage treatment systems, compact filter systems and micro-stations For a professional and friendly service, contact: Philip Allen

Tel: +33 (0)2 54 24 88 35

Email: phil@fossefrancesolutions.com Web: www.fossefrancesolutions.com Siret No: 502 254 972 00016

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

50,000 sq ft of covered showrooms & 2 large external display areas - All reclamation bought & sold - Demolition undertaken - Specialists in oak beams - Metalwork & stonework - Indian stone flooring - Plywood, all in 8x4 sheets. Internal, external and marine grade ply available

Open Mon-Sat 8.30am to 6pm - www.reclamation-yard.com Only 1km from Confolens on the D952 Ansac-sur-Vienne road

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2014

DIRECTORY ♦ B3 ADVERTORIAL

“SolarVenti”- the solar solution to damp and humidity

A

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.

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 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.

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

Whenever the sun shines, the air in the solar panel is heated and the fan, receiving

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

Building Services General 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

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

Eduard

Masonry & More

martin_sprague_1@ hotmail.com SIRET: 531 768 182 00010

Traditional Building Services

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

All work is fully insured.

References available.

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

Skilled Workman

Building Renovations & Small Jobs • Velux Windows • Roof Repairs • Tiling • Plumbing • Plaster boarding • Garden Projects & Maintenance 05.55.02.66.58 / 06.76.09.68.37 www.bw-renovations.co.uk

Renovations, Painting, Gardens, Plumbing, Electrics, Groundworks

05 87 77 93 46

eduardfrederik.boelen@sfr.fr 10 Navaleuil 87330 Mezières-sur-Issoire siret: 753 367 275 000 17

SIRET: 501 338 230 00011

Your advert here

Kitchens & Interiors 05 55 80 92 91 - see pg 5

05 55 61 93 07

Or visit my website

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

French Lily

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

For more info please call Barrie

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, 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. ■

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

28 years qualified experience

05.55.89.69.46

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

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

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

05.55.68.67.56 06.06.60.46.97

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

05 55 41 17 76 Dave Cardwell - Builder

05 55 98 24 12

See our Display Ad - pg 4

INSTALLATION23 - Electricity - Plumbing - Air conditioning and heat pump - Small renovations (bathrooms, kitchens, etc.)

Dutch and English spoken E-mail: installation23@gmail.com

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

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

Advertise your business here

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu Magnetic Double Glazing

www.sarant.eu

05.55.60.62.97 - see ad below

Eduard

General Building Services

05 87 77 93 46 See main ad below

RSW Entreprises

Fosse Septique Specialist

05.55.80.00.57

See our Display Ad - pg 12

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76 CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

JANUARY 2014 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

B4 ♦ DIRECTORY Septic tanks

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

Building Services General Eurl Réno-Gén

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

Contact Phil Andrews:

Mob: 06 42 38 54 22 Tel: 02 54 30 11 20

Email: philip.andrews@orange.fr siret: 509 180 410 00011

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76 T J Renovations 30 years experience in building trade

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

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

Double D

Renovations & Home Improvements 05 55 65 00 29 - pg 11

Lovejoy’s Scaffolding Hire

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

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

Electrics

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

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

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

La Coterie Entreprise

Approved septic tank installer

05.55.80.83.30 www.lce23.com

See our main ad - pg 11

Davis & Davis

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

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

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

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

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

ENTREPRISE SMITH BUILDING SERVICES Established, Qualified Builder/Electrician 30 years experience

All internal & external building, electrical and plumbing works from start to high quality finish.

Tel: 05 55 89 00 89 Mob: 06 04 06 55 28

email: anthonytsmith15@gmail.com Siret: 533 577 128 00010

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

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

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

GODSON

Travaux Publics www.pilgrim23.com 05.55.62.61.12 - pg 3

Monte Sarginson

House Renovations Inside & Out

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

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

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

WASTE REMOVAL SERVICES

• house and barn clearances • dechetterie runs • rubbish removal • cash paid for scrap • general labouring service • 7.5 tonne tipper for hire • mini digger hire - with/without driver

05 55 37 45 35 / 06 74 21 47 71

Renovation

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

Building Services

05 55 41 17 76 05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

sales@thebugle.eu

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts MARK COLYER

Groundworks Mini-Digger with driver

05.55.78.62.29

john.bonella@gmail.com See Main Ad pg B5

The Bugle would like to wish all our readers & advertisers the very best for 2014!

Building Services

siret 532 981 198 00015

Your advert here

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

Plasterers Le Plâtrier du Limousin The friendly and reliable plasterer Registered in France.

Fully insured offering 10 year guarantee.

Call Stuart on:

05 55 80 92 91

info@platrierlimousin.fr Siret: 534 396 908 00012

LIMOUSIN PLASTERING LIMOUSIN STUKADOORS

20 years experience in: ● Solid Plastering ● Skimming ● Dry Lining ● Rendering ● Plasterboard Studwork

Specialising in both French lime plastering and English plastering techniques.

10 years tiling experience.

Covering Creuse (23), Haute-Vienne (87), Northern Corrèze (19) & Southern Indre (36) For a free quotation & friendly advice call Mark or Mareike on

05 55 54 95 63

mcolyerplasteringandtiling@orange.fr siret: 539 941 450 00014

GLEN VINEY

PLASTERER Quality Plasterwork, Internal & External

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

Tel: 06 45 18 86 10

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

Multiskilled Artisan

Graham Carter Plastering

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

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

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

« LE PLATRIER »

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

FOR A QUOTATION CALL

05 55 63 53 06 06 23 29 48 19

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

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

05.55.41.17.76

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2014

DIRECTORY ♦ B5 ADVERTORIAL

Spotlight your business to an estimated 30,000 readers

E

very month 13,000+ copies of The Bugle are printed and distributed across the region. Thanks to our targeted distribution where we personally visit each of our 350+ distributors every month, and adjust the number of papers left accordingly, we make sure that the right number of copies go in the right places. The Bugle has an estimated monthly readership of over 30,000 people!!

That means as many as 30,000 pairs of eyes will be reading this text in the coming few weeks… and they could be reading about your business! An Advertorial like this one costs just €50, that’s 600 potential new customers or clients for your business for every euro spent!

As our newspaper has grown in popularity and The Bugle has established itself as the primary source of free local and national news in the region, our advertising has also become increasingly effective. Advertorials are just one of the advertising options we offer, but they have become a very cost-effective way of attracting new customers and raising the profile of your business. Because we only feature a handful of businesses each month, we highlight those businesses prominently and deliver your message in a targeted manner.

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

ADVERTORIAL

Building Services Plumbers Rick Fife

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

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

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

Tel: 05 55 62 34 66

Email: amanda.rick@tiscali.co.uk Please give us a call to discuss your requirements. If you get the answer machine we WILL return your call the same day. siret: 494 380 264 00015

A. Ives Plumbing & Heating Installations & Alterations Bathroom suites, Showers, Kitchens, Tiling, Complete wetroom installations Emergency work undertaken

06 02 37 62 57 SIRET 538 689 530 00011

• full page - €300.

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

Martin Walters

Plumber

Caught out last winter?

Don't worry!

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

Tel 02 54 24 84 62

ADVERTORIAL

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

N

ot too long before the start of the cold season, so time to order those window shutters. Since moving to France in 2010 and after registering for work we have spent our time making fir shutters and other wooden products. We know how cold it can be and understand why shutters are part of France's architectural heritage. The cold weather will soon be upon us and it highlights the need to seal up our homes against the harsh winters.

Sometimes made to measure can

Heating & Plumbing engineer

05 55 63 89 23 - see pg 9 Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

woodworking services then more information can be found on our website: www.scrollart.co.uk

or call us on: 05 55 14 12 43 E: info@scrollart.co.uk Oradour-sur-Vayres (87150) ■

ADVERTORIAL

Chimney Sweeps

Your advert here

Computers & Satellites

05 55 41 17 76 Building Services

Chimney Sweeping

Sandblasting

www.stovesellers.com

Sand and Blast

TOUTE SWEEP

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

Siret 522 804 723 00016

H20 CREUSE

be costly but we do our best to keep our pricing low, such as our range of lowcost shutters (starting from only 35 euros each) to complement our standard range of Douglas Fir and Oak shutters. Our shutters are made to measure so little if NO trimming is required making fitting much easier than brico kits which often require severe alteration.

We also build with care: External Doors, Kitchens, Windows, Internal Doors and other wooden items.

If you would like to know about our

05 55 63 78 72 Siren: 502 409 949

Chimney Sweep Service

We provide a fully operated

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

sandblasting

service for wood, stone and metal.

Perfect for stripping away years of grime or paint. Contact us for a free quote or see our website.

www.sandandblast.com

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

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

Contact Barry Manning

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

barry@toutesweep.com

REMEMBER - BLOCKED FLUES AND CHIMNEY FIRES CAN BE FATAL...

DON'T TAKE THAT RISK! SIRET: 534 351 754 00013

Mayday

computer services - pc • mac • network

05 55 68 47 33 / 06 82 26 31 54 see pg 13

GOODWIN SATELLITE

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

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

ZESTUX

SPECIALIST CMS WEB DESIGN www.zestux.com 06 79 26 75 65 - See main ad pg 8

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

Advertise your business here

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

JANUARY 2014 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

B6 ♦ DIRECTORY Computers & Food & Drink RIVE DROITE 8 rue Ledru-Rollin Satellites 36200 Argenton-sur-Creuse 02 54 24 01 06

Restaurant - Pizzeria

Big Dish Satellite www.bigdishsat.com

05 55 78 72 98

see main ad - pg 10

Creusetec

Satellite Systems 05 55 66 60 21

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

TV Receiver & Electronic Repairs.

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

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

NO FIX... NO FEE !!

IT Support for Creuse, HauteVienne, Indre and Vienne

www.indre-it.com 02.54.25.65.08 06.16.91.64.67

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

Sat-Elec Formerly Electrosat

UK & French Satellite TV

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

TOOWAY BROADBAND Approved Supplier

Wi-Fi, Data Networks, CCTV For sales, service or advice

Call Mike G on 06 30 28 81 43 We only use our own qualified staff No call out charge Free quotations All areas covered

Quality work from qualified Staff 5 Place de la Republique Sauviat-sur-Vige 87400 siret no 798 364 600 00014

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

Call Patrice:

06.79.07.91.56

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

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Petticoat Lane 5 Rue Nationale – 16150 Chabanais

Tel: 05 45 29 03 99 Visit: www.petticoatlaneshop.com E-mail: sales@petticoatlaneshop.com

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

Wide range of frozen items including vegetarian.

Traditional English beers, Sherries & Wine.

Cards for all occasions.

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

Le Relais de l'Abloux Bar - Restaurant Pizzeria Pizzas to eat in or take away 36170 SACIERGES-ST-MARTIN

02 54 47 56 74

JJ’s Cafe Bar Some customer quotes:

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

Come and see for yourself - Open all week.

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

02 54 06 30 77

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

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76 05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu Le Moulin du Breuil BAR, RESTAURANT, TERRASSE 23140 PIONNAT

05 55 80 37 70 - see pg 4

● Italian Specialities ● Traditional Cuisine ● Home-made Desserts Moules de bouchot AOC available from July to December High Quality Food, a Warm Welcome and a Friendly Atmosphere await Closed Sundays & Mondays 26, Ecurat 23150

Atelier d'Art du Jardin

CARRACIOLA SARDO A new Italian bar/restaurant in St-Etienne-de-Fursac

Winter opening times: 12-2pm 6pm-10pm (Closed Sun/Mon/Tue/Wed) - Closed until 05/03/2014 Lunch menu: 12-2pm Thu - Sat Pizza/pasta restaurant: 6.30-9.30pm Thu - Sat Function room available with catering for your special occasion See our web site for menu, future events and opening times:

web: www.carraciola.com e mail: ristorante@carraciola.com

tel: 05 55 63 86 05

Find us & more details on: facebook.com/carraciola We Look forward to meeting you!

Garden Services

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.

Tel: 05.55.80.29.88

Les Bregères, 23150 St-Martial-le-Mont alison.petley@wanadoo.fr 26, Ecurat 23150

Atelier d'Art du Jardin Open Fri, Sat, Sun and Bank Holidays 11h00 to 18h00 Artisan art for your garden.

Cream teas on the terrasse.

Open Fri, Sat, Sun and Bank Holidays 11h00 to 18h00

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

Artisan art for your garden.

tel: 05 55 81 31 85

Cream teas on the terrasse.

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

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

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

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

ARBO GESTION

Your advert here

Qualified Climbing Pruner Tree pruning Felling / Dismantling Depts 36/87/23

05 55 41 17 76

Tel: 06 87 13 75 66

Email: arbogestion@live.fr siret: 798 029 690 00012

Paul Foster Jardins

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

06 23 90 45 82 / 05 87 19 85 85 www.paulfosterjardins.com see main ad pg 4

C’est cheese

Gifts & Crafts

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

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

Fresh homemade cakes and free WiFi now available!

We look forward to meeting you!

Contact Jay:

06 35 91 03 83

veralaine19@gmail.com

'CARTES DE CHRISTINE'

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

Customized, if required, especially for you.

Available blank or with either English or French greetings.

Email: ellinghamroam764@yahoo.com VISIT ME AT THE FOLLOWING MARKETS: PEIGUT & PANAZOL (Weekly) CHALUS, CHASSENEUIL & CONFOLENS (Monthly) siret 528 539 448

Très Jolie

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

Ladies fashion accessories 05 55 78 62 29 / 06 04 08 29 53 see main ad pg 13

SIREN: 409 679 578

The Exchange

Le Creusois

Rochechouart

Bar/Restaurant

Les Genêts, Azerables

High quality British & French food at reasonable prices.

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

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

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

05 55 78 19 24

05.55.63.90.79

www.theexchangerochechouart.com

SIREN: 483 988 853

SIRET 484 479 480 00010

www.lecreusoisbistro.com

9 rue Dr Charles Poitevin

Le Pub

02.54.60.02.14 - see pg 6

sales@thebugle.eu

Vera Laine Gift Shop & Salon de Thé

Tel: 06 86 89 81 02

Also available online.

For more information, see our website:

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

** NOW OPEN!! **

LE DORAT (Pl. Charles de Gaulle)

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

WWW.CARDBUBBLE.COM BUY YOUR BRITISH GREETINGS CARDS ONLINE! QUALITY CARDS AT UK PRICES! E: ANGI@CARDBUBBLE.COM FREE DELIVERY ON ALL ORDERS OVER €10 WORLDWIDE siret: 751 978 917 00019

Princesse Française Hair Jewellery & Accessories www.princesse-francaise.com 05 45 30 32 93 - see pg 8

05.55.41.17.76

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2014

DIRECTORY ♦ B7 ADVERTORIAL

Leggett Immobilier voted as best estate agency in France

R

egular advertiser, Leggett Immobilier, was recently voted “best estate agency in France” and we asked their Chairman, Trevor Leggett, to explain the secret of their success. Not only did he explain that his company handles the sale of one in every ten French houses sold to UK buyers but he told

Handholding Services

us that they are actively recruiting in our region. Mr Leggett explains: “The International Property Awards are sponsored by Virgin Atlantic and the judging panel is made up of 70 of the most respected names in the property industry. Leggett Immobilier competed against a number of real estate companies in France to receive this

La Petite Place Hair salon, Le Dorat

05.55.60.87.37

See our Display Ad - pg 10

AMMARA

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

05 55 62 50 38

Jonathan Critchley - jcritch.7@gmail.com siret: 792 285 025 00013

Call Alex, your English nail technician now Gel nails starting from €40 a set

Insurance & Finance

Siddalls Financial Solutions & Expert Advice 05.56.34.75.51

See our Display Ad - pg 13

HiFX

International money transfer

www.hifx.co.uk

05 87 41 07 93 - see pg 10

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

France offers their property the kind of international exposure that we do. Last month we attended property exhibitions in London, Birmingham, Brussels and Bordeaux and our clients' properties are regularly featured in papers, magazines and online. This mixture of local knowledge and international marketing skill is why we now have a 10% market share of all UK buyers in France.

“Our company has grown massively over the last couple of years - we had 67 agents in 2010 and now that figure is over 200. We aim to double this over the coming years and see Central France as one of our key areas for growth. Anyone interested in joining us should email sarah@leggett.fr. You will need to be highly motivated, bilingual, professional and you must love property!” ■

Easyfrench

German lessons

FREE FRENCH LESSONS Training institution in partnership with the State.

Lessons in either of our premises or at your home.

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

06 75 56 99 06 – 05 87 77 90 39 easyfrench87@orange.fr www.easyfrench.fr

FRENCH / ENGLISH LESSONS

siret: en cours

05.55.89.15.74 - pg 6

lindabodimeade@eircom.net paulbodimeade@eircom.net

Language Services

ammara.onglerie@gmail.com

French lessons & handholding services

OSTEOPATHY & ACUPUNCTURE

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Tel: 06 22 93 14 57

Sophie Arsac

Health & Beauty

recognition and were the clear overall winner. The judges took almost three months with their deliberations and were looking at customer service, innovation, marketing and overall excellence and Leggetts led the field in all areas which was pleasing.

“The property market in France has held up surprisingly well, despite the crise financière that we have been suffering since 2008 - we have not seen the huge drop in prices suffered by some of our near neighbours. Readers of The Bugle will know that Central France offers some of the best value property in the country and we suspect that international buyers will start increasing again from 2014 onwards.

“We have around 10,000 properties for sale across France with around 1,000 of these spread out over the three departments of the Limousin. They range from a cracking barn to renovate for just €14,000 right up to a dozen or so country estates for €1 million and over.

Vendors know that no other agency in

Beginner's French

• Classes adapted to your needs and level • State registered teacher established 10yrs near St-Léonard-de-Noblat (87400) • Free taster class and funding arranged

I specialise in helping beginners to communicate confidently & fluently in French.

Made-to-measure French lessons with an English speaking, qualified language teacher.

Tel: 05 55 56 62 84

Based near Magnac-Laval (87190)

siret: 490 323 243 00017

Mob: 07 81 90 61 04 Tel: 05 19 23 00 00

martininledognon@gmail.com www.beginners-french.com siret: 798 931 861 00016

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

homer.jennifer@gmail.com

http://moulindurateau.webplus.net/ page20.html

offered by experienced language teacher.

For students and adults of all grades - beginners welcome.

For more information please phone Ms Margret Holste:

06 95 02 52 43

La Tuilerie, 87400 Moissannes

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76 Online Shopping

FRENCH CLASS

Chénérailles Native qualified teacher

- Small groups - 1 to 1 Elisabeth Sicard

05 55 80 44 83

La Maison Shopping UK shopping delivered to your door

japprendslefrancais@sfr.fr Free trial lesson!

+44 (0)1268 767 237 - pg 9

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

Cross Cut Tree Surgeons

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

beverley.pawson@yahoo.co.uk

05.55.60.62.14 / 06.78.38.42.44

siret: 530 840 958 00017

JANUARY 2014 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

B8 ♦ DIRECTORY Pest Control

Property Sales

French Lily

Kitchens & Interiors 05 55 80 92 91 - see pg 5

Alinéa

Meuble & Déco

05.55.57.09.34 see advert on pg 2

Central France Pest Control

Bilingual Estate Agent in Creuse

www.limousin-bilingual.com

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

02 48 60 83 72 / 06 74 33 02 38

Houses on Internet

Soie et Bois Depot Vente des Vêtements

Dératisation, Déinsectisation, Désinfection 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

Property Maintenance

Cendrillon - Bourganeuf 05 55 54 95 85 - see pg 8

www.housesoninternet.com

05.55.65.12.19

See our Display Ad - pg 3

Leggett Immobilier www.leggettfrance.com

05 53 56 62 54 see main ad - pg 5

Retail & Commerce

Moulin de Tintin Furniture, interiors & gifts

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

4 rue Principale, St Mathieu, 87440

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

Stove Sellers www.stovesellers.com 05.55.63.78.72

See our Display Ad - pg 13

Transport, Removals & Storage FABRICA

Les Bons Voisins www.LBVfrance.com

Help with all property related issues

Everhot stoves supplied & installed across France

See main ad pg 7

www.fabricadesign.com - see pg 7

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Eco Entrepot

05.55.41.17.76 87230 Bussière-Poitevine sales@thebugle.eu 05.55.68.74.73 - see pg 11 Get down The Shed

MAN + VAN

Fiat Ducato with 11m² load capacity Collections / Deliveries Removals / Brico Runs All over France.

Competitve hourly rate incl fuel.

Please ring or e-mail for a quote.

Based nr Aubusson Dept 23

05 55 83 02 77 / 06 81 33 07 15

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

General

jonathanpiddock@orange.fr SIRET: 523 955 151 00015

The Man With A Van

Affordable Moves/ Single Items Regular UK runs - check website Europewide/ Limousin based 18m3 van / 4.5m load area

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

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

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

05 55 33 21 59 87150 Oradour-sur-Vayres

www.frenchvanman.eu Siret 530 213 644 00012

Parking For Limoges Airport

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

05 55 03 37 96

Experienced home help nurse

offers compassionate care for children, elderly people and sick people.

I can also help with household chores and look after your pets when you are away.

Please contact Ms Angelika Knauer:

05.55.30.40.26

Carrefour du bois Limousin

www.chauffagebois-limousin.com

05 55 63 72 45 - see pg 10

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

High chair, buggy, play pen, travel cot, fire guard, stair gate etc.

Each item will incur a hire charge of 7 euros, plus a refundable 8 euros deposit.

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

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

SUDOKU - MEDIUM

The solutions to this month’s Sudokus can be found on page 17

SUDOKU - HARD

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2014

FRENCH LIFE ♦ 11 Septic tanks

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

Electrics

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

Renovation

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

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

In the garden - jobs for January

P

Reading This time of year gives you the perfect excuse to read... and read... and read. There are now so many excellent books available on gardening, online websites, newsletters and e-versions of gardening magazines. Doesn't it make you furious when a gardening presenter sweetly talks about 'new' gardeners? Who do they think has been watching them say so much of the same thing for the last 25 years? The really helpful info seems, more and more, to be in books rather than these hyped up 'no maintenance' gardening programmes. This is a really good timeframe to do some interesting reading (species, cultivars, techniques, suppliers, history...) before the lure of outside becomes too strong.

Use this time to plan ahead Initially, I sort through my seed saved from previous years, so that I don't buy anything I've already got. Then, I like to look at seed catalogues, old magazines and books. I make a wish list of all the siret: 510 357 155 00017

Double D

Renovations & Home Improvements

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

Covering depts: 03, 23, 63, 87 Telephone:

Email:-

05 55 65 00 29 06 33 19 99 64

double-d-23@live.fr

things I'd like to sow. This usually covers pages! Kids in sweet shops come to mind!!!! Then I whittle it down into a more realistic quantity. Do I really need six types of chard? I try and factor in some new things every year, for the pleasure of growing something unknown.

If I was super organised, I'd then make a rough plan to know what I'd plant where, and when, to keep on top of crop rotation. This can seem very complicated but it basically just means not planting the same patch of ground over and over with the same family of vegetables in order to reduce pests and diseases accumulating. It also makes sense in that one type of plant will absorb different minerals, etc. from the soil than another.

Sowing can start indoors A propagator is ideal, but a warm airing cupboard or windowsill will do fine. Don't sow in too large a quantity - you may end up with fifty pepper plants getting leggy indoors as they wait desperately for the better weather! Naturally, if you have a polytunnel, greenhouse, or even cold frames, then it's easier to park them. Hardy annuals like cornflowers, poppies, marigolds, scabious, etc. can be sown, as well as herbs like parsley. Avoid the really heat-loving ones like coriander and basil. It's your last chance to plant garlic, but frankly any heads that are lingering in shops are probably not that special by now. Wait for the new ones to arrive. Same goes for those poor autumn bulbs and tubers that sometimes find their way onto the shelves.

Fruit trees It's soon the end of planting for bare rooted trees (make sure you trim the roots a little to encourage regrowth) and therefore also for moving young selfsown tree seedings like peaches, plums etc. as well as raspberry canes, currants, gooseberries and other soft fruit. Prune them back when transplanting and also finish pruning apple and pear trees.

Avoid doing any pruning if there are really hard frosts. You can also clear around the bases of trees, give a feed and clean the trunks with a stiff brush. This helps you see what sort of pests have hibernated on the bark. It is a very good thing sometimes just to go out and look at your trees, to get an idea of whether they look healthy or not. Then you can keep them in mind for special attention

later. Grafting starts in February, so decide what, if anything, you want to graft.

Weeding Keep a weather eye on the weeds, especially so that things don't install themselves right in the middle of clumps of plants.

You know which weeds are problematic in your garden, so prioritise these. Others can get hoed in later with no problem.

A clean patch If you want to clean your veg patch, you can lay down a covering of weed suppressant textile on the ground. Weigh it down with logs or staples directly where you

sales@thebugle.eu 05 55 41 17 76

sychologically, just knowing that we've turned the corner and that the days will soon start to get longer, and that there will be more and more of those afternoons when you can smell a certain kind of spring-like aroma, is such a relief! But still, it's too early to really get cracking and you need to restrain yourself.

There are still a good number of weeks ahead of us before the earth really warms up, and it doesn't always pay to jump the gun.

© Naomi Schillinger - outofmyshed.co.uk

by Michelle Pierce

want it. Leave it until April before taking it up and sowing. Most of the weeds will have been killed, or at least the germination of the new generation slowed down.

make some changes, you can see what you've liked elsewhere.

January is quite a good time to look at the structure of your garden

Review any notes or jottings you made last year. Maybe you had wanted to make a new flower border, or move some bushes, or dig a pond. See whether these projects got done or got shelved and ask yourself whether you still want to do these things.

Think about any new projects for the year. Make a list of all your planned projects and put them in order of priority.

See if your garden works for you. If there's a muddy trail going across the lawn to the washing line, maybe a path, or stepping stones might be called for. Hard landscaping can be a good use of time this month, cold conditions permitting. It is very useful to look at what other gardeners have done - both by visiting gardens, if you can, and by travelling on the internet. Then, if you do decide to

Make a provisional list of projects

Anyway, whatever you do, I wish you an excellent 2014 in the garden! ■

32,000ft² of great products incl. Toiletries, DIY, Housewares, Furniture plus loads more at great prices & we are even open on SUNDAYS!!

The bargains don’t stop at THE SHED - we have 1000’s of value for money products in our 32,000ft² store including the best Ambient British Grocery selection available anywhere in the Limousin. We are reliable for lots of your favourite brands whether it be Heinz baked beans, Bisto gravy granules, Typhoo teabags etc.

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

Decking, Ply, Flooring, Sand, Gravel, etc. ... plus a great range of Timber for all your DIY needs!!

Route de l’Isle Jourdain Opposite the Gendarmerie Just off the RN147

87320 Bussière-Poitevine

Tel: 05 55 68 74 73

Open Tue - Sat: 09h00 - 12h00 & 14h30 - 18h30 (closed Mon) Sun: 09h30 - 12h00 & 14h30 - 18h00 GPS: Long: 0° 53’ 33’’ 40 E Lat: 46° 13’ 45’’ 10 N

JANUARY 2014 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

12 ♦ FRENCH LIFE

Regular environment contributor, Arthur Smith from Harlequin Developments, examines where all the soil has gone, how to deal with the perennial problem of rats and why beer is better for you than coffee!

T

he very first article that I wrote for The Bugle was an article on Peak Oil, so I was very interested in a recent news piece that I found on t’interweb entitled Peak Soil.

It is being widely said that soil degradation is the biggest potential disaster facing us all.

At the recent Soil Association annual conference, president Monty Don said, “If we are to feed the world, we must have good soil.

As a soil scientist said only last week, we have reached ‘peak soil’ and we can’t produce any more”.

Soil Association policy director Peter Melchett added, “Following the EU decision to drop their proposed European legislation to protect soils, partly at the insistence of the UK Government, the Soil Association is calling on the government to say what they will do to stop the extraordinarily high rate of loss of UK soils on which all of our food production depends”.

The latest major soil study,

conducted in 2009, found that food production is being jeopardised by the loss of two million tonnes of topsoil each year. The health of our soil is too important to leave to chance. The EU directive that the UK government has blocked would have led to co-ordinated action to protect and improve soils across the EU. *** The recent cold weather, and the availability of easy to get food has caused a recent problem with rats around the chicken sheds here at Chez Smith, and has led me to look at the various methods of getting rid of them.

One method I investigated was poison. Poisons fall under two categories: First Generation, and Second Generation.

First generation poisons are less toxic than second generation; they are designed to be put out and eaten over a longer period of time, so the lethal dose is built up over a

number of days.

Second generation poisons are more toxic and take just a single dose to be effective. They are generally used when first generation poisons have failed. To me this seems a short sharp shock, with the poison only ‘out’ for a short period of time.

However, in the fields around here there are many many owls.

They are always very vocal when I’m out on the ‘last pee run’ with my dogs late at night.

Rat poisons can have a knockon effect on other wildlife such as owls, who eat dying rodents and suffer by producing eggs with very soft shells that end up getting crushed. There are alternative poisons available that are ‘owl friendly’, and I think that is the type that I will be using. I would seriously miss the hooting of the owls at night which add so much to the pleasure of living here. ***

More exciting news from t’interweb, and doubly so because it involves good news about one of my favourite subjects, beer…

It appears that the next time you congratulate yourself for choosing a

© 2007 - Reg Mckenna (WikiCommons)

Peak soil, rats and beer

coffee over a beer, you might want to think again. Researchers have discovered that caffeine can shorten life expectancy, while alcohol can increase it. Something we’ve all secretly known, haven’t we?

Scientists at Tel Aviv University have found that caffeine shortens, and alcohol lengthens, telomeres, the end parts of chromosomal DNA. Just as the plastic tips of shoelaces prevent fraying, telomeres keep chromosomes stable and prevent deterioration when the cells containing them divide.

Telomeres become shorter as a person gets older as every time a cell duplicates, the chromosomes

are copied into the new cell with slightly shorter telomeres. When the telomeres become too short, the cell dies.

The scientists found that telomere length was reduced by even low levels of caffeine, but it was increased by alcohol.

So, be careful if you’re keeping off the booze as a New Year's resolution, you may be shortening your life…!! ■ Arthur Smith Harlequin Developments www.harlequindevelopments.com Tel: 05.55.68.67.56 Mob: 06.06.60.46.97

Home cured salmon, dressed beetroot and baby gem salad Recipe provided by Brett from Le Moulin du Breuil (23140 Pionnat) www.lemoulindubreuil.com - 05 55 80 37 70

For the cured salmon: 1x 800g Piece of salmon (skin on) 500g Table salt 300g Castor sugar 50g Fresh dill Zest & juice of 1 lemon

Method for curing the salmon 1) Mix the salt, sugar, lemon juice and zest together in a mixing bowl and leave to the side.

2) Remove any remaining pin bones from the salmon (using a small pair of tweezers or pliers).

3) Finely chop the dill.

4) In a dish big enough to lay the salmon in sprinkle evenly 1/3 of the sugar, salt and lemon mixture. Place the salmon skin side down and sprinkle the chopped dill evenly over the top. Press the dill down onto the salmon so it stays in place.

5) Now encase the salmon with the remainder of the salt, sugar and lemon mixture, making sure the salmon is totally covered. Cover with cling film, place into the fridge and leave to cure overnight for at least 12-14 hours.

For the pickled beetroot:

1x 500g Packet of whole pre-cooked beetroot 1 tsp Dijon mustard 100ml Olive oil 30ml Red wine vinegar Pinch of salt & cracked black pepper 2 heads of baby gem lettuce

6) The next day, after 12-14 hours, remove the salmon from the fridge. Take the salmon from the dish (the salmon should be firm but not hard) and thoroughly wash under cold water to remove the salt, sugar and lemon mix. Place onto a clean tray lined with a towel and place back in the fridge.

For the pickled beetroot 1) Remove the beetroot from the packet and drain well.

2) Cut the beetroot into small cubes and place into a bowl.

3) In another bowl put the mustard and red wine vinegar, season with salt and pepper to taste and whisk together.

4) Slowly drizzle the olive oil into the mustard and

vinegar whilst whisking continuously. This should all come together to form a silky emulsion.

5) Now mix the dressing and the beetroot together, set aside until serving.

To serve 1) Place a few leaves of the baby gem lettuce in the centre of the plate and spoon some of the dressed beetroot over the lettuce.

2) Remove the salmon from the fridge. Using a sharp knife slice the salmon as thinly as possible from the skin.

3) Arrange the sliced salmon over the beetroot and lettuce.

4) Finish with a drizzle of olive oil and cracked black pepper.

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2014

PRACTICAL ♦ 13

Collaborative Law: a new way of resolving conflicts The Bugle's resident lawyer, Laure CHAVERON, looks at collaborative law and when it may be the best option for you.

Collaborative law: what is it?

Collaborative law is another way of dealing with conflicts. Rather than appearing before a judge and becoming involved in a long legal process that may not properly consider all the consequences, many prefer to seek a negotiated solution between the concerned parties.

A legal procedure is often long, uncertain and can be very costly, both in financial terms as well as the human cost. In the collaborative process, the concerned parties get together around a table, each with their own avocat (lawyer). In some cases (notably divorce), the agreement reached must be approved by a Judge. Any agreement therefore has the same legal force as a

conventional divorce.

Collaborative law: who is it for? It is for anyone who wants to find a solution which is perfectly suited to them, rather than let the justice system impose the standard solution for their case.

It's for people who want to choose something other than the “trench warfare” that often results from legal proceedings.

It is also for those who want to reach a quick agreement without getting bogged down in legal intricacies.

Collaborative law: for which conflicts? Collaborative law can be applied to all types of conflict, even though it is particularly suited to family

conflicts.

In divorce proceedings, it is suitable for couples who are able to listen to each other, and not just point out each other's faults, allowing them to find a balanced solution adapted to both parties.

This solution represents the subtle balance between the needs of everyone involved. And because the solution was agreed by the couple themselves, it is more likely to stand the test of time, which is often not the case for divorces decided by a judge.

This point is significant because, as is often overlooked, more than half of divorces by mutual consent reappear before the judge within two years.

However, a divorce by collaborative law is calmer, one where we, the lawyers, believe that the spouses have the chance to finally find closure.

Collaborative law can also apply to trade disputes, conflicts between business

2014 Tax Proposals W

hilst the French government continues its efforts in trying to reduce the budget deficit here we cover the main points of next year’s budget, which is currently under debate in parliament.

Assurance Vie Investments

Despite a lot of talk in the media about big changes, the budget has made only very minor adjustments to the taxation of investment income.

However, there have been suggestions that tax advantages should be reduced to encourage greater investment into French industry.

Investing in French industry Rather then reducing the tax advantages of existing investments, the government plans to create new ones offering extra advantages for those who are willing to invest in the development of new businesses over the longer term.

Firstly, the maximum investment limit in a Plan d’Epargne

en Actions (PEA) will increase from €132,000 to €150,000.

To encourage investment in French business, two new investment schemes are to be launched.

A tax-advantaged PEA – PME will allow an investment of up to €75,000 into small and medium sized businesses (PMEs).

A new type of assurance vie policy, the Euro Croissance will also be used to help smaller companies. This is designed to be a halfway house between the low risk Fonds en Euros and riskier “unit-linked” funds offering a capital guarantee after eight years. The annual returns will apparently be superior to those of traditional Fonds en Euros, although the precise mechanics are yet to be announced.

Another new product, the Vie Génération will attract investment into areas such as social housing and the provision of “social and solidarity” projects.

es into the new Euro Croissance investments will not affect the accrued tax benefits associated with assurance vie policies which infers that existing investments can be switched into the new ones without any adverse tax consequences.

Another advantage of this new investment is that annual investment returns will not be subject to the deduction of ‘social taxes’ at source, as is the case for traditional Fonds en Euros.

Switching existing investments

Income tax

It is proposed that any switch-

Mayday computer services

Operating system support Application support Network support System security pc • mac • network Virus and Malware removal Call for friendly no-obligation assessment and advice Haute-Vienne & surrounding areas 05 55 68 47 33 06 82 26 31 54 siret 500 443 536 00015

Phil Monaghan - maydaymayday@orange.fr

Assurance vie – no change?

For investments in place before the age of 70, each beneficiary may receive €152,500 free of tax with 20% taxation on the next €902,838 and 25% thereafter. It is proposed that the higher rate will rise from 25% to 31.25%. However, to encourage investors to move money into the new products mentioned above, the existing 25% rate will apply to the new contracts.

After two years of frozen income tax allowances inflation-

Property Capital Gains Tax Since 1 September 2013 the sales of second homes are now exempt from capital gains tax after 22 years, rather than 30.

A 6% reduction is applied for every full year of ownership after five years until 22 years of ownership, with an additional 4% applied for the final year.

After applying the “period of ownership” reduction, any sales taking place between 1 September 2013 and 31 August 2014 will benefit from an additional 25% reduction.

After calculating all reductions, the rate of tax applicable remains at 19%.

‘Social taxes’, at a current rate of 15.5%, are still applicable on

Ladies fashion accessories Mail order available or find me at a local market

(see Notice Board for more details) Paula Robinson

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

Collaborative law: why do I believe in it? Because especially in matters of divorce, I know what damage legal procedures can do. When young children are involved, it is imperative, whatever else happens, that the children continue to have a relationship with both parents.

It is important that legal wranglings do not destroy this.

When people have spent up to 5 years fighting against each other in court, throwing dirt and revealing the most intimate aspects of each other's lives, it is very difficult to have a cordial relationship with one another once a judgement has been made, even if it is in the interests of the children.

However, when the children involved are young, a minimum of communication between parents is absolutely essential.

The length of time required for a

linked rises have been reinstated.

If your income tax bill is relatively low a reduction is applied and this reduction has been increased benefitting those with tax bills of less than €1,016 next year.

Conversely, better off families will be adversely affected by a change to the “credit” given for having dependent children.

For 2013 income, the maximum reduction that can be gained falls from €2,000 per child to €1,500.

Très Jolie

05 55 78 62 29 06 04 08 29 53

partners, etc. No area is excluded.

collaborative process is incomparably shorter than any legal proceedings. It allows you to find a commonly accepted solution, allowing those involved to begin the necessary process of building a new life.

With a conventional divorce, if is not done by mutual consent, couples can remain mired in their painful shared history for years. Under these circumstances, it is much more complicated to build a new life, with the old one never letting you go.. ■ For more information on this topic, contact: Laure CHAVERON, Avocat 36 avenue Pierre Leroux, 23600 Boussac Téléphone: 05 55 82 18 99 E: laure.chaveron@wanadoo.fr http://avocats.fr/space/laure.chaveron

these property sales, with full exemption after 30 years ownership, not 22. Annual ownership reductions will be 1.65% for each year from 6 to 21, 1.6% for the 22nd year and 9% pa for the remaining years.

The temporary 25% additional reduction mentioned above also applies to ‘social taxes’.

Share Portfolios A new ‘taper relief’ scale on the sale of shares is proposed.

Taxable gains are progressively reduced based on the period of ownership with a set 50% reduction for shares held between 2 to 8 years, increasing to 65% for ownership beyond 8 years.

The taxable gain will be added to other income and taxed at the appropriate income tax rate, plus the usual ‘social taxes’.

VAT From 1 January 2014, the “standard” rate of VAT (TVA) in France will increase from 19.6% to 20% with the other rates of 7% rising to 10% and 5.5% dropping to 5%.

NB: The proposed legislation covered above is currently being ratified by parliament, so amendments are still possible before it passes into law.

David Hardy is Regional Manager of Siddalls France, Independent Financial Adviser, specialised in tax, inheritance, pension and investment planning for the British community in the Limousin since 1996. Telephone 05 56 34 75 51 Email bordeaux. office@siddalls.net www.siddalls.fr

JANUARY 2014 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

14 ♦ ADVERTISING FEATURE

Resort Les Dryades, Golf & Spa www.les-dryades.fr - +33 (0)2 54 06 60 60

A 1,200m2 SPA: Health and well-being are the main focuses of the complex. The leisure facility, which works with the world-famous spa brands Sothys and Decléor, provides relaxing beauty treatments in five massage rooms and three treatment rooms which feature the latest spa equipment.

The spa also includes swimming pools, whirlpool baths, a sauna, a saltwater pool and gym.

More information: spa@les-dryades.fr

AN 18-HOLE GOLF COURSE: With sixteen hazards and large greens, playing on this rolling course is a challenge for all golfers, from beginners to enthusiasts.

More information: golf@les-dryades.fr Anyone with a taste for the authentic flavours and fresh ingredients of traditional French cuisine will not be disappointed by the HARMONIE RESTAURANT (menus from 34€, 45€ & 51€) and the Club-House restaurant-brasserie (lunch menu - 17€), both within Hotel Les Dryades.

The hotel can also accommodate SEMINARS and other corporate events. The four conference rooms, which can welcome groups from 10 to 200 people, come with free WiFi and are equipped with all the latest technological equipment that you could need.

A Unique Real Estate Project next to Les Dryades Golf Course Built in the immediate vicinity of the golf course, the 25 future detached houses which are part of the real estate project « Les Maisons Le Bois Richard » are designed with a very modern and contemporary style. The main characteristics of these houses, which will be perfectly incorporated in the natural surroundings, are their clear lines, their light and spacious rooms, the high-quality materials that will be used for their building and their colours which will blend in with the natural environment.

In their gardens or on their terraces, which will open onto the 70-hectare Les Dryades Resort, the owners will enjoy perfect calm. THE LUXURY HOUSES will have large bay windows to allow natural light to enter, especially in the main room of the house which is the dining room-cum-lounge. Built in the form of an L, the houses will meet current standards in environmental protection.

Each house is built on a plot of land covering approximately 1,500 m2 beside the golf course so as to allow ample space between the different buildings.

With the launch of the real estate project « Les Maisons Le Bois Richard », we intend to offer future buyers a high quality real estate product in a hotel and golf resort which has existed for more than 20 years.

More information from the property developer: +33 (0)2 54 06 60 66

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2014

COMMUNITY ♦ 15 Le Moulin du Breuil Restaurant, Bar, Terrasse

23140 PIONNAT

Le Moulin du Breuil would like to thank all of their clientele who have supported us in 2013. We will be closed for January and February to rest, recuperate, work and plan for 2014.

Watch this space for opening events in Spring 2014 Please contact us for any information re: events, weddings, parties and christenings.

We wish everyone a very Happy New Year!

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

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

CARRACIOLA SARDO

... has closed for the festive season, re-opening on 5th March 2014 (please see our website for 2014 opening times).

Happy New Year to all our customers See you in 2014 !!

STEVE AND ELENA web: www.carraciola.com e mail: ristorante@carraciola.com tel: 05 55 63 86 05

Vera Laine Gift Shop & Salon de Thé LE DORAT (Pl. Charles de Gaulle)

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

HOMEMADE CAKES and FREE WIFI now available!

Knitting Group

Knitters, expert or beginners, meet every Wednesday at 2pm for a little knit and natter. All welcome, please feel free to drop in or call Jay for more details.

Alternatively, follow "Veralaine" on Facebook.

Contact Jay:

05 87 77 95 59 / 06 35 91 03 83 veralaine19@gmail.com

sat2way.fr

internet by satellite offer

€120 off

the price of installation when installed by Creusetec from 13/12/13 until 15/02/14 phone 05 55 66 60 21 for details and promo code.

Experienced shop fitters required to work as part of an existing team on retail roll-outs and larger projects.

Requirement to travel and to be away from region for 1 to 5 days.

Please send full CV to: contact@reactive-resource.com www.reactive-resource.com

Barbara from the Caring Cattery

would like to wish all my customers and the readers of The Bugle Fun at Christmas and the best of Health and Good Fortune in 2014.

Bugle Notice Board Limousin Dog Training

would like to announce that puppy training classes are resuming in January.

Huge thanks to all my clients who sent good wishes after my accident. I look forward to seeing you, and any new puppy owners, back at classes.

For full information telephone Elaine on 05 55 68 67 56 or 06 04 47 35 19

Atelier d'Art du Jardin is open every Fri, Sat, Sun & bank holiday from 11h to 18h.

Artisan art for your garden.

Cream teas on the terrasse.

RDV for weekday visits SVP. 2km from Chénérailles and the Chateau Villemonteix 26, Ecurat 23150

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

KWIKSTAGE Scaffold Hire Exclusive Offer to readers of The Bugle

10% off

any scaffolding ordered for any time during 2014, if ordered & deposit paid before end of March 2014.

05 55 89 69 46

www.entreprisehines.com robert.hines@orange.fr

Wanted: Person or Persons to keep an eye on a property in Le Menoux, Argenton-sur-Creuse...

... whilst owner is not in residence. This will involve liaison with Electric/Water for meter readings as well as just a quick check -up every now and then. As time progresses there will also probably be a need for Changeover Services as it is likely the property will be let as a Holiday Let in the near future.

Contact Ray Baker by email at raymond.j.baker@gmail.com

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

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

Call: 07.61.21.85.15

Baileys Bar & Restaurant 5 Rue de L’Abreuvoir Aubusson

We will be closed through January and February, re-opening in March!

Tel: 05.55.66.37.10

Très Jolie

Fashion Accessories

Where to find me in January: Every Wednesday - Piégut Market

Lots of new Winter accessories now in.

New stunning Jewellery Scarf designs, a great affordable gift.

Hat & scarf sets, snoods, ponchos and lots more.

Great little gifts starting from €3.

Most items now stocked at the 'Coeur et Etoile', St-Mathieu Postage available, please email or call for details.

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

Cartes de Christine

Hand-crafted cards for all occasions Find us every week at Piégut market (not Jan).

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Thank you everyone for your support throughout the year.

You can also find our cards at Magazin Artisanat, Confolens.

Petticoat Lane

Please note we will be closed from 5th to 12th January, re-opening 13th January 5 Rue Nationale – 16150 Chabanais

Tel: 05 45 29 03 99

JJ’s Café Bar Aigurande Music Club

2nd Sat of every month. 8.30 pm.

Next event: 11th January

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

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

Tel: 02 54 06 30 77

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

Le Bellerive

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

Saturday 25th January Burns Night Quiz (booking recommended)

7th - 31st January - Open lunchtimes only For details of all our events, go to: www.facebook.com/hotellebellerive Email: bonjour@lebellerive.net

Phone: 05 55 36 20 63

JANUARY 2014 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

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

Classified Adverts

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

FOR SALE ANIMALS & PETS FOR SALE: Miniature Shetland Pony onc (Delboy) 7 months, male chestnut 68cm. Father stands 88cm and mother stands 80cm. Walks easily on headcollar, lifts feet, very sociable, vaccinated, wormed and microchipped. €480.00 tel: 05 55 66 22 92 FOR SALE: 2 aquariums 120L with stand and 200L, both with accessories, filters, pumps, heater and ornaments, etc. Ready to go, just add water and fish. 120L (100 euros) 200L (120 euros). Tel: 05 55 66 22 92 FOR SALE: Large Dog Kennel Interior measurements L 117cm x W 72cm x H 78cm. Centre partition. Made in wood with aluminium corner protection and feet. €100.00 Tel: 05 55 66 22 92 FOR SALE: Two wonderful Griffon puppies are looking for loving family homes They are

nine weeks old and can be adopted soon. They will be chipped, vaccinated and checked by the vet. For further information please contact Margret. Tel: 06 95 02 52 43 FOR SALE: TINY MINIATURE DONKEYS Near Boussac.

American stud-book registered.

Grey, brown, black and red little treasures. Our goal is to produce a superior quality, extra small, extra loveable donkey.

Health-guaranteed. Tiny mules and miniature horses. More on www.anepassion.fr (translation on the home page) Email: miniatures@viveole.com Puppies looking for loving homes Beautiful Anglo-

Poitevin rescue puppies (chip/ vac/vet, good with cats) are

looking for loving family homes after spending 12 happy weeks with their mother and siblings. (Mum’s chip: 250269500568873).

2 left.

Contact for further information on adoption fees and conditions.

Tel: Katharina on 06 66 24 85 49 Email: info@ame-et-corps.com Little grey cat with long hair, 5 month old, green eyes, looking for a new HOME Tel: 05 55 63 30 94 Email: trxl@msn.com

Light colour. 3-seater settee, 2 armchairs. Removable, washable upholstery.

Good condition. €65.00 Tel: 02 48 56 74 73 FOR SALE: Solid Pine Bookcase with Drawer Lovely Clean

BUILDING MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT FOR SALE: BOSS Scaffold Tower Double width 1.45m x 2.50m x 7.20m. Working height if 8.20m. Call or email for full details. €1,000.00 Tel: 0781994983 / 0678172778 Email: daveandjo100@gmail.com FOR SALE: Building Equipment Defitec 300 Generator 2.5 kw in charriot 150€; 5.5m roof ladder with hooks 100€; 2.65m roof ladder 45€; Double ladder closed 4m 30€; 2 x Bell Cement mixers 250€ and 350€; Breaker 100€.

Tel: 0781994983 / 0678172778 Email: daveandjo100@gmail.com FOR SALE: Compressors Doosan/Ingersoll Rand Due

to ill health and retirement 2 Compressors for sale purchased 2012 with the intention of hiring to a local French Artisan. Although both compressors are 7/26E they are marked as Doosan which is the later only working for 5 hours and Ingersoll Rand which has worked for only 21 hours. They are both equipped with hose, breaker and 4 tools. They are both as new and cost 8000€ each in France. Parts manuals included with both. NO TVA. Each 2995€. Both 5500€.

Tel: 02 54 37 76 24 FOR SALE: 12 glass roof tiles Perfect condition. Email for photos. €50.00ono Email: dshawleycett@hotmail.com FOR SALE: Very Strong Galvanised Metal Roof Rack Length 10ft 5inches/3175mm Width 5'5inches/1650mm. 4 anchor points on each side, 17 fixed tie hooks, 10 cross bars and a ladder roller bar. Suitable for transportation of heavy ladders, building materials, etc. €200.00 Tel: 05 55 80 70 93 Dept 23 (near Aigurande) Email: dannyandshaz@orange.fr FOR SALE: Makhita 2200W Angle Grinder €40.00 Tel: 05 55 63 43 69

FURNITURE FOR SALE: Large 3-piece suite

Condition – 71”H x 19”W x 13”D – BARGAIN 85 euro. €85.00 Tel: 05 55 64 46 27 (23400 St Dizier Leyrenne) FOR SALE: Antique Meridienne (chaise longue) Very attractive frame in good condition but will need to be re-upholstered. Please no time wasters photos on request.

(Nr Magnac Laval) €200.00ono Email: julie.rocket@yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: Furniture Pine kitchen table 6ft x 3ft + 2 chairs good condition 50.00€; 2 x Bridle holders 5.00€ for the two; 2 x Saddle racks 10.00€ for the two; TV Phillips (old style heavy) 20inch screen 25.00€; Pine TV unit 2 glass doors & a draw 25.00€; Pine bedroom cabinet 1 door, 1 draw 15.00€; 4 x Mahogany, regency style chairs vgc 40.00€; 2 seater settee, green with white spots, slight wear mark on one cushion wooden base, good condition 40.00€; Piranha table + 1 carver chair and 2 chairs 35.00€; White wooden wine rack 12 bottles (heavy) vgc 20.00€.

Tel: 02 54 36 71 96 (Dpt 36 Chaillac) Email: trishbaxter11@ yahoo.com FOR SALE: Chateau style white painted single bed With sculpted wood (flowers and birds) on the head and baseboard. Mattress and base as new. Email for photos. €150.00 Contact Jo on 06 78 17 27 78 Email: daveandjo100@ gmail.com FOR SALE: 4 Country chairs painted white with flower and fruit motif Original cane seats. 80€ the 4. Email for photos. €80.00 Contact Jo on 06 78 17 27 78 Email: daveandjo100@gmail.com FOR SALE: Antique French Bed

Measuring 188cm x 112cm on metal casters. €150.00ono Tel: 05 55 69 49 28

GARDEN FOR SALE: Mosaic Stepping Stones Round or Square. 25 Euros each. Various colourful patterns.

Cheryl 06 46 89 88 89 FOR SALE: Aluminium Greenhouse 3m long x 2m wide x 2m high. Sliding door to one end and opening. Window in roof. Buyer to collect. Will throw in some shelving and a paraffin heater. Between Guéret and Ahun off the D50. €260.00 Tel: 05 55 80 04 31 Email: info@la-petitemaison.eu FOR SALE: 3yr old ENGLISH PLUM TREES Bought from good UK nursery, planted last winter to create orchard, no longer required due to change of plans. Grafted on semi-dwarf rootstock (St Julian A) to give a small to medium tree: Victoria, Jubilee (similar to victoria, larger fruit), Rivers Early Prolific (early, small, black, good flavour), Marjorie's Seedling (late, large, purple, good flavour).

15euros each. Also available 3yr old Plum or Pear semi-dwarf rootstocks for grafting on your own variety of plum, peach, nectarine, gage, apricot (St Julian A) or pear (Quince A) to create small to medium tree. 4euros each (or 3euros if take several). Tel: 05 55 62 25 18 or 06 40 30 86 17 (Nr. Gouzon, Creuse)

mounted eye level or under cabinet oven and gas hob Both units are manufactured by "SELECline" and are finished in jet black high gloss ceramic. The oven has a Grill, Clock/timer, interior light, Fan and has Catalytic lined walls for easy cleaning. The Hob is a four burner and can be used with bottle or natural Gas and has Electric ignition to light the flame.

Both units are in truly immaculate condition and have only been in use for the last three years. Offered at half the original cost. No offers. €275.00 Tel: 02 54 47 20 87 FOR SALE: Solid Fuel Range 'Rosieres 18076' €300.00 Tel: 05 53 52 89 62 Email: julianpalmer@ orange.fr FOR SALE: TUXEDO Moss Bros. Mans Evening Jacket.

Cream, size 44L. AS NEW. Bargain. Purchased for Christmas last year and worn twice only for special occasions. €50.00ono Tel: 0555 787902 (near Rochechouart) FOR SALE: Vulcan Stove Fan

GENERAL FOR SALE: Various White under worktop fridge 15€; Freestanding white gas cooker with compartment for a gas bottle 60€; 130 bar Karcher jet wash 60€. Tel: 07 81 99 49 83 Email: daveandjo100@gmail.com FOR SALE: Various Neutral Ceramic Basin New 50 Euros ono; Elec & Gas 2 Plate Hob New 70 Euros ea; Ladies Clothes New / Used Size 14 - 16. Can be worn for special occasions e.g. Xmas / New Year. Contact: Joan 06 65 20 68 15 FOR SALE: FREE - Consigned 13kg butane gas canister Marque Butagaz. Come collect in person from post code 23800. Tel: 05 87 57 13 92 FOR SALE: Fuji x100 12.3 megapixel digital camera Two years old, paid 1,100€ new. Used, but in good condition, well cared for with minimal wear, extra batteries, all original accessories, original box, paperwork, etc.

Available to test in person, no time wasters please. €500.00ono Tel: 05 87 57 13 92 (based 23800) FOR SALE: White Wood-Burning Cooker Chappée wood cooker, body in cast iron, outer dressing white enamel. Heats well, but has hole in air exhaust to be repaired.

Cast iron cook top in great (non rusted) condition. €40.00ono Tel: 05 87 57 13 92 (based 23800) FOR SALE: Pioneer Stereo Receiver Unit Model SX-339 500W Tuner/Amplifier. Good condition, fully functioning. Can throw in one Pioneer 60W speaker box. €50.00ono Tel: 05 87 57 13 92 (based 23800) FOR SALE: Electric wall

Brand New In Box - Helps distribute warm air from your wood burner. No batteries or electricity, it works from the heat of your stove. €170 including postage or €165 collected in person near St-Junien 87.

Email for more info. Email: limousinlife87@yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: JTNatural range Basin with infinity plate Brand new - the item is still wrapped and on the pallet. When installed there is a slight gap around the plate to allow the water to drain. This gap also makes it easy to remove the plate for cleaning underneath it.

Beneath the plate is a standard 90mm waste outlet. The infinity plate is used to cover the waste thereby creating the illusion of no waste and a very contemporary finish. Colour: White. Please email for further details and images. We are based near Le Grand Bourg 23240. €375.00 Email: vanessa. fugler@orange.fr FOR SALE: Armitage Shanks Belfast Butler Sink Condition Used/ Good. 460mm D x 600mm W x 260mm H. Colour White.

Please email for further details and images. We are based near Le Grand Bourg 23240. €125.00 Email: vanessa.fugler@orange.fr FOR SALE: Brand new, boxed - Sarreguemines basin / Vasque à poser "Cookie" Table top mounting basin. 445mm x 445mm x 130mm. Colour White.

Please email for further details and images. We are based near Le Grand Bourg 23240. €45.00 Email: vanessa.fugler@orange.fr

FOR SALE: Plumbing Fittings New English indirect cylinder, lagged. 1050mm x 450mm. with immersion heater. €98. 75 gallon water tank. 900mm x 550mm x 600 mm. €48. 7 thermostatic radiator valves. €45 the lot.

Regent electric water heater. €48. Matt black steel super flue.

900mm x 150mm. €29. Tel: 05 53 52 03 02 (Sarlande) FOR SALE: 2 Folding Bikes With Bags Approx. 800mm long, 750mm high, 240mm wide (folded). Ideal for camping van or large boot car. € 240 for the pair.

Excellent condition. €240.00 Tel: 05 53 52 03 02 (Sarlande) FOR SALE: Double Yoke/Oak Light Fitting On chain. 4 light fittings. 1180mm long. Good condition. €188.00 Tel: 05 53 52 03 02 (Sarlande) FOR SALE: Yamaha Electone Dual Keyboard Organ Multi menus. Superb condition. €375.00 Tel: 05 53 52 03 02 (Sarlande) FOR SALE: Various Large Royal Paris tapestry canvas 136cmx98cm The lady and the Unicorn €45. Small portable De Longhi Electric radiator unused €15. White sideboard with 2 cupboards and two drawers excellent condition €35. Tel: 05 55 81 74 25 FOR SALE: Two Decathlon b’Twin bikes With helmets and padlocks, one lady’s and one gents. Never used. €70 each. Tel: 05 55 81 74 25 FOR SALE: BELLING COUNTRY RANGE 100 DFT

Dual fuel range cooker. Brand new & unused. 100 cm; 7 burner gas hob including wok burner; 1 conventional oven; 1 fan oven; separate grill; minute minder.

Cream with glass lid/ splash back.

This is a current model retailing at 1033 euros (£899) - see Curry's website. Priced for quick sale at only 825 euros. €825.00 Call Damien on 07973 641665 Email: anthonymcbride@talk21.com FOR SALE: 2 Convector Heaters 2000W Adjustable – beige near new condition (boxed).

BARGAIN BUY £15 each. Tel: 05 55 64 46 27 (St. Dizier Leyrenne) Email: tiony_48@hotmail.com FOR SALE: Fibre optic Christmas tree 6ft with cascading starburst effect, indoor use only. In full working order and little used. €35.00ono Call Clair on 05 55 64 83 13 Email: clairbirkett@ hotmail.co.uk FOR SALE: Stainless steel flue liners 6 x 1m length, diameter 200mm and 1 x 800mm x 200mm.

125mm diameter pipe of various lengths, 125mm double bend.

One heater, 125mm to run off a log fire. €80 or nearest offer for

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2014

CLASSIFIEDS ♦ 17 The Bugle CLASSIFIEDS are brought to you in association with WWW.HOUSESONINTERNET.COM the lot. Please email for photos if required. €80.00ono Email: rockhouseno3@hotmail.com FOR SALE: Small bales of hay 10-12 kilo - 2.40 each. Near to Chénérailles. Can deliver up to 70 BALES if required. Tel: Steve or Rosie 05 55 41 59 42 Email: stephen.towse@wanadoo.fr FOR SALE: Infra-red Sauna Seats 4 to 5 people. Dimensions: 1750 x 1350 x 1900 (mm). Power 2350.

Interior light. Radio CD player.

Email for photos. €950.00 Tel to view 05 55 81 31 85 FOR SALE: Cash Register Casio Electronic. Model SE - S10.

Almost new. €55.00 Tel: 05 55 80 37 70 FOR SALE: Oil Fired Central Heating Boiler Geminox.

Model TL 357S. Output 33kw. €600.00ono Tel: 05 55 80 37 70 FOR SALE: 3 wall brackets for flat screen televisions All brand

new still in boxes. 1 large for 30"63" TV 49 euros; 2 medium for 32" TV 29 euros each. Tel: 05 45 31 19 84 FOR SALE: Invicta Woodburner Insert Fire - 11 kW 6 years old, in good working order. €350.00ono Tel: 05 55 63 37 67 FOR SALE: Pair of Cast Iron Fire Dogs €15.00 Tel: 05 55 76 25 43 Email: lesley.edwards@orange.fr FOR SALE: Artika Z100 Pressure Washer 85 bar, 400 litre/hour hardly used. €25.00 Tel: 05 55 76 25 43 Email: lesley.edwards@ orange.fr FOR SALE: Hay Square bales 2 euros. Standard round bales 15 euros. Can deliver (for cost).

Based Etagnac (16). Tel: 05 45 31 12 68 FOR SALE: VHS Videos 51, all in very good condition inc some unused, looking for a good home.

All in original packaging. Email for list of titles and to make an offer. No reasonable offer refused.

Tel: 05 55 64 83 13 Email: dshawleycett@hotmail.com

VEHICLES / PARTS FOR SALE: 4 Nearly New Tyres Only done 600 km. Size 185/65r14n. 6ply rated so are suitable for car, van or trailer.

Price new 220 + tax, yours for only 130 euros.Based near

EASY

Lussac-les-Eglises.

Email: thompsonandrew722@gmail. com FOR SALE: Car Parts (Peugeot Boxer Van) Front silencer (part no. 703540041) and centre silencer (part no. 704545851) for Peugeot boxer van 2.5 diesel (1994-2000). New items bought in error. €200 ono for pair. 87470 Peyrat-le-Château. €200.00ono Tel: 05 55 36 20 50 FOR SALE: Mounted Tires (2x) 155/70/R13 KLEBER. (2x) 145/80/R13 SUMITOMO. Taken from Renault Express. Good tread, no punctures, mounted on alluminum hubs. 15€ each or 50€ all four. €50.00 Tel: 05 87 57 13 92 (based 23800) FOR SALE: Towbars Citroen Xsara Picasso & Peugeot 406 towbars - both complete with wiring. €60 and €40. Towbar, make unsure, complete with wiring. €25. Tel: 02 48 56 74 73 FOR SALE: Nissan Primera 2.2 DCI Turbo Diesel Hatchback 2004 UK registered. Long MOT. 11 months tax. Low mileage. Excellent all-round condition. Regularly serviced.

Very economical (no cam belt required). 6-speed, cruise control, alloy wheels, reversing camera, on-board computer, air conditioning, electric windows, power steering, central locking with alarm, fold down rear seats, large boot, new Witter towbar with twin electrics. Spacious comfortable car in very good overall condition. €1,900.00 Tel: 02 48 56 74 73 FOR SALE: Renault Espace series 2 1992. 6 seats, recent time

belt, clutch. New tyres. 7 months CT. Good working order. Quick sale 500 euros. Near Bellac. €500.00 Tel: 05 55 68 17 65 FOR SALE: 1996 Landrover Discover Petrol/LPG automatic €1,000.00 Tel: 05 53 52 89 62 Email: julianpalmer@orange.fr FOR SALE: BMW K1200S Motorcycle 2005 35,000 kms,

full dealer service history, new battery, new front brakes, new updated clutch, superb condition, comes with extra seat. 16220 Rouzede. €7,500.00ono Tel: 05 45 65 96 20 FOR SALE: TRIUMPH SPITFIRE 1500 1980, 76,000

miles, Inca yellow. Engine and gear box in very good condition with no faults. Chassis completely rust free. Very little body rust - bottom of driver's door needs some attention. New soft top, new minilite wheels

and tyres, stainless steel twin exhaust system, reupholstered.

New walnut dash to replace original. Replacement fuel tank.

Comes with tonneau and soft top apron covers. Full history shows thousands spent on her.

This car can be made road legal with little effort or enjoyed as a restoration project to bring her up to first class condition. I brought her out from UK but have found I do not have the time she deserves (still UK reg). Will supply many photos to interested party. €3,000.00 Email: brucesarn@ aol.com FOR SALE: THULE: Bike carrier for three bikes mounts on towbar Weight of unit: 12 kg app. Max. load permissible 45 kg. Rear lights in working order.

Pivots away from tailgate for

MEDIUM

access without removing bikes.

Buyer collects. €100.00 Email: alfredovogel@gmail.com FOR SALE: McCormick F135D tractor 1960 Comes with Carte

Grise, and two spare rear wheels with tyres. Fully serviced, all oils and filters, etc. are done, new battery, great little tractor for light work. 16220 Rouzede. €2,500.00ono Tel: 05 45 65 96 20 FOR SALE: Suzuki Carry Van

Year 2000 1.3 Petrol. RHD Still on UK plates. Very cheap to insure in France (we only pay €10 per mth). Great Utility van, very spacious. Starts first time.

Needs converting onto French plates. Open to serious offers (no time wasters). Call for more information or to arrange a look.

Tel: 05 55 64 87 92 FOR SALE: Alfa Romeo 156 Sportswagon 2.4 JTD Diesel.

March 2002. 203,000 km.

Manual. 5 doors, 5 seats. Good car! Grey metallic inside black leather. Very well maintained. €2,500.00 Tel: 05 55 81 30 00 FOR SALE: Set of 4 steel wheels for Renaults Wheels are 6 1/2 J X 15 H2 and are fitted with Gislavad Eurofrost5 winter tyres that have never been used sized 195/65 15 T. €300.00 Tel Dave on 05 55 67 58 87 Email: theorchard@live.co.uk FOR SALE: Citroen Xsara Picasso SX RHD. reg 2000.

1600cc petrol. 1 year 3 months CTA. UK plates. 86000 miles.

Good reliable runner. FSH. €900.00ono Tel: 05 55 03 11 40 FOR SALE: Suzuki Wagon R+, 1,3 GL Comfort 4/2003,135 000

HARD

km, 5 door, petrol, E 4, LHD, green metallic, non smoker, very good condition. Radio, air conditioning, central locking, electric windows. €1,950.00 Tel: 06 95 02 52 43 FOR SALE: Bailey Oaklahoma Senator Caravan 2002 4 birth

with fixed bed. Power mover, 3 way fridge & cooker (with oven).

Shower, toilet. Blown air heating.

Heki roof light, mosquito blinds.

Outside gas point & on board water tank. Could be used as tourer or static for renovation project. €4,500.00 Call Tony on 06 42 95 44 08 or 05 55 09 19 83 FOR SALE: June 1998 Ford Mondeo Ghia X 5 door hatchback Automatic V6 24 Valve 2544cc Petrol/ chocolate brown with full black leather interior/ ABS/ traction control/ cruise control/ aircon/ electric drivers seat/ heated front seats/ electric windows/ electric sun roof with screen/ 5 good tyres/ RHD but registered in France on French plates. 2 years control technique (passed 25/09/2013). Alternator/ battery/ front discs and pads new in 2012. 112749 miles. Lots of service history available.Only selling as surplus to requirements. €500.00 Tel Judi or Paul 05 55 41 55 89 FOR SALE: Roof racks In good condition for Renault 19 or 21. €20.00 Tel: 05 55 89 21 37 (evenings please) FOR SALE: Marchal Snow Chains Used twice. They fit various wheel sizes of 14 inches to 16 inches - too many to list.

Telephone or email with your tyre size. €25.00 Tel 05 55 76 25 43 Email: lesley.edwards@orange.fr FOR SALE: Weissenfels Snow Chains Never used - still in cellophane wrapped box. They fit various wheel sizes of 13 inches to 15 inches - too many to list.

Telephone or email with your tyre size. €50.00 Tel 05 55 76 25 43 Email: lesley.edwards@orange.fr FOR SALE: Hobby Excellent Caravan 460 UFE. Purchased and registered in France 2008. 4 berth. Double fixed bed. Water reservoir 50 litres. Extract Hood. Powrtouch Mover. Large Awning. Rear reversing camera.

Good condition. Photo available. €12,900.00 Tel: 05 55 60 10 56 FOR SALE: FORD IVECO 75E15 CARGO 7.5 Tonnes WAGON M Reg (1994) 216,914

Kms. Will carry three large horses with living space and professionally fitted ramp. In very good order but requires some cosmetic work and minor welding around cab area. Change

of circumstances forces sale hence price. Dept. 36. €2,500.00 Telephone: 0254 24 81 12 FOR SALE: Mahindra Tractor FS 254I 2008 25 hp. 140 hours.

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

Good condition. Photo available. €8,900.00 Tel: 05 55 60 10 56 or 05 55 60 06 19 FOR SALE: Eau claire fibreglass canal and river cruiser Boat all on

one level, 2 main cabins sleeping 2 and 3. Fully equipped, kitchen with fridge, cooker, water heater, shower room with handbasin and lavatory. Central heating, gas fired 6/9 conducted air, easy access. Motor Yanmar 3JH3E with marine drive SD 31 easy access. Electricity 12 volts DCS. 2 water tanks 200 litres each.

Moored in Clamecy. €28,000.00 Tel: 05 45 71 53 02 Email: angelaandangus@gmail.com

WHITE GOODS FOR SALE: Tumble Dryer Hardly used. €25.00 Tel: 02 48 56 74 73

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

WANTED WANTED: Classic car pre 1980 Must be in good condition. Email: lopezmachinery@gmail.com WANTED: Wanted to buy Digger/Excavator Tel: 02 48 56 74 73 WANTED: Gate or pair of gates Can collect. Tel: 02 48 56 74 73 WANTED: Roof racks for Citroen Xantia Tel: 05 55 89 21 37 (evenings please)

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

JANUARY 2014 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

18 ♦ COMMUNITY

CLUBS, CHARITIES & ASSOCIATIONS

Church Notices Monthly Worship in English If your journey of life has brought you here to France, why neglect your journey of faith?

We look forward to giving a warm welcome to everyone from whatever Christian tradition (or none) on the 3rd SUNDAY of the MONTH at 3pm. Where? At the Temple in Thiat (in the north of the Haute-Vienne) – we are part of the Parish of the Basse-Marche of the Eglise Protestante Unie de France. The Temple is on the main road close to the Mairie. After worship there is tea/coffee and cake – and a chance to chat.

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

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

We welcome all who want to join a group of English-speaking Christians for a time of worship and learning together. Children are very welcome. For more details contact Jim & Pat Scott on 05 55 67 54 78 / email scott. james@neuf.fr or Ian & Becky Jefferies on 05 55 61 10 23 / email mail@otiumsanctus.com Christians together in Limousin La Souterraine Area We hold a time of fellowship and Bible study every Tuesday afternoon. Barbara and Cedric look forward to welcoming you. Tel: 05 55 71 09 04 The International Free Church in Creuse The church presently meets at 10, La Chaudronnière, a small hamlet mid-way between Crozant and Eguzon. Sunday worship meetings are held on the first and third Sundays of the month at 10.30am. Fellowship meetings, for mid-week prayer, bible study and discussion are at the same venue every Thursday at 7.30pm. For further information contact Eric Sutton tel 05 55 89 26 62 Fitness & Fun PENSOL Indoor Carpet Bowls We meet on Wednesdays at 2.30pm-5.00pm.

Come along for a fun afternoon, a warm welcome in a warm hall, refreshments and equipment provided. Ladies and Gents welcome. The venue is the salle polyvalente at PENSOL - 87440 on the D67 between Marval and Dournazac, clearly indicated from the village, or from Piégut-Pluviers take the D91.

Come and have a free trial, with our slightly smaller Bowls and 33` carpet. NO heavy lifting.

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

OPEN DAY Sun 6th Oct at the salle de la mairie, Jarnages from 9h-12h.

Individual classes, courses, massage & treatments also available. Contact: 06 48 00 02 07 http://acamies.e-monsite.com Keep Fit Amazing abs, breathtaking buttocks! Come and join our group at the CAPE in Pontarion. We are all ages, all sizes, men & women, but are serious about keeping fit.

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

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

Indoor Bowling at Oradour-sur-Vayres 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-sur-Vayres. Come and try it - it's free.

If you require further information or directions to our venue please contact me - Email: Oradour-Bowling@gmx.com or telephone: 05 55 08 41 75 Zumba!

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

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

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

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

Our regular sessions indoors are Wednesday evening at 8pm and Thursday Mornings at 10am. Outdoor sessions will be arranged as the spring arrives so keep in touch. Serious bowlers and beginners are welcome - club bowls are available for use.

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

Association Equilibre, le mouvement du corps Yoga for all levels: Tue 18:30 Aubusson, Pied au plancher (Espace Philips); Wed 18:30 Vallière, salle polyvalante. Pregnancy/Post Natal: Tue 17:00 Aubusson, Pied au Plancher (Espace Philips) For further information tel 06 83 24 62 72 or visit www.spaequilibre.yolasite. com Chinese Gym & Karate Mondays & Thursdays 19h30-21h at the DOJO, Allée Jean-Marie Couturier, Aubusson. Warm and friendly atmosphere. For more info tel 06 08 92 30 53 Tai Chi at Boussac and La Châtre Tai Chi classes in Boussac (Tue 18.15 - 19.45) and La Châtre (Thu 18.15 - 19.45). The first two lessons are free, the subscriptions are 36 euros per month and members can go to both venues having paid this fee. The style is that of Yang. All ages and abilities welcome, but folk must bear in mind that they will be on their feet, doing the equivalent of what one might classify as light exercise, for about an hour and a half.

For more information contact 05 55 65 08 20.

Gym Bien-être Would you enjoy an afternoon of gentle exercise with a cheerful, light-hearted group? Each week we exercise a different group of muscles, do a little country dancing & some floor exercise and laugh a lot. The aim of the activities is to increase suppleness and mental agility. We meet every Tuesday afternoon upstairs at the Capitole in Rochechouart between 2pm and 3.30pm. It isn’t necessary to speak French because you can copy but you will learn some. Come for 2 weeks’ free trial. For details contact: pauline. maskell@sfr.fr Learn to Meditate Learn to meditate and meet other like-minded people. Simple mindfulness technique. Dechen Choling, Le Mas Marvent, St-Yrieix-sousAixe, 87700. Also, ongoing regular group meetings and events. Contact tel Christina 05 55 03 82 01 www.dechencholing.org Gardening Les Jardins de Sirius Based in Pressignac, Charente, we are a small association of people who are keen on gardening. As well as finding plants an endless source of interest, we believe that the simple fact of gardening has numerous positive benefits for health, stress, social interaction in other words, our daily lives - and we'd like to encourage this aspect. Currently, we run

French Conversation Group at Les Billanges We are a small group of half a dozen who meet fortnightly for an hour and a half on a Tuesday evening in Les Billanges (87340), with the objective of practising and improving our use of the French language. We are accompanied by a retired French schoolteacher, and discussion is very informal, loosely based on every day topics. We need a couple more people to help keep it vibrant and to cater for inevitable absences.

The only cost is €15 a year membership of the local Association, which brings with it other social opportunities.

To find out more please contact David Shaw at dshawleycett@hotmail.com

flower/plant sessions in old people's homes on a regular basis. From June (weather permitting) we are hoping to run gardening sessions once a month. If you'd like to get involved, have more info on the association or become a member, please contact Michelle Pierce on 05 45 89 36 54 or at unjardinenfrance@gmail.com Les petits jardiniers du Limousin http://jardiniers-du-limousin.webs.com Do you love gardening or are you keen to learn more about it? Then why not come along and join Les Petits Jardiniers? We’re a friendly group of English, French and Dutch residents and normally meet on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 2.30pm in the salle de fêtes in StAmand-le-Petit, between Peyrat-le-Château and Eymoutiers. Our meetings are held mostly in English and we have guest speakers, organise garden visits and swap plants and seeds.

Annual membership is 15 euros pp or 20 euros per couple or pay as you go for 3 euros per meeting. For more information or to be put on our mailing list for our quarterly newsletter or monthly agenda contact Carolyn at Carolyn@ cnlees.eu or Gill at gillinfrance@orange.fr Agenda for 2014: 16th Jan Presentation entitled 'Plateau de Millevaches'; Feb No meeting; 20th Mar Planting for Night and Day; 17th Apr Electrifying your garden: a guide to outdoor lighting/fountains; 15th May Invasive plants - Friends or Foes?; 19th Jun Visit to two gardens 'From field to fantastic garden'; 17th Jul Demonstration - flower arranging; 21st Aug Summer lunch; 7th Sep Annual Show; 16th Oct AGM and Splitting perennials to double your plants; 20th Nov Visit to the Musée des distilleries, Limoges; Tba Dec Gardeners' Question Time and Christmas party..

Club Liseron – Gardening Club Meets on the 2nd Mon evening of the month at 19.30 at the Salle des Fêtes in Massignac. We're a mixed bunch of English & French, who are united by a passion for gardens and gardening, sharing plants, seeds and information. More info from Sally on 05 45 21 30 20 or Craig on 05 45 89 33 50 or mccolville@orange.fr Aux Plantes etc We are an association of independent, ethicallyminded and passionate plant producers. Our aim is to encourage consumers to know more about the plants they buy, how they were produced and their needs, thereby avoiding the disappointments that so often come with mass produced plants. It's not just about us selling you plants - we want them to thrive and do well for you! Current members include plantspeople specialising in unusual shrubs & trees, butterfly plants, heritage vegetables and flowers, irises, perennials and drought-tolerant plants. For more info contact Michelle Pierce 05 45 89 36 54 or vitist www.auxplantesetc.jimdo.com Integration International Apero Reseau We meet each Saturday from 11.30am-1pm at Baileys Bar/Restaurant, 5 Rue de L'Abreuvoir, Aubusson.

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

Discussions in English (all nationalities welcome).

For more information please contact Catherine 06 86 17 80 88 or Liz 05 55 66 22 92.

Learning Together – Apprenons Ensemble Our main aim is to foster understanding and good relations amongst the local Frenchspeaking and English-speaking populations.

To this end we are offering courses of tuition in English and in French, and organising social and cultural events and visits. LANGUAGE CLASSES (take place at the Maison des Associations, Rochechouart) Beginners and Intermediate - Mon am; French/English Conversation – Tues am; Advanced and Children’s – Wed am; Conversation (StJunien) - Thur. SOCIAL EVENTS Games Night (Rochechouart) 1st Thur; Games Night (St-Junien) 2nd Thur; Lunch Club – Last Thur.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS - More details in Association Newsletter. For more details visit www.learningtogether.me or contact Sue Ratcliffe 05 45 31 50 86 The Melting Pot Members of the Ambassador's Club of the Welcome en Limousin Association. We are a group of around 70 members, both French and British, who meet with the aim of sharing things and trying to integrate with the French community. We meet every week at the Ancienne Ecole in Darnac, on a Wednesday morning from 10am - 12noon, except for the first Wednesday, when we meet in the evening at 8pm. We hold information meetings, plant swaps, BBQ's, games nights, visits and have guest speakers about topics relevant to living in France.

Contact: www.meltingpot-limousin.com Charente Limousine Exchange The Charente-Limousine-Exchange (CLE), founded in 2003, aims to improve the provision of French language courses and to share experiences and skills among members who live in Charente, Vienne and Haute-Vienne.

CLE provides information to members living and/or working in France and works with local communities and organisations to tackle practical issues through forums and workshops, as well as organising a wide range of cultural

and social events throughout the year. The recent launch of English lessons has been well attended by Confolentais. If you would like to know more about this group of volunteers, please look on our new website www.charentelimousine-exchange.com or contact the Chairman, Barry Leech, on 06 35 96 77 46.

Libraries & Books Baileys Book Exchange Baileys Bar/Restaurant, 5 Rue de L'Abreuvoir, Aubusson.

Large selection of English books, plus a few French books and DVDs. Swap (for each swapped book a small charge of 20cts applies) or buy books from as little as 50cts. ALL money received donated to S.P.A. de la Creuse Dog Refuge Guéret. Books available during opening hours, please check Baileys Restaurant Ad for details.

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

St Jean English Library, La Souterraine The St Jean English Library and Information Centre is now well-established in the beautiful medieval building of the Porte de Puy Charraud, 10 Rue de Portail, La Souterraine. We now have just under 10,000 books, catering for a wide range of tastes, both fiction & non-fiction, plus a large collection of DVDs and CDs, and you can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, together with a selection of delicious home-made cakes, in our cafe, Caxtons, where we also have regular exhibitions of work by local artists, both French & English.

The Library runs classes in French, for English speakers, with a professional teacher, and also organises Anglo-French conversation groups in association with the Municipal Library in La Souterraine. We have a number of thriving special interest groups, such as the Gardening Club, Photographic Society, Friendship Group, etc. and we have an ever-changing selection of interesting items for sale in our Brocante on the ground floor.

We also provide support & assistance in bureaucratic and administrative matters for both existing British residents as well as newcomers to the area, so whatever your interests, don’t hesitate to pay us a visit, when you will be assured of a warm welcome.

The library is open from 9.30 -12.30 on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Contact tel 06 06 43 47 64 or email bibliostjean@yahoo.co.uk Our website is www. frenchweb.eu/biblio The English Library, Dun-le-Palestel The English Library, which has now been established for over 5 yrs, is situated in the Route des Rateries, beside the Bibliothèque Municipale, Parc Benjamin Bord. The library is a very welcoming meeting place, where you can come and enjoy a cup of tea, or coffee, whilst you browse through our collection of around 7,500 books, DVDs and talking books. Our opening hours are Thursdays, 10h00 – 16h00 and Saturdays 10h00 – 12h30.

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

We host a range of other activities too, including the Café Philo, and Club Scrabble, More information can be found on the Entente Cordiale website at www.ententecordiale-creuse.org or email us at library.ententecordiale@yahoo.com Music Music Club Boussac 3rd Saturday of the month at the Grand Café des Sports, 26 place de l'Hôtel de Ville. All musicians and singers wishing to join in an evening of free fun and entertainment are most welcome, as are those who simply enjoy listening to live music. A PA system and drum kit is available, so all you need to do is bring along your own instrument to have a good time.

"Oh My Cod" fish and chips is available in the square or Philippe, the bar owner, provides a charcuterie. All food can be eaten in the café.

Contact: Bev or Dave Calladine at gemsandcrystalsmail@gmail.com or Mervyn or Rosie Wood at mervynjw@aol.com for more info.

Upcoming dates: 21st December.

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 Club de Musique Takes place on the last Fri of each month from 8pm at La Grange, Chassignolles (5mins from

La Châtre). Open to all musicians, singers, groups and audience. PA and drum kit available.

Bring your instrument, mic and join in a great French / English musical and social evening.

Bar, hot and cold snacks. Meals available if reserved – see website for contact details of La Grange. For more info email: geoff@ clubdemusique.fr http://www.clubdemusique.fr The Harmonics This is our 6th season of singing as a group.

Our music is varied classical, madrigals, spiritual, songs from the shows etc and we sing in French, English, Swahili, Latin - whatever the music demands. Our concerts are in support of a variety of charities including the British Legion, L'Oregon at Civray and Retina and thus non profit making. We meet Wed 14h – 16h in the Salle d'Annexe behind the Mairie in Civray.

Interested? We'd love to see you so contact: David Lee tel 05 49 87 53 93 email dave.lee@ cegetel.net or Dolly Ait Boualou email sylvia. murray@wanadoo.fr Support

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

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

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

Other meetings in South-West France can be located on our web-site at aafrancesud-ouest. com Cancer Support France, Charente Plus Offers free and confidential support to English speakers affected by cancer in departments 16, 17 & 86. Our helpline number is 06 45 35 32 30.

If you need any more information, please get in touch via csf.charenteplus@gmail.com Cancer Support France, Haute-Vienne We offer free and confidential support to English speakers affected by Cancer in the HauteVienne (87). Our helpline number is 06 04 43 39 87. If you would like more information or would like to become a member or help in any other way, please contact Sue Ware 05 55 00 31 15, csfhv@frangle.fr Cancer Support France, Creuse If you are English-speaking and need support or information, please phone Helpline number 06 06 47 18 60.

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

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

Many thanks!!

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2014

WHAT’S ON ♦ 19

Thank you from Bansang Hospital Many thanks for your advert regarding the Marché de Noël in Abjat-sur-Bandiat (24) on 8th December, organised for The Bansang Hospital Appeal Gambia.

I am delighted to say we raised an amazing 2,300 euros which is an incredible amount, and will be a huge boost for the hospital.

Our latest newsletter can be found and downloaded on www.bansanghospitalappeal.org which gives all the latest news on how the money is spent and all the projects.

We have been fund-raising here in France for 7 years and each year I am overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness I receive from the wonderful people in this part of the country. This year we have raised in excess of 7,000 euros - I couldn't possibly achieved any of this without your help. So thank you most sincerely from the bottom of my heart, and also from Bansang Hospital.

I hope you have had a very happy Christmas and I would like to wish you all a Very Happy New Year.

WEEKLY MARKETS MONDAY

Evaux-les-Bains

TUESDAY

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

WEDNESDAY

Ahun Bourganeuf Chambon-sur-Voueize Cognac-la-Forêt Clugnat Le Dorat Isle Limoges (pont St Martial) Nantiat Séreilhac

THURSDAY

Boussac Coussac-Bonneval Dun-le-Palestel Guéret Limoges Bastide et

Kindest regards,

Corgnac Magnac-Laval Oradour-sur-Vayres (except 3rd Thu) Peyrat-le-Château Saint-Sulpice-lesChamps Saint-Victurnien La Souterraine

FRIDAY

Aigurande Aixe-sur-Vienne Ambazac Bessines-sur-Gartempe Bosmie l’Aiguille (16h - 19h30) Bujaleuf Châlus (except 2nd Fri) Châteauponsac Châtelus-Malvaleix Couzeix (16h30 19h30) Le Dorat Felletin Limoges (place des Bancs et Beaubreuil) Nexon Pierre-Buffière Rochechouart St-Etienne-de-Fursac Saint-Sulpice-Laurière Verneuil-surVienne(15h-18h30)

SATURDAY

Aixe-sur-Vienne

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

SUNDAY

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

MONTHLY FOIRES

BY DATE

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

BY DAY

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

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

Got an event? notices@thebugle.eu

Linda Nicholson

‘SECOND CHANCES’

Limousin Writers' Weekend Retreat at Château-de-Bellefond, Lagraulière, Corrèze Limousin Writers, who meet at La Bibliothèque Anglaise de la Corrèze in the beautiful Château Bellefond near Lagraulière, are hosting their second Writers’ Weekend Retreat from 16th-18th May 2014.

The weekend will be spent in workshops and writing sessions designed to provide both experienced writers and beginners an opportunity to discuss and create in an encouraging and inspiring atmosphere amidst the château’s charming and idyllic surroundings.

http://chateau-bellefond.com/uk/ Two days' workshops, accommodation, and meals are included in the cost of ONLY €228!

Participants are also welcome to attend daily at reduced rates.

Workshop leaders include: Poets Gordon & Jocelyn Simms who organise the Bilingual LitFest in St-Clémentin, France, as well as running writing competitions and writing course materials. www.poetryproseandplays.co.uk www.stclementinlitfest.com Journalist Nicola Thornton, who runs successful creative writing courses in Barcelona. www.creativewritingmagic.com Wendy Wright, poet, dancer, writer, and teacher, who won a Millennium award for her services to Special Needs education. wendywrightfr@ntlworld.com Rick Lee, thriller writer, drama practitioner and experienced workshop facilitator. www.rick-lee.co.uk

! PLUS !

Write a short story of less than 300 words with the title ‘Second Chances’ AND WIN A FREE WRITERS’ WEEKEND IN A FRENCH CHATEAU!!!!

For more information, the full programme, booking form and competition entry details visit

http://rick-lee.co.uk/limousin-writers-second-chance-weekend-retreat/ or contact suecramptonhill@gmail.com

JANUARY 2014 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

20 ♦ WHAT’S ON

UPCOMING EVENTS ACROSS THE REGION Thu 14th Nov to Fri 28th Feb DUNLE-PALESTEL Exhibition: Bovin'art

Cows here, cows there, cows you see them everywhere! Exhibition of the work of artist Christine Gasnier at the Tourist Office.

Mon-Fri 10h-12h30 & 14h-17h30.

For more information visit: www. christinegasnierbovinart.sitew.fr/

Sun 29th Dec LIMOGES The Saints Innocents Traditional Fair This four-century-old traditional fair was created in 1566 by a royal edict of Charles IX. Nowadays, street peddlers still gather in the city's main streets for the great popular market of the winter season. 8h-19h.

Sat 14th Dec to Sun 30th Mar Les Bistrots d’Hiver 2014 The Bistrots d'Hiver are back to liven up winter Sundays in and around the Plateau de Millevaches. Organised by the association Pays'Sage this season sees a diverse programme including French song, blues, Celtic music, jazz, Corsican songs... there is something for everyone!

Concerts take place in auberges and cafes across the region and take the form of an apero-tchatche (debate on something topical or related to the territory) before lunch and an afternoon concert. The following take place this month: 5th – Marie-Lilith (French song) – Auberge Felletinoise – Felletin (23) 12th - Sous les quais (French song) -

Le Casse Bouteille - Meymac (19) 19th - Barbara du bout des lèvres Auberge de la Fontaine - Cheissoux (87) 26th - Raoul Ficel (blues) - Chez Nanou - Millevaches (19) 26th - Toss (Celtic music) - Le relais des forêts - Blessac (23) For full details and to download the programme visit http://www.payssage.net/ Fri 20th Dec to Sun 5th Jan LIMOGES La patinoire de Noël Ice rink - place de la République. Free skating & skate hire.

Mon 13th Jan to Sun 23rd Feb GUÉRET Exhibition: La Creuse en Couleurs Exhibition of oil paintings by JeanLuc Mauger at the Tourist Office.

Mon 27th Jan LIMOGES Royal Opera House Live: Giselle As part of the Royal Opera House Live season, where current productions are screened live around the world, the Cinéma Grand Ecran in Limoges will be showing Giselle. The greatest of

all Romantic ballets, Peter Wright’s production of Marius Petipa’s classic is a tale of betrayal, supernatural spirits and love that transcends death.

Grand Ecran Limoges Ester, 87000 LIMOGES. 20h15. Tickets: Adults €15; Over 65s/ Under 18s €12. For more information visit: http://www.grandecran.fr/limogescentre/