The Bugle Limousin - Jan 2016 by The Bugle

Taittinger to make bubbly in the UK

The renowned Champagne producer is to start growing grapes in the UK for a British version of the famously French tipple >> Page 7

Limousin January 2016 - Issue #75

Limousin wind farm projects face delays A tribunal in Limoges has overturned a prefectoral decree approving the region's plans for the installation of wind turbines. The move looks likely to create significant delays for any future wind farm projects across the Limousin. that has gone up, there have been vocal protest groups in close attendance. For some rural communities, agreeing to install wind turbines on their land can bring vital revenues to ageing and decreasing populations. For others, though, they are a folly, blighting the landscape, denting house prices and with grossly overstated financial benefits. This latter camp will have taken great heart, therefore, from a recent ruling by a Limoges administrative tribunal which has effectively halted the region's future wind turbine plans. The tribunal followed the conclusions of a recent study and rejected a prefectoral decree which had previously approved the region's future plans for wind

>> continued on page 4

NEWS - Famous French Madame dies

Madame Claude, infamous brothel keeper to the rich and famous, has died in Nice aged 92. Her client list was believed to have included JFK. >> Page 10

NEWS - New 20 euro notes enter circulation

The latest note in the new Europa Series has entered circulation. The new currency looks slightly different and has enhanced security features >> Page 10

FRENCH LIFE - In the Garden

It may be winter, but work doesn't stop in the garden. Our resident expert guides us through the jobs we should be doing this month >> Page 14 www.pets4homes.co.uk

s the old saying g o e s , t h e r e are three things you should never talk about at a dinner party: politics, sex and religion. Over recent years, you could probably add wind farms to this list of potentially incendiary topics of conversation. Most people are largely in favour of renewable energy sources and France has made huge strides in this direction (see page 8 for two such examples), but wind power has remained a controversial industry. For a number of years, éoliennes have been steadily popping up across the Limousin skyline, as they have across the rest of France, but for every wind turbine

INSIDE > > >

The Bugle Business Directory

As dozens of cases are reported across France, bird flu now appears to have arrived in the Limousin >> Page 3

We all have bad habits. Develop a healthy one that actually saves you money!

8 pages of listings for local English-speaking businesses - your essential guide to finding just what you’re looking for >> Pages 17-24

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2 ♦ IN THIS EDITION

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Welcome to

The Bugle

appy New Year to all our readers!! I trust you had a relaxing Christmas and that you managed to avoid an appearance on Santa's naughty list. Much of the world may be wallowing in a financial crisis, but business is booming at the North Pole if the environs of our Christmas tree were anything to go by. In what can only be a complete coincidence, my current account has taken one hell of a seasonal beating! At what point did it become “normal” for children to have literally dozens of presents? And we're not talking spinning tops and skipping ropes. Almost everything under

our tree could answer you back! A very scary thing happened to me during December. I was out shopping early one afternoon (ah, the joys of the self employed!) when I looked down at my oneyear-old son to notice he was really quite red. Further inspection revealed that he was also very swollen, and a hasty examination of his arms and legs showed that his whole body was covered in huge welts... he was having a massive reaction to something, fullon anaphylaxis! I say it was scary, but that doesn't do it justice. You can be scared of heights and spiders, but watching your child's body literally inflate in front of you needs a word of its

own. Fortunately, I live in France and within 10 minutes my son was in paediatrics, had a line in his arm and was being given the drugs he needed (I can't praise the medical team enough). It subsequently transpires that he is allergic to bananas... who'd have thought it! I've never heard of that one, but apparently bananas, kiwis and strawberries are quite common allergies. Personally, bananas are one of my food phobias... I can't stand the things. So ridding the house of the evil fruit was one happy outcome of an otherwise traumatic experience. Which brings me to another traumatic experience... the annual visit by the in-laws! I say annual, but they must be on Mercury time as they seem to be here every few months. We had cunningly arranged that it wouldn't be possible to visit over Christmas, but not to be deterred, they just came at the start of the month and insisted that we do a dry-run; crackers,

turkey, stuffing, Christmas pudding, the works. And just to be traditional, the odd family fall out! I did have to stifle a grin, however, when a small accident occurred. The family recently purchased an iPad mini for “Grandpa” as it allows him to video call the various grandchildren. But not only can he not work the thing, he also seems unable to operate its clock as apparently there is no unsuitable time to call... I know there's a time difference with the UK, but it's only 1 hour! (Un)Fortunately, he left it on a coffee table while he popped outside and my little boy just couldn't resist a quick play. The inevitable happened and my son had soon installed the screensaver that never disappears... you know the one, it has a kind of broken glass mosaic look! As fury got the better of my fatherin-law and he looked around for someone to blame, the angelic face of a boy who had only the week before turned 1 looked back, and even he had to admit that it

was probably his own fault for leaving it there. And for long-term readers of this newspaper, the cheese grater once again disappeared. No really. I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt and say that he was being ironic, but I'm not sure that was the case! Hang on, if all it took was a near-fatal allergy to rid my house of foul smelling bananas, is there a way I could make my son allergic to my father-inlaw... maybe I'll be buying him eau de banane for his next birthday! Only kidding John... Until next month! Steve Martindale, Editor

CONTACT us Tel: 05.55.41.17.76 General: editor@thebugle.eu Advertising (EN): sales@thebugle.eu Publicité (FR): publicite@thebugle.eu Subscriptions: subscriptions@thebugle.eu

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INSIDE this edition 3-6 Local News 7-12 National News 13-14 French Life 15 Practical 16 Classifieds 17-24 Directory 24 Games 25-27 Community 28 What’s On

LOCAL NEWS ♦ 3

JANUARY 2016 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

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The vineyards of the Creuse! Case of bird flu

F and Daniel Nairaud already run a vineyard at Châteaumeillant in the neighbouring Cher department; Wladimir Lasareff is an organic chicken farmer from Malleret-Boussac; and Geoffrey Estienne is a blueberry producer from Boussac-Bourg. All four of them, however, share the same dream of creating commercially viable vineyards in the Creuse. First to move will be Daniel Nairaud who plans to plant 0.35

hectares of Savoie grapes near Bétête this spring. “They are a reliable grape in terms of winter weather and soil type, but I will plant two or three varieties to compare their potential,” explained the winemaker, who hopes to be picking grapes as early as 2018. Geoffrey Estienne, who intends to plant 1 hectare of vines in 2017, has not yet chosen which variety to cultivate: “In our area, you have to choose

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early varieties, but also those that are resistant... and I'm also looking at organic options,” explained the farmer who already has some experience producing blueberry wine. It will certainly be a number of years before the first bottles appear on the shelf, but vineyards will once again be part of the Limousin landscape and those of us who enjoy a glass of wine will be able to choose a local vintage! ■

rance has been experiencing a worrying outbreak of bird flu over recent months. In the first outbreak of the virus since 2007, dozens of cases have been positively identified across France, with many of those occurring in the neighbouring Dordogne department. In December, the inevitable news finally came that a farm in northern Haute-Vienne was suffering from a “highly pathogenic” virus. All 240 of the poultry on the farm were destroyed and a disinfection plan was put into place for the entire premises. The government has created a “restriction zone” across eight departments of south-west France: all five of the departments which make up the Aquitaine region, as well as the neighbouring departments of Haute-Vienne, Gers and Hautes-Pyrénées. Although no cases have been found in Corrèze, a number of communes which border the Dordogne have been added to this restricted area. Within the zone, the movement of poultry - the most common way for the virus to be spread is restricted. Authorities are also implementing strict cleaning and

in Haute-Vienne

he Limousin is famous for many things: its iconic breed of cattle; the masons that built many of the country's famous monuments; even the number of centenarians that live here! One thing that you will not often hear, however, is praise for its wines, especially in the north-east of the region where the Creuse soil and climate is not usually considered conducive to a quality vintage. This could soon change, though, following the news that four pioneering vintners have secured the rights to plant vines in the Creuse department over the coming years. Currently, the sum total of the area's wine comes from a tiny project at Clos Bregeot, Dun-le-Palestel, where the Entente Cordiale maintains 800 vines - the most recent vintage produced 15 bottles. Angélique Gabrielle

disinfection programmes for the premises and equipment of all poultry farms and there are minimum delays between hatchings at breeding farms to halt the progress of the virus. Live animals and fertilised eggs can not be moved outside the restriction zone and the sale of nonplucked poultry is also not permitted outside the zone. The health and food safety agency (ANSES) has said that the main identified strain of the virus in the current outbreak is not transmissible to humans and, for its part, the government has been at pains to remind the public that consumption of poultry and foie gras currently carries no health risk. Despite this, a number of countries around the world have already introduced embargoes on French poultry products. ■

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4 ♦ LOCAL NEWS

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2016

Future Limousin wind farm plans blocked

>> continued from pg 1 power projects. What will now follow is a lengthy battle through the courts that looks likely to put all future plans on hold for a number of years. “For all projects in the Limousin, it will be necessary to undertake a detailed environmental impact study and strictly observe a process that will obviously take a long time,” explained lawyer Matthieu Gillet, representing a number of associations. “It's an invasion,” insisted Liliane Guignard from a local environmental protection group. “Every commune wants a wind farm, not to produce energy, but just for the money.”

“Wind turbines drive away tourists!” added Sabine Cadart from a group in the Haut-Limousin. “The British who have bought a house in the region are now preferring to sell!” “In the Limousin, we should be focussing on the timber industry, which would at least generate work for local businesses,” added Matthieu Gillet. Those opposed to wind turbines will celebrate this recent decision - one that will certainly put the brakes on many of the region's planned projects - but the fight looks set to continue. The highest administrative body in France, the Conseil d'Etat, recently approved the installation of 24 turbines in the Basse Marche region in the Limousin and

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many still see wind power as integral to the region's future. “This project will bring significant economic and tax benefits to the area, as well as creating five permanent jobs,” the region insisted through a spokesperson. “The financial return for the communauté de communes is estimated at around €315,000 per year, and around €70,000 per year for the communes in which the turbines are situated.” For his part, the president of the communauté de communes de la Basse Marche, Jean-Marie Guillemaille, claims that he does not understand the opposition to the project, describing protests as coming “from another century”. “Yes, it is true that these wind tur-

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bines change the landscape, but so did the roads and houses that these people use when they were first built,” argued Mr Guillemaille. “You have to move with the times. For rural communities, these green technologies offer an opportunity: they can fund digital access projects, pay for the refurbishment of schools and prevent communes from becoming rural deserts.” Those opposed to wind turbines may feel that they have won a battle, but with so much support from local authorities, the war looks to be far from over and campaigners are urging residents to continue in their efforts to keep up the pressure. ■

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LOCAL NEWS ♦ 5

JANUARY 2016 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

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ered by a 4G mobile signal, there remain pockets of rural France that are stuck in the internet equivalent of the Stone Age and are still using dial-up access. “If they won’t connect us to the internet so we can communicate with the rest of the world just like everyone else, why should we pay our taxes?” asked another resident. So, two years later, are the residents of the small town near Châteauneuf-la-Forêt streaming movies over a silky smooth connection? Unfortunately not and they are angrier than ever! The commune's mayor, Thierry Muzette, lives in Bussy himself and knows the problems all too well. “The telephone and power lines have been upgraded and buried, because we also had big problems with those. That has helped very slightly for some people's internet connection, but it is still painfully slow. It is not possible to download anything...”

When the government committed to provide everyone in the country with a reliable broadband connection, Wimax was chosen as the solution in areas that could not be reached by more traditional means. Dorsal, the company created to oversee this work and install Wimax networks in rural areas, is not always able to find a solution. “Unfortunately, there are some areas, such as Bussy, where we just can't do anything.” All of which leaves the town with three options. Firstly, pay Orange the €220,000 it will cost to connect them, a sum far beyond the commune's modest budget. Secondly, residents can individually install expensive satellite broadband. Or thirdly, they can wait until 2022, the year that the government has committed to providing every household in France with high-speed broadband, a proposition summarised by one resident... “Fine words which we have absolutely no faith in”. ■

Temporary logo for new super region

he New Year will see the birth of a new region - the fusion of the Limousin with Aquitaine and Poitou-Charentes. The new super region is one of 13 that will be created by the re-organisation of the 22 regions that previously made up France. Despite the new regions being born on the 1st January, the law currently gives authorities until the beginning of October 2016 to find a name, so it is not yet known what region we are actually a part of. This makes

communicating with residents something of a problem for the region's recently elected officials and as such a temporary logo has been unveiled that will be used until an official name is agreed upon. This logo, diplomatically created by listing the three constituent regions in alphabetical order, will appear on all official documentation that is sent out over the coming months. Debates and negotiations will now begin in earnest to decide on our new region's name, with among the

current favourites: Aquitaine, Grande Aquitaine, Grand SudOuest and Sud-Ouest-Atlantique. The main aim of the reorganisation is to remove layers from France's complex, multi-tiered

administrative system. Prime Minister Manuel Valls recently told journalists that reducing the number of regions to 13 could save the country €25 billion in administration costs and efficiency savings. ■

In 2014, the French government adopted proposals as part of the Hamon Law that introduced the possibility of creating Indications géographiques protégées (IGP) for manufactured goods, and not just for produce. IGPs offer protected status to guarantee that a product that carries a geographical name was in fact made in a strictly defined area and according to certain methods. Champagne and Roquefort are two wellknown French products protected in this way and Champignons de Paris famously are not – check the label, your Parisian mushrooms are far more likely to have been produced abroad! With the IGP system now extended to also include manufactured goods, it looks very likely that Aubusson tapestries could soon also have protected geographic status. Or more accurately, la tapisserie d’Aubusson et de Felletin. Only those tapestries made in a defined area will be able to call themselves Aubusson and Felletin tapestries. “This is a very small industry, but one with worldwide renown, so we investigated how to gain accreditation and we have received very positive feedback,” announced Florence Tessiot, the sub-prefect of Aubusson. It is hoped that the famous tapestries will be protected under European law in the coming months. ■

05 55 41 17 76 - sales@thebugle.eu

wo years ago, in January 2014, a small town in the Haute-Vienne hit the headlines when its residents announced that they would not be paying any taxes until they were given a high-speed internet connection. With more and more government services only available online, it is not an understatement to say access to a fast and reliable internet connection is essential in today's world. The 30 or so residents of the hamlet of Bussy in the commune of Sainte-AnneSaint-Priest had been campaigning for years to be connected to the internet. “We are second-class citizens, forgotten by everyone,” one angry resident told Le Populaire newspaper at the time. “On the other hand, when it comes to taxes they remember us well enough!” As more and more of the country is hooked up to super-fast broadband or cov-

IGP protection for Aubusson tapestries

Advertise your business in The Bugle

Still no internet for Bussy residents

6 ♦ LOCAL NEWS

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2016

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

Living life in France with the French Two great venues... just one address Live entertainement EVERY WEEKEND !

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Due to the huge success of our re-opening weekend in December, we had to refuse a considerable number of bookings as there was "no room in the inn". We understand some may have been disappointed and we apologise for any inconvenience caused - Dan and Francois. Open: Thu 18h to 01h, Fri & Sat 18h to 02h, Sun lunch 12h to 15h

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L’Eté Indien - The Indian Summer FIND US ABOVE LE PUB - RE-OPENING 7th JANUARY Open every Thursday, Friday & Saturday evening from 19h

RE-OPENING of our Indian restaurant at Le Pub with a very, very special offer... and a NEW MENU !! Our Banquet Menu - which includes papads and pickles, followed by a platter of mixed starters, choice of curry with rice and chapati, followed by a dessert of your choice and a coffee to finish...

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NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 7

JANUARY 2016 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

t has long been acknowledged that the UK produces some of the finest sparkling wines, but now British fizz will also have a premium name on the label Taittinger. The Champagne giant, founded in 1734, has teamed up with British wine agent Hatch Mansfield and private investors to buy Stone Stile Farm near Chilham, Kent. The farm has 69 hectares of farmland at a height of 80 metres above sea level and is said to be ideal for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier vines. “We have dreamt for a number of years of working with our dear friends in the UK to create a special Franco/British project,” said Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger, president of Champagne Taittinger. “We believe we can produce a high quality English sparkling wine drawing on our years of winemaking expertise. Our aim is to make something of real excellence in the UK's increasingly temperate climate, and not to compare it with Champagne or any other sparkling wine.” The UK is Taittinger’s biggest

export market, accounting for a quarter of its sales outside France and Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger said the company wanted to “create something special to show our appreciation of the UK support for Champagne”. Taittinger’s investment comes amid a boom in English sparkling wine production and there is already a high demand for brands such as Nyetimber, Chapel Down, Camel Valley and Ridgeview. The amount of land devoted to vineyards in the south of England has doubled in the past seven years, with a 43% rise in wine production in 2014 alone. Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, which represents the UK industry, said: “You cannot get a much better seal of approval than a Champagne house as renowned as Taittinger recognising the quality of the sparkling wine we can produce on UK soil.” The sparkling wine will be named Domaine Evremond, after Charles de Saint-Evremond, a bon viveur, soldier and essayist who is buried at Westminster Abbey and is credited with fuelling

French to make British bubbly

the popularity of Champagne in the court of Charles II. Fans of British bubbly will have to wait before they can taste the wine, however, with planting due to begin once the viticultural team has found the right rootstocks and settled on the best areas for each vine. Ultimately, Domaine Evremond is expected to produce around 300,000 bottles of English sparkling wine a year and the hope is that the first grapes will be harvested in 2020 and the first wine released in 2021. The British like a glass of fizz

and the UK is second only to France in consumption of Champagne, with retailers shipping 32.7 million bottles in 2014. The relatively cheap price of alternatives, however, saw those north of the Channel spend more on Prosecco than on Champagne for the first time in 2014. Despite the link with Taittinger, the sparkling wine produced in Kent cannot be called Champagne because the name is protected under EU law exclusively for wines harvested and produced in the Champagne region of France. ■

Diesel falls below €1

For the first time since 2009, a litre of diesel was widely available across the country for less than 1 euro in December. The good news will not last long, however, as a new tax on the most polluting fuels comes into effect from the New Year. Fuel tax is to rise 3.5 centimes on diesel and 2 centimes on unleaded SP95 petrol from January 1. There is no tax rise on SP95-E10, which contains bio ethanol and is seen as less polluting, which means that one in three motorists will avoid the tax rise. Fuel prices have been tumbling over recent months as the price of oil has fallen 60% since a peak in June 2014. A barrel of oil is currently around $35 per barrel and experts believe that this could could fall below $30 as demand from China continues to slow and oil-producing countries battle cheap shale gas reserves from the US. To track the cost of diesel and petrol in your area, all the latest prices are available on the government’s official price alert site: www.prix-carburants.gouv.fr ■

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urope's largest solar power farm has been officially unveiled near Cestas in the Gironde. The 260-hectare site is larger than the principality of Monaco and will produce enough electricity to power a city the size of Bordeaux. The 300 MW plant has been successfully connected to the national grid and is already producing electricity at a cheaper rate than the latest generation of nuclear power plants. The facility is more than double the size of France’s next largest solar farm, the 115 MW Toul-Rosières solar park and its output is roughly the equivalent of a coal-fired generator and one-third of a medium-sized nuclear reactor. Developed by independent renewable electricity producer Neoen for a cost of €360 million, Cestas will produce solar energy for a price of €105/MWh for 20 years, which is on a par with wind power and cheaper than the cost of new nuclear energy, confirmed Neoen chief executive, Xavier Barbaro. EPR nuclear reactors produce energy at €114/MWh. Wind farms can produce power for as little as €80/MWh, although the environmental and aesthetic impact of solar is far lower. Not only is the electricity cheaper, but the Cestas project has come in on time and within budget; Europe's largest solar power farm was completed and brought online in little over a year! Stark contrast to the EPR nuclear reactor currently under construction in Flamanville, whose budget has risen from €3.3 billion to €10.5 billion and is currently not due to start production until 2018 - six years late!

A subsidiary of French construction giant Eiffage performed the installation, although the solar panels themselves were brought in from China, a fact that Neoen were quick to defend. “To those who would criticise us for not using a French producer, I would say that none was able to provide the number of panels we required,” said Mr Barbaro. The giant facility will play its part in pushing France towards its stated aim of 1 GW of new solar PV installations in 2015, with the country on course to match that figure in 2016 and 2017, according to projections from Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF). ■

www.eiffage.com

Europe's largest solar farm comes online

The cheese with a powerful punch

rance is investing heavily in both nuclear and renewable energies as it looks to service the country's thirst for electricity, but could the answer to its energy needs lie in a less likely source... cheese?! It may sound like a bad joke aimed at the French and their fondness for fromage, but a power plant in the French Alps is indeed feeding the national grid with electricity produced from cheese. At the plant in Albertville in the Savoie department, a by-product of Beaufort cheese - skimmed whey - is being used as a biofuel. By adding bacteria to the whey, it is converted into biogas - a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide. The gas is then used to generate electricity which is sold on to EDF. “Whey is our fuel,” said François Decker of Valbio, the company that designed and built the power station, which opened in late 2015. “It’s quite simply the same as the ingredient in natural yoghurt.” Beaufort is apparently the cheese that keeps on giving. When the popular cheese is made from full-fat milk, whey and cream are created as by-products. For many the existence of Beaufort is good enough,

but the cream is taken to make ricotta cheese, butter and protein powder, the latter being commonly used as a food supplement. The residual skimmed whey is then placed in a tank with bacteria, where natural fermentation produces methane in a process similar to the one that occurs in a cow's stomach. The gas is subsequently fed through an engine that heats water to 90 degrees and generates electricity. The plant at Albertville is not the first in the world to convert cheese waste into electricity, but it is certainly one of the largest: it will produce about 2.8 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, enough electricity to supply a town of 1,500 people according to François Decker. In the UK, a similar example of efficiently recycling “waste” can be found at the family-owned cheese maker, Wyke Farms, in Somerset, albeit on a smaller scale. The company, which has made significant inroads into the French market, generate their own electricity from cheese waste, cow manure and leftover crops, all of which are poured into biodigester vessels that generate enough electricity to make the cheese producer self-sufficient. ■

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Infamous French brothel keeper dies

rance's most notorious brothel keeper, who was believed to have supplied women to some of the world's most powerful men, has died aged 92. Madame Claude's clients allegedly included the likes of former American President John F Kennedy, deposed Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi and Oscar winning actor Marlon Brando. “She will take many state secrets with her,” Claude Cances, a former Paris police chief, told AFP news agency. “She was a legend.” Madame Claude, whose real name was Fernande Grudet, made a fortune during her lengthy career, but lived out her final years in a small apartment in the Riviera

city of Nice. She was at the height of her power in the swinging sixties and despite a few brushes with the law, managed to evade prosecution for the majority of her career by helpfully sharing with police confidential information gathered by herself and her “swans” - the name she coined for the call girls that worked for her. “There are two things that people will always pay for, food and sex,” she is once reported to have said. “I wasn't any good at cooking.” Fernande Grudet claimed that she was raised in a convent, worked for the French Resistance and spent time in a Nazi concentration camp, although some of these claims were later disputed in a 2010 docu-

mentary. What is known for sure is that after the war, she set up her high class brothel at 32 rue de Boulainvilliers in the chic 16th arrondissement of Paris and before long her client list included prominent politicians, police chiefs and gangsters. In 2014, respected celebrity biographer William Stadiem, who spent much time interviewing Madame Claude in the 80s, revealed some of her top secrets including the names of several of her most illustrious or notorious clients. He alleged that JFK was a regular and once asked for a prostitute who looked like his wife Jackie... “but hot”. Stadiem also claimed that the CIA hired Claude’s “swans” to keep up morale dur-

ing the Paris peace accords of 1973, which brought to an end US military involvement in Vietnam. As the tax authorities began to close the net on her operation in the late 70s, she fled to the US. Believing that the case had been dropped, she returned to France in the 80s, only be sentenced to 4 months in prison for tax evasion. On her release, she returned to her former profession, but was eventually found guilty of procuring in 1992. Her story inspired many writers and has been featured on the big screen, most notably in the 1977 film “Madame Claude”, directed by Just Jaeckin, and starring Françoise Fabian. ■

Upgraded 20 euro note enters circulation

o not be alarmed if you find an unfamiliar €20 banknote in your wallet over the coming weeks and months, it is perfectly legal tender! After the updated €5 note was unveiled in 2013, followed by the €10 note in 2014, last month saw the introduction of the new and improved “Europa series” €20 note across the Eurozone. The new notes are the same size and very similar in appearance to the existing ones, which will remain legal tender. The new Europa series notes, which are being introduced in ascending order of denomination, are so-called as they feature an image of Europa - a figure from Greek mythology and the origin of the name of the continent which appears in the hologram and the watermark. The Europa series of banknotes includes new and enhanced secu-

rity features which the European Central Bank hopes will offer better protection against counterfeiting. Their durability has also been improved by virtue of a new coating which has been applied. Although the notes are more secure, counterfeiting has not proved to be a huge problem for the Eurozone. Hundreds of thousands of counterfeit banknotes are withdrawn from circulation each year, but fake notes are incredibly rare: a recent statistic showed that just 0.0017% of the 14.6 billion genuine banknotes in circulation were fakes. The ECB has been keen, however, to introduce the newer, more secure €20, as of the 353,000 counterfeit banknotes withdrawn from service in 2013, three quarters were either €20 or €50 denominations. ECB president Mario Draghi said the Europa series of notes

would be “more intelligent and more secure than the first series”. Mr Draghi also said that the euro “has over the years become the most visible symbol of European integration”, adding that the new

notes “continue to reflect the unity and diversity of our continent”. The notes include some text in Cyrillic, following the arrival of Bulgaria in the European and Monetary Union in 2007.

The image of Europa - who according to Greek mythology was seduced and abducted by Zeus disguised as a bull - is taken from a famous vase on display at the Louvre Museum in Paris. ■

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Food waste laws passed by parliament

rench MPs have voted unanimously to pass a bill banning supermarkets from deliberately spoiling edible food that has passed its sell-by date. It is not the first time that the law has been passed: a previous measure in May 2015 was subsequently rejected by the national constitutional court due to procedural errors. The new law will come into effect at the end of January and will affect supermarkets with a surface area of more than 400 square metres and require them to donate unsold food to charities or make it available for use as animal feed. Those businesses that do not comply will face a €75,000 fine and up to 2 years in prison for those in charge. “Throwing out a baguette is like throwing out a bathtub full of water,” said the Republican MP Jean-Pierre Decool. “Throwing out a kilogram of beef is equivalent to wasting 15,000 litres of water.” Campaigners have long highlighted the amount of perfectly edible food being thrown out by supermarkets, and “dumpster diving” has become increasingly popular. In 2014, campaigner Baptiste Dubanchet cycled 3,000 kilometres across Europe eating only discarded food he found in supermarket bins. In response, supermarkets now rou-

tinely dispose of food in locked warehouses or even pour bleach onto the otherwise edible food to discourage people from going through the bins. “It’s scandalous to see bleach being poured into supermarket dustbins along with edible foods,” said the Socialist deputy Guillaume Garot, a former food minister who proposed the bill. “There’s an absolute urgency - charities are desperate for food,” said another MP, Yves Jégo. “The most moving part of this law is that it opens us up to others who are suffering.” Under current rules, food producers are legally obliged to destroy entire batches of products that carried a supermarket brand name. “Today, when a supermarket like Carrefour finds even a tiny fault with a crate of its branded yogurts, it sends the whole batch back to the dairy producer, which is legally obliged to destroy the lot even if it is all of excellent quality,” explained Guillaume Garot. “This is a very regular occurrence and we are talking about huge volumes - several million yogurts binned per year. Today, the law makes it possible for manufacturers to give these yogurts to charities without even asking permission from supermarkets.” It is not only the supermarkets that are to blame for food wastage. According to official estimates, the average French

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person throws away 20kg-30kg of food a year, around a third of which has never even been opened. The value of this wasted food is estimated to be as much as €20 billion. Of the 7.1m tonnes of food thrown away in France each year, 67% is binned by consumers, 15% by restaurants and only 11% by shops. The Fédération du Commerce et de la Distribution, which represents big supermarkets, has criticised the changes. “The law is wrong in both target and intent, given the big stores represent only 5% of food waste but have these new obligations,” said Jacques Creyssel, head of the organisation. “They are already the pre-eminent food donors, with more than 4,500 stores having signed agreements with aid groups.” When the new laws were first announced, food charities were cautiously optimistic. “Donations already work very well in France thanks to tax break incentives, but this text is a good thing as it will enable us to gather even more unsold produce,” said Gaëtan Lassale, head of the French federation of food banks. He did, however, raise the question of who would pay for the increased infrastructure required. Speaking to Le Journal du Dimanche, he said that the proposed law could put charities under financial strain as they would be forced to invest in “cold storage, refrigerated

lorries or hangars” to store the food. The EU is already looking into changes to “best before” and “use by” dates on certain products in a bid to cut down on food wastage. Many foods, such as dried pasta for example, carry best before dates but are perfectly safe to eat long after this date has expired. ■

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rench MPs have passed a law that will require ultra thin models to provide a doctor's certificate confirming that they are in good health. As part of the same changes, magazines which Photoshop images of models to alter their silhouette must be label them “touched up”. A previous version of the bill had suggested the introduction of a minimum Body Mass Index (BMI) for models, a move which prompted fierce protests from modelling agencies across the country. The final draft included a concession which allows doctors to decide whether a model is too thin by taking into account their weight, age and body shape. The approved version of the bill stipulates that models must obtain a medical certificate stating that their health, “assessed in particular in terms of body mass index, is compatible with the practice of the [modelling] profession”. Employers found in breach of the law will face a fine of up to €75,000 or a six-month prison sentence. An earlier version of the bill also made encouraging excessive thinness an offence punishable by up to a year in jail, a measure aimed at “pro-ana” websites that are seen to promote anorexia or bulimia. This amendment was also dropped from the text finally adopted the National Assembly, France's equivalent of the House of Commons. Anorexia affects between 30,000 to 40,000 people in France, almost all of whom are adolescents. It is believed that 90% of anorexia sufferers are women. ■

Ryanair U-turn on Paris CDG airport

change in strategy at low-cost airline Ryanair has produced a 66% leap in profits and the airline has confirmed it is now in talks with one of the airports it insisted it would never use - Charles de Gaulle in Paris. The low-cost giant had previously said there are three airports in Europe that they wouldn't use because costs are too high and congestion makes it too difficult to achieve its set-in-stone 25-minute aircraft turnaround: Heathrow, Charles de Gaulle and Frankfurt. In an apparent change of heart, however, Ryanair has said it may now reconsider. “We have been talking to Charles de Gaulle,” confirmed Ryanair's chief commercial officer, David O'Brien. “There is no Uturn that we won't execute. It's an expensive place, it's a complicated place. We talk to all airports.” It is not yet known which destinations, if any, Ryanair will service from

Toll charges to rise

Law targets thin models

Paris Charles de Gaulle. Over the last year or so, chief executive Michael O'Leary has been busy overhauling Ryanair's service to customers, introducing a range of passenger-friendly initiatives with a view to attracting more families and business travellers. Central to this strategy has been targeting growth at primary airports in Europe, a move which has put Ryanair in more direct competition with airlines such as EasyJet, Aer Lingus and Lufthansa. O'Leary recently indicated that the airline is also looking at projects at other large French airports such as Lyon, Toulouse and Bordeaux. Ryanair is rolling out

a range of additional revamps in the coming year, including new cabin crew uniforms, new aircraft interiors, a new onboard menu and a new website. It's also trialling initiatives such as Wi-fi and in-flight entertainment services. So will those of us travelling to the UK soon be able to fly into an airport closer to the capital than “London” Stansted? It seems not: “Heathrow is a very expensive, complicated airport with limited slots,” said Mr O'Brien. “We have a tremendous airport in Stansted which has more than enough capacity for the moment. Heathrow, quite frankly, is fantastically overrated.” ■

Prices across the country's péage network are set to rise from January following the announcement of increases of between 0.8% and 1.6%. With inflation effectively at zero and with toll price rises fixed at 70% of inflation, 2016 should have seen no rise in the cost of using France's extensive network of private toll roads. However, with taxes on the toll operators due to rise by 50% this year, an apparent agreement has been reached to allow price increases, a move that came of something of a surprise to Ecology Minister Ségolène Royal: “I am not aware of this and I will immediately be looking into the matter. The commitment that had been made was to not outpace inflation, given the bonanza that has been amassed by these companies in recent years.” ■

Record cocaine bust French customs officials have intercepted a ship in the Channel carrying 2.4 tonnes of cocaine, making it the largest ever haul in the country. The 75-metre-long boat was travelling from Colombia and apparently destined for Gdansk in Poland. “The ship was intercepted in the open sea and was brought to the docks in Boulogne-sur-Mer where the search operation began,” said Finance Minister Michel Sapin. “The drugs were hidden behind a metal partition.” Sapin quoted the coastguard of the French customs office as saying the haul was “the most important ever carried out in metropolitan France to date”. The 12 members of the crew, who are reported to be Turkish and Ukrainian nationals, have all been detained. The drugs are estimated to have a street value of as much as €50 million. ■

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In the garden - jobs for January

by Michelle Pierce

t the time of writing this, late December, it is again evident that, given recent weather patterns, it's tricky for the average gardener to plan ahead re the weather. We've had a handful of frosts (just enough to do for the dahlias and last tomatoes) but no real cold, no real rain to speak of during the month, with dry, mild spring-like weather overall. And that leaves me wishing I'd sown much more in September/October. If I'd been more optimistic, I could now still be enjoying fresh salads, spinach, carrots, even peas. So the lesson to take is probably to give things a go, whilst being prepared for the cold, if it comes. And not just to presume that the old seasonal patterns are fixed in stone. This prolonged growing season has many advantages for us, clearly, but it also means that we need to take good care of our soil. If we ask it to do more, produce more, then we need to be sure it's well fed, and ideally that the micro organisms in it are flourishing. This then leads back to mulching with organic matter - compost, bracken, manure, leaves, chopped flax/hemp, all have a vastly beneficial impact on soil life. Think of it like putting a blanket on a bed, insulating you from the cold and damp (or the summer heat), and draughts. It just makes everything cosy. And the mulch gives a layer where increased soil health means more activity of micro organisms, which is good for plants, and the ecosystem more generally. The other thing that a longer growing season means, is that weeds continue to grow. There are, of course, weeds and weeds! Some are lovely little surface things, easily hoed off (often edible and good in salads) but others are more tenacious. Either via extensive seeding (thistles, etc.), very vigorous growth, root tip layering (I'm thinking of brambles here) or cunning root development, unseen til much later (convolvulus, nettles...) So the ideal is to go round your garden fairly frequently if you can and prioritise the removal of the difficult weeds. Don't let them get a hold. That said, there may well be areas of your garden where you want them for the wildlife, but just not in the potager. The start of the year is also a good time to look round and see which shrubs and trees are getting a bit crowded. Ideally they should all be planted in the right place, with plenty of space for growth, but often it's difficult when planting that tiny twig or small container

grown shrub to imagine that they will get big. So wander round, with a mental list and decide what will need pruning this year, and what will need it next year. Think how you can utilise your prunings to maximum effect. Try and avoid burning things in your garden. Log up the bigger branches for your wood store. Cut up the medium size ones also, or use as stakes, beanpoles, etc. The tiny twiggy ends can be stored for pea sticks, used in dead hedges, bundled up to make faggots or kindling bundles, shredded for mulch, or simply left to compost. There are an incredible number of uses, so there's really no reason to burn. Whilst the weather is mild, wildlife activity continues, and those creatures which should be hibernating are not, and therefore needing to be active and feed themselves. Making sure your garden has edibles for them, and shelter, too, is important. Birds can most easily be fed, but be choosy about fat balls, etc., as industrial ones can contain poor grade fats, and ensure you leave some of your seed heads on flowers and shrubs. Leave fallen fruit on the ground for them, too. Water is very important to wildlife, and putting out large plant saucers of water is very useful. Pond edges are all too often steep, dangerous places for things like hedgehogs, so put out an alternative, and if you do have a steep sided pond, put some stones or bricks at one edge so that if anything falls in, it may have a chance to crawl out. January is a very good month to start thinking about the gardening year. Projects, wish lists, must-have plants, can all be thought about, dreamed about, and planned now. The internet is such a wonderful resource for gardeners, and often while surfing we see things and say “Why didn't I ever think of that?” Time spent now is time well spent if it helps you later. The same goes for seed catalogues, and seeds generally. Turn out your seed box before ordering new seed, to ensure you don't reorder 3 packets of beetroot that you already have. Make a list to see what's missing. Think about getting ready to sow seed at the end of next month, so clean and disinfect the propagator. And so the year turns full circle, and soon we'll be back working outdoors in the garden. How lovely that is to look forward to! Good gardening! ■

Mon Jardin

Leave saucers of water for your garden wildlife - not everyone is hibernating yet!

Dead Hedge In times past, when people were more thrifty, generally, than today, not everyone had the means to plant new living hedges (or the time needed to wait until they matured). However, one quick and cheap solution was to make a dead hedge. You bang in a double row of stakes, parallel to one another in the place that you want your hedge to be - the stakes should be roughly half a metre apart and the height of your stakes above ground will dictate the final height of your hedge. In the gap between the two rows (about 50-60 cm is ideal) you stack your woody prunings, pressing them down lightly as you go. You are not looking to make a compost heap, so avoid too much wet, green matter (except for the leaves on the branches, which will dry off).

This is a particularly good solution for really prickly things like blackthorn, brambles, hawthorn, etc., which are tricky to compost. As you have more material, add it to your hedge, which will compact down over time, replacing posts which rot out eventually. If you want your dead hedge to be aesthetic, weave long hazel or other pliable branches through the uprights, to give a nice finished appearance to the sides. You can plant climbers on the sunny side to make it more attractive if you want. How about sweet peas, honeysuckle or clematis? Wild forms may well introduce themselves, too.

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Time to sort out your estate planning - Blevins Franks

t’s a new year, so why not make a resolution to get your estate planning in order? Inheritance in France is a complicated area, including in terms of tax, and if you neglect sorting it out before it is too late, your heirs may end up paying more tax than they need to. French succession tax is the equivalent of the UK’s inheritance tax, but it works quite differently. It always applies to French real estate, regardless of whether you or the recipient is resident here. If you are a UK national and resident in France when you die, your worldwide estate will be taxable in France, not in the UK. However, any UK assets you own may be liable for UK inheritance tax as well as French succession tax. If you are resident in the UK, your French property will be subject to French succession tax as well as forming part of your estate for UK inheritance tax purposes. There is a double tax treaty specifically covering taxes on death (it does not cover lifetime gifts), but situations can arise where tax is due in both countries, on different events, and must be paid. It is always best to seek advice from a professional. As in the UK, an asset cannot be transferred to the new owner until the tax is paid. Since you cannot sell the asset to pay the tax, this can be problematic for beneficiaries in France, where tax must, generally, be paid within six months of the death.

Closed: 19th December - 3rd January

Succession law Besides succession tax, you also need to familiarise yourself with French succession law. France has strict restrictions about whom you can leave your assets to. Children are “protected” heirs and may inherit up to 75% of your estate – spouses are not protected when there are children involved. The new EU succession law, ‘Brussels IV’, which allows you to choose which country’s laws apply, does not cover taxation – you cannot choose UK inheritance tax instead of French succession tax. However, you do need to be aware of any potential tax consequences of choosing UK law instead of French law, and of using UK law to leave assets to distant or non-relatives. Who pays what French succession tax is paid by each individual who receives assets, whether as a lifetime gift or as a bequest (unlike the UK, where the estate pays the tax, unless the will directs otherwise). Transfers between spouses and PACS (Pacte civil de solidarité – civil) partners on death are tax free, but lifetime gifts are not. For everyone else, the tax rates and allowances vary according to their relationship to you. The more distant the relative, the higher the tax rate. Tax rates for children (including adopted

but not stepchildren) and other direct-line relatives start at 5% for inheritances under €8,072 and rise progressively to 45% for inheritances over €1,805,677. The same rates apply to spouses/partners in the case of gifts. Your children will each receive a tax-free allowance of €100,000 per parent. There is also an exemption for outright cash gifts of up to €31,865 per recipient where the gift is made to a child, grandchild or, if there is no direct-line descendant, niece or nephew. If you make a lifetime gift to your spouse, they receive an allowance of €80,724. If you leave assets to a brother or sister, they will pay succession tax at either 35% or 45%, depending on the amount – and their tax-free allowance is just €15,932. However, if a sibling has been living with you for the past five years and is either over 50 or unable to work because of a disability, they benefit from the same rules as spouses. Relatives to the fourth degree pay tax at 55%, with nephews and nieces receiving a €7,967 allowance. If you leave assets to relatives beyond the direct line, or non-relatives, they will have to pay very high tax rates, up to 60%, and their tax-free exemption is a mere €1,594. Unmarried partners who have not entered into a PACS arrangement, stepchildren and god-children are all classed as non-relatives. If a property is occupied as a main home by your surviving spouse/partner or by one of your children, its value can be reduced by

20% for succession tax purposes. What about grandchildren? Rates between grandparents/grandchildren are the same as for parents/children, but the allowance is limited to €31,865 and only applies to lifetime gifts. There are rules around bequests to grandchildren and the potential tax exemptions – such as the age of donor and recipient, and whether or not the children or parents are still alive – and they can be quite complicated. If you are considering leaving something to a grandchild, it is best to get advice from someone with knowledge in this area. French tax law is notoriously complicated but there are measures you may be able to take to minimise French succession tax. Ideally, you should start planning early to make sure you do not miss out on any tax-saving opportunities. Seek specialist advice so that more of your money will go to your benefactors and less to the taxman. ■ Tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; an individual is advised to seek personalised advice.

16 ♦ CLASSIFIEDS

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2016

The Bugle CLASSIFIEDS are brought to you in association with WWW.HOUSESONINTERNET.COM ANIMALS & PETS Can you help us save the lives of several cats? Kittens and adults. All have been sterilised. Time is running out. They are in urgent need of a safe home. Tel: 02 54 38 81 76 In need of a new home Please help

Gordon who has been in a refuge for 3 out of four years of his life. Gordon is a very affectionate cross boxer and is castrated, microchipped and vaccinated. He is medium sized, about 25kg, loves cuddles and is waiting for a loving family to come and take him from the refuge. He is a dog who only has good qualities and would make an ideal family dog and gets on well with male and female dogs (they are unable to test at the refuge how he gets along with cats). He walks well on and off the lead. He is a loving dog who is struggling in the refuge.If you can help please email Annie who volunteers at Gordon's refuge, SPA Cognac. Email: annidolfi@laposte.net

BUILDING MATERIALS FOR SALE: 2nd hand slate roof tiles Dimension 30cm x 22cm. Approximately 5750. 23 cents per tile, any amount can be bought. Tel: 05 55 69 75 67 Email: rofesteven@yahoo. co.uk FOR SALE: Almo electric motor Written

guaranteed Almo electric motor 0.75kw, 6 amp mono, speed 1350/ min, pulley 37/59 mm with belt. Price new about €200. Light use only. €50.00 Tel: 05 55 60 43 96 Email: slee. christopher@orange.fr FOR SALE: Pine doors 6 panel solid 'knotty' pine wood internal doors (from B&Q), H 1982mm, W 762mm, x35mm, can be hung left or right, use your own fixings. 12 doors available - 5 unstained, 7 already stained light oak. Unused, 40 euros each or nearest offer. Tel: 05 55 62 25 18 (nr Gouzon, Creuse) FOR SALE: Various New 2 panel arched prepainted woodgrain unglazed internal door. 1981mm x 762mm. Unused. 25 euros; 700 400x400 Octagonal composite roofing tiles. Unused. 350 euros; Velux Fitting Kit. Velux EDN CK02 55cmx78cm. Unused. 40 euros; Velux Fitting Kit. Velux EDN MK04 78cmx98cm. Unused. 40 euros; Acoustiplus - 3 rolls interior wall insulation 100mm /032 /class F 1200x2700. 20 euros. Buyer to collect. Tel: 05 55 80 84 65 or 06 72 20 35 34 FOR SALE: Silo for wood pellet boiler Type 30. 7.4 tonne. 2.9m x 2.9m x 2m high. €1,600.00 Tel: 05 55 63 89 23

FURNITURE FOR SALE: Light wood table Measures 105 cm x 105 cm but will extend to 135 cm x 105 cm. €60.00 Tel: 05 55 41 10 28 FOR SALE: Furniture Sliding doors

77x38x80 with one shelf inside 15 euros. Chest of drawers 90x44x90 15 euros. IKEA Bunk beds 102x200x180 or left as 2 singles headboard height 107. No mattresses 45 euros. Chair 65x75x70 10 euros. Electra tumble dryer 20 euros. Agilo bath shower screen 74x138 fixing on left hand side 20 euros. Contact for photos. 87400. Tel: 05 55 37 68 38 Email: daisthomas01@yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: Various Selection of Old Charm Tudor style oak furniture hand crafted by Wood Bros of Ware Herts: DISPLAY cabinet, 1 piece oak and leadlight glass cabinet with 3 glass shelves above oak cupboard with shelf. 108Lx37Wx161H. Excellent condition - 350€. OVAL oak drop leaf dining table with turned legs and 4 ladder back chairs with traditional style heavyweight fabric seats. Small ring mark on top. Table top heat protector pad included. 155Lx114Wx75H - 350€. NEST of three rectangular oak tables with turned legs. Sizes 60Lx32Wx45H, 44Lx26Wx43H and 32Lx21Wx40H. All excellent condition - 125€. OCCASIONAL rectangular oak table, with turned legs and small shelf below top approx sizes 80Lx45Wx50H - 75€. SOFAS, two x two seater modern chesterfield style sofas, no buttons, 3 large scatter cushions for each sofa. Dark blue removable, washable brushed cotton covers for that warm cosy feel - 200€. Photos available on request. Location between Aigurande and La Chatre. Tel: 02 54 30 71 01 Email: lebreuilmalot@gmail.com Bed frames - FREE to a good home 2 wooden bedframes: 1 x single, 1 x super king (w 180cm - comes with 2 x 90cm sommiers). AR_starlings1@ hotmail.com Email: Tel: Louise 07 85 93 58 16 FOR SALE: Various - beds Single bed mattress and divan base. Hardly used. 25euros. 2 pine single bed headboards. 10euros each. Single mattress. Good condition. 15euros. Tel: 05 55 76 10 36 FOR SALE: Dining room set with six chairs Glass and wood table top. 90cm

x 140, good condition. Bellac. €90.00 Tel: 05 55 68 17 65 FOR SALE: Lovely Monks Bench/Chair In good condition. €100.00 prieure23@ hotmail.com FOR SALE: Table 80cm square light brown wooden table with heavy metal pedestal base in very good condition. St-Léger-Magnazeix. €30.00 Tel: 05 55 60 25 92 Email: malcolmwalden@ yahoo.co.uk

GARDEN FREE BABY OAK TREES To give because they grow too close to the house, are 10 cm high. Located 31 rue du Dépot, quartier place de la Vernade, 63700 Saint Eloy les Mines (east of Creuse). You are welcome any day, English spoken. Tel: 04 73 52 46 68

GENERAL FOR SALE: Lapeyre oak opening window 120x140cm. (Bujaleuf/ St Julien le Petit area). €95.00 Tel: 05 55 69 49 28 FOR SALE: Baby Items Cot 66x125x96 bought from John Lewis, no mattress

20 euros. Bike chair for children Copilot 15 euros. Car chair 3 stage up to 8yrs old 15 euros. Contact for photos. 87400. Tel: 05 55 37 68 38 Email: daisthomas01@yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: Road line paint I have a 5 litre can of Dulux/ICI Road line paint in white which I no longer need. It is virtually full and in superb condition (just needs stirring which I will do before you use). This can currently cost about £105 in England for the full can (before transport). If you have car parking or road marking to do make me a crazy offer and save yourself an absolute fortune. Full usage instructions available on the Dulux website. Tel: 05 55 60 43 96 Email: slee.christopher@orange.fr FOR SALE: Cuisinière Rosières Good working order. Near Confolens. €170.00ono Tel: 05 45 29 69 95 FOR SALE: Various 15 solid oak drawer fronts, 15 drawer box packs, 15 solid oak cupboard doors 500mm - 60 euros the lot. Deville diesel burner 80 euros. Parafin fire 50 euros. 6 farmhouse chairs 80 euros. Freestanding electric jigsaw cutter 100 euros. 4' black and brass bed 40 euros. Tel: 05 55 66 22 92 FOR SALE: Cast iron grills & flue liner 2 cast iron fancy grills 90cm x 32.5cm for a door, excellent condition 20 euros. 5 metres used flue liner size 20 cm diameter, good condition 50 euros. Tel: 05 55 76 09 82 Email: valhindmarch@hotmail.fr FOR SALE: Professional Massage Couch with Breath Hole L180cm

W70cm H70cm with carrying case on wheels plus essential oil hard case accommodating 32 oils & base oil + various aromatherapy books, all in V.G.C. €200.00 Tel: Tony or Marie 02 54 25 39 79 FOR SALE: Godin Log Burner Good condition. 94cm H, 53cm W, 53 cm D. Rear Flu 125 mm. Buyer to collect (Nieuil). £250. Tel: 05 45 29 65 44 FOR SALE: Various 3 x Electric Convector Heaters. V.G.C. 35 Euros Each. 1 x Electric Convector Heater with built in Fan. V.G.C. 45 Euro. 1 x Electric Oil Radiator. V.G.C. 45 Euro. 1 x Intex Above Ground Swimming Pool Ladder. Brand new. 50 Euro. 1 x Air Conditioning Unit. V.G.C. 100 Euro. 1 x Silver Wooden Framed Mirror with bevelled Glass 76x107cm. 50 Euro. 1 x White Porcelein Double sink. V.G.C. 30 Euro. Tel: Tony or Marie 02 54 25 39 79 FOR SALE: Schutz -1500 litre Oil Fuel Tank/Container We have a large 1500 litre container that is in really good condition that could be used in a number of ways, you know how creative we can all be..... Maybe, when washed out a water butt, cut in half a garden pond? Or simply as a fuel container. Ready for collection. Will need two people to move really sturdy container. €85.00 Tel: 0845 860 5176 (UK) FOR SALE: French Rosieres Cooker (oil burning) Good condition - Height 84cms/ Depth 59cms/ Width 75cms. Pick up from Bourganeuf, you will need 2/3 people to help lift item as it will be heavy. Ready for collection. €150.00 Tel: 0845 860 5176 (UK) FOR SALE: Large selection of antique and vintage items suitable for brocante/car boot. Items from 5euros - 30euros. Tel: 05 55 76 10 36

FOR SALE: Men's Bike LeJeune VTT. €30.00 Tel: 05 55 76 10 36 FOR SALE: Various - Clothing Ladies winter coats. 2 navy blue wool 20euros each. Full length wool/ cashmere coat. Never worn. 35euros. 2 mens leather jackets 30euros and 20euros. Leather motorbike jacket. Mercury Plus with back support. GB size 44inches. Euro size 54inches. 60euros. Tel: 05 55 76 10 36 FOR SALE: "DRIZA-BONE" coat Longer length genuine Australian 'DRIZABONE" wax coat - Medium - length 105cm. Worn three times. In good as new condition. €95.00 Tel: 05 55 78 79 02 FOR SALE: Flat Screen TV Samsung P2270HD HDTV Monitor 22 inch screen plus LG Soundbox. €120.00 Tel: 05 55 66 18 31 FOR SALE: Nexpro 2500 HDMI Satellite receiver for powered dishes Searches and locks on to any available satellite. Cost £168, brand new, never used, will sell for 100Eu. If not connected to a powered dish acts as a normal Satellite receiver. Bussière-Poitevine area. €100.00 Tel Chris 05 55 68 08 42 Email: buryfrogman@gmail.com FOR SALE: Static Satellite dish with mounting bracket Bussière-Poitevine area. €10.00 Tel Chris 05 55 68 08 42 Email: buryfrogman@gmail.com FOR SALE: Mirror 80 by 65cm - yellow wooden frame with small decoration. Matching wall lights, toilet roll holder, shelf and soap dish holder. St-Yrieix-la-Perche. Photo available. €40.00 Please text 06 41 99 57 40 FOR SALE: Two Decathlon Forclas Air 40 litre rucksacks Red. Very little used. 20€ each. St-Yrieix-la-Perche. Photo available. Please text 06 41 99 57 40 FOR SALE: Ice cream maker Philips. Little used. St-Yrieix-la-Perche. Photo available. €20.00 Please text 06 41 99 57 40 FOR SALE: Decathlon Domyos weights machine - HG 050E (Similar to present model HG 60-4). Little used. St-Yrieix-la-Perche. Photo available. €120.00 Please text 06 41 99 57 40 FOR SALE: Various 15 solid oak drawer fronts, 15 drawer box packs, 15 solid oak cupboard doors 500mm 60 euros the lot; Deville diesel burner 80 euros; Parafin fire 50 euros; 6 farmhouse chairs 80 euros; Freestanding electric jigsaw cutter 100 euros; 4' black and brass bed 40 euros. Tel: 05 55 66 22 92 FOR SALE: Bread machines Silvercrest machine with 12 programmes to make loaves of 750g, 1000g or1250g, delayed start of up to 15 hours. Used very little so in good condition and with handbook - 20€. Bluesky bread machine with 12 programmes, delayed start of 12 hours. Used very little so in good condition and with handbook - 15€. Both machines for 30€. To be collected from 87120. Email: richardandjanrogers@gmail. com FOR SALE: Bikes 2 ladies, 2 mens, 1 youth. All owned from new and only used when the family come to visit at holiday time. All in excellent condition. 40 euros each ono. Also freestanding table football 35 euros ono.(Lussac-les-Eglises 87360) Tel: 05 55 76 42 11 FOR SALE: Jigsaw Puzzles Large quantity covering a variety of subjects, all very good quality by top makers. Mainly 1000 pieces, some 500 and some 1500 and more. ALL HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND ARE GUARANTEED. 500 - 1,50 euros, 1000 - 2 euros, 1500 - 2,50 euros, 2000+ 3 euros. St-Léger-Magnazeix. Tel: 05 55 60 25 92 Email: malcolmwalden@

Mobile Home for Rent 8-person mobile home on the 4-star Bonne Anse Plage campsite at La Palmyre, 17570 Les Mathes Call Karen for prices and more information:

Email: lasout@live.com Tel: 09 66 03 52 89 yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: Footwear Pair of mens black slip-on shoes. Size 10/44 hardly worn and in very good condition. Euros 25; Pair of mens black/white trainers. Size 9/43 well worn but still in decent condition. Euros 10; Pair of mens brown leather slippers by Clarks. Size 9/43 worn but condition still good. Euros 10; Pair of mens wooden shoe trees by Clarks. Large, in perfect condition. Euros 20. StLéger-Magnazeix. Tel: 05 55 60 25 92 Email: malcolmwalden@yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: Littlest Pet Shop house accessories and animals Excellent

refrigerator. Bedroom area with fixed twin beds. Chemical toilet/shower cubicle. Motor mover, water heater, television aerial, new tyres. No water leaks or condensation. Good clean condition but slight surface damage on outside right hand side at rear and gas fire not working. Used regularly for touring but would also be suitable for static use. Near Azérables dept 23. €4,000.00 Tel: 05 55 63 22 06 FOR SALE: Rear seats for Renault Espace mark 2 and 3 Make me a silly

condition. €25.00 Tel: 05 55 66 44 06 FOR SALE: 7 barbies + baby and clothes Excellent condition. €20.00

Tel: 05 55 66 44 06

VEHICLES / PARTS FOR SALE: Mercedes LHD C Class Esprit Estate Diesel which is suspected to have head gasket problem as taking water. Body work clean for age. Possible exchange for tractor attachements, ride on mower, child's motorbike e.g. pw80, or €500. Contact for photos. 87400. Tel: 05 55 37 68 38 Email: daisthomas01@ yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: Hobby Prestige caravan model 560 UF 4 berth 2004 Length 7.5m, width 2.5m, weight 1600 kg. Single axle, French registered, European sockets, right hand side entry door. Seating area, kitchen with gas hob, sink, LG microwave, Thetford

offer to clear. Tel: 05 55 60 43 96 Email: slee.christopher@orange.fr FOR SALE: Pair of VW Golf Mark 5 headlights for UK driving (Available following change of lights due to registration of vehicle in France). Buyer collects from Fresselines area. Please contact for more details. €75.00 Tel: 05 55 63 13 52 Email: bkemp0744@gmail.com for more details FOR SALE: Tow a Van Box Trailer with roller shutter door Very good condition. Contact for more information. €900.00 Tel: 05 55 69 75 67 Email: rofesteven@yahoo.co.uk

WANTED WANTED: Rotavator Small petrol rotavator for home use. Based in Creuse (23). Tel: 05 55 51 19 67 WANTED: URGENT Isolated house to rent or buy. No near neighbours and no traffic. Consider anything in regions Centre or Limousin. Tel: 02 54 38 81 76

Wanted Experienced shopfitters Experienced shopfitters required for installs all across France. Joiners, electricians and labourers also required.

Email: contact@reactive-resource.com

DIRECTORY ♦ 17

JANUARY 2016 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Business Directory

Your indispensable guide to finding local businesses & artisans Animals & Pets Antiques/Brocantes Auto Services Building Services Architects/Surveyors Carpenters/Joiners Electricians Fosses Septiques General Groundworks Painters/Decorators

Animals & Pets

Plasterers Plumbers Roofing Sandblasting Chimney Sweeps >> pg 17 Computers/Satellites >> pg 18 Food & Drink >> pg 18 Garden Services >> pg 18 >> pg 18-20 Gifts & Crafts Handholding Services >> pg 20 Health & Beauty >> pg 20

>> pg 17 >> pg 17 >> pg 17

FREELANCE EQUESTRIAN TRAINER English Spoken - 30 years experience Fully qualified - B.H.S.I.I. Specialise in dressage and eventing Based in dept. 87 Contact: Diane Smeaton

>> pg 20 >> pg 20 >> pg 20 >> pg 20 >> pg 21 >> pg 21 >> pg 21 >> pg 22 >> pg 22 >> pg 22 >> pg 22

Antiques/ Brocantes

Mobile: 06 40 07 47 78 siret: 813 001 708 00011

MARECHAL FERRANT NOW TAKING ON NEW CLIENTS

CHRIS SELWYN Dip WCF REGISTERED FARRIER ▪ OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE ▪ ALL DISCIPLINES AND REMEDIAL WORK UNDERTAKEN ▪ RELIABLE, HONEST SERVICE ▪ CONTACT TO DISCUSS YOUR REQUIREMENTS AND AREA ▪ BASED IN 87 BUT WILL TRAVEL ▪ REFERENCES AVAILABLE

TEL: 06 30 96 02 02

E: info@englishfarrierinfrance.com W: www.englishfarrierinfrance.com siret: 799 169 479 00018

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

05 55 80 42 47 or email

leaberry24@yahoo.co.uk

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Champlong Chatterie

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

MOTOR PARTS CHARENTE

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

LA BRAUDERIE BROCANTE

Antiques and Junk Shop

LCS 23 Autos

Car and Van Sales European Transport

06 23 29 24 70 - see pg 16

SIRET: 520 896 671 00010

Tel: 07 80 00 46 23 UK Mob: +44 (0)7902 838 776

See Display Ad pg 19

Auto Services

Building Services

Purpose built kennels - dept 16. 45 years animal care experience. Fully insured and vet approved. Individual kennels plus family pens. Walking off lead 4 times a day. Michael and Wendy Aldrich

05 45 66 14 62 Siret: 494 030 919 00018

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

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

Mon - Sat: 9.00 - 7.00

Contact Dave Grant: 05 55 67 58 87

www.the-orchard.eu siret: 504 584 228 00010

RING BILL! 05.55.81.31.85

Architects/ Surveyors

catsanddogs2009@hotmail.co.uk

Vehicle Repairs and Repatriation Can, van & motorcycle repairs and servicing Vehicle transport undertaken, both locally and from the UK

bennett63andrew@aol.com

06 17 49 11 72 siret: 815 114 772 00016

RICS Chartered Surveyor

www.motorpartscharente.com

Registered Car Mechanic

Cats and Dogs Boarding Kennels

ALBION BUILDING SURVEYORS

Tel: 06 43 86 73 27

Tel: 05 55 60 27 83

champlongchatterie@me.com www.champlongchatterie.com

>> pg 23-24 >> pg 24

JOHN SOWERSBY

Lovely French finds from the Limousin Open most days 4 La Brauderie, 23160 St-Germain-Beaupré

Alison & Ray

>> pg 22 >> pg 22 >> pg 22-23 >> pg 23 >> pg 23 >> pg 23

35+ years experience, fully insured - pre-purchase house surveys - digital floor plans - project monitoring

+44 (0)1377 255470 +44 (0)7830 170761 motorptscharente@aol.com

Email: smeaton.diane@orange.fr

REGISTERED FARRIER

House Clearance Insurance & Finance Language Services Pest Control Property Sales Retail & Commerce Transport/Removals /Storage General

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

Tel: 05 55 80 72 83 Mob: 06 33 07 29 72 Email: info@masterplans.eu www.masterplans.eu Siret: 790 016 984 00011

www.surveys-in-france.org

CHARTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEER

Pre-purchase & Structural Surveys. Verbal & written reports. Structural calculations & drawings. Redevelopment ideas & solutions. Tim Haw B.Eng C.Eng M.I.Struct.E

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

Web: www.versineer.com Email: enquiries@versineer.com Siret: 498 843 051 00018

Architectural DRAWING SERVICE Renovating your French property? New build? Dossiers prepared Permis de Construire Déclarations Préalables

Tel: 05 53 52 36 05

lavieilleabbaye@orange.fr SIRET: 493 770 358 00015

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

18 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2016

Septic tanks

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

Concrete

concrete ﬂoors, concrete terraces, concrete retaining walls, openings, underﬂoor heating, insulation, steps.

Renovation

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

trading 7 years

see our portfolio at www.LCE23.com

05.55.80.83.30

Building Services

registered and insured for all work we do

INSTALLATION23 SALAMANDRE

Carpenters/ Joiners

- Electricity - Plumbing - Air conditioning and heat pump - Small renovations (bathrooms, kitchens, etc.) Dutch and English spoken Creuse / Puy-de-Dôme E-mail: installation23@gmail.com

A. Wright

Mob. 06 40 56 96 12 Tel. 05 55 67 57 64

Carpenter & Joiner 06 35 12 10 66 see main ad - pg 2

Siret: 753 054 030 00014

Wood Work SHUTTERS/DOORS, STAIRCASES, etc.

BARWICK ÉLECTRICITÉ

MADE TO MEASURE

SHAUN BARWICK QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN

05 55 14 12 43

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)

IN SOFTWOODS OR LOCAL HARD WOODS SIMPLE ORDERING / 10 DAY TURNAROUND Please explore our website for more info: www.scrollart.co.uk Oradour Sur Vayres (87150) - siren 752 051 482

Your advert here

Tel: 09 72 35 74 73

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

05 55 41 17 76 Building Services Electricians

Lumiere Service et Energie Steven Rofe 20+ Years experience

• NICEIC approved Electrician for 8 years in the UK • Wiring of new installations (including liaising with EDF) • Rewiring existing houses/barns • External & garden lighting • All aspects of electrical works • Fully insured - (10 year Decennale) • Departments covered 19,23 & 87 05.55.69.75.67 / 06.89.47.69.71 email: rofesteven@yahoo.co.uk Siret No. 501.792.386.00010

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

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

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

électricité

sales@LCE23.com

Building Services

Keith SLOPER

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

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Building Services

General

email: jones23entreprise@orange.fr

Jeff Jones: 05 55 62 46 21 Mob: 06 38 25 74 62 siret: 810 322 123 00011

La Noneix

Double D Renovations & Home Improvements

All types of building work, groundwork, renovations, decorating and maintenance

05 55 65 00 29 / 06 33 19 99 64 email: double-d-23@live.fr siret: 510 357 155 00017

Plant Sales

Fosses Septiques Steve Johns

La Coterie Entreprise

20+ years experience All aspects covered:

Carpenter Builder Portfolio available to view at www.jonesentreprise.com

Mini diggers, backhoe loaders, site dumpers, etc. Groundworks, site clearance and gardening services Very competitive prices Delivered Call Ant: 05 55 05 09 60 Mob: 07 50 44 76 27

Fosse Septique Specialist

JONES ENTREPRISE

Quality Workmanship Since 1986

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

siret: en cours

Approved septic tank installer

05.55.80.83.30

www.lce23.com See our main ad above

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

Your advert here

LES VIDANGES LIMOUSINES

05 55 41 17 76

06 49 66 44 25

▪ Emptying septic tanks ▪ Unblocking pipes ▪ Cleaning wells ▪ Group rates available between neighbours Call David - 24/24 7/7 87800 Jourgnac Siret N° 750 725 780 00019

All Renovations and Constructions Roofs constructed & repaired Attic conversions & velux fitted Chimney repairs Kitchen & Bathroom fitting Tiling Dry Lining All work fully insured Free Quotation

TEL : 05 55 69 24 82

E-mail : sdscouverture@gmail.com Siret No: 524 866 621 00013

Dave Cardwell - Builder

05 55 98 24 12

See our Display Ad - pg 12

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

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

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

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

SIRET: 503 169 237 00016

DIRECTORY ♦ 19

JANUARY 2016 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

ADVERTORIAL

“SolarVenti”- the solar solution to damp and humidity

How it works The principle behind Solarventi is simple: a small, built-in, solar cell powers a 12V fan that is connected to an air vent, a control unit and an on/ off switch. Whenever the sun shines, the air in the solar panel is heated and the fan, receiving power from the 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, Solar-

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.

Max Huggett

Experienced and fully registered builder with 10 year Décennale Insurance Offering a broad selection of building services in depts. 87, 19 & 23. From one off installations to complete renovations, construction, landscaping and ground works. E: info@maxhuggett.com

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

venti 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. A DIY Solution? The installation process is very straightforward and should only take two or three hours. All that is needed is a drill, hammer and chisel to make a hole in the wall. Roof installations are also possible. In fact, the Solarventi was originally designed to be a DIY product - in Scandinavia it still is. There are no electrical or water connections and it can be safely left running, even when the property is empty. Solarventi requires no maintenance

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.maxhuggett.com

English & French spoken - Siret: 518 511 340 00011

RSW Entreprises

Fosse Septiques/Micro stations

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

French Lily

See our Display Ad - pg 8

Kitchens & Interiors 05 55 80 92 91 - see pg 15

Monte Sarginson

Double D

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

Renovations & Home Improvements 05 55 65 00 29 - pg 12

Paul Jones Renovation

Experienced and fully registered artisan, offering a high quality finish and service

Siret no 507 516 748 00013

Your advert here

• 10yr Décennale Assurance • Full house/barn renovation • Plasterboarding walls and ceilings • Tape and Jointing • Kitchen Installation • Roofing works • Carpentry • Patios/Decking

05 55 41 17 76

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

RING BILL! Registered Car Mechanic 05 55 81 31 85 (contrôle technique)

SIRET: 494 617 798 00017

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

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

J Renovations R & B Construction 30Tyears experience in building trade ALL ASPECTS OF RENOVATION & CONSTRUCTION • House & barn renovations • Garage/loft conversions • Bathroom/shower rooms • Doors/windows • Roofing • Patios/decking • Plumbing & Electrical • 10 year Guarantee Insurance

See our website: www.rb-first-construction.com Tel: 05 55 37 74 06 (Dave) Tel: 05 55 69 75 67 (Steve)

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

05 55 61 16 30 / 06 85 37 04 35 web: www.builderinthecreuse.co.uk

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

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

Property Maintenance Services

Qualified Tradesman 20+ years experience Offering extensive handyman and general maintenance services Small jobs a speciality, able to work with you on your renovation projects Affordable & reliable, a quality job every time Servicing 23 and surrounding areas. Call Jim:

05 55 66 23 97 06 27 25 07 78 Siret: 792 049 025 00010

All aspects of renovation and refurbishment, big or small, undertaken. Harlequin Developments are a Distributor and Installer for Solarventi, solar dehumidifying and ventilating products.

05.55.68.67.56 06.06.60.46.97

Stephen Cullinane & Son From the foundations to the roof Established 9 years in France 05 55 81 00 53 - see pg 10

Davis & Davis sales@thebugle.eu 30 years' Experience in Construction, Renovation & Project Management

Harlequin Developments

05 55 41 17 76

Paul Goldsmith Interior Renovations Registered for 8 years in France

High quality work, excellent references available • Kitchens • Bathrooms • Tiling • Wood flooring • Loft conversions • Pointing • Windows • Plasterboarding Covering Creuse and Indre

e: lasout@live.com

t: 09 66 03 52 89

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

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76 upvc-solutions uPVC windows, doors, porches & conservatories Available in white or oak woodgrain. Visit our website for more information.

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

SIRET 494 123 847 00019

Steve Johns Assainissement

fosse-septique23.com

05.55.64.11.73 - see pg 14

Advertise your business here

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

NEUVIALLE MENUISERIE

no job too small - very competitive rates 30 Years’ Experience Joiner Kitchens, Bedrooms & Bathrooms Flooring & General 2nd Fix Finishing, Joinery & Decking Emergency Lock Services Mike Christie 05 55 64 35 11 (Home) 07 87 38 58 88 (Mobile) mgchristie2013@gmail.com

Siret: 802 265 728

■ Services ■ Brakes ■ MOT Prep

Units start from €630 TTC. Several ex-demonstration models available at reduced prices, call for details.

(Depts 23, 87 & 19) siret: 501 792 386 00010

SIRET: 503 169 237 00016

05.55.80.00.57

House Renovations

- 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. ■

20 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2016

Building Services

Building Services General

Groundworks

A. Wright

Mini-Digger with driver

05.55.78.62.29

Carpenter & Joiner 06 35 12 10 66

john.bonella@gmail.com

see main ad - pg 2

GODSON

Travaux Publics www.fossepro.com 05.55.62.61.12 - pg 3

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

05 55 41 17 76

Building Services

Building Services Plasterers

Scaffolding Hire

CALL KATH

Chris

Large stock Rapid response Good rates for long & short term hire Erected or self-erect Delivery or collection All areas covered Call Dave:

06 42 73 83 37 siret: 795 207 067 00013

WASTE REMOVAL SERVICES

• house/barn/garden clearances • dechetterie runs • rubbish removal • cash paid for scrap • general labouring service • mini digger - with/without driver • Vehicle with 1.5 tonne crane

05 55 37 45 35 06 74 21 47 71

Masonry & More

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

05 55 61 93 07

martin_sprague_1@ hotmail.com SIRET: 531 768 182 00010

Painting and Decorating Interior and Exterior Colour Consultations Room Re-designs Kathleen Willis

05 55 63 53 06

kathleen.willis@orange.fr siret 802 262 35200015

Simon Carter

Painter & Decorator Qualified craftsman with over 25 years UK

siret 532 981 198 00015

Plumber/Electrician

See Main Ad below

Painters/ Decorators

experience, now based in Haute-Vienne. Specialist services: Interior & exterior painting & decorating, wallpapering, plastering. FREE QUOTES

m: 06 29 97 50 16 siret: 517 848 826 00023

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

CALL FOR A FREE QUOTATION

05 55 63 53 06 06 23 29 48 19 christopher.willis@orange.fr Le Bourg, 23360 Nouzerolles SIRET: 504 612 441 00015

GLEN VINEY

PLASTERER Quality Plasterwork, Internal & External

H20 CREUSE

Heating & Plumbing engineer

05 55 63 89 23

(18 Years Experience) Email: glenviney1@btinternet.com

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.

Building Services

05 55 80 92 91

info@platrierlimousin.fr Siret: 534 396 908 00012

MUMFORD TOITURE Roofing & Plastering/ Plasterboarding Service

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

06 78 60 96 16

mumford.toiture@orange.fr Siret No. 493 159 412 00011

Building Services Sandblasting Sand and Blast We provide a fully operated

sandblasting

service for wood, stone and metal. Perfect for stripping away years of grime or paint. Contact us for a free quote, or see our website:

www.sandandblast.com

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

Roofing

Deadline for all advertising is the 15th of the month for the following month's edition.

PMC BATIMENT

sales@thebugle.eu

Siret: 527 736 326 00010

10 year guarantee. Covering depts. 23 & 87. Call Stuart on:

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

Martin Walters

Siret 522 804 723 00016

Tel: 06 45 18 86 10

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

see pg 11

Tel 02 54 24 84 62

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

ROOFING SPECIALISTS

siret: 509 180 410 00011

www.helplomberie.com e: benjaminjourdan@hotmail.com

the Plasterer

Eurl Réno-Gén

Email: philip.andrews@orange.fr

Installation, servicing & maintenance of all types of boiler: wood, gas, fuel, pellet... Solar panels installed and maintained. Underfloor heating, bathrooms, kitchens, etc... General electric works up to full house rewire. Will travel.

Tel: 05 87 19 91 50 Mob: 07 81 26 88 65 Le Plâtrier du Limousin Web: www.sjcmontluc.fr The friendly Email: sjcmontluc@yahoo.fr & reliable plasterer siret: 792.130.932.00017

sales@thebugle.eu 05 55 41 17 76

Plumbers Benjamin Jourdan

sales@thebugle.eu

sales@thebugle.eu 05 55 41 17 76

Building Services

Roofing Specialists

www.pmcbatiment.fr see main ad opposite

05 55 41 17 76

To advertise in The Bugle Business Directory, call 05 55 41 17 76 Mini Digger

with Driver for Hire

Landscaping, ditching, land clearance etc. Also general Garden Maintenance John Bonella

87440 Marval

05 55 78 62 29

siret no. 523 183 580 00019

john.bonella@gmail.com

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

DIRECTORY ♦ 21

JANUARY 2016 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Le Viaduc Bar-Restaurant Le Bourg, 87250 Folles

Menu du Jour - 4 courses + wine for €12.90 Full à la carte menu - locally brewed beers - regular events Opening times - Tue-Sun: 10h-14h30. Wed-Thu 18h-21h. Fri-Sun: 18h-22h. Closed Mon & Tue evening.

www.le-viaduc-bar-folles.com

GOODWIN SATELLITE

Chimney Sweeps

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

Tel: 05 55 62 05 61 Mob: 06 23 40 18 64 Email: garygoodwin@wanadoo.fr siret: 453 067 910 00019

L'homme de l'ecosse

TOUTE SWEEP

WordPress Business Solutions and Website Designs

Chimney Sweep Service

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

I specialise in designing and building professional websites for individuals and businesses of all sizes.

05 55 10 96 03

Your advert here

leviaduc-bar-folles@hotmail.fr

Le Viaduc - Bar/Restaurant

www.le-viaduc-bar-folles.com Le Bourg, 87250 Folles see main advert above

Le Champsac

05 55 41 17 76

B&B Restaurant Bar Tabac & Salle des Fêtes

Food & Drink

good food! good company! good night out! open all year regular events private parties

Prices start at only €249

for a personal website including free domain name and first year hosting. Call Stuart now on 06 37 82 56 67 to discuss your requirements.

Tel: 05 55 66 48 55 Mob: 06 31 59 81 08

barry@toutesweep.com

For menus and venues:

Tel: 05 45 29 03 99

Visit: www.petticoatlaneshop.com E-mail: sales@petticoatlaneshop.com

Chimney Sweeping

TOOWAY BROADBAND Approved Supplier

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

Wi-Fi, Data Networks, CCTV For sales, service or advice call Mike G on:

05 55 09 15 73

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

www.stovesellers.com

05 55 63 78 72 Siren: 502 409 949

siret no 798 364 600 00014

Computers & Satellites

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)

www.mandyscurry2go.com

m : 07 70 39 12 23

Parties 20+ & events catered for siret: 498 199 306 00016

Try Something Different

Chez Jacques Marsac (23)

• Cosy atmosphere • Speciality Crêpes • Large burger menu • Over 20 whiskeys • Book corner, pool table • Fish & chip night (2nd Fri each month) • Curry nights (by reservation)

05 87 40 02 83

Petticoat Lane 5 Rue Nationale – 16150 Chabanais

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 Creusois Bar/Restaurant

Les Genêts, Azerables

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

05.55.63.90.79

www.lecreusoisbistro.com

closed Wednesdays

siret: 353 613 227 00035

SIREN: 483 988 853

Cafe Bar Big Dish Satellite Creusetec JJ’s Some customer quotes: Satellite Systems

www.bigdishsat.com

05 55 78 72 98

05 55 66 60 21

see main ad - pg 7

High speed internet via satellite from "tooway" & "SES Astra". TV Satellite Sales, Service & Installations. Dish alignments. Sky/Freesat/TNT/FTA. Most of depts 23,03,63,87,36 covered.

sales@thebugle.eu 05 55 41 17 76

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

CONTACT : PAUL CHARLESWORTH TEL : 06 28 28 04 63

pmcbatiment@yahoo.fr www.pmcbatiment.fr

ROOFING SPECIALISTS

Insurance guarantee on all work. 15 years’ experience.

Y TR

TI-

S MO

ZIN

Based St-Junien. Covering Depts 87-16-24. Siret : 531 655 231 00011

Your advert here

‘...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

05 55 41 17 76

26, Ecurat 23150

Atelier d'Art du Jardin

tel: 05 55 81 31 85

email: ecurat123@hotmail.com 2km from Chénérailles and the Chateau Villemonteix.

British Corner Shop

British food, delivered worldwide www.britishcornershop.co.uk see main ad - pg 11

Restaurant AUX CEPES LA veytiZoU, 87130

Tel: 05 55 69 33 38 see main ad - pg 4

Free range old spot pork for sale Antibiotic free Available on demand in either whole (approx 55-80 kg) or half carcass

€3 / kg

tel (evenings):

05 55 65 13 45

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

Advertise your business here

05.55.41.17.76 ND

Tel: 02 54 25 34 73

10 Route de Vilenne, 36200 Celon

Restaurant du soir by reservation. Our menu changes monthly. Special occasions and parties welcome. Fish and chips and mushy peas €11,50 the last Friday of each month. For more information:

UK & French Satellite TV

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

SIRET: 534 351 754 00013

Excellent beef and lamb available from our farm direct to you. All are bred feed and finished here in Vilenne. All the lamb is free range and naturally finished off grass. A box of beef is 14-18 kg at €10.90 per kg

12, Rue des Fontaines, 87230 Champsac

Mandys-curry-2-go Mobile Curry Take Away

EARL Les Fromentaux

Le Restaurant Ecurat

Sat-Elec Formerly Electrosat

REMEMBER - BLOCKED FLUES AND CHIMNEY FIRES CAN BE FATAL... DON'T TAKE THAT RISK!

BEEF and LAMB

www.lechampsac.com

lechampsac@orange.fr

www.lhommedelecosse.com stuart@lhommedelecosse.com mobile: 06 37 82 56 67 Siret: 79470615000016

Contact Barry Manning

Sue and Rob Manning

sales@thebugle.eu

Home Chef Traiteur

www.traiteur-limousin.com

Cocktails

thierry-le-costoec@traiteur-limousin.com

Event Catering

La Saunière (23000) 07 71 61 95 49

22 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2016

Cross Cut Tree Surgeons

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

beverley.pawson@yahoo.co.uk

Garden Services

Mon Chic Cottage Le Dorat, 87210

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 above

sales@thebugle.eu 05 55 41 17 76

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

Tel: 05 87 77 95 59 Paint workshops, vintage style paint, fabric & wallpapers Valentine's and other Greeting Cards Gift vouchers Jacket Potatoes, Cream Teas & Home-Made Cakes www.monchiccottage.com

sales@thebugle.eu 05 55 41 17 76

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

French lessons & handholding services 05.55.89.15.74 - pg 15

Holla!

It's our business to shout about yours

All aspects of garden maintenance

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

www.hollainfrance.com

• Tree Surgery • Garden Clearance • Strimming • Pruning

Très Jolie

A HELPING HAND

T: 05 55 81 14 51 M: 06 85 78 81 32 siret: 788 438 562 00019

Gifts & Crafts

Ladies fashion accessories 05 55 78 62 29 / 06 04 08 29 53 see main ad below 26, Ecurat 23150

Atelier d'Art du Jardin

Artisan art for your garden

see main ad below

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

email: ecurat123@hotmail.com www.atelierdartdujardin.net

Quality product at affordable prices. Customized, if required, especially for you. Available blank or with either English or French greetings.

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

APRONS HAND-CRAFTED CARDS FOR ALL OCCASIONS

Email: ellinghamroam764@yahoo.com We are not on the markets until the beginning of March, so anyone requiring cards, please contact us via e-mail Send an email to sign up to the newsletter

Tel: 06 86 89 81 02 siret 528 539 448

Rochechouart

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

05 55 78 19 24

Foot clinic for your chiropody needs 4 km from Auzances 10 years private practice in UK

07 71 18 01 39

www.theexchangerochechouart.com

tina56790@gmail.com

SIRET 484 479 480 00010

siret: 801 941 022 00015

9 rue Dr Charles Poitevin

05 55 41 17 76

Your advert here

Language Services

management advisers

See our main ad - pg 15

05 55 41 17 76 Insurance & Finance

Jenny Homer BA hons, PGCE

Sympathetic French Tuition - Speaking and Understanding for life in France - Relaxed but purposeful - Confidence-building Free taster class (3hrs) Funding possible if in/seeking work

Tel: 09 73 13 62 10

Email: homer.jennifer@gmail.com 87120 Eymoutiers

siret: 792 285 025 00013

tel: 05 55 81 31 85

The Exchange

www.ferraille87.com see main ad - pg 12

Jonathan Critchley jcritch.7@gmail.com

2km from Chénérailles and the Chateau Villemonteix

'ROUSSIS MAID'

debarrasser87

Your advert here

05 55 62 50 38

Health & Beauty

Blevins Franks International tax and wealth www.blevinsfranks.com

House Clearance Specialists

Sophie Arsac

siret: 530 840 958 00017

House Clearance

Handholding Services

Tue-Fri 10h-18h / Sun 10h-13h Ivan Petley

05.55.60.62.14 / 06.78.38.42.44

Sophie Arsac

TONY FARRELL INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISER

The Spectrum IFA Group with over 20 years' experience advising expatriates throughout Europe on all aspects of financial planning. Represented in Creuse by Tony Farrell:

Tel: 05 55 89 57 94 Mob: 06 15 28 54 82

Email: tony.farrell@spectrum-ifa.com TSG Insurance Services S.A.R.L. Siège Social: 34 Bd des Italiens, 75009 PARIS "Société de Courtage d'assurances" R.C.S. Paris B 447 609 108 (2003B04384) Numéro d'immatriculation 07 025 332 - www.orias.fr SIRET No.: 500 064 183 00014

HiFX

International money transfer

www.hifx.co.uk

French lessons & handholding services 05.55.89.15.74 - pg 15

Deadline for all advertising is the 15th of the month for the following month's edition. sales@thebugle.eu

05 55 41 17 76

Très Jolie

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

(see Notice Board for more details) Paula Robinson

05 55 78 62 29 06 04 08 29 53

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

Granulés du Limousin

DIRECTORY ♦ 23

JANUARY 2016 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Advertising in The Bugle Business Directory Advertising your business couldn’t be easier. Text only, boxed listings are available in our Business Directory from just €11.20/month. Alternatively, why not spotlight your business with an Advertorial, available from 1/6 Page (€50 HT) up to Full Page (€300 HT). Both Directory Adverts and Advertorials represent a cost effective way to put your brand in front of more than 30,000 pairs of eyes each month!!

For more information on any of our advertising options, please feel free to give us a call on 05 55 41 17 76 or send an email to sales@thebugle.eu

6-Month Contract

12-Month Contract

€84

Small b&w Directory Ad

(€14/month)

Large b&w Directory Ad

(€18.75/month)

€134.40

(€11.20/month)

€112.50 €126

Small Colour Directory Ad

(€21/month)

Large Colour Directory Ad

(€28/month)

€168

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

€180

(€15/month)

Small Directory Ad 46mm x 46mm

€201.60

(Actual Size)

30 words max

(€16.80/month)

€268.80

(€22.40/month)

Directory Advertising is available either in black and white or colour, and in either small (30 words max) or large (45 words max) format. Directory adverts may only contain text - no logos, images or artwork are allowed. The minimum contract length is 6 months. Advertising is payable on publication. All prices are HT.

Limousin Spas

Ecole de Langue

Leggett Immobilier

All your language needs under one roof!

see main ad - pg 7

Agence Marche Limousin

02 54 31 12 55

Bilingual Estate Agency www.ieafrance.com

All our spas are manufactured to the highest standards & have full manufacturers warranty. These spas have relatively low power requirements & are very economical.

Beaux Villages Immobilier

Prices start from €3,750. Models seat 2 to 7 people. For more information on our range check out our website:

Freephone: 08 05 69 23 23

www.limousin-spas.com or telephone: 05 55 63 26 20

www.ecole-de-langue.net

Pest Control

05 53 56 62 54

see main ad - pg 11

www.beauxvillages.com see main ad - pg 3

Cendrillon - Bourganeuf Bilingual Estate Agent in Creuse

www.limousin-bilingual.com

05 55 54 95 85 - see pg 4

Central France Pest Control Dératisation, Déinsectisation, Désinfection

02 48 60 83 72 / 06 74 33 02 38 www.applicateur3d.com Email: info@applicateur3d.com

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Retail & Commerce

Curative and preventative

Alongside the amazing "Rotospa" spa range, we are now able to supply the "Durasport" & "Strong Spas" ranges of quality spas.

Numéro Siret: 752 157 610 00011

French Lily

Kitchens & Interiors 05 55 80 92 91 - see pg 15

Stove Sellers www.stovesellers.com 05.55.63.78.72

See our Display Ad - pg 4

Moulin de Tintin Furniture, interiors & gifts

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

rats, mice, moles, flies, woodworm, bed bugs, fleas, wasps, hornets

Eco Entrepot

La Petite Barre, 18210 Bessais Le Fromental

87230 Bussière-Poitevine

Get down The Shed

05.55.68.74.73 - see pg 7

SIRET No. 498 544 741 00024

Property Sales

Kitchens France

Finest quality bespoke kitchens

www.kitchensfrance.com see main ad - pg 2

Chez Amanda Depot Vente des Vêtements Houses on Internet www.housesoninternet.com

05.55.65.12.19

See our Display Ad - pg 3

Dress agency and gallery, specialising in designer and high quality pre-owned clothes for women and children, together with accessories, footwear, jewellery, gift items, and hand made furniture. 8 rue Principale, St Mathieu, 87440

Email: soieetbois@gmail.com Web: www.soiebois.net Tel: 05.55 48.28.89 SIRET: 510 995 681 00010

vendéepools

www.vendeepools.com 06 31 17 25 60 see main ad - pg 10

Transport, Removals & Storage

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

ToftyTransport

sales@thebugle.eu

LWB HITOP TRANSIT 10m

05 55 41 17 76

+ BOX TRAILER 4.5m3 + CAR TRANSPORTER TRAILER FOR CARS, TRACTORS, MINI DIGGERS, DUMPERS, CARAVANS, BOATS UP TO 5 MTRS

Central France Storage

LOCAL OR LONG DISTANCE SPAIN/PORTUGAL/HOLLAND/GERMANY/UK

email: tofty55@hotmail.com

tel Steve: 05 55 64 83 58 mob: 07 80 38 56 63

Email: lasout@live.com

siret 518 323 357 00013

siret: 494 123 847 00019

DSD Removals & Storage The Removal Experts France ↔ UK

• All risk insurance cover • Full and Part load specialists • Professional staff & modern vehicles • Every vehicle from a Luton van to a full removals lorry • Prices from £3.63 per sq ft

+44 (0)1274 724 545

info@dsdremovalsltd.com www.dsdremovalsltd.com facebook.com/DSDRemovals

MAN + VAN Peugeot Boxer

Please call Mick for further info

UK: 0333 022 0359 FR: 05 55 71 73 87

W: www.milenlighthaulage.co.uk E: info@milenlighthaulage.co.uk

"Official Transporter of The Bugle"

05 55 41 17 76

05 55 83 02 77 \ 06 30 90 58 90

International Removals

with 13.5 m3 Load capacity

jonathanpiddock@orange.fr

• Man with a van service • Friendly, Mature Service, Ex-Police • Living in Limousin, specialising in moves between UK and France • Competitive Rates • Fully Insured

Watson European

Your advert here

Collections \ Deliveries \ Brico Runs Transport and Small Removals France - UK - Spain - NL Monthly return UK trips available Based Nr Aubusson, Dept. 23

www.centralfrancestorage.com Dry, safe & secure storage to suit all needs Vehicle storage also possible

Tel: 09 66 03 52 89

Bourganeuf (23400)

Siret No : 523 955 151 00015

86, Rue Nationale, 36400 La Châtre

www.leggettfrance.com

www.watsoneuropean.co.uk see main ad - pg 2

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

24 ♦ DIRECTORY

Transport, Removals & Storage

Man & Van Transport

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

09 82 12 69 73 87150 Oradour-sur-Vayres

www.frenchvanman.eu Siret 530 213 644 00012

LCS 23 Autos

European Vehicle Transport Visit: www.lcs23.com or see our ad - pg 16

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2016

E.P.S.

Easy Parking & Storage Secure indoor/outdoor parking and furniture storage facilities. Based in St-Junien, just 20 mins from Limoges. Competitive rates. Park, drop off and pick up service to Limoges airport.

Mob: 06 40 19 07 36 Tel: 09 86 27 14 14 Email: info@easy-park-storage.com Web: www.easy-park-storage.com

MICHAELS MOVERS Removals

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

www.themanwithavan.info vanrouge@mail.com

Full & Part loads All size of vehicles, from Man & Van through to 18 tonne truck Storage facilities in Sussex UK free phone:

0800 840 3058 Mob: +44 (0)7808 338 386

(+33) 07.61.21.85.15 Siret : 532 526 001 00013

www.michaelsmovers.freeindex.co.uk

Transition Removals

Buggs Car Hire

www.transitionremovals.com

www.buggscarhire.com see pg 8

(+33) 05 55 34 19 46 see main ad - pg 12

Help at home We can help look after your house, garden and animals and even clean your house. One off or regular service. For more information call:

05 55 41 17 76

UK ↔ France ↔ UK

The Man With A Van

General

Your advert here

07 81 31 45 47

Cash paid for scrap All Limousin covered Anything considered Any quantity

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

BAGGED FIREWOOD

Bergerac & Limoges Airports

T: 06 74 66 45 26

E: boisensac@orange.fr see main ad - pg 12

sales@thebugle.eu 05 55 41 17 76

Carrefour du Bois Limousin

www.chauffagebois-limousin.com 05 55 63 72 45 - see pg 22

BABY/INFANT EQUIPMENT FOR HIRE

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

SEARCHWORDOKU © - by Anthony Parson Complete the alphabetical Sudoku grid to the left using only the letters already shown, then use the result wordsearch grid to find: A bird of prey

How does it work...? Complete the Sudoku grid in the usual manner, using only the 9 letters already shown. Once complete, you will be left with a 9x9 wordsearch grid, in which to find the final piece of the puzzle. See the completed example to the right, the clue for which is "An English county". Be careful not to jump to conclusions, as with the letters available, the answer could be SURREY, SUSSEX, ESSEX, or as it turns out in this case... SOMERSET.

Solution on page 27

SUDOKU - EASY

SUDOKU - MEDIUM

The solutions to this month’s sudokus can be found on page 26

SUDOKU - HARD

COMMUNITY ♦ 25

JANUARY 2016 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Mon Chic Cottage

NEW Premises at 21 Place Charles de Gaulle, Le Dorat Home Decor & Gifts Tea, coffee & home-made scones / cakes Official Stockist & Workshop for Chalk Paint™ by Annie Sloan & Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic Decorative Paint Workshops To learn the basis of using Chalk Paint™ & ask questions, join us on a workshop. All materials included. To book contact Jay. Opening hours: Tue-Fri, 10h-18h & Sun, 10h-13h. Workshops on Mon by appointment only.

05 87 77 95 59

info@monchiccottage.com www.monchiccottage.com

Petticoat Lane

Please note we will be closed 1st to 11th January, re-open 12th January

sales@petticoatlaneshop.com http://www.petticoatlaneshop.com/ 5 Rue Nationale – 16150 Chabanais

Tel: 05 45 29 03 99

JJ’s Café Bar Aigurande Music Club

Next event: 9th January, 8.30pm Mild Sri Lankan Pork - €8 pp (by pre-order before 8th January please) JJ's Music Club is for music lovers and is now a members only club with FREE MEMBERSHIP. This is to safeguard the respect of musicians and those who appreciate music. The first visit is open to non-members. It is easy to become a member, you just need to sign the membership form to agree to respect and adhere to the conditions of membership which will be explained on your first visit.

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

Tel: 02 54 06 30 77

Email: cafebarjj@yahoo.co.uk

26, Ecurat 23150

Le Restaurant Ecurat Atelier d'Art du Jardin

2km from Chénérailles & the Château Villemonteix

Bugle Notice Board AUX CEPES La Veytizou

On the main road (D979), Between Limoges & Eymoutiers ~~~~~~~~~ THU 31ST DEC - NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY JOHN MARTIN will be entertaining us with his wide range of great music. There will be a great buffet so come and dance the night away with us. Rooms available for those who want to have a drink or two.

~~~~~~~~~ For more info on any of the above, contact Sue: email: susan.dorrington87@orange.fr or Tel: 05 55 69 33 38

Mandys-curry-2-go www.mandyscurry2go.com Dates for the coming month

Weather permitting see updates on Website & Facebook Gouzon, Chilled orders only! 3.30pm, (place de l'Eglise) - Wednesday 6th Boussac, (place de l'Hôtel de Ville) - Wednesday 6th (6pm) Aubusson, (place Maurice Dayras) - Thursday 7th (6pm) Le Grand-Bourg, (place du marché) - Friday 8th (5.45pm-7.15pm only) Marsac, (Chez Jacques) - Friday 8th (from 8.15pm) Bourganeuf, (place Martin Nadaud) - Wednesday 13th (5.45pm) Peyrat-le-Château, (place du Champ de Foire) - Thursday 14th (5.45pm) Dun-le-Palestel, (place du Champ de Foire) - Thursday 21st (5.45pm) Sardent, (Auberge du lac, Masmangeas) - Saturday 23rd (5.30pm)

Tel: 07 70 39 12 23

Email: mandyscurry2go@gmail.com

We are not on the markets until the beginning of March, but anyone requiring cards can contact us via e-mail: ellinghamroam764@yahoo.com

Traditional Irish band looking for 4th member - Fiddler or Pipes Groupe irlandais traditionnel (36/23) cherche 4ème musicien - violon ou cornemuse

Tel: 05 55 89 07 69 mail: bodhranband@gmail.com or jjcafebar@yahoo.com

MAN + VAN

"Official Transporter of The Bugle" Now offering monthly return UK trips Based Nr Aubusson, Dept. 23

05 55 83 02 77 \ 06 30 90 58 90 jonathanpiddock@orange.fr

Très Jolie

Fashion Accessories Where to find me this month:

Every Wednesday - Piégut Market Items arriving daily, please see my facebook page 'Tres Jolie Milhaguet' to see what's new.

Le Champsac

12 rue des Fontaines, Champsac 87230 Tina and Richard would like to wish everyone a healthy and happy New Year. We hope you will join us in 2016 for some of our regular and special events, or just for a quiet meal and a drink! Regular events: 2nd, 16th & 30th Jan - Pizza Night 4th & 25th Jan - Fish & Chip Night Worried about driving home? Rooms available from just 55€ per night Use promo code "Bugle" and receive a 15% discount

Happy New Year to All from Alma & Bill Restaurant du soir by reservation.

For more information, please contact:

For more information

Wishing all our customers a very Happy New Year

RESTAURANT

Planning a party? Function room, restaurant and gardens for hire, plus many catering packages available.

Fish and chips and mushy peas 11,50 euros the last Friday of each month.

Roussis Maid

lechampsac@orange.fr www.lechampsac.com 05 55 78 53 50

Mail order available, email for more details. Most items now stocked at the 'Coeur et Etoile', St-Mathieu

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

Le Viaduc Bar/Restaurant Le Viaduc restaurant will once again be serving its home-made fish and chips 300g cod filets cooked in our own secret beer batter. We will be serving midday and evening Friday 22nd January booking is advised as limited spaces are available. Tel: 05 55 10 96 03 www.le-viaduc-bar-folles.com

tel: 05 55 81 31 85 email: ecurat123@hotmail.com

LCS23 Autos

We are now making weekly runs to and from the UK with our LWB van, car trailer and car transporter. If you need anything transporting, from cars, vans, motorbikes and tractors through to household items and DIY goods, get in touch for more information.

www.lcs23.com

05 55 80 34 52 / 06 23 29 24 70

Managing Editor: Steve Martindale Editor-in-Chief: Steve Martindale Registered Address: Les Quatre Chemins 23150 St-Yrieix-les-Bois SIRET: 514 989 748 00017 Printed by: Charente Libre 16340, L’Isle d’Espagnac Monthly circulation: 14,000 copies All copyright, unless stated otherwise, is reserved to The Bugle. Reproduction in whole or part of any text without permission is prohibited. Dépôt légal à parution.

Directeur: Steve Martindale Rédacteur-en-chef: Steve Martindale Siège: Les Quatre Chemins 23150 St-Yrieix-les-Bois SIRET: 514 989 748 00017 Imprimé par: Charente Libre 16340, L’Isle d’Espagnac Tirage mensuel: 14,000 copies Tous droits réservés. Toute reproduction, totale ou partielle, des articles et illustrations du présent numéro est strictement interdite. Dépôt légal à parution.

The Bugle cannot accept responsibility for the claims of advertisers or their professionalism. We strongly advise readers to verify that the company you are dealing with is a registered trading company in France or elsewhere in the world.

26 ♦ COMMUNITY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2016

CLUBS, CHARITIES & ASSOCIATIONS Charities Noah's Ark Noah’s Ark is a French registered charity run by Cindy and Lauren Maasik who have spent the last five years rescuing animals and caring for them on their farm near Saint-Mathieu. A warm welcome awaits you at their shop and tea rooms in Rochechouart, with home-made cakes, tarts, and quiches followed by plenty of tea or coffee. For more info visit www.noahsark.fr or Facebook: Noah's Ark Tea Rooms and Brocante, 6, Rue de Poitevin, Rochechuart. Open Tues - Sat 10h-17h. Tel: 05 87 41 26 16. Farm visits for animal adoption are welcome at La Ferme, Les Dognons, 87440 Maisonnais-sur-Tardoire. Tel: 05 55 70 64 76. Email info@noahsark.com Phoenix Association Phoenix Association is a registered charity that has existed since 2001 to deal with the sad plight of the ever-increasing number of abused and abandoned animals in France. Phoenix does not have a 'rescue centre' as such. Sadly, many of the animals it saves have only ever known confinement and isolation, so instead, the animals are placed in foster homes all over SouthWest France while they wait for their loving and permanent forever homes. This gives Phoenix a better chance of assessing the animal in the normality and comfort of a home which leads to the virtually 100% successful adoption rate. Phoenix is not state funded and so relies on fund-raising and donations to cover the very high re-homing and veterinary costs. Phoenix is formed of a committed but fun and positive team of volunteers, and is always on the lookout for more, so if you are interested in adopting an animal, foster caring or becoming a Member, please visit the Contact page of the website at www. phoenixasso.com and www.facebook. com/PhoenixAssociationFrance

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 midweek 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

Church Notices Anglican Holy Communion Services are now being conducted by Rev Robert Leone at 2:30 pm on the 1st Sunday of each month at the French Protestant Church, Place du Temple, Thiat (87) near Le Dorat (87) and Montmorillon (86) until the Anglican church is ready for use. For more information email: revrobertleone@gmail.com 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

Fitness & Fun Drawing and painting classes At Saint-Junien with the CAPCC (art club). All levels welcome, every Monday and Thursday, English and French spoken, friendly atmosphere, materials provided by the club. 45€ / half-term. Contact: lindsaycox@club-internet.fr for brochure with full details. Keepfit (Bonjour La Forme) Held at Saint-Sulpice-les-Champs in the Salle Polyvalente: Mon evening at 19.4520.45 for cardiac and muscle exercises; Thurs afternoon at 15.00-16.00 for gentle exersises. All are welcome to join us. Contact Jeanette 09 62 58 49 03 (Eng) or Catherine 05 55 66 67 30 (Fr) for more info. PENSOL Indoor Carpet Bowls We meet on Wednesdays at 2.30pm5.00pm. 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. 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 HauteVienne, we are going from strength to strength with members seeking us out and travelling great distances to continue their love of bowls or simply to 'try us out'. Our reputation as a "very friendly

EASY

MEDIUM

and welcoming club" goes before us. If you've never tried the game, just come along and take a look; there is far more to it than first appears! We are a formally registered association within the French system and benefit from assistance from our local commune by use of a wonderful indoor venue. AND NOW...the use of a synthetic outdoor court where Flat-green, Crown and Short-mat can be played. Just imagine the summer evenings with a drink in your hand, watching fellow bowlers enjoying the quiet of village, interrupted only by the 'click' or 'tunk' of bowl against bowl! Our regular sessions indoors are Wednesday evening at 8pm and Thursday Mornings at 10am. Outdoor sessions will be arranged as the spring arrives so keep in touch. Serious bowlers and beginners are welcome - club bowls are available for use. For further information contact cussacbowls-club@live.co.uk or telephone 05 45 29 05 73. 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 at the DOJO, Allée Jean-Marie Couturier, Aubusson. Chinese gym 17h-18h15 & 18h15-19h30 and karate 19h30-21h. 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 like to be more supple? Come to our gym class on Thursday mornings from 10.30am to 11.30am, where we do gentle exercises to help all our muscles and joints. The classes are held in Rochechouart in the Capitole building, upstairs. Our group is part of a National Federation of Gymnastics. For information contact Pauline at pauline. maskell@sfr.fr Learn to Meditate Learn to meditate and meet other likeminded people. Simple mindfulness technique. Dechen Choling, Le Mas Marvent, St-Yrieix-sous-Aixe, 87700. Also, ongoing regular group meetings and events. Contact tel Christina 05 55 03 82 01 www.dechencholing.org Gardening Les petits jardiniers du Limousin http://jardiniers-du-limousin.webs.com Do you have a love of gardening and a desire to learn more about growing plants, flowers, fruit, vegetables and trees in this region? If you do, then come and join our friendly group to meet likeminded people. With a different topic or visit each month there's something for everyone. We meet on the third Thursday of each month (excluding February) in the Mairie at St-Amand-le-Petit (between Eymoutiers and Peyrat-le-Château). Meetings start at 2.30pm and everyone is made very welcome. For more information contact Carolyn at carolyn@ cnlees.eu or Gerda at g_hoogenboom@ yahoo.ca All meetings (unless stated otherwise) are held on the third Thursday of the month. Meetings start at 2.30pm and are held in the Mairie, St-Amand-le-Petit. Starting times and venues of visits tba. Club Liseron – Gardening Club Meets on the 2nd Mon evening of the month at 19.30 at the Salle des Fêtes

HARD

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. The first meeting of the year is on Monday 11 January at 8pm - The garden in winter. This year the President is Véronique Granet and the Vice President is Michelle Pierce. For further information contact Michelle on 05 45 89 36 54 / unjardinenfrance@gmail.com Aux Plantes, etc. We are an association of independent, ethically-minded and passionate plant producers. Our aim is to encourage consumers to know more about the plants they buy, how they were produced and their needs, thereby avoiding the disappointments that so often come with mass produced plants. It’s not just about us selling you plants - we want them to thrive and do well for you! Current members include plantspeople specialising in unusual shrubs & trees, butterfly plants, heritage vegetables and flowers, irises, perennials and droughttolerant plants. For more info contact Michelle Pierce 05 45 89 36 54 or visit: www.auxplantesetc.jimdo.com 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. We run flower workshops on the first Saturday afternoon of the 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 Integration Les Franglais de Banize (23120) French and English people meet every Wednesday at 2-3 pm in the mairie in Banize to share English and French language and lots of laughter. We all learn from each other, in both languages and about aspects of both cultures. In general the English try to speak in French and vice versa. As far as possible! The meetings have been going on for seven years now but new arrivals are always welcome. For more information please contact Anne Chadwick at lesfranglaisdebanize@ orange.fr or tel 05 55 67 53 60. Connect87 CONNECT is a group for English speakers of any nationality in the area of St-Yrieix-la-Perche. Our Objective is to help people make friends and exchange information. We hold fun events and a Monthly Coffee Morning on the First Friday of every month at Espace Ferraud, rue du Docteur Lemoyne, St-Yrieix-laPerche. We are a non profit making group and we are run by volunteers, there are no membership fees. For Further information visit our website www.connect87.info or contact Nikki Evans at nikkifleurie@gmail.com or on 05 53 55 09 83. French Conversation Group at Les Billanges (87340) We are a small group who meet fortnightly for an hour and a half on Tuesday evenings during term time in Les Billanges, 87340, close to the Creuse/Haute-Vienne border. We are accompanied by a retired French schoolteacher and a current French teacher of English. Discussion is informal, loosely based on everyday topics, including some grammar plus general discussion. We need a few more people to help keep it vibrant and to cater for inevitable absences. The only cost is yearly membership of the local Association, about €20, which brings with it other social opportunities. To find out more please contact Peter Metcalfe at petergmet@gmail.com Familles Rurales in Peyrat-le-Château Association Familles Rurales now offer assistance in English and Dutch to all non-French speaking people (British, Dutch, German, etc.) concerning all kinds of administrative steps. The service is available in Peyrat-le-Château and surrounding communes. We will try to provide information and help you find your way in social and administrative matters. We will also do our best to help you with practical matters such as language problems, payment of bills, hiring workmen, etc. Find Heleen Tichler-Botermans at the AFR office in Peyrat-le-Château on Mondays from 9 am to 12 pm and Wednesdays from 9 am to 1 pm. You are welcome to drop in or make an appointment.

www.famillesrurales.org/peyrat-lechateau E-mail: familles-rurales.infopeyrat@ orange.fr Telephone: 06 41 20 06 83 Office address: 19 avenue de la Tour, 87470 Peyrat-le-Château Familles Rurales 2 in St-Yrieix-laPerche Weekly courses in French for foreigners (mainly English and Dutch) living in the area. Held at five different levels, all with the same native French teacher, so it is easy to move from one class to another if you feel out of place. Level 1 (beginners) - Mon 10h30-12h; Level 2 - Thur 10h30-12h; Level 3 - Tue 10h30-12h; Level 4 - Sat 10h-12h; Level 5 (top) - Weds 14h30-16h30. All courses are held in Familles Rurales' premises at 1 rue de la Piscine (former swimming pool), 87500 St-Yrieix-laPerche. For more info tel 05 55 09 30 86, or Mark GRIEVES (English-speaking president) tel 06 76 64 89 94 will be pleased to answer any questions you may have. International Apero Reseau Due to unforeseen circumstances we no longer meet at Les Picards, Aubusson. Meetings are continuing Saturdays 11.30 am at various cafes in Aubusson. Due to the ambulant nature of our meetings, should you like to join us, please contact Catherine on 06 86 17 80 88 or email Jan at jansenior@yahoo. co.uk for location updates. We continue to meet to exchange views, make new friends, help and advise one another and help integrate newcomers. We are a friendly group of French and English who enjoy conversation in both languages. Learning Together – Apprenons Ensemble We are a friendly club based in Rochechouart and our aim is to promote good relations amongst the local French-speaking and English-speaking community. We offer courses of tuition in English and French as well as organising social and cultural events including visits to places of interest. For further information please visit our website www.learningtogether. moonfruit.com, email us at learningtogether87@gmail.com or telephone our President Alan Bretman on 05 55 49 08 75. We look forward to hearing from you. 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 CLE – (Charente Limousine Exchange) CLE is a not-for-profit organisation whose members form a valuable resource for the exchange of news, views, ideas and information. We lobby and work with key organisations to help protect our members' best interests, particularly when Government or other proposals threaten to impact the well-being of expatriate citizens. We organise a range of events, workshops and seminars throughout the year, plus social activities including coach trips, activity days and charity events. Our special interest groups include a Fishing Group, a Pudding Club and Gourmet Club which holds regular lunches at some of the region's better restaurants where we negotiate set menus a cut above the typical 'plat du jour' but still reasonably priced – all activities to help members make new expatriate and French friends. www.cle-france.com Email: contact@cle-france.com Tel: Barry Leech 05 49 87 19 85 Libraries & Books Sale of Second-hand Books, La Croisille-sur-Briance On the 18th of every month, during the monthly market at La Croisillesur-Briance (87130), there is a sale of second-hand books (both English and French) from 9am to 12 noon, at the former restaurant in La Place, opposite the bar/tabac. All proceeds go towards the local school funds (for La Croisillesur-Briance and St-Méard RPI). La Souterraine English Library and Information Centre Located in the historic Porte de Puy Charraud, at 10 rue de Portail, La

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JANUARY 2016 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Cancer Support France Haute-Vienne would like to wish all our members and supporters a very Happy New Year. Many of you will know that we have disaffiliated ourselves from Cancer Support France National and we are having to make a number of adjustments as a result. But there will be no change in the support and the help that we offer English speakers affected by cancer who live in Haute-Vienne, Creuse, Corrèze or Indre. In 2015 we trained a further seven Active Listeners with our lead trainer Linda Shepherd, the founder of Cancer Support France. We are looking forward to another busy training year in 2016. Here are a number of dates for your diary: Our AGM will be on Wednesday 2nd March at 2 pm for a 2.30 pm start at the salle polyvalente at Videix; A Treasure Hunt is being organised probably for the end of March/early April - dates still to be confirmed; Our usual fund-raising lunch at the lake at Videix (or in the salle polyvalente if it is wet) is on Sunday 12th June. Please come and join us if you can. If you would like to get involved we would be delighted to hear from you.

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

As we go into our fifth year, we have supported over 85 clients and we look forward to building on our relationships with the hospitals and clinics in the departments we cover. Our translators are welcomed by the medical staff when they accompany a client to an appointment and with our new website we are hoping to reach more people across the departments.

Sue Ware, President, CSF Haute-Vienne Cordiale website at www.ententecordialecreuse.org or email us at library. ententecordiale@yahoo.com Music Music Club Boussac The venue of the Club de Musique & Music in Boussac "open mic" night has changed. We welcome musicians of all levels and styles, spectators and all music lovers to join us for an evening of musical entertainment and fun at L'Origan restaurant, 34 rue Vincent, Boussac 23600 from 20h until midnight on the last Saturday of each month. A PA system will be available. For only 8€ Christophe, the chef and proprietor, will be offering a special formule of Fish & Chips or a small pizza of choice from a Reine, Campagnarde, 4 fromages or Creusoise plus a drink. His normal extensive menu is also available. Food will be served until 22h. For more info please email Dave and Bev at gemsandcrystalsmail@gmail.com or phone 05 55 65 19 24 or Rosie and Mervyn 05 55 65 70 06 mervynjw@aol.com. We look forward to greeting you all at this new venue. Open Mic Night If you like music and have ever fancied getting up and having a go, why not come along to our Open Mic Night at “Le Loch Ness” in La Souterraine town centre every Friday around 8.30pm. 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

This little angel is Gatsby, a loving, affectionate and very playful little boy. He loves his squeaky toys and chasing after rolling balls but, most of all, he loves people. He gets on well with other dogs and is learning all about “doggy etiquette” from his foster carers' Border Collie who is like a big sister to him whilst teaching him the rules of being a dog and keeping him in his place. It's a joy to watch them play together! He is being taught the basics, sit, stay, lie down, etc. and is a fast learner, although cautious when faced with new unknowns. However the world is his oyster! He is very cuddly and loves to curl up on a lap if you are sitting on the floor. Gatsby needs human contact and likes to stay close to people and he would need a fenced garden to run around in and play in safety.

Thank you again for your continuing support, we are so grateful and we wish you a very peaceful 2016.

Souterraine, we are a lively, well-stocked English language library with almost 10,000 books and media available to borrow. We have an attractive cafe which serves tea, coffee and a range of home-made cakes. There is also a regularly changing display of works by local artists and an interesting brocante area on the ground floor. The Library offers 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. There are also a number of thriving special interest groups, such as the Gardening Group, Camera Club, Friendship Group, etc. We also provide support & assistance in bureaucratic and administrative matters for both existing British residents as well as newcomers to the area. Whatever your interests don’t hesitate to pay us a visit and you will be made most welcome. We are open from 09.30 until 12.30, Mon, Thu, Fri & Sat. For more info tel 05 55 89 57 62 during opening hours or visit www. englishlibrary.fr 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 homemade cake. We host a range of other activities too, including the Café Philo, and Club Scrabble. More information can be found on the Entente

Gatsby - a 5-month-old Spaniel x Pointer x Beagle puppy

Gatsby is chipped, vaccinated and wormed and will be neutered on adoption. If you'd like to adopt Gatsby, or would like more information, please contact his foster carer Eleanor on 09 60 17 24 68 and/or chivelle@orange.fr Alcoholics Anonymous If you or someone you know has a drinking problem, there are now English-speaking meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous at Limoges, Périgueux and 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 English-speaking council surgery ...for residents of the commune of St-LégerMagnazeix. Every 2nd Weds in the month, an English-speaking council surgery with councillors Manuela Stroescu and Patrick Johnson will take place at the Mairie between 11am and 12pm. Elizabeth Finn Care Registered charity Elizabeth Finn Care is able to offer direct financial assistance to British and Irish nationals or residents who live overseas. We ensure that our help does not affect any means-tested payments. For more information contact: Mary Hughes Case worker France, Elizabeth Finn Care - tel 04 68 23 43 79 or visit www.elizabethfinncare. org.uk and www.turn2us.org.uk L’Association France Alzheimer Dordogne Charitable organisation offering Englishspeaking support and guidance to anyone dealing with the day-to-day difficulties affecting those with dementia, their families and their carers and assistance with how to access the best provisions of care. English Helpline (available on Tuesday mornings between 10am and midday): 09 64 21 40 86. For more information email alzheimer. dordogne@orange.fr or visit www. francealzheimer-dordogne.org 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 (supporting Creuse, too) We offer free and confidential support to English speakers affected by Cancer in the Haute-Vienne (87) and Creuse (23). Our helpline number is 06 04 43 39 87. If you would like more information or would like to become a member or help in any other way, please contact Sue Ware 05 55 00 31 15, csfhv@frangle.fr

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

Introducing “Le Jeudi Meta Blues”...

A new initiative organised by the association Nessgig that takes place every 4th Thursday of the month, from 19h30 to 22h at “La Petite Charrue” pub, Le Bournazeau, Château-Chervix (87). All music lovers who would like to share and exchange information and stories around blues, folk and rock, in French AND in English, or who might like to jam a little, are welcome. Free admission! For more information email: nessgig87@gmail.com or tel: 05 55 09 99 34.

28 ♦ WHAT’S ON

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2016

Shakespeare's Richard III Le Théâtre de l’Union, Limoges’ most important professional theatre is proud to announce the upcoming production of “Richard III, Loyaulté me lie”, an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s classic play. And, for one show only, on Saturday 23rd January at 17h we will present the play with English subtitles. In this original and imaginative adaptation, two actors perform all the roles: Jean Lambert-wild is the Machiavellian King of England and Elodie Bordas all the other characters! All the world’s a stage for this modern comic duo, as they invent a uniquely playful version of Shakespeare’s Richard III, set in the colourful décor of a fairground carnival. Come and discover our historic 350 seat theatre located in the heart of Limoges at 20 rue des Coopérateurs.

Performances: Tue 19/01 at 20h30, Wed 20/01 at 20h30, Thu 21/01 at 19h, Fri 22/01 at 20h30, Sat 23/01 at 17h, Mon 25/01 at 20h30, Tue 26/01 at 14h, Wed 27/01 at 20h30, Thu 28/01 at 19h, Fri 29/01 at 14h. Come with another person (family, friend...) and get a special price: 12€ each (instead of 19€)! To reserve your tickets, email billetterie@theatre-union.fr or tel 05 55 79 90 00. For more information visit www.theatre-union.fr

OSTENSIONS ROCHECHOUART 2016 Don’t miss this seven yearly event which is thought to be the biggest tourist attraction in the region. The celebrations began in 1512, originally as an expression of faith, and have developed into a series of events over two months (they will take place from 28th March to 15th May in 2016). These include a series of concerts and processions in a beautifully decorated Rochechouart, finishing with a procession in medieval costume through the streets. The Limousin septennial ostensions were inscribed in 2013 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity - other towns in the region will have their own ostensions. If you would like to know more, contact the Tourist Board on 05 55 03 72 73 or visit the website www.ostensions.rochechouart If you would like to take part in the costumed procession on 15th May contact: pauline.maskell@sfr.fr It is not too soon to start planning!

The Bugle would like to wish all our readers the very best for 2016 !!