The Bugle Limousin - Jan 2018 by The Bugle

Murdered British MP honoured in French town Competitors in this year's Oxfam Trailwalker event will begin the 100 km >> Page 7 race on Rue Jo Cox November 2016 - Issue #85

Limousin

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January 2018 - Issue 99 - FREE!

EU confirms expat rights post-Brexit The British government and the EU have agreed a deal to grant reciprocal rights to both expats living in France and EU nationals living in the UK post-Brexit

the rights of more than three million EU citizens living in the UK, and over one million UK citizens in the EU,” she said. The agreement, which offers the protection to live, work and study, must now be ratified by the European and UK parliaments. Under the deal, the British government has stated that EU citizens who have been living in the UK for five years can benefit from “settled status”, meaning they would enjoy the same rights as British citizens. Any EU citizens who have been living in the UK for less than five years will be able to stay in the UK and also be granted “settled status” once they reach

>> continued on page 6

Problems with online cartes grises - pg 3

Escaped tiger shot on Paris street - pg 7

Fans urged not to steal La Force - pg 8

The Bugle Business Directory - pg 13-20

ecember saw another turbulent m o n t h of Brexit negotiations, but 534 days after Britain voted to leave the EU, the rights of the 1.2 million British expats currently living in the European Union have finally been guaranteed as part of a late-night, lastminute agreement. UK Prime Minister Theresa May held a triumphant joint press conference with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in Brussels, where she confirmed that British citizens in the EU and EU citizens in Britain could “go on living their lives as before”. “The deal we have struck will guarantee

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INSIDE > > >

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2 ♦ IN THIS EDITION

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2018

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ell, it's that time of year again, w h e r e I wish everyone a Happy New Year and then predict that this is the year where it all turns around. To quote myself from January 2014: “I do think that the economic outlook is gradually improving and that this year will mark the start of a real financial turnaround for France - I am nothing if not an optimist!” Since writing that, France has been through at least one recession, Britain has left the EU and Trump has become the most powerful man in the world, so the only thing I got right was acknowledging my unbridled optimism! That said, I both never learn and also really do believe that 2018 will be a good year for France!! I didn't write about it in this month's paper, but a whole raft of positive figures have recently been released. The economy is growing strongly, house prices are rising (certainly in the more populated areas at least), unemployment is dropping and all forecasts are consistently

being revised upwards. All in all, the future's bright, the future's... hopefully not like Orange who don't seem to be able to get anything right (but more on that another time... Grrrr!!) I can already hear the doomsayers sharpening their pencils and logging into their email accounts: yes, the pound is weak which hurts those on a pension and yes, we all may be kicked out of the country and have our houses repossessed in 2019. But even on that front an important step was taken last month (see our front page article) and I genuinely don't think that France has any interest in making life difficult for the hundreds of thousands of Brits who call this country home. At the end of the day, if the economy does keep heading in its current direction, the average person will start to feel better off and less scared and it wouldn't surprise me to see a lot of the anti-immigrant, xenophobic chatter subside as a result. But like I said in 2014 (and most years for that matter if memory serves) I am a ridiculous optimist, so don't

listen to me!! It reminds me of a story my Dad used to tell me from his days as a season ticket holder at Chelsea (from before the time you had to mortgage your house to get a ticket and when winning was the exception not the rule). Every time the opposition touched the ball anywhere inside Chelsea's half, he would stand up and loudly proclaim to everyone within earshot: “Oh, here we go again. Watch this. Can't defend, this lot. Might as well give 'em the goal now.” Of course the vast majority of the time he was wrong, but the few occasions where he got to say “Told you so!” were enough to convince him that he was always right. So I guess what I'm saying, rather inelegantly, is that I suspect I'm a bit like that, but the other way round. I've proved (by being wrong every year) that I can't predict the future, so I'm going to keep saying it until I'm right... did I also mention I'm stubborn?! It is with a tinge of personal sadness that we have to say cheerio this month to Michelle Pierce, whose excellent column has been helping to keep our gardens looking fabulous since the beginning of 2011. She's not hanging up her trowel just yet, but other commitments mean that after 6 years of wise advice we will now have to fend for ourselves. Many thanks for everything Michelle and good luck!! Finally, I would like to wish all our readers a Happy

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INSIDE this edition

3-5 Local News 6-10 National News 11-12 French Life 13-20 Directory 21-23 Community 24 What’s On

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LOCAL NEWS ♦ 3

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Local carte grise problems

ince the beginning of November last year, the system for applying for, or making a change to, your carte grise - the French vehicle registration document - has moved online. The change is part of the wider administrative move known as the Plan préfecture nouvelle génération that will see public access to local prefectures phased out and an increasing number of services only being available online. Whilst the gradual move to e-government is inevitable, what do you do if you don't have reliable internet access or if the online system breaks down? These are some of the challenges that have been facing prefectures and sub-prefectures across the region as confusion, glitches and website crashes have brought frustration and delays to many. “We spent more than two hours on the site and still couldn't work it out,” one angry motorist told local newspaper

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The local driver winning F1 glory

T La Montagne. “Nothing is straightforward... apart from when it comes to taking your payment!” As problems continue for many, prefectures are keeping their vehicle registration desks open for a transitional period. “We have had a desk open every morning and afternoon since November 6,” explained Olivier Maurel, a manager at the Guéret prefecture in Creuse. “Sometimes it is very basic assistance, such as helping people to create an email address or to be an access point for those who do not have internet. Sometimes

people do not bring in the right papers, so there's little we can do.” When the system works, reports are that it works well and the frequent website crashes of the first few weeks appear to be a thing of the past. “When the dossier is complete, the carte grise usually arrives in four or five days... that's very quick,” said Nathalie, a worker at Feu Vert, which can handle requests on behalf of customers. Other glitches were also spotted by new car owners. “I thought they would ask me for the old carte

grise, but they didn't,” explained one user, whose new documents did turn up rapidly. “I didn't even have to provide the contrôle technique document, which means even if it had failed I could have registered it anyway!” The new online website for vehicle registration is https://immatriculation. ants.gouv.fr, but if you are going to use a third party to apply for your carte grise, such as the garage where you bought the car, then make sure they are registered with the Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés (ANTS). ■

he Limousin was celebrating recently when a local driver came second place in a prestigious Formula 1 tournament. In the 3-race final, the 18-year-old racer came fourth in Canada's Montreal Grand Prix, second at Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium and second at the Abu Dhabi circuit... all without leaving his armchair. The Chilean driver is part of the Real Championship de Limoges racing team in the popular world of Esports, the fastest growing sports field in the world. British driver Brendon Leigh walked away with the trophy after winning two of the three races in the final, becoming Formula 1's first official Esports Series world champion. The 20 drivers taking part in the final had been whittled down from an initial field of 60,000 competitors from across the world. Whilst many scoff at the idea of electronic sports, the top competitors can attract huge sponsorship deals and millions in prize money each year. Live tournaments also attract millions of viewers who tune in to see their favourite players in action. Experts predict that Esports will generate well in excess of €1bn in global revenue and almost double its audience to nearly 600 million people by 2020! Esports are already huge in Asia, with China a particular hotbed. More than half of all Esports viewers come from China where more than 11 billion Esports videos were streamed last year. Viewing figures – and sponsorship money – are also increasing across Europe where the majority of young people consider gaming a sport. So next time you tell you child they're wasting their life playing on their Xbox or PlayStation 4, maybe you should think again! ■

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Ref 3918 - € 55,000. Located at 10 minutes’drive from Bourganeuf, large house for renovation, in good structural condition, in a private location at the end of a hamlet. It comprises: three large rooms (each about 25 sqm), wc, five large bedrooms, a bathroom/wc (to be renovated). Convertible attic. Built out of cut stones, situated in the middle of its own grounds of 2535m2, its structure as well as its looks and its location are the basis to turn it into an outstanding mansion of great value. NO DPE Ref 2146 - € 66,000. Located in a village at 10 minutes’ drive from Bourganeuf, four bedroom village house with an outbuilding and a garden. Ground floor: entrance hall, kitchen, lounge/dining room, bedroom, wc. First floor: three bedrooms, Large bathroom with bath, shower, wc. Convertible attic. All windows/doors are double glazed. Oil fired central heating. There is an outbuilding used as garage/storage area. Garden. DPE E 248 & F 74 Ref 2131 - € 99,000. Gorgeous house on the outskirts of Bourganeuf. The living accommodation is currently all on one level - fully fitted new stylish kitchen, lounge/dining room, two double bedrooms, one with dressing room, plus family bathroom. There is a large basement including a workshop, garage & cellar, plus huge attic which could be converted into further living accommodation. Garden of 1156m2 surrounding the property on three sides. DPE G 561 & G 148 Ref 3788 - €119,900. Not too far from Sauviat sur Vige beautiful stone farmhouse, barn and garden. Ground floor: kitchen/ dining room, lounge with wood-burning stove, plus underfloor heating, second lounge/bedroom with en-suite shower room and mezzanine bedroom. First floor: two double bedrooms and family bathroom. Large convertible attic. Glorious garden of 846m2 with a walled courtyard, lawn area, terrace, well and large half open barn/workshop. DPE Vierge Ref 2130 - € 197,640. Ideally located in a quiet village between Bourganeuf and Guéret, beautiful barn conversion with a garden of 1390m2. It comprises fitted kitchen, large lounge/dining room with a pellet wood-burning stove, laundry room, separate toilet with handbasin, huge bedroom (36m2) with en-suite bathroom and dressing room, two double bedrooms, shower room and a dressing room. The central heating is by the pellet wood-burning stove. There is no work to do at this property! DPE D 209 & A 2

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4 ♦ LOCAL NEWS

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www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2018

he country watched in horror in December as news came in of the school bus hit by a train on a level crossing at Millas in the south of France. Six people died and a further 17 were injured in the accident which saw the school bus torn in half by the speeding train. After travelling to Perpignan and meeting victims’ families, an emotional Édouard Philippe, the French prime minister, described the accident as a “terrible drama”, adding that “the circumstances have not yet been determined and will be the subject of a legal inquiry”. The most recent accident happened at an automatic crossing on a two-lane country road as the bus crossed a single-track railway line secured by a simple striped barrier and warning lights in each direction. A spokeswoman for France’s national rail company, SNCF, said the train was running at 80km/h at the time of the accident and several witnesses allegedly reported that the barriers were down at the time of the crash. The tragedy once again launched a national debate on the safety of the country's level crossings and

had officials in the Limousin asking themselves: could it happen here? France has over 15,000 crossings on its rail network and while the majority of these have automatic barriers and warning lights, not all do. SNCF has classified 1% of these crossings as “dangerous” and two of these are located in the Limousin: one at Égletons and the other at Malemort, both in the Corrèze department. The crossing at Malemort is particularly notorious. On the junction of a shopping centre and a residential area, the line sees “between 15 and 20 trains per day and at least 10,000 people” according to the town's deputy mayor. “We have a big barrier on each side now, I think it's good,” commented one driver who often passes the area. “Before, there were nets hanging... maybe they put drivers off from wanting to go through, I don't know.” According to a source at SNCF as many as 98 per cent of accidents at level crossings are down to drivers not respecting the rules of the road, i.e. crossing the barriers when they are down - an offence that will result in a fine of €135 and a four

Level crossing dangers in the Limousin

point penalty. Rail chiefs cite “impatience” as the number one cause for drivers illegally passing the barriers, followed by a lack of vigilance and non-compliance with the highway code. Figures show that in 59 per cent of cases, drivers caused the accidents at level crossings by passing the barrier when they were either down or in the process of closing.

In 38 per cent of cases, drivers ended up stuck on the crossing. A 2015 survey carried out by SNCF revealed one in five French drivers admitted to illegally passing the barriers at a level crossing and awareness campaigns are under way to highlight the dangers these crossings present. For example, many underestimate the distance needed for a train to come

to a halt: a train travelling at 100 km/h will need 1,000 metres to come to a complete standstill! In 2016, there were 111 collisions between trains and vehicles at railroad crossings in France, killing 31 people. About 90% of accidents involve cars or ‘light’ vehicles, and in almost all cases the vehicle driver is reported to be responsible. ■

LOCAL NEWS ♦ 5

JANUARY 2018 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

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he world watched in wonder in November when archaeologists revealed that a 30-metre long hidden chamber had been discovered inside the Great Pyramid of Giza. The massive cavity was found to lie above the Grand Gallery, an impressive ascending corridor that connects the Queen’s Chamber to the King’s in the heart of the historic monument. It was the first major structure found in the pyramid since the 19th century. The discovery came as a major news story, but a lucky few in the Limousin have known of its existence for quite a while. Fabrice Rouly is the founder of Kurtzdev, a software company that created the ScanPyramids website, the project behind the discovery. The entrepreneur was remarkably calm about being integral to one of the most exciting archaeological breakthroughs of modern times. “I don't make any distinction between ScanPyramids and the small local traders we work with,” explained Rouly, who has just two permanent employees. “Our core principles never change. We don't sell pre-packaged websites and we love to work in challenging, unknown environments... any-

thing that seems impossible. When something seems impossible, when you can't work out where to go, that's when it is interesting to find a solution!” Although the discovery of the huge void is exciting in and of itself, not even Fabrice Rouly knows what is inside, or even what it is for. Some believe that the cavity is an engineering feature that exists to relieve pressure on the Grand Gallery below, but others are convinced it contains ancient treasures. “We know that this big void has the same characteristics as the Grand Gallery,” said Mehdi Tayoubi at the HIP Institute in Paris, a non-profit organisation that draws on new technology to study and preserve cultural heritage. “It’s

really impressive.” The sealed chamber was discovered using “muon telescopes”. Muons rain down from space at close to the speed of light and behave much like X-rays when they meet objects. Armed with suitable equipment, researchers can use them to reveal the rough internal structure of pyramids and other ancient monuments without causing any damage. The Great Pyramid was built in the Fourth Dynasty by the pharaoh Khufu. The monument rises 140 metres above the Giza Plateau and has three chambers known from previous explorations, although whatever riches were once in the chambers were looted long ago. ■

s the public's passion for more and more “stuff” increases, the problem of what to do with all the packaging is causing a real headache for local authorities. Before the Christmas weekend had even begun, the streets of Limoges were awash with cardboard boxes and other assorted packaging. Authorities have denied that the problem is down to the collection timetable changes that came into effect two years ago and have laid the blame squarely at the feet of the public: it is far easier to take your bins out and empty them into communal ones on the street than to manage your own bins and recycling at home. The result is rubbish spilling out of full bins and covering the pavements, a problem that is par-

ticularly bad at this time of year. “We are working with the City to find a solution,” said Jean-Noël Joubert, a local departmental official. “We have received a number of complaints from people fed up with the behaviour of their neighbours. We will try to minimize the number of collection points and more and more inhabitants will be equipped with individual bins. It's a difficult job on a case-by-case basis, however, because you have to find the owners of the buildings and organise a dedicated room in the

building for the bins. The main problem that authorities face is that old habits die hard and despite efforts to provide blue bags for recycling certain products at home, many people still prefer throw anything and everything into the street. “We are trying to crack down on this and are working with the police to hand out fines,” explained the official. Easier said than done, however, when the only option is to individually go through rubbish that has been dumped in a public place in the hope of finding an address. ■

6 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2018

Expat rights granted by EU post-Brexit >> continued from pg 1 five years' residency. Expat benefits and healthcare rights will also continue under current rules. In turn, the EU has agreed in principle to grant identical, reciprocal rights to British citizens living in the EU. In further good news for the expat community in France, these rights will not only apply to those already living abroad, but to anyone relocating before Brexit Day – currently set as 29th March 2019. Some have predicted that this could now lead to a “Brexodus”, with Brits who have been considering a move abroad rushing to do so before the UK formally leaves the EU next year. It is not yet known what rights Brits moving to France after this date will have. The deal will almost certainly result in a return to residency cards, however. The agreement outlines a process

in which the UK and member states can, if they so choose, insist on residents applying to obtain “a status conferring the rights of residence as provided for by the Withdrawal Agreement and be issued with a residence document attesting to the existence of that right”. European Commission President JeanClaude Juncker went on to promise that any related administrative procedures would be “cheap and simple”. According to the text of the agreement, should France introduce a residency card scheme, Britons living here will have two years from the date of the UK's withdrawal to start the application process without loss of any rights. “A proportionate approach will be taken to those who miss the deadline for application where there is a good reason,” the document adds. Whilst many are celebrating, others are less satisfied and a number

of important questions remain unanswered. The UK ambassador to France told a gathering of expats that “nothing is agreed until everything is agreed” and, when pressed as to what that meant, explained that there is nothing to say that these rights won’t be bartered at a later date in favour of, for example, trade concessions. The deal also avoids the question of expats' rights to move and settle in other EU countries post-Brexit. In other words, will an expat living in France have the right to re-locate to Spain, Germany or Holland? In the small print of the agreement, the issue of freedom of movement was described as “outside the scope” of the initial negotiations, meaning the rights of Brits living in France to be able to move and work freely in other EU countries may depend on how trade negotiations go. Critics argue that if these rights are

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not granted, expats will be effectively “landlocked” in their EU country of residency. “This is far worse than we were expecting and hoping for and leaves us as greater bargaining chips than before,” said Kalba Meadows from the RIFT group (Remain in France Together). “Continuing freedom of movement has been deemed 'out of scope' and yet this is so important for so many of our members. This isn't about the ability to visit friends in another country or pop over the border to do your shopping - many British people in France rely on freedom of movement for their livelihoods and without it they risk being unable to provide for their families.” Unsurprisingly, Prime Minister May was painting the deal as a huge success for Britain and several days later released a Christmas message to expats living in the EU. “From the very beginning of the UK’s negotiations to leave

the European Union I have been consistently clear that protecting the rights of both EU citizens living in the UK and UK nationals living in the EU was my first priority,” the message read. “I know that the referendum result has caused considerable anxiety for many of you and your families. That is why, at the beginning of the negotiating process, I made it clear that any deal guaranteeing the rights of EU citizens living in the UK would be dependent on such an offer being reciprocated for our UK nationals in the remaining Member States. So I am delighted to announce that in concluding the first phase of the negotiations that is exactly what we have achieved.” Although the future remains uncertain for many expats in France, December's agreement answers a number of important questions and offers a degree of security in the short term. ■

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NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 7

JANUARY 2018 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Oxfam charity event to Tiger shot in Paris start from Rue Jo Cox T

hen Oxfam's annual Trailwalker event begins in May, competitors will start the race in Avallon along Rue Jo Cox, named after the murdered British MP. The town in Burgundy recently decided to honour the MP, who was killed in 2016 aged just 41 by a man with far-right connections in the run-up to the Brexit referendum. The sign on the street reads “Rue Jo Cox, Députée Britannique, Assassinée pour ses convictions” - “Rue Jo Cox, British MP, murdered for her convictions”. The Trailwalker challenge is held in nine countries and sees teams of four attempt to cover 100 kilometres in just 30 hours. During last year's event, 242 teams in France raised an impressive €439,034 for Oxfam, the charity where Jo Cox worked before embarking on a career in politics. “The charity race has been organised in our town for six years,” explained the town's deputy mayor Gérard Delorne. “As we had a street that had come up to be named, and the race passed down it, we decided to name it after her because of her commitment to Oxfam and her strong values of de-

fending the weak and oppressed, as well the circumstances of her death. The idea was initially the mayor's, and he convinced us all. Oxfam France were delighted that we chose to name the street after her. Some of the locals didn’t know her, but we explained who she was to the local paper and it was an emotional moment when we had the inauguration ceremony.” On 16th June 2016, the labour politician was outside a library where she was due to hold a constituency surgery when she was shot three times and stabbed multiple times by Thomas Mair, a man with links to far-right groups. Witnesses at his trial state that he shouted “This is for Britain. Brit-

ain will always come first” as he attacked the staunchly pro-Europe politician. Thomas Mair was found guilty of murder and sentenced to a whole-life term, meaning he will never be released from prison. Jo Cox was the first serving MP to be murdered since the Conservative politician Ian Gow, who was killed by a Provisional IRA car bomb in July 1990. France has traditionally honoured figures who have died by naming streets after them or in some cases train stations. In receiving this honour, Jo Cox joins esteemed company including former war-time prime minister Winston Churchill who has had several streets in France named after him. ■

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here is growing pressure on France to ban wild animals from circuses after an incident in Paris that saw a tiger wandering the streets of the capital. The 18-month-old female named Mevy roamed free near the France Télévisions buildings, forcing the transport authority RATP to halt traffic on the 3A tram line. The tiger, which escaped from the Bormann Moreno circus that had been parked in the city’s 15th arrondissement, was subsequently shot three times by its owner to prevent further danger to the public. Images of the bleeding animal circulated widely in the media and online and the incident led to immediate pressure on the government by animal rights groups. “What happened could have resulted in far more serious consequences,” said a spokesperson for the Brigitte Bardot Foundation. “These animals aren't getting what they need. They're depressed because they are trapped in tight spaces and forced to do the same movements every day. We are already seeing a change in society - people are starting to question the relationship between humans and animals. France must respond in the same way as other countries and ban animals from circuses altogether.” The organisation also directly tweeted Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, asking: “Will we have to wait for an even more serious incident to happen before you do something? Will

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the next carnage have to happen in a school? Tigers raised as slaves, dying as fugitives... we must stop this circus!” The political tide is with the protesters: animals are already banned from circuses in 13 member states of the EU and across France, 65 communes - including 17 with more than 20,000 inhabitants - have already forbidden live circuses. In response to the incident, lawmakers in the city of Paris pledged to ban the use of wild animals, voting to support a motion proposed by its mayor and saying they were “unanimously committed to a city without wild animals in circuses”. The move was welcomed as a “small step forward” by animal welfare experts, who were also quick to highlight that a deadline had not been set and the final decision on any ban had been left to the government. The tiger's owner, Eric Bormann, claimed that he had “respected the safety protocol” and that the animal's cage had been cut open in a “malicious act”. He said that killing an animal he had raised from a baby had caused him “immense pain”. “We have a veranda with a pool and trees for the animals, and even if an animal were to escape from here, it should still remain enclosed - it’s basically a cage, in another cage. I have never seen an escape happen in the 40 years I have worked in Paris,” explained the owner. ■

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Drones used to target toxic May La Force be processionary caterpillars with you

round this time of year, you might notice large, white, candyfloss-like silk cocoons in pine trees. These cocoons often contain thousands of processionary caterpillars which gorge on the tree pines at night, returning to the cocoon during the day for extra warmth and to digest their food. In early spring, the fully developed caterpillars will climb down from the trees in large processions - hence the name - with each insect following the pheromone of the one in front in trains that can reach 50 metres in length! They will then dig themselves into the ground before developing into adult moths. These caterpillars do not only devastate the pine trees they feed on, but they are also toxic to humans and animals. Their backs are covered with tens of thousands of pointed bristles which contain a toxin. The bristles break off readily, become airborne and can cause dermatitis, rashes, severe itching, conjunctivitis and, if inhaled, severe damage to tongues, throat and lungs. Processionary caterpillars are best avoided! Their numbers are expected to increase over the coming years, however, as average temperatures rise across France and also due to recent bans on a number of pesticides, insect sprays and helicopter spraying. This has led scientists to investigate new ways of combatting this dan-

gerous pest and a trial has just begun in the southern city of Cannes using drones. The drones will pass over affected areas twice: firstly to identify the nests, and secondly to spray and destroy them. The trial will initially cover an area of 20 hectares and will use an organic insecticide - the bacteria bacillus thuringiensis. This insecticide will target only the nests and will destroy the caterpillars while they are still in the larvae stage, before they begin their descent from the trees. “This system allows us to spray in a more targeted way than the helicopter sprays that are no longer permitted,” explained Jean-Claude Martin, a research engineer at Inra (French National Institute for Agricultural Research). “The diffusers are positioned directly under the drone’s propellers,” continued Robert Bigel, director of Agrobio Tech, the company that will operate the drones. “The product is then sprayed directly onto the pine trees.” It is not the first time that unusual methods have been used to target these toxic caterpillars. During a 2016 trial, processionary caterpillar nests were shot with balls containing a pheromone fired from paintball guns. The environmentally safe pheromone wax creates a “sexual confusion” in the caterpillars that stops male moths from finding female mates, resulting in fewer eggs and fewer caterpillars. ■

Homeless man steals €300k

olice are on the hunt for a homeless man, for whom Christmas came early when he discovered €300,000 in cash behind an unlocked door at Charles de Gaulle airport. The 50-year-old had been sleeping rough near the airport to the east of Paris for some time, but is now on the run with his bags of swag. It was around 17:30 when an alarm was tripped at the offices of Loomis, a company which handles cash deliveries to and from businesses around the country's largest airport. Border police were quickly on the scene and, after reviewing CCTV footage, they saw the homeless man scavenging through bins nearby. The video then shows him leaning against the door which, to his obvious surprise, flies open. He drops the bag he is carrying, enters the building and reappears seconds later with two bags of money

containing a whopping €300,000 in cash!! “This is indeed extremely lucky,” a source close to the investigation told journalists. “This homeless man has profited from a combination of circumstances to land himself a huge Christmas present.” Investigators quickly traced the bag the man was originally carrying, but it did not contain anything to help identify him. “Airport staff are familiar the man in question,” confirmed the source. “He has been hanging around the area for a while. There are between fifty and a hundred like him living at the airport, surviving largely by searching the garbage cans of the hotels in the area. But for now, he has not come back.” The press have described the incident as the perfect bank heist, performed with only two weapons: chance and cheek! ■

As Star Wars: The Last Jedi was unveiled to an expectant public in December, three towns across France were not looking forward to the latest wave of Jedi-mania... places where you really can feel la Force! Richard Robert, the fed up mayor of the commune of La Force in the Aude department, has had his town's sign stolen three times in the last 2 years - at a cost of €290 to replace on each occasion - and has urged fans of the film franchise to turn away from the Dark Side and leave his town in peace. The commune between Castelnaudary and Carcassonne is not alone: there are two other places called La Force in France, one in Dordogne and one in Saint-Priest-des-Champs in Puy-de-Dôme.

New Orleans twins with Orléans

As part of celebrations to mark the 300th anniversary of its founding, New Orleans will this month be twinned with its French namesake Orléans. The announcement was made by outgoing New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu on a recent visit to the historic French city, and it is hoped the twinning will be made official on January 6, to coincide with the date of the birth in 1412 of Orléan's most famous daughter, Joan of Arc. La Nouvelle-Orléans (New Orleans), was founded in 1718 by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, and named after Philippe II, the Duke of Orléans who was Regent of the Kingdom of France at the time. Napoleon later sold Louisiana (New France) to the United States in the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Mitch Landrieu, who is soon to stand down in favour of incoming mayor La Toya Cantrell, described Orléans as his hometown's “big sister” when the twinning was announced. ■

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NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 9

10 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2018

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have no internet access at all. This is at a time when more and more government services are only available online. The government has pledged to provide “good” internet access to every household by 2020, and “very high-speed access” - at least 30 Mbps – just two years later. France is lagging behind other European countries in highspeed internet accessibility, largely due to its size. Today, 95% of Dutch residents have access to speeds of 4 Mbps or more, with Switzerland, Denmark and Sweden achieving similar levels. During the same speech, Mr Philippe also said that he hoped to reach an agreement with mobile operators to improve the quality of their networks in rural areas. One source claimed the government may be prepared to cancel or postpone an auction of new frequencies in 2021 in return for billions of euros of investment in the internet infrastructure by the country's major networks. ■

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will have a say in its development and be given the chance to be among its first visitors. As news of the project went viral, the initial target of €500,000 - the amount required to purchase the site - was quickly reached and when crowdfunding was complete 18,612 contributors had pledged over €1.6 million! Organisers say the extra money will go towards first clearing the

vegetation and making the site safe and then on restoring the castle. The ultimate aim is to open it up to the public as a self-sustaining tourist attraction. The goal is to reach 50,000 visitors by 2021 and 70,000 by 2022, with the château hosting a raft of events such as exhibitions and historical re-enactments. There are also plans to generate extra income from renting out the property to film and production companies. ■

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he Château de la MotheChandeniers has had many owners over the years. The thirteenth century former stronghold of the Bauçay family, lords of Loudun, was sacked twice by the English in the Middle Ages and devastated during the French Revolution. After passing through several notable families and being restored to its former glory, the building was destroyed by fire in 1932 and has gradually been overcome by vegetation ever since. Now, in what is being called a world first, the château has been bought by more than 18,000 complete strangers via the French crowdfunding website Dartagnans. With the historic building set to be destroyed by developers, locals joined forces to raise the money needed to save it. “The idea is not just about raising the money, but getting as many people as possible to participate in saving this magical, fairytale place,” said Dartagnans founder Romain Delaume. “The more the merrier!” The thousands of joint owners each paid a minimum of €51 via the site and in return will receive a share in the company being set up to manage the project; as co-owners they

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t has been promised many times before, but this time the government does appear to be serious in its bid to provide high-speed internet across the whole of the country. Unveiling his “High Speed France” project in Cahors, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced that €100 million has been put aside to make high-speed internet available to households in the most isolated parts of the country by 2022. A survey published by French consumer group UFCQue Choisir in September revealed a huge divide between France's rural and urban areas and claimed the government's internet project was failing miserably. The highest internet speeds are available to 90% of Parisians, but only 1% of residents in the Creuse and Dordogne departments. According to the organisation, 7.5 million households do not have “good internet access” - defined as at least 8 Mbps - and a further 500,000

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Cheese purists look away now... a company in the Lorraine region has launched a range of vegan Camembert! After struggling to find reasonably-priced vegan cheese in France, Anne Guth decided to make her own. A self-confessed cheese lover before becoming vegan, she began looking for a recipe that would create a convincing, tasty “cheese”, that also appeared visually similar to the real thing. The final product cannot officially be named “cheese”, however, because it is not made from milk, and is instead known as a “vegetable speciality”. “The most difficult thing was to create vegan cheeses that appear visually beautiful,” explained the entrepreneur, who uses puréed cashew nut, along with more traditional cultures. Whilst the final product does look very similar to the famous white wheels of Camembert de Normandie, the texture was harder to replicate. “There is no animal smell there at all. The texture is bizarre - it’s quite mousse-like,” said one blind taster. Along with the €10.90 Camembert, the company also now produces a vegan blue cheese (Le Bleu Lorrain) and garlic soft cheese (Le Petit Frais à l'Ail). ■

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FRENCH LIFE ♦ 11

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Making Mum's Marmalade

y mother never does anything by halves. One summer, she had three heart attacks in as many weeks. Then she was run over by a 40-ton truck. Which left me to make the marmalade. Not because she wasn’t capable. Quite the opposite. These various assaults upon her person shocked her into doing what she should have been doing these past several decades. Namely, eating right and a great deal less, exercising more (although any amount would have added to her previous Never), and generally paying attention to herself. Now she is a new woman, at least 15 kilos lighter and wishing she had had her neardeath experiences back when she was 40 so she could have got into all her slender new clothes when construction workers were still allowed to whistle. Marmalade making doesn't suit her unfettered fresh image. So it fell to me to produce the only coating the family thinks fit for morning toast (jams and jellies being firmly relegated to tea-time), unless we make allowances and go local, buying croissants for breakfast and authorising the purchase of a little apricot preserve. Conducting the marmalade process was a daunting prospect, one that conjured up a

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kitchen full of the kind of paraphernalia I don't own and did not intend to buy, like jam thermometers, jelly bags that look like something slung under a cow, and a heavy copper pan. Tradition has it that only Seville oranges are appropriate, their tartness an astringent counterpoise to the quantities of sugar employed in the recipe. Stalls at the "couture" end of the markets experience may offer Valencia, or the soulfully exquisite blood oranges. What you can’t use under any circumstance is seedless oranges. It is the pectin in the seeds of the orange that will thicken the marmalade. Of course, you could always put your faith in the sugar that is sold specifically for preserves, which contains a thickening agent. Whatever you choose, what a breeze! Why wasn't I making marmalade eons ago? What was all the fuss about? It couldn't be simpler. So do try it yourself. If you are overawed by any prospect of cooking, it will make you feel an absolute "uber" chef. Plus it will leave you plenty of time to gallivant about the countryside with the wind through your hair, instead of heading for the Conserves aisle at your supermarket. You might bump into my mother. ■ Julia Watson has been a long-time Food Writer for newspapers and magazines in the US and the UK.

Marmalade - makes 1.5 kg 2 kilos Seville oranges Juice 2 lemons 1.5 kilos light brown sugar Scrub the oranges well to remove any wax coating or chemicals. Put them in a large saucepan and, pushing them down with your hand, cover them with 8 centimetres water. Let them float up then bubble away uncovered at a low boil for 2 hours until they are squishy. Scoop them out, reserving the water. Pour 475g of this water into a separate pan. Chop the oranges into the lengths and thickness you like, putting the seeds into the small water pan. Return the oranges to the larger pan with the lemon juice, adding the lemon seeds to those in the smaller pan. Boil little pan gently for about 10 minutes to extract the pectin. Then, straining out the

seeds, add the water with the sugar to the larger pan. Stir until the sugar is dissolved completely. Boil until the mixture thickens. How long this takes depends on how many seeds you have included to release their pectin. You can play about dropping small teaspoonfuls onto a saucer chilled in the freezer and see if its skin wrinkles to the touch. But don't despair. It will happen once the whole brew turns a voluptuous deep amber. Just keep boiling away. I managed with only six very feeble-looking seeds. Sterilise storage jars by running them through a dishwasher cycle and use as soon as you can handle them. You can add a couple of centimetres of peeled and grated ginger at the end, or a glug of whisky. Or you can make with the same weight of ruby grapefruit. This marmalade makes excellent presents for enthusiasts, since marmalade is the one conserve French manufacturers don’t do properly.

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12 ♦ FRENCH LIFE

New year financial planning review Blevins Franks

Perhaps the biggest concern for many British expatriates has been Brexit and the uncertainty over residence rights and healthcare. On 8th December 2017 the UK and EU presented a joint “progress report” which confirmed their commitment to maintaining existing rights for EU nationals settled in the UK and Britons in the EU. If you already have official permanent residence status in France, you can look forward to a secure future here. The rules for healthcare also remain the same as now. If you have not yet registered as tax resident, the clock is ticking. You need to look at obtaining official permanent residence ahead of the UK’s withdrawal date, scheduled for March 2019. Take specialist advice on how to benefit from the French tax rules

paying tax in the right place? Specialist advice can give you peace of mind as well as potentially save you tax.

Tax planning

In November 2017 the Bank of England increased the UK interest rate for the first time in over ten years. It was by no means a seismic shift – just back to 0.5% from 0.25% – and has your bank increased the rate you are getting on your savings? Keeping too much of your retirement savings in cash can be risky, if you are not earning enough to keep pace with inflation. Successful investing is about managing risk versus return and having a wellthought out strategy specifically based on your personal circumstances, time horizon, needs, aims and risk tolerance. You should obtain a clear and objective assessment of your appetite for risk, then match your profile to the optimum portfolio. Ensure you have adequate diversification, so you are not over-exposed to any given asset type, country, sector or company. You should then review your portfolio around once a year, because as asset prices rise and fall it can become unbalanced, and your circumstances may have changed.

It is always a good idea to review your tax planning from time to time to confirm it is up to date. This is even more important with the significant French tax changes for 2018. While these are positive reforms, it is still worth looking at how you hold your assets to ensure you can benefit as much as possible. Take advice to ensure you are taking advantage of the tax planning opportunities available in France. The new global automatic exchange of information regime, implemented through the Common Reporting Standard, is well underway. 50 jurisdictions, including France and the UK, began collecting client data from January 2016 and made the first exchange by September 2017. Another 50 jurisdictions will start sharing by September 2018. Cross-border tax planning is complex, especially if you earn income in one country and live in another. Are you sure you are

Savings and investments

Pensions Today’s pension landscape is quite different from a few years ago. There are more choices than ever, but this means that great care must be taken to ensure you make the right decision for your objectives and to protect your retirement savings. Weigh up all your options, as well as the tax implications and opportunities in France, to establish the best course of action for you.

Estate planning It is important to review your estate planning after moving to France, as both succession law and tax work very differently to the UK. How much succession tax your heirs will pay depends on the degree of relationship to you – it can be as high as 60% for distant and non-relatives – so take advice to see how you can reduce this liability for your heirs. France imposes forced heirship, which may prevent you dividing your estate as you wish. You can, however, use the EU succession regulation ‘Brussels IV’ to opt for the succession law of your country of nationality to apply, but must state this in your will. Take advice first to confirm if this is the right course of action for your family as it may have consequences you are not aware of. Reviewing your wealth management arrangement once a year should prove profitable and provide peace of mind. You should look at all the above areas together, as changes in one could affect the other, and establish holistic solutions that work for your personal situation. ■ Tel: 05 53 63 49 19 Email: bergerac@blevinsfranks.com Web: www.blevinsfranks.com Tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; an individual is advised to seek personalised advice.

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ere we are at the start of another year, when we tend to reflect on the previous 12 months and look ahead to what the coming year may bring. It is a good time to reflect on your financial planning and ensure it is up to date and designed to protect your long-term wealth for you and your family.

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DIRECTORY ♦ 13

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BUSINESS DIRECTORY Animals & Pets

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Registered Car Mechanic

Dog grooming in your own home

House Clearance Insurance & Finance Language Services Pest Control Pools & Spas Property Maintenance Property Sales Retail & Commerce Transport/Removals/Storage General Businesses for Sale

Building Services Architects/Surveyors

RING BILL!

Based near Marval (87440) covering ~30km radius

Open 365 days a year Call Leanne on:

Antiques/ Brocantes

>> pg 13 >> pg 13 >> pg 13 >> pg 13-16 >> pg 16 >> pg 16 >> pg 16-17 >> pg 17-18 >> pg 18 >> pg 18 >> pg 18 >> pg 18-19

siret 804 476 802 00017

Tel: 05 55 78 62 28

Small, friendly English-run kennels in Bétête (23270)

siret: 810 192 807 00016

www.latourdeschats.fr

Fully trained and qualified in Knightsbridge London dog salon. 40 years full-time experience.

Siret: 792 142 341 00017

or email

Château-Chervix (87380) 12 € / day Spacious rooms, outside space, video surveillance. Payment: CB, cheque and cash. Contact Jessica 06 31 94 63 87 / 05 55 58 86 52

Animals & Pets Antiques/Brocantes Auto Services Building Services Chimney Sweeps Cleaning Services Computers/Satellites Food & Drink Garden Services Gifts & Crafts Handholding Services Health & Beauty

14 ♦ DIRECTORY

A. Wright

Carpenter & Joiner 06 35 12 10 66 see main ad - pg 4

CARPENTER AND BUILDER

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

E-mail: installation23@gmail.com

QUALITY WORKMANSHIP SINCE 1986

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

Building • Roofing • Kitchens • Joinery

Siret: 753 054 030 00014

Portfolio available to view at

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

Carpenter All types Best Rates Available Immediately References available Call Mark:

06 45 82 34 03 Siret 798 692 778 00011

Building Services Electricians

SALAMANDRE

électricité Keith SLOPER

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

Carlos

www.masters-energies.com

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

Based between Gouzon & Boussac, serving Dept 23

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

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

05 55 41 17 76

Steve. JOHNS. SARL

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

BARWICK ÉLECTRICITÉ SHAUN BARWICK QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN

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)

Tel: 09 72 35 74 73

Email: barwick.shaun@gmail.com

06 42 73 83 37 siret: 795 207 067 00013

GODSON

Travaux Publics www.fossepro.com 05.55.62.61.12 - pg 3

fosse-septique23.com

Fosse Septique 23 WASTE REMOVAL Fosse Septique Specialists Planning permission arranged Design and installation Supply and servicing DIY and trade kits Free site visit and devis

05.55.64.11.73 06.70.47.52.96

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

Scaffolding Hire

Steve Johns Assainissement

05.55.64.11.73 - see pg 10

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

siret no: 495 067 829 00020

Building Services Fosses Septiques

Your advert here

Paul Jones Renovation

Tel: 05 55 69 28 12 Mob: 06 73 18 63 47 Email: pauljones@orange.fr www.pauljonesrenovation.com

Building Services General

05 55 41 17 76

From small repairs to complete installations Boiler Servicing Over 35 years experience Fully Insured lorrainemquintana@gmail.com

@iret: 794 282 368 00016

LES VIDANGES LIMOUSINES

sales@thebugle.eu

Electrician/Plumber 05 55 62 63 82

SAS Masters 05 55 78 66 35 see main ad - pg 2

Siret No. 829 638 741 00019

Building Services Carpenters/Joiners

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2018

SERVICES

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

05 55 37 45 35

wasteremovalmultiservices@gmail.com

siret: 824 706 444 00018

siret 532 981 198 00015

sales@thebugle.eu 05 55 41 17 76

Dave Cardwell - Builder

05 55 98 24 12

See our Display Ad below

Alpha Locksmiths 24/7 Emergency call out service

Tel: 06 70 34 79 32 see main ad below

Masonry & More

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

05 55 61 93 07

martin_sprague_1@ hotmail.com SIRET: 531 768 182 00010

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

with Driver for Hire

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

87440 Marval

05 55 78 62 29

siret no. 523 183 580 00019

john.bonella@gmail.com

DAVID CARDWELL PROFESSIONAL

BUILDER

Alpha Locksmiths

24/7 Emergency call out service Lost your keys... locked out... keys locked in the car... give us a call! Lock changes of all types, external and internal UPVC & Wood - Windows & Doors - Safe opening - Non desctructive entry No call out charge - Hourly rate based on location and time of day or night 25 years’ experience - Fast, friendly & efficient - Free estimates

Tel: 06 70 34 79 32 - Email: kyriacosdemetriou701@gmail.com

debarrasser87

House Clearance Specialists

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

We are able to offer a wide range of specialist house clearances including hoarded property clearance and clearances where there are unsanitary conditions.

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

05.55.69.68.44 / 05.55.37.45.35 - http://www.ferraille87.com

We offer an efficient, affordable and honest service.

DIRECTORY ♦ 15

JANUARY 2018 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

ADVERTORIAL

The Advice Service

y name is Karen Rogers and I have lived in France for a number of years. In 2013 I set up The Advice Service with the aim that no one should be made to suffer due to a lack of knowledge or information. Having worked at the Citizens Advice Bureau for many years in the UK, I have a sound knowledge and understanding of the law and the difficult situations that people can find themselves in. My time in France has taught me that the bureaucratic system here can be daunting The French legal system is also significantly different to that of the UK, with which many expats are

Advertising with The Bugle

THE ADVICE SERVICE

more familiar. France has a dual legal system Public/ Private and Private law is the basic law of the land. I provide advice and guidance across a wide range of social situations and can fit the advice to your particular needs. I am specialised in divorce and separations, financial debt, pensions, health care and care of the elderly. If you have a problem and

La Noneix

Construction & Property Services

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

●Renovations ●New builds ●Roofing ●Stonework ●Carpentry ●Ground works

Large or small projects undertaken - please view our website. Contact: Paul or Joanne Rands

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

Davis & Davis

30 years' Experience in Construction, Renovation & Project Management Quality Workmanship Guaranteed Internal/ External Developments Barn conversions, loft conversions, new-build, drylining, plastering, rendering, spray rendering, tiling, installation of kitchens/ bathrooms, painting, carpentry, replacement doors & windows, velux installation, groundworks, landscaping, decking & much more...

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

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

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

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

need advice then give me a call... there is a solution for everyone. I offer every type of advice you could need to help make your life abroad flow with ease. Advice and assistance can be given in person, by telephone, written correspondence or email. May I wish you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year... Bonne Année! ■

Karen Rogers - The Advice Service karenrogerstheadviceservice@gmail.com Tel: 05 55 68 76 46

Stephen Cullinane & Son From the foundations to the roof Established 9 years in France 05 55 81 00 53 - see pg 11

sales@thebugle.eu 05 55 41 17 76

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, decorating, landscaping and ground works. E: info@maxhuggett.com

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

www.maxhuggett.com

English & French spoken - Siret: 518 511 340 00011

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

05 55 89 69 46

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

ith 8 years’ experience delivering print advertising to an expat market, The Bugle represents one of the most cost-effective ways to let English speakers know about your business. An advert with The Bugle starts from just €11.20 HT per month – that’s less than 37 cents a day to put your business in front of 30,000 people each month. In the Limousin we have more than 300 distribution points across the region and surrounding areas where readers can pick up a copy for free. We also distribute 3,500 copies through Limoges Airport, which means that we are in the perfect position to target not only residents and secondhome owners, but also tourists and those new to the region. The Bugle is the only English language newspaper dedicated to the Limousin - in fact, today, The Bugle is the only free English language newspaper in France and we are growing all the time. If you would like to discuss any of our advertising options further, why not give us a call today to find out more about the ways that we can help you grow your business.

T: 05 55 41 17 76 E: sales@thebugle.eu W: www.thebugle.eu

Harlequin Developments

Mini-Digger with driver

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

See Main Ad - pg 14

est. 2007

Kitchens fitted and tiled Replacement doors and windows Parquet flooring Oak framed porches Plasterboard and Insulation

05.55.68.67.56 06.06.60.46.97

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

A. Wright

Carpenter & Joiner 06 35 12 10 66 see main ad - pg 4

Building Services Groundworks RSW Entreprises

05.55.78.62.29

john.bonella@gmail.com

Building Services Painters/Decorators CALL KATH 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

Fosse Septiques/Micro stations

Painter & Decorator

See our Display Ad - pg 8

Qualified craftsman with over 25 years UK

05.55.80.00.57

MINI DIGGER With driver for hire

Work to High standard Concreting work undertaken Contact Michael: Mob: 06 44 24 10 17

Email smeaton.diane@orange.fr Area 87, Bellac

Building Services Plasterers

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

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

Plastering Rendering Screeding Dry-lining Covering depts. 36, 23 & 18 Contact for a FREE no obligation quote Chris Andrews +33 (0)7 85 49 16 55

chrisandrews331@hotmail.com siret: 830 316 485 00010

CHRIS

THE PLASTERER 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

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

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

16 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2018

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.

Building Services Plumbing & Heating

POWERFLOW A Plumber that speaks your language Honest – Professional - Affordable Servicing, Repairing & Installing gas, oil & LPG appliances An expert in cleaning and protecting heating systems to make them run efficiently using modern cleaning pumps & Thermal Imagery Call the best, flush the rest

www.powerflowfrance.com

05 55 67 35 02 07 69 22 26 30

info@powerflowfrance.com 23260 St Maurice pres crocq SIRET 519 624 084 00017 (est. 2010)

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

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

05 55 41 17 76

Building Services Roofing Eurl Réno-Gén

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

Mob: 06 42 38 54 22 Tel: 02 54 30 11 20 Email: philip.andrews@orange.fr

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

Chimney Sweeps

siret: 509 180 410 00011

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

LA RAMONEUSE

THE LADY SWEEP Established since 1986

Brush & Vacuum

05 55 44 71 44 / 06 78 60 96 16

All types of chimney

Siret No. 493 159 412 00011

Fully Insured

mumford.toiture@gmail.com

PMC BATIMENT

Call Ruth Clear

Roofing Specialists

02 54 31 48 50

see main ad below

siret 504 218 454 00016

www.pmcbatiment.fr

sales@thebugle.eu 05 55 41 17 76

06 25 61 84 95 (SMS only)

sales@thebugle.eu 05 55 41 17 76

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

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

www.stovesellers.com

05 55 63 78 72 Siren: 502 409 949

Your advert here

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

05 55 41 17 76

Computers, Satellites & Web Design

Cleaning Services

WEBSITE No6 DESIGN before

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

Nettoitout

during

Professional Cleaning Services Windows Conservatories Garden maintenance Offices

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

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

www.no6.co Siret: 80493524500014

For a free and personalised quote please don't hesitate to contact us on:

sales@thebugle.eu 05 55 41 17 76

07 81 39 21 49

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

06 38 75 32 97

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.

N PE

TI-

S MO

ZIN

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

DIRECTORY ♦ 17

JANUARY 2018 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

ADVERTORIAL

Pensions – QROPS vs SIPPs

uite often people will say to me that they don’t have any money for me to help them with, but what about your pensions? Now you have moved abroad are they in the most taxefficient situation for you as an expat and can you really be sure that your existing pension fund will still be sufficiently funded to provide for your long-term retirement needs? It’s never too early, or too late, to discuss this and plan for the succession of your pension, if you indeed plan on leaving anything. There is a lot of misinformation being touted

around with regard to the differences between QROPS and SIPPs. Some of the most common questions that people are asking us relate to issues including: If I have a SIPP am I covered by the UK FCA and FSCS compensation scheme? If your French based financial adviser is directly registered with and regulated by the UK FCA, then this is correct, but it is very unlikely. This means you may have no right to complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service or to claim compensation from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme if things go wrong. I have been told I shouldn’t do a QROPS, I should do a SIPP. If I do a QROPS will I be subject to a 25% UK tax charge? Philip Hammond introduced

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

06.79.07.91.56

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

the OTC (Overseas Transfer Charge) effective from 9th March 2017, which means certain transfers to and from a QROPS will be liable to a 25% tax charge. If the QROPS is outside the area that the member lives in then the OTC applies, so if you live in the EEA and your pension provider is in the EEA i.e. Malta then you are not liable for this tax. Also this tax is not applicable after the relevant 5-year period has expired. So you may ask what’s the problem? Well, due to Brexit this is a grey area. If you move back to the UK within the 5-year period will this tax apply or not? It depends on whether the UK decides it will or won’t be a member of the EU or EEA. If the UK decides not to be a member of either then the OTC may apply (again a grey area, the UK could decide members moving back to the UK are

exempt).

SIPPs are subject to UK emergency tax on income payments, which can be as high as 45%? All SIPP income paid to you, including flexi-access drawdown is subject to UK income tax under PAYE, so if you don’t have a UK tax code, an emergency tax code will be applied by HMRC; this can be as high as 45%. To avoid this you simply need to complete the HMRC form SI 2009 number 226 application for relief at source from UK income tax and CLAIM to repayment of UK income tax. If I have a SIPP and die after 75, my SIPP will be subject to up to a 45% UK death tax, whereas if I have a QROPS this is not the case? This is currently true at the moment. The fund can be paid to

www.bigdishsat.com

Petticoat Lane

see main ad - pg 6

Tel: 05 45 29 03 99

Big Dish Satellite 05 55 78 72 98

Your advert here

GOODWIN SATELLITE 05 55 41 17 76 SALES & INSTALLATION OF ALL SATELLITE

5 Rue Nationale – 16150 Chabanais

Visit: www.petticoatlaneshop.com E-mail: sales@petticoatlaneshop.com English groceries, Fresh 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: Tue - Sat, 10am- 6pm Visit us and compare our prices

SYSTEMS & AERIALS. FAULT FINDING.

Dept 23 & surrounding areas

Tel: 05 55 62 05 61 Mob: 06 52 38 67 65 Email: garygoodwin@wanadoo.fr siret: 453 067 910 00019

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

05 55 41 17 76

sales@thebugle.eu 05 55 41 17 76

Restaurant AUX CEPES

Food & Drink

Try Something Different

Tel: 09 64 00 14 51 see main ad - pg 7

Chez Jacques

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

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

m : 07 70 39 12 23

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

LA veytiZoU, 87130

Marsac (23) • Cosy atmosphere • Speciality Crêpes • Large burger menu • Over 100 single malt whiskies • Selection of bottled British ales • Book corner, pool table • "Mouclade" nights • Curry nights

05 87 40 02 83 closed Wednesdays

any beneficiary, but will be taxed at their UK marginal tax rate, as a lump sum, annuity or as a drawdown pension. The fund can be paid to a trust as a lump sum less a 45% tax charge. So, depending on age, it may be more appropriate to do a QROPS to avoid this potential tax for your beneficiaries.

If you would like to arrange an independent, professional and impartial consultation, please contact me by email: Rosemary. sheppard@blacktowerfm.com or call me on 06 38 86 99 70. Blacktower Financial Management has over 30 years’ experience helping expats to make sure that their money works for them. The above information was correct at the time of preparation and does not constitute investment advice

Le Restaurant Ecurat

1 rue Saint-Roch, Le Grand Bourg

Atelier d'Art du Jardin

Rés: 06 73 37 45 01 see main ad - pg 6

sales@thebugle.eu 05 55 41 17 76

tel: 05 55 81 31 85

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

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

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

Allo Allo

26, Ecurat 23150

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

and you should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity.

Bar Bistro

Le Bon Appétit

4 rue des Tanneries, 23210 Bénévent-l'Abbaye Winter Hours: Thu/Fri/Sat/Sun - 6pm-10pm For lunches or groups, please book ahead! Themed nights (French specialities) Large beer garden - Groups welcome Homemade burgers - Eat in or take away For more info, see our website:

www.bistrot-lebonappetit.com

or find us on Facebook: @BBBonAppetit23

Your advert here

05 55 41 17 76

sales@thebugle.eu 05 55 41 17 76

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

To advertise in The Bugle Business Directory, call 05 55 41 17 76 Wanted Experienced shopfitters Experienced shopfitters required for installs all across France. Granulés du Limousin

Joiners, electricians and labourers also required.

Email: contact@reactive-resource.com

Très Jolie

Ladies fashion accessories Beautiful scarves, purses, handbags, jewellery & gifts

(See Notice Board for where to ﬁnd me)

Paula Bonella

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

18 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2018

ADVERTORIAL

Online radio station for English-speaking expats

Le Creusois Bar/Restaurant

Les Genêts, Azerables

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

05.55.63.90.79

www.lecreusoisbistro.com SIREN: 483 988 853

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76 Garden Services

Our live “Coffee Morning” chat shows with station founder, Dave Hailwood (an expat from the UK) and our regular guests from around Europe. We feature regular topics such as women’s issues, gardening, sport, travel, cooking and schooling... in fact anything that affects expats.

Cross Cut Tree Surgeons

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

see main ad below

Sherrie et Steve Jardiniers All general

Gardening

Paul Brown

All gardening work: Grass Cutting Strimming Hedge Trimming General Maintenance Dept 23 & Surrounding Areas

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

Gifts & Crafts

Undertaken

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

M: 06 58 72 03 43 E: sherrieetstevejardiniers@gmail.com Siret No: 811 161 835 00001

T.A.D. 23 (Travaux d'Accès Difficiles) All aspects of garden maintenance • Tree Surgery • Garden Clearance • Strimming • Pruning

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

GARDEN SERVICES

sales@thebugle.eu 05 55 41 17 76

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

Ivan Petley

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

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

Our audience is encouraged to join in via email or phone with comments, questions and requests. Ex-pat Radio aims to be an international station, with an approachable local feel to it. To our surprise we also won “Best Foreign Radio Station” in France as voted by the readers of Paris publication “Expatriates Magazine”, which we won with 75% of the vote. Email us with requests, stories, jokes, local events in your area, sports groups, and anything else. We want to hear it all... So get typing to: expatradio.request@gmail.com Like us on Facebook: "expatradiofrance" Tweet us: @ExpatRadioCom And listen live now!

www.ex-patradio.com

Très Jolie

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

'ROUSSIS MAID'

siret: 792 285 025 00013

Email for more details: ellinghamroam764@yahoo.com

Sophie Arsac

See Notice Board for details of where you can find us at local markets. Send an email to sign up to the newsletter

French lessons & handholding services

Tel: 06 86 89 81 02

05 55 89 15 74 - pg 11

siret 528 539 448

26, Ecurat 23150

Atelier d'Art du Jardin

2km from Chénérailles and the Chateau Villemonteix

www.monchiccottage.com

tel: 05 55 81 31 85

Chalk Paint, Little Greene Paint, Fat Quarters, Annie Sloan Paint Workshops

email: ecurat123@hotmail.com

sales@thebugle.eu 05 55 41 17 76

Jonathan Critchley jcritch.7@gmail.com

All products made in France. Cards also available at Carole's Hair Stylist at Le Buisson, near Saint-Bazile.

Le Dorat 87210

Tel: 05 87 77 95 59

05 55 62 50 38

HAND-CRAFTED CARDS AND APRONS

Mon Chic Cottage

Wed-Fri 10h-16h

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

see main ad pg 17

Artisan art for your garden

Tea Room

A HELPING HAND

Handholding Services The Advice Service Tel: 05 55 68 76 46 see main ad - pg 2

sales@thebugle.eu 05 55 41 17 76 Health & Beauty Osteopathy & Acupuncture Linda & Paul Bodimeade

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

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

lindabodimeade@eircom.net paulbodimeade@eircom.net

siret: 791 847 429 00010

Food & Drink

• ‘Classical Gems’ with Bridget Waterhouse • ‘Digital Blues’ with Ashwyn Smyth • ‘The Culture Gap’ with Vincent • ‘Soul Time’ with Max Morrison • ‘Essential Rhythms’ with Peter Simmons • ‘Musicial Memories’ with Sir Owen Gee • ‘Sunday Bandstand’ with Chris Helme • ‘Writers Salon’ with Hazel Manuel • ‘The Message Kids’ with Expat Kids • And lots more new shows coming soon!

siret: 793 539 826 00016

Ex-patradio.com is an online internet radio station, which launched live on 21st March 2016. The station is designed for English-speaking expats around the world. The aim is to have a variety of shows, ranging from chat shows through to music programming, covering a full spectrum of musical tastes. Our shows include: • ‘The Golden Oldies’ with Mick Hennell, featuring tracks from the 50s and 60s • ‘The Beat Goes On’ with Steve Bell, showcasing new expat bands, musicians and singers • ‘The Blend’ with Ira, our American presenter, with the best of Creole and Swamp music through to rare blues cuts • ‘The All Day Special’ with station founder, Dave Hailwood • ‘The Roast Beef’ with Wayne Allen, also “Nashville Calling” • ‘The Retro Chart Show’ with Dave Mac • ‘In Bed with the French’ Talk Show with Christine Caldi • ‘Country Classics’ & ‘The Nostolgia Club’ with David Sibbald • ‘Bridget’s Mix’ with Bridget Waterhouse

Mobile hairdresser Grand-Bourg & surrounding area

Call Teddy:

06 11 96 19 78- pg 10

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

Cross Cut Tree Surgeons

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

pawsonbeverley4@gmail.com

05.55.60.62.14 / 06.78.38.42.44

siret: 530 840 958 00017

DIRECTORY ♦ 19

JANUARY 2018 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

ADVERTORIAL

“SolarVenti”- the solar solution to damp and humidity

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

How it works The principle behind Solarventi is simple: a small, 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-

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

COUNSELLING

The Spectrum IFA Group

UK Reg. Counsellor & Psychotherapist Senior Accred. MBACP 548379

Independent Financial Adviser

Lesley Kidd MSc

• French Reg. Conseille de Vie & Coach • Based on borders of 87-19-23 • Meet in person or via skype

05 55 38 33 35

lesleykidd@hotmail.co.uk

Tony Farrell

05 55 89 57 94 - see pg 7

Language Services

SIREN: 818 604 654

Chez Boutique

Formerly La Petite Place

05.55.60.08.46

See our Display Ad - pg 7

House Clearance

Jenny Homer BA hons, PGCE

Sympathetic French Tuition 87120 Eymoutiers

Not too late to make a difference to your life here by Christmas! • Speaking and Understanding for life in France • Relaxed but purposeful • Confidence-building • 4 levels Beginners to Advanced. Email me asap to be sure of a place. Free taster class (3hrs)

homer.jennifer@gmail.com

If you have French friends who would like to improve their English, maybe they would like to join my TEFL classes, Beginners or Intermediates.

- 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. ■ Units start from €490 TTC. Several ex-demonstration models available at reduced prices, call for details.

Sophie Arsac

French lessons & handholding services 05 55 89 15 74 - pg 11

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76 Pest Control

Central France Pest Control

debarrasser87

House Clearance Specialists www.ferraille87.com see main ad - pg 14

Dératisation, Déinsectisation, Désinfection

Insurance & Finance

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

Blevins Franks International tax and wealth management advisers

www.blevinsfranks.com See our main ad - pg 12

Blacktower Financial Managment Group Rosemary Sheppard 06 38 86 99 70 - pg 7

HiFX

International money transfer

www.hifx.co.uk

AmiLangues

Administrative support www.amilangues.fr

06 37 08 92 09 - see pg 7

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

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

La Petite Barre, 18210 Bessais Le Fromental

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

Dave Roberts

Fibreglass Specialist Fibreglass swimming pool linings that can be applied over all finishes: tiles, marbelite, concrete, etc. Perfect for new pools, old pools, or pools leaking water Laminated on site, one piece and seam free For more information or a quote, contact Dave: +44 (0)1903 893 451 +44 (0)7825 916 573

www. fibreglass-lining.com

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

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

Self Install Pools naturalispools.com 06 31 17 25 60 see main ad - pg 8

05 55 41 17 76 Property Sales Leggett Immobilier www.leggettfrance.com

05 53 56 62 54 see main ad - pg 4

Transaxia

Bourganeuf-Creuse-Limousin www.transaxia-bourganeuf.fr 0033 (0)6 83 66 83 09 - see ad pg 6

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

Beaux Villages Immobilier

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

Freephone: 08 05 69 23 23

Numéro Siret: 752 157 610 00011

Property Maintenance

SIRET No. 498 544 741 00024

Pools & Spas

Your advert here

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

www.beauxvillages.com see main ad - pg 11

Cendrillon - Bourganeuf Bilingual Estate Agent in Creuse

www.limousin-bilingual.com

05 55 54 95 85 - see pg 3

Houses on Internet www.housesoninternet.com

+31 (0)6 41 20 73 69

See our Display Ad - pg 3

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

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

20 ♦ DIRECTORY Retail & Commerce R.S.M.DISTRIBUTION

Furniture & UK mattresses NEW STOCK HAS ARRIVED

SAVE UP TO 50% OFF RRP Warehouses in SARLANDE (24270) and JOUSSE (86350)

www.fudgejj.com email: ray.mole@wanadoo.fr

Tel: 05 49 87 67 34

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2018

GARDE Smart Moves SAFE Secure self storage

Transport, Removals & Storage

For a fully insured, careful service

MICHAELS MOVERS Removals

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

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

By appointment only

www.michaelsmovers.freeindex.co.uk

Chez Amanda Depot Vente des Vêtements

POLISH MOVERS

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.

We specialize in domestic and commercial removals

8 rue Principale, St Mathieu, 87440

We offer a moving service that will guarantee you a smooth move. Our service includes moving from the UK to all EU countries and from anywhere in the EU to the UK. We do not charge VAT, we are fully insured.

SIRET: 510 995 681 00010

tel: +44 (0)208 903 9227 mob: +44 (0)7739 351 786 www.polishmovers.co.uk

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

Moulin de Tintin Furniture, interiors & gifts

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

sales@thebugle.eu 05 55 41 17 76

Central France Storage

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

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

Eco Entrepot

Transition Removals

87230 Bussière-Poitevine

www.transitionremovals.com

Get down The Shed

05.55.68.74.73 - see pg 6

Stove Sellers www.stovesellers.com 05.55.63.78.72

See our Display Ad - pg 12

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

Buggs Car Hire Bergerac & Limoges Airports

www.buggscarhire.com see pg 2

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

smartmovers@hotmail.co.uk

+44 (0)1253 725 414

www.smartmovesremovals.co.uk

units in Guéret

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

www.safe-garde.com

05 55 63 58 85

safegardegueret@gmail.com siret: 821 846 318 00011

VAN ROUGE • Man with a van service • Friendly, Mature Service, Ex-Police • Living in Limousin, specialising in moves between UK and France • Competitive Rates • Fully Insured Please call Mick for further info

UK: 0333 022 0359 FR: 07 68 64 22 54

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

Watson European International Removals

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

Man & Van Transport

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

09 82 12 69 73

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

www.themanwithavan.info vanrouge@mail.com

(+33) 07.61.21.85.15

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76 General

BABY/INFANT EQUIPMENT FOR HIRE

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

Carrefour du Bois Limousin

www.chauffagebois-limousin.com

05 55 63 72 45 - see pg 17

Businesses for Sale FOR SALE:

Proxi Supermarket In the heart of the market town of Ahun (23150) • Alimentation Générale • Tabac • Lotto/FDJ For more information call:

06 38 39 33 99

Cash paid for scrap All Limousin covered Anything considered Any quantity

www.frenchvanman.eu

87150 Oradour-sur-Vayres

Tel: 05 55 37 45 35 Mob: 06 74 21 47 71

Siret 530 213 644 00012

siret 532 981 198 00015

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

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

KICK-START YOUR BUSINESS IN 2018 WITH ADVERTS FROM €11.20 HT / MONTH SALES@THEBUGLE.EU

05 55 41 17 76

COMMUNITY ♦ 21

JANUARY 2018 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Mon Chic Cottage

RESTAURANT

21 Place Charles de Gaulle, Le Dorat

AUX CEPES La Veytizou

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

I WOULD TO WISH EVERYONE

A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

~~~~~~~~~ WE ARE OPEN AS USUAL THROUGHOUT JANUARY: Lunchtimes: MON TO FRI UNtil 2pm Sat & Sun by reservation evenings: Wed & Thu 18h-20h30 Fri & sat 18h-21h ~~~~~~~~~

Bugle Notice Board

For more information, contact Sue: email: auxcepes87@gmail.com or Tel: 09 64 00 14 51

Experienced keyboard player (65) seeks a blues rock band ... or would consider anything. Either musicians to form a band or a band already looking for keys. Rochechouart area. Please contact Nick: 05 55 30 49 06 email: young.nicolas@orange.fr

Un Matin d'Avril Ladies Fashion 10% discount

for all new customers! 74bis Avenue Garibaldi, Limoges Loyalty Card Scheme Agnes looks forward to introducing you to her new urban and sportswear collections Tue-Sat: 10h00-12h00 & 14h30-18h45

FOR SALE

Little bar restaurant with flat above In typical french village (23210 Bénéventl'Abbaye) with house to renovate attached and large new decked garden out back. Good turnover with small rent for business and flat - on pilgrim route with many tourists in summer. Great opportunity for someone looking for small business and / or making B&B .. please call for more info.

Tel: 06 80 43 83 51 26, Ecurat 23150

Le Restaurant Ecurat Atelier d'Art du Jardin

Bill and Alma would like to thank all our customers for their support in 2017 and wish you all health and happiness for the coming year tel: 05 55 81 31 85 email: ecurat123@hotmail.com

JANUARY SALE -50%

& more amazing discounts. Many items must go.

www.monchiccottage.com Tea Room serving home-made scones / cakes Official Stockist for Chalk PaintTM by Annie Sloan & Little Greene Taking bookings now for our New Year Annie Sloan Chalk PaintTM Workshops. To learn the basis of using Chalk PaintTM & ask questions, join us on a workshop. All materials included. To book contact Jay. Opening hours: Wed-Fri - 10h-16h

Très Jolie

05 87 77 95 59

info@monchiccottage.com

Fashion Accessories Where to find me:

Every Wednesday - Piégut Market Wishing all my customers a Happy New Year!! Please see my facebook page... search 'Tres Jolie Milhaguet' to see what's new. Mail order available, email for more details.

Now stocking the new Gift Shop next door to the 1-4 Euro Store in Piégut 24360

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

New Year Resolution?

Why not make 2018 the year to rise to the challenge of speaking French? It's never too late to improve and to get so much more out of life here. New term starts 8th January '18

Jenny Homer BA hons, PGCE Tel: 07 62 46 19 86 Email: homer.jennifer@gmail.com 87120 Eymoutiers

Bar Bistro

Le Bon Appetit 4 rue des Tanneries, 23210 Bénévent-l'Abbaye 1st Jan - New Year Celebrations in the afternoon then closed for holidays ..

Mandys-curry-2-go www.mandyscurry2go.com

Curry of the month is Passanda Please note some areas are chilled pre-orders only

Aubusson, (place de la gare routière) - Thursday 4th (6pm) Marsac, (Chez Jacques) - Friday 5th (6.30pm) Bourganeuf Market - Wednesday 10th (9am - 12.30pm) Bourganeuf, (place Martin Nadaud) - Wednesday 10th (5.45pm) Guéret, Gouzon and Boussac, Chilled orders only! Thursday 11th (9am, 9.30am & 10am) Peyrat-le-Château, Cheissoux & St-Léonard-de-Noblat Chilled orders only! Thursday 11th (12.30pm, 1pm & 1.30pm) La Souterraine Market - Saturday 13th (8.30am - 12.30pm) Sardent, (Auberge du lac, Masmangeas) - Saturday 20th (5.30pm) CHILLED DELIVERIES, Thu18th & Fri 19th - various areas, contact us for details.

All venues are weather permitting. Please check website & facebook for updates.

Tel: 07 70 39 12 23

Email: mandyscurry2go@gmail.com

Petticoat Lane

Please Note:- We will be closed from 25th Dec to 8th Jan, re-open 9th Jan sales@petticoatlaneshop.com http://www.petticoatlaneshop.com/ 5 Rue Nationale – 16150 Chabanais

Tel: 05 45 29 03 99

Open Saturday 18th February for steak and chips live acoustic music and Saturday 25th February for tartiflette! Please book ahead Wishing everyone a Happy New Year! For more details, see our website: bistrot-lebonappetit.com or Facebook page: @BBBonAppetit23 Reservations: 06 80 43 83 51

Roussis Maid

Mike and Christine wish you all a

Happy New Year

We will be back on the markets mid-March. A selection of our cards and aprons are available from 1 to 4 € shop in Piegut. If you require something different please email me and we'll arrange a special delivery. ellinghamroam764@yahoo.com

06 86 89 81 02

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

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

22 ♦ COMMUNITY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2018

CLUBS, CHARITIES & ASSOCIATIONS Charities The Hope Association Charity Shop 87 NEW ADDRESS: 2 rue de la Vieille Tour, 87120 Eymoutiers The shop is run by a group of volunteers with the sole aim of raising funds for abused & abandoned animals. Opening hours: Sat 10h-13h, Wed & Fri 14h-17h, 1st & 3rd Thu morning 10h-12h. We offer a selection of items including pre-loved clothes, jewellery, greeting cards and much more. We are happy to accept anything in good sale condition either directly to the shop or email shopeightyseven4hope@gmail.com. SPA Creuse The SPA Creuse dog refuge centre is based in SaintSulpice-le-Guérétois near Guéret and provides an invaluable service to the community by rescuing dogs that otherwise would have nowhere to go. Each year we re-home over 100 dogs which find themselves at the SPA though no fault of their own. We have dedicated staff who work alongside a network of French and British volunteers, all of whom have one aim in life, which is to do the best they can for the dogs until they find their forever homes. In order to do this they need to raise funds; along with walking the dogs every day, volunteers also organise fund-raising events and vide-greniers throughout the year. We are a friendly bunch and always on the lookout for more like-minded people and so if you are interested in becoming a volunteer, making a donation, or adopting one of our lovely dogs, then please visit our website www.spa-creuse.com. 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 Maisonnaissur-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 fundraising and donations to cover the very high rehoming 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 Church Notices Anglican Holy Communion St. Martin's Anglican Church, in the hamlet of Moussac-sur-Gartempe, near Montmorillon 86500. With great regret, all services from 1st November onwards, at 3:00 pm, are hereby CANCELLED. Marriages, funerals and baptisms (christenings) can still be undertaken elsewhere. Contact: revrobertleone@gmail.com or saraheleone@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 BasseMarche 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 The International Free Church in Creuse The church presently meets at 10, La Chaudronnière, a small hamlet mid-way between Crozant and Eguzon. Sunday worship meetings are held on the first and third Sundays of the month at 10.30am. Fellowship meetings, for mid-week prayer, bible study and discussion are at the same venue every Thursday at 7.30pm. For further information contact Eric Sutton tel 05 55 89 26 62 Fitness & Fun

DISCOVER BRIDGE 2nd edition After the success of the first edition, Saint-Junien Bridge Club is organising a class for beginners from Monday 19th to Friday 23rd February 2018, from 10 am to 12:30 pm in the club house (4 rue des Binlaudes, 87200 Saint-Junien). Price: 50 euros. For further information or to register please contact Mireille Drouet Martin on 06 30 20 45 13 or at mireille.drouetmartin@orange.fr. Tutors are English speaking. The club proposes weekly tournaments on Mondays and Wednesdays at 2:15 pm and Thursdays at 6 pm. Art Classes Mainsat The class runs every Thurs (term time) at the Salle du temps libre in Mainsat from 14h-16h. We do a little bit of everything: pencil, charcoal, watercolour, pastel, acrylics, oils and sculpture, etc. Contact Susan Neill for more info: Tel 05 55 83 12 18 / Mob 06 87 99 31 37 / Email thomas-susan. neill@hotmail.com La chance de danser Starting in September dance classes for adults in La Souterraine. Tue Bums & Tums - Stretch & Tone 10:00-11:00. Salle des fêtes Saint-Léger-Magnazeix; Tue Tap from 19:00-20:00. Salle des fêtes La Souterraine; Wed Beginners ballet from 10:30-11:30. Salle de danse La Souterraine. €5 per class. For more info contact Jan Pitwell on 09 66 96 44 85 or at lachancededanser23@gmail.com. Photo Club La Meteorite (87) Rochechouart All welcome, all levels; we meet fortnightly at 3-5pm on Sundays. Field trips, friendly critique, conversation and competitions (to contact and more details go to photoclubmeteorite.org). Chabanais Bowls Club Recognised as the premium short mat bowls club in the Charente, Chabanais Bowls Club offers gentle, convivial exercise throughout the forthcoming winter months, together with a social programme to suit all tastes. Our next major event will be our annual Christmas, presentation lunch. Due to the unique construction of the salle des fêtes at Chabanais, the home of our short mat bowling club, it is possible to slide back an entire wall to let in the light and the air, without compromising on our flat playing surface. We play

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

every week on a regular basis with just a few days off around the end of the year. The salle also allows us to lay out up to 5 mats so there is lots of room for both all current members and to be able to warmly welcome any new ones that want to join our friendly, but competitive club. Sessions of 3 hours duration take place every Tuesday, starting at 10 am and every Thursday commencing at 2 pm with a 30 minute tea/coffee break during each session. The Club has all the equipment that new bowlers require to get started or old hands can use their own indoor or outdoor bowls to enjoy a relaxing and enjoyable game. And it’s not expensive, with a one-off joining fee of 10 euros, a yearly fee of 25 euros and a rink fee of just 2 euros. The first two ‘sampler’ sessions are free, only the rink fee to be paid. Currently all our members are English, it is difficult to encourage the French to roll a ball, most being senior citizens, many bringing over their skills from the UK. If you are considering taking up the sport again, trying your hand at something new or simply coming along for a closer look, just pop down when our sessions are on or contact Brian on 05 45 71 14 06 or Terry on 05 45 89 14 05. 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 19.45-20.45 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. 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 Oradoursur-Vayres. Come and try it - it's free. If you require further information or directions to our venue please contact me - Email: Oradour-Bowling@ gmx.com or telephone: 05 55 08 41 75 Zumba! Regular zumba classes across depts 36, 18 & northern 23. For more info tel 06 58 37 17 04 email evezumba36@gmail.com and for details of classes visit www.zumbazumba.fr Indoor Short-mat Bowling at Cussac 87150....and now Outdoor too! As the premier bowls club in the Haute-Vienne, we are going from strength to strength with members seeking us out and travelling great distances to continue their love of bowls or simply to 'try us out'. Our reputation as a "very friendly and welcoming club" goes before us. If you've never tried the game, just come along and take a look; there is far more to it than first appears! We are a formally registered association within the French system and benefit from assistance from our local commune by use of a wonderful indoor venue. AND NOW...the use of a synthetic outdoor court where 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

Directeur: Steve Martindale Rédacteur-en-chef: Steve Martindale Siège: Les Quatre Chemins 23150 St-Yrieix-les-Bois SIRET: 514 989 748 00017 Imprimé par: Charente Libre 16340, L’Isle d’Espagnac Tirage mensuel: 15,000 copies Tous droits réservés. Toute reproduction, totale ou partielle, des articles et illustrations du présent numéro est strictement interdite. Dépôt légal à parution.

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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 cussacbowlsclub@gmail.com or telephone 05 55 78 66 45. 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 JeanMarie Couturier, Aubusson. 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 10.30 to 11.30 am, 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 (EPVG www.sport-santé.fr) For information contact 07 83 22 38 63 or gymvolontaire-087168@epgv.fr Learn to Meditate Learn to meditate and meet other like-minded people. Simple mindfulness technique. Dechen Choling, Le Mas Marvent, St-Yrieix-sous-Aixe, 87700. Also, ongoing regular group meetings and events. Contact tel Christina 05 55 03 82 01 www. dechencholing.org Gardening Les petits jardiniers du Limousin L'association des petits jardiniers du Limousin started in 2010 with the aim 'to provide and promote opportunities for local people to develop their interest and knowledge in horticulture and gardening and any related topics'. Since that time we've held monthly meetings on many different subjects, visited gardens and garden related industries such as a distillery, a paper mill and a commercial vegetable grower to name but a few. It's about meeting people with like-minded interests, sharing plants and seeds, learning more about growing plants, flowers, fruit, vegetables and trees in our region and having some fun along the way. We meet on the third Thursday of each month (excluding February) in the Mairie at St-Amandle-Petit (between Eymoutiers and Peyrat-leChâteau). Meetings start at 2.30 pm and visit timings will be advised. Do come and join us, we're a friendly group and our meetings are open to everyone. For more information contact us at pjlimousin@gmail.com. Agenda for 2018: 18 Jan - Light up your life – outdoor lighting; Feb - No meeting; 15 Mar - Growing unusual vegetables – pots, compost and seeds provided; 19 Apr - Photographing your garden; 17 May Wildflower gardening; 21 Jun - Visit to The Potting Shed with a talk on planting in shady areas; 19 Jul - Pond life: how to make and maintain a pond; 16 Aug - Visit to Al Gaulia arboretum with picnic and lotus tasting session; 2 Sep - 6th Annual Show; 18 Oct - AGM followed by Pumpkins: edible and decorative; 15 Nov - Spring bulbs plus sale of bulbs; 13 Dec - Christmas party Club Liseron – Gardening Club Meets on the 2nd Mon evening of the month at 19.30 at the Salle des Fêtes in Massignac. We're a mixed bunch of English & French, who are united by a passion for gardens and gardening, sharing plants, seeds and information. For further information contact: veronique.granet@sfr.fr Aux Plantes, etc. We are an association of independent, ethicallyminded and passionate plant producers. Our aim is to encourage consumers to know more about the plants they buy, how they were produced and their needs, thereby avoiding the disappointments that so often come with mass produced plants. It’s not just about us selling you plants - we want them to thrive and do well for you! Current members include plantspeople specialising in unusual shrubs & trees, butterfly plants, heritage vegetables and flowers, irises, perennials and drought-tolerant plants. For more info contact Michelle Pierce 05 45 89 36 54 or 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. 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 Café Franglais Organised by the Amitiés Internationales du Pays de Boussac (AIPB). Every Wednesday starting at 18h30 until 20h00 in la Maison des Associations, Quartier Pasteur, 23600 Boussac. Come and join us for an informal chat to improve your French or English with native speakers in a café atmosphere whilst enjoying a drink and nibbles. Last evening before the summer holidays will be on 5th July. For more info please call 05 55 65 03 69. Association Rencontres Franco-Britanniques The Association Rencontres Franco-Britanniques, based in Bourganeuf, was created in January 2012 and aims to help British people, resident in the Communautés de Communes surrounding Bourganeuf, to become integrated in their communes and local life. We organize a range of cultural and social activities for our members. The fortnightly conversation groups are an important part of our association. At these meetings British members can improve their spoken French, and our French colleagues may improve their English. We would very much like to welcome new people, both French and English, into the association. Our meetings and events are fun and take place in a happy and friendly atmosphere. We currently have 90 members. The annual subscription for membership is €12 per person. For further information on the association's activities contact: Christine Gee 05 55 64 22 25 email: geeinfrance@gmail.com - www.francobrit. com Bessines-Accueil Bessines-Accueil is a group based in Bessines-surGartempe (87250) which seeks to welcome new arrivals both to the town and to the surrounding region and to assist them with integration in the community. The group is comprised both of French and English members and meets weekly, generally on Thursday afternoons, in Bessines-sur-Gartempe, when various activities take place, all aimed at promoting a friendly and welcoming ambiance. Through these activities, which include visits, talks, entertainment and much more, the group aims to discover and promote an appreciation of the life, the history and the heritage of the area and to help new arrivals settle. For more details or to join please contact the President, Bernadette Ruffenach, on 05 55 76 11 19. 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-la-Perche. 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 €16, which brings with it other social opportunities. To find out more please contact Chrissy Smith at chrissysmith@talk21.com Familles Rurales in Peyrat-le-Château Association Familles Rurales now offer assistance in English and Dutch to all non-French speaking

COMMUNITY ♦ 23

JANUARY 2018 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu 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-le-chateau E-mail: familles-rurales.infopeyrat@orange.fr Telephone: 06 41 20 06 83 Office address: 19 avenue de la Tour, 87470 Peyrat-leChâteau Familles Rurales 2 in St-Yrieix-la-Perche 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 StYrieix-la-Perche. 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. Aubusson’s Network - International Apero Reseau We have changed our name to “Aubusson’s Network” and are now meeting at the cafe “ Les Balladins” opposite Aubusson’s Gare Routière car park. We continue to meet between 11.30 am and 1pm every Saturday. You can contact us by phone, Catherine on 06 86 17 80 88 or email jan.senior@yahoo.co.uk 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 We are a group of about 50 people who meet regularly to discuss and propose different ideas and activities with the aim of integrating more fully with the French community. Our meetings are held at the Ancienne Ecole in Darnac every Wednesday morning from 10h-12h, except on the first Wednesday of the month when we meet at 19h30. Our meetings are varied and include curry evenings, quizzes, plant swops, table tennis, pétanque tournaments, BBQs and more. Newcomers are very welcome. For more info visit: 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 Open Door Association – English Language Library & Cultural Exchange Group Based in the Old Mairie at Morterolles, commune of St. Pardoux-Morterolles, we have a selection of around 5,000 books, DVDs, etc. The library is open Mondays and Saturdays from 2-5 pm. Feel free to drop in and browse, borrow, chat or enjoy a free tea/coffee. The association organises a variety of activities throughout the year including a number of visits to places of cultural significance. In 2017 these have included vineyards, sites of historic and artistic interest and sites of natural beauty. A wider programme is currently being planned for 2018. We welcome new members of all nationalities. For further information, visit our website on www. opendoor23.com or contact the President, Peter Edmondson, on 06 47 54 20 09 or peter.edmondson2@ orange.fr Sale of Second-hand Books, La Croisille-sur-Briance On the 18th of every month, during the monthly market at La Croisille-sur-Briance (87130), there is a sale of second-hand books (both English and French) from 9am to 12 noon, at the former restaurant in La Place, opposite the bar/tabac. All proceeds go towards the local school funds (for La Croisille-sur-Briance and St-Méard RPI). La Souterraine English Library and Information Centre Located in the historic Porte de Puy Charraud, at 10 rue

CANCER SUPPORT FRANCE Charente Plus

Finn

Free confidential support for Englishspeaking people touched by cancer

CSF 24 HOUR HELPLINE - 06 45 35 32 30 email: csfcharenteplus@gmail.com

Facebook : Cancer Support France - Charente-Plus de Portail, La 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 AngloFrench 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 home-made cake. We host a range of other activities too, including the Café Philo, and Club Scrabble, More information can be found on the Entente Cordiale website at www. ententecordiale-creuse.org or email us at library. ententecordiale@yahoo.com Music Le Petit Tralala Le Petit Tralala was founded seven years ago by Sylviane Cahannier in Cluis (Indre). Until now, Sylviane has created the shows (music hall parodies) and the costumes. The troupe is always looking for new members. There is absolutely no need to sing perfectly or dance, as most importantly we have fun. Rehearsals are programmed in line with the date of the show and the availability of the troupe members. There is no obligation to speak French for the songs (playback performance), but it will be a relief for Sylviane who does not speak English. However, that must not discourage you from calling her for further information! Tel: 06 09 13 46 15. “Le Jeudi Meta Blues” Organised by the association Nessgig this takes place every 4th Thursday of the month, from 19h30 to 22h at “La Petite Charrue” pub, Le Bournazeau, ChâteauChervix (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. 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 The Harmonics This is our 6th season of singing as a group. Our music

is varied classical, madrigals, spiritual, songs from the shows etc and we sing in French, English, Swahili, Latin - whatever the music demands. Our concerts are in support of a variety of charities including the British Legion, L'Oregon at Civray and Retina and thus non profit making. We meet Wed 14h – 16h in the Salle d'Annexe behind the Mairie in Civray. Interested? We'd love to see you so contact: David Lee tel 05 49 87 53 93 email dave.lee@cegetel.net or Dolly Ait Boualou email sylvia.murray@wanadoo.fr Support Alcoholics Anonymous If you or someone you know has a drinking problem, there are now English-speaking meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous at Limoges, Périgueux and the recently opened meeting at Civray. Alcoholics Anonymous is a Fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership and A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. For details of the meetings or other information contact Roger 05 55 76 22 65 (Limoges), Ewen 05 53 05 76 62 (Périgueux) or Angela 05 49 87 79 09 (Civray). Other meetings in South-West France can be located on our web-site at www.aafrance.net English-speaking council surgery ...for residents of the commune of St-Léger-Magnazeix. 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. L’Association France Alzheimer Dordogne Charitable organisation offering English-speaking support and guidance to anyone dealing with the dayto-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 Free confidential support for English-speaking people touched by cancer in departments 16, 17 & 86. CSF 24 hour helpline: 06 45 35 32 30, Email csfcharenteplus@ gmail.com, Facebook: Cancer Support France - Charente Plus Cancer Support Haute-Vienne We offer free and confidential support to English speakers affected by Cancer in the Haute-Vienne (87) and Creuse (23). Our helpline number is 06 04 43 39 87. If you would like more information or would like to become a member or help in any other way, please contact Sue Ware 05 55 00 31 15, helpline@vienne.org or visit www.cshautevienne.org

Finn is a lovely Fox Terrier cross and is 7 years old. He was found wandering by the dog warden and taken to the Pound, where no one cared enough to claim him and has now found himself at the refuge for many months. He is well liked by the volunteers and is a kind and affectionate little dog with a typical terrier personality, which means whilst he is eager to learn and please, he can also sometimes be a bit stubborn. He knows the basic commands and walks well on the lead after the initial excitement. At the moment he is a bit scruffy and in need of a makeover, but that is nothing that a good dog groomer couldn't sort out. A lot of people have looked at Finn as he is always poking his nose through the gate for a treat or a stroke. Like many of the dogs at the refuge, Finn just needs a chance and I am sure would prove to be a very loyal and loving companion. Finn is neutered. If you think you you can help Finn then please contact the SPA de Creuse (Guéret), 21 Le Clocher 23000 Saint-Sulpice-le-Guérétois, tel 05 55 81 99 31 (www.spa-creuse.com) or if you would like to speak to an English-speaking volunteer about Finn or indeed any of our other lovely dogs at the refuge then please email Faye at faye.jones23600@gmail.com

Tyson

Tyson was abandoned to the SPA refuge in Limoges in October and sadly is really suffering with the cold and damp and desperately needs a home where he can be warm and comfortable. He is an 8-year-old mixed breed, probably with some Cane Corso in the mix. Although he is quite a big lad he is calm and gentle and really not suited to the noise and chaos of the refuge - he is becoming noticeably less lively and responsive and is obviously a very unhappy boy. He is a great favourite with the volunteers and walks easily on the lead without pulling. Tyson is an affectionate dog who would suit a quiet and calm life. In his past he has lived in an apartment and so a large home is not a necessity although an enclosed garden would be needed. If you think you could offer this lovely gentle boy the home he deserves, any other dog in the family would need to be introduced, and the home visited prior to adoption. Tyson is at: SPA de la Haute-Vienne, 156 avenue du Général René Chambe, 87270 Couzeix. For more information tel 05 55 48 06 75 or email spa87@hotmail.fr or if you would like some help from an English-speaking volunteer contact Pam at pamrob1@hotmail.com

CHARITY SHOP NOW OPEN!!

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

OPENING HOURS: Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, 10 am – 4 pm Sorry – no books or electrical goods

24 ♦ WHAT’S ON

The Bugle Film Club Thursday 11th January

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JANUARY 2018 Wed 13th Dec to Sat 27th Jan GUÉRET Exhibition: 120 ans de cinéma en Creuse Exhibition at the Bibliothèque Multimédia detailing 120 years of cinema in Creuse. Did you know that the first film screening in Creuse took place on 23rd May 1897, just two years after the first projection by the Lumière brothers in Paris? Come and discover the exhibition to find out more. For more info visit www.bmi-gueret.fr Sun 7th Jan BOUSSAC Loto Loto organised by the parish of Sainte-Croix des Deux Creuse. Salle polyvalente. 14h (doors open 13h). Buvette - sandwiches - pâtisseries.

What? Star Wars: The Last Jedi - in English Where? Cinéma Sénéchal, 1 rue du Sénéchal, 23000 Guéret When? 19h00, Thursday 11th January (2nd Thursday of each month)

How much? JUST €4 For details of the Cinéma Sénéchal, visit www.cinema-senechal.com Details of each month's screening will be included in The Bugle, but to receive emails about upcoming Film Club nights, please send an email to editor@thebugle.eu quoting “Film Club” in the subject line, and we will add you to our contact list. (We promise not to send you any spam!!)

Sat 20th Jan GUÉRET Concert: Les Tambours de Brazza Created in 1991 by the drummer and songwriter Emile Biayenda, the Congolese band “Les Tambours de Brazza” blend tradition and modernity, playing Ngoma drums alongside drum sets, bass, guitars and other modern instruments. Espace André Lejeune. 21h. Tickets: €22; Young persons €7.10. Sat 27th Jan NEXON Theatre: The Rime of the ancient Mariner Nexon's smallest most historical, independent theatre productions presents a dramatisation of "The Rime of the ancient Mariner" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge (original text 1834) with simultaneous French translation. 2 rue St Ferreo, Nexon. 6 pm. Tel: 06 18 65 33 33 for details. Libre participation.

Happy New Year and all the best for 2018 to all our readers!