The Bugle Limousin - June 2019

Large parts of central France on drought alert Low levels of rainfall have resulted in a number of departments raising the drought warning level ahead of summer

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Government U-turn on national speed limit In a shock move, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has announced that each department will soon have the power to decide the speed limit on their roads. at least portions of their road networks, including the Creuse and Corrèze.

There has so far been no comment from the departmental council of the Haute-Vienne.

Last year's reduction in the national speed limit proved controversial from the outset. As much as 80% of the public are against the changes and many regional authorities have been vocal opponents.

The inconvenient truth for many who complain about an overbearing, centralised nanny state, though, is that the number of fatalities appears to have dropped since the changes came into effect last summer.

Any councils that roll back to the higher 90 km/h speed limit on national roads will

>> continued on page 5

The local knowledge board game - pg 3

Wandering bear causes a diplomatic incident - page 11 EasyJet to ban nuts on board all flights - pg 7

Bilingual - Anyone for stinging nettles? pg 13

The Bugle Business Directory - pg 16-23 © Mark Green (Pinterest)

I

t was one of the government's signature policies and contributed to the public anger which sparked the gilets jaunes protests, but the reduction of the national speed limit to 80 km/h could soon be a thing of the past as Prime Minister Edouard Philippe effectively handed back the decision to overturn the changes to local councils.

“If the presidents of the conseils départementaux want to take responsibility, then in principle I don't have a problem with that,” announced the prime minister.

At the time of going to print, a survey by BFMTV revealed that more than half of the country's departments are planning to raise the speed limit on

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ummer is finally just around the corner. It may have briefly felt like summer back in February when I was getting sunburn at my barbecue, but April and large parts of May were, shall we say, a bit “meh”! As I write this, we are due a couple more cloudy days with rain around before a long stretch of glorious sunshine and the first 30-degree day of 2019.

Every year I look forward to the long, warm days of summer, but I have a very short memory and I can almost guarantee that by this time next month I will be complaining of unbearable heat, sleepless nights and mosquitoes.

Given the decidedly average weather these last few months, I was surprised to find out just how bad the water levels are in France (see page 3). I guess that because we haven't been through a heatwave, it doesn't feel like there could be water shortages. It's obvious when you think about it, though: it's less about how hot is has been and much more about how much rain has fallen in the

last 12 months. And now that I think about it, it hasn't rained half as much this spring as you would usually expect. April showers? Not really, just a bit grey and average.

It is a huge concern and it is becoming increasingly hard to argue that the climate is not changing. And if you can notice that change in the space of half a middle-aged life, then you've probably got big problems down the line.

Last year I moved from the Creuse, where droughts quickly lead to severe food shortages for the region's livestock, to the Charente-Maritime, where vines are so important to the local economy. Just after we arrived in the area one year ago, a huge hailstorm swept through southwestern France and destroyed everything in its path. It was a narrow strip of weather, but the vineyards that were hit lost everything. Between droughts, frosts, floods and insects, it sometimes feels like a miracle that there's a harvest at all!

If the weather continues to get more unpredictable, it could literally change everything around here. When

almost all of France's vines were wiped out in the mid19th century by the Phylloxera aphid, it devastated large parts of the country. The industry would eventually bounce back thanks to grafts and Phylloxera-resistant grape varieties brought in from America, but not before much hardship had been endured. It seems less and less far-fetched that a severe climate event could one day deal an equally big blow to industries that are so reliant on the weather for their survival.

Speaking of the weather, the silver lining that is my life has a large cloud brewing in the centre... an impending marathon visit by the in-laws!

I would say it's that time of the year again, but it feels more accurate to say, it's that time of the month... I think they might secretly be gunning for the 183 days in one year that makes them eligible to be French residents!!

As I said, we moved house last year. I'd like to say that it was for job opportunities, that it was time for a change, that it was because we found a perfect school in this area, but the honest answer is that I just wanted a house with exactly t h e - n u m b e r- of- c h i ld r e n - I have-plus-one bedrooms to make it harder for people to stay. And by people, I mean my in-laws, everyone else is welcome!

It was the perfect plan: “No spare bedrooms, I'm afraid, but here are the details for a

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few local gîtes... what do you mean they're all full, what a shame, how about this one... yes it is quite expensive, sorry about that, but there's nowhere else... maybe next year then.”

Wall-to-wall peace and quiet, here we come!!

The reality was somewhat different: “Yes dear, the kids could do with new beds I suppose... oh, Ikea's open today is it, we'll pop down... yes, her room is quite big, I suppose it probably could take a double... hang on, why does he need a bunk bed... they're coming for how long?!!”

Like the condemned man, I should just stop fighting it and accept my fate with what little dignity I have left. It will surely not be too long before I'm building an annexe and helping them fill in their carte de séjour applications.

Until next month!

Steve Martindale, Editor

INSIDE this edition 3-5 Local News 6-12 National News 13 Bilingual 14-15 French Life 16-23 Directory 24-25 Community 26-28 What’s On

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Central France on drought warning

M

a y b e climate change is to blame, or perhaps it is just a statistical anomaly, but the weather does seem to be increasingly unpredictable in recent times. This year alone the Limousin has already seen temperatures in the high twenties in February, followed by festival-goers catching hypothermia in sub-zero temperatures in May (see page 4). Now, despite rainfall towards the end of April, large parts of the country are gearing up for drought conditions this summer.

The situation appears to be particularly bad in central France, with a number of departments already announcing water-restriction measures.

The threat level has been raised to yellow in the Creuse and Charente departments, orange in the Vienne and red – the highest level – in the Indre. Across the country, eleven departments have already raised the drought alert.

After initially being placed under a period of surveillance in March, the Prefecture of the Creuse officially declared the department on a drought alert towards the end of April, saying that “The negative trend of recent weeks... has led the Prefect to convene the drought committee and to move the department to an alert level by drafting a decree accompanied by measures to limit the use of water.

This decision is taken due to the exceptional situation observed in April, and in particular by the general decline in river flows.”

“The level of water in our rivers is comparable today to what we would expect to see in July or August,” explained the Creuse Prefecture. “In addition, we have a very low water table, in some parts at a level we have not seen in 60 years.”

Elsewhere in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the water level in the Garonne river - which supplies 1.5 million people and

The Limousin board game of local knowledge

A

lthough it may seem that kids spend all their spare time staring at mobile phones and playing video games, traditional board games are seeing a remarkable resurgence in France. May saw the 20th annual World Board Game Day take place and towns and cities across the country took the opportunity to bring people together to enjoy a game.

irrigates 100,000 hectares of land - is half of what would be expected for the month of May. “Water restriction measures allow us to monitor levels more closely, and to raise awareness among the public of what a reasonable usage level is,” said Emmanuelle Wargon, secretary of State at the ecology ministry, who pointed out that

while the ground may appear to be damp with flourishing vegetation at surface level, there is not enough groundwater underneath.

“Vegetation grows as quickly as it rains, and it consumes all of the surface water from the rain, without it being able to go into the water table,” explained Stéphane Peillet, a farmer and vicepresident in charge of

water at the Chamber of Agriculture in the Rhône, another department on yellow alert.

According to Emmanuelle Wargon: “We know that we are likely to have tensions over water every year going forwards due to climate change. The question is, how can we share resources better? How can we save water in all conditions?” ■

“It's a festival that is aimed at everyone, both young and old,” explained Jean-Pierre Guerra from the Cité des Jeux in Limoges. “In fact, it is usually the parents who want to stay longer!”

One addition to the ever growing number of games available this year was the “Limousin Cube”, a game of local knowledge designed to be simple and portable. The game has 400 questions on the Limousin and the format will be familiar to anyone who has played Trivial Pursuit. The four categories are history, culture, tourist sites and cuisine, and the questions have been collated by local authors Franck Linol and Pierre Carbonnier.

“The idea is to bring local knowledge to a wider public, to those who prefer to learn in a different, more fun way,” explained Romain Naudin from Geste, the company that makes the game. ■

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Illegal ravers suffer hypothermia Teenager crowdfunds local music festival

I

n May, ten thousand ravers descended on the Creuse for the 26th edition of Teknival – an illegal techno festival that takes place annually on or around 1st May - but this year's event did not go according to plan! Organisers of the two-day festival are understandably secretive and the location is only revealed at the last minute in an attempt to avoid being shut down by authorities.

There had been rumours that the 2019 edition would take place somewhere in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and indeed the prefectures of the Creuse, Haute-Vienne and Corrèze all released pre-emptive decrees, banning the event. One outlawed “any gathering of a musical nature other than those legally declared or authorised in advance” between 3rd and 7th May. Another banned “the transport of sound systems destined for a gathering of a musical nature”.

The location was finally revealed as an army camp near La Courtine, on the Millevache plateau in the south of the Creuse, where revellers began to assemble on the night of Friday 3rd May. Although several vehicles car-

rying amps and speakers were stopped by gendarmes, there were soon as many as 10,000 enthusiastic techno fans gathered at the site.

Unfortunately, there was one unwelcome guest, the weather, and during the night of Saturday 4th May, temperatures plummeted to a decidedly chilly -3 degrees and the site, which is more than 800 metres above sea level, was covered in a thick blanket of snow!

Ultimately, thirty people had to be treated for hypothermia and two more were hospitalised. Organisers put a heated tent on the muddy hilltop site, which belongs

to the French military, and the Red Cross distributed 500 survival blankets to freezing ravers.

Thanks to the brutally unseasonable weather, only around 2,500 hardy festival-goers remained to “enjoy” the second day of music.

The army, which also owned the site of last year's event, has lodged an official complaint with the government. In 2018, the festival took place at a former army base in the Marne department in northern France, where organisers were accused by conservation groups of disturbing a nature zone and unsettling local birdlife in the area. ■

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eptember will see a music festival with a difference take place in the tiny commune of Bord-Saint-Georges, in the north of Creuse.

The event is the brainchild of local teenager Augustin Cimbault, who has organised the festival himself and is hoping to fund it through a crowdfunding website.

The 14-year-old musical entrepreneur is already making a name for himself through the numerous concerts he puts on across the Limousin with his four younger siblings, under the name Soleils en Confettis. The brothers and sisters play a wide variety of instruments and both write and arrange much of their own music.

The upcoming festival, which has already received half of the money required through crowdfunding, is scheduled for the weekend of 27-29 September and will see ten concerts take place, as well as other associated events. The music will cover a wide range of genres, from traditional music to rock and swing, as well as a concert by respected quartet Sweet Note in Paris. There will also be a randonnée musicale, where walkers will be entertained at eight stops along the route by musical recitals.

To find out more about the event, or help fund this worthwhile initiative, visit www.jadopteunprojet.com and search for “Festival de musique à Bord-Saint-Georges” ■

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Much of the Limousin could soon return to 90 km/h >> continued from pg 1 feel accountable for any future rise in road deaths.

The number of accidents on the country's roads has a natural variation year on year, but over the past fifty years, successive - equally unpopular road safety changes have resulted in the number of road deaths being cut by a factor of six. Experts predicted that the latest change would save 400 lives per year and figures suggest that there have indeed been fewer road deaths since the reduced speed limit came into effect.

This has not stopped many local presidents from declaring that they will be raising the speed limit on large portions of their road networks as soon as possible. “This measure, decided from Paris without consultation, has turned out to be very unpopular, especially in rural areas,” said Marc Gaudet, president of the Loiret department. “I am therefore delighted that the State has placed the choice with local authorities who, due to their intimate knowledge of the area, are far better placed to decide on local matters.”

The elected official has announced that he will be raising the speed limit on the entirety of the department's RN roads (route nationale) and will also do

so on the secondary road network on a case by case basis, factoring in safety concerns. The president of the Côted’Or department is equally opposed to government interference in local matters and has said that 90% of his network would immediately return to 90 km/h: “I do not need injunctions from Paris, either to define the appropriate speed on my roads, or to give me road safety lessons.”

Supporters of the reduced speed limit have warned that opponents may find that their victory turns out to be a Pyrrhic one. “For all those against the measure, the 80 km/h limit has become emblematic of the evils of centralised government,” explained one specialist at the heart of government. “But this is disingenuous of them and they have now put pressure on themselves, because if they raise the speed limit, they have to take responsibility for any future road deaths.”

It is a pressure that some officials have already recognised: raise the speed limit and be responsible for avoidable deaths, or do nothing and find the population's anger directed away from the Elysée Palace and towards local authorities.

As a result, at a recent meeting of departmental heads, representatives wrote a letter to the government asking

that “any decision by the president of the department should be taken with the option of seeking the opinion of the prefect”. In other words, any decision should be taken by the departmental council in partnership with the State's top local civil servant; both local authorities and central government should bear responsibility if it all goes wrong.

One other impact the decision may have is a challenge to speeding fines handed out in the last year. According to Rémy Josseaume, a lawyer specialising in road law, new government regulations “automatically apply retroactively to all ongoing proceedings”, and could

therefore lead to the cancellation of hundreds of thousands of ongoing speeding cases.

The lawyer added that motorists who have already paid any fines or who have already faced court proceedings will not, however, be able to make such claims as their cases have been closed.

With so much uncertainty around, drivers should stay aware and pay close attention to roadside speed signs.

Although many departments have declared their intentions, any changes will first require an amendment to the law by the French parliament and this is unlikely to happen before the summer recess. ■

6 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

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EasyJet bans nuts

Farmer enrols sheep at local primary school

I

n recent years, rural communities have been battling the closure of local schools as budgets tighten and urban migration leads to a decline in the number of children enrolling. Many areas are being forced to meet thresholds just to keep classes open and despite combining with neighbouring communes, schools often struggle to hit targets.

When numbers fell from 266 to 261 at Crêts-en-Belledonne, a village at the foot of the Alps, locals were told that one of the eleven classes faced closure. The situation led a local farmer to take matters into his own hands and enrol 15 sheep into the town's primary school to boost student numbers.

ronment” due to “cross-contamination”. Air France states that it can offer passengers an “allergen-free meal” if it is requested in advance, but says it “cannot guarantee the absence of food allergen traces in our meals, both on board and at the airport”.

EasyJet concedes that while it is “not possible to ban nuts on all flights”, as other passengers may bring them on board despite being requested not to, it will take action in extreme cases. “When a passenger who suffers from a severe nut allergy, which can result in anaphylaxis, is traveling with us we will request that other passengers traveling on the flight do not consume nuts that they have brought with them on board.”

The move by easyJet comes almost three years after British teenager Natasha EdnanLaperouse collapsed and died during a British Airways flight from Heathrow to Nice in July 2016. The girl had a severe sesame seed allergy, and suffered a reaction after eating a baguette from food outlet Pret A Manger, which did not list sesame seeds on its ingredients label. She died hours after eating the sandwich, despite her father administering two EpiPen injections on the plane. ■

tion authority of being more concerned about numbers than about the children’s education and welfare.

Elsewhere in France, one enterprising mayor had another way of combatting dwindling population numbers and the threat of school closures... free Viagra! “A village without children is a village that dies,” pronounced Jean Debouzy, mayor of Montereau in the Loiret department south of Paris, who is looking to add to the 650 people currently living in the commune.

The municipal decree, published in May states that “The pills will be distributed to couples between the ages of 18 and 40 in order to

Screenshot: FranceBleuIsère

L

ow-cost airline easyJet have announced plans to ban all nuts from their flights in a bid to protect those with severe allergic reactions. “We have stopped all sales of peanuts and other nuts on board and we will also take out the last products containing nuts over the next few months,” the company said in a statement. As well as removing nuts from the menu, the no-frills airline will also stop passengers consuming nuts on board if there is a passenger with a declared allergy.

“The safety and welfare of all of our customers and crew is our highest priority so we have a number of procedures in place to assist customers travelling with a nut allergy,” said an easyJet spokesperson. “We ask that any customers with a nut allergy notify us ahead of travel and we will request that other passengers travelling on the flight do not consume any products containing nuts that they have brought with them on board.”

The company joins a number of other airlines in phasing out the sale on nuts, such as British Airways and Lufthansa, but most say they cannot guarantee a “nut-free envi-

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Along with his dog, the shepherd arrived at school with some 50 sheep in tow; 15 were “officially” registered on production of their birth certificate. Among the new intake were “Shaun”, Dolly”, “Baa-bête” and “SauteMouton” - the sheepish equivalent of 'leapfrog' - all of whom took part in the comic ceremony watched by 200 parents, teachers and children, many bearing signs saying “We are not sheep!”

“Now we won’t have to close any classes,” smiled Gaelle Laval, one of the parents behind the initiative, who accused the national educa-

give them the chance of conception and thus preserve the schools of the two villages,” referring also to a threatened school in a neighbouring village.

The decree said that the village council would also consider offering one-off payments to any couples in the village who had a baby, but despite garnering widespread publicity, there were no queues of young men outside the mairie. In fact, the mayor confessed he didn't even have a stockpile of the famous blue pills. “If needs be I’ll get the agreement of the council and we’ll get a stock in!” ■

8 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JUNE 2019

France to remove a public holiday Reimbursements for homeopathy to end to fund extra care for the elderly

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t is widely expected that the government is to announce the removal of one public holiday in France, with the money raised helping to fund welfare costs for the elderly. Although it is not yet known which day will be chosen, the move looks certain to prove controversial... as it has done in the past.

In the summer heatwave of 2003, as many as 15,000 elderly and vulnerable people died in the sweltering temperatures and the following year, the government decided that lundi de Pentecôte (Whit Monday, or Pentecost) should no longer be one of the country's 11 annual public holidays, but neither would workers be paid for that day. Instead, their wages would be handed over to a fund that would be spent on care for the elderly and disabled; the day was rebranded Solidarity Day. In the face of public anger, however, the change was partially scrapped after just three years, the day was reinstated as a public holiday and companies were then free to assign an annual Solidarity Day as they saw fit, typically on another public holiday or via a reduction in employees' annual leave. Other companies were able to negotiate their own deals, for example the SNCF, where workers put in the equivalent of 1 minute 52 seconds more each day to retain the public holiday.

Self-employed people are also exempt from the scheme, leading many to point out that there is not exactly much égalité amongst the workforce. It is estimated that last year's Solidarity Day raised as much as

€3 billion for the government, but opponents complain that there is little evidence of exactly how and where this money is spent.

“There is no ‘day of solidarity’, it is nothing but PR,” CFTC union president Joseph Thouvenel was quoted as saying by the New York Times. “It has nothing to do with donated wages. That is a lie. It is a salary tax and that’s it. They just don’t have the courage to say so.”

The government has said that the care bill for older people is set to grow by €6.2 billion by 2024, and will cost an estimated €9.2 billion extra by 2030. “This move would allow us to finance extra care, while also protecting the income of the French public,” said Stephane Carcillo, an economic policy advisor at OCDE. “This will bring in more funding, but other solutions will also have to be found.”

It is not yet known which of the public holidays will make way, but given that France is a secular country and May already has a number of other public holidays, lundi de Pentecôte would appear to be a prime contender; although the exact date moves around, it often falls in May. What would then happen to Solidarity Day also remains to be seen, but the government has suggested any changes would be in addition to the current situation. One thing that can confidently be predicted, however, is that the country's still-powerful unions are unlikely to accept an extra day's unpaid work for their members without a fight. ■

Montpellier and Manchester United You would be forgiven for thinking that any headline containing the words Manchester, Montpellier and United should belong on the back pages of a newspaper, but rather than referring to the famous Red Devils, the United in this case represents the twinning of the two cities. The move follows a meeting of the cities' leaders at a recent UK France mayors’ summit following input from both countries' foreign offices and the UK's ambassador to France, Lord Edward Llewellyn.

“It is a twinning in the making,

a partnership that is being built as a result of international events,” explained the French city's mayor Philippe Saurel. “Britain will leave the European Union and after Brexit, the will of the British government has been to resume dialogue with France not just through official diplomacy between states, but by popular diplomacy between cities.”

“This is a great privilege, when you consider that Manchester has 80,000 students, that its metropolitan area contains 4 million people, that it is a city with a wide range of

industry... not to mention two football teams in the Premiership!”

Montpellier is the seventh largest city in France with a metropolitan population of just over 600,000, although thanks to three higher education establishments and three universities, as many as 70,000 residents are students.

Returning to the back pages, at the time of print, Montpellier sit fifth in France's top flight Ligue 1 with one game to go. With the top four teams qualifying for Europe, a match-up between the two cities may have to wait for another season or two! ■

A

fter a lengthy study, the country's health authority, the HAS (Haute Autorité de Santé), has recommended that the government ends the reimbursement of homeopathic remedies. France has been an eager consumer of homeopathy and, despite a lack of scientific support for the benefits, the industry is still worth over €600 million per year.

The government has come under increasing pressure to rule on the efficacy of homeopathy, which led to health minister Agnès Buzyn asking the HAS to consider the issue. Following the study of 1,200 products, the authority concluded that these remedies “provide insufficient medical service” to patients and recommended that they no longer be reimbursed at all by the State. Under current rules, 30% of the cost is reimbursed under the Assurance Maladie healthcare system. The government is now expected to make a final decision in June.

Last year, a group of 124 prominent doctors released a statement attacking the “alternative medicine” industry - under which banner they included homeopathy - that they claimed was being practised by “charlatans of every type who seek moral authority in the title of doctor in order to promote the illusory effect of false therapies”.

Practitioners claim that homeopathic remedies can cure all manner of illnesses and complaints and millions are passionate about their benefits. Homeopathy has been around since 1796 and is based on the hypothesis that “like cures like” - a substance that causes the symptoms of a disease in healthy people will cure similar symptoms in sick people.

In general, homeopathic preparations are made using a process of dilution, in which a chosen substance is repeatedly diluted in alcohol or distilled water, usually until the resulting liquid statistically contains zero molecules of the original active ingredient.

The problem for scientists, however, is that repeated studies have failed to provide any empirical evidence of any benefit beyond that of a “sugar pill” placebo affect.

Manufacturers of homeopathic remedies will now have a chance to respond to the HAS study and one has already come out in defence of the industry, if not exactly from a scientific point of view. Boiron, a world leader in homeopathic remedy manufacture, has warned that if reimbursements are cancelled, as many as 1,000 jobs could be at threat. The company pointed out that only €130 million of State money is spent on homeopathy compared to €20 billion on conventional medicine and that this money did guarantee, at the very least, a placebo effect. In the wake of the report, the company has temporarily suspended its share price.

In the UK, the NHS announced a ban on homeopathy and herbal medicine in 2017, which they described as a “misuse of scarce funds”. ■

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Court case reignites right-to-die debate

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he tragic case of Vincent Lambert has led to a further round of heated debate about euthanasia laws in France and a patient's right to die. Following a motorbike accident in 2008, the 42-yearold has severe brain damage and has been in a vegetative state for more than a decade. His subsequent care has divided both his family and the country.

Since his accident, he has been kept alive with food and water delivered through a gastric tube. He can breathe without artificial aid and occasionally opens his eyes, but after several years of trying to improve his condition, Mr Lambert's medical team recommended in 2013 that care should stop, in consultation with his wife Rachel.

Despite the doctors' advice, because the rest of his family were not initially consulted, the decision was challenged in court and the lengthy legal battle over his care began. His wife, six of his siblings and his nephew favour artificial life-support being ended - but his devoutly Roman Catholic parents and two other siblings have remained adamant it should continue.

The case has been the subject of judicial rulings, going as far as the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR),

which upheld the decision of a French court to allow Mr Lambert to be taken off life support in 2015. However, due to fears raised by Pierre Lambert that there was a plan to kidnap his son, doctors did not then carry out the plan.

In May of this year, following a final judicial ruling, a new medical team finally began to withdraw his care. No sooner had his nutrition and hydration been removed, however, than a dramatic decision by a Paris Court of Appeal ordered doctors to resume life support for the quadriplegic patient.

His mother Viviane hailed the latest ruling as “a very big victory” in her struggle to maintain her son's life support, adding: “They are going to restore nutrition and give him drink. For once I am proud of the courts.”

Relatives against ending Mr Lambert's life had previously asked President Emmanuel Macron for help in an open letter, saying: “Mr President, Vincent Lambert will die without hydration in the week of 20 May if you do nothing and you are the last and only one able to intervene. In France, in 2019, no one should die of hunger and thirst.”

Mr Macron rejected the calls to intervene, saying “the decision to stop

treatment was taken after a constant dialogue between his doctors and his wife, who is his legal representative”.

It is not now clear what the future holds for Vincent Lambert and what options remain open to doctors and family. His nephew Francis, who supported the withdrawal of care for his uncle, described restoring treatment as “pure sadism by the medical-judicial system”.

The Pope also became involved in the case, arguing in favour of keeping Mr Lambert alive. “Let us always safeguard life, God’s gift, from its be-

ginning until its natural end. Let us not give in to a throwaway culture,” the pontiff said.

Whilst euthanasia remains illegal in this country, French law allows socalled “passive euthanasia” for seriously ill or injured patients with no chance of recovery, in which the means for keeping someone alive are cut off.

There have been growing calls in recent years for euthanasia laws to be relaxed and the sad case of Vincent Lambert has once again brought this debate to the front pages. ■

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French bear kills Spanish sheep Cost of calls have dwindled, primarily due to hunting. When she emerged from hibernation, it was revealed that Sorita had given birth to two cubs over the winter.

Although there are believed to be around forty brown bears elsewhere in the Pyrenees, there were previously only two other bears in the Béarn area, both of whom were male. According to the ONCFS, the range of a typical female brown bear is about 100 km², which is just one-tenth the range of an adult male.

Although hailed by conservationists, the policy of reintroducing brown bears to the mountains has understandably proved controversial with farmers on both sides of the border and Spanish shepherds are now asking to be given more detailed information on the bears' whereabouts. Both females wear GPS transmitters and Spanish officials want

Storks colonise château

to other EU countries slashed

© Francis C. Franklin (WikiCommons)

T

ensions were raised in the Pyrenees recently when a brown bear released by France crossed over into Spain and killed eight sheep. The female, named Claverina, had crossed from Béarn in southwestern France into the mountains of Navarre on the Spanish side of the border. After the deaths, Spanish environmental officials met with their French counterparts, a number of guard dogs were deployed and some sheep were fitted with tracking devices.

Claverina was recently brought to Béarn from Slovenia along with a second female, Sorita, to help restore the brown bear population in the area. Slovenia has more than 500 brown bears in its Alpine region and has been helping the French National Hunting and Wildlife Agency (ONCFS) to reintroduce the mammals to the Pyrenees, where their numbers

W

France to share the keys to the trackers, so that Navarre shepherds can follow the bears' movements. Currently they learn of Claverina's location after several hours' delay.

Besides the brown bears in the Pyrenees, Spain has a further 300 in its northern Cantabrian mountains. ■

much by the storks as the beautiful ruins.

The castle was used by the Germans in WWII as a munitions store, before being destroyed as the soldiers left. ■

A rundown 13th century castle in Normandy has become the centre of an unusual conservation project. The Château de la Rivière de Saint-Fromond, in the Manche department of Normandy, which was built by the descendants of William the Conqueror, is today home to more than 170 protected storks.

The château is situated in 30,000 hectares of prime marshland, replete with frogs, insects and small mammals, perfect food for the breeding storks. “Storks can eat rodents, but they can also eat amphibians. They have very diverse food sources,” explained Guillaume Hédouin, manager of the Contentin and Bessin natural park marshes. “If it moves, they will not hesitate to eat it. They are very greedy!”

Game of Drones

Police in the Essonne department have carried out their first ever traffic stops using drones. In the presence of invited journalists, specialist officers deployed two drones carrying cameras which monitored a section of the A126, just south of Paris.

In conjunction with teams on the ground, police were specifically targeting motorbike riders overtaking dangerously on the stretch of road which is a notorious accident blackspot. Over the course of two hours, 64 infringements were recorded, more than double that which would be expected by a traditional ground-based team.

The drones act as eyes-in-the-sky for the traffic police, who otherwise find it difficult to see infractions in process and pull over riders. By using the airborne cameras, operators simply notify colleagues further down the road of the offence, who then pull the rider over as they approach. The majority of the PVs (procès-verbal) handed out were for overtaking illegally by crossing a solid white line, an infraction that will cost you 3 points off your licence and a €135 fine.

Drones are particularly useful to police for low-level surveillance in built-up areas where helicopter use can be restricted by the presence of airports and hospitals. Drone monitoring of motorway traffic was first promised by former Prime Minister Manuel Valls in 2015 and was previously trialled on the A10 in the Gironde in the summer of 2017. “It is an incredibly efficient tool to have at our disposal, but we will not be using it too ruthlessly,” said one officer. ■

According to local ornithologists, whilst the behaviour is relatively common elsewhere, seeing this many storks nesting together is very rare in France. “In Spain, it is quite common to see storks in churches and on ruins, but in France, it is very rare,” explained local bird watcher Alain Chartier. In fact, the château has seen a surge in numbers, with visitors drawn as

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hatever your views on the European Union (ahem!), one policy that has been almost universally applauded over the years was the phasing out of mobile roaming charges. Gone are the days of returning from holiday to find a three-figure phone bill waiting on your doorstep.

Roaming charges were finally removed altogether in 2017 and today, when you travel to another EU country, you will be billed for calls, SMS and data usage in exactly the same way as if you were using your mobile in your home country.

One area that was left behind, however, were calls from your home country to another country in the EU, the price of which can vary wildly. Following further changes to EU law, from mid-May, calls to EU landlines and mobiles from your country of residence have now also been capped. “After abolishing roaming charges in 2017, the EU has now taken action against the excessive charges for cross-border calls that consumers make from their country,” said Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society.

The new European Commission law states: “Retail prices (excluding VAT) charged to consumers for calls within the regulated European Union may not exceed €0.19 per minute for calls, and €0.06 per SMS.” In France, which has a 20% rate of TVA, this corresponds to 22.8 cents per minute for calls, and 7.2 cents for an SMS. This represents a significant reduction on the prices charged by most of the country's major operators.

The new rules will automatically be applied across the industry, but networks will be required to contact you and offer a choice between sticking with any plan you might be on which includes calls abroad, or to choose the new legal rates. It will be the responsibility of individual users to check whether they will be better off under their existing plans, depending on how many calls they make to other EU countries.

Marking the introduction of the price caps, the European Commission used the example of a mother living in Italy who calls her daughter working in Belgium for an average of two hours a month. Previously the call from an Italian landline would cost 89 cents per minute, which equates to around €105 a month on calls. However, under the new rules the total cost would be €27 for the same amount of time spent calling her daughter - a saving of €78 per month. ■

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Billy Whizz wins first race Doctor charged with poisoning 24 patients

© Caroline Hawkins

A

B

ritish racing sensation Billy Monger celebrated his first victory since losing both legs in a crash after taking the chequered flag at the Euroformula Open race at Pau in southern France. The 20-year-old, whose legs were amputated following a crash during a British F4 race at Donington Park two years ago, took his first single-seater win with his Carlin team, overtaking almost the entire grid in the process.

“Billy Whizz”, as he is affectionately known in the paddock, started the race in 11th place, but came in at the end of the first lap to switch to wet weather tyres. This dropped him to the back of the field, but the gamble paid off as he passed his rivals to move up towards the front of the race. When Motopark duo Julian Hanses and Liam Lawson collided and took each other out, Monger inherited a lead he would not relinquish.

“Can't believe it, I didn't think two years on I'd be winning races!” the 20-year-old said on Twitter following the fairytale win in the foothills of the Pyrenees.

The victory caps a remarkable comeback story. Despite losing his legs in the horrific crash in April 2017, Monger was determined to stay in the sport and returned to racing in a specially adapted car less than a year after the accident.

Monger and his family had successfully appealed to the sport's international governing body, the FIA, to change its regulations restricting disabled drivers from single-seater cars and in September 2018, he claimed his maiden British F3 pole position on his return to Donington Park, the scene of his earlier crash. He finished that season in sixth place, taking two pole positions and three podiums. ■

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his tonsils in February 2016. He was resuscitated by Péchier. The incidents were allegedly more numerous during periods of “intense conflict” between Péchier and his colleagues, Manteaux said.

Péchier's lawyer, Jean-Yves Le Borgne, told reporters that the investigation proved nothing. “There is a possibility that Dr Péchier committed those poisonings but this hypothesis is nothing but a hypothesis. The presumption of innocence must be stressed.”

Péchier has denied the claims, and his lawyers have accused police of tampering with statements he gave during initial questioning. “Whatever the outcome of all this, my career is over,” he said at a press conference.

“You cannot trust a doctor who, at one point, has been labelled a poisoner...

My family is broken and I am afraid for my children.”

Frédéric Berna, a lawyer for the patients and their families, told reporters there was already clear evidence of poisoning in the initial seven cases. “That’s already a strange coincidence,” Berna said. “If the other cases are proven it will be even harder to believe. Do you realise that all these people, including children, went into hospital to be cared for?

Some never came out, others live with, in some cases, serious consequences.” ■

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French anaesthetist has been charged with deliberately tampering with his colleagues' anaesthesia pouches in order to trigger heart attacks and then pose as a hero for bringing them back to life. Frédéric Péchier was already under investigation for seven cases of poisoning, but that total has now been raised to 24 victims, aged from 4 to 80, resulting in nine deaths.

The public prosecutor, Etienne Manteaux, said investigators had looked into more than 66 “serious undesirable events”, but he admitted there was only circumstantial evidence against Péchier in a number of these. Health authorities consider a “serious undesirable event” as one that was “unexpected given the state of health and pathology of the patient” and which results in serious consequences or death.

According to prosecutors, the anaesthetist appeared to be the “common denominator” for the alleged poisonings and was “often in the immediate proximity” of the patients involved and made “an early diagnosis… at a stage when nothing led to suspicions of an overdose of potassium or local anaesthetics”.

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World nettle eating championships

M

ost people will remember playing in the woods as a child and coming across the dreaded stinging nettle! Those painful red stings can still strike fear into your heart as an adult, but to most people nettles are an inconvenience that comes with living in the countryside.

In theory there are many good things that can be said about the humble stinging nettle. The plant, properly known as urtica dioica, is packed with nutrients and goodness: it is rich in iron, potassium, calcium and many other vitamins. Nettles have been used in traditional English stews, teas and beers for centuries, and the French are also not against using them in their cooking. Italians use them for pesto and the Scandinavians make a delicious nettle soup called Nasselsoppa.

But that is when they have been cooked - the problems start when you try to eat them raw. Urtica is covered in thousands of tiny needles, each filled with boric acid. On contact with the skin, the needles break, causing the acid to escape and burn the skin. Ouch!

So why would you want to eat raw stinging nettles?! Well, as is often the case, it all started with a bet. Twenty years ago, two farmers were drinking at The Bottle Inn in Marshwood, Dorset, and arguing about who had the worst problem with nettles in their fields.

“I'll eat any nettle you've got that's bigger than mine!” said one farmer. And that is how the World Stinging Nettle Championships were born.

The event, held each year at that same pub, sees thousands of spectators come from across the country to witness and take part in this painful event.

People have even come from as far as Australia to be part of this bizarre tradition.

Competitors are given 60cm stalks of nettles from which they must pluck and eat the leaves. The bare stalks are then measured and the winner is the person with the greatest accumulated length at the end of one hour. If you vomit, you are disqualified! Competitors are often left with black mouths and tongues from the number of stings they receive. Previous winners have said that the most effective pain relief comes from beer, which is convenient as the competition usually coincides with a beer festival held at the pub!!

The current record, held by Phillip Thorne, is an impressive 24 metres of nettles in just 60 minutes, although the weather plays a big role in the competition. The quality and character of the nettles changes from year to year, with moist, green plants much easier to eat than drier ones. Nearly all the big scores have been achieved following a wet spring.

This year's event, which features categories for men and women, will be held at The Bottle Inn on July 27th. ■

O

Many thanks to local French teacher, Sophie Arsac, for the translation of this month's bilingual article. Why not get in touch with Sophie to see how she can help improve your French! See her advert below.

n se souvient presque tous être tombés sur de redoutables orties lorsque, enfant, on jouait dans les bois... Si ces piqûres rouges et douloureuses laissent parfois une peur bien ancrée chez certains adultes, la plupart d’entre nous les considérons comme un simple désagrément lié à la vie à la campagne.

En théorie, cette modeste plante mérite beaucoup d’éloges. Connue sous le nom latin d’urtica dioica et gorgée de nutriments, elle possède d’autres vertus puisqu’elle est riche en fer, potassium, calcium et autres vitamines. Les Anglais l’incorporent depuis des siècles à leurs ragoûts, leurs thés et leurs bières et les Français ne négligent pas cet ingrédient dans leur cuisine. Les Italiens l’intègrent à leur pesto et les Scandinaves concoctent une soupe délicieuse au nom de Nasselsoppa.

Tant qu’elle est cuite, tout va bien : c’est quand on essaye de la manger crue que les problèmes surgissent. L’urtica est couverte de milliers de poils minuscules contenant de l’acide borique. Au contact de la peau, le poil se casse, l’acide s’échappe et occasionne une brûlure… Aïe…

Diantre ! D’où pourrait venir l’idée saugrenue de vouloir manger des orties crues ??

Et bien… comme cela est bien souvent le cas… tout a commencé par un pari. Il y a 20 ans, deux fermiers se chamaillaient autour d’un verre à « The Bottle Inn », un pub situé à Marshwood, dans le Dorset. Chacun se targuait de rencontrer davantage de problèmes dans leurs champs respectifs. « Je mangerai toutes tes orties qui seront plus hautes que les miennes ! » dit l’un d’entre eux. Et c’est comme ça que naquit le Championnat Mondial des Mangeurs d’Orties Crues…

L’événement, tenu chaque année dans le même pub, rameute des milliers de spectateurs venus de tout le pays pour assister et participer à ce douloureux spectacle. Certains viennent même d’Australie pour se joindre à cette tradition pour le moins bizarre.

Dotés d’orties de 60 cm de longueur, les concurrents doivent en retirer les feuilles et les avaler. Au bout d’une heure, toutes les branches dénudées sont mesurées et le gagnant est celui qui aura ingéré la plus grande longueur d’orties. Toute personne qui vomit est disqualifiée ! A cause des piqûres, les concurrents se retrouvent souvent avec la bouche et la langue noircies. D’après les précédents vainqueurs, la meilleure façon de soulager la douleur est de boire de la bière, ce qui tombe bien puisque la compétition coïncide généralement avec un festival de la bière organisé dans le même pub !!

Le record est détenu par Phillip Thorne qui a ingurgité une longueur impressionnante de 24 mètres d’orties en 60 minutes exactement.

Il faut savoir que le temps joue un rôle important dans cette compétition. La qualité et les caractéristiques des plantes varient d’une année sur l’autre, selon l’humidité. Les orties les plus vertes s’ingèrent plus facilement que les plus sèches et les meilleurs scores ont généralement fait suite à des printemps humides.

Cette année, le concours de la « Bottle Inn » se tiendra le 27 juillet et sera ouvert aux catégories masculines et féminines. ■

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The versatility of garlic

by Julia Watson

Y

ou know you’re in France as soon you set foot in the Paris Metro. It’s not just the idiosyncratic door opener, more suited in design as the lock to a public loo, but the miasma of garlic that hangs in the air. It’s the one vegetable that distinguishes the British nation from the French. Its flavour brought fear (and frequent loathing) to the hearts of post-war eaters introduced to this member of the allium family through the cookbooks of Elizabeth David in the 1950s. Eating garlic separated the men from the boys (women, in those days, generally being the person assigned to cooking duties and in whose gift, therefore, it was to use the root or not).

It’s curious it took us so long to discover the flavouring. Garlic has been known since the time of the ancient Egyptians. In a rather high-handed tone, ancient Romans described it as “much used for food among the poor.”

Way back in those days, it was also recognised for its medicinal properties.

Studies today have confirmed it contains high levels of vitamins and a large number of nutrients from calcium to iron and phosphorus necessary to the functioning of our immune system.

Garlic can reduce colds and the duration of a cold. It’s said to have an impact on reducing blood pressure and in consequence cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and heart attack. There are studies that suggest it can also assist in controlling the development of Alzheimer’s and dementia, though these studies have their sceptics.

Native to central Asia with at least 120 cultivars, garlic grows wild all over the place.

Walk through a wood in Scotland in late spring and the scent of garlic fills the air, while the firework sparkles of its white flowers indicate that its best picking time is now past.

Its leaves make a good pesto, eliminating the need for the clove of garlic and the basil, the

essential base to which are added the pine nuts or walnuts, oil and Pecorino Romano of the original Genoese recipe.

In France, three types of garlic have been awarded protected AOC status. Not just the familiar Ail tose de Lautrec, the rose pink garlic of the Lautrec region most readily found in markets in spring, but the Ail blanc de Lomagne from Gascony, and Ail de la Drôme. These are the garlics to be most simply experienced by rubbing a cut clove (leave its peel on for grip) over a thick slice of sourbread toast before drizzling over a glug of good olive oil and a grinding of black pepper. Add diced sunripe tomato and you have bruschetta (pronounced ‘broosketta’, please, never ‘brooshetta’).

Regular garlic is all you need for cooking. And if you come across those large containers of ready-peeled cloves, one way to use them is to confit them. Set them in a small saucepan and cover them with vegetable oil to rise 1 centimetre above them and simmer them over the lowest possible heat until they begin to turn a soft gold. Let them cool and store them in the fridge for adding to roast chicken or other baked dishes, using the flavoured oil to baste, or serve them to hearty (brave?) gourmets in a bowl, stabbing some of them with toothpicks, to eat with aperitifs.

This method produces deliciously squishy, caramelised cloves. Or spread them over a slice of toast.

Garlic is a good ‘elevator’ of food. Its flavour convinces the diner you’ve spent time and effort over your cooking as in this recipe that impresses but which comes together with very little time and effort. It will do its stuff in the oven while you are outside with your aperitif and confit garlic, enjoying the wonderful June weather. ■ Julia Watson has been a long-time Food Writer for newspapers and magazines in the US and the UK.

HIGH GROUND DEVELOPMENT

Baked garlic chicken breast Ingredients (serves 4): 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts A wineglassful of bought mayonnaise 65g grated Comte, Parmesan, or other hard cheese 2-3 tablespoons fine breadcrumbs 1 or 2 finely chopped cloves of peeled garlic to taste 2 tablespoons finely chopped tarragon A little milk in a dinner plate Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste Preheat oven to 200C. Line a baking sheet with buttered greaseproof paper.

In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, garlic, herbs and cheese. Season with salt and black pepper.

Dip each chicken breast in the milk and lay it on the baking sheet.

Spread each chicken breast with the mayonnaise mix and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Remove from oven and sprinkle over the breadcrumbs then return to the oven and bake for a further 15-20 minutes till the juices run clear. If the breadcrumbs haven’t turned gold, set them under a hot grill for a minute or two.

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Take control of your finances in an uncertain world - Blevins Franks

T

hey say the only certainties in life are death and taxes; at times like these, this has never seemed more true! As the UK enters unchartered waters with Brexit, there is much we do not know about what the future will bring.

However, there are some things you can be sure of and that you can control to your benefit, whatever happens around us.

Taxation of assets Double tax treaties, such as the one between the UK and France, are independent of the EU. So if you are resident here, your existing tax treatment will not change with Brexit, or any other external influence.

Something that can make a significant difference to the way you are taxed is the way you structure your assets and wealth.

You can usually find France-compliant investment opportunities that can offer significant tax benefits, while also providing additional benefits like currency and income flexibility.

Meanwhile, expatriates who favour UK-centric assets and investments are more likely to see increased taxation with Brexit, as some non-EU/EEA assets are treated differently.

For example, once UK life assurance policies, such as investment bonds, become non-EU/EEA assets, they may no longer qualify for the full beneficial tax treatment given to assurance-vie and EU capital redemption bonds.

At any time, the UK can potentially increase the tax burden for non-residents, as has happened recently with property. 2015 brought new capital gains tax liability for non-residents on UK residential property; from 5 April 2019 this also applies to commercial property. And in 2017, UK residential property owned through certain offshore structures became liable for UK inheritance tax alongside other worldwide property.

Tougher tax rules are also possible following a change in UK govern-

ment, including the possibility of a new wealth tax on higher-value UK assets.

A locally-based adviser can advise about asset protection and how you can take advantage of tax-efficient opportunities for residents in France.

Taxation of pensions A similar threat hangs over UK pensions. Today, UK pensions can potentially be accessed by Britons abroad without paying any UK tax (under the double tax agreements). Brexit will not change this, but the government may take steps to recoup more taxes from expatriate pensions.

The 25% ‘overseas transfer charge’ introduced in 2017 may indicate things to come. Currently, EU residents are only affected if transferring UK pension funds to Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes (QROPS) outside the EU/EEA, but the scope may increase after Brexit.

Once you no longer live in Britain, you may find fewer advantages to keeping UK pensions where they are, but it is essential to take regulated, personalised pensions advice to establish the most suitable approach for your personal circumstances and goals. If you are considering transferring, review your options now, before the tax-free window potentially closes.

Investments It is not just Brexit that can disrupt investment and currency markets today. At any given time, external influences and events can unexpectedly shift the direction of markets.

Diversification is the key to minimising risk. A portfolio made up of a mixture of asset types – including cash, equities and bonds – from different countries, regions and market sectors is best placed to ride out turbulence. This approach reduces exposure to under-performance in any single area and enables the opportunity to produce positive returns over time.

Conversely, if you mainly hold UK

Buying or Selling French Property?

Legal advice from English-speaking lawyers Also the #1 portal for property auctions

www.frenchpropertylawyer.fr

05 55 82 18 99

assets, your returns will be more vulnerable to the fortunes of sterling and the British economy during these uncertain times.

Of course, you need to make sure your investments offer the right balance of risk and return for your peace of mind. An experienced financial professional can use the appropriate tools to create a clear and objective risk profile for you.

Estate planning While we cannot avoid death, with good estate planning we can control who receives our legacy and when.

Even after Brexit, you can override local ‘forced heirship rules’ by applying the law of your nationality to your estate instead through the EU regulation, ‘Brussels IV’. While this would ensure your legacy is distributed according to your written wishes, beware this can have tax implications.

If you are seen as UK-domiciled your estate is liable to UK inheritance tax as well as local succession taxes

in your country of residence.

It is possible to restructure your wealth to reduce tax liabilities at the same time as ensuring your chosen heirs receive your gift at the right time, so explore your options.

With careful tax, pensions, investments and estate planning, you can steer your financial future in the right direction. Cross-border financial planning is complex and needs to be designed around your specific circumstances and wishes, so take specialist advice for the best results. ■ All advice received from Blevins Franks is personalised and provided in writing. This article, however, should not be construed as providing any personalised taxation or investment advice. Keep up to date on the financial issues that may affect you on the Blevins Franks news page at www.blevinsfranks.com Tel: 05 53 63 49 19 Email: bergerac@blevinsfranks.com

16 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JUNE 2019

BUSINESS DIRECTORY Champlong Chatterie

Animals & Pets

Caring, quiet accommodation just for cats

Animals & Pets >> pg 16 Antiques/Brocantes >> pg 16 Auto Services >> pg 16 Building Services >> pg 16-18 Chimney Sweeps >> pg 18-19 Cleaning Services >> pg 19 Computers/Satellites >> pg 19 Counselling & Support Services >> pg 19 Food & Drink >> pg 19 Garden Services >> pg 19-21 Gifts & Crafts >> pg 21 Handholding Services >> pg 21

RING BILL! Registered Car Mechanic

05.55.81.31.85

See Display Ad Below

JUNCT 22 off A20, Arnac la Poste

Dog Guest Home (NOT KENNELS)

Alison & Ray

Tel: 05 55 60 27 83

Your dog(s) looked after indoors at our country home with a safe enclosed garden area.

Walked twice a day in our woods and surrounding fields.

Must be able to socialise with other dogs.

Free introductory trial: morning or afternoon.

Nr. Châteauneuf-La-Foret, Linards.

30 mins from Limoges airport.

Fully booked: 20th to 27th July.

15€ / night Call Jane:

05 55 00 34 79/06 18 58 93 88 or Emily: 06 71 15 15 65 waggingtails87@hotmail.com Siret: 792 142 341 00017

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

LA BRAUDERIE BROCANTE Le Bourg, Chavanat 23250

OPEN MOST DAYS RING TO CHECK

Valhalla dog holidays

Tel: 07 80 00 46 23 UK: +44 (0)7902 838 776 siret: 803 910 942 00025

Auto Services

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

Building Services Architects/Surveyors CHARTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEER

Antiques/ Brocantes

Pre-purchase & Structural Surveys.

Verbal & written reports.

Structural calculations & drawings.

Redevelopment ideas & solutions.

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

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

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

At Masterplans.eu we can help guide you through your planning application in France.

From initial feasibility to completed dossiers.

We will compile all the relevant drawings and complete the necessary paperwork to ensure your application proceeds smoothly.

We are equally at home working with clients here in France or those living abroad.

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

05 55 80 42 47

MOTOR PARTS

leaberry24@yahoo.co.uk

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

or email

siret: 810 192 807 00016

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93

CHARENTE

+44 (0)7830 170761

motorptscharente@aol.com

ACCOUNTING SERVICES: Accounts, taxreturns, annual submissions, book-keeping, etc. for small businesses & MEs ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES: Help with French system admin, translations, letter writing, etc.

06 59 04 27 31

info@arcpod.org

based Bessines (87)

siret: 814 486 213 00014

Architectural DRAWING SERVICE Renovating your French property?

05 55 81 31 85 ■ Services ■ Brakes ■ MOT Prep

General Carpentry & Cabinet Making also undertaken

www.psandifer.fr

Tel: 05 44 30 16 78 Siret: 811 511 278 00020

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93

Carpenter

Siret 798 692 778 00011

Building Services Carpenters/Joiners

06 45 82 34 03

A. Wright

Your advert here

see main ad - pg 11

06 04 17 80 93

Carpenter & Joiner 06 35 12 10 66

Mini Digger

DAVID CARDWELL

Landscaping, Ditching, Land Clearance etc.

Hedge Removal and Stone Wall Construction

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

John Bonella

05 55 53 03 56

siret no. 523 183 580 00019

Snooker/Pool/Billiard Table Specialist

SIRET: 493 770 358 00015

lavieilleabbaye@orange.fr

87440 Marval

(contrôle technique)

(Modern and Antique)

Tel: 05 53 52 36 05

Dossiers prepared Permis de Construire Déclarations Préalables

with Driver for Hire

Registered Car Mechanic

Furniture Repair, Restoration & Upholstery

All types Best Rates Available Immediately References available Call Mark:

New build?

www.motorpartscharente.com

RING BILL!

SIRET: 494 617 798 00017

ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES: Plans, elevations, RT calculations, photo-realisations & all paperwork for planning applications (<150m2)

JOHN SOWERSBY

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

Health & Beauty >> pg 21 Insurance & Finance >> pg 21 Language Services >> pg 22 Pest Control >> pg 22 Pools & Spas >> pg 22 Property Maintenance >> pg 22 Property Sales >> pg 22 Retail & Commerce >> pg 22-23 Transport/Removals/Storage >> pg 23 General >> pg 23 Businesses for Sale >> pg 23

john.bonella@gmail.com

PROFESSIONAL

BUILDER

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

DIRECTORY ♦ 17

JUNE 2019 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

CARPENTER AND BUILDER

QUALITY WORKMANSHIP SINCE 1986 Building • Roofing • Kitchens • Joinery

Portfolio available to view at

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

INSTALLATION23 - Electricity - Plumbing - Small renovations (bathrooms, kitchens, etc.)

- Fully Insured Dutch and English spoken Creuse / Puy-de-Dôme

See our Display Ad pg 16

Carlos

Fosse Septique 23

GODSON

05 55 62 63 82

Steve. JOHNS. SARL

Fosse Septique Specialists

see main ad below

SAS Masters

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

www.masters-energies.com

Classical Carpentry

Lumiere Service et Energie

Pink Electrique

Ruth & Geoff Kowalczyk Project management. All electrical work, home automation & security. Please see our website for more information. French qualified and insured.

30+ years worldwide experience.

Departments covered: 23, 36, 87.

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

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

BARWICK ÉLECTRICITÉ SHAUN BARWICK QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN

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

Tel: 09 72 35 74 73

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

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

Electrician/Plumber

Building Services Electricians

Available in white, beige & oak woodgrain.

We now offer a supply only service on our made to measure windows.

Visit our website for more information.

87800 Jourgnac

Siret: 753 054 030 00014

see main ad below

uPVC windows, doors, porches & conservatories

www.upvc-solutions.webs.com

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

www.classicalcarpentry.fr 05 55 65 15 31 / 06 02 25 41 58

LVL

upvc-solutions

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

E-mail: installation23@gmail.com

Neuvialle Menuiserie

Building Services Fosses Septiques

05 55 78 66 35 see main ad - pg 2

Steven Rofe 28 Years' experience

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 siret: 824 706 444 00018

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

www.roferenovation.com

See full list of works carried out on the website Siret No. 501.792.386.00010

SALAMANDRE

électricité

Building Services General Le Pic épeiche

Constructions & Renovations Traditional Carpentry & Roofing.

Experienced, fully registered artisan.

Plasterboarding. Full house/barn renovation.

From start to finish.

Contact Gareth:

07 61 28 87 34

Email: lepicepeiche@outlook.fr

Keith SLOPER

SIRET : 829.920.248.00012

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

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

STEVE'S PROPERTY MAINTENANCE Roofing, Building, Renovations, Plastering & stud walls, ... and more!

Fully insured. e: lowe.steven@orange.fr

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

Dave Cardwell - Builder

05 55 98 24 12

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

A. Wright

Carpenter & Joiner 06 35 12 10 66 see main ad - pg 11

WASTE REMOVAL 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 www.facebook.com/willwhiting87/ siret 532 981 198 00015

Au Savoir Faire Renovations & New Builds www.au-savoir-faire.com 06 38 10 71 78 - see main ad pg 8

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

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

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

siret: 842 233 108 00013

Siret: 498 203 652 00017

email: davis-davis@sfr.fr

Reproduction Oak French windows made to order, email for details:

barlowbatiment@icloud.com siret: 843 900 838 00015

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

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

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

• Painting/Decorating • Labouring • Pressure Washing • General DIY No job too small, just give me a call!!

All areas covered - Based nr Aubusson (23)

05 55 83 02 77 / 06 30 90 58 90 jonathanpiddock@orange.fr Siret: 523 955 151 00015

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

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

ELECTRICIAN/PLUMBER

lorrainemquintana@gmail.com

05 55 62 63 82

siret: 829 638 741 00019

Keith Brown Roofs, stairs, shutters, decking, gazebos...

30 years’ experience.

Full décennale insurance guarantee. keith@classicalcarpentry.fr

T: 05 55 65 15 31

M: 06 02 25 41 58

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

Siret: 802 265 728

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

Visit our website

www.classicalcarpentry.fr

NEUVIALLE MENUISERIE JOINERY

18 ♦ DIRECTORY Building Services General La Noneix

Construction & Property Services

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

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JUNE 2019

Harlequin Developments est. 2007

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

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

05.55.68.67.56 06.06.60.46.97

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

harlequindevelopments@live.com www.harlequindevelopments.com

05.55.66.44.06 www.lanoneix.com

Building Services Groundworks

Large or small projects undertaken - please view our website.

Contact: Paul or Joanne Rands

Paul.rands@orange.fr SIRET: 501 144 596 00019

Stephen Cullinane & Son From the foundations to the roof Established 13 years in France 05 55 81 00 53 - see pg 9

Entreprise Hines

Building & Renovation ● Roofing - New & Repairs ● Masonry ● Plastering ● Dry Lining ● Sand Blasting ● Scaffold Hire ● ... and much, much more

40 years qualified experience

05.55.89.69.46

SIRET: 494.501.067.00016

High Ground Development andy@hgdev.co.uk www.hgdev.co.uk see main ad - pg 14

Mini-Digger with driver

05.55.53.03.56

john.bonella@gmail.com See Main Ad pg 16

RSW Entreprises

Fosse Septiques/Micro stations

05.55.80.00.57

See our Display Ad - pg 12

M&M EXCAVATION SERVICES

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

05 55 63 58 85 / 06 42 23 38 57

Paul Jones Renovation

Building Services Lifts & Scaffolding

SIRET: 503 169 237 00016

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

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

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93

See main ad - pg 13

Cherry Picker Services

14.5 metres on a van lasout@live.com

Tel: 09 66 03 52 89 Call for a quote

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Building Services Painters/Decorators Simon Carter

Painter & Decorator Qualified craftsman with over 25 years UK experience, now based in Haute-Vienne.

Specialist services: Interior & exterior painting & decorating, wallpapering, plastering.

FREE QUOTES

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

Able Plastering

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

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

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

06 04 17 80 93 Building Services Plumbing & Heating Carlos

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93

Electrician/Plumber

Building Services Plasterers

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93

05 55 62 63 82

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

CALL FOR A FREE QUOTATION

or see

05 55 63 53 06 06 23 29 48 19

Email: akbrunnstrom@yahoo.co.uk

Le Bourg, 23360 Nouzerolles

06 34 24 64 11

www.lakesidebandb.net SIRET: 799 067 939 00014

christopher.willis@orange.fr SIRET: 504 612 441 00015

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

Contact Phil Andrews:

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

Building Services Sandblasting M&M SANDBLASTING SERVICES

05 55 63 58 85 / 06 42 23 38 57 See main ad - pg 13

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

see main ad - pg 17

Experienced, Registered & Fully Insured No mess, no fuss

ANGLO CHRIS Building SCAFFOLDING THE PLASTERER Services Roofing A genuine plasterer HIRE UK scaffolding supplied and erected here in France Qualified and fully insured FREE no obligation quotes Call Ian on

Eurl Réno-Gén

Email: cinderssweep@gmail.com

T: 07 68 76 39 99 siret: 484 768 700 00029

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

05 55 44 71 44 / 06 78 60 96 16 mumford.toiture@gmail.com Siret No. 493 159 412 00011

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

www.stovesellers.com

05 55 63 78 72 Siren: 502 409 949

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

Purple Solutions Garden Maintenance Do you have a garden? Home, cottage or holiday home?

Call us on 06 72 87 87 14 or contact us via Facebook or email.

Leave your details and an idea of the job description.

Covering 40 km from Cussac (87150)

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

DIRECTORY ♦ 19

JUNE 2019 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

ADVERTORIAL

Houses on Internet: A Global Property Network

H

ouses on Internet – Global Property Services (hereafter referred to as “HOIGPS”) is the internet/marketing company that helps people sell their French property to buyers worldwide.

Richard Kroon, founder and director of the company: “In spite of Brexit, this year started off extremely well. The number of sales are 40% higher than last year and the summer months are still to come. We still see British buyers, but also many other nationalities, which is why our worldwide advertising is so important. Our marketing efforts are definitely paying off and guarantee a worldwide exposure of your property to buyers wherever they live.

“Last year HOI-GPS sold to people from 12 different coun-

LA RAMONEUSE

THE LADY SWEEP Established since 1986

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

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

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

06 04 17 80 93 Cleaning Services

tries, like France, Australia, Belgium, Holland, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Canada, Denmark and South Africa.

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

“About 50 to 60 of those photos are selected, enhanced and presented on the dedicated website we make for each property in English, French and Dutch.

“The texts don’t just describe the house, garden and outbuildings, but information about shopping, schools, airports and leisure is given too.

“When the website for the

Computers, Satellites & Web Design

Counselling & Support Services

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

from €12 ph Call Nicola: 06 04 14 29 25 E: nickyminton1@gmail.com Based in central Creuse (23) Siret 841 476 526 00014

ested in it.”

For more information on HOIGPS or to market your property through them, visit their website. ■

Les Remparts

Houses on Internet Global Property Services www.housesoninternet.com

+31 (0)6 41 20 73 69

Allo Allo

Bénévent-l'Abbaye

1 rue Saint-Roch, Le Grand Bourg

see main ad - pg 4

see main ad - pg 9

Tel: 0811 381 511

Rés: 06 73 37 45 01

Try Something Different Garden GOODWIN &COUNSELLING PSYCHOTHERAPY Chez Jacques Services SATELLITE Lesley Kidd MSc

SALES & INSTALLATION OF ALL SATELLITE 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

Big Dish Satellite www.bigdishsat.com

05 55 78 72 98

& Martin Simpson MSc

• Meet in person or via skype • Borders 87/19/23 (87130) • Individuals & Couples lesleykidd@hotmail.co.uk simpson.mj@hotmail.co.uk SIREN: 818 604 654

Food & Drink

see main ad - pg 12

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

No6 DESIGN WEBSITE

before

Nicky... à la maison

house is online, we first connect it to our main HOI-GPS websites which attract over 135,000 visitors from 40+ countries each month. Most of these people find us through Google and additional Google advertising.

“To reach an even larger audience, a summary of the presentation of the house is also placed on several other leading property websites. These adverts are also connected to the dedicated website of the house, making it all one big global property network.

“As the property market has become a global one, a prospective buyer can be on the other side of the world while the owner is in bed sleeping. With our approach, the buyer does not have to wait and can see the entire property whenever he wants, at the moment he is inter-

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

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

- Update your own site if you like!

- Enjoy a fully maintained site - Enjoy full website support contact@no6.co

06 38 75 32 97

www.no6.co Siret: 80493524500014

ViensVienne

Bistro in Eymoutiers www.viensvienne.com

Tel: 05 44 23 08 87 - see main ad, pg 2

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

British Market Stall facebook.com/britishmarketstall +33 (0)6 79 23 57 09 +33 (0)7 69 14 49 73 see main ad - pg 14

Le Petit Cafe Anglais

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

05 87 40 02 83

Joseph and Samantha Geer Grass, hedge and tree cutting Fences, gates and stone walls Gite cleaning and changeovers ... and much more

Tel: 06 86 95 46 51 joe.geer@orange.fr

closed Wednesdays

Champsac 87230

Le Creusois

Team Jardin

Les Genêts, Azerables

Reliable, professional and friendly garden services.

Garden Maintenance. Land Clearance.

Garden Construction.

Bespoke long-term maintenance plans.

Tel: 05 55 37 18 03 Mob: 06 33 66 17 45 e-mail: darren@teamjardin.fr

Bar/Restaurant

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

26, Ecurat 23150

Le Restaurant Ecurat Atelier d'Art du Jardin

Restaurant du soir.

Our menu changes monthly.

Special occasions and parties welcome.

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

Open Mon - Sat * Reservation in advance please* For more information:

tel: 05 55 81 31 85

www.lepetitcafeanglais.net

email: ecurat123@hotmail.com

see main ad - pg 2

2km from Chénérailles and the Chateau Villemonteix.

05 55 54 93 05

Garden & Property Services

Siret: 841 617 491 00011

www.teamjardin.fr

Siret No. 752 549 907 00018

Purple Solutions Garden Maintenance

06 72 87 87 14 see main ad - pg 18

Jardinerie & Café St-Légér-Magnazeix (87190) Tel: 05 55 68 73 76 see main ad - pg 11

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

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

20 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JUNE 2019

ADVERTORIAL

“SolarVenti”- the solar solution to damp and humidity

A

simple solar energy system that runs on its own, even when you are not there! – And provides a free heat supplement in winter.

The Solarventi air panel was invented more than 20 years ago by Hans Jørgen Christensen, from Aidt Miljø, with the backing of the Danish government. He wanted to use the sun’s energy for airing and ventilation of the thousands of holiday homes on the West coast of Jutland, - houses that were left empty and unheated for long periods - houses with damp problems, mould and bad odours - houses that left their owners with discomfort, lots of work and expense. He wanted a system that would be safe, simple, without the need for radiators, water and/or mains electricity. Slowly but surely, the first Solarventi model came

together.

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

Whenever the sun shines, the air in the solar panel is heated and the fan, receiving power from the solar cell, introduces warm, dry air into your home at the rate of 20 to 100 cubic metres per hour.

The initial models were more than capable of keeping the cottages dry (and ventilated), even with the limited sunshine hours available in Denmark during the winter season. Since that time, the technology has really come along in leaps and bounds. Now, more than 20 years later, the 3rd and 4th generation Solarventi have exceed-

ed all expectations.

In Southern Europe, Solarventi is not only used for ventilation/dehumidification purposes; with far more winter sunshine hours, it also provides a substantial heating supplement. Several technical and governmental studies show that incoming air temperature can be increased by as much as 40°C. A DIY Solution?

The installation process is very straightforward and should only take two or three hours. All that is needed is a drill, hammer and chisel to make a hole in the wall. Roof installations are also possible. In fact, the Solarventi was originally designed to be a DIY product - in Scandinavia it still is.

There are no electrical or water connections and it can be safely left running, even when

the property is empty. Solarventi requires no maintenance - if the property is unoccupied during the hot summer months, 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.

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

Advertising in The Bugle Business Directory Advertising your business couldn’t be easier. Text only, boxed listings are available in our Business Directory from just €12.50/month.

Alternatively, why not spotlight your business with an Advertorial, available from 1/6 Page (€50 HT) up to Full Page (€300 HT).

Both Directory Adverts and Advertorials represent a cost effective way to put your brand in front of more than 30,000 pairs of eyes each month!!

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

6-Month Contract

12-Month Contract

Small b&w Directory Ad

€100

€150

Large b&w Directory Ad

€130

€195

Small Colour Directory Ad

€140

€210

Large Colour Directory Ad

€180

€270

All prices exclude TVA (20%)

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

30 words max

Directory Advertising is available either in black and white or colour, and in either small (30 words max) or large (45 words max) format.

Directory adverts may only contain text (small logos may be allowed when supplied). The minimum contract length is 6 months.

Advertising is payable on publication. All prices are HT.

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

SUDOKU - MEDIUM

The solutions to this month’s sudokus can be found on page 24

SUDOKU - HARD

DIRECTORY ♦ 21

JUNE 2019 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

ADVERTORIAL

Do you want HUGE tax efficiency for your savings in France?

– Rosemary Sheppard, International Financial Adviser

What are the principles of an Assurance Vie and how can it help you with your tax planning?

• Your investment is allowed to grow tax free.

Garden Services Maintenance gardener Stephen Grendon

Need some advice?

Too much like hard-work?

30 years of experience

TEL: 06 72 11 62 15 stengrendon1@gmail.com Based in St-Julien-le-Petit (87460), covering St. Léonard, Peyrat, Eymoutiers, Bujaleuf. siret: 839 102 415 00016

GARDEN SERVICES Paul Brown

Grass Cutting Strimming General Maintenance Based La Souterraine (23)

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

Your advert here 06 04 17 80 93 sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93

Gifts & Crafts

Handmade Gifts Hand painted silk accessories, candles, jewellery & more.

Available to buy online

www.nsandifer.com Siret: 811 512 094 00020

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 26, Ecurat 23150

Atelier d'Art du Jardin

Artisan art for your garden

2km from Chénérailles and the Chateau Villemonteix

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

to be a beneficiary of your Assurance Vie and unlike other aspects of inheritance the recipient is entitled to receive the equivalent of €152,500 tax free, with anything over this taxed at a rate of 20%. This means that anyone who is not a blood relative or spouse (stepchildren, non married partners or friends) will not be subject to the usual 60% Inheritance Tax. (Different amounts apply if initial investment is made when you are over the age of 70.)

• Savings can be kept in sterling, or be made in Euros or US dollars and can be ported back to the UK should you return in the future.

• You can have a choice of investment options to suit your specific requirements and level of risk, which can be altered as your needs change.

• Assurance Vie policies are exempt from Wealth Tax.

However, this is only one aspect of your tax planning and it is extremely important to take full advice from the outset to ensure that your hard-earned cash, whether in savings, pensions or investments, keeps working hard for you.

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

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.

Très Jolie

Osteopathy & Acupuncture

see main ad pg 22

Back, Neck, Joint Pain, Arthritic conditions?

Anxiety, Headaches, Sports Injuries?

Insomnia, Stress, Sinus, Hayfever?

Based in Châteauneuf-la-Forêt (87130)

Ladies fashion accessories 05 55 53 03 56 / 06 04 08 29 53

Linda & Paul Bodimeade

Your advert here

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

05 55 62 50 38 Jonathan Critchley jcritch.7@gmail.com siret: 792 285 025 00013

Sophie Arsac

French lessons & handholding services 05 55 89 15 74 - pg 13

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93

lindabodimeade@eircom.net paulbodimeade@eircom.net

Mobile hairdresser Grand-Bourg & surrounding area

06 04 17 80 93 Handholding Services

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

siret: 791 847 429 00010

Assurance Vie, Working for You

• Should you wish to withdraw funds only the part of the withdrawal that is subject to a ‘gain’ will be subject to tax and social charges, as the majority of your withdrawal is classed as return of capital.

• For higher rate taxpayers you can choose to be taxed at the lower rates attributed through the Assurance Vie regime (12.8% in years 1 – 8, plus 17.2% social charges. After year 8 if your net premiums are below €150,000 then you can benefit from a reduced rate of tax at 7.5%) or your nominal rate, so if you are a nil-rate taxpayer then you will have no tax to pay.

• After your 8th year there is a tax-free withdrawal allowance of €4,600 per annum (€9,200 for a joint policy), after which additional withdrawals are taxed as above.

• You can nominate anyone

siret: 793 539 826 00016

W

hen I first meet a client it takes time for us to get to know each other, and every single person is different with different needs.

However, at the root of those needs is usually the desire to find out how best to keep all those hard-earned savings, investments and pensions as tax efficient as possible.

Once you have left the UK and become resident in France, the ISAs and other tax efficient savings you may hold in the UK are no longer tax-free and you need to give careful consideration about how you deal with this.

With the new Common Reporting Standards that were introduced recently we can no longer bury our heads in the sand and think that the French taxman will not know about the assets you have left in the UK and will not look to tax you accordingly.

Fortunately, there is a perfectly good solution for this in France – Assurance Vie. Many of my clients have heard the name, but do not necessarily know how it works. Similar in make-up to a UK Equity ISA an Assurance Vie allows you to save your money in a tax-efficient ‘wrapper’.

Call Teddy:

06 15 78 18 04- pg 11

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

06.43.83.62.33 nickygait@hotmail.com siren: 515 187 151

Health & Beauty Chez Boutique

Formerly La Petite Place

05.55.60.08.46

See our Display Ad - pg 12

Insurance & Finance Blacktower

Financial Managment Group

Rosemary Sheppard 06 38 86 99 70 - pg 8

Blevins Franks International tax and wealth management advisers

www.blevinsfranks.com See our main ad - pg 15

The Spectrum IFA Group

Tony Farrell

International Financial Adviser

05 55 89 57 94 - see pg 12

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

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

22 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JUNE 2019

ADVERTORIAL

Language Services Jenny Homer BA hons, PGCE

French classes held in Eymoutiers

In these uncertain times, 1 thing is certain...

THERE IS NO BETTER TIME TO UP THE LEVEL OF YOUR FRENCH TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR LIFE IN LIMOUSIN & EVEN OBTAIN FRENCH CITIZENSHIP!!

• feel confident socially, cope at the doctor's or vet's • deal with emergencies, chat over the garden wall and make friends • help with phone calls and paperwork • abandon toddler talk (!) to feel more comfortable in conversing with French people and understanding better • help keep Alzheimer's at bay!!

Small groups with a level to suit yours.

Free 3 hours as taster to include coffee & cake.

Everyone CAN improve!!

Email: homer.jennifer@gmail.com If you have French friends who would like to improve their English, maybe they would like to join my TEFL classes. All levels.

Pest Control

Limousin Spas

The region's leading distributor of Spas, Swim spas, Saunas & Hot tubs

New for 2019

We are pleased to announce our new range of over 80 Spas, Swim spas, Hot tubs & Saunas from top European and U.S. manufacturers.

Central France Pest Control

02 48 60 83 72 see main ad below

Creuse Gardien

Landscaping, Gardening Gîte Maintenance Property Clearance Environmental Construction 50km radius from Boussac Richard Charlie Collier

*Platinum Spas* *Superior Spas* *Tuff Spas* *Zen Spas* *BeSpa* *Durasport* *Superior Saunas* *Baltic Hot tubs* *Baltic Saunas*

creusegardien@gmail.com

Prices from €2,000

Inside Out Property Services Offering a wide range of building/joinery/fencing services

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93

Web: www.limousin-spas.com Email: sales@limousin-spas.com Tel: 05 55 63 26 20

Pools & Spas

Property Maintenance

Siret: 752 157 610 00011

06 43 92 28 37

French lessons & handholding services 05 55 89 15 74 - pg 13

Your advert here 06 04 17 80 93

Dave Roberts

'Gite and Tidy'

Fibreglass Specialist

Property management

Fibreglass swimming pool linings that can be applied over all finishes: tiles, marbelite, concrete, etc.

All properties looked after, main residences, holiday homes & gîtes.

Changeovers, cleaning, tidy ups, maintenance, gardening, swimming pools, etc.

Single or regular visits.

Fully insured.

Oradour-sur-Vayres (87150).

References available.

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

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

Property Sales

siret: 838 728 145 00015

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

Leggett Immobilier www.leggettfrance.com

05 53 56 62 54 see main ad - pg 5

Beaux Villages Immobilier www.beauxvillages.com

Freephone: 08 05 69 23 23

Siret No. 821 348 323 00014

see main ad - pg 9

Creuse Property Care

Houses on Internet

siret: 490 323 243 00025

Sophie Arsac

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

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

Garden & Pool Maintenance General Maintenance & Small Renovation work including plasterboarding, tiling, painting, etc.

Changeovers/House Cleaning Ad-hoc Assistance References available Contact Mark or Trudy...

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

www.housesoninternet.com

+31 (0)6 41 20 73 69

See our Display Ad - pg 3

Retail & Commerce

Stove Sellers www.stovesellers.com

Siret: 479 965 758 00028

05.55.63.78.72

See our Display Ad - pg 4

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

Advertise here from just €36 HT / month

06 04 17 80 93 sales@thebugle.eu

Très Jolie

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

(See Notice Board for where to find me)

Paula Bonella

05 55 53 03 56 06 04 08 29 53

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

DIRECTORY ♦ 23

JUNE 2019 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

ADVERTORIAL

Open Door - Time for Tea!!

T

he famous Open Door ‘Afternoon Tea’ will be taking place on Saturday 22nd June in the salle polyvalente, St.Pardoux-Morterolles.

Homemade Teas – comprising traditional ‘English’ sandwiches (cucumber, egg + cress, etc.), strawberry scones and a selection of cakes along with unlimited supplies of tea - will be served from 4 pm. The cost is €5 per person. The event is always popular and it's advisable to subscribe by sending a cheque to the Treasurer, Dany Tresmontan, Le Bourg, 23430 St-Martin/Ste-Catherine.

Throughout the summer, the English-language libraries in Bourganeuf and Morterolles will continue to welcome members and friends with an expanded range of books and DVDs and on 3rd August the Association, in conjunction with

Moulin de Tintin Furniture, interiors & gifts

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

Naturalis Pools

www.naturalispools.com

06 31 17 25 60 see main ad - pg 7

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

8 rue Principale, St Mathieu, 87440

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

Man & Van Transport

SAFE GARDE Secure self storage units in Guéret

Genuine/Reliable/Honest Local + Europe + UK runs Now also available for House/Barn clearances!

14m3 capacity 4.2m load length

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!

English & French Spoken

www.safe-garde.com

09 82 12 69 73

05 55 63 58 85

87150 Oradour-sur-Vayres

safegardegueret@gmail.com

www.frenchvanman.eu

siret: 821 846 318 00011

Siret 530 213 644 00012

Buggs Car Hire

Franklins Removals 0044 121 353 7263

Bergerac & Limoges Airports

www.buggscarhire.com

www.franklinsremovals.co.uk

see main ad - front page

see main ad - pg 14

www.watsoneuropean.co.uk

VAN ROUGE

Smart Moves

International Removals see main ad - pg 4

(+33) 07.61.21.85.15

Transition Removals

For a fully insured, careful service

FORTNIGHTLY SERVICES TO FRANCE FULL OR PART LOADS WELCOME WE COLLECT FROM ALL AREAS OF THE UK AND DELIVER TO ALL AREAS OF FRANCE Find us on Facebook: @smartmovesukfrance Please CALL or EMAIL Stephen

(+33) 05 55 34 19 46

smartmovers@hotmail.co.uk

see main ad below

www.smartmovesremovals.co.uk

www.transitionremovals.com

N

ew owners Glyn, Paula & Lewis Walton offer a warm welcome at the newly refurbished Bar Le Lac at Bessines-sur-Gartempe. The bar, dining room and chambres-d'hôtes have all been updated to create a lighter and brighter atmosphere.

With an outside terrace and beautiful views over lac Sagnat, it is the perfect place to relax with food or drinks whilst taking in the surroundings.

www.opendoor23.com

Watson European

www.themanwithavan.info vanrouge@mail.com

Bar Le Lac reopens

Partage des Lectures, will deliver lively readings from Tolkien in French and English at the Médiathèque, Royère-de-Vassivière.

Details of these and other Open Door activities can be found on the website:

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

ADVERTORIAL

+44 (0)1253 725 414

Central France Storage

www.centralfrancestorage.com Dry, safe & secure storage Brexit Busting Prices!!

Vehicle storage options We also do internal moves!

14.5m cherry picker available

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

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

The dining room has stunning views over the lake where simple delicious food is served in both the afternoon and evenings. We also offer a selection of cakes and ice creams.

Want to explore the area? Why not stay in one of our 5 rooms, 3 of which have lakeside views.

Dog lovers? Why not walk around the lake and call in for a drink or bite to eat afterwards as we are dog friendly.

We are open 7 days a week and open late Thursday, Friday & Saturday.

Check out our opening times on our Facebook page: BarLeLac

General

Carrefour du Bois Limousin

www.chauffagebois-limousin.com

05 55 63 72 45 - see below

Cash paid for scrap

All Limousin covered Anything considered Any quantity

Tel: 05 55 37 45 35 Mob: 06 74 21 47 71 www.facebook.com/willwhiting87/ siret 532 981 198 00015

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93

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

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

FOR SALE: Commercial Lease For a shop (all types of commerce) on main street in Limoges. Easy parking.

60m2. 2 large commercial spaces of 20m2 and 25m2 with a room to the rear kitchenette, WC. Very good condition.

Contact for more information.

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

A VENDRE: Pas-de-porte, boutique tous commerces.

Immeuble de style dans avenue principale de Limoges. Parking facile. 60 m².

2 grandes salles 20 m2 & 25 m2.

Une arrière salle, mini coin kitchenette, wc.

Très bon état.

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

Family run business based in France which prides itself on a personal professional service 7 tonne truck to and from the UK and Europe, with a highly experienced staff. We provide a door-to-door service with packing and dry, secure storage.

We are a professional furniture removal company and NOT a man and a van.

Granulés du Limousin

TRANSITION REMOVALS

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

24 ♦ COMMUNITY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JUNE 2019

CLUBS, CHARITIES & ASSOCIATIONS Charities The Hope Association Charity Shop 87 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 Saint-Sulpice-le-Guérétois near Guéret and provides an invaluable service to the community by rescuing dogs that otherwise would have nowhere to go.

Each year we re-home over 100 dogs which find themselves at the SPA though no fault of their own. We have dedicated staff who work alongside a network of French and British volunteers, all of whom have one aim in life, which is to do the best they can for the dogs until they find their forever homes.

In order to do this they need to raise funds; along with walking the dogs every day, volunteers also organise fund-raising events and vide-greniers throughout the year.

We are a friendly bunch and always on the lookout for more like-minded people and so if you are interested in becoming a volunteer, making a donation, or adopting one of our lovely dogs, then please visit our website www.spacreuse.com.

Church Notices English-speaking Christian meeting in La Souterraine All are welcome to our meetings every Sunday at 10.30 am at La Souterraine.

A talk will be given each week in English lasting 30 minutes on a variety of subjects. The purpose is to build up our spirituality and help us with dayto-day living. Our Kingdom Hall is located at 31 l’Age aux Roux, 23300 La Souterraine. Also please see our website: JW.ORG English-speaking church services Guéret "Come as you are" - This is an invitation to join us at our SERVICE IN ENGLISH. Whether you have a faith or would just like to attend a church service, you are welcome at 3 pm on the 2nd Sunday of each month at Église Évangélique, 9b Place Bonnyaud, 23000 Guéret.

We welcome all who want to share in our fellowship and children are very welcome. For more details please visit www.serviceinenglish.com Eglise Protestante Unie de France English Language services We look forward to giving a warm welcome to everyone from whatever Christian tradition (or none) on the 3rd SUNDAY of the MONTH at 3 pm. (Two exceptions - August and December second Sunday) Where? At the “Temple” in Thiat (in the north of the HauteVienne) – the chapel is on the main road close to the Mairie. After worship there is tea/coffee and cake – and a chance to chat. (Services in French every Sunday morning). If you want to know more contact Rev Stephen Sawyer on 05 49 84 33 86 or Zoë Horlock on 05 55 68 59 95.

Fitness & Fun La Chance de Danser New times for classes as follows: St-Léger-Magnazeix - Salle des fêtes (Adults): Tue 5-6 pm Stretch & Tone; 6-7 pm Beginners Tap; Thu 5-6 pm Elementary Tap; 6-7 pm Dancersize.

La Souterraine - Batiment St Joseph (opp la mairie) (Adults): Sat 9-10 am Ballet.

For more info please email lachancededanser2019@outlook.com or tel 06 99 95 43 00.

Walking Football Did you know that the fastest-growing sport for the over 50s in the UK is Walking Football and it has now arrived here in the Creuse.

As part of Entente Cordiale, weekly sessions take place at the Gymnasium at Dun-le-Palestel every Monday from 4 pm – 5 pm for men and women over the age of 50 who want to have a go at something new or rekindle their past by playing this non-contact version of the sport.

This summer, Entente Cordiale will be holding their own walking football tournament on Saturday 29th June, from 2 pm, at the Stade de football in Dun-le-Palestel with up to 6 teams taking part, including hopefully a French team from Limoges. So if you want to see it in action before you have a go, please come along and enjoy this new fast-growing sport.

If you are interested in taking part or coming to see what it's all about you can contact Steve at scoramcoram@gmail.com Bridge Club St. Junien Regular tournaments. Bridge lessons for beginners and intermediate levels (English-speaking teacher). Friendly welcome guaranteed.

For further information don't hesitate to contact Mireille Drouet, President 06 30 20 45 13 / 05 44 24 10 92 / mireillemartin@orange.fr or John Slade 05 45 71 50 44 / johnslade@aliceadsl.fr Zumba Dept 18 & 36. Contact: Coralie tel 07 78 66 52 01 Web: fun-life-attitude. webnode.fr Facebook: Coco Zumba Email: coralie.pouille@hotmail.fr Yoga Aubusson Classes at the Maison Sport et Danse, Dojo: Mon 15:45 Hatha 50+; Tue 17:30 Yin, 18:30 Hatha; Fri 14:30 Yoga for breast cancer or also very gentle yoga.

5 euro per class plus 10 euro adhesion.

More info: Abbey 06 83 24 62 72 www. amovingspa.wixsite.com/equilibreyoga Cussac Bowls Club - Short mat indoor bowls If you’re a beginner or seasoned player come and join in with a friendly club.

Weekly meetings starting Wednesdays 19:45 and Thursdays 9:45.

Please call Peter on 05 55 78 66 45 for more info, email cussacbowlsclub@ gmail.com or come along to one of our meetings at Cussac gymnasium.

Indoor Bowling at Oradour-surVayres If you already play or have never tried indoor bowling then come along to a meeting. It's great fun and easy to play.

If you have never played it before we will show you how. We meet every Monday evening starting at 18.30 hrs at La Chapelle, avenue des Chapelles, 87150 Oradour-sur-Vayres. Come and try it - it's free. For further info tel 05 55 78 45 24 or email oradourbowlingclub@ outlook.com Keep Fit Amazing abs, breathtaking buttocks!

Come and join our group at the CAPE in Pontarion. We are all ages, all sizes, men & women, but are serious about keeping fit. Our “monitrice” is English and will happily provide bilingual instructions.

We meet every Thursday at 8 pm in Pontarion Town Hall, for a one-hour workout. Come for a free trial, or call 05 55 64 98 87 or 06 32 42 95 68 for more details.

Drawing and painting classes At Saint-Junien with the CAPCC (art club). All levels welcome, every Monday and Thursday, English and French spoken, friendly atmosphere, materials provided by the club. 45€ / half-term.

Contact: lindsaycox@club-internet.fr for brochure with full details.

Chabanais Bowls Club As we roll into 2019, one thing you can rely on is the fact that short mat bowling at Chabanais Bowls Club is alive and well and all set to provide exercise and entertainment throughout the coming year.

Our new mats are now in use, allowing the Club to carry out training and coaching sessions along with the normal members' games.

Chabanais Bowls Club meets on Tuesday mornings, 10h-13h, and Thursday afternoons, 14h-17h, at the salle des fêtes in the centre of Chabanais.

For further information ring Mike on 05 55 03 27 67 or Jane 05 45 30 63 10.

Photo Club La Meteorite (87) Rochechouart All welcome, all levels; we meet

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fortnightly at 3-5 pm on Sundays. Field trips, friendly critique, conversation and competitions (to contact and more details go to photoclubmeteorite.org).

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 INSPIRATIONS – Art & Craft Group We are a small group of artists and crafters who meet every Friday from 2 pm until 5 pm at the Salle Barbara, Droux 87. There is no formal tuition but we all help, advise and encourage each other to perfect our skills and learn new ones. New members welcome, from absolute beginners to experts. Materials can be supplied for try-outs.

Contact: inspirations.droux@gmail.com Dordogne Short Mat Bowls Association Learn to play Indoor Short Mat Bowls in the heart of the Dordogne at Eyzerac, just off the N21, south of Thiviers.

We are a small friendly inclusive club who meet every Thursday afternoon throughout the year at the Complex Sportif in Eyzerac 24300. We are looking forward to welcoming new members, both novices or experienced players. We have all the equipment you need to play, so why not join us any Thursday at 2 pm until 5 pm.

To arrange a taster session or simply for more details contact Paul Boswell (Secretary) at boswellmoore@hotmail. com or call 05 53 56 99 75.

Walking Football, Dun-le-Palestel If you think your footballing days are over, then think again! Our association, Entente Cordiale, is trying out a new venture – Walking Football, a slower version of the beautiful game! And it's for all adults over the age of 50. We meet every Monday from 16h-17h in the Gymnasium, just opposite The Apollo.

Walking football is designed to give you the chance to play the game you love, but at a much slower pace. It's a great way to keep fit, learn skills, have fun, and socialise at the same time, so why not come along? If you used to play football, but now find the pace a bit too much, or if you’ve never had the chance to be involved before, Walking Football is the perfect introduction to playing football for you – no running allowed!

At the moment, all sessions are indoors, so please wear appropriate clothing and footwear.

Also now – Badminton! Playing Badminton helps to improve your fitness, and is great fun too! Come and join in with us every Tuesday afternoon from 16h-17h in the Gymnasium. Everyone welcome.

For more information email eccreuse@ yahoo.com Laurière Carpet Bowls Club Registered & insured. For some gentle exercise with a friendly social club, learn to play Indoor Bowls at Lauriere, 87370, in the Haute-Vienne. No experience required. Come and take a look. It is great fun and easy to play. Join us any Monday at 2 pm until 5.30 pm at La Maison des Jeunes (Community Centre), on the route de St Goussaud (D28) just off the D914 at Lauriere. Parking available.

Session includes short refreshment break with home-made cakes (€2.50 per

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person). For info, please call 05 55 71 23 83. Currently, we have British, French, and Dutch members. We look forward to seeing you.

American Line Dancing (French Style) The Phénix Country Club welcomes new members - men & women, beginners & experienced dancers - to the salle des fêtes at LACS, near LA CHÂTRE, dept 36.

Learn French & learn to dance in a friendly environment every Tues & Fri evening from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. 1st 2 sessions are free. Annual subscription is 80 euros per person.

For more information in English contact Annette on 06 85 39 83 41 or email our French Présidente at phenixcountryclub@gmail.com Art Classes in Bujaleuf in French and English Caroline welcomes you at her workshop in Bujaleuf for drawing and watercolour painting. 2 courses weekly: Tue and Wed afternoons, 10 euros per person for a two-and-a-half-hour session. The classes are in both French and English, a good way to share languages and cultures in a friendly atmosphere. New students welcome.

For further information please contact Caroline on 06 72 08 26 15 or at carolineplatter87@gmail.com.

Gardening Les petits jardiniers du Limousin Meet Thursday afternoons, dates below.

2.30 pm in the Mairie at St-AmandlePetit. Everyone welcome. Contact: pjlimousin@gmail.com.

2019 Programme: Jan 17th - Bird and song identification; Feb - No meeting; Mar 21st - Drought: sedums, sempervivums and succulents; Apr 18th Soil testing - knowing what to plant; May 16th - Gardening for the bees; Jun 20th - Car rally and lunch; Jul 18th - Fragrant plants for all year; Aug 15th - Very Berry shrubs; Sep 1st - Annual Show; Oct 17th - AGM followed by Plant Name Origins; Nov 21st - Natural dyeing using plants; Dec 12th - Christmas Party.

Integration Learning Together – Apprenons Ensemble We offer an easy-going and relaxing range of social functions to bring members of the French and English communities together, and a range of language courses for different levels of experience in English and French in Rochechouart (87) and Brigueil (16), as well as a Life & Culture in France course in Rochechouart. All lessons are in small groups with qualified teachers for just 7€ per hour; membership costs only 15€ per year. Visit www. learningtogether.moonfruit.com or email apprenonsensemble@orange.fr for more information. For help and advice on choosing the right course telephone 05 55 58 02 88 or email frenchlessons. learningtogether@gmail.com CLE – (Charente Limousine Exchange) CLE is a not-for-profit organisation whose members form a valuable resource for the exchange of news, views, ideas and information. We lobby and work with key organisations to help protect our members' best interests, particularly when Government or other proposals threaten to impact the wellbeing of expatriate citizens. We organise a range of events, workshops and seminars throughout the year, plus social activities including coach trips, activity days, charity events and regular lunches - all activities to help members make new expatriate and French friends. If you already live in the Poitou-Charentes or Limousin regions of France or are thinking of moving here, CLE is your key to unlocking the secrets to a happy and comfortable lifestyle.

Web: www.cle-france.com Email: contact@cle-france.com Aubusson’s Network Each week, for 5 years now, we meet between 11.30 am and 1 pm every

EASY

MEDIUM

Saturday at the café "Aux Baladins" opposite Aubusson’s Gare Routière car park.

We are a friendly group of French and English who enjoy conversation in both languages. We like to exchange views, make new friends, help and advise one another and help integrate newcomers.

You can contact us by phone: Viviane 06 32 96 54 2 - Jo 09 72 41 40 47 Catherine 06 86 17 80 88 - Jan 00 44 74 68 20 66 12 - John 05 55 67 37 60 Association Rencontres FrancoBritanniques The association of 120 members, based in Bourganeuf, aims to help British people become integrated in their communes and local life.

We organise a range of cultural and social activities for our members. A list of our activities is on our website www. francobrit.com Our fortnightly conversation groups give the opportunity for British members to improve their spoken French, and our French colleagues their English.

We would very much like to welcome new people, both French and English, into the association.

The annual subscription for membership is €12 per person or €22 for a couple.

Contact: Christine Gee 05 55 64 22 25 Email: cgeeinfrance@gmail.com French Conversation Group at Les Billanges (87340) We are a small group who meet fortnightly for an hour and a half on Tuesday evenings during term time in Les Billanges, 87340, close to the Creuse/Haute-Vienne border.

We are accompanied by a retired French schoolteacher and a current French teacher of English. Discussion is informal, loosely based on everyday topics, including some grammar plus general discussion. We need a few more people to help keep it vibrant and to cater for inevitable absences. The only cost is yearly membership of the local Association, about €16, which brings with it other social opportunities. To find out more please contact Chrissy Smith at chrissysmith.rc@gmail.com Familles Rurales in Peyrat-le-Château Association Familles Rurales now offer assistance in English and Dutch to all non-French speaking people (British, Dutch, German, etc.) concerning all kinds of administrative steps. The service is available in Peyrat-le-Château and surrounding communes. We will try to provide information and help you find your way in social and administrative matters, as well as with practical matters where language is a problem. Find Heleen Tichler-Botermans at the AFR office in Peyrat-le-Château on Mondays from 9 am to 12 pm and Wednesdays from 9 am to 1 pm. You are welcome to drop in or make an appointment. www.famillesrurales.org/peyrat-lechateau E-mail: familles-rurales.infopeyrat@ orange.fr Telephone: 06 41 20 06 83 Office address: 19 avenue de la Tour, 87470 Peyrat-le-Château Familles Rurales 2 in St-Yrieix-laPerche Weekly courses in French for foreigners (mainly English and Dutch) living in the area. Four levels taught: Level 1 Beginners - Mon 10h30 - 12h; Level 2 - Thu 10h30 - 12h; Intermediate - Tue 10h30 - 12h; Advanced – Wed 14h30 - 16h30. All courses are held at our premises 1, rue de la Piscine, St-Yrieixla-Perche 87500. For more info tel 05 55 09 30 86, email afr2.styrieix@wanadoo. fr or visit www.famillesrurales.org/ styrieix Les Franglais de Banize (23120) French and English people meet every Wednesday at 2-3 pm in the mairie in Banize to share English and French language and lots of laughter.

We all learn from each other, in both languages and about aspects of both cultures. In general the English try to speak in French and vice versa. As far as possible!

The meetings have been going on for ten years now but new arrivals are always welcome. For more

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COMMUNITY ♦ 25

JUNE 2019 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu information please contact Anne Chadwick at lesfranglaisdebanize@orange.fr or tel 05 55 67 53 60.

Bessines-Accueil Bessines-Accueil is a group based in Bessines-sur-Gartempe (87250) which seeks to welcome new arrivals both to the town and to the surrounding region and to assist them with integration in the community.

The group is comprised both of French and English members and meets weekly, generally on Thursday afternoons, in Bessines-sur-Gartempe, when various activities take place, all aimed at promoting a friendly and welcoming ambiance.

Through these activities, which include visits, talks, entertainment and much more, the group aims to discover and promote an appreciation of the life, the history and the heritage of the area and to help new arrivals settle.

For more details or to join please contact the President, Bernadette Ruffenach, on 05 55 76 11 19.

Café Franglais Organised by the Amitiés Internationales du Pays de Boussac (AIPB). Every Wednesday evening at 18h30 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. From 9th January until 24th April without stopping for Easter. Break for the summer, then recommence 4th September until 11th December. For more info please email angela.dave@icloud.com.

Open Door Association – English Language Library & Cultural Exchange Group The Association organises a range of activities throughout the year aimed at bringing together French and Englishspeaking residents through cultural exchange.

Our range of activities for 2019 include a Burns’ Supper, an Occitan Musical Evening, a bilingual guided bird-walk, Beaujolais Nouveau Evening, a Pub-Style Singalong and selected readings from the works of JRR Tolkien. See our website for a full list: www. opendoor23.com.

In addition, Open Door operates an Englishlanguage library service with outlets in StPardoux-Morterolles and Bourganeuf, with a choice of around 5,000 fiction, non-fiction and children’s books as well as DVDs and jigsaw puzzles. See our website for opening hours.

We welcome new members of all nationalities and offer individual and family membership as well as temporary membership for holiday visitors. Contact the Secretary on heathernorman99@gmail.com for details.

Tea Time Cultural exchange workshop designed to bring together those who want to practise their French or their English in a friendly and fun environment. Held at the old school in Sussac (87) every Tuesday morning, 10 am till 11.30 am, except school holidays, the session includes group discussion/chat, structured role play and games for grammar practice, specific weekly topics, a small library of English/ French books, CDs and DVDs and an exchange of recipes, thoughts and ideas, followed by tea/coffee and cake.

Cost: €144 for the year, plus €25 annual membership fee to the Foyer Rural. Contact: Jasmine (en français or in English) on 06 41 36 05 03.

Bilingual Montessori Workshops At the Foyer Rural in Saint-Léonard-deNoblat for children aged 3 to 8 years old, run

by Catherine Hutchinson and Sue Greenbank.

The children are immersed in an atmosphere where both French and English are spoken.

The workshops take place on Wednesdays from 13h30 to 15h30 and on Saturdays from 10h to 12h. The workshops take place without the parents. For further information please contact Catherine on 07 70 46 57 70 or Sue on 06 52 26 54 79.

Libraries & Books Sale of Second-hand Books, La Croisillesur-Briance On the 18th of every month, during the monthly market at La Croisille-sur-Briance (87130), there is a sale of second-hand books (both English and French) from 9 am to 12 noon, at the former restaurant in La Place, opposite the bar/tabac. All proceeds go towards the local school funds (for La Croisille-sur-Briance and St-Méard RPI).

La Souterraine English Library and Information Centre Located in the historic Porte de Puy Charraud, at 10 rue de Portail, La Souterraine, we are a lively, well-stocked English language library with almost 4,000 books and media available to borrow. We have an attractive cafe which serves tea, coffee and a range of home-made cakes. There is also a regularly changing display of works by local artists.

The library hosts a lively mixed conversation group for French and English speakers and also organises Anglo-French conversation groups in association with the municipal library in La Souterraine. There are also a number of thriving special interest groups, such as the Gardening Group, Camera Club, Singing Group, etc.

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

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

Facebook : Cancer Support France - Charente-Plus We also provide support & assistance in bureaucratic and administrative matters for both existing British residents as well as newcomers to the area. Whatever your interests don’t hesitate to pay us a visit and you will be made most welcome.

We are open from 9.30 am until 12.30 pm, Mon, Fri & Sat and 2 pm until 4.30 pm on Thurs. For more info tel 05 55 89 57 62 during opening hours, email info@ lasouterraineenglishlibrary.fr or visit www. lasouterraineenglishlibrary.fr The English Library – La Bibliothèque Anglophone, Dun-le-Palestel The English Library, which has now been established for over 12 years, is part of the Anglo-French Association Entente Cordiale and is situated in the route des Ratteries, adjacent to the Bibliothèque Municipale, Parc Benjamin Bord. The Library is a very welcoming meeting place, where you can come and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, whilst browsing through our extensive collection of around 10,000 books, talking books and DVDs. Thanks to donations and an active purchasing policy we are able to offer something for everyone. For our new acquisitions we concentrate on recent publications, as well as member requests for older books.

Open Thu 10h-13h & Sat 10h-12h30.

Entente Cordiale hosts a wide range of other groups and activities too, including English lessons, French lessons, Traditional Dance Group, Art Group, Theatre group, Les Troubadours, Traditional Embroidery Group, Walking Football and Badminton. For more information email eccreuse@yahoo.com Music OuiRock Choir Do you enjoy singing? Fancy being part of a great group of people who come together once a week? If you do, why not come along to a taster session. We meet every Monday at Le Bar Central in St-Sulpice-les-Feuilles (87160) from 18h30.

For further details contact us on Facebook @ouirock87 or via email on: ouirock87@ gmail.com We look forward to welcoming you!

L'Orchestre Philharmonique de La Souterraine If you or one of your family are interested in playing in an orchestra and think your standard might be adequate do get in contact with us. We meet weekly on Friday evenings in La Souterraine (apart from the summer holidays) to rehearse. Most of our concerts are around Xmas or May-July. Our members come from all over Limousin so lifts to and fro may be possible if necessary. Contacts: French language Marie-France Martinie 05 55 30 76 23 / English language Alan Kerr 05 55 56 34 52.

Le Chambard du jeudi Organised by the association Nessgig this takes place every 2nd Thursday of the month, from 19h to 23h at “La Maison des Associations", place du 8 mai 1945, ChâteauChervix (87). All music lovers who would like to share and exchange information and stories around songs and singing, in French AND in English, or who might like to jam a little, are welcome. Free admission! For more information email nessgig87@gmail.com or tel 05 55 09 99 34.

JJ's Music Club Hosted by L'Authentique Restaurant, 25 rue Principale 23360 Lourdoueix-Saint-Pierre.

Singers and musicians of all styles and levels will be warmly welcomed on the last Friday of the month. Free entry.

Please reserve food in advance (05 55 80 21 67) - 17 euros for 3 courses.

For more information email Jacky at jjsclubdemusique@gmail.com Live music sessions, Rochechouart Our acoustic music sessions take place every second Friday of each month at the Salle Jacques Brel in Rochechouart where singers

and musicians can come along to sing or play their own compositions or covers. All styles are welcome... celtic, classical, comedy, country, folk, jazz, music hall, pop, swing, etc. Why not join us? Alternatively, just come along and listen along with the evergrowing enthusiastic audience. Doors open at 7.30 pm. Join our Facebook Group - FolkGalerie - for more information or contact folk.galerie@gmail.com if you would like to take part.

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 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 Ewen 05 53 05 76 62 (Périgueux) or Angela 05 49 87 79 09 (Civray). Other meetings in South-West France can be located on our website at www. aafrance.net Cancer Support France, Charente Plus Free confidential support for Englishspeaking people touched by cancer in departments 16, 17 & 86.

CSF 24 hour helpline: 06 45 35 32 30, Email csfcharenteplus@gmail.com, Facebook: Cancer Support France - Charente Plus CSF Charity Shop open at 3 rue Nationale, 16150 Chabanais (entrance opposite the mairie – we are on the 1st floor upstairs) Tue & Wed from 10 am – 4 pm.

Cancer Support Haute-Vienne We offer free and confidential support to English speakers affected by Cancer in the Haute-Vienne (87) and Creuse (23). Our helpline number is 06 04 43 39 87.

If you would like more information or would like to become a member or help in any other way, please contact Sue Ware 05 55 00 31 15, helpline@cshautevienne.org or visit www. cshautevienne.org Association France Alzheimer in Dordogne We offer English-speaking support as a part of the national French charity supporting families affected by dementia. Our network of English speaking volunteers works across Dordogne. A support group meets near Bergerac on the first Tuesday of each month.

Website: www.francealzheimer.org/dordogne Email address: alzheimer.dordogne@orange. fr Telephone: 05 53 27 30 34

FILOU

This is lovely Filou and he is looking for a new home as he is not getting along too well with the two older donkeys that he currently lives with.

He is 4 years old, has a lovely nature, is very nosy and loves to follow you around. He is used to being handled and is good with the farrier. He is in good health and has been well taken care of, is microchipped and has all his papers. The SPA are looking for a family who can give him lots of love and can provide a companion for him, perhaps a sheep or a goat, as he doesn't like to be alone.

If you think you can help Filou then please contact the SPA de Creuse (Guéret), 21 Le Clocher, 23000 Saint-Sulpice-le-Guérétois www.spa-creuse.com tel 05 55 81 99 31 (answering machine) or send an email in English to spa.gueret@orange.fr

Peyrat Film Club The CINEMA in Peyrat-le-Château, run by the volunteers of the Association Bande Originale, regularly shows VOST films (original version with French subtitles), especially for all the non-French speakers in our region.

In June we will be showing: Rosie – Saturday 1 June, 17h00 The Aftermath (Coeurs Ennemis) – Saturday 8 June, 17h00 Gloria Bell – Saturday 15 June, 17h00 A Star is Born – Saturday 22 June, 17h00 Ticket price €5, but just €3.50 for members of the Association.

See our website for dates & times, etc: http://bandeoriginale.jimdo.com

CHARITY SHOP

Do please come in and visit us.

We are located at: 3 rue Nationale, 16150 Chabanais (entrance opposite the mairie, directly behind Petticoat Lane – we are on the first floor upstairs)

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

26 ♦ WHAT’S ON

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JUNE 2019

Thu 30th May to Sat 1st Jun Dances and Delights Music by Monteverdi, Tallis and Victoria forms part of Cantique's choral programme for 2019.

Come with us to Venice, Spain and England before visiting the Opera Russe for Borodin's Polovtsian Dances, whose famous melodies were transformed

by Hollywood into the musical Kismet.

We are pleased to welcome Voci Chamber Choir from Windsor who will perform in Cussac on Thursday 30th May at the Eglise Saint-Pierre at 17h, and with us in Rochechouart on Saturday 1st June at the Eglise Saint-Sauveur at 19h30.

Both events are entrée libre and will be followed by a vin d'honneur.

Other venues later in the year will be at St-Junien and Solignac.

For more information visit www.cantique87.org Tue 4th to Tue 25th Jun CONFOLENS Beekeeping Taster Sessions

Get in touch today to find out how we can put your business in front of

30,000 readers

each month

SALES@THEBUGLE.EU

06 04 17 80 93 Mandys-curry-2-go www.mandyscurry2go.com

Curry & Side Dish of the month: Butter Chicken & Sheekh kebab Ste-Sévère-sur-Indre, Boussac, Gouzon and Guéret, Chilled pre-orders only! ... Wednesday 5th (3.15pm, 4pm, 4.30pm & 5.15pm) Marsac, (Chez Jacques) - Friday 7th (6.30pm) Le Vigen (87110), Chilled pre-orders only! - Saturday 8th (6.30pm) Peyrat-le-Château & St-Léonard-de-Noblat Chilled pre-orders only! ... Thursday 13th (12.30pm & 1.30pm) Le Dorat, Bellac & Limoges, Chilled pre-orders only! ... Friday 14th (1pm, 1.30pm & 3pm) Sardent, (Auberge du lac, Masmangeas) - Saturday 15th (6pm) Bourganeuf, St-Dizier-Leyrenne, Le Grand-Bourg, Dun-le-Palestel & La Souterraine... Chilled pre-orders only!

Thursday 20th (1.15pm, 1.30pm, 2pm, 2.30pm & 3.30pm)

Please contact me if you would like a chilled pre-order to anywhere that is not listed above!

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

Email: mandyscurry2go@gmail.com

Tel: 07 70 39 12 23

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

Come and meet the bees!

Spend an afternoon with us learning about and spending time with our bees here in Confolens. All equipment provided plus a free honey tasting for €25 per person.

Sessions on 4, 12, 21 May and 4, 12, 25 June (later dates also available). www.13bees.co.uk Sun 9th Jun LUSSAC-LES-EGLISES Cream tea charity afternoon Cream teas from 3 pm to 6 pm for 5 euros per person, at the barn of Tina and Jane, 5 La Trigalle, 87360 Lussac-les-Eglises.

White elephant stall, books, raffle. Proceeds to be shared between Twilight

Bugle Notice Board Fundraiser for Guide Dogs for the Blind Sunday 21st July from 1-5 pm Bric-a-brac, books, clothes, DVDs, CDs, home decor, cakes, teas/coffee/juice, greetings cards, plants, tombola, artist Diana Dabinett.

If you have any saleable items you can donate we would be very grateful.

Contact Roger and Christine Thomas: 05 55 78 83 05 17 avenue du 8 Mai 1945, 87150, Oradour-sur-Vayres

WANTED

We are looking for a cleaner/housekeeper for an upscale manor house in 87430 Verneuil.

Work references needed.

We are also looking for a professional landscaper/gardener.

Please call 06 78 86 14 41

26, Ecurat 23150

Le Restaurant Ecurat Atelier d'Art du Jardin

We are open serving our Plat du Jour every Monday to Friday.

Friday is fish day!

Vendredi c'est poisson!

Call for more information: tel: 05 55 81 31 85 email: ecurat123@hotmail.com

Très Jolie Fashion Accessories

Unfortunately, we have been given notice to leave our shop at the end of February, so after 28th February we will no longer be there.

We will let you all know as soon as we have located another outlet, but if you should need anything in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Piégut Market - every Wednesday, weather permitting.

05 55 53 03 56 / 06 04 08 29 53 tres.jolie1@orange.fr

JUNE 2019 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Old Dogs, Noah's Ark and Cancer Support Haute-Vienne.

If you cannot come along, don't be disappointed, make a note for Sunday 14th July.

Sun 16th Jun TOULX-SAINTE-CROIX Parish kermesse 10h30 Open-air mass 13h BBQ: 10+ €12; -10s €5 13h-17h Various stalls, children's games, tombola...

16h Historical tour of the village Music by Lusitanos (Portuguese folk) Sat 22nd Jun BOUSSAC AIPB - Fête de la Musique AIPB will be hosting the Fête de la Musique again this year in the place de l'hôtel de ville, starting at 19h30 until late.

This year, as usual, we have a great line-up of popular local talent for your entertainment so please come along and join in the fun.

Programme: Sylvain Bouard – vocals & keyboard; Alexius Mudde – blues/ rock; Geoff Haagman – pop guitar; Let's Go – rock 'n' roll; Patrick Skraban – synth; St Quentin Five Blues Band – blues.

A bar and food, including fish and chips, chilli & BBQ will be available throughout the evening.

For more info please visit www.aipbboussac.org.

Sat 22nd Jun SAINT-PARDOUX-MORTEROLLES Open Door - Time for Tea!!

The Open Door ‘Afternoon Tea’ will be taking place on Saturday 22nd June in the salle polyvalente.

Homemade Teas – comprising traditional ‘English’ sandwiches (cucumber, egg + cress, etc.), strawberry scones and a selection of cakes along with unlimited supplies of tea - will be served from 4 pm. The cost is €5 per person. The event is always popular and it's advisable to subscribe by sending a cheque to the Treasurer, Dany Tresmontan, Le Bourg, 23430 St-Martin/Ste-Catherine.

Wed 26th to Sun 30th Jun BELLAC 66e Festival National de Bellac The Bellac Festival, born in 1954 but initiated in 1951 by Louis Jouvet in tribute to his friend Jean Giraudoux, the native author of the city, and historically dedicated to theatre, has become over the years a multidisciplinary festival. Theatre, puppetry, circus and music will all be on the agenda of this 66th edition.

Over 20 performances will take place all over town; many of them are free of charge.

WHAT’S ON ♦ 27 For more information and to download the full programme visit www.theatredu-cloitre.fr/ Fri 28th Jun BOUSSAC Inauguration of Exhibitions at the Château de Boussac The Blondeau family would like to invite you to the opening of the tourist season at the Château de Boussac. Visit the exhibitions of the tapestry cartons of Antoine de Jacquelot and the collection of weather vanes by M Suhard.

6 pm. Free entry.

Followed by Sweet Note in Paris, a concert of French and English songs dedicated to Paris organised by Les Amis du Château de Boussac.

7 pm. Free entry (donations welcome).

Contact & info: Pascale 06 25 25 37 02 (French & English speaking).

Wed 26th to Fri 28th Jul ARGENTON-SUR-CREUSE Festival Debussy The Debussy Festival, organised by the « Classique en Berry » association, is part of the national network of Spedidam festivals. It was created seven years ago and has become, through the years, one of the greatest musical events of the Centre-Val de Loire region.

Argenton-sur-Creuse is very proud to host this major event again and to invite people of all ages to escape reality just for a short while through the music of Debussy and his contemporaries.

For this 8th edition, the Debussy Festival takes you on a journey, one of both mind and imagination. From 26th to 28th July, several great artists will perform for three unprecedented nights during which each of them will present their own way of travelling. Performing artists include: Marianne Piketty, Félicien Brut, Vanessa Benelli Mosell, le Quatuor Hermès, l’Ensemble Appassionato, and many more. The afternoons, which are open to everyone, will be an opportunity to appreciate young performers and to take part in artists/public meetings in a friendly and bucolic atmosphere.

And to extend the fun, enjoy our picnic at the end of the day. Picnics will be on sale at Les Jardins de la Grenouille from 19:30. A good way to enjoy quality products exclusively from the region, alone, with friends or with family, before the evening concert. Price: €20 picnic for two people. Orders will be taken on site. In partnership with local producers. « When you can’t afford to travel, you have to use your imagination instead » - Claude Debussy.

Let this great French composer take you on a journey!

For more information and to buy tickets: www.festivaldebussy.com Festival address: Jardins de la Grenouille, 36200 Argenton-sur-Creuse For any questions: billetterie@festivaldebussy.com

28 ♦ WHAT’S ON

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ JUNE 2019

The Bugle Film Club Thursday 13th June

What? Avengers: Endgame Where? Cinéma Sénéchal, 1 rue du Sénéchal, 23000 Guéret When? 19h00, Thursday 13th June How much? JUST €4 (mention The Bugle when purchasing your ticket)

For details of the Cinéma Sénéchal, visit www.cinema-senechal.com Details of each month's screening will be included in The Bugle, but to receive emails about upcoming Film Club nights, please send an email to editor@thebugle.eu quoting “Film Club” in the subject line, and we will add you to our contact list.

(We promise not to send you any spam!!)

Launched in 1982 by the French Ministry for Culture, the Fête de la Musique, also known as World Music Day, is a music festival held all over the world that takes place every 21st June, the day of the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere. Musicians (amateurs and professionals alike) are asked to perform for free, and all the concerts are free for the public. Performances & concerts take place in open air areas such as streets and parks or in public buildings like museums, train stations, castles, etc.

The Fête de la Musique is a way of encouraging the major music institutions (orchestras, operas, choirs, etc.) to perform outside their usual locations and promotes encounters and exchanges between young musicians and well-known talents. To find out more about the free concerts taking place near you visit fetedelamusique.fr or contact your local tourist office for more information.