The Bugle Limousin - Mar 2021

Limousin cow worth more than a Ferrari

A pure breed Limousin cow, named after one of the Spice Girls, has sold at auction in the UK for a world record price of €300,000

>> Page 3

World's oldest shell instrument The 17,000-year-old conch shell laid undiscovered in a French museum for more than 80 years >> Page 11

November 2016 - Issue #85

Limousin

Your local newspaper for life in France

March 2021 - Issue 137 - FREE!

17% of all adults have had Covid-19

>> continued on page 9

Covid fine for wearing flip-flops - pg 8

Fighter jet cuts town's power lines - pg 8

© jules / stonesoup (WikiCommons)

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CoV-2 following a natural infection”, the institute wrote on its website.

As might be expected, the figures vary for different age groups and regions. Just 10% of those aged over 70 have had the virus, for example, but one quarter of 20 to 29-year-olds have already been infected. Almost one third of Parisians have had Covid-19, while those living on the west coast have the lowest incidence.

The study was commissioned to help estimate how much natural immunity may already be in the wider community, vital information as the government plans the next phases of the vaccine roll-out and manages

The Franco-Brit dessert building bridges - pg 6

Baguettes and rooftops fight for UNESCO recognition - pg 4

The estimate, produced by the Pasteur Institute, indicates that almost one fifth of all adults over the age of 20 have been infected with the virus since last February.

n estimated 17% of people in France over the age of 20 may have already been infected with Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic, according to estimates produced by the internationally renowned Pasteur Institute in Paris.

The figure was calculated based on the number of people hospitalised by region and by age group, as well as on an “estimate of the probabilities of being hospitalised when one is infected”.

The aim of the study was “to appreciate the proportion of the population which could have acquired an immunity, at least partial and of short term, against Sars-

INSIDE > > >

Europe's oldest woman survives Covid - pg 10

Bugle Business Directory

7 pages packed with local, English-speaking businesses where you can find anything from a Handyman to a Hairdresser. See pg 14-20.

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2 ♦ IN THIS EDITION

Welcome to

The Bugle

A

s I write this, I find myself somewhat 'full of the joys of spring'. This is in no small part due to the fact that I am 'over the moon' the sun is finally out, but also because I have been spending a lot of time thinking about the English language and its expressions and idioms. It all started when my eldest daughter went round to a friend's house. They live on a farm and had recently welcomed a large number of lambs, a few of which they enlisted my daughter's help in rounding up.

She later told me she couldn't believe how fast and agile the little lambs were, at which point I taught her the expression 'jumping around like a spring lamb' which led naturally on to 'running around like a headless chicken'. Her English is perfect, in the sense that she speaks naturally and without an accent, but she does live her day-today life outside of the house speaking, thinking and learning

in French. I love words, language and expressions and whilst I am proud that I have learnt to speak French fluently (-ish), it is often a source of frustration that my French is purely functional.

It made me realise that my children won't have necessarily come across the thousands of idioms that make English such a rich language and that it must 'drive them round the bend' when they hear such bizarre expressions and 'haven't got the foggiest' what they mean. I take it for granted that I understand exactly what people mean when they use these expressions, but when you take a step back and think about it, 'never in a month of Sundays' would a non-native speaker have a Scooby Doo what you're on about!

So I have been going into idiom-overload this last week in an attempt to expose my kids to as many of these unusual expressions as possible. It's not always easy. Have you ever tried to explain to a child why a 'box of frogs' is a perfect definition of insanity or why the pot and the

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MARCH 2021

kettle are having a conversation in the washing up bowl in the first place. “But horses can't talk Dad, so why would the information come straight from his mouth?” I must admit, she had me there.

I knew it was working, however, when they told me they 'couldn't give a monkey's' about my silly expressions and to talk properly!

I think I wrote not that long ago about accents and how they make a language richer. Regional sayings and expressions add yet another layer to a personality.

In much the same way as your favourite childhood cartoon will usually date you to within a few years, so words can identify you geographically and culturally.

If you're getting lunch ready, whether you are about to fill a roll, batch, barm, cob, bap or stottie will say a lot about where you grew up.

I spent many years living in Brussels and became aware of the phenomenon I christened 'Eurobabies'. This was a term I used to describe children of British parents who had spent their entire lives moving around various European and world cities. They were often the sons and daughters of politicians, diplomats or NATO workers, taught at various international schools, and while they were always obviously native English speakers, they had no identifying accent. You couldn't

place them to any part of the UK by their voice, speech or mannerisms.

I don't say that in a pejorative sense, it was just an observable fact.

Another common consequence of their upbringing was a very good education, multilingualism and an enviable exposure to 'foreign' customs and cultures. Just without a sense of 'belonging' to any one area or era.

Raising British children in France, this has always played on my mind and we have tried to make our house a very British one. My kids watch their fair share of CBBC, they know their baps from their baguettes and two of them love Marmite (the third is dead to me!) They will grow up to be dual nationals and I just hope that I have not deprived them of enough

French culture to make them Eurobabies over here whilst not giving them enough of a British identity to make them feel at home in the UK. Only time will tell, the proof of the pudding will be in the eating and let's face it, I don't know my arse from my elbow.

I'd promise to shut up now, but you'd accuse me of closing the barn door once the horse has bolted.

Until next month...

Steve Martindale, Editor www.thebugle.eu articles.thebugle.eu facebook.com/The BugleFrance

CONTACT us Tel: 06 04 17 80 93 General: editor@thebugle.eu Advertising (EN): sales@thebugle.eu Publicité (FR): publicite@thebugle.eu Subscriptions: subscriptions@thebugle.eu

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FRENCH NEWS ♦ 3

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I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want... a cow worth more than a brand new Ferrari!

A

pedigree Limousin cow has sold at auction in the UK for a world record €300,000, a figure that has led to surprise and a little confusion this side of the Channel. The 14-month-old heifer, Wilodge Poshspice, is the daughter of Milbrook Gingerspice, and when news of the sale was made public, she briefly enjoyed a moment of fame more usually associated with her celebrity namesake.

The price paid for Poshspice is double the previous record, held by her mother following a 2014 sale.

Bred at Lodge Hill Farm in Shifnal, Shropshire, the Limousin cow was sold at the auction in Carlisle for 250,000 guineas, an amount her previous owner, breeder Christine Williams, described as “mind blowing” and “akin to winning the lottery”. Cattle and horses are still sold in guineas, which in old money was 21 shillings, worth £1 and 5p today. Traditionally, the extra shilling was the auctioneer's commission, although they now typically earn more than this.

The staggering price is at least in part due to the fact that advances in science mean the heifer will be able to produce far more calves than would have previously been possible. “There has been a general trend in the last five to ten years for female cows to sell for more than bulls due to an advance of technology which allows embryos to be harvested and sold,” explained Scott Donaldson of Harrison and Heatherington auctioneers, which handled the sale. “On the day of the

auction two big breeders agreed to combine their resources to bid, which meant they had the cash, and then there was the surprise entry of a new Irish bidder, who is starting a pedigree herd from scratch and was determined to get the best - and the result was the price we saw.”

Local farmers here in the Limousin can only dream of earning these sums of money from their livestock. At the last major purebreed Limousin auction in France, held in September, the most expensive animal sold was a bull called Maestro who went for €10,200. The average price for a heifer was less than €4,500.

“It is wrong to say that we in France are angry at the price,” said Olivier Rambert, who works for the company which runs sales for the Congrès International Limousin, based in Boisseuil near Limoges. “It is more that we want the public to understand that the price is 200 times more than a best-of-breed Limousin cow would sell for in France. It has nothing to do with the realities of the commercial market where French livestock farmers are really struggling at the moment.”

“The owners of this heifer will never get their money back, but they will have the fame that goes with her, and a strong base to breed their herd further. We are very happy for the seller, for the new owners and for the Limousin breed in general because it has got people talking about its many merits, but again, we need to tell people this is nothing to do with French commercial livestock farming.” ■ See pg 12 for an article on the history of the Limousin breed.

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Limousin cow sets world record price at UK auction

Another Boussac scratch card jackpot If you are someone who is not averse to the odd flutter on a scratch card, you may well want to head to Boussac for your next purchase. One lucky punter hit the €500,000 jackpot recently on the popular X20 scratch card.

Unbelievably, this is the third time that the maximum sum has been won at the small tabac-presse in northern Creuse, which also has a maximum €30,000 Illico prize to its name. While obviously delighted for their customers, the owners are now pinning their hopes on a significant Euromillions win to cement their position as the luckiest newsagents in France! ■

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T

he famous French baguette has found itself in an unlikely competition with the rooftops of Paris.

The pair are competing with a wine festival to be France's nomination for UNESCO's list of “intangible cultural heritage”, which aims to preserve popular global customs and traditions, and which already recognises Aubusson tapestry and the gastronomic meal among other elements of French culture.

For many, the traditional baguette is synonymous with France and while consumption has dropped in recent decades, the country still chomps its way through six billion crusty sticks each year – the equivalent of half a 250g baguette per person per day. While this is a significant amount of carbohydrate, at the turn of the 20th century the average French person would eat three baguettes each day!

“It would be a good thing to protect our baguettes, our know-how,” said artisan baker Jean-Yves Boullier. “At least let them recognise the French baguette as a unique product that is typically French, and something other countries can't make.”

The baguette may be instantly recognised across the world, but it will face stiff competition from the famous Paris skyline to represent France. Grey zinc roofs are one of the unique features of Parisian architecture and cover a majority of buildings in the capital. Édouard Bastien, president of the Génie Climatique et Couverture Plomberie union believes the honour would “recognise a savoir-faire that has existed for 200 years,” adding that it would “shine a light on our profession and bring young people,

or those retraining, to our industry, because there is a shortage of 500 roofers in Paris every morning”.

The capital's zinc roofs came close to representing France last year, but were eventually beaten by yoles, traditional fishing boats from Martinique. Their inclusion has been hampered in the past by a lack of backing from the Paris Mayor. “I do not want to freeze Paris in time, especially when we want to encourage green roofing solutions and more solar panels,” Anne Hidalgo said in 2015 when she first refused to back recognition of the tradition. “We want to prepare for potential higher temperatures linked to climate change. I would not want this classification to hinder us in this ecological transition.”

The third candidate is La fête du Biou d'Arbois in the Jura department, which is an annual wine festival, usually celebrated at the beginning of September and dating back to the 17th century. During the festival, winegrowers of the surrounding area select their best bunches and assemble them to form a giant grape decoration which is then hung outside the town church as an offering Saint Just, ensuring that the rest of the harvest is a good one.

The decision on which cultural element will represent France will be taken in March

by Culture Minister Roselyne Bachelot, who will then present her choice to President Macron for approval. UNESCO will study the proposals of all countries before deciding which will be included. The list, which was launched in 2008, currently acknowledges 584 elements of culture from 131 different countries around the world. ■

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Baguettes and rooftops battle for recognition

Bookshops considered essential businesses The government has added bookshops to the list of essential businesses, meaning that they can remain open during any future lockdowns. Nice, Cannes and Dunkirk are currently undergoing weekend lockdowns, but the new ruling means that bookshops in the cities can continue to trade.

“I am absolutely delighted for my bookstore colleagues,” said Anne Martelle, president of the French booksellers union. “Since the first confinement, we battled to argue that bookstores were an essential business. I'm very grateful to the culture minister who now believes we were correct. Economically, book shops are among the least profitable shops in France, so it is a very fragile industry and the smallest changes can endanger their very existence.”

During previous lockdowns, areas of supermarkets where books were sold were forced to be cordoned off, but these will also now be able to remain open across the country. ■

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W

hile taking part in an open day to encourage an interest in archaeology, two young children have discovered a tomb containing the 800-year-old mummified remains of an abbot. Brother and sister Alyssa and Alban Chambard, aged just eight and ten, made the amazing discovery after joining the search in the grounds of a medieval monastery at Soissons, a town near Reims in the Aisne department.

The children had been given some basic instruction, as well as a trowel and buckets and were tasked with removing grass and soil from an area that had once formed the floor where the church of the long-lost monastery stood. “They had been shown what to do and told to be careful,” explained Nicolas de Schonen, president of the Association de l’Abbaye Royale Saint Médard. “When they hit what looked like paving, they went very carefully. Then they saw faint engravings on the stone and realised it was something exciting.”

What they had inadvertently discovered was the top of the tomb of Albéric de Braine, an abbott at the monastery who died in 1206, a time when Soissons was one of Europe’s most important trading centres.

If the discovery itself was not enough, the experienced archaeologists called to the find soon realised that the tomb contained exceptionally well-preserved, mummified remains.

“Ten seconds after opening the tomb, it dawned on us what we had found,” explained Jérôme Haquet, an archaeologist at the CNRS Orient & Méditerranée. “We said to ourselves that it was both the best and the worst outcome, because we knew that it would be complicated to remove the body without damaging it and that we would have to resort to less usual methods. We closed it immediately so as not to affect the environment too much.”

The state of preservation, which has been described as matching that of some Egyptian mummies, has been put down to the presence of lead in the coffin. A sheet of lead had been placed over the head, which was itself resting on a pillow, also made of lead, something the archaeologists had never seen before. “We believe the lead created an antibiotic atmosphere, so the decomposition of the body by the development of bacteria did not take place. And the five stones of the lid which close the tomb were extremely well jointed, almost hermetically sealed. The contents of the tomb have been preserved, including the clothing of the deceased and even organic items such as hair.”

After the tomb had been studied, the abbot’s remains were taken to Grenoble where they were first sterilised using radiation in advance of further experiments and analysis. When the research has been completed, the mummified remains will be returned to Soissons for reburial.

credit: Assoc. Abbaye Royale St-Médard de Soissons

Children unearth 800-year-old mummy

Despite the circumstances of his burial indicating a man of significant importance, relatively little is known about the abbott.

The area has been conquered by foreign armies at least seven times since the monastery was first built, with subsequent looting

often destroying historical documents. The association which made the discovery now hopes to turn the area into a “fun historic site” to encourage an interest in archaeology and is trying to find out more about Abbot Albéric de Braine. ■

6 ♦ FRENCH NEWS

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A

Jewish refugee, who fled to France from Austria to escape Nazi persecution, has left millions of euros to the village that sheltered him and his family during the war. Eric Schwam, who arrived in Chambon-sur-Lignon as a young boy in 1943 with his parents and maternal grandmother, died childless on Christmas Day at the age of 90, leaving his entire estate to the village in the HauteLoire department, south of SaintEtienne.

In his will, Schwam wrote that he wanted “to thank them for the welcome many extended me in the field of education”, asking that the money be used to fund scholarships and schools in the village.

“It's a large amount for the village,” Mayor Jean-Michel Eyraud confirmed, while declining to say exactly how much had been bequeathed. The town's former mayor has reportedly said that she had met Schwam and his wife on two occasions in the past to discuss the gift and that it was around €2 million.

Before arriving at Chambon-surLignon, Schwam had been at the Vichy government-run Rivesaltes Camp from where thousands of Jews are believed to have been sent to the death camps of eastern Europe. When the camp was closed in 1942, those previously held there dispersed across the country looking for shelter from deportation.

Chambon-sur-Lignon, located on a remote mountain plateau, has

historically had a large Protestant community known for offering shelter to those in need. During the war, it is estimated that the 20,000 residents of Chambon and other small villages on the plateau welcomed as many as 5,000 Jewish refugees, mostly children. There is not a single record of anyone ever denouncing a neighbour in what has been called le miracle du silence.

The town is the only one in France to have received the honorary title “Righteous Among The Nations” from the State of Israel, which gives the title to non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews from extermination by the Nazis.

Barack Obama also mentioned the village by name in his remarks at the Holocaust Days of Remembrance Ceremony in April 2009.

It is believed that Schwam lived in the village until 1950, before going on to study at the University of Lyon where he subsequently lived and worked as a pharmacist after marrying a local Catholic woman. “Around 15 years ago, he came to see the mayor and told her he wanted to leave Chambon something in his will. But then we had no more news,” said Denise Vallat, head of culture and communications at the town hall. “Eric Schwam had no children, he was very discrete and didn’t want publicity over this. We don't know when exactly or how the family arrived in France, but we know that the family survived and the parents returned to Austria.” ■

@franceintheuk (Facebook)

Jewish refugee leaves Paris-Londres dessert created millions to village

A

gainst the backdrop of an increasingly messy Brexit, the French Embassy in London and the British Embassy in Paris launched a competition in November of last year aimed at bringing our countries closer together. Taking inspiration from the ParisBrest pastry that was created to commemorate the famous annual bike race between the two cities, the challenge was to invent a dessert that could be enjoyed on both sides of the Channel.

The winning “Paris-Londres” dessert has now been unveiled and is the creation of Guillaume Godin, head pastry chef at the three Michelin-starred Guy Savoy restaurant in Paris. “After receiving many creative, original proposals, the two ambassadors were won over by the flavours and visual aesthetic of pastry chef Guillaume Godin’s creation: an apple tatin with Darjeeling tea mousse, set between pâte sucrée and decorated with vanilla Chantilly cream,” a press release released by the British Embassy in Paris read.

“This dessert will become an absolute must at the tables of the French Residence in London and the British Residence in Paris. Through this original initiative, we want to create a symbol of the link between our two capitals and recall the long history shared by France and the UK which con-

tinues to be written today.”

“We were won over by the flavours of this dessert, which so effectively embodies the links between our two countries on each side of the Channel,” said British Ambassador to France, Ed Llewellyn. “We are delighted to be associated with this excellent initiative, allowing us to continue writing the history between France and the UK, from both a playful and gastronomic perspective.”

Explaining the inspiration behind the winning dessert, Guy Savoy said: “Behind the ‘Paris-Londres’ is a melding of two countries and cultures through flavours such as Darjeeling tea and the way the apple, a seasonal fruit common to both countries, has been prepared. We wanted to draw inspiration from the famous bridges of the two major capitals, London and Paris, with the Pont Neuf, very close to the Restaurant Guy Savoy at the Monnaie de Paris, and the legendary Tower Bridge.”

Anyone hoping to take a bite out of the new pastry may have to wait a while as for the time being, it is only being served at the French Residence in London and the British Residence in Paris. All is not lost, however, as the French Embassy in London did tweet out the recipe, so why not give it a go from home! ■

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FRENCH NEWS ♦ 7

8 ♦ FRENCH NEWS

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Flip-flop lockdown fine Jet cuts electricity lines

I

n March of last year, a young Frenchman was surprised to be given a fine for breaking lockdown rules when he did not think he was breaking any.

This shock has now turned to disbelief as almost one year later he has been told that he may soon face an appearance in court.

His crime: wearing flip-flops!

25-year-old Laurick was stopped by the gendarmes whilst out taking his daily exercise on 24 March 2020, just after the start of the first lockdown. The young man, who was living with his parents, had correctly filled out his Attestation de déplacement dérogatoire form before going for his daily walk; one hour of outdoor exercise, taken within one kilometre of your house, was permitted at the time.

According to a letter that was recently sent by police to the house of Laurick's parents: “Travel exemption forms specify that people can leave the house to do sports, but he was not wearing appropriate clothing. With his flip-flops he was just taking a walk.”

The unlucky man has described the situation as “so grotesque, it’s funny” and said

that he will fight the ruling. By contesting the initial €135 fine, a further €31 has already been added, and this could increase much further if his case does end up in court and he is unsuccessful. He has said he will argue that “physical activity” as permitted by the attestation has a broader definition than simply “doing sports”, as appears to have been narrowly interpreted by the gendarmes who stopped him.

The original forms gave as one reason for leaving the house: “des déplacements brefs liés à une activité physique individuelle”, which, on the government's official English version was translated as: “individual outdoor exercise”. Most at the time had assumed that an afternoon stroll was an acceptable form of exercise, and in fact the form even mentions “going for a walk” and “walking a pet” as examples of valid reasons for leaving your house.

Whilst it should be hoped that common sense will prevail if the case is brought before a judge, were the courts to impose a fine, the ruling could set a dangerous precedent for those of us who prefer an opentoed shoe in warmer weather. ■

Hunters join hornet battle

A

s often happens at this time of year, a number of households in France have found themselves temporarily without electricity as a result of localised damage caused by high winds and flooding. One village in the south of France, however, saw the lights go out for a very different reason when their electricity lines were cut by a low-flying fighter jet.

Benoît Gouin, mayor of the small town of Le Castellet, near Manosque, was in his car at the time and immediately knew that something was amiss. “It went so low that it made a hell of a racket,” he explained. “I then looked up and saw the second aircraft. It was so low that I said to myself: it must have gone under the power lines.”

Driving further along the road, the mayor soon came across a section of electric cables dangling on the ground. “One of the planes hit the line and cut it. I immediately called the emergency services and the Enedis [electricity company] team.”

The fall of the cables had also started a small fire which was quickly brought under control and residents remained without power for much of the day. The main road into the village was also temporarily closed as authorities assessed the damage and ensured that there was no danger to the public.

The two Rafale aircraft had taken off from a nearby air base on a low-altitude training flight, according to officials, who confirmed that an investigation has been opened into the “rare incident”. “There were no casualties; this in-flight incident forced the pilot of the aircraft to land safely”. ■

Crit'Air video surveillance

S

ince the Crit'Air system was first introduced in 2017, a growing number of cities across France have been using the scheme to fight air pollution and enforcement of the rules has also become increasingly strict. The latest move in the battle against car pollution is the planned introduction of video surveillance to monitor compliance in the nation's capital.

Under the system, it is compulsory to have a valid Crit'Air pollution sticker displayed in the windscreen of your car when driving on the streets of certain French cities. The six different coloured Crit’Air stickers indicate the age and cleanliness of a vehicle, ranging from a level 1 to a level 5 sticker for the most polluting - there is also a green sticker for electric or hydrogen vehicles - and allow local authorities to restrict certain vehicles from the roads at times of peak pollution.

Cities which currently restrict the movement of vehicles based on their levels of pollution include Toulouse, Strasbourg, Lille, Lyon, Grenoble, Rennes and Marseille, but the rules are toughest in the capital. In Paris, all Crit’Air 5 cars are banned from entering the inner suburbs between 8h and 20h on weekdays. From June this year, that restriction will also be extended to vehicles with a Crit’Air 4 sticker – diesel cars registered between 2001 and 2005.

Temporary restrictions can also be put in place

M

uch has been made over recent years of the spread of Asian hornets across France, the potential danger they pose to humans and the devastating impact that they can have on local bee populations. As the warm weather draws ever closer, the hunters of the Haute Vienne are gearing up to lead the battle against the invasive pest. La chasse of the Haute-Vienne are the only hunting federation in France that has committed to help battle the spread of Asian hornets.

The idea is a simple one: to encourage all their members to hang simple hornet traps in sunlit areas of woodland. These are typically made from empty plastic bottles, which have several 10 mm holes cut into them and a mixture of fruit cordial, beer and white wine in the bottom. Each hunter is being asked to place at least two traps.

“By catching a queen, you can effectively stop four or five thousand frélons being born,” explained Christian Groleau, president of the Fédération des chasseurs de la Haute-Vienne. “Last year we caught huge numbers of hornets. I personally got between three and four thousand. It's a public interest venture. Asian hornet bites are no laughing matter and can land you in hospital and even prove fatal.”

Not everyone is a fan of the home-made traps and detractors argue that they also catch flies, moths and butterflies. “I have never seen anything other than hornets and wasps in them,” said Christian Groleau. “OK, yes, a few flies, but never butterflies. The key is that the holes must not be larger than 10 mm.”

This time of year is a key period for setting hornet traps as from mid-February the queens begin to emerge from hibernation. They will look for suitable places to build nests where they will lay hundreds of eggs a day until autumn which will then hatch into fully grown hornets 45 days later. ■

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by authorities during times of localised spikes in pollution levels, when they can choose categories to restrict. Until now, it is the police who have performed the necessary checks and anyone found driving illegally faces a fine which can range from €68-€450. Under the new measures being brought in by Paris authorities, video cameras will also now be used to enforce the pollution rules.

The surveillance, which will be in place before the end of the year, will still require a police officer to retroactively validate the infringement, but the authorities have confirmed that this is just the first step towards a fully automated system that would not require any human intervention.

“Low emission zones are not a question of traffic rules, but a question of public health,” explained Transport Minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari. “Lives are at stake. Air pollution kills 48,000 people each year in France. That's more than ten times more than road accidents.”

When the stickers were first released, the rush to buy them led to a large number of “intermediary” companies offering to do the application for you, often with an eye-watering markup. In reality, Crit'Air stickers are very easy to acquire and cost just €3.67 when delivered to a French address. Applications should be made through the official website (available in English): https://certificat-air.gouv.fr/en/ ■

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FRENCH NEWS ♦ 9

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credit: meteo-covid.com

S

ince the coronavirus pandemic began early last year, graphs, charts and maps have become a daily feature of news bulletins. In response, one enterprising data analyst has decided to put a more light-hearted spin on what is often a dire situation by creating an emoji-map of the country's healthcare situation.

Guillaume Saint-Quentin is the founder of the website Météo Covid, which presents the current state of affairs by using an emoji for each department. He has called his creation the Trouillocarte – or Fear Map – from the French expression avoir la trouille, which translates as being scared to death.

The eleven levels of mood go from a party emoji at the happiest end, through to an emoji of Eduard Munch's The Scream and finally a police siren, indicating the highest level of fear. The map is updated daily using five metrics of publicly available data. At time of going to print, there are plenty of Scream emojis at the national level - and even one siren for the Alpes-Maritimes department – but the majority of Nouvelle-Aquitaine is at the lower end of the fear spectrum.

For more information, visit www.meteo-covid.com ■

credit: www.labyrinthe-gueret.fr

Emoji Covid fear map Guéret maze open again

A

s the weather slowly begins to warm up after a long winter defined by restrictions, confinements and curfews, many people are looking to get out and about. For residents of the Creuse, one great way to have fun and get some exercise – all socially distanced of course – is the Labyrithe des Monts de Guéret, which has recently re-opened to the public.

Nestled in the forest just outside the department's capital, the 2.5 hectare maze is Europe's largest and has long been popular with tourists and locals alike. “We have had far more visitors in February than we would usually see,” explained Camille Beaume, manager of the maze.

“There is obviously a great demand for people to get out of their houses.”

The huge labyrinth has 15 kilometres of paths and visitors should plan to spend a good few hours in the woods. Starting at the centre of the maze, there are seven paths to take, but only 2 of them will lead you out. To help you along the way, explorers are given quiz questions at each split in the maze, with the correct answer taking you in the correct direction (these are available in English).

The average time to escape the maze is one hour, but not everyone is so lucky (ED: I had friends over from the UK who once spent more than two and a half hours finding the exit!) The maze is currently open seven days a week from 14h to 17h30 (last entry at 16h), but for more information and up-to-date opening hours, see www.labyrinthe-gueret.fr ■

Nearly one fifth of all adults have had Covid-19 >> continued from pg 1 the ongoing pandemic response. The institute was at pains, however, to stress that the figures are an estimation and any immunity acquired through infection may well disappear with time.

“We must be careful in the interpretation of these estimates,” warned the institute. “If the infection undoubtedly confers immunity in the short term, it is possible that it fades with time.” The group also said that its methodology was based “on fairly strong assumptions”, but not hard data.

“We hypothesised that the probability of being hospitalised when one is infected has remained constant in each age group, but it is possible that these probabilities have varied during the pandemic or from one region to another.”

The figures were released as parts of the country teetered on the edge of further restrictions. Some of the worst

affected areas are currently in the northeast and south-east of the country. Nice, along with more than 60 communes along the south coast, has introduced localised weekend lockdowns with Dunkirk due to join them from the end of February. Further restrictions are also being considered in 20 departments under high surveillance, including the whole of greater Paris.

“The health situation in our country has deteriorated in recent days,” Prime Minister Jean Castex told the country in a televised address on February 25.

“Yesterday we registered more than 30,000 positive cases, a figure we haven't seen since last November. After several months marked by a plateau of between 15,000 and 20,000 cases per day, the virus has been gaining ground again for a week.”

If it is decided that additional measures are required, they will not be implemented before March 6th,

the end of the school holiday window.

The government appears to remain committed to avoiding a further national lockdown and the prime minister expressed confidence that “the end of Spring” would see the country finally turn the corner. “By this time, the protection of the most vulnerable should enable us to reduce the effects of this epidemic on the entire population.”

During his televised address, Castex also revealed that the vaccination programme was being expanded to include people aged 50 to 64 who are considered to be in the high risk category, and from April everyone over the age of 65 who not already been vaccinated will be able to book an appointment for a jab.

Patients who are the most at risk of a severe form of Covid-19 include people with existing medical conditions, such as diabetes, cancer, respiratory disease, chronic kidney disease and obesity.

“We are vaccinating a lot, and most

importantly, I want to emphasise to you, we are vaccinating the right people,” the Prime Minister reassured the public. “If some countries around us have so far vaccinated more than us, France is in the lead for the vaccination of people most exposed to severe forms of Covid-19.”

France is not currently giving the AstraZeneca jab to people over 65 due to a lack of test data, but Health Minister Olivier Véran said in late February that he was increasingly confident that the vaccine was both safe and effective for older people. “I'm cautious, but a provisional Scottish study shows for the first time an absolutely phenomenal efficacy of AstraZeneca in elderly people, even those aged 65 and over,” the minister said. “I'm not going to give it to people aged 65 and over right away, I'm waiting for the article to be peer reviewed, and then for the health authorities to say that, on the basis of this study, we can go ahead.” ■

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Europe's oldest woman survives Covid-19

E

urope's oldest person has survived Covid-19, just in time to celebrate her 117th birthday. Lucile Randon, a French nun who took the name of Sister André in 1944, tested positive for coronavirus in January, but did not develop any symptoms, telling local media “I didn't even realise I had it”. After a brief spell in isolation at the Toulon care home where she lives, Sister André was declared fully recovered before her birthday on 11th February.

“She has been very lucky,”

said David Tavella, spokesman for the Sainte Catherine Labouré retirement home. “She didn't ask me about her health, but about her habits. For example, she wanted to know if meal or bedtime schedules would change. She showed no fear of the disease. On the other hand, she was very concerned about the other residents.”

Sister André was born on 11th February 1904 and, along with being Europe's oldest person, she is also the secondoldest living person in the world. When asked by French broadcaster BFM whether she

Mastercard increase fees in EU for UK cards Mastercard has revealed that it will be increasing fivefold the charge it levies on vendors in the EU for online sales when processing UK-registered cards. Because the UK is no longer a member of the EU, the fees charged to an EU-based seller are to rise from 0.3% to 1.5% for credit cards and 0.2% to 1.15% for debit cards.

While some have expressed concerns that the increased fee will lead to businesses refusing to accept UK Mastercard payments, the company has said that the change should have little impact. The new “interchange” fees are the same as are currently paid by sellers whenever someone uses a non-EU/ EEA card, and a spokesperson for the payment processing giant said: “There is no evidence that European businesses charge consumers in non-EEA markets higher prices than consumers in the EEA as a result.”

The spokesperson did not comment on whether some EEAbased websites might opt to stop accepting payments from UK cards. Mastercard’s main competitor, Visa, also passes on interchange fees, but has not yet taken a decision on its position regarding UK cards. ■

Self-isolation increased from one week to 10 days The government has increased the minimum period of selfisolation for anyone testing positive for Covid-19 from seven

was scared to find out she had Covid, she replied: “No, I wasn't scared, because I wasn't scared to die. I'm happy to be with you, but I wish to be somewhere else - to join my big brother, and my grandfather and my grandmother.”

Coronavirus disproportionally affects the elderly and spreads rapidly in care home environments. While Sister André survived the virus with mild symptoms, not everyone in her care home was so lucky: of the 88 residents, 81 were diagnosed with Covid-19 in January and 10 sadly died. ■

to 10 days over fears of more contagious variants of the virus. Confirming the change, which took effect from Monday 22nd February, Health Minister Olivier Véran said: “The uncertainty around the variants requires us to remain absolutely on alert.”

“Certain scientific studies suggest the possibility that the variants have a contagion time that is longer than regular Covid,” the minister said. “Without waiting for confirmation, and due to the fact that the spread of the variants is rising, I have decided that the self-isolation time for all patients with a positive test will rise from seven to 10 days.”

Isolation times will remain at seven days for contact cases. ■

Third place sailor wins Vendée Globe Despite crossing the line in third place, French sailor Yannick Bestaven has won the Vendée Globe. The La Rochellebased skipper crossed the finish line at Les Sables-d'Olonne 80 days, 13 hours 59 minutes and 46 seconds after setting sail, but was given back 10 hours and 15 minutes for turning around during the race to help a fellow competitor in trouble.

The race produced the closest finish in the event's history.

“I did not equal Armel Le Cléac'h but I equalled Jules Verne, we do what we can,” Bestaven said soon after finishing; Le Cléac'h still holds the record set in 2017 of 74 days and 3 hours. “I feel like I'm living a dream, hallucinating.

We go from total solitude to this, to this party, to these lights.

This result is beyond my expectations. After struggling as we struggled, a victory with Maître CoQ IV is a dream!”

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After years of waiting, the government's much vaunted pledge to bring fibre internet to rural France is slowly coming to fruition. The latest area to be connected to the fibre network are the communes of Bellac and Peyrat-de-Bellac in the north of the Haute-Vienne, where the vast majority of residents are now able to benefit from high-speed internet.

The fibre infrastructure is not privately owned and households are able to sign up via all the major telecoms operators such as Orange, SFR, Bouygues and Free.

The roll-out has been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, and the next phase in the Haut-Limousin will now be completed by the end of 2022, connecting Saint-Bonnetde-Bellac, La Croix-sur-Gartempe, Saint-Sornin-la-Marche, Saint-Ouen-sur-Gartempe, Blanzac, Droux, Saint-Junien-lesCombes and Berneuil. The nearby communes of BussièreBoffy, Le Dorat and Magnac-Laval will be connected in 2023-24.

The deployment of “very high-speed internet” has been a central policy of the Macron administration and is seen as a vital step in the désenclavement - unlocking, or opening up - of rural areas such as the Limousin. Projects are ongoing across the region. To see if you are eligible, visit https:// nathd.fr/eligibilite. ■

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FRENCH NEWS ♦ 11

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A

ccording to researchers, a 17,000-year-old conch shell that lay forgotten in a museum for more than 80 years is in fact one of the oldest musical instruments in the world. First unearthed in a richly decorated cave in the Pyrenees in 1931, archaeologists initially thought the 30 cm shell was a communal “loving cup”, not uncommon in the late Palaeolithic era. During a recent inventory of items held at the Muséum de Toulouse in southern France, however, experts noticed that it had in fact been carefully drilled and shaped to hold what they believe would have been a mouth piece.

The team then enlisted the help of a local French horn player to test their theory and, astonishingly, he was able to produced three clear notes - C, C sharp and D sounds that had not been heard for some 17,000 years. “Hearing it for the first time, for me it was a big emotion... and a big stress!” confirmed archaeologist Carole Fritz. There had been fears that playing the instrument may damage it, but fortunately, that was not the case.

Conch shells have long been used in musical and ceremonial traditions around the world, including in ancient Greece, Japan, India and Peru, but the shell instrument found in the Marsoulas cave is now the oldest known example; a conch shell instrument found in Syria had previously been dated at around 6,000 years old.

Detailed investigations revealed that the apex of the Marsoulas conch had been purposely removed, creating a round aperture through which a narrow stick had been inserted to drill a further hole, a process described by the scientists as “a really complex technical operation”. The outermost lip of the shell had also been trimmed, potentially to allow a player to insert his or her hand to modulate the sound.

Traces of a brown organic substance were also detected around the apex hole, which the researchers believe may have been residue of a glue used to attach the mouthpiece to the shell.

“This is classic, really solid archaeology,” said Margaret Conkey, an archaeologist at the University of California, who

© GEORGES GOBET

World's oldest shell instrument found

was not involved in the research.

“This discovery reminds us that their lives were much richer and more complex than just stone tools and big game.”

Further investigation revealed that the conch had also been decorated in its inner whorls with red pigment marks striking-

ly similar to fingerprint artworks on the walls of the cave where it was found. “We are supposing that the shell was decorated with the same pattern as was used in the cave art of Marsoulas, which establishes a strong link between the music played by the conch and the images on

the walls,” explained Gilles Tosello, an archaeologist and cave art specialist who was part of the investigating team. “That, to our knowledge, is the first time that we can see evidence of such a relationship between music and cave art in European prehistory.” ■

12 ♦ FRENCH LIFE

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The world famous Limousin cow

T

he history of the Limousin cow may be as old as Europe itself. Images of cattle on the walls of the Lascaux caves near Montignac dating back 20,000 years show a remarkable resemblance to today’s Limousin cows.

Recognisable by their distinctive golden-red colouring, Limousin cows are famed worldwide for their lean meat and have been described as the ‘butcher’s animal’ in France.

The landscape of the Limousin is rugged and rolling, with rocky, acidic soils, a harsh climate and altitudes of 1,000 metres. Consequently, in the past the Limousin was always a difficult place to grow crops and emphasis was placed on cattle. As a result of the environment, the cows that thrived here developed into a breed of exceptional health and sturdiness. French cattle spent much of their life indoors and the breeders of the day considered it a point of pride that the Limousin cows stayed outdoors most of the year and still calved year-round, despite the difficult conditions. The region’s remoteness and lack of natural

resources also meant that the herds remained isolated from other breeds and the Limousin cow’s bloodline remained relatively pure.

Their reputation as being hardy, strong animals, as well as producing good meat, soon spread. In 1698, they were reported as being “universally renowned and esteemed both as beasts of burden and beef cattle”. Traditionally they would be put to work and then fattened up at the end of their working lives for meat, when they would be marched to Paris or Toulouse, a journey of some 14 days.

Back then, a Limousin cow would only weigh around 300 kg, compared to the 600 kg you would expect these days.

In the 17th and again in the 18th century, attempts were made to cross the Limousin cow with a larger breed to create a hybrid animal with higher meat yield. On both occasions, larger cows were indeed produced, but the increase in body mass was compensated for by an increase in food demand to such an extent that the hybrid animals were not as economical as their smaller, pure-bred equivalents.

Subsequently, attempts to improve the breed concentrated on natural selection methods. The pioneer of this natural selection movement was Charles de Leobary and his herdsman, Royer. They produced a pure-bred herd of Limousin cows and, between 1854 and 1896, the de Leobary herd won a total of 265 ribbons at the prestigious Bordeaux Competition, one of France’s finest cattle shows.

The use of natural selection methods required that bloodlines were closely monitored and the first Limousin Herd Book was established in 1886. Herd books contain information about every registered animal with regards to parentage and bloodline and are used to ensure a breed’s ‘purity’. Initially 177 males and 497 females were selected for registration.

With the formation of a herd book came shows solely for Limousin cows. This increased exposure for the breed and enhanced its reputation nationwide.

Today, Limousin cattle display three important traits within their breed: excellent feed efficiency, adaptability and a high carcass yield. The cattle are good foragers and are very efficient at converting feed into mass. It is commonly said that the Limousin cows are genetically “trimmed”, with high muscle mass and a low skeleton weight. The meat is tender and fine fibered due to the low fat levels, all of which has contributed to the Limousin cow becoming nationally and internationally revered. ■

The different beef cuts in the UK and France French and English butchers do not always joint a beef carcass in the same way. Not only are the French and English names for different joints completely different, they will often be cut differently and look unfamiliar. Below are the names and locations of the most common cuts of beef in English and French.

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FRENCH LIFE ♦ 13

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by Julia Watson

very effort is made to keep this column local. But it’s March. I defy you to come up with anything cheery to eat in March that you haven’t been eating since November. Animals are more sensible than humans - they recognise there’s little to keep us satisfied until April heralds fresh spring produce, so they may as well sleep.

I’m thinking a disquisition on the avocado might do the spirit-raising trick, since, in Europe, they still come into the ‘treat’ category of food.

The avocado has had an extraordinary rise in popularity, particularly among people young enough to look good wearing yoga clothing or tracksuits. These are the same people who have been responsible in the UK for a rise in visits to A&E departments at hospitals with stab wounds in their palms, the result of being unaware of the trick to removing an avocado’s stone safely. That stone which, incidentally, qualifies the avocado as a berry.

British supermarkets Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury's both claim to have been the first to sell the avocado, in the 1960s. But evidence of them being eaten goes back, in Central America, to around 10,000 BC. How it has survived so many centuries before man became a farmer is a puzzle. Fruits and vegetables are generally propagated by the animals who eat them excreting their pips and seeds. Have you considered the size of that avocado stone?

At more than 34% of the market, Mexico is still the main provider of the āhuacatl, a Nahuatl word that also means testicle. But it’s also grown further south, across the Caribbean, in California, and more recently in Israel and round the Mediterranean basin.

The first person to give it the name ‘avocado’ was the 17th century physician and naturalist, Hans Sloane, who referenced it in a 1696 index of Jamaican plants. But a Spanish conquistador, Fernández de Oviedo, is said to have been the first European to have actually eaten it. ‘A paste similar to butter,’ he said, ‘and of very good taste’.

While Mexicans ate them with great regularity, California farmers who had planted groves in the 1900s found it hard to popularise an unfamiliar vegetable with an unpronounceable name and reverted to ‘avocado’. Sales remained modest, with an annual consumption per capita in 1989 of 0.5kg until the California Avocado Commission hired a PR firm in the 1990s to promote them. With the goal of benefitting from TV's top sofa-snack guzzling sports event, the Super Bowl, it came up with the Guacamole Bowl, getting NFL players to share their favourite guacamole recipes, even if they may not have eaten any before Hill & Knowlton encouraged them to do so.

US sales rocketed by almost 70%. Now, every Super Bowl Sunday, more than 45 million kilos of avocados are sold. During the year, Americans eat more than 3kg each. It was Gwyneth Paltrow who repositioned the avocado from couch potato dip to metrosexual breakfast, with her recipe in her 2013 ‘clean eating’ cookbook, ‘It’s All Good’, for avocado on toast - one of her less bonkers developments. In the UK, avocados have had the third largest sales increase of any grocery item.

Here is an excellent recipe for guacamole for any time of year. It comes from Central Mexico and the research of the doyenne of Mexican cuisine, Diana Kennedy.

Julia Watson has been a long-time Food Writer for newspapers and magazines in the US and the UK. She writes 'Tabled', a weekly food blog at juliawatson.substack.com

credit: mylatinatable.com

E

Holy Guacamole

Ingredients 4 tablespoons finely chopped fresh coriander 1 to 2 serrano chillies, stemmed and finely chopped, depending on how much heat you like 2 tablespoons finely chopped white onion Sea salt 3 ripe avocados, halved and pitted 285g grape or cherry tomatoes, finely chopped Tortilla chips, to serve In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of the coriander, the chillies, onion, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mash the mix with the bottom of a dry tea cup until a rough paste forms, about one minute.

Scoop the avocado flesh into a bowl and coarsely mash with a potato masher or fork. Stir in the coriander paste and half the tomatoes until combined.

Season with salt to taste.

Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle with the remaining coriander and tomatoes and serve with nachos or tortilla chips to dip.

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14 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MARCH 2021

BUSINESS DIRECTORY Champlong Chatterie

Animals & Pets

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

Dog Guest Home (NOT KENNELS)

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.

20€ / night 10 € / half day 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

Alison & Ray

Tel: 05 55 60 27 83

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

www.etoilia.fr English and French website

Free delivery in Creuse for orders over 50€

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93

06 04 17 80 93

CHARTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEER

Pre-purchase & Structural Surveys.

Verbal & written reports.

Structural calculations & drawings.

Redevelopment ideas & solutions.

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

FR: 0033 (0)6 52 06 22 79 UK: 0044 (0)7448 466 662

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

Your advert here 06 04 17 80 93

Building Services Architects/Surveyors

Building Services Carpenters/Joiners

Carpenter

sales@thebugle.eu

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

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93 Auto & Bike Services

Siret: 790 016 984 00011

Architectural Can your DRAWING business fill SERVICE this space?

New build?

Dossiers prepared Permis de Construire Déclarations Préalables

RING BILL! 05.55.81.31.85

See Display Ad Below

Registered Car Mechanic

Email: info@masterplans.eu www.masterplans.eu

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93

Renovating your French property?

Registered Car Mechanic

RING BILL!

Tel: 05 53 52 36 05

lavieilleabbaye@orange.fr SIRET: 493 770 358 00015

Give us a call or send us an email: sales24@thebugle.eu

06 04 17 80 93

DAVID CARDWELL PROFESSIONAL

BUILDER

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

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

(contrôle technique)

All types Best Rates Available Immediately References available Call Mark:

06 45 82 34 03 Siret 798 692 778 00011

CARPENTER AND BUILDER

QUALITY WORKMANSHIP SINCE 1986 €120 per day

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

Neuvialle Menuiserie

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

NEUVIALLE MENUISERIE JOINERY

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

■ Services ■ Brakes ■ MOT Prep

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)

05 55 81 31 85

SIRET: 494 617 798 00017

Your advert here

Handholding & Language >> pg 19 Health & Beauty >> pg 19 Insurance & Finance >> pg 19 Pools & Spas >> pg 19 Property Sales & Maintenance >> pg 19-20 Retail & Commerce >> pg 20 Scrap & Clearance >> pg 20 Transport/Removals/Storage >> pg 20

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

Etoilia Animalerie 06 04 17 80 93 Mobile Pet shop

Animals & Pets >> pg 14 Auto & Bike Services >> pg 14 Building Services >> pg 14-17 Chimney Sweeps >> pg 17 Cleaning Services >> pg 17 Computers, TV & Satellite >> pg 17-18 Food & Drink >> pg 18 Garden Services >> pg 18 Gifts & Crafts >> pg 19

DIRECTORY ♦ 15

MARCH 2021 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

SKILLED JOINER Will Fit For You:

•Stairs (can custom build) •Doors •Windows •Fitted Kitchens •Floors (wooden, laminate, etc.)

•Fitted Wardrobes & Cupboards Over 40 years experience

CALL: 06 80 58 06 08 Siret: 492 869 649 00029

KD Creative Carpentry & General Maintenance 40 years experience fully qualified fitting of kitchens, wardrobes, windows, doors, stairs, balconies, decking, etc.

Small general maintenance jobs.

Reasonable rates.

30km radius of Mérinchal (23420) Please contact Kevin:

06 25 94 44 63

yorkienboo@gmail.com Siret No. 885 154 948 00016

Wooden Floors Sanded & Sealed From € 24 / sqm Departartment 23 & Surrounding Areas

A. Wright

Carpenter & Joiner 06 35 12 10 66 see main ad - pg 8

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Your advert here

07 54 23 37 01

richardexcel@hotmail.co.uk

Entreprise Maeva Qualified French Artisan / Carpenter

Specialist in woodwork, painting, window / door fitting as well as all maintenance, renovation & upkeep of your house and garden.

50km radius of Bénénvent-l'Abbaye (23210).

English spoken.

Call Aymerick (Rick):

07 69 34 75 02

Email: entreprisemaeva@gmail.com Siret: 831 957 691 00023

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

Steven Rofe 28 Years' experience

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

www.roferenovation.com

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

Building Services Electricians & Plumbers Qualified & specialising in: • Electricity • Plumbing • Small renovations (bathrooms, kitchens, etc.)

Fully registered & insured English & Dutch spoken Based in the east of Creuse Call or email Rob: E: installation23@gmail.com

M: 06 40 56 96 12 Siret: 753 054 030 00014

Carlos

Entreprise Electricité Générale All aspects of electrical works undertaken Departments 36, 23 and 87 UK / French Satellite and TV Aerial installations

06 16 91 64 67

contact@reactive-resource.com www.reactive-resource.com Siren: 808 481 170

Maurice Baynes

PLUMBING & HEATING

Domestic and commercial Bathroom design and installation Heating systems Tiling and full fit out Fully Insured All areas covered

Electrician/Plumber

mauricepbaynes@gmail.com

see main ad below

siret: 887 841 088 00016

05 55 62 63 82

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

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93

Building Services Fosses Septiques

LVL

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

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

Septic Tank Installation Service

06 04 17 80 93

INSTALLATION23

Call Richard:

Lumiere Service et Energie

Tel: 07 87 01 70 30

Reed Bed Sanitation Systems Sewer Connections Compact Filters www.fossepro.com Tel: 06 33 78 24 23 fossepro@orange.fr

Fosse Septique 23 Steve. JOHNS. SARL

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

05.55.64.11.73 06.70.47.52.96 siret: 824 706 444 00018

Aquatiris

Ecological Septic Tanks www.aquatiris.fr 06 95 09 13 71 - pg 3

SALAMANDRE Building

électricité Keith SLOPER

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

Services General

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

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 86 62 59 37

www.maxhuggett.com

English & French spoken - Siret: 518 511 340 00011

Davis & Davis

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

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

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

Based near Limoges - Covering depts 87, 23 & 19 Siret: 498 203 652 00017

A Horrocks & Son Building and restoration work

06 26 97 28 54 see main ad below

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93 La Noneix

Construction & Property Services

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

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

Large or small projects undertaken - please view our website.

Contact: Paul or Joanne Rands

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

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

To advertise in The Bugle Business Directory, call 06 04 17 80 93 ELECTRICIAN/PLUMBER FROM SMALL REPAIRS TO COMPLETE INSTALLATIONS BOILER SERVICING OVER 35 YEARS EXPERIENCE FULLY INSURED - BASED DEPT 23 lorrainemquintana@gmail.com

05 55 62 63 82

siret: 829 638 741 00019

16 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MARCH 2021

ADVERTORIAL

Are your financial plans robust enough to provide properly and protect your family when you are gone? - Rosemary Sheppard, International Financial Adviser registered in France. Many of you may be aware of the EU succession regulation Brussels IV, that allows you to write your Will under the rules of your country of nationality. This can avoid the rules of ‘forced heirship’ in France, but don’t make the mistake that this also means your Estate will be dealt with according to UK tax rules, if you are French resident at the date of your death.

Your heirs could potentially face an Inheritance Tax liability of up to 60% if you do not plan correctly. Quite often I will hear from clients that they are not concerned about this, once they are gone, but the majority of people would rather not

A

s we continue to find ourselves in uncertain times there are two things we can always be certain of, as my grandad used to say: Death and Taxes. Whilst we can’t avoid either we can always plan and help mitigate some of the costs of the latter.

Firstly, and maybe the most important, is having a valid Will in place, whether written in the UK or France, and ensuring that its existence is at least

contemplate the fact that they have strived all their lives to accumulate savings and pensions only to give it away to the taxman.

Whilst we do not have a Will writing service at Blacktower, we have affiliates that can help you with Wills and we can guide you in some of the ways that you can mitigate your liability to Inheritance Tax and pass on your hardearned wealth to your heirs, without a huge loss via the taxman.

A combination of good tax planning through savings, investments and pensions is usually the key, but each client’s circumstances are individual and will be treated as such and whilst you are still alive and healthy

and wanting to enjoy your money the same applies.

Unfortunately, at the moment this is becoming a little more difficult to do, with more and more UK institutions, including pension companies such as Scottish Widows and ReAssure to name only two, now informing their non-UK resident clients that they can no longer freely access their pension funds.

If this is something that is potentially affecting you please do get in touch as there are simple solutions to help you. It is not all doom and gloom!

Blacktower will be by your side both now and in the future, we are here to help you. To arrange a professional and impartial

consultation please contact me by email: Rosemary. sheppard@blacktowerfm. com, visit our website www.blacktowerfm.com or call me on 06 38 86 99 70.

This article is based on the opinion of the financial adviser and author, and does not reflect the views of Blacktower. The above information is based on current legislation which is subject to change and does not constitute as investment advice, or investment research and you should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity.

Blacktower Insurance Agents & Advisors Ltd is

regulated in Cyprus by the Insurance Companies Control Service and registered with ORIAS in France. Blacktower Financial Management (Cyprus) Ltd is regulated in Cyprus by the Cyprus Securities & Exchange Commission and is registered with the AMF in France.

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

To advertise in The Bugle Business Directory, call 06 04 17 80 93 Les petits jardiniers du Limousin

We are a gardening association based in the Mairie at St. Amand le Petit, between Eymoutiers and Peyrat le Château. We hold monthly meetings, normally on the third Thursday of the month, starting at 2:30 pm.

Meetings are held in English, but we can also present topics in French. We have lots of different nationalities amongst our members. Our aim is to provide and promote opportunities for people to develop their interest and knowledge in horticulture and gardening and related topics in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

In-house workshop meetings, external speakers and visits are on our agenda.

During Covid-19, in common with other Associations, we have not been able to have meetings and have kept in touch with members and friends via our Facebook page, Les petites jardiniers du Limousin where people post photos of their garden, ask questions, share information and keep in contact on a casual, friendly basis.

We are looking forward to starting meetings again respecting all Covid-19 regulations and to seeing old friends as well as new faces at our meetings.

Our meeting agenda has had to be cancelled many times and, at present, no set agenda is in place. However, as soon as we can meet again we do hope to arrange: A visit to Custos Apium (booked for June, subject to any Covid-19 regulations and restrictions in place at that time); presentations on plant name origins, grafting, edible plants and mushrooms; a workshop on diverse ways of seed preparation; and the first Sunday in September is the date on which we hold our Annual Show. If it goes ahead it is a definite not-to-be-missed event.

Members and supporters of our Association will receive emails about forthcoming meetings. If you would like to be on our mailing list then please email me with your name and email address. I will add you to the list and you will receive all future notifications. Meanwhile take care, happy gardening and hope to see you soon.

For any further information contact Carolyn at pjlimousin@gmail.com

WHAT'S ON CLUBS, CHARITIES & ASSOCIATIONS As a result of the current restrictions, many of the meetings and events featured in our What's On and Clubs, Charities & Associations sections have had to be cancelled or postponed.

The situation is changing very quickly, so we have removed these listings from the newspaper for the time being.

We will, however, continue to update our website with any new information, so please do check back regularly to keep up to date

www.thebugle.eu/associations.php www.thebugle.eu/whats_on.php

DIRECTORY ♦ 17

MARCH 2021 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Building Services General The Reclamation Yard Confolens

05 45 30 72 04

semm main ad - pg 9

SVH CONSTRUCTION

All building work undertaken No job too small City & Guilds and NVQ Qualified tradesman Over 35 years experience in the construction industry Based in dept. 23

Mob: 07 85 51 42 66 Tel: 05 55 83 04 11

stevehow101@googlemail.com Siret: 848 602 934 00012

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

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

Your advert here 06 04 17 80 93 Richard Jones, B.A. Cert'Ed

Professional Project Management Services Save up to 30% on your Renovation All building and renovations undertaken Man & Digger Department 23 & Surrounding Areas

07 54 23 37 01

richardexcel@hotmail.co.uk

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

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

t: 05 55 50 52 02 m: 07 66 52 33 47 siret: 842 233 108 00013

Masonry & More

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

05 55 61 93 07

martin_sprague_1@ hotmail.com SIRET: 531 768 182 00010

Dave Cardwell - Builder

05 55 98 24 12

See our Display Ad pg 14

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93 A. Wright

Carpenter & Joiner 06 35 12 10 66 see main ad - pg 8

Harlequin Developments est. 2007

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

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

05.55.68.67.56 06.06.60.46.97

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

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 Groundworks S.M.C SERVICES

Excavator with Driver 0044 (0)7831 121 019 see main ad - pg 10

Mini-Digger with driver

05.55.53.03.56

john.bonella@gmail.com See Main Ad pg 10

RSW Entreprises

Fosse Septiques/Micro stations

05.55.80.00.57

See our Display Ad - pg 12

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93 Building Services Lifts & Scaffolding

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

06 34 24 64 11

or find us on Facebook: @angloscaffolding

Email: akbrunnstrom@yahoo.co.uk SIRET: 799 067 939 00014

Cherry Picker Services

14.5 metres on a van lasout@live.com

Tel: 09 66 03 52 89 Call for a quote

Building Services Painters/Decorators Nicholas Collyer All aspects of Interior and Exterior decorating

30+ years' experience Spraying service available for large areas

T: 09 88 19 14 05 M: +44 (0)7885 694 313 collyer23360@gmail.com siret: 883 596 157 00015

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Building Services Plasterers CHRIS

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

CALL FOR A FREE QUOTATION

05 55 63 53 06 06 23 29 48 19 christopher.willis@orange.fr

Experienced, Registered & Fully Insured No mess, no fuss Email: cinderssweep@gmail.com

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

La Petite Ramoneur

THE LADY SWEEP Established since 1986

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

02 54 31 48 50

Le Bourg, 23360 Nouzerolles

06 25 61 84 95 (SMS only)

SIRET: 504 612 441 00015

siret 504 218 454 00016

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

Your advert here 06 04 17 80 93 Building Services Roofing MUMFORD TOITURE Roofing & Plastering/ Plasterboarding Service

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

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

Chimney Sweeps & Firewood Carrefour du Bois Limousin

www.chauffagebois-limousin.com 05 55 63 72 45 - see ad pg 4

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93 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

Cleaning Services Impeccable Cleaning Services Cleaning service for your home, gîtes, small office, etc.

Regular hours or one-time cleans.

Reliable and trustworthy.

30km radius of Mérinchal (23420) Please contact Deborah:

06 25 94 44 63 yorkienboo@gmail.com Siret No. 884 983 040 00012

Computers, TV & Satellite 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

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

18 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MARCH 2021

ADVERTORIAL

CARDS ET CARTES – NEW ON-LINE CARD SHOP

ADVERTORIAL

Advertising with The Bugle

W

T

ired of paying over-the-odds for a birthday card? Yes? We felt exactly the same. We wanted excellent cards but without the expense. Our research led us to what we were looking for - quality cards which are cost effective. Judging from the delight from our friends and family when they opened their cards, we knew that the demand was there and www.cardsetcartes.com was born!

Our aim is simple - to sell quality cards at low prices. We have English and French cards for all occasions. Browse and order your cards at your leisure via our secure on-line shop with delivery direct to your post box...

www.cardsetcartes.com

Computers, TV & Satellite

L'homme de l'ecosse Web Design / eCommerce / hosting

06 37 82 56 67 / 05 55 60 62 36 see main ad - pg 4

GOODWIN Food & SATELLITE Drink

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: garygoodwin121@gmail.com siret: 453 067 910 00019

26, Ecurat 23150

Le Restaurant Ecurat

Open Wed, Thu & Fri New fast food menu Lunchtime 'menu ouvrier' 11am-2pm & 7pm-9.30pm Fish & chips and Curry nights, Salon de Thé and Diner le soir * Reservation in advance please * For more information:

tel: 05 55 81 31 85

06 04 17 80 93

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

05 87 40 02 83 closed Wednesdays

British Market Stall facebook.com/britishmarketstall +33 (0)6 79 23 57 09 +33 (0)7 69 14 49 73 see main ad - pg 10

Mandys-curry-2-go

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

Grass Cutting Strimming General Maintenance Based La Souterraine (23)

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

Paul Brown

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

Les Genêts, Azerables

Home delivery possible - see website

06 04 17 80 93

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

For menus and venues:

www.mandyscurry2go.com

m : 07 70 39 12 23 siret: 498 199 306 00016

Garden Services

SIREN: 483 988 853

Thé Bonbons Cadeaux 7 ave Jules Courivaud, Magnac-Laval Tearoom / Gifts / Clothes 06 72 38 82 20 - See main ad, pg 4

Purple Solutions Garden Maintenance

06 72 87 87 14 see main ad - pg 10

06 04 17 80 93 Team Jardin

Le Creusois

Mobile Curry Take Away

Your advert here

GARDEN SERVICES

Follow us on facebook e : mandyscurry2go@gmail.com

2km from Chénérailles and the Chateau Villemonteix.

Your advert here

Try Something Different

T: 06 04 17 80 93 E: sales@thebugle.eu W: www.thebugle.eu

Your advert here

email: ecurat123@hotmail.com

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93

ith 11 years’ experience delivering print advertising to an expat market, The Bugle represents one of the most cost-effective ways to let English speakers know about your business. An advert with The Bugle starts from just €12.50 HT per month – that’s less than 42 cents a day to put your business in front of more than 30,000 people each month.

In the Limousin we have more than 250 distribution points across the region and surrounding areas where readers can pick up a copy for free.

We also distribute 3,500 copies through Limoges Airport, which means that we are in the perfect position to target not only residents and secondhome owners, but also tourists and those new to the region.

The Bugle is the only English language newspaper dedicated to the Limousin - in fact, today, The Bugle is the only free English language newspaper in France and we are growing all the time.

If you would like to discuss any of our advertising options further, why not give us a call today to find out more about the ways that we can help you grow your business.

Entreprise Maeva

www.teamjardin.fr

Siret No. 752 549 907 00018

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

Garden Maintenance

06 04 17 80 93

07 69 34 75 02

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93

Strimming, hedge cutting, lawn mowing, general upkeep.

Daily rates and/or monthly contracts.

40 km radius - Bénévent-l'Abbaye (23210) entreprisemaeva@gmail.com Siret: 831 957 691 00023

Buying or selling small items...?

Check out our online Classifieds... updated daily!

www.thebugle.eu/classifieds.php

To place a Classified, simply email details of your item for sale to notices@thebugle.eu

DIRECTORY ♦ 19

MARCH 2021 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93 Gifts & Crafts

Your advert here

Jenny Homer BA Hons, PGCE

Online French Tuition

Qualified Teacher of French, formerly teaching in my classroom, but now online!

Come out of Covid with confident French I offer weekly, small, group lessons online, at levels to suit your needs.

My priority is on speaking and understanding French in daily life.

Get in touch asap to ensure your place in a class suited to your ability.

Stuck for the perfect Christmas gift for you, your friend or family - Gift vouchers now available for online classes (from 15€)

06 04 17 80 93

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 Health & Beauty

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts Managing Editor: Editor-in-Chief: Registered Address:

SIRET: Printed by:

Steve Martindale Steve Martindale 19, route de Champagnac 17500 MEUX 514 989 748 00025 Charente Libre, Z.I. No3 16340, L’Isle d’Espagnac

All copyright, unless stated otherwise, is reserved to The Bugle.

Reproduction in whole or part of any text without permission is prohibited. Dépôt légal à parution.

Directeur: Rédacteur-en-chef: Siège:

SIRET: Imprimé par:

05.55.60.08.46

Steve Martindale Steve Martindale 19, route de Champagnac 17500 MEUX 514 989 748 00025 Charente Libre, Z.I. No3 16340, L’Isle d’Espagnac

Tous droits réservés. Toute reproduction, totale ou partielle, des articles et illustrations du présent numéro est strictement interdite.

Dépôt légal à parution.

Ce mensuel a été imprimé sur des papiers produits en France, Espagne, certifiés PEFC 100% FCBA/18-01705.

Taux de fibres recyclées 100%. Emissions GES : 63 gr CO2 eq/ex (données 2019).

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

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93 Pools & Spas

See our Display Ad - pg 8

06 04 17 80 93

French lessons & handholding services

Handholding & Language Services

Chez Boutique

Formerly La Petite Place

06 61 56 47 17 - pg 11

siret: 490 323 243 00025

06 04 17 80 93

Call Teddy:

06 15 78 18 04- pg 6

Sophie Arsac

https://homerjennifer.wixsite.com/website

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93

Covering all of La Creuse!

Your advert here

Email: homer.jennifer@gmail.com

Your advert here

Mobile hairdresser

Insurance & Finance

Naturalis Pools

www.naturalispools.com

06 31 17 25 60 see main ad - pg 2

Your advert here 06 04 17 80 93

The Spectrum IFA Group

Tony Farrell

International Financial Adviser

05 55 89 57 94 - see pg 4

Property Sales & Maintenance

Blacktower

Financial Managment Group

Rosemary Sheppard 06 38 86 99 70 - pg 2

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

All Property Diagnostics for Sales/Rentals Energy Performance (DPE), Asbestos, Lead, Electricity, Gas, Termites, Risks/Pollution, Measurements Fluent English speaking.

Technical comments and advice possible Contact : 06 28 94 24 00 or philippe.andre@diagamter.com See our references on:

www.diagamter.com

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

Lolita This lovely girl is Lolita, Loli to her friends. She is a 6-year-old Border/ Shepherd cross and sadly has spent the last 5 years at the refuge.

Loli had a very bad start to life, she was kept in squalor and was skeletal and traumatised when she arrived at the refuge.

Buying or Selling French Property?

Today, we see a very different dog, one that is still quite shy with new people and situations, but one that now welcomes hugs, treats and loves her walks. Loli is not an easy dog to re-home, she will absolutely need the company of another dog and anyone interested in her will have to visit her many times at the refuge to gain her trust, before any adoption would be considered. A big commitment indeed.

Legal advice from English-speaking lawyers

One thing is for certain, though, whoever does gain her love and trust will have the most loving and faithful companion you could ever wish for.

Also the #1 portal for property auctions

www.frenchpropertylawyer.fr

05 55 82 18 99

If you think you can help Lolita then please contact: SPA de Creuse (Guéret), 21 Le Clocher, 23000 Saint-Sulpice-le Guérétois www.spa-creuse.com - email: spa.gueret@orange.fr

20 ♦ DIRECTORY Property Sales & Maintenance

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MARCH 2021

Your advert here

Can your business fill this space?

Your advert here

Give us a call or send us an email:

06 04 17 80 93

06 04 17 80 93

sales@thebugle.eu

06 04 17 80 93

Transport, Removals & Storage

Retail & Commerce

Scrap & Clearance

Beaux Villages Immobilier www.beauxvillages.com

Freephone: 08 05 69 23 23 see main ad - pg 5

'Gite and Tidy'

Property management 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.

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

Houses on Internet www.housesoninternet.com

+31 (0)6 41 20 73 69

See our Display Ad - pg 3

Creuse Property Care

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 Siret: 479 965 758 00028

Leggett

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE YOU CAN TRUST

OLD'S HEIGHT

Très Jolie

Ladies fashion accessories 05 55 53 03 56 / 06 04 08 29 53 see main ad pg 9

inc. Junque and Disorderly

Antiquités agricoles

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

Stove Sellers www.stovesellers.com 05.55.63.78.72

I will buy just about anything in your barn: agricultural machinery, cars,motorbikes, lorries, pushbikes, old wrought ironwork, oil cans, signs, timberwork and doors... in fact, anything!! Just think... that rubbish could earn you cash!!

CALL: 0633 847 699 in rust we trust siret: 511 127 763 00015

Cash paid for scrap

All Limousin covered Anything considered Any quantity

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

see main ad - pg 4

See our Display Ad - pg 4

www.facebook.com/willwhiting87/

Cendrillon 06 83 66 83 09

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93

www.marcdeschamps.com see main ad - pg 4

siret 532 981 198 00015

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

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93 Buggs Car Hire Bergerac & Limoges Airports

www.buggscarhire.com see main ad - pg 9

Franklins Removals 0044 121 353 7263

www.franklinsremovals.co.uk see main ad - pg 8

Man & Van Transport

Genuine/Reliable/Honest Local + Europe + UK runs House/Barn clearances!

15m3 capacity 4m load length English & French Spoken

05 44 20 21 77 06 06 40 81 07 87150 Oradour-sur-Vayres

www.frenchvanman.eu Siret 530 213 644 00012

Smart Moves 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

smartmovers@hotmail.co.uk

+44 (0)7966 287 430

www.smartmovesremovals.com

Watson European International Removals

www.watsoneuropean.co.uk see main ad - pg 5

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

Transition Removals

sales@thebugle.eu

www.transitionremovals.net

06 04 17 80 93

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

Latest news throughout the month: www.thebugle.eu Cancer Support Haute-Vienne

affiliated to

Your local Association supporting English speakers touched by cancer in departments 87, 23, 19 & 36

HELPLINE 0800 240 200 www.cshautevienne.org

CANCER SUPPORT FRANCE Charente Plus Free confidential support for Englishspeaking people touched by cancer Volunteers & Active Listeners needed (full training will be given) If you are interested please email: bloomdenis@outlook.com

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

Facebook : Cancer Support France - Charente-Plus

STAY HOME STAY SAFE

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