The Bugle Limousin - Sep 2013

Auto-entrepreneur status set for major overhaul Business minister Sylvia Pinel has unveiled a new bill that will see the annual earning limits for the popular scheme fall as low as €19,000. >> Page 7

Limousin September 2013 Issue #47

France and Europe out of recession

INSIDE > > > NEWS - Closer editor charged over photos The editor of Closer magazine in France has been officially charged over the now famous topless photos of the Duchess of Cambridge >> Page 10

♦ 18 months of recession is over as eurozone records growth of 0.3% ♦ Most recent contraction was the longest in post-war European history ♦ France also out of recession after better than expected growth of 0.5%

T

here does finally appear to be a faint light shining at the end of Europe's tunnel of economic woes, with the news that France and Europe as a whole - have finally exited recession. Growth in the eurozone for the second quarter of 2013 was unveiled as 0.3%, ending an 18-month recession, the longest period of contraction in post-war Europe. This recession was itself the second installment of a double-dip recession that started in 2008.

The eurozone’s growth fell short of the 1.7% registered by the United States and 2.6% in Japan, but even modest growth is a relief in a region where unemployment has risen

to 12.1% and fears continue over another potential debt crisis.

Olli Rehn, Europe's economic commissioner, welcomed the news, but said celebrations should be put on hold given Europe's jobs crisis and the wide disparity in economic performance between different countries in the eurozone. “Yes, this slightly more positive data is welcome - but there is no room for any complacency whatsoever. I hope there will be no premature, selfcongratulatory statements suggesting the crisis is over, for we all know that there are still substantial obstacles to overcome. The growth figures remain low and the tentative signs of growth are still fragile.”

>> continued on page 9

FEATURE - Absinthe - the Green Goddess

The once popular drink, banned across Europe for 100 years, is legal again and enjoying something of a comeback >> Page 13

BILINGUAL - Driving on the 'wrong' side

We take a look at why we drive on different sides of the road and ask who is 'right' >> Page 17

Guess who's coming to dinner? Experts confirm latest wolf sighting less than 50km from the Limousin >> Page 5

Your indispensible guide to the region's Businesses >> Centre Pages

SEPTEMBER 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

2 ♦ IN THIS EDITION

Welcome to

T

The Bugle

here's a song that I keep hearing on the radio recently that has lyrics along the lines of “You only know you've been high when you're feeling low, you only miss the sun when it starts to snow...”

Now don't worry, I'm not about to start banging on about the weather (which has been perfect recently, seeing as you asked - it doesn't get better for me than sunny mid-twenties!!) No, that song has taken on resonance due to the other late summer occurrence which is as regular as the seasons... the annual visit of the in-laws.

For every force there is an equal and opposite force; the Chinese have the more spiritual concept of yin and yang.

My mother-in-law descended into our lives a week or so ago - lets's call her yin and imagine that she floated down on a sunbeam. As most parents will know, the summer holidays can be challenging, to say the least. I'm sure we all love our kids, but 2 months off from school?!

Let's just say my patience has been well and truly tested by my little ones... and it came up short. Yin arrived and suddenly the mountain of washing that was stubbornly refusing to diminish is gone! Clothes iron themselves for a few glorious weeks and it is almost as though the children aren't even in the house.

Unfortunately, yin comes with yang and those who have been reading The Bugle will know what is coming next.

Yang means well, I'll give him that, but has a habit of creating work. No piece of skirting or trim is safe from my father-inlaw's myopic eyes. “Does that look loose to you?” “No,” will invariably come the answer, “not until you pulled it off”.

I'm not saying that yang is an unwelcome house guest - he comes with yin after all! We actually get on rather well, but it has almost become a tradition for me to give him a kicking on this page. He does try and help out, by proofreading the paper for example.

Only yesterday, he was checking an article I had written and asked, “Do you mean illegal or unlawful in this sentence?” I was caught off guard for a

moment: “Errrm, I'm not sure, what's the context?” He had an answer ready: “You know how to remember the difference, of course: unlawful means against the law and illegal is a sick bird!”

Seriously, I have to put up with 2 and a half weeks of this!!

I had a good laugh this month reading the 'homework' that President Hollande's ministers have done over the summer answering the question “What is your vision of France in 2025?” The responses were incredibly funny: the minister for law predicted there would be no crime, the minister for housing predicted everyone would have a cheap house and the minister of industrial renewal said that France would lead the world in industry. I'm not kidding see the article on page 8. These are the brightest brains in the country, people in whom we place the responsibility of moulding the future of the nation.

I'll admit to in the past answering the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” with variously a cowboy, an astronaut or James Bond, but all these answers would have been delivered when I was still at primary school. Ask

me where my family will be in a year and it would take quite a few bottles of wine for me to come up with living on a yacht in Monaco, overseeing my intergalactic empire while personally picking the West Ham team for Saturday's match with Barcelona!

I was slightly concerned to see the changes being made to the autoentrepreneur scheme. I started this business as an auto-entrepreneur and I am a big fan. I understand that it is open to abuse, but it has also allowed a lot of people - including many expats - to start businesses when they would otherwise not have been able to, or would have done so on the black. I hope that the changes do not stifle entrepreneurialism in France...

On a lighter note, by the time you read this, yang may have departed... if only yin could stay longer!!

INSIDE this edition

1 & 3-6 Local News 7-11 National News 12 Sport 13 Feature 14-16 French Life 17 Bilingual 18-19 Classifieds 20 Notice Board 21 Clubs & Associations 22-24 What's On B1-B8 Business Directory

Until next month!

CONTACT us

Steve Martindale, Editor

Listen to The Bugle, live on France Bleu Creuse Tune in to our next show: 09h30 THU 5th SEP

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www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ SEPTEMBER 2013

LOCAL NEWS ♦ 3

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Mayor's wife becomes Paris train crash's seventh victim aged carriages, but was able to phone her husband from a mobile phone shortly after the derailment and before firefighters cut her free from the wreckage. At first, doctors feared she may lose her arm, but surgeons managed to treat her injuries and she was moved to another hospital for reconstructive surgery. It was here, with the worst apparently over, that she suffered the heart attack from which doctors were unable to revive her.

Investigations are still ongoing and although the exact causes of the accident remain unknown, it is believed that three of the four bolts fixing a hefty steel plate joining two sections of rail - a so-called “fishplate” - broke or came loose, causing the derailment.

Didier Aubert, leader of the railway section of the CFDT trades union federation, cast doubt on this possibility at the time, saying: “In the memory of railwaymen, bolts have never given way on their own. A deliberate act of sabotage can-

COLOMBIER

A

© 2013 - Poudou99 (WikiCommons)

M

ore than a hundred people were injured in July when a Paris to Limoges train derailed at rush hour and ploughed into the platform at Brétigny-sur-Orge station, just south of the capital. Six died in the accident, two of whom were Limousin residents from the Haute-Vienne on their way home (see last month's edition of The Bugle).

More than a fortnight after France's worst train accident since 1988, the tragedy claimed a seventh victim, a 66-year-old lady from the Creuse, who died in hospital from her injuries.

The victim, Régine Jannot, was the wife of the mayor of the small commune of Rimondeix in the north of the department and her death has understandably left residents shocked.

“We were hopeful, we honestly believed that she would pull through,” said local councillor Sébastien Danton.

Mme Jannot was in coach 4, one of the most badly dam-

not be excluded.”

In the week following following the crash, the head of the SNCF, Guillaume Pépy, told a press conference in Limoges that all steps had been taken to check the tracks in the region. “There are 27 similar fishplates in the Limousin, 17 of which are around Limoges.

All of them have now been

checked and absolutely no anomalies have been found.”

Three investigations are under way into the accident, one of which is criminal. It remains to be seen whether the failure of the fishplate was down to sabotage, technical faults, ageing equipment or maintenance failures. ■

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Since 1996, the association LimAir has been charged with monitoring the region's air and this year the Limousin received a 5 on average across the year - 1 being very good and 10 being very bad.

The air quality is usually at its worst in the height of summer when the concentration of pollen and other airborne particles reaches its peak.

This coupled with increased levels of ozone means that the summer is often the worst time to take a deep breath. According to Lionel Roubeyrie, an engineer at LimAir, “Rain is the best weather for high quality air,” as this is when the level of particles in the atmosphere is at its lowest.

The figures are gathered from 10 high-tech measuring stations across the region which collect the readings and send them to a central database where they are posted online. For up-to-date air quality figures see www.limair.asso.fr/ (as we write, the air quality across the region is a 3!)

As you may expect, the Limousin does not have a particular problem with the quality of its air. In 17 years of operation, the only time that “pollution” has been detected by LimAir was on the 15th March 2007, when the station at Guéret recorded a 9. The cause - a high concentration of particles that had been blown there from elsewhere in the country! ■

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SEPTEMBER 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

4 ♦ LOCAL NEWS

Limousin farmers to donate straw

F

ollowing the drought in the first half of 2011, Limousin's farmers imported tens of thousands of tonnes of straw from areas of the country less affected. This import of 'yellow gold' saved many farmers' livelihoods as well as many animals' lives.

Now it seems the region's farmers are more than happy to repay that generosity as they find themselves with the boot on the other foot. Following storm and flood damage earlier in the year, many farms in the Pyrenees were badly damaged leaving them without enough food for their livestock.

The region's farmers have not forgotten the help given to them and so far more than a dozen local farmers have offered their reserves for free to their compatriots from the south west. One of those farmers is Thierry Jamot, who remembers well the trouble he faced

in 2011 on his farm of 60 cattle and 110 hectares. In most years, he is virtually self-sufficient, but 2 years ago farmers from the Loiret department came to his rescue. “I was very short of straw,” he said, speaking to La Montagne. “I needed about 80 tonnes and without that I would have been in real trouble.”

When he saw images on the television of pastureland ravaged by flood damage, he did not have to think long. “I knew straight away what I needed to do: if the farmers of the Pyrenees wanted a helping hand, then it was only natural that I should do what others had done for me.” Having replenished his stocks in the intervening years Mr Jamot has allocated 3 tonnes of forage to be donated to the stricken farmers.

He is just one of many, but whilst the generosity of region's farmers cannot be questioned, it does not extend to paying for the

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“Transport by train is virtually impossible. We have plenty of willing lorry drivers, but someone needs to pay them!” explained Mr Jamot before calling on local organisations in the affected areas to “put their hands in their pockets” to help the farmers. ■

Driving test pass rates up

I

f you or someone you know is planning to take a driving test in the near future, it may well be advisable to do so outside the region. Although the pass rate for driving tests in the Limousin increased by 3.33% in 2012 to 53.8%, the region still has the lowest pass rate in the entire country.

It would appear that Corsica is the place to try for the famous pink slip, with 66.9% of learner drivers passing the test at the first attempt. The national pass rate is 58.5%.

Many driving instructors will tell you that the Limousin, and Limoges in particular, has a number of difficult junctions and stretches of road, together with a high

volume of traffic on the motorway.

One area of contention for many instructors is the requirement for the driving test in France to be split one third for built-up areas and two thirds outside of town.

They complain that this rule is not being obeyed with many tests in Limoges being “practically urban tests, given that they start from the centre of town”.

This last aspect may well be addressed in the near future with plans to move the Limoges test centre from the middle of the city to the north, where the motorbike test centre is currently based.

Other driving instructors have complained in the past

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that the examiners are more severe in the Limousin and put the recent rise in the pass rate down to more lenient examiners being brought in, something strongly denied by authorities. “We are aware of the cost and the necessity for people to have driving licences, but our testing is based purely on the current regulations,” said Pascale Mazet from Snica FO - a driving instructors union. “We do not manage the pass rates by moving examiners around.”

A further complaint put forward by the region's instructors is that driving schools with low pass rates are receiving fewer students, although Mme Mazet had a simple response to all the complaints being directed at the test centres: “It is easier for a driving instructor to tell a student who has failed that it is all down to the examiner and not to the training!” ■

Birth rates on the rise

Birth rates in the Limousin have once again risen in 2012 with 7,040 babies being born to mothers in the region last year. The average woman now has 1.84 children - this is below the national average of 2.01.

At the height of the baby boom years, the Limousin saw birth rates of 2.43 children per woman, but by the early 1990s this was as low as 1.31. Since then, there has been a steady increase to today's numbers. The rise in birth rates - the largest seen in France - can only be a good thing for a largely rural area, but the Limousin is still languishing in 17th place among mainland France's 22 regions.

Coupled with relatively low birth rates, the Limousin is also an ageing region and the number of deaths has once again outweighed the number of births - 9,160 people died in the Limousin last year.

The average age of the local population is certainly the most significant factor behind these figures, but the current economic climate could also be dissuading people from having more children. It remains to be seen if an improvement in the local economy will lead to a mini baby boom over the coming years. ■

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www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ SEPTEMBER 2013

LOCAL NEWS ♦ 5

Wolf spotted on Limousin borders

T

he wolf is not an animal that you expect to come across while wandering through the woods in France. But in recent years, this once-lost predator has been making an impressive comeback. Hailed as a success story by naturalists and conservationists, the numbers of wolves are steadily rising and experts have just confirmed a sighting in the Puy-de-Dôme, less than 50km from the borders of the Limousin.

Today there are estimated to be around 200 animals in 20 packs, ranging across much of southeastern France. While this number is still relatively low compared with neighbouring countries, wolves are becoming a problem, in particular for sheep farmers. 5,848 animals were reported to have been killed by wolves in 2012 (up 120% in 5 years); 95% of the victims were sheep.

Wolves were virtually extinct in France until a handful crossed the border from Italy and recolonised the French Alps around 1993; they then rapidly spread across much of the southeastern part of the country. Initially, the wolves were situated to the east of the busy and heavily populated Rhône valley, but it seems that they have now crossed this barrier and are poised to colonise central France. Speaking before the

recent sighting, Daniel Véjux, one of France's foremost experts on the wolf said: “It was inevitable that the need for new wild prey would force young wolves to establish new hunting territories across the Rhône at some point. Now, unless they are persecuted to extinction by mankind again, there is nothing to stop wolves spreading across thousands of square miles throughout the Massif Central and Limousin in the next couple of decades.”

This could now be happening sooner than anyone thought following confirmation that amateur footage taken by a local man on the Col de la Croix Saint-Robert is indeed that of a wolf.

“He stopped 50 metres away from the car, took a look at us and strolled off up into the mountains,” explained Emmanuel Labasse, who quickly grabbed his mobile phone and recorded the brief video.

“We do not know if this animal was in transit, or is still living locally,” said Eric Marboutin, of the French National Office for Hunting and Wildlife in Grenoble where the footage was verified.

There has been no sign of the wolf since the video was taken earlier this year.

Wolves are protected under European law and a “wolf code” established in France in 2004, means that the animals can only legally be shot by licensed “wolf lieutenants” or government

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marksmen and only then if all other measures have been exhausted. To ward off the carnivores, shepherds are first expected to invest in guard dogs, lighting and electric fences - financially difficult for all but the biggest farming businesses.

As reported in The Bugle in November 2012, the influx of wolves into the Massif

Central has even threatened the existence of Roquefort cheese. There are strict rules to the “Roquefort” AOC label, which stipulate that it is “compulsory” for sheep to be allowed to graze freely and to roam on the hilly pastures “every day” provided there is sufficient grass, “weather conditions permitting”.

The farmers argue that with

wolves roaming the hills, this may no longer be possible.

Defenders of the wolf say that co-habitation between man, sheep and wolf is possible. There may be 200 wolves in France but there are over 1,000 in Italy and 2,000 in Spain, countries where sheep farms still thrive. ■

Police destroy cannabis 'forest'

Officers from the Limoges drug squad responded to a call recently that suggested illegal drugs were being produced at a location near Couzeix, just north of Limoges.

When they arrived stunned police discovered what would later be described as a “cannabis jungle”.

The forest of weed was apparently being grown out in the open and the 35-year-old gardener, who was not known to police, was promptly arrested.

Police later revealed that they found 36 cannabis plants, each 1.8 metres high, which had recently been harvested and a further 87 smaller plants ready to replace them.

They were all later destroyed.

Drugs squad officers said that the discovery was symptomatic of the evolution of the drugs market in France in recent years, with more and more illegal drugs being produced by individuals at home. ■

SEPTEMBER 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

6 ♦ LOCAL NEWS

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• Saturday 14th September - Karaoke!!

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• Saturday 21st September - Music Night with local trio SERIAL COVER. Great entertainment guaranteed!!

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• Saturday 5th October - Irish Party Night. Live Irish/Celtic music - always a roaring success.

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Our new Indian Restaurant is due to open in the centre of Argenton-sur-Creuse around Easter 2014. Work is under way and until opening day, Le Pub will be having an Indian Banquet Night on the last Saturday of every even numbered month.

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www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ SEPTEMBER 2013

NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 7 DAVID

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Auto-entrepreneur scheme given major overhaul draft law states that in the first year after changing, that person would pay the same social charges as in the preceding year - a proposal aimed at easing the transition.

One fear that does not seem to have become a reality is the limiting of the length of time that someone can operate as an auto-entrepreneur. The bill appears to state that if a business stays under the new thresholds being proposed, there is no time limit on how long they can remain under the simplified status.

The auto-entrepreneur scheme has proved particularly popular with expats looking to start a business in France. As an auto-entreprise, you can apply online, there is significantly reduced red tape and you are only required to make social contributions on the turnover you declare.

If your turnover is zero, you pay no social charges or tax. Businesses established under other regimes are, in virtually all circumstances, obliged to pay the relatively heavy social charges that fund health care, social welfare pensions, unemployment and other benefits, irrespective of whether they have made any money in a particular month.

In general, the status has been welcomed by those looking to start small businesses and opposed by existing business owners who complain it gives competitors an unfair advantage. The proposed changes are being made in spite of a report commissioned by the government that called for ministers to maintain the simplicity of the auto-entrepre-

Have you ever picked up your purchase and left your change on the counter? Or walked out of a restaurant leaving a coat on the back of a chair? Annoying isn't it? So spare a thought for the young French man who recently exited a McDonald's in Avignon, in the Vaucluse department, and left behind his rucksack... containing €25,000 in cash!!

© 2013 - Ygor75 (WikiCommons)

I

t has been a nervous few months for France's 1 million auto-entrepreneurs as President François Hollande has been looking into ways to reform the popular business status.

The government indicated several months ago that it had plans to make “adjustments” to the scheme introduced by its conservative predecessors, because professional artisans and trades complain of “distorted competition”.

These changes have now been presented by business minister Sylvia Pinel as a draft bill which will be debated by the cabinet. Details are still emerging, but the proposals look set to please the artisan lobby and are expected to drop the annual earning limits for the autoentrepreneur regime from €32,600 to €19,000 for services and from €81,500 to €47,500 for sales based businesses. While these precise figures have not been detailed in the draft law which was presented to the cabinet, Ms Pinel did say the new levels will correspond to the “Smic” minimum wage (on which the above figures, mentioned by the minister in June, were based). The final figures will be fixed later by decree after a parliamentary working group holds further discussions on the regime.

If a business exceeds the new limits on annual turnover for 2 consecutive years, it will be forced to upgrade to one of the classic regimes. When an auto-entrepreneur is obliged to change regimes, the

Sylvia Pinel's changes may not be popular with France's 1 million auto-entrepreneurs neur scheme.

According to the Socialist government, the aim of the changes is to bring the auto-entrepreneur status back in line with its original priorities: a simple way to set up a complementary, part-time activity;

or a way to get a potential full-time business off the ground.

The auto-entrepreneur scheme generated more than €5 billion in sales in 2011 and enabled the state to collect nearly €600 million in contributions. ■

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The man realised his mistake and rushed back into the restaurant, but his bag was nowhere to be seen. It was very nearly the biggest tip in the history of the fast food industry, but the next day an envelope containing the wad of notes was found in one of the restaurant's rubbish bins. Staff handed the cash to stunned police, who contacted the man by phone to let him know that his stash had been recovered.

According to local daily Le Dauphiné Libéré, officers questioned the absent-minded diner about where the money had come from before handing it over: it had apparently been earned “in a property deal”... ■

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8 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

Cross-border fines could still be bad news for British drivers ployed is for traffic police to conceal themselves with speed cameras a few kilometres before a toll booth (péage) and then radio ahead to colleagues who will pull drivers over when they get there.

For extreme speeding, the on-thespot cash fine can be as much as €1,500!! Claiming not to speak the lingo will not help (these motorway teams will usually have at least one English speaker), neither will pointing at an empty wallet.

If a driver does not have the cash, they will be taken to a cash point in a local town to withdraw it.

“Drivers have to pay on the spot,” explained gendarme Lt Benjamin Dupain. “If they don't have any money on them and they are on their own, they will be driven to the nearest cashpoint machine.

If they really have no money at all, then an on-duty judge will be called to decide what to do. But that can mean waiting around for up to three days and the car will not be allowed to move.”

So, in actual fact, far from being an excuse to continue to drive faster than the speed limit allows, the new law may in fact result in the police and gendarmes paying particular attention to those driving on British and Irish plates.

Recent statistics have shown that currently one quarter of all vehicles flashed by France's army of speed cameras are on foreign plates. This problem is even worse in the height of the summer tourist season when that figure rises to half!

Although excessive speed is still a factor in 26% of all road fatalities in France, average speeds on the county's roads have fallen by 10 km/h in the decade since the first introduction of fixed speed cameras in France. In 2012, there were 3,645 road deaths in France, significantly down from a peak of 9,000 in 2002, and the lowest on record since 1948, the year in which France first started accounting for road deaths. ■

Politicians predict France's future

P

oliticians the world over have something of a reputation for being overly optimistic and it would appear that French politicians are no different. Ahead of the new parliamentary term, President François Hollande set his ministers a summer holiday homework assignment: “What is your vision of France in 2025?” The answers paint a Utopian picture of the near future: France will have no unemployment, little debt, housing for everyone and an industry that will be the envy of the world... they hope!

Ministers were due to hand in their homework

when the government reconvened in Paris to prepare for the new term, but French weekly Le Point gained a sneak peak at a few of these broadly optimistic ministerial essays, handed in early by Hollande’s keenest pupils.

Pierre Moscovici, the finance minister, does admit that France will fall a few places from 5th in the league table of world economies, but confidently asserts that it will nevertheless be in a much stronger position than it is now, predicting full employment and the eradication of public debt. “The risks are great but everything is possible,” he states.

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Cécile Duflot is equally confident that reforms she is introducing will bear fruit, predicting that six million new homes will have been built and “everyone will have a roof over their heads in a quality environment. Access to housing will no longer be a stress factor.

Finding a home will even become a pleasant step in people’s lives”.

France's minister for industrial renewal, Arnaud Montebourg, is no less optimistic, predicting that “France will be recognised, once again, as the leading voice among industrialised nations.

The country will be the world leader in renewable energy and smart grids”.

Montebourg's crystal ball also tells him that the new Public Investment Bank, created in December 2012, along with a reduction in red tape, “will help the country’s entrepreneurs transform small businesses into large multinationals”.

Responding to the rosy picture of France's future and getting into the spirit of blind optimism, Bugle editor Steve Martindale confirmed rumours that The Bugle will indeed be rebranding itself as GlobalHyperMegaCorp, is planning to employ a further 5,000 people in the coming year and was pressing ahead with plans to float the company on the CAC40. ■

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lthough drivers from north of the Channel welcomed Britain's recent decision to opt out of the innocuously-named “EU Directive on Road Safety”, the law could still have unpleasant consequences for tourists and expats driving in France on UK plates.

Earlier this summer the French Senate voted into law the European directive which enables police to identify foreign drivers and automatically send out speeding tickets to greet them when they arrive home. “From now on we will be able to exchange digital files across the European Union so that when a foreign driver is flashed in France, because of the registration plate, we will be able to identify them and find out their address,” the Ministry of Transport told French daily Le Parisien.

“We don’t have the same driving rules across Europe and certain motorists are allowed to drive faster in their own country, like on German motorways, but European drivers must respect the rules of the road for the country they are driving in,” said Senator Odette Herviaux.

With most of Europe now signed up, only Britain, Ireland and Denmark have refused to adopt the agreement, something that drivers from those countries initially saw as good news. Many currently drive with impunity through the rest of Europe, knowing that they can ignore the cameras - the only way that they can be caught is literally red-handed, by police or gendarmes at the roadside. But, with the authorities now able to automatically send fines to most EU nationals, the speed police's attention is turning towards those on British, Irish and Danish plates in particular (and in France it is the Brits who make up the vast majority of this traffic).

One common tactic being em-

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NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 9

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According to a report released by a French think tank last month, households would spend up to an extra €300 per month if they bought all their goods domestically.

The government's much-vaunted “Made in France” campaign promoting French products reflects President François Hollande’s ambition to reverse a long industrial decline and make the country more competitive in world export markets.

Industry Minister Arnaud Montebourg launched the campaign late last year to great fanfare when he posed on the cover of Le Parisien magazine sporting a blue-andwhite striped sailor top made by Brittanybased firm Armor Lux and proudly clutching a Moulinex food processor.

Whilst many people would prefer to buy

French given the choice, the government would appear to have a job on its hands to convince them to do so when the homemade item is more expensive – consumer patriotism comes at a cost. ■

Production of Champagne to soar in 2013

It could be a good year for fans of French bubbly following the news that Champagne production is expected to rise by 56% this year. According to figures released by the French agriculture ministry, overall wine production will rise by 11 per cent compared with 2012, when harvests had a particularly low yield.

The figures were compiled before the recent hail storms which devastated 7,000 hectares of vineyards in the famous Bordeaux wine-producing region, but Champagne production was unaffected by the freak weather and will soar this year.

Although 2012 was a particularly bad year, production is still predicted to be up by 16 per cent when compared with average output over the last 5 years. ■

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France and Europe finally exit recession >> continued from pg 1 Europe's positive growth was driven largely by its two largest economies, France and Germany, which both posted better than expected figures of 0.5% and 0.7% respectively. Figures released

by Eurostat, the EU's statistical agency, showed that Italy and Spain - the single currency's third and fourth biggest economies both remained in recession in the second quarter of 2013.

Spain's economy shrank by 0.1%, while Italy registered a 0.2% decline.

In a sign that Europe's future looks brighter, Portugal, one of three countries that required a financial bailout, recorded the fastest expansion of any eurozone country, with 1.1% quarterly growth.

“A sustained recovery is now within reach, but only if we persevere on all fronts of our crisis response: keep up the pace of economic reform, regain control over our debt, both public and private, and build the pillars of a genuine economic and monetary union,” said Mr Rehn.

French Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici welcomed “the end of the recession in the French economy” as he unveiled France's best quarterly results in over 2 years, saying it “amplifies the encouraging signs of recovery”.

According to the national statistics agency INSEE, the expansion, which beat

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analyst forecasts, was largely thanks to improved domestic consumption adding that this was “the largest increase since the first quarter of 2011”. After previously predicting that the economy would contract by 0.1% overall this year, INSEE said it now expects growth of 0.1% for 2013, in line with government forecasts.

Whilst the improvement in the French economy has been universally welcomed, analysts point to France's unemployment figures as holding the key to any sustained future growth.

“The French contribution to this recovery is likely to sag,

Nicholas

thanks to its labour market which is still in a horrible state,” said Dario Perkins, an analyst at Lombard Street Research. “Unemployment has surged over the past two years and the demand for labour has collapsed, with the level of job vacancies at multi-decade lows.”

The exit from recession will no doubt be welcome news to President François Hollande, who has been enduring a torrid time in the polls and was scoffed at by some commentators after claiming in July that the economic recovery had begun. ■

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on the terrace of the Château d'Autet in Provence, owned by the Queen's nephew Viscount Linley. The photographer is believed to have used a long-lens camera from a public road some 800 metres away.

Privacy rules in France are based on Article 9 of the Civil Code which dates back to 1970 and states that “Everyone has the right to respect for their private life”. This right, which became part of the constitution in 1995, applies not only to the disclosure of a person's private life but also the unauthorised taking of photographs and their publication.

Exactly what constitutes “private life” is not defined in the law, but it has been spelled out by the courts

The royal couple have aggressively defended their right to privacy

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he top politician on the French island of Corsica has sparked a debate by saying that 'foreigners' should be banned from buying land there. The head of Corsica’s Executive Council, Paul Giacobbi, said that he plans to stop non-residents - including French citizens from the mainland - from buying land or houses on the Mediterranean island to the west of Italy.

“If one can buy land here as easily as you could buy a bar of chocolate in a supermarket, then we are heading for catastrophe,” said Mr Giacobbi, who argues that foreign investors and speculators are driving up property prices, making housing unaffordable for locals.

“The only solution is to limit access for non-residents. Unless you want speculation and all the problems that come with it, one can no longer tolerate the land of Corsica being totally up for sale.”

The politician is proposing that anyone who wishes to purchase a home in Corsica would have to prove at least five years’ residency, while allowances would be made for people living on the mainland

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as including one’s love life, friendships, family circumstances, leisure activities, political opinions, trade union or religious affiliation, and state of health.

Delphine Pando, representing the magazine, told the Nanterre court last year that topless photographs were no longer considered shocking and denied that the château was inaccessible to public view. Ms Pieau, meanwhile, has remained largely unrepentant and has given numerous interviews in which she justified printing the pictures, saying in December: “I did my job as a journalist.”

No date for the trial has currently been set. ■

Corsican politicians to ban 'foreign' property buyers

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aurence Pieau, the editor of French Closer magazine, has been formally charged in connection with an alleged breach of France's strict privacy laws involving last year's infamous topless photos of Kate Middleton.

Pieau now faces the prospect of a humiliating trial alongside at least two photographers and her publishing director, Ernesto Mauri.

The long-lens shots of a topless Duchess of Cambridge were taken in 2012 while she was on holiday with her husband Prince William in the south of France. The pictures, first published by Closer, were sold on shortly afterwards and subsequently appeared in magazines in Italy, Ireland, Denmark and Sweden.

The British royal family responded aggressively and quickly took legal action against Closer through their French lawyer, Aurélien Hamelle, to identify the photographer and stop further publication of the pictures. The French media are protected from having to name their sources - including photographers - but the royal couple are said to have made it a personal crusade to discover who took the images.

Their lawyer described the Duchess as “a young woman, not an object” and a royal spokesman said at the time that the topless shots were “reminiscent of the worst excesses” of the paparazzi during Princess Diana’s lifetime.

A judge near Paris subsequently ruled late last year that the topless pictures could neither be published again nor sold on, clearing the way for a criminal investigation to identify the photographer.

One of the photographers going on trial with the editor is thought to be Valérie Suau, who has admitted to taking some shots of the Duchess in the south of France during the holiday, but claims that hers were “all decent” and that she was not behind the topless photos. It is believed, however, that Ms Suau may have assisted at least one other photographer who later took the numerous snaps of a topless Duchess of Cambridge.

The photographs were taken while the Duchess was sunbathing

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Closer editor charged over privacy abuse

T H E C O D F A T H E R

Corsica is popular with tourists but also a hotbed for murder and organised crime or abroad who can “prove a link to Corsica”.

Corsica, the so-called “Island of Beauty”, is an extremely popular tourist destination, but is also plagued by high levels of unemployment and is a hotbed of organised crime. Nationalist sentiment is strong and until now, extremists on the island have resorted to more direct methods of dissuading foreign building projects - they have simply blown them up as a warning to others. Corsicans have a fiery reputation and tensions on the island often run high. Today the island has the highest murder rate per capita in Europe.

Rival politicians have slammed the proposals as unconstitutional and xenophobic and accused Mr

Giacobbi of simply courting nationalist votes. “Such xenophobia is no more acceptable for a foreigner than among French people,” said Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, a sovereignist French MP from the island.

“This is an anti-constitutional project that flouts the idea of equality for everyone before the law,” said Marie-Dominique Roustan-Lanfranchi of the antinationalist association FranceCorse, speaking to French daily Le Figaro. “Property prices are rising everywhere, in regions such as the south of France and in Paris.

People have to stop thinking that Corsica is alone. Why are we always treated differently compared to other French regions?”

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Mr Giacobbi countered the argument by insisting the move was in no way racist: “I am not against foreigners. My family and wife come from abroad. Corsica is a land that welcomes foreigners.

People from France could come and buy land, if they want to settle here. The problem is if they want to buy land or a property just to be here for one month each year and then put our property market in great trouble.”

The French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was born in 1769 in the Corsican capital of Ajaccio. His ancestral home, Casa Buonaparte, is today used as a museum. The northern town of Calvi also claims to be the birthplace of the explorer Christopher Columbus. ■

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NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 11

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Nothing is more annoying than having your train cancelled at the last minute, leaving you stranded overnight. For 169 passengers on a recent Ouigo train from Paris to Marseille, however, this disappointment was softened by the news that they would spend the night at “The Happiest Place on Earth” - Disneyland Paris!

The Ouigo low-cost, high-speed train service was launched earlier this year and whisks travellers from Paris to Marseille in 3 hours 15 minutes with tickets starting from just €10. The cancellation of the 20:44 train from Marne-la-Vallée, the first incident of this kind on the new service, was caused by “radio failure within the train”. Passengers were handed the usual 50 per cent refund on their tickets as well as a free seat on a train that was leaving the following morning. The added bonus for those that did not live nearby was the news that they would be treated to a free night at the Disneyland Paris theme park. ■

Oyster industry facing fresh crisis

I

t has not been a happy time for France's oyster farmers recently. After the virus that has been decimating young shellfish for several years, this year's crop of adults has now been ravaged by a mysterious ailment that is killing up to 80 per cent of oysters in shell fisheries around the French coast this summer just before they are due to be harvested.

Officially, this year's unusual weather has been blamed for the deaths. Heavy rain from May to July caused a drop in the salt levels of coastal waters, followed by brutal temperatures throughout late July and August which further weakened the oysters.

“In some areas, 50 to 80 per cent of saleable oysters aged between two to three years have died out,” Olivier Laban, president of the shellfish producers' federation of Arcachon-Aquitaine, told Le Figaro newspaper. “We have no idea what the origin of this blight is.”

Testing is under way at Ifremer, France's marine research institute, with samples taken from oysters along the west coast and the Mediterranean. “All the samples show mortality rates that are higher than normal,” said mollusc specialist Tristan Renault. “All contain the deadly bacteria Vibro aesturianus.

That's probably the murder weapon, but we still don't know who the murderer is. The unusual weather

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conditions this year are probably behind the phenomenon.”

Shellfish producers fear, however, that this year's freak weather is simply masking a longer-term underlying problem, pointing out that there has been a gradual increase in the mortality of adult oysters in the past two or three years, something which is reminiscent of the slow onset of the

disease which began to kill off tiny oysters in 2008 and 2009. The culprit in that case was Oyster Herpes virus type 1, or OsHV-1.

The viral epidemic ripped through oyster farms again in the summers of 2009 and 2010, killing between 80-100% of all baby oysters.

There is no known cure for OsHV1.

French officials and producers' groups are anxious to point out that there is nothing in these diseases which makes surviving oysters dangerous to human health.

The sudden death of adult oysters, just before they go on sale, is particularly damaging. “It means three years of work wiped out overnight,” said Laurent Champeau, president of the shellfish producers in the La Rochelle area.

“Our margin for manoeuvre is already practically nothing.”

“Some people are having to ration their sales,” added Olivier Laban. “We were already producing relatively few oysters because of the deaths of juveniles in past years. Prices are very high and cannot really go higher.”

Older hands need no reminding of the fragility of oyster farming.

In France, the cultivation of oysters only began around 150 years ago, but twice since then entire species have been wiped out by disease: first in the 1920s and then again in 1970. Today's species the Pacific oyster or Crassostrea gigas - has only been cultivated in France for the last 40 years.

“There used to be a saying among oyster farmers - ‘always be ready to move’,” says François Cadoret, now in his 80s, and whose family has raised oysters at Locmariacquer since 1870. “People forget it's a most unreliable business.”

France is the fourth largest oyster producer in the world, although production has fallen from 120,000 tons four years ago to around 80,000 tons last year. But with China alone producing over 80% of the world’s oysters, there is no danger of a global shortage just yet. French oysters, however, may become a rare - and expensive - delicacy in the coming years. ■

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of this. Rybolovlev is aiming to do at Monaco what Roman Abramovich has achieved with Chelsea. Whilst few would argue that having the best players playing domestically in France's Ligue 1 is good for everyone, not all the top flight teams are happy with one aspect of AS Monaco's success - their status in Monte Carlo as a tax haven.

Colombian striker Falcao, a €64 million summer signing from Atlético Madrid, has recently arrived at AS Monaco, and few could argue that the promise of a tax-free salary must have been part of the appeal. The other 19 French-based league rivals are unable

© 2012 - Francknataf (WikiCommons)

or many years, French domestic football has been languishing in Europe's 'second division', behind the more prestigious leagues of England, Germany, Spain and Italy. That has been slowly changing in recent years, however, as foreign investors have begun to take over French teams and inject serious money into assembling their own teams of galácticos.

The Qatar Investment Authority at Paris Saint-Germain and Russian Dmitry Rybolovlev - until recently one of the world's 100 richest men at AS Monaco are 2 prime examples

Dmitry Rybolovlev has been ploughing his millions into AS Monaco

to match this offer, something that established names such as Marseille, Lille and Lyon claim is unfair and uncompetitive.

“The advantage is huge in being able to convince huge players like Falcao to move to the club,” says French journalist Cyrille Haddouche of Le Figaro newspaper. He points out that while these tax rules have always been in place, the effect is now being multiplied by “the huge wealth of the Russian owner” to the extent that “the tax advantage that Monaco has is considered as unfair [by the clubs], especially in a period of economic difficulties for all clubs except Paris Saint-Germain”.

When you consider that President François Hollande is still fighting to introduce a 75% rate of tax on the country's highest earners, it is easy to see the other clubs' point of view!

The president of the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), Frédéric Thiriez, has been fighting the 75% proposal, but has also said that something needs to be done about AS Monaco's tax advantage.

He said that unless the rules changed then the newly-promoted AS Monaco would have a €50 million-aseason advantage over other clubs.

The French league has reacted and told AS Monaco they must relocate their headquarters, and hence tax base, to France by June 2014. They have warned that failure to do so could result in their possible suspension from the league. Unsurprisingly, given their new financial firepower, AS Monaco does not agree with this

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Tax haven status angers Monaco's rival clubs

Falcao is Monaco's latest big-money signing - a snip at €64 million development and has taken the matter to France's highest court for administrative law, with a decision expected by the turn of the year.

“We are expecting the opportunity to plead the case before the Conseil d'État, probably in October or November, with a decision some time in December,” explained AS Monaco's legal representative, Patricia Moyersoen. “It is clear the club does not want to move - they consider they have been a member of the French federation for a long time and it is not fair or legal to ask them to move [their headquarters] now.”

Frank Pons, a French sports mar-

keting expert, believes the country's football authorities are taking a short-term view and that a successful Monaco would be an asset for the Ligue 1 brand. “France, and Spain, have not realised the importance of having a strong league brand, as opposed to strong club brands,” said the marketing professor. “If they create a strong league brand then in two or three years' time you could see people around the world wearing PSG or Monaco shirts.”

AS Monaco's return to the top flight was marked by big summer signing Falcao scoring in a comfortable 2-0 win over Bordeaux. ■

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Mobile:- 06 47 85 90 92

Châtelus-Malvaleix ** (Auberge de Voyageurs) Sardent (Auberge du Lac) Gargilesse (Auberge de la Chaumerette) Marsac (Chez Jacques) St-Germain-Beaupré (Chambre d’hôte) Chéniers (Auberge La Chaumière) Boussac (opposite Café des Sports) Bussière-Dunoise (Auberge du Tilleul) La Cellette (Auberge de la Tour) Peyrat-le-Château (Le Bellerive)

1st Fri each month 1st Sat each month 2nd Wed each month 2nd Fri each month 3rd Wed each month 3rd Fri each month 3rd Sat each month 4th Wed each month 4th Fri each month 4th Sat each month

** Please note - Châtelus-Malvaleix will be at the Plan d’Eau for September only **

Please try to email your order in advance to avoid disappointment All 6pm - 9pm unless stated - Please consult our website for any updates.

SIRET: 520 807 660

F

rance's reigning Wimbledon champion, Marion Bartoli, has shocked the tennis world by announcing her retirement from professional tennis just 40 days after lifting the iconic trophy on Centre Court. The 28-year-old, ranked seventh in the world, said she was taking the decision with immediate effect because of persistent injuries.

She made the tearful announcement at a press conference following defeat in her first match at a tour event in Cincinnati. “It's time for me to retire and to call it a career,” she told stunned reporters. “I feel it's time for me to walk away. It's never easy, but that was actually the last match of my career.

I just can't do it anymore.”

Following her 6-1 6-4 victory over Germany's Sabine Lisicki in July, Bartoli hinted that the sport was beginning to take its toll on her body, complaining at the time that her achilles, shoulder, hip and lower back hurt continually when she plays.

“It's been a tough decision to take,” she added at her final press conference. “I've been a tennis player for a long time and I had the chance to make my biggest dream a reality. You know, everyone will remember my Wimbledon title. No-one will remember the last match I played here. I made my dream a reality and it will stay forever with me, but now my body just can't cope with everything.” ■

© 2009 - Robbie Mendelson (WikiCommons)

www.ohmycod.fr

Siret: 539 941 450 00014

LIMOUSINLIMOUSIN PLASTERING STUKADOORS

The Bugle September 2013

2

8 Page Pull-out Section

Your indispensable guide to finding local businesses & artisans Accommodation Activities & Leisure Animals & Pets Antiques/Brocantes Auto Services Building Services Architects Carpenters/Joiners Electricians General Groundworks

Accommodation

The Linden House Self-catering gîte in Creuse Sleeps 6-8 Prices from €250/week

06.04.17.80.93

www.thelindenhouse.eu info@thelindenhouse.eu

>> B1 >> B1 >> B1 >> B2 >> B2

Painters & Decorators Plasterers Plumbers Sandblasters Tilers Chimney Sweeps >> B2 Computers/Satellites >> B2 Food & Drink >> B2 Garden Services >> B3-B4 Gifts & Crafts >> B4 Handholding Services

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

Your advert here

05.55.80.04.31

www.la-petite-maison.eu sue@la-petite-maison.eu SIRET: 518 135 009 00018

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

THE BOILIE MAN

FRESH FREEZER BAITS (AIR DRIED) ALL MADE TO ORDER IN FRANCE NUTRABAITS - €8.50 per kg: TRIGGA - TRIGGA GLM TRIGGA PINEAPPLE 'N' BUTYRIC BLUE OYSTER IN HOUSE - €6.00 per kg: TUTTI FRUTTI BANANA CREAM CAJOUSER PINEAPPLE - SALMON

FOR TRADE PRICES PLEASE TELEPHONE

MOBILE:- 07 85 33 32 03

05 55 41 17 76

FACEBOOK:- MONSIEUR BOUILLETTE EMAIL:- andrew.bernard66@gmail.com

Activities & Leisure

Flying Lessons

La Petite Maison

Beautiful 2-person gîte in the heart of Creuse.

Perfect for house-hunters & holidaymakers alike.

>> B4 >> B5 >> B5 >> B5 >> B6 >> B6 >> B6 >> B6 >> B7 >> B7 >> B7

www.flyinginfrance.com See page 9

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu DAY TICKET FISHING Enjoy a day's fishing at Lake Brillac, situated in Brillac, 16500.

Carp, Roach, Zander and Perch.

Sport fishing only - no kill policy.

Animals & Pets

Full day ticket €10 pp

Open daily Night fishing available on request.

Equipment hire/bait available at extra cost.

etangbrillac@yahoo.com

Tel: 09 74 76 76 62

www.etangbrillac.weebly.com Siret No. 511 322 554 00011

sales@thebugle.eu

Health & Beauty Insurance & Finance Language Services Online Shopping Property Maintenance Property Sales Retail & Commerce Transport/Removals /Storage General

ZE DOG (& CAT) HOUSE

Family, cage-free boarding for dogs and cats.

Positive dog training and counseling.

We make sure that “Ze Dog (& Cat) House” is a real home from home for your companions so that they, as well as you, spend a great time on holiday!

June Altman, Le Puytren, 87800 Meilhac

Tel: 05 55 58 87 94 or Mob: 06 61 01 12 21 Email: zdh@ze-dog-house.fr Certificat de capacité n° 87-203 RCS Limoges 750 912 057

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

Small & friendly, English run.

Viewings welcome.

Certificat de capacité.

Also available: Pet foods, treats & accessories.

Mon - Sat: 9.00 - 7.00

Contact Dave Grant: 05 55 67 58 87

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

Dog Holidays at Valhalla Farm

5 Star Accommodation in our Home (Dept 23).

4 Walks each day & lots of T.L.C. Contact Karen & Darren Tel: 05 55 80 95 18 / 06 52 58 17 95 valhallafarm@europe.com www.valhallafarm.org SIRET: 511 629 610 00011

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

>> B7 >> B8 >> B8 >> B8 >> B8 >> B8 >> B8 >> B8 >> B8

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76 Champlong Chatterie

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

Tel: 05 55 60 27 83

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

The Caring Cattery Rochechouart

05 55 03 76 87 / 06 30 02 35 73

Only 30 mins from Limoges airport.

Established, purpose built secure cattery. Large individual/family units, tiled floors, shelving, adjoining outside areas.

Heated, individual needs catered for.

NEW - purpose built isolation unit.

Certificate of Capacity. Contact Barbara:

bdowning77@wanadoo.fr SIRET: 494 125 016 00019

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

05.55.41.17.76

SEPTEMBER 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

B2 ♦ DIRECTORY

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

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

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

Antiques/ Brocantes

RING BILL!

Registered Car Mechanic

05.55.81.31.85

See Display Ad below

VINTAGE AND CLASSIC CARS La Grange Brocante Seillant, 36310 Chaillac

We sell a range of quality new and second-hand goods to suit a variety of tastes and budgets.

Second hand furniture, clothing, books, CDs/DVDs, toys, new items, gifts & English greetings cards.

We also purchase items.

Thursday-Sunday, 14h00-17h30

lagrangebrocante@yahoo.fr www.lagrangebrocante.com

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Auto Services

PAUL RICHFIELD

From the 20's to the 60's.

All mechanical and maintenance work undertaken Chasseneuil-sur-Bonnieure, 16260 Charente

T: 05 16 09 84 46 M: 06 12 88 04 57

E: paul.richfield@cegetel.net siret no: 378 681 944 00021

Le Mécanique Anglais 30 years’ experience

● All Makes & Models ● Repairs ● Servicing ● CT’s ● Specialist in: Vehicle Diagnostics and Auto Electrics Covering 87/24/16 - I can come to you

Email: lemeca24@gmail.com

TEL: 05 53 62 50 46 SIREN: 514 423 532

The English Mechanic Car Breakers - C.R.A.L.

Buy/Sell/Scrap Spare Parts for Sale 05.55.48.21.33 - see pg 13 TLH

CAR-PARTS

New Replacement parts Discount Prices - Weekly delivery Tyres - Exhausts - Service Kits - Brakes - Shocks - Batteries - Oils etc.

Tel: UK (0044) 07907 652 827 Machine engineering, cylinder heads etc.

New trailers and parts - Towbars - Quality used car spares, engines, doors, wings etc.

Mail order service - Paypal Delivery to Northern & Central France From £15

Email: turnbullhaulage@yahoo.com

Building Services Architectural Services www.masterplans.eu We offer a comprehensive Architectural Drawing Service for your projects.

Supplying all the necessary drawings, elevations & photo realisations for your application. We also offer a floor plan service. Dossiers compiled for: ● Certificat d'urbanisme ● Déclaration préalable ● Permis de construire

05 55 80 72 83 / 06 33 07 29 72 info@masterplans.eu siret: 790 016 984 00011

Architectural DRAWING SERVICE Renovating your French property?

New build?

Nicholas Hemming Wood Craft

www.nicholashemming.co.uk

02 48 63 15 09 - see main ad pg 9

SHUTTERS / VOLETS

Dossiers prepared Permis de Construire Déclarations Préalables

Tel: 05 53 52 36 05

lavieilleabbaye@orange.fr www.latuspeter-architecturaldrawings-24.com SIRET: 493 770 358 00015

Made to Measure Woodwork

Pine Window Shutters from €35 Pine Ledge and Brace Doors from €69 Bespoke items made

www.scrollart.co.uk

05 55 14 12 43

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

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

05 53 56 72 59 / 06 58 04 21 94 +44 (0)7910 283 965 Web: www.versineer.com Email: enquiries@versineer.com UK Reg No. 5245744

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

Your advert here

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

05 55 41 17 76

Building Services

Building Services

Pink Electrique

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

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

30+ years worldwide experience.

Departments covered: 23, 36, 87.

Tel: 05 55 63 10 68 Mob: 06 64 59 48 64 Email: info@pink-electrique.fr www.pink-electrique.fr SIRET: 788 709 871 00016

ONE STOP NON STOP Qualified Electrician

All aspects of electrical work carried out, including industrial 3 phase systems.

EDF supplies arranged.

Consuel certification arranged.

Call-outs 24/7. Free estimates.

TEL: 05.55.09.87.24

EMAIL: onestopnonstop@gmail.com siret : 750 401 531 00022

Lumiere Service et Energie

Steven Rofe - 20 Years experience

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

05.55.69.75.67 / 06.89.47.69.71 email: lsetenergie@yahoo.co.uk Siret No. 501.792.386.00010

ELECTRICIAN Carpenters/Joiners

Electricians

Le Charme De Chêne Handmade solid oak joinery and furniture

SALAMANDRE électricité

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

We also make handmade furniture.

Every item is bespoke and made to measure.

Please visit our website for recent installations and references.

www.lecharmedechene.com contactus@lecharmedechene.com

02 54 25 65 08 06 16 91 64 67 SIRET: 510 156 763 00011

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

Philip Evans

Fully Qualified French Electrician All electrical work covered, from a light switch to a full rewire Limousin, Charente & Dordogne covered Emergency Callouts 24/7

Tel: 06 36 35 56 44 or 05 55 78 16 28

Email: philip.evans@live.fr Siret: 533 235 016 00011

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

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

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

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ SEPTEMBER 2013

DIRECTORY ♦ B3 ADVERTORIAL

Houses on Internet: A Global Property Network

H

ouses on Internet – Global Property Services (hereafter referred to as “HOIGPS”), the internet/marketing company that helps people sell their property, continues to do very well this year. They have already sold more properties in the first six months of this year than in the whole of 2012.

Richard Kroon, founder and director of the company: “Although we have been successful over the past years, which allowed us to hire more staff, the number of responses from prospective buyers and sales keeps increasing. No doubt one of the reasons is that we were able to increase our worldwide advertising budget and reach more prospective buyers than ever.”

So far this year HOI-GPS has sold to people from 16 different countries, of which the Australians are now the number one buyers, closely followed by the Belgians and other Europeans.

Richard continues: “Last year we also saw a small rise in buyers from Russia which made us decide

to have our websites translated into Russian, combined with advertising on the Russian version of Google. This really helped a lot and I wouldn’t be surprised if by the end of this year a large part of our buyers come from that region. Of course we continue to advertise in other parts of the world (the Americas, Europa and Asia) as well.”

Still, after many years of presenting themselves in the media via the internet, magazines and papers like this one, Richard and his colleagues from HOI-GPS sometimes get questions like: “But you are just a website, right?”

In fact, HOI-GPS is a little bit more than just that.

First of all, the company comprises three different organisations: • HOI - France, focussing on the French property market, has a staff of 7: a copywriter, two translators, three photo editors and one for marketing and web design. In addition, 91 photographers work for them throughout France to take

HOI-GPS HQ

Building Services

La Coterie Entreprise

Approved septic tank installer

05.55.80.83.30 www.lce23.com

See our main ad - pg 10

T J Renovations

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

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

siret: 501 792 386 00010

30 years experience in building trade

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

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

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

photos of the houses they have for sale.

• HOI - Spain with a staff of 5 and 53 photographers.

• HOI - Germany has just started this year under its own management with currently a staff of 2 and 12 photographers.

Richard: “The actual work all starts with the presentation of a property. If that’s not good enough, all other marketing efforts are useless. Our photographers usually take 150 to 200 photos of a house and in addition copy any good (summer) photos our clients may have themselves. About 50 to 55 of those well-sized photos are selected, enhanced and presented on the dedicated website we make for each property. The copywriter writes the text in which the entire house, the garden, outbuildings if any, and each room are described.

Information about shopping, schools, airports and tourism is added too. Then our translators start to work and everything is combined in one website, presenting the house at its best.

Some of our clients even say they did not know their property could look that good!”

As a lot of private website owners might know, having a website does not mean people can actually find it. Without continuous advertising, it simply is a waste of money.

So after the website for the house is online, we first connect it to our main HOI-GPS websites which attract over 135,000 visitors from 40+ countries each month.

Most of these people find the sites through Google and additional Google advertising, for which we pay thousands of euros per month, but it is definitely worth it. Without visitors, no buyers.

To reach an even larger audience,

BATIMENT SERVICES ROCHE 87800 Meilhac

Tailored solutions for your projects (big or small)

• Painting (inside/outside) • Plaster boarding and insulation • Floor coverings (laminated floors, carpet, etc.)

• Wall coverings (wallpaper, paper to paint, etc.)

• Handyman jobs Free quotation.

Phone Seán

06-77-21-24-54 SIRET: 788 841 021 00017

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

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

a summary of the presentation of the house is also placed on several other leading property websites.

These adverts are also connected to the dedicated website of the house, making it all one big global property network.

Sometimes people ask: “Why so many photos and why so much information of each house?”

The answer is obvious. In the past (and even now) property was presented with 3 to 5 very small photos and a few lines of text, which means the first thing a prospective buyer needed to do was ask for more photos and information, and then wait…

Experience has taught us that most of the buyers are lost at that very moment.

As the property market has become a global one, a prospective buyer can be on the other side of the world while the owner is in bed sleeping. With our approach, the buyer does not have to wait

Steve Booth

Property Maintenance Haute-Vienne and surrounding area Project help Renovations interior & exterior General maintenance Conservation and restoration trained in the UK

Tel: 05 55 06 52 36 Siret Registered

Traditional Building Services

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

All work is fully insured.

References available.

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

and can see the entire property whenever he wants, from the moment he is interested in it.

Richard: “Another advantage for home owners is that viewings are more successful. As there are no surprises and hardly any questions left, a visit in most cases is merely a confirmation of what they already know. We have even seen a couple of sales from far away buyers who bought the house based only on the presentation and a few questions by email. These are of course exceptions and I always encourage buyers to see the house themselves, as walking around a place is different from looking at photos.”

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

Houses on Internet – Global Property Services 05 55 65 12 19 www.housesoninternet.com

DAVID LEE General Builder

All exterior and interior work undertaken including: • Plasterboarding • Plastering • Rendering • Tiling • Blockwork • Bathrooms and Kitchens • Septic tanks As seen on Channel 4's Grand Designs Abroad Covering Limoges and surrounding areas Free Estimates

Mob: 06 08 07 95 24 Email: david.lee044@orange.fr Siret: 453 965 493 00027

RSW Entreprises

Fosse Septique Specialist

05.55.80.00.57

See our Display Ad - pg 11

GODSON

Travaux Publics www.pilgrim23.com 05.55.62.61.12 - pg 3

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

SEPTEMBER 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

B4 ♦ DIRECTORY Septic tanks

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

Building Services General La Noneix

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

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

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

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

05.55.68.67.56 06.06.60.46.97

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

PROPERTY RENOVATIONS ED BREWIS

For all your renovation needs

05.55.66.44.06

Kitchen/Bathroom fitting - Plasterboarding Carpentry - Painting and Decorating - Tiling etc Areas 87, 23, 36 25yrs experience / 7yrs in France

Paul.rands@orange.fr

E-mail: edward.brewis@wanadoo.fr

Large or small projects undertaken - please view our website.

Contact: Paul or Joanne Rands

www.lanoneix.com SIRET: 501 144 596 00019

LES VIDANGES LIMOUSINES

Electrics

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

Tel: 06 89 45 08 88 Siret No: 489 898 585 00018

Skilled Workman

Building Renovations & Small Jobs • Velux Windows • Roof Repairs • Tiling • Plumbing • Plaster boarding • Garden Projects & Maintenance

Double D

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

Steve Johns

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

Digger and dumper hire

Groundworks, foundations, driveways, etc.

Building & Renovation services Free devis and site visit

05.55.64.11.73

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

Contact Phil Andrews:

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

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

Tony Hall

General Builders All types of building work undertaken

Over 35 years experience References available Décennale Insurance - All areas covered

Tél: 02.54.06.91.54 hall.anthony@orange.fr Siret: 504 350 604 00014

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

28 years qualified experience

05.55.89.69.46

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

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Tersannes Timber

www.gatesinfrance.com 05 55 60 14 18 - see pg 4

WASTE REMOVAL SERVICES

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

05 55 61 93 07

martin_sprague_1@ hotmail.com SIRET: 531 768 182 00010

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

siret: 489 041 830 00030

Groundworks

Monte Sarginson

Mini-Digger with driver

Inside & Out

john.bonella@gmail.com

Entreprise Hines Building & Renovation

ROOFING SPECIALISTS

Siret 789 209 236 00015

stooze@wanadoo.fr

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...

Eurl Réno-Gén

www.limousin-builders.com

05 55 41 17 76

87800 Jourgnac

SIRET: 501 338 230 00011

Tel: 05 55 68 22 04

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

High quality work for reasonable £ All masonry, renovation, tiling, etc.

9 years in Creuse French & British references Bonnat Dept. 23, 03, 18, 36

30 years' Experience in Construction, Renovation & Project Management

Siret N° 750 725 780 00019

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

Masonry & More

Your advert here

www.bw-renovations.co.uk

Or visit my website

Lovejoy’s Scaffolding Hire

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

05 55 37 45 35 / 06 74 21 47 71

siret: 514 556 208 00015

05.55.02.66.58 / 06.76.09.68.37

06 49 66 44 25

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

We guarantee to beat any like for like quote !

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

For more info please call Barrie

Renovation

Davis & Davis Quality Workmanship Guaranteed Internal/ External Developments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

sales@thebugle.eu

siret 532 981 198 00015

BUILDERS

05 55 62 48 15 06 44 97 71 18

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

Tel: 05 55 63 88 70 Mob: 06 21 34 18 20

Building Services

05.55.78.62.29 See Main Ad pg B5

Building Services

Siret no 507 516 748 00013

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76 Dave Cardwell - Builder

05 55 98 24 12

See our Display Ad - pg 7 Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Painters/ Decorators Simon Carter

Montluc Painting & Decorating Qualified craftsman with over 25 years UK experience, newly relocated to Haute Vienne Specialist services: Interior & exterior painting, wallpapering, plastering & boarding, floor restoration, tiling.

FREE QUOTES

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

05.55.41.17.76

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ SEPTEMBER 2013

DIRECTORY ♦ B5 ADVERTORIAL

“SolarVenti”- the solar Harlequin solution to damp and Developments humidity A E stablished and registered in France since 2006, we specialise in all aspects of property renovation and refurbishment, along with barn conversions and extensions. No job is too big or too small and we will provide you with a detailed devis at a competitive rate.

Our work includes full renovations, extensions, insulation and plaster boarding, tiling, replacement windows and doors, re-pointing walls, parquet flooring, staircases, kitchens and bathrooms fitted.

We undertake insurance work - floods, fires etc - and send regular update emails, together with photographs, to clients who may live outside France, to keep them fully up to date with their project. References are gladly given from previous/current clients.

We are now able to offer an even wider range of renewable energy products from some of the world’s leading manufacturers.

With summer coming, why not think about putting a roof over your terrace/patio area? We will be happy to give you a quote for a traditional oak framed structure, with a roof finish to your specification. All bespoke to your requirements, and using the best local materials. It could also double as a car-port during the winter, and bring an end to scraping ice off car windscreens.

We have several satisfied clients from 2012, who will happily provide references for the quality of our workmanship.

For more information, a devis, or simply to discuss your project, please feel free to contact us.

Building Services

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 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.

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

Whenever the sun shines, the air in the solar panel is heated and the fan, receiving power from the collar cell, introduces warm, dry air

GLEN VINEY

PLASTERER Quality Plasterwork, Internal & External

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

Plasterers Jimmy’s Plastering Service All aspects of plastering work incl: Internal & External, Sand & Cement, Dry Lining, Rendering.

Also Tiling and General Maintenance.

20+ years experience.

Call Jimmy on

05 55 66 23 97 / 07 61 23 33 63 Siret: 792 049 025 00010

« LE PLATRIER »

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

FOR A QUOTATION CALL

05 55 63 53 06 06 23 29 48 19

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

Tel: 06 45 18 86 10

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

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu Multiskilled Artisan

Graham Carter Plastering

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

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

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

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

Fully insured offering 10 year guarantee.

Call Stuart on:

05 55 80 92 91

info@platrierlimousin.fr Siret: 534 396 908 00012

into your home at the rate of 20 to 100 cubic metres per hour.

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.

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.

There are no electrical or water connections and it can be safely left running, even when the property is empty.

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!

MARK COLYER

LIMOUSIN PLASTERING LIMOUSIN STUKADOORS

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

Specialising in both French lime plastering and English plastering techniques.

10 years tiling experience.

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

05 55 54 95 63

mcolyerplasteringandtiling@orange.fr siret: 539 941 450 00014

Building Services Plumbers H20 CREUSE

Heating & Plumbing engineer

05 55 63 89 23 - see pg 9

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

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

Rick Fife

Plumbing & Heating Engineer

All aspects of Plumbing and Heating work undertaken.

23 Years Qualified (Previously UK CORGI registered – Oil / Natural Gas / LPG) Established and registered in France for 7 years.

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

Tel: 05 55 62 34 66

Email: amanda.rick@tiscali.co.uk Office Hours: 8:30 – 18:00 Please give us a call to discuss your requirements. If you get the answer machine we WILL return your call the same day.

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

06 02 37 62 57 SIRET 538 689 530 00011

Building Services

siret: 494 380 264 00015

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Sandblasting

Martin Walters

Sand and Blast

Plumber

Caught out last winter?

Don't worry!

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

Tel 02 54 24 84 62 Siret 522 804 723 00016

We provide a fully operated

sandblasting

service for wood, stone and metal.

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

www.sandandblast.com

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

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

Advertise your business here

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

SEPTEMBER 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

B6 ♦ DIRECTORY Building Services Tilers Phillip Girard Tiling

Tiling walls and floors, tanking systems, undertile heating, laying of natural stone, pattern specialists.

Full design and professional decorating service available.

Contact Phillip for a free estimate

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76 Computers & Satellites

Big Dish Satellite

Restaurant

www.bigdishsat.com

AUX CEPES

05 55 78 72 98

see main ad - pg 4 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

Food & Drink

05 44 19 13 97 / 06 81 47 68 94 phillipgirard1970@gmail.com Siret: 750 256 067 00018

Chimney Sweeps

GOODWIN SATELLITE

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

CLEAR CHIMNEY SERVICES All types of chimneys cleaned

10% OFF all chimneys booked in before the end of September

Certificat de ramonage issued with every chimney swept Woodburner repairs/installation Accredited Flue liner Installer Chimney repairs/maintenance

TEL. 02 54 06 40 80 sootylesweep@orange.fr siren 535 199 483

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

TOUTE SWEEP

Chimney Sweep Service

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

Contact Barry Manning

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

barry@toutesweep.com

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

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

Creusetec

Satellite Systems 05 55 66 60 21

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

TV Receiver & Electronic Repairs.

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

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

NO FIX... NO FEE !!

IT Support for Creuse, HauteVienne, Indre and Vienne

www.indre-it.com 02.54.25.65.08 06.16.91.64.67

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

Mayday

computer services - pc • mac • network

05 55 68 47 33 / 06 82 26 31 54 see pg 8

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

▪ Menu du jour ▪ Carte ▪ Our famous Fish & Chips

Tel: 05 55 69 33 38 Open Monday to Saturday from 12pm to 2pm and from 6pm to 9pm

Le Relais de l'Abloux Bar - Restaurant Pizzeria

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

LA veytiZoU, 87130 Neuvic-entier

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

Opening times: 12-2pm 6pm-10pm (Closed Monday and Tuesday) Lunch menu: 12-2pm Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun Pizza/pasta restaurant: 6.30-9.30pm Thu, Fri, Sat Function room available with catering for your special occasion See our web site for menu, future events and summer opening times:

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

Pizzas to eat in or take away 36170 SACIERGES-ST-MARTIN

02 54 47 56 74 La Petite Fontaine 15 Grande Rue, Le Dorat

Café, Bar and Events Venue Lunch Menu Free WiFi

05.55.60.29.74

tel: 05 55 63 86 05

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

info@lapetitefontaine.com www.lapetitefontaine.com SIRET: 489 218 636 00012

JJ’s Cafe Bar Some customer quotes:

Le Creusois

Come and see for yourself - Open all week.

High quality British & French food at reasonable prices.

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

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

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

02 54 06 30 77

Bar/Restaurant

Les Genêts, Azerables

05.55.63.90.79

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

www.lecreusoisbistro.com

RIVE DROITE

Petticoat Lane

02 54 24 01 06

Tel: 05 45 29 03 99

SIREN: 483 988 853

SIRET: 508 754 314 00013

8 rue Ledru-Rollin 36200 Argenton-sur-Creuse

Restaurant - Pizzeria

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

Le Snack Shack www.lesnackshack.com

05.55.68.24.19 see main ad - pg 7

sales@thebugle.eu

5 Rue Nationale – 16150 Chabanais

Visit: www.petticoatlaneshop.com E-mail: sales@petticoatlaneshop.com English groceries, Fresh British Beef & Steaks (to order only), Gammon Steak, Bacon, Sausage & Cheddar Cheese.

Wide range of frozen items including vegetarian.

Traditional English beers, Sherries & Wine.

Cards for all occasions.

Opening hours: Mon - Thur 10am – 6pm Fri 10am – 7pm, Sat 9am – 6pm Visit us and compare our prices

Le Pub

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

02.54.60.02.14 - see pg 6

BAILEYS

Bar & Restaurant

5 Rue de L’Abreuvoir Aubusson

Traditional French and English dishes Menu du Jour 16€, 4 courses incl. wine.

Open all week, lunchtimes & evenings, except Tuesdays.

Restaurant Menu - Takeaway Service.

05.55.66.37.10

Book club open when bar is open

Oh My Cod Fish and Chips www.ohmycod.fr

05 55 80 34 26 - see pg 12

Le Moulin du Breuil BAR, RESTAURANT, TERRASSE 23140 PIONNAT

05 55 80 37 70 - see pg 11

The Codfather

British Fish & Chips in France www.traditionalfishandchips.eu See main ad pg 10

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

L’Escale

Restaurant & Bar

5 Rue Andre Jouhannaud, Compreignac

Freshly home-cooked Food

Plat du Jour, Mon-Sat: €12.50 Sunday Lunch with real Yorkshire puddings Every Friday Night - Fish & Chips with home-made mushy peas €9,50 To Eat In or Take Away (alternative menu available)

Open: Mon–Sat 11.30–2pm, Fri & Sat eve 7–11pm, Sun 11.30–3pm Party Bookings Welcomed For further information

tel: 05 55 12 99 45 or 06 04 09 03 10 26, Ecurat 23150

Atelier d'Art du Jardin Open Fri, Sat, Sun and Bank Holidays 11h00 to 18h00 from Easter until the end of September.

Artisan art for your garden.

Cream teas on the terrasse.

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

tel: 05 55 81 31 85

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

C’est cheese

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

Also available online.

For more information, see our website:

www.cestcheese.fr 09.66.87.02.74 cest.cheese@orange.fr SIREN: 409 679 578

05.55.41.17.76

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ SEPTEMBER 2013

DIRECTORY ♦ B7 ADVERTORIAL

Spotlight your business to an estimated 30,000 readers

E

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

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

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

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

ADVERTORIAL

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76 05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

• full page - €300.

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

GARDEN SERVICES

All gardening work: grass cutting - strimming hedge trimming - pruning Depts 23 & 87

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

Gifts & Crafts

Princesse Française Hair Jewellery & Accessories www.princesse-francaise.com 05 45 30 32 93 - see pg 7

06 23 90 45 82 / 05 87 19 85 85 www.paulfosterjardins.com see main ad pg 11

Cross Cut Tree Surgeons

The Exchange Rochechouart

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

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

for all your tree requirements beverley.pawson@yahoo.co.uk 05.55.60.62.14 / 06.78.38.42.44 see main ad below

www.theexchangerochechouart.com

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

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

05 55 78 19 24

9 rue Dr Charles Poitevin SIRET 484 479 480 00010

Très Jolie see main ad pg 10

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

N

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

Sometimes made to measure can

'CARTES DE CHRISTINE'

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

Customized, if required, especially for you.

Available blank or with either English or French greetings.

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

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

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

If you would like to know about our

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

Ivan Petley

3D Puzzle Maker Handmade, fully interlocking, multi-layered 3D puzzles from just €9.

Keyrings €2 plus other unique gift ideas.

Customisation and personalisation possible.

Come and visit the workshop by appointment.

Tel: 05.55.80.29.88

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

** NOW OPEN!! **

Handholding Services

LE DORAT (Pl. Charles de Gaulle)

Vera Laine Gift Shop & Salon de Thé

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

Fresh homemade cakes and free WiFi now available!

We look forward to meeting you!

Contact Jay:

06 35 91 03 83

veralaine19@gmail.com 26, Ecurat 23150

Atelier d'Art du Jardin Open Fri, Sat, Sun and Bank Holidays 11h00 to 18h00 from Easter until the end of September.

Artisan art for your garden.

Cream teas on the terrasse.

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

tel: 05 55 81 31 85

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

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

ADVERTORIAL

www.cartesdechristine.com siret 528 539 448

Garden Services

Paul Foster Jardins

ADVERTORIAL

Sophie Arsac

French lessons & handholding services 05.55.89.15.74 - pg 17

Health & Beauty

AMMARA

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

05 55 62 50 38

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

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

Tel: 06 22 93 14 57 ammara.onglerie@gmail.com siret: en cours

OSTEOPATHY & ACUPUNCTURE lindabodimeade@eircom.net paulbodimeade@eircom.net

05 87 41 07 93 - see pg 5

NEW TO FRANCE? NEED HELP?

La Petite Place

Sworn Translations from English or Dutch (birth certificates, etc.)

Help and advice with moving to and living in France (EDF, CPAM, RSI, Notaire) - I can accompany you if required

See our Display Ad - pg 8

05 87 41 62 75 / 06 26 83 77 97 www.pr-translation-services.com

Hair salon, Le Dorat

05.55.60.87.37

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

Cross Cut Tree Surgeons

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

beverley.pawson@yahoo.co.uk

05.55.60.62.14 / 06.78.38.42.44

siret: 530 840 958 00017

SEPTEMBER 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

B8 ♦ DIRECTORY Insurance & Finance

Language Services

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

Property Sales Siddalls

Financial Solutions & Expert Advice

05.56.34.75.51

See our Display Ad - pg 16

HiFX

International money transfer

www.hifx.co.uk

Language Services

FRENCH CLASS

Houses on Internet

japprendslefrancais@sfr.fr Free trial lesson!

See our Display Ad - pg 3

Online Shopping

Bilingual Estate Agent in Creuse

www.housesoninternet.com

05.55.65.12.19

offered by experienced language teacher.

For students and adults of all grades - beginners welcome.

For more information please phone Ms Margret Holste:

06 95 02 52 43

La Tuilerie, 87400 Moissannes

abc perfect

Bilingual language services www.abcperfect.com 06 47 84 06 83 - see pg 5

Your advert here 05 55 41 17 76

www.LBVfrance.com

Help with all property related issues

See main ad pg 8

SUDOKU - EASY

87150 Oradour-sur-Vayres

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

www.frenchvanman.eu

Transport, Removals & Storage

General

MAN + VAN Fiat Ducato with 11m² load capacity

Carrefour du bois Limousin

www.chauffagebois-limousin.com

05 55 83 02 77 / 06 81 33 07 15

BABY/INFANT EQUIPMENT FOR HIRE

Collections / Deliveries Removals / Brico Runs All over France.

Competitve hourly rate incl fuel.

Please ring or e-mail for a quote.

Based nr Aubusson Dept 23

jonathanpiddock@orange.fr

+44 (0)1268 767 237 - pg 5

Les Bons Voisins

05 55 33 21 59 Siret 530 213 644 00012

05 55 54 95 85 - see pg 4

UK shopping delivered to your door

Property Maintenance

05 55 02 30 60 - see pg 3

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

www.limousin-bilingual.com

La Maison Shopping

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

www.tannery-colombier.com

Man & Van Transport

Cendrillon - Bourganeuf

Retail & Commerce German lessons

Mégisserie Colombier

Furniture, interiors & gifts

Elisabeth Sicard

05 55 80 44 83

05.55.57.09.34 see advert on pg 2

Moulin de Tintin

Chénérailles Native qualified teacher

- Small groups - 1 to 1

Alinéa

Meuble & Déco

SIRET: 523 955 151 00015

Stove Sellers www.stovesellers.com 05.55.63.78.72

See our Display Ad - pg 14

Eco Entrepot Get down The Shed

87230 Bussière-Poitevine

Parking For Limoges Airport

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

05.55.68.74.73 - see pg 7

05 55 03 37 96

Soie et Bois Depot Vente des Vêtements

The Man With A Van

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

4 rue Principale, St Mathieu, 87440

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

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

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

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

SUDOKU - MEDIUM

The solutions to this month’s Sudokus can be found on page 19

05 55 63 72 45 - see pg 8

To raise funds for the SPA dog rescue centre in Guéret.

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

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

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

Experienced home help nurse

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

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

Please contact Ms Angelika Knauer:

05.55.30.40.26

SUDOKU - HARD

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ SEPTEMBER 2013

FEATURE ♦ 13

Car Breakers - C.R.A.L.

Centre de Recyclages d’Automobiles du Limousin - Les Tourettes, 87440 SAINT-MATHIEU

WE WILL COLLECT YOUR SCRAP CAR FOR FREE - WE BUY & SELL SECOND HAND CARS (RHD OR LHD) SPARE PARTS FOR SALE

TEL: 05.55.48.21.33 - ENGLISH SPOKEN - Email: cral87@gmx.fr

mating France's vineyards, making wine unaffordable for most.

By the 1870s, the absinthe craze was felt at all levels of French society; just about everyone was drinking it. Days started with a glass of absinthe and ended with l'heure verte (the late-afternoon “green hour”) when one or more glasses were drunk as an aperitif before supper. Over 1,000 distilleries were pumping out absinthe to meet the country's unquenchable thirst.

At the end of the 19th century, absinthe was riding the crest of a wave, but within a few short years it would be banned across much of Europe.

While artists and intellectuals became known for – and often identified by – their use of absinthe, they also played their part in its downfall. In addition to a number of famous paintings dedicated to the Green Fairy, other painters and writers portrayed absinthe in a negative light: frustrated artists led to ruin by the Green Goddess.

As the vineyards recovered from the previous decade's phylloxera virus, the powerful winemakers joined France's growing temperance movement to smear the public image of absinthe. The lethargy and “loose ways” of café culture began to be portrayed as an immoral way to live and absinthe, once a beloved elixir, began to be seen as a scourge – the Green Goddess had become the Green Curse. By the late 19th century, France, like many other countries in Europe, was in the grip of a serious alcoholism problem.

With the prevailing attitude in France at the turn of the 20th century turning decidedly anti-absinthe, along came labourer Jean Lanfray with the final nail for the Green Fairy's coffin.

Lanfray was a known drunk and one fateful morning he murdered his wife and his two children in a fit of drunken rage. Despite his reputation and the fact he had consumed prodigious amounts of wine and hard spirits that day, the 2 glasses of absinthe that the investigation revealed that he had drunk were held responsible. The ensuing moral panic led to absinthe drinkers being seen as dangerous addicts as opposed to fashionable intellectuals.

It would be another ten years before France officially outlawed absinthe, but after the Lanfray scandal, the reputation of absinthe had sunk to irreparable depths.

Ironically, it was the outright ban of absinthe over the following century that gave birth to the mythical status it subsequently acquired.

Legends and speculation grew over time about the hallucinatory, calming and psychoactive properties of

the fabled tipple. In the 1990s, science began to prove some of the benefits of wormwood and disprove some of the negative claims about thujone, the active chemical ingredient - in order to drink enough absinthe for the thujone to be a health problem, the alcohol or the sheer volume of liquid you would need to drink would have already killed you!

Producers, playing off absinthe's mythical image, began to look for legal loopholes and one of the largest appeared in France. Although consumption and purchase of absinthe was outlawed in 1915, production was never banned. The drink could be produced in France and even bottled and sold – it could simply not be labelled as “absinthe”.

Production began in earnest.

In the face of a whole host of drinks labelled as “a spirit made from extracts of the absinthe plant”, the ban on labelling was lifted in France in 2011 and today “proper” absinthe can be bought easily in the supermarket. “It was a bizarre situation,” said George Rowley, Managing Director of La Féé Absinthe, who, though British, was one of the key people behind the resumption of absinthe production in France. “You could distill absinthe in France, bottle it, label it for the rest of the world as absinthe, but you couldn't do that for France. It was ridiculous; it was a redundant law that needed to be swept away.”

The big debate today is whether the contents of the bottles of absinthe on sale really are the same as that being drunk by Vincent Van Gogh. Is absinthe really hallucinogenic and will it turn you mad?

Johnny Depp has shared some time with the Green Goddess and has been quoted as saying: “I hated cocaine, but I used to like absinthe... drink too much and you suddenly realise why Van Gogh cut off his ear”. Oscar Wilde is another to have seen the good and bad sides of absinthe: “After the first glass you see things as you wish they were. After the second, you see things as they are not. Finally you see things as they really are, and that is the most horrible thing in the world.”

Science seems to confirm, but also deny, the hallucinogenic properties of absinthe. “Wormwood oil is a neurotoxin, a poison,” said Robert Tisserand, an expert on the properties of herbs. “In sufficient quantities the substance causes laboratory animals to confront imaginary enemies, experience auditory and visual hallucinations and suffer convulsions.” Hardly the makings of a good night down the pub!

However, these symptoms would only be experienced in humans after

they had drunk the equivalent of 25 glasses – an impressive effort even for Gérard Depardieu.

Ted Breaux, a research scientist and commercial distiller in France who has spent 17 years researching the liquor, says that its mind-altering or hallucinogenic effects have been “greatly exaggerated”, although he does admit that some drinkers report a “sensation of mental clarity” before the alcohol kicks in. There was no regulation of absinthe in the days of Van Gogh, meaning there was probably “significantly more thujone” than would be allowed

under modern-day rules, and the European Union are indeed trying to bring in standards for what can be called absinthe, with suggested minimum and maximum levels of thujone.

What can not be denied is that people are still drawn to the mystique of la fée verte and absinthe is making a comeback, not just in France, but across Europe and even in America. Love it or fear it, the latest chapter of this fascinating drink's history has well and truly begun. ■

How to prepare absinthe 1. Fill the reservoir of the glass with absinthe (or about 1/5 to 1/3 absinthe of the volume).

2. Place an absinthe spoon and a sugar cube on top of the glass.

3. Slowly drip ice water through the sugar until it dissolves completely.

A green line will form at the top. As this line forms it is common to sample the absinthe by drinking off this green line to get the full impact of the absinthe's qualities before the drink is fully diluted.

4. The drink louches (turns white; this is due to the oils being soluble in alcohol but not in water) and new flavours come out. © 2006 - Eric Litton (wikicommons)

G

reen, incredibly alcoholic and some say mindaltering, absinthe has been enjoying something of a renaissance in recent years, following the lifting of bans across much of Europe. The enduring popularity of this heady green spirit stems in large part from how it has figured in the world of art and entertainment over the years. From Picasso to Oscar Wilde to Vincent van Gogh (who many say cut his ear off after drinking too much), absinthe has long been associated with artists and bohemian Paris. Today, more and more people are enjoying the ritual surrounding a glass of the “Green Fairy”, but the drink has not always been as popular as it is once again becoming today.

The active ingredient in absinthe, thujone, is extracted from wormwood. Throughout history, humans have created wormwood-infused liquors, with the Egyptians and Greeks both known to have been big fans. Absinthe as we know it today traces its roots back over 200 years to a French doctor, Pierre Ordinaire, who believed in the medicinal properties of wormwood and was trying to create an effective way of administering the drug.

At the end of the 18th century, Dr Ordinaire retreated from the French Revolution to settle in the small Swiss town of Couvet. The drinkable concoction he created, using local herbs mixed with Artemisia absinthium, or wormwood, produced an emerald green elixir rumored to cure everything from flatulence to anaemia. Dr Ordinaire's potion was anything but ordinary!

Legend has it that Ordinaire passed down his absinthe recipe from his deathbed and five years later, Henri-Louis Pernod, father of the Pernod brand, opened his first absinthe distillery in Switzerland before moving to a larger distillery in Pontarlier, France, as its popularity increased.

Although absinthe would go on to earn again an international reputation as the drink of choice for artists, writers, and intellectuals, it was actually a very democratic drink, enjoyed as much by the working classes as the aristocracy. In the 1840s, French soldiers were given absinthe as a field treatment for malaria (scientists have since proven the antimalarial properties of wormwood) and the troops returned with a taste for the Green Goddess. Meanwhile, mass production had dramatically reduced the cost of making and distributing the highly specialized drink and at around the same time the phylloxera virus was busy deci-

© 2006 - Eric Litton

Dancing with the Green Goddess

SEPTEMBER 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

14 ♦ FRENCH LIFE

Why do some people taste so good to insects?

Regular environment contributor, Arthur Smith from Harlequin Developments, looks into the science behind why some people appear to be more prone to insect bites than others.

W

hile out walking the dogs the other evening with SWMBO a series of events set me thinking. It seemed that every few metres my Mrs was getting an insect bite, but I wasn’t. So, I wondered, why her and not me? A quick trawl through t’interweb brought several explanations which I thought might be interesting to share.

There are almost one million different species of insect in the world, of these a mere handful feed on humans, and in most cases only the females bite (no comment!) In order to produce and lay eggs, many female insects need an extra boost of nutrients, and they get it from the blood of animals, including humans.

In Central France we are lucky, things like mosquitoes are little more than a nuisance, albeit a maddening one if the bites flare up, but when it comes to a good meal, insects are much fussier than you

might think.

Firstly, women tend to suffer more than men, largely because they tend to bare more flesh. It's often said that some people attract insect bites, regardless of their sex, while others never get nipped. It used to be thought that this was an urban myth.

Now, however, a series of studies are increasingly showing that biting insects really do prefer some people to others.

So what determines if you're one of the miserable tribe loved by the blighters, or one of the lucky few they ignore?

CARBON DIOXIDE One of the most important factors is the presence of carbon dioxide, the invisible, odourless gas we breathe out - many insects can detect this gas from more than 50m away! There is some evidence that people who are tall or fat are also at greater risk. This is a combination of the fact that they are bigger -

there is more surface area to aim for - and also that they burn more fuel to keep their bodies going and therefore produce more carbon dioxide.

BODY ODOUR AND SWEAT Human bodies produce around 500 different volatile chemicals that waft off our skins into the air, and studies have shown that insects are variously attracted to sweat, lactic and uric acids, and octenol.

Lactic acid is released through pores in the skin, particularly after exercise. Uric acid is best known as a chemical in urine, but can also build up in the skin. Octenol is found in sweat and breath, so if you’re sweaty or breathing heavily, you’ll produce more, attracting insects.

Some people naturally release more of these chemicals than others and everyone pro-

Grilled Goat's Cheese, Beetroot and Balsamic Tarte Tatin Recipe provided by Brett from Le Moulin du Breuil (23140 Pionnat) www.lemoulindubreuil.com - 05 55 80 37 70

Ingredients (for 4 people):

4 x Crottin de chèvre 1 Packet cooked whole beetroot 1 500ml Bottle balsamic vinegar or crème de balsamique (I prefer to make my own) 1 Packet pre-rolled puff pastry (pâte feuilletée) Salt and Pepper

Method:

If you cannot find crème de balsamique...

1. Reduce the balsamic vinegar in a pan on a high heat until it boils rapidly (reduce to 1/5 of original volume). Remove from the heat and cool – the crème de balsamique should be thick and creamy.

For the tarte tatin 2. Drain the excess liquid from the beetroot and slice as thinly as possible.

3. In a muffin tray (yorkshire pudding tray) layer the beetroot. Drizzle each layer with the balsamic reduction and season. Keep layering until you reach the top of the tin.

4. Cut out a disc of pastry big enough to cover the beetroot. Place the pastry disc over the beetroot, folding in the excess and pressing down the sides to form a crust. Cut a small hole in the centre of the pastry to allow excess heat out whilst cooking.

5. Cook in a pre-heated oven at 160˚ for 20-25 mins, until the pastry is cooked.

6. Remove from the oven and leave to cool for 10 minutes. Place a chopping board or tray on top of the tatins and turn upside down to turn out.

7. Cut the goat’s cheese crottins in half with a hot knife. Place on a tray lined with greaseproof paper. Season with cracked black pepper and grill under a hot grill for 3–5 mins (reheat tatins in the oven).

8. Serve with a mixed salad.

duces more when exercising, which, combined with the fact that insects also seem to like higher body temperatures, explains why you may often be more prone to bites during a walk.

ALCOHOL In 2002, a Japanese study found that those who drank a single bottle of beer were more attractive to biting insects. A recent French study (I never saw this job advertised!) also

SMELLY FEET

(conditions often caused by bacteria) also attract the insects.

So, in answer to my question, it seems that because I’m not fat, wasn’t out of breath and sweating, hadn’t been drinking, and didn’t have smelly feet, the insects were leaving me alone!

Hmmmm, I think I’d better get my coat.... ■

It’s not just the natural odour of skin that is responsible for attracting or deterring insects, studies have also shown that bad body odour and sweaty feet

Arthur Smith Harlequin Developments www.harlequindevelopments.com Tel: 05.55.68.67.56 Mob: 06.06.60.46.97

found that beer drinkers were slightly more likely to get bitten. Researchers haven’t shown whether the effect is the same with wine or spirits, or whether it is an ingredient in the beer apart from alcohol that changes the smell of skin.

The price of perf-egg-tion

I

t seems that mentioning a few months ago that a little bit of chicken poo on your eggs is a small price to pay for the extra benefits we get from free range eggs struck a chord with several readers.

Many of us that come over here have much more land than we ever had in our previous homes, and we seek to be a bit more self-sufficient than we were previously.

That bit of poo, or a feather, are just little reminders that can help us better connect to our food. A stronger connection with what we consume can help raise environmental and animal welfare awareness.

One of the first things we did when we arrived here was build a chicken shed and buy some chickens. We really looked forward to our first eggs, like a child might look forward to seeing if the big red guy has been in December. This may sound a little weird, but I always really look forward to opening up the egg boxes in the chicken shed to see what they contain.

The eggs are sometimes different colours, the sizes vary greatly as does their shape, it’s a bit like Forrest Gump’s proverbial box of chocolates.

One day there was an egg that weighed over 110 grams. I pitied the poor hen that laid that one!

Their perfection is in their “imperfection”.

Each time I use an egg, I marvel at the rich

yolk. Because they are so fresh, they seem to keep forever (up to 3 months I’m told). What an amazing packaging material nature came up with.

I’ve read recently of children who don’t know where eggs come from. In fact it seems that one in 10 secondary school children think tomatoes grow underground, 30% think that cheese comes from a plant, and one in 5 think that fish fingers contain chicken. I find this unsettling and rather sad.

I wonder how many people consider the hens when they crack an egg, and unlike the hens that provide my eggs, many of those birds are kept in less than ideal conditions. There should be a feather in every dozen to remind us.

A bit of egg trivia: When eggs are washed at commercial operations, it removes a protective protein based coating on them called “bloom” that seals the pores of the egg, preventing outside contaminants from entering the egg. Removal of this coating decreases an egg’s shelf life. Unwashed eggs keep longer, but should be kept separate from other foods and rinsed just before use. ■ Arthur Smith Harlequin Developments www.harlequindevelopments.com Tel: 05.55.68.67.56 Mob: 06.06.60.46.97

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ SEPTEMBER 2013

FRENCH LIFE ♦ 15

In the garden - jobs for September

W

ell, there you go.

As usual things have changed quite radically in the garden in just a few weeks. Not so long ago it was cool, and wet, and then, almost overnight, it went to scorching hot and watering suddenly became top priority.

All credit to the plants that so many could resist this temperature arch. Of course, those planted last year have more resistance than those planted in the last few months, and annuals, which the majority of vegetable plants often are, usually suffer first. But boy does mulching really help. Again and again, you can see the difference in a plant that's suffering after you've applied a good mulch to its feet. It doesn't have to be expensive - there is a lot of bracken growing in the road verges which will only get destroyed later when the cantonniers do their fauchage. Root heat is a major factor in plant death, so keep roots as cool as possible by laying an insulating layer on top of them, and planting in big pots so that the roots do not touch the sides too quickly. You can even think about insulating your pots with a layer of thick newspaper, etc. before adding the compost. Obviously, this will mostly be useful for next year's containers now, although autumn displays of mixed grasses with ivies, pansies or violas do look very attractive, and the insulation can protect equally from the cold. You must ensure there is good drainage.

In the potager September should be quite busy... It's really the last opportunity to sow stuff for next year, as days are still warm enough for germination and the young plants should, hopefully, have enough time to bulk up before the cooler weather and shorter days kick in. Sow radish, spinach, spring cabbage, radicchio, oriental vegetables like kohlrabi, winter lettuce, lambs lettuce, rocket and winter purslane. It's quite a long list that one can make, especially if you are going to give them a bit of protection. My favourites are the various leaf mustards - beautiful to look at, and tangy, spicy flavours to pep up a winter salad. Try Red Frills or Osaka Purple. Peas, broad beans and sweet peas can also be sown. If you sow early enough, and October is kind, you can have a second crop of dwarf beans to pick before the frosts start.

You can also sow hardy annuals and biennials for next year - foxgloves, wallflowers, sweet williams, etc.

You can plant onion sets and garlic, which will not seem to do much over the winter but should crop earlier than those spring sown. If you have very wet winter ground, plant them on slight mounds to improve drainage.

Harvesting There's still lots of harvesting to

be done and gluts to be transformed.

Tomatoes are still going strong, as are courgettes and squashes/pumpkins.

Runner beans and other climbing beans keep producing as long as you pick them regularly. When you've really had enough, leave the last few pods to dry on the canes for next year's seed. Walnuts, chestnuts and the last of the hazelnuts can be collected for storage. Later varieties of apples, pears and quinces are in full spate. Try and find the time to pick and store unblemished fruit, as well as bottling or freezing. Foraging around the edges of your garden can be rewarding too, to find blackberries, sloes, rowan berries, etc. Check the edibleness, or not, of any mushrooms collected at your local pharmacy, unless you are an expert.

Leave medlars on the tree until the first frosts.

Collect fruit and veg seeds Collect fruit and veg seeds and, having made sure they're fully dry, store them somewhere cool and dry.

This includes stones of particularly good peaches or plums. They should germinate easily in the spring if you sow them now. Remember to label them, and protect them from the mice.

Prepare for the cold This sounds like a strange thing to say after such hot temperatures but it will surely come. As well as enjoying the usually excellent autumn weather, consider what you'll want to grow over the winter, and how you'll protect your crops. If you aren't planning to use your veg patches, then think about how to save yourself work in the spring and cover them with weed suppressant textile. Get a load of manure (fumier) from a friendly farmer, or turn out your compost heap. Collect free bracken from the road verges or buy a bale of straw. Follow the rhythm of the year and enjoy the changes in the quality of the light. At the end of the month you can probably cut back tall perennials by half so they don't get blown down over the winter. Don't waste this greenery start mulching the slightly tender things.

Divide up old clumps of things like campanulas, hemerocallis, etc. so they start to re-establish themselves before the real winter weather. Marvel at the beauty of the asters and the late season flowers. Label any self-sown sports that are of particular interest.

Go round the garden with a notebook Make notes about what needs to be moved, split, increased, etc. next year.

Note what worked well for you this year, and what to change. Visit friends and people with good gardens to swap or cadge treasures! Go to plant swaps, and the autumn fêtes des plantes.

Good gardening !! ■

by Michelle Pierce

Apples Who can imagine anything more Western than an apple? Apple and blackberry, pork with apple sauce, apple pie... It's our everyday fruit par excellence, isn't it? Sitting demurely, maybe even boringly, alongside its more glamorous cousins the bananas, pineapples, oranges and mangoes, nobody really stops in their track and goes “Wow, a Cox's!”

But this is to make a serious error because the apple is just amazing!!

It's from far far away: central Asia, to be precise in the Tien Shan region of Kazakhstan, where its wild ancestor, Malus sieversii, is still found today. It migrated west via the movements of ancient peoples - down the Silk Road, with traders, armies and even barbarian hordes - and has been grown for thousands of years. There are even impressions of apple pips in prehistoric pottery shards! The apple appears in ancient mythology, of course. Look at the Garden of Eden Eve wasn't tempted by a nectarine, was she?

Wherever you find apple trees, you know that someone brought them there.

It is a highly portable and versatile fruit; fresh, dried, stored for months or transformed into cider, the apple has major advantages in terms of food value. Indeed, the old adage “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” has been proven true scientifically.

Apples don't typically come from seed, but are usually grafted. That said, if you plant an apple pip, you will end up with a tree which will probably bear fruit. Think about Johnny Appleseed in the States.

The grafts can be moved easily, and the young trees are easily grown. In a village near me there are trees of a certain variety from the other side of France, brought in the knapsack of a man fleeing the German occupation during the war. As well as being of practical importance, it was a way of keeping links with his homeland.

How sad it is that we are now used to just a handful of perfect supermarket fruits - the Pink Ladies and the Golden Delicious among them. Our kids will think that this is all there is to apples, but …

There are more than 7,500 known cultivars of apples, with a huge variety of tastes and textures and qualities. Some are for cooking, others for keeping, making compote, drying, making cider, etc. There are endless variations, if we don't lose them all through our neglect!!

France was at one stage a hotbed of orchard production and hundreds of varieties were created, but it has unfortunately, as elsewhere, lost many of these. While in some countries there has been a resurgence, here it is only just starting and we should all give it our support. Why not try asking for old varieties in your local greengrocer or farm shop?

So, September is an excellent month to go out spotting orchards and trying to taste the diverse world of apples.

SEPTEMBER 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

16 ♦ PRACTICAL

Tips for filling out a French cheque The Bugle's resident lawyer, Laure CHAVERON, explains how to fill out a French cheque, highlights the differences from the UK cheque system and also takes a look at the laws surrounding this popular payment method.

F

rench cheques are set out slightly differently to British ones. The main difference when writing out a French cheque is that the amount that the cheque is for goes at the top where on a British cheque you would normally put the name of the person that you are making the cheque payable to.

After “Payez contre ce chèque” write the amount in words. You can write the cents in letters or numbers. You will find useful information to help you to convert a number into French words at www.euro-cheque.com/EC-fr.htm From a legal point of view the amount in words is more important than the amount in numbers.

After “à” write the name of the person or company you want to pay (e.g. Mme Brown / EDF).

After “€” you need to fill in this box with the amount in numbers.

Do not forget that in French a point marks the thousands, while a comma marks the cents (e.g.

1,030.20 in English = 1.030,20 in French).

After “A” under the box with the amount in numbers write the name of the place where the cheque is being written (e.g. Limoges).

After “Le” write the date.

Signature: Finally, you need to sign the cheque in the space under the place and date.

WARNING Once an account is opened, you can order a chequebook, which is sent to you or held at the branch for collection. The bank may refuse to give you a chequebook

but you must be told the reason why.

In France there is no equivalent to the UK cheque guarantee card system. Your cheque is considered to be as good as cash. It is common to be asked for proof of identity when paying by cheque.

If you find yourself in the situation where you have written a cheque that your account cannot cover, this can result in a ban on writing cheques or opening a new bank account for up to five years.

It is a criminal offence to write a cheque that your account cannot cover.

Banks in France cannot issue a chequebook to a person listed on the Banque de France unpaid cheque database. Cheques cannot be stopped (except for loss, theft, suspected fraudulent use or receivership and liquidation) and unauthorised overdrafts are not permitted.

You can obtain a short-term overdraft facility for a small monthly fee; this might prove to be a wise move if you are in the habit of writing cheques and worrying about the monthly balance afterwards.

It is illegal to write a post-dated

or open-dated cheque (which incurs a fine equal to 6% of the value of the cheque, or a minimum of 0,76 €) and a cheque in France is valid for one year and eight days.

For more information on this topic, contact: Laure CHAVERON, Avocat 36 avenue Pierre Leroux, 23600 Boussac Téléphone: 05 55 82 18 99 E: laure.chaveron@wanadoo.fr http://avocats.fr/space/laure. chaveron

P

resident Hollande and his government have recently announced their intention to include further reforms to the taxation of property capital gains in the 2014 Finance Bill, due to be presented to the French parliament in Septem-

ber 2013.

The reforms are designed to help alleviate the national housing shortage in France by encouraging the release of investment properties onto the main residential market.

The measures will affect both French resident and non-

resident owners of French second homes. Capital gains made on the sale of a primary residence by a French-resident owner will not be affected because the main residence exemption will continue to apply.

On 1st February 2012 the previous government introduced a scale of “taper relief” reduction applied to gains in accordance with the length of property ownership. The effect of this was that 100% gain relief was given after 30 years ownership.

This scale was introduced to replace the scale which provided for full relief after 15 years of ownership. However, President Hollande has described this extension as excessive and now proposes to reduce the length of ownership to qualify for 100% relief to 22 years.

The 22-year scale is, in fact, a re-introduction of an old scale and if the measure follows the same formula as the old scale then there will be relief at 5% per annum after the first 2 years of ownership.

Interestingly, the president is hopeful of formulating the proposal in such a way that it can actually come into force with effect from the 1st September 2013, in advance of parliamen-

© Paul Bodea - Fotolia.com

Changes to Property Capital Gains Taxation Planned

tary approval of the Finance Bill.

The government is also proposing an additional 20% reduction, for a limited period, on capital gains arising on sales of second homes and investment properties. Full details of this measure and the time period for its application will be set out in the 2014 Finance Bill.

Commentators have remarked that this additional “incentive” to encourage the release of second homes and

investment properties onto the general residential market is somewhat at odds with the capital gains “surtax” of up to 6%, on gains exceeding €50,000, after taper relief, which was introduced at the start of 2013 by the Finance Amendment Act. The government has indicated it will “review” the operation and impact of this supplementary tax but it remains to be seen how finance ministers will reconcile their desire to expand the residential property market

with their competing desire to optimise tax revenues to reduce the ongoing public sector deficit! ■ David Hardy is Regional Manager of Siddalls France, Independent Financial Adviser, specialised in tax, inheritance, pension and investment planning for the British community in the Limousin since 1996. Telephone 05 56 34 75 51, bordeaux.office@siddalls. net. www.siddalls.fr

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ SEPTEMBER 2013

BILINGUAL ♦ 17 SIRET 502 409 212 00011 – APE 8559B

FRENCH LESSONS WITH A NATIVE FRENCH SPEAKER Individual/Group lessons, all levels - Skype lessons via the internet also available

Free trial lesson !

Lessons in Aigurande (36), Dun-le-Palestel and La Souterraine (23) Other services offered include: help with notaires, arranging new utilities (electricity etc), locating tradesmen, liaison with French administration etc. I can also be your French contact in France when you are away!

Contact Sophie ARSAC to discuss your requirements 05 55 89 15 74 (E-mail: scarolinea@yahoo.fr)

Driving on the 'wrong' side

A

nyone who has driven to or from the UK will know that one of the biggest challenges is the driving.

Switching from driving on the right to driving on the left, and vice versa, can be enough of a worry to stop people going at all! So why do the British insist on driving on the 'wrong' side of the road?

Today in fact, about a quarter of the world drives on the left, although the countries that do are almost all former British colonies; Japan is the notable exception. This strange quirk perplexes the rest of the world; however, there is a perfectly good reason. In a society of mostly right-handed people, jousting knights, with their lances under their right arm, naturally passed on each other's right hand side. Also, in more violent times, if you came across a

stranger on the road you would keep him on your right to ensure that your protective sword arm was between yourself and him, making it easier to fight.

So if driving on the left is more sensible, why does mainland Europe drive on the other side? Many now believe that the answer is simple: Napoleon was left-handed so preferred his enemies on his left. As part of the major social reforms that took place across France during the Napoleonic era, the “little general” introduced a strict “keep to the right” rule which he eventually spread across Europe. Since that time, any part of the world which was at some time part of the British Empire drove on the left of the road and any part colonised by the French drove on the right.

The drive-on-the-right policy was

also eventually adopted by the USA, which wanted to remove all remaining links with its British colonial past.

Another theory is that when farmers in America began hauling large loads with teams of horses, the driver would sit on the rear left horse, the best position from which he could whip all the animals with his right hand. Once he was sat on the left, it was easier to navigate past an oncoming vehicle if they passed on his left hand side.

In the last few hundred years the trend has been increasingly to drive on the right. One of the last European countries to convert to driving on the right was Sweden in 1967. While everyone was getting used to the new system, drivers paid more attention and took more care, which actually resulted in a reduction of the number of road accident casualties! ■

The Bugle thanks local French teacher, Sophie Arsac, for the translation of this month's bilingual article on another topical aspect of Franco-British culture.

Bilingual Crossword Clues in English - answers in French

Across:

T

ous ceux qui arrivent au Royaume-Uni ou qui en partent savent bien que la conduite est l’un des plus grands défis.

Le passage de la conduite à droite à la conduite à gauche (et réciproquement) inquiète certaines personnes au point de les empêcher de faire le voyage. Alors… pourquoi les Britanniques s’obstinent-ils à rouler du mauvais côté de la route?

En réalité, généralement dans les anciennes colonies britanniques (à l’exception notable du Japon), un quart de l’humanité roule à gauche. Une étrange excentricité qui déconcerte le reste du monde… mais s’explique parfaitement bien. Lors des joutes, les chevaliers, qui évoluaient dans un monde de droitiers et portaient leur lance sous le bras droit, se croisaient tout naturellement sur leur côté droit. Autrefois, lorsque les mœurs étaient plus violentes et que vous

rencontriez un étranger sur votre chemin, vous restiez sur sa droite car si l’épée qui vous protégeait était placée entre vous deux, c’était plus pratique pour parer à une attaque.

Alors, si la conduite à gauche est plus sensée, pourquoi l’Europe continentale roule-t-elle de l’autre côté? La réponse est toute simple pour beaucoup de gens: Comme Napoléon était gaucher, il préférait que ses ennemis se trouvent sur sa gauche. Parmi les réformes sociales majeures qui furent instaurées en France sous l’ère napoléonienne, le “petit général” introduisit cette règle stricte de circulation à droite qu’il étendit à toute l’Europe. Depuis cette époque, on conduisit à gauche dans toutes les colonies ou ex-colonies de l’empire britannique et à droite dans les colonies françaises.

Cette politique de la conduite à droite fut également adoptée par les Etats-Unis

qui souhaitaient rompre tous liens avec le passé colonial britannique. Une autre explication est attribuée aux fermiers américains. Lorsqu’ils commencèrent à transporter de gros chargements, ils utilisèrent des chariots tirés par des attelages de chevaux. Le cocher s’asseyait sur le cheval arrière gauche afin de contrôler au mieux l’attelage avec son fouet qu’il tenait dans la main droite. De cette position, il lui était aussi plus facile de piloter l’équipage lorsqu’il croisait un autre véhicule.

La conduite à droite se généralise depuis de très nombreuses décennies et l’un des derniers pays d’Europe à s’y être converti a été la Suède en 1967.

Tandis que les conducteurs s’habituaient au nouveau système, ils étaient plus concentrés et plus prudents et de ce fait, le nombre de victimes de la route a diminué! ■

5. oak tree (5) 6. wound (5) 8. cabbages (5) 9. rooster (3) 12. computers (11) 13. ten (3) 14. parks (5) 17. pen (5) 18. hedges (5)

Down:

1. tea (3) 2. anchovy (7) 3. island (3) 4. drawers (7) 7. hurricane (7) 10. artist (7) 11. cradle (7) 15. wheat (3) 16. worm (3)

Bilingual crossword solution can be found on page 21

Advertise your business here

05.55.41.17.76 sales@thebugle.eu

SEPTEMBER 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

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

Classified Adverts

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

FOR SALE

Email: alanejarvis@gmail.com FOR SALE: Spit P200 single-shot Nail gun With 500 charges and 300

ANIMALS & PETS Puppies looking for loving homes

butt head pins. Bussière-Poitevine area. €350.00ono Tel: 05 55 68 58 16 FOR SALE: Generator Petrol McCafer 3300 Just over 1 year old, Beautiful Anglo-Poitevin rescue puppies (chip/vac/vet, good with cats) are looking for loving family homes after spending 12 happy weeks with their mother and siblings.

(Mum’s chip: 250269500568873).

Contact for further information on adoption fees and conditions. Tel: Katharina on 06 66 24 85 49 Email: info@ame-et-corps.com FOR SALE: DOG KENNEL SUITABLE FOR A LARGE DOG (Or luxurious size for a smaller one!) Sizes: length 115 cm, width 85 cm, height 100 cm. Entrance - width 30 cm, height 55 cm. Traditional pitched roof design, craftsman made to a high standard in oak, with a corrugated fibreglass roof.

This kennel is totally weatherproof.

Please note this is a very heavy item. €100.00 Tel: 05 55 89 21 37 (evenings only) Gentle natured Brittany spaniel Needs a loving home due to owners moving. Chipped, vaccinated, puce and with all his own documents. 8 years old. Contact Garry 05 55 62 98 73 FOR SALE: Lambs and rams for sale Beautiful markings. Jacobs stock. €50 each or 2 for €95. Tel: 06 45 73 57 50 FOR SALE: Patterdale terrier puppies Ready 30.08.13. Smooth coat. Legally docked. Black/ choco. 5 females 1 male. €400.00 Tel: 02 54 06 47 02 Email: berrichonpatterdales@orange.fr FOR SALE: Fully collapsible steel dog cage Used once to bring dog to France. 1040mm long x 700mm wide x 740mm high. We are in Dept 87. €25.00 Call 0033 642 95 44 08 /0033 555 09 19 83 Email: tonybishop1147@yahoo.co.uk

BUILDING MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT FOR SALE: Reclaimed roof slates 100s of them. Only 75 euros for the lot. Buyer collects. €75.00 Tel: 0555 787902 (near Rochechouart) FOR SALE: Profesional Tile cutter Not a toy. HERCULES STR LED 250. Water cooled diamond disc 25mm blade. Cuts any angle up to 15mm thick, will shave off down to 2mm on marble tiles. Genuenly only used for a few hours and is in as new condition. Cost 850 euros new, bargain at 400 euros ono. Has its own stand that contains water when cutting and also fitted with laser.

Don't miss this. €400.00ono Tel: 05 55 68 27 80 (close to Le Dorat) Email: blaze87210@gmail.com FOR SALE: Ryobi professional sander Used on one project only.

Costs new 175 euros, selling for 100 euros. €100.00 Tel: 05 45 31 75 05

+447889417594

GARDEN FOR SALE: Honda petrol cylinder mower Self propelled. Starts easily. €175.00ono Tel: 05 55 76 69 32 Email: grahamcarter@me.com FOR SALE: Hammerlin lawn mower trailer Good tyres and condition. €65.00 Tel: 05 55 61 19 81 FOR SALE: GAZEBO 3m x 3m.

Steel tube frame with polyester cover (beige). Brand new - still in box. BARGAIN BUY - 90 EURO. Tel: 05 55 64 46 27 (St. Dizier Leyrenne) Email: tiony_48@ hotmail.com

GENERAL

7 horse power motor 2.6kw output.

Nr St Yrieix La Perche. €150.00ono Email: zoecardwell@yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: Building materials/ equipment Adjustable Steel Props (Like Acrows). Two 3.6m max height and two 2.9m max height.

Euros 40 the lot. Makhita 2200W Angle Grinder. Euros 40. Tel: 05 55 63 43 69

FOR SALE: 2-wheel "Bellcrown" horse carriage Made in USA, 2010, for single horse or pony, 13 hands to 15 hands. Black metal with maple wood. Black vinyl seat for 2 persons. Excellent condition, stored indoors. New was E2300. For sale at E1200 or best offer. €1,200.00ono Tel: 05 55 41 69 93 FOR SALE: Small bales of hay 10-12 kilo - 2.40 each. Near to Chénérailles. Tel: Steve or Rosie 05 55 41 59 42 Email: stephen.towse@ wanadoo.fr FOR SALE: 2 bikes, in excellent condition, almost new Fully

€15. Tel: 05 53 52 89 62 Email: julianpalmer@orange.fr FOR SALE: Early learning centre bouncy castle Continuous electric

airflow, inflates and deflates in seconds. Ages 3 to 9. In good condition. €65.00 Tel: 05 55 66 44 06 FOR SALE: Antique oak double bed & Slumberland double divan and mattress Antique oak double bed Carved flower pattern on headboard and footboard. With fixed sprung base. In good condition. 70 euros.

Slumberland double divan bed and mattress. 25 euros. Tel: 02 48 56 74 73 FOR SALE: Child's bike Age 4-6, with stabilisers. €10.00 Tel: 05 55 78 79 02 (near Rochechouart) FOR SALE: ‘Graco’ Folding Highchair Lovely clean condition.

over 800 Euros. Photos available. €300.00 Tel: 05 55 67 37 60 Email: johnphillips967@gmail.com FOR SALE: Three seater settee Dark oak frame with tapestry cushions. In good condition. €45.00ono Tel: 05 55 61 19 81 FOR SALE: Kitchen worktops and cupboards Brand new kitchen worktops. 1 x 3m, 65 euros. 1 x 2m, 45 euros. Light colour with brown flecked pattern. Buyer collects. 2 kitchen wall cupboards with light coloured doors 70cms high, 80cms wide 10 euros each + 4 matching cupboard doors 5 euros per pair. Tel: 05 55 63 24 53 Email: westy0516@ aol.co.uk FOR SALE: Bookcase/Display Unit Solid Wood Pine 5 Shelves 1 Drawer H179/W49/D34.5 cm. Excellent Clean Condition – BARGAIN 95 euro. €95.00 Tel: 05 55 64 46 27 Email: tiony_48@hotmail.com FOR SALE: Brown leather two seater sofa bed Excellent condition.

Bed only used twice. We are in Dept 87. €75.00ono Call 0033 642 95 44 08 /0033 555 09 19 83 Email: tonybishop1147@yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: 19C French Armoire Oak with lovely patina. H 2.07m W 1.04m D 0.57m. We are 10k N of Aubusson. €200.00ono Tel

equipped with lights, bell, rack, etc. and in excellent condition. A man's and a lady's (though both have crossbar). Cost 100 Euros each new, reasonable offers considered. Can deliver. Text +44 7446 848 953 or call +33 555 61 03 71 Email: anne. kail@yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: DINNER JACKET Cream, size 44L. Worn twice only.

Excellent condition. €50.00 Tel: 0555 787902 (near Rochechouart) FOR SALE: ‘Graco’ Folding Highchair Lovely clean condition.

€25.00 Tel: 05 55 64 46 27 (St. Dizier Leyrenne) Email: tiony_48@ hotmail.com FOR SALE: Dell Inspiron M501R Laptop Not Working For spares or repair. Not 2 years old yet but either processor or motherboard fault.

Hard drive removed. UK keyboard good, screen good, DVD-RW good and battery good. €50.00ono Tel: 05 55 40 80 44 Email: graham.d.hay@ gmail.com FOR SALE: Radiators Used 1 winter only. QTY2 1000 x 600 double €25each; QTY1 800 x 600 double €20; QTY1 600 x 600 single

€225.00 Tel: 06 58 29 56 79 FOR SALE: Mobility Scooter Pride Mobility Go Go Very good

condition. Foldable and can be dismantled in seconds, fits in a car boot. Perfect for shopping! €800.00 Tel: 06 58 29 56 79 FOR SALE: Cross trainer DOMYOS FC400 Very good

FURNITURE FOR SALE: Beautiful modern, almost new, red suede 2 seater settee Bargain at 300 Euros - cost

Unused/still boxed. Plain white. 2m high x 80cm wide/deep. Manual shower. 87370 Laurière. €140.00 Tel: 05 55 10 94 78 (daytime) FOR SALE: Black satin SUPRA log burner Large single opening door to the front. Takes up to 50cms logs.

Rated at 10KW. Eight years old. The 153mm flue can either exit from the top or rear of the stove. €250.00 Tel: 02 54 47 20 87 FOR SALE: Exercise bike - Cardio Care CV 5000 Very good condition.

€25.00 Tel: 05 55 64 46 27 (St. Dizier Leyrenne) Email: tiony_48@ hotmail.com FOR SALE: Solid Fuel Range 'Rosieres 18076' €500.00 Tel: 05 53 52 89 62 Email: julianpalmer@ orange.fr FOR SALE: Antique Large Solid Copper Urn With 2 side handles.

Top diameter 40cm, base diameter 52cm, height 46cm. Used to store logs for wood stove. €200.00ono Tel: 05 55 60 46 33 FOR SALE: Various Box of pans 5 euros. Various gym equipment 400 euros. Piano requires tuning plus music 200 euros. Nest of 2 glass coffee tables 20 euros. Buyer to collect. Tel: 02 54 06 96 67 FOR SALE: Infra-red Sauna Seats 4 to 5 people. Dimensions: 1750 x 1350 x 1900 (mm). Power 2350.

Interior light. Radio CD player.

Email for photos. Tel to view 05 55 81 31 85 FOR SALE: Kitchen sink Single bowl & drainer, size 800mm, new never used, with waste fittings and chrome mixer tap. €50.00 Tel/text: 07531 792706. Dept 36 FOR SALE: Radiators x3 Double panel style, French bought. Installed then removed unused.Sizes 600, 800 & 1200mm. €50.00 Tel/text: 07531 792706. Dept 36 FOR SALE: Gas Combi Boiler Ariston Euro-combi boiler. Bought in UK. As new, installed & then removed un-used. €100.00ono Tel/ text: 07531 792706. Dept 36 FOR SALE: Jars with hinged lid for bottling fruit/veg 50 x 1 litre capacity, perfect but dusty! 50€ the lot (possibility of more). Tel: 06 48 51 88 53 FOR SALE: SHOWER CABIN

condition. €175.00 Tel: 06 58 29 56 79 FOR SALE: Garden and household items Due to moving / relocation.

Buyer to collect. Near 36170 St Benoit du Sault. Please phone or email for date of sale & enquires. Tel: 02 54 24 89 48 Email: kally36170@ gmail.com FOR SALE: Fishing Tackle 4 fishing rods in good condition, 1 Dragon Carp rod Dynamo 12' 2.5lbs, 1 Milbro F15 3.5 lbs Beachcomber 13' never used, 1 ABU one piece Pirker 2050 6' and finally 1 Shakespeare Sigma Supra 1003 - 940 carbon slide over European Pole. All 4 rods for €50.00. Can provide photos if required. Email: david.toppingk@ googlemail.com FOR SALE: Cooling equipment Portable Aircon unit (Airforce) with remote control also, clean and in good working order €30.00. 3 electric desk fans clean and in good working order, 1 x 10.5" 2 x 12" €5.00 each. Can provide photos if required. Email: david.toppingk@ googlemail.com FOR SALE: Vedette cooker 2 years use, 4 rings (3 gas, 1 electric) Electric oven and grill. Bottom storage cupbd. White enamel finish.

Good condition. €100.00 Tel: 05 45 31 75 05 Email: alanejarvis@gmail.

com FOR SALE: AVON REDCREST DINGHY Includes wooden

floorboards, inflatable seat, fibreglass seat, 2 oars, electric pump, outboard bracket and storage bags. Dinghy:- Length 2.75m, Beam 1.32m. Capacity:- 4/5 persons , 320kgs. Ready to go and have lots of fun. Email for further details and photos. €350.00 Tel or text to:- 06 64 62 50 92 or + 44 7929 830643 Email: haynes.peter@yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: Antique forged iron gate Opening width 310 cm, max. height 130cm. €1,000.00 Te: + 44 (0) 7929 830643 or +33 (0) 6646 25092 FOR SALE: Mobility Scooter Invacare Lynx model in excellent

condition, has had little use. This model is designed to be portable and it can be taken apart and put into the boot of a car in two minutes without tools and re-assembled just as quickly. Total weight is 45 kg when fully assembled; range 10 km, takes up to 110kg load, top speed 6kph.

Buyer collects. €300.00 Tel Barry on 05 55 78 20 92 FOR SALE: Budding DJ’s I have just the kit for you! 1 Prosound 800

watt power amplifier; 2 Prosound 300W 10 inch loudspeakers, (10” heavy duty woofer, 4”horn tweeter ); 2 Heavy duty extending speaker stands; 2 10 metre speaker cables.

All in excellent condition. Cost new: €470.00. I would like €360.00. If you would like to see more photos please email or text. €360.00 Text: 06 64 62 50 92 or +44 7929 830 643 Email: haynes.peter@yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: FORGE WULF, portable, coal fuelled forge in very good condition.Photos available if required. €220.00 Tel: + 44 (0) 7929 830643 or +33 (0) 6646 25092 Email: haynes.peter@yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: 1922 Draymans Barrel Trolley €80.00ono Contact:- Tony Wood 02 54 25 39 79 FOR SALE: ITEX Sand Filter Pool Pump Model SF10220. Purchased in error. Used once, full installation instructions. As New. Buyer Collects. €200.00ono Contact:Tony Wood 02 54 25 39 79 FOR SALE: Indoor Carpet Bowls Mat 30ft x 6ft Plus 2 complete sets

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ SEPTEMBER 2013

CLASSIFIEDS ♦ 19 The Bugle CLASSIFIEDS are brought to you in association with WWW.HOUSESONINTERNET.COM of bowls. €250.00 Tel: 05 55 78 45 24 FOR SALE: Auchan wall-mounted water heater In perfect condition. €40.00 Tel: 05 55 63 04 89 FOR SALE: Kanzai 242 - Portable oil heater In perfect condition. €50.00ono Bryan - 05 55 63 04 89 FOR SALE: Pair of table lamps Ikea quality lamps with heavy stainless steel base and white opaque glass shades. 48cm high. Base 18cm dia.

Shades 22cm dia. Photo available.

Euros 30 the pair. Tel: 05 55 63 43 69 FOR SALE: Tomtom go 700 Incl

LPG Hob/Electric Oven/Grill.

Colour Chrome. €150.00 Tel: 05 55 60 86 16 Email: alexiabennett@ sky.com FOR SALE: Standard size 4' 6" foam mattress - firm Hardly used and in perfect condition. Price: 70€ (originally €150). Buyer collects (Location near Bourganeuf).

Photo available. Cash sale only. €70.00 Tel: 05 55 64 22 25 Email: geeinfrance@gmail.com FOR SALE: SuperSer Portable Gas Heater In full working order, complete with nearly full bottle of butane. €65.00 Tel: 05 55 63 43 69

PROPERTIES

western Europe maps. Nr St Yrieix La Perche. €60.00ono Email: zoecardwell@yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: Baby / infant items

FOR SALE: APARTMENT 59 sq. metres. 2 bedrooms. Large lounge.

Kitchen/diner. Modern bathroom.

New wiring, plumbing and boiler.

Full diagnostics and photos available. 'Turnkey' condition.

Lock up and leave. Minimum maintenance. Maximum security.

Central village location. All shops nearby. Limoges airport 59 miles.

Bus/train stops. €45,000.00 Tel: 05 55 62 83 24 (Fr) 0115 962 3391 (UK) Email: robinhood23150@ yahoo.com

VEHICLES / PARTS

Baby heart dopler/monitor 15 euros, bath chair 10 euros, changing mat 5 euros, bottle warmer 5 euros, thermal bottle carrier 5 euros, baby papouse carrier 5 euros, Fisher Price vibrating chair 15 euros, bag of trucks 10 euros, box of baby toys (musical types) 15 euros, pushchair toy 10 euros. All in good working order and good condition (non smoking home). Nr St Yrieix La Perche. Email: zoecardwell@ yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: Packard Bell Notebook computer Windows Vista. Very little use. To include charger and padded case. €175.00ono Tel: 05 55 76 69 32 Email: grahamcarter@me.com FOR SALE: Fishing Tackle Two Shimano Aero GTE 6000B baitrunners, hardly used, spare spools and still boxed. 190 euros.

Three Quantum Energy BCS750 big pit baitrunners, spare spools and boxes. 180 euros. Two Shimano Aerlex 7000 Big Pit reels and boxes.

60 euros. Also several rods, Avon, Barbel, Carp and Jerkbait for sale.

All in excellent condition. Bivvy, Fox Scales ( still in sealed box) and a pair of Stainless steel 3-Rod Adjustable Buzzer Bars. Please phone for any further information.

Tel: 05 55 68 71 22 FOR SALE: 4 Oven Gas Aga Green Very good condition. W: 760mm H: 860 mm L: 1500mm.

Buyer collects. Call for more information. Tel: 05 55 30 40 26 FOR SALE: Canon duel fuel cooker

EASY

FOR SALE: Hobby Excellent Caravan 460 UFE. Purchased and registered in France 2008. 4 berth.

Double fixed bed. Water reservoir 50 litres. Extract Hood. Powrtouch Mover. Large Awning. Rear reversing camera. Good condition.

Photo available. €12,900.00 Tel: 05 55 60 10 56 FOR SALE: TRIUMPH SPITFIRE 1500 1980, 76,000 miles, Inca

yellow. Engine and gear box in very good condition with no faults.

Chassis completely rust free. Very little body rust - bottom of driver's door needs some attention. New soft top, new minilite wheels and tyres, stainless steel twin exhaust system, reupholstered. New walnut dash to replace original. Replacement fuel tank. Comes with tonneau and soft top apron covers. Full history shows thousands spent on her. This car can be made road legal with little effort or enjoyed as a restoration project to bring her up to first class condition.

I brought her out from UK but have found I do not have the time she deserves (still UK reg). Will supply many photos to interested party. €3,500.00 Email: brucesarn@aol. com FOR SALE: Towbar Citroen Xsara Picasso & Peugeot 406, both complete with wiring - €60 & €40.

Towbar (make unsure), complete with wiring - €25. Tyres: 2 Pirelli tyres, as new, 185/60/R14, on wheels - €40 the pair. Tel: 02 48 56 74 73 FOR SALE: FORD IVECO 75E15 CARGO 7.5 Tonnes WAGON

M Reg (1994) 216,914 Kms. Will carry three large horses with living space and professionally fitted ramp. In very good order but requires some cosmetic work and minor welding around cab area.

Change of circumstances forces sale hence price. Dept. 36. €2,500.00 Telephone: 0254 24 81 12 FOR SALE: Nissan Primera 2.2 DCI Turbo Diesel Hatchback 2004 UK registered. 1 year MOT. Taxed until December. Low mileage. Excellent all-round condition. Regularly serviced. Very economical (no cam belt required). 6-speed, cruise control, alloy wheels, reversing camera, on-board computer, air conditioning, electric windows, power steering, central locking with alarm, fold down rear seats, large boot, new Witter towbar with twin electrics. Spacious comfortable car in very good overall condition. €2,650.00 Tel: 02 48 56 74 73 FOR SALE: 1948 Ferguson Rénové

en partie : démarreur neuf, faisceau électrique neuf, contacteur neuf, durites neuves, allumeur et bougies neuves, manivelle neuve, vidange boite et pont faite + pièces neuves. €1,850.00 Tel: 06 81 72 03 19 (Parnac 36170) FOR SALE: TRANSIT T280 125 2004 Rare example of the 125 hp swb transit for sale. 100,000 miles French reg but RHD. Good condition for year. Electric windows, tow bar and tail lift back door. Low height so classified as a car on the motorway. 1 year's CT. Very economical, fast and a good towing vehicle due to the powerful engine. €4,000.00ono Tel: 0787 11 94 93 FOR SALE: 1996 Landrover Discover Petrol/LPG UK Reg €1,000.00 Tel: 05 53 52 89 62 Email: julianpalmer@orange.fr FOR SALE: Roof racks In good condition for Renault 19 or 21. €20.00 Tel: 05 55 89 21 37 (evenings please) FOR SALE: Mahindra Tractor FS 254I 2008 25 hp. 140 hours. Front

MEDIUM

end Loader. Back Hoe. PTO for other attachments. Good condition.

Photo available. €8,900.00 Tel: 05 55 60 10 56 or 05 55 60 06 19 FOR SALE: McCormick F135D tractor 1960 Comes with Carte Grise,

and two spare rear wheels with tyres.

Fully serviced, all oils and filters, etc. are done, new battery, great little tractor for light work. 16220 Rouzede. €2,695.00ono Tel: 05 45 65 96 20

3 pieces. €50.00 Tel: + 44 (0) 7929 830643 or +33 (0) 6646 25092 Email: haynes.peter@yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: VAN SAFE VAN VAULT 2, Size: 920 x 560 x490mm (LxWxH), Weight:46kg.

UK’s no.1 security container for fixed installation into commercial vehicles. High tensile steel storage box. 2mm sheet steel body & lid.

Tamper proof single pin hinge.

Anti-drill 70mm disc lock. Gas strut for soft open/close lid action. Siren holes for optional anti-theft alarm.

Excellent condition. NEW PRICE 242€.Photos available if required. €155.00 Tel: + 44 (0) 7929 830643 or +33 (0) 6646 25092 Email: haynes.peter@yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: BMW K1200S Motorcycle 2005 35,000 kms, full

FOR SALE: Renault Twingo Expression, 1.2 16V, petrol, LHD,

gold yellow, 11/2002, 128 383 KM, sun roof, non smoker, radio, just passed German controle technique, very good condition. €2,000.00 Tel: 05 55 30 40 26 Email: margret. holste@web.de FOR SALE: TRACTOR FERRARI

PowerSafe, 2 WHEEL TRACTOR, Type 340A/360 with the following attachments:- Plough, Potato ridger, Potato lifter. Very good condition and working order. €2,000.00 Tel: + 44 (0) 7929 830643 or +33 (0) 6646 25092 Email: haynes.peter@ yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: TYRES 4 BRAND NEW 205/80R 16, Remoulds.

Photos available if required. €240.00 Tel: + 44 (0) 7929 830643 or +33 (0) 6646 25092 Email: haynes.peter@yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: RADIATOR 61349A (MADE IN DENMARK BY NISSENS), as new, suitable for the following models:- PEUGEOT 406, 2.0i Turbo 1996, 1.9 TD 1995 à 1999, 2.1 TD 1995 à 1999; PEUGEOT 406 COUPE, 2.0 Turbo 1997 à 1999; PEUGEOT 605, 2.0 Turbo 1995 (M + Auto), 2.1 TD 1995; CITROEN XM, 2.0i Turbo 1995, 2.1 TD 1995. Photos available if required. €45.00 Tel: + 44 (0) 7929 830643 or +33 (0) 6646 25092 Email: haynes.peter@yahoo.co.uk FOR SALE: THERMAL BLINDS Thermal foil window blinds for camper van, motorhome, van. New,

drive SD 31 easy access. Electricity 12 volts DCS. 2 water tanks 200 litres each. Moored in Clamecy. €28,000.00 Tel: 05 45 71 53 02 Email: angelaandangus@gmail. com

WHITE GOODS FOR SALE: Selec fridge E50, Selec freezer E50 and 200 ltr water heater E60 All in good working order.

Please email for more info. Seller near Evaux-les-Bains, can possibly deliver for petrol costs. Email: rockhouseno3@hotmail.com FOR SALE: Bush table top dishwasher for 4 place settings €200.00 Tel: 05 55 60 86 16 Email: alexiabennett@sky.com

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

dealer service history, new battery, new front brakes, new updated clutch, superb condition, comes with extra seat. 16220 Rouzede. €7,995.00ono Tel: 05 45 65 96 20

FOR SALE: Trailer ERKA818 Internal width 87cm length 105cm sides 30cm. Only 5 months old.

Little use. Cost over 300 euros in kit form with jockey wheel and all lights. Want 250 euros. €250.00 Tel: 05 55 60 29 42 area 87210 Email: hayward.roy@orange.fr FOR SALE: VAUXHALL CORSA/COMBO Pair of (used) headlamps for use in France. Half price @ €110,00. €110.00 Email: evebernie@aol.co.uk FOR SALE: Trailer Max Gross Weight 750kg, Max Carrying Capacity 600kg. Inside dimensions 168cm long, 115cm wide, 25cm deep. All approximate. In average condition. 150 euros. €150.00 Tel 05 55 76 27 18 and let it ring !

FOR SALE: McConnel PA32 fingerbar hedge cutter Cost new in 2005 14,000 Euro approx. Very little use over last 3 years I have owned it so for sale 5500 Euro ONO. Can be seen working. Requires at least 25 hp tractor for operation. €5,500.00ono Tel: 05 55 76 69 32 Email: grahamcarter@me.com FOR SALE: Truckman Hi-Cab for Mitsubishi L200 Double Cab 19962006 White with lockable rear glass door. Fitted with Rotavent on Roof.

4 fitting bolts included. Phone for further information and photos.

Bellac area. €250.00ono Tel: 05 55 68 71 22 FOR SALE: Two Welded Steel Car Axle Stands €20.00 Tel: 05 55 63 43 69 FOR SALE: Roof Rack Fits PEUGEOT PARTNER / CITROEN BERLINGO 2003/08.

HauteVienne 87460. €35.00 05 55 69 49 28 Speak to Paul or Pauline FOR SALE: Eau claire fibreglass canal and river cruiser Boat all on

HARD

one level, 2 main cabins sleeping 2 and 3. Fully equipped, kitchen with fridge, cooker, water heater, shower room with handbasin and lavatory. Central heating, gas fired 6/9 conducted air, easy access.

Motor Yanmar 3JH3E with marine

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY: Pub to Let near Limoges Are you interested in taking a pub/restaurant which is already a going concern for very little ingoing? Current owners wanting to finally retire.Good location, but currently trading on limited openings with the potential to open more hours and increase revenue substantially. Reasonable rent. Established regular trade (French and English).It is a good opportunity for someone with aptitude for hard work. Tel: 06 04 09 03 10

WANTED WANTED: A lawnmower in working order Tel: 0555 787902 (near Rochechouart) WANTED: Any teachers out there?

Tutors needed in all subjects for 12 year old. Tel: 02 48 56 74 73 WANTED: Log Burner Any type.

Tel: 02 48 56 74 73 WANTED: AGA or similar Looking for a gas (LPG) AGA or one to convert. Four oven ideally but will consider alternatives. Private buyer - cash waiting. Any area. Call Damien: 07973 641665 or 05 55 64 46 80 WANTED: Gate or pair of gates Can collect. Tel: 02 48 56 74 73 WANTED: Digger or Excavator Cash buyer. Tel: 02 48 56 74 73 WANTED: Roof racks for Citroen Xantia Tel: 05 55 89 21 37 (evenings please) WANTED: Second hand briggs and stratton engine Between 5Hp / 6Hp, with a Horizontal output shaft with a square base foot print. Up to 75 euros paid. Working condition preferred but a broken/spares repairs considered. Email: mlocer@ gmail.com WANTED: RHD reliable medium car for runabout (Reasonable Price) Contact:- Tony Wood 02 54 25 39 79

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

SEPTEMBER 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

20 ♦ COMMUNITY Le Relais de l'Abloux 36170 SACIERGES-ST-MARTIN

Sat 21st September "SOIREE SPECTACLE"

Soirée Choucroute 3 hours of 80's themed entertainment Price: €25 ** CLOSED 27/09 to 08/10 ** mail: lerelaisdelabloux@orange.fr facebook: "le relais de l'abloux"

Tel: 02 54 47 56 74

JJ’s Café Bar

** NOW OPEN!! **

Aigurande

LE DORAT (Pl. Charles de Gaulle)

Vera Laine Gift Shop & Salon de Thé

Music Club

2nd Sat of every month. 8.30 pm.

Next event: 14th September

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

HOMEMADE CAKES and FREE WIFI now available!

We look forward to meeting you!

Contact Jay: 06 35 91 03 83 veralaine19@gmail.com

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

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

L'Escale

Tel: 02 54 06 30 77

www.frenchweb.eu/jjscafebar/

Restaurant & Bar

5 Rue Andre Jouhannaud, Compreignac Freshly home-cooked English and French food Plat du Jour - Mon-Sat: €12.50 Sunday Lunch with real Yorkshire puddings Every Friday Night - Fish & Chips with home-made mushy peas €9,50 To Eat In or Take Away - (alternative menu available) Party Bookings welcomed See main ad for more information and opening hours Tel: 05 55 12 99 45 / 06 04 09 03 10 email: L_escale@yahoo.fr Or see us on Facebook for more details.

Atelier d'Art du Jardin

is open every Fri, Sat, Sun & bank holiday from 11h to 18h until the end of September.

Artisan art for your garden.

Cream teas on the terrasse.

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

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

Email: cafebarjj@yahoo.co.uk

Petticoat Lane

Don't forget we will be closed from 28th August to 17th September, re-open again on 18th September.

We will also be closed on Saturday 21st September for our daughter's wedding.

Please Note...

we will be at the following markets in September :Wednesday 18th September - Piégut Tuesday 24th September - Civray

5 Rue Nationale – 16150 Chabanais

Tel: 05 45 29 03 99

Cartes de Christine

Where to find me: Every Wednesday - Piégut Market Always available the ever popular Jewellery Scarves - great new Spring & Summer colours and designs still only €11 each.

Fashion scarves starting from €5. Lovely charm bookmarks Postage always available, please email or call for details.

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

Limousin Dog Training

Our new classes have now started at

87160 Les Grands Chezeaux

and we have 2 places available.

For more details contact Elaine on 05 55 68 67 56 or 06 04 47 35 19

Work Opportunity We are looking for two or three expats who would like to do some light ribbon work from home (would suit mainly women).

Must be within 5-7 km around Rochechouart.

Email joan@frosts.uk.com

BAR/RESTAURANT JOUAC

We are really sorry to announce that the planned opening could not go ahead due to issues out of our control at the local Prefecture.

We should now be open on 31st August, but please do phone ahead before this date to check.

Tel: 06 78 38 42 44

Le Bellerive

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

Hand-crafted cards for all occasions Find us every week at Piégut and Panazol markets.

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

Saturday 7th September - Disco Night with Dave Double Dex. Music from the 60s, 70s, 80s & 90s.

Details can be found on my web site.

Saturday 28th September - Fish & Chip Night For details of all our events, go to: www.facebook.com/hotellebellerive Email: bonjour@lebellerive.net

www.cartesdechristine.com

Princesse Française

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

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

Call: 07.61.21.85.15

Managing Editor: Steve Martindale Editor-in-Chief: Steve Martindale Registered Address: Les Quatre Chemins

23150 St-Yrieix-les-Bois France SIRET: 514 989 748 00017 Printed by: Rotocentre

348, rue Marcel Paul

45770 Saran France Monthly circulation: 13,000 copies All copyright, unless stated otherwise, is reserved to The Bugle. Reproduction in whole or part of any text without permission is prohibited.

Bugle Notice Board

Très Jolie

Fashion Accessories

Jewellery & accessories for hair We will be donating 5 cents to Breast Cancer for every item sold www.princesse-francaise.com 05 45 30 32 93

Directeur: Steve Martindale Rédacteur-en-chef: Steve Martindale Siège Les Quatre Chemins

23150 St-Yrieix-les-Bois France SIRET: 514 989 748 00017 Imprimé par: Rotocentre

348, rue Marcel Paul

45770 Saran France Tirage mensuel: 13,000 copies Tous droits réservés. Toute reproduction, totale ou partielle, des articles et illustrations du présent numéro est strictement interdite.

Dépôt légal à parution.

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

Friday 13th September - Fun Quiz Night Thursday 19th September - La Maison delivery & Book Club (DVDs as well as books)

Phone: 05 55 36 20 63

Le Moulin du Breuil Restaurant, Bar, Terrasse

23140 PIONNAT

From 3rd September - Le Moulin du Breuil is closed Tuesday night and all day Wednesday Saturday 14th September - 19h00 Soirée Greek with music

by B Boog and the Woogs - €18.50 Enjoy an evening with friends and family Bouncy Castle for the children Reserve your place Sunday 29th September - Vide Grenier €1 for 1 linear metre Please contact us re: events, parties, family bookings... we cater for everyone!

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

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

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ SEPTEMBER 2013

COMMUNITY ♦ 21

CLUBS, CHARITIES & ASSOCIATIONS

Church Notices Monthly Worship in English If your journey of life has brought you here to France, why neglect your journey of faith? We look forward to giving a warm welcome to everyone from whatever Christian tradition (or none) on the 3rd SUNDAY of the MONTH at 3pm. Where? At the Temple in Thiat (in the north of the Haute-Vienne) – we are part of the Parish of the Basse-Marche of the Eglise Protestante Unie de France. The Temple is on the main road close to the Mairie. After worship there is tea/coffee and cake – and a chance to chat.

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

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

We welcome all who want to join a group of Englishspeaking Christians for a time of worship and learning together. Children are very welcome. For more details contact Jim & Pat Scott on 05 55 67 54 78 / email scott.james@neuf.fr or Ian & Becky Jefferies on 05 55 61 10 23 / email mail@otiumsanctus.com Christians together in Limousin La Souterraine Area We hold a time of fellowship and Bible study every Tuesday afternoon. Barbara and Cedric look forward to welcoming you. Tel: 05 55 71 09 04 The International Free Church in Creuse The church presently meets at 10, La Chaudronnière, a small hamlet mid-way between Crozant and Eguzon. Sunday worship meetings are held on the first and third Sundays of the month at 10.30am.

Fellowship meetings, for mid-week prayer, bible study and discussion are at the same venue every Thursday at 7.30pm. For further information contact Eric Sutton tel 05 55 89 26 62 Fitness & Fun Keep Fit Amazing abs, breathtaking buttocks! Come and join our group at the CAPE in Pontarion. We are all ages, all sizes, men & women, but are serious about keeping fit.

Our “monitrice” is English and will happily provide bilingual instructions. We meet every Thursday at 8p.m. in Pontarion Town Hall, for a one-hour workout, starting on September 12th. Come for a free trial, or call 05 55 64 98 87 or 06 32 42 95 68 for more details.

Indoor Bowling Club If you already play or have never tried indoor bowling then come along to a meeting. It's great fun and easy to play. If you have never played it before we will show you how. We meet every Monday evening starting at 18.30 hrs at La Chapelle, avenue des Chapelles, 87150 Oradour-sur-Vayres. Come and try it - it's free.

For more information or directions to our venue please contact Ivor Conway on 05 55 08 41 75 SALSA! SALSA! SALSA! Beginners only class 7-8 pm; Improvers class 8-9 pm. Come and join us at the newly opened Carraciola bar in St-Etienne-de-Fursac 23290. Find us on www. facebook.com/carraciola. No partner necessary. 6 euros per person or 10 euros per couple. Open to all.

So why not give it a go and get fit in 2013? Tel 05 55 63 86 08 or email Debs on busydee61@hotmail.com for info. Zumba classes coming soon.

Zumba!

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

As the premier bowls club in the Haute-Vienne, we are going from strength to strength with members seeking us out and travelling great distances to continue their love of bowls or simply to 'try us out'.

Our reputation as a "very friendly and welcoming club" goes before us. If you've never tried the game,

just come along and take a look; there is far more to it than first appears!

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

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

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

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

For more information contact 05 55 65 08 20.

Gym Bien-être Would you enjoy an afternoon of gentle exercise with a cheerful, light-hearted group? Each week we exercise a different group of muscles, do a little country dancing & some floor exercise and laugh a lot. The aim of the activities is to increase suppleness and mental agility. We meet every Tuesday afternoon upstairs at the Capitole in Rochechouart between 2pm and 3.30pm. It isn’t necessary to speak French because you can copy but you will learn some. Come for 2 weeks’ free trial. For details contact: pauline. maskell@sfr.fr Learn to Meditate Learn to meditate and meet other like-minded people.

Simple mindfulness technique. Dechen Choling, Le Mas Marvent, St-Yrieix-sous-Aixe, 87700. Also, ongoing regular group meetings and events. Contact tel Christina 05 55 03 82 01 www.dechencholing.org Gardening Les Jardins de Sirius Based in Pressignac, Charente, we are a small association of people who are keen on gardening. As well as finding plants an endless source of interest, we believe that the simple fact of gardening has numerous positive benefits for health, stress, social interaction - in other words, our daily lives - and we'd like to encourage this aspect. Currently, we run flower/plant sessions in old people's homes on a regular basis.

From June (weather permitting) we are hoping to run gardening sessions once a month. If you'd like to get involved, have more info on the association or become a member, please contact Michelle Pierce on 05 45 89 36 54 or at unjardinenfrance@gmail.com Les petits jardiniers du Limousin http://jardiniers-du-limousin.webs.com Do you love gardening or are you keen to learn more about it? Then why not come along and join Les Petits Jardiniers? We’re a friendly group of English, French and Dutch residents and normally meet on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 2.30pm in the salle de fêtes in St-Amand-le-Petit, between Peyrat-le-Château and Eymoutiers. Our meetings are held mostly in English and we have guest speakers, organise garden visits and swap plants and seeds. Annual membership is 15 euros pp or 20 euros per couple or pay as you go for 3 euros per meeting. For more information or to be

CASH HELP FOR SPA IN LIMOGES Mrs Annette Gait delivering a cheque for 1,800 euros to the SPA, Limoges. The sum was raised by holding a private BBQ event, hosted

by Mr and Mrs Gait, at their home in BussièreGalant.

This fantastic sum was raised with the support and donations of friends and local small businesses. Mrs Gait said: “We are so pleased to be able to help towards the welfare of the many unfortunate cats and dogs at the SPA centre in Limoges.”

put on our mailing list for our quarterly newsletter or monthly agenda contact Carolyn at Carolyn@cnlees. eu or Gill at gillinfrance@orange.fr Agenda for 2013: 21st Sept Flower & Vegetable Show – How does your garden grow; 17th Oct Barnhaven Primroses; 21st Nov Planting a wildflower meadow; 12th Dec Xmas party, Gardeners Question Time and Quiz.

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

Integration International Apero Reseau We meet each Saturday from 11.30am-1pm at Baileys Bar/Restaurant, 5 Rue de L'Abreuvoir, Aubusson.

These meetings offer the opportunity to: exchange views - make new friends - share experiences - have fun together - help and advise one another - help intergrate newcomers. Discussions in English (all nationalities welcome).

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

Faceaface An association founded to facilitate and encourage interaction between all members of the local community. As our first venture we have created a library. Where? In the Mairie of St-Priest which is just off the D4 between Mainsat and Chénérailles.

When? The 1st and 3rd Mon afternoon in every month between 2 - 5pm. To join all you have to do is donate six books and pay €5 per person or €8 per household. If you would like more information please contact us at: faceaface23@gmail.com or just come by and see us. Everyone is welcome!

Learning Together – Apprenons Ensemble Our main aim is to foster understanding and good relations amongst the local French-speaking and English-speaking populations. To this end we are offering courses of tuition in English and in French, and organising social and cultural events and visits.

LANGUAGE CLASSES (take place at the Maison des Associations, Rochechouart) Beginners and Intermediate - Mon am; French/English Conversation – Tues am; Advanced and Children’s – Wed am; Conversation (St-Junien) - Thur. SOCIAL EVENTS Games Night (Rochechouart) 1st Thur; Games Night (St-Junien) 2nd Thur; Lunch Club – Last Thur.

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

Contact: www.meltingpot-limousin.com Charente Limousine Exchange The Charente-Limousine-Exchange (CLE), founded

in 2003, aims to improve the provision of French language courses and to share experiences and skills among members who live in Charente, Vienne and Haute-Vienne. CLE provides information to members living and/or working in France and works with local communities and organisations to tackle practical issues through forums and workshops, as well as organising a wide range of cultural and social events throughout the year. The recent launch of English lessons has been well attended by Confolentais. If you would like to know more about this group of volunteers, please look on our new website www. charente-limousine-exchange.com or contact the Chairman, Barry Leech, on 06 35 96 77 46.

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

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

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

St Jean English Library, La Souterraine The La Souterraine Library and Information Centre is now firmly installed in a beautiful medieval building at the Porte de Puy Charraud, Route de Portail, La Souterraine. The library has over 5,000 books, DVDs and other items, as well as its café, Caxtons, which serves English cakes. The Library also provides French lessons and organises AngloFrench conversation groups. The Information Centre provides support and assistance with bureaucratic, family and legal problems to British residents and new arrivals. The library is open from 9.30 -12.30 on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Contact Rodney Sabine on 05 55 63 03 87 or at stjeanbiblio@ yahoo.com. Our website is www.frenchweb.eu/biblio The English Library, Dun-le-Palestel The English Library, which has now been established for over 5 yrs, is situated in the Route des Rateries, beside the Bibliothèque Municipale, Parc Benjamin Bord. The library is a very welcoming meeting place, where you can come and enjoy a cup of tea, or coffee, whilst you browse through our collection of around 7,500 books, DVDs and talking books. Our opening hours are Thursdays, 10h00 – 16h00 and Saturdays 10h00 – 12h30.

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

We host a range of other activities too, including the Café Philo, and Club Scrabble, More information can be found on the Entente Cordiale website at www. ententecordiale-creuse.org or email us at library. ententecordiale@yahoo.com Music L'Orchestre Philharmonique de La Souterraine If you or one of your family are interested in playing in an orchestra and think your standard might be adequate do get in contact with us. We meet weekly on Friday evenings in La Souterraine (apart from the summer holidays) to rehearse. Most of our concerts are around Xmas or May-July. Our members come from all over Limousin so lifts to and fro may be possible if necessary. Contacts: French language Marie-France Martinie 05 55 30 76 23 / English language Alan Kerr 05 55 56 34 52 Club de Musique Takes place on the last Fri of each month from 8pm at La Grange, Chassignolles (5mins from La Châtre). Open to all musicians, singers, groups

and audience. PA and drum kit available. Bring your instrument, mic and join in a great French / English musical and social evening. Bar, hot and cold snacks. Meals available if reserved – see website for contact details of La Grange. For more info email: geoff@clubdemusique.fr http://www. clubdemusique.fr The Harmonics This is our 6th season of singing as a group. Our music is varied classical, madrigals, spiritual, songs from the shows etc and we sing in French, English, Swahili, Latin - whatever the music demands.

Our concerts are in support of a variety of charities including the British Legion, L'Oregon at Civray and Retina and thus non profit making. We meet Wed 14h – 16h in the Salle d'Annexe behind the Mairie in Civray. Interested? We'd love to see you so contact: David Lee tel 05 49 87 53 93 email dave. lee@cegetel.net or Dolly Ait Boualou email sylvia. murray@wanadoo.fr Support

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

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

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

Other meetings in South-West France can be located on our web-site at aafrancesud-ouest.com Cancer Support France, Charente Plus Offers free and confidential support to English speakers affected by cancer in departments 16, 17 & 86. Our helpline number is 06 45 35 32 30. If you need any more information, please get in touch via csf.charenteplus@gmail.com Cancer Support France, Haute-Vienne We offer free and confidential support to English speakers affected by Cancer in the Haute-Vienne (87). Our helpline number is 06 04 43 39 87. If you would like more information or would like to become a member or help in any other way, please contact Sue Ware 05 55 00 31 15, csfhv@frangle.fr Cancer Support France, Creuse If you are English-speaking and need support or information, please phone Helpline number 06 06 47 18 60.

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

Maximum opens its second Aladdin's cave in Bellac Maximum is a pioneer in recycling; for more than 20 years Maximum vans have been criss-crossing the north of the Haute-Vienne on a regular basis to collect unwanted furniture, cumbersome items and white goods from people’s homes. If you require their services, contact your Mairie for the next date in your area, and to register for a pick-up. If you need to organise a house clearance, with many unwanted items to dispose of, Maximum will come to your home to give you an estimate; this will be based on the time required and the distance to be covered.

Collected items are separated and those which can be refurbished are given a second life. The enormous depot in Mailhac-sur-Benaize is an amazing Aladdin's Cave where you will find, for a very low cost, secondhand furniture, washing machines and all items needed to furnish a holiday home, or a main residence. This outlet has many surprises: old wheelbarrows, bicycles, antiques, china, IT equipment, kitchen items and garden equipment. The yard is open from Tuesday to Saturday. A special Open Day, with a larger than normal display, will take place on Saturday 7th September.

A second outlet has just opened in Bellac, in a huge building (a former hospice) between the Théâtre du Cloitre and the Hotel de Ville, on rue Vergniaud. (As an aside, rue Vergniaud is named after a lawyer involved with the French Revolution; he was a local man and unfortunately was separated from his head, aged only 40, for holding views that were contrary to the political clique of the time.) Open Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, this store offers a selection of furniture, decorative items and many interesting treasures.

Maximum is an enterprise linked to the social services, set up to help people re-enter the world of employment, and give them an opportunity to gain valuable work experience.

How to reach Maximum - www.associationmaximum.com - email: maximum87@orange.fr Les Masgrimauds - 87160 Mailhac-sur-Benaize - Tel 05 55 76 22 78 (A20 motorway - exit 20 - in between St-Sulpice-les-Feuilles and Mailhac-sur-Benaize)

SEPTEMBER 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

22 ♦ WHAT’S ON

WEEKLY MARKETS MONDAY

Evaux-les-Bains

TUESDAY

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

WEDNESDAY

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

THURSDAY

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

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

FRIDAY

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

SATURDAY

Aixe-sur-Vienne

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

SUNDAY

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

Guide Dogs for the Blind Fundraiser Our third annual Fundraiser on 23rd June in aid of The Guide Dogs for the Blind School, in Landouge, Limoges was a great success again. The Bugle's generous advertising of the event helped enormously to get the message far and wide, and many people came quite a long way to support this very worthwhile cause.

Our thanks, as ever, go to all the volunteers, many of whom have been with us from day one, and to the new ones who joined us this year. There is absolutely no way we could do this without them. And of course our thanks to everyone who donated items for sale.

The Champsac Bar acted as a collection point and held events, the Hotel du Centre, Châlus, once again generously loaned equipment, and the Mairie were even more supportive than ever this year.

Local Artist Diana Dabinett once again painted and raffled a Doggie picture, kindly framed by Encadrement d'Art. Our compère, Brian Maclennon, approached many businesses and secured a lot of support including free entry to establishments and free meals in several restaurants, which swelled the Tombola and showed the strength of local support. We are grateful to him and to all of them.

We are delighted to announce that the total raised again exceeded the previous year, and we will be presenting a cheque for €2,500.00 to M. Leman, the President of the School, at their open day on September 29th. It is a really interesting day and everyone is welcome.

We, and the School, thank you one and all and look forward to your support again next June.

Roger and Christine Thomas, and Etoile* www.limoges.chiensguides.fr

MONTHLY FOIRES

BY DATE

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

BY DAY

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

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

notices@thebugle.eu NEW DRAMA GROUP STAGES DEBUT PRODUCTION

CastawaysDrama presents

Thu 24, Fri 25 & Sat 26 October 2013 19:30 Matinees: Sat 27 & Sun 27 October 2013 14:00 L’ANCIENNE MAIRIE – La Souterraine

What a carry on! Ghosts and witches, magic and murder, song and dance and, oh yes, lots of laughs. What better entertainment for all ages during the Hallowe’en season?

Newly formed amateur group, CastawaysDrama, is staging its first production from 24-27 October in La Souterraine.

We are talking ghoul, evil plots and lots of crashing and banging, for this is CastawaysDrama’s very own version of Will Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”.

“We know our audiences are going to have as much fun watching as we are having in rehearsals,” says Jackie Grant, who plays one of the witches and has been practising her hag-like cackling at every opportunity. “It’s a very visual play, extremely well directed, and you don’t need to speak English to join in the hilarity!”

This is your chance to enjoy a live theatrical performance of a play within a play that someone, somewhere intended to be a serious production of the Bard’s blackest tragedy. Inevitably, everyone loses the plot and the production disintegrates into a side-splitting and eye-watering, slap-stick farce. The result is as remote from Shakespeare’s masterpiece as something from a Carry On film.

We welcome our French friends’ support and will make sure that everyone will be in no doubt as to the plot or storyline of our highly visual show. Venez nombreux!

• When: Thu 24, Fri 25 and Sat 26 October, 19:30.

• Matinee performances: Sat 26 and Sun 27 October 2013, 14:00.

• Where: L’Ancienne Mairie, Place Emile Parrain, 23300 La Souterraine • How: Tel 05 55 63 00 15 – Email tickets@castawaysdrama.org • Price: 10€ Children 6€ Concessions available for parties of 10+ (Not suitable for children under 10).

Tickets on sale from 1 September.

Bar available.

For more information visit www.castawaysdrama.org Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/castawaysdrama

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ SEPTEMBER 2013

WHAT’S ON ♦ 23 Limousin air show. Free entry both days.

For more information visit: http://legendairenlimousin.blogspot. fr/

Sun 8th Sep AIXE-SUR-VIENNE Concert: Sax in the city

Concert by saxophone quartet Sax in the City to open the season at the Centre Culturel Jacques Prévert. Jazz, ragtime, funk and popular tunes arranged for four saxophones, leaving ample room for improvisation. 17h. Free entry. For more info tel: 05 55 70 77 00.

Thu 12th to Sun 29th Sep SAINT-LÉONARD-DENOBLAT Exhibition: Claude Verlinde

Brigade bands of Creuse and many others!

Sat 21st Sep SAINT-AMAND-LE-PETIT Horticultural Show

L'Association des petits jardiniers du Limousin is holding its first ever garden show on Saturday, 21st September. The Show will be held at the Mairie, Saint-Amand-le-Petit, and will open its doors to the public from 2.30pm.

Whilst not quite up to the standard of the Chelsea Flower Show, the Association hopes to provide something of interest for everyone. There are classes for fruit, vegetables and flowers as well as a photographic class. The competition is open to everyone, members and non-members alike and entry to all classes is free. And of course refreshments will be available during the afternoon. If you're thinking that maybe your beans could be prize-worthy, that your roses are just the best ever and as for the photograph taken in your garden, well, that's a prize winner without doubt, then look on our website at www. jardiniers-du-limousin.webs.com You'll find all the classes listed and details of how easy it is to enter. Or you can contact the show secretary on 05 55 69 28 22.

So whether you want to come along and enter or just browse, look at all the exhibits, perhaps buy a raffle ticket and, of course, enjoy a cup of tea and a piece of home-made cake, then put the date in your dairy now. We look forward to seeing you there.

OPEN PAIRS Exhibition of the work of Claude Verlinde, a French artist who works in the vein of "fantastic realism", at the Salle des conférences.

Every day from 15h-19h & Sat/Sun 10h-12h & 15h-19h. Free entry.

For more information visit http://www.claude-verlinde.fr/

Sat 14th Sep AHUN Saturdays in the Garden

A series of gardening courses held at the Lycée Agricole in Ahun.

14th September: The medicinal and culinary properties of les mauvaises herbes - weeds. Depending on the season, you will learn to recognize, use and transform weeds to make the most of their virtues for your health and wellbeing. Teas, syrups, massage oils, wild salads ... will help you discover new tastes and new sensations.

Courses cost EUR 27 (free for accompanying children) and are held from 8h30 - 12h at the CFPPA Ahun.

For more information tel: 05.55.81.48.90

Sat 21st to Sun 22nd Sep BOUSSAC Les rencontres nationales des Musiques des Sapeurs Pompiers

Saturday 21st: Gala concert with the Fire Brigade band of Paris. 9pm. Salle polyvalente, avenue d'Auvergne. Tickets 10€.

Reservations: contact Pascale at the Boussac tourist office tel 09 77 85 75 92 or 06 25 25 37 02.

Sunday 22nd: 9am to 6pm Music in the streets of Boussac. 2pm Free concert in Place Gambetta (church square) with the Fire

BOWLS COMPETITION

The 30th Journées européennes du patrimoine (European Heritage Days) take place this month on 14th and 15th September.

(CROWN GREEN STYLE)

This is a popular event throughout France, which sees many state buildings and museums open their doors to visitors.

SUNDAY 29th SEPTEMBER 2013 Registration: 13:00 - 14:00 Start: 14:30 Entrance fee: €4 (€2 single) Open to everyone

There is not enough space in these pages to list everything going on so pop down to your local tourist office or visit: http://www.journeesdupatrimoine.culture.fr/ to find out what is happening in your area.

TERRASSE DE SPORT, CUSSAC Information: Peter Coache - 05 55 58 38 41 Sponsored by Axa Insurance

Sun 29th Sep CROZON-SUR-VAUVRE Choral Concert

of them to the accompaniment of piano and wind. Admission is free. A pot-d’amitié will be offered after the concert.

After the successes of the last two years, the Association Musique en Verdure presents choirs ‘La Voie Mélodieuse’ and ‘Mille Chants’ in a special concert in the church of Crozon-sur-Vauvre at 16h. The choral conductor is Christianne Braspenning. On the programme is a variety of former and contemporary songs, some

Thu 3rd Oct CIVRAY The Harmonics Annual Concert

The Harmonics are joined by Payré Choir for their annual concert in the salle d'animation (next to the Mairie). Doors open 19h30.

Starts 20h. Tickets may be bought at the door. Adults €5, Under 12s free. Includes drink and nibbles.

Saturday 7th September 2013 St-Amand-Jartoudeix at 8pm Chapiteaux fermés – Buvette Tickets 12€

Organised by and cheques payable to: «Association Mieux Vivre à St Amand» Le Bourg, 23400 St-Amand-Jartoudeix For more information visit: www.stamandjartoudeix.com or call 06 72 74 44 26 or 05 55 64 22 25 (English)

Friday 13th September 2013 La Maison du Temps Libre avenue Jean Jaurès – Rochechouart Doors open & Bar from 7.30pm for 8pm start.

Tickets 12€

from 05 55 48 81 36, gigspanner@live.com or www.gigspanner.com/tickets.html Organised by and cheques payable to: «Le Son de La Source» Lascaux, 87600 Chéronnac

SEPTEMBER 2013 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

24 ♦ WHAT’S ON

UPCOMING EVENTS ACROSS THE REGION Fri 3rd May to Sun 6th Oct Exhibition "La Creuse, une valléeatelier"

200 works of Romantic, Impressionist and Postimpressionist landscapes gathered together for the first time across Berry and Limousin.

Entitled "Creuse, a valley studio 1830-1930", the exhibition presents chronologically the different art movements which developed at the junction of the 19th and 20th centuries, between Berry and Limousin, with: - Photographic art in the Creuse valley in Impressionist times - Musée de la vallée de la Creuse, Eguzon (11th May - 15th September) - From Romanticism to Academic Realism Musée Château d'Ars, La Châtre (4th May - 6th October) - Impressionist paintings, the transcended light - Musée Hôtel Bertrand, Châteauroux (4th May to 29th September) - The Postimpressionist valley - Musée d'Art et d'Archéologie, Guéret (17th May - 15th September) Admission: Free in Eguzon, La Châtre and Châteauroux. 3€ entrance fee in Guéret, (free admission on the first Sunday of each month).

For more information visit: www.expocreusevalleeatelier.fr

trails - as well as scenes of souks and bazaars, inspired by his travels in the East.

Exhibition at his atelier - Le Chiron, 23800 LaCelle-Dunoise. For more info tel 05 55 89 09 23 or visit antoinemelchior.jimdo.com/

Sat 31st Aug to Sun 8th Sep RAZÈS Patchwork Exhibition

Mon 8th Jul to Thu 31st Oct GUÉRET Exhibition 'Les Maçons de La Creuse au 19ème siècle: un exode vers Paris' Exhibition about the exodus to Paris of the masons of the Creuse in the 19th century at the Departmental Archives in Guéret. Mon-Thurs 8h30-17h, Fri 8h30-16h. Free entry.

Sat 1st Jun to Mon 30th Sep LA Patchwork Exhibition organised by the Cotton CELLE-DUNOISE Patch de Razès. Salle Polyvalente from 14h to Exhibition by Antoine Melchior Originally from northern France, Antoine Melchior and his family came to settle in the Creuse to find new inspiration. His work uses a wide range of techniques: pastel, oil, watercolor and chalk and features the Creuse countryside in all its forms - cows, meadows, trees, rivers,

Exhibition of the work of wildlife photographer Dale Sutton at the Tourist Office. Dale uses high tech equipment to capture natural phenomena that are too quick for the human eye to see.

For more information visit his website: http:// www.hsfnature.co.uk/

18h. Free entry.

Mon 1st Jul to Mon 30th Sep DUNLE-PALESTEL Photography Exhibition: Flora & Fauna

A village created for the occasion in the heart of the Chabrières forest.

Night market on Sat 7th - allée Pierre la Grosle Free for the Under 4s. 5 - 12 yrs: €3 1 day or €5 for the weekend (2 or 3 days). 13+: €5 1 day & €8 for the weekend (2 or 3 days) For more information visit: www.foretfollies. com/

Wed 4th to Wed 25th Sep SAINTJUNIEN Guided Tour of the Colombier Tannery

Sun 1st Sep JARNAGES Patate en fête

9th edition of this potato festival: 120 varieties of potato on display, produce market, videgreniers. 10,000 visitors last year! From 7h.

The transformation of hides into leather dates back to the 11th century along the banks of the Vienne. Find out more during a guided tour of the Colombier Tannery. Wednesday 4, 11, 18 & 25 September at 10h. Tours lasts 1 1/2 hours.

Reserve via the tourist office.

To find out more about Mégisserie Colombier visit www.tannery-colombier.com/english/

Wed 4th to Sun 8th Sep GUÉRET Forêt Follies

Fri 6th Sep BOUSSAC Concert: La voix dans tous ses états

5-day popular event, attracting 18,000 visitors in 2012, which focuses our attention on sustainable development, set in the middle of 2,000 hectares of forest. There is entertainment day and night: artisanal produce, conferences, games, play areas, food & drink, VTT, walking, etc.

Wed 4th (17h) - Place du Marché, Guéret Opening of the Forêt Follies with entertainment & stands.

Thur 5th - Conferences at the Planetarium.

Fri 6th & Sat 7th (9h - 24h), Sun 8th (8h - 20h) Forêt de Chabrières on the route de Bourganeuf - Workshops, stands, entertainment, shows, etc.

Yana BOUKOFF Mezzo Soprano accompanied by pianist Daniel WAYENBERG (ChopinDvorak-Rossini-Bizet) and Amélie Soghomonian Soprano Colorature accompanied

by Sylvain Bouard.

Eglise de Boussac. 20h30. Tickets €15, Under 12s free. Reservations tel 07 61 66 99 93.

Sat 7th to Sun 8th Sep SAINTJUNIEN 10th Légend'Air en Limousin

50 aircraft on display at the Saint-Junien aerodrome for this year's edition of this popular

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