The Bugle Limousin - Sep 2020

Fury over vandalism at Oradour memorial There was nationwide condemnation recently when the Oradour memorial centre was sprayed with anti-Semitic graffiti >> Page 3

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Tour de France hits the road

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gatherings until “at least September�.

Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu proposed that the Tour could go ahead as planned but without a public.

This idea was met with fierce opposition from organisers and an eventual compromise was reached to delay the race and allow spectators under strict health guidelines. It was a nervous moment for the cycling world; if the race did not take place, it would have been the only time the Tour de France had been cancelled during peacetime since its inception in 1903. The only previous cancellations came during the two World Wars.

When the race departs from Nice on Saturday 29th August, the number of spectators on each stage will have to be carefully

Lego launches range of Braille bricks - pg 4

France bans outdoor heaters from the nation's terraces - pg 6

Despite fears it might be cancelled for the first time since World War II, the peloton will now race in a Tour de France that is shaping up to be like no other.

Tour de France like no other will finally b e g i n on 29th August, two months after the peloton were initially due to take to the roads. The late August start is not the only change to this year's race, with notable absences, limitations on team numbers, selfie bans and the end of a controversial custom.

Traditionally, the threeweek race takes place in July, with the stage held on 14th July - Bastille Day - holding particular significance for the French riders. When the global pandemic forced a national lockdown, the future of the race was in obvious doubt following the introduction by then Prime Minister Edouard Philippe of a ban on large sports

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2 ♦ IN THIS EDITION

Welcome to

The Bugle

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s a parent, when summer draws to a close and Se pt embe r creeps into view, one thought dominates all others... la rentrée.

For me personally, it is a happily anticipated event as two months with the kids under our feet is usually more than enough! This year, what with “one thing and another”, my little bundles of joy have been an almost constant presence since midMarch, so I ought to be counting down the seconds.

In reality, while I can't wait to have a bit more structure and routine in my life, the usual joy is mixed with a generous spoonful of trepidation. I would normally describe my self as a rationalist and my brain will favour evidence, facts and figures over heart, hunch and emotion. So I know that my children probably face more danger on the drive to school than they do when they get there, but such is the world at the moment that a large part of my brain still worries if going back to school is the right thing to do.

It is of course, and I know that. For the current generation of children, the problems that may arise in the future from lost education will be orders of magnitude more significant

than the dangers they face right now from Covid-19. Studies have shown that a tiny number of cases, and even fewer deaths, have occurred amongst children contracting the virus. The rational part of my brain agrees with President Macron, who cautioned this month that, “Zero risk never exists in any society.

We must respond to this anxiety without falling into the doctrine of zero risk”.

An increasingly vocal, emotional part of my brain, however, wants to lock the door and wait this thing out.

If I never let them leave the house, then no harm can come to them, but I know deep down that there is a huge difference between being alive and living.

It is such a hard circle to square.

On average, 1,000 people tragically die each year in France from accidental drowning - it is the largest accidental cause of death in the under-25s. Do I stop my children from trips to the pool or days out at the seaside? Not in a million years, because these are so often the days you remember and the ones that make a childhood a happy one. My concession is to make sure that I mitigate any risks as much as I can: lifeguarded beaches and never letting them out of my sight. On our summer holiday this year, I must have spent

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twenty hours sitting by the pool and only read half a book, as most of the time I was staring over the top of it while they played, thinking they were being given absolute freedom.

So I will ignore the emotional part of my brain and my kids will all go back to school on 1st September.

They can't wait and I know that it is best for them, and whatever will be will be.

The other headache that comes with la rentrée is the logistics of after-school activities! Annoyingly for me, I don't have the kind of children that get bored after a few months and ask to stop. My eldest two love everything they currently do and my youngest is now asking to start his own. I cannot see how we can possibly do any more in a week, but I am resigned to the fact that we will probably have to and that ultimately we will find a way.

There is quite a famous analogy about a jar being full which goes something along the lines of:

stood up before his class with a large, empty jam jar. He filled the jar to the top with large stones and asked his students if the jar was full.

The students said that yes, the jar was indeed full.

He then added small pebbles to the jar and gave it a bit of a shake so the pebbles could disperse themselves among the larger rocks.

Then he asked again, and the students agreed that the jar was still full.

The professor then poured sand into the jar to fill up all the remaining empty space. The students agreed that, finally, the jar was now completely full... then he filled it up with water.

A philosophy professor once

There are plenty of ways this analogy has been used to demonstrate various philosophical arguments over the years, but I like to think of it as representing available time. As a young man I filled my jar with large stones: going to the pub, watching sport and Playstation... no time left in the

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week. Growing up and taking on responsibilities filled my jar with small pebbles and my young family then provided the sand. At every step, I could not see how I could fit anything else in. With one child, the thought of three was literally incomprehensible. With three, I looked back and realised one-star Dad didn't know how easy he had it.

I have to be honest, the water has been running for a while now and I am expecting my jar to overflow at any moment... I just hope that there is not a fifth element to the analogy that I am not aware of!

Until next month!

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

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Outrage after Oradour-sur-Glane memorial centre vandalised

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here was anger across France recently when one of the country's most important memorials to World War II was defaced with what appeared to be antiSemitic and Holocaust-denying graffiti. The wall of the memorial centre at Oradour-sur-Glane, scene of the country's worst war-time civilian massacre, bears the inscription “village martyr”, but vandals used spray paint to write “menteur” - liar - along with other anti-Semitic messages.

Other graffiti - which has all since been covered over claimed, “Reynouard is right”. In 2004, former maths professor Vincent Reynouard was convicted by a French court under the 1990 Gayssot Act for distributing a pamphlet and video that questioned the reality of the Oradour-sur-Glane massacre. He was sentenced to two rears in prison. The Gayssot Act makes it an offence in France to question the existence or size of crimes against humanity.

There was universal outrage to the vandalism, which President Emmanuel Macron condemned as “unspeakable”.

Prime Minister Jean Castex spoke of his “anger” when he heard of the incident, adding: “To soil this place is also to soil the memory of our martyrs.” Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin described the vandalism as “spitting on the memory of our martyrs”. “Shame on those who did this,” Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti tweeted. “All will be done to find and judge those who committed these sacrilegious acts.”

While revisionist conspiracy theories surrounding the facts of the Oradour massacre have circulated online for years, local authorities confirmed that nothing like the recent vandalism has happened before. “There have always been attempts to rewrite history, but we have never seen anything like these revisionist tags,” said local mayor Philippe Lacroix. “This time, it feels like things have been cranked up a notch,” lamented the memorial centre's president.

“What shocks me is that people forget that women and children disappeared here in an atrocious way,” said Robert

Hébras, 95 years old and the last remaining survivor of the massacre. “At Oradour, we recognise what happened, how people were brutally executed. My fear is that we will talk about Oradour again now for 48 hours, then we will stop and then we will forget.”

In the days after the Normandy landings, a local Nazi commander was informed that resistance fighters in Oradour-sur-Vayres were holding a German officer hostage. On 10th June 1944, a German battalion sealed off the town of Oradour-sur-Glane - having confused it with their intended target of nearby Oradour-sur-Vayres - and ordered all the townspeople and passers-by to assemble in the village square, ostensibly to have their identity papers examined.

The men were then taken to a barn where a machine gun nest awaited. The women and children were led to the church, which was set alight. In a few short hours, 642 of the town’s inhabitants were dead, 207 of whom were children, with only a handful managing to escape. The town was subsequently sealed off by then-president Charles de Gaulle and preserved in ruins as a memorial; it has remained a centre of remembrance ever since. The modern day town was built later, a few hundred metres away.

The massacre was the largest atrocity committed against civilians in France by Nazi forces and became a powerful symbol of the war. ■

Macron rules out second lockdown

I

n a magazine interview, President Emmanuel Macron has suggested that France will not impose a second nationwide lockdown, saying that the country “cannot be put on hold”.

Speaking to Paris Match from his presidential holiday home in Brégançon on the French Riviera, Macron insisted: “We can't shut the country down because the collateral damage of lockdown is considerable. Zero risk never exists in any society. We must respond to this anxiety without falling into the doctrine of zero risk.”

The interview came after figures released for the week starting 10th August showed the highest number of daily infections since mid-May. Releasing the statistics, the national health body wrote in an accompanying statement: “In French cities, all indicators continue to progress and transmission of the virus is accentuating. This concerns all age groups, particularly young adults.”

The new prime minister Jean Castex also warned that rates were “headed in the wrong direction” and when asked about the possibility of another total lockdown, said bluntly: “No one wants to live through that again.”

Rather than a second national lockdown, the government appears to favour localised restrictions to curb the spread of the virus in the most affected areas. Local prefectures have been asked to come up with plans for restrictions to impose if it becomes necessary, and authorities in “red zones” are being given extra powers.

Speaking to the magazine, the president stressed the need to “let scientists make progress, speed up vaccines, guarantee access to them, give the best health response with the knowledge we have, test, trace, isolate, organise our A&E wards, warn people and make mask-wearing widespread where it’s necessary”. ■

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France bans outdoor terrace heaters

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rance is famous worldwide for its cafe culture, but you may need to take a coat and scarf if you want to enjoy an evening aperitif on the terrace following a government announcement of a ban on patio heaters. In a statement, Ecology Minister Barbara Pompili said outside heating and air conditioning was an “ecological aberration”, although she did confirm the ban would not come into force until after the winter to lessen the impact on restaurants that have already been hit hard by Covid-19.

Restaurateurs began relying more on heated terraces when the country extended its indoor smoking ban to restaurants and bars in 2008, but the trend an-

gered environmental activists, who railed against the wasteful use of electricity and natural gas. As part of the changes, the minister also announced that air-conditioned shops would be banned from leaving their doors open, telling journalists that it was wrong for shops to “aircondition the streets” in summer simply to spare customers from having to open the door. “Neither should terraces be heated in winter so people can feel warm as they drink coffee.”

Studies have shown that four gas-powered outdoor heaters running at full power for eight hours will produce the same amount of carbon as the average car travelling for a distance of 350 km.

Although a number of cities

have taken unilateral steps to ban outside heaters in recent years, they remain a common sight across the country and it is estimated that as many as 75% of restaurants and cafes in the Paris area have a heated terrace.

The recommendation to ban outside heaters was one of several made by a “citizens committee” put together by the government. In the wake of last year's gilets jaunes protests, President Macron announced the creation of a Citizens' Convention on Climate, made up of 150 randomly picked members of the public. The terrace heater ban is one of the first changes to come from the committee along with a ban on oil-fired boilers (see page 5). ■

Lego launches Braille bricks

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Cancer Support France - Cycle for Life 23 to 26 September 2020

C Leg_Group (Twitter)

anish toymaker Lego has launched a new version of its iconic plastic bricks for the blind and visually impaired. The bricks have the same shape as regular, rectangular Lego blocks, but the studs on top are rearranged to represent the letters of the alphabet in Braille. The company has released the new range of blocks in seven countries worldwide, including France, although it hopes to extend this to other territories from next year.

“The bricks are moulded so that the studs on top reflect individual letters and numbers in the Braille alphabet while remaining fully compatible with the Lego system,” a statement from the company said. “With thousands of audio books and computer programs on the market today, fewer young people are learning Braille. Yet, individuals with blindness or impaired vision all over the world rely on Braille to work, study and enjoy their daily lives to the fullest.”

CSF Cycle for Life to go ahead

The bricks also feature a printed version of the symbol or letter, which the company hopes will encourage sighted and visually-impaired children to play and learn together on equal terms. The Braille bricks have been adapted for each language and along with France they are now available in Brazil, Denmark, Germany, Norway, the UK and the US. ■

ancer charity Cancer Support France (CSF) has confirmed that its ‘Cycle for Life’ event will still take place from 23 to 26 September. The event had been postponed from June due to the Covid-19 crisis.

This year’s event sees CSF and its cyclists following La Flow Vélo, a dedicated cycle route crossing from the Atlantic, through the Charente and ending in Angoulême for four days of gentle exercise. Starting on Wednesday lunchtime at Rochefort, with its 17th century maritime arsenal, cyclists will stop at Saint-Savinien and Cognac, ending with a welcome lunch on Saturday at Angoulême, best known for its paper industry and as the capital of cartoons.

There are still places available on the

ride.

For up-to-date details please see our Cycle for Life Facebook page at www. facebook.com/activityforlife.

Anyone who is unable to ride can consider making a donation through http://www.alvarum.com/cancersupportfrance/cycleforlife-2020 And for more information about CSF and what we do have a look at our website here: www.cancersupportfrance.org

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Oil-fired boilers to be banned Quarantine flight lands

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seconds too late

A credit: moroil.ie

he government has announced a ban on the installation of oil-fired boilers from 2022. It is estimated that as many as four million households, many of them in rural parts of the country, are currently heated using fuel burners. The move is one of the recommendations of a “citizens committee” put together by the government to look at green initiatives. The committee has also proposed a ban on terrace heaters (see page 4).

The new rules look certain to fall short of an outright ban on existing oil-fired boilers, which will come as a relief to the many businesses across the country that make their money selling heating fuel. It is also hoped that the development of more widely available bio-fuels could further extend the lifetime of boilers in rural areas, where gaz de ville (mains gas) is rarely available and for households where alternatives such as geothermal heating systems are too expensive.

According to sources, “new installations of oil-fired boilers which burn 100% fossil fuel will no longer be permitted”, opening the door for such bio-fuel options. For several years, the industry has been working on a type of heating fuel which incorporates

one-third colza oil, a renewable fuel, which could lead to a generation of bio-fuel boilers. Existing oil-fired systems could also be converted by having their boiler unit upgraded, but the government appears not to favour this approach.

“We are not focussed as much on the type of equipment as the CO2 emissions,” explained a spokesperson for the housing minister, emphasising that the move would not specifically target oil-fired burners. “The industry tells us that they are capable of creating a

fuel that meets these energy requirements, but we are yet to be convinced.

Nothing currently exists, and we consider the possibility of this option to be marginal.”

The government has indicated that grants will be made available to encourage households to upgrade their heating system to a more efficient one. This could cover as much as 80% of the cost of a new boiler for the least well-off households. Details should become clearer in the coming months. ■

s the number of coronavirus cases steadily increased during the month of August, several European countries placed France on quarantine lists, requiring travellers to isolate on arrival. One such country was Norway, which placed France on its “red list”, introducing a 10-day quarantine period for anyone arriving from France from midnight, Friday 7th August.

As has become a familiar sight on news channels in recent weeks, people hurriedly boarded planes to avoid having to isolate and this was the case for the 158 passengers on Scandinavian Airlines flight SK470 from Nice to Oslo. With quarantine rules due to come into effect at midnight, the plane was initially scheduled to land at ten minutes past, but there was hope the pilot could make up the ten minutes required during the flight.

When the wheels hit the tarmac and the pilot announced that the plane had landed at exactly midnight, the cabin erupted into cheers. The joy would be short-lived, however: according to the Norwegian rules quarantine came into effect at midnight inclusive, i.e. from 00:00. The flight had landed a few seconds too late!

Although there was initial confusion, Elisabeth Johansen of the Norway Ministry of Health later confirmed: “The change to the red zone was from midnight inclusive, so whether they landed at exactly midnight or one minute after, they must still quarantine.” ■

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The paradox behind the Covid-19 numbers

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t the start of the global health pandemic, daily briefings delivered by experts - and their accompanying graphs and statistics - became a part of our lives. In March, the public watched as the graphs climbed inexorably higher and then, with lockdown in place, we checked each day as the curve first flattened and then slowly began to fall.

As confinement came to an end and people began to move more freely across the country, the decline slowed and the numbers began to once again slowly increase... but curiously, not all the numbers. By late August, the number of daily cases had risen from double-digits and the low hundreds to more than 4,000, but in contrast to the early days of the pandemic, the numbers of hospitalisations and deaths did not follow.

Many have suggested that the reason for this anomaly could be an increase in overall testing and therefore the increased reporting of asymptomatic cases, or improved knowledge about the virus and better treatment. According to the experts, however, the actual answer is a lot less complicated “The reason is actually quite simple,” explained epi-

demiologist Pascal Crépey. “The section of the population currently being exposed to the virus is predominantly young people.”

The country's health minister Olivier Véran appeared to confirm this theory when he was interviewed on France 2.

“Those French being diagnosed today are the young, principally in the 20-40 age bracket,” the minister explained.

“Older people are continuing to protect themselves.”

It has long been established that Covid-19 affects young people far less severely than the elderly or those with pre-existing health conditions, which has encouraged many in the younger generation to get on with their lives.

Bars and nightclubs have once again begun to fill up with a demographic that has less fear of catching the virus.

Furthermore, as the country has gone back to work, it is predominantly this age group that has returned to the workplace, exposing themselves to potential infection.

The numbers also appear to back up the theory. Statistics from the week beginning 3rd August show that the highest rate of infection was among the 15-44 age bracket, with 28.9 cases per 100,000. In the over 75s the rate was

just 9.6. In the same period, the increase in infection rate among 25-29-yearolds compared to the previous week was 55%, and 52% for 30-34-year-olds; this compared to a national average of 42%.

Although the younger generation are less at risk and pose a far lower threat to the country's healthcare system, experts are warning that any increase in infection rates in the general population will eventually impact the most vulnerable.

“We can not hermetically seal off a whole section of society,” warned Pascal Crépey. “It is logical that those who know they are most at risk take more precautions and you are far less likely to see them in a bar or a nightclub. But they remain at risk of infection within the family. This may take longer, but if there is a general resurgence in cases which are not controlled then, irrespective of which demographic is most affected, the virus will spread.” ■

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School trips to the vineyard

Comeback for sleeper trains

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or most people, school trips will bring back memories of the zoo, dusty museums and terrible packed lunches. One thing you will probably not remember is a trip to a vineyard to learn to distinguish your floral notes from your citrus overtones. In a country where wine is so much more than just a drink, however, this is exactly what a new generation of students are doing as part of their studies.

The Cité du Vin museum in Bordeaux opened its doors for free to under-18s this summer and a number of vineyards are encouraging children to learn about viticulture and the history of winemaking on school outings. One such place is Château Canet, a stately 19thcentury domaine with 111 acres of vineyards in the southern Occitanie region.

Believing that the vineyard would make a perfect real-world classroom, owner Floris Lemstra now regularly invites groups of

primary schoolchildren to learn all about grape varieties, harvesting and bottling as well as to poke around the vines and investigate the cellars. “Teaching them about wine and alcohol is a little abstract at eight years old. However, we believe that demystifying wine and its consumption is important,” Lemstra told Wine Spectator. “Explaining at an eight-year-old level that wine can be pleasant, but is also an alcoholic beverage with its drawbacks is, in our opinion, an important message.”

Those children who have so far been on these trips are, understandably, more likely to live in wine-producing regions and have family or relatives who work in the industry. “Children are the future, and wine is a huge part of our - and their - culture, economy and daily life,” explained Lemstra. “It is always a joy to see the curious looks on their faces when they discover something that has always surrounded them, but they didn’t re-

ally know much about.”

At the Cité du Vin the lessons are not limited to theory and children can also learn to identify tastes and smells, although it must be stressed this does not involve actual wine.

“To host a tasting soirée for children, you need soft drinks, sugar, salt and water to make both adults and kids understand how all senses take part,” explained a representative of the museum, where exhibitions and workshops teach kids to identify aromas, colours and tastes like sweetness, acidity and bitterness. “It’s both fun and educational.”

“Some people may think the Cité du Vin is not a place for children because of its theme,” said Solène Jaboulet, director of marketing and communications. “However, once they’ve visited, they realise it is as well suited for kids as any other museum. It's a place where everybody, whatever their age or cultural background can enjoy discovering an important part of our history and heritage.” ■

The growth of high-speed trains combined with the advent of lowcost airlines has seen night trains all but disappear from France in recent years. Historic routes were cut and what was once an intricate network of night trains across Europe was reduced to just a handful of services.

The recent coronavirus pandemic has seen entire fleets of planes grounded. This, combined with an increased awareness among passengers and governments of the carbon footprint of travel, could soon lead to an unexpected renaissance of couchettes and wagons-lits.

Austria and Sweden are among several countries pressing for a return to night train travel and President Macron announced in July that the government would “redevelop” night trains as part of a campaign to reduce emissions.

According to the Secretary of State for Transport, Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, the government plans to restart overnight connections between Paris and the Mediterranean city of Nice, as well as with Tarbes in the Pyrenees, by 2022. “I think there is a real demand,” said Christophe Fanichet, the chief executive of SNCF's passenger arm SNCF Voyageurs. “There is a young population that is paying attention to carbon emissions and is prepared to take a little more time to travel. I think there is a real demand.”

Sweden, which is the home of the concept of flygskam - flight shame - has been leading the way in promoting night trains. The government is planning to invest €39 million to relaunch daily connections between Stockholm and Hamburg, Malmo and Brussels by summer 2022. ■

Speed change reduces pollution A trial in the southern city of Toulouse has shown that a small reduction in the speed limit can have a huge impact on local air pollution levels. Speeds on a section of the A6 motorway, which passes close to the city, were reduced from 130 km/h to 110 km/h and resulted in around half of the nearby residents no longer living in a red zone for air quiality.

The research saw scientists take air samples from 300-metre sections of the motorway along a 7 km stretch between Saint-Jory and Toulouse. They checked levels of nitrogen dioxide, benzene and fine particulates, the main sources of traffic pollution. It reported “there was a significant positive impact in nitrogen dioxide during the period of 110 km/h”, resulting in a 9.8% drop. There was only a marginal fall in fine particles and benzene levels.

Researchers found the changes not only cut road speeds and pollution but also saved drivers money by reducing fuel consumption by 9%, resulting in 4,020 fewer tonnes of CO2 being put into the atmosphere.

While the reduction in the speed limit has been shown to reduce local pollution levels, it is unlikely to be rolled out nationwide. The lowering of the national speed limit to 80 km/h was the catalyst behind huge civil unrest in 2019 and the government has already rejected lowering the speeds on all motorways to 110 km/h. ■

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>> continued from pg 1 limited. Gatherings of more than 5,000 people are still banned in France and organisers will have to make sure that this limit is not breached. Whilst this should be relatively straightforward in rural towns and villages, it could prove difficult for the Grand Départ in Nice and the final stage on the Champs-Elysées. “The public will be able to come to the Tour, but there will probably be some form of filtering,” tour boss Christian Prudhomme told French media last month. “This is certainly not the best year to collect autographs!”

Teams will also be limited in numbers, with no more than 30 riders and staff, and they will be constantly monitored for symptoms. Tests will be performed on all team members twice a day and if two people in the same team test positive, that team will be removed from the race. Organisers have stayed silent, however, on how many positive cases would result in the race being abandoned.

The early racing season was cancelled, but there have been a number of one-day races in France since professional cycling was given the green light to resume on 1st August. While there have been a number of cases of coronavirus within teams since then, they have largely been contained and none appear to have been directly linked to

actual races.

Another significant difference this year is that riders have not had the usual build-up to what is considered the biggest challenge in professional cycling. By this stage in the season, the top riders will usually have had several months of hard racing in their legs, but with just a few weeks to prepare competitively, riders are fresh, but undercooked, making the race a hard one to predict.

To compound this, the 2020 route is one of the toughest in recent memory. The challenging mountain stages are usually left until the riders have at least a week of largely flat racing in their legs as the teams feel each other out and find form. The start in Nice, however, means the race will head straight to the Alps, with a tough mountain stage on day two and a summit finish on day four. It will be a rude awakening for many and will challenge any riders who do not start the race in peak condition.

In disappointing news for British cycling fans, former winners Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas have both been left out of the nine-man Team Ineos. “Chris needs that little bit longer to get to the highest level,” said team boss Dave Brailsford, who explained that the 4-time Tour de France winner would instead target the Vuelta a España, which is now due to take place in October and which Froome has

Set In Stone

© Marianne Casamance (WikiCommons)

Tour de France rides despite Covid-19

also won twice. “Chris is a true champion who has demonstrated incredible grit and determination to come back from his crash last year. We want to support him to compete for another Grand Tour title and the Vuelta gives him that little bit more time to continue his progress to the top level.”

The postponed Giro d'Italia, the third of the Grand Tours, will also take place in October and Welshman Geraint Thomas will now focus on this race. “Geraint will target the Giro and take on the opportunity to double up his Tour de France win with another Grand Tour title, with the aim of being the first Welshman to win

it,” said Brailsford.

Team Ineos - formerly Team Sky - have won the Tour de France every year since 2015 and have taken seven of the past eight Tours. This year they will be led by last year's winner, 23-year-old Colombian Egan Bernal.

In another significant change, organisers have dropped one of the race's most famous, but also controversial, customs.

Instead of two young women accompanying the stage winner onto the podium, this year will feature one female and one male host. “Yes, it's new but we have already been doing it in other races for 20 years like in Liège-

Bastogne-Liège,” said Christian Prudhomme, although he did not confirm whether the tradition of the winning rider receiving a kiss on the cheek from each host would remain.

Many argue that Le Tour has been slow to adapt to modern attitudes and during last year's race a petition containing nearly 38,000 signatures objected to the use of podium girls, with activists protesting “women are not objects nor rewards”. Formula One “grid girls” had been everpresent at the start of Grand Prix races since the sport's inception, but organisers put an end to their use back in 2018. ■

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From the foundations to the roof - Established 13 years in France

Cold call laws toughened... again Nestlé accused

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over dead fish

credit: iStock (londoneye)

he French government has further strengthened the laws surrounding cold calls and introduced tougher sanctions for those businesses that continue to flout regulations. Since it was first introduced in 2016, the Bloctel system has had limited success in stopping the vast number of unsolicited cold calls that make many people's lives miserable.

Bloctel replaced a largely ineffective voluntary scheme that had previously been in place and was to be enforced by law, with a maximum fine of €15,000 for companies that flouted the rules. “I can guarantee you that this will definitely work,” said the Secretary of State for Consumer Affairs, Martine Pinville, at the time. In reality, unscrupulous call centres found loopholes, moved their operations abroad or simply ignored the law, with very few fines being handed out in recent years.

The latest efforts to clamp down on the cold callers will see maximum fines increased to €375,000 and also aim to remove many of the exceptions that have plagued Bloctel. Previously, businesses could contact any clients that they had already dealt with in the past, but from now on they can only

contact clients with whom they have a current and ongoing agreement.

Also targeted is the energy-saving home improvement sector which has attracted a number of unscrupulous businesses following the introduction of significant government grants for home insulation projects. The most common is the €1 loft insulation scheme, but many companies have been hard-selling the contracts and cutting corners on the work to increase their own profits. All cold calls for energy-saving projects are now banned. The move has been welcomed by many within the construction industry who had been campaigning for tougher rules to drive out the bad apples.

Whilst hailed as a step in the right direction, consumer groups have also expressed concern that the service remains opt-out and fear that lawyers will simply find new loopholes to exploit. “Why do we have to opt in for texts and email messages, but we need to opt out from far more intrusive phone calls? Why must we actively sign up to Bloctel, when no calls should be the norm?” asks Cédric Musso from consumer protection group UFC-Que Choisir. “And if Bloctel is to be more restrictive, then the DGCCRF [France's consumer protection agency] needs extra staff to be able to enforce it more rigourously.”

To find out more about Bloctel, visit www.bloctel.gouv.fr ■

S

everal tonnes of dead fish have been pulled out of a river in north-eastern France, leading the head of a French fishing federation to lodge a complaint against global food conglomerate Nestlé. The fish, which died due to low oxygen levels in the water, were discovered in the Aisne river, close to a Nestlé factory. Volunteers, firefighters and fishermen spent three days clearing the remains of the fish from the river.

“We have lodged a complaint against Nestlé France for pollution and violation of article 432.2 of the environmental code,” confirmed Michel Adam, president of the Ardennes Fishing Federation. “All the fish in a 7-kilometre stretch of the Aisne have died. We have already recovered three tonnes of dead fish, but there are still some left. Around 14 species have been affected, including protected species such as eels and lamprey. I have been with the federation for 40 years; I have never seen pollution of this magnitude.”

“I decided to help with the clean-up as a civic duty. A river has to be protected, as well as its species, for the good of all,” said Régis Piette, a resident of the area since 1991. “The experience was traumatising and difficult to accept. It was so sad to see the Aisne impacted in this way, and I am very angry this could still happen in our times. I have never seen pollution like this in the river. The smell of rotting fish was strong and difficult to bear. The river was carpeted with fish.”

Mystery over horse mutilations

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olice investigating a series of attacks on horses across the country have said they fear that an internet challenge may be behind the brutality. In most of the attacks, the murdered animals have had their ears cut off. The latest incident involved a mare that had already died of natural causes in Roanne, near Lyon. The body had been left in a field awaiting professional removal when its owner noticed that the ear, eye and nose had been removed.

Isolated attacks on horses were reported in 2014 and 2016 and similar mutilations have been reported in the past in Belgium and Germany, but this year France has seen an unprecedented number of the seemingly unrelated incidents. Local police have linked the current case to “about 15 other mysterious acts of torture and mutilations

of live horses around France these last weeks”, according to AFP. Police posted a “call for vigilance” on social media and said breeders and equestrian centres have been alerted.

Shortly before the most recent attack, a horse in the Jura region, also in the east of the country, was stunned before having an eye gouged out and a piece of bone removed.

The animal later died. “We invite you to report any suspicious individual or behaviour noted in the vicinity of horse pastures, stud farms, livestock farms or equestrian centres,” said a local police appeal on Facebook.

A national police spokesperson said: “We don’t understand the motivation. Is it a satanic rite, insurance fraud, a search for macabre trophies, or an internet challenge? We don’t know. It is very traumatising.” ■

The pollution is believed to have emanated from Nestlé’s plant in Challerange, which produces powdered milk used in its Dolce Gusto line and has an outflow into the river Aisne.

Nestlé said in a statement that its Challerange plant usually only discharges clean water into the Aisne, but confirmed that there had been an “occasional and involuntary overflow of biological sludge effluent, without the presence of chemicals” from its wastewater treatment plant.

“As soon as we learned of the report on Sunday, we immediately stopped production and put an end to the spill,” factory director Tony do Rio said in a statement. “This spill was a one-off and lasted less than three hours,” adding that activity at the factory had been stopped for several days. ■

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his summer has been an exceptional one in the Champagne region. The weather has been almost perfect for growing grapes: long periods of hot sun with large downpours of rain at just the right time. The vines are heavy with fruit and producers are expecting an outstanding harvest, slightly ahead of schedule. Perhaps unexpectedly, however, this has created a huge headache for the industry.

While the weather conditions have been perfect, market conditions are the worst they have been in living memory. Since the global pandemic began, weddings have been cancelled, celebrations have been put on hold and it is fair to say that people have not been in the mood to party. This plummet in demand has led to a decline in sales of 100 million bottles and a surplus of more than a billion bottles of fizz gathering dust in the cellars around Reims and Epernay. It has also ignited age-old tensions between the small producers and the main champagne houses.

Every year, negotiations take place between farmers and producers over how many grapes will be harvested per hectare.

It is a delicate balancing act:

growers understandably want to sell the maximum number of grapes, but producers want to carefully manage production volumes to limit the risks from poor harvests and drastic price swings that could put many players out of business. With three years worth of sales already bottled and waiting in the cellars, the unusually high yield could not have come at a worse time for both sides.

“Covid has left everything reeling,” says Bernard Beaulieu, a champagne producer and former head of the CGT Champagne winegrowers union. “The fall in sales is staring us in the face. It's hastened a crisis that, if you ask me, has been a long time coming.”

Uniquely in French wine, the Champagne region follows a “single-yield” rule whereby growers agree to sell only a fixed amount of grapes per hectare. Any surplus is left to rot in the field or is turned into a refrigerated “reserve” for use in case of poor future harvests.

The négociants - the 300 or so dealers who buy up grapes for the prestigious champagne houses such as Bollinger, Krug, Veuve Clicquot and Mumm want a low yield. They have been arguing for no more than 7,000 kg per hectare - about

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Record champagne harvest causes tensions

200 million bottles - in order to spare themselves the cost of stocking millions more litres of unsold bubbly.

With vines expected to produce as much as 16,000 kg per hectare, the union representing the growers refused to go below 8,500 kg, which they say is the minimum amount that would allow the growers to stay financially afloat. Farmers are less worried about unsold stocks and insist the current exceptional conditions are too good to miss. With the price per kilogram likely to be around €6.50, the stakes are high.

“The problem certainly predates Covid-19. Young people are drinking less and less wine and there is growing competition from Prosecco and other sparklers” said Bernard Beaul-

ieu. “But the other crisis is the growing imbalance between the big houses and the small producers. By offering high prices, the houses have lured more and more vignerons into selling them all their grapes. As a result there are fewer independent producers, and at tense times like this it is the rule of the big houses and their financial backers that prevails.”

Negotiations are usually done and dusted by the early summer, but in this exceptional year and with the harvest just days away, an agreement had still not been made by mid-August, leading to pessimism from many growers.

“Far from finding an arrangement that pleases everyone, it looks like they'll settle on one that pleases nobody,” said Yves Couvreur, one of the independ-

ent producers who was downbeat about the prospect of the crisis resolving itself anytime soon.

In the end and with the clock ticking, the two sides finally agreed on a figure of 8,000 kg per hectare, equating to around 230 million bottles of champagne and one third down on the average rendement of 12,000 kg.

While the arguments continue, those within the industry are maintaining a sense of historical perspective. Champagne has been going strong for 300 years, surviving revolutions, wars and depressions and it will surely not be too long before the world once again has something to celebrate and a reason to get one billion corks popping. ■

Marseille latest city to ban smoking on the beach Marseille has become the latest city in France to ban smoking on its beaches following a successful trial in 2019. Smoking will not be permitted on Borély, Bonneveine, Pointe-Rouge and Prophète beaches until October 31st. France's second city joins La Rochelle, which banned cigarettes from its beaches last year.

Marseille's deputy mayor Benoît Payan said that as well as the health problems of passive smoking, especially for children, cigarettes were a pollution hazard, tweeting that: “Just one cigarette can pollute 500 litres of water.”

Elsewhere, Paris and Strasbourg have also recently introduced bans on smoking in some parks. ■

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Going nuts for Nutella

by Julia Watson

hen my family moved from Soviet Moscow to Washington DC, we were ripe for food experiences of any kind. We had lived for four years off cabbage, potatoes, and meat from the local markets that had been butchered with a chainsaw, so came replete with shards of bone. Sometimes the butchers didn’t show up, so we only had cabbage and potatoes.

There was, of course, a wider choice of glorious vegetables and fruits from the then-Soviet Republic of Georgia. But you needed a budget to match. When I told my husband’s editor we needed to renegotiate our food allowance because cauliflowers cost $20 a kilo, he messaged back the single line: “So don’t buy cauliflower.”

Cauliflower was the only vegetable available at the time.

The girls were 4 and 6 when they hit American supermarkets and the fridges and store cupboards of their school friends’ houses, impressionable ages. One of the first products they encountered and the most immediately seductive - was Nutella.

I was persuaded (by the underhand means practised universally by cunning children, of tears, stamping of feet and a refusal to eat) to stock our own supply. I kept it on the upper shelf of a high cabinet for special occasions, and in order not to expose them to their playtime friends as the victims of utter deprivation.

One afternoon, I reached up to fetch the full jar to make sandwiches for the next batch of after-school squealers. Lifting it off the shelf, my hand shot up and banged against the roof of the cupboard, a motion not unlike the over-counting of steps down a staircase causing the ankles to crumple on the floor. Confused, I opened the Nutella and found the insides

completely hollowed out, but for a thin and unbroken smear that lined the glass that had convinced me, till I learned otherwise, that the jar was full.

No-one could disagree with children that Nutella is an ambrosia of total delight.

Melted chocolate praline to spread on bread? What’s not to love. But it’s not one of the best foods to encourage a child to eat. Not only is it very high in sugar, but it’s very high in palm oil, modified to encourage its spreadability and containing a significant quantity of saturated fats.

Palm oil is not the most healthy ingredient for children. But it’s also not a healthy ingredient for the environment. For years, it came from plantations whose management had an enormous impact on deforestation. The pesticides their management required released effluents into the soil and water, and endangered the lives of elephants, orangutans, rhinoceros and Sumatran tigers.

Following a wide public campaign, the makers of Nutella have now committed to a supply of palm oil from sustainable sources. That’s good news. But it doesn’t affect the amount of sugar employed in the spread’s creation.

Nutella’s deliciousness can’t be ignored, however.

We’re about to enter hazelnut season, so you can easily make your own spread, without using sugar and certainly no palm oil, sustainable or otherwise. Enough spread for a good-sized jar will only take you half an hour to compose, start to finish. A supply of it is good to have around, not just to keep your children on side, but it makes a delectable icing for a cake.

Julia Watson has been a longtime Food Writer for newspapers and magazines in the US and the UK.

Home-made chocolate spread

150g hazelnuts (dried, not milky) 250g chocolate, broken up 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 tablespoons good-flavoured honey 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract Preheat oven to 175C. Melt the chocolate in a saucepan over simmering water and stir until smooth. Cool completely.

Toast the hazelnuts on a baking sheet in the oven for 10-12 minutes until they’ve browned a little and their skins blister. Pour them into a kitchen towel and rub enthusiastically to get rid of as much loose skin as possible.

If you take them outside, you can blow the skins off. Otherwise, just try to keep the skin bits away from the exposed nuts.

Cool the nuts then grind them in a blender or processor to form a paste.

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www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ SEPTEMBER 2020

Radon gas - what are the health risks?

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hen we talk about radiation, many people think of nuclear power plants. But the share of radiation we receive from the nuclear industry is very small when compared to the contribution from the inhalation of naturally present radioactive substances in our environment. And the one responsible for the majority share is radon.

Radon is a radioactive, colourless and odourless gas that poses a risk of lung cancer to humans. It is formed through the natural decay of uranium in the subsoil and is present in all homes in France as well as parts of the UK. Radon released from the soil into the open air will spread over an enormous area and thus the outdoor radon concentrations are extremely low, negligible and do not form a health risk. Indoors, however, the radon gas gets trapped and can result in dangerous concentrations.

In France there are large regional differences in the concentration of radon found in homes and this is mainly due to different soil types. Two effects are important: how much uranium is present in the subsoil, and how easily the radon gas can escape. High concentrations of radon gas can be found in homes in all three departments of the former Limousin region (Corrèze, Haute-Vienne and Creuse) as well as neighbouring departments. Elsewhere in France Burgundy, Brittany and Corsica are also affected. (See map right) People who have recently bought or sold a property are perhaps familiar with the radon risk zone that is indicated in the Dossier de diagnostic technique (DDT).

This is a new obligation that has been in force since July 2018.

If you are not sure in what zone your property is located, then a map is avail-

able from the French radioprotection institute (IRSN). A Google search for “connaître le potentiel radon dans ma commune” should reveal an online map where you can enter your commune and find the associated zone: Zone 1 for a weak risk, Zone 2 for a moderate risk and Zone 3 for a significant risk.

As you can see the risk class is assigned to the entire commune and says nothing about an individual house. It is highly likely that you have a property in zone 3 but this does not necessarily pose a problem. Equally, having a property in zone 2 does not exclude all risk.

All public buildings and workplaces in France in areas with high concentrations (zone 3) of radon gas are mandatorily screened. For private properties, however, there is no legislation, other than the indication of the zones in the DDT report, although the French authorities highly recommend you check your house.

depts in most affected areas

Health risks of radon gas The air we breathe can contain radon gas, so this gas will get into our lungs.

That in itself is not harmful, because we exhale the radon seconds later. But radon is an unstable element and decays quickly into other products which are not gases but solids. These products attach themselves to dust particles in the air that are inhaled and often remain behind in the lungs. These byproducts will then emit radiation and this is what can cause damage to the cells of the lungs, which in the long term can lead to lung cancer. This is a process similar to a lottery. If someone inhales a little radon then the chance of lung cancer is very small, but as exposure increases, so does the risk. The effects

can be compared to passive smoking.

Lung tumour mortality is seen as the most important effect of exposure to radon. Recently, other forms of cancer (leukaemia and mammary tumours) have also been associated with radon. In France around 3,000 deaths a year are attributed to radon.

Measuring radon The amount of radioactivity is expressed in becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m 3). This is the number of atoms decaying per second. The European Union's recommendation is to set an action level at 300 Bq/m 3. The more the concentration exceeds this value, the more reason there is to do something about it. However, this does not mean that there is no risk below this level, but the lower the concentration, the lower the risk.

One problem when measuring the concentrations of radon gas in a home is that these will fluctuate greatly and depend on the season, ventilation and even from room to room. Because of these strong fluctuations, a single instantaneous measurement is only of limited value for the exact determination of the radiation risk from radon gas. In order to be

able to make a statement with certainty, measurements should soon be taken in the order of months. If you are a property owner, then this long timeframe is not a problem but if you are a potential buyer of a property you do not have months to make a decision.

In that case specialist equipment can be used to screen a house in a couple of hours. The outcome will not be exact but does give a very good indication. Sufficient in any case for a buyer to decide if they want to proceed.

But even if high concentrations have been measured, that should not directly be a reason to cancel the purchase of a property. If the radon gas concentrations have been properly measured and radiation detection equipment is used the source of the radon gas can be identified.

Several steps, such as mechanical ventilation or blocking cracks and holes can be undertaken to bring levels back down to a healthy level.

For more information, or to book a screening, contact: RadONE www.radone.eu 06 34 39 01 75

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Moving to France tax efficiently Blevins Franks

re you a UK national hoping to secure residence in France before the transition period ends? Or have you recently started your new life here? Either way, it is important to prepare for French taxation and adjust your wealth management accordingly.

Generally, once you arrive in France to live here indefinitely, you become tax resident the following day. You are deemed resident for tax purposes if your main home is in France, or it is your principal place of abode (you spend 183 days here a year), or your principal activity or centre of economic interests is in France.

Research all the various taxes you will be exposed to in France, then establish where your assets stand in consideration of those taxes and what you can do to improve your tax position.

The key taxes you face as a French resident

Income taxes - Income tax rates for 2020 income range from 11% for income over €10,064 to 45% for income over €157,807. An additional 3% or 4% tax is levied on income over €250,000 and €500,000 respectively, with higher thresholds for families.

Social charges are additionally payable on income, at 9.7% for employment income; 9.1% for pension income and 17.2% for investment income. Retirees with Form S1 escape social charges on pensions and pay a lower 7.5% rate on investment income – however we do not yet know what the situation will be for those who take up residence, or are only eligible for the S1, from January 2021.

Investment income benefits from a special fixed rate of 30%, which includes both income tax and social charges.

Wealth tax - This used to apply to the entire wealth of a household, but is now only levied on real estate assets. This annual tax affects households with real estate wealth exceeding €1,300,000. The first €800,000 is tax free, then rates range from 0.5% to 1.5%.

Succession tax - French inheritance tax is charged on each beneficiary, with rates and allowances varying considerably according to who the beneficiary is. Inheritances between spouses/PACS partners

are tax free (but not gifts) and children have lower rates and higher allowances than more distant relations. You need to be particularly careful where stepchildren are involved as their tax-free allowance is very low and the tax rate is generally 60%.

This may seem daunting, but there are usually steps you can take to improve your tax position in France, particularly for investment capital and inheritances, sometimes considerably so.

Estate planning In France you need to give estate planning almost as much importance as tax planning. Even if you do not expect to live here forever, life is unpredictable. If you are resident in France when you die, your heirs will be impacted by French succession law and tax.

French succession law imposes forced heirship. Your children are ‘protected heirs’ so you cannot leave your entire estate to your spouse. The European ‘Brussels IV’ succession regulations do allow you to opt for the law of your country of nationality to apply instead of French law (provided you organise this in advance through your will), but take specialist advice first to understand all the pros and cons; it may not be the best option for you.

If you have not yet bought property, familiarise yourself with succession law first. There are various ways of owning property in France, which can have succession tax and law implications. Establish which option would best suit your family situation.

Pensions Retirees should also review their pension funds and the options now available to them, such as whether you could benefit from moving your pension to a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme. If you are considering a QROPS, note that the UK could start imposing the 25% ‘overseas transfer charge’ once it sheds its EU obligations at the end of the year.

Alternatively, you could potentially take your UK pension fund as a lump sum and possibly pay just 7.5% tax in France

Buying or Selling French Property?

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

www.frenchpropertylawyer.fr

05 55 82 18 99

under certain circumstances (plus 9.1% social charges unless you escape them as noted above). You could then re-invest the capital into tax-efficient arrangements.

With something as important as your pension, it is vital to take regulated professional advice tailored for your situation.

Overall planning Your UK tax-efficient vehicles may not be tax-efficient in France, so review your tax planning and how you hold assets. There are arrangements available in France that can prove very advantageous tax-wise, for yourself and your heirs.

They can also provide succession planning benefits.

While preparing for French taxation is a major part of relocating here, to create a successful wealth management strategy look at the whole picture, including estate planning, pensions, savings and investments, etc. The way you hold investments, for example, can make a big difference to how they are taxed and how easily they can be passed to your heirs.

Planning a tax-efficient move to France involves both French and UK taxation, so talk to a specialist cross-border adviser who is familiar with the interaction between both regimes and regularly advises on effective planning strategies. ■ All advice received from any Blevins Franks firm is personalised and provided in writing. This document, however, should not be construed as providing any personalised taxation and/or investment advice.

Tax rates, scope and reliefs may change.

Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; individuals should seek personalised advice.

Keep up to date on the financial issues that may affect you on the Blevins Franks news page: www.blevinsfranks.com Tel: 05 53 63 49 19 Email: bergerac@blevinsfranks.com

14 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ SEPTEMBER 2020

BUSINESS DIRECTORY Champlong Chatterie

Animals & Pets

Caring, quiet accommodation just for cats

Auto & Bike Services

Handholding & Language >> pg 18-19 Health & Beauty >> pg 19 Insurance & Finance >> pg 19 Pools & Spas >> pg 19 Property Sales & Maintenance >> pg 19 Retail & Commerce >> pg 19-20 Scrap & Clearance >> pg 20 Support & Counselling >> pg 20 Transport/Removals/Storage >> pg 20

Building Services Architects/Surveyors

JUNCT 22 off A20, Arnac la Poste

Alison & Ray

Valhalla dog holidays Open 365 days a year Call Leanne on:

05 55 80 42 47 or email

leaberry24@yahoo.co.uk siret: 810 192 807 00016

Dog Guest Home (NOT KENNELS)

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

Walked twice a day in our woods and surrounding fields.

Must be able to socialise with other dogs.

Free introductory trial: morning or afternoon.

Nr. Châteauneuf-La-Foret, Linards.

30 mins from Limoges airport.

Registered Car Mechanic

SIRET: 520 896 671 00010

See Display Ad Below

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

06 04 17 80 93

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

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93

Antiques/ Brocantes

Le Bourg, Chavanat 23250 Crossroads D3 & D10 Tel (FR): 07 80 00 46 23 UK: +44 (0)7902 838 776

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

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

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

From initial feasibility to completed dossiers.

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

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

JOHN SOWERSBY

+44 (0)7830 170761

motorptscharente@aol.com www.motorpartscharente.com

Ferguson's Bicycle Repairs and Servicing

30 years experience Servicing from €35 Based in Chenerailles (23130)

Email: info@masterplans.eu www.masterplans.eu Siret: 790 016 984 00011

Architectural DRAWING SERVICE Renovating your French property?

New build?

Dossiers prepared Permis de Construire Déclarations Préalables

Tel: 05 53 52 36 05

lavieilleabbaye@orange.fr SIRET: 493 770 358 00015

CHARTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEER

Tel: 05 55 80 22 64 Mob: 07 86 31 98 25

fergusonvelo@gmail.com facebook@fergusonvelo SIRET: 878 836 170 00018

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93

06 04 17 80 93

Tel: 05 55 80 72 83 Mob: 06 33 07 29 72

CHARENTE

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

Your advert here

Pre-purchase & Structural Surveys.

Verbal & written reports.

Structural calculations & drawings.

Redevelopment ideas & solutions.

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

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

Web: www.versineer.com Email: enquiries@versineer.com

Advertise here from just €36 HT / month

06 04 17 80 93 sales@thebugle.eu

Building Services Carpenters/Joiners Neuvialle Menuiserie

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

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

06 45 82 34 03

Siret: 498 843 051 00018

Siret 798 692 778 00011

NEUVIALLE MENUISERIE JOINERY

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

Siret: 802 265 728

■ Services ■ Brakes ■ MOT Prep

MOTOR PARTS

€50 grants as part of government 'coupdepoucevelo' bike boost

LA BRAUDERIE BROCANTE

siret: 803 910 942 00025

05.55.81.31.85

All makes & models of cycles repaired & serviced incl. E-bikes Mobile service available, I can come to you

20€ / night 10 € / half day Call Jane:

RING BILL!

Tel: 05 55 60 27 83

champlongchatterie@me.com www.champlongchatterie.com

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

SIRET: 494 617 798 00017

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

DIRECTORY ♦ 15

SEPTEMBER 2020 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

INSTALLATION23 SALAMANDRE Building

A. Wright

Carpenter & Joiner 06 35 12 10 66 see main ad - pg 6

Entreprise Maeva Qualified French Artisan / Carpenter

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

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

English spoken.

Call Aymerick (Rick):

07 69 34 75 02

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

CARPENTER AND BUILDER

QUALITY WORKMANSHIP SINCE 1986 €120 per day

Portfolio available to view at

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

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

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

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

Lumiere Service et Energie Steven Rofe 28 Years' experience

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

www.roferenovation.com

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

Building Services Electricians & Plumbers Maurice Baynes

PLUMBING & HEATING

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

Carlos

Electrician/Plumber 05 55 62 63 82 see main ad below

Your advert here 06 04 17 80 93

mauricepbaynes@gmail.com

Tel: 07 87 01 70 30 siret: 887 841 088 00016

Pink Electrique

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

30+ years worldwide experience.

Departments covered: 23, 36, 87.

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

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

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

électricité Keith SLOPER

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

Building Services Fosses Septiques

Fosse Septique 23 Steve. JOHNS. SARL

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

05.55.64.11.73 06.70.47.52.96 siret: 824 706 444 00018

LVL

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

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

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

06 16 91 64 67

sales@thebugle.eu

Siren: 808 481 170

06 04 17 80 93

contact@reactive-resource.com www.reactive-resource.com

Services General

Max Huggett

Experienced and fully registered builder with 10 year Décennale Insurance Offering a broad selection of building services in depts. 87, 19 & 23.

From one off installations to complete renovations, construction, decorating, landscaping and ground works.

E: info@maxhuggett.com

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

www.maxhuggett.com

English & French spoken - Siret: 518 511 340 00011

Harlequin Developments est. 2007

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

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

05.55.68.67.56 06.06.60.46.97

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

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

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

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

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

All areas covered - Based nr Aubusson (23)

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

Your advert here

SIRET: 494.501.067.00016

06 04 17 80 93

La Noneix

The Reclamation Yard

harlequindevelopments@live.com www.harlequindevelopments.com

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

Confolens

05 45 30 72 04

semm main ad - pg 10

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

Large or small projects undertaken - please view our website.

Contact: Paul or Joanne Rands

RON’S SERVICES

Paul.rands@orange.fr

A reliable comprehensive range of DIY services inside and out.

05.55.66.44.06 www.lanoneix.com SIRET: 501 144 596 00019

CORE CUT 87 Precision diamond drilling and sawing Stone and reinforced concrete Small and large diameter holes Any wall thickness If you need a hole, we can drill it

Call: 07 78 40 93 83 Email: corecut87@outlook.com Siret: 829 857 184 00016

Based in Gorre No job too small

Tel: 09 72 91 51 28 solwayservices@yahoo.co.uk Siret: 850 034 653 00020

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

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

05 55 62 63 82

siret: 829 638 741 00019

Granulés du Limousin

16 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ SEPTEMBER 2020

Is it payback time?

ADVERTORIAL

– Rosemary Sheppard, International Financial Adviser

T

his month I am literally going to hand over my commentary to one of our Pension Providers, Paul Forman of Novia Global, as he recently wrote an interesting piece that relates to all us expats.

“Recent press reports quoting ‘HM Treasury sources’ seem to indicate that the UK will soon have to start repaying the massive Covid-19 financial packages that were originally implemented to prevent mass financial hardship.

This is because the UK government is facing the mammoth task of balancing the books now that we start

to emerge from the global pandemic.

One of the most mooted policy ideas has been around potential changes to inheritance tax (IHT) legislation. The good news is that this gives advisers an opportunity to prove the value of good quality ongoing advice because the political landscape rarely remains unchanged for long and advisers know from previous changes that they usually have big implications for existing client goals and financial plans. We have not seen any immediate changes to IHT announced by the government as yet, but we will likely get to hear about these if the widely anticipated emergency Budget is announced for the early autumn.

One group of clients that could be affected by any changes to IHT are expats. Their plans are more complicated than domestic UK clients due

Davis & Davis

Building Services General

30 years' Experience in Construction, Renovation & Project Management

SVH CONSTRUCTION

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

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

stevehow101@googlemail.com Siret: 848 602 934 00012

Paul Jones Renovation

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

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

to complex cross-border aspects adding further considerations to their finances. Many expats believe that they are out of the scope of UK IHT simply by moving abroad but this is not the case for most. That is because UK IHT rules around a taxable estate (the amount in excess of any allowances and reliefs available) are driven by domicile and not necessarily just by residency. In broad terms, these can be summarised as: UK resident & domicile – taxable estate based on worldwide assets; Non-UK resident & UK domicile – taxable estate based on worldwide assets; Non-UK resident & domicile – taxable estate based on chargeable UK assets only.

However, as well as supporting a client with an income during retirement, pensions such as a UK SIPP scheme can also be a very tax-

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

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

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

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

FOR ALL YOUR REPOINTING WORK

Email: repointfr@icloud.com Tel: 04 73 52 14 43

Dave Cardwell - Builder

05 55 98 24 12

See our Display Ad below

A. Wright see main ad - pg 6

Entreprise Hines

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

40 years qualified experience

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

GODSON

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

05 55 37 45 35

wasteremovalmultiservices@gmail.com www.facebook.com/willwhiting87/ siret 532 981 198 00015

The above information was correct at the time of preparation and does not constitute investment advice and you should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity.

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

05 55 61 93 07

martin_sprague_1@ hotmail.com SIRET: 531 768 182 00010

Building Services Groundworks

WASTE REMOVAL SERVICES

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

• vehicle with 1.5 tonne crane

subject to IHT if these coincide with an untimely death.

Expats will therefore need to keep in regular contact with their advisers and be ready to react to potential changes in their situation, particularly if the UK government does make the anticipated changes to existing legislation to deal with the economic fallout from the Covid-19 crisis.”

If you would like to arrange an independent, professional and impartial consultation, please contact me by email: Rosemary. sheppard@blacktowerfm. com, visit our website www. blacktowerfm.com or call me on 06 38 86 99 70. Blacktower Financial Management has over 32 years’ experience helping expats to make sure that their money works for them.

Masonry & More

SIRET: 503 169 237 00016

POINTING

Carpenter & Joiner 06 35 12 10 66

efficient way of passing wealth on death. That is because funds left in a pension can currently be passed on to anyone more tax-efficiently than ever before following the ‘Pension Freedoms’ changes in regulation made back in April 2015.

Unlike most other investments, a pension fund is currently free of IHT on death of the pensioner because it is not deemed to be part of their taxable estate. Therefore, keeping some wealth within a pension fund and passing it down to future generations that way can be a very tax-efficient form of estate planning. This is because it combines the IHT free inheritance element with investment returns that are partly tax-free and potentially, for some beneficiaries, withdrawals that are free from income taxes too.

On the flip-side any money taken out of a pension becomes part of an individual’s estate and so any large PCLS and/or large flexible drawdown payments taken from a scheme could be

S.M.C SERVICES

Excavator with Driver 0044 (0)7831 121 019 see main ad - pg 9

Mini-Digger with driver

05.55.53.03.56

john.bonella@gmail.com See Main Ad below

RSW Entreprises

Fosse Septiques/Micro stations

05.55.80.00.57

See our Display Ad - pg 4

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

Building Services Lifts & Scaffolding

Cherry Picker Services

14.5 metres on a van lasout@live.com

Tel: 09 66 03 52 89 Call for a quote

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

06 34 24 64 11 or see

www.lakesidebandb.net

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

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93

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

with Driver for Hire

Landscaping, Ditching, Land Clearance etc.

Hedge Removal and Stone Wall Construction John Bonella

87440 Marval

05 55 53 03 56

siret no. 523 183 580 00019

john.bonella@gmail.com

Advertise here from just €36 HT / month

06 04 17 80 93 sales@thebugle.eu

DAVID CARDWELL PROFESSIONAL

BUILDER

Home renovations / Ground works Block works / Verandas, Abris & Terraces Barn doors & Shutters Also available: digger & driver Planning permission assistance and design available HNC and ONC qualified, 15 years experience & 7 in France Based near Lubersac (dept 19) Tel: 05 55 98 24 12 - Mob: 07 82 78 01 31 Email: dave.cardwell@yahoo.co.uk

DIRECTORY ♦ 17

SEPTEMBER 2020 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

ADVERTORIAL

Communicology consultancy

Speech, Language, Voice, Stammering Needs (adults & children)

C

ommunicology Consultancy is a new service offering advice and guidance around speech, language and communication needs in France. Communicology already provides a speech and language web-based service in the UK via Telehealth.

The service is run by Ruth who left the NHS after 34 years' service as a Specialist Speech & Language Therapist (Lead Clinician) & Service Manager to move to France.

She is a UK registered Speech & Language Therapist.

Guidance & support is available for English-speaking families who are concerned about a child’s communication development and for adult clients seeking coaching/training for speech, stammering & voice difficulties.

Advice can be provided for communication difficulties linked to neurological conditions, following a stroke or those living with Parkinson's disease.

Ruth can listen and support families who are

concerned about communication development.

In Communicology Ruth uses her expertise to create a family-focused, holistic approach for those living with a communication difficulty.

Ruth believes in listening first and talking to you and evaluating the situation, analysing your needs and giving guidance. If required bespoke training/ coaching workshops are scheduled giving families online support around speech, language and communication needs.

In England Ruth worked extensively with children and families of children and young people with Autism and Complex Special Educational Needs.

Stammering and voice is a special interest and Ruth can be contacted for an informal conversation and a listening ear by you or a family member.

Individual coaching is available for anyone wishing to increase general confidence in communication. Communication skills include voice, body language and how we express ourselves in confident conversation. It

CHRIS Building Services THE PLASTERER Painters/Decorators A genuine plasterer Nicholas Collyer All aspects of Interior and Exterior decorating 30+ years' experience Spraying service available for large areas Small tractor service cutting & clearance

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

Building Services Plasterers

Able Plastering

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

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

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

CALL FOR A FREE QUOTATION

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

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

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

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

may be about strengthening the singing voice as we get older. Sometimes we want to adapt our style and change the pitch or volume of our voices.

At her base on the Indre/Creuse border Ruth offers short courses for confident communication in a relaxed learning environment. With a Masters degree in Professional Training & Development Ruth utilises a short course/ training approach to support and extend confidence in communicating.

Specific courses are scheduled for those who stammer and visitors from the UK can combine a workshop with a mini break.

Ruth includes Mindfulness and what is known as Positive Therapy in her work and writes on these topics. The stress and anxiety around communication difficulties can be helped by these coping techniques.

As Communicology launches the plan is for a regular schedule of monthly visits to Dordogne, Poitou-Charentes and Corrèze/ Haute-Vienne. Home visits are available by

arrangement, combined with online meetings and telephone contacts. Visits in Creuse and South Indre are available most weeks.

Contact Ruth for an informal conversation about communication skills at no cost. ■

Email: communicology@mail.com Call: 06 66 46 32 43 or visit www.communicology.co.uk www.speechtherapyconsultancy.com (UK service)

Chimney Sweeps

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93

Chimney Sweeping

Computers, TV & Satellite

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

Stephen Wisedale

WiFi Anglais Solve your Internet, Wi-Fi and computer problems

Wi-Fi networks for homes, gîtes and small businesses. Outdoor Wi-Fi 4G Internet. Windows and MacOS.

www.wifianglais.com Email: hello@wifianglais.com Tel: 05 53 30 23 96 Mob: 07 78 52 20 46

www.stovesellers.com

05 55 63 78 72

Siret: 800 525 040 00013

Siren: 502 409 949

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

06 37 82 56 67 / 05 55 60 62 36 see main ad - pg 7

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

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

La Petite Ramoneur

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

Call Patrice:

06.79.07.91.56

Weblova

logo / branding / web design / social media

www.weblova.com see main ad - pg 8

Your advert here

THE LADY SWEEP

libre.antenne87@gmail.com Fast dependable service

Established since 1986

GOODWIN SATELLITE 06 04 17 80 93 SALES & INSTALLATION OF ALL SATELLITE

Brush & Vacuum All types of chimney Fully Insured

Based Séreilhac (87) siret: 353 613 227 00035

SYSTEMS & AERIALS. FAULT FINDING.

Call Ruth Langston

Dept 23 & surrounding areas

06 25 61 84 95 (SMS only)

Email: garygoodwin121@gmail.com

02 54 31 48 50 siret 504 218 454 00016

Tel: 05 55 62 05 61 Mob: 06 52 38 67 65 siret: 453 067 910 00019

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

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

18 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ SEPTEMBER 2020

ADVERTORIAL

Houses on Internet: A Global Property Network

H

ouses on Internet – Global Property Services (hereafter referred to as “HOIGPS”) is the internet/marketing company that has helped people sell their French property to buyers worldwide since 2009.

Richard Kroon, founder and director of the company: “In spite of Brexit, this year started off extremely well. And then the Covid-19 crisis shut everything down. We decided to keep the international advertising of all properties at the same level.

“This seemed to be a good move. Now the lockdowns are more or less behind us, we see a large number of prospective buyers making appointments for viewings, and sales of properties in all price ranges are now higher than usual for this period.

“It shows why our worldwide advertising is so important. Our marketing efforts are definitely

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

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

paying off and guarantee a worldwide exposure of your property to buyers wherever they live.

“Last year HOI-GPS sold properties in the price range from €35,000 to €875,000 to people from 14 different countries such as France, Australia, Belgium, Holland, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Canada, Denmark and South-Africa.

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

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

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

“When the website for the house is online, we first connect it to our main HOI-GPS websites which attract over 135,000 visitors from 35+ countries each month. Most of these people find us through Google and additional Google advertising.

“To reach an even larger audience, a summary of the presentation of the house is also placed on several other leading property websites.

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

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

26, Ecurat 23150

DMS gardening & cleaning services

Le Restaurant Ecurat

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

Now taking on new clients for 2020 for all your cleaning and gardening needs, including changeovers and key holding.

Reliable, trustworthy and experienced.

Areas 16/87/86/24 covered

Siret: 483 059 242 00030

siret: 498 199 306 00016

2km from Chénérailles and the Chateau Villemonteix.

Need some advice?

Too much like hard-work?

30 years of experience

British Market Stall

Allo Allo

+33 (0)6 79 23 57 09 +33 (0)7 69 14 49 73 see main ad - pg 7

Try Something Different

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

05 87 40 02 83

Bar / restaurant Le Grand Bourg See main ad - pg 6

Garden Services

Entreprise Maeva

Garden Maintenance

Strimming, hedge cutting, lawn mowing, general upkeep.

Daily rates and/or monthly contracts.

40 km radius - Bénévent-l'Abbaye (23210)

07 69 34 75 02

closed Wednesdays

entreprisemaeva@gmail.com

Le Creusois

Team Jardin

Les Genêts, Azerables

Reliable, professional and friendly garden services.

Garden Maintenance. Land Clearance.

Garden Construction.

Bespoke long-term maintenance plans.

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

Bar/Restaurant

High quality British & French food at reasonable prices.

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

05.55.63.90.79

www.lecreusoisbistro.com SIREN: 483 988 853

Siret: 831 957 691 00023

www.teamjardin.fr

Siret No. 752 549 907 00018

Grass Cutting Strimming General Maintenance Based La Souterraine (23)

siret: 827 791 054 00014

06 42 14 26 56

Parties 20+ & events catered for

facebook.com/britishmarketstall

Paul Brown

Tel: 05 55 89 57 40 brownpaul006@gmail.com

Maintenance gardener

m : 07 70 39 12 23

GARDEN SERVICES

janinedisney@aol.com

tel: 05 55 81 31 85

email: ecurat123@hotmail.com

see the entire property whenever he wants, at the moment he is interested in it.”

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

Stephen Grendon

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

Your advert here

Purple Solutions Garden Maintenance

06 72 87 87 14

Garden maintenance including grass cutting and hedge trimming.

Gîte changeovers, cleaning and jet washing.

Areas covered: 45 minutes around Lussac-les-Eglises, 87360 (Departments 87, 23 and 36) Contact Glen:

05 44 25 55 04

or UK mobile: 07955 488 194

‘Chou Chou’

Garden & Property Services

RHS qualified horticulturalists

Joseph and Samantha Geer

siret: 877 702 696 00015

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93

General

MR PIANO MAN

Piano Tuning and Repairs

05 45 21 16 13 see main ad - pg 8

Gifts & Crafts

GARDEN AND PROPERTY SERVICES 87

glenchell2003.wixsite.com/gardenservices87

Clearance, weeding, pruning, topiary, planting, maintenance, design.

Day or half day rates.

Excellent references. All work by hand.

Mob: +44 (0)7979 745 861 chouchouhorticulture@hotmail.com

+31 (0)6 41 20 73 69

see main ad - pg 7

06 04 17 80 93 Magnat-l’Etrange, Creuse (23)

Houses on Internet Global Property Services www.housesoninternet.com

Siret No. 884 266 305

Handholding & Language Services

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

Tel: 06 86 95 46 51 joe.geer@orange.fr Champsac 87230 Siret: 841 617 491 00011

Please mention The Bugle when responding to adverts

To advertise in The Bugle Business Directory, call 06 04 17 80 93 or email sales@thebugle.eu

DIRECTORY ♦ 19

SEPTEMBER 2020 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

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

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

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

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

6-Month Contract

12-Month Contract

Small b&w Directory Ad

€100

€150

Large b&w Directory Ad

€130

€195

Small Colour Directory Ad

€140

€210

Large Colour Directory Ad

€180

€270

All prices exclude TVA (20%)

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

30 words max

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

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

Advertising is payable on publication. All prices are HT.

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

05 55 62 50 38

Blacktower Financial Managment Group

siret: 792 285 025 00013

06 38 86 99 70 - pg 2

Jonathan Critchley jcritch.7@gmail.com

Health & Beauty Jenny Homer BA Hons, PGCE

Online French Tuition

Qualified Teacher of French, formerly teaching in my classroom in Eymoutiers, but now online! If I have been able to improve my IT skills, I can guarantee you can improve your French.

More information on my website.

Now offering small group tuition online at levels to suit your needs. My priority is on speaking and understanding French in daily life.

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

The Brexit clock is still ticking! Since 1 April 2020 those applying for citizenship must pass an exam to prove B1 level French, both spoken and written, no exemptions for age! For more information...

Email: homer.jennifer@gmail.com

Tranquillity Bien-Être

14 Place de l'eglise, 87470 Peyrat-le-Château Reflexology - €30 to €40 Indian Head Massage - €30 Indian Face Massage - €50 Simple Face Massage - €30 Gel Nail Polish - €20 to €35 Manicure/Pedicure - €15 to €25 Ear piercing - €30 to €35 Spray Tan - €15 to €20 Massage from €10 upwards.

Pamper days for up to 5 people (Ideal for get togethers!!)

Also, gifts, cards and more available to buy!!

20 % off first visit, 10% off second with this advert

T: 06 51 20 26 37

siret: 490 323 243 00025

E: tranquillitypeyrat@gmail.com W: www.facebook.com/tranquillitypeyrat/

Sophie Arsac

Mobile hairdresser

https://homerjennifer.wixsite.com/website

French lessons & handholding services 06 61 56 47 17 - pg 5

Insurance & Finance

Covering all of La Creuse!

Rosemary Sheppard

The Spectrum IFA Group

Tony Farrell

International Financial Adviser

05 55 89 57 94 - see pg 7

Blevins Franks International tax and wealth management advisers

www.blevinsfranks.com See our main ad - pg 13

Pools & Spas Limousin Spas

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

New for 2020

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

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

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

Single or regular visits.

Fully insured.

Oradour-sur-Vayres (87150).

References available.

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

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

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

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

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

T: 05 55 67 90 47 / P: 06 40 75 74 47 E: marktrudy0506@gmail.com W: www.creusepropertycare.com Siret: 479 965 758 00028

Beaux Villages Immobilier www.beauxvillages.com

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

Retail & Commerce Bruno Sablé

9, St. Louis Pasteur 87150 Oradour-sur-Vayres

Sewing Machine Repairs

see main ad - pg 7

Naturalis Pools

Leggett

Moulin de Tintin

07 88 40 82 34

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

Call Teddy:

Chez Boutique

Prices from €2,200

05.55.60.08.46

Property management

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

Siret: 752 157 610 00011

06 15 78 18 04- pg 8

See our Display Ad - pg 9

'Gite and Tidy'

Creuse Property Care

... all makes and models Also repairs and maintenance of small electrical appliances M: 06 38 92 61 24 T: 09 51 59 31 43 E: brunosable9@gmail.com

*Platinum Spas* *Superior Spas* *BeSpa* * California Spas* *Superior Saunas* *Baltic Hot tubs* *Baltic Saunas*

Formerly La Petite Place

Property Sales & Maintenance

www.limousin-spas.com enquiries@limousin-spas.com Tel: 05 55 63 26 20

www.naturalispools.com

06 31 17 25 60 see main ad - pg 2

See our references on:

www.diagamter.com

Cendrillon 06 83 66 83 09

www.marcdeschamps.com

rebecca.meiner@leggett.fr see main ad - pg 10

on Internet sales@thebugle.eu Houses www.housesoninternet.com +31 (0)6 41 20 73 69 06 04 17 80 93 See our Display Ad - pg 3

Furniture, interiors & gifts

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

20 ♦ DIRECTORY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ SEPTEMBER 2020

ADVERTORIAL

“SolarVenti”- the solar solution to damp and humidity

A

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

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

together.

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

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

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

Retail & Commerce

ed all expectations.

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

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

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

Très Jolie

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

the property is empty. Solarventi requires no maintenance - if the property is unoccupied during the hot summer months, then it can be left running at low speeds for ventilation and dehumidification purposes or simply switched off.

With a range of panel sizes, and the option for wall or roof mounting, Solarventi is suitable for all types of buildings, caravans or even boats!! Following the patenting of its design in 2001, Solarventi has only recently been actively commercialized. Over the last six years, Solarventi units have been installed in more than 24 countries and demand is increasing rapidly. From Greenland to Australia, Solarventi is finally getting the recognition it deserves. ■ Units start from €490 TTC.

Support & Counselling

Transport, Removals & Storage

COUNSELLING

Watson European

Lesley Kidd MSc & Martin Simpson MSc

www.watsoneuropean.co.uk

see main ad pg 15

26, Ecurat 23150

Atelier d'Art du Jardin

Artisan art for your garden

2km from Chénérailles and the Chateau Villemonteix

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

Stove Sellers www.stovesellers.com 05.55.63.78.72

See our Display Ad - pg 10

Carrefour du Bois Limousin

www.chauffagebois-limousin.com 05 55 63 72 45 - see ad pg 15

Set in Stone

Hand made garden ornaments

https://set-in-stones.weebly.com/

05 55 64 55 70 - see ad pg 8

Scrap & Clearance

& PSYCHOTHERAPY

Cash paid for scrap

All Limousin covered Anything considered Any quantity

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

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

Communicology Consultancy For Speech, Language, Voice, Stammering Needs (adults & children) Confident Communication - Specialist coaching for anxious communicators Advice/ Guidance Coaching/ Programmes Workshops Mindfulness/ Relaxation

OLD'S HEIGHT

Antiquités agricoles

Support following Stroke/ Parkinsons Online & Home Visits

I will buy just about anything in your barn: agricultural machinery, cars, motorbikes, lorries, pushbikes, old wrought ironwork, oil cans, signs, timberwork and doors... in fact, anything!!

Just think, that rubbish could earn you cash!!

Contact Ruth: E: communicology@mail.com M: 06 66 46 32 43 W: communicology.co.uk W: speechtherapyconsultancy.com

CALL: 0633 847 699 siret: 511 127 763 00015

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

sales@thebugle.eu 06 04 17 80 93

International Removals see main ad - pg 6

Buggs Car Hire Bergerac & Limoges Airports

www.buggscarhire.com see main ad - front page

Man & Van Transport

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

15m3 capacity 4m load length English & French Spoken

09 82 12 69 73 06 06 40 81 07 87150 Oradour-sur-Vayres

www.frenchvanman.eu Siret 530 213 644 00012

Franklins Removals

Central France Storage

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

Vehicle storage options We also do internal moves!

14.5m cherry picker available

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

Transition Removals (+33) 05 55 34 19 46

www.transitionremovals.net see main ad - pg 9

Smart Moves For a fully insured, careful service

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

0044 121 353 7263

smartmovers@hotmail.co.uk

see main ad - pg 4

www.smartmovesremovals.com

www.franklinsremovals.co.uk

+44 (0)7966 287 430

To advertise in The Bugle Business Directory, call 06 04 17 80 93 or email sales@thebugle.eu Would you like to receive an electronic copy of The Bugle each month?

We can deliver a copy to your inbox, hot off the press

Visit www.thebugle.eu to subscribe online

COMMUNITY ♦ 21

SEPTEMBER 2020 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

CLUBS, CHARITIES & ASSOCIATIONS For the latest updates to these listings, please visit our website : www.thebugle.eu/associations.php Charities The Hope Association Charity Shop 87 2 rue de la Vieille Tour, 87120 Eymoutiers. The shop is run by a group of volunteers with the sole aim of raising funds for abused & abandoned animals.

Opening hours: Sat 10h-13h, Wed & Fri 14h-17h, 1st & 3rd Thu morning 10h-12h.

We offer a selection of items including pre-loved clothes, jewellery, greeting cards and much more.

We are happy to accept anything in good sale condition either directly to the shop or email shopeightyseven4hope@gmail. com SPA Creuse The SPA Creuse dog refuge centre is based in Saint-Sulpice-le-Guérétois near Guéret and provides an invaluable service to the community by rescuing dogs that otherwise would have nowhere to go.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fitness & Fun Club D'Art, Châteauponsac Got the lockdown blues? And the reds and the yellows, along with greens and the purples? Why not bring them all

along to our art class? We meet at the Salle Jules Ferry, Châteauponsac at 9.30 until 12.00 every Thursday morning. All abilities welcome. We have a teacher available or you can do your own thing.

Contact: Margaret Hardwick at dbhardwick@gmail.com or 05 55 47 33 35 or Marite Touroude at m-touroude@ orange.fr or 06 11 64 09 96.

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

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

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

Bridge Club St. Junien Regular tournaments. Bridge lessons for beginners and intermediate levels (English-speaking teacher). Friendly welcome guaranteed.

For further information don't hesitate to contact Mireille Drouet, President 06 30 20 45 13 / 05 44 24 10 92 / mireillemartin@orange.fr or John Slade 05 45 71 50 44 / johnslade@aliceadsl.fr Yoga Aubusson Classes at the Maison Sport et Danse, Dojo: Mon 15:45 Gentle Hatha; Tue 17:30 Yin, 18:30 Hatha.

Valliere Salle Polyvalente: Wed 18:30 Hatha.

Felletin Espace Tibord: Fri/Sat 10:00 Hatha.

5 euro per class plus 10 euro adhesion.

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

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

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

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

If you have never played it before we will show you how. We meet every Monday evening starting at 18.30 hrs at La Chapelle, avenue des Chapelles, 87150 Oradour-sur-Vayres. Come and try it - it's free.

For further info tel 05 55 78 45 24 or email oradourbowlingclub@outlook. com Keep Fit Amazing abs, breathtaking buttocks!

Come and join our group at the CAPE in Pontarion. We are all ages, all sizes, men & women, but are serious about keeping fit. We meet every Thursday at 8 pm in Pontarion Town Hall, for a onehour workout. Come for a free trial, or call 05 55 64 98 87 or 06 32 42 95 68 for more details.

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

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

Chabanais Bowls Club Indoor Short Mat Bowling Whether you wish to start, improve or just enjoy indoor bowls, we offer a friendly atmosphere with regular competitive and social events. We meet on Tue 10h-13h and Thu 14h-17h.

All equipment supplied, only €2 pp/ week. Regular gentle exercise for all ages and nationalities. If interested, join us for a free taster session at the salle des fêtes, Chabanais, or email: chabanaisbowlsclub@gmail.com

Peyrat Film Club

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

In September we will be showing: Greenland – Friday 4th, 17h White Riot – Friday 11th, 21h Unhinged – Saturday 19th, 17h The Climb – Saturday 26th, 17h Light of My Life – Saturday 3rd October, 17h Tickets just €5! See our website for dates & times, etc: http://bandeoriginale.jimdo.com

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

Contact: inspirations.droux@gmail.com Art Classes Mainsat The class runs every Thurs (term time) at the Salle du temps libre in Mainsat from 14h-16h. We do a little bit of everything: pencil, charcoal, watercolour, pastel, acrylics, oils and sculpture, etc. Contact Susan Neill for more info: Tel 05 55 83 12 18 / Mob 06 87 99 31 37 / Email thomas-susan.neill@hotmail.com Zumba Dept 18 & 36. Contact: Coralie tel 07 78 66 52 01 Web: fun-life-attitude. webnode.fr Facebook: Coco Zumba Email: coralie.pouille@hotmail.fr Dordogne Short Mat Bowls Association Learn to play Indoor Short Mat Bowls in the heart of the Dordogne at Eyzerac, just off the N21, south of Thiviers.

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

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

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

Walking football is designed to give you the chance to play the game you love, but at a much slower pace. It's a great way to keep fit, learn skills, have fun, and socialise at the same time, so why not come along? At the moment, all sessions are indoors, so please wear appropriate clothing and footwear.

If you are interested in coming along please contact Steve Coram by email at: scoramcoram69@gmail.com Also now – Badminton! Playing Badminton helps to improve your fitness, and is great fun too! Come and join in with us every Tuesday afternoon from 16h-17h in the Gymnasium. Everyone welcome.

Laurière Carpet Bowls Club Registered & insured. For some gentle exercise with a friendly social club, learn to play Indoor Bowls at Lauriere, 87370, in the Haute-Vienne. No experience required. Come and take a look. It is great fun and easy to play. Join us any Monday at 2 pm until 5.30 pm at La Maison des Jeunes (Community Centre), on the route de St Goussaud (D28) just off the D914 at Lauriere. Parking available. Session includes short refreshment break with home-made cakes (€2.50 per person).

For info, please call 05 55 71 23 83.

Currently, we have British, French, and Dutch members.

We look forward to seeing you.

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

Learn French & learn to dance in a friendly environment every Tues & Fri evening from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

1st 2 sessions are free. Annual subscription is 80 euros per person.

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

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

Gardening

Les petits jardiniers du Limousin

As we all know, at the moment we are all staying safely at home. Therefore Les petits jardiniers du Limousin are not holding their monthly meetings until all is well again. Meanwhile it's a good opportunity to spend time in your garden, whether it's digging, pruning, chopping trees down, clearing out old plants or preparing seeds and plants for the coming season. You might, of course, be just sitting outside enjoying the feel of the sun on your face - what better way of passing an hour or two? Although we can't hold meetings, we are keeping in touch with members and friends and have set up a Facebook page where you will find gardening hints and photos of members' gardens to inspire us all during these difficult times.

Whilst some restrictions are being lifted and for which we are very grateful, group gatherings of over 10 people are not allowed at present and, of course, we must respect the rules of social distancing. Care of our members and friends is our first consideration and after much consideration it has been decided that meetings will not re-commence before the autumn at the earliest. An exact date has not yet been finalised.

We will get back to our monthly meetings eventually and have a grand reunion. Let's look forward to that!

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

The programme for the rest of 2020 was as follows. It will be updated as and when we are able to hold meetings again – watch this space!

May 21st June 18th July 16th August 20th

- Car rally and lunch, from 9.30am - Visit to Custos Apium + picnic (optional) - Crazy about Courgettes - Introduction to botanical art Integration

Learning Together – Apprenons Ensemble We offer an easy-going and relaxing range of social functions to bring members of the French and English communities together, and a range of language courses for different levels of experience in English and French in Rochechouart (87) and Brigueil (16), as well as a Life & Culture in France course in Rochechouart. All lessons are in small groups with qualified teachers for just 7€ per hour; membership costs only 16€ per year. Visit www.learningtogether87. com or email apprenonsensemble@ orange.fr for more information. For help and advice on choosing the right course telephone 05 55 58 02 88 or email frenchlessons.learningtogether@gmail. com CLE – (Charente Limousine Exchange) Founded in 2003 The Charente Limousine Exchange (CLE) are a group of enthusiastic members who form a valuable resource for the exchange of information, ideas and experiences. Run by a small volunteer committee they provide help and support with many varied issues associated with living in France.

CLE organise many social activities and regular trips, including monthly lunches, quizzes and (usually) friendly boules games. Forums on French tax and other relevant issues provide crucial membership support. Visit the website for more information and calendar of activities. President: Dave Brown.

Web: www.cle-france.com Tel: 05 49 87 05 85 Email: contact@cle-france.com Association Rencontres FrancoBritanniques The association of 120 members, based in Bourganeuf, aims to help British people become integrated in their communes and local life.

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

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

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

Contact: Christine Gee 05 55 64 22 25 Email: cgeeinfrance@gmail.com French Conversation Group at Les Billanges (87340) We are a small group who meet fortnightly for an hour and a half on Tuesday evenings during term time in Les Billanges, 87340, close to the Creuse/Haute-Vienne border. We are accompanied by a retired French Managing Editor: Steve Martindale Editor-in-Chief: Steve Martindale Registered Address: 19, route de Champagnac

17500 MEUX SIRET: 514 989 748 00025 Printed by: Charente Libre

16340, L’Isle d’Espagnac 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. Dépôt légal à parution.

September 6th - 8th Annual Show, from 10.00am October 15th - AGM + Tropical Plants & Bulbs November 19th - All about Grafting December 10th - Christmas party schoolteacher and a current French teacher of English. Discussion is informal, loosely based on everyday topics, including some grammar plus general discussion. We need a few more people to help keep it vibrant and to cater for inevitable absences. The only cost is yearly membership of the local Association, about €16, which brings with it other social opportunities. To find out more please contact Chrissy Smith at chrissysmith.rc@gmail.com Familles Rurales in Peyrat-le-Château Association Familles Rurales now offer assistance in English and Dutch to all non-French speaking people (British, Dutch, German, etc.) concerning all kinds of administrative steps. The service is available in Peyrat-le-Château and surrounding communes. We will try to provide information and help you find your way in social and administrative matters, as well as with practical matters where language is a problem.

Find Heleen Tichler-Botermans at the AFR office in Peyrat-le-Château on Mon/Wed/Thu from 9am to 12pm. You are welcome to drop in or make an appointment. www.famillesrurales.org/peyrat-lechateau E-mail: familles-rurales.infopeyrat@ orange.fr Telephone: 06 41 20 06 83 Office address: 19 avenue de la Tour, 87470 Peyrat-le-Château Familles Rurales 2 in St-Yrieix-laPerche Weekly courses in French for foreigners (mainly English and Dutch) living in the area. Four levels taught: Level 1 Beginners - Mon 10h30 - 12h; Level 2 - Thu 10h30 - 12h; Intermediate - Tue 10h30 - 12h; Advanced – Tue 14h - 16h.

All courses are held at our premises 1, rue de la Piscine, St-Yrieix-la-Perche 87500. For more info tel 05 55 09 30 86, email afr2.styrieix@wanadoo.fr or visit www.famillesrurales.org/styrieix Les Franglais de Banize (23120) French and English people meet every Wednesday at 2-3 pm in the mairie in Banize to share English and French language and lots of laughter.

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

The meetings have been going on for ten years now but new arrivals are always welcome. For more information please contact Anne Chadwick at lesfranglaisdebanize@orange.fr or tel 05 55 67 53 60.

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

The group is comprised both of Directeur: Steve Martindale Rédacteur-en-chef: Steve Martindale Siège: 19, route de Champagnac

17500 MEUX SIRET: 514 989 748 00025 Imprimé par: Charente Libre

16340, L’Isle d’Espagnac 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.

22 ♦ COMMUNITY French and English members and meets weekly, generally on Thursday afternoons, in Bessines-sur-Gartempe, when various activities take place, all aimed at promoting a friendly and welcoming ambiance.

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

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

Café Franglais Organised by the Amitiés Internationales du Pays de Boussac (AIPB). Every Wednesday evening at 18h30 in la Maison des Associations, Quartier Pasteur, 23600 Boussac. Come and join us for an informal chat to improve your French or English with native speakers in a café atmosphere whilst enjoying a drink and nibbles. From 9th January until 24th April without stopping for Easter. Break for the summer, then recommence 4th September until 11th December. For more info please email angela.dave@icloud.com.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by Catherine Hutchinson and Sue Greenbank.

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

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

Libraries & Books La Souterraine English Library and Information Centre Located in the historic Porte de Puy Charruad, at 10 rue de Portal, la Souterraine, we are a lively, well-stocked English language library with almost 4,000 books and DVDs available to borrow. We have an attractive cafe which serves tea, coffee and a range of home-made cakes when available. The library hosts a lively mixed conversation group for French and English speakers plus a more traditional French language class. There are a number of thriving and popular special interest groups such as the Art Group and Camera Club who regularly display their work in our cafe. We also have a Writers Group and hold a collection of their published books in the library. Whatever your interests don’t hesitate to pay us a visit and you will be made most welcome.

We are currently open Wed and Fri from 10h-13h.

For more info tel 05 55 89 57 62 during opening hours, email info@ lasouterraineenglishlibrary.fr or visit www. lasouterraineenglishlibrary.fr Sale of Second-hand Books, La Croisillesur-Briance On the 18th of every month, during the monthly market at La Croisille-sur-Briance (87130), there is a sale of second-hand books (both English and French) from 9 am to 12 noon, at the former restaurant in La Place, opposite the bar/tabac. All proceeds go towards the local school funds (for La Croisille-sur-Briance and St-Méard RPI).

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ SEPTEMBER 2020

CANCER SUPPORT FRANCE Charente Plus

Venus

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

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

Facebook : Cancer Support France - Charente-Plus The English Library – La Bibliothèque Anglophone, Dun-le-Palestel The English Library, which has now been established for over 12 years, is part of the Anglo-French Association Entente Cordiale and is situated in the route des Ratteries, adjacent to the Bibliothèque Municipale, Parc Benjamin Bord. The Library is a very welcoming meeting place, where you can come and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, whilst browsing through our extensive collection of around 10,000 books, talking books and DVDs. Thanks to donations and an active purchasing policy we are able to offer something for everyone. For our new acquisitions we concentrate on recent publications, as well as member requests for older books.

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

Entente Cordiale hosts a wide range of other groups and activities too, including English lessons, French lessons, Traditional Dance Group, Art Group, Theatre group, Les Troubadours, Traditional Embroidery Group, Walking Football and Badminton.

For more information email eccreuse@ yahoo.com Music OuiRock Choir Do you enjoy singing? Fancy being part of a great group of people who come together once a week? If you do, why not come along to a taster session. We meet every Wednesday evening at 18h at the salle des fêtes in St-Sulpice-les-Feuilles (87160).

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more information email Jacky at jjsclubdemusique@gmail.com Live music sessions, Rochechouart Our monthly acoustic music sessions are on hold until further notice. Members will be kept up to date via email and through our Facebook group “Folk-Galerie”.

In the meantime, for your delectation, we will add videos from past sessions onto the Facebook page which will show the huge variety of music which can be enjoyed when we are up and running again.

If you would like to perform or just come along to listen, join the Facebook Group now or contact folk.galerie@gmail.com for

more information.

Support

I am Venus, an 11-year-old Bleu de Gascogne cross and I came to the refuge six years ago, after my owner died.

I am a friendly boy, slightly fearful when I first meet new people, but once I get to know you, I love having cuddles. I am clean in my box, enjoy my walks and can get along with female dogs, but no children please.

After all these years, I suppose I have resigned myself to the fact that I will probably end my days at the refuge, like so many of the other older dogs there. But that doesn't stop me from dreaming of a warm comfortable place to lay my head, with days spent being loved, by a family of my own. If only!

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

Alcoholics Anonymous is a Fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership and A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

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

CSF 24 hour helpline: 06 45 35 32 30, Email csfcharenteplus@gmail.com, Facebook: Cancer Support France - Charente Plus Volunteers & Active Listeners needed (full training will be given). If you are interested please email: bloomdenis@outlook.com CSF Charity Shop open at 3 rue Nationale, 16150 Chabanais (entrance opposite the mairie – we are on the 1st floor upstairs) Tue & Wed from 10 am – 4 pm.

Cancer Support France Haute-Vienne We offer free and confidential support to English speakers affected by Cancer in the Haute-Vienne (87), Creuse (23), Corrèze (19) & Indre (36). Our helpline number is 0800 240 200.

If you would like more information or would like to become a member or help in any other way, please contact Sue Ware 05 55 00 31 15, helpline@cshautevienne.org or visit www.cshautevienne.org Association France Alzheimer in Dordogne The national French charity supporting families affected by dementia. A network of English-speaking volunteers works across Dordogne to help expats and their families.

English language support groups meet near Bergerac on the first Tuesday of each month and in Eymet on the third Wednesday of each month.

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

Cancer Support Haute-Vienne

affiliated to

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

HELPLINE 0800 240 200 www.cshautevienne.org

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

Les petits jardiniers du Limousin The committee met recently to discuss future meetings of our gardening Association. Care of our members and friends is our first consideration and after much deliberation it was decided that the Annual General Meeting, which is held in October each year, will take place via email. I will send an email in early October and you will have the opportunity to send nominations for the posts of President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary and Committee members, all of whom must be paid-up members. When all nominations have been received, paid-up members will have the opportunity to vote – again by email. The voting will determine the Association's Officers and Committee members for the year October 2020 to October 2021.

It was also decided that the next open meeting of Les petits jardiniers du Limousin will be held on Thursday, 19th November, subject to no restrictions being in place. We will hold a car rally followed by lunch (with social distancing rules being observed). The rally will start from the Mairie in St-Amand-le-Petit and finish in the same place. Full details will be issued nearer the time. In December we will have our usual Christmas party which will include a buffet lunch as we celebrate the Association's 10th anniversary.

Members and supporters of our Association will receive emails both about the AGM and the forthcoming meetings. If you would like to be on our mailing list then please message me with your name and email address. I shall be very happy to add you to the list and you will receive all future notifications.

Whilst meetings will re-commence in November, subject to no resurgence of the coronavirus, our Facebook page – go onto Facebook and we're under 'groups' as Les petits jardiniers du Limousin - will continue as a platform for sharing your beautiful photographs, your comments and your sense of humour.

Do have a look at us there and if you're one of the many who already post items, then thank you for helping to make it such a success.

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

CHARITY SHOP

Do please come in and visit us.

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

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

WHAT’S ON ♦ 23

SEPTEMBER 2020 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

26, Ecurat 23150

Tres Jolie Milhageut Ladies Fashion and Accessories

Returning to Piégut Market this month Katherine at 'Dizzy & Co Designs' in Saint-Claud (16450) is now stocking my 'Made in Italy' clothing range. Please pop over to the shop at 9 rue François Daigueplats to see all the beautiful things she has.

See Facebook page: "Tres Jolie Milhaguet"

Bugle Notice Board

05 55 53 03 56 / 06 04 08 29 53 paula.tresjolie@gmail.com

Sat 12th to Sun 13th Sep GUÉRET Forêt Follies Popular event, attracting thousands of visitors, which focuses our attention on sustainable development, set in the middle of 2,000 hectares of forest in which a village is created for the occasion.

There is entertainment throughout the day: artisanal crafts & produce, workshops, games, play areas, music, food & drink, etc. Plus...

- The allée Pierre la Grosle will be dedicated to land art with artists on site transforming the forest using natural materials such as wood, soil, stone and sand - Le petit train Chabrières Forêt Follies will allow visitors to explore the forest by train - Chainsaw sculpting symposium with talented and renowned sculptors - Slacklining and tree climbing - Information stand by the Association France Lyme for advice about prevention against ticks Forêt de Chabrières on the route de Bourganeuf.

9h-19h30.

Tickets: 9+ €5; 4-8 yrs €4; free for Under 3s.

For more information visit: www.foretfollies.com/ Sun 13th Sep ARGENTON-SUR-CREUSE Concert : Les Trompettes de Versailles Concert organised by Les amis de l'orgue

Le Restaurant Ecurat

Covid 19 has impacted on us all, although hopefully it is now diminishing. We have delayed our reopening to make some changes, e.g. a new parking area, a new terrace, an additional new menu including fast food to take away or eat in the garden or the terraces.

It will be good to welcome you again!

Facebook: lerestaurantecurat Tel: 05 55 81 31 85

d'Argenton-sur-Creuse featuring Les Trompettes de Versailles (organ and trumpet). Programme: Couperin, Bessonnet, Haydn, Vivaldi, Guilmant, Vierne, Liszt, de Lalande.

Eglise Saint-Sauveur. 17h. Libre participation.

Contact: tel 06 87 50 63 05.

Sat 19th to Sun 20th Sep LES BILLANGES Guided visits as part of the European Heritage Days Take a historic pause on « The Way of Saint-James » and visit the Norman style fortified church of Les Billanges. This ancient monument sited along the Via Lemovicensis or Vézelay Way, one of the famous main trails through France to Compostela, will enchant you with its structure, which was strengthened and fortified either at the beginning of the 15th century to fight the English invaders during the Hundred Years' War or during the 16th century Wars of Religion. You will discover the partly displayed frescoes on the walls inside representing saints as well as two reliquaries dating from the 13th century and coming from the Abbey of Grandmont.

Guided visits in English and/or French are being organised by the ASPLB (Association pour la Sauvegarde du Patrimoine Les Billanges), a non-profit organisation created in January 2018 whose aim is to collect funds for the restoration of the church.

The two guides will be delighted to tell you more during the visits.

Free guided visits. Sat 19th: 10 am / 2:30 pm / 4 pm Sun 20th: 2:30 pm / 4 pm

Guided visits of the Norman style church of Les Billanges are being organised by the ASPLB Saturday 19th September 10 am / 2:30 pm / 4 pm Sunday 20th September 2:30 pm / 4 pm

Association de Sauvegarde du Patrimoine Les Billanges

Do you have an event for The Bugle?

HERITAGE DAYS

06 04 17 80 93 - notices@thebugle.eu

Sun 20th Sep GUÉRET Fête bio écologique: Colchique Bio & ecology fair at the lac de Courtille.

Over 90 stands. 10h - 19h.

24 ♦ WHAT’S ON

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ SEPTEMBER 2020

The Bugle Film Club

Thursday 10th September

THE FILM CLUB IS BACK!! ... email editor@thebugle.eu to join the mailing list What? Tenet Where? Cinéma Sénéchal, 1 rue du Sénéchal, 23000 Guéret When? 19h00, 2nd Thursday of the month How much? JUST €4 (if you mention The Bugle when purchasing your ticket)

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

The Journées européennes du patrimoine (European Heritage Days) take place this month on 19th and 20th September.

This is a popular event throughout France, which sees many state buildings and museums open their doors to visitors.

There is not enough space in these pages to list everything going on so pop down to your local tourist office or visit www.journeesdupatrimoine.culture.fr/ to find out what is happening in your area.

Latest news throughout the month: www.thebugle.eu