Dear Editor,
I think most of us left England and came to France to find a better lifestyle, and most of us have found it. This area is beautifully old fashioned, reasonably crime-free and is almost quaint compared to the mayhem and stress we left back in England.

However, there is a risk of this area becoming the same as what we left and this situation could well be caused by our very own actions. I refer to the very English habit (possibly human habit) of shopping around for the cheapest deal. Obviously we must all watch the purse strings and no-one likes to be ripped off, but if we all shop as cheaply as possible, or so we think, then eventually we will have only the large conglomerates, just as we had in England.

I have lived here now for 5 years and have always bought locally and supported small premises and I have found that it has paid off big time. The service from the smaller people is far superior, delivery dates more accurate and we feel we have made a few friends along the way. For instance, if I buy 20 sheets of plasterboard from somewhere in Limoges I will pay perhaps a slightly lower price, but then I will pay extra for delivery and then it will be dropped outside my house regardless of the weather conditions and I will be left to get it inside. If I buy the same material from a local company, usually it will be delivered for free and the delivery driver helps me in getting it indoors – big difference in service, little difference in price!

Whilst I am on this roller coaster of praise-giving to local enterprise, I would like to say a big thank you to Richard Ware of Services Linguistiques et Practiques, for his invaluable help over the years. This man has not only helped myself, my wife and my daughter to comprehend the French language he has also saved us thousands (literally) in taxes, cotisations and wasted time had we tried to do it all ourselves. He also helped me whilst setting myself up in business and I now have so much work I may have need to employ help - Richard and his lovely wife, Sue, have also become friends. I tip my hat to this man and his abilities, a true gem!

Bob Darvell, 16150 Chabrac