Breton Horses - thecbj.com

Central Brittany Journal – October 201016 LettersLettersProblems with OrangeI was very interested the read of the difficulties Gordonand Audrey Wilson (CBJ September) with Orange.I sympathizewith them for my wife has had a bad and frustratingexperience with that Company.For four years she had a contract telephone with the Orangecompany but hardly used the telephone at all. Thecontract was due to "roll-over"for a further period of timeon February 19th this year The decision was made thatshe would be happier with an English telephone andtherefore visited the same office in Pontivy that Mr. & Mrs.Wilson visited We eventually sat down with a representativeand told him that we did not with to continue the contractnor even take their "pay as you go" telephone.In fact we did not wish to have anything to do with theCompany.We left that office convinced that we had done everythingpossible and in good time to cancel the contract.Surprise,surprise another monthly bill arrived which wasreturned stating that the contract had been cancelled.More bills arrived and eventually a debt collector's letter.With this we rushed to Pontivy again only to be toldto ring "this number" which we did upon returning homeWe understood that the charming young lady who repliedconfirmed that the contract had been cancelled and therewould be a refund to my wife.However, soon afterwardsyet another bill arrived for the line which had been cancelled.Pontivy again and another number to ring - the differencethis time - we were told to write to Bordeaux to cancelthe contract. This was done but it had taken five monthsbefore anyone could or would give us the correct information.Surely if Pontivy is the Agency for Orange, any cancellationshould be done in that office, for they are veryquick to take money off a client. Eventually we have a billwith a NEGATIVE sum on it and we are still negotiating totry to get OUR money back.To take money without providing the service is, to saythe least, sharp practice, and the word "voleur" springsto mind.Brian GouldGuernHoles in the GardenPlease can you tell us just what is causing the perforationsin our grass, pairs of holes about 5cm diameterare appearing all over our garden / field. We have acat and dog so dare not use anything that might harmthem.We have found a toad hiding in one hole. The molesleft when the dog arrived, but these pairs of holes keepincreasing. We are trying to create a garden - so far,www.thecbj.comthe holes have not appeared by my veggies, rosesor camellias.So please can you advise.RegardsDavid and Marie Moran (Locmenal)If they resemble someone having stuck a broom polein the ground and no spoil round the hole then theyare quite likely voles or campagnols in French. That'squite broad, as there a several different voles andthe culprit is probably a short-tailed vole. They makeruns in long grass, may damage the roots of plantsand will damage young trees if their trunks are notkept clear of grass until they are established. Keepinggrass short will help (not bowling green) You mayfind collections of opened nut shells in sheds and dryplaces. Birds of prey will take voles but not if grass islong. I believe that when you get big increases in volenumbers, owls etc raise more chicks and the numbersgo down. Anita Chapman see also Tim p. 39THE TRACTOR CO-OPDo you own land that you find expensive ordifficult to manage? A group of Brittany residentsare considering ways of sharing the costs and effortinvolved by forming a tractor and equipmentco-operative.British house buyers in France often findthemselves in possession of more attachedground than is usual in the UK. This may includeovergrown or unkempt gardens and fields, unmanagedhedges and woodland. Restoring somesemblance of order can be a pricey undertakingand continuing maintenance is usually necessary,requiring the use of contractors or the purchaseor hire of expensive equipment.A number of owners in areas 29 and 22 arelooking at ways of reducing these costs by forminga co-ooperative. The aim is to purchase asmall tractor with grass cutting, hedge-trimming,digging and rotavating, etc. equipment which canbe used by all members. The co-operative wouldenjoy the services of an experienced agriculturalengineer and tuition in the use of equipmentwould be available.Membership would depend on payment of aonce-only fee for shared ownership of the tractorand other capital equipment, plus a yearly sumfor maintenance, etc.The co-operative is presently at the ideasstage and all suggestions would be welcomed. Ameeting of all those interested in the scheme willbe announced shortly.If you would like to attend, please send yourname, address and telephone number/emailaddress to:Replies to: CBJ, BP4, 22160 Callac (please markenvelope 'Tractor Coop'