As every year, the local Catalan donkey
gets its special tribute in the village of
Baillestavy. At the Fête de l’Ane Catalan,
you will find local food products,
handicrafts, discover the activities of various
associations and of course, meet all sorts of
donkeys, including the famous Catalan
breed. Children will enjoy donkey riding,
painting, games, etc. Meals will be available
so come and enjoy a day out in a little
known but very pretty valley on the side of
the Canigou.
Fête de l’Ane
Catalan:
September 21.
Contact association
‘Els Amics de
vallestavia’:
04 68 05 92 33 or
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The King Edward Lodge,
No.1521 under the Constitution
of the Grand Loge National Français,
has a constitution recognised
by UGLE and, by special dispensation,
conducts its meetings in English.
It meets four times a year, March,
April, September (Installation)
and November, at the Philadelphes
Masonic Temple, Domaine du
Grand Boutes, Chemin de
Boutes, Narbonne.
Always a Saturday and at 10am. Lunch at
12.30pm. Annual subscription is €350.
Dining costs about €25 per person. The
Secretary is W.Bro.C.O’Grady, Villanoue,
Routes d’Auzas, 31360 Mancioux, Tel: 05
61 97 60 14
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Like the UK, France takes
safety at sea and sea
rescues seriously. But as ever
there is a difference. In the
UK, the RNLI has to raise all
the money for this essential
service, by charitable events
and flag day. France takes a
different view – the State and
local government pay for and
maintain all the boats. In
both countries, the crew are
volunteers but in France the
lifeboat crews don’t have to
beg to keep their service
going. “Gosh, how
wonderful,” was how
coxswain Chris Rundle from
Somerset described the
difference when we met him
with the crew of the ‘Valras
Plage’ recently. “It is really
an eye-opener to see the
support the French
volunteers get,” Chris told
us. “I wish the UK
government would be as
foresighted.”
This month, a team will trek up three peaks in the Pyrénées to raise
money for Cancer Research UK. If you would like to take part in
the challenge, there are still some places left on the team or you can
show your support through sponsorship.
This non-technical yet tough trek will test the team’s endurance
while taking them through the stunning Pyrénées National Park and
the famous UNESCO World Heritage site of Gavarnie.
This year, the second performance
of Handel’s Messiah will take
place in the church of Saint-Corneille
in Puycelsi at 6pm on Saturday
September 13. The scratch performance
will be sung by a group of English,
French and other choristers, who
will have travelled from as far away
as the Netherlands for the opportunity
to sing Handel’s magnificent work
in a small medieval church in the
Tarn in south-west France.
During the Marciac jazz festival fortnight, pianist Omar Sosa
and his band wowed the audience with African rhythms,
despite horrendous storms all around and a temporary
evacuation of the giant chapiteau. Let’s hope this sensational
Cuban musician will be top of the bill next year.
On the last night in the chapiteau, the ground-level seats
were taken out to accommodate 8,500 fans of the multitalented
Emir Kusturica and The No Smoking Orchestra.
Their energetic music, a mix of gypsy, jazz, rock and Latino,
was animated with frenetic stunts and dancing. The crowd
loved them
Albi cathedral of Sainte-Cécile, the patron saint of musicians,
was overflowing for the concert given by the International
Harp Ensemble, visiting from Surrey, UK on August 12.
The harpists gave three packed-out concerts, the last at
Vénès, near Realmont, hosted by garden writer Joan Clifton.
Celtic, French, Russian and Jamaican music reflected the
versatility of the harp. The ensemble is made up largely of
young musicians, the youngest just six years old. Harp
teacher Luisa-Maria Cordell founded the ensemble in 2001
with eight members. The numbers have risen, with 25 making
the visit to Albi. Luisa-Maria has performed solo and with
top orchestras in the UK and overseas, and for the British
royal family.
On November 4 the American people will choose a
new president. Who would be the next president of the United
States of America - if the world could vote?
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