Editorial
December 2011
By Julia Dunbar
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE
It seems rather strange writing that when outside the sun is shining, some flowers are still blooming and my guinea-pig is out on the grass. My neighbour, Marcel, tells me that it was at this time last year that snow began and continued right up to Christmas, which I remember well as I couldn’t get out to my planned Christmas Dinner. Who knows what this winter’s weather will be like? it is certainly always an opener for a conversation in both French and English.
It’s that time also to say a sincere thank you to everyone who has supported Creuse News this year, whether it is reading it, delivering it, contributing to it, printing it or advertising in it. This year has once again been hard for most people rising prices, lower incomes, higher bills, but perhaps to put everything into perspective, Steve from the Ariège Flyer sent me this -
‘If you have food in your fridge, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of the world. If you have money in the bank, your wallet and some spare change you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy. If you woke up this morning with more health than illness you are more blessed than the million people who will not survive the week. If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the agony of torture or imprisonment, or the pangs of hunger you are luckier than 500 million people alive and suffering. If you can read this message you are more fortunate than the 3 billion people in the world who cannot read at all.’
That certainly makes you realise what the important things in life are, in fact I meet such inspiring people through Creuse News who seem to have got their priorities right – helping sick neighbours, being there for handicapped people, giving some love and time to an animal or two, calling in for a chat with an elderly person or someone who is alone, offering a helping hand now and again, perhaps in these hard times this is the only way to go – ‘la solidarité’ as they say in French.
Anyway, have a lovely Christmas, see you in the New year and to quote Wendy Cope -
‘Christmas, here again,
let us raise a loving cup, peace on earth,
goodwill to men,
and make them do the washing up!’
Julia Dunbar,
Editor
LATEST NEWS
NEW SINGLES GROUP AT THE LA SOUTERRAINE ENGLISH LIBRARY A new singles group is being started at the La Souterraine English Library. The initial meeting will be at 2.30 pm on Wednesday 7th December 2011, and again on the first Wednesday of each month. The aim of this group is to put single people in touch with each other and to form new friendships and contacts. Once the group is formed, it is hoped the members will decide the sort of activities it wishes to undertake. “Single people have a difficult time”, said Rodney Sabine, Library President. “They may have arrived here with a partner who has died or who has left them. It is in the nature of the Creuse that such people can feel isolated, however friendly their neighbours are, because of the distances between towns and villages. This group will help to put them in touch with other people in a similar situation.” All Enquiries to Rodney Sabine on 05 55 63 03 87 e-mail stjeanbiblio@yahoo.com
Featured Article:
CREUSE NEWS Trip to Paris in the Spring ...
I recently met Roger-Paul Cardot and Suzanne Allen, experienced travel organisers and guides, whose company Musique Jeunes et Voyages was started 20 years ago, initially sending young musicians from France over to Wales to perform alongside Welsh musicians. More recently the company has expanded to offer ‘Discover France’ bespoke tours with Roger-Paul giving his informed and inspirational commentary to travellers.
While talking together we came up with the idea of offering a short stay in Paris for Creuse News readers, next Spring, to be organised by Suzanne and Roger-Paul, whose knowledge of the ‘hidden’ Paris, the ‘out of the way’ restaurants, those things that many tourists never get to see, is worth experiencing. So, if you feel like having something to look forward to after the winter, then contact Julia at Creuse News, in the first place, to register your interest in seeing Paris in the Spring with Roger-Paul, Suzanne and Creuse News.
IN BRIEF DECEMBER 2011
ON THE ROUTE OF RICHARD THE LIONHEART ‘The Rando-Festival Richard The Lionheart is an original show in Europe combining tourism, culture and sport, to discover the country where the famous troubadour king entered into legend of History. Become an actor-spectator of a unique event!’ – that’s what it says on the website www.rando-festival-richard.fr .
The 2012 edition of this spectacle is due to take place from the 1st August to the 5th and will celebrate Richard’s life, with costumes, dance, music, meals, horses, live ‘tableaux’ on the route of Richard Coeur de Lion around Châlus and of course includes Eleanor of Acquitaine, one of the most influential and richest women of her time, who was Richard’s mother, and became Queen of both France and England after first marrying Louis VII of France and then Henry II of England.
The organizers of this spectacular event are looking for volunteers, if you are at all interested in helping or appearing in any way, then you can have a look at the website or phone 06 70 64 33 43 or by mail on festival.richard@orange.fr. I spoke to Englishman Peter Maskell who has previously taken part in this event and he said ‘it is an experience not to be missed, emotional, enriching and fun too.’
MERRY CHRISTMAS - BABY EQUIPMENT FOR HIRE Once again thank you to everyone who has hired baby equipment from me; we managed to raise €105 for the SPA. Thanks also to those who kindly donated another €55. We have not made as much as we did last year but still it all goes to help look after the dogs. I am also grateful to the people from whom we received kind donations of dog bowls, beds, towels, bedding and a small cage for a puppy. All in all I think probably we did just as well. It was good to see old and new friends and catch up on events in other areas.
Again I would like to appeal, on behalf of the SPA, for items for the dogs and for keeping the kennels clean, e.g. blankets, covers, carpet, bowls, pots, buckets, brooms, mops, cleaning products, food, boxes, collars and leads. If you do not want to take them yourself then I don’t mind taking them on your behalf. If you have any spare time and like walking, especially with a dog (which I find much more enjoyable), then the SPA are only too pleased to welcome you to take a dog for a walk. We try to help the SPA by looking after dogs with special needs such as extra care after an operation or rehabilitation. This year we looked after Tweed and Georgie.
Tweed was so starved when he first came to us our vet was sure he would not survive. He did pull through. We nicknamed him Alex because he resembled a meerkat when he stood on his hind legs. Although he is not what you would call cute, he is a lovely dog: timid, not aggressive and very affectionate. If you are looking for a dog and visit the SPA at Gueret then please don’t pass him by. Georgie is a six month old black and white spaniel who had a fracture to his hind leg. That didn’t stop him jumping around and trying to run when he was supposed to stay calm and quiet. He is a wonderful character and would be easy to train as he loves his food. If anyone would like to buy a SPA 2012 calendar they are on sale at the SPA at a cost of €8, to help with funds. If you wish to contact me about any item mentioned above then please give me a call on 0555549636. Merry Christmas to everyone, hope you have all managed to get the shopping done, and a Happy New Year, even if we are all snowed in. Jean Whitham
