Remembrance Day in Catus

Remembrance Day was celebrated with a ceremony by the war memorial attended by a large number of villagers. In France, the signing of the armistice ending hostilties of the First World War in 1918 on the "11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month" is usually referred to as le jour de l'Armistice or le jour du Souvenir. As one of the most important military celebrations in France it is a national holiday and since 2012 the occasion is also used to honour those who gave their lives for France. In France the blue cornflower (Bluet de France) is used symbolically rather than the poppy.

Concert, 4 August 2013

A classical concert was held in the Church of Saint-Astier, Catus, on Sunday 4 August. The performance was by Sonia Sempéré (soprano), Helen Linden (cello) and Emmanuel Pelaprat (piano).

A selection of romantic music by Gounod, Fauré, Chausson, Godard and others was enjoyed by well over 100 people in the audience.

The concert was organised by the Association de Sauvegard des Monuments et Sites, Catus

Bal sous la Halle - Catus

On Thursday 4 July the village was entertained by traditional French music and dancing. The music was provided by students of traditional music and their teachers at the Conservatoire of Music in Cahors.

Dancing to the music.....

Fête du Pain (Bread Fete) in Terrié

On Sunday 30 June the village of Terrié in the Catus commune had a Fête du Pain organised by the local Association les 4 Vents (the 4 winds). The event was attended by some 80 people who enjoyed a hearty meal of roasted meats, potatoes and courgettes gratin, melon, cheeses and a free flow of wine. The highlight was of course the baking of bread by our local baker Jimmy Breton in a traditional stone oven. After the meal we took a short walk to a well which has been lovingly restored by the inhabitants of Terrié.

Inside the bread oven

Outside view of the bread oven

Andre & Jimmy Breton (the baker)

The restored well

Creative Arts Fair, Catus.

Catus held its first big fair of the spring and summer season in the halle (covered marketplace) on Sunday 26th May. The Fair covered the creative arts with exhibits of their work by potters, milliners, iron-workers, wood-workers and other crafts. Some of the exhibitors also showed demonstrations of their craft.

 

Transhumance, 16-20 April.

The transhumance is an annual movement of livestock between winter and summer pastures. In the Lot department this tradition was revived a few years ago and takes place over a few days between Rocamadour and Luzech, involving hundreds of sheep. It has become a tradition for ramblers to follow the sheep on one or more days during the event. The ramblers include not only walkers, but also those on horseback, carts drawn by donkeys and walkers accompanied by their donkeys.

Choral event at renovated church of St Astier, Catus

On Sunday 14th May, 2013 the renovated interior of the church of St Astier resounded to an excellent performance by the choral group, Côté Chœur, from Cahors. The group entertained the audience to a varied selection of music - both traditional and modern choral works. This was the first public event since the inauguration of the renovated church (see earlier post).

Watch some video of the performance below......

Inauguration of Restored Church of St Astier

The church of St Astier, which dates back to the 12th century, underwent major renovation work over the past few years. Restoration work included the roof, damp-proofing, the painting of the crucifixion, the high altar and repair and painting of the internal structure and the stained-glass windows. The inauguration of the restored church  on 7th April, 2013 was celebrated at a mass by Mgr Norbert Turini, bishop of Cahors and officially presided over by a number of civil dignitaries. The event was attended by many of the inhabitants of Catus. A vin d'honneur in front of the church ended a magnificent day for the village.

The church of St Astier

The restored main altar

A choir singing in the restored chancel - 2011

The restored painting of the crucifixion

Curé Cambon and Mgr Turini

Part of the congregation at the inauguration

Vin d'honneur outside the church

Carnival Time for old and young in Catus – 2013

The 7th of March was the third Thursday in Lent (called la mi-carême in France) and carnival time. This year a carnival was organised for residents from the local retirement home (EHPAD - établissement d'hébergement pour personnes âgées dépendantes) with the help of volunteers and children from the local school. The elderly EHPAD residents had made masks for the occasion and the children wore fancy-dress costumes, playing musical instruments as they paraded around the village and gathered in la halle (the recently restored covered market). Luckily on this winter’s day the sun was shinning and it was quite mild. It was such a treat for the elderly; some of them not having the opportunity to go outside often in the winter months. What a pleasing sight to see the young and old enjoying themselves together!

(A selection of photos by Robert Blaty)