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 17th May 2008
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Tarn & Aveyron Local News - Online English Newspaper Here’s where you can keep abreast of all news from the Tarn & Aveyron. Keep up to date with the regional news stories, local news, and news from the expat community. Whilst we at FrenchEntreé Tarn & Aveyron will obviously do our utmost to keep our fingers on the pulse, we rely on you the readers to submit any news worthy stories us. Please email me any interesting stories or events. Nathalie Bolton Editor more about us... Watch Sky NewsWatch sky news Watch sky news...
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Tarn & Aveyron News - March 2008.jpg)
Negotiations are underway to keep 2 return flights per week after 25th October 2008 on the London Stansted route and are looking at possibilities to keep the Dublin flights during the winter. 
The last wolf killed in the Tarn officially dates back to 1886. But there is more and more evidence that wolves are back again in the Black Mountains (southern Tarn). .jpg)
Brive have confirmed that France international lock Arnaud Mela has signed a three year contract and will join the club at the end of the season. Mela , who is currently with Albi, made his international debut against Ireland in the Six Nations after getting a call up to replace the injured Pascal Papé.
In October 2007, Jean Puech, who was still President of the Conseil General of Aveyron, had promised that the department of Aveyron would have full broadband internet coverage by the end of February 2008. Find out the progress and check if your area is cover
A large Hotel and Spa was due to open in 2008 but it is now unlikely to be ready on time. Building work was due to start in January 2007 but in March 2008 diggers could still not be seen around the golf club.
Toulouse Airport reached for the first time in history 6 million passengers. Also it was announced that there will not be any second Toulouse airport in order to preserve the environment.One of the possible locations was Rabastens in the Tarn.
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On Tuesday 15th January 2008 the industrial tribunal (Tribunal des Prud’hommes) eventually decided in the favour of the 12 postmen of the Tarn who were defended by their Trade Union, CGT. La Poste will therefore have to pay for the time the postmen need to put on and take off their uniforms, which represents 10 minutes each day. 
In the Tarn from 31st December, 33 bakers will sell Galettes des Rois, in which “fèves” will be hidden, representing rugby shirts of the 12 clubs of the Tarn.
New rules come in from 2 January 2008 banning smoking from social places, or lieux de convivialité. But some are already prepared to tough things out and face up to the authorities in the Tarn & Aveyron.
A month after flights between London and Rodez were grounded for the winter, many local businesses have started to feel the impact. A local estate agent anticipates a drop by 30 % of English customers. Hotels have seen a decrease in bookings.
Robert Lund has been jailed for 12 years after a French jury found him guilty of killing his wife.The jury in Albi took three and half hours to reach its verdict of involuntary homicide after a week-long trial.
On Wednesday 3rd October 2007, Matthieu Glasson, commercial director of Ryanair France confirmed that Ryanair will stop its flights between Rodez and London Standsted between 27th October 2007 and 27th April 2008.
The murder trial of British man Robert Lund, 55, will take place from 15th to 19th October at the “Cour d’Assises” of the Tarn (criminal court) in Albi. He is accused of murdering his wife, Evelyn Wilkinson, who was found dead in her 4x4 in Lac Bancalié in the Tarn on 13th October 2004. 
It snowed on Thursday 27th September on the Aubrac. This rarely happens in September says Meteo France. It is time to start getting your skis ready!
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The MJC (Maison des Jeunes et de la Culture – Youth and Cultural Centre) in Lisle sur Tarn is now offering French classes (Français Langue Etrangères = FLE) for foreigners living in the Tarn.
On Monday 17th September at 1700, a hailstorm caused major damage in Albi and the surrounding area. The hailstones were the size of golf balls. The wind was extremely strong and trees fell on roads, including the A68 motorway between Albi and Toulouse.
On Wednesday 19th September, the largest plane in the word flew over the tallest bridge of the world. For this test flight, the plane was ballasted with water to simulate a normal load. This took place with hundreds of people taking pictures of this special event. There were no clouds to spoil the pictures.
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On Wednesday 15th August, there was a mini tornado in Penne which lasted about 15 minutes from 2045 to 2100. As a result 910 homes had no electrics from Penne to Vaour. Some trees fell down cutting access to villages such as La Peyriere.
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A group of English people, 5 adults and 2 children, had a lucky escape on Wednesday 15th August. They had left early afternoon for a kayaking trip and the sun was shining. But the weather turned nasty. The kayak company called the gendarmes and fire brigade but were found later that evening.
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The consequences of the discovery of Foot and Mouth Disease in England has spoiled the 60th Festival of Laguiole and Saint Geniez Festival, where Aubrac cows were to be shown in an exhibition of cows, has been temporarely prohibited by the French Ministry of Agriculture
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Nigel and Suzy Atkins opened their brand new Ceramic Centre last week. Thirty years after opening their pottery in Cantal, they have moved it to the Aveyron (Le Fel). This artistic centre will be inaugurated in November 2007. But in the meantime you can visit the masterpieces of Joan Carillo, Esther Ramos and, of course, Suzy Atkins.
There is more and more demand for English books in the Aveyron therefore more and more books on offer.There are a number of reasons including the phenomenon Harry Potter. As the French version comes out later than the English version, the fans have to read it in English!
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The prefect of Tarn confirms that 130 Wind Turbines are about to be built in the Tarn.Next month the building of wind farms in Murat (9), Lamontélarié (5), Le Margnès (6), Assac (10), Serviès et Cuq-le-Vielmur (6) and Arfons (11) will commence.
Tarn Cricket Club beat St Aulaye by 9 wickets, at Lisle sur Tarn, to reach the Siddalls Cup Final. They will play Toulouse at Damazan on 26 August.
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Trevor Morris, a builder from Laguepie has been leading a double life as a columnist for an English newspaper. He now has published his articles in a new book 'Vive La Rénovation’ which you can buy or order online.
For the third year in a row, the Festival of the Lot Valley (Aveyron, Lot, Lot-et-Garonne, Lozère, Cantal) took place in June 2007 in Covent Garden, London.
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On 27 June 2007, an eighteen months old child was found dead in Cordes-sur-Ciel. Currently the cause of death is un-known. The police on arrival discovered alcohol and drugs in the apartment. They are now investigating if the child had taken some which caused the death.
This project is named “Gouter l’Aveyron” : taste of Aveyron. The product will comprise of a cone made of bread for savoury food or a cone made of fouace or brioche for the sweet food.
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The role of the association ” L’oiseau Lyre” in Albi is to bring together artists and “concert hosts”. The hosts can organise a concert in their own home.
Tarn cricket club won on Sunday 17 June very convincingly bowling midi out for 15, and then Tarn taking only 7 balls to complete the victory. Tarn are now top of Pool F of the Barclays National League.
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At the end of May 2007, the CEO of the Laboratory Pierre Fabre announced the creation of 2 new production units in the Tarn. A dermo-cosmetics production (producing the brands Avene and Ducray) unit will be located in Saint-Sulpice and a pharmaceutical factory in Castres.
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At the end of May 2007, the town council of Albi unanimously approved the extension of the Rugby Stadium. Pierre Brunerie, the architect, said that the capacity of the Grandstand, currently 1800 seats, will be increased by 2200 seats with the East Stand a metallic structure.
With more than 363 000 inhabitants, the Tarn has now a much larger population than in 1851 and there will be more inhabitants in the Tarn than ever this year. The population is concentrated in the western Tarn with towns which are expanding fast such as Gaillac, Lavaur, Saint-Sulpice and Lisle-sur-Tarn.
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For its 5th Summer, the leisure park is being relaunched with a new management team, Vert Marine. Pascal Rembert, the new director, says that “people need to return to the site and notice that it is a clean and welcoming environment with staff who will smile again”.
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Young rugby players from Leigh Rugby League team near Manchester came to Villefranche de Rouergue towards the end of May. The Leigh junior rugby players have been coming to the bastide of Villefranche annually for the past 10 years. 130.JPG)
It took 5 months of negotiations to obtain the authorisation to close the motorway A75 for 2 hours for the Half Marathon. But on Sunday 13th May, 20 extra minutes were necessary to allow the 10,500 runners to cross the Bridge.
The Dépêche du Midi tested the Cafés of Albi and ranked the best Cafés based on criteria’s such as welcome, price, speed, the décor and, above all, atmosphere. .jpg)
At 60, the explorer and former doctor from the Tarn, is not ready to slow down. He has just returned from a exploratory 3 week trip in the Artic to prepare for the main expedition in Spring 2008 when he will be flying over the Artic in a hot air balloon. 
On Monday 4th May 2007, the judging of the best Gaillac wines took place. The judges had to taste 340 samples in 20 categories of AOC and Vins de Pays from 65 local vineyards.
In May 2007, during a VIP Rugby evening, the Maire of Albi, Philippe Bonnecarrère, discussed the idea of merging Albi and Castres Rugby Clubs in front of 1200 people. Having a club in Top 14 is expensive. Albi has a budget of 7.5 million euros, which is the smallest budget amongst the French top teams.
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This festival was first limited to northern Tarn (Albi-Carmaux) but has now been extended to the whole department. During a week, every day a foreign language (including Latin, Greek and Occitan) was celebrated by various activities and food.
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A reckless driver kills one young man in Albi and injured 3 persons. The nightmare started at 2050 on Saturday 28th April in Albi and lasted about half an hour. It involved the young man smashing shop windows, stealing numurous cars and a scooter.
The main reason for building the Millau Bridge was to allow drivers to cross the Tarn Valley high in the sky and to save time. But it has been the theatre of many other achievements including a hot air balloon and a helicopter which flew under the bridge. 
In the Aveyron, 84% of the registered population voted. But Sarkozy only won by 50.83 in this department. In the Tarn, an impressive 88.3% of the registered population voted. Royal obtained 50.71% of the votes.
Albi SCA played Castres and won 19 -12. Albi needed to win that game to remain in the Top 14 so there were sighs of relief. After this match Albi is 8th and Castres 9th in the Top 14.
The Kenyan Benjamin Bitok won the marathon in 2h17m 32 s.The first lady runner was Franco-Ethiopian, Genet Delaboy, who won in 2h53m6s and she was closely followed by a Russian, Yégorova, who ran in 2h54m. More than 2500 runners took part in the marathon and the half-marathon.
The low-cost airline jet2 has opened 3 new routes to Toulouse-Blagnac from Belfast, Leeds-Bradford and Manchester. Flights can be purchased from 35 €, airport tax included. 
The local newspaper La Dépêche du Tarn reviewed in April 2007 the sexy side of Albi from the sexy underwear shops to the only sex shop in town.
A few weeks ago several centenary trees were controversially cut down on Square Jean-Jaurès in Villefranche-de-Rouergue, replanting has now started.
If you live in the Tarn and need help to write a CV in English, the BIJ (Youth Advice Centre) in Albi is organising a workshop to help you to write your CV in English.
At the of April 2007, a hypermarket Super U and a DIY/Garden centre Mr Bricolage opened in Lavaur, in zone du Rouch. It is a small revolution in this town which had so far escaped the hypermarket war.
Drag artists on stage with ostrich feathers, boas and sequins… no you are not in the Lido or Crazy Horse in Paris but in Nayrac in the heart of the Aveyron. Sylvie Nayrolles, in her thirties, opened this Cabaret for the first time on Saturday 14th April 2007
The Guide Hubert, which each year selects the best vineyards, has just made its selection. Several Gaillac vineyards have been included in this prestigious guide.
Aveyron is promoting the the use of blogs to companies. They will be able to use for free all the tools to create their “blogs”. They will be referenced using “Blog4Trade”,the first network of company “blogs”. .jpg)
A new life is beginning for the world famous knife manufacturers of Laguiole. The Commercial Court decided that Thierry Moysset will take over the management from Bernard Divisia.
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The Tourist Office of Monestiès and its friendly and dynamic team, (Nathalie, Amandine, Amélie and Alexandre), wish to liven up the village by welcoming artists (professionals and amateurs) during the months of June, July, August and September.
An application by four business partners for a restaurant in the Covered Market of Albi has been approved. The Brasserie “Le Couvert des Halles” should open on 15th September.
During the French National Junior Championship held in March in Paris, Maxime Coppin won a gold medal in the under 35 kgs. weight category. 
Nicolas Sarkozy announced at the last minute that he wouldn’t be coming to the Tarn. But his supporters went to Toulouse to listen to him. During his speech, Sarkozy mentioned Jaurès 37 times; was it to compete with Ségolène Royal, who also based her speech around the career of Jean Jaurès when she was in Carmaux last week.
This year, the Wanderers have chosen Lavaur, for their annual European tour.The Wanderers Club is a part of history as their club house is in Landsdowne Road.
Segolene Royal,a candidate in the next presidential election, gave a speech in the Salle François Mitterand in Carmaux on Friday 6th April. 
Air leisure centre in Castres to be created by TV presenter Laurent Cabrol. The presenter of Télé Shopping on TF1 was born in Mazamet and hardly ever leaves south Tarn.
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There are many projects planned for the A75 motorway service area near the Millau Viaduct, which was visited by 800,000 people last summer.But the project everybody was talking about last week was the Gourmet Area where visitors will be able to taste and purchase local produce. Cyril Lignac or Michel Bras ?
An English Teacher from the Aveyron was killed by her husband in New Caledonia. Last Thursday, the Lycée worried when she did not turn up for her class, called the police who went to her home and discovered Mrs Delpoux.
A tragedy was just avoided in the Maison Départementale of the Sivens Forest near Lisle-sur-Tarn on 26 March. Early in the morning, the son of the caretaker locked himself in his bedroom on the first floor of the building. He was armed with a rifle and for 6 hours, he kept the police at bay.
Admiral Jean-Louis Battet will command the next scientific expedition aimed at getting right to the bottom of the sea to understand why Jean-François Galaup de Lapérouse disappeared in 1788 near the Island of Vanikora in the Melanesian archipelago.
A 30-year old dad, from Senouillac, was accused last week of fraud. He was stealing goods from his employers and selling them over the internet on eBay.
In order to allow low-income householders to purchase their home, Jean-Louis Borloo, employment minister, launched the idea of a house costing 100,000 euros. But up to now, this project has not being moving forward so when Willy Furter from the Aveyron suggested a house for 50,000 euros, people didn’t know what to think.
Jean-Yves Bouchicot has just launched a website to facilitate car sharing in the north of the Tarn (Pays Albigeois et Bastides). The aim is to put people in touch with each other who want to share their cars.
The tourist office of Carladez, area in the north of the Aveyron, has been judged by the Regional Agency for the Development of the Information Society,along with many other Tourist Office sites in the Midi-Pyrenees, and it was ranked 7th out of 137.
New Outdoor Activity Leisure Centre in la Borie des Peres by Villefranche-de-Rouergue. Activities will include canoeing, walking, canyoning, horse riding, climbing, orienteering and mountain-biking.
A film on Conques Abbey will be shown on Arte on Sunday 8th April (Easter day) at 2015. It is a 30-minute film to explain how Roman churches were built.
Sébastien Gressez , 29, from Albi, was travelling in South America with the techno music group, Drop in Caravan, and his English wife, Clare Gibson and their 3 year-old son. He was shot and killed by some youths on a road to Sao Paulo.
The renowned Forge de Laguiole, founded in 1987 by Gerard Boissins, could be declared insolvent in the next few days.
The Pupils of the Collège Georges-Rouquier love an English Breakfast. On the menu there was bacon, marmalade, cereals, orange juice, tea and milk. Apparently they did justice to this English breakfast!
The magazine Express published the list of the top French Lycées in the Tarn & Aveyron. This list only includes schools which have at least 100 students taking the Baccalauréat (Bac). See the results for the Tarn & Aveyron.
Freview Digital TV should be available in Aveyron from June 2007, which will allow you to receive 18 free channels.
The cathedral of Rodez has been cordoned off by security barriers after the accidental fall of a few stones. Now the barriers are about to be removed before being put up again during the renovation of the west