remembering

Msr Pozo, boss of the fire brigade, salutes as the Mayor Georges Reverte helps the schoolchildren lay a bouquet at the Verdun memorial. We sang the Marseillaises, ably led by more schoolchildren; a definate theme in this centennial year.






Here by Rue des Jardins - on the site of the old cinema and subsequent tennis courts - a square was named for Andre Illac.
He was mayor here before my time and by the current Mayors' panegryic a very special one - much building and creating of the town was laid at his (communist) feet. Was shocked when our Mayor talked of his disappearance. Hastily finding a friend with the authority to explain that one (he works in the town hall) I was told that he'd drowned in the Aude, just behind the square named after him - though I understood either that he wasn't found or that he'd been looking for something at the time. Not clear which, what with the tape recorded music and attempts at discretion.

*UPDATE have looked him up - he fell into the river whilst blackberrying in September of last year. The reason I know nothing about it was that I was away exhibiting in that month. French WiKiP has a tranche on him if you want to look him up.

 The next memorial to be unveiled was to General Lafite - Mayor when most of us got here and admired by all. Smashing chap. Here his widow, aided by Georges, unveil the plaque (by the station, in front of the bus stop opposite the school) A difficult time for the family, remembering and being proud but in the public gaze...

 Heres one I took earlier of Madame Lafite, before she was tearful -

 More ceremonies, more flowers, more taped music - then to the MJC for a glass and a crisp.
Kat and I did the trail together and left the reception early on the grounds that we'd chatted with everyone we wanted to talk to on the walk round the towns' war memorials. Nice day for it and a pleasure to engage with our commune.Thanks go to all for making us so welcome .