The Global Village?

An event last week has thrown into relief the problems of a small community in rural France today--the `desertification` of the Commune with the progressive loss of services. The event to which I am referring is the death of the village Curé.  The decease of the local Catholic Priest at an advanced age was scarcely unexpected but will probably lead to the effective closure of the Church. We have received a note, delivered by the commune van, of a proposed meeting of parishioners on Monday at Villemain, at 3 o`clock to discuss arrangements for cover. Without wishing to anticipate the views of the Catholic Church, I would imagine that no replacement will be available and a locum will be shared between the parishes of Loubillé, Villemain and La Bataille with a Service once a month. I`ll let you know if their is a happy surprise!
  It is fashionable to bemoan the `death` of the local community and there is a lot of truth in the feeling that the sense of local solidarity is changing. I think our village is pretty go-ahead for its size and streets ahead of its English counterparts. Its true we no longer have a village school , pub or grocery, but we have retained our bakery and local Mairie and village hall; in fact, due to the political cunning of our Maire, new buildings are in course of completion for the two latter. The spirit of togetherness still survives, and the various gatherings throughout the year, 14th July, entrecote picnic and Christmas celebration etc are well attended.
   The reliance of the locals and new inhabitants on locally organised festivities in walking distance has been diminishing year on year and this is due to increased mobility and communications, of course. We, for example, attend a Protestant Church 30 minutes away at Matha, a much more thriving and dynamic affair than the poor old Catholic local church which has been limping along for years with an aged Priest and small and aging flock.  We do our shopping at the Supermarkets of Chef Boutonne or Ruffec, both 20 minutes away by car, but far cheaper and far more choice than that offered by the local shop, which as a consequence has now closed. We talk to friends by phone and lately by Internet at great distances, for example in the South of France and in Glasgow, as easily as we used to talk to next-door neighbours. The effect on the feeling of local community is regrettable but it is nice to have the choice. And, after all, people don`t always get on with their neighbours, do they?

  That`s all for now. A la prochaine!