Le Moulin du Chat Cros
La Creuse, France

Index
Introduction
Le Moulin du Chat Cros - un Petit Guide
(French language only; an English translation will be posted shortly)
Visitors and friends . . .
Local information, events and social news
European and International Events
Summary

Introduction

The Moulin du Chat Cros in the department of La Creuse, (the Limousin) just off the centre of France, is an area recognised for its outstanding natural beauty and life-style qualities.

Essentially rural, on the edge of the largest forests in Europe, this is also an area characterised by flowing water everywhere, a legacy of picturesque buildings constructed by the same stone masons responsible for the architectural signatures of Paris and Lyon; and farming and communal activity reminiscent of yesteryear. These were the hunting grounds of Richard 1, or alternatively, the 'mini-Russian front' for the occupying forces of the Second World War.

It currently serves as a home; a social venue; a business resources and advice centre and the location of the HBA's European centre of activities; a facility for local business people to network; a showcase and shopwindow for local crafts and artisans; a rendezvous and information point for randonneurs, walkers, fishermen, hunters and tourists; a watering point for wild animals and birds; and shelter for increasinglythreatened species such as the pipistrel bat, European crayfish, wild orchids . . . and lovers of nature.

The following extracts, in French, come from the basic visitors' guides. A grasp of the French language in this part of the world, is recommended. Rudimentary or not, it passes for good manners.

Un peu d’histoire

Au lieu-dit Chat Cros, les experts pensent qu’un moulin était déjà établi au 12ème siècle. Depuis cette époque, le moulin a été reconstruit plusieurs fois; le cadre qui resteaujourd'hui porte l'inscription 1737 (à votre gauche immédiatement sur l'entrée).

Nous avons trouvé des parchemins anciens dans les Archives Départementales de Guéret:

1897 - un tableau des propriétés foncières indique que le Moulin du Chat Cros (ainsi qu'un grand nombre d'autres propriétés de la commune de St. Julien la Genête) appartenaient à Monsieur Alexandre, comte de Montaignac de Chauvance, chevalier de Malte. Alexandre était propriétaire de La Seigneurie de la Couture et de son château, à 4 kilomètres d'ici. Le château a disparu, mais vous pouvez visiter Le Domaine de la Couture, aujourd'hui siège d'un restaurant gastronomique utilisant les produits dela ferme.

1669 - un dénombrement rendu par Gaspard, baron de Montaignac, seigneur de Larfeuillère et de la Couture à : "Son Altesse royale Mademoiselle, à cause du duché de Montpensier, pour la terre et le château de la Couture, composé d’un grand corps de logis, avec trois grosses tours, entouré de fossés, et pour les rentes qui en dépendent, droit de sel sur tous voituriers menant sel sur le pays de Combraille, à raison de demi-quarton ; rentes sur divers tenanciers de la ville d’Evaux ; droit de pêche dans la rivière de Saint-Julien depuis le moulin du Charot jusqu’au Pont Desvay”. (Archives de la Creuse Liasse E 681).

Le nom de Chat Cros a été orthographié de diverses façons. Sur la carte de Cassini, on note "Chacrot".

Donc, il apparaît qu’avant la Révolution les seigneurs de la Couture possédaient seulement les droits de pêche et ne possédaient pas le moulin lui-même. A l’inverse de leurs pairs, les seigneurs de La Couture ont prospéré pendant la Révolution et agrandi considérablement leurs biens, en y incluant le Moulin du Chat Cros.

Donc - deux mystères: comment est-il possible que les seigneurs de La Couture n'aient pas perdu leurs biens (ou même leurs têtes) mais aient au contraire prospéré pendant la Révolution ; et, deuxièmement, qui étaient les propriétaires d’origine de la maison et du moulin?

Les historiens considèrent que la maison qui fait face au moulin a une provenance différente. On peut lire, sur une pierre montée juste sous le chien-assis (au centre du toit), la date de 1783 faiblement gravée sous le contour en relief d’un cheval ainsi que, peut-être, d’un petit agneau. Le cheval est un très bon indice qu’à l’époque, la maison appartenait au chevalier et à sa famille.

La construction massive et riche à l’intérieur, avec un petit tabernacle dans le mur d’une des chambres, peut confirmer cette hypothèse.

Un autre aspect historique du moulin est son exploitation depuis la fin de 19ème siècle.

Le Chat Cros repose sur un gisement où on a trouvé des fossiles rares datant de l’âge Viséen inférieur, il y a 300 millions d’années. (Sur le calcaire Viséen du Moulin du Chat Cros, près d'Evaux (Creuse), 2 Juin 1923, M. Paul JODOT.)

A la fin du 19ème siècle, le meunier de Chat Cros tentait d'exploiter ce gisement avec un four à chaux. Ce ne fut pas un succès parce que le calcaire n'était pas de bonne qualité ; le four est resté visible à côté du pont de Bel Air/Le Thy, 300 mètres en amont du Moulin du Chat Cros, jusqu'en 2006, date à laquelle le bâtiment a été finalement démoli.

Notre recherche et celle de nos amis sur l’histoire de ce lieu continuera ; quand il y aura du neuf, restez assurés que nous le partagerons !

Le fonctionnement traditionnel du Moulin du Chat Cros

Il y a deux types de moulins à eau dans la Creuse et en général; là où la rivière a un débit/vitesse important, on peut trouver les roues (ou les turbines) immergéesdirectement dans le courant.

Autrement, et comme chez nous, le moulin est alimenté par un barrage (déviation de l'eau), un bief (portage de l'eau à côté du moulin) et une écluse, où l'eau est stockée pour régulariser l'approvisionnement de la roue pendant les périodes de peu de pluie ou même de sécheresse.

De plus, il y a deux moulins au Chat Cros. ‘Le grand’ pour la production surtout de l’alimentation des bestiaux avec justeun peu de production de farine de pain. (Il y a deux paires de meules au niveau de l’entrée principale: une paire, assez grossière, pour l’alimentation animale; l’autre paire, plus fine, pour la farine de pain.)

Juste à la droite du ‘grand moulin’, l’autre ‘moulin du Chat Cros’, presque tombé en ruines, est un moulin manuel pour la production de l’huile d’éclairage. Ici, la grande meule, actuellement cassée en deux, était suspendue à l’époque sur un cadre de bois; une meule plus petite (autrement dit ‘le mouton’) qui est aujourd’hui cachée par la grande meule, était tournée dans celle-ci avec une simple manivelle pour effectuer très vite le broyage des oléagineux.

En plus . . .

Dans le centre du bâtiment du Moulin du Chat Cros, est un espace qu’on suppose être les écuries. Son sol est pavé.

À gauche des écuries se trouve un espace avec un four à pain traditionnel (complètement rénové d’aujourd’hui). Les poutres en sont très noircies. Il est projeté de remettre le four en marche - sauf que cet endroit est aussi l’espace de travail d’un des propriétaires - Léon - avec tout son matériel digital, les ordinateurs et les imprimantes.

Il est en tout cas avéré qu’à cet endroit était un four banal (une boulangerie communale, selon les Anglais!), si vous voulez, pour la commune de St Julien la Genête.

Enfin, du côté gauche, il y a un espace très bien protégé contre les attaquants sauvages – eh oui! c’est un poulailler!

Il reste maintenant les trois étages du ‘grand moulin’. Les aménagements sont ici en plein développement : je vous en prie, laissez moi vous expliquer.

Le Moulin du Chat Cros d’aujourd’hui et de demain

Il y a trois niveaux dans le moulin:

Le fond

Ici on peut trouver le cadre, l’engrenage et la sortie de l’axe de la roue. C’est le vrai cœur du moulin.

C’est, semble-t-il, dans les années 30 que la roue a été refaite pour la dernière fois. Soumis depuis à des conditions d’humidité extrême et travaillant avec de lourdes charges, tout le cadre en bois (les pieds), les planches et l’axe de roue se sont effondrés vers 1953. Le moulin s’en trouva condamné d’un coup. Le meunier, qui n’était pas capable de prendre en charge le coût énorme des rénovations, n’a pas survécu.

Aujourd’hui, avec toutes les planches et poutres pourries dégagées, la reconstruction a commencé. Ce n’est pas une reconstruction classique par des artisans subventionnée par l’état, mais une opération de sauvetage et de travail soigneux réalisée par les propriétaires, qui ont envie de voir à nouveau le moulin tourner, après plus de 50 ans d’abandon.

Quand la restauration du cadre en bois massif sera terminée, la dernière étape sera de refaire la roue, dont il ne reste que quelques godets, et puis - la fête!

Le centre

Ici, les deux paires de meules sont bien visibles et c’est l’endroit où, traditionnellement, était produite la farine ou l’alimentation animale.

Aujourd’hui, ce niveau est plutôt une vitrine pour les talents Creusois, surtout ceux de notre commune. Vous pouvez trouver ici des objets d’origines diverses : artisans, peintres, artistes, brocanteurs. Si certains vous plaisent et que vous voulez les acquérir, ils sont à vendre. C’est la première fois que les gens de talent d’ici accèdent a un moyen de se faire connaître d’un public très varié.

Dernier étage

Ici, on peut découvrir les débuts du Moulin du Chat Cros et ses activités d’aujourd’hui:

La charpente du toit, quasiment unique en France, et, depuis les 12 derniers mois, une collection privée des outils ruraux, plutôt Creusois, accessible au public.

Au début, les outils d’autrefois étaient achetés par le propriétaire presque chaque week-end chez ses brocanteurs préférés. Maintenant, ce sont les gens qui apportent leurs anciens outils afin que le Moulin du Chat Cros puisse les mettre en valeur et les préserver pour demain.

Visitors, members and friends . . .

On the left, we have a regular visitor to the Moulin du Chat Cros, Bernard Thevenet, twice winnerof the Tour de France in 1975 and 1977 and now a major TV personality and commentator. (Bottom row, centre right). By his side is Daniel Mangeas, 'the Voice of the Tour de France'. The rest of the group contains sponsors, local dignitaries, personalities, business-people and volunteers. A perfect occasion for both networking and pleasure.

The middle picture shows the first official group of visitors organised by the local Syndicat d'Initiative at Evaux les Bains, site of the oldest Roman thermal baths in France.

To the right we have local HBA Member, Dave Hull, of www.bikeit-likeit.com, visiting the Moulin with three of his guests from Australia and New Zealand. (Although Geordie-born and bred, David travelled around the world studying art before gaining his Phd and culminating his career as Dean of Art at Melbourne University in Australia.)

A French entrepreneurial superstar is local HBA member, Veronique Lazerat, mother of five, who moved to La Creuse from Paris ten years ago to pursue her lifestle business vision. Veronique went from Zero to becoming the largest safraniere in France in just three years.

Apart from saffron production, Veronique also runs the only accredited course in France for aspiring cultivateurs. (Non-French welcome by the way, although a good grasp of French is obligatory.)

Veronique's current websites can be found at: http://www.safrandefrance.fr and http://www.safrandelafontsaintblaiseenlimousin.fr

You will find here the full range of saffron products, training course options and details of her recently released book, Safraniere Secrets.

Local and regional web links for lovers of nature
(Note: some of the pages are .pdfs of several megabytes; please be patient and allow to load.)

http://www.cg23.fr/IMG/pdf/11-EspacesProt-23.pdf (protected spaces)

http://www.ot-chambonsurvoueize.fr/pages/sitdeu.htm

http://sacconius.canalblog.com/albums/cours_d_eau/index.html

http://www.cahiers-naturalistes.fr/cahiersfaune/mammiferes.pdf

http://www.cahiers-naturalistes.fr/cahiersfaune/amphibiens.pdf

http://www.limousin.ecologie.gouv.fr/plugins/fckeditor/UserFiles/File/Paysages/fiches/Sit_I_23_026.pdf

http://www.tela-botanica.org/sites/biblio/fr/documents/articles_en_ligne/Cahiers_combraille/cahier_combraille_3

http://www.tela-botanica.org/sites/biblio/fr/documents/articles_en_ligne/Cahiers_combraille/cahier_combraille_20

www.tardesetcher.com/app/download/1603261716/d%C3%A9pliant_bord.pdf Chat Cros

http://www.tourisme-creuse.com/pdf/cartepeche-2009.pdf (for fishermen)

http://www.aupetitpecheurpratique.com/coinpiecesdeau.htm

Local Information, events and social news

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Évaux-les-Bains

http://www.creuse.fr/IMG/pdf/30-Tourisme-23.pdf

http://domencreuse.blogspot.com/

http://www.ot-evauxlesbains.com/

Apart from get-togethers at the local Office of Tourism at nearby Evaux-les-Bains (picture above) or even at the town's international casino, the HBA's own commune of St Julien la Genete (right; painted by Brigitte Desvilette) is open to group meetings, socials and conferences, with recently constructed bespoke premises capable of receiving and catering for 200 people +.

Consequently, if you want to come along nombreuses, as they say, bring it on! Ed.

European and International Events

INTERNATIONAL ENTERPRISE PROMOTION CONVENTION, Monday 8th to Wednesday 10th November 2010 - Harrogate, UK

* Do you see Enterprise as a transformational force for people and communities?

* Do you support Enterprise Promotion, as a practitioner, funder or policymaker?

* Are you proud of your own achievements? Do you want to share your successes?

* Would you like to learn from the experience of colleagues around the World?

If you can answer YES to even one of these questions, the IEPC Directors would like to invite you to come and speak at IEPC 2010. The deadline for submitting your proposal is 31st July 2010 - it only takes a couple of minutes to upload on our website and follow-up with a full summary by 31st August 2010. Full details at www.enterprisepromotion.org/submission.htm

The inaugural International Enterprise Promotion Convention last year demonstrated the demand for an event which brings together a host of people with a common interest in Enterprise Promotion. The informal and participative format worked well and the Harrogate location, with its superb International Convention Centre and wide range of nearby accommodation and hospitality options, was the perfect venue. Our aim is for IEPC 2010 to be bigger and better than ever. Hard-hitting plenary speakers, contrasting policy and practice, more focussed workshop themes, more time for discussion, better value. Come and join us at IEPC2010. We look forward to welcoming you to Harrogate in November.

See below for more detail - or visit the website

Regards
David Irwin, George Derbyshire, Tony Robinson, Brian and Beryl Dunsby, Directors of the International Association for Enterprise Promotion:

MAIN THEMES & TOPICS

Opening Plenary: Enterprise Support Policy vs. Practice
Middle Plenary: Entrepreneurship Education Policy vs. Practice
Closing Plenary: Enterprising Inspiration for Youth

The main themes to be addressed in participative Workshops, Case Studies and Debates are:-

A - Advancing entrepreneurship education - inspiring young people
B - Business creation and development - stimulating start-ups
C - Community groups and social enterprises - inspiring social benefits
E - E-business, e-learning, e-marketing - and now social networking
M - Management and business development - for global growth
S - Supporting small business development - new tools and techniques

Presentations are invited on all these main themes and related topics, although any other topics associated with the overall Convention theme of International Enterprise Promotion would also be welcomed. Preference will be given to speakers presenting short case studies, practical reports and video presentations of best practice and innovation in the promotion of entrepreneurship and the creation and support of new and growing businesses in different countries.

The key aim of this Convention is to share experience of successful programmes, whilst highlighting the policy implications, so that the many organisations, agencies and individuals trying to stimulate enterprise all around the world can learn from each other and improve what they do.
WORKSHOP FORMAT

These participative Workshops will be facilitated by relevant Organisations and co-chaired by specialists in these subjects who will highlight recent experiences in the field and then stimulate discussion and debate over the practical and policy implications of the presentations. For this reason all presentations are limited to 15 minutes with no more than three presentations per session. These sessions will be an opportunity for all delegates to exchange views and learn, whilst networking with other delegates in the same field from around the world. The parallel workshops will comprise several sessions focussing on specialised topics within each theme as detailed on Workshop Themes & Topics page.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

This Convention is being organised on a low-cost not-for-profit basis so that as many SME specialists and support organisations as possible can attend from the UK and overseas including for example:

- Business Advisers, Brokers, Coaches, Consultants, Counsellors, Facilitators & Mentors;
- Enterprise Agencies; Incubation & Innovation Centres; Science Parks; Support Organisations;
- Entrepreneurship Educators, Teachers & Trainers; Qualifying Bodies; Professional Institutes:
- Financiers & Venture Capitalists; Government SME-Policy Makers; Development Agencies;
- SME Support Organisations; Trade Associations; Chambers of Trade & Commerce, etc.

WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND?

An ideal opportunity to learn about best practice in enterprise promotion + earn valuable CPD:-

- Interact with practitioners, policy-makers, entrepreneurs and advisers
- Share best practice in business creation and support services
- Hear from successful enterprise promotion programmes world-wide
- Exchange experience in entrepreneurship education & training
- Debate new approaches to small business development
- Consider applications & policy implications of many innovations
- Develop existing networks and establish new working relationships

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Contact: Brian Dunsby, Organiser, or Maggie Hall, Coordinator, at mailto:info@enterprisepromotion.org
or write to: Enterprise Convention Secretariat, PO Box 288, Dept EM0709, Harrogate HG1 9AX, UK
Website: http://www.enterprisepromotion.org Tel: +44(0)1423 879208 Fax: +44(0)1423 870025

Training programme of the European Training Institute, September/October 2010

Brussels in a day, 6 September, eur500 -> eur 400
New Post Lisbon Comitology, 8 September, eur 350 -> eur 280
Master Class EU Lobbying, 9-10 September, eur 1750 -> eur 1460
EU funding at your Fingertips, 13-14 September, eur 950 -> eur 760
Upgrading NGO lobbying skills, 15 September, eur 295 ->eur 240
Masterclass Communication, 27 September, eur 950 -> eur 760
The 7 habits for Managers, 12 October, eur 950 -> eur 760

ETI: the only way to know how the EU REALLY works!

If you want to subscribe for one of the above seminars, please send us an e-mail with the name of the training and your invoicing details

If you want to know more about European Training Institute (ETI), its Faculty and full range of Public and Customised Seminars contact us:

by Phone: +32(0)2 400 77 30 or by Fax: +32(0)2 732 75 25 or visit our website at: http://www.e-t-i.be | mailto:info@e-t-i.be

Dear Colleague:

On behalf of the Organizing Committee of the 12th West Lake International Conference on Small & Medium Business (WLICSMB 2010), we are pleased to take this opportunity to warmly invite you to the conference. The WLICSMB 2010 will be held from October 24 to 26, 2010, in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, People¡¯s Republic of China. The conference is jointly organized by Hangzhou Municipal Government, Zhejiang University of Technology, Zhejiang Small & Medium Enterprises Bureau, and World Association of Industrial & Technological Research organizations.

One of the conference¡¯s unique features is its aim to provide an international forum for professionals both from academia and industry as well as from developing and developed countries to share their research, ideas, and perspectives. Hangzhou is an ancient lake city with profound Chinese culture and character. Located some 130 KM southwest of Shanghai, Hangzhou is the capital of Zhejiang Province. Zhejiang is not only one of the richest province in China but it is also the home of the fastest growing small & medium businesses in the world.

The theme of WLICSMB 2010 is: Global Collaboration of SMB. Please refer to one of the WLICSMB Websites: http://www.wlicsmb.org for detailed information including the conference¡¯s research tracks, call for papers, accommodation information, and registration (both in Chinese and in English).

Enclosed please find a pamphlet of the Conference announcement and its preliminary schedule. Please feel free to forward this invitation to any of your colleagues who may be interested in the theme and topics of this conference. We look forward to meeting you and welcoming you to the 12th West Lake International Conference on Small and Mid-sized Business in October 2010.

Yours truly,

Renyong Chi, Ph.D.

Program Chair
Professor of Management
College of Business Administration
Zhejiang University of Technology
Hangzhou, People¡¯s Republic of China

WLICSMB2010.pdf (click to download)

The Equality Future - Managing Diversity Level 3

Placing the fears of diversity aside and working towards equality is what makes a better world for everyone, and the next generation who will take it over. The children who are running around in the playground right now, pretending to be The Doctor or Cheryl Cole, they are the ones who need the equality and diversity dream. They will grow up in a world of recession and record unemployment. There are things that this generation can do which will help them and improve their life chances.

To do this, we must work together and create an equal and diverse society. To do this, we must keep an open mind when talking to people. To do this, we must learn how to engage with difference and stop discrimination. To help them create the world of grace and dignity, Gallant2000 are offering courses on Managing Diversity.

The face to face courses are held in Birmingham starting in September and work on creating an open atmosphere for equality and diversity professionals, as well as those interested in a better future. E-learning is also available for those who cannot make it. Students on the course will gain a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification. There is more to it than that, though. Along with the paperwork, the students will also get the knowledge that they are helping to create a better world. Gallant2000 are providing funding for you to do this. Contact them for details on 0121 212 3410 and ask for Alex.

Please, place the fears aside, work towards equality and visit www.gallant2000.com for more information on the Managing Diversity Level 3 course, as well as many others.

Best regards,

Alex

P.S. Gallant2000 also have funding available for their other equality and diversity programmes, including cultural competence and body language. Please contact them and ask for more details.

If you wish not to be emailed again, please reply with REMOVE as the subject name.

http://www.gallant2000.com

0121 212 3410

Gallant2000 Ltd Co No 4047133

Meet in Ireland 2010, Tuesday 7th & Wednesday 8th September (inclusive)

We would like to invite you to visit Ireland to experience our newest facilities for conferences, meetings and incentives.

As part of the exciting itinerary, you will have the opportunity to attend the launch of the Convention Centre Dublin, and to meet with our Irish Trade Partners at a
business workshop and gala dinner.

Prior to these dates, we would be delighted to have you join us on a familiarisation trip of your choice to experience the business tourism product in one of the regions of Ireland.

If you would like to attend Meet in Ireland 2010, please email your contact details to suzanne.morris@tourismireland.com and further information will be sent to you on receipt.

Enterprise Nigeria - a Nigeria Trade Mission

Greetings!

ACBN on behalf of our member and partner Compass Consulting, are delighted to introduce to you the above event, which is the 4th in a series of annual Trade Missions and Exhibitions held in Nigeria.

The Enterprise Exhibition aims to forge linkages between businesses from Nigeria, African Union, United Kingdom, Europe, United States of America and Canada whilst promoting Trade and Investment. The Event, which was initiated in 2007 is organised by Compass Consulting UK in partnership with the UK Trade and Investment, Greater London Enterprise OneLondon, Federal Ministry for Commerce and Industry (Nigeria), the Bank of Industry (Nigeria), Lagos State Government, the British High Commission (Embassy), and a host of other organisations within the Organised Private sector in Nigeria. Register Now!

Background Information to the Event
The Enterprise Exhibition is the first Event of its kind to bring UK Businesses and Entrepreneurs from the African Diaspora to Nigeria on a Trade Mission/Exhibition with the aim of putting them in touch with the vibrant and diverse Nigerian Business Communities. The core objectives of this multi agency platform are to promote Investment through International Trade/Global Partnerships, and the exchange of learning and good practices as Business Communities across Continents dialogue and exhibit goods and services.

The 2010 Enterprise Exhibition
The focus of this year's Exhibition is to host Nigerian Businesses and Businesses from Europe, United States of America, Canada and other parts of Africa. Through partnerships and collaborations with Key Organisations and Stakeholders across Continents, the event aims to provide a framework that will support and fast track the integration of businesses across the board into the Global Market Place. Register Now!

Highlights of the Event

v Road Shows in Abuja and Lagos Exhibition of Goods and Services

v Field visits to Industries in Key Sectors - Abuja and Lagos

v Export-Focused Workshops

v Case Studies of Successful Entrepreneurs from the Diaspora

v Conferences on Female Entrepreneurship and Supporting SMEs

Event's Symposium:

Topic - Harnessing Diaspora Resources for Africa's Development - A Case Study of Nigeria.

For international entrepreneurs interested in hearing more about opportunities in African and how this successful event now in its fourth year can help you - please register your interest here. We will forward to you the necessary information and forms to complete your registration with all necessary contact details. Register Now!

We look forward to working with you.

Regards
Dana Williams
ACBN Events Coordinator:
T: 07 581 581 233
E: mailto:admin@acbnbiz.com

Global Business News

Recession Hit Europe Funds Record €141.5bn EU Budget 2010

European Budget Report

On 17th December, the EU released the details for the 2010 budget. However, in the light of the budget deficits in many member states and harsh cuts in public spending, EU citizens will be asking whether they can afford the 6% spending increase.

Source: European Commission

Agriculture and natural resources remain top priority with a cost of €58bn, nearly half the total budget. The second largest expenditure is still the cohesion fund (regional aid) but has remained almost static in real terms, increasing €1bn (2.7%) to €36bn.

The biggest increase in EU spending in 2010 will be for projects to fight crime, terrorism and manage migration flows, with this area growing by 16.2% on 2009 to almost €1bn. Algirdas Semeta, EU commissioner for Financial Programming and Budget said "The 2010 budget is a recovery budget. It's about getting ready for better times, maintaining jobs & stimulating growth".

In 2010, almost €15bn, 7.9% more than in 2009, will go on competitiveness measures, such as the Research Framework Programme and the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme.

Support in justice and security programmes will see the budget increase in 2010, up 16.2% from 2009, with a focus on the ongoing struggle to manage migration flows throughout all EU member states.

For the first time in 2010, the EU budget will finance the European Police Office (Europol) with €80m, supporting the member states in their fight against all forms of organised crime and terrorism.

Source: Europa, http://www.europa.eu

China poised to become top world exporter

China has confirmed its exports for 2009 reached US$ 1.2 trillion.

Germany has yet to declare final figures for 2009 but analysts are widely predicting that it will lose the title it has held since 2002 of world's largest exporter.
2010: European Year for Combating Poverty & Social Exclusion but unemployment up by a quarter.

Europe's year for combating poverty has kicked off just as figures are released for November which show EU-wide unemployment has hit 9.5% (10% for the euro area). This compares to 7.5% in 2008 (8% in the euro countries).

The European Commission has published its yearly review of social trends in EU countries and notes that in 2006, 16% of EU-27 citizens lived under the poverty threshold defined as 60% of their country's median income.

Tackling poverty in 2010 is going to be a challenge while the region has nearly 23 million unemployed. Even being in employment doesn't necessarily protect against poverty as the European Commission estimates 8% of its working citizens live under the poverty threshold.

Social Transfers (i.e benefits) reduce the risk of poverty by 38% on average in the EU, but this impact varies from less than 10% to nearly 60% across EU.

The mixed successes of crisis measures taken by member states and rising unemployment levels mean the EU's attempts to tackle poverty will be more difficult and yet more critical than ever.

Written by: Catherine Isbell & Eloise Bailey

The World Fruit & Vegetable Show London 2010

Following a successful event in 2009 the fourth edition of the World Fruit & Vegetable Show will take place in the ExCeL London Exhibition Centre on 27th & 28th October 2010.

Last year the organisers presented a larger, more professional show, which attracted a higher turnout of visitors than in previous years and resulted in far more exhibitors leaving happily with business contacts made and deals in the pipeline.

This year the show has moved on yet again, with bookings already well ahead of last year where 21 countries were represented by 118 exhibitors, sharing country pavilions and exhibiting as individuals.

Tesco will again be supporting the event with their Innovation Award, which last year went to one of the smaller exhibitors, a company called Quickshine, which entered a new product they described as a Fruit & Veg SAVER. This Innovation was presented along with 20 other entries in the Tesco Innovation Award area and was selected by members of the Tesco technical team for produce.

This year the organisers say they have a number of other businesses and organisations already viewing sponsorship opportunities, with other awards planned, including one from magazine ISN (a major sponsor last year).

As the UK begins its recovery from recession, the show will be a major opportunity for exhibitors to enter or re-enter the massive UK produce market, which is believed to be expanding again.

Exhibitors from 2009 have spoken of their successes resulting from meetings at the event, with one pavilion organiser saying that her exhibitors from 2009 have had to close their order books as a direct result of their attendance, as they now have more than enough buyers for the produce they will have available in 2010 and that they will return in 2010 with new companies and a larger pavilion, to further build on their 2009 participation.

A video of last year’s event and more information for companies wishing to exhibit, can be found on the show web site http://www.wfvexpo.com

Harrogate International Centre

Dear Mr. Tondel

With more and more businesses researching and booking their venues online, VisitScotland's Business Tourism Unit (BTU) unveiled a new look website conventionscotland.com at International Confex, to complement the recently launched brochure, MeetScotland. Together, these tools provide conference and event planners with comprehensive information and easier access to Scotland’s superb and diverse conferencing portfolio.

Key Website Features

• Improved navigation and user-friendly functions
• Brand new venue search
• Google mapping with a ‘search on map’ tool accessible from all pages of the website
• A new interactive events page with a comments function available for attendees at our key events to leave feedback
• A wealth of information on Scotland as a business tourism destination

Ways in which the new conventionscotland.com can help you

• Search for suitable events venues across the country
• Search for venue contact details and website links
• Locate venues on Google map
• Find room layouts and capacities
• Discover more about the work of the business tourism unit through our latest news and events
• Find out more about why Scotland would make a great location for you next event!

For further information on the Business Tourism Unit or to discover more features of the new website visit conventionscotland.com or contact lindsay.brown@visitscotland.com

Hold you next conference or incentive programme in Norway and you'll return to nature with breathtaking scenery, the freshest of mountain air and of course, the incomparable fjords - all just two hours from the UK.

If you visit northern Norway, you'll also have the chance to see the magical Northern Lights, nature's most spectacular lightshow.

Wherever you choose, we guarantee that you will return energised from the experience.

Why not Visit Norway Convention Bureau and our partners at EIBTM? We look forward to seeing you at our brand new stand J500.

Or, to find out more about meetings in Norway, click here.

Summary

We will be uploading more images and text for you on a regular basis; the site of the Moulin du Chat Cros has been evolving for the past ten years and we are becoming increasingly confident that we will be able to welcome firstly, our members but also, anyone else whose heart is with us.

Further details of these arrangements will be notified both on this page and to our members individually as we continue to expand our activities which will at the very least, include accommodation, courses and contacts for anyone wishing to explore and investigate their interests abroad and in La Creuse particularly.

If you have any further questions, then please do not hesitate to send us an email to info@home business.org.uk, marked 'Moulin du Chat Cros'.

Home Business Alliance, Moulin du Chat Cros, St Julien la Genete, 23110 Evaux-les-Bains, France
Tel: 05 55 65 55 92 Fax: 05 55 65 64 01
Contact/e-mail: info@homebusiness.org.uk

UK address:
Home Business Alliance
Werrington Business Centre, 86 Papyrus Road, Peterborough PE4 5BH
Tel: 0871 284 5100 Fax: 0871 284 4999 (Calls to 0871 numbers cost 10p per minute)

Contact/e-mail: info@homebusiness.org.uk

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