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CASTELFRANCCastelfranc is a 15-bedroomed mansion set on high ground in the Tarn region. It is a beautiful, peaceful place, which has stood for many centuries, witnessing siege, recreation and reconstruction repeatedly. During the occupation of world war two, Jewish families were hidden there. In the religious wars, the chateau was a haven for heretics. The castle's 16th century owner was known as the 'peacemaker'. Healing and rebuildingEach summer from 1996 to 2001 the Dandelion Trust brought groups of Children from Bosnia to spend three weeks at Castelfranc. These were the children who suffered terror, cold, hunger and the loss of loved ones during the war in Bosnia. The mass killing stopped but the children had to cope with the aftermath of such genocide. After their time spent in the loving environment of Castelfranc they were able to return encouraged and heartened to face the slow rebuilding of their lives and their country. Togetherness without Fear "I can feel my body change when I come here" 'There is better healing here than any medicine" "We understand everything that we wanted to say to each other and when we had no language we communicated at a deeper level" These words are spoken by people whose lives have been blown apart by violence and fear. The group that came from Srebenica had each lost at least one parent, some had been raped, beaten, incarcarated and witnessed the unspeakable. Our policy has been one of non-intervention. The place, the time given, and each other are the therapy. The greatest skill for our 'helpers' is knowing how and when to withdraw, to stay quiet and to leave someone musing. One student helper, whose grandmother had only recently spoken for the first time, 60 years on, of her horror at her survival of the seige of Madrid, said "I feel like I am doing something for my grandmother, for me and for the children." The castle has had the privilege of having some very extraordinary young lives find enough safety within its walls to trust enough to let go. It has provided the space for much laughter and tears, for reconnecting with lost childhood in simple games such as hide and seek, for making theatre and song, pottery,drawing and cooking together, and talking, talking, talking. Jasmin, whose mother and father were murdered in front of him, was able to sing sacred songs for us all in the dark cloister for a birthday celebration. He had not, until then, been able to give voice. It is such feedback and the joy it brings to all involved in the project that makes us feel that Castelfranc is providing something of great value. 2003 - 2006This time has seen change and growth at Castelfranc, groups have been hosted by two new volunteers, Willemien and Ulrike who have worked for years as curative educators. They bring with them the care needed by many of the Chateau's more vulnerable guests and the tenacity required to keep such a powerful building going. As well as welcoming all who visit they are running respite holidays for people with learning and physical disabilities, their families and carers. During the month of August Castelfranc hosted two piano conservatory courses. The Chateau was filled with grand pianos and skilled and passionate musicians under the tutilage of Simon Purcell and Paul Roberts. We are all so glad that Castelfranc is once again full of music and joy. "Music at Castelfranc seeks to heal the mind and nourish the imagination, creating conditions in which the pleasures of music-making can be rediscovered." We had a great deal to do to get the place ready for the summer's activities and to restore some of the pride and fabric of the building. A large team was assembled and they worked round the clock to repair the back stair case which had subsided. The end result is not only beautiful and safe but has provided a new focus and energy flow for this part of the house. The team also replaced all the windows at the front, mending the wood as needed and replacing all the seals. As funds become available the intention is to extend this project to more children from Bosnia and other areas in the world, including the UK. Funds are also urgently needed to install central heating to extend the Chateau's season. FundingThe Castelfranc project is funded and run by individuals who recognise the benefit of strong and consistent support for people who wish to be a part of the solution for their countries and the world. Funds are also raised by 'paying guests' who have taken part in sacred site and Cathar tours and who have been most generous with donations and encouragement. Funds are urgently required to allow this value work to continue, and to expand the project to make use of the caves and cottages at nearby La Magdaleine. |
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