of Kilmarnock passed away in her home on February 17 She was preceded in death by her parents John and Kathleen “Kay” Tournai Ill.; Sharon Newell (Terry) of Crown Point Ind.; Kathleen Cheney (Bob) of Kilmarnock; nephew Bob Solomon; and many cousins and close friends Her college “Bees” also held a special place in her heart Patty was a graduate of a Catholic grade school a Catholic high school and a Catholic college Patty earned a bachelor’s in accounting with a minor in philosophy which lead her to a lifelong successful career in management of manufacturing companies in the Chicagoland area Patty was a connoisseur of fine wine who liked to sing As one of her friends wrote upon her death “we do know how Patty lived…she gave generously Patty brought so much warmth and light that the world feels a little bit dimmer without her we now have a very special angel in heaven watching over us The family will receive friends and family at 9 a.m followed by a Catholic funeral mass at 10:30 a.m The mass will be co-celebrated by Patty’s cousin Fr An additional Celebration of Life will be held April 5 at Journeyman If you can't connect to the proper extension try calling us from your cellphone instead of a landline Contact us: mail@rapprecord.com receives over 200,000 page views each month This certification recognises a commitment we made when we moved into the new dojo ten years ago and a location right in the city centre to promote sustainable mobility Respect is part of our moral code and that includes respect for our planet It seemed logical to us to make the Kano Tournai Dojo a place consistent with these values Our ecological choices are therefore natural We believe this helps change attitudes in the sporting world Promoting this certification shows that each club can take action on its own scale It inspires other organisations and together we can create a positive dynamic within the world of judo I would tell those who want to join the trend but don't know how to proceed that they shouldn't be afraid to start small but also for the club's cohesion and image The message we convey to our students is that the moral code of judo doesn't stop at the tatami self-control and modesty must also be expressed in their daily behaviour Being a good judoka also means being a responsible citizen When I announced that we had received the Green Dojo Kiai certificate They understand that their dojo is a committed place and that motivates them this certification is still in its infancy and we haven't yet received direct feedback from our partners but we hope it will help us forge new partnerships particularly with environmentally conscious stakeholders One of our projects is to facilitate public transportation by using an electric minibus for instance energy-saving showers and we use recyclable glass bottles in the cafeteria We prioritise local products and provide reusable water bottles to judoka The Kano Tournai Dojo's approach is exemplary in more than one way Like other clubs already recognised as 'Green Dojo,' the judoka of Tournai have fully understood that judo is more than a sport and is not limited to practice on the tatami The useful actions implemented are examples that can contribute to improving our present and creating the conditions for a more environmentally friendly future 2025 / The Anyang Judo Gym of the Yongin University in Korea .. 2024 / To become a Green Dojo is simple and can make a huge .. 2024 / The International Judo Federation invites everyone .. 2024 / The state of the planet and the consequences of global .. 2024 / As part of its policy of preserving the environment .. 2024 / Climate change and global warming are no longer in .. 2023 / The 8th Sergei Judo Camp has just opened in Fiesch Home » Launching of the Tournai third mine countermeasure vessel of the Belgian-Dutch rMCM programme Belgium Naval & Robotics press release the programme’s industrial prime contractor The Tournai, third ship in the rMCM programme and second for the Belgian Navy, will be delivered to Belgium in 2026. The first ship in the series, the Oostende, destined for the Belgian Navy, was launched on 29 March 2023 was laid down on 19 July 2023 and is scheduled to be launched in December 2024 Delivery of the Oostende is scheduled for summer 2025 in Zeebrugge Deliveries of the other ships will then be staggered until mid-2030 The rMCM programme was awarded in 2019 to Belgium Naval & Robotics the consortium formed by Naval Group and Exail It provides for the supply to the Belgian Navy and the Royal Netherlands Navy of twelve mine countermeasures vessels as well as around a hundred drones integrated into a toolbox to equip the vessels a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between France allowing France to use the design of the rMCM ships to equip the French Navy with six ships Thales will be in charge of the onboard UAV system for France rMCM programme is a major component of European defence cooperation It demonstrates the ability of European states to work together and share a solution destined to become the benchmark in mine countermeasures Dutch and French navies but also for other partner navies in Europe and around the world is responsible for the design of the ships testing and commissioning of the mission system (combat system and mine countermeasures system) a joint venture between Naval Group and Piriou is the industrial prime contractor for the twelve ships which are being built in Concarneau and Lanester Maintenance of the ships will be carried out in Belgium as part of a close collaboration between the Belgian Navy and Naval Group Belgium with the assistance of its partner Flanders Ship Repair in Zeebrugge These specialist mine warfare vessels will be the first to have the capacity to embark and launch or fly a combination of surface drones (vessels of around 12 metres and 18 tonnes) The mine countermeasures vessels will use a fully robotised system to detect They can withstand underwater explosions and have very low acoustic in line with the missions to be carried out These minehunters have the following characteristics: Naval News brings you news coverage of the latest naval defense shows & events We are also reporting on naval technology from all over the world You may have already seen the famous blue stone of Tournai an integral element of cathedrals and monuments built across Europe over the centuries But to see Tournai itself is another matter A place important enough to attract the attention of a number of iconic monarchs (Clovis Tournai became the burial ground for the founder of a Frankish dynasty and was fought over by the great powers of Europe from the Romans to the Spanish Catholics of the inquisition era It is also the only city in Belgium once owned by the British and to have sent MPs to the British parliament – Henry VIII even came here and built a round garrison tower in his name currently scaffolded and needing renovation Appropriate perhaps, because today, Tournai itself feels like a tourism Queen-in-waiting. When I visited in late August, its paved streets and squares were quiet, bracing perhaps for its upcoming big weekend featuring its well-known procession and giant effigies leaving plenty of time for serendipity to do its work too the first of those artworks can be spotted in front of the neoclassical station two giant yellow rabbits lounge on a grassy lawn – a reference to the rabbits eaten on January’s “Lost Monday” (Lundi Perdu) a day marked by a special recipe featuring one of the most sustainable meats on the planet and traditionally eaten on the first Monday after Epiphany After you’ve contemplated the fate of these furry “friends who are never lost” don’t miss the blue stone mosaic pieces by artist ALI embedded in the pedestrian pathways of Place Crombez Elsewhere, artworks are spottable both overhead and underfoot. See the “Bridge of Reflections” (Passerelle aux Reflets) that crosses the River Escaut (Scheldt) that the Sun King himself, Louis XIV, turned into a canal, sanitising the city’s waterways and contributing to its ability to export its famous weaving and stones. And at the Fine Art School, founded in 1756, spot the red parkour-like figures, climbing the walls of the evening art school, who suggest that access to art is for everyone. View this post on Instagram A post shared by visittournai (@visittournai) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Travel Tomorrow (@traveltomorrow.eu) why not drop into Tournai’s lovely Natural History Museum with its butterfly and reptile houses designed by none other than the godfather of Art Nouveau you can see the only works by Manet in Belgium; one of them considered his first ever Impressionist piece was so precious to the artist that he kept it for himself until his death if art in frames is what rocks your boat: the museum is closing in 2025 for renovations likely to last around four years Follow the river to the northwest of the centre and you’ll find the Pont des Trous or “Bridge of Holes” a structure over the river dating right back to the 13th century The name refers to the arches and holes through which the Escaut flows after it was blown up in the Second World War and It is one of Belgium’s most important pieces of medieval military architecture Walk the river to the southeast to the Quai du Luchet d’Antoing has recently been widened to better accommodate freight barges and you’ll find further street art pieces: a Mondrian-like structure that casts colourful shadows on the canal banks and a series of coats-of-arms adorning an underpass near a military barracks turned refugee centre. a shady spot filled with bicentennial and older trees and you’ll spy the vestiges of the city’s old ramparts harking back to the throbbing medieval heyday when it needed to protect its wealth Then turn back to the station via another art installation the Elleiba (the French word for “bee” spelled backwards) containing a hoard of 300 tiny golden bees Today’s homage to the 1500-year-old treasure is a golden organic form in the middle of a roundabout You can learn more about all the works mentioned here and about the hive of history that is Tournai by scanning the QR codes displayed near each work or by heading to Visit Tournai’s website Essential cookies enable basic functions and are necessary for the proper function of the website Statistics cookies collect information anonymously This information helps us to understand how our visitors use our website The Tournai is the third ship in the series and the second designated for the Belgian Navy the third mine countermeasure vessel in the Belgian-Dutch rMCM programme Kership, the industrial prime contractor for the programme, conducted the launch on behalf of Naval Group The Tournai is the third ship in the series and the second designated for the Belgian Navy. It is expected to be delivered to Belgium in 2026. The programme’s first ship These advanced mine warfare vessels are the first to deploy a combination of surface The fully robotised system onboard is designed to detect The vessels are built to endure underwater explosions and have low acoustic The Tournai has a length of 82.6 metres (m) with a maximum speed of 15.3 knots and a range exceeding 3500 nautical miles It can accommodate 63 people and is equipped with the UMISOFT Exail system featuring various drones and sonar systems The ship’s boarding capabilities include two RHIB SOLAS 7m boats and an overhead crane for handling equipment and boats awarded in 2019 to the consortium Belgium Naval & Robotics (comprising Naval Group and Exail) will supply 12 mine countermeasure vessels to the Belgian and Dutch navies a memorandum of understanding signed in September 2023 will allow France to use the rMCM design for six ships for the French Navy with Thales managing the onboard UAV system Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis the project’s architect and prime contractor including combat and mine countermeasures systems is the industrial prime contractor for constructing the 12 ships in Concarneau and Lanester is tasked with the UAV mission system production The ships’ maintenance will occur in Belgium through a collaboration between the Belgian Navy Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network Belgium and the Netherlands christened their third high-tech minehunter showcasing a drone-equipped design set for future European fleets The sun glinted off the steel hull of the Tournai (M941) as it sliced into the waters of Concarneau This wasn’t just another launch; it marked a turning point for European naval defense and the culmination of a groundbreaking collaboration the third of twelve next-generation mine countermeasure (MCM) vessels built for the Belgian and Dutch navies signifies a leap forward in autonomous warfare technology This christening ceremony wasn’t just about a single ship. It was a testament to the rMCM program, which represents European cooperation creating a standardized fleet of mine-hunting marvels Tournai MCM is a 2,800-ton force multiplier expected to be delivered to Belgium in 2026 It is armed with a sophisticated arsenal of surface drones, underwater drones This robotic “toolbox” revolutionizes mine detection and neutralization keeping sailors out of harm’s way in a traditionally high-risk mission The impact extends beyond the immediate benefits for Belgium and the Netherlands In September 2023, a landmark trilateral agreement between France and the Netherlands brought France into the fold This pact allows France to leverage the rMCM design for its own fleet fostering a unified European defense posture The Tournai MCM symbolizes this growing cohesion, demonstrating the ability of European nations to collaborate and share solutions that will set the benchmark for future mine countermeasures De M941 TOURNAI, een van de nieuwe Belgische mijnenjagers, werd te water gelaten in Concarneau in Bretagne 🇫🇷. Het is de tweede Belgische mijnenjager die wordt afgeleverd, en de derde in totaal, van de rMCM-vloot, een binationaal project tussen 🇧🇪 & 🇳🇱 https://t.co/2rT1ZcEUR3 pic.twitter.com/L2FrXeQGAN — Belgian Defence (@BelgiumDefence) July 8, 2024 The Tournai isn’t just about flashy drones These vessels boast impressive technical specifications themselves Clocking in at 82.6 meters (270 feet) long they can comfortably accommodate a crew of 63 and operate for over 3,500 nautical miles (4,028 miles/6,482 kilometers) on a single mission Their robust design ensures they can withstand the shockwaves of underwater explosions while maintaining low acoustic and magnetic signatures – crucial for undetected mine hunting the Tournai is the third ship in the rMCM program and the second ship for the Belgian Navy is on track for delivery in mid-2025 in Belgium Meanwhile, the Netherlands received its first vessel Deliveries are expected to continue at a rate of two per year until all twelve vessels are operational by mid-2030 This rapid production schedule ensures the Belgian and Dutch navies will be equipped with these cutting-edge minehunters well into the future The launch of the Tournai is more than a christening; it’s a declaration It’s a declaration of European ingenuity With its emphasis on technological innovation and multinational collaboration, the rMCM program sets the stage for a new era in European mine countermeasure capabilities, ushering in an age where brains and cooperation become Europe’s most potent weapons Disclaimer: SOFREP utilizes AI for image generation and article research it’s like handing a chimpanzee the keys to your liquor cabinet It’s not always perfect and if a mistake is made In a world where information comes at us in tidal waves it is an important tool that helps us sift through the brass for live rounds As someone who’s seen what happens when the truth is distorted I know how unfair it feels when those who’ve sacrificed the most lose their voice you’re not just leveling the playing field—you’re standing with those who’ve already given so much ensuring they continue to serve by delivering stories that matter Every subscription means we can hire more veterans and keep their hard-earned knowledge in the fight You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article Anduril Is the Netflix of War—and the Old Defense Giants Are About to Get Blockbuster’d SOFREP Evening Brief: Trump Annoys 1.4 Billon Catholics by Posting Pic of Himself As Pope Putin Says He Hopes He Won’t Have to Use Nukes in Ukraine Mexico Rejects US Offer to Send Troops Across the Border British Special Air Service Compromised: How a Decade-Long Security Oversight Put Elite Operatives at Risk SOFREP Evening Brief: Trump Annoys 1.4 Billon Catholics by Posting Pic of Himself As Pope, Putin Says He Hopes He Won’t Have to Use Nukes in Ukraine, Mexico Rejects US Offer to Send Troops Across the Border · 13 hours ago How Department of Defense Educational Activity Staff Co-Opted Diversity Equity and Inclusion Protests · 15 hours ago Trump Plans to Rename Veterans Day · 17 hours ago SOFREP Evening Brief: Trump Annoys 1.4 Billon Catholics by Posting Pic of Himself As Pope, Putin Says He Hopes He Won’t Have to Use Nukes in Ukraine, Mexico Rejects US Offer to Send Troops Across the Border · 18 hours ago Trump Plans to Rename Veterans Day · 20 hours ago Your Subscription Supports our Veteran Staff Barrett is the world leader in long-range, large-caliber, precision rifle design and manufacturing. 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Text description provided by the architects The project occupies the interior of a historical city block where buildings from different identities and periods coexist There are two industrial buildings and a convent that has been used as a hospital The new building is positioned in order to bond together each of these structures and to define new external spaces All the existing buildings are connected vertically and horizontally throughout the block operating not only as passage spaces and meeting places but also as a part of a new identity You'll now receive updates based on what you follow Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors If you have done all of this and still can't find the email Tournai’s Art Nouveau masterpieces are one of Belgium’s hidden treasures just an hour by train or 89 km southwest of Brussels Rivalling the capital’s better-known stock of Art Nouveau architecture Tournai boasts a Fine Art Museum created by none other than the godfather of the style himself as well as numerous Art Nouveau mansions that chart the growth of the middle classes in this historic crossroads of a city Посмотреть эту публикацию в Instagram Публикация от Travel Tomorrow (@traveltomorrow.eu) over the course of barely a quarter of a century would rebel against imitative and generic building styles and find new ways of meeting the needs of an emerging and increasingly progressive bourgeoisie The immediate area’s squares and boulevards were created after the ancient city removed part of its ramparts to facilitate growth towards the end of the 19th century Here you’ll find impressive examples of facades adorned with Art Nouveau’s organic and geometric forms large windows and protruding decorative elements the front door and sgraffito (a kind of decorative plasterwork) of two houses at numbers 20 and 24 Rue de la Justice designed by Georges De Porre, professor at the Tournai Academy of Fine Arts And at 128 Boulevard du Roi Albert, sits an extraordinary red and ochre house designed by Alphonse Dufour, another son of Tournai who provides proof that the city is a breeding ground for its own art. The facade unites Egyptian motifs, mirrors, and sgraffito portrayals of painters and architects, alongside other symbols such as flowers, and an owl – to signify incredulity. While not all the Art Nouveau architecture in Tournai has survived, its numerous traces are pointed out in the walking guide, with useful details including house numbers to look out for and pictures to help guide your eye. This comes into its own, especially along Boulevard du Roi Albert where you can play “spot the Art Nouveau” among various houses’ ironwork, woodwork, windows and even letter boxes (see house number 132). On the other side of the river Escaut running through the city sits the only art museum designed by Victor Horta. Another witness to changing times and tastes, the building’s original Art Nouveau design was delayed by the First World War, and afterwards was adjusted by Horta to incorporate rising Art Deco elements. 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By using Shephard's online services, you agree to our Privacy Policy Stay up to date with our Newsletter Or login Tournai is the third mine countermeasure vessel of the Belgian-Dutch remote mine countermeasure (rMCM) programme The Belgian Navy’s second new mine countermeasure ship was launched on 2 July with an expectation that it will be delivered in 2026 Tournai is the third of the twelve mine countermeasure vessels in the Belgian-Dutch rMCM programme Delivery of Oostende is scheduled for summer 2025 in Zeebrugge France’s Naval Group is overall architect and prime contractor and responsible for the design of the ships is the industrial prime contractor for the 12 ships The main strength of the ships is what Naval Group refers to as “the toolbox” which consist of the capacity to operate surface uncrewed surface vessels (vessels of around 12m and 18t) As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to Premium News and Defence Insight … The contract was awarded to HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division and General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) contract money will also go towards improving productivity at the shipyards L3Harris is targeting European naval modernisation with new uncrewed surface vessels and regional investments including defence exercises and facility openings DSTA chief Ng Chad-son outlines how the agency is reshaping defence tech development through deeper collaboration with industry partners from AI-enhanced radar to smart naval munitions The World Heritage Centre is at the forefront of the international community’s efforts to protect and preserve World Heritage partnerships for conservation Ensuring that World Heritage sites sustain their outstanding universal value is an increasingly challenging mission in today’s complex world where sites are vulnerable to the effects of uncontrolled urban development Our Partners Donate Take advantage of the search to browse through the World Heritage Centre information The Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Tournai was built in the first half of the 12th century It is especially distinguished by a Romanesque nave of extraordinary dimensions a wealth of sculpture on its capitals and a transept topped by five towers Edifiée dans la première moitié du XIIe siècle la cathédrale de Tournai se distingue par une nef romane d'une ampleur exceptionnelle par la grande richesse sculpturale de ses chapiteaux et par un transept chargé de cinq tours annonciatrices de l'art gothique شُيّدت كاثدرائية سيدة تورنيه في النصف الأول من القرن الثاني عشر، وهي تتميّز بجناحها الروماني الضخم، وبتيجان عواميدها الغنية بنقوشها وبجناحها المصالب المكلّل بخمسة أبراج تبشّر بالفن القوطي وفي القرن الثالث عشر، أعيد بناء موضع الخورس المصمّم حسب الطراز القوطي البحت 图尔奈圣母大教堂建于12世纪上半叶，因其罗马式的中厅、柱头上的大量雕塑以及上有五座塔楼的耳堂而显得与众不同。耳堂上的那五座塔楼均为哥特式艺术风格的先驱，后重建于13世纪的高坛则是纯粹的哥特式风格。 Кафедральный собор Нотр-Дам в Турне был построен в первой половине XII в Все это можно рассматривать как предпосылки готического стиля Levantada en la primera mitad del siglo XII la Catedral de Tournai se distingue por su nave románica de dimensiones excepcionales sus capiteles ricamente esculpidos y su crucero con cinco torres precursoras del arte gótico El coro fue reconstruido en el siglo XIII en el más puro estilo gótico The Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tournai lies at the heart of the old city not far from the left bank of the Escaut The present building is not homogeneous with regard to its chronology and conception completed and still distinguishable: the Romanesque nave and the transept The construction of the first two was for the greater part carried out in one go during the early 12th century; no major modification was made to the building during the following centuries It is difficult to associate the Cathedral with just one influence or school but in its design and its elevations it presents layouts that influenced the development of early Gothic art it is distinguished by a Romanesque nave of impressive dimensions and richly sculptured and by a transept with five towers that indicate the beginnings of Gothic art The conception of the nave illustrates a great originality with several important innovations The transposition to the exterior of the running course of the tall windows the rise to four levels and the double western door make the nave a unicum in the history of Romanesque architecture while the sobriety of the ornamental elements appears to be due to the weight of Carolingian traditions particulary sensitive in the early Low Countries The master builder has thus executed a remarkable synthesis between the most innovative aspects of the architecture of his time The dimensions of the transept adorned with five towers is surely the most emblematic characteristic of the Tournai Cathedral the sources are not sufficiently interpreted between the so-called « Lombard-Rhine » influence and the harmonic façades of France and England its posterity is evident; the model flourished throughout the second half of the 12th century The Gothic choir marks the introduction of new forms of classic Gothic in Belgium in the middle of the 13th century It is particularly representative of the era of its construction It bears witness to the tremendous technological progress of the end of the 12th and beginning of the 13th century It is also an example of the rapid spread of this architecture from the creative centres of Ile-de-France dating from the middle of the 13th century onwards « à la page » building using the most recent techniques and the embellishments in the taste of the time Criterion (ii): The Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tournai bears witness to a considerable exchange of influence between the architectures of the Ile-de-France the Rhineland and Normandy during the short period at the beginning of the 12th century that preceded the flowering of Gothic architecture Criterion (iv): In its imposing dimensions the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tournai is an outstanding example of the great edifices of the school of the north of the Seine precursors of the vastness of the Gothic cathedrals the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tournai has preserved its architectural expression as well as its religious and cultural functions Its importance is expressed through the architectural quality of the building and its location in the urban fabric veritable landmark in the centre of the urban landscape as well as through its visual and symbolic relation to the nearby belfry The authenticity of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tournai is beyond doubt The inevitable 19th century restorations (common to every major building of the Middle Ages) retained its outstanding external dimensions and the alterations to the west façade minor in relation to the size of the building The damage caused by World War II bombardments was mainly limited to fire damage to the roof of the nave and to some of the chapter buildings The restorations were carried out with the greatest respect for the building as were the works ensuring the longevity of the Cathedral The Cathedral in Tournai was among the first listed properties in Belgium (05/02/1936) and it is inscribed on the list of outstanding heritage in Wallonia a list established by the Walloon Government recording outstanding elements of the Walloon heritage It is also located in the protected centre of old Tournai Since its inscription on the World Heritage List the Cathedral has undergone an extensive restoration programme with the aim not only to restore the religious building but also the promotion of the property and its buffer zone The project associates all the actors and has a Scientific Committee Following the decision of the Walloon Government of 25 August 2011 to provide all the Walloon sites inscribed on the World Heritage List with a management plan a Scientific Committee and a Management Committee were established Medievalists.net Brabant and the Holy Roman Empire against the French city of Tournai Michael Livingston and Kelly DeVries tell us about a siege involving complex alliances starvation and the money problems of a medieval ruler See also Episode 27 on the Battle of Sluys Bow and Blade is hosted by Kelly DeVries and Michael Livingston Kelly DeVries is a Professor at Loyola University in Maryland and Honorary Historical Consultant at the Royal Armouries. You can learn more about Kelly on his university webpage Michael Livingston teaches at The Citadel and is the author of numerous books on medieval history as well as fiction novels. You can learn more about Michael on his website, or follow him on Twitter @medievalguy We've created a Patreon for Medievalists.net as we want to transition to a more community-funded model We aim to be the leading content provider about all things medieval podcast and Youtube page offers news and resources about the Middle Ages We hope that are our audience wants to support us so that we can further develop our podcast and remove the advertising on our platforms This will also allow our fans to get more involved in what content we do produce After years of argument workers have begun taking apart Tournai’s Bridge of Holes The dismantling of Tournai’s gothic Bridge of Holes to make room for larger boats down the Scheldt river has been met with solemn protest and a withering attack on local politicians by a minister in Belgium’s federal government a crane attached to a barge was deployed from 6am on Friday morning to take apart the three arches of the Pont des Trous as a local cellist played mournfully on the river bank The bridge’s bricks will be retained for its later reconstruction on similar lines to the original albeit with a wider and higher central arch The council had initially supported a contemporary replacement described by opponents as a “Bridge of McDonald’s” due to its similarity to the burger chain’s logo and officials have been criticised for their willingness to dismantle the landmark A crowd on the river’s banks audibly reacted when some of the brickwork was seen falling into the water on Friday. Many watching a live stream on the website of the regional television station, Notele, wrote of their sadness at saying “goodbye”. Among those on the river bank was Belgium’s minster for energy, Marie-Christine Marghem, who in a Facebook post deplored the “lack of empathy” for local people by the council. She wrote: “Because a Tournaisien lives his city in joys and sorrows, I am at the foot of our Bridge of Holes since the sunrise to see how institutional killjoys attack a monument without prior heritage procedure, under the gloomy eye of the little local potentates. “Prima facie, I obviously don’t see any numbered stone. Are we surprised? Throughout, in addition, no word of empathy has been addressed to the population which long expressed in a popular consultation her love for its roots, its identity, its history.” Built between 1281 and 1304, the Pont des Trous is one of only three remaining 13th-century military bridges in the world. Bombed and partially destroyed during the second world war, the central arches were rebuilt and widened in 1947. Only its medieval towers – the Bourdiel, built in 1281 on the left bank and the Thieulerie, built on the river’s right bank between 1302-04 – are original. The bridge’s name comes from a nearby lock that was called Les Trous, or the holes, by Tournaisiens. The reconstruction was said to be necessary as part of a (€4.2bn) (£3.8bn) project to create a 65-mile (105km) canal, connecting the Seine and Scheldt rivers. The council wants to allow passage for boats of up to 2,000 tonnes rather than continue with the current 1,500-tonne limit. The dismantling of the bridge has been met with resistance throughout the process, with the Belgian prime minister, Charles Michel, asked to intervene. The criticism was at its most vociferous in 2016 when the council approved plans by the architect Olivier Bastin for a minimalist and contemporary style. A petition calling for the plan to be ditched attracted more than 20,000 signatures and the backing of the French radio and TV host Stéphane Bern. It was only in March this year that the minister of public works in the francophone Walloon region, Carlo Di Antonio, announced that the modern design was being ditched and that the bridge would be rebuilt almost identically. Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab , opens new tab Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. , opens new tabScreen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. © 2025 Reuters. All rights reserved A high-speed train travelling between Lille(France) and Brussels collided with a stationary tractor trailer on a level crossing at Beclers (Tournai - Hainaut) earlier today railtrack operator Infrabel has confirmed. Two passengers on the train were injured. No trains were running to and from London for a while this morning. The accident happened at 7.55am CEST. As a result, traffic is disrupted on rail line 94 between Tournai and Halle (Flemish Brabant). Emergency services are at the scene. See how a high-speed TGV ploughs into a trailer stuck on a level crossing in Tournai (VIDEO) The high-speed train, a TGV inOui, took line 94 as a diversion because the normal high-speed line between France and Brussels is under maintenance. Rail traffic on the line is currently completely interrupted. Trains running to and from London are now being diverted, says the Infrabel spokesman. The tractor's trailer was dragged over a long distance. The farmer, who was able to exit his vehicle before the collision, was unhurt. ‘The high-speed train on the line was not travelling fast,’ Infrabel notes, but expect cancellations all day. The 120 passengers on the high-speed train were evacuated and bussed to the centre of Tournai. One passenger sustained light injuries, a scond is in a more serious condition. Eurostar says trains from Amsterdam and Brussels will run to London today via an alternative route that will put an extra hour on the journey. Passengers travelling today can rebook or get their money back. The accident has led to long queues at Brussels South Station (Zuid/Midi) and severe delays. Get news and updates about your favorite shows plus 3 free credits to watch locked content Check your inbox for the latest news and updates about your favorite shows On Monday morning, the first Leopard 1 tanks were shipped from Belgian soil to Ukraine, according to Business AM sources. The tanks were in stock at OIP Land Systems in Tournai, where they were restored and sold. The Belgian government reportedly showed no interest at any point. The tanks were taken out of service several years ago. Under the pressure of additional budget cuts, the military leadership decided to retire all heavy tracked vehicles and replace them with lighter wheeled armored vehicles. The Leopards were also victims of this decision: fifty units have been stored at OIP in Tournai since then. However, the tanks never made it to the list of donations from Belgium to Ukraine. According to Ludivine Dedonder, the Minister of Defense of Belgium, they are too expensive to make operational. “Efforts were made to refurbish them, but now the company is asking up to 500,000 euros per vehicle. I understand that work isn’t free, but the margin is excessive,” she said. Experts, however, point out that half a million euros is indeed the market value of these vehicles, which have been in high demand over the past months, especially for donations to Ukraine. Especially painful is the fact that Belgium sold the tanks to the company for only 15,000 euros each at that time, roughly the price of scrap metal alone. The military lacked sufficient hangars to store the phased-out equipment and ended up selling them at dumping prices. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Henry Palmer goes in search of food with historical significance I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice There is much to see in the old city, not least the large, triangular Grand Place; the enormous cathedral dating back to the 12th century; the Pont des Trous, a 13th-century bridge complete with arrow slits; and in complete contrast an Art Nouveau gem, the Musée des Beaux Arts (0032 6933 2431; tournai.be/musee-beaux-arts). It contains works by Monet, Manet and Van Gogh. Between these sights there's a great deal of eating and tasting to enjoy too. Meanwhile you'll find a large choice of Belgian beers (as well as Belgian sparkling wine) on the menu at La Vie est Belge (0032 6977 5450; lavieestbelge.be), a chic café-bar at Quai du Marché au Poisson 17. It is one of a number of lively outlets on Tournai's newly revamped embankment along the Escaut river. Step into Herbaut Boulangerie Pâtisserie (0032 6922 1510; herbaut.net) at Rue Gallait 20 and you'll find yourself in a haven infused with the aromas of just-cooked breads and spicy cakes. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies CategoriesCategoriesEnglishJUSTICE47-year-old woman found in river Scheldt was killed An autopsy shows that the 47-year-old woman whose body was found in the Scheldt river in Belgium on Monday died as a result of violence the Tournai public prosecutor said at a press conference on Tuesday a hiker discovered the lifeless body of Cathy Dubois in the River Scheldt in Kain A judicial inquiry into manslaughter has been opened Dubois disappeared on Saturday night after her restaurant in the centre of Tournai closed at 23.30 Her partner and son went home at 22.50 after working in the restaurant the woman's vandalised car was found at the railway station The federal judicial police discovered traces of blood in the car The disappearance was immediately considered suspicious An autopsy revealed injuries that led to the victim's death and a manslaughter investigation was opened There is still no trace of a perpetrator or motive and it is not yet known where the woman was killed Copy linkGet updates in your mailboxYour email addressSubscribeBy clicking "Subscribe" I confirm I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy rapid and high-quality information 24 hours a day from Belgium and abroad to all Belgian media not to mention entertainment and lifestyle our journalists and press photographers produce hundreds of photos and news stories Since the end of March 2022 English has been added as a language businesses and various organisations that need reliable information Belga News Agency also offers a comprehensive range of corporate services to meet all their communication needs www.belganewsagency.eu Medieval Letter-Collections as a Mirror of Circles of Friendship Revue belge de philologie et d’histoire: Tome 83 fasc moderne et contemporaine – Middeleeuwse sent one of his canons to Denmark to collect funds for the restoration of his abbey The canon had to meet several Danish dignitaries one of them being the bishop of Ribe: Omer “which help to establish new friendship or strengthen old: conversations between two persons mutual services,an intensive exchange of letters and a reputation of virtue corresponding to reality” (92) He continued by praising the fame and virtue of bishop Omer and then went to the core of his subject: he asked the bishop to protect and help his canon (during his mis sion) (93) suggesting that Omer would certainly be rewarded in heaven for this help (94) One might assume that the explicit reference to friendship in the first sentence – a possible reference to Cicero’s wellknown work De Amicitia (95) – points to a relationship between friends Stephen of Tournai apparently wrote to his ‘friend’ asking for material help and protection for his canon created by the introduction of the letter (96) our knowledge of the author and the addressee does not allow us to consider both as ‘good friends’ without reservations Click here to read this article from Revue belge de philologie et d’histoire which is located in the city of tournai near the french border which include two industrial structures and a former convent are connected vertically and horizontally throughout the architecture faculty building is located in the belgian city of tournai image © tim van de velde (also main image) an arched void recalls the city’s historic passages image © tim van de velde the design occupies the interior of a historical city block image © tim van de velde the all-white structure has been positioned to unify the campus image © tim van de velde the intervention also defines a series of new external spaces image © tim van de velde the building features a dramatic internal staircase image © tim van de velde the scheme is a contemporary reinterpretation of tournai’s architecture image © tim van de velde the facility has two auditoriums, with 300 and 150 seats image © tim van de velde students and professors can move easily from one building to another image © tim van de velde external spaces can be used for recreation image © tim van de velde the site’s existing buildings are connected vertically and horizontally throughout the block image © tim van de velde the site’s existing buildings include two industrial structures and a former convent image © tim van de velde name: architecture faculty in tournai client: université catholique de louvain location: tournai, belgium date of project: 2014-2015 date of construction: 2015-2017 surface area: 5,990 sqm built area: 7,010 sqm site area: 6,200 sqm authors: manuel and francisco aires mateus project leader: jorge p silva collaborators: susana rodrigues, joana carmo simões, vânia fernandes, sara nobre, sofia paradela, inês gulbenkian, bernardo sousa, isabel sousa, aiden thornhill, théophile legrain, antoine pruvost, charles cossement engineering: tradeco constructor: tradeco happening now! partnering with antonio citterio, AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function, but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style, context, and personal expression. Resilient in the face of what the past has put its way And it has solid excuses for its disarray: the combined effects of several dozen sieges There’s another misfortune for its inhabitants but a bonus for visitors – it’s under-endowed with tourists which took out Tournai’s greatest architectural prize It tilted the huge edifice enough to require stabilisation work that will have sections of it under wraps for at least another decade and inside there’s a nifty model made of clothes pegs which illustrates clearly the distinct halves which make the ensemble one of the most important in Western Europe One half is Romanesque; the other the newly fashionable (in the 12th century) Gothic Tournai itself was once high in the ranks of important European cities and a spell as the fourth most important city of France Near the Cathedral stands Tournai’s second glory: its belfry and still emits a delicate and mellifluous set of chimes Tournai’s main square is actually triangular and extremely functional florists and pharmacies in addition to the numerous cafés and restaurants step-fronted 17th-century brick façades bedecked with repro guild banners It’s with surprise you realise that most of the buildings are recent reconstructions The magnificent Draper’s Hall was destroyed first by the huge storm in 1606 then a second time by German bombs in 1940 date stones indicate a building that dates not from 1650 There are also many victims to the later Allied bombardment aimed at disrupting the German army’s retreat through the railway station in 1944 Tournai’s post-war reconstruction was a model of sensitivity because scarcely a single 1960s monstrosity mars the harmony of the broad Blocks of attractive 1950s brick fill gaps discreetly with tastefully old-fashioned shops often surmounted by spacious looking inhabited apartments As you walk further through the quiet surrounding quartiers and here and there little gems of Art Nouveau Tournai’s major gem of Art Nouveau is its Beaux Arts Museum the work of the celebrated architect Victor Horta It is set behind the town hall in the wooded gardens of the old abbey of Saint Martin The museum’s big attractions include early Flemish and Impressionist works among them the only two Manets exhibited in Belgium: Argenteuil and Chez le Père Lathuille It was with some disgruntlement that I learnt that many of these were in storage to make room for a big exhibition about a children’s cartoon character named Martine impressed by the exquisite draughtsmanship of the celebrated Tournai-born illustrator Marcel Marlier whose vast output will next year have a permanent museum in nearby Mouscron is a local firm that achieved international importance in the world of bande dessinée and the rambling old Casterman complex is now an interesting part of a stroll around the old Saint Jacques district north of the Beaux Arts a gradually gentrifying grid of historic barracks bourgeois houses and former Resilient in the face of what the past has put its way By Philip Sweeney lodgings for pilgrims on one of the Santiago routes which begins at Tournai While the Grand-Place is still the main focus of café life and once dividing the Dutch northern half from the French south the Escaut was a transport artery for Tournai gliding slowly past the fashionable new café terraces and under the most easterly of Tournai’s bridges – the wonderful 13th-century Pont des Trous The bridge’s gates were designed to deny river access to the walled city and unfortunately they’re doing it very well to the larger craft today which is the cause of much controversy surrounding the bridge’s possible modification This controversy has been energetically entered into by Tournai’s newest celebrity resident who recently joined the influx of moneyed French buying homes across the border Depardieu has a wine bar soon to open behind the cathedral can often be spotted attablé at the Si Jamais restaurant on the Grand-Place France’s national treasure/public enemy knows his grub and Si Jamais is one of the best of Tournai’s many excellent eating places – another winning dimension to an overlooked city Musée des Beaux-Arts, Enclos Saint-Martin (00 32 69 33 24 31; tournai.be/musee-beaux-arts) Si Jamais, 9 Grande Place (00 32 69 76 67 29; sijamais.be) More information whybelgium.co.uk; 020 7531 0390 Tournai developed along the banks of the River Escaut (also known as the Scheldt) which today is still used as a route for cargo transport In the course of its long and rich history this neat little town has been ruled by the Romans During the 15th century it was recognised as one of the great art centres of Europe In the 19th century it became closely associated with the textile Although badly damaged during the Second World War it was beautifully restored during the 1940s and 50s particularly around its glorious Grand-Place The most plausible explanation is that the site was at the convergence of two ancient ways where an important Gallo-Roman burial place was established You’ll see some of the town’s finest architecture here: the Cloth Hall with its columned gables; the great church of St Quentin with its rounded turrets and the 17thcentury bailiff’s court Tournai’s gigantic cathedral is an iconic landmark Its oldest elements date back to the 12th century however for hundreds of year it was a work in progress Its dimensions alone make it worthy of a visit – although ongoing conservation work may mean that some parts of the church are not accessible Step inside (admission is free to the main part of the building) to see the long nave the treasury which is now a museum (closed Mondays; adults €2) The highlights here are two finely worked reliquaries from the 13th century Contact the Tournai tourist office (see below) to book a guided tour of the conservation works Adjacent to the cathedral is the 72m-high belfry (see tourist office details below; closed Mondays; adults €2) The earliest such structure here was built in 1217 After fire damage it was reconstructed in its current form in 1391 It’s one of the few bell towers in Belgium in which you can climb almost to the top – if you have the energy Take the 257 steps to the viewing platform passing an old prison area (the belfry was used as a jail in the 18th century) Take a stroll along the newly renovated quayside of the River Escaut a magnificent 13th-century water gate perforated with arrow slits – hence the name In its newly reconditioned form the ancient walkway is dotted with cafés and restaurants and has a long section shaded by plane trees and lined with benches Head to Rue Barre Saint-Brice to marvel at the oldest houses in town two Romanesque-style properties built in 1175 they sport gables and narrow windows supported by stone columns Tournai was briefly a British possession during Henry VIII’s reign It was held by English troops for five years (1513-18) and a citadel was constructed to accommodate these foreign soldiers Standing tall off Avenue du Rempart in the north of the town a watchtower with 6m-thick walls remains from this structure there’s another striking piece of military architecture The Fort Rouge – so called because of its red roof – was built in the 12th century and was beautifully restored in the 1990s The interior of this defensive tower now serves as a multimedia theatre To reflect Tournai’s industrial wealth in the early years of the 20th century, a bold museum of art was commissioned in 1913. The Musée des Beaux-Arts (00 32 69 33 24 31; tournai.be/museebeaux-arts; closed Tuesdays; adults €5) stands adjacent to the town hall it is a splendid building that makes a great play of curves The central hall is a captivating area showing classical-style sculpture wonderfully offset by the addition of pink flying hippo by Tom Frantzen The permanent collection includes work by Monet For an insight into the inventive, go-ahead spirit of Tournai, visit the Musée de la Tapisserie et des Arts du Tissu (00 32 69 84 20 73; tournai.be/musee-tapisserie; closed Tuesdays; adults €5) at the neo-classical Place Reine Astrid Tapestry making developed into an important craft here in the 14th century and was revived around the time of the Second World War with commissions for Forces murals This museum offers a pageant of tapestries old and new setting 15th-century works of kings and knights alongside modern Among the new restaurants in town is Le Lacet Bleu (00 32 69 21 56 79; lacetbleu.be) at 18 Rue Dorez The menu at this stylish establishment offers traditional dishes based on seasonal ingredients and makes a great play of textures and spices with a number of exotic options Along the revived quayside of the River Escaut Bistro des Traboules (00 32 69 22 80 74) at 33 Quai Notre Dame offers brasserie fare with a twist like of duck hamburgers with cep capuccino Tournai Office du Tourisme (00 32 69 22 20 45; tournai.be) is at 14 Vieux Marché aux Poteries; open weekdays 8am to 6pm, weekends 10am to noon and 2pm to 5pm. A rare 15th-century tapestry – the oldest owned by the National Trust – is returning to display at Montacute House in southwestern England after spending four years away for conservation The tapestry depicts a knight in armour parading his elegantly decorated horse against a dark blue background covered with a highly detailed flower pattern It has taken experts nearly 1,300 hours of cleaning and conservation to strengthen it and bring out its vivid colours The knight is shown with the arms of Jean de Daillon a nobleman and friend of King Louis XI of France who trusted him with many important offices and enriched him with land and titles Daillon commissioned the tapestry in 1477 from weaver Guillaume Desremaulx in the town of Tournai in what is now Belgium but upon completion it was presented to him as a gift from the people of Tournai Although large at nearly 12 feet (3.57 m) by 9.5 feet (2.82 m) the tapestry is known to have been just one piece of a set The edges of the tapestry have been rewoven with a border indicating that this piece was probably once even larger It is likely that Daillon commissioned the full set of tapestries but it wasn’t until the mid-1970s that a researcher identified the Coat of Arms on the tapestry as belonging to him – and was able to uncover the details of how the set was made Daillon did not have long to enjoy his gift – he died in 1481 and may not have seen the finished tapestries was last recorded the following year when his widow Marie Laval delivered it to a well-known entrepreneur trading in wine and tapestries They then vanished from history for over four hundred years until 1910 when the Knight appeared in an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York In 1935 it was bought by Sir Malcolm Stewart who bequeathed his collection of tapestries to the National Trust to be displayed at Montacute House in 1951 “This is a really special tapestry of a very fine quality made using wool and silk to a high standard,” said Sonja Rogers the National Trust’s House and Collections Manager at Montacute House “It was labour intensive to make and would have been a very expensive and valuable gift over its lifetime it had become weak and damaged from exposure to smoke from domestic fires and from crude the colours are now so much brighter and fresher and the whole tapestry appears full of life and energy “But there are mysteries which still remain – we don’t yet know where the tapestry was during almost all of its history or even if more of the original set survived It is one of only a handful of pieces that can be linked to a specific commission and it is the only 15th-century tapestry that can definitely be attributed to the city of Tournai We would love to think that more of it may have survived somewhere although if they don’t contain clues such as the coat of arms The tapestry was conserved at the National Trust’s Textile Conservation Studio in Norfolk where it underwent 1,276 hours of hand sewing and other treatments to repair damage and strengthen it It was also sent to Belgium for specialist cleaning to remove decades of dirt The Textile Studio conservators worked through the whole tapestry on a frame supporting it on a new linen backing to add strength Areas of loss were filled in with appropriate conservation materials and stitching The Textile Studio Conservator Yoko Hanegreefs explained “We found that many of the older repairs were still in good condition but many of the later ones had been done more crudely and had discoloured or faded “The areas of weakened wool weft were mostly seen in the black The iron is known to accelerate the degradation of the wool.” Sonja adds: “Now that the tapestry is clean we can clearly see the knight’s fine features and long flaxen hair showing below his helmet The background is really special too – the colours are bright and you can see hosts of different flowers in the millefleurs pattern the National Trust Director-General said it was important that the tapestry was back on display “Montacute is a wonderful example of an Elizabethan house which would have featured many high-quality tapestries when it was first built,” she notes “Investment in the conservation of our collections ensures they can be enjoyed by future generations and it is thanks to the support of our members that we’re able to carry out this important work.” The tapestry has now returned to Montacute House an Elizabethan house built for lawyer and politician Edward Phelips in around 1598 where it will be displayed in the Dining Room throughout October and November Top Image: Conservators complete the rehang of the tapestry at Montacute House in Somerset One man arrested in Verviers and the other in Tournai amid reports of a planned attack on a Euro 2016 fanzone Belgian police have detained two men for questioning after fresh anti-terror raids amid reports of a planned attack on a Euro 2016 fanzone A spokesman for the federal prosecutor’s office said one man was arrested in the eastern town of Verviers and another man in Tournai “It is too soon to talk about a terror attack The two men have to be questioned first,” the spokesman added Belgium remains on high alert after the March attacks on Brussels airport and on the city’s metro system which killed 32 people and were claimed by Islamic State Several of those involved in the bloodshed were directly linked to the November attacks in Paris which left 130 dead and were planned in Brussels Last week, Belgium charged three men with “attempted terrorist murder” after anti-terror raids linked to a reported threat to fans during a Euro 2016 match Prosecutors said at the time that they were responding to a need for “an immediate intervention” Belgium police killed two Isis jihadis in a raid in Verviers in January 2015 who were later found to be linked to the cells involved in both the Brussels and Paris attacks (ANS - Tournai) - At the end of March students of the Primary School and Secondary Technical-Vocational School in Tournai games and special moments thanks to the "missionaries": Salesians Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) and the youth of the Salesian youth Movement (SYM) On the heels of the Bicentenary Year the institute's director wanted to revive a proposal of the France-South Belgium Province (FRB): to create a Salesian mission in the school of Tournai The project gradually took shape around the theme of happiness remembering the words of Don Bosco: "I have only one wish The organizers wanted to encourage as much as possible contact between the students and visiting Salesians and FMA For this it was important that each class could have a significant time to meet them it was meant to attract the attention of the first and second year students of secondary school (12-14 years) that no longer has a religious community within its walls this presence of Salesians and Salesian Sisters for two days was a bit like as if it was Don Bosco himself visiting us," said the Headmaster each class had the opportunity to meet a couple of consecrated Salesians who gave their testimony and exchanged ideas was the appearance of the clown "Papi" - played by the Provincial Fr Daniel Federspiel The festive Eucharist brought together young and old several pastoral workers gathered for a debate on the subject: "how to speak about God to the youth of today?" relied heavily on another factor: the involvement of the older students from the school (aged between 16 and 20) who are members of the pastoral group "Agape," committed to the formation and animation of the younger ones "This Salesian mission reminds us that pastoral ministry must be at the heart of the school if we want our schools to work well,” said Professor Henno It is also important to involve the young people "When we show them we have confidence in them ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007 This site also uses third-party cookies to improve user experience and for statistical purposes By scrolling through this page or by clicking on any of its elements