Unlike the rest of France, the creation of companion seats, whatever the Society, north of Paris is relatively recent if we look at the history of the Companionage.
Various reasons may explain the official absence of the Devoirs in the French Netherlands: the presence from the Middle Ages of powerful corporations with the independence of the municipalities still symbolized today by the belfries recently registered as World Heritage of UNESCO has prevented the development of societies of Companions more inclined to work in regions where the craft industry has not yet structured the jurandes and other leagues of Northern Europe.
In the contemporary history of the Companion, it is necessary to wait until the early 1980s to see the permanent establishment of the Association Ouvrière des Companions du Devoir in Villeneuve d'Ascq and 1986 saw the creation of a headquarters of the FCMB in Arras and a CFA in Jeumont.
Companion Union Without official representation, it was only possible to count on the personal investment for several years of Companions, very active in their respective professional branches and in the Société des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France of the Nord Pas de Calais region. New links have come to strengthen our Companions since 2004 reinforced by several young people since 2008: roofers, stone tailors, masons, wood sculptors, menuisiers, cooks and pastries.
Despite the small number of UC Companions in the region, the activities are numerous and the spirit of fraternity and self-help is well present. Among the numerous events where the Companions du Nord have been present for several years, there are some: Salons des Antiquaires de Lille, Arras, Cassel. Cultural Heritage Fair in Paris. Few regional exhibitions related to Arts and Heritage without the presence of at least one Companion and the support of others. Let us recall the organization of the Art and Traditions Artisan Exhibition of Cassel for the second consecutive year with the support of the Cayenne de Paris in partnership with Rotary and MOF. The Northern Countries and Youth have also been present for several years at our national headquarters on the occasion of European Heritage Days in order to present their trades. Last year a large presence of young people in Lille during these days made it possible to make us known to the public and the municipality.
The commitment of the Northern Companions to training is also noteworthy. All are involved at different levels: the Best Apprentices of France competition, the Olympics of Trades, CAP and BP corrections. On many occasions, the Companions have intervened in professional lycées or at conferences to present the companionship in general and the UC in particular at the invitation of municipalities or association.
There is no shortage of actions and projects either: the implications of the Companions of the UC in the Louvre-Lens project in the context of the creation of a CFA des Métiers d'Arts, the exhibition of Arts and Traditions in Cassel which now becomes a must-see event for the region's exceptional know-how.
Since 2019, with the support of the Town Hall of Bondues, the Companions have occupied the former farm of the Hotel, a magnificent 18th century building, former dependency of the castle of Bondues.
The building offers accommodation for a dozen young people and has a classroom, a workshop and an exhibition room open to the public.
