 Carrbrook Band has been visiting Armentières to play at the Fête des Nieulles for 16 years.
The Fête des Nieulles takes place on the second Sunday of September. Carrbrook Brass arrives in Armentières on the Friday evening before the Fête. As well as the Fête itself, the Band usually has several engagements over the course of the weekend, including playing at a local hospital and at a home for elderly people.
On two occasions recently, on arrival in France on the Friday evening, Carrbrook Brass has gone straight to Ypres, just over the Belgian border from Armentières, to play at the daily Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate, a very moving ceremony indeed. Their participation and their playing have been greatly praised and appreciated. One year, they played at another Last Post ceremony, this time at the Lions Memorial in Ploegsteert, also just over the Belgian border from Armentières.
The main event of the Fête des Nieulles itself is the procession, held on the Sunday afternoon. Here, Bands and other groups come from the area around Armentières, as well as from Belgium and Holland, and, of course ................. Carrbrook, Stalybridge, UK.
On the Sunday evening, the proceedings are rounded off with a spectacular firework display.
Carrbrook's presence is greatly valued in the procession, as it is throughout the whole weekend. One year, a musician from the Band featured in the Tourist Information brochure for Armentières - a great honour!
Carrbrook Brass have a 'twin' Band in Armentières, the Trompettes Dévoués. The Trompettes play a great part in the life of Armentières throughout the whole year, as well as in the Fête des Nieulles. They visited Stalybridge in 2003, when they played locally along with Carrbrook Brass and were received by the Mayor of Tameside.
You can visit Carrbrook Brass website at www.carrbrookbrass.co.uk
For more information on the Fête des Nieulles, click on the link at the bottom of the page.
Click the link to 'Christmas Tubas' for information on a special event in Armentières.
To see information on the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres, go to www.lastpost.be ; if you click on 'Pictures' and then go to 'Poppyfield Royal British Legion' you can see photos of the 'poppyfield' that we from the Twinning Association visited on 11th November 2008.
© emm - svta 2009
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