France 2011

Cadishead Public Band, supported by the Hamilton Davies Trust, set off at 6.30 am on Saturday 28^th May from the Bandroom in Clarendon Road for a Concert Tour to France. The coach provided by Holmeswood Coaches was called “Glory” and driven by Mark (who had taken the Band to Germany in 2005). The Glory is the longest coach on English roads, with 76 seats on a single deck.

The coach was loaded, with military precision, with all the equipment needed for the tour along with suitcases, food and passengers for the long trip south. One stop was made on the journey down for a comfort break and then it was on to the Channel Tunnel Terminal in Kent for the trip across to France. There was enough time for a walk around the Terminal and any last minute purchases before the coach & passengers were loaded onto the train carriage for the 35 minute journey through the Tunnel. A memorable experience for those making this journey for the first time.

Berny Reverie at La Croix du Vieux Pont

Once in France it was on with the seat belts for the 2 hour journey to our destination Berny Reverie campsite at La Croix du Vieux Pont, which is approx 60 miles east of Paris. As expected we arrived at 6.30 pm (French time) and were sent straight to the bar to await instructions on our accommodation. Once John Roach & David Dee had sorted everyone out we made our way to the mobile homes which would be ours for the next week, with instructions that the BBQ would be held at 8.30 pm.

The BBQ would have gone fine if the throw-away grills had stayed alight but with the aid of a gas grill we were able to cook all the food and serve everyone without any form of food poisoning. A good start to the first night of the tour.

Sunday gave the Band a free morning to explore the campsite, in glorious sunshine, and avail ourselves of the facilities it had to offer – 4 swimming pools, 3 lakes, 3 bars, restaurants, takeaways, and shops. In the afternoon the Band set up for the first concert in the main Bar on the site. Beforehand the first of the group photographs was taken near the lake and then the Band marched up playing road march ‘Chieftain’ from the lake to the bar for the concert. This drew many admiring glances from people walking around the site as the Band were wearing their new uniforms for the first time.

The concert, conducted by Guest Conductor David Holland, went very well and everyone enjoyed the playing. The Band had taken more than 50 pieces of music for this tour and the conductor chose various items from the programmes to suit the audience and this included solos, duets etc. On this first concert there were a lot of children present so we used music from Disney films such as The Lion King and Beauty & the Beast, which they enjoyed. At the end of the concert the bar owner very kindly bought the entire Band a drink and in return the Band made a presentation to her of a Band CD and photograph. Once the concert was over everyone had a free evening.

Saint Ouen

Monday saw an early start for the trip to Saint Ouen, which is twinned with the City of Salford, and is celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the twinning. We were met by the Chairman of the Town Twinning Committee, Jean Lefort. The main concert was to be adjacent to the Antiques Market in the town, next to a café which our supporters were able to listen from. Once again the Band gave a great performance which was well received by the people standing to listen. The compere, Peter Bates, did his best with short phrases in French, but most of the announcements had to be in English. After this concert the Band then went on a route march around the Antiques Quarter playing about three pieces at 4 stops en route, at times the temperature reached mid 30s, extremely hot. The band and followers were then taken to the restaurant “les tereeasses de Cayenne” given a superb lunch by the Town Twinning Committee. Presentations were made by Band committee members and Councillor Christine Hudson, a plaque and an engraved perfume bottle from the City of Salford, and the band presented a photograph, CD and booklet. In return Saint Ouen presented the Band with a large print of an old picture of the Antiques Market as a momento of the occasion. The band expressed their thanks to the Town Twinning Committee for the excellent reception and lunch. It was then back to our campsite for a restful evening.

Tuesday was the optional choice day. Most of the younger end of the party were booked onto our coach for a day trip to Disneyland Paris, whilst some adult members of the party took a train from there into Paris and walked around seeing all the sites of special interest including a walk to the top of the Sacre Coeur where the view all around Paris was magnificent. Sadly the Louvre was closed so no-one saw the Mona Lisa. The remainder of the party stayed on the campsite and had a day of relaxation.

Vic sur Aisne

So far the Band had done two full concerts and 4 short ones in three days. Wednesday was the shortest journey to a concert venue. No sooner were we on the coach than we were off again in the beautiful village of Vic sur Aisne, which was the local village and it was market day. The concert was played at the rear of the Town Hall and the Band was greeted by The Mayor who listened to the whole concert. Again there was a short introduction in French and the Band played a varied programme which was well received by the many people who came from the market to sit and listen to the band. Many of them were English who had walked to the village from the site where we were staying. After the concert it was the second opportunity for a group photograph on the lawns at the rear of the Town Hall and then sectional photographs taken on a staircase. The Mayor provided a small drinks reception for the Band party and this was very much appreciated by all concerned.

Once back at the site you would have thought the Band would have played enough for one day, but no. They had been asked by the site owners if they would give a concert on another part of the site. Once back in civilian clothes – tee shirt and shorts – the Band went over to the third bar on the site and played and shorter programme of music for people at that end of the site. This time they were conducted & compered by David Dee in his Beer & Brass style.

Wednesday evening saw the second of the BBQ’s with all the campers cooking the food in their own mobile homes and then bringing it to the central point (along with their drinks) for it to be heated through and served. Again this was a great success and everyone enjoyed the evening.

“Swing Session” Big Band style

Thursday should have been day out but it transpired that it was a Feast Day and so most towns would be taking a holiday. 9 members went on a coach trip to the local Hypermarket where David Dee got his essentials for Friday night’s dinner. In the afternoon a Games Session was held with Rounders and Cricket and this proved fun for all concerned with the ball having to retrieved from the lake etc. The remainder of the party had a free day to enjoy themselves on site. In the evening the final concert on site took place in the main bar with a “Swing Session” Big Band style, for which the gents had dressed in black & white, with the ladies in black evening dresses. Once again the bar owner treated the Band to drinks. As it was a warm evening many of the band stayed in the bar afterwards for more refreshments or a meal.

Pierrefonds

Friday saw the Band have a later start (which allowed them to do some packing) with the visit to Pierrefonds. Here the party had the choice of a tour of the Chateau or walking round the town etc. Tricia was an excellent tour guide for the Chateau, which is used for the filming of the BBC series “Merlin”, and some of the outdoors sets could be seen. The concert was in front of the Town Hall and the Band were greeted by Madam Le Mayor. Again the concert went well and there were many French people in the audience who appreciated the music. A reporter from the local paper took notes and photographs of the event. Afterwards the Mayor provided a drinks and pastries reception for the Band and again this was appreciated. So the Band had done 5 full concerts and 4 short ones in 6 days, playing more than 50 pieces of music, some several times, no mean feat.

Friday evening was the finale to the tour with the Meal and Presentation evening. An excellent three course meal with drinks was organised and enjoyed by everyone. David Dee presented the Tour Awards in various categories, no-one knowing what these were until the nominations were announced. A great end to a great tour.

Saturday morning came all too soon but the coach was loaded and ready for departure on time. We made it to the Channel Tunnel Terminal near Calais and the coach was searched by sniffer dogs and then we had to disembark and go through UK Customs control before getting back on the coach for the train for the journey back to the UK. A further stop was made for a comfort break and something to eat and then it was off “up north” along the M6 back to Cadishead and the unloading at the bandroom, which went smoothly. Goodbyes were said and another Cadishead Band Concert Tour came to an end. So many people are now looking forward to the next one. All the places we played in France have asked the Band to go back as soon as possible, testimony to the professional way in which the Band undertook each concert and how well they were received.

For all of us it has to be said that the organisation of the event was superb and thanks go to everyone involved. It was as the song says “One Moment In Time” to remember for ever.