The band gathered at the Besom on the evening of Friday the 26th June, for Coldstream Twinning Association’s trip to Bennecourt in France. There was an air of excitement as we loaded the Glen Valley Tour’s bus, and had a last pint before heading south.
After a long night we arrived at Dover, sailing on a Sea France ferry. One thing - the French canny cook an English breakfast! On the other side we had one stop and arrived at Bennecourt at 1.30pm.
After meeting all our friends again and back to our hosts for a quick shower, the band gathered to play in Mantes la Jolie Celtic Festival, which was a late, but financially rewarding, engagement.
Some of the band travelled by host’s car while others were in the community mini bus. We arrived at a square in Mantes, which is a sprawling urban town. There was another pipe band and a Breton pipe band there from Normandy, tuning up. As usual it was organised chaos, but we eventually played our set in front of an appreciative crowd.
After a long night we arrived at Dover, sailing on a Sea France ferry. One thing - the French canny cook an English breakfast! On the other side we had one stop and arrived at Bennecourt at 1.30pm.
After meeting all our friends again and back to our hosts for a quick shower, the band gathered to play in Mantes la Jolie Celtic Festival, which was a late, but financially rewarding, engagement.
Some of the band travelled by host’s car while others were in the community mini bus. We arrived at a square in Mantes, which is a sprawling urban town. There was another pipe band and a Breton pipe band there from Normandy, tuning up. As usual it was organised chaos, but we eventually played our set in front of an appreciative crowd.
The parade started with the Normandy Highlanders Pipe Band following two Police on horses. Coldstream followed, Ged proudly carrying the 1513 club flag, with the Breton band bringing up the rear. We found that we were marching a short distance then stopping with the Normandy Band starting as we were still playing. Not very good at all so, at the next pit stop, James asked the Normandy PM if he would like both our bands to play together. After a quick chat with Rob about which tunes we could all play together, we set off as a mini massed band. After about three times round the same streets, and a chance meeting with the little Italian from International Show Parade, we eventually arrived at the festival site. After a couple of beers, we bid farewell to our new friends from NH pipe band and back to Bennecourt for the welcome meal.
On Sunday we played on the banks of the Seine at a picnic and boy was it hot. The band really appreciated our new polo shirts.Our next engagement was to play at an outdoor concert on Tuesday evening. Again the band performed well in the somewhat cooler conditions. That was the last official engagement, though the pipes could be heard in Bennecourt every night, sometimes very late.
On Thursday evening a short service was held for former pipe band member Stuart Tait who died on the day we left Coldstream. Peter played last post and reveille, while James lowered the 1513 club saltire, then Rob played Over the Sea to Skye, which was one of Stuart’s favourite tunes.
All in all it was another good trip for the band and we are expected back next year around the second week in July, for Bastille Day.
