AFTER a successful visit to Avranches, Crediton’s Twin Town, in 2010, the Choir of the Parish Church again visited Normandy and performed on three occasions.

Following a night crossing from Plymouth to Roscoff the group enjoyed a visit to Mont Saint Michel before arriving in Avranches late afternoon on Saturday, October 21.

Most of the group stayed at the Ibis hotel with others staying with local families arranged by the Avranches Twinning friends.

After a rehearsal in the historic Church of St Gervais on the Saturday evening the choir returned on Sunday morning to sing at the Mass in the presence of a large congregation which included the Mayor of Avranches, David Nicolas and other friends from Twinning.

After a break for lunch the choir assembled at the Avranches Theatre to rehearse for a concert later in the afternoon which was introduced by Odile Morel President of Crediton Avranches Partenaire (CAP) and took place in front of a large appreciative audience.

The concert included some music from six members of the choir playing their flutes and during the interval a group of 12 local musicians including René Remond (Secretary of CAP) entertained the Choir and audience.

At the end of the concert the choir members were provided with a Reception and Buffet organised by the CAP group.

On Monday the choir set off for a visit some of the 1944 Normandy Landings sites including Aromanches where the Circular Cinema presentation was watched.

A visit to Bayeux provided an opportunity to visit the famous tapestry or the chocolate museum. The group then travelled to the town of Sainte Mere Église which is famous for the American parachutist John Steele getting stuck on the church tower during the June 6 1944 D Day action and despite many casualties was the first French town to be liberated.

A model of a man with the parachute still hangs on the church.

A visit to the Airborne Museum was enjoyed by the group before a rehearsal in the church took place in preparation for the concert. A very nice light tea was provided by the Priest and this was followed by a concert in the church which was introduced by Priest Marie-Bernard Seigneur who was the Priest in Avranches when the choir were there in 2010.

The audience of about 70 people included the Mayor of Sainte Mere Église and an English family who live in the town. The concert was well-received and many compliments were given as the people left the church and the Priest enthusiastically invited the choir back any time they wished. A long day was helped by an unscheduled stop at a McDonald’s to sustain some hungry choir members.

On Tuesday the group enjoyed a visit to Exeter’s Twin Town of Rennes and later an end of tour dinner was held at a very nice restaurant when host families and honoured guests, including the Mayor of Avranches and his wife, and the Priest from St Gervais, were entertained.

Presentations were made as a huge “thank you” to Mark Perry, Richard Stephens and Philip Stallard for all their work in ensuring the success of the trip and gifts were presented by the Choir Chairman Helen Tuffin to both Odile and René for all their help.

This visit to our twin town reinforced the strong links which already exist and I was very proud to be part of the event and to enjoy the wonderful singing and music of our choir.

Peter Brewer