Band hits right note on Normandy trip

By [lchurchill]

APPLEDORE Silver Band helped to reflect on 35 years of twinning between their home and a French town.

The seaside village band has returned from a trip to Mondeville in Normandy which is twinned with Northam.

Some 24 members of the band and their musical director, John Croker, went to France to join in the celebrations.

They played at the twinning celebrations and also at a joint concert in the Renaissance Theatre with the Society Musical Normandie Band.

The Appledore band's programme included music from James Bond to She and ended with The Can Can.

The French town has a population between 10,000 and 20,000 and lies on the Orne River.

Mondeville and the borough of Northam, which includes Westward Ho!, Appledore and Orchard Hill, were first twinned in 1974.

For more than three decades the Northam group has been welcoming visitors to England and in turn travelling to the French.

The regular trips have left the two towns with close community making friendships beyond the official twinning visits.

The twinning association also has 25 years of twinning with its German counterparts in Buddenstadt.

A spokesman for the band said: "The group, of course, did some sightseeing trips in the area, and on the Sunday paid a visit to Arromanche and played an impromptu concert on the sea front where a large crowd gathered to listen to them.

"The whole group thoroughly enjoyed their tour to Normandy.

"We would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported us during our fund raising events."