Our overseas Tours.
BRITTANY 2007
The waiting is over, it is midnight and the Band waits for the coach to take them on their summer tour of the north west of France. With almost a full Band and backup staff, the logistics are quite important. Firstly and most importantly the instruments are loaded, then the foodstuffs and kitchen equipment and the new hot water urn. Then suitcases, sleeping bags, etc go in.
This year we are going to different accommodation; we are heading for the town of Pontivy, Brittany. With the complete building to ourselves we should be comfortable.
Day one was a day to get over the long drive with some of the group out fishing, some shopping and everybody 'chilling' until four o’ clock when Joe decided we should have a rehearsal. If only he’d told us before lunch we would not have had quite so much of the vin rouge. In the picture you see the back row sitting in pleasant sunshine on our first practice run before we started playing in earnest at our first performance at 7pm in Fougeres, two hours from our base. We started the day as English tourists seeing all the sights around the castle and having a nice lunch next to the castle moat.
After lunch a lot of the gang decided to have a tour of Fougeres on the train; a pleasant and informative time was had by all. Then, as the day went on, being English, we decided that the only thing missing was a good old cricket match. I don’t think the French knew what had hit them (only a flying tennis ball that was hit by Damian). With Bryan and Rob picking the sides (not very well!) the match began. Kath was taking scores until she went off for a quick wee-wee. I don’t think anyone actually took scores but everyone enjoyed it, especially Paddy and Jack. They decided to try their hand as rugby players, Paddy came off worse with a bite mark on his bum from Jack’s false teeth. I’m sure he had a bit of a prickly time from Jack’s moustache but Paddy was definitely smiling afterwards. All in all, a very enjoyable day was had by all.
On the Saturday, before the concert in late afternoon, everyone visited the market in Josselin. Unfortunately for Richard, he was unable to take live chickens onto the coach, so he settled for a wooden pig instead. We performed in Pontivy, and once again the audience enjoyed the music. The weather was on our side, and the sun shone on the righteous. Jack got a surprise greeting when a local took a shine to him. The phrase ‘I’ll do French kissing but without the tongues’ was heard by a few people in this conversation.
It must have been something to do with the sun, because love was in the air. Joe’s friend from Bob’s Pub came to say ‘Je t’aime’, and took over to conduct a couple of pieces. On Sunday we set out early for St Malo but in the pouring rain we never got to play the Can Can though Vicki joined forces with Kath to dance it; from here we were to play at Le Mont St Michel but the rain spoiled this for us and sadly we returned to base camp without having played a note. Back at camp we decided to exercise our cricketing ability and picked out our team and decided our batting order and our bowlers. During our practice, Paul cast a line and once again delivered the goods in the form of a good bream, while I earlier in the day delivered a single perch, both rubbing salt in Jack’s gaping wound, as up to now he had caught nothing!! We were all hoping tomorrow would be a better day weather- wise.
And the next day was quite different with soaring temperatures so we decided to have a day at the seaside. In the evening we were invited for drinks by the staff of the complex we were staying in. The picture shows the Band on the sun terrace with the manageress. After that, everyone went for their evening meal. On the Wednesday we all looked forward to playing cricket against an ex-pat side all of whom reside in and around Josselin and we got a thrashing. The man of the match was Matt Lee who balled and batted like a pro. After the match we went to the ake of my brother Terry for a BBQ just to chill out, fishing or playing cricket......
...and to mess about on the lake. Once again Jack didn’t let us down by being the first to fall in. We stayed there late into the evening.
An unexpected concert was given by a small number of the Band under a willow tree on the banks of the lake. The rest of the Band was either eating or drinking. A pleasant evening was had by all; the photo shows Joe, Damian and Jack showing off their boating skills. The next day we were off on our travels again to the seaside town off Sables d’Or Les Pins for an afternoon concert and another day by the sea.
The concert went down well with a large crowd of people. The place was one of the nicest seaside venues we have played at. The Band purchased a genuine Tibetan gong for a bargain price, but I thought I saw it half an hour earlier as a coffee table. On Friday morning one of the fishermen caught a specimen fish but modesty stops me from saying who. At lunch time we were on the way to Concarneau for one of the Band’s favourite concerts. As you can see from the large audience we were very well received and without a d oubt t he Band played at their best, with a standing ovation at the end of the performance and only the lighting (and a ten forty-five ferry crossing) stopped us playing well into the night. We arrived back at the accommodation early in the morning and a nightcap of hot chocolate or the local red wine made it a long and rewarding day.
After an outstanding flugel solo from Ben Fitzpatrick we returned to quarters very content. Saturday morning saw us going to our last engagement. The venue was Pont Aven, a very picturesque town on the north coast. Playing at four-thirty in the afternoon with the temperature well in into the thirties and in an open area it was very hot. The Band played at their best for this final performance with Jack admiring the local artwork. Then it was back to Pontivy for one last meal out then packing for the early morning start and our long journey home. Fortunately the coach had air conditioning on board as the temperature shot up into the thirties.
The return journey home was long, the travel time in France being nine hours and a further six in England. Everyone passed the time by watching films like ‘Brassed Off’ and ‘Shrek’ and with a gang of lads like ours it was one big laugh - the picture shows just one of their dressing up stunts on the ferry. And let it go down on record that all the children on the trip were a credit to their parents and the Band. This year’s trip was absolutely fanstastic, and everybody agreed that they had had a really good time!! Without singling anyone out, special mention must be made of our youngest member, Charlie Jack, who at only nine months old was brilliantly behaved on the trip – even when being on a coach for eighteen hours! Plans are already being put into place for next year’s tour.
John W Johnson (Tour Organiser)
BRITTANY 2008
We have just completed another tour of Brittany and the opinion among the band members and helpers was that "it was the best one yet"!We set off being a little apprehensive as we were only taking a small Band and the conductor and B-flat Bass player on the front row Cornets! But, as normal, the players did a fantastic job. Our first Concert was on the day after we arrived, on the beautiful island monestry
of the Le Mont St Michel, for the first half of the performance we played in the ramparts and the second at the main entrance
with hundreds of tourists watching and listening to us. We
got back to the accomadation in time for a meal (or for the
fishermen a welcome hour by the river). The day after was
special it was the first of August and of course as all
Yorkshiremen will tell you this is YORKSHIRE DAY. To 
celebrate, the Band had it's own Yorkshire flag and gave out Whiston Brass -Yorkshire day Badges specialy made for the occasion. We were lucky enough to play in Pontivy the town we stay in is our base in Brittany.
Saturday 2nd August
We were invited to play at a boat regatta at Morlaix at the opening ceremony of a weekend of yacht racing and boating. After we played for the opening we went to a restaurant
where the Marie (Mayor's office) treated us to a first
class meal. We didn't leaving until late and we arrived
back at the accommodation well after midnight.
Sunday should have been a day of rest and a trip to a
well known car boot sale. The band being forever competitive decided to have our own version of Sun-Sea-and -Bargain-hunting giving all the younger members five euros each to spend on something which they could make a profit on. Needless to say it was one big laugh especially as we recorded some of the kids explaining why they had bought the articles. Hopefully, the DVD will be played at our next concert. I bought myself a bike for 50 euro's which the kid's said I was ripped off but they all enjoyed riding it and it made the early morning bread and milk run much easier.
Monday 4th August
Monday was our first proper day of rest with an invitation from the lady who looks after the accommodation for breakfast, we all went into the main hall area and had a traditianal french breakfast and with pleasant warm sunshine everyone chilled out. Rob and his lads Nick and Cameron had a succesful hour fishing. Cameron winning the fishing competition with the biggest fish. The beauty of fishing these waters is you only have to walk a few yards from the accommodation. (Athough it was Robs company who supplied the smart shirts for this years tour ,he still got a rollicking for wearing one to fish in). In the afternoon we took a pleasant coach trip to Quiberon Saint Pierre and spent a very warm few hours on the beach and swimming in the sea. 
This is Rob with his Tench and Cameron with its mother!
In the evening Damion and I went for a bike ride up the canal. With a lovely flat road we covered a fair distance. It wasn't till later and feeling saddlesore we realiased how far we had travelled!
Tuesday 5th August
Tuesday (like the day before) was a free day because the coach driver Peter has to have a compulsory break. Peter has been on all our french trips, he is not just the coach driver but a Bb flat Tuba player ,and cricket team member. 
Peter has become a close frend to all the Band and helps to make sure that the tours be a success. Once again we are invited by Madam Le Prioux this time for drinks in the evening. This has become an annual event and one which we all look forward to. Once again this kind hearted lady has made the tour a memorable occasion. After evening drinks we all go off for our chosen evening meal, for Jacquie and myself a rare treat in a rather up market french restaurant which did not let us down on quality of the food and the first class service. The lads once again went for there favorite pizza, and another happy day comes to a close.
Wednesday 6th August
Happy Birthday to Branwyn!
One of the gang had a special day it was her birthday! at lunchtime we all celebrated with a lunch prepared by Damion and myself spaghetti bolognaise!! It's no joke when your cooking for twenty seven people on two gas rings, but all went to plan ,
In hind sight not the best of meals before a major sporting challenge. Branwyn apart from being the party princess is also our resident bingo caller when we are traveling on the coach.
When not calling bingo numbers Branwyn sits with Cameron (and for some reason said she would kill me if I published this photo) HAPPY 11th BIRTHDAY BROMMERS.
The Band's Annual Cricket match against an ex-pat eleven. With a full thirty minutes practise the band's team once again played the 'locals' who take's the game off cricket very seriously, and with their bowling at 'break neck speed' a daunting prospect for one or two off the younger players. However, with volunteers coming from all quarters (or sections ) we had the makings of a good side - much to the disappointment of people like me ( too old?) . At least I got a good place on the boundry to give the team vocal support . ,
Bryan was again one of the umpires who after one or two decisions soon came under the barage of my vocal support. All in all the side acquitted its self very well, with Joe playing for the first time and Ben getting our 'man of the match' as a very talented backstop. He made two excellent catches. A special mention to Mat Lee who made a catch the Yorkshire side would of been proud of. 
April had a good solid innings and Joe managed to stop at the crease for some time despite the agressive bowling.
April looking the part!
Joe posing after his innings!
The score was a win for the ex pats (one year we will get our trophy back!)
After the match it was back to dinner in Pontivy.
Thursday 7th August
We planed to go to St Malo sightseeing and then on to an evening concert at the beautiful town of Forgeres, but as we arrived in St malo the heavens opened and lasted all day so we sadly made the decision to cancel the evening concert.
Dodging the showers at St Malo.
Friday 8th August
Well you don't just get weather extreames in England after spending a fortune on mobile internet on the phone we decided to go west and with the skys cloudless and the tempretures soaring we had a long and happy day at Quiberon spendig hours on the beach eating at the world famous seafood restaurants, and finishing of with a bit of beach casting unfortunately we lost loads of weights but had another great experience.Then back to base for a shower and loads of after sun.
Saturday 9th August
When we were having Drinks with Madam Prioux (Tuesday eve) we told her about the great time we had at the car boot sale this however was lost slightly in translation and she organised us to play at a car boot at Locmiquelic
here we played on a raised stage next to a beautiful lagoon apart from being a bit breezy the weather was perfect, what made the event even better the townsfolk provided us with food and drink.
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The last job of the tour and a bunch of flowers for a special lady who as become a close friend to all the Band.The following day it's a 6am start and a long trip home and the thought that I have just had a magical time with a gang of people which had just done Whiston - Rotherham - and all the parents of the kids who we took somthing to be very proud of . As for next year who knows ??