Ashville College tour, July 2023

Ashville College toured to us in mid-July and enjoyed a varied programme of music and sightseeing, staying in the accommodation centre CAPA Aventure in the heart of the Suisse Normande.

The first day was spent exploring Norman history, with a morning visit to the Bayeux Tapestry Museum followed by the afternoon at the Chateau de Falaise, William the Conqueror’s castle. A fun and informal performance took place with the magnificent back-drop of the castle!

The following day they experienced the D-Day Landings, with a visit to the American Normandy Cemetery and the dramatic circular cinema Arromanches 360. With free time in Honfleur to follow, they then spent the evening performing at the beautiful hall of Chateau Canon, as part of the chateau’s ‘Soiree Illuminee’ series whereby the gardens are lit up for late-night visits with marshmallow roasting after the concert, which was brought to a rousing finale!

The next day of the tour began with a morning at Cerza Zoo and a visit to the Basilica of Saint Therese de Lisieux. A late afternoon performance took place in the lovely ‘Jardins de l’Eveche’ in central Lisieux, using the pretty bandstand.

The final day was a truly unique experience, the opportunity to perform for the Mass service in the Abbey of Mont Saint Michel! This was a wonderful event to complete the tour, ‘one to tick off the bucket list’ in the words of the group leader!