Anniversary Return Visit to Lèves – May 2005

    Friday 27th May started early – the coach full of bleary-eyed band members and supporters left Nailsworth Bus Station at 4:30am!     The 8:30 Portsmouth to Le Havre ferry was delayed by the departure of a battleship, but our hosts were waiting patiently when we arrived at the Michel Castaing Stadium in Lèves.     We were warmly welcomed, supplied with food and drink, and introduced to our various French host families for the stay.     Slowly we all drifted off with our hosts to be fed and entertained for the evening.

Saturday 28th May
    The less sleepy-headed made it to the Lèves Museum tour and visited the Church to see the stained glass windows at 9:30am on Saturday 28th May.     All attended the Mayor’s official reception outside Lèves Town Hall at 10:45.     Music from the Lèves Music School Orchestra and from Nailsworth Silver Band (11:15) was enjoyed by all.     The Band presented Lèves with a beautifully carved (by Jack Haslem) Nailsworth Silver Band coat of arms displayed in a very attractive hand made (by Val Bruton) display case.     The Mayor of Lèves unveiled the new signpost to Lèves in the Place de Nailsworth.

    From 14:00-18:00 an exhibition of Lèves associations at the Salle Marcel Josse had been organised for us.

    At 16:00-17:00 Nailsworth Silver Band, Lèves Music School Orchestra and the Fondation Choral Group (with le Cluster) performed at the Fondation d'Aligre. This was an informal occassion with the patients, townsfolk, and musicians enjoying the music together on a warm and pleasant afternoon.
    The more energetic continued into the night with walking in the woods (18:30), torch lit procession (20:30), and a barn dance at the Espace Soutine (from 21:30).

Sunday 29th May
    A Discovery Walk around Lèves (with signs and questions in English and French) ran from 9:45 to 12:00.     For those wishing to join our French hosts in praise there was a service at Lèves Church from 10:30.

    For those interested, a visit to the Lèves School of Music was arranged, where we were able to watch and hear their Jazz group perform.

    The afternoon was a very relaxed picnic lunch with our hosts at the Grange aux Quatre Vents (starting at midday). Entertainment included music from a casually dressed Nailsworth Silver Band, as well as music from other French groups. The emphasis was on fun - concluding with an excellent mime comedy act.

    Following this was a Boules competition in which the French mens team showed us how to play!     Evening this up was a shock victory by the English ladies team!

    At 19:00 we joined our hosts for a meal and dancing at the Espace Soutine.

Monday 30th May
    We said farewell and thankyou to our hosts - the coach leaving at 9:30 (to catch the 16:30 ferry from le Havre to Portsmouth).     The coach full of tired passengers finally reached Nailsworth at around 23:00.