On Tour …. Part 3

 

Having already visited Hannover and Oporto, two of Bristol’s twin cities, we felt it only right at this anniversary time that we visit the other founding member, namely Bordeaux. Accordingly, on 25th September, a party of around 30 of us left Bristol Airport for a four day visit. Courtesy of the good offices of Madame Arlette Izac, Chair of the Bordeaux Association, arrangements had been made for us to stay right in the centre of the city and to link up with a French choir called Syrinx. We sang two concerts whilst we were there; one for a group of primary children on Friday afternoon and the second in a city church along with Syrinx on the Saturday evening. We also managed to fit in visits to a chateau and a vineyard during the Saturday.

 

Saturday was meant to conclude with a quiet supper to wind down after a busy day. Unbeknown to Eric, one of our hosts, the café had been colonised earlier in the evening by two rugby teams who decided to stay and give the English a lesson a lesson in enjoyment. Suffice it to say that we won the singing whilst they won the beefcake stakes! We are hoping that our contact with Syrinx will be as long lasting as that with Canta Nova.

 

Following on from his organisation of the two tours to Oporto and Bordeaux and 3 years as Chairman, Ken Thawley stood down as Chairman and Westbury Singers welcomed their first lady Chairman, Mrs Helen Lewis.