Trip Cancellation
It is with great regret that we have to announce the cancellation of the planned Music Visit to Les Herbiers 14th – 19th April. In view of many factors driven by the rising tide of the Coronavirus, we felt cancellation was the wisest and most responsible decision.
We are very, very sorry that we have had to cancel this trip to which all of us were very much looking forward. It is a very sad decision to have to make, but I’m sure you will appreciate that these are exceptional circumstances. We are asking Les Herbiers about the possibility of re-programming it for April 2021. Whilst we do not wish to give false hope, as it would have to fit with both their and our plans, it may be a possibility and we will keep you informed on this.
Music Festival Les Herbiers: April 14th-19th 2020
Music Festival
Les Herbiers
Easter 2020
Following the great success of the concert in 2018, when music students from Les Herbiers came to play with the local youth orchestra from Montgomery, an exchange visit was immediately planned for Easter 2020. It promises to be an exciting and memorable trip, including the Montgomery Youth Orchestra, Maldwyn Strings, a folk band, an act from the college and, maybe, members of a local choir. We are looking forward to an evening of fine music, led by Greg Jenkins, music teacher at Newtown High School, and Bruno Yviquel, professor at the music college in Les Herbiers. There will be music that the students will practise separately and then rehearse together in France, as well as pieces that they will perform in their own ensemble.
There will also be a commemoration of twenty years of twinning, which will take place as part of the evening concert. The inclusion of this celebration will be of great interest to the people of Newtown, who have been part of the two towns’ twinning activities. We hope that many people will want to join this varied and entertaining trip and share in the festivities.
However, this is a trip open to all, so those who have never hosted someone from Les Herbiers or have never taken part in twinning before, they are welcome to come too. This is the perfect way to meet French people and stay with a French family, even if one’s language skills are limited.
On the way there and on the return route, we shall be visiting special places of interest, that will broaden the experience of France for everyone. There will be two days of leisure for the non musicians, when it will be possible to take part in organised walks and town tours [keep an eye on the website for details] or to explore the lovely countryside around Les Herbiers.
Owen’s Coaches will drive us in comfort and we shall have two overnight crossings on Brittany Ferries, between Portsmouth and Caen. The travel fare will be £100 for the students and £200 for adults including cabin. A deposit is needed as follows:
Application and Deposit deadlines:
- The deadline for all applications and deposits for Musicians and their Family is the 29th of November 2019
- The deadline for all applications and deposits from local Newtown people / non musicians is the 20th January 2020.
Information for Musicians and their Families.
Flyers for Musicians:
Information for Musicians and family members wishing to apply for the visit to Les Herbiers:
Musicians and performers travelling to Les Herbiers for our music exchange April 2020 will be required to give their completed application forms (see below) and their deposits of £50.00 to their music association rep. or group leader. Music associations involved in the exchange are as follows:
· MYM Montgomeryshire Youth Music
· Newtown Silver Band
· Ffonic
· NPTC Newtown
The appropriate form is to be found below:
Trip to France
Music Exchange Visit at Easter 2020
Celebrating 20 years of Twinning
An exciting trip to France is being organised for Easter 2020, taking our musicians and singers to Les Herbiers, where they will join local students and professional musicians in an exchange concert.
There will be plenty of space for anyone interested in joining the trip. Not only will everyone be able to go to the concert, but there will be two days of leisure time for visiting the area of the Vendée, local to Les Herbiers.
If you are a keen walker we can also organise guided walks in the area of our twin town.
Expect a friendly welcome and great hospitality in a French home, even if you don’t speak French. Experience the true flavours and culture of France, so much more authentic than staying in a hotel.
Enjoy a comfortable journey in a luxury coach, with overnight crossings on Brittany Ferries with cabins included.
Two interesting visits en route have been planned, one to the iconic Mont St Michel off the Normandy coast and the second to Falaise, the birthplace of William the Conqueror. There will also be time to indulge in some shopping at a hypermarket in Caen on our return!
The cost will be £200 per adult including cabin. Please contact us as soon as possible to guarantee a place on this exciting visit!
Itinerary:
- Tuesday 14th April : Depart Newtown early afternoon, Overnight crossing Portsmouth to Caen.
- Wednesday 15th April: Late morning visit to Mont St Michel, Arrive late afternoon in Les Herbiers for formal welcome and reception. Evening with host families NTA, MYM and NCC. NPTC party at La Louisiere.
- Thursday 16th April: Rehearsals for MYM / Leisure time for non-musicians. A visit and guided tour of Nantes available for all those not involved in the Rehearsals. Evening with host families NTA, MYM and NCC. NPTC party at La Louisiere.
- Friday 17th April: Morning rehearsals for MYM / Leisure time for non-musicians including a local guided walk in Les Herbiers. NPTC visit to local Enterprises. Joint evening concert and meal for all in our party.
- Saturday 18th April: Return journey with visit to Falaise in Normandy. Shopping at a Caen Hypermarket. Overnight crossing to Portsmouth.
- Sunday 19th April: Arrive back in Newtown around midday.
Exact timings and further details to follow.
If you have any questions relating to this visit please contact the association by email at: newtowntwinning@gmail.co.uk
Further details relating to guided walks during Leisure time to follow. Please see application form below.
How to apply for a place on the Music Exchange visit to Les Herbiers April 2020:
Important: If you are a musician taking part in the music exchange or a family member accompanying a musician then all your applications must go through the musical organisation involved in the visit.
Please note: that we do have spaces on our coach for anybody wishing to join the visit and enjoy the sightseeing and the joint musical concert and if you live in the Newtown area and would like to join us on the visit to Les Herbiers for the 2020 Music Exchange then please can we ask you to complete the application form found below.
Application and Deposit deadlines:
- The deadline for all applications and deposits for Musicians and their Family is the 29th of November 2019
- The deadline for all applications and deposits from local Newtown people / non musicians is the 20th January 2020.
- The final deadline for the payment of your balance is 28th Feb 2020.
You can complete the form in one of 3 ways:
- Electronically and email to: newtowntwinning@gmail.com
- Electronically and print off
- Print and complete by hand.
- If you don’t have access to a printer the forms are available to be collected from the Town Council offices, Brisco House, The Cross, Broad Street, Newtown.
Please post or deliver your completed form and cheque to:
NTA Secretary Andrew Gentle, Newtown Town Council, Brisco House, The Cross, Broad Street, Newtown SY162BB.
With the enclosed cheque deposit for £50.00 made payable to Newtown Twinning Association.
Personal Travel Insurance:
Newtown Twinning Association nor the coach company are able to provide personal travel insurance. It is something we advise members of our coach party to arrange themselves. The European Health Insurance Card is valid until the 31st of December 2020 and can be easily obtained prior to our visit.
Please note:
If you are emailing your completed form to us then please ensure that your £50.00 cheque is delivered to the Town Council office and is clearly identified by name.
Trip Cancellation
It is with great regret that we have to announce the cancellation of the planned Music Visit to Les Herbiers 14th – 19th April. In view of many factors driven by the rising tide of the Coronavirus, we felt cancellation was the wisest and most responsible decision.
We are very, very sorry that we have had to cancel this trip to which all of us were very much looking forward. It is a very sad decision to have to make, but I’m sure you will appreciate that these are exceptional circumstances. We are asking Les Herbiers about the possibility of re-programming it for April 2021. Whilst we do not wish to give false hope, as it would have to fit with both their and our plans, it may be a possibility and we will keep you informed on this.