Cathedral Choir Tour to Normandy D-Day 82

The Cathedral Choir travelled to Caen, Bayeux and Arromanches for a long weekend of D-Day82 commemorations in France.

Last Wednesday 19 boys and 15 music staff, The Dean, Canons Jo and Angela, choir matrons, lay clerks and scholars boarded the night boat to Ouisteram. The stormy conditions were a salutary reminder of the conditions faced on a similar journey but far worse conditions 82 years ago.

An early morning trip to McDonalds Caen set the boys up for a busy day rehearsing, settling into our accommodation before singing Evensong at the beautiful L'Abbaye aux Dames in Caen.

On Friday morning we were whisked along the coast to rehearsals at the new British Normandy Memorial atop 'Gold Beach' and then to Bayeux Commonwealth Cemetery then a quick lunch before heading into the city to rehearse and take part in a Service of Thanksgiving at the stunning and packed Bayeux Cathedral.

On Saturday we reprised our trips to our outdoor memorials and sang the events for real. Both sets of ceremonies were well attended and The King was represented by his Ambassador to France, Sir Thomas Drew as well as The Secretary of State for Defence and The Chief of the Defence Staff.

By this time the choir deserved some down time, and the boys headed to Eole Water Park where they were able to forget about singing and processions and heavy robes for a while.

Our final day, Sunday saw us heading to the tiny Eglise du St Pierre in Arromanches where we sang for their morning mass - and as ever, it was good and important to join with our Christian brothers and sisters for an act of worship. Our Dean was able to assist at the altar with the parish priest.

Thank you to all the choir, Precentor and staff who gave up their time for this busy but important opportunity to mark this anniversary of D-Day.