Portsmouth Cathedral Choir travelled to Caen, Bayeux and Arromanches for a long weekend of D-Day82 commemorations in France last week.
You can read the blog piece on the Portsmouth Cathedral website here.
‘Last Wednesday 19 boys and 15 music staff, The Dean, the Very Revd Dr Anthony Cane, Canons Jo and Angela, choir matrons, lay clerks and scholars boarded the night boat to Ouisteram – and encountered stormy conditions – a salutary reminder of the conditions faced on a similar journey but far worse conditions 82 years ago.
There were full day rehearsals before singing Evensong at the L’Abbaye aux Dames in Caen.
On Friday morning there were more rehearsals at the new British Normandy Memorial at ‘Gold Beach‘ and then to the Bayeux Commonwealth Cemetery before heading into the city to rehearse and take part in a Service of Thanksgiving at the 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.
Canon Precentor, the Revd Canon Jo Spreadbury, in her message to the congregation, said,
‘The Choir tour to Normandy for the D-Day 82 commemorations last week was both inspiring and moving.
‘Singing at five services and commemorations brought home to all of us how significant the commitment and self-giving was, of all those who were part of the Normandy landings – and what their efforts and sacrifice made possible.
‘The gratitude of local residents and civic leaders alike was profound.
‘And we were honoured with the presence of some of the last remaining Normandy Veterans, who had devoted themselves to a cause that was to bring lasting benefits and promise to so many.’
