At the end of August, the fantastic local Tewit Silver Band headed to Bagnères de Luchon for the Luchon en Fleurs festival, and also to give other concerts in the area. At the same time, another team headed out to build the Harrogate flower exhibit.

The flower team included language students from Harrogate and HIP volunteers, and linked up with students from the Lycée (high school) in Luchon. The previous three day Fête des Fleurs festival and international parade has been curtailed since the covid pandemic but it is hoped to reinstate this in full next year.

Flower decorating

On Friday, Harrogate was asked to decorate the large floral display, to be placed at the top of the main street – so some speedy work glueing the flowers to the wire structure was required. Also high-level work was required as the structure was tall – with ladders, an access tower and even a cherry-picker lift appearing as if by magic!

The parade

Following Tewit’s initial concert in the town centre on Friday, the Saturday parade was spectacular with multiple bands, dancers, and even horses and vintage cars taking part, all moving slowly up the main street and past all the static floral displays. There were a number of foreign groups (including from Ukraine), with others from elsewhere in France, while the wonderful mounted guides and the superb Fils de Luchon group in traditional dress showcased the local traditions. Tewit was in the thick of it, entertaining the crowds and even stopping outside their favourite bar/restaurant to get everyone dancing and clapping along!

Garin concert

That was followed by a wonderful Tewit Silver Band concert on the Sunday in the church at Garin, a small village up in the nearby valley, at the invitation of Myriam Dutoit who had been involved with making arrangements for the Harrogate and Tewit visitors. Any fears that no-one would come – or that the village audience might not like it – were very quickly dispelled. The church filled up (once the menfolk had been called away from watching the rugby) and very soon the church was packed and the whole village seemed to be there. The locals said the village had never seen anything like it, and were delighted that Tewit had taken the trouble to visit.

As ever, the sheer quality of musicianship shown by Tewit was clear for all to see, and the standing ovations went on and on! Myriam’s hospitality even included an invitation for the band to have a drink at her house next to the church – she explained that she was the third generation of her family to live there.

Chemins de la Liberté (Paths to Freedom)

And finally on the Monday, the language students and other visitors from Harrogate were given a guided walk (by Myriam) up part of the Chemins de la Liberté (Paths to Freedom) – following one of the routes used during the second world war to smuggle refugees and airmen across the Pyrenees between France and Spain. It features newly restored paths and new explanation boards which tell the moving and poignent stories in a very powerful and sobering way, and honour the memory of those involved.

Grateful thanks

Sincere thanks must go to Myriam Dutoit, who is a member of staff at the Lycée, and who was so helpful with the arrangements for the Harrogate and Tewit visitors – before and during the visit. Nothing was impossible and nothing too much trouble. Also to Jérémy Casat from the Services d’Animations (events and cultural team) at the Marie (Mayor’s office), and everyone else who helped us along the way.

And good luck!

And all best wishes and good luck to the language students from Harrogate. Flower sticking can be added to your list of skills!

Heading for….. Newcastle – Imperial – Edinburgh – Liverpool – Toulouse …..Our linguistic future.