Bearpark & Esh Colliery Band from County Durham recently returned from an exchange trip to Switzerland arranged with the Echo de la Dent Blanche band, based in Les Hauderes.

Joke trip?

The trip only occurred as one of Bearpark's members, Daniel Maitre, who comes originally from the Swiss village, joked about a possible trip, and before long and with generous help of another band member, Vince Eckerman, and sponsorship from his company Weeeco, the trip was arranged.

Nuclear bunker

Bearpark’s players were amazed to find that their Swiss host’s bandroom was in fact a nuclear bunker, but despite the strange rehearsal surroundings the band were treated like royalty and enjoyed various tours from the underground lake at St.Leonard, and a winery excursion to Sion, to a memorable dip in the outdoor thermal bath complex in Ovronnaz.

Music making

The serious part of the tour though was the music making – and despite an almighty downpour of rain and a fresh coating of snow, the band the joint bands joined forces for a wonderful massed band concert under the batons of Michael Evans, Alan Beaumont and Frederic Theodoloz.

English couples

Bearpark & Esh were well received by the Swiss audience in the first half of the concert and discovered there were several English couples in the audience — not least of which was one from Birtley – just a few miles from their bandroom in England!

However, the highlight of the trip was a concert on the promenade in Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva, where the band played ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’ and ‘Don't Stop Me Now’ in front of the bronze statue of Freddie Mercury.

Freddie Mercury

The band is now featured on the official Freddie Mercury website on Wikipedia.

The band’s last concert was in the village of Evolene, where the band entertained an appreciative audience before tucking into more wonderful Swiss cheese and wine.

We made lots of new supporters and friends as well as putting Co. Durham on the map. We had a fabulous time and good not be more grateful to our hosts who were an excellent bunch of peopleBearpark & Esh

New supporters

Bearpark’s Band Secretary told 4BR: "We made lots of new supporters and friends as well as putting Co. Durham on the map. We had a fabulous time and good not be more grateful to our hosts who were an excellent bunch of people.

"We are now looking forward to the return trip by the Swiss in July 2011 and hoping we can match their first class hospitality."