Camborne Town Band has just returned home from an exciting trip to the International Celtic Festival in Lorient in France (above), where they represented Cornwall with pride.

The band had been chosen alongside other Cornish arts ensembles to be featured at the festival and enjoyed the privilege of leading the Grand Parade and performing in a Grand Concert at the impressive 2000 seat Espace Marine Theatre.

Ferry

The band left Camborne last Saturday (8th August) and after a six hour ferry trip from Plymouth to Roscoff and another three hour coach journey, arrived in Lorient in the early hours of Sunday.

After an early morning 6.00am call, they led the Grand Parade of Nations which featured 72 pipe bands, dancers and walkers in traditional costumes through to the FC Lorient stadium — with Camborne joining up with their brass band ambassadorial counterparts from Rushen on the Isle of Man.

The band also performed a short afternoon concert to an enthusiastic audience in the evening.

Joint leaders

Monday saw the joint bands lead an afternoon parade of motorcycle and scooters, before the players had just enough time off to enjoy the sights before the evening's Grand Concert featuring six different performers from the Isle of Man and Cornwall.

Both band's gave short programmes and gave a massed performance of a new composition 'From Newlyn to Naribyl' by Rushen's MD John Kinley.

This was certainly a great experience for the band with over 70,000 visitors enjoying the entertainmentCamborneMD, Kevin Mackenzie

Great experience

Camborne's MD Kevin Mackenzie told 4BR: "This was certainly a great experience for the band with over 70,000 visitors enjoying the entertainment.

It was hard work though — especially performing in 30 degree heat in full uniform! Hopefully we will return in the future for what was a superb celebration of Celtic culture and music."

Focus

Camborne's focus will now turn to the Royal Albert Hall where they will represent Cornwall with pride once again at the National Finals.