30 students and twelve adults (nine teachers, two parents and a G.P.) left Gateshead at 16.20pm, travelling by coach with trailer provided by Weardale Motor Services.
The journey through England was uneventful but despite making good time due to good traffic conditions, fair winds and a prosperous journey it was not possible to catch an earlier ferry.  The P and O ferry was on time and the party was able to relax during the 90 minute journey before continuing in a southerly direction towards Provence.  The temperature gradually rose as the day went by reaching the mid 30’s.  Air conditioning ensured that all were comfortable.
After strategic comfort and meal stops the party reached the Hotel Montmajour at 17.00hours.  After some issues regarding room allocations had been solved, students were able to settle in the rooms, before enjoying the evening meal at 7pm.  Curfew was set at 10pm and this was well observed.

After breakfast at 8am a rehearsal rang from 9am to 1pm.  All instruments were in good order and had survived the long hot journey well.  After a packed lunch the party departed for the Camargue region, and had the opportunity to explore this region of outstanding natural beauty.  It was possible to visit Les Saintes Maries de La Mer, with its ancient church, narrow pedestrianised streets and beautiful beaches.  Paddling in a secure area was permitted.
The party returned to Arles for an early meal, then travelled some fifteen miles to Fontvielile, where a concert was planned in the local church.  This venue had been located by Mr Treherne and Mr Finnon in the course of the Inspection Visit, and the priest Mr Guy was delighted to host a concert in the beautiful church.  A large audience enjoyed an eclectic programme of music ranging from 16th Century pieces for viols, concerto movements by Vivaldi Giovani de Gigondas and John Treherne to popular contemporary music by Abba.  A standing ovation followed the concert.   It was a most enjoyable evening in a beautiful venue.  An enhanced curfew was set for 11.15pm which was again well observed.

The morning followed the same format as the previous day – early breakfast and intensive rehearsal, then a cooked meal – chicken legs and vegetables.
This afternoon was spent at the Sanatorium where Vincent van Gogh was treated in the late 1880’s, just outside St Remy de Provence.  This area has many Roman remains, and adjacent to the Sanatorium is a triumphal arch and a mausoleum built by Julius Caesar in 20-25ad when at the Sanatorium Van Gogh painted many masterpieces.  It is possible to stand where the artist installed his easel when creating a variety of paintings.  Inside the Sanatorium you can see his bedroom and a room containing metal baths, used for treating patients.
The group then travelled to Avignon and parked adjacent to the celebrated Pont St Benezet, made famous in the song ‘Sur le Pont d’Avignon’.  The party enjoyed the story of the young monk who miraculously moved a stone (weighing over a ton) with divine intervention.
After observing the bridge the party then travelled the short distance to Les Angles, where a concert had been arranged in Salle F Blanchard, Le Forum.  The organisers were most welcoming and helped to provide seating and lighting in this purpose built concert hall.  An audience of over 150 enjoyed another varied and stimulating programme, clamouring for encores (which were gladly provided).  Following the concert the party was treated to a reception – wine for adults, soft drinks for pupils and mounds of pizzas.  The organisers were delighted by the quality of the performance, and the discipline and deportment of the young musicians.
The return journey to Arles took around and hour and an enhanced curfew of 11.30pm was well observed.

After breakfast at 8am the Viol Consort undertook a short intensive rehearsal.  The party then walked the short distance to the Arles railway station and took a small local railway to Fontvielile.  This short journey took just under an hour (the train travelled at 15km per hour, and stopped al all level crossings) and travelled across varied terrain.  There were fields of sunflowers in full bloom, paddy fields (the Camargue is a major rice producing region), and bamboo groves.  There are many birds – flamingos, and a pair of eagles – butterflies and a wide variety of insects (harmless for the most part).

In Fontvielile it was possible to look at the location of some of Alphonse Daudet’s book – le Moulin de mon pere – before returning to Arles.  A splendid document relating to Health & Safety was dutifully read aloud to the party.  The bizarre choice of words was confusing but entertaining.  A copy is available on request.

After a packed lunch the party travelled to Les Baux and visited this splendid village (L’un des plus beaux villages de la France) which is built on a limestone outcrop.  There are narrow pedestrianised streets, souvenir shops, a chapel and outstanding views of the surrounding countryside.
Back at the hotel the party enjoyed an early evening meal before travelling to Uzes, where a performance was arranged in the Cathedral Saint Théodorit d’Uzes.  The coach parked adjacent to the Cathedral, and the orchestra was made very welcome.  This beautiful Cathedral has a fine reputation for live concerts, which attract large audiences.  Over two hundred and fifty attended our performance, listened attentively and applauded with enthusiasm.  The size of the audience certainly stimulated the young musicians to play to the best of their ability and we must mention the outstanding concerto performances by Jenni Watson and Jasmine Bourne. Four short pieces for strings were composed by Eleanor Bradbury’s AS examination and these were particularly well received, as well as performances by the viols, strings attached and the wind ensemble.
The sound of the full orchestra was memorable, and the final piece was encored.  It would appear that this was the first time that songs by Abba were performed in the Cathedral d’Uzes.
The party returned to Arles in high spirits, well pleased by the success of the event, and also by highly complimentary members of the audience.  These included a lady who used to sing in the Gateshead Festival Chorus, and a retired Head of Music Service from a London Borough, who admired the range and variety of the programme, and the deportment and musical skills of the musicians.
On returning to the hotel, curfew was again well observed, and a later breakfast at 8.30am was the just reward.

After breakfast at 8.30am, the manager of the Hotel Montmajour gave a short talk on the art of bull fighting, which was preceded by a short video.  Bull fighting in the Camargue region is very different from the Spanish version, for the bulls are not harmed in any way.  The object is for agile young men to snatch rosettes from the bulls’ horns before escaping from the arena.  Training is rigorous, and the spectacle is very popular inside the ancient Rome arenas used for the purpose of this sport.
Bags were packed, rooms emptied and inspected and the coach was loaded.
After breakfast the party walked in to Arles, and looked around the Forum and Amphitheatre before enjoying an ice cream and returning to the hotel for a packed lunch, and subsequent departure at 14.30hours.
The journey north was largely uneventful, though slow traffic around Lyons proved tedious.  After necessary meal and comfort stops the party reached Calais in good time and was allocated a place on an earlier ferry.
It was necessary to change a tyre on the trailer at this point.  This was carried out quickly by the two drivers.
The crossing was smooth and the journey north was uneventful.  Gateshead was reached at 12.45pm.
Members of the Orchestra were invited to write their comments on the visit which they did with relish.  A transcript of these comments is available.
Staff agreed that this has been a most successful education visit, in which our young students have gained immensely from musical, social and cultural activities.

Inspection visits prior to the tour enabled all visits to be carried out confidently and competently, and a range of detailed risk assessments ensured that all activities were carried out as securely as possible.
Good levels of staffing, by qualified teachers several of whom hold First Aid qualifications, ensured the safety of the young people.  Teachers worked closely and with very good humour.  Gateshead Music Service personnel included Mr John  Finnon, Mr Tony Wilson and Mr Erardo Evans; Miss Angela Macdonald, Mrs Julia Watson and Mrs Laura Ashton; and adult helper Jenni Watson made a major contribution as well as performing with distinction.
Weardale Coaches Ltd again provided a comfortable, modern coach and drivers Nat and Graeme proved immensely skilful, supportive and good natured as well as good company, though always behaving with the highest degree of professionalism.  We would be pleased to work with them again in the future.
The Friends of Gateshead Youth Orchestra work tirelessly to raise funds for a wide variety of activities that the Music Service ensembles undertake in the course of the year.  The educational visit overseas is the most significant event and several students have benefited from bursaries provided by this charitable organisation.  In addition funding from the Friends allowed the party to be properly fed at motorway service stations in France, as well as covering the cost of the visit to the Van Gogh Sanatorium and the journey on Le petit train des Alpilles.  We gratefully acknowledge the support of this organisation, website www.g-y-o.org
A key member of the team is viola player, Dr Lynne Bloxham, G.P. who offers a high level of reassurance and medical expertise at all times.
Finally, a thank you to Barbara Murray, Music Service Administrator, who ensured all the necessary paperwork was completed before the visit (team lists, parental consent forms, students’ declarations of obedience, Risk Assessment) and that the council Evolve Risk Assessment provision was successfully completed.  Thank you also to Vivienne Cunneen and to Bill Haylock, who rigorously assessed the Evolve system before giving final approval for this High Risk project to proceed.

When the orchestra returned from their visit Mr Treherne received this email congratulating him on the excellent performance and behaviour of the orchestra:

Hello

First I want to thank you for your beautiful delivery on Wednesday, July 6 at the Angles. Your students have been exemplary, gifted, and a living knowledge; Thanks to you.

If you come to the region, do not hesitate to contact
me

Cordially

Annie laugier