The Yarmouth band who performed in France after the town twinning

Many of us have passed the signs showing how Great Yarmouth has been twinned with Rambouillet since 1956.

Some readers might even remember their first school trips abroad. But the first exchanges between the two cities were not only educational – they were also musical.

These old photos from our archives capture beautiful scenes of a band crossing the Channel from Yarmouth to perform in the streets of Rambouillet in France.

Bilingual beginnings

After World War II, the “Bi-Lingual World” movement promoted the adoption of two mother tongues – initially English and French – to foster better international understanding in post-war Europe.

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One of the main methods used to generate interest in another country was to connect towns through ‘twinnings’.

After many official visits and exchanges in the early 1950s, this is how Great Yarmouth was twinned with Rambouillet – a small town 35 miles southwest of Paris – in 1956.

It was a revolutionary event at the time as it was the first town twinning officiated and signed by two women mayors.

A musical exchange

In 1957, Yarmouth and Rambouillet strengthened their bond with a cultural exchange visit.

The Yarmouth and the Gorleston Silver Band had the honor of being transported across the Channel in two French Air Force Dakotas after being invited to participate in the Muguet Festival at Rambouillet.

It was the first time that a British band had been invited to perform in the beloved local tradition named after the lilies of the valley that bloom in the surrounding woods in spring.

The Silver Band and their conductor Albert Watson arrived on Saturday May 18, 1957, staying at a local school. They settled in and then gave an evening concert outside the town hall near the castle which was the summer residence of the French president at the time.

The festival took place the next day and in the morning Yarmouth musicians greeted those arriving in town at the station.

Floral floats glided along the narrow cobbled streets for the main parade accompanied by several groups – including the Silver Band. Locals waving a flag cheered Yarmouth guests from the tree-lined plazas.

The celebrations culminated with the Cuban Ambassador to France crowning the queen of the festival in Town Hall Square.

Then the Yarmouth delegation enjoyed the festivities, sightseeing and shopping before heading home the next day – no doubt with many happy memories and stories to tell.

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