MEMBERS of Neyland Ladies Choir are resting their voices after an intense week of concerts, soirees and official visits in Sanguinet, France.

The choir and guests, accompanied by Musical Director Lynne Kelleher and accompanist Jill Williams, recently undertook a successful tour to Sanguinet, and were overwhelmed by the welcome received.

The village, which is twinned with Neyland, is in the Aquitaine region of France, near Bordeaux.

Members were greeted at the airport by Rachel Tomasini, Sanguinet twinning chairman, and Maithe Charbonnier, chairman of La Voix de Losa choir.

After attending a church service on Sunday morning the ladies attended a reception hosted by the Mayor, where gifts were exchanged.

Noreen Hadfield presented the Mayor with a book on the history of Neyland on behalf of its author Simon Hancock, Mayor of Neyland and choir president. Later the choir received rapturous applause at an evening concert in St Sauveur Church where the stage was shared with La Voix de Losa and the evening ended with a reception hosted by the French choir.

The party visited Arcachon and Bordeaux and, those who were able, climbed the Dune du Pyla, the biggest sand dune in Europe.

A guided tour of the lake and Sanguinet museum was rounded off with an open musical evening when a choral group singing traditional French music,’ Lo Vent de L’Esty’, joined in the entertainment.

Interesting visits to two vineyards in St Emilion were followed by a soiree hosted by the Mayor of Sanguinet and the twinning committee and entertainment by the Sanguinet Jazz band.

At the final concert in Biscarrosse another choir ‘Desordre Vocal’ also took part and the concert ended with the three choirs performing ‘All through the Night’ in Welsh, French and English. Afterwards a reception was hosted by the choirs.

Noreen thanked everyone for the warm welcome given to the tour party, and hoped that the friendships made will last for many years to come.