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addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/Carrbrook05Title.jpg","A photo diary of Carrbrook Brass Band's visit to the 2005 Fête Des Nieulles, Armentiéres.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/CoachInTunnel.jpg","As a (southern based) guest player with the band, my journey started when I joined the coach at Ashford, Kent.  It wasn't long before we were deep under the sea...");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/Driver.jpg","I had a space reserved for me at the very front of the coach, with views such as this!");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/ArmentiersTownCentre.jpg","On arriving in the town of Armentiéres, the distinctive shape of the town hall rises above all else.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/TheCoachArrives.jpg","Before doing anything else, we had to drop off the Stalybridge 'twinning' and 'carnival' people at their hotel in the centre of town.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/TechCollege.jpg","Unlike previous years, the band would be staying in this technical college.  Everyone got their own room!");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/FirstRehearsal.jpg","It wasn't long before we were called for our first rehearsal.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/MiddleBrass.jpg","This is obviously the better half of the band :0) !");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/TheBorder.jpg","Although we were staying in France, our first performance was going to be in Belgian town of Ypres.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/BelgianReflection.jpg","On approaching Ypres, Alex (our hybrid driver/drum major) told us some interesting facts about this lake.....which I've now forgotton.  Still, it carries a nice reflection.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/YpresTower.jpg","The architecture in Ypres was nothing if not impressive.  This is the first thing we saw upon leaving the coach.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/PoppysInPlace.jpg","Because we were going to be playing under the Menin gate, poppys were the order of the day.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/MeetingUp.jpg","The band quickly sort themselves out, most (including me) not really understanding what was about to take place.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/ImpressiveYpres.jpg","We then took a brisk walk towards the town square...");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/YpresTownCentre.jpg","...I certainly wasn't expecting anything as grand as this.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/YpresFashion.jpg","Right in the middle of the square was a large marquee, surrounded by people.  On closer inspection, it transpired that a fashion show was in full swing.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/ToTheGate.jpg","At the time, I wondered what the locals thought of our odd looking march accross town.  On reflection, I'm sure they knew EXACTLY what we were up to.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/MeninGate.jpg","The Menin Gate is the white archway seen above.  We were to take part in the daily ceremony of remembrance, which happens each day at 8 p.m.  In the event, the band gave an excellent performance that we'll all remember for a long time to come.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/FirstNightFlonFlon.jpg","The band have visited the Flon Flon restaurant on many previous occasions, so no-one was surprised that we should return.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/RuthAndBernard.jpg","Ruth and Bernard, at Flon Flon on the Friday evening.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/Pool.jpg","There are many pool tables at Flon Flon, so it's not surprising that the band make full use of them.  Ian and Steve.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/Towers.jpg","Having some free time on the Saturday morning, some of us made are way into town.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/TownHall.jpg","As you can see, the area in front of the town hall was being prepared for the events due later that afternoon.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/BuildingTheGate.jpg","One distinctive feature of the celebrations is this gateway, which, loses some of its magic when only half built.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/FromTheFair.jpg","A small fairground is presented as part of the festival, with this Tagada being the principle attraction.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/CafeCulture.jpg","After a quick look around the shops, a coffee stop was in order.  Ian and Ruth.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/GrandNieulles.jpg","The Fête Des Nieulles celebrations began when the Duke Of Luxembourg gave some Nieulles (a local variety of biscuit) to the poor.  I bet they weren't as big as these, as found in a local cake shop.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/Cake.jpg","In the same cake shop, were.....cakes!  I shouldn't think the Duke Of Luxembourg handed any of these out, though.  Much too nice to give away.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/SaturdayLunch.jpg","Since we'd only eaten there less than 24 hours before, it was a little surprising that we should end up back at Flon Flon for lunch...");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/Moules.jpg","...however, no-one was complaining.  After all, Moules Frittes was now on the menu :0) ");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/BernardHoldsCourt.jpg","On the Saturday afternoon, we were to march around the town before converging in the centre square for the official festival ceremonies.  Here, an animated Bernard explains what we need to do...");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/ReceivingOrders.jpg","...which the others don't dare ignore.  Well, most of them.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/FitForAQueen.jpg","Accross the road from our meeting point was this horse and cart.  What's that doing there, I thought to myself.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/StrangeCargo.jpg","While we were waiting, this scooter drove past containing a decidedly strange cargo.  I still can't work out what it was.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/Rain.jpg","Once we'd started out on our march, the inevitable happened - it rained.  Although fairly light at first, a lot worse was to come.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/StreetCorner.jpg","Our march came to a temporary halt as we arrived at this street corner.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/Improvisation.jpg","To begin with, keeping dry was the priority...");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/TelephoneBox.jpg","...with some doing better than others.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/LargeBell.jpg","However, the rain soon stopped...");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/SimonEmptiesOut.jpg","...so we had time to attend to other matters of importance.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/Refreshment.jpg","Refreshment!");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/PhotoOpportunity.jpg","Having waited here a while, people started posing for photos.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/LocalInterest.jpg","The locals start to wonder what's going on.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/SlyBangOnDrum.jpg","Whereas the local kids get a sneeky hit on Maurice's drum.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/MichaelAndAlex.jpg","Michael and Alex.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/QueensInTheirCarriage.jpg","Ah, now I know what the horse and carriage was for.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/HorseHeads.jpg","Horses.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/LooksLikeTheRainsStopped.jpg","I'm not sure whether these three were intentionally posing for the photo.  Too bad if they weren't!");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/Monochrome.jpg","And now, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the obligatory arty black and white shot!  (It's amazing what you can get away with when you've messed the original lighting levels up!)");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/LocalDrums.jpg","This is the local bugle band from Armentiéres, the Trompettes Devoues.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/Horns.jpg","I heard someone say that they are Carrbrook Band's official French twin.  Could it be true?");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/LargeBugle.jpg","A lone french bandsman.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/Maurice.jpg","I'm not quite sure what was going on here.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/Shelter.jpg","When the rain started to get really heavy, we all found shelter in this cafe...");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/FreeDrinks.jpg","...we got lucky - the owner decided to give us all a drink on the house!");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/DryingOut.jpg","Drying out!");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/CafeMusic.jpg","Whilst waiting in the cafe, we treated the regulars to an impromptu concert.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/ReadyToPlay.jpg","Finally, the rain eased off, so we got ready to march back to the main square.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/CentralSquare.jpg","The town square - the site for the official ceremonnies.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/Crowds.jpg","The officials take their place in the grandstand.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/AnotherBandArrives.jpg","More bands march onto the square.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/Consort.jpg","I'm not quite sure of the significance of these three, but they make a nice picture.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/Saxophones.jpg","Other bands are allocated their position.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/MedievalGiant.jpg","There were two of these giants present - both of which were taken on the route of the following day's carnival.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/Ceremonies.jpg","Another view accross the square.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/MiniTownHall.jpg","This (not so) mini version of the town hall was also taken on carnival route.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/VIPs.jpg","More participants in the ceremony.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/DinningRoom.jpg","After the lengthy proceedings in the town, we were taken to this hall for our evening meal.  Despite it's unpromising appearance, the food was actually very enjoyable.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/WhiteHeads.jpg","On the Saturday evening, even more bands started parading around the town square...");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/MarchingInTheDark.jpg","...we hadn't seen these bands earlier on.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/LitGate.jpg","The gate is now fully lit.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/Legs.jpg","This band appeared to be particularly popular.  Sadly, my camera got a bit overwhelmed at the sight of all those legs.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/Tagada.jpg","After dark, the fair came into it's own.  No, you'd never see riders standing like this on a UK ride.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/FoodVan.jpg","Even the food van looked amazing at night.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/BalloonStall.jpg","So, how long did it take to inflate all these?");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/SundayBreakfast.jpg","On the Sunday, our breakfast was served in one of the town's restaurants.  With GIANT croissants!");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/AtTheHospital.jpg","Following breakfast, we were to march around the grounds of the town's large hospital.  This resident was particularly keen to have his photo taken.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/PostHospitalRest.jpg","Knowing what was planned for the afternoon, people took the opportunity to relax.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/BandHandlebars.jpg","Two handlebars in one band!");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/SundayLunch.jpg","For Sunday lunch, we returned to the hall that we'd visited the day before.  This time was even better, with a large buffet to get stuck into.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/HandlebarTrio.jpg","Even more whiskers.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/LunchtimeEntertainment.jpg","We even received a little entertainment with our meal, in the form of this marching band and a *cough* yo-yo routine *cough*!");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/GettingInTheCarnivalMood.jpg","Getting into the carnival mood.  The carnival seems to take a different path each year.  Fortunately, the 2005 route was relatively short, so we all got round without problem.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/KazoosAtTheReady.jpg","Kazoos at the ready!");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/SteveAndIan.jpg","Steve and Ian, waiting to go.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/CarnivalBand2.jpg","Other bands...");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/CarnivalBand3.jpg","...prepare for...");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/CarnivalBand.jpg","...the parade.");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/EnglishTheme.jpg","This years carnival had an English theme.  Thus, the we had the pleasure of watching French people pretending to be English.  Do we really look like that?");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/BigHeadFloat.jpg","Big heads");
addPhoto("Images/Carrbrook05/Confetti.jpg","Finally, no one escapes the evil confetti!   May I express my thanks to the members of Carrbrook Brass Band for inviting me to join them on their trip.  Also, thanks must go to the people of Armentiéres for their hospitality.  Guy.");