The Blackburn & Darwen Band has just returned home from a successful Easter tour to France.

The North West band, which is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year, set off from Darwen on 2nd April to travel to Dover, through Calais, and then on to their first destination of Douai.

Wonderful welcome

There, the band received a wonderful welcome from hosts Brass Band Douai and played an excellent joint concert in the Auditorium Henri Dutilleux de Douai.

The following day the band travelled to Paris, and as well as sightseeing they gave a Sunday afternoon concert in the famous Jardin du Luxembourg in front of an enthusiastic audience of around 1000 delighted Parisians and visitors from all round the world.

they gave a Sunday afternoon concert in the famous Jardin du Luxembourg in front of an enthusiastic audience of around 1000 delighted Parisians and visitors from all round the world4BR

Rounded off

The tour was rounded off by heading north towards Amiens and another well received concert conducted by Musical Director Huw Thomas, before making the trip home, after a memorable event.