Hereford Cathedral Choir will be travelling to France to take part in a high profile service commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

The choir has been invited to sing in the Service of Thanksgiving organised by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at Bayeux Cathedral, on Wednesday 5 June. The service will be attended by HRH The Princess Royal, veterans, their families and international VIPs. 

On Thursday 6 June, the choir will give a short performance in the Basilica of Sainte-Thérèse de Lisieux, and later that day will sing Choral Evensong in L’église St-Pierre de Caen. 

Geraint Bowen, Director of Music at Hereford Cathedral said: ‘It is a great honour for our choir to have been invited to take part in the D-Day 80th anniversary commemorations. Our previous visit to Normandy in 2019 for the 75th anniversary was an unforgettable and moving experience for all involved. 

The Revd Canon Andrew Piper, Precentor of Hereford Cathedral, said: ‘We are very grateful to members of our congregation and Hereford Cathedral Choir Association who have so generously supported us in making this visit possible. We shall join with the people of France in giving thanks to God for the immense courage shown by those who fought their way up the beaches and began the liberation of Europe eighty years ago.’

Listen to Geraint talk to BBC HW about taking part in the service here: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0j2lj9m 
 
Hereford Cathedral Choir is comprised of twelve adult lay clerks and choral scholars and eighteen boy and girl choristers, who sing regular services at the cathedral. 

This trip has been supported by members of Hereford Cathedral congregation and Hereford Cathedral Choir Association.