A visit to Estaires

We were so pleased to visit Estaires, France in March to talk to Pascale Algoet, the deputy mayor, and Regine Henneon of the town’s historical society.  As part of our work on the centenary of World War One, we’re working with Camborne Youth Band on an extraordinary trip planned for later in the year to the Menin Gate and Estaires.  We first made contact with Estaires in September 2017 – click here for the story of that visit.

Estaires has a special resonance for the Camborne/Redruth area as many Cornishmen were stationed there in World War One.  At the outbreak of war in 1914, many miners from Dolcoath’s St John’s Ambulance team joined the Royal Army Medical Corps went out to the Front, led by local doctor Captain William Blackwood. Descendants of these men still live in Camborne and Redruth, including  Chris Negus, the grandson of Fred Negus.

The group sailed from Southampton to Le Havre, then travelled straight to Estaires where they were stationed for more than a year.

Amazingly – Corey Williams, the great great grandson of Fred Negus, is now in Camborne Youth Band.The plan is to travel back to Estaires 100 years on from the War and once again play the bugle in the town.

We’ve been discussing plans with Pascale and Regine.

Here Pascale takes us on a tour of Estaires Town Hall’s very impressive Bell Tower.

Hopefully the Band will be able to visit the Bell Tower – at the moment they are very busy fundraising for the trip.