Menim Gate Singer (Menin Gate?)

Subject: Menim Gate Singer - 3rd November 2006
From: Hovering Bob
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 05:48 AM

Who was the Singer at the Menim Gate Ceremony in Ypres, 3rd November 2006

        As usual, this year's 'Flanders Experience' festival started with attendance at the 8:00pm Last Post Ceremony at the Menim Gate in Ypres. At this time of year the basic ceremony where the local Fire Brigade play the last post, was augmented with wreath laying by several school children and young people. This was followed by the singing of a song by a young lady with a stunning voice and superb presentation.

        Unfortunately, in the crush of people milling around after the ceremony it was impossible to get across the road to where the singer had been standing, well not on my electric disabled scooter it wasn't. I would have like to have congratulated her on her performance and find out who she is. I'm sure she has the potential to be a singer we could hear a lot more of in the future.

        Does anyone know who that singer might be?

All the best,

BobH

Subject: RE: Menim Gate Singer
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 05:55 AM

Don't know who the singer was but it't the MeniN gate... that might help with a search on Google. These events are usually well documented.

LTS

Subject: RE: Menim Gate Singer
From: BanjoRay
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 05:56 AM

To clarify a little - it's not Menim Gate, it's Menin Gate. The thread title should be changed.
Ray

Subject: RE: Menin Gate Singer
From: Hovering Bob
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 06:15 AM

Sorry folks, the fingers don'tr work so well these days (it's not that I can't spull!)

Subject: RE: Menim Gate Singer
From: Dave Earl
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 07:02 AM

Bob

Im going on a day trip to Ypre tomorrow (Birthday outing!!) which will include the 8 pm ceremony.

Was what you heard a one off thing on that day only or may I get a chance ask the lady on your behalf.

Dave

Subject: RE: Menim Gate Singer
From: GUEST,Pedantic old git
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 07:43 AM

MENIN is the spelling in French. In Flemish it's MENEN.

Subject: RE: Menim Gate Singer
From: GUEST,tony geen
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 07:58 AM

Bob, from the Last Post Association website ('Calendar'):
"Fri 3/11/2006

County Upper School
Hemdean School
Sheredes School "

I don't suppose they would give out the young lady's name to strange men.

Subject: RE: Menim Gate Singer
From: Hovering Bob
Date: 16 Nov 06 - 06:13 AM

Hi Breton Cap,
The ceremony is different each day, I think. The minimum we have seen is the last post played by just two firemen with no other activity. At other times there are presentations of poppy tributes by various groups or individuals and sometimes other displays. We have even had a 'Harka' (spelling?) by native New Zealanders.
No matter what the format, it is always a very moving event.

All the best,

BobH

Subject: RE: Menim Gate Singer
From: Dave Earl
Date: 16 Nov 06 - 06:40 AM

Bob,

We were there for the Ceremony on Nov 14th.

Three buglers and a squad of Belgian Soldiers to lay a wreath.

We spent the afternoon in the Flanders Experience Museum in the Cloth Hall.


Dave

Subject: RE: Menim Gate Singer
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 16 Nov 06 - 12:07 PM

The Flemish name is Meenenpoorte

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: Menim Gate Singer (Menin Gate?)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 17 Nov 06 - 03:07 AM

Yes, she was a stunning singer, wasn't she, Bob.

Derek took a photo which I'll e-mail to you.

I saw the Sheredes school wreath when we revisited the Menin Gate on Saturday afternoon - IIRC the school is in Hoddesdon (yes, just confirmed by Googling).

I remember a marching band of girl glockenspiel players on one of the first times we went to the 8pm ceremony.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Menim Gate Singer (Menin Gate?)
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 12:21 AM

Maori haka

Subject: RE: Menim Gate Singer (Menin Gate?)
From: Dave Earl
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 02:45 AM

I'm sure it was all the things you say it was but you didn't say what it was she sang.

It looks as if the young lady was from an English School so I expect it was an English song.

Please tell us more if you can.

Dave

Subject: RE: Menim Gate Singer (Menin Gate?)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 12:05 PM

Breton Cap - we didn't recognise the song, but it was sung in English!

Kitty