Drumming up support: The Band of the Island of Jersey march proudly through the packed streets of Granville. Picture: TREVOR RAYSON

ISLANDERS took centre stage at an historic carnival in Normandy last weekend.

Musicians from the Band of the Island Jersey travelled to Granville to take part in the 136th Carnaval de Granville. The event, which is a major event in Normandy’s winter calendar, drew large crowds with spectators from all over the world.

On Saturday afternoon the band headed a parade through the town’s streets and large floats paraded alongside families dressed up in colourful costumes.

Nick Manning, the band’s musical director, said: ‘Even though there were light snow showers during the afternoon, the band kept on marching and at the end of the parade the band performed on stage in front of a massive crowd.’

On Sunday they were invited to perform a time-honoured tradition by marching through the town centre at 10 am to wake up the residents in Granville.

Mr Manning said: ‘As soon as the streets were filled with marching music by the band, the town once again got crowded. The band’s eight-person drum corps which leads the marching band performed an impressive drum display, followed by a concert on stage, in which the band’s principle cornet, Mark Godel, played a fantastic solo.’

The most important event, however, was not until Sunday afternoon, when the main carnival procession of 31 floats and 12 bands marched in front of 90,000 spectators.

‘The band members, who ranged in age from 13 to 75, were so proud to head this massive carnival,’ said Mr Manning. ‘The audience was so appreciative.’