Published 17 Jul 2013 11:00
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A GROUP of pilgrims dreamed a dream when they travelled to Lourdes in the company of a singing sensation.
Staff from the Clydebank branch of Barrhead Travel and around 25 fellow Bankies jetted off to south west France with none other than Susan Boyle in their travelling party.
The trip was designed to give Scottish worshippers a direct link to the famous town nestled in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains, but with 'Subo' onboard the jet-setting Bankies enjoyed a direct link to a superstar.
The West Lothian woman - who was catapulted to stardom thanks to a series of stunning performances on the hit TV show 'Britain's Got Talent' - proved she's still got her feet firmly on the ground when she happily posed for photos and signed autographs during the week-long trip.
Simon Cowell's best known prodigy even put on an exclusive singing performance during two party nights at the hotel she was staying at with her fellow pilgrims.
Tony Sillars, managing director of the Clydebank travel agent, who organised the jaunt with travel advisor Margaretanne Bishop, had nothing but praise for Subo who helped make the journey an experience they will never forget.
He said: "We had travelled to Lourdes before with a party that included friends of Susan Boyle's and when the word got out that we were planning a trip they got in touch to book tickets, one of which was for Susan herself.
"She was absolutely fantastic during the entire trip and was very friendly and generous with her time. I asked her if she ever gets fed up with all the attention but she told me she will start worrying about it when people stop asking for her autograph, which is a great attitude to have.
"She even sang for us at the hotel. She sang her hit song 'I Dreamed a Dream' and about ten other songs each night which was a real treat for everyone. When I realised Susan would be travelling with us I had no idea what to expect but I can honestly say she is a really lovely lady who gave up so much of her time."
Tony has been to Lourdes many times before and he and his colleague Margaretanne both worked as tour guides in the town for many years before returning to their native Clydebank and Yoker respectively.
They organised the trip at the request of customers and initial fears they had it would not be a success soon proved to be unfounded when tickets sold out in four weeks with almost 100 people from all over Scotland embarking on a British Airways plane chartered especially for the journey.
Tony added: "I was a tour guide in Lourdes for many years, as was Margaretanne. I realised that there was a gap that needed to be filled in order for people to travel to Lourdes from Scotland easily, there is currently no direct service from Glasgow.
"Having spoken to members of the congregation at my local church, I knew that there would be sufficient demand for places, but I had no idea it would be so popular. Word of mouth meant it was full within a month."
Guests, including Subo, enjoyed shopping in Spain, as well as a day at the beach in St Jean de Luz. The group also visited the shrine of Betharram, as well as other well-known local attractions.
Tony is currently planning a further two trips to Lourdes and if the last trip was anything to go by his prayers for another sell-out show look certain to be answered.
This article appeared in Clydebank Post 17 Jul 13
- See more at: http://www.clydebankpost.co.uk/news/roundup/articles/2013/07/17/464523--bankies-travel-with-subo-to-pilgrimage/#sthash.mdTRTrTY.dpufhttp://www.clydebankpost.co.uk/news/roundup/articles/2013/07/17/464523--bankies-travel-with-subo-to-pilgrimage/
British singer Susan Boyle holds a banner with an image of the Virgin Mary as she
poses for a photograph in a hotel during her pilgrimage to the city of Lourdes,
on May 21, 2013.
AFP PHOTO / LAURENT DARD
(Photo credit should read LAURENT DARD/AFP/Getty Images)
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