The rolling Norman farmland is widely known for its dairy cattle and apple orchards, which produce renowned cheeses, cider and calvados. We will have a chance of tasting and enjoying these but, as well as visiting agricultural sites, we will see some of the area’s industrial remains, ranging from a World War 1 airship hangar to preserved lime kilns.

On our journey by coach to Caen, we will have a chance to see the 27 arch Barentin Viaduct, built on the Paris-Rouen line by the English engineers, Brassey and Locke in 1845. A splendid reminder of the early days of railway architecture.

Villedieu les Poêles is the centre for both copper and pewter manufacture originally founded in the 12^th century by Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem. Here we will see the traditional techniques for making copper utensils as well as visiting one of the two working bell-foundries in France. Corneille-Havard have been making bells in the town since the 17^th century, although the present workshop dates from the mid 19^th century.

Another highlight will be the visit to the mining museum at le Molay Littry which was established as early as 1902 to show how the Norman mining industry functioned. A particularly special exhibit is an 1800 double-acting steam engine constructed by the frères Périer. Close by is the Moulin de Marcy, a traditional overshot water mill dating from the 18^th century and now restored and preserved.

Normandy was heavily involved in the D-Day landings and at Arromanches we will be able to see parts of the, supposedly temporary, Mulberry Harbour, Port Winston. This is held up as one of the best examples of military engineering. Pegasus Bridge, a rolling bascule bridge, is also well known thanks to its position on the Caen Canal.

A unique survival is to be found near the coast, a former air ship shed at Ecausseville built in 1915 by the Marine Nationale. It was also used in World War 2 by both the German and American forces.

Cherbourg is best known as a maritime city and one of its best-known sights is the former Transatlantic Railway Terminal, where passengers could embark on liners such as the Normandie. The fabulous art deco terminal has been restored and is now home to the ‘Cité de la Mer’ which also houses ‘Le Redoutable’, a nuclear submarine built in Cherbourg and launched in 1967. This is the only nuclear submarine able to be visited, albeit on dry land! At the end of our day in Cherbourg, we visit the Musée de la Glacerie, high above the city and with a fabulous view of the harbour.

These are just the highlights of what we will see. We are indebted to Susan Hayton, lecturer in industrial archaeology, for researching the sites and putting this programme together.

We have rooms reserved at the Hotel Ibis in the centre of Caen. This is a large, modern hotel with a restaurant and a bar close to the centre of town. In fact the hotel, on the Place Courtonne, lies under the ducal palace and close to the Bassin St Pierre, at the end of the 14 km canal to the sea and now a pleasure marina.

We will be using a coach company, which we have employed a number of times before and who have agreed to let us have the same excellent driver. On this occasion, we can take advantage of the proximity of Normandy to start and end our visit in London with a pick-up near Victoria Station. This will also allow us to see sites on the way to and from Caen on Monday and Friday.

With the significant increases in coach costs and the fall in the value of sterling, four nights’ bed and buffet breakfast at the Hotel Ibis in Caen; five days’ transport in an air-conditioned coach including the journey to and from London and cross-Channel travel via Dover and Calais; all entrance fees; research, administration, and booking costs, tour management and programme notes cost £599 per person sharing and £715 with a single room. Participants who wish to share are responsible for finding the person to share with. We have not included meals but will have suggestions about where to eat for both lunch and dinner.

Participants must be in possession of valid passports. Visas are not required by citizens of EU countries and there are no special health formalities but citizens of EU countries are advised to take with them the European Health Insurance Card, which can be applied for at the Post Office and which gives rights to treatment during a temporary visit. Citizens of countries, which are not in the European Union, may require a visa to enter France and/or to re-enter the UK or be subject to other regulations. It is the responsibility of participants to ensure that they have the necessary documentation and comply with all regulations.

Bookings are being processed by Heritage of Industry Ltd. Bookings should be made on this form, print it out  and sent to Paul Saulter at Heritage of Industry, with a deposit of £85 per person. Cheques should be made payable to "Heritage of Industry Ltd". The balance of the cost will be required to be paid by February 25th 2008. You will be sent an invoice before this. All bookings are subject to availability of accommodation, space on the coach, and any limits placed on numbers at any site. Bookings are not definite until confirmed in writing by Heritage of Industry.

It would be helpful in making the final arrangements if bookings could be sent as soon as possible, and by February 18th at the latest to secure a place on the visit, but if the date for booking has passed, please feel free to inquire whether or not a place is still available.

All correspondence and enquiries should be directed to Paul Saulter, Heritage of Industry Ltd, 80 Udimore Road, Rye, Sussex, TN31 7DY (Tel/fax: 01797 223865 or from abroad 00441797 223865). Bookings are subject to the standard terms and conditions of Heritage of Industry Ltd, a copy of which can be found with the booking form. Please note that the Newcomen Society cannot enter into any correspondence about bookings nor accept any responsibility for any loss, damage or injury, however caused.

Please note that cancellation charges will apply from 25th February 2008 and, although these will be modified to the extent that costs are not actually incurred, you are strongly advised to insure against the need to cancel and to cover repatriation charges in the event of illness etc. Participants who do not have travel insurance must nevertheless accept full responsibility for these eventualities.

Paul Saulter 7th January 2008