Published November 11, 2016 at 14:41
Our Festival of Remembrance Concert was held at St Peter’s Church, Haslingden on Sunday 6th November 2016.
The concert was opened by a poignant reading from Christopher Kelly-Brown, who performed ‘A Wish’, a poem written by Maxine Kendall.
The Haslingden Concert Band played some well-known songs including the best of James Bond, Putting on the Ritz and Lord of the Dance, which had everybody clapping along. The Veterans in Communities Singing Group entertained everybody with their performances including; Can’t Help Falling in Love, Lean on Me and their Home Ground Anthem. We were also treated to a fantastic solo performance from Mark Alberts (VIC Singing Group) who used to serve with the Duke of Lancaster Regiment.
A moving reading was also performed by Curtis Blanchard-Lewis, who read a poem called ‘Hug’o’war by Shel Silverstein.
The concert was closed with a rendition of the National Anthem with the band providing the music, and the singing group and the audience rising to their feet to take part.
The concert was attended by Mayor and Mayoress of Rossendale, Mayor of Whitworth, a number of councillors and past mayors.
We raised £144.87 for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.
Rossendale Council would like to thank the Veterans in Communities Singing Group, Haslingden Concert Band, Christopher and Curtis for being a part of this concert. We would also like to thank Fr Stephen Brown and St Peter’s Church for hosting the event and providing refreshments, and thank you to all those that attended and helped in raising money for the poppy appeal charity.
The Mayor Councillor Granville Morris said;
” Both the Veterans Community Singing Group and the Haslingden Concert Band really excelled in giving the many people who attended the event a wonderful afternoons entertainment of both music and songs of different era’s; including 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and 60’s; popular then and some even more today. These concerts endeavour to try and uplift the spirit and unify our community just before the Annual Celebrations of Remembrance.”
The officially recognised Remembrance Day Services this year are planned for Sunday 13th November. Where appropriate services are planned to take place to thank those who have served their Country in all the conflicts and have either been affected or paid the ultimate sacrifice; which rightly should be respectively honoured and remembered that day and always.
Remembrance Services took place up and down the Valley, and here is some footage of the parade in Rawtenstall;