Hollywood star is guest of honour at fund-raiser
Actor Jeremy Irons was master of
ceremonies at a concert for ex-servicemen and women
Published Date: 18 November 2008
Words and music drawn from two world wars provided a memorable evening as actors and servicemen came together for a concert.
Actor Jeremy Irons took up the role of master of ceremonies at West Hill Park School in Titchfield for the concert in aid of The Army Benevolent Fund, The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust, and Help for Heroes.
Readers included the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, former head of the Army, General Sir Mike Jackson, D-Day veteran and Dam Busters actor Richard Todd and ITN political editor Tom Bradbury.
Edward Hudson, headteacher of West Hill, said: 'The readings from First World War and Second World War poetry were very moving. Most people will remember the vivid recount of veteran Richard Todd, a celluloid and real-life hero, when he captured the Pegasus bridge on D-Day.
'The audience were hugely impressed with Jeremy Irons' reading of Kipling's poem Tommy and the Clifton Singers were memorable.
'Lord David Poole worked hard to get people there or to give a donation. I'd also like to thank Chris Carey, a parent, who provided the lighting and sound effects. The evening would have seemed ordinary without them.'
More than £35,000 was raised through a combination of donations and sponsors including defence company Chemring PLC, Tesco, Forte Trust and PA Consulting.
- Last Updated: 18 November 2008 9:57 AM
- Source: The News
- Location: Portsmouth
Remembering at West Hill Park
This was taken from the West Hill Park website: www.westhillpark.com
Readers from left to right: Tom Bradby ITN political correspondent, Commander Iain Lower RN, Edward Hudson Headmaster, General Sir Mike Jackson, Richard Todd OBE, Yolanta Volak-Latter, Jeremy Irons, Canon Philip Morgan
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On Saturday 1st November 2008 a concert of Remembrance took place at West Hill Park School in Titchfield. The programme comprised of words and music drawn from the First World War to the present day. The concert was in aid of The Army Benevolent Fund, The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust, and Help for Heroes. Over £35,000 was raised through a combination of corporate sponsors, and generous donations. Corporate sponsors included Chemring PLC, who are based locally, Tesco, Forte Trust and PA Consulting.
The actor Jeremy Irons very kindly agreed to be Master of Ceremonies and readers included Lord Salisbury, Richard Todd OBE, Field Marshall The Lord Inge, General Sir Mike Jackson, Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles Ambassador to Kabul, ITN Political CorrespondentTom Bradby and the First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Jonathon Band.
The music was provided by The Clifton Singers, a locally based singing group, directed by Kate Morgan. There were some powerfully moving moments both in the readings and in the more serious music, particularly The Fallen, by Mark Bletchley. However, two medleys of songs from World War 1I and World War 2 provided some lighter notes and a powerful contrast between life at home and life in the trenches.
