WITH the centenary of the end of World War I approaching, the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance returns to St David’s Hall on Saturday 3 November.
Now in its 38th year, the concert gives the nation chance to come together to commemorate and honour all those who lost their lives in conflict.
Neil Collins chats to the Royal British Legion’s Area Manager Wales, Ant Metcalfe about this important remembrance event.
The Wales Festival of Remembrance concert makes for a very moving evening including performances from the RAF Spitfires Choir, the Regimental Band of the Royal Welsh and Only Boys Aloud. Tell us a little about what you’ve got planned…
It’s going to be an evening of enjoyment, reflection and remembrance with a strong World War I theme, but also celebrating the RAF 100 Centenary in 2018. This year, the Royal British Legion is asking the entire nation to say “Thank you” to the First World War generation – all that served, sacrificed and changed our world. The performance is part of that engagement.
There’s also a dramatic performance from the Everyman Theatre Company are and a new commission by the children of Thornhill Primary School. What can we expect from them?
We are really pleased to be working alongside Everyman and Thornhill Primary School. I won’t steal their thunder, but let’s just say that there won’t be a dry eye in the house after these performances. It’s also vital that the younger generation is involved and understand remembrance, and so many schools have built in related work to their curriculum over the past four years.
Only Boys Aloud will be taking part in Neil Collins chats to the Royal British Legion’s remembrance event.at St David’s Hall, Cardiff on November 3.
The evening features an audience sing-along. What pieces will be performed?
We hope that our audience will be in fine voice particularly for their involvement in Keep the Home Fires Burning.
Who is the compere for this year’s concert?
We are supported again this year by Welsh TV personality, Frances Donovan.
How important are concerts like these in commemorating the sacrifice that those before us gave to allow us to live happily and peacefully?
They are a hugely important platform for The Legion in Wales to keep remembrance and commemoration in the national eye, but also to highlight the work that The Legion does in supporting the entire Armed Forces Community.
To book seats, visit http://www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk