Catterick Garrison children’s choir sings at Festival of Remembrance

On By Pranco

North Yorkshire Council Children in purple jumpers sing in a church, led by a woman standing behind a lectern.North Yorkshire Council

Young people from the Service Children’s Community Choir will perform at the Royal Albert Hall

A children’s choir from North Yorkshire will later sing at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance in London.

Members of the Service Children’s Community Choir will perform Bill Withers’ song Lean On Me at the annual commemoration event at the Royal Albert Hall.

Children from schools around Catterick Garrison and the wider area make up the 32-strong group.

Angela Campbell, who founded the choir in 2018, said the young people were honored to perform at such a “prestigious and moving” event.

‘Very proud’

Campbell, North Yorkshire Council Children’s Champion and Chair of the Service Children’s Network, said: “The choir has really become a family and we have had many adventures together, but this is the adventure of a lifetime.

“Everything we do at the choir is aimed at ensuring that children and young people from military-connected families feel valued and supported.

“Our team of music specialists build their confidence during performance and teach them a wide range of musical skills. The choir is supported by a number of volunteers from the area.

“We will be waiting to see them shine in the illustrious Royal Albert Hall.

“We know the North Yorkshire military community will be very proud of them all.”

PA Media Standard Bearers carry flags at the Royal Albert Hall during last year's Festival of Remembrance, surmounted by two large poppies. Hundreds of people are watching in the audience.PA media

The annual Festival of Remembrance commemorates Britain’s war dead

The children come from Wensleydale School, Risedale School, St Francis Xavier School in Richmond, Richmond Methodist School, Wavell Junior School in Catterick Garrison, Le Cateau Community Primary School, Bolton On Swale Church of England Primary School in Richmond and Michael Syddall Church of England Primary School in Catterick.

The choir’s travel, food and accommodation costs have been covered by the Royal British Legion and they have received an additional £800 from North Yorkshire councilors’ local budgets.

The authority’s Armed Forces Champion Kevin Foster donated £500 and council leader Carl Les a further £300 to buy matching hoodies for the young people to wear on their journey.

North Yorkshire Council Children sit in pews singing, encouraged by two men and two women between them.North Yorkshire Council

The children’s choir is doing the final rehearsals before Saturday’s performance

Foster, ward councilor for the Catterick Garrison area, said: “It has been really wonderful to follow the children’s choir over the years and it is a very emotional experience.

“I was very lucky to have been given tickets by the Royal British Legion to attend and I will be so proud to see how the choir represents us all.”

Les added: “This is a proud moment for the province and I was more than pleased to support this worthwhile cause with a donation from my local budget to make the trip as memorable as possible.”

The Princess of Wales is to attend the festivalas she continues her return to public royal duties following her cancer treatment, alongside other senior members of the royal family.

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Soundsstay up to date with the latest news episode of Kijk Noord or tell us a story you think we should have cover here.