07
Nov
GALLERY: Ripon Cathedral bathed in a sea of poppies for Remembrance concert
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Poppies descending, The Lark Ascending and a lady in red, were among the highlights of a spectacular concert of remembrance at Ripon Cathedral last night.
The event, staged by Ripon Community Poppy Project in partnership with the cathedral’s clergy and staff and the support and advice of Ripon's musical maestro Mark Sidewll, provided a fitting tribute to the dead of two world wars and other conflicts in which service men and women made the ultimate sacrifice by laying down their lives.
Soprano Charlotte Potter sang as beautifully as she looked in her stunning dress made of 2,000 knitted poppies.
Mark Sidwell was the concert compere and also played the cornet, giving perfect renditions of The Last Post and Reveille
The Poppy Project, created by former Mayor of Ripon Stuart Martin and Freeman of the City Hazel Barker, held its first concert of remembrance at the cathedral in 2018 to mark the 100th anniversary of the armistice that brought an end to the blood shed over four years, three months and 14 days between July 28 1914 and November 11 1918.
Violinist Izzy Howard, accompanied on the piano by Dr Richard Martin, played Ralph Vaughan Williams' The Lark Ascending and John Williams' tear-jerking theme tune from the film Schindler's List
Poppies, which have been the symbol of the Royal British Legion’s annual appeal since 1921, are a constant reminder of the millions of soldiers, sailors, airmen and civilians who perished in the two worldwide conflicts and Ripon, proudly celebrates its Royal Engineers, who were made Freemen of the City in 1949 in thanks for the vital vanguard role that they played in theatres of war across the globe.
Standard bearers representing all armed forces and the Royal British Legion Ripon branch, were on duty last night
Dean John, welcomed performers and guests and received the military standards, which were put on display at the altar.
Remembrance Sunday in Ripon
On Sunday, the call of duty overseas means that the men and women of 21 Engineer Regiment of the Royal Engineers cannot be present to take part in the parade from the Ripon War Memorial in Spa Gardens to the cathedral, but Jim Phillips, a retired sapper and chair of Ripon’s Royal Engineers Association, hopes that veterans can fill part of the void.
He told the Stray Ferret:
Veterans and indeed any serving miltary personnel from the Army, Royal Navy and RAF are welcome to join in the parade.
It will set off from Spa Gardens at 10.45am after the service of remembrance at Ripon War Memorial, which starts at 10am. The parade will make its way from Spa Gardens to the cathedral, where a service will be held.
More photos from last night
The Skelton North Brass Band, made a big impression with their debut performance at the cathedral
The popular Dishforth Military Wives Choir, conducted by Ruth Sladden, wowed the audience with their heart-rending songs
The children of Brackenfield School Choir from Harrogate, conducted by their music teacher Helen Leaf, delighted the concert-goers with their medleys of war-time songs
This display, guarded by two silhouette soldiers, was among the many displays at the cathedral created by the non-stop knitters of Ripon Community Poppy Project
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