Event raises over £3,000 in one night!

A collaboration with the Maldon Drama Group, the Maldon Orchesta and Essex Police Choir to mark the centenary of the Armistice raised over £3,000 for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal in one night. This is truly amazing and is indicative of the event as a whole. Everyone gave this event all the time and effort that they possibly could from the discussions and meetings that took place in the months before to the effort and performance given on the night. The Plume Academy provided the venue and we were superb in their support. Neil Fisher of the Maldon Drama Group wrote and directed the show which was based on ten war poems. They were ordered and dramatised as they brought to life the story of Harry and Alice Flowers as they faced the horrors of World War One. The Sea Cadets were on hand to help with the front of house duties on the night. The whole event was emotional and very moving.

For our part, the Maldon Orchestra had 40 players all giving their best performance to date. Under the baton of our Music Director, Ron Bewers, every player performed with the sensitivity that the music required. Our programme included I Vow To Thee and Rule Britannia right through to Beethoven's 5th Symphony, In the Hall of the Mountain King and Holst's Mars. The audience of 250 people were entertained with renditions of Where Did You Get That Hat, Stop The Cavalry and Boiled Beef and Carrots, and then moved by the sadness of Hymn to the Fallen and In Flanders Field.

As an event to mark the occasion of the centenary of the Armistice, it was very well done indeed and we were very honoured to be invited to be a part of the evening.