A POPULAR concert which gives Ellesmere’s Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal a fundraising boost will make a return on the evening of Remembrance Day.
The Poppy Concert was cancelled in 2020 because of Covid-19, but now with restrictions eased, Royal British Legion branch president and county chairman, Ian Williams, says it will be ‘curtain up’ as usual for this year’s event at the town’s Comrades Club on Saturday, November 13.
And he’s hoping that the Ellesmere public will continue to support the concert as they have in previous years.
“The concert has been an important fund-raiser for the poppy appeal for at least the past 40 years,” he said.
“We couldn’t hold one last year due to the ban on public gatherings.
“But we’re so pleased that the situation is different this year, and we’re hoping people will come along and support this very worthwhile cause. especially as it’s the Legion’s centenary year.”
The concert will feature performances by the Porthywaen Silver Band, youngsters from the 2nd Ellesmere Brownies Monday group, members of the Ellesmere Amateur Dramatic Society and soprano singer Rhian Carys Jones, a music student at the Welsh College of Music and Drama.
The compere will be Peter Jones and it will be preceded by a short act of remembrance conducted by the Reverend John Vernon.
The event begins at 7.30pm and tickets, costing £5 will be available at the door.
“It will be a great night out, with something for everyone,” added Mr Williams.
“We’re very grateful to all those taking part and it’s wonderful to have so many young people involved.”
On Remembrance Sunday, there will be a parade to Ellesmere parish church, where Legion members will join civic leaders and representatives from other local organisations for the national two minutes’ silence at the town’s war memorial before a service inside St Mary’s led by the vicar, the Rev Pat Hawkins.
For more information, please contact Ian Williams, 07799 778575 or John Shone, 01691 624514.
