North Yorkshire Children’s Choir to Perform at Festival of Remembrance

A children’s choir from North Yorkshire is scheduled to perform later today at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance in London. The Service Children’s Community Choir members are set to perform Bill Withers’ “Lean On Me” during the yearly commemorative event held at the Royal Albert Hall. The 32-member ensemble comprises children attending schools in and around Catterick Garrison. Angela Campbell, the choir’s founder in 2018, expressed that the young performers felt privileged to participate in such a “prestigious and poignant” occasion. Campbell, who also serves as the service children’s champion for North Yorkshire Council and chairs the Service Children’s Network, stated: “The choir has very much become a family and we have been on lots of adventures together, but this is the adventure of a lifetime.“Everything we do at the choir is centred on ensuring that children and young people from military-connected families feel valued and supported.”Our team of music specialists build their confidence when performing and teach them a wide range of musical skills. The choir is supported by a number of volunteers from the local area.“We shall wait to see them shine at the illustrious Royal Albert Hall.”We know that the military community of North Yorkshire will be very proud of them all.” The participating children attend 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 Royal British Legion has covered the choir’s expenses for travel, food, and accommodation, supplemented by an additional £800 allocated from North Yorkshire councillors’ locality budgets. Kevin Foster, the authority’s armed forces champion, contributed £500, while council leader Carl Les provided an additional £300. These funds were designated for purchasing matching hoodies for the young participants to wear during their journey. Foster, who also serves as a ward councillor for the Catterick Garrison area, commented: “It has been really great to follow the children’s choir over the years and it is a very emotional experience.“I have been very lucky to have been offered tickets by the Royal British Legion to attend and will be so proud watching the choir represent us all.” Les further stated: “This is a proud moment for the county and I was more than delighted to support this worthwhile cause with a donation from my locality budget to make the trip as memorable as possible.” The Princess of Wales is expected to attend the festival, marking her continued return to public royal duties after her cancer treatment, accompanied by other senior members of the Royal Family.