Concert to Commemorate the End of World War One

On the afternoon of Remembrance Day, a wonderful free concert was given to the people of Potton in St Mary's Church, presented by Douglas Coombes MBE with the Amici Singers, The Ensemble of Friends, Thomas Fountain, Trumpet and Trevor Hughes on the Keyboard.

The programme was a mixture of Music by the two Choirs, hymns sung by the Choirs and Congregation and Poems read by choir members and the Rev Gill Smith of St Mary's Church. But the highlight of the concert was a suite written by Douglas Coombes entitled Anthem for Doomed Youth. This was a very moving suite and it incorporated Poems set to Music from well known Poets of that time including the title Poem of the suite, Anthem for Doomed Youth by the famous wartime Poet, Wilfred Owen who himself did not survive the War. Other well known songs from that era were cleverly woven into the suite by Douglas, songs such as "It's a Long Way to Tipperary". At the end of the final movement, the Last Post was played beautifully by Thomas Fountain on the Trumpet. The Flags of local uniformed youth groups were dipped during the singing and raised again at the end of the recessional hymn. A truly moving afternoon of music and poetry, well presented by Douglas and his choirs and musicians. A retiring collection raised over £500 for the Help for Heroes Charity. After the concert, refreshments were served in the Church Hall.