Counting down to Poppy Prom - Tenth annual Royal British Legion event to commemorate centenary of the Somme

The Sleaford and District Branch of the Royal British Legion holds the event on Saturday, October 22, with The Sleaford Concert Band providing the performance.

It will take place in the hall of St George’s Academy, in Westgate, Sleaford, from 7.30pm.

The Standard is a media sponsor for the event.

Branch chairman Clive Candlin said: “The music theme for the concert is chosen every year by Jim McQuade, the director of music of the Sleaford Concert Band.

“This year’s theme, for the first half of the concert, will be a Tribute to the Battle of the Somme, being the 100th anniversary of that epic battle.

“There will also be other stirring pieces of music played by this very talented band.

“The second half will lead up to the ‘Prom Night’, with all the favourite sing-along songs and much patriotic waving of flags.”

For the first time in the event’s history, the branch is being honoured with the presence of Terry Whittles, the national chairman of the Royal British Legion.

“The Legion was formed in 1921 from a number of ex-service charities and has looked after the welfare of servicemen and women, and their families, from all conflicts ever since,” Mr Candlin continued.

“Mr Whittles will give a short brief about the welfare role of the Royal British Legion today, particularly for those traumatised by conflict and battle stress, also the ongoing work in regard to the treatment of dementia.”

He added: “The branch hopes that this popular event in the Sleaford social calendar will be well supported by the people of Sleaford.”

There will be a raffle during the evening and refreshments will be available in the interval.

All funds raised will go to this year’s Poppy Appeal to help the Royal British Legion to continue its work supporting the service and ex-service community.

Anyone wishing to join the branch does not have to have served in the military to be a member, although they cannot benefit from any grants; it is purely voluntary, to help support those who do need that aid.

The branch meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm at the Legionnaires Club, in Sleaford, and would welcome anyone wishing to come and join them.

For more about the Sleaford and District Branch of the Royal British Legion, visit branches.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/sleaford.