Big band raises funds for Toys and Tins

 

Great Yarmouth Hippodrome will play host to the biggest brass band ever seen in the town when the Norfolk and Anglia Fellowship bands of the Salvation Army combine for a concert to raise funds for the annual Christmas Toys and Tins appeal

 

“It won’t exactly be 76 trombones – but it will be over 70 musicians coming together in the ring” says Tony Mallion who has organised the concert as part of this year’s appeal which is jointly run by BBC Radio Norfolk and the Salvation Army

 

“One top brass band produces the most spine-tingling sound – but to put two together will be something very, very special” said Tony, who will also compere the evening on Friday, November 6^th.

 

The concert’s called “The Best of British” and will be a musical journey round the British Isles. It will round off with a Last Night of the Proms type finale with the audience joining in for favourites “Rule Britannia” and “Jerusalem”. With the evening so close to Remembrance Sunday this will also be marked. The programme will open with “The Dam Busters” march. “It doesn’t come much more stirring than that” said Tony. “And all of this in the unique setting of the Hippodrome Circus which is such a perfect concert hall – the acoustics are superb and every seat is a good one”

 

BBC Radio Norfolk and the Salvation Army have teamed up together for the Toys and Tins appeal for almost 30 years. Listeners donate non perishable foods and new toys and other gifts but it also costs around £12,000 to provide the parcels which are mostly prepared by volunteers working at a central depot at the start of December. Last year around 1,400 households throughout Norfolk and parts of North Suffolk received parcels. Fifteen Salvation Army corps throughout the area take part acting as both collection points for gifts as well as helping to distribute parcels. 

 

“It’s expected that demand for help may be even higher this year. We just don’t realise how tough it can be for some – and this small helping hand can make all the difference” said Tony

 

Hazel Sommerville, of the Norwich Citadel, has taken over the task of running the appeal this year. It will be officially launched on BBC Radio Norfolk on Monday November 23^rd

 

Fellowship Bands are a new development within the Salvation Army giving older musicians, and others who have had connections with the army, the chance to play. The Norfolk one, formed in 2002 draws musicians from as far apart as Snettisham and Great Yarmouth, who meet regularly in Aylsham to rehearse under conductor David Woodrow. The Anglia band started in 1997 and is conducted by Ray Todd.