Abbey concert helps injured soldiers

Hundreds of music enthusiasts 'raised the roof' at Wymondham Abbey this weekend thanks to a fundraising concert in aid of wounded servicemen and women.

Hundreds of music enthusiasts 'raised the roof' at Wymondham Abbey this weekend thanks to a fundraising concert in aid of wounded servicemen and women.

The special evening, sponsored by the Wymondham and Attleborough's sister paper the Eastern Daily Press, involved the Tallis Chamber Choir and Norwich Citadel Band of the Salvation Army in aid of the Help for Heroes charity.

The historic abbey was sold out and although it was not known exactly how much was raised, it was thought to be thousands of pounds.

Renowned conductor Philip Simms and the Tallis Chamber Choir, from London, have been regular visitors to Norfolk in recent years and have performed annually at Norwich Cathedral to raise money for the 900th anniversary appeal over the last six years. The choir returned to Wymondham Abbey after an absence of eight years.

The Norwich Citadel Band of the Salvation Army has played a vital role in civic life since the 1880s and has played at famous concert venues across the country.

Former army chief Sir Richard Dannatt, who attended the event, said: 'The quality of the music by the choir and citadel band was absolutely first class and everyone really enjoyed it.

'The Abbey was pretty much full to bursting and when we sang Jerusalem we almost raised the roof; I mean literally raised the roof.'

Sir Richard went on: 'Our soldiers have drawn comfort from the fact people at home are supporting them, not just at the homecoming parades, but by contributing to a charity doing extraordinary work.

'It's really helping people and it's a really efficient charity, every pound raised goes towards the programme.'

Also present at Saturday evening's concert were the Light Dragoons, based at Swanton Morley, and the Wymondham Air Cadets.