Over 100 enthusiastic and friendly supporters of both the John Thornton Foundation and BCB braved the weather to attend this concert at Ferndown Upper School. Aptly, as John Thornton had been a Royal Marines Officer, BCB were led on the night by their good friend Lt Col. Chris Davis OBE (Royal Marines) Retired.
The band commenced the evening with the appropriately named fanfare "Walking with Heroes". The band featured two of it's soloists, John Starkes (Euphonium) and Dan Shave (Soprano) during the evening, the first half also featured Alfie Hughes, Dave Hatton and Nick Jarvis in the brass band favourite - Buglers Holiday. As the band is due to compete in the Yeovil Entertainments contest in one weeks time, back under the leadership of it's professional conductor Major David Barringer, advantage was taken to present it's 25 minute programme to the audience in the second half. Many commented afterwards on how much they enjoyed the varied music and especially the finale "Peel Park" from Philip Wilby's "The Lowry Sketchbook. An encore by the band was "Bohemian Rhapsody" - a selection of Queen hits.
The John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation has raised over £250k in the last four years since John was killed in action in Afganistan. There is an endless list of positive investments that the trustees have made in young people to help them acheive personal dreams and ambitions. Ferndown Upper School recently received a major donation towards a new school library that will be named the John Thornton Study Centre. BCB highly recommend you visit www.jtyaf.org It was a privilege for the band to support such a worthy charity.