The clock in the Plaza theatre was turned back sixty years on the 18th July 2005 when Michelmersh Silver Band presented its Wartime Melodies concert in celebration of the anniversary of the ending of the Second World War. A party atmosphere prevailed with the theatre decked with red, white and blue bunting and balloons as the band played a selection of music from the wartime era. The evening proved very emotional for some and the atmosphere was fantastic throughout. There had been a very real fear that the concert might have to be cancelled as the advertised conductor was forced to withdraw just a few weeks before the date. However Royal Marine Colour Sergeant Don Lloyd proved an inspired and entertaining late replacement for the sell out performance. Prizes were awarded to concert-goers who had worn fancy dress including 12 year old Beth Hobley, dressed as an evacuee complete with gas mask and cardboard suitcase.

Highlight of the first half was a rendition of The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, played by the band’s very own cornet quartet of Boogie Woogie girls, Jan Boler, Jo Dobson, Claire Eldridge and Jo Prince. A medley of Glen Miller numbers had the audience tapping its feet and remembering past dance hall days before joining in a sing-along of favourite wartime songs. After the interval, sisters Olivia and Lydia Thomas, guest singers for the evening, appeared dressed in Army uniforms to sing The White Cliffs of Dover and We’ll Meet Again. The true cost of war was acknowledged as the mood changed with a very moving rendition of Nightfall in Camp, an arrangement of the hymn tune Lead Kindly Light featuring the playing of the Last Post from the rear of the theatre by cornet players Jo Dobson and Michael Topp. Colour Sergeant Lloyd raised the tempo again as the band played Victory! from The Cry of the Celts before the party was brought to a close in a flag-waving, sing-along finale with band and audience together performing Land of Hope and Glory in true Last Night of the Proms style.

A retiring collection made for the Royal British Legion ‘Thanks’ Appeal raised £137 and is to be rounded up to £200 by the band.