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OPEN TO THE SKIES ‘Open To The Skies’ concert to feature band of the Royal Air Force and Battle of Britain memorial flight at Bowood on Sunday 24 July.
Bowood will host Open To The Skies for the first time this summer
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uly’s ‘Open to the Skies’ concert promises an evening of celebration and rousing military music for all the family as this thrilling new event comes to Wiltshire’s Bowood House & Gardens to raise funds for a number of RAF, Army and Wiltshire charities. Concert goers of all ages will be welcomed as the gates open at 4.30pm on Sunday 24 July to set the scene, within Bowood House & Gardens’ stunning parkland, for picnicking and pre-concert entertainment starting around 6.15pm. A military Pipes & Drums band will then strike up, followed by the Wiltshire Army Cadet Force Corps of Drums.
As the Central Band of the Royal Air Force - which has played a vital part in state ceremonial events and military tattoos since its establishment in 1920 – takes to the stage and a dramatic Spitfire, Hurricane, Lancaster and Dakota formation fly-past (again depending on the weather) emerges from three different directions, just ahead of sunset, the concert will truly
"As the Central Band of the Royal Air Force takes to the stage the concert will truly be underway."
be underway. With Bowood House as a stately backdrop, there will be performances too by soprano Matilda Wale and the award-winning Wessex Added meaning will come to the Male Choir. The singing of ‘Jerusalem’, evening’s ‘Open to the Skies’ theme the RAF march past and a fireworks when - favourable weather permitting display over the lake are all bound - the Royal Air Force’s six-man Falcons to provide a highly moving and parachute display team (also known memorable round-off to the evening as the ‘Big Six’) from No 1 Parachute Training School, perform ahead of ‘This first-time event looks set to be the main concert itself beginning at tremendously appealing for those approximately 7.15pm. living in and near to Wiltshire who 20 THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE
are so proud and supportive of our armed services and the region’s military heritage. Our ‘Open to the Skies’ Patrons are drawn from RAF and Army top brass and we are also delighted that Bowood’s Marchioness of Lansdowne and Wiltshire’s Lord Lieutenant Sarah Troughton have kindly agreed to be Patrons too,’ says Colin Cheshire who has devised, and is steering, the concert together with fellow volunteer Des Morgan. ‘Just a month after this year’s centrepiece Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the evening at Bowood will very much continue in the same spirit of national pride.’ Des Morgan adds, ‘After the various challenges of the past two years, we also anticipate that concert goers will have a great appetite for a stirring summer gathering of this nature. We are hoping to attract an audience of some 6,000+ with a view to raising £100,000 for various highly-deserving military and Wiltshire charities, such as Combat Stress and Julia’s House.’ Early booking - via the website - is encouraged to secure tickets, as well as special prices. Until 28 February, tickets range from £20 per child to £39.50 per adult (with 4s and under admitted free). • opentotheskies.co.uk
