VIDEO: Military band concert raises £5,000 for Wellingborough Poppy Appeal

About 650 people enjoyed the concert by the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth when it came to Wellingborough for the first time on Saturday.

They were invited to perform at the United Reformed Church by the Wellingborough branch of the Royal British Legion.

Ian Nunney from the branch said: “The concert went really well, we think we have raised about £5,000 for the Poppy Appeal.

“We are delighted, it was a really good night.

“There was a lot of teamwork involved, including the Scouts who ran the tea and coffee.

“I don’t know what they took but they managed to do about 600 cups of tea.

“We sold just over 600 tickets so with the complimentary tickets for the band, there were about 650 people there including some relatives of the band members.”

Also at the event, which was organised to raise money for the Poppy Appeal as well as celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday, was the Japanese Defence Attache.

Mr Nunney added: “The church itself is a fantastic venue for concerts.

“Because it’s round inside, the music vibrates off the walls and the domed ceiling.

“We told the band it was like a mini Royal Albert Hall.”

Many people posted comments, pictures and video on social media aftewards saying how much they had enjoyed the concert, including Colin Armstrong who took this video.

Mr Nunney said: “It took three months to organise, but was really good and we will probably do it again.

“We have had nothing but positive feedback on Facebook.

“The finale was absolutely brilliant.

“We had given everyone a Union Jack flag and when they did Land of Hope and Glory, the audience all stood up.

“They weren’t asked to, but they did it anyway.

“The band had a good five-minute standing ovation at the end.

“It was a really good night.”