Ripon Community Poppy Project – Remembrance

Our 2024 Performers

Mark Sidwell – Born in 1972 Mark started playing the trumpet at the age of 8, moving quickly over to the cornet. After studying conducting with Major Peter Parkes, Mark accepted an invitation at the age of 20, to become the resident conductor of the Northeast based Championship section band, Northumbria Police.

Mark has conducted ever since and has continually enjoyed various conducting posts through all of the grading sections.

Today Mark divides his time between freelance performance as a brass player, conducting and teaching brass instrumentalists both privately and in many local schools.

The Ripon City Band continues to be successful, competing in the Championship section, under the musical directorship of Mark Sidwell. The band have had a great year performing at some very prestigious events, charity concerts, marching and other enjoyable local gigs.

The RCB organisation as a whole is seeing a bright and positive future for Brass players. We will secure music, and musical tuition, for Ripon and the surrounding areas, for many years to come. Our 2023 re-started Training Band now has 15 regulars with ages ranging from 6 to 80+ and are now in a position to take on small bookings.

All ages and abilities are welcome, and we can provide instrument hire if required. If you would like to know more about the main or training band, then please contact the band secretary Linda Graham via email: riponcitybandbookings@outlook.com or check out our social media pages for Ripon City Band.

North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service Pipe Band was formed in the Year 2000 by three pipers. Consequently the Band is looking forward to celebrating its Silver Anniversary in 2025. Over the years it has had many different members but currently has 12; eight pipers and four drummers.

Whilst the band takes its name from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, it is a civilian pipe band; indeed none of its current or former members have ever been fire service personnel. However, the band uses Thirsk Fire Station as its base and supports the fire service at award events and ceremonies, whilst of course also being invited to perform for many other organisations and in many different venues.

The Band is delighted to have been invited to play at this evening’s Concert of Remembrance and it hopes that its music will be enjoyed by all, whilst paying due respect to the armed service personnel who fought for our freedom. This evening’s tunes are a mix of war related, traditional Scottish and religious tunes, with our youngest member performing a piping solo at the start of our performance of Amazing Grace, which should echo evocatively around the cathedral walls.

The Band is always looking for new members or events to play at and further information is available on our website; or please feel free to catch up with our activities by visiting our Facebook page.

Born in 2000 in North Yorkshire, Charlotte Potter is rapidly gaining the highest acclaim for her performances in the UK and overseas having recently finished her training at The Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London, and before this attended the prestigious Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester. In 2017, Charlotte was honoured to sing at Westminster’s Central Hall, London and 2018 saw her singing at the Proms in the Priory, Guisborough, with the London Gala Orchestra. In 2019 she was invited, by Chesterfield Philharmonic Choir, to sing with Lesley Garrett. Charlotte has been invited for four summers to perform a number of recitals in Bagni di Lucca, Italy.

In 2020 Charlotte appeared in Season 7 of ITV’s Endeavour, playing the role of an Oxford University Music undergraduate. In 2022, Charlotte was part of a SATB recording of ‘A Song for the Commonwealth’ – heard around the UK and Commonwealth as beacons were lit in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Charlotte has had the great honour of joining the Band of the Royal Fusiliers at Durham Cathedral as their soloist for the Festival of Remembrance, has performed as the principal soloist at The Great North Proms and was invited to be the guest soloist for the Teesside Symphony Orchestra’s ‘Wine, Women & Song’ concert.

Charlotte first performed with Ripon City Band at Ripon Cathedral on 6th June to celebrate the anniversary of D-Day and is looking forward to performing at the festival of remembrance at Ripon Cathedral tonight.

Brackenfield School Junior Choir is an enthusiastic, non-selective choir of children aged 7 to 11 years. The group meets for a half hour session, once a week, to rehearse a varied repertoire of songs especially arranged by musical director, Helen Leaf.

In 2014, Brackenfield Choristers were champions at the Harrogate Competitive Festival. As a result, the choir featured on ITV Calendar News and Radio York. Brackenfield Choir included their World War I tribute at the 2015 Music for Youth National Festival National Finals and won the prestigious prize for innovation at Birmingham Symphony Hall.

In 2017, Brackenfield Junior Choir was invited to open the Tour de Yorkshire, Eve of Tour celebrations at the National Railway Museum in York. Brackenfield Choristers were Harrogate Festival champions again in 2018 and, most recently, in 2023.