VE Day Proms Celebration
7.15pm on Thursday 8th May 2025 in Ripon Cathedral.
Artists include
Echo 42 Big Band,
Charlotte Potter,
The Duchy Belles
& Simeon Wood
compared by Mark Sidwell
All profits going to the Ripon Community Poppy Project & Ripon Cathedral
Tickets available now
Working in partnership with Ripon Cathedral
Ripon Community Poppy Project Knitting and Nattering on the run up to the VE Day Celeibrations, Want to join them? Monday Mornings 9:30 to 11.00 its open to everyone.
RCPP Quality Control
RCPP Knitted Buns
RCPP Sandwhich
RCPP Hazel
RCPP Crochet
RCPP Natter
RCPP Knitting
Our Performers
Meet Echo42, a joyous community big band, based in Harrogate and celebrating their 41st year, uniting a group of great players under the spell of jazz. Directed by the brilliant Ross Simpson, Echo42 regularly performs 1940s dance sets, diverse jazz concerts and party sets.
This isn’t your average big band; this is a musical fiesta!
As well as a very slick 1940s set (complete with wartime era Airforce uniforms), the band seek out innovative and exciting contemporary arrangements that breathe new life into the jazz tradition and infuse Motown and pop into repertoire for concert and party sets that entertain and captivate their audiences.
They are the friendliest band you could meet – their sole reason for playing is that they love it! They appear regularly around the area, the Bilton Club in Harrogate four times a year, the Anchor Inn in Whixley, Grassington 1940’s weekend celebrations, Wigan Jazz club, Starbeck Methodist church in concert on May 11th as well as their appearance at the VE day 80th anniversary celebrations on the 8th May. They have recently welcomed the superb Nicki Allen as their feature vocalist.
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.
The Duchy Belles are a close harmony vocal trio who perform all genres of music including swing, pop and musical theatre. With musical direction and arrangements by Helen Leaf, the trio sang for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations and have helped to raise thousands of pounds for local and national charities. The Duchy Belles have accompanied Emmerdale’s Bradley Johnson and performed with comedy legends, Cannon & Ball. Sally Hall, Amelia Simpson and Kitty Watson love singing together and are delighted to be performing at Ripon Cathedral for the Ripon Community Poppy Project’s Concerts.
Like many youngsters, Simeon Wood began his musical life with the recorder. It was during a visit from a wind quintet at his school that he first encountered the flute, leaving a lasting impression that has remained with him throughout the years. This moment marked the beginning of the career we see today—a flourishing path that has taken him across the globe.
Born in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, Simeon picked up the flute at 8 years old. After a decade, he refined his performance and composition talents at Trinity College of Music in London.
Simeon relishes the opportunity to perform internationally, utilizing a growing collection of unique instruments, each offering distinct sounds. “As a wandering musician, I have had the privilege of playing in remarkable locations—from caves and castles to palaces and towering redwood forests, alongside more traditional venues like festivals, cruise ships, concert halls, theatres, and art centres.”
When he is not on the road, Simeon frequently receives commissions to compose music for television and theatre productions.
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.
Alongside our dedicated volunteeers, the Ripon Community Poppy Project VE Day Proms has been made possible by the support of the following businesses:
