PHOTO: David Fitzgerald
On Saturday, 14th September, Deputy Lieutenant Katharine Davidson KC DL attended the Army Benevolent Fund’s 80th Anniversary Concert, held at Exeter Cathedral. In attendance was The High Sheriff of Devon, Commodore Jake Moores OBE DL, and The Lord Mayor of Exeter, Councillor Kevin Mitchell.
The concert raised funds for the Army’s national charity which has supported soldiers, former soldiers and their families for 80 years. They helped 75,000 people in 51 countries worldwide, and funded 86 other charities and organisations that deliver frontline services from April 2023-2024.
PHOTO: David Fitzgerald
Entertainment for the evening included:
The Exeter Symphony Orchestra, which was conducted by Arturo Serna. It provides opportunities for professional and amateur musicians from the Exeter area to perform a wide range of orchestral music.
Arturo Serna is a professional cellist, conductor, and teacher based in the South West of England, and is the principal conductor of the Exeter Symphony Orchestra, the Dorset County Orchestra and the Orchestra of the University of Bath.
Elizabeth-Jane Baldry (Harpist), studied at Exeter University and the Royal College of Music and now gives around eighty performances a year from recitals in historic houses to concerts.
Davina Hastings (Soprano), trained at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama school and performed for the charity in 2015 at the Waterloo Concert, Exeter Cathedral.
Exeter Cathedral’s Director of Music, Timothy Noon (Pianist), received his early musical education as a chorister at Hereford Cathedral.
Centre Stage, which is the multi-award-winning Youth Theatre Company based in Exmouth, Devon. The company was established in 1971, and aims to advance the education of children and young people in music and the performing arts.