𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐱𝐢 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝟑 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭.

On 3 August, WWII Veterans, Norrie Bartlett, Harry Rice, Mervyn Kersh and Marie Scott, post war veterans Vic Needham Crofton and Peter Gosport and Mike, Ken, Davidand Trevor from The Royal Hospital Chelsea were invited by the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans to attend the Battle Proms at Highclere Castle.

 

In beautifully sunny weather, volunteer London cab drivers brought the veterans to the Castle for a programme which included, a horseback display by the Worcestershire Cavalry, the Red Devils parachute display team freefall demonstration and the Battle Proms Belles singing vintage favourites beforethe New English Concert Orchestra rounded off the night accompanied by fireworks and cannon fire.

The Charity’s Vice Chairman Paul Cook ensured the party did not go hungry having made three different types of scotch eggs, potato cheese and onion puffs, coconut, mango, cashew nut, mint and chilli salad, savoury croissants, and a Tarte Tatin. 

To complete the picnic Erith based Crumbs Bakery donated a box full of cakes, a box of bread pudding, and two boxes of their famous sausage rolls.

London Cab Driver and Chairman of the Taxi Charity for Military veterans said, “As the only forces charity that focuses on providing fun and entertainment, taking veterans to Highclere Castle for the Battle Proms was a great way to spend a summer’s evening. 

Everyone had a wonderful time and enjoyed a tot or two of a limited edition D Day rum from Distinct Distillers, which raises funds to support our work. We also got to meet the Countess of Carnarvon who generously spent some time with our group.”

WWII Veteran Mervyn Kersh said, "It's always so very nice to be invited and yesterday's outing was a first for lots of us. We were, as always, royally looked after and wanted for nothing. The team's attention to detail is unbelievable. Great company in a spectacular setting, rousing music, aerial displays, a handmade picnic and I even had a private word with Sir Winston about the state of our country!"

 

To find out more about the support the Taxi Charity offers to veterans or to donate visit www.taxicharity.org

 

Header Picture Captions 

First image: WWII veterans Norrie Barlett, Mervyn Kersh and Harry Rice with Winston

Second image The Countess of Carnarvon with the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans

Vice President Dick Goodwin with WWII veteran Norrie Bartlett

 

Fourth Image 

The Distinct Distillers team offer WWII veterans Norrie Bartlett and Harry Rice a tot of D Day rum