Military spectacle raises funds for poppy appeal (From Craven Herald)

Military spectacle raises funds for poppy appeal

12:50pm Friday 24th October 2008 in Search Module

The sacrifices made by soldiers, sailors and airmen and women in theatres of war throughout the world will be remembered at a special Poppy Day fundraiser.

Skipton’s Rendezvous Hotel will be decked out in all things military on Sunday, November 2, for an afternoon and early evening dedicated to all things military.

The 250-plus guests will be greeted as they arrive by an array of heritage military vehicles and people dressed in authentic 1940s uniforms and clothing.

Among those attending will be 85-year-old Josephine Stebbing whose first husband, a Polish airman, was among those who perished when their bomber crashed near the Leeds-Liverpool canal at Bradley.

Other special guests will be a troop of Gurkhas from Catterick and US military from Menwith Hill, between Skipton and Harrogate.

The event has been spearheaded by Jim Hartley of Bradley, who, with his friend Peter Whitaker of Cross Hills, were the driving force behind a memorial at the side of the canal to the eight Polish airmen who died in the crash in 1943.

To pay tribute to their sacrifice, four Polish veterans from Bradford will also attend the luncheon and entertainment.

Malcolm Weaving, owner of the Rendezvous Hotel and a corporal in the Army Catering Corps for two years in the early 1950s, will have the special job of wheeling in the beef for the lunch.

A television personality will compère the afternoon, which will involve introducing the British Legion Corps of Drums marching before a parade of seven standards, a bugler playing the last post and a Scottish piper.

Music will also be provided by Skipton’s Ermysted’s Grammar School Big Band, directed by Simon Gregory, who will start the celebration with a version of the music from The Longest Day movie.

The young musicians will later play a tribute to 1940s big band celebrity Glen Miller, with exhibition dancing by Jive Mood, dressed in uniforms of the period.

Mr Hartley said: “This fundraiser is a tribute to the hard work of the team who have put this together. They are holding the reins and making the horse go, so to speak, and they deserve all the praise for making this happen. It has been an ambitious project, but one which I’m sure everyone will enjoy.”

A DVD will be made of the celebration and sold to help raise more money for the British Legion Poppy Appeal.

Tickets cost £20 with £1 from each going to the appeal, courtesy of Mr Weaving. Skipton Building Society has pledged to match the amount. There will be 18 raffle prizes, including a stay in an apartment in Portugal, restaurant meals and boat trips. For tickets call the hotel on 01756 700100