Stan Ford, 99-year-old D-Day veteran, was guest of honour and greeted with rapturous applause when introduced by host Matt Teale on Sunday evening at the theatre’s commemorative fundraiser Proms at the Kings.
The concert featured Eastenders star Emma Barton, ITV News anchor Matt Teale and local military dignitaries. In attendance were VOS (Veterans Outreach Support), Gosport’s First Light Trust, Age UK Portsmouth Joining Forces and RNRMC (Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity; the charities chosen to benefit from the fundraiser.
HMND Portsmouth’s commanding officer, Commodore John Voyce OBE, The Right Honourable Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton PC, Mark Lancaster, Colonel Charles Ackroyd, TD RD DL Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Chief Petty Officer Janine Potts MBE and Sub-Lieutenant Alexandra Obony all gave moving and passionate readings reflecting on D-Day and the people involved.
Music for the event was provided by the 40-piece Kings Orchestra led by Andrew Woodford supported by The Kings’ choir, Resonate and soloists Emma Barton and Stuart Warner who also led the audience in a Last Night of the Proms style, flag-waving, sing-along at the end of the evening.
But the real star of the show was 99-year-old Stan who attended with his family and friends and found time at the end to chat with many audience members, including local serving armed forces, all keen to talk to the veteran.
“It was an absolute honour to host the Proms at the Kings concert. I spent last week in Normandy broadcasting live into two special programmes for ITV News Meridian. The surviving veterans are the last living link to a pivotal moment in our history. When they are no longer here – it will be up to the rest of us to make sure their service and sacrifice is never forgotten. This Proms concert proved that we are up to that challenge, and I’d like to thank everyone involved in putting it on and everyone in the audience who came. ” Matt Teale, Main Presenter of ITV News Meridian
“What a huge honour to be asked to sing at The Proms at the Kings here in my hometown. For me personally, this is to show my love & respect to our service men & women who have served us & fought for our freedom 80 years ago. A beautiful evening indeed.” Emma Barton, Actress and The Kings Theatre Patron