Tears mark Battle of Britain anniversary concert (From Harrow Times)
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Bentley Priory 70th anniversary Battle of Britain concert in Stanmore
4:47pm Monday 13th September 2010 in News
Thousands of people remembered The Few at Bentley Priory 70 years after the Battle of Britain.
FIGHTER pilots who died in the Battle of Britain were remembered 70 years on through a tearful concert yesterday.
Bentley Priory, the home of Fighter Command during World War Two, was taken back to the 1940s by re-enactors in genuine costumes over Saturday and Sunday.
Flight Lieutenant Owen Burns, a Blenheim gunner in 253 squadron during the famous battle, met visitors to the former RAF base as the borough marked the anniversary.
Children's choir Voice in a Million moved the 500 guests at Sunday's concert to tears with a rendition of Requiem for a Soldier.
The base opened to the public for the third year running, with four days of events, including tours on Thursday and Friday, raising money for charities St Luke's Hospice and the RAF Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Trust.
Wing Commander Erica Ferguson, of the trust, said: “It was particularly poignant this year because of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and with a surviving member of The Few there to witness the concert with us.
“We had a very successful four days. The sun shone for a wonderful concert yesterday, with many a tear.”
Around 2,500 people turned out across all the events and organisers believe they are on course to hit their target of £10,000.
