Page 34 - Oxted Local May 2025

34 May 2025 • Oxted Local 
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What a way to celebrate St David’s Day! On Saturday
1st March, the voices of the world-renowned
London Welsh Male Voice Choir and the talented
St. Mary’s Primary School Choir united in song for a
spectacular charity concert at St. Mary’s Church.
This special fundraiser was organised to support
two vital local causes: Oxted Royal British Legion’s
Military & Veterans Hub, affectionately known as the
Mil & V, and St. Marys Church’s Heritage Trust. The
funds raised will make a real and lasting difference
in the local community; the Mil & V will provide a
dedicated space offering friendship and support
to former and current members of the Armed
Forces in Tandridge, while essential restoration and
maintenance of the historic St Mary’s Church will
preserve this cherished local landmark for future
generations.
Performing to a sold-out audience of 250 people,
including a number of Veterans, both choirs
gave moving performances. The 54 members of
the LWMVC delivered their signature rich choral
sound, exemplified in ‘Men of Harlech’, and
18 children of St. Mary’s Primary School Choir
provided a heartwarming local touch, particularly in
‘Unstoppable’ – and they were! The School’s Head
and ‘musical goddess’, Sarah Lewis, said that the
children were “enthralled to watch and listen to the
LWMVC perform and are now motivated to carry on
with their musical and theatrical interests, wanting
to improve as choristers and performers”. When
congratulated on their performance by the LWMVC
compère, the girls were obviously disappointed
when it was pointed out that they could not join a
male choir; but the only boy, young Freddie, said
he’ll be back in 8 years’ time to take up an offer to
join. Go Freddie, go!
The evening was a true celebration not only of
musical excellence, but also community spirit and
generosity, and was only made possible through the
essential support of the concert’s sponsors: Ivory
Security (a family business run by a Veteran, so who
better to put your trust in), The Gurkha Kitchen (one
of Oxted’s oldest restaurants and linked to one of
the proudest regiments in the British Army), and
Well Life Clinic (a new
business in Oxted that
has your health and
wellbeing at its heart).
The RBL Chairman,
Rob Cogan, and Team
Rector, Rev James
Ashton, were
Veterans and the Church:
Bringing the Community Together
“delighted that the concert brought
the community together to raise
almost
£5,000 for
our two
worthy
causes –
thank you”.