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Rochester Castle Concert comes to a fitting finale as thousands turn out for Royal Engineers concert

Thousands of people waved flags and sang along to the national anthem at Rochester Castle Concert’s spectacular finale – the military proms.

After a Soul Party on Friday night, and performances from Will Young and Status Quo, the final concert aimed to celebrate 300 years of the Royal Engineers.

Crowds, gathered on their finest picnic blankets and chairs, on the hottest day of the year, and were entertained by the Royal Engineers Band and the Countess of Wessex Strings.

Fireworks lit up the sky to mark the end of the military proms at Rochester Castle
Fireworks lit up the sky to mark the end of the military proms at Rochester Castle

But before the concert went ahead, musical director, Capt James Marshall, asked the audience to stand up to show their solidarity with France, after the horrific events which took place Nice.

After a moments reflection, the regular and reserve band of the Royal Engineers kicked off the three-part show with Bishop Gandulf by Scott.

There was something for everyone at the concert as the band played their way through pop classics including Elton John’s Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me, Phil Collins’ Against All Odds, and You’ve Got a Friend in Me, by Randy Newman.

Thousands were in attendance to enjoy the show
Thousands were in attendance to enjoy the show

They also played smash hits from musicals including a Wicked melody and Puttin’ on the Ritz.

Delighted visitors danced the night away along the footpaths and amongst the crowd in the castle gardens.

As always, water cannons on either side of the stage pulsed in time with the orchestra and, during the band’s last set of the night, magnificent fireworks lit up the sky over Rochester, wowing the audience inside the castle, and those who had gathered outside the gates to watch the celebration.

The show finished off with a classic military proms set featuring crowd-favourites Jerusalem, Hoorah for the CRE, and, of course, rounding off with the national anthem.

It was a wonderful night to be patriotic and remember the rich history of the Royal Engineers.

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