MILITARY WIVES CHOIR TO SING LIVE ON ROYAL ARTILLERY GOLD CUP DAY
24/01/2012
They beat X-factors Little Mix to the number 1 Christmas spot with their hit single ‘Wherever You Are’ and now racegoers at Sandown Park Racecourse can see Gareth’s Malone’s singing sensations the Military Wives Choir perform live after racing on Royal Artillery Gold Cup Day supporting Help for Heroes on Friday 17th February.
The choir will be singing a selection of songs including their hit single after the last race of the day and all racegoers are invited to listen to them. The choir which is formed of the wives and girlfriends of British servicemen fighting in Afghanistan, were brought together by choirmaster Gareth Malone for the BBC2 series The Choir. Their phenomenal success and popularity has made their song the fastest selling single since 2008 outselling the Top 20 combined.
The Royal Artillery Gold Cup Day falls during half term and what better what to entertain your family during this week then to come racing at Sandown Park. This promises to be a truly spectacular event with top class military racing followed by a performance from the much loved War Horse puppet Topthorn in the Parade Ring. The day will also feature best-selling author and former Children’s Laureate, Michael Morpurgo, who is special guest of the racecourse that day.
As a special treat to the day, racegoers will have the chance of buying the book War Horse along with other titles from Michael Morpurgo. This is the chance for you to meet the man who has turned a children’s book into an international theatre and movie success.
Before events commence there will be a military parade in Esher High Street at 10:30am starting from the car park near the Police Station. The parade will comprise of The King’s Troop RHA, marching troops from 7TH Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, The Royal Artillery Band, Royal Artillery Equipments (Light Gun and Rapier FSC), ACF, RAA and the Royal Artillery Pipes and Drums. The Master Gunner St James’s Park (General Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman) will take the Salute. He will be accompanied by the Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey (Brigadier Bartlett) and the Mayor of Elmbridge (Councillor Sheldon). The parade is part of the build up to the Royal Artillery Gold Cup race meeting. The parade will finish at Sandown Park racecourse in time for gates to open at midday.
At 13:00 a gun will be fired to announce the start of the racing and The Royal Artillery Hunt will be on parade in between the racing and racegoers can head down to the course to mingle with the Master of Hounds and hear the calling of the Huntsman Horn.
This is one of Sandown Park’s oldest races having been first run at the racecourse in 1863, gathering fame and distinction with every passing year. It is restricted to horses that are owned by members or ex-members, of the Royal Regiment of Artillery. The jockeys, too, must be past or present members of the Armed Forces.
For further information or to book in advance general admission, please visit www.sandown.co.uk or call 01372 47 00 47.
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Contact: Johnno Spence
Tel No: 020 7385 8819 / 07860 583307
