A CROWD of over 9,500 invaded Highclere Castle for the 14th annual Battle Proms open air picnic concert on Saturday night, enjoying a choreographed Spitfire display to the dramatic Jupiter by Holst performed by the New English Concert Orchestra and conducted by Douglas Coombes.

The full programme of sublime classical music also included the Battle Proms signature piece – Beethoven’s Battle Symphony – performed as he intended with the full complement of 193 live firing cannon providing a thunderous percussion. 

This year the thrilling and ever-popular mounted skill-at-arms display by an expert cavalry troop was carried out in WW1 regalia to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War, just one of many elements in the 2014 programme that paid homage to this important historical anniversary.

Basingstoke Gazette:

Each year the concert raises funds for Combat Stress, the Veterans’ Mental Health Charity, which specialises in helping veterans of the Armed Forces and Merchant Navy with psychological injuries caused through service to their country.

This year in excess of £7,755 was raised from audience donations at the Highclere Castle Battle Proms, although the counting up continues. 

Ellie Hall of Combat Stress said: “We are delighted to be working with the Battle Proms again, and to date have raised over £185,750 at various concerts over the years.

"We would like to offer our sincere thanks to the generous Highclere Castle Battle Prommers, many of whom attend year on year and never fail to surprise us with their generosity.”

Battle Proms will return to Highclere Castle on Saturday, August 1, 2015.

You can find more information at battleproms.com or combatstress.org.uk and enjoy the entries to the Battle Proms Photo Competition online at facebook.com/battleproms and twitter.com/battleproms.