Renowned choir back at Wymondham Abbey

One of the country's most renowned choirs will be returning to Wymondham Abbey this year to help raise thousands of pounds for injured servicemen and women.

The special concert involving the Tallis Chamber Choir and Norwich Citadel Band of the Salvation Army will take place on Saturday, May 15, with all proceeds going to the Help for Heroes charity.

Former army chief, Sir Richard Dannatt, has already confirmed his attendance at the event at one of Norfolk's finest ecclesiastical buildings.

Organisers are anticipating high demand for the 300 tickets for the concert - sponsored by Archant, publisher of the Mercury - that went on sale last week.

Renowned conductor Philip Simms and the Tallis Chamber Choir, from London, have been regular visitors to Norfolk in recent years and have performed annually at Norwich Cathedral to raise money for the 900th anniversary appeal over the last six years. The choir will be returning to Wymondham Abbey after an absence of eight years.

The Norwich Citadel Band of the Salvation Army has played a vital role in civic life since the 1880s and has played at famous concert venues across the country.

Chris Lawrence, one of the organisers, said the event came about after approaching Sir Richard Dannatt, who gave his wholehearted support to the Help for Heroes concert.

'The concerts we have done at Norwich Cathedral over the years have been very successful both musically and raised money for good causes. The scale and breadth of what is being done for Help for Heroes in Norfolk is mindboggling, but there is nothing like a big concert for raising awareness and money and that is what we like doing,' he said.

Tickets cost �20, �15, and �5 for under 18s and are available from Prelude Records, at 25B St Giles Street, Norwich, 01603 620170, and the Book Fountain, in Whartons Court, Wymondham, on 01953 603663. The concert is at 7.30pm on May 15.