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Band of the Yorkshire Volunteers Concert
On Saturday 21st April, the Band of the Yorkshire Volunteers performed at St George’s Church as a fundraising event held in aid of St George’s Crypt. The evening concert saw the historic band play an exceptional programme of music ranging from traditional military marches to modern selections including Sinatra hits and music from the Phantom of the Opera.
As well as performances by the entire concert band, the audience also enjoyed performances from the Corps of Drums presenting the Victory Beatings and from the Fanfare Trumpets. W01 D. Ritchie Howard entertained the crowd between songs as well as conducting throughout the evening.
One of the clarinet players in the band, Russell Sykes, is a member of staff at St George’s Crypt and had first experienced the charity as a client. He sought support and shelter from the Crypt after finding himself homeless and struggling with alcohol dependency. The former Royal Marine, has played in the Volunteer Band for two years now.
The Yorkshire Volunteers Band can trace its history back to 1860 when it formed as a Volunteer Corps in Leeds. Most of its members have previously served in the armed forces. Today the band performs throughout the UK and Europe in both concert and marching band formations (www.yorkshirevolunteers.org.uk).
The evening was a triumphant success that built upon last year’s fantastic concert. The funds collected from ticket sales and generous donations on the night will help St George’s Crypt to continue to support the homeless in Leeds. St George’s Crypt would like to express gratitude to the Band of the Yorkshire Volunteers, to those that helped on the night to ensure the smooth running of the event and a huge thank you to everyone who bought tickets and gave donations to support the Crypt.
Crypt clients receive signed books
Clients at the Crypt were today (23 April) presented with copies of David Peace’s book The Damned United - depicts a fictionalised account of Brian Clough’s 44 day managerial reign of Leeds United Football Club in 1974 - as part of World Book Night.
Present Leeds United Player, Patrick Kisnorbo and former player, Peter Lorimer, visited the Crypt to hand over the copies which were signed by the author and as a gesture of good will, they both signed copies of the book themselves.
Speaking to the clients, Peter Lorimer said he hoped they would read the book which would help them “gain a rough insight of what life was like at Leeds United [in 1974]”.
Crypt Charity commemorates Diamond Jubilee
To commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen, the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Canon Alan Taylor, today planted an Oak tree at St George’s Crypt, which he said would be for “the future generation to appreciate”.
Also present at the tree planting were Crypt CEO, Chris Fields, clients from the Crypt and John Alderton, a partner from Law Firm Squire Sanders who have chosen the Crypt as their charity of the year (www.squiresanders.com/johnalderton/ ).
Following the planting, Cllr Taylor said: “Her Majesty The Queen is a great example for everyone to follow. If we all had the same spirit as The Queen, the country would be a better place to live.”
He added: “Her reign has been an incredible act of selflessness and service to the nation. The tree will add a great impetus to the environment and will be enjoyed for years to come.”.
CEO Chris Fields said : “It was wonderful to mark the Diamond Jubilee on St George’s Day. As the Lord Mayor said, the planting of the tree is a great leap of faith for the future generations and will add new life to the garden.”
He added: “It is tremendous that Her Majesty The Queen is celebrating 60 years on the throne and we will be celebrating her service to the country in a variety of ways before June.”
In June, the Charity is planning to publish a commemorative newsletter supplement showing what life was like at the Crypt and in Leeds in 1952 when Her Majesty The Queen began her reign.
Leeds United players attend Crypt book event
24 clients at St George’s Crypt are each to receive a personal copy of David Peace’s novel The Damned United as part of World Book Night on Monday (23 April, 2pm).
The Damned United depicts a fictionalised account of Brian Clough’s 44 day managerial reign of Leeds United Football Club in 1974.
The handing over of the book event will be attended by current Leeds United player Patrick Kisnorbo, an Australian international central defender and former player Peter Lorimer, who is the club’s record all-time scorer (www.leedsunited.com/page/Records).
The recipients of the book will be Crypt clients who participate in the literacy and creative writing courses the charity runs.
World Book Night is a celebration of reading and books which sees thousands of passionate volunteers gift books in their communities to share their love of reading (www.worldbooknight.org).
In 2012 World Book Night will be celebrated in the UK, Ireland, Germany and USA on April 23.
Martin Patterson, Fundraising and PR Director of St George’s Crypt, said today: “We are really pleased that the Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival has chosen to donate 24 copies of The Damned United to the Crypt.”
He added: “It is also tremendous that players past and present will be with us for this occasion.”
CHARITY MARKS ROYAL DIAMOND JUBILEE
The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Canon Alan Taylor, will mark the commemoration of Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee at St George’s Crypt, Leeds when he attends the Crypt on St George’s Day (Monday 23 April,11am) to plant a commemorative oak tree.
“It’s great that the Lord Mayor can be with us on our Patronal Day when we remember the courage of St George and dedicate our work here with the homeless,” said Chris Fields, Chief Executive of the Crypt.
He added: “Obviously we want to thank God for the example and service of Her Majesty The Queen and we will be doing this in a variety of ways between now and June but we thought it would be excellent to find a young oak tree and plant it on St George’s Day”.
The Crypt is beneath St George’s Church in Leeds and works closely with the ecumenical Christian community across the County.
The Charity is also planning to publish a commemorative newsletter showing what was happening both at the Crypt and in Leeds in 1952 when The Queen came to the throne.
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