To celebrate the 90th birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Patron of The Royal British Legion, Spenborough Branch held a musical tribute at Cleckheaton Town Hall on Sunday 17 April 2016.

As usual with Royal British Legion events in Spenborough this was staged "free of charge", a collection and raffle with quality prizes providing sufficient funding.

We were delighted to receive as our Principal Guests, The Deputy Mayor of Kirklees, Councillor Jim Dodds BEM and Mrs Carol Dodds, Lord Shaw of Northstead DL, JP together with Lady Shaw, Mr Robert Mortimer, County President and Mrs Mortimer, The Royal British Legion, South and West Yorkshire.

Mr John Clay BA (Hons), Musical Director of The Clifton and Lightcliffe Band presented a wide range of music, many items with words on songsheets provided.

The Compere Mr Brian Nicholson provided his usual witty asides in between pieces (whilst the band got their breath back!).

A surprise item was an appearance by a group of young dancers from The Elaine Howarth Centre Stage School in Cleckheaton, who danced energetically around the Town Hall to music from Abba. Even allowing for the fact that there were some parents and grandparents in the audience, the response to the performance by these young local dancers was rapturous!

Patriotic music with "Last Night of the Proms" favourites were played during the second half, including the singing of "Happy Birthday Your Majesty". After we had sung, the compere said it should be done with a cake and candles - and guess what? As another surprise, one had been prepared earlier by Mrs Wendy Walker who brought it on stage helped by granddaughter Olivia Roche. After another rousing Happy Birthday, Olivia blew out the candles!

Branch members in No 1 dress with medals marched off the Royal British Legion Standard, which was carried by Mr David Lamb.

You can tell by talking to the departing audience that the event had been thoroughly enjoyed and to top it all, the birthday cake had been sliced and wrapped for everyone to take a piece home!

Click on one of the images below to see the photo galley.