A NUMBER of acts are getting ready to perform for a remembrance festival, which is raising money towards and celebrating the Royal British Legion (RBL).

The RBL's Festival of Remembrance show will be taking place at Weymouth Pavilion on Sunday, October 31 at 6pm.

It is the festival's fifth anniversary and will also be taking place during the RBL's centenary year - after it had to be cancelled last year due to Covid.

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The performances at this year’s festival are headlined by The Band of HMS Heron, returning for their second year, Dorset Rock Choir and, Let’s Dance as well as performances by Dorset's Poppy Girls - The Decadettes, Weymouth Concert Brass, Dorset For Singing, Weymouth Sea Cadets and Weymouth School of Ballet.

Organiser of the show, Anna-Maria Geare, said the show has just been getting better and better every year it's run.

She said: "RBL is celebrating 100 years this year and it is the 100 years since the first Poppy Appeal inspired by the poem by John McCrae ' In Flanders Fields'. This poem features highly in the festival and the Poppy drop from the ceiling of the Pavilion is a truly poignant moment while we remember those serving, those who have served and their families.

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"2021 marks the return of the Weymouth Festival of Remembrance, after a year’s absence due to the global pandemic, on the 100th anniversary year of the formation of the Royal British Legion making this year’s festival extra special.

"There is something for everyone in this year’s event, offering moments of celebration and reflection. The Festival will conclude with the Parade of Standards, the very moving Poppy Drop and Act of Remembrance lead by the band of HMS Heron and Rev Dennis Mould in a similar vein to the National Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall."

Tickets are priced at £13 for an adult and £7.50 for a child with all the money raised from the event going directly to the RBL Dorset Poppy Appeal for use within Dorset meaning everyone’s donations and money is kept local to help locals. All the performers are giving their time for free to help the Royal British Legion with their work.

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Tickets are still available to purchase through Weymouth Pavilion Box Office by calling 01305 783 225 now and will be available to purchase on the Pavilion's website soon.

The charity was formed in the aftermath of the First World War to fight for the rights of those who had given so much and come back to so little. Today, the RBL continues to provide life-changing help and support to the Armed Forces community and challenge injustices on their behalf.

We at the Dorset Echo are appealing to our readers to donate to the RBL by visiting dorsetecho.co.uk/RBL or sending a cheque payable to Dorset Echo in an envelope clearly marked ‘RBL donation’ and mailing it to Dorset Echo, Fleet House, Hampshire Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 9XD.