Battle Proms organisers 'blown away' by Hatfield audience

An estimated 5,000-strong audience turned out for the ever-popular picnic proms in the historic Queen Elizabeth Oak Field at Hatfield House.

Unfortunately, the British weather threw up some strong gusts which meant the Spitfire and Red Devils parachute displays were not able to go ahead in the windy conditions. Nevertheless, the concert was a resounding success, as our pictures show.

Getting in the party spirit at The Battle Proms in Hatfield Park. (Image: John Andrews)

Battle Proms spokesperson Emma Dexter said: “We were blown away (if you’ll pardon the pun!) with the number of loyal and regular Battle Prommers who came to celebrate with us yet again.

"From the parties that start in the queues to the flag-waving, sing-a-long finale, it is wonderful to see people enjoying our concerts so much.

"We work hard year-round to put on such a spectacular show and it really is a delight to watch it all come together on the night.

Members of The Battle Proms audience in Hatfield Park. (Image: John Andrews)

"We’d like to thank everyone who joined us and brought their Great British spirit with them!”

The concert began with toe-tapping vintage vocals from The Battle Proms Belles, a glamorous ‘Andrews Sisters’-style warm-up act sporting outfits to mirror the quintessentially British theme of the evening.

The Battle Proms Belles on stage. (Image: John Andrews)

Getting in the party spirit at The Battle Proms in Hatfield Park. (Image: John Andrews)

Many of the Hatfield audience had also planned their wardrobe to include as much red, white and blue as they possibly could.

Members of the crowd were also entertained by a thrilling display courtesy of the horsemen and horsewomen of the Worcestershire Cavalry.

They showcased the skills of English cavalry through the ages, from the time of the Normans through to the troopers from the First World War.

Horsemen and horsewomen of the Worcestershire Cavalry at The Battle Proms in Hatfield Park. (Image: John Andrews)

The horsemen and horsewomen of the Worcestershire Cavalry showcased the skills of English cavalry through the ages. (Image: John Andrews)

With uniforms, weapons and skill-at-arms appropriate to each era on display, the audience were taken on a journey through the years, with an entertaining and enlightening commentary about how horsemanship and techniques changed and advanced.

The highlight of the evening was a two-hour orchestral performance of uplifting classical favourites by the New English Concert Orchestra, ably led by conductor Douglas Coombes MBE and featuring acclaimed soprano Denise Leigh.

A view of the Battle Proms crowd at Hatfield. (Image: John Andrews)

From the stirring opening pieces, Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March No 4 and Symphony No.1, the orchestra enthralled the audience with carefully selected classical favourites, including The Liberty Bell by Sousa, better known to many as the theme tune to The Monty Python Show and inspiring many funny walks on the night!

There was also a Ballet Fantasia composed especially for The Battle Proms and including nine musical ‘quotes’, with the audience being challenged to name the title of the music, the name of the work from which it comes and the name of the composer.

A Battle Proms tradition, the orchestra welcomed to the stage young soloist Amadea Dazeley-Gaist, who brilliantly performed a rousing section of Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 4 and a specially arranged version of Shenandoah, an American folk song dating back to the 1800s.

Cannons at The Battle Proms in Hatfield Park. (Image: John Andrews)

The Worcestershire Cavalry returned with a musical ride to accompany Von Suppé’s Light Cavalry Overture, this time bearing the regalia of the British 16th Queens Light Dragoons who served with distinction throughout the Napoleonic Wars and fought at the Battle of Waterloo.

As the evening progressed excitement built with Tchaikovsky’s celebrated 1812 Overture and the Battle Proms signature piece, Beethoven’s Battle Symphony, complete with a ground-shaking percussion provided by over 200 live firing cannon.

Musket fire at The Battle Proms in Hatfield Park. (Image: John Andrews)

A piper and BBC present Pam Rhodes on stage at The Battle Proms in Hatfield. (Image: John Andrews)

The concert culminated in a flag-waving sing-along finale, with soloist Denise Leigh bringing the crowd to their feet to sing along with Jerusalem, Rule, Britannia!​, Land of Hope and Glory and more, while magnificent musical firework displays lit up the sky.

Since 2004, Battle Proms concerts around the UK have raised well over £500,000 for military charities.

This year the smiling volunteers of SSAFA – the Armed Forces charity were on site spreading news of their work and accepting the generous donations of the Battle Proms audience.

Counting up continues, but early indications suggest well over £5,000 was raised on the night.

The Battle Proms at Hatfield Park. (Image: John Andrews)

Concert organisers are set to bring The Battle Proms back to Hatfield House in Hertfordshire on Saturday, July 20, 2024.

Visit www.battleproms.com for more on the Battle Proms.

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