The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans was amongst the thousands who enjoyed the Battle Proms at Highclere Castle on 3 August.
On 3 August, WWII Veterans, Norrie Bartlett, Harry Rice, Mervyn Kersh and Marie Scott, post war veterans Vic Needham Crofton and Peter Gospel and Mike, Ken, David and Trevor from The Royal Hospital Chelsea were invited by the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans to attend the Battle Proms at Highclere Castle.
In beautifully sunny weather, volunteer London cab drivers brought the veterans to the Castle for a programme which included, a horseback display by the Worcestershire Cavalry, the Red Devils parachute display team freefall demonstration and the Battle Proms Belles singing vintage favourites before the New English Concert Orchestra rounded off the night accompanied by fireworks and cannon fire.
The Charity’s Vice Chairman Paul Cook ensured the party did not go hungry having made three different types of scotch eggs, potato cheese and onion puffs, coconut, mango, cashew nut, mint and chilli salad, savoury croissants, and a Tarte Tatin. To complete the picnic Erith based Crumbs Bakery donated a box full of cakes, a box of bread pudding, and two boxes of their famous sausage rolls.
London Cab Driver and Chairman of the Taxi Charity for Military veterans said, “As the only forces charity that focuses on providing fun and entertainment, taking veterans to Highclere Castle for the Battle Proms was a great way to spend a summer’s evening. Everyone had a wonderful time and enjoyed a tot or two of a limited edition D Day rum from Distinct Distillers, which raises funds to support our work. We also got to meet the Countess of Carnarvon who generously spent some time with our group.”
WWII Veteran Mervyn Kersh said, “It’s always so very nice to be invited and yesterday’s outing was a first for lots of us. We were, as always, royally looked after and wanted for nothing. The team’s attention to detail is unbelievable. Great company in a spectacular setting, rousing music, aerial displays, a handmade picnic and I even had a private word with Sir Winston about the state of our country!”
To find out more about the support the Taxi Charity offers to veterans or to donate visit www.taxicharity.org
About the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans
The Taxi Charity is run by volunteer London black taxi drivers and has been supporting thousands of veterans since 1948. It is the only forces charity that focuses on providing fun and entertainment and arranges free trips (for veterans from all conflicts) to the Netherlands and France for acts of commemoration and days out to museums, concerts, or social events across the UK.
The charity received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2021 and celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2023, a remarkable milestone for a small, niche charity peopled by enthusiastic volunteers. In 2024, they took a group of veterans to Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
To fund and facilitate their work, the charity is wholly reliant on donations, grants and sponsorship.
