Battle Proms go with a bang once again (From The Oxford Times)

Battle Proms go with a bang once again

5:20pm Tuesday 17th July 2012 in News

FIREWORKS and cannon fire accompanied calvary marches and live concert music at the Battle Proms.

Despite the wet weather, hundreds of people turned out to watch the event at Blenheim Palace in Woodstock on Saturday.

The event takes its name from Beethoven’s Battle Symphony, which includes 193 live firing canons as part of the score.

Battle Proms is the only concert in the world to perform the piece with its full complement of cannon fire. The orchestra was warmed up by London-based vocal trio The Rockabellas.

Group leader Sarah Lindsey, 32, said: “It was really, really good.

“The weather was appalling but only in Britain would people stick around and get on with it anyway. We did sing Umbrella by Rihanna, which was appropriate.”

Bridget Bateman, 51, of Berrick Salome near Benson, said: “Even though it was pouring with rain, it was good fun.

“The music was lovely and it was a beautiful backdrop. I would definitely do it again – and hopefully it will not be so wet next time.”

David Peachey, 47, of Chipping Norton, attended with his fiancée Carol Snell, 48, and former colleagues from RAF Brize Norton .

He said: “It was very good. Lots of my old friends got together, had a drink and, although the weather was a bit off, we still had fun.

“It was something we had never done before and it was all really good. When the fireworks were going off and it was illuminating Blenheim Palace it was fantastic.”