Union Jack flags, hats, ponchos and umbrellas were the must-have items at the Castle Concerts finale on Saturday.

After Peter Andre and the 80s party, it was time for a bit of culture as thousands descended the Castle Gardens to watch the Proms armed with picnics and wine.

Despite the rain crowds enjoyed waving their flags to their favourite classical music.
First on stage were Graffiti Classics, a comedic quartet who started the night as it meant to go on.

The crowd were enjoying the Irish frontman’s banter as he heckled a few audience members as they got up during their set.

He also attempted a minute’s silence for Status Quo who cancelled their show on Wednesday after Rick Parfitt became ill.

The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and the Hertfordshire Chorus performed crowd-pleasing favourites Greensleeves, There’ll Always be an England, Tchaikovsky’s 1812 and Pomp and Circumstance No 1.

The patriotic crowd proudly waved their Union Jack and St George’s cross flags in time with the music and if they’d forgotten the words to Rule Britannia and Jerusalem, they were printed in the programme, but most didn’t need them.

The singing was led by tenor Jonathan Antoine and soprano Laura Wright. Jonathan’s performance of Lara’s Grenada won himself a round of applause as he captured the audience.

Despite the rain couples put away their umbrellas and started to dance.
After the interval the water fountains at the side of the stage started beautiful multi-coloured displays and then Tchaikovsky’s 1812 ended with cannons set off to herald fireworks.

The concert series ends today with the free Under Siege event which showcases the best young musicians in Medway.