A community event to commemorate the centenary of the First World War took place at
West Kent’s largest shopping centre in Tunbridge Wells this week.

The aptly named 'Poppy' show held at Royal Victoria Place featured nearly 100 local young performers showcasing their talents to include music, fashion and dance.

Headline acts on the night, which was in support of The Royal British Legion, included The London Ballet Company and The Virgin Soldiers and the Cast of The Dreamers.

The ticket only event which was held at Royal Victoria Place on Monday also featured performances by several local schools and youth organisations.

Included in the line-up was uplifting music by the Sea Cadet Band of TS Brilliant, poppy themed fashion creations and music by pupils from Hillview School for Girls and a few special effects to include a black-out scene with air-raid sirens.

Organiser of the event and marketing manager for Royal Victoria Place, Marc Burchett said: “We were delighted by the overwhelming support for this event and thank everyone for their generous contributions to the valuable work of the Royal British Legion.

"All of the performers on the night were just amazing and the feeling of pride felt was quite overwhelming.

"It was a great tribute to the honour of our fallen WW1 heroes that so many of our local young people were able to play such an important role in this act of remembrance for our town centre.”

More than 300 guests attended the event which was held outside of the centre’s normal trading hours.

This meant centre staff had to transform the Palm House area of the shopping centre into an auditorium able to accommodate 300 seats, lighting rig, tech set and dressing facilities – all within one hour of closing.

The event was attended by a number of dignitaries and VIP’s to including the Mayor and Mayoress of Tunbridge Wells who opened the event by lighting the candle of remembrance together with pupils from St Augustine’s Roman Catholic School.

Other attendees included, the Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling, Cllr David Dukes, Leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and William Benson, chief executive of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.

Laying a commemorative Poppy wreath on behalf of the people of Tunbridge Wells was Colonel James Partridge, deputy lord lieutenant of Kent who was representing the Lord Lieutenant of Kent and HM The Queen.

Gary Faulkner, chairman of The Royal British Legion, Tunbridge Wells branch said: “We at The Royal British Legion in Tunbridge Wells are proud to work in partnership with Royal Victoria Place and recognise the valuable work they do for the Ex-Services Community.

"Without their support we would not be able to raise the amount we do every year for the Poppy Appeal, to carry out our welfare work within The Legion.”

Mr Faulkner added: “With such a high quality show on Monday night it shows how Royal Victoria Place and The Royal British Legion are working with the young in our community to bring remembrance and the sacrifices of our ex-service men and women in all conflicts to the fore. All the performances were carried out with real compassion and dignity.”

The grand finale of the event saw the audience enjoying a world premiere performance by The London Ballet Company of their WW1 themed production ‘Poppy’, which opens at The Bridewell Theatre in London later in this month.