Getting in tune with our troops

ARMY musician Tony Richardson, foreground, will perform with the King’s Division Band this month in Hyde.

A soldier musician from Oldham will proudly perform near his home town this month in a premier Army band.

The ‘Redfriday’ concert at Hyde Town Hall, on March 26, is part of a movement encouraging people to visibly support servicemen and women by wearing something red every Friday.

Musician Tony Richardson (41), who has served in the Army for 18 years, has organised the concert and will be performing with The Band of the King’s Division in support of troops on active service.

Proceeds from £5 ticket sales will be donated to two military charities, Help for Heroes and the Royal British Legion.

Musician Richardson, a father of two, now lives in Hyde with his partner Gaynor, but was born in Oldham and went to Counthill School.

There will be a big family contingent in the audience in March. He said: “My mother Margaret still lives in Moorside and there are quite a few family members from Oldham who will be there.

“Redfriday is about doing something to show support to troops without any political motive – it shows the troops that they are being thought about at home.

“The main point of the concert is to help people show support and to raise money for charity. The town hall should be able to hold 500 people, so we are hoping for a full house. It is the first time that I have organised a full concert, so I really want it to go well.”

The Band of the King’s Division is the only full-time Army band based in the north-west of England – at Weeton Barracks, near Blackpool.

Its soldier musicians perform at military and civilian events across the UK.

To purchase tickets, contact Hyde Town Hall on 0161 342 3489. Tickets can also be purchased at Dukinfield and Ashton-under-Lyne Town Halls.