Get your flags ready for a night at the proms

Rule Britannia, 1812 and other stirring favourites will chime out at Diss Park tomorrow evening for Diss’ very own night at the proms.

Proms In The Park, organised by Diss and District Rotary Club is a free evening of music that has been a tradition in the town for many years, offering families a fun and relaxed night out.

The evening starts at 6pm with the first music coming from the Norfolk Fellowship Brass, a band which is full of highly skilled retired musicians of the Salvation Army.

The band, which formed in 2002, was originally set up to have fun and encourage fellowship, but the quality of their music has lead to them being in demand throughout the region.

Then, as has been the tradition since the resurrection of Diss Carnival in 2008, the 2010 Carnival Queen, Annabel Oakes, will be crowned at about 7.30pm for her big day the following day.

The South Norfolk Youth Symphonic Band (SNYSB) then take to the stage to begin with a performance of songs from the stage and big screen.

They then end the night with a typically stirring performance of proms favourites.

SNYSB’s musical director Mike Booty said; “For the last five years we’ve done this Proms In The Park.

“It is a free evening and a good night out - if it doesn’t rain like it did last year!

“But even then the audience showed true British grit and stuck with it.”

The audience often bring picnics and drinks, with champagne and sandwiches on the menu for many in the past.

And for those who come empty handed, there will be a bar and a barbecue available.

Mr Booty said his 60-strong band has members aged eight up to their early 20s and with the group playing upwards of 30 concerts per year, is well drilled when it comes to live performance.

“As well as the usual Union Flags, I am expecting a lot of St George flags because of the World Cup.”

For anyone who is struggling to remember the words for the stirring proms favourites that bring the evening to a close, they are all printed in the programme.

During the interval a prize draw takes place with top prizes including a 32-inch high definition television and a microwave.

Money raised from programmes and the draw will go to Diss Rotary Club charities.

The event, sponsored by the Diss branch of Bennetts, is due to finish at about 9.30pm.

Diss Carnival takes place on Sunday starting at 12.30pm with morris dancing in Market Place.

The Last Night of the Proms Tickets are available online on GigSport.