In pictures: Harrogate concert marks sacrifices of Great War

Travelling from across the county to the Harrogate Convention Centre on Thursday, the crowd witnessed an evening of music, dance and the readings of letters from the front line to mark the centenary.

Up to 450 children and young people from across the county took part in the performance.

Performers included the North Yorkshire County Youth Orchestra, County Brass and Saxophone Ensembles, County Folk Group, County Youth Choir and Selby Brass Band.

They performed along with the Band of the Royal Armoured Corps, based in Catterick Garrison and dancers from the Harrogate District Dance Company.

Leader of North Yorkshire County Council, Coun Carl Les said: “This was a very moving and brilliant concert. North Yorkshire has many talented young musicians and artists across the county and we are pleased to support them as best we can, even in a time of austerity for local councils.

“It was a very poignant evening as this marked the centenary year of the end of a war which touched nearly every family in the county, as was shown by the photographs of participants in the war and their connection with the great grandchildren playing on stage.

“It gave all the performers and the hundreds who came to see them a unique opportunity to reflect on the significance of the war for our country and our county’s history.”

In-between musical pieces Lieutenant Col Joe Jordan, Commander of Catterick Garrison, read A Northern Legion by Herbert Read, alongside other young musicians and Royal Armoured Corps Band members.

Coun Les said: “We are immensely proud of North Yorkshire’s military heritage and of the history and service of our armed forces.

“As we are home to the country’s largest garrison in Catterick it seemed only right and fitting that we should come together in this way at this prestigious venue and we wish to thank Lieutenant Col Joe Jordan, Catterick Garrison’s Commander, for his reading and to the band of the Royal Armoured Corps.”