A BAND of brothers will help to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War by playing music from the era.

This year’s annual Gurkha Welfare Trust Band concert will focus on the 100th anniversary of the final days of war with a special tribute to music that troops at the time would be familiar with.

The performance by the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas will include an eclectic mix of western and Nepalese music, supported by the Northern Voices Choir.

The Mayor of Darlington, Councillor Veronica Copeland, will be a special guest at the concert due to be held on Saturday, November 17, in the Dolphin Centre.

The annual event is organised by retired Lieutenant Colonel Keith Ryding and his small committee of ex-forces volunteers who manage the Gurkha Welfare Trust’s charitable activities in the region.

Now in its 18th year, the concert has raised in excess of £200,000 over the years.

Major Neil Coatsworth, commanding officer of 50 Northern Signal Squadron, based in Darlington, and Band Concert Committee member, said: “A good audience adds so much to the atmosphere and the generosity of the people of Darlington and its surrounding areas means our charity has been able to make a positive difference over the years.

“It is brilliant that the Mayor of Darlington is able to join us for the evening, as the Armed Forces Champion she has been excellent during my tenure and the council continues to be very supportive to the Armed Forces community, past and present, and this is just another example of its unstinting commitment.”

Last year’s concert raised funds to enable the rebuilding of a school in the Okhaldhunga district of Nepal and pictures of the completed building will be on display during the event, along with images of this year’s target project which is to help Chyandanda Lower Secondary School to build a three-room earthquake-proof block.

Councillor Copeland said: “I’m delighted to be able to support this year’s concert in support of the Gurkha’s Welfare Trust and hope to see as many people as possible join us for what promises to be a great evening of entertainment.”

Tickets, from £10, can be purchased on the night or in advance online, at a small extra charge.

Major Coatsworth added: “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank, in advance, all the sponsors, the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas, the Northern Voices and, of course, all those who come along to the concert and give so generously – your hard-earned money will not be donated in vain, I can promise you that.”

For more details or to book tickets, visit gwt.org.uk/events-and-challenges/gurkha-band-concert