Young and old come together to set stage for patriotic pageant

Eva Ellison, 88, and Charlotte Mann, nine, both of Collingham, will be coming together for a pageant that will open with the two soloists who span the decades and aims to outstrip a previous event held in Collingham in 1918.

They will sing Rule Britannia together at the opening, backed by about 300 other performers.

The pensioner said: “I am so happy to be singing here with Charlotte. I was nine when I started singing, so it is lovely to be working together – we give each other confidence!”

ITV Yorkshire’s Calendar presenter Duncan Wood has written and narrated the show which includes local archive photos and newsreel footage covering the last 60 years which will be shown on an outdoor screen.

Celebrations for the people of Collingham and Harewood will be held at the scout field on Harewood Road in Collingham tomorrow and on Saturday. Organising committee member Gaby Morrison said: “The theme is music through the decades of the Queen’s reign.”

The Pageant of 1918 told the story of St Oswald, the patron saint of Collingham Parish Church.

“I don’t remember that one”, said Eva, “but I can’t wait to sing for the Jubilee.”