TORPOINT Royal British Legion, in association with Torpoint and Rame Peninsula Lions Club, launched its 2012 Poppy Appeal with a concert by four choirs at St James Church.

The sellout event welcomed guests, including MP Sheryll Murray, president of Cornwall Royal British Legion Simon Coy, mayor and mayoress of Torpoint Terry and Ann Moore, Chelsea Pensioners Brian Cumming and Lee Osborne-Wakely, and Coleen Bassett, the mother of Torpoint soldier Sam Bassett who was killed in Afghanistan.

The Royal Marine Cadet Corps of Drums played at the start of the concert and during the Festival of Remembrance as it led the parade of 38 standards from across Cornwall and Devon.

Carbeile Junior School Choir performed and members of Torpoint Army Cadet Corps sold poppies.

One young man, Harry, who was celebrating his seventh birthday, was asked what he wanted to do to celebrate and he chose to go to the concert and the choirs and audience sang Happy Birthday to him.

John Tivnan compered the evening, with The Kessenyan Singers, Torpoint Lady Singers and Rame Peninsula Male Voice Choir performing. Everyone joined in community singing of wartime songs before the Act of Remembrance. Chairman of Torpoint branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL) Steve Lewis gave the RBL Exhortation.

The evening raised around £1,000 for the Poppy Appeal.