Beaconsfield peace concert for Combat Stress 

Liz Nicholls

Beaconsfield’s St Mary & All Saints Church will welcome you for a concert on Friday, 20th June, in aid of Combat Stress 

Combat Stress is the only intensive mental health treatment service for veterans of the British Armed Forces.  

The charity team’s life-changing – often life-saving – work focuses on those with complex, service-acquired mental health issues such as PTSD. All too many military personnel leave service with experiences that can’t easily be left behind. Without treatment, psychological trauma can eventually tear lives apart, both for the veteran and for their families. 

In the words of Combat Stress’s Royal Patron: His Majesty King Charles III: “As a nation, we have a collective duty to support these veterans and facilitate their recovery – just as we have done in the past.” 

The inspiration for this Concert of Peace was sparked by a series of displays in the church commemorating key moments leading to the end of World War Two. The concert reflects a desire for a broader peace and acknowledges the various armed conflicts throughout the 20th and 21st century. 

St Mary’s music director Aaron King (pictured)says: “The centrepiece of the concert will be a choral suite from The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace by Karl Jenkins, accompanied by an instrumental ensemble. Alongside various other music and poetry, the concert will also feature Fallen Soldier, a setting of a poem by local author Frederick Forsyth which honours the sacrifice of soldiers in war. The poem was originally set to music by Gareth Williams and a new choral version has been arranged specifically for this occasion. We are pleased to be joined in this concert by local singers from the community, including school choirs.” 

There will be a collection for Combat Stress, St Mary’s partner charity for the event, which will receive a contribution from all ticket sales. 

Everyone’s welcome along to this concert of peaceful and reflective music to honour the occasion and to look forward with hopes of a brighter future. Do put the date in your diaries and support this finest of causes for a Concert for Peace. Tickets are £18pp (£5pp for under-18s or in full time education) via QR code, or email info@stmarysbeaconsfield.org.uk