The Baton will be visiting 100 sites over 100 days to commemorate the centenary of the founding of the RAF. It began its journey on Easter Day at the Royal Courts of Justice following the service at St Clement Danes (Where HAMC did a lunchtime concert some years ago). You can read more about the baton and find out what its route is here.

On Easter Monday, 2nd April 2018, the RAF100 Baton visited Bentley Priory on the second day of its 100 day tour around the country, where Chris Drew, our Concert Manager, was privileged to be one of the group (not linked to HAMC), which welcomed its arrival with a short choral presentation, including The Spitfire Song, Look for the Silver Lining. (which mentions clouds), Somewhere Over the Rainbow and The White Cliffs of Dover. The singing concluded with The Pilot Song, written for school children as part of  “Fighter Command and the Battle of Britain” performed at the Museum in 2015 and Through Adversity – the first public performance of an item from “Flying without Feathers” due to be staged by Tonic Choir, over two weekends at the Museum in late April/early May as part of the RAF 100 celebrations.

There are 8 lights on the Baton which represent the 8 Lancasters lost during the Dam Busters raid. Unfortunately, Ronnie and I have never been able to persuade Tonic to do the vocal version of the Dam Busters theme. (I have suggested to the Museum that if any event demands this we would be happy to come and do it for them)

If you are a member you can read more about this on the private news blog.