A CHARITY concert was held recently in Builth Wells, in memory of Second World War spy Violette Szabo and D Day.

Violette’s daughter, Tania Szabo was the guest of honour and she gave a very moving and emotional tribute, explaining all about her mother`s life and secret work behind enemy lines.

A museum dedicated to Violette Szabo is based at Wormelow and run by her aunt Rosemary Rigby.

The concert began with the Surrey Police Band rendition of the rousing ‘La Marseille’, followed by the ‘Dambusters March’. The Vintage Class Singers, who wore dresses fitting of the 1940s era, sang a varied selection of wartime songs, which the audience were able to join in with.

Dancers, Steve and Sue Mace, performed several highly energetic popular dances of the period, including the Jitterbug while, Welsh Soprano, Lauren Elizabeth Williams, sang a selection of period appropriate songs.

There were also a number of impersonators and look-a-likes from the wartime period, attending the concert including Queen Elizabeth (known latterly as the Queen Mother), Winston Churchill, and General De Gaulle in full costume. Two Chelsea Pensioners were also in the audience in their familiar bright red tunics.

Violette was eventually arrested and executed as an agent of the Anglo-French Special Operations Executive during early 1945 at the age of only 23.

Around £5,000 in total was raised for SSAFA Herefordshire, Builth Wells Community Support and Hay-on-Wye Dial-a-Ride.