London Carol Concert for the Polish Order of Malta in the United Kingdom

Earlier this month, the historic Church of St. Clement Danes (the Central Church of the Royal Air Force) in central London was the venue for "Carol of the Bells: A Polish Christmas Night", the annual carol concert organised by the Polish Association of the Knights of Malta (UK) and the Polish Order of Malta Volunteers (UK).

Guests of Honour included our President: The Earl of St. Andrews, our two Patrons: Field Marshal The Rt. Hon. The Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank and  HE The Ambassador of the Republic of Poland, as well as Greg Hands MP and Sophie Thompson.

Left to Right: Rafe Heydel-Mankoo, Dr. Marek Stella-Sawicki, Field Marhsal The Rt. Hon. The Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank, Joanna Meeson, The Earl of St. Andrews, Greg Hands MP, HE Mr. Witold Sobkow Ambassador of the Republic of Poland

Performed by the Ave Verum Choir, and with beautiful solos performed by noted singer Natalie Coyle, this concert was held in aid of the Order of Malta's Poznan oncology clinic (the clinic provides free treatment to thousands of people every year -- and the site's connection to the Order of Malta dates back many centuries).

The Church of St. Clement Danes also contains a memorial to the Polish Air Force and the squadrons that participated in the Second World War. During the concert our President and Patrons processed to the memorial to lay a wreath in tribute to their contribution to the fight for freedom.

In this photograph I am briefly summarising the contribution of the Polish Air Force during the Second World War and introducing the formal wreath-laying procession to the Polish Memorial in the Church

Wreath on the Polish Air Force Memorial in the Church of St. Clement Danes (the Central Church of the Royal Air Force) located on the Strand in Central London