Programme of Events

'More than just a rugby match ...'        

The Army Navy match day is an action packed day with something for everyone.

The day's events comprise:

• Kneller Hall - Morning events (10:30 am)
• Twickenham Stadium - Main events (11:45 am)
• Pre-match Entertainment - Blake and The Duke of York's Royal Military School Band
• Souvenir Programme
• Charity of the Day - SSAFA Forces Help

Kneller Hall - Morning Events

Royal Military School of Music
Kneller Road,
Twickenham

Map of Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall, Twickenham TW2
(courtesy of Multimap.com)

A ticket to the Army v Navy Match is required for entry to Kneller Hall but there is no further entrance fee.

Twickenham Stadium - Main Events

Rugby Road,
Twickenham

Babcock Inter-Services Trophy

Pre-match Entertainment

Blake

When four young male singers formed an informal group on social networking site Facebook in September 2007, little did they know how soon their lives were to change. It took a matter of days for Blake to be formed and to be signed to a major record label. Virtually overnight these four good-looking guys had taken their first steps on an incredible journey.

Bridging the gap between pop and opera they took the music industry by storm, releasing their debut album ‘Blake’ in November 2007 which went straight to Number One in the UK Classical Album Chart and hit the top 20 of the UK Pop Album Chart. The British public welcomed such a fresh, new sound in music and wholeheartedly embraced the alternative versions of timeless classics such as the Beach Boys’ ‘God only knows’ and many others, all recorded with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The support and appreciation of the public was soon apparent, within three weeks the album had attained Gold status in the UK and in May 2008 they found themselves at the Royal Albert Hall receiving the Album of the Year Award at the Classical BRITS.

Following a media scrum of activity and excitement, their version of ‘Swing Low’ was chosen to be the Official Anthem of England Rugby for the last Rugby World Cup. They have since performed at many sporting events worldwide including the Melbourne Cup in Australia and in London at The Hurlingham Club Polo, as well as the historic new roof opening at Wimbledon in May 2009.

And So it Goes, the second and much anticipated album was released in September 2008 and instantly reached Number 12 in the UK album charts and Number 1 in the Australian Classical chart. This album has captured the hearts of a devoted and fast growing fan base across the globe. Featuring alternative versions from a wide variety of highly acclaimed modern artists such as Snow Patrol and Katie Melua and combining a mix of classical favorites, the album showcases the passion and virtuosity of four highly trained singers who quickly realised that together they had something uniquely special to offer music lovers

Not only has the band achieved triumphant promotional tours of Australia and Japan working with worldwide brands such as Toyota and Cartier, at home they have wowed audiences across the UK on their headline tour with Natasha Marsh and performed with Katherine Jenkins on her legendary tour of the UK. Blake now have their own celebrity following and can count Keira Knightley, Will Smith, and Kevin Spacey amongst their fans. Shirley Bassey even made a special request for Blake to perform at her 70th birthday party!

As well as devoting themselves to their music, the band also spends time supporting several charities close to their hearts; Help For Heroes, The War Widows Association, and MIND.

2010 promises to be another exciting year for Blake who who have just released their third album. The album Together was released through Blake Records, the first ever 'United Artists' concept in the classical musical world, made up with some of the industry's leading players.

See more at: www.blakeofficial.com

The Boys behind Blake:

Stephen Bowman - bass Baritone from Bath

• A combination of an opera singing mother and a German rock band playing father, Stephen started singing with local Indie, blues and Jazz bands before he discovered his classical voice at 17.
• Following his studies in singing and songwriting at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Stephen worked in Marketing to fund his songwriting passion. Has worked with some of the greats: Peter Gabriel, Denise Rich and Roland Orzabel
• Lived in Guatemala and Spain. Is a qualified ski instructor with a lifelong love of the mountains, deep snow and off-piste skiing!
• Likes life in the fast lane and is a lover of sports cars, owns an original Delorean Gullwing Coupe which he drives when he is not traveling or performing with Blake
• Spent Spring 2007 in Guinea Bissau, West Africa working on community development projects in one of the poorest parts of the world

"Whilst many bands have formed and broken up during our three years together, we've actually grown even closer; there's a real sense of a 'band of brothers' to how we get along. Starting our own record label and leaving the corporate music world behind, has made us stronger still. We've got a sense of British pride about doing things our way."

Jules Knight - baritone from Sussex

• A chorister from the age of 7 (where he met Ollie) and had travelled the world singing by the tender age of 13. Sang his way through school (same school as Eddie Izzard) and completed an MA in Art History at St Andrews University followed by a passion to study acting at the Central School of Speech and Drama.
• Played the part of a Munchkin with Tom Chaplin from Keane in a school production of Wizard of Oz
• Is happiest outdoors. One of 4 children, 3 of whom are named after characters in Enid Blyton's Famous Five!
• Has a great sense of humour, grew up watching Fawlty Towers and Carry On films and has a soft spot for children, dogs, small things and beetroots. · Dislikes flying and is scared of heights! Likes art, film, exercise and finding money down the back of sofas!!
• Jules loves to socialise and meet new people and was given advice and encouragement by Mick Jagger just as Blake was starting up.

"Yeah, I had dinner with him. He was a bit of a dude. A charming guy, very intelligent. I followed his advice luckily!"

Humphrey Berney (Barney) - Tenor from Norfolk

• A chorister from the age of 7 and studied theatre and film at University and trained to be an opera singer at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Barney enjoys live music ranging from Opera to heavy metal!
• Active and sporty - loves cycling, running and being by the sea. Speed and adrenaline junkie - sky-diving, bungy jumping and super bikes!
• Enjoys travelling for work and pleasure, taught music and sport in Perth, Australia. Barney cycled through Tanzania for the charity Scope and has traveled extensively through South America and Africa.
• Has a weakness for International women!!
• Loves dancing, partying, meeting new people! Enjoys the company of his good friends and family and has a passion for food and drink, roast beef and is a hopeless romantic

"Singing has always been my passion and I knew from a young age it was what I wanted to do. To be in Blake with the guys on this great journey is simply fantastic."

Ollie Baines - Tenor from Wiltshire

• A chorister from the age of 7 (where he met Jules), Ollie toured the world with the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, studied singing at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Ollie was a Maths and English teacher before Blake.
• Is a keen sailor, skier and horseman and has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and rafted the Nile
• Has been held hostage in an armed bank robbery and has 5 dogs
• Loves whisky and has an overall appreciation of alcoholic drinks and enjoys life to the full
• Ollie is a great dancer and never needs an excuse to hit the dance floor! - except when he broke his leg!

"I am one of those lucky people who genuinely like being up there on stage, singing my heart out. For me that's what it's all about; entertaining. And it's essential to enjoy yourselves, because that way, the audience tends to enjoy your performance more."

The Duke of York’s Royal Military School Band

The school was founded in 1801 as the Royal Military Asylum (RMA) by His Royal Highness Frederick Duke of York. It was located in Chelsea, London and established as an orphanage for children of soldiers killed in battle making it the first co-educational state funded and state administered school in Britain. In 1892 the RMA was renamed 'The Duke of York's Royal Military School', Seventeen years later (1909) it moved to new premises constructed on the cliffs of Dover, Kent. Over the years the school has developed into a leading independent boarding school, catering exclusively for the sons and daughters of service personnel of all three services. The School's military band has played on many occasions at the Army Navy Match.

Read more about The Duke of York’s Military School

Souvenir Programme

Programmes will be available for purchase on the day. From every programme sold we will donate £1 direct to SSAFA Forces Help.

If you would like to advertise in the programme please contact Paul DaSilva at PPL Sport & Leisure on 01372 847889.

If you are unable to come to the match but would like to order this year's programme and support SSAFA Forces Help at the same time, please contact PPL Sport & Leisure to order a copy @ £4 plus p&p at www.pplsport.com.

Charity of the Day - SSAFA Forces Help

A collection will be taken throughout the course of the Army Navy Match day for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help. SSAFA has provided welfare support to the British Armed Forces and their families since 1898. Their services range from the provision of Health and Social services, to supporting the ex-Service community; from running a confidential support line, to delivering holidays for children with additional needs. Please give generously to support their work.