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Devon folk star becomes honorary rifleman

Choirs, military bands and folk songs, including Steve Knightley, centre, at Wyvern Barracks, Exeter

Topsham singer-songwriter Steve Knightley is surprised as beret awarded as concert ends

Show of Hands singer-songwriter Steve Knightley has been appointed an honorary rifleman at Wyvern Barracks, the home of Six Rifles.

Mr Knightley, 64, lives just a few miles from Exeter's military base and, in addition to performing with Show of Hands for the first two of three special concerts, had composed a song specially for the occasion. "Swift and Bold (Celer et Audax in Latin)", an uplifting piece named after the Rifles motto, which, with the help of lyrics prominently displayed, and accompanied by the Salamanca band and bugles from Wyvern, and a choir from Isca School, he led the audience in singing. The singer was clearly touched by the award of a Rifles beret at the end of the performance on Friday evening.

Station commander Lt. Col. Jon Penhale thanked Rifleman Knightley not just for singing with Show of Hands at the concerts, but for his ongoing support and advice during preparations for the unique series of concerts, played in front of 450 people each night. Music and narrative spanned 100 years of the base of the Royal Field Artillery and subsequently the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment and finally The Rifles.

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