Sunday nights closing of the ‘Under The Stars’ festival extravaganza includes Major Sir Robin Wales leading 13,000 people in a flag waving rendition of I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles.

Newham’s Under The Stars festival of music saw one of its best turn outs yet with over 40,000 people descending on East Hams Central Park for the free weekends music festival.

The world famous Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) closed the festival with their classical set list which included commemoration of the centenary of the start of the First World War and a look forward to Newham hosting the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Newham councillors turned out in force with visitors singing along and waving union jack flags to soprano Deborah Norman and tenor John Pierce’s versions of Land of Hope Glory, Rule Britannia, Pack up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag and Bubbles, with Mayor Sir Robin Wales leading the Bubbles sing along.

Mayor Sir Robin Wales said: “Once again Under the Stars has proved a massive success. We’ve been hosting these free music nights for 15 years now and as long as people keep coming and we are able to put them on, then we will.”

The night ended with a massive fireworks display enjoyed by 13,000 people and added local residents through their windows and in their own gardens. The numbers of visitors grew as the weekend went on with 8,000 residents on thursday, 9,000 on friday, 10,000 on saturday and then a huge 13,000 for the closing last night on sunday.

Sir Robin Wales added: “We have seen another wonderfully positive and friendly event where people of all ages and backgrounds have enjoyed an exciting mix of music and musical styles. It is a tribute to the residents of Newham who want to and enjoy doing things together.”

Highlights from last night included the 7 Rifles Waterloo Band and Bugles who played as they marched from the Cenotaph in Central Park to the main stage, and children from Newham’s Every Child a Musician programme’s Stars Orchestra who performed a special piece composed with RPO musicians called Secret Revelations.

Another successful year of festivities enjoyed by the local community are over and many can not wait to see what next year brings with each ‘Under The Stars’ festival getting better by the year.