Astronaut ‘Major Tim’ speaks at SSAFA’s annual carol concert in December

24 October 2024

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity will hold its annual carol concert on Wednesday December 4, 2024. In most years, SSAFA – the UK’s oldest tri-service charity – has the privilege of one expert or otherwise incredibly talented person taking part to give one of the readings or to recite a poem.

This year it has two, and their work and lives could hardly be more different.

One is European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut and former Army officer Tim Peake, and the other is Hermione Norris – perhaps best known for the much-loved comedy Cold Feet and with an extensive string of other hit TV shows, films, and stage credits to her name.

Held, as per tradition, at The Guard’s Chapel Wellington Barracks in London, all proceeds and donations will go to help SSAFA in its quest to support serving and former UK military personnel and their families.

Hermione has an “extensive string of hits”? Perhaps “enviably extensive” is more apt.

In addition to Cold Feet, Hermione has appeared in – deep breath – Luther, In The Club, Doctor Who, The Crimson Field, Bouquet of Barbed Wire, Kingdom, Spooks, Wire In The Blood… And that’s just on television.

Theatre work includes Blithe Spirit, Blinded By The Sun, Look Back In Anger, and Charley's Aunt, while film work includes Love Of My Life, Separate Lives, Quicksand, Born Romantic and Mad Cows. She has recently wrapped on The Salt Path alongside Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs.

Tim was commissioned into the Army Air Corps in 1992 and awarded his “wings” in 1994.

He flew on military operations in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia, Northern Ireland, and Afghanistan. As a test pilot, he was involved in numerous test flights on many different types of military helicopter. He began ESA's intensive astronaut basic training course in September 2009 and graduated in 2010.

When crewing the International Space Station (ISS) in 2015-2016, Tim conducted a spacewalk to repair its power supply. Other highlights saw him drive a rover across a simulated Mars terrain from space, taking part in over 250 scientific experiments for ESA and international partners and helping to dock two spacecrafts to the ISS.

More than 30 education outreach projects were conducted during Tim’s mission, which have reached more than two million students.

Hermione and Tim, and other speakers present on the night, will really get the Christmas feeling going, but with a serious message: supporting our Armed Forces in their time of need so they never have to battle alone, but instead knowing SSAFA is there for them.

Explaining her reasons for taking part, Hermione noted: “I am deeply honoured to be part of this year's SSAFA Carol Concert.

“Having a strong family connection to the military through my father-in-law, General Sir Roger Wheeler, makes this cause especially close to my heart. SSAFA's work supporting our Armed Forces community, especially during the festive season, is truly inspiring, and I am proud to help raise awareness of their invaluable services."

The SSAFA carol concert will begin at 7pm. As well as readings and seasonal poetry from Tim and Hermione and other guests, there will be performances from the gifted and acclaimed soprano Sofia Kirwan-Baez and as the Band of the Scots Guards and the Chapel Choir. It will end around 8pm. A reception in the Officers’ Mess will continue until around 10pm.