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Tickets are now on sale for the event which takes place at the Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot, on Friday October 25th, 2024 (7pm).

Ticket prices: Standard £10.00; Concessions £8.00 (under 16, 60+, groups of 8 or more, Armed Forces Veterans, Armed Forces Reservists, Armed Forces Cadets, serving Armed Forces personnel).

The Mayor of Neath Port Talbot, Cllr Matthew Crowley, said: “I am delighted to see this important event return so we can all show our support to the people who make up our Armed Forces community, from troops currently serving, to service families, veterans and cadets.”

“This will be a very special evening to pay tribute to members of our Armed Forces Community, including a commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.”

Concert host Mal Pope last year celebrated 50 years in showbusiness – his career beginning in the 1970s when as a schoolboy he sent a tape of his songs to Radio 1 DJ John Peel.

It led to Swansea born Mal signing to Elton John’s Rocket Records and over the years he has written songs for Cliff Richard and the Hollies, duetted with Bonnie Tyler, toured with Art Garfunkel and Belinda Carlisle and is famous for singing the theme tune (in English and Welsh) of hit children’s show Fireman Sam.

The evening will feature performances from:

• The City of Swansea Pipe Band – bringing the unique and rousing sound of live pipes, with centuries of tradition in every note
• 334 (Neath) Squadron RAF Air Cadets Band – Part of the Eastland Road, Neath, based Air Cadet Squadron which aims to promote and encourage among young people a practical interest in aviation and the Royal Air Force. It seeks to provide training that will be useful in the services and also in civil life. 
• The Royal British Legion Llanelli Band – A distinguished Military/Wind Band composed of ex-military musicians who bring a wealth of experience and passion to their performances. The band has been established for more than ten years. Established under the auspices of the Royal British Legion. 
• Valley Rock Voices choir –a contemporary choral sensation based in Neath! Founded eight years ago by Musical Director Cerys Bevan, the choir has now grown to well over 200 members bringing together a diverse community of women aged between 20 and 80 to create a harmonious blend of voices. Valley Rock Voices captivates audiences with their heartfelt renditions of popular songs.
• The concert will end with a Remembrance Service, a silence, and thousands of falling poppies…a symbol of remembrance and hope.

For more information about this year’s Mayor of Neath Port Talbot’s Armed Forces Festival, go to www.npt.gov.uk/AFF (Welsh language version www.npt.gov.uk/GLA).

The Mayor of Neath Port Talbot's Armed Forces Festival has received £5,800 from the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.