The sun came out and was shining on St David’s Day across Caerphilly County Borough yesterday as hundreds of people and school pupils gathered for four lunchtime concerts.
The concerts were held in Bargoed, Blackwood, Caerphilly and Risca with entertainment from local choirs and school children from surrounding schools.
Cllr Allan Pritchard, leader of the council said: “St David’s Day really is a wonderful opportunity for us all to demonstrate our Welsh pride, and I am delighted that these lunchtime concerts proved so popular.”
Andrew Highway, town centre manager for Caerphilly County Borough Council, said the events had been a huge success.
He said: “Town centres are more than just shops – they are people. Events such as this bring communities together.
“With these concerts we are celebrating with local schoolchildren as well as promoting the Welsh language. Lots of people have come to watch and we’ve had a great response.”
Mr Highway’s thoughts were also echoed by Plaid Cymru Councillor James Fussell who hosted the Caerphilly town concert.
He said: “It’s been an excellent event with superb performances from by all of the children involved and the choir.”
I would like to thank all the schools that participated and the Caerffili Ladies Choir for taking time out to celebrate St Davids day in the most traditional of ways, through song, music and dance. The Caerffili town event was also very well supported by residents also in helping local traders who had an opportunity to showcase their products in what is the first of many events scheduled this year.
Bringing people into the town is a great way of kick starting trade in our local economy and I am looking forward to the many varied events already in the diary to do just the same throughout 2012.