More than 4,300 music lovers gathered at Owain Glyndŵr Playing Fields, Caerphilly on Saturday for the third annual Proms in the Park.
Record numbers of Proms fans attended the Welsh leg of the event to listen to performances by West End stars Sophie Evans and John Owen Jones, trumpeter Alison Balsom along with the joyous tones of the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales.
Doors opened at 4.30pm with Prommers eager to set out their deck chairs and picnic blankets ready for performances from community acts including Caerphilly Children’s Choir, Caerphilly’s Got Talent’s winning violinist James Jones and Aber Valley Male Choir.
A slight downpour later in the evening did little to dampen the spirits of the crowds, who were in good voice for renditions of ‘Bring Him Home’ from Les Miserables, ‘Over the Rainbow’ from the The Wizard of Oz and the traditional audience sing-a-long. The evening ended with a bang thanks to an impressive firework display against the backdrop of Caerphilly Castle.
A highlights show featuring Last Night celebrations from Proms in the Park venues around the UK will be screened on BBC Four at 7.30pm on Friday September 20.
Visitors to this year’s Proms in the Park were greeted by the friendly Mr Urdd. The mascot was raising funds for the Eisteddfod yr Urdd which is coming to Caerphilly in 2015. The event will occupy the land around Llancaiach Fawr and organisers are trying to raise £300,000 for its hosting.