For the first time, the poignant and important event, held in partnership with the Royal British Legion, will take place at Y Muni, Pontypridd on Sunday, November 2nd.
People of all ages are invited to attend what is set to be an evening of performances showing support for our Armed Forces personnel past and present.
Talented young schoolchildren from Y Pant school choir, Cardiff Military Wives Choir Caerdydd and Tylorstown Band will perform alongside soloist Heather Jones, accompanied by a number of standard bearers from the Royal British Legion.
Cardiff Military Wives Choir Caerdydd is part of a community of choirs, involving thousands of women across the UK, formed by the Military Wives Choirs charity, bringing women with military connections together to sing, share their experiences and support each other. They have performed at a huge range of events, including St David’s Day and the Wales National Service of Remembrance.
You may have seen the importance, talent and emotion of military wives choirs in the television series The Choir: Military Wives with Gareth Malone, which went on to inspire the film “Military Wives”, starring Kristen Scott-Thomas, which is based on the origins of the charity.
Y Pant school has a rich tradition of performing arts and soloist Heather Jones is no stranger to performing at military occasions.
Tylorstown Band are former Eisteddfod champions and compete nationally at championship level throughout the UK.
Heather Jones is a talented singer-songwriter from Pontypridd, currently studying Music (Songwriting and Performance) at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. Recognised as a Loud Applause Rising Star in 2022, she’s performed at prestigious venues including Cardiff Castle, the Wales Millennium Centre, and the Liverpool Philharmonic. Heather’s musical theatre background includes roles like Scaramouche in We Will Rock You, and she’s earned a Merit in Grade 7 Electric Guitar. Her debut single “My Love” showcases her evolving artistry, and she’s active on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. With vocal coaching from David Fortey and mentorship from Peter Mitchell, Heather has also attended masterclasses with icons such as Bjorn Ulvaeus of ABBA and Mike Joyce of The Smiths.
Reverand Charlotte Rushton from St Catherine’s Church, Pontypridd will lead the remembrance service.
As well as being a spectacle of music, singing and military performance, the Festival of Remembrance is also beautiful visually, with the colours of the flags, the uniforms of the military and, of course, a spectacular and moving moment as poppies cascade form the rafters of Y Muni.
Renowned choral conductor John Asquith will compere the evening. Rhondda’s John has performed as a choral conductor across the world and is also the Russian Coach at the Welsh National Opera. He has performed at Karl Jenkins’ The Bards of Wales in Budapest, Hungary, Romania and the USA, as well as being a key part of A Festival of Remembrance for many years.
Cllr Maureen Webber, Deputy Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Armed Forces Champion, said:
This is the first year we will be holding A Festival of Remembrance at Y Muni and we look forward to welcoming as many people as possible to the event on November 2nd.
Importantly, we have the support of the Armed Forces community with this event as standard bearers from The Royal British Legion standard bearers lead the event.
A Festival of Remembrance is a formal and poignant event to pay tribute to those who have, or are, serving our country. But we work to ensure it is also a musical and visual event that all can enjoy.
A Festival of Remembrance takes place at Y Muni, Pontypridd on Sunday, November 2nd from 6.30pm (doors open 6pm). Tickets are priced at £10 and are available to purchase online here or by calling the Box Office on 03300 554488.
Free parking is available at all Council car parks in Pontypridd. Please click here for details.
Posted on 10/09/2025