NEWBRIDGE Memorial Hall is to host a fundraising Battle of the Somme commemorative concert next weekend.

Organised by the Abercarn branch of the Royal British Legion, the concert has received special dispensation from the Ministry of Defence for the band of the Royal Welsh Regiment to perform and help raise funds for the Poppy Appeal.

The one-off remembrance event is expected to fill the hall with 400 guests, who will be able to bear witness to a special strobe lighting display by the band’s Corp of Drums, led by brigadier Robert Aitken.

President of the Abercarn branch, Brian Evans, said: “We are very excited to be presenting this event as we have put in a lot of effort needed to get the ministry to give their approval for next Saturday.

“The Memo was built by the miners to remember those lost in the First World War and so there is no better place to hold a Somme commemoration than there.”

Mr Evans, formerly of the Royal Air Force, stated that the tickets are also only £5 as they want as many people as possible to share in the commemorative concert of all those that lost their lives in the battle that took place 100 years ago.

As part of the concert, a member of the band will dress up as a British ‘Tommy’ soldier from the First World War in a poignant display of the trauma that some soldiers went through in the largest battle of the war, where more than one million men were wounded or killed to make it one of the bloodiest battles in human history.

Barbara Bevan, chair of trustees at the Memo, said: “We have a strong relationship with the Abercarn branch of the RBL and I am good friends with Brian so when he asked if we could hold the event there was only going to be one answer.

“I will be attending with my grandson and am extremely excited to see the one-off show. It is what the hall was built for and events like this is why we have done so much renovation work over the years, it is of interest to everyone whether an adult or child.”

The Ministry of Defence were asked to comment. Doors open for the concert on Saturday, September 24 at 6.15pm with the show beginning in the auditorium at 7pm. To buy a £5 ticket call 01495 243 252 or Robert Tedstone on 07938 727260, otherwise visit http://bit.ly/2cBVK9F.