Rhondda Cynon Taf has done it again, playing host to some of the biggest names in music at Ponty’s Big Weekend.
The Council and its partners have worked tirelessly for months to put on a weekend event that would not only offer a great opportunity for local families, but would attract people in their thousands to the county borough.
And, as families from far and wide pack up their picnic chairs and head home after enjoying a free concert starring global singing sensation Paul Potts, as well as Natasha Marsh, All Angels and local talent, that effort has definitely paid off.
Offering a great day out for all, today (Sunday) marked the end of the fourth Ponty’s Big Weekend, an event which is now considered a flagship for the County Borough which continues to grow, year on year.
Today was the second of two concerts organised for Ponty’s Big Weekend, and saw families and people of all ages visiting Pontypridd to enjoy an afternoon and evening of musical talent.
Just hours previously, thousands of fans had packed into the same park to enjoy sets by one of the UK’s hottest boybands, The Wanted, as well as Dionne Bromfield, Twenty Twenty, Starboy Nathan.
Local, home-grown talent, such as Pontypridd’s Tom Richards and Jay Worley and Tonypandy’s Sophie Evans, who are securing national acclaim and flying the flag for Rhondda Cynon Taf, also took to the stage.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council organised the flagship event in partnership with Orchard Entertainment and construction partner Costain to showcase the County Borough, raising its profile and supporting local businesses.
Supported by the Valleys Heart and Soul campaign, Ponty’s Big Weekend was named as one of the top events in the region to enjoy this summer and is further proof of the ongoing effort to raise the profile of The Valleys as a must-see destination.
Christian Hanagan, Head of Strategy, PR and Tourism at Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, said: “This is the fourth Ponty’s Big Weekend and we are pleased to have been able to attract top acts such as The Wanted, JLS, Sugababes, Paul Potts, Rhydian Roberts and more to our County Borough.
“It offers people from all walks of life the chance to access hot performances from top acts and also attracts visitors from across the UK to Rhondda Cynon Taf, providing a welcome boost for local tourism and businesses.”
Pablo Janczur, Director of Orchard Entertainment said: “It’s been a fabulous weekend of entertainment for the local community, topped off with a free day of top acts today. We can already start looking forward to some big names for next year.”
Brian Greaves Community Relations Manager for Costain said, ‘We are really pleased to be supporting this event and working with the Council and Orchard to
bring some really top acts to Pontypridd. It was an exceptional day and we would like to think that everyone enjoyed themselves and that supporting such events will help the regeneration programme to bring more people and business to the town
Vicki Spencer, Campaign Manager for the Heart and Soul Campaign said: “The Valleys is fast becoming a must see tourist destination. The involvement of high profile stars in the Heart and Soul Campaign such as The Wanted, Paul Potts and Sophie Evans, helps raise the profile of Pontypridd and The Valleys and encourages people to think differently about the area.”
