Residents are urged to line the streets of Mountain Ash next weekend to enjoy a public ceremony organised to mark the rededication of the town’s war memorial.
The event will include a parade through the town being led by local dignitaries and the Regimental Band of The Royal Welsh, which is set to please the crowds.
Significant work has taken place on and around the important memorial after it was damaged by mindless vandals in 2008.
As well as a full repair of the structure and new plaques, important work has also taken place to improve the footways and lighting around the war memorial.
To mark the end of such an important restoration, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and its partners, including the Royal British Legion, has worked to organise a community-based event to rededicate the war memorial.
The event takes place on Sunday, May 23 and begins with a parade that leaves the Remembrance Gardens in Oxford Street at 1.45pm.
For those who feel they cannot complete the full distance from Oxford Street to the war memorial, the parade will be stopping at St Margaret’s Church, where those who can walk the final 200m to the memorial can join it.
The Regimental Band of The Royal Welsh will lead the parade, which will also include local dignitaries, including Mayors from neighbouring authorities, ward members and the Royal British Legion.
The parade will end at the war memorial, where the service will begin with a welcome from Cllr Simon Lloyd, Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf and prayers and hymns led by Reverend Michael Jones, vicar of Mountain Ash and Miskin.
The restored war memorial will be unveiled by Lord Aberdare and Cllr Lloyd, before the Last Post is played and wreaths are laid – by the Representative of the Queen, the Mayor and the Royal British Legion.
Mountain Ash War Memorial was originally dedicated in 1922 and Reverend Jones will reflect on that service over 80 years ago in his service on Sunday.
Cllr Simon Lloyd, Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf, and Ward Member for Mountain Ash West, said: “We were all devastated when the war memorial was damaged by mindless vandals in 2008.
“However we were determined not to let them win and immediately put in place temporary measures that would allow us to pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for this Country at subsequent Remembrance Days.
“Above and beyond those emergency measures, we have worked hard with the community and the Royal British Legion to restore our war memorial to its former glory.
“The event on Sunday is about rededicating that war memorial and showing the people of Mountain Ash that we have not, and will not, let the vandals win.
“I also think it is fitting that we use the day to give thanks to those who have served, or are serving, our country in the forces and I am so pleased and proud we have the Regimental Band of The Royal Welsh supporting us on Sunday.
“This will be one of my first engagements as Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf and I hope as many people as possible turn out to show their support to this important event.”
Fellow Member for Mountain Ash West and Cabinet Member for Transport and Customer Care, Cllr Andrew Morgan, said:
“Like residents of Mountain Ash, I was disgusted with the vandalism of the war memorial and theft of the Bronze plaques.
“I am very pleased with all the work the Council’s Streetcare Team have carried out, including new footways, lighting and the actual cleaning of the memorial.
“We have worked closely with the Armistice Committee and the Royal British Legion to achieve this and make the appropriate improvements and I would like to thank them for what has been a team effort
