75 years on, take time to remember the day the clouds lifted across Europe
In 2013, NPT Council and a number of partners signed our Armed Forces Covenant with the aim of supporting the armed forces community in the Neath Port Talbot area.
All other local authorities in Wales signed up to the Covenant and each authority has an Armed Forces Champion, which is a role undertaken by an elected member. The purpose of the Champion is to promote and champion the interests and needs of the armed forces community locally and act as single point of contact.
Neath Port Talbot’s Armed Forces Champion is Councillor Chris James. Councillor James joined the Royal Navy in 1990. While working in Naval Operations he served in both the Sierra Leone and Afghanistan conflicts before leaving in 2005 after being injured in service.
On behalf of Neath Port Talbot Council, Councillor Chris James has recorded this message for VE Day 75…
The Last Post
We are humbled to be able to share with you Mr Barry Woodley’s recording of the Last Post and Lowering of the Standard Ceremony filmed from his own home.
Barry Woodley is an active member of the Port Talbot Branch of The Royal British Legion, where he is honoured to be their Standard Bearer. Barry is also the Standard Bearer for the South Wales and South West Branch of the Type 42 Destroyer Association, which represents 6 of the 7 frontline ships he served on in his 27 years in the Royal Navy, having joined at 16, where he achieved the rank of Chief Petty Officer.
VE Day 75 – key events
Neath Port Talbot Music Service go back to the Forties!
The talented Neath Port Talbot Music Service team are doing their bit to mark VE Day via YouTube. Funded by Neath Port Talbot Council, Cerdd NPT Music Service tutors pupils across all schools on a wide range of instruments. Throughout lockdown the they’ve been keeping in touch with students and running online tutorials.
Firstly, check out this brilliant rendition of ‘We’ll Meet Again’ performed by music teacher Lisa Rumble. It’s perfect to watch during the national ‘singalong’ just after 9pm on VE Day 75!
Click here to see NPT music teacher Kirstie Roberts done up ‘all 40s style’ singing an Andrews Sisters’ classic!