Mayor's Armed Forces Festival 2025
October - November 2025
This year’s event will commemorate the 80th anniversaries of VE-Day and VJ Day.
The festival is designed to pay tribute to the Armed Forces and their families in Neath Port Talbot, both the fallen and veterans from the two World Wars and other global conflicts. It also honours those currently serving and their families for the ongoing contribution they make at home and abroad.
Join us to celebrate and commemorate the past and present-day contribution of the Armed Forces to our communities.
NPT Armed Forces Festival Day
Port Talbot's Aberafan Shopping Centre will be the venue for the launch of the Royal British Legion Port Talbot’s Poppy Appeal and the dedication of the Garden of Remembrance.
The day will include a flag raising ceremony, together with information stalls, exhibitions, activities and entertainment from:
- 334 (Neath) Squadron RAF Air Cadets Band
- South Wales Police Band
- Swansea Ukelele Club
Admission to this event is free of charge.
In partnership with
The Mayor's Remembrance Concert 2025
Saturday 1st November 2025 (7:00pm)
The Great Hall, Swansea University, Fabian Way, SA1 8EN
A very special evening to pay tribute to members of our Armed Forces Community, including commemoration of the 80th anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day.
Hosted by Mal Pope, the evening will feature performances from:
- City of Swansea Pipe Band
- 334 (Neath) Squadron RAF Air Cadets Band
- Valley Rock Voices choir
- Madlen Forwood - Soloist
- Cerdd NPT Music Youth Orchestra
- Kirsten Orsborn
The concert will end with a Remembrance Service, a minute silence, and thousands of falling poppies.
Tickets
prices
- £10 Standard (including booking fee)
- £8 Concessions (including booking fee)
Concessionary groups
- under 16
- over 60
- 8 or more people
- Armed Forces Veterans
- Armed Forces Reservists
- Armed Forces Cadets
- serving Armed Forces personnel
Box office
Pontardawe Arts Centre, Herbert Street, Pontardawe, Tel: 01792 863722.
Art competition
We’re inviting young people to take part in two exciting creative competitions as part of the NPT Armed Forces Festival 2025.
Your work will be proudly displayed in the Aberafan Shopping Centre During the NPT Armed Forces Festival 2025.
Open to - children and young people aged 17 years or below, who are Neath Port Talbot residents.
Categories
Entries for each category can be a:
- poem
- short story
- picture
The Art of VE / VJ Day
We would like the children / young people of Neath Port Talbot to take part in ‘The Art of VE / VJ Day competition.
The Art of Being a Military Child
We are looking for children’s / young people’s interpretation of being a military child.
Open to children and young people from military families (with at least one parent/guardian currently serving).
Prizes
Top Prizes (for each category):
1st Place: £100 Amazon Voucher
2nd Place: £50 Amazon Voucher
3rd Place: £25 Amazon Voucher
There are also four £10 Amazon vouchers for the runner up prizes
All prize winners will receive a VE Day commemorative coin.
Sponsored by
Affliliated Events
Event organisers in Neath Port Talbot are being invited to affiliate their own events with the festival.
As part of the festival programme, events could benefit from free promotion, including on the council’s social media accounts, website and notice boards.
Event organisers interested in affiliating with the 2025 Mayor of Neath Port Talbot’s Armed Forces Festival can complete an online form, or for more information email: armedforces@npt.gov.uk.
