Tredegar Band will be playing a central role in the celebrations that are to take place throughout the UK later this year to mark the 70th anniversary of the National Health Service.

Although exact details are yet to be officially announced, the band can confirm that it will include a series of three high profile concert appearances in July - in Tredegar, London and Pontypridd.

Tredegar template

The NHS was the brainchild of Aneurin Bevan, born in Tredegar in 1897, who set up the NHS following a template that was first used to help those in need of care in the town through the Tredegar Medical Aid Society.

The first concert will form the centrepiece of the Aneurin Bevan Day to be held at Bedwellty Park in the town on Sunday 1st July, followed by a performance at a very special venue in London on Thursday 5th July (details of which will be announced in due course).

On the 14th July the band will perform in Pontypridd in a concert that will mark the connection between Bevan, the NHS and the National Union of Mineworkers.

The first concert will form the centrepiece of the Aneurin Bevan Day to be held at Bedwellty Park in the town on Sunday 1st July, followed by a performance at a very special venue in London on Thursday 5th July

Wonderful opportunity

“This is going to be a wonderful opportunity for the band,” MD, Ian Porthouse said. “It will include the world premiere of a work specially written by composer Tom Davoren, the central part of which is a wonderful soprano cornet solo that has been written for our star player Ian Roberts.

We are honoured to be asked to play such an important role in the celebrations of a service that is revered around the world and which we are sure will resonate with communities all over the globe.”