Pontarddulais has been turned red with thousands of poppies as part of the town’s Festival of Remembrance organised by the community.

The centre-piece of the activities is a massive cascade of over 10,000 poppies which have been made in different styles and materials by members of the community including school children.

The poppy cascade is a tribute to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War and will be displayed in the area around the Cenotaph in Pontarddulais.

The festival was the idea of The Pontarddulais Partnership and Pontarddulais Town Band supported by the National Lottery through a £10,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), and funding from Ty Cerdd and Pontarddulais Town Council have also been instrumental in the project.

Activities will encompass history, art, music, culture, events and education including a remembrance concert featuring a specially commissioned composition performed by Pontarddulais Town Band. Local schools and choirs will also perform at the concert together with guest artists.

Lamp posts throughout the town have been dressed with large poppies with each flower bearing the name of a fallen soldier from the village

The festival will also feature a pop-up museum and exhibition focusing on the impact of war on home life and stories of the soldiers with art created by local school children with the support of artist Nathan Wyburn.

A new branch of the Royal British Legion has been formed as a result of the project.

Mr Anthony Pitman, the Chairman, said: “With great help from my Secretary, Mr Kelvin Williams and the committee, we have reformed the Royal British Legion Pontarddulais Branch and are looking forward to helping service men and women, veterans and their families in the local community”.

Catherine Evans, of The Pontarddulais Partnership, who is also a Town Councillor, added: “It’s been inspiring to see so many people, including school children, give their time to the project.

“It’s been a true community effort and I feel very proud of the way Pontarddulais has come together to honour those that gave their lives for us.

“I hope this festival inspires a new generation to come and learn about our history and the contribution that people from this area made.”

Visitors are encouraged to join in and take part in these poignant acts of remembrance.

The exhibition at The Mechanics Institute, Pontarddulais will open early in November.

A sell-out concert of Remembrance takes place at Pontarddulais Comprehensive School on Saturday, November 10.

The poppy cascade will be at the Cenotaph from Tuesday, November 6 and the remembrance parade will start at the St John’s Ambulance Hall and will proceed to St Michaels Church and the Cenotaph for the remembrance service on November 11.

For more information please contact Catherine Evans on 01792 885532.