The Army Cadet Force in Gwent & Powys will host their annual Rorke’s Drift Concert this weekend but are calling time on this annual celebration after 27 years.

The concert, held at Theatr Brycheiniog, has been a highlight in promoting music within the Cadet Force for 25 years.

This event, a mainstay of Mid Wales, has only been postponed twice: once due to flooding in Crickhowell and again during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Saturday, February 22, the concert will bring together cadet musicians from across Wales, along with musicians from the Regular and Reserve Army, as well as cadets from Northern Ireland, Scotland, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Dorset, Oxford, and Somerset.

The host of the concert, Captain Adrian Beckett, a musician serving within the Army in London, has hosted all 25 concerts and is more than excited to be appearing on stage with nearly 100 cadet musicians once again.

“Whilst we are sounding the final notes on this annual concert, we will be back – the plans for future events are well developed and it will be an exciting time to show off how wonderful the young musicians are,” said Captain Beckett.

“We have performed in this wonderful setting of Theatr Brycheiniog every year the venue has been opened - a record I believe - so we should be rightly proud of what has been achieved.”

Captain Beckett is deeply aware of how influential these concerts have been for young aspiring musicians.

“During the 27 years, nearly 2,000 young men and women of the Cadet Forces have performed on the stage and entertained 9,000 members of the community,” he said.

“I believe this to be an amazing achievement so I know this will be a very special evening”.

Tickets are available from the box office (01874 611622) or the theatre website.