Hut 9 at Island Farm, Bridgend, opens for the weekend on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th September 2026.
Island Farm is the last remaining prisoner of war camp in South Wales. The open weekend is an immersive experience for all ages, stepping back in time to the 1940s.
Across the weekend you can sit and enjoy a presentation by Brett Exton, re-telling the story of the largest prisoner of war escape in British history, and learn about the ordnance factories, the American soldiers stationed at the camp and the high ranking German officers held there.
Please note that the event is not suitable for children under five, or for people with mobility issues.
On Saturday 18th April 2026, Dr Richard Annear, the son of Dr Marshall Annear, unveiled a plaque dedicated to his father on the former family home known as The Patch, Ewenny Road.
Dr Marshall Annear served in the Royal Army Medical Corps during the Second World War before joining Morgannwg Hospital in 1951. He went on to play a pivotal role in the development of psychiatry in Wales, founding the Glanrhyd Postgraduate Education Centre and playing a key role in the response to major national events including the 1962 smallpox epidemic and the Aberfan disaster in 1966.
Dr Annear was a founding member of both the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Welsh Psychiatric Society. He passed away in 1985 aged 67.
Mayor Ian Spiller paid tribute to Dr Annear’s lasting contribution to the region, noting the significance of the bilingual plaque in honouring his legacy for future generations.
Thousands descended on Bridgend Town Centre on Saturday, 29 November for the free Christmas Lights Switch-On Event organised by Bridgend Town Council.
1,000 children graduated from the Elf School after having their faces painted, taking home an elf hat, a Christmas Decoration, a certificate and reindeer food to sprinkle outside on Christmas Eve!
The wonderful Zack Franks brought energy to the Entertainment Stage encouraging impromptu audience dancing between the amazing acts who entertained throughout the afternoon. The Snow Sisters opened the event, singing songs from Frozen, followed by Bridgend Youth Theatre, Compassion Church, Louise Halliday and The Dance Centre Academy. Oldcastle School Choir completed the entertainment with beautiful singing before The Grinch and Santa Claus himself took to the stage to turn on the lights.
Visitors to the town centre also enjoyed two giant Snow Globes, a Victorian puppet theatre, chairoplanes and Christmas themed side stalls. There were plenty of photo opportunities throughout the afternoon with superheroes and princesses as well as with the Grinch who made numerous comedic appearances.
Bridgend Town Council would like to thank everyone who participated in the event and everyone who came out to support the event and enjoyed a fantastic afternoon in the town.
Bridgend Town Council co-ordinated two Remembrance events in the town centre for Remembrance weekend.
A Children & Family Parade & Service took place on Saturday 8th November, featuring the 1092 Bridgend Squadron RAF Air Cadets Corps of Drums, with Bridgend Youth Mayor Phoebe Evans in attendance and Ellis Howell playing the Last Post.
The Bridgend Remembrance Sunday Parade and Service, led by the South Wales Police Band, took place on Sunday 9th November. This year, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the names of those lost from Bridgend were read out during the service by former Welsh Guardsmen and Town Councillors Peter Robinson and Mike Smith.
Following the service, The Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan, Pam Kelly took the salute at the War Memorial for the march past.
The Welsh Guards are returning to Bridgend to host their annual St David’s Day Parade and Leek Giving Ceremony on Saturday, 1st March 2025 in the Town Centre.
The Welsh Guards are returning to Bridgend to host their annual St David’s Day Parade and Leek Giving Ceremony on Saturday, 1st March 2025 in the Town Centre.
The First Battalion Welsh Guards will proudly provide a Guard of Honour and exercise their Freedom of the Borough of Bridgend for the first time. They will march through the streets of Bridgend, accompanied by the Regimental Band, cadets, and their Veterans Association.
The parade will culminate in a service at the War Memorial, where the Lord Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan, Peter Vaughan, will uphold tradition by handing out leeks. This will be followed by a march past and a salute to the Lord Lieutenant.
The Welsh Guards have chosen Bridgend as the location for their parade, an honour reflecting the town’s strong connections to Welsh culture and military tradition. The last time the parade was held in Wales was in 2019, in Brecon.
The event, organised by Bridgend Town Council in partnership with The Welsh Guards, will see the parade, led by The Band of the Welsh Guards, step off from the Bowls Centre, Angel Street, at approximately 10.20hrs. 60 First Battalion Welsh Guardsmen, 250 Welsh Guard Association Veterans and up to 50 cadets will march to the town centre arriving at the War Memorial in Dunraven Place for the service at 11.00
During the service, leeks will be presented to serving personnel in a time-honoured St David’s Day custom. A second parade around the town will follow, concluding with a march past and salute at the War Memorial before the battalion march back to the Bowls Centre to fall out.
Cllr Ian Williams, Mayor of Bridgend Town Council, expressed pride in hosting this significant event:
“We are deeply honoured that the Welsh Guards have chosen Bridgend for this special occasion. St David’s Day is a time to celebrate Welsh culture and identity, and this parade will be a momentous event for our community. We encourage residents and visitors to line the streets and show their support for the Welsh Guards, our veterans, and cadets.”
Everyone is welcome to join in this historic and patriotic celebration on St David’s Day. Bridgend Town Council encourage people to come together as a community to show appreciation for the Welsh Guards and mark this special occasion in true Welsh spirit.
The parade route will be: Angel Street, Water Street, Queen Street, Caroline Street, Adare Street, York Place, Market Street to Dunraven Place. After the service the parade will recommence via Wyndham Street, York Place, Market Street, Dunraven Place before returning to the Bowls Centre to fall out.
One of the best locations to view the parade will be on Angel Street between HALO Leisure and Water Street Bridge as it is anticipated that space will be limited at the War Memorial and immediate surrounding areas.
To ensure the event runs smoothly, road closures and parking restrictions will be in place across the town centre, with full details available in advance. We appreciate that this may cause some temporary disruption, however hosting the Welsh Guards will bring considerable cultural and economic benefits to the area, drawing visitors from all over Wales, and boosting local businesses.
The Town Council wish to extend it’s thanks to South Wales Police and Bridgend County Borough Council for their support with the arrangements for this event.
For more information about this Press Release, please contact Dawn Elliott, Community Engagement and Events Manager, Bridgend Town Council at dawn.elliott@bridgend.gov.uk or call 01656 815 757 Mob: 07817 958 756
As we approach the festive season, we invite you to enjoy some Christmas cheer with Bridgend Town Council.
As part of the UK national Remembrance commemorations, Bridgend Town Council, co-ordinated two events for local residents to commemorate the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women in two world wars and later conflicts.
This year, Bridgend Town Council is coordinating two Remembrance events to commemorate the military and civilian servicemen and women from Britain and across the Commonwealth, who lost their lives in the two World Wars and later conflicts.
