ON behalf of the Friends of St Augustine's I would like to thank everyone who came and supported 'Brass in the Park' last Sunday and the Vale of Glamorgan Council who sponsored the event.

Despite gloomy weather predictions, the event went ahead and the Vale of Glamorgan Brass Band provided a wonderful programme of music associated with WW1. Some of the songs were well known, others were poignant reminders of those who lost their lives. It was good to see so many people enjoying the music and appreciating seeing the bandstand being used for its real purpose again. There was a very special atmosphere in the Windsor Gardens, particularly for those who remembered brass band concerts being a regular feature in Penarth. Should we try and do something similar next year?

This was the first of three events organised by the Friends to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of WW1. Our next event is 'Poems and Pints' - an unusual evening when poetry about WW1 and mini 'histories' of some of the Penarth men who died in the Great War will be read by actor, Owen Pugh, and local people. This will take place at the Windsor Arms on Saturday, August 2, at 7pm. Tickets from the Windsor Bookshop.

Tricia Griffiths

Chair of the Friends of St Augustine's