THOUSANDS of people turned up to the annual Gwent Music and Rotary Club Christmas Concert and Extravaganza.

The event, which celebrated its 30th year last night, was held at the Newport Centre, is supported by the Rotary Club of St Woolos, Newport and was the culmination of each of Gwent Music’s events leading up to Christmas.

Each year the event is held to raise money for the Rotary’s charity projects and groups, as well as helping to bring Christmas cheer.

This year, more than 450 people performed at the concert, including Gwent Youth Wind Orchestra, Gwent Junior Wind Orchestra, Isca Linea Harps, Isca Linea Little Strings, Isca Linea Percussion, Isca Linea Symphonia and the Newport Music Centre Guitars.

Head of service for Gwent Music, Emma Archer said it was fantastic to be part of the event once again this year.

She said: “This is the 30th annual concert that we have done in association with the Rotary Club.

“There has been a lot of organisation that went into preparing for the event and rehearsals have been taking place sinc e September.

“The organising starts very early on in the year and a lot of the stage management is done professionally.”

“It’s always a great event and it is great to be part of it.”

As well as performances from musicial groups, various performers from Gwent schools also took to the stage to join the cluster choir and came from a variety of schools, which included Alway Primary, Clytha Primary, Eveswell Primary, Gaer Primary, Llanwern Primary, Llanwern High, Milton Juniors, St Joseph’s RC Primary, St Julian’s Primary, St Woolos Primary and St Martin’s School.

President of the Rotary Club of St Woolos Newport Stephen Parker said:

“We are proud to have assisted with this event for the last 30 years and it is a credit to all the organisers, performers and supporters that it brings joy to the local area each year.

“We are grateful to everyone involved and to our audience for the funds that the event generates enabling us to continue supporting those in need. Thank you to you all.”