X Factor star steps in to save Ponty's Big Weekend

May 1 2008 by Wayne Nowaczyk and Gerry Holt, Pontypridd Observer

THE PLUG has been pulled on The Full Ponty – but X Factor star Rhydian Roberts will perform his first Welsh gig to fill the breach.

Rhondda Cynon Taf council delivered the coup as the climax to a Big Weekend Festival in Pontypridd after backers Pop Factory and Avanti failed to talk to them about mounting a fourth Full Ponty in May.

Councillors are ploughing the £100,000 in public cash set aside each year for the Full Ponty into the Big Weekend from July 18-21 – a subsidy that could not be paid to Pop Factory while a European Union investigation into the £4m Cyber Cafe training scheme is still ongoing.

Pop Factory director Emyr Afan said that first the Tom Jones homecoming and then last year’s headliners Lostprophets “would be hard to top”.

He said: “After much thought, we are not satisfied as festival organizers that we have the right mix for an event this year and would rather look at coming back bigger and bolder in 2009 when we are satisfied that we have a line up to shout about.

“This is a decision that we have thought long and hard about as event organizers and we trust that confirmation of our plans for 09 in the near future will inspire and excite the followers of the festival.

“The Full Ponty will not be going ahead this year for reasons unrelated to funding. Consequently we have not approached RCT Council about any sponsorship in 2008,” added Mr Afan.

Disappointed RCT are determined The Big Weekend in Ynysangharad Park will deliver an exciting weekend of broader family entertainment, climaxing with the Sunday July 21 open air concert by Rhydian – determined to make his live UK debut in Wales – rather than the straight pop festival that brought 10,000 to Ponty.

It will involve family open air cinema with Red Dragon FM, two special concerts at the Muni Arts Centre, a free family fun day and a concert in the park headlined by major Welsh artists – and mark the 40th anniversary of Pontypridd’s twinning with Nurtingen in Germany.

RCT council’s head of strategy Christian Hanagan said: “As the clock ticked on it became apparent that it was not going to take place but we have still had no formal confirmation that that’s the case from the Pop Factory. We should have been formally notified.”

But he said preparations were well advanced and said: “The Big Weekend is set to be a very family orientated event providing a new way for people to enjoy the park and, importantly, showcase Pontypridd. This is the first event of its kind outside Cardiff and Swansea and for the first time Pontypridd will play host to a weekend of activities and entertainment.”