In an evening organised by Chepstow and District Rotary Club, the Grand Charity Concert saw nine Chepstow-based bands and performers entertain the hundreds that had turned up to watch.
As well as raising money for the End Polio Now charity, the concert was also held to mark the launch of the Chepstow festival and was an opportunity to introduce the new canopy that has been installed to keep rain away from open-air performances.
Designed and created by Chepstow-based firm Architen Landrell, the tensile structure will provide more than 400 spectators shelter from the elements during the festival.
The 300sq/m white PVC coated polyester canopy has been fixed to the existing castle wall which dates back to 1067AD, and in order to ensure the castle did not undergo any damage the company worked closely with Cadw to reinforce and then structurally support the wall.
Cadw is the Welsh Government's historic environment service and is named after the Welsh word meaning to keep or to protect.
The front of the canopy is raised up by three glulam masts, which are laminated structural timber, and then secured to the ground using tie down cables. The entire structure is designed to be demountable and will be stored in a container when not in use.
"We wanted to create a structure that was capable of being up for a couple of weeks a year, and then utterly disappearing," said architect Martin Hall.
"It was important to keep the castle completely untouched. When this canopy is taken down you are left with no presence at all," he said.
Mr Hall also described the opportunity to work on a local building as "special", as the company travel around the world creating similar structures.
Described by Geoff Sumner, President of Chepstow Rotary Club as "something the Normans couldn't possibly imagine", the canopy has been in the process of planning since 1992 having been pushed by the Chepstow Festival Committee, headed by Town Councillor Ned Heywood.
The project has been funded by Chepstow Town Council, Monmouthshire County Council and the rural development plan for Wales 2007-2013 which is funded by the Welsh Government and the European agricultural fund for rural development.
Performing on the night were The Chepstow Community Big Band, The Dell Mini Superstars, Thornwell School, Chepstow Male Voice Choir, Offa's Mead School Choir and Chepstow School Barber Shop Chorus, as well as The Dell Primary Musical Theatre Group, Wyedean Gospel Choir and Chepstow School Traditional Jazz Ensemble.
Pictured are architect Martin Hall, Chepstow Town Councillor Ned Heywood and Managing Director of Architen Landrell Lance Rowell. Also pictured are the Dell Mini Superstars and Thornwell School.
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