May 3, 2011 
We were all granted an extra day’s Bank Holiday for the Royal Wedding between Prince William of Wales and Catherine Middleton taking place on Friday 29th April, 2011.
It was widely reported that outside London the highest number of street parties being organised was right here in Cardiff (Cardiff Council reported that 54 streets had applied for permission to close the streets for the Royal Wedding.)
Cardiff City Council also provided viewing, chairs and the obligatory bunting in The Hayes to an audience of hundreds.
I was in work on this momentus day so only managed to get all these photos on the way into work hence they aren’t THAT full of people – but hopefully do give an essence of what was about to occur!
The streets of Cardiff seemed eerily quiet with not many people or traffic being seen. Even the City’s arcades were deserted but then it hit me that even though I was working – a lot of commercial shops were shut due to the extra Bank Holiday and/or the Royal Wedding!
On my travels I came across quite a few street parties still in preparation. All the colourful bunting seemed to be in place, tables being set and final touches being put to the community parties. Even if there wasn’t a street party nearby loads of houses along my route joined in the celebrations by adding some Union Jacks to their homes. Fellow local photographer Tom Ashmore decided to visit as many street parties as he could (even if he was injured!) and blogged about his fantastic day HERE. They really are worth a visit as he’s taken about 300 amazing photos which truly reflect what a party we had in Cardiff!
My shift in work had now finished so I headed out to join the party that was already well in swing. Arriving at the Robin Hood in Pontcanton to a rousing rendition of SClub7-Reach for the stars and all I could see all around was the whole pub with their hands in the air, joining in and singing and dancing along to the song! It was a real party atmosphere with EVERYONE joining in and having a really good time!
Even though it was getting darker and colder everyone stayed at the pub where the beer gardens and the street were still packed late into the night (also it took ages to get served – not that they had much left to serve mind – seems like it was their busiest day ever!)
So to top the whole ceremony off it was upto Pontcanton favourite, Charlotte Church, to take to the stage and sing a few songs acapella style to the merry crowd. She began with sixties classic “Will you still love me tomorrow”, followed by “Going to the Chapel” and finishing it off with “Summertime.” I couldn’t decide whether to leave the queue for the bar or to get around the front of the singing to get some better shots! Obviously the beer won! ;) Watch most of the performance below!
(Filmed from the bar and also outside by @BalletJanet)
View all the photo at http://www.flickr.com/photos/djleekee/sets/72157626606933650/
or via the slideshow below.
Everywhere looks deserted. Was there a match on?
Aye all the streets were deserted and not that many people around the City Centre. I assume that most people were watching on their tv’s in theie homes before heading out to the street parties (the weather wasnt THAT nice early on!)
But later on things did liven up at the one street party I attended in Pontcanton. Was their busiest ever night!
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