Rudry to host “Raise the Roof” concert for church upgrades and food bank
A charity concert in Rudry on 24 October will fund essential works at St James’ Church and support the Parish Trust’s food bank, youth clubs and baby bank.
A “Raise the Roof” charity concert will be staged in Rudry on Saturday 24 October, with proceeds earmarked for vital upgrades to the village’s 13th‑century St James’ Church and for the local Parish Trust’s community services.
The event is set to begin at 7pm in Rudry Parish Hall and will run until 9pm, offering a two‑hour programme of choral and instrumental performances.
Organisers say the funds will be split equally between the historic church and the Parish Trust, a Trethomas‑based charity that runs a food bank, youth clubs, bereavement support groups and a baby bank for new mothers.
St James’ Church, a listed building that has served the community for eight centuries, requires a new kitchen and accessible toilet facilities to remain safe and functional for worship and public events.
“The work is essential to ensure the church can remain open, safe and functional for worship and community events,” a spokesperson for the concert explained.
The Parish Trust will use its share of the takings to sustain its food bank, which supplies essential provisions to families facing hardship, and to maintain its youth and bereavement programmes that are a lifeline for many residents.
All performers have volunteered their time, with the line‑up featuring the Parish Trust Community Choir, the local music group One Accord and a cohort of graduates from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
Among the musicians is multi‑instrumentalist James Jones, who has previously performed with the National Symphony Orchestra at Cardiff International Arena and supported folk legend Dave Swarbrick.
Tickets are priced at £7 for adults and £3 for children under 12, with sales being handled online.
Local residents have been encouraged to attend, with organisers hoping the event will galvanise community spirit while raising the necessary capital for both the church’s refurbishment and the charity’s vital work.
Rudry Parish Hall, a focal point for village activities, will host the concert, providing a familiar setting for neighbours to gather and support a shared cause.
The concert follows a growing trend of community‑led fundraising events across Caerphilly County Borough, where historic buildings and social services often rely on local generosity to meet modern standards.
Should the target be met, St James’ Church will be able to install a modern kitchen equipped for catering events and accessible toilets that comply with current disability regulations.
For the Parish Trust, the additional income will help maintain the food bank’s stock levels, expand the baby bank’s supply of nappies and clothing, and fund outreach programmes for young people.
Community leaders stress that the success of the evening will not only provide immediate financial relief but also reinforce the importance of preserving heritage sites and supporting vulnerable residents.
Local councillor Rhys Morgan, who has championed the project, said the concert exemplifies how “a small village can rally together to protect its history and look after those in need.”
With the concert only weeks away, anticipation is building, and organisers are hopeful that the combined appeal of music, heritage and charity will draw a full house.
Attendance will be recorded to ensure transparency, and a post‑event report will detail how the raised funds are allocated between the church’s refurbishment and the Parish Trust’s programmes.
The “Raise the Roof” concert represents a tangible effort to safeguard Rudry’s cultural legacy while addressing pressing social concerns, offering a model for other communities facing similar challenges.