British Open champion Tredegar helped raise the Reg Flag in the heart of London’s threatreland on Monday evening, as they played a central role in a celebration concert in memory of former Labour Party leader Michael Foot.

Red Flag flying

Organized by another former Labour Party leader Lord Kinnock, who hails from the south Wales valley town, and with a line up of high profile politicians and celebrities, the British Open champion opened and closed the evening – with the rousing ‘Men of Harlech’ to start and 'The Red Flag' to close.

Brown, Blair and Hattersley

In between the band accompanied the London Welsh Chorale, as well as being able to squeeze into the stalls of the Lyric Theatre on Shaftsbury Avenue just off Piccadilly, to listen to speeches made by the likes of Gordon Brown, Cherie Blair and Roy Hattersley, as well as enjoy the musical performance of opera star Lesley Garrett and compere skills of comedian Jo Brand.

Neil keeps ribbing me that his hometown band are one of the best in the business and beating all the Lancashire bands, and that his beloved Cardiff City are better than Burnley tooAlistair Campbell

Brown minders

Ian Porthouse was a bit surprised to find himself making small talk with former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, accompanied by two burly ‘minders’ backstage — especially as he had been briefed to congratulate the band on their recent British Open win:

"It was a bit odd to hear Gordon Brown congratulate the band on our victory," he told 4BR "...but he said always enjoyed listening to brass bands. I don’t know about his minders though!"

Speaking to 4BR after the concert, Lord Kinnock was equally effusive about his hometown band’s current streak of form, whilst former Labour Party ‘spin doctor’, Alistair Campbell also revealed himself to be a bit of a brass band fan too.

Great supporter

"It was lovely to be able to have Tredegar at the concert," Lord Kinnock said.

"Michael Foot was a great supporter of the band and I know he would have been delighted that they were able to make the trip up to perform tonight. He used to have the CD of the band blasting out of the open windows of his home in Hampstead on a Sunday morning."

Love of brass

Alistair Campbell, also revealed his love of brass too: "Neil keeps ribbing me that his hometown band are one of the best in the business and beating all the Lancashire bands, and that his beloved Cardiff City are better than Burnley too. I have to say – I have to agree with him after tonight – although not about the football!"