TWO of Wrexham's most respected institutions have joined forces to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of when mankind first made its first small on to the surface of moon.

Techniquest Glyndŵr, Wrexham’s Science Discovery Centre and Wrexham Symphony Orchestra, who are also celebrating 50 years of delighting audiences with the music are holding a concert on Saturday, July 21 at William Aston Hall, Wrexham Glyndŵr University.

The space-themed programme, will begin with pre-concert shows presented by Techniquest Glyndwr in the foyer in their StarDome, together with hands-on moon and planetary activities to try out.

Orchestra Chair, Matthew Ellis, said: "This joint concert came about by a small piece of serendipity.

"We had planned a 50th Anniversary Concert to be performed by the Orchestra a while ago, but, for various reasons, it had to be postponed.

"When the concert date was re-set our Marketing Coordinator, Derek Jones realised the new date coincided with the special Moon Landing Weekend that was already being planned over the weekend of July 20 and 21 to mark the Moon Landing anniversary.

We thought it would be such a great way to collaborate and make even more of the occasion by arranging a special theme to the music for the concert including Gustav Holst’s the Planet Suite.

The Symphony Orchestra has close connections with the University, and the Vice Chancellor Maria Hinfelaar is the Honorary President.

Speaking recently at the University, she said: "As Honorary President of Wrexham Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra in Residence at the University, I am so pleased to welcome this unique joint piece of work with Techniquest Glyndwr.

"Techniquest Glyndwr is a subsidiary charity owned by the University which runs a science Discovery Centre on the University Campus.

"They have been working hard to present a programme of special Moon Landing activities over the weekend of 20/21st July and it’s wonderful to see the themed concert being staged at the end of the first day of that special weekend which also celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the founding of Wrexham Symphony Orchestra."

Scot Owen, Centre Manager said it was thanks to funding from the UK Association of Science Discovery Centres and the UK Space Agency that Techniquest Glyndwr were able to present a full programme of Moon related activities at the centre over the weekend that marks 50 years since the first moon landing by mankind on July 20 and 21.

He said: "I am pleased that we have been able to work together with Wrexham Symphony Orchestra for the programme over the weekend, especially since we have three members of our staff who regularly play in the Orchestra.

"I am proud to say they will all be playing on the July 20 at the special anniversary Concert.

"I would urge anyone purchasing tickets for the concert to make sure they come early so that they don’t miss out of the range of moon themed activities that we have organised in the Foyer of the William Aston Hall before the concert, where they will also be able to take part in the continuous programme of planetary journeys we will be presenting in our StarDome."

Tickets for the special concert, which starts at 7.30pm, can be purchased online from the Orchestra’s website, William Aston Hall Box Office and in person from Techniquest Glyndŵr, Wrexham and Llangollen Tourist Information Centres and Rowanthorn Gift Shop, Oswestry.