Cardiff's jubilee celebrations had a 1950s theme

The 50th anniversary came less than two months since Cardiff celebrated its 100th anniversary as a city.

But there has been criticism that the celebrations have not received enough publicity compared to other recent major events in the city.

Cardiff Council disagreed saying their research showed awareness of the anniversary was high.

Birthday messages

As part of the celebrations, every pupil in the city aged between five and 16 will receive a history book about Cardiff.

Schoolchildren from elsewhere in Wales made crackers containing birthday messages used for a civic dinner held on Tuesday evening at City Hall.

Among the guests invited from around the country was Harry Polloway, who acted as toastmaster at a civic reception in 1955 for the city's 50th anniversary celebration.

The city has had two anniversaries to celebrate this year

Mr Polloway also celebrated his 90th birthday on Tuesday.

He said: "You don't think of what's going to happen in 50 years time, because you just don't do it.

"But now it's come 50 years, it's yesterday. Time has flown."

People who turned 50 on Tuesday and couples celebrating their 50th wedding anniversaries also received copies of a book about the capital city.

Street events took place throughout the day with a distinctive 1950s flavour, including a fifties-style dance-off.

Council leader Rodney Berman said: "If you look at where Cardiff was back in 1955, perhaps it was a little bit in the doldrums.

Cars from the 1950s lined on of the city centre streets

"We've certainly moved on since then, dramatically reinvented ourselves and become a modern, vibrant city that's going forward."

Cardiff's centenary celebrations on 28 October included a flypast by the RAF, the cutting of a huge birthday cake, free entry to Cardiff Castle and a free concert in St David's Hall.

Throughout the year, the city has held 1,399 events to mark the double anniversary.

But some have criticised the festivities, claiming there was a lack of information about them.

"Unfortunately I'm not sure what the celebrations are and that is a big disappointment for me and others in the business community," said Ceri Preece, ex-president of Cardiff Chamber of Commerce.

"There has not been enough advertising about the celebrations and the same goes for the centenary celebrations earlier this year.

Cardiff marked its centenary as a city in October

"Personally I think the city has lost a chance and I've spoken to a number of people who agree.

"Looking back at big events in Cardiff, the Rugby World Cup in 1999, the millennium celebrations, Nelson Mandela's visit and the assembly opening, people knew about them and everyone was anticipating them.

"I don't feel this has happened this year."

Sian Parry Jones from Cardiff Council said there was "awareness" and a chance for "everyone throughout Wales to join the celebrations".