2018 – 2019
Dear Patron,
It is that time of year and Patrons Night is upon us again, doesn’t the time just absolutely fly by, but what a fun filled and successful time it has been. It is also my first attempt at a newsletter as the newly appointed Patrons Secretary. I have certainly got big shoes to fill to match the wit and wisdom of my predecessor, Lyn.
A VERY WARM WELCOME TO BRYNCOCH MALE VOICE CHOIR
2019 started on a very happy note for us at Pelenna when 14 choristers joined us from Bryncoch to boost our choir substantially. It is always sad when a choir disbands and we all feel for them very much but by joining us we are all assisting to keep the tradition of Welsh Choirs alive for future generations. Not to mention in the meantime gaining new friendships and bonds between both groups.
Our new members settled in very quickly at Pelenna and we continue to be one big happy family. There is obviously still work to be done but we remain positive and full of enthusiasm for the future.
OBITUARIES
CONWAY JOHN 2018 ended with sad news for our choir. Our dear friend and fellow chorister Conway John passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 18th, at the age of 76 years. All our choristers are unique but few are legends! Con had an amazing voice and a great fun-filled personality. He had a very dry sense of humour but got on well with everyone, especially the ladies! Con's voice was magnificent, powerful but mellow and sweet. It was always a pleasure to sing beside him. He was unassuming but confident. In recent years he has been unable to sing with us due to ill health but he faithfully attended choir concerts and weekends away whenever he was able to and was a true supporter of the choir. Con's funeral took place at Margam Crematorium on Monday 7th January at 11.00 a.m
RANDALL PARRY The choir had to announce the sad passing of top tenor Randall Parry who only joined us from Bryncoch in January this year. Randall had been a member of Bryncoch for over thirty years and was looking forward to a new beginning, with the amalgamation of the two choirs. Sadly this was not meant to be. His funeral was on Monday 29th April, 2019 at 10.30am at Margam Crematorium and was well attended by members of both choirs.
VIVIAN JOSEPH The choir experienced further sadness when Second Tenor and founder member of the Pelenna choir Viv Joseph passed away on 29th April, aged 76 years. Anyone who was lucky enough to know Viv would tell you how funny and witty he was, and how he loved the choir and his golf. His funeral was on Wednesday 22nd May at 2.30pm at Margam Crematorium.
The choir would like to send their sympathy and extend their condolences to all the family and friends of these three fine gentlemen, who will be sadly missed.
OCT, NOV and DEC 2018
On Saturdy 27th October the choir travelled to the famous Rugby school in Leicester and performed at the Temple Speech Room with the massed male voice choirs of Dore, Rugby and Wigston. A long term friend of Pelenna, Peter Ward conducted and directed the evening’s events. It was his 14th massed male voice choir presentation which was in aid of the Rainbow Hospice for Children and Young People.
On 7th of November the choir took part in an Evening of Remembrance at St Elvan’s Church Aberdare with our friends from Cwmdare Voices, Aberdare Town Church in Wales Primary School and Llwydcoed Brass Band. This was followed by another regular event for the choir at St Elvan’s on 16th December, the annual Christingle Service. What is the strong connection between Pelenna and St Elvan’s I hear you ask, well our very own Top Tenor, Father Robert Davies, is the Parish Priest of Aberdare and it is his church. What’s more our Musical Director, Michael Thomas, no less, just happens to be a church organist there.
2019
St. David’s Day Concert On Friday 1st March we held the annual St. David’s Day Concert at Tonmawr Rugby Football Club with Cawl and Welsh cakes. It was a very popular event with more people attending than the amount of tickets available
Gwyn Hall, Neath On Sunday 24th March the choir was invited to join Rachel Perkins and the very talented young casts of The Sound of Voices, Mini Voices and Serenata at the Gwyn Hall Neath. A ”Night at the Musicals” involved songs from the 1930’s, all in aid of the Port Talbot Singing for Lung Health Group.
Australia and Singapore
On the 29th March, Mike, our Musical Director realised a long term ambition when he took a 38 strong choir to New South Wales, Australia and Singapore. The group consisted of 7 members from Pelenna and choristers from Cwmdare, Cwmbach and Wigston. The itinerary involved successful concerts at the Prince of Wales Gulgong Opera House, Joan Sutherland Theatre Penrith and two concerts in one day at the Glasshouse Theatre at Port McQuarie with the Mansshed School Choir. At all three venues we were very well received and at the Joan Theatre they were even selling tickets on the black market as all tickets had been sold. It was not all work and no play we were well looked after by Mikes relatives out there and one of the most notable trips they arranged for us was to the famous Blue Mountains Range and a visit to the Pub With No Beer at Taylors Arms made famous in the 1960’s song of that name by Slim Dusty.
On 12th of April we made our way to a very humid Singapore for a two day stopover. On the second day we sang in the VIP lounge of the Singapore Stadium at the Rugby World Cup Sevens Competition as well as at various locations around the ground. A truly unforgettable experience.
Skewen Methodist Church On Friday 12th April, even though Mike and 7 members of the choir were down under, our very able Assistant Musical Director, Chris Thomas, brilliantly led the choir at Skewen Methodist Church in a Grand Charity Concert. £200 was raised for Parkinson Research. Our afterglow was held at Skewen Rugby Club where a good time was had by all.
St David’s Church Neath On Tuesday 14th May we had an amazing concert at St. David’s Church in Neath for Christian Aid. We shared the stage with a choir from the Alderman Davies School and soloist Bethan Stevens, the concert raised over a thousand pound for the charity.
St. John’s Church, Alltwen, Pontardawe. On Friday 24th May 2019 we sang at the Alltwen Chapel with the Pontardawe Con Brio Choir, to raise funds for St. John’s Church. This concert was of special significance for me personally as it was held in the village I grew up in and the church I used to attend. The concert raised £850 for church funds.
RNLI Charity Concert at the Four Winds, Aberavon Sea Front. On Wednesday 12th June 2019 found the choir taking the sea air at Aberavon. It was a particularly poignant day for the RNLI members present as three of their French Colleagues had perished at sea the previous day in a lifeboat accident. Singing “Let the Harbour Lights Be Burning” was particularly moving as it is regarded as the anthem of the RNLI and refers to seamen in distress at sea. The concert raised £600 for the RNLI.
The Palace at Ibstock and Charnwood Arms in Coalville. On Saturday 22nd June 2019 the choir returned to Ibstock, Leicestershire in what has now become an annual pilgrimage. We are always very well received there and have a very faithful local audience who attend every year. Owing to prior commitments Mike was unable to attend this year but once again his erstwhile deputy Chris Thomas performed the role well and brilliantly led the choir.
Civic Service, St. Thomas’ Parish Church, Neath. On Friday 14th June 2019 we were invited to sing at the inauguration of the Town Mayor and Mayoress of Neath, Councillor Robert Price and Mayoress Mrs. Sara Price. The Mayor is none other than one of our very own Baritones who joined us earlier this year. Can I still call you Rob, please, Mr Mayor?
Wedding at Crickhowell. Saturday 6th July 2019 saw us travelling to sing at the wedding of some old friends, Aled Hughes (nephew of Margaret - our MD’s wife) and Rachel Murphy. You may remember last year we secretly arranged to be present and sing as he proposed her. It was intended to be a surprise once again but the lack of room at the venue meant was difficult for 30 or so male choristers to hide out of sight effectively but the service went very well.
Neath Music Festival. On Sunday 14th July 2019 the choir was invited to sing at Angel Square in Neath at the annual Music Festival. Together with our friends from Cwmdare Voices who performed on their own as well as with us in a combined choir. This left Mike in bit of a dilemma, as he is MD of both choirs, he couldn’t decide which choirs tie to wear. So whilst conducting the combined choirs he wore them both at the same time, a true diplomat.
St. Peter’s and St. Pauls Church, Cimla. Lis has joined us with her feet not having time to touch the ground and accompanied the Choir, on Saturday 21st September 2019, for this local charity concert. We were also honoured have as a special guest a beautiful local classical singer, Ms Jodie Lambert-Tandy who was accompanied by our very own Rachel.
PROPOSED FORTHCOMING EVENTS AND CONCERTS
Patrons Night, Community Centre Tonmawr. Sunday 13th October at 7PM.
Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire. Friday and Saturday 18th and 19th of October 2019 at the Town Hall, Chipping Norton with the Oxford Jubilee Brass Band.
Methodist Church, Sandfields, Port Talbot. Wednesday 30th October at 7PM.
Bideford RFC, Devon. Saturday 9th November 2019 with an evening concert at Bideford College in aid of local charities.
Christmas Carols for Pelenna at the Blue Scar and Tonmawr. Friday 6th December 2019, early evening for Christmas Lights Illuminations.
Christingle Christmas Concert, Aberdare. Sunday 15th December at 6PM.
Morrison’s, Neath, Christmas Carols. Saturday 21st December from 12 noon until 2.30PM
Pelenna Choir 40th Anniversary Celebration Dinner, Castle Hotel, Neath. It is proposed to hold this on Friday 3rd April 2020 and the cost of a 3 course meal will be about £20.00. All Patrons and their partners are welcome to join us for this celebration. Please let me know if you wish to attend.
PATRONS
All members of the choir and the musical team would like to wholeheartedly thank you the patrons for all your help, contributions and support over the last 12 months. Without you the choir would not be where it is today. A special thank you must also be extended to Mair Fisher and her team of volunteers that each year provides such a splendid buffet on Patrons Evening. Thank you all once again.
And Finally. With so many new choir members joining us we need to perhaps readdress or hone the way we sing each song as well as to learn a few new ones together. As a result we have a list of some 43 songs we have revised or learnt in 2019, of these 9 are in Welsh, 1 is in Zulu, 1 is in Latin and 1 in Russian.