The latest podcast from Phil Evans and Robert Lloyd has just been released.

Côr Meibion Llanelli will be remembering their former accompanist, Gethin Hughes, at their annual concert at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli (Saturday, June 30, 7pm).

Gethin was affectionately known as Llanelli’s ‘Mr Music’ prior to his death in 2011.

Following his death, a special Gethin Hughes Memorial Bursary Scholarship was established.

The first winner of the cash bursary was Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama student Megan Thomas, from Trimsaran.

The choir’s annual concert in June will feature the contest to decide the next winner of the bursary scholarship.

The competition will form the centrepiece of the concert by Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir, with the choir performing a wide-ranging repertoire dovetailing the competition.

The Gethin Hughes prize is the brainchild of Côr Meibion Llanelli musical director Mr D Eifion Thomas, a close friend of the late Mr Hughes.

“Gethin was a great pal and a long-serving accompanist for Cor Meibion Llanelli,” said Mr Thomas.

“We travelled the world to concerts and festivals and Gethin was famous the world over for being a real character and a wonderful ambassador for Llanelli.

“Gethin made an outstanding contribution to music in Llanelli and in Wales. It is wonderfully fitting that we should honour his memory and celebrate his life with a musical bursary prize.

“Gethin cared very much about supporting and promoting youngsters on their musical careers. Hopefully, this award will go a long way to encouraging, supporting and developing musical talent in Carmarthenshire.”

The bursary organisers also include Cor Meibion Llanelli chorister Richard Christopher, Gethin’s second cousin (pictured above).

Mr Christopher explained: “The aim is to perpetuate Gethin’s memory by making this a regular competition for young Carmarthenshire musicians. The prize is a cash bursary to the winner to help them in their first year of music college.”

Gethin died just a few days short of his 76th birthday.

He was closely linked with the famous Triniti Chapel in Llanelli and was a much-respected music teacher at Ysgol y Strade, Llanelli.

He founded the Llanelli Young Music Lovers and spent a substantial amount of his free time taking his concert party on the road to support various charitable events.

For many years, Gethin contributed a regular column in the Llanelli Star newspaper.

The ‘Solo Note’ columns later formed the basis of a book called ‘Always be natural’.

It was a title given to him by the late great entertainer Roy Castle, who told Gethin – ‘Never be sharp, Never be flat, Always be natural’.

Gethin’s stories were always liberally sprinked with stardust. The list of stars and celebrities he met and accompanied was endless. He was lucky enough to call many of them his friends.

From Sir Malcolm Sargent to Gracie Fields, from Betty Driver and Bill Roache of Coronation Street, from Jack Warner to Elsie and Doris Waters . . . Gethin had stories to tell about them all.

Gethin was also known for his sense of adventure.

From scuba-diving off The Great Barrier Reef in Australia to riding a mechanical bucking bronco at a Wild West centre in Denver, Colorado, to playing out his inimitable party pieces at post-concert Cor Meibion concerts, nothing was too much of a challenge for Gethin.

Gethin spent 65 years as an accompanist at his beloved Triniti Chapel in Llanelli.

His work as an accompanist and fund-raiser for various charities earned him an MBE – but it also earned him much more. It earned him the affection and respect of the people of Llanelli and beyond.

About Côr Meibion Llanelli:

There’s an old saying that identifies the easiest job in the world as being the person who introduces a guest speaker ‘who needs no introduction’.

The same can be said of any attempt to paint a brief profile of Côr Meibion Llanelli.

It would take a fairly hefty book to summarise the achievements of the choir over a history spanning more than 50 years.

But here are some keynote events –

Côr Meibion Llanelli was formed in the village of Bynea under the baton of the late Denver Phillips BA. in 1964.

The choir’s longest-serving music director is the present holder of the baton, D Eifion Thomas, who has helped the choir grow in stature and strength to become one of the leading male choirs in Britain.

They have been successful at all the major choral competitions that Wales has to offer.

The honours list includes five National Eisteddfod first prizes – at Lampeter in 1984, Fishguard in 1986, Llandeilo in 1996, Bridgend in 1998 and Llanelli in 2000.

The roll-call of wins also records seven firsts at the Miners Eisteddfod at Porthcawl, six firsts at Cardigan and three Pontrhydfendigaid “Eisteddfodau”.

The Llanelli Male Choir has graced many leading auditoriums and concert halls in the land – London’s Royal Albert Hall and Festival Hall, Birmingham’s Town and Symphony Halls, Oxford Town Hall, Plymouth’s Guild Hall, The MacRoberts Centre at Stirling, as well as Cardiff’s St David’s Hall and Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall.

The choir has travelled extensively throughout the world – Germany, Canada, USA. France, Ireland, Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand. Most recently, the choir performed at the British Army ‘BritFest’ in the garrison town of Paderborn in Germany.

The choristers have thousands of pounds for charities such as Cancer and Leukaemia Research, The Red Cross, Heart Foundation and Tenovus as well as local charities and school groups.

The choir rehearses twice weekly on Monday and Thursday evenings at Furnace Community Hall, 7pm start. Visitors and new members are welcome.

You look at them as ‘payback’ moments. No money changes hands, but every now and again you get to savour the moment when it really does pay to be a volunteer.

There was one such moment a couple of years back.

Seated in a pew in a packed St Mary’s Church in Burry Port before the beginning of the funeral of the Very Rev Kerry Goulstone, the partially-sighted lady next door struck up a conversation.

It wasn’t long before the talk turned to the Llanelli and District Talking Newspaper for the Blind.

“I thought I recognised your voice,” the lady said. “I hear you on the talking newspaper. Oh, how I look forward to getting a copy of the talking newspaper every other week. It really is a window on the world for those of us with failed sight who cannot read newspapers.”

The generous appreciation for the talking newspaper service continued for several moments.

The setting may have seemed strange to some, but in many ways it was entirely appropriate as one of the most sterling supporters of the service in Llanelli was the late Kerry Goulstone.

There is a very black joke which the secretary of the Llanelli and District Talking Newspaper, John C Williams MBE, is fond of repeating at regular intervals during the year –

“No-one is allowed to resign from the Llanelli Talking Newspaper. You might get ‘sacked, but death is usually the only reason for not attending recording sessions.”

Kerry Goulstone’s ‘resignation’ from the talking newspaper team came just a few days after he had contributed to a recording session at our state-of-the-art studio in Llanelli.

Like all other members who have ‘resigned’ down the years, Kerry’s contribution to the service will be greatly missed.

Our search for volunteers to replace the likes of Kerry continues and we are always on the look-out for individuals who can help.

Newsreaders, editors, technical directors and technicians – we have jobs to fit lots of different profiles.

But it’s worth setting the scene and explaining what the talking newspaper service is all about.

Talking Newspapers originated in Scandinavia.

It is fortunate for Wales that Mr Ronald Sturt, a Lecturer at the University College of Wales Aberystwyth saw a talking newspaper in production during a visit to Stockholm.

There’s a touch of serendipity to the next part of the story.

Members of the Aberystwyth Round Table were considering how to use charity monies raised from a club project involving a Donkey Derby. On Mr. Sturt’s suggestion, the funds were used to purchase equipment and provide a talking newspaper for blind and visually-handicapped people.

So it was that the Cardiganshire Talking Newspaper became the first talking newspaper service in Wales in 1969.

The Llanelli and District Talking Newspaper Association was founded during 1976, with the first edition being issued to nine listeners in December of that year.

The inspiration and driving force behind the project was Mr Harold Owen, manager of a painting and decorating shop situated in Stepney Street, Llanelli.

At the age of 25, Harold had become blind, and attended a rehabilitation centre in Torquay where newly-blind people could learn to take care of themselves, learn to move about, and train for suitable employment.

Harold eventually became a tutor at the Torquay centre, where he met his future wife, Joyce. He later became the Royal National Institute for the Blind , RNIB organiser for the county of Glamorgan.

On returning to Llanelli, he became a telephone operator at Barclays Bank before moving to take up the same position with Llanelli Borough Council, based at The Town Hall, Llanelli.

He was an active member of Christchurch in the Morfa district, and became a prominent figure in community affairs, also organising fellowship meetings for blind and visually-handicapped people.

At one time, he stood unsuccessfully for election to the council as a candidate representing the Liberal party, but his abiding ambition was to establish a Talking Newspaper for the Blind in Llanelli.

During his local government employment, Harold had got to know many of the leading figures in the civic life of Llanelli, particularly Mr Selwyn Samuel, OBE, Town Clerk of the former Llanelli Borough Council, and from April 1, 1974, Clerk to Llanelli Town Council, one of the new community councils created under local government re-organisation.

Mr. Samuel was impressed by Harold’s enthusiasm and agreed to assist in establishing a talking newspaper service for Llanelli and District.

To that end, he persuaded the then Town Mayor, Councillor Mrs Joie Davies to sponsor an appeal for funds to purchase recording equipment, the appeal raising some £8,000.

A small team was recruited, comprising Councillor Mrs Joie Davies as Chairman, Mr Harold Owens as Vice-Chairman, Mr Selwyn Samuel as Secretary, distinguished local journalist Mr Harry Davies as Editor, and Mr Colin Morgan, then Secretary of Llanelli YMCA, as Recording Engineer.

The first edition was recorded at Bryntirion Hospital in Swansea Road, on equipment belonging to Mr G. Rees, who was at that time providing a service to hospital patients.

Talking Newspaper secretary John C Williams takes up the story:

“The sound quality and content of that first edition was disappointing to say the least, but worse was to follow!

“Having spent many hours in bitterly cold weather with Members of Llanelli Lions Club raising funds for the talking newspaper in the week before Christmas, Harold sustained a fatal heart attack at the age of only 49.

“This catastrophic event could have derailed the project, but it is testimony to Harold’s incredible drive and enthusiasm that it was decided to continue.

“He would surely be very proud that to date, after some 37 years, and 940 fortnightly editions later, the Llanelli Talking Newspaper continues to serve some 200 blind and visually-handicapped listeners.

“After the early recordings were made at Bryntirion Hospital, and following purchase of recording equipment, recordings were made at the Town Council Offices in Town Hall Square until January 1979, when the operation was transferred to the premises of Llanelli YMCA in Stepney Street, where it remained until moving, in 1995, to a nearby purpose-built recording studio.

“During those early years following 1976, the association’s income was derived from its annual flag-day collection, and casual and unsolicited donations, many coming from local organisations, clubs, societies, and churches and chapels.

“Flag day collections ceased in 1999, but the association is in a good financial situation due to unsolicited donations from listeners, many representing donations in lieu of floral tributes at the funerals of former listeners, and to a small number of legacies.”

In the last few years, the Lanelli Talking Newspaper has gradually moved from a cassette tape version to a fully digital CD recording.

More than £20,000 has been spend on converting the studio into a state-of-the-art digital recording suite, complete with a CD duplication service.

The service is keeping pace with technological change and there are hopes to provide an internet service for listeners this year.

The team of volunteers involved in the production and distribution of the newspaper numbers about 25 and it is a credit to them, and their predecessor volunteers that the service has never once missed an edition.

No volunteer receives any payment or remuneration whatsoever, and all income is applied solely to the provision of the service itself, i.e. water rates, electricity, and insurance of the recording studio, and purchase of CDs and postal wallets and other necessary equipment.

The format of the ‘programme’ on the CD is constantly being revised in accordance with the wishes of our listeners.

But the core part of the ‘programme’ is built around news items from the Llanelli Star. We are, of course, very grateful to Star editors who have, down the years, supported the talking newspaper. The talking newspaper service also sources news from the BBC, Carmarthenshire Council, the Llanelli Herald, Llanelli Online and other media outlets. Their support is much appreciated.

The current team of duty editors includes seasoned Llanelli journalists Barrie Thomas, Ron Cant and Diane Phillips (nee Williams).

Down the years, duty editors have included the late Harry Davies and his great friends the broadcaster, journalist, author and lecturer Gareth Hughes and author of journalist Norman Lewis. Newsreaders have included the late Monro Walters, affectionately remembered as ‘The Voice of Stradey Park’.

The ‘programme’ has always included a religious item and for many years that was provided by the late Dewi Davies, of Moriah Chapel. Today, the ‘God slot’ on the programme is in the very capable hands of the eloquent Rev David Jones of Greenfield Chapel, Llanelli.

Our technical advisor is David Hurford, who is also well-known for his work on Llanelli hospital radio, Radio BGM. He played a massive role in ‘project-managing’ the change from analogue to digital recording.

The talking newspaper service is provided free to the blind and partially-sighted. CDs are posted out fortnightly in ‘free to post’ plastic wallets. Service users can either keep the CDs or return them to the talking newspaper.

If you have a relative or know of someone who might qualify for the service, then please contact our secretary John C Williams, who has, to his great credit, been performing the secretary role since 1979.

You can contact ‘JC’ on –

Email: jcwilliams70@me.com

Phone: 01554 772350

If you are interested in joining the Llanelli Talking Newspaper team as a volunteer, then please contact ‘JC’ or Robert Lloyd – Email: rlloydpr@btinternet.com. Phone: 07777 683637.

Link to earlier story –

Llanelli and District Talking Newspaper in appeal for volunteers

Pics attached for some old scenes from the Llanelli Talking Newspaper for the Blind.

The late Harry Davies

A cheque presentation from Llanelli Inner Wheel.

Members of the Llanelli Talking Newspaper at the Llanelli Town Council chamber.

Latest news from the team at Brecon Jazz Club –

TUESDAY 12 JUNE at the Muse / supper at Casa.Details below, make a date:

FOOD:supper from 6pm at Casa, we all enjoyed last month, so is booked again. Menu will be a meat or veggie option plus a slice of cake – £10 per person. Please note, if I don’t reply to your email, it may have been missed, so please make sure your booking is acknowledged. To book, reply email stating meat or veggie for each person:  info@breconjazzclub.org

JAZZ – music begins from 8pm at the Muse, doors open 7.30pm – Fab Trio

TUES 12 JUNE: JUAN GALIARDO TRIO 8pm
Making a welcome return visit, Spanish jazz pianist Juan Galiardo has been busy since his last visit to Wales, recording and playing in jazz festivals and concerts across Europe and in UK, as well as his teaching and masterclasses in Spain. Lineup:
Juan Galiardo – piano/keys
Ruth Bowen – double bass
Phill ‘Redfox’ O’Sullivan – drums
As you can see, it is a great lineup of well-loved and much admired local and international musicians! Juan Galiardo truly is a leading name today and a wonderful jazz pianist – it will be a swinging set!!

We’ll see you there… don’t forget to book your Casa supper – and jazz tickets can be bought online now:  www.breconjazz.org/tickets
Members £10 / £12 Visitors and non-members. All Welcome.

Lynne, Roger, Fiz, Jamie, Ruth, Sylwia, Angus, Rosie and team
Brecon Jazz Club

The 2018 OVO Energy Tour of Britain will begin in South Wales for the first time as Carmarthenshire and Newport host the opening stage of Britain’s national Tour on Sunday 2 September.

It will mark the first time that the race has visited Carmarthenshire with the county set to welcome 120 of the world’s top professional cyclists next September for the start of Britain’s biggest professional cycle race.

The city of Newport last hosted the Tour of Britain in 2004, while the final stage of the 2017 race passed through the city on its way to the overall finish in Cardiff.

Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Lord Elis-Thomas, said: “Hosting the start of this iconic professional race and having an all Welsh stage is fantastic news for Wales.  Since hosting the Tour of Britain for the first time in 2010, the event has established itself in the Welsh sporting calendar with the race visiting various locations across Wales almost every year since – and I’m delighted that the Welsh Government has been able to support the event.

“The Tour of Britain is a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase Wales’ unique and beautiful landscape to the world, as well as highlighting our ability to host a variety of major events. The event gives cycling fans the opportunity to see the world’s best teams and riders competing on their door step and spectators in Wales have always given the cyclists a real warm Welsh welcome and have created a fantastic atmosphere. I hope that people from across south Wales come out to support the cyclists as they travel from Carmarthenshire to Newport on the first day of the race in September.”

More details of Stage One, including the exact Start location in Carmarthenshire, details of the route and where the race will finish in Newport will be announced at the national launch of the 2018 route on Tuesday 5 June.

Councillor Peter Hughes Griffiths, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Executive Board Member for Culture, Sport and Tourism, said: “This is the largest professional road cycling event in the UK and we are proud that organisers have chosen Carmarthenshire as the starting venue for the race.

“As a televised event this is a wonderful opportunity to show our county’s beautiful scenery to the world. No doubt it will also be a massive boost to the local economy with thousands of people involved in the race and turning out to watch.”

Councillor Debbie Wilcox, Leader of Newport City Council, said; “We are very excited to again be involved in the Tour and promise to give competitors the warmest of Newport welcomes as they cross the first finish line in the heart of our city.

“Newport boasts such a diverse landscape which lends itself perfectly to events such as the Tour – from flat, urban routes to challenging climbs and descents through beautiful countryside – we are sure the cyclists, supporters and spectators alike will enjoy the leg and their time in our city.”

Commenting on the announcement, OVO Energy Tour of Britain Race Director Mick Bennett said; “We have been working with our partners at the Welsh Government and Carmarthenshire County Council for some time to put together this plan for the opening stage and visit the area for the first time, and are delighted to be able to confirm plans so spectators can begin to make their plans now for the 2nd September to join us for our opening leg.

“As the home of Welsh Cycling and the Wales National Velodrome it is fitting that the OVO Energy Tour of Britain will finish its opening stage of 2018 in the city and we look forward to working with Newport City Council and their partners to deliver the event.”

Commenting on the announcement Nick Smith, Chairman at Welsh Cycling said: “It is absolutely fantastic news for Wales to play host to the opening of Britain’s biggest international cycling race.

“Beginning the entire race in Carmarthenshire is truly fitting to the county’s commitment to cycling, as they strive to become the cycling hub of Wales following the recent refurbishment of the Carmarthen Velodrome as well as the current construction work on the Pembrey Closed Road Circuit.

“Locals and fans in Wales will not only have the opportunity to cheer on the best cycling talent on their very own door steps as they begin the first stage of the competition in Carmarthenshire; but also congratulate the riders as they cross the finish line at the home of Welsh Cycling at the Wales National Velodrome in Newport.

The OVO Energy Tour of Britain is British Cycling’s premier road cycling event, giving cycling fans the opportunity to see the world’s best teams and riders competing on their door step, taking place between Sunday 2 and Sunday 9 September 2018.

Vimeo video of Councillor Emlyn Dole, Leader of Carmarthenshire Council, talking about the Tour of Britain.

Tour of Britain comes to Carmarthenshire from Cyngor Sir Gâr | Carms Council on Vimeo.

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Scarlets and Wales centre Hadleigh Parkes will make his 100^th regional appearance on Saturday evening in the Guinness PRO14 final.

The Scarlets have reached their second consecutive final in as many seasons at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.

British and Irish Lion fullback Leigh Halfpenny returns from a hamstring injury that saw him miss last weekend’s semi final victory over Glasgow Warriors.

Johnny Mcnicholl, who made a return from injury in time for last weekend’s clash, moves to the wing with Tom Prydie moving to the replacements bench.

With John Barclay unavailable following surgery to a ruptured Achilles tendon Wayne Pivac has made changes to the pack. Tadhg Beirne moves to number eight, partnering James Davies and Aaron Shingler in the back row. Lewis Rawlins comes in to the second row to partner Steve Cummins whilst the front row remains unchanged.

Looking ahead to the Guinness PRO14 final Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac said; “They’re a very good side. We only have to look back to our semi final where we were completely outplayed. They’ve gone on to win the big prize and be crowned Euro champions, and deservedly so.

“To back that up against a good Munster team, not an easy task a week later after celebrations and euphoria of winning it, was to me a testament to how strong that squad is, they’ll be better this weekend with some guys freshened up.

“We’re expecting a massive game. It’s a massive challenge for us but I think it’s a great game, last year’s PRO12 champions up against this year’s European champions. If you want to win it you want to do so against the best.”

Scarlets team to take on Leinster in the Guinness PRO14 final at Aviva Stadium, Dublin, on Saturday 26^th May, kick-off 18:00;

15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Johnny Mcnicholl, 13 Scott Williams, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Steff Evans, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Gareth Davies, 1 Rob Evans, 2 Ken Owens ©, 3 Samson Lee, 4 Lewis Rawlins, 5 Steve Cummins, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 James Davies, 8 Tadhg Beirne

Replacements; Ryan Elias, Wyn Jones, Werner Kruger, David Bulbring, Will Boyde, Jonathan Evans, Dan Jones, Tom Prydie

Leinster v Scarlets, Guinness PRO14 final, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, kick-off 18:00