THE name of Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir is being kept alive through a new Young Musician of the Year competition.

The choir finished active performing last year after struggling to recruit new members and officials.

But a choir spokesman said this week: “We remain determined to keep the famous name of Côr Meibion Llanelli alive in west Wales – and what better way to do it than to organise a competition to encourage the musicians and singers of the future.

“Down the years, the choir has raised thousands for local charities. We want to continue to play an active part in the local community to keep the name of our historic choir alive.”

The Young Musician of the Year competition will take place at Ysgol y Strade, Llanelli, at 7pm on Friday, June 21.

The competition is open to all pupils from Llanelli secondary schools.

The winner will receive the Trevor Lewis Shield, presented in memory of one of the choir’s most stalwart members.

There is a cash prize of £750 for the winner; £200 for second and £100 for third.

Adjudicators for the event will be Angharad Brinn, Cerith Owens and Meinir Jones Parry.

Pupils are being advised to register for the competition through their schools. If anyone needs further competition information, then they should contact Chris Davies at Ysgol y Strade, email christopher.davies@ysgolystrade.org

Tickets for the competition will be £5 and will be available through the ticketsource websie – www.ticketsource.co.uk/cormeibionllanelli

Some archive photos from Cor Meibion Llanelli

Stalwart Cor Meibion Llanelli Mr Trevor Lewis, who died last year.

It would take a fairly hefty book to summarise the achievements of the choir over a history spanning nearly 60 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 was D Eifion Thomas, who helped the choir grow in stature and strength to become one of the leading male choirs in Britain.

The choir was successful at all the major choral competitions in Wales.

The honours list included 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 recorded seven firsts at the Miners Eisteddfod at Porthcawl, six firsts at Cardigan and three Pontrhydfendigaid “Eisteddfodau”.

The choir was successful in winning the Corwen Choral Competition at its first attempt in 1987.

The Llanelli Male Choir 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.

Cathedrals also featured high on the choir’s touring list – Coventry, Bury St Edmunds, Wells, Brecon, Gloucester, St David’s and Llandaff cathedrals have been concert venues, as well as Westminster Abbey.

The choir travelled extensively throughout the world – Germany, Canada, USA. France, Ireland, Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand.

The choristers raised 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.

In other news, members of Llanelli Youth Theatre are getting warmed up for what is going to be a busy 40^th anniversary year.

LYT will be staging a special 40^th anniversary concert at Ffwrnes Theatre in Llanelli on Saturday, June 1.

Then, in September, LYT will be staging Stephen Sondheim’s Tony award-winning musical Sweeney Todd.

If country music is your scene, then Ffwrnes Theatre in Llanell is the place to be this Saturday.

Direct from The Royal Albert Hall, A Country Night In Nashville recreates the scene of a buzzing Honky Tonk in downtown Nashville, perfectly capturing the energy and atmosphere of an evening in the home of country music.

Prepare to be transported on a musical journey through the history of Country, featuring songs from its biggest stars both past and present.

Hits from Johnny Cash to Alan Jackson, Dolly to the Dixie Chicks, Willie Nelson to Little Big Town, are showcased by the amazing Dominic Halpin and the Hurricanes.

With songs including Ring Of Fire, Crazy, Follow Your Arrow, It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere, Need You Now, 9-5, and The Gambler to name just a few, this incredible celebration of country music is a night not to be missed!

Tickets are £25.50 and it starts at 7.30pm.

More information about Theatrau Sir Gar shows can be found on their website at – https://www.theatrausirgar.co.uk

GIVEN an audience of at least one man and a dog, I can raise my game and my ability to bore people to Olympic levels.

All I require is that someone draws breath and allows me sufficient pause to start rambling on the benefits of walking.

The subject of walking is one I approach with almost missionary zeal.

As the survivor of two heart attacks, my tweaked internal plumbing requires that I follow the British Heart Foundation guidelines of getting at least 10,000 steps a day.

Hitting that daily target now borders on an obsession. Most days, I will chalk up more than 12,000 steps and on big marathon days I will complete more than 25,000.

All of this is recorded on a Fitbit tracker on my wrist and an app on my mobile phone. See, I told you I was obsessive; I need two methods to record my daily walks.

As for planning my day, I follow the advice of the American naturalist and writer Henry David Thoreau, who once declared: “An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.”

Bit by bit, I am trying to complete the Wales Coast Path – in bite-size chunks as opposed to all in one go.

This week, I based myself in Angle in south Pembrokeshire to eat up about 10 miles of the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path.

As walks go, the route was, as you might expect, stunning – and, as a special treat from the Weather Gods, it didn’t rain.

My pal Chris Jones, the S4C weather presenter who we all know as ‘Chris Tywydd’, is doing something similar with the Wales Coast Path. But the podcaster, speaker and all-round good guy has upped the ante for his walks.

Some he does for charity. For other walks, he gives people the chance to stroll with Chris.

For example, he has three Wales Coast Path circular walks coming up next month.

The walks are all free and you can book to join the strolls on the Eventbrite website – https://www.eventbrite.com/o/33272342385

On May 4, Laugharne will be the starting point. May 11 kicks off from Llanelli Train Station. May 25 begins at the Ogmore-by-sea community hall café.

In most cases, Chris organises guest speakers to explain the local geography and history – and he usually manages to serve up some entertainment along the way.

Most of the walks will make sure you chalk up the benchmark 10,000 steps, but if that distance is a big ask for you, then you can always try something a bit more gentle.

At the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Centre in Penclacwydd in Llanelli there are regular Dawn Chorus Wales and monthly Walk with a Warden events.

June will also see a stroll with a difference as award-winning Gower poet Rae Howells plans a wetlands walk coupled with wild poetry writing.

The blurb for the wander explains –

‘Often humans view animals through the lens of their usefulness, but what happens when we inhabit another species’ point of view, and see the world through their eyes? Can we gain a new understanding of the landscape, the web of life, and our human place in it?

‘Using the Wetlands as a resource, you will head outdoors, exploring the unique landscape of the wetlands and encountering some of the many species that call it home. You will choose a species (animal or plant) and the second half of the workshop will be spent indoors, writing a response to your creature or plant.’

You can find out more on the Llanelli Wetlands website – https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/llanelli/whats-on/

Meanwhile, I’ll continue to follow the advice of the Greek physician, who declared, “Walking is man’s best medicine.”

I might also investigate asking the editor to sign off on my expenses – ‘repairs to year-old hiking boots’.

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SOME of you said quiet prayers beforehand. Some of you sent very kind ‘Get Well Soon’ messages after the event.

All kind thoughts were gratefully received as I managed to survive the three-day Glasgow Stag Weekend for my soon-to-be-married son.

As the oldest member of the 20-strong tour party (by at least 30 years in most cases), survival was some achievement – even if I have spent most of this week in ‘recovery mode’.

On the tick list, I played an active part in the tour of Tennent’s Wellpark Brewery – and the visit to the Strathclyde Distillery in the Gorbals district.

Glasgow’s infamous Sub Crawl was, however, a step too far.

The Clockwork Orange metro has 15 stations and 15 selected pubs on a circular route of the city. The younger element on the Stag thought it was a hoot, but most failed to turn up for a cooked breakfast the following day!

I dipped out of the crawl to sample Glasgow’s famous Pizza Crunch – a pizza dipped in chip-shop batter.

It contained enough fat to disable a medium-sized elephant.

Meanwhile, I also tasked myself with spending some of the weekend finding out more about Glasgow’s history.

I was rewarded with a nugget which allowed me to bore my fellow travellers to sleep on the flight home.

It’s a fair bet you didn’t know Glasgow was founded by a Welshman.

Kentigern (Cyndeyrn Garthwys in Welsh) was a sixth century missionary and founder and patron saint of Glasgow.

In some places, he is also known as Saint Mungo. During a busy life, he spent time with Saint David at St Davids in Pembrokeshire and also found time to establish a cathedral in Llanelwy (St Asaph).

Make a note of the above – it could come in handy during your next pub quiz. Never let it be said that Stag Weekends are not educational!

A west Wales charity, which is designed to help mentor talented young musicians, has celebrated its 10^thanniversary in style.

Members of Loud Applause Rising Stars (LARS) took part in a special celebration night hosted by Kevin Johns MBE at The Diplomat Hotel in Llanelli.

Cerith Owens, the chairman of Loud Applause Rising Stars explained how the charity started –

“Ten years ago, it all started with an idea. Through Loud Applause Production concerts, we were able to showcase young, talented musicians. This led to the realisation that a separate organisation was needed to nurture and support these emerging talents.

“It was named Loud Applause Rising Stars. Over time, the name was shortened to LARS to avoid confusion with Loud Applause Productions.

“LARS is a charitable organisation supported by volunteers and patrons who are known as the Friends of LARS.

“To establish LARS and lend it credibility, we assembled a team of respected musicians and experienced professionals.

“Our first meeting was around the kitchen table with Alison Owens, Susan Roberts (now our Vice Chair), Andrew Pike, and myself. We were fired up at the prospect of what could be achieved. Soon after, Catrin Hughes (who has been with us now for nearly 10 years) and Hywel Bassett (our treasurer for eight years) joined us.

“At the beginning, we received numerous inquiries from young singers eager to join LARS, particularly from the Llanelli area.

“Samuel Wyn Morris was the first to be invited into LARS, emerging as one of our greatest ambassadors. Subsequently, we encountered talented individuals from beyond our local area, like Callum Scott-Howells, star of It’s A Sin, The Way and The Beautiful Game.

“To enhance the LARS Team, we appointed Huw Tregelles Williams OBE as our Honorary Patron. Stewart Roberts joined our music team, broadening LARS’s reach to East Wales, while Mark Llewelyn Evans became our Musical Ambassador.

“Key members also included Louise Fleet, who is now the Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan, along with Alun Gibbard, Andrew Windsor, Helen Hansen Williams, Carol Collier, Shirley Sullivan and guest accompanist Sian Davies.

“LARS operates as a voluntary organisation, and the dedication required from team members can be demanding, subject to changing individual circumstances. Despite losing some exceptional team members over the years for various reasons, we must always acknowledge their commitment and hard work for LARS.

“In the past two years, we’ve reinforced the team with new members to infuse fresh perspectives, ideas, and expertise. Welcome additions include Eirwen and Maurice Clarke, Ryan Wood, and Hywel Houghton-Jones.

“Now operating at full strength, our primary focus remains on supporting our Rising Stars Members.

“The evolution of LARS over the past decade reflects a journey marked by steadfast support from team members, Friends of LARS, and dedicated supporters. Many have been with us throughout our 10-year journey, contributing to what LARS has become today.

“We are proud of the fact that we have supported more than 30 young people.

“Looking towards the future, with 15 members currently, most are either in conservatoires or music colleges, or will be attending in the autumn.

“This presents a prime opportunity to welcome new, younger members, ideally around 15 or 16 years old.

“We continue to support our members until they complete their studies, providing mentorship, staging opportunities, and bursaries along the way.

“This funding for bursaries comes from our patrons, external bursary sponsors, as well as gifts and legacies.

“Our celebrations will extend throughout the year, concluding with a third visit to the World War Two Liberation Commemorations in the city of s’Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands, where we will showcase five of our Rising Stars in prestigious concerts and events.

“Our gratitude goes to Lieutenant Colonel David Mathias in his role as the international cultural ambassador for the city’s commemorations and for facilitating our visit there once again.

“The next decade holds the promise of another successful period for LARS.”

You can find out more about Loud Applause Rising Stars on their website at – https://www.loudapplauserisingstars.co.uk

Huw Tregelles Williams was Honorary Patron for 10 years. On his departure, he wisely suggested, it was essential to welcome new blood and someone younger into our fold.

The new LARS Honorary Patron is Trystan Llyr Griffiths, an internationally acclaimed soloist, counted among Wales’s finest young singers.

Enjoying widespread popularity across Wales, regularly appearing on TV, in concerts, opera performances, and as a soloist at the Millennium Stadium before rugby matches, Trystan honed his craft as a student at prestigious institutions such as the Royal Academy of Music and the National Opera Studio in London, and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff.

Among his many accolades, he was named the ‘Voice of Wales’ by Decca Records after a search of more than 600 singers in a series televised by S4C.

He was also one of the first recipients of a Study Award from the Bryn Terfel Foundation, a MOCSA winner and a recipient of the prestigious W Towyn Roberts Scholarship at the National Eisteddfod of Wales.

His self-titled debut album was released on the SAIN label.

Trystan has announced he will be the host at this year’s Night with the Stars Gala concert on October 5 at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli.

This weekend, the busy ladies of the popular Côr Curiad Choir in Llanelli have a special concert coming up right in the heart of the town.

The historic St Elli Parish Church will be the venue for a spring charity concert on Friday, April 19 (7pm).

All proceeds from the concert will go towards church funds.

Tickets are £10 and are available from the email address marianneosborne@cinw.org.uk or by ringing 01554 227427.

Côr Curiad ladies choir has been running for more than 25 years and has 40-plus members. The choir includes mothers, daughters and sisters, as well as ‘pals’. They even have members who live outside of Wales.

The choir’s musical director is Alex Esney.

Down the years, the choir has raised thousands for charities, including Llanelli’s Ty Bryngwyn Hospice and the Wales Air Ambulance.

You can find out more about Côr Curiad on their Facebook page at – https://www.facebook.com/Corcuriad

Meanwhile, members of Llanelli Youth Theatre are getting warmed up for what is going to be a busy 40^th anniversary year.

LYT will be staging a special 40^th anniversary concert at Ffwrnes Theatre in Llanelli on Saturday, June 1.

Then, in September, LYT will be staging Stephen Sondheim’s Tony award-winning musical Sweeney Todd.

On April 20, Tony Toes Ballet will bring their Movie and Musicals show to Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli.

Tiny Toes Ballet take you on a journey of imagination, exploration, fun and dance as their young dancers perform classic hits from your favourite movies and musicals. You’ll leave the theatre smiling from ear to ear.

Tickets are £12.

More information about Theatrau Sir Gar shows can be found on their website at – https://www.theatrausirgar.co.uk

THE Welsh word ‘Cawr’ (meaning giant) was invented for people like David Gravell, a businessman who stood like a colossus over the motor industry in Wales.

His passing this month will be felt by all those who shared his passion for the Welsh language and Welsh culture. The pain will be felt most sharply in his home town of Kidwelly, a place synonymous with the name Gravells, the motor dealership where David was chairman.

It is an impossible task to fit all of David’s achievements into one column. I was glad to call him a friend and an evening in his company was always an education – and always amusing.

In 2018, he was honoured with a British Empire Medal for his charity, sport and education work.

He was presented with the award by HM Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed Sara Edwards at a ceremony in Parc Myrddin, Carmarthen, with his sons Ian and Jonathan in attendance.

He was a founder member of Cefn Sidan Rotary Club (now Pembrey and Burry Port Rotary) in 1971 and was awarded a Rotary Citation in 2004 for raising £200,000. He held Rotary’s Highest Award, the Paul Harris Triple Sapphire Award.

The list of charities he supported is too lengthy to record here, but he was always keen to help Diabetes UK in memory of his late cousin Ray Gravell, the British Lions, Wales and Llanelli star who became a celebrated broadcaster.

In 2007, when Ray was honoured with the nearest thing we will ever get to a state funeral in Wales, it was David who rang around every Renault dealership in the UK to make sure the funeral procession contained a fleet of matching grey vehicles.

He loved male voice singing. He was a Past President of Cor Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir and Dyffryn Tywi Male Voice Choir. He also supported Morriston Orpheus. Once, when Gravells sponsored a concert in Llanelli, we shared a private joke when he challenged me to name as many Renault cars as possible during my compere stint. I think I got away with six, by cheating and talking about a singer called Megan.

In 2015, David was inducted into the Gorsedd order of the Blue Robe at the Royal National Eisteddfod in Meifod. The Eisteddfod citation read for ‘Services to the Community’.

David had joined the Gravells business in 1959 at the age of 18, having left Llandovery College after what he always admitted was a ‘poor end of term report.’

David was proud of his chapel up­bringing and his seat as an elder in Morfa Chapel in Kidwelly.

His public service included a 20-year stint as financial trustee of Llandovery College and a role in the building of the Princess Gwenllian Centre in Kidwelly, which opened in May 2001.

Today, the Gravells brand remains an integral part of the community in Kidwelly, creating employment opportunities at the group’s headquarters and operating further afield in Bridgend, Swansea and Narberth.

Gravells remains one of the largest private companies in Carmarthenshire, with a Welsh language motto of ‘Ni Yma o Hyd”.

David passed away peacefully on April 2 at Towy Castle Care Home, aged 82.

David’s wife Indeg died in 2016, just shy of the couple’s 50^th wedding anniversary. David leaves daughter Jayne and sons Ian and Jonathan and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

David Gravell’s funeral is on Wednesday, April 17. Public service at Morfa Chapel, Kidwelly, at 11am followed by a service at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth, at 1.45pm.

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IF you have time this weekend, then say a prayer for me; I might need help.

As you read this, I will be en-route to Glasgow for a Stag weekend with a group of more than 20 thirty-somethings.

The guest of honour is my son, who is getting married in June. As you might guess, I will be the oldest member of the tour party.

Having been declared fit to attend, I travel with a full box of medication and with the determination to approach the task in the manner of a Grand National contender running on heavy ground – s-l-o-w-l-y.

It is comforting to note that most members of the Stag party are, like my son, medical people, so I am in good hands.

My son has (helpfully) provided a full list of the runners for the Stag Weekend and the odds on their reaching the finish line. Apparently, I am attracting some attention as a 75-1 each-way bet.

The itinerary (the whole thing has been planned like a military operation) includes a tour of Tennent’s Wellpark Brewery and the Strathclyde Distillery in the Gorbals district.

There will be a helpful break from the alcohol with some golf before a trip to a trip to a German beer hall and a famous pub called Waxy O’Connors.

The main event on Saturday sees a Sub Crawl. Imagine the old Mumbles Mile (does anyone still do that, by the way?) with the added twist of a journey around an underground subway metro.

The Clockwork Orange metro offers up the chance of taking in 15 stations and 15 pubs on a circular route of the third oldest underground in the world.

Along the way, I’m told we may sample Pizza Crunch (don’t ask!).

Wish me luck. If I survive, I will return to tell the tale next week.

BURRY Port tenor Osian Wyn Bowen has revealed his plans for what should be a very busy 2024-25 season.

His list of concert appearances will include a special return to ‘home turf’ when he joins Llanelli Chamber Choir for a performance of Haydn’s Creation in the autumn.

Osian said: “In a month’s time I return to Welsh National Opera to revive my role as the ‘Venditore di Canzonetta’ in Il Tabarro (Il Tabarro, The Cloak, is an opera in one act by Giacomo Puccini).

“I’m really excited to return to this production and be a part of this special show!

“This weekend, I join Côr Bro Ogwr (Bridgend) as the tenor soloist in their performance of Haydn’s Nelson Mass at Porthcawl. It’s always great to work with a new society and perform new repertoire.

“Later this month, I make my debut at the Royal Albert Hall in London, where I’ll sing at the Festival of Massed Male Voice Choirs as one of their soloists. It is somewhere I’ve wanted to sing at for many years!

“Then, later this year I’ll return to Opera North to cover the role of ‘Tamino’ in their production of The Magic Flute. I very much look forward to this as the role has been one I’ve been wanting to add to my repertoire for some time.

“In September, I join Llanelli Chamber Choir for the first time in their Performance of Haydn’s Creation. It’s been almost six years since I last sang the role of ‘Uriel’ in The Creation, so it’s lovely to be able to sing the part once again, this time on home turf!

“Finally, into 2025. I’m pleased to announce that whilst I’ll be covering the role at Opera North, next March I will sing the role of ‘Tamino’ in their reduced production of ‘The Magic Flute Lite’.

“With the remainder of this year and the start 2025 looking great, I very much look forward to what else the future holds!”

Osian Wyn Bowen

Osian is a graduate of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama Opera School, where he studied under the tutelage of renowned vocal coach John Fisher and Adrian Thompson.

He made his operatic debut singing the role of Jaquino Fidelio, for Welsh National Opera in their 2019 Freedom series.

Following this, Osian has gone on to work regularly across the UK.

Recent engagements include – Don Ottavio (cover) Don Giovanni (Welsh National Opera), Tenor Opera Highlights Tour, Ensemble Joesfine, Sir Bailey Barre Utopia Ltd, Francesco The Gondoliers, Ferrando (cover) Cosi Fan Tutte (Scottish Opera), Marschellin’s Hausofmeister & Ein Tierhändler Der Rosenkavalier, Ferrando Cosi Fan Tutte (Garsington Opera), Adolfo & Prunier (cover) La Rondine (West Green House), Ferrando Cosi Fan Tutte (St.Barts Chamber Orchestra), Title Role Albert Herring, Count Almaviva Il barbiere di Siviglia, Ferrando Cosi Fan Tutte, Don Ottavio Don Giovanni, Marco The Gondoliers, Gonzalve L’heure Espagnole (RWCMD).

In addition to Opera, Osian is also in demand as a concert soloist. His repertoire includes – Handel’s Messiah & O Praise the Lord with One Consent, Mass in C by Beethoven, Mozart’s Requiem, Sparrow Mass and Vesparae Solennes de Confessore, Haydn’s Creation, Saint Seans’ Christmas Oratorio, Mass in D by Smythe, Jenkins’ The Armed Man and a world premiere of Spring Offensive by Dr Edward-Rhys Harry.

In addition to concerts, Osian is a regular performer on TV. Osian recently sang the role of Francesco in Scottish Opera’s television broadcast of The Gondoliers on BBC4.

Other recent recordings include the Commemoration of the Battle of Passchendaele 100 (Recorded Live from Passchendaele) and Songs of Praise BBC, Cystadleaeth Cantorion Ifanc Cymru 2020 & 2022, Cyngerdd y 10 Tenor, Les Mis – Y Daith, Noson Lawen & Heno S4C.

Osian has also recorded as a soloist on the album Chasing Shadows singing ‘Gweddi’r Arglwydd’.

Prizes and awards include the 2019 MOCSA Young Welsh Singer of the Year Winner, 2018 Geraint Morris Memorial Award, Mansel Thomas Memorial Award for Music, The Manning Singing Prize for Tenors, Aileen Price Award, D Afan Thomas Award, 2020 & 2022 Welsh Singers Showcase Finalist and 2019 Ian Stoutzker Prize Finalist.

Next weekend, the busy ladies of the popular Côr Curiad Choir in Llanelli have a special concert coming up right in the heart of the town.

The historic St Elli Parish Church will be the venue for a spring charity concert on Friday, April 19 (7pm).

All proceeds from the concert will go towards church funds.

Tickets are £10 and are available from the email address marianneosborne@cinw.org.uk or by ringing 01554 227427.

Côr Curiad ladies choir has been running for more than 25 years and has 40-plus members. The choir includes mothers, daughters and sisters, as well as ‘pals’. They even have members who live outside of Wales.

The choir’s musical director is Alex Esney.

Down the years, the choir has raised thousands for charities, including Llanelli’s Ty Bryngwyn Hospice and the Wales Air Ambulance.

You can find out more about Côr Curiad on their Facebook page at – https://www.facebook.com/Corcuriad

Meanwhile, members of Llanelli Youth Theatre are getting warmed up for what is going to be a busy 40^th anniversary year.

LYT will be staging a special 40^th anniversary concert at Ffwrnes Theatre in Llanelli on Saturday, June 1.

Then, in September, LYT will be staging Stephen Sondheim’s Tony award-winning musical Sweeney Todd.

On April 20, Tony Toes Ballet will bring their Movie and Musicals show to Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli.

Tiny Toes Ballet take you on a journey of imagination, exploration, fun and dance as their young dancers perform classic hits from your favourite movies and musicals. You’ll leave the theatre smiling from ear to ear.

Tickets are £12.

More information about Theatrau Sir Gar shows can be found on their website at – https://www.theatrausirgar.co.uk

“TRY and steer clear of religion and politics,” was the advice of my editor when he recklessly gifted me this weekly column.

For the most part, I have tried to heed his wise words, but the influence of Easter can be blamed for straying into religious matters – and I am sure the editor will be in a forgiving mood.

Saturday morning found me having a cup of coffee with the Rt Rev Dorrien Davies, the 130th Bishop of St Davids, but that is a story for another day . . .

For, my focus today is on a famous name from Swansea’s past, the late Rev Leon Atkin, a man once described as the city’s ‘rebel priest’, who is still remembered with great affection.

I never met Leon, but I was pals with his son, Con Atkin (now, sadly departed), the much-respected, pinstripe-suited, cigar-smoking editor of the old Herald of Wales weekly newspaper.

Leon’s place in Swansea’s history is secure –

• The October,1953, photo of Leon and his pal Dylan Thomas is the last picture of the poet taken in Swansea, before his final, fateful, trip to America.
• And, in 1934, Leon famously led the protests at a rally staged by English Fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley at the Plaza Cinema. Mosley and his Blackshirts were run out of town (Swansea wasn’t a city back then!).

The Rev Leon Atkin’s colourful life is worthy of a book (forgive me if there is one out there that I have failed to find).

The memories of his time in Swansea are so strong that there is something of a campaign brewing to honour him with a statue or blue plaque.

Kath Smith started the debate on the excellent Swansea Past and Present Facebook page (check it out; it’s excellent).

She wrote: ‘Who remembers the legend that was the Rev Leon Atkin? Another local person who helped make Swansea great. In many respects, he seemed like a Marxist Methodist, totally on the side of the homeless and dispossessed.

‘I never saw him without his beret as he went around the pubs collecting for charity. He opened St Paul’s Crypt as a night shelter. I feel he should have a memorial statue . . . either that, or Swansea people should have a Leon Day, donate to the homeless and proudly wear a beret!’

The Dictionary of Welsh Biography has an excellent essay by D Ben Rees on ‘Atkin, Leon (1902-1976), minister of the Social Gospel and a campaigner for the underclass in south Wales’.

Born in Lincolnshire on July 26, 1902, Leon was one of seven children. The family lived next door to the Methodist chapel. Though they were Anglicans, Leon attended activities next door and became a Methodist.

After serving an apprenticeship as an engineer, Leon was accepted as a student for the ministry and received his training at the Methodist College in Handsworth, Birmingham.

His subsequent career was colourful and unconventional, to say the least.

In 1932, he decided on a move to Swansea. St Paul’s only had 12 members and a debt of £2,000 at the time of his arrival.

He began his open-air ministry by holding meetings in a place called the Forum. His congregation grew at St Paul’s from 10 to 200 on Sunday nights in the winter and to 500 in the summer.

Atkin went on to be a councillor on Swansea Borough Council and developed his ministry among needy people.

His care for the disadvantaged and the ‘down and outs’ was featured widely in the Press, including the News of the World.

In the bitter winter of 1947, his chapel became a refuge for dozens of men who would otherwise have perished. Every Friday, Leon visited the public houses of Swansea to collect money to help poor children.

The essay by D Ben Rees concludes: ‘Atkin could not be content within any movement or organisation. He was a maverick, an extreme individualist who missed few opportunities to taunt the Nonconformists and the Labourites.’

A remarkable guy, no doubt. Anyone care to join a campaign for a blue plaque?

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IT is a fact of modern life that recent years have seen an erosion of the importance of Easter as a religious holiday.

True, some supermarkets shut up shop on Easter Sunday, but most people – and sporting and cultural events – pay little respect to the significance of Easter.

At Lloyd HQ, Good Friday is generally a peaceful, family day . . . so, imagine my surprise, then, to have a charity canvasser ringing my bell and rattling my doorknocker at 11am.

The canvasser, from Make-A-Wish UK, seemed baffled when I pointed out that it was Good Friday and probably not to the best day to be disturbing people at home.

“Baffled’ is diplomatic description – as the young lad, dressed in full charity livery with ID card, laughed in my face and said he didn’t understand what Good Friday was about.

The conversation which followed was short and sweet, but I sent him on his way.

The visit did rattle my cage and I felt obliged to pen an email to Make-A-Wish UK.

To be fair, one of their ‘experience executives’ responded quickly –

‘It is never our intention to cause any distress, especially on a day of religious significance like Good Friday.

‘We will address it with our team to ensure that such incidents are avoided in the future. We understand and respect the importance of religious observances, and we apologise for any insensitivity displayed by our representative.

‘Once again, please accept our sincere apologies for any offense (sic) caused.’

I replied, ‘Apology accepted’. Enough said. Let’s move on.

Photos: Leon Atkin and Dylan Thomas is from the Evening Post, October 1953.

Other Leon Atkin photos are credited to the National Library of Wales.