West Wales concertgoers are preparing for a flag-waving musical extravaganza as the ever-popular Last Night of the Proms gets ready to raise the roof!

The 20^th anniversary Last Night of the Proms on Saturday June 2 at Llanelli’s Ffwrnes Theatre, hosted by the Hywel Girls’ Choir and Hywel Boy Singers will see 200-plus leading singers and musicians unite for the big night of fun and patriotic music including the international broadcast and performance voices of the Hywel Choirs, stars of Britain’s Got Talent Angelicus Celtis, the mighty Pontarddulais Male Choir, the Llanelli Choral Society joined by the acclaimed symphonic sounds of the British Sinfonietta Orchestra, organist Huw Tregelles Williams, pianist Jane Jewell, percussionist Gareth Hamlin – all under the legendary baton of John Hywel Williams.

The historic night will be a rollercoaster of musical favourites from the world of classics, musical theatre and world cinema celebrated in unique style with thousands of flags, balloons and confetti.

Great choruses and classics will include the Hallelujah Chorus, Easter Hymn, Nessun Dorma and a 200-strong rendition of Battle Hymn of the Republic.

Favourites from the world of film will include the rare thrill of live orchestral performances of music from Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark, while highlights from musical theatre will include There’s no Business Like Show Business and a Les Miserables spectacular. 

There will be poignant tributes to the centenary of World War One and a tribute to veterans and Serving personnel of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces with music including Pack Up Your Troubles, Schindler’s List, Abide with Me, Hymn to the Fallen, Sanctus and Benedictus from The Armed Man and a moving The Day Thou Gavest.

The grand finale of the night will be a flag-waving patriotic spectacular with the Dambusters March, Nimrod, Rule Britannia, Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory finished with great fanfares and national anthems with thousands of balloons and flag at hand!

The Proms will be led by legendary conductor John Hywel Williams who this year celebrates a record-breaking 70 years of conducting his internationally acclaimed Hywel Girls’ Choir which has seen over 8000 choristers taught under his baton, over 900 concert performances, 200-plus television and radio broadcasts and 25 international concert tours around the world.

“The 20^th anniversary Last Night of the Proms promises to be yet again an exciting and slightly mad celebration of music”, said conductor John Hywel Williams. “It’s a night where audiences are expected to make more noise and have more fun than the artists! I simply can’t wait!”

Since its inception, the Hywel Choir’s Last Night of the Proms has hosted a wealth of leading choirs, orchestras and military bands including The Central Band of the RAF, The Band of the Welsh Guards and the Band of HM Royal Marines on 5 occasions.

The 2018 Last Night of the Proms starts at 7.00pm on Saturday 2^nd June at Y Ffwrnes. Tickets £20 and remaining tickets can be obtained from 07795 236807 or Ffwrnes Box Office.

2018 is the year in which D Eifion Thomas celebrates 43 years as Musical Director of Cor Meibion Llanelli.

Initially, he served as Accompanist to the Choir from 1965 until 1974 under the direction of founder-conductor Denver Phillips.

As a result of Eifion’s direction, dedication, and committment, the Choir has achieved world-wide fame as one of the United Kingdom’s foremost male choirs.

This has been achieved, partly, as a consequence of winning the Chief Male Choir category at Wales’s National Eisteddfod on five occasions, winning the Richard Burton Trophy at the Annual Miners’ Eisteddfod on four occasions, and achieving first prize at the Cardigan and Pontrhydfendigaid Eisteddfodau on numerous occasions.

But also – again under Eifion’s direction – the Choir has succeeded in spreading the name of Llanelli across the world as a result of successful tours and visits to Canada, the U.S.A., Australia, New Zealand, Austria, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, Scotland and England.

He has had the honour also of conducting the North American Welsh Societies National Gymanfa Ganu on five occasions – Vancouver (1980), Victoria, Canada (1990), Seattle (1994) and San Jose (2001).

Eifion’s expertise in the field of choral performance has been recognised by the National Eisteddfod of Wales by inviting him to be one of three music adjudicators at the 2003 Eisteddfod in Meifod, and the 2011 Eisteddfod in Wrexham.

As a result of his work in the sphere of music in the community, Eifion has been awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship from Rotary International, and was inducted into the highest level of Wales’s Bardic Circle in 2007.

In 1998, Eifion was the guest conductor at the London Welsh Festival of 1000 Male Voices, and was guest soloist at the Festival in 1994, 1996, 2000 and 2002.

In 2000, Eifion was the conductor of the National Eisteddfod Choir when that Festival was held in Llanelli, and the Eisteddfod Choir’s singing under his direction at the Gymanfa Ganu of the anthem “Dyn A Aned O Wraig” still remains as one of the most memorable occasions in the Eisteddfod’s history.

Eifion is a fine tenor soloist in his own right, and has appeared as soloist in performances of Handel’s “Messiah”, Haydn’s “Creation”, and “Mass in Time of War”, Stainer’s “Crucifiction”, Maunder’s “Olivet to Calvary”, Coleridge-Taylor’s “Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast”, and Mendelssohn’s “Elijah” and “Lobegesang”.

The Choir has recorded profusely under Eifion’s direction and appeared on many national network television programmes.

The latest CD produced by the Choir is called “Angel”, and represents a fine cross-section of the current repertoire.

A Gold Disc was awarded to the Choir as a result of record-breaking sales of the Choir’s 1982 disc “Pan Ddaw’r Nos” – which was a ground-breaking compilation of Eifion’s choral arrangements of popular Welsh songs and melodies.

Perhaps one of the most memorable choral experiences was the Choir’s appearance at the Brit Awards in 1993 – sharing the stage with such musical giants as Take That, Elton John, Meatloaf and The Pet Shop Boys.

One of Eifion’s proudest moments was being made an honorary member of Cor Meibion Llanelli’s twin choir in Germany, the 1870 Singverein of Laudenbach.

This was in recognition of his work in developing the friendship between the two choirs over a period of 40 years dating from May 1975.

Just a few, therefore, of the salient points in Eifion’s career during the past 40-plus years, which would not have been achieved without the support of his wife Susanne, and daughter Sophie.

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