The countdown is on to two big concerts being staged in Carmarthenshire in October.

The annual Gala Concert of Loud Applause Productions will be at Llanelli’s Ffwrnes Theatre on Saturday, October 12 (7pm).

And the Royal British Legion Charity Gala Concert will be at Carmarthen’s Lyric Theatre on Saturday, October 19 (7pm).

Both events are being coordinated by Llanelli-based impresario Cerith Owens.

The first event is billed as A Night With The Stars.

Sharing the stage with the Loud Applause Rising Stars (LARS) singers will be Samantha Thomas, who has been busy in London’s West End starring in Wicked.

Also taking part will be the very popular Kenfig Hill and District Male Voice Choir, a group from of young students from the Royal Welsh Music and Drama in Cardiff, called ‘Melodynamic’ and fronted by LARS member Callum Howells, and Halfway Primary School Choir.

Hosting the concert for the first time will be Samuel Wyn-Morris. Supporting accompanists to the LARS singers will be Catrin Hughes and Andrew Pike.

The Royal British Legion Charity Gala Concert the following weekend will feature a terrific line-up, with an emphasis on local talent.

The mighty sound of a 100-strong male choir, under the baton of the renowned maestro Dr Alwyn Humphries, will ‘raise the roof’ of the Lyric.

Four of Carmarthenshire’s famous male voice choirs will share the stage – Côr Meibion Caerfyrddin, Côr Meibion Dyffryn Tywi, Côr Meibion Mynydd Mawr and Côr Meibion Porth Tywyn.

The guest accompanist will be Caradog Williams.

Also on stage will be Côr Persain, the popular ladies choir based in Carmarthenshire.

Guest soloists will be young tenor Osian Bowen, Forces Sweetheart Kirsten Orsborn and Lauren Fisher, one of the young singers of LARS (Loud Applause Rising Stars).

The evening will end with the
Tribute to the Fallen with stirring sounds from the 215 (City of Swansea) Squadron Corps of Drums and the Service of Remembrance.

This special evening will be hosted by Brian Sullivan and produced by Loud Applause Productions for the Royal British Legion.

The members of the Hospital Notes Choir, based in Llanelli, are getting ready for a big concert next month.

Hospital Notes will be joined by Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir for ‘The Greatest Show’ on Friday, September 6 (7.30pm) at The Diplomat Hotel, Llanelli.

You can expect plenty of excerpts from the hit film musical The Greatest Showman.

It’s been quite a year for the Hospital Notes choir as they were featured as the Choir of the Week on the popular Roy Noble radio programme on Radio Wales earlier this year.

The Hospital Notes Choir was founded last year to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the National Health Service.

The initial aim of the choir was to bring together colleagues from the hospital and community sectors, past and present, to celebrate the anniversary of the NHS.

Under the talented leadership and direction of musical directors Andrew Harries and Stacey Harris, the choir rehearses at Prince Philip Hospital.

On the same night (September 6), there will be a Cyngerdd Mawreddog (Grand Concert) in Neuadd Sant Iago (St James’ Hall) in Cwmann, Lampeter (7pm).

The concert will feature soloists Ellen Williams, Cardiff, and Kees Huysmans, Lampeter.

It will also feature Plant Ysgol Carreg Hirfaen and Côr Meibion Cwmann a’r Cylch.

The president for the evening will be Twynog Davies, of Pentre-Bach. Tickets are £8.

It’s a busy August at St Peter’s Church in Carmarthen.

Today (Wednesday, August 7 at 1pm) sees the accomplished organist Carl Grainger performing at the church.

Carl is well known as an organ recitalist and has performed widely throughout the England and Wales.

On Wednesday, August 14, the Wales Clarsach (Harp) Society will be performing at Carmarthen’s St Peter’s Church (1pm).

Wednesday, August 21 (1pm) sees classical guitarist Duncan Leigh perform at St Peter’s.

Duncan is a classical guitarist, composer and teacher based in Swansea.

He performs the Renaissance and Baroque era music of Scarlatti and Handel, the Classical and Romantic compositions of Sor and Giuliani, traditional Spanish and Latin American guitar music (e.g. Tarrega and Villa-Lobos), up to modern day pop tune arrangements and his own original compositions.

The summer concert season at St Peter’s will finish on Wednesday, August 28 (1pm), with the organist Meirion Wynn Jones.

In other news, tickets have been released for the popular Loud Applause Rising Stars (LARS) afternoon concert at The Orangery in Margam.

It takes place at 3pm on Sunday, September 1, at The Orangery.

The concert will feature LARS singers, the group Melodynamic from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (which includes Callum Howells), Crescendo Youth Choir from Kenfig Hill and host Huw Tregelles Williams.

Sensational Welsh brother duo Richard and Adam Johnson return to Carmarthenshire on October 20 (7.30pm) after wowing the nation with their extraordinary harmonies on Britain’s Got Talent.

Having performed to more than 14 million people around the world, they return for their much-anticipated UK Tour.

Their success on Britain’s Got Talent was followed by their debut album ‘The Impossible Dream’, which sold more than one million copies. The album shot straight to the No.1 spot for four consecutive weeks, making it the UK’s longest-running No.1 album of the year. Their success continued with their next three albums, which reached top 10 positions in the UK, and each one was No.1 in the Classical Charts.

Richard and Adam are now on their The Greatest Songmen tour – a night of world-class music, including A Million Dreams, Volare and The Impossible Dream, performed by the duo with flawless technique and robust clarity.

Welsh brothers Richard and Adam first burst onto the nation’s TV screens on Britain’s Got Talent, making it to the final in 2013 performing their classical crossover version of The Impossible Dream. The show established them as two of the greatest vocalists singing opera in this country.

​They credit their “Nan” as being their biggest influence. When they were young, she played music by Caruso, Mario Lanza and The Three Tenors and she encouraged them to sing along, building their confidence and encouraging them to follow an opera career.

Finally, the choristers from Llandyfaelog-based Côr Meibion Dyffryn Tywi are getting ready for their annual concert.

It will be at the Princess Gwenllian Centre in Kidwelly on Saturday, October 12, 7pm. The choir will be joined by Gwendraeth Valley’s Côr Meibion Mynydd Mawr. The evening will also feature special guests Pantel and Trio.

Trio are a male vocal group from Snowdonia – formed by renowned pianist/accompanist Annette Bryn Parri in 2012.

The group gave its first public performance at Galeru Caernarfon in June 2013.

• If you have news about the choral or concert scene in Llanelli, email robert.lloyd01@walesonline.co.uk or rlloydpr@btinternet.com

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The team at Jenkins Bakery are helping Llanelli Cricket Club by sponsoring the shirts for junior teams. Russell Jenkins, operations director at Jenkins Bakery, said: “We like to help community groups and sporting organisations where we can. In particular, we like to see youngsters taking part in sporting activities. “We were delighted to add to our name to the shirts for Llanelli Cricket Club’s junior section.” The shirts were officially presented at a special event at the club’s Stradey Park ground.

The picture above features a selection of the juniors from under 9 to under 15. The picture below features Vaughan Thomas, club chairman, receiving the shirts from Mr Russell Jenkins of the Jenkins Bakery.

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Match Report – Cinderford Town v Carmarthen Town (3 August 2019)

Cinderford Town (0)  Carmarthen Town (1)

Carmarthen concluded their pre-season programme with a visit to Cinderford Townwho operatein the Southern League Division One South (the fourth tier) of the English Non-League Football pyramid – and after a keenly contested match the Old Gold secured a narrow victory thanks to a smartly-taken goal from Luke Bowen.

The opening stages of this game were fairly uneventful with the play largely confined to unproductive midfield exchanges and neither defence was subjected to any noticeable pressure – yet with players on both sides enthusiastically showing a refreshing commitment to this contest, there was certainly a welcome competitive ‘edge’ to enliven these proceedings.

It was not until the 18^thminute that the first scoring opportunity arose when Lewis Harling won a free-kick just outside the penalty area –  however while Chris Jones neatly drove the ball around the defensive ‘wall’, he saw it fly narrowly past the far post.

Cinderford eventually went close to taking the lead on 28 minutes when Logan Bowkett struck a free-kick into the packed goalmouth where Ethan Moore connected with a close-range shot that ‘keeper Lee Idzi, with a smart reaction save, claimed at the foot of the post.

Yet moments later the Old Gold took the lead.  Josh Bull sprinted forward along the left flank then from near the corner flag he fired an inviting cross into the goalmouth where Bowen arrived with perfect timing and cleverly diverted the ball beyond the reach of ‘keeper Andy Hannah and into the far corner of the net.

At last the game had become more open with both sides showing welcome attacking flair.

After 38 minutes Lee Surman, from deep inside his own half, launched a huge clearance upfield which Bull eagerly chased to the corner of the penalty area before dispatching a rasping strike that flew across the face of the goal but went just outside the post.

Then on 41 minutes Bull, continuing his impressive pre-season form, produced a delightful back-heel that set Bowen racing free along the left-wing – the experienced striker, from the wide edge of the penalty area, then struck a fine shot that slid narrowly beyond the far post.

After the interval Carmarthen produced an early chance in the 53^rdminute when Harling received the ball from Greg Walters’ quick throw-in then released a stunning 30 yard drive that substitute ‘keeper Jordan Dibble turned aside with a superb flying save.

On 64 minutes Jones won the ball off a defender then played it forward to Bull who from just inside the penalty area instantly fired a crisp shot that went marginally wide of the post.

Even though the hosts were enjoying their fair share of possession during that period they failed to create any notable scoring chances, often due to wayward passing/crossing or indecision at critical moments.

But in the 77^thminute they eventually broke through the visitors’ defence – Moore chased after a fine through-ball into the penalty area only to be denied by Idzi who sprinted quickly out of his goal and bravely claimed the ball at the striker’s feet.

Then shortly afterwards Josh Hunt produced a spectacular long-range drive that drew an equally impressive full-length save from Idzi.

Yet the Old Gold again went close in the later stages of this match.  On 82 minutes Declan Carroll raced forward to the edge of the penalty area before releasing a crisp strike that went just wide of the post.  Then moments later Ceri Morgan enjoyed a smart interchange of passes with Carroll before he fired a close-range shot that Dibble superbly turned aside.

So Carmarthen’s pre-season campaign, while having begun with a disappointing display against Haverfordwest, soon progressed satisfactorily with particularly impressive performances against Swansea City U23s (in terms of the quality of the football they played against skilful, well-drilled opponents) and Llanelli (in terms of the clinical fashion in which they created and scored goals, albeit against weaker opposition).

Town’s next fixture is on Saturday 10^thAugust at Richmond Park (k/o 2.30pm) when they entertain Cymru South side Cwmamman United in the Nathanial MG Cup (Round 2).

Team:

Lee Idzi;  Greg Walters;  Dave Vincent (sub Jordan Vickers 63);  Lee Surman;  Jordan Knott; Chris Jones;  Ceri Morgan;  Lewis Harling;  Jay Woodford (sub Declan Carroll 73);  Luke Bowen (sub Gwion Howell 75);  Josh Bull;

Goal:  Luke Bowen (27).

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Interview with Paolo Piana for the Llanelli Talking Newspaper for the Blind.

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The popular Jenkins Bakery has been recognised as the top Craft Bakery Business of the Year in Wales.

The bakery, based in Llanelli, but with branches throughout south Wales, now goes forward to the prestigious British Bakery Industry Awards (BIA) to battle it out against six other bakeries from all four corners of the UK.

“It’s a massive achievement,” said Jenkins Bakery operations director Russell Jenkins.

“It’s a testament to the quality of work produced day-in-day-out by our team of quality craft bakers and the staff who work in our many shops across south Wales.”

“We are very proud of our staff here at the Jenkins Bakery – many of whom have been with us for more than 10 years.

“The Bakery Industry Awards are recognised as the Oscars of the business in the UK and we are very proud to have secured the regional Wales award.

“We now come to the even more exciting part of moving forward to compete against other bakeries from England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.”

The Baking Industry’s glittering awards recognise stand-out businesses and products across 11 categories

The awards evening is recognised as an event to acknowledge the skills, creativity and business acumen of the thriving UK baking sector.

The awards evening will be hosted by former Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts in the glamorous surroundings of The Royal Lancaster Hotel, London, on Wednesday, September 4.

David Jenkins, the firm’s company secretary and commercial director, said: “This is yet another milestone achievement for us as we head towards our 100^thanniversary year.

“This year marks 98 years of trading,” said Mr Jenkins.

“There aren’t many businesses that can boast 98 years of operation – and there aren’t many that can still hold to their family roots.

“The Jenkins brand is firmly established in west Wales and beyond and we are looking forward to celebrating our centenary in two years’ time.

“We always strive to produce quality products for our customers and we are grateful for their continued support. We are a real family business and we have a wonderful relationship with our customers, suppliers and supporters.”

Previous awards collected by the Jenkins Bakery include ‘The Most Loved Bakery in Wales’.

And, in 2013, the business won a South Wales Evening Post / Swansea Bay Business Life magazine Business of the Month award and the Llanelli Star Ambassador of the Year award.

The Jenkins Bakery employs more than 300 people, full and part-time, across 30 different stores in South Wales.

The company has the Investors in People award.

The business employs 70 people at its Trostre HQ, while the Jenkins shop network stretches from Carmarthen to Bridgend.

There are a total of 14 shops in Carmarthenshire and even one as far afield as Powys.

The Jenkins family business was established by Mr David and Mrs Elizabeth (Lizzie) Jenkins in New Dock Road Llanelli in 1921.

Lizzie was a grand cook and “The Unique Café” (as it was known) quickly gained a reputation for producing freshly baked quality products.

The business witnessed some very difficult times over the years, including the Great Depression, World War Two, rationing and the recessions of the post-war years.

But the business has always taken pride in maintaining the standards of producing freshly baked goods.

High standards were the foundations on which the business was laid.

This meant there was a loyal customer base for the Jenkins shops in Llanelli.

The company slogan at this time was “Every bite – pure delight”.

The third generation of the Jenkins family, David and Russell, are now carrying on the family traditions.

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Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir believe in planning ahead.

They have started arranging a trip to Germany next year.

The choristers have scheduled a visit to their ‘twin choir’ in Laudenbach, Germany, at the end of May and the beginning of June.

The German choir is Singverein 1870 and, as the name suggests, they have a rich history dating back to the 19th century.

“They are a little bit older than us,” choir secretary Fred Elias said with a smile.

“We have only been going 55 years, since 1964!”

Mr Elias added: “The two choirs signed a formal partnership agreement back in 1979 and we have paid previous visits to Germany – and they have come to perform here in Wales.

“In 1996, we helped arrange a very special occasion for Singverein 1870 by making sure they were invited to sing at the Royal Welsh Festival of Male Choirs in the Royal Albert Hall.

“The friendships and the bonds between the two choirs are very special, so we are looking forward with great enthusiasm to touring Germany next year.”

There is now a new team in charge of music at Côr Meibion Llanelli.

Côr Curiad conductor Alex Esney has taken on the baton of musical director.

Jane Jewell, already widely known throughout south Wales as an accomplished pianist, is the accompanist.

And the team is strengthened further by the addition of Stephen Hopkins, from the Llanelli Citadel Salvation Army, as deputy conductor.

Stephen sent in his biography to help On Song readers get to know him better . . .

He explained : “I was born in
Llanelli and have lived here all my life. Married to Janine for 30 years and have three children and one granddaughter.

“I learned to read music at 16 years of age and started to play a brass instrument and sing the choir at
Llanelli Citadel Salvation Army.

“At 21, I became leader of the youth band and Deputy Bandmaster of the Llanelli Citadel Salvation Army Corps Band, progressing to the position of Bandmaster for a 10 year period.

“I also conducted Llanelli Salvation Army Songsters (mixed choir) for seven years.

“I have sung with local choirs such as Cor Glandulais and have performed a number of times in venues such The Royal Albert Hall, Birmingham Symphony Hall and Colston Hall Bristol.

“Since 2017, I have also been part of Ammanford Town Silver Band, playing in the Trombone section and the Bass (Tuba) section and on occasions conducting the band.

“Music has always been a major part of my life and I gain great pleasure and enjoyment from it.

“I am employed in the office of a small local company that supplies dairy products to residential homes and day centres in Carmarthenshire, Swansea, Neath/Port Talbot, Bridgend and school milk to children at more than 400 schools in those four counties.”

In other news, here is another date for your diary –

There will be a Cyngerdd Mawreddog (Grand Concert) in Neuadd Sant Iago (St James’ Hall) in Cwmann, Lampeter, on Friday, September 6 (7pm).

The concert will feature soloists Ellen Williams, Cardiff, and Kees Huysmans, Lampeter.

It will also feature Plant Ysgol Carreg Hirfaen and Côr Meibion Cwmann a’r Cylch.

The president for the evening will be Twynog Davies, of Pentre-Bach. Tickets are £8.

Bass baritone Kees Huysmans is something of a folk hero in west Wales.

Kees moved to rural Wales from Holland in the 1980s.

He insisted on learning Welsh and embraced all the Welsh traditions that surrounded him, and he was advised to join a local choir to help him learn Welsh.

During this time he found his singing voice and was introduced to the world of the Eisteddfod.

His interest peaked when he won the Blue Ribbon at the National Eisteddfod in Abergavenny in 2016.

He turned to his business career through necessity and turned to the treats of his native country – waffles.

The business called Tregroes Waffles has been an amazing success and has taken the name of the village Tregroes throughout Europe.

Kees has also published his autobiography – and it’s a good read!

Soprano Ellen Williams completed her studies in opera in 2017 at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD) where she studied with Suzanne Murphy and Michael Pollock.

Ellen has been praised for her “poise and promise, her voice agile with silvery charm” (The Guardian), and has been described as singing “with heart-piercing sweetness” in The Times. Ellen has given performances in Cadogan Hall, Royal Concert Hall Glasgow, Bridgewater Hall, the Wales Millennium Centre and St. David’s Hall, where she was a finalist in the Welsh Singers Showcase 2018 and performed with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales conducted by Gareth Jones.

During her studies at the RWCMD, Ellen was awarded the Aneurin Davies Memorial Prize and the Elias Soprano Prize and was fortunate to sing the role of Nannetta (Falstaff) conducted by Carlo Rizzi, Barbarina and cover Susanna (Le Nozze di Figaro), Emmie (Albert Herring), and Cinderella in Massenet’s Cendrillon.

Ellen was delighted to perform Baroque favourites with Rachel Podger in the Dora Stoutzker Hall, as well as scenes as Sophie (Der Rosenkavalier) and Lakmé with the Welsh National Opera Orchestra under the baton of Simon Phillippo.

In 2016, Ellen was honoured to perform the final fugue in Verdi’s Falstaff as Nannetta in a celebratory concert for the RWCMD to HRH the Prince of Wales at in Buckingham Palace.

Ellen is also an alumna of Tibor Varga Music Academy in Switzerland, Dartington International Summer School, and COSI Opera Festival in Italy, gratefully supported by the Arts Council of Wales and the Elizabeth Evans Trust.

Festival performances include recitals at Fishguard International Music Festival, Bangor Music Festival, Cowbridge Music Festival, and the Royal British Legion Wales Festival of Remembrance, and concert works include Handel’s Messiah in St. David’s Hall, Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana in Gloucester Cathedral, conducted by Adrian Partington, Bach’s Magnificat, and Christmas Oratorio in Llandaff Cathedral.

Ellen has won numerous awards at the National Eisteddfod of Wales including an Eirwen Griffiths Jones Scholarship and a Violet Mary Lewis Memorial Scholarship, has been a finalist in the W Towyn Roberts Scholarship competition and in the Llangollen International Voice of the Future competition. She appears regularly on Welsh TV and radio with highlights including appearing as a soloist in the British premiere of The Bards of Wales conducted by Karl Jenkins.

The choristers from Llandyfaelog-based Côr Meibion Dyffryn Tywi are getting ready for their annual concert. It will be at the Princess Gwenllian Centre in Kidwelly on Saturday, October 12, 7pm. The choir will be joined by Gwendraeth Valley’s Côr Meibion Mynydd Mawr.

The members of the Hospital Notes Choir, based in Llanelli, are getting ready for a big concert in September. Hospital Notes will be joined by Cor Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir for ‘The Greatest Show’ on Friday, September 6 (7.30pm) at The Diplomat Hotel, Llanelli.

• If you have news about the choral or concert scene in Llanelli, email robert.lloyd01@walesonline.co.uk or rlloydpr@btinternet.com

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