IT may be 80 years on, but the people of a Dutch city show no signs of ever forgetting the role Welsh soldiers played in their liberation during World War Two.

Back in 2011, I was privileged to join the old Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir at anniversary liberation celebrations in s’Hertogenbosch in the North Brabant Province, Netherlands.

At the time, veterans of 53rd Welsh Division were still able to attend a weekend of liberation commemorations.

This year, there will not be any veterans, but the actions of Welsh soldiers will still be remembered by people who call their homes city Den Bosch.

Thanks for hard-working folk, both here in west Wales and in the Netherlands, the link between Wales and Den Bosch will still be remembered on the last full weekend in October.

One of the key figures in continuing the relationship with Den Bosch is Lieutenant Colonel David Mathias, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed. In recent years, he has been instrumental in securing the services of Welsh choirs and musicians to visit Den Bosch to take part in liberation events.

This year, he has enlisted the support of a team of young singers from Loud Applause Rising Stars (LARS) from west Wales and Llanelli’s Samuel Wyn-Morris, whose West End credits include performing in Les Miserables.

The LARS singers will be Liam Edwards, Lauren Elizabeth Williams, Darcey Paris George, and James Oakley (all pictured here, left to right). They all study at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD) in Cardiff.

They will participate in significant events in Den Bosch: services of Remembrance at the Memorial to the 53rd Welsh Division and St. Jan’s Cathedral and perform at a prestigious ‘Welsh concert’ at the newly-built Theater aan de Parade. There will also be a visit to Uden War Cemetery, located outside the city, for another Service of Remembrance.

The singers will be joined by celebrated harpist Dylan Cernyw and the Noteworthy Mixed Choir to fly the flag for Wales in a weekend of events which also includes a concert at Rosmalen.

“It promises to be a very busy and emotional weekend,” said Cerith Owens, who is in charge of the Loud Applause Rising Stars team.

“I’ve attended the liberation weekend events before and the determination of the city of Den Bosch to never forget the role the Welsh played in the liberation of the city is there for all to see.

“The liberation events are very dignified and colourful occasions which show this is a city that will never forget. I know that the singers and musicians from Wales, who will be taking part in the concerts and services, feel very honoured to be invited to represent their country in the Netherlands.”

The Welsh flag is flown at Den Bosch city hall every year to remember the sacrifices of soldiers from the 53rd Welsh Division

The Royal Welsh Bridge in Den Bosch is named in honour of the Army unit that liberated the town from Nazi occupation in 1944, the 53rd Welsh Division – a. division now constituted as the Royal Welsh in today’s army.

The names and ages of each of the 146 Welsh soldiers who died for the town are displayed on the bridge in a very personal civic tribute.

There was a high personal cost to the liberation of Den Bosch.

The battle cost the lives of 253 residents and injured more than 2,000 more. More than 700 of Den Bosch’s buildings were destroyed or smashed beyond repair.

In the years that followed, Den Bosch was rebuilt, but the sacrifices of the Welshmen have never been forgotten.

Cerith Owens said: “When you think that the liberation happened 80 years ago, a time outside of the experience of most of us, then it is remarkable that Den Bosch still continues to commemorate the liberation.

“It just shows how much importance the people of the city still attach to the events of 1944 and the sacrifices made by those brave Welshmen.”

In Carmarthen, this weekend, the ladies of A Choired Taste will be holding a special 10th anniversary concert.

It will be held at The Lyric Theatre on Saturday, October 19, and will be hosted by actress, TV presenter and producer Connie Fisher.

The concert is being billed as ‘A Celebration of Voices’, so you can expect to be dazzled by a dynamic mix of favourite songs and what A Choired Taste’s musical director, Sarah Kirby, describes as ‘mash-ups’ (innovative medleys and musical mixes which have been become the choir’s trademark).

The concert will also feature a special performance by Britain’s Got Talent finalists, the phenomenal gospel choir Northants Sing Out.

A very busy and packed stage will also see performances from Carmarthen Male Voice Choir, Whitland Male Voice Choir, Carmarthen Young Voices, Carmarthen Ukuleles and Saxy Brass.

All proceeds from the event will go towards the choir’s target of raising £10,000 for 10 local charities in the choir’s 10th anniversary year. The choristers are already more than halfway towards their £10,000 target.

Tickets are £15 and £12 and are available from The Lyric box office or from the Theatrau Sir Gar (Carmarthenshire Theatres) website at – https://www.theatrausirgar.co.uk/en/shows/a-celebration-of-voices

Meanwhile, Llanelli’s Meibion Elli male choir are planning a fifth anniversary concert on Saturday, November 9.

It will be held at Greenfield Chapel and will feature Llanelli’s Samuel Wyn-Morris and the popular Llanelli-based Phil Harmonics ladies choir.

Meibion Elli will be under the baton of musical director Eifion Thomas, with Aled Maddock as the accompanist. The Phil Harmonics will be under leader Sara Richards and musical director Phil Thomas.

Tickets are £15 and can be purchased at Llanelly House with a percentage donation going to the Georgian tourist attraction for each sale.

Tickets can also be obtained through Davies Craddock Estate in Murray Street, Llanelli, with a percentage of their sales going towards the Ty Bryngwyn Hospice in Llanelli.

Tickets can also be purchased at Llanelli Docks Post Office and from choir chairman Mr Thomas on 01554 820644 or 07985136672.

SWANSEA marina has a special place in my heart; it was where I first met my darling wife Carol.

Some of you may have heard the story: we met in the crow’s nest of a replica of Sir Francis Drake’s Golden Hinde. (It’s a long story and will keep for another day!)

The marina, meanwhile, operates as something of a personal magnet and always draws me back when I need a relaxing stroll.

But there are bits of it in need of some tender love and affection.

For example, take the lightship Helwick and the tugboat called Canning.

They sit alongside the back of the National Waterfront Museum, but in the wacky way these things work, they are part of the collection owned by Swansea Museum, the much-loved oldest museum in Wales.

There’s something rather forlorn about the two vessels. Both have seen much better days. They are no longer accessible to the public and there are no obvious pieces of signage on the dockside to explain their history to curious members of the public.

The faded red one is Helwick, proper title LV91. She was built for Trinity House by Philip and Son Ltd of Dartmouth in 1937 and her first station was Humber between 1937 and 1942.

In 1942 she had two ‘bumps’. In April, the steamer Maurice Rose collided with her causing damage. She was hit again in September by the steamer Armathia.

During her years in service as a lightship, Helwick’s light character was a half-second flash every 9.5 seconds. Her foghorn sounded one blast every 20 seconds.

The lightvessel’s crew was made up of two masters and nine crew. The crew rotated every four weeks with only seven on board at any time.

As the vessel had two masts, there was no room to build a helicopter landing platform, so reliefs were carried out by sea until her retirement.

LV91’s final station was Helwick, off Worm’s Head, Gower, for the last six years of her working life between 1971 – 1977. Her chief duty was to warn ships about the Helwick Sandbank in the Bristol Channel.

On her retirement, the decommissioned lightship was acquired by Swansea Museum.

Next to Helwick, you have the tugboat Canning.

Built in 1954 by Cochrane and Sons of Selby for the Alexandra Towing Co. Ltd, Canning is an oil-burning steam tug with a triple expansion engine by C D Holmes & Co. Ltd, Hull.

She was the first oil burning tug built for the company and, for the next five years, all other company tugs were of similar design and appearance.

Canning was based at Liverpool until being transferred to Swansea in 1966.

Her main duties at both ports were towing and berthing large ships in the harbours and docks, but barge towage and coastal towage were also undertaken, according to the National Historic Ships UK archive.

She became the last steam tug to operate in the Bristol Channel, serving until 1974.

In December 1974, she was acquired by Swansea City Council (on behalf of Swansea Museum) for preservation. She has retained the fleet colours of the Alexandra Towing Co Ltd, her original owners.

There’s no doubt, both vessels are important to Swansea and our local history.

Not being an expert on matters maritime, my best guess is that their hulls are still secure and there is no danger of them sinking into the marina.

But there’s a sad air of decay about both vessels.

Money is tight for all our museums, but what about a little campaign by Swansea Museum to get volunteers involved to give both vessels something of a spring clean?

Perhaps get a couple of the city’s successful businesses involved to sponsor an overhaul for both vessels?

I’ll urge caution about press-ganging regulars from The Queens (the once-upon-a-time favourite watering hole of staff from your Evening Post).

But I am sure there are plenty of people out there with a passion for our heritage who would be willing to give up some time to bring some shine back to two lovely old ladies, Helwick and Canning.

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BACK in the days when I was six stone lighter, I spent some time as a stable lad, travelling to Newmarket’s prestigious Tattersalls October sales.

One of our ‘charges’ was a yearling filly, put up in the sales for a farmer/racehorse breeder from west Wales.

If memory serves me right, she was sold for 3000 guineas (a guinea in those days being one pound and a shilling, equivalent to one pound and five pence in today’s decimal money).

So, it is at this time of the year that I like to keep a weather eye on how things are going in the mad world of trading racehorses.

Mad is an appropriate word, given the eye-watering amounts of money being splurged at the Tattersalls sales this week.

One yearling filly was sold for 4.4million guineas – you do the maths and work out how much that comes to in pounds and pence!

The man with the big cheque book was Iranian-born and British-educated businessman Kia Joorabchian, who has made his name and his fortune through his involvement in the world of football and multi-million transfers and contracts.

Fans of horseracing will do well to remember the name – and the title of Joorabchian’s Amo Racing.

During the first day of the three-day Tattersalls sales, Joorabchian managed to spend more than £8m on three offspring of the legendary Frankel.

My guess is Mr Joorabchian doesn’t have any worries re the scrapping of the winter fuel allowance and the price of gas this winter . . .

Twitter: @rlloydpr

Email: robertlloydpr@rlloydpr.co.uk

The Ospreys have named their squad to face the Vodacom Bulls in the Unity Round of the BKT URC. The fixture will take place at the Swansea.com Stadium and is kicking off on Saturday 12^th October at 7:35pm.

Jac Morgan is set to captain the side.

Gareth Thomas starts for the Ospreys at loosehead, with Dewi Lake lining up at hooker and Tom Botha completing the front three.

James Ratti partners with Adam Beard at lock. Jac Morgan lines up at six, Justin Tipuric takes up the other flank and Morgan Morris starts at eight.

Reuben Morgan-Williams starts at scrum half with Dan Edwards at 10. Keiran Williams partners Owen Watkin in the centre.

In the back three, Max Nagy starts at full back, with Ryan Conbeer on one wing and Iestyn Hopkins on the other.

Will Greatbanks and Kieran Hardy both take up spots on the bench and could be in line to make their Ospreys debuts.

Morgan Morris is set to make his 100^th appearance for the Ospreys.

Starting XV:

15. Max Nagy

14. Iestyn Hopkins

13. Owen Watkin

12. Keiran Williams

11. Ryan Conbeer

10. Dan Edwards

9. Reuben Morgan-Williams

1. Gareth Thomas

2. Dewi Lake

3. Tom Botha

4. James Ratti

5. Adam Beard

6. Jac Morgan ©

7. Justin Tipuric

8. Morgan Morris (100)

Replacements:

16. Sam Parry

17. Garyn Phillips

18. Ben Warren

19. Lewis Jones

20. Will Greatbanks

21. Kieran Hardy

22. Luke Scully

23. Jack Walsh

Head Coach, Toby Booth, said: “When you play South African teams, you know you’re going to be in for a physical encounter. You can’t look too far past the physical side of the breakdown.

“Last time we played them out there, we did some nice stuff, but we weren’t accurate enough and played a big price. I know the boys will be energised and up for this one but it’s important that we have the end product to show for that.”

Head coach Dwayne Peel has made three changes to his starting XV for Saturday’s return BKT United Rugby Championship fixture against Cardiff at the Arms Park (15:00 Premier Sport).

In the only change behind the scrum, Ioan Lloyd comes in for Sam Costelow at fly-half, while up front, Kemsley Mathias and Marnus van der Merwe get the nod in the front row.

That means the back three of Ioan Nicholas, Tom Rogers and Blair Murray remains the same as the one that took the field against Connacht last weekend.

Johnny Williams will make his 50th Scarlets appearance and he combines again with Eddie James in midfield. Lloyd partners Gareth Davies at half-back.

Mathias starts at loose-head prop, van der Merwe replaces Ryan Elias at hooker, while Henry Thomas continues at tight-head.

The rest of the pack remains the same with Sam Lousi and Max Douglas in the second row and skipper Josh Macleod joined by Dan Davis and Taine Plumtree in the back row.

Alec Hepburn, Elias and Costelow will provide back up from the bench alongside Sam Wainwright, Alex Craig, Carwyn Tuipulotu, Efan Jones and Macs Page.

Head coach Dwayne Peel said: “They are always competitive fixtures, us against Cardiff, like the one at Parc y Scarlets a couple of weeks ago. The Arms Park is a fast track and we always seem  to have a great support there. All the West Walians living in Cardiff come out to support us. It is always a good atmosphere and a sea of red; hopefully it will be the same on Saturday and we can get a win for them. It is a good healthy rivalry, two teams who like to play rugby, it will be a good occasion.”

Scarlets team to play Cardiff at the Arms Park on Saturday, October 12 (3pm Premier Sport)

15 Ioan Nicholas; 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Johnny Williams, 12 Eddie James, 11 Blair Murray; 10 Ioan Lloyd, 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Kemsley Mathias, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 3 Henry Thomas, 4 Sam Lousi, 5 Max Douglas, 6 Josh Macleod (capt), 7 Dan Davis, 8 Taine Plumtree.

Reps: 16 Ryan Elias. 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Sam Wainwright, 19 Alex Craig, 20 Carwyn Tuipulotu, 21 Efan Jones, 22 Sam Costelow, 23 Macs Page.

Unavailable because of injury

Tomi Lewis, Joe Roberts, Steff Evans, Harri O’Connor, Shaun Evans, Archie Hughes, Vaea Fifita, Charlie Titcombe.

Comedian Phil Evans is from Ammanford. He is known as the man who puts the ‘cwtsh’ into comedy. Website – www.philevans.co.uk

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No Interval? Give Me A Break! Preferably 20 Minutes

I recently revealed that my regular ramblings, rants and reminiscences aren’t necessarily published in the order I submit them.

If you don’t remember this (not to confuse matters), it might mean my piece explaining my articles aren’t necessarily published in the order I submit them may not have been published in the order I submitted it.

So, don’t think I’ve come late to the party regarding this week’s subject – I wrote it the day I read about it in the national papers.

I’m referring to the controversial idea put forward by the managements of some West End theatres, that they should dispense with the traditional interval – and plays should continue uninterrupted, as in Shakespeare’s time.

Although, very few theatre bars back then served a decent G & T ‘twixt Acts One & Two.

“May I have ice and a slice?”

“No, thou may not! Clearest off! Thou’s causing a queue!”

We all know the incredible prices London theatres charge for a seat with a decent view of the stage.

So, when I read that one theatre boss commented, “A play that only lasts 80 or 85 minutes doesn’t really require an interval”, my blood started to boil like the witches’ cauldron in the Scottish play.

85 minutes?

If I paid a couple of hundred smackers (plus travel and hotel costs and taxi fares) for the ‘hottest ticket in town’ and found myself out on the street after less than 90 minutes, I’d feel short-changed.

For the money, I’d expect a three-hour spectacular, free souvenir brochure and ice cream, a front row seat and an invitation to meet the cast afterwards.

You’re right. I haven’t seen a West End show for years.

But I know some London theatre seats are uncomfortably small, so even if you don’t fancy an interval snifter, you need to stretch your legs after a while.

All theatres rely heavily on the revenue generated by their bar and some gentlemen of a certain age need regular visits to the loo.

With no interval, rather than disturb fellow theatregoers, they’d have to sit in discomfort all evening – making the audience, rather than the show, ‘Les Miserables’!

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Chilly Adventures: The Quest for Heat

It’s a bit nippy outside, and the big question looms: have you turned your heating on yet?

Well, I took the plunge and was greeted by a delightful symphony of gurgles, a hissing serenade that could only be rivalled by a deflating balloon, and then, drumroll please, complete silence!

Yes, folks, my boiler decided it was time for a holiday, leaving me in a frosty chill resembling a scene from a holiday film where the hero needs to find warmth before the snowstorm hits.

But fear not!

I have boiler cover with a well-known supplier, so I knew fun was about to follow!

I dialled the number, ready for action, and was welcomed by a jolly voice that could only be described as the human equivalent of a hot cocoa.

“Thank you for calling! Your call is very important!” she chirped.

Oh, really? Because I was starting to feel like a penguin waiting for the ice to thaw.

Twenty minutes in, and I was now on a first-name basis with the hold music.

I could probably audition for an album of elevator hits!

The jolly voice continued to reassure me, but I had crossed a threshold, there was no turning back!

Five minutes?

Sure, I could hang up. But 20 minutes? That’s commitment!

I was practically bonded to my phone like it was my new best friend.

Finally, after what felt like a Netflix binge without the popcorn, a real voice broke through the hold music haze, thanking me for my patience.

In my excitement, I fumbled my phone like a clumsy acrobat, and, poof!

Call disconnected!

Talk about a plot twist!

Now, it’s been five days of frosty fun, and I’m starting to think my house might qualify as an ice sculpture.

But, hey, at least I can now say I have the world’s longest wait for heating!

Who knew chilling with a boiler could be an adventure?

I’m ready for the next chapter . . . hopefully with some heat!

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You can follow Phil Evans on Twitter @philevanswales and  www.philevans.co.uk

LLANELLI’S Meibion Elli male choir is going from strength to strength as it approaches its fifth anniversary.

The choristers are arranging a special concert to celebrate the birthday on Saturday, November 9.

It will be held at Greenfield Chapel and will feature Llanelli’s Samuel Wyn-Morris, who is carving out a career for himself in the West End in London.

The concert will also feature the popular Llanelli-based Phil Harmonics ladies choir.

The Meibion Elli choir was formed by respected Llanelli musician and singer Eifion Thomas. The choir includes many members of the now dormant Cor Meibion Llanelli Male Choir.

Meibion Elli chairman Peter Thomas said: It is a great to see the choir going from strength to strength as we celebrate our fifth anniversary.

“The choristers thoroughly enjoy the camaraderie of being in a male voice choir and the joy we get from singing helps keep us young and fit.”

It’s been a busy time for the choir as they recently performed at a special trilingual, three denominations service at St Elli Parish Church, Llanelli.

The service saw the churches of England, Germany and Wales come together for worship and a celebration in song.

Meibion Elli choir also helped the Llanelli Railway Goods Shed Trust with a special Singing in the Shed (Canu yn y Caban) event at the Marsh Street venue.

Choir chairman Mr Thomas said: “That was a fund-raising event for the Goods Shed, which is a unique new venue in Llanelli. We were delighted to support the team at the Goods Shed and it was great to see so many people in attendance to listen to, and support, Meibion Elli.”

The Meibion Elli choir recently welcomed its newest and youngest member, 14-year-old Adam Jones. Adam was officially welcomed into the choir by bottom bass stalwart and soloist Dai ‘Llansaint’ Williams.

For the Greenfield Chapel anniversary concert, the choir will be under the baton of musical director Eifion Thomas, with Aled Maddock as the accompanist.

The Phil Harmonics will be under leader Sara Richards and musical director Phil Thomas.

Tickets are £15 and can be purchased at Llanelly House with a percentage donation going to the Georgian tourist attraction for each sale.

Tickets can also be obtained through Davies Craddock Estate in Murray Street, Llanelli, with a percentage of their sales going towards the Ty Bryngwyn Hospice in Llanelli.

Tickets can also be purchased at Llanelli Docks Post Office and from choir chairman Mr Thomas on 01554 820644 or 07985136672.

Last weekend saw the special Night With The Stars concert staged by Loud Applause Productions at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli. The concert was hosted by star of stage and screen Callum Scott Howells and featured many up-and-coming young singers from the Loud Applause Rising Stars (LARS) charity.

The evening saw Callum made an Honorary Life Member of LARS in recognition of his tremendous achievements on both stage and screen.

The LARS Lifetime Award is granted only on rare occasions to celebrate the extraordinary success of one of distinguished past members as professionals in the Performing Arts industry.

Callum trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD).

Theatre credits include: A View From The Bridge (Theatre Royal Haymarket/ Theatre Royal Bath); Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club (The Kit Kat Club); Romeo and Julie (National Theatre/Sherman Theatre, Cardiff); Oliver! (UK tour); She Loves Me (Menier Chocolate Factory); Matthew Bourne’s dance production of Lord of the Flies; Crave (The Other Room) and several National Music Youth Theatre shows.

Television credits include: BBC One drama The Way (directed by Michael Sheen) and It’s a Sin (Channel 4/HBO Max – BAFTA Cymru Award for Leading Actor, RTS Award for Male Actor, and twice-nominated at the 2022 Television BAFTAs for Supporting Actor and Virgin Media’s Must-See Moment).

Film credits include: The Beautiful Game (Netflix). Upcoming projects are MadFabulous as the lead of Henry Cyril Paget and also the front man in Working Title’s Frankie Goes to Hollywood biopic Relax.

In Carmarthen, the ladies of A Choired Taste are continuing their rehearsals and plans for a special 10th anniversary concert this month.

It will be held at The Lyric Theatre on Saturday, October 19, and will be hosted by actress, TV presenter and producer Connie Fisher.

The concert is being billed as ‘A Celebration of Voices’, so you can expect to be dazzled by a dynamic mix of favourite songs and what A Choired Taste’s musical director, Sarah Kirby, describes as ‘mash-ups’ (innovative medleys and musical mixes which have been become the choir’s trademark).

The concert will also feature a special performance by Britain’s Got Talent finalists, the phenomenal gospel choir Northants Sing Out.

A very busy and packed stage will also see performances from Carmarthen Male Voice Choir, Whitland Male Voice Choir, Carmarthen Young Voices, Carmarthen Ukuleles and Saxy Brass.

All proceeds from the event will go towards the choir’s target of raising £10,000 for 10 local charities in the choir’s 10th anniversary year. The choristers are already more than halfway towards their £10,000 target.

Tickets are £15 and £12 and are available from The Lyric box office or from the Theatrau Sir Gar (Carmarthenshire Theatres) website at – https://www.theatrausirgar.co.uk/en/shows/a-celebration-of-voices

Due to high demand, the Lyric have been able to release more tickets for the concert.

Finally, Welsh harpist Catrin Finch and Irish fiddle virtuoso Aoife Ní Bhriain will take the stage at Carmarthen’s Lyric Theatre on Thursday, October 10 (7.30pm), as part of their UK tour.

Dublin native Aoife Ní Bhriain is one of Ireland’s foremost traditional fiddle players and a classical violinist of international stature who straddles both the classical world and her Irish traditional heritage.

From across the Irish Sea and the west coast of Wales, harpist Catrin Finch has also built an impressive classical career and ventured into uncharted musical territory, most notably through her award-winning international collaborations.

Tickets are priced at £22 and can be booked online at www.theatrausirgar.co.uk or with the box office on 0345 2263510.