“Dealing with the musical aspect of 1976 first, the choir celebrated its 10th Anniversary by holding its Annual Concert in Ebenezer Chapel, Ebenezer Street, Swansea on 20th May. We “fielded” 25 choristers, used our own soloists – Vernon Simons, Laurence George & Terry Smith – and featured an organ solo by Clive Williams who, earlier this year, joined the choir as Deputy Accompanist. We also included a couple of different things in the programme – a piano duet with Della Binning and Clive Williams and a Quintet of Choristers (I cannot remember who they were) sang 3 items. The chairman for the evening was the late Rev. O. Tregelles Williams. The concert was a great success and we made £280.68 profit – a lot of money in 1976.

Just 6 days before this concert we sang to the Welsh Labour Council at the Brangwyn. Derek Turner conducted – I was away on business.

The concert for the Bishopston Over 60’s Club on 19th July saw Clive Williams accompany the choir for the first time for a full concert. Della accompanied the artists. This was the agreement we reached at the AGM in February when Della decided she was going to give up the position of accompanist within 12 months.

We again undertook many concerts in 1976 of which Derek Turner conducted 2 more as I was away on business in the U.S.A. and Canada.

The year finished on a high note with the choir’s first “foreign tour” – a weekend (4th/5th December) to Nottingham. On the Saturday night we gave a concert at Rushcliffe, Nottingham, with guest soloist Hazell Howells and on the Sunday morning sang 3 items during the morning service at St. Giles Church, West Bridgeford, the church which I used to attend when we lived in Nottingham.

The weekend was an outstanding success and we had made a lot of new friends and supporters.

On the administrative side, at the AGM held on 18th February, Tony Wright proposed the setting-up of a sub-committee to tackle recruitment – what’s new? It was also decided that terms of reference should be drawn up for all officers and other choir posts and the Civil Service Club annual subscription was raised from £3.00 to £3.15.

At an EGM held on 1st September, it was agreed that the Musical Director should be invited to serve on the Committee as it was felt “this would benefit the choir generally and would speed up decision making.”

It was also decided to replace Alan Williams M.P. as Choir President. Trevor Lewis was invited to be the new president, an invitation he gratefully accepted.

At the Annual Dinner held at the Langland Court Hotel we had a deficit of 6p on the night – what the hell was Treasurer Roger Francis doing?!!!

  Top attendances for 1976 – Hugh Jones    – 99%

                             Roger Francis – 97%

                             Mal Herbert   – 97%

                             Dil Williams  – 97%

That’s it for 1976!!”

Also of note

• The choir established the post of “Librarian” to make copies of music for issue to all choir members.
• It was noted that the choir’s social events had been very successful – especially the Annual Dinner, the New Year’s Day Party and the Fancy Dress Dance!
• The choir participated in the Knighton Eisteddfod, which proved a valuable experience.
• Mr Ken Hutin retired as Chairman and at this point choir membership stood at 25.
• At their AGM the choir also established the role of “Honorary Life Member” with presentation of a certificate of recognition. Rules were established for appointment, privileges and even dismissal!
• The choir considered “collaboration” with a Ladies choir and set up a team to look at a possible joint concert at Christmas time. The Ladies choir in question was not identified at this time!
• It was interesting to see that the choir had a recruitment problem at this time and was concerned at absence at practice. A statistical document of attendance was first presented at the AGM. Mr. D. Williams was the only member recorded with 100% attendance.