Recruitment continued to be successful and the choir membership returned to 43.
The Pan Celtic Festival was held in Tralee, Ireland, and the Gwalia Singers decided to compete. After a lengthy trip by ferry and bus it was found that the competition venue had to be changed as the local council had decided it was the right time to dig up the road outside the festival venue and it was impossible singing against percussion hammer noise. The choir failed to win 1st prize for the best choir under 40 voices. It also failed to win 1st prize for the best overall choir but just as disappointment was about to set in, the organisers announced a prize for the best song sung in any competition by a choir who had not won any other competition and this was for the Gwalia Singers’ rendering of “Ar Hyd Y Nos” which had brought tears to the adjudicators eyes. Surprisingly the prize money was higher than the first prize in the other two competitions!
The choir performed again at the Pontrhydfendigaed, Tumble and Miner’s Eisteddfodau with mixed results.
Rhian Liles joined the choir as Accompanist after resignation by Mary Bessenich.
Sponsorship of the Annual Concert at Brunswick Methodist was made by Gwalia Housing. It starred Bass Baritone Martin Lloyd and the Gorseinon College Choir.
Vernon Simons was appointed Chairman.
A special concert was held in December of Christmas music in All Saint’s Church, Oystermouth, together with the Swansea Ladies Excelsior Choir.
