We have had a slow start to the year, which continued through February and March. Our only concert in February was on Friday 28th at lunch time in Fulton House, Swansea University. There had been a Food Festival all week and we were also celebrating St David’s Day. We, therefore, included items associated with Wales which gave us an opportunity to sing ‘Without You’ by Swansea born Peter Ham, for the first time. During the performance we were treated to 2 solo items by Jessica Rees, a member of the catering team at the University. Following the concert we had a wonderful lunch provided by Les Carmichael, the catering manager for the University, who is also in the choir. Many thanks, Les. 

We have also added another chorister to the choir, as Clive Westcott has passed his audition and has taken his place in the second tenors. Well done Clive. 

On March 4th we had a social evening organised by the Ladies Section. This was a curry night held at the Mumbai, Blackpill. We had a lovely buffet, and a few games and raffle were organised. Many thanks to Linda Lewis, Chairperson, and her hard working committee, for putting on this event.

We have had another 2 new members during March. First to pass his audition was Mike Phippen, and he has joined the first bass section. Then Richard Keane also passed his test and has joined the second basses. Well done to both Mike and Richard.

Our AGM was held on Tuesday 10th. The meeting was opened by our president, Geoff Wheel, and he spoke about how much he enjoys being part of the choir and appreciated the work done by the choir in raising funds for local organisations and charities. Clive Walters was voted in, as Vice Chairman, for the next 12 months and Tony Brooks was added to the committee. All other officers remain unchanged.

After a quiet time it was a bit like ‘London buses’ on Saturday March 28th when we sang at 2 events on the same day! The first was at the wedding of Kate Garland at St Peter’s Cockett and then, in the evening, we were guests of the Swansea Excelsior Ladies Choir at their annual concert in St John’s, Gowerton. It was a great pleasure to sing with the Ladies choir again, as we have not sung with them for many years. Also appearing were ‘Saxophony Cacophony’, a saxophone choir based in Ty Coch, who are all pupils of their director Lynne Novis. They were excellent and featured a number of their younger members playing solos such as Josh Williams and Sam Ludbrook playing alto sax. The ladies were also excellent, under their musical director, Lynda Richards and accompanist, Yeojin Chi, and sang a varied programme including Bugelioi’r Gwenith Gwyn and the lively ‘Ev’ry Time I Feel The Spirit’. We included ‘Y Tangnefeddwyr’ for the first time and the concert finished with both choirs joining together to sing ‘Cwm Rhondda’.