A FLASHMOB surprised a Newport couple with their favourite songs as they celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary this week.

John and Jan Rowell were enjoying a pre-dinner drink at the Parkway Hotel in Cwmbran when the Christchurch Music Society sprang the surprise on them on Thursday night.

First of all a man at the piano started playing their favourite song, Strangers in the Night, before various people sat in the lounge stood up and sang a further four songs finishing with Love and Marriage.

The surprise was well and truly delivered in some style! 

The couple, originally from Dulwich, moved to Newport with John’s work many years ago and settled in Malpas Park, still the family home.

Martyn Brown, from the Christchurch Music Society said: “Both were moved to tears of joy by the wonderful surprise their daughter Janine Gibson had arranged and all the family thoroughly enjoyed the tribute.” 

The Christchurch members had great fun rehearsing the numbers as a break from the rehearsals for their forthcoming production of The Addams Family in October this year. 

“If their efforts for the Rowell family were anything to go by The Addams Family should be great,” said Mr Brown.