A PONTYPOOL man who has been a musical director for a local choir for more than 40 years is to retire.

Musician Walford Hutchings, 78, from New Inn, was appointed as musical director for Pontnewydd Male Choir in 1970, three years after being made the accompanist.

Mr Hutchings was awarded an MBE at the beginning of this year for services to music and the community of Torfaen, and after 45 enjoyable years with the choir will call it a day in December.

He said: “I still enjoy it, but after some health problems, I reluctantly decided it would be time for me to go.

It’s been an incredible year so far, so I thought the end of the year would be the right time to go, if there is a right time. I’m pleased to be going out on a high.”

The choir’s present accompanist, Pauline Carey, will be taking over as conductor.

Mr Hutchings added: “My family and I had a lovely day when we visited Buckingham Palace to collect my MBE. It was wonderful meeting the Queen in her Diamond Jubilee year. My wife, Enid, has been very supportive over the years and I couldn’t have done it without her.”

Born in Pontnewydd, into a musical family, he was named after composer Sir Walford Davies. He had his first piano lesson aged six and began singing lessons when he was nine. He won more than 100 eisteddfod prizes as a boy soprano.

After work at County Hall and a spell in the RAF, he trained as a teacher, becoming the head of music at Blackwood Comprehensive until he retired in 1992.

He has guided Pontnewydd Male Choir through hundreds of concerts and eight foreign tours. An event with more than 200 guests will be held at The Parkway, Cwmbran, to mark his retirement.

He will continue his role as organist at St Mary’s Church in NewInn.