TORFAEN MAYOR’S CHARITY CONCERT: Was held on the evening of March 3 at Nant Celyn Primary School in aid of the Mayor’s chosen charities of Noah’s Ark, St. David’s Hospice Care and Ty Hafan.

The concert featured the Pupils of Nant Celyn School and Pontnewydd Ladies Choir. There are various strong links between these two groups of participants; as the School Head, Jonathan Bussy, is also an Accompanist for the Ladies Choir whilst the Choir’s Musical Director, Shirley Adams, was also a Head Teacher, latterly at Woodlands Primary School, Cwmbran, where I am a school Governor.

In addition, several years ago, I was proud to be the Executive Member for Education and responsible for choosing the name for Nant Celyn School from a shortlist of names proposed by the pupils at that time and I am  the Honorary President of Pontnewydd Ladies Choir. Ties that bind a valley’s communities together!

The hall of the school was packed with supporters of the school and the choir, including Torfaen’s MP Nick Thomas Symonds, Councillor Howard Thomas Chair of Henllys Community Council and Councillor Colette Thomas, Chair of Nant Celyn Governing Body, Staff and Governors,and of course the Mayor of Torfaen, Councillor Veronica Crick, JP.

Elizabeth Chonka, Chair of Pontnewydd Ladies Choir, was our compere for the evening and gave a very warm welcome to everyone before introducing Nant Celyn School Choir with Jonathan Bussy as Accompanist and Natash Gajda as Musical Director.

The 21 members of the choir performed faultlessly a richly varied programme including a selection from the musical “Annie” and other favourites.

Next to perform were individuals and groups from Nant Celyn, including Dylan Davies, a Grade two Violinist, 10 years of age  and a superb Guitar Duo. This first set ended with a display by “Upbeat” of African Drumming, which  had everyone in the hall foot-tapping with delight as this year six group displayed their drumming skills after only six weeks’ work.

Sue King, fondly known as the “Resident Poet of Upper Cwmbran”, then had us all roaring with laughter as she delivered her highly comic original verse; particularly amusing was her poem explaining “Wenglish”, which was inspired by her attempts to explain Torfaen Talk to English visiting student friends of her  family. It was tidy to sit by yere and have a good laff  with Sue, our Butties and Mams and Dads!

Next to perform were the members of Pontnewydd Ladies Choir, accompanied by Pam Linton, with Deputy Musical Director Sonia Gilmore and Musical Director, the indefatigable Shirley Adams. The choir gave superb renditions of “I Love You So” (from ‘The Merry Widow’); “Gonna Build a Mountain”, Adiemus “, “Yellow Bird”; “Suo Gan” and “Dancing Queen”; a veritable feast of varied items.

The first half of the concert featured a joint item: the School Choir, joining with the Ladies Choir to perform “When I’m 64.” A wonderful performance especially when considering there had been no joint rehearsal!

Nant Celyn Choir opened the second half with a further feast of entertaining numbers and were followed by Keira, a very talented young violinist and Dean, Dylan and Fabian  who gave an enthralling display of Voice Box Music, which uses the voice-box to produce music, without singing or musical instruments! Sue King then returned and delivered original verse, inspired by Aesop’s Fables.

I would never have believed that primary school pupils could have produced the next act to such a high standard as did Nant Celyn’s newly formed Rock Group, “Pink ‘n Blue”. They were joined for several numbers by one of their teachers.

Pontnewydd Ladies Choir then performed some real showstoppers, including medleys  from “Aladdin” and “Sister Act.”  

The final musical item was another joint performance provided by the two choirs, joining for another unrehearsed  number "Any Dream Will Do,” conducted by Shirley Adams, with charming and amusing asides to the school Choir. What a fine example of how music can bridge several generations; in this case with over half a century separating the two age groups.

The Mayor of Torfaen closed this concert by thanking all who had taken part and Gwent Music, staff and backroom helpers with others who had produced such a memorable event to raise funds for her Mayoral charities in such a heart -warming manner. All present were then invited to join the Mayor for refreshments.

Many thanks to all. I know the three Mayor’s charities rely on donations and fundraising activities to help them function. Three amazing, much needed services for which it was a real pleasure to fundraise.

Torfaen
Mary Barnett
Mary.Barnett@torfaen.gov.uk