A GWENT hospital choir is looking for new members as it starts rehearsing for its 35th Christmas concert, to raise money for a children’s cancer charity.

The Gwent branch of the Welsh Hospitals’ Choir first performed its annual Carol Concert on December 11, 1983, bringing together staff and friends from the NHS across South Wales to form the massed choir.

Thirty-five years later, the choir is still going strong, and includes some members of the original concert alongside new recruits of all ages from across Gwent.

The Gwent Choir is one of three groups who, together, comprise up to 200 members for the annual concert, with the other branches in Powys and South Glamorgan.

Since 2000 the Welsh Hospitals Choir has raised more than £160,000 for the CLIC Sargent charity.

The choir is directed by David John Davies, whose wife Margery has performed in all 35 concerts.

Since 1988 she has been the chief choir organiser, as well as serving on the Carol Concert committee for Wales, and was awarded the British Empire Medal in recognition of her significant contribution.

“We rehearse from the beginning of September and it’s always great to see choir members returning for another year,” she said.

“But like many choirs, it’s getting increasingly difficult to attract new members to help ensure that the choir goes on for future years in support of this great charity.

“Although we’re called the Welsh Hospitals’ Choir, you don’t have to work in the NHS – we’d be delighted to welcome anyone who’s interested in joining us at our weekly rehearsals.”

The Gwent Choir rehearses at St Oswald’s Church, Sebastopol, every Wednesday from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

The 35th annual Christmas Concert takes place at St David’s Hall, Cardiff, on Monday, December 11.

Tickets are available direct from St David’s Hall Box by calling 029 2087 8444.

For more on the CLIC Sargent cancer charity see www.clicsargent.org.uk/