
Three choirs unite in Tenby for charity concert
Over £3,000 raised for Prostate Cymru and Pancreatic Cancer UK
A CHANCE encounter at a bowls competition in Westport, on Ireland's west coast, sparked a memorable evening of music and friendship at St Mary's Church, Tenby.
The connection began when Ed Morris, a baritone with Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir and a member of Pembroke Farmers' Club, struck up a conversation with a member of the Tredagh Singers from Drogheda, north of Dublin. The singer, coincidentally the sister of Ed's neighbour, was also attending the competition.
Choir chairmen Huw Morgan (left) and Vincent Moore exchange gifts (Pic: P&DMVC)
Eighteen months later, that chance meeting led to a spectacular joint concert featuring the Tredagh Singers, Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir, and the ladies of Serendipity Choir from Narberth.
The well-attended evening raised over £3,000 in aid of Prostate Cymru and Pancreatic Cancer UK. Each choir performed its own programme to warm applause before joining together for a stirring finale of the Welsh classic Calon Lân and You'll Never Walk Alone.
Brian Harries, chairman of the Pembrokeshire Friends of Prostate Cymru and a member of Haverfordwest Male Voice Choir, served as MC and also took part in the final numbers alongside long-serving Pembroke tenor John Kilcoyne.
Juliet Rossiter, musical director of both local choirs, conducted a total of 14 pieces on the night. Accompanists were Heather Williams for Serendipity and William Lambert for Pembroke.
During the event, gifts were exchanged as a token of friendship. Tredagh chairman Vincent Moore presented a framed score of Calon Lân, adorned with silhouettes of Drogheda landmarks, along with a bottle of local whiskey. In return, Pembroke chairman Huw Morgan gifted a print of Barafundle Bay—one of Pembrokeshire's most iconic beaches.
Members of both Welsh choirs expressed hopes for future exchanges with the Tredagh Singers, both in Wales and across the Irish Sea.
Pictured top of page:
The three choirs and musical teams pictured following the concert at St Mary's Church, Tenby (Pic: P&DMVC)
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Western Telegraph
4 hours ago
- Western Telegraph
Folly Farm's orphaned lamb and goat become inseparable
Ted, a seven-week-old Torwen lamb, and Gary, a three-month-old Golden Guernsey goat kid, have formed a special bond at Folly Farm. Gary is described as 'cheeky' and full of mischief, while Ted has 'everyone wrapped around his little hoof.' Both animals lost their mothers shortly after birth and have been hand-reared together by the farm team, who gave them round-the-clock care. Kim, farm manager, said: "We only hand rear animals when absolutely necessary, and it's taken a lot of dedication to ensure both Ted the Torwen and Gary the Golden Guernsey have the best start, but it's been totally worth it. "They've certainly stolen our hearts and are adored by our staff and guests – especially when we're able to take them out for our meet and greet sessions." Ted and Gary currently live together in the Jolly Barn at Folly Farm. The two young animals are not just adorable—they also represent important conservation work. Both Torwen sheep and Golden Guernsey goats are listed as 'at risk' by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Folly Farm is the first Welsh farm park to achieve rare breeds status from the RBST, recognising its dedication to conserving rare livestock breeds. The farm features paddocks with rare breed farm animals from across the UK, with a focus on Welsh breeds like Ted. Visitors can now see Ted and Gary in the Jolly Barn, where they have become a popular attraction.

Rhyl Journal
7 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Carl Gizzi: Tributes to ‘legend' boxer who ‘put Rhyl on map'
Mr Gizzi, who was born in Rhyl in 1944, died aged 80 on April 27 following a battle with dementia, with his funeral held at St Asaph Crematorium on May 30. He is survived by his brother, Tony; his daughter, Renee, and son, Carl; and his two granddaughters, Monique and Stevie. As a boxer, Mr Gizzi was Welsh heavyweight champion from 1965 to 1971, and a British heavyweight title challenger in 1971. Carl Gizzi (Image: Jimmy Garland) Making his debut in the ring in 1964, he went on to win 31 of his 43 bouts (with 11 KOs), with opponents including Jack Bodell and Joe Bugner, while he also sparred with Muhammad Ali. After retirement, Mr Gizzi worked as a bouncer, including at the now-closed Rhyl club The Bistro on West Parade, and as a window cleaner. In 1972, he married his wife, Heather, who died in 2016, and became a father in 1974 when Renee was born, with Carl following in 1975. Renee Gizzi celebrated the life her 'amazing' father, who she described as 'the perfect gentle giant'. She said: 'He would give everybody the time of day. He was always there for other people. 'He was big family man; even though he had all the fame when he was younger, he didn't care about that, and it didn't go to his head. 'His boxing was amazing; he was a big gentle giant even when he was in the ring. He would never get in the ring first; he'd always wait for his opponent to get in the ring before him. He thought: 'First in, first out'.' Carl Gizzi with his late sister, Sandra (Image: Jimmy Garland) Donations pledged at Mr Gizzi's funeral will part of a £1,000 offering to the Gwanwyn ward at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, whose staff Ms Gizzi said were 'amazing' in caring for him. She said Mr Gizzi's funeral was a 'really beautiful celebration of his life', with the last song at the service No Limit by 2 Unlimited. Ms Gizzi added: 'He just loved being outside in the fresh air. All the way up to COVID, he was still working. 'He was always there for us. Anything you wanted, he'd be there. When I bought my house at age 20, he was always on hand to help. 'My dad always wanted to celebrate life; he never thought the worst.' Actor Spencer Wilding, from Rhyl, said Mr Gizzi 'put Rhyl on the map' and 'brought so much happiness to the town'. Spencer Wilding with Carl Gizzi (Image: Spencer Wilding) He added: 'He was my cousin, but I called him 'Uncle Carl'. I was glad to have loved him; he was the 'number one'. We all looked up to him. He was a legend. 'Carl fought before I was born, but you'd have trains pulling up to Rhyl full of people coming to watch him fight. 'I used to walk past Carl every weekend and he'd always say hello outside The Bistro. I loved Uncle Carl; I'd go and see him many a time. 'Everyone in the boxing world had so much respect for him. He was a gentleman. He had the best left jab in the business; he was a brilliant boxer. 'He was a very special soul, and I loved him so much.' Spencer Wilding with Carl Gizzi (Image: Spencer Wilding) Peter Trehearn, who got to know Mr Gizzi personally through his cousin, said he was a 'second to none' bouncer who 'greeter customers as friends' at The Bistro. He was, Mr Trehearn added, a 'protective big brother and father figure'. 'I had known of Carl from a distance as 'the' Rhyl icon since my youth, and had seen him box in Liverpool when I was trying out boxing in Rhyl Youth Club circa 1966-67. 'Carl was a thoughtful, gentle and modest person, and above all, a family man who was loved and respected by all. 'He made customers safe to relax and enjoy The Bistro's atmosphere. He is the reason that the Bistro had and still has, in customers' memories, such a good reputation. 'Renee and Carl Jr gifted us a lovely classical statue from their father's home which stands in our garden, and is a reminder of a long and continuing friendship.' Carl Gizzi (Image: Jimmy Garland) Jimmy Garland, Mr Gizzi's nephew, called his uncle 'a gentleman, a giant, and a guardian'. He said: 'In the days when legends like Muhammad Ali reigned in the ring, our very own 'Uncle Mickey' - Carl Gizzi - stood among the world's best. 'Ranked fifth in the world as a heavyweight boxer, he wasn't just a fighter by title - he was one by heart, spirit, and grit; A man whose hands could move with thunder, but whose heart beat with warmth and loyalty. 'Uncle Mickey became a silent guardian at the doors of clubs and venues. With his imposing frame, he kept the peace, not with force but with presence — a protector, not a provoker. And always, with his signature smoking pipe in hand. 'Uncle Mickey was the kind of man whose strength never drowned out his kindness. Whether it was in the boxing ring, on the doors, or at the dinner table, he was deeply respected — and deeply loved. 'A warrior in his youth, a watchman in his later years, and a legend in our hearts forever.'

South Wales Argus
13 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Two-day music festival to take place in rural Usk
The Weekend Rumble, taking place on Friday, July 4 and Saturday, July 5, will feature a range of bands, DJs, spoken word, and poetry, all within a barn setting. Acts booked for this year's event at Great House Farm in Llansoy include double Welsh Music Prize winners Adwaith, Goldie Lookin' Chain, John Mouse, Getdown Services, The Spitfires, The Howlers and Home Counties. Festival organisers said: "All in a glamorous barn-based setting, we are a small but perfectly-formed festival and The Weekend Rumble aims to keep the event as affordable as possible so that people who come can have the best of times whilst they are with us. "There's camping and room for motorhomes/campers with some cracking street food. "The music is eclectic and the party vibes are great. We endeavour to make The Weekend Rumble intimate, fun and make the vibe match the countryside, which is amazing and beautiful." Organisers like to help unsigned and emerging Welsh talent but have also hosted established acts such as John Power of the La's and Cast, Huey Morgan of Fun Lovin' Criminals, Das Koolies, Steve Cradock, Bez, Rowetta, Don Letts, Benji Webbe (Skindred) and Dub War. "Besides promoting good times, well known acts and up and coming talent, we also make donations to mental health and suicide awareness charities, something we are extremely proud of," said organisers. Tickets for The Weekend Rumble costing £88 can be booked on their website. Free camping and showers is included in the ticket while there is the option to buy a camper van pass or stay in a two or four-person bell tent that features mattress, sheets and pillows.