Cor Meibion Llanelli in Westminster

by Robert Lloyd

Côr Meibion Llanelli continued their 50th anniversary celebrations with a special concert at Parliament in Westminster, London.

The choristers were invited to sing before a select VIP audience by Llanelli MP Nia Griffith.

The MP treated the choristers to a tour of Parliament before their concert.

The event saw 17-year-old Ysgol y Strade pupil Osian Bowen make his performance debut with the choir.

“It was an exceptional evening and an experience worthy of the choir’s 50th anniversary celebrations,” said choir chairman Mel Harries.

“The experience of visiting Westminster and being so welcomed by a distinguished audience of peers, MPs and distinguished guests from the London Welsh Society will live long in the memory for choristers.”

The choir and their distinguished musical director Eifion Thomas were officially welcomed to Parliament by Nia Griffith and Shadow Welsh Secretary Owen Smith MP.

They were formally thanked for their concert by Baroness Jenny Randerson, junior minister in the Wales Office.

The audience included two distinguished friends of the choir – Leslie Griffiths, Lord Griffiths of Burry Port, and Roger Roberts, Baron Roberts of Llandudno.

Also present was celebrated Welsh baritone Gary Griffiths, from Burry Port, Dr Haydn James and members of the London Welsh Choir, London Gwalia Choir and the London Glamorgan Society Llanelli MP Nia Griffith said: “Eifion Thomas and Côr Meibion Llanelli always give a highly polished performance, but this 50th anniversary concert was outstanding.

“Young Osian Bowen has an amazing voice; it is hard to believe he is still at school.

“The audience were absolutely delighted, full of praise and enthusiasm for the choir, Eifion and Osian.

“Because of the parliamentary business during the evening night, we could only show the choir around a small part of the Houses of Parliament.

“But there is a warm invitation to any members of the choir and their family who are considering coming up to London to get in touch with my office and arrange to meet me for a full tour and a chance to spend longer in the public gallery.”

The choir’s performance included Yfory, Speed Your Journey, the American Trilogy, Nant y Mynydd, Tangnefeddwyr and Myfanwy. It featured solo performances from Teifryn Rees, Ken Collins and Eifion Thomas.

Osian Bowen’s programme included Bring Him Home from Les Miserables and Anthem from Chess.

Osian and the choir had to contend with three very loud interruptions from the division bells calling MPs to vote on what was a busy night of Parliamentary business.

But they coped well with the ringing – and even managed to turn it all into the evening’s biggest joke.

Côr Meibion Llanelli musical director Mr Thomas said afterwards: “Wow, what am amazing experience, to visit the Houses of Parliament and sing before such a distinguished audience.

“We were delighted to have one of our founder members, Byron Thomas, in the choir this evening. He is the living, walking link with our 50 years of heritage. Côr Meibion Llanelli has a very proud and distinguished history and this event will be added in as another of the choir’s ‘finest hours’.”