The Jenkins Bakery backs £1,000 musical bursary to honour Gethin Hughes

The Jenkins Bakery is backing an exciting £1,000 musical bursary prize to honour the man known as Llanelli’s Mr Music, Gethin Hughes MBE.

 

It’s the biggest prize of its kind on offer in Wales and the aim will be to find the very best young musical talent in Llanelli.

“The death of Gethin Hughes last year robbed Llanelli and Wales of one of its best-loved musicians and characters,” said Russell Jenkins, operations director of the Jenkins Bakery.

“We are one of the oldest businesses in Llanelli and we have a long association with Gethin and his family.

“My grandfather was a deacon at Triniti Chapel. Triniti, of course, was very dear to Gethin’s heart.

“Gethin’s contribution to the musical life of Llanelli and Wales was immense. He died just a few days short of his 76^th birthday after a wonderful musical career.

“He was, of course, the long-serving accompanist of Côr Meibion Llanelli (Llanelli Male Choir) before his retirement from the role.

“An organising committee of Gethin’s friends has been instrumental in putting together this plan for a memorial bursary and, as this is a cause very dear to our heart here at the Jenkins Bakery, we are happily supporting the plan with a £1,000 donation.”

The bursary organisers include Côr Meibion Llanelli musical director Eifion Thomas and chorister Richard Christopher, Gethin’s second cousin.

Mr Christopher explained: “The plan is for a memorial concert for Gethin on September 8.

“The aim is to perpetuate Gethin’s memory by making this an annual concert and to include a competition for young Llanelli musicians.

“The prize will be a bursary of £1,000 to the winner to help them in their first year of music college.

“Competitors will have to have a guaranteed place at a music college in the coming academic year. The winner will be expected to perform at the concert.

“Further details about how students can enter, the judging panel and the structure of the competition will follow later.”

Mr Christopher added: “Everyone is hugely excited at the prospect of a competition which will pay great tribute to Gethin Hughes. We are, of course, particularly grateful to the Jenkins Bakery for their financial support.”

Press Release provided by Robert Lloyd.