AS they approach their 20th anniversary, Cor Meibion De Cymru - the South Wales Male Choir - have pledged to raise £25,000 for the Noah's Ark Appeal. They have committed themselves to raise this amount during 2002 for the Children's Hospital for Wales to be presented at a spectacular celebrity concert, supported by the choir's core sponsor Texaco, to be held in Cardiff towards the end of next year.
Cor Meibion De Cymru, the largest male voice choir in the Principality, with in excess of 200 members, is drawn from every valley and coastal plain in the south, east and west of Wales, plus a contingent of Wantage, Oxfordshire exiles.
The choir comprises five rehearsal groups who meet on a weekly basis in Cardiff, Llandeilo, Narberth, Resolven and Wantage. The five groups unite every three weeks at the Community Centre, Cwmavon, Port Talbot, under the baton of Dr. Haydn James, their musical director.
Dr. James born in Nantyffllon Maesteg, and presently living in London where he has been the musical director of the London Welsh Male Voice Choir for over 20 years, has proved very popular within the ranks of the choir since his appointment two years ago.
Any aspiring choristers, young or old, who would like to share the camaraderie of Cor Meibion De Cymru are urged to contact membership secretary Ken Oates on 029 20 703823 or public relations officer Bryan Williams on (01656) 661894 regarding future engagements.