To celebrate with current members and new members to the RMC family – Thursday 17 October 2024

The RMC “Project” - MeN Do Sing 24 - culminated in the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) fundraising concert in May 2024.  The “Project” not only raised over £20,000 for the MND Association but also awareness of Risca Male Choir (RMC), particularly in the local community.  Just under 50 men who enjoyed singing formed the choir and performed with RMC on 18 May. It was a huge boost to the choir when around 10 new choristers from the MND choir joined the ranks of RMC following the concert.  In the words of Tim Stone the Project Lead, “Mission accomplished!”

With the new members of the choir, we also welcomed into the RMC family their wives and partners. Joining the ranks were Jan Hopkins (wife of David Hopkins – second tenor); and Catherine Gibbons (wife of Alan Gibbons - baritone).

Both ladies were able to join the Ladies Social Society on the evening out at the Tamarind Restaurant on 17 October for a meal and a catch up.  This was a wonderful opportunity to get to know the new members. Often us ladies pass each other at events like ships in the night!

We were able to catch up following a break after what had been another very busy period for the choir.  There was plenty to talk about including the semi-final performance at the Côr Cymru competition in Aberystwyth in February, tour to Leeds in July (Rob Burrow’s former Leeds Rhinos stamping ground), Usk Choral Festival in March and of course the National Eisteddfod in Pontypridd on 10 August.  Congratulations again to RMC - National Eisteddfod Champions 2024. 

The meal itself was up to the usual standard with 10 ladies enjoying a relaxing meal in good company.  (Olga, Jan, Catherine, Lyn Phillips, Diana Morgan, Ruth Williams, Sue Morgan, Judith Evans, Sandra Price and Jen Rowlands).

The Ladies Social Group now looks forward to their trip to Gloucester Christmas Market on Saturday 16 November.  This will lead into the Christmas period with events including the Tesco Christmas songs, the tree lighting ceremony at the Celtic Manor and of course the RMC Christmas shows at The Congress Theatre and Crosskeys College.

Olga Tutton – 13 November 2024