Thomas Gabrielle Nursing Home, Cwmbran. Tuesday October 15, 2024
Tre Celyn Nursing Home, Newbridge. Tuesday November 12, 2024

Risca Male Choir is used to the grand event often supporting local charities, making tours at home and abroad, winning competitions, and sometimes producing a choral spectacular, such as the annual theme show.

Then there are those quieter moments when we perform in our own community. These times may not attract the attention in the same way as those just mentioned. Even so, we regard them as of equal importance and are worthy of our support.

During the last couple of months, RMC has performed at three such events. Two were in local nursing homes: Thomas Gabrielle Home in Cwmbran and Tre Celyn Nursing Home in Newbridge. Both venues were a little short on space for a full choir, so we provided, on both occasions, a choir of about 20 men. Of course, as these events are during a working day, many of our choristers are not available in any case!

Having said that, you would be amazed to know how energetically, enthusiastically and beautifully, a small number of singers can perform.

Our choice of items was very eclectic, and included traditional Welsh songs, songs from the films of Walt Disney, pop songs (including a current favourite, Fix You by Cold play), and ending calmly and sincerely with John Rutter’s The Lord bless you and keep you.

It was a real pleasure singing to both our audiences who truly enjoyed and appreciated our music making, listening intently, and approving heartily!

I had great fun interacting with the residents and staff at the homes, and our choristers were very moved by being able to see their faces and reactions to all our items.

Moriah Church, Risca, Remembrance Service. Friday November 8

RMC has taken part in this event for many years. Originally performed at Risca Leisure Centre, it now takes place in the comfortable surroundings of Moriah Church.

The regular musicians and others taking part include prize winning Crosskeys Silver Band, local primary school children, students of Risca Comprehensive School, members of The Royal British Legion and a Royal Air Force veteran.

The evening opened with the standard bearers, Iain Jones of Risca RBL, and Flt Sgt Libby Carpenter (212 Risca Sqn RAF Cadets), to the accompaniment of the band, marched proudly forward with the standards.

The first part of the programme ran seamlessly and without needing any links. RMC’s items were You raise me up, Into the west, Fix you and Candle on the water. All of these matched the mood of the occasion with their calm and thoughtful messages. Our accompanist on that evening was Millie Tran.

The second part of the event was a service of Remembrance, led, with great sincerity, by the minister of Moriah Church, the Reverend Marc Owen. There was also a reflection on the civilian losses suffered in Risca during WW 2 by Rachel Meredith, a member of the Risca Royal British Legion.  Flt Lieutenant (retired) Keith Sutcliffe, also a member of Risca RBL, gave the exhortation and the Kohima Epitaph. Chris Thomas, Risca East Councillor, read a very poignant poem written by a soldier who had lost a mate in Afghanistan.  

The service closed with the last post, always a most moving part of any act of remembrance.

Martin Hodson MBE
Music Director Emeritus