THOUGHTS IN A CHURCH PORCH

The porch, St Mary’s Church, Kidwelly. The day, September 20th 2025. The time, 12 noon. The occasion, a charity concert by CMDC in memory of David Gravell B.E.M., and in aid of the dementia charity Ty Golau.
 
The first worrying thought is formed when watching the intense rain rapidly enlarging the standing water pools outside the entrance. Shall we get a choir turning up given the widespread area from which they are drawn? Isn’t tonight the first episode of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’? Will that, added to the torrential downfall, mean there’s no audience either?
 
I should have known better. The Choir together with our supporting ‘Welsh Ladies’ are assembled and ready for rehearsal at 3.30pm. By 7.30pm an empty church had miraculously filled from front to back. Two hours later this warm, appreciative audience is on its feet giving the Choir and soloists a standing ovation.
 
The concert under the inspired leadership of Elaine Robins (MD) and the ever sublime Sian Davies (Accompanist) was delivered with power and passion and greatly enhanced by the supremely talented young soloists Ffion Thomas (Soprano) and Ethan Hartley (Baritone), both names to look out for.
 
The compere Gwynlais Phillips (Chairman of CMDC) expressed his gratitude to all concerned for their support and particularly to Gravells for their generous sponsorship, which together with all other receipts should enable a generous donation to be made to the wonderful work of Ty Golau under the leadership of Janet Lewis B.E.M., its Founder/Manager.
 
Written by Peter Edkins