HUNDREDRS of people from across Pontarddulais and beyond will gather at Hope-Siloh Chapel this weekend for a carol concert in aid of Wales Air Ambulance.
Côr Glandulais organise a festive gathering every year, with money raised going to local charities and organisations which benefit the people of Wales.
The choir was established in the late 1950s and presently has forty members who are between sixty and eighty years of age.
Its Secretary Helen Matthews said: “The atmosphere at Hope-Siloh on Sunday will be electric! Anyone in need of some festive cheer should come along to our concert.
“The whole village and surrounding areas will be out in force, and we have a wonderful time.”
She continued: “It’s also a perfect opportunity for everyone to give thanks to the Wales Air Ambulance.
“Most people living in Wales will have seen it in the sky at some point or may know someone who has needed this incredible lifesaving service.
“We want to show our appreciation, by helping to fundraise as it relies on charitable donations to continue to do, what it does.
“Last year we raised £1,500 and we hope there will be a big turnout to enable us to do the same this Christmas.”
The Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and, if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury.
It is delivered via a unique third sector and public sector partnership. The Wales Air Ambulance Charity relies on public donations to raise the £13 million required every year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.
The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the Charity’s vehicles.
This advanced critical care includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident.
As a pan-Wales service, its dedicated crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care.
Helen said: “I am hoping that our concert will not only raise funds, but also awareness about the work of the Wales Air Ambulance.
“Christian Sullivan, the Charity’s Regional Fundraising Manager will be attending on the night too, so it will be lovely to have a representative in our audience.”
Côr Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Bryniago, Côr Ysgol Gynradd Pontarddulais, Côr Ysgol Gyfn Pontarddulais, Lleisiau Lliw, Band Tref Pontarddulais and Côr Meibion Pontarddulais will be among the participants.
Helen said: “Our choir will open the concert, with rousing rendition of ‘And Glory of the Lord’ from the Messiah.
“Then everyone else will get up and do their bit. They will sing around one or two carols each, and audience participation is welcome.
“As you can imagine with so many groups taking part, the organising is a little chaotic, but once everyone is seated, and the first bar plays, we are off. It is such good fun.”
The 69-year-old who served with the Metropolitan Police as a detective with the homicide squad, says music has always been her escape.
She said: “Singing runs in the family, my mother was a singer, so was my uncle and I’ve always been part of a choir.
“Even when I was in the Met, I joined St Matthews Church in Ealing and was a chorister there for twenty years.
“On my retirement from the force, I returned to Wales and joined Côr Glandulais because it is a big mixed choir.”
Helen who was born in Caerphilly, decided to retire to Bishopston where she has lived for the past twenty years.
She said: “Music has always brought me great joy! And there are many studies that say it is brilliant for your mental health.
“You cannot help but feel elated after belting out a rendition of ‘Hallelujah’, the adrenaline is coursing through you, and you probably would find it hard to sleep.
“But it’s really uplifting. I would advise anyone in need of some festive spirit or good company to come along to our concert on Sunday.”
Côr Glandulais are ‘always looking to welcome new members’ according to Helen.
She continued: “We are a friendly group. You don’t have to be able to read music, but if you are used to singing and can pick up a tune, then you will fit in fine.”
“We also like to have get-togethers a few times a year. We tend to have a meal in the summer and after Christmas, as everyone is so busy in the run up to the festivities.”
The Christmas Concert will start at 6.00pm tomorrow (December 7) at Hope-Siloh Chapel, St Teilo St, Pontarddulais, Carmarthenshire, SA4 8SY
Christian Sullivan, Regional Fundraising Manager for Wales Air Ambulance said: “I am looking forward to kicking off the festivities with this wonderful Christmas concert at Hope-Siloh Chapel!
“It takes an incredible amount of work to bring together so many people for such a special evening, and we are very grateful to be the chosen beneficiary.
“It costs £13 million to keep our helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road, so every pound raised on the night will help save lives across Wales.”
