One of Carmarthenshire’s largest chapels celebrates a milestone
A very large congregation gathered at Heol Awst Chapel on the evening of Sunday, 22 March, for the celebratory concert. There had been great anticipation for the evening, with careful preparations in place thanks to Olga Williams and her team. We were not disappointed, as it proved to be a truly joyful celebration in the company of close to 100 children and young people, including the choirs of Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin and the Ffynnon-ddrain Urdd section. Their contributions to the concert were immensely valuable, and every item was performed with great polish and grace. The conductors were Berian Lewis and Nia Evans, with Nia Clwyd accompanying the cerdd dant party.
We were also honoured by the presence and contributions of the soprano Fflur Wyn, who joined us specially from London. Her pure voice filled the building, accompanied with great skill by Sioned Beynon. Likewise, Gruffydd Wyn, star of Cân i Gymru and Britain’s Got Talent, sang beautifully.
The evening was chaired by Ifan Charles, Chief Constable of Dyfed-Powys Police. As one of the children of Heol Awst, it was a pleasure to hear him share memories of his childhood there and the influence the cause had on his life in his early years. Meirion Wynne Jones was at the organ, lifting the congregational singing to great heights. Sioned Beynon accompanied everyone throughout the evening, and we extend our sincere thanks to her and to Meirion—two talented contributors from the area—for their work. The evening was presided over by the minister of Heol Awst Church, the Rev Beti Wyn James.
A substantial profit from the evening was shared between the choirs of Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin and the Ffynnon-ddrain Urdd section to support them on their journey to the Urdd National Eisteddfod in Anglesey.
Yes, it was an evening that will remain in the memory—a celebration of what has been, and an inspiration as we look to the future. It was fitting to bring the evening to a close as the congregation joined together in singing the words of the Rev Peter Thomas: