Rhayader and District Male Voice Choir performed their first post Covid-19 public concert at the Albert Hall, Llandrindod Wells on Saturday 12 March raising £1,581.00 for the Ukraine Support Appeal.

The concert also featured local soprano Holly Richards and had been arranged by Llandrindod Wells and Area Twinning Association which, in the light of the Ukraine crisis, decided all receipts would be given to the Ukraine Appeal.

The concert was thoroughly enjoyed by a large appreciative audience. Councillor Wade Curzon, Vice-Chairman of Llandrindod Wells Town Council, gave the vote of thanks to the Choir, conductor Jonathon Pearce, accompanist Bethan Rees, soloist Holly Richards and MC Phil Gayther.

He also thanked all the Albert Hall volunteers involved in assisting behind the scenes and making the Albert Hall such a welcoming community facility. Councillor Curzon pointed out that twinning between European towns was promoted at the end of the second world war to encourage friendship and understanding between former enemies in the hope that there would never again be war in Europe.

It was therefore appropriate that the Twinning Association facilitated help and support to people in Ukraine suffering hardships brought about by Putin’s Russian Army invasion of their country.

Henry Thomas, Chairman of the Choir, said how pleased the choir members were to perform their first public concert in support of such a critical humanitarian appeal and announced that their £250 fee would be given back to add to the support fund. He commended the Twinning Association on taking the initiative to give all money raised to the Ukraine Appeal.