Mr Ken Rees has recently stepped down from his role as churchwarden at Llandefalle Church after 56 years of service.

To celebrate what must be a record-breaking long stint, a celebration was held at the church.

After matins on Sunday, July 18 the congregation went out into the churchyard to sing some of his favourite hymns and songs. These included ‘Cwm Rhondda’ and ‘Calon Lan’.

They were accompanied on the keyboard, played with panache, by James Luckhurst from Boughrood.

Ken was then presented with a watercolour of the church which had been painted and donated by Mrs Peta Mellors.

Mrs Catriona Charlesworth made the presentation and spoke for everyone when she praised his devotion and dedication to the church and also that of Eileen, Ken’s wife, who has sadly recently died.

The congregation then retired to Church House for a buffet lunch made by the ladies of the parish and hosted by Chris and Anne Taylor.

Ken has lived and farmed in the parish all his life and used to attend the church as a choirboy.

He is known for his Welsh tenor voice, in demand for singing at YFC concerts and dinners and for very many years has sung with Talgarth Male Voice Choir.

He was appointed churchwarden by the late Rev. James Arter in the early 1960s and has served with another three Rectors.

Everyone wishes Ken much joy and happiness in his retirement and are so pleased that he continues to attend church on a regular basis.

Can Ken’s record can be bettered in Powys, or even elsewhere?