The memory of an inspirational primary school headteacher has been recognised five years after her death from motor neurone disease by a donation of almost \u00a33,000 from a Vale of Clwyd choir.<\/p>\n
C\u00f4r Nantclwyd, a mixed choir based in the Vale of Clwyd and with over 100 members drawn from across Denbighshire, Conwy and Flintshire, donated the money from a concert at Theatr John Ambrose in Ruthin in memory of Gwenda Owen for research into the debilitating illness.<\/p>\n
They joined with C\u00f4r Rhuthun to perform a new song, \u2018Barcud ar y Gwynt\u2019, Kites in the Wind, specially written in Gwenda\u2019s memory by her son, Dyfan Phillips, and then put to music by acclaimed composer and musician Robat Arwyn, from Ruthin.<\/p>\n
Mum of three Gwenda, the wife of the Rev John Owen, taught generations of school children in her time at Ysgol Pentrecelyn, near Ruthin, and at Ysgol Llandrillo, near Corwen, where she was head teacher.<\/p>\n
The Chairman of C\u00f4r Nantclwyd, is another of her three sons, Ifor, and he<\/p>\n
said: \u201cIt meant so much to me that the money should go to MND because it will really mean something for the families affected by this dreadful disease.<\/p>\n
\u201cHopefully it can help lead to new treatment for a disease that is now getting much more attention thanks to the efforts of Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve been fantastic in raising awareness of the effects this has on those who suffer from it and their families and hopefully we can play our part in one day finding a cure.\u201d<\/p>\n
C\u00f4r Nantclwyd has also been given a helping hand to the tune of \u00a3400 from law firm Swayne Johnson have a base in St Asaph and offices in Denbigh, Ruthin, Llandudno, Mold and Tattenhall, Chester.<\/p>\n
The firm are represented in the choir\u2019s ranks by Swayne Johnson Director and Head of Agriculture Caryl Vaughan who said: \u201cThe choir is very special to us all and to the area and draws its members from across Denbighshire and into Conwy and further afield.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt Swayne Johnson have a strong tradition of supporting local charities and organisations and we set up the Swayne Johnson Charity Fund to make it easier for applications to be made to us for help.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fund covers North Wales and Cheshire and it has worked very well and we have helped many recipients and are always happy to receive enquiries.\u201d<\/p>\n
The choir are currently working on a song for an album by Ioan Rees and preparing for an appearance at the popular annual Ruthin Festival Top of Town event on the town\u2019s St Peter\u2019s Square, on Saturday, July 5<\/p>\n
Conductor Alaw Owen, from Denbigh, said: \u201cThe choir is doing very well and has over 110 members which is amazing and highlights the importance and the demand to create social opportunities for this specific age group in the area, while of course acknowledging the power of music.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a committee we can\u2019t believe the number of members that turn up week after week but the doors are always open of course for anyone who wants to give singing a try – especially men.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs the minority, with around 25 male voices, there\u2019s plenty of quality, but maybe we\u2019re lacking quantity.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs one of the choir\u2019s conductors, the emphasis is always on having fun, making sure that any rehearsal or experience is enjoyable but to do this and to take the pressure off each of the sections it is always nice to have a good number of voices. We\u2019d welcome any interest, and to help give the men a bit of a boost.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are a choir for those aged 30 plus – there are so many men and women in the choir who haven\u2019t sung since their high school days, and if that resonates with anyone who\u2019d also like an excuse to get out of the house and to enjoy that feelgood energy of singing in a choir – get in touch.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very much a team effort, an extended family, and we\u2019re looking forward to performing at one of the highlights of the year for us, which is Gwyl Rhuthun, Ruthin Festival, in July.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anyone interested in joining the choir can find out more at https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CorNantClwyd<\/a><\/p>\n For more on Swayne Johnson go to http:\/\/www.swaynejohnson.com\/<\/a> and to apply to the Swayne Johnson Charitable Trust go to www.swaynejohnson.com\/charitabletrust<\/a><\/p>\n