Dennis James Memorial Concert

A splendid concert in memory of the late Councillor Dennis James, former Lord Mayor of the City and County of Swansea, was held at All Saints Church, Oystermouth on Saturday 7th December. Councillor James died at Ty Olwen earlier this year but had asked his friend Roy Griffiths of the Morriston RFC Male Voice Choir to arrange a concert to raise money for Ty Olwen and to give back  something in his memory and to say thank you for the love and care he was receiving.  Morriston RFC Choir under the musical direction of D Huw Rees BMus (Hons) were joined by The Ariosa Singers directed by Mrs Penny Ryan OBE BMus (Hons) and both choirs wre accompanied by Hwyel Evans BMus (Hons). Soloists were Reuben Nicholas, Mollie Thomas and members of both choirs. A large audience gathered and enjoyed a varied programme from both choirs with Morriston providing some traditional favourites and the Ariosa a Christmas theme. The choirs and soloists came together for the final item of the evening with Reuben Nicholas leading the singing of ‘O Holy Night’. We were delighted to be joined by Mrs James and son Mark for the evening and before the second half began Mrs Helen Murray, Chairman of the Ty Olwen Trust, spoke of her meeting with Mr James at a fund raising evening for Ty Olwen when he was Deputy Lord Mayor and then at Ty Olwen when he was a patient. She remembered his wonderful sense of humour and determination which he retained right up until the end.The evening was a fine tribute to the late Councillor James