Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

The latest 'On Song' column (about the choral scene in and around Llanelli) from the Llanelli Star -  It promises to be the concert event of the year in Llanelli. Côr Meibion Llanelli celebrate their 50 anniversary with a special concert at the newly-refurbished Selwyn Samuel Centre in Llanelli. Saturday, September 20, 7pm is the date and time and the guest star is West End and Broadway star John Owen-Jones. John, a true ‘local hero’, is an award winning and record-breaking West End and Broadway performer. He is best known for his performances as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables and as The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera. After training at London’s Central School of Speech and Drama, John, at the age of 26, became the youngest actor ever to play the role of Jean Valjean in the West End production of Les Miserables. He is one of a handful of actors to have played the role of Valjean both in the West End and on Broadway and is in fact the only British actor to do so. In an onl...

The new look Selwyn Samuel bowls hall, exhibition and events venue in Llanelli reopens its doors tomorrow (Weds). The centre, just behind Llanelli Leisure Centre and owned by Llanelli Town Council, has had a makeover. It is now being run by the Anyone Waiting group, led by Paul Francis, who also runs Llanelli’s Halfway Hotel and his own hospitality agency. “The doors will be open from 9am on Wednesday as we begin preparations for the first major concert to be staged at the new-look Selwyn Samuel Centre. “Cor Meibion Llanelli will be celebrating their 50th anniversary at the concert on Saturday, September 20. And they have a very special guest star in local hero John Owen-Jones, so it promises to be a major event for Llanelli. “Tickets are available from the centre now.” Mr Francis is putting out the welcome mat for people who want to have a look around the new centre. “Call in for a free coffee and free cake on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You can also have a gui...

Côr Meibion Llanelli’s extra special guest at their annual concert on Saturday, September 20, will be the award-winning and record-breaking West End and Broadway performer John Owen-Jones. John is a ‘local hero’ being from Burry Port. He is best known for his performances as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables and as The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera. The concert marks the 50th anniversary of Côr Meibion Llanelli. It is being held at the newly-refurbished Selwyn Samuel Centre in Llanelli, starting at 7pm on Saturday, September 20. John will be accompanied by celebrated pianist Caradog Williams. Côr Meibion Llanelli will be under the baton of musical director Eifion Thomas, with Rhiannon Williams-Hale as accompanist. The concert will also feature Burry Port Town Band. “It promises to be an extra-special occasion in the Llanelli musical calendar,” said Côr Meibion Llanelli chairman Mel Harries. “John Owen-Jones is a world class act and his local fans only get rare opportunities t...