A MALE voice choir is giving a fund-raising concert at a Bromsgrove church.

The Ynysowen Male Choir, from Wales, will be performing at St John’s Church, off Kidderminster Road, and will be joined by choirs from two Bromsgrove schools; Meadows First School and St John’s CE Middle School.

The concert is being held this Saturday, October 12, from 7pm.

The choir was formed in the aftermath of the 1966 Aberfan tragedy in which 116 children and 28 adults lost their lives, when slag tips on the mountainside slipped and engulfed the junior school.

Originally its members formed a tips removal committee to remove the remaining slag heaps but after the Government stepped in its role became redundant.

This led committee members to think how their time could be more usefully deployed, from which the choir was formed.

Ynysowen comes from the name of the telephone exchange which served the immediate area. 

The group has 40 members, and its musical director is Jennifer Jones, who was recently awarded an MBE.

St John’s Church vicar, Reverend Chris Wingfield said: “Many of us remember the tragic disaster of 1966.

“It is wonderful that the choir that came together after this tragedy keep alive the spirit of community in the depths of anguish and involve the children of today in their performances.

“I’m sure it will be a truly unforgettable evening.”

Tickets cost £10 for adults, £5 for children, which includes interval refreshments.

Money raised from the concert is being donated to church funds.

To book tickets, or for more details, call St John’s Parish office on 01527 878801 or email fundraising@stjohns.bromsgroveparish.org.uk.