Friday 31 October 2014
The Dutch city of ‘s-Hertogenbosch has shown eternal gratitude to the 53rd Welsh Division which relieved it from German occupation exactly 70 years ago.
The action was not without cost as 146 British servicemen lost their lives in the assault, plus many more were wounded. Each year, the City has invited surviving liberators to attend its Commemoration at its Welsh Memorial. The passing of time has seen survivors reduce to twelve in number, all of whom were present this week aged between 89 and 98 years young. Liberators and their fallen colleagues are revered in this lovely city and in their presence, Bridgend Male Choir, making its second visit, was humbled as were principal guests, Sir Geoffrey Adams, British Ambassador; Jane Hutt, Welsh Assembly Minister; Cllr. Margaret Jones, Lord Mayor of Cardiff and representatives of the Armed Services & host city.
The singing part of the Tour was a huge success, with an 800 seat sold out concert at the Jheronimus Bosch Centre; “a capella” performance at St. Jan’s Cathedral; social performance at the De Taling Nursing Home; commemorative singing of Mansions of the Lord and Hen Wlad Fy’n Hadau at the Menin Gate, Ypres and any amount of impromptu tunes at various venues.. Best wishes to other Welsh choirs which visit over future years.
Bridgend Male Choir now looks forward to supporting the Poppy Appeal Concert at the Sony Theatre, Bridgend College Campus on Saturday, 8th November and to attending the Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph on the following morning. We will remember them.