Choir Presidents and Patrons / Llysgenhadon ac llywyddion y côr

Paul was born in Cardiff & is a long time follower of Bridgend Male Choir since moving to Bridgend in 1982. Paul is proud to be Choir President and regularly supports the Choir.  He rarely misses a Concert and promotes the Choir at every opportunity. He contributed significantly to the production of the Choir's 50th Anniversary Book.  He presented a new Keyboard to the Choir in memory of his late mother, Peggy Porter.

Until his recent retirement he was proprietor of  PORTERS Estate Agents of Bridgend. Prior to setting up PORTERS in 1996,  Paul was a senior manager with BT, working extensively in the UK, Singapore and Australia.
Paul has been a Justice of the Peace since 1982 when he was appointed to sit on the Bridgend bench.

Founder Life Member and Tenor, Colin Matthews was honoured by his chorister colleagues at the 2011 AGM, when he was made a Choir Vice President. Married, Colin lives at Tondu with his wife Viv.

When Max Boyce crossed the Rhigos Mountains from his home in Glynneath in 1973, to record an album 'Live at Treorchy Rugby Club', little did he know it would change his life. He had already recorded some of his earlier songs at the Valley Folk Club in Pontardawe and when EMI heard the album and subsequently saw Max perform live in concert, he was invited to sign a contract to record two live albums of his songs and stories. Without almost any rehearsal, the songs and stories were recorded.The audience were given the tickets after failing to sell them for fifty pence each! Max at the time was virtually unknown.  He had, however, deliberately chosen to perform to an audience that was unfamiliar with his work to ensure the reaction was spontaneous and real - the rest is history. Choristers were delighted that Max topped the bill in their Gala Concert celebrating the Choir's 50th Birthday in 2010.

Huw Edwards is known to millions of viewers as main presenter of the BBC’s flagship 10 O’Clock News. He joined the BBC over twenty years ago and has presented a wide range of programmes, many of them of a hugely prestigeous nature. He spent over a decade reporting politics at Westminster, including a period as Chief Political Correspondent. He has also presented a range of programmes on history and classical music on BBC Four, BBC Two, Radio 3, Radio 4 and S4C. He is currently working on a number of projects.

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An enthusiastic pianist and organist, Huw has enjoyed a long association with the renowned Cardiff Singer of the World competition. He continues to host the final at St David’s Hall.   

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Born in Bridgend, Huw was brought up in Llangennech and attended Llanelli Grammar School. He graduated in French from the University of Wales, Cardiff. An Honorary Fellow of the University of Wales, he has recently been appointed Honorary Professor of Journalism at Cardiff University. He lives in London with his wife and five children.

Bridgend Male Choir is proud that Huw agreed to compere its 50th Birthday Concert at Tabernacle Chapel, Pontycymer - the venue of its original 1960 concert.

Appointed a Vice President in 2006, Carwyn Jones is the Welsh Assembly Member for Bridgend and served as First Minister of Wales  from 2009 to 2018 . He was promoted to Patron in 2010 at the Choir's 50th Anniversary Dinner.  First elected in 1999, Carwyn is a barrister and was previously a professional law tutor at Cardiff University.  Raised in Bridgend, Carwyn lives locally with wife, Lisa, and their two children, Seren and Ruairi.  He enjoys music, sport, reading and travel.

Until his appointment as Group Chief Executive of the WRU, Roger was perhaps best known for his glittering career in music and the media. Having worked as a professional musician, Roger spent eight years in the record industry with EMI, before becoming Worldwide President of the Decca group. He has worked with an array of eminent artists including Pavarotti, Sir Simon Rattle and Vanessa-Mae. During his eight years as Managing and Programme Controller of Classic FM, he received many awards and launched a new Classic FM record label. Most recently, he was Managing Director of ITV Wales and his Chairmanships include the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and the Millennium Centre. Roger now works at Cardiff airport.

Former Choir President, Trevor Veasey, has become a Patron in recognition of 6 years support in his former role. He is Managing Director of Brynwood Holdings Limited and coincidentally also President of Bryncethin Rugby Football Club, thus proving that the archetypical Welshman has a love of both music and rugby. Trevor lives at Ogmore-by-Sea, is a regular attender of concerts and is proud of his Choir association.

Shân Cothi was born in Ffarmers, Llanwrda, West Wales and graduated from the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. She has been a professional soloist since 1995, the year in which she won the Blue Riband at the National Eisteddfod.

Shân is a versatile performer in both classical and music theatre repertoire and an experienced actress, television and radio presenter in Wales. In 2014 she made her début in the role of Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, with Bryn Terfel in the title role, at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and in 2015 understudied Emma Thompson in the role for English National Opera. To celebrate the Wales Millennium Centre’s 10th Anniversary in September 2015, Shân performed the role of the mythical mistress of magic Ceridwen in the Ar Waith Ar Daith finale – a free large-scale outdoor spectacular full of myth and magic and over 700 performers – in the Roald Dahl Plass in Cardiff Bay.

At the 2011 Annual General Meeting of the Choir, Mansel stepped down from the Chairman's role after an incredible 36 years. Held in great esteem by committee colleagues and choristers alike, he was delighted to accept the offer of Patronage of his beloved Choir. He was also pleased to receive a Citizenship Award from the Mayor of Bridgend County Borough Council in 2010 recognising his service and longevity in the role. A Choir enthusiast, Mansel served as a Police Inspector and Safety and Security Adviser with the DVLA until his retirement. He lives at Bridgend and continues to enjoy singing with the Bass section.

native of Brynmenyn, Maggie attended the local primary school and then the Garw Grammar alongside friends who are now members of Bridgend Male Choir. Maggie was delighted to reaffirm old friendships resulting, in her role as Charity Director of Cancer Research Wales, organising several very successful Cardiff concerts at both Llandaff Cathedral and St David's Hall. She feels indebted to the Choir and its former Musical Director, the late John Jenkins. Because as a result of their generosity all profits from the concerts have been donated to the Charity which ensures that all funds raised are spent in Wales. Cancer Research Wales funds research of the highest calibre, which has the potential to benefit millions of lives worldwide, as well as those in our local community. Now retired from the Charity, Maggie still very much enjoys the Choir is very proud to be a Vice President.

Ann is the daughter of Aldwyn Humphreys and niece of Gwynfor Humphreys (both founder members and previous musical directors of the choir).
As Soprano soloist with the choir for several years, Ann has many happy memories of concerts.  
Ann retired as Head Teacher of Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Ogwr on the 30 September 2016 but went back as a volunteer to help prepare the children for the Urdd in Pencoed in 2017. Ann lives in Pen-coed with her husband David.    

Bridgend born "Josh" is the son of former Chairman & current Patron, Mansel. A Computer Science Graduate, he studied at UCW, Swansea & has been in the IT industry since 1985. Other interests include Bridgend Civic Trust; genealogy; local history & public houses!. He was delighted to become a VP in 2014.

Huw is the son of tenor chorister & afterglow impresario, John Morgan. A former musician, he is the Principal of a major insurance business. His significant contribution to the setting up & maintenance of this website is hugely appreciated. Huw  lives with his wife and three children at Mumbles.

Wendy was born at Holyhead and moved to Pontypridd before spending her teenage years at Bridgend. Widow of former Choir Musical Director, John Jenkins, Wendy is a fine musician in her own right being proficient with violin and piano, as well as being a great Choir supporter. Wendy has two children and two grandchildren and lives at Clydach.
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Llanelli born David is a former Chief Constable of South Wales Police and former Secretary of the Welsh Rugby Union. He is thrilled to be a Choir Vice President, as he knows so many choristers personally.

On May 5th, 2005 I stood as the Labour candidate for the Bridgend constituency in the General Election. On the morning of May 6th, I was standing in the House of Commons, the elected Member of Parliament for Bridgend.  They say a week is a long time in Politics – but what a life-changing 24 hours that was. I almost burst into song – but instead agreed to be Vice President of Bridgend Male Choir!

Vince  lived in the Bridgend/ Porthcawl area  for 40 years before setting up home with his wife, Margaret in Alicante. He worked at British Steel for 44 years and  became a Senior Manager. He has been involved with Welsh Choirs for many years. After 10 years in the sun, the couple returned to Porthcawl in 2010, closer to home and the choirs which he so enjoys.

A former rugby player for Newport RFC in the 1980's, BBC Wales Sports presenter Phil is best known for his role as the mirthful pitch side reporter on BBC 2 Wales' flagship Friday night rugby programme Scrum V Live.
He's also regularly heard on BBC Radio Wales mainly commentating on rugby - though over the years he's covered many weird and wonderful sports including Bog Snorkelling, Frisbee Golf, Nordic Walking, Long Boat Rowing and even a naked fun run!
Phil is  also a very popular and in demand after dinner speaker who has spoken at many prestigious events at home and abroad including The House Of Lords St. David's Day Lunch and of course at several fund raising events for The Bridgend Male Choir!    
An accomplished guitarist, Phil is great fan of Irish music and maintains that the finest rendition of  Pete St. John's  famous Irish  ballad The Fields Of Athenry he's ever heard was when it was performed by the Bridgend Male Choir at his and his wife Kate's wedding ceremony.

Andrew Tuggey is a former regular soldier who had the privilege to command the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia). He now runs the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association at the Houses of Parliament at Westminster and is also the Chairman of the Army Benevolent Fund in Gwent. The ABF supports our soldiers and raises funds to meet the requirements of those serving and former soldiers and their families who may have needs the State cannot meet. He and the Choir first met in 2005 when the latter began its long & fruitful relationship with the Band of the Corps of the Royal Engineers to perform together at the ABF Band & Choir Concert at Monmouth, which is always a complete sell-out.