Builth Male Voice Choir bid a heartfelt farewell to their long-serving accompanist, Ann Bufton, during their annual St David’s Day concert on Saturday, March 1.

Ann, who has served as the choir’s accompanist for an incredible 41 years, performed for the final time in this role, marking the end of an era for the choir.

To honour her dedication and exceptional service, Bob Jones, one of the choir’s longest-serving members, presented Ann with a stunning cut glass rose bowl. The gesture was a fitting tribute to her commitment to the choir, attending weekly rehearsals and participating in countless performances year after year.

The choir’s Musical Director, Adrian Morgan, who has known Ann for 26 years, expressed his deep gratitude for her dedication, not only to Builth MVC but also to a variety of other choirs and soloists that have benefitted from her talents as a very accomplished and sympathetic accompanist over the years.

Ann’s retirement from the position marks the end of a significant chapter in the choir’s history. However, local pianist Sirwan Hariri will now take over the role of accompanist, ensuring that the choir can continue to perform at its usual high standard in future events.

The concert also featured an outstanding performance by singer-songwriter Sara Davies, who was the soloist for the evening. Sara captivated the audience with her powerful rendition of her own Welsh songs, including several tracks from her upcoming album.

The choir performed a selection of beloved favourites, both in Welsh and English, including Rachie, Tra Bo Dau, and the moving Bring Him Home from Les Misérables. One of the highlights of the evening was a new, unique arrangement of Can’t Help Falling in Love by Jeffrey Howard, which was well received.

All proceeds from the concert were donated to Builth Wells Community Support.