Pontfaen YFC commemorated their 75th anniversary with two memorable concerts held at The Guild Hall, Brecon.
They were hosted by Raiff Devlin, a seasoned compere who has celebrated many victories in numerous YFC Debating and Brainstrust competitions, as well as his accolade of Best Speaker at the national level.
Raiff commenced the concerts by delving into the club’s rich history. He recounted how Pontfaen YFC was established on February 15, 1949, with initial meetings held at Pontfaen School. He extended a special welcome to Evelyn Morgans, one of the club's founding members present at the very first meeting, who attended the afternoon concert.
The opening act transported the audience back to the 1940s with a nostalgic performance by the senior members as the Wartime Singers.
The evening progressed through the decades, showcasing the younger members’ impeccable dance routine.
Anwen Healey captivated the audience with her soulful renditions of "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Misérables and "Someone Else’s Story" from Chess.
The nostalgia continued as past members, led by Ann Morris, entertained with lively performances of "The Golden Girls" and "Women in Black."
A standout for the evening was "Pontfaen Does Blind Date with a Twist," which had the audience in stitches. Featuring two special guests and one unsuspecting participant, Chris.
The junior boys impressed with a powerful Haka, rivalling even the famed All Blacks.
Another standout performance came from past member Geraint Phillips, whose voice bore an uncanny resemblance to Elvis, leaving the audience in awe.
The junior members delighted the crowd with a comic mime act, portraying babies.
Club Secretary Sian delivered a stunning rendition of Whitney Houston’s "Give Me One Moment in Time." And the senior girls took us on a Date Night.
The concerts reached their grand finale with a 30-strong choir comprised of both past and present members. Under Sian's leadership, they performed an inspiring medley including "Calon Lan," "You Will Be Found," "You Raise Me Up," and "This Is Me," closing both halves of the concert with emotional and powerful harmonies.
Club Chairman Rachel Rees concluded the event with a heartfelt vote of thanks. She praised Raiff for his exceptional compering, applauded all performers and backstage helpers, and expresed thanks to all that had supported the concerts.
Rachel also reminded everyone of the upcoming Anniversary Dinner scheduled for Friday, July 5.
Pontfaen YFC's anniversary concerts were a testament to spirit and community bond that has characterised the club since its inception. The event not only celebrated the club’s history but also showcased the vibrant talents of its members, past and present.
Originally meeting at Pontfaen School and relocating to Merthyr Cynog Hall in 1956, the club has grown and thrived over the decades. It currently boasts 75 members - 60 of whom are under 18.
Members enjoy participating in numerous events over the year including the YFC Rally, Drama Festival, Achievement Day and Eisteddfod. The Club has represented the county at Wales and National level in many different competitions - Promotions, Choir, Stockjudging, Public Speaking, Senior & Junior Member and Situations Vacant to name but a few.
Each year the club supports charities by hosting events. The Illuminated Tractor Run has been the highlight of the past three years, bringing joy to the surrounding community during the Christmas period. This year, the event raised for than £8,000 for good causes.
In August last year, the club enjoyed further success when it was named 'Inspirational Club of the Year' at the Rural Youth Europe European Rally in Austria.
For more information or to get involved, please contact Pontfaen YFC at [email protected]