CWMBACH Male Choir topped the bill at a packed charity concert in St Andrew’s Church, Penylan, on Saturday evening.
Organised by Jayne Thomas, pianist for the choir, the concert raised £2,000 for Ehlers-Danlos Support UK, which helps people living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS).
There are many symptoms associated with EDS, meaning it is often misdiagnosed. Joint pain, skin which bruises easily, and resistance to local anaesthetics are among the possible symptoms.
One person suffering from the condition is Annie Harry, 25, from Neath.
Annie, who was in the audience on Saturday, was diagnosed when she was 19. Until then, like most people, she had never heard of EDS.
Annie Harry (pictured) said the concert was “absolutely phenomenal.” (Photo: Cwmbach Male Choir Facebook Page)
“It’s a difficult condition,” she said. “It’s managed with lots of different medication– but once it’s managed you just have to get on with it.”
Annie described Saturday’s concert as “absolutely phenomenal.”
“It was touching how many people turned out. I was shocked. The range of ages was great to see,” she said.
Established in 1921, Cwmbach Male Choir currently boasts 100 members. 50 were present on the night, despite singing at a wedding earlier in the day.
The 200-strong audience was treated to two hours of musical entertainment, featuring Welsh-word and English-word songs.
Thomas Jenkins, 68, from Aberdare, has been in the choir for 25 years. During this time, he and his choir mates have toured venues in countries such as Canada, South Africa and Germany.
“It was a good cause tonight and I enjoyed it a lot. It’s a big church and it was almost full.”
The supporting acts for the evening were Women in Harmony and Voice Male, both from Cardiff.
Audience member Mike Paine, 63, from Penylan, praised the “diverse programme” which he found “thoroughly enjoyable.”
Jill Shelton, Minister at St Andrew’s Church, was similarly impressed with the night’s offering.
“It was exceedingly well attended,” she said. “I think everybody enjoyed the varied performances.
“Most importantly, it’s raised awareness of an obscure condition that hardly anybody’s heard about,” she added.
Watch this short video for more information about EDS.
