THE one big question facing Côr Blaenporth, also known as Blaenporth Male Voice Choir, is how are they going to fit 70 candles on their birthday cake?

Time has caught up on this celebrated choir, formed in 1947, and on Friday they will be celebrating the occasion with a special Noson Lawen at Rhosygilwen at 7.30pm.

From the early post-war days of their formation by ‘Abba’ Jones, the father of the late Dic Jones, one of Wales’ foremost poets, the choir have been busy every year keeping up the choral traditions of Wales.

In addition to writing poetry, Dic wrote the words of a number of songs which are still part of the choir’s repertoire and many remember him with fondness. 

The choir competes regularly in local eisteddfodau and are more than happy to appear at local community events, be they fund-raisers, weddings or just an excuse to have a good time.

Every event is approached with enthusiasm and usually culminates in a hearty sing-song in the nearest pub.

The choir are also proud of their international fame having travelled to Ireland and France for a number of years - the most recent trip being to the Pan Celtic Festival in Carlow, Ireland, in April.

This was the third time in 12 years that the choir had attended, and competed in, the Pan Celtic Festival in Ireland.

In 2011 the choir was invited to sing at a series of six concerts at six different locations in Brittany, in front of appreciative audiences in some of the region’s historic cathedrals and churches.

The choir’s current conductor and accompanist, Denis Clack and Helen Blackburn, have been with the choir since 2002, following in the footsteps of, Sally Davies-Jones, who held the baton for over 50 years.

See this week’s south editions for the full story, in shops and online tomorrow