Treorchy Male Voice Choir Appoints new President

As we move into 2022,  Treorchy Male Choir are giving a warm welcome to their new President, Mr. John Richards of Knowle, West Midlands.

The choir say John has strong Rhondda Valley roots being the son of John David Richards who was brought up in the Parade, Ton Pentre and Megan Richards (née Edwards) who was brought up above her family’s general store DC Edwards-The Royal Exchange in Treherbert. Indeed, John still has family living in the Rhondda Valley.

He recalls his mother often playing records of Welsh male choirs after the family moved to London. The sound of the Treorchy Male Choir became very familiar to him and his uncle, Ifor Hitchings was a member for many years.

John has a real affection for the choir and many of the Minstrels (a group of choristers within the choir who perform at weddings and other celebrations). The Minstrels sang at his birthday one year and at his wedding to Marianne.

John and Marianne have sponsored the choir’s Junior Musician competition for the last few years before the pandemic caused a halt to this popular event.

President Brian Bates, who is now retiring after many years of service, presented John with Honorary Membership of the choir at a concert in the Park & Dare Theatre, Treorchy. The choir would like to wish Brian a long, happy and healthy retirement and thank him for his incredible support.

John has a very busy business life as Chairman of Brickability Group PLC, Chairman of Pencoed based Facilities by ADF, Chairman of JR and M Investments as well as being President of Moseley RFC in Birmingham where once he was a player and where his son Jack now plays. John also has a daughter Elizabeth who works and lives in London.

He is both honoured and humbled by the invitation to become President of the choir and he recalls the words of Sir Anthony Hopkins: ” The Master Choir of them all”. 

He says he absolutely echoes this splendid tribute and is looking forward to a long and successful era at an exciting time for our choir.

The choir have a new temporary rehearsal venue at the Bethlehem Chapel in Treorchy.