Sorry for the long absence, but been experiencing internet & computer problems, also got my pass word; so was not able to post before.
We arrived early on a nice warm evening to sit in the Cathedral ground to eat our subway sandwiches, whilst listening to Aled rehearsing in side the Cathedral, there were 3 of us Reeta & me with my youngest son Keiran’s girl friend Sophie (at her request to come with us), well she did have Walking in the Air played over her crib as a baby, & she has no choice of music in my car other than Aled; we were told that the doors would open later than planned as Aled had arrived late & therefore was still rehearsing which no-one seemed to mind; as it was a lovely early summers evening with the offer to buy glasses of wine & soft drinks that were on sale; people were still trying to buy tickets even as we going in; we eventually were allowed to enter the Cathedral via the South door, to find we were sitting facing the back of the Cathedral with a beautiful view of the organ pipes, which was used during the evening; we had front row seats, just of centre, the Cathedral was full, with a few odd empty seat, like the one in the front row just left of me, the man explained that his wife was told 10 days prior to the concert that her daughter had a school prize giving & he had brought her the ticket as a treat she enjoyed Aled, but had to attend the prize giving;
The Cathedral choir started the evening off with 4 songs; then we had the Chelmsford Youth choir, who sang 4 South African songs; then it was Aled’s turn, Pete & Dom were on stage, Pete started with his introduction for Walking in the Air; there was no sign of Aled, then Young Aled starts, then you hear Aled himself, he is standing by the North door, he made his way on stage whilst singing; he was dressed in a black evening suit (the one that has the shiny black line down the out sides leg of the trousers), with a white shirt & matching tie;
Aled welcomed us by saying the look of shock on the younger choirs members faces when young Aled started sing, as he said that his voice had not sounded like that during rehearsal; he then spoke about GMS, & as there was not much response he accused us of listening to Classical FM instead; then asked if there were any Welsh in the audience, he the took the fun out of one man, whom he said his YES sounded like a sheep baaing & said he would have to remember that one for future; he then said he was going to sing Lucas’s favourite Welsh lullaby Suo-Gan, he also said that was the only Welsh song for the evening; he then sang Always There, finishing the first half with sorry I lied this one starts in Welsh, All Through the Night.
Interval time chance for more wine if you wanted it, we went to see where the Champagne Greet & Meet was for after the concert, NO we were Not going; the lady we asked said she did not think it was worth £60.00, which was to be held in the Chapter House.
The second half was again started by the Cathedral choir with 4 more songs; Dom & Pete went back on stage, the music for San Damiano started with Aled standing by the North door, Aled said he was panicking as the music started sooner than he had expected & he was not sure if he would get on stage to start singing as the mic was on its stand on stage; therefore he felt a bit exhausted showing how fit he was bout this would soon be sorted & he would loose the 2.5stones he has put on since Strictly Come Dancing, as he was due to start rehearsals for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on Mon 9th June; next was If , he talked about it being done by Bread in 1968 & teased an older member of the Cathedral choir for admitting he was that old; then he spoke his web site, & said they are ALL BEING BARKING MAD on there!!!!!!! But a lovely crowd; he asked “are there were any Forum members in this evening, I know there are 2 in the front row, is there any more??” there was a shout from the back? Wendy or someone else; he then said “well this is their favourite!!” & sang You Raised Me Up; he finished as always with the Nations favourite How Great Thou Art. Aled then left the stage to loud applause; he eventually came back & said “I suppose you want more!!!” “You can choice between a Slow Welshman!!!”, Aled & everyone went into fits of laughter; Aled then recomposed himself & again told us “you can have a slow Welsh on or a fast English one???” we choice both but got the fast English one When God Shines His Light; to a large round of applause, Aled then said I promised you a slow Welsh one Bugeilio’r Gwyneth Gwyn, so we got both; then he was gone.
We went out through the North door in hope to see Aled, we found Paul putting Aled’s suit in the boot of the car, which was a convertible, sorry can not remember the make; Paul said he was doing an interview with BBC Essex, a group was waiting out side one of the side ? Chapel doors; so we to continued to wait, & were as usual rewarded with a brief chat with Aled which I have all ready reported; we escorted him towards the Chapter House & as he went in we left for home on a very high Cloud; using my new toy a Sat Nav to get us home safely as it did to get us there, with Aled singing on the CD as ever. Love Dawn