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The Neyland Ladies Choir was formed in 1977 and currently has 53 choristers, two Musical Directors and an Accompanist. The choir has become well known throughout Pembrokeshire by the very varied style of concerts that they have performed and in recent years close links have also been established in other parts of Wales with both Ladies Choirs and Male Voice Choirs. 
In 1997 the choir undertook a very successful tour of Southern Ireland where they were very privileged to sing to a congregation in excess of 1000 at two masses as well at Enniscorthy Cathedral and Craig Church in Carlow.
In following upon the success of the Irish tour the choir travelled to Holland and Germany for a 5 day concert tour in May 2001 followed by a further tour in May 2003 to Rennes in Britanny.
The choir celebrated its 30th Anniversary in 2007, and undertook a concert tour to Toronto in Canada during the Easter period 2007.
The choir is in the very fortunate situation of having two Musical Directors, namely Lynne Kelleher and Rick Lawrence who are ably supported by the choir’s accompanist Peter Griffiths.
Please refer below for comprehensive information on these people.
The President of the choir is local historian Councillor Simon Hancock who was the Mayor of Neyland for the year 2004/2005.
The previous President was Lord Parry of Neyland who, until his death in 2004, had been the choir’s President for 18 years.
It was through Lord Parry that strong links with the premier choir of Wales, Cor Meibion de Cymru, were forged and had the opportunity on a number of occasions of performing with this choir, in particular at the unveiling of the Brunel Statue at Neyland Marina by HRH Price Charles, St. David’s Cathedral and a Gwmanfa Ganu in Port Talbot.
During the choir’s 20th Anniversary, Lord Parry said “The Neyland Ladies Choir is a superb example of the many good things that have come out of Neyland in its not so long and often difficult years as a seafaring village with ship-building yards, railway terminus and packet-boat port and finally a service community centred around its superb marina”.
The choir is a member of the Welsh Association of Ladies Choirs and since its formation in 1993 have joined other member choirs from South Wales for performances in the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, Afan Lido, St. David’s Hall Cardiff, the Rhyd-a-car Centre, Merthyr Tydfil, Truro Cathedral, and The William Aston Hall, Wrexham in October 2005.
The most memorable occasions were a glorious performance in front of the Prince of Wales at Cardiff Castle commemorating the 5th Anniversary of VE Day and the “Songs of Praise for the New Millennium” at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.
The choir is also a member of the “Welsh Amateur Music Federation” and “National Association of Choirs”.
The Neyland Ladies Choir is always happy to accept performances to help charitable organisations raise money for their much needed causes whilst at the same time providing enormous musical and spiritual enjoyment to themselves through the people they meet and the many charities that have benefited from their concerts.
The choir has recorded two CD’s entitled “Our Kind of Music” and “Down by the Riverside” in both tape and CD format. If you are interesting in purchasing copies, or wish to obtained further information about the choir, please contact:
Current Secretary
Mrs Sandra Western
2 Fleming Way
Neyland
Pembrokeshire
SA73 1RZ
Tel No: 01646 601793
Information of Musical Directors and Accompanist
Musical Director – Mrs. Lynne Kelleher
Mrs. Kelleher was born 12th January 1966 and attended the Mary Immaculate School in Haverfordwest from the age of 5. She commenced piano lessons when she was 7 and learnt the French Horn aged 8, subsequently joining the Mary Immaculate Band in Haverfordwest.
It was a family affair – her father was on the committee, her two sisters played saxophone and percussion, and her brother played Euphonium.
During this period the whole family travelled with the band to Ireland, Lourdes, Germany and the highlight culminating in a performance in St. Peter’s Square in Rome for the Pope.
Lynne’s first introduction to singing was through the church choir and during this period undertook lessons from the age of 13 which resulted in her taking on the full time organist position at 16.
This then led to her involvement conducting the choir for Easter and Christmas concerts. In addition, she was also a member of the school’s orchestra and choir whilst attending Tasker’s School for Girls.
On leaving school Lynne undertook a secretarial course in the local college and eventually obtained employment in the banking profession within Pembrokeshire.
During this time she joined the Dyfed Choir under the baton of John S. Davies and also the Fishguard Eisteddford Choir. She also set up a children’s choir called “Charisma” which performed locally as a choir and presented annual musicals for parents and friends. During this time Lynne still maintained her links with the Mary Immaculate Band both as a playing and committee member.
In making a decision on her future aspirations Lynne gave up the choir, opera and bank to go to Trinity College, Carmarthen to undertake a teaching course, with music as a specialist subject.
During her four years of study she joined both the English and Welsh Choir “Pernod” as deputy conductor travelling to Poland and Gran Canaria with several television performances on the Welsh channel and continued with piano and horn lesson. She completed the course with a 2(1) B.Ed (Hons) music degree.
Lynne commenced her first teaching job in the Fishguard Catholic School where she met her husband Michael and is currently teaching in a primary school in Broad Haven. Lynne’s enthusiastic approach to music is responsible for the Neyland Ladies Choir’s adaptability in providing a wide-ranging repertoire covering both secular and sacred music.
Musical Director – Mr. Rick Lawrence
Rick was born in Stockport in 1975 and began learning the piano at the age of 5.
He involved himself in the musical life of Bramhall High School which he attended until the age of 16 and thereafter Cheadle Hulme School where he completed 4 “A”
Levels, including music and also gained a place at St. Hugh’ College, Oxford to read music.
Highlights of his time in Oxford included regular solo piano recitals, forming and conducting an orchestra within St. Hugh’s College which culminated in a performance of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 with himself as the soloist, together with singing with the Oxford Bach Choir which performed large scale choral works such as Carmina Burana, Brahms’ German Requiem and Elgar’s Dream of Gerontuis.
He somehow also managed to find time to complete the academic course, graduating with a First.
Rick considered a career in teaching but decided against it and instead joined Tesco as a graduate trainee in 1997. Having worked in various management positions in stores in the North West, he was offered the position of Store Manager in Milford Haven in 2002 and has subsequently moved down the road to Pembroke Dock.
It was during his time in Milford Haven that his association with the Neyland Ladies Choir began and he has also been involved in a number of concerts as a solo pianist.
Rick is also a keen composer and lists his hobbies away from music as cricket (he plays for a local team), watching sport in general and all things “Star Trek”
Accompanist – Mr. Peter Griffiths
Peter has been the choir’s accompanist since 1995. He began playing the piano at 7 years old and undertook a 2 year course at Cardiff College of Music and Drama at the age of 18 completing his study at weekends and in his spare time whilst holding down a full time job.
Peter has accompanied the Haverfordwest Male Voice Choir and has also played for pantomimes and musicals in Pembrokeshire, including the Milford Haven Operatic Society.
He has also played piano for the Glan Cleddau Folk Dancing Group and is a member of the Priory Methodist Church in Milford Haven where he has been organist since 1999.
Peter also has many other commitments with churches and chapels in the area as well as helping local schools and in particular has been accompanist for the production of a CD for Peter Totterdale who is the tenor soloist with Cor Meibon de Cymru and the London Welsh Male Voice Choir.
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