06-26-26

Some things I recognize as stories immediately - weddings, the passing of a friend, being present at big events, and so on. But it isn't unusual to discover that what I thought was the story is really part of a much-larger one.

Llangollen (thlan-GAH-thlin) is a major tourist attraction in North Wales, owing to its natural beauty and the international music festival and competition held each July to promote peace, friendship, and international understanding. In contrast, most people just pass through Froncysyllte (vron-kuh-SULTH-tay), a village of 600 wrapped around the major road leading to Llangollen.

In 1947, the inaugural Eisteddfod (eye-STETH-vod) was being held in Llangollen and locals in Froncysyllte wanted to create a choir to compete. But recruiting the required 60 members in such a small place was a challenge. So Dennis "Den" Williams and Gren Gough, both just 16, were asked to join the Froncysyllte "Fron" (vron) Male Voice Choir.

On June 11, husband Art, friend Jan, and I were at the village's Aqueduct Inn at an event to honor the two men for their nearly eight decades of service to the choir.

The inn has special significance for the village and the choir as it was regarded as a social hub as well as a regular meeting place for choir members after rehearsals. It also holds a personal connection for Den, whose family once owned the inn. He was born in one of the upstairs rooms.
The Aqueduct Inn
(image: theguardian.com)

Den said the reason the Llangollen Eisteddfod was started was to "make friends with the Germans and all the others we were fighting [during World War II]."

"We went to Germany many, many times and stayed with families and it was quite an experience," he said. "And I'm proud to say we did make friends with the Germans. That's why wars are so bloody silly."

He also spoke about the various conductors the group has had, including the first woman conductor. He was the choir chairman at the time, and many of the members didn't want a lady, so about 14 of them walked out. "Those were the dark days," he remarked.

Current conductor Leigh Mason has two music degrees. Den noted how young she was when she started.

"She was brilliant ... She made practice a fun game. You can't upset her. She's always smiling."

Den added the group has been lucky with its many conductors, then paused, grinned, and added, "About the singers? I don't know."

After the presentation, Art spoke at some length with Den. He spent his career working at the nearby Monsanto plant. He was offered a promotion, but declined because he knew it would have meant moving to another location. He still had the opportunity to travel to various countries, but he was happy to live close to where he grew up.

Art (left) chats with Den (center) and Gren

Today, the Fron has 70-plus choristers, ranging in age from 17 to 94. Nearly 80 years after its founding, it is internationally-renowned, sharing stages with well-known artists, performing at prestigious venues, and touring around the world. The group was invited in fall 2025 to Modena, Italy to perform as guests of the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation to honor the choir's connection with the famous tenor. That was followed just two weeks later with a concert tour of Malta. They will be performing with the Oxford Welsh Male Voice Choir in October 2026 and plan to travel to Germany in 2027.

When current chairman Steve Winn presented the men with certificates of appreciation and appointed them as vice presidents and honorary life members of the group, it was what you might expect at such a moment.

But then, he added, "... You didn't just help form a choir; you helped create a family ... You have been guardians of our traditions and living proof of what dedication looks like. ... Den and Gren, thank you for your voices, your loyalty, your laughter, and your heart."

Steve noted the sense of belonging and the pride choristers share rest on the foundation the two men helped build. It's evident the story is bigger than just a bunch of guys who like to sing. I thought of how some members travel 10, 20 and 30 miles one way for the twice-a-week rehearsals - something a bit surprising for retired folks, many of whom prefer to spend their evenings at home. It's even more surprising for those who come after a full day of work.
Den and Gren with certificates

Steve is right. The choir does feel like a family. During our rehearsal visits, we arrive to find our chairs ready for us. Before and after, members stop and chat. Ray gave us a jar of honey made by his own bees. Roger drove Art's cousin Kris to the airport in Manchester last fall, and he and wife Julie have invited us to lunch several times. When Art wanted to buy one of the Fron's lapel pins two years ago, he learned they were all gone, so Steve gave him his. David and wife Gloria gave us a tour of their crafts workshop. Joel helped Art with an article earlier this year. Keith invited Art on a fly-fishing trip. The list of kindnesses shown to us and fellow members seems endless.

While they charge for concerts, most of the money raised goes to charity. When a local charity thrift shop, "Threads of Cefn," opened in nearby Cefn Mawr, the choir did a special recording of the hymn, "Bread of Heaven," substituting the words "Threads of Cefn." They recorded a song for Art's 80th birthday and another to cheer me through cancer treatments.

After the presentations and before heading off for their regular Thursday-night rehearsal, choristers overwhelmed and delighted other pub visitors by breaking into an impromptu version of the Welsh hymn, "Cwm Rhondda," known in English as "Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer."

Yes, the evening was about Den and Gren, but it was also about something more, something bigger - and something those two helped nurture.