In the early 1990s the Cardiff Police choir folded and retired Police Inspector, Terry Budd, who was keen to continue singing, approached Monica Roblin (they were both associated with Canton RFC, Cardiff) to see if she would be interested in starting a Rugby Club Male Voice Choir.
Monica who was then the head of music at Fitzalan High School Cardiff, did show an interest and on March 31st 1993 she and Terry, along with four local men formed the beginnings of Canton RFC Male Voice Choir, three of them along with Terry and Monica are still active in the choir today. The choir grew and is now 4 section strong.
Now approaching their 30th anniversary despite struggles over the years to keep the choir going they are still thriving, however always looking for young blood and new recruits.
Starting off with songs like Kumbaya and graduating to a repertoire of traditional hymns, Beatle’s medleys and Bowie numbers, the choir have sung at many prestigious places such as The Royal Albert Hall and Millennium stadium and are currently the resident choir for pre international rugby matches at The Holiday Inn, Cardiff.
The choir supports and has supported many young up and coming singers over the years, also singing for endless charitable causes.
Terry Budd, above, has written a historic book about the choir titled ‘Do You Hear the People Sing?’ and commented, “It is a book outlining the history of Canton RFC Male Voice Choir telling a methodical story from humble beginnings, the plight of the choir diminishing in members, having to improvise during Covid times right through to the much brighter times of singing at prestigious events whilst supporting local charities. In the main the book is not just for the enjoyment of the reader but for the history of the choir to be documented for the future.”
There will be a book launch to commemorate 30 years of the choir and the proceeds of £500 raised so far, will be going to Ty Hafan hospice.
Terry wrote the first choir book in 2013 to commemorate the first 20yrs he said, “Both books have been a pleasure to write and it is so important to document history, I worked closely on the book with my loyal friend Beccs Ramsey Owens , who guided me on the more technical side of things like editing and photos etc, without her it would’ve been a much more difficult job but we got there and we are both very pleased with the finished project.”
“Beccs who is originally from Broad Haven, Pembrokeshire but grew up in Penarth is married to one of the top tenors in the choir, Bill Owens, and it is actually through Canton RFC Male Voice Choir and the rugby club that they met, so her involvement not only with the book but the choir itself over the last 24 years is very strong.”
Terry went on to say, “From singing for charity in church halls across the UK, Brangwyn Hall in Swansea to singing in The Royal Albert Hall in London is fantastic and all us choristers do it from the heart, we enjoy going on tour in the UK and abroad, a time when wives and family can also join us. Singing to me is extremely important and it has brought us so much camaraderie. We at Canton RFC Male Voice Choir are close knit, we get together and sing to our heart’s content, it helps our own well-being whilst at the same time reaching out to others.”
Sponsors of the book span from far and wide some include local Cardiff businesses, Ashdown Sales Ltd, D.P Windows Ltd, L.J Accountants Ltd, writer/teacher Judith Garner – formerly of Pembrokeshire,
W Robert Griffiths KC of Haverfordwest and 6, Pump Court, London and Arwyn Williams retired Penarth bank manager.
Book launch
The book launch is on Wednesday 5th April at Canton RFC clubhouse Lawrenny Avene, Leckwith Cardiff at 7.30pm, Lucy Kettlety of Ty Hafan Hospice will be in attendance to receive a cheque from the choir.
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