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Aberbargoed Ladies Choir has raised money for the new breast care centre in Ystrad Mynach – all while looking Pretty in Pink.

On Monday October 16, members of the choir wore pink clothes, ate pink cakes and donated their own money at their weekly choir rehearsal.

The event raised £300 for the new “Centre of Excellence” at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr, which is set to open in 2024.

Philippa Jones, secretary of Aberbargoed Ladies Choir, told Caerphilly Observer this was something that was close to the choir’s hearts.

She said: “The real reason why we did this concert is because our treasurer passed away in the summer from cancer.”

As October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the choir decided that it would be a fitting and worthy cause.

“Everybody in the choir donated some cash,” added Philippa, “they were generous.”

The choir, which now practises at Argoed Village Hall, often holds concerts where they raise money for charity – a recent event raised around £500 for Rhymney Valley Foodbank. 

The choir has links to the food bank as they used to rehearse at the organisation’s main hub, St Peter’s Church, prior to the pandemic. 

“We used to sing in Aberbargoed,” said Philippa, “during Covid, the church where we used to rehearse was taken over by Rhymney Valley Foodbank.” 

The pandemic also affected the choir, with their numbers dwindling from 50 to around 20 members.

Now, the numbers are “back up to 30”, according to Philippa, with members from Blackwood, Ystrad Mynach, New Tredegar, Rhymney and Tredegar. 

The choir sings a “mixture of music” including songs from musicals to more traditional and classical arrangements. 

Their next concert is a Christmas one and will take place on December 4 at the Methodist Church in Blackwood from 7pm – with funds raised going to Ty Hafan. 

Philippa said the choir is “always” welcoming new members and those who are interested can simply turn up to a weekly rehearsal. 

She added: “If anyone would like to come and listen to us rehearse, or suggest a particular charity to sing for, they can contact us.” 

Aberbargoed Ladies Choir rehearses on Mondays from 7pm to 9pm at Argoed Village Hall.