The Aber Valley Male Voice Choir has made history after becoming the first Welsh choir to sing in the Speaker’s House in the House of Commons.
The Rt Hon John Bercow, the Speaker of the House of Commons, hosted a reception for the choir to help celebrate its 50th anniversary.
Choir members and their wives were invited by Mr Speaker to perform a number of songs in the State Rooms in Speaker’s House.
They were joined at the celebration by Caerphilly MP Wayne David, who is also the president of the choir, Secretary of State for Wales Peter Hain, and Parliamentarians from across Wales.
Also in attendance were representatives of Norgine, the pharmaceutical company which has a major factory in Hengoed, who are sponsors of the choir.
Mr David said: “I was delighted that the Speaker of the House of Commons chose to invite the Aber Valley Male Voice Choir to perform at Speaker’s House and celebrate the choir’s 50th anniversary.
“Being president of one of the finest male voice choirs in South Wales is a real privilege and hearing them perform so well in the magnificent surroundings of Speaker’s House was a marvellous experience for my Parliamentary colleagues and me.
“Mr Speaker had said that he had never heard a male voice choir perform live before – I think he was suitably impressed.”