ABERTILLERY ORPHEUS MALE CHOIR CÔR MEIBION ABERTYLERI	FOUNDED 1908 PATRON: Robert Lloyd CBE Site updated:12 February, 2012

2012 Judo Commonwealth Championships at the Wales Millenium Centre Jan 23rd 2012

Abertillery Orpheus Male Choir……..stand proud in the fact they participates in the opening ceremony of the 2012 Commonwealth Judo Association Championships at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff on Monday 23rd January. The games ran from Monday 23rd to Wednesday 25th January and brought together over 700 competitors from over 70 countries and acted as a ‘springboard’ for the Olympic games. This wasan extremely prestigious event combining the spirit of the games with the culture of a renowned cosmopolitan and yet historic city. The Welsh Judo Association who hosted the games had a tough road to securing this event and beat off top competition finally overcoming South Africa at the final hurdle. The Millennium Centre, renowned for fantastic theatrical and operatic events was used for the first time in it’s history as a sporting venue and it’s exciting times for the Centre. They attracted a whole new audience top this wonderful venue. This event wasa true worldwide occasion and Abertillery Orpheus Male Choir (AOMC) was absolutely delighted to have been chosen to open the ceremony. Mr. Fred Prosser, choir member and also long standing member of the Welsh Judo Association commented on the event stating, “it’s not very often that such a prestigious sporting event is secured in Wales and having the choir represent Welsh culture was a real coup. I have been a Judo member for many years and seen a considerable number of great participants but I had this warning to the Championships. On Monday evening, the choir took it’s own team of 40 black belts along with few members elite members in blue socks with the off hand warmers thrown in. Frightening so beware!” The choir also hosted the wonderful Elizabeth Tiley who brought her wonderful solo repertoire to the stage and have the backing of the choir through some musical numbers. Elizabeth has a long and established association with the choir and has participated in a number of events with the same. Elizabeth is a born and bred Abertillery girl and dad John is also a long established member of the choir. Whilst the choir didn’t expect to win any medals on the mat, they certainly hoped to win a few friends on stage and the choir sincerely hoped that they do the open ceremony justice, represent their country proudly and finally wished the games, teams, organisers and the whole event the very best of wishes and good luck. In summary, it did that and more. If you would like to learn more about the choir or you wish to join this fine band of male choristers, please visit our website at http://www.abertilleryorpheus.co.uk/ for more details.