On Thursday, November 22, 2007 the Treorchy & District Cancer Research Committee held their annual Christmas fund-raising coffee evening at St. Matthews Church Hall, Treorchy.

As usual, the hall was full to capacity with the faithful supporters who give generously to support medical research to cure cancer. 

It is always an enjoyable community get together. The coffee, cakes and chat are followed by entertainment.

This year, over thirty men of Cor Meibion Morlais, Ferndale came from the Rhondda Fach to entertain us.

The able conductor of the choir, Mr John Asquith, was most entertaining in introducing their programme that was wide ranging. The accompanist was Mr Stuart Roberts, a first class pianist.

The large audience really appreciated and enjoyed their concert.

As a result of the support of the choir and audience, it is pleasing to report that £805 was raised for cancer research. Diolch yn fawr iawn.

The Treorchy and District Cancer Research Committee’s 7th Annual Continental Tour took place over the August 2007 Bank Holiday weekend.

The 45 supporters again thoroughly enjoyed a busy and interesting tour based in the medieval Belgian city of Leuven. Everyone found Leuven most impressive and interesting and the second day was spent in the beautiful city of Brussels.

The tour raised a magnificent sum of £2,400 towards cancer research and Janet Jones, on behalf of the Committee, would like to thank all the people who again gave their full support before and on the tour.

‘Trolley Dollies’ John Mallin and Francois Lagier again cheerfully served hundreds of teas and coffees and Elaine Lewis and Judith Lagier organised the quiz and raffle.

We are also grateful to Judith Jones for doing all the typing.

Next year’s tour is to Reims in the champagne region of France and already it is almost sold out.

On November 17, 2005 the Treorci District Cancer Research Group held their annual Christmas Coffee Evening at St Matthew’s Church Hall. As usual, the Hall was filled to capacity.

The Committee feels a great sense of gratitude to our dependable stalwarts, who never fail to come along and support us.

Also it was encouraging to welcome a number of newcomers. Thank you all.

The Christmas table was an attraction where people could buy a wide range of Christmas presents. Theses were donated by many of the people in the Hall as well as others who were not present but had sent or brought gifts as donations.

As one lady said, “It’s for such a good cause, isn’t it?”

After chatting over coffee and cakes we were entertained by Cor Meibion Morlais. This was most enjoyable. The programme was varied and the singing really wonderful.

We are most grateful to the choir, the soloists, the lady pianist and the conductor himself, John Asquith. Thank you so much for the pleasure you gave us.

We are delighted to report to you that together we have collected £800 towards Cancer Research.

CANCER RESEARCH - Sept 2005

The Treorchy and District Cancer Research Committee’s 5^th Annual Continental Tour took place over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

A full coach load enjoyed an interesting and entertaining four days based in Lille with a day visit to Ghent.

Impromptu after dinner entertainment was provided by members of the WI and other tour members. 

One of the many entertaining heights was a rendering of “No Regrets” by ‘Edith (Pat Wright) Piaf’ and the singing of the French National Anthem greatly amused and impressed the waiters!

The tour raised a magnificent £2,100 towards Cancer Research and Janet Jones, the tour organiser, on behalf of the Treorchy Cancer Research Committee, would like to thank all the people who gave their unstinting support and donations before and on the tour.

Special thanks, to mention a few, to Elaine Lewis our Quizmaster and Prize Draw organiser, Tony and Anne Lynch for serving hundreds of cups of tea and coffee and Judith Jones for all the typing.

Next year’s tour to the three cities of Antwerp, Amsterdam and Mechelen is already fully booked and a reserve waiting list has been started.

CANCER RESEARCH - JUNE 2005

Recently, Treorci and District Cancer Research Committee held two very successful fund raising events.

A Cheese and Wine Evening was held in St Matthew’s Church Hall with Gillian Elisa of BBC Wales’s ‘Pobl y Cwm’ as guest.

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the evening and £640 was raised for Cancer Research.

The annual street collection in Treorci was also very successful with £950 being collected, thanks to the effort put in by committee members.

SEPT 2004 

The Treorchy and District Cancer Research Committee’s now annual August Bank Holiday Continental Tour has recently returned from another successful trip.

Organised on behalf of Treorchy Cancer Research by Janet Jones, a very enjoyable time was had by all.

On Saturday we visited the medieval town of Bruges and Sunday the picturesque town of Sluis in the Netherlands with its working windmill.

Members of Treorchy Male Voice Choir and the WI provided impromptu entertainment, which added to the evening’s enjoyment.

A shopping stop at Cite Europe on the return journey completed an enjoyable four-day tour.

To date, these fundraising tours have raised over £6,600 for cancer research and we are pleased to see that next year’s tour to Lille and Ghent is already virtually sold out.

Once again, a big ‘thank you’ is sent to all supporters and contributors to this worthwhile cause.

CANCER RESEARCH GROUP - MAY 2004

Treorchy Cancer Research Committee held a fundraising event at the R.A.F.A. Club in Treorchy to support research into breast cancer.

Pink was the colour of the night - ladies wearing pink made a great effort to get into the spirit of our ‘Pink Evening’. Thanks!

After light refreshments (on pink dishes, of course) an auction took place.

The number and range of items to be auctioned was unbelievable. Almost all were brand new and in their original packages. There was something for everyone.

Gentlemen were offered a choice between good quality shirts, hats, trendy caps, gadgets and top of the range after shaves.

For the ladies there were perfumes, cosmetics, soaps and fashion accessories. For the home there was everything from Parazone to clocks, mirrors, a CD player, items of garden furniture, table lamps and much more.

Lots and lots of gifts for the children including some outstanding knitted toys – heirloom quality! A bargain hunter’s dream.

We are overwhelmed with the generosity of you all, who contributed to the evening. Thank you for bringing along items for the auction and thank you all for your great support in coming along and spending your money so freely. You will be pleased to know that you made £771 towards further research into breast cancer.

It must be said that Mrs Mary Price made an impressive ‘Mistress of Ceremonies’ and a great auctioneer of what was a marathon auction. What stamina!

We wish to thank the Management and the staff of the R.A.F.A. Club, who were so supportive and pleasant.

* * * * *

On Tuesday 24^th February, the Treorchy and District Cancer Research Group held its annual Cheese and Wine Evening at St. Matthew’s Church Hall.

As it was Radio Wales Focus Week, featuring Treorchy, we were privileged that Welsh celebrity Mr. Roy Noble, offered to support the cause of cancer research by being our guest speaker.

The local response was overwhelming. 

The next morning, on his radio programme, Roy said “If anyone there in St. Matthew’s had fainted, there would have been no room to fall down!”

The evening started in the usual way with everyone having time for refreshments and a chat.  

Then Mrs. Linda Strange, organiser of Cancer Research UK in Wales, outlined some of the ways in which the research was successful in finding new treatments, so prolonging many lives.

She stated that since the group had been established in Treorchy they had raised the sum of £133,000. In recognition of this achievement, she presented a framed certificate to Mrs. Mair Lewis, a founder member of the group.

Three sixth-form pupils from Treorchy Comprehensive School than gave us all great pleasure with their presentation of ‘Songs from the Shows’.

First, Laura Davies sang ‘On My Own’ (from Les Miserables) followed by Chloe Jones who sang ‘Beauty and the Beast’ from the show of the same name.

Finally, the girls sang a duet ‘Tell Him’ (the well-known Dion and Streisand duet).

Huw Evans, at the piano, proved himself to be a most able accompanist.

Mrs. Bethan Guilfoyle, head of the school, was there to support her pupils and she must have felt very proud of their musical progress. Young musicians of this calibre will go on to maintain the celebrated musical traditions of the Rhondda. Well Done!

Finally, we were nobly entertained by Roy himself. The audience could totally relate to his thoughts on Welsh life – past and present – delivered ion his own most hilarious style. One lady said, “It’s years since I had such a good laugh!”

The evening was a huge success, with the music, the laughter and, above all, the generous contributions to cancer research resulting in a grand total of £827 being collected. Diolch yn fawr iawn!

On the evening of November 20^th 2003, over a hundred people started their Christmas celebrations when they gathered together at St. Matthew’s Church for the Treorchy and District Cancer Research Committee’s “Christmas Coffee Evening”.

It was a most enjoyable social evening. There was a sale of Christmas food and gifts as well as many donated prizes. The music played by the Treherbert Band was very much enjoyed by their audience who joined in with them in singing carols. We are most grateful to all the members who turned out in full force.

Mrs. Mary Davies, secretary of the Cancer Research Committee, thanked everyone for their continuing loyal support. She stated that in the past year the Committee has raised over £9,000 and she felt that it was important to acknowledge that a great deal of the money was donated by local individuals.

Cancer Research UK

On Thursday 15^th May, the Treorchy and District Cancer Research Committee held a fundraising “Cheese and Wine” evening in St. Matthew’s Church Hall.

The evening was so well attended that we wish to thank the Treorchy Conservative Club for lending us extra chairs.

The entertainment was provided by the Treorchy Women’s Institute, and directed by Mrs Pauline Worman. 

The audience really enjoyed the vitality, fun and humour of these lively and talented ladies. Thank you all.

Mrs Mary Davies, secretary, thanked everyone for coming to support the worthy cause of cancer research. She gave a brief informative account of the recent developments in the research, which is proving so significant in the treatment of cancer.

Due to you, our loyal supporters, we have raised in excess of £550. Well Done!