PHARMACIES
*Lloyds, Heol y Nant and High Street. S R Bailey, The Pharmacy. S R Bailey, Station Road. Well, Gwillym Road. Lloyds Pharmacy, Strawberry Place, 8.30am-6pm. *Huw S Rees, The Pharmacy. The Pharmacy. Sainsbury’s Instore Pharmacy, Quay Parade, 8am-10pm; Tesco Fforestfach, 8am-8pm. *W A & J B Lewis, 697 Llangyfelach Road, 5.30-6.15pm. *Well, 55 Uplands Crescent, 5.30-7pm. C Jones, 43 Gurnosfa, Gurnos, Lower Cwmtwrch. *Gravelle Pharmacy.
*C I Hopkins, Bridge Pharmacy. THIS past week there has been time for little else other than focussing on pantomime rehearsals.
Since Monday life has been all about the rehearsal room with the occasional visit to the music room or up to wardrobe for a costume fitting.
After rehearsals it’s home for tea and then back to the script and then some time preparing for the next day’s Breakfast Show on Swansea Sound.
I have no complaints, none of the above are to arduous in comparison to many of the jobs that people do day in and day out and I genuinely enjoy the company of the panto company, some of whom have been dear friends for many years. It was nice, however, to go along to the Swansea City Disabled Supporters Association Christmas Social and focus on something different for a couple of hours.
I’m very honoured to be president of the DSA who represent a remarkable group of passionate Swans supporters who work with the Swans to ensure that those fans with a disability can have a great matchday experience.
The fans there that evening were delighted that Graham Potter, Alan Curtis, Jay Fulton and Dan James came along and posed for photos with everyone and joined in the carol singing . . . well it is Christmas.
On Thursday I dashed form rehearsals to St Mary’s Church to another Christmas concert which proved to be a very emotional night.
I was delighted to be there to host a very unique evening for Tenovus Cancer Care in their 75th anniversary year.
Tenovus was founded by 10 volunteers back in 1943 and is now widely recognised for its ground-breaking work in cancer research, and its unique solutions to supporting those affected by cancer in the heart of communities across Wales.
The annual Lovelight concert is an opportunity for everyone to remember loved ones we have lost, but to also celebrate the lives of people living with cancer and of course raising awareness for Tenovus Cancer Care.
I was quite stunned to learn that 52 people are diagnosed with cancer every day in Wales so it’s essential that our nation’s cancer support charities like Tenovus are able to be there for them and their families.
Special guests for the evening were the Hywel Girls Choir and my goodness they are incredible and they rightly received a standing ovation.
However, the concert was held to feature the incredible Tenovus Cancer Care Sing with Us Swansea choir.
In 2010 Tenovus began a project called Sing with Us as a result of a study to measure the benefits of singing for people affected by cancer. The results were extremely positive, showing that singing reduced feelings of isolation, depression and anxiety. The results also showed improvements in circulation, breathing and some patients claimed to have less perception of pain.
Now, Tenovus run a network of 19 very special choirs to help support past and current patients, as well as carers and those bereaved through cancer, the largest of which is the Swansea Choir.
I can remember hosting the choir’s first concert on the stage of the Llewellyn just after it had been formed – it was a very small choir.
On Thursday there were more than 100 singers and boy they made a good sound.
The really emotional moment came during their performance when volunteers went around St Mary’s to light candles that concert goers were given on arrival.
Then came will a minute of candle-lit reflection, a time for everyone to celebrate the lives of those living with cancer, and remember loved ones we have lost.
Everyone had different reasons for standing with that candle and there were some tears during that emotional moment.
I stood in memory of my dad who passed away just over three years ago as a result of his cancer but also in celebration of the life of a remarkable loving, courageous and hardworking man.
The choir sang a series of upbeat songs as part of their programme.
Songs like Mr Blue Sky; This is Me, Carol of the Bells and other favourites.
They finished with It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, made famous by Andy Williams.
I’m afraid that I couldn’t resist I just had to join in as did much of the audience.through its research Tenovus has discovered that singing is good for you.
In fact, they discovered that just one hour of singing has a significant biological impact on the body, reducing stress hormones and boosting the immune system.
So, maybe 2019 is the year to join a choir and start singing.