THE FOURTH CHOIR PRESIDENT SINCE 1924

At its Annual General Meeting on 24 February 2008, the Pendyrus Male Choir inaugurated a new President – only the fourth in the choir’s 84 year history, His Honour Mr Justice Wyn Williams Kt QC, who was born in Ferndale, the son of Mr Ronald Williams (for many years Chairman of Côr Meibion Morlais), and educated at Rhondda County School for Boys, Corpus Christi College, Oxford, and Inns of Court Law School in London. He was called to the Bar (Inner Temple) in 1974, and has practiced as a Barrister in Cardiff and London. He was appointed QC in 1992, a Specialist Chancery Circuit Judge for Wales in 2004 and a High Court Judge in January 2007, and was knighted by the Queen in April 2007. Sir Wyn lives in Porth, and has been closely involved with Tylorstown RFC for many years – as a 1st XV player between 1969 and1985, a member of Committee 1985-98, Chairman 1991-95, and a Trustee since 1996. 
Pendyrus’ first President, Mr Thomas Johns MA JP, a miners’ agent for Rhondda, held the office from 1934 to 1943. His successor, Mr William H Mainwaring MP, was a member of the South Wales Miners’ Federation, and represented Rhondda East in Parliament for 26 years (1933-59). In retirement he moved to Oxfordshire, and resigned the Presidency in April 1966.  
The third President, Dr Ieuan Gwynne MB B.Ch, was appointed in June 1966. Dr Gwynne, who lives in Ystrad, was a well-respected GP, and senior partner in the Tylorstown practice for many years. He regularly attended choir rehearsals and concerts, and took part in a number of overseas tours, acting as “medical adviser” whenever necessary, and has also been involved in other musical activities in Rhondda, notably the RCT Rotary Clubs’ “Young Musicians” initiative. In tribute to his support and generosity over nearly 42 years (the longest Pendyrus Presidency) Dr Gwynne has been appointed President Emeritus