BBC star hosts city's first St David's Day celebration

Come and join the Mayor and Mayoress of Newport, BBC Wales presenter and acclaimed metzo-soprano Beverley Humpheys, rising singing star Holly Holyoake and a host of choirs for a special St David's Day concert.

The St David's Day concert is a first for Newport and Beverley, a patron of Growing Space and supporter of the mayoral charities has put together a fabulous evening.

Also performing at the concert are the Newport Male Voice Choir, Cwmbran Male Voice Choir, Pontnewydd Male Voice Choir, and Garndiffaith Gleeman along with the St John's on the Hill School Choir.

The event is taking place at the Newport Centre on Thursday 1 March with all proceeds going towards the mayoral charities Growing Space and the St Woolos Restoration Appeal.

Tickets are tremendous value at just £7.50 for adults and £5 for children.

They are on sale now from the Newport Centre, The Riverfront Theatre or the City Contact Centre on 01633 656757.

Beverley Humphreys profile

Beverley is famous for being the first singer in the history of Welsh rugby to sing at the Millennium Stadium and lead the tens of thousands of spectators in the singing of the National Anthem.

She presents 'Showtime', her Saturday evening programme which takes an affectionate look at Musical Theatre on BBC Radio Wales and regularly hosts the BBC National Orchestra of Wales programmes.

She writes and tours with her one-woman shows, which include 'Legendary Ladies', her tribute to Marlene Dietrich, Judy Garland and Gertrude Lawrence.

As a rising metzo-soprano star, she sang several important roles with Welsh National opera, including Rosina, Carmen, Santuzza and Amneris.

She has performed at all the major concert halls in the country, including the Albert Hall for the Queen and Prince Philip. Across the Atlantic, Beverley has appeared in concerts from Vancouver to New York.

On March 1st, Beverley sings for the people of Newport, giving up her time for free.

Her generosity stems from her commitment to charity work in general and to the charity Growing Space in particular.

Beverley first came across this mental health support charity which is based at Tredegar House in Newport, when she visited the House, along with the Paul Robeson Exhibition, which she co-ordinated over two years ago.

She was immediately drawn to the work of Growing Space which provides a therapeutic environment and horticultural, and carpentry skills to people recovering from mental illness and helps them grow in self confidence and esteem. When they are ready, people then take their skills and muscle out into the community and help older and vulnerable people clear and maintain their own gardens.

Her first effort on behalf of the charity was to make an extremely successful programme for BBC Radio Wales on its work.

She encouraged the people involved with Growing Space at the time to speak out through this programme about their feelings and to educate many people about the problems experienced when you have a mental health problem and the value of what Growing Space can do to help you through and recover.

Within 18 months of joining the Board of Trustees of Growing Space, Beverley was elected as Chairman in 2006. She has also performed her one-woman show at Tredegar House to raise funds very successfully.

When Beverley discovered that the Mayor of Newport, Councillor Miqdad Al-Nuaimi was interested in Growing Space as one of his charities during his mayoral year, she immediately brought her vivacity and drive to help fundraise.

She is equally happy to work for the Mayor's second charity which is the Restoration Appeal for St Woolos Cathedral.

Having committed to the concert on March 1, Beverley was offered a professional engagement with BBC National Orchestra of Wales on the same evening. She has turned this down, in order to fulfil her commitment to Newport's St David's Day Concert. Her professionalism and hectic schedule is matched only by her commitment to this event and to bringing a wonderful performance to Newport.

People can see Beverley alongside Newport Male Voice Choir, Cwmbran Male Voice Choir, Pontnewydd Male Voice Choir, Garndiffaith Gleeman and of course, wonderful young star Holly Holyoake.

Holly is also generously giving her performance free of charge. The evening will be further enhanced by the lovely voices of the children of St John's on the Hill School Choir.

 

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