Celebrating St David’s Day

Officers and staff gathered at Police Headquarters this week to mark St David’s Day – the patron Saint of Wales. 

The informal event was organised to help promote the Welsh language and also the North Wales Police choir.

The mixed choir was established in August last year, with the main aim of promoting positive mental health and to also promote the Welsh language.

Now with over 80 members – including serving officers, staff, volunteers as well as retired colleagues who travel from across the region, the choir is going from strength to strength, and they will even be competing at this year’s National Eisteddfod in Wrexham.

Conductor and Sergeant Arwyn Tudur Jones said: “This is the first time we’ve established a choir within the force and we’re pleased to say we are going from strength to strength.

“We’ve already performed in events such as the Force Awards and Emergency Services Carol Service and we very much have the National Eisteddfod in our sights for later this year.

“A large proportion of the choir are non-Welsh speakers so it’s a fantastic opportunity for the members to learn Welsh and become comfortable in using the language day to day, in work and at home.

“We have lots of exciting things planned over the coming months, and we’re looking forward to perform for new audiences.”

The choir rehearse weekly at Police Headquarters in Colwyn Bay under the guidance of renowned Welsh Pianist, Annette Bryn Parri – who has travelled the world with soloists, groups and choirs and is best known as an accompanist to opera stars such as Bryn Terfel.

The choir have also been fortunate to be visited by renowned soloists Rhys Meirion.

Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman said: “The choir represents us here in North Wales Police really well – the connection, the positivity, the passion and also the respect for Wales and the Welsh language.

“I also love the fact we have people from across the force – the Federation, Rural Crime Team, the PCC’s office, front counter staff, firearms officers, NARPO, PCSO’s - it’s great to see people out one day patrolling the streets, the next day here, joining together – connecting in a way that’s really beautiful.

“I’d like to thank Arwyn, Annette and the choir for celebrating St David’s Day with us and I look forward to seeing how they develop over the coming months.”

As well as hearing the choir, staff were also given an opportunity to meet members of the Welsh Language Unit and the Force Welsh Language Champions.