Aled Jones pays tribute to one of Wales' greatest musicians
Annette Bryn Parri, Musical Director of the North Wales Police Choir, was from the Deiniolen area. She died on May 27 aged 62.
The esteemed Welsh Pianist, described as one of Wales' greatest musicians by Welsh singer, radio and television presenter Aled Jones, was well-known in Welsh culture circles and appeared regularly at the Eisteddfod in Llangollen.
At the time of her passing, she was the Musical Director of the North Wales Police Choir.
Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman said: 'It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of our friend Annette Bryn Parri. Annette was the musical director of our force choir.
'From day one put her heart and soul into developing and nurturing the choir.
Annette Bryn Parry plays the piano for residents at Bryn Seiont Newydd care home in Caernarfon (Image: Mandy Jones) 'Those who knew Annette will know that her warmth, talent, passion, and courage was outstanding.
'I spent some time with her recently and we spoke of the ambitious plans she had for the choir and for the love she had for those who are part of this special group."
North Wales Police lowered their flag to half mast as a mark of respect.
"We are thinking of Annette's family and close friends at this most difficult time," Chief Constable Blakeman added,
Arwyn Tudur Jones, Choir Conductor and Sergeant, said: 'On behalf of the North Wales Police Choir I would like to extend my heartfelt sympathies to Annette's family and friends.
'Annette meant so much to our police choir and she brought joy and happiness to so many. Her talent shone through, and we were so privileged to have Annette as our Musical Director - a role I know she cherished deeply.
'We have lost a dear friend and we will all miss her terribly.'
Welsh singer, radio and television presenter Aled Jones said: "So saddened to hear of the death of one of Wales' greatest musicians. I had the honour of working with Annette Bryn Parri many times both as a boy and as a man.
"I am proud to have known her and to have been fortunate enough to call her a friend."
So saddened to hear of the death of one of Wales' greatest musicians. I had the honour of working with Annette Bryn Parri many times both as a boy and as a man. I am proud to have known her and to have been fortunate enough to call her a friend. RIP x pic.twitter.com/sPkKnPdr1S
John Gambles, Chairman of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, said: 'We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Annette Bryn Parri, whose musical brilliance and generous spirit enriched the Llangollen Eisteddfod for so many years.
"Her contribution to Welsh music and her legacy of excellence will never be forgotten. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time.'
Llion Iwan, S4C's Chief Content Officer, said: "We are saddened to hear of the passing of accompanist Annette Bryn Parri.
"She made a remarkable contribution to Welsh culture, contributing to a number of programmes over the decades while accompanying renowned singers such as Sir Bryn Terfel.
MORE NEWS
Child dies after medical incident in North Wales village
"We extend our deepest sympathy to her family in their bereavement."
In a statement, Pendine Park Care Homes said: "It will be a huge loss without Annette Bryn Parri who sadly passed away on Tuesday, May 27.
"Annette was so wonderful at our Children's Day Workshops at Llangollen Eisteddfod and she also performed in our homes in Wrexham and Bryn Seiont Newydd much to the delight of our residents and staff.
"Our condolences and thoughts to all her family."
Trelawnyd Male Voice Choir said it was a "privilege" to share the stage with Annette.
They said: "The choir are deeply saddened to hear the news of the passing of Annette Parri who we've had the privilege to have shared the stage with on a number of occasions including the recent St David's Day concert in St Asaph Cathedral when she performed alongside Dylan Cernwy.
"The renowned and distinguished pianist with such a remarkable talent would leave our audiences 'visibly joyful'.
"Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time."
Annette's musical journey began at an early age. She became an official accompanist at 15 and made her first appearance at the 1983 National Eisteddfod in Llangefni.
In 1982, she won the Grace Williams Medal for composition at the Urdd Gobaith Cymru Eisteddfod at Pwllheli and the Blue Riband for instrumentalists at the 1985 National Eisteddfod at Rhyl.
After graduating from the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, Annette joined the staff of the music department of Bangor University as a piano tutor.
Annette accompanied the choirs of Ysgol Glanaethwy performing arts school in Bangor for more than 30 years. She was musical director of the Anglesey-based Côr y Traeth for nearly a decade and established Trio, a male vocal trio.
In 2024, she took on the role of musical director of the newly formed North Wales Police Choir.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
2 hours ago
- Wales Online
The best photos from Cardiff Food and Drink Festival 2025
Cardiff Food and Drink Festival, which has been running for more than 20 years, was held at the Roald Dahl Plass in Cardiff Bay this weekend. Foodies from all over the Welsh capital came to enjoy a host of stallholders, offering a wide variety of food and drinks. There was also live music throughout the festival, which began on Friday, June 27 and concluded on Sunday, June 29. Festival goers also got to enjoy the Crafters Market and its selection of handmade goods as well as the Farmers Market and Producers Fair. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . Here are some of the best photos from Cardiff Food and Drink Festival this year.
South Wales Argus
6 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Newport disabled boy failed by local services, claims mum
Sammy Holland says the stress and anxiety caused by the situation is intolerable for her child and the whole family. The Alway mum of three spoke out after she was told her eight year-old son, who is blind, autistic and has Tourette's syndrome, will have to daily travel to school in Bristol, as no Newport school can accommodate his needs and no Welsh out-of-county provision can be arranged. Eight-year-old Diego is verbal, intelligent, but impulsive. His Newport placement broke down earlier this year and alternative schools have been sought, but none were found locally. Secondary school praised for inclusive environment and strong leadership Meet the Newport volunteers fighting to protect their woodland from vandals Sammy said: 'He's bright and can talk and has spent four years in a non-verbal class, which is not suitable. He loves to talk and loves food and cooking and chatting about it.' Sammy has spoken of the lack of communication between home and the council and how that has caused stress for Diego and the family: She said: 'Diego needs routine and needs to know what's happening and we just don't know what's going on. We need to know about the changes for September and all the arrangements. I can't see him getting to Bristol without a taxi taking him. He's too impulsive and any other way could be a problem. 'Diego is fine with change, but he needs to be told ahead of time, to avoid meltdowns. He is impulsive and I have no idea what lots of taxi journeys back and fore Bristol would do. Would he get bored? Would he become a nuisance to others? Will it trigger impulsive behaviour? How would they cope with that? How will he cope?' Sammy says she needs Diego in school to learn about socialising with others and learn about routines and social rules. She also needs to know that he can go to school without change triggering anxiety or impulsive behaviour and she says that means local provision. Diego's needs are complex and he has a number of 'co-morbid' conditions, conditions existing together. Bodies like the National Autistic Society say specialist care and education is essential for children like Diego. The South Wales Argus has estimated taxi costs over an academic year to be in excess of £20,000. Newport City Council has been approached for a comment.
Wales Online
7 hours ago
- Wales Online
Inside Martin Roberts' huge Welsh pub renovation project as he addresses lap dancing club rumours
Inside Martin Roberts' huge Welsh pub renovation project as he addresses lap dancing club rumours Exclusive access to the Homes Under The Hammer presenter's Welsh renovation and what's been holding up the project Don't believe any local rumours - Martin Roberts' pub and hotel renovation is on its way to completion (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) Almost a year to the day that WalesOnline last visited the former Hendrewen Hotel and Pub in Blaencwm to see how Martin Roberts' latest renovation we were intrigued to return with exclusive access and see the progress that has occurred over the past 12 months, and we're not the only ones. The popular presenter of BBC's Homes Under The Hammer 'accidentally' bought an empty building at the top of the Rhondda Fawr valley after it closed during the Covid-19 pandemic and has been working hard to transform it with the help of a team of builders and the support of the local community. But maybe for some local Rhondda residents the project is taking longer than expected, and into the void has appeared a number of rumours swirling about regarding the building's future. For more property stories sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here. READ MORE: The ordinary-looking home with an unexpected treat in the tiny back garden YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Martin Roberts ploughing half a million pounds of his own money into 'most worrying' project he's ever taken on after falling in love with Welsh community There outside might look similar to June 2024 but a lot has been happening inside (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) Article continues below Martin explains: " As things go on rumours start to get rife so we have to put paid to them now - one is that it's being sold but I am not selling it, I'm not turning it into a lap dancing club, and I'm not turning it into flats!" There has been a huge amount of work happening over the last 12 months, with stripping out all the interior of the property 'back to bricks' to create just a shell. Martin says: " The biggest challenge has been getting back together, all structurally sound, and it had 150 years of stuff to strip away and it took a lot longer than we thought it would." The team uncovered some 'horrors' to deal with including a steel that was hiding a major problem. Martin explains: "One w all was held up by a piece of steel, which was supported by a bit of wood, which was supported by a final bit of wood that was holding up everything and it was a rotten piece of timber about an inch thick!" Martin standing where the central bar will be installed (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) To the untrained or novice eye, stepping into the pub in its current condition in June 2025, it might appear that not much has happened over the last year, but that could not be further from the actual situation. For a 12 month comparison, see what Martin's pub looked like when we had exclusive access back in June 2024 here. One of the main delays of the timeline - although Martin says there is no timeline as such - is the fact that the building is going to be a commercial enterprise. He says: " It's not the doing it, it's not the ideas, it's not the enthusiasm and having a great team - it's often the extra things you have to do in terms of planning and regulations because it's going to be a place of public use. "It means you have to adhere to a thousand billion more rules and regulations and it quite rightly covers everything and it takes forever, it's frustrating because I wanted to be further along but it has to be done. But we will get there." CGI of how the finished project could look including the addition of a community shop and bike hire (Image: Martin Roberts ) The building is now structurally strong and the main ground floor area of the pub that has two defined lounge bar areas connected by the central bar are at the first fix stage, so electricity and plumbing are in, the new floor is down, and the showcase bar is complete but won't be installed until a later stage, much closer to when the pub is reopened. Some of the walls are being left as exposed stone as Martin is keen to keep a country pub feel, enhanced greatly by the discovery of two fireplaces in one area that will ensure the pub always feels warm and welcoming with a 'k ick off your shoes, dog-friendly, chill out vibe'. In the corner of this room is a major addition - two sections of wall have been removed in the corner to create a seamless flow from the old pub into the new glass and oak restaurant that Martin is adding to the side of the current building that will be an absolute showstopper - offering mountain and waterfall views from its glass covered gable end. The same spot 12 months ago with no break-through in the walls for access to the new restaurant (Image: Jo Ridout, WalesOnline ) Martin says the planning has been given and that this area will serve high quality food with traditional food in the main pub section. He says: " I want it to be s omewhere special, not be over-priced but it will be a place where you'll want to come for a special occasion and I think the valleys deserve that. "Why shouldn't it be as good as anything you find in Cardiff, London or The Cotswolds. I want people to walk through the door and go, 'I can't believe this is here because you could be Bourton-On-The-Water!'" CGI of inside the newly constructed, timber-framed restaurant (Image: Martin Roberts ) But the food side of the establishment is also going to offer young people and local catering students at Coleg y Cymoedd the chance to practice what it's like to cook and run a restaurant "in a real world situation, as it's the best way to learn", he comments. " And do you know what, they will shine! If you give young people a chance from my experience the y always deliver, if you just believe in them." This eagerness to involve young people in the project has been an impressive hallmark of Martin's renovation project, including with the renovation and building work, specifically through the Real Skillz Project, an initiative that provides construction skills training on-site in a collaboration between YEPS 16+ Support Team, Communities for Work Plus, and ARC Training. CGI of inside the main ground floor lounge bar area divided into two spaces with a central bar (Image: Martin Roberts ) In the second bar area there will be a stage where young musicians and anyone who just wants to have a go will be able to access equipment and be a creative space, adding to the atmosphere and ensuring the building is always 'alive' in one way or another. Upstairs progress is more obvious, with the eight bedrooms boasting new windows, electrics, plastered and painted walls and shower rooms, as well as some of the furniture for the pub downstairs that Martin has sourced as the project has developed. The slow progress delivering the commercial aspects of the building has been a blessing in disguise for Martin, as he says it has given him extra time to think and that has resulted in a new idea for the eight guest rooms. He says: "The big news is, over probably too many bottles of wine one night, I came up with the idea of theming the rooms around TV shows, so you could be staying in Top Gear, A Question of Sport and, probably my favourite, Fawlty Towers. The eight bedrooms are almost finished (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) "I will put in these rooms lots of memorabilia which I've gathered but also decorated in the style, so say Fawlty Towers will have wallpaper peeling off, shelves that are breaking, flock bedspreads and very old fashioned fittings." There's also a Top of the Pops room and, of course, a Homes Under The Hammer property room, as well as a Doctor Who bedroom, Martin adds: "I've actually got a life sized cut out of tom baker - my era - and I'm currently negotiating on buying a 1970s dalek. "The only good thing about any delays is that it means I came up with extra ideas, like the bedrooms, I didn't think of that at the start, it's a big project, there's lots to think about. For more property stories join our Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group here "I m ight give some of the bedrooms to one interior designer to play with, I've been collecting lots of relevant memorabilia a nd collectables and we've got some great designs already, but I'd quite like to give younger people a chance to come in and say, do the doctor who bedroom, do the question of sport bedroom with a little bit of their spin on it." One of the bedroom ensuites is done and dusted (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) Martin is also keen to involve as many Welsh businesses as is possible in the project and one exciting example is engaging start-up company Siop Rhyd to design and create a resin section of the showpiece bar. Martin found the back story of Rhodri Phillips, who has worked on the resin for the top of the bar, as so inspiring he was keen to work with him on this fundamental aspect of the pub's interior. Find out about Rhodri's story here. There's also been more time for Martin to source some unique pieces for the furniture and décor of the ground floor lounge bars including traditional iron and wood pub tables as he is keen for the inside of the property to be as distinctive on this public level as in the bedrooms above it. The purchase of the pub was not quite as reckless as it might first appear, as it is part of an exciting regeneration plan for the area that, if it succeeds, will be a new chapter for the area. After being invited to travel down into the new closed Rhondda tunnel that links the Afan valley with the Rhondda valley and was once used to transport mined coal to Swansea docks by the Rhondda Tunnel Society, Martin was captivated. When the society invited Martin to become their patron he says he felt honoured and since then he and the society have made significant progress to reopening this unique slice of history as a tourist attraction - find out about the latest exciting development in the reopening plan here. The first floor will have eight ensuite bedrooms, each with a theme, and this one is obviously a homage to Homes Under The Hammer (Image: Martin Roberts ) The Hendrewen hotel and pub is located an easy walk to the now landscaped and filled in Rhondda Fawr end of the tunnel and can become a hub for hiring bikes to ride through the tunnel and supplies for people visiting to explore the network of cycle and hiking paths that cover this stunning area of Wales. The pub is not the first renovation project Martin has got his teeth into in Wales within the last decade, and specifically the Rhondda Fawr valley, which he clearly feels such a strong connection to, as he purchased and renovated Tynewydd farmhouse. Now a popular holiday let, the oldest surviving farmhouse in the valley is also said to be haunted and was the subject of a celebrity special addition of discovery+ show 'Help! My House is Haunted'. See what it is like to stay at Martin's farmhouse here. Martin's epic Welsh renovation journey has been filmed and documented from the very beginning of the project, when he 'accidently' and impulsively bought The Hendrewen hotel and pub without even telling his wife Kirsty. In December 2024 Martin announced exciting plans ahead with news of a new programme on ITV in the style of Jeremy Clarkson's Amazon Prime show, showcasing The Hendrewen project, based on the mini series called 'Oops I Bought A Pub' broadcasting on his YouTube channel. Martin shows the family his 'accidental' purchase as part of an ITV documentary series called 'Oops I Bought a Pub' release date unknown at the moment (Image: Martin Roberts' Property Titbits YouTube channel - Oops I Bought A Pub series ) Broadcast on ITV as a probable 10-part documentary series, it is expected to air sometime in 2026 - but first Martin needs to actually finish at least the pub, hotel and restaurant. He says: "I'd like to say Christmas this year but I don't want to rush it, I want to do it right. There's no point in opening in November or December because we won't have time to hire and train staff, s o w e'll probably finish in March next year and probably open next summer, there's no specific rush. "It's a balance really, I want to get it open as soon as possible but I don't really want to open it in phases, I want to open it all at the same time. It's not a building you can just quickly renovate, and if you do it right it also costs a fortune. But it is very exciting, and it will open as soon as possible and when I am happy - it is my number one project next year, my main focus." If you are a young interior designer who would like to know more about maybe contributing to one of The Hendrewen's bedroom designs, email Article continues below Find your own property to renovate here:
