Meet Mello’D’

Carla

Dawn

Helena

Joanne

Kim

Lane

Lynne

Maggie

Tina

I have lived in Griffithstown all my life and belong to a well established local family within the village.I have lots of hobbies but music has been an important interest for most of my life. I would have loved for my career to have taken the route of a music teacher and so I really enjoy the part I take with Mello'd' in arranging and directing the group.

Following in my father's footsteps, who was a great chorister and soloist, I belonged to the Betty Eyles Singers for many years; which is where Mello'd' began. I have two grown up sons who have also followed the family tradition of music; both are in very well renowned local bands and are enjoying their talents.
I have six grandchildren who take up a lot of my time but I still find time to visit the gym most days.
For several years I was a Commissioner with the Guiding movement and so have a strong sense of community and awareness of the youth in our society. I have been part of many local fund raising events and am proud to support the youngsters of our local society.
I have recently reached the golden age of free transport and cheaper hair do's!! so I am having a ball doing all the things I love to do most, having my family around me, keeping fit and of course my beloved music.

Hi, I'm Kim Smith I am thirty something and live in Griffithstown with my two sons, Sam 13 and Thomas 10, where i have lived all my life.

I originally started singing in Pontypool Girls Grammer school where I joined the school choir in the contralto section. Two of the highlights were singing at the National Eisteddford at Llangollen and in 1985 personally wining Chorister Of The Year.

After leaving school, at the time I was unaware that there were local choirs and groups that I could join and it wasn't until some years later that I saw a local ladies choir advertising for new members and in 1992 I joined the Betty Eyles Singers. I didn't know at the time it was the same day as Tina joined, fate i guess. Although i enjoyed singing and the sctructure of the Betty Eyles Singers for many years, when the six of us got together it was just a lot more fun, despite our vaired ages.

My name is Carla and I live locally in Sebastapol. I am 48 years old and I have two daughters: Victoria who is 21 and Caroline who is 18. I have been married to John for over 20 years.

With encouragement from my mother-in-law, who was a member of the " Penry Ladies Choir", I became a member of " The Betty Eyles Singers" in Griffithstown where I made quite alot of friends.

In 2002, six of us from the choir decided to branch out and perform different types of music, and so Mello'D' came to be.
I thoroughly enjoy being in the group. We are all very good friends and we go off on holidays and have lots of fun together.

Hi, my name is Dawn, I'm 41 years old, married with four children, 3 handsome boys and one beautiful daughter.

I run Rugby Heaven with my husband and we currently have 3 stores in Cwmbran, Ebbw Vale and Cardiff. I joined the group in may 2006. I used to sing in the school choir until I was 18 then work ect took over and I just sang on karoke nights out instead. I met Carla and Lynne at the local rugby presentation for new panteg( James my husband plays for them) after numerous passing around of notes during the course of the evening I was asked to join. I have been with them since 2006 and absolutely love it.

My singing experience began over forty years ago, singing 'Grandad' the old Clive Dunn song; whilst dressed up as an old man! in Diane Screen's school of dancing. During a concert at the Pavilion Theatre in Porthcawl a few of the cast were talent scouted for a local agent: I was one of them and so followed three years of singing in talent contests, working men's clubs and variety shows.

This led on to singing in a group called 'Maze' then another called 'Water's Edge' then 'Sapphire' We had several line ups and altogether played for ten years in club-land, holiday camps and for dinner dances. I had a fantastic time singing everything from chart hits to ballads and rock 'n' roll.

Then came marriage and two children so I had a long break from singing until joining The Betty Eyles Singers in the mezzo soprano section in 1991. We sang in many different venues from Town Halls to Cathedrals and from Griffithstown to Europe. This is where the friendship between Lynne, Kim, Carla, Shirley, Evelyn, Ros and myself began [Mello’D’s original line up]

Betty Eyles, our most admired Musical Director, helped us put together our first song, 'Don't Sit Under The Apple Tree' for a fun spot on one of our tours. We enjoyed singing together so much that when we were asked to sing for a local golf club's St David's Day celebration we jumped at the opportunity; we took the theme of the day to heart and undertook the task to sing the whole programme in Welsh.

I am 36 years old, married with two sons George 11 and Danny 2. I joined Mello'D June 2006 a week after Dawn joined. I can honestly say that I love learning new songs...the only scary part is singing them to an audience. My only singing background before joining Mello'D was a Friday night at the karaoke.

To go from Guns 'n' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine to Panis Angelicus was something in it's self I can tell you. Learning a new song may not always be fun at first and there are some songs that I almost hate with a passion. The funny thing is that those songs usually then turn out to be my favourite. I am even learning to sing in different languages.

When I am not singing I love to do anything to do with craft. My main hobby would be cross stitch but I also enjoy making cards, knitting, sewing and scrapbooking. I now sell some of my items so i set up a little facebook page called Willowlane Designs inspired from by cat's name, so i suppose you could say i work for myself. You will very rarely see me without some form of craft in a little bag by my side. I am also training to be a teaching assistant and have reached level two so far and just did my level one in British Sign Language.

Hi, I'm Helena and I'm 30 years old. I was born in Abergavenny but now live in Old Cwmbran with my Husband Gareth. I joined Mello'D' in May 2009 after being introduced by Jo.

I work as an occupational therapist in paediatrics which I love but music has always played a huge part in my life. I started singing when i was 8 in village choir and began having singing lessons at the age of 11 and continued with this until passing my Grade 8 when i was 21. I have always enjoyed singing in different groups from school choirs to chamber choirs and ensembles and also enjoyed participating in amateur dramatic productions during my time at university.

I also enjoy playing my gorgeous piano and going to the gym as well as socialising with friends. I'm really pleased to have found a group that I can enjoy singing with a relaxed and chilled out group of girls who know how to enjoy music and have a good laugh!

Hi, my name is Jo and I am 30 years old. I live in Griffiths Town with my Husband Pauland my 2 sons Caian(1) and Owain(2 weeks). I joined Mello'D' in 2008.

My musical infulences started at an early age as both my parents played instuments. I began tinkering on the piano at the age of 3 and by 4 had started Piano lessons. Piano has always been my first love and i went through my exams over the years. I performed within National Eisteddfod compitions, local competitions and was also asked to accompany, as i came at a very cheap price !!!

By the age of 7 I had decided that I wanted to learn a second instrument, and started Violin lessons after being told that the Trumpet was too loud and the Harp was too big !!! I played in school, local district, county and regional orchestras, even going on tour as far afield as Germany.

I got into singing in my mid- teens, through classical training and weekly singing lessons. My greatesr achievment is having sung at a national level with the National Youth Choir of Wales for a few years, which I thoughly enjoyed. I have continued to sing with various groups and choirs over the years, but since finding the girls of Mello'D' who were based in the village I live, I have settled into a group who sing a different style of music to that I had experienced previously, close harmonies within a very small group. I have been a member for just over a year, and continue to fall in love with new music we learn in our individual style

Hi I'm Maggie. I live in Griffithstown with my Husband. I have a Daughter who is 29 and a Son who is 26.

I retired from teaching 4 years ago and am now happily doing all the things I had very little time for before! They include tennis, cycling, watching rugby/cricket, travelling anywhere, cooking, gardening, reading and of course playing the piano.

Around this time Betty became ill and sadly she had to give up conducting the choir;and so as the bookings came flooding in with her encouragement and blessing we have gone from strength to strength; the rest is history. Although 'our' Betty is no longer with us we remember her with a song we will always associate with her, As Long As I Have Music.

My ‘new’ career started seven years ago when I qualified as a teacher. I am now the very proud grandmother of Joseph and Sarah who along with my daughter are our number 1 fans. I have lots of hobbies and interests but singing will always be my first love.

I am also the founder of a non-profit organisation called Cwmbran Walk to Remember. I set this up in memory of my three sons who were born sleeping. The event takes palce once a year and we also do fundraising throughout the year to buy much needed supplies for the hospitals to support families when they lose a child. We are currently raising funds for a cold cot for Nevil Hall.