One of the highlights of our tour in the autumn was our visit to the Blind Veterans Centre in north Wales. The centre in Llandudno is where blind veterans or veterans with sight impairment are given respite, training and rehabilitation and where they can be asessed and given support. The building on the outskirts of Llandudno was built back at the beginning of the last century by the Forresters’ family as a convalescence home for shale miners, but is now Blind Veterans UK’s newest centre.
During Remembrance Week, the Ensemble had the opportunity to visit the centre and perform to the veterans. Following a performance of Schubert’s Octet, the residents had a chance to feel and touch the instruments and chat with the musicians about music and the musical instruments. Then, following the break, there was a performance of Bugeilio’r Gwenith Gwyn by John Metcalf. The melody was obviously familiar to many as they sang with the Ensemble, and a tear or two were spotted on some faces of audience members.
