On Saturday 4th May 2002 the choir was the guest of the Gillingham Welsh Society at its annual concert in the Central Theatre, Chatham. Appearing with the choir was Patricia O'Neill (Soprano), who of course also hails from Pontarddulais. This was a poignant occasion for the Welsh society as this was to be their last annual concert before disbanding in July 2002 due to a diminishing membership.
The capacity audience however ,were in no mood to be downhearted and they gave the choir a resounding and appreciative welcome. Due to ill health Noel Davies was unable to be with the choir and the choir was under the accomplished direction of Clive Phillips with Hugh Jones accompanying the choir in his usual polished manner.
The audience was treated to a full and exciting programme, ranging from items from Les Miserables to Prayer from Wagner's Lohengrin. Patricia O'Nell, accompanied by Aiden Cruttendon, charmed the audience with her singing which ranged from Cymru Fach by David Lewis to Lehar's On my Lips Every Kiss is Like Wine in which she was joined in an impromptu dance by a nimble footed chorister! Aiden Crutendon is able to claim a Welsh ancestor as his great X 6 grandfather, William Edwards, built Pontypridd's famous 'Old Bridge' !
Also present in the audience was Ianto Phillips who was born on Pontarddulais in 1910, he joined the choir on stage for the singing of Hen Wlad fy Nhadau. At the end of the evening Mrs Marion Heather, chair of the Gillingham Welsh Society, presented the local branch of Age Concern with a cheque for £1,000.
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