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Gwyn Bailey

Obituary 19 June 2007

(WILLIAM) GWYN BAILEY

(William) Gwyn Bailey, a non-singing Life Member of the Morriston Orpheus Choir, has died at the age of 78. Mr Bailey of 39 Quarry Road, Treboeth, Swansea had been a member of the Morriston Orpheus Choir  for more than thirty years.
 
Gwyn was born in Swansea and attended Waun Wen School. He married Rita in 1953 at Tabernacle Chapel, Waun Wen Swansea. He joined BP in 1951 where he served for most of his working life.

Gwyn served for many years as the Publicity Officer of the Morriston Orpheus Choir. As part of that work he was involved in promoting the Choir's many recordings produced by EMI. These promotions were held at various department stores throughout South Wales. He was delighted to be part of the first Morriston Orpheus Choir tour of New York in 1973.

He was a founder member of Hospital Radio at Singleton Hospital, Swansea and a founder member of the Waun Wen Old Pupils Association. His involvement in this voluntary radio work led him to join Swansea Sound the first independent commercial radio station in South West Wales. Here he was well known throughout South West Wales as the Presenter of the popular "Sounds Welsh" programme. He greatly enjoyed presenting the programme that featured male voice choirs throughout Wales. One of his joys was to include competitions and he often helped the listener to guess the correct answers! His radio work generated an extensive collection of recordings.

If Morriston Orpheus supporters wanted to see Gwyn he was always on the microphone interviewing other supporters of the Orpheus for his hospital radio or Swansea Sound broadcasts.

Despite enduring many years of illness, he never failed to publicise the Choir whenever he could including on "Sounds Welsh". Indeed just before the Choir's recent successful tour of Australia, Dubai and New Zealand, Gwyn kindly arranged for three direct radio link up interviews on Swansea Sound.

"Gwyn Bailey was a conscientious, dedicated, loyal Choir member; he lived for the Morriston Orpheus Choir, he enjoyed discovering the latest news including his love of overseas tours and his passing will be a big loss to the Choir" said Clive Williams, spokesman for the Choir. "He was a likeable character with everybody. He always looked forward to concerts, was proud of his Morriston and Welsh roots and never lost an opportunity to promote Wales, Swansea and especially the Morriston Orpheus Choir. Gwyn was devoted to his wife and very best friend Rita". "We pay tribute to an outstanding supporter of the Morriston Orpheus Choir whose courage in the face of illness has been an example and an inspiration to so many" added Clive Williams.

   "Peacefully on13th June 2007 at Hill House Hospital, Gwyn of Treboeth, beloved husband of Rita, dearly loved father of  Kim and Gayna, dear father-in-law of David and Martin, loved by his grandchildren. Will be sadly missed by all his family and friends. Furneral Friday 22nd June, service at Mount Calvery Baptist Church, Manselton 2.00pm, followed by cremation at Swansea Crematorium 3.00pm, no flowers by request but donations if so desired to Cardiac Medical Centre, Dan Danino ward or Mount Calvery Baptist Church (cheques please) c/o Graham J Sullivan Funeral Director: Ty Hedd Funeral Home, Mynydd Garnllwyd Road, Morriston, Swansea. Tel. 01792 775262 
  
ENDS

For further information, please contact Clive G Williams or Mrs Rita Bailey on 01792 416082

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