A CHORISTER from Powys was part of a huge flash mob of Welsh rugby supporters who burst into song in the middle of Bordeaux ahead of Wales’ World Cup opener against Fiji last Sunday.

The game saw Wales cling on to claim a nailbiting 32-26 victory, and there was magic in the city centre streets leading to the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux before kick-off too.

Up to 100 members of various Welsh choirs entertained locals with traditional songs and hymns – including Calon Lan, Sosban Fach and Yma o Hyd.

They then finished with Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, the Welsh national anthem, and the French anthem, with hundreds of fans joining in.

Charlie Wear, a member of Builth Male Voice Choir, was among them, and he was joined by members from London Welsh Male Voice, the Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff Polyphonic and Cor y Gleision, formed in 2006 as part of the S4C series ‘Codi Canu’.

County Times: Welsh fans in FranceWelsh fans in France (Image: Charlie Wear)

“The flash mob was arranged by a member of Cor y Gleision and asked for choir members to respond via Facebook page Wales in France,” said Charlie, 72, who has been a member of Builth MVC for 40 years.

“This had many members respond from Wales supporters, both male ladies and mixed choirs. As a choir member from Builth and attending the pool matches for Wales I joined the WhatApp group for all the arrangements.

“It was well organised and word got around very quickly. It took place on Place de la Bourse and attracted a huge amount of Wales supporters, not just choir members.

“It started off with a few choir members walking towards the fountain carrying the Welsh flag, singing Calon Lan, and various choir groups started to join in from all corners of the square and the volume of singing reaching a crescendo of sound across the square.

“We saw a large group of French scouts marching round the square singing the French national anthem as a response to the Welsh singing.

“It was an emotional experience and many tears were shed. The camaraderie among us was incredible and the singing, which continued with a number of Welsh songs, brought together many old and new friendships.

“Of course, we all carried on the singing in local bars.”

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The flash mob enhances Wales’ nickname as the 'Land of Song', with Charlie and Co planning to serenade fans and locals alike before each of Wales' three remaining pool matches, which take place in Nice, Lyon and Nantes.

Charlie, a retired former estates officer for Powys County Council, who now lives in Llandrindod, added: “I am part of a small group of four travelling from Llandrindod, including Elaine Hiatt, Paul Nolan and Peter Williams.
“We are now in Anitbes and getting ready to travel to Nice for flash mob number two prior to the (Portugal) game and then onto Lyon.”

Wales take on Portugal in their second Pool C game on Saturday (kick-off 5.45pm).