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''Trevor
Wilde has died'' this statement will mean so much to so many people
but all will know that the Valleys have lost one of their greatest cultural champions.
This modest man had a talent that was recognised when at the unprecedented early
age of only 20 he won his first of many elocution medals at the Eisteddfod. As
his skills grew, so did his sense of social responsibility, so it was no great
surprise when, during the last War he produced the first of many successful Eisteddfodau
in Abertillery, which under his guidance and inspiration continued for 20 years,
and became one of the largest in Wales. One of these Eisteddfodau attracted 385
competitors and 11 choirs to the stage. In 1937 he joined the Abertillery Orpheus
Male Choir, rapidly becoming Chairman, a post he then held for 47 years. Under
his leadership the Choir blossomed, and attained the very high reputation that
it holds to this day. This reputation was such, that a performance was called
for, and given to the Pope in St Peters Square, Rome, one of Trevor's proudest
moments.
Trevor Wilde
was a man of many talents, speaker, poet, presenter, but most importantly as
far as he was concerned, a teacher. He was never happier than when passing on
his love for the cultural heritage of his Valleys. Trevor Wilde was born in
1913, into a large mining family living in Aberbeeg. As was the custom he entered
the mining industry where he stayed for many years.
Marriage took
him to Abertillery, but he later moved to Ebbw Vale after the death of his first
wife and later marriage to Thelma. There he remained for the rest of his long
and fruitful life. The award of The Order of the British Empire, of which he
was both suitably proud and modest, acknowledged recognition of his considerable
work in the Arts and for local charities. He was pre deceased by his wife Thelma,
and survived by his son Trevor Wilde Junior and step daughter Nicky Burns.
To honour the memory of Trevor Wilde, an award has been initiated
to be presented to the pupil of Abertillery Comprehensive school who makes the
most contribution to the arts in the community. The award will be made annually
to include a financial prize. The award is to be named the Trevor Wilde Memorial
Award and will be presented on July 17 2003
POET'S
CORNER
To
Trevor
Wilde
WHO
taught we tongue-tied pupils
How to recite and stand?
And become the finest speakers in the land?
To
learn our Shakespeare, Tennyson
Or Wordsworth's verses by the mile,
So we stood aloof from the rank and file?
How
to look composed, confident,
How to narrate a story with a cry or smile?
Able to face futur audiences,
Yes! It was worthwhile.
So
through numerous poet's
Articulate and clever words we glide,
Of course I remember!
Thank you! Thank you! Mr Trevor Wilde.
FRIENDS
OF THE LATE TREVOR WILDE MBE
TREVOR IS GONE BUT
HIS MEMORIES LINGER
Most readers will be aware by now that the late great Trevor
Wilde MBE of Badminton Grove is no longer with us, and is sadly missed by his
family and friends and so many people both local and internationally. Trevor
was a member of the Abertillery Orpheus Choir for 65 years and in more recent
times became life president of the choir, which in itself was a tremendous honour
of which he was extremely proud. For more than twenty years he was a member
of the Rotary Club of Ebbw Vale, which involved him in a tremendous amount of
charity work, enriching the lives of those less fortunate at home and abroad,
as he continued to make this world of ours a better place for us all. My story
could be endless but think I'll quite while I'm winning as the saying goes.
I have been advised to inform you that Trevor was the proud author of many books
of poems and has table mats endorsed with his poems, as well as table cloths
and tea towels, all of which make wonderful souvenirs. His niece Susan Garret
(Robinson) the ever popular local soprano, who resides in Waunlwyd, is in the
process of selling various memorabilia relating to Trevor, with all proceeds
going to the haematology department at Nevill Hall Hospital.
If you would like to support the charity and collect some of Trevor's souvenirs
contact Sue on 01495 371199. She will be delighted to hear from you.
Fred Prosser,
Gwent Gazette, April 2003
TREVOR WILDE MBE
Trevor
had an unbroken choir membership of no less than 66 years since joining the
choir in 1937. He was appointed as chairman in 1938 a position he held for the
next 47 years, before taking up his current post of Honorary Life President.
In 1944 he was the instigator of the Abertillery Eisteddfod, which under his
guidance grew to be one of the largest in Wales, running for the next 19 years
attracting competitors from all over Wales and England.
As well as being choir President , Trevor also takes to the stage as a solo
artist in his own right demonstrating what is almost a lost art, the art of
Elocution and the spoken word never failing to enthral his audiences with his
own personal blend of elocution, humour and wit. As a master of the spoken word
Trevor has worked tirelessly over the years training young people in elocution
and voice production. As recognition of a lifetime of service to the arts, Trevor
was rewarded with his appointment as a Member of the Order of the British Empire.
To have
served so long and diligently can only give testament to his love of music and
the Abertillery Orpheus. His farewell to audiences adopted by the choir ‘If
You Want To Find Happiness Then Give It Away’ gives an insight to a man
who is respected and affectionately regarded by the choir and its many supporters.
Travel
through the Abertillery valley today you will find that it is a far different
place than in years gone by. With the closure of the coalmines and removal of
the tips our valley is returning to its natural beauty. Trevor inspired by this
transformation was moved to put his thoughts into words by composing
'The
Valley is Green Once Again.'
The
Valley is Green Once Again
by
'Trevor Wilde MBE'
Our valley is green once again: Which prompts me to pick
up my pen. And just for the records scribble some notes; While the dust from
the mine is still dry in some throats; While some eyes are still wet with the
pain and regret, As they still count the cost, count the friends they have lost;
When the reigning King Coal demanded his toll, As they tore out the heart and
the bowels of Gwent. To serve those past masters and pay off the rent; They
scarred our dear valley with rope-ways and tips, But at last we are seeing their
total eclipse; And they're greening the valley again.
Yes they’re greening the valley again; So come back
to your nest little wren, Bid the blackbirds and thrushes to all come along,
Tell the warblers and finches, and also the tom-tits, We’re planting them
trees where they once had the pits; And the nightingale too, why can't she come
along, And sing us a grand old victorious song; We’ll join in the chorus,
and add an Amen; For they’ve started to green our dear valley again.
Oh I know that shift was not easy my friend, When you
hung up your lamp and thought this is the end; When the last of the coal- dust
was washed down the drain. When the locker door closed not to open again; Well
why not try to forget it my friend; For no matter what journey it someday must
end; And as sure as the rainbow follows the rain, So the darkest of nights brings
the daylight again.
The last rites have been held, the headgear is felled,
And they’re filling the hole that has yielded the coal From the veins that
are spent in the bowels of Gwent: But they’ll still cut their coal and
they’ll still clear there falls; When they meet for a yarn in the pensioners
halls; But the trams will be filled with good humour. For no blood will be spilled
and no tears will be shed, Secure in the thought of the sky overhead; And their
valley green once again.
And so my friends as my Stanzas end, And I lay aside my pen; Allow
me to say in a Proud sort of way; Down in that mine, men were men; And as we
retreat from that era, Our fond thoughts tinged with some pain; Let us view
the future with faith and with hope: for our valley is
'Green
Once Again'
Swan
song for choir stalwart
By
SARAH NARUSBERG
(Gwent Gazette,
September 6 2001)
Devoted
choir member Trevor Wilde has finally decided to retire after 65 years of
performing with Abertillery Orpheus Male Voice Choir.
It was back in 1937 when
coal miner Mr. Wilde asked the choir's founding conductor if he could join
as an elocutionist, and has never looked back.
Talent
"I was about 18 when I began to train as an elocutionist " Mr.
Wilde recalled. "I did a recital for my chapel in Aberbeeg and was told
that I had a talent."
Now 88 years old, Mr. Wilde is not completely resting from his work with the
choir. "I am only retiring as a performer." he said. "I am
still continuing as the choir's life president." He added. Mr. Wilde
will also continue to teach elocution and speech correction for the London
Academy from his home in Badmington Grove, Ebbw Vale.
His long
and successful career with the choir has helped him to raise thousands of
pounds for various charities, chapels and schools over the years. His composition
of The Valley Is Green Once Again made more than £8000 in six
months for the Polio Plus campaign with Ebbw Vale Rotary Club.
Palace
Mr. Wilde's continuous work in the community and his contributions to
charity, led to him being awarded the MBE at Buckingham Palace in 1996.
"I have traveled the world," he said "We toured Canada last
year and my recitation of The Wanderer received a standing ovation.
It's a hell of a feeling- I nearly fell over. "Then a lady jumped up
from the audience who turned out to be the presidents wife, and she said to
me that she wished she could keep me in Canada!"
SPECIAL OCCASION:
Trevor Wilde enjoyed a ''wonderful'' surprise birthday bash with family and
friends.
Family
and friends put on a surprised dinner party to help celebrate the 90th birthday
of Trevor Wilde, life president of Abertillery Orpheus Choir.
MR. Wilde of Badminton Grove,
Ebbw Vale, was totally unaware of the party after being duped into believing
has was being taken to a concert at St. Mark's Church by his niece, Sue
Robinson
Instead, he was taken to the Llanhilleth Hotel, were he was delighted to
spend the evening with about one hundred relatives and friends.
The surprise dinner included speeches and entertainment for Mr. Wilde organised
by Abertillery Orpheus, with which he has been involved for 70 years-65
of those as an artist and MC. Mr.
Wilde was delighted that so many relatives and friends attended his birthday
bash.
A distinguished community figure
and a renowned elocutionist, Mr. Wilde was awarded the MBE in 1996 for his
tireless work in the community, including raising £11000 for the rotary
fund.
In 1982, he took the choir on
a visit to Rome and helped organised a performance for Pope John Paul, who
joined them in a rendition of a song called Mother and remarked that
'He could be a member of the choir!'
Recalling his birthday treat,
Mr. Wilde said: ''I wouldn't say it was a wild night. I'm a bit to old for
that, but I had a wonderful time!
''When I arrived, I thought 'Where's the choir and congregation?. Then I
saw my son and the penny dropped. I had a wonderful night.
Gwent Gazette,
March 6 2003