EXCELSIOR - Treorchy Male Choir

EXCELSIOR 39
Following the performance the Choir resumed their seats. Her Maesty “gave
gracious inclinations of the head towards her Welsh subjects. She placed an
item in the hands of Mr Mutcher, her German librarian and he gave it to Tom
Stephens, saying, “Her Majesty has wished me on her behalf to ask your
acceptance of this gift”. The item was a precious gold scarf pin, glittering with
precious diamonds and rubies with the VRI crest in the centre.
Tom Stephens was asked to visit the Queen at her private apartments. Led by
Lord Clinton, the conductor was approached by Her Majesty who said, “I
should like you to write your name in my autograph birthday book. Now take
your time. Take your time, there is no hurry.” Trembling he wrote “Tom
Stephens, Windsor Castle, February 22nd 1898”
On the Choir’s arrival in the Rhondda they were again treated to a hero’s welcome,
as had their rival singers. In Pentre the streets were decorated with
streamers, flags and Japanese lanterns. The streets were “thronged with an
immense crowd” carrying torches and lights. A procession was led by Tom
Stephens in a trap accompanied by Mr E.H. Davies JP and Mr D Richards
(grocer) who had been in charge of the local celebrations. The entourage was
followed by the Cory and the Pentre Volunteer Brass Band while 200 people
walked four abreast behind. The splendid spectacle led through the village to
Treorchy where the “Choir was cheered vociferously as the procession wound
its way to Treorchy, the home of the other male choir party who were
accorded similar royal honours a few years ago”.
At Stag Square they turned back and reached Cory Workmen’s Hall where
Tom Stephens appeared at a window on the second floor. With a muffler
around his neck and suffering from a cold, he thanked them all “Diolch yn
fawr iawn I chwi I gyd” before the crowd sang “For He’s A Jolly Good
Fellow”. The Choir then sang “Men of Harlech”, “God Save the Queen” and
“Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau” to the enthusiastic crowd.
Subsequent newspaper reports have often questioned whether the Royal Glee
Society were afforded the same rousing applause from the Royal Family as
Treorky had received earlier. Morien himself explained, “There was not on the
part of the audience that cheering which characterised the reception afforded
to the Treorky Choir two years ago. This was probably to be accounted for by
the fact that whereas Treorky were in ordinary Sunday clothes, they had not
worn evening dresses and were consequently received and treated as miners.
The present choir appeared in evening dress and white gloves and were more
or less received and treated as professionals. There can be no mistake about
it. They looked well, they sang splendidly, and they were thoroughly appreciated,
but the method adopted to show the appreciation was not the same.