Gŵyl Gerdd Dinas Powys Music Festival celebrated the life of Dr Haydn Jones OBE with a special memorial concert at the Parish Hall on 14 May 2026.
Dr Jones was our festival ambassador, a much-loved village GP and a tireless champion of local music. His contribution to Dinas Powys extended far beyond medicine, encompassing more than five decades of music, friendship and community service.
For the concert, the Dinas Powis Ecumenical Seven joined forces with the Vale of Glamorgan Brass Band, conducted by Dan Dennis. Together, they recreated the warmth, humour and variety of the New Year’s Day concerts that Dr Jones and the Ecumenical Seven hosted for 37 years.
Dr Jones founded the Ecumenical Seven in 1973, with his brass-playing children Hugh, Sally and Julie among its first members. Despite its name, the ensemble rarely consisted of seven musicians: over the years, its numbers ranged from four to 25 players.
The group became a familiar presence at community celebrations and charitable fundraisers. Its concerts in support of the Dinas Powys branch of the RNLI were particularly memorable, often featuring Dr Jones in costumes ranging from Long John Silver and Napoleon to a Viennese musician and a “Loyal” Marine.
A collection of posters, letters and newspaper cuttings displayed at the memorial concert traced the group’s history from 1973 to 2025. Together, they told a story filled with music, laughter and an enduring commitment to the community.
Dr Jones was always eager to encourage musicians of every age. During the evening, Phil Morris recalled visiting Dr Jones’ surgery during the 1970s. Their consultation moved from Phil’s symptoms to his trumpet playing—and when he left, he discovered that the doctor had written the details of the next band rehearsal on his prescription.
That encouragement helped the group grow across generations. Its members eventually included three generations of the Jones family: Haydn, Sally and Hugh, followed by Hugh’s daughter Bethan. Phil Morris’ daughter Nicola also performed with the band, making the support of the Nicola Morris Trust, which sponsored the memorial concert, especially meaningful.
The programme included a contribution from international tenor Ceri Davies, accompanied by Jane Samuel, who had regularly appeared at the Ecumenical Seven’s New Year’s Day concerts. The evening was compered by Rhodri Jones, who brought some of Dr Jones’ much-loved jokes back to life.
Dr Jones would often say that throughout the year the group played for other people, but on New Year’s Day they played for themselves. This memorial concert captured that same generous and joyful spirit.
It was a moving celebration of a remarkable man whose encouragement influenced generations of musicians and whose dedication left a lasting mark on the wider Dinas Powys community.
Our sincere thanks go to every performer, contributor and audience member who helped us celebrate Dr Jones’ extraordinary life through the music he loved.
The Gwyl Gerdd Dinas Powys Music Festival is a not for profit organisation with a committee comprising of local members of the community within Dinas Powys. The festival hosts approximately 15 events every year, evenly split between paid and free community events. Read more...
