August 26, 2026 - 185 views
Welsh singing star Alun Roberts made an emotional return to the North Wales care home where his beloved mother spent her final years when he performed for residents at a special summer celebration.
Alun, one half of the hugely popular Welsh country music duo John ac Alun, joined his singing partner John Jones at Bryn Seiont Newydd care home in Caernarfon for a beach-themed summer fun day.
The event featured beach balls, cowboy hats, ice cream, cake and plenty of music, with residents, relatives and staff joining in the celebrations.
But for Alun, who comes from Tudweiliog on the Llŷn Peninsula, the visit carried a much deeper significance.
His mother had lived at Bryn Seiont Newydd after dementia progressed and she needed specialist care.
“She ran the sub-post office in Tudweiliog for years and was initially a resident at Plas Hafan in Nefyn but when dementia took hold she moved here to Bryn Seiont Newydd,” Alun said.
“Dementia is a very cruel disease and Bryn Seiont Newydd and the staff here succeeded remarkably to make it as comfortable as possible for everyone.”
Returning to perform at the home where his mother had spent her final years therefore proved particularly poignant.
Alun said he and John regularly perform at care homes and have seen first-hand how music can transform the atmosphere for residents.
“When we set up many of the residents may be dozing or even asleep but as soon as we start singing they sit up and many will join in,” he said.
“It really is something to see and something we enjoy doing.”
The pair's music proved particularly popular during the summer event, with residents singing along, clapping and waving their arms as the familiar songs filled the home.
John Jones described Bryn Seiont Newydd as “a comfortable, homely residence where every kindness is shown to the residents”.
“We've enjoyed being here today, meeting some of the residents and having our picture taken with them,” he said.
Among those enjoying the performance was resident Alun Jones, originally from Nantlle near Penygroes.
His daughter, Heulwen Griffiths, said her father listens to John ac Alun's music on a CD player every day.
“He knows the words to the songs and enjoyed singing along,” she said.
Meryl Williams, from Blaenau Ffestiniog, made sure she had a good view of the performance, sitting alongside Owen John Jones from Porthmadog as she sang along and clapped in time with the music.
“I really enjoyed their singing,” she said.
The performance also prompted an emotional response from former police officer David Edwards, who comes from Dolwyddelan.
As John ac Alun finished their set with their signature song Y Chwarelwr – The Quarryman – David stood up, visibly moved by the performance.
“Thank you for taking the time to come here today and singing so beautifully for us. Diolch yn fawr iawn,” he said.
Music is a central part of life at Bryn Seiont Newydd, according to the home's musician in residence, Nia Davies Williams.
She said the arts can provide important ways of connecting with people living with dementia.
“The arts in general and music in particular are central to daily life at all of Pendine Park’s care homes and we are very grateful to John ac Alun because their singing has brought so much joy to our residents over the years,” she said.
“Their songs are very popular among the residents and the opportunity for them to see and hear John ac Alun sing live in front of them was very special.”
She added that music can help people living with dementia connect and communicate, saying staff at Bryn Seiont Newydd strive to “find the person behind the dementia”.
The music was just one part of a packed day of activities.
Miniature ponies visited during the morning, while children attending the event could have their faces painted. An ice cream van outside the main entrance was also kept busy throughout the day.
There was plenty of cake, while a raffle proved popular after local businesses donated prizes.
The event formed part of Pendine Park's 40th anniversary celebrations.
The organisation was founded in Wrexham in 1985 with a single care home and has since grown into a network of nine homes, providing a total of 440 beds and employing more than 860 people.
Bryn Seiont Newydd opened in 2015 and is an award-winning specialist centre providing care for people living with dementia.
Home manager Sandra Evans said the summer celebration had been a success despite the day beginning with some rain.
“It’s been a lovely day and the sun came out after some early rain so everything came together well,” she said.
“I’m grateful to all the staff for making it such a special day.”
For Alun Roberts, however, the significance of the occasion went beyond the sunshine, music and celebrations.
Returning to Bryn Seiont Newydd to sing for residents gave him an opportunity to remember his mother while sharing something he knows can bring comfort, memories and joy to people living with dementia.
And as the familiar voices of John ac Alun rang around the care home, there was a particularly powerful reminder that, even when memories become difficult to access, music can sometimes provide a connection that remains.
