Mansel Thomas was one of Wales' finest composers. He was a Director of Music for BBC Wales and spent his last years in Abergavenny. Both he and his son-in-law - Terry Gilmore-James were closely associated with the Gwent Bach Society.

The letter shown below was written after the Society's performance of his cantata "In Praise of Wisdom" a cantata for Contralto, Chorus and Orchestra, first performed in Wales by GBS in 1991.

"Dear Lloyd and Members of the Bach Society

I feel that I must write to thank you all for your dedication and hard work that went into the preparation of Mansel's work.

Hearing it for the first time was a very moving experience for me, and I was very impressed with the high standard of the performance. This can only mean that you must all have worked very hard, and I only hope you all felt that it was worth it in the end.

I am looking to the next performance by you all. I shall be there."

Best wishes

Megan
(Mansel's wife)