Noel Davies MBE had announced his retirement in 2002 as Musical Director of Côr Meibion PONTARDDULAIS Male Choir after 41 years at the helm. Noel Davies was a much loved and respected figure on the Welsh Male Choral scene. Recognition of his reputation was illustrated by his frequent invitations to conduct and adjudicate. His career had seen him conduct the massed male voices at the Royal Albert Hall, The North America Gymanfa Ganu in Ottawa and the Royal National Eisteddfod Gymanfa Ganu on two occasions. He was a member of the Gorsedd of Bards and in 1986 was awarded the MBE for his services to choral music. He was educated at Gowerton Grammar School and Trinity College, Carmarthen. He was, until his retirement, head teacher at Cila Primary School, Swansea.

On announcing his retirement as Musical Director of the choir Mr. Davies said, "This has been one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made. I have had 41 years of music making with the finest choir I could have had. We have had great successes over the years and with our win at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod in 2001, I feel that it is the right time to hand the reins over to a successor."

Noel's last comment to the Choir before the National Eisteddfod held in Welshpool on 9th August 2003 was "Make it a twelfth boys!". We are proud to have won this competition for a record twelfth time, in Noel's honour.