For Martin Berni, joining a male voice choir got him out of the house after the sudden death of his wife. For David Waghorn it was a chance to take part in an activity he'd often watched from the sidelines, while for Swansea councillor Matthew Bailey, it was about reviving a tradition in Clydach. Now, just over a year since the choir was set up, membership has doubled, new social bonds have been created, and money has been raised for good causes. And Cor Meibion Clydach can certainly hold a tune. Cllr Bailey, who represents Clydach, said: "All the guys there, hand on heart, say, 'I can't believe I haven't done it sooner.' We practice on a Thursday evening, and on Friday morning you want to go back again." He added: "The social part is just as important." Never miss a Swansea story by signing up to our newsletter here Cllr Bailey said there used to be a highly regarded male voice choir in Clydach in the 1990s which achieved National Eisteddfod success, but it disbanded. There was a reunion a couple of years ago, and that set in motion what is flourishing today. "I thought it would be good if we could try to re-establish a choir," said Cllr Bailey. The word spread, a 1980s keyboard with some missing keys was donated, and the new choir launched with 16 members in March last year at Vardre RFC - the home of the previous one. Cllr Bailey said membership had now reached 35, ranging from those in their mid-20s to 80s, and that younger members were welcome. "Bring a mate, grab a pint and come along and watch rehearsals," he said. "You can sit with us and not sing, or sing. If it's not for you it's not a problem." Cor Meibion Clydach performed at a Christmas concert at the town's Capel y Nant, along with pupils from YGG Gellionnen. The choir are also singing at a VE Day remembrance event at St Mary's Church, Clydach, on May 11. Cllr Bailey paid tribute to musical director Gareth Sims and his accompanist wife, Julie, for their work. Choristers are top tenor, second tenor, baritone or bass, and one or two of them, said Cllr Bailey, stood out. "Eurof Humphreys does the solo parts - he's got a great voice," he said. Cllr Bailey, 40, who works for insurance company Admiral, said he'd always liked listening to male voice choirs. Being part of one, he said, had revealed how different sections of a choir knitted a song together into the melody that everyone recognised. He said as well as traditional choral music the choir had sung songs such as You'll Never Walk Alone, I Dreamed a Dream, and If, by the group Bread. They write out Welsh words phonetically for non-Welsh speakers in their midst, which he said worked well. David Waghorn, president of Vardre RFC, used to listen to and help the previous choir, whose members included his brother-in-law and friends of his. "I've never sung before, I'm 77 now, and I kind of always regretted I didn't join the Vardre male voice choir," he said. "Everyone tells me singing is good for the soul and wellbeing. I thought, 'I'm not going to miss out this time.' It's one of the best things I have done. We are serious but we have a laugh together." He added: "Our conductor Gareth Sims and his wife Julie have been fantastic. They've got the patience of Job!" Mr Waghorn, who is also chairman of the Capel y Nant working group, said of the Christmas concert: "It was full to the rafters. The cross-section of people there was tremendous." A £1,000 collection was raised on the night, some of which has gone to three good causes including mental health charity Mind. Martin Berni, meanwhile, said he was recovering from the unexpected death of his wife and decided to check out the choir. He said: "The way it's helped is, first of all it got me out of the house one evening a week, and then obviously you interacted with boys that you know from the village, and all of a sudden you're part of a group that's trying to achieve something, is growing, and the friendship and the bond the boys have got now has helped enormously." Josh Burtonshaw is Cor Meibion Clydach's youngest member. "I've always done a bit of singing - I thought I would get involved," he said. The 25-year-old, who runs The Overdraft cocktail bar on High Street, added: "All ages can do it, all ages are welcome." Cor Meibion Clydach has another ward councillor, Gordon Walker, in its ranks. Its president is former international rugby referee Derek Bevan. Gareth Crees, the managing director of engineering firm Kaymac Marine, is vice-president. Mr Waghorn said: "In these days of doom and gloom, it has brought a bit of joy to the community."