"The Montgomeryshire Society is a London-based association for people who have links with the old Welsh county.

Founded in 1927, it has enriched the lives of many Welsh people living in and around London for over seventy years and remains today one of a few of active county societies in the capital.

Current members come from many backgrounds and occupations and provide a valuable source of friendship and encouragement to people who come and live, work or study in London.

The Montgomeryshire Society promotes a varied programme of social and cultural events throughout the year including an annual reception, dinner, lectures, visits and social events.

The Society has established a number of schools competitions for young people of the county which include the Charles Churchill and Vaughan Davies essay prizes, the Clement Davies art prizes and the Garthgwynion music prize.

In 1995, a new award was established, for students of Coleg Powys. There is also a music award, The Garthgwynion Prize which is awarded to a promising musician from the county at the discretion of the committee. This is perhaps the most visible way in which the Society contributes to the present life of the county.

This year it celebrates its 80th anniversary season with a rich and diverse programme of cultural and social events and has announced that its new President for the 2007/08 will be Lord Thomas of Gresford.

A barrister who has enjoyed a distinguished career in politics and public life, Lord Thomas hails from Wrexham with strong family roots in Montgomeryshire, being a descendant of the famous family of Abram Wood of Llanfihangel yng Ngwynfa.

A new work by Gresford-based composer, Brian Hughes, will receive its first performance at Cadogan Hall in London on Thursday 15 May 2008

Entitled Sabrina - the Roman name for the River Severn - the fanfare for brass and percussion has been commissioned by Lord Thomas of Gresford, this year's Montgomersyhire Society's President, to celebrate its 80th anniversary.

The work will be performed as part of a Gala concert given by the Southbank Sinfonia, conducted by Simon Over which will feature international soloists Sir Thomas Allen and Sally Matthews and include music by Wagner and Strauss.

Tickets: £30, £23, £15, £10; available from Cadogan Hall

Box Office: 020 7730 4500"