What follows is part of an interview I conducted with Karen and Sioned a few months after they started to perform together as the new Môn-Heli. 
 

For Arthur and Karen Owen from Talwrn, Anglesey, better known as husband and wife duo Môn-Heli,  the summer of 2006 was scheduled to be a very busy period. “Our diary of bookings was full,” recalled Karen “and although we always looked forward to our next engagement, one in particular we were really exited about was the two day festival at Llanilar in mid August.”

Having performed as a duo for about six years, by 2006 Môn-Heli had three albums to their credit, the first two Rhown Y Byd  (I'd Give The World) (LG CD 3) and  Fy Ngalw'n Ôl (Calling Me Back)  (LG CD 5) having been recorded at Stiwdio'r Mynydd, Llanllechid.

"Arthur's dream," said Karen "had always been to record an album of his own compositions with a live band.”   That dream was realised when Sain gave them the opportunity to record their third album Y Llythyr  (The Letter)  (SCD 2474) on their label. “As things turned out, I am more grateful than ever to Sain for giving us that opportunity.”

Arthur could not write lyrics, neither could he compose melodies without lyrics, "so we were more than grateful to Nanw Roberts, Gwenllian Roberts, Dafydd Thomas, and our daughter, Sioned Mair, for providing lyrics to Arthur,” said Karen. “Those lyrics enabled him to compose the music to all the twelve songs featured on that album."

The release of Y Llythyr, frequent broadcasts of the songs by various radio stations, a TV appearance, radio interviews, public performances with a varied repertoire of bilingual songs,  combined with their warm personalities, brought them many new fans from all over Wales and beyond.

An invitation  was received from Sain for Môn-Heli to perform at their annual Canu Gwlad Concert at the North Wales Theatre, Llandudno. "Another dream was realised for Arthur that evening, " Karen reflected,  "performing his own songs with a live band at such a prestigious venue. It was a very special evening for both of us, a dream come true, despite the fact that it was also tinged with sadness.” Victor Owen, Arthur's father, had recently passed away. “He was our greatest fan, and had it been possible for him to be there that evening, without a doubt he would have been the proudest person in the auditorium."

Following that performance, their work load increased yet again, and by the summer of 2006 they had bookings stretching well into the new year. Then, completely out of the blue, Arthur was diagnosed with Leukemia. He was hospitalised, given treatment, but sadly it was unsuccessful. On 3 September 2006, Arthur passed away at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor, only a couple of weeks before he and Karen were due to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary.

“The passing of my father was devastating for everyone who knew him," said Sioned, his daughter, "not least because it was so unexpected.” But, despite their loss, mother and daughter were determined to keep the music of Môn-Heli alive.  “That would have been my father’s biggest wish.”  Sioned, a talented singer in her own right, decided to step into her father’s shoes and become her mother’s new singing partner.  “The decision to replace him as the other half of the duo was an easy one for me to make,” she said.

On 7 April 2007 at Y Llew Côch, Tyn Y Groes, in the Conwy Valley, the new Môn-Heli performed in public for the first time. Reflecting on that performance, Karen said "It was a very emotional evening,  not only for Sioned and myself, but also for relatives, friends and fans. The welcome, encouragement and support we received, however, helped us immensely to get through that first, difficult, performance without Arthur.”  Môn-Heli have since performed a number of times, always to great applaud. “We continue to receive overwhelming support,” said Sioned, “and we are very grateful to everyone who has supported us.”

As both Karen and Sioned work full-time, their busy personal lives limits the amount of public performances they can make, but despite their commitments, they are both determined to give Môn-Heli their all.  Reflecting on the last eigheen months, Karen said:  "The past year or so has been very difficult. Life has changed so much and I’m still trying to adjust. I try to keep as busy as I can. I find work therapeutic as it prevents me from dwelling too much in the past. " Recently, Sioned announced her engagement to police officer, Trystan, and the news could not have been more welcome to family, friends and fans. “It shows that there really is a silver lining to every cloud,” said Karen. “The wedding is planned for next year.”

Karen concluded: "We all have our memories of Arthur, and as long as we remember someone, they live on in our hearts. I hope he will live on in his music too.  That’s why it’s so important to Sioned and myself that Môn-Heli continues to perform well into the distant future."

We wish them the success they deserve.