Zip World Partners with Côr y Penrhyn for Historic Performance

A North Wales choir with roots stretching back to the 1880s has taken its music to new heights, in what is believed to be the first time a choir has sung on a zip line, during a unique performance at Penrhyn Quarry.

Côr y Penrhyn, based near Bethesda, performed while travelling down Zip World’s Velocity zip line, combining traditional Welsh music with contemporary songs by artists including Neil Young and Super Furry Animals.

Around 50 members of the choir took part, beginning their performance on the truck journey to the top of the quarry before continuing mid‑air as they descended the 100mph zip line.

The moment was captured on film by local videographer Ollie Axon, with footage showing the choir singing against the backdrop of the quarry.

The choir has a long and rich history in the area, originally forming as a quarry choir in the 1880s before disbanding during a period of industrial unrest and later reforming in 1935.

Now considered one of Wales’ longest‑standing choirs, it remains a key part of the local community, with around 70 members ranging in age from 15 to 85. Many members have been involved for decades, including eight people who have sung with the choir for more than 50 years.

The performers included Raymond Roberts, 85, the oldest member to take on the challenge, while former quarryman Elfyn Bullock, 51, returned to sing above Penrhyn Quarry, where he worked for 10 years.

The event also brought together a long‑standing relationship between the choir and Zip World. When the adventure company first opened at Penrhyn Quarry in 2013, founder Sean Taylor invited Côr y Penrhyn to perform at the opening, and the two have remained connected ever since.

The latest performance was designed as a belated 91st anniversary celebration, while also helping to attract new members and shine a light on Welsh music and culture.

Owain Arwel Jones, Musical Director of Côr y Penrhyn, said: “We’re always looking for new ways to share what we do and bring Welsh music to different audiences, but this was definitely something special for us.

“The choir has such a long history, and for many of our members this is a place that means a lot. To be able to sing here, where the choir first formed over a century ago, is something we’ll remember for a long time.”

Reflecting on the performance, Gwilym Owen, 84, who has been a member of Côr y Penrhyn for 66 years, said: “It’s amazing to see how the choir has grown and changed over the years. From its early days connected to the quarry, to now singing above it, it’s not something I ever imagined I’d see. It just shows how important the choir still is to the community.”

Elfyn Bullock, a former quarryman and choir member, described the experience as “surreal”, adding: “It was fantastic to see a bird’s-eye view of where I used to work. Coming down the zip line singing the songs was something I’ll never forget. What an experience.”

Sean Taylor, founder of Zip World, said: “Côr y Penrhyn has been part of our story since the very beginning, so it was brilliant to see this idea come to life.

This was about celebrating the local community and shining a spotlight on a group that means a lot to the area. It brought together everything that’s special about this place.”