HE’S performed in some of the biggest and most well known theatres in the world, but I doubt Max Boyce would get a better welcome than the one he received at Blackwood Miners’ Institute this week.

The much loved Welsh comedian and songwriter bounded onto the stage waving a welsh flag to cheers of oggy oggy oggy from the 400-strong crowd.

He regaled the audience with tales of good old Billy Williams, road trips with the boys and the golden age of rugby when product placement had more to do with stacking shelves than million-pound sponsorship deals.

The audience laughed and also shed a tear along with the Glynneath star as he performed Duw, Its Hard about the closure of the South Wales collieries.

There were also enough local gags thrown into his routine about the people of Crumlin that left the most burley of former rugby players sat around me reduced to tears of laughter.

Not a performance that would have been enjoyed by anyone from the other side of the bridge, but it certainly stirred the patriotic feelings among us all -– just in time for the Six Nations.

Support acts Swansea singer Eve Sherratt and compare Colin Price rounded off a great night at the ‘stute.