On September 13 the choir held a concert to raise money for the Harriet Davis Trust.

The charity provides holiday accommodation for families who need specialised equipment for disabled children.

It was set up in 1992 after Harriet died at 11 years old.

She couldn’t speak but used her word chart to say that “I like to know that everyone has a holiday”.

Thanks to the large audience who came to St Mary’s Church £1,120 was raised on the night. Once again there was an international audience with people from USA, Canada, South Africa and other parts of the British Isles.

The choir were on top form again and the applause that they received gave testament to their efforts.

Our MC David Blackmore did a sterling job filling the pauses with friendly banter. American guests were asked if they had heard of their fellow countryman Henry Work who wrote My Grandfather’s Clock, nobody had.

There was much laughter from the audience when our MD Wilbur gave them instructions on how they were to participate in this performance. This clever arrangement by Wilbur includes the choir singing, the audience ticktocking and ding donging and various members of the choir providing musical accompaniment.

The choir were joined by solo pianists Olly Mackie and Lily Thompson.

Olly is 15 and is working towards his grade 8 certificate. He played two pieces by Einaudi and one by Beethoven. Olly is studying for GCSE exams at Queen Elizabeth High School in Carmarthen.

He also plays percussion for Carmarthenshire Senior Wind Band.Lily is 17 and passed her grade 8 this year. Beethoven featured again in Lily’s set along with Mingxin Du. Lily is studying physics, maths, biology and music at AS level at Pembrokeshire College. She also plays the cello and sings with St Mary’s church choir. Both performances were well received by the audience and I hope that they will join the choir for future concerts.

The varied programme from the choir provided a rollercoaster of emotions with somber moments, laughter, nostalgia and calm peacefulness. David reminded the audience of our coal mining heritage which has left a legacy of choirs and bands.

When fellow choristers were invited to join them for the final number they were joined by eight volunteers.

This helped to raise the volume of voices as Jill Williams on piano and the Rector Andrew Grace on the organ added even more volume to An American Trilogy. Many thanks to everyone who helped to produce a magical musical evening for such a worthy cause.

The choir will perform at St Mary’s Church in Tenby on September 27 during the Tenby Arts Festival Week when they will be joined by young pianist Elizabeth Morgan.

Doors will open at 7.30 for an 8 pm start.

Di Mumford