On Tuesday August 14 the choir sang on the newly constructed decking at Saundersfoot Harbour.

An idyllic setting for a sunny summer evening but on this occasion it was cloudy although the rain thankfully held off.

Our MD Wilbur looked dapper again in a short sleeved blue shirt and ivory/pale green waistcoat.

He expends so much energy with his enthusiastic conducting that he didn’t need a coat or jumper like the rest of us. Our accompanist Jill had some problems with the wind attempting to blow her music away but a quick response by a chorister and then by a member of the audience saved the day.

Sensible locals and holiday makers assembled armed with foldable chairs and blankets to ensure comfort and warmth. There were over 200 in the audience despite the inclement weather and their enthusiasm and applause kept the choir on their toes. Any toupees were firmly attached to stop them being blown out to sea!

Dave Blackmore, our MC, made his usual jibes about the bass section of the choir. He should be more careful as the two barmen at the County Club are in this section and may refuse to serve him in future!

He also attempts to introduce numbers in an original and amusing way, often producing a mixture of groans and laughter. Never one to miss an opportunity he told a tale about one of the choristers, Duncan Hilling, who is a much loved member of the choir and is well known in the local community.

Apparently 85 years ago, when Duncan was 7 years old, he was swimming near the harbour when they opened the sluice gates and he was swept out to sea.

Luckily there was a boat in the area who saw what happened and rescued him. Dave used this story to introduce Take Me Home! This Is actually a song about men working in coal mines.

Dave o.then reminded us that Saundersfoot Harbour was very important for shipping out coal which was once mined locally.

Another song concerning men working underground was sung by the choir.

A Working Man, featuring a duet by John (the milk) Butland and young Kevin Morgan was followed by the very emotional Fields Of Athenry in which Duncan Hilling sings a moving sol

Al fresco events are challenging for the choir as the sound is quickly dissipated, especially when it is windy.

The choir excelled itself on this occasion however producing a note worthy quality of sound.

On Thursday the choir performed again at St Mary’s Church.

The evening was chilly so the choir wasted no time coming across from Church House.

The concert was well attended by visitors from different parts of England, Scotland and Ireland.

There were also people from the USA, Australia, France and Germany. Eric Mullins wished he was a rich man before young Kevin Morgan joined him to sing a duet. One of the audience told Eric that he and his brother sang beautifully together!

We were also treated to a solo performance by Paul Varallo who sang Stars from Les Miserables and Music Of The Night from Phantom Of The Opera. Jill must have been shattered at the end of the evening as she accompanied all of the solo artists as well as the choir.

Wilbur’s conducting was as animated as usual and he made the choir work hard to keep the pace going in The Rhythm Of Life and hold onto the final note for a very long time. Dave decided to question the tenors’ performance and said that they couldn’t keep up with the basses.

Their varied programme kept the audience entertained and received much deserved applause throughout the evening. The audience was invited to join the choir in singing Climb Every Mountain and eagerly ticktocked and dingdonged for My Grandfather’s Clock.

For the finale three fellow choristers from the audience joined the choir to perform a rousing rendition of An American Trilogy.

Wilbur was so pleased with the choir’s performance that he awarded them a healthy 9 out of 10.

Wilbur and Jill both work hard to support the choir and their efforts are greatly appreciated by us all.

The choir should also be congratulated for their hard work in learning all the music and words so that they can perform without the music in front of them.

Their programme for this year will soon be over and they will rehearse throughout the winter on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the County Club on The Croft.

If you are interested in joining the choir please come along and try us out. Visit our website tenbymalechoir.org for further details.

The choir will perform again at St Mary’s Church on Thursday, August 30 and will raise money for the RNLI.

Our soloist for the evening is saxophonist James Crowney-Richards who will be accompanied by Mark Thompson.

The doors will open at 7.30 for an 8 pm start.

Di Mumford