There is no doubt that Tenby is one of the jewels in Pembrokeshire's crown as far as visitors are concerned. People come, and come again, from an amazing number of places to visit or holiday in the town, people from New York, Canada, exotic Yorkshire amongst them on the night. Highly beneficial for St. Johns Church, it should be added, as those visitors made up 99 per cent of the substantial audience to hear Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir in concert.

The choir usually visit the church twice a year to assist fund-raising, this being their second occasion for 2013. P&DMVC were pleased to see president Phil Thompson there: he comes in handy for carrying the kit in and out y'know!

Your reporter would like to share two minor mysteries concerning the night with his readers. One hopes this is added interest?

Any independent observer of Chris Lloyd (conductor) would unhesitatingly state that she is physiologically normal in all respects. When conducting in St. Johns, however, her arms confusedly and unaccountably shorten, she says. Leading the choir thus was a slightly awkward task. Odd that, don't you think? Solvable? Must be!

The other mystery is a simple blank refusal at times, for the spectacles of Jenny Griffiths (accompanist) to attend a venue where she plays. Send no scientific explanatory letters please; the choir much prefer the breathless anticipation of their appearance (or not, as was the case here!)

However, as blind people often discover, other senses do compensate, becoming nuanced, ultra responsive. It was thought this compensatory factor accounted for the spectol-less caressive keyboard touches that produced the usual high standard of performance we have come to expect from her. What about those recalcitrant glasses though eh!

Church elder, Mrs. Carol Brinton Thomas, on behalf of St. Johns, introduced the choir, before handing over to the wise and witty Phil Lloyd, whose ability to put an audience totally at ease is second to none.

Chris Lloyd took the choir into their first three items before the remarkable Owen Jones, enjoying rapt attention, wowed the listeners with 'I'se Weary of Waiting'.

Owen was followed by Joan Lewis, on wonderful form, who sang a just perfect 'Love Never Dies'.

Back came the choir, in romantic mode, swooning ladies in the audience with a couple of heart-breakers that ought to have brought a tear to the eye. The audience were encouraged then to rise, fill their lungs while the choir took them into Mission Praise 954, via the verse 'Siya Hamba'.

Two choristers celebrated birthdays on the night, Winston Owens and Steven Lloyd. Nothing to do but for all present to sing Happy Birthday to them.

Alyson Griffiths played a very nice flute solo, 'Somewhere', while Sam Thomas followed up with a splendidly controlled 'Shine Jesus Shine', helped along by the choir in the last chorus.

P&DMVC finished the concert with a new 'Ride The Chariot' then 'Rock a My Soul' pleased two rockers in the balcony no end, not to say the audience.

Carol and Les Meddings made their umpteenth trip from the Midlands to see their favourite choir in action and were rewarded by the final item from the choir in their honour.

A reluctance to leave by the audience was taken as a sign that at least one more item was required to satisfy. A Tenby MVC chorister was spotted and invited to join P&DMVC by Phil Lloyd to finish the concert with the magnificent, inspiring 'Morte Criste'.

P&D, Tenby, Haverfordwest and Whitland MVC's will be combining on June 28 to sing in Folly Farm. Get your tickets now! Before that, on June 22, P&DMVC are to sing in the splendour of St. Davids Cathedral.

Carol returned to offer thanks and appreciation for the splendid entertainment, before choristers and team were rewarded with light refreshments backstage by the ladies of the church. Choir vice-president Dennis O'Connor expressed grateful thanks to them for their efforts.

A.S.