The Griffon Choir combined with St. Mary's Church Tenby Handbell Ringers gave a very entertaining concert in St. Mary's Church, Tenby, last Wednesday evening on behalf of Tenovus. Dr. John Harrison conducted both the choir and handbell ringers and the choir accompanist for the evening was Andrew Cusworth. After a rousing rendition of 'Cwm Rhondda' to warm up both the choir and the audience, the choir sang the Welsh hymn 'Tydi a Rhoddaist' and two excerpts from Faure's 'Requiem' with a baritone solo sung by Lyn Childs. There was a change of mood as the handbell ringers opened their performance with 'Trumpet Voluntary,' followed by 'The Blue Danube,' Handel's 'Sarabande,' 'La Donna e Mobile' and 'The Skaters Waltz.' The Griffon Choir took the stage again with a selection of lighter music, including the Welsh folk song 'Lisa Lân' and a choir favourite, 'As long as I have music.' It was then the turn of the handbell ringers once more, who entertained the audience with a group of five pieces, including 'My grandfather's clock' and 'My heart will go on' - the haunting music from the film 'Titanic.' The choir ended the concert with a varied selection of songs, beginning with a spiritual 'Ride the Chariot,' followed by Joseph Parry's 'Myfanwy,' and 'Siyahamba', a traditional song from South Africa, 'You'll never walk alone' from the musical 'Carousel,' and finally the hymn 'How great Thou art.' At the end of the concert, Maureen Webb, the chairman of Tenby Friends of Tenovus, thanked Dr. John Harrison, Andrew Cusworth, all the members of the Griffon Choir and St. Mary's Tenby Handbell Ringers and, most importantly, the audience for supporting this charity event and helping to raise over £300 for Tenovus. The concert closed with the choir, the handbell ringers and the audience all joining in the hymn 'Love divine, all loves excelling' to the well-known Welsh tune 'Blaenwern' - a moving finale to a very enjoyable musical evening.
