Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir was delighted to accept an invitation from Gilead Chapel, Maidenwells, to perform on Good Friday. There was much additional pleasure in acceptance insofar as Gilead is the spiritual home of the choir's soprano soloist, Joan Lewis, and was also the chapel where Fred Roblin worshipped for so many years. The choir were able, through their performance of 'There is a Balm in Gilead', to pay tribute to Fred and Eric Rawles (now both sadly deceased) and give thanks for past contributions to the life and times of the choir they served so long and well. On such a day, one would expect the choir's musical offerings to reflect the celebration of Easter and all it means to the Christian community, and so it was that most items were tuned towards, and emphasised the glory of sacrifice and resurrection. This is not to say the items were in any way over familiar. The choir grasped the opportunity to perform these traditional Easter musical items with all the sincerity, emotional feeling and belief it could muster to the obvious appreciation of the audience. It could not do otherwise under the direction of Mrs. Christine Lloyd, herself a deeply committed Christian and chapel member at Pembroke Ferry. Three items under practice for the Albert Hall were tried out on the audience. Their enthusiastic response to the offerings was gratifying to those associated with the choir. Soloists, Joan Lewis, Henry Johnson and David Tomas ably supported the choir throughout the evening. The audience were also treated to a premiere performance for Gilead, of the choir's musical team vocal quartet comprising Allyson, Jenny, Chris and Joan (a truly pleasurable experience for all those present). No formal title seems to have been assigned to this group as yet, so a chance occurs for a name that personifies the melodic sweetness, close harmony and friendship so evident between them. At the conclusion, Mrs. Margaret Brown, secretary and chapel elder, gave the blessings and expressed the thanks of all those present for the choir's visit and for making the evening such a pleasurable, uplifting experience. Finally, the choir is to give serious consideration to an allegation that a member breached dress code by wearing non-standard issue socks. The choir is confidant this calumny will be disproved and the member exonerated!
