It is their love of music, and the fact that they have personally been very grateful for the care and treatment given by the Orthopedic Ward and Breast Cancer Unit at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, that Christine Shewry and Jill Williams, the music director and accompanist of Tenby Male Choir, decided to create a one-off 'Choir of Gentlemen' to perform a Gala Concert on May 7, at the Park House Pavilion, Withybush Showground, Haverfordwest. The aim is to raise £15,000 to purchase medical equipment for the Orthopedic unit and a mobile Ultrasound Sonosite 180 plus monitor for the Breast Cancer Unit. Roy Noble OBE will compere the concert and solo items and duets will be performed by soprano Nicola Hughes, and tenors Mark Burrows and Peter Totterdale, making this a night to remember. There will be something in the programme to suit every taste, ranging from Myfanwy to The Battle Hymn of the Republic and from You'll Never Walk Alone to Shenandoah and no doubt Roy Noble's natural wit and talent will keep the whole evening buzzing along. The separate sections of the choir, which now has 154 members, have been rehearsing since October last year and throughout this month will continue full choir rehearsals to 'polish off' the edges of the items. "When we started talking to perspective choristers about joining the Choir of Gentlemen, we hoped that members from the four main male choirs in the country would support the cause, and become the 'backbone' of the choir, and they have not let us down showing great commitment and enthusiasm," said Christine. "Many members have come from mixed choirs in the area and the choir now boasts almost 30 members who are not affiliated to any choir, so we hope that this experience will encourage them to join an existing choir after May 7, boosting choral singing in general. "Because the money raised will be used to purchase equipment for our own county hospital, the hope was that the whole of Pembrokeshire would become involved with this event and indeed members of the choir come from all corners of the county, and beyond," she added. "Fifty-two villages and towns are represented in the choir, ranging from Maenclochog to Merlins Bridge and from Whitland to Wolfscastle." The organisers would like to thank the businesses of the county for showing such great support and generosity in helping to cover the cost of staging the event and special thanks must go to the main event sponsors, Taylor Tiles Ltd., of Haverfordwest, and Texaco, because without their pledge the idea would never have got off the ground. It is not too late to become an event sponsor and assuming the donation is received before going to press, all businesses will be listed in the programme for the concert. Cheques should be made payable to 'Choir of Gentlemen'. Please ring the number below for details. Tickets for the concert are now available, priced at £10, £8 and £6, and will be sold on a first come first served basis. Ticket outlets are: Swales Music Centre, Haverfordwest; Townsend's Newsagents, Main Street, Pembroke; and Card Craft, Charles Street, Milford Haven. Alternatively, ring 01834 861132 or 01646 651664 for details about how to purchase them by post.
