Pembroke Ladies Lifeboat Guild fundraising committee did things a little differently to the normal Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir concert. They took the opportunity to celebrate Wales' Patron Saint's Day and combined this with a fundraising evening for the lifeboat service by arranging tables as you would for a musical supper evening.

The ladies' hope was that P&DMVC's singing would in some mysterious way inspire appetites of those present for the traditional cawl to follow. Well, the idea worked a treat, it must be said! P&DMVC, firm supporters of the RNLI, realised that dream!

All seats sold, the hall looking extremely attractive and well organised, attentive staff on hand to serve; all that was needed to complete a fine evening was for the choir to rise to expectations, and this they did, if audience reaction was the guide.

Chris Lloyd's programme had a theme of Welsh and nautical items, as one might expect. The choir and soloists sang straight through without interval in order that the audience might fall ravenously on the food without interruption at the end!

The urbane Mr. Phil Lloyd conducted proceedings with his usual panache, very well known to those present of course, though a new experience for visitors there from foreign parts, England we think. Later there was confirmation from them they were 'totally over the moon' with the whole show.

The choir started with two Welsh items followed by Owen Jones who 'wowed' the audience totally with 'Tra Bo Dau', thus proving that at 90 he is still a major life force.

It appears to be Henry Johnston's misfortune to have to follow Owen on most occasions, but he does this manfully; 'The Last Farewell' his fine contribution.

Some Welsh choristers tend to groan if asked to sing Myfanwy; we know not why, because this tale of unrequited love is a firm favourite with listeners. Perhaps the audience were hoping this time that the poor boy would finally get to grips with the flighty madam? P&DMVC, reluctant to disappoint, produced a fine and intense version. Not a dry eye to be seen, though the song's outcome was the same regrettably!

Allyson Griffiths followed in fine form with flute and played a number of beautiful traditional Welsh folk tunes.

Chris Lloyd and Joan Lewis, complete mistresses of the duet, produced the loveliest item of the evening, 'Goodnight'. A pin would have been heard to drop, such was the total concentration of the listeners. An unforgettable performance for those present, it was obvious.

It was time then for nautical items from the choir, time too for choristers to be boys again, dressing up as pirates for the roaring number 'The Jolly Roger.'.

Chris Lloyd decided that the audience would play a part too on the night by patiently teaching them the chorus to the Lifeboat song 'Home From The Sea', and very well they managed it too as choir sang the verses. 'Shenandoah' was the third item, beautifully complemented by choir accompanist Jenny Griffiths.

'Sam' Thomas was final soloist, offering 'Working Man'. Choir as quiet accompanists in the chorus. Nice one Sam!

Choristers completed the evening with 'Take me Home' and then frightened the life out of listeners with 'Cyfri'r Geifr'. And in case the audience were slow on the uptake, coloured goats courtesy George Lewis were waved at critical moments!

Daphne Bush, on behalf of the Lifeboat Guild, expressed her thanks to all who contributed to the success of the evening and announced that approximately £1,000 had been raised as a result.

The ladies were finally able to get to work efficiently at concert's end feeding the expectants. That completed a well-arranged and successful night for the organisers.

A.S.