The televised Olympic opening ceremony failed to deter committed followers of both Mansfield MVC and Pembroke and District MVC from totally filling the Priory Church of St. Nicholas and St. John (aka Monkton Priory) on Friday (writes A.S.).

The first thing necessary is to thank that audience for their patience and forbearance over the concert start delay. Perhaps it served to increase their sense of anticipation?

MMVC's singing tour had taken them to Llangfair Fechan, Llandudno and Blaenau Festiniog. They were on their way from Llandudno to Tenby before being caught in nightmarish traffic approaching Aberystwyth. Anyone who has travelled the road recently through, Tre'r Ddôl, Ffurnais, Taliesin, will know the total chaos caused by on-going roadworks in that area.

The short pre-concert practice for combined items had to be abandoned, so for P&DMVC there was a period of frustrated idleness to endure whilst Mansfield battled to join them.

Regular readers of choir reports will know of the unfortunate aerial attack on Phil Lloyd in Saundersfoot recently. Strangely, first tenor Ken Chichester suffered a similar fate whilst standing by Phil waiting for MMVC. Co-incidence? Choristers of P&DMVC read the runes and signs of the zodiac quite quickly. Their conclusion? Phil, you're on your own in the open air in future!

MMVC coaches arrived finally and the choirs had a wonderfully warm welcome as they filed in to form up (relief possibly?) Audience reaction throughout demonstrated that it was more than worth the wait and entry price!

The two choirs have enjoyed close connections over the years, P&DMVC were in Mansfield, MMVC have been to Pembroke, combining for Massed Voices Royal Albert Hall and MEN Arena, Manchester, concerts so there is a deal of common ground.

The choirs combined for the first item American Trilogy, Meryl Chambers, of MMVC conducting, Margaret Ball accompanist, this, a splendid taste of things to come. P&DMVC performed the next three items to more vociferous applause, Mrs. Lloyd conducting, Jenny Griffiths piano.

MMVC provided the soprano soloist for both halves. Heidi, daughter of deputy conductor, MMVC Ian Grice, it was, and stunning performances she gave in both halves. Pipes Of Pan and O My Beloved Father, perhaps the highlights of her four items, though it represents this reporter's subjective opinion only.

MMVC returned to deliver three finely varied numbers before the choirs combined to sing Calon Lan and The Lord's Prayer Sandwiched between these two, Cwm Rhonda and the chance for the audience to join the choirs in celebration.

First tenor John Marenghi, absent from P&DMVC's line up due to incapacity, though in the audience taking notes one suspects, was pleased to let it be known, his wife Ann's birthday it was. To her acute embarrassment everyone sang Happy Birthday to her. Which birthday? State secret, sorry!

It's pertinent here to remark on presenter Phil Lloyd's talent to keep proceedings light and the audience highly amused throughout the concert, a priceless resource, as all present on the night would verify.

P&DMVC continued their contribution to the evening with a further three items before making way for Heidi's second half contributions.

Time for MMVC to return with a selection of numbers garnered from the 1,000 Voices Manchester programme and excellent they were.

With concerts end imminent, no finer way exists to finish in such a setting and with such acoustics as Monkton possesses, than for Mrs. Lloyd to take the stand and under her leadership inspire both choirs to give their utmost to Morte Criste. Such was the tumult of applause and demand for something more, the last verse was offered as encore to further deafening applause and a standing ovation.

Both choirs, supporters, friends, wives et al retired eventually to the Quins RFC where Mrs. Ann Gilbert and her superb band of helpers had prepared a wonderful repast, praised and thanked fulsomely by Frank Harries, chairman, P&DMVC.

The chance to socialise was avidly taken up renewing old associations and bonds.

The evening was marked by two presentations. One from Walter Pitchford, chairman, MMVC, to Frank Harries of a painting by a member of MMVC of Southwell Cathedral where both choirs were in concert some years ago. The second was a framed arrangement containing photos of both choirs, their crests and inserted text commemorating P&DMVC's 60th anniversary year. This, produced by George Lewis, artist in residence, P&DMVC, and presented to Walter Pitchford by Frank Harries.

A very long day for all finally came its end with best wishes for a safe journey home to all those associated with MMVC.