Visiting South Pembrokeshire last week were 25 members of the Parkside Colliery Male Voice Choir from the Wigan area. Making Tenby their base for their week-long tour, they were accompanied by over 30 supporters.

The Parkside Colliery was an important part of the South Lancashire coalfield and when modernised in the 1980s replaced the smaller mines around St. Helens, Wigan and Leigh.

The choir and supporters enjoyed both the sunshine and beautiful scenery during their stay in Pembrokeshire.

Last Thursday evening saw a near capacity audience at St Johns Church welcome on stage the combined choirs of Parkside Colliery Male Voice Choir and Tenby Male Choir.

The visiting choir on Tuesday evening performed in a joint concert with Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir at Pembroke. So it was pleasing to note in the audience the Pembroke chairman and MD.

With the briefest of rehearsals, the joint choirs commenced the concert under the baton of the visiting musical director, Alec Wallace, with the familiar 'When the Saints go Marching. In introducing the music, Alec Wallace referred to the rivalry on the rugby league field between Wigan and St. Helens (the Saints) and for him it was appropriate to start with their theme tune. This was followed by American Trilogy.

Tenby then left the stage to join the audience for the first section of the concert to be given by the Parkside Colliery Male Voice Choir. They sang 'That Old Time Religion.' Followed by Prayer in the Twilight, which was an arrangement by a previous MD, Neil Williams, to be followed by 'There is nothing like a Dame', with MD Alec Wallace taking the solo role.

This was followed by a duet and reading by the Parkside members. Everyone was interested to listen to a different repertoire. Parkside were enthusiastically applauded for their rendition.

Tenby then sang five items in a contrasting programme of music, with I Believe, Pan for nos yn hir, Timeless Moment, Blue Moon and finally the toe-tapping Amen.

The quality of singing was a reflection of the control and interpretation and direction given by Christine Shewry. As always, accompanist Jill Williams played to her normal high standards.

Parkside returned to the stage with a little known song from the film 'High Noon' entitled 'Shall we gather at the River' followed by 'When I am Sixty Four'.

Their MD explained to the audience that the colliery had closed in 1993 and that nowadays the choir gained its members from St.Helens and Wigan and the surrounding neighbourhoods. The current membership is 50.

There followed a complete contrast, with the beautiful Autumn Leaves. Parkside finished their contribution with their interpretation of 'With Cat Like Tread' by Gilbert and Sullivan.

Choristers left the stage for an excellent solo by Tenby chorister, Eric Mullins. Entitled 'If I were a rich man', this was enthusiastically received by the visitors in the audience.

The finale was set with both choir conducted by Christine Shewry in 'Speed Your Journey' and Morte Criste, when Christine invited both Pembroke visitors and other visiting choristers to join the choirs on stage.

Also on stage and warmly welcomed by Christine and Tenby choristers was Cyril Morgan, who retired from active singing a few years ago.

The singing of Morte Criste ended with resounding applause.

Before the national anthems, the respective chairman of each choir made presentations. Tenby presented a choir plaque with their unique badge, and Parkside presented a suitably inscribed brass miners lamp.

The concert was followed by a reception at the Tenby and County Club where choristers enjoyed fellowship, a buffet provided by the ladies, and afterglow singing with Jill Williams very much to the fore with her impromptu accompaniment.

The weather for the week was exceptional and the visitors were able to enjoy a memorable week of hospitality, concerts and afterglows. An invitation has been received to visit the North West some time in the future, which Tenby will look forward to.