Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir were invited to Zion Chapel, Neyland, as support to Neyland Ladies, the concert in support of the Paul Sartori Foundation. Well, the boys were on the ladies' turf, so to speak, and pleased to be there, too, despite the upsetting rumours of flirtations with other local MVC's!. 'Dinty' arranged the concert. No need for a surname apparently, so well known is she, and a fine speaker, too, on behalf of the ladies, as later became obvious. A warm and steamy evening it was, and made more so by the chapel filled to its' rafters with an expectant audience. So little spare room was there, the two choirs had to share pews, though not at the same time, it must be added. That might have made it too steamy! Alternate occupation of seats after performing was the method employed, silkily expedited by the two choir marshals. The ladies looked resplendently elegant in new tops. Were they new? We cannot truly vouchsafe, but it is known they have a significant number of changes available. P&DMVC have only the one and are poor cousins in comparison. Ladies will be ladies, though, and must have choice. A generous vote of thanks here is offered to Peter Griffiths (Neyland accompanist). Peter came to P&DMVC pre-concert practice last Tuesday in place of Jenny Griffiths (P&DMVC accompanist). Jenny was unavailable for practice and concert for personal reasons. Peter's success in coping with a completely different choir was laudable in the extreme. Not content, though, with accompanying both concert choirs, he took on the duty of accompanist to the invited soloist, Catryn Raymond. He has admirable talents truly. Resplendent as Neyland Ladies are sartorially, their performances are even more so. Every item performed speaks of excellence, quality, and the hard grind of effective practice. Led by the irrepressible Lynne Kelleher, only the best is good enough. They are a formidably good choir without doubt. Good enough to be invited to sing anywhere and with anyone, as 'Dinty' was keen to advertise later after provocative teasing from Phil Lloyd. No one doubts it, Dinty, especially P&DMVC; devotees to a man! P&DMVC received enthusiastic appreciation from listeners for their contributions, it must be said, a contrast musically to the ladies, but equally as proficient, it is hoped. Effusively introduced by Peter Griffiths (and with good cause), the talented Catryn Raymond made appearances in both halves. Soprano soloist, multi-instrumentalist, linguist, her endowments are numerous. It was as soprano that she performed this night. Items from Offenbach, Mozart, Gershwin, Schubert, Eric Jones, were all accomplished with wonderful proficiency and mastery of language and medium. So impressive; you are sure to hear much, much more of her. Amazing thing about music though. No matter in which language it is performed, there's no need for translation! Everybody understands and appreciates it instinctively. Sentiments and meaning are understood without conscious thought. The one, and only one, international language everybody understands, part of every culture known to man, past or present. Remarkable? No, astounding that is and more if thought about! Difficult to choose a highlight from Catryn's performances, so excellent were they all, but if choice is forced on one, then the Welsh item, 'Y Nefoedd' it would have to be. Was there melody and words ever composed that touch so deeply the soul? Phil Lloyd for P&DMVC thought not and this scribe concurs. After both choirs' contributions to the concert, a young lady from the Paul Sartori organisation stood to express her thanks to all concerned in raising in excess of £700. Fluent and gracious she was too in so doing, making it all feel very worthwhile. 'Dinty' expressed her appreciation to all present, before both choirs united on stage for the two final items, 'Calon Lan' and 'Rachi'. There was suspicion that the stage was unwilling to bear this combined weight, groans and cracks audible, movement underfoot unsettling in areas. No accidents, though, thankfully, and all retired safely to enjoy a social cuppa in the hall. August is a fallow month for P&DMVC folks - see you all again in September. Hwyl am y tro.

A.S.