Singing is good for your health, good for your social life and good for your soul!

On Sunday, August 2, the Corran Singers came together with four solo artistes to raise funds for the Cors Field, Laugharne, singing in the Congregational Chapel, for the Laugharne Festival Week.

There was an excellent audience awaiting them when the evening was opened up by compere, Mr. Ian Evans, well known bass baritone and entertainer. He spoke briefly about the choir and made everyone aware of the many concerts the choir have done raising funds for different charities, and travelled abroad taking the name of Laugharne to the Brittany coast on two of their tours.

Beginning with the Welsh hymn 'I Bob un syn fyddlon' to the tune Rachie, You Raise Me Up, Do you Hear the People Sing from Les Miserables, and finishing the opening programme with 'Sing Praises', the choir was given a wonderful reception by the large audience.

The compere then introduced the first guest artiste, Miss Sallie Griffiths, local beautician, from St Clears, who this year played the main leading lady in Oklahoma, in the Footlights drama production at Saundersfoot. Sally thrilled everyone singing songs from the shows and ending with her favourite piece 'Cabaret', where she entertained the gentlemen in the audience with her feather boa. Her beautiful voice echoed in the chapel and the audience loved her.

Sallie was accompanied by the guest accompanist of the evening for the soloists, Mr. Jonathan Morgan, peripatetic teacher of voice from Dyffryn Taf School.

The second guest artiste was Charlie Kind, a Year 9 pupil from Dyffryn Taf School, Whitland, who played three pieces, accompanied by his mother on the piano. First class cello playing, accurate and precise and with feeling, which showed how Charlie had won the Young Musician of the Year for the Rotary of Narberth and Whitland.

The choir then returned, singing four more items, 'Si Hei Lwli Mabi', 'The Rose', 'All Night, All Day', finishing off with an anthem, 'See My Soul the Land of Brightness', a wonderful piece of music, Gwel Uwchlaw Cymylau Amser.

Following the choir, the third soloist, a young gentleman who is really showing his singing skills and enjoying every minute of it, was Steffan James, a Year 8 pupil from Dyffryn Taf School, who lives in Whitland.

Steffan, singing in Welsh and taught by Mr. Jonathan Morgan who accompanied him, sang 'Yfory', Dal i Gredu, a Bore Sul. Once again the audience were thrilled by his young voice and the wonderful performance that Steffan gave.

Following the concert, Steffan was leaving to go to Bala and compete in the National Eisteddfod.

The final soloist of the evening was Mr. Ian Evans, compere and renowned entertainer, who also filled the chapel as his voice filled every corner and thrilled everyone.

Last year, Ian was commissioned by the charity 'Missing Wales' to compose a song to be performed in the Senedd, which he did in December. They have invited him back once again this year for a repeat performance.

Ian entertained the audience by singing 'Bring Him Home', 'On My Own' and 'Memory'.

The choir returned for the final items by singing more upbeat spiritual songs and then involving the audience by singing 'Now is the Hour'. This was followed by Ysbryd Y Nos, African Anthem, and finally, dedicated to Eironwy Thomas (Dylan Thomas's daughter who had died during the week), Eli Jenkins's Prayer, followed by the national anthem.

Musical director, Mrs. Heather Jenkins thanked everyone for their participation during the evening and gave her sincere thanks to the choir who had during the year worked really hard learning a lot of new music for the performance.

Mr. Bob Costley, festival organiser, then thanked Mrs. Jenkins for giving such a full and varied programme and everyone who had provided first class entertainment.

The Corran Singers rehearse every Thursday, re-commencing on Thursday, September 3, at 7.30 pm in the Congregational Chapel in Laugharne. If you would like to join the choir, do go along, as new members are always welcome. You don't not have to read music, but you must have a good voice.

The choir are now planning their next tour for 2011 singing in York Minister and in Liverpool. Their second CD, 'Every Evening at Sundown', is available at £8 - please email to: [email protected]">[email protected] should you require one, or if you would like the choir to help you raise funds please contact Heather Jenkins on 01994 427908.

The first Patrons Concert for the Corran Singers will be held on Friday, November 27, at the Millennium Hall, Laugharne, when the 'Tri Tenor' will be guest artistes for the evening. If you wish to become a patron, membership is £10 and send to: Mrs Margaret Avery, Y Felin Wynt, Cross Inn, Laugharne.