The countdown is now well and truly on to Saundersfoot’s second Harbourside Christmas Carol Concert in aid of the Bone Cancer Research Trust.

Due to be held on the evening of Thursday, December 21, this now annual event was inspired by Daniel Bridle, of Saundersfoot, who sadly lost his battle with bone cancer in 2014 at the tender age of 18.

Fundraising this year started in earnest last month, with tickets going on sale for a Grand Christmas Raffle which is being held in conjunction with the event.

And organisers Brian and Susan McKehon are pleased to report that they have already topped £5,000, with the Bone Cancer Research Trust themselves setting their own challenge to raise £1.1M during 2017 which will ensure funding is available for more research, information, awareness and support for individuals and ultimately, that more lives can be saved.

The concert, kindly sponsored by County Financial Consultants and supported by Saundersfoot Harbour and Saundersfoot Sailing Club, is due to get underway at 6.30 pm and main attraction will be the always popular Quaynotes Choir from Carew, who will open the evening’s programme, before leading the community carol singing.

Based at the Wesley Chapel at Carew, the Quaynotes have been going from strength since they were first formed 12 years ago. And they are certainly kept busy, as earlier this month they sang in Carew Castle, Manorbier Church and a residential home in Pembroke... and over the year everywhere from Pembroke Castle to a tent at the Lawrenny Arms, and back again.

Last year they featured in the ITV ‘Good Morning’ programme with Lisa Faulkner, and you may have spotted some of the choir in the recent Songs of Praise broadcast from Tenby.

And, of course, they were such a resounding hit when they sang at the Saundersfoot Harbourside Carol Concert last year, that they were swiftly booked to return this year.

Also back again will be the Butcher’s Shop Quartet who dress in Heywoods Butchers aprons... and who are in fact five! They perform a very amusing couple of Christmas numbers which have had the words changed to give an even more humorous take on things!

Talented local singer Alwen Hughes and Susan McKehon herself will then follow with some more community carol singing and finally, the Wiseman’s Bridge Rowing Club Choir, led by Susan and Alwen, will bring the curtain down on what promises to be an entertaining festive programme.

However, the evening will not end there, as Bill Carne, who has again agreed to be MC, will then invite everyone to Saundersfoot Sailing Club for free mince pies and the draw of the Grand Christmas Raffle, for which there are some superb prizes.

To mention just a few, they include a four ball golf day at Celtic Manor; National Express return tickets; luxury B and B at the Giltar Hotel; £50 Edwards Holidays gift voucher; one night stay in a luxury bell tent at Beavers Retreat, Manorbier; Scarlets family tickets; Glamorgan cricket tickets; Sunday lunches; cinema tickets; and many, many more.

“And just in is news that we have been successful in the Swansea City FC charity draw and have won two tickets to be donated to the Grand Christmas Raffle to see Swansea City v Burnley on February 10,” said Susan.

Tickets are still available and Susan and Brian will again be selling them at the Co-op, Kilgetty, today (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday) and at Tesco, Saundersfoot, on December 18 and 19.

Be sure not to miss the opportunity to purchase a ticket for a chance to win a prize in this bumper raffle... and a final thought, if you are planning to attend the concert, it might be a good idea to bring a torch and, if it looks like rain, an umbrella!