All male singers in Pembrokeshire are being invited to join the biggest choir of gentlemen the county has ever seen in a bid to raise £15,000 for charity. The gala event, which is being staged next May, is being organised by the musical director of Tenby Male Choir, Christine Shewry, and the choir's accompanist, Jill Williams, who have been inspired to arrange the mammoth event after both facing life-changing experiences. Christine, who was involved in a head-on road accident, and Jill, who has fought breast cancer, are keen to raise about £15,000 to purchase a second mobile ultrasound sonosite 180-plus machine for the breast cancer clinic and several of the greatly needed special orthopaedic chairs for ward one at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, in a bid to say thank you for the treatment they received from the 'wonderful medical and nursing staff' who looked after them. The gala concert is being held on May 7, 2005, at the Park House Pavilion at the County Show Ground in Haverfordwest. Naturally, the members of Tenby Male Choir have already pledged their support and they are hoping that their close association with Haverfordwest, Pembroke and Whitland Male Choirs will give them the nucleus of a fantastic choir. "We are also hoping that the gentlemen from mixed choirs, YFC groups, religious establishments, Year 12 and 13 youngsters from the comprehensives, past choristers, gentlemen who've always fancied giving male voice singing a go, but never quite got round to it will all come and support us," said Christine. This is a one-off concert and there will only be six individual rehearsals and then one combined on the afternoon of May 7. The compere for the evening will be Roy Noble OBE, who will provide plenty of witty repartee and amusing stories, and along with soloists, Nicola Hughes, Mark Burrows and Peter Totterdale, the evening has all the ingredients for a wonderful evening. Continued Christine: "We hope this gala is going to be a very special occasion for everyone involved, but it could also be a unique opportunity to give a very personalised gift to a loved one or ones. "Is 2005 an important year in your family's life? Because we are offering to the highest bidder any one of the chosen pieces in the programme to be publicly dedicated by Roy Noble before we sing it. "Any illness is a great leveller and if like Jill and I, when it does arrive on your doorstep, you will want to be seen quickly by the best consultant and treated in a warm and caring atmosphere. Here in Pembrokeshire we're luckier than most because statistics show favourable results. However, there is always room for improvement. "This equipment for the patients of Pembrokeshire will considerably help towards bettering the diagnostic process of breast cancer and help ease and support the recovery of orthopaedic patients. "We hope that the whole of the county will pull together and help us achieve our target. "To the dignitaries of Pembrokeshire - we hope that you will lead the way and provide us with a front row of gleaming mayoral and presidential chains. "To the business community we say - please support us through sponsorship so that we raise sufficient funds to cover all event expenses. "To all male singers - please help us achieve not only the biggest choir of gentlemen Pembrokeshire has ever had, but a choir with at least one chorister from every village in Pembrokeshire. "To the people of Pembrokeshire we ask - please support us on the night, for without an audience it will mean nothing." Any chorister interested in getting involved with the gala event or anyone interested in finding out more about it, is asked to contact Christine on 01437 899320.
