The Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir held a successful 50th Anniversary Dinner Dance at the Cleddau Bridge Hotel, Pembroke Dock.
During the evening, a specially inscribed plaque was presented to each chorister which commemorated the work of the late W. P. Lewis MBE, the founder conductor of the choir.
His son-in-law Phil Lloyd, the choir secretary, in his address before the presentations, spoke of the respect and affection with which 'the boss', as he was known to his choristers, was held. The vast sum of £3,000 was given to his memorial fund and his funeral at Bethany Baptist Church, Pembroke Dock, in 1999, filled that large building, while countless other mourners stood in the chapel grounds and the street outside.
The chairman, Mr. Frank Harries, thanked all those who had contributed to the choir's 50th year, but in particular paid tribute to chorister George Lewis, who was reponsible for the design and layout for the Carew Pavilion Concert in October; also David Gwynn, the present conductor who has taken on the mantle, left vacant by W. P.'s demise, in such a confident and efficient manner.
The chairman also spoke of the unstinting work of Phil Lloyd, the choir secretary and compere, and his wife Christine who, as a deputy conductor and accompanist, gave invaluable service to the success of each concert.
The evening closed with a variety show in which the well-known and unforgettable South Pembrokeshire musician Dennis Reed featured along with an exotic Arabian dance sequence performed by suitably attired choristers.
On December 3, the choir were guests at the Giltar Hotel, Tenby, where they presented a programme of Welsh and Christmas music to visitors from Swindon and Sussex. At the concert, a cake was presented to Owen Jones, bass soloist and the one remaining founder member, who in celebrating his 80th birthday received his present from Miguel Gonzalez, the hotel owner.
Later in December the choir sing a programme of Christmas music in Monkton Priory Church in the company of the Priory Junior Church Choir, the winners of this year's annual choral prize.
Finally, the choir make their tour of old people's homes in the Pembroke and Pembroke Dock area and a number of them are supporting the singing on Christmas Eve at South Pembrokeshire Hospital.
This ends a momentous 50th year in which the choir has travelled, sung and triumphed in celebration of their half-century of raising over £60,000 for charity. They express their gratitude to all those who have given them support, but in particular to Phil Thompson, their president, and to Chevron Texaco, a company which had given them invaluable and unstinting aid in their endeavours.