In response to an appeal from Helen Baggot and her dedicated group (Saundersfoot Branch RNLI), Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir were happy to perform a concert at the Regency Hall last week in aid of the cause.

Helen acted for branch president, Mrs. Monica McDowell, regrettably detained on other business. Local businesses generously donated raffle prizes: Booths Leisure, Folly Farm, Mermaid, Crusoes, Pam Taylor and branch members. Helen was an able, energetic deputy, buzzing around, ensuring all was well.

After the intense experiences of recent venues, the choir, on this occasion, came with a lighter-hearted approach. Too warm a night for blazers, they sported choir emblems on smart short-sleeved shirts. No reduction in musical quality, naturally, but an opportunity to relax a little, and perhaps try a little romance? Later on, there was an unexpected foray into the anarchically comedic! Details to follow.

The first three items were entertainingly eclectic for a mainly visiting audience and demonstrated the full range of expression the choir possesses nowadays. The remarkable Owen Jones stepped into a breech caused by the absence of soprano Joan Lewis, sadly indisposed on the night. No better man to step up to a mark though and his first item, 'Some Enchanted Evening', knocked 'em dead.

To follow, a duet with Christine Lloyd, 'Keys of Heaven'. Edwardian in style, the song is the familiar one of a beau, offering and being refused, various blandishments to win his heart's desire, until ultimately only his heart is offered and accepted. They performed it with panache and a certain whimsicality, and truly deserved the sustained applause that followed.

Henry Johnson gave us 'Lass with the Delicate Air', lightly, but beautifully delivered.

Time for the choir again and a little amorous interval where, 'When I fall in Love' was seen to score direct hits on ladies present of a romantic disposition.

Three items after the interval carried a nautical flavour, expected perhaps at an RNLI fund-raiser, with the audience involved in the Lifeboat Song chorus. The choir are wont to dress up comically for 'Song of the Jolly Roger' and this they did, but just before the moment of execution, the hall was invaded by piratical ruffians waving cutlasses in a terrifying manner and loudly shouting "now me hearties," "pirates we be" and "arr Jim lad," all this with terrible countenances, to the terror (but secretly, great amusement) of the audience.

Total chaos ensued until a little order was finally restored. It was hard to sing with any conviction following the incident, but the choir made the best of it! It was quite apparent that the audience had never met a choir quite like P&DMVC before!

The Terrors of Treasure Island they were not! Comical though? you bet, and good fun for all involved in the hall. What next we dread to think!

The wonderfully evocative music of Shenandoah brought us back to earth, beautifully played by Jenny Griffiths. Alyson Griffiths played an excellent flute solo of 'I don't know how to Love Him' to follow.

Choir chairman Frank Harries recently celebrated his 80th birthday and before Sam Thomas, the next soloist, sang 'My Way' (excellently as it happens), he paid tribute at how closely his life in Pembroke Dock had dovetailed with Frank's distinguished sporting past. It seemed that every time Sam took up a sport, there was Frank in some capacity or other, playing, refereeing, umpiring etc; then when Sam joined the choir, who was there again?

At this juncture, Frank took the opportunity to especially thank Sam, the choir's musical team, everybody else for their good wishes, and all donations to his charity.

The audience were involved again when rocking to 'Rock a My Soul', but finally the concert had to come to an end and no better way to finish than with Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, an inspiring send off.

The audience had been enthralled with the evening and said so on their way out.

Helen's troopers had laid on copious victuals for all, for which she was thanked profusely by Frank Harries.