Starring in the spotlight (well, dozens of spotlights actually!) at Folly Farm in a major concert with television luminaries like Aled Jones recently in front of hundreds is not the usual fare for Pembrke and District Male Voice Choir.

A 60th anniversary concert since formation and a chance to raise thousands for a deserving charity was a chance eagerly taken and received opinion was that it was a terrific success all round. Nobody is more proud of that than those within P&DMVC.

Sunday, though, in Bosherston Church, saw the choir make a return to its basic core work, serving the community, providing their support where the need for funds was plainly evident.

It would be no untruth at all to report hand on heart that the church was packed for the visit, as indeed it was, not an empty seat to be had, but those who know Bosh Church will also be aware that it doesn't take that many to fill it!

No matter: the organisers had a paying capacity audience and the choir a church full of people who wanted to listen. Squeezing the choir into the performance space available was no easy matter either, making for intimate bodily contact that tested friendships! Jenny Griffiths, accompanist, was allotted piano space that allowed no flamboyant hand movement whatever. Quite the contrary for the poor dab!

First soloist up after the choir opened with three items was Henry, with 'Ar Hyd Y Nos', sung to the tune of Harvest. Then Owen and Joan in a duet with possibly one of the most beautiful songs ever written; 'I Watched the Sunrise', a song that can be interpreted by all to express the deepest feelings within oneself, about another. An emotional experience it was truly.

The choir brought the concert to the interval, before the audience were able to give voice in the communal hymn.

Alyson Griffiths, flute, newly welcomed back to the choir from maternal duties, played an arrangement of two modern hymns, before the choir stepped forward - that being a term loosely used to describe the manly efforts to form up in the limited space available.

David Thomas delivered a splendidly sung, and hugely appreciated 'Serenade' from the Student Prince, before Joan Lewis delivered her Tour de Force, 'Open the Gates to the Temple'. The lady has never been in better form and this was a gem, beautifully sung. She was never a professional singer, but it is obvious could so easily have been if she had chosen so to do.

The choir completed the concert with three further items, with Mrs. Lloyd mildly surprised at audience reaction, i.e. they refused to go home without an encore!

Minor consternation ensued when Mrs. Lloyd's music for the chosen item was not in the possession of Jenny Griffiths. Mrs. Lloyd adapted like the good trouper she is, perched precariously on her rostrum whilst overlooking Jenny's shoulder and shared the music. There were no Health and Safety geeks present to gainsay it, she, Jenny and the choir were happy, the audience were highly diverted by the contortions, but the item was completed to the general enjoyment of all.

The choir and team were finally able to enjoy their cup of tea and buns kindly provided by the ladies of the church.

Occasions like these are the coalface of the choir's work and they are never so happy as when they are hewing there in support of those in need. Intimate, social and communal? Indeed, but nothing better!

A.S.