An earlier start than usual for choristers from Pembroke and Pembroke Dock for the trip to Gorseinon in time for a 7.30 pm concert start there. Happily traffic was light, the coach arriving well before schedule. Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir are fortunate to have a number of faithful followers, wives and partners mainly, who attend most concerts, but this week they had the special honour of Margaret Brown's company, member of Gilead and close friend of Joan Lewis.

Martin Cox, former popular vicar of Monkton Priory, it was who invited the choir to perform in his splendid church. And it is a splendid church, too, built to a quality in a time when money was less of a consideration than today. Martin, too, inherited an enthusiastic and hard working group of ladies who offered the choir a terrifically warm welcome and set about making tea for the grateful travellers immediately.

Behind the choir can be seen a truly magnificent pillared carved and fretwork wooden portico entrance to the altar and organ area, a huge stained glass window setting it all off, just stunning, such a tribute to the skills of the original craftsmen.

Martin Cox made his introduction and spoke warm compliments of his association with P&DMVC over the years. Choir VP he is, did you know? Phil Lloyd is checking his current VP fee payment list as this report is being written.

If Martin ever imagined his former life as Vicar of Monkton would not be remarked upon by compére Phil Lloyd, he could have been thought delusionary. It was an opportunity too good to miss for Phil, but it was all done in good fun and with a respect and fondness that all in the choir still hold for Martin. It must be said, though, there were amusing intervals for Martin's congregation to enjoy at his expense, nonetheless!

Very rarely do other venues afford P&DMVC the luxury of room to arrange itself successfully. In this church you could have got the Treorchy MVC in with P&DMVC and plenty of room to spare. And comfortable chairs too! Second Heaven.

They could do nothing else but give of their best after such attention. There were three contrasting pieces to start, before Henry Johnston took the stage for his fine solo.

Alyson Griffiths followed with a medley of Welsh airs on the flute.

A selection from Les Mis from the choir with Joan Lewis interceding with a superbly delivered 'I Dreamed a Dream'. Joan was affected by a cold and some catarrh, but you wouldn't have known it from her performance, trouper that she is.

The audience had a chance to contribute in the congregational hymn before the choir continued their programme. 'Autumn Leaves' spoke of a time soon to be upon us.

Joan Lewis made her return to duet with Alyson Griffiths in a reflective, gentle, but pertinent, 'People Need the Lord', this followed by another pertinent request from one Phil Lloyd as to the current state of the boiler. We believe it wasn't a reference to the central heating either. He needn't have bothered, the ladies were well ahead of him!

Sam Thomas gave a very good rendition of 'Shine Jesus Shine' to much applause, before the choir completed the evening with a set of three; enthusiastic applause followed 'African Prayer'.

Bouquets were presented to the ladies of the musical team and to their complete surprise P&DMVC presented Martin and his church with a picture by choir artist George Lewis to remember the choir by, choir and castle.

The audience stood to a man (figuratively speaking ladies!) and refused to sit until an encore was offered. A favourite of Martin's is Morte Criste. What finer ending could be imagined?

Martin expressed his thanks, and admiration, before offering up a prayer to finish.

A sumptuous buffet awaited in the hall, and Tony Ward expressed the choir's deep appreciation.

Silcox's finest charabanc awaited and arrived home well before the time the chorister princes could turn into frogs. Perfect.

A.S.