A minor hiccup with the timing of of the concert at St. Johns, last Wednesday, ensured a very tidy audience had plenty of time to fill the church. Clouds, silver linings and all that!

The audience had plenty to look forward to, an enthusiastic school choir from Cosheston Primary under the guidance of that brilliant musician Simon Morris, the fabulous Irish tenor voice of Brian Hoey, and to crown it all, your favourite Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir. What more needed?

One tiny blot, Simon appeared in formal attire, minus the famous red suede shoes we have come to expect, marvel at, and some of us to secretly covet? His presence and talent a small price to pay for that sartorial omission.

Entertainment! Don't talk; and all for a very reasonable ticket. No better value anywhere on the night, surely?

Brian Hoey is a regular visitor to us here, his sixth visit to the area and his fourth to St. Johns, and what a voice! Effortless, soaring, and such timbre to it; a gift from someone on high surely? Arms and legs would be sacrificed by many for such a voice, your scribe included. And should he ever lose that gift? Well, he has a ready career to hand as raconteur and teller of amusing jokes, an art at which he is already a master. Enough talent in one body for most one imagines.

Time being a factor, Cosheston started the concert with three items, wowing most present. 'Little fish that lost a leg' was one, followed by 'Yellow Bird', in Welsh (Aderyn Melyn). The more mature may remember this sung with a Caribbean flavour years ago. This was better! Livelier, noisier, and loads of movement.

Brian Hoey took the stage to sing a funny tale of an eccentric Irish railway and its quirky workers, 'Are You Right Now Michael?', following this with a number of amusing short observations, before launching into one of Puccini's famous arias. One marvels at his mastery of the medium and his ability to express this in the original language. How many languages does he sing in? Hard to say, but many we know!

The choir had the unenviable task of following Brian, but they accomplished that with conviction, it must be said.

Cosheston returned to the stage with 'Sospan Fach' and a contemporary number from the world of pop before launching into their star turn, 'The Penguin Song'. This song contains a number of bewildering movements only experts are familiar with, namely the children for Cosheston!

Some members of P&DMVC still carry deep mental scars of the last time they were invited to perform this song with Cosheston. Despite that sobering experience, there were still a number foolhardy enough to volunteer again to the general hilarity, diversion and delight of the audience. Included were choristers, the musical team of P&DMVC and Brian Hoey. Brian was oblivious to the effect it could have on his career, that much was obvious. It's ok Brian, no video record exists that we know of will appear on You Tube (hopefully!) Brian was generous enough (or foolhardy!) to ignore the old adage about working with animals or children.His bravery is saluted here!

After that wondrous spectacle, Cosheston left for home to rapturous applause. P&DMVC sang a tributary song, 'Danny Boy' for Brian, amongst other items. Mr. Williams, conductor Tenby MVC, accepted the honour of joining P&DMVC in singing their final items.

Brian returned with a marvellous 'Love changes Everything' and then was hugely complimentary of P&DMVC, its musical team and Simon Morris, accompanist. He went on to express this in his native language (Gweddeleg), translating as he went.

He sang an unaccompanied item, expressing similar sentiments to 'Bread of Heaven' in Gweddeleg, before adding 'Phil The Fluters Ball', and at some pace it must be said. He completed his programme by asking the audience to join in the chorus of 'Jerusalem'.

Mary James, church warden, Cosheston, stood in for St. Johns' indisposed vicar and was most appreciative of all who had contributed towards her church's repair funds.

'Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau' brought the night to an end, before church ladies provided a little sustenance for choristers in the Community Hall. A good night all round.

A.S.