The people of Pembrokeshire can be justly proud of being involved with raising in excess of £6,200 for the RNLI on one night. Not just the ticket buying public, massive though their contribution was, but local choristers and their musical teams, RNLI volunteer staff, Folly Farm MD Chris Ebsworth and his staff for the gift of the venue, together with Chevron's monetary and management team. Without the help of all the foregoing, raising sums of this size would be the stuff of pipe dreams. Chevron's contribution alone allowed the complete income from ticket sales to be presented to the RNLI. Introduced and hosted by the ubiquitous Phils, Thompson and Lloyd that is (unrelated we are led to believe to the Ronnie's) the whole night was a roaring success from the off. The Folly Theatre, quite literally, was packed to the rafters with an enthusiastic and appreciative audience, and no one could deny they had their money's worth. No metropolitan venue could have provided such regal entertainment by so stellar performers at so modest a ticket price. The 'Queenly' Chris Lloyd's P&DMVC, Juliet Rossiter's Whitland, Chris Shewry's Tenby, and Ian Williams's Haverfordwest choirs, combined to provide the backbone of the evening; accompanists, Jenny Griffiths, Hefina Jones, Carys Evans and Jill Williams, respectively, supporting. The 130-plus choristers combined powerfully and with great purpose throughout their programme. Their allotted 12 items, spaced at intervals of three items per conductor, could not have been better performed and the audience showed due appreciation of their efforts. Most choristers present, however, would happily concede the stars of the evening to be (leaving aside the Three Tenors) 'The Good News Choir'. From the Maenclochog area, these are the children of the children of the original choir formed in 1980. Led by the redoubtable, (some might say terrifying!) Marilyn Lewis, accompanied by Angharad Williams, the choir produced a programme before and after the interval of stunning quality, virtuosity and wit. They are multiple Urdd and National Eisteddfod winners, but their performance was still a triumph for them and their leader and a total delight to the audience. Aged from six to 21 years, they combined and morphed thro' various phases and formations according to the items needing such adjustment. All pieces were beautifully performed often with action. 'Amen' was certainly all action, action that the mature choristers were fervently hoping would not be emulated by their respective musical directors! Comparison is often invidious and completely subjective, but 'Bless the Lord', a complicated tongue-twisting, memory-testing item about animals, 'Everybody wants to be a Cat' from The Aristocats, the bilingual 'Any Dream Will Do' and 'Gobaith yn y Tir' are worthy of special mention. Others will say all items were perfect and there would be no argument at all from this quarter on the matter. On a lighter note, a mature chorister listening quietly to 'Good News Choir' could be forgiven a brief moment of unworthy envy at the sound of audible gasps and squeals of admiration and desire heard from certain young ladies in the audience at the arrival on stage of the 'Boys in Black'. Most choristers will reluctantly conclude they will never be the object of such admiration (if they ever were!) Phil Lloyd, not content with his talents as presenter, decided to embark on a solo singing career, but needed audience participation with the chorus and this they enjoyed with visible enthusiasm. Passing, unworthy muttered comment was overheard referring to 'day job', but clarification as to meaning is unavailable on the subject! And so to the Three Tenors: A reporter can find it almost impossible to write anything new and appreciative of Crwys Evans, Robyn Lyn Evans and John Davies, all from Mid Wales, that hasn't been written before in other publications and with far better style, imagination and linguistic correctness than will be evident here, especially since the writer lacks critical musical education. However, this is merely an amateur report of a concert, therefore we can happily confine our remarks to matters similar to; did you enjoy it and how much? The answer to that we think is a resounding yes, absolutely, and without question, it was fabulous. The Three Tenors are stellar in their field, all with CVs encompassing major prize winning, and experience of high quality performance in competition and the concert stage. With their talent and fabulous voices, they could not fail to impress a rapt, expectant, and totally attentive audience. The gifted Gareth Wyn Thomas accompanied brilliantly. Popular songs (an Elvis number) interspersed with operatic arias from the Tenors' catalogue, captivated everyone the whole time they were on stage. Far from stuffy, often indulging in theatrical competitive jostling for possession of the microphone, they amused the audience greatly, but consummate entertainers they most certainly are. At the concert's conclusion, many were asking if CDs were available. The number for enquiries is 01269850497. Before a thunderous, joyful Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadu, presentations and thanks were required. Ed Tomp, Chevron operations manager, Beverly Rosser Smith, fund-raising manager RNLI, and Clr. John Allen Mirehouse RNLI, expressed their deepest gratitude and appreciation to everybody who contributed in any way to the concert's success. This was without doubt a night to remember and will remain in the memory of all who attended for a very long time.

A.S.