Whitland Male Voice Choir held their annual concert recently at the Town Hall in Whitland. President of the evening was David Harris, MD, of David Harris & Co, of Whitland.

Introductions were made by Rev. Huw George and the choir was in the capable hands of their MD Juliet and Hefina at the piano.

Mari Grug and Lisa Haf, originally from Mynachlog-ddu, but now living in Cardiff, were two of the three guest artistes for the evening. Both ladies are well known from appearing on S4C. Mari presents the weather, amongst other programmes, whilst Lisa presents a current affairs programme called Hacio. They sang in both English and Welsh and as soloists and as duettists.

Third soloist was to have been a young tenor from Neath called Matthew Sims but, due to him having tonsillitis, he was unable to sing that night. Instead, the choir were very fortunate to have a 24-year-old tenor from Samoa, Darren Pene Pati. Currently he is studying in Cardiff with Dennis O'Neill, on of the world's leading operatic tenors. Pene plays rugby for Cardiff as prop, a big frame, but what a lovely tenor voice and with a big personality to match. Whilst living in New Zealand, he was chosen to sing the anthem at the All Blacks v South Africa rugby match in Wellington in 2010.

For this concert, Pene sang three operatic arias and, then using his guitar, he accompanied himself while singing in Samoan, a lilting melody about his homeland.

The choir had prepared their usual varied programme of Welsh and English, sacred and secular. At the end of the evening, chairman, Barry Webb, proposed thanks to all who had contributed to a very successful evening.