We often do concerts down at the harbour in Tenby on a Thursday night, but this week we had the opportunity, courtesy of the lifeboat crew, to actually perform a mini-concert from the lifeboat itself. Carefully supervised by the crew we assembled on the boat and performed to a very appreciative and enthusiastic audience. It was a great surprise to find the acoustics of the lifeboat station to be excellent.

The photograph shows the choir in full song being led by musical director Ian 'Wilbur' Williams from his most attractive perspective. It was a good turnout for the evening as can be seen from the photo especially when you consider there are at least six more choristers out of sight behind Ian.

During the concert, we noticed one particularly enthusiastic member of the audience who appeared to be singing along with most of the songs we were singing and who applauded generously after each song.

As we usually do we returned to the County Club for a few post-concert drinks and one of the choir members had invited him to join us. It wasn't long before he was asking if he could sing a solo performance of 'You raise me up' supported by our accompanist Jill Williams, but he asked if we would join in when we could and we were treated to an excellent rendition by a clearly talented performer.

Further discussion revealed him to be Cotswolds-based singer-songwriter Ben Maggs, who has been travelling around the UK writing music for about three-and-half-weeks. He'd been to Skye and nearby Raasay, spent a little time in the North East of England and then down to Pembrokeshire. In Pembrokeshire he's been exploring the area, looking for places to write his music and getting inspiration for songs, poems and lyrics. Well there's plenty to inspire people in this area as we know.

Ben was using Tenby as a base and loved writing down at the far end of North Beach, as well as swimming in the sea there. He had come along towards the end of our rehearsal last Tuesday and decided to stay in Tenby long enough to come and watch our next rehearsal. But as our rehearsal on Thursday was replaced by the mini-concert at the lifeboat station, he came to that instead and watched our performance.

To quote Ben: "I so wanted to sing with you all, so to sing 'You raise me up' and for you to join in the choruses and harmonise the verses too was just wonderful. I loved the hymn you sung back at the club also."

It's absolutely true that no two nights are the same at Tenby Male Choir whether they are rehearsals, formal concerts or rather 'off the cuff' ones like this. There's always something happening and something to enjoy.

We've had a tremendous spell of weather and therefore have been able to sing outdoors down at the harbour on a few Thursdays already. When we can we will continue to do that so if you are enjoying an evening stroll in Tenby why not head down towards the harbour to see if we are there.

Our next concert is at the Giltar Hotel next Friday, June 20. I did mention this last week, but for those who missed it, this is one of a couple of concerts we put on for the guests at the Giltar and, subject to numbers on the night, the management tell me non-residents are also welcome. It is an opportunity to come along for a free concert! We start singing at about 8 pm.

Coming up at the end of the month is a massed choirs concert at Folly Farm. I will say a bit more about that next week, but it will feature choirs from Tenby, Haverfordwest, Pembroke and Whitland. It's not often that you get a chance to see several choirs on the one night and such a large group singing together. The date for diaries is June 28.

Don't forget that new members are always welcome to come along and meet us on Tuesday or Thursday evenings at the County Club on The Croft or ask about the choir anywhere we are performing. There is also a website http://www.tenbymalechoir.org">www.tenbymalechoir.org and a Facebook account (just Google Tenby Male Choir Facebook) or you can get more information on anything about the choir on (01834) 813198.

A.G.K.