We had heard that over 200 advance tickets had been sold for Tenby Male Choir's joint concert with Avon and Somerset Constabulary choir, but on the night extra chairs were being sought and those on the pews being asked if they could 'squeeze up a bit' to make room for even more people (writes A.K.). We hope no one was turned away and when the doors were closed, we performed to a packed church with an audience of 375 people.

So began a night where the audience sat often in pin-drop silence to be followed with an eruption of loud applause. There were sessions by Avon and Somerset choir and by Tenby choir and a number of songs were performed jointly. With two large choirs and little time to plan, there was a natural concern about how we would arrange ourselves on the stage, but we need not have worried. Like a flock of starlings, we rose and weaved our way with military precision to our target on the stage. The two choirs sang excellently together with our two musical directors Alison Howell (A&S) and Ian 'Wilbur' Williams (Tenby) each in their own talented and enthusiastic, if different, styles sharing the burden of guiding us through both individual and joint numbers to the delight of the audience.

The concert took place in St. John the Baptist Church in that place made famous by Radio Luxembourg - 'Keynsham', Bristol. Perhaps some of the descendants of Horace Batchelor were there to listen!

The programme to which the audience were treated was very varied featuring passionately sung hymns, popular show songs. There were fast and furious fun songs and some old 'hits' from the pop charts.

The Avon choir was first on the stage with 'Where Could I Go But to the Lord' and 'You Raise Me Up' these being followed by solo items, a piece by Gilbert and Sullivan, 'John Wellington Wells' from The Sorcerer was sung by John Gray and Gemma Leach played 'David of the White Rock' on clarinet.

The Avon choir then took the stage again to sing 'Last of the Summer Wine', 'Bridge over Troubled Waters', 'Walk Away' and 'There Is Nothing Like a Dame'.

Amongst the songs performed by the Tenby choir were the fast and furious, 'My Grandfather's Clock' where the audience participated and 'Ziggy Ziggy', our name for a Yugoslavian medley of three songs. The Welsh songs 'Hiraeth' and 'O Gymru' were also sung and an outstanding performance by Paul Varallo, the Tenby soloist. Paul sang the Welsh lullaby 'Suo Gan' and held the audience, in particular, the ladies spellbound with 'Torna a Surriento' in Italian where Paul has roots.

The Tenby performance was probably climaxed by the tears inducing 'Bring Him Home' so eat your heart out Hugh Jackman!

If you are that way inclined, you can look and listen to some of the songs on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/ASCMaleVoiceChoir/videos">www.youtube.com/user/ASCMaleVoiceChoir/videos

The comperes on the night were Robin Hobbs (A&S) and David Blackmore (Tenby), with the two wonderful accompanists Gemma Leach (A&S) and Jill Williams (Tenby) enriching the concert.

During a rousing performance of the 'American Trilogy', Alison Howell also added an additional accompaniment with the organ.

The concert was performed in aid of The Motor Neurone Disease Society which was the captain's charity of the year at the Keynsham Bowling Club whose members were the audience stewards. It was to the memory of David Shaw, a longserving member, who sadly died last year of the disease.

Following an appeal for a retiring collection, the audience showed their appreciation to all those that had taken part and the applause indicated what had clearly been a night of entertainment of the highest class. The appreciation of the audience was shown as the retiring collection raised £450 which together with profits from the evening of £1,200 made a grand total of £1,650 which will be presented to the charity.

Although the principal reason for our trip was the concert we enjoyed an excellent evening at the Keynsham Rugby Club where a substantial buffet was provided and the two choirs joined in what they enjoy doing most raising a glass and a song or two. Most of the choir and partners also enjoyed a boat trip on the Avon and Somerset canal, including for some a visit to SS Great Britain and a bit of shopping (well partners anyway!). An altogether great weekend away!

If you've thought about singing, why not come along to one of our rehearsals, just to watch if you want? We meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Tenby and County Club on the Croft at 8 pm. Or just come along for a drink to meet some of the choir afterwards. We finish rehearsals at 9.30 pm and there are always a number of the choir who stay behind for a drink or two before going home. You will always get a warm welcome.

A.G.K.