Three junior school choirs were instrumental in raising a tidy sum at the annual Christian Aid concert in St. Andrew's, Pembroke Dock.

Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir supported manfully, but were resigned, good naturedly, as second billing to the young stars of the schools. The funds were destined to provide succour and support to those less fortunate than ourselves, recent devastating events abroad illuminating how fortunate we are to live in this most golden of lands.

The choirs - Monkton Priory, Pennar Juniors and Pembroke Dock Community School - were finalists in the P&DMVC sponsored annual competition.

The judges, P&DMVC chairman Frank Harries, P&DMVC solo soprano Joan Lewis and Mrs. Rosalind Silcox, had the unenviable duty of separating the choirs into first second and third places, but so difficult was the assignment that eventually a tie for first place was the only answer for separation. The judges must be congratulated for taking on so onerous a task.

All choirs had to perform a common test piece - 'We're crossing the Jordan River' - with little deviation from the music allowable, and one other item of their own choosing. Traditionally, the winners get to perform with P&DMVC at the annual Christmas concert in Monkton Priory. Something for your diaries there people!

It is an obvious truism that no activity of this kind could possibly take place without the essential and dedicated input of the music teachers, so Juliet Rossiter and Mrs. Cole for Monkton, Claire Thomas and Debbie Kaijaks for Pennar and Mr. L. Martin and Miss Burton for Pembroke Dock must be congratulated on their hard work, brought to enjoyable fruition by their respective pupils on the night.

The un-alloyed pleasure and enthusiastic innocence the children brought to their task was a pure joy for those listening in the audience. Consequently, a modicum of modest and observable parental pride was forgivable within areas of the audience. High choral standards cannot be expected of those so young, but what you certainly get in spades are buckets full of commitment and enthusiasm!

Pennar's free choice was 'Cat and Mouse Games' - witty and observant. Pennar chose 'I Can See Clearly Now' and they sang this very well, while Pembroke Dock performed an excellent 'As Long as I Have Music'. After hearing them all, one could sympathise in the judges' dilemma whilst being silently relieved that oneself had no part to play in the decision!

And what of the other choir present? Now, what were they called again? Let's see, mmm... oh yes, those splendid stalwarts of the local community, P&DMVC.

Inadvertently let slip by a nameless, but prominent member of one musical team, was the comment that the choir were really on top form on the night. No mean compliment that from so discerning an observer. Your reporter would not oppose so informed an opinion!

The choir's musical team of Jenny Griffiths, Allyson Griffiths and Mrs. Chris Lloyd directed and performed with their usual expertise. And so to the presentations. In third place and presented with the Eric Rawles Shield and a cheque for £50, presented by Mrs. C. Lloyd and choir president Phil Thompson, were Monkton Priory.

Joint first place, and receiving the Wilf John Cup, and a cheque for £75, presented by Bob Ridley and choir chairman Frank Harries, were Pembroke Dock Community School.

The other joint first place, and receiving the Gordon Davies Perpetual Cup and a cheque for £75, presented by Gordon's grandson Daniel Davies Breeze and choir vice-chairman Gerry Gomo, were Pennar Juniors.

The Rev. Roger Hart, Christian Aid Committee, opened the evening, with the Rev. Martin Evans closing it. Both offered prayers and blessings to all choirs and the valuable contribution for so laudable a cause.

A.S.