Pembroke Dock is celebrating its bicentenary throughout 2014. Following a decision in 1814 by the Admiralty that PD was an ideal location for a Royal Dockyard and the building of naval ships, the town experienced rapid expansion. No one suggests there were not dwellings or inhabitants here before that of course. Historically, the harbour was too wonderful and attractive a natural haven to all kinds of visitors, welcome and un-welcome. Where the Navy went the Army usually followed in defence, notably the building of a number of Napoleonic forts to house personnel and armaments to protect the harbour. The RAF arrived later, PD developing into the most important of all the Sunderland Flying Boats bases in defence of Atlantic convoys, and U-Boat search and destroy. Wherever you look in PD you will see the influence and past remains of all the Armed Services.

Plenty to celebrate then, and one of the many celebratory activities arranged, a concert in the refurbished Garrison Chapel in the Dockyard. The RAF St. Athan Vountary Band (leader Alan Bourne) performing with Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir (leader Chris Lloyd, accompanist Jenny Griffiths) in the 'Lest We Forget' concert, coincidently the anniversary of the start of World War One. Hence the concert's title.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority sponsored the event, volunteers from the Sunderland Trust organised, stewarded and arranged the concert and local people, in defiance of the terrible weather, filled the chapel, everyone of the 400 tickets sold.

A remarkable venue and a remarkable concert without doubt.

Phil Thompson, busy in front and behind the scenes, represented William McNamara from the Trust who was unable to attend. Local mayorol chains aplenty were to the fore, together with the National Park chairman and party, MP Simon Hart, a late but welcome arrival.

Voluntary, may be a word that evokes feelings of enthusiastic but amateurish endeavour in the minds of some. No such charge could be levelled against the St. Athan band that includes Voluntary in its name. Professionalism of the highest order, incredible individual talent and ability demonstrated by principal soloists and band members throughout the evening, that was the experience for listeners. Voluntary, only in the sense the musicians want to be a part of it, unpaid or no. Their trophy winning ways in eisteddfodau and other competitions was briefly itemised by their leader and the list is an extensive one!

Claire Bourne (principle cornet) showed the standard of musicianship available to the conductor in her solos. Mind boggling to non-players, difficult even for listeners to comprehend how she was even able to take a breath in one item.

Ben Atkinson (flugul horn), equally as proficient as Claire in his solo, though with mellower themes and fewer pyrotechnics!

P&DMVC then, were on notice as to standards expected when their turn came. The reaction from the audience as the evening progressed quite obvious, the choir did indeed step up to the plate and performed at their very best. No less was expected and everything was given by them to that end.

Band and choir had their own separate programmes to perform and equal enjoyment was to be had by listeners to both. Band and choir also combined over 'Gwahoddiad', 'American Trilogy' and 'Rachie' to great effect.

The 15-minute interval was an opportunity for the chairman of the National Park, Clr. Mike James, to say a few brief bilingual words of thanks to all those who had worked so hard on the night, praise totally deserved, it should be noted.

P&DMVC's varied programme contained two items particularly relevant in the context of the evening;

'Lest We Forget', a song where the words particularly recall the contributions of all the fallen in two World Wars, those never to come back, those who died that we might live.

The second item was a series of five songs very popular at the time of the World War One, selected and arranged by Alwyn Humphreys. This item went down especially well with those in the audience sufficiently 'mature' to be familiar with them and their significance for that period.

This was a tremendously successful and enjoyable occasion, leaders of band and choir stating how much of an honour it was to be asked to perform at so prestigious a concert. Audience feelings were made plain enough through several standing ovations and demands for encores. Band and choir with 'Morte Criste' satisfied that to some extent.

There was a wealth of readable information available on the night to satisfy any enquiring mind as to the work of the Sunderland Trust and history related to PD and its rich All Armed Services past.

Performers, contributors, sponsors and audience alike should take pride in so successful a contribution towards PD's bicentenary celebrations.

A.S.