Tenby Male Choir were joined by Whitland Male Choir and Goodwick Brass Band to commemorate the centenary of the end of WW1 at the De Valence last Saturday. A substantial amount of money was raised for the Royal British Legion.

Dignitaries from around Pembrokeshire including representatives from many local organisations were escorted into the hall by flag bearers and piper Bruce Phillips where they joined a large audience. Our MC David Blackmore introduced the concert as a commemoration of the end of the war and as a tribute to all the men and women who risk their lives to keep us safe on a daily basis. A stunning performance was given by the joint choirs and the band as a number of poignant moments kept us all enthralled.

The band, under the leadership of MD Matthew Jenkins, performed two sets and the two choirs jointly performed two sets with the band accompanying them on several occasions. Goodwick Band had had a very busy week so we were very lucky that they were able to join us.

The audience was invited to join the choirs in singing some very memorable WW1 songs once sung by the soldiers who went into battle. The choirs also sang Comrades In Arms, There Is No Death and Mansions Of The Lord which were learned for this special concert.

MD for Whitland Hefina Jones directed the choirs in their first set and they were accompanied by Owain Lewis. They ended this set with a moving rendition of Y Tangnefeddwyr which was written by Waldo Williams during WW2 as the sky above Swansea was lit up by the fires and explosions as the bombs hit.

After the interval Duncan Hilling played a harmonica solo and was joined by his grandson and fellow chorister Wesley Davies who sang as Duncan played. For their second set the choirs performed under the guidance of MD Ian Williams and were accompanied by Jill Williams. Caradog Roberts’ Rachie, a rousing call to battle, opened the second set and Goodwick joined the choirs to perform An American Trilogy in the finale, reminding us that conflict anywhere in the world causes an outpouring of great emotion often expressed in music. The audience then joined the choir and band singing Abide With Me before Audrey Hilling recited Poem For The Fallen and The Last Post was played.

MP Simon Hart said that the concert was a fitting tribute to the men of WW1 and a recognition of the work our forces still carry out. He was impressed with the performance of choirs and the band. Sara Edwards, HM Lord-Lieutenant Of Dyfed said it was a wonderful evening and that the mood and tone was perfect.

The young musicians who performed in the band were remarkably enthusiastic and talented and you could be forgiven for thinking that the choirs sing together regularly with their polished performance.

Jim Moffat, a Community Policeman from Saundersfoot was hugely impressed with the Goodwick Band and was gobsmacked with their performance. Other comments praised the richly-varied programme, very impressive execution and superb planning. Ian Williams was spotted out in Tenby after the concert, instantly recognised and soundly congratulated on the high quality of all participants. The finale was judged to be a performance which would sit comfortably with that of the most accomplished choirs.

The choir will rehearse at the County Club in Tenby throughout the winter and will warmly welcome anyone who would like to join them. Details and information can be found on their website.

Di Mumford