Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir were invited to give a concert at Bosherston Church in aid of funds to keep the church in a reasonable physical condition, a permanent and expensive problem for churches everywhere these days regrettably.

Firstly, though, we must offer congratulations to the anonymous gentleman who volunteers his time and effort maintaining the grounds surrounding the church in the splendid condition so evident. It looks an absolute picture. The church supplies a small sit-on mower for the major areas, but this gentleman also donates his own mower (and fuel) to complete all the many tricky bits. As anyone familiar with churchyards, the tricky bits are by far the worst. The grounds are large, so his efforts represent a major financial saving to the church. Voluntary work of this extent is rare these days, so that gentleman deserves appreciation and applause from all.

Large audiences are a physical impossibility in Bosh, the church being tiny inside, but as many turned up as the place could comfortably hold, so there was satisfaction for Kay West (warden treasurer), Beth Prout (warden) and the team of ladies so busy later with refreshments.

Geoffrey Howell, vicar, serves this and other churches in the area and was on hand to introduce, thank and give the blessings at concert's start and finish.

Some time, and patience was needed to shoe horn the choir into the limited space available to them, before Chris Lloyd was satisfied all choristers were in view to her and she to them and the concert could commence.

Unusually there were fluent Welsh speakers present, so exposition had to be spot on for the opening item 'Rachie', if pursed lips were to be avoided. Nods of approval did come thankfully. Two further items followed, before Owen Jones stepped up to charm listeners with the popular 'Ar Lan y Mor".

Joan Lewis was in reflective mood as she sang 'Beside Still Waters', words and music by Bernard Hamblen. Such a beautiful song this and Joan did full justice to it, her control and expression just outstanding.

The choir returned with quite a jolly piece, 'A Grand Night for Singing', then the seasonal 'Autumn Leaves' to reach the halfway point.

The audience joined the choir for a congregational hymn, before the choir tried out another new item on the unsuspecting, 'Down in the Valley'. Hiraethol in the extreme this one, but great for the spirit!

Alyson Griffiths decided to mount the pulpit, but not to give a sermon. No indeed; just for her flute solo. Her elevation lent an ethereal tone to a very nice contribution.

David Thomas sang 'Be Still for the Presence of the Lord' and impressed the audience no end. Phil Lloyd commented that his mother would have been proud of him. Well of course, come what may, that's how mothers are!

Phil also welcomed back chorister John Evans after his recent trip north to celebrate the wedding of his son Jonathon, this time in the Sikh tradition, after a recent civil ceremony in Picton Castle to Kirandeep Summan. The choir were invited to sing before and after the service.

Another new item from the choir, 'Ride The Chariot', before the two choir final items brought the concert to an end. Chris Lloyd makes 'Chariot' an adventurous ride for all, including herself, so pragmatism demanded she conduct from the floor and not from her usual two-foot square elevated box. A wise move without doubt!

A good deal of local socialising at concert end was followed by all manner of delicious delights to accompany the welcome cuppa provided by the ladies. John Hillier was voted spokesman by a committee of one to offer the choirs appreciation for those efforts.

A.S.