Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir took more than 60 years to find their way to Broadhaven Baptist Chapel for their first concert there. Tucked, almost secretly, away in the oldest part of Broadhaven, it has a very traditional feel about it.

Absence obviously made the heart fonder, for the choir had a superb welcome there. Second bass Tony Davies organised this event in aid of the Uganda Childbirth Injuries Fund. Tony's own career was in gynaecology and obstetrics before retirement, so he retains a keen interest in the prevention of easily preventable birth injuries to mothers.

One is struck at how attractive is this little chapel. Beautifully decorated internally with as pretty a balcony as to be seen anywhere. Compact it certainly is, but cosy and immediately homely, a splendid venue as it happened and on the night, standing room only for late-comers.

Choirs of the size of P&DMVC require careful control regards volume in such confined spaces, but if properly controlled (and Chris Lloyd is more than well practised in the art) audiences remark that they experience wonderful surround sound. Better than any quadraphonic speakers listeners noted later!

Conveniently, the village hall is a mere few steps away where helpers had laid out a small feast for choir and audience (and most of the village it seemed!) for concert's end.

Rev. Ben and Helen Dare care for the needs of the chapel-goers there. Helen introduced the choir and gave a blessing, before the choir got to it with their opening items. One gained an impression that stunned surprise was the initial reaction of the audience at first hearing the choir, followed immediately by real and enthusiastic appreciation of their worth.

The choir brought a full hand of soloists with them to entertain and first up was Owen Jones with the majestic 'Coedmor'. Is this one of the finest hymns ever composed? It could be argued thus. Owen gave it full justice, with choir assisting in the chorus.

Henry Johnston, freshly returned from his holiday in South Africa, was too in fine voice with 'How Deep the Father's Love'.

The choir then offered a selection from 'Les Miserables'. Suggestions from audience members later that the singing was far more pleasing than that heard in the latest film of the same show, were modestly received!

Tony Davies took centre stage at the interval to explain further the purposes and aims of the charity and how essential would be any financial help the audience might offer, and at concert's end they were generous beyond all reasonable expectation.

The choir returned to perform three items that drew much appreciation from the audience, before Joan Lewis solo-ed with 'Your Word'. It is a wonder that this lady continues to perform to so high a standard as she does, but it is very satisfying to audiences.

David Thomas followed Joan's contribution with a quite different modern version of the 23rd Psalm, 'The Lord's My Shepherd'.A performance delivered with fine quiet control.

The choir's intention was to finish with three inspiring pieces, but before that the 'boiler period'. Always a vital time at any concert concerning P&DMVC and noted so seriously by presenter Phil Lloyd. That is, the ladies should ensure that sufficient hot water for tea would be available at concert's end!

As it turned out, that period was delayed more than somewhat by the demands of the audience for encores. Three encores later, Helen Dare was finally able to bring a final blessing and thanks to all concerned for a successful evening's entertainment.

The only thing left for the choir to do was to fall with gratitude upon the delicacies and tea provided. That gratitude expressed briefly and succinctly by choir chairman Tony Ward.

A.S.