The 17th century Llanwenarth Baptist Church in Govilon was full for a memorable concert by Beaufort Male Choir on the evening of April 18. The purpose of the concert was to raise funds for the Williams Syndrome Foundation. The Syndrome is a little known condition which can impair mental and physical development. The organisers, Mel and Anne Collier and Keith and Pat Purkiss, were delighted with the success of the evening which raised over £1400 for the charity.

The Beaufort Male Choir, introduced by Rev Bill Rutter, one of its honorary members, excelled itself in a varied programme under the leadership of their ebullient Musical Director Craig James and to the accompaniment of Margaret Davies. It included recent impressive additions to their repertoire like Nessun Dorma, The Rose and This is the Moment. Bui Doi from the musical Miss Saigon provided a rich baritone solo by Gerald Phillips. Two other talented soloists were Megan Dee and Jason Price. Fifteen-year-old Megan sang Loose Ends from the Witches of Eastwick, Christmas Lullaby from Songs for a New World, Memory from Cats and Il Adore from Taboo in a clear and confident style. Nineteen-year-old Jason was making his first appearance with the Choir and sang Never More Without You from Woman in White, Why God, Why from Miss Saigon, Joanna from Sweeney Todd and Martin Guerre from Martin Guerre. Both the talented youngsters drew appreciative applause from their large audience.

Anne Collier read two poems, The Miner and The Ghost by John Lewis, as the Choir accompanied her with a softly hummed Myfanwy. John Lewis who had been a leading member of the Abertillery back row with Haydn Morgan and Alan Pask was in the audience and thoroughly enjoyed the concert.

The concert closed with a stirring encore, Shosholoza, by the Choir. John Nelson the organiser of the Williams Foundation and his wife had travelled from Kent to be at the concert and he thanked all who had helped to make it such a success.