Members and supporters of Mousehole Male Voice Choir enjoyed a lovely evening on the quayside at Mousehole harbour last Friday as part of the Sea, Salts and Sail festival. There had been much debate earlier in the day as to whether sou’westers and wellies could be incorporated into our more usual “harbour rig” clothing as the forecast left us wondering whether we were in for a soaking but in the event, the rain moved on and although a few clouds persisted, we had a reprieve and the weather stayed dry with just a light breeze.

As the harbour saw enough classic sailing boats and traditional wooden hulled craft to impress even the most hardened land lubber, on dry land the crowds were treated to mouth-watering smells from the food stalls as the choir, directed by Stephen Lawry and accompanied by Annette Turton who was assisted by June Stevens entertained an enthusiastic audience with three sets of songs.

The first set of three songs started off with “Bridge Over Troubled Water” followed by the increasingly very popular “Cornwall My Home” and finished with “Dance With The Storm.

Our second set saw some drama when one of the choristers started to feel unwell during our first piece, Danny Boy. The song was interrupted and we are very grateful for the very prompt attention of two first aiders from “Medicare”. Our colleague, thankfully, was much better after something to eat and drink and a chance to sit down for a while and we picked up Danny Boy from the second verse – the show must go on! The set continued with a spiritual “Deep River” and finished with a modern song “There’s Nothing Like Pilchards” which tells the story of the decline of the pilchard fishing industry.

Our third and final set comprised two songs, “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and “Da Doo Ron Ron” which triggered enthusiastic applause from our audience.

For anyone unlucky enough to miss this occasion, we will be back on the harbourside on 21^st June and then we have our biggest summer event, the Summer Festival concert in St Mary’s Church, Penzance on 4^th August.

Tickets for the latter concert are already selling well from Morrab Studio in Penzance and King’s Arms in Paul and are also available online.