By the evening however, the rain had pretty much stopped, the car parking fields were nearly empty and exhibitors were packing up their stalls. It was time for the evening entertainment to begin.

A good-sized audience settled down in the Farmer’s Market marquee and the concert chairman Andy Christophers opened proceedings.

Andy had already had a busy day. The MD of St. Stythians Male Voice Choir was President of the show this year so Andy had stepped up to conduct that choir in two sessions on the nearby open stage in late morning and mid- afternoon, and nobody was surprised to find his voice in a well-used condition by the evening!

The first musical contribution of the evening came from St. Stythians Band conducted by their MD James Burns and they played “The Final Countdown” which had been arranged by James.

The baton then passed to Mousehole Male Voice Choir conducted by MD Stephen Lawry and accompanied by David Caredig-Evans. The choir sang five pieces in their first set: “Sound Celebration” arranged by Tom Gentry, “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Paul Simon and arranged by Alan Simmons, “On Newlyn Hill” which is based on the poem by Crosbie Garstin and was arranged by KF Northey, “Cornwall My Home” the very popular song by Harry ‘Safari’ Glasson and arranged by the choir’s MD Stephen Lawry and finishing with “All Hail The Power” by J Ellor and also arranged by Stephen Lawry.

To finish off the first half, the band returned to the stage for three pieces: “Ticket To Ride” arranged by Alan Fernie, “Benedictus” arranged by Tony Small and “Kraken” arranged by Darrol Barry.

Chairman’s remarks from Andy marked the middle of the concert and then the choir returned to the stage for four pieces: “The Awakening”  arranged by Joseph M Martin, “Thanks Be To God” arranged by Don Besig, “Dance With The Storm” arranged by Andrew Lippa and finishing with a piece which always has the audience swaying in their seats “Da Doo Ron Ron” by Spector / Greenwich / Barry and arranged by Alan Simmons.

The band then returned to the stage for a final set of three pieces: “Prismatic Light” arranged by Alan Fernie, “The Wellerman” arranged by Gavin Somerset and which included some vocals by the audience and finally a new piece “Combine Harvester” arranged by Steven Ponsford. Several of the choir pieces were also on their first outing this evening, so it must have been a nerve-wracking time for both MDs!

After thanks the band, choir and audience joined forced for “Trelawny” followed by the National Anthem.

The evening was not quite over as members of Mousehole and St Stythians choirs retired to the Seven Stars pub for some refreshment – and of course, more singing!

Anyone wishing to see the choir in action again soon will have their chance when the choir have an open-air concert on the quayside of Mousehole harbour on Sunday 21^st July at 7pm and then at the Summer Festival concert in St. Mary’s Church Penzance on 4^th August. Tickets are available for St. Mary’s at Morrab Studio Penzance, Kings Arms in Paul of online from the choir’s website.