Covid has failed to halt the planned tour of a renowned UK Male Voice Choir which is determined to go ahead with its visit to Tenby and the surrounding area this weekend despite several setbacks.

“We had already planned to have two indoor concerts in the area” said tour organiser for Northampton Male Voice Choir (NMVC) David Walsh “only to be told at the last minute, by the venues, that our bookings had been cancelled.

“We failed to find alternative halls, and we quite understand these decisions, but were determined to go ahead with the tour and, had to arrange, very hurriedly, an alternative programme,” he explained.

The 40 strong choir, double that number with partners and families, book into the Clarence Hotel, Tenby in the afternoon on Friday, and intend to mark their arrival by opening their lungs in an impromptu performance at the hotel in the evening.

An outdoor concert is planned on the Events Deck at Saundersfoot Harbour at 2.30 pm on Saturday afternoon, with a bucket collection for Tenby RNLI.

On Sunday, under the baton of Musical Director, Stephen Bell, the choir will visit Lawrenny Arms for an afternoon concert.

The choir was formed in 1946 and now has a membership of over 60 voices and has toured the UK and made several recordings.

During the lockdown, practises have continued using ‘zoom’ and the tour is the first live performance since March 2020.

In the meantime the Principal Accompanist, Andy Poole, has ensured that the choir has been kept busy with a medley of songs, which he has specially arranged, from Guys and Dolls and West Side Story.

“We have had to make some late readjustments, but on the positive side, it allows the choir members and the party to have more time to enjoy this lovely town of Tenby, which some have never been to before,” continued David.

“We offer an open invitation for music lovers to join us at Saundersfoot, and the Lawrenny Arms where we have been given an excellent welcome by the landlords Steve and Theresa.

“Good food, good ale, good music - what more would you want on a Sunday afternoon!”