St David's Day Bitterne News

In the welcoming, warm and beautiful setting of The Holy Saviour Church in Bitterne, RMVC and our guest Welsh Harpist Harriet Earis lit up an appreciative audience with a splendid St David’s Day Concert.

There were songs in Welsh, Celtic Harp music, played by the exceptionally talented and engaging Harriet, choir soloists in Clive Matthews and President Keith Lawrenson, an amusing poem read by Chairman Kevin Cleary, a great comperè performance by our own Nick Grout and last, but certainly not least, great conducting by MD Marion Maxey and piano accompaniment by Richard Stannard.

Topped and tailed with the National Anthem and the Welsh National Anthen, Mae Hen Wlad fy Nhadau, opening the concert was a lively Welsh piece Tangnefeddwyr followed by the well-known hymn Glyn Rhosyn, before the choir launched into an audience favourite Nessun Dorma. Harriet then charmed everyone with her first half performance followed by RMVC performing its next three pieces including, Working Man with soloist Keith.

The second half of the concert saw RMVC singing six more pieces, including Stars and Fix You and concluding with another favourite in Welsh, O’Gymru. Harriet once more took the centre spot to play three pieces one of which she performed using an amazing small, red Welsh dragon harp made by own Concert Secretary, Steve William's sister's husband.

After the concert, as ever the choir retired to a room at the Church for a customary Afterglow!

Special thanks: to Harriet for performing so well – we loved you. Also Marion, Richard and Nick who between them hold everything together and make it possible. We thank the Ladies Support Group, once again stepping up to run the raffle and help where help is needed.

Finally, may we as well say a big thank you to Holy Saviour Church, what a fabulous, generous and friendly church. It was a pleasure to sing there.

Charity: The concert was in support of two wonderful charities, Maggies and the Cancer Club.