ORGANISERS of the recent Foresters’ Forest concert were pleased as droves of people packed out Parkend Memorial Hall and raised £200 for charity.

John D Powell and his wife Fiona, the grandson of T J Powell, the Welsh bandsman who composed the Parkend March for Parkend Silver Band, were also in attendance and received a bouquet at the end of the show.

The band played an entertaining set and finished the show with the recently-revived Parkend March.

Compère Keith Morgan recited several of his poems for the audience including his popular story about the marching bandsman who got lost.

Pillowell Ladies Choir, conducted by the talented Christopher Gibbons, sang a mix of old favourites and modern pieces during both halves.

A solo by the young Louis Thomas, who played in the band with his mother, father and two aunts, was warmly applauded.

Some £200 was raised for Forest Read Easy Deal (FRED); a voluntary group that provides one-to-one trained reading coaches to help anyone who has difficulty reading.