THREE local choirs came together for the first time for a special fund-raising concert.

Caldioct, Chepstow and Monmouth male voice choirs regularly perform in the area and beyond but have never shared a stage together.

Bathed in evening sunshine the choirs performed at Caldicot Castle on Saturday evening to raise funds for the National Eisteddfod which next month comes to Monmouthshire for the first time in 83 years.

It was an opportunity for the choirs to display their wide-ranging repertoire which included favourites in English and Welsh including Men of Harlech and Calon Lân in front of an audience of around 300.

The comperes for the evening were TV presenter Alex Jones of BBC1’s The One Show and tenor Wynne Evans who is best known for the Go Compare! adverts.

Wynne also entertained with solo performances of Granada and O Sole Mio – and had a surprise for the musical director of the massed choir, Gareth Whitcombe.

He asked Mr Whitcombe – a trained singer and the deputy head of Caldicot School – if he knew The Pearl Singers and there followed a very well received duet.

Among the audience was the Mayor of Caldicot, Cllr Dave Evans, the chairman of Monmouthshire County Council, Cllr Jim Higginson and the leader of the county council, Cllr Peter Fox.

Cllr Fox said: “This eagerly-awaited concert exhibited Welsh choral singing and culture at its best and was obviously enjoyed by everyone in such a magical setting.  .”

The National Eiste­ddfod will take place in Abergavenny from Friday, July 29 until Saturday, August 6.

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