The Stuart Singers crossed the border from Gloucestershire and gave an entertaining and good-natured performance in Ledbury's parish church.

The choir was not quite at full strength but the 44 singers who lined up were still able to give a fine account of themselves, from start to finish.

The event could have been better supported. I estimated the audience at around 100 strong, in what is really a very large church.

Those who were not there missed out on a lively programme, ranging from the Zulu spiritual Siyahamba, one of the highlights, to the equally thrilling Rhythm of Life.

With an interval and wine dividing the entertainment, the concert's two hours or so was of the right length, especially as cushions were to hire!

As a man still approaching middle age, I did miss the more contemporary pieces which, I know, are in the choir's repertoire, such as Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits.

Also, the Beatles canon is approaching its 40th anniversary and has surely attained near classical status already. I am sure the choir could offer us a superb Eleanor Rigby or a moving She's Leaving Home.

But these are merely quibbles, given the quality of the singing and the infectious enthusiasm of the choir whose members excel in the singing of spirituals.

Old Macdonald had a farm, removed because of the foot and mouth crisis, was replaced by Elgar's Nimrod, played on the piano by the conductor, Gerry Palmer.

It was a bold and accomplished performance, only marred by the "tinny" condition of the piano on some of the notes.

All considered, though, the Mayor's Charity Concert, in aid of the church, Ledbury in Bloom and Ledbury Carnival, was a great success and much enjoyed by those who attended.

Gary Bills-Geddes