AT the invitation of the Mayor, Cllr Leighton Penhale, Launceston Town Hall was the venue for the first live choir concert in the community for over 18 months.

What a splendid Saturday evening’s entertainment it was on October 16, with an audience of around 100.

The choir also welcomed Ingrid Bray, a friend of long standing to the choir as compere for the evening’s programme. Jonathan Mann, the musical director, had chosen a very varied selection of ‘well known old favourites’ that demonstrated the wide range of choral music that the choir has within it’s repertoire.

It was most unfortunate that the Bel Canto Ladies Choir could not take part as planned as some of their members had become infected by COVID and others were ‘self-isolating’. But at very short notice David and Liz Jones provided some very entertaining musical monologues, to augment the choir, and these were so appreciated by the audience.

Jonathan and Lis Mann also contributed to the very successful event playing some rousing, and very difficult, ‘four handed’ pieces on the keyboard to an enthusiastic reception.

The ‘retiring collection’ in aid of the Mayor’s chosen charities — Launceston Town Band, the First Responders and the Cornwall Air Ambulance — was particularly well supported and a total of £512 was donated.

A spokesperson added: “Despite the need to continue with social distancing precautions, it was obvious that many old friends had met again for the first time in a long while, and that local live music is still most important to many in our community.”