THE sun shone through the stained-glass windows of our beautiful All Saints' Church, steeped in history and glorified with ancient and modern works of art.

Calon Lan, a traditional Welsh hymn tune was an inspired choice for the opening number and sung beautifully by our own Hospital Male Voice Choir conducted by Dai Ogborn.

This was followed by the enchanting New Zealand folk-song 'Hine et Hine' and then Paul Risoe with his rich, bass voice performed Old Man River with the choir. This piece was made famous by the late and great American singer Paul Robeson and after this, another Paul, Paul Wright sat up in the organ loft ready to dazzle us on the organ with Toccato by Russian composer Georgi Mushel.

I had begun to wonder if it was possible to keep up this very high standard of musicianship when Ian Grice the musical director of the Mansfield Choir gave us a magnificent interpretation of Llanfair and 'You Raise Me Up'.

The volume of sound when the two choirs sang together was thrilling, a four part harmony at its best. Dai Ogborn returned to the podium with Deus Salutis and listening to 'Gwahoddiad' I had tears in my eyes before the end of the first verse.

It was difficult to imagine how the second half could follow this but again the programme choice was full of musical gems: 'Let it be Me', 'When the Saints go Marching In' and 'Panis Angelicus' sung by Ralph Magdamo who has a superb tenor voice.

Steve Busby conducted 'What Would I Do Without My Music' and you felt that all the choristers meant every word of it, it was such a sincere performance.

Just at the right moment Mark Jones, director of fundraising and communications of the Ark Cancer Centre Charity, who had been busy all afternoon introducing us to the music. He mentioned very charmingly and humorously that he would welcome donations towards the £5million needed to build the Centre.

The event raised £1,231.63 and amazingly, £2million has already been raised

Only another £3million to go, so keep on singing everyone.