Young Rose steals the show at St Mungo church concert.

Is it surprising, despite a 40-strong male voice choir, two skilled individual performers, an extremely talented accompanist and a conductor-cum-comedian, that the most lasting memory to be recalled by the audience cramming the Kettleholm Church of St Mungo may well be that of a 12-year-old singing unaccompanied? Local girl Rose Byers sang her way into the hearts of all with two sets of two songs, Tam Glen and Two Sisters and later on Queen Jeannie and Rambling Rover. Her confidence carried her clear voice to all corners.

The event, a fundraiser in support of the church, was opened by Sue Jackson who welcomed the Dumfries Male Voice Choir, led by David McCullough, who opened the concert with Let All Men Sing and Border Ballad.

The evening continued with an accordion recital by choir member Ian Warner and further songs by the choir including The Dark Island and The Rose.

After a short interval, singing resumed with an Elvis trilogy which the audience joined and enjoyed some more modern songs such as You Raise Me Up and three stirring Welsh hymns, male voice choir classics, Morte Criste, Gwahoddiad and Rachie.

A feature of this part was Ernie Budd playing ukulele and singing a trio of well known songs which the audience responded to with enthusiasm.

David closed the music with the Gaelic Blessing and that was the cue for Cynthia Smith to propose the vote of thanks which she did fully and generously including all contributors as well as the accompanist and thanking David for the programme he drew up and the choir performance.

She wished all safe home and offered refreshments provided and served by members of the parish - a fine end to a fine concert which added around PS750 to the funds.