Singers and musicians are being sought to join a unique new choir in Pembrokeshire.

The Dyfed West Gallery Quire will focus on a church tradition from the 18th and 19th centuries performing sacred and secular music.

Much of the music was performed by ordinary people in the west galleries of parish churches as well as in chapels and around towns and villages during the Georgian era.

The repertoire included sacred and secular music, catches and glees in four-part harmony, often concentrating on work by local composers - a tradition well captured by Thomas Hardy in his novel Under the Greenwood Tree.

On Saturday, February 19th, Edwin Macadam from Immanuel's Ground West Gallery Quire in Warwickshire is coming to Pembrokeshire to lead a workshop with a view to starting a choir in the three counties of Dyfed.

One of the organisers, Paul Sharp, said the plan was for the choir to be reasonably informal.

"We're looking for singers and musicians of all abilities," he said.

"You don't have to be able to read music but it will help if you can. You don't have to be religious though it will probably mean something extra to you if you are.

"Instruments that are from the 18th and early 19th century fit this type of music particularly well but instruments such as the violin, cello, viola, flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, low recorders, the less dominating brass instruments and single reed squeezeboxes will be fine.

"West Gallery involves singing in four parts so all voices are equally welcome. If you have a music stand it would be a good idea to bring it."

The workshop at Cuffern Manor, Roch, is expected to run from 10am to 4.30pm. Drinks such as tea and coffee will be provided, but it is advised to bring your own food for the break.

The cost is expected to be around £6 each, depending on numbers, and will include copies of the music.

For more information on the workshop, contact Paul Sharp on 01437 710351.