TENBY Arts Club completed the first half of its winter programme last Friday with a rousing party. A full house heard poems with a Christmas flavour, sang carols and then attacked the food tables so generously ladened with festive fare. Wines from France and Italy, all premier Cru, helped ease the turbocharged minds of members and guests.

Scrooge was conspicuous by his/her absence.

The club now hibernates until Friday, January 9, in the New Year, passing the season in a restive state; unless, that is, an event or happening should occur and then the sleep is broken. And so it is, once again for members, with a concert by the Welsh National Opera being staged at Sir Thomas Picton School, Haverfordwest tomorrow (Saturday). The club members will converge on this event as Genghis Khan leading his Mongol hoards into Asia. Not on horseback, I must say, but by saloon cars and charabanc.

After this event, peace and goodwill returns for members and I know many will be planning their New Year resolutions whilst gorging on turkey, plum pudding and sprouts.

Club members do not always set a good example with their resolutions. In spite of appearing resolved, they still kick the family dog and cat. Continue eating a daily pork pie when fashionistas say we should be starving thin. Still read the Sun, Star, Mirror and News of the World when secretly they have told their friends they will turn on New Year's Day to the Times, Figaro and Herald Tribune. And if that is not enough, many of the club ladies still slip out for a crafty woodbine behind the bike shed.

In spite of this lack of resolve and most probably impossible resolve, non-members should not feel they have to compete.

All non-members should have one achievable goal for new year. Clearly this is to join the Arts Club. An annual subscription of £10 is peanuts. More than 20 meetings from October to March. Six months of mind penetrating pleasure at only £2 per meeting. And once enrolled they cannot turn back. No breaking of resolutions.

New members having joined should not look down on neighbours, for it is possible their neighbour is a member already.

Happy Christmas everyone.