Sir,

Through your letters page, I would like to report that last Saturday the De Valence Pavilion in Tenby reclaimed its crown as the finest entertainments venue in Pembrokeshire when it welcomed more than 400 guests to the very first 'Renaissance'.

There has been considerable Observer space afforded in recent months to negative apathy pertaining to the future of Tenby's magnificent hall, with some even suggesting that the place should be 'mothballed!'

I fully understand the debate about cost of the upkeep of such a big venue, but all avenues for attracting funding should, if not already, be explored and, furthermore, options for payment for essential works should be considered to minimise the impact on town council budget in one fell swoop.

The De Valence Pavilion holds so many memories for several generations and every single 'Renaissance guest' present on Saturday would deride any talk of a Tenby without a De Valence!

The De Valence has, in the past, attracted bookings from every genre of entertainment, from the Blues Festival to drama to scooter rallies to children's Halloween and Christmas parties and so much more. All of this, as with Renaissance on Saturday, November 5, brings business into the town, but the one indelible and endearing image it brings is the good old-fashioned 'Smile'.

Renaissance has plans for four events in 2012 aimed at 'Bringing on back the good times'.

Let's ensure that Tenby is always a town that 'smiles'.

Nicky Lloyd,

Tenby.