Following the handover of Tenby's De Valence Pavilion from the Town Council to the Trust last April, and the approval of the application for Objective One grant in July, the trustees have been busy over the last month in recruiting a new director. It is hoped to make an announcement soon about who has been appointed and when that person can start. In the meantime, the trustees have been trying to expand the programme of activities, other than the ones already planned by organisations like the Arts Festival. Trustee Christine Brown has been responsible for taking bookings and managing the Pavilion on a day-to-day basis until the director is installed. Over the summer holidays, there were 'Family Nights' every Thursday evening, and bingo nights every Tuesday evening, both of these being co-ordinated by Maureen Ward, who has recently joined the board of trustees. There will be a Halloween Family Night on the Thursday of half-term week, and a Christmas Family Night on the Thursday before Christmas. It is hoped to continue the bingo nights through the winter if there is sufficient demand. The Band of the Welsh Guards will be performing with Tenby Male Choir on Wednesday, October 6. This concert is being promoted in partnership with Tenby and Saundersfoot Lions Club, and tickets are available from the Trust office at the De Valence, or from the Giltar Hotel. The entertainer Max Boyce is returning to the De Valence for one night only, on Saturday, October 23. Tickets can be purchased either from the De Valence Trust or from Dales Music. There are two visits coming up with live touring theatre companies. The Fluellen Theatre are performing 'The Duchess of Malfi' on Thursday, October 21, and the drama students from Trinity College Carmarthen are performing 'Gullivers Travels' on Tuesday, October 26 and 'Tokens of Affection' on Wednesday, October 27. Again, advance tickets can be purchased from the Trust office. Then just before Christmas, on Thursday, December 23, there will be two performances, matinee and evening, of a traditional pantomime (suitable for all ages!), 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'. Also in that week, Father Christmas will be staying at the De Valence in a specially-designed grotto, and it is hoped that he will be able to see as many Tenby children as possible. De Valence Trust chair, Mike Thorne, said: "This has been a difficult time for the new Trust, trying to manage this community facility with few staff resources. "Christine Brown has done a terrific job in getting a programme of events up-and-running, and we hope that they will be well-supported by the community. "When the director takes up the post we can look forward to building on the programme that has been started, and that is an exciting prospect. Watch this space!"
