Today (Friday) sees the close of a chapter in Tenby's legal history when the town's magistrates court passes sentence for a final time.
Bringing to an end 600-plus years of court proceedings in the town, the facility is moving from The Guildhall in The Norton to the new law courts at Penffynnon, Hawthorn Rise in Haverforwest.
"Tenby Courthouse has been in this building since July 1987, after moving from the Market site, which we occupied for 125 years," explained yesterday's (Thursday's) chairman, David Simpson, prior to the start of the day's formal proceedings. "This is the fifth site in Tenby that the court has used, the first one being in the year 1400." Mr. Simpson went on to thank everyone who had assisted in the smooth running of the court, including the ushers, legal advisors, the crown prosecutors and defence solictors and all the other agencies including the probation service, police and youth offending teams, together with the support and commitment given by past and present magistrates.
"The camaraderie of all parties involved in court proceedings in Tenby has been second to none and we hope that this will continue in Haverfordwest," he said.
In reply, Mr. Tim Roberts, on behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service, and defence advocate Mr. Chris Jones, expressed their sadness and misgivings at the court closure and the end of the long tradition of legal services in Tenby, with the court being re-located in Haverfordwest.
Chairman of the South Pembrokeshire Petty Sessional Division, Mr. Paul Speyer said: "We are sad to be leaving Tenby, but we have got to be positive."
In addition to the court closure in Tenby, the magistrates court in Haverfordwest will also be finishing, with all cases being transferred to the new court complex, which opens on Tuesday.
Owned by Pembrokeshire County Council, the court building in Tenby will now be assessed by the coucil as regards its future.