A meeting planning future public events for Tenby has been described as ‘very positive’ by members of the Town Council this week, with feedback given on the popular festive lights switch-on for the seaside town.

Discussing a meeting of the Tenby Events Working Party which got together last month, with the aim of discussions formed to cover all events in the town, Cllr Dai Morgan told his fellow councillors at April’s meeting of the Town Council that the meeting had been beneficial and very positive, even though it seemed early in the year to be talking about Christmas!

Conducting a review of the Christmas lights switch-on for the seaside town, where Santa arrives with the Mayor, guided through town by the local Fire Service and RNLI lifeboat crew - it was stated at the Events meeting that last year was a ‘near disaster’ due to the adverse weather forecast but huge thanks had been given to those who helped pull the revised event off at short notice; and there had been lots of positive feedback from those that attended proceedings that had switched to the De Valence Pavilion hall.

“The weather was better than anticipated but it was still very windy earlier in the day so it was the right call to make,” said Cllr Laurence Blackhall.

“However, with everyone pulling together to come up with a Plan B - an event that was not going ahead did and it was a success!”

Local DJ Steve Briers who was part of the day said that personally, he preferred the event outside as it created a ‘better atmosphere’ but admitted that the organisers must consider all eventualities.

“Maybe we could create an event that has both outdoor and indoor elements,” he suggested.

The town clerk Andrew Davies asked if everyone felt the whole day event was working as planned, and would it be a consideration to just facilitating Santa’s arrival without having the other activities in Tudor Square, as he was not sure they were achieving what they were meant to and attract people to stay in town.

He remarked that he had noticed people come to watch entertainment they were connected to and then leave, with few people standing and listening to the Salvation Army and Friendship Club.

He said that the entertainers are ‘fabulous’ but he felt sorry for those with little audience.

“The crowd starts coming at 4.30 pm. Is what we do from 1 to 4.30 pm beneficial for the town particularly when the day is so weather dependant?” he asked.

Cllr Blackhall said he felt it was a question of a balance to the programme; and that there was a potential of something in square and something in the De Valence.

Mr Briers agreed, stating that the events from 1 pm were all about creating an atmosphere in the town and giving people something to watch and listen to even if they were not coming specifically for Santa and the festive lights switch-on.

Talk went onto the town Christmas tree which is erected on the grounds outside St Mary’s Church overlooking the town centre. It was highlighted that very year the main town tree is ‘hit and miss’ because the town council does not have the opportunity to go and pick it.

This year Tenby was fortunate, as it was better quality than previous years and allowed more decoration and lights to be fitted, but there was no guarantee it can be like that every year and there had been some talk of an artificial tree.

The firm who supplies the Christmas lights also do trees, and they have offered a green and red tree 7m (23ft) high with a 2 m (6.5ft) base, for £11,937 plus £600 delivery on terms of £5,000 per year for 3 years. The real tree currently costs around £700 including delivery and removal.

Cllr Blackhall asked if it was worth asking Pembrokeshire Engineering, or someone similar, what it would cost to produce a tree like Saundersfoot’s, with all feeling this was a good idea.

The group confirmed that the date for the Christmas lights switch-on this year would be on Saturday, November 25, with the format as usual from 1 pm until 4.30 to 5 pm.