If ever there was a Christmas Market to get excited about, it was the one at Pembroke Castle over the weekend.
Visiting the popular event for the first time in its 11-year-long history on Saturday morning, I was astounded at the huge array of Pembrokeshire produce available, writes reporter Patrick Ovenden.
The marquees that had been laid out in the castle grounds held over 80 stalls, representing local businesses, crafters and charities. This was a one-stop shop for virtually anything locally produced, from books by photographers Drew Buckley and David Wilson and soaps handmade in Narberth, to Barti Rum, Teifi nettle cheese and Chantler teas - and so much more besides!
Valero volunteers were at the Castle all weekend, helping 2Wish raise essential funds for their charity.
Castle Brass was providing a festive background with a selection of cheery carols and Christmas tunes.
In addition, a variety of locally-produced street food, including wood-fired pizzas, crepes, lamb burgers and coffee, was available from Pembrokeshire vendors.
Santa was in his grotto while nearby, past the array of locally grown Christmas trees, Mount Pleasant Church Pembroke invited children of all ages to dress up in Nativity costumes around the manger and #getinthenativitypicture - a stall that proved a popular talking point.
Leaving the market around 1.30pm, I saw a member of Pembroke Castle team counting visitors as they came and went. He told me that, so far that day, 3,303 people had entered through the gates.
Posting on their Facebook page following the weekend’s events, Pembroke Castle paid tribute to Santa for entertaining thousands on Friday night and hundreds in his grotto, and to all the musical performers, including Golden Grove, Penrhyn and St Teilo’s Primary Schools, The Merrymakers, Cleddau Flutes and Castle Brass.
Thanks were also conveyed to Phil and Jez of Magnum Sound, Elite Security Crew, Lisa and Gary of Lewlec, George, Felicity and team at Bluesky Marquees, Valero, St John’s Ambulance and “last but not least,” Pembroke Castle Team for a “massive effort over the weekend.
“Lots of preparation, long days and hard work make weekends like this special for thousands of people.”
It certainly did. And to see so many high quality local traders in one space leaves a lasting impression. In fact, it was impossible to do it justice in just one morning. So much more than a festive event, the Pembroke Castle Christmas Market was a cornucopia of the finest Pembrokeshire has to offer.