The future of Tenby's Summer Spectaculars could be in doubt unless Tenby Round Table receives more support from the people of the town, it was revealed this week. Always one of the major highlights of Tenby's summer scene, Tenby Round Table have been organising the events for over 30 years, initially on Wednesdays on the North Walk and for the last decade on Sundays on Tenby Harbour. However, Tablers have warned that the events' future could be in doubt as costs of staging the Spectaculars escalate and the number of members in Tenby Round Table dwindles. "Tabling nationally has been in a state of decline for a number of years, with fewer people joining," explained Tenby chairman, Andrew Davies. "Tenby were fortunate to buck the trend for a few years, but we're now finding things are starting to catch up with us too and more people are leaving Table than are joining. "We are trying to address the situation but, as it stands, even with the volunteers who do give us a hand, we just don't know if we'll have the manpower to organise and co-ordinate the events." Mr. Davies added that Tenby Table had always been fortunate to enjoy a lot of volunteer support at events in the past, particularly from past Tablers, members of Ladies Circle and a nucleus of stalwart supporters. "However, we have to be realistic," he continued. "We can't expect our volunteers to put in the same sort of time that Tablers do, because we're there from before 8.30 am to gone midnight both events. It's a long day when you've 20-plus members of Round Table pitching in. When you are looking at around 15 guys or less, the logistics of it all are even more daunting." The events are Tenby Round Table's main fund- raisers for the year, with all money raised being donated to local charities and organisations for the benefit of the local community. Many thousands of pounds have been raised as a result, but over the last couple of years Tablers have noticed diminishing returns. "While we've been very fortunate to have had sponsorship from local businesses over the years, we can't escape the fact that costs are going up," Mr. Davies continued. "When I first joined Table seven years ago, it cost on average £8,000 to stage the events; last year, the costs were closer to £15,000, but our takings seem to stay pretty constant year on year - and that's if we're lucky with the weather!" Mr. Davies revealed that while the Spectaculars last year raised £23,749, they cost £14,867. "The fireworks cost over £2,500, while the airplanes were close to £4,500, then you have to take licences, road closures and other statutory requirements like SIA doormen and lifeguards, which added another £1,100. Add on artists' fees and sound system hire of just over £2,000, marquee hire of about £1,000, and take a host of other things into account; it all adds up. "We were fortunate to receive sponsorship and donations of £4,000; the rest had to be raised through donations on the gates, bar sales and 'flipping' burgers, which is manpower intensive for Tablers and volunteers." Mr. Davies was quick to stress, however, that this was not just a plea for more sponsorship funds. "We could always charge more for various things to help increase the amount we raise for charity," he said. "However, the Spectaculars are not just about raising money. Our main aim is to make enough to put on the senior citizens' Christmas dinner every year and support other local causes if we can, but we also want to provide an attraction for Tenby during the summer. "Perhaps we've become complacent and the format is becoming stale, but we are also conscious that not everyone is happy with the events and we're starting to wonder if it is worth all the logistical and physical effort anymore when there are other ways of raising money. "We are still prepared to give it a go if the people of Tenby will support us in staging these Spectaculars. "We're in the process of starting to organise the events now, with dates pencilled in for July 20 and August 3, but we need guarantees that people are still behind us and are prepared to back us, not only financially, but also physically."
