The chapel looks so bare, now.

After a wonderful four days of celebration, the festival came to an end - reluctantly - on Sunday evening, when a full chapel sang with the power that only a Welsh congregation can, on St. David's Day, for an hour-and-a-half. Supported by Tenby Male Choir, The Quaynotes choir, St. Johns singing group and the Cymrodorion ladies, it was an evening to be remembered by all who were there. And how good it was to see so many local people there - people from many areas of town life and from all the other denominations - who came to support St. Johns at this special event.

The week had been very busy and was not without its moments of anxiety and misfortune, especially as the leading light of the festival, Mrs. Ann Maggs, suffered a fall in the sanctuary on Wednesday and was whisked away to Tenby Cottage Hospital and on to Withybush, where a broken bone was diagnosed.

Everyone was stunned by the news. But because of Ann's training of the troops, others in the team took over various responsibilities and the displays and events went ahead very smoothly as planned. Ann was greatly missed, especially at the Cymanfa Ganu on Sunday evening, as it is traditionally the time when Ann is publicly thanked. Graham Stubbs, on everyone's behalf, did thank Ann and, via her daughter Nicola, sent a bouquet of flowers to Ann in her hospital bed.

St. Johns team are most grateful to all of the people who contributed towards the festival in anyway. There are too many to thank individually, but mention must be made of the schoolchildren's performances, St. Mary's handbell ringers, the Irish dance class and Tenby Band, all of whom provided entertainment for visitors coming to view the 8,000 daffodils on show.

The golden colour and sweet perfume of the flowers made the church a very special place to be in.

Saturday evening's Noson Lawen and fish and chip supper was a huge success, and the schoolroom a hive of busyness and fun. The supper, provided by Upper Park Road fish and chip shop, was delicious and the entertainment hilarious! I am reliably informed that there is a natural comedian amongst the congregation, whose star was revealed for the first time on Saturday evening! Compered, as usual, by Ron Hurlow, who also seems to have a gift for making people laugh - and persuading others to 'do a turn' -the evening was very much enjoyed.

This was followed, on Sunday morning, by a communion service led by Rev. Peter Trow, the URC ecumenical officer for Wales, and it was good to see the former minister, Nanette, amongst the congregation.

After service, a sumptuous faith lunch was served in the schoolroom entirely free of charge. The faith lunch provide a time of fellowship and sharing which is valuable to members and visitors, who are made most welcome.

With Dr. John Harrison playing the organ and Mrs. Melanie Walker conducting, the Cymanfa Ganu on Sunday evening provided a very fitting culmination to the festival, and a joyful celebration of St. David's Day. There were many complimentary remarks made to elders and members of St. Johns as the congregation filed out into the late evening air, many of them holding bunches of the beautiful yellow daffodils, taking them home as a small reminder of the evening.

On Monday morning, it was all hands to the pump again as the displays were dismantled and the artefacts removed and the chapel cleaned up again. Buckets of flowers stood outside the chapel at the open gates with a sign saying 'Please take some,' whilst others were delivered to members and friends unable to be at the Cymanfa Ganu.

The church looked so bare by Monday lunchtime, that you felt sad looking at it.

However, someone had the bright idea of filming a DVD of the scenes inside the church and copies of this can be obtained for a small charge. So anyone who would like a copy can ask an elder of the church how to obtain one as a permanent reminder of a transient event.

M.N.