For the inaugural Santa Fun Run in Narberth, 153 entrants registered online before the weather forecast of gales and rain for the weekend.

Despite that, a further 25 plucky individuals registered as latecomers on the day in the Queen’s Hall, Narberth. Luckily the event stayed dry, albeit a bit windy.

Rotarian organiser architect Ken Morgan had mustered volunteers from the Rotary Club and the Narberth Food Bank to man the six places on the registration desks which were inundated with revellers from 10.30 to 11.30 on Sunday.

President Elaine Bradbury, Ken’s niece Cathy and Therri Bailey, manager of the Narberth Food Bank, had a checklist of items presented in alphabetical order which had been expertly collated by Rotarian treasurer Kirsty Willing. Kirsty used to be in Tenby ladies Circle helping with the Tenby Santa Run, so Tenby’s loss was Narberth’s gain. The booking-in system went smoothly and by 11 am the hall was buzzing with the Christmas music laid on by the Queen’s Hall staff and a sea of red Santa suits made everyone aware that Christmas season had well and truly started.

A squad of Army Cadets made up of recruits from the Narberth and Haverfordwest detachments were on parade with four of their officers and they quickly deployed on manoeuvres before the allotted start time in order to marshal critical points around the 3K route through the town centre and public footpaths.

On the Saturday preceding the event, A1 Servicing kindly loaned free of charge their red barriers to which Ken and Rotarian Nigel Towns fixed bright yellow signs with black arrows depicting the route, so strangers from far afield such as Milford Haven, St. Clears and Pembroke Dock could navigate the course easily. The signs were expertly produced and donated by Narberth’s firm called Revelation.

On arrival at the finish line at Narberth Rugby Club, the Narberth Round Table with Santa was present with chairman Andrew Thomas to present sweets to the children and the Rotary Club are extremely grateful for this assistance. Inside the club, formal announcements were made about the financial sponsors who included: Clive Preece Developments; Ivor Rees & Sons; Folly Farm; Rob Chell builder, Strasdins Joinery, Ieuan Griffiths Builders; Graham Searle and Caravan Parks Redford, Narberth & Rosehill Broadhaven.

After thanking the dignitaries for their attendance, the organiser also commented on the work done by the Narberth First Responders in manning the critical road junctions and he then passed the microphone to president Elaine to present a cheque to the Narberth Food Bank manager, Therri Bailey. The amount donated was magnificent £1,000 and thanks are due to all participants for making this such a successful charitable occasion.

Therri then gave an account of how such donations are invaluable to the work that the Trussell Trust carries out nationally, but this money will be spent locally. Readers are encouraged to offer any spare time that they may have volunteering at Narberth on Wednesday mornings in the former magistrates court at Market Square, where the Food Bank stores all the goods which they receive from benefactors.

Finally, president Elaine has confirmed that this first event was such success that it is now intended to make it an annual event in Narberth’s calendar. Watch this space for more details in the future.

Pics. Powerpix Photography