It was carnival time in Kilgetty on Saturday.
But, the grey skies and the persistent rain failed to dampen the spirits of the participants, organisers and spectators who turned out to watch the event, which has been revived after a few years absence this summer by a committee formed by the Begelly Kilgetty Community Association.
Headed by the Milford Haven Town Band and the flower-bedecked float bearing the Carnival Queen, Stephanie Watkins, her attendants Laurie Cray and Emma Redford, page boys Keiran Jenkins and Ross Hurst, Fairy Queen Sheridan Redford and her attendants Jackie Cullen and Bobbie Ralph, the carnival parade featured a host of children and adults in colourful and imaginative fancy dress costumes.
After the carnival was opened by the chairman of the Kilgetty Begelly Community Council, Clr. Lynne Webb, both Stephanie and Sheridan were officially crowned by Mr. Phil Thompson, of Texaco.
The Carnival Queen's crown was made by Mrs. Ible, of Woodfield Avenue, and the committee wish to thank her very much for all the work concerned in making the crown.
After setting off from the Begelly Arms car park, the carnival procession made its way around the village, culminating at the Community Centre, where a display of line dancing was staged and the all-important judging took place.
"Due to the bad weather, no outside stalls were available, but the WI held their cake stall inside the Community Hall, where other stalls were also set up," explained carnival secretary, David Lewis.
"Four floats that should have come to the carnival unfortunately had to cancel due to the weather conditions, and other stalls and attractions also fell foul of the weather," he added.
Those tasked with judging the large number of fancy dress entrants were Mr. and Mrs. Tom Thomas, of Narberth, Mr. and Mrs. Williams, of Saundersfoot, and Mr. and Mrs. Stephens, who were all thanked by Mr. Tom Price for undertaking the unenviable task of selecting the winners.
Results were as follows:
Class one (fancy dress under five years) - Mary Mary.
Class two (fancy dress six to 10 years) - Keep Kilgetty Tidy.
Class three (fancy dress 11 to 18 years) - The Blairs.
Class four (adults over 17 years) - Gillaent.
Class five (best dressed vehicle or cart) - Wallace and Gromit.
Class six (best overall entry) - Little Bo Peep.
"One trophy was not collected, this being the Blairs entry, who had left the Community Centre before the judges' final decision, and we would like the winners to contact me on (01834) 813356," commented Mr. Lewis.
The winners of the raffle drawn by the Carnival Queen were as follows: tea set - Owen Colley; clock - Pam Cooper; Folly Farm tickets - Shauna; bottle of Bianco - D. Williams, of Llanelli; Millennium cup and plate - Mrs. Farrow; sherry - Vera Phillips.
The winning carnival programme was number 345 and the holder is asked to contact the carnival secretary on 813356.
The fun continued into the evening when a large crowd attended the entertainment with the popular group, Sherri and the Sidekicks, at the RAOB Social Club.
The compere for the evening was Mr. Tom Price and the group, who played country and western style music, were warmly applauded.
"The committee wish to thank everyone who attended the carnival," said Mr. Lewis.
"We would also like to say thank you for the support we received from the community at the Country and Western show at the RAOB Club," he continued.
"Thanks also go to K. P. Thomas for the loan of the lorry for the Carnival Queen, Fairy Queen and their attendants, which was decorated by their parents.
"Thanks are also extended to everyone who donated towards the cost of the printing and all the staff involved in the printing, the manager at the Begelly Arms for allowing us to use the car park, the police for all their assistance and those who went round with collecting boxes.
"If there is anything not reported regarding the carnival, I do apologise, as due to the wet conditions my papers were wet and I was unable to read them afterwards," Mr. Lewis added.