A very successful annual general meeting preceded the Christmas celebrations of the Tenby and District Labour Party Branch. Rosemary Proctor was the only new committee member, as minutes secretary, replacing Sara Spence who had left to take up a new job in Beijing. Sara was thanked for her past help, also for her participation at successful fund-raising events.
The chairman summed up the year's events, including Ann Clwyd MP's visit as guest speaker, at the Annual 2007 Dinner. Monthly meetings continued to attract good numbers as a result of the interesting calendar of speakers and events.
Sadly, all regretted the loss of Christine Gwyther's Welsh Assembly seat in May 2007. Members had worked hard across the constituency to achieve her re-election; 98 more votes could have regained the seat for Labour. Christine had been a champion of a long list of worthy local projects, to name a few, the new Cottage Hospital A&E Rehabilitation and Day Centre in Tenby, the new NHS Cottage Ward at Park House Court Residential Home, the completely refurbished Pembroke Dock Hospital, together with many education projects, and the encouragement of workplace schemes.
Christine still had her finger very much on the pulse of local affairs from her old home in Pembroke Dock and in Cardiff.
The chairman also welcomed new members from St. Florence and Saundersfoot. He hoped the programme of events for 2008 would attract even more members and supporters together with their friends and families.
Nick Ainger MP thanked Tenby and District Branch for their enthusiasm and efforts in 2007, especially during the May Assembly Election and their fund- raising success. The year ahead was going to need even more effort to counteract recent bad media coverage. Gordon Brown's government was putting through measures which would benefit every voter in Britain.
The Annual 2008 Constituency Dinner would be held, as usual, at the Fourcroft Hotel, Tenby, on Friday, January 18, at 7 for 7.30 pm. The guest speaker will be Kevin Brennan MP for Cardiff North, Under Secretary of State for Children, Young People and families. Reservations and menus are available now, but must be returned to the treasurer or events secretary by January 4, 2008. For more information, tel. (01834) 842604.