Celebrations to mark the 40th anniversary of Texaco Pembroke Plant are already underway, but they will move up a gear when the annual charity weekend of family entertainment stages over Whitsun at the Follies Theatre, Folly Farm.

Announcing details, BBC 'Wales Today' anchorman Jamie Owen recently travelled back to his native Pembrokeshire, expressing delight that he would be able to take part in at least one of the events 'subject to some breaking news' that would keep him in front of the cameras back in Cardiff.

"Last year, I was almost within earshot of the fun at Folly Farm, but sea-borne off Caldey busy filming - so I'm really looking forward to the entertainment that has been, and is sure to be again, that all important ingredient," he said.

The Gala Charity Dinner 'Good Lord!', hosted by Lord Gordon Parry and fellow House of Lords guests, provides the 'filling in the sandwich' on Sunday, May 30, with a rich mix of music either side on Saturday and Monday, May 29 and 31.

The hugely impressive South Wales Male Choir, under Dr. Haydn James, takes to the stage first with their 'Sounds of Wales' concert with special guest violinist Texaco Young Musician of Wales 1999 Rakhi Singh. Two soloists in their own right - CMDC's St. Clears tenor Peter Totterdale and Neyland's Annmarie Riley - join for a duet that was recently performed 3,000 miles away in the US during the choir's tour to Georgia. Annmarie also sings with Cathead Dooly, the southern country rock band who, following popular acclaim, return to West Wales for the second time. Their concert on Bank Holiday Monday, 'Rebel Rock and Riley', is something Gordon Parry is really excited about.

"I've had it on really good authority from those who know the music business, that whilst we know Annmarie is a star-in-the-making with her own style, she can also sing with choirs and especially 'rock' with the best. The professional musicians of Cathead Dooly have been knocked out by her - as have the people of Macon, Georgia. Now West Wales has the chance to hear just how good Annmarie is. With additional concerts during early June in Tenby, Carmarthen and a Haverfordwest 'Hoe-Down', our chosen charities will really benefit financially from all this music-making," he said.

This year's beneficiary charities from Texaco's weekend of family entertainment include The Lady Taverners, St. John Ambulance, NCH Cymru, CMDC, Tenby Lifeboat and Wales Air Ambulance.

The 'Hoe Down' on Friday, June 4, at the Showground Pavilion, is dedicated to Lady Glenys Parry and is in aid of Withybush Hospital League of Friends and the Special Learning Centre at Pembroke School.