A message from the Mayor of Tenby, Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane

May I take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy New Year and say thank you all for your goodwill messages to the council and me?

May I also express my sincere appreciation of the efforts of my fellow councillors, local organisations and various individuals for their support so far and my earnest hope that this support will continue in 2014?

The turn of a New Year is always a time for reflection on what has gone before and it certainly was a busy time in Tenby last year with some of the best summer weather for a number of years, Wales and International Communities in Bloom success and a host of events and festivals, including us again playing host to the annual Ironman Wales contest.

However, a year end also gives us the chance to renew and refresh, to look forward with optimism and hope.

As we go forward into 2014, I think it is clear that there still may be some trying financial times ahead. Local government in Wales appears to have been pretty shielded from austerity cuts in recent years, but it is clear that next year belts will have to be tightened considerably.

Tenby won the bronze award for the best coastal resort in the UK at the National Tourism awards this year and we must all work together to ensure that Tenby is robust enough to weather the potential cuts to services and remain such a popular place to live in and visit.

Work is already underway to renovate the harbour and the tourist information centre/toilets outside the multi-storey car park. Plans are also in the pipeline for major refurbishments to the leisure centre and the creation of new English and Welsh medium primary schools. The Town Council is also working with Pembrokeshire County Council, the Chamber of Trade and Tourism, the Tenby Development Trust and individuals to look at further ways to regenerate and reinvigorate the town.

I have always said we are lucky to live in Tenby. Tenby is not like some big urban conurbation, we are a small town where everyone knows each other. We have a great sense of community, something that the Community in Bloom judges from the USA and Canada were greatly impressed with.

My hope for the new year is that we maintain that sense of community, that we all put aside any petty differences we may have and work in unison to achieve the very best for Tenby!

It's certainly going to be an exciting and challenging year and, as we go forward into 2014, may I conclude in wishing everyone a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

A message from the Mayor of Pembroke,

Clr. Keith Nicholas

2013 has been a good year for sprucing up Pembroke and having pride in our town. The Tudor Rose is looking splendid at the top of the town, with works now completed. Main Street has and is still undergoing regeneration work, with new shop frontages and residential paint schemes.

As a town council, we worked to have the summer flower baskets in place for the visitor season and the Christmas lights making a festive display for Christmas shoppers.

Being Mayor allows a unique opportunity to view the town from different perspectives and makes you aware of the community spirit in the town. There is so much undertaken by voluntary organisations and charity groups.

Karen and I were invited along to the Young at Heart Christmas Lunch and festivities, which was well supported by local senior citizens and organised by volunteers. We were also asked to judge the Christmas Tree Festival at Monkton Church. What a difficult task that was - all the trees were a credit to all the organisations and schools that had participated.

Thank you to all volunteers - you do so much that is not always noticed or appreciated. Keep up the good work for 2014.

Now on behalf of Pembroke Town Council, I wish everyone a healthy and prosperous new year - Happy 2014.

A New Year message from the Mayor of Narberth, Clr. Mrs. Ruth Platt

May I take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy and peaceful New Year.

As we go forward into 2014, I think it is clear that there still may be some trying financial times ahead and we must all work together for the benefit to Narberth.

We have an amazing town and I would like to thank all the organisations/charities for the events and activities they have put on throughout the year to make Narberth so special.

Narberth, I am sure, will keep striving through, as what we have on offer, with the unique and contemporary shops, there is no better town to visit.

Please support your local towns for the ensuing year.

On a final note to my consort Mike, fellow town councillors, family and friends and electors of the town, have a healthy and prosperous new year.

A message from the Mayor of Pembroke Dock, Clr. Jane Phillips

The turn of a new year is always a time for reflection and 2013 has been a very busy time for me when new projects and plans for the future have been laid down.

I have been privileged to be part of the 2014 Bicentenary Committee, and for the past two years or more have been planning various exciting events and activities to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Pembroke Dock.

I view these celebrations as not only drawing people's attention to our rich maritime history, but also as a doorway to the future prosperity of our town.

Recently, I was delighted to be asked to the opening of the new Mustang Marine building in the Dockyard, where the prospect of new jobs, both in the building of boats and also in the construction of turbines for the marine energy industry, is a reason for optimism.

Our Regeneration Town Team is now up and running and together with Pembrokeshire County Council we are working on ways to regenerate our town centre, to improve the infrastructure and the appearance of buildings to make Pembroke Dock an altogether better environment in which to live and work.

Indeed, I have already seen a difference and, together with the Chamber of Trade and Town Council, we are working together to attract new business and investment to Pembroke Dock.

Next year's celebrations will be a unique opportunity to promote our town, attract visitors and celebrate the history and achievements of my home town, Pembroke Dock.

May I wish you all a very happy and prosperous new year.

A message from the chairman of

the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, Clr. Mike James

The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority has enjoyed an exciting 2013, having hosted and been involved in a number of events that have helped highlight the beauty of the area and the important work the authority does to protect this special environment.

During the year, the authority supported events including the Urdd Eisteddfod, the Tour of Pembrokeshire Cyclo Sportive and Tenby's own Ironman Wales competition, all of which entertained many local people and attracted thousands more visitors to the area from far and wide.

The year began with the official re-opening of Carew Castle, following a period of major works in the off season, including the spectacular Lesser Hall roof renovation and the creation of a new Visitor Centre.

In October, the authority's popular retro railway poster campaign enjoyed success at the Chartered Institute of Marketing's Canmol: Wales Marketing Awards, taking first place in the Tourism, hotels, leisure, place and destination marketing, travel and transport category.

More recently, the value of Wales' National Parks to the Welsh economy was highlighted in an independent report, which found that the Pembrokeshire Coast and the surrounding area attracts 4.2 million visitors a year, supports around 7,000 jobs and contributes £187million to the Welsh economy.

This year was a bumper year for visitors to the National Park, with a 14 per cent increase in the recorded use of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path National Trail as well as increases at the Authority's visitor centres and attractions almost across the board.

There is no question that 2014 will be a challenging year, with all Local Government Authorities having to tighten their budgets. This presents us with opportunities for greater joint working with partner organisations and our fellow Welsh National Park Authorities. We are small public bodies sharing the same purposes: to protect and to increase awareness and understanding of Wales' precious landscapes, and we will continue to build on our proud history of working together.

I hope that you will take the opportunity to visit and explore more of your National Park in 2014 and experience the very best this special place has to offer.

On behalf of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority - members and staff - may I thank those groups and individuals who have supported us in our work and may I wish all readers of the Observer a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

A message from the chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Clr. Arwyn Williams

As I write the traditional festive message between Christmas and the New Year, I am aware of the economic challenges currently casting a shadow over Pembrokeshire.

The difficulties facing this country are having an impact everywhere - including our small corner.

Sadly, Pembrokeshire is not immune from the cuts and, along with other local authorities, we have to make considerable savings in our budget.

It behoves us all as County Councillors to put aside our petty differences to ensure that front-line services and the vulnerable among us are protected as much as possible.

But although we appear to be living through a bleak mid-winter, it is worth remembering that spring follows winter; and that people are working hard both locally, county-wide and nationally to improve conditions.

There has also been much to celebrate this year and to remind ourselves how fortunate we are to live in this beautiful part of the world.

In May, shortly after my installation as chairman, we welcomed thousands of people from all over Wales to the Urdd National Eisteddfod in Boncath in the north.

At that event, I was able to speak of the council's desire to spread the history and culture of the Welsh language to parts of Pembrokeshire not traditionally associated with it.

I was of course referring to our plans to introduce Welsh medium education in the Tenby area.

In September, I was privileged to witness human endeavour in its rawest form by handing out medals on the finishing line in Tenby to those competing in Ironman Wales - a gruelling event which makes those of us watching it both proud and humble at the same time.

During my year in office, ceremonial duties involve me meeting people from all walks of life - young and old alike - and they never fail to inspire me with their stories. Just to listen to them fills me with hope for the future.

And on that note of optimism, I wish you all a Healthy and Peaceful New Year.