Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council - Cllr Pat Davies has reflected on 2022 and the year ahead, in her New Year message..

“A very happy New Year to all readers of the Tenby Observer and my very best wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2023.

I hope you have enjoyed Christmas and are looking forward to what the new year will bring.

It has been an honour to be Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council since May and it has been a very busy period since the Council elections.

After many of the Chairman’s roles were curtailed by Covid-19 over the last couple of years for my predecessors, I have been lucky enough to get back to meeting people face to face and representing and celebrating everything good about Pembrokeshire.

I will briefly recap some highlights.

These include the World Rowing Coastal Championships in Saundersfoot, welcoming the Queen’s Baton Relay into Pembrokeshire and being invited to be part of the presentation of an OBE to a very deserving recipient.

Another special occasion was the visit of HRH The Princess Royal to Pembrokeshire, including the opening of the fantastic Haverfordwest High VC School.

It was an honour to welcome Her Royal Highness to the county so soon after the death of Her Majesty The Queen.

It had been my duty to read the Proclamation of the new King outside County Hall following Her Majesty’s death and while this was a solemn moment, it was one that will stay with me forever.

Over recent weeks I have been inviting groups of young people from across Pembrokeshire into the Chamber at County Hall.

I believe it is essential that the next generations learn more about democracy and I hope the visits will encourage them to get actively involved in the decision making process that will impact them as they grow up.

I repeat my best wishes for the coming year and I hope to meet many more of the warm Pembrokeshire public before I pass on the Chairman’s chains.”