When the town council revealed that Tenby was in danger of not having a Christmas tree erected this winter, putting on its best Santa suit and joining in with the notion that 'Christmas is a time for giving', the Tenby Observer decided to do a spot of early Yuletide shopping, by donating a festive tree as a gift to the town. Clerk to the council, Mr. Andrew Davies, revealed to councillors at Tuesday night's meeting that unfortunately the town would not be having its usual Christmas tree donated this year and they would have to consider funding one themselves. However, this was not deemed viable by many councillors, as they had already only budgeted to fund the cost of the Christmas decorations and lights throughout the town. So, unless they could find a benefactor, there was a real possibility of there being no tree as the centrepiece in the town this winter. Showing its festive spirit, the Observer was only too happy to help out. As general manager Clare Townend explained: "We are very pleased to have the opportunity this year to provide a Christmas tree for the town. We hope it will give pleasure to all of Tenby's Christmas shoppers." Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane was delighted with the gesture. "It's becoming harder and harder every year to fund all the town's festivities, and after taking over from the Tenby Chamber of Trade and Tourism in running the Christmas lights, it was simply going to be too expensive to fund a tree as well," she said. "Tenby Town Council are absolutely thrilled with what the the Observer has done and we're all very appreciative." Where the Christmas tree will be displayed has yet to be decided, as the town's head gardener has suggested that its position of the last couple of years, in the grounds of St. Mary's Church, might not be prominent enough, but the tree will be up and fully decorated by the day of Tenby Winter Carnival, on Saturday, December 4.
