Sir,

I would like to express, through your 'paper, my sadness at what appears to be wildly misplaced Mayoral covetousness pertaining to recent Renaissance events at the De Valence Pavilion.

The suggestion that 'private' non Town Council organised events are making 'vast profits' is at best ill-informed and at its worst perhaps a damning indictment of the approach, in recent years, to providing quality entertainment for residents of Tenby and surrounding areas and, of course, visitors.

If Renaissance was driven by profit, there would be one per month, and tickets to see a live band and enjoy six hours of quality dance floor filler tunes, chosen by those present, would still be a bargain if the price was raised to £10 per person.

Anyone who knows me will know, without question, that the whole Renaissance ethos puts people before profit. The idea was born out of what is best for Tenby and, in particular, our absolutely wonderful venue, steeped in memories for so many people, at the De Valence Pavilion.

For the record, Renaissance is successful, and will continue to be successful, because of its non-compromising attention to detail with a forward vision of continuous improvement under its simple but effective mission statement of 'Right People, Right Place, Right Time, Right Tunes.'

No expense is spared in order to achieve these aims and, after costs for hall hire, donation to Cancer Research UK, the band, the DJs, sound engineer, hall designer, website designer, high spec. ticket and poster design and production, security, etc., the net profit would blush with embarrassment at the suggestion of being vast!

What little net profit remains is put back into ensuring Renaissance remains fresh and innovative.

Nobody would like to see the De Valence being run in an effective, considerate and visionary manner more than me, because I too am a consumer of culture and entertainment and I wish the Town Council and whatever group is set up to take the De Valence forward good luck for the future.

I would like to thank Clr. Mike Evans, Clr. Christine Brown and town clerk Andrew Davies, who continue to show their support for Renaissance, which also brings additional hotel, pub and restaurant business into Tenby.

Whilst I couldn't possibly aspire to an accolade such as 'Mr. Tenby', a title rightly afforded to the late great Denzil Griffiths, please be assured that my love and affection for our wonderful town, and the equally wonderful folk from Tenby and surrounding areas, is the driving force behind all attempts to pick Tenby up off the canvas where it had been battered and bruised, from an entertainments perspective, way beyond the 10 count.

Nicky Lloyd,

Renaissance.