The first fund-raising event in the 10th year of the Tenby Arts Festival took place last Saturday at Welston Court, Milton, by kind permission of Professor and Mrs. Anthony Campbell.

The internationally renowned Romanian concert pianist Luminita Berariu, who has performed in major venues throughout the world and appeared several times at the annual Tenby festival, returned to entertain Friends of the Festival.

With her deft touch and sympathetic interpretation of the music, she delighted a capacity audience with a lively programme of Schubert, Franck and Enescu. The event certainly justified the effort needed to bring her from Bucharest and raised much needed funds for this year's festival.

The evening was organised by the festival committee and finished with a buffet supper and prize draw. It gave the committee a chance to reveal their ideas for this year's festival which will be held from September 21 to 29.

The highlights will include an evening with Sir John Mortimer (creator of Rumpole), Joanna David and Rohan McCullogh, a concert from The Cardiff Philharmonic, ballet from 'Diversions,' songs from Cor Meibion and a concert by Ysgol Greenhill Orchestra, fresh from their tour of the USA, conducted by Grant Llewellyn.

It is also hoped to hold a Japanese themed day with demonstrations of culture (e.g. Ikibana) and performances from Japanese musicians. All this will be in addition to regular and popular items such as Tenby Male Choir, poetry and music from the brothers on Caldey Island and street and beach events.

September is a long way away so, as last year, the committee will be holding a summer event with a free Bandstand Bash on Bank Holiday Monday, May 28, when up to eight local groups, including Voodoo Armpit, Brewster, 8 Ball and Bluestone, will play from 2 pm to 10 pm on Castle Hill.

The Tenby Festival gets bigger every year with something for everyone, so keep an eye on the press for full details.