Tenby's long-serving town crier, John Thomas, was recently presented with a prestigious honour, when he received a 'medal of meritorious service' from the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers.
Mayor of Tenby, Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane, presented John with the award on behalf of the Guild's chairman, Anthony Evans, at a ceremony in the Mayor's Parlour last week.
The medallion is in recognition of all the hard work John has done for the Guild and the service he has given to the board. It is only the eighth time such an award has been handed out by the Guild.
John, who is now in his 28th year as town crier, was made a full member of the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers in 1988 and has served on its executive committee for many years.
"John has represented Tenby in many world, national and local town and city crier competitions over the years; he has won quite a few, but the object is not the winning, it is the participation and the promoting of your home town and country which John has done tremendously," said Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Lane, ahead of presenting John with the award.
"At the first world town crier competition John entered in the Isle of Wight in 1989 he met HM the Queen and Prince Philip. Some special memories that endure was travelling with John to the Epsom Derby with the then Mayor, Clr. Eileen Hodgson, to promote the horse 'Tenby' and spending a great day in the Queen's enclosure meeting lots of celebrities," she added.
"I've enjoyed every year as town crier of Tenby. I can't find anyone to come forward and replace me as of yet, but if they only knew how much fun it was, I'm sure they would jump at it," said John.