Over 15,000 people made their way to Pembroke Castle’s Christmas Market last weekend, which hosted a range of different stalls selling jewellery, food, drink, crafts, and fashion.
The market was kicked-off by Lamphey Primary School on Friday morning, with the market being officially opened by the Deputy Town Mayor, Linda Brown, at 10 am, followed by performances from St. Teilo’s Catholic Primary School, Penrhyn Church in Wales VC School, and Golden Grove Community School.
Everyone gathered inside the castle to see Santa arrive in Pembroke on Friday night. A spotlight lit up the sky from the castle walls, and everyone strained to be the first to see Santa fly in, or be the first to hear his sleigh bells. Santa landed right on top of the Great Keep, and abseiled down, before greeting everyone with his elves, hopping back on his sleigh, and travelling through Pembroke to switch on the town’s Christmas lights, and hand out gifts to the children.
On Saturday and Sunday, lots of children handed in their Christmas lists to him in his grotto in the castle.
Santa said: “Climbing down the castle’s Keep is great practice for all those chimneys! I can’t wait to visit the children of Pembroke again on Christmas Eve.”
The rest of the weekend saw performances from St. Mary’s Pembroke Handbell Ringers and Castle Brass.
The castle would like to thank Valero and the town council for their support, and also all of the staff, contractors and volunteers who helped throughout.
Pembroke Castle is already looking forward to next year’s Christmas Market, and will be taking applications for stalls in the New Year.
The next big event to take place at Pembroke Castle will be their annual Rock the Castle weekend, which will see performances from The World Famous Elvis Show starring Chris Connor on June 15, and the world’s most successful reggae band, UB40, on June 16. Tickets for the concerts went on sale at the start of the Christmas Market, and are available from the castle’s gift shop, and online at www.pembrokecastle.co.uk, where you can also find more information about the concert weekend.
Pics. Martin Cavaney Photography