Sir,

The Tenby and District Arts Club has recently celebrated its 70th anniversary. On December 12, 1947, one hundred people attended the first meeting at ‘The Peerless Hotel’, Tenby. The aim of the organisation was ‘ to bring the arts to the public in small communities; ‘ the arts being, music, drama, fine and graphic art.

Wilfred Harrison, historian, musician, town councillor and founder of ‘The Tenby Orchestra, ‘was elected as its first chairman. Other founder members comprising the inaugural committee were: Dorothy Morse Brown, Major Herbert Allen, Mr. P. Walker, Arthur Richards, J. Nicholas, A. Leach, Mary Griffiths, Albert Bevan, Roy Davies, Geoffrey Roberts, Mrs. Bush Harris and Mrs. Fenning .

Over the decades, numerous well-known guests from the world of ‘the Arts’ have been worthy contributors to the weekly meetings between October and March. One such guest was Dylan Thomas who attended on two occasions. The first in 1949 when he delivered ‘ A poet’s talk to the Arts Club’, and in 1953, the last year of his life, when he gave a public reading of ‘Under Milk Wood.’

The Arts Council of Wales has been a constant source of artists steeped in drama, poetry and music and continue to provide their ‘Night Out Scheme’ supported by the county council. The club continues its aims to promote the wealth of local and national talent in its provision of evenings of entertainment and themes of interest.

Our gratitude is expressed to Mark Lewis, curator of Tenby Museum, who mounted an exhibition of Dorothy Morse-Brown’s artwork to commemorate our anniversary and to pay tribute to a founder member who had significantly contributed to highlight and display art within the club and the town.

On behalf of the Tenby and District Arts Club, I should like to express our appreciation for the dedication, and loyalty of all the past and present officers, committee members and general members who have determinedly given their support to enable the continuity of the original aims. We look forward to welcoming new members and encouraging the arts for a considerable time to come.

Kathleen Brown,

Chairperson,

Tenby and District Arts Club