Although it was one of the wettest in living memory, South Pembrokeshire Hunt Week has been hailed as one of the best yet.

"Although the weather did reduce the number of riders at some of the meets, we had excellent support, making it one of the best ever," said Hunt week chairman, Mr. Dennis Reed.

Hunt Week kicked off on the Monday with a meet at Shipping Hill Farm, Manorbier, where a large gathering of riders revelled in the dry conditions to enjoy a good day's hunting and the very warm and generous hospitality of Phil and Jan Mathias

The fun continued in the evening with the annual charity quiz at Swallow Tree Gardens, Saundersfoot, under the watchful eye of quizmaster Roger Knight and his wife, Maxine, as scorer.

Retaining the splendid Hancock Shield with their second successive win - their seventh victory in 11 years - was the 'Law and Order' team captained by Mr. Peter Williams, who donated their £100 prize to LATCH, Hunt Week's elected charity.

Tuesday saw the first performance of the ever-popular Hunt Variety Show, held for the 15th successive year at the RAOB Club, Kilgetty.

With one of Pembrokeshire YFC's most outstanding members, Mr. Delme Harries, lending a hand with the production, the large audience certainly appreciated the usual blend of fun and music.

The weather was rather unkind for the planned meet at Trevayne Farm on the Wednesday morning, with frequent downpours limiting the field to just 15 riders, but those who braved the elements still reported an enjoyable day with excellent hospitality.

The Merlewood Hotel, Saundersfoot, was the venue on Wednesday for a cheese and wine evening.

Over 300 items of hunting, point-to-pointing and equestrian memorabilia and photographs were on display, while the highlight of the evening had to be the special 'This is Your Life' on well-known hunting character Mr. Haydn Morgan.

Haydn was surprised to see several old 'friends' (looking suspiciously like Hunt Week committee members and friends) appearing to recount stories about him during the spoof, but gave as good as he got to make for an excellent evening.

Thursday saw a full house for the second performance of the Variety Show, while everyone took a well deserved break from the festivities on the Friday.

Saturday again dawned wet and gloomy for the final meet of the week at East Tarr, but the good turnout and the warm hospitality of Mrs. Heather Williams and family, ensured another successful day.

During the ride, the Howells Trophy for the best turned out junior combination rider and pony went for the second year running to Laura Elliot and Pongo.

In fact, it was the fifth time in a row that Pongo had scooped the prize, as he also picked up the prize three times as the mount of Laura's sister Jane.

The undoubted highlight of the week, however, was the Hunt Ball, held once again at an albeit newly-furbished Kiln Park.

Mr. Reed described the evening as "one of the classiest Hunt Balls yet," with 513 guests enjoying an excellent three-course meal prepared to exacting standard by Judy Lewis and her wonderful band of helpers, before everyone danced the night away to the sounds of Charm and the Edward James Disco.

The Hunt Week fun and festivities concluded on Tuesday with the annual charity variety show at the RAOB Club, Kilgetty.

This year, the night was in aid of the Phoebe Munro-Goddard Fund for LATCH (Llandough Aims to Treat Children with cancer and leukaemia with Hope), and to the delight of the cast and committee the magnificent total of £1,064 was raised.

The cheque was presented to Mrs. Gill Priestland, who helped set up the fund-raising after two-and-a-half-year-old Pheobe was diagnosed with leukaemia earlier this year.

"This was a fabulous total, and was a brilliant conclusion to what was another excellent week," said Mr. Reed.