The weatherman was wrong and the sun shone for the Summer Lunch Party organised by the Tenby and District branch of the Labour Party. A large crowd of members and supporters enjoyed an excellent lunch prepared by a now expert team. For the last four years, the garden of hosts Marjorie and Malcolm Bevan has been the venue for this successful event.

Nick Ainger MP, with his wife Sally, and constituency chairman Ceinwen Were attended the lunch on Sunday, July 4.

After the gathering had enjoyed a glass of punch, a two-course lunch and a few glasses of wine, junior member Lara Thomas was called upon to draw the House of Commons two prize numbers and 16 lucky tickets for the bumper raffle.

Morfydd Bonnin (Saundersfoot) and Dave Were (Pembroke) won the House of Commons wine. Lots of smiling faces carried away the prizes so generously donated by members.

Nick Ainger MP said how much he enjoyed this summer event and thanked the hosts for all their work and organisation. He discussed the results of the county council and European elections in detail, analysing geographical voting patterns on 'non-local' issues, where Labour still showed its strength in the re-election of MEPs Eluned Morgan and Glynis Kinnock. He did not yet know the date of the 2005 General Election, but early summer was expected. Preparations were already in hand and Tenby and district were well ahead with their new campaign committee. He congratulated the branch on their interesting programme of monthly meetings, their increasing membership and very successful fund-raising.

Chairman Mollie Neate thanked the large number who had attended the local branch summer function, the many people who had helped cook and serve the meal, decorate the garden and garage so festively and arrange the garden furniture. She particularly thanked Marjorie and Malcolm for the use of their lovely garden and the hard work involved.

Other than the constituency meeting at Narberth on Friday, July 30, there will be no further meetings this summer. The next branch meeting will be on Saturday, September 18, at 10.45 am for 11 am at St. Teilo's Church Hall (opposite Five Arches), Tenby. Guest speaker will be Nick Ainger MP, who will give a full Westminster update at 11.30 am.

More information from Mollie (tel: 01834 843147), Marjorie (842604) and Norman (811737).