Tenby firefighters have raised over £5,000 for various charities over the last 12 months.

During the year, the team from Tenby Fire Station have raised £1,000 for Tenby Ladies Circle's appeal for Ty Hafan and £1,047 for the New York Firefighters Appeal following the horrific events in the US on September 11.

However, the crowning moment came at their annual dinner at the Broadmead Hotel on Friday night when they handed over a magnificent £3,500 to the Firemen's Benevolent Fund as a result of their annual summer carnival.

The cheque was presented to Divisional Officer Harry Webber, by chairman of the Benevolent Fund, Firefighter Nicky Rees.

"This is my fourth year as chairman and it's certainly been a busy year," he commented.

"This year's carnival was very memorable and we were kept very busy, the atmosphere on the day was electric.

"The day was very enjoyable for all concerned and I would particularly like to congratulate the ladies who helped us for their excellent effort on carnival day. It just wouldn't be the same without them."

FF Rees also had a word of praise for his colleagues.

"Thanks for making my job so much easier, all your work at fund-raising is something to be proud of," he said.

DO Webber hailed the donation from the Tenby Station as "a fantastic effort."

"But it is not only that, it is a united effort," he said. "Everyone has worked together to raise that money."

DO Webber also praised the Tenby crew for their reliability.

"You all do a job of work, but you still respond when called upon," he said. "And the fact that you can still raise this substantial sum of money is something you can feel proud about, it is no mean feat.

"The town of Tenby can also feel proud of you and the public can be assured that, no matter how tired or exhausted these firefighters may feel after their day of work, the men of Tenby station will always respond when required, day after day, time and time again, and it is something we should all thank them for time and time again."

DO Webber also had a word of praise for Clive Webb, who was attending his last annual dinner in his capacity as Station Officer at Tenby.

"He is due to retire next year, but for the last 37 years he has put in tremendous effort as a firefighter in Tenby," he said. "Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week for the last 37 years, he has been there ready to respond when called upon. It is a monumental feat, and it is something he should feel very proud of."

Clr. Mrs. Tish Rossiter, in proposing the toast to the Tenby firefighters, thanked the crews for their efforts.

"Firstly, I must thank the Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown, for missing her train from Cardiff, which has enabled me to be here in her place tonight," she smiled. "I feel very honoured to be here, because the town of Tenby is very, very proud of you all."

SO Webb said that while he welcomed new firefighters Andrew O'Hagen and Neil Powling to their first annual dinner, it was also a sad occasion for him as the crew had to say goodbye to Firefighter Malcolm 'Mac' Waring.

"For over 20 years Mac has been a member of the retained service in Tenby. I've never seen him wear a hat yet, and now I probably never will!" smiled SO Webb.

"In the 15 years that I have been Station Officer, I have never had any trouble with Mac. He may not always have made the first pump, but he was always there for the second, which is vital, particularly as more and more of our calls require two engines, and he could always be relied upon to do a fine job.

"He never turned up for carnival day - he always joked that we wouldn't want to see him because it meant that the weather was too bad for the Caldey boats! But he helped our fund-raising in so many other ways and was always there driving the pump when it came to our sponsored walks.

"I'm very sorry he has had to leave. It's always sad to have to say goodbye to a firefighter, but this is even sadder, as I know I'm next in line!" he smiled.

SO Webb presented FF Waring with a commemorative barometer.

SO Webb then turned to the fund-raising efforts of the crew over the year.

"The carnival was not all we raised money for this year," he reminded everyone.

"We raised £1,047 for the New York Firefighters Appeal and £1,000 for Tenby Ladies Circle's Ty Hafan Appeal.

"It's been a really busy year and the carnival's £3,500 is a tremendous amount to collect in virtually one day.

"However, as you see, it's not only the carnival we support. The call on the fire brigade in Tenby over 12 months is very great indeed and the support I get from you, the crews, is second to none."

SO Webb, after reminiscing about some of the previous dinners and carnivals he had attended in his 37 years as a retained fireman in the town, then presented DO Webber with a framed painting of Tenby by Graham Hadlow in recognition of his 10 years service as supervisory officer for Tenby.

SO Webb also welcomed the town's new supervisory officer, Station Officer Peter Barker, to the annual dinner.

Following the toast to absent friends by Firefighter Jeremy Lees, the party continued long into the night to the disco sounds of Robert Mayhew.