Mrs. Eileen Algate, of Hill House, Amroth, wrote recently: "I was very pleasantly surprised when I received last November's Tenby Times. In Poets' Corner - chosen by Avis Nixon - was a poem entitled 'Dawn', by S. J., Amroth. This was written by my father, Stanley James (he died in 1960 aged 72 years), probably in the '30s, and published in the Narberth News" Eileen enclosed another poem, composed in July 1914 by her father, shortly before he served in the First World War. "'By the sea'," she said, "was written looking out over Carmarthen Bay, just before he joined the Royal Flying Corps, as a carpenter, planes being partly made of wood in those days."

BY THE SEA By Stanley James, Amroth

I love to sit in silence, When the daylight is departing To a land which lies from us so far away; And to watch, enrapt in wonder, Lying so reposed out yonder, The calm expansive waters of the bay.

For the silence lends enchantment To the peaceful summer evening, And I hear the gentle murmur of the bay; Then to my heart a-stealing Comes a cheerful, soothing feeling, As I watch the ripples with the shingle play.

Then I gaze in admiration Out towards the fair horizon, And a sight of nature's grandeur meets my eye; There the landscapes proudly loom Upwards through the gathering gloom, Showing forth their lofty splendour 'gainst the sky.

Oh! the beauty of such grandeur Fills my heart and soul with rapture, And I linger through the twilight into night; As the night goes on advancing, Still the scene grows more entrancing, Now the bay is radiant in its dancing light.

So I watch those lights a-dancing In this lonesome hour of silence, Silence gently broken by the murm'ring deep; Till my eyes have grown so weary, Making e'en this scene look dreary, So I wander home to rest in peaceful sleep.

SHANLY'S SOUTH BEACH PAVILION, TENBY By Avis Nixon, 2004

Once we had a palace set above the sea A palace of entertainment, Where we could take tea, Where lovers met to hold hands And enjoy each other's company, Where little children found delight, And adults relaxed and found respite.

(Twice a week we had new events)

Bing Crosby and Bob Hope Sang and danced along 'the roads', Errol Flynn and Alan Ladd Drew the crowds in hordes.

June Havers and Betty Grable Attracted all the troops, As they displayed their talents Singing and dancing in groups.

Stewart Granger and James Mason Gave us mystery and drama, Cowboys and Indians Gave us action and valour.

All that is left now are some steep steps, Set in the cliffside, and covered with flowers, A flower for each star, that graced our screen, We of our era, were so fortunate to have seen, Tenby Palace of Entertainment, Like no other has been.

SWANS DANCE (Prose or pure poetry?) By Avis Nixon, Tenby 2004

An evening walk in Pembroke Along the river bank. A miracle occurred I saw two swans dance.

The golden light on the water The wind, music through the trees, Below the castle walls I took my ease.

Of the many lovely swans Two took centre stage, And bowed their proud necks To each other, Curved their wings into fans And started to circle around and around.

This way and that way They swirled and they danced Embracing their partner Then turning away.

Flirting and courting On their mating day, As a privileged watcher I saw this display And I thanked God for the gift.

P.S. Has anyone else seen this phenomenon?