TONIGHT (Friday), the Tenby and District Arts Club is delighted to announce the annual presentation by Margaret Acors, a long term member and friend of the club. Her theme this year is the Eastern Silk Road (writes P.M.).

Margaret really needs no introduction. A retired geography teacher from the Queen Elizabeth School in Carmarthen. An expert in her field and a super star with the camera. An intrepid traveller too, for many would not dare to tread some of those places she chooses.

I write this from personal experience. Many years ago your correspondent was hijacked into his school play 'Hassan' by James Elroy Flecker. Cast as a blind beggar with one leg. He had to sing. (This of course was a terrible bit of casting). The point being made is that the tragedy moved from Baghdad to Samarkand on the Silk Road where I was going to be executed and turned into mincemeat. The procession to the block was cleverly arranged behind a screen and therefore in silhouette. The movement on stage was named by Flecker as 'The Procession of Protracted Death'. The drums sounded a hypnotic fearsome beat. First formers in the audience had to be escorted out of the school hall terrified.

To this day, when I read of Samarkand, the hairs on my neck stand out. I only record this to emphasise Margaret Acors' bravery.

Clearly the annual Margaret Acors evening at the club is one of the club programme highlights of the year. A better travelogue than you will ever see on the television and you can visit Samarkand from the comfort of those wonderful chairs in the church hall.

Seven thirty tonight in St. Johns Church Hall, Warren Street, Tenby. £2 admission for members, £4 for non members. Refreshments are included in the price. Value for money for sure. Quite unbelievable value.

The next Friday 14th is St. Valentine's Day. The committee have designated it as a half-term holiday. No romanticism with this committee.