Sir,

The De Valence Pavilion's Board was delighted with the decision by Tenby councillors to continue their generous financial support.

Now cracking good shows, concerts, plays, musicals, exhibitions, family nights, weddings, yoga, ballroom dancing, Salsa, rock 'n' roll and youth work are safe. As are all the other many events we want to stage for the people of Tenby and for the visitors.

We can now go from strength to strength.

Councillors tell us they were persuaded to make the grant in the light of growing support from the public over the last six months. Quite simply, the community has revitalised the pavilion's finances with their letters of support in your columns, but more importantly with their attendance at the events themselves.

The building has been used much more than previously, and the board promises that this surge of use will become even stronger in the future. A stacked programme of events to suit all tastes will come your way. You can look forward to them.

We have a talented director in Victoria Smathers. She's drawn praise from everyone for improving the pavilion. But Victoria couldn't have done it alone, and she's quick to praise her team and the growing number of unpaid volunteers who signed up over the last year.

Without their help, the bar would be deserted, nobody would take tickets, shift chairs, clean the floor and show people to their seats. Volunteers have helped promote scores of events by handing out flyers and persuading friends and neighbours to support us.

The board is deeply grateful to these hard-working men and women, whose cheerfulness and efficiency have encouraged our growing audiences. We hope more of you can join them.

In respect to these volunteers and their terrific community spirit, we on the De Valence Board pledge that not a penny of the grant from Tenby Town Council will be wasted.

Every expense will be spared. But at the same time we will smarten up the venue, so that it is - once again - the envy of Pembrokeshire.

The town council took some time to reach their decision. Quite right. They're caring for your money. They left no stone unturned in making sure that the De Valence is a viable proposition. We had no doubts. But now it's up to myself and fellow trust members to live up to their expectations. And we will.

Mike Neal,

Chairman of De Valence Trust.