IN MEMORIAM

Sir,

Seen now from a distance - and memory serves it cold - the day comes back in black and white as knots of figures, Lowrie-like, along the High Street gather.

No smiles. Today all speak in hushed tones. No bell tolls. But today Tenby has lost a good friend.

Life in the town will change. Woolies are no more - they have closed.

And to a man, the town is the pall bearer.

IN RETROSPECT

How easy it is to take for granted that we have at any given time. The joy that was Woolworths in Tenby was ours by right, wasn't it? It fitted snugly, didn't it? It was always there, the hub of the town.

On rainy days, Woolies fine! A Tenby feelgood factor, whether for looking, browsing, buying, meeting, fixing for coffee, lunch.

"Seen Trevor today?" Snatches of conversation. Dai says, "I'll have 'em this afternoon!"

At Christmas, an Aladdin's Cave, aisle after aisle, a multicoloured wonderland, thronging with excited kids, family and friends, all hustle and bustle. Hold on, there's Sue and Caroline and "Hi Roy" - "Got a good 'un last week Ken." Well now, there's posh, Mayoral royalty!

Now let's see, I just want to ... "Yep saw Yobbler a bit ago in T.P.'s. And now looking for presents with Lorraine.Oops! there's Sandy. Quick, duck down by Pick and Mix, keep it out of sight. And... Well met Laurie - "the show's tomorrow." Good! "Hi Mig," unmistakable gold tooth flashing as he smiles. "We Welsh have got to stick together!"

Many I am sure will have their own memories, but what heady days they were.

Tenby Woolworths was, I remember being told, the most profitable branch store in Wales, and a store it was, but it was much more, and if ever a blue plaque were in order, then outside the old Woolies store it would be hung and writ large, it would say: 'Here once, in this place, did the heart of community dwell and thrive'.

Ken Fryer,

7 Seascape,

Tenby.