While the abnormally unseasonable weather may have deterred some, thousands still flocked to Tenby Harbour on Sunday for the first of Tenby Round Table's ever-popular Summer Spectaculars. "I think we'd be stretching it a bit if we claimed it was our best ever, but we're still absolutely delighted with the turnout, given the weather nationally," said Table chairman Andrew Davies. "It was such an unsettled day, yet thousands of locals and visitors alike still turned up to join in the fun and raise money for local charities and good causes." Always one of the highlights of Tenby's summer scene, the Greens Motors sponsored first spectacular had plenty to occupy all the family during the afternoon, with a packed programme, including the zany antics of Folly Farm's resident clown Chunkie Russell, displays of dancing from the Pembrokeshire County Dance School and the Hynes School of Irish Dancing and a super live performance from young singing star Cherie Morgan. Folly Farm kindly allowed Chunkie to stay on hand throughout the afternoon with his circus skills workshops where the young - and not so young - could try their hand at plate spinning and tossing diablos, while DJ 'Wacky' Wayne Wharton emceed proceedings and kept the party atmosphere bubbling all day in his own inimitable style. Thrills followed with another impeccable display of cliff rescue skills by Tenby coastguard, before all eyes turned to the skies with the arrival of John Taylor for an air display involving all manner of death-defying aerobatics above the natural amphitheatre of North Bay. New Tenby lifeboat, the Haydn Miller, proved an impressive sight as it rolled town the slipway of the boathouse, before the party continued with an eclectic mix of live music from popular soloist Gary Gary, the newly-formed local band The Lost Boys and one of the county's top Mod/Punk tribute bands The Informers, before the traditional climax of the event, a spectacular firework display by Fantasia Fireworks, which has been hailed as one of the best in the event's 30-year history. In addition to all the live entertainment, there were all the usual side shows and stalls managed by local charities, bouncy castles, face painting by kind permission of Heatherton, refreshments, including pig roasts, burger stalls and a licensed bar, and more. The two annual summer spectaculars are Tenby Round Table's main fund-raisers for the year, with all money raised being donated to local charities and organisations for the benefit of the local community. "My fellow Tablers and all our volunteers worked tremendously hard, both in the build-up to, and during, the event, and I must thank them all for all their efforts," said Andrew. "May I also thank everyone else involved and all our sponsors, particularly our main sponsors, Greens Motors, for their support. Thanks also to everyone in and around the harbour for their tolerance in allowing us to stage the events once again," he continued. "No-one seemed to let the weather dampen their spirits and while we may have been a bit down on numbers, there was still a cracking crowd who all seemed to enjoy themselves. "We can't rest on our laurels, however, and there's just over a week to go to the next one on August 5," Andrew added. "We've got even more of a packed programme lined up for that one, including Chunkie's Magic Show, a display by Dansation, in addition to the Pembrokeshire County Dance School and the Hynes School of Irish Dancing, two live sets each from bands Deep Joy and Strictly Business, and the big stage debut of up-and-coming young local band Youngstaz. "As well as everything we had at the last event, there will be even more stalls, Will Curtis - who put on such a memorable air display at last year's second event - will be back again and Richard and Jo Cameron, of Firework Effects, will be rounding off the evening this time around, so come along, join in the fun and let's make it another bumper year for a lot of worthy charities and local good causes."
