Sir,

Through your columns we would like to reply to Mrs. Ronowitz, whose letter regarding Saundersfoot's St. Nicholas Christmas Market appeared in last week's Tenby Observer.

Dear Mrs. Ronowitz,

On behalf of the Saundersfoot Chamber for Tourism, we welcome your input and hope you have the opportunity to join us and provide some 'new blood.'

Before you make a commitment, let us share with you what we do. Since November 1999, as a voluntary not for profit organisation, we have planned, organised and delivered:

11 Christmas Markets; 11 Cawl Cooking Championships of the World and Elsewhere; eight St. David's Day Markets; 18 Saundersfoot Scenes (free annual guide); two Daft Raft Races; six Halloween Trick or Treats; two Barn Dances; 12 New Year's Eve firework celebrations; four Christmas lighting of Saundersfoot, etc... details of further events are in the Saundersfoot Scene.

As a voluntary organisation, we spend over £32,000 each year to stage events for the benefit of our community. This money has been raised with the support of Saundersfoot Harbour Commissioners, the community and county councils, the Wales Government, members of the Chamber for Tourism, the community and the visitors to our events.

We would like to do better, but with financial constraints and the availability of the unselfish few, our resources and energy are limited. This year, our grant funding was withdrawn, which left us a shortfall of £10,000. Therefore, to ensure the survival of this event, we published and charged a modest £2 for unlimited re-entry over the three days. Other than a few expected negative comments, this was understood and well received.

To plan and organise the Christmas Market all work is voluntary; some individuals contribute over 100 unpaid hours and even make a financial contribution towards shortfalls. In addition, we meet and pay for all statutory requirements for licensing, health and safety, risk assessments, fire, environmental health and electrical testing certificates; hire marquees and repair all holes to the tarmac where the marquee is anchored; hire generators and heaters, barriers, display kitchens; we accommodate, feed and pay for professional presenters; promote and market the event; and collect all the rubbish and appropriately recycle 'chargeable trade waste'. The Christmas lighting for the village has been purchased and the annual cost to erect and dismantle is also paid for by the Chamber.

Therefore, before you criticise, condemn or complain, please canvass businesses that are not members of the Chamber for Tourism, who derive direct benefit from the extra visitors that come to the area. Spread the word that, because a few unselfish individuals contribute their time and efforts, the village of Saundersfoot is open for trade all-year-round, keeping people in employment with much-needed trade during the quieter Winter months and provide a source of joy to many.

Mrs. Ronowitz, we don't always get things right, but let me assure you, it's not for the want of trying; we sincerely do our very best. You are most welcome to join us, please get involved and we hope, thanks to your letter, that there is greater awareness of the hard work done by a dedicated few (again, for no individual gain), then encourage more people to get involved and become the much-appreciated 'new blood.'

Finally, our heartfelt thanks to all those who made this year's event a success and for the unanimous positive feedback and encouragement we have received. We do not operate in isolation and mutually support events in other communities for everyone's benefit; we are successful because we work in partnership.

May we take this opportunity to wish all readers a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

From the voluntary

committee and members

of Saundersfoot Chamber for Tourism.