Chairman’s Welcome
The 20th anniversary of the Tenby Arts Festival began with a swing as the exciting opening events took place in the harbour. It ended in a swinging finale with the sounds of Acker Bilk raising the roof at Folly Farm.
The week was approached with a certain amount of trepidation in view of the current financial situation but it turned out to be a star studded week with good audiences and a very high standard of performance from all the participants. There are always highlights that shine above the others and I think the accolades this year must go the eclectic young couple of percussionists O Duo, to Rohan McCullough with her sensitive performance of My Darling Clemmie and the outstanding playing by Llyr Williams of the Liszt sonata.
The Festival has had to say goodbye to two of its committee members whose input will be a hard act to follow. Elfrida Jones has produced the programme for six years and raised its profile to a new high level. Edna Greenhalgh has asked for a time away from the committee due to work pressure but we wish her well especially with her newly acquired husband.
It was with great regret that the death was announced of The Reverend Christopher Lunn who has organised the rota of stewards for a number of years and our condolences go to his wife Diana who has taken the festival minutes with great precision until asking to be relieved of this particular task only recently.
But the Festival goes on and plans for next year are under away. The last Saturday will see the spectacular group known as Red Priest and there is one event that the Tenby Festival can never be without and that is Tenby Male Voice choir. This year saw a splendid audience of well over two hundred people and the rising star Lily Whitehurst.
The most important point of this message is, of course, the dates of next year’s festival so out with your diaries and make sure that the week starting Saturday September 22nd to Saturday 29th are kept free for this exceptional week of entertainment.
See you there.
Rosemary Rhys Davies
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