The Mayor of Tenby has hit back at criticism aimed at the town’s recent Christmas festivities, which saw ‘thousands of people’ join in the festive fun in Tudor Square.

The town’s Christmas Festivities Committee (which is made up of members of the Town Council and Tenby Chamber of Trade and Tourism), Tenby Round Table and Tenby RNLI all joined forces to ‘launch’ the start of the Yuletide season in the resort recently, with the day beginning with the ever-popular Santa Run, before a feast of entertainment was served up in the square - featuring music and a flurry of fake snow - building up to Santa arriving via lifeboat to turn on the lights on the town’s Christmas tree with the Mayor.

A letter from one business owner in the town that came before members of the town council at their meeting on Tuesday night, did not feel the Christmas spirit of the event however.

“I am unaccustomed to complaining, but the opening Christmas festivities in our town were woeful and badly organised in my opinion, sadly,” wrote Charles Fecci, of Lower Frog Street.

In his letter, Mr. Fecci went on to complain about a lack of advertising for the event, both in the local press and on radio, whilst also pointing out that the day clashed with popular annual festivities taking place in Saundersfoot and Haverfordwest.

He also stated that there had been no mention of D. Fecci and Sons Fish and Chip Shop’s snow display held on the same day in the pre-publicity.

“Perhaps if we have ours next year in the last week of November and beat the others to the punch so to speak, with a little better organisation and communication,” added Mr. Fecci, who also felt the town’s Christmas lights needed an ‘upgrade’.

Responding to the correspondence, Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane, told her fellow councillors that she was very sad to receive a letter like this, when the Christmas festivities had gone off so well.

“This is absolutely disgraceful, to slag us off like this is dreadful, and all those involved in the Christmas Festivities Committee who work really hard to plan and put on this event for the town!” she remarked.

“The Town Council, Chamber of Trade, RNLI, Round Table, Fire Station, and De Valence Trust all get together throughout the year to sit around the table and plan this.

“We do it for the benefit of Tenby and the businesses in the town, so how dare he of all people criticise us!

“It’s all organised on a shoestring budget, and we do not charge anyone to come into the town that day for this event. It all went off well and there were thousands of people in Tenby that day.

“Saundersfoot traders all paid to support the feature in the local press with their adverts, so I suggest that if the trade’s people of Tenby want to do the same to support something similar in the paper, then it’s totally up to them,” added Clr. Mrs. Lane, with her colleague Clr. Mrs. Tish Rossiter agreeing.

“Does he realise how much it would cost to upgrade the town’s Christmas lights?” she remarked.

“Those that put the lights and decorations up and look after the upkeep and maintenance of them do a magnificent job.

“Why not come and join the town council, Mr. Fecci, if you have got so much to say, and put your money where your mouth is!” added Clr. Mrs. Rossiter.