Now life has reassuringly returned to normal in Tenby and the surrounding area, the resort has benefitted from the visits of many holiday makers from all over Britain and beyond. 

During the summer of 2022 the Seaview car park was again extremely busy and takings were excellent. This is reflected in the very considerable donations to charities and local associations which have recently been made by St Mary’s church. As a Christian community, church members also continue to remain committed to maintain and enhance the beautiful church buildings within their care.

On Sunday, July 30, representatives of some of the groups which are receiving donations this year joined the 10am Holy Eucharist congregation and were presented with generous cheques, in order to support their ongoing work. Donations will be posted to those groups who were not able to be represented on Sunday. 

The administration of the charitable giving project requires very considerable effort and this is undertaken willingly each year by Rector’s Warden, Nicole Evans. She maintains that this is her very favourite task each year! 

With a few exceptions, the gifts have been awarded to local causes and those within Wales. St Mary’s Church views it as an enormous blessing to be in a position to acknowledge publicly the wonderful work carried out by a wide variety of charities and local establishments - and to support them by way of these contributions.

Charities and institutions in receipt of donations this year are: Tenby Church in Wales VC Primary School; PATH (formerly Pembrokeshire Care Society); Ty Hafan; Friends of the Community; Pembrokeshire Mind; The Samaritans; Salvation Army; Forget-me-Not of Neyland; The Wednesday Club (formerly Tenby Memory Café); Tenovus; Pembrokeshire Cancer Care; Pembrokeshire Voluntary Transport; Prostate Cancer Pembrokeshire; Crohns and Colitis Association; Smile Train; Crisis; Huntington’s Disease Association; the Stroke Association; Tenby Scout and Guide Hall; Tenby Sea Cadets; Tenby Army Cadets; Save the Children; Water Aid; The Red Cross; Kidney Research Foundation; Parkinson’s UK; Diabetes UK; Sandy Bears; Guide Dogs for the Blind; The Donkey Sanctuary; Motor Neurone Disease and Portfield Special School. 

The Deacon’s Fund, which is a special fund to support local people who are in personal need, has again gifted funds to Pembrokeshire’s two food banks, PATCH and Pembrokeshire Foodbank. The church also continues to support Christian Aid. 

It is believed that this charitable giving is an essential part of the church’s mission, and it is wonderful that a percentage of the revenue from the Seaview car park enables so many worthwhile causes to be helped.

The Rector, Reverend Canon Andrew Grace, offered prayers after the presentations had been made and asked for God’s blessing on the staff who work for the charities and associations and the recipients of their support.

At St. Mary’s preparations are in hand for the Church Fête, which will be held on Wednesday, August 9. As always, a variety of stalls and attractions will be sited within the church grounds. Refreshments will be available in Church House, where the ladies of the Mothers’ Union will be offering teas and coffees, along with their magnificent cakes and the chance of a relaxing break indoors. The Soupermen will also be present in abundance, catering for those wishing to sample their delicious hot food, straight from the barbecue.