I am honoured to have the opportunity to wish everyone a happy New Year on behalf of the town of Tenby.

We are fortunate to live in an extraordinary place where the beauty of our landscape is matched by a genuine sense of community and consideration for our fellow citizens. It is all too easy to forget that not everyone has the privilege of living in such an environment. I would like to thank everyone who has given their time, energy and commitment to the town and its people over the last year.

Naturally at the end of the year we pause to reflect. For many of us the last year will have been filled with highs and lows, gains and losses, joy and sadness. We remember with affection some of the people we have lost and the marvellous contribution they made to our town. Yet we also know that they would encourage us to go forward with a sense of optimism about our future.

2016 was another fabulous year for Tenby. We love our town and we share it with many visitors who bring so much to the town. Yet again we marvelled at the sporting events of Long Course Weekend, CARTEN, Ironman, Caldey Swim, Golf Open, Gold Gup and so many others. Tenby is truly an internationally recognised sporting venue and we look forward to more in 2017.

In 2016, the Mayoress Samantha Skyrme and I enjoyed a ‘staycation’ in Tenby. It was a lovely reminder of the ‘joy’ that locals and visitors alike can experience in our town. Splendid attractions are not just about our economy but also about our quality of life. We should celebrate them and the value that they all add.

Likewise, the year has seen the development of new businesses, shops and restaurants in the town. We applaud what they have achieved and wish them well in the year ahead. Let us ensure that in 2017, we ‘beat the drum’ and celebrate all that Tenby has to offer.

We are also grateful for the many activities and events that add so much to our town, including Tenby in Bloom, Tenby Arts Festival, Blues Festival and our fabulous Museum and Art Gallery to name but a few.

2016 also saw the introduction of free Wi-Fi into the town and it is right that all those involved are congratulated.

The year also saw the opening of the two new Schools in Tenby. New appointments mean that during 2017 all four of our Schools will have new leadership working with committed staff teams to provide the very best start for our young people. We wish them well in their mission.

However, reflection is only part of the New Year’s Feast. We also look forward with optimism about what the New Year will bring.

I enter 2017 feeling positive about the future of our town, its people and the community. It would be foolish to pretend that the New Year won’t bring new challenges but I believe we are well placed to respond to them.

I think 2017 will afford us new opportunities and we should embrace them. I believe that our challenge in the year ahead is to protect what is best about our town; to preserve what is important to us; and to enhance all that we have to create a better future.

I look forward to working with you on this aspiration.

As we all reflect and prepare for renewal, may I wish you a happy New Year.

God Bless

Clr. Laurence Blackhall

Mayor of Tenby