Tenby councillors have said that they are on board with the idea of a ‘Firefighters Centenary Carnival’ week in 2019, featuring events to commemorate the 100th anniversary.

Local firefighter Lee Simmons met with members of Tenby Town Council at their meeting on Tuesday night regarding plans by the local fire crew for a countdown to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the retained firefighters’ longstanding and very popular carnival.

Lee has been appealing through the Observer in recent weeks to all and everyone, from locals to retired fire service families and anyone who could help assist in the project he is currently putting together.

He explained to councillors that it’s hoped that by next year, the organisers of the event will be able to produce a ‘carnival times’ booklet, with all monies raised to go to the Firefighters Charity, so part of his appeal is focusing on finding as many carnival photos of interest, information, any anecdotes or short stories relating to previous carnivals that could be featured.

The Mayor of Tenby, Clr. Mrs Sue Lane, said that the town council would give their ‘full backing’ to the project and support the firefighters in any way that they could.

“There’s no reason why Tenby in Bloom can’t produce a few displays to support the carnival anniversary event,” she said, with a red and yellow floral fire theme suggested and even a ‘carnival week’ with events leading up to the main day, which would be Wednesday, August 7, in 2019, with scope for other local organisations and schools to get involved.

“The people of Tenby have contributed to the carnivals tremendously down the years, so this would be something we can give back to Tenby in our anniversary year, as the carnival has always been about bringing the town together,” explained Lee.

It was suggested that perhaps a ‘centenary carnival committee’ be set up, with representatives from all organisations on board meeting up for future discussions.

Anyone wishing to contact Lee can email him at [email protected], call 01792 705160 Pembrokeshire County Command Haverfordwest or (01834) 842222 Tenby Fire Station (Tuesday between 6-9 pm) or find them on Facebook at ‘Tenby Fire Station’.