Tenby’s newly elected Mayor has said that despite a challenging first term, it was uplifting to see the community spirit that came through during the pandemic, before looking ahead to a more positive year.

At Friday night’s remote Annual General Meeting of Tenby Town Council, Clr. Mrs. Sam Skyrme-Blackhall was officially sworn in as mayor for the second year running.

“Thank you for electing me as Mayor, it is a huge honour and I am grateful for your continued support,” the mum of four (and soon to be grandmother) told the meeting, before going onto thank a number of people, including town clerk Andrew Davies and assistant clerk Sharon Thompson.

“It has been a challenging year and they have shown their flexibility and adaptability to ensure that the town council continued to operate and also to provide much needed assistance to the community,” she continued.

The Mayor thanked Sergeant at Arms, Revd John Morgan; Sergeant at Mace, Denise Cousins, and Town Crier, Jim Cornwell who were installed in their respective rolls.

Appointed as Mayor’s Chaplain was Canon Andrew Grace; Clr. Laurence Blackhall as Mayor’s Consort; and Miss Saffron Evans as Deputy Mayoress.

The Mayor gave praise to Deputy Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Tracey Evans, who had worked beside her throughout her first year, stating that she looked forward to continuing to work with her.

“I would also like to thank the people of Tenby for their kind and generous support,” remarked the Mayor, whose day to day roll is working as a learning support assistant at Tavernspite School.

“It has been a difficult and a surreal year. I think as I have previously said, this year wasn't a time for handbags and glad rags but a time to roll our sleeves up to support our beautiful town, and it continues to be the case.

“Covid has brought the best out of many in our community and the true spirit of kindness has shone through.

“So many things that we take for granted we were unable to do - meeting, a hug or a kiss to a loved one was something we all missed and longed for.

“Many events that are a normal part of our calendar had to be cancelled. Hopefully they will return soon.

“But there are some things that Covid couldn’t stop, it couldn't stop people caring for each other; couldn’t stop people working hard to keep Tenby tidy and beautiful; couldn’t stop businesses innovating and going the extra mile to help their community, and by the way, if you want a message for the coming year then it is ‘shop local!’

“Covid couldn’t stop us enjoying our beautiful town - sometimes with a quietness that none of us had previously experienced. And crucially it couldn’t stop Santa arriving in Tenby and touring around the town’s streets to wish our children a Happy Christmas. Again thank you to all who made that possible.

“And Covid certainly couldn’t stop our special guest Wally the Walrus coming to visit us!

“So we look ahead to a more positive year in which some things become more normal, some things may be different and some things will change. But let us look after what is important from the past.

“Let us learn from the sense of community and caring during the pandemic. Let us value new and better ways of doing things.

“Let us work together on new ideas to make things even better in the future.

“And let us support people and place, our residents, businesses, visitors and our beautiful town.

“I received a best wishes card today from young Sam Fecci and family, it said - ‘Success is the fruit of good ideas pursued with energy, intelligence and determination’ - let that be our motto for the coming year,” added the Mayor.