Sir,

Regular readers of the Tenby Observer will be aware that during the overlap June/July, St. Mary’s Church, Tenby, presented their annual Posy Festival.

This was a beautiful tradition and inspirational. This could be described in itself as a truly Christian act.

Each year, they further share any takings between two previously nominated charities.

On this occasion, the two charities were the Tenby Talking Newspaper (TTN) and Dementia UK.

Last Sunday, I had the privilege to receive a substantial cheque on behalf of TTN. Each Friday, we at TTN dispatch CDs to the 64 people on our mailing list - these recipients do not enjoy the gift of perfect sight.

The CDs are produced by each of five teams in rotation who edit the news (with permission of the Tenby Observer management), read it, record those readings, copy the master disc, and post the finished products, courtesy of Royal Mail, to those 64 people. Notwithstanding the purchase and maintenance of the necessary hardware, the weekly running costs of CD, label and strong envelope add up through a year to approximately £1,000.

The cheque presented to us from the ‘army’ of worker volunteers who presented the Posies’ display was for a huge £1,800 - enough to cover our expenses for almost two full years. Every one of our teams has been overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness, kindness and generosity of this gift.

Incidentally, one of our five teams comes wholly from the congregation at St. Mary’s.

The word ‘again’ in my heading is there because, earlier this year, I was invited to the church to receive £500 from the St. Mary’s ‘Soupermen’.

Thank you! Thank you, at least 64 times.

Newman Vincent,

for TTN.