Tenby’s Mayor has sent a Christmas and New Year message for the people of Tenby - looking back at a difficult year, but also looking forward to more positive times in 2021, and hopefully re-establishing many events next year that were unable to take place over the pandemic - with the words of Dame Vera Lynn, ‘We’ll meet again’ - giving hope for the future.

“I think it is fair to say that none of us are going to forget 2020 in a hurry. I am equally sure that we are all ready to welcome 2021 with hope for the future,” said Tenby’s Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Sam Skyrme-Blackhall.

“As 2020 started and fireworks were launched from Tenby House Hotel, I do not think that anyone could have imagined the year ahead.

“Although it has been challenging for so many people, I believe there are lots of things to celebrate about the year we leave behind. Tenby has always been a lovely community where we look out for each other.

“This was so strongly demonstrated during the first lockdown. Not just clapping for Carers but people volunteering and offering real support to the vulnerable and isolated in our Town.

“We saw businesses pull out all of the stops to get vital supplies to people and we saw many acts of real kindness. I want to thank everyone who looked out for others in these extraordinary times.

“We also saw our Town in a very different way. Glorious weather from Easter into May gave us a rare and slightly surreal glimpse of our sun drenched Town almost entirely empty, devoid of visitors and sometimes eerily silent.

“Of course we are a visitor economy and always ready to welcome people but in difficult times our isolation in this beautiful place was sometimes strangely reassuring.

“Naturally we want to get back to being a busy and bustling Town, welcoming visitors when it is safe to do so.

“That will happen in 2021 and I think we need to be prepared for an extended season whenever that starts. Tenby is not only a town for all seasons but is also a destination that truly offers something for 365 days of the year,” she continued.

“We look forward to the many events re-establishing themselves next year.

“Long course weekend, Ironman, Carten, Blues Festival, Arts Festival, Spectaculars and so many more events have become fixtures in our calendar. They will be again.

“Similarly many of us have missed our social activity, our meetings, our Church activities, our sport, our societies and our clubs. But to take the words of Dame Vera Lynn, ‘We’ll meet again’.

“Thinking of meeting again, inevitably at this time we think of those we have lost during the last year. Sadly too many to list.

“In a difficult year, Tenby has lost some great servants to our community; people who gave their time and their energy to make this a better town and a better community.

“May we commit in 2021, in what will still be difficult times, to honour their memory by pledging to work together for our town, our community and each other.

“Take care, look out for other and stay safe. Here is to 2021 and the wonderful people of Tenby,” added Tenby’s Mayor.