Dear Saundersfoot residents and visitors - I have always been proud to serve as Saundersfoot’s County Councillor, but never more so than during 2020.

Our Village has a huge heart and surpassed itself in its compassion, unity and ability to care for everyone, whether shielding, lonely or concerned.

Within the first week of the pandemic becoming “real,” Saundersfoot Connect was born, working with the extraordinary Facebook admin ladies and Saundersfoot Chamber for Tourism, a volunteer group was co-ordinated supported by Saundersfoot Connect.

Over 90 local volunteers were available, 3,000 fliers were distributed, during the next 6 months we dealt with 500 phone calls and delivered 250 prescriptions, shopped, walked dogs, delivered books and were a comfort just by being available.

As the Village started to carefully reopen, Saundersfoot Community Council supported the purchase of the hand sanitiser stations, Pembrokeshire County Council supported my work to create additional space on The Strand and Cambrian Terrace for social distancing, safe queuing and Café Culture.

My aim was to protect as many of our residents, visitors and businesses as possible and I thank everyone who put up with the loss of parking spaces.

Our Village shops stayed open when they could, our food suppliers went above and beyond to keep providing what we needed and delivered to our homes.

A chance chat with Lorraine saw the local Tuk Tuk’s on our streets, delivering shopping and prescriptions, I know that this will be a permanent sight when they return to offering trips around our area.

Saundersfoot Connect grew in membership and a vast range of on line activities were available. We all learned to Zoom and Skype and a borrowing library was created, working with Saundersfoot Harbour Commission this will become a permanent fixture in 2021.

October saw another example of everyone working together, I was delighted to help Saundersfoot Medical Centre plan the “walk in” flu vaccination clinic.

The Regency Hall team, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, Saundersfoot Harbour Commission and the NYDS Committee all helped and saw over 2,300 residents receive the flu jab in an efficient and safe environment.

This was a great logistic operation and I am sure will be a great model for the roll out of the Covid vaccination.

The volunteers are still available and I can be contacted on [email protected], home 01834 811298, mobile 07824 448 469.

There are so many positives that have come from this pandemic, we have the award winning Saundersfoot Connect, and the inspirational, award winning Rose twins who continue to raise money for local causes.

Against all the odds we held a small Remembrance Day ceremony, we have a memory Tree, I know we will all continue to shop local, there is a vaccine already in use with others very close to being approved.

As 2021 approaches there is a light at the end of the tunnel and our Village will emerge stronger.County councillor Phil Baker