With the support of the Pembroke Town Council, the Gild of Freemen of Pembroke played host to the Freemen of England and Wales on the occasion of their 45th annual general meeting. The Cleddau Bridge Hotel provided accommodation and food for over 100.

The evening of Friday, September 16, included a talk by local artist George Lewis on his historical murals that are splendidly displayed in Pembroke Town Hall.

Saturday morning, following a group photograph, the Freemen partook of an open forum, which was later followed by the annual general meeting. Whilst the meeting was taking place, George Lewis and Melanie Phillips gave the ladies and a few gentlemen a tour of South Pembrokeshire's magnificent coastline. The afternoon saw an optional guided tour of Pembroke Castle.

Before the banquet was served at 8 pm, those assembled were treated to a medley of entertaining pieces executed by Pembroke Male Voice Choir. Phil Lloyd proved to be an entertaining and accomplished MC.

Special guests at the banquet included HM Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed, the Hon Robin Lewis MBE, chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Clr. David Pugh and his wife Mrs. Anne Pugh, the High Sheriff of Dyfed Mr. Tom Lloyd, the Mayor of Pembroke Clr. Aden Brinn JP and the Rt. Rev. J. Wyn Evans Bishop of St. David's.

On Sunday morning, the Freemen gathered at Pembroke Castle for the enrobing ceremony.

Whilst this was being carried out, Graham Phillips ably played the Scottish Highlands pipes.

The group was then piped across to St. Mary's Church, led by parade marshal David Boswell.

Officiating at the church service was the Rev. Canon. Roger Jones, team vicar and chaplain to the Gild of Freemen of Pembroke. The Rt. Rev. J. Wyn Evans, Bishop of St. Davids, conducted the sermon.

Following the service, the group processed to the Town Hall, where the party was treated to a splendid lunch hosted by Pembroke Town Council and smoothly executed by the ladies of the RNLI.

After the meal, plaques were exchanged. Mr. Alan Fallows, president of the FEW, presented the Mayor with the FEW plaque and the Mayor reciprocated with the Pembroke Town Council plaque.

The Master of the Gild was also presented with an FEW plaque, and a presentation was made by the Master to the president, of a beautiful painting of Pembroke Castle by George Lewis.

The ceremony ended with the ceremonial passing over of the baton from the hands of Roy Folland, Master of the Gild of Freemen of Pembroke, to the Master of the Gild of Freemen of York, who will be the hosts in 2012.

Special thanks for all their hard work and dedication must go to the following: Roy Folland, Master of the Gild of Freemen of Pembroke, his son Robin, Deputy Master, for the amount of hard work that he put in, the organising committee of the Pembroke Gild for overseeing the proceedings, the Pembroke Male Voice Choir, Phil Lloyd, Phil Thompson, who made sure that everything ran smoothly and supplied the lanyards, the ladies of the RNLI and finally, Thomas, the general manager of the Cleddau Bridge Hotel, and his team.