Santa is hoping to visit Tenby again before Christmas, with the town’s Mayor planning on conducting a drive around some of the town’s estates on Saturday, December 18, in the lead up to the big day - something which was a great success last year with local children.

Father Christmas made a guest appearance at Tenby’s festive seaside switch-on last Saturday, battling through Storm Arwen to fulfil his duties with the town’s Mayor!

With the strong winds having died down somewhat before the official illumination of the town’s Christmas tree outside St Mary’s Church, the Mayor of Tenby, Clr. Mrs Sam Skyrme-Blackhall set off down to Castle Hill to meet Father Christmas at 4.30 pm, joining coastguards, firefighters and RNLI crew members for a ‘blue light’ parade through to Tudor Square, where large crowds and delighted children greeted the procession.

“Wow, what a fantastic event with so many people coming to see Santa turn on the lights,” remarked the Mayor afterwards.

“The town looks fantastic with all the decorations and the new Christmas trees that are spread around town. They look so impressive and really make a statement about us all working together.

“It was marvellous to see so many children and families enjoying being together at a fun, fabulous and free event,” she continued.

“Huge thanks goes to town clerk Andrew Davies and Town Council staff, who made the event possible. Also to DJ Steve Briers who gave his time for free and to the performers that entertained everyone. Also a massive thanks to the Lifeboat, Fire Service and Coastguard who came together to form the blue light parade escorting Santa from the Lifeboat Station to Tudor Square. All of you, working together, made it a wonderful day!”

“Also, not forgetting to thank Caldey Island, who let the reindeers graze there whilst Santa came over to turn the lights on!” she added.

Tenby Town Council and the Festivities committee have also given their thanks to everyone who helped make the arrival of Father Christmas and the switch-on such a success on Saturday.

Special thanks go to Steve and Linda Briers, Kelly Williams School of Dance, Mike Jones, Tenby Salvation Army band, Tenby Friendship Group community singers, Rhys and Adam of Smart Gardens, Shelley Webb, Phil Percival, G&I Roofing, Sion Brace, Chris Salisbury, Tenby’s Retained firefighters, Tenby Coastguard Search and Rescue team, the Coxswain and crew of Tenby RNLI, Lesley Fisher and Eric Vickery, St Mary’s Church and all the other volunteers who helped.

Extra special thanks also go to Father Christmas for taking time out of his busy schedule to visit!