A farewell party and coffee morning, to coincide with the annual Easter bonnet parade, was held last week to say an emotional goodbye to Tenby Playgroup which has served the community for 46 years.

Tenby Playgroup was started in 1971 by six mothers who wished to return to their chosen careers.

It proved to be so successful they had to increase their helpers with two wonderful individuals, Mrs. Joan Booker (Aunty Joan) and Mrs. B Knowles (Aunty Betty).

As the group grew they took on Ms Jane Lewis, and on the retirement of Aunty Joan, her role was undertaken by Mrs. Jane Lindsay, before Yvonne Williams took over as Playgroup leader in 1983.

The Playgroup was first required to relocate from Greenhill Centre to the Leisure Centre on Marsh Road, and then as the work on the new centre neared completion Pembrokeshire County Council decided that no suitable room could be found, so after twelve years at the facility, there was no option but to once again seek new premises, with a lifeline being offered by Mr. Jo Craig who provided a purpose built centre in Lower Park Road, at The Playroom.

However, with numbers at the Playgroup falling in recent months due to competition from schools forming their own facilities, Yvonne took the difficult decision earlier this year to call time on the Playgroup.

Addressing the farewell party held at The Giltar Hotel in Tenby, Yvonne told all present that she ‘didn’t normally make speeches’ but felt that she must say something on what was a ‘sad day’.

“The Playgroup was set up 46 years ago by a group of mums who wished to return to work, so they set up a rota system which worked well and the Playgroup took off,” she explained.

“I had served as a committee member for two years after the group had been established, and Jane Lewis asked me if I would take her place while she was away travelling in Australia...and 34 years later I’m still here!” said Yvonne.

“Following Aunty Betty’s retirement. Mrs. Becky Dilks took over as assistant play leader, and I have been hugely fortunate to have only had two assistants in the last 16 years I’ve been in charge, and when Becky moved on to Tenby Infants, Lisa took her place and she is still here today.

“We have not only been a Playgroup, we have been able to help nine parents obtain childcare qualifications and most following that have found full-time employment, with Sharon being our latest success story in doing so very well in achieving her CCLD in child care,” she continued.

“We have had some wonderful times fundraising for the playgroup, and have had wonderful support from the businesses of Tenby, even during difficult economic times. As well as that we have had a superb set of friends who have always come forward and helped us out when asked, far too many to mention individually, but they know who they are.

“Tenby Playgroup could not have existed and carried on for all these years without everyone’s support, and the parents and I thank everyone for this,” added Yvonne.

The Mayor of Tenby, Clr. Laurence Blackhall also thanked Yvonne on behalf of the town council and the people of Tenby for her dedication to the Playgroup for 34 years.

“Those that have worked in early years education such as myself, will know the value it plays in the first years of children’s lives. It is a vital part of the education process and Yvonne’s dedication of 34 years is nothing short of stunning,” said Clr. Blackhall.

“The number of children that have gone through Tenby Playgroup in its 46 years of existence really is amazing, and everybody owes a huge thank you to Yvonne for her leadership, which has offered so much to the town and its children,” he added, before presenting the winners of the Easter bonnet parade (Girls: 1st - Lucy, 2nd - Ella; Boys: 1st - Cody, 2nd - Samuel) with their prizes, before the event ended with a raffle prize draw being made.