LANTERNS, festive lights, merry music, delicious food and quality crafts were the recipe for festive success in Saundersfoot's Christmas Festival by the Sea at the weekend.

 

The three-day event, staged by Saundersfoot Chamber for Tourism, saw around 6,000 people going through the doors of the giant harbourside marquee, which stood rock-solid despite the weather.

 

Although rain and high winds kept some visitors away on Friday and Saturday, Sunday was a bumper day.

 

There was a superb turnout of around 500 people of all ages for the community lantern parade on Friday evening. Led by Santa and Samba Doc, the procession - holding 100 hand-made lanterns aloft - made its way from Coppet Hall to the Saundersfoot harbour decking for the lighting-up of the Christmas tree, donated by Hean Castle Estates.

 

The planned open-air carol singing was successfully re-located in the marquee's Music Box, where a delightful atmosphere was created by Saundersfoot CP School choir.

Nearly 60 stalls inside the marquee, a packed entertainment programme and a full programme of cookery demonstrations from Vic North, Ludo Dieumegard and Daniel Retter were also enjoyed over the weekend.

Said Saundersfoot Chamber for Tourism's vice-chairman, Michael Slade: "We've been delighted with the response of everyone who visited over the weekend. People loved the cookery demonstrations and the Music Box is just going from strength-to-strength.

"We were particularly happy with the quality of our exhibitors - their customer service and presentation of their products was superb and really added to the friendly atmosphere."