Have you heard the one about the three jokers? (From Western Telegraph)

Have you heard the one about the three jokers?

A NOVEL Jokers Night fundraising dinner produced over £3,000 for childrens charities at the Wolfscastle Country Hotel on Friday night.

Haverfordwest Rotary Club obtained generous sponsorship from Chevron Texaco and various local businesses and individuals to stage what is believed to be the first event of its kind in the county.

The brainchild of broadcaster Brian Harries, who was inspired by a system used to blood young stand-up comics at the Edinburgh Festival, where he performed in 1995, each of the 15 tables - which had to guarantee £200 in sponsorship - had to appoint a comic to tell jokes for five minutes.

The results were hilarious - male and female comics providing a variety of styles and shades of material from squeaky clean to Manning blue.

Chevron Texaco covered the costs and booked professional Cockney comedian Harry Scott to round off the evening in brilliant style.

In the competition for the top comic, farmer John Lewis - on a table sponsored by Letterston Filling Station - came up trumps, even though he had the unenviable task of performing first. And two comediennes were runners-up.

The total raised was £3,074 and the winners were: 1. John Lewis (Letterston Filling Station), Margaret Harries (Green Bower Garages) and Carol Mackintosh (Medics Table).

Caption: Farmer John Lewis, of Landers Hook, Spittal, winner of the Jokers Night is pictured with runners-up, Margaret Harries (right), who was second, and Carol Mackintosh third. PICTURE: Brian Harries.