What a year, what a birthday (From Western Telegraph)

What a year, what a birthday

WAS it really a year ago that Western Telegraph staff and guests raised their glasses in a toast at our 150th anniversary ball?

These past 12 months have flown by and we been involved in lots of celebrations, events, charity fundraising and, not least, hard work to keep readers supplied with their weekly editions packed with news, sport, entertainment, features, letters, pictures, jobs, advertisements, and competitions.

The 150th anniversary year began in February with the ball at the Wolfscastle Hotel, when £656 was raised for Cystic Fibrosis Research.

We so enjoyed it we decided to organise a Midsummer Charity Ball at Folly Farm. This time £2,600 was raised for the Western Telegraph On the Road Appeal to buy a new vehicle for the Pembrokeshire St John Ambulance.

In June, the Western Telegraph's colourful charity pram push was resurrected for the anniversary year.

Thirteen teams took part and a further £3,500 was raised for Cystic Fibrosis Research.

To mark the 150th Anniversary, Western Telegraph editor Fiona Phillips and deputy editor Ted Goddard received an invitation to a Buckingham Palace Royal Garden Party and rounded off the day as dinner guests of local MP Nick Ainger at the House of Commons.

In August, the Western Telegraph continued its support of the 220-year-old Pembrokeshire Agricultural Show, as sponsor and in reporting the event, and welcomed guests to its stand.

And in September, around 3,000 classic cars of every date, make, shape, and colour took part in the Western Telegraph's 150th anniversary Pembrokeshire County Vehicle Run, organised by Jeff and Sian Edwards. The event was dedicated to Lord Parry, who was to have been one of the special guests but sadly died two days before.

Throughout the last 150 years, the Western Telegraph has continued non-stop to bring the news to Pembrokeshire and West Wales.

This has ranged from news bulletins about the Crimea War in 1854 to reports of local soldiers in war-torn Iraq in 2004.

The end of the year and the start of 2005 has been dominated by the tsunami tragedy, and the Western Telegraph has reported its impact on local residents.

Again, the wonderful people of Pembrokeshire have responded so generously with money, goods and practical help.

It's great to have you all as readers and here's to the next 150 years.