Valero Pembroke Refinery will commemorate 50 years of operations in 2014 with a series of celebration events, kicking off this weekend.

Officially opened by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 1964, with an original design capacity of 100,000 barrels per day, today’s refinery boasts a total throughput capacity of 270,000 barrels per day and is one of the largest in Europe.

To mark this important milestone in the refinery’s history, Valero will be organising a number of community and employee celebrations throughout the year.

Valero Vice President and Refinery General Manager Ed Tomp, making the announcement, said, “Pembroke Refinery has been a part of the community here in Pembrokeshire for 50 years. We have proved an excellent employer for generations of local people, and our charitable and volunteer support has benefitted people and groups across Wales throughout that time.

“To recognise the important role the refinery continues to play in Pembrokeshire life, and as a way of saying ‘thank you’ to our local communities, we will be holding a Spring Fayre in Pembroke Castle on Sunday 11th May. It will be free entry all day, with lots of amazing activities for people of all ages to enjoy: from Scarlets rugby to craft stalls, falconry displays to circus tricks, knight’s workshops and much, much more.

“On the same day we will also be holding a special afternoon tea for invited refinery retirees, to honour the hard work and service of all those who helped make Pembroke Refinery the successful business it is today.”

Other events taking place throughout the year include a weekend celebration for employees and their families at the refinery in June and plans for a county-wide art and photography competition.