THE annual Pembrokeshire County Run proved a great success, with more than 300 classic and not-so-classic motors taking part on Sunday, September 3, despite the terrible weather.

Due to the varied weather we have all faced this year, often witnessing all four season's in one week, it came as no surprise to Jeff and Sian Edwards, founders/organisers of the Western Telegraph Pembrokeshire County Run 2017, to witness such appalling weather on the day.

In true tradition of ‘the show must go on’ the 20th county run was a great success for both the county and the Paul Sartori Foundation!

On their arrival at the Pembrokeshire County Showground at 7.30am Jeff, Sian, and their small and dedicated team, knew then that, due to the high winds and rain, the turnout would be much lower than normal.

By the time that Jeff sounded his starter's whistle at 10.30am, despite the turnout being smaller than in past years, there was still a fantastic number of entrants, and the Pembrokeshire County Run was still running true to form, and enjoyed by so many dedicated motorists, as well as spectators along the 85 mile route.

Vehicles of all ages along with their occupants braved the elements to take part, and there to welcome them to the start line at Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s vast Showground with a smile was Jeff, Deputy Mayor of Haverfordwest Cllr Sue Murray, Sheriff of Haverfordwest Cllr Gillian Howell, Chairman of the Pembrokeshire County Council Paul Harries, and representatives of the Paul Sartori Foundation; along with Sian and her team working non-stop in the Western Telegraph Control with a happy smile for everyone, and not forgetting the dedicated Marshalls, who, despite being soaked to the skin, still had a true Pembrokeshire smile for everyone as they parked the exhibits as swiftly and safely as possible.

Those dedicated supporters of all Jeff and Sian's Pembrokeshire county motoring events, Peter and Joyce Stock, were once more on hand to ensure that everyone was flying a Pembrokeshire and Welsh flag from their vehicle along the 85 mile route.

On Jeff sounding his starter's whistle at 10.30am, and the lowering of the Pembrokeshire and Welsh flags by the events guests, and including vehicles that joined the run along its 85 mile route, around 300 vehicles proudly took part on the day.

They crossed the start line under the guidance of the parade marshalls Phil Thompson MBE and Noel Robinson, blowing their horns in return to the happy smiles and waves they received from Jeff, Sian, Cllr Sue Murray, Cllr Gillian Howell and Cllr Paul Harries.

Sadly Mayor of Haverfordwest Cllr Alan Buckfield and the President of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society Ricard Cole were not able to attend and wished everyone an enjoyable day.

Along the 85 mile route the weather did improve and some of the soft top vehicles were able to enjoy a little ‘open top’ motoring and the display at the halfway stop at the Dyfed Shire Horse Farm was spectacular as always.

After a ‘drive-thru’ around the streets of Cardigan, it was a case of heading down the A478, with its wonderful views of the Preseli Hills and the rolling countryside, to Narberth before making their way via the A40 to the finish line back at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

With the weather now much improved, it turned out a very pleasant afternoon, with more vehicles arriving back at the finish line than was expected, complete with the sound of laughter and so many happy smiling faces from everyone.

Jeff and Sian were last to leave the showground, and, after closing the gates, they headed for home in their trusty Rover 216 Cabriolet, the ‘face’ and veteran of their motoring events, knowing that once again, despite the terrible weather and lower entry numbers, as normal the Western Telegraph Pembrokeshire County Run 2017 was another success for the county and the Paul Sartori Foundation.

Plans will be starting very soon on arranging something special for the 2018 run, its 21st anniversary year, on Sunday September 2, 2018.