PEMBROKE is once again gearing up for its annual river rally, taking place later this month.

Organised by the West Wales Maritime Heritage Society, the rally is to be held on August 19.

This ceremony involves transporting the mayors of Pembroke and Pembroke Dock and their consorts to Pembroke by sea.

The flotilla will arrive in Pembroke at 3.20pm, and small boats from all over the Haven estuary join in the procession to make it a spectacle.

On the day the castle pond beneath Pembroke's splendid Norman castle will be filled with boats

This enables the Mayor of Pembroke, this year Cllr Dai Boswell, to exercise his right to navigate the Pembroke River.

On his arrival in Pembroke he disembarks and make a short speech explaining what he has achieved.

The town’s South Quay will once again see stalls, and festivities are arranged to help create a carnival atmosphere.

Pembroke Town Council recently agreed to donate £3,000 towards the costs of the town’s annual river rally.

Members agreed to pay £2,000 towards the cost of some of the attractions for youngsters, with a further £1,000 for the hire of a marquee in case the weather turns inclement.

Last year’s event brought hundreds of people in to the town, with attractions on the day including face painting, a bouncy castle, rodeo rides, ninja turtles, and Daleks, stalls, a barbecue, and new face at the river rally, retired Pembroke businessman Malcolm Powell, dressed in the attire of Henry VII, the founder of the Tudor dynasty, born at Pembroke’s castle.

Skippers wishing to join the 2017 flotilla please contact David James on dnjames1938@gmail.com for sailing directions.