A large crowd were caught-up in the fishy goings on in Tenby on Sunday as the annual Terry Hermann Bass Fishing Competition took place. The charity event has reeled in a magnificent total of £112,000 for Cancer Research UK since it was started in 2003.

On Sunday, with a kind sea state for once, the anglers were keen to get going, some out from 5 am, some slipping out last minute at about 8.30 am, with coffee and bacon onboard for the anglers, the fishing was underway.

Secret spots and favourite marks were all tried by the participants in search of the elusive ‘big one.’

The afternoon saw the sun shine and with many of the anglers parched and tired after an early start, they were delivered to the Chemist in Saundersfoot for much-needed refreshments and an exchange of stories about what they had or hadn’t caught during the day, before heading back to Tenby for the eagerly anticipated weight-in at the Hope and Anchor Inn.

At the Hope and Anchor, the anglers were welcomed by a large crowd and the Vagrants Crew Sea Shanty Band, before Dai the Boot got the weigh-in a fish auction underway at 7.30 pm.

It was great to see one of the competition stalwarts and old friend of Tenby winning it, John Bull, of Saundersfoot, weighing-in with a magnificent specimen of a peak condition 81/2lb bass.

Runner-up and winner of the ladies was Heather Whittaker with a great 61/2lb bass (a very proud and envious father looking on)!

Third place saw Dr. Iwan Griffiths weigh-in a lovely 6lb bass.

Last but not least saw Terry’s youngest grandson, eight-year-old Iori, weigh-in a 21/2lb bass to claim youngest rod, having had a long day’s fishing with his grandfather ‘Pops’ and uncle Geoff Martin.

This year, the competition auction of articles was so well-supported with prizes that it took longer than the weigh-in itself, with some great items for sale, including - a signed Welsh squad rugby ball attracting a ’phone bid of £300, a night’s bed and breakfast at Trefloyne Manor £100, while meals galore from the majority of the town’s great restaurants and cafes were much in demand and were eagerly snapped up.

The cooked lobster ‘Moroccan Dave’ meal for eight, supplied by Sarah and Rachel Collins was gone in no time (a bigger order will go in next year).

The evening was brought to a close with the presentation of a certificate acknowledging the £100,000 that the competition had reached last year. This was presented to John Handicott, Dai the Boot, Jason Rossiter, Karl Long and Mark ‘Hermann’ Thomas by Pat and Geoff Somner, local Cancer Research fundraisers.

With all formalities concluded, the Vagrants Crew brought the curtain down, before Dai the Boot gave a rendition of ‘The Wild Rover’.

The organisers would like to thank the following for all their support, generosity and kindness - main sponsors: Normandie Bar and Restaurant, Barclays Bank, Hope and Anchor Pub, Molson Coors, Tenby Brewing Co, Qube Restaurant, Park Road Fish and Chip Shop, Atlantic Hotel, Valero, Blue Ridge Builders Ltd, Jevington Logistics, Yorkshire Building Society.

Chris Godding, of Tredeml Print, for raffle tickets, all of the small businesses from the town for not only their sponsorship, but also the further articles that they donated for the evenings auction, Jason and all staff at the Hope and Anchor, Claire Thompson, of Coors Brewery, for her support, Claire Miles and staff, of the Harbour Snack Bar, for selling event polo shirts and hoodies, Sarah and Richard at Simply Seafood Tenby Harbour for cooked lobster, Richard and Mandy at Tees ‘R’ Us for all their help, Julie Jones for photo duties, and all of the participants for their efforts on the day, and crucially all those that attended the event and supported it so generously.

Finally, thanks goes to the residents of St. Julian’s Street and the local police force for their patience and tolerance on the night.

This allowed the event to raise the magnificent total of £12,000 for Cancer Research UK.

“Reaching £100,000 was a significant figure for us last year, and with this year’s sum raised added, we have a rolling total of £112,000 raised in memory of my father Terry Hermann Thomas for Cancer Research UK,” said Mark ‘Hermann’ Thomas, one of the main organisers of the competition, which started in 2003, and has grown year on year.

Results were as follows: 1. Johnny Bull - Penn fishing reel donated by Anglers Corner, Milford; 2. Heather Whittaker - rod and reel, donated by Catherine John, Morris Bros; 3. Dr. Iwan Griffiths - winning a reel; ladies rod: Heather Whittaker - Andrew Price hair voucher, donated by Sarah Davies, Andrew Price, Tenby; youngest rod: Iori ‘Hermann’ Thomas (eight-years-old) - hat and bag, donated by Nick Merrony, Walk on Water, Tenby.

Raffle winners: 1. Kirsty and Joe - champagne cruise for four aboard Carpe Diem, donated by Steve and Kerry Bradley, of Jevington Logistics; 2. Conway Garland - luxury deli hamper, donated by Hugh Scale, of Four Seasons, Tenby; 3. Chris Rooney - Abbotts Kitchen chocolate hamper, donated by Frank Miller, of Caldey Island.