On MONDAY of this week, it was 60 years since Laurie Dale first opened the door of what has become a legendary attraction to music lovers - Dales Music Store, in Tenby High Street.

Founded by Laurie's father, Dales Music Store originally specialised in pianos, but as the '50s progressed, recorded music became more and more popular. Soon the shop gave up most of its shelf space to records, and later, eight tracks, cassettes and more recently compact discs.

Here during the ensuing 60 years generations of Tenby's youth have been initiated into the world of music. Skiffle in the '50s, the Beatles in the '60s and everything from Pink Floyd to Punk in the later years. Not surprisingly, many of the classic acts of the past decades are still constant sellers, from Bob Marley to AC/DC. It is not just mainstream tastes that are catered for, jazz, Blues, Reggae, not to mention classical and nostalgia, are all catered for in that small space.

The stock these days may no longer include pianos, but guitars and musical accessories are still popular, as are t-shirts and a wide range of musical memorabilia.

In 1983, Laurie had a serious accident and regular customer and music enthusiast Richie Westmacott was drafted in temporarily to tide things over until Laurie had recovered sufficiently to return to the shop floor. Richie had previous experience selling music and so was well qualified to run things in Laurie's absence. In fact, Richie was so well qualified that he is still behind the counter most of the time today!

Thus was formed a musical partnership that has proved successful for over 30 years, proving that two heads are better than one. What Laurie may not know, Richie usually does, and vice versa!

People still come in and say they bought their first record at Dales and some of them are now as old as the shop itself! Other people have heard of Dales via the book and film Last Shop Standing. But one thing is certain, music brings in people from all walks of life and all parts of the world taking photos and in some cases buying things. So after 60 years, Dales is still at the same place on Tenby High Street and remains a haven for music enthusiasts.

Laurie would like to thank all his customers and friends far and wide for their support over the years, with a very big thank you to the people of Tenby for all the fun.

If anyone has any photos or memorabilia spanning the 60 years, Laurie would welcome seeing it, so please call into the shop.