A unique wildlife sanctuary in the heart of Pembroke has brought the countryside right into the centre of town. And tomorrow (Saturday), Pembroke 21C Community Association will be celebrating the completion of their £150,000 project, financed by Cydcoed - Woods for All, the £16 million Forestry Commission Wales grant programme funded by the EU (Objective One) and Welsh Assembly Government. The new Holyland Community Woodland, which also received funding from Environment Wales, National Grid, International Tree Foundation and Countryside Council for Wales, links in with the town's Millpond complex - a conservation project also being run by the group. The three-year project provided training opportunities for youngsters who also have the chance to continue with the long term management of the woods now they have mastered conservation skills. The work has opened up the woods, which are already home to badgers, otters, bats and countless other species of flora and fauna, and created even greater bio-diversity as well as access for local people and visitors to enjoy the countryside - right next to the town centre. The project was developed by the Pembroke 21C development officer, Elizabeth Gossage, and the Millpond Action Group, involving partnerships with the Wildlife Trust, the Town Council, local schools and other groups. Gareth Jones, chairman of the Pembroke 21C trustees, said: "This project has made a huge difference to the environment in this part of the town, has provided jobs and new work opportunities." The woodland is part of the Holyland Estate owned by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas-Ferrand, who have agreed to provide a 20-year lease on the woodland with Pembroke 21C Volunteers, trainees and contractors have worked together to provide a disabled access boardwalk, new paths, cleared scrub and fallen trees, coppiced areas of the wood and created a wetland viewing platform. "This is the perfect Cydcoed project, it has provided jobs for local people, gets local people involved in volunteer work to improve the woodlands and has created a truly unique town centre wildlife sanctuary for local people - and visitors - to enjoy," said Mark Proctor, of Cydcoed, which provides 100 per cent funding and support to help deprived communities make better use of woods for jobs, economic regeneration, social inclusion, recreation, and conservation.
