Thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to Pembroke 21C Community Association, this project will link people's oral recollections of Pembroke with stories of the buildings of Main Street through a specially designed website which will be launched on Wednesday, November 19 (http://www.pembrokestory.org.uk">www.pembrokestory.org.uk).
A keen audience was treated to entertaining talks by local characters George Lewis, who spoke about his amazing Pembroke murals (on view in the Town Hall), and John Russell, whose talk Down Memory Lane had the audience sharing their memories and enjoying anecdotes.
Project officers Linda Asman and Nikki Anderson were delighted with the enthusiastic response of the Pembroke residents who attended in large numbers as well as visitors from other parts of South Wales.
Many people took the opportunity to contribute to a 'work in progress' on the buildings and businesses of Main Street, known as the Dolly Mixture Project. The visitors also enjoyed exhibitions and displays put together by Linda and Nikki along with photos and stories from Pembroke's past, touch screens featuring the voices and recollections of local people, Pembroke's time line, and histories of prominent local families, including the Stephens, Colleys and Haggars.
The Dyfed Family History Group, Pembrokeshire Maritime Heritage Society and Oriel Family History had stalls and displays. There were guided tours of the Town Hall by the Mayor and teas, coffee and home-made cakes were served throughout by cheerful volunteers.
Elizabeth Gossage, Pembroke 21C development officer, said: "As we predicted, this project is proving to be a fascinating focus for local people and visitors alike. Over the next year, Nikki and Linda will be taking it into the community through schools, workshops, and talks. Many local people are already helping with the project and we hope that people of all ages will be involved in developing The Pembroke Story."