A beautiful memorial meadow has opened at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth, to provide a natural and peaceful space for remembrance and reflection.

The meadow was once a grazed pasture, but the hedgerows now surround grasses and wildflowers, that are managed to benefit biodiversity and nature. It boasts stunning outlooks across the Pembrokeshire countryside.

Developed through Local Places for Nature funding via the Pembrokeshire Nature Partnership, Parc Gwyn Memorial Meadow is one of a number of nature-based projects across the county funded by Welsh Government.

The meadow includes a mixture of paths, with stone features, benches built by Norman Industries as part of the Council’s Supported Employment programme and wooden shelters where visitors can pause and reflect, regardless of the weather.

The creation of the memorial meadow aligns with the Well-Being of Future Generations Act, supporting the goals of a resilient Wales, a healthier Wales and a Wales of cohesive communities.

It will help enhance biodiversity, providing habitats for pollinators, birds and other wildlife, while promoting well-being by encouraging engagement with nature and supports mental and physical health.

Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett thanked all involved with the project, before officially opening the meadow.

Cllr Sinnett added: “The new Parc Gwyn Memorial Meadow has been created as a place of peace, reflection, and connection. It is a space for people to come and remember, grieve, celebrate, or simply be with the memory of loved ones who are no longer with us.

“This ‘more natural than neat’ environment will encourage a greater diversity of plant species in the meadow, creating a safe haven for local wildlife.

“Here, among the flowers, the trees, and the quiet beauty of nature, people can come to reflect, to feel close to those they've lost, and to find comfort in the peace of their surroundings.

“Whether you have come to remember a loved one, to enjoy the meadow or simply to find a moment of stillness, this space will be open to all.”

Funded by the Welsh Government Local Places for Nature grant, administered via the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA), delivery of the project was a collaborative effort between the Pembrokeshire Nature Partnership and Pembrokeshire County Council.

The meadow is designed to be a lasting space for the community to enjoy for generations to come and will be home to a range of memorials that will be available to purchase in the coming months, along with burial plots for family cremated remains.