A new group has been set up in Narberth to look after the town's St. Andrew's Church Yard.

The group called FONCY - Friends of Narberth Church Yard - plan to landscape and develop the area into an amenity for the whole community to enjoy.

Co-ordinated by Clr. Henry Langen, the group of volunteers have taken over the responsibility of the maintenance of the church yard from the Burial Board sub-committee of the Town Council.

With the backing of the council, who have awarded FONCY their grass cutting budget, the volunteers plan to not only cut the grass themselves, but also re-instate the paths to make them wheelchair friendly and accessible to all, re-plant trees, create sensory, herb and aromatic gardens, install benches and set up viewing points.

Financial assistance has also come from the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers who are keen to promote the conservation of church yard as habitats for wildlife and plants and has given FONCY a start-up grant of £1,000 to purchase equipment.

In addition, the International Tree Foundation have donated a grant of £450 towards the re-planting of British native species trees to replace those cut down around the Church Yard 20 years ago.

"The project will take two years hopefully and when complete the grass cutting budget will be used to employ a gardener to maintain the site," explained Clr. Langen.

"The whole project will be organic and we will be maintaining the site as a benefit for wildlife and plants," he continued.

"It is a very beautiful spot and we hope to return the church yard to its natural glory.

"At the moment we have about 20 volunteer members all from different walks of life, but we are always on the look out for new members and anyone who would like to give a few hours of their time to do some light gardening work will be most welcome to join us," Clr. Langen commented.

"We are also open for any ideas and suggestions and would like to hear from anyone who would like to donate a bench in memory of a loved one or who has any shrubs or plants in their garden that we can make use of.

"This is a project for the whole community to get involved with and we also have a number of children interested in our work and they help with jobs such as raking up the grass after it has been mowed.

"FONCY are affiliated to the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers and the organisation have given us some good advice on setting the group up and the work we are undertaking.

"I have also sought advice from Brian Edwards, the local representative of the British Tree Foundation, Sarah Pegg, of the National Trust Wales and the Pembrokeshire Access Group and I would like to thank them for their assistance," added Clr. Langen.

Anyone who would like to get involved with FONCY is asked to contact Clr. Langen on (01834) 861202.