Sir,

'In 1854, the crumbling walls of the old ruined mansion house of Pater-church were pulled down, with the exception of the tower. The old place had served many purposes: it had been a residence, and had later been used a stores and also modeller's shop. But if for no other reason, sentiment alone should preserve the remaining part of the ancient structure, as one of the last relics left linking the long-ago past to the present age'.

The above words, so pertinent to the present situation viz-a-viz the Pater-church tower, were not written yesterday, as well they could have been, but are a quotation from Mrs. Peter's 'History of Pembroke Dock,' written in 1905. Even then, 108 years ago, there was proper concern for this iconic building. Not so these days it appears.

A county council official, with no reference to the townspeople or their representatives, has decided it is 'surplus to requirements' and has put it on the market. 'Which requirements?' we may ask. I suppose we could say the same of Stonehenge, after all we don't tell the time or measure the seasons by it anymore.

Cutbacks or no cutbacks, there are some things which cannot be gauged by money alone. Our historic buildings are beyond price. In this case, the tower has already benefited from recently grant-funded restoration work which puts it in a far better state than it was in Mrs. Peter's day and its maintenance costs are minimal.

On enquiry, one is told that there has been great interest in the property and that 'Money is on the table'. Details cannot, however, be disclosed. It would be great to be assured that said money is being put on the table by a philanthropic party, resolved to preserve this treasure for the town. Lacking that assurance, we must insist that the Pembroke Dock Council or a public Trust raised to secure its existence as an historical landmark, be allowed to take the building under its wing with no competitive 'bidding' involved.

How ironic that just as we are preparing to celebrate the town's 200th anniversary, someone is insensitive enough to offer its oldest building for sale! As if enough of that hasn't gone on already!

Ann Dureau,

Pembroke Dock.