Last Thursday at the helm in Pembroke Dock, Pembroke Rotarians were given an insight into Pembrokeshire Archives Service.

The address was given by Miss Clair Orr, the archive manager. She gave members a complete background of the service since it was originally set up in 1963 by the first county archivist, Mr. Delwyn Tibbot.

It expanded considerably over the years and by the 1990s great use was made of the service by the public.

The service outgrew its original home at the unique jail building and in 2013 they moved to their purpose adapted building at Prendergast.

The service mission statement is extremely important to the staff and service and Claire expanded on the various aspects of this, being - ‘To provide responsible access to the county’s rich archival heritage, ensuring it is preserved, conserved and maintained to the highest standards, guidelines and best practice - taking active steps to engage with people of all ages and backgrounds, maximising the collections potential to inspire, illuminate and connect people’.

Claire then responded to numerous questions raised by the members giving more information as to the way forward of the service in this modern technological age.

Claire was thanked by vice-president Robert McLaren and the evening had been arranged by Rotarian Malcolm Lowless.