Two Pembrokeshire restoration projects have won major architectural awards. Narberth Castle and the Dovecote in Rosemarket have been awarded Green Apple Awards for enhancing the country's architectural heritage. A representative from Pembrokeshire County Council will travel to London in June to receive the awards from Professor David Bellamy. Leased by the council from a private owner, Narberth Castle opened to the public in 2005 following a £400,000 restoration project. Once home to a Welsh prince, the 13th century castle was abandoned in the 16th century and fell into disrepair with much of its stone plundered to build the nearby town of Narberth. Its site was closed for many years because the mediaeval ruins were deemed unsafe. However, with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Cadw Pembrokeshire County Council and Sparc, the site was cleared and consolidated and its grounds landscaped. The Dovecote in Rosemarket was officially dedicated last summer following completion of a £17,000 restoration project. The historic building dates back to the 11th and 12th centuries and has been a focal point of the village ever since. Originally linked to the Knights of St John, it has 200 nesting holes and was used primarily to supply meat to the Prior of Slebech during the Middle Ages, while later supporting the occupants of Rosemarket's Manor House - now long gone. Its restoration was jointly funded by Pembrokeshire County Council and Cadw with work carried out by Conservation Building Services Ltd. Workmen rebuilt the nest boxes using limestone similar to that originally used hundreds of years ago. Although the building is in private hands, it is open to the public at all times. The Green Apple Awards campaign is run by The Green Organisation, an independent non profit organisation that recognises and promotes environmental best practice around the world. The restoration of a former corn store at Pembroke won a National Silver Award at the 2005 Awards.
