Last week (July 7) the inaugural meeting of the newly formed Saunderfoot’s ‘Lonely Tree’ Preservation Society was held at the seaside village’s Regency Hall.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority’s development management committee gave the community twelve months from June 9 to save its historic and iconic Monterey Cypress which sits alongside the beach.

The campaign to save this wonder of nature on Scar Rock which began back in March quickly gained momentum in the community, with many isolated from family and friends in lockdown becoming galvanised by the power of social media to express their outpouring of love for this ‘survivalist’ of nature.

Affectionately known as the ‘Lonely Tree’, it now has 1,500 Facebook friends, including Saundersfoot expatriates from all four corners of the world.

Saundersfoot’s ‘Lonely Tree’ Preservation Society is made up of representatives from the Friends of Saundersfoot and District; Saundersfoot Community Council; Save Saundersfoot’s Lonely Tree; and Saundersfoot in Bloom. In addition to this county councillor Phil Baker BEM by joining them brings a wealth of experience working with Pembrokeshire County Council and PCNPA which will prove invaluable to Saundersfoot’s latest community group in the coming months.

Agenda items at the first meeting included community and formal fundraising; arborist Tree Preservation Order and remedial works quotations; marketing and publicity and other initiatives.

Nina Thomas, secretary of Save Saundersfoot’s Lonely Tree Group said: “I was delighted to be part of such a positive group all working collaboratively to preserve our iconic tree.”

Clr. Baker concurred with the general feeling of all that attended, stating: “It was a really productive meeting with some good actions to move the project forward.”

Pictured from left to right are: Nina Thomas, Michelle Evans (The Friends of Saundersfoot and District), Ann Morris (Saundersfoot in Bloom), Clr. Martyn Williams BEM (Saundersfoot Community Council) and Clr. Phil Baker BEM.

Also present at the meeting was Nicky Mallen (Save Saundersfoot’s Lonely Tree Group). You can find out more about Saunderfoot’s ‘Lonely Tree’ Preservation Society and their progress in the coming weeks and months by joining the Save Saundersfoot’s Lonely Tree group on Facebook.