Pembroke Town Walls Trust are planning their way forward. Over the last two years they have been involved with an important Pilot Project, a major restoration of the walls around the garden of the Tabernacle United Reformed Church in Pembroke Main Street, to learn what is involved in this massive undertaking. The pilot is now in its final stages and the Trust is ready to move on.

After studying their options, they have decided to start work on the length of the north walls of the town along the Mill Ponds. They have conducted an initial condition survey of the walls that have suffered from many years of neglect and are predominantly covered in ivy, brambles and trees.

“The work will take some years and we are planning it carefully,” said Howard Rudge, chair of the Trust. “The first phase is simply to cut back the vegetation to open up a broad sweeping view to the town and its visitors.”

In November, a full ecological survey will be conducted. The Trust has agreed an environmental statement and is involving the Wildlife Trust to help and advise them how to remove the vegetation so that local biodiversity and ecology is protected and managed.

The second phase of the work will be to tackle the most urgent damage to prevent further decay of the walls, and finally in the long term to rebuild where necessary.

“Most excitingly we are working with Pembrokeshire College and other partners to establish training and work experience for their construction students in stone masonry and hope we can involve them in the long term through bursaries funded by the Trust,” continued Howard.

Site meetings have been held with Pembrokeshire County Council whose agreement has been received to start the work. The Trust is now writing to all wall owners for their approval and circulating a questionnaire to them and the whole community to determine their needs and support.

“The work will be voluntary to begin with. We want to engage the whole community, so if people feel able to be involved, they can contact us via Facebook or e-mail. Training will be given for all the work,” concluded Howard.

More information on how to be involved or where to get and return questionnaires can be obtained from Facebook @pembroketownwallstrust or e-mail [email protected]