The sensitive restoration of a traditional cottage at Melin Tresinwen, near Strumble Head, has won its owners the prestigious National Park Award 2005. At an award ceremony held at the Beggars Reach Hotel on Friday, Melin Tresinwen, was described as the overall winner of this year's competition for its outstanding contribution to preserving the character of the built environment of the National Park. Nick Ainger MP, Minister of State for Wales, was in attendance at the ceremony to announce the winner of this year's National Park Award and to present the prizes. The award for 2005 is a hand-carved slate plaque carrying the razorbill emblem of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Made by Richard and Fran Boultbee at The Slate Workshop at Llangolman, near Clynderwen, several smaller slate awards were also presented to the winners of each category. Summing up the contribution made by Mr. and Mrs. Edwards Hughes, the judges highlighted the quality of work carried out to restore the cottage, emphasising the remarkable efforts applied by the owners above and beyond what was required of them in restoring the building. The work was judged not only to be a first-class example of the restoration of a dwelling, but also to have shown careful consideration in preserving the vernacular architecture, and making excellent use of salvaged materials in the renovation work. The attention to detail applied by the owners was praised by the judges, with chairman of the National Park Authority, Clr. Stephen Watkins, saying: "Edward and Hedydd have put their heart and soul into this development, applying superbly clever touches inside and out to preserve a wonderful cottage feel." As winners of the National Park Award, Melin Tresinwen will go on to represent Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in a showcase event to be held later in the year, celebrating all winning entries from each National Park in Wales. The owners of Penporthclais, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Harries, were highly commended in the built environment category for their sympathetic renovation of the property overlooking the unique setting of Porthclais Harbour. Also commended in this category was the impressive restoration by Mr. and Mrs. John Howells, of Penmynydd, a once- derelict building sited on Dinas Mountain. Overall winner in the second category, which considers enhancements to the rural environment, was Saundersfoot Community Council for the creation and development of the Sensory Gardens in Saundersfoot. Highly commended in this category were Major and Mrs. Ivor Ramsden, for the provision of a new access route within Cosheston for community use and enjoyment. Overall category winner in the promotion of understanding and public enjoyment of the Park was Carew Cheriton Control Tower. As well as bringing a derelict building back into use with a sensitive restoration, the judges felt that the Tower is a unique visitor attraction that aims to highlight the important history of Carew. The hard work invested by the community of Carew to restore the building and promote the heritage of the area was also commented upon by the judges. Commended in this category was Kisses across the Irish Sea, a project developed by Sonia Dawn Flewitt, promoting cultural conservation and sustainability through innovative public art. St. Davids City Council was awarded the overall category winner prize for its contribution to the socio-economic wellbeing of the local community through the development of the Whitesands Bay Café. The initiative was judged to have made a significant contribution towards the economy of St. Davids, through the provision of local employment and its focus as a vital tourist and community resource. Highly commended in this category was the Natural Healthcare Centre in Newport -a successful new business providing local employment and contributing to the tourism industry. An award of special recognition was presented to Mr. Dillwyn Miles, a long serving, and one of the first members of the National Park Committee, for his outstanding contributions to the National Park over the past 50 years. The award, run by the National Park Authority, is given every two years to those people whose work has made an outstanding contribution to the environment, purpose and aims of the National Park. This year's judges were Clr. Stephen Watkins, chairman of the National Park Authority, Clr. Simon Hancock, Vice-chairman of the Park Authority, John Ratcliffe, Friends of the Pembrokeshire National Park, and Dave Bown, a planning consultant.