Thomas Lloyd, the well-known Welsh architectural historian, said on Friday that the unique record of Tenby left by the artist Charles Norris deserves to be better known amongst architectural and marine historians as well as amongst everyone interested in the heritage of Pembrokeshire.

He was opening the new exhibition of Norris's work at Tenby Museum and Art Gallery, and launching a Museum publication, Charles Norris in Pembrokeshire, 1805 to 1841, which represents the most comprehensive account of Norris and his work yet published.

Both exhibition and publication have been made possible through the generous support of Planed.

In addition to the exhibition, the Museum also has available much of the extensive collection of Norris's work on loan from Cardiff City Library which can be viewed by contacting the museum.

Charles Norris was a gentleman artist who meticulously recorded the mediaeval buildings of Tenby as they were pulled down to be replaced by fashionable Georgian ones.

He left Tenby with a more comprehensive record of its early architecture than any small town in Wales, and possibly the United Kingdom.

In addition to Tenby, Charles Norris produced a fine record of St. David's and a series of pictures covering the whole of Pembrokeshire and places beyond.

His work was accurate and carefully observed, providing an archive that architectural historians could always return to and, as a result, Norris is a figure of national and not just local importance.

Mr. Lloyd went on to say that "the exhibition should breach the barriers that prevent Charles Norris from achieving national fame."

The work of Charles Norris is not, however, confined to architecture since he also produced many excellent representations of ships in harbour and at sea. These give details of both hulls and rigging with a level of accuracy that should be of great interest to marine historians. But the significance of Norris is more than technical, his pictures are lively, of great charm and engage the viewer.

Mr. Lloyd thanked all of those who had contributed to the publication and exhibition, including in particular John Tipton, the former honorary curator of Tenby Museum and Art Gallery, who had shown great prescience in seeing the importance of Norris's work and amassing the extensive photographic archive on which the publication is based.

The book, Charles Norris in Pembrokeshire, 1805 to 1841, has a map and CD containing 140 images by Norris of Tenby and other places in Pembrokeshire, including Pembroke, Penally, St. Florence and Haverfordwest.

It is available from Tenby Museum and would make an excellent Christmas present for anyone who lives in or loves Pembrokeshire.

The exhibition of Charles Norris's work from the collection of Tenby Museum and Art Gallery runs until midday December 22, Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 4.30 pm.