A book on the 200 Year History and Heritage of Pembroke Farmers’ Club, compiled by Edward Morris of Loveston Farm, was launched at the Town Hall last Thursday. Edward was very pleased with the number of people who came to the launch and thanks them for making the event a success.

Edward was very pleased to be able to finally launch his book after several years of working on his project.

He has spent over three years gathering information to produce this book which depicts the history of the Club over the last 200 years.

It begins with the circumstances of the time when the Club was originally formed in 1817 lead by two major landlords in the area – Lord Cawdor of Stackpole and Sir John Owen of Orielton.

The Club was fortunate in having in its possession some very old schedules and Minute books dating back as early as 1839.

As the Club’s 200th anniversary was drawing near Edward felt that this was a good time to pull together as much information as he could as there was no other record of the Club’s past.

He has spent many hours in archive offices and museums and making appeals for memorabilia held by farming families.

Together with the help of members of the present-day Club and with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund he has been able to get this book published.

The book includes information about what the original Club members discussed at their meetings; the Annual Show and the Annual Fat stock Show reports and information on where they were held over the 200 years; the Pembroke Rabbit Factory; the acquisition of 6000 acres by the War Office for the formation of the Castlemartin Army Camp and what this meant for the former tenants of the area; the demise of the Stackpole Estate; the First and Second World War and the Club’s part in raising money for the War effort; the Women’s Land Army; an amusing report on a shooting party; the visit of the King to the area and lots more.

It also deals with the formation of the South Pembrokeshire Young Farmers Club in 1942 by Edward’s grandfather Eddie Roberts and local auctioneer and estate agent Captain Thomas, with lots of photographs of members past and present.

Edward wishes to thank everyone who contributed photographs and information for the book and also for the exhibitions which have been produced from all the research and especially the Heritage Lottery Fund and its officers who have been so supportive and enabled the project.

Also, to Mrs Linda Asman of the Pembroke and Monkton History Society, for all her support and encouragement.

The book will be on sale at the annual Pembroke Town and Country Show on the 7th August and also at the Pembrokeshire County Show where, courtesy of Mr. Phil Rees, it will be for sale in the PRAg trade stand which is on the walkway between the show rings. The book is priced at just £15, thanks to the HLF’s funding.

Many people commented that such a large quality book should much more expensive.

It is also available for purchase at the Town Hall at the reception desk or in the Museum on the first floor.