A very well attended meeting held in Pembroke Town Hall earlier this month attracted representatives from key community groups from within the town.

Chair, Clr. Dennis Evans opened the meeting, Town Clerk, Suzie Thomas took the minutes.

The individual presentations revealed much progress being made in all areas. Therefore the committee felt it necessary to share our news with the residents of Pembroke and the wider locality.

Clr. Linda Asman, chair of the Pembroke & Monkton Local History Society, presented first on her wishes to eventually progress on her idea for some refurbishment within the Town Hall. However, obtaining the necessary funding and Clr. Asman’s commitment to her ongoing projects, the Town Hall work will be temporarily on hold.

Clr. Asman supported by residents in the locality and members of the History Society has completed a book on events in and around WW1.

Clr. Asman reported that there are now sufficient funds to begin the mould for their Statue of William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke.

The Civic Trust were represented by chair, Peter Thomas and Roy Smith.

Peter reported that repairs to the seat alongside the cenotaph at Pembroke Castle will kindly be undertaken by the West Wales Maritime Heritage Society, who will also provide the wood for the repair.

A key topic on the agenda was the Castle Terrace and South Quay Development Drop-in August event in the Town Hall.

Chair, Clr. Dennis Evans encouraged contributions during the Regeneration meeting from members having attended the event.

The purpose of this event - to gather ideas, suggestions from the public and councillors on what they hope to achieve from the development for Pembroke and its residents.

Members who did attend the event expressed their disappointment in not seeing any plan or artist’s impression of the possibilities for the site’s development.

There was huge concern about the vague press release.

There was question also regarding the date and timing of the Drop-In event.

The chair has passed their comments on to Pembrokeshire County Council’s head of regeneration.

We shall continue as a committee to work with Pembrokeshire County Council on this project.

Clr. Phillips advised that she had attended a meeting earlier in the day with interested parties expressing the Town Council’s concerns regarding the algae and lack of control of the reed beds on the Mill Pond. A permanent solution is possible and funding will be discussed at a future Town Council meeting.

The Regeneration committee were delighted to welcome Sue Lines, manager of the Tanyard Youth Centre.

This invaluable resource has a membership of 250 young people aged 10 to 18 who come from Pembroke, Monkton, Pennar and Pembroke Dock.

The Tanyard is open six evenings a week to children of all abilities. There are four drop-in evenings. Parents wishing to accompany their children are most welcome. Young people attending the centre are supervised and taught many skills equipping them for everyday life.

As you may have heard recently, the Tanyard has received a Children In Need grant of £113,000. This grant is phased over three years and represents a third of the money needed to run the Tanyard; a similar figure is provided by Pembrokeshire County Council. Further funds have to come from fundraising.

The centre is supported by two fully registered qualified youth workers and has recently employed three new staff including an ex-professional football coach.

Pembroke Town Walls Trust, chair, Howard Rudge, gave an up date on the North Walls restoration project. Much background work regarding technical aspects, health and safety requirements had been undertaken whilst work stopped for the nesting season.

Funding is in place for Phase 1 - allocated for the urgent repairs needed, which will be undertaken by volunteers.

The Trust has also been working with Pembrokeshire College which has a new course on stone masonry. A total of 17 students have enrolled on this course, when qualified these trainees can put their skills into practice with the Trust’s projects.

Pembroke Chamber Of Trade secretary, Claire Short, gave her update on the application, submitted by Claire, for Pembroke’s entry into the annual competition for a High Street Rising Star Award.

Claire was thrilled to inform the meeting that Pembroke was shortlisted and was due to be visited by the judges. All aspects of the town’s progress and its businesses would contribute to the final result.

The next meeting will take place at 10.30 am on Monday, November 25 .