Work began on Wednesday to begin to clear the vegetation from the face of Pembroke’s North Walls along the Mill Ponds.

With help from teams of volunteers from the Pembrokeshire branch of the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, and from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park a good start has been made to cut back the thick overgrowth of ivy, brambles and tree saplings so that an inspection of the walls can be undertaken.

Cutting back can only take place before the bird nesting season starts at the end of March so the help of these volunteers now is important.

Pembroke Town Walls Trust has just received a grant from Pembrokeshire County Council’s Enhancing Pembrokeshire fund to enable this work to go ahead. A detailed photographic record will be made of the state of the walls and a plan for the work that needs to be done over the coming years.

Howard Rudge, Chair of the Pembroke Town Walls Trust, said; “This is going to be a long- term project which will have a significant impact for Historic Pembroke. We will be able to open up a long sweep of walls, some of which date back to the 14th Century, for both the community and visitors to the town.”

“Over the coming months there will be more volunteer work parties, and events to engage the community so that they are informed of the work we are doing and its contribution to their local heritage.”