Another successful year of school visits has come to an end at Valero Pembroke Refinery’s primary school environmental project, following a packed programme of events in 2018.

The annual school project brings hundreds of primary age children to Valero’s Environmental and Community Centre at the deconsecrated St. Mary’s Church in Pwllcrochan, where pupils learn all about the various flora and fauna in a dedicated wildlife habitat. The Grade II listed church was converted into an environmental facility by Pembroke Refinery several years ago, and is fully stocked with equipment for the schools to use, and nearby boardwalks allow fun activities such as pond-dipping.

Primary schools from across Pembrokeshire took part in the sessions at Pwllcrochan this year, including Cleddau Reach Primary School, Narberth Primary School, Coastlands CP School, Pennar Primary School and Tavernspite Primary School. The day long activities, which take place on the centre’s marshland boardwalks, includes identifying different species, and exploring the surrounding woodland. This year’s sessions were led by dedicated project co-ordinators Clare Jessop, David Rowe and Jess Wellings, ably assisted by volunteers from the Texaco Retirees Association.

Valero refinery public affairs mnager, Stephen Thornton, said: “Getting an understanding of the natural world at an early age is incredibly important, and that is why Valero’s environmental primary school education project is so important. We provide an opportunity to local schools at no charge to take advantage the abundant wildlife on our doorstep. Our thanks go to our co-ordinators Clare, David and Jess, as well as the committed refinery retiree volunteers, and we look forward to welcoming more schools, teachers and pupils to Pwllcrochan next year.”