Sir,

Holyland Community Woodland, Pembroke, has been selected to receive a grant from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative - either £8,000, £10,000 or £12,000 depending on a vote of local people which will take place in the Pembroke Dock store from February 27 - March 6 - note you need to go into the store to vote.

Whatever the outcome, we will receive at least an £8,000 grant which enable us to improve access to the woodland by upgrading the boardwalk. We will raise the sunken sections that are prone to flooding and straighten a section that is buckled by willow roots. In addition, we will ensure it is fully safe for wheelchair access with raised wooden edges all along, floats put under where needed and install posts to prevent movement. The funding will pay for the purchase of recycled plastic boardwalk slats and runners, tanalised wood posts and sleepers, other materials and tool hire and the labour to carry out the work. We will use some experienced volunteers to assist. There will also be some for project administration and overhead costs.

If we come second, we will receive £10,000 which will enable us in addition to create a pond to attract further wildlife and biodiversity to the woodland. We will plant some reeds and other indigenous pond plants around the edges. Again, we will use some volunteer assistance, especially with the planting and include some for the administration and overhead costs of the project.

If we come first we will receive £12,000 which will enable us to also design and produce an information board about walks around the woodland. Currently, there are coloured wooden posts denoting different trails around the woodland but nothing to explain what they are for. An A0 size map of the woodland to guide walkers around the area and explain the different colours would be installed in the car park on a wooden frame mount. It will also point out the different trees and identify birds, insects and other biodiversity. In future we would like to design and print a leaflet.

So can we ask you to please support this well-loved community woodland and go into Tesco to vote between the dates and to also please pass this information on and ask others to vote as well.

Thank you.

Elizabeth Gossage,

Pembroke 21C Community Association,

Foundry House Community Centre,

Orange Way,

Pembroke