PNTA members at the AGM and Pre Christmas Lunch. Photograph Andrew Weaver

Minutes and Treasurer’s report were approved.

Jane Mason, Andrew Weaver, Annie Weaver, Marilyn James and Steven Flather have been on the committee for more than five years. They were duly re-elected after ten signatures were obtained from PNTA members.

Lyn Humphries, Graham and Sandra Wright were also re-elected. Positions remain as previously.

Jonathan Hughes, Assistant Director for Wales, gave a talk following lunch about his new role as lead for Restoring Nature for the National Trust across Wales. He explained the National Trust is establishing three main themes of work and this is one. The others being visitor growth, and access including a new focus on The Valleys. His aim is to work on large scale projects such as restoring peat bogs, expanding and creating new deciduous forests, and restoring biodiversity in Wales. In the face of a nature emergency and climate change we need to work fast to really make a difference to nature recovery in the next ten years. This work will include partnering and working with many other large organisations and grant funders to make these large projects happen.

Chairman’s report

Welcome to everyone including Jonathan Hughes, Assistant Director of Operations South Wales and thank you all for braving the snow…

In 2025 I have once again been delighted by the work and enthusiasm of the committee and the friendliness and support of the PNTA membership. This must be the year of the willow sculptures which the PNTA donated to Stackpole. Who would have known that this Victorian couple and the spaniel could have caused such a social media stir.

The year has seen a huge variety of walks and talks. The winter 2024/2025 talks were organised by myself and kindly aided in admin and sound by committee members Sandra and Graham Wright and Alan Mason off committee. From Cesar Picton to historical figure of Tenby, National Trust woodlands and maritime archaeology around the Pembrokeshire coast we always learn something new. An interesting 2025/26 programme is now being entirely organised and run by Graham and Sandra Wright who I am very grateful to for taking this over from me. They are looking ahead to 2026/27, so ideas and comments always welcome.

I always look forward to our lovely summer walks programme, well organised by Steve Drinkwater.  These included the Port of Haverfordwest, Regeneration work at the newly acquired NT farm Cilau Ganol in North Pembrokeshire and a stroll  through  stunning Colby woodland garden. All in glorious sunshine.

The Summer day visits proved popular with a visit to the Gwili railway and a coach trip to llanelly house. Thank you to Graham Brace for making these happen.

A highly successful annual tour, this year in May to North Wales, saw 51 people enjoying the delights of Penrhyn and Caernarfon castles, Conway, Bodnant and the osprey centre. Thanks to all who joined the tour, helping to raise funds for PNTA and to Annie and Andrew Weaver for their amazing organisation and friendly welcome. Next year the tour hits south Devon on the 10-14 May, there are some spaces left so do talk to us if interested.

We also had two lovely get togethers at Hilton and the walled gardens kindly organised by Lyn Humphreys.

During the year members received two excellent and informative newsletters, stoically collated and produced by Marilyn and  a monthly newsy mailchimp diligently put together by Andrew

How lucky we are to get all this for just £5 a year or £8 couple – and the price has not gone up!

Subscriptions are due by January for 2026 and everyone needs to fill in a new style membership form. This is downloadable from the website or available here or at meetings. All newsletters will now be sent electronically unless you specifically ask for a printed copy at the additional cost of £2 to be paid to our Treasurer. 

Sadly, we had two resignations from the committee a couple of months ago – Sheila Ashton after more than 10 excellent years as Membership Secretary. This year she kindly worked with me on trying to get our database reconciled. Graham Brace has organised two summers of great day trips. So, our thanks go to them both. Without people helping in this way the PNTA would not exist.

I am holding the fort as Membership Secretary, so a big plea for you all to make sure you get your forms and payments sorted. I know many pay by standing order but please fill in the new form. We have fortunately been lucky to recruit Angela Probert Jones to the role as Membership Secretary from February 2026 onwards. That leaves a vacant committee position to organise summer day trips. Please talk to me if you think you can be of help for one or more trips, on or off committee

I have recently met with Rhian Sula, General Manager NT Pembrokeshire, who explained the change process that is going at the Pembrokeshire National Trust regarding area organisation and staffing. We will know more by February who our main contacts there will be. She again expressed her gratitude to all in the PNTA for your help and donations. We will be working together to look at ways to recruit new members and support the Stackpole Estate as they celebrate their 50 years under the NT in 2026.

Our membership is currently 261. Please ideas and suggestions to attract new members are always welcome…. We have had a suggestion of a gift membership but are considering how to administer this. Don’t forget we have this year produced a leaflet about ourselves and if you need any of these or a poster to promote the PNTA to friends or your community do ask for copies.

Our PNTA funds remain healthy and thanks to our Treasurer Steven for all his work behind the scenes keeping the accounts and the money in order. The accounts were circulated and approved.

In a recent report to our committee, our Treasurer Steven explained that at the End October the Association shows a net worth £12,087,97

I can announce today that the PNTA committee has just agreed this week to donate £3460 to the Pembrokeshire National Trust: Stackpole rose arch renovations and new and path edging, oak tree planting – Sessile oaks for planting at Southwood and Abermawr, a new bookcase for the Colby gardens second-hand bookshop, two voice recorders to collect oral history memoirs, willow baskets and pottery for Colby and water sampling at Broad Haven South to be able to provide drinking water supplies.

The committee will be also considering sponsoring a project or event linked to the 50th anniversary celebrations at Stackpole next year. if there are no objections to this today, we consider these as accepted by PNTA members.

Thanks to Annie Weaver for her diligent role as Secretary and organising today’s event and of course to all the committee and PNTA members for their support in 2025.