In the first PNTA activity since March 2020, a group of twelve gathered at Marloes, for a socially distanced stroll with Richard Ellis, former Head Warden for Pembrokeshire National Trust and wildlife enthusiast. Having seen numerous swallows flying over Marloes Mere, using it as a refuelling venue en route to Africa, we headed across the fields to join the coast path. There choughs made their appearance. Walking on to Deer Park we looked down on the beaches to see grey seal pups.

Thanks to Pat Morgan for organising the event. See below for her detailed account of the of the stroll and extra sightings.

With the benefits of many old maps and aerial photographs Steve Whitehead told the tale of Colby’s mining history and the scattering of mineshafts through the grounds that lead to an exit on Amroth Beach. The tough conditions for the miners, often children, were detailed.

Derek Brockway, in a recent TV programme ‘Weatherman Walking” featured volunteers at Colby with Steve, making areas of past mine workings visible, but safe.

To read Jim Price’s report on the talk click –>5 3 20 Talk Steve Whitehead on Colby Mining

Richard Fenton was born in 1747. Dr Davies described his  early years in St Davids, followed by education at Haverfordwest Grammar School and Oxford.

After a time in the legal profession in London, Richard Fenton was a circuit judge in Wales. An inheritance from his uncle enabled him to build a home in Lower Fishguard. He spent time on various tours of Pembrokeshire, usually on horseback. These he recorded in a book, and Dr Davies detailed some of these journeys, illustrated by some fine recent photographs of places visited.

For Jim Price’s more detailed report click —>Talk 06 02 20

David is secretary of the West Wales Maritime Heritage Society.

He talked about ships torpedoed off the Pembrokeshire coast in the final months of World War 1. A restored memorial at Angle Church has led to new links with Japan in recents years, both at ambassador and family level.

To see Jim Price’s more detailed report click –>Talk 02 01 20

This talk covered the evolution of Postal services from the 1600s to the middle of the 19th century, initially serving Government needs, then the well off, before the penny post made its use widespread. Pembrokeshire featured in the early postal service, as mail needed to get to Ireland, and Rev Antell showed maps of the evolving routes and photographs of envelopes with challenging limited address information.

To see Jim Price’s more detailed report on the presentation click –>Early Postal Services Talk 05 12 19

About 50 members and guests attended the lunch.

After the meal, Chris Harding entertained us with stories from his life at sea, rising through the ranks to become a Captain, in the Merchant Navy. His subsequent career was more local as a Pilot on the Milford Waterway.

A presentation was made to Arnold Williams, to say “thank you” for the many years he has served on PNTA committee, arranging many varied and entertaining talks in his valuable, long stint as Programme Secretary; a post that he has recently relinquished.

Jim Price was handed a badge and certificate to commemorate 20 years service on PNTA committee, having been there from the outset. His work as Vice Chairman, organiser of summer walks, and Newsletter compiler has been invaluable.

Edward, who has previously worked for the National Trust, at Frensham Common, in Surrey, talked of the challenges that face National Parks.

He talked of the history, with USA declaring the first National Park at Yellowstone, in 1872.

He described the different structures across different countries. The UK is unusual in having so many private landowners within its National Parks.

To read Jim Price’s report on the presentation click –>Edward Holdaway Talk 07 11 19

Paul Culyer is the Senior Reserve Manager for NRW in Pembrokeshire.

After a brief description of the development and role of the Natural Resources Wales, he went on to look in more detail at the great variety of National Nature Reserves, across Pembrokeshire, and the integrated work with The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, the National Trust and RSPB.

Aerial photographs highlighted the challenges of establishing/ maintaining wildlife corridors in a county where the vast majority of land is managed primarily for agriculture.

For more detail please click on Jim Price’s summary of the talk –>Talk 121019 pdf

The new kit on the block

About fifty members and guests attended the presentation that set out the reasons for the change in recycling and waste collections.

At present too much of “the wrong stuff” goes in the orange bags.

The target set for the council is 64% of waste to be recycled in 2019, progressing to 70% by 2025.

For more detail of the presentation click on –> Talk 3rd October 2019 pdf

Margaret Price, with help from Lyn Humphries, has liaised with Richards Bros to set up a tour to Cheshire in May 2020, based at Rowton Hall Hotel. The coach trip is likely to take in National Trust Properties at Dunham Massey, Attingham, Croft Castle and Tatton, as well as the Anderton Boat Lift and the Paradise Mill and Silk Museum.

More details and booking forms are available in the recent newsletter. If you have mislaid the printed version, it is available on our website. If you intend to come on the tour to Cheshire, it would help Margret Price a great deal if you could send your deposit before the end of October. The hotel needs an initial payment then, so we want to know, by then, whether we have a viable trip. Numbers are encouraging so far, but we need to have a few more signing up, for the trip to happen.