Chairman's Newsletter
January 2019
Despite poor weather there was a good turnout for the town walk in July when Mark Muller led the group on a walk from St David & St Patrick Church in Dew Street to Tower Hill via Fountain Row, Barn Street and Mariners Square commenting on points of interest and explaining the historical significance of features along the way.
Following a break for the summer we met again in September for the European Heritage Day/Open Doors event which was held at Scolton Manor. The fine weather meant we were treated to an excellent tour of the refurbished walled garden by the recently appointed specialist gardener, Simon Richards. Speaking as someone who was sceptical about the demolition of the former museum and disappointed by the initial efforts of restoration I must say how impressed I am by the transformation of the Victorian Walled Garden by Simon and his team of volunteers.
Members were also treated to a very interesting tour of the house with Cait Hilditch miraculously shepherding an enormous crowd from room to room as she explained the relevance of the displays, the history of the house and the importance of the new display areas.
In October Mark Muller addressed the Society on the impact of the Great War on Pembrokeshire and this was followed in November by Simon Hancock’s talk on the role played by women during the conflict, an aspect often overlooked but which was absolutely vital to Britain’s role in the conflict.
Sandwiched between these talks was the 2018 annual supper which took the form of an Armistice Supper. Excellent food authentic to the period was provided by the caterers and was followed by a rousing singalong in which everyone enthusiastically joined in; and I got to wear a funny hat! To my mind this was the best supper for some time and certainly the only one where I have been contacted afterwards by members saying how much they enjoyed it.
All of the committee (and my wife Helen) put in a lot of effort into the preparations for the supper (and it showed) but I must give special thanks to our Secretary Lesley Turner who came up with the initial idea and worked tirelessly to make it such a success.
