Defence of the Realm - Pembrokeshire - Cadw

The theme of the Cadw pan Wales Defence of the Realm project is the story of the part Wales has played in defending Britain from war and invasion from the late 18th century French Revolutionary Wars to the end of the Cold War in the 1990s. Cadw decided to commence by developing a Defence of the Realm interpretation plan for Pembrokeshire. Attract was commissioned to write the Plan and it is now available on the Cadw website. Defence of the Realm Interpretation Plan

The project aims to maximise the economic value of heritage and make the Welsh historic environment more intellectually accessible, more enjoyable to visit for both tourists and local residents and create a lasting sense of what makes Wales special. Although much of recent history in Pembrokeshire has centred around the Haven, this has not been exclusively so, and the project has therefore considered the  County as a whole. Implementation should ensure that this balance is maintained.

Cadw is a Welsh word which means 'to keep'. Cadw is the Welsh Assembly Government's historic environment division. Cadw aims to:

• protect and sustain
• encourage community engagement in
• improve access to the historic environment of Wales. This includes historic buildings, ancient monuments, historic parks, gardens and landscapes, and underwater archaeology.

Trustee appointments to Pembroke Dock Sunderland Trust

The Chief Executive of the Milford Haven Port Authority, Alec Don, has accepted an invitation to become a Trustee of the Pembroke Dock Sunderland Trust.

He joins another recently appointed Trustee, Mr Phil Thompson, on the board, strengthening the Trust which is leading unique and high profile heritage initiatives in Pembrokeshire.

Mr Don joined the Port Authority in February while Mr Thompson, now a director with CIOTEK PR and Events, retired earlier this year as Public Affairs Manager at Chevron’s Pembroke Refinery.

Welcoming the new Trustees, Trust Chairman William McNamara said: “As a Trust we have made considerable progress in a short time but we are very much aware that we needed to recruit active Trustees who are prepared to work hard to help progress our exciting plans which have caught the imagination of so many people.

“The Port Authority has been a key supporter of the Trust from the beginning and Phil Thompson has worked closely with us all this time as well so we are delighted that they have agreed to join us.”

Already the Trust has established a unique visitor attraction in the Flying Boat Centre in the former Pembroke Dockyard and which has attracted over 7,000 visitors. It is also working towards recovering the remains of a wartime Sunderland flying boat which sank locally 70 years ago, and moving ahead with plans with partner organisations for a military heritage centre at the beautifully restored Garrison Chapel, one of Pembroke Dock’s most famous and historic buildings.

“The military heritage of this area is remarkable and of national and international importance and our new Trustees will help us to take our plans forward,” added Mr McNamara.

Alec Don said: "I am delighted to become more involved with this fantastic project. The Sunderland Trust is to a substantial extent intrinsically about the history of the port of Milford Haven and Pembroke Port. The large Sunderland hangars at Pembroke Dock continue to have a vibrant economic life as part of the port and I hope eventually we will see Sunderland T9044 raised and installed at the centre of a new national visitor attraction for Pembrokeshire.

“I very much look forward to working closely with William and my fellow Trustees to make this hope a reality."

Caption to picture:

New Sunderland Trustees Alec Don (left) and Phil Thompson.
PICTURE: Martin Cavaney Photography.

Attract Marketing  is working with the Pembroke Dock Sunderland Trust to develop the visitor attraction.