I am pleased to report that Pembroke Museum has been awarded full accreditation status by the Welsh Government. To qualify for the award, museums must meet standards on how they are managed, on the services they offer and how they manage their collections. 

We have come a long way since we started on the journey a decade ago.  We literally had to begin from scratch with no collections at all. However, what began as a local history pop up exhibition of photographs and stories began to attract donations of artefacts and the museum began to grow and grow. Thanks to generous community donations we have been able to develop some very interesting and important collections relevant to the history of our town.  It is to the credit of our dedicated volunteers that we have now met nationally agreed standards for UK museums and that we are recognised at the same level as Wales’ larger and professionally staffed museums. 

This is no small achievement for a museum that is entirely volunteer run.  I should also like to thank Sara Paul of the Welsh Government and Emma Hartley, our Museum Mentor, who helped me navigate the application process and develop the necessary professional practices and procedures.

The Museum sub-committee takes care of the running of the museum on the Society's behalf under the chairmanship of Ron Rees. We are fortunate to have dedicated volunteers: Ron Rees, George Palmer and Roy Smith, in particular, have given so much of their time and expertise to developing the displays while Rose Blackburn and her Miniaturist group have introduced a popular addition to the collection. June Wilcocks and Mary Willington have taken a big hand in fundraising for the Museum with the organisation of Quiz Nights. And not forgetting all who organise and bake for the lovely, accompanying buffets. Volunteers are vital to the running of the museum and a big thank you to all concerned in giving up their time to man the museum throughout the year; a big commitment.

I must add a big thankyou to Pembroke Town Council, which has made possible the Museum by providing the accommodation in the old Magistrate’s Courtroom. 

Outreach

1: Programme of Talks

2: Displays

3: Stalls at local events

The main ones being: Carew Castle, the Pembroke Show, Carew Castle and Pembroke Castle’s Christmas Market. This was very successful: June Willcocks and Mary Willington raffled a wonderful hamper which was drawn by Gareth Jones, Town Crier, in Pembroke Town Hall. Thank you to everyone who gave up their time to man the stall over the 3 days.

4 Quiz Nights

June Willcocks and Mary Willington have resumed the popular Quiz Nights, which had been held for many years on a regular basis until the Covid restrictions in 2020.  Quiz Nights were held on 12th April, 13th September and 17th January and proved very successful with all tables taken. Thank you also to Rose Blackburn for taking on the role of Quiz Master and to everyone for supplying the food for the buffet - we always have a good spread!

 

5 Projects

We had been working on another addition to the proposed statue trail with a dragon fountain in Pembroke Millpond. However, as reported in last year’s Report, the project was interrupted by Covid: it had lost momentum and we were having to look at how to proceed. Initially, we had carried out a public consultation, obtained initial funding from LEADER (administered by Planed) for a school’s project and the commission of a maquette from Gideon Peterson. It was an ambitious project and could only be achieved with support from Pembroke Town Council and the wider community. However, PTC is backing the project and has put forward plans to PCC for enhancement of the Mill Pond, which would include the dragon fountain. The whole project would be part of a LUF scheme proposed by PCC.  This is not definite at present but there is a glimmer of hope that the dragon may yet rise from the Millpond.

 

Steps are also being taken for an addition to the statue trail in the form of a group of 3 ladies – a tribute to women’s role in history, so often neglected. These are 3 ladies connected to Pembroke, who made a considerable contribution to our nation’s history and who span the middle ages from the Norman Conquest to the birth of the Tudor dynasty.  They are Princess Nest, Isabel de Clare and Margaret Beaufort. Harriet Addyman is carrying out the initial research and this will result in the making of historically correct costumes which will be modelled by 3 young ladies selected for the project. We are hoping that the plinths for the statues will be constructed as a community project by the South Quay contractors, Scott and our chosen site would be along the pathway up to the Parade, to encourage visitors to take that route up to town.

If these two projected works can be achieved, Pembroke will have an impressive statue trail, which would attract many visitors to the town.

In conclusion,

I give a big thank you to a hard working committee for their support, for giving up so much of their time and for their generosity.  If anyone wishes to volunteer to join the team they will be most welcome.

 

Linda Asman

 

Our much missed Pauline Waters (right), Mayor of Pembroke and former Vice Chairman of the Society. Pictured here outside Pembroke Castle with Rose Blackburn, Town Crier.

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