Conservation and community involvement of the historic town wall

he site for our pilot project was identified in 2013 to the rear of the Tabernacle United Reformed Church on the south side of Main Street.  The Church was being modernised and extended to be used as a base for a number of community activities and Pembroke 21C Community Association had established their Pembroke Story Heritage Project there.

An innovative and important project is being developed by Pembroke 21C, linked to the Pembroke Story.  Within the burgage and town walls behind the church they are creating a heritage community garden designed to enhance the Pembroke Story by telling the history of the town through planting – A Journey through Time.

Pembroke Town Walls Trust was invited to conserve the walls around the site as a pilot project and a Partnership Agreement between the three organisations was signed.  The walls include a section of Town Wall with a lime kiln, and burgage walls on either side.  Funding was secured from the National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wales, Cadw and Pembroke Town Council and the conservation of the walls was completed in 2020.

The site links the commons with the Main Street through the town walls, the garden and the church with an exhibition of the Pembroke Story inside the Church.

The pilot project has enabled us to learn our way forward, working with local Cadw Approved Architects, Mark Vines of Acanthus Holden, and seeking quotes from and working with local stone masons.  The overgrowth in the garden and on the walls had to be cleared outside the bird nesting season each year and we are constantly grateful to the local Wildlife Trust and the Friends of the National Park for their help and advice.

The lime mortar used in the walls has to be mixed, processed and finished to Cadw’s pre-approved specification set out in full detail a document entitled ‘NBS Specification and Heritage Impact Assessment’.  For example, every single stone to be moved/replaced must be from approved stock, concrete mortars cannot be used, and using the lime mortar is weather related, ie it cannot be mixed and used below a certain temperature or in heavy rain.  The architects who maintain oversight of the work and the approved individual in the practice must sign off the processes and the work.

5^th September 2021:

The Garden was formally opened by the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Pembroke involving a church service at Tabernacle Church followed by ribbon cutting ceremonies at the top and bottom of the garden. In attendance were the Trustees and CIC board members along with the gardening volunteer team. Original planning was by Nikki Anderson.

The project is a dedication to those who have worked incredibly hard and special thanks goes to Janet Drogan (Trust Chair 2013-2019),  Michael Edwards (now deceased) and Nikki Anderson (now deceased). A mention is also necessary for the continued support of Pembroke 21C.

• Year : 2019
• Client : Pembroke 21C
• Status : Completed
• Location : Pembrokeshire