I begin our Annual Report with Pembroke Museum, which has become the focus of our Society. Originally set up as a community project, ownership rests with Pembroke Town Council and the Society develops and runs the museum voluntarily on its behalf, a good example of council/community cooperation. The Museum sub-committee takes care of the running of the museum on the Society's behalf under the chairmanship of Ron Rees.  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. Volunteers are vital to the running of the Society and a big thank you to all concerned in giving up their time to man the museum throughout the year; a big commitment.

Last year I was proud to report that the Museum was awarded full accreditation, a testament of the work we have put into its development over the years and continue to do so. During the winter months of closure improvements take place – it is an ongoing project. Numbers were slightly down this year as renovation work had to be carried out to the front of the building, delaying opening until May.

This year I can report that great improvements have been made to the ‘Story of Pembroke’ display. We have finally rid ourselves of the last of the blue temporary display boards by replacing each exhibit against a large photographic background. Autodromo was commissioned to make a new William Marshal mannequin, a steel framed model to support chain mail along with a replica shield made from the statue mould.  The Tudor display now features Rhys ap Thomas and the Great Tournament of 1508. A television screen was purchased to run an extract of the 2008 re-enactment at Carew, which looks most effective.  A new model of Henry VII was purchased to replace the rather effeminate mannequin which now exhibits a replica of the Order of the Golden Fleece as portrayed on his famous portrait.  We have also replaced the John Poyer mannequin with a much more realistic one from European Mannequins – although he did get stuck in Customs for a time, falling foul of Brexit regulations! Interpretation boards were also produced for the maritime display and the railways display. All this combines to give a more professional look to our museum; we have come a long way since its beginnings of photographs velcroed to display boards.

We are also indebted, of course, to the kind donations from the community –I am especially thankful for the donations of costumes from Stephen Bartlett some of which are displayed on the Town Hall landing: a child wearing an Edwardian outfit holding an authentic hoop and a lady dressed in a 1920s tennis dress. Other examples of costume are seen around the museum – I only wish we had more space to exhibit more as we have many in storage

The Museum opened after the winter break on February 16th for the half term holiday. Volunteers can now be seen wearing navy gilets with embroidered museum logos and I thank Ann Mortenson for arranging this. All in all we have an excellent team of dedicated volunteers, but this year we celebrated one special volunteer– Mary Willington who celebrated her 90th birthday with a party held at Pembroke Rugby Club.

OUTREACH

As well as running the museum, the Society reaches out to the community in many ways. It was our outreach programme that impressed in our successful accreditation bid. The programme of talks has proved increasingly popular with audiences reaching 100 and even more. A coffee morning and the opening up of the museum accompany the talks, which are free at entry.  Thanks in particular to the ladies of the Committee who bake the cakes and serve the coffees as well as organising the raffle which enables us not only to cover our overheads but also raises much needed funds for the museum.  All the expense of development, such as outlined above, are met by the Society’s fundraising efforts

1 PROGRAMME OF EVENTS

We have welcomed interesting speakers who have given talks on a variety of heritage topics aspects.

2 DISPLAYS

Another way of reaching out is by displays around the town.

i) For many years we put up displays in the shop window of Brown’s café to advertise the museum, events and projects we are involved in. However, this has now come to an end although the owners have followed through with an interesting display all about Mrs Constance Brown who at the age of 90 was awarded the MBE and ran her fish and chip business in Pembroke since 1928. What a legend she was!

ii) Until recently the Society put up displays in St Mary’s Church, but this was not possible last year because of the bells project resulting in the Church being closed apart from Services.

However, on 21st January - after a major renovation of the bells and replacement of three floors in the Norman tower, St Mary’s bells were returned to Pembroke. It is a tradition that they are blessed, or re-blessed if they return from a period of absence and are decorated for the occasion.  The Society was invited to decorate one of the bells, the 9th bell which was cast in 1765, with a decoration which would symbolise our organisation.  We chose a Tudor theme – a posy of red and white roses set in a golden crown. Thankyou to Mary Busby for making up the display.

The renovation of the bells was an amazing achievement and congratulations to our wonderful St Mary’s Church, to Anne Bunker who has worked so tirelessly to bring this about and to all involved. Thank you from us all – and we can now, once again, hear these wonderful bells ring out.

iii)The St David Day’s parade organised by Pembroke Town Team was again very successful and we were invited to participate by assembling a display in the Castle Marquee and some volunteers took part in the march which was a great success.

 

3 STALLS AT COMMUNITY EVENTS

The Society participated in three events this year.  We set up stalls at

i) Carew Castle : Unearthing History event on August 4th

ii) Pembroke and District Show, Lamphey on August 6th

iii) Pembroke Castle’s Christmas Market November 28th-30th. As well as showcasing the work of our Society, it was, again, very successful in raising funds thanks largely to June Willcocks and Mary Willington who organised the raffle for a bumper Christmas hamper, which was drawn by Pembroke Mayor, Cllr Gareth Jones, in Pembroke Town Hall. Thank you to our volunteers who gave up their time to man the stall over the 3 days.

4 QUIZ NIGHTS

Quiz Nights are organised by June Wilcocks and Mary Willington. These take place in Pembroke Town Hall and prove a popular, enjoyable evening as well as raising funds for the Society. Thank you to our Quizmaster Rose Blackburn and to all of our ladies who prepare the lovely buffets which makes the Quiz Nights so popular!

 

5 VISITS

Only one visit was arranged this year – following a talk by Maggie Goodall of the Friends of Friendless Churches, we were invited to the Open Day at Castlemartin Church. This was a lovely occasion and we were most impressed by the work done to improve the church.

 

PROJECTS

November saw the public launch of our statue project, which was held in Pembroke Town Hall to a large audience. Following the success of the Henry Tudor and William Marshal statues, we are keen to continue the idea of a statue/arts trail with the addition of a group of statues to celebrate the role of women in our history: three women, with Pembroke connections, who have played a great part in our nation's story. They are Princess Nest, Isabel de Clare and Margaret Beaufort - it is rare for women to be celebrated in statues, so we need to put that right!

We are working again with sculptor Harriet Addyman who has already done us proud with Henry and William. She has already done much research on the design of the costumes, which are as historically accurate as possible. These were modelled at the event by Louise, Florence and Derryn, who is a professional dressmaker and responsible to the making of the lovely dresses.

The site we are looking at for the placing of the statues is the footpath, which takes you from the Commons up to the Parade. It will form the end of a circular trail beginning at the Castle, then following a route to the Town Hall, Clock Tower, Church, Millpond, Mill Bridge, along the base of the Castle, Commons and back to the town via Willings Passage. We have a way to go but we have made a great start. As with previous projects, we are always open to ideas and input.

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, Chairman

19th  March 2026

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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