Earlier this month members of the West Wales Maritime Heritage Society in Pembroke Dock were delighted to be joined by Pembrokeshire County Council representative to sign a lease giving the organisation greater security of tenure of the site.

On May 1, Mr. Phil Woosnam of Pembrokeshire County Council, met Mr. Brian King chairman of the West Wales Maritime Heritage Society and Mr. David James Company secretary in Hancock’s Yard, along with several members of the Society who had stopped work on the projects that they were engaged upon.

The purpose of the meeting was to sign a lease drawn up by the PCC at the request of the WWMHS which gives the Society greater security of tenure of the site.

Without such a document, the Society had great difficulty in applying from grant aid from numerous sources, including the Heritage Lottery Fund.

In spite of this drawback, the members of this dynamic group have turned the yard into one of Pembroke Dock’s ‘must see’ attractions.

In the last year a brand new Tenby Lugger - a traditional Pembrokeshire sailing/fishing boat has been built and launched, whilse work is well advanced with another replica of a local boat.

Work is also progressing on maintenance of the rest of the sailing fleet owned by the Society. An RNAS armoured car of World War I which is in working condition is also curently at the site.

Recently the Royal Commission for the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Wales held a conference in Pembroke Dock and the delegates were invited to see the yard.

“The reaction of people who represented museums all over Wales was one of amazement that we are doing so well,” said a spokeperson for West Wales Maritime Heritage Society.

“They explained that most Welsh museums are struggling and some are considering closing permanently. Our secret is that we are not just a museum, we have projects on the go and are exploiting the theory that some people love to watch others working.

“Thus, having the new lease will certainly open funding doors for us and will enable the Society to really develop along lines that are, at the moment, just ideas,” they added.

A PCC spokesperson commented: “Pembrokeshire County Council is pleased to support the ongoing work of West Wales Maritime Heritage through the grant of the lease.

“The increased security afforded by the new lease will give the tenant greater confidence when it comes to improving the site further and the opportunity to explore external funding options that have not been possible previously”.

The next yard event will be on Monday, May 27, with more information to follow about this nearer the date.