Inactivity in the ‘Mayor’s Parlour’ since the first Covid lockdown has seen Tenby town council’s chamber suffer with damp, mould and mildew.

In a report that came before town councillors recently, it was noted by the town clerk Andrew Davies that the last time the Mayor’s Parlour which sits inside the historic town walls as part of the De Valence building, had been used as a meeting space was on March 17, 2020, prior to the first lockdown, and due to Covid restrictions on face-to-face meetings since, the space has remained dormant.

Mr. Davies pointed out that it had been noticed by the Mayor when she had cause to enter the chamber during the summer recess that there was some evidence of mould, and an inspection was subsequently made.

It was observed that despite the doors to the chamber being left open wherever possible to allow air to circulate and the dehumidifier being emptied regularly, the lack of use of the space had resulted in considerable problems with damp, mould and mildew - particularly in those areas in close proximity to the outside walls, affecting plasterboard and various artefacts, paintings and other memorabilia.

He said that there was also evidence of some active woodworm infestation in the wooden plinths near the Turret, although fortunately there seemed to be no evidence of transfer to the other items of wooden furniture.

The clerk said that he felt that quite substantial remedial work was required to tackle the damp egress, and further investigation required regarding the potential woodworm infestation.

Discussing the matter at a recent meeting, the clerk told councillors that the report didn’t make for ‘happy reading’.

The Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Sam Skyrme-Blackhall said she felt it was not acceptable for the clerk or his assistant to clean the Parlour proposing that the Council employ professional cleaners to undertake the task.

It was resolved that the town council bring in a firm of local professional cleaners to rectify the matter.

The Mayor also proposed asking for Clr. Trevor Hallett to catalogue items in the parlour. Photographic evidence would be useful and advice would be sought from Tenby Museum’s curator Mark Lewis.

The clerk thanked the council for their input, but added that a deep clean would not address all his concerns over the damp on the wall nearest the turret. Most of the walls were left in their natural state he explained, but this section of the wall was plastered over and there appeared to be no vent which had allowed the damp to take hold.

Clr. Hallett explained that the prevailing wind hitting the tower meant this area was more prone to the rain.

The clerk felt a builder was needed but he didn’t know the scale of the job or likely cost. Clr. Mike Evans said he would liaise with a local builder to pop up and have a look, and then the clerk would then be in a position to understand what needed to be done to bring it back to the next meeting.