Volunteers from the Friends of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park kicked off the year with a hearty breakfast at Thirty Five café in Solva in recognition of their achievements in 2016 and to prepare for the new year ahead. Members of the work party were joined by Tegryn Jones (chief executive PCNPA), Ian Meopham and Daniel Wynn (PCNPA wardens), Anthony Richards (PCNPA Rights of Way officer).

The work party group meets every Tuesday and undertakes tasks within the Park, including repairing footpaths and structures, painting, litter picking and clearing vegetation. Highlights for 2016 included clearing gorse at Lydstep Haven, restoration of a lime kiln at East Hook, clearing coppiced woods, path repairs and meadow scything at Stackpole and clearing and rebuilding listed church walls at Llanwnda.

Alan Mason, the work party leader, said: “The breakfast is a great opportunity for the group to meet up with wardens and leaders from the National Park and discuss projects for the year ahead. Already we have projects involving constructing a new footpath through woodland in Dale and are looking at assisting with the possible construction of a footbridge on the outskirts of Solva.”

Locations and dates were agreed with tasks over the next three months allocated at Dale, Stackpole, Aberhigian, Aberfforest and Garn Fawr. During the late spring/summer, the group will turn their attention to tackling Himalayan Balsam in the Gwaun Valley, with one Tuesday a month allocated to that task.

In 2016, the work party completed the equivalent of more than 300 person days improving and enhancing the park and are looking to better this in 2017. The group often works in idyllic locations and is always looking for new members to join.

The Friends of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is a charity with some 400 members whose stated aim is to help to protect, conserve and enhance the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The charity welcomes new members of all ages.

Visit www.fpcnp.org.uk for more information and a list of future events. The work party meets on Tuesdays, 10 am - 3 pm, and carries out conservation and enhancement work within the National Park. If you would like try out a session with the work party, please use the contact form on the website.

The Friends also run a comprehensive series of events including visits, walks and talks as well as contributing to consultations affecting the future of the park.

The Friends of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is a charity with some 400 members whose stated aim is to help to protect, conserve and enhance the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The charity welcomes new members of all ages.

Visit www.fpcnp.org.uk for more information and a list of future events. The work party meets on Tuesdays, 10 am - 3 pm, and carries out conservation and enhancement work within the National Park. If you would like try out a session with the work party please use the contact form on the website.