At a recent meeting of Pennar and Bufferland Community Association, held in St. Patrick's Community Hall, Christine John (vice-chairman) opened the meeting.

Among matters discussed were the following:

Queries about that muddy pathway, will it ever be properly paved?: Peter England asked if there was a possibility that the pathway connecting Bufferland Terrace with Treowen Road would ever be properly paved. While the occasional spreading of a layer of stone chippings along the parts where puddles form after a rainfall was of some help, a more permanent solution would be welcomed.

An item in the minutes of the April 10 meeting, mentioned a scheme to provide junior school children living in the Bufferland area with a safe walking route to the Pennar Community School. The chosen route included the Bufferland Terrace - Treowen Road pathway, and to this end, an application would be made to the Welsh Government for a grant to cover the cost of paving the pathway and relocating the post that supports power lines to nearby properties.

Neighbourhood Watch: PCSO Andrew Griffiths, who was in attendance, produced six information packs to be distributed to the appointed watch co-ordinators. More information packs could be provided if extra co-ordinators were appointed.

Newly installed bike track is now ready for action!: It was announced that the construction of the mountain bike track in the Memorial Park was now complete, and the opening ceremony, hopefully by a well-known locally born personality, would take place soon. Besides providing the youth of Pembroke Dock with a place where they could vent of surplus energy, the track may make the pavements and streets of the town a safer place for all concerned. The organisers of the bike track were now engaged in raising sufficient funds to construct a skateboard park to complement the bike track, and donations towards this new project will be gratefully received.

Pennar residents hopes for a recreation area at the western end of Military Road: Clr. Tony Wilcox reported that the PCC planning inspector's recommendation that a stretch of land at the western end of Military Road should be registered as a town or village green was still awaiting specialist legal advice before a final decision could be made.

Future P&BCA meetings to be held in more convivial surroundings: At the annual general meeting, by a vote amongst the members, it was decided to hold future meetings in St. Patrick's Community Hall. Though the hall was spacious, adequately heated and extremely quiet, the previous two meetings were not so well attended.

By a second vote by the members who attended the May 8 meeting, plus those who expressed their preference by 'phone, it was decided to hold future meetings in the more sociable atmosphere of The Alma Inn.

Communities First, a Welsh Government initiative to help areas of poverty: Christine Gwyther outlined the aims of the Welsh Government to alleviate the hardship that some households are experiencing during these financially straitened times. The criteria used to identify areas where such hardship exists were: 1. The number of children qualifying for free school meals; 2. The number of unemployed people of working age; 3. General health needs.

Christine went on to say that the Welsh Government would provide funding for schemes designed to help the unemployed to find work, improve facilities in schools, and help with community development. Such schemes were presently being set-up in Llanion and Monkton, and it was hoped to be able to extend the scope to take in Pembroke Dock Central and Pennar wards. Christine requested P&BCA send Communities First a letter of support in this endeavour.

Where Tony roves, no weeds can grow!: Clr. Tony Wilcox said that he had recently completed another tour of the Pennar streets and pavements with the Monsanto 'Nomix' backpack weed spraying equipment. Judging by the results so far, the 'Nomix' was the right equipment for the job.