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MARCH 2009
March 1st: St Davids Day Walk
On a beautiful spring morning John Hayes led the walk around the Holyland Wood.
Swan Wars
Now that we are in the breeding season, the swans are very territorial and aggressive. The Castle Pond has been claimed by 2 pairs and woe betide any swans which land there - they are literally in danger of their lives. Intrepid Millponds member and volunteer warden Jacky Birthistle has been rescuing some poor victims and restoring them to the relative safe haven of the Main Millpond.
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By the way, if you want to become a volunteer warden you will not be expected to do this. Another less daunting task took place on Saturday 14th when we planted one thousand snowdrops, bluebells, wood anemones and ferns along the Black Horse Walk which leads down to the Eastern End of the Main Millpond.
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February 3rd: snow fell on Pembroke - its been a long time since we have seen the Millpond looking like this! Unusually too, the weather has been so cold this winter that the Castle Pond actually froze over last month!
JANUARY
The Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing was invited by Pembroke 21C on January 15th following a presentation made to her on the projects at the 2008 Royal Welsh Show last July.
Despite the torrential rain Ms Davidson enthusiastically accompanied volunteer members of the Pembroke Mill Ponds Action Group on a tour of the projects, and showed a keen interest in the wildlife and habitats. The volunteers, many of whom have worked on the projects for several years, were proud to show her the work that has taken place with funding from Cydcoed (Forestry Commission), Countryside Council for Wales, the Environment Agency and Environment Wales.
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Back at Foundry House, the home of Pembroke 21C on Pembroke Commons, the Minister talked to the volunteers, Pembroke 21C staff, funders and representatives of partner groups from the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, Keep Wales Tidy and Pembrokeshire Rivers Trust. She also took time to look at information and photo displays on the projects and talk to the Pembroke 21C Sustainability Energy Group about their Carbon Footprint Audit.
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Commenting on the Mill Ponds Projects she said, “The work carried out in Holyland Woodland and on the Pembroke Mill Ponds is an excellent example of how partnership working can deliver real and lasting benefits to the Welsh environment. The enthusiasm and knowledge of the volunteers is a huge asset which should sustain the projects for years to come.”
Elizabeth Gossage
Development Officer
SOME OF LAST YEARS' HIGHLIGHTS!
JANUARY
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Work to improve Local Nature Reserve begins at last
A specialist team Salix River and Wetlands Services Ltd have created reed beds on Pembroke’s main Mill Pond using a bioengineering retaining system. Due to the natural characteristics of the Mill Pond there are certain areas which are prone to the build up of a blue-green algae known as phormidium. It is a natural phenomenon and creating the areas of reed beds will help to address the problem.
John Hayes, Chairman of the Pembroke Mill Ponds Action Group, a sub-group of Pembroke 21C, said, “We are delighted that improvements have begun at last. It is the result of a lot of hard work over many years by the partners. Reed beds are amongst the most important habitats for birds. The variety of species using the ponds is increasing and we look forward to seeing even more of them attracted by the new habitat. Together with the improvements to Holyland Woodland this work will create a vital wildlife corridor within minutes of the town.”
FEBRUARY
Pupils for Pembroke Golden Grove SchoolEco Club, Cosheston CP and Orielton VC Schools help plant trees in the Holyland Wood with the help of Pat Doyle
500 trees have been provided with funding from the International Tree Foundation for planting in the Holyland Wood.
MARCH
March 1st the first litter pick took place to rid the Commons stream of its litter. Organised by Nikki Anderson of the Wildlife Trust, it proved to be a great success with many volunteers turning out to help.
Litter picks will continue to be held on the first saturday of the Month - check this page for details or phone 21C.
APRIL
The Volunteer Warden Training Programme began with a Geology Workshop with Sid Howells of CCW. Sid instructed us on the Topography and Geology of Pembroke which involved a walk around the Holyland Wood and the Millponds.
For more details see Volunteering
MAY
PEMBROKE MILLPONDS ACTION GROUP WINS TOWN COUNCIL AWARD!
Pembroke Town Council makes annual awards to individuals or organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to the community and this year our Group was selected for an award. Pictured here is our Chairman, John Hayes, receiving the Certificate of Commendation from Pembroke Mayor Gareth Jones (who also happens to be Chairman of the 21C Trustees).
HOLYLAND WOOD - OFFICIAL OPENING
Years of hard work were rewarded when Pembroke 21C Community Association’s Holyland Wood Project was officially opened for everyone to enjoy. Local residents joined the project team members at the site on Saturday 7th June as lifelong resident of Pembroke John Russell cut the ribbon at the opening event.
Holyland Wood is one of the community projects being developed by Pembroke 21C Community Association. The woods have been leased from the owners Mr and Mrs John Thomas-Ferrand of Tenby for the benefit of the community.
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With almost £150,000 funding from Cydcoed – Woods for All, the £16 million Forestry Commission Wales grant programme funded by the EU (Objective One) and Welsh Assembly Government, Pembroke 21C have improved permissive access to the site with a range of paths and a boardwalk which will allow both locals and visitors the opportunity to enjoy the spectacular wildlife that is just minutes away from a busy urban setting. The project has also received funding from Environment Wales, National Grid, International Tree Foundation and Countryside Council for Wales.
After the formalities those attending were given a guided walk around the site to see first hand the improvements made and to appreciate the special qualities of this site which will be run as a wildlife reserve.
VANDALISM IN THE WOODS
Just two weeks after the Official Opening, Pembroke Dock Police are investigating criminal damage at Holyland woodland, Pembroke. Unfortunately Criminal Damage is now obvious to trees young and old, information notices, bird boxes, seating, also the boundary fence posts.
We know this is a very popular walk with the community and we are asking for your help to try and identify these persons carrying out this mindless vandalism.
When you are out and about walking the woods please be observant and report any unusual activities that you see. What would help the Police is if you would look out for the following points:-
WHAT TIME OF DAY, HOW MANY PERSONS, MALES/FEMALES, DESCRIPTION, ACCENT, ACTIVITIES THEY ARE CARRING OUT, WHAT THEY MAY BE CARRYING,.
PLEASE CALL PEMBROKE DOCK POLICE STATION ON 0845 330 2000
AUGUST
But despite it all, Holywood Wood bloomed wonderfully this summer in a gorgeous array of wild flowers.
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And further down on the Main Millponds, a new family of Moorhens make their home on the newly created Pool at Barnard's Tower .
