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PEMBROKESHIRE NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION www.pembsnta.org.uk

NEWSLETTER No. 42 OCTOBER 2017

FROM YOUR CHAIRMAN Tim Sims-Williams put on two fine Autumn greetings after a very successful summer trips. There were plenty of takers summer. for the excursion to The Mint at Thanks to your support of PNTA events, Llantrissant, with progression to Dyffryn we were able to give a donation of £3000, NT. The second event filled a boat for the at the AGM, to support local National journey from Neyland to Haverfordwest. Trust projects. The upstream travel took time waiting for Our summer evening walks took us where sufficient tide to allow access to the quay that money will be used at Marloes, Colby near the Bristol Trader, but after supper and Stackpole. the return in the twilight was swift. At Marloes, on a glorious sunny evening, Our season of talks got off with a bang as Ranger Matt Thompson showed us the site Bill Cainan fired his musket and gave us a of the former YHA hostel, at Runways taste of the life of the Red Coat Soldier. Kiln, and discussed the development plans. Read on in the newsletter for more detail On another warm evening, Manager and on these activities. There is the option of Head Gardener Steve Whitehead, showed looking back on events, with added us the expanding network of footpaths at pictures, on the “Latest News” page of the Colby and explained the ongoing process website pembsnta.org.uk. of wildflower generation and Both the website and this newsletter give establishment of wildlife corridors around information on what is in store. Arnold Little Craig Y Borion. Williams has set up a varied programme of Although the weather for our Stackpole talks, to see us through the shorter days. visit was less clement, members donned Remember that these are now on the first appropriate clothing as Head Ranger Chris Thursday of the month. Guests are Oliver led us to some tucked away corners welcome, so tell your friends. of the estate to discuss the bronze and iron On the horizon is the tour in May 2018, age settlements. featuring Lancaster and the Lake District. Thanks to Jim Price for co-ordinating I look forward to seeing you at some of those events. our future meetings. The tour to Harrogate, in May, featured a If you want last minute e mail reminders full coach load of members. The Crown about the programme, but are not receiving Hotel served us well providing a good base them, please let me know. for the varied excursions. Although umbrellas were needed at times, our spirits Andrew Weaver were not dampened.

1 REPORT ON 2017 SUMMER settled to a behaviour pattern that was PROGRAMME EVENTS similar from day to day, feeding in the Tuesday April 11th – AGM followed by a steppe and roosting in the agricultural area. talk from Mark Underhill, NT It was not clear why they did this as it Countryside Manager for North involved a circa 50km round trip. A , on ‘Tracking the possible reason was that they were more at Sociable Lapwing in Turkmenistan’ – risk of predator raptors in the steppe. The Mark Underhill SLs were indeed social and did not get Mark has just joined the NT as upset by 4x4s driving among them. The Countryside Manager for North expedition saw more SLs than expected, in Pembrokeshire replacing Andrew the region of 6 to 7 thousand which could Tuddenham who has taken on wider well be half the species total. The study responsibilities with the NT in Wales. He did not find any evidence that this part of previously worked for RSPB Cymru and their migration would have caused the in 2015 took a sabbatical break to join a earlier population loss. ‘field study’ looking at the migration Mark can now settle to a less exotic, but routes of Sociable Lapwing (SL for the more comfortable life in Pembrokeshire. rest of this report). He is unlikely to have problems with The study was trying to find the causes of ‘Cardis’ on his new border. the serious population decline of the SL in the early 2000s. Its main breeding ground PNTA SPRING TOUR to SOUTH now is the steppes of Kazakhstan but YORKSHIRE - Sunday 14 th to studies have found no particular problems Thursday 18 th MAY there. More recent studies have looked at 2017 other SL migration routes. There is a We had our largest Tour group this year western flyway to Arabia and Sudan with a with 50 members participating. There staging site in the Caucasus, and a less were some rainy spells to cope with but well known eastern flyway to Pakistan and everyone was equipped for the weather North India with a staging site along the and it did not spoil our enjoyment. border between Turkmenistan and Sunday was spent travelling to Harrogate Uzbekistan. The Amu Dara river (Oxus to but we took a break at Erddig, a NT the ancients) runs through this area. property near Wrexham. It was a fine Mark’s expedition was seeking to house in 18 th and 19 th centuries but the understand what problems the SL might Yorke family wealth declined in the 20 th have in this resting area. The expedition century with the family living in ‘genteel had to be in two groups since poverty’. However there was much to see Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are hostile both ‘below stairs’ and in the family to each other and it is virtually impossible rooms. The walled gardens have been to cross directly between the two fully restored to their formal 18 th century countries. However, modern electronic design with lakes, pleached lime trees and, communication meant the two groups espaliered apples and pears. They were a could be in constant contact. pleasure on a sunny afternoon. After Satellite maps showed the local terrain was leaving Erddig we travelled directly to arid steppe but with significant areas Harrogate and booked in at the very supporting agriculture made possible by comfortable Crown Hotel. large irrigation channels built in the Soviet Monday morning saw us on the way to era. There was an initial concern that Ripon Cathedral, an imposing sight from migrating SLs, numbered in thousands, the surrounding countryside. The current could fly through the area without being Cathedral was built in the 12 th and 13 th spotted. However birds soon appeared and centuries in the austere Early English style.

2 However our tour guides explained that most eye-catching with many the first stone church on the site was rhododendrons in flower. The House had commissioned by St Wilfrid in 672. Its some splendid State Rooms with valuable crypt is still accessible in the current pictures, furniture and carpets. There was building and may well be oldest site of also a display of costumes from the recent continuous worship (13 ½ centuries) in ‘Victoria’ series. Unfortunately the England. kitchens and other service areas were not We then drove to Fountains Abbey and the open as they were being used for filming. Studley Royal Water Garden. It is a Thursday was primarily about driving World Heritage Site now owned by the back to Pembrokeshire. However we did NT. Building the Cistercian Abbey visit Shugborough near Stafford. commenced in 1132 but its magnificent Management of the estate was transferred tower was only completed a few years from Stafford County Council to the before the Dissolution. Our guides took us National Trust last November and the through the mediaeval history and Trust has a major task on its hands to bring explained the working of the Monastery it up to its normal standards of and the different categories of monks presentation. It would be interesting to go involved. back a few years hence to see how the The Water Garden is adjacent to the Trust has managed it.. Abbey. It was created in the early 18 th We arrived back pretty well on schedule. century by the Aslabie family. It is a The trip was deemed a great success by all series of lakes which are beautiful in their of us. Andrew and Annie were simplicity. The Aslabies bought the congratulated for their effort and Fountains Abbey ruins to add to the view. organization. Tuesday was spent in Harrogate. In the morning we had conducted walking tours TRIPS round the town. It was explained that the Tim Sims-Williams organised two very purpose of Harrogate is to attract visitors good trips this summer.. and get then to spend money. This started Thursday June 15 th - Royal Mint in 1571 when the Tewit Well was Llantrisant and Dyffryn House and recognised to have mineral water Gardens. properties deemed good for health. Over We had a fine day, sunny and breezy but time 88 wells have been discovered with with traffic problems. Our first stop was waters tasting from awful to diabolical, but Llantrisant, now home for the Royal Mint. all doing you good. You can bathe in After a security check, which seemed most them as well. The town has many interested in the contents of ladies splendid buildings providing leisure handbags, we were led on a tour of the activities, shops and hotels. It also has stages of manufacturing coinage. We Betty’s Tearoom which has to be watched the processes, with our guide experienced by all visitors, including us. explaining the detail of what was In the afternoon there was a choice of happening. There was a special emphasis visiting the RHS Harlow Carr Garden or on the new £1 and £2 coins and some of have a bus tour of the local countryside. the anti-forging techniques used. Our tour Both were enjoyed. finished with the opportunity to look Wednesday was spent wholly at around the Royal Mint’s museum which Harewood House. Getting through the took us through the history of gate was a test of nerve for our driver, British/English coinage from Saxon times John. Knowing that it was likely to rain, up to today. There was some wistfulness most of us explored the gardens in the in seeing more money than we had ever morning. The Himalayan Garden was the seen before, but not being able to touch it.

3 We moved on to Dyffryn, where there was its destination. It was a beautiful evening a buffet lunch waiting for us, and then split and the views were superb as passed into 3 groups for guided tours of the Lawrenny, Benton Castle, Llangwm, gardens. There had been a large house at Picton Point and Little Milford. Our Dyffryn for many centuries but in 1891 it enjoyment was aided by helpings of was bought by John Cory whose family Prosecco with which we wished Tim had accumulated much wealth from the Sims-Williams a happy 80 th birthday. South Wales Coalfield. John Cory Things started to go awry as we employed Edward Mawsom to design a approached Haverfordwest. The boat was new garden. The House and Garden grew getting close to grounding and our captain in grandeur through the Edwardian era but had to halt our progress until the tide was then went into gradual decline after the 1st higher. He explained that the high WW. The Cory family died out in1937 pressure system which was making the and the estate had a number of owners. In weather so enjoyable had lowered the tide 2012 the NT took over stewardship from height by a half metre. Tim with his naval the Vale of Glamorgan Council. background was not entirely convinced of The gardens had retained the Mawsom this. However the tide finally allowed us to design but the Council did not have the tie up at Haverfordwest an hour late. resources to properly maintain them. We had our meal at the Bristol Trader and Since 2012 the NT has made giant strides re-embarked on the boat at 8.45pm. There in returning them to their past glories. was a speedier return to Neyland and, Interestingly much has been achieved by maintaining the party spirit, we shared using volunteer gardeners and, as we went Tim’s Birthday Cake. around and chatted, we were impressed with their commitment. The garden was WALKS made up of many ‘rooms’, all different but May 9 th – Marloes – Matt Thomson all looking very good. On a beautiful evening, Matt’s tour of the Restoration of the House has not moved so Marloes area updated us on the various quickly. The work requires specialist schemes the Trust is progressing. Our first skills which cost money. Volunteers are stop was the Runwayskiln building which not a viable solution. Work is progressing, the YHA handed back to the NT. Plans especially the Entrance Hall with its are progressing to renovate the buildings spectacular stained glass window. to create accommodation and a café, but However there is a long way to go. there is no definite opening date yet. Our next stop was at Marloes Mere where Tuesday 25th July 2017 - Afternoon the lake had many swallows feeding. The and evening return Boat Trip on the ‘birding’ community has asked the NT to River Cleddau from Neyland to install a further hide which will improve Haverfordwest with a pre-booked their viewing by looking down the length supper at the Bristol Trader. of the Mere. Matt is progressing this. This proved to be a very popular outing. We then moved to areas where the NT and The Dale Sailing boat was licensed for 40 its tenant farmer are trying to carry out passengers and all places were taken. We heathland regeneration. Reduction in the were sorry to disappoint members on the fertility of the soil is needed so that waiting list who were not able to join us. heather and other plants can thrive. This The boat left Neyland just after 4,30pm, in turn will add allow greater biodiversity. pretty well on time, and was due to arrive Work has been going on for a number of at Haverfordwest at 6.30pm. A high tide years with varying success but Matt was was needed as there was not much margin able to point out areas where heather was in the depth required for the boat to reach starting to thrive.

4 We reached the coast at the Ragh Iron Age repeated yearly until the team is satisfied Fort, looking across to . Matt they have achieved their objective. had been involved with Tony Robinson Steve then took us to Little Craig y Borion and his Time Team when they filmed their Farm House which has been renovated and excavation on the site and he described is now used as accommodation for some of their finds. volunteers who have working holidays on Our return ‘home’ gave us a spectacular the estate. It has been done very well both walk along the cliffs at Marloes Beach. inside and in the adjacent ‘veg’ garden. The tide was right in and the sea very blue. The two ‘volunteers in residence’ dished The sun also brought out the colour of the out glasses of homemade elderberry rocks which in turn were covered with cordial, much enjoyed on a hot summer swathes of flowers; golden gorse, blue evening. squills, yellow kidney vetch and the pink of thrift and campion. It was a wonderful Stackpole – Eastern Arm of the Lakes way to finish the evening. and Stackpole Warren – Chris Oliver After the lovely evenings of our two June 20 th – Colby/Craig y Borion Farms previous walks, the fates decreed a damp - Steve Whitehead walk this time. Chris took us down the As Steve reported in the last Newsletter, Eastern Arm and onto Stackpole Warren to Craig y Borion Farm has now been taken understand some of Stackpole’s early in-hand by the Trust which is using the history. Our first brief stop was the Grassy opportunity to make a number of changes Bridge. Chris explained that, before the as to how the farm is managed, and in Cawdors created the lakes, this was a creating new footpaths to improve public sheltered tidal inlet. It was an attractive access across the Colby Estate. site for pre-history settlers, for whom the On another warm evening Steve took us on sea was their main means of transport over a walk across both Craig y Borion and many millennia. Little Craig y Borion farms. He explained Having clambered up onto the Warren, that Craig y Borion, like most other farms Chris pointed us to an area of uneven land in recent decades, has been intensively which was the site of an Iron Age (circa farmed with the loss of much of its 800 BC – 50 AD) settlement. Excavations biodiversity. He showed us where it is had found hut circles which would have planned to establish new woodlands on been home to a farming community. The areas of marginal land and to improve the two nearby Iron Age Promontory Forts at hedgerows, both of which will be of value Greenala and Fishpond Camp indicate they to birds, bats and other fauna. In time he could have had some troublesome would like the wildlife corridors of hedges neighbours. and woods across the farm to connect to Our next stop was the Devils Quoit, a woodlands on neighbouring properties. standing stone that was part of a Bronze Meadows will also be managed to bring Age (circa 2500BC to 800BC) settlement. back traditional meadow plants. Steve Excavations had found living explained how the meadow enrichment is accommodation but the most remarkable being carried out. The process cultivates find was the grave of a woman in crouch strips along field edges and then spreads position. It was the only grave found in ‘green mulch’, hay brought from farms the area which suggests she was a lady of which still have traditional meadows that some importance. carry the seeds he wants to see grow. The Chris also commented that archaeologists next year a new strip of ‘home grown’ had found signs of settlement going back meadow is mown and spread on a further through the Neolithic (circa 4000 BC to prepared field strip. The process will be 2500BC) and Mesolithic (circa 8000BC to

5 4000BC). These were mainly flint , in addition to its remains which must have been brought to defensive role, was the centre for the the area since Pembrokeshire has no flint Bishop’s administrative responsibilities in its geology. (WORK). He was also a Marcher Lord The walk was not all archaeology as Chris responsible for administration of secular pointed out an array of dune and law. Both religious and secular courts unimproved grassland plants. He was were managed from Llawhaden, which delighted that the PNTA has donated funds also housed a records store and prison. for an information board for this part of was the Bishop’s palace for the Estate. relaxation (PLAY). In addition to its living apartments, it had gardens and a PNTA Lunch on Friday October 6 th at large estate from which the tenants had to Lamphey Court Hotel provide their tithes. Lamphey was The Lunch was well attended with 45 significantly the most valuable property members present and the hotel looked after for the Bishop. There was also a park for us very well. Our guest for the day was hunting. Richard Turner, a retired Senior Inspector All this came to an end with King Henry for Ancient Monuments at Cadw, who has VIII’s dissolution. The Palaces were sold researched and written a book about off. Lamphey was bought by the Lamphey Palace. Before lunch he took us Deveraux family, the Earls of Essex. on a guided tour of the Palace explaining Robert Devereaux, the favourite of Good the buildings, when they were built and Queen Bess who ultimately lost his head, their use, and about which Bishops of St grew up there. Davids had most influenced the Palace’s There was also an interesting twist in the development. tail for Llawhaden. In the 1880s it was After lunch he gave us a talk ‘ WORK, bought by a group named the REST AND PRAY- The Three Pembrokeshire Ancient Monuments Residences of the Medieval Bishops of Society whose aim was to stop the St Davids’ degradation of Pembrokeshire’s ancient The Bishops of St Davids had three buildings, In a way, it was a forerunner to palaces in Pembrokeshire; St Davids, the National Trust. Llawhaden and Lamphey. They were Many thanks to Annie and Sheila for an built, in stages between the 12 th and 15th enjoyable event. centuries with each serving different aspects of the Bishops roles. Bishops were WINTER PROGRAMME 2017/18 generally appointed from wealthy families. TALKS They often had other remunerated state Talks will be held on the first Thursday positions, as well as their bishoprics, and of the month in the Crundale expected their residential apartments to be Community Hall starting at 2.30pm. of a high standard. St Davids Palace, adjacent to the Because of the Lunch in October, we had Cathedral, was the focus of the Bishops our first autumn talk in September. religious responsibilities (PRAY) having September 7 th ‘The Redcoat Soldier of been a shrine to St David for 500 years 1751’ – Bill Cainan before the Norman cathedral was built. Bill was Curator of the Regimental The remains of the Palace we see now Museum of The Royal Welsh in Brecon. were built in the 14 th century by Bishop He talked about redcoats in the Gower. As a result of bad building Hanoverian period – what they wore, their practice a large section of roof collapsed equipment and how they fought. He and was never replaced. arrived and gave his talk wearing an

6 authentic uniform with a variety of should give us an early start for authentic weapons. He described the items Christmas shopping and the chance to of uniform which were a soldier’s only help the NT. If you think you are likely clothes. Every 2 years he would be given to make purchases, please can you a new coat, red in colour, because it was arrive earlier than usual so that the the cheapest and easiest way to start of the Talk is not delayed. manufacture the rough woollen cloth at the time . Fish paste was used for Thursday December 7th – ‘Wildlife in waterproofing. Madagascar’ – Julian Cremona A soldier’s life expectancy was 6 years. Julian is a former head of the Dale Fort However, if he lost his front teeth and was Field Centre and retired five years ago. unable to bite off the end of the paper This has allowed him to travel to places cartridge, he would be discharged. such as Madagascar and Costa Rica to Soldiers each carried 7 cartridges, study their ecology. He is also an able protected from the rain, which were photographer as he demonstrated when he remade every day. Even so around 10% talked to us last winter about a trip to failed to fire. This was the origin of the Costa Rica. We can expect some superb terms ‘flash in the pan’ and ‘sideburns’. pictures. He explained that the success of the British soldiers was attributed to their modus Thursday January 4 th 2018 – ‘The First operandi. The French, our traditional Smalls Lighthouse’ – Martin Roberts enemy, favoured attack and started firing Martin trained as a teacher but now works from about 80 metres. The British soldier at Castell Henllys. Last year he was asked was trained to stand his ground and only to talk to a group of US lighthouse keepers fire when ordered by the sergeant when the who were planning to visit 50 lighthouses foe was 30 metres away. Given the in Wales. He chose to talk about the inaccuracy of musket fire, and the time to Smalls Lighthouse, off the Pembrokeshire load a cartridge, this achieved better Coast, since they could not visit it. He will results. ‘Standing your ground’ while tell us the fascinating story he told them. under fire took courage and any soldier who disobeyed was subject to 20 lashes. Thursday February 1 st – ‘The This was a more frightening prospect than Radical Corset Maker’ – David Dando facing the enemy. David gave us a fascinating talk two years Bill then took us outside and proceeded to ago about Tenby born Lina Hamnett, the terrify the inhabitants of Crundale with ‘Queen of Fitzrovia’. shots from his very impressive musket. He gives you the following clues to his subject this time: Thursday November 2 nd – ‘The Natural He was trained to make corsets History of , above and below He wrote three best sellers High Water’ – John Archer Thomson He influenced the American Revolution John is a coastal ecologist and was He emerged in the French Revolution Assistant Head of the Dale Fort Field He worked with the mighty Centre. He has talked to us twice about He infuriated the many. the geology and ecology of the Pembrokeshire coast but this time will talk Thursday March 1 st – ‘The Art of about Skomer and its ecology. Collecting Antiques’ – David (Dai) We hope that Cathy Orchard from the Evans St Davids NT Shop will be attending Dai is the Director of Picton Castle and with a range of stock for sale. (See has had a long interest in Antiques. He MailChimp for confirmation). This will talk to us about judging the value of

7 antiques and some of the wiles of the Windermere. If time allows we will call trade. into nearby Holehird Gardens. Thursday April 5 th – AGM and Talk. Day four: Blackwell, an unusual house on Details to be announced in the Spring the slopes above Lake Windermere, that is Newsletter a prime example of the Arts and Crafts movement, then on to Holker Hall, near SPRING TOUR TO LANCASTER Grange over Sands, with house and AND THE LAKE DISTRICT gardens. MAY 13-17 th 2018 Day five: Journey back to From feedback forms on recent tours, the Pembrokeshire. Lake District has repeatedly been a popular request, and the PNTA tour has The Lancaster House Hotel will be our not been there before. base for four nights. The price includes a Annie and I recently returned from three course dinner (with menu choice) a reconnoitre there, when we were able to and use of the leisure facilities (swimming sample hotels and attractions. Because it is pool and gym). a popular destination, the cost for hotels in Also included in the price are the entrance the region is high. For this reason we have fees to Holker Hall and Blackwell, plus the opted for a hotel adjacent to the university boat rides on Coniston and Windermere. campus, at Lancaster. This offers a Although the Steam Gondola is run by the good standard of accommodation, with a National Trust, a charge is made, even for significant moderation of cost. It is close NT members, to pay for the upkeep and to the M6 which leads to a swift and scenic running costs of the boat. Entry fees for drive to the Windermere area. the optional visits to Brentwood and Dove The tour will last 5 days (4 nights) and will Cottage are not included. leave on Sunday 13th May and return on Thursday 17th. The tour will be, as usual, conducted under the auspices of Richards Brothers. The provisional itinerary is as follows: The cost of the trip is £460 per person. Day one: Travel by coach north to the There is a single room supplement of £70. Lancaster House Hotel. (Stop off places (£17.50 per night). The price presumes en route, yet to be decided, for the outward National Trust Membership. Non and return journey.) Members would need to pay for entry to Day two: A cruise on the Coniston Lake NT properties such as Sizergh, and others Gondola, run by the National Trust. An that we might visit. optional stop at John Ruskin's former There is a booking form included in this home, Brantwood. Then on to Grasmere, newsletter, which also quotes our contact with free time maybe to: details if more information is required. - wander the lakeside through to Rydal Water, Andrew Weaver - visit Dove Cottage (William Wordsworth's home) and museum, - take the 10 minute stroll to Allen Bank NT, - or just enjoy the shops and cafes of Grasmere. Day three: A visit to Sizergh Castle, a National Trust property with both house and gardens to explore. This will be followed by a boat trip on Lake

8 NT NEWSBOARD farmland bird-life. We hope to work Steve Whitehead, Mark Underhill, Chris closely with our new partners at Craig-y- Oliver, and Angela Jones have sent us Borion on the southern half of the information about Trust activities around farmland as well, to get just the right the County. grazing pressure to really bring the grasslands back to high species diversity. Colby Woodland Garden Invasive species have been a real nuisance Steve Whitehead reports: this year, with large amounts of volunteer Another batch of rare plants is arriving to time given over to balsam pulling across really boost the botanical interest in the the estate. Japanese knotweed continues to garden. The trees and shrubs are all from be a problem too, despite valiant efforts by the National Trust’s own Plant working holiday volunteers and the 1 st Conservation Centre and are scarce Kilgetty Explorer Scouts the problems cultivars of plants propagated from continue. We’re now looking closely at National Trust sites around the whole of some of our knotweed infestations and the UK. It is really exciting to be bringing working with contractors to try and such rarities into our plant collection. destroy some of them for good. Little Craig-y-Borion Colby estate Woodland The work on stabilising the old Fencing work and gate replacement across outbuildings around the restored Craig-y-Borion Farm is nearing farmhouse continues. Lots of working completion and this has helped us create holiday participants have now had a over 6 Hectares of new high-diversity chance to join in the work and learn some woodland. All of the planting so far has tradition lime building techniques along been done by volunteers and there’s more the way. There’s still plenty more to do. to do this Autumn. A new woodland strip But we can see the dove-cote tower joining Craig-y-Borion woods with Little coming back together and when that’s Craig-y-Borion woods is an important part finished we’ll have more room to store the of the plan for joining habitats up across logs that heat the building and come the farmland. In future years our many bat straight from wind-blown trees in the species will have sheltered flight paths and estate woodland. many other species will benefit from the Craig-y-Borion Farm wildlife corridor. The farm has finally been re-let. Leigh and Kelly have a proven record of farming for North Pembrokeshire high nature status and animal health, and Mark Underhill reports: they already have a flock of high health Hello! This is the first report I have status sheep grazing the pastures at the written for the PNTA, but I did have the farm (plus a new Welsh-sheepdog puppy pleasure of meeting some of you at your to train!). Half of the farmland has been AGM in April when I gave a talk about a kept in-hand so that we can ensure even trip I made to Turkmenistan in 2015 in bigger gains for nature in our farming search of the sociable lapwing. landscape. Lots more wildflower seed has It was at the AGM that this year’s been purchased from local sources and the generous donations from the PNTA to the light harrowing and sowing in of the seed NT were announced. I was pleased to is about to start. hear that one of the projects chosen was Along with much wider and richer for interpretation boards at the former wildflower margins on many of the Youth Hostel at Marloes (Runwayskiln). pastures, over-wintering bird-food seed NT (in partnership with tenants) are mixes will also be sown along the developing Runwayskiln as a new woodland edges to really help out the accommodation hub and café for Marloes

9 Sands. The works to convert the former Solva and wildflower walks at Treginnis, outbuildings at Runwayskiln into a café to sea-kayaking around Dinas Island! We are nearly complete and we hope to have have been able to inspire our members and secured new tenant-partners by the end of other visitors with the amazing places we the year. Work can then start on the look after. We have used our experiences fitting out of the café and installation of this year to start to plan a similarly interpretation ready for an opening at exciting and ambitious programme for Easter 2018. 2018! One of the key attractions to visitors to Finally, conservation! From my Pembrokeshire is our stunning coastline perspective, the summer of 2017 will be and the NT is privileged to look after some remembered by flaming June and the of the most naturally spectacular and stunning display of sea thrift, sea campion, culturally rich stretches of coast in North kidney vetch and other wild-flowers on the Pembrokeshire. This summer has been a coast between St Justinians and Porth busy time for our teams running the car- Clais. These flowers are a direct result of parks at Porth Clais, Marloes and Martin’s pony and cattle grazing on these cliffs. Haven as well as our shop and information The NT owns over 60 miles of the North centre in St David’s. As the summer Pembrokeshire coastline and focus over season draws to a close, I am pleased to the summer has been ensuring this grazing report continued high numbers of visitors is producing the results we want and through our car-parks and shop who have planning where we will put the stock next. always had a fantastic welcome from Cath Stock-grazing is also vital in the Orchard (our Commercial Manager) and conservation of chough. North her shop and car-park team. Well done to Pembrokeshire is one of the strongholds of Cath and her team who are able to use this chough in the UK and one of the few welcome to raise financial and other places where their population continues to support for NT and our cause. grow, helped hugely by the sympathetic This last 6 months has seen our farm at management of NT and our tenants. Southwood come of age as a visitor hub, Chough feed largely on insects which they with the new car-park now fully open and find in tightly grazed coastal grasslands or providing access to several kilometres of the stubble of spring sown cereals just new trails that link the coast-path to the behind the coast-path. car-park through the farm. We have Which brings us back to Southwood! dramatically increased visitors to Southwood is our home farm for Southwood through three exceptionally Pembrokeshire and the base from which well attended special events. Our our coastal conservation grazing scheme is Cadbury’s Easter trail attracted nearly 400 run. As well as the hub for our major visitors (a record for Southwood), whilst events, Southwood is also where we house two ‘50 Things’ events each welcomed our cattle in winter and where we have over 180 visitors, many of whom spent a been making silage for winter feed during full-day exploring the farm through our this summer. Our new livestock ranger activities. Andrew Williams has spent a busy six The headline events at Southwood have months at Southwood as our herd of Welsh been just the tip-of-the ice-berg for Phil Black cattle continues to grow. Five new Sadler our “Activity Ranger”! With the calves were born at Southwood this year season just coming to a close we have not some of whom will be retained to build the yet counted all our visitors and evaluated herd. We now have about 22 animals that our events. However, we know 2017 has will spend the winter at Southwood before seen us run more events at more of our being put out to graze key conservation places than ever before: From crabbing at sites next summer.

10 Stackpole and Gupton Farm is no more grass the cattle will be moved Chris Oliver reports: off. Another incredibly busy summer has come This winter we will be hoping to undertake to an end. Throughout 2017 there has a large project to move a ¼ of the western been a significant movement towards arm path along the lily ponds inland by bringing forward the National Trust Land several meters, this is to compensate for and Nature strategy. In essence this is a the erosion of the bank, which is some focus on bringing priority habitats places is becoming an issue. The work is (including grassland and woodlands) proposed to take the next four years and throughout the NT to the highest possible will affect the majority of the path along level. Here at Stackpole much of that the western arm and parts of the eastern focus has been on our grasslands which arm, so please be aware that at times this year has seen some ups and downs. access will be limited and temporarily Our two hay meadows at Broad Haven more muddy than usual! have flourished once again and yellow As is normal for this time of year our rattle (known as the meadow maker) is thoughts turn in part to the estates thriving particularly in the lower meadow woodlands. A new coppice coup will be (at the end of the overflow car park). established in Hill Lodge Wood and will Yellow rattle is a hemi parasite feeding on be completed primarily by volunteers grasses, species from the daisy family and using traditional methods to fell and the pea family. Over time research shows process the timber. that this fascinating little plant can The new trees planted over the last two suppress grass distribution by 60%. Not years in Castle Dock and Cheriton Bottom only do we have a successful hay meadow are coming on well. Our aim was always developing but large numbers of rattle to reduce the number on conifer and make mean a seed source which can be used to native broadleaves the dominant trees with create further unimproved grasslands in the woodlands. At this point we are well other areas within the estate. on the way to achieving that goal with An excess of yellow rattle will be more broadleaved native species growing particularly relevant in late summer 2018 in both woodlands than there have been when seed will be collected and distributed since the National Trust took the estate on at some of the newly in hand field at in the 1970’s. Gupton. Three new areas have now As always I welcome any comment or undergone management regime changes questions. Please just stop one of the and in the future will be managed as ranger team if you would like to know unimproved grassland the new area covers anything about what is happening on the around 9 Ha, which will nearly double the estate. existing grassland area. This autumn and winter you will notice a Tudor Merchant’s House slight change in management regime, Angela Jones reports: which will manifest itself in the form of The Tudor Merchant’s House has had a increased levels of winter grazing on the good season welcoming, as usual, many conservation areas of the farm. The aim people including many overseas visitors. here is to maintain coverage of cropped Over the season we have worked to grass throughout all the dune reversion develop the house further by introducing areas, which will mean less competition outside visits for staff and volunteers. We for the species we are encouraging. By not have had an in depth look at St Marys introducing additional feed to these cattle Church which is and would then have been nutrient input will be limited. Once there very important and have now widened this to look at the town Tudor style. We have

11 also been to Tredegar House to see how a starting the 30 th of October and Peter can big house would have worked. These tell you more about it. thoughts always feed into the house to help We are busy selling raffle tickets still and us to be able to talk about the house and these and membership sales are going tell the stories with as much information as well. The reception area will hopefully possible. We are a good team who feed in have its new till in January which, their thoughts and we are all able to although we have to learn the ropes with discuss how we can develop the property. this, will help us in our work! Recently we have been working on the So another busy season that seems to have stories behind the Tudor nursery rhymes – gone in a flash. Looking forwards we have and adding them to our talks with people. October ½ term in prospect, a TMH by As staff we have a ‘Table Talk’ about candlelight on 1 st November. Come and 11.15 am in the morning (term time) when have the hairs stand up on the back of your we have sufficient people in – these are neck and our Tudor 1500 style Christmas enjoyable chats that last for about 15 – 20 this year with a Lord of Misrule. Please minutes and tell more of our story and we do ring for dates and times and come and now have a volunteer that takes the talks see what is going on. too when he is in the house. He has also taken part in delivering outside talks to EVENTS AUTUMN/WINTER 2017 different groups which has gone very well. National Trust Pembrokeshire Our staff and volunteers here have also Kate Rees has sent us a list of events at the been busy catching up with things that various properties. All events can also be help to make the house the house! We viewed online at: have created more clothing for dressing up www.nationaltrust.org.uk/search?query=p – many days you will find some Tudor embrokeshire&type=event people upstairs! Our research base continues to grow and we have worked COLBY WOODLAND GARDEN hard to develop the understanding of the Seed gathering at Colby Woodland wall paintings downstairs in the reception Garden area – more on that later. The guidebook Sunday 17 September, 10.30am-12.30pm has now gone to the printers and tells the and 2pm-4pm story of TMH and how it fitted into Tenby. Join our head gardener and learn about the It should be out with us by the 1 st of woodland's collection of trees and their October. seeds. As part of the guided session, you'll The wall paintings have had a lot of also be able to gather and plant a seed of conservation work this year, 3 weeks in your own to take home and nurture! May, and again we have Peter Martindale £3 per person, normal admission charges who did some earlier work on the walls apply. Booking essential - 01834 811885 coming back to work with us in October. The north wall is now much drier and Autumn colour woodland walks safer. The plaster had come away from the Wednesday 18 October and 25 October, stone wall and had to be encouraged (!) to 10.30am-12.30pm and 2pm-4pm move back towards the wall. It is now Colby comes alive with colour in autumn! much improved. Join us for a guided woodland walk to The next piece of work will be the wall enjoy golden views and find out more behind the reception desk which is a about our magnificent Acer trees. wooden wall and the lathes are in need of £3 per person, normal admission charges attention together with other bits of the apply. Booking essential - 01834 811885 wall. If you would like to see this in action please come along in ½ term week

12 Hallowe’en lantern making and spooky Hallowe’en at Southwood Farm nature trail Tuesday 31 October, 11am-4pm Tuesday 31 October, 11am-3.30pm Have a happy Hallowe’en at Southwood Join us for Hallowe’en lantern making, Farm! Follow our spooky trail into the then use your lantern to help guide woods and around the farm then get stuck yourself around the spooky nature trail. in with craft activities. Find all the answers and claim your small Free entry prize. £4 per child, normal admission charges Christmas fair at Southwood Farm apply. Booking essential - 01834 811885 Saturday 9 December, 10.30am-4pm Celebrate the festive season at Southwood; Winter fair find finishing touches and last-minute Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 November, Christmas treats around the 19 th century 10am-4pm farm range. Make a wish on our wish tree Get festive and start your Christmas and uncover the story of Southwood at the shopping with us at the annual winter fair. shearing shed exhibition. Have a browse and enjoy a range of stalls Free admission offering local art, craft and homemade goods. STACKPOLE Free admission. Lakeside wildlife walk at Stackpole Wednesday 4 October and 1 November, NORTH PEMBROKESHIRE 7am-9am Seal pup walks at Martin’s Haven Discover Stackpole's resident wildlife on Saturday 7 October, 2.30pm-4.30pm this early morning walk and talk around Friday 27 October, 2pm-4pm Bosherston Lakes. Warm up afterwards See the annual arrival of seals and their with a breakfast bap and hot drink at the pups below the cliffs of the Deer Park on a Boathouse Tea-room. two-mile guided walk with a National £8 per person (including breakfast roll and Trust ranger. hot drink) £5 per adult, £2.50 per child Booking essential - 01646 623110 Booking essential - 01437 720385 Barafundle Bay Trailathlon Seal pup walk at Treginnis Peninsula Sunday 8 October, 10am-12.30pm Saturday 21 October, 11am-2pm The Barafundle Bay Trailathlon returns for Visit the west side of the Treginnis its second year! Run, make a splash and Peninsula with our ranger on this 5km get muddy with an adrenaline-fuelled day walk and look out for seals on beaches.. of sporting activity on the Stackpole £5 per adult, £2.50 per child Estate. Booking essential - 01437 720385 £15 per adult, £10 per child and £40 for a family of four Seal and porpoise spotting at Treginnis Booking essential - 01646 623110 Peninsula Wednesday 25 October, 11am-2pm Bushcraft drop-in day at Stackpole Visit the west side of the Treginnis Monday 30 October, 11am-3pm Peninsula with one of our rangers on this Have a go at bushcraft with our drop-in 5km walk and spot seals and possibly day of activities. Learn the basics of porpoise swimming through Ramsey woodland survival with our rangers. Sound. £5 per child, normal admission charges £5 per adult, £2.50 per child apply Booking essential - 01437 720385

13 Hallowe'en hijinks at Stackpole MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS Tuesday 31 October, 11am-3pm Your membership subscriptions are due Have scarily good fun at Stackpole this for renewal on Jan. 1 st 2018. Thanks if Hallowe'en with lantern making you have already completed a Standing workshops and a creepy woodland trail. Order or paid by other means. If not, will Don't forget to dress up in your spookiest you please send a cheque, with the form costume! attached to the Newsletter, to the £6 per child Membership Secretary. Subscription rates Booking essential are unchanged at £5 for Individual and £8 for Family Membership. If you would like Festive fun run at Stackpole to pay by Standing Order, please ask the Sunday 17 December, 10.15am-12pm Membership Secretary for a form. Burn off those Christmas calories with a (Telephone No. 01437 731525) festive fun run around the Stackpole Estate; choose from 1.5 miles, 3 miles or 6 CONTACT BY EMAIL miles. Enjoy a mince pie in the Boathouse We are continuing to increase our use of Tea-room afterwards electronic communications. If you have an Free event email address and are not receiving messages, such as MailChimp , from us, or TUDOR MERCHANT’S HOUSE have just started an email account, please Pomander making at Tudor Merchant’s email our Membership Secretary, Sheila House Ashton at [email protected] . Monday 30 October to Sunday 5 November, 11am-5pm OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE Get hands-on with history this half-term at MEMBERS - 2017/18 the Tudor Merchant's House. Dress up, Your officers and committee members are play 15 th century games and have a go at as follows (* Officer): pomander making. CHAIRMAN* Andrew Weaver £1.50 per pomander, normal admission Tel:01646 831323 charges apply VICE-CHAIRMAN* Jim Price (Newsletter and Walks) Tel: 01646 661344 Tudor Merchant’s House after dark TREASURER* Margret Price Tel: 01646 661344 Wednesday 1 November, 7pm-8.15pm SECRETARY* Annie Weaver See the Tudor Merchant's House after Tel: 01646 831323 dark; listen to chilling tales by candlelight th GENERAL MEMBERS as we share stories from the 15 century. £10 per adult (suitable for ages 16+) MEMBERSHIP SEC Sheila Ashton Booking essential - 01834 842279 01437 731525 TALKS Dr. Arnold Williams PNTA WEBSITE 01437 720169 The Association website at TRIPS Tim Sims-Williams www.pembsnta.org.uk contains 01348 811412 information about the Association, our P.R. Jane Mason Tel: Events Programme, Newsletter and MailChimp Andrew Weaver Association news items. We hope it will 01646 831323 attract new members and, together with email and MailChimp, help us provide up to date information for members.

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MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL FORM

If you wish to renew and do not have a standing order , please fill in and return to:

Sheila Ashton, Hon. Membership Secretary, PNTA, Pond Meadow, Wiston, SA62 4PR

I/We wish to renew our membership

Individual members £5 ______Family members £8 ______

I enclose a cheque for £ _____ made payable to PNTA

Signed ______Dated ______

15 BOOKING FORM FOR PNTA SPRING TOUR 13TH - 17TH MAY 2018 TO LANCASTER AND THE LAKE DISTRICT

We will be staying at the Lancaster House Hotel , on the outskirts of Lancaster, near the University. It is a short distance from the M6 so offers good road links to the southern Lake District.

Our activities whilst there are subject to alteration, but are likely to include:- The steam gondola on Coniston Water Free time to explore Grasmere Sizergh Castle and Gardens NT A Cruise on Lake Windermere Possible visit to Holehird Gardens Blackwell House (a product of the Arts and Craft Movement) Holker Hall and Gardens near Grange over Sands.

We will be travelling with Richards Bros. Stop off visits en route and pick up points are still under consideration.

Those who are not National Trust members would need to pay the entry fee for NT properties visited. The price of entry to optional visits e.g. Brantwood near Coniston, and Dove Cottage at Grasmere, is not included.

THE COST WILL BE £460 pp (single supplement £70) . This includes a 3 course dinner, bed and breakfast, and the use of the leisure facilities at the hotel. Fees for the Gondola at Coniston, Windermere Cruise, Blackwell House and Holker Hall and Gardens are also included.

We need the booking form and cheque for the deposit (£50 per person) by November 30th. Final payment will be due at the beginning of March. (Travel insurance is not included.) ------Return form and cheque for deposit made out to PNTA to Dr. A Weaver, Larks Rising, Kiln Park, Burton, Milford Haven, SA73 1NY Name/ Names ______

Address______

______

______

Phone number______email address ______

Single _____ Double _____ Twin_____ room (Please tick)

Please phone Andrew and Annie Weaver 01646 831323 or email [email protected] or [email protected] if you have any queries.

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