Culture and Tourism Minister Visit’s Heritage Centre
June 2018 saw Welsh Government Minister Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas visit Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre during which the Minister was briefed on its significant place in Welsh maritime, military and social history with the Heritage Centre giving visitors a greater understanding of the people’s stories that help bring the wonderful objects on display to life.
Lord Elis-Thomas, Culture and Tourism Minister, met with Centre Manager Stuart Berry before greeting Trustees and Volunteers and being given a tour of the displays and exhibits. The Heritage Centre is located in the former Royal Dockyard Chapel, which has recently been the subject of a Community Asset Transfer application by the Trust which operates the Centre.
Pictured with Welsh Government Minister Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas at the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre on Friday are, left to right: Stuart Berry, Centre Manager; Jonathan Berry of Cadw; Mrs Angela Burns, National Assembly Member for West Carmarthen and South Pembrokeshire, and Trustees Gareth Scourfield and John Evans. PICTURE: Martin Cavaney Photography.
Joining the Minister was Conservative member for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire to the National Assembly for Wales, Mrs Angela Burns, and Jonathan Berry, of Cadw. During the session Lord Elis-Thomas saw displays on the town’s connections with all three military services; as a Royal Dockyard for over 100 years, an important army garrison town and the worlds largest flying boat base. He also learned of the weekly involvement of over 60 volunteers and the engagement with many community groups and organisations and the support given to wellbeing initiatives in the local community.
“We were delighted to welcome the Minister to Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre and to provide an insight into what we are doing in this historic chapel,” said Berry.
“The history of this town is so important to Pembrokeshire and to Wales, there is so much potential for us to grow. Our visitor numbers continue to rise (2018 by 10 percent) and demonstrates how important and relevant this is to local people and as a Pembrokeshire tourism destination.”
Berry added: “We are pleased that the Minister had the opportunity to come here, it is very encouraging for staff, trustees and especially all our volunteers for our work to be recognised in this way.”
Extracts from the originally published blog Friday, 15 June 2018.