At our monthly meeting on 7th July over seventy members listened to a talk given by Andrew Tuddenham on the above subject. For sixteen years Andrew has managed farms and land owned by the National Trust in the North of Pembrokeshire. His talk, in the main, featured Southwood Farm which lies above Newgale beach and extends to some 950 acres. His talk was fascinating and with the usual technology he was able to show us some before and after pictures of the Grade II listed Southwood farmhouse and a range of outbuildings which are set out around a courtyard. A considerable amount of renovation work has taken place at the farm; some of this required the consent of the Pembrokeshire National Park Authority who believed an addition to the range of buildings of a concrete block constructed extension to house the milk bulk tank should not be demolished. However, said building is no longer!
The work of the National Trust is invaluable in preserving our heritage. Questions were asked of Andrew; these were answered clearly and concisely despite one or two concerning land and buildings in the South of the County. There are events planned at Southwood so look out for these, in particular a Christmas Fayre to be held in the newly renovated outbuildings.
Penny Thomas
7th July 2016