AFTER 70 YEARS of being hidden from public view, the woodlands around the former Royal Naval Armament Depot at Trecwn are again a talking point.

The 800 acres of woodland inside the perimeter fence on the site are leased to Forest Enterprise Wales, which also owns outright a second site, Fagwr Fawr, on the Puncheston side of the valley. The woodlands offer a valuable opportunity for environmental conservation; improving the variety of trees; community use and recreation.

The aim is to bring them back into active use once a long-term plan has been developed. Future thinking for this beautiful Pembrokeshire asset will be influenced by the communitys views.

Local community company Innovative Concepts (ICG) Ltd have been engaged to launch the consultation process. The key event is a meeting in Letterston on December 7th. ICG director, Dr Dick Russill, emphasised that the consultation will focus only on the woodlands described above.

It will not cover the future of the valley complex itself, since these are outside the responsibility of Forest Enterprise, he said. But there is enormous potential and a growing interest in the amenity that the woodlands can provide. We need to hear imaginative suggestions for what can be done. I would like participants at the gathering to be able to say to their children and grandchildren I helped to make it happen ... I was there when we had the idea. He said those interested do not have to be experts to help, but just to care for the countryside and the benefit it could bring to the locality. Participation is by invitation only. If you would like to receive an invitation, comment, or want to know more, then phone Mrs Olwen Moss on 01348 875006 or Dr Dick Russill on 01348 873110.

Caption The site of the woodlands near the old RNAD Depot at Trecwn.