Three new willow sculptures have been welcomed to Lodge Park Woods on the Stackpole Estate near Pembroke.

Bringing a particular part of the estate’s Edwardian history to life, the striking hand-woven designs by award winning Pembrokeshire willow artist Michelle Cain depict an Edwardian style lady and gentleman walking with their dog.

These latest additions to the historic Stackpole Estate are linked to a particular time in the estate’s Edwardian past when a grand mansion stood at the heart of Stackpole Court. The artwork was funded by the Pembrokeshire National Trust Association to mark the Association’s 25th anniversary.

The idea originated from Pembrokeshire National Trust ranger Haydn Garlick, who has a personal connection to the estate:

“I grew up at Stackpole hearing family stories of the history of this remarkable place and my grandfather ran the walled garden, growing all the produce for the estate including managing 100 bee hives.

“The early history of this land starts in the Bronze Age and flourished further when the heiress Elizabeth Lort married into the Cawdor family who went onto landscape Stackpole on a grand scale, creating the Lakes and planting thousands of trees.

“My hope is that these new willow sculptures will inspire visitors to find out more about Stackpole’s fascinating history and soak up the incredible atmosphere of the estate which is now home to some very special wildlife including otters, water birds and dragonflies and habitats of European significance.”

Formed in 1999 the Pembrokeshire National Trust Association provides their members with opportunities to visit and learn more about the places cared for by the National Trust in Pembrokeshire and funds raised through their activities support the conservation charity’s work.

Over the years, donations from the Association have contributed to the care of footpaths and replacing of gates along with the installation of hand carved benches on the Southwood and Stackpole Estates and in the Cleddau Woodlands, a tree swing at Stackpole Court and items for the garden at the Tudor Merchant’s House.

Pembrokeshire National Trust Association’s Chairman, Jane Mason said: “The Pembrokeshire National Trust Association has for over 25 years raised more than £50,000 from our activities for local National Trust projects. We are delighted therefore, to mark our anniversary year by providing these willow sculptures. They will always be walking in the Stackpole Court gardens, whatever the weather.”

National Trust Cymru’s General Manager for Pembrokeshire, Rhian Sula added: “We are very grateful to the Pembrokeshire National Trust Association for their generous donation. These fantastic sculptures have already provided so much interest and joy to our visitors and local community, and it's been wonderful to see the attention that they are attracting.”

The Stackpole Estate has over 3,000 acres of woodlands, lakes, coastline and beaches to explore. To plan a visit to see the new willow sculptures at Stackpole Court on the estate, go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stackpole, or if you’d like to find out more about the Pembrokeshire National Trust Association, visit www.pembsnta.org.uk.