PEMBROKE Museum, which is entirely volunteer run, has been awarded full accreditation status by the Welsh Government.

To qualify for the award, museums must meet standards on how they are managed, on the services they offer and how they manage their collections.

Situated in the Town Hall’s old Magistrate’s Court, the museum took its first steps a decade ago as a project of Pembroke Town Council’s Regeneration Committee, which was set up in 2013 to undertake projects to enhance the town. Pembroke and Monkton Local History Society was entrusted with the task.

Said Society Chairman Linda Asman (who is also the Museum Hon. Curator):

“We literally had to start from scratch with no collections at all. However, what began as a local history exhibition of display boards of photographs and stories soon attracted donations of artefacts and the museum began to grow and grow.

“Thanks to generous community donations we have been able to develop some very interesting and important collections relevant to the history of our town. It is to the credit of our dedicated volunteers that we have now met nationally agreed standards for UK museums and that we are recognised at the same level as Wales’ larger and professionally staffed museums. This is no small achievement.

“I should also like to thank Emma Hartley, our Museum Mentor, for helping me navigate the application process and develop the necessary professional practices and procedures.”

Town Clerk Suzie Thomas commented:

“Pembroke Museum is a great example of a community project which we are proud to support and which has enabled Pembroke Town Council to offer an important service. I should like to congratulate the volunteers who have worked so hard to achieve this award.”

The Museum is closed during the winter months but will reopen on February 24 for the half-term holiday.