It is now 12 months since Tenby Museum reopened after an extended closure period due to Covid restrictions.

During the closure the museum acquired a fine new roof thanks to Pembrokeshire County Council, and the offices, reception and shop areas were refurbished. Now the museum’s quality displays are once again to be enjoyed, telling the tales of Tenby, its history, its art and Welsh film heritage. Behind the scenes, there continues to be a lot of work with cataloguing and conserving the extensive collections.

‘Always the same, always different’ can sum up the museum, established in 1878. This recent closure was the first in its long history. 2022 is proving to be a challenging year as both staff and volunteers reopen and reawaken the museum. There are still hills to climb (no pun intended) and as there were no admissions for 18 months, money is tight. However, the admission charge is still the same and children are welcomed for free. Visitors have returned to Tenby and many find their way to the Museum.

The museum is about community: the community of Tenby and surrounding areas. Glyn Harris was appointed as the Community and Heritage Engagement Officer thanks to a grant from the Enhancing Pembrokeshire scheme and with help from the ever-supportive Friends group. As a result, the museum now works with groups such as Tenby Resource Initiative, Tenby Project and Quayside Care. It has also been signed up to be the first museum in Pembrokeshire to pledge to work towards being Dementia Friendly. Locals are welcome; also those who have joined our communities due to the war in Ukraine in a Welsh/Ukrainian Cultural Exchange Project. Recognising our community’s own struggles, the team is looking at ways for the museum to offer a Warm, Safe Space, during the coming winter months.

As people become more confident about being out and about, Tenby Museum offers opportunities for anyone who would like to join the team, spending a few hours each week meeting and greeting welcome visitors in a rewarding, safe and entertaining environment; chatting to our visitors, telling the stories, your experiences, your memories, your voice; creating that sense of place that is so key to an enjoyable visit. Contact Glyn Harries on 01834 842809, [email protected] if you’d like to be considered.