New memorial commemorates battle to save Pembrey sands from the Ministry of Defence
A memorial has been unveiled at Pembrey Country Park to commemorate a hard-fought campaign to save Pembrey sands for public use.
Between 1969 and 1971, the Save Our Sands campaign was launched by the local community against Ministry of Defence plans to put a gunnery and missile proofing centre in the area.
Now 50 years on, in honour of all those that battled to protect the shoreline for the enjoyment of generations to come, seven standing stones representing both the individual groups that battled, and the seven miles of Cefn Sidan beach, have been erected within the park.
It also includes a plaque telling the story of the campaign, and why the country park was created.
Campaigners and their friends and families had been concerned that the story of the great battle would be forgotten and began raising money through various fundraising events for a permanent memorial.
The group, formerly known as SOS@50 (it was formally dissolved in August 2019), said: “Pembrey Country Park would not exist as we know it without this historic and hard-fought campaign which was waged throughout the locality; 15,000 acres of land seaward of the railway line between Pembrey and Kidwelly would have become a gunnery and missile proofing centre prohibiting leisure activities along the shoreline between the Gower coast and Tenby.
“Without the immense fight waged against the incumbent government of the time and the Ministry of Defence, we would have been subjected to live – and probably and continue to be living – in a very different environment than the one which we are privileged to enjoy today.”
Pembrey Country Park has also launched an Augmented Reality Historic Trail which takes you back to hear all about what went on during WW1 and WW2. To download search ‘Pembrey Historical Trail’ on the ‘App Store’ for iphones or ‘Google Store’ for android phones.
Fortunate
Cabinet Member for Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism Cllr Gareth John said: “We are extremely fortunate to have Pembrey Country Park here in Carmarthenshire. With its 500 acres of glorious woodlands to explore, seven miles of golden sandy beach, and lots of activities for all the family to enjoy, it’s the perfect day out.
“But it is so important that we remember the history of the park, and all those people who fought to save our sands, as without them, we would not have the park that we know and love today.
“I am delighted that this memorial has been put in place to tell this amazing story and triumph.”
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Too many stories like this, the English establishment running rough shod over Welsh communities. And it hasn’t stopped yet. Annibyniaeth!
Not to mention the 1000s of BSE diseases cattle carcasses buried on Mynydd Eppynt training ground despite vociferous opposition from all over.The government buried them regardless.
The entire history of Eppynt is a travesty. I can just about accept that a training area was needed for WW2 but it should have been cleaned up and restored to the preceding occupants or their descendants within a few years after the end of the war.
So happy to see this memorial, the people concerned have worked hard to pay tribute to their families who fought off the MOD. A little know story of David v Goliath with a truimphant David. Lets reignite the fire bobl.