50 year milestone for National Park (From Western Telegraph)

50 year milestone for National Park

Pembrokeshires St Davids Day celebrations will be a little special this year with the date also marking the 50th anniversary of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

Designated during a leap year on February 29th, 1952, the Park this year celebrates its 50th, despite technically being a mere twelve-and-a-half years old.

St Davids Day will mark the designation of the Park, with the formal celebrations beginning at a service of Choral Matins being held at St Davids Cathedral on Sunday, March 3rd.

During the year, visitors and residents of the Park can experience and enjoy celebrations. The anniversary strapline, A Park for all - Parc i bawb, celebrates the diversity of the landscape and natural history of the Park. It also recognises the environmental and cultural importance of the area, and the opportunities it provides for recreation and enjoyment.

Various anniversary events are planned, from a six month arts and crafts programme to a week-long Canoeathon - a unique way to discover one of Europes finest coastlines. The Park is also hosting Wales top cultural event, the National Eisteddfod, on the former St Davids Airfield.

For walkers there are 50 walks for 50 years - self guided routes which can be downloaded from the Parks newly revamped website after April. The activities and events programme, a concept pioneered in Pembrokeshire 35 years ago, also includes a 14 day sequence walk of the 186-mile Coast Path.