YOUNG people from Fishguard have been getting a taste of the great outdoors this summer as part of a joint project with the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

National Park Authority staff have been working with the Point Youth Club in Fishguard to produce barbecue charcoal made from surplus logs supplied by Cilrhedyn Woodland Centre.

Ranger Richard Vaughan said: “It takes roughly two days to make charcoal and the young people have helped with every stage of the process.

“Authority staff have worked with the Point on a range of outdoor projects over the years including the John Muir Award, Duke of Edinburgh Award tasters days, 60 4 60, the Point Garden and Clay Oven Project, National Park coastal walks, camping and conservation work. But we have never tried this before and it worked fantastically well.”

The young people helped to cut the logs, lay them in a drum, light the surrounding fire and seal the kiln. The following day the charcoal was ready to use for a barbecue which was enjoyed at the Point afterwards.

Point Youth Worker Jetse Martin said: “This was a great project for the young people; it took them out of their comfort zone and helped them gain new life experiences that they otherwise may never have had.

“You could see that all the young people involved really enjoyed the experience and the satisfaction of bringing charcoal home that they had made had a positive effect on their confidence and self-esteem, which was great to see.”

Point Manager Zoe Davies added: “It is great to be able to offer the young people a chance to learn to get active outdoors, to use the natural environment to learn how to handle risks and how to use their own initiative to help solve problems and to co-operate with others.”