A EUROPEAN forum of more than 40 nations is to hear how a village project in Pembrokeshire brought together a community and gave it a voice.

Deputy leader of Heritage Llangwm, Liz Rawlings, will travel to Venhorst in the Netherlands to address a session of the European Rural Parliament on Friday, October 20.

The parliament – not part of the EU but part-funded by it – is charged with supporting rural people across Europe and helping them to overcome the extra challenges they face, such as the departure of young people and the loss of services.

The lottery-funded Heritage Llangwm project restored Llangwm’s ailing 800-year-old church of St Jerome, and completed a major research project on the village’s Flemish heritage, which included a Bayeux-style tapestry now exhibited in the church.

Liz, who is also a board member of the Pembrokeshire community group PLANED and will be accompanied by PLANED’s Jess Morgan, says she will be telling delegates that Heritage Llangwm is an example of how a small rural community can achieve amazing things.

“We managed to draw the community together in a range of activities – research, two archaeology digs, DNA sampling, a Medieval Weekend and of course The Talking Tapestry.

“I really believe that we’re an exemplar for rural communities throughout Europe who face similar problems: social isolation, limited employment for young people, and minimal public transport.

“We’re hoping not only to share our vision with other Europeans, but also to gather useful information from them and through visiting other rural communities.”