A PEMBROKESHIRE social enterprise group aiming to encourage local wildlife, in particular the rare Shrill carder bumblebee, has had its fundraising campaign boosted by a donation from Valero Pembroke Refinery.

Pembroke 21C’s Greenhill Farm project on the Angle peninsula is looking to revert former agricultural land to wildflower hay meadows and manage the surrounding hedgerows as a habitat for local flora and fauna.

With 21C’s volunteers needing to stock fence around a mile and quarter of land, the group is busy fundraising to purchase the necessary fencing, tools and gates.

Pembroke Refinery’s Public Affairs Manager Stephen Thornton recently visited the Green Hill Farm project to present Pembroke 21C with a cheque for £1,000 towards the campaign.

Speaking after the presentation, Thornton, said: “Valero takes its commitment to improving biodiversity very seriously, and we are delighted to be able to continue our close relationship with Pembroke 21C through this project.

“We already work closely with the group through our Hentland project, where we lease land to 21C to grow willow on the refinery estate; plus, we are very happy to support efforts to improve local habitats for wildlife, such as the Shrill carder bee, which is something we have been working closely with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust in achieving at another location on the Angle peninsula.”

Pembroke 21C Project Manager Tracey Whistance said: “Projects such as this are a fantastic way to help improve the local environment, but they are also a wonderful opportunity to encourage our volunteers in expanding their skills, such as hedge laying and other rural crafts. Our ultimate aim is to turn Greenhill into a fully functioning centre for a range of activities, and we are extremely thankful to Valero for their continued support of our efforts.”