A NEW chapter has begun for the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre with the appointment of museum professional Stuart Berry as the centre manager.

Stuart, who lives in Letterston with his wife Sally and two young children, took up his post on Monday, May 9.

Stuart has worked in the museum sector since 1999, beginning his career as a volunteer and then staff member at Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust (SIMT).

Following his time at SIMT, and briefly at Gloucester Folk Museum, Stuart spent two years in Taiwan teaching at an English language school and travelled extensively in the region.

For eight years Stuart worked at the National Coal Mining Museum for England (NCMME) in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, becoming manager of the education team.

From a military family, Stuart’s father served in the Royal Air Force for 22 years as a mechanical fitter for ground equipment. His service included time with former Pembroke Dock residents, 230 Squadron, based at RAF Gutersloh in the then West Germany. Now flying Puma helicopters, 230 Squadron was one of the last two squadrons to operate Sunderland flying boats at Pembroke Dock.

Welcoming Stuart, Gareth Mills, chairman of the Sunderland Trust - which runs the Heritage Centre - said: “We are really pleased with the appointment of Stuart. He comes to us with excellent knowledge and experience of managing museums, and will bring great impetus and enthusiasm to the next stage of development of the Trust. His appointment marks a new era that will enable the Trust to develop a world class heritage facility.”

The Centre is open Mondays to Saturdays inclusive, 10am to 4pm.