A SPECIAL birthday for Pembroke’s most famous medieval son, Henry VII, is taking place tomorrow, January 28.

On that date in the year 1457 a baby was born in Pembroke Castle, a baby destined to become King of England and the founder of the Tudor dynasty.

Pembroke is hoping to celebrate its connection with the Tudors with a stunning bronze statue of King Henry VII which will, in the near future, stand proud on the Mill Bridge to greet visitors to the historic town.

A maquette of the statue, which has been commissioned by Pembroke Town Council, was unveiled last week in Pembroke Town Hall at a fundraising event organised by Pembroke & Monkton Local History Society.

The full-size statue will cost in the region of £40,000, with £20,000 from Pembrokeshire County Council as part of its Town Centre Support programme. The remainder has to be raised to match fund that amount.

Chair of the History Society Cllr Linda Asman, who is also leading the Statue Project, said: “What better way to celebrate Henry’s birthday than a present of a cheque to start the Statue Appeal rolling? The History Society has so far raised £500 for the project and is presenting this to Pembroke Town Council in the hope that it will inspire other organisations in the town to follow suite. This is a project for the whole community to get behind; a celebration of Pembroke’s heritage”.