A SMALL tree with a remarkable legacy has been planted at the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre, strengthening a unique 138-year connection between the town and Japan.

The sapling, a descendant of the ancient Ginkgo tree that towers above the Royal Dockyard, now stands proudly in the grounds of the former Dockyard Chapel, which houses the Heritage Centre.

At a ceremony on Thursday (Apr 17), the sapling was planted by Mr Masaki Ikegami, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Japan to the United Kingdom. He was joined by Captain Shuzo Homma, Naval Attaché at the Japanese Embassy, and welcomed by invited guests, trustees of the Pembroke Dock Heritage Trust, and centre volunteers.

The original Ginkgo tree grows in the garden of the historic Master Shipwright’s House nearby. It was presented to the town in 1877 to commemorate the launch of the Armoured Corvette Hiei—one of the Imperial Japanese Navy’s first modern warships, built at a private yard at Jacob’s Pill, Pennar, and modelled on British naval designs. Its launch was a major event, attended by the Japanese Ambassador to the UK at the time.

In recent years, saplings from the original tree have been propagated at the National Botanic Garden of Wales. Some have been returned to Japan, where they now grow at naval bases and at a shrine honouring Admiral Heihachiro Togo. As a young lieutenant, Togo lived in Pembroke Dock during the construction of Hiei.

Guests were welcomed by Heritage Trust Patron John Evans and Chairman Rik Saldanha. Attendees included the Deputy Lieutenant of Dyfed, Professor Patricia Mawuli Porter; Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Councillor Steve Alderman; Mayor of Pembroke Dock, Councillor Maria Williams; Senedd Member Sam Kurtz; Ayshea Cunniffe-Thomas of the National Botanic Garden of Wales; and Simon Richards, who shared fascinating insights into the Ginkgo tree—one of the oldest species on Earth, dating back to the age of dinosaurs.

Also present was Mrs Margaret James, widow of the late maritime historian David James, whose extensive research documented the naval ties between Japan and Pembroke Dock. She was accompanied by her son, Adrian.

A poignant connection to Japan was represented by Mrs Yoriko Omae, originally from Hiroshima, who assisted David James in commemorating Japanese sailors buried in Pembrokeshire and recently retired from her role at Pembroke Dock Library.

Following the planting ceremony, guests were invited to the Master Shipwright’s House by owners Stewart and Angela Walton to view the original Ginkgo tree.

IAN BADHAM, a long-standing partner at Ashmole & Co, is celebrating three decades with the accountancy firm this month.

Ian, who is based in the Haverfordwest, Tenby and Cardigan offices, joined the firm in 1995 as an ACCA Trainee Accountant after graduating with a degree in Accountancy and Finance from Bristol University. A decade later, in 2005, he became a Partner and has since played a key role in developing the firm’s presence in west Wales.

Reflecting on the changes over the past 30 years, Ian said: “When I started, there was just one computer with internet access in the entire office. Everything was paper-based. It’s been incredible to see the shift to a digital office environment.”

Ian lives in Penally, near Tenby, and takes great pride in supporting the next generation of professionals. “As a firm in west Wales employing over 100 staff, it is very rewarding to be able to provide quality jobs for local people. Seeing our staff grow in their careers means a lot to me.”

He added: “Being a first point of contact as a trusted adviser to our clients is a key part of my role. We are here to support them through both good and challenging times. The Covid pandemic was probably the most difficult period in my career, as we worked around the clock helping businesses access support. It was tough, but also one of the most rewarding parts of the job.”

In addition to his work across multiple offices, Ian is also a family man. He and his wife Claire have two sons. Their youngest plays rugby for the Scarlets and Carmarthen Quins, and much of Ian’s spare time is spent travelling Wales to support him. Ian recently became a grandfather and is now also enjoying ‘grandad duties’. When time allows, he enjoys golf, sea rowing and kayaking around Pembrokeshire.

Ashmole & Co, Chartered Certified Accountants, is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. It is one of the largest accountancy and auditing practices in south Wales, operating from thirteen offices including Swansea, Ammanford and Llandeilo.

One in three never take part in local events

LESS than half of Welsh homeowners believe their local community is thriving, with many never taking part in community activities, a new UK-wide survey has found.

The research, released by Humphreys Oil – part of Certas Energy – reveals that only 44 per cent of Welsh homeowners consider their community to be flourishing. Alarmingly, nearly one in three (32 per cent) respondents in Wales say they never engage in any community activities, a rate significantly higher than the UK average of one in four.

The findings suggest that Wales is experiencing one of the highest levels of community disengagement in the UK. Rural areas are particularly affected, with residents across the UK living in rural locations found to be 23 per cent less likely to feel connected to their communities than those in urban settings.

In response, Humphreys Oil has launched a £30,000 fund to help strengthen local ties and improve shared spaces.

The Community Bloom Fund, available to community groups across the UK, aims to support initiatives that bring people together – from upgrading parks and community centres to sponsoring grassroots sports teams and local events.

Richard Billington, Managing Director of Energy Solutions for Certas Energy, said: “We supply off-grid energy across Wales and the UK, and every day we see first-hand the power of community. When we saw that one in three Welsh people never engage in community activities, we knew we had to do something to help change that.

“That’s why the Community Bloom Fund exists – to bring people together, bolster communities, and create a greater sense of place, especially in rural areas. Whether it’s parent-and-baby groups, gardening clubs or local centres hosting events, thriving community initiatives can make a huge difference to people’s physical and mental health.”

Applications for the fund are open until 28th May 2025. Community groups are invited to submit a short summary of their work and explain how they would use the funding to support their local area.

To apply, visit: www.certasenergy.co.uk/community-bloom-fund