Paterchurch in Pembroke Dockyard - Part 4

Paterchurch Tower - More developments......

Last time I posted about Paterchurch Tower, it was to describe the discoveries that I had made when studying old maps of the place and comparing them with the standing remains of this intriguing and significant site. See the links below:

Pater Church Tower (Part 1)

Pater Church Tower (Part 2)

Pater Church Tower (Part 3)

I have since passed a copy of my findings to CADW, suggesting that the scheduling of the site be reviewed to preserve any remains, that almost certainly lie below the ground, from future unsympathetic development. It will be interesting to see how CADW views the new analysis of the Paterchurch maps.

I have also asked Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) if it would be possible to have an open day at Paterchurch before it passes into an uncertain future. It has proven to be impossible to learn who has bought the site, but rumours abound in the Pembroke Dock area, with much petty "political" (with a VERY small "p") points-scoring going on.

PCC has kindly agreed, in principle, to the open day, and has offered support in running it. However, the proposed date for the event, Sunday 25 May 2014, is seemingly after the sale has been completed and so permission has to be sought from the buyer for it to go ahead.

The original Paterchurch building must have been a defensive domestic structure of some sort. The tall tower, reminiscent of some of the smaller South Pembrokeshire church towers, is a unique survival in the area. The waters of Milford Haven originally came almost to the foot of the walls of the original building, and the tower offers clear views both up and down the waterway. The pictures below, courtesy of Google Earth and www.heywhatsthat.com/,clearly show the view shed from the top of the tower. The red areas are those that, in theory, are visible from the top of the tower. This does not take into account any vegetation that might obscure the view, but it does seem to take account of some man made large structures that clearly post-date the tower (e.g. jetties in the haven(?)).

Paterchurch in Great Britain

Paterchurch in Pembrokeshire,  SW Wales

Paterchurch on Milford Haven

Paterchurch in Pembroke Dock

Paterchurch in Pembroke Dock with panorama of view (vertical exaggeration x9 appx)

The building's location combines access to the sea with a clear view down The Haven towards Dale and any sea borne threat.