Forthcoming Events September/October

Pembroke & Monkton Local History Society begins its new season of events with a Quiz Night on Friday September 19th in Pembroke Town Hall at 7pm. Tickets are £5 payable at the door and this includes a buffet. Teas and coffee are provided, but you may bring your own wine if you wish.

Following this, on Saturday morning October 4th, we have a Coffee Morning and Talk in Pembroke Town Hall. Popular local historian Gareth Mills, will give his talk on ‘The History of Orielton and the Owen family - from the Norman period right through to the present day’. He concentrates on the Owen family who were major landowners, industrialists and political influencers throughout the 18th and 19th Centuries in south west Wales. It is a story of political intrigue, which gives an incredible insight into how powerful wealthy landowners were so influential in everything that happened at that time!

August 6th - the Pembroke Show

Great day at the Pembroke Town and Country Show! Lots of interest in our stall advertising our work with a display of museum artefacts and old farming photographs. The Show is a lovely community event - a chance to meet up with so many and lots to see and do. Established in 1817, the Farmers Club has held the annual Pembroke & Country show for over 200 years. Show attractions include cattle, sheep and goat judging, horse and dog shows, trade and craft marquees, displays of vintage tractors and cars with plenty of food and refreshment stalls. A great day out for the family - weather was great too!

PEMBROKE RIVER RALLY - JULY 19th

Congratulations Pembroke Town Council and West Wales Maritime Heritage Society on another successful River Rally. The River Rally is a reminder of our once great maritime past when the Pembroke River was of vital importance to Pembroke. Pembroke’s medieval charters granted it a monopoly of sea trade in Milford Haven, which brought great prosperity. Whilst Pembroke’s importance as a port declined, the sea remained a main highway until well into the 20th century when the last of the coastal traders, the Kathleen & May, made her last trip up the Pembroke River to the North Quay in 1960. Now, unfortunately, boats are a rare sight sailing into Pembroke: a barrage effectively blocks the way, but can be opened by arrangement. For the River Rally it is lowered to allow boats to enter Castle Pond and, in so doing, maintain the right of navigation up the Pembroke River on behalf of the people of Pembroke. Despite the South Quay presently being the scene of great building works, the event took place on Pembroke Mill Bridge, site of the Henry VII statue and here the Mayor, Cllr Gareth Jones read the traditional proclamation declaring Pembroke’s right of navigation. Here also Pembroke Town Council organised stalls, activities and music on the Quayside for all the family – a great day out!

Saturday May 3rd Coffee Morning and Talk

Saturday's event was very well attended as you can see from the photographs! Our popular speaker was Andy Jones who gave us a most entertaining and interesting talk about ‘St Catherine's Island, Tenby: its History, Restoration and Future’. Andi, who is the Island Coordinator, gave a brief history of the Island and Fort covering news on its restoration, present uses, volunteers and future plans as a visitor attraction and venue. Please note, this is the last talk in our current programme: we will launch a new programme of talks on October 4th ie the first Saturday of the month. Also - Good news! The Town Hall building works are now complete and we were able to open up the Museum to visitors during the coffee morning. From now on it will be open weekdays 10am - 3pm, Fridays 10am to 1pm.

Next Event - Saturday May 3rd

Quiz Night April 25th

Friday's Quiz Night was again well attended with 10 tables filled. Our Quiz Nights are fun occasions with a buffet at half time and lots to eat! Quiz Master was Rose Blackburn and the worthy winners were Prue Pattison, Meg Burrell, Diana Turberville, Glynis Atherton and Margaret Howells.

Quiz Night on Friday April 25th