The Henry Tudor Centre presentation November 7th

On Saturday November 7th we welcomed Dr Samantha Nelson, the Community Programme Officer at the new Henry Tudor Centre, who addressed our meeting in Pembroke Town Hall. This was our most popular event ever! There were just not enough chairs to go round! Dr Nelson, a Tudor expert from Swansea University, has taken a new role at the Henry Tudor Centre, funded by a Nation Heritage Lottery Grant for one year, to organise a vibrant events and activities programme at the Centre and create a volunteer program. Dr Nelson presented these opportunities to a packed crowd while Siobhan McGovern, Project Manager at Pembrokeshire County Council, gave an insight into the exhibition.

Opening in Pembroke in March 2027, Henry Tudor’s story will be brought to life at the new Henry Tudor Centre – located just a stone’s throw from Pembroke Castle where the future Henry VII was born. The immersive, new attraction will tell the story of Henry’s Welsh ancestry and his rise to power from Pembroke-born nobleman to king. While his claim to the throne by blood was tenuous, his victory over Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485 secured the crown and brought the Wars of the Roses to an end. And, with his marriage to Elizabeth of York strengthening his position further, he was able to unite the houses of Lancaster and York thereby establishing the Tudor dynasty. Henry VII went on to rule for almost 24 years, restoring stability to the monarchy and building considerable wealth for the Crown. Yet, despite fathering Henry VIII and founding a dynasty that has fascinated generations, his own story remains far less familiar. The new Centre aims to change that, using hands-on interactives, family activities and historical interpretation to bring Henry and his turbulent times to life. There will also be a café, library and schools programme, while a year-long programme of events and activities is planned across 2027 to celebrate the opening. Funding for the centre has come from Welsh Government, UK Government, The National Lottery Heritage Programme, Pembrokeshire County Council and Valero.

November 7th Event

Our next event will of great interest to many in Pembroke as we look forward to the opening of the new Henry Tudor Centre next year. You'll get a sneak peek at the latest designs and discover how the Centtre's story and interpretation are taking shape. You’ll also have the chance to meet Sam Nelson, our new Community Programmes Officer – and a Tudor expert – who will share more about the exciting programme of activities planned for the Centre. Doors open at 10am for the Coffee Morning followed by the Talk at 11am. Open also for the event will be Pembroke Museum and Council Chamber, which are situated on the first floor of the Town Hall. A lift is available for disabled access.

Coffee Morning and Talk October 3rd

Yesterday, we welcomed Gareth Mills as our speaker – it has become something of a tradition that Gareth opens our Programme of Talks, which we run from September through to May. These events are very popular and on this occasion drew a very large audience of 120, proof enough of Gareth’s popularity! As usual, our volunteers begin the morning with a coffee morning and open up the museum and council chamber. Then all assemble in the George Lewis room for the talk. On this occasion Gareth traced the history of a family so important in the history of both Pembroke and Pembroke Dock – the Meyricks of Bush. The two other great estates which feature largely in our history – Stackpole and Orielton – had been the subject of Gareth’s previous two talks. Gareth said he owed much to the published history ‘Meyricks of Bush: the Story of a Pembrokeshire Family’ by Michael McGarvie which traces the family origins in Anglesey to fairly recent times when Bush House and its surrounding estate was sold to Pembrokeshire County Council. The House was converted into a school and the Council later built the grammar school, then comprehensive, in its grounds. More recently, of course, this has been replaced by Ysgol Harri Tudor. Bush House fortunately remains (although a 1905 rebuild of the original which burnt down in 1866) and is now a residential home for the elderly.

Quiz Night September 25th

Quiz Night was, as usual, an enjoyable evening and welcomed 45 participents. Many thanks to the History Society volunteers who organised it and provided the buffet. And congratulations to the worthy winners!

Forthcoming Events - September/October

We begin our new Programme of Events 2026/27 with a Quiz Night on Friday September 25th in Pembroke Town Hall at 7pm. Following this, on Saturday morning October 3rd, we have a Coffee Morning and Talk in Pembroke Town Hall. It has become something of a tradition that Gareth Mills, always an effective and popular speaker, begins our programme of talks. His subject this time is ‘The Meyrick Family and the Bush Estate’. The Meyricks of Bush were an influential and dynamic family, a family that played a hugely important part in the history of Pembroke and Monkton as well as a vital role in the creation of Pembroke Dock. Their main residence was Bush House, where the family lived until the 1950s when the house and its surrounding estate were sold to Pembrokeshire County Council. A new grammar school was built there, becoming a comprehensive school in 1972 but more recently demolished and rebuilt as the Ysgol Harri Tudur - Henry Tudor School. Bush House survives however as a residential home for the elderly.

At the Pembroke Show - August 5th

This has been a busy week! Only 2 days ago we were at Carew Castle and today here we are manning another stall, this time at the Pembroke Show, which was amazing! So many turned out - never seen so many people at the event which is always well attended. The weather was perfect with sunshine all day but not too hot - a great day out with so much to see and do. Congratulations to the organisers who did a fantastic job in getting it all together.

Unearthing the History event at Carew Castle - August 3rd

On Monday August 3rd we had a stall at the Unearthing History event at Carew Castle. A lovely venue and an opportunity too to meet with other heritage groups. Unfortunately the weather wasn't too good - very windy in the courtyard and it actually rained just when we didn't want it to!!