Friday, October 12, 2018

September 29th - we launch our latest publication

Mr Peter Hancock with David James (centre) and ex employees of Hancock's Company
Saturday afternoon saw the launch of David James’ latest book ‘Hancock’s Shipbuilding Company in Pembroke Dock: the ships and the men who built them’.  Appropriately, the event took place in Hancock’s Yard, which is now the home of the West Wales Maritime Heritage Society, an organisation of which David is secretary.
David is a well known local personality, author of several maritime books and a popular speaker.  His popularity is such that the book launch, organised by Pembroke & Monkton Local History Society, drew large numbers.  The Society has a publications arm and this is its third major local history book. 
Chairman Linda Asman opened the event by thanking Mr Peter Hancock MBE for travelling back to Pembroke Dock to attend.  Mr Hancock spoke of the time he set up his company, returning to Pembrokeshire in 1962 wanting to live his dream of building ships like his grandfather had done – and for almost the next 20 years he did just that.  He thanked David for gathering together the stories and memories of the company, stating that it was a privilege to have worked as part of that wonderful community of men who displayed such pride in their work.  Together they built over 40 craft of one sort or another.
Many ex employees attended the event and enjoyed the opportunity to reminisce, wander around the boat yard and visit the maritime museum which the WWMHS has set up in one of the buildings.  The book proved popular too – 105 books were sold during the course of the afternoon! 


David James with Mr Peter Hancock (right)

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