Saturday, October 1, was according to the 'news' the hottest October day on record!

It was also the day we recommenced our local history coffee mornings after the summer break, and we were pleased that so many dropped in to see us - regulars, newcomers and even holidaymakers.

As a local history society, our aim is to research, record and raise the profile of our heritage.

But we also aim to bring people together through a shared love of the past and this is the reason that our coffee mornings came about.

They are a regular monthly event at Monkton Priory Church Hall and are held on the first Saturday morning of the month between 10.30 am and 1 pm.

While we encourage people to participate by bringing in photographs and sharing memories, the coffee mornings are also an opportunity to meet old friends and enjoy a chat over coffee in a friendly atmosphere.

Sales of coffee, raffle tickets and books also give us the funds to cover costs of room hire, insurance, printing etc and enable us to make our events free at entry.

People have responded well and have contributed much - our archive is growing rapidly!

Each coffee morning is accompanied by an exhibition and we try to put together something different each time.

There is room only to display a small part of what we have so we assemble material on a theme and the theme this time was 'Entertainment in Times Past'.

We were able to find lots of material ranging from Pembroke Fair, the cinema, amateur dramatics, festivals, carnivals, church events to horse and greyhound racing.

Now here I am putting out an appeal. We need information about the White City Greyhound Track which was situated on the Upper Lamphey Road, next to the rugby club field. We have no photographs!

Pictured here is Rex, one time star of the track who was owned by Wyn Jenkins and raced by his mum Lilla Jenkins. Rex, whose racing name was Rolls, was quite a dog and something of a local legend.

I am also appealing for the loan of a 9 mm cine projector. We have reels of 9 mm film which we need to look at and hopefully digitalise. We are collecting cine film, as well as stills and sometimes hold film shows.

The entertainment theme looks forward to our big event in Pembroke Town Hall on Friday, October 14, at 7.30 pm when we will be celebrating the life and work of William Haggar.  

Going to the pictures was once a popular public entertainment in Pembroke, but alas no more as Haggar's cinema was sold and is now Paddles night club.

One of our leading members is Vicki Haggar and she regrets (as do so many) the closing of the cinema which was such an important part of her growing years.

In her words: "Haggar's was more than just a cinema it was a ballroom and restaurant as well; it was the social centre of the town, everybody loved Haggar's.

"There were the cowboys, the comedies, the Pearl and Dean Adverts, the newsreels, the stamping feet and howls when there was a power cut, the booming of the drums overhead when the dance started up. No doubt about it, Haggar's was fun!"

LOOKING BACK

Many people I have interviewed have another reason to love Haggar's - it was in the ballroom that they met their partners at the dances, such an important part of the social scene!

They also held their wedding receptions there. Charlie Bumstead's dance band played at the Saturday night dances, which brings me on to this week's picture: Charlie Bumstead's Band - The Tempo Aces, Haggar's Ballroom Pembroke 1950.

Drums: Norman Wren, Piano Accordian: Danny Hordley, Piano: Iris Brickle, Saxophone Charlie Bumstead.

Don't miss our next event:' Haggar's Night' next Friday, October 14, 7.30 pm, at Pembroke Town Hall.

In many places, William Haggar, pioneer of the movies, would have a museum in recognition of his huge contribution to the cinema.

This night we will celebrate his life. Haggar's films will be shown once more, presented by William Haggar's great-great-granddaughter, Sarah Haggar. Everyone is welcome and entry is free.

Linda Asman