The Pembroke River Rally

Tomorrow (Saturday, July 26), Pembroke will be holding its annual river rally. Sponsored by the town council, the river rally has become something of a tradition in Pembroke, an opportunity to see that contentious barrage gate lowered to allow boats to enter the Castle Pond.

A window on the past

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 in the 19th century, due to the coming of the railway, the sea remained a main highway until well into the 20th century when the last of the coastal traders, the Kathleen and May, made that last trip up the Pembroke River to the North Quay in around 1960. Now, unfortunately, boats are a rare sight on the Castle Pond.

The West Wales Maritime Heritage Society Celebrating its 30th birthday this year, the WWMHS is a well-respected organisation founded by a group of enthusiasts which included Val Howells, Peter Davidson and Barry Burgess. Its secretary is David James, well-known to all for his tireless efforts in promoting maritime heritage in events and talks. David acts as the pilot for the society's set piece events up and down the Milford Haven estuary, including the Pembroke River Rally. "I joined the WWMHS in 1986 and became its secretary," David told me. "The river rally began in 1989 shortly after the building of the Pembroke River Barrage. The society was asked to organise the river rally to exercise the right of navigation up the Pembroke River on behalf of the people of Pembroke. Govan Davies's boat the Pride of Pembroke was the flagship which led the way that first time, and the opera singer Geraint Evans was guest of honour along with Pembroke's Mayor in full regalia. Supported by Pembroke Town Council, we repeat this journey every year."

Boat builder and author

David's working background was not actually nautical. He told me that he began as a plumber working for the old Pembroke Borough Council, then after many years with the Water Board, joined the South Pembrokeshire District Council as a building inspector. "What sparked off your interest in maritime heritage?" I asked him. "I think I have always been interested in boats," replied David, "I was brought up in Gwyther Street, Pembroke Dock, and as a lad was forever messing about in boats and fishing. I used to fish off the Warrior as a boy when it was an oil fuel depot - it was just a hulk then, but I was always struck at its elegant and graceful shape. It is marvellous that it has now been restored and can now be seen in all its former glory at Portsmouth's Historic Dockyard. "I've also long potted around repairing boats, eventually making my first boat Puffin on the front lawn in 1976." David has accrued an enormous knowledge of shipbuilding and maritime history and added that "An aim to share this knowledge led me to becoming an author to preserve what I have learnt in print so that others may benefit." David's books include 'Down the Slipway', 'Of Monks and Sea Wolves' and, awaiting publication, 'The Newport Ship'.

Hancock's Yard

Sadly, despite our nation's glorious maritime past, historic ships receive poor support and the WWMHS have just been refused lottery funding for a very worthy project to restore the last of the Tenby luggers, an historic ship entrusted to them by the National Museum of Wales. Pembrokeshire County Council own Hancock's shipyard in Front Street, Pembroke Dock, where the society is currently based and where they repair vintage vessels in preparation for the set piece events they organise. However, they have no real security and have not yet been granted a lease. "Were we able to have security from PCC, the society would be able to develop a maritime heritage centre here," David added. It is incredible that Pembroke, once an important port in the south west, and Pembroke Dock, once a world leader in shipbuilding, does not have such a centre! It is thanks to Pembroke Town Council that we now have a museum in Pembroke, way overdue for such an important town.

Model maker

David has another great talent as a model boat maker. "Coincidentally, my first was a model of the Tenby Lugger," continued David. "This boat would, of course, have sailed in and out of Pembroke and is the logo of the WWMHS. As time went on, I became more and more ambitious, building complex ships like the Hiei, now displayed in the new the museum in the Dockyard Garrison Chapel." A high point for David last year was a visit from the Japanese Diplomat, the Deputy Director General of the European Affairs Bureau from the Japanese Foreign Affairs Ministry, who came to see the model and find out more about the Hiei. I did write about this visit previously but for those who do not know, the Hiei was one of the first ships of the Japanese navy and was built at Jacob's Pill on the Pembroke River. Some remains of that shipyard can still be seen. And here I admit to being really excited about David's latest project - a model of a Tudor ship which, when completed, will be exhibited in Pembroke Museum! Already his model of the Kathleen and May is an important exhibit in the museum, centre piece of the West Wales Maritime Heritage society's maritime display.

The River Rally

And so we return to the river rally. The flotilla of boats led by David will be arriving at around 5 pm, but the rally on the South Quay will begin at 2 pm. Our town clerk, Suzie Thomas and assistant town clerk Virginia Taber have been busy organising activities on the South Quay. There will be many crafts and stalls, a bouncy castle with balloon modelling and face painting for the children, Dr. Who and the Daleks will be there and even Sponge Bob Squarepants and Patrick will be making an appearance. The Vagrant Crew will also be attending singing sea shanties to set the scene. So something for all the family! Contact

If you have any stories, photographs or feedback for this column, please contact me, Linda Asman, on 01646 622428, email [email protected]">[email protected] and visit our website http://www.pembrokeandmonkonhistory.org.uk">www.pembrokeandmonkonhistory.org.uk

Events

Wednesday afternoons, from July 23 to August 20, Terry John will be leading a series of guided walks though Pembroke recounting the dramatic story of the Siege of Pembroke 1648. Walks start at Pembroke Town Hall, £3 per adult, £2 concessions, children under five free. Please book your place at Pembroke Town Hall, tel. 01646 683092. All proceeds to Pembroke Museum fund. Also don't miss - Victorian Themed Week at St. Mary's, Pembroke, from July 28 to August 3. This will be held daily from 10 am to 5 pm with refreshments in the vestry coffee bar. The History Society will be taking part with an exhibition on Victorian Pembroke. Flower Festival at Monkton Priory Church from August 10-17 on the theme of war poems. Floral displays, raffles, refreshments, light lunches. Again the History Society is taking part. Talk by Mr. Harry Mount on 'The Loveliest Buildings in Pembrokeshire' on Wednesday, August 13, at 7 pm, at Warren Church. All welcome, free entry, retiring collection.