THE October meeting of Summerhill WI welcomed author Dr Robert Llewellyn Davies MBE to Amroth Parish Hall.

The meeting opened with a welcome to all, especially new member Edith Welsher.

Then president Marlene introduced the speaker who had stood in at short notice.

Rob proceeded to give an excellent, interesting talk about his soon to be published book, ‘Following the Water’. He showed many beautiful pictures of the Milford Haven Waterway and explained how he had travelled by boat for his research.

Following the vote of thanks from Marlene, refreshments were served by Anne D, Sue E and Margaret J. Pam won the raffle.

The meeting continued with apologies noted and thanks given for the flowers and the food bank donations.

Belinda, Ann P and Sue E had thoroughly enjoyed the federation visit to Heatherton where they participated in pistol shooting, golf, archery and the escape room.

Congratulations were given to Marilyn’s grand-daughter Zoe who has just attained a BSc degree in Clinical Psychology.

Upcoming events were discussed with the Christmas dinner booked at the Amroth Arms on Wednesday December 2 and the chip supper planned for the festive December 14 meeting. Menu choices for both will be made at the November meeting.

The correspondence was dealt with and the Federation letter discussed, with Marlene, Linda and Hilary planning to attend the annual meeting on Saturday, November 7.

The next meeting will be at Amroth Parish Hall, Summerhill on Monday, November 9 at 7pm, with hostesses Linnia, Jo and Margaret J. A representative of the Blood Bikes charity will give a talk.

Following the Water

The publicity surrounding Following the Water gives some insights into the new book and its author:

For much of his life, Robert Llewellyn Davies has walked, paddled and explored the Milford Haven Waterway and the rivers that feed it. In Following the Water, he returns to the places that have fascinated him for more than half a century, allowing the river itself to lead the way through the landscape and history of this remarkable corner of Pembrokeshire.

The journey begins where the Waterway meets the sea at St Ann’s Head and gradually moves inland, through the great natural harbour of Milford Haven and into the quieter reaches of the Eastern and Western Cleddau.

Along the way are castles and ruined churches, forgotten quays and country houses, fishermen and ferrymen, coal miners and sailors. There are stories of Henry Tudor and the Knights Hospitaller, the tragedy of the Landshipping mining disaster, the old fishing traditions of Llangwm and the extraordinary history of Slebech beside the Eastern Cleddau.

But this is not simply a history of the Waterway.

It is also the story of countless walks, journeys by canoe, conversations with people who know the river and those unexpected discoveries that come from following a footpath, exploring a creek or simply stopping for a while to watch the tide.

Illustrated throughout with photographs, maps, sketches and watercolour impressions, Following the Water brings together history, landscape and personal memory to tell the story of a river system that has shaped the lives of generations.

And, as the journey reaches its end, it asks us to consider something equally important – what sort of river will we leave behind for those who follow?

For anyone who loves Pembrokeshire, its history, its rivers and those quieter places that are so easily passed by, Following the Water is an invitation to wander a little further and look a little more closely.