'Through my eyes...'

Introduced by George Lewis, Saturday morning's meeting at Monkton Priory Church Hall was an update on our current project 'Through My Eyes: a Community History of Pembroke and Monkton'. Our project involves collecting the stories of local people: memories of past times which will combine to paint a picture of our community. It is to be a history of Pembroke in the words and photographs of the people who have lived it - a testament for future generations.

I gave a presentation outlining the project and a selection of the films we have made were shown. Four participants were invited to introduce their stories, each illustrating a different aspect of Pembroke's story.

The Pageant of Pembroke

Some stories reflect Pembroke's great and prestigious past. With this in mind, the first speaker of the morning's proceedings was Susan Clague who had participated in an event which, more than half-a-century later, is still remembered. Susan introduced her film titled 'The Pageant of Pembroke' in which she described her involvement in this amazing event which took place in 1958 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the birth of Henry Tudor in Pembroke Castle. The Pageant told the story of Pembrokeshire from Norman times to the Battle of Bosworth, but was postponed a year to coincide with the Festival of Wales in 1958 and became one of its biggest attractions. Susan was one of a cast of 600 and many thousands flocked to see it. "I was so proud to have taken part" Susan told us "nothing like it has ever happened since."

The Old Main Street

Pembroke's Main Street has to feature large in any history of the town and the next film to be shown was 'Growing up in Main Street' by Vicki Haggar. Vicki addressed the meeting and described the happiness growing up in the Main Street gave her with memories of the shopkeepers, local people and businesses. Then of course, there were the memories the cinema, of helping her father, Len Haggar, with 'The Show'. Her affection for Main Street led Vicki into undertaking her project 'Main Street, Then and Now' which has involved collecting memories and photographs of each building. A tremendous amount of work has gone into putting together this exhibition and it is unfortunate that there is nowhere to exhibit it at the moment.

Monkton

When we set up the History Society, it was one of our main aims to collect information about past times in Monkton, the history of which has been much neglected. Bill Thomas grew up in India Row, in a little cottage which later suffered the fate of so many dwellings, ripped up in the 1960s. Bill based his story around his 'Box of Memories', objects from the past he has held on to and cherished: the cobbling kit that his dad used to repair the family's shoes, the wooden tap dancing doll which brings back wonderful memories of Christmas when his father would entertain family gatherings. Lighting was by candles and oil lamps like the Tilley lantern and radiant heater. "Monkton was quite a different world then - the little cottage with its three rooms and lean to back kitchen; the wonderful garden like the Good Life abundant in fruit, vegetables, flowers, chickens; neighbours keeping pigs and racing greyhound dogs. All gone now, demolished like much of Monkton in the '60s ... but I still have my box of memories."

Wartime Pembroke

Last to speak was Josie Thomas whose story took us on to the war years which had such a profound and lasting effect on Pembroke. Her story was a sad one: Josie told us how her family's life was turned upside down when a collection of high ranking army officers and men in bowler hats knocked on their door and served her father 28 days notice to quit their lovely farm at Newton, near Bosherston. Unable to find a farm in the vicinity, they had uproot and begin again at a run down farm at Nantgwyn, near Fishguard. Titled 'A Knock on the Door', Josie's story is beautifully written and could not help, but bring a lump to the throat.

We in the Society were really pleased at the response to this project and pleased that so many attended the meeting to see what we are doing.

Thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund, we have the money to publish the finished project which will result in 2,500 DVDs and books which we hope will be available for you to buy next Christmas.

We are also aiming that all monies raised from future sales will fund future local publications, making it a truly sustainable project.

Exhibition

We put together an exhibition of some of the stories for people to look at during the course of the morning. This exhibition will be constantly added to during the year and by the time of the book/dvd launch will grow into a substantial exhibition for you to see and enjoy.

Thank you

Last week, someone called by my house with some photographs. There was no name and the person receiving them could not remember, so I have no idea who to thank. I'd like to take this opportunity of thanking you and hope you'll get in touch. One of the photographs I already had, but it is a much better copy so I'll print it here and tell you a little about it.

Celebrating the visit of the Duke and Duchess Of Edinburgh 1892

The photograph is of a ceremonial arch erected at Pembroke's East End on the occasion of the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh in 1892. Another was erected at the top of the Darklin' or Northgate Street. I researched these photographs which were included in our royal visits exhibition which was on show in the castle during the summer. I owe the following information to Mrs. Peters History, of Pembroke Dock.

On March 18, 1892, the turret ship Edinburgh was launched; she was originally named the Majestic, and was specially designed to go through the Suez Canal. Owing to her being Christened by the Duchess of Edinburgh, she was renamed in honour of her Royal Highness. The Duchess on the occasion was accompanied by the Duke, brother to the Prince of Wales. Both Pembroke and Pembroke Dock were gaily decorated with flags, Venetian masts and arches for their visit. Near an arch in Bush Street, a young lady named Miss Bessie Binns presented Her Royal Highness with a bouquet of flowers. After the launch was over, the royal visitors took tea at Admiralty House in the Dockyard, and were entertained by the singing of a large choir of voices, led by Mr. David Andrews, Llew Alaw (Lion of Song) of Eisteddfod fame, now living at Llanelli. So pleased was the Duke with the singing, that, after the rendering of one chorus in particular, he leaned forward from the window, and said, 'Let us have that again, Mr. Andrews'.

Contact

If you have any stories or photographs 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.

November events

Friday, November 16 - talk by popular local speaker David James on the subject of 'Pembrokeshire People' - concerning some of the great and famous who have visited here. Entry is free and open to all.

Friday, November 23 -Christmas quiz night with questionmaster Pauline Waters. £3.50 includes a buffet - bring your own bottle if you wish.

Both events at Monkton Priory Church Hall at 7.30 pm.