The New Year got off to a lively start with the annual general meeting, incorporating a challenging quiz, on January 4, followed by an equally challenging buffet spread enjoyed by all. The spring programme opened on February 1 with 'The Development of Pembrokeshire'. David James, from the West Wales Maritime Heritage Society, gave an interesting and often amusing insight into the beginning of Maritime and Dockyard connections in Pembrokeshire, from the mid 18th century right up to his own involvement in the present day with the Heritage Society in the reclamation and preservation of craft, his own speciality being painstaking and accurate modelling of ships, examples of which can be seen in several museums. He invited members of the group to go along to the Maritime Heritage Society workshops off Western Way, Pembroke Dock, on any Monday to see for themselves the work of preservation being carried out by enthusiastic members of the society. His talk took members through history from 1751 when rural Pembrokeshire had no industry as such and when the Admiralty, surprisingly, built a frigate, the Prince of Wales battleship, on a site where Milford now stands. At this point in the story, members were introduced to William Hamilton, and his first wife, heiress of the prestigious Slebech Estate, his interest in Etruscan pottery, his connections with his nephew the Hon Charles Greville and Emma, later Emma Hamilton his second wife and Lord Nelson, all of which provided a fascinating wealth of human interest and played a large part in the maritime history of the area until the early 19th century. In 1765, during the reign of George III, the Admiralty built a standard 74-gun battleship in Neyland which served in the capture of St. Lucia from the French. In 1790, Sir William obtained Parliaments's consent for Charles Greville to plan and build the maritime town of Milford with its splendid deep sea sheltered harbour. In all, seven ships were to be built there. In 1800, the Navy leased the Milford Dockyard, but trouble arose when Milford tried to increase the amount for the lease, and in 1809 the Navy Board closed the Royal Docks at Milford. The Pembroke Dock yard was subsequently built and proved to be widely acclaimed and very successful. After a few of the speaker's light-hearted memories, the evening wound up with the usual coffee/tea and biscuits and a chance to socialise. The speaker for the March 1 meeting is Nicky Bosworth, whose subject has the intriguing title 'Sex and Scandal in the Archives'. New members are most welcome, as are guests. Do go along and join them on the first Wednesday of each month at the Manorbier Community Centre. Contact Denise on (01834) 871209 or see the Manorbier Newsletter for further details.