Heads turned to the distinctive sound of Harley Davidson motorcycles as 50 riders and passengers circuited Pembroke on Saturday to then enter the outer ward of Pembroke Castle.

The two Harley owners groups, HOGS, the Welsh Black Mountain and the French Duc’d Normandie Chapters, came as a direct result of invitation offered by castle trustee Roger Baker.

In December of last year, he met up with his relative, Pembroke-born Jo Kromrei and her partner Brynn and their guests’, French couple Frederic Duclos and Edwige, who were then visiting Pembroke on the Harleys.

Following a visit into the castle, the relationship between Normandy and the fact it was initially built by their countrymen in the latter 11th Century, plus Henry VII being welcomed and supported by the French in his forced exile in France, he was moved to invite a group from both chapters to hold a gathering in the Pembroke Castle. The date was set that day and, as a direct result, 17 riders and their passengers who travelled over from their homes in Normandy combined with Welsh Chapter members to make a total of 50 riders.

After lining their impressive lovingly polished Harleys in the castle grounds, the gathering consisted of a one hour tour of the castle by Gareth Mills, a now regular enthusiastic guide.

On their return, suitably dressed as keeper of the castle, Roger Baker instructed the group in the etiquette required in the presence of a king, before Peter Kraus, impressively dressed as a King Henry VII, joined the group. As instructed, the group bowed and repeated such each time the king’s name was mentioned.

Jo Kromrei’s partner Brynn, being faced with the point of a very large sword, was locked into a stock to the shouts from the group ‘behead him.’ Although the sword was certainly sharp and heavy enough to do just that, Roger said the groundsman, Jason Kenniford, would have his head off he got blood on his precious turf.

To round off the presentation, and as a special reward for bringing the group over from France, Frederic Duclos was unofficially knighted by Peter Kraus in the guise of King Henry VII. As a result, on rising after the shouldering touch of the king’s sword, he and wife Enwige were given titles and Welsh names. With tears of delight at this unexpected honour, they were given the names of Sir Ianto of the Black Mountains Knights and Lady Blodwyn, respectively. With great cheers from the group, they were then given a scroll and Black Mountain Chapter badges to confirm their both so being honoured.

Before returning to Swansea, they enjoyed hot drinks and locally made Welsh cakes prepared by the café staff.

The visit was part of a five-day tour of South Wales organised by the Black Mountain Chapter who have enjoyed a twinning arrangement with Duc’d Normandies for many years and regularly make similar exchange visits.

On Saturday morning, the combined group rode from their Swansea base through the south coastal scenery, stopping for a midday meal in Tenby before making for Pembroke. The scenery and beaches so impressed the visitors, especially Sandersfoot and Tenby, they promised to return again for longer visits.

Roger Baker hopes this could develop into a regular event and encourage various other organisations to similarly visit the castle during the year.