Childhood memory sparked lifetime quest, explains local historian Simon Hancock

Published

1 year ago

March 3, 2025

Childhood memories – both the good and the bad – can often remain with us for the rest of our lives.

But sometimes those memories can carve an intrinsic bearing on the way in which we evolve as individuals.

Speaking to local historian Dr Simon Hancock, it soon becomes apparent that his immense knowledge and understanding of local history stems back to his childhood, when he was growing up in what was then a very derelict and forgotten Neyland.

“In the 1970’s, Neyland was a very depressed town,” Simon told The Pembrokeshire Herald.

“The railway had closed in 1964, the year before I was born, and when I was ten, the ferry to Hobbs Point had closed following the arrival of the Cleddau Bridge.

“As a result of what had happened, the area where the marina stands today was sheer desolation.

“I remember walking along there as a child and coming across an isolated railway carriage that had been left close to where the railway station used to be. And that image intrigued me.

“I also remember talking to very old people – Neyland residents who had lived in the town during the Victorian era – and I found their stories and recollections of how the town had once thrived fascinating.

“I have absolutely no doubt that this is what has inspired me as a historian to continue finding out as much as I can about local history.”

This week Simon will be presenting a talk on Neyland’s difficult progression through the Edwardian era, extending from 1900 until the First World War.

“Step back just 50 years from then, and Neyland was in its golden era,” continues Simon. “The railway, which opened in April 1856, was the catalyst for the town’s economic growth, while in August of the same year, the Irish steam ferries started sailing from Neyland to Waterford, followed by sailings to Cork.”

As a result, Neyland continued sailing through the Victorian years as a highly prosperous boom town, linking in neatly with its earlier standing as a salt refinery, a large herring fishery and a private shipyard. The town’s growth is testified by the census figures; in 1830 Neyland had around 200 inhabitants, however by 1901 that figure had soared to 2,827.

The peak lasted for 50 years but then, following the opening of a new ferry port in Fishguard in 1906, Neyland’s confidence took a major tumble.

“People were saying that grass would begin growing up in the streets and there was a real crash in public confidence. But instead of just sitting back and watching the economic decline, the community, together with landowners such as Sir Charles Phillips of Picton Castle, set up the Neyland steam trawling company.”

Land was leased from GWR and a fish market was set up together with a purpose-built ice factory that opened in Barn Lake in 1908.

“Obviously this was never going to compete with Milford Haven, but it was an expression of confidence in the economic fortunes of the town.

“And the High Street and Kensington Road bore testimony to this, with over 60 shops serving the town of Neyland and the much wider outlying community. And this continued right up until the arrival of the supermarkets.”

In 1906, following the loss of the Irish ferries, the town’s population had decreased to 2,423 but 15 years later, that figures had soared to 2,700. So once again, the people of Neyland had an underlying belief and a staunch commitment to their town’s continued prosperity.

“There’s no doubt that what Neyland has witnessed over the centuries is truly outstanding,” said Simon.

“And now, thanks to the way in which history is becoming so much more accessible to everyone, people are eager to find out as much as they can about the history of their own towns and villages.

“I’ve been giving lectures since the 1990s and it’s just so wonderful to be able to communicate to people, in a myriad of different ways, and help them discover the wealth of history that took place in their own towns.

“Schools are now teaching history in a much more holistic way, tv programmes such as ‘Time Team’ and ‘Dig for Britain’ have helped capture people’s interest and then of course, we have all the history sites on social media.

“It’s wonderful that history has become such an accessible topic to everyone.”

Dr Simon Hancock’s talk will include 80 photographic images of Edwardian Neyland. The talk takes place at St Clements Church Hall, Neyland, this Friday, March 7, at 7.30 pm. Entry is £4, which includes refreshments, and all proceeds will be donated to Pembrokeshire Mind. The event is sponsored by Audrey Johns Ltd, Neyland.

Community

Weather presenter spotted filming in Pembrokeshire

Published

22 minutes ago

March 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A WELL-KNOWN Welsh weather presenter was spotted in Pembrokeshire as he filmed scenes for a new series celebrating the county’s coastline.

Derek Brockway, who has been a familiar face on BBC Wales since 1995, was in St Davids recently working on another instalment of his popular walking series along the Pembrokeshire Coast.

Local resident Thomas Tudor said it was “lovely” to meet the broadcaster during filming, posing for a photograph alongside his mother, Beryl Tudor, and sister, Bethan Thomas Price.

Brockway, who is based at BBC Cymru Wales in Cardiff, is widely known not only for his weather forecasts across television, radio and online, but also for his programmes showcasing Wales’ landscapes and coastal paths.

The latest filming in St Davids is expected to form part of an upcoming series highlighting the natural beauty and walking routes of Pembrokeshire, an area long regarded as one of the jewels in Wales’ tourism crown.

Ministry of Defence

Defence families in Wales to save up to £6,000 under new childcare scheme

Published

46 minutes ago

March 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A MAJOR new childcare support scheme for Armed Forces families will be rolled out across Wales from September 2026, the UK Government has announced.

The initiative is expected to save eligible families up to £6,000 per child each year, providing a significant boost to household finances amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures.

The scheme will be delivered through the Ministry of Defence’s existing Early Years childcare reimbursement system and will bring Wales in line with the level of support already available to forces families in England.

Today, 19/03/2026 The Secretary of State for Defence John Healey visited Dreghorn Barracks, Edinburgh, home to 3rd Battalion the Rifles. He met with families to launch a new scheme for Defence Families in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Ministers say the move is part of a wider effort to improve recruitment and retention in the Armed Forces, with childcare costs identified as a key pressure affecting morale.

The new support will cover children from nine months old until they reach three years of age in Wales and Scotland, and up to four years old in Northern Ireland.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP announced the scheme during a visit to Dreghorn Barracks in Edinburgh.

He said: “Our Armed Forces families are at the heart of our nation’s security. As the demands on defence increase, it is right that we step up our support for those who serve.

“This offer will ensure more military families get the childcare support they need, wherever they are posted.”

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens added: “Service families in Wales make huge sacrifices and deserve the best possible support.

“They contribute not only to our national security but also to the Welsh economy. This scheme delivers meaningful help with the cost of childcare.”

The scheme will reimburse the difference in early years childcare costs for eligible working families. To qualify, both parents must be in employment and meet the income thresholds required for a Tax-Free Childcare account.

Hundreds of families across Wales are expected to benefit.

The announcement forms part of a broader package of support introduced since July 2024, including improved military housing, the largest Armed Forces pay rise in two decades, and plans to strengthen the Armed Forces Covenant in law.

Further details will be provided in the coming months, with families encouraged to begin considering childcare arrangements ahead of the scheme’s launch.

Community

Broad Haven volunteers secure ‘national asset’ status for nature reserve

Published

1 hour ago

March 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A SMALL stretch of woodland and former opencast coal mine has been transformed into a nationally recognised biodiversity site, in a major first for Wales.

The Slash Pond Community Nature Reserve has been awarded ‘Naturfa’ status, becoming the first community-managed site in Wales to receive the designation.

The recognition, confirmed by Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies, classifies the reserve as an “Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measure” (OECM). This means the volunteer-led work of the Support the Boardwalk group will now contribute directly to Wales’ 30×30 target – the global commitment to protect 30% of land, freshwater and sea for nature by 2030.

In a further boost, the site has also been included in the National Forest for Wales, recognising its role in strengthening a connected network of woodlands and habitats across the country.

Once a simple local walkway, the Slash Pond has developed into a thriving wildlife haven. The reserve now supports a wide range of species, including critically endangered European eels, otters, ten species of bat, and more than fifty species of birds, alongside diverse aquatic plants and insects.

Huw Irranca-Davies said: “These special places are a testament to the care and dedication of people working on the ground – securing a legacy for future generations. Nature can only thrive where habitats are resilient, protected and effectively managed.”

The new status is expected to unlock future funding opportunities, supporting long-term plans for maintaining the boardwalk, monitoring biodiversity and water quality, installing new signage, and expanding environmental education work with Broad Haven Primary School and the wider Havens community.

Andy Drumm, a volunteer with Support the Boardwalk, said: “We’ve always known how special the Slash Pond is, but this recognition puts it firmly on the map as a national asset. It’s a tribute to years of hard work and shows that local communities can lead the way in tackling the nature crisis.”

To mark the achievement, a Spring Family Fun Day will take place on Friday (May 9) from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at the Slash Pond car park.

The event will feature guided nature walks, pond dipping, a wildlife treasure trail, live music, and family activities including crafts and face painting. The official unveiling of the Naturfa certificate and new reserve branding will also take place, alongside the launch of a new book, From Culm to Calm: A History of the Slash Pond by local author David Meanwell.

Karen Riggs, a long-time volunteer, said: “This achievement belongs to everyone in Broad Haven who has supported the site over the years. We’re not just celebrating a new title – we’re celebrating what our community has built together.”

The day will also see the installation of new benches at the observation decks and the launch of a floating island habitat to support wildfowl and other bird species. Visitors will also be invited to share feedback on plans for an improved picnic area designed to withstand local flooding.

Naturfa is a Welsh Government initiative recognising areas outside traditional protected sites, such as SSSIs, that are managed in ways which deliver long-term benefits for biodiversity.

The Slash Pond Community Nature Reserve is managed by the Support the Boardwalk group in partnership with The Havens Community Council, and is maintained entirely by volunteers.

Further information and updates are available via the Support the Boardwalk Facebook page.