Community

Did the world’s first airplane fly in Pembrokeshire?

Published

4 years ago

March 5, 2021

WHEN asked who was the first to fly an airplane, you’d probably say Wilbur and Orville Wright, more commonly referred to as the Wright brothers. However, you’ve probably never heard of Bill Frost, a Welshman who many say was the “first man to fly.”

Born in Saundersfoot on May 28th, 1848, Bill Frost was a carpenter on the Heyn Castle Estate.

Clearly, as a handyman, he was in the perfect position to build a plane, and this obsession, if the tale is to be believed, was strengthened in the winter of 1876. Legend says that Frost was carrying a large plank of wood on a windy day when a large gust of wind picked him up, carried him several feet, until he returned to the ground with a rather rough landing.

What followed was, shall we say, some rather odd behaviour.

Locals reported seeing Frost running around fields, with a large sheet of zinc above his head, presumably trying to get another gust of wind to lift him up. Although he was testing the limits of aerodynamic designs in all likelihood, he was of course branded rather bizarre locally.

Many locals also attributed this behaviour to grief, as his wife and daughter had recently died. A religious man and deacon of his local chapel, one could understand locals believing he was maybe trying to get to Heaven.

In 1894, things started to get serious for Frost, who applied for a patent for a flying machine on October 25th. To describe the patent would be to describe an amalgamation between a plane and a glider, with two reversible fans which would, he hoped, lift him into the air for a successful flight.

Bill Frost with his wife, Annie, in 1896 . Bill lived until 1935.

Then, the patent said, wings would be spread via a lever and another lever would control whether the aircraft was moving up or downwards.

With his practical knowledge and his interesting research methods, Frost began work on building the aircraft.

He did so in the workshop of his house on St Bride’s Hill, an impressive feat when you consider it was over 30 feet long.

Reports state that the aircraft was built out of bamboo, canvas and wire, with bags and pouches filled with hydrogen to help it stay afloat.

The patent, in full, reads: “The flying machine is constructed with an upper and lower chamber of wire work, covered with light waterproof material. Each chamber formed sharp at both ends with parallel sides. The upper large chamber to contain sufficient gas to lift the machine. In the centre of upper chamber a cylinder is fixed in which a horizontal fan is driven by means of a shaft and bevelled gearing worked from the lower chamber. When the machine has been risen to a sufficient height, then the fan is stopped and the upper chamber, which has wings attached, is tilted forward causing the machine to move as a bird, onward and downward. When low enough it is again tilted in an opposite direction which causes it to soar onward and upward, when it is again assisted if necessary by the fan. The steering is done by a rudder at both ends.”

A book has been written about the subject

So, why are the Wright brothers considered the first men to fly?

Well, for starters, there’s no photographs of Frost’s flight, nor any written testimonials. However Frost himself, as well as several locals in the area, claimed that on September 24th, 1896, Frost flew for approximately 500 yards.

This, if true, would have been a considerably longer flight than the Wright brothers achieved.

The end of the flight was not so successful, however, as the bottom of the craft hit a tree and crashed into a nearby field.

Not deterred by this, Frost repaired the machine, however it was then destroyed in a storm some weeks later, and Frost could not afford to build a new one from scratch.

His patent expired four years later.

Without a craft for another flight, and with no photographic evidence, his claim to be the first man to fly, unfortunately, can not be verified.

In 1935 Frost died aged 90 years old. Although he held no grudge against the Wright brothers, he did state that the government had turned down his application for funding following his first attempt, which scuppered the hope of any future flights after his craft was destroyed.

The reason for this? The government claimed that aircraft would never be used for navigation or warfare; a statement that looked very foolish as World War I began to play out.

HTV footage from the 1990’s on the Bill Frost story (Youtube)

Charity

Little and Broad Haven Lifeboat Station celebrates refurbishment and RNLI bicentennial

Published

2 days ago

October 4, 2024

Luke Sinclair

The Little and Broad Haven Lifeboat Station recently marked two significant milestones with a grand reopening after extensive refurbishment and a special visit as part of the RNLI’s 200th anniversary celebrations.

On Saturday, 7th September, RNLI volunteers, supporters, and crew members gathered to celebrate the lifeboat station’s official reopening following major refurbishment work carried out over the winter months. The updated facilities, designed to bring the station into the 21st century, were unveiled with a ribbon-cutting ceremony performed by the children of the operational crew and supporters. This heartwarming gesture symbolised the passing of responsibility to the next generation of lifesavers.

Lifeboat Operations Manager, Andy Grey, expressed his pride in the station’s transformation and the success of the event: “The station opening was extremely successful. Not only did the weather hold out, but personnel from the station, including officers and crew, branch members, and shop volunteers, were in attendance, along with guests from our neighbouring RNLI stations. The occasion truly represented the ‘One Crew’ philosophy. To make it even more special, the children of the crew were invited to formally open the new refurbishment of the station. A lovely gesture but also a great memory.”

The upgraded station now provides state-of-the-art facilities, including a modernised lifeboat shop, which will improve working conditions for the dedicated volunteers. Roger Bryan Smith DL, Area Operations Manager, also highlighted the importance of the refurbishment: “I am absolutely delighted that Little and Broad Haven Lifeboat Station has been refurbished to such a high standard. The crew devote an immense amount of their spare time to training to save lives at sea, and it’s marvellous that they now have such great facilities.”

Among the attendees were Gemma Gill, Coxswain of Fishguard Lifeboat, and Will Chant, Coxswain of St Davids Lifeboat Station, who showed their support and helped with presentations. The day was filled with a sense of community and celebration of the station’s lifesaving mission.

Later that month, on Wednesday, 25th September, Little and Broad Haven Lifeboat Station received a special visit as part of the RNLI’s bicentennial year. The RNLI 200 ‘Connecting our Communities’ scroll, which bears the lifeboat pledge, arrived at the station as part of its seven-month journey around 240 RNLI locations across the UK and Ireland. The pledge, printed in Welsh, English, and five other languages, celebrates the dedication of RNLI volunteers and their mission to save lives at sea.

Andy Grey, along with other key members of the station, including Shireen Thomas from the shop, Peter Erte from the fundraising branch, and Water Safety Officer Sue Christopher, had the honour of signing the scroll on behalf of the Little and Broad Haven lifeboat community. The scroll, made from materials significant to the charity, will conclude its journey in October on the Isle of Man, where RNLI founder Sir William Hillary was born. Once the journey is complete, the scroll will bear around 700 signatures and be displayed at the RNLI College in Poole.

Anjie Rook, RNLI Associate Director, overseeing the 200th anniversary programmes, said: “The Connecting our Communities relay is one of the most significant events of the RNLI’s 200th anniversary year as it’s all about our people. For 200 years, it is people who have made the RNLI what it is – from our brave lifesavers who risk their lives to save others, to the committed fundraisers and generous donors who fund our lifesaving work.”

By coincidence, the RNLI Porsche 911 Challenge also arrived at the station on the same day. Belinda and James Richardson, who are travelling 8,500 miles in their Porsche 911 to visit all 238 RNLI lifeboat stations within 911 hours, were delighted to encounter the scroll for the first time on their journey. The couple is raising funds for a new D class inshore lifeboat, which is critical to the RNLI’s lifesaving work. In 2023 alone, D class lifeboats saved 96 lives and assisted over 2,000 people in distress.

Andy Grey reflected on the unique timing of the two events: “Today we had a special visit from the RNLI 911 Challenge and the RNLI Scroll. To happen at the same time and on the same day was unique in itself. The beautiful Porsche of the 911 Challenge presented a jigsaw and a special RNLI-themed version of Top Trumps in memory of their visit to all lifeboat stations in the UK. Four members from the station were asked to sign this wonderful scroll, which will be a memory and recognition of the 200-year celebration of the RNLI.”

Jayne George, RNLI Director of Fundraising, expressed her gratitude for the Richardsons’ efforts: “We are so grateful to Belinda and James for taking on this huge challenge and look forward to welcoming them at all our lifeboat stations around the coast. We are only able to save lives at sea thanks to the generous support of people taking on challenges like this.”

As the RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea, Little and Broad Haven Lifeboat Station continues to play a vital role in this enduring mission, with new facilities and a strong community spirit driving them forward into the future.

Community

Portfield Fair is back with a bang as mayors check out rides

Published

4 days ago

October 2, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE HISTORIC Portfield Fair made a grand comeback this week – and this time the fair is at Rifleman’s Field Car Park, moving away from the recent location at Scotchwell.

The event was graced with the presence of the mayors of both Haverfordwest and Milford Haven, illustrating the fair’s importance to the local heritage and community spirit.

The fair’s opening was marked by traditional ceremonies, including blessings from the Mayor’s Chaplain and a special presentation to the Mayor’s Crier by the Guild of Showmen. The first evening of the fair saw the Mayors and guests enjoying a series of classic fairground rides like dodgems, waltzers, and the twister.

The relocation of the fair has allowed for a more expansive setup, greatly enhancing its presence in the town. The new venue offers ample space for the fair to flourish, accommodating a larger array of attractions and activities that cater to families and visitors of all ages.

The fair will continue through Saturday, with opening hours extending from 6 PM to late on weekdays, and from 2 PM to late on Saturday.

The Haverfordwest Town Council has extended their gratitude to all attendees and participants for a splendid opening night and hopes the enthusiasm will persist throughout the fair’s duration. With such a warm reception and renewed connection to its historical roots, the Portfield Fair is set to remain a key highlight in Haverfordwest’s cultural calendar.

Images courtesy of Tim Evans/Haverfordwest Town Council

Community

Fishguard Bay Food Festival: A celebration of local food, sustainability, and wellness

Published

4 days ago

October 2, 2024

Tom Sinclair

FISHGUARD and Goodwick are gearing up for a weekend of culinary delights, community wellness, and sustainable living, as the Fishguard Bay Food Festival returns from 11th to 13th October. Hosted by the Fishguard Bay Sustainable Food Initiative, this three-day extravaganza promises a celebration of local flavours and a focus on community well-being.

Eilish Blade, Chairperson of the Fishguard Bay Sustainable Food Initiative, said: “The Festival is going from strength to strength with its vision to create a one-of-a-kind food festival that celebrates this coastal community and paves the pathway to a more sustainable future.”

Friday, 11th October: A Toast to Local Tipples

The festival kicks off on Friday evening at 5 pm, with a “Tipple Trail” across local pubs and venues in Fishguard and Goodwick. Revellers can sample locally crafted ales, ciders, and spirits while enjoying live music, setting the tone for the weekend ahead.

Film enthusiasts can head to Theatr Gwaun on West Street, Fishguard (SA65 9AD) for special screenings. At 2 pm, “Widow Clicquot” will delve into the fascinating history of the Veuve Clicquot champagne business that began in the 18th century. Later, at 7:30 pm, the moving documentary “Six Inches of Soil” will spotlight British farmers challenging the industrial food system to transform food production in the UK.

Saturday, 12th October: A Feast for the Senses

Saturday’s activities, running from 10 am to 4 pm, promise a sensory delight. The Local Producers’ Market at Ysgol Bro Gwaun (Heol Dyfed, SA65 9DR) will feature over 40 stalls, showcasing artisanal, sustainable food and drink. From gourmet street food to cooking demonstrations by local chefs, there’s plenty to explore. Families are encouraged to bring the children, who can enjoy various activities while the adults discover new flavours.

Evening options include wood-fired pizzas at the Point Youth Centre (Popworks Parc Y Shwt, SA65 9AP) or a talk by Celtic Coasts – Sail and Trade at The Hope and Anchor Inn in Goodwick Square (SA65 9HL).

Sunday, 13th October: Wellness and Community

On the final day, the focus shifts to nourishing the body, mind, and soul. Starting at 9 am, the Phoenix Community Centre in Goodwick (1 Wern Road, SA64 0AA) and various outdoor locations will host a range of wellness-focused activities. Attendees can join guided nature walks, yoga, meditation sessions, and even a fermentation workshop.

For those keen on more hands-on experiences, cooking demonstrations and craft activities for children will run throughout the day. An afternoon sea swim organised by the North Pembrokeshire Bluetits will offer a refreshing dive into the local waters.

Food and drink will be plentiful, with a pop-up café, street food vendors, and a bar on hand. The day will close with DJ Uncle Funk providing music for the festival’s grand finale, as guests indulge in delicious dishes from the Festival Kitchen.

A Festival Not to be Missed

With free entry and a variety of workshops (pre-booking available at Eventbrite), this festival is a not-to-be-missed celebration of Pembrokeshire’s local culture, sustainable living, and culinary excellence.

For the full programme of events and updates, visit www.fishguardbayfood.co.uk or follow @fishguardfoodinitiative on social media. For additional information, contact the Fishguard Bay Sustainable Food Initiative at [email protected].