News

The Queen in Pembrokeshire

Published

4 years ago

September 19, 2022

OVER the course of her long reign, it would be a stretch to say Queen Elizabeth II was a regular visitor to Pembrokeshire.

However, from her first official visit in 1955 to her final one in 2014, she would see how Pembrokeshire changed over the decades.

When she arrived at the River Cleddau on the Royal Yacht Britannia in 1955, the waterway looked much different than it does today.

When the royal children Charles and Anne disembarked to visit the beach at Lindsway Bay, they enjoyed a different view than modern visitors.

Instead of refineries, the relics of Second World War radar and aircraft stations fringed the estuary, and farmland sloped down to the river on either side.

The Royal Dockyard at Pembroke Dock closed in 1926 but still housed 210 Squadron of the RAF and the iconic Sunderland aeroplanes, a legacy of the War when the town was home to the largest operational base for flying boats in the world.

Pembrokeshire’s population fell after the War. The economy was still rural, and there was little heavy industry. The main towns retained their historical character, still littered with evidence of some’s medieval origins and their nineteenth-century expansion.

During the three-day visit, apart from Pembroke Dock, the Queen visited Dale, Neyland, Haverfordwest, Pembroke, and the cathedral city of St Davids.

When the Queen and Prince Philip returned to Pembrokeshire three years later, the Haven’s age of oil was just starting.

The coming of modern industry would change Pembrokeshire forever.

In 1960, Prince Philip attended the official opening of the ESSO refinery; within five years, the Regent refinery was online.

By the time of the Queen’s next official visit in 1968, the Haven would be much changed.

Construction of the “new” Pembroke Power Station was well underway. Her Majesty toured the new, state-of-the-art Gulf Refinery.

When she returned nine years later to mark her silver jubilee, Pembrokeshire’s oil industry was already at the start of its long and slow decline.

On June 7, the County’s streets thronged with people celebrating the Silver Jubilee at street parties that sometimes stretched long into the evening.

During the gloriously sunny weather that accompanied her visit on June 23, the Queen travelled to Milford Haven and Haverfordwest while crowds filled the streets as the royal motorcade whisked her through Pembroke Dock en route to the County’s two largest towns.

Silver Jubilee celebrations in Haverfordwest 1977 (Image credit Paul Lucas)

Well-wishers packed Haverfordwest’s High Street fifteen-deep on either side as the royal party visited the town’s Shire Hall.

During her visit to Milford Haven the same day, the royal party could reflect on how the town had rapidly expanded as industry overtook the town’s fishing industry.

By 1982, the old certainties had faded further.

The early 1980s recession hit Pembrokeshire hard. While the revamp of the now-Texaco refinery provided short-term relief from the oil industry’s decline, the County the Queen visited in 1982 was in a worse economic situation than it had been since the 1950s.

Even during the salad days of refinery building, unemployment remained stubbornly above the national average. Now, Pembrokeshire was under the cosh.

Crowds still turned out in large numbers on Haverfordwest High Street as the Queen strolled down it flanked by flagbearers from the Royal British Legion.

The 1982 visit was particularly notable for being the first time the Queen awarded the traditional Maundy Money in Wales.

The BBC broadcast the ancient ceremony live from St Davids Cathedral, where the city centre and cathedral close were packed with onlookers trying to get a glimpse of the monarch.

The broadcast can still be viewed on YouTube. While the commentary borders on the comically reverent, the public’s enthusiasm remains clear.

In 1995, the Queen arrived in Solva on the Royal Yacht Britannia, having sailed from Cornwall.

During her visit, she re-conferred the city status on St Davids it had lost in 1886.

The trip was planned months in advance, and the visit’s purpose was its ceremonial aspect.

However, the Queen changed the programme to travel to Haverfordwest and meet the wives and children of five servicemen from the Royal Welch Fusiliers (based at Brawdy and of which she was Colonel-in-Chief) held hostage in Bosnia during the Balkan wars.

The tone of the coverage is markedly less reverential than thirteen years before, and the vox pops notably less strained and affected in tone.

In 2001, the Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh arrived at Haverfordwest Station. They travelled to St David’s Cathedral to open the restored Porth-y-Twr (gatehouse).

In the afternoon, she opened County Hall, Haverfordwest, and later visited Pembroke Dock Community School and officially opened it.

Afterwards, the Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh attended a Garden Party at Pembroke Castle before being whisked off to the next round of royal engagements.

In 2014, and always a keen horsewoman, The Queen visited Cotts Farm Equine Hospital at Robeston Wathen, where she was greeted by Narberth Scouts, before heading to one of Pembrokeshire’s business success stories at Prince’s Gate, Tavernspite, where she witnessed the production of the spring water that made the company’s name in the company of children from Tavernspite and Templeton schools.

The Queen and Prince Philip ate lunch at Picton Castle before heading to Pembroke Dock, her first landing point in Pembrokeshire almost sixty years before.

Having lived through so much of history, the Queen’s return to the town book-ended her visits to our County.

In 1955, Pembrokeshire was still emerging from the end of the Second World War.

Her Majesty saw the tail end of the County’s military connections and the dawning of industry.

Returning in 2014, she opened a heritage centre which memorialises the past through which she lived and saw the beginnings of a new economic direction for the County as it looked to the sea and tide for energy instead of oil.

From pastoral to industrial and post-industrial, ceremonial to personal to embodying a living heritage, the Queen saw Pembrokeshire over seven decades.

And those who saw her while she was here won’t forget their experiences.

Local Government

Milford Haven civic service marks start of mayoral year

Published

10 minutes ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Mayor’s charities named as civic leaders gather at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church

THE CIVIC SERVICE of the Mayor of Milford Haven, Cllr Mark Woodward, took place at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church on Saturday (June 20).

The service marked Cllr Woodward’s election as Mayor and First Citizen of Milford Haven.

It was conducted by Rev Dr Adrian Furse and Canon John Cecil, with music from church organist Richard Stephens, Gelliswick Community Choir and Milford Haven Town Band.

Guides and Brownies, Milford Haven Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets were also among those taking part, with councillors Colin Sharp and Yvonne Southwell acting as ushers.

Refreshments followed at Milford Haven Bowling Club.

Local MS Paul Davies was among those attending the service and wished the new mayor all the best for his term in office.

Cllr Woodward’s chosen charities for the year are Patch Charity and Greenacres Rescue.

Photo caption:

Civic guests attended the Mayor of Milford Haven’s service at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church on Saturday (Pic: Supplied)

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

10 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Donations pour in for SNAP Specialist Play as families embrace Toy Story 5 launch

A TOY STORY-themed charity appeal at a Haverfordwest cinema has got off to a flying start, with families donating toys to support children with additional needs across Pembrokeshire.

The Palace Cinema has teamed up with local charity SNAP Specialist Play to collect new and pre-loved toys during screenings of the newly released Toy Story 5.

The appeal centres around an “Andy’s Toys” donation box, inspired by the beloved Pixar films, which has already been filled by generous filmgoers.

***Toy Story magic: The Palace Cinema foyer has been transformed with themed decorations to celebrate the film’s release***

Cinema manager Hannah Cramp said the response from the community had exceeded expectations.

Families attending opening screenings have arrived carrying bags of toys, with many children keen to share their own treasured items to help others.

The cinema has transformed its foyer into a colourful Toy Story-themed experience, complete with hand-painted decorations, character silhouettes, bunting and famous film slogans including “Reach for the Sky” and “To Infinity and Beyond”.

Many visitors have also embraced the spirit of the occasion by attending in costume as their favourite Toy Story characters.

***Specialist support: SNAP’s sensory facilities help children with additional needs learn and develop through play***

The toys are being donated to SNAP Specialist Play, a charity based within the Child Health Department at Withybush Hospital.

SNAP supports pre-school children with additional and complex needs through specialist play sessions designed to encourage communication, physical development and sensory learning.

Its facilities include sensory rooms, therapeutic play spaces and bespoke equipment used by speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Project manager Cindy Jenkins said the charity was delighted by the partnership and grateful for the generosity shown by local families.

She said every toy donated would be put to good use, either during specialist play sessions, at family events, or through seasonal initiatives such as Christmas gift boxes for children and their siblings.

The appeal will continue until mid-July, with organisers hopeful that even more donations will be received over the coming weeks.

Anyone attending Toy Story 5 at the Palace Cinema is invited to bring along a new or good-quality pre-loved toy to support the appeal.

Cover photo:

Fancy dress fun: Palace Cinema manager Hannah Cramp helping launch the Toy Story charity appeal.

Health

Medicine shortages now ‘most severe on record’, health leaders warn

Published

11 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are facing some of the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, with pharmacists warning the situation now poses a serious risk to safety.

The National Pharmacy Association said shortages affecting commonly used medicines are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, and causing increasing disruption for patients, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The warning comes as Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon, used by people with pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis to help digest food, have been in place since May 2024 and have now been extended until July 10, 2026.

HRT treatment Estradot has also been under a Serious Shortage Protocol since December 2024, with the current extension also running until July 10.

Patients travelling between pharmacies

A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 98 per cent of pharmacies had encountered patients who had visited several pharmacies in one day to find a prescription.

It also found that 96 per cent of pharmacies believed the current situation posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 89 per cent said they had been unable to dispense a medicine at least once a day because of supply problems.

Some pharmacy teams have also faced anger and abuse from patients unable to obtain medication.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing increasing disruption for patients.

“These shortages are some of most severe the UK has experienced.

“It is deeply distressing to find patients who have travelled from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the medicines they need without success.”

Calls for urgent taskforce

The NPA is calling on the government to convene an emergency taskforce involving manufacturers, wholesalers, clinicians and pharmacists.

It also wants changes to rules which currently stop pharmacists from making simple substitutions, such as changing a tablet to a capsule or a cream to an ointment, even where a safe alternative is available.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said medicine shortages were frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists, and added pressure to already stretched services.

She said the College supported pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions where a medicine is unavailable and a safe alternative exists.

She added: “The most important thing is that patients are able to access the medication they need safely and without delay.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Pancreatic Cancer UK have also raised concerns about the impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, including Creon, on people who rely on the medication to digest food, maintain weight and stay well enough for treatment.