Childhood memory sparked lifetime quest, explains local historian Simon Hancock

Published

11 months 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.

Crime

Man charged with attempted murder after Carmarthen park incident

Published

3 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

57-year-old due in court following alleged knife and stalking offences

A MAN has been charged with attempted murder following a serious incident in Carmarthen town centre last week.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that James McKenna, aged 57, from Carmarthen, has been charged with attempted murder, possession of a bladed article in a public place, and stalking.

The charges relate to an incident in Carmarthen Park on Thursday (Jan 29), which prompted a significant emergency services response and caused concern among residents.

Police have not yet released full details of the circumstances, but officers were seen in and around the park area for several hours following the incident while enquiries were carried out.

McKenna is due to appear before Llanelli Magistrates Court on Thursday (Feb 5).

The Herald understands the case involves allegations of both violence and targeted behaviour towards an individual, with stalking listed among the charges.

Public concern

Carmarthen Park is a popular and busy public space used daily by families, dog walkers and joggers, and incidents of this severity are rare.

The news has prompted concern locally, particularly as the alleged offences include possession of a knife in a public place.

Residents have previously raised questions about safety in parks and open spaces across west Wales, especially during darker winter evenings.

Court proceedings

At this stage, the charges remain allegations and the case will now proceed through the courts.

Magistrates will decide whether the case is sent to Crown Court due to the seriousness of the attempted murder charge.

Further details are expected to emerge during Thursday’s hearing.

The Herald will be attending court and will provide updates as they become available.

Crime

Sex offender jailed after living off grid in Pembrokeshire and refusing to register

Published

3 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Court Reporter

Man walked into police station after months avoiding authorities

A CONVICTED sex offender who told police he intended to live “off grid” rather than comply with legal monitoring rules has been jailed after handing himself in at a Pembrokeshire police station.

Christopher Spelman, aged 66, of no fixed address, appeared for sentence at Swansea Crown Court after admitting breaching the notification requirements of the sex offenders register.

The court heard Spelman was released from prison in Dorset on July 4 last year but immediately refused to provide police with an address, despite being legally required to do so within three days.

Instead, he indicated he planned to buy a tent and live outdoors.

Prosecutor Brian Simpson said officers subsequently launched a nationwide search when Spelman failed to make contact with police. Public appeals were issued and his case featured on the television programme Crimewatch.

Detectives believed he had been travelling around the UK using public transport and staying at campsites. He was known to have links to several areas including Merseyside, Manchester, Devon, Cornwall and Hampshire.

His whereabouts remained unknown until January 3 this year, when he walked into Haverfordwest police station and was arrested. It is unclear how long he had been in Pembrokeshire.

Spelman previously served seven years in prison after being convicted in 2014 of 12 counts of sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 14. He was placed on the sex offenders register for life.

The court heard this was not the first time he had failed to comply with the rules. After an earlier release in 2016, he again failed to register his address and avoided police for around five years before being caught.

He has 11 previous convictions for 29 offences.

Defence barrister Andrew Evans described the case as unusual and said his client had long disputed his original conviction and had expressed a wish to live “outside society”.

However, he said Spelman had gradually accepted that he remained subject to court orders and now wanted more stable accommodation and a chance to rebuild his life. The defendant asked the court to impose a custodial sentence so arrangements could be made for his future release.

Judge Geraint Walters noted there were signs Spelman wished to change but warned that any further breaches would result in longer prison terms.

With credit for his guilty plea, Spelman was sentenced to 10 months in prison. He will serve up to half in custody before being released on licence.

Crime

Former Wales rugby star admits Christmas Day drink-driving offence

Published

9 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Ex-Ospreys captain was almost twice over limit in Pembroke town centre

Former Wales back row Jonathan Thomas has admitted driving through Pembroke town centre on Christmas Day when he was almost twice over the drink-drive limit.

This week Haverfordwest magistrates heard that Thomas, 43, was stopped by officers as he drove his Mercedes CLA 220 along The Green, Pembroke, at around 5pm on Christmas Day.

“The officers were very concerned at the manner of his driving, as the car was being driven erratically and was swerving to the other side of the road,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan.

“When Jonathan Thomas got out of the car, the officers could see that he was having difficulty standing and was unsteady on his feet.”

Subsequent breathalyser tests showed Thomas had 62 mcg of alcohol in his system, the legal limit being 35.

Thomas, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the drink-drive charge and was represented in court by solicitor Jess Hill.

“He has family in the area and had travelled to spend time with them on Christmas Day,” she told the magistrates. “He’s very remorseful for his actions and hugely regrets his decision that day.”

Jess Hill concluded by saying that Thomas is currently “between jobs and living off his savings”.

Thomas, who gave his address as Main Road, Bredon, was disqualified from driving for a total of 18 months.

“The length of your disqualification reflects the fact that you were more than a little bit over the limit,” commented the presiding magistrates when imposing sentence.

He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 court surcharge.

The former Wales back row left his role as Swansea RFC head coach at the beginning of December 2025 as a result of ongoing health concerns. He was forced to retire from playing in 2015 on medical advice after being diagnosed with epilepsy and is one of the 390 former rugby union players currently taking part in a concussion lawsuit against the sport’s authorities.

“Long-standing issues linked to the head trauma have caused me some concern recently and it has been impossible for me to give the role everything it needs,” he said in a previous interview with the BBC.

His rugby career started out with Pembroke RFC juniors before moving to Swansea RFC, which he captained when he was 19. He then joined the Ospreys where, over a ten-year period, he won four league titles and an Anglo-Welsh Cup. He was the youngest player to captain the Ospreys and, at the time of leaving, was the joint highest appearance holder, together with Andrew Bishop, on 188 appearances.

His international career saw him play for Wales at Under-16, Youth, Under-19, Under-21 and Sevens levels. He made his senior international debut against Australia in 2003, featured at the 2007 Rugby World Cup and was part of two Six Nations Grand Slam-winning sides in 2005 and 2008. Between 2004 and 2011, Thomas was included in every Wales Six Nations squad. In his appearances for Wales, he scored seven tries.