THE STORY of the man who saved the ship that took on Moby Dick in a fight to the death can now be told for the first time.

The traditional skills of David “Davi” Owen proved invaluable when John Huston’s classic movie on the great white whale was being filmed off Fishguard in 1954.

The Elstree Productions crew turned to Mr Owen in desperation after a violent storm dismasted the ‘Pequod’ – in reality a 158-ton wooden topsail schooner named The Ryelands – in Fishguard Harbour.

Mr Owen’s grandson Peter Jones recalls how the one-time ship’s carpenter was working as manager of Brodog Timber Merchants in Goodwick when he answered the film company’s SOS.

“My grandfather was initially trained as a ship’s carpenter in the early part of the last century,” he says. “He used to make sailing ships in Lower Town.

“When Moby Dick was being made they had the Pequod moored in the harbour along with several white rubber model whales.

“One night there was a terrible storm and the ship was dismasted. All the whales broke away and went out into the Irish Sea. Most were never found again. 

“My grandfather was approached as he was known to have made masts many years before.

“The film people asked him if he could make a new mast. He duly undertook this in Goodwick and the ship was re-masted.”

Mr Jones, who now lives on the Gower, is hoping to visit Theatr Gwaun’s Moby Dick exhibition – which will form part of September’s Ar Ymyl y Tir 2026/On Land’s Edge Festival.

David Owen died in December 1960 – four years after the cinematic release of Moby Dick. 

Meanwhile, a postcard detailing a fan’s innocent quest to find Hollywood star Gregory Peck during the filming has come to light.

The family of Lower Town resident Julia Moffett spent many happy family holidays in north Pembrokeshire. 

“I thought that these family holidays were my Mum’s only visits here – I was wrong,” she says.

“When clearing my late Aunty Joan’s house, my cousin found a postcard with a picture of Pwllgwaelod on the front.

“It was sent by Mum, Sybil, to her sister Joan in 1954. Mum worked in a Barnado’s children’s home in Kent and they brought the children on holiday to Dinas in August 1954.

“The message from Sybil reads in part: ‘Gregory Peck is at Fishguard making a film. We went to see him today, but didn’t. Mrs May has seen him and Leo Gern (sic), love Sybil.’

“I like the idea that Mum was here well before she met Dad, who was Pembrokeshire born – and also that she spent her precious time off in Fishguard, searching for her screen idol.

“I remember that he always remained her particular favourite.”

Big turnout for event as enthusiasts gather at Dyfed Shire Horse Farm and reservoir

A LARGE convoy of classic, modified and performance vehicles descended on north Pembrokeshire this weekend as car enthusiasts from across west Wales took part in a popular summer run to Llys y Fran.

The event, organised by local enthusiast Pete Sharpe, saw dozens of vehicles travel together through the county, with participants describing a “massive turnout” for the mid-summer gathering.

Video footage shared online by organiser Matthew Cummings showed an impressive stream of vehicles making their way through the countryside, with drivers saying they had not realised quite how many cars had joined until seeing the convoy stretched out behind them.

One attendee wrote online: “Was near the back,” while another added: “We were at the back too!”

The run included a stop at the Dyfed Shire Horse Farm near Crymych, where owners and visitors gathered to admire a wide range of vehicles and socialise.

Many participants praised organiser Pete Sharpe for putting the event together, with several describing it as a “great day out” and thanking him for arranging the route and activities.

Sandra Collicott said: “Great day out and very well supported… well done Pete for organising it!”

Andy Davis joked: “Thanks Pete, great day – nice of you to sort out the weather as well.”

The convoy also called at Llys y Fran, where visitors stopped for refreshments, with staff reporting a steady stream of enthusiasts dropping in for tea and cake throughout the day.

The popularity of the event highlights the growing appeal of informal car meets across Pembrokeshire and west Wales, with enthusiasts regularly travelling significant distances to take part in scenic drives, showcase vehicles and raise awareness of local venues.

The gathering also helped promote upcoming motoring events in the county, including the annual Cadamm show at Dyfed Shire Horse Farm on Saturday, June 27, which will support local charities including the Oxygen Centre and Trotter’s Lounge in Pentood, near Cardigan.

Council says poor and inaccessible housing can contribute to ill health and pressure on local services

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has admitted there is not enough suitable accessible housing in the county to meet demand, with more than 400 people currently waiting for accessible social housing.

The council confirmed that 403 people are on the Pembrokeshire Accessible Housing Register, which forms part of the Choice Homes @ Pembrokeshire housing register.

Of those waiting, 81% are in the gold band, while 62% require one-bedroom accessible accommodation.

A further 111 cases are currently awaiting occupational therapy assessment through to approval of assessed works for disabled facilities or discretionary disabled assistance grants.

The figures were released following questions from The Pembrokeshire Herald after a report by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists warned that poor and unsuitable housing is damaging people’s health and placing avoidable pressure on health and social care services.

Pembrokeshire County Council said it recognised that unsuitable housing was a local challenge, often linked to ageing housing stock across all types of accommodation.

A spokesperson said: “Within Pembrokeshire, we recognise that there are challenges around unsuitable housing, often linked with an ageing housing stock across all tenures of accommodation.

“We recognise that poor and inaccessible housing can be a contributing factor to ill health and increased demand on housing, health and social care services.

“As a council where a need is identified, we work across service areas to ensure that people are able to live safely and independently within appropriate accommodation.”

Hospital discharge delays

The council also confirmed that housing-related issues can affect hospital discharge planning locally.

It said there had been an increase in housing-related delays in recent years, caused by a range of factors, including the need for suitable accommodation after changes in a person’s health or ability to function.

This can lead to a need for home adaptations or alternative accessible accommodation.

However, the authority said housing-related factors generally represented a relatively small proportion of overall discharge delays in the area.

The council said: “There are concerns related to housing-related delays which impact hospital discharge planning locally.

“There has been an increase in housing related delays due to a range of factors, including the need for suitable accommodation following changes in an individual’s health or functioning.

“This may be for any tenure of accommodation, which subsequently can lead to a need for home adaptations, or alternative accessible accommodation sourced.

“Despite this upward trend in recent years, housing-related factors generally represent a relatively small proportion of overall discharge delays in the area.”

Insufficient suitable homes

Asked whether enough suitable housing exists locally for older residents and people with disabilities or long-term health conditions, the council accepted there was a shortfall.

The spokesperson said: “Given the numbers we have on our Accessible Housing Register as well as the ageing population in the county, we acknowledge that there is insufficient suitable accessible housing to currently meet demand.

“This is recognised in the Local Housing Market Assessment 2023 and Pembrokeshire Housing Strategy 2024-2027.”

The council said its Occupational Therapy Service works closely with housing providers across Pembrokeshire to assess needs and support appropriate housing solutions.

This includes adaptations to existing properties and the development of adapted homes.

The council said its Housing Service was also working closely with Adult Social Care and health partners to address the challenges.

Adapting homes

For social housing tenants who need adaptations, the council said needs are assessed through the Occupational Therapy Service.

Depending on the outcome of that assessment and the extent of the works required, adaptations are either carried out by the social landlord or, in some circumstances, alternative more suitable accommodation is sought.

For new social housing, the council said Lifetime Homes standards form part of the Welsh Government’s Housing Quality Standards for new build properties.

Housing and social care services also work together to inform the type and design of properties being developed, with the aim of ensuring the needs of people with disabilities and long-term health conditions are considered.

The council said this work is targeted according to the needs identified from the Accessible Housing Register.

It added that the approach focuses on early identification, regular discussion and joint problem-solving to help support timely and appropriate hospital discharges, as well as planning for current and future need through new build and acquisition programmes.

Wider Welsh concern

The council’s comments come after the Royal College of Occupational Therapists published its Building Health into Homes report, which argues that unsuitable housing is worsening physical and mental health, increasing hospital readmissions and adding pressure to health and social care services.

The report says there is little point discharging people from hospital if they are returning to homes that fail to meet their needs or worsen their condition.

In response to the report, the Welsh Government told The Herald: “Poor or unsuitable housing directly impacts people’s health and places additional pressure on NHS services.

“Delayed discharges linked to unsuitable housing are a serious concern and we are taking steps to improve patient flow and reduce delays, strengthening joint working between health, social care and housing services so people can leave hospital safely.

“This Welsh Government has been clear that housing is a public health issue, which is why we are aligning action across government, including through dedicated ministerial oversight, to create a healthier population.

“We are also strengthening adaptation services to support independent living and prevent avoidable admissions and are establishing a new national development body to speed up delivery of accessible social homes.”

Hywel Dda University Health Board also said health was shaped by wider living conditions beyond the NHS.

James Severs, Executive Director of Allied Health Professions and Health Science at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “Most of what determines our health and well-being sits beyond the NHS. While healthcare is vital, it is the conditions in which people live, learn, work and age that have the greatest impact on health outcomes.

“As a Health Board, we recognise that the NHS contributes only a proportion of overall population health, with wider factors such as housing, education, employment and the environment playing a much larger role.

“This is why our strategy for ‘A Healthier Mid and West Wales’ is focused on moving beyond an illness-centred model of care to one that prioritises prevention, early intervention and support in communities.

“We are committed to working in partnership with local authorities, the third sector and our communities to address these wider determinants of health, reduce inequalities and enable people to live healthier lives, well lived.”