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Pembrokeshire History
Year Event
8000bcApproximate date for the formation of the Haven waterway by flooding of the Daugleddau after the last ice age
3000bcApproximate date for the building of Pentre Ifan, Carreg Samson and Kings Quoit
2100bcApproximate date for Preseli Bluestones being taken from Pembrokeshire to Stonehenge
500bcApproximate date for many of Pembrokeshires Celtic Settlements
300bcApproximate date for the building of Castel Henllys hill fort
850Viking Raids on Milford Haven start
878The viking Hubba winters his fleet in Milford Haven
1096Welsh seige of Pembroke Castle fails
1100Approximate date for the building of a wooden castle at Cilgerran
1100St Davids Church in Hubberston was founded during the 1100s.
1108Arrival of the Flemish who founded Haverfordwest
1115Norman Bishop installed at St Davids
1120Building of Haverfordwest Castle
1120Pope Callixtus II declares 2 pilgrimages to St Davids = 1 pilgrimage to Rome
1136Benedictine Monastry established on Caldey Island
1146Gerald of Wales born at Manorbier Castle
1170Adam de Roche founded the Benedictine priory called Hubberston Priory, in Lower Priory, Milford Haven
1180Dedication of the Thomas a Becket beacon chapel on the Rath, Milford Haven. (Fully restored in the 1930s)
1180Start of building work on St Davids Cathedral
1200Approximate date for the founding of Haverfordwest Priory
1200Milford Haven area was referred to as Millfyth by historian George Owen during the 1200s
1215Llewelyn set fire to much of Haverfordwest
1223Cilgerran Castle captured by William Marshall (the Younger)(Earl of Pembroke) and rebuilt in its current layout
1260Prince Llywelyn ransacked Tenby
1280Start of building work for the current Carew Castle
1348Black Death (The Plague strikes Hakin)
1405French mercenaries arrive at Milford Haven to assist Owain Glyndwr they go on to set fire to Haverfordwest
1457Henry Tudor born in Pembroke Castle
1471Henry Tudor sets sail from Tenby - fleeing from the Yorkists
1485Henry Tudor lands at Mill Bay (Dale) on the start of his campaign to retake the though. After defeating Richard III he became Henry VII
1497Edward Prince of Wales grants the Charter to the town of Haverfordwest
1543County of Haverfordwest granted the right to hold its own assize
1545Haverfordwest allowed to have its own Member of Parliament
1558William Nichol burned at the stake for his religion, Haverfordwest
1625Hotel Mariners was established
1638First meeting of the early Congregationalists at the Green Meeting House which later became Albany Church
1642During the Civil War, the royalist Earl of Carberry attack on Pembroke fails when he findS the Parliamentry fleet in Milford Haven
1644Battle of Colby Moor (between Wiston and Llawhaden)
1648Pembroke Castle besieged by Cromwell
1649Oliver Cromwell sets off for Ireland from Milford Haven
1657George Fox, founder of the Society of Friends (also known as Quakers) came to Pembroke and Haverfordwest
1659First Portfield Fair
1661Quakers being imprisoned for their beliefs forced to leave for America. They go on to found the Amercan towns of Haverfordwest and Narberth
1726Building of The Old Bridge in Haverfordwest
1752All of Britain (except the Gwaun Valley near Fishguard) adopt the Gregorian Calender
1761Haverfordwest granted its own Lord Lieutenant
1763First of 14 visits by John Wesley to Haverfordwest
1774Tabernacle Congregational Church established in Haverfordwest
1782Sir William Hamilton inherited Hubberston and Pill
1787Regular Mail Coach established linking Hubberston to London
1789Original Bethesda Baptist Church built.
1790Act of Parliament granted right to establish a port on land at Hubberston and Pill
1790Founding of Milford Haven by Sir William Hamilton - On 9th June, an Act of Parliament was passed which gave rise to the founding of the port.
1790Last of 14 visits to Haverfordwest by John Wesley
1791Building of Haverfordwests Butter and Fish Market
1791The Pill to Haverforwest Road is administered as a Turnpike Trust with a Toll Gate at Castle Terrace
1792Greville persuaded Quaker Whalers from Nantucket to settle in Milford Haven. The Quakers had emigrated to America to escape religious persecution, hence they had experience of building new towns from scratch.
1794Building of Foley House
1796Navy Board starts building ships near Hubberston Pill. Ships built here include Milford, Lavinia and Nautilus
1797A Customs Bonded Store was built on Milford Docks. This was later extended on both sides and is now the Museum
1797The French invaded at Strumble Head. 1,400 French troups were defeated by the local women in less than 2 days!
1797The Navy Board establish Milford Dockyard to build warships
1797Whale Oil Warehouse built Milford Haven
1799Opening of first gaol in Haverfordwest
1800The New Inn was built in Hamilton Terrace, Milford Haven. (Now known as the Lord Nelson Hotel)
1801Building starts on St Katherines Church in Milford Haven
1802Nelson visits Milford Haven and declares it one of the finest harbours ever seen
1802The New Inn in Milford Haven was renamed the Lord Nelson Hotel after Nelsons visit
1804Founding of the Milford Artillery Company
1806The extensions which form the sides of Milford Museum were built
1808St Katherines Church, Milford Haven, completed
1809Work Abandoned on the Greville Observatory Milford Haven (Part of the College of King George III)
1810Many Quakers returned to America. Demand for Whale Oil was falling due to Gas Lamps replacing Whale Oil lamps in the cities.
1811Opening of the Friends Meeting House in Milford Haven
1814Pembroke Dock founded by Royal Navy who were concerned about overcharging at the port of Milford Haven
1816Original Bethesda Baptist Church extended
1817Ebeneezer Church built in Haverfordwest
1821King George IV visits Milford Haven twice in 4 days!(each time taking refuge from a tempest)
1821William Roblin was the last man to be hanged at Haverfordwest Castle
1822Haverfordwests Gaol replaced by three story gaol which is now the records Office
1824Founding of Haverfordwest Cricket Club (The Oldest cricket Club in Wales)
1831Weslyan Chapel built in Milford Haven (Wesleyan Court now stands on the site)
1835Building of Shire Hall
1837Opening of the New Bridge in Haverfordwest (This was originally a toll bridge.)
1839Opening of Haverfordwest Workhouse
1839Start of the Rebecca Riots which centred on the area around Narberth
1840Building of Scolton Manor
1840Opening of Rehoboth Presbyterian Church in Milford Haven
1848Old Bridge in Haverfordwest was widened
1850Building of Perrots Terrace, Haverfordwest
1853Arrival of the South Wales Railway
1855Date on the Foundation Stone of Hubberston National Primary School
1856Founding of Neyland - Brunel put a railway station here to slight Milford Haven.
1857Hill Park Baptist Church built in Haverfordwest
1857Police Station opened in Faulke Street, Milford Haven
1858Opening of the wooden Castle Pill Bridge, known as Black Bridge because it was coated in protective tar.
1859Building of Scoveston Fort
1859Neyland acquires it current name. (Previously it was called Milford Haven)
1859Opening of first Pembrokeshire hospital, The Pembrokeshire and Haverfordwest Infirmary in St. Thomas Green, Haverfordwest
1859The stepping stones crossing the pill between Milford Haven and Hakin are replaced by a wooden toll bridge
1860Start of building work at Hubberston Fort (some accounts putthis in 1858)
1863Hubberston Fort completed for a cost of £87,000
1863The Railway arrives in Milford Haven
1872St David & St Patrick Church built in Dew Street, Haverfordwest
1874Formation of the Milford Haven Docks Company
1874Original Pembrokeshire hospital replaced by new infirmary
1875The steam ship Great Eastern comes to Milford Haven for a refit after laying Transatlantic Cables
1876Creation of the Port Sanitary Authority (now known as the Milford Haven Port Authority)
1877Opening of the North Road Board School in Milford Haven
1879Opening of the Baptist Chapel in North road, Milford Haven
1887Haverfordwest given the Mayoral Chain by George Leader Owen
1887The book Little England Beyond Wales was published by Edward Laws
1887Wooden Toll Bridge from Hakin to Milford Haven was replaced by an Iron Toll Bridge
1888Flooding of Milford Docks (Project cost £1,500,000)
1889Transatlantic Passenger Ship "City of Rome" arrives in Milford with Barnam Circus
1891Milford Haven recognised as a Parish. Previously it was a suburb of Steynton Parish
1894Formation of Milford Haven Urban District Council
1896Formation of Haverfordwest Male Voice Choir
1898Great Western Railway extended into Milford Haven Docks
1899Formation of Haverfordwest County (Football) Club
1902Opening of the Methodist Chapel in Priory Road, Milford Haven
1904Waldo Williams (Welsh Poet) born in Haverfordwest
1907Extension to St Katherines Church in Milford Haven
1908Building of first Smoke House Milford Haven - to support the fishing industry
1908GWR moves the Irish Ferry service from Neyland to Fishguard
1909Opening of the Fire Station in Dartmouth Street, Milford Haven
1909Tolls finally abolished on the bridge between Milford Haven and Hakin
1910Opening of the Tabernacle in Charles Street, Milford Haven
1914Arrival of the Belgium Fishermen Refugees in Milford Haven
1918Haverfordwest was probably the first town to recieve news of the Armistice via the Transatlantic Cable
1923Opening of the War Memorial Hospital
1924Dedication of the War Memorial in Milford Haven
1926Milford Haven electrified (The first town in Wales to be electrified)
1928HMS Warrior laid up in the Haven (staying for 51 years)
1930Construction of the Milford Haven sewage system
1930Restoration of Thomas a Becket Chapel on the Rath begins
1931Construction of Milford Haven Central School
1931Hakin School becomes a junior school as older pupils go to Grammar or Central School
1932Opening of Preseli Waterworks
1933Iron bridge between Hakin and Milford Haven replaced by a concrete one. Convoy of 8 Steam Rollers cross in close formation to prove that a bridge made from concrete is safe
1933Royal visit to Milford Haven
1935Building work started on the Royal Naval Armament Depot. (Often called the Mine Depot)
1936First Haven oil spill from the Banda Sharpur who was stranded on Dale Beach
1936Post Ofice moved to Quay Street
1939Milford Haven Fire Station moved to the Town Hall
1939Opening of Milford Haven Mine Depot
1939Outdoor Swimming Pool on The Rath opened
1939Town Hall started service. (There has never been an opening ceremony)
1940German Navy start dropping Mines in the Haven
1943Opening of the RAF airport at Haverfordwest
1944Seebees (American Naval Construction Unit) build temporary hospital near Hubberston Fort to accept the casualties expected during the D-day Landings
1945Closing of the RAF airport at Haverfordwest
1950Memorial Garden given to Milford Haven Urban District Council by the Welcome Home and Memoral Fund Committee
1952Pembrokeshire Coast Path National Park created
1957Construction works starts on the Esso Refinery in Milford Haven
1958Founding of the Milford Haven Conservancy Board
1959First Meeting of the Milford Haven Round Table
1960Esso Portsmouth explodes while alongside the Esso jetty in Milford Haven
1960Opening of Esso, the first Milford Haven Oil Refinery
1960Opening of the BP Jetty
1962First Annual Carnival organised by Milford Haven Round Table
1964Official opening of Texaco Refinery by the Queen
1964Opening of Milford Haven Grammar School in Steynton Road
1966Armoural Bearings granted to Haverfordwest
1966Milford Haven Fire Station moved to Yorke Street
1966Opening of Texaco
1967Torrey Canyon Oil Spill (Tanker was on route to Milford Haven)
1968Building work started at Llys-y-fran Dam
1968Opening of Gulf Oil Refinery
1968Royal Family visit Milford Haven for Opening of Gulf Refinery
1970Collapse of the Cleddau Bridge during construction
1971Amoco Oil Refinery building started
1972Founding of the Pembrokeshire Coast national Park
1972Official Opening of Llys-y-fran Dam
1973Amoco Oil Refinery (now Elf/Total/Murco) came on-line
1973Calvary Pentecostal Church built in Portfield
1973Opening of The Mead's Sports Centre with its Indoor Swimming Pool
1974Formation of Preseli District Council
1975Haven ferries replaced by the Cleddau Bridge
1976Official Opening of the Cleddau Bridge
1977Opening of the Torch Theatre
1977The Astoria Cinema in Milford Haven becomes a bingo hall
1978Cristos Bitos Oil Spill
1978Filming of The Onedin Line television series in the Haven
1979B&I Ferry "Cannacht" arrived in Pembroke Dock
1979Opening of Withybush Hospital
1979HMS Warrior departs the Haven (after 51 years)
1983Amoco Oil Refinery Fire (involved 150 firemen!)
1983Archeologic Excavation of Haverfordwest Priory
1983Closure of the Esso Oil refinery
1985Closure of BP Oil Facility
1985Brunel Quay Marina in Neyland Opens
1986Conservancy board became the Port Authority
1987Outdoor Swimming Pool on The Rath closed
1988Milford Haven Grammar School went Comprehensive and became Milford School
1989A blue stone travelled to Stonehenge from the Preseli's. (This journey did not use authentic transport techniques.)
1989Closure of the Royal Naval Armament Depot
1990Approximate opening of the Thornton Business Park
1990Milford Haven celebrated 200th anniversary with visit by Princess Alexandra
1990Opening of the Water Gardens on The Rath by Margaret Thatcher
1991Closure of the Milford Haven Royal Naval Armament Depot
1991Construction of the new Fish Market on Milford Docks
1991Opening of Milford Marina by the Duke of York
1991The Tall Ships Race started at Milford Haven
1992First Texaco Explosion - so serious they offered to buy houses in Rhoscrowther
1992Unveiling of the Fisherman Tribute statue on the Rath
1993Llys-y-fran dam rasied by 1.5m to ease national water shortage
1994Gas Reserves discovered off-shore from Pembrokeshire
1994Second explosion and major fire at Texaco Refinery - blast felt 30 miles away
1996Sea Empress oil tanker - spills it cargo causing environmental disaster
1997Opening of the Seal Hospital
1998Fish market extended to 3 times its original size
1998Gulf stopped refining oil and became the Petroplus facility
1998Opening of the current bridge between Hakin and Milford Haven
1999Opening of the Electronic Fish Auction on Milford Docks.
1999Unveiling of the Statue of Brunel at Neyland by HRH Prince Charles
2000Blockade of Elf and Texaco Refineries as Truck Drivers protest over rising fuel prices
2000First DigitalDan web site, (dedicated to Milford Haven,) goes on-line
2000Ill-fated journey of the second Millennium Blue Stone
2000Opening of MITEC (Part of Pembrokeshire College based in Milford Docks)
2001Opening of the Phoenix Bowl
20023 Cruise Ships visit Milford Haven
2002First Milford Haven Round Table Firework Spectacular detonated from the Sea Front
2002Milford Haven Annual Carnival destination moved from Pill Field to Marble Hall
2003First of the big Street Fairs takes over Hamilton Terrace, Milford Haven
2003Milford Haven Annual Carnival Magazines replaced by Carnival Raffle Tickets
2003Milford Haven Town Council web site goes on-line
2003Permission granted for LPG gas facilities at Petroplus and Esso
2004DigitalDan establishes its Haverfordwest website (www.Haverfordwest.info)
2004LPG Regassification Plant construction work starts at South Hook and Waterston
2006Major expansion to DigitalDan.co.uk Website to incorporate extensive photo library of the larger Pembrokeshire towns.