HAVERFORDWEST has held its annual beating of the bounds ceremony, an ancient tradition to retain the town’s title as a port.

The port of Haverfordwest was once an important trading point on the Western Cleddau, especially in the town’s medieval period.

Today, to retain the title and claim to be a port, the mayor of Haverfordwest, who is also the admiral of the port, must inspect the outer boundary marker of the town each year.

These bounds are marked by a large outcropping of rock on a section of the Western Cleddau south of the town which has been painted white.

The town council invited members of the public to take part in the event this year, who were able to apply to ride out on the boats with the mayor, Cllr Sue Murray, by letter.

The ceremony took place on Friday, July 13, with a procession led by Milford Haven Town Band leaving the town council’s offices at 5.45pm.

The group paraded along the new bridge, before marching along Quay Street.

A large crowd saw the procession off from the quayside adjacent to the Bristol Trader, as they embarked on to a flotilla of boats down river.

When they returned, Cllr Murray thanked all who attended and made the tradition possible.