Historic Haverfordwest sailing event to mark jubilee (From Western Telegraph)

Historic Haverfordwest sailing event to mark jubilee

1:30pm Monday 4th June 2012 in News

For the first time in 100 years, boats will enter Haverfordwest ‘under sail’ this evening, in celebration of the Queen’s diamond jubilee.

The town’s celebrations will feature a parade of sail, fancy dress competition, music and 1950s games, starting at 6pm.

The West Wales Maritime Heritage Society will recreate the voyages of the old sailing ships, which used to berth at Haverfordwest with a variety of cargoes.

Members of the society will sail the 28ft Flamborough coble Quest and the 18ft lightship lifeboat General Picton to the Old Quay (by Bristol Trader), Haverfordwest. Other boats are invited to join the parade.

David James, secretary of the West Wales Maritime Society, said: “This will be the first time that boats have come into Haverfordwest under sail for a century.”

The two sailing boats will have to have their masts dropped to pass under the Haverfordwest railway and road bridges and re-erected once they are clear of the bridges.

The boats will then make their way under sail to the quay, where a token cargo will be unloaded and ceremonially presented to the mayor of Haverfordwest, who is also the admiral of the port.

On the quay, entertainment – organised by Cleddau Community Arts – will include a diamond jubilee fancy dress competition, 1950s children’s games, music and dance.

The fancy dress competition includes under fives; five-11 years; 11-18 years, and adults categories.

The entertainment will begin at 5pm and the boats will arrive at around 6pm. The 948 (Haverfordwest and City of St Davids) Squadron ATC will end the evening with Beating the Retreat.

For further information and to enter the competition, contact Doris Goddard via 01437 763675 or doris.goddard@ hotmail.com or Barbara Shone via 01437 767005 or b.shone124@ btinternet.com.