Celtic Maritime Connections News Archive Qtr 1
SeaFair Haven 2006
The Seafair Haven 2006 event that occurred in the summer was a great success, finally a classic boat event in Wales! Almost 100 boats took part exploring and discovering Pembrokeshire's Secret Waterway,
Races, fun and enjoyment was had by all, new friends made and fond farewells given.
So what does this all mean? All the feedback said the same
"we had a great time, when can we do it again?"
Plans are that Seafair will take place again in 2008, when once again the excitement and the lively activity surrounding these wonderful classic boats, will return to all those participating host communities.
Celtic maritime Connections adds grateful thanks to Milford Haven, Pembroke, Neyland, Dale and Llangwm for their wonderful warm welcomes and Seafair for inviting the Dunbrody to come along on her maiden voyage.
Thanks too to the schools which came down to Milford Docks to bring a little maritime history to life for their participating pupils. Please see Dunbrody pages for schools competition.
Celtic Goodwill Raid
This years Celtic Goodwill Raid went extremely well and the visit to Milford Haven was well received and enjoyed by all who took part.
The 2007 Celtic Goodwill Raid is already in the planning stage and further news will be available in the near future.
the Celtic Goodwill raid link is found on the link pages
County Show comments
Having spent three days at the Pembrokeshire County Show, we met and spoke with many interesting people from within the county and visitors to the county.
Many thanks for the interest, the comments and the show of support from everyone we spoke with and as a result of various conversations a few extra sections will be added to the site.
Thanks also to those of you that have promised to provide information and stories on Pembrokeshire Maritime History or what I almost prefer to say, stories from around the coast.
Celtic Maritime Connections at the County Show
We will be at the county show from the 15th to the 17th August where you will be able to see some pictures of the Dunbrody visit to Milford Haven this summer and take the opportunity to talk with us about the project, the maritime history of Pembrokeshire and our links with South East Ireland.
The Kathleen and May returns to Pembrokeshire
The coastal schooner with its historic ties with this County has returned on her way home from the Bristol festival, She will be in Milford Docks and is open to the general public to view. The Kathleen and May is famous for being the last schooner to trade in this county and there are pictures of this ship below the Pembroke Castle Walls at the North Quay unloading her cargo. This visit is full of nostalgia for many Pembrokeshire people who remembered looking out of their classroom windows as she arrived on the tide. Whilst the Kathleen and May is here there are opportunities to dine on board and soak up some of that atmosphere from her hundred year old history.
The Bessie Ellen pays Milford a visit
Milford haven was host to another classic trading vessel this August, the Bessie Ellen is a West Country trading ketch dating from 1904, it is a ship which is very similar to those that were built in Pembrokeshire and traded around our coasts.
Exploring the History of such craft is a part of the Celtic Maritime Connections remit and I would be delighted for anyone who has any interest in them to contact me.
The Dunbrody visits Milford Haven
In order to launch and publicise the significance of the Celtic Maritime Connections project, we have arranged for the Maiden International Voyage of the Iconic Irish Emigrant ship,the Three Masted Barque Dunbrody, to Milford Haven. Where she has been invited as a guest of the SeaFair Haven festival.
The Dunbrody’s connections to Pembrokeshire lead back through history to the 1840’s when the Pembrokeshire Mariner William Williams became captain and with his Pembrokeshire Compassion and kindness began the ships iconic reputation.
The last trip of the Dunbrody from Milford Haven was on March the 16th 1848, over 150 years ago and now she is returning to our shores, an Irish ship with an Irish heart and a Pembrokeshire soul. www.dunbrody.com
Classic Boat Event on Milford Haven Waterway
24th June 2006
This summer there will be a classic boat event held on the Milford Haven Waterway this event is the first of its kind in Wales and is based on the Maritime festival at Semaine de Golfe at Morbihan. The Pembrokeshire festival is called Sea Fair Haven and will see over 100 classic boats and gigs visiting ports around the waterway. www.seafairhaven.org.uk
Photo: Pembroke River Rally
Today the Famous Coastal Schooner Kathleen and May has come into Milford Haven
25th May 2006
She set out from Biddeford yesterday to be battered by the gales and stormy seas which swept right over her decks. The captain tied himself to the wheel and fought for over ten hours against the maelstrom in the Bristol Channel, until he rounded into Milford Haven and found the safety of the Cleddau estuary.
Photo: Kathleen and May
The Kathleen and May is no stranger to our shores, she was the last trading ship to sail up the Pembroke river to Pembroke castle pond to unload at the quay there.
She is a very special part of our Counties Maritime Heritage and it is great to see her sheltering here, we all hope she will become a more frequent visitor to the Haven.
Photo: Kathleen and May deck
