MILFORD HAVEN

'Milford Haven' (Welsh: ''Aberdaugleddau'', meaning "mouth of the two Rivers Cleddau") is a town in Pembrokeshire, Wales. It was founded as a whaling centre in the eighteenth century and grew into a major port. It is the largest town in Pembrokeshire.

Contents

Origin of Name

Early History

Foundation

Development of Town

Attractions

Sister-city relationship

Schools

Districts

Economy

Cultural references

See also

References

External links

Origin of Name

The current form is an anglicization, with Scandinavian origins. From the Old Norse, 'Melr', meaning sand hill or sandbank, and 'Fjordr', meaning fiord or inlet, combined to create Milford. As the meaning of Fiord gradually became less clear over time, Haven was added to clarify its status as a town on the Haven.^[2]

Early History

From the 1790's until the Norman Invasion in 1066, the waterway was used occasionally by Vikings looking for shelter. During one visit in 854AD, the Viking Chieftain Hubba wintered in the Haven with 23 ships, eventually lending his name to the district of Hubberstone.^[3] In his play Cymbeline (1611), Shakespeare references Milford in the lines: "...how far it is to this same blessed Milford: and by the way tell me how Wales was made so happy as to inherit such a haven..."^[4]

Foundation

In 1782 Sir William Hamilton inherited land in the Hubberstone and Pill area, and decided to develop it into a harbour and town. Hon. Charles Francis Greville, his nephew, was given responsibility for managing the project, and in 1790 an Act of Parliament was granted which made it possible to continue.^[5] The town's population was boosted by Quaker whalers from Nantucket, and in 1879 the Navy Board established a dockyard which produced warships. Progress was rapid, and by 1804, Admiral Nelson had described the area as one of the finest harbours ever seen.

Development of Town

In 1814 the Royal Dockyard was transferred to Pembroke Dock, which quickly reduced the fortunes of the new town. John Bartholomew commented in 1887 that Milford was in a languishing state, although he noted that the commercial docks, at that time under construction, "will probably become a great seat of trade with America".^[6]

Attractions

''Milford Haven Marina at dusk''

Attractions in the town include Fort Hubberstone, built in 1863 to defend the port, the docks and marina, museum and the ruins of an observatory. The town's main industry today is oil refining.
Milford Haven is also the natural harbour on which the town stands (and from which the town takes its name).
Since the mid 90's tourism has provided a base for travellers, from which to explore the local coastline, and growing employment opportunities for locals.
The Torch Theatre, established in 1977, is one of only three building-based producing theatres in the whole of Wales, and possesses its own independent theatre company^[7].

Sister-city relationship

Milford Haven is twinned as a sister city with Romilly-sur-Seine, France.

Schools

Milford Haven School [1] is a large comprehensive school of approx. 1400 pupils (inc. 6th form). Sarah Waters, the award-winning novelist was a pupil.

Districts

The town itself comprises a number of districts. Milford Haven is actually the more recent, with only a couple of extant buildings pre-dating 1790. Hakin and Hubberston are older, and situated to the west of the main town. Steynton is a Medieval village to the north, no longer separated due to the expansion of houses. Priory, with the remains of a very early religious priory, is located in a natural valley. Thornton can also be found near the priory.
There are also many connecting villages such as Broad Haven, Little Haven and Neyland, based around the coast and which look towards Milford as a commercial and administrative centre.

Economy

Milford has seen many ups and downs. At the height of the fishing boom, it was said that "every day was a pay day". The development of the oil industry also helped to boost the town's fortunes. However, the slumps have been just as severe. During the 80's and 90's, the town can be said to have become stagnant, with an extremely high unemployment rate which at times topped 30%, and no major industry. Into the new millennium, its fortunes seem to have risen, as can be witnessed in the activity surrounding the impending LNG terminal, and all the new building works which accompany it and its connection to the controversial South Wales Gas Pipeline.

Cultural references

Milford Haven often features in the plays of Shakespeare, notably Cymbeline [2].

See also

★ Marquess of Milford Haven

References

1. Milford Haven Town Council Website Homepage
2. BBC Wales Website "What's In A Name?"
3. Milford Haven Town Council Website 'History', Chronology of Events
4. BBC South West Wales Website Milford Haven Slideshow Tour
5. BBC South West Wales Website 'A Brief History of Milford', Jon Gower
6. Extract from 'Gazetteer of the British Isles' A Vision of Britain Through Time, John Bartholomew
7. Theatre Website Homepage

External links

★ Milford Haven Town Council

★ Fort Hubberstone

★ Milford Haven School

★ BBC Milford Haven Mini Site