Milford Haven
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Milford Haven | |
| Welsh: Aberdaugleddau | |
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  Milford Haven shown within the United Kingdom |
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| OS grid reference | |
|---|---|
| Principal area | Pembrokeshire |
| Ceremonial county | Dyfed |
| Constituent country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | MILFORD HAVEN |
| Postcode district | SA73 |
| Dialling code | 01646 |
| Police | Dyfed-Powys |
| Fire | Mid and West Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| European Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament | Preseli Pembrokeshire |
| List of places: UK • Wales • Pembrokeshire | |
Milford Haven (Welsh: Aberdaugleddau, meaning "mouth of the two Rivers Cleddau") is a town in Pembrokeshire, West Wales. It was founded as a whaling centre in the 18th century and grew into a major port. It is the largest town in Pembrokeshire, with a population of 14,000.[1]
The town is served by Milford Haven railway station.
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[edit] 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]
[edit] Early history
From the 790s until the Norman Invasion in 1066, the waterway was used occasionally by Vikings looking for shelter. During one visit in 854, the Viking Chieftain Hubba wintered in the Haven with 23 ships, eventually lending his name to the district of Hubberston.[3] A Benedictine priory was established at the head of Hubberston Pill in 1170. Founded by Adam de Rupe, it stood until the Dissolution under Henry VIII.[4] St Thomas a Becket chapel was dedicated in 1180, a structure which looked out over the Haven from the north shore of the town. In later years it was used as a beacon for sailors in foul weather.[5] 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..."[6] The area however was a source of anxiety for the Tudor monarchy. Due to its location, it was exposed to attacks from Ireland, a convenient base from which England could be invaded via Wales.[7] In 1405, the French landed in force having left Brest in July with more than twenty-eight hundred knights and men-at-arms led by Jean de Rieux, the Marshal of France, in order to support Owain Glyndŵr's rebellion.
[edit] Foundation
In 1782 Sir William Hamilton inherited land in the Hubberston 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.[8] In 1797 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.[8]
[edit] Development of the 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".[9] Robert Fulke Greville inherited the estate in 1824, and in 1853 relocated to the town. He commenced a series of improvements, including the building of a wooden pier and hotel for the Irish traffic, two bridges across Milford's two pills and obtaining an Improvement Act for the town.[10] The town's population was further boosted by Quaker whalers from Nantucket, and a growing fishing industry that employed a large amount of people. By 1849, the district of Hakin was described as a considerable centre of boat building, with approximately 200 "shipwrights residing at that place".[11] The Milford Docks Act 1874 authorised the construction of a docks in Hubberston Pill, a plan which was estimated to require 2 1/2 years before completion. It was eventually finished in 1888, but the transatlantic trade hoped for never materialized.[12].
[edit] The oil age
In 1960, the Esso Company built an oil refinery near the town, and this was followed by similar developments by many other chief oil companies in a 10 year period. In 1974, Milford could boast an oil trade of 58,554,000 tons, which was three times the combined trade of all the other ports of Wales. By the mid 1990s, the Esso refinery was the 2nd largest in the UK."[13] The industry however was not labour intensive, and did not provide huge labour opportunities for locals, in the 1970s employing only 2,000 workers.".[14] In 1996 the area hit the headlines internationally when the oil tanker Sea Empress ran aground, causing a substantial oil spill.[15]
[edit] Attractions
Attractions in the town include Fort Hubberstone, built in 1863 to defend the port, the docks and marina, and the ruins of an observatory. The town museum, located centrally in the docks area, is housed in the town's oldest building, the Custom House which dates back to 1797.[16] 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 1990s tourism has provided a base for travellers, from which to explore the local coastline, and growing employment opportunities for locals.
The Torch Theatre, opened in 1970 and designed by local architect Monty Minter, is one of only three building-based producing theatres in the whole of Wales, and possesses its own independent theatre company[17].
[edit] Sister-city relationship
Milford Haven is twinned as a twin-town with Romilly-sur-Seine, France.
[edit] Schools
Milford Haven School [1] is a large comprehensive school of approx. 1200 pupils (inc. 6th form). Sarah Waters, the award-winning novelist was a pupil.
There are several primary schools in the town: Milford Haven Junior school, Hakin Junior school, St. Francis' Roman Catholic Primary School & Hubberston Junior School. Infant schools are: Hakin Infants, The Meads (Milford) & The Mount (Estate) school.
[edit] 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. Lower Priory, with the remains of a very early religious priory, is located in a natural valley. Thornton can also be found near the priory.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Demographics
A relatively small proportion of the commuinty has a knowledge of the Welsh language. In 2001, from the Milford Central area only 7% of people claimed that they were fluent in the language.[18] The area is not ethnically diverse, with 99.2% of people identifying themselves as white.[19]
[edit] Cultural references
Milford Haven often features in the plays of Shakespeare, notably Cymbeline [2].
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Milford Haven Town Council website
- ^ BBC Wales website "What's In A Name?"
- ^ Milford Haven Town Council website History, Chronology of Events
- ^ A Topographical Dictionary of Wales Lewis, Samuel (1849) pp. 374-384
- ^ McKay & Springer. Milford Haven Waterway & Town, Tempus Publishing Ltd, 1999. ISBN 978-0-75-241589-5
- ^ BBC South West Wales website Milford Haven Slideshow Tour
- ^ Jones, J Gwynfor. Wales & The Tudor State, Cardiff University of Wales Press, 1989. ISBN 0-7083-1039-7
- ^ a b BBC South West Wales website 'A Brief History of Milford', Jon Gower
- ^ Extract from 'Gazetteer of the British Isles' A Vision of Britain Through Time, John Bartholomew
- ^ Milford Haven Estate Records Administrative/Biographical history from 'Archives Network Wales'
- ^ A Topographical Dictionary of Wales Lewis, Samuel (1849) pp. 430-440
- ^ McKay & Springer. Milford Haven Waterway & Town, Tempus Publishing Ltd, 1999. ISBN 978-0-75-241589-5
- ^ Hughes, Wendy. The Story of Pembrokeshire, Gwasg Carreg Gwalch, 1993. ISBN 0-86381-253-8
- ^ Davies, John. A History of Wales, Penguin Books, 1994. ISBN 978-0-14-014581-6
- ^ In Detail: The Sea Empress Disaster BBC News article, accessed 05.05.08
- ^ Milford Haven Heritage & Maritime Museum www.visitpembrokeshire.com - Attractions, accessed 15 December 2007
- ^ Torch Theatre website
- ^ Neighbourhood Statistics Milford: Central (Ward) Government 2001 Census Statistics - Knowledge of Welsh Language
- ^ Neighbourhood Statistics Milford: Central (Ward) Government 2001 Census Statistics - Ethnic Group
[edit] External links
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