All this week in Milford Haven we have been celebrating Milford Haven Founder’s Day. The town of Milford Haven was founded in 1793 by Sir William Hamilton after Sir William Hamilton obtained an Act of Parliament in 1790 to establish the port at Milford. Hamilton first invited Quaker whalers from Nantucket to live here, and then, in 1797, he instructed the Navy Board to create a dockyard for building warships. Founder’s Day is always celebrated on the closest Saturday to June 9th. At one point the occasion was made biennially but now it’s back to every year. I will always remember the bicentenary Founder’s Day celebrations in 1990- every school pupil received a commemorative mug and all the schools were very involved in the events. I miss the Founder’s Day ceremony that used to take place in the Memorial Gardens- it was the only day of they year we got to sing our town anthem and sadly as I haven’t sang it for a number of years (not since Danny was little) I find it hard to recall.
Made in Milford
A number of events take place throughout the week in addition to the Saturday event. The Made in Milford Exhibition is a a chance for all local crafters to showcase and sell their homemade wares. The only stipulation is they have to be made within Milford Haven so genuinely “Made in Milford”. This event took place Sunday to Friday 10-4 (with late opening on Tuesday) at St Katherine’s Church.
Walking around the exhibition I was impressed by the extraordinary talented craft work produced in one (small) town. The girl’s chose a decoupaged trinket box and hanging heart. There was lots I wanted to buy including – gorgeous bowls and plates by J J Pottery, scented soy wax candles from Cwtch Candles and pop up cards by Aimz Beautiful Crafty Designs. I have made a note for future birthdays and Christmas.
Made in Milford also run craft workshops throughout the week and I’ve heard a lot of crafty friends say that they’re inspired to exhibit next year too- there’s no end of talent in Milford! It’s free entry with a small charge for refreshments.
Brass on the Grass
Next we were off to the Memorial Gardens to watch Milford Haven Town Band’s Brass on the Grass open air concert. This is such a relaxed and enjoyable event for all. The kids also had fun looking for hidden pebbles (Love on the Rocks Pembrokeshire) while we were there too.
Mum bought chairs and I bought a blanket, picnic and wine (the essentials).
The girls had fun in the gardens while we waited for the concert to begin.
We heard the junior town band and the official Milford Haven Town Band- both bands are very talented. We clapped along to the lively songs and even had a sing song to “Delilah”.
The concert is free and we enjoy it every year. it’s a great introduction to brass music for children and may even inspire them to pick up an instrument and join the town band themselves- I’d love to have the talent to do so!
It’s also a lovely evening for catching up with friends, neighbours and other locals in our community.
At the end of the concert it was time to go home but first- hugs for Nanny!
It was a lovely evening made possible by so many people giving up their time – thank you- it’s always appreciated!
Do you celebrate Founder’s Day for your town? What celebrations take place? I’d love to know.
Lovely experience for you all – til you all meet again x
That looks like a wonderful event.
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Thanks- was lovely xxx