WELCOME to yet another conglomeration of topics, which, this week, offers you a mixture of past, present, and future items.
Firstly, I'd like to thank all those who've been in touch saying how much they enjoy our TRMs; your comments are greatly appreciated.
Some of the coming attractions already in the pipeline over the next month or so include contributions from Katherine East, whose family can boast a long and distinguished history connected to Milford.
And I'll also have more from Brian Phillips, including an update on how his homemade, labour of love, the miniature outdoor Rath pool project, is coming along.
Meanwhile, I'm delighted to say that my regular tub-thumping reminders, asking TRM readers to get in touch if they've got something they think will fit this particular column's needs, has not only flourished, but also produced a gem.
Brian Hearne, from Haverfordwest, contacted me, and has kindly given me a pack of memorabilia, including some wonderful snaps, to include in our weekly tete-a-tetes, some of which, I'm sharing this week.
Here's the opening selection from Brian's lot.
"My grandparents lived in a cottage in Marine Gardens, near the Milford Haven Docks.
“On July 19, 1942, a Wellington bomber crashed just below the cottage, hitting the roof of the cottage.
“My uncles, Donald and Jim, who also lived in the cottage, attempted to rescue the Australian crew, but all died.
“My grandmother, Francis Phillips (see photograph) raised funds for the families of the deceased, and laid flowers at the graves of the airmen in Milford cemetery."
I have mentioned the tragic tale in TRM before, but, with Brian's poignant photo as a moving backdrop, I feel there's no harm in recalling what happened that fateful night, and here are a few newspaper clips to remind us.
"It was only in the light of dawn that the full scale of the accident became apparent, and also revealed how near the town had been to experiencing an even worse disaster. Had the twin-engined Wellington been just a few feet higher, it would probably have crashed into the houses, and the casualties would have been far greater...Reports suggest that the Wellington had engine trouble and was, in fact, flying on one engine only.
“And a story dating back to the time of the crash indicates that the 29-year-old pilot, Sgt K H C Steinbach, may have been trying to land on the roof of the Dockside Fishmarket, mistaking this long roof as for an airfield runway.
“The Fishmarket had been re-roofed sometime before the crash and its light colour may, from the air, have appeared like a runway.
“Just across the waterway was the RAF Station at Angle, and there were other airbases in the area as well...Photographs were taken of the crashed aircraft, one of them being framed and displayed in a Milford Haven office for many years.”
I'm grateful to Brian, and will be including more from him in the course of the next few months.
Along with the photo of his grandmother, I've dug out a snap of the fishmarket roof...over 950' long, which, as stated before, may, or may not, have contributed in some way to the town's darkest wartime disaster.
Now it's teaser time, and, once again, last week's bamboozled some of you, so much so, that I've been asked to explain the answer.
The poser was about the water level in a reservoir, and the most important thing to remember was that the level "doubles every day." So, when I said it takes 60 days to fill, obviously the day before that, it would have been half full...so the answer I was seeking was...59 days. Those who got in touch to tell me just that, were regulars…Joyce Layton, Les Haynes, Anne and Jets Llewellyn, and Joan Earles.
Thanks to all who had a bash.
I think I'll give your brains a break next week, I don't want to be accused of mental cruelty!
Before I go, I've been asked to mention some of my intended fundraising projects for the Paul Sartori Hospice at Home charity.
I will be bringing out a new book before the year end…Different Shades...a collection of short stories, based in and around Milford.
But before that, there will be a song released called All Seasons Must End…a song for Father Paul, which I've co-written with Milford's music man, Ben Reynolds, who did so much to help make our Super Sounds of the Sixties show such a resounding success at the Torch last year.
The main vocalist is young Connor Adams, from Pembroke Dock, already a local star, shining so brightly, plus a couple of local choirs.
I'm also working on a few other projects, and I'm hoping that, with everyone's support, we can raise another lovely lot of lolly for the charity.
If anyone would like more information, please get in touch.
Right, that's the past, present and future covered...job done!
I'm off…see you.
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