ST DAVIDS and Dewisland Historical Society enjoyed a sunny tour of Solva on July 20.

Led by Martin Roberts, members heard a number of suggestions as to the origin of the name of the village and learned that, in the 19th century, the main street contained warehouses and a coal yard which were important for the harbour where many sloops and small trading vessels were registered.

Members also learned about the building of the Smalls Lighthouse after so many ships had come to grief on the Smalls rocks 23 miles offshore. Henry Whitehouse was the builder of a wooden structure in 1775 which had to be built in Solva itself and then shipped out to the rocks as the seas were too rough for it to be built in situ. The lighthouse is very remote and there are some gruesome tales told about it.

Martin later spoke about Captain Jenkins from Porthgain who, in his two man sloop, rescued 67 out of the 68 passengers and crew of The Queen when she was sinking in Broad Sound between Skomer and Skokholm in 1850. One hundred years later the figurehead from The Queen was found floating in Solva harbour and Martin brought that figurehead along to show. He also brought the telescope used by Henry Whitehouse whilst he was building the Smalls Lighthouse.

The next meeting of the society will be on September 14, when the Speaker will be Very Rev Wyn Evans, Bishop of St Davids.