The weather in Pembrokeshire’s past is currently the subject of a small exhibition in the entrance hall to the Pembrokeshire Record Office.
The exhibition is intended as a ‘taster’ of the fascinating facts to be found in the archives.
As the weather was, and is, vital to farmers, it is not surprising to find that climatic observations form an important part of entries recorded in diaries kept at Popton Farm, Pwllcrochan, and at Style Farm, Bosherston.
Descriptions of the effect of sun and rain on places and people’s activities can also be found in documents as diverse as school log books and solicitors’ correspondence.
The exhibition includes a number of dramatic photographs showing the extremes of snow and flood as well as gentler scenes of idyllic summer days.
One of the extracts from a diary – thought to have been kept by a resident of Solva – reads: “Sunday, 3rd September, 1939….terrible thunderstorm. Rain through the skylight. Started for Goole about 6 am. Heard at Presteigne that war was declared. Tea at Bakewell.”
It appears that a good tea was perhaps uppermost in the diarist’s mind rather than the outbreak of the Second World War!
On display until the end of September 2010, access to the exhibition (and the record office) is free of charge.
The Pembrokeshire Record Office, based in the old gaol within the grounds of Haverfordwest Castle, is open Mondays to Thursdays 9 a.m. to 4.45 p.m. [10 a.m. on 1st Monday of month], Fridays 9 a.m. to 4.15 p.m. and on the first Saturday of the month [except Bank Holiday weekends] from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.
Further information is available from the record office on 01437 763707, email [email protected] and on the web-site www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/archives
A Reader’s Ticket is not necessary to view the exhibition, but will be required from researchers wishing to see original documents in the public search-room from 1st July onwards.
