Dale, Pembrokeshire

Dale

View south down the Dale Valley over the village, towards Milford Haven and onwards to the Pembroke Refinery
Dale
Dale shown within Pembrokeshire
Population 225 (2011)[1]
OS grid reference SM809057
Principal area
Ceremonial county
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
EU Parliament Wales
UK Parliament

Dale is a small village and community in Pembrokeshire, Wales, located on a peninsula which forms the northern side of the entrance to the Milford Haven Waterway. The village has 205 inhabitants according to the 2001 census, increasing to 225 at the 2011 Census.

History

It was once a marcher borough, controlled by the Norman de Vale family from the 13th century Dale Castle. Owen, in 1603, described it as one of nine Pembrokeshire "boroughs in decay".[2] Located in the hundred of Roose, it is part of Little England beyond Wales, and has been English-speaking since the 12th century. The name (Old Norse: Dalr = "valley") suggests prior occupation by Scandinavians.[3]. From 1941 to 1948 the nearby RAF then RNAS, Dale Airfield was active.

Henry Tudor

In 1485, Henry Tudor landed at Mill Bay near Dale before the Battle of Bosworth, after which he became King Henry VII. Villagers mark the anniversary, the most spectacular commemoration having been in 1985 for the 500th anniversary.

Sea Empress disaster

On 15 February 1996, the oil tanker Sea Empress grounded at the Milford Haven entrance spilling 72,000 tonnes of crude oil.

Present

Dale Fort is a Victorian era fort located on a rocky promontory that now houses a field studies centre, for study of local marine biology, biology, geology, geomorphology, and other related fields.

Dale is a local centre for sailing, and Windsurfing is taught in the Dale bay, along with sailing and boat handling courses. Dale is also often the location of sailing galas. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path passes through the village and around the Dale peninsula.

The Dale Coronation Hall is used for many events in the community and is home to the D.A.D.S. (Dale Amateur Dramatic Society). The society performs a play, pantomime or sketch every year in March. The group is made up of villagers, friends and families from all around the peninsula who come together to sing, dance and perform.

The 2011 census showed 5.9% of the population could speak Welsh, a fall from 11.0% in 2001.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Community population 2011". Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  2. ↑ Owen, George, The Description of Penbrokshire by George Owen of Henllys, Lord of Kemes, Henry Owen (Ed), London, 1892; New edition (1994) Gomer Press, ISBN 1-85902-120-4
  3. ↑ Charles, B. G., The Placenames of Pembrokeshire, National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, 1992, ISBN 0-907158-58-7, p 583
  4. ↑ "2011 Census results by Community". Welsh Language Commissioner. 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
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