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Western Telegraph
23-07-2025
- General
- Western Telegraph
In pictures: Last Invasion of Britain commemoration
The Last Invasion of Britain commemoration took place over the weekend in the seaside village of Goodwick. The event commemorated the 228th anniversary of the failed invasion by French troops, thwarted by local yeomanry and Fishguard cobbler Jemima Nicholas and her army of women. (Image: Western Telegraph) The two day event was comprised of morning visits to a military re-enactment camp at Goodwick's Phoenix Centre. (Image: Western Telegraph) In the afternoon the action moved to Goodwick Sands where a huge crowd watched the French skirmish with British troops before being overwhelmed and surrendering. (Image: Western Telegraph) The action then moved to Fishguard's Golden Mile from where the French were paraded through the town to the Royal Oak pub where a treaty was signed on the very same table as it was 228 years ago. (Image: Western Telegraph) Musical entertainment was provided on the square by Fishguard Male Voice Choir, Goodwick Brass Band and singer Gwenno Dafydd. (Image: Western Telegraph) It featured HMS Wales, a navy re-enactment group; The First of the First Grenadiers; the Welsh Horse Yeomanry, Enniscorthy Historical re-enactment Society and the local Jemima's Army. (Image: Western Telegraph) The free event was visited by several dignitaries and politicians including First Minister Eluned Morgan, MP Ben Lake, SM Sam Kurtz and deputy Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed, Rodger Smith. (Image: Western Telegraph) 'It went as well as we could have hoped for,' said organiser Adrian Tyrrell. We had between six and seven hundred visitors over the two days including sea cadets and sea scouts who visited the camp, hundreds of people on the parrog on both days and outside the Royal Oak.' (Image: Western Telegraph) Adrian expressed thanks to his co-organisers Cllr Alex Allison and county councillor Nicola Gwynn and to the event's funders, Pembrokeshire County Council's shared prosperity fund and North Pembrokeshire Chamber of Trade and Tourism, as well as all the people who took part and came to watch. (Image: Western Telegraph) 'It was like a jigsaw,' he said. 'I put it together, but I couldn't put it together without all the pieces and those include all the people who came and watched.' (Image: Western Telegraph) (Image: Western Telegraph) Adrian and the organisers hope to put on a similar event next summer and build up to the 230th anniversary in 2027.
Western Telegraph
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Re-enactment of Last Invasion to be played out in Goodwick
A re-enactment of the Last Invasion of Britain will take place this weekend in the seaside village of Goodwick. The event commemorates the 228th anniversary of the failed invasion by French troops, thwarted by local yeomanry and Fishguard cobbler Jemima Nicholas and her army of women. (Image: HMS Wales) The two day celebration of the last invasion has been independently organised by town councillors Adrian Tyrrell, Alex Allison and county councillor Nicola Gwynn. The two-day event will involve a military re-enactment camp at the Phoenix Centre, horse displays, a skirmish on Goodwick Sands, the French surrender, treaty signing in the Royal Oak, entertainment and historical talks. The re-enactment will feature HMS Wales, a navy re-enactment group; The First of the First Grenadiers; the Welsh Horse Yeomanry, Enniscorthy Historical re-enactment Society and the local Jemima's Army. There will also be an appearance by the horses from the Dyfed-Shire Horse Farm. (Image: Alamy Stock Photo) 'People are hearing about it and asking how they can be involved,' said Adrian. 'The re-enactment on the beach will take about half an hour and will involve all the groups as well as an eight-pound cannon and the cavalry and their horses. 'The Pembroke Yeomanry will take the surrender on the beach before the action is transported up to Fishguard.' A around 3.50pm all the actors will parade from the Golden Mile to Fishguard Square before the peace treaty is signed in the Royal Oak. There will be a talk about the history of the Last Invasion at 5.30pm on both days followed by music from Fishguard Male Voice Choir and Goodwick Brass Band. The event is free to attend and takes place over two days it has been funded by the shared prosperity fund and Noth Pembrokeshire Chamber of Trade and Tourism. The First Minster will be attending on Saturday with the Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Dyfed coming on Sunday. Fishguard's famous Last Invasion Tapestry will also be open on both Saturday and Sunday afternoon. There are plans to build on this month's event and make it an annual occurrence, building up to the 130th anniversary in 2027. 'Everybody I have spoken to is so enthusiastic,' said Adrian. 'It not a special anniversary but it doesn't matter. It's about the locals and visitors coming down, seeing what's going on and having a really good time.'
