China show celebrates Queen's Diamond Jubilee

Best known as the birthplace of the famous pirate, Black Bart, the village of Little Newcastle, near Letterston in Pembrokeshire staged a wonderful exhibition of commemorative china at the start of May to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

The event, which was held in St Peter’s Church on the edge of the village green, had been organised by Richard Davies, a church member who is a discerning collector of royal memorabilia.
The beautifully arranged displays were organised into discrete sections covering the coronation, the investiture of Prince Charles, the silver and golden jubilees, royal weddings, birthdays and anniversaries, Charles and Diana, the Queen Mother and William and Kate and more.

Among the over 300 artefacts on display, some recorded the royal divorces and separations.

The quality of the items was noteworthy and the careful numbering of the displayed pieces enhanced the visitor experience.

Commemorative china expert Richard Davies was also on hand to answer queries about individual items.
The exhibition, which was opened by Mrs Penny Drew, DL, MBE, was supported by Pembrokeshire organisations PAVS and PLANED, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, LEADER, and the Welsh Government.

The donations received during the celebration will benefit village charities and the Urdd National Eisteddfod 2013 in Pembrokeshire.
*Note: ‘Black Bart’ is John Roberts who was born in Little Newcastle around 1682.

His family were fervent Baptists and it is quite likely that he would have worshipped at some time with the early Baptists at Rhydwilym.

His career as a pirate began in 1719 off the coast of Africa when he was captured by the pirate captain, Howel Davis from Milford.

Many pirates adopted aliases and he may have taken the name Bartholomew in honour of a famous buccaneer, Bartholomew Sharp.

Known in his day as ‘the King of the Caribbean’, Bartholomew Roberts’ ship was the first to fly the flag which later became known as The Jolly Roger.