When Edward VII was on the throne he did a tour round the British Isles on the Royal Yacht, Victoria and Albert that was built here in the Dock. Edward was going to visit all the ports and when he learnt that he was calling in here he expressed a wish to land so that that he could visit his friend who was living in Pembroke Castle at the time.
The local officials had to arrange for a carriage to be at the dockyard gate to take him up to Pembroke. It was decided that had to be an open carriage; the carriage had to be a landau but the problem was where to get one. Then someone had a brainwave, Mr Elliot the butcher, in Water Street had a landau, he should be asked if he would lend it for the day.
Mr Elliot agreed so it was then a case of spit and polish to make the landau as perfect as possible. That was done and it was intended that the King should go straight up from the barrack gates along Victoria Road up the steep hill by the barracks and along to Pembroke by the top road.
Then someone had the idea of going along Prospect Place and stopping at the corner to give the King the view along the Haven. It really was a beautiful view from up there. All the people who lived in Prospect Place were very excited at the thought of seeing the King so close and everyone stood on both sides of the road when he came.
One fellow got very excited so he ran across the road to his house, up to the end of his garden where he had a piggery and grabbed his pig. He brought it out of the house and put it on the wall beside him as the King came past so even the pig saw the King.
Dolly Waters
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stella westmids
I think it's a lovely tale and am glad that someone has taken the time to verify it. I am a great pig person so i would have done the same.
Tue Jun 19 14:41:33 2007
John Singer
Mr Elliot the Butcher in your article was my great grandfather, he was also a cattle breader and livery stable owner.
I have in my possesion a photograph taken at the time of the royal visit,showing the carriage about to leave the dockside. The King and Queen Alexandia are seated in the rear, my great grandfather and the driver are seated at the front.
My grandmother May Elliot was one of 13 children and was born in the house on Water Street (still standing), as was my father Jack Singer. The butchers shop was in the main street close to where the HSBC Bank now stands.
My grandmother had vivid memories of the Royal visit, and of how proud her father was to have the only carriage in the county "fit for a King". The Royal couple were taken for a tour of the county at the conclusion of which the king gave my greatgrandfather one of his famous cigars.
Mr Elliot is said to have said "thank you sir I will share this with my friends in your honour".
As for the pig on the wall, well I am sure that is a folk tale. Similar stories are common in Gloucestershire where I live, but it makes a nice anecdote.
John Singer
Cheltenham 1/9/04
Wed Sep 1 16:13:47 2004
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