Kete & Dale

A Report from South Wales

A thoroughly enjoyable and worthwhile long weekend was had by the Chair and TSB when they went down to Dale. Who needs to watch the Royal Wedding when excellent progress can be made on the roads and motorways to South Wales, arriving in time to enjoy the village festivities on the green whilst setting up Cloud Observers part in an exhibition to commemorate the fifty years since HMS Harrier closed the Met School and its doors forever.

Thanks to the endeavour of the Coastlands Local History Group, much of the history of Dale and the surrounding area has been preserved and archived for future generations. This includes a good quantity of naval memorabilia from RNAS Dale and RNADC Kete, including the written memories of many of the men and women who served at both Dale and Kete. As well as the exhibition, which was open to the public over the whole of the Bank Holiday weekend, there was a commemorative service on the Saturday afternoon in Dale church. This was attended by many who had served at Kete between 1946 and 1961, The Chairman of the Association of Wrens and our own Association’s Celia Saywell as the AOW’s Roving Reporter. RNA and Wrens Branch Standards were paraded and a Guard of Honour was provided by the local Sea Cadets from TS Harrier. It was a well planned and meaningful service despite one or two of us being completely flummoxed by the singing of the Welsh National Anthem – a challenge too far for some of us!

We were made to feel very welcome and were able to exchange information and expand both our respective archives. The sense of community spirit from a village so small was amazing, and the locals respect for the navy when it was down there was very evident. We were told the story of the local women who went into Milford Haven in the early 50’s to buy a record player. On pay week Thursday this article was put to good use when dances were held in the Coronation Hall, open to villagers and Kete personnel, 5/- entrance got you a good nights entertainment. All this next door to the only pub the Griffin – Jacks idea of heaven! Naval personnel were bussed down from Kete and a Naval Patrol was provided to keep order. No Police, no bouncers, no trouble. Does anyone have any recollections of these dances. If so please let us know.

Below are just a few of the pictures showing what Kete and Dale look like today. Over the next few months we will share a little more of the knowledge we have acquired including a piece on the cartoon drawings still preserved in one of the RN officers huts at Dale.

A most enjoyable weekend in a place with friendly locals, good food and some spectacular scenery; not forgetting a really village atmosphere in the pub and good ale. There may not be a lot left of the first proper Met School but there is still plenty to do and we both recommend you take a look if you like peace and the remoteness of environs.

Dale Church - Guard of Honour © Pam Haines	The Griffin Pub - Dale
Coronation Hall - Dale	Cloud Observers Display
Dale Bay	West Dale Bay
The site of RNADC Kete	You have to ask – would Dennis (Pony) Moore have approved? We think so!