Carew Castle

Bev Thomas • 23 May 2017

Right on our doorstep 23/05/17

Today the weather was dry but very overcast, nevertheless my group that I teach of Springboard learners from one of our local primary schools, were scheduled on a photographic course with Springboard. Their aim was to capture images of the castle in order to sell at their enterprise fayre which is soon to be held in Haverfordwest. So weather aside we set out on our journey to Carew Castle.

At the end of the 11th century the Normans extended their conquest of England into Wales and Pembroke Castle became the centre of Norman rule in South Pembrokeshire. Gerald de Windsor was constable of the Castle on behalf of Henry I, when he decided to build his own fortification on the Carew River, some ten miles up the tidal waterway from Pembroke. This became know as Carew Castle.

When I attended the same school many years ago, we learnt the story behind one resident of Carew Castle. His name was Sir Rowland Rees, he was believed to be a tenant of the castle in the 18th century, he was a well travelled man who had visited the Barbary Coast and brought back with him an injured ape he had rescued from a wrecked Spanish galleon. It is said he was able to train his devoted pet to respond to his every wish with a series of whistles.

'The story goes that Sir Rowland had one son who ran off with the daughter of a local merchant, not a union that Sir Rowland approved of.

On the fateful night there was a storm brewing. The wind screamed around the castle and the rain lashed at the windows. The ape was restless, sensing Sir Rowland's evil mood. There was a knock at the door and the girl's father, a merchant by the name of Horowitz, demanded admittance, distressed and upset that his daughter had run away with Sir Rowland's son. Sir Rowland did not believe his story and after a fierce argument he released the ape from its chains and ordered it to kill Horowitz.

The merchant fought off the ape and, although badly injured, managed to drag himself from the room. He shouted for help from the servants who tended him for the night. Horowitz cursed Sir Rowland with an evil fate and, as he cursed, great piercing screams were heard from the tower room. The servants, who were terrified of their master, were unwilling to venture into the tower room to find out what had happened.

At first light the following morning they summoned up the courage to enter the silent room. There, lying in a pool of blood was the body of Sir Rowland, but of the ape there was no sign.

Legend has it that the ghost of the ape returns to the castle on dark, stormy nights where he has been seen and heard by passers-by. Why does the ape return? Nobody knows...'


This story has stayed with me all these years, and I will continue to pass onto future generations when we visit Carew Castle. This castle has always fascinated me and its always felt like a haunted castle, guess what we learn from young has a way of resignating into the future and connecting us with the past.

Bev





For more info on Carew Castle: http://www.pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk/default.asp?PID=262
For more info on Springboard: http://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/content.asp?nav=107,2047,2048,1489




Use The Negative to Develop

by beverleythomasphotography • 26 August 2021
Firstly, I must apologise the lack of updates on this blog but then again who actually reads? Times have been up and down to say the least, and that has played with my mental well being, especially when it has come to my photographic practice. For many years, I have concentrated on giving 100% to my passion and this is my source of income as a professional photographer. However, the pandemic has made me stop and think about sustainability within the photographic industry and just what is it all about and for what?

Artifact

by beverleythomasphotography • 14 April 2021
Photographs are not just images; they are physical artifacts. The physical form of the photographic image, prescribed by prevailing technology, determines what can be photographed, how it can be displayed or published, how it can be encountered by others, how it can circulate through public culture.

Redirect to SiP

by beverleythomasphotography • 13 March 2021
I wanted to introduce the toy photography work that I am involved with. This is a collaboration with the wonderful team over at Stuck in Plastic (SiP Link) .

Carbon Black

by beverleythomasphotography • 21 February 2021
Having grown up in the 70’s, I thought I could find some old photographs from this time in my life but sadly, I have been unable to locate any and that makes me recall little moments that stand out in my vivid memory which helps me write this post.

Altered Landscape

by beverleythomasphotography • 15 February 2021
In the search for the ideal image it became evident that I had seen everything before and I wanted to produce something different. My intent was to take image manipulation further away from the real but I was also aware this could come with some critic good or bad.

Exp 21 Homeland

by beverleythomasphotography • 13 February 2021
Having successfully completed my MA, I began to turn my focus on reflecting over my time at Falmouth University’s Institute of Photography. What became very evident is that my work is now informed and my intent is clearer than it was.

Under Construction

by beverleythomasphotography • 31 January 2021
Welcome to the very first post of my new blog. On the contrary, I am familiar with writing blogs and I had initially decided to continue writing regular posts on my Photographic Critical Research Journal , to which I started writing at the beginning of my Masters degree at Falmouth University’s Institute of Photography.

Kayleigh & Mark

by Bev Thomas • 26 May 2019
Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue ... well there was nothing blue about this amazing wedding, it was pink and full of fun and laughter. I met Kayleigh two years ago when she started wedding planning, turned out that I know her mother and father very well but as the years went by our connections had gone in different directions. But I always knew they were a special couple who if ever my family needed them that they would be there for us, so as you can imagine I was absolutely thrilled to be asked to capture their daughters wedding day. The Bride & Groom chose a beautiful location, the hotel is called Wolfscastle Country Hotel otherwise known as "All yr Afon" https://wolfscastle.com located just 15 minutes from Haverfordwest, in the heart of the Pembrokeshire countryside and 9 miles from our stunning Pembrokeshire coast. I arrived at 11.30am in order to get some prep photographs of Kayleigh's shoes etc and the bride and bridesmaids getting ready. When I arrived everyone was so calm and ready to go, the bridesmaids hair and make-ups were completed and they were in their dresses ready. Wearing sparkly rose gold gowns they looked stunning. The bride was still getting ready with finishing touches being adjusted. She wore a stunning wedding gown with a cathedral train made from tulle. The flowers were made by Flowers by Quita, they incorporated vintage roses and peonies. Everyone was in high spirits. Not only was it Kayleigh and Mark's wedding day but they were both celebrating birthdays. I completed what I need to do then myself and Gill, my assistant headed downstairs to capture the groom. I had not met Mark at any of the appointment prior to the big day, so once I found him I introduced myself and to be honest, I felt like I already knew him. He had just finished formalities with the Registra and checking that the best men had the all important wedding rings. The video guys were ready, I was ready and Kayleigh was ready ... 12.20pm Kayleigh was descending down the stairs with her father, that was an emotional moment. She had given him a pair of cuff links which read 'of all the walks we have had, this one is my favourite' such a lovely moment to treasure forever. 12.30pm Mark was patiently waiting for his beautiful bride, and there she was standing in the doorway ready to met her husband to be. The ceremony was perfect and a kiss seals the the forever moment when the Registra pronounces Kayleigh & Mark as Husband & Wife, Mr & Mrs Williams.

MASTERS DEGREE

by Bev Thomas • 15 April 2019
Since starting my MA program, I am required to keep a critical research journal in the form of a written document, so I have created another blog on Wordpress which I will continue to update on a regular basis. I have completed the first module and I am now looking at the second module. This blog at https://beverleythomasphotographydotcodotuk.wordpress.com is being made as part of an accredited educational programme.

MA Photography

by Beverley Thomas • 28 January 2019
Critical Research Journal
More posts