Meet the Faces of Milford Waterfront

We regularly feature the people behind the businesses at Milford Waterfront. We speak to everyone from artists and chefs to personal trainers to learn about their special skills and talents, their favourite dishes/items for sale, what they enjoy most about working at Milford Waterfront and lots more!

This month we speak to Colin Sharp (Chair of the Board of Trustees) and Sue Kenny (Secretary of the Trust Board) at Milford Haven Museum. All the volunteers at the Museum have loved being able to welcome guests again after the recent completion of their impressive, rendered exterior, and after not being able to open last year. We’re proud to have this award-winning attraction right here at Milford Waterfront, where visitors can delve into Milford’s past.

Enjoy this feature, it’s one for the history books!

What is the best thing about working at Milford Waterfront?

Sue: We are fortunate that Milford Haven Museum is housed in one of the most historic buildings in the town which must be the most appropriate place for it to be. The atmosphere is just right to display the history of the town.

Colin: Volunteering as the Chair of the Board of Trustees has been a privilege I have held for several years. Prior to my election as Chair, I volunteered at the Museum and was voted on to the Board of Trustees and the Town Council. The Museum is located in a prime position in the Waterfront as it is in one of the oldest buildings, built in the late 1700’s. Being one of the businesses at Milford Waterfront means that we can all work together and benefit each other.

Is there anything people should know about Milford Haven Museum that they may not know?

Sue: The Museum is, and always has, been run entirely by volunteers. We are a diverse group of people who all think it is important to preserve the many artefacts which have been donated by people of the town. Keeping these donations safe and showing them in an interesting way is very personal to the people who donated them.

Colin: The Museum is located over two large floors and is a lot bigger inside than it looks from the front. It looks at not only the history of the town, but the waterways and its energy development.

Have you got any special skills or talents?

Sue: My background is in nursing both locally and further afield. Although this doesn’t seem to have anything to do with museums! However, my maritime connection is strong having spent 8 years at sea on a very special square rig Tall Ship, SV Tenacious. The ship is owned by the Jubilee Sailing Trust and was designed and built to take mixed ability people deep sea sailing. A permanent crew of eight sail the ship, with the active participation of voyage crew who are half-and-half able bodied and people with physical disabilities. It is a massive team effort which also applies to the Museum! I am involved in all aspects of the Museum from being Secretary of the Trust Board which runs the Museum, to wearing a boiler suit and getting stuck into maintenance, I enjoy all of it especially the face to face contact with our visitors.

Colin: I am the Chair of Milford Haven Museum, the Pill Social Centre, Milford Haven Sea Cadets, a Trustee for PATCH, Milford Town Twinning and Milford Youth Matters. I am a Town Councillor and one of the founders of Christmas Together. I am also the West Wales District Chair for the Sea Cadets. Being involved in all these organisations brings a strength of experience and the ability to work together with all of them.

What is your favourite item at Milford Haven Museum and why?

Sue: My favourite part of the Museum is the whaling room, which we have renovated extensively over the period of our COVID closure. We have added a large copy of the genealogy chart of the original American settlers. Whilst researching it, a direct descendent of the Starbuck family got in touch which was a real plus.

Colin: One of my favourite things in the Museum is the new genealogy tree of Milford Haven. This is new for this season and is a very interesting read.

What has been your favourite day at Milford Haven Museum and why?

Sue: Every day is a good day; I learn something new every time I am there. Some of the best days have been our combined efforts, with the Port of Milford Haven, welcoming Father Christmas each year. The joy on the faces of the children has to be seen to be believed. Hopefully we can do it next Christmas!

Colin: My main work is in the background. I am also the Treasurer for the Museum, so my favourite day is Sunday when I pop in and see how well we have done during the week. Over the last two years, I have been trying to raise funds to help the Museum as we had to close due to COVID. Every grant we received meant we could survive the pandemic.