Dale is both a small village and a community in Pembrokeshire, Wales, located on the peninsula which forms the northern side of the entrance to the Milford Haven Waterway. The village has 205 inhabitants according to the 2001 census, increasing to 225 at the 2011 Census.
In 1485, Henry Tudor landed at Mill Bay near Dale[4] before the Battle of Bosworth, after which he became King Henry VII. Villagers mark the anniversary; the most spectacular commemoration was for the 500th anniversary in 1985.
Sea Empress disaster
On 15 February 1996, the oil tanker Sea Empress grounded at the Milford Haven entrance, spilling 72,000 tonnes of crude oil.
Housing
There are many older Victorian homes towards the coastal shore area but away from the shore there are late 1940s council houses.[citation needed]
Dale is a local centre for sailing, and windsurfing is taught in the Dale bay, along with sailing and boat handling courses. Dale is also often the location of sailing galas. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path passes through the village and around the Dale peninsula.
The Dale Coronation Hall is used for many events in the community and is home to the D.A.D.S. (Dale Amateur Dramatic Society). The society performs a play or a pantomime in March.
The 2011 census showed 5.9% of the population could speak Welsh, a fall from 11.0% in 2001.[6]
^Owen, George, The Description of Penbrokshire by George Owen of Henllys, Lord of Kemes, Henry Owen (Ed), London, 1892; New edition (1994) Gomer Press, ISBN1-85902-120-4
^Charles, B. G., The Placenames of Pembrokeshire, National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, 1992, ISBN0-907158-58-7, p 583