Haverfordwest's High Street was once grand and elegant, boasting a variety of architectural styles. Near the top of the street stood tall Georgian houses, built forwealthy merchantsof the town during the C18th.

Traditionally, the country gentry left their mansions and took up residence in their town houses during the winter months,continuing to do this into the nineteenth century. Families like the Pictons, the Laugharnes and the Lort-Phillips' added to the gaiety of the social scene.

Parties were given and balls attended, sometimes in the Assembly Rooms near Saint Mary's Church at the top of the town. Haverfordwestrivalled Bath for entertainment.

Ladies prepared for thefestivities bychanging into evening gowns inbedroomswarmed byfires their maids had lit. Dressedelaborately inshimmering dressesthey rouged their cheeksandfixed diamond clips to sparkle in their hair. Beaded bags, feather fans and boascompleted their ensembles.

The sedan chair, or even a carriage was the usual form of transport, to convey the ladies over the steep cobbled streets.

At these soirees, old social contacts were renewed, friendships ignitedand mothers with eligible daughters hopedgood matches wouldbe made.

On August 12, 1780, Jones Llwyd, a Carmarthenshire barrister, sent a letter tohis 'Ever Dear Alicia' from Haverfordwest. Things were very quiet inCourt and he was scarce making enough money to powderhis wig. A bright spot occurred when he attended a Ball given by Sir Cornwallis Maude where he met Mr and Mrs John Vaughan and Miss Price of Cilgwyn.

In 'A Tour of Milford Haven', Mrs Morgan, wife of the Vicarof Ely, says she attended some dances in Haverfordwest andwas enchanted by the gentlemen whose acquaintance she made, remarking that 'they have a softness of manner that is perfectly pleasing'.

So the drabness of the winter months wereeased by the social life of the town.