Quay Street, Haverfordwest, was formerly known as Ship Street or 'The Rookery'.It was a place of ill-repute,and no respectable person ventured there after dark. Boats, crewed by all nationalities, tied up at the quay and sailors spent their nights drinking in the'Bristol Trader' inn.

Most of the crews were well-behaved despitethe copious tots of 'Old Jamaicy' that were consumed. On 14, August, 1907, two boats from Roscoff arrived, having taken thirty three hours to sail from Brittany with their cargo of onions. There was bad blood between thecrews and a fight broke out. Peace was restored eventually and the rest of the stay passed without incident.

Many of the crew slept 'rough' in the warehouses, or ten to a room in Quay Street.The sailors meant extra revenue for the householders in the street, but standards of living were very basic.

In November, 1913, a representative from the Local Government Board found thatthe state of housing in the town was unsatisfactory, manyhouses inQuay Street falling into this category.

In May, 1914, one hundred and sixty four cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were reported in the Haverfordwest area. A poor standard of housing was cited as a contributory factor.

But, amidst this poverty, there were people who were able to afford the luxury of a motor car.

The first person to take out a car licence in Haverfordwest was Sir Hugh J.P. Thomas. On December 22, 1903, he received the registration DE 2. The speed limit was set at twenty miles per hour.

In November, 1913, Pembrokeshire County Council recognised that the increase in motor traffic and other heavy vehicles was causing wear and tear to the approaches of the County Bridge and it was decided thatforty pounds per year should be spent on keeping this area in good repair.

The local paper carried an advertisement from the garage known as 'S &F Green',wheremotor cars could be repaired. Ladies motoring gloves, hats and veils were also available in the town.