12/06/2026
The Annual Beating the Bounds ceremony is due to take place on Sunday 14th June in Haverfordwest. The Beating of the Bounds is an annual ceremony which witnesses the Mayor of the town and the Admiral of the Port of Haverfordwest travelling in a water-borne procession to the White Stone at the town’s riverside boundary to exercise the rights of fishery. The ceremony’s roots go back to medieval times when parishes reaffirmed their boundaries by proceeding round them and stopping to beat each boundary mark and to pray for protection and blessings for the land.
This event attracts a lot of small vessels up the narrow Western Cleddau where navigation is only recommended with knowledge of the multiple mud banks and shallows. If you don't know this area of the Waterway, we would advise that you research and plan your route accordingly and understand the time it takes to safely get to Haverfordwest at Dead Slow, Minimum Wake and return.
While the event is well received by the community, it can attract some Waterway leisure users who are less mindful of the safety of others and the waterway byelaws. In 2024, the behaviours of one individual, where he placed himself and multiple leisure users at risk of harm from his speed and dangerous navigation, led to a £2840 fine in the Magistrates Court. We will always promote safe use of the Waterway and, where necessary, take legal action for byelaw breaches.
Please remember that everyone has a role in following the byelaws and keeping the Waterway safe.
