What do coffee, Quakers, Milford Haven and Lady Hamilton have in common? We won’t keep you guessing. Alan York of South Wales provides the links to a fascinating story. ‘Milford Haven was founded and established by Quakers from Nantucket,’ he says. ‘The land was owned by Lord Hamilton (of Lady Hamilton fame) and the idea was to build a port at this deep harbour on the Milford Haven river.’
Hamilton’s agent invited a group of Quaker whalers (non-animal rights’ activists, obviously) from Nantucket to come to Britain to build the town. They had been having a hard time so they accepted the invitation. ‘The town streets are set out on a rectangular American pattern, though this may be a coincidence,’ says Alan.
The Nantucket Quakers didn’t forget to put in a Meeting house and this is where the story gets interesting. In the graveyard there are many stones bearing the name ‘Starbucks’. Could this be the family whose coffee shops are taking over our high streets throughout the country?
‘If you go into a modern Starbucks café’ suggests Alan ‘you will find they sell a number of products apparently originating in Nantucket.’
If that’s the case, Eye will feel a lot more comfortable drinking their coffee.