Community
Spitfire experience flights are coming to west Wales
The legendary fighter plane is due to make the first of several visits soon
SPITFIRE flights are coming to Swansea Airport in a few days’ time. The famous Second World War fighter plane with its rumbling Rolls-Royce Merlin engine will take to the skies for paying customers on May 11 and five dates in June, July, August and September.
Representatives of Swansea Airport Stakeholders Alliance, which operates the airport at Fairwood Common, are thrilled at the tie-up with the company involved, FlyaSpitfire.com. The company has three T.9 Spitfires and flies seven days a week from its Biggin Hill Airport headquarters south-east of London, and at airports in Surrey, the Cotswolds, Norwich and Blackpool.
FlyaSpitfire.com commercial manager Darren Dray said he hoped the new flights will give a boost to Gower and Swansea. “I think it’s going to be a beautiful place to fly from,” he said.
One Spitfire will come to Swansea on each flying date, with all three T.9s potentially visiting over the course of the season. Extra flying dates will be added if the current ones sell out. Although a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the flights are expensive.
There are 30-minute, 45-minute and 55-minute options costing £3,375, £4,875 and £5,875 respectively, which include a free video of the flight and a victory roll. All the planes have dual controls.
The company said the costs of restoring and operating a Spitfire were high, with various key components having to be replaced at set intervals to comply with Civil Aviation Authority regulations.
Swansea Airport Stakeholders Alliance – a group of experienced aviation enthusiasts – said it was pleased with progress at the Swansea Council-owned airport, which it began operating on a temporary basis last September.
“There is a real buzz about the place,” said alliance chairman Bob Oliver. “We are delighted to welcome FlyaSpitfire.com to operate at Swansea Airport throughout the summer. We are in discussions with a number of other companies and hope this will be the first of many exciting aviation opportunities.”
The airport has two flying clubs, a skydive business, a dog-friendly cafe now open seven days a week, plus Thai food four evenings a week.
Mr Oliver said the alliance has acquired a fire engine, fuel bowser, operations truck, two static caravans for staff and pilot use, and grounds maintenance equipment. An entertainments licence application for evening events has been submitted to the council.
The alliance has 150-plus members, a board, and operates on a not-for-profit basis. It has two paid part-time operations staff, with a third due to join this year.
The council intends to look for a long-term operator for the airport, which was requisitioned during the Second World War for use as an air defence airfield, via a competitive tender process.
The airport occupies some 450 acres and has two runways. Its terminal building was opened in 1957 by wartime flying ace Douglas Bader.
Community
Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes
MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service held its annual Charity Carol Service on Wednesday (Dec 10) at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel in Crymych.
The event brought together members of the local community alongside Fire Service staff for an evening of carols, readings and festive refreshments, marking the Christmas season in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.
This year’s service supported two important charities — the Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research Wales — with all proceeds going directly towards their ongoing work.
A total of £597 was raised on the night, which will be shared equally between the two charities.
The Service thanked the congregation at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel for hosting the event, as well as everyone who gave their time, support and generosity to make the evening such a success.

Community
3 Amigos toy bike run under way across Pembrokeshire
Castle Inn fun runners back festive charity event
THE ANNUAL 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run is under way this afternoon (Saturday), with hundreds of motorcyclists setting off from Pembroke to raise funds for children’s services.
Riders gathered at The Commons car park in Pembroke from around midday before departing shortly after 1:00pm. The festive convoy is travelling along its traditional route, taking in Pembroke Dock and continuing through parts of the county including Neyland, Milford Haven and Haverfordwest.












The event is organised by the 3 Amigos and Dollies Motorcycle Group and has become a much-anticipated Christmas tradition in west Wales, with toys and donations collected for children receiving care within the Hywel Dda University Health Board area.
Also supporting the event are fun runners from the Castle Inn in Pembroke, who have been fundraising in aid of the 3 Amigos. The group are pictured alongside participants from today’s run.
The 3 Amigos have been raising funds for children’s wards and health charities for more than twenty-five years, with their Easter and Christmas events continuing to make a positive difference to young patients and their families.
Organisers have thanked the public for their support and asked road users to be mindful of the large convoy as it passes through towns and villages this afternoon.
Photo caption:
Festive fundraising: Fun runners from the Castle Inn, Pembroke, pictured supporting the 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Community
Special delivery of thanks as MP visits Haverfordwest sorting office
Christmas cheer for posties working through the festive rush
A CHRISTMAS message of thanks was delivered in person this week as Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell paid a visit to Royal Mail staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office.
The MP met postal workers during one of the busiest periods of the year, praising staff for their hard work in ensuring cards, parcels and gifts reach homes across Pembrokeshire in the run-up to Christmas.
Mr Tufnell said postal workers were going “above and beyond” throughout the year, but particularly during the festive period when demand is at its highest and delivery rounds are often made in challenging weather conditions.
He described postal staff as “unsung heroes”, highlighting their role in keeping communities connected and helping families stay in touch at a time when it matters most.
Speaking after the visit, Mr Tufnell said: “Our posties play a vital role in our community, and at Christmas that importance is felt more than ever. They work incredibly hard to make sure gifts and cards from loved ones arrive safely and on time.”
Staff at the Haverfordwest site were pictured alongside the MP, with some embracing the festive spirit in Christmas jumpers and seasonal outfits while continuing their daily work.
The MP also extended his thanks to postal workers across the whole of Pembrokeshire, acknowledging the dedication required to keep services running smoothly during the seasonal rush.
Royal Mail experiences its highest parcel volumes in December, with thousands of additional items passing through local sorting offices each day as Christmas approaches.
Delivering Christmas cheer: Henry Tufnell MP with staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office during a festive visit (Pic: Facebook).
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