Community

Spitfire experience flights are coming to west Wales

Published

8 months ago

May 2, 2025

Richard Youle - Local Democracy Reporter

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

Festive creativity shines as Kurtz MS meets card competition winner

Published

52 minutes ago

December 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SAMUEL KURTZ, Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, visited Pembroke Dock Community School on Friday 12th December to present a prize to the winner of this year’s Christmas Card Competition.

The competition invited pupils to design a festive Christmas card, with entries received from schools across the area. The standard of artwork was exceptionally high, showcasing the creativity, imagination and talent of young people in the community.

During the visit, Samuel Kurtz congratulated the winning pupil and thanked all those who took part, as well as the teachers and staff who supported the competition. Each child who entered also received a certificate in recognition of their hard work and effort.

Speaking after the presentation, Samuel said, “It was a real pleasure to visit Pembroke Dock Community School today and announce the winner of my Christmas Card competition. This year the winner is Mair Moseley, aged 10, and she designed a wonderful Santa image that really stood out. She has won a chocolate selection set and a £20 book token to enjoy over Christmas.”

He added, “ The creativity and enthusiasm shown by all the children was fantastic, and it made choosing a winner extremely difficult. I want to congratulate all the entrants and thank the staff for their ongoing support.”

Pembroke Dock Community School Headteacher, Mrs Katie Crockford-Morris, added, “We were delighted to welcome Samuel Kurtz MS to the school to present the prize. The children thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the competition, and they were incredibly proud to receive their certificates.”

The winning design will now be used as Samuel Kurtz’s official Christmas card this year, with one copy already on its way to His Majesty, King Charles.

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

20 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Group marks December meeting with charity collection and Christmas celebrations

NARBELLES WI rounded off the year with a festive December meeting featuring a bring-and-share buffet, party games and a Secret Santa gift exchange.

Members also used the occasion to support families in need across the county, collecting food items and presenting a £120 cheque to Ann Watling from Pembrokeshire Food Bank. The donation represents the proceeds of the group’s bucket collection during Narberth Civic Week 2024.

A spokesperson for the WI said the group was delighted to finish the year “with fun, friendship and a chance to give something back to the community.”

(Photo: Narbelles WI members presenting the cheque to Ann Watling, Pembrokeshire Food Bank.)

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

Published

2 days ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

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.