Final services mark the end of an era for West Wales rail passengers

THE LAST remaining Intercity 125 High Speed Trains on the Great Western network will make their final scheduled journeys this Saturday (Dec 13), bringing to a close nearly 50 years of service on routes across Wales and the West Country.

Great Western Railway confirmed that its refurbished “Castle Class” sets – shortened HST formations powered by the iconic Class 43 locomotives – will be withdrawn from passenger use after this weekend. The trains, first introduced in 1976, were once the backbone of long-distance travel between West Wales and London Paddington, including the direct Milford Haven–Paddington service used by generations of students and commuters.

Although the Castle sets stopped operating long-distance routes in 2019, they continued to run regional services between Cardiff and Penzance, and were a familiar sight in Pembrokeshire during summer diagrams. Until a few years ago, it was still possible to see a 125 working into Pembroke Dock on weekend services.

To manage expected public interest, GWR will operate an additional farewell round-trip on Saturday, leaving Plymouth at 3.16pm, running to Penzance (calling only at Par), before returning at 5.32pm.

GWR said the trains will be replaced by its existing diesel fleet alongside 26 recommissioned Class 175s, which will roll out gradually during 2026.

The retirement brings a wave of nostalgia for many West Wales passengers who remember the era when a full-length 125 left Milford Haven each morning bound for London. The distinctive Valenta engine note, table seating, and early laptop users powering their machines from the staff hoover socket made the service part of local student life in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Saturday’s farewell run will mark the final chapter for a train that transformed long-distance travel and, for nearly half a century, connected Pembrokeshire to the capital at high speed.

If you’d like, we can add a nostalgia breakout box revisiting the Milford Haven–Paddington days, the Red Dragon breakfast service, and the 125 summers on the Pembroke Dock branch.

Rock track raises money for charity while giving a gentle dig to the council

A BRAND-NEW Christmas rock song by a Pembrokeshire musician has namechecked Haverfordwest’s much-debated riverside bridge, offering what its creator describes as a “gentle dig” at local decision-makers while raising money for charity.

Local musicians behind the track

The single, Where has the Christmas spirit gone, has been released by Pembroke Dock musician Ray Roberts, who performs alongside Paul Smith, Ian Pearce and his son Nathan. The idea, Ray says, started as a casual chat about Christmas number ones before quickly turning into a full production.

“We were chatting about Christmas number ones; ‘sausage rolls’ got to number one a few years ago and I thought ‘hold my beer’,” he said. “It’s also quite a catchy song and locally everyone is talking about it. I went to the post office in Pennar and people were saying, ‘I like your song’.”

The accompanying video features locations across Pembrokeshire including Haverfordwest Castle and the new bridge, Pembroke nightclub OUT, Central Motors, Dales Music Store in Tenby, Wisebuys Pembroke, Tenby’s beach and castle, Pembroke Castle, and even a cameo from Ray’s wife’s grandmother, aged 101, who still lives independently in Tenby.

Lyrics take aim at local frustrations

The song opens with lyrics about the pressures facing older residents:

“No money for heating this Christmas time,
Old folks shivering as the frost starts to climb…
Council tax spent on a bridge we didn’t need,
Instagrammable views, but we have mouths to feed.”

Ray told The Herald he included the controversial bridge because “it just p****d me off, simple as that,” referring to recent cutbacks affecting elderly residents in Pembroke Dock, including the closure of the Anchorage day centre.

“Around Pembroke Dock they are having these warm rooms and they’ve recently closed the Anchorage day centre, and they spend £5m…” he said.

Supporters defend the project

Supporters of the bridge, which forms part of the wider regeneration of Haverfordwest, have pointed out that the funding came from a levelling-up scheme and could not have been used to support general council services. The actual cost to the county, they say, is only a proportion of the oft-quoted figures.

“They can spin it how they want,” Ray said. “They can spend money how they want to; they’ve always got a spare pot and then can close centres for OAPs. It’s got to p*** you off spending more money on council tax and getting less and less. It kind of hits home when you see close family friends hit by these cutbacks.”

A good-humoured project for charity

Despite the pointed lyrics, Ray stresses that the song is intended to be more humorous than hostile.

“It’s a bit tongue in cheek and a bit of a kick at the council and a chance to raise money for charity,” he said. “It’s not about a hard hit, it’s a gentle dig and a call to spend time with your family. Don’t waste your money on glitz, be with your family. That’s where the lyrics are. It’s written with good intent.”

Ray has invested around £1,500 of his own money into producing the song and video. Instead of selling CDs, the track is available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music, with charity proceeds raised through advertising and streaming revenue. The song is also registered for the UK charts.

“I want people downloading it. I want to raise money but not get people paying for it,” Ray said. “Hopefully advertising revenue will do that. None of the £1,500 is coming back to me; I’ve always wanted to do a rock video.”

Casualty falls into the water during tense early-morning rescue

FOUR people were rescued in the early hours of Thursday (Dec 11) after a 24-metre guard vessel ran aground near Aber Hywel, triggering a major response from Fishguard RNLI in rough seas and darkness.

The alarm was raised at around 3:30am, with HM Coastguard requesting the launch of Fishguard’s all-weather lifeboat. Crews faced a southerly force 7 wind and choppy conditions as they made their way to the stranded vessel.

Cliffs and underwater hazards added to difficulty

Coxswain Gemma Gill said the vessel’s close position to cliffs and submerged obstructions prevented the all-weather lifeboat from getting alongside.

“Because of the casualty vessel’s proximity to the cliffs and the underwater hazards between us, we were unable to safely transfer the four people onboard. I requested the launch of our inshore lifeboat, and we were aware the Coastguard helicopter had also been scrambled.”

The inshore lifeboat was launched minutes later. The crew deployed its anchor and veered down towards the vessel’s stern to begin recovering those onboard.

Casualty swept away in darkness

Crew member Cedwyn Rogers said the plan was for the four people to climb down a rope ladder into their liferaft before being taken aboard the inshore lifeboat.

Two made it safely — but the third slipped and fell into the sea.

“When there is a person in the water you become hyper-focused,” Cedwyn said. “We threw a throw bag, but they were unable to catch it and were starting to be swept further away.”

Helm Warren Bean, an RNLI volunteer with more than 30 years’ experience, manoeuvred the lifeboat alongside the drifting casualty. Crew member Huw was able to reach them, and the team hauled them aboard.

All four casualties were wearing lifejackets and proper safety equipment, which RNLI crews said made a critical difference.

The fourth person was then recovered safely before the inshore crew cut their anchor line to clear nearby rocks.

Lifeboats return to station

All casualties were transferred to the all-weather lifeboat for care and shelter on the return journey. Both lifeboats were back at Fishguard station by 5:25am.

Coxswain Gill praised the volunteers: “This rescue in the early hours, in poor weather and darkness, shows our crews are ready to respond whenever the call comes in. I’m proud of the teamwork shown by everyone, with the successful rescue of four people who will now get the chance to spend Christmas with their families.”

RNLI launches Christmas Appeal

Fishguard RNLI volunteers remain on call throughout the festive period. Last Christmas, RNLI lifeboats across the UK and Ireland launched more than 100 times.

The charity has now launched its annual Christmas Appeal, which helps fund essential kit and training for crews. Donations can be made at: RNLI.org/WinterAppeal.