News

Train stop journey arrives at Haverfordwest

Published

9 years ago

June 29, 2017

Tom Sinclair

Vicki and Geoff: Travelling to 2,563 train stations across the UK

A COUPLE from East London have taken on the challenge of travelling to every train station in the UK, and this week they arrived at Haverfordwest.

Geoff Marshall and Vicki Pipe have travelled to over 1,400 train stations out of the 2,563 stations in the United Kingdom, and have so far travelled by train across Kent, Birmingham and Derbyshire, but this week is their ‘Wales Week’.

Updating their YouTube channel, ‘All The Stations’, they have been documenting their journey on a daily basis.

So, what are the rules? Geoff and Vicki must be on a train that stops – they can’t get on a fast train that goes all the way through to the final destination, so ideally they need to be on a train that does stop at every station.

The Herald caught up with Geoff and Vicki at Haverfordwest Train Station after they got off the 2pm train with their camera, wearing their ‘All The Stations’ t-shirts yesterday afternoon (Jun 27).

When asked where it all started, Vicki said: “I’m very interested in the social history side and how the railways connect people.”

Pulling into the station: Haverfordwest

Geoff managed to be the record holder of travelling to all the tube stations in London in the fastest time – twice. He said: “Off of that came the conversation, is there a record to go to all of the train stations?”

“We’re not trying to do it in the fastest time, but at a more leisurely pace!”

The pair didn’t want it to just be a journey in which they stopped and explored places that they thought were interesting, and wanted other people to contribute.

They came to Haverfordwest after being approached by a local, who offered them the chance to travel to Pembrokeshire and take a look around.

So far, it has taken Vicki and Geoff 6 weeks to travel to half of the stations across the UK, however they anticipate it will take them an extra 8 weeks to complete the rest as they take their journey through Wales, due to trains running less frequently than in other areas.

Geoff said: “One of the most obvious difference is we live in a world in South East London, where we’re from, where a train runs every 10 minutes.

“One of our local stations, I don’t even bother to check when the next train is going to be, I just rock up and know that another one is going to be along in the next three or four, at most seven minutes, there’s going to be a train, and here at Haverfordwest we’re looking at the board and there’s a train every two hours.

“It does bring it home how infrequent trains are out of the cities and commuter areas.”

Whilst travelling through Wales, Vicki has been trying to learn some of the Welsh language, and has been speaking to people across the country in an attempt to help her learn more.

She said: “It’s been brilliant trying to learn Welsh as well, and people have been so happy to give us tips, and I really hope by the end of the week I’ll be able to reel off a few sentences without having to look at my notes!”

Half way there: Vicki and Geoff are almost half way through their ‘All The Stations’ journey

The love of railways all stemmed from a box of old black and white photogaphs of railways owned by Geoff’s grandad, before they were closed by The Beeching cuts in 1965, along with maps of the railways that Geoff’s grandfather used to cycle to.

Geoff said: “The more you look at a map and the place names, the more you think why don’t people just get on a train and get out and explore more? And there’s something quite marvellous, with that expression the thrill is in the chase not the capture, I would definitely bump that up to the experience is in the journey not getting to your destination.

“And, I’d rather do it on a train where you can look out the window, read a book, talk to someone, have a nap, get up and go for a walk around – if I was taking a long journey I’d prefer to do it by train, and it’s good for the environment too!

“And I really mean that – we come from London where the air quality is an issue, and we’ve been in Wales this week breathing in some fresh mountain air, so it brings it home. So, more than ever, I’m thinking we need to get people onto trains.”

The Herald asked Geoff and Vicki if they think the train lines will change over the next few years.

Vicki said: “I think there’s going to be loads of investment in the train network over the next few years, and that’s going to dramatically change the way we travel, such as the speed of which we travel, how we buy our tickets and the service we expect once we get on board a train, and in a way it felt like 2017 was the time to take a look and take a snapshot of what the railways are like now before all of that change happens.

“We’ve joked about maybe coming back in 15 to 20 years to see what it’s like!”

To follow Geoff and Vicki’s journey, go to www.allthestations.co.uk or find them on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter.

News

Nearly 100 attend Big Green Service at St Davids Cathedral

Published

13 minutes ago

June 8, 2026

Tom Sinclair

COMMUNITY EVENT CELEBRATES FAITH, NATURE AND ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE

NEARLY 100 people gathered at St Davids Cathedral for the Big Green Service, a celebration of faith, community action and care for the natural world.

The service brought together worshippers, local churches and chapels, members of the Cathedral congregation, and visitors from across the world.

Those taking part included EcoDewi, Erw Dewi, Hope Worship Band, the Cathedral Choristers, Canon Sheridan, Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi, Mamgu Welshcakes, the refreshments team, Cathedral staff and volunteers.

Visitors also attended from California, Philadelphia, Belgium, Malaysia and Patagonia.

Organisers said the event was a reminder to be grateful for the planet and to continue working together to protect it for future generations.

Community

Tenby 10k raises more than £20,000 for Paul Sartori

Published

1 hour ago

June 8, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A POPULAR Tenby road race has raised more than £20,000 for Paul Sartori Hospice at Home.

Runners and sponsors taking part in last year’s Tenby 10k raised £20,559.07 for the Pembrokeshire charity, which provides hospice care to people in their own homes.

The race, organised by Waterfront Community Runners, took place in October 2025 and was well supported by locals and visitors, who lined the route through the town to cheer on competitors.

Laura Hugman, Chief Executive of Paul Sartori, has now received the cheque, presented by a selection of those who took part in the event.

This year’s Tenby 10k will take place on Sunday, October 25, 2026, on a closed-road, two-lap course through the centre of Tenby.

More than 400 runners have already signed up, with entries now past 40 per cent capacity and organisers expecting the event to sell out again.

Anyone wishing to take part can enter at www.waterfrontcommunityrunners.co.uk.

All proceeds from this year’s race will again be donated to the Paul Sartori Foundation.

Caption:

Laura Hugman, Chief Executive of Paul Sartori, receives the cheque from Tenby 10k runners and organisers.

Community

Forgotten wartime archive found in Pembroke Dock attic after 80 years

Published

2 hours ago

June 8, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Remarkable family collection reveals story of father and son who served through two world wars

A REMARKABLE untouched family archive documenting the lives of two Pembroke Dock servicemen who fought for Britain across both World Wars has been discovered in the attic of a terraced house in the town.

The collection, found at a property on Lewis Street, contains original military papers, wartime identity documents, Army service certificates and an old Dyfed driving licence belonging to members of the Atcherley family.

The archive was uncovered by local resident Ryan Guy, who said he was stunned by what he found hidden away in the loft of his home at 33 Lewis Street.

At the heart of the discovery are records belonging to father and son Samuel and James Atcherley, whose military careers spanned decades of British history.

World War One soldier

Among the most significant finds is an original discharge certificate belonging to Samuel Atcherley, who served with the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry.

The document shows Samuel enlisted at Shrewsbury on July 19, 1909, before going on to serve throughout the early years of the First World War.

Military records found in the attic show he was discharged on September 6, 1916 after being declared “no longer physically fit for war service” following more than seven years with the Colours.

The papers also paint a vivid picture of the soldier himself. Samuel was described as standing 5ft 6in tall, with fair complexion, grey eyes and blonde hair.

Experts in military history say surviving original service records from the First World War are increasingly rare, particularly where complete family papers remain together.

Secret wartime work

The archive also sheds light on the military career of Samuel’s son, James Henry Atcherley, who served during the Second World War and into the post-war period.

Among the papers is an Army Certificate of Service confirming James reached the rank of Sergeant and served for almost twenty years.

One of the most intriguing discoveries is his wartime military service book carrying stark warnings about secrecy, including instructions that “Military Secrets Must Be Guarded In Peace And War”.

The wording suggests James may have worked in a sensitive military role during a period when Britain was developing radar and communications systems that proved crucial to the war effort.

A surviving wartime National Registration Identity Card lists James Atcherley as living at 33 Lewis Street, Pembroke Dock, linking the documents directly to the property where they were uncovered.

A glimpse into local history

The find offers a rare snapshot of ordinary life in Pembroke Dock across much of the twentieth century.

Also discovered among the papers was an original Great Britain driving licence issued through Dyfed County Council in 1976, again showing James Atcherley still living at the same address.

The Herald understands the collection may include further military material and family records yet to be examined.

Ryan Guy said he hopes the discovery will help preserve the memory of the Atcherley family and provide a fascinating glimpse into the lives of local men who served their country during some of its darkest hours.

The Herald would be keen to hear from anyone who remembers the Atcherley family or has further information about their military service.