WALES is geared up to mark 200 years of passenger rail travel this year as the UK marks the historic anniversary of the advent of the modern rail. 

As part of the celebrations, a launch event is being held in Aberystwyth today, kicking off a year of events around the country.

Dr Louise Moon, Transport for Wales’ Railway 200 Programme Lead said it was exciting to be showcasing Wales’ history as well as promoting the innovations that are taking place now.

She said: “We’re incredibly excited to be sharing so much of our history across Wales within our communities, telling the stories of innovation, grit and determination.

“Railway 200 celebrates so much of our social and cultural history and how the railways transformed our country and made it what it is today.

“Towns like Aberystwyth grew massively with the arrival of the railway so it’s great to be launching the year of events here.

“We want to inspire a new generation not just with our proud history but through science, technology and innovation that is taking place right now as we are going through the next major transformation of our network which will connect future generations within Wales.”

While the milestone marks 200 years since the first passenger steam journey on the Stockton & Darlington Railway in September 27, 1825, Wales can rightly claim a huge part in the build up to that historic journey.

In 1804 Cornish engineer Richard Trevithick designs the Pen-y-Darren locomotive which pulled 10 tonnes of coal 10 miles from the Pen-y-Darren Ironworks in Merthyr Tydfil to Abercynon.

And then in 1807, the Swansea and Mumbles Railway saw the world’s first fare paying passengers, with horses pulling their carriage along the rail tracks, proving a widely popular experience.

Transport for Wales is writing its own chapter in that history electrifying the core valley lines in south east Wales, building new stations and depots, and making an £800 million investment in new trains.

As part of the wider plans to tell the story of Railway 200 across the UK, four main themes will be explored.

· Skills & Education

· Innovation, Technology & Environment

· Heritage, Culture & Tourism

· Celebrating Railway People For more information visit https://tfw.wales/railway-200 

STORM ÉOWYN is set to bring strong winds across the UK, with an amber weather now in place for warning for parts of Wales on Friday. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is urging those near the coast to be aware of the dangers the stormy weather could bring.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind from today (23 January), covering much of the UK with gusts of 50 to 60mph expected across part of Wales. Storm Éowyn is expected to bring very strong winds and widespread disruption on Friday when the amber warning is in place for north Wales.

For those who plan to visit the coast this Friday and Saturday, the strong gusts pose a significant risk to safety and the lifesaving charity is urging the public to exercise extreme caution, particularly along exposed cliffs, seafronts and piers.

Chris Cousens, Regional Water Safety Lead for Wales says: ‘Storm Éowyn is set to bring potentially dangerous and uncertain conditions so we’re asking the public to stay vigilant.

‘If you plan to visit the coast, the RNLI advises that you stay a safe distance from the water as conditions could knock you off your feet or wash you into the sea. It is not worth risking your life.

‘If you find yourself in trouble unexpectedly in the water, remember to Float to Live; lie back in the water, extend your arms and legs and try to relax as best as you can until you get control of your breathing.

‘If you see someone else in danger in the water, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. If you have something that floats that they can hold on to, throw it to them. Don’t go in the water yourself – you could end up in difficulty too.’

The RNLI’s safety advice is:

• Stay well back from stormy, wintery seas and cliff edges
• Check the weather forecast and tide times before you go
• Take a phone with you
• In an emergency, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard

Two leading musicians are to receive funding totalling £8,000 thanks to a new music bursary launched by Menter Rhosygilwen.

Cardigan pianist Raph James and Pembrokeshire trumpeter Carys Wood are both to receive £4,000 of funding spread over the next two years, after receiving offers to continue their performance studies at two of the UK’s top music colleges.

Raph, who is taught by Pembrokeshire-based pianist Sarahjane Absalom, has been accepted by both the Guildhall School of Music, London and the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, while Carys has been accepted by both the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music, London.

“This is the first year that we’ve launched the bursary, and its aim is for young people in Dyfed who have been accepted to study at a music academy,” explained Glen Peters, owner and director of Menter Rhosygilwen.

“This year the standard was so high that we were compelled to award it to two students rather than one, and as a result we’ve increased the bursary from £6,000 to £8,000.”

Raph, who recently gained his Associate of the Royal Schools of Music performance diploma with an exceptionally high score, is also the current Young Musician of Dyfed after wowing judges with his outstanding performance at Rhosygilwen in 2024.  He is a Year 13 student at Cardigan Secondary School where he is currently preparing for A levels in maths, physics, and chemistry.  He will commence his performance studies at the Guildhall School of Music in September.

Carys Wood is a sixth form student at Haverfordwest High School.  In 2024 she reached the last 50 televised rounds of the BBC Young Musician and in September she will commence her undergraduate studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London.  

Raph and Carys will officially receive their bursaries at a special awards ceremony at Rhosygilwen in April.