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Discover the railway heritage of Fishguard Harbour

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SOTH WEST WALES Connected Community Rail Partnership (SWWC CRP) is proud to be working with Stena Line to host a special heritage event celebrating the history of Fishguard Harbour railway and port.

The event, supported by the community-run heritage centre Ein Hanes – Our History, will take place on the afternoon of Saturday, October 18 at the Stena Line ferry terminal.

The celebration will showcase the stories, people and history that made Fishguard Harbour such an important gateway to Ireland and America. Visitors can arrive by train from Fishguard & Goodwick and beyond, making the journey part of the experience. With parking at the terminal limited, attendees are encouraged to travel by rail, on foot, by bike, or through car sharing.

Philip Merchant, Project Officer at SWWC CRP, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the visionaries who brought the railway to West Wales, and the building of a significant port that transformed connections across the Irish Sea and beyond.”

A spokesperson for Stena Line added: “Stena Line is proud to support this heritage event at Fishguard Harbour. Preserving shared history and connecting communities is at the heart of what we do, and we look forward to welcoming visitors to explore the rich legacy of rail travel at the harbour.”

The event forms part of Railway 200, a nationwide programme marking 200 years of the modern railway. The year-long campaign celebrates the achievements of rail while inspiring future generations to consider careers in the industry.

The afternoon will feature:

  • A new exhibition exploring the history of the harbour and railway
  • Model railway displays highlighting West Wales layouts
  • Live theatre performances with actors in Edwardian costume
  • Music from local performers
  • Short five-minute story slots where residents can share their memories
  • Prizes for the best visitor costumes

The event is free to attend, funded by Transport for Wales (TfW) and Great Western Railway. Stalls will also offer local history books, vintage sweets and traditional apothecary items, while refreshments will be available in a volunteer-run café, with donations supporting local causes.

Dr Louise Moon, TfW’s Railway 200 Programme Lead, said: “This year’s celebrations have highlighted the important role railways play across Wales and the Borders. It is wonderful to see Fishguard Harbour’s unique story being recognised and shared with the community.”

The event runs from 12:30pm to 4:30pm. Visitors are encouraged to join the 12:43 service from Fishguard & Goodwick station and return on the 4:00pm train from Fishguard Harbour.

For further information, or to share historical photographs or memorabilia, email: [email protected]

 

Community

Man found dead near Carmarthen railway line died from hypothermia

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A 32-YEAR-OLD man found dead near Carmarthen Train Station died after taking shelter on a bitterly cold night, an inquest has heard.

Edward Mark Owen, originally from Birmingham but living in Ystradgynlais, was discovered in a field beside the railway line on the approach to Carmarthen station on Saturday, January 10.

A Transport for Wales train driver had spotted what appeared to be a body lying face down near the track shortly after 8:30am.

Police and railway staff attended and found Mr Owen lying face down and topless in the field. His coat, T-shirt, phone and cigarettes were found nearby.

Police initially treated the death as unexplained.

Movements traced

The inquest heard that officers later traced Mr Owen’s movements from his home in Ystradgynlais to Carmarthen.

He had nowhere to stay in the town and had taken shelter under a bridge near the railway station during a particularly cold night.

The coroner said Mr Owen had “sadly succumbed to the effects of hypothermia”.

The fact that he had removed his T-shirt and coat was said to be consistent with a confused state brought on by hypothermia.

A conclusion of misadventure was recorded.

The coroner found that Mr Owen died sometime on January 10, 2026.

 

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Community

Milford Haven firefighters prepare for key assessments

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ON-CALL firefighters at Milford Haven Fire Station have been put through their paces as part of their weekly drill night.

The crew’s development firefighters were pictured carrying out a “drill by numbers” squad exercise ahead of upcoming assessments.

New firefighters spend their first 24 months in a development period, which is split into four stages and focuses on different operational skills and competencies.

At the end of each stage, firefighters attend a divisional training centre where their progress is assessed against the standards required by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

Over the next two weeks, members of the Milford Haven crew will take part in a Stage 2 interim assessment and a Stage 4 final assessment.

One firefighter is hoping to complete the final stage and qualify as a fully competent firefighter.

The station said Wednesday nights remain an important part of training for the on-call crew, helping firefighters maintain the skills needed to respond to emergencies across the Milford Haven area.

 

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Community

Armed Forces Day exhibition opens at VC Gallery’s new Riverside home

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A UNIQUE exhibition bringing together military history, art and veterans’ stories will open to the public in Haverfordwest as part of Armed Forces Day celebrations later this month.

The VC Gallery will host a special open day at its new Riverside Gallery on Saturday, June 27, inviting the community to explore an exhibition featuring works from the Imperial War Museum alongside historic wartime artefacts, trench art and pieces connected to celebrated Welsh artist Augustus John.

The event will also showcase contemporary artwork created by Armed Forces veterans who served in conflicts including Korea, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Organisers say the exhibition highlights not only military history and remembrance, but also the role creativity can play in supporting mental health, wellbeing and recovery.

Throughout the day, visitors will be able to meet members of the VC Gallery team and learn more about an ambitious new project aimed at supporting veterans, families and the wider community.

The exhibition combines nationally significant historical works with personal stories of service and resilience, offering a rare opportunity to view military history through the eyes of those who experienced it.

Families are particularly welcome, with guided family art tours available by advance booking.

The event begins at 10:00am and takes place at the VC Riverside Gallery in Haverfordwest.

Anyone wishing to reserve a place on a guided family tour should email [email protected].

The VC Gallery said it is looking forward to welcoming visitors as it commemorates Armed Forces Day while celebrating the power of art, heritage and community to bring people together.

 

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