Eve’s Diary: our Community Rail Officer’s autumn adventures around our network
Our Community Rail Officer, Eve Sherratt, had an exciting end to 2024, which included a Santa train, a conference, and a choir performance. Here, she rounds up the highlights.
Welcome to my final diary post of 2024! I can’t believe how quickly this year has gone. November and December brought the year to a close in style, with some delightful meetings and events.
New station adopters for Swansea
On November 5, we had a lovely meeting with our new station adopters group at Swansea station, and a planter tidy-up before the winter. Station adopters play a hugely important role in making our network’s stations more beautiful and welcoming. If you’d like to know more about how to help improve your local station, please do get in touch!
Railway Heritage Meeting, Neath
I’d like to extend a big thank you to everyone who joined our Railway Heritage meeting at Neath Central Library on November 8. The gathering was both enjoyable and engaging, with a really warm and collaborative spirit among all attendees. Together, we explored ways how we can honour and promote our region’s rich railway history, strengthen partnerships, and inspire new generations to appreciate and engage with our heritage here in South Wales.
Armistice Day Poppy Train
On November 11, we laid a wreath for Armistice Day on the GWR train to be taken to be displayed at Paddington Station. A morning service was held at the station in remembrance.
Green Economy Conference
November 18 was an exciting day as businesses, community leaders, and innovators from across South West Wales came together for the Green Economy Conference at Swansea Arena. Hosted by 4theRegion, the event showcased shining examples of the region’s commitment to sustainable growth and collaboration. With its rich natural resources and a strong drive for change, South West Wales embraced the opportunity to exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and help shape a greener, more resilient future. The conference underscored the region’s ambition to lead in the transition to a thriving green economy.
Exciting plans for a new GPS Heritage tour
On November 26, we met with Andre van Wyk from Community Storywork to explore the exciting idea of a GPS-guided heritage walk starting from Swansea Station. This initiative aims to celebrate the rich history of the area while tying into the upcoming Mumbles Railway celebration. The proposed walk would guide participants through key historical landmarks, blending technology with storytelling to bring the region’s heritage to life. The discussion marked a promising step toward creating an engaging and educational experience for both locals and visitors, further connecting the community to its fascinating past.
The Santa Train
On Sunday December 1, we hosted our first Santa Train event, which was a great festive success. The day began at Carmarthen Station, where Santa greeted attendees before boarding the train. Along the journey to Swansea, he waved to excited passengers, spreading holiday cheer without disembarking. At Swansea Station, Santa was welcomed with Christmas carols performed on the piano, creating a magical atmosphere. The festivities continued at Port Talbot, where the cast of the local pantomime joined in after Santa’s wave-through at Neath Station.
The event was far busier than anticipated, but it ran smoothly thanks to the exemplary support from station management and security teams. Feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive, with key areas for improvement identified for future events.
VC Gallery’s Joy of the Journey trip
It’s always a pleasure hosting Joy of the Journey trips, which enable community groups to enjoy a free day out on the train. On December 5, we took a group from the VC Gallery in Haverfordwest to Swansea, where they met up with Swansea-based artist and illustrator Jeff Phillips and visited Elysium Gallery, the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Plantasia Tropical Zoo and Swansea MAD to learn about its work helping young people and communities break through barriers. British Transport Police joined us at Swansea railway station for a safety brief and a discussion about the importance of Rail Safety. We certainly covered a lot on this trip, and we are incredibly grateful to all the organisations who gave us such a warm welcome. Throughout the day, there were plenty of enlightening conversations about how art can serve as a catalyst for making connections, combating loneliness and improving mental health and wellbeing. The VC Gallery is, of course, a shining light in this arena, helping service veterans and those in the wider community overcome social exclusion by getting engaged in a variety of art projects.
Llanelli Carers’ Joy of the Journey trip
On December 13, Llanelli Carers joined our Joy of the Journey initiative for a memorable visit to Swansea, resulting in a day full of fun and connection. The group explored the wonders of Plantasia with its tropical plants and exotic animals, before enjoying a delicious treat of pizza and ice cream. The day was filled with laughter and excitement, with children declaring it “the best day ever.” It was a heartwarming experience that brought smiles to everyone involved, highlighting the importance of creating joyful moments for carers and their families.
Choir at station- Ebeneezer church group
On December 14, the Ebenezer Church Group filled Swansea Station with festive cheer through their heartfelt carol performance. Their beautiful voices created a joyous atmosphere that brought smiles to everyone passing through. The celebration was made even sweeter with mince pies shared afterwards. Everyone who attended thoroughly enjoyed the event, and SWWCO extends heartfelt thanks to the group for spreading such seasonal joy in the community and ending the year in such a warm holiday spirit.